The Night of Many Endings

A Novel

By: Melissa Payne

Narrated by: Almarie Guerra, Janet Metzger, Patrick Lawlor

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

From Melissa Payne, bestselling author of Memories in the Drift, comes an emotionally rich, feel-good novel about hope, second chances, and seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.

Orphaned at a young age and witness to her brother’s decline into addiction, Nora Martinez has every excuse to question the fairness of life. Instead, the openhearted librarian in the small Colorado community of Silver Ridge sees only promise. She holds on to the hope that she’ll be reunited with her missing brother and does what she can at the town library. It’s her home away from home, but it’s also a sanctuary for others who, like her brother, could use a second chance.

There’s Marlene, an elderly loner who believes that, apart from her husband, there’s little good left in the world; Jasmine, a troubled teen; Lewis, a homeless man with lost hope and one last wish; and Vlado, the security guard who loves a good book and, from afar, Nora.

As a winter storm buries Silver Ridge, this collection of lonely hearts takes shelter in the library. They’ll discover more about each other, and themselves, than they ever knew - and Nora will be forced to question her brother’s disappearance in ways she never could have imagined. No matter how stranded in life they feel, this fateful night could be the new beginning they didn’t think was possible.

©2021 by Melissa W. Payne. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Payne has crafted an emotional, character-driven novel about addiction, perceptions of others, and learning to let go. The Night of Many Endings is ultimately one of hope as the darkness brings forth the dawn of many beginnings.”—Library Journal

“Richly layered and compassionate to its core, this story of genuine friendships transcending age and class, and the power of rebuilding, will move fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde, Jan Karon, and Kristin Hannah.”—Booklist

touching story

Love the the characters in this touching story of how one night can change people.

Okay

The narration was quite good and having three different voices kept my interest. It is an okay story; for me it was predictable and made the “night” very long, indeed.

beautiful story

It was written so well. The characters were my favorite. Author captured their souls. It's a must read!

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this book. I thought the use of 3 different narrators enhanced the telling of the story. It was current and thought provoking while being sweet and not preachy.

Why are you here?

This is such a good book! Full of themes of redemption, forgiveness, 2nd chances, perspectives, connection, kindness, choices, and love.

Oh, and growth. so much growth.

I really enjoyed this book. It has great and profound lessons we all can learn.

Great story

First book I’ve read/listened to by this author! It won’t be the last. Great Story. Narration was wonderful too!!!

Five stars

Touching story of a small group of people trapped inside a library during a snowstorm, and how something changed for each of them that night in unexpected ways. Highly recommend.

One that will stay with me for a while

Excellent storytelling with exceptional narrators. Came across this story because of a reading challenge. Found a new-to-me author that I absolutely love.

The struggles of life told from multiple views

I thought the author, did a great job capturing, the views of all the characters. I like that each ending of the characters' lives found a good solution. Along with new unlikely friendships formed. Also that they all aren't exactly like you'd expect.

Happy

This is story was about five lives being brought together by a really bad snow storm , finding friendship and strength in each other. This story kept me wanting to see what happens next. It was a good novel.