Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 19, 2021
Melissa Payne, author of “The Secrets of Lost Stones”, sheds a light on humanity, addiction and the connectedness we find through books and reading, with her newest novel “The Night of Many Endings”.
Nora Martinez is the librarian in Silver Ridge, Colorado, volunteering with the homeless in her spare time and trying to bring the love of reading to the small community. But behind Nora’s exterior attitude of positivity and joy is a great loss- after the death of both her parents in a car accident that left her brother, Mario, grievously injured, Nora has spent her life trying to reconnect with Mario, to bring him back from the life of homelessness and drug use that has plagued him since that fateful day. When a snowstorm hits their town, Nora finds herself stranded in the library with some of the library’s frequent guests; Marlene, the town loner who, after the loss of her husband, feels bereft and lost; Lewis, the homeless man who also has his own battle with addictions; Vlado, the librarian security guard who is trying to make a new home in America after leaving his country and Jasmine, the young, quiet teenager who everyone assumes is up to no good. As the snow continues to fall the five strangers begin to realize just what they have in common, and bond in unexpected ways.
Payne’s “Endings” is like an adult “The Breakfast Club”, as five seemingly different people are stranded together and bond over their similarities. However, Payne touches on some achingly emotional topics as well, including grief and loss, and addiction. The honest portrayal of addiction, from both the addict and the loved one, is both haunting and painful, but also exceptionally realistic. Above all else, “Endings” is a story of the human condition, and humanity winning out against all evils.
Going into the story, judgments are made about the characters, but as Payne’s novel goes on, each character beings to reveal their human side. My attitudes and opinions about each character changed several times throughout the story, until, at the very end, I wanted each and every character to succeed. “Endings” is also a story about books and libraries, how stories can bring people together and how libraries can cater to every walk of life, which is also relatable to any long-time reader.
The ending of the story was both bittersweet and exceptionally believable, providing the reader with exactly what they didn’t know they needed.
The story is well-developed, the plot flows well, and Payne creates characters that are easy to bond with. “The Night of Many Endings” connected with me on many levels, not just in the characters’ love of books and reading, but at my deeper, human core. I am a new reader of Payne’s work, but this will not be my last novel by this author. I eagerly anticipate Payne’s next work.

Nora Martinez is the town’s librarian in Silver Ridge, CO. Her love of books and the people she serves bring meaning to her life. Without exception, Nora is extremely private in regards to her personal life and no one knows the emotional pain she carries. She is unreserved and selfless when caring for her patrons, as well as her community’s disadvantaged and homeless. But in just one evening everything changes for Nora when a spring snowstorm bears down on the town. Huge amounts of snow and impassable roads leave her and the day’s patrons no choice but to hunker down inside the library for the night.

Confined in the library with Nora is Vlado, the security guard whose strength and gentleness gives her the support she needs to make it through the terrifying storm. Lewis, the homeless man whose drug overdose almost ends his life, but is found by Nora and Vlado. Marlene, a local resident and cantankerous widow, left bitter from the death of her husband. And sweet Jasmine, a thirteen year old who continues to mourn the loss of her mother while struggling with personal issues of her own. It is here in the evening hours of the storm, trapped in the library, that this diverse group of people will bond and share their deepest pain. It’s where Nora will find the strength and courage to reveal her darkest secrets, forever bonding her to this multifarious group of people.

This Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne evolved slowly, weaving threads of flawed and wounded people into a beautiful tapestry. All characters in this novel were well developed with unique and distinguished personalities. Ultimately, my favorite characters were Vlado and Marlene. While polar opposites, their temperaments played well against each other. As I read this book, I felt like an outside observer in a room of strangers. I watched as they grappled to open themselves up to one another, sharing their personal pain and sorrows. Within the hours of the storm, their personal revelations forever solidified their relationships with one another, leaving them all a little better and less lonely than before.

The Night of Many Endings is a remarkable book. There is some language throughout Lewis’s dialogue, but for those readers who like stories of pain and triumph, this novel will check all the right boxes. It’s a great way to pass the time, especially with the approach of winter and those long cold snowy nights.

I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Before I knew anything about this book, I did think it would be like Matt Haig’s “The Midnight Library”, involving experiencing different lives dependent on little changes made in the ‘real’ life. It even involves a library and the main character has the same name, Nora. But this is not like that in any way. It follows five acquaintances who are forced to shelter from a storm in the local library.

It does contain a number of tough topics such as homelessness, drug abuse, alcoholism, death, chronic illness and pain, being orphaned, suicide - it’s a lot to throw in, potentially too much for a book that isn’t particularly long.

