NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this riveting novel from the #1 bestselling author of Something Borrowed and First Comes Love, three very different people must choose between their families and their most deeply held values. . . . “An unpredictable page-turner that unfolds in the voices of three superbly distinct characters.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution • “A gripping, thought-provoking … Journal-Constitution • “A gripping, thought-provoking journey.”—Jodi Picoult
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THESKIMM
Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. More recently, her husband made a fortune selling his tech business, and their adored son has been accepted to Princeton.
Yet sometimes the middle-class small-town girl in Nina wonders if she’s strayed from the person she once was.
Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. His road has been lonely, long, and hard, but he finally starts to relax after Lyla earns a scholarship to Windsor Academy, Nashville’s most prestigious private school.
Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in—and her overprotective father doesn’t help—but in most ways, she’s a typical teenaged girl, happy and thriving.
Then, one photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame.
At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together—all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.
Praise for All We Ever Wanted
“Page-turning . . . Timely and thought-provoking, it’s Giffin’s best yet.”—People
“Giffin’s novel has style and substance . . . . Truly excellent.”—The Washington Post
“If you’re looking for a book club selection, All We Ever Wanted is bound to spark meaningful and meaty discussions.”—The Augusta Chronicle
“A page-turning exploration of wealth and privilege.”—Entertainment Weekly
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Coming of age story for so many people, emboldened by the truth.
Very thought provoking! This should be required reading for all adolescents…and their parents!!!
I highly recommend this book. The ending will surprise you.
While the college scandal story line seemed over played the family dialog and real life scenarios were very heartfelt. I highly recommend.
It held my attention. It was slow moving but a story just about every parent of teens can identify with.
A compelling, fascinating story told through blue-ribbon dialogue and the dual gifts of intelligence and goodness. I loved this novel.
All We Ever Wanted was a captivating and engaging read. I was drawn in instantly. Emily wove a tale of sociology – the rich, that can be condescending and uncaring, and the not-rich having to coexist around them. The two worlds crash into each other when one reckless action of a teenage boy unravels a series of events that dramatically affects the lives of many people. This is a great book club read as the novel asks many questions which are well worth discussing in terms of our children and their moral compasses in today’s internet world. My only gripe is that the story rushed quickly to an end and an epilogue which was rather bland.
A great story told from the perspective of 3 different characters who intertwine. An interesting take on how a high schooler and two different parents, from different backgrounds, handle the same situation. Very easy to read, with a lot of twists and turns.
I read about the book that it’s thought provoking and that’s exactly what it is. We live a life and suddenly it turns up side down and it’s who we are and how we react makes a solution. Interesting.
Giffin has upped her game with her latest novel, exploring the timely topic of raising children in the modern social media age, all under the backdrop of socio-economic inequities. Thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking.
Emily Giffin expertly takes the reader through the journey and intersection of three characters, showing how intertwined life is and painting a realistic picture of life with wealth and privilege. It was such a page turner, I finished it in two days.
Topical “what if” story..some characters, i.e. the husband, are one dimensional, but the others are better developed, real and relatable. Really good premise that makes you cringe about the social world our kids have to navigate these days.
At age 64, found this a bit high school, but enjoyed reading it. Can’t wait to read her newest book (2020) which sounds awesome.
This contemporay novel kept my interest into the night, bonding with the characters and story. Far from my life but we’ll written. You’ll enjoy
Entertaining and engaging.
a tragic topic that is well covered – hard choices for all involved – ethics within a family structure
Very good book! Great quarantine read!
Love this book!
Good beach read!
Great book.