Ethan Joella has a must read author for me. I love his story telling, his crafting of characters, the heart and emotion of each novel.

The Same Bright Stars differs from his previous two works by narrowing in on a sole character’s perspective. We follow Jack, a fifty-something unmarried restaurant owner, contemplating selling his beach town family business to a big corporation. While I love multiple perspectives in a novel, having Jack’s perspective alone was the perfect way to tell this story.

Joella’s quiet, slow, character focused pacing works well in his novels. Even with a few unexpected turns and gut punches, they always feel like a warm hug in the form of a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner books.

4.5⭐️

The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella revolves around Jack Schmidt, the fifty-two-year-old owner of a beachfront restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that has been in the family for three generations. We follow Jack as he ponders over his options of continuing with the restaurant that he has devoted his life to or accepting the offer made to him by a large restaurant corporation to buy him out. Jack is compelled to takes stock of his life and contemplate what a future without the restaurant, which is his family legacy could look like, while also considering how his decision would affect his employees who Jack cares deeply about and the local community which considers Schmidt’s a local beacon.

Jack is single, has never been married and has never ventured outside his community after college but is conflicted about his decision, emotionally exhausted and feels the need for freedom from the responsibilities he has prioritized his whole adult life that have taken a toll on his personal relationships. His thoughts often drift to the memories of those who came before him - memories of his grandmother and father - and how the restaurant has always been a safe place for him in his most difficult moments. Complicating matters further is some shocking news related to his past, that has Jack questioning some of the choices he made decades ago and his realization that his life as he knew it will never be the same again.

The narrative is shared from Jack’s perspective through past and present timelines and is interspersed with segments from a guidebook describing the town through the seasons. The writing is crisp yet elegant and the author conveys the thoughts and emotions of his characters with insight and wisdom. What I particularly liked about the writing was that even in the tensest or most emotionally charged moments, the author does not unnecessarily embellish. Both timelines are well-developed and I liked how the different threads of the narrative come together as the story progresses. There are a few plot points that could have been explored further but this did not detract from my overall experience.

This is a slow-paced, character-driven novel with well-thought-out characters. Jack is a very likable protagonist – kind and generous - and it is easy to relate to him as broods over his past and present choices. I loved the setting and found the dynamic between Jack and his friends and employees incredibly heartening. The narrative features several subplots revolving around Jack’s friends and acquaintances deftly woven into the story, which allow us a better understanding of Jack as a person and his relationships with those he holds dear. The tone of the novel mostly shifts between nostalgic, melancholic and contemplative, but the author balances this with several light-hearted and heartwarming moments that make you smile. The ending felt realistic and I liked how the author concludes the story on a hopeful note and does not force an overly dramatic ending.

A story about family, community and human connection, legacy and personal growth, this is a beautifully written novel that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven stories that inspire pause and reflection.

This was my first Ethan Joella novel and I hope to explore more of his work.

Many thanks to Scribner for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was warm and sad and lovely. Joella fans will find much of what they already love in these pages, but with a refreshing new story. Highly recommend.

Ethan Joella’s writing style is unique and captivating. The story is slower paced, but the characters feel so real. This story takes place at a beachfront restaurant and is a perfect summer read if you enjoy stories about small town communities and found families. Thanks for sharing an early copy with me!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is my second book by the author and I really enjoy his writing and character development. This had lovely summer vibes in the melancholic way that Ethan Joella crafts a story. I immediately vibed with the characters and was invested in the drama. This story felt a bit "heavier" to me which may be the topics that the characters had to face (I do not want to spoil anything). Consider looking up content warnings prior if you're unfamiliar with the authors work. I did prefer A Quiet Life just a bit more, so I am landing at 3.75 stars rounded to 4. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a character driven, slow paced summer read to make you feel something.

Ethan Joella has the market cornered on quiet, character-driven novels that draw you in and keep you turning the pages. The Same Bright Stars centers around Jack and his family’s Delaware beach restaurant which may or may not fall prey to a big time developer. This book focuses on family, friendships, and first loves. A sweet story of redemption - the Rehoboth Beach setting makes this a great one to toss in your beach bag.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for this ARC.

