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The Same Bright Stars
Three generations of Schmidts have run their family’s beachfront restaurant, and Jack has been at the helm since his father's death. He puts the demands of the restaurant above all else, with a string of failed relationships, no hobbies, and no days off as proof of his commitment to the place. He can’t remember the last time he sat on the beach or enjoyed a moment to himself.
Meanwhile, the DelDine group has been snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast, and it is pursuing Jack with a very generous offer to take Schmidt’s off his hands. Jack craves companionship and maybe even a family. He wonders whether closing the door on the restaurant might open a window for him—but who would he be without Schmidt’s, and can he trust DelDine’s claims that it will continue to employ his staff and honor his family’s legacy?
Meanwhile, the DelDine group has been snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast, and it is pursuing Jack with a very generous offer to take Schmidt’s off his hands. Jack craves companionship and maybe even a family. He wonders whether closing the door on the restaurant might open a window for him—but who would he be without Schmidt’s, and can he trust DelDine’s claims that it will continue to employ his staff and honor his family’s legacy?
287 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2024
402 people are currently reading
24250 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Joella
10 books829 followersEthan Joella teaches English and psychology at the University of Delaware and specializes in community writing workshops. His work has appeared in River Teeth, The Cimarron Review, The MacGuffin, Delaware Beach Life, and Third Wednesday. He is the author of A Little Hope, which was a Read with Jenna Bonus Selection and A Quiet Life. He lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,547 reviews
June 30, 2024
In a Nutshell: If you know Ethan Joella’s writing, you know what to expect from this. A character-oriented literary fiction with multiple emotional hues. Focusses on the interplay of relationships across family, friends, and employees. Well-written plot, balanced emotions, excellent character sketches. Recommended!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
🌞 Jack is a deserving protagonist. His care and concern for his employees is as evident as his confusion over his decision and his regret at some past incidents. Despite this, Jack is carved realistically, with flaws also a part of his character development.
🌞 The other characters, whether major or minor, are also layered. Some of them are typical while other are more unusual, but most make an impact.
🌞 It might seem like Jack has reached the point of a midlife crisis, when people begin pondering the what ifs and if onlys. But the story is much more than that. I like how the character-focussed narrative still paid attention to the plot.
🌞 The two timelines work together in harmony, effectively depicting how the actions of the past can have repercussions on the present. For a change, I liked the contemporary timeline more than the past one, as it had much more to offer.
🌞 The third-person writing works excellently in this novel. It's surprising to see how much we understand the characters even though we get only Jack's third-person view of their behaviour.
🌞 The challenge of running a family/independent business in today's world where commercialisation and standardisation are the norm comes out well.
🌞 The setting of Rehoboth Beach is perfect for this story. There are interludes after every few chapters from “Rehoboth Beach: A Guidebook’, which give us a perspective on the location. I kept thinking about how well the author seemed to have captured the pulse of Rehoboth Beach. Turns out, he stays there with his family! No wonder the writing feels so personal and genuine!
🌞 As a character-oriented literary fiction, the pacing is obviously on the slower side, but it doesn’t slacken anytime.
🌞 This is a gentle, melancholic kind of read that is mostly introspective but offers moments of light-heartedness. Rarely do stories with male protagonists have such realistic exploration of diverse emotions. More importantly, few male writers can capture feelings so well. I love the overall emotional tone of this story.
🌞 The ending is perfect. I love how the author doesn’t forcibly try to fit in shiny rainbows into every characters’ lives. The ending is just as the plot deserves: hopeful.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌤️ There are many characters with secrets. A couple of them felt flat and forced to me, but the rest were written well and fit into the narrative neatly.
🌤️ The cover might lead to some erroneous expectations, so don’t be confused by it. This is not a beach read, though those chairs have significance in the later part of the story. The book has clearly been marked as literary fiction, and that is exactly what it is. Also, there are several dark themes in the book. Though these are written without going overly maudlin, they still mean that the book works more as a contemplative read than as an entertaining palate cleanser.
All in all, this is a mood read and if picked up at the right time, it will satisfy the reader with its mellow observation of humans and their strengths and shortcomings.
This is my second book by Ethan Joella, the first being ‘A Quiet Life’, which was similar in mood but had three characters’ perspectives. While I liked that book as well, ‘The Same Bright Stars’ worked out even better in theme as well as writing. Ethan Joella teaches English and Psychology at the University of Delaware, and he seems to use both subjects optimally while crafting his stories. This is definitely an author I’d love to read more from.
Recommended to literary fiction readers and those who enjoy slow-burn character-oriented writing in a small-town setting.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Scribner for providing the DRC of “The Same Bright Stars” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Fifty-two-year-old Jack Schmidt has been taking care of the family restaurant since his college years. And now he is tired. He has always put the restaurant first in his life, even at the cost of relationships and friendships. With no family around, he wonders if he should have done things differently.
When the DelDine corporation approaches Jack with a takeover offer, his initial reluctance slowly gives way to consideration. But what is Jack without Schmidt’s? Can he trust a corporation to take care of his family’s legacy and his staff the way he did?
The story comes to us from Jack’s third person perspective over two timelines.
Bookish Yays:
🌞 Jack is a deserving protagonist. His care and concern for his employees is as evident as his confusion over his decision and his regret at some past incidents. Despite this, Jack is carved realistically, with flaws also a part of his character development.
🌞 The other characters, whether major or minor, are also layered. Some of them are typical while other are more unusual, but most make an impact.
🌞 It might seem like Jack has reached the point of a midlife crisis, when people begin pondering the what ifs and if onlys. But the story is much more than that. I like how the character-focussed narrative still paid attention to the plot.
🌞 The two timelines work together in harmony, effectively depicting how the actions of the past can have repercussions on the present. For a change, I liked the contemporary timeline more than the past one, as it had much more to offer.
🌞 The third-person writing works excellently in this novel. It's surprising to see how much we understand the characters even though we get only Jack's third-person view of their behaviour.
🌞 The challenge of running a family/independent business in today's world where commercialisation and standardisation are the norm comes out well.
🌞 The setting of Rehoboth Beach is perfect for this story. There are interludes after every few chapters from “Rehoboth Beach: A Guidebook’, which give us a perspective on the location. I kept thinking about how well the author seemed to have captured the pulse of Rehoboth Beach. Turns out, he stays there with his family! No wonder the writing feels so personal and genuine!
🌞 As a character-oriented literary fiction, the pacing is obviously on the slower side, but it doesn’t slacken anytime.
🌞 This is a gentle, melancholic kind of read that is mostly introspective but offers moments of light-heartedness. Rarely do stories with male protagonists have such realistic exploration of diverse emotions. More importantly, few male writers can capture feelings so well. I love the overall emotional tone of this story.
🌞 The ending is perfect. I love how the author doesn’t forcibly try to fit in shiny rainbows into every characters’ lives. The ending is just as the plot deserves: hopeful.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌤️ There are many characters with secrets. A couple of them felt flat and forced to me, but the rest were written well and fit into the narrative neatly.
🌤️ The cover might lead to some erroneous expectations, so don’t be confused by it. This is not a beach read, though those chairs have significance in the later part of the story. The book has clearly been marked as literary fiction, and that is exactly what it is. Also, there are several dark themes in the book. Though these are written without going overly maudlin, they still mean that the book works more as a contemplative read than as an entertaining palate cleanser.
All in all, this is a mood read and if picked up at the right time, it will satisfy the reader with its mellow observation of humans and their strengths and shortcomings.
This is my second book by Ethan Joella, the first being ‘A Quiet Life’, which was similar in mood but had three characters’ perspectives. While I liked that book as well, ‘The Same Bright Stars’ worked out even better in theme as well as writing. Ethan Joella teaches English and Psychology at the University of Delaware, and he seems to use both subjects optimally while crafting his stories. This is definitely an author I’d love to read more from.
Recommended to literary fiction readers and those who enjoy slow-burn character-oriented writing in a small-town setting.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Scribner for providing the DRC of “The Same Bright Stars” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
August 18, 2024
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 converge 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.
(On a personal note, Delaware and Rehoboth Beach hold a very special place in my heart and reading a story set there brought back some fond memories.)
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 novel was published on July 2, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
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 converge 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.
(On a personal note, Delaware and Rehoboth Beach hold a very special place in my heart and reading a story set there brought back some fond memories.)
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 novel was published on July 2, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 11, 2024
After reading all of the glowing reviews for this book from trusted Goodreads friends, I had to squeeze it in, and I have NO REGRETS!
This fictional story is set in the (real) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware-another beach town discovered in a book-that I think I would be happy living in. (guide book excerpts included)
The story:
Three generations of Schmidts have run their family’s beachfront restaurant, with Jack being the latest, since his father's death.
BUT, WILL HE BE THE LAST?
Jack has put the restaurant ahead of everything else, and it has cost him-most notably a long term relationship and maybe his last chance at starting a family of his own.
Is it too late to reinvent his life at age 52?
The DelDine group-a corporation that has been snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast, has made Jack a very generous offer to buy the eatery. Although there would be a name change, they have agreed to keep on his staff, which is what he has worried about most-as they are like family to him.
This is a MELANCHOLY, character driven, “slice of life” story about how choices made in a minute-can alter your entire life. I grew to care about Jack-and his friends and employees as well.
But, it’s also a story of HOPE and one that may have you tearing up or cheering by its end.
I couldn’t help but to be swept away by Jack’s story as he grappled with his PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. It is definitely a story that I will think about, long after the final page is turned.
I am now looking forward to catching up on the author’s previous work!
THANK YOU to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title.
This fictional story is set in the (real) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware-another beach town discovered in a book-that I think I would be happy living in. (guide book excerpts included)
The story:
Three generations of Schmidts have run their family’s beachfront restaurant, with Jack being the latest, since his father's death.
BUT, WILL HE BE THE LAST?
Jack has put the restaurant ahead of everything else, and it has cost him-most notably a long term relationship and maybe his last chance at starting a family of his own.
Is it too late to reinvent his life at age 52?
The DelDine group-a corporation that has been snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast, has made Jack a very generous offer to buy the eatery. Although there would be a name change, they have agreed to keep on his staff, which is what he has worried about most-as they are like family to him.
This is a MELANCHOLY, character driven, “slice of life” story about how choices made in a minute-can alter your entire life. I grew to care about Jack-and his friends and employees as well.
But, it’s also a story of HOPE and one that may have you tearing up or cheering by its end.
I couldn’t help but to be swept away by Jack’s story as he grappled with his PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. It is definitely a story that I will think about, long after the final page is turned.
I am now looking forward to catching up on the author’s previous work!
THANK YOU to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title.
May 5, 2024
I loved this story… same as I loved this author’s book,
A Quiet Life.
So pick this book up and take a trip to Rehoboth Beach.. in Delaware.
Jack grew up here and owns a restaurant by the boardwalk that has been in his family for a couple generations. He is at the age when all his friends have relationships and families, while he spends all his time running the restaurant and really nothing else.
A big company comes in and tries to buy it from him
We meet many locals and friends of Jack and the people who work for him..
There is also something Jack finds out from his past that is life changing.
Great story, great characters!
Thank you to Netgalley, Scribner, and Ethan Joella for the ARC!
Publishing date July 2, 2024
A Quiet Life.
So pick this book up and take a trip to Rehoboth Beach.. in Delaware.
Jack grew up here and owns a restaurant by the boardwalk that has been in his family for a couple generations. He is at the age when all his friends have relationships and families, while he spends all his time running the restaurant and really nothing else.
A big company comes in and tries to buy it from him
We meet many locals and friends of Jack and the people who work for him..
There is also something Jack finds out from his past that is life changing.
Great story, great characters!
Thank you to Netgalley, Scribner, and Ethan Joella for the ARC!
Publishing date July 2, 2024
September 27, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Ethan Joella for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 7.2!!**
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
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
April 15, 2025
Have you ever known someone who is attached to their work to the extent that they wonder what they would be without it?
In The Same Bright Stars that's our main character, Jack Schmidt. Finally, at 52 he’s thinking seriously about focusing on himself and his future beyond work. He's been offered a sweet deal for "Schmidt's", his family restaurant, by the DelDine group and if he accepts it he'll be free to do the things he's been dreaming about for too long...
Is it possible, yet again, to love the third book in a row by this author? Ethan Joella, how do you do it?
The Same Bright Stars is full of well-developed characters, struggling relationships, and challenging family dynamics. Jack Schmidt is one of my favorite characters. He's kind, empathetic, and centered on taking care of those close to him. I love the decisions he makes, how he makes them, and how he owns them, good or not so-good.
The setting, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, felt like another character in this story. The author knows this storybook town (as he calls it) and sprinkles little nuggets, tour guide style, throughout that capture the full flavor of this picturesque beach town. Once again Joella has created a story around small-town life with characters who feel like home. If you grew up in a small town, like I did, you know what I mean.
I'll say this again, as long as Ethan Joella continues to write, I will continue to read his books. The Same Bright Stars is one of my top five reads of 2024 and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy Small Town and Family Fiction and a well-written story!
5⭐
Thank you to Scribner and Ethan Joella for the DRC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
In The Same Bright Stars that's our main character, Jack Schmidt. Finally, at 52 he’s thinking seriously about focusing on himself and his future beyond work. He's been offered a sweet deal for "Schmidt's", his family restaurant, by the DelDine group and if he accepts it he'll be free to do the things he's been dreaming about for too long...
Is it possible, yet again, to love the third book in a row by this author? Ethan Joella, how do you do it?
The Same Bright Stars is full of well-developed characters, struggling relationships, and challenging family dynamics. Jack Schmidt is one of my favorite characters. He's kind, empathetic, and centered on taking care of those close to him. I love the decisions he makes, how he makes them, and how he owns them, good or not so-good.
The setting, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, felt like another character in this story. The author knows this storybook town (as he calls it) and sprinkles little nuggets, tour guide style, throughout that capture the full flavor of this picturesque beach town. Once again Joella has created a story around small-town life with characters who feel like home. If you grew up in a small town, like I did, you know what I mean.
I'll say this again, as long as Ethan Joella continues to write, I will continue to read his books. The Same Bright Stars is one of my top five reads of 2024 and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy Small Town and Family Fiction and a well-written story!
5⭐
Thank you to Scribner and Ethan Joella for the DRC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
June 30, 2024
5 stars
Having really enjoyed Mr. Joella’s “A Quiet Life,” I was thrilled to be approved by Net Galley for an advanced copy of this one. What a nice surprise to find I loved this one even more!
Though there were some tense and difficult moments in the story, I found this to be a quiet book. This is a character study of Jack Schmidt. It’s also a treatise on family, whether blood or nonblood, and the importance of having those connections in one’s life. This novel is also about difficult life decisions, what is important in life and how to attain those sometimes very elusive goals.
Jack has a ton of money sitting in the bank as he owns a very successful restaurant in the resort town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. But Jack never feels like spending much money. He has discovered that wealth alone does not assure a happy life. In fact, it plays very little role in bringing happiness to Jack. Poor Jack. He is 52 years old and has been involved with the restaurant since his mother died when he was only 12 years old. He is the 3rd generation of Schmidt’s to own and run Schmidt’s Restaurant. Unlike his grandparents and parents, he has never had a family of his own; it’s just never been in the cards for Jack. He yearns for a family. He yearns for deeper happiness.
To me, books that make me FEEL, THINK, and LEARN are the very best reads. Bonus points if the book is character-driven. “The Same Bright Stars” has excellent characters who drive the novel, especially Jack, Deacon, Andie, Carl, Sam, Genevieve, and a couple others I will let you discover yourself. I felt for every one of them. The story also gave me much to mull over in terms of how single decisions can play such a huge role in how your life turns out. I always like to learn from my reading and this time I learned a lot of interesting tidbits about the restaurant business.
Gosh, I loved this book. I was totally engrossed as this is absolutely my favorite type of novel. It’s all about people, their needs, and their relationships. Life is hard. Life is complicated. So complicated. But you can never stop trying to make the very best of it. “The Same Bright Stars” is a beautiful, poignant life-affirming novel. I highly recommend it for all.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Ashley Gilliam of Scribner Books, and Ethan Joella for an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Having really enjoyed Mr. Joella’s “A Quiet Life,” I was thrilled to be approved by Net Galley for an advanced copy of this one. What a nice surprise to find I loved this one even more!
Though there were some tense and difficult moments in the story, I found this to be a quiet book. This is a character study of Jack Schmidt. It’s also a treatise on family, whether blood or nonblood, and the importance of having those connections in one’s life. This novel is also about difficult life decisions, what is important in life and how to attain those sometimes very elusive goals.
Jack has a ton of money sitting in the bank as he owns a very successful restaurant in the resort town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. But Jack never feels like spending much money. He has discovered that wealth alone does not assure a happy life. In fact, it plays very little role in bringing happiness to Jack. Poor Jack. He is 52 years old and has been involved with the restaurant since his mother died when he was only 12 years old. He is the 3rd generation of Schmidt’s to own and run Schmidt’s Restaurant. Unlike his grandparents and parents, he has never had a family of his own; it’s just never been in the cards for Jack. He yearns for a family. He yearns for deeper happiness.
To me, books that make me FEEL, THINK, and LEARN are the very best reads. Bonus points if the book is character-driven. “The Same Bright Stars” has excellent characters who drive the novel, especially Jack, Deacon, Andie, Carl, Sam, Genevieve, and a couple others I will let you discover yourself. I felt for every one of them. The story also gave me much to mull over in terms of how single decisions can play such a huge role in how your life turns out. I always like to learn from my reading and this time I learned a lot of interesting tidbits about the restaurant business.
Gosh, I loved this book. I was totally engrossed as this is absolutely my favorite type of novel. It’s all about people, their needs, and their relationships. Life is hard. Life is complicated. So complicated. But you can never stop trying to make the very best of it. “The Same Bright Stars” is a beautiful, poignant life-affirming novel. I highly recommend it for all.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Ashley Gilliam of Scribner Books, and Ethan Joella for an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
August 19, 2024
Ethan Joella has done it again! The Same Bright Stars is a heartfelt story about Jack, a restaurant owner who contemplates his future and reflects on his past. He is considering selling his family restaurant to DelDine, a corporate group taking over the regional coast. Jack wonders what would he do next if he did sell, and, would DelDine preserve the restaurant’s legacy? Jack also receives unexpected news from his past, causing him to further reflect about his life.
Jack is a genuine, good guy, who cares deeply about the people in his life including his restaurant staff. I liked him and enjoyed the variety of secondary characters in this story. Ethan Joella does a great job creating authentic, human characters and I was rooting for their happiness. There is a solid sense of community in this book too.
