Midnight, Repeated is a cute, quick-paced romance novella with a fantasy element - a time loop on New Year’s Eve that only the female lead Lauree is stuck in, while everyone else doesn’t remember that the day is being reset at midnight.

While being obviously dumbfounded at the first repetition, Lauree adapts to her situation remarkably quickly and uses it to her advantage. Since nothing she does will really have any effect on her future, she slowly dares to make increasingly bold changes to her life - quitting her job, breaking up with her boyfriend who criticises her for not being ambitious enough, taking up a new hobby, trying new things and maybe even admitting her feelings for her best friend’s brother who lives across the hall.

I think there are lots of things that can go wrong with writing a time loop, the most obvious being that the story may become too repetitive or that the main character may not act in a relatable way when confronted with that situation, but I think both of these were solved well. Each repetition focuses on a slightly different part of Lauree’s day which provides much insight into her character and prevents the story from becoming boring.

Lauree develops a lot throughout the novella. While I don’t understand her (ex) boyfriend’s reasoning behind his high expectations and dismissive treatment of her, I liked to see how Lauree grew past constantly having his voice in the back of her head and chose what made her happy. Max is a wonderful love interest and though the teenage-crush-to-lovers story didn’t make perfect sense because it was never really explained why both thought their feelings weren’t reciprocated, the romance between them was developed well for the most part. I didn’t care for the chapter where Lauree basically rants at Max non-stop for being too cowardly to act on his feelings (she’s forgetting that while she had 6 months of repetitions to get to the point of not being scared of rejection anymore, he hasn’t) which results in them declaring their love for each other and sleeping with each other.

But I did love the bakery subplot!!

To sum it up, a very quick and entertaining romance with a well written time loop element that I enjoyed a lot!

4/5 stars.

This book just didn’t work for me. I usually hate movies with the Groundhogs Day/repeated timeline plot but I was intrigued by this one and decided to give it a shot. This book managed to be repetitive but also rushed at the same time so I’m not sure if making it longer would have helped or not. I feel like I didn’t know anything about the characters and I just didn’t understand them. Maybe it was in my head but I thought Lauree didn’t cook at all so when she suddenly became a superstar baker I was confused. And there were hints at her backstory but nothing was explained. The romance was not believable and unfortunately the whole story just felt undeveloped. I liked the premise but it felt a bit like a rough outline rather than a fully formed story. I think it had potential to be good if it was workshopped a bit more.

There were also some major typos I couldn’t get over (“cockle recipe” instead of what I assume should have said “cookie recipe”?)

First of all, this is a novella so you can definitely finish this in one sitting, but you have to go back to the New Year's Eve in each and every chapter because the day resets every after midnight. Just like the time loop, Lauree's life was stuck with a job she doesn't really like and with a man who has no plans of proposing. She soon learned to try the things she was scared to try before, but now have the chance of trying -- leaving her job, breaking up with her boyfriend, and discover her passion for baking. And then her best friend's brother aka her crush is in love with her for a long time! Now that she knew all about this, she needs to know how to stop the time loop!

This is a quick and chill read. Friends to lovers. Second chances. And the ending was... ehem... a little too spicy.

Thank you Netgalley and Set the Mood Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book as the premise definitely intrigued me, but unfortunately it was pretty average, romance is always a plus for me, but it turns out I'm just not a huge fan of the repetitive storylines. It was written well, but it just wasn't my favourite plot unfortunately

THREE STARS!!

“I’m not going to wake up one day and not love you anymore. Trust me, I tried.”

SUMMARY:Lauree is used to the same routine she’s always had, while she is not necessarily happy with it, she is content. She has good friends but that’s relatively it, her boyfriend of a long time doesn’t seem to want to be anything more and her job is unbearable. Then on New Years everything changes, she gets stuck on that New Year's Day. At first, she gets a little concerned but eventually Lauree lives everyday adventures. Breaking up with Drew, quitting her job, and even getting to acknowledge the feelings she still has for Max, her brother’s best friend. Lauree needs to figure out how to go back to a new day and when she finds out how it changes everything for her.

CHARACTERS-

Lauree: I was a little confused with Lauree at some points. While I did really like her character, I didn’t understand how she was so okay with being stuck on one day for over six months. She really did deserve better than what her life was, so I really enjoyed the redemption her character had at the end of the novella. She did a lot of self-discoveries within the novella as well which I really liked. I felt like a proud parent when she finally quit her job and left her sucky ex. Lauree did feel really realistic though which I appreciated.

Max: I feel like we didn’t get to know Max very well but, I understand that since this was a novella it had to stay shorter. I did really like the concept of brother’s best friend who has always been in love with the girl. I also appreciated how honest he was with Lori about how she deserved better. AND the fact that he was always there for her no matter what was so precious to me. I would have liked to know more about his background but what I know about him in the present was fulfilling enough that I ended up really liking Max

THOUGHTS: Overall, it was a good attempt at the groundhog day plot and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The character driven plot was something I really liked and the fact that it was a third person book and I had no problem reading it was very surprising to me. The relationship between Lauree and Max was also so wholesome to me because they were best friends who always loved each other but were both just scared to reveal it to each other.

Although I liked the book, I did have some moments where I was a little unsure about my feelings. For one, I didn’t understand how Lauree could not be freaking out over the fact that she is reliving the same day constantly. She enjoyed it which was so surprising to me honestly. I also feel like too much time passed in the way that some repeats just felt like extra filler chapters. Nonetheless, I did not mind that and in fact read this book in a single day.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Midnight, Repeated was a good novella to read if you want to try something with the groundhog day trope. It was easy to follow and had an overall good warm feeling towards it.

A special thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Set the Mood Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange of an honest revie

I really enjoyed this novella, it was a fast paced read and I liked the story a lot.

Lauree’s stuck in a time loop, she wakes up everyday and it is New Year’s Eve, she’s not happy with her current work, she doesn’t really know what she wants to do with her life, she’s been with her boyfriend Drew for three years but he bever gave signs of wanting to propose and to top things off, she never really got over her life long crush on her best friend’s brother, Max, who lives in the same building.

For me, the best thing about this was that Lauree realises soon that a job that makes her miserable and a gaslighter boyfriend shoudn’t have space in her life, time loop or not. And I adore Max, how since chapter one he’s always paying attention to Lauree, how he’s always up to warm her cold hands and gives her the last croissant from the café or when he swiches her warm beer for a cold (and open) one.

As the reader it is easy to see how he felt about her from the beginning and I can understand that the characters have the right to be oblivious but I wish we could see when Lauree realises that she’s Max’s the one that got away.

Two problems I had with this novella where that she never really questions herself on “why exactly am I stook on New Year’s Eve? What can I do to break the loop?” she ends up spending six whole months reliving the same day and a lot of things are not said word by word, but she takes this time to find out what could really make her happy. And second, it is stated that ten years ago Lauree did confess her love to Max but he did not reciprocate, but other than that you don’t really get to know why he didn’t, even though he says in the future that he’s been in love with her since he was nineteen. It would’ve made the story a little longer but I think it could’ve given it a little more depth.

Quick read, finished in a day

This cute friends to lovers story follows Lauree’s NYE version of groundhog’s day.
Trying to figure out what change would stop this midnight repeat loop, she discovers that her current job and boyfriend don’t bring her much happiness.

I liked that Lauree’s personal development didn’t only center around love interested Max, but also finding her a new career. But I missed a bit more content & detail to connect with the characters.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @netgalley and the author, @dmc_lean for the e-arc of MIDNIGHT REPEATED in exchange of an honest review. This book publishes November 1! It’s also an @inkandlaurel book cover design, and I will read any book she designs 😍


This is a time loop novella and a first in a series, set on New Year’s Eve, and probably the only time loop book I’ve read that I actually enjoyed!

I don’t know if it’s because this time loop book was a romcom, or what, but I actually enjoyed this time loop style book. Yes, it did get a little repetitive, but it didn’t bother me as much as other time loop books I’ve read.

This book really showcases what you can all do in a day that you keep repeating over and over again. You can change your entire life! Do things you have been putting off, and not have any fear of failure- because the day is just going to reset itself and you can keep trying! You can also quit your job, break up with your awful boyfriend, and finally pursue your best friends brother, whom you have been in love with for 10 years. This is what happens in this shirt novella, and I really liked it! Maybe I just need to read time loop books that are novellas 😆

Overall, this is a good book to read as a kind of palate cleanser as it’s short, sweet, fun and just a little bit steamy!

4.5 stars!!

I love a good time loop so was extra excited for this indie novella! This novella was so good. I felt like we got such a good feel for all the characters, there was a lot of depth and development which can be lacking in Novellas. Dani nailed this tho!

I really loved the MC, Lauree (even though I kept reading her name as Lauren) 😅 she was fabulous and developed so well. Her neighbor Max was swoon-worthy + best friend's brother 😍

I was personally offended that the MC said that "no one would ever convince her that marzipan tasted anything less than awful" though. Marzipan is delicious & I even make it from scratch.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the Movie Magic Novellas!

Thanks to Netgalley & the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun little novella that had the Groundhog day effect of repeating the same day over and over. Hoping to discover why she is in this limbo, Lauree faces so many different trials and events. Of course some of the days were silly, but overall I felt that this was a great little story. Loved the writing, the cover is adorable, and I did want more - which I think is always a good thing when it comes to a novella! Great introduction to this author!

If you enjoy novella's I do recommend this book. The book was an interesting insight into what someone would do if they could repeat New Year's Eve over and over again. When Lauree realises, she is in a loop she does what we all would do and takes off days to sleep through and have down time. But in her other days she gets her life sorted and begins her new love story. I liked the character of max and how their romances began in different ways and was told over and over. Also, Lauree's dedication to finding a passion was interesting

While this is short, it was just the right length to tell this story. I am in love with it and Max and Lauree are so cute!! I'm such a sucker for unrequited love.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Thanks to NetGalley and Set the Mood Publishing for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

I guess since the title alone made me want to request this, I didn't read the entire description that said this is the first of five novellas in a series. (you can read this in about an hour) I definitely won't be reading the others. I didn't like Lauree/Lauren (in a story this short, she can't go by one name?), she was very immature and there was no growth to the character. I wonder what Max saw in her. I didn't particularly like him either, as there was no chemistry between the two, and why did he like her anyway? Again, no growth there. The writing didn't engage me at all - I felt like I was reading a school assignment - and the idea had such potential with no follow-through. It takes place over the course of six months - but nothing happens! If it had been any longer, it would have been a DNF for sure.

I don't think it's easy to write a groundhog day inspired novella, but Dani did a excellent job. This book was not only just about a continuous new years time loop, but about the main character realizing she needed to grow and move on from certain things in her life (crappy boyfriend, lackluster job). I was able to finish this novella in one sitting. I enjoyed the fast pace, the short chapters and the overall themes of the book. I will definitely be looking into more of Dani's novellas as they are released! Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

I'm in love with this story. 

New Year Eve, time loop, second chance and best friend's brother. But what a reason to worried about time loop, if every day is a groundhog day. Not satisfied job, boyfriend, who still didn't proposed, and not knowing what to do with life? Maybe later. But it never came up. 

So this time Lauree is ready to change. Quit job, left boyfriend. The last thing left - find activity she can be satisfied her whole life. Easy to say than do. But who knows how much time she left in time loop? She needs to try and try.

And what about Max? She still loved him after all these years. But he is definitely not feel the same. Who is more stubborn - Max or life?

Friendly reminder, don't try to find answer to questions about time loop. This book about love and second chance. It is magic. Don't overthink it.

Lauree does not like her job, her boyfriend of three years doesn't seem like he is going to propose (plus he is pressuring her about said job and her future), and if she really thinks about it she has been in love with her best friend Max. She decides next year will be better and she just needs to make it to midnight at this New Year's Eve party. When she wakes up she tries to go about her day but then discovered that it is Dec 31 all over again. And again. And again. She figures she'd better get her life figured out and hopes that when she does she'll be able to get out of this time loop.

