An old-fashioned slow moving novel which I enjoyed. ( )

Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner, and the author for the ARC of this book.

I’ve read other Ethan Joella books, and they were significantly more engrossing than this one. Although easy to read, I had a very hard time getting into this story and investing in the characters. This could be because the characters were not particularly relatable to me as a 30 something year-old single woman living in the suburbs, however, I typically can find something to relate to most characters about.

This was a huge slow burn, and I felt like not much happened throughout the story. This was a significantly more character driven book, which may be why I struggled with it so much. I am definitely a plot driven reader. I will keep reading Joella’s books as I loved A Quiet Life. I felt like this book was fine, but not one I would jump to recommend.

As for my ratings :
Excitement level: 2
Ease of reading level: 5
Overall rating : 3 ( )

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25/5)

The setting is the beautiful town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Schmidt’s is a family owned restaurant operated by 52 year old Jack Schmidt. This restaurant is all Jack has known. Passed down from his grandparents, to his dad and then to him upon his father’s death. But, Jack is tired both physically and mentally. He is once again approached by the DelDine Corporation to buy his restaurant. Jack is sorely tempted to sell, he has no life outside the restaurant and he wants one before it’s too late.

I love to read books set in places I know and love. Plus, I’ve been reading glowing reviews of this book so I needed to jump in. Character driven books are always a tough start for me and this was no different. Once I was 40% in, I was totally vested! I loved each and ever character in this book. Joella brought the town and characters to life, revisiting connections from the past and bringing them current. But don’t think of this as ‘light’ beach read. It deals with some tough subjects. Don’t let this deter you. I look forward to reading this author again. ( )

Loved this moving story of a mid-life man at a major intersection of his life. With heart, hope and human connection, this is a book that I’ll be telling everyone to read.

Jack Schmidt has owned his family’s three-generation beachfront restaurant ever since his father died. His employees have become his family, and his life revolves around the restaurant. It’s all-consuming, but is he happy? When a large corporation offers to buy the restaurant, and he’s hit with a bombshell revelation from his past, Jack has to make decisions that will affect him, his employees, as well as Rehoboth Beach, the small beach town where the story takes place.

Author Ethan Joella “skillfully explores how grief shapes us as he captures those unexpected ways relationships comfort, devastate, and transform us.”

Looking forward to reading Ethan's other novels of warm-hearted hope and community. ( )

Nice character driven book with interesting people experiencing highs and lows with some interesting plot twists. ( )

Jack Schmidt is the 3rd generation owner of the family restaurant in Rehoboth. Jack has a family with employees, but has no real family of his own. He gets involved in their lives, but isn't satisfied. DelDine group has made him an offer to buy the restaurant, and Jack wonders if this is what he needs to finally find happiness. But then, he receives shocking news and his life changes.
I loved Jack and reading about his emotions and struggles. I loved all the snippets about Rehoboth. Wonderful book. I really enjoy Ethan Joella's writing. ( )

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. ( )

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

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

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

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

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

The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella is a very highly recommended feel-good literary domestic drama following Jack Schmidt and his family's beachfront restaurant, Schmidts, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This one hits all the right notes and tugs on every heart string.

Jack, 52, spends all his time, every day, running the family restaurant. Ever since he took over after the death of his father, the demands of Schmidts always come first, before relationships or leisure time. He is the third generation to run the restaurant. Now he has before him a generous offer from the DelDine group to buy Schmidts. The corporation has been buying up restaurants along the coast. The stress the holidays put any restaurant under makes Thanksgiving a natural time to seriously consider the DelDine offer. They claim they will continue to employ his staff and honor his family's legacy, but can he trust them? And is it too late for Jack to make a life for himself apart from the restaurant?

The Same Bright Stars shines as a character driven drama and character study focused around Jack. Jack's life, struggles, family, compassion, and loses are all perfectly portrayed. He is a wonderful, fully realized, sympathetic character, as are the supporting cast of characters. They all come to life. Jack also has regrets from his past and desires a relationship but feels like it's perhaps too late for him.

While following the present day drama, the narrative also includes excerpts from a guidebook describing Rehoboth Beach and chapters flashing back into events from the past. Joella does an exceptional job realistically describing restaurant work. (I respect mentioning Crocs. Seriously, Crocs for work are a huge thing and this is a wonderful, realistic addition to the story.) The people who work for Jack are like family and many have a long-time relationship with him.

The Same Bright Stars is such an incredible, eloquent story of legacy, family, loss, and love. Joella handles the well-written narrative with his deft touch showing compassion and empathy for his characters and their struggles. Once you start reading you will not be able to set this novel down and it will leave an emotional impact on you. Thanks to Scribner for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/06/the-same-bright-stars.html ( )

As long as we’re under the same stars, my dad used to say, there’s still a chance. from The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella

Jack Schmidt inherited the family beachside restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. His grandfather had built it, and after it burned down, it was rebuilt. His father took it over, and Jack literally grew up there, for after his mother’s tragic, early death he hung out there after school and worked there summers. Jack met his first love on the beach. The memory of the joy and the pain haunts him, as do the short years he had together with his beloved mother.

At fifty-two years old, Jack was married to the restaurant. His staff was his family. The long hours and responsibility are wearing him out. Someone has been stealing small amounts of money. It’s one more worry.

He has an offer to buy the restaurant. It would make him wealthy and give him time to enjoy life. But he feels a responsibility to his heritage and to his staff. The DelDine group buys family restaurants and strips them of the family atmosphere, turns them into upscale, trendy, efficiently run businesses.

Nicole is the DelDine representative working to close the deal. She appeared to be the enemy, but reveals a vulnerable side as she and Jack get to know each other better. She doesn’t change Jack–he changes her.

Jack’s long time girlfriend gave up on him and had moved away ears ago, but is back in town to care for her dying mother. The attraction is still there. But she reveals a stunning secret she had long kept from him. It turns Jack’s world around.

Deep psychological insight into the characters makes for a rich story. It starts slow, then builds up to scenes of great emotional intensity. It is a wonderfully satisfying story of a man adapting to change, to opening to new possibilities.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. ( )