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Defying the Stars #2
Forsaking Midnight
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 15:23:07
5 copies available
U.S. only
From the Queen of the Never After retellings comes a modern-day Lancelot & Guinevere filled with serious yearning, hate-to-love you vibes and a happily ever after
Some sins are worth the fall . . .
Lance Calloway fights when they tell him to fight. Bleeds when they tell him to bleed. Breaks when they tell him to break.
Six years in an unsanctioned cage, and the one line he's never crossed? Loyalty to his best friend, no matter the cost.
Then he's asked to protect 𝘩𝘦𝘳.
Genevieve DeGrance didn't ask for any of this.
She came to Rosebrook Falls to be with the mayor's son. But nothing in this town is what it seems. Especially not the dangerous fighter who watches her every move like a threat.
She hates him.
He can't stand her.
And yet . . .
The more time Lance spends guarding Genevieve, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to someone else.
And the more she uncovers about Rosebrook Falls, the more she realizes the only honest person in her life is the one man she's forbidden to want.
In a town built on secrets and lies, falling for each other could destroy them both.
But staying away might be the one fight Lance can't win.
Tropes
💜 forbidden
🌙 enemies to lovers
💜 best friends girl
🌙 forced proximity
💜 he falls first
🌙 morally grey hero
💜 protector MMC
🌙 slow burn with SPICE
Some sins are worth the fall . . .
Lance Calloway fights when they tell him to fight. Bleeds when they tell him to bleed. Breaks when they tell him to break.
Six years in an unsanctioned cage, and the one line he's never crossed? Loyalty to his best friend, no matter the cost.
Then he's asked to protect 𝘩𝘦𝘳.
Genevieve DeGrance didn't ask for any of this.
She came to Rosebrook Falls to be with the mayor's son. But nothing in this town is what it seems. Especially not the dangerous fighter who watches her every move like a threat.
She hates him.
He can't stand her.
And yet . . .
The more time Lance spends guarding Genevieve, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to someone else.
And the more she uncovers about Rosebrook Falls, the more she realizes the only honest person in her life is the one man she's forbidden to want.
In a town built on secrets and lies, falling for each other could destroy them both.
But staying away might be the one fight Lance can't win.
Tropes
💜 forbidden
🌙 enemies to lovers
💜 best friends girl
🌙 forced proximity
💜 he falls first
🌙 morally grey hero
💜 protector MMC
🌙 slow burn with SPICE
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Emily McIntire
20 books29.3k followersEmily McIntire is a #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Romance where the stakes are impossible and the happily ever after is always worth the fight. Her books span sub-genres and have been translated into over a dozen languages, hitting bestseller lists around the world.
A stage IV breast cancer thriver, you can find Emily in Tennessee with her family and her cats who think they run the house.
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A stage IV breast cancer thriver, you can find Emily in Tennessee with her family and her cats who think they run the house.
Sign up to Emily's Newsletter and get bonus content! -> https://mailchi.mp/emilymcintire/sms-...
Find Emily!
Newsletter sign up -> https://mailchi.mp/emilymcintire/sms-...
Reader Group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/mcincult
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/itsemilymci...
TikTok -> https://www.tiktok.com/@authoremilymc...
X -> https://www.x.com/authoremilym
Website -> https://www.emilymcintire.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Want to Read
February 6, 2026I hope it's Lance's and Genevieve story 🤞🤞
Edit (Feb 2026): We have a description and a cover reveal 🎉😍 There will be different deluxe editions.
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥. Lance Calloway fights when they tell him to fight. Bleeds when they tell him to bleed. Breaks when they tell him to break.
Six years in an unsanctioned cage, and the one line he’s never crossed? Loyalty to his best friend, no matter the cost. Then he’s asked to protect 𝘩𝘦𝘳. Genevieve DeGrance didn’t ask for any of this.
She came to Rosebrook Falls to be with the mayor’s son. But nothing in this town is what it seems.
Especially not the dangerous fighter who watches her every move like a threat. She hates him. He can’t stand her. And yet… The more time Lance spends guarding Genevieve, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to someone else.
And the more she uncovers about Rosebrook Falls, the more she realizes the only honest person in her life is the one man she’s forbidden to want. In a town built on secrets and lies, falling for each other could destroy them both. But staying away might be the one fight Lance can’t win.
Covers: https://www.facebook.com/authoremilym...
Edit (DEC 2025): We hape tropes 💕
🔥 Forbidden Romance
🔥 Hate to Love
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn (With a spicy payoff)
🔥 Touch Her And Die
🔥 He Falls First (and lies about it)
🔥 Morally Gray Hero
🔥 Yearning that Ruins Lives...Literally
Microtropes
✨ Proximity Disorder: "Why are we arguing this close?"
✨"If you die, I'll kill you" energy
✨Mutual Choking Fantasy (Derogatory...and not)
✨Jealousy Mismanagement: "I hate you, but I hate that he's touching you."
✨Identity Crisis: "You're not mine...why does it feel like you are?"
Edit (Feb 2026): We have a description and a cover reveal 🎉😍 There will be different deluxe editions.
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥. Lance Calloway fights when they tell him to fight. Bleeds when they tell him to bleed. Breaks when they tell him to break.
Six years in an unsanctioned cage, and the one line he’s never crossed? Loyalty to his best friend, no matter the cost. Then he’s asked to protect 𝘩𝘦𝘳. Genevieve DeGrance didn’t ask for any of this.
She came to Rosebrook Falls to be with the mayor’s son. But nothing in this town is what it seems.
Especially not the dangerous fighter who watches her every move like a threat. She hates him. He can’t stand her. And yet… The more time Lance spends guarding Genevieve, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to someone else.
And the more she uncovers about Rosebrook Falls, the more she realizes the only honest person in her life is the one man she’s forbidden to want. In a town built on secrets and lies, falling for each other could destroy them both. But staying away might be the one fight Lance can’t win.
Covers: https://www.facebook.com/authoremilym...
Edit (DEC 2025): We hape tropes 💕
🔥 Forbidden Romance
🔥 Hate to Love
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn (With a spicy payoff)
🔥 Touch Her And Die
🔥 He Falls First (and lies about it)
🔥 Morally Gray Hero
🔥 Yearning that Ruins Lives...Literally
Microtropes
✨ Proximity Disorder: "Why are we arguing this close?"
✨"If you die, I'll kill you" energy
✨Mutual Choking Fantasy (Derogatory...and not)
✨Jealousy Mismanagement: "I hate you, but I hate that he's touching you."
✨Identity Crisis: "You're not mine...why does it feel like you are?"
Want to Read
February 6, 2026Omg! Look at that cover! 🥰🤯🔥
Want to Read
October 7, 2025Ordered from B&N
July 2026
July 2026
Want to Read
April 9, 2026July needs to hurry the fuck up 🙄
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not-published-yet
October 23, 2025Omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg
Want to Read
April 3, 2026A Lancelot & Guinevere retelling? With an HEA?
TAKE ALL MY MONEY
TAKE ALL MY MONEY
May 8, 2026
Title: Forsaking Midnight
Author: Emily McIntire
Series: Defying the Stars, 2
Format: Edelweiss ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Genevieve (FMC) & Lance (MMC)
What to expect:
*Modern day retelling
*Enemies-to-Lovers
*Best friends girlfriend
Safety:
On page cage fighting and death. FMC is dating/engaged to OM for majority of the story but there are no on page sex scenes between the two.
Review:
Emily McIntire is known for her amazing and engaging retellings, and Forsaking Midnight is no exception!
Lance and Genevieve had intense love/hate chemistry with each other, but had to cover up their feelings due to extenuating circumstances. Lance suffered years of use and abuse, Gen was sheltered and lied to throughout her life. Together, they have to destroy their pasts to build a future.
It is highly recommended that you read the first book in this series before reading Forsaking Midnight. Many of the characters cross over, and parts of the storyline from the first book are mentioned.
Author: Emily McIntire
Series: Defying the Stars, 2
Format: Edelweiss ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Genevieve (FMC) & Lance (MMC)
What to expect:
*Modern day retelling
*Enemies-to-Lovers
*Best friends girlfriend
Safety:
On page cage fighting and death. FMC is dating/engaged to OM for majority of the story but there are no on page sex scenes between the two.
Review:
Emily McIntire is known for her amazing and engaging retellings, and Forsaking Midnight is no exception!
Lance and Genevieve had intense love/hate chemistry with each other, but had to cover up their feelings due to extenuating circumstances. Lance suffered years of use and abuse, Gen was sheltered and lied to throughout her life. Together, they have to destroy their pasts to build a future.
It is highly recommended that you read the first book in this series before reading Forsaking Midnight. Many of the characters cross over, and parts of the storyline from the first book are mentioned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews