I received a free copy of, The Midnight Hour, by Kate Hewitt, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book 2 of 2 in The Lost Lake Series. Alex and her family are not doing so well, so much destruction around them. The beginning of this book was so hard to read, so much violence, for no reason.

The Midnight Hour by Kate Hewitt is a riveting sequel to The Last Stars in the Sky, diving straight back into the harsh and desolate world of post-nuclear apocalypse survival. Picking up minutes after the events of the first book, this installment takes readers on a gripping journey through the unknown, blending emotional depth with high-stakes tension.

The story follows Alex, Daniel, and their family as they flee their burning cabin and navigate the dangerous wilderness of Canada and the northern U.S., searching for safety and sustenance. The desolation is palpable, but so too are the moments of hope and humanity. Along the way, they encounter fractured societies—some welcoming and others menacing—and grapple with moral dilemmas and sacrifices, all while trying to preserve their family bonds.

Hewitt’s masterful storytelling is on full display. She balances heart-pounding suspense with poignant reflections on love, loss, and resilience. The dual narratives—one following present-day survival and the other peeling back layers of the family’s past—are compelling, though at times the switches can feel a bit abrupt. Still, both threads contribute to a broader understanding of the characters’ motivations and struggles, making the story all the more impactful.

Fans of the first book will appreciate how this sequel deepens the stakes while offering satisfying character arcs. The family dynamics are raw and realistic, with moments of both friction and profound connection. Hewitt doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker sides of survival but balances this with glimmers of hope and community, leaving readers both heartbroken and uplifted.

While The Midnight Hour can technically stand alone, it is best enjoyed after reading The Last Stars in the Sky, as much of the emotional weight relies on knowing the characters’ previous experiences.

For fans of dystopian fiction, this series is a must-read. It’s a thought-provoking, action-packed exploration of survival, morality, and the unyielding bonds of family.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Hewitt for the ARC

Excellent sequel but could be read as a stand alone. The novel explores life in a post nuclear war era, as one family must face peril to survive. This book, like the one before it, really made me think.

I hadn't read the first Lost Lake book, 'The Last Stars in the Sky' so I decided to read it before reading the ARC of 'The Midnight Hour'. So pleased that I did! I got so caught up in book one I just couldn't wait to find out what happened to Alex, Daniel and their family in book two. Luckily 'The Midnight Hour' starts minutes after the previous book finishes which meant I spent a very enjoyable weekend in post nuclear apocalypse Canada courtesy of Kate Hewitt. Surprisingly the books weren't all terror, fear and misery. There was a lot of hope, enterprise and love as well. I cried buckets and was very sad when I got to the end. The book(s) were so well written I really felt like I was there with the characters going through everything they were experiencing. Brilliant writing, a brilliant story thoroughly enjoyable but read book one first. Recommended+++
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own

"The Midnight Hour" is the second book in the Lost Lake series and it does not disappoint. When I read the first book I wasn't sure how it would continue but I can tell you it does and with so much action and emotion it's definitely worth a read! The book gives the perspective of current day Alex and also the past perspective of Daniel and of what he went through when he tried to bring Sam home. It's full of raw emotion and again, like the first book, opened my eyes to how easily everything you know can change and to take nothing for granted.

This is the second in the series and I have now read them both. I particularly found the first book a bit better than this one. We continue where we left off with the lives of Daniel’s family as they travel to find safe places to live. Along the way they pick up a few unexpected people and run into several savory characters.
This book again makes you think about what life would be like if we ever had to experience a nuclear event. My only con was the repeating and backtracking of the story.
The storyline to tell us what Daniel went through when traveling to retrieve his son from college was very interesting, some of that was not covered in the first book. All and all, I enjoyed the story and I found the ending satisfying.
I thank Storm Publishing along with NetGalley for providing this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review. Comes in with 4 stars.

