I so wanted to like this book more than I did. Sadly, I was not very engaged with the characters, except for Lewis and Jasmine. His story and voice just touched me. He was someone that just hit a few bumps in life and yet, he was trying to turn his life around. Where Jasmine is concerned. She is the example of don't judge a book by its cover. She may have looked like a troubled teen but she had more underneath that layer.

This story started out slowly but when the storm came and everyone was trapped together, it moved at a fairly better pacing. So, if you can stick with this book, it does pick up and get better. I did see promise in this book but just wished that I could have connected with the characters better.

I was drawn to this book since a large portion takes place at a library and I’m such a library lover. This book was heavier than I had anticipated but it was a very good read. The unique characters who found themselves stuck together for many hours during a severe snowstorm each carried very heavy burdens. It was interesting to read about the perceptions they had about the others and both beautiful and heartbreaking to read about their walls coming down little by little as the conditions became more dire.

This isn’t a book where everything gets wrapped up perfectly with a neat little bow on each character’s story. It’s probably more realistic in that it showed progress, rebuilding and hope which worked for me.

This was a heavy read that I thought would be easy. I loved the setting, how the majority was spent in the library. For me, the side characters were more of a favorite for me than Nora. She was a good character but I really did wish she would live her life a little, open up more and do more for herself.

The Night of Many Endings was very surprising for me. Set primarily in a library during a snow storm, five very different people are stranded together. The book covers some heavy topics including addiction, homelessness, death, and guilt. As we learn more about each of the individuals, we find that the person that they all present outwardly isn't the full picture. As time passes in the library, and they all open up about their pasts, we get a better understanding of why they act the way that they do.
After their time together, each of the 5 has to take a look at who they really are and why they act the way that they do.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union for the earc. This is my honest review.

Nora - the librarian that always wants to help others. She was orphaned at a young age and saw her brother fall into addiction. She hopes to be reunited with her brother and does what she can to help others in the town library of Silver Ridge.
Marlene- an elderly woman that thinks that only little good is left in this world except for her husband.
Jasmine- a troubled teen with a secret of her own.
Lewis- a homeless man with one last wish.
Vlado- a security guard who loves a good book.

Five persons with different stories are stranded together in the library when a heavy winter storm hits Silver Ridge. They will discover stories about each other and themselves and the fateful night will be the witness of what could be a new beginning in their lives.

My thought:

In general, I like this book which means something good because I do not really read stories in this genre. This book is really heavy for me but it still manages to convince me to keep reading it, even though my reading pace is a little bit slower. This story touches on some heavy topics like homelessness, addiction, and loneliness. In my opinion, the strength of this story is how human these characters are, like everyone has their own stories that shapes their characters in the story. Lessons that I learned from this novel are that everyone has a different life that shaped how they act and think in their daily life. After that, we also should try our best to not easily judge others without knowing their stories first.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for honest review. This review was written by me voluntarily. This novel will be published on 19 October 2021.

I haven’t read anything by Melissa Payne before because this kind of story is not my usual kind of book. But. But the cover caught my attention. I love evrything bookish, so when I saw this cover I had to give this book a try.
Heart-wrenching, sad, full of guilt and desperation but also love and friendship and forgiveness…so yeah this story blew my mind.

Melissa Payne created unforgattable characters and watching them change throughout the book was making me laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously. Nora, Marlene, Vlado, Lewis and Jasmene couldn’t be more different but their differences are what makes this a truly compelling story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

I was instantly pulled into this book when I read that the story is set in library! It’s a story of librarian and four other members who were at the library, all stick due to storm!

Every person has a story of their own and it touches many heavy subjects like homelessness and drug addiction and sickness. It has been narrated in multiple POV and I was completely engulfed in each and every persons story!

Thank you @getredprbooks, @meliisapaynewrites and #lakeunionpublishing for the gifted galley of this beautiful book that released on Oct 19, 2021

This was a very engaging book that really drew me in to the characters. It’s centered in a library in a small town outside of Denver, Colorado. An odd assortment of characters become stranded together during an intense snowstorm. There’s Jasmine - a teenager, Lewis - who has become homeless and addicted, Vlad - the library security guard, Marlene - who is older and not particularly pleasant, and Nora - the lovely, hopeful librarian who feels that helping others is the best way of life. Each of the characters has their own troubled past, even Nora. If you enjoy character driven, personal journey stories, this will be for you.

It deals with heavy topics including addiction and homelessness, which may be difficult for some readers.

Melissa Payne, does it again. After reading Memories in the Drift, I was left with my jaw on the floor. Melissa Payne has such a unique writing style that instantly captivates you and draws you right in. The Night of Many Endings is a book about hope and second chances.

Take a step back, try to see the world through a different set of eyes.

Nora became an orphan as a little girl. Not only was she left parent less but she also had a front row seat to watch her brother spiral out on control, consumed by his addiction.

Nora is a librarian in a small town. She hasn't given up on hope that her life can change. Maybe someday even reunite with her brother who has been missing for years. Nora knows the library isnt just a library but it has provided itself as a safe place to those in need.

This is a story about Jasmine, Marlene, Vlado and of course, Lewis. All of them have been brought together within the library.

A storm has brought these people together under the roof of the library. Throughout their time together they learn things about each other but also about themselves. This is going to be a night of change.

Nora is left questioning everything . What really happened to Nora's brother?

Tune in October 19, 2021 to uncover the power of fate, second chances and long buried mysteries.

The Night of Many Endings was a quaint Breakfast Club-style book about a group of individuals trapped in a library during a middle of a major snowstorm. Each character has a unique backstory that, as it gets revealed, sheds light on who they are and why they act the way they do.

This book was a good read that touched on some pretty heavy topics - death, drug addiction, homelessness, and more. These are all topics that I feel quite passionate about, so I was excited to see the author tackle these heavy topics. After reading it, I'd say that I enjoyed it, but these topics and the characters associated with them didn't feel very nuanced. The characters felt a little one-dimensional, with their tragic backstory being the primary focus of their being. They felt a little black and white to me.

That being said, this was a feel good story. I was engaged and wanted to see how things played out. There were some definite heartwarming moments as the characters banded together to survive the night, as well as opened up and bothered to learn beyond the surface level of their fellow strandees. There was growth and development with the characters that was nice to see. Overall, I would recommend this for readers looking for a story that has heavy topics but still makes you feel good about people coming together.

From the description, I was comparing this book to the Breakfast Club movie from the 80s. A group of people from all ages and backgrounds, stuck in a library during a terrible snowstorm with no light or heat. The way they help each other and the truths they share about their lives will change them in a positive way long after that night. Heavy topics like drug use, loneliness, homelessness, and guilt are discussed in a way that doesn't seem depressing and sad, but leaves you at the end feeling hopeful.
Never judge a book by its cover... everyone has their own issues and battles to fight. Sometimes the kindest and happiest people have the most tragic past they're trying to conquer. I love Nora's helpful approach to everyone in need, believing that by helping others, maybe someone else is helping her brother. I'm a sucker for books about libraries and bookstores, and while this book wasn't quite what i expected, I still really enjoyed it.
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I want to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The quick plot line of this novel reads like the start to an old joke- a librarian with a tragic family history, an immigrant security guard, a homeless man, a young girl with a secret and an older woman who is angry with everyone , are stranded overnight in a library by a sudden snowstorm . This book is so much more than the average "strangers band together in a crisis" story. It is a well written, richly described story of how people hold themselves back from new experiences, even as they try to help others do the same. Nora Martinez is a librarian in Colorado. She was orphaned at a young age and her brother is a drug addict. Her brother, Mario, is homeless and as the book begins she has not seen him in sometime. She is several years younger, but has spent much of her life trying to help him, putting aside her own needs and desires to be there for him. Nora wants to help everyone, she keeps snack bags in her car to give to homeless people, she tries to help the people who come in to the library. Is she is a fixer- or an enabler? The bulk of the story takes place over one night, as the snow piles higher and the small group in the library are forced to band together. One by one, peoples stories are revealed and the group grows closer in spite of themselves. The book does not end with the snow fall ending, it continues with the aftermath of the event. All of the people have to take a look at themselves and confront some hard truths , and make even harder decisions. The characters are well written, engaging, even when they are not being likeable. I personally wanted to shake Nora a few times and say "Snap out of it"! There is a lot to learn about each one and the book takes its time giving out information. I enjoyed this book.

The Night of Many Endings is a great read and the cover is pretty cool! I was engaged from the start and enjoyed the reading experience.

The story is about people from different paths of life meeting each other under unforseen circumstances and how they grow towards knowing and liking each other.

The characters are well developed and relatable, I liked how throughout the book they seemed like normal people just going through life.

The book talks about drug addiction, grief, love and friendship. We see how it changes a person and everyone around them.

This is my first book by Melissa Payne, I liked her writing style and the ease with which the book takes you through so many lives.

If the blurb interests you, then you've got to give this one a try. The Night of Many Endings is a pleasant and insightful read.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher - Lake Union Publishing and author - Melissa Payne for the ARC.

This was a very different story and I wasn’t sure initially if it could hold my interest. But as I got to know the characters, I began to see the appeal.
Five people stuck in an old library during a severe snow storm, requiring then to stay put.
And interesting cast; a young idealistic librarian, who despite her tragic experiences, was there to help others. A young girl with insecurities and problems, but with a sweet personality. An older woman, bitter and unhappy,with physical issues and recent losses that made her unpleasant and a older homeless addict, barely living on the fringes of the lives of his only family, not knowing if they’ll reject him, and a young immigrant man, looking for a better life in his new country,
This unlikely group is thrown together, and through the unbelievable discomfort of hunger, freezing cold, and the danger from this devastating storm, by the conclusion, find comfort, camaraderie and friendship, that changes each life.
My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Mellisa Payne for this compelling story. There are lessons to be learned in this one.

This did start off a tad slow for me, but, once the actual story began I actually became quite engaged in learning about these different people and their lives. I loved learning about the Indivdual character growth. The authors writing was gripping, vivid, and even touched on some heavy subjects, but did so very well. There was plenty that went on through the night to keep the pages turning and I found it very enjoyable.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for giving me this ebook in return for a review.

This was a mainly sweet story following five interesting characters who are stuck inside a library during a storm.

The main thrust of the story is that Nora’s brother is a homeless drug addict and how she feels guilty about that and attempts fo assuage her guilt by helping everyone else out.

The story is quite simple in a way as the night in the storm allows everyone to appreciate how wrong assumptions about others can be.

It’s a pleasant enough story, easy to read but perhaps the romantic relationship subplot could have been developed more successfully.

Never judge a person for being homeless. Never judge a person for being an addict. Just never judge. That is the best way. People are seldom making the choice to be homeless or on drugs. We as a society tend to say things about homeless people without ever knowing their stories or why they are where they are. Things happen in life that at times are completely out of people's control. Loss of income. Sickness. Addiction to pain meds that lead to living on the streets. While I certainly do understand that at times people get tired of trying to help other who are addicts I think that if they do let them make the choice on their own they may find the help. They may get clean and find what it is that caused them to become an addict in the first place. It's rarely as simple as you think. Whether it's depression, being hurt and taking pain killers, alcoholism, or some other kind of addiction, it starts somewhere. And most likely it was not from someone making the choice to be an addict. Or homeless. Or a burden to their family. This country needs more help facilities for mental health. Affordable ones. Before putting a person in prison. Before giving up on them. I lost a brother in 2010 to drugs/depression and it's such a sad, useless loss. Good people sometimes make bad decisions or the wrong ones or take that first pill or drink and that's the beginning of the end. They need somewhere to go. Eventually I believe many could be helped. Now my reasons for saying all of this is this book. One of the storylines in this book is about addiction and homelessness. It hit me personally because of my brother who would have been 65 today. If only.

This is a very moving and touching story. Yes it started out a bit slow but it gained speed rather quickly. At least it did for me. Once I got inthralled with the characters and the things they lived with I was hooked. Once it became clear to me that this was going to be a story of five people who are all completely different yet so alike I had to keep turning the pages. There is the librarian, Nora. She has tried to save her brother, Mario, all her life. Mario is an addict. It started after the loss of their parents in a wreck that he blamed himself for. She has tried to save everyone. She's that kind of person. But at what cost? She's living in a world where she seems stuck. She lives for others and not herself. Can she learn anything from these people? Will the be able to help her?

The other people in the library are: Lewis, a homeless man who is also addicted to drugs. From an accident he had and was given pain medication. He's not a bad person. He's actually a caring and loving man. Or he was at one time. Then there is Marlene. She lost her husband. Her best friend. The love of her life. She doesn't want to go on without him. She doesn't think she needs too. Jasmine, a young girl who is in the library looking for a specific book for her younger sister. One their mother use to read too Jasmine. Their mother died of cancer. Jasmine misses her and wants to help her younger sister remember her. The security guard, Vlado. His family is immigrants. He wants to do something useful but is afraid. He works in the library but should be going to college to be a teacher. These people spend one stormy night together. A big snowstorm that has them all hunkered down together. They are without electricity and it's so cold. Each has a story to tell. They spend this night together and become lifelong friends. But what happens after the storm. Once they all go on. After?

I truly enjoyed this book. I cried a lot while reading it. Like I said, it hit me personally in so many ways. It was a tearjerker. It was also funny in many parts. Tense in a few. It was to me a great story. I hope everyone who reads it learns how forgiveness is suppose to work. How being a good neighbor is suppose to work. How just being a decent human being is suppose to work. Do not judge. Do something.

Thank you #NetGalley, #MelissaPayne, #LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

4/5 stars and a high recommendation.

When a blizzard forces Nora, the lbirarrian and Vlado, her security guard, to spend the night in the library with three patrons- an angry widow, an angry teen, and a homeless man- they discover that there's always hope even in darkness. This is fine of those it takes a village sort of reads that's both heartwarming and a bit predictable. It addresses serious issues such as homelessness, addiction, and grief, Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne
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Pub date 10/19/21 thanks Netgalley for this digital copy to read.
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What has been a book this year that surprised you?
This book surprised me.
In a small mountain town a huge snowstorm blows in, and strands five people at the library who could not be more different.
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What I loved:
-These characters gradually revealed themselves to us and I felt for every single one of them. Cue all the crying and smiling and quiet chuckles.
-Any book about a library automatically has my heart. 💕💕
-The growth that these characters make, especially Marlene, Nora and Lewis meant so much to me. I sobbed like a little baby at some points all while weeping “this book is sooooo good”.
-This story also helped me see life through the eyes of people who I know little about and I love reading stories like that. I hope to gain more compassion for others and this book gave me the reminder to try to see life through others eyes.
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5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Night of Many Endings by author Melissa Payne is a story that leaves you with the feeling of hope and optimism. It’s about 5 characters from Silver Ridge, Colorado who shelter together in the local library for one night while a horrible blizzard takes place outside. These people are all very different from each other and are all going through their own turmoil. Loneliness from the loss of a loved one, drug abuse and addiction, homelessness and diabetes are some of the topics covered in this story. One of the characters was very judgmental of others but after spending time together and learning of each other’s downfalls, it changed both her attitude and her ways. It was a very eye-opening experience and it leaves you feeling hopeful for the future. This was my first time reading this author and I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to others. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I received off the Read Now section to read and review. It was a very enlightening story and I’m giving it a 4 star rating!