I loved this epistolary novel about a family who relocates from Brooklyn to a small Kansas town. Sid Solvang is an accomplished chef whose career in Brooklyn takes a negative turn. He relocates with his wife and daughter back to his wife’s hometown of Goodnight, Kansas. Despite planning to lay low, lick his wounds and plan a return to New York, Sid soon finds himself becoming entangled with the town, its secrets, and its quirky residents. I loved all the town characters as well as the epistolary storytelling style that gives insight into many of their lives. This is an entertaining, funny, and thoughtful debut and I look forward to more from this author.

A cozy, kind of wintery read about hometown, small town, passion, community, and food. To be honest I was skeptical at first even though I love epistolary novels, because of how informal the emails (and email addresses) are. But then I realized this story is set in 2001 when emails are today's Whatsapp, a common form of online communication from sharing gossips to recipes. There are also newspaper columns, handwritten letters, and other transcripts that serve as plot and characterization vehicle. I had a good time spending some evening with Sid, Harlem, Disco, and Bailey at May Day diner, hoping to taste some of Sid or Scarlet's creations.

Although Sid is the central character, I'd like to know if the story is told from Scarlet's perspective since Goodnight is her hometown. And although the main plot is already entertaining, it may be too cozy on its own without the random mystery subplots like the missing wind chimes, anonymous editor of Goodnight Star, and Disco's Uncle Casey. So those elements helped a lot to keep my interest. just wanted to flip the page until I discovered who took those wind chimes 🤣 and the answer didn't disappoint!

"A Town with Half the Lights On" is more than just a chain of emails circulating inside an invisible town in Kansas; it's a warm, powerful bowl of found family soup. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an ARC of this book.

I absolutely loved this book! Told in epistolary format, a series of emails, text messages, journals and newsletter entries. There are multiple voices and multiple perspectives. Even without a narrator, you'll get a full sense of each character without ever reading an actual description. The pacing is perfect, the sense of place is so well described. The lake, the barn, the diner...all of them are fully formed in my imagination based on the communication between the characters. Be sure to read this book. Its heartfelt and so uplifting!

Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with a copy of A Town with Half the Lights On by @pagegetzwriter in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading an epistolary novel, and I'll admit I was initially confused, as I didn't fully read the description beforehand. It took me a while to grasp the format, which affected my enjoyment at first. However, once I understood the structure, I found the story much more engaging and enjoyable.

Set in the small town of Goodnight, Kansas, this novel tells the story of Scarlett and her family—Sid and Harlem—returning to a community that feels both familiar and alien. The small-town dynamics are portrayed realistically, with the residents being initially wary of outsiders, which added to the authenticity of the narrative.

The heart of the story lies in Sid’s journey to save the town, rediscover his passion for life, and the evolving friendship between Harlem and Disco. Their bond is one of the more heartwarming aspects of the novel, providing a sense of hope amid the town's challenges. The novel blends themes of small-town life, friendship, corruption, and religion, which makes it stand out from typical reads.

While the style wasn’t quite to my personal taste, I can still appreciate the book’s unique narrative and the way it explored its themes. I would recommend this to readers looking for something different, particularly those interested in epistolary novels or stories about small-town life with complex, layered characters.

The title alone caught my attention. A Town with Half the Lights On is exactly like what it sounds. When the Solvang family shows up in small town Nebraska after their New York restaurant went under they're looking for a fresh start, what they find is a surprise. A small farm with alpacas that prefer to roam the house, a tire factory as the primary employer, and a wind chime thief that is the constant topic of the town paper. While the intention for the Solvang chefs and their daughter was to lay low and get enough money to move back to New York, but what they find is a town that needs them as much as they need the town.

I anticipated loving this story before I even started it, but I never expected just how heartwarming it would be. One thing that is unique and took a little getting used to (although I loved it by the end) is that this is an epistolary novel, meaning it is written entirely in the form of emails, letters, and news articles which gives readers the ability to meet and read from the perspective of different characters without heavy character development. Overall this book includes family relationships, existing in a small town and the community that comes with it, found family, and resilience. In a couple works I would describe the book as quaint, heartwarming, quirky and impactful. A great example of the concerns and attitudes that influence rural small towns, especially for people who have grown up in urban/suburban spaces.

I would recommend this book to people who love the tv show The Bear, and books: Lula Deans Little Library of Banned Books and When No One is Watching.

This review has been posted on Goodreads and will be posted and updated on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, and Target closer to publication day.

The epistolary style of writing was extremely interesting and the key message of home is where the people whom we love and cherish live was beautifully conveyed. It actually took me to a time wherein emails where extremely popular and informal way to stay in touch while there days we prefer it for only formal communication. The book touched very beautifully the nostalgia of home and I enjoyed it a lot

I struggled initially with this book in terms of working out who all the characters were but once I got into it it was such a comforting and cosy read!

I loved the small town vibes and I would definitely recommend to people who love epistolary novels. I enjoyed the balance between the descriptions and world building with learning to know the characters more.

When I started this book, I thought it was simply a cozy read with little heft about a small town. By the time I finished, I was fully obsessed with the heavy themes of what it means to be a citizen, greed in corporations, and the idea that mistakes and failures lead to opportunity and finding new dreams. I LOVED this book and the characters and the way it is written in newspaper articles, emails, and journal entries. It interweaved cozy, thought provoking, mystery, and generational trauma beautifully.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

It took me quite a while to figure out who all of the characters were. but once I did, I absolutely loved it. This story is full of heart and what really matters.

I loved this book so much! Harlem and Discos friendship had my heart feeling warm from the very beginning and i loved seeing Sal’s development and him getting over his phobia and opening up to neighbours. this book was very well written and i thought it had a very unique writing style which i think many people will enjoy. amazing 5/5

Two things I love to read: epistolary novels and books set in quirky small towns. You can imagine, then, that I was delighted to pick up A Town with Half the Lights On. And let me say, it did not disappoint. I'm really glad I read this when I did, because it was the perfect cozy read for a chilly Thanksgiving weekend. I loved Goodnight, Kansas. I loved Bailey, the sharp-talking, deeply loyal waitress, Disco, the glittery, country music-loving wild child, and of course, all the Solvangs. Getz did a brilliant job interweaving plot threads (the missing wind chimes, the "lake flu," Sid's journey back to cooking, the mysterious identity of the newspaper editor, etc, etc.) in a way that felt realistic but also heart-warming.

Honestly, the biggest thing I have to say about this book is just that it was a profoundly enjoyable read. I loved getting to root for the residents of Goodnight. I was disappointed when I had to put the book down for Thanksgiving dinner. It was such a comforting, homey novel in every way, but also one that left me pondering some interesting and important stuff about the nature of creativity and what it means to grow up feeling like an outsider. I would absolutely recommend A Town with Half the Lights On to anyone looking for a warm, big-hearted read that's also profoundly engaging. (I would also, of course, recommend it to any of my fellow epistolary novel lovers -- Getz does a stellar job of telling the story fully and completely within the constraints of the form, while also incorporating the book's epistolary nature into its plot.)

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book. A small town story with a lot of cooking. Makes me want to move out of my small town, just so I can visit and have my bookish/Hallmark romance.

A Town with Half the Lights On is a heartwarming and nostalgic novel that captures the essence of small-town America. Told through a unique epistolary style, the story follows the Solvang family moving from the bustling city to the quiet town of Goodnight, Kansas. The novel’s charming characters and witty dialogue keep the reader engaged. Sid, the chef with a big heart, and his daughter, who discovers a hidden history of the town, add depth and complexity to the story.

The supporting cast, including the quirky townsfolk and the mysterious Lady Whistledown-esque figure, further enriches the narrative. The epistolary format allows for a diverse range of perspectives, offering a glimpse into the lives of various characters. However, some readers may find the constant switching of voices somewhat disjointed. Despite this, the unique storytelling style adds a refreshing layer to the narrative.

Ultimately, A Town with Half the Lights On is a feel-good story that celebrates the power of community and the importance of finding one’s place in the world. It’s a perfect read for those seeking a heartwarming and nostalgic escape.

I absolutely enjoyed reading A Town with Half the Lights On. The book was both sad and funny, with a gentle sweetness that was so comforting to read. Its unique epistolary format, told through emails, diary entries, and newspaper articles, kept me fully engaged. The story follows the Solvang family, who relocate from Brooklyn, New York to Goodnight, Kansas after Sid's family deli closes. The small town has strong opinions about outsiders, and the narrative covers a lot of important topics like income disparity, wage stagnation, union busting, bullying, pollution, cover-ups, and corruption.

I loved the diversity of the characters and the breadth of the story. It delves into family drama, the courage to start over, learning from mistakes, and forgiveness. The main theme is about a community overcoming obstacles to achieve greatness. The author's writing style is engaging, making it perfect for book club discussions. Overall, it’s a charming story with different character perspectives that kept me hooked. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

I enjoyed this book. At first the storytelling through emails, journals entries, etc. was a little annoying and reminded me of projects from high school English class but once I got into the rhythm of the story I got used to it. Many of the characters weren't as well developed as they could have been if the story was written in regular prose. My main gripe is that I don't know of any New Yorkers who would name their daughter Harlem, but overall this was an entertaining read.

I really wanted to like this book but I don’t. I think this book would be great for lots of other readers.

This is such a fun, cute, and fluffy read!!

Perfect Cozy read for a day where you need a little slice of happiness! Short chapters with quick character POV changes.

I absolutely loved this book, very comfy cozy!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I recently read the synopsis for “A Town with Half the Lights On” and instantly knew it was the book for me—and I was right! From the very first chapter, I fell in love with the charming little town of Goodnight, Kansas, along with its quirky inhabitants. I love it when a novel feels like chicken soup to my reading soul and Page Getz has done that and has created an endearing cast of characters that I won't soon forget! I adored how the story combines humor with touching moments, which made this 5++++ star novel a true delight. I became so invested in the storyline that I didn't want it to end! I highly recommend this fantastic novel to everyone! I will be reading everything Page Getz publishes in the future!

Beautifully written. I truly loved the different ways this book was written; from emails, to hand written notes, and even to newspaper articles. It was different from most books which is what kept me interested. The story overall is very cute. I enjoyed the different point of views from each character.

This exquisitely written book offers a profound examination of family, community, and the things we struggle to preserve while simultaneously touching readers' hearts. This book will speak to anyone who has ever looked for a place to call home because of its realistic emotional core, vividly imagined setting, and well-drawn characters. I thought the way this story was told was fantastic. It's a really original method. It was a fantastic story. I adored the characters.