I had relatively high expectations for this book. I had only read one Morgan Matson book, 'The Unexpected Everything' but I had really really loved it, so was I was hoping that 'Take Me Home Tonight' would follow along in that trend. But, alas, it not only disappointed me but also was generally an unpleasant reading experience.

This book took place in the space of 24 hours, but it took me over 7 times that length to actually finish it, which can definitely be partially blamed on myself, but also the fact that it was so needlessly long.

I never felt emotionally invested in the story, and instead was deeply aware of the fact that I was reading a book the whole time- a strange sentiment to express but one I think most people can relate to. I was reading for the sake of getting to the end, constantly checking how many pages were left... never a good sign. In fact, I was paying so little attention that it took me an embarrassingly long time to even figure out there were dual POVs going on.

The final note I took about this book was about a reference to 'baby shark'. Pop culture references have never been my favourite in books but this takes things to a whole new level of cringe and internal agony. And I not only had to experience it once, but after my brain purged it from my mind I had to be reminded while writing this review. And now I can share it with you! Joy!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for this ARC

Release Date: 7 July 2021

Morgan Matson is one of my go-to YA authors and while this isn't a fave book of mine, I thought this was so much fun. The characters are great, the whole thing is chaotic and the vibe of the book was exactly what I needed. Super readable, Take Me Home Tonight is a fast-paced, fun and sweet story you can finish in one sitting.

Take Me Home Tonight is a fun coming-of-age YA novel set over one night in New York City. Accurately called a mash-up between Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Take Me Home Tonight follows best friends, Kat and Stevie. The Connecticut teens head to NYC for the night to celebrate Stevie's birthday. But along the way, the pair break the one phone they had and become separated. A lot of hijinks ensue, which include runaway dogs, terrible theatre, awkward encounters and cute boys.

You do have to suspend reality just a bit while reading Take Me Home Tonight, as there does seem to be too many coincidences. But if you can do that, you're in for a fun ride - I never knew what would happen next. As it's set over one night and features three perspectives (Kat, Stevie and their friend, Teri), the book is so fast-paced I guarantee you won't be able to put it down.

I definitely recommend this to people looking for a YA book to escape into and transport you to NYC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Friendship, romance, drama, kidnapping and calamity, this book has it all. And don't forget New York!

Two best friends, sneaking out for a Friday night adventure in New York City! Their best laid plans get thrown out the window when one thing after another, changes the course of the evening until the worst thing happens...the friends are separated...with no phones! Each girl then has their own adventure, and by spending time apart they start to take stock of their own lives, decisions and behaviours. Even though it's only one might, they both grow up a little and become more confident to speak their mind and follow their dreams.

The side story of their friend Teri, who they left behind to cover for them, is crazy, totally random and totally unbelievable, but I think that was exactly what it was supposed to be..

There are obvious comparisons to a few films with this one, at least for me. Think, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, New Year's Eve and Don't Tell Mum the Babysitter's Dead (I think it was called Adventures in Babysitting in the US) , so the book does have a very cinematic feel to me.

And let's not forget New York...it plays way more than a bit part in this book, it deserves top billing. At a time when travel is limited, it was nice to take a trip to the Big Apple from the comfort of my own home 🙂

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read this title for review.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia & Netgalley for a review copy of Take me home tonight by Morgan Matson.

This book is being billed as a female version of Ferris Bullers day off with a side of Adventures in baby sitting. I've seen Ferris Buller many times & am pretty sure I've also seen Adventures in babysitting when I was a kid though I remember very little about it.

This book is a female friendship themed contemporary YA novel set mostly over the course of one day and evening. Best friends Kat and Stevie go to New York City on an adventure which quickly turns into a misadventure.

There is also a hilarious, off the wall subplot with the girls other friend Teri who takes on Kat's Babysitting job at the last minute & ends up being kidnapped along with the kids she is looking after & ends up on a wacky car trip to Canada.

The novel is mostly centered around the girls friendship but also includes a bit of romance, family drama and an adorable dog.

I have read all of Morgan Matson's novels, (unfortunately not in publication order) and I love the little character cameos that pop up in each novel. This one features cameos from Amy Curry from Amy and Rogers epic detour and Beckett, the little brother from Since you've been gone.

This was so much fun. I mean look, I’m not the target age demographic for this book and while that usually doesn’t matter to me (I’ve been a teenager, I remember what it was like), I found it hard to get as worked up about the girls being out without a phone. Mobile phones weren’t around when I was their age, so all of my nights out were without a phone and sure, it was less convenient than it is now, but not ‘the worst thing that could ever happen’, so the sense of doom they experienced in that regard was probably a little lost on me 😅 There was plenty of other dramas to be getting on with though!

Told from three points of view, Stevie, Kat and their friend Teri, each of them finding themselves inconvenienced at best and in imminent danger at worst. Having lied to their parents about where they would be that night, the struggle to keep all their ducks in a row, while the universe did its best to scatter them, proved anxiety inducing for them and more than a little hilarious at times for the reader 😄 New connections, budding romances, families seen in a new light and learning to confront their own hidden feelings about their future, Kat and Stevie go through more than just a night lost in the city. I especially enjoyed Stevie’s new relationship with her step siblings.

Everything wrapped up a little neatly for my tastes, but again, I am not the intended audience for this book and I genuinely think it will be popular for the teens is it meant for. It encompasses all the drama of teenage years – friendships, school, teachers, parents and relationships. Take Me Home Tonight is an easy to read, feel good book with entertaining characters. Not especially memorable but a lot of fun!

The queen of YA contemporary romance is back and this did not disappoint.

I love all of Morgan Matson's books - her characters are always so real. They're flawed and do the wrong things, but they always come through the end of the story better and grown. Take Me Home tonight was no different. We follow Kat and Stevie, best friends who end up going on a solo trip to New York for the night and chaos follows them.

I loved the characters and the way they grew separately, which helped them then grow together as best friends. It was such a realistic portrayal of best friends and how somehow you need a little break from each other to see where you can grow yourself. I love that at the heart of Morgan Matson's books is friendship and that romances take a back seat. The romance in here was subtle - but super cute and made me smile so much. This book was a bit slow at the start but I found myself invested in the story more and more as it went on.

I can't recommend this book enough if you are looking for a coming of age story with the heart of New York and theater at the centre. This is the perfect summer read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for giving me access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.