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lisettemarie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
extraaardvark's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
that_bookish_life's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An emotionally driven story about three people dealing with grief and loss in different ways who benefit from opening to others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
rensach's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death
Minor: Gun violence
karyan1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
astifelreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A Quiet Life ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Ethan Joella
“Maybe that is love. Maybe loving someone so deeply means accepting the fact that they occupy a specific, clear place in you. You accept that there will be a hole if you lose them - the same way a painting or a photograph will leave its shadow on the wall after it’s gone, the way a tree will leave a crater where the roots and stump were.”
Ethan Joella does it again. After reading his ‘A Little Hope’ this was going to be an instant buy. This book follows three different individuals dealing with grief in their lives. Chuck Ayer is an older gentleman who just lost his wife to cancer and deciding how to live his life without his wife. Ella Burke’s daughter is missing and she’s just trying to hold the pieces of her life together while waiting for news. Kirsten Bonato is a young woman trying to cope with the loss of her father. She’s working at an animal rescue and has given up her dreams of being a vet while dealing with the feeling of being lost without her dad.
“Happy New Year, he thinks, because he is lost, and he hopes he finds something this year that will stop the hurting.”
Ethan Joella captured grief so beautifully and authentically in this book. By the end it had me in tears as I connected with the characters and their ups and downs so much. Having lost my mom nearly a year ago I connected to the characters quite a lot. And while this book dealt with loss and grief there was also hope in it. It was a balm to my soul as I go through my own grieving process. I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a quick read with a hopeful ending.
“Be someone’s cardinal.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, and Grief
amberjackonski's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Gun violence
velsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.0
This book follows the story of three people who recently lost a loved one. We have Chuck who lost the love of his life, Kirsten whose father was murdered and Ella who is looking for her daughter.
I think I was the fastest invested in Kirsten's storyline but I very much enjoyed all POV's. I found all characters very likeable and even though the story sounds pretty heavy it didn't feel that way while reading. It left me feeling all warm inside, ending the book with a smile.
I loved that the main characters' paths cross at some point in the story and I also very much enjoyed the slight romantic aspect of the book.
I'm very glad I read this book and I feel like it's one I will go back to at some point. I even think it is a book which could help people who recently lost a loved one, to find beauty and a little happiness in life again, since the story is very beautifully told. I'm sure this won't be my last read by the author!
Thank you to Ethan Joella, Muswell Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I think I was the fastest invested in Kirsten's storyline but I very much enjoyed all POV's. I found all characters very likeable and even though the story sounds pretty heavy it didn't feel that way while reading. It left me feeling all warm inside, ending the book with a smile.
I loved that the main characters' paths cross at some point in the story and I also very much enjoyed the slight romantic aspect of the book.
I'm very glad I read this book and I feel like it's one I will go back to at some point. I even think it is a book which could help people who recently lost a loved one, to find beauty and a little happiness in life again, since the story is very beautifully told. I'm sure this won't be my last read by the author!
Thank you to Ethan Joella, Muswell Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Death of parent
sheryl's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
The three main characters have all faced some type of loss. As their lives intersect in different ways they find hope and healing.reading_and_roaming20's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
When I picked up ETHAN JOELLA’S first novel, A LITTLE HOPE, I knew little about it and was pleasantly surprised by the five star read. This time, it was not a surprise. The moment this book was announced, I knew I would love it. (Please never stop writing, @joellawriting. I will read it all!)
This is the type of book you want to cozy up with and slowly meander through. It is a tender story of love, loss, grief and hope with characters that felt so very real. JOELLA has a beautiful way of writing that gives a sense of calm while also tugging on your heartstrings.
The journey Chuck, Ella and Kirsten each took to work through their heartbreak and healing was raw and real. I was moved by their growth, though reaching the conclusion was a double edged sword. The outcome was beautiful, but I didn’t want it to end. I was so sad to have to leave these characters behind when I ran out of pages.
Oftentimes when I read a five-star a book, my review gets a little crazed. This time around, I can’t help but try to mimic the gentle atmosphere of A QUIET LIFE, so I find there’s not much more I can say to express my affection for it.
If you loved books like SIGNAL FIRES, THE READING LIST or WHAT COMES AFTER, this is an absolute must. (As is A LITTLE HOPE.) I’d also highly recommend JOELLA’S work to fans of FREDRIK BACKMAN. I know it won’t let you down.
This is the type of book you want to cozy up with and slowly meander through. It is a tender story of love, loss, grief and hope with characters that felt so very real. JOELLA has a beautiful way of writing that gives a sense of calm while also tugging on your heartstrings.
The journey Chuck, Ella and Kirsten each took to work through their heartbreak and healing was raw and real. I was moved by their growth, though reaching the conclusion was a double edged sword. The outcome was beautiful, but I didn’t want it to end. I was so sad to have to leave these characters behind when I ran out of pages.
Oftentimes when I read a five-star a book, my review gets a little crazed. This time around, I can’t help but try to mimic the gentle atmosphere of A QUIET LIFE, so I find there’s not much more I can say to express my affection for it.
If you loved books like SIGNAL FIRES, THE READING LIST or WHAT COMES AFTER, this is an absolute must. (As is A LITTLE HOPE.) I’d also highly recommend JOELLA’S work to fans of FREDRIK BACKMAN. I know it won’t let you down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence