Overall Take:
This book is a must-read for those who appreciate stories of hope, renewal, and the beauty of small-town life.
Star Rating:
4 Stars
Genre:
Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis
With more wind chimes than residents, Goodnight isn’t a place people move to when their lives are going well, which is why all eyes are on chef Sid Solvang and his family when they arrive. After a failed career in New York, Sid is determined to never cook again and find a way back to Brooklyn. However, the fate of the May Day Diner—a beloved local eatery under threat—draws him in. As the Solvangs work to save the diner, they uncover Goodnight’s heart and tradition, exploitation and greed, and a community struggling to stay on the map. Through diary entries, town paper clippings, and more, “A Town with Half the Lights On” tells a heartwarming story of family secrets, corporate corruption, and the journey to find one’s true home.
Thoughts:
This book is a delightful story that captures the essence of small-town life and the complexities of personal redemption. The author beautifully portrays Sid’s struggle to find his place after a major setback, making his desperation to leave behind his cooking career and return to Brooklyn all the more relatable. The intertwining of heart and tradition, alongside themes of exploitation and greed, adds depth to the narrative. The unique storytelling format—using diary entries, town paper clippings, emails, and school notes—creates an immersive experience that draws readers into the lives of the characters and the heartbeat of the town. This heartwarming novel reminds us that sometimes, finding our way back home means embracing the unexpected and the imperfect..
Publication Date:
April 22, 2025
Author:
J.T. Falco
Page Length:
320 pages
Thank you too:
Thank you to @bookmarked @page_getz_ and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
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