Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the chance to review this book.

It’s not every day that you find a book that sticks with you. These are the ones that you find yourself thinking about long after you’ve turned the last page. Despite my terrible memory, I will often think of some aspect of a particular book years after I’ve read it. Some books have that great of an impact on your life.

It’s not every day that a book sticks with you, but it’s also not uncommon. What IS uncommon, however, is when an AUTHOR sticks with you. These are the authors whose books each seem to be a mirror into your soul. After reading his debut novel, A Little Hope, a few months ago, I jumped at the chance to read Ethan Joella’s new novel A Quiet Life. Not only has each book stuck with me, but he has quickly become an author whose works I will automatically buy.

A Quiet Life follows three characters whose lives intermingle. Chuck is an older man who recently lost his wife, Catherine (Cat), to cancer. He is lost without the love of his life, but he is also too proud and broken to relay his feelings to his family. His thoughts keep on drifting to the only major fight he had with Cat, where he refused to let her invite a young waitress, Natasha, to come stay with them in an apartment on their property. The fight caused a rift between Chuck and Cat for weeks, but the hard feelings naturally dissipated without them talking about the incident. Now, Chuck is left with his regrets and his memories as he tries to decide whether to go to Hilton Head, SC for their annual winter vacation rental. Every time Chuck feels like he is taking a step forward (he even tries to adopt a pig!), his sadness creeps in and leaves him feeling like he can’t continue on without Cat.

Kirsten is a young woman in her 20s who works at a pet rescue center. Her dreams of going to veterinary school are put on hold when her father is murdered during a gas station robbery. She knows she is young and has her whole life ahead of her, but she feels unable to move on from her father’s death. She has a crush on her boss, David, a divorced father of two who is a decade older than her. After David takes her skiing one night, she wonders if there is something there. Then, she hangs out with her other co-worker, Greyson, and things change. Kirsten is standing at a fork in the road trying to decide between two good men representing very different paths. Does she want a safe, simple life with David and his kids, or does she want a life full of passion and adventure with Greyson?

Ella is recently separated from her husband, Kyle. One day, she discovers that Kyle has checked out her daughter, Riley, from school, and her nightmare begins. Kyle has kidnapped Riley, and they have disappeared without a trace. Unable to find Riley’s whereabouts, Ella is a shell of herself, barely making it through her day. To fill the long hours, she works two jobs: One as a newspaper delivery woman, and one as a bridal sale consultant. Her life changes when she begins talking to the sad-looking man on her route, Chuck. However, nothing will ever be the same without Riley by her side.

Anyone who has ever experienced the loss of someone close will be deeply touched by this book. I lost my dad back in 2019, so Kirsten’s memories made my heart swell with emotion. I could picture my dad’s quirkiness and giant personality through her description of her father. Like A Little Hope, A Quiet Life discusses the feelings of longing, pain, and sweetness that accompany grief. My favorite part of the book, however, was how Joella intermingled the storylines from the very beginning. Ella delivers Chuck’s newspaper. Kirsten’s favorite teacher in school was Chuck’s wife, which caused her family to invite them over a few times when Cat was still alive. Ella is David’s neighbor, which results in Kirsten encountering her one day and asking for a ride to Chuck’s house. Each character is harboring their grief while interacting with each other, not knowing that the other person can intimately identify with what they are going through. It serves as a reminder that we never know what the people around us are dealing with in their lives, and we share much more in common with our friends and neighbors than we realize.

This was an easy five-star rating for me. Even the cover art is a beautiful nod to the characters’ stories. Be prepared to feel tears prickle your eyes throughout the book. You’ll want to give your loved ones a hug and soak up the memories around you. In the meantime, I look forward to more books by Ethan Joella in the future.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a great book. It discusses the events of three people and how they all try to heal. I enjoyed the overall story and would read more books by this talented author.

The lives of three grieving people intersect in the midst of a Pennsylvania winter. Chuck recently lost his wife to cancer, Kirsten's father was shot in a convenience store robbery, and Ellie wonders if she will she her kidnapped daughter again. An inspiring book about the power of kindness even in the face of grief and loss.

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella will be published on November 29, 2022; thank you to @scribnerbooks for my review copy in exchange for an honest review. The book reads quite well and was a pleasure to read. While the first half of the book is a slow-burn, overall I enjoyed the story about the lives of the 3 main protagonists, with Chuck being my favorite. The narrative illustrates the human experiences of the 3 characters and themes of loneliness, grief, love, and resilience. Joella manages to describe in great detail the inner thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the characters. At the same time, I didn’t find the author’s descriptions to be overwritten or bogged down with unnecessary details. This is a quiet novel exploring life’s uncertainties in an easily digestible, familiar fashion.

This is very much a slow moving book about grief and healing. It's a beautifully told story about healing after loss, and learning to love again. I do, however, feel like it's a bit....boring? old? for me. Even at my age, I felt it was almost depressing to read about, despite the almost hopeful end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

Ethan Joella’s, A Little Hope, was my favorite book of 2021. A Quiet Life will forever be one of my all time favorites. The connection Joella creates between the reader and the characters in the story is like no other. I found myself deeply caring about fictitious people that only dwell inside the pages of a book. That is a tremendous feat and a testament to the author’s talent.
We all lose people we love. It is a part of life, and the sadness that comes from it makes us realize how much they meant to us. This is a story of the happiness and celebration of the deep love that allows us to feel that sadness in the first place. Everyone should be so fortunate to love people as much as Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten do. A Quiet Life made me smile. It made me believe in the good of the world and the people around us that help get us through this life. You will look at those people differently after reading, and for that, it will be your best read of 2022.

Such a good book! Three different people all dealing with issues - Chuck's wife of 50 years recently passed away; Kirsten's dad was murdered; and Ella's ex-husband kidnapped their daughter. The three of them are all dealing with their issues and with other people in their lives and then their three lives converge and they help each other to heal. Absolutely stunning book.

Beautiful beautiful story about ordinary peoples lives. The writing is lovely. Highly recommend.thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

This is a book about grief and about relationships. And the entire time you are reading it you will be curious about how these stories will intersect. There were so many moments that I just thought “so true” after reading a thought of one of the characters. . I didn’t like all of the stories equally but I loved how it all came together by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Chuck, Kirsten, and Ella all live in the same town and have something else in common - grief. Each is trying desperately to get through their daily lives while carrying unsurmountable amounts of anguish at the recent loss of loved ones. Fate ties them together in unlikely ways in this compelling poignant story.

This was my second novel by this author and I will purchase anything he writes going forward. Wow. I adored this and all the characters - each unique and tragic yet fascinating and interesting in their own way, especially in how the navigate their pain. I loved feeling the world through them each and their serendipitous connections were an added bonus. I love when stories connect like they did in this splendid novel. I would recommend for anyone who loves a character driven story that deals with grief and hardship. I am seriously hungover and miss these sweet, quirky characters already. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this lovely gem of a book. Ethan Joella does it again!

This is really sad, right from the start. Each of the three main characters has faced a terrible loss and is trying to come to terms with what their life looks like next. It is absolutely beautiful writing, and each of the characters (including side characters) completely comes to life. I really enjoyed the way the stories intersected, and my only negative was that the ending was just a bit too predictable, but it was still a really lovely read.

“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends”
—It’s a Wonderful Life

Well written introspective books that unleash within it a collision of the universal forces—love, loss, grief, regret, loyalty, desire, family, friendships, and casual heroism, tend to often be my favorite types of novels. I LOVED THIS BOOK …..everything about it!!!

“A Quiet Life” is bracingly intelligent, profoundly humane, written in gorgeous prose. It’s a spellbinding journey dealing with the fragility of life,

We meet Chuck Ayers, who is recently widowed. His wife Cat was his ‘cat-meow’: the most central person-love of his life. Each winter they vacationed in Hilton Head. Everything is paid for the upcoming getaway….but Chuck can’t seem to find a reason to go — the joy was with his wife. They rarely fought ….but they did argue over a young woman named Natasha— a woman Cat met and wanted to help. Chuck felt his wife was getting to involved.
After Cat dies….guilt, on top of grief, has become all-consuming.

We meet Ella Burke, whose ex-husband has kidnapped their daughter. The police aren’t nearly distressing over the unlawful abduction as Ella is.
She delivers the morning newspaper and works part time in a Bridal Store….(not the most satisfying of jobs)….but she is trying to keep a roof over her head — as she is not only struggling emotionally- but financially too.

We meet Kirsten Bonato - a recent college graduate who had dreams of traveling in Europe and attending veterinary school. She ends up putting her plans aside— due to the sudden death of her much loved father. She’s very indecisive of what to do with her life. In the meantime - while deeply missing her father, she works at a animal rescue shelter.

These three characters lives intersect in interesting ways—the stories are heart-wrenching- and heart-endearing.
Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten confront adversities, gain wisdom, increase compassion and empathy, open their hearts to healing and love…..
as the reader….we do the same!

A little tidbit situation to contemplate….
When Chuck’s wife died — he began to think he failed his adult children. He worried that he failed them by not talking with them more — their loss was parallel too.
“If he had died, wouldn’t Cat have been so good at letting them express their pain? Wouldn’t she have shared hers with them? Her instincts we’re right on the money with the kids. She knew went to run in, when to pull back, whose name to say, whose name not to say”.

As a parent myself …..a friend myself…..I also share the common challenge of knowing when to run in, and when to pull back….
Oh…..the dance of life!

Ethan Joelle reminds me that are blessed to be alive! 💃

4.5 stars rounded to 4 stars

A Quiet Life. What a little gem. This lovely book is a quiet introspective novel about three people who have suffered devastating losses and their quests to comes to terms with their misfortunes. Chuck’s beloved wife has died, and Chuck carries a major regret that has never been resolved. Ella’s precious daughter Riley has disappeared, and she doesn’t know if her little girl is even alive anymore. Kirsten’s dear father was killed. He was a special man who meant everything to her. How these people come to terms with their losses and all their “what ifs” is the crux of this book.

I loved these characters and found all of them to be very realistic. I also appreciated how most of the book played out in their thoughts. There were many more inner thoughts than conversation, something I really liked. These characters came to intersect with each other in remarkable ways. The author makes clear that while you cannot always “cure” or get back your losses, you can figure out how to live with them and move on to a good life. Though I enjoyed all the arcs of the story, I found Chuck’s situation to strike me the deepest.

I must mention the book cover. What a marvelous cover. It perfectly represents what’s inside. I also commend the author for such a well written book. The writing is simple yet stirring, and though the story is very contemplative it moves quickly. I found the ending to be very satisfying. It did not have nor need an epilogue.

This was Mr. Joella’s second of two novels. I have already put his first (A Little Hope) on my on-deck list and will likely read it early next year. I highly recommend A Quiet Life to all readers.

I would like to thank Net Galley, Schriber, and Ethan Joella for an ARC of this book. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

This book felt like a warm hug. There was sadness, but also the least likely of souls coming together to get through the difficult parts of life. It didn't hurt that this book was set in the Lehigh Valley, PA which is where my husband is from and now far from where we live now. I felt a connection in that way as well.

I felt invested in each character's story and felt that they all connected in a meaningful way. This is such a perfect book for fall and/or winter as it gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Now I need to read this author's previous book!

I received this as an arc and I'm so glad I did. I find Ethan Joella's books to be so special. I can't stop reading and when I'm done, I can't even pick up another book. I find myself so wrapped up in the characters and the feelings, it's hard to see it end. There are some authors you read because you know how it will turn out and it's fuzzy and happy and other authors, Ethan Joella, write hard truths and thoughtful introspection and I need that sprinkled in among the easy reads. It's not so horribly sad the pages are covered in tears, but it's that good kind of teary, thinking about how you live your own life and touch others lives in the process. Be someone's cardinal.

What a WONDERFUL book! A book filled with heartbreak, love, and empathy! I am in Awe! I really hope there is a sequel down the line.. Fingers crossed!

4.5 Stars

It’s not even been a full year since I read Ethan Joella’s debut novel, A Little Hope, one of those debut novels that really surprised me in the best way. So when I saw his latest novel, I knew I wanted to read it.

’A quietly shared, poignant novel of life, love, and hope that kept me turning the pages, and aching for each of these souls and their individual journeys toward hope.’ This is a brief quote I included in my review of A Little Hope, but it also seems so relevant to this story and the main characters whose stories are shared. The heartbreaking stories of these people that have endured so much sorrow, those who are grieving for loss or real-life nightmares that haunt their days, but still, somehow, manage to hold onto a ray of hope. Lives lived quietly because it’s too painful to expose their grief, their pain, too exhausting to share their stories. And yet, there are also moments of gratitude for the moments when a relative stranger reaches out in a moment of seeing beyond the surface and offers a gift that changes a perspective and offers hope. There are people who offer comfort and a listening ear, and more hope.

Regrets, grief, those moments when we say the wrong thing and how those memories haunt us long after are part of this story, but there are also many moments of generosity, friendship, gratitude and love. Friendships born out of those moments that others might not recognize as a gift, as well.

A story of love, memories that haunt, the things we did or said that we wish we could change, as well as regrets about those out of our control and how those influence our lives.

This is a relatively short, 304 page, story, which has many twists and turns including some heartbreaking moments, but there is so much love in this story, even a little romance, but at its heart, this is a story of navigating those unexpected and sometimes devastating detours that life gives us, made easier by the gift of friendship.


Pub Date: 29 Nov 2022

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Scribner

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella follows the intersecting lives of three main characters. Chuck Ayers, is a 70 year old, who has lost his wife to cancer. Ella, a mother and current newspaper delivery person is awaiting news regarding the location of her daughter, kidnapped by her ex-husband. Kirsten has recently graduated from college, but is stymied by grief over the unexpected loss of her father. While Ella, Chuck, and Kirsten would never have predicted that they would meet and assist each other with their journeys through grief and uncertainty. Their interactions and relationships help each of them immeasurably. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting characters with heartbreaking individual stories that are wonderfully woven together.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Quiet Life was a character study in grief. I think you should know that going into the book, it could be upsetting for some readers. I did enjoy the writing overall. an emotional book.