e-ARC, 403 pages
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Published by: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Read from: April 28- May 19, 2021
Stand-alone (Companion to other Matson novels)
Source: Edelweiss (I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW:
For fans of: Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age, YAFerris Bueller’s Day Off meets Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist in this romp through the city that never sleeps from the New York Times bestselling author of Since You’ve Been Gone, Morgan Matson.
Two girls. One night. Zero phones.
Kat and Stevie—best friends, theater kids, polar opposites—have snuck away from the suburbs to spend a night in New York City. They have it all planned out. They’ll see a play, eat at the city’s hottest restaurant, and have the best. Night. Ever. What could go wrong?
Well. Kind of a lot?
They’re barely off the train before they’re dealing with destroyed phones, family drama, and unexpected Pomeranians. Over the next few hours, they’ll have to grapple with old flames, terrible theater, and unhelpful cab drivers. But there are also cute boys to kiss, parties to crash, dry cleaning to deliver (don’t ask), and the world’s best museum to explore.
Over the course of a wild night in the city that never sleeps, both Kat and Stevie will get a wake-up call about their friendship, their choices…and finally discover what they really want for their future.
That is, assuming they can make it to Grand Central before the clock strikes midnight.
*MY THOUGHTS*
It doesn’t take much for me to get excited about a new Morgan Matson book. In fact, I would say l just have to hear that she has a new book and then I go add it to my TBR. I did exactly this when I heard about this one. And I was not disappointed.
“She never came out and said this, but then, being best friends with Stevie was sometimes like bein in a Pinter play: you had to learn what was happening by what wasn’t being said.”“5%
Kat and Stevie have snuck away to NYC by themselves. They’ve made a plan to have the best night ever while there. Unfortunately, things don’t go as they planned… They don’t have a phone and they’re stuck with a dog, that while cute, is unwanted. As the night progresses they get lost, but actually end up finding themselves along the way.
“…I managed to get out, feeling hot tears hit my cheeks. I hated that I was crying, but that was only making me cry harder, because its embarrassing to cry in front of strangers. Even if they are trying to rob you.”“38%
This one wasn’t my favorite, but that could be for one reason… I’ve never been a fan of books that take place over the course of one day/night. Idk, it’s just something about the plot that makes me not enjoy it. Unfortunately, this was the same. However, Teri’s part in this story MADE this book for me. I wish there had been more of it. Even if it was hella unbelivable.
“Things don’t stop being fun just because you get older.”“38%
I did like the characters tho. Teri and Stevie I liked from the beginning, but Kat I had to warm up to. I wasn’t a fan of her abrasive attitude and I really identified with Stevie from the beginning, so I felt like she was being mean (read rude) to her. But once they started finding things out about themselves, she grew on me. As for how they found out more about themselves, I was happy with the things they found out. I was super proud of Stevie (like I said I identified with her) because for someone like us I knew it wasn’t easy, Conflict sucks. And I’m glad that Kat got to see that not everything was all or nothing.
“I had a theory – even though I’d never told anyone, not even Kat- that love was about paying attention. It’s the one thing you can’t buy or fake or make-up for at the last minute. So the things that meant the most to me were the little details that told you someone had been paying attention, memorizing your random preferences, letting you know they cared. […] It was saying, I see you. I know you.”“49%
The other random things in this book were another reason I enjoyed it. Like the Easter eggs from the other books by Matson. Those are always fun. I don’t know that I caught them all, but I did try. I can’t wait to see what kind of Easter eggs will stem from this book into others. Maybe them at college? Or when they’re in their careers? Or something? It should be cool. I also liked the painting mystery. I wish it had been more of the story. And the “Meanwhile…” story? HILARIOUS. And I love how no one believed her. Super creative way to keep her in the story.
“I was done living my life that way. […] I needed to say what I felt. I needed to take up some space. It was time.”“65%
Morgan Matson still holds the place of Queen of Realistic Fiction in my heart. At this point I will read her grocery list. She’s just that good! Can’t wait to read whatever else she writes!
Overall, I give this
