This was a really feel good book. It was a good one to read in between the thrillers that I normally read. Would recommend to anyone who wants something that makes them feel good when reading and when they are done

Wow, this book was so much more than I expected it would be. The cast of characters was so unique and heartwarming - you just couldn’t help but root for them.

I am a sucker for a small town story and I love that this one was about an actual town that Joella knows so well. I was rooting for Jack the whole time and Joella does an amazing job of making you feel for his characters and their struggles.

This book is perfect for readers who love a short book that has an emotional punch. I did not expect to feel so much in such a short page count - which goes to show how excellent the writing is.

This was my first novel by him but definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to get to his other two books!

"Same Bright Stars" presents a heartfelt exploration of love and friendship against the backdrop of life's challenges. The writing is engaging, and the characters are well-drawn, making it easy to connect with their journeys. However, the pacing can be uneven, and some plot points feel predictable. While it has its touching moments, it lacks the depth and emotional resonance to truly stand out. It's a pleasant read, but it might not leave a lasting impact.

Ethan Joelle is one of those authors whose beautiful writing automatically lifts your spirits and gives you that confidence in humanity.

This story is about community, loyalty, friendship, and family. It is set in a Delaware Beach town where our main character, Jack, contemplates closing his restaurant. But he has mixed emotions about the new owners, the staff he’ll leave behind and what walking away from his family’s legacy will mean.

Aaaaannnd... an ex-girlfriend is in town, an employee is stealing from him, and there’s a fun twist. You’re going to need to read this to experience the ride yourself!

Come for the story; stay for the richly developed characters and stunning setting of Rehoboth Beach.

Thank you, NetGalley, Scribner for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Few Bright Stars offers a heartfelt story, but it falls somewhere in the middle in terms of impact. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and healing, with a focus on character relationships that feel genuine, though sometimes predictable. The emotional beats are there, but the story can occasionally lean into sentimentality, making it feel a bit formulaic.

The protagonist's journey is relatable, and the supporting cast adds charm, yet there are moments where the character development feels rushed or not fully explored. The writing is solid, with beautiful, reflective passages, though it can sometimes lack the punch to make those moments truly resonate.

For readers seeking a comforting and uplifting read with emotional depth, A Few Bright Stars delivers on a basic level. However, it doesn’t quite push the boundaries or leave a lasting impression. It's a pleasant, albeit somewhat conventional, story that may not stand out among its contemporaries.

A family drama, but filled with compassion and charm. I've read the author's other books and have enjoyed each one. The way he is able to write real life family drama makes it very easy to read. The setting was a huge plus.

Thank you @scribnerbooks for my gifted ARC.

Jack is running his family’s restaurant in Delaware, but he’s getting burnt out. The constant stress and worry of the place makes it hard to have relationships or any kind of social life. He’s beginning to wonder if there’s more to life and he’s looking into the possibility of selling. But can he give up his family’s legacy?

I loved this book! Jack’s craving the family experience his best friend has. He has a wife and young daughter and a great relationship with his father. Jack is missing his father and his mom died a long time ago. His first real relationship ended horribly and now Jack has a habit of getting out when things get tough. But when another old girlfriend moves back to be with her sick mom, can they rekindle? Does he want to open that door again?

@joellawriting has a wonderful way of putting you right in the story. I felt like we were in the middle is Schmidt’s restaurant feeling the years of tradition. I don’t read too many books with a main male character that is not a thriller and I enjoyed the change in perspective.

THE SAME BRIGHT STARS 🐚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“He can’t stop thinking she is family, and you shouldn’t give up so easily on family should you?”

Ethan Joella’s book are just so 🥹❤️‍🩹😭🥰 This story follows Jack, a 50 year old man who has focused his entire life running his restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. Now that he’s considering selling his restaurant, he is reckoning with his choices to prioritize his career over family and friends. I’m not going to lie - I worried about relating to this book since the MC is an older man. But I absolutely loved this one 😊 If you are looking for a book that will tug on your heart strings, pick this one up.

More about this book:
👨🏻character driven
🏖️small beach town
🤫family secrets
😭an emotional story
❤️found family
🥈second chance

This book surprised me. I wasn't expecting to feel so much for the characters, some of whom I had never met as a reader. I went in blind, expecting a light summer beach read based on the cover, and it was anything but that. I enjoyed getting to know the beach town, the staff at the restaurant, the family and friends of the MC. Living in a small town, it felt so comfortable. I love our long-standing, family-owned restaurants and I was glad to spend so much time in this one.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Since his first book, Ethan Joella quickly became one of my favorite authors. His writing style is a gift that few have. From the first page, you can’t help but feel invested in each characters story. I found myself rooting for each person.

From the beginning of this book, I kept thinking “I really want to love Nicole…” Joella takes a side character and makes you love them.

I look forward to reading his future work.

The Same Bright Stars is a beautiful character-driven novel featuring a restaurant owner, Jack Schmidt. As Jack Schmidt approaches midlife, he confronts a profound sense of introspection. He grapples with the realization that he is neither too young to be old nor too old to be young. I resonate deeply with this sentiment as I celebrate my 55th birthday this weekend.

Through Jack’s single POV, we gain insight into the residents of Rehoboth Beach who form Jack’s found family. These characters significantly influence Jack’s life as he reflects on his legacy, business, and future. I love how Joella leads Jack on a journey towards new beginnings, impacting not only Jack but also many others in Rehoboth Beach.

I always pair the physical book with the audiobook whenever I can. Chris Henry Coffey embodies Jack Schmidt's character, and Coffey’s humble and down-to-earth narrative style perfectly complements Joella's quiet and thoughtful writing. I absolutely adore both the book and the audiobook, and I can confidently say that you can't go wrong with either option.