An excellent summer read, set in a small beach town. If you like Hallmark movies and small town stories this book is for you. This is a comming of age story focus on the life of Jack Schmidt. The reader follows Jack as he struggle to make the right decisions for his life moving forward. Jack is the third generation owner of a local beach restaurant. The restaurant is important to Jack, but he questions if it's time to retire and what that means both for him and the restaurant including his long time employees that feel like family. In the process of making his decision Jack finds out a major secret that could influence the course of his life. He has to deal with how his new information effects his life and make the right decisions for the furture?

Well written with well developed characters not only the main character Jack, but many of the supporting characters all of whom play an important role in the story. It a relatable book as Jack faces many struggles we all felt before in terms of making big decisions and being sad about the past and concerned about the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and Scribner books for this advanced reader's copy. I've read all of Ethan Joella's books and they all give me the FEELS. He writes with such heart. This book is all about family, what it means to be true to your family, but also what it means to be true to yourself. I will read anything Ethan Joella writes and I'm super jealous that my niece is currently a student right now at the University of Delaware and could take one of his English classes (even though she is a science major ;)

Set in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, this story centers around Jack, a restaurant owner who is questioning whether to sell to a corporation who wants to buy him out while also dealing with surprising news about his past. This is a book about relationships, change, and possibility. I like the author's writing style and his ability to make the lives of his characters seem both ordinary and extraordinary. This is my third book by this author and I've enjoyed them all.

Whenever I pickup a book by Ethan Joella I wish I was in school studying English in his class so I could listen and observe and try to understand how to make magic out of a very simple story.

In a small town that is a “mix of yesterday and today”, a man owns a restaurant, it has been in his family for years. The restaurant defines him, his time, his place, most everything about him. He is nice to people and they like him, yet some of them steal from him and he is so disappointed. He has trouble with relationships because the restaurant requires so much time that it sucks the life out of him. Disappointments can push you to bad decisions, time can be a friend or an enemy. It really is a simple story but it involves complex thoughts and emotions.

The people who inhabit the pages are so well drawn and speak with authenticity. The emotions, confusion and indecision come across so clearly.The descriptions are so realistic that you can see the restaurant’s blue awning and Schmidt’s, the family name on the sign. It is all about the writing and that is absolutely extraordinary.

I am so thankful that Scribner and NetGalley allowed me a copy of this book.

Ethan Joella's The Same Bright Stars beautifully explores the life of Jack Schmidt, who is devoted to running his family's beachfront restaurant. Jack's dedication has cost him personal happiness, with failed relationships and no leisure time. When the DelDine group offers to buy Schmidt’s, Jack faces a tough choice between preserving his family's legacy and pursuing a life of his own. This poignant novel captures the struggle between duty and desire, and the transformative power of new beginnings. Joella’s storytelling is heartfelt and deeply engaging, making it a compelling read.

Ethan Joella is the kind of storyteller who just speaks to my heart. His writing is unpretentious, yet beautiful. His characters are so masterfully drawn that they feel like people you actually know. He paints Rehobeth Beach with such realistic sights, sounds and smells that I felt as if I were there again. Well done Mr. Joella!
The Same Bright Stars is not a fast paced plot driven book. Yet plot is not ignored. It simply meanders throughout the dailyness of the lives of both the main character and the supporting cast. The author slyly places tidbits that roll together to a rather predictable conclusion. This is a satisfying comfort read. It's a book full of poignant moments that bring soft tears to your eyes. It is a book that will convince you to read anything this author writes.
Oh, and its a book that will have you making travel plans to Rehobeth. In October.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner books for this ARC.

This is a story about a man who has been running a family restaurant and feels like his purpose there has run its course, especiallyafter the death of his father. Jack is really contemplating his purpose in several things as one just past 50, with time still ahead, but no clear vision beyond a blue chair that holds such promise. As the story unfolds we get glimpses of some of the people who have shaped him, especially after his mother's death as a kid. We also see how his ability to see the good in others ripples through his community, even as a betrayal is lurking. As the transfer of ownership to this new conglomerate approaches, Jack begins to understand more of what he wants his legacy to be, bringing along a surprising found family.

