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Bright Midnight
From the New York Times bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky and Racing the Sun comes a wildly romantic STANDALONE about a young American abroad in Norway who runs into the man who broke her heart eight years ago.
After years of bartending her way across Europe, Shay Lavji has seen almost everything the continent has to offer, but there’s one country she hasn’t crossed off her bucket list yet: Norway. It’s not that she doesn’t want to visit the land of the midnight sun—far from it; she’s obsessed with the culture and is dying to see the majestic fjords for herself.
What she’s not dying to do is run into her Norwegian ex-boyfriend, Anders Johansson, who broke her heart in America eight years ago before returning to his ancestral home. The last time she saw Anders, he was a cocky, rebellious, and tortured teenager who couldn’t stop himself from pushing all of her buttons—both good and bad. But Shay isn’t going to let Anders stand in the way of her wanderlust, and besides, it’s a big country, right?
She doesn’t count on Anders seeking her out the moment he learns she’s on his home turf. When Shay sees him again, she’s shocked at his transformation into a bearded, tattooed farmer and fisherman who values family over everything else. Is it possible that time has tamed this former bad boy? Shay wants to believe that everything can be new and bright again under the summer sun, but she knows, when it comes to Anders, the darkness is never too far behind.
After years of bartending her way across Europe, Shay Lavji has seen almost everything the continent has to offer, but there’s one country she hasn’t crossed off her bucket list yet: Norway. It’s not that she doesn’t want to visit the land of the midnight sun—far from it; she’s obsessed with the culture and is dying to see the majestic fjords for herself.
What she’s not dying to do is run into her Norwegian ex-boyfriend, Anders Johansson, who broke her heart in America eight years ago before returning to his ancestral home. The last time she saw Anders, he was a cocky, rebellious, and tortured teenager who couldn’t stop himself from pushing all of her buttons—both good and bad. But Shay isn’t going to let Anders stand in the way of her wanderlust, and besides, it’s a big country, right?
She doesn’t count on Anders seeking her out the moment he learns she’s on his home turf. When Shay sees him again, she’s shocked at his transformation into a bearded, tattooed farmer and fisherman who values family over everything else. Is it possible that time has tamed this former bad boy? Shay wants to believe that everything can be new and bright again under the summer sun, but she knows, when it comes to Anders, the darkness is never too far behind.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2021
346 people are currently reading
2774 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
May 6, 2021
I just want to start by saying that I genuinely enjoy this author's work, but she's grown a LOT as a writer in the six years since this was developed - and it shows. This book also really needs a content warning, because the storyline features something that's a dealbreaker to many, many romance readers. If I knew the reason why this couple broke up the first time around, I wouldn’t have read this. Simple as that. It's not handled well either, so I was 100% emotionally detached from this love story before it was over. I'm sad to say that this didn't work for me on any level, and that's very disappointing.
I’m going to mention the reason for the breakup, so stop here if you don’t want to know. Essentially, the story follows Anders and Shay, high school sweethearts whose relationship went down in flames. Anders was struggling at the time, so he pushed Shay away in every way that he knew how - including cheating on her. Eight years have passed and they’ve both made their way in life without each other, but a chance meeting brings all of those old feelings crashing back to the surface. Despite the way Anders did Shay wrong, she still remembers the guy that she used to love. As they reconnect and rediscover the people they are now, these two former flames realize that they might just be right for each other this time around.
I have no idea why the author chose not to mention the cheating in the blurb, but based on the way it's brushed aside in this, I'm going to assume it's because we're supposed to forgive it. There's more than one instance where Anders wonders why Shay is still upset about the cheating years later and I'm like... uh, because her trust was irreparably broken? It was kind of a big deal? I'm the kind of reader who can forgive an antihero who has cheated in the past (preferably not on the love of his life), but ONLY if there's a ton of groveling and obvious personal growth. I didn't feel that here. Anders is sort of a manhoe in present day, and while he says he's sorry, I don't actually think he says that it will never happen again. I don't think he genuinely acknowledges what a big deal it was. And I don't think the relationship is overly romantic in present day. Shay doesn't make him work all that hard for her affection or her body, and their interactions in present day are broken up by frequent flashbacks that just serve as constant reminders to the damage that was done. I'd like to think that the Halle of present day could've handled some of these issues better, but that's not what we're dealing with here. I appreciated receiving an early copy (and am voluntarily leaving a review), but this was a miss for me.
I’m going to mention the reason for the breakup, so stop here if you don’t want to know. Essentially, the story follows Anders and Shay, high school sweethearts whose relationship went down in flames. Anders was struggling at the time, so he pushed Shay away in every way that he knew how - including cheating on her. Eight years have passed and they’ve both made their way in life without each other, but a chance meeting brings all of those old feelings crashing back to the surface. Despite the way Anders did Shay wrong, she still remembers the guy that she used to love. As they reconnect and rediscover the people they are now, these two former flames realize that they might just be right for each other this time around.
I have no idea why the author chose not to mention the cheating in the blurb, but based on the way it's brushed aside in this, I'm going to assume it's because we're supposed to forgive it. There's more than one instance where Anders wonders why Shay is still upset about the cheating years later and I'm like... uh, because her trust was irreparably broken? It was kind of a big deal? I'm the kind of reader who can forgive an antihero who has cheated in the past (preferably not on the love of his life), but ONLY if there's a ton of groveling and obvious personal growth. I didn't feel that here. Anders is sort of a manhoe in present day, and while he says he's sorry, I don't actually think he says that it will never happen again. I don't think he genuinely acknowledges what a big deal it was. And I don't think the relationship is overly romantic in present day. Shay doesn't make him work all that hard for her affection or her body, and their interactions in present day are broken up by frequent flashbacks that just serve as constant reminders to the damage that was done. I'd like to think that the Halle of present day could've handled some of these issues better, but that's not what we're dealing with here. I appreciated receiving an early copy (and am voluntarily leaving a review), but this was a miss for me.
July 8, 2022
"Bright Midnight" is a second chance romance about an American girl taking a trip to Norway, the country of her ex-boyfriend from high school and conveniently running into him which sparks their romance back up. It was originally set to publish 6 years ago.
The story had so much potential, sadly the execution felt like it belonged back in 2014-2015, a complete rewrite of it would have been a good call.
I'm going to start this review on a positive note, a.k.a. with The things that didn't suck about BM:
- The setting of the story, the descriptions of places were well-done, I honestly would have loved to read more about Shay traveling, see her & Anders do more than just have $ex every chapter, I feel like the chances for them to get closer, to rediscover each other, to have fun were put on the back burner with the focus all falling on their sexual connection. Give me more of Norway and less of repetitive peeny action and "Good Girl" calls.
- I quite liked Anders' sister Astrid. She reminded me of Pippi Longstocking with her apperance (wild red hair, tooth gap, fresh face), I love that she was quick to call her brother out on his sh!tty behavior:
“What did you do to her?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Girls can sense things. You fucked her over, didn’t you? What did you do? Cheat on her?”
“What’s your point?” I’m getting fed up with her in my business, especially the past.
“My point is, Anders, that I just spent hours talking with her and I like her. Okay? I like her. Don’t fuck her over. I know you broke her heart once. Don’t you dare do it again.”
- Chapters 18-20 were fine compared to the rest of the book.
And now onto the things that absolutely tanked this story for me...
Before jumping in I saw some reviews warning about it and still:
And since this book didn't really come with a warning, I'm going to give one now for all of you that hate this trope in second chance: THERE'S CHEATING FROM THE HERO & it isn't really justified or redeemed properly. Hell, for a good portion of the book, Anders doesn't really think cheating was such a big deal.
Shay Lavji: 24 years old, her parents are both Indian. Throughout the book her being brown didn't have any impact on the story/wasn't really important (I would have loved to see representation of her culture for example), even worse at times it felt like she was being whitewashed.
I found it really, really hard to connect with Shay, her logic was 90% of the time non-existent:
- Going on a trip to the country (and the town close to his village) of the ex that broke your heart and after 8 years still has you messed up. All in secret hope you would run into him.
