Set in a close-knit suburb in the grip of winter, A Quiet Life follows three people grappling with loss and finding a tender wisdom in their grief.

Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat–that yearly taste of relaxation they’d become accustomed to after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat’s death, Chuck finds that he can’t let go of her belongings–her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer–as he struggles to pack for a trip he can’t imagine taking without her.

Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news–any piece of information–about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out.

After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface–and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads.

My Thoughts:

There are three different people in this story and we follow their lives and how they cope with loss and grief. Chuck has lost his wife but he can never imagine taking another trip without her. Ella’s daughter is missing but adjusting to a new life she is finding hard. Kirsten has lost her father, she looks for signs in what he thinks she should do with her life. I find grief is such a personal thing, everyone deals with grief differently and even though each of these people are dealing with a loss, they are all slightly different in their approach on how to take that next step. I think the author has done a superb job of dealing with such sensitive issues and I hope anyone reading this book that is struggling with grief can take comfort that they are not alone. I love how the author interweaves the characters together. I felt as there was a little hope for all of them.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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