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The Top of the World
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Expected 30 Jun 26A heartbreaking, life-affirming new novel by Ethan Joella—author of the Read with Jenna Bonus Pick A Little Hope—about a young woman searching for answers about her brother’s last days.
June 1975. Maggie Bishop has just graduated high school, the future hers to embrace—but she’s still reeling from the death of her older brother, Chip. A devastating diagnosis the summer before prompted Chip to leave home for a few months, never revealing where he went. Maggie’s search for clues leads her to The Red Maple Inn, a mountaintop resort in the Poconos.
At the Red Maple, Maggie is welcomed into a tight-knit community. As she unravels secrets about her brother’s final days, she begins to connect with the people he loved, and whose lives he touched. Through the warmth of strangers, Maggie begins to heal and is able to help others cope with loss.
Set in a nostalgic resort town over two transformative summers, this dual-narrative novel explores sibling relationships, coming of age, and the quiet power of human connection. Perfect for fans of emotional storytelling and small-town summer books, The Top of the World is a timeless story about memory, grief, second chances, and hope.
June 1975. Maggie Bishop has just graduated high school, the future hers to embrace—but she’s still reeling from the death of her older brother, Chip. A devastating diagnosis the summer before prompted Chip to leave home for a few months, never revealing where he went. Maggie’s search for clues leads her to The Red Maple Inn, a mountaintop resort in the Poconos.
At the Red Maple, Maggie is welcomed into a tight-knit community. As she unravels secrets about her brother’s final days, she begins to connect with the people he loved, and whose lives he touched. Through the warmth of strangers, Maggie begins to heal and is able to help others cope with loss.
Set in a nostalgic resort town over two transformative summers, this dual-narrative novel explores sibling relationships, coming of age, and the quiet power of human connection. Perfect for fans of emotional storytelling and small-town summer books, The Top of the World is a timeless story about memory, grief, second chances, and hope.
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 30, 2026
7 people are currently reading
5989 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Joella
10 books827 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 6, 2026
✨My first read of 2026, and it took me five days to finish because I didn’t want it to end. That’s a rarity for me. I wanted to savor every page and linger just a little longer because it was that good. There’s something so tender and heartfelt about loving a book so much that you read it slowly just to keep it from ending.
✨The story unfolds over the course of two years in the mid-‘70s with alternating timelines and points of view. The storytelling is filled with family, friends, laugh out loud humor, heartbreaking loss and is written with such emotional depth that I was completely immersed in it. Every character is someone the reader can’t help but love, and the pacing is perfectly measured, building to a conclusion that is as hopeful as it is heartbreaking.
✨ Finding light and hope in the midst of despair is the story we all need in 2026, and Ethan Joella has told it with extraordinary heart and insight.
✨ There is a major cameo from A QUIET LIFE. So if you haven’t read that one, pick it up – before or after this book. Really, just read them both. Better yet, read all of Ethan Joella’s books. You can thank me later.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Found family
✨Poconos settings
✨70s nostalgia
✨Catcher in the Rye
✨The Velveteen Rabbit
✨Coming of age
✨Friendship stories
✨Family fiction
✨Smiling through tears
Available June 30. Don’t miss this one!
✨The story unfolds over the course of two years in the mid-‘70s with alternating timelines and points of view. The storytelling is filled with family, friends, laugh out loud humor, heartbreaking loss and is written with such emotional depth that I was completely immersed in it. Every character is someone the reader can’t help but love, and the pacing is perfectly measured, building to a conclusion that is as hopeful as it is heartbreaking.
✨ Finding light and hope in the midst of despair is the story we all need in 2026, and Ethan Joella has told it with extraordinary heart and insight.
✨ There is a major cameo from A QUIET LIFE. So if you haven’t read that one, pick it up – before or after this book. Really, just read them both. Better yet, read all of Ethan Joella’s books. You can thank me later.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Found family
✨Poconos settings
✨70s nostalgia
✨Catcher in the Rye
✨The Velveteen Rabbit
✨Coming of age
✨Friendship stories
✨Family fiction
✨Smiling through tears
Available June 30. Don’t miss this one!
January 8, 2026
This was my last book of 2025 and it did not disappoint. I enjoy Ethan Joella’s very simple but yet deeply meaningful stories. I loved the setting for this one. And as usual, Ethan delivered another beautiful story!
It’s a heartbreaking, life-affirming new novel about a young woman searching for answers about her brother’s last days.
Set in a nostalgic resort town over two transformative summers, this dual-narrative novel explores sibling relationships, coming of age, and the quiet power of human connection. Perfect for fans of emotional storytelling and small-town summer books, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 is a timeless story about memory, grief, second chances, and hope.
Thanks to @scribnerbooks and @joellawriting for my arc! I fell in love with Chip, just like everyone else in the story. As with all his stories, Ethan had me smiling, crying, savoring and just plain thinking about the meaning of life and the human spirit all throughout the pages. You won’t want to miss his latest book.
It’s a heartbreaking, life-affirming new novel about a young woman searching for answers about her brother’s last days.
Set in a nostalgic resort town over two transformative summers, this dual-narrative novel explores sibling relationships, coming of age, and the quiet power of human connection. Perfect for fans of emotional storytelling and small-town summer books, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 is a timeless story about memory, grief, second chances, and hope.
Thanks to @scribnerbooks and @joellawriting for my arc! I fell in love with Chip, just like everyone else in the story. As with all his stories, Ethan had me smiling, crying, savoring and just plain thinking about the meaning of life and the human spirit all throughout the pages. You won’t want to miss his latest book.
January 12, 2026
I've thoroughly enjoyed Ethan Joella's backlist titles and his upcoming release THE TOP OF THE WORLD is another win.
This is a beautifully quiet yet poignant story of love, loss and family that is balanced by joy and hope. Set in 1975 and told through dual POVs, the story centers on Maggie, who travels to a resort in the Poconos seeking answers about her brother’s final days. I felt connected to so many of the characters—not just Maggie and Chip, though their journey is at the heart of the novel
It is bittersweet and emotional and just made me feel good. It made me feel like I was wrapped up in tenderness. . I found myself tearing up at times, which happens every time I read one of his books.
This is a beautifully quiet yet poignant story of love, loss and family that is balanced by joy and hope. Set in 1975 and told through dual POVs, the story centers on Maggie, who travels to a resort in the Poconos seeking answers about her brother’s final days. I felt connected to so many of the characters—not just Maggie and Chip, though their journey is at the heart of the novel
It is bittersweet and emotional and just made me feel good. It made me feel like I was wrapped up in tenderness. . I found myself tearing up at times, which happens every time I read one of his books.
December 13, 2025
This is the kind of novel that I dream of: likable characters, a “mystery” of sorts (not really a mystery, but a slow roll out of “what the heck happened last summer”), extremely digestible (aka short, aka meaning I would pick up the book whenever I could) chapters, and so many emotions! I’ve read all of Joella’s works, and will continue to in the future, but I think this is my favorite to date. Thank you for Maggie & Chip’s stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2025
Another excellent novel by one of my favorite authors! It's well-written, emotional, yet also highly readable as well as unforgettable. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC.
January 15, 2026
Ethan Joella is back with another heart felt and moving story set in the Poconos. The Pennsylvania setting of my college years drew me right into this story. The references to the 1970s provided nostalgic memories of my childhood.
Maggie Bishop is searching for answers about her brother Chip’s last days. When her brother was diagnosed with a fatal disease the year before, he disappeared for a few months before he died. Now a year later Maggie is trying to come to terms with her loss and decides to find out where he went. When her search leads her to The Red Maple, a Pocono resort, Maggie begins to learn about his secrets and his relationships with the people the connected with while there.
The story alternates between Maggie’s and Chip’s points of view and gradually reveals their relationship as siblings. Part coming of age story and part family saga, the author handles the subject of grief with kindness, compassion and hope. I laughed and cried all while falling in love with the characters. A 5 star read I will highly recommend!
Maggie Bishop is searching for answers about her brother Chip’s last days. When her brother was diagnosed with a fatal disease the year before, he disappeared for a few months before he died. Now a year later Maggie is trying to come to terms with her loss and decides to find out where he went. When her search leads her to The Red Maple, a Pocono resort, Maggie begins to learn about his secrets and his relationships with the people the connected with while there.
The story alternates between Maggie’s and Chip’s points of view and gradually reveals their relationship as siblings. Part coming of age story and part family saga, the author handles the subject of grief with kindness, compassion and hope. I laughed and cried all while falling in love with the characters. A 5 star read I will highly recommend!
January 18, 2026
This is beautiful! I have been a fan of Joella’s writing since his first book, A Little Hope.
The author has the ability to write a heartfelt story about grief. He includes the good and bad parts and really pulls you into the story.
I loved the overlapping character from A Quiet Life, his second novel. I think this could be his best work so far!
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the early copy.
The author has the ability to write a heartfelt story about grief. He includes the good and bad parts and really pulls you into the story.
I loved the overlapping character from A Quiet Life, his second novel. I think this could be his best work so far!
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the early copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ethan Joella's "A Quiet Life" has long been one of my favorite novels, so I jumped at the chance to get an early read of his upcoming book. For fans of his work, "The Top of The World" stays true to Joella's subtle and thoughtful prose, building a cast of characters that readers can't help but come to love.
In summer of 1974, Chip Bishop has his whole life turned upside down. Posed to enter college as a star athlete, a life-changing diagnosis abruptly changes his life and he suddenly leaves home, reappearing home months later after spending time working at the Red Maple Inn in the Poconos. For his younger sister Maggie, those months are a pressing mystery and after his passing shortly after, she sets out for the Red Maple Inn for answers to her many questions as to how her brother spent some of the final months of his life. Determined to get a job at the inn as well, Maggie is quickly introduced to the community that came to know her brother - from the larger-than-life owner Rhonda Simmons, to the elusive bartender Elliot, the GM Paige, and many more. In the weeks that follow, Maggie soon comes to see the inn through the eyes of her brother and grows closer to each of the staff at Red Maple Inn, learning more about each person's past and struggles.
True to Joella's style, this novel is very much a character-driven work that focuses on unraveling the many layers of each individual that's introduced. The work alternates between Chip's perspective in the summer of 1974 and Maggie's in 1975, revealing chapter by chapter more about each of the protagonists and the supporting characters. There are some difficult and weighty topics that are introduced over the course of the story, focusing on the many forms of grief and loss as well as post-Vietnam War trauma, especially on the younger soldiers - but this is adeptly balanced by the moments of hope found in compassion and community. You truly come to root for each of the characters in this novel, and the final ending is inspiring and uplifting.
Very much a recommended read when "The Top of the World" is published in June 2025!
In summer of 1974, Chip Bishop has his whole life turned upside down. Posed to enter college as a star athlete, a life-changing diagnosis abruptly changes his life and he suddenly leaves home, reappearing home months later after spending time working at the Red Maple Inn in the Poconos. For his younger sister Maggie, those months are a pressing mystery and after his passing shortly after, she sets out for the Red Maple Inn for answers to her many questions as to how her brother spent some of the final months of his life. Determined to get a job at the inn as well, Maggie is quickly introduced to the community that came to know her brother - from the larger-than-life owner Rhonda Simmons, to the elusive bartender Elliot, the GM Paige, and many more. In the weeks that follow, Maggie soon comes to see the inn through the eyes of her brother and grows closer to each of the staff at Red Maple Inn, learning more about each person's past and struggles.
True to Joella's style, this novel is very much a character-driven work that focuses on unraveling the many layers of each individual that's introduced. The work alternates between Chip's perspective in the summer of 1974 and Maggie's in 1975, revealing chapter by chapter more about each of the protagonists and the supporting characters. There are some difficult and weighty topics that are introduced over the course of the story, focusing on the many forms of grief and loss as well as post-Vietnam War trauma, especially on the younger soldiers - but this is adeptly balanced by the moments of hope found in compassion and community. You truly come to root for each of the characters in this novel, and the final ending is inspiring and uplifting.
Very much a recommended read when "The Top of the World" is published in June 2025!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ok, this review is early, as this book doesn’t publish until five months from today, but it’s been a month since I read it and in the last week two instances reminded me of this book, which I’m taking as signs to share my thoughts. Sutton Foster covered The Carpenters song Top of the World when I saw her in concert last Saturday, and then, while reading the recent release See You At the Summit, a mountain in Whistler with a ski run called Top of the World is referenced. Ok, I’m finally sharing my love for The Top of the World! Thank you so much to Scribner and NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest opinions.
One of the reasons I read this book so early was because I had made plans to meet up with the author, as our holiday vacations in South Carolina happened to overlap for a day. Ethan is one of the kindest and most positive authors that I’ve interacted with, and it was so fun to meet in person last month. I love the lyrical way he writes about people and places, and I was particularly excited for this Poconos setting. Growing up in Northwest NJ, very close to the Poconos, I remember seeing ads and billboards for the cheesy resorts, and my high school’s Project Graduation was held at a slightly more modern resort in the Poconos. The Top of the World brought me to tears multiple times - I felt so deeply for the characters and their situations. I got teary-eyed when starting to discuss it with him - my mom was all too happy to tell him how I had been sobbing over my Kindle while reading his latest. I truly loved the characters and what they went through (and am tearing up even now thinking about them). I wish I could give each of them a big hug.
While The Top of the World doesn't publish until June, Ethan has three beautiful novels that I also loved - A Little Hope, A Quiet Life, and The Same Bright Stars. Please do yourself a favor and read these beautiful and moving stories - and perhaps join me in preordering this one.
One of the reasons I read this book so early was because I had made plans to meet up with the author, as our holiday vacations in South Carolina happened to overlap for a day. Ethan is one of the kindest and most positive authors that I’ve interacted with, and it was so fun to meet in person last month. I love the lyrical way he writes about people and places, and I was particularly excited for this Poconos setting. Growing up in Northwest NJ, very close to the Poconos, I remember seeing ads and billboards for the cheesy resorts, and my high school’s Project Graduation was held at a slightly more modern resort in the Poconos. The Top of the World brought me to tears multiple times - I felt so deeply for the characters and their situations. I got teary-eyed when starting to discuss it with him - my mom was all too happy to tell him how I had been sobbing over my Kindle while reading his latest. I truly loved the characters and what they went through (and am tearing up even now thinking about them). I wish I could give each of them a big hug.
While The Top of the World doesn't publish until June, Ethan has three beautiful novels that I also loved - A Little Hope, A Quiet Life, and The Same Bright Stars. Please do yourself a favor and read these beautiful and moving stories - and perhaps join me in preordering this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Report: The Top of the World by Ethan Joella
Set in the summer of 1975…The Top of the World follows Maggie as she stands on the edge of adulthood while quietly drowning in grief after the loss of her brother…Chip. Searching for answers about where he spent his final months…Maggie finds herself at the Red Maple Inn in the Poconos…a nostalgic…mountaintop retreat filled with strangers who slowly begin to feel like family. As secrets unfold and connections deepen…Maggie learns that healing doesn’t come from answers alone…but from the people willing to hold space for your pain🧡
The Poconos setting was such a fun place to visit. Retro…nostalgic and steeped in the kind of quiet magic I love. Between pop culture memories (yes, Jersey Shore Family Vacation where they stay in the Poconos 😂) and family stories of summers past…it felt like stepping into a living memory. And the story itself is classic Ethan Joella: tender…heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. His writing captures life in a way that makes me hesitate to face it but somehow feel stronger every time I return. There’s humor tucked into the hard moments…love woven through the loss and an overwhelming sense of gratitude that we get to experience stories like this 📖✨
Thank you @scribner for the ecopy!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Set in the summer of 1975…The Top of the World follows Maggie as she stands on the edge of adulthood while quietly drowning in grief after the loss of her brother…Chip. Searching for answers about where he spent his final months…Maggie finds herself at the Red Maple Inn in the Poconos…a nostalgic…mountaintop retreat filled with strangers who slowly begin to feel like family. As secrets unfold and connections deepen…Maggie learns that healing doesn’t come from answers alone…but from the people willing to hold space for your pain🧡
The Poconos setting was such a fun place to visit. Retro…nostalgic and steeped in the kind of quiet magic I love. Between pop culture memories (yes, Jersey Shore Family Vacation where they stay in the Poconos 😂) and family stories of summers past…it felt like stepping into a living memory. And the story itself is classic Ethan Joella: tender…heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. His writing captures life in a way that makes me hesitate to face it but somehow feel stronger every time I return. There’s humor tucked into the hard moments…love woven through the loss and an overwhelming sense of gratitude that we get to experience stories like this 📖✨
Thank you @scribner for the ecopy!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A dual timeline story of 1975, when Maggie is heading to a resort in the Poconos to work and discover what her brother did when he was there the previous summer prior to his untimely death from leukemia. Maggie is grieving the loss of her older brother and remembering him at his best. She wonders why he chose to leave in the midst of being a cancer patient and didn’t tell his family where he was. She soon learns they were like a camp family and mostly didn’t know he was sick.
The timeline jumps back and forth from 1975 Maggie to 1974 Chip, when he is living the last few months of his life and working at the resort.
I knew this would be a book about grief and moments of human connection, I knew it would be sad. This is purely devastating, it’s 50% grieving (Maggie) and 50% dying and dealing with dying (Chip). This is written with so much personal wisdom and raw emotion. It was so sad to think of Chip wanting to feel alive by hiding his treatment. There are also some lovely small town minor characters that rounded out the lovely setting.
Do I recommend it? Definitely, if you are in the mood for a good mournful cry.
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC. Book to be published June 29, 2026.
The timeline jumps back and forth from 1975 Maggie to 1974 Chip, when he is living the last few months of his life and working at the resort.
I knew this would be a book about grief and moments of human connection, I knew it would be sad. This is purely devastating, it’s 50% grieving (Maggie) and 50% dying and dealing with dying (Chip). This is written with so much personal wisdom and raw emotion. It was so sad to think of Chip wanting to feel alive by hiding his treatment. There are also some lovely small town minor characters that rounded out the lovely setting.
Do I recommend it? Definitely, if you are in the mood for a good mournful cry.
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC. Book to be published June 29, 2026.
December 8, 2025
“Top of the World follows Maggie Bishop, a recent high school graduate grieving the loss of her big brother, Chip. Unable to bear the gloomy atmosphere at home, she follows in his footsteps and gets a summer job at the Red Maple Inn, where he once worked. Readers will love this character-driven novel with a bit of cozy mystery in which a sister unravels the story of her brother’s final summer.”
This book tells the story of two siblings using a dual narrative style and is set in the Poconos over the course of two summers, 1974 and 1975, which are described with perfection. Joella explores their relationship as well as their developing connections and relationships with others. Their character-driven story is bittersweet but also a “feel-good” one in how they handle grief and loss.
There is a quote from Desmond Tutu, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness,” which conveys exactly how I feel when I read a book by Ethan Joella, and his latest, The Top of the World, continues that feeling with his emotional storytelling. He writes about characters who have faced difficult and sometimes life-changing situations, but there is always hope and light at the end of the story. Without a doubt, I can also state that this is my favorite book of his to date.
To make sure you're ready for its June release, put this book on your reading list right away. Have your best friend read, or your book club. You will want to discuss it with someone. And if you haven’t read anything by the author so far, I recommend that you start now.
Thank you to Scribner, Edelweiss, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and unsolicited opinion.
This book tells the story of two siblings using a dual narrative style and is set in the Poconos over the course of two summers, 1974 and 1975, which are described with perfection. Joella explores their relationship as well as their developing connections and relationships with others. Their character-driven story is bittersweet but also a “feel-good” one in how they handle grief and loss.
There is a quote from Desmond Tutu, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness,” which conveys exactly how I feel when I read a book by Ethan Joella, and his latest, The Top of the World, continues that feeling with his emotional storytelling. He writes about characters who have faced difficult and sometimes life-changing situations, but there is always hope and light at the end of the story. Without a doubt, I can also state that this is my favorite book of his to date.
To make sure you're ready for its June release, put this book on your reading list right away. Have your best friend read, or your book club. You will want to discuss it with someone. And if you haven’t read anything by the author so far, I recommend that you start now.
Thank you to Scribner, Edelweiss, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and unsolicited opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved this! As soon as I saw it was Ethan Joella’s latest novel I wanted to read it because I’ve really enjoyed all of his previous books.
Set in the Poconos during two summers in the 1970s, this novel is told from alternating points of view from two siblings. Chip, the older brother, is very sick with leukemia and wants one last perfect summer. Maggie, the younger sister, is determined to find out where Chip went and what he did when he left their family the summer before he died.
I felt like I was at The Red Maple, the beautiful Poconos resort where a lot of the story takes place. All the minor characters come to life in this coming-of-age novel about finding yourself, love, death, grief, strength, and the sibling bond. This book made me laugh and cry. All of Joella’s books have. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy. This is scheduled to be published June 30, 2026.
Set in the Poconos during two summers in the 1970s, this novel is told from alternating points of view from two siblings. Chip, the older brother, is very sick with leukemia and wants one last perfect summer. Maggie, the younger sister, is determined to find out where Chip went and what he did when he left their family the summer before he died.
I felt like I was at The Red Maple, the beautiful Poconos resort where a lot of the story takes place. All the minor characters come to life in this coming-of-age novel about finding yourself, love, death, grief, strength, and the sibling bond. This book made me laugh and cry. All of Joella’s books have. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy. This is scheduled to be published June 30, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ethan Joella is one of my must read authors and I was beyond excited to get his latest book as an advanced copy from NetGalley.
His other books have all had a similar vibe, although very different stories but his latest felt like it went in a completely different direction. It was set in the 70’s at a resort (it reminded me of the resort in Dirty Dancing so I really enjoyed that). It felt almost like historical fiction inn way. The MC are siblings who are just out of high school which was another difference from his previous novels.
This book was similar to his others in that it was a characters driven novel with different POV to give you a rounded perspective of the story. His writing is always so engaging and beautiful so if you have enjoyed his other books, you will like this one as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
His other books have all had a similar vibe, although very different stories but his latest felt like it went in a completely different direction. It was set in the 70’s at a resort (it reminded me of the resort in Dirty Dancing so I really enjoyed that). It felt almost like historical fiction inn way. The MC are siblings who are just out of high school which was another difference from his previous novels.
This book was similar to his others in that it was a characters driven novel with different POV to give you a rounded perspective of the story. His writing is always so engaging and beautiful so if you have enjoyed his other books, you will like this one as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 A lovely, quiet story with a dual timeline one summer apart. Maggie is desperate to find out how her brother Chip spent his last summer near the end of a terminal illness. As we skip back into Chip's timeline we learn all that occurred at The Red Maple Inn in the Poconos. This is a short and sweet look at love, loss, grief and redemption. Ethan Joella has become a favorite author and his deep understanding of empathy and humanity sets his books apart. I also very much enjoyed the mid 1970's timeframe, I felt like I had jumped back to my childhood home in an east coast forest in which we lived, the trails we frequented and summers exploring all over. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an advance e-copy. The Top of the World will be available on 6/30/26.
December 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book by one of my favorite authors. This comes out next June, a perfect time for this touching story set at a resort in the Poconos. The author is so skilled at painting a picture of the setting, I could so imagine this woodsy resort that gave Chip so many great moments. This dual POV story focuses on Maggie, who goes to the resort to get answers about her brother’s last days. I felt connected to many of the characters, not just Maggie and Chip though it is their story. It’s my favorite kind of story, trying to find hope thru the sadness and grief. A beautiful, touching character driven story that will stay with me. 4.5 stars ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a beautiful book with a beautiful setting. Maggie’s searches for answers on her late brother Chip and she meets some fascinating people. This book shows how we can reconnect with lost loved ones by learning more about them and connecting with the people they loved and spent time with. There were some refreshing takeaways and I really was smiling by end. A mix of family, friends, and coming of age this book is emotional in all the best ways! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am so glad I started 2026 with this book. I loved everything about it. I loved the characters and the way the story went back back-and-forth from two different time periods. I especially liked the relationship between Maggie and her brother, Chip- and how Hawk fit into the story. I think he was almost one of my favorite characters in the book. Make sure you have tissues handy when you read this. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be so glad that you read this book. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Good read. I like his writing but this story lacked the emotional DEPTH his others had. It was emotional but… lacked … something .. his other books had. I’m thinking maybe emotional maturity. But a very good read none the less. I went w four because the story was sweet.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This had a very similar read to My Friends by Fredrik Backman. It's a beautiful, emotional, and thought provoking read about personal choice and the search for answers. I am mad at the ending though. The characters were likable and the story had some good character development.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Ethan Joella’s books. They’re balm for times like these. Loved the 1970’s resort setting, the characters all healing from something, and the coming of age/family relationships. Put this on your summer TBR and until then read my fave of his The Same Bright Stars.
October 24, 2025
Spent a lot of time with this. 😏
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ethan Joella did it again!!! Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for the ARC. This book was perfection!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
heartbreaking and deeply intense book that was really well-done and quite emotionally fantastic. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is Ethan Joella’s best book yet—and I have loved them all! I smiled, I cried, I could picture the resort like I was there and part of the team. So good
February 2, 2026
Ethan’s writing is beautiful as always. Just as wonderful as an author as he is as a person! This book will make you want to book a trip to the Poconos ASAP.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It had taken me a minute to write my review as I had to sit with my emotions for a bit!! I absolutely loved this book!!! It is a book about hope, love, family, friendship, grief, secrets and so much more!! This book and these characters will stay in my heart for a very long time!! This is Ethan Joella at his best!!
Our two main characters are siblings Maggie and Chip. Chip spends a summer working at a resort in the Poconos and Maggie goes the next summer to find out why he was so drawn to this resort. They both learn a lot about themselves and others as they navigate thru the summer.
I wax drawn into all the characters and this book made me laugh and cry. This book is available on June 30 and I plan to listen to the audio on pub day as I believe this will be amazing on audio!!!
Our two main characters are siblings Maggie and Chip. Chip spends a summer working at a resort in the Poconos and Maggie goes the next summer to find out why he was so drawn to this resort. They both learn a lot about themselves and others as they navigate thru the summer.
I wax drawn into all the characters and this book made me laugh and cry. This book is available on June 30 and I plan to listen to the audio on pub day as I believe this will be amazing on audio!!!
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