I was honestly surprised that the synopsis covers such a big part of the book. For a big part of the story I was like, wait I already knew this was going to happen. While I did like that it wasn't as focused on romance as a lot of other YA books, I just didn't connect with the story or the characters as much. I didn't think anyone really stood out. Maybe it was a mistake getting a book with a boarding school.. I really wanted to change my mind about that setting, but this book didn't do it for me.

I'm a Swiftie and even I got tired of all the Taylor Swift references, they were way too much. The writing wasn't great and I didn't click with the story because I was cringing a lot. The FMC is named Tag and the jokes, I couldn't take them.. Literally, "Tag, you it!". It almost felt too childish

The overall plot was confusing. The time jumps from past to presents were confusing and unmarked. The miscommunication was pretty annoying and overall, I would only recommend this book if you like young adult, ket word being YOUNG.

2 stars because I loved the relationship between Lily and her mom, it very much gave Gilmore Girl vibes.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Boarding school, senior pranks, a scavenger hunt, throw in some fun friendships and first love … sign me up!

This group of friends has about six hours to set up the best senior prank and hide seven clues around campus. There was not too many surprises, but I still loved the dynamics between Lily and her mom, and so many of the friends. It gave me all the senior year school vibes.

I absolutely loved KL Walther’s previous book, She is able to write YA novels that have the ability to suck you in no matter your age. The Last Summer of Broken Rules was one of my end of the year favorites last year so I was so excited to read this next one of hers, and it didn’t disappoint.

“Because there were only two options when it came to Taggart Swell: loving him with every bone in my body and beat of my heart or cutting ties with him completely. For me, we were everything or we were nothing.”

After loving K.L Walther’s YA debut If We Were Us years ago, I was excited to read her newest novel, especially after she moved to Sourcebooks. I was definitely not disappointed by the hijinks and romance this book brought, especially after seeing that the prank was inspired by her father’s own high school heist.

Summary:
Lily has lived her entire life at Ames boarding school. With her mom as an English teacher, Lily has not only attended the prestigious academy, but was raised on its premises in the faculty housing, earning her the title of a fac-brat. Having spent eighteen years amongst her teachers and administration and under the watchful eye of the school’s campus security, Lily has never found a reason or a desire to break the rules. She’s a straight-A student, the salutatorian, and everyone’s favorite good girl.

Ames is a school of tradition, one of which is the anual Jester Prank. Each year a senior is chosen to be the Jester, a student who conducts the senior prank on behalf of their class. When Lily receives a note inviting her to join the Jester’s court for a night of pranking debauchery, she wrestles with her conscience before ultimately joining the fun because of one condition: she knows her ex-boyfriend and love of her life, Tag, is the Jester.

The Jester and his court meet at midnight to conduct not only the theft of Ames Almanac, the school’s famous yearbook, but also to lay a series of scavenger hunt clues across campus for their douche-canoe of a class president. While the team initially begins with 6, the members fluctuate throughout the night, more often than not leaving Tag and Lily alone to conduct the prank. After a messy breakup almost a year ago, the two spend the night dancing around their miscommunication and obvious chemistry, too focused on not getting caught to spend time on any lingering feelings.

But as the hours tick closer to dawn, their heist becomes more frantic. Will the Jester pull off the biggest prank Ames has ever seen? Will Daniel, the class president, catch his peers in the act? And will Tag and Lily ever be able to get over their mutual pining to talk to each other?

Thoughts:
Littered with a Taylor Swift reference at least once a chapter, Walther’s What Happens After Midnight is a fun, charismatic, romcom that keeps readers on the edge of their seat with each impending clue. I loved the setting of a Rhode Island boarding school, and found myself longing to see the sprawling campus in person, especially Bunker’s cottage atop a hill where he conducts Latin classes. One of my favorite elements to this novel was the cast of characters; while Lily and Tag are our leads romantically and plot-wise, the rest of the Jester’s court, the Ames’ faculty, and Lily’s mom and pseudo-stepdad stole the show. I would love a series set at Ames just to see more of the eccentric teachers and dark-academic coded campus.

If you like pranks, heists, second-chance romance, and found family, What Happens After Midnight is a great read! Fans of Kurt Dinan’s Don’t Get Caught and Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girl’s series will love Walther’s latest novel.

3.5:5

This book was a favorite of mine that I read this summer! For fans of Taylor Swift and a beautiful coming of age story. There is something for everyone in this book!

After reading the summer of broken rules, I could not wait to get my hands on what happens after midnight!! Walther is now one of my favorite authors for a go to light hearted and enjoyable read! Any author that can add taylor swift references jumps up on my tbr!

This YA romance was an adventure in addition to being sweet. I enjoyed the slow burn, second chance happenings while they worked to carry out the elaborate plan. There definitely was miscommunication in this, but more a lack of communication because… high schoolers. That’s more forgivable I guess 🤣 there is a good cast of characters, with distinct personalities. Overall, a good read.

Lily is a senior at the private school where her mom teaches. She gets word that she got voted several “most likely tos” in their yearbook… and they all had to do with being a goody two shoes. She doesn’t want that to be her legacy, but when the Jester reaches out for her assistance in pulling off the senior prank, she hesitates. Will she be able to do something she wants without ruining her future if they get caught?

HAT HAPPENS AT MIDNIGHT feels like a classic teen movie in book form—one with elaborate capers and mischievous banter, good friends and good enemies, where the stakes are low (prom) but they feel high (because prom is really, actually about love, the highest stakes of all). It is a wonderful follow-up to K.L. Walther’s THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES, another book I adored. Especially as some vicarious excitement for a person who never would have DARED pull a prank in high school (or ever????), this is so good and fun.

First book I've read from this author, but not the last! One of my goals this year is to read more YA.

Tag & Lily attend the Ames School, a boarding school in Rhode Island. They dated for a couple of years and have been avoiding each other since their breakup.
Both of their backgrounds are interesting but now they're seniors and the last day of school is 2 weeks away. How the scene is set is perfect, I can imagine myself at the school's campus, smelling the salt air.

Each year, a Joker, is appointed to pull the senior prank. There is a bit of mystery in the first 2 chapters (and tension!) but eventually we find out who the Joker is, what the prank is, and who will be tapped to be involved.

The friends of Tag & Lily really make this book! Alex especially. I love his meddling!

This author is apparently known for Swifty references and this one also had a lot of Schitt's Creek. All of them went over my head but it wasn't distracting from the storyline.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. this was fantastic, just what i have come to expect from this author and look forward to carrying in my book store.

📖 BOOK REVIEW

BOOK: What Happens After Midnight
AUTHOR: K.L. Walther
FORMAT: Physical
GENRE: YA Romance
DID I CRY: No
PUB DATE: 6/27/23
RATING: 9/10
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @sourcebooksfire for my #gifted advanced copy of #WhatHappensAfterMidnight out now!

MY THOUGHTS

After Walther’s last novel THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES was one of my top 3 reads of 2022, I was more than excited to start this one.

Known for her abundance of Taylor Swift references weaved throughout her writing, Walther does not disappoint Swifties with this one. I found it SO fun to read and recognize all of Taylor’s song titles and distinguishable lyrics on every page.

This one is definitely geared toward fall as it takes place on the campus of a boarding school, so if you’re looking for an end of summer easy read to transition you to fall reads, this one is perfect. The characters were likable, and the plot was so fun. It revolves around a campus-wide senior prank. The second-chance trope was perfection & really added a wonderful bonus to a book I already loved so much.

I didn’t like this one as much as TSOBR though it was still fantastic. I wanted a little more of the prank maybe the idea brainstorming, and I almost wish more people were involved in it. The reveal also could have been a bigger deal.

All in all I absolutely recommend this one! Especially if you’re a swiftie!

Overall a pretty cute second-chance romance.

I was surprised I stuck with it because the writing goes from being solid, to being weirdly annoying/cheesy the next sentence.

The development of the second chance romance was well done.

such an adorable summer YA book!! I absolutely love the games and adventure and the characters are so lovable and i just loved this book!! I also loved the summer of broken rules so i can’t wait for this authors future books!

I absolutely adored The Summer of Broken Rules so I was overjoyed to get my hands on a copy of this book. If you like sweet YA stories and Taylor Swift references, this book will be your jam! Pick it up for a fun second chance romance thats perfect for summer/the teens in your life!

a boarding school setting, with a senior prank to be executed by a group of friends with a second chance romance blooming at its core, told over one fun and tense and high-stakes night! it captures teenagehood so beautifully, with all its tangled up emotions and chaos and cuteness and quirks, and it felt fun to go along for the ride with this crew for a night.

Lily Hopper isn’t quite over her first love, Taggert Swell and due to being involved in a school prank, she is forced to face her feelings. The story is moving and fun in some parts, but overall this is just muh…. I wanted to like it as the premise sounded fun, but it lacked the chemistry for it to be a romance and the adventure for a good mystery.

love KLW and the fun and youthful world she creates with her characters. there’s so much on the line for teens and it’s palpable in her writing.

"What Happens After Midnight" by K. L. Walther is a captivating and romantic tale that sweeps readers into a world of unexpected connections, heartfelt emotions, and the magic that can unfold in the darkness of night. This novel is a delightful blend of love, serendipity, and the power of taking chances.

Walther's writing style is engaging and evocative, immersing readers in the enchanting atmosphere and the emotional landscapes of the characters. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward discovering love and self-discovery creates a dynamic that is both heartwarming and endearing.

At the heart of the narrative is a tender exploration of fate, vulnerability, and the transformative nature of nighttime encounters. The author skillfully weaves together elements of romance and destiny, creating a narrative that captivates the reader's imagination.

"What Happens After Midnight" successfully balances the romantic moments with moments of genuine emotion, resulting in a narrative that is both charming and emotionally resonant. The themes of seizing the moment, embracing the unexpected, and the magic of finding love add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "What Happens After Midnight" is a beautifully written and emotionally engaging novel that captures the essence of love's enchantment and the mysteries of the night. If you're looking for a book that offers a blend of romance, serendipity, and heartfelt connections, this novel provides a captivating and delightful narrative that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Loved the Taylor Swift references in this. My high school readers are going to love this one. This will be a definite pick for my library.

This book was magical!! I loved the summer vibes and how the story took place on the campus of a boarding school. The adventure aspect and romance was so perfectly written. The story made me smile and laugh at times. It was truly beautiful!!