I was extremely excited for this book because I absolutely adored the author's previous title, The Summer of Broken Rules. That book and Hey Stephen by Taylor Swift became my whole personality so my expectations and excitement for this installment was through the roof. I am so disappointed to say that I just did not click with this one, though. I ended up being annoyed with this book as it went on. One of the only things I enjoyed from this book was the easy writing style. I think, by the end of this, everything just got on my nerves. I don't think I could really point out to myself actual character development for the main character. That could have just been an issue with me, though, because from the beginning of the book it didn't seem like this was a main character I could root for. The romance was unconvincing to me because, since it's second chance, I wasn't there for the initial development of it. I also found that the flashbacks for introducing the romance came too quickly and would have liked to see it introduced more naturally in the first half rather than have the flashbacks shoehorned in the first few chapters. I just felt like the structure didn't make sense because instead of keeping the reader guessing, we automatically knew about the romance from page 7. I was also excited for all of the Taylor references bc I love her, however, the easter eggs were so heavy-handed and didn't make sense or flow well with the actual prose of the book that it left me with a sour taste in my mouth. If the references would have been more natural, I would have had much more fun coming across the 73 Taylor easter eggs that I could find. Overall, this wasn't my favorite book and I'm so disappointed by that since I truly loved TSOBR!

loved this romance and her trying to find love and finding herself. loved the friends and and the romance. I would read this author again. I really enjoyed the pacing and how the story and the character worked things out.

This was a cute and fun YA romance - a great way to kick off the summer. I loved the boarding school setting, the all-night pranking and the sweet romance between our main characters. The main story follows Lily and Tag, her ex-boyfriend of about a year, as they set up an epic end of the year prank targeting their class president, Daniel. An added complication? Lily's going to prom with Daniel. Over the course of the night various friends join in the pranking, but Lily and Tag keep finding themselves thrown together. An evening with your ex who you still have unresolved feelings for - what could possibly happen?

I don't really have much to say other than this was an enjoyable read. I loved all of the Schitt's Creek references and the relationship between Lily and her mom Leda - major Rory/Lorelai Gilmore vibes! I loved that even though most of the story takes place over one night we still get plenty of flashbacks that set the foundation for Lily & Tag's rekindled romance.

*Second Chance Romance
*Schitt's Creek + Taylor Swift Vibes
*Senior Prank
*Type 1 Diabetes Rep
*Boarding School Setting

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire & NetGalley for a review copy.

As many other reviews have pointed out, the entire plot of the book is essentially just the synopsis, and it doesn’t feel like the reader gets much more out of it by reading the actual book.

As a story, it’s fine I guess, though it’s tough to say who exactly the audience for this is. The plot skews very much toward the young end of the YA audience, but the language and a lot of the ancillary content would only be appropriate for the older end of the YA audience. Essentially, it’s not an appropriate read for younger YA readers, but it’s too juvenile plot-wise to be of much interest to most older YA readers.

The basic premise is sort of a take-off on Frankie Landau Banks, minus the younger YA age appropriateness and lacking anything like the same level of cleverness and quality. It’s also frustrating to watch two teens make very adult decisions about the physical nature of their relationship, but otherwise interact with one another like 11-year-olds do. It would have been fine to do either, but not both.

It also doesn’t help that the protagonist is often irritating and contradictory in a way that makes her seem whiny and unpleasantly inconsistent rather than sympathetically unsure of who she is just yet as she grows up.

And lastly, for a book centered completely around pulling off an epic prank, this is the lamest prank ever.

This book is perfect if you’re looking for a light summer read that’s set at a boarding school on the beach with second chance romance, adventure, Taylor swift references, and Gilmore girls vibes!

I thought this was such a sweet story and I flew through it in one sitting! I really loved Tag, our mmc, and Lily and Leda’s mother daughter relationship was so fun to read about. A large part of this book is filled with a scavenger hunt and pranks, which was really fun! I rated this 3 stars because I felt like there were some loose ends that never got tied up and I wished we could’ve gotten more romance. I really loved lily and tag and I just wanted to see more of them together! I do think if I were closer in age to the intended audience of this book, or if I wasn’t expecting it to be a romance, I may have liked it more, but it was still a good time.

