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Quiet Life
Quiet Life | Ethan Joella
25 posts | 13 read | 12 to read
From the author of A Little Hope--a Read with Jenna Bonus Pick--comes another "heartwarming, character-driven" (Booklist) life-affirming novel about three individuals whose lives intersect in unforeseen ways. Set in a close-knit suburb in the grip of winter, A Quiet Life follows three people grappling with loss and finding a tender wisdom in their grief. Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat--that yearly taste of relaxation they'd become accustomed to after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat's death, Chuck finds that he can't let go of her belongings--her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer--as he struggles to pack for a trip he can't imagine taking without her. Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news--any piece of information--about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out. After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface--and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads. In this beautiful and profoundly moving novel, three parallel narratives converge in poignant and unexpected ways, as each character bravely presses onward, trying to recover something they have lost. Emotionally riveting and infused with hope, "the soothing tone and warm worldview of this grown-up bedtime story will be good for what ails you" (Kirkus Reviews).
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review
keys_on_fire
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

While the story centers around loss, I was drawn in by the characters and how they each were trying to find their new path. Not typically the type of book I would read this time of year, I appreciated the message and it made me thankful for what my own blessings are.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
#wintergames #wgwordsearch 1090 pts
TBR read 15 pts, winter read 25 pts
Total: 1131 pts

37 likes2 comments
review
paisleyjess
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
Pickpick

Warning, this book is heavy. Every character is dealing with the loss of a loved one. I didn't know that when I started reading it and several scenes brought up my own recent loss. It does have happy moments and everyone finds what they need in the end.

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BookNAround
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

An introspective, character driven novel about three people experiencing very different, very hard things and the community that forms slowly as they grapple with grief, guilt, and their uncertain futures. Fairly predictable, I‘d give this a low pick. Full review at http://booknaround.blogspot.com/2023/07/review-quiet-life-by-ethan-joella.html?m...

kspenmoll Thank you so much for your lovely card; it made my day! 1y
55 likes2 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Eggs 💙🖤❤️ 2y
56 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Upon discovering my #Sundaybuddyread group is to read The Most Likely Club this coming year, I decided to wait until then, and instead read the library book A Quiet Life.#weeklyforecast

BookBosomed1 I loved A Quiet Life. The cover is so beautiful. 2y
45 likes1 comment
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VanessaCW
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
Pickpick

This is a lovely, emotional story about loss, grief and coping mechanisms. Three separate people have lost someone close to them and their lives connect through their heartache and pain. It‘s a heartwarming, moving and thoughtful story with some well drawn characters. Although it is a book about the sorrow and sadness of losing someone special, it is also about hope. I loved it! Highly recommended. #Pigeonhole

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VanessaCW
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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RebelReader
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

This man sure can write! This was my #bookspin for February. I originally incorrectly put it down as his first book A Little Hope which I had already read. (Which is wonderful too!). He will definitely be a “must read” for me going forward. 5⭐️‘s

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KJewell
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book! I loved all of the characters! This book will stick with me for a long time. Highly recommend

NikkiRobson73 Pretty cover ! 2y
1 like1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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I finished this one last night and I just wanted to hug all of the characters! Have you ever felt that way about a book?! Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten are all dealing with loss and grief 💔 Their lives intersect in unforeseen ways and in the end they are all hopeful for the future. I loved Sal, Cocoa, and Frederick too! Don‘t miss this powerful, heartwarming novel with all the feels 🤗❤️

#LitsyLove
#LitsyLoveReads

Megabooks I felt that way about this. I‘m glad you enjoyed your book! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Megabooks I have that one! Love her books! 2y
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Now this one is breaking my heart 😢💔

73 likes1 stack add
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MysticFaerie
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

4⭐️/5⭐️

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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What are you reading today? 💗📚 🌹

#Sharreadathon

IndoorDame The Custom of the Country 2y
See All 13 Comments
RebelDevlin420 Seer from Ruthless Kings MC NOLA Chapter by K.L. Savage 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Zuhkeeyah what are your thoughts? I‘m struggling with it lol 2y
Zuhkeeyah @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks same. I‘m hoping it picks up a little bit. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Zuhkeeyah me too… I really want to finish it 😫 2y
Zuhkeeyah @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I just got to part 3…why is this book so long?! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Zuhkeeyah there‘s too much detail on nothing!! I feel horrible about his mother and how he never get to grieve… BUT I‘m over his frostbite and whining… I‘m finally at the part where he Met Meghan. I‘m determined to finish it. What page are you on? 2y
Zuhkeeyah @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I finished it. Haven‘t decided how I feel about the book yet. That last part was a lot. How far are you? 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I finished last night and I really hate I wasted the time and money on it. I feel bad for him regarding his mother and I also think the paparazzi are a huge problem, but when you‘re a member of the royal family you have to deal with it. I don‘t blame any of his past girlfriends for not wanting to be a part of that life. I wouldn‘t want to be !! Meghan knew going in how the paps were because of her own job. What do you think? 2y
56 likes13 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Trying to get a few pages in… it‘s been a long day!!

