if you’re looking for the perfect summer read you’ve come to the right place because this book is SO good. Taggart Swell and Lily Hops ( the main characters) have the cutest dynamic and seeing them pine for each other throughout the book is so cute, making it a true romcom. i read one of her other novels ( the summer of broken rules) and absolutely loved that novel and knew that this would be the same. i loved how the boarding school trope (which is my fave) was included along with a very fun senior prank. it’s so perfect if your graduating this year and as a rising senior this book just hit different. the book started out a little slow which is my only complain, because it felt as though the prank was being a litttle stretched out. But as we move further along Tag and Lily slowly start rekindling old fires which speeds things up. One thing that that irked me a little though was the HUGE miscommunication trope because i hate hate hate that. the characters acted a little immature but they are high schoolers after all. K.L Walter perfectly depicted a high school relationship because although it wasn’t perfect all the time that’s what made it real and raw. i genuinely did not want this book to end because as i continued to read, it just got better and better. i would definitely recommend this book because it has such a great summer vibes, especially if your graduating this year. this books writing and the plot are so well thought out making this book the perfect beachy read. this book was just released today and @K.LWalter deserves ALL the hype, this is a must read and you should order it as soon as possible!!

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

✨Thank you to @sourcebooksfire for sending me an eARC through @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With graduation coming up two exes find themselves working together to not only pull off the ultimate prank but work out why they really broke up in the first place and what their feelings for each other are. Lily Hopper has two more weeks until boarding school is done, she’s the daughter of a teacher and a great student. Lily has only few regrets as the school year is ending, that she didn’t have as much fun in her final year of school... and her ex boyfriend Taggart Swell, the one that broke her heart. When Lily receives a mysterious email to join in on the end of year prank thrown by a chosen Jester, she thinks its the perfect time to get out of her goody-two-shoes ex... except when she comes face to face with this year’s Jester it’s Tag. Tag, the one guy she still has feelings for and who somehow has made this year’s prank target the guy who asked Lily to prom. Now Tag and Lily, along with a few other friends will spend the night planning a scavenger prank all the while Tag and Lily will actually be talking to each other for once after their breakup... and all this time together, alone, in close proximity, bantering, and recalling old memories... the sparks begin to fly again... but can the old hurts and painful secrets, the insecurities of their relationship really be fixed or was it just for one night only? This book was filled with Taylor Swift references, and is perfect for fans of second chance romances, prank romances, Luke and Lorelai vibes, and has some Schitts Creek references. This one just fell flat for me, usually I adore a fun second chance romance with pranks, but Lily and Tag just didn’t really work as a couple getting back together for me. I understand they both had huge miscommunication issues but come on, I’m suppose to think they wouldn’t have fixed it despite how in love with each other they were and then how fast Tag just wanted to “get over” and “distract himself” with a new girlfriend. Tag just didn’t really appeal to me as a love interest for Lily. So while this one fell a bit flat for me and missed the mark, if you are a fan of any of the above mentioned tropes and themes, then definitely give it a go. I think its the perfect read for fans of Taylor Swift and second chance romances.

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, Sourcebooks Fire for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
What Happens After Midnight drew my attention due to its intriguing premise, revolving around an elaborate senior-class prank. While I had some issues with the story, I enjoyed it overall.
The biggest letdown was the pacing. The Big Prank, complete with multiple clues and all the running around Lily does with her ex, makes up the majority of the book. The premise basically gives most of the book away in that regard. The only thing that’s left unspoiled is the end, “after” the prank, which isn’t given much time to fully be fleshed out.
However, the romance within it is pretty solid, particularly within the “prank” portion. I enjoyed seeing straight-laced Lily and Tag hiding out together, and they do play off each other well. It also accomplishes the fairly simple goal of Lily living a little recklessly for once in her life before she graduates.
While it’s not the perfect book, it’s a lot of fun, and I’d recommend it to someone looking for a fun YA contemporary.

This is my second book by this author and I really enjoyed it. However I have to say that I liked the The Summer Of Broken Rules a little bit better. The execution of this story could have been a bit better because it had lots of potential.

