I’ve tried and I’ve tried to like Lucy Foley’s books and just can’t. The Paris Apartment was a DNF. And sadly this one has also become a DNF.

I am so sorry that these books are just not for me. I really did want to like it.

I do really appreciate the chance to read a digital copy for my honest review.

There was two much focus on different characters to the point I didn't end up caring about any of them. The book was slow and lacked action and tension needed for a thriller.

Lucy foley does a fabulous job of world building. This book had a lot of characters that often made me google who was who. But once I got into the story about 70 pages in, it was hard to put down. Would recommend for a thriller mystery that keeps you on your toes.

Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast was a recent read that had a lot of potential that it didn’t quite live up to.

A suspense novel with folk horror elements, this one should have been a home run for me, but it mostly just left me wanting more. I’m a little tired of the luxury vacation resort as the setting for a murder trope, but I gave this one a try because a medieval forest with mysterious rites going on was something my folk horror loving self was thrilled by. Sadly, I kept wishing there was more of it. There was the germ of a great idea, but it needed to be explored and developed more thoroughly.
This book was a slow burn that never ignited for me. The first half dragged. The scenes set in the past were more interesting than what was happening in the present and I wish the entire book had been set in that period- it had a magic and depth that I loved, where the characters came to life and drew me in. In the present day setting, they just became flat and lacked dimension. I always know I’m in for a reading struggle when in a dual timeline book I’m only interested in one. The second half did pick up as twists (somewhat predictable) occurred and secrets were revealed. This wasn’t a terrible book, but I kept wanting it to be so much more.
Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for an arc of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Honestly, I had no idea what was happening most of the time

Too many plot lines, POV, and timelines. I checked out. There were too many characters to keep track of, most of whom I could not care less about and none who were particularly memorable .

For the reader to believe characters wouldn’t recognize each other from the not all that distant past is ludicrous
Also, I’m tiring of the ‘rich people behaving badly’ trope.

The folklore and legends and birds…idk? 🤷🏻‍♀️ But it was silly and boring to me.

I struggled to pick it up once I put it down and then struggled to stick with it when I did pick it up.

Even the epilogue had my eyes rolling

This wasn’t for me, but it may be for you so do read other more positive reviews.

* I received a digital review copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

Francesca Meadows has taken her old family home in the woods and turned it into a luxury wellness resort for rich clientele, The Manor. These same woods also allegedly contain The Birds, a group told of through folklore that will try to serve justice on wrongdoers. The Manor is now ready to open, but by the time the weekend is over someone is dead and many of the attendees are suspects.

The book flips between multiple POVs, there's Francesca trying to open her resort, her husband Owen who helped build it, a waiter who is secretly a local Eddie, a guest invited to the opening weekend Bella, and DI Walker investigating the crime after opening weekend. Since its a Lucy Foley mystery all of these characters have hidden secrets and connections that the reader will uncover. I have loved Lucy Foley's past mysteries, but I just couldn't get as invested in this one. By the time I finished it, I was impressed by the twists and enjoyed the book as a whole, but just struggled to get there. The folklore angle and woodsy setting were enjoyable and definitely increased my enjoyment. For those who have read Foley or other multiple POV stories they know what they are getting into, but this book just didn't work as well as her others for me.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for a copy of The Midnight Feast in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book. I am not an avid reader of this genre in particular, but the storyline pulled me in. I enjoyed the suspense and drama of the book

Love the writing, it kept me very interested even though sometimes while reading it I wasn’t sure if what was happening because of the changing timelines. I was expecting more thrill than what it had but still kept me hooked

A "goop" like influencer and heiress has created a dream resort. Ignoring the town around her that is very much against this luxe destination, she has now crafted a solstice "midnight feast" as her launch into media. As the weekend progresses, we begin to hear the multiple viewpoints of friends from her past as well as the locals. It becomes apparent that no matter how cultivated and exquisite this hotel is, there is alot of resentment stewing and this midnight feast may not be as delightful as the guests expect.
I really liked this book from Foley, I felt the setting and characters were very interesting and I did not want to put this down. I do feel the ending left a few questions unanswered, but perhaps the author is planning a sequel? Otherwise a solid, gripping, slightly dark novel that reads very well.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't for me. I've loved some of Foleys other books but this was a miss for me. I had no ideal what was going on in this story- a thriller should be gripping and keep you turning the pages I didn't get that with this one. There is nothing to it but stuck up rich people. I threw in the towel at about 45%.

This was my first Lucy Foley and I loved it. It had me wondering what was going to happen next all the way through. The vibes are very summer solstice-y and it worked. I guessed only one of the twists but not any of the big ones at the end.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Midnight Feast read so smoothly through twists and turns at every step. It is a book where when you’re done you have to take a breath to think through all the shocking turns you went through. I enjoyed getting to know the characters then being surprised by how they all connected back to the origin story. I would highly recommend for a thrilling read.

