Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This epistolary novel was... a lot. The premise was good, but much of time it seemed as though the author was determined to pack in everything but the kitchen sink in terms of plot devices and themes. As a result, I found it dragged a good bit, and at the end of the day it was too much quirk for me.

(3.75 stars)
A Town With Half The Lights On is a charming fish-out-of-water story that takes place in very small town, down-on-its-luck Goodnight, Kansas, somewhere near the Missouri border.

The Solvang family needed to get away from Brooklyn, New York, after a disaster created by chef dad, Sid, at his family’s decades-old delicatessen. They wind up moving to Goodnight where mom Scarlet grew up, a place she thought she’d never return to (she’s also a chef, concentrating on baking). Scarlet inherited her father’s home in this dying town. It comes complete with a few alpacas. Their daughter Harlem struggles to fit in but eventually becomes friends with another teen girl, Disco, who also definitely doesn’t fit in with the very traditional and very Christian population. (The Solvang family is Jewish but only in a very surface way. I was actually a bit surprised that the locals referred to them simply as the New Yorkers or the outsiders; I was prepared for much worse.)

The book is a patchwork narratively. It’s basically an epistolary novel. There are lots of emails, articles in the local newspaper (gossip rag!), letters to that newspaper, notes passed in class between the two girls, and more. This led to a lot of repetition of email addresses, for example. The email addresses were pretty funny/characteristic of the person though, which made it easier to remember who was emailing who. Examples: Sid is “BrooklynCalling@Zoomail.com”, the local pastor is “HumbleServant@GoodShepard9street.com”, the feisty waitress at the diner, Bailey, is “HellRazor@Shotmail.com”, Harlem is “TorturedSol@Zoomail.com”, and another townsperson is “HolyRoller316@prairienet.com.”

While I really enjoyed the story, some of the plot was pretty predictable. Outsider saves the town diner and rundown hotel, local factory owners don’t care about their workers or the town’s environment, and so forth.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this epistolary novel. I actually haven't ever NOT liked an epistolary novel. The characters in this were great, and the plot moved along in letter format.

A wonderful debut that left me smiling and excited for more from Page Getz!

The story follows the Solvang family who leave/are forced out of Brooklyn and settle in Goodnight, Kansas. The Solvangs struggle to fit in with the quirky community that is fiercely protective of its struggling town. Slowly, the Solvangs begin to integrate into the community and even begin finding a new purpose. As the Solvangs accept their circumstances, the town begins to accept them and the result is a heartwarming story of community, found friendships and small town shenanigans.

The story took me a while to get into because of its format. Told exclusively through emails, journal entries, newspaper articles and even messages in a bottle, I had a hard time figuring out the main characters and how everyone is connected. Once you settle in though, I loved the story and loved watching each character find a renewed energy and positive growth. Lots of self-transformation in this one and I found myself really engaged with the story.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read an early copy provided through NetGalley.

“... it was a simple pot of soup that saved my soul.”

I am so glad I took this trip to Goodnight, Kansas and was able to hang out at the May Day Diner with the Solvang family!! There was a LOT going on in this little town. All the heart-warming folks, and their care and concern for each other left me with a comforting sense of nostalgia for the close knit neighborhood I had growing up in Michigan. In the end, good neighbors are good neighbors no matter how our politics may lean; as long as our compassion for each other remains.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read this Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz; thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark.

I absolutely loved this story set in Goodnight, Kansas, a small town with a fun mix of different people who all have their own little unconventional personalities. I watched everything Bridgerton on Netflix, so when I saw the blurb on GR towards the bottom that said, "Told through diary entries, emails, school notes, and an anonymous town paper of the Lady Whistledown variety," I knew it would be the book for me!

I loved the epistolary format, especially that so many different types of entries. The norm is usually only a monologic epistolary format where one character tells his/her story via diaries or letters, etc. But with so many different types of entries, this one brought to life the little town of Goodnight. (Might I add that because I watched and loved Bridgerton that it honestly helped me picture the anonymous author of the town paper.)

Sid Solvang's story also resonated with me since I, too, am a "failed chef" aka "can't cook homemaker." And Solvang is a wonderful little Dutch town that we love to visit. Although, there's no relation to Sid, it did catch my eye and made me wonder even more what was going to happen to his career after he up and left the Big Apple for little ol' Goodnight. A huge change! I was interested in the entire book the entire time.

This was so cool. Never read a book in an epistolary format before, not like this anyways. It gave a unique style and perspective on everything that happened.

I adore epistolary novels, and didn't even realize this book had this format until I started reading. Unfortunately I didn't connect with this one as well as I'd hoped, but I still enjoyed it overall. I respect how difficult it is to fully develop characters and their growth in this format, yet I did want more depth from them. I also listened to this partly on audio, and it was more confusing that way with the multitude of characters, plus hearing the entirety of each email address each time there was email correspondence got irritating. It definitely would have been better if I read solely the print/e-book version. It took me a bit to get into the story, but once I did I ended up enjoying following along with the small town drama and troubles with themes of corporate greed, neighbors helping neighbors, second chances, and food!

I liked the format, but I had a hard time getting into the story and couldn’t keep track of who most of the characters were

This epistolary novel set in small town Kansas feels like what would happen if you combined Billie Letts' "The Honk and Holler Opening Soon" with the movie Erin Brokovich. It features very quirky characters living in a small town where everyone knows one another's business. It is SO likeable.

What I wish it had done a little better was clueing the reader into the inner workings of the characters (something that is admittedly challenging in epistolary novels). What happened to Disco before Harlem arrived that made her such an outcast, other than the wild way she dressed? What happened to Disco and Scarlet at the Christian home? What did Scarlet do to get there and now that her sisters know the truth, how do they feel about it? It would have been nice to see Scarlet and Harlem's relationship develop more, and perhaps learn more about the aunts (both in Kansas and New York) that the family is so frequently communicating with? I would have loved to see more of this character development. Without it, this book feels a little unfinished.

I really adored this book! I loved that this book was told through emails, newspaper articles, letters, school notes, diary entries, and more. That charm and detail displayed in the book made it as charming as the story and the small Kansas town. I loved getting to know all the quirky characters in this small town, and I belly laughed more than once!

Thank you NetGalley for my arc.

In short, I loved this book! The Solvang Family find themselves new residents of Goodnight, Kansas, which couldn't be more different from where they came from - Brooklyn, NY. The family is somewhat in crisis after a failed business venture in NY forced them to leave. While they have family in Goodnight, the relationships are fraught. The family needs to figure out what their plan is and how they are going to get back to Brooklyn. While in Goodnight, though, they become involved in the community, developing touching friendships with the residents and the town itself.
A failing diner plays a big role in the story, and the descriptions of food were delicious! I enjoyed the small town vibes, as well as the epistolary style that the book is written in. Overall I felt like this was a hug in a book.

Small town life--when you loved the big city, how can you settle for small town?This story is completely told through newspaper notices, email and flyers. I was a little hesitant at first because I was afraid that the characters wouldn't come alive. Oh my--the author did an exceptional job creating a story about characters that I fell in love with. This is definitely one of those books that the reader will not want to end. I have always loved to read books by Belva Plain, Maeve Binchy, Jan Karon, Fannie Flagg, Billie Letts. I will put a hard copy of this book on my shelf among those authors. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for entrusting me with a complementary digital ARC--5 stars and a book of the year nomination from me. This opinion is honest and my own.