What Shay needed was therapy to work out her issues, not to get back with the man that caused them in the first place.
- Poor planning: getting on a train, not checking the weather forecast, not carrying an umbrella when she's basically traveling the country (or a raincoat) and planning to walk on foot to the hotel that's 30 mins away. All so she can conveniently be stuck in the pouring rain so her ex can come and rescue her.
- Both her and Anders saying how their meeting was all ✨FATE ✨ when she planned the trip in hope of meeting Anders while he was religulously stalking her Instagram & knew her plans in advance. Shay would go from "it's fate, I must go with him" to "oops, I planned it", a constant nerve wracking back and forth.
I wasn't a fan of her talking badly about her older sister, when she was there for her when Anders wasn't. Why the non-stop need to shame her for not being $exually active and wanting to study.
Anders Johansson: 25, described as a "Viking & Nordic God" (he's not really one to me). He's a fisherman that also has a farm and would chase animals on his bike and seductively milk cows. If you love farm romance, this is your book.
Anders is the avarage sh!tty hero: from making cringey jokes to $exualizing the heroine any chance he gets, including when she's just eating her food. (Dear authors, eating food with passion doesn't mean the heroine wants to do the same to the hero's peeny. Please stop. It seems in books women either only eat salads, or they enjoy their food so much, they must be dying to put a d!ck in their mouths instead.)
"They are strangers. I am stranger. My hair is long, my face scruffy, like some dog on the street. I wear mostly black. I have a lot of tattoos and I plan to have more. I look different, am different.
Anders at 17 is a typical cliched edgy hero (long hair, impressive beard for a teen, tattoos, writes cringey poetry, wears only black) that showed up at the heroine's school and stole her heart.
THE RELATIONSHIP:
(THEN, 8 years ago)
The very first thing that Anders notices about Shay is her acne that's balanced by hot body. If you miss the memo the first time, he keeps reminding you she has acne. (What is with authors always focusing on that?)
"Acne scars at her chin, covered with makeup that’s a shade too light. Her eyebrows might cost her some friends. But her body is ripe, like a peach, soft and more womanly than anyone in high school should be."
His mindset about romancing Shay is quite questionable:
I know that by the end of the week, I will be whispering in those ears, I will be telling her things she wants to hear, promises I may not be able to keep. I will be her savior.
And she will be mine.
(For a person that's supposedly hated himself as a teen, Anders immediate reaction is to call himself a savior?)
When it came down to their teen relationship, I have no idea what Shay really found so appealing, to a point she dreamed of going to Norway for years.
He’s become so withdrawn and moody, drunk more often than not, even in class. He got suspended last week for smoking and then mouthing off to the teacher who caught him. I have no idea what he was doing while gone from school, and he only came back today, slipping into my chemistry class like a ghost.
Anders would go to Shay, sleep with her then ignore her for weeks. The way she talked about them being intimate wasn't at all great sounding either.
Quote
Shay felt the need to please Anders, bcs her mother chose their dad over her own daughters. Since A. was the "only constant in her life", she'd do whatever he says, she would take whatever he's willing to give. For Shay this relationship was also about being seen in school, hoping people would gossip about her.
For 8 months of dating Anders kept getting more and more detached while leading Shay on.
Here comes the big heartbreak:
(NOW)
After what he did to Shay Anders kept being friends with her bff on FB & stalking her Instagram whenever he had service. When he would return from his fishing job, he would sleep around with women in his small village to get his mind back on track.
“You’re probably the last person I imagined running into. Have to say, I still can’t quite believe it.” (He knew she would be arriving that day, and he came there hoping to run into her)
✨“You can spend a night here anytime. When am I at home? When are you in Norway? What are the odds that we met each other like this? Come on…don’t you think you should at least see the village I grew up in, the one I always talked to you about?”✨
Anders proceeded to tell her to ditch her plans and just come back to his village, stay at his farm.
“I’m sorry. Thanks for the offer, but I think it’s best if I stay here. This whole trip was meant to be for me, on my own, you know. Discovering myself and all that.”
“Don’t you think I could help you?” he says. “I did once before.”
Anders didn't seem to understand how much he hurt Shay 8 years ago, he expected her to just jump when he says
What's even worse is that after saying NO, it took Shay less than one evening to change her mind because ✨"meeting Anders again is fate"✨.
But I can’t run. I want to, more than anything. I can’t run from my past any more than I can run to it. Because my past is coming to me.
She texted him she wants to come with him and then acted as if her past is coming at her. It was no accident. This is like jumping in front of traffic and being shocked a car has hit you.
“Pretend we are meeting for the first time. Today. Right now.”
“Erase the past.”
“Maybe not erase it. Just…forget it, for now.Please. I think it will help.”
Please don’t make me explain why. You should know why.
(Or more like it was just too early for the plot to be revealed why)
When it came down to Anders he looked quite oblivious to how badly he damaged Shay with his actions, time & time again trying to minimize the impact in his mind:
I know I hurt her and, even though the time has passed, I know she’s still angry. So I’m going along with it. It’s just harder than I thought.
“Please. Just stop. It’s in the past. What happened, happened, and you’re right. We were different people.”
That’s what she says, but it doesn’t explain the way she keeps her distance from me, like she thinks I’m going to screw her over again, it doesn’t explain that I can feel her anger at times, her disappointment in me. (what part of you broke her trust don't you get?)
She’s in pajamas and a lacey white camisole that sets her skin off like fire. Her face is makeup free, making her look younger, vulnerable. Beautiful.
And to think someone like her is still searching for her happiness. (Gee, I wonder why that is?)
When it came down to Shay protecting her heart and resisting Anders after everything he did, she had no actual strength. One touch at his abs and smelling his neck was enough to brainwash her and had her dreaming about getting to know him again. Anders too was so quick to try and get back in her pants, if he was actually feeling guilty about what he did, he would respect her and keep his distance.
I mean, look at him. He’s built like a Nordic god, gorgeous from head to toe, and would definitely rack up all the views if he ever put out a Tik Tok with him chopping wood. And then there’s his soul. So damaged and soft and he doesn’t even try to hide it. He’s got the artist’s heart beating underneath a laborer’s body and sometimes there’s such purity to him that it catches me off guard. Any woman worth her salt would feel revered, respected, and adored in his presence. (I'm looking & not seeing any of it)
AND I'M SURE YOU ALL ARE DYING TO HEAR ANDERS' EXCUSE FOR CHEATING:
After zero effort Shay forgave him for all the wrong reasons.
“Forgive me, Shay. Please.”
His eyes search mine, and in their depths I see the boy I knew and loved, and the man in front of me now, and I know I would still do anything to ease his pain.
“Forgive me,” he says again, a whisper now.
I nod, pressing my lips together, trying to smile, to speak.
In the next second Anders was jumping Shay, like her forgiving him suddenly meant he can finally f*ck her.
A bunch of $ex was enough to convince Shay that they have a future:
With a long, slow shuddering breath, he looks down at me, and in his eyes I see peace. I see relief. I see both the past and the present and just a hint of a future. I know he sees the same in mine.
The whole time Anders kept insisting to go with her on a trip around Norway, when Shay finally agrees he drops all his work at the farm. They don't talk about the future or about what happened 8 years ago, don't do much of anything aside from constantly f*cking in different places and eating.
Finally, a confrontation about their relationship shows up on the horizon, Anders wants no part in it, for him it's only convenient to talk about it all when he has 5 hours to kill from a drive: he needs that distraction then.
“You don’t deserve who I really am. You deserve someone who will be with you all the time, who will give you their time and attention and affection, because you’re worth all of that and more. That’s not me. I’ll be gone all the time, and when I’m not out at sea, I’ll be working the farm. What the hell are you going to do with yourself? Sit around and wait while I’m gone? Waste your years working on a farm, milking cows?” (Aw, so sweet. Blah)
After Anders finds out Shay got prego and had an abortion, he suddenly realizes he messed up, just cheating on her and playing with her feelings for months wasn't enough of a bad deed, I guess.
“No wonder you hated me so much. I was awful. I was so fucking awful to you.”
Even after telling her he sees no future for them, he still sends her mixed signals:
“If this is closure, then how come it feels like we’re leaving a door wide open?”(Anders)
He’s the one who already said that he wasn’t going to be enough for me, that I was only going to get scraps, that I didn’t deserve a life with him, regardless of what I actually want. He’s already started the process of closing that opened door.
So maybe this proves it, I think. Maybe this proves he doesn’t know what the hell he wants.
THE WRITING:
Though catchy the writing had its flaws. Quite a few mistakes made it into the final cut (I double checked with the released version, in case it's just the ARC). I couldn't bring myself to root for A&S getting together again, especially after the sh!tty reason he gave for betraying her. I wish the author focused more on them growing as a couple, showed us more than just a constant stream of generic $ex scenes. His rebellion against his mom & dad weren't enough of an excuse as to why he needed to hurt Shay too.
"Bright Midnight" is a book with a premise that had potential if executed properly.
The hero's justification of cheating made no sense, he seemed too focused on getting laid instead of making it up to Shay & putting his needs on the back burner. The heroine was too quick to forgive & eager to get back together with a man that ruined her so badly.
I really loved other books by Karina Halle & wished so much to like this one too.
The story had so much potential, sadly the execution felt like it belonged back in 2014-2015, a complete rewrite of it would have been a good call.
I'm going to start this review on a positive note, a.k.a. with The things that didn't suck about BM:
- The setting of the story, the descriptions of places were well-done, I honestly would have loved to read more about Shay traveling, see her & Anders do more than just have $ex every chapter, I feel like the chances for them to get closer, to rediscover each other, to have fun were put on the back burner with the focus all falling on their sexual connection. Give me more of Norway and less of repetitive peeny action and "Good Girl" calls.
- I quite liked Anders' sister Astrid. She reminded me of Pippi Longstocking with her apperance (wild red hair, tooth gap, fresh face), I love that she was quick to call her brother out on his sh!tty behavior:
“What did you do to her?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Girls can sense things. You fucked her over, didn’t you? What did you do? Cheat on her?”
“What’s your point?” I’m getting fed up with her in my business, especially the past.
“My point is, Anders, that I just spent hours talking with her and I like her. Okay? I like her. Don’t fuck her over. I know you broke her heart once. Don’t you dare do it again.”
- Chapters 18-20 were fine compared to the rest of the book.
And now onto the things that absolutely tanked this story for me...
Before jumping in I saw some reviews warning about it and still:
And since this book didn't really come with a warning, I'm going to give one now for all of you that hate this trope in second chance: THERE'S CHEATING FROM THE HERO & it isn't really justified or redeemed properly. Hell, for a good portion of the book, Anders doesn't really think cheating was such a big deal.
Shay Lavji: 24 years old, her parents are both Indian. Throughout the book her being brown didn't have any impact on the story/wasn't really important (I would have loved to see representation of her culture for example), even worse at times it felt like she was being whitewashed.
I found it really, really hard to connect with Shay, her logic was 90% of the time non-existent:
- Going on a trip to the country (and the town close to his village) of the ex that broke your heart and after 8 years still has you messed up. All in secret hope you would run into him.
What Shay needed was therapy to work out her issues, not to get back with the man that caused them in the first place.
- Poor planning: getting on a train, not checking the weather forecast, not carrying an umbrella when she's basically traveling the country (or a raincoat) and planning to walk on foot to the hotel that's 30 mins away. All so she can conveniently be stuck in the pouring rain so her ex can come and rescue her.
- Both her and Anders saying how their meeting was all ✨FATE ✨ when she planned the trip in hope of meeting Anders while he was religulously stalking her Instagram & knew her plans in advance. Shay would go from "it's fate, I must go with him" to "oops, I planned it", a constant nerve wracking back and forth.
I wasn't a fan of her talking badly about her older sister, when she was there for her when Anders wasn't. Why the non-stop need to shame her for not being $exually active and wanting to study.
Anders Johansson: 25, described as a "Viking & Nordic God" (he's not really one to me). He's a fisherman that also has a farm and would chase animals on his bike and seductively milk cows. If you love farm romance, this is your book.
Anders is the avarage sh!tty hero: from making cringey jokes to $exualizing the heroine any chance he gets, including when she's just eating her food. (Dear authors, eating food with passion doesn't mean the heroine wants to do the same to the hero's peeny. Please stop. It seems in books women either only eat salads, or they enjoy their food so much, they must be dying to put a d!ck in their mouths instead.)
"They are strangers. I am stranger. My hair is long, my face scruffy, like some dog on the street. I wear mostly black. I have a lot of tattoos and I plan to have more. I look different, am different.
Anders at 17 is a typical cliched edgy hero (long hair, impressive beard for a teen, tattoos, writes cringey poetry, wears only black) that showed up at the heroine's school and stole her heart.
THE RELATIONSHIP:
(THEN, 8 years ago)
The very first thing that Anders notices about Shay is her acne that's balanced by hot body. If you miss the memo the first time, he keeps reminding you she has acne. (What is with authors always focusing on that?)
"Acne scars at her chin, covered with makeup that’s a shade too light. Her eyebrows might cost her some friends. But her body is ripe, like a peach, soft and more womanly than anyone in high school should be."
His mindset about romancing Shay is quite questionable:
I know that by the end of the week, I will be whispering in those ears, I will be telling her things she wants to hear, promises I may not be able to keep. I will be her savior.
And she will be mine.
(For a person that's supposedly hated himself as a teen, Anders immediate reaction is to call himself a savior?)
When it came down to their teen relationship, I have no idea what Shay really found so appealing, to a point she dreamed of going to Norway for years.
He’s become so withdrawn and moody, drunk more often than not, even in class. He got suspended last week for smoking and then mouthing off to the teacher who caught him. I have no idea what he was doing while gone from school, and he only came back today, slipping into my chemistry class like a ghost.
Anders would go to Shay, sleep with her then ignore her for weeks. The way she talked about them being intimate wasn't at all great sounding either.
Quote
Shay felt the need to please Anders, bcs her mother chose their dad over her own daughters. Since A. was the "only constant in her life", she'd do whatever he says, she would take whatever he's willing to give. For Shay this relationship was also about being seen in school, hoping people would gossip about her.
For 8 months of dating Anders kept getting more and more detached while leading Shay on.
Here comes the big heartbreak:
(NOW)
After what he did to Shay Anders kept being friends with her bff on FB & stalking her Instagram whenever he had service. When he would return from his fishing job, he would sleep around with women in his small village to get his mind back on track.
“You’re probably the last person I imagined running into. Have to say, I still can’t quite believe it.” (He knew she would be arriving that day, and he came there hoping to run into her)
✨“You can spend a night here anytime. When am I at home? When are you in Norway? What are the odds that we met each other like this? Come on…don’t you think you should at least see the village I grew up in, the one I always talked to you about?”✨
Anders proceeded to tell her to ditch her plans and just come back to his village, stay at his farm.
“I’m sorry. Thanks for the offer, but I think it’s best if I stay here. This whole trip was meant to be for me, on my own, you know. Discovering myself and all that.”
“Don’t you think I could help you?” he says. “I did once before.”
Anders didn't seem to understand how much he hurt Shay 8 years ago, he expected her to just jump when he says
What's even worse is that after saying NO, it took Shay less than one evening to change her mind because ✨"meeting Anders again is fate"✨.
But I can’t run. I want to, more than anything. I can’t run from my past any more than I can run to it. Because my past is coming to me.
She texted him she wants to come with him and then acted as if her past is coming at her. It was no accident. This is like jumping in front of traffic and being shocked a car has hit you.
“Pretend we are meeting for the first time. Today. Right now.”
“Erase the past.”
“Maybe not erase it. Just…forget it, for now.Please. I think it will help.”
Please don’t make me explain why. You should know why.
(Or more like it was just too early for the plot to be revealed why)
When it came down to Anders he looked quite oblivious to how badly he damaged Shay with his actions, time & time again trying to minimize the impact in his mind:
I know I hurt her and, even though the time has passed, I know she’s still angry. So I’m going along with it. It’s just harder than I thought.
“Please. Just stop. It’s in the past. What happened, happened, and you’re right. We were different people.”
That’s what she says, but it doesn’t explain the way she keeps her distance from me, like she thinks I’m going to screw her over again, it doesn’t explain that I can feel her anger at times, her disappointment in me. (what part of you broke her trust don't you get?)
She’s in pajamas and a lacey white camisole that sets her skin off like fire. Her face is makeup free, making her look younger, vulnerable. Beautiful.
And to think someone like her is still searching for her happiness. (Gee, I wonder why that is?)
When it came down to Shay protecting her heart and resisting Anders after everything he did, she had no actual strength. One touch at his abs and smelling his neck was enough to brainwash her and had her dreaming about getting to know him again. Anders too was so quick to try and get back in her pants, if he was actually feeling guilty about what he did, he would respect her and keep his distance.
I mean, look at him. He’s built like a Nordic god, gorgeous from head to toe, and would definitely rack up all the views if he ever put out a Tik Tok with him chopping wood. And then there’s his soul. So damaged and soft and he doesn’t even try to hide it. He’s got the artist’s heart beating underneath a laborer’s body and sometimes there’s such purity to him that it catches me off guard. Any woman worth her salt would feel revered, respected, and adored in his presence. (I'm looking & not seeing any of it)
AND I'M SURE YOU ALL ARE DYING TO HEAR ANDERS' EXCUSE FOR CHEATING:
After zero effort Shay forgave him for all the wrong reasons.
“Forgive me, Shay. Please.”
His eyes search mine, and in their depths I see the boy I knew and loved, and the man in front of me now, and I know I would still do anything to ease his pain.
“Forgive me,” he says again, a whisper now.
I nod, pressing my lips together, trying to smile, to speak.
In the next second Anders was jumping Shay, like her forgiving him suddenly meant he can finally f*ck her.
A bunch of $ex was enough to convince Shay that they have a future:
With a long, slow shuddering breath, he looks down at me, and in his eyes I see peace. I see relief. I see both the past and the present and just a hint of a future. I know he sees the same in mine.
The whole time Anders kept insisting to go with her on a trip around Norway, when Shay finally agrees he drops all his work at the farm. They don't talk about the future or about what happened 8 years ago, don't do much of anything aside from constantly f*cking in different places and eating.
Finally, a confrontation about their relationship shows up on the horizon, Anders wants no part in it, for him it's only convenient to talk about it all when he has 5 hours to kill from a drive: he needs that distraction then.
“You don’t deserve who I really am. You deserve someone who will be with you all the time, who will give you their time and attention and affection, because you’re worth all of that and more. That’s not me. I’ll be gone all the time, and when I’m not out at sea, I’ll be working the farm. What the hell are you going to do with yourself? Sit around and wait while I’m gone? Waste your years working on a farm, milking cows?” (Aw, so sweet. Blah)
After Anders finds out Shay got prego and had an abortion, he suddenly realizes he messed up, just cheating on her and playing with her feelings for months wasn't enough of a bad deed, I guess.
“No wonder you hated me so much. I was awful. I was so fucking awful to you.”
Even after telling her he sees no future for them, he still sends her mixed signals:
“If this is closure, then how come it feels like we’re leaving a door wide open?”(Anders)
He’s the one who already said that he wasn’t going to be enough for me, that I was only going to get scraps, that I didn’t deserve a life with him, regardless of what I actually want. He’s already started the process of closing that opened door.
So maybe this proves it, I think. Maybe this proves he doesn’t know what the hell he wants.
THE WRITING:
Though catchy the writing had its flaws. Quite a few mistakes made it into the final cut (I double checked with the released version, in case it's just the ARC). I couldn't bring myself to root for A&S getting together again, especially after the sh!tty reason he gave for betraying her. I wish the author focused more on them growing as a couple, showed us more than just a constant stream of generic $ex scenes. His rebellion against his mom & dad weren't enough of an excuse as to why he needed to hurt Shay too.
"Bright Midnight" is a book with a premise that had potential if executed properly.
The hero's justification of cheating made no sense, he seemed too focused on getting laid instead of making it up to Shay & putting his needs on the back burner. The heroine was too quick to forgive & eager to get back together with a man that ruined her so badly.
I really loved other books by Karina Halle & wished so much to like this one too.
Read
May 7, 2021DNF
I'm a little bored. Maybe I'll finish it later.
Side note, IDK why but whenever this author writes non-white characters she frequently describes them as if they were white. A lady hoo-ha doesn't have to be pink for it to be enticing. I got very confused when Shay was described as "brown" (parents from Mumbai) but with a pink vagina? I'm really not trying to be nitpicky here, but if you are going to write non-white characters, why whitewash them. You know?
I'm a little bored. Maybe I'll finish it later.
Side note, IDK why but whenever this author writes non-white characters she frequently describes them as if they were white. A lady hoo-ha doesn't have to be pink for it to be enticing. I got very confused when Shay was described as "brown" (parents from Mumbai) but with a pink vagina? I'm really not trying to be nitpicky here, but if you are going to write non-white characters, why whitewash them. You know?
June 21, 2021
i just wanna travel to norway, find the love of my life and stay there forever 😭
April 12, 2022
Sigh.
The story is told in past and present and I would have probably gave a decent rating if it had been just the present parts but the past ugggh... I'm actually upset because I was on such a good high with my last few reads.
Safety gang : not safe
The story is told in past and present and I would have probably gave a decent rating if it had been just the present parts but the past ugggh... I'm actually upset because I was on such a good high with my last few reads.
Safety gang : not safe
June 11, 2021
I was so excited when the news broke that this book will happen..
content warning especially for all of you who are looking for romance novels without certain things
all of this back and forward plotline didn't work for me as previously mention content warning some of the reasoning was just lame especially as
content warning especially for all of you who are looking for romance novels without certain things
all of this back and forward plotline didn't work for me as previously mention content warning some of the reasoning was just lame especially as
May 24, 2021
Second chance romance with cheating pls it's 2021. Two stars only for his sister Astrid don't know why I'm being generous.
wish-list
May 5, 2021Edit - May 5, 2021
Apparently this book finally comes out tomorrow?
But I'm no longer interested? lol
Happy reading to you all. Hope it was worth the wait.
Edit - Jan 18, 2021
5+ years later... 😑😑😑
Sept 13, 2015
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE?
VIKING HOTTIE?
BEARDED BAD BOY?!
I AM SOLD
Apparently this book finally comes out tomorrow?
But I'm no longer interested? lol
Happy reading to you all. Hope it was worth the wait.
Edit - Jan 18, 2021
5+ years later... 😑😑😑
Sept 13, 2015
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE?
VIKING HOTTIE?
BEARDED BAD BOY?!
I AM SOLD
nope-nope-nope
May 8, 2021It took six years to write a plot that's been done fifteen million trillion times.....okkkkkkk.
Are we done with exploring the "he slept with everyone bc he wasnt good enough" hero yet? Please lets be *bangs head against wall*
Are we done with exploring the "he slept with everyone bc he wasnt good enough" hero yet? Please lets be *bangs head against wall*
May 14, 2021
SPOILERS
.
.
.
.
.
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The H cheated on the h 8 years ago when they were teenage lovers.
He’s the quintessential bad boy with baggage for days. He was in New York for a year as an exchange student from Norway.
They adored each other but he was damaged and made some bad decisions, including alcohol and drug abuse, playing truant, and generally having a crappy attitude that got him suspended, etc.
She falls pregnant and goes to tell him but finds out that he cheated on her. That scene is brutal, and I really felt for her. In fact, I felt for him too because it’s clear he’s deeply affected by her pain and his issues. She doesn’t end up telling him about her pregnancy and later has a miscarriage.
Fast forward to the present where they meet up again. She’s been travelling and bartending and ends up in Norway.
She’s recently been dumped by her bf whom she loved. While she never forgot the H, she had at least moved on.
He’s been coasting along, looking after his family, still baggage laden.
Has quite the reputation with the ladies but no emotional bonds with any of his sexual partners. He cares deeply for the h but he’s still pushing her away. To and fro he goes. Ugh. Frustrating. You see he cares very much but has too many hang ups right up to his come-to-Jesus moment at the end.
He doesn’t grovel. He’s remorseful that he wasn’t there for her pregnancy and does apologise but the cheating isn’t addressed enough.
His reasons for cheating:
“I knew Shay deserved to be with someone that I wasn’t, because what I really was, deep down, beneath the emo poetry and the bad tattoos and everything else that I carefully crafted to hold me up, was someone inherently unwanted and unlovable. And, eventually, she would see that version of me. And she would leave me.
So I never gave her the chance. I pushed her away, put up the walls, started lashing out and cheating and doing more drugs and skipping school, because it was easier than being rejected by her.”
May 6, 2021
4 stars!
This is such a gorgeous read! Another of Karina Halle’s travel-related standalones, this book transported me to magical Norway for a second-chance-romance that is passionate, full of chemistry, and gorgeously swoony. I loved it!
Shay has been working and travelling around Europe, searching for something. Her family was neglectful for most of her life and she is untethered and trying to figure out who she is, what she wants and where she belongs. Her travels bring her to Norway, the country that has always been at the top of her bucket list for its wild beauty, and also for the fact that her first love was Norwegian and told her stories of his homeland and she wants to experience it for herself.
Shay and Anders met in high school when he travelled to America for senior year. He was a tattooed, mysterious bad boy and they fell in fast, all-consuming love and were everything to each other in lives where they felt very much alone. But he broke her heart and returned to Norway, leaving her shattered.
Anders is now a fisherman who also works on his family’s farm in a small village in Norway. It’s not the life that he wanted for himself, but he is driven to uphold his family’s legacy and care for his younger sisters, and this is the way he’s doing it, working almost 24/7 to keep thing going. But when his Instagram stalking reveals that Shay is in the country – and close by – he drops everything to seek her out.
Oh. My. God, the tension between these two is unreal! Things are understandably shaky for them, they didn’t part on good terms and a lot of years have passed, but the chemistry is still very much there and I was loving seeing them together once again! And when Anders invites Shay to stay for a while, of course she accepts.
Their reconnection is a slow build, and it’s realistic given everything they’ve been through and the fact that they’re getting to know each other again as adults. There are flashbacks to their time in high school so we get to see little bits of them young and in love, and we slowly get to see how it all fell apart for them, and it’s so sad. I could understand how it all went so wrong, and it made everything in the present seem that much more intense as those feelings that never really went away come roaring back to life.
Days on the farm turn into a roadtrip to explore the stunning countryside, and Shay and Anders soon find themselves caught up in a passionate reunion that consumes them once again. It’s hot and steamy, and Anders is a dirty talker so… *fans self*. But more than that, they are falling in love all over again, and it was so beautiful to watch.
But the issues that plagued them in the past haven’t entirely gone away. There are doubts and insecurities that need to be dealt with, and there are some truly heartwrenching moments as they figure it all out. I was feeling it all, and my heart ached for them, but the angst works for them and their story, and is blessedly shortlived while they work through it all
Shay is a wonderful heroine. Smart but vulnerable, and so relatable, she’s got that edginess that I love about Halle’s heroines, and she’s so gorgeously open and honest. She’s the kind of girl you want to be friends with, and I loved watching her blossom throughout the story as she rediscovers her passion for life and begins to find her place. And Anders is so gorgeous, so freaking sexy, and seriously, I just want to hug him. He’s been emotionally damaged by his past experiences, and I hurt for him as his heart and head wrestled to figure everything out. And watching him find the strength and bravery to break from his rut and figure out where he wants to be is a really gorgeous journey.
And OMG, Norway! It’s always intrigued me, now it’s firmly on the bucket list. Halle writes with such emotion about her ancestral country, describing the towns, the villages, the fjords, and the wild environment in a way that makes you feel like you’re there experiencing Shay’s journey with her. I was googling pictures of all of the places as she travelled, and loved that I got to travel with her from the comfort of my own home (especially at a time when the idea of travelling seems so far away).
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a really sweet story with a great romance, and it easily swept me away and left me smiling.
Loved it – 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a gorgeous read! Another of Karina Halle’s travel-related standalones, this book transported me to magical Norway for a second-chance-romance that is passionate, full of chemistry, and gorgeously swoony. I loved it!
Shay has been working and travelling around Europe, searching for something. Her family was neglectful for most of her life and she is untethered and trying to figure out who she is, what she wants and where she belongs. Her travels bring her to Norway, the country that has always been at the top of her bucket list for its wild beauty, and also for the fact that her first love was Norwegian and told her stories of his homeland and she wants to experience it for herself.
Shay and Anders met in high school when he travelled to America for senior year. He was a tattooed, mysterious bad boy and they fell in fast, all-consuming love and were everything to each other in lives where they felt very much alone. But he broke her heart and returned to Norway, leaving her shattered.
Anders wasn’t just that first love for me, he was so much more. He was the one person who made me feel like I had a home
Anders is now a fisherman who also works on his family’s farm in a small village in Norway. It’s not the life that he wanted for himself, but he is driven to uphold his family’s legacy and care for his younger sisters, and this is the way he’s doing it, working almost 24/7 to keep thing going. But when his Instagram stalking reveals that Shay is in the country – and close by – he drops everything to seek her out.
Oh. My. God, the tension between these two is unreal! Things are understandably shaky for them, they didn’t part on good terms and a lot of years have passed, but the chemistry is still very much there and I was loving seeing them together once again! And when Anders invites Shay to stay for a while, of course she accepts.
I want to experience the country the real way, off the beaten path, in the villages, with the locals.
With my ex-boyfriend.
Who now happens to be a Nordic god.
Their reconnection is a slow build, and it’s realistic given everything they’ve been through and the fact that they’re getting to know each other again as adults. There are flashbacks to their time in high school so we get to see little bits of them young and in love, and we slowly get to see how it all fell apart for them, and it’s so sad. I could understand how it all went so wrong, and it made everything in the present seem that much more intense as those feelings that never really went away come roaring back to life.
Sometimes I want nothing more than to grab her, kiss her, ask her if she remembers what it was like to love me, to want me.
Oh my god. This man is going to break me all over again.
But I can’t run.
Days on the farm turn into a roadtrip to explore the stunning countryside, and Shay and Anders soon find themselves caught up in a passionate reunion that consumes them once again. It’s hot and steamy, and Anders is a dirty talker so… *fans self*. But more than that, they are falling in love all over again, and it was so beautiful to watch.
I imagine us in the future, here, living this life together, trying to make the best of it, make it work. Would it be so unfair to ask her to stay with me? To have her be with me…
Have her…love me?
Can I give her the life she wants, the one in which she finds herself, where she finds a home and stability and the family she’s always been yearning for?
Will she let me try?
But the issues that plagued them in the past haven’t entirely gone away. There are doubts and insecurities that need to be dealt with, and there are some truly heartwrenching moments as they figure it all out. I was feeling it all, and my heart ached for them, but the angst works for them and their story, and is blessedly shortlived while they work through it all
Shay is a wonderful heroine. Smart but vulnerable, and so relatable, she’s got that edginess that I love about Halle’s heroines, and she’s so gorgeously open and honest. She’s the kind of girl you want to be friends with, and I loved watching her blossom throughout the story as she rediscovers her passion for life and begins to find her place. And Anders is so gorgeous, so freaking sexy, and seriously, I just want to hug him. He’s been emotionally damaged by his past experiences, and I hurt for him as his heart and head wrestled to figure everything out. And watching him find the strength and bravery to break from his rut and figure out where he wants to be is a really gorgeous journey.
And OMG, Norway! It’s always intrigued me, now it’s firmly on the bucket list. Halle writes with such emotion about her ancestral country, describing the towns, the villages, the fjords, and the wild environment in a way that makes you feel like you’re there experiencing Shay’s journey with her. I was googling pictures of all of the places as she travelled, and loved that I got to travel with her from the comfort of my own home (especially at a time when the idea of travelling seems so far away).
I could live here. To be surrounded by this beautify all the time, to slow down to a simple pace of life. It’s the kind of place that makes your heart dream.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a really sweet story with a great romance, and it easily swept me away and left me smiling.
Loved it – 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2021
Hmmm...
I had a difficult time reading this book NOT really or especially cause of the story itself, BUT because of a personal horrific and painful experience of a loss I was going through...
And I have to be completely honest-I don't like reading about second chances, at all *shrugs*
It's a brave and honorable thing to give and to have a second chance BUT I realize it's the worst feeling ever when you lose a dear one and there's no turning point there's NO second chance ever...
And then you realize you'd give anything to have just one moment...just one glimpse of a moment back...
So, even though, this is the least likable trope for me, the story made sense...the characters were likable enough...it was a horrible mix of events that colided for Shay and Anders had his own issues, being a troubled teen and lashing out in an immature way...
Yeah, that wasn't good BUT forwarding 8 years, Shay and Anders meet again. They are 'older', they have scars, they seemingly moved on BUT not really...they learn to be with each other again...I didn't like the fact how Shay almost jumped Anders, pushing the issues she never resoved with him, yeah she made peace with herself but she still lingered to anger...as she should...so, it felt a bit unrealistic...and it made it superficial...
But since they had their HEA, I m sure we all want zo believe in these second chances, don't we?
Yeah, even I got the wishful spark in my eyes...but sometimes all you have are the memories...and you should hold on to those...
All in all, it was an okay read.
I had a difficult time reading this book NOT really or especially cause of the story itself, BUT because of a personal horrific and painful experience of a loss I was going through...
And I have to be completely honest-I don't like reading about second chances, at all *shrugs*
It's a brave and honorable thing to give and to have a second chance BUT I realize it's the worst feeling ever when you lose a dear one and there's no turning point there's NO second chance ever...
And then you realize you'd give anything to have just one moment...just one glimpse of a moment back...
So, even though, this is the least likable trope for me, the story made sense...the characters were likable enough...it was a horrible mix of events that colided for Shay and Anders had his own issues, being a troubled teen and lashing out in an immature way...
Yeah, that wasn't good BUT forwarding 8 years, Shay and Anders meet again. They are 'older', they have scars, they seemingly moved on BUT not really...they learn to be with each other again...I didn't like the fact how Shay almost jumped Anders, pushing the issues she never resoved with him, yeah she made peace with herself but she still lingered to anger...as she should...so, it felt a bit unrealistic...and it made it superficial...
But since they had their HEA, I m sure we all want zo believe in these second chances, don't we?
Yeah, even I got the wishful spark in my eyes...but sometimes all you have are the memories...and you should hold on to those...
All in all, it was an okay read.
Want to read
June 15, 2016Finally, a book set up in Norway! It's about time Karina Halle, took you long enough :).
May 5, 2021
„I will be her savior. And she will be mine.”
This is one of the most emotional stories from Karina Halle I have read. Full of heartbreak, loss and longing, this second chance romance is as touching as it is uplifting. From first love, through resentment and disappointment, to longing and desire to fix the past, Anders and Shay's love story is a journey full of twists and turns. And all of that surrounded by wonderful scenery. Karina's traveling experiences shine through in this book, creating an enchanting atmosphere and making you want to pack your bag and explore Norway!
Shay and Anders gave me all the feels. Butterflies in my stomach, flushed face from hotness, crocodile tears from heartbreak, happy sobs when they got back together- these two are the whirlwind of emotions! I loved to see the influence they had on each other and that even time couldn't make them forget about what they had.
I love that in addition to the romantic aspect in this book, Karina deals here with personality issues, namely what influence (especially on young people) family relations have and how they can affect later relationships. Characters development is brilliantly delivered and I love how both protagonists learn from their mistakes so they wouldn’t jeopardize their future.
Bright Midnight is not only a second chance romance. It’s also a story about the second chance at life, without regrets and self-destruction. That’s what I love about Halle’s books- we get not only a wonderful love story, but also a life lesson and a mini travel guide, lol! And Bright Midnight will make you want to visit Todalen as soon as possible!
This is one of the most emotional stories from Karina Halle I have read. Full of heartbreak, loss and longing, this second chance romance is as touching as it is uplifting. From first love, through resentment and disappointment, to longing and desire to fix the past, Anders and Shay's love story is a journey full of twists and turns. And all of that surrounded by wonderful scenery. Karina's traveling experiences shine through in this book, creating an enchanting atmosphere and making you want to pack your bag and explore Norway!
Shay and Anders gave me all the feels. Butterflies in my stomach, flushed face from hotness, crocodile tears from heartbreak, happy sobs when they got back together- these two are the whirlwind of emotions! I loved to see the influence they had on each other and that even time couldn't make them forget about what they had.
I love that in addition to the romantic aspect in this book, Karina deals here with personality issues, namely what influence (especially on young people) family relations have and how they can affect later relationships. Characters development is brilliantly delivered and I love how both protagonists learn from their mistakes so they wouldn’t jeopardize their future.
Bright Midnight is not only a second chance romance. It’s also a story about the second chance at life, without regrets and self-destruction. That’s what I love about Halle’s books- we get not only a wonderful love story, but also a life lesson and a mini travel guide, lol! And Bright Midnight will make you want to visit Todalen as soon as possible!
September 29, 2023
Tai pasakojimas apie amerikietę keliautoją, kuri užklysta į Norvegiją – šalį, iš kurios kilusi jos pirmoji meilė, vaikinas, vienus mokslo metus praleidęs JAV. Ir kaip netikėta: jiedu čia vėl susitinka, jausmai atgimsta ir t.t. ir t.t – visi žinot, kaip būna 😁 Pati meilės istorija ir personažai vidutiniški – viskas jau šimtą kartų girdėta kažkur kitur. Bet rinkausi šį romaną būtent dėl Norvegijos (o surasti romantinę istoriją, kuri vyktų Norvegijoje, nėra taip paprasta), tai mano lūkesčiai „romantiškai pakeliauti po Norvegiją“ buvo patenkinti su kaupu 🤍
May 8, 2021
I’m a big fan of Karina Halle and am always eager to dive into her latest release. Bright Midnight is a story many fans have been waiting years for, and I was super curious to see how things played out in the story.
I’ll be honest and say this is one of my least favourite Karina Halle books. Although it was a quick and easy read, I never quite felt the connection to it that I had hoped to experience. It was far too obvious how things would play out, which would have been okay if I had felt a connection between the characters. As it was, I never really felt anything for them as individuals. Nor did I feel anything toward them as a couple. There were no moments where I fell for them, no moments where I was hit hard by feelings, and it left this one feeling somewhat flat for me.
I’m sure many will enjoy this one, but it wasn’t up to the author’s usual standard for me.
I’ll be honest and say this is one of my least favourite Karina Halle books. Although it was a quick and easy read, I never quite felt the connection to it that I had hoped to experience. It was far too obvious how things would play out, which would have been okay if I had felt a connection between the characters. As it was, I never really felt anything for them as individuals. Nor did I feel anything toward them as a couple. There were no moments where I fell for them, no moments where I was hit hard by feelings, and it left this one feeling somewhat flat for me.
I’m sure many will enjoy this one, but it wasn’t up to the author’s usual standard for me.
May 12, 2021
Karina Halle is such a wonderful story teller and her travel romances use the setting as a dynamic character in its own right, not only allowing her characters to explore the wonders of the country and the city they’re in, but also provide the rich history of the location, reveling in all that it has to offer, for characters and readers alike.
The fact that much of the story takes place in Norway, a place I’ve never visited nor read many books in its lands, offers a first-hand account of the landscape, the culture, and many other aspects that showcase all of the setting’s wonders.
The other idea that sold me on Shay and Anders’ story is the fact that it’s a second-chance romance, one that certainly brings the angst and then some because even though eight years have passed, the way things ended between them is still just as raw and soul-crushing as it was nearly a decade earlier. And given the dynamics at play, the emotional history these two share and the fact that Anders seeks Shay out in the present as soon as she sets foot in his homeland.
