Serious Moonlight

by Jenn Bennett

From award-winning Jenn Bennett comes a swoon-worthy story with a compelling mystery at its heart

Raised in isolation and home-schooled by her strict grandparents, the only experience Birdie has had of the outside world is through her favourite crime books. But everything changes when she takes a summer job working the night shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

There she meets Daniel Aoki, the hotel's charismatic driver, and together they stumble upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer-never before seen in public-is secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer's puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell, and in doing so, realize that the most confounding mystery of all may just be her growing feelings for Daniel.

• ISBN10: 1534425144
• ISBN13: 9781534425149
• Publish Date: 16 April 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[readingwithwrin]

See reviews first on my Blog

“Let’s go eat some pie and solve a mystery.”

Our main character is Birdie and she is starting to figure out her life and getting her first job at a hotel. The only problem is one of her co-workers is someone she kind of sort of knows. They work through this thankfully and become really good friends (Daniel). As they get to know each other more and talk they realize they have several things in common and start to spend there free time together trying to figure out a mystery about a person who visits the hotel at certain times of the day. They have an idea of who it could be but don’t have a way to prove it without some good detective work.

Overall I loved this book! It was so much fun to read, and I feel in love with Birdie and Daniel. The other characters especially Birdies’ ‘aunt’ were so much fun to read about. Her aunt was truly a character and I loved the relationship they had.

“Family isn’t always blood, and it isn’t contained in a single tree. It’s a forest.”

The mystery part of this was some good old fashion sleuthing and I loved reading it. It was so much fun to see how they were able to figure things out and work together on them, while also bringing in people when they needed help to finding information.
We also get to see Birdie and Daniel’s friendship turn into more over time and learned to communicate with each other in a healthy way.

This book was a fun read and was exactly what I needed at the time, and perfect for a valentines read for someone who doesn’t want a romance heavy read.

[Kelly]

This and more on my blog Diva Booknerd

When Birdie Lindberg lost her young mother to congenital heart disease, she wasn't prepared for the isolation of her grandparents home on Bainbridge Island, educated by her retired grandmother, a former teacher before her recent passing. With her grandfather's encouragement and support from her nonbiological Aunt and mother's best friend Mona Rivera, Birdie spreads her wings and begins work on the mainland at the historical Cascadia Hotel in downtown Seattle Washington.

Birdie Lindberg is a charismatic and inquisitive young woman, immersing herself in her late grandmother's garden and mystery novels. Birdie lives with her grandfather, sharing a wonderful relationship with the recently widowed man after the passing of her grandmother to heart disease, a heredity condition. Although undiagnosed, Birdie experiences narcolepsy and cataplexy, a condition identifiable by muscle weakness triggered by emotional responses accompanied by full conscious awareness. With her newfound independence and position at the Cascadia Hotel, dashing coworker and hotel chauffeur Daniel Aoki approaches Birdie with an intriguing mystery. Recluse crime author Raymond Darke allegedly frequents the hotel each week, Daniel proposes a tentative partnership and the two amateur detectives embark on an adventure to uncover Raymond Darke's identity.

Daniel Aoki is a wonderful young man and amateur magician. Daniel is also hearing impaired and has been diagnosed with depression. The tentative friendship is incredibly awkward and mortifying, especially for Birdie. Birdie and Daniel have met before, at the Moonlight Diner where Birdie is a frequent customer, her mother a former waitress at the establishment before her passing. Sharing a conversation and attraction, Birdie and Daniel have spontaneous and consensual sex before Birdie flees into the night. What ensues is an attempt at a totally awkward conversation between coworkers about casual sex while trying to solve one of the mysteries plaguing modern popular culture.

Sexually positive young adult books are so incredibly important. During adolescence is often when we explore our sexuality and it was wonderful to an open and honest dialogue between Birdie and Mona about using protection and sex being a positive and feel great experience and placing the emphasis on consent. Whether you choose to have sex, uninterested in a physical relationship or identify as asexual, it's important to encourage discussion and acceptance.

Japanese American biracial, Daniel lives with his extended family in a cohousing community. His grandparents are a wonderful support for both Daniel and Cherry, his mother and former performer. Many families now share their homes with multigenerational family members and it was lovely to see extended families represented. Daniel is incredibly charming and charismatic and allows Birdie to guide their relationship ensuring she's comfortable and consenting.

Jenn Bennett is a remarkable author creating charismatic and introspective characters that resonate with audiences. Atmospheric, adventurous and beautifully captivating.

[jeannamichel]

Made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. It also spoke to my inner Nancy Drew.