This was a really light, quick read and I had a lot of fun with it. The ending was rest sweet and I think a lot of people could really enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this but not as much as previous books by the same author. The romance was sweet, no complaints there, and I love how nostalgic it felt. I really disliked all of the Taylor Swift references though, it definitely put a dampener on my overall thoughts.

3.75 stars

I really enjoyed this!! It was so fun and entertaining. Walther is a master at books about sneaky games and pranks. This was a sweet high school romcom with a wonderful cast of characters.

I have only two negatives:
1. As everyone has said, 80% of the plot is told in the synopsis. There are literally zero surprises in this.
2. Lily is very nostalgic in this, and it’s kind of confusing on when she’s in the present and when she’s thinking about the past. I read the digital arc, so maybe it’s a format thing that’ll be fixed in the finalized version? I’m not sure, but this was a critique I had in The Summer of Broken Rules as well.

Definitely an easy and breezy read! This would be great if you’re looking for something fast and sweet and predictable.

3.5

What Happens After Midnight is a warm, lighthearted, whimsical story about pranks— which was something not really I have read a lot. I usually don’t read a lot of mystery novels, and when I do, they’re about characters committing crimes— while this one is just about pulling pranks. Well, obviously it won’t be a mystery novel if there wasn’t a big prank where everything goes wrong. So, of course, I expected that. Additionally, there were numerous Taylor Swift references (some felt forced) and even other contemporary entertainment references— even social media platforms like TikTok. Usually, I wouldn’t want those in my books, but this one didn’t bother me as much.

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!!! I absolutely LOVED The Summer of Broken Rules, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on What Happens After Midnight. And it did not disappoint.

Lily Hopper has two more weeks until she's officially finished with boarding school. With graduation quickly approaching Lily is worried that she's somehow missed out on the fun of being in high school. So, when she receives a mysterious note inviting her to join the anonymous senior class Jester in executing the end-of-year prank, Lily sees her chance to put her goody-two-shoes reputation behind her.

This was one of those really sweet books where the characters are just drawn so well and you find yourself really rooting for them. Yes, it was a cute story, but the characters and their relationships were so well-formed. I LOVED Lily and her relationship with not only Tag and her mother, but also the other students and even the faculty.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I love this story! It was a cute whimsical story that involved pranks, Taylor Swift and second chance romance. It was a quick fun read. I found myself smiling while reading multiple times! Definitely sets the mood for summer vacation.

I went into this book blind and based on other reviews, that is definitely the best way! I absolutely adore this book - it had me feeling all the things and rooting for Tag and Lily to come back together. I was hooked from the fun, light hearted start to the book and dove into the world of Ames Academy. Lily attends Ames Academy because her mom teaches there (and is also the most beloved teacher). Lily and her mom have a fantastic relationship that focused on genuine love and support for one another - it's very Lorelai and Rory-esque if that's your thing!
The academy set up and the yearly Jester/school prank was done really well and it kept me on my toes. I appreciate the diabetes rep through the love interest, Tag, and just loved him too. I wanted him and Lily to make up the more I learned about him and their relationship!

The author included a ton of Taylor Swift references and it was SO MUCH FUN to pick them out as I went - I just wish I had written them all down. Some were subtle while others were obvious to any fan and I think it was well done and not too corny at all.

I definitely recommend this book - it's a swoony YA romance with some academia and teenage shenanigans thrown in. This is exactly what I want in a YA romance :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. All opinions are my own.

<b>Actual Rating: 2.5⭐</b>

The plot is simple and I enjoy the time when the characters are running around at night breaking the rules to prepare the prank they’re about to do to the seniors.
It was quite fun and kinda remind me of the time when I was in high school doing crazy things with my friends.

