This quiet story about Rehoboth Beach, a tourist destination in Delaware, has a cast of characters that really captured my heart. The book centers around Jack, who is considering selling his family restaurant to a corporation who is offering an enticing deal. But his employees have become his family, and he doesn't want to disappoint them or leave them in a bad situation. Ethan Joella has mastered the art of telling stories about regular people in a very compelling way. There was enough going on to propel the story forward, but the heart of the story is truly about the people in this town. I will be returning to his books any time I need a comfortable, reliable place to rest.

I enjoyed this quiet, character driven drama. Set in a beach town in Delaware, we watch the main character deal with several mid-life transitions. If you are already a fan of Ethan Joella or liked Tom Lake, Little Monsters, or After Annie you will likely enjoy The Same Bright Stars. Thank you Netgalley and Scribner for this early copy.

It was easy and a quick read but it was like an overblown short story, there wasnt much character development or growth, there was one conflict that was resolved but there were others that weren't resolved or were softly resolved. And I didn't like that every other chapter was an advertisement for Rehoboth Beach, is this a new thing? Authors advertising for tourism boards? I recently read another book that was a big long advertisement for LA. I think without all of the advertising it would have been a 3 star.

While I'm not usually a fan of character-driven, coming-of-age-stories, I really enjoyed this story of Jack Schmidt. It's usually thrillers and mysteries that keep me turning pages, but I flew through this story, wanting to know whether Jack sells his family restaurant, and how he manages the transition. I enjoyed the various characters, and depth in their stories. It was a quick read and Ethan Joella did a great job of submerging readers into the culture and setting of Rehoboth Beach.

This book was surprisingly so heart warming. There was a lot going on in this story though, some of it consequential and some of it not. There were times I completely forgot about something until it was brought up again, and those things feel like they could have been left out completely and not impacted the story at all. This was overall a good, quick 3 star read.

Thank you Scribner #partner, for the advanced copy of The Same Bright Stars in exchange for my honest review. I purchased the audiobook for my collection.

I have been a fan of Ethan Joella’s books since his debut and with each one I read, I fall more in love with his writing. They just resonate so emotionally with me, especially this one after all I have gone through this year. ⁣
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This book, unlike his previous two, is told through a single POV but I found myself still completely invested in Jack’s story. I felt his struggles, was rooting for him all the way and loved that his character was so fully fleshed out. Even the secondary characters felt real and relatable…a trait I have come to count on when reading this author. This is a story that not only will tug at those heartstrings a few times, but will have you thinking about your own life…it’s quite thought-provoking. ⁣
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I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a great book to pick up as the summer is winding down and would make an excellent book club choice – there is so much to discuss. ⁣
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And I have to share…my dad recently discovered this author and is just loving him, too! I love that and love that he discovered Ethan’s books in Rehoboth Beach where this book takes place! He was able to find some signed copies at the independent bookstore there.

A deeply reflective and thought provoking story about life, regrets and finding fulfillment. Beautifully written and deeply moving. The tone can be a bit melancholy at times so I recommend being in a good headspace before reading.

Okay, don’t come at me. I know this is a well loved book. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

The story is quietly contemplative. It’s a beautiful look at how easily a person can get trapped in a life he didn’t quite want. We examine regrets and what-ifs.

What I loved was that we weren’t wallowing in self-pity or sadness.

What I didn’t love was that not a lot actually happened. We moved slowly through each day. I was bored in the middle, and by the time a few things happened, I wasn’t all that invested anymore.

I am so glad I finally went back and read this. A beautiful story about a man who is reevaluating his life after running a long time family restaurant (alone and in a beach town) and is offered the option to sell to a chain. Beautiful written with a sympathetic main character ad beautiful setting.

I’m not sure this but home for me like his previous books. It was beautifully written and had moments that captured my heart, but overall it was just okay

I was enthralled by this story. Having been in the restaurant industry for fifteen years of my life, it always hits home. I completely empathized with Jack's work ethic, commitment to the restaurant, loyalty to his staff, and his overall exhaustion. Joella has a very unique gift of writing characters that you become fully immersed in. This is my favorite part about Joella's writing and why I continue to come back to his books time and time again. The Same Bright Stars is no exception!

This is the third book by this author I have read, and I am a little disappointed because I enjoyed his other books. The story revolves around Jack Schmidt, a beachfront restaurant owner. I couldn't relate to the characters, in fact, the main character Jack is depressing. The glimpses into Jack's past felt choppy, and the storyline was slow-moving. Thanks to the author, Scribner, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is the perfect summer read! I love @joellawriting’s storytelling ability, character-driven stories, immersive writing, and realistic characters! There is such strong coastal vibes in this one, and is a great summer read to break up a lot of the romances I tend to read in the summer.

Beautifully written and wholly human, this is a story you can be swept away in this summer! I love reading themes of found family and this story was brimming with hope while exploring grief.

Also shoutout to @joellawriting because he is the most lovely author! He is on my auto-buy author list 👏🏻.

I loved this heartfelt, moving story about Jack, a man who has never married or had kids because he’s spent his entire life running his family’s restaurant after his father dies. I loved Jack and his relationships with so many people. This story reminds us that family isn’t just who we share blood with, it’s the people in our lives who make us better, challenge us, and love us no matter what happens. This book tackles some really difficult topics, but the reader never loses the hope that the story offer.

Beautiful book - Such a good read that I enjoyed! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Another beautiful novel by Ethan Joella....and one that makes me want to return to Rehoboth Beach!
In The Same Bright Stars, we meet Jack. He's the third generation to run his family's restaurant and its been his life for the last 12 years since his father died. He's now presented with an opportunity that will enable him to change his present life and future....but first he'll need to better understand his past.
The novel takes place over the course of a year and goes back and forth between present day and Jack's life. The storyline features all well developed and interesting characters who almost all seem to have one thing in common: incomplete families. I loved the visit to Rehoboth Beach and the perspective of a long term local resident, as well as the glimpse into restaurant life.
Thanks to Netgalley and Scribner Books for the opportunity to read The Same Bright Stars in exchange for an honest review.

Ethan Joella's writing has so much heart and this book is no exception. Joella puts the reader in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with Jack. Jack is the third generation to run his family's restaurant. It has all he has ever known. When his father passed away, Jack picked up right where he left off with the business and has been working nonstop to keep it afloat ever since. With a local developer breathing down his back, Jack begins to question whether this is the right choice and if there is more out there for him.

There is so much to love about this book. Joella writes people that are real and fully-formed better than most. The people make this book. The found family at the restaurant is great. The people in Jack's life show up in the quietest ways and yet have so much impact. The setting is great and works as a read year-round as it's at the beach and takes place through the fall and winter months. I liked the conversations about finding your way at a later age. It's like a second coming-of-age story and celebrates the idea that you can make a choice when you're younger that may not work for you later in life as you change. You can make new decisions as you grow. There are complicated plotlines that lead to this growth. I loved watching Jack figure out what he wanted and then going for it.

Joella's books are ones to be celebrated. He understands the human condition and makes his readers think and reflect in the most beautiful ways. I would recommend this book to anyone. A solid 5 stars!

I am a fan of Ethan Joella for life! His writing is so smooth and easy to read, and the characters are so realistic and believable.

In The Same Bright Stars I love the internal conflict that Jack struggled with. It reflects the same insecurities and doubts we all have about ourselves, the friendships and relationships we have, and the utter complexity of families.

The setting of Rehoboth Beach, DE is also a beautiful character and back drop to this story. The small town descriptions gave me such Stars Hollow vibes (IYKYK).

Highly recommend and if you haven't read Joella's other book yet, they are a must read!

Quietly beautiful and emotionally stirring. I couldn't get enough of it and wish it would have continued longer. It reminded me of an Elizabeth Strout book.

The Same Bright Stars features many of the same things that I have loved in Ethan Joella's previous novels-- good storytelling and authentic, likeable characters that accentuate the human experience in a way that feels genuine and hopeful.

The Same Bright Stars is about a restaurant owner named Jack who is considering selling the family business. The many years of restaurant ownership having taken a toll on him, and he wonders if selling to the mega DelDine group might be the best solution. This story is told from Jack's persepective both in the past and the present.

It's a fairly simple story, but it's well developed and extremely likeable. A quiet story that leaves you with a smile on your face. I loved the little beach town setting, and the town itself felt like a character in the story. I read this a week after I got home from a beach vacation, but I should have read it while at the beach! That would have been perfect!

This is just a nice book-- a nice story with nice writing! Jack is a good guy, and you can't help but cheer for him and his restaurant.