When Daniel meets Birdie, the two immediately click. He thinks she feels it too until she suddenly runs away from him. Birdie regrets leaving but she tries to put her past behind her since she’ll probably never see him again, right? On her first day at her new job, working the graveyard shift at a hotel, she runs into none other than Daniel, who happens to work there too. Fate must be at work here. Birdie loves a good mystery and when Daniel gives her the inside scoop about a questioning meeting that happens every week on Tuesday evening, she can’t resist joining forces with him. Daniel believes that this meeting has something to do with a mysterious bestselling author; no one knows his true identity. Together, the two must figure out what’s happening at the hotel. And if fate is truly at work here, is this a second chance to make Birdie and Daniel realize they’re meant to be? Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett is a fantastic contemporary romance that doubles as an awesome mystery.

I’ve never read a book written by Jenn Bennett before but Serious Moonlight will most definitely not be the last I read from her. I absolutely adored Bennett's writing; it was witty, realistic, and adorable at times. I plan on picking up her other works, Approximately, Alex and Starry Eyes soon.

Serious Moonlight is set in Seattle, Washington. I've never been there so I cannot say much on its accuracy. However, the way Bennett describes all the sites, the beautiful skyline to the walks on the pier will sure to make readers want to visit someday.

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy contemporary romances. Love is in the air, my friends. Yet, Bennett gives us more than just a fluffy romance. There’s a mystery afoot in Serious Moonlight. It focuses around a mysterious author: identity unknown. He visits the hotel Birdie and Daniel work at on the same day at the same time every week. The mystery gives off some major Nancy Drew vibes. The teen sleuthing is so much fun. It layered the plot to make readers even more invested in the romance as well as the characters.

Not only is there a bit of mystery but Daniel brings some magic into the mix. Not fantasy magic but the pull-the-rabbit-out-of-the-hat kind of magic. These small elements Bennett adds to the story makes Serious Moonlight stand out.

Birdie is such a great character. She’s a mystery buff. It seems she only accepts her position at the hotel to find the perfect summer mystery. Her skills at sleuthing makes for such a fun and entertaining read. Though she is not without her flaws. She tends to run away when things get tough. Bennett’s characters seem as real as you and me.

There’s a twist that neither Birdie nor the reader discovers until much later. I don't read many mysteries but I adored how Bennett gave us the chance to help solve the mystery alongside such an amazing pair, Birdie and Daniel.

Daniel and Birdie win at the best date ever as Bennett whisks them to an old mansion to play a live action Clue game. Isn’t that the coolest? I'm all for a classic whodunit story.

Nearing the end of the novel, a few of the chapters started to feel like great conclusions. I kept thinking, “Now that chapter would have made a great ending.” Serious Moonlight could have ended 50 pages before it did. This contemporary maxed out at 432 pages which is quite long for the genre. Still, Bennett is able to tie everything together and to give readers a lovely ending. Despite being a lengthy book, readers get to know the characters more deeply and feel for them more than if it had been your standard 300-page romance.

Serious Moonlight was such a heartfelt romance and gripping mystery. Jenn Bennett’s writing was magnificent! The story hooks readers to the end and beyond. Serious Moonlight was a fun story filled with intricate characters, a detailed setting, and an unpredictable mystery. I will definitely be reading more from Bennett in the future.

[Leigha]

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Birdie Lindberg and her new co-worker, Daniel Aoki, uncover a startling mystery in this ho-hum young adult contemporary romance.

If someone had told me I would be rating a Jenn Bennett contemporary romance with less than four stars, I would have laughed in your face. If someone told me I would be rating a book that consistently trots out references to the undeniably amazing The Thin Man films, I would have scoffed – SCOFFED – in scorn. And yet, here we are. HERE WE ARE.

This book did not work for me for two main reasons. First, I was issued an eARC of this novel from Edelweiss back in the fall. The formatting was atrocious, littered with typos and mutated sentence structure. Entire sentences would have

one

word

per

line.

I made a slow and terrible progress through it until the 40% mark. When I realize my experience of the read was directly bringing down the enjoyment of the read, I quit. The book became available on NetGalley this Spring, and I picked it up again. The formatting had been fixed, but the first 40% of the book bored me. *Le sigh*

Secondly, it’s a mystery. It has reference to many mysteries, spoofing off well-know motifs. I do not enjoy mysteries. I enjoy The Thin Man series because of the amazing writing and casting of Nick and Nora Charles. The mystery themselves do not interest me. When I am reading a mystery, I need the characters to be undeniably charismatic to hold my attention. Unfortunately, I found Birdie and Daniel to be bland and their stories to be uninteresting.

I think this truly falls in the “it’s me, not you” category. I would urge readers to give it a shot if you enjoy mysteries or you have enjoyed Jenn Bennett’s work in the past.

tl;dr A poorly formatted eARC and the mystery motif made me feel pretty disinterested in this novel.

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

4.5*

Has Jenn Bennett been officially dubbed the Queen of Romance™ yet? And if not, why? And also if not, can we organize some sort of proper ceremony, perhaps a trophy is involved? Seriously, her books are always so freaking adorable all while still being heartfelt. And Serious Moonlight is no exception.

Birdie has had a hell of a life. Her young mother died suddenly, leaving her with her grandparents. Her overbearing yet caring grandmother passed away recently, leaving Birdie to lean on her mom's best friend Mona more than ever. She's navigating a new sort of relationship with her grandfather, who blessedly is finally cutting the cord a little and letting her get a job. I am telling you this because these people, Birdie's family (blood and otherwise) are freaking fabulous characters and such a strength in this book. They're well developed, and care so deeply for Birdie.

Birdie herself is quite a great character. She can be a little frustrating, but in a "well who isn't?" way, and not an annoying way. She regrets the day she had with Daniel Aoki months before, but who does she see upon starting her new job? Daniel Aoki, naturally.  Can we take a minute to appreciate the awesomeness that is Daniel? Where can I find a Daniel? No seriously Jenn, I'll wait while you obtain this information. He is one of the best love interests I have ever read, honestly. Not because he's "perfect"; he isn't. But because he treats Birdie (and everyone else) respectfully and he's kind and smart and funny and basically who wouldn't love that?

But before any sort of romantic shenanigans ensue, Birdie and Daniel set off to solve a mystery! And okay, sometimes it is a weeee bit over the top, but mostly it's pretty fun! I enjoyed that there was a whole side adventure for Birdie and Daniel, though I also loved their respective families and friendships.

Bottom Line: I'll read anything Jenn Bennett writes but also maybe her next pre-order campaign can include a personal Daniel? Cool thanks.

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Birdie never expected to see Daniel again after their initial encounter turned disastrously awkward. But, lo and behold, there he was, a fellow night shift employee at the hotel. After trying, and failing, to avoid him, Birdie gave in, and a friendship developed, but would the two be able to unpack some of their personal baggage in order to make room for one another in their lives?

I love picking up a Jenn Bennett book, because I know it's going to be packed with fun and unique characters, who are sort of a mess, but always fabulous. Sure enough, I immediately fell in love with the cast she assembled for us in Serious Moonlight.

Birdie had so many attributes to appreciate. She was a bookworm with a passion for solving mysteries, and though her early childhood experiences were shaped by two outgoing and fierce women - her mother and her Aunt Mona, the second half of her life was spent in a sort of isolation under the watch of her overprotective grandmother. Six months after her grandmother's death, Birdie was attempting to branch out and be more independent, although she was still drowning in her grief and plagued by sleep issues. She got the hotel job, and was taking chances, but because it was all so new to her, she was prone to mistakes.

I couldn't have picked a better first friend and romantic partner to help her navigate all of this, than Daniel. Birdie waxed poetically about how he was sort of the personification of sunshine, and I don't think she was exaggerating, because that was exactly the vibe I got from him. Daniel's charm and effervescent personality jumped off the page, and I know he wormed his way into my heart quite quickly. I couldn't understand how Birdie could resist him, because every time he was on-page, a stupid grin appeared across my face. But, Daniel wasn't just a pretty and fun face, he had some personal issues he needed to deal with as well, and I loved that he and Birdie were eventually able to support each other in that task.

Mona was another character who stole the show, in my opinion. She had a HUGE personality, and I loved reading about her crazy outfits. As one of the "daring dames", she played a very important role in Birdie's life as a connection to her mother, and Mona seemed to serve as a surrogate mother to her as well.

The romance was awkward and precious and I loved Daniel and Birdie together so much. I found the incorporation of the mystery as a little extra, which facilitated more time together for these two, and when all was revealed, I appreciated the way it fit into the overall story.

Never afraid to incorporate more weighty topics, Bennett peppered the story with quite a few, and per usual, she handled it with care and without letting the issues overwhelm the story.

Overall: Bennett's stories never fail to make me smile and laugh, and they always leave me in a buoyant state. I am happy to say, she's has done it again with Serious Moonlight. From Birdie and Daniel's meet-awkward to that final slice of pie, I was thrilled to get to know them and all their loved ones, as they worked toward their HEA.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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