Firstly, I don't tend to be the biggest fan of second chance romances. It just doesn't make sense to me. Usually the reason they broke up is either so trivial that it makes me lose faith in their ability to 'last' or its so major and problematic that I don't support them getting back together. But THIS was the fine balance. I understood why they weren't together while still thinking that their growth would bring them back together in the right ways for-forever. I liked the build of the romance and the way we were shown their previous relationship without it dumping everything on me and pulling me out of the present prank.

Our ensemble of characters were so fun and lovable. I loved that Lily felt like a 'good girl' while not being a stereotypical 'good girl'. I loved Tag and how his diabetes was handled and actually played a part in the story. I loved Alex and everyone else involved in the prank. And I loved that we had some parental presence!

This was such a fun YA contemporary that makes you nostalgic for high school pranks and thrilled as you read about curfews and dodging campus police. I didn't think I'd care so much for the prank itself, but I was 100 invested. It was so brilliant and impactful without being harmful.

I highly recommend this for readers who enjoyed Today Tonight Tomorrow and Better than the Movies. I'm definitely going to be buying myself a final copy on the release day and checking out everything else K. L. Walther writes.

*I got a free ARC through Netgalley, this in no way affected my review*


This was overall very enjoyable, but I feel like there wasn’t really more to the story than what the blurb tells you. It’s exactly that.

Lily and Tag were cute together, but this didn’t really feel like second chance romance. More like ‘if they had one decent conversation, this all wouldn’t have happened’.

But the overall story was nice and I absolutely loved the setting. I’m a sucker for boarding schools, I’ll tell you that.

I thought this book ended up being mostly average. The first 50% followed the book synopsis and it wasn't until we got past the prank night, that I felt that there were any surprises. Lily is a good character and I thought she fit the teenager vibe very well (although I was kind of thrown by the mention of Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons since the stores have all closed now). I also liked Lily's relationship with her mother and while I did not watch Gilmore Girls, I can see the vibe the author was going for.

The romance between Tag and Lily permeates the entire book and it was cute watching them interact with each other. I would have preferred some more character development for the supporting characters. They felt like stock characters that were just there to give Lily and Tag impetus to further the story.

Overall it was cute, but pretty average and while I would recommend it, it wasn't my favorite teen contemporary.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Part romance, part mystery. I was totally connected to the characters and rooting for them along the way. A perfect addition to any high school library. K.L. Walther is one of my new favorite romance YA writers, she creates stories (and characters) with more depth than I’ve seen in some of the other YA romance novels I’ve read recently.

I loved this book. I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. As a huge swiftie, all the swiftie and lyric references scratched an itch in my brain. It just hit different for me.

I liked that it mostly took place in the course of one night. And I loved the lightness of it. I thought the idea was really cute.

I loved the game aspect of the summer of broken rules and I loved that this involved a game too.

Part of me was kind of sad there wasn’t an epilogue but I also like that it kind of leaves a for now aspect, especially because it is YA and the characters are young. Because further on down the road their lives could change.

I’m definitely going to have to buy a physical copy of this book.

4.5/5
I had a marvelous time reading this book. I really did!! This book is just so cute and fast paced and just sucks you right in. And when you add a group of six highschool seniors pulling what Lily's mom said as "absurdly hilarious heist" where everything went wrong? That's a bonus point to me.

I’m sure this will be a great, fun summer read for teens, but it just didn’t work for me! The Taylor Swift references were trying way to hard (I’m saying this as a major Swiftie of over 10 years). I didn’t vibe with the writing style, and the whole plot was told in the synopsis.

This book was a cute/fun read. I loved how fast paced it was for the young adult loving book readers. I really enjoyed the cover, soooo cute! It is a book that gets straight to the point. Lily is in her last year at boarding school and trying to pull the ultimate prank. Please read this book!! It kept me sucked in.

4.5 ⭐️
this was such a good time! i love k.l walther and will read anything she publishes.
i love love love boarding school romance, and the concept behind this one was so cute.
the romance was fleshed out so well, and the pacing was perfect for me. i loved the dynamic between our two main characters & all the taylor swift references also!

