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A Little Hope
A Read with Jenna Bonus Selection
An “immersive…illuminating” (Booklist) and life-affirming novel following the residents of an idyllic Connecticut town over the course of a year, A Little Hope explores the intertwining lives of a dozen neighbors as they confront everyday desires and a lost love, a stalled career, an illness, and a betrayal.
Freddie and Greg Tyler seem to have it a comfortable home, a beautiful young daughter, a bond that feels unbreakable. But when Greg is diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, the sense of certainty they once knew evaporates. Throughout their town, friends and neighbors face the most difficult of life’s challenges and are figuring out how to survive thanks to love, grace, and hope.
“A quietly powerful portrait of small-town life…told with wisdom and tenderness” (Mary Beth Keane, author of Ask Again, Yes) A Little Hope is a deeply resonant debut that immerses the reader in a community and celebrates the importance of small moments of connection.
An “immersive…illuminating” (Booklist) and life-affirming novel following the residents of an idyllic Connecticut town over the course of a year, A Little Hope explores the intertwining lives of a dozen neighbors as they confront everyday desires and a lost love, a stalled career, an illness, and a betrayal.
Freddie and Greg Tyler seem to have it a comfortable home, a beautiful young daughter, a bond that feels unbreakable. But when Greg is diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, the sense of certainty they once knew evaporates. Throughout their town, friends and neighbors face the most difficult of life’s challenges and are figuring out how to survive thanks to love, grace, and hope.
“A quietly powerful portrait of small-town life…told with wisdom and tenderness” (Mary Beth Keane, author of Ask Again, Yes) A Little Hope is a deeply resonant debut that immerses the reader in a community and celebrates the importance of small moments of connection.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2021
681 people are currently reading
24580 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Joella
10 books831 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 2,393 reviews
November 22, 2021
4.5 stars .
Sometimes a book is populated with so many characters that it’s not possible to know them enough to emotionally connect. That was not the case in this impressive debut. Impressive because I felt I knew all of them and could relate to their genuine emotions, even though I may not have personally experienced their situation.
A diagnosis of a terminal illness strikes a lovely family. A widow after years still grieves over the loss of her husband and reflects on her relationship with her son. The son grieving the loss of his father, of a relationship that’s been over for years, suffering addiction with a desire for things to be different. The ex-girlfriend, why isn’t she happy now ? The current girlfriend whose past has her wanting more. And there are others.
Heartbreaking loss and grief, burdens from the past, regrets, uncertainties, connections between people in this fictional town of Wharton in Connecticut. Helping each other cope and heal, helping themselves with yes, a little hope in this beautiful novel comprised of linked vignettes. I can’t wait to see what Ethan Joella does next.
I received a copy of this book from Scribner/Simon & Schuster through Edelweiss .
Sometimes a book is populated with so many characters that it’s not possible to know them enough to emotionally connect. That was not the case in this impressive debut. Impressive because I felt I knew all of them and could relate to their genuine emotions, even though I may not have personally experienced their situation.
A diagnosis of a terminal illness strikes a lovely family. A widow after years still grieves over the loss of her husband and reflects on her relationship with her son. The son grieving the loss of his father, of a relationship that’s been over for years, suffering addiction with a desire for things to be different. The ex-girlfriend, why isn’t she happy now ? The current girlfriend whose past has her wanting more. And there are others.
Heartbreaking loss and grief, burdens from the past, regrets, uncertainties, connections between people in this fictional town of Wharton in Connecticut. Helping each other cope and heal, helping themselves with yes, a little hope in this beautiful novel comprised of linked vignettes. I can’t wait to see what Ethan Joella does next.
I received a copy of this book from Scribner/Simon & Schuster through Edelweiss .
November 21, 2022
3.75 Stars
I broke one of my very few reading rules by tackling this (I typically avoid books focused around someone dealing with cancer or something of the like, as they trigger stuff for me that isn't fun...and I prefer my reading to stay fun) but something about this one spoke to me. Perhaps that lovely cover. That said, I am glad I read this.
This is one of those books that is hard to rate as the things that perhaps kept me from loving it might have also lent themselves to what made it work for me.
This book felt somewhat groundless and without a central plot/focus. It involved a lot of characters and it was never immediately clear which character you were starting each chapter with. But as I stated, all of that might also be what made this work. Every characters was dealing with something fairly tragic or sad. And perhaps the fact that we never spent too much time with any given character kept the reader from feeling too buried in their grief/sadness/depression. And for that I am thankful; however, it also meant we only got to know each character on a surface level.
That said, this book reminded me to not take my people and circumstances for granted...to be grateful for the love that I have in my life. And the timing could not have been better. So, timing for the win.
I broke one of my very few reading rules by tackling this (I typically avoid books focused around someone dealing with cancer or something of the like, as they trigger stuff for me that isn't fun...and I prefer my reading to stay fun) but something about this one spoke to me. Perhaps that lovely cover. That said, I am glad I read this.
This is one of those books that is hard to rate as the things that perhaps kept me from loving it might have also lent themselves to what made it work for me.
This book felt somewhat groundless and without a central plot/focus. It involved a lot of characters and it was never immediately clear which character you were starting each chapter with. But as I stated, all of that might also be what made this work. Every characters was dealing with something fairly tragic or sad. And perhaps the fact that we never spent too much time with any given character kept the reader from feeling too buried in their grief/sadness/depression. And for that I am thankful; however, it also meant we only got to know each character on a surface level.
That said, this book reminded me to not take my people and circumstances for granted...to be grateful for the love that I have in my life. And the timing could not have been better. So, timing for the win.
March 31, 2022
"A Little Hope" by Ethan Joella is small town America at its best!
A character study of American life in 'small town' Connecticut that intertwines day-to-day between family, friends, and neighbors:
- A husband and father is diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer. His wife worries if he will survive and how she and her daughter will cope if he doesn't.
- A widow that still mourns the loss of her late husband. Her son struggles with addiction and the debilitating anxiety of never being good enough.
- An unfaithful husband with a deeper secret he holds from his wife until he can't keep it to himself any longer.
- A woman who has regrets for the life choices she's made and the love she has lost.
This is a slow burn with strong character development that walks you through the depth to their individual backstories. It's interesting how these characters lives intersect and it brings back fond memories of growing up in a small town where connections between families, neighbors, friends and acquaintances are rich and commonplace.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett whose gender voicing skills are adequate for the dialog. However, the third person narration was spoken in a monotone voice as if simply reading from the book. I do believe this is an intentional effort to reflect the story as it is written in that matter-of-fact way. Regardless of my belief, I did want more from the narrator!
As the story was ending, I didn't want to leave these characters or their small town. I found them to be caring, forgiving, and welcoming and the story to be a deep-dive into families and friendships, making the right choices, living your life to the fullest and letting go of the past.
4.5 stars for the story, 4 stars for the audiobook averaging 4.25 stars. I enjoyed this author's debut novel and creative story. I'll be watching with interest at what he comes up with next. Highly recommend!
A character study of American life in 'small town' Connecticut that intertwines day-to-day between family, friends, and neighbors:
- A husband and father is diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer. His wife worries if he will survive and how she and her daughter will cope if he doesn't.
- A widow that still mourns the loss of her late husband. Her son struggles with addiction and the debilitating anxiety of never being good enough.
- An unfaithful husband with a deeper secret he holds from his wife until he can't keep it to himself any longer.
- A woman who has regrets for the life choices she's made and the love she has lost.
This is a slow burn with strong character development that walks you through the depth to their individual backstories. It's interesting how these characters lives intersect and it brings back fond memories of growing up in a small town where connections between families, neighbors, friends and acquaintances are rich and commonplace.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett whose gender voicing skills are adequate for the dialog. However, the third person narration was spoken in a monotone voice as if simply reading from the book. I do believe this is an intentional effort to reflect the story as it is written in that matter-of-fact way. Regardless of my belief, I did want more from the narrator!
As the story was ending, I didn't want to leave these characters or their small town. I found them to be caring, forgiving, and welcoming and the story to be a deep-dive into families and friendships, making the right choices, living your life to the fullest and letting go of the past.
4.5 stars for the story, 4 stars for the audiobook averaging 4.25 stars. I enjoyed this author's debut novel and creative story. I'll be watching with interest at what he comes up with next. Highly recommend!
November 28, 2021
Ethan Joella's debut novel,
A Little Hope
, is a beautifully written, thought-provoking, and moving story about love, despair, and second chances.
This was so good! I received this from Scribner Books and didn’t know what to expect, but it really captured my heart.
In the small town of Wharton, Connecticut, people are struggling.
Greg, a father and businessman, is dealing with a cancer diagnosis that leaves him and his wife Freddie trying to both confront and avoid the future that lies ahead. Luke is struggling with addiction, the feeling he constantly disappoints his mother, and regret over the life he let slip away. Luke’s mother, Darcy, still mourns her husband, and can’t seem to connect with her son.
Meanwhile, when Ginger returns to Wharton for a friend’s wedding, she runs into an old boyfriend, and that encounter—as well as the subsequent wedding itself—makes her question the direction she's chosen for her life. And Greg’s boss and his wife deal with an issue resulting from a betrayal years ago, and are surprised how it impacts them now.
The lives of all these characters intersect in myriad ways over a period of time. Their stories are familiar yet in Joella’s hands they take on extra poignancy and hopefulness. At first the large number of characters took some getting used to, and I wanted to know what was happening with Greg and Freddie, but after a while I loved the way the story was told.
There’s nothing overly dramatic (I worried a few times the plot might veer that way) or flashy about the book, but it’s just an excellent read. So glad to have this cross my path!
Thanks to Scribner Books for the complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!
A Little Hope publishes 11/16.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
This was so good! I received this from Scribner Books and didn’t know what to expect, but it really captured my heart.
In the small town of Wharton, Connecticut, people are struggling.
Greg, a father and businessman, is dealing with a cancer diagnosis that leaves him and his wife Freddie trying to both confront and avoid the future that lies ahead. Luke is struggling with addiction, the feeling he constantly disappoints his mother, and regret over the life he let slip away. Luke’s mother, Darcy, still mourns her husband, and can’t seem to connect with her son.
Meanwhile, when Ginger returns to Wharton for a friend’s wedding, she runs into an old boyfriend, and that encounter—as well as the subsequent wedding itself—makes her question the direction she's chosen for her life. And Greg’s boss and his wife deal with an issue resulting from a betrayal years ago, and are surprised how it impacts them now.
The lives of all these characters intersect in myriad ways over a period of time. Their stories are familiar yet in Joella’s hands they take on extra poignancy and hopefulness. At first the large number of characters took some getting used to, and I wanted to know what was happening with Greg and Freddie, but after a while I loved the way the story was told.
There’s nothing overly dramatic (I worried a few times the plot might veer that way) or flashy about the book, but it’s just an excellent read. So glad to have this cross my path!
Thanks to Scribner Books for the complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!
A Little Hope publishes 11/16.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
December 27, 2022
I listened to “A Little Hope” by Ethan Joella, narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett. He was fine as a narrator, maybe a little dull. I had to rewind a lot because I lost focus. I’m not sure if it was his voice or the story.
Previously I listened to “A Quiet Life” and found it to have a wonderful message of the power of kindness. This is more maudlin. It wasn’t the best story whilst I got in the mood for Christmas.
Another niggle was the abundance of characters. Again, maybe it was my distracted brain. Or, perhaps this is one that should be read.
That said, I can’t recommend the audio. It is depressing with a tiny happy ending.
Previously I listened to “A Quiet Life” and found it to have a wonderful message of the power of kindness. This is more maudlin. It wasn’t the best story whilst I got in the mood for Christmas.
Another niggle was the abundance of characters. Again, maybe it was my distracted brain. Or, perhaps this is one that should be read.
That said, I can’t recommend the audio. It is depressing with a tiny happy ending.
December 9, 2021
Interlinked stories over ten months in small town Wharton, Connecticut is a quiet book — revealing what ordinary people are each dealing with. We are privy to their inner worries…..
cancer, death, grief, guilt, challenges, fears, struggles, loss, sadness, addictions, weddings, (Paisley bridesmaid dresses), second chances of love….
and a wide range of emotional intensity which allows us to see the inner feelings and thoughts of a full cast of characters similar to those that many of us live with ourselves….
A touching debut connecting community’s humanity.
cancer, death, grief, guilt, challenges, fears, struggles, loss, sadness, addictions, weddings, (Paisley bridesmaid dresses), second chances of love….
and a wide range of emotional intensity which allows us to see the inner feelings and thoughts of a full cast of characters similar to those that many of us live with ourselves….
A touching debut connecting community’s humanity.
November 9, 2021
I have seen so much hype and praise for this book over the past few months so I know I am definitely in the minority here (and it may be because my expectations were set so high). This was objectively a well written novel but I personally just did not really connect with this at all. It felt more like a short story collection because each chapter focuses on a different character (although they are all connected), so I never felt like we got a full fleshed out story.
I also felt like it was very “straight white people problems” type of novel and I just didn’t really care about or connect with a lot of the story lines here
I also felt like it was very “straight white people problems” type of novel and I just didn’t really care about or connect with a lot of the story lines here
November 14, 2022
Thank you, @bookclubfavorites, for the gifted book.
I finally know why so many have loved this beautiful little book! A Little Hope is now available in paperback, and A Quiet Life, his newest book, will be out on November 29. I can’t wait to read it now!
About A Little Hope: “A Read with Jenna Bonus Selection
An “immersive…illuminating” (Booklist) and life-affirming novel following the residents of an idyllic Connecticut town over the course of a year, A Little Hope explores the intertwining lives of a dozen neighbors as they confront everyday desires and fears: a lost love, a stalled career, an illness, and a betrayal.”
A Little Hope is the quiet story of a small town community in Connecticut over a year’s time. The characters are neighbors, and their lives come together and connect, just as any community would, through illness, dreams, work, and daily life. There are multiple narrations, and the storytelling is so intimate and heartfelt, you easily grasp and invest in what’s happening.
Don’t miss this book if you are looking for something special, and if one of your favorite reasons to read is to be transported to another place with characters you grow to love in a story “where not much happens,” other than daily life, but *everything* happens all the same. A Little Hope slowly, quietly builds to a crescendo of power and… well, hope, in the most poignant of ways.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I finally know why so many have loved this beautiful little book! A Little Hope is now available in paperback, and A Quiet Life, his newest book, will be out on November 29. I can’t wait to read it now!
About A Little Hope: “A Read with Jenna Bonus Selection
An “immersive…illuminating” (Booklist) and life-affirming novel following the residents of an idyllic Connecticut town over the course of a year, A Little Hope explores the intertwining lives of a dozen neighbors as they confront everyday desires and fears: a lost love, a stalled career, an illness, and a betrayal.”
A Little Hope is the quiet story of a small town community in Connecticut over a year’s time. The characters are neighbors, and their lives come together and connect, just as any community would, through illness, dreams, work, and daily life. There are multiple narrations, and the storytelling is so intimate and heartfelt, you easily grasp and invest in what’s happening.
Don’t miss this book if you are looking for something special, and if one of your favorite reasons to read is to be transported to another place with characters you grow to love in a story “where not much happens,” other than daily life, but *everything* happens all the same. A Little Hope slowly, quietly builds to a crescendo of power and… well, hope, in the most poignant of ways.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
November 30, 2021
4.5 Stars
A story of navigating life, the changes brought through living our lives, and the various emotions that accompany us on that journey. Some of those changes are a result of choices, where others are unwelcome surprises that we would never choose.
Set in a small city in Connecticut, these stories share the lives of various people living their quietly unassuming lives from day to day. Assuming that if changes come, they will be easy ones to deal with. Each family has their own struggles, but for some the changes that come with news are devastating. Cancer. Affairs. Loss of loved ones. Guilt. Fear. Addiction. The wish to begin again, to undo mistakes made. A guarded hope for the future.
’The trees are starting to turn, just blushing now with hints of red, and she pictures a deer somewhere tiptoeing its way around. She imagines knowing those lots would always stay the same, knowing they could make that happen. But this isn’t a good time to talk about the future’
These past few weeks Freddie has had a need to save, to hang on to every---Addie’s drawings, receipts, and even land that hasn’t been built on. She wants to put yellow caution tape around everything.’
A quietly shared, poignant novel of life, love, and hope that kept me turning the pages, and aching for each of these souls and their individual journeys toward hope.
Published: 16 November 2021
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Scribner
October 29, 2021
"He will turn forty in four months. That is, he should turn forty. Four months has turned into a century, it seems. He can't even think about four weeks. Four months would take him to February. He hopes to be shoveling snow. He hopes to see Addie in her hat and mittens, their dog bounding in newly fallen flakes. His driver's license has to be renewed then, too. He wants all these things.
He wants February so badly."
A stunning debut novel about the inhabitants of a small Connecticut town and the real-world trials and tribulations they endure and triumphs they celebrate - privately and together.
While reading this novel, I kept thinking back to something Wallace Stegner wrote a few decades ago. He said, “How do you make a book that anyone will read out of lives as quiet as these?”
Wallace Stegner did it in Crossing to Safety - this perfect book about four quiet lives, two quiet loves, and a quiet American town. Ethan Joella does the same, in his own unique style with a wide cast of small town Connecticut characters, all of whom I grew to love and care for.
There’s heartbreak, deceit, and tragedy abound in A Little Hope, but it was so - quiet - that it was eerily reminiscent of real life. So many times I wanted these characters to scream and shout, get down on their knees, throw their hand up in the air and pray. I wanted them to move mountains and take leaps. I wanted them to wear their pain and suffering on their sleeves - lash out, be dramatic, be angry at the world and SHOW it. But instead, they bore it all silently - the pain, confusion, heartache, loss, loneliness, worry, helplessness, regret, guilt, the intolerable weight of living life when others no longer can. They faced their fears and fought their demons with grace, kindness, understanding and each other. All the sorrow in the world didn’t make these people cruel or hateful. Of course, at times they blamed others, and more often themselves for their misfortune, but they didn’t allow it to make them mean. Underneath it all, they had love and hope.
What’s amazing is the way these characters intersected and intertwined so naturally in and around each other’s lives. When times got tough, they all found strength and resilience in each other.
I was so moved by this novel. It really touched my heart. Again, it reminded me of a saying: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” This fictional town is the embodiment of that saying.
In summary, I loved this book. I highly recommend it.
Add to your TBR if you love: Wallace Stegner (Crossing to Safety), Elizabeth Strout (Olive Kitteredge), John Williams (Stoner), Katherine Heiny (Early Morning Riser), Gilmore Girls, stories about people who live in small towns, crying over fictional characters.
Pub date: Nov 2, 2021
Thank you Scribner and Netgalley for providing me a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Immediate Reaction 7/8/21 || I’m absolutely obsessed with this book. Best debut novel of 2021 and in my top 5 reads of the year so far. If you can, please request the arc on netgalley and edelweiss+. It’s so good, I cried at the end. Even the acknowledgements after the book made me emotional. I’m a wreck. It definitely leans sad, and I wouldn’t say it’s a “light, fluffy” read. But I devoured it. And once I started I didn’t want to read anything else, couldn’t focus on anything else until I got to the end. 10/10 highly recommend to anyone and everyone who loves character driven novels about small towns and the people that live in them.
Just read this.
For more bookish photos, reviews and updates follow me on instagram @concerningnovels.
November 29, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this read. Almost 300 pages of solid depression. I think I would have preferred a little less tragedies and a little more hope.
November 9, 2021
My kind of book. 4.5 stars
Grab the tissues.
For the reader who recognizes that life is not all roses and we’re surrounded by so many others that are battling the grounds between grief and hope.
Grab the tissues.
For the reader who recognizes that life is not all roses and we’re surrounded by so many others that are battling the grounds between grief and hope.
January 7, 2023
I really wanted to like this one, but I feel like it was just all over the place. Don’t get me wrong, it was sad and everyone’s story in the book was worth reading, but for me it was just all over the place and I couldn’t keep track of everyone.
October 3, 2021
I know I am in a minority here, but this book just didn’t work for me. So much loss and so much focusing on the unresolved mourning process. We’ve all had grief in our lives and have had to deal with it in our own ways. Yes, there was hope expressed, but the overriding tone is melancholy. Maybe it is for this reason that the characters seemed all one dimensional to me.
I did feel the author did a good job intertwining the lives of the characters and the small observations of life were poignant. Some critiques have likened this book to works by Elizabeth Strout. Perhaps the minute details and views of life were similar, but, for me, this just didn’t compare to her writing
I will stretch my rating to four stars, but….
I did feel the author did a good job intertwining the lives of the characters and the small observations of life were poignant. Some critiques have likened this book to works by Elizabeth Strout. Perhaps the minute details and views of life were similar, but, for me, this just didn’t compare to her writing
I will stretch my rating to four stars, but….
December 25, 2022
Finally!
I’ve been reading this book since November 15! And it’s a small one, less than 280 pages!
This was a disappointment for me.
It started well and I was enjoying the writing, but unfortunately the storyline did not hold my interest for too long. I read 12 books between this one, which is a very rare thing for me, as I like to read on book at a time.
But I didn’t feel like abandoning it at once, as I did have some hope.
Here we have a collection of very sad, or depressing situations, that did not touch me in any level.
The work felt somewhat incomplete, and the development of the storyline or its structure did not help me connect with any of the characters.
I’ve been reading this book since November 15! And it’s a small one, less than 280 pages!
This was a disappointment for me.
It started well and I was enjoying the writing, but unfortunately the storyline did not hold my interest for too long. I read 12 books between this one, which is a very rare thing for me, as I like to read on book at a time.
But I didn’t feel like abandoning it at once, as I did have some hope.
Here we have a collection of very sad, or depressing situations, that did not touch me in any level.
The work felt somewhat incomplete, and the development of the storyline or its structure did not help me connect with any of the characters.
March 1, 2023
I read Joella's second book " A Quiet Life", a couple of weeks ago and was so impressed I immediately got on the library list for this one, his first. These are interlocking stories about people in a small town in various stages of life, all with some sort of connection to each other. A lot happens in a year, good and bad, but no one is the same as when it started.
"It takes a lot of courage just to live."
This author has a quiet way of telling the reader what's happening, inside and outside, that pulls you in and makes you care. I guess I have to wait for his next novel for a while, but I hope he's working on it right now.
"It takes a lot of courage just to live."
This author has a quiet way of telling the reader what's happening, inside and outside, that pulls you in and makes you care. I guess I have to wait for his next novel for a while, but I hope he's working on it right now.
November 14, 2021
I’m definitely in the minority with my 2 star rating but this story fell flat for me and I could not connect with any of the characters. DNF at 55%. None of it was making any sense. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.
November 5, 2021
What twists and turns this story had! Not in a plot-twisty kind of way; more like a leisurely drive down a winding road. This was my favorite book from Book of the Month’s November selections. It is devastating in its simple, beautiful writing about how brutal it can be to be a human being. If every once in awhile you need to lean into being sad, this is the book for you.
October 3, 2022
I am legitimately shocked and disappointed by how intensely I disliked A Little Hope. It reminded me of Meet the Brennans, which I also intensely disliked, in the sense that it purports to weave a powerful, family/community-driven, we’re-all-connected-in-ways-we-don’t-realize sort of story that completely lacks the bones required to support the structure of the skeleton.
⠀
Here’s the thing: I already know we are all connected in ways we don’t realize. The front flap of the book even says as much. And so, I fail to understand the point of reading nearly 300 pages to be beaten over the head with tragedy after tragedy only to reach a conclusion that had been explicitly stated at the outset.
⠀
I don’t want to waste too much time complaining about how much I didn’t enjoy this (which is a lot - like I really didn’t enjoy it), so I’ll say 95% of it felt sad for the sake of being sad. That I - someone who gets emotional over like, pet tiktoks that are nowhere near the emotional scale of the events that take place in A Little Hope - failed to feel moved or teary or ANYTHING throughout the course of it really goes to show the degree to which the characters and their stories failed to resonate with me. Like the artist bought the frame and sketched an outline on the canvas but never opened the cans of paint.
⠀
There was nothing for me to hold within these pages. I’ve seen some really stellar reviews, though, and therefore know it does speak to some readers - which is obviously super cool and I wish I was one of them - but if your reading tastes are similar to mine, I wouldn’t waste your time and/or money.
⠀
Here’s the thing: I already know we are all connected in ways we don’t realize. The front flap of the book even says as much. And so, I fail to understand the point of reading nearly 300 pages to be beaten over the head with tragedy after tragedy only to reach a conclusion that had been explicitly stated at the outset.
⠀
I don’t want to waste too much time complaining about how much I didn’t enjoy this (which is a lot - like I really didn’t enjoy it), so I’ll say 95% of it felt sad for the sake of being sad. That I - someone who gets emotional over like, pet tiktoks that are nowhere near the emotional scale of the events that take place in A Little Hope - failed to feel moved or teary or ANYTHING throughout the course of it really goes to show the degree to which the characters and their stories failed to resonate with me. Like the artist bought the frame and sketched an outline on the canvas but never opened the cans of paint.
⠀
There was nothing for me to hold within these pages. I’ve seen some really stellar reviews, though, and therefore know it does speak to some readers - which is obviously super cool and I wish I was one of them - but if your reading tastes are similar to mine, I wouldn’t waste your time and/or money.
November 2, 2021
We all lose people in life. If it’s a crush, a spouse, a sibling, a child, a parent, a friend. We all lose and grieve. Multiple times. How do we all survive?
A couple, dealing with illness. A mom who lost her husband so many years ago. A son who lost his dad and his girlfriend. The girlfriend who still yearns for those long lost times. An employer who sees his employee almost as a substitute to his long lost son. So many people in pain because of a loss. But still, even if they lose there’s always a little hope. That’s what this story is about.
The writing is in third person/present tense. My least favorite, to be honest. But some of the most beautiful books ever, have been written in third person/present tense (i.e. Beartown, Cloud Cuckoo Land). A Little Hope is a stilled story, all those characters trying to overcome their losses, their lives intertwining so naturally. It’s also an easy read; I read on and on without even noticing that I already read so many pages.
Even though I liked the story and the characters, it took me a (long) while to feel emotionally connected to the characters. Hannah’s POV (including Luke’s) touched me the most. Maybe the story kept me at bay because of the countless POV’s and the huge time jumps. Sometimes it seemed that only sad snippets were taken from so many people’s lives.
I received an ARC from Scribner (Simon and Schuster) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A couple, dealing with illness. A mom who lost her husband so many years ago. A son who lost his dad and his girlfriend. The girlfriend who still yearns for those long lost times. An employer who sees his employee almost as a substitute to his long lost son. So many people in pain because of a loss. But still, even if they lose there’s always a little hope. That’s what this story is about.
The writing is in third person/present tense. My least favorite, to be honest. But some of the most beautiful books ever, have been written in third person/present tense (i.e. Beartown, Cloud Cuckoo Land). A Little Hope is a stilled story, all those characters trying to overcome their losses, their lives intertwining so naturally. It’s also an easy read; I read on and on without even noticing that I already read so many pages.
Even though I liked the story and the characters, it took me a (long) while to feel emotionally connected to the characters. Hannah’s POV (including Luke’s) touched me the most. Maybe the story kept me at bay because of the countless POV’s and the huge time jumps. Sometimes it seemed that only sad snippets were taken from so many people’s lives.
I received an ARC from Scribner (Simon and Schuster) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2021
Wow. Just wow. What a debut.
Full rtc
Review Date:
Publication Date: 11/16/2021
Full rtc
Review Date:
Publication Date: 11/16/2021
March 22, 2022
A touching story that examines the many facets of grief and those that walk the difficult paths of mourning.
In a small town in Connecticut, Freddie and Greg Tyler are coming to grips with Greg being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Greg desperately wants to be there for Freddie and to watch their young daughter grow up. They are not alone in their suffering, as others in the community are dealing with their own battles and inner turmoil. But amidst all the grief and sorrow is hope and the desire for new beginnings.
A beautifully written examination of love and forgiveness.
In a small town in Connecticut, Freddie and Greg Tyler are coming to grips with Greg being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Greg desperately wants to be there for Freddie and to watch their young daughter grow up. They are not alone in their suffering, as others in the community are dealing with their own battles and inner turmoil. But amidst all the grief and sorrow is hope and the desire for new beginnings.
A beautifully written examination of love and forgiveness.
December 18, 2021
I really really liked A Little Hope.
The characters and their heartbreaks. It’s a very sad book, just to warn you beforehand. Lots of triggers (death, cancer diagnosis, child loss, infidelity). But there is also hope, and dreams, and joy. I thought the authors unique writing style was interesting. He kept his descriptions short and didn’t give much room for explaining or fluff. I appreciate that because most times I’m like “ok let’s get on with it.” BUT! With this book and these stories, J was wanting more! More from Freddie and Greg! More from Ahmed and Ginger! I was just left wanting more. I honestly could have read 500 pages of these people and their struggles and triumphs. I was there for it.
The characters and their heartbreaks. It’s a very sad book, just to warn you beforehand. Lots of triggers (death, cancer diagnosis, child loss, infidelity). But there is also hope, and dreams, and joy. I thought the authors unique writing style was interesting. He kept his descriptions short and didn’t give much room for explaining or fluff. I appreciate that because most times I’m like “ok let’s get on with it.” BUT! With this book and these stories, J was wanting more! More from Freddie and Greg! More from Ahmed and Ginger! I was just left wanting more. I honestly could have read 500 pages of these people and their struggles and triumphs. I was there for it.
July 11, 2021
This book reminds me of the word “sonder”— that feeling when you realize that everyone is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. It’s a story of love, loss, grief, figuring out who you are and who you’re meant to be, and trying to find and hold onto hope.
Thank you, again, to Kismet Books in Verona, WI for the ARC
Thank you, again, to Kismet Books in Verona, WI for the ARC
December 13, 2021
A sad book with a somewhat more upbeat ending. The characters and their stories are all connected - in some cases the connection is loose in others more direct.
July 26, 2024
3.5 stars
After reading A Little Hope I wanted to hold off a bit before attempting to write a review. As usual my rating system is inconsistent. I’m giving this book a slightly lower rating than The Same Bright Stars even though in some ways it was a stronger read.
The story follows various characters in a Connecticut town and the central theme is loss. Given it’s a heavy subject, the reading experience is pretty bleak at times. Life has thrown these characters some curveballs and as we know, people process pain, sadness, etc. in different ways. While I didn’t feel a strong connection to any of the people featured on the story, I did have an interest in finding out how they would deal with their challenges.
The author understands human nature but there was some untapped potential left on the table. As a debut novel, it was good but didn’t quite reach great level. His book, A Quiet Life, is really where he hits his stride and is his best work in my opinion.
Thank you to Scribner for providing a free copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
After reading A Little Hope I wanted to hold off a bit before attempting to write a review. As usual my rating system is inconsistent. I’m giving this book a slightly lower rating than The Same Bright Stars even though in some ways it was a stronger read.
The story follows various characters in a Connecticut town and the central theme is loss. Given it’s a heavy subject, the reading experience is pretty bleak at times. Life has thrown these characters some curveballs and as we know, people process pain, sadness, etc. in different ways. While I didn’t feel a strong connection to any of the people featured on the story, I did have an interest in finding out how they would deal with their challenges.
The author understands human nature but there was some untapped potential left on the table. As a debut novel, it was good but didn’t quite reach great level. His book, A Quiet Life, is really where he hits his stride and is his best work in my opinion.
Thank you to Scribner for providing a free copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
November 17, 2021
This book is definitely a quick read, but I can't really say it's a new favorite. This sounded like it was going to be a hard hitting and emotional kind of read and it kind of fell short a little on that.
While I did find some parts sad and emotional, some times I found myself losing interest in what was going on. This is a pretty short book, not even 300 pages. But, you get a new character for the first 6 chapters or so. For some reason I didn't realize this book was going to be told in so many perspectives, so that one is on me.
I really enjoyed it though when it came to certain character perspectives. In my own opinion, if this book only focused on Greg and Freddie, it probably would have been five stars for me. I did enjoy this one though.
While I did find some parts sad and emotional, some times I found myself losing interest in what was going on. This is a pretty short book, not even 300 pages. But, you get a new character for the first 6 chapters or so. For some reason I didn't realize this book was going to be told in so many perspectives, so that one is on me.
I really enjoyed it though when it came to certain character perspectives. In my own opinion, if this book only focused on Greg and Freddie, it probably would have been five stars for me. I did enjoy this one though.
August 19, 2021
There is so much more to this book than it presents at first glance, and I am so pleased that I was able to discover that. I’ll admit that I didn’t expect much from this debut novel. The premise is simple - a look into the lives of people in a small town - potentially interesting but not life-changing. But more than just chronicling their activities, the author opens a window into their feelings, and does it remarkably well. As I read I began to realize that I could see myself in these characters. I saw myself in Luke’s pain, in Hannah‘s confusion, in Kay’s jealousy, in Mrs. Crowley‘s regret…so I started to pay more attention to their actions and really think about my own reactions to those emotions. Maybe it will be life-changing after all…This is a book I will keep to re-read, and I think it would make a wonderful book club selection.
I received an ARC from the publisher though a Goodreads giveaway. On a personal note, coincidentally the author is local to where I live, which was a surprise and an added bonus indeed.
I received an ARC from the publisher though a Goodreads giveaway. On a personal note, coincidentally the author is local to where I live, which was a surprise and an added bonus indeed.
February 27, 2022
TITLE: A Little Hope
AUTHOR: Ethan Joella
PUB DATE: 11.16.2021 Now Available
A Read with Jenna Bonus Selection
Heartfelt
Moving
A Lot of Hope
A Little Hope was a little book that captured my heart in the biggest way possible.
The writing style was so impressive. I loved this character driven story, and how each of the stories weave together beautifully! I enjoyed all the details on the descriptions of everyday life, and the accounting of people going through loss, suffering, battling cancer, and the very hopeful survivors stories.
i also listened to the audiobook, and the narration by Shaun Taylor-Corbett was incredible and really brought the story to life. I really enjoyed listening to this book in audio.
Thank you @simon.audio for the gifted audiobook copy and @scribnerbooks for the gifted ARC
AUTHOR: Ethan Joella
PUB DATE: 11.16.2021 Now Available
A Read with Jenna Bonus Selection
Heartfelt
Moving
A Lot of Hope
A Little Hope was a little book that captured my heart in the biggest way possible.
The writing style was so impressive. I loved this character driven story, and how each of the stories weave together beautifully! I enjoyed all the details on the descriptions of everyday life, and the accounting of people going through loss, suffering, battling cancer, and the very hopeful survivors stories.
i also listened to the audiobook, and the narration by Shaun Taylor-Corbett was incredible and really brought the story to life. I really enjoyed listening to this book in audio.
Thank you @simon.audio for the gifted audiobook copy and @scribnerbooks for the gifted ARC
November 8, 2021
A Little Hope has a lot of characters and very little plot. The characters are all connected to each other in one or more steps, maybe 3 degrees of separation max. It was a great example of good character writing and a very bad example of a story. I have no idea why this was picked as a Book of the Month choice. Extremely disappointed!
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