Just After Midnight: A Novel

The author is a great writer. Story was sad, very heart warming.

Enjoyable read, once you accept that dressage is actually a thing that consumes people's lives. Another older woman, younger lost teen, both looking for something that seems unlikely to happen, but of course as with all her books, good things come to those who persevere. I have to say the structure of this novel, starting in the middle, going back to earlier, then coming to just before the story starts, was a bit disconcerting. But in the end, all is good, through thick and thin. Some likeable and not so likeable characters, but all part of the journey. Midnight is a horse, a dressage horse, who one cannot help but like, although we don't get to really know him.

Just After Midnight by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a heart-felt, uplifting novel about loss, friendship and the value of kindness to a stranger. Faith has had enough of her husband’s abuse and escapes to her parents’ California beach house. She needs to make a plan for the rest of her life. While contemplating her situation, she sees a young girl sitting alone on the beach, looking desolate. Sarah, fourteen, feels overwhelmed with the sudden, suspicious death of her mother. Not only that, but Sarah’s father has sold her prized horse, Midnight, saying he needed the money to pay off a debt. Sarah is staying at her grandmother’s beach house while the older woman is scrambling to get custody of her deceased daughter’s only child. Faith approaches the forlorn young girl sitting on the beach. She listens to the girl’s story about her mother’s tragic death, but also about her beloved mare, Midnight. Sarah and Midnight were meant for each other, competing in shows with impressive results. But now Sarah’s world is shattered. Just After Midnight is a story of hope in the face of tragic, life altering loss. Although I’m familiar with western horseback riding, this book features dressage, a form of horse riding performed in exhibition using English tack, the type of competition featured in the Olympics. In this story, Sarah, only fourteen, is amazingly accomplished with dressage, and I was fascinated with all that is involved in this highly competitive sport. Typical of author Catherine Ryan Hyde, Just After Midnight features decent people with high values, and lessons learned while trusting your instincts. The author describes dressage and the amazing connection between rider and horse, and how the relationship between the two form a strong bond. I’ve read several novels by this author, and this is yet another worthwhile read.

I didn't have a clue to what this book was about when I started it. Turns out it was partially a story that happened to me when I was 15. To summarize it, my dad,who'd been in prison most of my life, bought me a big, huge gelding that I named Chaparral, when I was 13. He was terrified of men,but learned to trust and love me. I changed that horses life but he changed mine more deeply. Then one day, right after my 15th birthday, I called the riding center where he was boarding and was told he no longer belonged to me,because my dad hadn't been paying his boarding fees. Needless to say I was devastated. There was no rescue for me. He was gone. My mom did track down who bought him and I got to say goodbye to him one last time. He hadn't forgotten me,even though 6 months had passed by. This story made me sob but the ending made it all worthwhile. I hasn't thought of my bug,beautiful gray Irish hunter in over 51 years,but it all came rushing back wth this book. Great read for young adults and u!

I liked the story in this book. The characters learn something about themselves, the journey is selfless, and the author clearly has researched the subject of both horses and dressage. The editing is terrible. There are several grammatical errors in the book, especially in the chapters describing where the characters meet in the first place, and the book actually becomes difficult to read. There are run-on sentences, sentences that stop and start erratically, and descriptions that end and start abruptly. It becomes hard to tell where or what you are reading about. I was going to stop reading it at one point ; the chapters before the characters go back to the barn setting are so tedious. I am glad I continued reading as the chapters and the story itself do pick up once the characters go back to the barn setting and continue following the horse. While some grammatical error still prevails there, it is less, and the story is much easier to read. It is a unique "road trip" for both the lady and the girl, one that they both need for different reasons.

It’s not unusual for strangers in her stories to love others, especially children in big ways. And when they do that they are filled to the top with joy, realizing they have made a huge difference in a child’s life going forward. There is a bit of mystery in the story as well as information about the sport of dressage and horses bonding with their person.

An absolute premium story of love and kindness and new forged friendships in the midst of loss. Beautifully written and the characters wholly believable in the delightful world of equestrian dressage sport. Loved it very very much ❤️

Catherine does it again! It's strange that stories about people don't bring me to the verge of tears, animals only, except for this one. Absolutely stunning, I really struggled to put it down. Thank you

Just as Ich bleibe hier made me cry, so did this book. This author brings you as the reader into each scene and character as if you were him or her, or sitting nearby taking it all in.

Such an eloquent and wise and humorous and sensitive and able writer. Catherine puts truths into words that run in undercurrents through our lives. Amazing!!!

Me, having horses in the past, thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was amazing what one person could do for another selflessly and not expect anything in return. Absolutely loved the ending.