A Little Hope

A Novel

By: Ethan Joella

Narrated by: Shaun Taylor-Corbett

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Freddie and Greg Tyler seem to have it all: 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.

©2021 Ethan Joella. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Not the best or the worst I’ve ever read

The character development is so-so. The story does jump around a little, the performance is good and the plot is interesting enough. I wouldn’t say this book is outstanding, there is a feeling of never really lifting off, but it’s an okay read.

Good Grief

Do not read this book unless you are grieving and want a book to commiserate. I read Ethan Joella’s second book “A Quiet Place” and felt it had many redeeming qualities which prompted me to buy and read this book. The writing quality is excellent, hard to keep up with all the characters but the ending was very good and the only thing that made this book more than miserable.

Good book to give you some hope

I liked that this story revolved around various characters. I did have to pay close attention though or else I would get lost. It follows the lives of several people that live in a small town and their lives intersect.

The accuracy of the grief experienced by the characters.

I loved the entire story. Ethan is an incredibly talented writer. The character development was perfect. I’m looking forward to reading his next book.

Outstanding!

This book touches upon the day to day lives of people in a small Connecticut town. They are all intertwined in a beautiful way. It is peppered with ups and downs but somehow always has a thread of hope!

Beautifully written; very sad.

This novel has many lovely insights, but at its heart, it is tragic. Not tragic as in you shouldn’t read it, but be prepared.

My only complaint, and this may be me, is that there are so many characters, many of them tangential, that after a while it’s hard to keep track, especially if one is reading in more than one sitting.

Fewer characters might have made the novel stronger. But in many places it is just lovely.

I was very lost

I didnt connect to any characters. the storybounces around too much I couldn't keep track of who was what. I didn't like it.

a bit too depressing

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.

not as expected

poor character development. too much death and not enough hope. male narrator's voice was condsending when he spoke a woman's role. I finished it only because I paid for it

Not worth the read

So depressing overall would not recommend. Too depressing The narrator is okay.
Overall not a great listen