I’m not always a fan of a book with more than two or three narrators, so I was a bit wary of this story about a group of teens at a crossroads before and during New Year. But I ended up a fan, and recommend this to those who enjoyed another popular YA book. Read more in my Review of Together at Midnight below!
Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle
Published on January 2, 2018 by Harper Teen
Source: eARC from publisher
Synopsis from Goodreads: What does it really mean to be kind ? High school senior Kendall, who just returned from a life-changing semester in Europe, and Max, who is drifting his way through a gap year before college, struggle with these questions when they witness a tragic accident in New York City.
Wracked with guilt, the two accept a dare to perform random acts of kindness to strangers. The challenge pulls these two teens, who have a history together from back home, closer and closer as they explore a vibrant city filled with other people’s stories and secrets.
Kendall and Max can’t deny their growing bond, even though they both have other romantic entanglements and uncertain futures. As the clock counts down on New Year’s Eve, will they find themselves together at midnight?
Review of Together at Midnight
There’s something fun about reading a book that’s set during the same time you’re reading it. I started this right before the New Year, which is when the story takes place. It also takes place in New York (where I am!) during a snowstorm (check!)
That said, it did take me a while to adjust to this story. There are multiple narrators, a romantic set-up which could have felt rectangle-y, and a plot involving random acts of kindness that zigs and zags a bit.
Kendall has spent a semester away from high school and is gearing up to head back to high school midyear as a senior.
The day after Christmas, she impulsively follows her older brother and his boyfriend to their apartment in New York.
She’s hoping to connect with Jamie, a guy she likes. Max, who’s staying with his grandfather in New York, also seems a little adrift. He’s deferred his enrollment at Brown because his ex-girlfriend needed him, and he seems afraid to move forward, toward college and away from her. Kendall and Max have a bit of history, having shared a kiss back in high school.
Kendall and Max cross paths in New York because Jamie is staying with Max. After their group witnesses a tragic accident, Kendall and Max accept a stranger’s challenge to perform random acts of kindness. These acts, and the very slow-burn romance between the two of them, drive the story forward.
As I said initially, I’m usually not a fan of stories with too many narrators. This story is told in alternate chapters by Kendall and Max, with snippets of narration from the people they encounter in their project. If you’ve read Nicola Yoon’s The Sun is Also a Star, it’s a bit like that. I also thought the two books have a similar feel – New York setting, a compressed timeline, a bunch of serendipity, and some random narrators thrown in the mix.
Together at Midnight was a great book to kick off 2018. It had an optimistic, altruistic vibe that I liked. Though I think a short epilogue after the ending would have been nice (I wanted updates on Max, Kendall, Emerson and Andrew!) But overall I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it to fans of realistic YA.
Glad you liked this one! I thought it was very cute and liked the RAKs and the characters quite a bit. Great review!
I felt the same way! I was really happy that it all worked for me. I wanted my first book read in 2018 to be a good one! Great omen for the year to come, I hope!
I’m so happy to hear you liked this one, Jen! I’m not always a fan of multiple POVs either, but it ended up working for me here too. And I totally agree with you on the epilogue! I liked the way it ended, but I would’ve loved some more closure. Great review!
Right? I really needed a touch more closure!!
I’m definitely NOT a huge fan of multiple narrators, especially in contemporary, buuuuut I do love myself some realistic YA. We’ll see, though, since the concept’s pretty cute. Awesome review, Jen! ^_^
That’s exactly how I feel! And at first I was concerned, but overall I really enjoyed this!
I struggle with books like this but when they work I LOVE them. And I really like that cover – it reminds of being outside alone on a cold, snowy night – looking at the stars.
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I thought this worked. At first I was like “hmmm” but it really came together for me!
I don’t mind the multiple narrators, and it sounds like everything comes together at the end. So, I will have to keep and eye out for this one now. 🙂
Sounds like a fun read! I don’t like too many narrators either. I get them mixed up and can never remember who is talking.
I love that there’s a positive vibe. It’s not that every book I read must have a happy ending, but it’s nice once in a while!
It was definitely not 100% positive overall. It starts with kind of a horrifying incident, but I liked the random acts of kindness aspect a lot!
I really enjoyed this one. Some side characters surprised me in good and bad ways, and I thought the extra snippets brought an interesting perspective to the “dare” part of the story. I always want an epilogue (my normal complaint), and would have loved a jump ahead to see how it all turned out, but I did think the ending gave a decent amount of closure.
hahaha #TeamEpilogue Why are they not required, I ask you???
Hooray for starting out the year with a good read. I was approved for this one through Edelweiss but when I downloaded it I got only the cover. Not helpful. LOL Edelweiss suggested I start over and request it again but at the time I was backed up with too many arcs so I decided to let it go. Now of course I want to read it. 🙂 While I’m a big fan of dual POV, it can get a little iffy when it extends beyond that. Sounds like it worked here, though. G;ad this was a win for you, Jen. Right book at the right time.
Oh no… I had a downloading fail on a book that everyone seems to love (Nice Try Jane Sinner) and that is so disappointing!