If there was a nuclear attack across the US, ending life as you knew it, what would you do to survive? The Last Stars in the Sky is about Alex and Daniel and their family as they travel, forge, steal, hunt and do unthinkable things to survive the post-apocalyptic world as they know it. Heart pounding and heartbreaking, you will find yourself totally engulfed in this novel. The Last Stars in The Sky is a book that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

Alex has problems. Her husband Daniel was fired from his job. He neglected to tell her and instead pretended to go to work until missed mortgage payments caused them to lose the house. Fourteen year old Mattie kept her boyfriend’s drugs in her locker and now is suspended from school. Younger daughter Ruby has quirky behavior but no diagnosis. Problems. Now, with nowhere else to go, they’ve traveled to her parent’s remote summer cabin on a lake in rural Canada. Problems. This is what Mattie thinks about as she falls asleep on the first night in their new setting.

The morning brings a different set and definition of problems. Major cities of United States have been destroyed by nuclear attack. No one knows who is responsible. Millions are dead. There is no internet and very little communication. The food they brought with them will have to last until…when?

The Last Stars in the Sky is a novel about family, about survival, love and fellowship. It’s about what happens when society is broken apart, about when the only moral compass is yours alone. Without spoilers, it is impossible to tell you how compulsively readable this thriller is, how much you’ll care about the characters, especially Alex, and how strongly you’ll wish for a happy ending. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Hewitt for this ARC.

This poignant and unforgettable tale from a bestselling author delves into the depths of a woman's determination to keep her family from unraveling in the face of tragedy. The protagonist finds herself grappling with the fallout of her husband's deception, which leads to the loss of their home and a wrenching upheaval.

As she navigates this turmoil, she relocates with her young daughters to her parents' secluded cottage on Lost Lake, a remote and picturesque setting. Initially fraught with uncertainty, she begins to find unexpected solace and hope in this isolated haven, reconnecting with her own memories and forging new ones in the process.

The narrative skillfully captures the protagonist's emotional journey, painting vivid scenes of resilience, loss, and the fragile yet profound moments that carry her forward. The gripping and beautifully rendered storytelling immerses readers in this family's struggle, providing an intimate and heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

This book is a must-read for those drawn to emotionally resonant narratives, resonating with fans of authors like Boo Walker, Where the Forest Meets the Stars, and Julianne MacLean. It's a moving and poignant testament to the enduring power of love and hope in the face of the unforeseen and devastating.

It was quite a surprise for me to read the contents of the book. It's nothing like what I was expecting. Could I put it down? No, not a chance. Finally, it is a book that makes you consider all these terrible wars we see in various places. Maybe a copy of the book should be sent to politicians around the world. We need peace, always peace; otherwise, the book story may come true.

I truly enjoyed this emotionally charged novel!
Author Kate Hewitt took me on emotional rollercoaster ride with this story about how a family is faced with life after a nuclear attack.
Each character in her story is faced with so many challenges and in the end they learn to adapt and appreciate the things they once took for granted.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Alex questions her ill neighbor about how she can have faith when the world has been destroyed. Her neighbor said, “ Sweetheart, that’s when you’ve got to have faith most of all” .
This book has you thinking about what really matters in life.
Could not put this book down!
Thanks to Netgalley for the eArc for my honest review.

