I'm really mixed in my feelings toward this book. It had a lot of elements that I liked: the fancy resort setting that is also nestled into the woods and seaside, teenage drama coming back to haunt everyone, class differences rearing their ugly heads. Plus, this is just a great summertime read overall. It felt different from Lucy Foley's past novels, in a good way, so there was much about it that I really enjoyed. But there were parts that really seemed to drag. I think that for me this was an issue with the book's format. Because it takes on different characters' POVs and two different timelines, it felt like it was just dragging out the obvious and inevitable. It did pick up toward the end with a lot of juicy twists that I didn't see coming, so that was a plus, but overall I wish I hadn't felt so bored in the middle of the novel. I would definitely encourage you to pick this one up for an easy beach or poolside read, because it's interesting enough and has very short chapters, but it did leave me wanting more in some ways.

Oh, the birds. This book has so many birds.

The Midnight Feast is a unique book. It's set in this strange rural community upset by a new yuppie hotel owned by a Gwyneth Paltrow-style lady who inherited the land. The book has multiple POVs from various people and current/past timelines. Here's what I liked:

-The setting: I found this rural community so interesting. It felt insular, and the people in it are superstitious. There's this eerie feeling that the reader has during the entire book.

I found the characters funny. Frankie is dialogical but says lots of out-of-touch things. She thinks she's an enlightened person (she's not), which makes for some internal dialogue that I found hilarious.

-It kept my interest throughout.

I loved this one and am a big fan of Lucy Foley's work.

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 but it really was a dud for me.

I got about 42% into the story and decided to put it aside. Nothing had really happened and the characters were lacking depth.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley was something new and twisty that I hadn’t read before. I’ve read several books by this author and had enjoyed them so I knew I wanted to read this one. The anticipation built from chapter to chapter. I was questioning each character and analyzing their motives. The beginning of the novel was a slower pace and took me a while to get invested but once I was half way I was flying through the pages trying to determine exactly what happened in the woods all those years ago. This novel is told with multiple points of view and dual time like. The character changes were very interesting and kept me invested. The big looming question of the age old fable of The Birds is woven throughout the storyline. I was filled with anticipation and anxiety as The Birds started showing up.

I am so glad that I got to read the newest Lucy Foley book! This books gripped me from page one and although there were multiple story lines happening, I never felt lost. I have read many Lucy Foley books and I feel like each one her writing and story telling ability gets better and better! One thing that I really liked in this story, and I thought felt made the multiple characters work, was how different they all were. Lucy did a great job of making the chapters short and still making them intriguing. I couldn't stop turning the pages on this one. I loved how as we progressed through the story, you slowly watched all of these perspectives come together to tell the story. I'll be reading this one again!!

DNF at 30%

I’m honestly so heartbroken I couldn’t get into this book. Lucy Foley is just a highly rated author I really wish I was more entertained by this story. In my opinion, the characters were unlikeable and I couldn’t connect with them. The flip flop back and forth in the timelines wasn’t making sense, and perhaps if I was more entertained by the story I would’ve understood later on. But truly this book was just not my vibe and what I look for in a mystery thriller. With all that being said it’s extremely important to remember that reading is subjective and you may love this book!

Thank you Net Galley for the arc copy of The Midnight Feast!

This book was really good. I loved getting lost in the atmosphere of the setting and the folklore tie in. The journal entries that helped explain the story of the had me sucked in and I could not stop wondering what was going to happen next. Overall I’d rate this a 4.0/4.5 because I felt there were some explanations that were rushed or missing.

I thought I had The Midnight Feast fully figured out fairly early on but Lucy Foley kept me going, only realizing how wrong I'd been about 80% of the way through. A bit long for the story that it told, though I did appreciate the twist on my expectations, which took a while to build up to. There were a number of characters to keep up with, lots of perspectives, and some flashback perspectives, but altogether it was compelling and easy to follow.

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

I decided to try out this book by Lucy Foley based on all the hype that surrounds this author, so I hate to say that I was immensely disappointed in this book - it was a big let down.
It took me forever to get into the story, and after I was about 35% through I noticed that I was forcing myself to keep going. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and the POVs made the story more confusing than anything. Not only are there a ton of people to keep track of, but the multiple timelines only add to the confusion.

The premise of this story sounded amazing - but it was definitely executed poorly. After reading almost the entire book (at about 75%) it felt like nothing had even happened.

About a 3.5 - Kept me reading, I liked the story idea even though some pieces did not connect

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

I give Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast a 3.75 ⭐️This was my first Lucy Foley book and I found her writing to be absolutely exquisite! Her writing is very atmospheric which is definitely what I would expect when reading a thriller. While I was not a complete fan of the many POVs (many who also had previous names which at times distracted me from the story), Foley’s writing pulled me back in. I truly felt as though I was along side the characters at this beautiful Manor which is what I look for when I am reading a book; the escapism! For me, the author mastered this effortlessly.

In addition to the multiple POVs I was not a fan of the constant jump in timelines and the Summer Journal entries. I can understand why the journal entries were necessary, however, I have never been a fan of teenage angst in my books. Futhermore, there was only 15 years from when most of the characters last saw each other yet they did not recognize one another and I felt that this was a bit unbelievable (again pulling me out of the story at times). If you like a story full of unlikeable characters, you will enjoy this book. With all that said, the author ties everything nicely up at the end and the ending did not disappoint. I can’t wait to read another book by this author!

Unfortunately I just don’t know if this story is for me. It was a decent read but I just didn’t connect with in so it fell flat for me. There was nothing that stood out or made it better than other thrillers I’ve read. Still good just not my fav

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Midnight Feast is a collection of POVs sharing their experiences during The Manor's opening weekend. Everyone has secrets to why they are there, and all will be revealed.

I guess it is possible that one woman can piss off so many people by doing one thing. This book was a trip and a half. I liked most of the characters, the ones I hated I guess I was meant to hate. Good mystery. Not like her other books I've read, not a traditional mystery. This reminds me of the one episode of "Nine Perfect Strangers" I never finished: kooky, Goopesque, freaky woman sets up a "spa" retreat expecting everyone to bow down to her. Gag. I need to do some research on Tome where this book takes place because some of these legends seem interesting. I don't imagine I'll be messing with nature for a while now. :)

DNF at 35%. Maybe I'm just not in the mood for this style of writing right now, but I'm having a tough time immersing myself in this storyline. I was very intrigued by the beginning chapters, but overtime I was lost to the characters. Hopefully I'll be able to revisit this story at a later date and articulate my new thoughts with an updated review.

Lucy Foley, acclaimed for her atmospheric thrillers, takes readers on a captivating journey into a world of secrets, suspense, and unexpected alliances in "The Midnight Feast". Set against the backdrop of a remote Scottish island during a luxurious wedding celebration, Foley weaves a tale of intrigue and betrayal that keeps readers enthralled from the first page to the last.

The novel unfolds over the course of a single night, as a group of guests gathers at a grand estate for the wedding of Julia and Will. Tensions simmer beneath the surface among old friends, estranged family members, and mysterious acquaintances with hidden agendas. As the festivities progress, past grievances resurface, alliances shift, and long-held secrets threaten to unravel.

Foley's strength lies in her skillful characterization and intricate plotting. Each character is meticulously crafted with their own motivations, vulnerabilities, and secrets, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. From the enigmatic bride Julia to the charming yet troubled groom Will, and the assortment of guests with their own tangled relationships, Foley expertly navigates the dynamics of a diverse cast.

The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, offering readers glimpses into the inner workings of each character's mind and the events that led them to this pivotal night. Foley's prose is evocative, painting a vivid picture of the rugged Scottish landscape and the opulent surroundings of the estate, heightening the sense of atmosphere and tension.

"The Midnight Feast" is more than a mystery; it's a psychological exploration of human nature, exploring themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions. As the night wears on and secrets are revealed, Foley keeps readers guessing with twists and turns that add layers of intrigue and suspense.

The pacing is expertly controlled, building steadily toward a climax that is both satisfying and unexpected. Foley's ability to maintain suspense while delving into the characters' inner lives ensures that the novel remains engaging and thought-provoking throughout. "The Midnight Feast" solidifies Lucy Foley's reputation as a master of the thriller genre. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and gripping plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction and anyone who enjoys a tale of mystery and deception set against a backdrop of intrigue.

A perfect moody mystery, with everything you love about Lucy Foley. Small English town, local folklore, spooky creatures. It was a page turner!

BIRDS - Love them or hate them? This book will definitely have you thinking that a few times.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved the vividly described setting as well as the plot.. The characters were easy to follow and flowed well with the story. The only issue I had with this book is that I got lost sometimes and the timeline flipping was confusing at times. I definitely see why she wrote it that way so I do let it pass. The ending did not disappoint! I will be reading more from Lucy as this was my first glimpse and I loved it!

I wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't for me. The characters and storylines were interesting, but there was too much to keep track of with not enough plot. I really enjoyed The Guest List by Foley, but this book was a miss. I gave up about halfway through, found the spoilers online and am content.

Foley writes good mystery, that cannot be questioned! I really like the pacing and intrigue that she puts into her books, and I will always be on the lookout for her next. This one struck a bit of a resemblance to her book The Guest List, but not so much that it bothered me. Another win for Foley. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is Lucy Foley's best work yet! Loved the timing of the release to coincide with the event honored by the book - summer solstice! The characters were delightfully hateable, the plot was compelling, the short chapters and alternating perspectives (Foley's signature!) were anxiety-inducing in the best way. It's no exaggerating that I simply couldn't put this one down. A significant comeback from the sort-of letdown of THE PARIS APARTMENT and already looking forward to Foley's next work.