What a wonderful book. It was composed of vignettes that eventually overlapped and connected in wonderful simple ways. I found myself smiling, chuckling, holding my breath in fear of sadness, crying and sighing. Couldn't put it down and at the same time I am so sad it is done. I came to care about every character. Highly recommend.

I am one of Berg’s biggest fans, having followed her for many years. I had the opportunity this summer to attend a reading and meet Ms. Berg at our local library. This book follows the characters we met in Arthur Truluv. This is a wonderful book! The characters are brought to life. I highly recommend this book. (Also, I love the shout-out to Maeve Binchy...I miss her, too).

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.

I always enjoy Books written by Elizabeth Berg. All her characters are interesting and true to life. Her humor and style of writing are exactly what I need when a light but meaningful book is on my agenda. I really enjoyed The Story of Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles is a lovely continuation of the initial storyline. This is a light hearted read that addresses relationships, terminal illness, and caring for others. I have never been disappointed with Elizabeth Berg’s books.
I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley. This review is unbiased on my part.

Elizabeth Berg sets her story in a small Missouri town and then limits it to an even smaller cross section of it. Some of these people already are friends and neighbors while others entered this circle. The pivotal character is Lucille, an 88-year-old retired school teacher who now holds baking classes in her house. She is the one who holds these disparate people together. Through their connectivity they help each face life issues by providing support and understanding. It also opens them to new experiences and gives them strength as they face adversity . Thus each character is better able to face his own night of miracles.

As in her other words, Elizabeth Berg gives us an insight into the lives of many people. Some accept their fate, others try to fight it, but in al, it opens us to new experiences .

In the first chapter of Night of Miracles, Lucille Howard characterizes her thinking as traditional, hopeful, whimsical, and characterized by magical thinking. This description could also describe the book as a whole. A stand-alone sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles focuses on denizens of Mason, Missouri: Lucille, an octogenarian retired teacher who now gives baking classes; Tiny and Monica, star-crossed lovers; Abby, Jason, and son Lincoln who are ripped by a family tragedy; and sophisticated newcomer Iris who came to Mason fleeing her past.

Sweet and charming, the book contains short chapters written in vignette-style switch between the primary characters’ perspectives. At times, it’s hilarious. In one chapter, Iris interviews with Lucille to be her assistant. Lucille has prepared a short quiz for applicants, and their interaction as Lucille reviews Iris’ responses had me cackling.

Night of Miracles emphasizes the power of connection among community members who are stronger together than when facing challenges alone. It is in the vein of A Man Called Ove, the genre of grumpy old people turned soft genre, and while mostly light-hearted, it does pack an emotional punch at times. Still, it is not as complex as Fredrik Backman’s novel or as skillfully written as Olive Kitteridge.

I found some areas of the book problematic. More than one character is overweight and decides to diet. Though Tiny observes that women really diet for each other, not for men, the book perpetuates fat shaming by linking being overweight to being insecure. Additionally, I thought the book completely belittled veganism/vegetarianism. Though much of the criticism came from a particular character’s point of view, the actual vegetarians in the book started eating meat, as though being vegetarian or vegan was a burden to be shed.

Given the structure of the novel and the multiple points of view, the characters have less development than if the book focused on fewer of Mason’s citizens. I understand the choice to include a tapestry of voices and show their interconnectedness but the trade-off is a lack of depth in characterization.

Finally, although the book had a mystical tone, some elements were so unrealistic as to be jarring. For example, once character receives a call from a doctor on a Saturday who personally schedules her to come in the next day, a Sunday. Seems unlikely! The timeline of the book, which seems to run from October through December, seems too short for all the events that occur. I kept second-guessing myself and checking the contextual clues and holidays for confirmation.

Despite these issues, Night of Miracles is a quick and easy read--I finished it in one sitting--that was emotionally satisfying with sympathetic characters.

Another touching and heartfelt book from Elizabeth Berg!! The follow up to her Arthur Truluv story, this tells the more about Lucille and Maddy, while adding some wonderful new characters. Beautifully written, meaningful storyline, and touching characters! Definitely recommend!!!

