Unfortunately not for me! Not a fan of the writing style at all, and I did give it a good go. I think this will be really popular though. It's also great to see representation of single motherhood!

Thank you for sending me this free advance copy of The Last Hour Between Worlds to read and review.

I’ve just finished reading the story, which I found very imaginative. I loved the slow build up to the main character’s friendship with her perceived foe. All the different alternative realities, called Echoes, were described well and I could imagine being there. So happy with the ending and I would most definitely be happy to review the next part. Thanks.

This was my first time reading this author. I really enjoyed this so very much. Fantastic plot and great characters. I an definitely looking forward to more and highly recommend this book.

2.75 stars rounded up

I adored the premise of this book but felt like it fell a little bit flat in places to be honest

While the premise of the book was exciting, the execution fell short for me. It was hard for me to really get into as I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style or first person perspective. The main character was very likeable however and I appreciated the action scenes.

The book is quite lore-heavy, but it's done in a really good way so you have all the information when you need it without hurting your brain. All of the characters are done in a really good way and all the twists and turns really draw you in.

This lore-heavy book can be a hard read at times and requires the reader to fill in a large chunk with their own theories before being corrected later on. Although I personally love getting stuck into lore-heavy books, I don't enjoy having to create my own theories before them being correct chapters later. The lack of background information and setting left me feeling like this was book 2-3 rather than the first book.



The universe that surrounds this book is fabulous and with the right descriptions earlier in the book could have been the start to the best series iv read all year, if not for years.

The book itself is very quick paced so leaves the reader gripped and the plot becomes appernt very quickly also captivating the audience. The characters however are lacking depth and will be quickly forgotten now I've finished the book.

For the correct target audience who doesn't want to read chapter upon chapter of lore setting and history, this will be a much loved book. However, for myself it was not one I found myself becoming addicted to.

(This review will be published on Goodreads on 7th November 2024 per the guidance from the publisher.)

Kembral Thorne is a no-nonsense Hound, a kind of investigator and protector from all things Echo. Or at least she was, but is now on maternity leave, and Dona Marjorie’s Year-Turning ball is her first chance at getting out and doing something nice for herself since having her darling Emmi. Unfortunately it seems that multiple forces have conspired to make this party one to be remembered, as the mansion drops through the 12 layers of reality and the guests are forced to relive the same evening in more and more unsettling ways. Kembral and her once-friend-turned-rival Rika are seemingly the only ones who can retain their memories in each layer, and are forced to work together to save not just the day, but the whole year.

This book is incredibly unique: a surrealist Groundhog Day from all of our nightmares. I really enjoyed the distinct flavour of each layer of reality, and each mutation that seemed to come with it. There was depth to the universe that made it feel deeply thought out, while not overwhelming the reader. The pace of the lore as well as the overall plot was really enjoyable to read.

A few of the characters were really distinct and loveable - even the somewhat useless Pearson and his complete disinterest in babies (something he and I have in common, though thankfully there was not too much baby-talk once you were past the first chapter). The Clockmaker in particular was a highlight for me, as well as the non-binary representation found in Blair. Some of the lesser characters feel a little more fuzzy when I try to define them, but I imagine that a few of those plot threads are expected to be picked up later in the series (as I have now learned, it will be a series!).

I was also very happy to have picked up a book with a sapphic romance (although the way Rai was described did make me hope he might see romance too…), and on the whole did enjoy the story of Kembral and Rika, with its various plot twists that I will not spoil here! My main objection is really of Rika’s state of frustration and confusion - she’s the one who was holding back information from Kem, so I struggled to understand why she’d then be annoyed that Kem didn’t have all of the information to act upon. The romance itself did feel rushed, despite their history, but then again perhaps that’s what traumatic life-or-death situations do to a couple.

As well as this, some of Kembral’s characterisation seemed confusing - for example her blink stepping seems to be her only true talent in the Hounds, as there were some realisations she had many chapters after the reader should have already picked up on them - not the sharpest investigator in the toolbox.

Overall this book was a solid 3.5 for me, the universe was really interesting and I’d love to see more adventures within lower layers of reality. It did a great job as an introduction to the world and some of the bigger players, so it definitely makes sense to me that this could be a series. Some of the writing felt a little overworked at times (the amount of Hound/dog and Cat/cat references, for one, “physicker” for another), but it was an easy and enjoyable read.

As soon as I read the premise for this book I had to immediately request it. This was such a twisty story of love, family, magic and also nightmares. I really liked that Kem wasn't some magical 'chosen one' as a lot of books in this genre go for but instead this exhausted new mother who is just doing her best. She has trained incredibly hard and is just trying to enjoy the night but the magic and murder gets in the way. Rika and Kem are such as interesting character duo and it was great unravelling their characters and backstories, as well as that of the other guests at the party as they are continually plunged into new realities that reset the timeline. This was such a fun setting and it was an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Little Brown Books for letting me read the ARC!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Very much enjoyed this. Think locked room murder mystery while stuck in a time loop and where reality is slowly disintegrating over time. I really liked Kembral as a protagonist - here we have a mature character who did not gain her abilities by being some kind of chosen one but through dedication and training. I also liked the concept and world building, and would love to read more books set in this world. Recommended, especially if you like books with a little bit of everything; sci-fi, fantasy, mystery and a splash of romance.

The Last Hour Between Worlds is fantastical time loop mystery with twelve alternate dimensions and a sapphic romance. With such an exciting concept, the execution sadly fell slightly short and for me it was a fun, but not particularly memorable, read.

The fight scenes were the highlight of the book for me - the use of magic/powers was great in those scenes was clever and dynamic. Also, the main character Kembral read as asexual to me which was a delightful surprise.

However, I didn't feel particularly attached to any of the characters and some of the twists were predictable. I also found this book frustrating to read at times because the theme of motherhood was very prevalent and just not my cup of tea. At risk of sounding heartless, I was so fed up with Kembral sacrificing everything in her life for her newborn baby, e.g. the love interest asked her out on a date, and Kembral turned her down because she had a baby, despite apparently having a loving family that would happily take care of the baby for a her.

Overall an interesting premise but not a series I would revisit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Review to be published on goodreads 2 weeks before publication date.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the author for letting me read the ARC!

Rating 4.5/5

The Last Hour Between Worlds presents an amazing premise, and Melissa Caruso does an exceptional job of bringing it to life. It begins as a 'who-dun-it'remise that evolves into a thrilling narrative. It's rare to find a book where all the characters (including the villains) are genuinely likeable. Melissa Caruso has a remarkable ability to vividly describe her characters, the worlds they inhabit, and the horrors they endure, and everything feels meticulously thought out. The descriptions are both vivid and detailed, and the author took their time in fleshing out the worlds. Moreover, the character development and progression are well-paced and make sense for each character.

Although I would consider this book to be lore-heavy, the narrative guides you through the lore and usually provides the necessary information at the right times for maximum impact. However, in some instances, you may need to make your own connections or interpret a piece of the lore yourself, which is why I knocked off half a star. At times, a crucial moment occurs and the significance might not be immediately apparent due to lack of context.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I believe it marks an incredible start to the series, and I am eagerly anticipating where the story will lead

Melissa Caruso just had the most beautiful way with words and this book was an absolute joy to read from start to finish.

I first fell in love with Melissa’s writing when I read her debut novel. She has this unique way of writing that I cannot find in other writers, so I don’t want to compare. Melissa Caruso is one of the strongest fictions writers in her field and you KNOW you get perfection. The sapphic love story was my absolute pleasure to read. I found myself lost in the worldbuilding, truly one of Melissa’s strongest tools. Stunning. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I

What an addicting, imaginative read! I was drawn in immediately from the first chapter; the book hooked me and did not let go.

There is an awful lot to hook you with this one. Not only is it a locked room murder mystery (always fun), but there’s a time loop (awesome), and the setting is so vivid and extravagant, the magic is imaginative, and the characters are such great personalities, even the secondary ones. I just enjoyed reading this so much.

I’m at a loss in how best to describe both the time loop at the world in a way that will do it justice, but I suppose it’s not fair to simply say, “Just read this book,” so I’ll give it a go.

