Mine After Midnight

by Lauren Jackson

I shouldn't have come back.
Bryn Walter left town five years ago with one forget Asher Vale. The boy from the wrong side of everything. The boy she was never supposed to love. The boy who promised to protect her - no matter what it took.

I never let her go.
Asher left, but he never gave her up. He watched. Waited. Returned, again and again, to the place she left him, clinging to a promise that was never meant to fade. Bryn was always his - he's made sure of it.

Being back was supposed to be temporary.
The moment Bryn sees him again, the past snaps tight around her throat. Their connection is still there - stronger, darker, impossible to ignore. And as pieces of what really happened begin to surface, Bryn starts to realise the some love stories don't end.

Because Asher's devotion was never innocent. And loving her isn't the worst thing he's done.

Readers who love these tropes will love Mine After Midnight:
??Masked man
??Morally grey
??Good girl x bad boy
??It's always been you

Audible Audio

Expected publication October 13, 2026

Reviews

[Dannii Logan]

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Where do I begin? Ash is our gorgeous morally grey masked man and Bryn is our beautiful lost soul

This book had me binging from page 1, when I HAD to put it down, It meant I was getting off a train or about to enter disneyland.

The whole vibes that were portrayed in this book had me gravitating back to it every moment I could. Spooky.... Fright night... Amusement Park.... Masked man.... 😍😍

Tropes
🚶Childhood sweethearts reunited
👻 Morally grey MMC
🚶 Haunted maze with cat and mouse game
👻 Stalking but she's into it
🚶 Masked man
👻 Touch her and die
🚶 She might be more obsessed then he is

This book also has some really hot scenes 👀👀 just thought you should know that.

Mine After Midnight is being released on the 13th October just in time to be your next spooky read! Make sure you preorder now so you can have it ASAP after it's released.

Make sure you also check out the rest of Lauren Jackson's work.

I would like to thank Penguin and Lauren Jackson for giving me this awesome opportunity to read this book early. 🥹

[alexis]

“Curiosity will get you into trouble” he drawls “Maybe I like a little trouble”

“You dont seem lost” “ that’s because your here”

Lauren! What delicious goodness did you put in this?? Love that this was set in Australia! Ash & Bryn are childhood sweethearts, tragedy pulls them apart and they find each other years later. Ash is an obsessed masked stalker and his devotion to Bryn was next level. Bryn, the poor soul was lost and struggling to find herself and her purpose. But when they find each other it’s like they are pieces of a puzzle clicking into place.

And if you know that hot masked guy that slides on his knees a lot on TikTok… and if you dont, look him up and you’ll know exactly who Ash is meant to be and HOT.

I feel like this would be the perfect introduction to dark romance for a newbie! It had everything i absolutely love about a DR, morally grey MMC, some trauma, MASKS, hotttt scenes.

♥️ Second Chance
♥️ Masked MMC
♥️ Dark Romance
♥️ Morally Grey MMC
♥️ He chases her
♥️ Obsessed MMC

[Brownskinnedreader]

2.5 stars.

Format: Audiobook

Whew! I had to crack my fingers to write out this review.

Bryn got *claps* on *claps* my *claps* last *claps* nerve!!!*claps*

Did you want your sister to scream it to the top of her lungs?!?!?! Asher got it the first time you talked about your sister but you couldn't pick up anything. I felt like she needed someone to hold her hand, walk her to a huge sign and point to every letter. I also don't get how she would believe Asher would ever want anyone but her. This boy is literally going out of his way to see her. She stated her sister would play the victim but I felt like she had a side that played victim also. In those five years, she still didn't grow up. She was just as clueless as an adult. UGGHHHH!

Now, the book was written pretty well, you can tell when there was a change in time and scenery. The narrators were also really good.

[sladjana.reads]

I’m dnf’ing the book at 44%
I love Ash - he is the only reason I kept on going. And he’s giving Fryboy vibes which is awesome.

But Bryn is literally clueless about everything in her life and she’s giving me whiplash. Her sister is being abused and she doesn’t notice it? I clocked it at 14% and so did Ash when he started asking her questions. And yet Bryn still had her head up in the clouds.

I also couldn’t get past them having a second chance and after their first’ish encounter 5 years later she gets on her knees and sucks him off at the amusement park he works at. What? The whole time line jumping pack and forth threw me off and I had to double check multiple times to see if I was reading about present time or was it 5 years ago. At this point I was more interested in Ash’s psychopath of a brother Kaine, then I was with their on going relationship.