This was such a sweet, charming and uplifting book. What a wonderful, quick read. It centered around several people living in a small town and how their lives intertwine and their hopes and dreams for what the future holds. The characters were all very lovable and relatable and the town just sounded like an amazing and simple place to live and explore. To me this book really inspired that sometimes in life you have to slow down, look around and find the joy in the simple and pure things. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC.

When NetGalley gave me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Elizabeth Berg's latest novel, Night of Miracles, which is scheduled to be released this November, I didn't realize that it was a follow up to her previous novel, The Story of Arthur Truluv. I worried that I would be lost or feel as if I were missing something but the fact that I haven't yet read the earlier novel (but I absolutely will!) didn't hinder my enjoyment of Night of Miracles in the least.
Berg is one of my most beloved authors almost immediately I found that Night of Miracles was a bit different in tone than many of Berg's other novels that I have read (which is most of them). Reading the heart-warming story of the interconnected citizens of Mason, Missouri as they face their own struggles while trying to be good neighbors, friends, parents, and teachers often felt more like a Fannie Flagg novel. Perhaps this was due to the small town midwest setting or the complex quirkiness of the characters - especially Lucille - but the qualities I love most about reading Berg's novels was there too. Along with her completely real characters, one of the things I admire most about Berg's writing is her unique attention to detail and way of expressing the beauty of the everyday ordinary things and that quality abounds in Night of Miracles from a starry night sky to breadcrumbs on a windowsill.
At its heart, this story of the characters' individual struggles - be it Lucille's coming to terms with her age, the changing world, and her lost love or Iris's quest for forgiveness and happiness after losing hope of ever having the one thing she's always wanted or Abby, Jason and Link's journey through an unexpected illness or Tiny and Monica's quest of love through miscommunications and missed opportunities - is a story of love. While each of the characters gets through their trials with their own strength, it is only with the help of their friends and neighbors that they are able to get out of their own way. Mason, Missouri serves as a compressed view of our world and shows the power of love and neighborliness in a time when those qualities aren't always evident.
Elizabeth Berg's Night of Miracles is for anyone who needs a heartwarming read with a sense of humor or could use a helping hand to see the beauty in the little things when the big picture looks so grim.

Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg revisits characters from The Story of Arthur Truluv. I enjoyed Truluv very much and looked forward to this novel.

In Truluv, the elderly Arthur mourns his wife but carries on by investing in others, a truly loving man who rescues a lonely teenager and a cantankerous older neighbor lady. Arthur dies but leaves his home to the teenager, who rents it to the neighbor Lucille who now teaches baking classes.

The family who moves into Lucille's house is facing a health crisis and Lucille helps care for their son. Lucille hires a woman as an assistant who has just left an unhappy marriage. And meantime, Tiny and Monica are carrying torches for each other at the local cafe' but are unable to work up the courage to say anything.

As much as I enjoyed Truluv, I did not enjoy Miracle.

Early on, I was confused by too many characters all introduced in their separate stories.

There was way too much baking of cakes while the would-be lovers worry about weight and food. First I was craving a lush moist cake or snickerdoodles, then I was reminded I am watching my diet

I have trouble with storylines that include 'angels' and miracles and tidy-wrapped up story endings. That's just me. I know plenty of people who love a feel-good idealistic fantasy ending-- Including my husband!

So I was greatly disappointed. Not my kind of book at all. Way too much sugar. Off my diet.

But if you love It's a Wonderful Life and miraculous endings, dive right in.

I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Elizabeth Berg is the author of The Story of Arthur Truluv - which I loved - such a heartwarming and comforting story - her newest novel is Night of Miracles - which is a continuation of the lives of the characters introduced in Arthur Truluv. This newest novel can be read as a standalone but it does enrich the novel to have the back story. Berg does an excellent job of bringing her characters to life and interweaving the amazing characters together. Mason, Missouri is the small town setting that allows for a simpler life. Both of these novels made me smile and feel that there are good people in this world and, perhaps, that this world is not the dark evil place it seems to be these days. Comforting is the prevalent feeling one gets from these novels. I look forward to rereading these novels which is not a common feeling I get when finishing a novel!

Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg. 4*

I loved The Story of Arthur Truluv, because it was hopeful and positive on the issues of aging, dying and loneliness. It was a simple and sweet book that made me love the characters enough to be thrilled to see a sequel. Night of Miracles picks up where Arthur left off with Lucille, the lovely neighbor who cooked, though never married and moved in with Arthur and his pregnant teen age “adopted” daughter Maddy to mother them both.

Now Maddy has grown up and her young daughter Nola have moved away and Maddy is engaged. Louise is giving her cooking classes but feeling her age every day. The book follows the story of what happens to Louise and Maddy, including a delightful haunting! While it is also hopeful and gives closure to the issues left open with Arthur everything is tied up almost too neatly.

That doesn’t take away from the feel-good easiness of this book, which was a joy with so much happening in the world and literature that fills our days. You may well cry with this book, but it won’t be from frustration or hopelessness.

I received this book from NetGalley.

This is a sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv. It is hard to top a story as special as the one about Arthur Moses. I found The Night of Miracles to be a bit harder to read. It didn't read as smoothly as its predecessor. For me it felt more like a lack of editing than writing. The characters were just as special as those in the previous book but it did feel like there were a few too many this time around.

Berg definitely has a unique writing style. She included wisdom and nuggets of truth throughout. I will continue to watch for future books of Berg's because I love their quirkiness and uniqueness.

Welcome to Mason Missouri. If you were to wander into this small town you would be made to feel welcome by the town residents. Neighbor helping neighbor through tough times. Friends driving you places especially in the snow. These characters will remind you of people you know in your hometown. Nothing exciting happens to them they just go about their daily routine, just like you do. This is a sweet story. If you are looking for something light to read this is your book. I found out after I had finished the book that this one is a sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv. I wished I had read that one first, but it is not necessary to do so. Dive into this book and gain some new friends. I think you will enjoy it.

I had heard of the author's previous book "The Story of Arthur Truluv" so when this book became available on NetGalley, I decided to request it and am so glad I did! This is a story full of characters, young and old, from all types of backgrounds, in a small city in Missouri. The author introduces each character and their backstory and then the following chapters switch back and forth between the character's stories. I had a little trouble at first keeping up with all the characters, but the author's descriptions were so vivid, that I was drawn into the life of each character. As the story goes on, all these seemingly different characters start to interact and their stories mesh into each other in a very natural way. The stories run the gamut of emotions with the author's masterful storytelling. It is a story of friendships and how important they are, and I would highly recommend it.

What a beautiful, feel-good story. I loved everything about this book, from getting to know all the characters and all the situations in their separate lives to having their paths begin to cross to the ending that happily weaves all their threads together.

Their was a little bit of this-works-in-a-novel-but-not-in-real-life along the way, and it was perfectly done and perfect for this book.

I enjoyed every word of this book, written in the style of Maeve Binchy. Kudos to you, Ms. Berg. Well done.

Come along to Mason, Missouri and meet the people who live there. Iris who is looking for a new place to settle. Lucille the cake baker,Tiny who is looking for love, Monica at the diner, and Abby, Jason and Lincoln whose lives are changed by heartache and Lucille. Angels and miracles all happen here. You willl love this book.

A delightful novel about surprising friendships, community, and the way small acts of kindness can change a life, from the bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv.

I loved Berg's book "Arthur Truluv", so I was anxious to read her new book set in the same small town and featuring many of the same characters. Berg is amazing at creating characters that are endearing and engaging. Her writing engulfs you in their world and you really care what happens to each of them.

Told in alternating chapters each focusing on one of the residents of Mason, Missouri. As the story unfolds, you see how their lives are entwined. This is character driven writing at its best. Nothing earth-shattering happens, just the ins and outs of daily life and strife we all endure and all the sorrow and humor we find in everyday life. But that's what makes Berg's book so wonderfully relatable. I will continue to read anything by Berg. Definitely recommended for fans of the Mitford series or Adriana Trigiani's books or Fannie Flagg.

The novel Night Miracles is a quick and enchanting read. Although I hadn't read the novel proceeding this one, I was still able to follow the plot with no issues. The entire book has an almost magical feel to it. It never got too deep yet still made the reader feel deeply. I liked how the characters lives seemed to intersect as we gradually got to know them. Truly an enjoyable read and you definitely need some tissues handy!