Night of Miracles is the follow-up to The Story of Arthur Truluv, although it's not necessary to read Arthur Truluv, it does help in that some of the characters are from the first book. Comparing the two isn't fair, I suppose, because The Story of Arthur Truluv is so well-crafted and the reader just falls in love with Arthur. It's hard to live up to, and sadly, Night of Miracles does fall short. On it's own, Night of Miracles is a nice read, but it is lacking. Too many characters are introduced without enough depth to any of them. Lucille runs a cooking class from her home and hires Iris to help her. Iris befriends Tiny, a frequent diner at a restaurant where he's in love with Monica, a waitress. These characters plus Lucille's neighbors are all featured in the book, although the neighbors feel like an afterthought to add to the theme of miracles.

Night of Miracles has a bit of supernatural elements (angels), which tie in to the miracles. However, even though the story lines were interesting and tied together, they just seemed a little too superficial. The issues raised (life, death, love, family, disease, divorce, etc.) aren't superficial. However, the book seemed too short and more depth would have let the reader fall in love with these characters as much as Arthur Truluv.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the read of Elizabeth Berg’s, Night of Miracles.

This is one of my reviews where I state quite simply: I could not stop until I finished it.

Lucille is such a vivid character. Without even knowing it, she affects the people around her in ways she will never know. Iris, Tiny, Monica, Abbey, Lincoln…I want to know them all. And who doesn’t want to move to Mason after this book!?

Thank you to Elizabeth Berg for a wonderfully, heart-warming story that made my heart smile.

Wholeheartedly recommend this book for our shelves.
5/5

This is a follow-up to The Story of Arthur Truluv. It could be read as a stand alone, but will be more meaningful if you read the other one first. It takes place a few years later, and features Lucille and residents of Mason, Missouri who all connect to her in some way. The storytelling is lovely and so is the writing. If only we could all be as active as Lucille at 93, and sample some of her delectable dishes!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

I didn't realize this was a sequel but still enjoyed it. I would recommend reading the first book though. This story has a variety of sweet characters that readers will take with. Beautifully woven together to create a great story.

This is a sequel and, though I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the first one, Night of Miracles can be read as a stand-alone.

I really enjoyed the main character, Lucille, and the community she builds around her. This reminded me of a Fannie Flagg book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a feel-good, heartwarming story that grabs your heart and makes you want to be more kind and loving! The characters are real, their struggles are real and the love and forgiveness throughout the story is very real. It has been mentioned that one should read the previous book “The story of Arthur Truluv” first, but I haven’t and it did not spoil the story at all. I will still read about Arthur Truluv!

Reading an Elizabeth Berg book is truly one of life's greatest pleasures. It's always as if the reader is standing still in time and a whole town full of lovely characters, places, and stories is carefully constructed around them. Inch by inch, a story so carefully crafted in tiny bursts of chapters that in no way feel abrupt or cut off. Everything flows so naturally and comfortably that it is easy to forget this is a book and not real life.

This book is no exception. I loved every single character as usual. Sure but some of their stories are not entirely happy ones, and that's just how life works.

I want to live in Mason. I want to be friends with Tiny and Iris

Elizabeth Berg has written an insightful and heart warming book. Night of Miracles takes us back to Mason and allows us to catch up with the residents. I hope there's more to come.

I requested this book because I quite liked The Story of Arthur Truluv--so I was delighted to be approved for this sequel.

3.5 but cannot round up because I felt it was not at the same level as Arthur. Some of the same characters--particularly Lucille Howard --around whom much of the story revolves. And Maddy--now raising her daughter, Nola [named after Arthur's late wife] and about to be married. Of the new characters, I most enjoyed Iris and Tiny.

This too is a charming story about small town America--Mason, Missouri. I enjoyed the writing and the few instances of humor. And the angels.

There were several phrases that resonated:

"People forget about the value of adversity."

Lucille's favorite cookie jar: "...big self-satisfied porcelain pig with his hooves crossed over his belly..."

"She used to have pretty feet, but now her toes look like they can't agree on what direction they should go. Arthritis."

"Nola's perception that at sunset, the sky comes down."

"So often when she seemed persnickety, she was only right."

What detracted: the sideline story of Abby was too predictable and I could see it coming. And, no spoiler from me, but I guessed about Tiny [another telegraphed storyline.]

This was an easy read and I enjoyed it. But,. Sweet and not much substance.

NIGHT OF MIRACLES by Elizabeth Berg is a sweet slice of life and the best of humanity living each day to its fullest with kindness and caring! Small town charm with warm and sometimes quirky characters brought a smile to my face and heart.

Even as we read about life’s problems, we are invited to be part of the pitfalls, the joys, the sorrows and the hopes for an even better future. Ms. Berg’s smooth and relaxed style flows from page to page a she spotlights each character’s personal slice of ordinary days, extraordinary days and even miraculous days!

A wonderful, feel-good escape into relaxed reading that will warm your heart as at fills it with love for the simple things in life!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Random House!

Publisher: Random House (November 13, 2018)
Publication Date: November 13, 2018
Genre: Women's Fiction
Print Length: 288 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

I had not realized how much I was missing Arthur Truluv until I started Elizabeth Berg's new novel "Night of Miracles. Loved reconnecting with Lucille as well as meeting new characters. Very relatable story and characters showcasing kindness, that will make you hungry for some of Lucille's baked goods.

Another really good story from Elizabeth Berg. I am glad I had previously read the Story of Arthur Truluv and I hope there are more stories to come from Mason!

Thank you NetGalley. I appreciate the advanced read and am anxious to sell this book.

Another fabulous book by Berg ! I enjoyed every minute of this story. It kept me wanting more ! I will definitely recommend this to others.

A shout out to Random House and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read Berg’s newest before it hits store shelves in November. I’ve been a long time fan of Berg’s since I heard her read aloud from “The Pull of the Moon.”

In this story, Lucille plays the central roll. Although she’s getting on in years, she still teaches baking classes, which have become extremely popular in the small town of Mason. She’s so busy that she’s hired Iris as an assistant. Iris takes care of computer things, shopping, paperwork and more.

A new family has recently moved in next door to Lucille, a mother, father and young son. When tragedy befalls this family, Lucille watches the son frequently.

Berg is one of the best authors at drawing realist characters that I’ve ever read and this book is no exception. It also tells the story of how neighbors band together to help one another in a variety of ways. Everyone in this novel has a story and regrets. You should buy it and see how it all comes together.

4.5 stars

Absolutely Charming!

I highly recommend reading “The Story of Arthur Truluv” before reading this book. It is the book where many of these characters are introduced and their stories continue from that book. Could this book work as a stand-alone? Possibly, but I don't think one can truly appreciate this book without reading its predecessor first.

"That is the gift of love, not only that you have somebody but that you are changed by somebody."

Lucille Howard is a spit fire of a women. She is known for her honesty and telling it like it is. She may come off as gruff, but she has a heart of gold and a giving nature. Her late friend, Arthur Truluv, inspired her to begin teaching baking classes (he did this in The Story of Arthur Truluv) and she now has a successful baking class business. She is up there in years and due to the popularity of her classes, she has hired, Iris, a divorced woman who is coming to terms with the choices she has made in her life.

If running a baking business is not enough, Lucille has become a babysitter for her next-door neighbors when tragedy strikes their household. When not baking and babysitting, she enjoys visits from Maddy and Nola, her adopted family (again, you will know Maddy from The Story of Arthur Truluv).

"What she knows now is that no one is ever through with love. No one ever should be."

Iris is new to town and is happy to have made friends with her neighbor Tiny, a large man with a heart of gold and crush on a local waitress. Will he ever make his move? Will Tiny and Iris's friendship cause people to think they are a couple? Will Iris ever make peace with her divorce? Will Lucille ever know the effect her friendship has had on others? How has friendship with one man, Arthur Truluv, changed the lives of both Lucille and Maddy?

"Never underestimate the joy of being the one who is cared for..."

I found this book to be absolutely charming and gave it high marks for the feel good, enjoyment factor. Will this book win literary rewards? I don't know but it has won my heart! It was lovely to visit these characters again and see what was occurring in their lives. I enjoyed the new characters induced in this book and their stories. All of them fit together nicely and effortlessly. I found this book to be well written, perfectly paced, well thought out and like a breath of fresh air. If you are a softie like me, you may want to read with tissues nearby. This book is heavy on the feels - I laughed, I cried, and I was so happy that I was given the chance to enter these characters lives once again. The beauty of this book is in the writing and the relationships that the characters have with each other. The characters live in a small town and live normal ordinary lives yet in the hands of Elizabeth Berg, their stories are extraordinary!

This book is full of beautiful passages and I found myself hightailing large sections of this book. I love Elizabeth Berg's writing.

"Let it never be said that Nola was not given good-night kisses. Let it never be said that she didn't practically drown in them."

If you enjoyed The Story of Arthur Truluv then I am quite certain that you will enjoy this book as well. I could go on and one about this book, but I will stop and simply say that I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the story of some of the people living in the small town of Mason. It tells about the lives of each character and how they interact with one another. I enjoyed "meeting" them all and loved the sense of community in this book.

A lovely sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles continues the saga of the residents of the small town of Mason. It’s a warm and cosy read.

I love Elizabeth Berg novels and this one did not disappoint. The characters were so real and loveable, and demonstrate the true hand of a master. I appreciate how Ms. Berg defines each of her characters. which makes them enchanting. I look forward to more works from her. Thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wish I would have read the Story of Arthur Truluv first. Lots of characters in the book, a little confusing. Clever writing, amusing moments and wisdom thrown in. Story of life with kindness and love.

Love, love, love pretty much all of Elizabeth Berg’s take & this followup to Arthur Truluv’s connection didn’t disappoint. Very engaging, warm & wise. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity!