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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
stephanieswilley'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and War
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
I selected this as a Book of the Month pick and was excited to indulge in a cozy contemporary during these colder months.
"A Quiet Life" follows three characters as they try to move on in their lives and move past their immense grief. Chuck, an elderly man, has recently lost his wife, Cat, and he is struggling to find the will to keep moving forward without her. He used to look forward to their annual trip to Hilton Head every year, but now the thought of being in their happy place without Cat is too much for him to bear. Ella is a struggling young mother who works multiple jobs to fill her time as she anxiously waits to hear any news about her missing daughter. Kirsten put her own dreams on hold following the death of her father. Now, she works in an animal shelter and is plagued with thoughts of what she wants to do next.
Despite these three characters living independent lives, with their own tragic stories, the novel feels very cohesive, and you can see how their stories and grief overlap. Every person on the planet is going through their own hardships, but we are all still human. It is our humanity that connects us, and even during the darkest of hours, it is the connection to other people that keeps us moving forward. I also really appreciated that all three characters are at three different points in life. Their differences in age and life experiences again highlights that despite differences, we are all connected.
I felt most heartbroken for Chuck, but Ella's story really kept the novel moving forward. The mystery around who took her daughter, why they kidnapped her, and where she is was just the right amount of intrigue to bring hope to this humbling story.
Hope is the big message and key takeaway for all of these characters. Life is not perfect, and we will all inevitably face hardship, but life can and does get better, if you never lose hope.
I highly recommend this story, and I am excited to pick up more from the author in the future.
"A Quiet Life" follows three characters as they try to move on in their lives and move past their immense grief. Chuck, an elderly man, has recently lost his wife, Cat, and he is struggling to find the will to keep moving forward without her. He used to look forward to their annual trip to Hilton Head every year, but now the thought of being in their happy place without Cat is too much for him to bear. Ella is a struggling young mother who works multiple jobs to fill her time as she anxiously waits to hear any news about her missing daughter. Kirsten put her own dreams on hold following the death of her father. Now, she works in an animal shelter and is plagued with thoughts of what she wants to do next.
Despite these three characters living independent lives, with their own tragic stories, the novel feels very cohesive, and you can see how their stories and grief overlap. Every person on the planet is going through their own hardships, but we are all still human. It is our humanity that connects us, and even during the darkest of hours, it is the connection to other people that keeps us moving forward. I also really appreciated that all three characters are at three different points in life. Their differences in age and life experiences again highlights that despite differences, we are all connected.
I felt most heartbroken for Chuck, but Ella's story really kept the novel moving forward. The mystery around who took her daughter, why they kidnapped her, and where she is was just the right amount of intrigue to bring hope to this humbling story.
Hope is the big message and key takeaway for all of these characters. Life is not perfect, and we will all inevitably face hardship, but life can and does get better, if you never lose hope.
I highly recommend this story, and I am excited to pick up more from the author in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Grief
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
mary_elizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Three characters dealing with loss and grief in different forms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
syellico's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
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
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Cursing
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