Nocturnal

by J.J. Foraday

Noah Beach survived his first year at Lockwood University. Barely.

But survival came at a cost.

He is no longer human.

Now he’s something else entirely — stronger, faster… and losing control. Haunted by the deaths he couldn’t stop, Noah is done being the one left behind. If anyone comes for him again, he won’t hesitate.

Surrounded by enemies, watched from every angle, and unsure who he can trust, Noah is pulled deeper into a world of manipulation, blood, and war.

Because at Lockwood, power isn’t taught.

It’s taken.

And this time, Noah is done playing by the rules.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 29, 2026

About the author

J.J. Foraday writes dark academia and supernatural fiction, blending mystery, moral ambiguity, and hidden worlds that exist just beneath our own.

Their debut novel, Lockwood University: Vanished, is the first book of a planned trilogy. The sequel to Vanished is expected late summer 2026.

When not writing, J.J. Foraday travels with his partner, or you will catch him walking his Yorkie-poo.

Reviews

[T || · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nocturnal is Book 2 of The Lockwood University Series.
Another 10 star from me for this series
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This review may probably contain spoilers as I rage quite abit at JJ, what can I say? I am very passionate about this series 👀🤣😮‍💨.

Nocturnal this time round is rated New Adult so therefore 18+ as it is mentioned it features alot more darkness compared to Vanished (Book 1), and as the characters are getting older and more mature, there will be some Secual Activity. (Spelt wrong on purpose).
Compared to Vanished, Nocturnal does come with a list of triggers this time round, but trust me when I say, it is issues that are bareable!
🌛 Violence throughout, including against a pregnant woman.
🌛 Secual content. (Spelt wrong on purpose).
🌛 Mentions of D£ug & Alcohol misuse
🌛 $uicide Attempts
🌛 PTSD/Mental Health distress
🌛 Mentions of SA (Secual Assault) (misspelt on purpose)
🌛 References to Childhood Tr@uma that some readers could find distressing.

I did not only ARC Nocturnal but I also beta read it, and JJ felt my full wrath (I'm sure he can confirm if asked lol). I absolutely 1000% have been OBSESSED with all things Lockwood since I found JJ, I'm grateful to have came across his tiktok as now not only do I have another Indie Authors series I LOVE, but I have found a friend too!

Page 1 opens similar to page 1 in Book 1 Vanished, I was instantly absorbed into the storyline as it picks up after the events of Book 1 (no spoilers, but you should probably know since you need to read Book 1 Vanished, to understand ANYTHING going on in this read). JJ's writing in Vanished was incredibly done, but Nocturnal- hot damn. JJ completely stepped it up more than a notch, his writing had improved massively and you really can tell. I was on an emotional rollercoaster liturally right from the VERY beginning. Like wtf JJ??? He just throws you right in there, no warming up at all (but I did love that).. just like Vanished (Book 1), Nocturnal is written from the POV of Noah Beach, who is still trying to overcome huge adjustments in his life, he emotionally feels like he is drowning with everything that happened previously, and constantly wants to feel pain (enter the 💀 attempt trigger warning).
Throughout the story we get to see his relationships grow with all his close knit circle & we get to meet Ruby & Roman's adorible child (that kiddo has my heart JJ).

JJ had none stop emotional messages from me throughout this read - and also had alot of laughs due to my reactions to things - he gladly had fun in my emotional turmoil Nocturnal trauma. The twists and turns yet again done by JJ was done with incredible skill, twists that even I did not pick up on and it was complete awe and shock factor throughout.

There is some spice in this Book, but it is nothing like the major chilli factor, as JJ wanted the main focus to remain on the storyline which is totally understandable and done amazingly.

My jaw hit the floor throughout, I laughed, I cried, I think I even had to step away for a few minutes at one or 2 points due to the shock factor (not because of triggers etc)... the hate I felt towards characters, the fear I felt for those characters I loved, the overall atmosphere within the world liturally just kept you on a constant knife edge wanting AND needing more. I read Nocturnal within 12 hours (I liturally didnt put it down and just had to keep going) JJ couldn't/didn't believe me when I was like "okay doneeee. Now we need words." 👀🤣

JJ, Nocturnal is 100% a step up from Vanished & you should be incredibly proud of this work, I know for a fact my hubby best do something to fund my book addition to this series as I NEED every version. K thanks ❤️❤️❤️

Continue to be incredibly proud of this, because as a fan of these books, I'm incredibly proud of it for you!

Bring on book 3 already, I'm dying here.
🩸🧛‍♂️🐺🧙‍♀️🧙‍♂️👥

Favourite quotes / Lines ~~ (this was hard to keep small)

Dying isn't the hard part, staying dead is.

"Only Pu$$ies hit women"

"You should have chosen option one,"

"Why are you being such a bitch"

[Redacted for spoilers] 's bedroom is immaculate. Of course it is. Nothing is out of place. I bet [redacted] irons her knickers.

I will protect Roman's [redacted] until I die. And vampires don't die. This time it's different. This time I'm strong enough. [Redacted]'s safe. Anyone who forgets that will learn the hard way.

"You want a mop and a bucket?" (This line killed me for about 15 mins). 🤣

"That post is getting reposted faster than a wizard with a wand up his ass".

