Hi everyone!

My friend and I have finally finished our buddy-read of Midnight Sun! And let me tell you – I enjoyed it immensely 😁😂 Yes, it was absolutely ridiculous and horribly misogynistic, but I still loved every minute of it. There’s just something about the way Stephenie Meyer writes that has me absolutely lapping it up…

Plus, I found it fascinating to read a story I already knew from someone else’s perspective! Not that anything took me particularly by surprise, but I loved comparing and contrasting both versions all the same. This book constantly had me going back and cross-referencing with Twilight, and I had so much fun returning to a world that 13-year-old me was utterly obsessed with. Although I always thought Edward and Bella’s relationship was far a far cry from healthy, I was super invested in their love story, and must have read all the books in this series well over 10 times. Don’t judge me – if you’re reading this, I highly doubt you have any reason to feel superior on that account 😉

Anyway, rather than doing a full review, this time, I thought I would take you along on my reading journey and let you know what my reactions were when I read it. You won’t believe this, BUT I ACTUALLY TOOK NOTES!

I know. I NEVER take notes. I did for this one, though! They were all direct responses to specific quotes, but I’m afraid I can’t show you all of those without violating copyright laws. So, sorry, but you’re only going to get the comments with page numbers and a few selected quotes here and there. Though if you really want to know, I guess you can read along and try to guess which quotes I was reacting to – it shouldn’t be too hard 😉

So – be prepared to get a glimpse into my thoughts while I was reading 😁 Obviously, there will be SPOILERS GALORE in this, so stop reading now if you haven’t read this book yet!

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The Notes

p. 1: “High school. Or was purgatory the right word?” – Sheesh, Edward. You’re even more dramatic than Bella…

p. 1-2: Hmm – the vocabulary choices are very reminiscent of Sarah J. Maas *already grinning* And seriously? How can every high school boy be this obsessed with Bella? I thought Edward was exaggerating when he told her that, to make Bella feel less rejected…

p. 6: I kind of find myself approving of Edward’s line of thinking regarding Jessica’s fantasies here. Huh.

p. 12: Considering there are no other truths in the world, you sure are philosophizing a lot rather than just killing Bella immediately. But hey, I’m not complaining.

p. 17:  Honestly, why don’t you just leave the room if you can’t withstand the scent? Couldn’t you fake a bathroom break or something? I thought you were so much more intelligent than the average human being…

p. 20: Ah yes, the plot convenient explanations. Alice sure didn’t have a problem seeing Bella jump of a cliff when she was only keeping “loose tabs” on her in New Moon, and you expect me to believe she wouldn’t see Edward going on a killing spree?

p. 21: “Too young, too young, she chanted to herself. Wrong, of course. I was older than her grandfather.” – Lolololol. Well, at least you’re self-aware…

p. 39: Just stop pretending you’re better than all these human boys already. You’re just as hormone-driven as any of them.

p. 46: *derisively snorting about Edward thinking that Bella is “advanced”* Like you even know that much about her. And as if it takes an advanced placement science program to confirm something like that.

p. 52:  Yup, nobody dying is what I call the definition of success *grins*

p. 55: “Not spying, I tried to convince myself. I was just preparing.” – And thus, the stalking begins…

p. 60: You hadn’t even talked to Bella yet at this point and were already picturing upsetting wedding scenarios with strangers??!!!

p. 63: We get it, okay? Advanced, serious, responsible… In other words, Bella is perfect.

p. 65: *Eye roll* You’re 104 and you’ve never sworn before? Jeez, I suppose it’s high time, then.

p. 65 (continued): Oh, for the love of all that was holy, would the catastrophes never end? Was there anything else that could go wrong?” – *Rubs hands together eagerly* You just wait for it, Edward.

p. 71: Charlie’s nearly silent mind really is interesting. Why didn’t Edward ever mention this to Bella, though?

p. 74: You’ve sure got it bad, what with the way you are obsessing over how Bella said your name in Tyler’s thoughts…

p. 83: “Like a stalker. An obsessed stalker. An obsessed vampire stalker.” – You don’t need the “like” here, Edward.

p. 88: Ah yes. These wonderful sibling relationships where your brother wants to kill your girlfriend to protect you. I’m sure we can all relate.

p. 93:  Awww. As cheesy as these books are, you just gotta love Alice. I love how she’s friends with Bella without ever having met her.

p. 94: How ironic that Edward needs Alice’s visions to fully understand how absolutely besotted he is with Bella. His jealousy was over the rooftops from page one…

p. 96: I hate to tell you, Edward, but you’re wrong. One of these things is going to happen. Vampire-Bella is not far off.

p. 100: “Did I love her? I did not think so. Not yet.” – Well, you’re certainly spending a lot of time thinking about her. Just saying.

p. 101: THE ANGST!!! Remind me again why 13-year-old me was so obsessed with this relationship??

p. 102-104: Really, Edward – you obviously haven’t observed teenagers as closely as you think. I know plenty of people who would help someone out who is failing a class. Or come to a friend’s aid when they are being made fun of. Also, is it just me or does it sound like Stephenie Meyer threw Comic Con in here as fan service?

p. 104: “Through all these little things, I was able to add the most important quality to my list, the most revealing of them all, as simple as it was rare. Bella was good. All the other things added up to that whole: Kind and self-effacing and unselfish and brave – she was good through and through. And no one seemed as aware of that besides me.” – Bleurghhhh

p. 105: Get your jealousy under control already! (If it’s already this bad with Mike, what would Eclipse look like from Edward’s perspective, I wonder? *pondering*)

p. 105 (continued): I’m going to have to read 600 more pages of Edward fangirling over Bella, aren’t I?

p. 105 (continued some more): You’re one to talk about possessiveness. Remind me again – who was the one who bribed his sister with a Porsche so that Bella couldn’t go visit her best friend?

p. 106 “‘Bella’s going to stare at Edward in a minute. Look normal,’ Alice said one Tuesday in March, and the others were careful to fidget and shift their weight.” – I’m going to say it again – Alice is absolutely wonderful!

p. 107: Maybe you’re fixated on “petty high school dramas” because you’re not as absolutely wonderful and sophisticated as you think you are?

p. 108: How often is Edward going to picture Bella marrying random strangers in this book?

p. 109: “The wild envy in his thoughts – envy for whomever this girl preferred to him – suddenly put a name to my emotion. I was jealous.” – NOOOOOO! *gasp* Really?

p. 112: Is it just me or does this “we shouldn’t be friends because you are such a bright girl” crap sound really belittling?

p. 114: Just in case we forgot, here is another reminder of Edward’s perfection – he speaks Spanish better than his teacher *eye roll*

p. 116: Poor above-average Edward *snorts*

p. 120: “I was repulsed by myself as I watched her toss again. How was I any better than some sick peeping tom? I wasn’t any better. I was much, much worse.” – You sure get over your scruples quickly! Don’t think that your initial qualms make this any less creepy!

p. 123: Well, that makes the stalking alright, then – look at how heroic you are, protecting Bella from spiders!

p. 124: Why the hell does part of me think this is extremely romantic??? We don’t approve of night-time stalkers on this blog!

p. 141: “Of course I was bad.” – Oh Edward, you precious emo boy…

p. 150: In case you missed it – Bella’s not like other girls, guys.

p. 162: You filthy hypocrite – who was furious at Mike for having vulgar thoughts about Bella?

p. 172-173: Paranoid much, Edward?

p. 176: “Exactly like a crazy person.” – Good assessment, Emmett.

p. 176 (continued): He oiled the window? Seriously???

p. 178: “It made no sense, and unlike those other points of curiosity, I could hardly bring this up in casual conversation. So, Bella, I was following your scent through the woods after I left your room – just some minor breaking and entering, no need for worry, I was … exterminating spiders…. Yes, that would be quite the icebreaker.” – Hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhaha! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

p. 180-190: Are you kidding me??? Edward was there whole time!??? Just go ahead and name this chapter “Stalker” already. “Ghost” is obviously euphemistic.

p. 186: Ha! Am I the only one who thinks Edward believing that Bella is in love with Jane Austen characters is hilarious? Serves him right for all the stalking.

p. 189: “You’re pathetic. I can’t believe you missed the game last night just to watch somebody sleep.” – Fair point. But how come Edward’s family is so onboard with the sleep-stalking? Don’t they think it’s wrong and creepy?

p. 198: Frightening Bella, huh? Sounds like a good reason not to run someone over.

p. 207: Good lord, I already thought the bribe for the better table was ridiculous when I read about it in Twilight…

p. 216: Aww, Edward. You and your unfounded fears. I’d say there’s someone else who is exceptionally unobservant here…

p. 217: “I’d just admitted to stalking her, and she was smiling.” – Yeah, that is somewhat concerning. Not news to me, though…

p. 230: Your reaction to Bella liking you despite your vampireness is making plans to send her to a mental hospital? Priceless! *laughing*

p. 236: I am so into this *grins* Clearly, I have not matured at all since I was 13…

p. 245:  So Edward and Carlisle are vigilante rapist hunters now? Lolololol

p. 251: “The long sweater was too big for her, unflattering.” – Let Bella wear what she wants to!

p. 261: In all honesty, Edward, I think Bella would want to kiss you even if you did have fangs.

p. 270: “More half lies. I knew I shouldn’t want her to care about me. But I did. Of course I did.” – Despite my better judgment, I am lapping this stuff up…

p. 272: “‘Well, look at me,’ she said. I was looking. All I ever did was look at her.” – That is… astoundingly accurate.

p. 273: Edward thinks of himself as Bella’s “guardian vampire”? *Snorts*

p. 274: The sweater again? Really?

p. 275: How often are you going to mention that Bella’s thinking is backward?

p. 276: A lot of times, apparently.

p. 285: Hmm – more sex fantasies. You definitely aren’t as much of a prude as I originally thought.

p. 289: You seriously expect me to believe that Edward orchestrated everything good that has ever happened to anyone in these books?! I mean, I am happy for Ben and Angela, but…

p. 306: “Honestly, looking into her eyes now, I realized that brown was my favorite, too.” – Garghhhhh – can’t the two of you have any separate opinions??? This has got to be the most unhealthy relationship ever!

p. 307-310: Why did the name of the CD have to be revealed? I imagined something different! And I am NOT a fan of all these pop culture references. Though I do approve of Bella’s approval of the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice adaptation. I detest Monty Python and the Holy Grail, though. Also, Bella likes black licorice? What is wrong with her??? And how can she not like Emma!? That might be the very best Jane Austen book!! I am personally offended.

p. 311: “There was a bit of Jane Eyre in her, a portion of Scout Finch and Jo March, a measure of Elinor Dashwood and Lucy Pevensie.” – Bella is nothing like these characters! (Okay, maybe Jane, Jo and Elinor all like to read novels, and Jane has a bit of a problematic and older love interest, but apart from that? Are you trying to imply that Forks is Bella’s version of Narnia or something?)

p. 314: Obsession doesn’t even cover it. I must say, though, Edward’s self-awareness is one of the most hilarious parts of this book *grins*

p. 335: Did you seriously decide to kiss Bella because you thought it would be “torture” for her if you didn’t? That might be just a tad messed up, Edward.

p. 339: Huh. Bella’s dream job is actually pretty rad.

p. 352: What is it with all these Hades and Persephone references??? There is such a thing as overkill, Edward.

p. 355: Yup, all these suicidal thoughts are totally healthy. This reaction is not over the top at all…

p. 370: “She was profoundly female in shape – aggressively, forcefully female.” – Wtf is that supposed to mean? This is Sarah J. Maas’ male smiles all over again!

p. 391: This is not how I pictured Bella’s reaction to Edward in the sunlight at all…

p. 396: “If there were currently 4,913 insects in the area of the meadow, which was roughly 11,035 square feet, how many insects on average would exist in the 1,400 square miles of the Olympic National Park?” – Normal first date thoughts, I guess.

p. 402: “Why couldn’t I have been as repulsive on the outside as I was on the inside?” – Good question. Probably because Twilight wouldn’t have become a bestseller if you were all ugly and disgusting.

p. 406: Aww. You just gotta love Carlisle, too.

p. 423: “I imagined tasting her… draining her.” – How… romantic?

p. 424: Did Edward spy on my mind during violin recitals? Because let me tell you, this is whole bit about self-fulfilling prophecy the best description of stage fright I have ever come across.

p. 443: Okay, but this Rosalie and Edward moment is really touching.

p. 449: Speaking of inviting vampires into your house – am I the only one who is having Damon Salvatore flashbacks here? Now that is a vampire I wouldn’t mind dating,…

p. 452: “Did she imagine that I was as depraved as any peeping tom? That I’d leered at her from the shadows, hoping for her to expose herself? If my stomach could turn, it would have.” – That would have been the sane reaction, but of course, Bella is anything but sane.

p. 459: Yeah, Edward. Just casually drop it in there that you read 166 pages in, like, two minutes.

p. 474: Ah yes. Their first sex talk.

p. 478: “I wondered if I would ever spend a night happier than this one. I doubted it.” – Well, I don’t. See Breaking Dawn for evidence.

p. 482: I beg to differ. There are actually plenty of human men whom I would prefer to a stalking, overly jealous control-freak who might kill me at any second.

p. 489: “‘That wasn’t funny.’” – Actually, it was even funnier from Edward’s perspective.

p. 496: This fainting spell is giving me some serious Pamela flashbacks… Which means I can take it even less seriously.

p. 505: Music 😍

p. 524: This section is creeping me out more than anything else I’ve read so far.

p. 533: You sure are sadistic… Poor Billy. Also, is it just me, or does it sound like Edward has a throat fetish or something?

p. 540: I love this Billy flashback!

p. 564 “Ugh.” – My sentiments exactly.

p. 603: “It wouldn’t help her blend in if she only had t-shirts.” – Do I even want to know what you are picturing in your mind right now, Edward?

p. 607: Poor Charlie!

p. 624: “Bella needs to eat at least three times every twenty-four-hour period. And hydration is important. She should have water on hand. Ideally eight hours of sleep.” – This is taking the control-freakiness to a whole other level… Can’t Bella tell Alice what she needs herself?

p. 646: Why are all the people in these books so obsessed with cars? Seriously, can someone explain the appeal to me?

p. 666: Not gonna lie – I still love this scene. And Edward’s angst just makes it 100 times better.

p. 719: “I took her face in my hands again, let the consuming love I felt for her fill my eyes, and lied with all the experience of a hundred years of daily deception.” – *Grins, evilly looking forward to New Moon, which is, without a doubt, the best book in this series. (It’s so angsty – I can’t help but love it!)*

p. 733: Trust Jessica to come up with a good cover story…

p. 734: Does this mean my Netflix obsession is funding the Cullens?

p. 746: That perfume thing can’t be a coincidence! Jacob’s werewolf genes are already showing themselves!

p. 756: “As the night finally overcame the end of the day, I leaned forward again and kissed the warm skin of her throat.” – See! I told you Edward has a throat fetish!

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So yeah – those are some of my thoughts on Midnight Sun. Feel free to let me know what you thought of this format 😉 Should I do this more often, or do you prefer my regular book reviews?

Also, have you read Midnight Sun? (I severly hope so, since these notes were brimming with spoilers.) If you did, what did you think of the book? Do you agree with anything I said? I’d love to hear down in the comments!