This book had all of the feelings, and I felt so cozy while reading it, despite some heavier topics being addressed. I loved the narration style, which relies only on written communications (emails, newspaper, etc.). The story follows the Solvangs, who are moving from Brooklyn, NY to tiny Goodnight, KS. The setting was extremely vibrant and the characters were well-developed, relatable, and vivid. There are several conflicts being explored, both on a smaller and larger scale, and all are given equal weight. This book has multiple distinct elements: a small town heavily reliant on a tire-manufacturing company, family secrets, misfits, and a local newspaper with an anonymous editor. I loved the growth and arc of just about every character and the emphasis on community. The epistolary nature of the story was easy to follow and entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring read with a compelling setting, characters who have a lot to overcome (and do so with a cheerful overtone), and a unique narration style.

If there were ever a book that felt like sitting by a window on a rainy day, wrapped in a quilt with a steaming cup of coffee—this would be it. I honestly can’t put into words how much I loved this story. It’s my first five-star read in a long time, and it completely stole my heart.

The story begins with Sid Solvang, a down-on-his-luck guy who moves to Goodnight, Kansas after his family-run deli in Brooklyn closes. His only goal is to earn enough money to return home—but once he arrives in Goodnight, he unexpectedly gets caught up in the town's charm and chaos, and slowly begins to fall in love with the place.

Told through an incredibly unique format—letters, handwritten notes, journal entries, texts, reports, emails, and newspaper articles—it brought every single character to life so vividly that I felt like I was a resident of Goodnight. And among them, the most lovable of all was Disco Kennedy, a bit crazy but is such a unique yet lovable and unforgettable character.

Overall, this book made me feel cozy, joyful, and a little emotional—but mostly, it left me with that rare warm and peaceful feeling that only the best stories can give.

P.S. Totally bragging here, but I guessed the editor of the Goodnight Star right away. 😌

Thank you, NetGalley and Page Getz for giving me a copy of this book to read.

1,000% YES! I loved this book.

Written in a series of emails, letters, newspaper articles, diary entries, school notes, and more, this was SUCH a fun and clever way to tell a story from many characters' perspectives! It was engaging and uplifting, and I couldn't stop reading it.

A Kansas vs. New York, rural vs. city, passion vs. pride, happiness and health, people and peace sort of book that just lightens your day. 5 STARS

This book was definitely a #bookstagrammademedoit book. I hadn’t heard of it but then so many accounts I follow were talking about how great it was and they were not wrong.
This book tells the story of the Solvang family who move from Brooklyn to Goodnight, Kansas. The story is told in epistolary form, in letters, emails, newspapers articles and even notes sent in class. The redemption of the Solvang family and the town itself is very sweet and the different quirky characters in the town are so much fun to get to know. This is a sweet charming book and very good on audio.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy of this book.

A love an epistolary novel!

Page Getz has written a heartfelt story of starting over that delivers complex characters and a setting that we would all love to move to I think. The pacing of the story is pure perfection and unfolds through emails, journal writings, and local newspaper articles.

This is one that people will be talking about and wanting to share with other readers.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC of A Town With Half The Lights On! All opinions in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this one and I think it had a lot to do with the format. I don't know if I would have cared about Midnight, Kansas as much as if it had been written like a normal novel. I loved the miscellaneous reports and clippings that allowed the characters to really show their personalities. A Town with Half the Lights On was just the right amount of mysterious, cozy, and sweet!

4.5 stars rounded up

Told entirely in epistolary form, we meet the Solvangs, dad Sid, mom Scarlet and daughter Harlem, a family forced to leave their beloved Brooklyn for Scarlet's hometown of Goodnight, Kansas after the spectacular and very public failure of chef Sid's restaurant. Goodnight is slowly turning into a ghost town, and the last place the Solvangs want to be. The only thing keeping Goodnight going is the tire plant that employs half the town. When the iconic May Day Diner goes up for sale, everyone worries it will be bought by the local mogul who plans to raze it and build a Burger King in its place. Can the Solvangs save the May Day, themselves, AND Goodnight?

I inhaled this book. A quick and satisfying read with a HEA. Is it realistic? Not really, but it was enjoyable and quirky, and I cared about the characters. I also appreciated how the events in this small town circa the early 2000s echoed what is going on in America today.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Page Getz for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.