This is a story about a man who has been running a family restaurant and feels like his purpose there has run its course, especiallyafter the death of his father. Jack is really contemplating his purpose in several things as one just past 50, with time still ahead, but no clear vision beyond a blue chair that holds such promise. As the story unfolds we get glimpses of some of the people who have shaped him, especially after his mother's death as a kid. We also see how his ability to see the good in others ripples through his community, even as a betrayal is lurking. As the transfer of ownership to this new conglomerate approaches, Jack begins to understand more of what he wants his legacy to be, bringing along a surprising found family.

This is the kind of feel-good story that I love. There are complex characters, confusing and realistic actions, and not everything is perfect in the end. It feels so real, and the way Joella exposes all the deep emotions endears me to his characters. I want to understand them and encourage them in their journey. I appreciated the various relational aspects, even the romance! (I did get a bit worried for a second!)

Thank you to @scribnerbooks & @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book that published while I was gone, on July 2nd!

A lovely summer read, you all ought to grab this one.

Beautifully written, we hear the story of Jack, a single man in his 50's who is trying to figure out what he has missed out on and where he is heading from here. As the last generation owner of a family restaurant, he is pondering on selling out to a large corporate chain but is riddled with consciousness about the welfare of his employees who are like the only family he has. Jack is just tired and full of regrets of never having time for life or a family. Full of heart, he is sensitive to those he employs and to those he just meets. But while he is downcast, we hear that there is hope in his story and in his future. Bravo for his best friend and his wife who stands by him and literally saves his life. Bravo also to Nicole who realizes what true integrity is in meeting Jack and wrestles with her own life changing decision. In a twist of fate, he finds out that he fathered a son with a girl whom he loved in his youth, whom he never met and while now as an adult, declines to meet him. Who knows the future? While there is no neat little "tie it up with a bow" ending, the story leaves you with hope for Jack's future as long as we all live under "the same bright stars". Many thanks to #netgalley #ethanjoella #thesamebrightstars #schribner for the opportunity to read and review this book.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Ethan Joella for an ARC of this book!**

Jack Schmidt is proud to call Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home...but prouder still to continue the legacy of his family's beachfront restaurant, Schmidt's. Three generations in, the restaurant has weathered all sorts of storms, and Jack might not have much in the way of a social life due to his workaholic ways...but he has a staff that feels like family and has kept the doors open and the balance sheet in the black...and there's part of him that can't imagine life any other way. Sure, after so many years he would LIKE to kick back his heels and relax in a beach chair...but he OWES his family, especially after his father's passing, and Jack isn't one to let others down.

But when wealthy restaurant group DelDine, who own several restaurants in the area and beyond, come along and make Jack an offer to buy the restaurant to add it to their portfolio...Jack can't help but consider the prospect. He would be handsomely compensated, and could finally have some TIME to explore all of the things in life he's been missing...and perhaps even rekindle an old romance. But what does DelDine ACTUALLY have in mind for the property? Can he trust a couple of strangers who know just what to say to maintain the integrity of Schmidt's and show the same type of care and compassion for the staff that are truly family to him? And when Jack gets some SHOCKING news about his past that is set to change the course of his life forever...will he be brave enough to make the first move and finally get answers? Will this be the impetus he needs to pull the trigger on the sale of the restaurant...or will his fears keep him trapped in a hamster wheel of indecision, where DelDine will end up with the upper hand...and Schmidt's as he knew it will cease to exist?

This is my first Ethan Joella novel and NOW I get what all the hype is about! This book reads like a perfect blend of contemporary and literary fiction, with ample doses of nostalgia, quiet reflections about the past, plenty of angst about the present, and an air of uncertainty about the future. I appreciate that though it feels like a bit of a genre hybrid, it is very much in the vein of literary fiction I appreciate most: one grounded in reality rather than an air of pretentiousness. At the center of the conflict is an exploration of family, what it means to 'owe' your family, and how found family and blood relations can sometimes intersect...and sometimes in the unlikeliest of ways!

It makes a LOT of sense that Rehoboth Beach is the setting for this story and that it practically leaps off the page with authenticity: the author lives there currently, and did an excellent job capturing the sort of 'endless summer' feel of the area. The book is interspersed with little snippets from a 'guidebook' about the town, and while at first I wasn't a fan of the device, by the 2nd half of the book, I was eagerly anticipating these segments. But be warned: although the setting is technically the beach, this isn't EXACTLY what I'd call a beach read. There are heavy topics aplenty here, from addiction, abortion, and abandonment, to estrangement, so NOT exactly a light and sunny read. By the same token, this setting sort of helps to balance the tension and ground the book at times. Although I had assumed this was set in summertime (both due to the book's release date and by the cover) the tale actually starts off in November (right before Thanksgiving) so in that sense it can really be read ANY time of year (and part of me wishes it had come out in winter as more of a 'remember how great the summer is?' sort of read!)

Aside from the beautifully depicted setting, the beauty of this book lies in its characters, led by our multifaceted narrator Jack. We watch as he revisits snips of his past, deals with the strife of his present, and imagines what his future could be...and although he is our only narrator, this is HIS story, so it completely works. We see all of the other characters through his lens, but Joella's characterizations are subtle and effective. These seem like people you COULD know or that you might know already, and they all fit effortlessly into the world of Rehoboth Beach. It's hard to say too much about the plot without giving anything away, but although the 'main' plot of this one revolves around the sale of the restaurant...this is just the lynch pin that holds the novel together and gives it a beating heart. You may change your mind about certain characters along the way, but despite Jack's indecision and foot-dragging when it came to whether or not to sell the restaurant, I never quite felt frustrated with him. This was simply a journey he needed to take on his own, in his own way, and as you might have guessed there is more to this story than a simple restaurant sale: like winter to spring, a transformation of sorts takes place....but unlike a simple changing of the seasons, it is both beautiful and unexpected, in the best possible way.

And though I won't spoil the ending, Jack's revelations by the end of this one were akin to Dorothy's in the Wizard of Oz right before her return to Kansas: "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."

4 stars

3.5 ⭐️

This is a great summer read. While it may take place in a beachy vacation town, the story is not light. As a matter of fact, the contrast of the vacationers of this town and the heaviness of the locals’ reality is striking. The characters in the novel deal with tragic losses, the difficulty of accepting change, and secrets that surface from the past. Joella is masterful all the little details that build a scene and pull at your heartstrings - for example, in Janet’s final days, that she’s sitting at the dining table not in bed, drinking her scotch and completing her crossword puzzle. These kind of details are memorable and connect you more deeply to every character. Despite the losses and unwelcome changes the main characters face, the themes of appreciating what you have while you have it, of not allowing yourself to be stuck but to keep moving, and of holding on to hope are beautiful. As long as we are “under the same stars,” there is possibility, a chance to move forward in hope.

This is not the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. I really like the way he tells a story. This book is about jack- and his life. We meet many locals, friends and also employees from the restaurant. He has a big life decision to make and we get to see him go back and forth with that and during this time he gets some life changing news. I liked most of the characters but especially Jack. This book kept me turning the pages - I gave it 4 stars and will recommend it.

It’s been a while since I finished a book in 24 hours, but Ethan Joella has written such a beautiful and moving piece of contemporary fiction and I found myself devouring it.
52 year old Jack Schmidt has been working at his family’s restaurant for 40 years and has owned it for about 30 years. He’s ready for a break so when the big restaurant eating conglomerate DelDine comes in with an offer sky high, Jack begins to really consider the idea of selling and retiring. Throughout the months of ruminating over the idea of selling he also finds himself reminiscing of a girlfriend from his past and wondering how his life would have been different had they stayed together.
This book is one of the best I’ve read in a while. Mr. Joella sets the scene of Rehoboth Beach so perfectly and the details of the restaurant are so vivid, you’ll forget you aren’t actually in the restaurant or Rehoboth Beach (unless you’re lucky enough to read it while actually there!).
Not only is the setting perfect, but all of the characters are so lovable. Each of them bring something so special to this amazing book.
This is the first book by Mr. Joella I’ve read, but it certain won’t be the last. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an advanced copy of this. The Same Bright Stars hit the shelves on July 2nd.

This is a beautifully written novel. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have read it.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very nice read. Being a graduate of UD and. DE resident, I was looking forward to reading my first by this author. Rehoboth beach is one of our favorite places to visit in the summer and even the offseason. You can definitely fell that love and nostalgia coming through the writing. The story was heartbreaking, lovely and even funny at times. I loved all of the characters and the pace of the book/short chapters made me want to keep reading. The ending was perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for my copy of this ARC which published 7/2.

The Same Bright Stars is a poignant family drama focusing on Jack Schmidt who is at a major crossroad in his life. Ethan Joella has done an excellent job portraying Jack who is a single man in his 50's discovering secrets from his past, while deciding whether or not to sell the restaurant that has been in his family for three generations, This novel is character driven and lags at times. But, I was invested in the characters and hoped for a happy ending for Jack. Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC!

The Same Bright Stars is the story of Jack Schmidt, who runs his family’s business solo. It’s not just a career. The family restaurant is his entire life, at the sacrifice of any time off, relationships, and possibly his happiness. Jack is beginning to get worn down from at all, just as an offer to buy him out is made by a large corporation called DelDine. Jack battles with all the different emotions and thought processes that comes along with a decision like that. He thinks not only of himself but his employees, as well as his community, so connected this beloved restaurant.

This is Ethan Joella’s first book where a singular main character is the focus, instead of a cast, and I loved that. I love a cast, but Jack is an absolutely phenomenal character. What a good guy. The supporting characters are all endearing as well. There are some surprises for Jack, and with the ending, even though in true Joella style, there is a quiet, even tone for much of the story as you get to know Jack and his restaurant life in Rehoboth Beach.

Jack Schmidt operates a family restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and it’s his entire life. He considers the staff his family. Now in his 50s and being courted by restaurant group DelDine to sell, Jack is at a crossroads in his life.

I loved this gentle, character-driven book! The author does such an outstanding job of crafting complex, emotional characters who feel so real and relatable. It’s a refreshing change of pace to read about such a caring, introspective middle-aged MMC. Jack’s struggles with his feelings toward the restaurant and his dedication to his staff, the way he grapples with shocking news from the past, and the way he opens himself to the future are so poignant and heartfelt. The setting of Rehoboth Beach is so atmospheric that it’s almost a character in itself. The sense of place is so strong and the descriptions are painted so vividly that I could easily envision this lovely little beach town. I highly recommend this beautifully written and thoroughly moving book!

This was my first Ethan Joella book and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to read his books – I immediately added the other two to my TBR! Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

"The Same Bright Stars" by Ethan Joella is a heartwarming and introspective novel about Jack Schmidt, who has been running his family's beachfront restaurant since his father's death. Jack’s life revolves around the restaurant, leaving him with a string of failed relationships and no hobbies or time for himself. As he faces the possibility of selling Schmidt’s to the DelDine group, Jack grapples with questions about his identity and future. Can he trust DelDine to honor his family’s legacy and take care of his employees, or is it time to move on and seek companionship and a new path in life?

Ethan Joella’s writing captures the essence of Rehoboth Beach and the emotional complexities of his characters. Jack is a well-developed protagonist, portrayed with a blend of strengths and flaws that make him relatable and compelling. The novel’s character-driven narrative delves into themes of family, friendship, and the challenges of maintaining a family business in a commercialized world.

The story’s dual timelines effectively illustrate how past actions impact the present, while the third-person perspective allows readers to deeply understand the characters through Jack's eyes. Joella’s gentle and melancholic tone, combined with moments of light-heartedness, creates a richly textured reading experience.

The setting of Rehoboth Beach is vividly brought to life, with interludes from a guidebook adding a personal touch. Joella’s ability to capture the pulse of this small-town beach community adds depth and authenticity to the story.

While the novel's pacing is slower, it remains engaging and thought-provoking. The exploration of dark themes such as parental death, PTSD, depression, and loneliness is handled with sensitivity, making the book a contemplative read rather than just a source of entertainment.

The ending is fittingly hopeful and open, reflecting the slice-of-life nature of the story. "The Same Bright Stars" is a beautiful, poignant novel that offers a realistic portrayal of human strengths and shortcomings. It’s a recommended read for fans of literary fiction who appreciate character-oriented storytelling and small-town settings.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for providing the ARC of "The Same Bright Stars." This review reflects my honest opinion.

I loved this. Ethan Joella is a beautiful writer and does something my favorite authors do (Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler) - they write about everyday life and regular people but they do it in a way that feels extraordinary. I loved all the characters in this, richly and lovingly portrayed - even Rehoboth was its own character. This book centers around Jack, the owner of his family’s longtime restaurant and the people who have come in & out of his life, as he grapples with the idea of selling it to a corporation. It is a beautiful book about community, hope, family, love and second chances. I delighted in Nicole and Lara especially. If you haven’t read Ethan before I encourage you to do so. This book his shelves yesterday, go get it! Many thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you Scribner for the review copy of The Same Bright Stars. Ethan Joella's new book resonates deeply for elegant writing, for creating characters I want to spend time with and characters who I cheer on, and for really capturing the small town beachy vibes in Rehoboth beach (a great place to unwind!). Joella's talent indeed is for capturing small town life and making place a character while also offering a reader characters who stay with you long after a book ends.

I am a developmental psychologist and I think this book really captures what we talk about with midlife as a time of generativity (vs stagnation) the hope that we matter and are leaving a mark, making a difference, and are part of something bigger than ourselves. I felt some subtle themes on self actualization woven nicely into the plot along with ideas about leading a good/meaningful life and being your authentic self.

Stand out themes:
1. I loved the exploration of the past and future that Jack was reflecting on, a sense of his own personal and family history while also allowing him to wonder... what comes next. Grief and loss blended with hope, maybe a little resilience, and the idea that letting go doesn't mean giving up and might instead meeting opening up to what else might happen. These themes are gently and movingly developed.
2. Setting and place, I love a sleepy beach small town setting, especially for a book about self reflection and change. I see myself in these places, places where people sometimes go to reflect, to figure things out, to rediscover themselves and I loved how Joella uses setting here to be a part of Jack's story and his journey.
3. Strong male characters who have emotions, who care about family and children and love and who are open to exploring and thinking about emotions, sense of belonging. A focus on daily life, interactions and relationships that really end up having the greatest impact on our lives. The little things, the emotions, the exchanges we have with others... all the moments that matter are here in this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest release by a favorite, Ethan Joella. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 bright stars!

Three generations of Schmidts have run their family's Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, seaside restaurant. Since his father's death, Jack has put everything else second to the demands of the restaurant. He can't even remember having a minute to himself. The DelDine group has been buying established restaurants along the coast, turning them into cookie-cutter operations. When they approach him with a very generous offer, he is adamant that he won't sell, until his life takes a sudden curve.

I have loved each of Joella's books, and this one is no exception. He writes straight from the heart, exploring issues such as grief, relationships, trust, and community. There are so many characters to root for in this book, which is also a love letter to Rehoboth Beach. I won't be alone in wanting to explore this little town after reading this book. While this story is emotional and will cause you to feel, laugh and cry, it never veers to the maudlin or sappy - it's perfect and highly recommended! Be sure to pack this one (along with his others!) in your vacation beach bag, maybe to Delaware?

𝟯.𝟱 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣

Ethan Joella truly has a way with words and furthermore, a way with writing characters. It is so very hard not to get attached to his characters. They all feel so human and like people you could encounter in your everyday life.

