This is a beautifully written novel about family and love and helping other people when you can. It's about a woman and a teenager with major problems that learn to help each other understand their lives and search for happier times.

Faith has left her mentally and psychological abusive husband and is hiding in her parents cottage on the Pacific shore. Sarah is a 14 year old girl, living with her grandmother and hiding from her father after the suspicious death of her mother. They meet and seem to recognize the need in each other. Sarah's grandmother asks Faith to take Sarah somewhere while she works to get custody. They go to the horse farm where her beloved horse - Midnight - is stabled. Her father had jut sold Midnight to pay his gambling debts which further devastates Sarah. Sarah and Midnight have a strong bond and he preforms dressage with her better than with anyone so she starts helping (reluctantly) the man who bought Midnight. As the summer continues, Faith and Sarah both realize that they are stronger than they thought - but are they strong enough to face the people who brought them so much pain??

The characters are wonderful and well written - as with all of Catherine Ryan Hyde's characters. The reader is pulled into their lives and emotions and I can promise a few tears along their journeys. Along with a great story with believable characters, there is a lot of information about horses and dressage and the horse show circuits. I loved it.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Faith and Sarah are traveling to avoid Sarah’s father. Sarah witnessed him killing her mother. The authorities believe the death to be suicide and Sarah is the only one who can establish otherwise. Faith has finally left her verbally abusive husband and is unsure of what he may be capable of. She is attempting to avoid any contact with him.

I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and could be tackled in a weekend. I always like books written by this author but felt a couple of things could be explained better. Why did Catherine allow Sarah to leave with a virtual stranger. Why did Faith allow Sarah to make all of the decisions for the two of them if she was in genuine danger. The avenue of Faith’s husband was underdeveloped and, therefore, did not seem to be a reality.

I enjoyed the relationship between Faith and Sarah. It makes us hope that strangers of differing ages can become close friends.

I was delighted by the details of the sport dressage. I knew virtually nothing of the sport before reading this book. As Faith learned more about dressage and horses in general, the reader does also. The bond between Midnight and Sarah is well written and can be clearly felt.

This is a good book even with the concerns expressed above. I suggest this book for fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde and as an introduction to the author for others.


I received an eBook ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.

I received an advanced readers digital copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and unbiased opinion. A positive review was not required.

I love books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, they never fail to move and entertain me. Just After Midnight was no exception. The writing was stellar, the plot grabbed me from the first page. I loved the characters. true
The story left me with all the feel goods and shows true friendship can come in many forms. I fully recommend reading this one, but with tissue in hand.

Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Just After Midnight. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

After having enough of her husband's borderline abuse, Faith decides to escape to the safety of the California beach house that belongs to her parents. There she meets fourteen year old Sarah and her grandmother, who have escaped to the beach for their own reasons. Without meaning to become involved in the complicated family issues between Sarah and her father, Faith ends up providing support for the young girl and helps herself in the process. Will helping the girl get the closure she needs give Faith a reason to stand on her own two feet?

Just After Midnight was a good book, but certainly not a blockbuster hit. The biggest issue that I had was regarding the setting, as the author really never captures the Southern California towns that are mentioned numerous times in the book. Having lived in one of the towns mentioned, the author just seemed to throw out the names and did not give any of the characteristics that make the area unique. Just After Midnight seemed to follow a formula, which did not allow for the characters to grow or change in any meaningful way. The ending was too easy and I found it hard to believe that anyone without means would have done what Faith did. It was a good story, but the author missed the opportunity to make it a great one.

I have previously read, enjoyed and reviewed several books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, the first was Say Goodbye for Now back in December of 2015 (see review HERE), next was Ask Him Why back in January of 2016 (see review HERE), and then next was Allie and Bea in July of 2017 (see review HERE).  When I saw today's book, Just After Midnight  I knew I couldn't go wrong, so I requested the opportunity to read and review it with NetGalley, and I was approved!

There's Faith, who is in the process of divorcing her mentally abusive husband, and there's Sarah, a 14 year old girl who accuses her father for the death of her mother.  These two unlikely people meet on the beach in front of the house at which Faith is temporarily staying. Sarah and her grandmother, Constance are at their rented beach house because her grandmother brought her there to try to help her get over some of the heartbreak, and to get her away from her father. 

If you are an animal lover, especially a horse lover, you'll love this book. You'll read about Sarah’s magical relationship with her horse, Midnight and the special bond between them. I really enjoyed following as Faith helped Sarah through her grief and pain while at the same time she was able to find the ability to be strong for herself. 

We met a lot of interesting people along the way, and we are able to tour a lot of the west coast throughout this story.  I was also very pleased with the ending of Just After Midnight.  Catherine Ryan Hyde is a very powerful story teller and this story remains unforgettable as I put fingers to keys a month after finishing the book. Her writing is superb and the characters are very well written.  Thank you for another great story Ms. Hyde!

I received an advanced readers digital copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and unbiased opinion. A positive review was not required.

This is a beautifully written story of surviving domestic abuse, starting over and forming strong female friendships while finding personal freedom. I found this book so delightful and it is a pleasure to read a book so heartwarming and compassionate. The author is a favorite of mine and i was thrilled to receive this book for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.

This is a story of two women, Sarah a teenager and Faith, a woman in her late thirties. After Faith moves to her family beach house to escape her abusive husband she meets Sarah, a teenager also escaping domestic abuse after the suspicious death of her Mother. When Sarah's family attempts to take her back, Faith and Sarah go on a journey to find Sarah's beloved dressage mare Midnight. Her abusive Father sold off her horse to pay off gambling debts. They follow Midnight through the California dressage show circuit and through this experience they meet some lovely people who provide healing. Their friendship grows stronger and the respect they both have for each other as survivors grows as they bond on their trip. Midnight is a magnificent horse and they bond through Sarah's love for him and hope that she can be reunited with her horse.

This is a beautifully written story of starting over, survival from abuse and learning to trust again. The author writes from her heart of this book with remarkable stories of two broken souls learning to live their life over , of the love for a great horse and the drive to be with him, and for the freedom of the soul when free from abuse to live life fully again. I loved this book and do highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. It touched my heart and I read it cover to cover. Very well done to the author.



I

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine Ryan Hyde for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel - wonderful as always. I'm just a sucker for her books!

Faith (perfect name of course) runs away from her husband and is controlling ways. She takes refuge at her parents' California beach house while she decides what to do with her life. One day on the beach, she encounters a 14-year-old named Sarah. Sarah is with her grandmother and they are running away from problems of their own - Sarah's mother just died and her father sold off her beloved horse, Midnight. Constance (another great name) is trying to get custody of Sarah but for now they are hiding out from Sarah's father. Suddenly, Faith is forced to take Faith with Constance's blessing and stay out of sight. They end up going to the stable area where Midnight has been sold and helping the horse's transition.

The world of dressage horses was certainly new to me but the main focus of this novel, like all of this author's, is the relationship between all these people. As I read this book, I kept thinking to myself - how would I act in this situation? Would I say those perfect words? No. But it's wonderful to read those perfect words and see everything come together in the end.

This is the first book I've read by Catherine Ryan Hyde and it
won't be the last. I love the way she writes. I enjoyed the young girls
relationship with the main character. I don't know very much about
horses but it still held my attention. It's an easy read and it flows well.
with just enough suspense to make it exciting. I would love to read
more about Faith and Sarah.

Best-selling author Catherine Ryan Hyde is known for her touching and emotionally satisfying stories about friendship, trust, and empowerment. Her latest work, Just After Midnight, does not disappoint.

Faith has left her husband and taken up residence in her parents' California beach house while she decides what she will next do with her life. Her husband was controlling, verbally abusive, and inflexible, and she fears how he will react to her departure.

One day she sees fourteen-year-old Sarah on the beach. She soon leaves that Sarah reeling from her mother’s sudden and suspicious death, and wants nothing to do with her father. She is staying with her grandmother, who does not have legal custody of Sarah. When they learn that Sarah's father is too close for comfort, Faith agrees to take Sarah on a journey while her grandmother deals with the custody issue.

Sarah implores Faith to take her to Falkner’s Midnight Sun, her prized black mare that she misses desperately. Her father sold the horse without Sarah's knowledge. Sarah shares an unbreakable bond with Midnight and can’t bear to be apart from her. Throughout the sweltering summer, as they follow Midnight from show to show, Sarah comes to terms with the truth about her mother's death.

And Faith learns the value of trusting her instincts and understand that she has has the power to shape her own future, as well as Sarah's.

Set on the Central California coast that Hyde calls home and knows so well, Just After Midnight is a beautiful story about a young woman and teen-age girl who come together and discover what matters most to them, as well as how to manifest their desires in their lives. Hyde writes beautiful stories about flawed human beings and relationships. In Just After Midnight, Sarah lost her mother at just after midnight one fateful night. And one of the relationships explored is that between Sarah and Midnight, a highly valuable, trained horse who simply will not perform for her new owner because of the bond the horse has forged with Sarah. At the outset, Sarah is literally just after Midnight -- determined to do anything to keep the beautiful mare in her life, even if she cannot be the horse's owner. It should be noted that it is unnecessary for the reader to have knowledge of horses or horse shows because Hyde explains the nuances and intricacies requisite to understanding the story points.

As Faith and Sarah meet and forge an unexpected friendship, both are grieving, and reeling from the changes that have upended their lives. Both are trying to discern what lies ahead for them. And both are poised to learn a great deal from each other and their adventure. That adventure spans horse shows up and down California, and Faith's ever-growing appreciation not only of Sarah's talent as a rider, but her intuitive nature and unbreakable, unconditional love for Midnight. In signature Hyde style, both Faith and Sarah grow from their shared experiences and become empowered, as a result of all they have been through separately and together, to name what it is they want most and seek it. Hyde's characters are believable in their vulnerability, fear, and the damage inflicted upon them by others, as well as their resiliency and renaissance
over the course of a hot California summer.

The result is another poignant, uplifting, and emotionally satisfying tale from one of America's most prolific and reliable authors. Just After Midnight will inspire readers' faith in friendship, community, and human decency.

I enjoyed the book, but felt that it wasn't my favorite. I loved the characters of Faith and Sarah. Their bond is quite sweet and very touching. I kept thinking more would happen with the side story of Faith with her estranged husband. The storyline was good, I just felt like something was missing.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All Opinions are my Own.

This is only my second novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and it was just as beautiful and compelling as her last novel. Faith and Sarah are two people who need each other, both coming to terms with the next step in their lives. Thrown together unexpectedly, they get closer and learn to trust, while helping Sarah come to terms with both the loss of her mother followed by the loss of her beloved horse. The relationship Sarah has with Midnight, one of love and trust, is perfectly magical. They understand each other in ways no one else does.
There is so much depth to this book it’s hard to do it justice. It will remind you that there are still so many good caring people in the world. It will lead you through all the emotions and bring you to tears more than once. I look forward to Catherine Ryan Hyde’s next novel to see what she tackles next.
#JustAfterMidnight #CatherineRyanHyde #LakeUnion

I usually love this author's books, but this one was just too sweet and slow moving. . Took two attempts to read and forced myself to get through it the second time. There were enjoyable moments in the book, but too shallow and predictable. Perhaps if I were a horse lover I would have liked it more. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read for honest review.

Review:

I swear there is no other author who writes about unlikely friendships quite as authentically as CRH does, many of her novels showcase new relationships between a young person and someone older but each new book sheds light on various themes and issues making them unique. I don’t often use the term page turner in WF but her books really are, once you enter the world she creates it’s hard to step back into reality.

This follows Faith, a woman who just left her husband and Sarah a young teenager whose mother just died. All of CRH’s books are perfect for animal lovers, but if you love horses this is a must read. The entire book centers on Sarah’s magical relationship with her horse Midnight and it highlights the special bond between human and animal. It was really beautiful and as Faith helps Sarah through her grief and pain she finds her own inner strength that she didn’t even realize that she possessed.

This one gave me all the feels, it was an emotional read with plenty of highs and lows. Per usual, my faith in humanity was restored by the end. It’s full of memorable characters and amazing life lessons but it’s not so heavy as to be depressing. Another solid read from one of my favorite authors!

Just After Midnight in three words: Tender, Uplifting and Moving.

Not knowing much about dressage this book gives a lot of insight into that world. It is a heart rendering story of a woman and a young girl brought together due to strife in their lives. Again, Catherine Ryan Hyde writes a book that will teach you something about life and people’s interactions.

Just After Midnight by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a perfectly heartwarming read about unexpected friendship, love, and finding inner strength to carry on when faced with crushing loss. The “feel-good” ending is a bit predictable, but satisfying nonetheless. Although the story has nothing to do with the holiday season, it is the ideal read because it will remind you of all the good in those around you and within yourself. Perhaps, that makes it a great book for any time of the year.

While several family members love both riding and horses, I am not one of them. I do like horses, but don’t ride. I enjoyed learning a bit about dressage. What impressed me most was the compassion and fortitude of the main characters, all women ranging in age from fourteen to late seventies.

This was the first novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I have read, but it certainly will not be the last. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novel is a beautiful story of a warm and caring friendship that develops between two unlikely people.
Sarah, 14, has recently lost her mother and her closest friend, her horse, Midnight. Faith, a thirty something women, has walked out on an abusive marriage. Both end up at the beach. Their loneliness and feelings of being disconnected draws them together.
The death of their respective mothers joins them together and marks the beginning of their friendship.

This heartwarming novel emphasizes the importance of connectedness and friendship. The characters are real and likable. I became invested in their story and rooted for a happy ending.

I highly recommend this novel.
Thank you to #Netgalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for approving my request. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I was looking forward to reading Just After Midnight. I liked the premise but felt the characters were under-developed.. I also did not think it was believable for Catherine, Sarah’s grandmother, to allow Faith, who she just met, to take Sarah with her. I think this story might pass well as a young adult story but not adult fiction.

Thanks NetGalley for opportunity to read and review.

An easy read, but not a particularly engrossing one. The ending was obvious long before it happened. And the 14 year old girl who, I guess we're supposed to root for, was very irritating. . She was constantly grumpy, crying, and generally not likeable. Her adult friends and relatives were way nicer to her than she deserved. I guess it's hard to give a good review when one of the main characters gives you heartburn!

This is a heart-warming story that features an unusual friendship, strong female characters, determination, and love. I came to love both of the main characters right away, and was drawn into the story from the start. If you are looking for a feel good book, (and who isn’t?), put this one on your list.

I posted this review on Goodreads and on my website.

I always enjoy books by Catherine Ryan Hyde. She knows how to weave a story that will capture your heart and keep you turning pages. This one is no different. It’s a very touching story of a girl and her horse. How they were separated and how it affected them both. The world of horses is a beautiful one and it was good to read a story that told so much about showing horses. Told so much about the bond between the horse and the owner.

Sarah lost her mother to suspicious circumstances and she is pretty sure she knows exactly what happened the night her mother died. Also right after losing her mom, her dad sold her horse Midnight. She was so devastated that she could not eat or do much of anything. She was staying with her grandmother at the beach when she meets Faith. Faith was there hiding from her abusive soon to be ex husband. She is more than just mentally abusive. He has touched her so that in my opinion makes him physically abusive also. Together Sarah and Faith will go on a trip of self examination. Getting to know themselves and each other. Friends, one older and one a child of 14.
There are many obstacles in their path for a while but they overcome so much. They become stronger then either things possible. Especially Faith. She is able to confront her ex and demand what is rightfully hers. Faith still has a lot to learn and trust if one of the big things for her. She’s lost faith in almost everything and everyone. But with her grandmother and Faith she can be ok again.

The bond of friendship is strong. Strong between a woman who is helping and caring for a young girl who feels she has lost everything. Together they will have many ups and downs but in the end they will always have each other.

This is such a good book. You will learn a lot about horses and friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union and Catherine Ryan Hyde for a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion. This is my opinion of a wonderful story.

A 5 star book that anyone that believes in bonds, love and friendships should read. Not a love story, just a story of love that truly knows no bounds...