I felt empowered reading this novel by Craig Cunningham. It made me want to love my life to the fullest and not take tiny moments for granted as they could lead to life altering events. The narrator did an excellent job portraying each of the characters. This is one I will highly suggest to my students if they are looking for a young adult, realistic fiction book.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book… narrator did an amazing job of bringing these characters life and bring this book to life. The story was short but well written about coming of age and all the trials and tribulations that you go through love, loss, friendship, hate, forgiveness and everything life brings to you. A book I would definitely recommend to not just teens of coming of age but, adults to remember when things were so much more different as a teen.

Again thank you

I absolutely loved James Van Der Beek narrating this story! I want to listen to more that he narrates. It was the perfect fit for this story. It was a bit harder for me personally to connect with the main character, because of the stage of life I'm in, but I could see loving this as a young adult.

I loved this book. I did not expect to but I did. It was a quick read, but the author made the characters feel very real in such a short time. Some of the writing was truly beautiful. I listen to the book, but would stop and write down some things. I think it’s an awesome young adult novel, but also a great reminder to us as adults about the power of pouring into others.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing this book to be open access to the galley. It was a gift to be able to listen to it after its publication date.

This is a thought-provoking coming of age story for teenagers (and anyone) who enjoys quiet literary fiction and are grappling with what they want and expect from life. If you need a lot of plot, this isn’t for you. The comp with Dead Poets Society is an apt one, but one this novella doesn’t quite live up to in terms of emotional impact or intensity.

Something I think it did very well was highlight the need for teenage boys to have a space to be emotional. It’s the relationships between the boys in the book that really stood out for me. Old friends learn to navigate changing expectations as they mature, newer friendships deepen and develop on page. It’s a wonderful example of emotional vulnerability and especially important for teens who don’t have people in the real world to set that example for them.

For a story that seemed to push the characters to live adventurously, to reconsider the assumptions we’re handed by society about what gives life meaning, the epilogue was kind of a letdown — [SPOILER] instead of finishing with Colt driving away, ready to explore life, we’re brought right back to where he started, except he’d now married to his high school girlfriend who's pregnant with their first child. Not that people can’t find happiness and satisfaction with a life that looks like that, but it just didn’t fit with the tone of the rest of the story.

One thing that didn’t inhibit my enjoyment so much as pull me out of the poignant/profound mood it was going for was the sheer ~Americanness~ of it. I’m plenty familiar with US media, both books and tv/film, but there was something about the close, almost claustrophobic atmosphere of this novella that made the cultural aspects distractingly obvious. There’s a teacher who repeatedly threatens a student with physical violence; ALL the kids seem to drive trucks everywhere; the various dynamics within the church etc. Again, I’m fine with navigating cultural differences in fiction, there was just something about this one as a non-American that was more distracting than usual.

I received a free audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The narration was well done and really carried the intimate mood. It felt almost like someone was reading from the pages of their diary, which was very fitting for the story.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of "One Night In A Thousand Years" through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Immersing myself in the audiobook, narrated by James Van Der Beek, was a delightful experience. The story beautifully captures the journey of teenage boys navigating the complexities of life, offering a genuine portrayal of their growth and experiences.

For anyone seeking a heartwarming tale of youthful group of boys and their personal development, I highly recommend this read or listen.

Book Title: A Night in a Thousand Years
Author: Craig Cunningham
Narrator: James Van Der Beek
Publisher: BooksGoSocial Audio
Audiobook Pub Date October 30, 2023
Genre: Teen/Young Adult
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 214

Prologue starts present day with Colt visiting a cemetery which brings back memories of his HS senior year ten years ago.
Colt was the captain of the football team. If you know anything about Texas you know that football is king!! So when Colt breaks his leg he is sure his senior year is going to be ‘THE worst’. He reluctantly joins a church youth group. Lucas Oliver is the leader; in charge of twelve boys not much younger than he. Lucas creates a forum on discussion regarding the role expected of men. The discussion leads to educating that included an exercise to the cemetery to view and then imagine the lives buried there.
The purpose of the discussion was not to follow the typical role but to find the best versions of themselves. It was sort of a “Dead Poets Society," type story with “Be the Best you can be”.

Narrator James Van Der Beek does a nice job with Texas accent however his voice was so soft. It did appear he was reading from his journal and wasn’t concern if he has an audience.

Story is inspirational as well as very touching; not at all what I was expecting.

Want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial Audio for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was: October 30, 2023.

I was happy to listen to this audio with James as narrator- he was so good! The book drew me in and I didn’t want it to end. Strong characters and the pacing was spot on. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The audiobook narrator was perfect for this story!
《Dead Poet's Society meets Friday Night Lights》
This book was so so good! I was not expecting it.
A high school senior who reluctantly joins a church youth group with a leader who completely goes off script & creates a space for the young men to lean out of the toxic masculine narratives they think are expected of them & strive to find the best versions of themselves instead.
So few teens have access to a space like this in real life, but maybe some can find it in this book. The mysterious youth group leader push the high school seniors to take an honest look at what they value & want to do with their lives & creates a safe space for them to write about & share their emotions, change how they show up in their life. What mark they might want to make on the world? The final chapter and epilogue to tie aspects of the story up, which ended with happily ever after and I loved it so much. 4 ☆

This book was a brilliant coming of age story that gave me all the feels. Think Dead Poets Society mixed with some Varsity Blues. I loved the audible version narrated by James Van Der Beek, which really brought home the Varsity Blues vibes. I truly enjoyed listening to this story and the journey that the boys went on as they grew closer to each other and figured out life and how one person can change your trajectory and leave an incredible lasting impression that will impact the remainder of your life. The story wrapped up beautifully.

