In beautiful Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Jack runs the restaurant that has been in his family for years. The restaurant is his life and he isn’t quite sure who he is without it. And now, DelDine group is eager to get their hands on the restaurant and Jack is wondering if this might be his chance to do more with his life. As the offer takes shape, Jack receives startling news from his past that reshapes everything he thought he knew.

Ethan Joella is a master at crafting character and setting. All throughout this book you can get glimpses of his beloved Rehoboth Beach as he puts you on the boardwalk, as we sit in the sand, and as we walk amongst the stores that make up this nostalgic piece of the country. You can picture this area so vividly which only adds to the feelings as you get to know Jack and the people in his life.

Jack, himself, is a character you just want to root for. He’s devoted his life to running Schmidt’s restaurant but you can feel that he wants to know what else might be out there for him, while at the same time caring so deeply about what happens both to the restaurant and to the people who work there. They are his family, the restaurant is his life, and if he loses it (and them), will he know what to do next?

As we dive deeper into Jack’s story, and his past, we explore grief and loss in the way only Ethan Joella can do it - with hope at its center. While he takes us on heartbreaking turns, and shocking revelations, he does so with love and care for his characters, and while giving us as the reader a bright spot to cling to.

The Same Bright Stars has one main character at its center, which differs from his previous books, but he brings in the side characters so seamlessly that you feel as if you’ve gotten to know them, too.

Ethan Joella has already cemented himself as a comfort author for me - one I can turn to whenever I want that jolt of humanity - and this book is another incredible addition to his career.

I have read the other two books by this author and had high expectations of this new title as I loved the others. This one shattered my expectations as this was his best yet. I feel in love with all the characters, and the setting was perfect for the release date. I cried several times, and immediately hit 5 stars on the rating. I hope this becomes a huge bestseller.

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.