Review: What Happens After Midnight, K.L. Walther

I read and loved K.L. Walther’s the Summer of Broken Rules so much, I was so eager to read more from her. Let’s see if her brand new book met all of my expectations!

What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on June 27, 2023
Genres: contemporary, romance, young adult
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop, Blackwell's
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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.
When Lily realizes the Jester is none other than Taggart Swell, her ex- boyfriend, she's already in too deep to back out. Lily might've dumped Tag, but she still has major feelings. Plus, his brilliant plan to steal the school's yearbooks, targets none other than Lilly's prom date: the Senior Class President, Daniel.
As the group of pranksters hide cryptic clues across campus for Daniel to find, Lily and Tag find themselves in close quarters. As the exes dodge Campus Safety guards, night owl teachers, a troop of freshmen, and even Daniel himself, new sparks fly. But old hurts and painful secrets refuse to be ignored. And with graduation on the horizon, Lily can only hope that breaking the rules will help mend her heart.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS: (click to reveal)

none in particular, if you found some, please let me know.

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• You know me: I’m a sucker for a good boarding school setting. I had so much fun with this one! I could feel the campus’ atmosphere and loved how the author used it for the book’s plot, as well. From the teachers’ houses to the forests, from the beach to the buildings, I just felt transported and really really enjoyed that setting, overall.
• Set over the course of one night, What Happens At Midnight is a highly entertaining YA contemporary book overall. I had no time to get bored, always wondering what would happen next and if this senior prank would get done well, as well. It was a super fun read!
• If ex-best friends to lovers to exes to second chance romance sounds like your thing… well, add What Happens After Midnight to your TBR! The romance was, for me, one of the highlights of this story. I really enjoyed Lily and Tag’s chemistry, their interactions, their messy feelings… obviously, they’re teenagers and it was filled with misunderstandings, at times. Yet, I could feel for them and really, really rooted for them.
• Another highlight of this story was the relationship between Lily and her mother. Even if I kind of wish we got to spend a bit more time with them two, I got some kind of gilmore girls vibes from them and I really loved that!

• The friendships were a wonderful addition to the story. I loved their little group so much, exactly the kind of fun squad goal I like to read about in my contemporary reads.
• If you’re a Taylor Swift fan, you should LOVE all of the references in the book… I know I did!

OVERALL

☂️

If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining YA contemporary book, I’d recommend What Happens At Midnight. Loved the boarding school setting, the characters, the romance and the lovely mother-daughter relationship, as well. Can’t wait, once again, to read more from this author!

FINAL RATING : 4 stars!

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📚 Books similar to What Happens At Midnight:

• 20 YA Books Set in Boarding School (An Awesome Setting for Lots of Schemes, Yay!)
• Review: The Summer of Broken Rules, K.L Walther

Did you read What Happens After Midnight, or do you want to? Any YA contemporary recommendations for me? Let me know in comments!

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