This audio book was different than many that I have read. It really made me feel like I wanted to stop the main character from doing things that she knew she shouldn't do. Every time I thought the main character, Lynette had pushed her luck too far she did something else. The story grabbed me and made me want to know how it ended. I found the characters to be real and their situation similar to people I have heard about. The book is compelling and makes you want to help people that have issues with drugs and finding a decent job. I really liked Lynette although she was very flawed and so human. She tries her best to get her life back on track but has so many obstacles many others would have given up but not her. Her humanity shines through when she is helping her disabled brother and you can see how hard she is trying to change their lives for the better.

The narrator for this book was great. Her voice fit the character perfectly and it made me want to keep listening. It is important to like the voice and be able to picture the character from both the voice and the description. This voice seemed to be made for this person--her reactions, her temperament fit so well with the voice. It was a good match. I really liked the book and recommend it.
The only negative comment is that the ending is so abrupt. There is not anything on the file after the end and I waited to make sure it was over so there was a lot of dead air. I am hoping their will be a second book and that it is more uplifting with the characters success in finding a better life. I would read that.

I received an advanced copy of this audiobook from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It is well written and the characters are described well. The narrator did a good job reading this book. This audiobook will be in stores on April 6th for $20.99 (USD). This has mental health representation. TRIGGER WARNING Drug Abuse. This book is about a 3 star book to me. I would recommend it though.

Lynette is trying her best to keep her head above water, not easy when she's got such a checkered past. But in trying to purchase the rental she occupies with her mother and developmentally challenged brother, she's taken to scraping every penny in whatever means she can only to find out her mother has other plans. Lynette then experiences an almost unbelievable Walpurgisnacht of events (are there really so many hours in the day) during which she'll spend a lot of time remembering things she'd thought she'd put behind her. That is the basic outline of this book by Willy Vlautin who has a distinct talent for writing about those on the fringes, and in the process, shows the effects of gentrification on a city like Portland, Oregon, on those who may find themselves losing their way of life. Well written if a little fantastic, but then, I believe Vlautin was making a point in which he succeeded.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was completely drawn in by the narrator and the suspense of the story but due to its dark path the main character sometimes chooses I question whether or not it will have broad appeal, even though I did appreciate her resilience.

This was refreshingly gritty and quietly devastating. I immediately began to root for our main character as soon as I understood her motivation - finding security and peace for her family, particularly Kenny, her developmentally disabled brother. She is flawed and it works.
The audiobook was really well done, and the narrator did an amazing job of differentiating between characters.

This contemporary novel was pretty depressing and bleak, though I appreciate the honesty, as it did come off as realistic to the plight of this desperate young woman. At it's core, this book seemed to be exploring what happens when the "American Dream" doesn't happen, and the daily struggle of a person whose been dealt many hard blows in life; caring for a disabled family member, scraping to make ends meet when the cost of living keeps rising, poverty, depressing and the effects of gentrification. A tough and emotional read.

Excellent novel that demonstrates how impossible it is for a huge segment of the population to achieve and secure The American Dream. As I read this dark and depressing novel, I couldn’t help thinking how much better our world could be if only Universal Health Care were available. The amount of human suffering that could be eliminated would be incalculable. Vlautin’s protagonist Lynette is working multiple jobs to keep her disabled brother, mother & herself in a home of their own. Like a Shakespearean tragedy, Lynette’s barely contained anger threatens to derail her fragile mental health and in her desperation she becomes caught up in a series of events that could cost her life.
Quick read.

Almost put this book down. At first I found it depressing especially while living in lockdown during this pandemic. What the author really gets across is how depression can rule a person’s life and how it can cause a feeling of being totally out of control. How so helpless one can feel and the hopelessness that can lead to suicide rather than seeking help.

The other part of this story explains the desperation that poverty brings. The lengths people go to get out of that poverty, to protect the ones they love. And, that sometimes love is very hard. I would like to say the ending was uplifting but it left just enough doubt in my mind about whether it could be a happy ending.

My review just got eaten but this one was so good!! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy in exchange for a review.

This is not a happy story and it doesn’t get tied up in a bow, but it’s definitely a real story.

Really fabulous book! It's part suspenseful action and part deep character study, with some interesting social commentary added to the mix. Lynette is a rather troubled person and does some very troubling--and dangerous--things, but through it all she's never unsympathetic and I found myself rooting for her, no matter what she was doing. Her backstory and relationship with her mother, another well drawn character, make Lynette's actions and feelings understandable. I had the pleasure of consuming this book in the audio format. If you get a chance to listen to it, I highly recommend it! The narrator, actress Christine Lakin, was absolutely first-rate. All characters were done well, but the sections of dialog between Lynette and her mother are absolutely masterful; it feels like listening to a play. Many thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC of this fascinating book.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Okay, so, The Night Always Comes definitely flew by for me. Not only did I get the chance to dive into the wonderful audiobook but the characters and the storyline were just addicting (to me). In it, you will meet Lynette. She is almost in her 30's and is trying everything she can in order to take care of herself and her family. Not sure how she is still standing after working numerous jobs but give this girl a dang medal.

Hot damn.

Other than that, this book was so dark in some parts. It also hurt my heart in others. Lynette constantly had to push herself to prove others wrong. She was a very determined character and I loved her so much for that. She wanted to own a home and she was going to prove her mother wrong. Constantly underestimated but hungry, oh so hungry, for the challenge.

Now even though I flew threw this book, I will admit some things were kind of annoying. For example, the repetitiveness throughout the book but in some cases I could see why it happened. While for others I was just like - I get it. We get it. Move on.

In the end, this book was so hard to put down (or pause) and I can't wait for it to actually come out so I can buy it.

Excellent writing and wonderful development of characters, however be warned - this novel is a powerful glimpse into a woman who has had a difficult life and issues with mental illness. If you like being immersed into the day of a bleak life of someone who could have used a helping hand, then go for it. I read it because librarians and booksellers have been raving about it.

I saw Willy Vlautin being interviewed, and I know the team at Harper Collins is really high on his books, so I finally got around to reading one of his books. I am glad that I did. Willy Vlautin is an excellent writer, and he writes this time about a difficult and depressing situation for his main character. There was a lot of depth and realism to his characters, and my heart ached for Lynette's situation. I was frustrated by the bad choices she made but could understand how she made them. The book makes for an interesting study. As Lynette was trying to better herself and her situation, she couldn't quite break free of her old bad tendencies, She had obstacles that were difficult to overcome, but this pointed out the additional challenges of someone who is on the edge and has had mental issues and a bad situation in life. The struggles are often greater for so many who are disenfranchised. I highly recommend this book

Note: This review will be published on my book blog and Goodreads closer to publication date.

This book is a realistic and often depressing look at a few days in the life of Lynette, a young woman trying to make a better life for herself and her family despite the challenges she seems to face every day. Lynette has struggled with mental illness and made some poor choices as a teenager, but has been working hard to save money towards the purchase of a home with the help of her mother. When her manipulative mother indicates that she might have other plans, Lynette’s frantic attempts to hang onto this one chance for stability send her life spiraling out of control. The narrator did an excellent job bringing Vlautin’s novel to life. Your heart will break as you hear the details of Lynette’s life leading up to the desperate position she finds herself in. If you are a fan of Bryn Greenwood’s books, definitely check this one out. Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook.

This is a great book about someone who feels that have to make all the wrong choices to get to the right place. I enjoyed listening to this on audiobook. The narrator did a great job of making me feel as though I was watching a movie. I will recommend this book to others.

Lynette, a young woman who lives with her mother and disabled older brother who needs constant watching, wants to buy the house they’ve lived in for the past 15 years. The house has been going into disrepair, but Lynette has plans once they buy the place. On the cusp of signing the papers Lynette’s mom says she doesn’t want to live there the rest of her life, in fact would rather not live with Lynette.

A crazy night ensues where Lynette goes around getting as much cash as she can. This part takes up most of the book and it is a wild ride!

The book pulls you into the story and you can’t wait to find out what happens next. There were some long conversations between Lynette and another character: her mom, an ex-boyfriend, etc. The background of the story unfolds in these conversations. I like the way that was done. The driving force behind the book: high housing prices and people barely scraping by, living on the edge.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book. The narrator was excellent, I would rate as 5 stars. She managed different character voices distinctly and well, so you always knew which character was speaking.

Set over two days and two nights Willy Vlautin takes us on an intense journey through Portland, OR. Lynette, just thirty, has been working several jobs over the last three years to save for the down payment of the house she was going to by with her Mom as a co-signer. When her Mom changes her mind at the last minute Lynette spends that night collecting money she is owed from several people and meets many characters along the way. Some who've done well in the economy and some who have been left behind..
This novel is dark and atmospheric, I felt like I was traveling on this dark rainy night with Lynette around Portland. Vlautin's characters are so well written and are neither good nor bad. He creates whole people. I was rooting for Lynette the whole time, even after learning she's not a perfect person and has struggled with depression and took it out on other people. Man did I want her win in the end. Her mother though, I couldn't stand her. She was awful, but in true Vlautin form, she too is a fully developed character that is neither all good or all bad., but I still didn't like her. Having lived in Portland, OR for the past 21 years I have seen all the changes that Vlautin refers to in this novel. The gentrification and rapidly changing home market in Portland. I loved that I knew all the streets and areas of Portland that he described. This novel asked is the American Dream even within reach for many these days, and should owning a home really be the American Dream anymore, if so many can't afford it. These characters have stuck with me and I highly recommend it.

I received an audiobook galley of this book from netgalley and Harper Audio. My opinions are my own.

The review for this book will not be good. I enjoyed the first part of the book until the mother kicks her out. The events of the night were so unrealistic, time lines would not hold up and seriously if she had $80,000 why did she need more. She escapes a mad mad twice in a short few hours????

I felt the author pull every newsworthy topic and rolled them in to one long stream of thought. The character works a full time job, comes home only to go back to her part time job, then hooks for a few hours, then runs to her friend, steals a safe, escapes a madman, then drives across town escapes the wrath of another man, then beats him, checks into a hotel calls the police, and heads over to a drug dealer. Then discuss her homelessness, her sexual abuse, her physical abuse (including gay sex) then.... then.... Are you kidding me?

I would not recommend anyone to read this book. I rated it 1 star only because 0 stars was not an option

Be prepared - this book is dark and depressing. I don’t know when I’ve heard a story this bleak. Lynette’s life is really not going well. She’s working several jobs, one of which is illegal. Her brother is developmentally challenged with the mind of a three year old. She’s managed to save the money needed for the downpayment to buy their home, but her mom reneges on her willingness to take in the mortgage. When she tries to start collecting the money she’s owed from various people, things get even worse. I definitely wanted to find out whether things would eventually work out for her.
Vlautin provides flashbacks to Lynette’s life as the story progresses, so we learn more and more about what damaged her.
The book covers those that live paycheck to paycheck, the ones that have been left behind as the world moves forward. It also deals with mental illness, especially those that can’t get help.
I think this book might work better as a book to be read rather than listen to. I felt for Lynette and it was very well written, but it was a depressing book to listen to. That’s not to say Christine Larkin isn’t a strong narrator. She imparts all the necessary emotion.
My thanks to netgalley and Harper Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around my feelings for this book. It was difficult material. There wasn’t a feeling of hope or joy, but just trying to make it. It was just so bleak. I wanted so much more for Lynette than a crappy mom and the lifestyle she was leading. Ugh! I really loved the writing though, and it is a gifted writer than can make me FEEL as much as I did for a character. I haven’t read anything by Vlautin prior to this, but now I want to go through his backlist.
The narration was brilliant and enhanced the novel. So good.