This felt like it was too short to be a book but too long to be a short story. I appreciate the comparisons to Dead Poet's Society and I liked Lucas. I also thought it was cool that the author said he was writing about his own experiences. But other than that, it doesn't feel like much happens until the very end and I found it pretty dull. Pretty cool that James VanDerbeek was the narrator.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this audiobook!!!!
Even though I was late to the party on this arc I’m still thankful that Craig Cunninghams team and NetGalley let me listen!! The narrators voice was so relaxing! Total five star book! Can definitely tell that I will be listening to this one over and over again!!!


“Everything you need is already inside you.”

I wasn’t sure how this book would go but I really wanted to listen and find out. I think the narrator did a fab job of narrating this book, the raw emotions he displayed made me connect with the main character Cole which I don’t think I would of, if I had read this myself. I really I enjoyed this audiobook and I really liked that it was short which was perfect for this storyline.

Reading challenge category - 2024 Popsugar Reading Challenge: a bildungsroman (coming of age story)

This was a disappointing read on multiple fronts, but I blame myself for not reading the synopsis before starting the book. Set against the backdrop of Texas football and a Christian youth group, the story is predictable from start to finish. The characters are one-dimensional, embodying tired stereotypes, and the narrative lacks any real depth or originality. It felt like a second-rate attempt at storytelling and was reductive of other stories already told (Dead Poet's Society + Varsity Blues). This book failed to leave any lasting impression or substance.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC audiobook. James Van Der Beek as the narrator is the only reason I finished it.

this book was so well written. when i looked at the descriptionit sounded like my thing. it ended up not being my kind of book but it was still so amazing descriptive.

"One Night in a Thousand Years" by Craig Cunningham, narrated by James Van Der Beek, is an emotionally resonant coming-of-age story that captures the essence of high school senior year with remarkable authenticity.

James Van Der Beek's narration brings the characters to life with depth and sincerity, immersing listeners in the transformative journey of Colt and his friends. From moments of laughter and wonder to scenes of heartbreak and introspection, Van Der Beek's performance captures the full spectrum of emotions with skill and nuance and offers a familiar voice to a coming-of-age story wrought with teenage angst.

At its core, the novel is a tribute to the power of friendship. Lucas Oliver, the enigmatic mentor, challenges Colt and his peers to confront their fears, embrace vulnerability, and seek meaning in the face of uncertainty. As they navigate a series of rites of passage under Lucas's guidance, they discover profound truths about themselves and the world around them.

Cunningham's writing is poignant and evocative, weaving together themes of love, faith, and the search for identity. The dynamic between Colt and Noa, as their relationship deepens amidst the backdrop of senior year, adds a layer of warmth and authenticity to the narrative.

While the novel is filled with moments of beauty and wonder, it also grapples with the complexities of life and the inevitability of change. The event that challenges everything the characters hold true serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of youth and the importance of cherishing each moment.

Overall, "One Night in a Thousand Years" is a captivating and heartfelt story that will resonate with listeners long after the final chapter. With its richly drawn characters, compelling narrative, and Van Der Beek's masterful narration, it is truly a must-listen for fans of coming-of-age tales.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio for the advanced audiobook copy to review via NetGalley!

I should’ve looked closer, it’s a modern day Dead Poets Society based on the author’s true events. My heart.
It was so good and very deep. To me it was very reminiscent of Jeff Zenter, whom I completely and whole heartedly adore. I will absolutely be recommending this book and
I’m going to need the physical copy for my shelf!
Can we talk about Mr. James VDB for a second? He was the PERFECT choice for this part. I’m a huge fan to start off with and to me, he gave an impeccable voice to adolescent boys on the cusp of decision everywhere. Brava! 👏🏻

Honestly, I selected this audiobook because of curiosity over narrator, James Van Der Beek. Yes, of course I’m giving this a shot.

He did a tremendous job! It’s deeply nostalgic hearing Dawson’s voice at work again. And what better story for Van Der Beek to tell than a coming of age story of a group of boys.

The camaraderie, the youthful experiences, the first loves, the heartache, the complications. Cunningham brought me back to all the movies and books I loved and romanticized as a young teen. Surrounding yourself with an unexpected group and finding common denominators. There are cinematic moments throughout the novel and many a nod to Dead Poet’s Society. The boys welcome you into their lives and secrets and hopes.

We are all figuring out what to do with our time in all the phases of our lives and hoping we’re using it wisely.

This is an enjoyable audio centring around Colt and a group of his teen friends, navigating their way through senior year to college.

The narrator James Van der Beek, was the reason I chose the book and does a great job of capturing the characters, their journey, and life lessons of love, friendship and grabbing experiences life throws at you.

It’s a good story but unfortunately didn’t catch my attention quite as much as I’d hoped.

2.5 stars rounded up. My rating reflects my feeling that this book and its subject matter were just not written with readers like me in mind.

Unfortunately I didn’t really take to this audiobook. The narration by James Van Der Beek (my main reason for picking this up) was faultless. However the story was lacking substance in my opinion. There was no plot, no stakes, nothing to keep the reader engaged. I felt my attention drifting often and I was grateful it was a quick read. I also couldn’t personally connect with the intense reflection Colt went through regarding his church and God,

Thank you BooksGoSocial Audio and Craig Cunningham for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.