I always enjoy Jenn Benett books. This one was no different. Would be a good addition to any Young Adult collection.

Ms. Bennett knocks it out of the park yet again! I absolutely love Birdie as a narrator. She’s tough, but also vulnerable. I loved the way her relationship with her own body was handled—her realization that she might have narcolepsy but complete avoidance of actual awareness of it. That felt so real to me and something that is so identifiable not just for teenagers, but for everyone. We all have something about ourselves that we don’t want to think too much about, and the question of whether that’s okay or unhealthy is an important one to explore. Adding in the parallel of Birdie’s mom dying from an undiagnosed medical issue just made Birdie’s own conflict of more information versus blissful denial more compelling. I also think the relationship dynamic between Birdie and Daniel was one that was extremely fruitful for conversation with young adults—how does it impact a relationship when it starts out purely physical? How do you recover from a difficult sexual encounter to develop a bond? It’s interesting to explore what Birdie could have missed had circumstances not forced her back together with Daniel, since her own defenses were leading her to avoidance and scape, again echoing her struggle with her own body and health. Finally, this story is also a beautiful portrait of grief in so many capacities—for a parent, for someone you loved but had a challenging relationship with, for a life you used to have, for a lost sense. Birdie’s ever-present thoughts about everything left unresolved when her grandmother died were heartbreaking but breathtaking in their honesty. I will happily recommend this book to all readers.

Really closer to 4.5 stars. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and now I NEED to go out and read every other book she has written! This was such a wonderful read. Part adorable contemporary YA and part mystery; they balanced each other perfectly and created a book that I could not put down.

Summary
This story follows Birdie, a mystery-loving teen who just got her first job working the graveyard shift at a hotel in downtown Seattle. She meets Daniel, the hotel's shuttle driver, and the two have an instant connection. They team up to solve a mystery and grow closer, but Daniel has secrets and Birdie is scared to let her guard down.

Overview
This is a YA, contemporary romance told from Bridie's point of view. It follows her romance with Daniel, her struggles with narcolepsy, and her learning to find her way in a world her Grandmother isolated her from for years.

This book has narcolepsy representation which was really interesting to read about! However I can't comment on the accuracy as I've never read anything about narcolepsy.

Content warnings: Narcolepsy, depression, attempted suicide, death of a parent

What I Liked
1. Birdie and Daniel's relationship was really sweet. I definitely found myself "aw-ing" through a lot of the second half. They both - but especially Birdie - have huge character growth throughout the book. And they way they come together is really heartwarming.
2. This book is fantastically sex-positive.
3. I really appreciated the unconventional but healthy depictions of home and family. Birdie was raised by her "aunt" and grandparents and Daniel lives in communal housing with his mom and grandparents.
4. Mona was a quirky, fun side character. She definitely danced to the beat of her own drum, but she was also a good role model and support system for Birdie.

What I Didn't Like
1. My main issue with this was the pacing. This book was way too long in my opinion (over 400 pages) and took on a few too many things - romance, family, physical & mental health concerns, mystery, etc. There were times the story dragged or felt like it was repeating - ie. Birdie and Daniel seemed to get into the same argument a few too many times.

Overall this was a really sweet, diverse contemporary. I definitely recommend this for anyone who loves contemporary romance!

Serious Moonlight may not have ended up being exactly what I thought it was going to be, but it was still the type of enjoyable, quick read I’ve come to expect from Jenn Bennett.

I thought that the mystery and the historic hotel that Birdie and Daniel work at would play larger roles in the story. I expected a little bit of a creepy vibe, as well. However, the book stays firmly Contemporary in tone. Which isn’t a bad thing at all, I was just expecting something a little bit different. The mystery left a lot to be desired for me. I never really understood why they cared that much about it and it wasn’t until the final “twist” that it made sense why one of them was interested. However, it was a good excuse for Birdie and Daniel to spend time together and get to know each other and have fun, bantery conversations that I quite enjoyed. I definitely shipped them together.

