This book has so many aspects of my own life that it’s hard to review fairly. First, I am an older adult struggling with grief and loss much like Chuck Ayers. Second, Hilton Head is the place we go every summer for a week or two to escape our typical live. I grew up in Pennsylvania and have connections to Penn State. With that disclosure, I enjoyed the book and hope that my life intercepts the lives of others in ways like Chuck’s life does. Chuck meets a young woman trying to figure out who she is, reflects on the way his wife inspired him and begins to be a bit more like her by helping others. Each character plays a pivotal role to play in Chuck’s grieving life. May we all be so fortunate to have memories and new connections that help recover from loss. And may reading this book help us reach out to care for and inspire others.

Thanks to Scribner and to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book.

I love Joella’s writing. It creates an aura of peace, even when the lives of the characters are in turmoil. In fact, I see his writing as similar to Anne Tyler. As a reader, I admire the grace and beauty of the writing which I believe adds to the plot.

This is the story of 3 disparate people, brought together by a thin thread which helps them to deal with their traumatic present.

Charles is a widower, desperate to come to terms with his past and future. Kristen faces life without a beloved parent, while Ella is facing the trauma of a kidnapped child. From start to finish, I was drawn to all the characters and willed a happy ending.

Joella has the gift of engaging the reader with the small details of life, though insignificant, they provide meaning. I will never look at another striped yellow towel without thinking of this book….I think that says it all.

Thank you Netgalley for this very special novel. Joella is pitch-perfect as a writer.

Lovely novel about the interconnection between people in our lives as they deal with profound loss and the regrets and choices and joys preceding the loss. The writing is breathtaking - I found myself gasping at the descriptions of a man coming across the toiletry bag he shared with his deceased wife. The writing! When you read this book - and you should read this book - give yourself time to savor and dog-ear the beautiful passages. There are a lot of them. Much complexities to discuss - an excellent book club discussion choice. Reading this will change the way I treat others who have experienced loss. It’s THAT impactful. Bravo to Ethan Joella on a truly beautiful second novel. Heartfelt thanks to Scribner for the advanced copy. What a gift.

Ethan Joella does it again! I loved his first book, and this one was possibly even better. There are not many writers who can do what he does so masterfully. The characters are well written and extremely relatable. All three find their way through grief and difficult circumstances as they open themselves up to new possibilities and relationships. I loved how the characters' stories became interrelated over time. If you are looking for a story filled with hope, and looking to have your faith in humanity restored, you must read A Quiet Life. And when you have finished it, go back and read A Little Hope. I highly recommend both, and look forward to reading whatever Ethan Joella writes next!

A QUIET LIFE

Thank you so much to Ethan Joella, Scribner Books, & Net Galley for the chance to read an advanced copy!

A Quiet Life is a story of grieving -- Chuck grapples with the loss of his beloved wife, Cat. Ella’s life tears at the seams after her daughter, Riley, goes missing. Kirsten struggles to find herself in the aftermath of her father’s untimely death. Their lives weave together in unexpected ways, revealing how sometimes, the worst things we ever experience bring to light our best selves and the most genuine moments of connection. Brimming with hope, humanity, and kindness, this is easily one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read this year.

I have come across very few authors who write with the same level of emotion and empathy as Ethan Joella. Count me in for anything he’s writing!

“Tender, emotionally powerful, and infused with hope, A Quiet Life explores how grief shapes our choices and shows that no matter how dark the most difficult moments in life can be, our humanity and capacity for forgiveness shine through.”

I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy, and you should too -- see you at the bookstore November 29th!

This book is quite possibly one of the best I've read in a very long time. The characters are rich and well developed and it is so easy to imagine yourself standing there with them. I devoured this book and was disappointed when it was finished! This is the kind of book that makes you think about your life and those you love most. I know that this will stay with me for a long time.
This is about 3 people, who are in very different places and situations in their lives, yet they intersect in ways that change them forever.
Chuck has recently lost his wife to cancer, Ella's daughter has been abducted by her father, and Kristen's father was murdered. Each of them is struggling to come to terms with an unimaginable loss, each have big decisions to make. How will they know what to do? How can they put the shattered pieces together well enough to make their lives feel whole again? How can these 3, very different people, restore each other and their faith that life can be while again?
A sweet, memorable read!

"From the author of A Little Hope—a Read with Jenna Bonus Pick—comes an enormously powerful and life-affirming novel about three individuals facing challenges and grappling with loss in his or her own way."

Another outstanding story of hope, perseverance and the power of letting others into your life. Chuch, Kiersten and Ella are strangers whose lives intersect in the most amazing ways to renew faith in humanity and give hope to the most dire situations.

"The lives of these three individuals intersect in unforeseen ways, as each character bravely presses onward, trying to recover something they have lost. Tender, emotionally powerful, and infused with hope, A Quiet Life explores how grief shapes our choices and shows that no matter how dark the most difficult moments in life can be, our humanity and capacity for forgiveness shine through."

This is a wonderful story of three characters, that have each had a life-changing trauma.
Something most of us have all experienced.
How do you survive and move forward? It takes faith, hope, love, time and friendship.
The lesson- is that believe it or not everyone is linked in some way and the world is smaller than we realize.
All i can say is I loved this book and I encourage everyone to take a seat and read this!

Thank you to NetGalley and #Scribner for allowing me to read and provide my review of this beautiful novel.
I will post my reviews closer to publication as requested by the publisher.

A Quiet Life is a beautiful novel about three adults living near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania who are all experiencing their separate grief but whose lives intertwine through the simplest chance interactions. Chuck Ayers is mourning the death of his wife and is deciding if he can return to their winter vacation rental in Hilton Head without her. Ella Burke's daughter has been kidnapped by her soon to be ex-husband. Ella decides to take on a daily newspaper delivery route, along with her sales job at a bridal salon, to have a reason to get out of bed while police try to find her young daughter. Kirsten Bonato's father was murdered in a convenience store robbery. She works at the animal rescue shelter where Chuck stops to adopt a pet pig, of all creatures. All three characters are trying to make it through the day and past their sadness. Ethan Joella writes a good, comforting story reminiscent in a small way to Kent Haruf"s Our Souls at Night.