A chance encounter between a penniless young woman in search of her missing brother and a hobo burdened with a big secret takes both on a journey to Chicago’s glamorous yet crime-ridden 1920s, where prostitution, bootlegging, and corruption rule. Separated by fate and reunited by chance, WHERE THE NIGHT NEVER ENDS is an unforgettable tale of courage and perseverance, a tribute to the triumph of … tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.
When feisty and headstrong Samantha Bruno loses her mother in a freak accident, she decides to search for her brother, Angelo, who didn’t return from a business trip to Chicago seven months earlier. It is the year 1924, the height of prohibition, and the city of Cincinnati is in the midst of a deep recession. Narrowly escaping a band of thugs, Sam meets Paul, a mysterious hobo with a big secret. Together they embark on a harrowing journey to Chicago, where Al Capone is building an empire.
Just when it seems their friendship is blossoming into something more, a raid tears Sam and Paul apart. Sam is sold into a brothel while Paul is arrested. Trapped without money and desperate to escape her new profession, Sam realizes she is on her own. Not only to free herself and search for her brother among Chicago’s three million residents, but also to do the impossible—find Paul.
During his hearing, Paul learns that his father, a wealthy Chicago inventor, is on his deathbed. The judge, an old family friend, gives Paul an ultimatum. See your father or go to jail. Reluctantly, Paul returns home, where he finds that his decision to run away seven years earlier was based on a terrible mistake.
Narrated in alternating chapters by Sam and Paul, with rich historical detail, complex characters, and stunning prose, award-winning author Annette Oppenlander once again delivers a touching novel that lets us imagine what it was like to live and love during the roaring 1920s.
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Its 1924 and after losing her mother in a freak accident Sam has no one to turn to and no home. Sam is left homeless and no money and nothing to her name but her father’s gun.
Sam has a brother Angelo but he went on a business trip several months ago and has not returned. Sam thinks something has happened to Angelo otherwise he would have come home. With nowhere to go or a home to return to Sam decides to go to Chicago to look for her brother.
On her journey, she meets a young man Paul, a hobo. Sam tells
Paul her plan to look for her brother, Paul decides to go with Sam to Chicago as it is dangerous for a young woman to travel alone. Yeah I think Paul is starting to have feelings for Sam and wants to keep her safe or maybe he just doesn’t want to lose contact with her.
Before long Sam and Paul are caught in a raid and arrested. Sam is sold to a brothel. Sam once again finds herself trapped and alone. Sam has no plans of being a prostitute and makes plans for her escape. Once she figures out how to escape she will look for Angelo and Paul.
It’s not going to be easy to find two guys in a town as big as Chicago. Obstacle after obstacle pops up and gets in her way of looking for her menfolk. Wherever Sam goes trouble finds her. The harder she tries to move forward the more it seems as if some force is knocking her back one step at a time. But the harder she is pushed the harder she pushes back.
Sam is a very strong person, and no matter how hard life keeps trying to bring her down she will always get back up and keep on trucking. She has a very big heart, and everything she does is for someone else and not herself.
Where the Night Ends is a warm heartfelt story that will pull you deep into its world and leave you with all sorts of feelings. Sam’s story had me crying, feeling sad and sometimes it had me feeling so mad I just wanted to reach inside the book and give a few people a shake or two or maybe even a punch in the face. But I will have to say by the end I was doing a happy dance in my head. Some people just get the short end of the stick just because of their status in life but deserve so much more and are probably richer than the richest person in the world.
Where the Night Ends is not the first book by Annette that I have read and hopefully, it won’t be the last. Annette is one of those authors where you don’t have to read the summary to know it will be good or that you want to read it. Annette’s stories are like a bottle of wine they just get better with time.
If you like historical novels with a lot of action and adventure set in the roaring twenties then you will love Where the Night Ends. I highly recommend Where the Night Ends and any of Annette’s other novels from Escaping From the Past Series to Surviving the Fatherland to Everything We Lose.
This book was such an intriguing, emotional roller-coaster ride!
I felt instantly connected with the characters; their despair, their anguish, their heartbreak, their hope, their aspiration, their passion, and their triumph!
This is the second book I’ve read from the incredible writer, Annette Oppenlander. A couple years ago, I had the privilege of reading her book, “Surviving the Fatherland,” and I totally loved it, so I was very excited to read her latest work, “Where the Night Never Ends.”
Mrs. Oppenlander’s writing continues to improve and grow with each book! I know she will be an author I will continue to read over the years!
This book takes place in 1924 and focuses on Sam, a strong-willed, determined, tenacious young lady that just lost everything – her mother died in a freak accident, she has no money, no place to live, and she is now forced out on the streets. Sam does have a brother, Angelo, who went on a business trip to Chicago seven months earlier and never returned home. Now that Angelo is Sam’s only remaining family, Sam decides she must go to Chicago to find him. Especially since he never made it back, she fears something bad might have happened to him. On her way to Chicago she came across a gang of thugs, but luckily a hobo came to her rescue.
This book focuses on Paul, aka the hobo that rescued Sam. He had run away from home (Chicago) seven years ago and has been living on the streets since. Sam told Paul about her plans to travel to Chicago to find her brother and since Sam was already running into all sorts of trouble alone, he decided to accompany her to keep her safe during her travels – even though she was headed to the one place he has tried hard to escape.
While on their trip Sam and Paul are picked up in a raid; Sam is sold to a Brothel and Paul is arrested. Paul is given the choice to return home as his father is a wealthy inventor on his death bed or to go to jail – he chose the former. Sam refuses to stay trapped as a prostitute and plans not only to escape, but to track down both her brother and Paul.
This book also focuses on the hardships and the sufferings that went on during the Prohibition Era of the 1920’s. During this time when Al Capone was building an empire, and Chicago was infested with crime and corruption. It was overwhelmingly saddening to read the torment and agony that was instilled upon the city. The author does not hold back any punches and tells you as it was for the abuse and mistreatment of the usually overlooked folks.
Mrs. Oppenlander has a style of writing that thrusts the reader into the story and makes them feel like they too, are walking those cold, dark, Chicago streets alongside the characters.
I really liked the main characters, Sam and Paul. They were likable, kind, and genuine. Sam was tough, feisty, daring, and persistent. She had already lost everything, so she was gusty – she had nothing else to lose. Paul was mysterious, brave, courageous, compassionate, and considerate. He was protective of Sam and truly wanted to keep her safe. I liked these two characters together and even though it may seem odd that they bonded so fast, I think with all the drama, stress, loneliness, and tragedy, they both needed someone to lean on and they found each other, and it just worked.
I really enjoyed following the story and cheering on the characters!! Let’s face it – these two needed all the support they could get and me cheering for them on my couch in my PJ’s LOL was definitely going to help them LOL!!! Sam and Paul just kept getting knocked down over and over again – it’s unbelievable the amount of bravery and courage these two had!! I don’t know if I could keep fighting like that when it seems all odds are against me. It was truly inspiring!!!
I think the author did a fantastic job on her character development as these characters were so real and personal on many levels.
The author’s writing is strong and eloquently detailed. She really provided so much detail in her writing that is was easy to picture! There were a few times I found myself completely caught up in the story!
This is one book that I can truly say I really enjoyed the ending. No spoiler alerts here!!! But I definitely needed a couple tissues.
I really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of the Prohibition Era 1920’s America. This is honestly not a time-period that I am very familiar with. However, the author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
I enjoyed the history lessons that were weaved throughout the book and learning more about the Prohibition Era, the roaring 1920’s, and old Chicago. Mrs. Oppenlander found a way to include accurate, historical content that was fun, intriguing, and educational. I really liked that she used real-life characters and events in the book to help set the tone and create an even stronger and more realistic ambience.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend not only this book, but this author as well! I was truly impressed with the quality of writing, intriguing storyline, and excellent character development! I will definitely be continuing to follow this author and check out her upcoming books! I think all historical fiction readers will like this book too! So, be sure to add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
I enjoyed this story although I felt it dragged a bit in places. It was very gritty but had its moments of innocence. I liked Sam’s determination to do what she felt was right as well as her doggedness to survive. The hardships she went through did not break her. Paul was also a survivor, and I liked his protectiveness, smarts, and willingness to admit to mistakes. The setting in 1920’s Chicago revealed both sides of the times.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
3.75 stars
“Where the Night Never Ends: A Prohibition Era Novel” by Annette Oppenlander follows the adventures of Samantha (Sam) Bruno, a young woman who is buffeted by a series events that prompt her to seek her missing brother in Prohibition Chicago. A rescue by a hobo named Paul McKay is only the first of the events that completely changes her life as she struggles to survive in a society replete with lawlessness and graft, and the series of men she meets each shape her future, and not all of them have her best interests at heart.
This historical fiction tale gives a glimpse of the challenges of being an unprotected and virtually unskilled woman in the gritty society that formed during Prohibition. There are plenty of dark elements that are included, including alcoholism, abuse, graft, extortion, and other illegal activities, but there are also inspirational elements as Sam finds a way to survive, no matter what obstacles life throws at her. There are some elements that seem a little forced to me, and although I admire Sam’s tenacity, she was also frustrating with her headlong rush into situations she couldn’t really handle. I like the way well-known figures of the time and place have small roles in the story, with different perspectives given into their personalities, but I didn’t form a strong rapport with any of the characters and I think some things are tied up almost too tidily. Despite this, the story is a fascinating look at the lives and times affected by the introduction of the Volstead Act and the story is nicely enriched by the many historical details included.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
I thought Where the Night Never Ends was a pretty good read. It was interesting to be taken back in time to 1920s Chicago. I enjoyed Sam and Paul’s story. It involves adventure, action, danger, mystery and suspense. I could not predict what would happen next with them.
I give Where the Night Never Ends four and a half stars. I love the bravery, hope, and redemption of the book. It is not one to be missed. I recommend it.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.