This was so lovely and I can't wait to read the rest of the novellas in this series as they come out! I love a time loop (big Groundhog Day fan here) and really liked how the FMC felt lost and wasn't sure where her life was going--relatable content. The pining was real, the steam was great when we got there, and this felt like a complete story, which isn't always true of a novella. Well done!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. You can find my review saved in my ARCReviews highlight on my IG. Find the novella when it is released Nov 1/22!

This is my first time reading a book by Dani McLean.
Midnight, Repeated is a time loop novella, where main character Lauree finds herself reliving New Years Eve day over and over again. As she adjusts to the reality of being stuck in one day on repeat, she learns to take risks, make changes, do some soul searching and eventually she finds what was missing in her life.
While this idea is not new, it was a very cute, quick read about life purpose, love, second chances and no regrets.
Max, the one who got away, lives across the hall, is her best friends brother and her old childhood neighbour. I could’ve spent hours between the pages of a book that described him and their journey from friends to lovers. This cute quick novella needs a longer, angsty, swoony prequel.

3.5⭐️ Cute friends to lovers novella!

Lauree is trapped in a time loop on New Years Eve. Right after she decided she wanted to make changes in her life. Her best friends brother, Max, being one of them. She can’t hold out for someone who has made clear doesn’t like her that way.

This was super cute! I love that Max and her start out as just friends. He’s super shy, it’s so cute honestly. I love how the loop gave Lauree the time to figure out who she truly is and what she wants in life.

This novella was written in third POV. Which is my worst nightmare. Considering I’m giving this 3 stars, it was bearable for me.

I really don’t know how else this book could be written. I feel like the Groundhog Day concept is something that could be written really well or not at all. There were times where it became super repetitive (obviously), but there were also a little bit of self discovery for the heroine Lauree.

I was a bit confused in the beginning as to who the love interest was. And I’m not too sure how Max just sometimes popped up I don’t know where. I’m not sure if I just missed a part describing that he was already there or something, I have no idea. A few chapters in, my brain finally figured out who are hero is.

If you’re looking for a cute, friends to lovers, novella while being stuck in this time loop this is the one for you.

4⭐️s

“I could have had all the time in the world, but it wouldn’t have made a difference. I’m not going to wake up one day and not love you anymore.”

What a cute take on the whole, “reliving the same day over and over again” story! Cute with a surprising bit of spice, which I guess is typical of this author, but being that this is my first story by her, I was surprised! Not that I’m complaining! This is a really sweet novella that brings the heat in the end!

Midnight, Repeated by Dani McLean: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Tropes: friends to lovers, second chance, hotmess girl- put together guy, slow burn</I>

Here’s what I loved:

The characters
I love that Lauree is a fun, messy girl and not the put together, organized, somewhat “anal” girl that you get a lot in romcoms. I love Max and his orange sweater, and how he’s so sweet and genuine. Drew of course is a dick, but I mean… his name is Drew so…

The plot
The whole “living the same day over and over again” is not a new idea, but I love this take on it, and anytime you can take something unoriginal and make it feel new, you’ve got my vote! I also love that it happens on New Year’s Eve because that’s the epitome of “a new day” and she’s stuck living the same one!

The relationship between Max and Lauree
I love how close their friendship is and how they just get each other. He’s so supportive of her when everyone else in her life, herself included, puts her down and belittles her. I do think his denial of his feelings for her at times is bit annoying, but guys are dumb so it works!

Here’s what I didn’t love:

The lack of backstory on what happened 10 years ago
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll keep it brief, but I wish we got a little more on what happened between Max and Lauree before. We get a little bit, but I think knowing the situation more would’ve helped make Max’s feelings make more sense.

Jasmine
Not that I don’t like her, just that I wish there was more of her! She’s mentioned a few times and makes a few appearances, but she’s Lauree’s best friend! She seems like an awesome character, so more of her would’ve been cool!


Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review