The Night of Many Endings

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.