The feel-good book of the year: a delightful novel of friendship, community, and the way small acts of kindness can change your life, by the bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv Lucille Howard is getting on in years, but she stays busy. Thanks to the inspiration of her dearly departed friend Arthur Truluv, she has begun to teach baking classes, sharing the secrets to her delicious … secrets to her delicious classic Southern yellow cake, the perfect pinwheel cookies, and other sweet essentials. Her classes have become so popular that she’s hired Iris, a new resident of Mason, Missouri, as an assistant. Iris doesn’t know how to bake but she needs to keep her mind off a big decision she sorely regrets.
When a new family moves in next door and tragedy strikes, Lucille begins to look out for Lincoln, their son. Lincoln’s parents aren’t the only ones in town facing hard choices and uncertain futures. In these difficult times, the residents of Mason come together and find the true power of community—just when they need it the most.
“Elizabeth Berg’s characters jump right off the page and into your heart” said Fannie Flagg about The Story of Arthur Truluv. The same could be said about Night of Miracles, a heartwarming novel that reminds us that the people we come to love are often the ones we don’t expect.
Praise for Night of Miracles
“Happy, sad, sweet and slyly funny, [Night of Miracles] celebrates the nourishing comfort of community and provides a delightfully original take on the cycles of life.”—People (Book of the Week)
“Find refuge in Mason, a place blessedly free of the political chaos we now know as ‘real life.’ In Berg’s charming but far from shallow alternative reality, the focus is on the things that make life worth living: the human connections that light the way through the dark of aging, bereavement, illness and our own mistakes. . . . As the endearing, odd-lot characters of Mason, Missouri, coalesce into new families, dessert is served: a plateful of chocolate-and-vanilla pinwheel cookies for the soul.”—USA Today
“Full of empathy and charm, every chapter infuses the heart with a renewed sense of hope.” —Woman’s World
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Elizabeth Berg is a master storyteller and one of my personal favorites. Night of Miracles is full of charming, entertaining characters that tug at the heart.
Warm cookies, warm hearts. I love Elizabeth Berg’s books. They’re filled with authentic, honest, flawed, and wonderful characters making their way through life and love. This is a sweet bear hug of a book.
I adore Elizabeth Berg and cherish her stories. One of the highlights of my life was getting to meet her and introduce her as a speaker, my longtime hero. This book follows The Story of Arthur Truluv, another sweet gem of a book, and it’s lovely to get to see those charming and original characters again. You don’t need to read the first book to love this one, but why deny yourself the treat? 🙂
A Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg
A sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv; this can be read as a stand alone however had I read the first book, for me personally, I feel it would have tied together some things a bit better as a whole.
This is a light, wisdom-filled, cleansing story of the powers of friendship, a simpler time with small town charm – small town lives….. how they intertwine and in turn, bring out the best in themselves despite their own troubles and hard times.
The cast of characters is many, and as it can be a bit challenging in spots due to that, all in all, a lovely read when you need that “cozy hug” too be reminded of what’s truly important…….
A Night of Miracles is charming, heartwarming, a bit predictable and on the “sweet” side, but enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley, Elizabeth Berg and Random House Publishing for this ARC in order that I may read and review.
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
This was a fun, quick read. Nothing earth shattering, just a book filled with heartwarming characters in a small community in Missouri. While they all have their issues/trials to overcome, they realize that they are not alone nor are they unimportant in helping others with their troubles in life. Humorous and at times reminded me a little of A Man Called Ove…but with a lovable Lucille at the helm.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
**NOTE: I’ve just discovered that there is a prior book to this one which includes some of these same characters (The Story of Arthur Truluv). I would definitely like to go back and read that one even though this one stood on its own quite well.
This is the follow up to The Story of Arthur Truluv. It is not a must to read Arthur Truluv first, but I highly recommend doing so. It is a wonderful story about surprising friendships, community and the way small acts of kindness can change a life. It captures the beauty of friendships between the young and the not so young. You are pulled in by the lovable characters and they will remain in your heart long after you finish the books.
This is one of those endearing and heartwarming stories that has you smiling as you close the book. I loved The Story of Arthur Truluv and this second book in the series is a perfect follow-up. Though you could read this book by itself, Arthur Truluv is so wonderful that you would miss out on a lot of character development.
Lucille is a unique and strong individual. While you find yourself cringing at some of her abrupt statements, you also find she has a few soft spots and has a caring heart.
The people who call Mason, Missouri home are supportive of each other. The small town camaraderie and the well developed characters pull you into the story and you find yourself wanting to meet the delightful people. I look forward to future adventures with the people of Mason!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
After reading Arthur Truluv, I was so happy to see there were two more books about the town of Mason. This second on was good, but there were a lot of new characters. It was nice to follow Lucille and Maddy again but with so many characters I missed the deep focus that the first book had. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the story, there were times that it just didn’t seem to have the same depth. Still a definite recommendation.
This is the sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv, which was a book that I loved. In the first book Lucille Howard had moved into Arthur’s house. This book is a continuation of Lucille’s story, but also introduces some new characters that live in Mason, Missouri. This story was a great escape and the author made me feel like I was there with the characters. I loved the descriptions of Lucille’s baking classes and what they were making, and wished that some of the recipes were included. The characters and the sense of community that you feel when reading this book really draws you into the story and doesn’t let you go. I am looking forward to my next visit with these characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Its Elizabeth Berg……not need to say more…….
this book did make me feel good
Equally good as the first!
The continuity of the existing storyline is maintained in book #2 when the plot resumes in Mason a few years later.
As new characters are introduced, the author expertly weaves their backstories to interrelate with the characters already in place. Strong bonds are formed in the midst of upheaval as the new friends come together in this emotional drama.
This novel is about overcoming adversity and persevering.
While “The Story of Arthur Truluv” was an all around feel good novel, this one is more bittersweet.
I wonder what’s in store for book #3!
This is one of my favorite authors; her ability to write emotional realities, things you have felt but never put into words is amazing. Always a good story.
Low on my Elizabeth Berg list.
I loved this book. Berg always touches my soul and this story did not let me down.
The 2nd in a three book series. The first I just loved so much. I love the way Elizabeth Berg writes. It’s like being in the character’s brains while they are thinking and seeing.
I loved this book! The characters were realistic, likable and fun. Mason sounds like a great place to live! I couldn’t put it down.
Such a wonderful second book in the Arthur Truluv/Mason, Missouri series. I enjoyed seeing some old characters and meeting lots of new ones. Elizabeth Berg is an amazing story teller! She always introduces her characters so well and I love how she follows each one with their own thoughts and lives. Gives a great view into so many more characters.
This was a book that brought me joy. It was a happy, inspiring book with characters whom I developed a relationship; who reached me in a special way; who made me sad when I had to part with them. Books set in small towns usually have that effect on me. It’s just so nice to read something wholesome and uplifting.
I enjoyed this book and this particular author.