#Sharreadathon
#LitsyLove

❤️📚 🕯️

review
Gissy
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

Read at the beginning of January. I liked this type of stories where characters review their lives and try to amend, or find answer to those inner questions to be in peace with themselves. This story is something like that. I found Kirsten a little bit selfish, convenient at the beginning but then you can understand her. All these characters are dealing with different types of grief. Their stories will be connected. So pretty 4/4.5⭐️

Gissy #BookSpinBingo (#16) @TheAromaOfBooks
#ISpyBingo January2023 (Well I will say that from that window I can see fog? mist? 😜
@TheAromaOfBooks @clwojick
2y
Gissy #BookSpinBingo (#16) @TheAromaOfBooks
#ISpyBingo January2023 (Well I will say that from that window I can see fog? mist? 😜
@TheAromaOfBooks @clwojick
2y
Clwojick Great Job! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
49 likes4 comments
blurb
BookNAround
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Today‘s couch read with Gatsby.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m also reading this one ❤️ 2y
ShelleyBooksie How's Gatsby today? 2y
BookNAround @ShelleyBooksie She‘s about the same. I‘m not sure if that‘s promising or worrisome. She should be seeing the vet again this week but her techs haven‘t called to schedule the appointment yet. 🤞🏻 2y
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ShelleyBooksie I'm sending her lots of get well vibes!! 2y
BookNAround @ShelleyBooksie Thanks! I really appreciate that. (edited) 2y
Leftcoastzen Oh I hope she gets better! Hugs to both of you! 2y
BookNAround @Leftcoastzen Thank you so much! 2y
TheBookHippie @BookNAround Awe! Sending love. ♥️ 2y
74 likes9 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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I had to take a break from Harry and his unfortunate incident with frostbite 🥶 carrying on with A Quiet Life… it is heartbreaking 💔

#Sharreadathon

RedxoHearts I haven't read the book but I swear everywhere I see them talking about the book they mention the frostbite incident. Hope he learns to bundle up better next time 😆 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @RedxoHearts me too!! Ughhhh I guess it‘s still working though 😂😂 2y
PageShifter Both are unfamiliar to me, I hope you'll enjoy 💞 2y
73 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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66 likes1 stack add
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Trying to sneak some pages in this morning… this one is good, but really sad so far… I hope these characters find some happiness by the end 💔

#Sharreadathon

My beautiful bookmark from my daughter 🦄
💔

PageShifter I LOVE THE BOOKMARK! 😱💜💞 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @PageShifter thank you!! I‘ve always loved unicorns 🦄 💜 2y
75 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Enjoying some front porch reading this morning! It‘s 72 degrees today and a great day to be outside ❤️

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday 📚💛

Bklover You too! Only 50 degrees here but the sun is shining for the first time in AGES! Have fun!❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Bklover hello sun 🌞 so nice to see you!! 2y
TheSpineView 65 here day. Unfortunately it rained most of the day so I didn't get to ride. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheSpineView we are supposed to be getting the rain soon! 2y
71 likes4 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Starting this one tonight! Wanted something to alternate with Spare…

What are you reading tonight? 📚📚

SheReadsAndWrites I too am alternating with The Spare. (edited) 2y
Reagan I was moving back and forth between Five Little Indians and Every Vow You Break 2y
AmandaBlaze You Are Invited, a ghost story. 2y
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Kangaj1 I finished The Gilded Years and The End of October, and I started The Brothers Karamazov and Sorrowland. 2y
Kangaj1 I loved this one! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @SheReadsAndWrites I had to find something to read with Spare 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kangaj1 awesome!! ❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @CSeydel 📚❤️🙌🏻 2y
dabbe And there's Penelope from Criminal Minds! Love that show, too! 😊 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @dabbe one of my favorites!!! 2y
Reagan @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks so far I‘m enjoying it, thought the first few chapters were pretty interesting. 2y
80 likes15 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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I finally opened my #BOTM!! I love the notepad! Anyone read these?! 📚❤️

RaeLovesToRead That notebook is fab 2y
Aims42 I have that notepad too! I love using it for work stuff, always makes me chuckle lol 2y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Aims42 I love it! 😂 2y
Magpiegem That notepad is brilliant 😂 2y
Kangaj1 I got the notepad too! A Quiet Life is incredible... 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kangaj1 awesome! I may read it next! 2y
allureofbeauty The notebook is cute I didn‘t get it. 2y
85 likes9 comments
review
BookBosomed1
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This book is about the power of connection when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. It‘s about the impermanence of life and the possibility of hope. It is a book about living with grief. Told from multiple POV, the story takes 3 different narratives and interweaves them in ways that feel possible. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5127264618

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theokiereader
A Quiet Life: A Novel | Ethan Joella
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Pickpick

Full Review: https://southernersreadtoo.com/2022/10/08/a-life-after-loss/

This was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.

Like A Simple Hope, Joellla beautifully describes the love, sweetness, longing, and deep ache of grief. Be prepared to feel tears prickle your eyes as you follow this beautiful novel.