I really wanted to like this book. But I just couldn’t vibe with the characters. But as always, just because it wasn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean its not you’re type of tequila 🍸

[Davina Kempnich]

I was so lucky to receive this arc and my goodness to did it live up to its hype!!
I cried i laughed and i loved following along the story of Bryn and Ash

This story had you from the first page and had me literally obsessed! I mean a haunted maze and a masked man what more could a dark romance lover want?

I love supporting Aussie authors make sure you pick this up!

[Ellenmareereads]

My first ever ARC from Lauren Jackson & Penguin!! Thankyou guys so much for the opportunity 😍 I loved this book so much! Never knew how much I would like dark romance! This is my first masked man book too 😍 Bryn & Ash are my favourite dark romance couple right now! Their story is gonna stick with me forever! I need more please!

[Leonie G S]

ARC read of Mine After Midnight

If you are wanting to try a dark romance but not sure where to start, this is the book for you. But please read the trigger warning.
Mine After Midnight is set in Australia follows the story of Bryn and Ash and their journey to finally coming together. The heart breaking truths and devastating trauma these two experiences brought them together but nearly broke them apart completely.
I enjoyed the way Ash was completely obsessed with Bryn and his determination to not give up on getting her back.



Masked men
Spooky season at a theme park
Dark romance
Morally grey
Stalking
Flash back
Cat and mouse

[Kate Lauder]

A masked man, a haunted amusement park, and a love story that never really got its ending… what more could you want? 🎭🖤

Mine After Midnight was such a quick and easy read for me. I finished it within 48 hours, and I honestly found myself wanting to get back to it every chance I had.

Going into this, I expected a much darker romance, but I actually found it surprisingly easy to get into. Yes, there are darker elements, but I wouldn't consider this an extremely dark romance. If you've read romance before, I think you could comfortably jump into this one. Definitely check the trigger warnings first, though, as there are themes of stalking, obsession, grief and mentions of death.

What I really enjoyed was getting to know Ash and Bryn across the two timelines. We see their relationship five years ago and then in the present, which gave us the chance to understand what happened between them and how much they've both changed.

Ash has so much going on in his own life, particularly with his brother and his dad, and I loved seeing how Bryn brought out a softer side of him. She gave him a space to just be himself, and I think that really added another layer to his character.

There was also something about the atmosphere of this book that completely worked for me. Fright Night, amusement parks, haunted mazes, masked men and a cat and mouse game - it was such a fun setting for this story👀

And the romance? There are definitely some spicy moments in here🔥🖤

My favourite quote —>
“I don't know how to love you in a way that's light,” he murmurs.
“I don't think I've ever wanted light,” I breathe back.
Like… COME ON. 😭

My biggest complaint was the ending because I WANTED MORE. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Ash and Bryn just yet!
Overall, this was an addictive, atmospheric and surprisingly accessible dark romance that kept me turning the pages.

Tropes:
*Childhood sweethearts reunited
*Morally grey MMC
*Masked man
*Haunted maze
*Cat and mouse chase
*Touch her and die

Out 13th Oct!
Thank you to Penguin AUS and Lauren Jackson for the physical arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess | books.with.jesss]

Thank you so much Penguin Australia for the gifted physical copy in exchange for an honest review!

Riveting, dark and spicy.

Bryn Walter has only felt everything for one boy. But that one boy is also the one who broke her heart and left her to pick up the pieces. So when she returns to the town that started it all, she doesn’t know how long it’ll be before all the old feelings and emotions rush in.

Asher Vale has only ever loved one girl. Bryn. Losing her was the worst thing that ever happened to him, so when she’s back in the town that brought them together, he’ll do anything to claim what’s his and never let her go. Except he’s hiding a dark secret from Byrn, and if she were to ever find out, it could destroy everything.

Bryn only planned on going back temporarily but once she sees Ash and the man he’s become, she’s overcome with waves of emotion and suddenly doesn’t want to leave. She craves his attention and secretly loves that he stalks her and keeps an eye on her from afar. Will their story have a happy ending? Or are there dark forces at play that threaten to ruin everything?

I was hooked immediately and couldn’t wait to devour Ash and Bryn’s story. This is a dark romance so I would highly recommend looking at the content warnings before reading as there are a few themes that may be distressing to read.

My only issue - which is very small and petty - is that I found there were barely any contractions. It was almost like a word count needed to be met, as there were quiet a few times where it would’ve flowed better to combine the words. Other than that, it was an enjoyable read, but definitely one that content warnings need to be read before proceeding.

Perfect for fans of a fast-paced, ‘it’s always been you’ dark romance that will have you biting your nails in anticipation of what comes next!

[Jahnavi]

I'm grateful to Lauren for selecting me as the arc reader for this book.


The story follows the childhood sweethearts who once loved and know each other so much that they don't need each other to tell what they are thinking.
And how they got together afterwards.

The story is so good we can complete it fast and there are some scenes where I crave for ash because damn how much he loved her and understood her made me love him so much . And he loves so much that i wish I had ash in my life
I know he is morally gray character but that's what make him special.

He loves her like breathing and cannot survive it without her.
There is this one conversation with his frnds where the frnd say are you thinking about her
Ash goes like when doesn't I think about .
All I think about is her omgggggg I was kicking my feet and squealing while im reading.
And i felt all the butterflies when ash and bryn are together. I was feeling so giddy and happy for them and I feel like I was intruding the tension and the intimacy had me hooked.

And coming to FMC she is no lesser obsessive and possessive than the MMC.
She is such a lost soul but yeah she could have understood earlier anyways.

Bryn and their friends omggg I loved them. Females friendship without jealousy and being for eachother always have my heart.
Tess and elodie are great friends. Ahhh i love them.

And isla omg why does she have to do that.
If you wanna know what isla had one you should probably the read book.
Hifi

[Summer]

‘I didn’t come into your life only to leave it,’ he adds. ‘It’s always going to be you.’

Mine After Midnight by Lauren Jackson – where do I even begin?

I was gifted this as an ARC by Penguin Random House Australia via NetGalley, and this book DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT.

I read it within 24 hours, that’s how good it was. It follows the typical boy-meets-girl, fall-madly-in-love, something-happens-and-they-part-ways, only to come back to each other when they’re older storyline. But I love that kind of stuff – otherwise I wouldn’t be selling romance books, lol.

It did surprise me, though. I definitely didn’t see something in particular happening, and I was a little like OMG.

It doesn’t beat around the bush; it gets straight into the story, which I both love and hate sometimes. For this story, though, it worked really well. You follow Ash and Bryn through their past and present, and the two timelines flow seamlessly together.

Mask kink. Dark. Trauma bonding. High school sweethearts. What more could you want?

The ending pissed me off, though. I wanted MORE! Lauren, please tell me there will be a follow-up to Ash and Bryn’s story – don’t do this to me, girl!

‘The lines don’t exist when it comes to you. I’ll cross every one of them, Bryn, because you’re mine, and I won’t let anything touch you.’

[Paige Seach Sorrenson]

ARC review
4.75 ⭐️
3 🌶️ (moderately descriptive, primal & mask play)

Dual POV - past and present timelines - first loves reconnecting - poor boy x privileged/rich girl - scare actor - heavy themes, check triggers

I thoroughly enjoyed this, we meet Ash and Bryn after Bryn comes across Ash half conscious on the edge of a lake after being beaten by his older brother, we quickly learn that Ash has a hard home life and Bryn lives what is perceived to be a rich and privileged life. I fell in love with BOTH of their love stories, I could have read both separately and enjoyed them but intertwined together? Incredible. I feel like Ash is the type of obsessive Bryn absolutely needed in her life and Bryn was the first person to see Ash and accept him as he was. I loved the addition of primal and mask play and that he was a scare worker at an amusement park

I was soo excited to see what type of journey Lauren was going to take us on as we have only seen a little bit of darkness in the Red Thorne Trilogy. She also did not disappoint in the 🌶️ scenes

[Dot Howarth]

ALC REVIEW

Thank you so much Libro for this audiobook!

I haven’t read anything from Lauren Jackson before, but considering im attending her book launch I thought I would! And I’m glad I did 😍

This was a masktok girls wet dream!!!!
What do you mean he’s a fright night performer 😮‍💨 You know that guy that slide on his knees to scare people , yah… that’s Asher!

Mine after Midnight follows Bryn & Asher and is dual timeline! You’re wondering the entire book what separated them, so I loved the tension throughout and the puzzle pieces clicking into place.

This does have some pretty heavy themes, so be sure to check trigger warnings!

Also the narrators are Australian, this took me a minute to get used to, but I ended up loving it. The narrators did a great job!

🖤 childhood sweethearts
🖤 masked men
🖤 morally grey MMC
🖤 stalking
🖤 touch her and die
🖤 spiccyyyyy

Perfect read for spooky season 👻

[Emma]

5⭐ Easily

First of all I want to thank Lauren for the ARC, I feel so lucky that I'm one of the first people to read Mine After Midnight.