This is the kind of feel-good story that I love. There are complex characters, confusing and realistic actions, and not everything is perfect in the end. It feels so real, and the way Joella exposes all the deep emotions endears me to his characters. I want to understand them and encourage them in their journey. I appreciated the various relational aspects, even the romance! (I did get a bit worried for a second!)

Thank you to @scribnerbooks & @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book that published while I was gone, on July 2nd!

A lovely summer read, you all ought to grab this one.

Beautifully written, we hear the story of Jack, a single man in his 50's who is trying to figure out what he has missed out on and where he is heading from here. As the last generation owner of a family restaurant, he is pondering on selling out to a large corporate chain but is riddled with consciousness about the welfare of his employees who are like the only family he has. Jack is just tired and full of regrets of never having time for life or a family. Full of heart, he is sensitive to those he employs and to those he just meets. But while he is downcast, we hear that there is hope in his story and in his future. Bravo for his best friend and his wife who stands by him and literally saves his life. Bravo also to Nicole who realizes what true integrity is in meeting Jack and wrestles with her own life changing decision. In a twist of fate, he finds out that he fathered a son with a girl whom he loved in his youth, whom he never met and while now as an adult, declines to meet him. Who knows the future? While there is no neat little "tie it up with a bow" ending, the story leaves you with hope for Jack's future as long as we all live under "the same bright stars". Many thanks to #netgalley #ethanjoella #thesamebrightstars #schribner for the opportunity to read and review this book.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Ethan Joella for an ARC of this book!**

Jack Schmidt is proud to call Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home...but prouder still to continue the legacy of his family's beachfront restaurant, Schmidt's. Three generations in, the restaurant has weathered all sorts of storms, and Jack might not have much in the way of a social life due to his workaholic ways...but he has a staff that feels like family and has kept the doors open and the balance sheet in the black...and there's part of him that can't imagine life any other way. Sure, after so many years he would LIKE to kick back his heels and relax in a beach chair...but he OWES his family, especially after his father's passing, and Jack isn't one to let others down.

But when wealthy restaurant group DelDine, who own several restaurants in the area and beyond, come along and make Jack an offer to buy the restaurant to add it to their portfolio...Jack can't help but consider the prospect. He would be handsomely compensated, and could finally have some TIME to explore all of the things in life he's been missing...and perhaps even rekindle an old romance. But what does DelDine ACTUALLY have in mind for the property? Can he trust a couple of strangers who know just what to say to maintain the integrity of Schmidt's and show the same type of care and compassion for the staff that are truly family to him? And when Jack gets some SHOCKING news about his past that is set to change the course of his life forever...will he be brave enough to make the first move and finally get answers? Will this be the impetus he needs to pull the trigger on the sale of the restaurant...or will his fears keep him trapped in a hamster wheel of indecision, where DelDine will end up with the upper hand...and Schmidt's as he knew it will cease to exist?

This is my first Ethan Joella novel and NOW I get what all the hype is about! This book reads like a perfect blend of contemporary and literary fiction, with ample doses of nostalgia, quiet reflections about the past, plenty of angst about the present, and an air of uncertainty about the future. I appreciate that though it feels like a bit of a genre hybrid, it is very much in the vein of literary fiction I appreciate most: one grounded in reality rather than an air of pretentiousness. At the center of the conflict is an exploration of family, what it means to 'owe' your family, and how found family and blood relations can sometimes intersect...and sometimes in the unlikeliest of ways!

It makes a LOT of sense that Rehoboth Beach is the setting for this story and that it practically leaps off the page with authenticity: the author lives there currently, and did an excellent job capturing the sort of 'endless summer' feel of the area. The book is interspersed with little snippets from a 'guidebook' about the town, and while at first I wasn't a fan of the device, by the 2nd half of the book, I was eagerly anticipating these segments. But be warned: although the setting is technically the beach, this isn't EXACTLY what I'd call a beach read. There are heavy topics aplenty here, from addiction, abortion, and abandonment, to estrangement, so NOT exactly a light and sunny read. By the same token, this setting sort of helps to balance the tension and ground the book at times. Although I had assumed this was set in summertime (both due to the book's release date and by the cover) the tale actually starts off in November (right before Thanksgiving) so in that sense it can really be read ANY time of year (and part of me wishes it had come out in winter as more of a 'remember how great the summer is?' sort of read!)

