Book Review - The Night At Times Square by C.M. Francis

Short Description

Rhiannon needs a change. Her life is falling apart, and the longer she stays in the same place her chances of being happy again are dwindling. Her parents decide to send her to live with her aunt in Cleveland for a change of scenery. While there she hopes to restart her life, though she's not too optimistic. Austin has lived in Cleveland all his life, and he has it all. Popularity, friends, looks, or so it seems. He is also falling apart, though he tries desperately to hide it. When he meets the new girl at school, Rhiannon, things start changing for him. However, is this change good or bad?

(Read the official synopsis on Amazon or Goodreads)

Review

Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author in return for an honest review. This is not a paid review and all of these thoughts are my own.

First Thoughts

I loved reading The Day I Died by C.M. Francis, so when the author asked me whether I'd like to review another one of her books I immediately agreed. 

Plot 

Sometimes, you only need a little change to feel like yourself again. The Night At Times Square is a wonderful tale that explores themes of love, friendship, family, trauma, mental illness, friendship, growth, passion, and rediscovery. Rhiannon has experienced horrific events that have left her feeling lost and afraid of connecting with others. She moves to Cleveland to live with her Aunt and this decision changes her life entirely. This story reaffirms the importance of branching out and giving yourself another chance. Away from the problems that plague her, Rhiannon wants to try to live a better life and her journey is amazing to witness. We also follow Austin, one of the star swimmers on the boy's team who hides his fears behind his cheerful façade of popularity. I loved how the author melded two heartbreaking lives together. Rhiannon and Austin are complicated individuals, and reading how they influenced each other was a wonderful experience.

I love how C.M. Francis writes relationships. I loved the relationships in The Day I Died and Rhiannon and Austin's bond so much. The way they patiently took the time to understand each other's fears and insecurities was so heartwarming. I loved how they were ready to stand up for one another and how they inspired each other. Both characters felt like their life was falling apart and they stopped trying. Watching them regain their passion for the things they loved motivated me to try harder at what I love too. Every interaction they had with each other was one I read with great interest. I could hardly look away from the page.

The familial relationships in this book were also amazing. From Rhiannon's supportive parents willing to make changes in their own lives to make her feel comfortable to Austin's parents barely acknowledging one another. I love Rhiannon's family. They are sweet, understanding, and concerned for their daughter's wellbeing. I especially love the bond Rhiannon and her father share. Austin's family was another story, but watching his family grow and change was one of my favorite moments in this book. The way that people can change each other is a curious thing, and this book encompasses the idea wonderfully.

Characters

Rhiannon - I loved Rhiannon so much. She'd gone through so much and yet still found it in herself to stand up for others. I loved reading about her growth and her journey to some peacefulness. I also love how she rediscovered her passion and how she was never quick to judge others.

Austin - I have to admit that in the beginning, I wasn't the biggest Austin fan. Yet now I can confidently say that he is my favorite character. At a glance, Austin seems like the cliché popular boy. However, we slowly get to know the real Austin. We understand his dreams, his fears, and his innermost vulnerabilities. I loved the emphasis on his feelings and fear of disconnection from his Asian roots. I was also moved by his longing for a healthy family. His character growth was amazing and I loved reading about his journey to becoming the best version of himself. He is not a perfect character. At times he is foolish and infuriating yet at heart he is kind, understanding, and willing to put in the work to achieve his dreams.

Brielle - One of my favorite characters in this book. Brielle is the sweetest friend you can ask for. Every interaction between Rhiannon and Brielle was an instant favorite for me. I loved how they bonded over their love of reading and how much they grew to value each other as the story moved on.

Jessyka - I hated Jessyka when the story began, and unsurprisingly, I still hated her when the tale reached its conclusion. I'm unsure whether anyone can say she's their favorite, but for me, she was spoilt, self-serving, self-centered, rude, insensitive, disrespectful, and dismissive of others. 

Aunt Tori - I love Aunt Tori. She is sweet, passionate, and determined to try to ease Rhiannon out of her shell. I loved how passionate she was about her job and her art. I've never been an artsy person myself, but I love reading about people who are.

Things I Didn't Like

I liked this book a lot. I just wish that there'd been more consequences for some characters such as Jessyka and Sadie. I feel like they deserved to get what was coming to them.

In Summation

Overall, I really liked this book. I wish some of the bullies received more punishment, but maybe that's just me. The relationship between Austin and Rhiannon was so sweet and heartwarming even for someone like me who barely reads romance books. If you love stories with compelling characters, you should give this book a try! If you haven't read a C.M. Francis book before, you should give them a try, her writing is simple yet engaging.

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

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