This fabulous book kept me enthralled over a couple of very long overseas air journeys.
We see the best and the worst of humanity in a situation that -frighteningly - could happen to any of us in the really fragile world we are living in nowadays.
The story opens with scenes of a family already at crisis point- husband and wife teetering on the edge . The decision has been made to come to a family cottage in the Canadian wilderness to try to patch things up. I loved all the details of this rather rundown, muchly loved family holiday home and immediately felt as if I was right in the setting.
Then- disaster strikes: nuclear strikes have occurred in various states.
Will “the cottage work it’s time-worn magic…?” for Alex and her family? Her two daughters:younger Ruby and Mattie (who is resentful about the lack of internet and usual teenage necessities…) are with their parents-their father is Daniel. Sam, their older brother, is away at university. He needs to be with his family.
The story proceeds, the tension and conflicts mount and I was absolutely gripped from the start.
There are so many levels to this book - I kept asking myself what would I have done in such a situation? I was convinced by each and every character- their motivations, issues, failings, redeeming factors and my favourite character was Kerry- a bit of a diamond.
I heartily recommend this book. It’s exciting, identifiable and intriguing. A nail-biter and cliffhanger with a positive feel, all in one. The story ends in such a way that there could be a sequel. More please! And five stars for this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I thank the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.

This book started a little slow, but ended up being an action-packed, drama-filled book. There was so much going on and I’m not sure how they all handled it all. I can’t imagine how hard it was for Alex, Daniel, & all the other characters to survive against all odds.

Kate Hewitt's story are always a treat as they are emotionally charged and compelling. This one is heartbreaking and life affirming.
Well plotted, great characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Omg I didn't expect this! I'm not going to say anything about the plot because I don't want to lessen the shock you'll feel. But I will tell you that it's heartbreaking, raw, powerful and tense. I was invested in the characters right away and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. When you finally reach the action-packed end it will leave you asking yourself just how far you would go for you and your family to survive.

Wow this was much different than I anticipated but an amazing account of something nobody wants to encounter.. Alex and her family had no choice but to settle in her parents' tumbledown cabin in rural Ontario for six weeks. Everything in her life has been thrown into disarray after her husband lost his job, which meant losing their home. Plunged into a sudden downturn - to somehow survive in an old cabin without a Wi-Fi connection, saving on electricity that runs on a generator, and the next neighbor miles away - life couldn't get much bleaker than it is. Just as Alex and her family barely settle into their new routine, they face a new challenge again. This time, the challenge looms larger - one altered by a nation's collapse where chances of survival appear grim. Trying to pull your family together with the hopes of surviving but what will that survival look like and what about the children what is the future hold for them. The idea to hold on to hope, positive thoughts of things righting themselves and the lengths you go to pulling the family together and what happens with humanity and morals. In the face of utter chaos how will you act, will you lose hope, lose morals, lose humanity - one will never know unless you are plunged into the situation without planning. This book will have you thinking about the lengths you will go to in the face of devastation. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

I went into this book thinking it was just a family drama, but early on, something happens that makes it much more. Well written and enjoyable read full of suspense and realistic characters that you'll want to root for. I'm not sure, but this book may be the start of a series since the story leaves you wondering what will happen next...

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This book did not disappoint! Great plot, good characters and keep me picking it back up again to read more. It really drew me in. I especially liked the way the characters were interwoven with each other. I cannot recommend this book enough!

4.5 STARS!
This was not what I expected at all!

I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of "The Last Stars in the Sky" through NetGalley.

Kate Hewitt's The Last Stars in the Sky is an emotionally charged page-turner that I could not put down! From the beginning, the author's rich vocabulary and vivid descriptions create an immersive experience, setting the stage for a narrative that takes unexpected and heart-wrenching turns.

The story unfolds as a powerful exploration of family and individual strength, amidst shocking events. The characters beautifully showcase the importance of leaning on others in times of need, facing your fears, and navigating the unexpected.

While the last few chapters felt a bit rushed, skipping through the timeline and flashing back to what was missed, the overall impact of the book is undeniable. I highly recommend The Last Stars in the Sky to anyone seeking a gripping tale that resonates long after the final page. The book urges readers to find beauty in the mundanity and to not take a second of life for granted.

A very different book from Kate but really enjoyable and interesting. Daniel and Alex move to their family cottage as Daniel has lost his job therefore their home. Bizarrely a nuclear attack occurs and is followed by vigilantes taking over and the world as they know it disintegrates. The book has most chapters told from Alex point of view with a few told by Daniel as he leaves the cottage to bring their son back from university. I guess the book leaves you trying to imagine what would you do in this situation. Thanks to Kate and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

Alex and her husband Daniel have taken their two daughters away from their home in Connecticut and travelled to her family's lakeside cabin in a remote part of Ontario. Besides Daniel having recently lost his job, they have lost their home, and there are marital issues. They hope six weeks away from everything will go some way to help sort out their problems. Alex’s childhood memories of the lake and surrounding forest make for a peaceful setting, getting back to nature and away from the hassle of modern life. Settling down to a life with none of their usual creature comforts, they eventually get into a routine. And then the unthinkable happens. The US suffers a nuclear strike on nine cities. Life as they know it is totally destroyed. What follows is their story of their search for their son Sam, who was due to join them from college in New York, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
I have to admit, I didn't expect the story to take this turn, but when it did, it was both gripping and thought provoking. The characters were brilliantly drawn, with the narrative shared between Alex and Daniel. Danger is everywhere as life as the family knew it is swept away and they find themselves in a new world of uncertainty as very quickly society begins to fragment.

An unusual and well written read. My first outing with Kate Hewitt, but definitely not my last.

My thanks to Storm Publishing, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Last Stars in the Sky in exchange for an honest review.

What appears at first as a story about a family suffering financial and trust difficulties turns into a dystopian drama of survival and pioneering.
This novel raises many questions about morality, trust,, friendship and family, both blood and extended. Decisions made and acts committed have to be accounted for and ultimately lived with, and the big question is what would you do in similar circumstances?
I found the pace of the novel confusing. At times I skipped a couple of pages, other times I could not read fast enough! Also, at times the tension had been racked up and then it just dropped off .
As with most dystopian novels a bleak future is portrayed- but there is always hope for new beginnings.
I actually enjoyed this novel and if this is you4 genre it is certainl6 worth reading.

This book really took me by surprise….both in the plot line but also in how much I enjoyed it. It wouldn’t be my usual style of book at all and when the huge disaster took place at the very beginning, I immediately thought it wasn’t for me. However, by then I was already becoming invested in the characters of Alex and Daniel and was curious to know what happens to them. I’m so glad I did as it was a real page turner and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will it make me seek out more science fiction books? Probably not…..but I will be seeking more books by this author!

If I am being honest, as soon as the nuclear disaster happened in this book I thought about putting it down. It just isn't my thing. But I kept reading and I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed this gripping tale of survival It had me turning pages late into the night.

My first Kate Hewitt read has me looking into her other titles. Thank you @netgalley and @stormpublishing for the e-ARC.

I’d like to thank Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Last Stars in the Sky’ written by Kate Hewitt in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Alex, Daniel and their children Mattie and Ruby leave their home in Connecticut when Daniel is made redundant from his job, and make their way to a ramshackle cabin in Ontario that’s been in Alex’s family for generations. They know things will be tough as there’s no internet and they’re miles from their nearest neighbours, but they couldn’t have envisaged the shocking news that awaits them when days later the world as they know it suffers drastically when hit by nuclear missile attacks.

This is the twentieth novel I’ve read by Kate Hewitt and I’ve loved every one so when I was given the opportunity to read ‘The Last Stars In the Sky’ I jumped at the chance. But I wasn’t expecting such an emotionally-charged novel of such a high standard that I couldn’t stop reading, and when I reluctantly had to tear myself away from my Kindle to do household chores I was continually thinking of the story with its strong and resourceful characters. Some parts such as the looting and insurrection are so heart-wrenching that it’s not easy to read of man’s inhumanity to man but it made me thankful for what I have and the world I live in. Thank you, Kate, for writing this unbelievably gripping novel that I can’t stop thinking about but I’d love to know what happened to the characters next. This really is one of those novels that you don’t want to miss, I’d give it double the number of stars if I could.

A beautiful story, it drew me straight away. Unpardonable and addictive. I loved this one, full of emotion. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.