The biggest thank you to Scribner books for allowing me to read this book early!

There has never been an Ethan Joella book I didn't devour in one day and there has never been an Ethan Joella book that hasn't stayed with me long after that day. His characters find their way into my heart and never leave.

I like a lot of books and even love a lot of books, but not many books deeply effect me emotionally the way Ethan's do. He just gets it. It being the thing that makes us all human and ties us all together in a million intricate ways.

I feel like this story was written for me as I relate to it even more than probably the average reader would on a couple different levels. One being the fact that I was a restaurant manager for over 5 years and understand how the people you work with in a restaurant become family. It's different from any other job I've ever worked and only those who have had a restaurant family can truly understand the bond. The employees in Jack's restaurant, Schmidt's, are the employees in every restaurant across America.

I further relate to this now as I work in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) and daily have a front row seat to businesses changing hands and all the emotions (fear, anxiety, excitement) that come along with that. I just had a recent restaurant sale that was so similar to the situation in the book!

Jack Schmidt is truly a gem of a character. He gave me slight Luke Danes (Gilmore Girls) vibes if Luke were nice all the time (lol). I'm not sure how a fictional character can make me want to be a better person, but Jack did. I think we need to see a sequel with some more Jack; he has so much story left to tell and so much life left to live!

I'm sad that this is over, but will be ready and waiting for whatever he writes next!

This book will be available for purchase on July 2, 2024!

Ethan Joella has become one of my favorite authors. This was about a restaurant owner deciding if he will sell the family business - and so much more. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Ethan Joella is king. This beautiful, amazing and meaningful story of love, loss, family, disappointment and hope is a must-read! Jack Schmidt is the character you most want to root for - his life is in a slump - by his own choice and yet he clamors for what he believes he has no shot at achieving. What Jack didn't count on was family he didn't know he had and friends who ARE family who rally around him. This story will make you laugh and cry, and hug it close when you finish the last page! Outstanding!!

A third-generation restaurant owner is tired of the day-after-day grind, and must decide if he will sell out to a soulless (as he sees it) conglomerate. Will they keep their promise to retain the historic building along with all the present staff?

The restaurant staff are an incongruous set of misfits, but with Jack Schmidt at the helm, and the long history of what his grandmother and father have built, it seems to work. The characters are well-developed and a mostly likeable bunch, but I did find Jack's inability to make a decision a bit frustrating at times, wishing he'd just get on with it! But the wait was worth it when an unexpected plot twist gives almost everyone exactly what they wanted in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love Joella’s novels, but I am in love with Jack Schmidt, the hero of this book. No, not a sci-fi superhero, but a thoroughly decent human being. He is a man who is full of kindness and compassion, but has been given a rough life by those around him, especially the women he loved.

He is faced with a difficult decision, should he sell his family restaurant to a greedy corporation or hang on and be a beacon for Rehoboth Beach, the community he loves? It is a hard decision for him, but made more difficult when a long held secret is revealed.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this exquisite novel. I might be the only reviewer who sees Joella as an author, like Anne Tyler, who can spin literary magic out of this existence we all share under the BRIGHT STARS.

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" -Mary Oliver

-Third person point of view
-Short chapters
-Past + present timelines
-Character driven
-Small town beachy setting
-Family drama

When it comes to Ethan Joella's writing, I am a fan! His first two efforts were rich, dramatic stories with a whole host of characters whose lives intersect, subtly but with great impact. The Same Bright Stars brings a similar feel, yet this time our huge cast is shown through the single point of view of restaurant owner Jack Schmidt. Jack, and his family owned business, are at a crossroads. Just when he feels like he finally has it all figured out and is ready to sell and retire an old flame, a new coworker, and some shocking news turn his world upside down. While reading Mr. Joella's work it tends to feel like you're getting a glimpse of real people, with real lives, and real problems. He makes otherwise ordinary things (family, friendship, life, death, second chances) feel extraordinary. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Thank you to Scribner & NetGalley for an ARC of The Same Bright Stars in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars.