Another heartwarming story by E. Berg. Her writing seems to get better and better, with lovely warm stories such as this one. Love these characters. Hope there's more!

I was really excited about this book! I loved the first book and was happy to see there was a sequel because I felt like the first story ended abruptly. Arthur Truluv was a short book and I almost wonder if originally these were all one book? At any rate, it was good to see what Lucille was up to and add more to her story, she was a fun, interesting character and it was good to see her baking.

Night of Miracles is a charming story about the inhabitants of a small town. While it is billed as a sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv, it is a completely standalone book. But reading them in order will give you a little bit more enjoyment when reading the second one, because of the additional backstory knowledge of a couple of characters.

There are a lot more characters in Night of Miracles compared to The Story of Arthur Truluv which centered on three people. In fact, the beginning of Night of Miracles requires some patience on the reader’s part — the first 5 chapters, although they are short, revolve around different characters (Lucille, Iris, Abby/Jason, Tiny/Iris, and Monica) with a few tertiary character names as well. So don’t be surprised if you are a bit confused and have trouble keeping the characters straight — it will become clearer as you read more.

The book is about how these individuals become interconnected as their stories unfold. Are these people extraordinary? Not really. But they are good-natured and kind — people you would like to get to know. They are coping with everyday issues and problems while dealing with others in a compassionate way. Their different circumstances include illness, a small business, losing weight, starting over after a divorce, dating, unrequited love and so on. By the time their story ends, each one will get their own small miracle.

The different characters come to realize different truths through their experiences with each other and the situations in their lives. There are bits of wisdom sprinkled through the pages on various topics including love, life, and kindness.

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

One good thing about someone really liking something you have is that you appreciate it yourself all over again.

But you can’t custom-order people’s kindnesses. People do what they can, they give what they have.

There are some amusing moments as well as clever writing.

He takes the recommended small bites! which means that he cuts the sprouts in quarters. Looks like he’s going to have to add a microscope to his table setting.

They didn’t even eat together anymore, not breakfast, not lunch, not dinner. Oftentimes, they ate separate things, and Iris thought this was worse than separate beds. They were more than over. They were rotted.

Ms. Berg is a skilled writer who gives the reader worthy ideas to ponder:

Lately, she draws comfort from watching the second hand go smoothly around and around. Isn’t it funny that she, so enamored of the past, is now consoled by seeing time move relentlessly forward?

Funny how important those birds have become to her. But people need something to depend on. They need a qsomething to love.

And everybody’s job was to love life while you had it and never to take anything for granted. It was hard to remember to do that, but it was worth it to try.

Although I enjoyed Night of Miracles, I didn’t love it as much as The Story of Arthur Truluv. Maybe the abundance of characters has something to do with it. The character of Arthur Truluv is unrivaled in Night of Miracles — he is truly unique. Overall I think The Story of Arthur Truluv set a very high bar which would be extremely difficult to surpass.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If the small town of Mason, Missouri, existed, I'd move there. Elizabeth Berg has a talent for creating characters I would like to know better. In short, her books give me faith in people.

Arthur Trulove’s nosy but endearing neighbor is back. Lucille Howard -- retired elementary school teacher turned baking instructor -- is back along with Maddy, Nola and a delightful collection of new neighbors in Mason, Missouri, a town bearing some resemblance to Mitford, North Carolina.

Readers may want to know if it is necessary to have read The Story of Arthur Truluv in order to enjoy this book. Technically, Night of Miracles stands alone as a delightful story featuring Lucille; however, it is a more satisfying experience if you’ve read Arthur Truluv.

Five years have elapsed since Arthur Truluv passed away. Lucille has moved into Arthur’s old home, now owned by Maddy who is finishing up college. Lucille has turned her baking lessons into a thriving business and hires recently divorced Iris to help her with bookkeeping and all things computer.

Vegans from Chicago move in next door: Jason, Abby and Link. Initially not enthused with Lucille’s caloric acts of hospitality, they eventually come to depend on Lucille to watch 10-year-old Link while Abby undergoes chemo in Columbia MO, two hours away.

The love interest is between an oversized taxi driver, aptly named Tiny, and Monica, the waitress at Polly’s Henhouse who serves him regularly. There is one more character, the angel of death, who makes brief cameo appearances. After critiquing his wings, Lucille repeatedly tells the angel she is not ready. She has a class to teach; she is caring for Link.

This is a gentle story whose charm is in the way it is told. Elizabeth Berg’s humor, her turn of phrase and observations of the commonplace keep the reader engaged. The slang for menu items at the Henhouse diner had me guessing and laughing. E.g. pigs in a blanket = “two orders of tucked-in oinkers.” Or Iris’s observation that “everything’s pumpkin now. Clothes, lotions, tea breads, ravioli.” In many books I am tempted to skim over the descriptions as unnecessary filler, but not in Berg’s books. Her words make me pause and resonate. A bright Saturday morning is “the kind of day that always makes Lucille feel as though the sun has been through the car wash.” Later on, Lucille eyes Link’s new puppy “as though the animal were black mold between her bathroom tiles.”

In today’s divisive and tumultuous world, this short book is a refreshing break. It will restore your faith in humanity as you embrace Abby’s maxim: “Everybody’s job [is] to love life while you [have] it and never to take anything for granted.”

The Story of Arthur Truluv was practically perfect in every way. Except, it ended. If you were anxiously waiting to find out what happened to Maddy & Lucille, after sweet Arthur left us, wait no more. This beautiful sequel will not disappoint. It is written with the same chemistry & magic as The Story of Arthur Truluv, and you will be delighted at the new characters introduced to their lives. The Night of Miracles is a feel good wonderful read, you will want to share with your favorite people.

Elizabeth Berg NEVER disappoints!
The characters and how they intertwined with each other is what made this book.
Each character had their own story line and somehow they all came together to make this one of the best books I've read in a long time.

I loved this book. I love that the Truluv legacy continueds. This book is delightfully about love, friendships, understanding and moving on.

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Berg. I liked this book very much. The characters developed nicely and I was drawn into their story from the beginning. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one with no regret whatsoever Thank you netgalley for granting my wish and the arc ebook. The opinions are my own.

I have long been a fan of Elizabeth Berg, so it came as no surprise that I loved this book. The thing Berg does so beautifully is create characters that are flawed, likeable and complex, then gather a group of these misfits into a setting where you wonder how they will ever connect to one another. A Night of Miracles holds true to her style. Lucille Howard is an 88-year-old woman living out her years as she waits to rejoin her husband and her first love in the afterlife. Trying to make the most of her days here on earth, Lucille gives baking classes while she waits for her miracle.
Those Lucille will gather to her bosom include, Iris, a divorced woman who regrets her actions, Monica, a waitress at the Henhouse Diner, and a family of vegan next-door neighbors.
Suffice it to say that Berg works her magic with this group and when the Angel of Death comes to Lucille, she summarily dismisses him saying she hasn’t yet had her miracle. In the end when he returns for the third time and insists it is her time, she is given her miracle, but it is one that forces her to make a decision between what she wants most and what will save a woman’s life.
A Night of Miracles is a poignant story that is beautifully written and will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I'm very much an Elizabeth Berg fan, but this book seemed very slight in comparison to her normal writing. I hope she can get back to shining again. This book just didn't do it for me.

What a nice small town full of ordinary people who are just trying to live their lives. No major catastrophes, nothing earth shattering, but wholesome and entertaining. It makes you want to live in a town like this, far from the insanity we found in larger communities. The story is told from a different person each chapter to show what is happening in that person's life, but we see how the lives intertwine, how a stranger can fit in nicely with those who have been there forever. I really liked it and liked the writing style as it was comfortable to put down with no cliffhangers, but it made you want to get back to it to see how all the characters fair. Nicely done!
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book from Elizabeth Berg! I love her writing style; the richly developed characters, the way she invites you to become a part of their lives, and her ability to write in such a way that you don't want to put the book down. If you're a fan of Ms. Berg's writing this book will not disappoint. If you haven't read her work, this will be a great introduction.

Beautifully written book that gives you all the feels. Lots of characters at the beginning, but easy to remember and loved seeing how they all came together during the book. Highly recommend this sweet easy to read book. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I will be purchasing this book and Arthur Truluv for a few of my loved ones to read. I luvvvvvvvvvvvd this book. I cried for Lucille. I bawled for Tiny and Monica. I was a complete mess for Abby and her son Lincoln. This book hit me in a place I havent been affected in a long time. All I can say is that Elizabeth Berg is a fabulous author and I recommend this book. I think you must read The Story of Arthur Truluv first.

Night of Miracles came as a big surprise because I didn’t know it was the sequel to the beloved The Story of Arthur Truluv. I didn’t realize how much I missed these characters until they were back in my life. Berg wrote this so it can absolutely stand-alone.

What makes this book so damn touching are the character’s well-developed personalities. It makes the reader get to know them better and thus be part of their lives. The charm of small town life is epitomized in this book. It will make you yearn to take a baking class with Lorraine or have breakfast at the diner. Obviously all small towns do not have such kind do-gooders, as any reader will attest too, but it still worked beautifully in fiction.

There are some deeper moments that land on guilt, loss, hope and friendship. It’s a book that makes you look at the people in your life and make sure they treat you with kindness and respect and also reminds you to always be kind as well. It’s never a bad choice. If there’s a book three in this series, I hope the story of Monica and Tiny are the main stars. And in book four (pretty please Ms. Berg) I’d like to know what Maddy and Nola are up to.

In this welcome continuation of the story of Arthur Trulove's community, the lives of Lucille and Maddy are followed. Lucille, retired teacher, teaches baking classes in her home, and Maddy is married with a little daughter. Added to the mix are the family next door to Lucille; the mother has leukemia, the husband is bereft, and the son finds a haven with Lucille. There's also Tiny, who has long been infatuated with Monica, a waitress who shares his feelings even though neither can bring themselves to admit it to the other. As this quiet plot unfolds, Berg creates people we care about and whom she obviously likes. This is a novel about kindness and community, and brings welcome relief from the mean-ness of current events.

Sometimes life comes at you sideways, like a shy cat, and utterly but pleasantly changes your life for the better. Ms. Berg is a master at showing how tiny interactions ripple through the lives of many unconnected souls can dramatically improve everything.

Loving “The Story of Arthur Truluv “ by Elizabeth Berg I knew “Night of Miracles” would also be a favorite even before reading it. Elizabeth Berg, one of my favorite authors, did not disappoint. Lucy Howard and the cast of characters that touch her life are so likable, with such grateful friendships and community strength. I highly reccomend this book.

A sweet follow-up to Arthur Trulove. I had read the first book awhile back and forgot most of the storyline, but Night of Miracles does a great job of reminding (or informing) the reader of the first novel while weaving together the new characters and their stories.

This novel is an easy read with a feel-good element to it. Would recommend both of Elizabeth Berg’s novels about Arthur.