When the Night Breaks

Midnight #2

by H.M. Darling

Love is easier in the dark… isn’t it? Willa has lost everything. Her family. Her home. Her love. Even her life. But, if there’s one thing she’s good at, it’s picking herself up and starting again. On a rainy night in November, Willa finds herself back on the streets of Paris where she died, determined to find a reason to smile again. After a car accident stole his life, Wren wakes up every morning and falls asleep each night hating the monster death made him. When Willa finds him on the edge of the Seine, ready to drive a stake through his own heart, she finds something familiar in his eyes… loneliness. For each step Willa takes forward, Wren takes one back. It seems like the only time they truly belong together is in bed. If only Wren would open his mind to the life he could live… if only Willa would let herself be happy in one moment instead of worrying about the next… if only the night was enough to hide their secrets.
Author's Note: When the Night Breaks is book two in the Midnight Series. Any of the books in the series can be read as a stand-alone, but the characters are interconnected. When the Night Breaks includes adult content and reader discretion is advised.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

H.M. Darling is a new adult indie author that lives and burns in Arizona with her scrooge of a cat named Tobey. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She writes books full of morally gray characters, villainous love interests, and tops it all off with lots of spice!

When she is not writing, you can usually find her collecting houseplants, listening to Taylor Swift, or reading a book from her never-ending TBR list.

Reviews

[Brianna Citino · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I can’t promise you perfection, Willa. I can’t promise you joy. But I promise to be here with you.”

Run and get this book! Today is the release day for this wonderful book! If you love vampires, enemies to lovers, stories that take place in Paris and some spice then this book is for you!

[bookish Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot believe this. Got the opportunity to read the ARC last year and I could have sworn I reviewed it. Well better late than never. To the author I apologize. I am grateful for the opportunity you granted me. I decided to pick this book up again this year and I must say it’s still lovely. It’s simple and hits on some topics close to my heart. A great short read to get out of a romance reading slump. A the twist at the end fantastic. How do you continue to live when you wish otherwise?? It’s even more difficult when you are now immortal

[Amber Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

When The Night Breaks is the second installment in the Midnight Series. I highly recommend reading the series in order, though not completely necessary, reading the books in order allows for a much deeper understanding of how all the characters connect to each other, and a much better understanding of their interactions amongst the friend group.

After reading the first book in this series, I was expecting When the Night Breaks to start off slowly, with a slow burn romance. I was completely wrong. Since we had already gotten a glimpse of Willa's story at the end of the first book, this book hits the ground running with Willa and Wren's story, ramping up the angst and spice within the first couple of chapters. I loved Willa and Wrens chemistry, I loved how broken the characters are in this story, and I loved watching their journeys dealing with their inner demons. What I did not love was the feeling of déjà vu I kept having while reading this book. More than once I felt like Willa and Wren had already gone through a particular scenario in this book, felt like a couple sentences were changed but the act was the same.
Overall I enjoyed this story, even felt that this installment of the series was better than the first book, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[McKenna Lash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful book from H.M. Darling💕 (4.5/5⭐️)

This book was a wonderful read, and I am forever grateful to Hayley for allowing me to continually be a part of her process. I read this book as a beta, but have fallen behind on my reviews, hence why I’m finally getting around to this one.

The first book of the Midnight series was my all time favorite book from H.M. Darling thus far. It is definitely hard to top. I loved getting to see the beautiful and tragic story of Willa and Wren. It was very intense, emotional, and a wonderful representation of what it is like to struggle with mental health issues while trying to be happy and live your best life.

The only “gripe” I have with this book (and the reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars) was that the relationship between Willa and Wren felt very toxic at times. I couldn’t get behind their love dynamic as much as I could with Addie and Holland. I know relationships aren’t always sunshine and rainbows, but there are some things I think both of them did that crossed the line a bit. I did appreciate how vulnerable it did feel though as a consequence.

I can’t wait to see the rest of the stories of the Midnight girlies💕

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you @writerhdxrling for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC! I absolutely loved it and these are my honest thoughts 🩷

I loved loved loved reading about Wren and Willa’s journeys. Their stories were so emotional because they’re both broken in the beginning and are trying to navigate their way through their emotions and struggles.

They have both been through so much and I loved seeing them find peace with each other. They both deserved it!

I also thought this book perfectly captured Willa’s struggles as a new vampire. It wasn’t easy for her to control her temptations but she was trying to find her way.

The spice in this book was AMAZING!! 🌶️ The chemistry between Wren and Willa was off the charts, right off the bat!

⚠️Please check trigger warnings before reading this book!⚠️

When the Night Breaks is Book 2 in the Midnight series by HM Darling, but can be read as a stand-alone! It is available TODAY on KU!

[Jacsan Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted an ARC of When the Night Breaks and I loved it! This was my second fantasy book that I’ve read. I normal don’t normally read fantasy but I loved this book.

When the Night Breaks is the second book in the Midnight series. We get to know Willa and Wren. Both very broken individuals trying to find a purpose to live. This book speaks highly about suicide and death, so please check the trigger warnings!

Willa and Wrens story was very emotional! We got to see all the rang of emotions they were going through and all there struggles. I think the booked captured perfectly what Willa’s was going through as a new vampire. I would have loved to see more of wrens story, but I am content with what was provided.

This book was amazing to read! Thank you H.M Darling for gifting me an ARC!

[LUreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Read as an ARC

I love Willa and Wren together, they have no problem teasing and pushing one another! Their relationship includes struggles and growth, they aren't perfect, but together they find happiness.