"You bitch slapped me"

"I don't think I've ever seen anything more adorible. And I don't even like babies"

"Help me up so I can hug you, you pu$$y"

"If you're going to limp, at least do it with dignity"

"Stop getting your G-String in a twist"

"A real man let's his emotions out"

"Grief does things to you"

I could go on forever but I won't 👀🤣

[Maggie Sugar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this one, much like the first. Thanks to the author for the advanced read!! I have so many notes and quotes that I will go another time as I have to go to work, but this review will be updated as I go 🤣

Nocturnal is a dark supernatural academia with so much emotion. It is not just “supernatural university”; it is grief, guilt, found family, trauma, power structures, Royal corruption, and one very self-destrucive MMC trying to turn pain into purpose.

Our MMC protagonist Noah is funny, reckless, loyal, self-destructive in a way that makes him relatable and loved rather than polished "know-how". In the first book he lost his brother and his best friend - the guilt, the violence, and the constant feeling that he is becoming something worse are a constant tension in the book.

I loooved the detailed world-building here, where in the first I felt something lacking, the author delivered x2 in the second. We get more details on each species, and I love the idea of witches and wizards being different, not only in their type of magical abilities but also their strengths/weaknesses - Also I love gran Medusa - I think she should get her own novela of becoming what she is today!

The mix of vampires, shifters, wizards/witches, warefolves, Royals, old laws, hidden archives/forbidden history, and unsuccessful experiments gives the story a bigger political layer but not in just in a 'conspiracy' level, but it inhances the story beyond the romance and friendship that we also get going on.

The romance is cute, I wouldn't give it one full chilli in terms of PC scenes.

Pacing is again started slow the first few chapters, then half way trough first term it goes to medium and last term is still medium but so much happens that you think you can't take it anymore, AND then you get another revalation!!!😅 despite the pace we have many family links and subplots that are hidden and not so hidden in plain sight that will click at the end and you will have to collect your jaw 😄 it is 100% bingable. I finished it in one day 😅

The final term is where everything turns feral and high-stakes. We get the exposure of the truth, Noah isn't a hero by any means, he hurts people and his choices and morals at times are questionable and at the end exposes himself in a way that makes you love him even more - he gets the truth out but at a cost not many will be willing to pay.

Overall, though, it has that “just one more chapter” that I would not recomend reading in public without any tissues 😆

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like dark themed Academia books with mystery, intrigue & trials, then I would say give this series a go - This is book 2 & I would recommend that you read them in order.

You follow the crew from book 1 (no spoilers), with a few new introductions along the way. But as in most series, book 2 is the place where you start to get more character development & depth as you get to know them, & this book is no different in bringing to life the main characters.
On a side note - I want a Wink!! I enjoyed the more mysterious vibes in this book, with the 'extra curricular' activity / trials that Noah & co are put through, giving more texture to the plotline.

Pacing is similar to book 1, starts off slow & builds as the book goes along, once you get to about the mid-way point it's flying. Personally I love a fast paced read, but I found the creative plot line kept me engaged in the narrative throughout the slower times & then I was hooked as the pacing picked up.

For those that love their spice, this book does give you an ikkle hint of spice, but it is 'closed door' action, so not really any hot & steamy going on between the sheets or the pages! I do believe the spice train will be featuring later in the series. However, if you like a bit of blood & gore then you will 100% enjoy this book as it has definitely upped the anti with regards to the graphic nature of some of the fight scenes in this book - which I'm here for.

Overall, I would say this series is getting better, as the author gets into their stride. They are not scared of being harsh with a character which I love, & as before the modern language used gives it a fresh spin on other Academia novels. So, if you're looking for a book with an Academic vibe like Zodiac Academy, or one that has a similar gruesome flavour like the Sanatorium, & puts the characters through a few trials like Blood of Hercules, but you want it all with a more modern flavour & British vibes, then I would say grab a copy of 'Vanished' (Book 1) now, so you are ready for the release of 'Nocturnal' at the end of May 2026.

** Thank you to J.J Foraday for the free ARC copy of this e-book, I'm leaving this review voluntarily **

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was incredibly honoured to receive "Nocturnal" as an arc read after reading Vanished and falling in love with Lockwood University and all its characters!

What a story!
Once again I was giggling, shook and a few jaw dropping moments through the story. I loved how descriptive the writing was, nocturnal played out like a movie in my mind and I was instantly back to Lockwood university with the same loved characters and new ones! "Noah" and I loved how his friendships/ relationships developed in Nocturnal and I really enjoyed some new characters in the story "hugo".

The storyline was incredible once again and I loved the darkness that was ramped up throughout the story, the descriptive writing was incredible and dark! especially Sanger in the basement! That scene was just WOW!
5/5.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review and I cannot wait for book 3!
🤗

[Lucee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the 2nd in the series. It is amazing 👏🏾
If you love Harry Potter and that sort of world, you will love this 😁

I couldn't put it down, especially the last 50% when things started to heat up.
I love the friend group, I was definitely shocked with one particular character and the twist at the end. Things were not as they seemed and I would of never have predicted that 😳

Noah and Milles relationship I adore. I have warmed up to Brent especially in the last 50% 😍

Also what i love is the fact that the world building isn't to difficult and confusing to understand like a lot of fantasy books.

This is so deserving of the 5⭐️

[Stephanreece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I revieved an ARC copy of Nocturnal.
I loved Vanished, it got me into reading, reminding me of a British Zodiac Academy. The sequel, Nocturnal, was darker and plenty more action. However I found the heart warming, magical moments the best. I loved the new character Hugo. There was also a huge plot twist that I did not see coming. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I loved the character journey and how the author brought the characters to life. I did not want to put this book down. Each chapter had you wanting to continue reading to see what happened next. Highly recommend this book.