Though the story’s timeframe isn’t exclusive to one season, the summer vibes are strong here as it’s set in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The Same Bright Stars is a moving story about family, friendship, love, and time — 4.5 stars
Jack is a genuine, good guy, who cares deeply about the people in his life including his restaurant staff. I liked him and enjoyed the variety of secondary characters in this story. Ethan Joella does a great job creating authentic, human characters and I was rooting for their happiness. There is a solid sense of community in this book too.
Though the story’s timeframe isn’t exclusive to one season, the summer vibes are strong here as it’s set in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The Same Bright Stars is a moving story about family, friendship, love, and time — 4.5 stars
July 28, 2024
This is a character-driven slice of life story that could be described as a slow burn but I prefer the term thoughtful, the kind of writing that reaches down to my core and touches my soul.
Jack runs a restaurant, an establishment owned by his family for generations, a place where everyone knows your name. It’s a beach location but Jack’s beach chair is gathering dust in his closet. Who has time to lounge at the beach?
He has a string of failed relationships with no time for hobbies or his own interests but Jack is a good guy who cares deeply for the town and the people in it. This makes me care deeply for Jack.
He simply rarely gets this care and attention returned to him in kind. He’s approaching an age where he considers selling the restaurant but what will this mean for the town, his employees, and for himself?
Then Jack receives shocking news from his past that has him questioning his life choices and his path to the future. Jack is kind and generous to all, the type of good man we can and do admire. We get to know his employees and the townspeople, warts and all.
The story is interspersed with snippets from a guidebook on Rehoboth Beach, which were delightful. We are treated to bits of Jacks past life, current life, and his hopes for the future. There are deep issues touched upon but the overall tone and message is one of hope.
This is a quiet story that took hold of my heart. It’s the kind of writing that I absolutely love and I can’t recommend it enough!. This was my first book by this author and I’m including him in my short list of authors who write about the ordinary in extraordinary ways.
5+ stars!
* I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
* The audiobook was flawlessly narrated by Chris Henry Coffey
Jack runs a restaurant, an establishment owned by his family for generations, a place where everyone knows your name. It’s a beach location but Jack’s beach chair is gathering dust in his closet. Who has time to lounge at the beach?
He has a string of failed relationships with no time for hobbies or his own interests but Jack is a good guy who cares deeply for the town and the people in it. This makes me care deeply for Jack.
He simply rarely gets this care and attention returned to him in kind. He’s approaching an age where he considers selling the restaurant but what will this mean for the town, his employees, and for himself?
Then Jack receives shocking news from his past that has him questioning his life choices and his path to the future. Jack is kind and generous to all, the type of good man we can and do admire. We get to know his employees and the townspeople, warts and all.
The story is interspersed with snippets from a guidebook on Rehoboth Beach, which were delightful. We are treated to bits of Jacks past life, current life, and his hopes for the future. There are deep issues touched upon but the overall tone and message is one of hope.
This is a quiet story that took hold of my heart. It’s the kind of writing that I absolutely love and I can’t recommend it enough!. This was my first book by this author and I’m including him in my short list of authors who write about the ordinary in extraordinary ways.
5+ stars!
* I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
* The audiobook was flawlessly narrated by Chris Henry Coffey
May 14, 2024
Loved it! Review to come
August 9, 2024
Sweet, light, and optimistic. It was fun to like and enjoy all of the main characters.
I took pleasure in the setting as I have spent many summer days at Rehoboth Beach.
This one isn't memorable, and it was a pleasant respite for a short while.
I took pleasure in the setting as I have spent many summer days at Rehoboth Beach.
This one isn't memorable, and it was a pleasant respite for a short while.
July 10, 2024
Positively lovely!!
Reads like a novella so don’t expect big character developments but I thought the author did a phenomenal job with the page length. So many messages of hope.
Reads like a novella so don’t expect big character developments but I thought the author did a phenomenal job with the page length. So many messages of hope.
December 6, 2023
"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" -Mary Oliver
•Third person point of view
•Short chapters
•Past + present timelines
•Character driven
•Small town beachy setting
•Family drama
When it comes to Ethan Joella's writing, I am a fan! His first two efforts were rich, dramatic stories with a whole host of characters whose lives intersect, subtly but with great impact. The Same Bright Stars brings a similar feel, yet this time our huge cast is shown through the singular point of view of restaurant owner Jack Schmidt. Jack, and his family owned business, are at a crossroads. Just when he feels like he finally has it all figured out and is ready to sell & retire, an old flame, a new coworker, work drama, and some shocking news turn his world upside down. While reading Mr. Joella's work it tends to feel like you're getting a glimpse of real people, with real lives, and real problems. He makes otherwise ordinary things (family, friendship, life, death, second chances) feel extraordinary. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you to Scribner & NetGalley for an ARC of The Same Bright Stars in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars.
Publishing July 2024
•Third person point of view
•Short chapters
•Past + present timelines
•Character driven
•Small town beachy setting
•Family drama
When it comes to Ethan Joella's writing, I am a fan! His first two efforts were rich, dramatic stories with a whole host of characters whose lives intersect, subtly but with great impact. The Same Bright Stars brings a similar feel, yet this time our huge cast is shown through the singular point of view of restaurant owner Jack Schmidt. Jack, and his family owned business, are at a crossroads. Just when he feels like he finally has it all figured out and is ready to sell & retire, an old flame, a new coworker, work drama, and some shocking news turn his world upside down. While reading Mr. Joella's work it tends to feel like you're getting a glimpse of real people, with real lives, and real problems. He makes otherwise ordinary things (family, friendship, life, death, second chances) feel extraordinary. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you to Scribner & NetGalley for an ARC of The Same Bright Stars in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars.
Publishing July 2024
June 28, 2024
Publication Date: 02nd July 2024
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A mellow read
The Schmidts have run the family restaurant for decades. The beachfront setting makes it a prime location for good business. Jake had been running the establishment since his father's demise. Now at 52, he is single, exhausted, and has no life beyond the restaurant.
With the DelDine group taking over many restaurants in the region, Jake knows he should sell his as well to them and finally live the life he wanted. Maybe find someone to call his own. However, he is tied to the place with many invisible bonds. The restaurant is his everything but leaves him with nothing. Can Jake make a fresh start or will he surrender his life to the restaurant?
The story comes in Jack’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
After my friend recently read ‘Men’s Fiction’, I wanted to try one too. Imagine my surprise when I realized this would fit the tag, though it is marked General Fiction.
This is a character-driven story with a loose plot and an open ending. The story is divided into two parts – Jack’s indecision and what happens after he decides.
The narrative is mellow though it deals with quite a few heavy themes (parental death, PTSD, a wayward son, depression, dementia, loneliness, suicide, etc.). However, since we get the story from Jack’s POV, things are softened to a large extent. He is the kind of person who wants to say and do a lot but ends up saying almost nothing.
That means the reader has to really work to empathize with the characters. Though we know Jack’s internal thoughts, it doesn’t have the impact it should. While it would work well as a character study, it may not be a gripping story if you want more action. Of course, this is case-sensitive.
The initial pacing is slow but it picks up as we progress. The setting is also a character and the ‘snippets from the guidebook’ add to this. I like seeing the changes in Jack and his growing appreciation for the beauty around him as he learns to become active in his life.
The side characters are intriguing but I couldn’t entirely connect with any of them. I like Vivian for her no-nonsense attitude, and Nicole manages to make a mark. And oh, Lara is great too, in whatever little space she has. I wouldn’t have minded a little more detailing for others.
The restaurant, the responsibilities, the pressure from big chains and their exploiting tactics, etc., are very well presented and seamlessly woven into the plot without any excessiveness. No lectures or preaching. Just a situation and a possible solution that applies here.
I like the ending is hopeful and positive but open. It’s exactly how slice-of-life stories should conclude. Not everything is tied up neatly even if it can give me my favorite HEA. It would have been a little too neat here, so this works the best.
To summarize, The Same Bright Stars is a heartwarming read with realistic characters. It shows the various dilemmas they face in their lives and how their decisions can have long-lasting repercussions on them and others.
Thank you, NetGalley and Scribner, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheSameBrightStars
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A mellow read
The Schmidts have run the family restaurant for decades. The beachfront setting makes it a prime location for good business. Jake had been running the establishment since his father's demise. Now at 52, he is single, exhausted, and has no life beyond the restaurant.
With the DelDine group taking over many restaurants in the region, Jake knows he should sell his as well to them and finally live the life he wanted. Maybe find someone to call his own. However, he is tied to the place with many invisible bonds. The restaurant is his everything but leaves him with nothing. Can Jake make a fresh start or will he surrender his life to the restaurant?
The story comes in Jack’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
After my friend recently read ‘Men’s Fiction’, I wanted to try one too. Imagine my surprise when I realized this would fit the tag, though it is marked General Fiction.
This is a character-driven story with a loose plot and an open ending. The story is divided into two parts – Jack’s indecision and what happens after he decides.
The narrative is mellow though it deals with quite a few heavy themes (parental death, PTSD, a wayward son, depression, dementia, loneliness, suicide, etc.). However, since we get the story from Jack’s POV, things are softened to a large extent. He is the kind of person who wants to say and do a lot but ends up saying almost nothing.
That means the reader has to really work to empathize with the characters. Though we know Jack’s internal thoughts, it doesn’t have the impact it should. While it would work well as a character study, it may not be a gripping story if you want more action. Of course, this is case-sensitive.
The initial pacing is slow but it picks up as we progress. The setting is also a character and the ‘snippets from the guidebook’ add to this. I like seeing the changes in Jack and his growing appreciation for the beauty around him as he learns to become active in his life.
The side characters are intriguing but I couldn’t entirely connect with any of them. I like Vivian for her no-nonsense attitude, and Nicole manages to make a mark. And oh, Lara is great too, in whatever little space she has. I wouldn’t have minded a little more detailing for others.
The restaurant, the responsibilities, the pressure from big chains and their exploiting tactics, etc., are very well presented and seamlessly woven into the plot without any excessiveness. No lectures or preaching. Just a situation and a possible solution that applies here.
I like the ending is hopeful and positive but open. It’s exactly how slice-of-life stories should conclude. Not everything is tied up neatly even if it can give me my favorite HEA. It would have been a little too neat here, so this works the best.
To summarize, The Same Bright Stars is a heartwarming read with realistic characters. It shows the various dilemmas they face in their lives and how their decisions can have long-lasting repercussions on them and others.
Thank you, NetGalley and Scribner, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheSameBrightStars
July 2, 2024
The Same Bright Stars is the story of Jack Schmidt, who runs his family’s business solo. It’s not just a career. The family restaurant is his entire life, at the sacrifice of any time off, relationships, and possibly his happiness. Jack is beginning to get worn down from at all, just as an offer to buy him out is made by a large corporation called DelDine. Jack battles with all the different emotions and thought processes that comes along with a decision like that. He thinks not only of himself but his employees, as well as his community, so connected this beloved restaurant.
This is Ethan Joella’s first book where a singular main character is the focus, instead of a cast, and I loved that. I love a cast, but Jack is an absolutely phenomenal character. What a good guy. The supporting characters are all endearing as well. There are some surprises for Jack, and with the ending, even though in true Joella style, there is a quiet, even tone for much of the story as you get to know Jack and his restaurant life in Rehoboth Beach.
Overall, The Same Bright Stars is an absolute gem of a read. The two chairs on the cover symbolize so much, a universal message for all of us to heed. I could not have loved it more.
I received a gifted copy of the book.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
This is Ethan Joella’s first book where a singular main character is the focus, instead of a cast, and I loved that. I love a cast, but Jack is an absolutely phenomenal character. What a good guy. The supporting characters are all endearing as well. There are some surprises for Jack, and with the ending, even though in true Joella style, there is a quiet, even tone for much of the story as you get to know Jack and his restaurant life in Rehoboth Beach.
Overall, The Same Bright Stars is an absolute gem of a read. The two chairs on the cover symbolize so much, a universal message for all of us to heed. I could not have loved it more.
I received a gifted copy of the book.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
July 23, 2024
the setup…
Jack Schmidt is the third generation to run his family’s Rehoboth Beach (Delaware) boardwalk restaurant and it’s his life. He has a string of failed relationships to show for it and no significant one currently. He’s in his early 50s and is approached by the DelDine group to buy his property. They’re gradually acquiring other restaurants along the stretch of the boardwalk but Jack has rebuffed their offers until a series of life-changing events has him reconsidering it and the paths he’s chosen, or rather, not taken in his life.
the heart of the story…
There’s a quiet elegance to Jack’s life that slowly enveloped me as I learned more about him, his values and his history. He’s extremely loyal and his employees are devoted to him, as well as the sprinkle of close friends who stay attached to him. I loved how the story transitioned between the present and significant moments in his past. When his faith in those relationships are tested, Jack is forced to look inward and take his own measure differently.
the narration…
I enjoyed Coffey’s interpretation of Jack, coming across as unassuming as he was designed. His storytelling style fit him so naturally.
the bottom line…
If you’re looking for dramatics, this isn’t that story. It’s a well-crafted character study that had me looking inward along with Jack. I admired him while at the same time felt saddened that he’d reached a time in his life where he should be sharing it with someone and he was essentially alone without a plan. I loved the quietness of his journey, the thoughtful inquiries and perseverance. It’s what I’ve come to expect from Joella and he didn’t let me down. And, it’s a lovely homage to Rehoboth Beach.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Jack Schmidt is the third generation to run his family’s Rehoboth Beach (Delaware) boardwalk restaurant and it’s his life. He has a string of failed relationships to show for it and no significant one currently. He’s in his early 50s and is approached by the DelDine group to buy his property. They’re gradually acquiring other restaurants along the stretch of the boardwalk but Jack has rebuffed their offers until a series of life-changing events has him reconsidering it and the paths he’s chosen, or rather, not taken in his life.
the heart of the story…
There’s a quiet elegance to Jack’s life that slowly enveloped me as I learned more about him, his values and his history. He’s extremely loyal and his employees are devoted to him, as well as the sprinkle of close friends who stay attached to him. I loved how the story transitioned between the present and significant moments in his past. When his faith in those relationships are tested, Jack is forced to look inward and take his own measure differently.
the narration…
I enjoyed Coffey’s interpretation of Jack, coming across as unassuming as he was designed. His storytelling style fit him so naturally.
the bottom line…
If you’re looking for dramatics, this isn’t that story. It’s a well-crafted character study that had me looking inward along with Jack. I admired him while at the same time felt saddened that he’d reached a time in his life where he should be sharing it with someone and he was essentially alone without a plan. I loved the quietness of his journey, the thoughtful inquiries and perseverance. It’s what I’ve come to expect from Joella and he didn’t let me down. And, it’s a lovely homage to Rehoboth Beach.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
August 5, 2024
3.75 stars. I liked his A Quiet Place a bit more than this but it was still a good book. Three generations of Schmidt’s have owned a beachfront restaurant in Delaware. This story examines the owner now who is trying to decide if he wants to sell it or not. He reminisces about his past lives and life and is trying to see the future without the restaurant which has always been a part of his life.
May 20, 2025
This is my second Ethan Joella book and I liked it better than the first one I read. ( A Quiet Life ) Lately I’ve been reading historical fiction about Ancient Rome so it was a nice break to read two heartfelt books in a row.
I like that it was about a man ( Jack )in his 50’s experiencing a fork in the road of life. I liked the way Ethan Joella shares Jack’s thought process during the entirety of the book. It’s not paragraphs of philosophical thought but simple reasons as to why he made certain choices in life.
Jack goes through a lot of grief and hardship and his life parallels another character in the book who also experiences grief and hardship but they come out with different results. In a way, this book imagines what a difference it makes to have a loving support system surround you. Warm feelings all around.
TW: suicide, cancer, death, drug use.
I like that it was about a man ( Jack )in his 50’s experiencing a fork in the road of life. I liked the way Ethan Joella shares Jack’s thought process during the entirety of the book. It’s not paragraphs of philosophical thought but simple reasons as to why he made certain choices in life.
Jack goes through a lot of grief and hardship and his life parallels another character in the book who also experiences grief and hardship but they come out with different results. In a way, this book imagines what a difference it makes to have a loving support system surround you. Warm feelings all around.
TW: suicide, cancer, death, drug use.
April 11, 2024
I loved Ethan's book A Quiet Life which was also a 5⭐ read for me. I was excited when I received this in the mail and was able to get to it well before pub day. This was a fantastic book about Jack, who has lost his father and must now decide what to do with the restaurant that has been in his family for generations. A restaurant company is offering to take the restaurant off Jack's hands and offer him a nice deal. He's just torn on what would be best for him and the future of the restaurant. Q
The characters were well developed and felt so real that you can really root for them. The small town setting of Rehoboth Beach DE was excellent. It's about real family and found family, grief, love, and new beginnings. I really enjoyed this heartfelt book. It's a great read for summer and I highly recommend you adding this to your list.
Out July 2.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
The characters were well developed and felt so real that you can really root for them. The small town setting of Rehoboth Beach DE was excellent. It's about real family and found family, grief, love, and new beginnings. I really enjoyed this heartfelt book. It's a great read for summer and I highly recommend you adding this to your list.
Out July 2.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
August 23, 2024
The Same Bright Stars is a heartfelt tribute to a special place and the very ordinary people who make it extraordinary.
Jack Schmidt is the third-generation owner of Schmidt’s Restaurant, one of the last family-owned restaurants in the Rehoboth Beach, DE. With no living relatives of his own, Jack craves companionship and treats his employees as his chosen family. But at 52, Jack is tired of putting the needs of the daily restaurant operations above his own and is beginning to consider an offer to sell his restaurant to the widely loathed DelDine chain (a decision which Jack, who is loyal to a fault, is not taking lightly).
However, when shocking news from Jack’s past is revealed, he reexamines his priorities and finds family - even companionship - in the most unexpected places.
There is something magical about the ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. It’s the desire to live life in the present, to be more engaged with the people you treasure. It’s the realization that practicing gratitude, even when life has dealt you a crappy hand (and perhaps especially when this is the case), can empower you to steer life in the best possible direction.
Ethan Joella delivers a poignant, character-driven story about making true happiness a priority against the backdrop of one of my family’s happy places, Rehoboth Beach. It is a touching reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and it’s pretty much the perfect bookend (pun very much intended) to summer. At under 300 pages, this quickly became a page-turner with twists I never anticipated.
CW: suicide, death of parent, drug abuse, domestic violence, abortion
Jack Schmidt is the third-generation owner of Schmidt’s Restaurant, one of the last family-owned restaurants in the Rehoboth Beach, DE. With no living relatives of his own, Jack craves companionship and treats his employees as his chosen family. But at 52, Jack is tired of putting the needs of the daily restaurant operations above his own and is beginning to consider an offer to sell his restaurant to the widely loathed DelDine chain (a decision which Jack, who is loyal to a fault, is not taking lightly).
However, when shocking news from Jack’s past is revealed, he reexamines his priorities and finds family - even companionship - in the most unexpected places.
There is something magical about the ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. It’s the desire to live life in the present, to be more engaged with the people you treasure. It’s the realization that practicing gratitude, even when life has dealt you a crappy hand (and perhaps especially when this is the case), can empower you to steer life in the best possible direction.
Ethan Joella delivers a poignant, character-driven story about making true happiness a priority against the backdrop of one of my family’s happy places, Rehoboth Beach. It is a touching reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and it’s pretty much the perfect bookend (pun very much intended) to summer. At under 300 pages, this quickly became a page-turner with twists I never anticipated.
CW: suicide, death of parent, drug abuse, domestic violence, abortion
October 28, 2024
Readers will be in the present and in the past as they navigate this story and come to get to know the characters. Our main protagonist is Jack Schmidt, a fifty-something long-time family restaurant owner in the Delaware resort town of Rehoboth. Currently, he is being courted by a conglomerate business that wants to buy his restaurant. Will this give Jack the freedom he needs?
In the meantime, Jack is learning about secrets from the past, that now have some influence on his present, along with the many characters who influence and make a difference to him.
One of the characters actually feels like the town of Rehoboth. As we read, we can’t help but experience the history, shops, beachfront and neighborhoods that bring life to the story.
“You enter Rehoboth Beach over a drawbridge and instantly feel as if you have been transported.”
And then there is Jack. Jack is a wonderful, relatable character. So much of what he experiences, and the characters he interacts with feel like people we might know personally. There is a sense of need for survival and joy in thriving that emanates from the pages.
In the meantime, Jack is learning about secrets from the past, that now have some influence on his present, along with the many characters who influence and make a difference to him.
One of the characters actually feels like the town of Rehoboth. As we read, we can’t help but experience the history, shops, beachfront and neighborhoods that bring life to the story.
“You enter Rehoboth Beach over a drawbridge and instantly feel as if you have been transported.”
And then there is Jack. Jack is a wonderful, relatable character. So much of what he experiences, and the characters he interacts with feel like people we might know personally. There is a sense of need for survival and joy in thriving that emanates from the pages.
July 25, 2024
I love this author. I forget exactly how I happened upon him, but after the first book I quickly requested the second one from my library. I'm not great with contemporary authors these days, but his books just satisfied something in my soul, so when his third one was published I signed up early at the library for a copy.
Jack owns a popular family restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and the big conglomerates are after him to sell. Of course he works 24/7, his feet hurt, he has no down time for a personal life, it's a great offer, so it's tempting, but what about his employees? Throw in a couple of past loves who make a reappearance in different ways, principles, friendships, family memories, and voila! you have a story.
I kept having the sense that Joella reminded me of another author and I finally hit on it today. His writing is very similar to Anne Tyler, with characters who are likeable, even lovable, but a bit off the wall. They get themselves into difficulties as we all do, but the right thing is always what they choose.
As with Anne Tyler, his books are all different, not part of a series. Give him a try for a novel that is a pleasure to read.
Jack owns a popular family restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and the big conglomerates are after him to sell. Of course he works 24/7, his feet hurt, he has no down time for a personal life, it's a great offer, so it's tempting, but what about his employees? Throw in a couple of past loves who make a reappearance in different ways, principles, friendships, family memories, and voila! you have a story.
I kept having the sense that Joella reminded me of another author and I finally hit on it today. His writing is very similar to Anne Tyler, with characters who are likeable, even lovable, but a bit off the wall. They get themselves into difficulties as we all do, but the right thing is always what they choose.
As with Anne Tyler, his books are all different, not part of a series. Give him a try for a novel that is a pleasure to read.
July 2, 2024
I’m late to be joining the Ethan Joella bandwagon/fan club, but here I am. The Same Bright Stars is my first book by Joella but it certainly will not be my last.
It was refreshing to read a book which centered on a man in his early 50s, unmarried and childless. I can’t say that I can think of another one like it, although I’m sure they’re out there. Jack Schmidt is the third generation owner of a popular restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a quintessential beach town, with its seasonal way of life. The town is almost a character itself and, while I’ve never been there, Joella’s descriptions made it seem very familiar. (I do know a number of New Jersey beach towns, so maybe that also helped.)
Jack is being wooed by a restaurant conglomerate who wants to buy him out. He’s tired. He lives and breathes his restaurant. I loved the insights into running a place like Schmidt’s, with its long-running staff that feels like family, and how the off-season business is managed. The descriptions of their preparation for Thanksgiving Day was enough to make ME tired!
This is a character-driven book, a bit slow for me to start, but it really picked up about midway, and I wound up loving it and its characters. Don’t be fooled by the lovely idyllic cover, which features two beach chairs (significant to the story). This is not a light “beach read.” There are quite a few serious topics covered along the way, including the loss of family businesses, dementia (this one in particular hit home for me), drug abuse, depression and suicide, loneliness, and early parental death.
Another reader has labeled this as “men’s fiction”, which made me smile. Man, woman, whoever: pick up this book and you won’t be sorry. You’ll also want to visit Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
It was refreshing to read a book which centered on a man in his early 50s, unmarried and childless. I can’t say that I can think of another one like it, although I’m sure they’re out there. Jack Schmidt is the third generation owner of a popular restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a quintessential beach town, with its seasonal way of life. The town is almost a character itself and, while I’ve never been there, Joella’s descriptions made it seem very familiar. (I do know a number of New Jersey beach towns, so maybe that also helped.)
Jack is being wooed by a restaurant conglomerate who wants to buy him out. He’s tired. He lives and breathes his restaurant. I loved the insights into running a place like Schmidt’s, with its long-running staff that feels like family, and how the off-season business is managed. The descriptions of their preparation for Thanksgiving Day was enough to make ME tired!
This is a character-driven book, a bit slow for me to start, but it really picked up about midway, and I wound up loving it and its characters. Don’t be fooled by the lovely idyllic cover, which features two beach chairs (significant to the story). This is not a light “beach read.” There are quite a few serious topics covered along the way, including the loss of family businesses, dementia (this one in particular hit home for me), drug abuse, depression and suicide, loneliness, and early parental death.
Another reader has labeled this as “men’s fiction”, which made me smile. Man, woman, whoever: pick up this book and you won’t be sorry. You’ll also want to visit Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 21, 2024
This book is absolute, total perfection. It’s hard to put into words what a beautiful and talented author Ethan Joella is, but let me just say that every page felt like home. This is a lovely, comforting, encouraging little gem of a novel.
May 11, 2024
This is a story of family, of a life well lived, a simple life, but also a life surrounded by others who, as time passes, become a kind of family, if not by blood, as well. And, as with most lives, sprinkled here and there with grief. Grief over the loss of a life, as well as the loss of a love, and betrayal. And, thankfully, forgiveness.
Set in Delaware, in the town of Rehoboth Beach, Jack Schmidt inherited his family’s restaurant, and as this story begins, Thanksgiving is approaching. There’s so much to do as the holiday approaches, but this year seems to be harder than the years before, not so much the work, his heart just isn’t in it this year. He’s been approached to sell the restaurant, which begins to feel more like pestered, the memories of spending all these years here surrounded by the people he knew as a child, and those that he has met in the years that followed. He wonders what life would be like without this restaurant, without them. What would he do with his time, what would he do with the rest of his life?
Once upon a time there was a girl in his life that he loved, but she disappeared from his life. He never knew why, until one day, as he’s wrestling his conscience over what to do about the restaurant, a friend of theirs shares the story of this girl that he’d loved, and it changes how he sees everything.
A sweet story, with some darker moments, but mostly sprinkled with charm, compassion, love and memories.
Pub Date: 02 Jul 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Scribner
June 20, 2024
I seem to be in the minority with this book, as all I’m seeing are high ratings, but unfortunately there was barely anything I liked about this one, and I’m struggling to understand how hardly anyone else feels the same.
First off, when I picked this book up I was expecting something beachy, light, meaningful, and maybe heartwarming. The cover and the synopsis both led me to thinking that’s what this book would be. But I was very mistaken. This book was so depressing. Barely anything good happened. And pretty much every character was dealing with heavy, hard stuff, and with practically no light at the end of the tunnel.
I can handle a depressing book if I feel invested, if the story is compelling, if it has some poignant moments, but this story was lacking all of that. It never really grabbed my attention in any way. And the characters were not that great either (I really didn’t like the main character at all).
Also, the first half of the book takes place at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it doesn’t even feel summery and beachy. It felt like a very confusing choice, honestly. The cover, while beautiful, is misleading.
But like I said, lots of people are loving it, so you might too. Definitely get your expectations in the right place though. This isn’t as light and beachy as the cover and synopsis implies.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner Books for the eARC of this book
First off, when I picked this book up I was expecting something beachy, light, meaningful, and maybe heartwarming. The cover and the synopsis both led me to thinking that’s what this book would be. But I was very mistaken. This book was so depressing. Barely anything good happened. And pretty much every character was dealing with heavy, hard stuff, and with practically no light at the end of the tunnel.
I can handle a depressing book if I feel invested, if the story is compelling, if it has some poignant moments, but this story was lacking all of that. It never really grabbed my attention in any way. And the characters were not that great either (I really didn’t like the main character at all).
Also, the first half of the book takes place at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it doesn’t even feel summery and beachy. It felt like a very confusing choice, honestly. The cover, while beautiful, is misleading.
But like I said, lots of people are loving it, so you might too. Definitely get your expectations in the right place though. This isn’t as light and beachy as the cover and synopsis implies.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner Books for the eARC of this book
July 6, 2024
Ethan Joella has written another lovely novel. The beach town setting is as charming as it gets, but the sun doesn’t always shine for restaurant owner Jack Schmidt. Jack is married to his work, and when a big chain offers to buy his family restaurant, he must finally face his suppressed grief and find the courage to live a full life outside the restaurant. It takes a village to help Jack heal, to allow him to open up to the romance, and to recognize the beauty and strength of his found family. You’ll want to take this uplifting, character-driven novel along on your next vacay.
August 22, 2024
The town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is the setting of Jack Schmidt's restaurant which has been in his family for three generations. Jack is in his early 50s and is unmarried and childless. The employees of the restaurant have been his true family. His former girlfriend Kitty couldn't compete with his devotion to the business. But with an ill mother, Kitty has returned to town. While stirring up old feelings in Jack, she reveals a shocking secret which causes him to take stock in his life. At the same time, the restaurant group DelDine, which has been gobbling up mom-and-pop eateries in the area, has set its sights on Schmidts. Is it time for Jack to make some life changes?
In The Same Bright Stars, author Ethan Joella skillfully presents a kind, weary, and solitary man facing a pivotal moment in his life. Filled with a rich cast of characters, this quiet story is about someone coming to grips with his life. Jack observes his best friend Deacon enjoying his marriage and parenthood. Nicole Pratt, DelDine's local representative, a no-filter, high-energy person, starts to shake things up for Jack. This is an emotional, gentle tale which resonates, especially for those navigating middle age and contemplating their life choices. Through beautiful prose, the essence of Rehoboth Beach, a quintessential coastal community, is well captured.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In The Same Bright Stars, author Ethan Joella skillfully presents a kind, weary, and solitary man facing a pivotal moment in his life. Filled with a rich cast of characters, this quiet story is about someone coming to grips with his life. Jack observes his best friend Deacon enjoying his marriage and parenthood. Nicole Pratt, DelDine's local representative, a no-filter, high-energy person, starts to shake things up for Jack. This is an emotional, gentle tale which resonates, especially for those navigating middle age and contemplating their life choices. Through beautiful prose, the essence of Rehoboth Beach, a quintessential coastal community, is well captured.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
May 26, 2025
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ..." - Mary Oliver
A perfect summer read! Covers three generations of restaurant owners in Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. This book is full of hope throughout the ups and downs of their lives. The magical element of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary is explored. Although it covers some triggering themes (none in graphic detail), it leaves you feeling good and hopeful in the goodness of people. Highly recommend.
A perfect summer read! Covers three generations of restaurant owners in Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. This book is full of hope throughout the ups and downs of their lives. The magical element of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary is explored. Although it covers some triggering themes (none in graphic detail), it leaves you feeling good and hopeful in the goodness of people. Highly recommend.
October 25, 2023
I recognized and rooted for all the wonderful small-town characters in this moving story about a man at a crossroads in his life. Ethan Joella skillfully explores how grief shapes us, and he captures those perfect moments of human connection we all crave.
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