I have so many thoughts swirling around in my mind, I don't even know if I can focus on them all for this review. First, I want to say that this book fell short for me, it wasn't as good as the first two. The first half of the story was kind of boring and the constant bickering and saying the same insults over and over got really annoying. For the first time, I just wanted to tell all three of them to shut up.

The final half picked up the slack, though. Not enough to bump it up to 5 stars, but it got close. This was the first book that made me cry - multiple times - and filled me with a deep sorrow. As someone who grew up without ever knowing who my father is, if he's alive or if he knows I'm alive, this hit me a lot harder than I expected it, too.

When Mr. Midnight first appeared, I was intrigued about him long before I knew his true identity. I mean, who isn't a sucker for the brooding bad boy with a dark past? Now, though? I am full on in love with this man. He is my favorite character and I want - need - to know more about him, more about his past. I need to know if he's okay, goddamn it.

I have to say, the whole spiral of Amelia - "I can't do this" "I'm a curse" - is getting old. In the first book, she doubted she was good enough to be at the school and was constantly trying to prove everyone wrong. She then learned she didn't need to prove them wrong and that she does have it what takes. Great lesson. 

Book two, once again, she doubts herself, thinks she's not good enough, blames herself for everything. She completely forgot the lessons she learned in book one, but she re-learned them and realized it wasn't her fault. A little old, but still a good lesson.

Book three, once again, she doubts herself, calls herself a curse, blames herself for everything... Like, I have -1000% self-confidence and even I'm not this bad. I mean, yeah, she's a kid so she has less control over her emotions. But she's starting to feel less like a loveable heroine embracing her flaws and more like an annoying brat who forgets all the lessons she learns and keeps making the same mistakes over and over and over again. There's no point in her learning if she's gonna keep doing the same shit.

If there is a book four, I truly hope it doesn't continue on this path. Also, I hope the next one is lighter. I get adding drama and feels to a book helps people connect better with the characters but goddamn. I signed up for cool music and funny ass friendships, not dark drama that squeezes the heart until it bursts. Like, these kids are 12! Let them have a break! Give us a book where it's not dark drama constantly doubting/hating herself and crying.

Send them to the beach, for christ's sake.

Like, the first two were pretty fucking funny with great quips. This one? That seemed to be lost. I laughed only once or twice. The quips and comedy just... died. Not only that, but the main three were annoying as hell. I will be the first person to say I'm fine when I'm not, but they take it to a whole other level. They want to keep everything to themselves and then whine about each other doing the same thing. And Darby trying to push everyone to do what they don't want to do... I was so mad when she tried to play in that church (I think it was a church.)

They were supposed to stay low and yet she prances out there without giving a single fuck about what damage it could cause. She wanted to constantly complain about bullies while literally trying to bully people into standing up against their bullies... girl huh. And I also understand getting angry about how women were treated back then, but it's not like present day is like that.

The number one rule of time travel is DON'T CHANGE THE PAST. And they use the poor excuse of "we didn't change it, she did" as if that's supposed to change the fact that they literally changed the past, thus altering the future. I know, I know, she was dealing with trauma - they all were - and they are kids who can't quite process their drama properly but damn, it was annoying as hell. For me, it did not have the impact it was supposed to on me.

They made so many dumb decisions. 12 years old cannot be that dumb... right? I don't know. I'm just disappointed. I was so happy during the first two books, so much so that I listened back to back, forgoing sleep to finish them. When I woke up, I was excited to get into book three only to get this. Maybe my expectations were too high. 

Also, I really REALLY want this to be made into a series. I don't care if it's animated or live action but I NEED this in my life. And I need them to make Eric cute as hell, okay. It's for... science. Netflix, make it happen!

There better be a book four and I really hope it is lighter than this one.