The Night We Became Strangers

by Lorena Hughes

An inmersive, historical novel based on true events: In 1938, Orson Welles’ legendary radio dramatization of H.G. Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds terrified Americans into believing Martians were invading. Eleven years later, an Ecuadorian radio station adapted the show—with catastrophic consequences. Now, two young journalists are determined to uncover what really happened to their families that night—even as secrets endanger their future.

1957: Aspiring photojournalist Valeria Anzures returns to her hometown of Quito with a secret: to discover what really happened to her parents. The disastrous 1949 War of the Worlds show caused a mob to torch her family's radio station—and the newspaper run by their closest friends, the Monteros. The tragedy shattered the families’ relationship—and left the station on precarious financial ground. Now, expected to save her family’s legacy through an arranged marriage, Valeria will risk everything to find out the truth. Even if it means allying with the man she's always loved—but who now treats her like a stranger.

For Matias Montero, the scars of that night run deep. He saved his mother but blames himself for not rescuing his father. As a journalist, he feels Valeria is a rival. Still, they’re both on the same mission.  Perhaps, together, they can unearth the past their families and friends would rather remain buried.

Valeria and Matias soon find trusting each other is as dangerous as the attraction they can't resist. Between their families' mutual hatred, duplicitous witnesses, and insidious lies, exposing the real story will put their future on the line—and ignite revelations no one saw coming.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Audiobook, Historical, Suspense

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Lorena Hughes is the award-winning author of The Queen of the Valley, The Spanish Daughter and The Sisters of Alameda Street. Born and raised in Ecuador, she moved to the United States when she was eighteen. Her novels have earned acclaim from outlets such as The Washington Post, Ms. Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Woman's World, PopSugar and BuzzFeed. The Spanish Daughter was an Amazon Editors' Pick, a Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books selection, a Once Upon a Book Club pick, and a Reading Group Choices Most Popular Books of the Year. Lorena can be found online at Lorena-Hughes.com.

Reviews

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was such a relevant book for today considering all the talk of the end of times. Two journalists are trying to get to the bottom of what happened and the relationship between the two of them is fascinating. I really loved the descriptive narration of this book. Exploring themes of trauma and family rivalry, this was a relatable book in so many ways

[Carter Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Night We Became Strangers. The story was well developed and drew me in. For the first time in a long time I was DEFINITELY not able to guess the ending of this story. It was gripping and mysterious. I loved getting to jump perspectives and see every angle of what was going on.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
The drama caused by the radio drama "The War of The Worlds" in the states took eleven years before unleashing the same panic in Ecuador. In 1949 violence and panic erupted as people thought they were being attacked by aliens and were in fear for their lives.
For one young girl who lost both her parents and has now returned from years at boarding school those events continue to haunt her. For the boy she grew up with and loved the disaster lingers as well. Their families once friends are now enemies. The chapters alternate between two time lines covering friendship, jealousy, a love triangle and the broadcast that changed everything. Emotional and dramatic - a story of love, betrayal and women without a say in their lives that is cross-cultural and timeless. Based on a true story this is historical fiction that will resonate with women. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 my advice is don’t bother! The timelines are confusing and the story lacks umpff.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!!
i did really enjoy this one, i appreciated the different storylines and timelines and how they all came back to tie the story together. loved the setting! historical fiction with a big dose of mystery and romance

[Syndrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Rating this as a 3.5 on sites that allow half stars.)

Based on a real life radio broadcast that occurred during 1949 in Ecuador, "The Night We Became Strangers" is a mash-up of family drama, romance, and a bit of mystery that readers will likely find hard to put down.

I will say that this story wasn't exactly what I thought it would be — I found it to be way more romance heavy than the blurb implied — but I did still find it to be a rather entertaining story. Told throughout multiple timelines and POVs, I think Hughes did a great job weaving the entire story together in a way that made sense while also tying up all the loose ends. Four POVs might sound like a lot up front, but I appreciated having the extra perspectives there to really tell the story in a more comprehensive manner.

My one major complaint about this book would be the prologue in particular. In my opinion, I think it gave too much away just from the first few words and even though it didn't give away the entire story, I do wish that piece had been revealed naturally during the course of the novel instead.

That said, I would still recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction — especially if you're looking for one that has some feuding family related forbidden romance!

(Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advance review copy for free via NetGalley! I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.)

