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calypsogilstrap's review against another edition
5.0
Such a funny story. Sweet, adventurous, romantic. Great YA book!
vanhooked_on_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Jeff Zentner does a great job of writing modern Southern young adults, and this book is no exception. While these are teenagers, bringing with them a certain level of self-absorption and whininess, they are also teenagers, bringing their hearts and dreams as they look toward the future, fearing its changes and chasing its possibilities. These characters felt real, with real-life problems that they tackled. I rarely cry at books, but this one got me. There were also numerous places where I laughed out loud. This was a road trip audiobook for me, and it fit the bill perfectly.
amyka's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay. I did finish it, but there just wasn't enough going on for me. It was kind of a day in the life sort of book. Also, personally, I'm not a horror fan or a MMA fan so learning more about those disciplines wasn't appealing to me. If you like campy horror or MMA, I think the book will hold more of your attention. It wasn't poorly written, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
4.0
Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.
This guy really knows how to write characters! Josie and Delia co-host a cult horror themed TV show. For Josie TV is what she wants to do with her life and her parents have even organised an opportunity in a different town for her. For Delia horror is the thing she loves, it's the thing she shared with the father that abandoned her. She's scared because everyone leaves.
I loved the friendship between Josie and Delia, it was such an authentic relationship. Lawson was amazing as well, he defied stereotypes and I loved it! The writing throughout was really fun and genuine. Delia and her mother's depression was treated so well and the use of medication was totally normalised and they had a great relationship. The stuff with Delia's dad was handled brilliantly as well.
I only have a couple of tiny criticisms. I wish we could have had a little more of Josie with her family, on the whole "family" was skewed heavily towards Delia. There were a couple of idiotic jokes that were too bad for one person to know, never mind multiple (2022 note: why did I not include these specific jokes in my initial review?). Also the entire convention section was absurd and went way too over the top with trying to jam too much into just a few hours.
This guy really knows how to write characters! Josie and Delia co-host a cult horror themed TV show. For Josie TV is what she wants to do with her life and her parents have even organised an opportunity in a different town for her. For Delia horror is the thing she loves, it's the thing she shared with the father that abandoned her. She's scared because everyone leaves.
I loved the friendship between Josie and Delia, it was such an authentic relationship. Lawson was amazing as well, he defied stereotypes and I loved it! The writing throughout was really fun and genuine. Delia and her mother's depression was treated so well and the use of medication was totally normalised and they had a great relationship. The stuff with Delia's dad was handled brilliantly as well.
I only have a couple of tiny criticisms. I wish we could have had a little more of Josie with her family, on the whole "family" was skewed heavily towards Delia. There were a couple of idiotic jokes that were too bad for one person to know, never mind multiple (2022 note: why did I not include these specific jokes in my initial review?). Also the entire convention section was absurd and went way too over the top with trying to jam too much into just a few hours.
sarah_grey's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful book about friendship, terrible horror movies, and growing up. I loved it!
courtthelionberryann's review against another edition
4.0
Rayne (Josie) and Delilah's (Delia) Midnite Matinee was like a buddy comedy, but with best female friends instead of a bunch of dudes and after having met and talked with Jeff Zentner this is exactly what I expected! I loved Josie & Delia's friendship and how they just embrace their quirks and the random banter between them is hilarious to read (well listen to in my case). My heart absolutely breaks for Delia and everything that she's had to deal with (even if I feel the dad plot might be a LITTLE far-fetched) and her mom is such an endearing character as well. I also want to punch her dad in the face, but I won't go into details there. Josie is definitely a fun character, but a little bothersome at times but I think Lawson brings out a gentler side of her that is much more enjoyable. The friendship mixed with ridiculous and crazy happenstances make for this a fun, yet heartwarming read.
meikschi's review against another edition
2.0
Man, I love Jeff Zentner but this was just too silly, too over the top, too many bad puns and way too many metaphors.
undervmountain's review against another edition
funny
sad
medium-paced
4.0
A coming of age story about two teen girls who are horror hosts of their own Public Access Channel, this story had it ups and downs as they started to consider what they wanted for their futures, and the realisation that they were going to take different paths.
I really liked Rayne and Delilah, or Josie and Delia as they're known to their families. They're quirky, witty and a lot of fun, and I enjoyed Josie's journey finding love and emotionally maturing just as much as Delia's search for her Dad, and coming to terms with the feelings of being left behind.
I was looking forward to the horror convention, which became a turning point for Josie who realised this scene wasn't for her. However, the introduction of the incredibly annoying Jack Divine who so obviously was about to fleece them really dragged the story down in the middle for me.
Luckily, the last fourth was about them closing the show as a duo, and saying goodbye, and it was heartbreaking. I knew they were going to be fine and I was so proud of Jodie for choosing to move on, but I really needed a box of tissues trying to get through Delia opening the show for the first time by herself. Thankfully, I was reassured by the last few chapters that she was going to do great.
I really liked Rayne and Delilah, or Josie and Delia as they're known to their families. They're quirky, witty and a lot of fun, and I enjoyed Josie's journey finding love and emotionally maturing just as much as Delia's search for her Dad, and coming to terms with the feelings of being left behind.
I was looking forward to the horror convention, which became a turning point for Josie who realised this scene wasn't for her. However, the introduction of the incredibly annoying Jack Divine who so obviously was about to fleece them really dragged the story down in the middle for me.
Luckily, the last fourth was about them closing the show as a duo, and saying goodbye, and it was heartbreaking. I knew they were going to be fine and I was so proud of Jodie for choosing to move on, but I really needed a box of tissues trying to get through Delia opening the show for the first time by herself. Thankfully, I was reassured by the last few chapters that she was going to do great.
merethebookgal's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun book and I laughed a lot! Seriously, there were times I snorted while reading on the metro lol but I also felt a pull at my heartstrings, and shed a few tears along the way, too. The characters were so well written, and I feel a closeness with Josie and Delia since I also have a show (podcast vs tv in the book) with a group of my girlfriends. This was my first Zentner book, but he’s definitely a great writer and I look forward to reading his other books.
kristi_starr35's review against another edition
5.0
If you haven't read Jeff Zentner's review / explanation of the book, do yourself a favor and take a moment to do it. Yes, there was definitely heaviness to the story, but the scenes that brought me closest to tears were the hopeful scenes, the ones where the girls have made their choices and you know they're going to be OK.
The humor was unexpected and very welcome. The repetition of humorous lines was glorious! I can't tell you how many times in the past few days the word "peckish" has come to mind. And theories vs. opinions, fart tubes, and "like hippo" conjure up hilarious images.
Yes, there is melancholy. It wouldn't be a Zentner story without it. But if you like Zentner, you're going to love this one. Join best friends Josie/Rayne and Delia/Delilah on this adventure to see what they can and can't leave behind as they look to their futures past high school
The humor was unexpected and very welcome. The repetition of humorous lines was glorious! I can't tell you how many times in the past few days the word "peckish" has come to mind. And theories vs. opinions, fart tubes, and "like hippo" conjure up hilarious images.
Yes, there is melancholy. It wouldn't be a Zentner story without it. But if you like Zentner, you're going to love this one. Join best friends Josie/Rayne and Delia/Delilah on this adventure to see what they can and can't leave behind as they look to their futures past high school