Aside from the beautifully depicted setting, the beauty of this book lies in its characters, led by our multifaceted narrator Jack. We watch as he revisits snips of his past, deals with the strife of his present, and imagines what his future could be...and although he is our only narrator, this is HIS story, so it completely works. We see all of the other characters through his lens, but Joella's characterizations are subtle and effective. These seem like people you COULD know or that you might know already, and they all fit effortlessly into the world of Rehoboth Beach. It's hard to say too much about the plot without giving anything away, but although the 'main' plot of this one revolves around the sale of the restaurant...this is just the lynch pin that holds the novel together and gives it a beating heart. You may change your mind about certain characters along the way, but despite Jack's indecision and foot-dragging when it came to whether or not to sell the restaurant, I never quite felt frustrated with him. This was simply a journey he needed to take on his own, in his own way, and as you might have guessed there is more to this story than a simple restaurant sale: like winter to spring, a transformation of sorts takes place....but unlike a simple changing of the seasons, it is both beautiful and unexpected, in the best possible way.

And though I won't spoil the ending, Jack's revelations by the end of this one were akin to Dorothy's in the Wizard of Oz right before her return to Kansas: "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."

4 stars

3.5 ⭐️

This is a great summer read. While it may take place in a beachy vacation town, the story is not light. As a matter of fact, the contrast of the vacationers of this town and the heaviness of the locals’ reality is striking. The characters in the novel deal with tragic losses, the difficulty of accepting change, and secrets that surface from the past. Joella is masterful all the little details that build a scene and pull at your heartstrings - for example, in Janet’s final days, that she’s sitting at the dining table not in bed, drinking her scotch and completing her crossword puzzle. These kind of details are memorable and connect you more deeply to every character. Despite the losses and unwelcome changes the main characters face, the themes of appreciating what you have while you have it, of not allowing yourself to be stuck but to keep moving, and of holding on to hope are beautiful. As long as we are “under the same stars,” there is possibility, a chance to move forward in hope.

This is not the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. I really like the way he tells a story. This book is about jack- and his life. We meet many locals, friends and also employees from the restaurant. He has a big life decision to make and we get to see him go back and forth with that and during this time he gets some life changing news. I liked most of the characters but especially Jack. This book kept me turning the pages - I gave it 4 stars and will recommend it.

It’s been a while since I finished a book in 24 hours, but Ethan Joella has written such a beautiful and moving piece of contemporary fiction and I found myself devouring it.
52 year old Jack Schmidt has been working at his family’s restaurant for 40 years and has owned it for about 30 years. He’s ready for a break so when the big restaurant eating conglomerate DelDine comes in with an offer sky high, Jack begins to really consider the idea of selling and retiring. Throughout the months of ruminating over the idea of selling he also finds himself reminiscing of a girlfriend from his past and wondering how his life would have been different had they stayed together.
This book is one of the best I’ve read in a while. Mr. Joella sets the scene of Rehoboth Beach so perfectly and the details of the restaurant are so vivid, you’ll forget you aren’t actually in the restaurant or Rehoboth Beach (unless you’re lucky enough to read it while actually there!).
Not only is the setting perfect, but all of the characters are so lovable. Each of them bring something so special to this amazing book.
This is the first book by Mr. Joella I’ve read, but it certain won’t be the last. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an advanced copy of this. The Same Bright Stars hit the shelves on July 2nd.

This is a beautifully written novel. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have read it.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very nice read. Being a graduate of UD and. DE resident, I was looking forward to reading my first by this author. Rehoboth beach is one of our favorite places to visit in the summer and even the offseason. You can definitely fell that love and nostalgia coming through the writing. The story was heartbreaking, lovely and even funny at times. I loved all of the characters and the pace of the book/short chapters made me want to keep reading. The ending was perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for my copy of this ARC which published 7/2.