Nothing Ever Happens on Main Street Review
Author: Daren Hatfield
Rating: 7.0 GOOD
What’s it About?
Welcome to Harding Springs, 1910.
Nothing ever happens in Harding Springs. No tragic fires on Regent Avenue. No boating disaster on the lake. No runaway carriage ever flattened the Harding Springs Auxiliary Marching Band. It’s a quiet town filled with only peaceful and pleasant days. That’s because no one knows about the incredible secret that lies behind the door at 55 Main Street or that the fates of the town residents rest in the vest pocket of a single, solitary stranger.
But when young Parker Riley and Harding Springs newcomers Cora and Cassandra Swanson stumble upon the amazing truth, their peaceful world is turned upside down as they attempt to protect the town—and themselves—from sinister interlopers and grave danger!
Review
Nothing Ever Happens on Main Street by Daren Hatfield reminded me that if you look hard enough, spectacular things are happening all around us everyday, even if we don’t notice. It might come in the form of a police officer pulling someone over for speeding. We’ll never know if that vehicle would have careened off the road and killed someone. Would that have happened? Did it happen? There’s a quiet beauty in the mundane within the pages of Nothing Ever Happens on Main Street. It’s entertaining and heartfelt story was a welcome change of pace and had me wishing I could go back to a simpler time.
“He let out a shrieking bawl that sounded like a goat stuck in a cotton gin.”
Author, Daren Hatfield made the perfect choice in having his story take place in 1910 as It placed the characters in a much simpler time. This, coupled with the small town of Harding Springs, provided the perfect backdrop for the story. If anything out of the ordinary happens in Harding Springs, it will be noticed. Of course, this great setup wouldn’t be as effective without someone to care for. All of the characters within Nothing Ever Happens on Main Street are relatable and easy to root for. Main protagonists Parker and Cassandra’s insecurities and adolescent view of the world amplified the chaotic nature of the interloping hijinx. Their development is perfectly intertwined with the narrative and makes sense within the context of the plot. However, there were a few times where things were a bit too on-the-nose. It’s these times where I felt the author should have trusted the reader more. Perhaps this was a side effect of a book that’s geared towards everyone. I felt that this was important to note, but didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story that much. The eccentric Edison Doyle was a highlight of the book for me and provided an unpredictability that kept me engaged. As a whole, the character development was enjoyable to experience and taught me that it’s important to not lose perspective on the things that matter most. This of course, is just one of the many themes that are touched upon. I guess that’s a large part of why I enjoyed the book as much as I did. There’s something here for everybody. And what I got out of it, will probably be much different from the next reader. It’s the mark of a good well-written story.
There’s a childlike sense of wonder that felt so refreshing. It’s not relying on tropes to push the narrative forward. Hatfield has crafted something that feels truly wholesome. The YA portion of this coming-of-age tale is what concerned me the most, as I have a penchant for more adult themes and narratives. However, I hesitate to call this book YA, as that term can convey a sense that it’s written strictly for kids and teens. Nothing about this book made me want to hand it to my kids and move on to the next Grimdark fantasy on my TBR. At times, this story made me feel like a kid again, where every new discovery could open a door to a grand adventure. I also would like to praise the book for it’s positivity. That’s not to say that bad things don’t happen throughout the course of the story, they often do. But it’s constantly displaying the inherent positive nature of the human spirit. It’s a very hopeful tale with messages that are meant to build up, not tear down. It felt good every time I sat down for another chapter. I think you’ll feel the same way. The overall narrative gave me Back to the Future and Doctor Who vibes, with the same sense of awe and adventure. I loved the feeling of being two steps ahead only to have life’s unpredictability throw a curveball, sending you a step behind. It also felt episodic at times, with an overarching narrative woven throughout. This could have been due to the books chapter structure, but either way, it really worked for me. It kept things interesting and felt like binge watching a really good show.
Overall, Nothing Ever Happens on Main Street is a hopeful and charming time-traveling caper that’s a perfect palate cleanser for people who feel stuck in a rut. It throws a unique twist on everyday life that’s sure to delight. And at the very least, it reminded me to take a second look at what’s around me, and appreciate everything just a little bit more. I definitely recommend Nothing Ever Happens on Main Street by Daren Hatfield.