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book centers on the distaster surrounding a radio station who edited Orson Welles’s radio dramatization of H.G. Wells’s novel The War of the Worlds, leading people to believe Ecuador was actually being invaded by Martians in 1949.
In four distinct narrators, a beautiful layered story is told.
Matias & Valeria in the 1949- 1957 timeline and Marisa & Alicia around 1935. I really appreciated how unique the narrators were, and even though the book bounces around in timelines and narrators I found it really easy to follow.
The pacing at the start was languid and great for getting to know Quito and the characters.
I really enjoyed this book, and happy to get another eARC by Lorena Hughes, thanks to NetGalley.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the real-life airing of H. G. Wells' novel War of the Worlds in 1949 Ecuador, Lorena Hughes presents a dramatized imagining of why the radio broadcast went over the air after the same event caused mass hysteria. Across four points of view and dual timelines, we come to understand the events of the night in question and their lasting effects on two prominent media-reporting families. The mess and complexity Hughes brings to her characters really bring the story to life. Easy to read and wonderfully written, I think my favourite scenes are in the tense opening chapters as we find ourselves among the panicking populace as they hear word of Martians attacking. I did struggle at times, however, with keeping the families and points of view straight. There's just a lot of family members mentioned, and I really would have welcomed a family tree.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Elise a.k.a. PAPERNERD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very nice and relaxing read, from what I usually read...and I loved it.

The story was over 2 generations and the catastrophic outcome of the radioplay from Orson Welles about martians (Which I am sure, you are familiar with, what happened back then in the USA) - but in South America...

It was easy to read and to get into.

Would absolutely recommend, if you want a nice book "inbetween" your usual literary preferences...

[Ashley Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author and Publisher for the opertunity to read an ARC and provide an honest review.
The Night We Became Strangers is a wonderfully written book that really takes people back in time to an extremely unfortunate event. The writing provides so much detail allowing the reader to really feel the terror and panic everyone went through on the night of the incident.
After the incident we jump forward in time and get to know our characters who are beautifully written. The love, hate, confusion, and every other emotion is clearly communicated to the reader allowing you to become invested in the young woman's life.
this is an extremely well written story with just enough mystery and romance to keep the story balanced and well rounded.
this is definitely a read I sugest to anyone who likes historical fiction and to those who like cozy mystery books.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awkward writing.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. There was drama, mystery, romance and excellent character development.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars rounded up. Thank you to the publishers for the ARC of The Night We Became Strangers.
This was a compelling two-generation historical fiction family drama. The Infamous War of the Worlds radio broadcast is aired in Ecuador 11 years after its initial release, and the panic it sparks sets off a devastating chain of events for two intertwined families. Years later their children must piece together what happened that night, uncovering buried family history.
I loved how the parents and children's storylines were interwoven, it had the juicy drama of a telenovela complete with complex family dynamics, messy girlhood, forbidden romance, and a touch of mystery. The pacing, plot and characters all had me hooked, a throughly enjoyable read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This week, Lorena Hughes released her fourth novel, The Night We Became Strangers. Taking inspiration from a disastrous 1949 radio broadcasting in Quito, Ecuador, this novel dives into what caused such a risky broadcast in the first place and looks at the aftermath. Two families torn apart, two kids—now young adults—left with more questions than answers, and a drama that spans the 1920s through 1950s: this is a gripping historical fiction that examines breaks in communication.

What I Liked:
- Exposing the 1949 radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds in Ecuador. I’d never heard about this (nor the earlier broadcast in New Jersey and New York, which had similar results)—but this is why I love reading historical fiction. Here, the author comes up with some dramatic reasons for why the broadcast happened, and the lasting repercussions between two families. The real-life tragedy that followed this broadcast is present, even if this novel focuses on the fallout years down the line.
- Family rift vs. young love, Romeo and Juliet style. While the feelings between Valeria and Matías in 1957 don’t play out like a straight-forward romance, there is a strong sense of that Shakespearean play. Their families, once close, have been at war with each other since the broadcast, and Valeria and Matías are forbidden from seeing each other. And yet, the heart wants who it wants.
- Multiple POVs and times. This novel jumps back and forth in time and each chapter follows a different character. Chronologically, we get chapters for Alicia and Marisa in 1929-1935; Matías in 1949 during the broadcast; and Valeria, Matías, and Alicia in 1957. I loved getting to see mid-20th century Quito, a major city but still feeling like a small town. The characters are complicated and not always likable. They make mistakes, but are those mistakes forgivable?

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- The resolution to the mystery feels a bit anti-climatic. This may be because the prologue revealed too much. While there are still some surprises along the way, the family drama is kept on a smaller scale than I’d hoped.

Final Thoughts
The Night We Became Strangers is a fascinating novel of all the ways a communication breakdown can wreak havoc, both on a community and on two specific families years after the event. I enjoyed diving into this piece of radio broadcasting history and getting to know mid-20th century Quito. This is my third time reading Lorena Hughes and I look forward to more from her!

Special thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel is inspired by a real historical event, a radio broadcast in Ecuador that caused mass panic and deadly consequences. That alone is a fascinating and tragic piece of history, and it’s something I had never heard of before. Unfortunately, as I read further, I began to feel that the historical event functioned more as a loose framework than the heart of the story. The focus leaned heavily toward personal drama, jealousy, and revenge, rather than fully exploring the history itself. Knowing how much documentation exists from that time, including newspaper coverage and recorded fallout, made it feel like a missed opportunity. I kept wishing the author had woven more of those real, specific details into the narrative to give the story greater weight and depth.

Structurally, the book moves very quickly. The chapters are short and the timelines shift often. While that keeps the story moving, it also made it difficult for me to fully settle into scenes or characters. Just as an emotional moment began to build, it would end, and we’d be pulled somewhere else. Over time, that constant forward motion started to work against the story rather than for it.

I also struggled to feel immersed in the historical setting. Even though the novel is set in the late 1940s and 1950s, the world never quite came alive for me. The dialogue and internal reflections often felt modern, and there weren’t many everyday details to ground the story in postwar Ecuador. I wanted to know more about daily life, social expectations, and cultural norms of the time. Instead, the setting often faded into the background, making the story feel more timeless than historically rooted.

Because of all this, the book frequently read more like YA than adult historical fiction to me. Not in terms of content, but in style. The prose is accessible and fast-paced, the emotional beats are fairly surface-level, and the emphasis is on plot momentum rather than depth or atmosphere. For some readers, that may be a plus. For me, it left me wanting more complexity, emotional buildup, and historical texture.

Overall, this wasn’t the best book I’ve read, and it didn’t fully live up to what its premise promised. I appreciated learning about a real historical event I hadn’t known before, and the mystery kept me engaged enough to finish, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the story only scratched the surface of what it could have been. With deeper character development and a stronger commitment to the historical setting, this could have been far more impactful.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. This did not influence my opinion.

[María Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, this author surprises us with a well written, well researched novel (her fourth.) Set in her favorite location, her native Ecuador, Lorena Hughes takes us to Quito in two different timeframes. Combining a universal theme, the Martian craze of the late 40s, and an episode of Ecuadorian radio history, the novel describes an attempt, in 1949, of copying the Orson Wells feat. Dire results derive from this adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds.. What becomes a national tragedy particularly affects two families involved in radio business, creating a sort of Montagu-Capulet feud. A decade later, the inevitable happens, a Romeo and Juliet romance ensues with unexpected twists. Valeria and Matias decide to investigate that fateful night event when her mother and his father died in mysterious circumstances. That leads to love and other surprising findings. As usual, LH’s knowledge of time and culture help create an exotic landscape of traditions, landmarks, even food. The author has captured the atmosphere of the late 50s with accurate descriptions of clothing, music and familiar names (some have been changed since the real Mexican pop star is still very much alive.) Another interesting touch―and a common theme in Hughes literature―is the generational conflict. Valeria’s attempts to discover the family history are merged with efforts to become a professional photographer and escape an arranged marriage. The author navigates with great nuance throughout the patriarchal South American world of the first half of 20th century avoiding traps of modern feminism. It makes fun reading but also offers a different view of the little-known Latin American culture. I would highly recommend it.

[The Bookish Bulletin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I was astonished when I realized this story is based on real events… Once I started reading, I was completely absorbed.

How would you react if you thought your city was being invaded by aliens? That’s what citizens of Quito had to face in 1959 when a local radio station aired their adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, terrifying the local population into believing that Martians were invading their city. The evening ended in tragedy.

I deliberately decided not to look up the historical facts before delving into my reading, making it especially interesting to discover as the story unfolded.

The story is told from the perspective of two children impacted by that night’s events who, years later as young adults, try to piece together their families’ roles in the tragedy. A second (dual timeline) perspective is offered from two best friends who participated in the tragic events.

I enjoyed Hughes’s writing style, the dual timeline approach, the short chapters, and the character development that took place alongside this main story. I also found it fascinating to delve into the topic of mob mentality, and it’s more lasting impact.

This was my first time reading Lorena Hughes but I now plan to catch up on her previously published titles.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Yari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night We Became Strangers by Lorena Hughes (book cover is in image) is set during and just after the Ecuadorian production of HG Wells, War of the Worlds, in 1938 and its dire effects on Quito, Ecuador. Produced a decade later after it's initial production in the US, ultimately had the same catastrophic effects as its US debut, resulting similar violence and chaos.

Employing themes of historical fiction, magical realism, family drama/saga and rivalries, we follow the two main character of Matias and Valeria learning how this one event impacted their lives and how a decade later still fuels their family feud.

Overall it was an interesting story of family drama, love and intrigue, the only criticism I have is that there were some points where there was some uneven pacing of the story. I liked how the author uses communication breakdowns as the overarching theme and reveals how they can lead to catastrophic impacts throughout a community.

Thank you @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date: Sep 30 2025
Rating: 4 Stars

#KensingtonPublishing
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[Tiffany Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

STARS:⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my first introduction to Lorena Hughes writing.

I love historical fiction, but I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant about reading a story centered on a town convinced they were being invaded by Martians. However, I quickly discovered this book has far much more dept and emotion to it than that.

Book ❤'s:
I love the feeling of being transported to another time period rich in history and culture.
I enjoyed the multiple POV and the way the backstories gradually unfolded, bringing the narrative full circle. The romance threaded through the book offered a story of love I could invest in and root for.

Book 👎:
My only criticism is that the murders felt somewhat out of place amid the emotional and historical dept of the story. They came across as slightly unrealistic and unnecessary to the story. However, it did make for an unexpected impactful ending.

I would recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction, with a side of romance and mystery.
I look forward to reading more from Lorena Hughes.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing me with advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are entirely my own.

[Ahaaha4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ecuador 1949. Aliens headed to Quito. Family drama, love triangles, jealousy, revenge combined with historical fiction….. what more would you want to read about. The Night We Became Strangers is the first book I have read by Lorena Hughes and the first book I have read about Orson Welles broadcasting of The War of The Worlds. I have had her other books marked as want to read and I will definitely read them now.

This was a very entertaining book that kept my attention from the beginning. The author does hold things back, and at times doing this makes it confusing, but hang tight you will get answers as to who everyone is and the role they play in the story. One other item to mention, it is interesting to see the role media can play and the power they have over the world. Media was dangerous and deceiving then and continues to be dangerous and deceiving today.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I will definitely recommend this book and room more books by Lorena Hughes.

[Enreich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a bit complicated for me.

On the one hand the early part of the novel, where it covers the actual "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast is just amazing, and the book itself is incredibly easy to read. Even on days where I wasn't feeling like reading I still got through a huge chunk of it.

Now, the bad thing is that the story quickly leaves the mystery of what happened the night of the radio broadcast and becomes this weird 2000s YA-like romance, where Valeria has two suitors: the meek nice guy everyone knows won't have her, and the mysterious and handsome dude who treats her like trash but deep down is smitten with her.

Lastly, the key mystery is solved on its own without either Valeria nor Matias doing much besides asking to be told what really happened. So the entire premise of the novel - them investigating what happened that night - isn't really delivered.

Still, this is an amazingly well-written book that feels just so light to read. That alone made it a joy to read even if the contents weren't all I hoped.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy and I’m leaving a honest review.

I appreciate the author note that shared her perspective and where to read the true story of this historical event because as the author stated: “Those of you familiar with my writing may already imagine that my fictional reasoning behind the event is far more convoluted than the real life drama.”

I am not really fond of convoluted drama. Thankful my life is not full of drama. These kind of books are cinematic and plot driven.
I’m also not fond of timeline switches in books, but at least each chapter was clearly dated to prepare the reader for the setting and characters involved.
I enjoyed the multiple character perspectives and the main characters were developed well.
I needed to look up some Spanish words to get the full meaning behind what was being conveyed.
The story moved along, although the writing occasionally felt full of more detailed than necessary.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mix a star-crossed fictional love story à la Romeo & Juliet with an unusual, somewhat exotic setting (mid-20th-century Quito, Ecuador), and add elements of real-life mortal tragedy forged by a local media stunt, and you have the makings of a compelling historical novel with Latin flair. Ms. Hughes’ deftly choreographed plot sequences build palpable tension, while her characters’ conflicts and passions unspool into murder, revenge, ambition, loss, redemption, and true love, all in a clever multi-perspective alternating narrative style that spans generations. Upon completing this novel, engaged readers are guaranteed to be Googling the 1949 Quito War of the Worlds radio broadcast to clarify which details from the book actually unfolded in real life (a topic the author does address in her end-notes). Fans of travelogues, media history, romance, and murder mysteries, rejoice!

