Title: The Brightest Night

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pub. Date: October 20, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Less than a year ago, Evelyn Dasher was a normal girl, living an unremarkable life.

Now, she’s on the run, under the protection of the beautiful, deadly inhuman Luc. She’s been betrayed by those who were closest to her. And she’s learned truths about herself that she never saw coming–things she once knew, and was made to forget. Truths with devastating consequences. She’s caught in the eye of the storm.

He is the darkest star.
You are the burning shadow.
And together, you will bring about the brightest night.

This will be a spoiler free review. I listened to the audiobook via Audible.

Fuck the ending of this book. You can’t end it like that and then make me wait for the final one. What the hell am I supposed to do until next year? I’m dying inside. True to form, Jen has left me bereft and dying for the next part of the story. Everything Evie and Luc go through in this book and it ends like THAT?!

This book is amazing though, and you get immediately sucked in and don’t want to put it down. I almost didn’t want to finish the last 14 minutes because I was terrified of what might happen.

Okay, so to backtrack, I was really looking forward to this book. I knew I would be reading it pretty close to release because I’m impatient and have been waiting like over a year to find out what happens next, and shocker! This doesn’t disappoint. I opted to listen to the audiobook since work is crazy and I don’t have time to read physical books and I got lost in the story. Luc and Evie are wonderful and perfect, but I also loved how imperfect their relationship is. They have such a history and everything is changing and has changed. So much is unknown and they have to navigate it all together. They fuck up and make mistakes but they come out stronger for it.

And let me just say, with every new book JLA puts out – whether is the next in a series or a whole new world – I fall for her male characters every single time. Hard.

I’m 100% a fan of her female characters who are always a wonderful mix of badass “I can open my own jar of pickles” and soft – they’re complex and I love them. But omfg her male characters – LUC. I ✨really✨ need hot aliens to move in next door because jfc I’m missing out 😂

I loved Luc in this – didn’t think it was possible to love him & Evie more, but damn. I also loved that some familiar faces play a much bigger role and it’s so much fun getting to see their lives playing out.

And omfg Grayson. Moody, sassy Grayson. If there was ever a character that needed a hug, it would be him, but he’d probably punch you for trying. I really, really loved his character in this. So much.

A lot happens in this book – cute moments, shocking moments and the whole ending that’s just one big “what the fuck” in like the best/worst way ever. Talk about a cliffhanger that leaves you absolutely desperate for more. Y’all i don’t know how I’m gonna last a year to find out what happens next.

Why do I do this to myself with every JLA book – oh right, I’m an impatient bitch 🙈 it’s been a week/a little over a week (honestly idk anymore, what is time?) since I finished the book and I’m still internally screaming and crying at the ending. Think ending of Origin but like multiply it by like 100 on the emotional scale.

If you love Lux and Origin, then you’re going to love this book. You’re going to rage at the ending, but oof it’s so good. Jen knows how to write a book and do it so well. I’m excited, curious and terrified of what’s going to happen next for these characters. I have no idea what the expect, but it’s going to be epic.

If you’re hesitating or waiting to read this, stop and pick it up. You won’t regret it!

And if you’re interested, you can check out my reviews for The Darkest Star and The Burning Shadow.