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ebralz's review against another edition
4.0
First let me say I love Jeff Zetner with all my heart. In the beginning of this book he writes a note stating this is not going to be like his first two books which were gut kickers, so I was a bit nervous. Because I love books that make you crawl into a fetal position, while sucking your thumb, as you cry yourself to sleep...more specifically Jeff's first two novels. While this book is different, it didn't disappoint. His writing style and wit that came through the two main characters made this book so endearing. I love, love, LOVED the friendship and I loved that while they were different it didn't drive the plot of the story too much. Meaning one girl was too insecure over the other girl and it inevitably brought them down.
The main reason this didn't turn out to be a 5 for me was the end. There was this epic lead up to meet this tv personality that was all driven by Delilah, along with the desire to see her deadbeat dad, but for her to just give up the chance for the meeting AT THE VERY LAST SECOND to see her dad was a bit unrealistic. Why did she have to go then? Why couldn't she have gone after? Also how did Rayne not call her out on that when Dee was laying into her for giving up on "their" dream?
I did like how Dee's dad was just a jerk. No qualms about it. He left them for a bs reason and Jeff didn't make it into this philosophical thing, just a case of abandonment for no reason. While that sounds terrible, and it's a gut kicker, so often you see books where they make it into this thing that's not. The dude left and had no good reason, that's realistic to me. But then again is there ever a good reason to abandon your family?
In the end I'll keep loving Jeff with all my reader heart because any book that makes me have any outward emotion is a keeper in my opinion. The banter he came up with...tears of laughter.
The main reason this didn't turn out to be a 5 for me was the end. There was this epic lead up to meet this tv personality that was all driven by Delilah, along with the desire to see her deadbeat dad, but for her to just give up the chance for the meeting AT THE VERY LAST SECOND to see her dad was a bit unrealistic. Why did she have to go then? Why couldn't she have gone after? Also how did Rayne not call her out on that when Dee was laying into her for giving up on "their" dream?
I did like how Dee's dad was just a jerk. No qualms about it. He left them for a bs reason and Jeff didn't make it into this philosophical thing, just a case of abandonment for no reason. While that sounds terrible, and it's a gut kicker, so often you see books where they make it into this thing that's not. The dude left and had no good reason, that's realistic to me. But then again is there ever a good reason to abandon your family?
In the end I'll keep loving Jeff with all my reader heart because any book that makes me have any outward emotion is a keeper in my opinion. The banter he came up with...tears of laughter.
lookingforamandaa's review against another edition
5.0
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley to read in return for an honest review. This is one of my highly anticipated 2019 releases completely because of Chelsea Dolling Reads talking about it on her channel all the time. So, when I saw it on NetGalley I couldn’t resist hitting that request button. Much to my surprise, I was approved and immediately dove into the story. I have to mention, there was an author’s note in the beginning that I’m not sure if it will be in the final copy, but it talked about where the inspiration for this story came from and that it was intended to be funny with a few serious moments here and there (the opposite of the rest of his books that focus on heavy topics with a few moments of funny). I mention this because I have to say that Jeff Zentner NAILED it. I do most of my ebook reading when my daughter is napping, she’s usually falling asleep in my arms before I put her down. Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee was the WRONG book to read during naptime. I was legitimately laughing out loud at times and praying I hadn’t woken up my child. Thankfully, I didn’t but there were some really close calls.
I loved our two main characters. I’ll start with Josie. Josie reminds me of parts of myself in high school. All the good and positive (read: angsty) parts of myself. She’s happy with her friends she mostly knows what she’s doing with her life, she meets a great guy that she tries not to let take over her life despite the strong feelings she has for him. She also tries really hard to please everyone. She wants to make her parents happy, but making them happy means disappointing Delia which is the last thing she wants to do. She was also sassy and unapologetic about what she loves and wants. I really loved Josie.
As much as I enjoyed Josie, Delia was most definitely my favorite. I could relate all too well to the things she was going through. Dealing with the fact that her father left when she was a kid and she never knew why, she clings to his memory with their shared love of old horror movies. She spends this book clinging to those in her life that she loves and trying to come to terms with the fact that her father left. She is terrified that everyone she loves will always leave her. This is something I went through in high school and even parts of college. Having an absentee parent, one that leaves when you’re young, really leaves you with a lasting fear that if your own parent won’t stick around, why would anyone else? I felt for Delia because I have struggled with the same feelings that she is trying to accept and move past in these pages. But like Delia, I had a best friend that did her best to hold me together. We shared a love of books and she’s my partner in crime (Yes, I’m talking about Antonia.)
I think the friendship between Josie and Delia was the heart and soul of this book. The dynamic they have was everything. They made me laugh and warmed my heart with their love for one another. They fight and forgive and laugh and cry and I loved every page with my whole heart.
Overall, I adored this book. I recommend it to anyone that loves a friendship-based story. This was well written and full of everything good. Excellent and well-developed characters, funny moments, sad moments, heartwarming moments. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Keep on reading lovelies, Amanda.
I loved our two main characters. I’ll start with Josie. Josie reminds me of parts of myself in high school. All the good and positive (read: angsty) parts of myself. She’s happy with her friends she mostly knows what she’s doing with her life, she meets a great guy that she tries not to let take over her life despite the strong feelings she has for him. She also tries really hard to please everyone. She wants to make her parents happy, but making them happy means disappointing Delia which is the last thing she wants to do. She was also sassy and unapologetic about what she loves and wants. I really loved Josie.
As much as I enjoyed Josie, Delia was most definitely my favorite. I could relate all too well to the things she was going through. Dealing with the fact that her father left when she was a kid and she never knew why, she clings to his memory with their shared love of old horror movies. She spends this book clinging to those in her life that she loves and trying to come to terms with the fact that her father left. She is terrified that everyone she loves will always leave her. This is something I went through in high school and even parts of college. Having an absentee parent, one that leaves when you’re young, really leaves you with a lasting fear that if your own parent won’t stick around, why would anyone else? I felt for Delia because I have struggled with the same feelings that she is trying to accept and move past in these pages. But like Delia, I had a best friend that did her best to hold me together. We shared a love of books and she’s my partner in crime (Yes, I’m talking about Antonia.)
I think the friendship between Josie and Delia was the heart and soul of this book. The dynamic they have was everything. They made me laugh and warmed my heart with their love for one another. They fight and forgive and laugh and cry and I loved every page with my whole heart.
Overall, I adored this book. I recommend it to anyone that loves a friendship-based story. This was well written and full of everything good. Excellent and well-developed characters, funny moments, sad moments, heartwarming moments. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Keep on reading lovelies, Amanda.
jcrawford728's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful story of friendship. I will basically read anything Jeff Zentner writes.
lbrauz's review against another edition
5.0
So quirky and yet, so gorgeous, also. I’m officially a Jeff Zentner fan. I’ll read anything he writes!!!
lumberjill314's review against another edition
4.0
Good book! The back and forth banter between Josie and delia was hilarious! Wasn't a fan of Josie and Lawson's romantic relationship, I would have liked them better as friends. Meeting divine and the restaurant gave me extreme anxiety! But I loved when Lawson took out yuri (he was strong like hippo). Wasn't a big fan of the ending, but I usually never am. Things don't wrap up so nicely in real life.
bookbrowsingblog's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
Some really strong aspects, some a little weaker but overall a really fun and captivating read!
Some really strong aspects, some a little weaker but overall a really fun and captivating read!
booksandladders's review against another edition
5.0
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Thank you to Christy of BookCrushin' for putting together the ARC Tour and letting me join in!
Hello, I am broken by another Jeff Zentner novel. I felt too many things and now am sobbing in bed and do not want to feel things ever again. But, alas, Jeff does a very good job of breaking people in the way they need to be broken in order to truly understand how they need to heal. So read this book to break and heal.
The characters, as always, were incredible. I loved the relationship between Josie and Delia, the way that anxieties and worries were portrayed, and the realness of it all. I liked that both girls had real issues, real problems, and real solutions. They were truly the best of friends (and I'm so lucky I have the Josie to my Delia in Dani)
I also like that Jeff is starting to follow in the contemporary author footsteps of those before him and intertwining other characters from his other books as little Easter Eggs for those who have read his past work. I liked having "Insider Knowledge" about some of the little interactions and side characters that we meet that don't take away anything from the plot if you are unaware of them.
Honestly, I am always so impressed with Zentner's work. He knows how to bring together a cohesive story that incorporate family relationships, coming of age, and friendships so well. I was also really impressed with how well he understood young women and the dynamics they have in their relationships (especially when one gets a boyfriend!). I highly recommend anything that Jeff writes and I can't wait to see what comes next!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Thank you to Christy of BookCrushin' for putting together the ARC Tour and letting me join in!
Hello, I am broken by another Jeff Zentner novel. I felt too many things and now am sobbing in bed and do not want to feel things ever again. But, alas, Jeff does a very good job of breaking people in the way they need to be broken in order to truly understand how they need to heal. So read this book to break and heal.
The characters, as always, were incredible. I loved the relationship between Josie and Delia, the way that anxieties and worries were portrayed, and the realness of it all. I liked that both girls had real issues, real problems, and real solutions. They were truly the best of friends (and I'm so lucky I have the Josie to my Delia in Dani)
I also like that Jeff is starting to follow in the contemporary author footsteps of those before him and intertwining other characters from his other books as little Easter Eggs for those who have read his past work. I liked having "Insider Knowledge" about some of the little interactions and side characters that we meet that don't take away anything from the plot if you are unaware of them.
Honestly, I am always so impressed with Zentner's work. He knows how to bring together a cohesive story that incorporate family relationships, coming of age, and friendships so well. I was also really impressed with how well he understood young women and the dynamics they have in their relationships (especially when one gets a boyfriend!). I highly recommend anything that Jeff writes and I can't wait to see what comes next!
lisamparkin's review against another edition
5.0
Best friends take on the world...and specifically a public access horror show they co-host. This book is literally laugh-out-loud funny.
There are so many poignant moments - growing up, making big decisions, leaving childhood behind. I love how Delia and Josie interact with each other and their truly amazing sense of humor.
Zentner's best work yet.
There are so many poignant moments - growing up, making big decisions, leaving childhood behind. I love how Delia and Josie interact with each other and their truly amazing sense of humor.
Zentner's best work yet.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
4.0
Took me a while to get into this one but by the end I was bawling in true Zentner fashion. Great story of friendship and growing up and realizing the family you make is sometimes more important than the family you were born with.