Member Reviews
I loved reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me. I love this author snd her writing style.
Thanks to netgally for this arc.
I saved this for the end of the year to match my mood, but I would have DNFd this if it hadn't been a novella. And I wish I had, because I especially hated the ending.
As a whole, I didn't enjoy this story, because it made the timeloop trope feel completely mundane in a really boring way. It took all of the fun right out of it.
But the ending really cemented my dislike, because the thing that gets the MC out of her timeloop is when she has sex with the love interest. Confessing their love wasn't enough, a kiss wasn't enough, talking through their pasts and communicating wasn't enough, they had to have sex for the ~magic~, I guess. I completely dislike this message as an asexual person - a romance or relationship are not more real if you add sex to them, and their validity shouldn't hinge on sex.
Midnight, Repeated is a fast paced novella centred around our leading lady Lauree Miller. It is New Year’s Eve and Lauree is determined to make next year her year despite the 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵, 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 banner her friend Max insists on hanging at his NYE party. She is stuck on in a low-level job she has little interest in, her boyfriend of 3 years has yet to pop the question but likes to remind her she needs to find some motivation to finally make something of herself. To dull the pain she has a couple more drinks than she should but when she wakes up the next morning she has no sign of a hangover. Actually everything is exactly as it was – yesterday!
Lauree is stuck in a time loop, December 31st keeps repeating itself and it doesn’t take many repeats for her to realize her boyfriend is never going to propose and she needs to find a job she is passionate about, the trouble is what does she want? Being a novella this book is fast paced but I thought Laurees character development was well done. I liked how we sometimes jumped forward a few repeats and the whole day wasn’t included in each repeat to keep the story moving and make it less repetitive than I have seen in other books with time loops.
It is obvious from the first page Lauree has it bad for her BFFs older brother who just happens to be her next door neighbour. It is easy to tell them both have feelings for each other but there is clearly some miscommunication which has kept them apart. In part I was frustrated by this as it seemed repetitive but it reminds me of the movie 50 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 if only Lauree could leave notes for Max to help him catch up.
I would have loved to know more about their history, how Lauree developed such strong feelings for Max that she was unable to move on for a decade. Why was Max so reluctant to give them a try when they were younger and what kept him from giving it a try when they ended up living beside each other. While it was a very enjoyable novella I would love a full length book to dive in a big deeper and really get to know these characters.
This was quick NYE novella about a girl figuring out what she wants from life by reliving this day over and over. She learns what she truly loves doing and who she truly loves before the loop finally breaks.
This book is about Lauree who makes a wish at New Year's and gets to relive the day over and over again. It takes her several repeats before she realizes that she's in a terrible relationship with her boyfriend, and during these repeats she finds herself and her passion. I loved her character development despite the story being so short. With that being said, I loved how fast-paced the story is but I really wished this is a full-length novel. I want to know more about the people around Lauree - her history with Drew, her friendship with Max and what she does at work and why she doesn't enjoy what she does. It would have been more interesting to dive in deeper as I loved Lauree and Max so much. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love novellas as it's such a fast read. I thought it was really well paced as sometimes they can lack since they're so short or it can be too fast. Honestly, wish it was longer because I feel like I would have got to know the characters better.
Fast paced novella that was so much fun. For so short amount of pages, a lot happened and it was great.
4 stars!
The "Groundhog Day" time trap loop is a popular theme in novels these days. "Midnight, Repeated" by Dani McLean is no exception, but it's very successful at using this premise to its advantage. It's a short little novella that reads quickly and has an intriguing story and interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the chaotic-and-impulsive-but-tamped-down-by-life Lauree as the main female character and the sweet-cinnamon-rolly Max as her best friend. I loved learning about how Lauree initially tried to kiss him and profess her feelings for him when they were younger, and how he regretted his reaction ever since. Lauree relives the same day for many, many months, stuck in her time trap loop. The things she does to pass the time and the lessons she learns about herself, life, love, and embracing her personality really hooked me. Despite her day repeating, Dani McLean keeps the novella engaging, which saves readers from getting bored of the premise too quickly. There are also one or two well-written spicy scenes, too. My one complaint is that I couldn't help the nagging feeling that I wished I had had more time with these characters to get more in-depth details about their backstories. I'd love another chance to read more Dani and Max content!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dani McLean, and Set the Mood Publishing for providing me with an ARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for my review.
I'm a sucker for the whole time loop trope and I was interested to see how this author would do it with a novella. I am pleased to say, I rather enjoyed this fast paced story! It the perfect for me to pick up and read in one sitting and I am excited to see what comes next with this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was fast paced, sappy at times and god damn amazing.
Lauree was the best main character and I really liked her crazy, chaotic persona. the journey she went on throughout the novel was really enjoyable to read.! her self discovery and journey of love was really lovely 😌
Max was the BEST male mc ever. he’s so sweet and caring 😭 I loved that they were childhood friends and they experienced the same path and it’s one of my all-time fave tropes ✨the pace of the book was perfect and I read it essentially in one go, I also loved that it was based around christmas and new year as that is one of my favourite times of the year ☺️ it was just super cosy and cute and I just loved it so much!!
I would definitely recommend this to a friend and I am 100% going to continue the series when it gets released!! 🤩
This book came to me just when I needed it! Reading a novella is the best way to get out of a slump, and Midnight, Repeated worked like a charm in that case. Many thanks to the author and publisher for giving me the chance to review the book! <3
Time-loop romances are always so interesting! Add in the elements of swoon, the charm of the friends-to-lovers trope, and amazing character growth, and you get a wonderful book! I loved reading Lauree and Max's love story so much! The concept that the author chose for the time loop, letting Lauree live the same day over and over again until she finally chooses the right path for her life—was so perfectly plotted! The New-Year setting was really clever too.
Midnight, Repeated was a lovely escape, tbh. Cannot wait to read more from the author. <3
I didn't realize this was novella when I requested it. I'm not really a fan of shorter stories, but i did really enjoy this! It was fun, nostalgic and very swoony!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The concept itself intrigued me so I was very thrilled to start the book. The beginning reminded me of begin again by Taylor Swift with how Lauree's boyfriend Drew acted and how it was at midnight before New year.
Then the loop began and I was underwhelmed by how it was presented since there was no buildup to the loop, it sort of just happened and we don't know why because we barely knew the characters, especially their background. For time loops, it happens for that main character to develop as a person and I was bored throughout Lauree's progression throughout the story, making it dull and pointless.
Max was just there and there was nothing that made him interesting which made him a dull love interest.
It was very obvious why the loop began when we met Max and it was apparent that they both liked each other making me struggle to read more about it since the miscommunication that it had about their love.
This was just not my cup of tea and it was a struggle to read even though this was just a novella.
Love the Friends to lovers trope. Had a Groundhog Day feel with the day on loop. Really sweet holiday romance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Set the Mood Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
what a cute & heartfelt read!
plot line: Lauree Miller knows what she should want — a serious job, a serious boyfriend, the ability to cook a meal that doesn’t involve two types of cheese.
New Year's Eve is a time for resolutions, and as the clock ticks closer to midnight, Lauree makes a decision - next year, she’s going to let go of the past and finally grow up.
It’s about time she stopped pining over her best friends brother , Max , anyway.
Except when she wakes, it’s still December 31st. Then it happens again. And again. And again.
What’s a girl trapped in a time loop supposed to do?
Will kissing the right man at midnight set her free?
My thoughts:
if you’re of a fan of friends to lovers , rom-com films and a bit of sexiness, please consider reading this!!
I really enjoyed this story and getting to know the characters (especially Lauree and Max!!) and their journey with each other through the time loops.
I thought Lauree and Max’s relationship was so heartfelt as a reader and I think that is because they have known each other for so long , it made the bond between them stronger.
I loved Max as character as he was so kind and open towards Lauree , even when she was struggling he was there to offer comfort (book /fictional boyfriend material).
although the plot is amazing, I really wish this book was longer , as a reader I like to have a distinctive storyline (start, middle & end) whilst this was included it felt very basic and rushed in places.
Personally, I would’ve loved to read more about Lauree and Max , specifically Lauree’s crush on him and their friendship before the events that took place.
I recommend this book to those of you who like to read about :
- friends to lovers
- Time loops
- a hint of spice 🌶️
overall , I’d like to say a huge thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
I can’t wait to read more of this book series!
I liked the pacing, the time loop aspect, all the baking (loved the descriptions!), the tension, and the enemies to lovers trope in this one. Seeing her life go by over and over again on the same day, Lauree decides to start taking control, face her fears and find out what she want in her life and I loved seeing her follow through to get what she wanted. Plus, Max is the sweetest.
There is nothing, NOTHING I didn’t like about this book! Well, except Drew and I’m sure I’m not the only reader to have that instant ick reaction toward him.
There’s a bit of magic involved in this storyline, and the author’s note about dispelling reality for the Groundhog Day events reminds us that sometimes we can just enjoy a read for what it is. And this read is ultra enjoyable, to the tune of 💛💛💛💛💛 ‘stars’.
It’s a novella that is brimming with feel-good moments and messages and fits like a warm hug. It’s a re-read that will sit prominent on my bookshelf and is a reminder that we don’t need our shit figured out ALL the time, as long as we’re trying and never giving up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy of Midnight, Repeated by Dani MacLean. I am a sucker for magic realism and this novella delivered. Lauree is stuck repeating New Year’s Eve over and over until she creates the life she’s meant to live. This is quick, fun read with a friends to lovers romance. A great option if you’re in a reading slump.
Very Lovely book, it’s the first time I read this author and I like it so much, so cute and funny story.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book
First time reading this author and she delivered a fast paced novella about a woman learning how to be who she wants to be while repeating the same day over and over again.
It's a sweet friends to lovers romance. Lauree is someone relatable to many readers because she's lost and avoids changes. The idea of setting this story in the New Year's Eve was a fantastic idea and well planned and I liked how the author made Lauree push herself quickly. I was expecting her to be more resistant and avoid moving forward with her resolve but it didn't happen.
I wished this was a full length novel though. I know it can be tiring to the author and reader having the same day in loop but it would've been interesting to get a deeper view from Lauree and Max past, their backstory and until the recent day. I think it would make us connect more with them as couple instead of being instant.
If you're looking for a fast read to help you get out of a slump or because you're looking for a lighter read, this is a solid novella. I'm rating it 4 stars by thinking of it as novella and what it has to deliver.