The story wasn’t all cute and lightness, though. Deceased parents, unplanned pregnancies, deadbeat dads, Narcolepsy, depression, suicide, isolation, and abandonment issues are all explored. It was kind of a lot to juggle, but Bennett did a pretty good job of it. I especially thought the inclusion of Narcolepsy was really interesting. I’ve never read a book where a character suffered from that and it involves a lot more than just randomly falling asleep, like I thought.

One thing I didn’t like about the book, however, is the irresponsible view on sex. I think that it had the opportunity to really explore the emotional repercussions of casual sex, but it never really went there. The “advice” Birdie gets from the adult in her life is basically not to take things so seriously. In a book meant for adults I could probably ignore it, but for one marketed to teens, I wish there was a better message on the subject.

Overall, I enjoyed Serious Moonlight. While there were a lot of heavier topics to deal with, at it’s heart it was a cute contemporary romance that I shipped. I really liked Birdie and Daniel together. There were many cute moments between them, including one of the coolest first date experiences I’ve ever heard of. I think fans of more serious YA contemporaries will enjoy it.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars

Mystery-loving Birdie Lindberg has secured a summer job working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel. She never imagines that the job will ensure she crosses paths with Daniel Aoki (with whom she had an awkward first encounter weeks before), or that it will drop a real-life mystery right in her lap (regarding a famous reclusive writer who has mysterious meetings at the hotel). Daniel and Birdie team up to solve the case, but will Birdie be able to figure out how to manage the feelings that arise during their investigation – both the romantic ones for Daniel and the complicated ones regarding herself and the people in her life?

Whenever I read a Jenn Bennett novel, I expect a young adult contemporary that includes the following elements: a main character with unique personality traits, supporting characters that are equally interesting, complex relationships (including a romance that is sweet, but not without its complications) and a setting that comes to life off the page. Serious Moonlight delivers on each of these elements! As with all her other work, it’s all too easy to get invested in the main character and find your interest piqued by their story, the setting and the other characters too. It was enjoyable to get to know Birdie, her family and her friends; Birdie is someone I particularly felt drawn to even though we’re not all that much alike. I also liked that the relationships in this one felt complex in a very realistic way, and that the plot was not just focused on the mystery (even though I do think that it takes a much more dramatic turn than I expected, and I wasn’t 100% behind that). But, truly, the best part of this novel for me was the setting! Reading about Seattle made me want to plan a visit of my own so that I could see some of the places and do some of the activities mentioned in the novel. I really enjoyed Serious Moonlight, and I think that any fans of YA contemporary or Jenn Bennett (or both) will enjoy it too!

4/4.5*

Another fun YA romcom from Jenn Bennett!

Jenn has become one of my favorite YA contemporary authors with her unique, quirky characters, compelling stories, fun dialogue, and sex positivity!

In this book we meet Birdie, a mystery loving girl who's getting a taste of the real world for the first time, and Daniel, a charming boy who loves magic but has a mysterious past.

The story was interesting and I was intrigued by the mystery of the Raymond Darke and learning about Birdie and Daniel's pasts but it took me awhile to feel invested in the story and there were some bits that just felt superfluous (like all of the Octavia stuff). And for some reason I never really connected with Birdie. I liked her character but I didn't love her the way I usually do with Jenn's female MC's. Daniel on the other hand was adorable and was the reason I bumped up my rating to a 4.5!

Overall I really enjoyed the story and I loved Daniel but it is probably my least favorite of this author's books. I would still recommend it as a fun YA read though!

This was super cute! I love Jenn Bennett and was excited to read this book. I really liked the main character Birdie and her romance with Daniel was super sweet. The premise of the book, the 2 teens solving a mystery at the hotel where they work, was intriguing. I wasnt sure it would work but it all came together nicely. I liked the supporting characters and I loved the backdrop of Seattle throughout the book. Highly recommend!

We need more books like this! Jenn Bennett is a seriously underrated author in the world of YA. Serious Moonlight isn't a fluffy romance as much as it's a novel about healing, connection and growth. Bennett tackles touch issues such as death, mental illness, physical illness and the awkward transition from teen to adult with an authentic, empathetic lens. I'd highly recommend Serious Moonlight to high school readers and up.

Jenn Bennett Does it once again. Whether I am reading her adult or YA titles, she always brings smart characters with diverse backgrounds to the table. "Serious Moonlight" is no exception. I very much related to Birdie and her overthinking/anxious ways. She and Daniel both were complex characters with detailed backgrounds that showed exactly why they are the way they are. I adored them and their relationship. I honestly can't even think of what to say about how much I loved this. I went into reading it without much enthusiasm because the plot summary didn't intrigue me, but I love the author. This just goes to show I will read anything by her and always be blown away. Cannot recommend enough!

Jenn Bennett has quickly become one of my favorite YA contemporary authors. Her stories are always so heartfelt and filled with wonderful characters in relatable situations, as well as a strong focus on family and friendships. I have yet to read a Jenn Bennett book that didn’t leave me with a smile on my face and her latest book, Serious Moonlight, was no exception.

Serious Moonlight follows Birdie Lindberg, an 18-year old teen, who lives with her grandfather on Bainbridge Island, just outside of Seattle. Birdie, who was orphaned at the age of 10, has lived a very sheltered life out on the island, and was home-schooled by her overly strict grandmother. She therefore hasn’t had many opportunities in life to make friends and/or date. Birdie’s grandmother has recently passed away when the story opens and her grandfather has agreed that it’s time for Birdie to “spread her wings” a bit and thus he gives her permission to get a summer job. She lands a job at a historical hotel in Seattle, working the graveyard shift.

When she starts her new job, Birdie finds herself immediately drawn to the hotel’s van driver, Daniel Aoki, a handsome young man she had a chance encounter with a few weeks earlier, but that ended on a most awkward note. Daniel is drawn to Birdie as well, but neither of them is sure how to proceed after that first less-than-stellar meeting.

Can they figure out a way to move from awkward acquaintances to friends and then maybe even to more than friends?


Honestly, I loved pretty much everything about this book. I was on my way to a serious reading slump when I started reading it, and Birdie and Daniel’s story just pulled me right out of it. They were both just so adorable!

Birdie was my favorite character. She’s an introverted, mystery-book loving teen who aspires to be a real-life Nancy Drew. I loved getting glimpses into her fantasy life where she imagines that she’s following clues and solving mysteries, and where she creates Nancy Drew-like profiles in her head to describe everyone she meets. She also always wears a flower in her hair every day, inspired by the legendary jazz singer, Billie Holiday. Just thinking about Birdie and how endearing of a character she is makes me smile.

Also endearing though is Daniel. Daniel is this sweet, soft boy who loves to do magic tricks and who is so obviously hung up on Birdie. He is so tuned in to what her interests are and even arranges what can only be described as the absolute perfect outing for her, a live action game of Clue. What could possibly be more perfect for a mystery-loving girl? I just loved that he recognized how unique and special Birdie is and was so patient with her in every way. Some of their heart-to-heart conversations as they get to know each other better are my favorite moments from the book.

Bennett is a master at creating secondary characters that add even more life to her stories, and in this story, Aunt Mona is that character. Mona is Birdie’s aunt and godmother, and she is just a force to be reckoned with. She’s an artist with a personality and fashion sense that is larger than life. Mona literally just brings so much color into Birdie’s life. For you Gilmore Girls fans out there, personality-wise, she reminds me so much of Miss Patty. She’s not just an aunt or a godmother either; she’s also Birdie’s best friend and confidante.

The setting of Serious Moonlight was also a huge draw for me. I loved the Seattle location, but I especially loved that Birdie lived on Bainbridge Island and took a ferry to and from the city every day. The view from her home is literally the Seattle skyline with its iconic Space Needle. It was so easy to visualize that spectacular setting and I loved that the ferry ride provided moments for Daniel and Birdie to spend even more quality time together.

