First of all, how gorgeous is the cover of this book? Absolutely gorgeous and so very fitting to the story of "Night Came With Many Stars." Simon Van Booy's novel is beautifully voiced by Courtney Patterson, which I understand (and I agree) is an amazing narrator. To those interested, I would describe this as a family saga that illustrates the power of connection and compassion.

It was difficult at times for me to grasp what was going on because the chapters kept alternating POV between Carol and Samuel (mostly, although some characters did intervene as well) and timeframes, which simply means it might have been best for me to read it instead of listening to it. I'm not really used to the narrator's type of accent (Southern I'd guess) but she is so generous with her emotions that it was easy to follow the intents of the story after I got used to it

This is my first book by Simon Van Booy. The story of Carol is so sad but so believable. After I finished this book I thought about how often kids were traded in a card game. How Carol get away is nothing short of a miracle when you think about it being in 1930s. I love that the book spans all the way to 2010s so you can see the outcome.
This is one of the best books I have listened to in awhile!

Night Came With Many Stars
Author: Simon Van Booy
Publisher: High Bride Audio
Published: 6/8/2021 (Today!)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted a copy of this audiobook from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

(TW: Abuse and abortion)
Have you ever considered how small choices make huge impacts on our lives? How one little decision could alter the course of lives for generations to come?
This absolutely incredible, enchanting, engrossing story begins with Carol in the back woods of Kentucky the day her daddy loses her in a card game. From there you see how the small actions of strangers and loved ones work in Carol's life, the life of her son and daughter, her grandson, and even her great grand daughter. Even more so how everything is so magically intertwined to make up life, the good and the bad.

I loved this book! Not only was the narrator phenomenal, but the storyteing was superb! I was so drawn in, so caught up. By the end, they felt like real people I wasn't ready to say goodbye to yet. I can't wait to read more by Simon Van Booy.

(If you were a fan of Where the Crawdads Sing, you might enjoy this. It still had that same small-town, tight knit, country vibe with love amidst struggle.) Pick up your copy on Amazon now!

✒️"Everything was moving... An invisible force that was everywhere and made everything touch."

#netgalley #nightcamewithmanystars #bookreview #audiobook #audioreview #highbridgeaudio #simonvanbooy #pubday #happypubday #amazingbooks #arcread

I'm always a sucker for a family saga stretching across decades and generations. This one did not disappoint.

The story mainly alternates between Carol and her grandson, Samuel. There are a few chapters that show the background to other characters, most notably Joe, Carol's husband.

Chronologically, we begin with Carol in 1933. Her mama died a few years ago and she lives with her alcoholic, gambling-addict of a father. She is not exactly sure when her birthday is or even how old she is. When she is around 13, her father loses her in a game of cards. To a bachelor. You can imagine where the story goes next.

We first meet Samuel when he is in middle school- so around the same age Carol was. Through Samuel, you see how strong genes can be- as Samuel has similarities to his great-grandfather, a person who died long before he was born.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job. The story takes place in Kentucky and she did a good job conveying that.

I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is a well-written family saga that begins in 1933 when 13 year old Carol’s abusive father turns her over to an even more abusive man. The rest of the story tells what happens to Carol after she escapes these men. The book skips around in time and among Carol, her children and her grandchildren. All of the events and characters were believable and the ending was sad, but realistic. I would read more by this author. Courtney Patterson did a good job narrating the audiobook.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

Night Came With Many Stars by Simon Van Booy and narrated by Courtney Patterson is an excellent audiobook that is truly fascinating, unique, and kept me engaged from beginning to end.

I loved the concept, pacing, and plot of this novel is truly memorable. The author weaves together a story of one family spread out into multiple generations, characters, and timeframes. At first one is not sure how all these different episodes, characters, and memories all relate, but as the book continues, the reader sees all of these pieces come together effortlessly into a complex, fascinating, and raw story.

I especially felt a connection and interest in Carol. Without giving too much away, I have to say I highly recommend this book. Take your time, delve in, and truly enjoy.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and HighBridge Audio for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to this and it’s honestly one of the best novels I’ve ever heard. I. Loved. It. It was narrated by Courtney Patterson and she did a wonderful job. Her storytelling was magical.
This was about life, loss and and family. I had no idea this was going to pull me in and not let go. The writing had great pace and depth. It was a pleasure to listen to and I look forward to more from this author.
I highly recommend it and think it would be a great summer read.
Thanks HighBridge Audio via Netgalley.

Night Came with Many Stars opens up with a story In Kentucky, back in 1933, Carol's abusive daddy lost his thirteen-year-old daughter in a game of cards. The novel spans decades from 1933 to 2010, as the story of Carol and the people in her life are told. The events and the lives of the characters are interwoven, and unexpectedly change course in this story of chance and choice that will eventually lead home again to a night blessed with light and peace.

Leapfrogging, using a span of time with one character, then changing to a different character and different span of time in the next chapter, became a bit of a challenge to keep the story flowing smooth and harmonious for me even though I see the author’s intent for connection. Maybe it was just me, but I found that rhythm harder to follow.

However, exceptional praise for narrator Courtney Patterson, who did an amazing job with narration. Character voices were well defined, good accents.

Night Came with Many Stars is a novel that reveals how remarkable and powerful connected life can be—how what seems dark, can eventually be light and upon reflection, illuminous.

3.5 Stars
My thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an AAC in exchange for my honest review.

I had the pleasure of listening to the Audiobook version of this story, which is beautifully narrated by Courtney Patterson. If you enjoy listening to audiobooks I highly recommend this one. Hearing her narrate this one with the lovely Kentucky cadence added to this story for me. It added to the story, listening to this story in the way that I imagine Van Booy could hear it as he wrote it.

The story of one family over generations, from 1933 to 2010, this is a beautifully written story beyond just the words which flow flawlessly, weaving a story through the years with a sense of tender affection for these people. Their stories are filled with hardships, each generation’s hardships affecting the next generation in varying ways and degrees.

Family is at the heart of this story, the good, the bad, the ugly - which is often heartbreaking, but there is so much love, and hope, as well. It begins with Carol’s story, a young girl, still young enough to carry her beloved doll with her, and little schooling, she ’lay her cheek upon the surface of the yellow tablecloth, between the ghost of her mother’s elbows.’ Her memories of her mother dim and fading, she still clung to the moments she could recall, revisiting them to reassure herself of the love that once was there. A brief moment in time before she becomes the object of a card game, and her father gambles her away to another man.

This quickly jumps from the beginning of Carol’s story to Samuel’s which begins in 1986, but goes back and forth through the years and the stories of that include other characters, as well through the years. Some of which are memorable in a heartwarming way, while some do not outwardly seem worthy of redemption. The hardships and ugliness they’ve each endured leaves a mark on themselves, as well, and history is repeated until fate delivers a different path.

This is the fourth of his books that I’ve read, the first of which was around ten years ago, and his stories and his writing lured me in from the first page each and every time. Each word seems specific, chosen to convey the exact message, emotion, through compassion, allowing the reader to internalize the pain, love, adaptability and brevity of life, as well as the continued hope that kindness, love and hope will prevail.

Pub Date: 08 Jun 2021

Many thanks for the ARC provided by HighBridge Audio, Narrated by Courtney Patterson