It is very human in all its realism. It’s actually quite tough to be confronted with that at times. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any of the main characters particularly pleasant, for a number of reasons, and I wasn’t sure if I cared enough about them. It was a slow start but definitely improved with time, even if I thought it ended a bit too neatly given the horrendousness of the topics discussed.

Having said that, it isn’t overly dark or unpleasant, but it is a hard read. Not for everyone, but a good study of humanity at its lowest.

Trapped in a library, during a blizzard no less, five very different people have to learn to get along. I thought this was going to be a funny story about a night that feels like it goes on forever, and it was like that but it was also so much more. There were many serious issues in this book; addiction, death and suicide to name but a few. I loved how we get to know each character separately through their own chapters, I felt like I got to know them better that way and I found I could be more sympathetic towards them as well, even though not all the characters were likable...it also made me more engaged with the story itself. The writing was was so real and true to life and I highly recommend this this very poignant and compassionate tale.

An interesting story how fate in form of a winter snow blizzard strands different characters in the town library. Although from different background, age and values they find a common thread and stick together to survive and change lives.

In Summary:

Genre: General Fiction

Publication Date: 19 October 2021

No. Of Pages: 299 Pages

Keywords: Human Stories, Homelessness, Mental Health, Depression

Content Warnings: Suicide, Bereavement and Depression

Format: Paperback, E-Book, Audiobook

Review:

The Night of Many Endings is a cosy book. An easy read that you could snuggle up with on a winter’s day. It focuses on a library, its librarian and patrons during a snowstorm that leaves them all stranded.


Through the course of the night, circumstances push and pull at the character’s defenses; leaving them changed by the time the sun rises the next day. This might sound predictable, but it is the beauty of the storytelling that lifts the plot above general expectation.


Melissa Payne creates characters that are beautifully crafted and realistic. Giving a glimpse into the thinking of each character by offering them the focus of each chapter. Although the main story falls on the librarian - Nora, who can be a little frustrating at times - the other characters are a great ensemble, supporting and offering insight into the complicated humanity experienced through the storm.


There is a real American charm to the library and the town in which it sits. The sheer amount of snow suffered by the town sets it firmly in America, but details such as the diner and its waitresses - both young and old - give it a small-town Americana vibe.


This is the perfect book to read in a few hours, preferably with a big mug of hot chocolate and a roaring fire.

The Round Up:

Read If: You want an easy but emotional read

Similar Books: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Last Impressions: A great story to escape into for a while.
Written by: Laura Pick for CityGirl Network Magazine

Adult Breakfast Club During A Disaster. Ok, so I love me a good disaster movie, and The Breakfast Club (look it up, kiddos) is one of the most iconic movies Hollywood has ever produced, at least for those of us who were anywhere from young kids (and mostly learning of its amazingness a few years after it released) to young adults (who were actively living it) in that era. Here, Payne manages to hit both notes while admittedly not having quite the same tear-jerking punches of both of her prior novels. The front part of the book sets up the disaster, and actually does nearly as good a job as the Tommy Lee Jones movie Volcano in showing just how "normal" the day of the disaster is. Then the disaster strikes and our more Breakfast Club mode kicks in. Here, our cast isn't trapped by an overbearing Principal in detention, but in a life and death struggle to stay alive and stay warm during a brutal snowstorm - but the ultimate tones and themes are very similar, up to and including various relevant tragic backstories. (Note that only the currently-relevant-backstories-at-time-of-publication part is similar between the two. The actual backstories are actually wildly divergent and yet great looks into under-told stories of each type of person.) And yet - get ready for yet another movie reference - the ending drags on a bit similar to The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King. Ok, the "coronation" has finally happened. We don't need half the tale being what happens after! (Note, nowhere near that bad here - more like the back 20% ish of the tale.)

Still, the writing is as beautiful and poignant as ever, the overall backstories are inventive in their rarity in literature, and ultimately this *is* a really strong book that everyone should read. Very much recommended.

I really enjoyed this story. It was beautifully written and intriguing. Good characterisation and vivid descriptions. Will read more by this author. 5 stars!

After reading Melissa Payne's The Secrets of the Stones, I am excited to read this book. Secrets of the Stones captivated me so I had high hopes for this book as well.

Unfortunately, this book was simply OK to me.

Nora is working in the library and is struggling to deal with her brother's sudden disappearance who is also a drug addict. When a snow storm hits the small town, she provides shelter for two people--Jasmine, a young girl and Lewis a drug addict along with Vlado and Marlene. The story is basically about these five people stuck in the library, learning about each other and how they all ended up becoming friends.

The thing I liked about this book is Payne's style of writing. The vivid descriptions made the reader picture the vivid images in the reader's mind which I enjoyed very much. However, the pace was slow and at times, it was a bit boring that I almost DNF the book. Each and every single character in the book--Nora, Marlene, Vlado, Lewis and Jasmine has flaws and some history with their family members that it was actually intriguing to read. Nonetheless, the ending was OK.

Overall, it was not really a bad book but it wasn't as great as her book, The Secret of the Stones. Worth only thee stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

An odd assortment of people get trapped in a library together during a major snowstorm. Nora, the librarian who spends all her free time trying to help the homeless in an effort to help her brother; Jasmine, a young girl who lost her mother; Marlene, a severe older woman with chronic pain and a sharp tongue; Lewis, a homeless addict who watches his family from a distance; and Vlado, the security guard who loves Greek mythology and has obvious feelings for Nora. Of course being trapped together changes everyone. It was good, 3.5 stars rounded to 3.

The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne is a women’s fiction title about a group of strangers forced into spending a night together. This is a novel that changes the point of view between main characters giving you all sides of the story.

Nora Martinez is the librarian in the small town of Silver Ridge, Colorado. Nora has a kind heart wanting to help all those she can which stems from her own upbringing with a brother who struggled with addiction. Nora feels that if she puts out good energy it may circle around to her brother one day who she was never able to help.

One night at the library Nora is on duty when a storm is brewing outside and she begins to worry about her patrons getting home safely. Before anyone can even think about leaving though they find that the storm is already too bad for them to travel. Left at the library that night with Nora is Marlene, a lonely widow, Jasmine a teenager with troubles of her own, Lewis who is homeless and has nowhere to turn and Vlado, the security guard.

The Night of Many Endings got off to a bit of a rocky start for me when I picked it up. The beginning was a bit too much of an fast forward info dump about the characters before it settled into a nicer paced story. However, once the actual story began I actually became quite engaged in learning about these very different people and their lives. There was plenty that went on through the night to keep the pages turning and the character growth was plentiful so when I finished I actually found that I had enjoyed the read quite a bit.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I was not sure initially if I liked this book, "The Night of Many Endings," but the more that I read, the more interested I was in these characters. Melissa Payne created characters with layers that began to unfold as the book progressed. By the end of the book, I had decided that these characters were successful in engaging me in their story. Although the individual stories were not actually unique, the setting worked very well. I would recommend this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for letting me read this ARC. My comments are my opinion.

One night can change your life, but one book can change the reader. Melissa Payne captured so many emotions in one novel that I’m still sitting here digesting what I have read. Nora, Marlene, Vlado, Lewis, and Jessica have so many different stages of life they are in, but everything comes perfectly together in a magical way.

This book isn’t about a snow storm or being stuck in a library, it’s about 5 strangers who get forced together by nature to look at each other in a new way and to also look at themselves in the mirror. It may be hard to hear what strangers think of you or your life, but the truly hard part is knowing your worst fears and inner demons are really showing and others can see what you thought you were hiding so well.

Between drugs, health issues, loved ones passed, and so many other things being brought into the darkness of the library on that eventful night, the snow storm itself was not the scariest part. Lewis is a drug addict and homeless. Nora is a shell of a person living for her brother. Marlene is a mean person who has hardened herself as a comfort mechanism. Jessica is a young girl who lost someone she loves and had to grow up too fast. And last but not least, Vlado, the misunderstood security guard that has an intelligence that was hidden behind a stereotype.

Each person should read this novel and experience the inner workings of Melissa Payne’s mind to not only enjoy a good read, but to go on an emotional rollercoaster ride living each character’s life. I feel like I’ve searched for Mario all my life with Nora, I’ve slept on the cement with Lewis, lost the love of my life with Marlene, stayed unseen with Vlado, and raised my sister with Jessica. Each one has left a scar on my heart that needs to heal.

Nora Martinez has a serious messiah complex.

After losing her parents in a tragic accident as a young girl - an accident that her brother, Mario, blames himself for - she’s determined to save him from the life of drug addiction he’s been lost in for years - even if it comes at her own expense. Furthermore, she also seems determined to help everyone else while she’s at it, hoping the good karma will bring her brother back.

One night, when a blizzard hits her town of Silver Ridge, Colorado, this young, good-hearted librarian is trapped in the darkened, cold library with four others: a cranky widow named Marlene, a sweet-natured teenager named Jasmine, the sensitive mythology-loving security guard, Vlado, and an abrasive elderly homeless gentleman named Lewis whose favorite word is apparently “goddamn” or any of its variations, which he says ad nauseam.

Despite what felt like an “everything but the kitchen sink” approach to serious topics, including drug addiction, chronic illness, accidental or unexpected death, loss of parents, family dysfunction and estrangement, loneliness, homelessness, and suicidality, this surprisingly isn’t a heavy book. If you ever saw the 80’s comedy The Breakfast Club, where five teenagers from very different walks of life spend an afternoon detention in the school library bickering and bonding over their mutual dysfunctions, this felt like a dramatic grown-up version of that, complete with the same sense of bonding and character growth that the movie offered.

I almost DNF’d it after being annoyed with Nora and then Marlene in the first few chapters, but I’m glad I pushed past it, because while I didn’t love it, I actually ended up feeling pretty engaged in the story. It had some really sweet and heartwarming moments, even if some verged on cloying. It won’t stick with me for long, but if you’re looking for a book with human connection and character growth and you like a bit of drama, it’s a quick, enjoyable read.

★★★
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and author Melissa Payne for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It will be published on October 19,2021.

Many thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. In reading this book I was reminded of how little we know of each other--we see the surface but most people don't divulge their life secrets or aren't honest about what their life is like. We travel with assumptions that we form, based on our past, and those assumptions could be so far from someone's truth. One night in the library, during a blizzard, these truths become evident. The book moved slowly for me and thus I can only give it 3 stars. Other people, other views would possibly rate it a 5. I think this is one of those books that relate to an individual based on their life.

This is the story of five people:
—Nora, the librarian who tries to help others because she can’t help her own brother, but who has lost herself in this impossible quest;
—Marlene, an elderly woman whose both physical and mental pain has made bitter;
—Lewis, a homeless man who deals with addiction, PTSD and a lot of remorse;
—Vlado, the smart library security guard who loves Nora from afar;
—Jasmine, a teenage girl who hides secrets.
There are stranded together for one night in the library of Silver Ridge, a small town in Colorado, because of a snowstorm. A night which will lead to many endings…

I had trouble to get into the story, but I’m glad I didn’t give up, because after a few chapters I started to enjoy it. As the protagonists found themselves unable to leave the library due to the blizzard, I started to get attached to some of them, mainly Marlene, Lewis and Jasmine. As for Vlado, I would have liked to know more about him, I was left under the impression that his only purpose was to serve Nora’s story. Speaking of Nora, I feel like her character was underdeveloped and deserved a more proper ending like Marlene or Lewis.

Overall, I liked the book. It is really well written and the plot is interesting. However, I finished reading it feeling like it was missing something.

I give it a 3.5/5.

I would recommend it if you’re in a good place mentally.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Melissa Payne for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its one I would buy as a gift for a friend going on a long plane journey or a weekend away. I loved the characters and the story. This is a delight of a book.

This is a book that will make you wonder how and how come. This is a book about how the differences in ourselves make us special. Helping others is a way to bring happiness to all. Dreams can come true.

"The Night of Many Endings" is just that. This book is well written and has wonderful characters.

Pick up a copy! You will be so glad you did.

This was another great read from Melissa Payne. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was light, yet emotional and kept me enthralled until the very last page. Who couldn't help championing the lovely and loving Nora, who views the optimistic of life, kind to all, helping those she can and hoping against all hopes that she will soon cast her eyes once again upon her estranged brother who has not been part of her life for many years now due to his person struggles with addiction. She works in the town library and during one particularly bad storm she, in her place of work provides refuge to some of the local town's people where we learn more than we bargained for about them all. This is a story of love, honesty and facing reality. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

When I found out this book was set in a library, I was delighted to be approved to review it before the publication date! This story comes from the result of a librarian with a heart full of good intentions and a group of random people, all with various sensitive issues, being trapped in a library together due to poor weather.

A touching and warming plot with some distressing experiences being shared made this a tear-jerking read, that pulled on my heartstrings massively. Focusing on love, loss, loneliness, grief, and addiction, this has a lot to offer. There has clearly been a great deal of creativity in the characters and this becomes evident as one by one they start to open up, allowing their vulnerabilities to be explored within the group.

Admittingly, this may not be the best I have read, and there was a point halfway through where I thought I was going to lose interest but the pace picks up again and I am glad that I stuck with this.

This is a recommended read especially for those who like a story of personal growth and character analysis However, please be sure to read the trigger warnings about this book, as this discusses subjects that some readers may find upsetting.