This is about as classic a Lucy Foley book as they get. It's told in multiple POVs of people seemingly unconnected who, by the end, you realize all share one big storyline. After a while, who they were and their connections were all a little convoluted. The idea of "The Birds," too, was just a little bit far out there and not really Foley-esque, it was supernatural but not supernatural enough to actually be interesting. The overall story of a the death in the beginning following a hotel opening with players from your past is pretty compelling, I just was never really on the edge of my seat — nor did I really feel drawn to any of the characters. Overall, 3.5 stars.

I love a story about a wellness-type girlboss hiding some secret, and this one fit right into that category. The different timelines and multiple POVs were a little bit of a challenge to keep track of at times, but they ended up being necessary due to a few twists, and it was overall enjoyable.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I could vividly picture every single scene and character. I loved all the twists and the multiple POV. I definitely can’t wait to read more by her.

Lucy Foley is an automatic buy for me. I struggled with this one. The plot fell flat and I found myself picking up the book and putting it down without much enthusiasm. The setting of the book was perfect, an English seaside getaway for the wealthy. The ominous setting and dark characters just added to the intrigue. The plot and twists fell a little short.

I will always read Lucy Foley and am eagerly hoping for a better book next year!

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕚𝕤𝕥:
On the lavish opening night of The Manor, an infinity pool glistens, healing crystals adorn the cottages, and "Manor Mule" cocktails flow freely. Guests, all clad in linen, mingle under the midsummer sun.

However, darkness lurks as old friends and foes gather. By Sunday morning, the police are called to the scene. Amidst the pristine grounds and the secrets of the ancient nearby forest, a fire has broken out, and a body has been found.

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
⏳ Multiple timelines
🐦‍⬛ All the birds
👥 Four perspectives
📝 Journal entries
🌫️ Atmospheric & spooky

𝕊𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕣 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖𝕤:
📚 The Only One Left by Riley Sager
📚 Weyward by Emilia Hart

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
What a wild ride! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 is a spooky and atmospheric thriller with many twists that kept me entertained and engaged. Well-thought-out characters (even the unlikeable ones), a vividly described atmospheric setting, an intriguing premise, dual timelines and multiple perspectives, woven into a cohesive narrative made for an engaging read. I loved the intensity of the present-day narrative, the folklore and the dark myth associated with the land, which added to the tension.

At times, the multiple timelines and different perspectives were difficult to keep track of. The story dragged a bit at times, especially in the beginning, causing it to feel longer than it actually was.

Overall, this was very entertaining and I look forward to reading more of Lucy Foley’s writing in the future!

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (𝟹.𝟻/𝟻)

Lucy Foley always has some good twists and turns up her sleeve. I was yet again impressed with her latest book. All the layers that this author adds to her stories and then once the twist/s are reviled you just say “ahhhhh ok, this makes sense”.

I thought the whole crazy rich people resort reminded me a lot of “Nine Perfect Strangers” because everyone is so bonkers which usually is what happens when a bunch of wealthy people have the money to spend at a resort. I loved but also hated all the main characters but I also loved hating them, if that makes sense.

Over all I thought this book was really good. I finished it in just 2 days and although it was not my favorite by this author, it was VERY good.

“The Midnight Fest” is a compelling mystery that kept me engaged with its intricate plot and atmospheric setting. The story revolves around a group of people who reunite for a lavish party, only to find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and lies.

Pros:

Atmospheric Setting: Foley excels at creating a vivid and immersive environment. The descriptions of the party and the surrounding locale are rich and evocative, drawing readers into the world she has crafted.

Character Dynamics: The interactions between the characters are well-developed, with each individual bringing their own unique personality and backstory to the table. This adds depth to the narrative and keeps the reader invested in their fates.
Cons:

Pacing Issues: At times, the story’s pacing can feel uneven. Some sections drag on, while others rush through crucial plot points, making it difficult to maintain a consistent level of engagement.

Predictability: While the mystery is intriguing, seasoned readers of the genre might find some of the twists and turns predictable. The resolution, in particular, may not come as a surprise to those familiar with Foley’s previous works.

Overall, “The Midnight Fest” is an enjoyable read with strong character development and a captivating setting. However, its pacing issues and predictability prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a solid choice for fans of Foley’s work and those who enjoy a good mystery, but it may not stand out among the best in the genre.

Francesca Meadows inherits her grandfa’s estate and turns it into a luxury resort called The Manor. Opening weekend is scheduled during the summer solstice, so plans a solstice party. Despite meticulously planning every detail to a tee, Francesca’s party is anything but perfect; not everything is what it seems and her past comes back to haunt her. As hard as you try to conceal your secrets, they almost always end up getting exposed.

I really enjoyed the points of view from multiple characters and past journal entries to tell the story. Towards the second half of the book, I got hooked. The storylines started to intertwine even more and we get the same scene from multiple characters to get the various perspectives. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I was completely wrong and realized I missed a lot of Easter eggs that were dropped throughout the book.