I loved this book. The first one really took me by surprise and this felt like part of the same book instead of a separate novel. I enjoyed the flash backs and finding out what Daniel did on his journey home with Sam. It's a terrifying premise and totally captured my imagination. If there are any more then I would love to know what happens next in Alex's story. I will recommend this series.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Alex's life has taken a sharp detour. What the family thought would be a way to bond as a family, was not happening. A fast read.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I really loved the survivalist nature of the first book in this series, so I was hoping this one would match up, but it didn't quite do it for me. It wasn't a complete dud, but it did miss a bit for me as I was a little bored with the storyline and characters and I also truly cannot see a Father or Mother doing what they both did as told at the end of the book.

It has taken me an unconscionably long time to provide feedback on this book, but I have not been sure how I feel about it. I love Kate Hewitt and I loved the first book in this series-even though it was quite a departure from her usual sort of story. I was always going to read this sequel; I am invested in the characters and their story and I was dying to know what happens next. The Midnight Hour delivers on this-we get to know what happens next, and there is a pretty satisfying conclusion to the story. That said-there were a few things that got in the way of this being an entirely satisfying read. First of all-and this often happens with sequels/series - there is a lot of time spent explaining what happened in the first book. This is normal, but there was a lot of it here, and it felt clumsy and tacked on. I found myself wishing the author/published just told people to get the first book and read it before attempting The Midnight Hour. The second thing I did not find successful was the parallel narrative. Without giving too much away, in the first book, one of the main characters sets off on a journey away from his family-after a few chapters, his story just sort of ends and we do not find out what happened during this journey, even after his return to the family towards the end of the first book. It is treated as a mystery, or something nobody on that journey wants to talk about-ever. That kind of worked for me. In the second book, the story is taken up again, layered with the present day narrative. The parallel narratives both involve journeys, but I did not find that the two stories related back to each other. The switching back and forth between narratives felt kind of jarring, to be honest. Even with these quibbles, I did find the novel a solid read. The character work is solid, everybody is relatable, the plot believable, and the stakes are high. I did enjoy this book, even though I wished for a more straightforward story arc.

Another masterpiece by Kate Hewitt. BRILLIANT!! Please let there be another book... It's mind-blowing and hard to put down

I was drawn in by the cover, and then surprised to discover that it's a sequel to a book I read about a family struggling to survive after a nuclear holocaust. I really wish the cover was not so beautiful.

All in all, this is a fast-paced book as the family has lost the cottage where they thought they were safe, and goes on the run to find another safe place. There is a LOT of violence especially in the first half of the story, so if you're squeamish, best to put this one down. Otherwise, it's an intriguing look into "what if..." for all of us. Also a bit of hope at the very, very end. I would definitely be interested in one more book in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Alex, Daniel and their family have fled their burning cabin and the roaming gang who targeted them. Now they are criss-crossing the northern US and Canada, searching for sources of food, gasoline and sanctuary. Radiation levels may be down but society is still fractured. The idea of an organized community is appealing so the group joins two, one warm and welcoming, the other not so much. The Midnight Hour ends with a life changing decision. This is the second in a series and I cant wait for what comes next.

It is impossible to describe the plot of this dystopian thriller without spoilers. Kate Hewitt makes you care for this family and want them to survive in this changed world. The Midnight Hour combines family, survival, love and fellowship with human cruelty and reckless behavior. It questions actions taken in desperation and the guilt that follows. While it can be read as a standalone, please take the time to read The Last Stars in the Sky, the first in the series. It will help you understand the characters and some of their actions. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Hewitt for this ARC.

In October I read the Last Stars in the Sky. It was amazing! I hadn’t been expecting the post apocalyptic theme as I go into books blind often. I listened to the audiobook and finished it in one day! When I saw that NetGalley had the second book I had to request (especially since it ended with a cliffhanger) and luckily was picked. This book did not disappoint. This time I read on my kindle and it’s harder to find time to sit and read but I stayed up late every night. I loved it! I am a huge fan of post apocalyptic books and for there to be such a strong woman lead, a mom, that was wonderful. I’ve never read any of Kate Hewitts book before these but that will quickly change. Her writing style flows. The story is a beautiful one of redemption, love and trying to carve a new life. This book ended nicely where we don’t need another but honestly if she’s writing a third about their new life I will wholeheartedly read it. I read so much and honestly am not often blown away anymore. This series has! I’m in love and know it will be one I think about for years and reread. Thanks to NetGalley, Kate Hewitt, and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I continue to be amazed at the skill and versatility with which Kate Hewitt writes. She has a book for whatever mood I find myself in at that moment.

‘The Last Stars in the Sky’ was unique - so spectacular and I couldn’t stop singing its praises. Hewitt had left readers with a cliffhanger and I was hoping she’d revisit Alex and Daniel’s situation and give readers some closure. ‘The Midnight Hour’ picks up right where the last book finished and takes readers from the safety of the isolated Lost Lake cabin into the unknown Canadian wilderness.

I appreciated the pacing, drama, and tension and noted how Hewitt balanced these with emotional connections and powerful moments of community and resilience. I was on the edge of my seat reading about this family who’d faced devastation and had no choice now but to drive away from oblivion and towards the unknown. I may never face what the Walkers experience, but it reminded me that sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. Sometimes it implodes. Sometimes it isn’t full of the “montage of Hallmark moments” we’d envisioned. It’s what we do in the afterward that’s the important part. I didn’t have children but I can imagine the struggle I’d have to ensure that my niece and nephew have something to hope for and something to believe in.

“We’ve got out of the habit of sacrificing ourselves for a greater good no one seems to believe in anymore.”

I think this quote and the moment it was spoken will stay with me the most. I, too, have noted that society seems to have an ‘every man for himself’ attitude these days. It was good to be reminded about the dangers of individualism. Since emerging from Covid lockdowns, I feel we’ve lost the camaraderie and ‘can-do’ attitude that was so prevalent. Certainly, we’ve lost the sense of duty and honor that society had pre-war.

My takeaways:

✔️I’d like to take the following quote as a warning and remind myself (hopefully weekly) to read the biblical reference to Habakkuk 3.

“When we most need to stick together, we all seem to be splintering apart.”

✔️I want to remember the lightbulb moment when I realized that everyone processes in different ways and we need to give each other space to do so.

I found myself down a rabbit hole with 22 Wing and North Bay!

Thank you for penning a fantastic sequel, Kate Hewitt. I loved Swiss Family Robinson as a kid and knew I was going to enjoy your twist on it!

I was gifted this copy by Storm Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I so enjoyed catching up with Alex and Daniel and their family, the troubles for survival in a world hit by nuclear bombs. The story goes on from Alex and children at the cottage and the challenges Daniel faces to fetch Sam from university and get back home. All this knowing that they could be risking radiation poisoning.
Loved this next chapter for the family and followers who gather and travel with them. I so hope there will be a 3rd book in the series.
My thanks as always to Netgalley and publisher Storm Publishing and of course author Kate Hewitt for permission for the early read

First, what a beautiful cover for heavy material. The book is a sequel, which I didn't know. While it didn't take away from this book, if you have the opportunity I would suggest reading the other novel first for context and understanding.

The plot was well done, and I enjoyed the book. The material (nuclear attack) is heavy, but not so that it brings the reader down.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheMidnightHour #KateHewitt #NetGalley #StormPublishing

This is a hard book to read as it's in the midst of a nuclear attack but the story is so interesting. The choices that are made by the characters and their resilience to rise above the circumstances is so inspiring. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Having read the first one, which blew me away, I was eager to read this one and whilst it didn't disappoint, I felt it lacked some of the atmopshere of the first one. The family is back on the road, and trying to nativage their way in the new world. I love how Kate really takes yoou into the minds of the characters, and I often wondered what I would do in the same circumstances. I feel this would make a really good movie, and I did enjoy the book on the whole.

This book is a sequel, and I did not know that. I read this book as a standalone book so I missed a lot of context and information from book one that would’ve helped me enjoy this book more had I read book one. Besides that, it was well written, and entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!