As for the romance, I like the bantering between the two main character – Lily and Taggart. Even after not speaking for a while the chemistry between the two of them is still there, they still have that connection and they seem to just get along together perfectly.

While I do like several things here, the synopsis gave away too much information so the plot feels predictable and loses the surprise element.
The switch from present to past timeline is also very abrupt and usually happens in the middle of the something happening which sometimes pulls me out of the story.

Overall, I still find it quite enjoyable and entertaining. If you’re looking for a simple YA romance with high school setting then you can give this one a try.

<i>I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!</i>

3.5 stars

✨YA - Closed door
✨Second chance
✨Diabetes disability rep
✨Coming of age

Her book the Summer of Broken Rules is one of my fav summer reads and one I rec a lot so I was very excited for this ARC.
Butttt I just didn't love this one. The entire book takes place over 1 night. The writing style is a bit confusing. There was nothing to differentiate a past thought from a current one. Mid conversation she would switch to a past convo. Maybe that's because of it being an arc.... But I needed a font change at least.
I loved the second chance relationship. The coming of age part. But the magic in the first one just fell flat in this one unfortunately.

My favorite part was the disability rep (diabetes) and the side relationships even though we only got bits and pieces of them.

I loved this book so much. I think K.L. Walther might be a new favorite author of mine. I loved the setting of the boarding school and the Rory/Lorelai relationship Lilly and her mom had. I loved the relationship Lilly had with the rest of the jesters court and how close they all were. I loved Alex and Tag's friendship, the way they look out for each other. I loved the Taylor Swift references and the T2 diabetes rep! This was an amazing story and I cant wait for more from this author!

This book is for the Swifties 🫶🏻 I genuinely counted 52 Taylor adjacent references and I’m sure there’s more if I looked harder.

Aside from the Swiftie references, this book takes place at a boarding school, has a second chance romance AND includes revenge prank against annoying boy. What more could you want?

This is my first K. L. Walther book and for me personally, she lives up to the hype. I loved the atmosphere of the boarding school and following the journey of the prank. I also loved getting to follow Lily and Tag's journey of reconcilliation.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes YA romance, a little bit of mystery and lots of Taylor Swift.

This book is for the Swifties🤍

What Happens After Midnight is a YA second chance romance filled with so many Taylor Swift & Schitt's Creek references. This book takes place at a boarding school during the last two weeks of class before summer when our main character Lily is invited to participate in the senior prank with her ex-boyfriend Tag, who she’s still in love with.

What Happens After Midnight was such a fun and light read that was perfect for summer! I had such a fun time reading this book and finished it in less than 24 hours. The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars is because I really wish there was an epilogue to see where Lily and Tag end up.

If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, Schitt's Creek, or The Summer I Turned Pretty, I think you would really enjoy this book!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

What Happens After Midnight is a fun YA romance full of Taylor Swift references and boarding school hijinks. Lily has two more weeks of boarding school and she wants to make the most of them. When she is invited to participate in the school prank, she decides to let loose for once. However, the one pulling off the prank is none other than Taggart, her ex. In order to pull off the prank, the two must work together..and sparks fly.

This was cute and perfect for when we all need a fun teen romance after watching The Summer I Turned Pretty. Lily and Tag had great chemistry and were hilarious together. I can’t wait to read K.L. Walther’s next romcom!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Walther’s first YA, so I was so excited to see this one! We have boarding school, second chance love, scavenger hunts, Schitt’s Creek references, and much more!

While I did love this book, it does have some issues. The dialogue. So. Many. Taylor. Swift. Lines. Like, too many. It definitely took away from the characters. The organization of past/present also bothered me—seamless, it was not!

Despite these issues, I found this to be such a fun summer read. It’s light and fluffy and gave me all the Zoey 101 vibes. Also cool seeing the diabetes rep with Tag!

I’m giving this 4⭐️ simply because it was such an enjoyable story to read outside in the sunshine.

Terribly choppy and chaotic writing style. Plots lines weren’t flushed out well. And the characters were uninteresting and difficult to connect with. Sadly, I was not impressed

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!