What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther was cute. I can see how a lot of people will enjoy reading this. I, personally, found it to be lacking a little bit but it did what it was supposed to do.

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

A second chance romance set at a boarding school? Sign me up. I enjoyed this one but I didn’t LOVE it. The writing / the way the story was told made it a little hard to connect to the characters. The story revolves around Lily and Tag’s senior prank and while it was entertaining for a bit, it became a little repetitive. I wanted to see more of their romance / backstory to understand and connect with them more.

What I did like though, is the romance that we did get. Tag and Lily are super sweet high school sweethearts and it’s clear how much they regretted what happened. I loved Lily’s relationship with her mom, the boarding school setting was super fun, and I loved all of the Taylor Swift references. 3.5/5

I really enjoyed this book. It follows Lily during her last week at boarding school when she gets picked by the jester to help pull the end-of-year senior prank. The prank involves an adventure filled night sneaking around campus and reminiscing on her school years 🃏🏫

I loved the adventure aspect in this book and the fun involved with setting up the prank and going through the final days of college with your friends. Once it hit 50% the pace really picked up and so much drama starting occurring as the prank was uncovered 🫶🏼

Such an easy, fun ya romance book 🥰🩷

Read if you like reading about:
- Ya romance
- Second chance romance
- Senior prank
- Boarding school
- Diabetes representation

This is my third book by KL Walther and I’ve adored every single one of them. They give me such Sarah Dessen, early 00’s YA contemporary vibes that give me all the feels. What Happens After Midnight was framed really nicely by moving from past to present as Lily and Tag rediscover their feelings for each other through the voyage of a senior prank all-nighter.

4.25 stars
This book was super cute, fun, and fast paced. I loved it, even more so than The Summer of Broken Rules. This book had even more Taylor swift references and an adorable cast of characters that I was invested in and rooting for. Not to mention the romance in this book was too cute. I cannot wait to read her next book Maybe Meant to Be

I'm incredibly sad to say this was a huge disappointment.

I have immensely enjoyed the last two books by this author, especially The Summer of Broken Rules its was such a joy to read, but What Happens After Midnight read like someone else wrote the book.

I struggled with the pace, the voices, but most of all the plot. Also I didn't feel particular enamoured with the characters, and found the overall plot of a boarding school was misleading when the main character lived in a beach house with her mother. A boarding school in my eyes means that students room together, and don't see parents unless it's the weekends or vacations.

And the ending left much to desire. It felt rushed, and didn't give me the much needed and satisfying look into the future.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the e-arc of K.L. Walther's What Happens After Midnight in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for a summer YA romance filled with Schitt's Creek and TSwift references, run don't walk to grab a copy of What Happens After Midnight. I loved KL Walther's The Summer of Broken Rules, so I knew I had to get my hands on a copy of her newest release.

Overview: Lily is two weeks away from high school graduation when she receive an email inviting her to join in on the senior class prank from the Senior Jester, who turns out to be her ex, Tag. Lily still has feelings for Tag and whilst spending the night hiding clues all over campus, her and Tag begin to rekindle their friendship...and maybe even love? What can go wrong during these midnight escapades?

Oh, and we can't forget our main sidekick, Alex. Seriously, he was my favorite bestie/comic relief. Everyone needs an Alex in their life!

If you like:
- Boarding School
- Second chance romance (not a huge gap between breakup & second chance)
- Fun banter filled with clever pop culture references (schitt's creek & tswift!)
- High School romance & friendship
- Pranks with friends
Then this is the right book for you.

The things that brought my rating from a 5 to a 4:
- The flashback scenes. There was way too many long paragraphs worth of flashbacks, it's ok for a few to build relationships, etc. but there is such thing as too much.
- Lily's insecurities/self-doubt. The flashbacks really solidified how insecure Lily was in her relationship with Tag. I can appreciate a little bit of insecurities from a teenager, but it was A LOT. So much so that it made me view Lily as naïve and sort of "dumb."
- Miscommunication (the reason for the original breakup). I just don't like this trope in general.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It is a quick, fun read with likeable characters, some rule breaking and some romance.