A review by rollinsad
A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 
A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella was the first book I read of Joella’s. It wasn’t on my radar until last week when I heard a bookish podcaster gush about it and describe it as a family and community story of contemporary fiction. I picked this book through my Book of the Month Subscription last year, but it has sat on the shelf since then. I loved this book and now plan to read Joella’s first book, A Little Hope, next. 
 
The book follows Chuck, who recently lost his wife to cancer, Ella whose daughter has been taken by her ex-husband and not heard from in months, and Kirsten, who recently tragically lost her father and altered her career plans as they cope with their situations. We learn they are all connected in one way or another and we begin to explore how people find peace after loss and how people can move on and heal through these circumstances. 
 
I am a sucker for these family books of contemporary fiction. Not to mention that both of Joella’s books have stunning covers. This book was well-written. It is driven mainly by character development, which I love. I would compare this book to books like Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro and Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout. 
 
5 Stars 
 
Content Warnings: Death, Cancer, Kidnapping, Trauma, Murder 
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