I also really loved the Moonlight Diner, a neighborhood diner in Seattle where Birdie would hang out whenever she needed to wait for the next ferry home. Before Birdie’s mom passed away, she worked at the Moonlight and she and Birdie lived in an apartment upstairs. Birdie, therefore, practically grew up in this diner and everyone there was part of her extended family. I loved that the diner had such character and especially that they served the most delicious sounding pies. Seriously, this book will have you craving pie like you would not believe! I was practically drooling at the descriptions. And the pie names are so great too! They had me hoping Birdie would stop by the diner every single day just so that I could see what the pie of the day was called, lol. I think my favorite was the Beyonce-inspired name, a cherry pie called “Put a Bing on It.”

The mystery subplot involving the famous reclusive writer was probably my least favorite part of Serious Moonlight. That’s not to say there was anything really wrong with it, more just that some of the situations Birdie and Daniel found themselves in as they tried to solve the mystery seemed a little far-fetched. It was still a fun subplot though so I wasn’t too hung up on it.

Serious Moonlight is everything I want in a contemporary read. It’s a sweet story about two people trying to find their way in the world and their way to each other. It’s also a heartfelt story about family, friendship, and love. If you’re in the mood for a story that will leave you with a smile on your face, Jenn Bennett’s Serious Moonlight is the book you’re looking for.

I couldn’t download this book so I can’t review anything. I was very excited about this book, though!

*Thank you Simon and Shuster Children's Publishing for providing me an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 / 5 stars

Serious Moonlight follows duo Birdie and Daniel as they are forced to work together despite having an extremely awkward encounter during their first meeting. Birdie and Daniel navigate through these awkward feelings as they decide to team up to uncover a secret in their workplace.

I loved the mystery references in this novel. I felt many feelings of nostalgia as Birdie discussed her love for mysteries and how she grew up on reading different mystery series. I like how Jenn Bennett incorporated Birdie’s love for mystery into the plot. I truly enjoyed all the mystery references as well as the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

I also enjoyed the characters in this novel. Both Birdie and Daniel are interesting in their own ways. I love how Birdie’s love of mystery and Daniel’s love of magic tricks kind of connect and help them be a stronger team. I thought that Daniel was a very sweet character and Birdie was very intriguing. I loved Birdie’s aunt and how she supported Birdie. I will say that Birdie frustrated me at times and so did Daniel. I like how Jenn Bennett made these characters feel real and relatable.

I’ll admit that this is probably my least favorite of all her books. I enjoyed the plot and characters but nothing about the story provided a real “wow” factor for me. While I liked these characters, I did not love them. The mystery in the plot was okay, but I kind of wanted a bit more of thrill factor for it. I think I enjoyed Daniel more than Birdie in this story. Overall I did enjoy this plot but I think I mostly liked the idea of it more than the product at times. I would recommend this for older YA readers or New Adult readers. I think this book should be classified more on the New Adult side due to some mature content.

Birdie Lindberg loves a good mystery. Her life hasn't been easy - her mom died when she was 10 and her grandma recently passed -- but she can lose herself in her mystery books and shows. They give her a way to keep people at arms length, for fear they will leave her like her mom and grandma did.

After a disastrous one night stand with a guy she meets at her favorite cafe, she is mortified to discover he also works the graveyard shift at her new job at an old hotel in town. When she ignores the guy, Daniel, he tries to win her back by wrapping her up in a mystery he has discovered at the hotel.

Serious Moonlight is atmospheric and romantic. Bennett does a great job of making her characters unique and diverse. Daniel is half Asian and deaf in one ear; Birdie has narcolepsy, but none of these traits are central to the plot. They are fully developed characters and have traits that you don't always see in YA novels.

One thing I've noticed and really like about Bennett's novels is she is always very sex positive. Sex is treated like an important thing, but it isn't life or death. Birdie and Daniel have sex before their relationship develops and they talk about it and discuss why that wasn't a good idea. She doesn't shy away from including sex in her books and it always feels like it is very realistic to the teen experience of sex.

Serious Moonlight is a romantic YA book, but something still felt off to me. The mystery felt a little forced and it takes up a large part of the book. I also felt like Daniel was little too quirky in the beginning - almost a manic pixie dream boy. Bennett does flesh him out more as the book goes on, though. If you're looking for a fun, teen romance book this won't let you down.

**I received an e-ARC from Netgalley**

Serious Moonlight stars a very sheltered Birdie Lindberg (I LOVED Birdie) and has an amazing adult in her life, mother's best friend Mona. I loved this book. Birdie is so cute, and Daniel was ultra cute. Jenn Bennett is one of my absolute favorite authors for young adult fiction. The characters are so well-rounded, and the plots are always so much fun. This one involved more mystery and charm for me. Loved it!

Jenn Bennett has become one of my go-to contemporary authors. Serious Moonlight was cute and quirky just like her other novels. Birdie and Daniel were cute, and I really liked the original predicament they are in at the beginning of the book. Both characters deal with more serious issues, both personal and familial, and they grow and deal with this issues individually and together. I loved the pacing of the book and thought the plotline stayed interesting. The only part I didn't really like was the amount of back and forth. There were times I thought Birdie and Daniel had figured out their problems only to see them reevaluating the same issue a few chapters later. Besides this, I really liked the book!

Serious Moonlight is told through the POV of Birdie, who is an 18 year old girl who had an interesting upbringing.

Birdie was raised by her mother (who was a teen mom) until she was 10. And then she was raised by her incredibly strict grandmother who homeschooled her and kept close tabs on her until she passed away. She's totally into solving mysteries and loves mystery books and lets her imagination run wild. 

So, here's where I'm having a hard time. Because Birdie is this basically reclusive teenager, and she ends up having a one night stand with a guy. I keep thinking, "Ok maybe these things can happen" but the more I learned about Birdie's cautious character, the harder time I had believing this scenario.

And, of course, the boy in question is now Birdie's co-worker. The awkwardness was so tangible during the beginning scenes with the two of them trying to navigate conversations and how to handle suddenly being around each other.

I did like Daniel a lot. He's a magician and I thought he was super nerdy cool. He's also awkward and trying to figure himself out as well.

Daniel and Birdie end up working together to solve a mystery regarding a person in the hotel, and along the way they go on some whacky adventures (like venturing into this person's yard?). And when they finally solved the mystery, it was a twist I didn't see coming at first, so I definitely enjoyed that.

That said, hands down my favorite character in the story is Mona. Mona is wild and outrageous and I just absolutely loved her. She had very frank conversations with Birdie that I think are really important to have, and I loved the sex positivity. 

And speaking of sex positivity, I appreciated that this book touched on sex like it did. It was simultaneously awkward and realistic and I appreciated how it was portrayed. 

There's are other elements in this story that could be triggering, such as depression and suicide. And I thought these topics were handled well in this story.Overall, I did enjoy this read.

I absolutely adored this book. Not that i’m surprised considering I loved Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes. This book was even better than the others though because it was a lot more complex and definitely handled a lot more serious topics than the others.

The things that bothered me: The whole sub-plot of finding out who Raymond Darke was. Why? I obviously understand in the end, but it just took up SO much unneeded space in the story line, and it didn’t even necessarily add to the character’s developments.

There were also some minor things that seemed off and unrealistic, things that made me pause and question the legitimacy of the statement or event.

I love Jenn. I love her writings , her book. This was no different. I absolutely loved the book. The plot, everything was so cute and fluffy. It kept me going on. I could feel the characters. I could predict the ending though. But would highly recommend this

I have decided that I will not be providing feedback for this book due to the fact that the font is tiny even after I figured out how to work the send to kindle app out to read it on my Kindle. My eyes were starting to strain while trying to read this. I did attempt to try to read it anyway, but only made it to about chapter 7 before deciding to just buy the book when it comes out. Getting a headache while reading doesn't make reading enjoyable! I like where it is going though, Jenn Bennett is a great writer and I am still looking forward to April 16th. Thanks Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this anyway.