[Nora Grosber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise, which centers on a radio broadcast inspired by H. G. Wells’ War of the Worlds and its dramatization in Ecuador. Although I was a little confused myself with what was going on at the beginning (maybe I should have read what the book was about), the idea of people genuinely believing that Martians were invading because of the broadcast was both fascinating and disturbing, especially knowing the terrible real-world consequences that followed.
The story that followed centers on an animosity between two families seemingly sparked by this radio broadcast, though it ultimately runs much deeper than that. The ending was unexpected and added another layer to the story. I enjoyed the intergenerational POVs, but I wasn’t fully drawn in the entire time, making this a solid 3.5/5 for me.

[Rose Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night We Became Strangers pulled me in right away with its fascinating premise, an Ecuadorian retelling of The War of the Worlds radio broadcast that spiraled into real-life tragedy. I loved how the author wove together history, mystery, and romance in a way that felt both immersive and heartfelt.

Valeria and Matias were such compelling characters, each haunted by the same night but carrying different wounds from it. Their uneasy partnership and simmering tension kept me hooked, and the balance between their investigation and personal struggles felt so natural. I also really appreciated how the book explored family loyalty, betrayal, and the weight of secrets.

The historical detail is rich without being overwhelming, and the story has a cinematic quality that made me want to keep turning the pages. If you enjoy historical fiction with suspense, mystery, and a dash of forbidden romance, this is a book worth picking up.

[GK Daffu · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, Secrets, and Heartbreak

The Night We Became Strangers by Lorena Hughes completely swept me away. Set against the devastating 1949 War of the Worlds radio broadcast in Ecuador, it follows a family torn apart by tragedy and secrets, with a mystery that unravels across generations.

What I loved most was how the author balanced the historical backdrop with such an intimate, emotional story. The characters felt alive, flawed, and real, and the mystery of what truly happened that night to their families kept me turning the pages. Beautifully written, atmospheric, and deeply moving—this is historical fiction at its finest. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Aubree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A radio station in Quito broadcasts a version of "The War of the Worlds" in 1949 and the listeners think the alien invasion is real. The episode has disastrous consequences for two families who, up to that point were best friends. Eight years later their children are grown and try to piece together the truth of what really happened that night and between their families.

Wow, I loved it! It was such an interesting premise (based on a real event) and the story was so intriguing. There were quite a few POVs and time periods but it was very organized and easy to keep track. The characters were great. The history, romance, and family drama all wove together so well. I highly recommend this book!

Content warning: An occasional, mostly mild swear (no F words)

[Dee Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Kensington Books and Lorena Hughes for the ARC.

The Night We Became Strangers based on the 1949 "The War of the Worlds" broadcast in Ecuador. In this historical fiction, Lorena provides the potential "why" behind the event and how a radio station would decided to re-air something that had already caused mass histeria before. Following two journalists, the children of those involved in the event, we explore the twisted reasons that ultimately lead to the tragedy.

I loved reading this book and was surprised by every twist and turn. I loved how this story was influenced heavily by the real event and even touched on the war between the radio and newspapers at that time. Highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction and mysteries.

[Steve Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again a gift from GoodReads became a great read for me. I have taken too long to finish this book because life kept life-ing but I found myself drawn to get back to this story. Great writing of compelling and complex characters. The story revolving around a War of The World's broadcast sounded interesting and then finding the story was set in South America made me curious. But the romantic entanglements were the best part of the story for me. I am not usually tolerant of drawn out pining between characters so at first I was skeptical of this book. But Hughes does a great job pacing the story line to keep the romance interesting and you rooting for the couples. I would definitely recommend this one.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Press for providing me the opportunity to read the advanced e-copy of; The Night We Became Strangers by Lorena Hughes.

This was a unique idea for a story with an uncommon setting in Ecuador. For me, the re-enactment of the infamous War of the Worlds radio drama didn't play as big of a part in the story line as the mystery (and romance) of what happened leading up to the broadcast and then a reconnection eight years later when Valeria and Matías decide to investigate what happened to their parents the night of the tragedy. I enjoyed all the reveals as this story progressed, and absolutely loved the epilogue. I’m very curious as to where in South America Ms.Hughes’ next novel will take us; perhaps San Cristóbal and the Galápagos Islands?