Midnight Is the Darkest Hour is an intoxicating suspense read

Ashley Winstead has quickly become one of my favorite authors. That’s why I was so excited to be able to read Midnight Is the Darkest Hour early.

First, let me thank Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me a physical ARC. I devoured it all in one night and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I mean I still haven’t stopped thinking about it even now.

While normally I’d share the comp titles for a book, I feel like this one is best to go in, knowing as little as possible. If you knew what it was compared to, it might give a little bit too much away and frankly, I want as many people as possible to read this.

If you’re a fan of Ashley Winstead, you might be surprised by what’s inside or think that she’s done it once again so let’s get into my thoughts.

Midnight Is the Darkest Hour is engaging, suspenseful and nostalgic.

As someone who has proudly read Ashley Winstead’s entire backlist, I feel like I can confidently say that Midnight Is the Darkest Hour is a swift departure from her other books. In a way, that’s exactly how she’s made a name for herself, and her recent release hasn’t changed that.

The book follows Ruth Cornier who is the preacher’s daughter but she has a terrible secret and it’s entangled with her best friend: Everett. While the two seem very different in the beginning, it’s clear they have a connection, and at 23, they’ve known each other for six years. The two are bonded together by something unspeakable and the past has come back to haunt them.

Set in Bottom Springs, Louisiana, Ruth is stuck between letting the past lie and moving forward or trying to forge a new path. The story takes place in multiple timelines with some following the present and others jumping back into the past. We see Ruth grow up, her friendship with Everett blossom, and she eventually makes some tough decisions on what to do and how to be the best person she can be.

While a majority of the story focuses on Ruth and Everett, we’re also learning more about the town, its myths and legends, and just how “godly” Bottom Springs really is. Of course, that’s in large part to Ruth’s father. Everything is wrapped in God and being seen as good in the eyes of God while also turning a blind eye to what’s going on under your very nose.

Midnight Is the Darkest Hour is such a fresh and engaging story, though. Plus if you’re a Twilight lover, then you’re going to enjoy this. Ruth is introduced to Twilight as a teen and can’t stop thinking about it, talking about it, or relating things in her life back to the book. It’s pretty relatable as someone who also loves Twilight and grew up with it.

In a way, Midnight Is the Darkest Hour doesn’t just fit into one category of book. It’s a suspenseful thriller while also being a coming-of-age tale, a love story, and a tragedy all rolled into one. If you haven’t picked this book up yet, then what are you waiting for? This is easily one of the best books I’ve read the entire year.

Midnight Is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead is out now where books are sold.