Rosie’s #Bookreview Of #Ya #Contemporary Story Around Midnight by Zarina Macha

Around Midnight by Zarina Macha

3 stars

Around Midnight is a young adult contemporary novel which is set in London.

Megan is a single child and loves jazz music; she plays the saxophone. Her family have just moved into London and she is taking A levels at her new school. While making new friends and considering her higher education options, she meets Vince at a party.

Vince has a ‘bad boy’ image but he offers Megan friendship and she’s attracted to him. However, the more time he spends with Vince, the further she moves away from the future that she once planned.

The messages within this story are about choices, and how the pressures that teenagers face can feel overwhelming. I wasn’t convinced that the style of writing delivered these in the best way, as it was rather ‘preachy’ in places. The author uses a lot of dialogue and this method tends to be exhausting to read. I prefer books where the dialogue is interspersed with inner thoughts which can help to create a character that readers can really empathise with.

Overall, while this story might reflect the turmoil that some teenagers face in life, the plot never became anything more than everyday drama and it struggled to keep me interested.

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The harder you love, the higher the stakes.

Jazz is everything to Megan Hollis. When her hands clasp the saxophone, melodies flow with each breath.

Music carries her from Copperwood to London, with university on the horizon. Set on attending London’s prestigious School of Jazz, all elements of her life harmonize.

Then she meets Vincent Turner, the mysterious guy with a dangerous reputation. Intoxicated by his possessive charms, Megan’s love shifts from melodic bliss to a dissonant nightmare.

While the future promises stardust dreams, her new relationship takes a turn for the worse. Megan becomes caught between what she wants and what everyone believes is best for her.

Will Megan learn to dance to the beat of her own rhythm?

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