Now the review :)

The story is very very well written. I was on the edge of my chair the whole time. I liked the going back in time and vasicly reading 2 stories in one.

Now Ash... Wow he is my time of man, just chef's kiss. You can tell that Ash really cares about Bryn. I likes how obsessed he was with Bryn. Ash is easily in the top of my book boyfriend list.

I'm actually really sad the books is over. I could have read 600 more pages about Bryn and Ahs's story.

My review doesn't even come close to describe how much I loved this book.

Mine After Midnight is THE perfect read for this fall season;


🍒It's always been you
🍒Touch her and 💀
🍒Masked man
🍒Fright Nights
🍒Stalker
🍒Obsessed man
🍒He definitely fell harder

[Emily Croker]

I really enjoyed mine after midnight! I've only read a few dark romances but I've really grown to enjoy them. This one however really topped all of them. I liked the obsession and the intrigue of this book. I loved the connection between Ash and Bryn. There's also some heartbreaking scenes in this which I thought were very well written.

The good girl x bad boy and it's always been you tropes in this were perfection!! I feel like every book I've read by lauren jackson( I've read 4 now) every book just gets better and better. So thank you netgalley and lauren jackson for the arc xx. I love forward to reading more of Lauren's books. :)

[Chantelle ✨]

I absolutely loved this book! Mine After Midnight was fast-paced, addictive, and had me hooked from the beginning.
If you love dark romance with Fright Night vibes, a cat-and-mouse chase, a masked man, second-chance tension, and a morally grey hero who has never stopped wanting his girl, this one is for you.
Asher and Bryn’s chemistry was EVERYTHING. The obsession, the yearning, the little details he remembered after all those years… I ate it up. I especially loved how their history slowly came back into the story and made you realize just how long Asher had been holding onto her!!
Definitely read it!

[Amanda]

Ugh I wanted to love this one because I love a romance with a morally gray masked man. What I don’t like is a willfully ignorant FMC. Bryn is just absolutely clueless and it irritates me to no end. Even when Asher would ask leading questions and her sister would make glaringly obvious statements, she still walked around with her head in the clouds. So many things, so much trauma, could have ended sooner if she wasn’t so self absorbed and ignorant.

2.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you Penguin Random House Australia and Libro.fm for an ALC of Mine After Midnight.

[Lara]

4.5/5 ✨
Mine After Midnight is timed perfectly to coincide with the spooky season, but paired perfectly with a second chance romance where the MMC is the epitome of yearning.

I was captivated by the dedication and love between Bryn and Ash, in an after dark, fog eclipsed amusement park with all the jump scares.

Truly cannot wait for the Masked Devotion series!! The biggest thank you to Penguin and Lauren Jackson for this eARC!!!!!

[Catie Cheeseman]

I really enjoyed the alternating time perspectives each chapter, giving the reader a more in-depth view of Bryn and Ash's relationship and other parts of their love story we were missing. There was a clear writing style change as well which really differentiated between the ages of the POV. I loved Ash's possessiveness and the length he goes to protect Bryn. I was absolutely not prepared for that plot twist at the end though!

[Heidi Lauper]

Thank you Lauren and Penguin Australia for this ARC- all thoughts are my own.

Dark romance lovers, this is for you! Masked man, haunted amusement park, a maze... it's all there.

Bryn and Ash are a second chance and they've got it all going on... he stalks her (but she likes it), good girl x bad boy...

The line between love and obsession is indeed blurred as they rediscover each other. I loved his realisation that sometimes you need to let go to let people choose.

[Amy Elste]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️

ARC Review

I absolutely love a Bryn & Ash 😭 They were so perfect, and just as equally obsessed with each other!

I really enjoyed the switching between past and current timelines, I think it worked really well to understand our MC’s backstory! And I was expecting that little twist at the end 😮

This is a second chance, morally grey MMC, fright night themed dark romance with it’s always been him/her vibes 🖤

A huge thank you to Penguin for the gifted copy 💕

[Kirsty]

ARC REVIEW

Lauren Jackson, this is the first book of yours that i have read… gasp!! I absolutely loved it!! I couldn’t put it down and loved Bryn and Ash’s story and the twist and turns through out, definitely 5 stars for me 🖤🖤

[•mikaela• :)]

✨ALC Review✨

A masked man romance? Set in Australia? That was delicious. 😋

Emotional, heartbreaking, spicy and swoon worthy.

[Lauren⚡️]

this was so romantic and tragic and hot and entertaining? definitely check the triggers as it mentions some sensitive topics but I loved this one!