Other Highlights: the Rehoboth Beach Travel Guide excerpts, beach chairs symbolism, male friendships, the importance of connections, and a vacation town vibe

This poignant story is truly remarkable and full of humanity. Joella beautifully reminds us that there are countless versions of ourselves that we can aspire to be. If you're looking for a book that will touch your heart, this is the one to read.

I have enjoyed each book Ethan has wrote but this one has to be my favorite! I could not put it down. Ethan knocked it out of the park!

Strong sense of place-Rehoboth Beach and the world of owning a family restaurant. I enjoyed the dialogue and story.

3.5 stars. Ethan Joella is one of my favorite authors. The Same Bright Stars is a story of family, and friends. And Mr. Joella focuses on the father-son relationship which I particularly enjoyed.

Jack Schmidt is at a crossroads. He’s being offered an opportunity to sell the restaurant that’s been in his family for 70 years. Jack isn’t married and has no family to turn the restaurant over to. Then Jack discovers that may not be true.

Surrounding Jack is his staff, some who’ve been with him a long time, some not as long, but Jack still feels a connect to all of them.

And there’s Deacon, Jack’s best friend, who’s struggling with the loss of his mother.

All these people are precious to Jack and make the decision even more difficult.

This is a beautiful story but it lagged somewhat. I enjoyed the characters, but didn’t really love the storyline.

Overall, though, I’ll still look forward to the next book written by Ethan Joella.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of #thesamebrightstars.

This is a heart-on-the-sleeve, full of hope and mess and ache-in-the-heart, character-driven novel, no different than his others. The only difference I could find is the distinct small beach town and that it’s one MAIN character with many smaller characters sprinkled throughout. (Joella’s other novels are groups of separate couples/individuals and stories, all woven together by the end.)

This book felt like life. The SPECTACULAR sprinklings of a Rehoboth Beach tourism guide was so well done! I have to visit now!
Because his books touch on the human spirit for me, it’s an auto-5stars. If he wrote something that didn’t feel authentic, I’d say so — but I don’t find that with this author. It’s what makes his books so special.

All the love!

3.5/5 — It pains me to give an Ethan Joella book anything less than a 4 but this unfortunately is my least favorite out of the bunch. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, I definitely still did! One of my favorite things about his writing style is he knows how to write empathetic characters and Jack is no exception. I think I missed the multiple POVs from his previous books because I didn’t care about any other characters/side characters much. I’ve never been to Rehoboth Beach, but this story makes me want to go. His sense of place was spot on! I also did love the ending.

I think what was lacking for me was plot. This is very much a character driven story, which I tend to love, but I wanted more to happen perhaps? Or for the big “reveals” to feel more groundbreaking than they were, versus stated matter of factly in a few instances. I didn’t get as many big feelings from this book as I did with his previous work.

I’ve seen so many great reviews for this though, so maybe it’s a me problem! Especially because I read this at the same time I read another book where I was addicted from page one. Any book that I read simultaneously was going to dull in comparison. Regardless, this is worth reading if you like character driven novels, small town beach vibes, a sense of community, found family and a likable MC!

Thanks, Scribner Books, for the advanced review copy via NetGalley (available now).

Ethan Joella is not just an auto-buy author. He’s a warm, genuine, generous, and humble person who creates characters you care about. His stories make me feel better about human nature.

Jack owns two things: his family’s beachfront restaurant and a pristine blue beach chair that has never seen the light of day. To quote a particularly candid employee, he looks “like someone famous, right before they went to rehab. Or like Tom Hanks in Cast Away when he was bigger, before he went to the island.” He’s loyal to his legacy and staff, but he’s physically and emotionally tired and considers selling out to a soulless corporation just to get a break. The problem is he would feel so guilty abandoning his hardworking staff and beloved Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that he doubts he could enjoy retirement.

I enjoyed Jack’s journey, the funny and supportive side characters, and the occasional snippets from the Rehoboth Beach Guidebook throughout the story. They reminded me of James Earl Jones describing what Ray’s ballpark will be like in “Field of Dreams.”

“Not to experience Rehoboth Beach in summer is to be robbed of something pure and real. What are you waiting for?”

This feel-good but poignant story made me laugh, cry, and hug the book to my chest once finished. Not to experience Ethan Joella is to be robbed of something pure and real. What are you waiting for?

h how I love Ethan Joella’s writing. His newest book, The Same Bright Stars, is yet another addition to his incredible roster. He’s such an authentic writer - one of the only writers I can think of who writes men that I can actually relate to.

The book follows Jack, a 50-something who has been running his family restaurant on the beach for years. He’s over it and wants a change, but he’s not sure what to do next because there are so many people who will be impacted by his decision. Every character in this book is nuanced and complicated and just very real. Even though there is sadness, it’s still a very life-affirming read.

If you need something delicious and genuine and you liked A Quiet Life, The Same Bright Stars is out now!

The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella is a poignant and reflective novel set in the charming coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The story centers on Jack Schmidt, a 52-year-old man who has dedicated his life to running his family’s beachfront restaurant. As Jack faces the pressures of maintaining the business and the allure of a lucrative buyout offer, he grapples with his past, his present, and the possibility of a different future.
This is a well written and emotionally rich novel that if you love stories about personal growth, community, and the complexities of life you’ll enjoy this story

Set in a small town, this book is about a restaurant owner who has some decisions to make. A large corporation has offered to buy out his restaurant and it seems like something he’s interested in. But it’s too good to be true.