A Quiet Life

Three seemingly unrelated stories that slowly come together to form the whole. Chuck and Ella were heartbreaking and heartwarming strands which made me invested in their tales from the very start. Kirsten I was less convinced by and found it harder to understand and empathise with her. However the book is great and told with lots of small details that really shouldn’t matter but somehow are all so necessary. .

A Quiet Life was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I loved it. It broke my heart and made me cry numerous times which was exactly what I'd hoped for.

This is the story of three people who have all suffered a great loss over the past few months and are filled with grief. Chuck is grieving the loss of his wife, Kristin is grieving the loss of her Dad and Ella hasn’t seen her little daughter in several months. They don't know each other, but as the story progresses their paths will cross and they will slowly find a way forward.

This moving story is perfect for you if you want to feel all the feelings. The story is quiet slow which might not be for everyone but…you can‘t rush grief, right? Ethan Joella is such a talented writer and he knows exactly how to bring realistic characters to life, characters that the reader can really connect with. There are parts in the book that aren’t easy to read but despite these parts and the overwhelming representation of grief and loneliness Joella manages to leave the reader with hope.
It‘s a quiet book about quiet lives that you won’t soon forget.

I received a free copy of, A Quiet Life, by Ethan Joella, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ella is looking for her missing child, Kirsten just lost her father, and Chuck is missing his wife, Cat. So much grief and sadness in this book, honestly it was a bit depressing, but it was a good emotional roller coaster ride. I enjoyed more then i thought i would.

A Quiet Life was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I loved it. It broke my heart and made me cry numerous times which was exactly what I'd hoped for.

This is the story of three people who have all suffered a great loss over the past few months and are filled with grief. Chuck is grieving the loss of his wife, Kristin is grieving the loss of her Dad and Ella hasn’t seen her little daughter in several months. They don't know each other, but as the story progresses their paths will cross and they will slowly find a way forward.

This moving story is perfect for you if you want to feel all the feelings. The story is quiet slow which might not be for everyone but…you can‘t rush grief, right? Ethan Joella is such a talented writer and he knows exactly how to bring realistic characters to life, characters that the reader can really connect with. There are parts in the book that aren’t easy to read but despite these parts and the overwhelming representation of grief and loneliness Joella manages to leave the reader with hope.
It‘s a quiet book about quiet lives that you won’t soon forget.

Touching story of love and loss. A wife, a father, a child. Joel’s characters’ paths cross in this heartbreaking story.

This book follows the story of three people who recently lost a loved one. We have Chuck who lost the love of his life, Kirsten whose father was murdered and Ella who is looking for her daughter.
I think I was the fastest invested in Kirsten's storyline but I very much enjoyed all POV's. I found all characters very likeable and even though the story sounds pretty heavy it didn't feel that way while reading. It left me feeling all warm inside, ending the book with a smile.
I loved that the main characters' paths cross at some point in the story and I also very much enjoyed the slight romantic aspect of the book.
I'm very glad I read this book and I feel like it's one I will go back to at some point. I even think it is a book which could help people who recently lost a loved one, to find beauty and a little happiness in life again, since the story is very beautifully told. I'm sure this won't be my last read by the author!

Thank you to Ethan Joella, Muswell Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Quiet Life is set in a small close knit American town gripped by winter. A tragic personal loss has left each of the three protagonists experiencing overwhelming grief. Joella uses ‘quiet’ here to describe typical daily life. When their blissful domesticity is interrupted by tragedy and chaos their once enjoyable lives are disrupted. Can these fractures heal so that our three characters are able to press forward with life?

Joellas characters are very real and well defined, with uniquely challenging lives that cross over in unforeseen ways and gently intertwine. I totally related to them. He focuses on their personal journey as they navigate their new realities. A poignant tale of love and loss, it moved me to tears. All three protagonists have strong backstories that are believable and likewise their link to each other. Could such an ordinary tale hold a reader’s attention? I believe it can, as it did with me. Joella digs deep into the struggles of these ordinary people and took me to the very depths of their anguish despair, and regrets. His characters are rich in complexity and layered - stuck in the past, detached from the present and wary about the future. There are so many emotions that erupt as the pages turn. I could not help but root for the three to find happiness again.

Each of the protagonists belonged to a distinct age group, and had emotions distinct to them. Joella exploited this fact to add further depth and complexity to his novel. I loved their musings as they each strive to find tender wisdom through their grief. At times the novel felt a tad too heavy with all the grief but it was swiftly balanced with their humour and kindness. It is a credit to Joella that the novel did not dissolve into a mind numbing tear jerker. He has thoughtfully captured poignant, intense moments with an observant eye and poetic sensitivity. I was left feeling strangely comforted with a sense of recognition.

Joella does not use lofty prose to prop his novel. His writing style is as simple as it comes. He lets this character driven tale to drive the narrative and boy! does it deliver. But that in essence is what makes ‘A Quiet Life’ so special and worth reading. This might well be Joellas signature style as I believe he has done the same in A Little Hope, though unfortunately I have missed his debut novel. Another one joins my TBR list.

I’ve finished reading ‘A Quiet Life’ and there are numerous emotions chasing through my mind. This well-crafted novel had so many textures and was richly layered, heart-warming and tender. I feel subdued yet elated, moved and touched by the lives of the folks Joella has skilfully revealed in his novel. I’m encouraged and inspired to be reminded yet again that we all need each other whether in a bar or a gas station, in our daily walk friendships can be made and yes even love can be found. There can be good in humanity despite loss and grief. There’s no doubt that Joella has evoked in me a profound sense of connection, the feeling that we are all winners for having lived in our own small way. A beautiful redemptive message. I can see myself reading this book yet again. Those who don’t will lose out.