There are multiple things that work well for the worldbuilding in this story. The society has defined roles, such as Hounds (investigators, kind of) and Cats (spies and assassins), as well as a defined hierarchy with the Council members on top. This worked to me in giving the secondary characters immediately defined roles, and then letting those personalities fill out those roles. Between big characters like Marjorie, Harking, Jaycel, Blair, and even Pearson, everyone felt fairly fully thought-out and made the party feel vibrant - and Marjorie and Jaycel probably deserve their own novellas, at the very least.

The party itself, at Dona Marjorie’s house, was a great setting for a time loop, especially because each loop also had the benefit (or “benefit?” to the characters) of going down one Echo deeper. It was inspired to make each iteration of the party so different with its decorations and it gave the author a chance to vividly describe some pretty fever dream-esque settings. Which she excelled at!

So, part of the plot of the story is that there is a Prime world, and then sub-worlds called Echoes, populated by, well, “echoes” of the Prime inhabitants as well as god-like beings called Empyreans. It’s a lot more complex than that, but I don’t think I could recap it all even if I wanted to. However, one key point that I was going to make is that each subsequent Echo is more dangerous and even more of a fever dream setting outside of the world of Dona Marjorie’s party. And once again, the author was fantastic at describing these settings and making sure that, for a very cool and creative world, I absolutely did not want to visit these Echoes.

The mystery - or mysteries, I suppose - was political in nature, with so many moving parts and motivations, and that is another thing that very obviously made this a lot of fun. It was quick-paced (I devoured it in less than 24 hours!) and kept me on my toes.

I also want to mention some of the lore of the world, since that was another highlight for me. The whole idea of the naming of the year and the Empyreans being morally grey (charcoal grey, probably) rivals with one another was just a ride in the best way.

Finally, let’s talk about something also very important: Kem, the lead character. I loved her - plucky and determined and stubborn but also very real. And I loved having a lead character who is a mother and that’s a very big part of her identity, especially with her coping with how “mother” will ultimately fit into the rest of her identity. That was so refreshing! Rika, the biggest character after Kem, was equally multidimensional and complex, and their rivalry and relationship in general felt natural and real.

Just an imaginative book that was really rather wonderful, and as much as I liked that it stands on its own, I certainly won’t say no to future books in this world and with these characters.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

First I really love the general concept and magic system and I really love the representation of a mother as a main character, but the story tended to be partly very predictable and I didn't really connect to it.
I did like the romance though

Another thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

That was bloody great.

<i>The Last Hour Between Worlds</i> isn't something I would have picked up to read without it popping up on my NetGalley account. It's classified as a science fiction and fantasy book. I think it's a little unfair to claim it isn't at least part-romance.

We see a literal descent into madness, mayhem, and chaos, led by the wonderful Kembral. A determined, fierce, and maternal protagonist with just the right amount of depth to get me through.

The entire story is set within a small area, which you'd think could confine the potential of a debut in what I believe is going to be a series of adventures, but if anything it created a greater sense of urgency and immediacy.

In a fantastically imagined world, Caruso straddles the line between fantasy and romance. More an emotional, and loving romance, than the romantasy smut half of BookTok loves to consume. My only gripe with the romance element was the repetition. It became a little arduous and repetitive as we hit the latter end of the book.

Personally, this could do well as a standalone, but I'll happily read more stories if they're told in the same eloquent, and gripping way.

Great read, pick up a copy on release.

3.8/5

I enjoyed reading this book - it was a lovely experience. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

An imaginative fantasy filled with drama and danger. The story features a party that goes on repeat, each time sinking into a weirder version of reality. Kembral Thorne is a last minute party-goer and is currently on maternity leave. Unfortunately she finds herself at the centre of danger and she has a limited amount of time to save everyone.
The world building and the creativity involved in this story is very impressive. Unfortunately I found the constant resetting of the party a bit too repetitive and the story seemed to drag in places. However, over all, this was an entertaining read.

The twists and turns in this book meant I never wanted to put it down. Loved the writing style and tone.

Characters were relatable and I was invested in them all, even the ‘bad guys’.

Not read anything like this before and would recommend it to everyone.