Because of the baggage of their shared pasts, it’s necessary to gain insight into what their past relationship was like and how and why it ended so badly. Halle offers this information through a series of ‘then’ and ‘now’ chapters, shedding necessary light of the mistakes, the outside interference, and the things that were said and done that shattered what was once a relationship that meant everything to them.
Shay and Anders are beyond flawed characters and they both are still fighting demons that have quite a hold on them, but the way things play out in the present illustrates their true connection, their insane chemistry, and provides a hopefulness at a future together as long as they deal with the fallout of the past to ensure that it doesn’t completely invade the present.
Some readers may view this book as a bit too heavy or way too angsty for their liking, but I’ve come to expect these qualities in Karina Halle’s writing and because she does them so well, I’ll always come back to her stories.
4.5 Poison Apples
September 12, 2025
All of my favorite Karina Halle novels take place somewhere in Europe, and I was hoping to add another one to my list. It wasn’t bad by any means, but this book was written six years ago and you can definitely tell how much Karina has grown as a writer. I’m a fast reader but I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The story was fine but predictable. 3.5 stars.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2024
Review to come!
May 5, 2021
***5 ‘Coffin of Feelings’ Stars***
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It had everything I could have wanted in a second chance romance and then some. The balance of sweet, smexy, angsty and humor was perfect for me and toss in some unique characters ~ that I’m crossing my toes we get to see again at some point in the future ~ and my reading loving heart was all kinds of satisfied, while wanting and needing to spend time with all of them.
I adored Shay. ADORED. And actually admired the hell out of her. She’s sweet, snarky, a little shy and yet bold at the same time and that was what drew me to her. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life and instead of settling for something to get by, she gave into her wanderlust and followed her heart and her gut. Anders. I adored him, I did, but OMG the need to reach out and Gibbs smack him was strong. But despite that, he is charming, protective and cares so deeply about things that he kind of becomes his own worst enemy.
As for their journey to their HEA. I loved them together. They had this flow to all of their interactions ~ even the awkward and emotionally intense ones ~ that showed that they could have it all if only they can work things out. I loved their bantering, the chemistry between them was hot and though they had quite a few bumps in the road to work through, I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.
Outside of Shay and Anders, I have to say, I loved seeing Norway through Shay and Anders eyes. The author painted such a vivid picture of the small towns, mountains, fjords...all of it that I could see it all in my own head and really wished I was physically there. Also, you all know I’m a huge fan of well written secondary characters, and this baby definitely had them. I loved Astrid, Lise, Per, Everly and Espen, and even Tove, though she wasn’t around all that much. They brought depth and heart to the story and I’m crossing my toes that we’ll see them again in the future. There are a few situations that may be triggers for some, but they were handled well. So, if you’re in the mood for a second chance romance, then this is a must click for you!
~ Copy provided by Valentine PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It had everything I could have wanted in a second chance romance and then some. The balance of sweet, smexy, angsty and humor was perfect for me and toss in some unique characters ~ that I’m crossing my toes we get to see again at some point in the future ~ and my reading loving heart was all kinds of satisfied, while wanting and needing to spend time with all of them.
I adored Shay. ADORED. And actually admired the hell out of her. She’s sweet, snarky, a little shy and yet bold at the same time and that was what drew me to her. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life and instead of settling for something to get by, she gave into her wanderlust and followed her heart and her gut. Anders. I adored him, I did, but OMG the need to reach out and Gibbs smack him was strong. But despite that, he is charming, protective and cares so deeply about things that he kind of becomes his own worst enemy.
As for their journey to their HEA. I loved them together. They had this flow to all of their interactions ~ even the awkward and emotionally intense ones ~ that showed that they could have it all if only they can work things out. I loved their bantering, the chemistry between them was hot and though they had quite a few bumps in the road to work through, I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.
Outside of Shay and Anders, I have to say, I loved seeing Norway through Shay and Anders eyes. The author painted such a vivid picture of the small towns, mountains, fjords...all of it that I could see it all in my own head and really wished I was physically there. Also, you all know I’m a huge fan of well written secondary characters, and this baby definitely had them. I loved Astrid, Lise, Per, Everly and Espen, and even Tove, though she wasn’t around all that much. They brought depth and heart to the story and I’m crossing my toes that we’ll see them again in the future. There are a few situations that may be triggers for some, but they were handled well. So, if you’re in the mood for a second chance romance, then this is a must click for you!
~ Copy provided by Valentine PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
May 10, 2021
This was an emotional and well written story by one of my favorite authors Karina Halle. She knows how to make complex characters and is a master at hooking in her readers. This one reads from bother characters POV going back into the past as well to see what fractured their relationship when they were young.
Bright Midnight follows Shay, who has just recently split from her boyfriend while on a trip in Europe. Now she takes the time alone to travel everywhere she has dreamed of going. Once place in particular in Norway, where her first love Anders is from. Crazy enough she runs into Anders and their past issues and emotions come back to life as they reconnect.
Both characters are majorly flawed, which I like when someone isn't perfect, it makes them real, it also makes me the reader emotionally root for them to get through their issues and find a way to find happiness. Shay was the strongest of the two, she was really on a journey to find herself, find where she belonged and look for the part of herself she just didn't know yet. Anders is a troubled guy, he's lost a lot and also acts out in a chaotic manner. He was very tough for me to connect too and also did something I find very unforgivable. The hardest part was that the issue wasn't really resolved and for me, I felt Shay deserved better. Nonetheless these two bring out the best in each other and have this intense passionate connection that helped them grow.
Overall the writing as always is fantastic, I loved peeking into the past two see how these characters changed over time and the romance was on fire. The secondary characters were wonderful, funny and brought light in some of the dark aspects of the storyline.
Bright Midnight follows Shay, who has just recently split from her boyfriend while on a trip in Europe. Now she takes the time alone to travel everywhere she has dreamed of going. Once place in particular in Norway, where her first love Anders is from. Crazy enough she runs into Anders and their past issues and emotions come back to life as they reconnect.
Both characters are majorly flawed, which I like when someone isn't perfect, it makes them real, it also makes me the reader emotionally root for them to get through their issues and find a way to find happiness. Shay was the strongest of the two, she was really on a journey to find herself, find where she belonged and look for the part of herself she just didn't know yet. Anders is a troubled guy, he's lost a lot and also acts out in a chaotic manner. He was very tough for me to connect too and also did something I find very unforgivable. The hardest part was that the issue wasn't really resolved and for me, I felt Shay deserved better. Nonetheless these two bring out the best in each other and have this intense passionate connection that helped them grow.
Overall the writing as always is fantastic, I loved peeking into the past two see how these characters changed over time and the romance was on fire. The secondary characters were wonderful, funny and brought light in some of the dark aspects of the storyline.
May 12, 2021
Good second chance romance. The relationship started in senior year of high school and was over that same year. It was a horrible break up and resulted in the hero going back home to Norway. It’s 8 years later when the couple see each other again when the heroine goes to Norway during a backpacking trip. Neither had ever forgotten the other. Both are carrying baggage left over from bad childhoods and parents that should never have had children.
As always, I enjoyed Halle’s books that take place in a foreign country. And if you read this, prepare to want to take a trip to Norway. It sounds amazing and beautiful. I’m not going to any further into the actual story due to spoilers. I enjoyed the story and the romance. I did like the heroine a bit more than the hero. The hero was a bit darker and made some poor choices mainly in the past. He ultimately redeemed himself though. At least in my eyes.
As a huge fan of Halle’s work, I’m always looking forward to a new book by her. I was happy to read this and I’m already looking forward to her next book.
As always, I enjoyed Halle’s books that take place in a foreign country. And if you read this, prepare to want to take a trip to Norway. It sounds amazing and beautiful. I’m not going to any further into the actual story due to spoilers. I enjoyed the story and the romance. I did like the heroine a bit more than the hero. The hero was a bit darker and made some poor choices mainly in the past. He ultimately redeemed himself though. At least in my eyes.
As a huge fan of Halle’s work, I’m always looking forward to a new book by her. I was happy to read this and I’m already looking forward to her next book.
August 16, 2021
Real rating: 2.5 stars
avoid
August 20, 2021Cheater gets 2nd chance. Hell no for me.
September 17, 2021
This had a lot of potential but it didn't live up to it, in my opinion. Maybe I just wanted more drama, more... something.
May 6, 2021
Good addition to the Nordic vibe!
Well written second chance romance with steam, loved sexy Viking Anders!
Well written second chance romance with steam, loved sexy Viking Anders!
May 7, 2021
Didn't like this one at all. It didn't even feel like a romance it was just really dreary in general.
Read
July 18, 2021Dnf
May 29, 2021
I was so excited to finally read this book, only to realize it’s not even close as awesome as Where Sea Meets Sky or Racing the Sun. 😭
What I used to love about Karina Halles travel romance books is that she has the talent to make you feel like you are in the book and see the characters, the surroundings, the country all in front of you, like a movie. And while I did love all the stuff about Norway, I did not enjoy the story about Shay and Anders. And it hurts so bad, because second chance is like my favorite trope EVER, and it’s really hard for me to dislike any second chance stories but so much went wrong with this one IMO.
The book is written in the past and present. Shay and Anders are Highschool sweethearts and the way they fell in love was sweet and I was like HELL YES this is going to be so good until it wasn’t.
I didn’t like how the past chapters of the book ended. I mean I knew what was going to happen, because it was pretty obvious and it absolutely sucks, because I HATE cheating in books.
Even bader was her surprise pregnancy. This is so lame, I can’t even.
Beside the fact, that it deserves a big fat trigger warning, because abortion is a red flag for lots of people. Not me personally but I know it triggers people. And well, the past just ended. No explanation of him why he did what he did, it was just done. Why?
Then the present chapters. While Shay is traveling in Norway, she kinda accidentally sees Anders again. They decided it’s a good thing to forget the past ( don’t even talk about it, I mean, there’s no need to tell Anders about the abortion thingy. Jup. He doesn’t know anything about it until almost the end of the book. 🙄) and try the entire friend thing.
I did like the beginning of that, because it was cute how she was feeding the cow and to learn a little about his work on the farm and all that, but of course, shit hit the fan almost immediately. 🙄
And now fellow readers, I don’t understand why authors think it’s a safe bet when they turn EVERYTHING into sex. They kissed quickly after they met again. Where in bed and had all the sex quickly after the first kiss. I skimmed those parts because no. Just no. I don’t want sex, I want the slow burn, the getting to know each other again, the chemistry... Hell, I want story and not chapters full of sex! 😭
For me this is a huge reason why I‘m not that interested in Karinas books anymore. I‘m so sorry to say that because I have read A LOT of her books, and some of them are my all time favorites. I get it that authors change their style over the years, but for me the way her style changed doesn’t work anymore. And it’s a shame, because I really want to love her books again.
I thought Midnight Sun is going to be everything I used to love in her books, because she has written it ages ago, when her writing was hitting me in all the right places ( emotionally of course ), and Atria wanted to publish it, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
That was probably the longest review I have ever written but I needed to get it out. Still three stars, because the cover is amazing and some parts of the story as well.
What I used to love about Karina Halles travel romance books is that she has the talent to make you feel like you are in the book and see the characters, the surroundings, the country all in front of you, like a movie. And while I did love all the stuff about Norway, I did not enjoy the story about Shay and Anders. And it hurts so bad, because second chance is like my favorite trope EVER, and it’s really hard for me to dislike any second chance stories but so much went wrong with this one IMO.
The book is written in the past and present. Shay and Anders are Highschool sweethearts and the way they fell in love was sweet and I was like HELL YES this is going to be so good until it wasn’t.
I didn’t like how the past chapters of the book ended. I mean I knew what was going to happen, because it was pretty obvious and it absolutely sucks, because I HATE cheating in books.
Even bader was her surprise pregnancy. This is so lame, I can’t even.
Beside the fact, that it deserves a big fat trigger warning, because abortion is a red flag for lots of people. Not me personally but I know it triggers people. And well, the past just ended. No explanation of him why he did what he did, it was just done. Why?
Then the present chapters. While Shay is traveling in Norway, she kinda accidentally sees Anders again. They decided it’s a good thing to forget the past ( don’t even talk about it, I mean, there’s no need to tell Anders about the abortion thingy. Jup. He doesn’t know anything about it until almost the end of the book. 🙄) and try the entire friend thing.
I did like the beginning of that, because it was cute how she was feeding the cow and to learn a little about his work on the farm and all that, but of course, shit hit the fan almost immediately. 🙄
And now fellow readers, I don’t understand why authors think it’s a safe bet when they turn EVERYTHING into sex. They kissed quickly after they met again. Where in bed and had all the sex quickly after the first kiss. I skimmed those parts because no. Just no. I don’t want sex, I want the slow burn, the getting to know each other again, the chemistry... Hell, I want story and not chapters full of sex! 😭
For me this is a huge reason why I‘m not that interested in Karinas books anymore. I‘m so sorry to say that because I have read A LOT of her books, and some of them are my all time favorites. I get it that authors change their style over the years, but for me the way her style changed doesn’t work anymore. And it’s a shame, because I really want to love her books again.
I thought Midnight Sun is going to be everything I used to love in her books, because she has written it ages ago, when her writing was hitting me in all the right places ( emotionally of course ), and Atria wanted to publish it, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
That was probably the longest review I have ever written but I needed to get it out. Still three stars, because the cover is amazing and some parts of the story as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2021
First love – second chance romances are one of my all time favourite tropes. Pair that with a travel/destination romance written by one of my go-to authors and I’m in reading heaven. The characters were relatable and provided the perfect amount of angst, tension, drama, passion and chemistry.
As Anders and Shay have their reunion and begin their reconnection, things move slowly, but let’s face it, they have had some rocky roads in the past and there is much to be overcome. The flashbacks help the reader to understand their journey and is the part of the story that tears at your heart strings and makes you feel their pain. The issues that are unveiled in the past may be a deal breaker for many readers, but I don’t feel you should place that barrier between you and this gorgeous second-chance love story. Everyone makes mistakes, some worse than others, but without forgiveness, the world would be a sad state of affairs. Their reconnection is terribly hot and contains lots of steam as they fall for each other all over again. It is stories like this that make me enjoy the escape that reading provides.
All is not rosy for our couple. They had issues in the past and some of those are still present. These issues need to be dealt with and this causes pain to surface. Once again, this will pull at your heart strings, making the story another must read from author Karina Halle. The imagery of the beautiful country of Norway is a definite high note of this book. It is where the rebuilding of the relationship between Anders and shay takes place and it opens the eyes of the reader to a beautiful place.
One thing you might want to know is that this book was written six years ago and due to circumstances beyond the authors control, she was unable to publish. Now that she has been able to publish, in my opinion, there was a difference in the writing. I prefer her writing of today, which makes sense as most writers improve over time, but this is still a story worth reading.
As Anders and Shay have their reunion and begin their reconnection, things move slowly, but let’s face it, they have had some rocky roads in the past and there is much to be overcome. The flashbacks help the reader to understand their journey and is the part of the story that tears at your heart strings and makes you feel their pain. The issues that are unveiled in the past may be a deal breaker for many readers, but I don’t feel you should place that barrier between you and this gorgeous second-chance love story. Everyone makes mistakes, some worse than others, but without forgiveness, the world would be a sad state of affairs. Their reconnection is terribly hot and contains lots of steam as they fall for each other all over again. It is stories like this that make me enjoy the escape that reading provides.
All is not rosy for our couple. They had issues in the past and some of those are still present. These issues need to be dealt with and this causes pain to surface. Once again, this will pull at your heart strings, making the story another must read from author Karina Halle. The imagery of the beautiful country of Norway is a definite high note of this book. It is where the rebuilding of the relationship between Anders and shay takes place and it opens the eyes of the reader to a beautiful place.
One thing you might want to know is that this book was written six years ago and due to circumstances beyond the authors control, she was unable to publish. Now that she has been able to publish, in my opinion, there was a difference in the writing. I prefer her writing of today, which makes sense as most writers improve over time, but this is still a story worth reading.
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