Ethan Joella is a complete gem. If you ever feel hopeless, pick up a Joella book and I guarantee he will make you feel seen. This is about a restaurant owner who has to decide if he wants to continue to live his life for the restaurant and the people he employs, or sell out and seek something different. My dad has owned a restaurant for my entire life, and I can say that Joella very accurately captured the essence of owning a restaurant. There are some good reveals I was not expecting. This looks like it would be a summer read- but I recommend you read it over the holidays, as both Thanksgiving and Christmas are featured! Highly recommend.

This book is the epitome of a classic beach read. I really enjoyed the character development throughout this story. A must read in the summer.

This is a lovely novel. The story centers on Jack, third generation owner of a restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Jack is at a crossroads in his life, haunted by some difficult times in his past and torn on a decision about selling his family's restaurant to a chain. The story is quiet and reflective, revealing details of Jack's past through alternating chapters of flashbacks. The sense of place is wonderful and makes the reader wish to book a trip to Rehoboth Beach sometime soon. I enjoyed following Jack on his journey and especially enjoyed many of the side characters in his found family of friends and co-workers. I look forward to reading more of Joella's work.

I really enjoyed this.

Jack is in his fifties. He has worked at the family restaurant since he was a teenager. His grandma and father ran the restaurant and passed it on to him when they died. Jack hasn’t take a day off since he can remember. His whole life revolves around the restaurant and the people that work there. Jack is trying to decide if he should sell the restaurant and live out the remainder of his days on a beach somewhere.

I was impressed with the writers ability to create this small town dynamic and illustrate the complexity of relationships. I loved this one and can’t wait to pick up more of his books.

While this is a believable story about interesting people, I didn't find it as engrossing and enjoyable as previous books by this author.

Thank You to NetGalley for the free ebook ARC.

Ethan Joella has become a new favorite author for me. I loved The Same Bright Stars. It all starts with a beautiful, colorful cover that draws you in and invites you to sit a spell on a beach and enjoy the view and the book. The book then tells the story of Jack who runs a 3 generations family, owned beachfront restaurant, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Jack has placed the restaurant before anything else in his life and receives some recent news that makes him think about the decision. Jack recounts his life, his friends, coworkers, his family, and the town and its connection to the restaurant. The characters feel real and your right alongside them going about their daily routine. There is also a sense of sadness, but also some moments of complete happiness. This is a book, you could devour in one day. Can't wait for Ethan Joella's next book.

Ethan Joella writes some of the best books I ever read. They will break your heart and then start to sow it back up with hope.

This one follows Jack, a restaurant owner in Rehoboth Beach Delaware, as he reflects on the past and future. It is a deeply emotional read that will have you feeling right along with the characters.

This is a novel with a tinge of sadness running throughout. It's the story of a 50 something family restaurant owner wishing his life had turned out differently. He decides to sell the restaurant in the hopes of gaining a better life. The story moved in an unexpected direction which I appreciated.

Ethan Joella has quickly become an auto buy author for me. There is something about his books that make me just want to sit down on the patio with a cup of coffee and just binge read.

The Same Bright Stars gives us a look into the life of Jack who is the owner of a beachside restaurant that has been in his family for generations. The story begins with the pending sale of the family restaurant and lets us follow Jack and his friends/coworkers in daily life. I enjoyed the depiction of Jack's life when he looked back at all of his "what if's" and regrets and also his plans to move forward with his life.

This book wasn't all sunshine and rainbows; however, the authors writing always leaves you with a sense of happiness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner Books for allowing me to read a copy!

This book was such a story of people and how our decisions can shape our lives. I always enjoy how Ethan Joella is able to tell a story about different people that ends up intertwining. I definitely felt like this one was more focused on one character than his other books have been, but I quite enjoyed it. I liked how he jumped to key moments in the main character’s life to give you insight into his life. I definitely did not know how this book was going to end and I liked how he left it a little open at the end. I really enjoyed this read. I loved watching the main character realize how important he was to others and the impact he had on others’ lives in a positive way

Just finished this book, only a few months behind when it was chosen as our book of the month for @thereadroversbookclub back in July. I also convinced @the.bookrescue to read it as a buddy-read with me. Although she may not let me pick them anymore. 😆

While I didn’t love it, I definitely liked it. Jack, the main character, is one of those guys you could immediately befriend. He’s been working at his family’s restaurant for years, but at 52 and alone, he is feeling nostalgic for the life he never got to live.

He is at a crossroads, debating whether to sell the business and finally have a life of his own. But, his found family of coworkers and friends is everything to him, and you can really feel how far he’s willing to go for them.

There were times when the book dragged on a bit, but the storyline kept me interested enough that I wanted to continue on to see how it played out. And there was a small plot twist that got the story moving. However, there are a few characters that don’t necessarily add to the plot, but they do help build the depth that Joella always nails in his books.

Overall, a solid read, especially if you enjoy stories with rich character development and heartfelt connections. It didn’t quite blow me away, but Jack’s journey of being at a crossroads, feeling stuck in life, and slowly discovering what he truly wants - and how to take the next step forward, is definitely worth following.

The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella is a heartfelt and beautifully written novel that dives deep into themes of love, loss, and healing. The book focuses on Jack Schmidt, who runs his family's beloved restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. The restaurant is Jack's whole life, and he sacrifices his relationships and happiness to keep it going. When a large corporation offers to buy him out, Jack faces an emotional battle, thinking not only about himself but also about his employees and the community connected to the restaurant. I really hated Jack for wanted to get out of the business, but felt torn as it really was sucking the life out of him and he needed to make a big life change.

Despite my mixed feelings about Jack's decision I did love him as a character, and the supporting cast is equally endearing. Joella’s storytelling has a quiet, reflective tone, letting readers truly get to know Jack and his struggles. Though the pacing can be slow at times, it allows the emotional depth of Jack’s decision to fully resonate. The book leaves readers with a message of hope and the importance of connection. Overall, anything by Ethan Joella is a book I will recommend and will always rush to read.

This was a really feel good book. It was a good one to read in between the thrillers that I normally read. Would recommend to anyone who wants something that makes them feel good when reading and when they are done

Wow, this book was so much more than I expected it would be. The cast of characters was so unique and heartwarming - you just couldn’t help but root for them.

I am a sucker for a small town story and I love that this one was about an actual town that Joella knows so well. I was rooting for Jack the whole time and Joella does an amazing job of making you feel for his characters and their struggles.

This book is perfect for readers who love a short book that has an emotional punch. I did not expect to feel so much in such a short page count - which goes to show how excellent the writing is.

This was my first novel by him but definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to get to his other two books!

"Same Bright Stars" presents a heartfelt exploration of love and friendship against the backdrop of life's challenges. The writing is engaging, and the characters are well-drawn, making it easy to connect with their journeys. However, the pacing can be uneven, and some plot points feel predictable. While it has its touching moments, it lacks the depth and emotional resonance to truly stand out. It's a pleasant read, but it might not leave a lasting impact.

Ethan Joelle is one of those authors whose beautiful writing automatically lifts your spirits and gives you that confidence in humanity.

This story is about community, loyalty, friendship, and family. It is set in a Delaware Beach town where our main character, Jack, contemplates closing his restaurant. But he has mixed emotions about the new owners, the staff he’ll leave behind and what walking away from his family’s legacy will mean.

Aaaaannnd... an ex-girlfriend is in town, an employee is stealing from him, and there’s a fun twist. You’re going to need to read this to experience the ride yourself!

Come for the story; stay for the richly developed characters and stunning setting of Rehoboth Beach.

Thank you, NetGalley, Scribner for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Few Bright Stars offers a heartfelt story, but it falls somewhere in the middle in terms of impact. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and healing, with a focus on character relationships that feel genuine, though sometimes predictable. The emotional beats are there, but the story can occasionally lean into sentimentality, making it feel a bit formulaic.

The protagonist's journey is relatable, and the supporting cast adds charm, yet there are moments where the character development feels rushed or not fully explored. The writing is solid, with beautiful, reflective passages, though it can sometimes lack the punch to make those moments truly resonate.

For readers seeking a comforting and uplifting read with emotional depth, A Few Bright Stars delivers on a basic level. However, it doesn’t quite push the boundaries or leave a lasting impression. It's a pleasant, albeit somewhat conventional, story that may not stand out among its contemporaries.

A family drama, but filled with compassion and charm. I've read the author's other books and have enjoyed each one. The way he is able to write real life family drama makes it very easy to read. The setting was a huge plus.

Thank you @scribnerbooks for my gifted ARC.

Jack is running his family’s restaurant in Delaware, but he’s getting burnt out. The constant stress and worry of the place makes it hard to have relationships or any kind of social life. He’s beginning to wonder if there’s more to life and he’s looking into the possibility of selling. But can he give up his family’s legacy?

I loved this book! Jack’s craving the family experience his best friend has. He has a wife and young daughter and a great relationship with his father. Jack is missing his father and his mom died a long time ago. His first real relationship ended horribly and now Jack has a habit of getting out when things get tough. But when another old girlfriend moves back to be with her sick mom, can they rekindle? Does he want to open that door again?

@joellawriting has a wonderful way of putting you right in the story. I felt like we were in the middle is Schmidt’s restaurant feeling the years of tradition. I don’t read too many books with a main male character that is not a thriller and I enjoyed the change in perspective.

THE SAME BRIGHT STARS 🐚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“He can’t stop thinking she is family, and you shouldn’t give up so easily on family should you?”

Ethan Joella’s book are just so 🥹❤️‍🩹😭🥰 This story follows Jack, a 50 year old man who has focused his entire life running his restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. Now that he’s considering selling his restaurant, he is reckoning with his choices to prioritize his career over family and friends. I’m not going to lie - I worried about relating to this book since the MC is an older man. But I absolutely loved this one 😊 If you are looking for a book that will tug on your heart strings, pick this one up.

More about this book:
👨🏻character driven
🏖️small beach town
🤫family secrets
😭an emotional story
❤️found family
🥈second chance