Three people who are all dealing with different kinds of loss whose lives intersect in interesting ways. Beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down. The characters feel so real, and you cant help but root for them all to find peace.

A very quick read and one that will stick with me for a long time.

Thank you Muswell Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story about three people who have suffered loss. Chuck's wife Cat has passed away, and he is trying to decide should he go to Hilton Island for the winter, the way they always did. Ella is trying to keep busy so that she doesn't have to think about her husband, who abducted their daughter, and disappeared four months ago. Kristen is still reeling from the murder of her father, and trying to choose between two good men. These people's storylines intertwine.
This book is a beautiful character study. It's well written and kept me enthralled from the first page to the last. Highly, highly recommended.

This is now the second time I have read this book. I absolutely love the author's writing style. It is a quiet read, character-driven, yet satisfying. I couldn't put it down and had to keep a tissue with me as I read. The story follows different people dealing with their own personal loss and how they navigate it. Different narratives interact and connect with each other as the story progresses which is interesting and heartwarming at times. I look forward to reading more from this author.

The storyline is excellent, and although it's a small cast of characters, each one is interesting and well drawn. Would recommend.

Thank you to Ethan Joella, NetGalley and Muswell Press for the arc of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a reread for me!

This is one of the coziest books about grief and death you could imagine. The characters are all so real and enticing, the story is engaging and interesting, and the writing was charming. I really enjoyed Chuck's story especially, and felt strongly towards him. Kirsten's story sort of annoyed me, with one of the tropes that was employed (no spoilers but it's not my favorite trope), but the end of the story pulled it in nicely and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it, despite my initial misgivings.

This book is a great blend of fiction, romance, and mystery, and it is surprisingly reflective for a story that is billed as contemporary fiction. I didn't really predict the way the ending was going. In the beginning, I felt like this relied heavily on tropes, but nearing the end these things weren't actually tropey at all and the ending was not the terribly predictable hallmark ending I was expecting. This was pleasantly surprising!

All things considered, this was lovely and delightful and almost a full five stars for me. There were a few seemingly random scenes that I wish tied up a little better, and a few parts that felt out of place, which is keeping it at 4 for me, but I do think it's a book I'd recommend if you're a fan of relatively literary character-driven contemporary fiction :)

The way that Ethan Joella speaks to grief, family drama, and the way people’s experiences affect them is nothing short of special. I love his writing style and the way he brings depth to very human experiences.

He is an author that I will automatically read, time and time again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my review!

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella is one of those quietly powerful, character-driven stories that stays with you long after the last page. It’s tender, heartfelt, and beautifully human.

This isn’t a book full of twists or high drama—it’s about people. Real, flawed, kind people navigating grief, loneliness, and change. What struck me most was how it shows that even in our hardest moments, connection can find us. Strangers can become family, and small acts of kindness can create ripples of healing.

Joella’s writing has such warmth to it, making you feel like you’re sitting in a cozy corner listening to these characters share their lives. It’s sweet without being saccharine, emotional without being manipulative.

If you enjoy stories about the quiet strength of human connection, this is a gem worth reading.

Ethan Jolla is a favorite author of mine. His latest, A Quiet Life was a five star read for me. It’s out soon!

Another win for Ethan Joella.

A Quiet Life is exactly the kind of novel I’ve come to expect from Joella—quietly powerful, deeply human, and full of characters who stay with you long after the final page. He has such a gift for capturing ordinary lives with tenderness and showing how connection, grief, hope, and love shape us in ways both big and small.

This story unfolds gently but leaves a lasting impact. I found myself slowing down to savor the writing and reflecting on the themes long after I finished.

If you’ve loved Ethan Joella’s previous books, this one absolutely delivers. And now I’m already counting down the days until Top of the World releases.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book so much! I will read anything that Ethan Joella writes. This was such a well done book that I could not put down. I really enjoyed the story and I cried through most of it!

In a Nutshell: A slow but fairly satisfying read. Character-oriented plot, so it won’t work for all. Good if you want to read stories about characters with emotional baggage trying to move beyond the grief that drags them down.

Story Synopsis:
Chuck Ayers, who is in his seventies, doesn’t want to go Hilton Head alone without his beloved wife Cat who passed away recently. At the same time, he doesn’t even want to stay alone in the home they shared for so many years.
Ella Burke is working hard at two jobs to keep herself going while she await news about her daughter Riley who has been missing for a few months. All Ella wants is her daughter back.
Kirsten Bonato, who works at an animal shelter, misses her dad who was killed in a convenience store robbery. She feels like her life has changed track after his death, but she doesn’t know how to get it going again.
How these three characters and their stories are interlinked is what you need to read and find out.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of the three main characters.


Where the book worked for me:
✔ The three main characters are complex, layered people. Each is guilt-tripping over something in the past because of which they cannot immerse themselves in their present. It’s nice to see characters that feel relatable even if their circumstances may not be what we have experienced ourselves. Their journey to seek closure feels genuine. Also worth remembering is that each main character belongs to a distinct age group, so their situations and emotions are distinct to them.

✔ The link between the characters is well-explained without being too convenient.

✔ As with most character-oriented stories, this one too proceeds at a slow pace. But the progress is steady and you feel like you know the characters better with every turn of the page.

✔ The prose isn’t too jazzy but impressive enough to keep one invested. This book shows how good storytelling doesn’t need a thesaurus to buttress it. (I don’t know what made my brain think of the word ‘buttress’ when I am trying to prove that simple words work better! Yikes!)


Where the book could have worked better for me:
⚠ The story becomes a little repetitive in between, especially in Chuck’s arc.

⚠ It is somewhat predictable. Of course, this is not a genre you read for thrills and twists but for thought-provoking scenes and emotional content. In that sense, the book delivers, I just wish it had been braver about pushing the boundaries.


Overall, this is a story of broken hearts and unresolved issues. With the three main characters stuck in the past, disconnected from the present, and wary about the future, you get to see a variety of human emotions at play. Kirsten’s story was the least impressive for me, but Chuck’s and Ella’s tracks made the book a worthwhile read.

Recommended to those who like character-oriented emotional stories. (Think Hallmark movie without a Christmas theme.)

3.75 stars.

My thanks to Muswell Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Quiet Life”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A Quiet Life is a touching novel about grief, healing, and human connection. Set in a small Pennsylvania town, it follows three people coping with different kinds of loss as they search for hope and a way forward.

The story is character-driven, with realistic emotions and a gentle writing style that makes the characters easy to care about. As their lives gradually connect, the novel highlights the importance of friendship, compassion, and community.

Though centered on loss, the book ultimately offers a hopeful message about resilience and finding meaning after heartbreak. A heartfelt and rewarding read.

A Quiet Life follows three people in a suburban neighborhood that are all dealing with some kind of loss in their lives. Throughout the story, each of these characters’ lives intertwine in unexpected ways, as they learn to cope with their losses.

This book reminds me of how important simple acts of kindness and empathy are. It is also a reminder that we do not have to shoulder the burden of grief on our own. We were made for community.

The overall tone of this book is melancholy. However, it is very hopeful too and has a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Muswell Press for the advance copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

A Quiet Life is one of those books that quietly sneaks into your heart. It follows three people carrying different kinds of grief, and the way their lives slowly intertwine feels so natural and meaningful. Ethan Joella writes with so much warmth and compassion, reminding us that healing rarely happens in big, dramatic moments; it's found in everyday conversations, small acts of kindness, and simply choosing to keep going. It's a gentle, character-driven story that's emotional without being overwhelming, leaving you with a sense of hope long after the final page. If you enjoy reflective, heartfelt fiction, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Muswell Press for the eARC!
#AQuietLife #NetGalley
Pub. date: July 23rd 2026

A Quiet Life is a beautifully tender, quietly powerful novel that explores grief, connection, and the small, steady ways people find their way forward after life has come undone. Ethan Joella writes with a gentle clarity that makes each character feel deeply real, and the winter‑bound Pennsylvania setting adds a soft stillness that mirrors their emotional landscapes.

Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten are each navigating different forms of loss, and Joella treats their stories with such compassion. Chuck’s struggle to face a beloved tradition without his wife is heartbreaking in its simplicity; Ella’s anxious wait for news of her missing daughter is raw and deeply affecting; and Kirsten’s attempt to rebuild her life after her father’s death carries a quiet ache that lingers. Their narratives unfold separately at first, then begin to touch in subtle, meaningful ways that feel organic rather than forced.

What stands out most is the novel’s emotional honesty. Joella captures the everyday rhythms of grief—the routines that keep us going, the moments that catch us off guard, the unexpected kindnesses that remind us we’re not alone. The writing is understated yet full of warmth, offering a sense of hope without ever diminishing the characters’ pain.

This is a story that invites you to slow down, sit with its characters, and appreciate the quiet strength that emerges when people choose connection over isolation. A tender, thoughtful novel that celebrates humanity in all its uncertainty.

With thanks to Ethan Joella, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

A Quiet Life is a beautifully understated novel that finds extraordinary emotion in ordinary moments. Ethan Joella writes with warmth and compassion, creating characters who feel authentic and deeply human. The story unfolds at a gentle pace, allowing each relationship to develop naturally. It's a thoughtful, heartfelt read that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

What is happening behind the windows? Behind the shuttered eyes? People deal with loss, pain, grief, sadness, anger and are quiet while doing so. In a world full of noise where it seems that only those that shout the loudest exist and have merit, Joella writes about quiet people, who also go through life and breath and are in pain and continue. It's that breath in, breath out, continue, that he writes about and I enjoyed reading.

Chuck is reeling from his wife, Cat's, recent death. While he decides whether to continue their tradition of vacationing on Hilton Head Island. Also struggling is Kirsten whose father just died. She finds solace in working at an animal shelter. Finally, Ella is searching for information about her missing daughter. The stories of all three characters come together. Ultimately, this is a story about sadness but also about hope and love.

3.5 stars. This a perfect name for this quiet book. Although it could be read quickly, I found myself wanting to just set with and enjoy these characters. It's definitely a character-driven book that moves slowly, which is what I love! This is my first read by this author and I'll certainly read more.

A Quiet Life is a perfect title for this gentle story of 3 people who are all dealing with grief in their own ways. Chuck has recently lost his wife of many years, Kirsten has lost her father in a tragic way, and Ella's daughter has been kidnapped by her estranged husband. Despite the sad subject matter, the story manages to be ultimately uplifting and hopeful. The 3 main character's stories are initially completely separate, but by the end of the story they are intertwined in sweet, unexpected ways. A moving story that I will definitely recommend.

Ethan Joella is an exceptional storyteller who writes such authentic ordinary characters in a moving, compulsively readable way. A Quiet Life is another poignant, emotional, character driven story that is easy to sink into. We follow three characters, each of whom has experienced a loss and is navigating their grief. I loved the individual backstories and then the subtle weaving together of each of their stories. Both his debut, A Little Hope, and this one were easy 5 star reads for me. He is now an auto-read author for me and I look forward to reading his upcoming novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for an advanced reader's copy.

A Quiet Life tells a beautiful story in a unique and understated way. I appreciated the gentleness and beauty of the characters' interconnected lives and the way Ethan Joella captures both the loneliness of grief and the unexpected kindness that helps us carry it. This novel focuses on ordinary people in everyday moments with extraordinary grace. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

#AQuietLife

✨Thank you to Muswell Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!✨

I found this story to be a great comfort while grieving the loss of my grandmother. This was a timely and needed read for me, and I appreciated it so much.

5 ⭐️

This is such a lovely, quiet type of novel. It captures the essence of living in the swells of grief from the view point of different characters. I always love reading Ethan Joella's books and this is no different.

I have loved every Joella novel I’ve read. His writing is incredibly vivid. He paints the scenery and characters with words. I loved enjoyed this novel connecting lives of several characters during a short period of time.

Despite having 3 characters around whom the novel is set, each story and character is well-developed. I never felt confused. Additionally, there is clarity on how these disparate people are connected.

So, I highly recommend this absolutely lovely novel to all my readers. I urge them to go back and read his earlier novels.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to visit the beautiful world of Ethan Joelle.

This book was quietly and gently told - like the title “A Quiet Life”. I was quickly drawn to and invested in the three main characters. This is a story that demonstrates the resiliency of humans and the importance of human interconnection. Although it deals with three people experiencing different kinds of grief and loss, it is ultimately uplifting. Definitely recommend.

Three stories of love, loss, and the struggle to keep living when someone who was part of your world is suddenly gone.
At its heart, this is a story about the people who find us in our darkest moments, the regrets we carry when words are left unsaid, and the importance of making things right while we still can.
“Your other life awaits” captures the quiet hope woven through every page: that moving forward does not mean forgetting, and even after profound loss, life may still hold unexpected chapters worth living.

Set in a quiet part of Pennsylvania, this is the story of how 3 very different lives intersect unexpectedly, and the bonds that result from that intersection.

Kirsten is reeling from the loss of her father which has derailed all of her plans. Chuck is struggling to cope with life - even, or perhaps especially, vacation time - after the loss of his wife. And Ellie is marking her days, waiting for news of her missing daughter.