Summary:
Willa has only been a vampire a few months, and while she has great friends, and a successful business, she is quickly realizing that being a vampire is hard, eternal life is lonely, and maybe it's not all that much better then the human life she left behind. While balancing her vampire instincts, she meets Wren, a cute boy who can understand her pain. But, he can understand it all a little too well, because while Willa is looking for a reason to live each day, Wren is trying to end his own life. Between the sass, sex, and bloodlust, Willa and Wren have a lot to offer one another, if only they could figure out how to communicate.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realized this was my first vampire book. Gotta say, I dig it! The idea of claiming, neck biting , pfft, yes. Silently kicking myself because I read this book first, instead of reading them in order. I realize the author mentioned they did not need to be, but personally I don’t like to read series out of order. That aside, this was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed the spice, the storyline and the ending. It’s hard to describe in words how I feel about the main character. I don’t often like when the FMC is a damsel in distress or wallowing in their struggles for too long in books. I absolutely love character transformations and growth, but not when the entire book is made up of them being smothered by their regrets or past. Not saying this book was the case, but the main character did bug me a little.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I can't promise you perfection, Willa. I can't promise you joy. But I promise to be here with you."

I was gifted "When the night breaks" as an ARC, in return I have to give my honest opinion.

This book is the second in a series. The Midnight series by H.M Darling
I honestly loved the book. It had a lot of aspects of things I like. Paris, love, enemies to lovers, sadness, vampires and spice.

I think Willa and Wren are my favorites. Don't get me wrong, I love Addie and Holland but there's something more to Willa and Wren that makes me love them more.
They have spice, tension and so much trauma that they have to work through.

This book was a nice break from reality for me.

Run and get this book.

[Elise Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are sweet stories and very moving...

This book is about Willa she's the best friend of Addie from the first book and now vampire.. She's had so many heartbreaking things happen to her as a human and as a vampire. Holland and Addie are in this book but Wren is now introduced. He's a very hot and very sad, suicidal, heartbreaker vampire.. Willa and him go through hell and its a really heart wrenching journey. However more characters are brought in before the HEA. I'm hoping for another book based on Sophie, Holland's sister and does Addie become a vampire? Keeping fingers crossed! I recommend this book highly! Oh hottest and steamy scenes are included and boy did my toes curl! 😈💥😈

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying this a new Author to me. I just fell in awww and love with her writing! This is Willa and Wren’s story. You get all the feels in this book! They both have a lot of struggles, but being together I think they helped one another more then anyone could know! This story is written so beautifully! The ending pure perfection! If you love dark romance, vampires, and spice then this a must read for you! I can’t wait to read more by this Author!!!!

[Ashli Volk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to, yet again, be an arc reader for this series. This was a great sequel to ‘Till the Sun Dies. The story of Willa and Wren was a tragedy for sure.

The internal conflict both of them struggled with the entire story, was sad and tense but the moral of the story is when u are broken, lean on those that care to help you pick u other pieces. Beautifully told and can’t wait for the next book in the series 🥰

[Rona · Rating 5 out of 5]

H.M. Darling is amazing, I have read each book as it has come out.
This book, hit high for me.

****Trigger Warning*****


Throughout all of my years of reading, I don't think I have read a book that has truly hit the mark when it comes to mental health. From the depression to the s* thought. It shone a light on it in a tasteful way. I connect to the characters. I appreciate that in a book and in an author who does it justice.


With that being said, the smut was top-notch!

[Sydney Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. Although this is a series this can definitely be read as a standalone. I never read the first one and was able to get through the second book just fine. This was a super cute vampire romance set in Paris. I really liked how the love wasn’t super sappy but still included life struggles that we don’t get to see represented often in romance books. The spice scenes made this book 10x better. 5/5

[Madz Lollar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great, quick, cozy smut read from HM! This time we get to hear from Willa! I was so excited to read about Willa and where Paris took her and Darling did not disappoint. Wren is everything. I thought i was obsessed with Holland but my lord Wren is even hotter. Wrapped up nicely in the end and kept me wanting more from this friend group. Looking forward to learning more about Sophie & Indy next! 4/5 ⭐️

[Bee . • ° ★ . • . * ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was significantly better than the first one, but stil... meh.

Both characters should not be in a relationship, at ll. Willa needs to figure who she is and what she wants, alone. She's skipping between men and grasping for something, thinking it will bring her what she needs and it most likely won't.

Wren was cute but that dude had deep issues. He needed therapy, stat. He used Willa as a coping mechanism and what was very unfair to their relationship.

[Brandy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overall good book. This is definitely all smut and a sprinkle of plot. This series seems to be more smut than plot. This book will tell the story of Willa’s vampire life, while Addie and Holland are in it you don’t get much of them. You definitely don’t need to read the first book to read the second.

[Allie Ponsock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this book! I finished it over a week ago and I’m still thinking about it daily. This was the book my heart didn’t know it needed. Willa and Wrens story was so captivating and emotional, I just absolutely loved it. 10/10 recommend! I can’t wait for the next book!!

[Christina Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author has written Willas point of view and her emotions was fantastic!
To go through what she did and to go through the motions of trying to heal, and let Wren into her heart was rewarding to read.
Two people that need to heal at the same time makes for a hard real relationship.

[Samantha Tolliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon :)

[Arianna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly really good. So good that I'll probably go see H.M Darling at barns when she comes. 🫶