Small Miracles

The Sisters of Saint Philomena #1

by Anne Booth

The 1990s are proving tough for the convent. The order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena is down to its three last nuns. The place that Sisters Margaret, Bridget and Cecilia call home is in dire need of repairs and, with no savings and no new recruits, they are facing the prospect of having to sell up and leave behind the friends and neighbours in the parish community that they love.

That is, until ninety-year-old Cecilia decides to play the newly launched National Lottery and a series of small miracles begins to unfold.

Small Miracles takes the reader on a joyful and uplifting journey as these three unforgettable nuns learn more about life, love and friendship than they could ever have imagined.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Humor, Religion, Book Club

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2022

About the author

Anne Booth always wanted to be a children’s writer, but has also cleared tables in a restaurant, sold books, been a tour guide at a haunted medieval hospital, taught English in Italy, and organized arts and crafts in a nursing home, among other things. Anne Booth lives in Kent, England, with her husband, four children, two hens, and two dogs.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Booth writes a delightful and warm novel set in Fairbridge in the 1990s, where the order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena find themselves facing particularly hard times. The convent has debts that are weighing down the despairing 58 year old Mother Superior, Sister Margaret, still grieving the loss of her close friend, Sister Helen. The school that she had run has been taken away from them, eroding their place in the community. There are no new recruits to the order, further endangering their sense of purpose and future, the two remaining nuns, 90 year old judgemental Sister Cecilia thinks they can win the lottery and pouring her energies into researching their benefactor, Sir Edward Mortimer, and 70 year old Sister Bridget is a wonderful cook, with a joyous infectious spirit that draws people to her like a magnet. Margaret prays desperately, feeling a sense of frustration at their inability to see the dire straits they are in, the repairs that need to be attended to, as she fears they will have to sell up, leaving behind their friends and neighbours in their parish community.

However, matters begin to improve when they have a surprising £20 000 lottery win, a small miracle that brings some relief from their debts. Is God at long last beginning to smile on them? Father Hugh needs a new roof and a curate to help him manage his heavy workload, the Bishop insisting it is up to him to fundraise for the roof. Travel agent George Sanders cares for his cantankerous mother, but he is bursting with hopes of finding love with academic and art historian, Dr Matthew Woodburn, specialising in the paintings of Jack Mortimer, desperate to find more paintings by the artist. Linda, daughter of convent gardening volunteer, Thomas Amis, has been working as a real estate agent for years, but is feeling low and depressed. The discovery of a photograph and letter in a desk have the nuns travelling in hope on a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, and more specifically to Cardellino, to find out more about Ellen Kerr, a parlour maid that just might be their saviour.

Brooks writes a glorious novel of miracles, small and big, of challenges in life, grief, love, loss, friendships, community, and of findings answers and a future where you least expect to. The nuns here are flawed and all too human, but that just makes it easier for the reader to connect with them and the issues that confront them, my favourite is the whirl of energy that is Sister Bridget, with her fabulous cooking and the ease with which she makes the world feel like a better place for everyone she comes across. I recommend this book to those looking for something fun and uplifting to read and it has to be said, that the world itself could do with a few miracles, small and big! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: Not bad, not outstanding. Heartwarming, a bit over-the-top, funny, predictable, slow, interesting. Pretty much mixed feedback all the way. Will be a nice one-time read for those who like light fiction.

Story Synopsis:

1995. The order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena has just three nuns left - Sisters Margaret, Bridget and Cecilia. Their home needs repairs but they have no savings, no funds coming their way, and no new novices. 90 year old Sr. Cecilia has resorted to buying lottery tickets and is confident that her prayers will give them a win. To everyone’s surprise, (ahem… except for the readers – we know what’s to come), they do win a small jackpot one day. But this leads to a butterfly effect of events, which forms the rest of the plot.

Where the book worked for me:
🌹 I must admit, the biggest reason for my opting for this title was that I have read too many books bashing nuns for their rigid beliefs. (And rightfully so!) I wanted to try something that would be akin to the portrayal of nuns in ”Sister Act”, more humane and approachable, letting us know the person behind the habit. This book delivers on that count. The sisters in this book aren’t the typical judgemental or old-fashioned kinds (for the most part – 90 year old Sr. Cecilia is an exception, but she too is critical only in one instance), nor are they perfectly goody-goody. I loved the portrayal of the three religious.

🌹 I had assumed the sisters to be the focal point of the story. But there are many subplots woven around the convent and the lottery win, most of which are interesting. All the tracks tie up neatly at the end. Most of the secondary characters are also sketched well.

🌹 There is a little suspension of disbelief required, depending on your worldview of ‘miracles’. There are a series of small miracles, some of which seem like miracles, some are just serendipitous coincidences, and some are instances of a “pay it forward”. If you leave the logical part of your brain aside, it is easier to get into the groove of the story and enjoy it for what it is.

🌹 There are some funny moments in the narration, but the main theme of the story is of friendship, faith, trust, and hope.

🌹 To my absolute (and pleasant) surprise, there are queer characters in the book! The icing on the cake was that the sisters don’t judge them for their homosexuality. How refreshing! (Though I must also admit, it is a bit unrealistic. Most nuns I know won’t be as accepting…Sigh!)

🌹 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.


Where the book could have worked better for me:
🌵 It is slow-paced and meanders through the multiple subplots and characters. You really need to keep your patience with it until you see how things come together.

🌵 It is tricky to remember the numerous characters, especially at the start.

🌵 Some minor plot points are left hanging.

🌵 Was it necessary to make George cry in almost every scene he is a part of? Sheesh.

🌵 I wasn’t GRIPPED by the story, if you know what I mean. I could keep the book aside even mid-chapter without a tinge of curiosity.

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.

3.5 stars, rounding up in hope of divine blessings. 😉

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.



———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter

[Jeanne Adamek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Fern A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great holiday read with a sweet, gentle narrative. Three nuns who live in a falling apart convent find they have suddenly won the lottery, the first of many small miracles connected to them that are to follow. Multiple narratives intertwine with each influenced, often unknowingly, by another as various characters battle with dilemmas, problems and miracles that come their way. This is a gentle book with enough of a varied story line to keep the reader turning the pages and waiting to find out what will happen next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Rozanne Visagie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Miracles is exactly what the title suggests: this book is filled with a series of small miracles. Where it seems impossible to find a solution to a problem, something happens, usually in an unexpected way, and the problem is solved.

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. This is not something I would typically read but I'm glad I did. Small Miracles is the debut novel of Anne Booth, but it's more than a story. It's a heartwarming read with humour and moments that leave the reader thinking of the characters long after finishing the book. Themes of hope and friendship are weaved between the pages and have the reader sympathise with the different characters and share in their joy and sorrow.

If you've read Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, you will enjoy this book. This book seems to be about one thing, but the more you read, the more you discover and a web of different stories is formed, each connected by the sisters of the convent. Sisters Margaret, Bridget and Cecilia are characters you'll never forget.
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.

Special thank you to Bargain Books SA (Hartbeespoort) for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Clare Fairclough · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, warm, hug of a book! It was a pleasure to read! A book about love, loss, finding your place, a pregnant cat and hidden secrets!

When the Sisters Of St Philomena's have an unexpected lottery win, this starts off an unexpected voyage of discovery in many ways!

I shall be looking forward to reading more by this author.

I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this by RandomHouse/Netgalley - due for release August 2022

[Virginia Moffatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the author told me she was writing a book about a flying nun and a group of sisters winning the lottery I was immediately intrigued. I loved the first draft I read and am delighted the book will be coming out in August. I've been lucky to have a proof copy and though a lot of the details have changed since that original version, the book is every bit as good as I thought it would be. And while it's specific religious setting - a small Catholic convent in the heart of a parish with a mainly Irish immigrant community - might be off putting for some, I think most readers will find a lot to appreciate in this gentle comedy.
It is 1995, and in the fictional town of Fairbridge the 3 remaining sisters of St Philomena's convent are struggling to survive in an old, battered building too big for them, with insufficient resources to maintain it and their little community. Cheerful Sr Bridget, who cooks for the nuns, the parish priest and anyone else who wants feeding, is confident that God will have a solution. Dour Sr Cecilia puts her faith in winning the lottery so they can restore the convent to its glory and celebrate their saintly founder, Edward Mortimer. Both exasperate practical Sr Margaret, their Superior, who has to deal with the reality of the chaotic accounts, unpaid bills and lack of income. Burdened by the responsibility, and the death of her closest friend, she cannot see a future for the order, and believes their only option is to sell.
They’re not the only ones with problems. Weary Linda can’t see much purpose now her grandson is in school, George the travel agent longs for love as he cares for his cantankerous mother, Fr Hugh just needs a curate to help him and a roof that doesn’t leak, while academic Matthew is frightened to express his true feelings. But as the nuns ask God for help, slowly things begin to change and their prayers begin to be answered, though not quite in the ways they expected.
‘Small Miracles’ is a lovely, funny novel with a wise and compassionate heart. Anne Booth draws on her own Irish Catholic upbringing to create a parish and convent full of ordinary, fallible humans, that most churchgoers will recognise. Like the TV show ‘Rev’ the book moves effortlessly between humour and sadness. I laughed out loud at some of Sr Margaret’s conversations with God, appreciated her frustrations with church hierarchy and was moved to tears at the moments when she and other characters expressed their deepest pain. The author is a great observer and excellent at showing how it is often in the little things in life that we can learn and appreciate bigger lessons. And that when a community is under pressure, all it takes is a bit of love, hope and faith for the miraculous to happen.
The Bookseller recently noted that optimistic novels are in vogue right now. I’m not sure if that’s totally true, but I do know that if you’re looking for an antidote to all the gloom, ‘Small Miracles’ will do the trick. A book to cheer you up and remind you of the goodness that surrounds us every day. Pre-order now – I can guarantee it will be worth the wait.

[Becki Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy to read story that makes you feel warm inside. It was a nice story with charming characters.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

With this book I think I found my sweet spot. Light read with sweet characters.

[Kasia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️. I thought this was a really lovely book. Loved the storyline and the characters and thought it was just really feel good. Looking forward to the next one 😊

[caroliest · Rating 2 out of 5]

here goes nothing leute
das buch ist an sich nett, unaufgeregt und liest sich gut weg

ABER ich war so genervt davon dass jedes problem gefühlt zwanzig seiten später wieder gelöst war und ich die ersten 150 seiten nach dem plot gesucht habe weil nichts passiert ist

glaube vllt war das einfach nichts für mich

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm actually a massive fan of Call the Midwife, so I was really hoping for something similar to that, a book that was heartwarming and cosy. Small Miracles was definitely that, especially in the very neat way in which everything was tied up in the end, but unfortunately, I found the storylines to be quite hit-and-miss, to the point where I definitely paid way more attention to skim, and almost completely skimmed others. I didn't really warm to the 1990s setting, maybe because the nuns had less of an impact in the community by this point, but I would've liked it to be more impactful to the story in some way. I also found the story to be slipping in the second half, with the nuns' trip to Rome seemingly coming out of nowhere. I appreciated the more human sides shown by the nuns, but the ending felt too convenient for me in its attempt to have a dramatic twist.

[Vanessa Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with this book for review.

What an absolute blast of a read, this book has everything, nuns, lottery tickets, love stories, it will make you chuckle and tear up in equal measures.

[Fil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! I need to read more books like this one. Thank you to the librarian that recommended it to me. 5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[Han Preston]

I tried but I just couldn’t get into this book for some reason. I’ve finally given up after getting exactly to the half-way point.

[Marijn Woudstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beetje voorspelbaar, maar wel schattig.

[JosefineS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eher kleine Qual als kleines Wunder

Das Kloster, des einst so florierenden Ordens der Schwestern der heiligen Philomena, steht vor der der unmittelbaren Schließung. Die drei verbleibenden Nonnen müssen der Wahrheit ins Auge sehen. Das Dach ist löchrig, die Elektrik alt, der Herd defekt und auf Oberin Margaretes Tisch stapeln sich zu dem auch noch die Rechnungen. Ein Job um den sie wahrlich nicht gebeten hat, doch die Wege des Herrn sind manchmal unergründlich. Als sie sich mit dem Gedanken, das Kloster in Faibridge verkaufen zu müssen abfinden, ändert ein überraschender Lottogewinn alles, jedoch völlig anders als die drei sich das erträumt hätten.

Das „charmant …, für Sister Act Fans“ habe ich leider suchen müssen. Bis auf die parallele von 3 Nonnen, bin ich jedoch nicht fündig geworden. Wie überraschen und was für ein Aufhänger, drei fromme Schwestern und ein 6er beim Glücksspiel, das könnte Aufregend werden. Wurde es leider nicht, denn wie sooft ist der Mittelpunkt des Klappentextes, nicht der Mittelpunkt des Buches. Leider plätscherte die Geschichte so vor sich hin und statt Trubel gab es jede Menge Lebensgeschichten der Dorfbewohner, steht´s unterbrochen von durchaus fragwürdigen, jedoch endlosen Gebeten. Möglicherweise war diese Version von englischem Humor mir auch nicht ganz zugänglich. Die Barmherzigkeit, die Anne Booth in ihre Kindebücher thematisiert hat sie scheinbar hier ernster genommen und noch intensiver verarbeitet. Dabei gab das Ganze ein doch eher oberflächliches Bild ab. Ein Überfluss an hintereinander gereihten, optischen Attributen, einer gelegentlichen Erwähnung eines Berufes, Talents oder Stimmlage im Chor. Der ganze Schreibstil ein Stakkato, wenn es zuwenigst noch etwas Charme/ Humor besessen hätte, doch die wahrscheinlich zum Schmunzeln erdachten Passagen waren eher merkwürdig. Zum Plot Twist war ich bereits so oberflächlich abgestumpft, dass es jetzt auch nicht mehr viel in mir auslöste, zumal es sich schnell wieder in diesem überdrehten „Freundschaft, Gemeinschaft, Glauben, Liebe, Herzerwärmungsauftrag“ erstickt wurde. Was leider zu jeder Menge Empathie-Tod in mir sorgte. Lieber Gott, was wurde hier geweint und was hat mich das irgendwann nicht mehr tangiert. Leider ein Fall von „eingestiegen, weil falsche Erwartungen gehabt“.

Fazit: der erwähnte Bezug zu Sister Act, gab mir leider falsche Vorstellungen, weswegen mich diese Cosy Feelings über Nächstenliebe und Freundschaft förmlich erstickt haben. Was jedoch nichts an der teilweise stark oberflächlichen Darstellung der Charaktere und dem Stakkato Schreibstil geändert hätte. Wer sich die volle Barmherzigkeitsdröhnung geben möchte, könnte sehr glücklich damit werden.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Margaret, Bridget and Cecilia from the order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena might have to leave their friends and neighbours in the parish community of Fairbridge, a fictional English town. Sister Bridget, now seventy, went to cookery college thanks to Sister Frances's support, recognition of potential and persuasion, so she bakes cakes for the church funds but it's not enough for the cash-strapped order and the convent. Fifty-eight-year-old Mother Superior, Sister Margaret is still grieving the loss of her close friend, Sister Helen. Sister Cecilia, 90, has high hopes for a lottery win which happens to the tune of £20,000, bringing with it new opportunities for the sisters at home and abroad.

A delightful story with some beautifully drawn relationships and interesting revelations. Charming, amusing, with a soupçon of scandal and very worthwhile.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Random House UK, Vintage, via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I thought the premise sounded interesting but unfortunately I just didn’t connect with it. There’s quite a bit of repetition and clumsy descriptions, so when I found myself skimming very early on, I knew it wasn’t for me.

[Mairéad · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice, easy read with a gentle pace and comfortingly clear promise of a happy ending from the first page. The book unfortunately didn't evoke any real emotion in me, I didn't find any of the characters particularly well developed and the main plot wasn't as mysterious or intriguing as I would have liked, hence my lower rating, but Small Miracles would be a very pleasant holiday read.
Thank you to NetGalley.co.uk and Random House UK for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kilien Natens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niet meteen het type verhaal waar ik meteen voor zou gaan, maar die mening moet ik duidelijk bijstellen! Wat is het fijn om eens zo'n feelgoodboek te lezen, waarin alle puzzelstukjes op het goede moment in elkaar lijken te vallen en de personages op het einde gewoonweg gelukkig zijn, in plaats van dat hun geluk door deze of gene plottwist wordt verstoord.

[Shanreadsnwrites · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet cozy book that was just different from a lot out there! The book mainly three nuns, who are struggling keeping the convent, when one of them wins the national lottery “and a series of small miracles begins to unfold.” What I liked most about this book was how human - flawed, lovable, even frustrating - the author portrayed the nuns to be. I also loved the character development, and the other characters in the book (including two gay adult men struggling to find love.) Wholesome! 4.25/5 stars

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Fairbridge in the 1990s, the order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena has shrunk to three nuns. Sr Cecelia is in her 90's, an academic & desperate to win the lottery to pay repairs on the large house where they live. Sr Bridget in her 70's, super cook heart of the parish & eternally optimistic & Sr Margaret in her late 50's, thrown into the role of Mother Superior & grieving for her close friend Sr Helen she is constantly worrying how they can continue. When the convent does have a small lottery win it starts a chain of events resulting in some small miracles.

I enjoyed getting to know the different characters & the insights into their lives. This was a lovely gentle & uplifting story. I loved it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Mary Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart warming story of how three nuns found their miracles. Excellent on describing emotional issues and drawing the reader into the foibles of human nature.

[Janette Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read funny and uplifting

[Sarah Tye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really was like a warm hug! A lovely story of faith, love and little miracles.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest with this very quickly.
Sorry, Sisters.

[Helen the Bassist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to have another book with mature female protagonists. No sex, violence or bad language. Lots of love.
A lovely little tale to remind us that, despite all the political shenanigans at the top of any religion's leadership, the majority of members are just ordinary folks trying to do their best for faith, family, friends and the community.

[Sophie Annett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did take me a while to get into this book but I am so glad I persevered. There are some incredible friendships and relationships and it was interesting to see how all their lives ended up becoming intertwined.

[Daren Kearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The demand for gentle, empathetic and comforting reads has been noticeable this year. Following two years of pandemic and with global uncertainty still continuing, many are turning from thrillers and murders to something that confirms that there is still good in this world and small miracles can happen when we spread love.
Having followed Anne Booth on Twitter for a few years now, it is clear she is a Christian with a strong political sense of right and wrong. Her beliefs and positive outlook on life are woven into this story of three nuns who, as the last remaining sisters at St Philomena’s, aim to reinvigorate their convent and prevent it from falling into disuse.
The tender love story between George and Matthew was a joy to read and I also smiled at the way circumstances often led to ripples of positivity or perfect outcomes because of being at the right place at the right time. If you are a believer in God, you can choose to see these as divine intervention or if not, then just happy coincidence: either way, the feeling of well being and happiness is a boost to the reader.