Small Miracles: The perfect heart-warming summer read about hope and friendship (The Sisters of Saint Philomena)

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In 1990, two iconic fantasy authors, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, collaborated to write the famed novel “Good Omens” (full title: “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch”. Small Miracles is a delightful short read, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens. The premise is a small bet between a fallen angel and an angel. Gadriel is the fallen angel of Petty Temptations and she sets out to encourage Holly Harker to enjoy her life a bit more. If this had been the only plot point it would’ve been a cute story but there are other plot points involving Holly’s niece and an evil math teacher at her school. This is a feel-good book that will have you laughing out loud and shaking your head at the sisters as well as nodding in appreciation for the series of small miracles. Anyway, an angel and a fallen angel who are on friendly-ish terms vie gently over the fate of a woman (and later her adopted child) in a comparitatively low stakes (because it involves the happiness of at most a handful of people rather than the fate of thousands), cozy, tale.

All in all, this was a sweet and heartwarming story. I didn’t hate anything but I wasn’t wowed by it. A feel-good, one-time read for those who like cosy fiction. The third observation I would make, and this is probably what I would say to the unbeliever who is challenging me, is that the heart of Christianity is not that the kingdom has fully come and all sin and evil is being overcome now in this age. The thing is, the dead don’t need anything from you—not love, not forgiveness. Those are things you offer because you need them. The main person who needs anything from you is Ella, and all she really needs is for you to show up every day—”All it needs is a few miracles, small ones that gather speed and all of a sudden, 3 nuns, a travel agent and an art historian find themselves in Italy. Will it provide all the answers?

It requires considerable skill to write a book that isn't actively a chore to read. A bunch more to write a book that can be swiftly devoured with zero indigestion.In a good book, events that seem unrelated never are. That's why I eventually added 'suspense' to my list of shelves for Small Miracles. There are secrets, and they need to come out. There are people who hide their hurts, and those need to come out to heal. And there are lots of people trying very hard to be nice, and forgetting to be nice to themselves. If that doesn't sound like something you'd like to read, then I'm sorry, because it led to a splendidly warm and humorous book where you become friends with nearly everybody. Let me start by saying I was amused and entertained throughout Small Miracles. The idea of a Fallen Angel of Petty Temptation who fell from grace because of their own gambling problem is quite charming. Gadriel, said fallen angel, is in deep with their bookie, Barachiel, the Angel of Good Fortune. temporarily house animals in need in your own home until they are ready for adoption. Foster animals include pregnant This is a gem of a book that I borrowed from my friend, and I'm glad I did. The book focuses on highlighting some of the miracles that have happened in the everyday lives of various people. Many of the stories were about romantic, quite a few were about family and some were about people who were virtual strangers. When it comes right down to it though, the common theme of each of these miracles is the fact that they all revolved around love. This is NOT a review of that book. Yet unavoidably, there will be comparisons between “SmallMiracles” by Atwater, and that seminal work by Gaiman and Pratchett.

For a story set around nuns, I did expect prayers and blind faith in God to be part of the plot. But most of this comes across as balanced and not fatalistic. The only thing that irked me was Sr. Margaret’s tendency to “talk to the Lord” after every few sentences. It was overdone. It's a delightful book. It's a slow burner about three religious sisters (apparently everyone confuses them with nuns who are distinguished by living in cloistered monasteries dedicated to prayer). The convent is in disrepair, no new intakes and a building beyond its use with the school they used to teach at token away from their care. It seems the sisters will need to go their separate ways. Holly is sweet and complex, as is her niece. Though Miss Harker seems predominantly virtuous, there are sorrowful reasons for the path she's on.. and while Ella can be brusque, that comes from a place born of pain too.My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for the DRC of “Small Miracles”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Were Pratchett alive, I dare to hope he’d agree with my rating, if he read the book, which according to Atwater, is somewhat of a homage to his “Good Omens”. The parting of the seas or the face of an angel appearing is not the only type of miracle. There are many small miracles that occur just at the right time and make all the difference in an event or the life of a person. There are also larger ones that may save a life. A miracle is an occurrence that is outside the rational process of thought, which is the framework of everyday life. When a person steps out of ordinary reality into a higher vibration, amazing things can happen.I found Anne Booth's handling of the characters and their development impeccable. Nobody changes overnight, but plenty gather food for thought that you know will make a difference. In some ways the writing is simple, but that simplicity creates terrific scenery and atmosphere. Especially the simple sentences that conjure up the sights and smells of small Italian towns. In 1990, two iconic fantasy authors, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, collaborated to write the famed novel “Good Omens” (full title: “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch”. Gadriel is a fun and interesting character, and a flawed one as you might expect from a fallen angel. At first, I found it weird that everyone took it in stride when one moment he appeared male, then female, without asking questions much, then again, who are we to question how others want to appear? Ultimately, I liked that Holly, her niece and everyone else around them just accepted Gadriel as they are. Which is one of the messages of this book, although probably not the main one. Still.