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A review by theengineerisreading
Midnights with You by Clare Osongco
5.0
Chapter Two starts with the line "If I could drive, i could fix it." and as someone who resorts to midnight driving whenever things became out of control, I could not agree more.
Midnights with You is one of my most anticipated 2024 YA releases since the author posted the prompts about this book and I became even more excited when I saw the cover art looking both calm and mysterious.
In this story, we follow two high school seniors as they get to know each other over late-night driving lessons while also talking about the one thing they have in common: family trauma.
First thing that I want to highlight is how beautiful the author's writing style. MWY is written in a way that it celebrated the characters' honesty and vulnerability as something synonymous to strength. Both MCs are aware of the reality in their respective houses and they decided to try to control it on their own thinking that they should carry the burden alone along with the fear of bothering others. But the story progression showed that through mutual connections, heavy things became bearably lighter.
The story is wrapped in a theme that is relatable to many - intergenerational trauma. Deedee and Jay grew up in a house with single mothers who are suffering from painful experiences and it was heartbreaking how these translated to the MCs feeling accountable not only for their own survival but for their household as well.
Filipino representation is the biggest factor why I want to read, review, and promote this book. I am always on the lookout for Akdang Pinoy (releases from Filipino authors both locally and internationally) and after reading, I want to commend how fitting November as its release month given the plenty of scary references - both fictional and anecdotal.
Romance happened realistically and I like how the discussion of their feelings did not overshadow the equally-important discourse about the MC's respective mental health. Who would have thought that having a new neighbor will result to being able to conquer your fear of acknowledging your feeling and learning to drive a stick? Definitely not Deedee.
There are so many things to talk about this book and I highlighted so many lines that really resonated with me but what made this debut novel stood out is the realistic and soulful interpretation of young adults who are attempting to find answers even when their closest ones try to bury the truth.
There are different ways of handling and healing from trauma - in the story of Deedee and Jay I'm grateful that they found solace through each others' presence and conversations about their shared wounds.
This is definitely a five-star read and I highly recommend if you want a hard-hitting YA that tackles generational trauma, family secrets, grief and healing, while taking you to multiple late-night drives.
Midnights with You is one of my most anticipated 2024 YA releases since the author posted the prompts about this book and I became even more excited when I saw the cover art looking both calm and mysterious.
In this story, we follow two high school seniors as they get to know each other over late-night driving lessons while also talking about the one thing they have in common: family trauma.
First thing that I want to highlight is how beautiful the author's writing style. MWY is written in a way that it celebrated the characters' honesty and vulnerability as something synonymous to strength. Both MCs are aware of the reality in their respective houses and they decided to try to control it on their own thinking that they should carry the burden alone along with the fear of bothering others. But the story progression showed that through mutual connections, heavy things became bearably lighter.
The story is wrapped in a theme that is relatable to many - intergenerational trauma. Deedee and Jay grew up in a house with single mothers who are suffering from painful experiences and it was heartbreaking how these translated to the MCs feeling accountable not only for their own survival but for their household as well.
Filipino representation is the biggest factor why I want to read, review, and promote this book. I am always on the lookout for Akdang Pinoy (releases from Filipino authors both locally and internationally) and after reading, I want to commend how fitting November as its release month given the plenty of scary references - both fictional and anecdotal.
Romance happened realistically and I like how the discussion of their feelings did not overshadow the equally-important discourse about the MC's respective mental health. Who would have thought that having a new neighbor will result to being able to conquer your fear of acknowledging your feeling and learning to drive a stick? Definitely not Deedee.
There are so many things to talk about this book and I highlighted so many lines that really resonated with me but what made this debut novel stood out is the realistic and soulful interpretation of young adults who are attempting to find answers even when their closest ones try to bury the truth.
There are different ways of handling and healing from trauma - in the story of Deedee and Jay I'm grateful that they found solace through each others' presence and conversations about their shared wounds.
This is definitely a five-star read and I highly recommend if you want a hard-hitting YA that tackles generational trauma, family secrets, grief and healing, while taking you to multiple late-night drives.