I stumbled upon the first book in this series this past summer and absolutely loved it! So I was quite looking forward to the sequel. And there is a lot to this book that I really enjoyed - even loved. But there were a few parts I felt like I just wanted a bit more.

I loved that The Midnight Hour picks up right after the first book, so you are immediately brought back to the intense journey to find safety. I think what drew me Alex, Daniel and their family is the need to survive by any and all means. How they learn to survive with new skills and the mentally challenging decisions they have to make. I appreciated learning more about Daniel and Sam's journey to find their family. I also loved the last part of the book, with the cottages. While many emotional and tough moments, I found it to have somewhat full circle moments.

I think the parts that I wanted more from was the NBSRC - it was set up to be a place that challenges your thinking on survival, resilience and society as a whole. And it started off great, but I kept waiting for something a bit more sinister. haha - maybe that's more a reflection on me. So while the start to that storyline was intriguing, it ended just a little flat for me. I really enjoyed the time at the cottages but again, could have read a little more on how the group aligned and worked together.

Overall though, I enjoyed reading this. It's a good follow up to the amazing first book. And I'm looking forward to reading the 3rd installment in this series. Thank you so much for letting me read this early (well in my case a bit late) But as I share on my platform, my Mom life took over!

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and this sequel did not disappoint. Such a fascinating subject and it really does make you think if something so tragic as a nuclear attack were ti happen how would life be. I really really hope there will be a 3rd book. Fantastic writing by a very clever author.

bookscoffeebrews Book Review: THE MIDNGHT HOUR
(Lost Lake2)
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Author: Kate Hewitt @katehewitt1
Publisher: Storm Publishing @stormbooks_co
Thankyou @netgalley for my ARC.

The Midnight Hour, the sequel to The Last Stars in the
Sky, offers a gripping narrative that delves into the
resilience of humanity in the face of catastrophic
change. Picking up where the first book left off, the
story explores a world where fear, greed, and violence
have become pervasive, yet the human spirit remains
unbroken. Alex and Daniel Walker's determination to
safeguard their loved ones - Sam, Mattie, Ruby,
Phoebe, and Kyle - serves as a powerful testament to
the bonds of family and community. As they navigate
this treacherous new world, they must confront the
uncertainties of radiation poisoning, trust issues, and
moral dilemmas, all while holding onto hope and the
promise of a better future. Kate Hewitt's masterful
storytelling weaves a tale that is both
thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, leaving
readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the
Lost Lake series. With its uplifting themes of resilience,
family, and hope, The Midnight Hour is a must-read
for anyone looking for a story that will inspire and
empower.

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I read 1/4 of this book and felt it wasn’t for me

It was well written

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

A dystopian post nuclear adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I went ahead and read the first book which I really enjoyed. In this second instalment I found myself yearning for the narrative to return to them as “pioneers” however, I can see why we took this journey and deep dive into the post nuclear politics of sequels intend to be written.

I enjoyed the coming of age aspects seen with Maddie and Kyle.

One thing that I found frustrating was the repeated asking of “what do we do now?” Each time this line came up I thought of Reece Witherspoon’s frustration with the line and agree that action or dialogue towards a solutions would have been better in some instances.

I look forward to what comes next for Alex, we were left on a good cliff hanger and I have a good feeling for book 3.

I really like the premise of this story. I’m not sure if reading book one first would have been better for me to follow and understand. It was an easy read!

Kate Hewitt is a MUST READ author for me! But now I know to have the tissues ready for her books. This is the second book in the “Lost Lake Series". This book follows Alex and her family after the nuclear holocaust. She is trying her best to hold it together for her children. Family survival and love is the center of this book.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Midnight Hour was the sequel to The Last Stars in the Sky by Kate Hewitt. It picked up right where the first one ended. The world was no longer as it once had been. People had turned greedy, scared and sometimes quite violent. Fear lurked among those that had survived. What would they find or not find? Were they in danger of radiation poisoning? No one knew for sure. Alex and Daniel Walker knew one thing. They needed to find a safe place for Sam, Mattie and Ruby, their biological children and for Phoebe and Kyle who were their responsibilities now as well. What would this new world be like for them? Could they survive? All of their resolves would be tested.

The Midnight Hour was fast paced, well written and gripping. Family relationships were tested and explored. Survival skills were everyone’s main focus and concern. It was hard to trust anyone that was not familiar or known. Choices had to be made and they didn’t always result in the right decision. The Midnight Hour explored the themes of family, survival, hope, fear, losses and uncertainty. Once again, Kate Hewitt left us with another cliff hanger. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Lost Lake series to discover what will happen next. Kate Hewitt once again showed off her talent as a masterful storyteller. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Midnight Hour (Lost Lake #2) by Kate Hewitt through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and I read it in one day. I had to take breaks because I did cry in parts. I would recommend this book.

The Midnight Hour by Kate Hewitt is the 2nd book in this beautifully written Lost Lake series. This series has just took my breath away from the beginning till the end, and Wow! what a cliff hanging ending it had!!! Nooooooo.

Kate has written it from her heart and I loved reading this book. It's full of warmth but, be warned you will need tissues and lots of them. The Midnight Hour was one of the best books I’ve read this year so far. I couldn’t put this one down I did not want it to end...But, then I find this with all Kate's books.

Highly recommend and don't forget your tissues.

Big thank you to Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

When I started reading the first book in the series: (The Last Star in the Sky), I thought this isn't my typical read. I am so glad I stuck with it though. Although not in my typical genre, I loved it and wished it would have gone on linger. Well my wish was granted when The Midnight Hour came along.

This one is just as gripping, disturbing, frightening and heartfelt as the first. I love that it picked up right where the first left off. I do not know if there will be another book in the series. I am satisfied with how this one ended, but would welcome another book as well. I just want to know more about this family and their lives after a nuclear disaster.

Thanks to netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.

This is book 2 in the lost lake series by Kate Hewitt. This book follows Alex and her family and starts 7 months after a nuclear holocaust that changed their lives and the world. Family survival and love is paramount to this novel.
Can’t wait for the next one in the series …

This is not a book that I normally would have picked up but it was offered to me and I agreed to read and review it. I'm glad I did. I did not read the first book and it might have helped to understand this book and the characters a bit better. But the author did an admirable job filling in the back story.

In this book, the family has just escaped from a horrific attack on the former vacation home that they fled to after a nuclear holocaust. They are traveling, with supplies, to find a place that is experiencing minimal radiation fallout and somewhere where they can be safe.

The trip is long and dangerous. The author describes the desperate straits of survivors. No homes, no food, no tap water, no heat as we've all become accustomed to. She also goes back in time to describe the journey that the father took to find and bring back his son.

I knew that I was living within the story when a couple of times I thought like the characters in the book. For instance, where was I going to find fresh fruit for a fruit bowl I planned to put together? Oh yeah. I could just go buy it.

I loved how the characters stepped up to the challenges that they faced and the snap and longer term decisions that they had to make to survive. There is violence and other uncomfortable situations but I found it well worth reading. It is not a "zombie" story, but instead a real family adapting to the new world that they lived in.

BOOK: THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
AUTHOR: KATE HEWITT
PUB DATE: JANUARY 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I love disaster movies, especially sci-fi ones. This book is just like that and I loved it too! This book was set in modern time North America, US and Canada to be exact and major cities there have been attacked with nuclear bombs leaving a lot of people dead, government destabilized and the survivors left struggling. We follow the lives of the Parker family and the people they meet along the way.
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We start off with Alex, a housewife with three kids plus two who has had to go through extreme changes like everyone else to survive. She's determined to keep her family safe and provide for them. She was really admirable. Because I can only imagine the world coming to an end and to have to act as a parent too! But, she did all that seamlessly.
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Then Daniel, her husband, an equally amazing person too. When the bombs first hit, he went on an exhausting journey to bring his eldest son home. It was very difficult and it put a toll on him, unsurprising. He's also a protector and provider who went all out with his family. I really admired him. Before the start of the book, he and his wife had a huge fight. Fortunately, they were able to mend broken fences before the end of the book.
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The other characters were the Parker Children and the others they met on the road. They all worked hard to be self sufficient, foraging food and just trying to survive.
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What I liked most about the book was that it was realistic. Yes, it was focused on the family, but the author's rendition of the aftermath of the attacks and people trying to survive, even going to extra lengths just to do that.
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This book was very good and I read it in 24 hours. I'll definitely recommend this book
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I LOVED the first book in this series - The Last Stars in the Sky - and definitely recommend reading it before The Midnight Hour. This book picks up where the first one left off - how a family is surviving after a nuclear holocaust. No Government, no water, cities demolished and people can't be trusted. The book is told from the perspectives of Alex and Daniel, the parents of the family. Learning their different feelings, experiences and outlook on the situation is incredibly fascinating. Their determination, strength and positivity during the most impossible of times is awe inspiring. This book makes you think, keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you want to turn the pages for more. My biggest complaint (and why this was a 4 star, while The Last Stars in the Sky was 5 star) is that it is very repetitive, especially in the beginning. I felt like much of the first half of the book was repeating different experiences instead of learning about new ones.It was another cliffhanger ending, which is SO frustrating. The experiences and descriptions in this book are so well done that I felt like I was there. I felt all the fears and emotions that were running through the characters and family. I am now waiting and hoping for a 3rd book in the series. Do yourself a favor, and add both of these books to your 2025 TBR.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

A intense and scary book to read as it could actually be something that will happen to our World.
Just thinking about the reality this story makes me feel so sad….life after nuclear bombs devastate parts of Canada and the United States.
The Midnight Hour is a tension filled read.
This story literally broke my heart ♥️
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book form my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

its an apocalyptic storyline that does grip you right to the end... there are some shocking scenes and i have to admit there was one scene that brought a tear to my eye

its a compelling read and i cant wait to read the next book in this series


think walking dead without the zombies

What a great book! I was so happy to hear there was a sequal to The Last Stars in the Sky! This book draws you in and keeps you turning pages until its done. Highly recommend this series!

I listened to this second story in the Lost Lake series on audiobook. It works well in this medium, with the narrator differentiating between the main characters and bringing them to vibrant life. The story is an emotional one set in post-apocalyptic North America. I didn't listen to or read the first book, although I have this now. The story is engaging and told from the mother and father's viewpoints. Both are complex, flawed characters, and the story explores how they change after the bombs have dropped and how they come to terms with the new version of themselves. I do not usually read or listen to this type of story, but I like this author and am glad I took the chance. It focuses on their journey to make a new life for their family after their first attempt ended in violence and tragedy. The cleverly created menacing, unpredictable ethos has subtle sensory imagery that immerses the reader in the setting and makes them receptive to the protagonists' thoughts and feelings. It's an addictive book with lots of suspenseful moments. I like the story's emotion and sensory imagery, drawing the reader into the characters' lives, the evocative setting and the family dynamic.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and purchased an audiobook copy.

The Midnight Hour by Kate Hewitt is the second book about the holocaust that took place when someone started dropping nuclear bombs on American and Canadian cities and the widespread death and destruction that followed. It is focused on one family and the people they picked up along the way and the mind-numbing life that was now theirs. David, the husband, returned to the cabin they had moved to after a six month journey to bring the son home from college. The trials both her and the family had gone through were beyond anything they would have imagined before this all had happened. This second part of the story tells of their lives after they burned down their cabin after they had been attacked. If they couldn’t have it, no one could. People died. Some were slated to die anyway, some were not. They killed people and stole. All to survive. It preyed on their minds but it had to be done.

Alex, the mom, had to watch her children suffer and grow up way before they should have. She was an excellent character, as was her husband, David. They learned how to be married through all of this, and how to love. She was grateful for that, but continued to kick herself for the mistakes she’d made, both before and after the bombings. Slowly things began to normalize, although the new normal would be nothing like the original. I don’t normally read post apocalyptic books but am a huge fan of Kate Hewitt. She brought her usual mastery to this wretched tale. It was readable, and frightening. Something we all should think about, I guess.

I was invited to read The Midnight Hour by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #KateHewitt #TheMidnightHour