This is his third book and my third time reading his work and they all follow the same kind of formula. They all have short chapters, are set in a small town, have a long cast of characters with intertwining storylines, explore complex family dynamics, and depict grief. I eat it up every time because I am very much a character driven reader and I am also a sucker for emotional pain. I just didn't connect to the plot of this one as much as with his other two books. The "we have to save the family business" storyline in any book has never been my favorite. I get that it could be relatable to a lot of people and could tug at your heartstrings but it didn't do that for me.

I did like the ending a lot and I did connect with a lot of the characters, it was just the plot that did not do much for me overall. I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it though!

Well, he’s done it again! This newest novel is every bit as heartwarming as his previous ones.

Meet Jack, owner of the favorite local restaurant in a small coastal town in Delaware. Jack has worked tirelessly at his grandmother’s restaurant as it passed to his father and eventually to him. The restaurant is his life and his staff is his family as the years quickly pass by. Now he has an offer to sell it and retire and live the life he never had time for. But it’s not quite that simple. Through the everyday events that make up life, Jack recalls his past, the choices he made, the choices that were made for him and the people who have been with him. When his ex girlfriend returns to town and drops a bombshell on him, it turns Jack’s life upside and just might be what he needs to move forward.

Ethan Joella has a way of creating characters that you instantly fall in love with. Even with their flaws, you can’t help but root for them and feel their joys and their sorrows, their happiness and their pain. I finished this lovely character-driven novel in a day and felt immersed in the little town and its residents and their past and the hopes for the future.

I’m late to be joining the Ethan Joella bandwagon/fan club, but here I am. The Same Bright Stars is my first book by Joella but it certainly will not be my last.

It was refreshing to read a book which centered on a man in his early 50s, unmarried and childless. I can’t say that I can think of another one like it, although I’m sure they’re out there. Jack Schmidt is the third generation owner of a popular restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a quintessential beach town, with its seasonal way of life. The town is almost a character itself and, while I’ve never been there, Joella's descriptions made it seem very familiar. (I do know a number of New Jersey beach towns, so maybe that also helped.)

Jack is being wooed by a restaurant conglomerate who wants to buy him out. He’s tired. He lives and breathes his restaurant. I loved the insights into running a place like Schmidt’s, with its long-running staff that feels like family, and how the off-season business is managed. The descriptions of their preparation for Thanksgiving Day was enough to make ME tired!

This is a character-driven book, a bit slow for me to start, but it really picked up about midway, and I wound up loving it and its characters. Don’t be fooled by the lovely idyllic cover, which features two beach chairs (significant to the story). This is not a light “beach read.” There are quite a few serious topics covered along the way, including the loss of family businesses, dementia (this one in particular hit home for me), drug abuse, depression and suicide, loneliness, and early parental death.

Another reader has labeled this as “men’s fiction”, which made me smile. Man, woman, whoever: pick up this book and you won’t be sorry. You’ll also want to visit Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

How do you feel about your life choices? Is your life what you want it to be? What do people say about you? In Ethan Joella's new book, The Same Bright Stars, we get to know Jack Schmidt. He's been working at the family restaurant for 30 years. A large corporation has offered Jack millions to sell his family restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. But what does that mean to his employees? What will Jack do? How does he get a family like his best friend?

Joella takes us into Jack's world where we find a little bit of ourselves. Are decisions we make as 20-somethings permanent? Is a big bank account the most important thing? Do we really know anyone's story? Even those we spend every day with. Jack is like us - He wants "someone to bake a pie for"
I loved the story and Jack and the characters around him. The ending is great. And don't forget to read the acknowledgements - I hope you find your person to share a beach chair with.

Some wonderful fiction from Joella. A Top Ten book for 2024 for sure.

Read this on the beach in a few hours - the perfect setting to read this in. I really liked the chosen family aspect of this as well as the Rehoboth setting

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review