A family is uprooted and lands in Goodnight, Kansas , a tiny town full of big personalities and a huge secret.

The story unfolds in letters, emails, and submissions to the town newspaper. The town’s inner workings are revealed as the narrator reads us messages between loved ones, open letters, and complaints. It’s a really unique way to tell a story!

The plot itself is cute- very uplifting and heartwarming. The story of the characters coming together to address an issue is sweet and optimistic and a lovely distraction from this reader’s stresses.

There are also themes of David vs. Goliath (in this case, factory workers vs The Big Corporation), local politics, big city vs. small town, environmental issues, family secrets, mutual aid and collectivism - plus an old-fashioned diner and some out-of-control alpacas.

Audiobook narration was great- the letters and e-mails come from a lot of different characters, and each one is narrated in a distinct voice. I especially loved the voices used for the teenagers and for Disco’s mom - these characters’ tone and cadence stuck with me.

Thanks to Tantor Audio via NetGalley, who provided an advanced reader copy at no cost, in exchange for my honest review.

What with the unrelenting and wallet-meltingly expensive nonsense that is life in 2025, we’re going to need more books that make us feel good for at least a short time. (That is, unless you’re pals with a billionaire and can take an 11-minute space trip for the feminism and aesthetic of it all. I’m going to take a punt and reckon that that’s not more than, say, 5% of my readership, and in that case:) I’ve got the very book recommendation you were needing.

Sometimes you know within minutes of starting a book that it’s going to be a good yin. Actually, I reckoned I was going to like it from just the title, cover and blurb, but by the end of the first few paragraphs I was. All. In.

The Solvang family - Sid, Scarlet and teenaged Harlem - are rolling into the town of Goodnight, Kansas. It’s Scarlet’s home town, but she’s not been back here for 20 years (why? Hang on a bit). The family have lost everything following the collapse of the New York deli business that had been in Sid’s family for generations. Forced to sell up and move with what little they have left, they are retreating to Scarlet’s family home in the wake of her father’s death to lick their wounds.

They quickly realise that Goodnight is a town in the midst of crises big and small, and their early skirmishes with locals (and the refusal of Scarlet’s family to talk to them at all) only reaffirms their determination to get back to Brooklyn as soon as they possibly can. That will need money though, and cash is in short supply. Along with her new friend Disco, Harlem embarks on a quest to find out whether her grandad really did leave behind a hidden fortune - or is the secret something more sinister?

Meanwhile, there’s been another round of layoffs at the Goodnight American Tyre Company, the only show in town when it comes to employment opportunities. No one is about to challenge their horrible workplace conditions or try to unionise again, not when it’s already hard enough to get food on the table.

The whole book is told in emails, notes, letters in the local newspaper, and even some police reports. The style took a little getting used to, but I quickly found the rhythm and ultimately I loved it. The interplays between characters were brilliant, and the pace kept up the whole way through. Each character had such a distinctive vocabulary and tone, and the audiobook narrator captured this well. Not every author can convey such a variety of characters in such short order, but Getz uses some really clever tools to get us up to speed, without bludgeoning us around the head with backstory. Even each person’s email address provides a snapshot of their essential id (torturedsol, lostblue, revelationsevenfold, omwardbound, brooklyncalling…)

And oh, such characters! Disco, the yodelling, glitter-loving country music fan shunned by her classmates. Sid and Scarlet, reeling from their change in fortune and who’ve forgotten entirely how to be together. (She hides in the kitchen, he builds endless boxes for birds that never seem to come). Harlem, trying to find her place in this new and unfamiliar environment.

Then the rest of the town! The dastardly mayor, the proud patriots, the down-on-their-luck-just-trying-to-get-bys. The excellent mailman and the actually-decent-pastor and the farmers and police department. This is small town America at its best and worst (the town council are standing by to update the population sign if the family were to stay). In fact, the scenes here will be recognisable to anyone who’s lived in a town small enough to know each others’ business, American or not.

As Sid starts to claw his way out of his fug of failure, opportunities begin to appear and perhaps the Solvang fortunes are about to change. Could the May Day Diner be saved? But opportunities also mean challenges - and not everyone in the town is happy about what they’re trying to do.

The sub-plots and recurring themes in the local paper’s classifieds (wandering goats! experimental menus! missing false teeth! stolen windchimes!) were some of the threads that helped tie together the disparate plotlines.

You could take any number of messages away from A Town with Half the Lights On. The importance of community? The free press? Finding your own path, or standing up to The Man? I’m here for all of it. But the book is also damn funny, and I am ALL about that; it had me laughing into my folded laundry many times.

A Town with Half the Lights On seems to be Getz’s first novel, but it feels much more expansive and assured than many debuts. Purpose, message, mystery and humour? Keep an eye on this author - I predict more great things to come.

Thank you to Tantor Audio for this review copy of A Town with Half the Lights On, provided via Netgalley.

A Town with Half the Lights On stood out to me for its unique storytelling format—told through journal entries, emails, notes, local news clippings, and more. It’s an inventive structure that really brought the town and its residents to life. The characters were also interesting, and the storyline was rich with emotion, mystery, and community ties. I especially appreciated how each character had a unique voice. However, it was at times hard to track which character was being referred to through the email addresses, etc.

While the audiobook format was engaging, it also presented some challenges. It was sometimes difficult to keep track of who was involved in the correspondence and at times, challenging to keep the plot lines and characters involved straight. However, I imagine this may be less of an issue in a print or digital version where it's easier to flip back and reference details.

Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and would recommend this book—especially in a format that allows you to fully absorb the layers of the story. A truly original and vivid read.

Told in emails, newspaper articles and notes written in bottles, 'A Town With Half The Lights On' is a heart-warming tale that felt surprisingly modern, despite being set two decades ago. It gave me the same kind of hopelessly delightful feeling that 'Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books' did - maybe there's just something about small town communities in the American South coming together against capitalism that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

This is such an unexpected novel. I didn't know what I was going to get coming in and I came out with a big smile on my face, which is such a plus. I love novels told in this kind of multimedia format and the characters shone through, even if we weren't really getting to see deeply into their subconsciouses (subconsciousi?). I can imagine that this won't be for everyone, but the food descriptions, the community spirit, the characters? That alone should make you want to pick up this book.

I knocked off a star because really, the conclusion is quite obvious. You know where this is going to go if you've ever seen a romantic comedy or a Hallmark movie. But it's not the destination that makes this book such a great time, it's the journey getting there. I don't know if I have anything more to say than that, but this is the first book I've finished in nearly two weeks and it's pulled me out of something of a slump, so for that it should be truly celebrated. Also kudos to the audiobook narrator Hillary Huber, it was a really fantastic listen.

My thanks to NetGally for an advanced listening book (ARC? ALC? what do we call these?).

Can I just say I loved this book? 

Ok, at first I was confused. I try not to read summaries/etc. prior because sometimes they just spoil the entire discovery part. I expect too much. The confusion came in because we get the whole story via letters, emails, news from their very democratic anonymous paper, letters in root beer bottles going down the stream, notes...and it took me a while listening to train my brain to actually pay attention to who sent it to whom. 

Once I figured that out, I was good! I was in the book: wandering amongst the people of Goodnight. Characters were well-developed and felt real (a big deal for me--it can make or break a book).  There were people I didn't like and then later did like (just like real life whenw e find that intersection).  There were silly little gossipy moments and snarky comments, and it made me think of my own small town.  By the way: that paper would never survive--my little town can barely handle a Facebook group. But I love the idea.

Do I think some actions were rather spectacular? Yes, but isn't that the beauty of fiction? But was it rooted in the real world? Also yes. Nothing magical here. 

This book was a nice little pick-me-up, light, feel-good, root-for-the-good-guys, eff-Big-Tire ride! Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I really was not expecting to enjoying this as much as I did when I first started listening! The style threw me off at first but once I got used to it I really liked it, and loved the characters. Cute read with just enough going on and real enough characters to hook you!

With thanks to NetGalley & Tantor Audio for this ELC in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one a story full of homely cozy comfort feels. Whilst the dialog is done in a way of emails back and forth giving it a different tone to the writing which I enjoyed it seemed to work so well which surprised me because the story itself set in Kansas gives off country feels and I felt more off grid easy living type senses listening to the characters with their culinary skills and family connections. Family isn’t always just the people you are born into it can be the connections you make whilst all working together for a worthwhile cause such as this saving a town! From meditations to cooking they all come together in the most beautiful way truly bringing hope faith and belief into humanity absolutely beautiful audiobook.

Well narrated and easy listening also; found it soothing and well suited having Hilary Huber as the narrator for this particular audiobook.

With best wishes for publication on 22nd April 2025 I’m sure this will do well 📚❤️🙏🏽🎧

My first by this author. The Solvang family of Brooklyn finds themselves in Goodnight, Kansas due to a series of circumstances. They hope it is temporary- they plan on returning to Brooklyn as soon as they are financially able. Jobs are hard to find and they find themselves purchasing the May Day Diner. As they entrench themselves in Goodnight, they find they are less eager to return to Brooklyn. I don't think an epistolary novel is my favorite type to read. This consists of newspaper clippings, emails (book set in 2002), handwritten notes passed in school and put into a bottle floating down a river. I found it difficult to be invested in this storyline. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

A story about Goodnight, Kansas, where the town is small, and the potential is huge.

I was hesitant at first with the format of the story, especially as an audiobook with saying the emails aloud, but it really wasn't distracted after the first few chapters. I loved how quirky the town was, how the story came together, and the overall hopeful feeling I weas left with as I finished it!

Scarlet Solvang left Goodnight, Kansas 20 years ago and never looked back. When her father leaves his house to her instead of her sisters who stayed behind, Scarlet and her husband Sid see this as their chance to fix things, especially with Sid having lost his restaurant and the rising cost of rent in Brooklyn. They pack up their home, their daughter, and make for Kansas.

Of course, after all these years, Goodnight is not exactly how Scarlet left it, and there are more than a few hiccups (llama drama anyone?). The Solvangs must find a way to make Goodnight their home.

I thought Getz did a great job immersing the reader in the zany, small town of Goodnight. I think perhaps the characters could have done with a bit more polishing in terms of how they were written. Altogether this was a fun, promising story told in a unique way.

I was fortunate to receive both the print and audio versions of this book and I really enjoyed the audio production. It made the epistolary format really pop.

Reading the epistolary novel in audio format was definitely a bad idea. It was confusing, and although I love listening to audiobooks when I'm doing something, I found myself avoiding this book at any cost. A cute, heartwarming story about family trying to fit in the small city was what I expected. All I heard for the first quarter of the book were endless whines and complains. Every family member felt like a spoiled child, and I couldn't take it any more. I do DNF the book and give it two stars

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, the publisher and the audio narrator for providing me with the arc copy. I hope your efforts and hard work will reach the right people. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them.

Sid Solvang has to leave NYC with his tail between his legs and his wife and daughter, Scarlett & Harlem, in tow. Their destination? Goodnight, Kansas, the town Scarlett grew up in but hasn’t returned to in decades.

with some of the heart of Schitt’s Creek and a touch of the southern humour of Steel Magnolias, we follow the Solvangs as they settle into Scarlett‘s recently inherited childhood home and as they try to find their place in Goodnight. Sid purchases the local May Day diner on a well intentioned whim in an effort to save the iconic town favourite from being destroyed or turned into a chain restaurant.

we follow the story through emails, articles in the Goodnight Star paper and the occasional entry from Sid’s journal. i will admit that at times i found the repetition of email addresses to be a little bit tedious, but the further i got into the book, the more i realized the repetition is necessary as more characters are introduced. i did listen to the book so it might be a little easier to follow in an ebook/physical book.

my favorite character by far was Bailey, the waitress in the May Day. with lines like; “i lowered my bi-focals so he’d know i meant business” and “if i weren’t on probation, i might’ve slapped him just for looking stupid but [Bailey’s probation officer] says i can’t hit no body til July”, Bailey quickly became a firm favourite of mine.

A Town with Half the Lights on is a heartwarming, funny and clever story about found family and the ups & downs of small town life through the lens of both locals & blow ins. i really enjoyed the story and could absolutely see it translating well on the big screen. hopefulcly this isn’t the last we see of Goodnight, Kansas!

Great narrator but hard to listen to as a story. The reading of email addresses was a little distracting. The story had a great small town vibe with fun quirky characters. I loved the style of writing but might be better to read than listen to.

Wow! This book was not on my radar at all, but after seeing a rave review on Instagram of A Town With Half the Lights On, I went over to NetGalley and requested it. I was so excited that the eARC happened to be Read Now and I was approved for the ALC. I started listening to it immediately and loved it. I finished the second half the next day, reading with my eyes. And really, just Wow! The narrator did a fantastic job - I only wish it had been narrated by a full cast - that would have been amazing! I loved the epistolary format. The characters were quirky and oh so lovable (except for the ones that weren’t at all lovable). The writing was beautiful. The story, about a town coming together and people taking care of each other, was a little bit heartbreaking but mostly heartwarming. And even the names were amazing - a town called Goodnight, girls named Disco and Harlem, a hotel called the Hallelujah and a diner called the May Day. The best! This book is definitely going to be one of my favorites of the year and I’m telling everyone to read it. I might even need to buy a trophy copy to live forever on my bookshelf.

While there are so many wonderful reviews for this book, and I wanted to love it so much, I just don’t think it was for me. I love a quirky story, but I’m sorry to say I was just not able to connect with this one.

I tried pairing the print and audio and struggled with the narration as well.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I need the physical book for this one so will give my final goodreads rating once I get the ebook/physical copy. With the multiple POVs, it was a bit hard to follow via audiobook!

This was a very American focused book. Some of the topics and themes were a bit lots on me, coming from the uk.
It was very current, and discussed many issues people from this area would get.
Lots of fun and active characters - very quirky.

This ended up being a DNF for me. While the story is generally interesting and the small town setting with lots of eccentric characters kept me engaged at first, at 50% I realized I didn't want to continue on. I think what didn't work for me was the epistolary format where the story was told entirely through letters, emails, news articles, etc. With all the interesting characters I was craving hearing the course of events through their POVs. I'm still giving this 3 stars though, because I think the format may really work in book form rather than audiobook. While the narrator did a fine job, it was always jarring and awkward jumping from document to document and I never really got used to it. I'm putting the book on my TBR to read when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Page Getz for the opportunity to listen to the ARC of this audiobook.

This was a really good comfort-type books that had a bit of a softer Erin Brockovich vibe. The constant POV change was a little harder to navigate via audiobook than I would have chosen but I think that the book was easy enough to follow that it wasn't really a problem.

The book took a couple of different turns with the multiple viewpoints but it tells the story of the town, through residents that have issues, grievances, and histories with one another, it makes you feel like the gossip you would hear moving to a small town where everyone knows each other and will trash talk but defend one another.

Great audio narrator, great pacing. A very soft, comfy read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review an audio version. Releases 4/22/2025

How have I not seen this book all over Instagram?! I was not prepared for just how clever this book was nor the joy of wishing I could stay in the lives of these characters forever. To be completely honest, I requested it strictly because I liked the cover and genre and feel delighted to have randomly found such a gem of a story! But in case you prefer knowing just a bit about the book…
It’s a story of new and old residents, their struggles and triumphs, and navigating life in a tiny town in Kansas.

If you’re like me and love Gilmore Girls then you should add this to your list. Why? Because in Goodnight (love the towns name!) there are some wonderfully quirky characters, intelligent and funny teens, a diner reminiscent of Luke’s, and creative ingenuity with food similar to Sookie St James! The characters are very different with their own unique voices but it gave me all the vibes I love from GG. I can’t even tell you how many times I chuckled while reading this, it’s funny and thoughtful and everything I didn’t know I needed!

I started out by listening to this audio but I’m so glad I had the ebook to switch to because the format of this is epistolary, with emails, newspaper articles, and journal entries. I actually didn’t mind too much but having an epistolary novel with email or text read aloud can be difficult to listen to. If you don’t enjoy hearing email addresses read over and over I suggest the print or e-book version.

Thank you Tantor Audio for the opportunity to read and give my honest opinion