Midnight Is the Darkest Hour

DNF'd at 30%

DNF @ 57 pages.

I just cannot get into this, which is such a shame as I loved The Last Housewife, but this one is not doing it for me. May come back to it at some point though.

Brb as a I cry about the fact that I didn't love this one when I've adored the other two thrillers I've read by Ashley Winstead (In My Dreams I Hold A Knife is one of my favorite books of all time). 
I am not a religious undertones thriller girlie unless it's a.) a cult or b.) historical fiction with a focus on witches. 
So the premise was already not one that stood out to me. 
I probably wouldn't have even picked it up if it wasn't written by Ashley. So maybe that's on me. But I did pick it up. And I did finish it. And here we are. With me being left extremely disappointed. It took me forever to get through when I've devoured all her other works as fast I could. 
Oh and also I hated the ambiguity of the ending in this one. Just the last straw on a book I already wasn't enjoying. 

Midnight is the Darkest Hour is advertised as a thriller but really it's a drama with an unhinged romance and a bit of mystery. I loved the creepy, humid, cloistered feeling of Bottom Springs in southern Louisiana. Winstead really created an isolated and moody atmosphere with her prose. 

Ruth and Everett, though town outcasts, are just as strange as the other residents—in their own special way. Neither of them are likable characters, but I lived for the tension between them and their codependent romance. 

The mystery surrounds the dead bodies showing up in the swamp and the secret lives of the zealously religious residents. It wasn't too complex but still kept me interested. 

P.S. Yes, there are numerous Twilight references. If you hate the series or don't like the idea of a repressed, neglected teen finding solace in a mediocre vampire romance story, then this book isn't for you. 

my expectations were way too high for this book, but i based them off of the blurb, so is that my problem or ashley's?

i'm fucking shaking

The ending. Oh my god!! What am I to make of this?? lol..... I want more. I want another. I want to find out and hear more of the stories. What happens to Bottom Spring after???

I found myself going through a ton of emotions with the book. As an atheist, I found myself angry and yet understanding of their plight, the small town Bible Belt mentality (that I deal with living in Texas as well). I found myself conflicted trying to determine whether I liked Ruth's character and went back and forth several times. I believe I favored and have more personal connection to Ever.

Ultimately, I was excited to find time in my life to get back to reading this book and that doesn't happen often

3.25

this was not nearly at christmasy as i wish. the romance was cute but not memorable. the smut and writing ate tho. 

3.5 Stars

Ive had so many emotions reading this. Anger, Frustration, and hopeful. Ruth is our main character throughout the book, and its told through her POV. Ever, Ruths best friend, had my heart the whole time. So mysterious and sweet. A few twists and turns. And what an ending...

Warning: Triggering content and Religion extremes

Rounded up from 3.5/3.75 (still thinking...) Read more like dark fairytale than thriller to me. More dark themes from Ahsley Winstead - religions/patriarchy.

this was not for me

this was SO GOOD it did feel like a romance at times but i had 0 problems with it the ending was BATSHIT crazy. Ashley Winstead NEVER disappoints me
NOTE: After letting it sink it a bit I am lowering to a 4 bc I did remember feeling like nothing was happening at a point in the story so I cannot give it the full 5 stars

Bonnie & Clyde

I have to admit, this book marks a significant upturn in my reading experience. Being a discerning critic when it comes to thrillers and spooky tales, I can confidently assert that “Midnight Is the Darkest Hour” by Ashley Winstead shines as a remarkable 5-star read. I devoured all 12 hours of this audiobook within a mere three days, and I've been enthusiastically recommending it to my book-loving colleagues and friends who savor the authentic essence of true crime in their literature. Allow me to paint a vivid picture of this outstanding narrative.

Step into the intriguing world of Bottom Springs, Louisiana, a place where religiosity reigns supreme and where the devil and the mythical Low Man inspire equal trepidation among the townsfolk. Here, the daughter of a devoted pastor and the offspring of a sinner share an unbreakable bond forged by love and shared blood. When a battered skull is discovered in the swamp, adorned with enigmatic symbols etched onto the surrounding trees, the town's well-concealed secrets and underlying ugliness are poised to explode into the light.

This book, my friends, was an unexpected delight! I can't quite put my finger on what I anticipated, but it certainly wasn't this stunning, dark Southern Gothic tale, interwoven with a sinister undercurrent that flows through its entrancing prose. While it may not be a rapid-paced, twisty thriller, its deliberate pacing is the perfect accompaniment to this enthralling exploration of religious fanaticism, hypocrisy, power struggles, and misogyny, all threaded with a long-buried murder mystery. Ashley Winstead has excelled in infusing feminist themes into her narratives, and this offering stands as proof of her remarkable talent.

Experiencing this story in audiobook format elevated my enjoyment to another level. Narrator Sarah Welborn brings the characters, particularly Ruth and the town of Bottom Springs, to life with remarkable finesse. Her accent and rhythm contribute to the haunting ambiance, making me feel completely immersed in the narrative.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for granting me the privilege of delving into this audiobook ahead of its release.

4.5