All We Ever Wanted: A Novel Hardcover – June 26, 2018

I was sadly disappointed with this novel. I usually adore Emily Giffins work, but not so much with this one. It WAS a good storyline that had me finishing in about 3 days. But there was just so much political vomit! I felt as though Giffin was attempting to sway the reader into viewing most, if not all, wealthy, conservative/republican white people (which I am far from) as low-key racists, sexists philanderers who only look out for number 1 at ANY cost. I understand the want/need to be able to relate to readers & to stay relevant, but it just felt to me that Giffin overly interjected her own political bias. And as other reviewers have mentioned, the ending seem rushed & there was no REAL closer given everything that happened as the plot unfolded, just a few references in the epilogue. Many questions are left unanswered.

The story was interesting, and the character development was progressing along nicely, but then all of a sudden, it's like someone told Emily Giffin "you need to wrap this up", and everything sped up dramatically! It felt very rushed in the later half of the book.

When I purchased this book, it had a lot of very positive reviews which made me very excited. The book revolves around two families - Middle class single dad Tom and his daughter Lyla. And upper class mom Nina, her husband and son (honestly both were so uninspiring I've forgotten their names).*Spoilers*An incident happens between Lyla and the son, and we spend the next 70% of the book dissecting that to a degree that is somewhat ridiculous. Tom constantly worrying over Lyla. Apparently with good reason, because Lyla keeps sneaking around. Nina advocating for Lyla, and wondering where she went wrong with raising her son. Her son being a pathological liar. And a whoollle lot of political side remarks.Then it was almost like someone told the author that she needed to finish it up. Because we suddenly get the fast forward version of an ending. Truth, crisis, resolution, epilogue all within 10% of the book. I could have even been okay with this if not for one thing - *MAJOR SPOILER* Nina's son is a pathological liar. Not in an innocent "oh he's just a stupid high school boy" way. In a "holy crap this kid needs professional help and jail time" way. He tried to pin this on another student (whom he was dating), has a phone full of offensive/assault photos, drives another character to attempt suicide, and in the end NO ONE thinks to take this beyond the school. Yes i could see this kid getting a clean slate from a committee of his peers and teachers, but what he was doing was so many levels of illegal and one word to the police from any of the parties and this kid would have done jail time. And the author in the epilogue wants us to believe he went to college, gained some weight, got a serious job and eventually changed. Nope. Not buying it.Just by reading the sample i was hooked, and so excited about this book, and then this completely fell off the rails. Save yourself some time and money.

This review probably will not be published; however, I feel very strongly about this so it is necessary to write.I’m deeply disappointed in my fellow females who wrote glowing, even gushing reviews about this book. It’s as though it took place back in the ‘50’s when women were still expected to be quiet about rape because she “asked for it!” and move on as though nothing happened. Has this author ever sat down with a victim of sexual assault or sexual exploitation? I very much doubt it or Finch and Beau would not have walked away without so much as a slap on the wrist. The lasting scars on a woman’s life resulting from being abused in this way deserve more than the injustice portrayed in this ridiculous story line.

Summary:Have you ever stopped and wondered how you got somewhere? With this man, living this life? Nina Browning should be ecstatic. She is part of the Nashville elite with a charismatic husband and a son that was just accepted into Princeton. It all seems wrong, though. The preoccupation with material wealth, the inability to really connect with her husband or son… this just isn’t who she is. Any of it.Tom is desperately trying to be a good father to Lyla, his beautiful and intelligent daughter. When she got a scholarship to Windsor Academy he is a bit worried, but very proud. Lyla is trying to keep up with her classmates both academically and socially. It’s a different world and sometimes the differences are glaring.A picture snapped in a moment of drunkenness spins out of control. Windsor Academy is going insane with rumors and casting blame. In the eye of the scandal are Tom, Lyla and Nina. Each one is forced to question the relationships of those closest to them, and who they really are.My thoughts:I could not put this book down. It was gorgeously written, and moving. The trio of narratives was an interesting touch. I really enjoyed being able to see more of these characters, their thoughts and motives. These were really interesting, well developed characters. I loved Lyla especially. Tom with the chip on his shoulder and Nina who desperately wants to be seen as a good woman.As far as the plot goes, I found it really intriguing and I loved the different twists and turns that kept me guessing. Through out the book I both loathed and loved certain characters, wanting to believe in them, but not knowing if I can. It’s definitely a different world. I also like how they portrayed the young victim- it was very believable. The horror, shame, inability to believe, and the desire to let it all just fade away. Her strength was also something I really loved. I feel like this book has a lot of adult moments, but also a lot that older teens would like as well. For me, this is a five star book.On the adult content scale, this is pretty high. There’s a lot of language and sexual content as well as drinking. While I would, as I said, see no issue with an older and more mature teen reading it, I have to say it’s meant for adults. I give it an eight.I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!

I wouldn't normally pay this amount for a book but I heard good things about it and read good reviews. I'm glad I got it. Least not I can now share this copy as it was so good. Having a teenage daughter myself I could relate to the characters especially Layla. It's such a current topic the whole social media thing. Could see this being turned into a movie. I am a kindle girl through and through and my only disappointment is it's not on there I struggled with the heaviness of the hardback and missed my kindle after so many years of not having a book to hold!

I've read a few books by this author over the years and enjoyed all of them.This follows the story of Nina and her family and Tom and his daughter.Its a relevant and up to date topic, that i found interesting and as with all Emily's books well written.The only bugaboo i have is that I thought the ending was slightly rushed.Enjoyable read though!

All We Ever Wanted was a captivating and engaging read. At first glance it might seem the plot is quite simple, not much going on, but actually so much is happening in this novel. One reckless action of a teenage boy unravels a series of events that will dramatically affect lives of people around him.I am very happy to see this book nominated for Goodreads Best Fiction 2018.

A gripping look at the way we raise our children and the monsters we are in danger of creating. The central event is cleverly subtle and the novel asks many questions which are well worth discussing in terms of our children and their moral compasses in today's internet world.

I thought the book started off very well. The story being relayed by central characters. Twists & turns. But, then we rushed quickly to the end and an epilogue. Which was bland and unbelievable.I felt a bit cheated to be honest.