If readers are like me they will want to know straight away in my review that this is definitely part 2. And some can definitely be standalones. But for me I really needed to know the backstory. Or wanted to. It's such an epic and emotionally involved book. Who's characters your right there in the narrative with. So for me you would get all the impact only if ypu know how they came to be in the position they are in now. Not least because this book kicks off right after the 1st ends.
But wow. What a book. And I'm not one for reading about these type of disasters as in the real world it doesn't half panic me! But I never new this was the storyline going in and now I'm glad, because I got to read it.

This book picks up where the previous one ended.
It’s fast moving and easy to read. I thought it was a bit sad at times. I can’t imagine going through what they did. I’ve read several of this author’s books and each one has been good.

3.5⭐️
When I read the description for this book I was excited to read it despite not having read the first book as that usually doesn’t bother me.

I do think some men could easily read this and not the first as the author does a good job giving background info while still making this book stand on its own.

However, I didn’t realize that this was dystopian as it didn’t hint at it in the description on NetGalley. Dystopian is not my favorite and this was no exception.

I liked the set up of the suspense but I just couldn’t connect with the characters at all and didn’t care what happened to them.


I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Storm Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

The Midnight Hour, the second book in the Lost Lake duology, is a powerful and emotional tale of survival that continues immediately after The Last Stars in the Sky. It follows Alex, Daniel, and their children as they navigate the challenges of a post-nuclear war world, where trust is scarce, dangers are constant, and acts of kindness offer glimpses of hope.

This moving story delves into themes of resilience, family bonds, and community, showcasing the characters’ bravery and determination despite their flaws. Thoughtfully written and deeply impactful, it is a heartbreaking yet hopeful exploration of humanity in the face of devastation.

I bookended my year with Kate Hewitt’s bingeworthy novels. The Last Stars in the Sky was a wholly unexpected book that kicked my reading year off with a bang and the sequel The Midnight Hour is just as bingeworthy.

In the odd time between Christmas and New Year’s when time blurs, and we all tend to think about resolutions, this book resonates. These two novels are tough to read as Alex and Daniel and their little family face repeated setbacks and devastating heartaches, but the rare uplifting moments make all the desolation and destruction on their journey worth it. This family, along with all of those they encounter, make one wonder what choices we would make if the world was falling apart. Would we lose our humanity for the sake of survival?

This action-packed, post-apocalyptic, thought-provoking morality tale will have readers up late to try to finish in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and of course the author Kate Hewitt for the advanced copy of the book. The Midnight Hour is out on January 10th. All opinions are my own.

This is the second installment of this series, I haven’t read the first book, but quickly got into the plot and enjoyed the storyline. Alex and Daniel. are fleeing after a nuclear attack, it is written of their experiences during this time. There is a lot of violence and death, but that’s the nature of the book. I really didn’t want it to end and really hope there will be a third book. A very well written book. 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

This is the second book in Lost Lake duology. This book picks up right where the 1st one finishes. I'm so happy there was a second part of the first book, I was left with so many unanswered questions. You definitely need to read the first book to get the full picture.

It was so nice to finally piece together what Daniel and Sam went through to get back to Alex and the girls at the cabin. This book is filled with emotion, a sense of belonging or not, moral dilemma, and family drama during a radioactive pandemic.

I really enjoyed this duology and finished my year off with a 5⭐️ read. Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Hewitt, and the publishers for this free ebook. This review is 100% my own and honest opinion.

The Midnight Hour is a heartbreaking, hopeful, powerful, and gripping tale of survival. It is the second book inn the Lost Lake duology. I highly recommend reading The Last Stars in the Sky, the first book in the series first. It is wonderful and this book takes place immediately after the ending of The Last Stars in the Sky.

Alex, Daniel and their children are still trying to survive and navigate a world that has been devastated by a nuclear war. They face many hardships, triumphs, find strength in themselves, and in each other. They do not know who they can trust and find themselves in dire and difficult situations. They also find that kind and giving people still exist.

This duology is a gripping and moving tale of survival. I loved the focus on relationships, found family, and community. I also enjoyed how Hewitt showed the characters making both good and bad judgement calls. They showed bravery, resiliency, determination, and an unstoppable drive to survive.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, moving, heartbreaking, and thought provoking.

Bordering on the fantastical, this futuristic read is normally not my thing. But this is quite probable the way the world is going, and I just couldn’t put it down.

The determination to survive has been there for a millennium and this book amply describes this. A family bonds and parents need to protect their children at any cost is also very clear in this story.

Set against a nuclear holocaust and the widespread destruction of major cities, one family’s escape to a safe haven is fraught with dangers mainly from fellow humans who have turned into marauding beasts, they themselves trying to survive.

There is a lot of violence, but it is a gripping and very emotional story, lasting much longer than the initial read, in the mind of the reader.

Excellent dystopian family drama🏞🚙

This story of a family finding its way in the Eastern U.S. and Canada in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust really grabbed me and the read was quick and thrilling. It felt realistic and tragically hopeful as they search for a place and way to survive in a world where modern conveniences and civil order have been decimated into ash and rogue violence.

I especially liked how the narration switched back and forth between Alex, the mother/wife, in the present, and Daniel, the father/husband, during his months long perilous journey to collect their oldest child Sam from college in an area surrounded by air strikes and desperation. Daniel and Sam rack up some horrible experiences which they can't bring themselves to share with the rest of the family. But the reader gets that glimpse and it's shocking and so moving. Daniel was, in fact, my favorite character.
I loved the family-oriented heart of the narrative, where protective love of their children and adoptive family drives the parents to actions and choices that test the bounds of their strength, resilience and morality.

I did not read book one and, though I don't feel it's necessary to get the vibe and plot continuity, I think I'll have to because I was so bowled over by The Midnight Hour.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared with Goodreads, Bookbub and Barnes & Noble on 12/26/24.

Major cities across the world have been bombed. Humankind is on the brink of complete extinction. Those who are alive are just trying to survive.

The story revolves around a Canadian family who are forced to leave the safety of their Northern Ontario Cottage when they are ambushed and attacked by a group of survivalists. Forced to endure physical and mental obstacles tolls in the aftermath, the family fights to stay together and survive no matter at what cost.

As a Canadian living near to some of the areas mentioned, the concept of mass destruction, and fighting to surviving against all odds is a terrifying thought. In this narrative of heartbreak and despair, The author paints a story of resilience and the importance of family.

I enjoyed the descriptive imagery being the story to life, even though the concept of this being a reality is difficult to imagine. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Midnight Hour Lost Lake Book 2 by Kate Hewitt is dystopian fiction about nuclear war. I have been a fan of Kate Hewitt and have eagerly read most of her books. I was surprised that this series was a departure from her usual genre. I chose the first in this series The Last Stars in the Sky because she wrote it. I devoured it and hoped for a sequel. Ms. Hewitt‘s books are emotional stories of love and loss and this book is no exception. This book can be read alone or in order. Don’t wait to read this wonderful series. Looking forward to more books by Ms. Hewitt in this genre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

The Midnight Hour by Kate Hewitt is like reading a hypothetical story about future events. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride of what might happen in an apocalypse. This story of what can occur of bombs that are radioactive causing death so far in the USA and Canada and maybe the rest of the world. A sad and happy cliffhanger of and ending which would have been nice to have a epilogue with giving readers of knowledge of what happened with the family as this ending leaves readers second guessing on what could have happened to the family and others who they’ve come across in their journey of survival. I would have given five stars but I felt a little disappointed in the ending

When I reviewed The Last Stars in the Sky, almost a year ago, one of the last things I said in my review was that I hoped for a sequel. When I found out The Midnight Hour (my much wanted sequel) was actually coming out, I was so excited! The story picks up right where it left off, with Alex, Daniel, and their family leaving the cottage into the unknown. As with the first book, I don't want to give away too much, but this, highly anticipated sequel, definitely was worth the wait. While it didn't have me as completely engrossed as the first book, it lived up to all of my expectations. We learn about Daniel and Sam's journey to the cottage as well as following the family through new risks and situations in the present. I don't know the last time a book had me as emotional as this one. As with the prequel, the book ends well, and yet I hope for just one more book to wrap everything up.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I had read the the first book I the series and found it an interesting story, particularly in our times. However, I'm not so sure about this one. Perhaps, it is the wrong time to be reading a difficult storyline, just before Christmas. There is a lot of violence as Alex and her family continue to find a safe place to stay. They collect extra children along the way, meet friendly faces and others quite scary. Daniel has returned with their son, Sam and their story is told looking back.. The ending feels hopeful, but I'm not sure I could read anymore.

In this much anticipated sequel to The Last Stars in the Sky, it saddens me to say I was underwhelmed. The first was a gripping story of survival and throughout I remember asking myself “What if?” After a nuclear holocaust that changed the lives of Alex and her family, the story picks up as the family plus additional children, head away from their home in Ontario, Canada for a safe camp in Buffalo only to encounter a rash of violence along the way. With many flashbacks in the story and the discovery of the establishment of new societies, the book was a bit too dystopian for me which is not a genre I enjoy. As a fan of Kate Hewitt, I hope her future stories return to the family dramas I’ve come to love from her.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

What might life look like following nuclear attacks?

Interesting premise and likeable characters. After a family's getaway to a family cabin in Ontario, Canada, they find that nuclear attacks have hit shortly after they've arrived. What started as an attempt to reconnect and become closer again ended up a deadly nightmare. The family had to become part pioneer - living off the grid and off the land, and part post-apocalyptic slayer. While there were some "over the top" events (such as suburban folks suddenly knowing the ins and outs of military style weapons) and EMPs not taking out modern vehicles, it was still entertaining.

Themes of hope, resilience and desperation keep the story moving quickly. There's some sadness as well, because it would be unreasonable to expect otherwise from a nuclear holocaust. But really, it makes you wonder what you'll do for your loved ones.

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Kewitt for the eARC.
#TheMidnightHour #NetGalley

Great book from start to finish.It tells the story of a family trying to survive the after f a nucleur holocaust. Life is hard and the world is out of control which makes it even harder.
A fast paced book with plenty of suspense and action.

I was looking forward to reading this sequel and I was not disappointed.
The author very cleverly filled in some of the blanks from the previous book, whist giving people who had not read the first book a chance to catch up. Daniel’s story about his travels whilst finding Sam were particularly eye opening and very moving..
The story seemed to concentrate as much on the mental effect the nuclear fallout had on the survivors as their efforts to rebuild their world and the different ideals of some camps.
A great book club read as it has so many points for discussion and debate.

The second in this series and it’s best to read the first one first. Alex and Daniel and their family have to leave their cottage and have to find somewhere safe to live amidst a nuclear attack. This book takes us on that journey alongside a look back at Daniel’s journey to get their son from university. Thanks to Kate and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley