Chuck has always looked forward to his and Cat’s yearly Hilton Head vacation. After her loss however, he doesn’t know if he can bring himself to head down for their reservation. Ella’s daughter is missing. She spends her days delivering papers and working in a bridal shop just praying the phone will ring with good news. Kirsten is devastated after the murder of her father. This novel tells the story of three vastly different people. People all facing a horrific oss and just trying to get through their days. This book brings them together in the most coincidental ways leading to the most beautiful of endings.

Not me sitting here with tears streaming down my face after finishing this book. I had no idea what I was getting into starting this one, only that some trusted sources gave it five stars, and damn were they right. To be honest, this one took me longer than normal to read. I have been slumping hard and this was a really rough week, but I kind of feel like this was the perfect book to be reading this week. It really made me think about grief, the way we face it compared to others, and the way that everyone needs something during that time, but it might not always be the same thing needed. I just adored every single character, and wanted them to get to a point where living with their grief wasn’t ripping them apart any longer. It made me think of a situation that happened recently that sadly ended in a different way, but reading this while dealing with that situation was just kind of the perfect read. If you need a book about grief, love, family, found family, friendship, loss, and so much more. It will break your heart, but also put it back togethjer in the most beautiful way.

Ethan Joella’s debut novel A Little Hope was one of my favorite books last year. I was so excited to read his latest book A Quiet Life and it did not disappoint! I loved the 3 intersecting stories and the raw, unflinching look at 3 grieving people.

Chuck is a widower dealing with the loss of his wife and the guilt he feels about a fight from their past. Ella is going through the motions of life as she waits for news of her missing daughter. And Kirsten is dealing with the loss of her father and her feelings for two coworkers.

All 3 live in a small Pennsylvania town and their lives intersect in such beautiful and hopeful ways.

A Quiet Life is a beautiful story about life, loss, and the hope that comes from love and friendship.

"A Quiet Life is a tender, emotionally powerful novel that explores how grief can push us toward unexpected new experiences and connections"

Ethan Joella has a gift for writing about ordinary people with ordinary lives and making you ache with their pain and grief. Then he makes you filled with hope. His writing is so comforting. There are no big plot twists here. Just lovely characters going through loss. Just a slice of life book without any earth shattering message behind it.

A Quiet Life is as charming as Joella's debut A Little Hope. Chuck a 70 something widower mourning the loss of his life partner Cat. He is trying to decide whether or not to go to the rental they paid for when Cat was alive. Kristen a 20something girl is waiting for sign from recently deceased dad to show her what path she should take in life. Elle is living day to day, biting her time to hopefully reunite with her daughter who is abducted by her own father, And these three people's paths somehow intersects in such a beautiful way.

Chuck's finds something that was meant for someone while he is cleaning out his late wife Cat's closets. Years prior, they had a big fight over this person and he feels like he needs to make amends. Kristen finds herself stuck in life, she doesn't know what to do with her life, and then there is her love life. She has a innocent crush on someone but she finds herself being pulled towards someone else. She is confused about her feelings towards both men. Elle is just trying to keep busy so her mind doesn't wander about her daughter's disappearance. These people are all grieving in their own way. Quietly. All by themselves. All of their respective chapters are full of reminiscence.

Kristen's relationship with her father touched me the most. Maybe because I miss my dad.

This is the book to curl up with a warm drink and a blanket. The book that makes you wish it was snowing outside. The book that make you sigh contentedly upon finishing,

A Quiet Life starts with a lot of sadness. Chuck, in his 70's, is mourning the death of his wife, Cat, and trying to figure out how to move forward. Ella is mourning the disappearance of her daughter, and Kirsten is trying to deal with her father's sudden death. Their losses are all relatively recent and each carries the uncertainty of how to move forward. A Quiet Life is a beautifully written and introspective novel about grief and healing. The characters are each at different ages/stages in life and dealing with different types of loss. They are, however, all poignant stories. The book is set in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania and since I went to college in Bethlehem, PA.....I loved the setting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read A Quiet Life in exchange for an honest review.

A Quiet Life is an uplifting and heart-warming read that is bound to make you feel better for having read it!

This character driven novel focuses on three people who are each dealing with grief. Chuck, an elderly widower, doesn't know how to go on without his beloved wife. Kirsten is mourning the murder of her father. Ella's 8 year-old daughter Riley has been taken by the child's father and Ella doesn't know if she'll ever see her again. Each struggles with their pain and loss moment to moment.

Three strangers, whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Joella reminds us that it is just such intersections that give us opportunities to rise above our own situations and help others, perhaps even without knowing it. Small acts of kindness and compassion have large ripples that cannot help but brighten our own spirits in the doing. Quiet lives, quiet acts, extraordinary consequences. A very good read.

My thanks to Scribner for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, scheduled for publication on 11/29/22, via NetGalley. All opinions stated in this review are my own and are freely given.

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella is another fantastic read by this author! This is his second novel and I highly recommend reading both books. He is a master at creating well-written characters who come together in unexpected ways. In this book, three characters are dealing with a deep loss. Joella masterfully draws us into each character's life and has us rooting for them. This is a great book to curl up with on a dreary day! Read and enjoy!

A beautifully moving story that follows three individuals who are all grieving in their own way. Ella is grappling with the kidnapping of her child, Kristen is grieving the violent death of her father, and Chuck is a widower who is coming to terms with the loss of his wife. While these three individuals appear to have no connection, their lives intersect in a subtle but powerful way that brings each of them support, a little bit of hope and new friendships

Thoughts: This was a short book but there was a lot to unpack. It constantly reminded me about how people come into our lives for a reason and that when we are at our lowest if lows, there are people that can help us get through it. The audiobook was fantastic, with three narrators for each point of view. I really felt all the emotions as I listened and became attached to the cast of characters who were all extremely likable. If you read a lot of romance and thrillers (like me), this is the perfect book to mix it up.

Read if you like:
-Parallel narratives
-Realistic portrayals of grief
-Character-driven stories
-Remarkably Bright Creatures

Thank Simon Audio for the ALC!

Ethan Joella broke my heart again with this book. I loved his debut, A Little Hope, one of the first books I read this year, and I can remember the tears running down my face when I reached the last page. On the other hand, I cried for just about all of the last 120ish pages of A Quiet Life that I devoured on my flight home. Considering much of the book centers around an older couple's winters on Hilton Head Island, the fact that I was flying home to Boston after a long weekend on HHI, where my parents migrated from Northwest NJ just about 8 years ago, helped the book feel especially relevant to my life.
A fellow bookstagrammer said it best in her review - reading this, I wanted to give all of the characters a hug and tell them everything would be okay. As a teacher, I also loved that one teacher's impact was still felt (and recognized) many years later in the book. The emphasis on kindness reminded me how important (and usually easy!) it is to keep kindness at the root of what you do.
If you enjoy emotional reads (I had to get up to grab more tissues from the plane bathroom because I was blubbering away), I highly recommend this book, which comes out at the end of the month, 11/29.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for ARCs of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Are you tired of the missing woman/wife/girlfriend? Mary Kubica flips that overdone trope on its head in her upcoming release, JUST THE NICEST COUPLE. The story follows two married couples and the disappearance of Jake, a husband and prominent neurosurgeon.

I had the pleasure of attending a virtual book club + author chat with Mary and it was fascinating to hear about her writing process. She is a “pantser” meaning she flies by the seat of her pants instead of plotting the story from the beginning. Even she was surprised where this story took her!

I thought the missing husband was a fresh change of pace and I never knew who to trust. This was a speedy read that kept me entertained with its short chapters. If you’re looking for a popcorn thriller that will keep you guessing, be sure to pick this up in January!

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: January 10, 2023

Thank you to Park Row books and the Thoughts from A Page Patreon early reader’s group for the complimentary ARC and a fun author chat!

A lovely story about three people who find each other just when they need help the most. Chuck's deeply loved wife Catty, leaving him bereft and wondering what to do next. That yellow towel of Catty's- oh my. Kirsten, who was a student in Catty's art class, is struggling in the wake of the murder of her father at a gas station. She's got a crush on her boss, David, but then there's Grayson and there's more to him than meets the eye. And Ella, whose ex-husband has taken her daughter, leaving her not only in despair but in deep debt as well. Joella expertly weaves these three together- Ella delivers Chuck's newspaper, Kirsten works at the animal rescue where he thinks he might adopt a pet. And don't dismiss the Natasha plot thread that wanders through Chuck's. This surprised me more than once so no spoilers but know that it's a rewarding read with terrific characters. Will Chuck go to Hilton Head as he always did with Catty? It's a quiet novel about grief, moving forward, and hope. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A terrific read.

Ethan Joella’s storytelling has swept me off my feet once again, friends. Last year, my socks were completely knocked off by his debut, A Little Hope. I devoured that book, and then immediately recommended it to everyone I knew, along with their sister, cat, and goldfish. It was just THAT good. I’m very happy to report that my feelings are the exact same regarding his upcoming novel, A Quiet Life. First of all, let’s talk about this cover. Look at how cozy it is! It’s perfect for the fall or winter. The scene just draws you in, makes you want to grab a fuzzy blanket, mug of tea, and read by the fireplace for hours. I’d describe A Quiet Life as an uplifting, feel-good, comfort read. Reading it felt like a nice warm hug. Joella introduces us to an eclectic group of characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. They will restore your faith in humanity, and make you believe that there’s still some good people out there in this crazy world. These individuals cross paths, their storylines intertwine together, and then they show up for one another when it’s needed the most. Each character is grappling with their own form of hardship and grief, so when they come together to provide support and healing, your emotions will run high. This novel is perfect for fans of All the Lonely People, A Man Called Ove, and Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting. I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. I’m officially a forever fan of Joella’s, and will read anything he writes. Please grab a copy on release day - November 29th. 5/5 stars for A Quiet Life!

REVIEW

A Quiet Life ~ Ethan Joella

READ IF:
* You believe cardinals are a sign from a loved one that has passed.
* You’ve loved someone deeply.
* A road trip is your idea of excitement!

SUMMARY: In a small Pennsylvania town, three lives converge, bonded in their loss and grief. There’s Chuck who desperately misses his wife Cat and must decide if moving on without her in her life is even possible. Ella has experienced the unimaginable - her daughter is missing, taken by her estranged husband - and she lives each day just waiting for the phone call that will bring her daughter back to her. And then there’s pure of heart Kirsten who is growing up and figuring out adult life without her beloved dad.

Three broken hearts. Three lives changed. All of them trying to recover what they have lost.

REVIEW: So I am an Ethan Joella stan. Since reading A Little Hope last year, I just fell in love with the purity of his writing and was so impressed with how he could write characters that are so complex yet totally relatable all at once. A Quiet Life is no different. I was swept away by this sleepy PA town (Go Pards 🐾) and could see myself a little bit in each and every one of these characters - with a forever purpose of waking up each day with the hope of moving forward despite uncertainty.

A lovely story with a beautiful message - if you have not explored Joella yet, you are missing out. With the season of thankfulness and giving upon us, do yourself a favor and give yourself the gift of this book. It will wrap you up and give you the warmest hug as you reflect on all the beauty and love that your quiet life gives each day.

When I read A Little Hope I was blown away by Ethan Joella's writing - and he's done it again! I loved his first book, and this one was possibly even better, his writing is done with such beauty and mastery. 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!

Thank you to Scribner and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this digital ARC

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I felt connected to all of the characters in one way or another, even those I didn't think I would. I read this at a time where I lost a family member very very close to me, so I felt Chuck and Kirsten's grief at a different level. Joella does a great job capturing the many complicated feelings that come with the grieving process. He offered up complex, realistic personal issues and unfolded them layer by layer neatly as the story went on. Admittedly, this isn't usually my genre of choice, but reading it was worth while. It felt dragging in a few places throughout the book, but I can't blame it entirely, again, for the reason stated above, but there were some noticeable places where it felt too slow. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and all of the emotions that came with it. If you're looking for a reflective, melancholy read with a spark a hope, I recommend this book.

This is a story about the path back from loss.  It focuses on three characters in a Pennsylvania town each dealing with an absence that is shaping their day-to-day life in a powerful way.  Following retirement, the highlight of the year for Chuck and his wife Cat was their annual trip to Hilton Head, where they rented the same house and enjoyed the warm weather, easy living, and community in that town for part of the year.  But following Cat's death only a few months before, Chuck is struggling with whether to go to Hilton Head this year, and what to do with Cat's things that he knows he should give up but can't seem to let go.  

Kirsten has long dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.  But following the sudden death of her father, she finds herself more comfortable with the routines of a life working at an animal shelter.  There, she grows close to two of her co-workers in different ways, which prompt her to reconsider what she wants for her future, both professionally and personally.

Ella's pride and joy is her daughter, Riley.  One day, her husband took Riley and no one knows where they are.  As she anxiously waits for any information about where Riley is, Ella spends her mornings delivering newspapers in her rundown car, working at a bridal shop, and trying to get used to life in a new apartment, as she hopes every phone call may be Riley reaching out to her.

As Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten navigate existences that would have seemed unimaginable just a little while before, they find that moving on from loss is among the most challenging obstacles they have ever faced -- and that, even as they deal with their grief and the hopelessness it sometimes involved, there are people who want to help them make the most of the lives they have ahead of them.  

The author's previous book, A Little Hope, was one of my favorite books of last year, so I was really excited to read his latest.  It exceeded my expectations. With this latest novel, the author clearly establishes himself as one of today's leading voices on capturing the small and often hidden parts of life that ultimately have the most powerful impact on the human experience.  With each of the central characters, the author powerfully portrays the way they experience loss and the way they struggle to move forward without a central figure in their lives -- deftly balancing the internal and external portions of the characters' experiences.  Through these stories, the author offers several profound insights about the relationships between parents and children and between spouses, and how those relationships each have their own seasons that change over time as the people in them evolve.

I appreciated so many aspects of the story.  One part that really resonated with me was Chuck's reflection and engagement with a person who may not have seemed that significant in the scope of his life with his wife -- a waitress his wife met a diner who she struck up a friendship with -- but who, it turns out, forces him to reconsider aspects of his marriage and what he wants from his future.  This part of the narrative encapsulates so much of what is impactful about this story and how we all experience life -- typically not in a straight line and where seemingly small events or people we encounter for only a short-time end up having a huge impact.

Very highly recommended!

This book follows the journey of three main characters dealing with loss and trying to figure out how to deal with life after loss.

Chuck : He has just lost his wife, Cat, quickly because of illness. His life is nothing without his best friend and wife he has known his entire life. He is unsure how to live without her and what to do besides hurt.

Ella : She lost her daughter, someone took her and are unsure if she is alive or where she could be. I cannot imagine being a mom and losing a child, feeling so literally lost in this world without them.

Kristen : She has lost her father, the man who was her best friend in the world. He died for being an innocent bystander and she must figure out how to cope with what has happened to her family, but is unsure how.

This book is sad, it deals with some deeply emotional events. But, there is always an upside, or at least a turning point in which each character finds a sight inner peace.

Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten are looking for answers.

Chuck needs to figure out whether to go to Hilton Head without his recently deceased wife. Ella is desperately trying to determine just where in the hell her ex-husband took their daughter. And Kirsten is searching for a way to move forward after her dad’s murder.

All of them more alone than they’ve ever been, but all intertwined in various ways.

As tends to happen when we look for answers, these three discover that solutions aren’t always as obscure as they first appear.

Absolutely loved this book. And not at all surprised. Ethan Joella is fairly new to the scene, but a force to be reckoned with. A must-buy author for me - hands down. Only the most empathetic and insightful authors can convey the human experience so accurately and eloquently. I am in awe.

Recommend? Hell. Yes. 100%.
This was published earlier this month, so head to your local bookstore ASAP and pick up a copy.

Thanks to Ethan Joella, Scriber and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

This is a beautiful little book that will catch you by surprise and keep you pulled in until the end. I loved how powerful the story in this book was as well as the underlying message within. This author does a very good job of writing relationships and this book does not disappoint in that area either, in fact this is for me the driving force of the story. Heartfelt and warm, a great book for a cold winter night.

I adored this story. I thought it was beautifully written and you could really feel the characters loss and struggle and want to jump in the pages and give them big hugs
It was a fast read and I didn’t want to put it down. I will be recommending this book to others to read.

Thanks to Scribner for the copy of this ARC!

A Quiet Life is a lovely story about three people in very different stages of life who have all experienced loss and loneliness. While these storylines start out separately, they all intersect beautifully to create hope and friendship. This is character-driven, emotion-provoking, and just an all around wonderful read.