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A Lovely, Mysterious Misdirection

Jenn Bennett's YA romance novel was exceptionally magical and mysterious! (Complete pun on the synopsis of the novel). The main character is Birdie Lindberg, a mystery novel-reading female teenager who had a peculiar night with Daniel Aoki, an amateur magician. They met at an all-night/early morning diner and had an instant connection, but it was quickly cut short after things grew intensely intimate too quickly. In true "fortune", they both end up working at the same hotel in Seattle, the graveyard shift throwing Birdie and Daniel in constant orbit of each other. Both teens seemed to question where the relationship could go, due to the unforgettable first meeting. With Birdie's fascination of mysteries and Daniel's misdirection capabilities, the two pair up to solve quite a mind-boggling mystery at their place of work. Throughout the novel, the reader is presented with both the individual characters' backgrounds but also with the roller-coaster development of their romantic relationship. I appreciate how Bennett never allows her characters to "lose" themselves during the relationship. Bennett develops these characters with lifestyles/life situations that undergo realistic change and growth throughout the novel that the reader can empathize with. The world building, although based in a realistic timeline, is appropriate for the story. I'd recommend this young adult romance to anyone intrigued with present-day young love and not just the adventurous aspect of it, but the honest, self-evolving qualities that are explored as well. I am looking forward to Bennett's next publication!

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