Their multifaceted grief reflects their shared human experiences, and it is as meaningful as it is well written, as are their journeys to some form of recovery.

Chuck struggles a year after his wife Cat's death. He can't get rid of her belongings and can't bring himself to go on their annual trip to Hilton Head. It just won't be the same without her. Ella is adjusting to life in a new apartment and is missing her estranged daughter. Kirsten is adjusting to the sudden death of a father she was very close to. I love how the stories of grief recovery of the three characters intersect and they help each other move on. This is the third Ethan Joella book I have read and I just love the rich character development. I always feel life I know them so well. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

ethan joella writes like a poet and it is such a joy to experience. the way he is in-tune with the human heart and mind is such a gift.
a quiet life follows three main characters as they work through stories of grief, fear, guilt, and stagnation. joella writes these characters as if they’re real people i’d encounter in my everyday life. you can’t help but cheer them on! i’m very excited for more readers to pick a quiet life up and feel this salve on their hearts.

thank you to muswell press for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

A lovely story about three people who find each other just when they need help the most. Chuck's deeply loved wife Catty, leaving him bereft and wondering what to do next. That yellow towel of Catty's- oh my. Kirsten, who was a student in Catty's art class, is struggling in the wake of the murder of her father at a gas station. She's got a crush on her boss, David, but then there's Grayson and there's more to him than meets the eye. And Ella, whose ex-husband has taken her daughter, leaving her not only in despair but in deep debt as well. Joella expertly weaves these three together- Ella delivers Chuck's newspaper, Kirsten works at the animal rescue where he thinks he might adopt a pet. And don't dismiss the Natasha plot thread that wanders through Chuck's. This surprised me more than once so no spoilers but know that it's a rewarding read with terrific characters. Will Chuck go to Hilton Head as he always did with Catty? It's a quiet novel about grief, moving forward, and hope. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A terrific read.

What a beautiful story , three people all navigating the difficult road of grief , each struggling in their own way but joining together to help ease the pain.

I loved the authors writing style, The way the main characters were portrayed singularly and then connected together was something I particularly enjoyed,

This is not just a novel about grief, it also explores friendships, human connections, compassion and community.

Sometimes when you are experiencing grief it’s hard to imagine your life being meaningful again but I think the author succeeded in exploring this.

Overall a book which I found gentle, thought provoking , reflective and beneficial to anyone who’s travelling along this difficult road too.

This is a story about three people who have suffered loss. Chuck's wife Cat has passed away, and he is trying to decide should he go to Hilton Island for the winter, the way they always did. Ella is trying to keep busy so that she doesn't have to think about her husband, who abducted their daughter, and disappeared four months ago. Kristen is still reeling from the murder of her father, and trying to choose between two good men. These characters were all fairly well developed...then there was Natasha. I couldn't figure out what purpose her character had in the novel, and found mentions of her distracting because she had no point- IMO.
3 1/2 stars

I loved this quiet, at times heartbreaking story that takes place in a small town where everyone knows your name. Through three multi-dimensional characters navigating loss, Joella creates an emotional story filled with compassion and quiet resilience. I look forward to reading Ethan Joella's future books.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

A Quiet Life is a beautiful and emotional story about three ordinary people whose lives have been shaped by loss. Each of them is grieving in a different way, and the novel follows their journeys as they slowly learn how to keep living while carrying that grief with them.

What I loved most was how gently this story is told. There are no dramatic twists or fast-paced moments. Instead, we spend time with Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten as they go through everyday life, trying to find purpose, hope, and a way forward. The author captures their thoughts and emotions beautifully, making it easy to understand what each of them is feeling. Their sadness, uncertainty, and quiet determination all felt genuine.

I also enjoyed how the story moves between the present and the past. Learning more about each character's life and the events that brought them to this point helped me connect with them on a deeper level. Although they are at very different stages of life, their experiences with grief are equally moving, and I liked seeing how their stories eventually came together in a natural and meaningful way.

My favourite storyline was Ella's. As a mother desperately waiting for news of her missing daughter while struggling to rebuild her life and make ends meet, her chapters were heartbreaking. I found myself hoping with her every time the phone rang.

Kirsten's story was also touching. After losing her father, she feels uncertain about her future and the dreams she once had. Watching her slowly regain confidence while navigating new relationships and difficult decisions was rewarding to read.

Chuck's storyline was the one I found the hardest to connect with at times. His struggle with whether to return to Hilton Head without his wife, Cat, was very realistic, but I felt that this part of the story became repetitive, as the same thoughts and doubts were revisited several times. While this reflects how grief often works in real life, I occasionally felt that these sections moved in circles.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, comforting, and hopeful novel about love, loss, and learning to move forward. It is a quiet story that focuses on the small moments of everyday life, showing that healing doesn't happen all at once but through many small steps. If you enjoy character-driven literary fiction with emotionally rich characters and realistic portrayals of grief, I would definitely recommend A Quiet Life.

This one moved me in a quiet, accumulating way rather than through any big dramatic swings. Watching Chuck slowly go through his late wife's belongings and discover pieces of her he never knew while alive genuinely got me, and Kirsten's and Ella's grief felt just as fully realized alongside his. I appreciated that the hopeful ending never tipped into saccharine territory, the book earns its warmth instead of handing it out for free. If you want a slow, character-driven read about grief and unexpected connection rather than plot twists, this delivers exactly that.

Everybody experiences loss in their life. It's such a universal experience that a book about loss succeeds or fails based on how accurately they portray such a common, yet life-altering, experience. In "A Quiet Life", Ethan Joella takes on the additional challenges of three very different people, at three different stages of life, experiencing completely different losses and handling it in different ways. Luckily for the reader, he succeeds in making each story relatable and interesting.

Chuck is learning how to live without his wife, who he experienced as the catalyst for everything worthwhile and good in his life. Kristen is processing the loss of her father. Ella is muddling through the loss of a daughter (the one loss in the story that might only be temporary). Sure, the idea of telling a story from the perspective of multiple individuals whose lives suddenly somehow intertwine has been done many, many, times; usually, it's much less believable than it reads in "A Quiet Life".

I'm a critical person by nature, but I don't have a single negative thing to say about this story. Ethan Joella hits on the intricacies of grief and loss, the secondary feelings that don't always get talked about. The characters are likeable, yet imperfect. There's twists. Things get better; things get worse. There's sometimes hope within darkness; other times, there's just darkness.

I finished this book within 24 hours; it's rare that a book can hold my attention (and wakefulness) enough to finish that quickly. Anyone who enjoys a well-told story about humans simply being human should enjoy this book.

The closest thing I have to a complaint? I wanted more of the pig.

A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella follows 3 people whose lives are loosely connected. Chuck, who is mourning the death of his wife; Ella who is barely making ends meet while desperately searching for her missing daughter; Kirsten who is reeling after the sudden death of her father. Joella beautifully interweaves their storylines to create a moving story about the power of kindness and hope. This is one of those stories that if everyone read it, the world would be a better place! 5 stars - audiobook was also great!

Thank you to the author, Scribner and NetGalley for this book!

⭐️ 3.5 Stars

A Quiet Life follows the interconnected stories of three characters, each told from their own perspective. I enjoyed how their lives gradually intertwined, even though they didn't begin as close friends or acquaintances. At its heart, the novel explores grief, healing, and rebuilding after loss, while showing how unexpected connections can provide support and hope along the way.

This book had all the elements of a story I would typically love: relatable characters, emotional depth, and heartfelt themes. However, I struggled with the pacing at times. The story felt slow in places, and certain sections seemed repetitive, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged throughout.

That said, I still enjoyed the overall journey. The characters felt authentic, their struggles were relatable, and the message about finding connection and moving forward after hardship was both touching and meaningful. While it wasn't a perfect fit for me, it was ultimately a heartfelt and worthwhile read.

Ethan Joella's is anything but quiet, bursting with emotion almost from its first page.

"A Quiet Life," now re-released with a new cover, follows three people each dealt with life's most difficult challenges. One, Chuck, is grieving over the loss of his wife. Another, Kirsten, doesn't know how to find joy when the one man who easily brought into her life is snatched away in a horrific crime. Then there's Ella who meet as she struggles to go on with her kidnapped daughter out there (and far away from her). As you have caught on, this is not a light book.

At times, I loved that - Joella has crafted these characters full of life and emotion and written grief so well. I particularly liked Chuck and Kirsten's stories, because they also had history together with each of their lost loved ones seemingly being so kind to others (and the ones that were left behind with their passing.) Ella was also well written though her sections were the weakest for me.

My only complaint here is that for the most part, this book was just one speed and level - emotional and sad. There were times of levity and fun, but very few and far between. Again, I didn't mind it, but I hoped for some respite for Chuck (including at the adoption center), but then another wrench would be thrown into the mix and I would sigh.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Muswell Press for the ARC. The book is out now.