Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett Published by Simon and Schuster on April 16, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Social Themes, Dating & Sex, Humorous, General
Pages: 432
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.
Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.
In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.
To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Why Did I Read?
I have LOVED Jenn Bennett’s other YA contemporaries (Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes) like they’re on all time favorite statuses. So this was one of my most anticipated 2019 releases and ever since I first heard it announced I wanted it ASAP because 1) it takes place in MY BELOVED CITY, 2) mysteries, 3) half-asian love interest! I was so fortunate to snag a copy at ALALMW and it was the first one I read from the books I got there!
My Thoughts:
Sometimes when you get so excited for a book, you may hype yourself up too much for it. This was NOT the case here as I loved it just as much as I thought I was going to! The best sort of feeling when that happens!
In Serious Moonlight, Birdie Lindberg is starting her first job ever. She’s working graveyard shifts at a hotel in Seattle and this is a big deal because she’s been brought up by very overprotective grandparents. She’s lived on Bainbridge Island (across the water, a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle) and has been pretty sheltered. She’s a big mystery aficionado and teams up with Daniel, a coworker at the hotel, to solve a real life mystery at their hotel.
Birdie doesn’t have much experience with people – friendships and relationships-wise due to her protected upbringing and it makes her want to withdraw even more. But Daniel is so outgoing and friendly, he draws her out and their outings were just so perfect. I really, really loved seeing them discover how to communicate and navigate a relationship together. They’re just two teenagers and they obviously have some missteps because hello, they’re teens and they’re figuring it out! And that’s what made them seem so real and genuine. Relationships aren’t picture perfect postcard snapshots – they can be messy and include pasts and other things you may not want to display outwardly. Daniel has things he has struggled with and Birdie has been ignoring her own narcolepsy issues. But together, they navigate through it all as well as deciphering their feelings for each other. It’s fantastic. I loved these two.
I also very much enjoyed the familial aspects too. Birdie has had some strained memories of her own family which includes the death of her mom and grandmother but despite that, she has this wonderful relationship with her Aunt Mona– not actually an Aunt but her mother’s best friend. Their relationship isn’t traditional, and Aunt Mona is certainly a character, but their love and caring for one another is absolute. Family doesn’t have to be blood. Her grandpa also plays a part in her home life and I just do appreciate a good YA family! I also loved seeing Daniel’s family too — he is half Japanese and you just don’t see Asian characters that much in contemporary YA books. I love the growing diversity in YA writing and so appreciate it.
When I was a kid, I read ALL the mysteries. I wasn’t as hardcore as Birdie, not by a long shot but I did read all the Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys and some Agatha Christie! I was all about it and still do enjoy a good mystery! So the mystery aspect here was right up my alley. I loved their sleuthing and excursions.
The thing that puts the icing on the cake with this one, or should I say the whipped cream on the pie, is that it takes place in my beloved city. I really love Seattle and love it when books take place in it. But here, it doesn’t just take place there, it shows you Seattle, front and center. It highlights so many great Seattle things and captures the city and atmosphere so well! It actually made me want to take my book on a trip into the city for a photo journey of all the places in the book!
In Short…
Jenn Bennett has another winner! Her YA contemporaries continue to hit the mark and I can’t recommend Serious Moonlight enough! It has brilliant character development with genuine, realistic relationships and characters you’ll miss when you turn the last page. Jenn’s writing is top notch and I continue to adore her fantastic sex-positive and diverse stories. Set in the best city ever, this book has it all: heart bursting romance, dash of mystery and a side of pie. I loved it!
My Rating:
Leave a Reply