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
more
I loved this novel. It kept me on my toes — a page turner — the whole time. I was surprised by the ending. Very thought-provoking as well. Just love Emily Giffin!
I loved this book. It was so well written, and the characters had so many layers. I really liked this book.
Topical and thought provoking, this book explores the impact of one bad decision. A great read.
Good story about staying strong with you values as mores change around you.
The characters in this novel were engaging. The scandal and its implications were very realistic. I appreciated that it forced Nina to examine her life and to make changes.
This book surprised me more than I’ve been surprised by a book in a while (in a good way) with its twists and turns. Very original, fresh and like nothing I’ve ever read. I needed that!
All We Ever Wanted was an emotional novel! I enjoyed how the characters’ emotions were portrayed throughout the whole story. Nina and Kirk’s lives change forever after their son Finch is involved in a situation where a controversial photo is taken and shared to other kids from his high school. Lyla who is in the picture just wants the whole thing to go away. But her father Tom wants whoever is responsible for taking the picture to be punished. Finch is blamed for taking the photo and in risk of being punished by the school. While Finch’s old girlfriend Polly is also involved and blamed. The kids struggle with the aftermath of what happened as the days go on. The parents themselves are struggling with it all. Kirk wants to plow right in and “fix” things. While Nina is all full of emotions because of what her son did. Unsurprising, Tom is very angry and wants to protect his daughter. The story is told through Nina, Tom, and Lyla’s viewpoints.
This was a “page turner…only I listened to the audiobook….which, by the way, I totally recommend. The narrators are amazing. It’s so relevant and current, without being preachy or soap-boxy. It is real life. What high schoolers are doing in their real life and how kids soak in everything a parent teaches them. So a high school boy, the all-American, takes a photo of a half naked, passed it girl that goes to their fancy school on financial aid. He writes some green card comment on it and sends it to friends. Or does he? Then the book centers around the parents, and their reactions. Lila, the girl who’s photo was taken, narrates here and there. But it’s mostly the girl’s father and the boy’s mother. I’m not completely convinced about Nina being realistic. I would find that tendency to protect my child (even if it was wrong) to be a really hard thing to fight, and for me, she did that a little too easily. I think that’s just engrained in mothers. No matter how wrong they are. Overall I thought it was though-provoking & Current, without being heavy. We have #metoo, immigration, White privilege, rich privilege, prejudice, and coming of age all rolled into one.
I recommend this book.
All we ever wanted by Emily Giffin a four-star read that you will definitely want. I was so eager to read this one, I enjoyed the blurb and it sounded good and it was almost great, it just missed that one little thing. This was a great story and being told from different angles made it a touch confusing at times, but it also explained everything and revealed more details. Details that will show you the story unfolding before your eyes. Considering the people involved this story will cross a few buttons and it will make compelling reading for most.
After a compromising photo of teenage Lyla is circulated around her school, repercussions abound for all involved. Will Finch, the boy accused of taking the photo be punished, or will his wealth and privileged status erase it all? What stance will Finch’s parents, Kirk and Nina take? And, how will Lyla’s single dad, Tom, respond?
While listening to this audiobook, I wasn’t sure about Nina’s character at first, but she definitely grew on me and seemed to be the only rational one (besides Lyla’s dad, Tom). For instance, Nina’s husband, Kirk, was the stereotypical “good ole boy” who believes that “boys will be boys,” and I found Lyla’s take on her own situation sad and disturbing (until she finally matured and wised up towards the end). Overall, I found the progression of the characters’ personalities intriguing and entertaining.
In the past, Ms. Giffin’s books have been pretty “chick lit” and light, so I wasn’t expecting such a thoughtful look at today’s society and the effects of technology and social media have on our children. Overall, I found the message strong and a good addition to the #metoo movement.
If you’re looking for another read about this timely topic, I would highly recommend Somebody’s Daughter (4 stars) by Rochelle B. Weinstein since I found it powerful, emotional, and compelling. I would also strongly recommend Young Jane Young (4 stars) by Gabrielle Zevin.
Location: Nashville, Tennesee
Audiobook
I don’t even know where to start with my review of this book. The writing was good, the characters were well developed, but the story line was very emotionally upsetting. It’s not the author’s fault…it just was a little too real and made me angry that people would treat others in this way. I won’t get into the details because i don’t rehash the story line of books in my reviews or ruin the review with spoilers.
Essentially, the relationships with the characters; the manipulations, racism, sense of entitlement, abuse of wealth, etc., and the lack of certain characters’ responsibility for their actions was difficult to swallow. I know it exists in today’s society, but I struggled with the emotional and physical pain that were experienced.
Emily Giffin does a great job of drawing you into the lives of the characters. She has you thinking things are one way, but then twists it around so that you think they are going to end up another way, but then…are you right? I love when an author keeps me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
June 2018
Women’s fiction
I received this digital ARC from NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.
Interesting story about family values and finding authenticity in a crazy materialistic world. The story is narrated in alternate chapters by main characters: Nina Browning, Tom Volpe, Lyla Volpe.
It begins with Nina Browning who is married to Kirk Browning, a very wealthy software executive. They had a luxurious lifestyle filled with charity events and fancy cars. Their only son Finch has never known any other life than the one he had at Windsor Academy. Nina was raised in a very modest Bristol neighborhood where her best friend Julie still lives and works as an attorney.
In contrast, Tom Volpe is a single father raising Lyla, a high school sophomore at Windsor Academy. They have a very different lifestyle where Tom works hard as a carpenter to ensure his daughter gets a good education. Lyla is accustomed to the random visits from Beatriz, her estranged alcoholic mother.
The story evolves after a house party at a senior Beau’s house while his parents were away. Needless to say, the party revs up with the heavy consumption of alcohol by the students. An incident occurs which stirs up Windsor Academy to the dismay of the headmaster, Walter Quarterman. Especially since the issue involves Finch Browning whose family provides financial support to the private school.
Consequently, Tom receives an unexpected call from Grace, Lyla’s best friend with whom she was supposed to be studying. Grace desperately seeks his assistance when Lyla is found passed out at party. Stories begin to spiral out of control via social media when a picture of Lyla becomes topic of discussion. Lyla has had a crush on Finch for two years and is flattered by his attention although he was dating Polly.
When differing explanations of the night emerge, it has Nina and Tom investigating the truth, although on differing sides of the story. Is it always important to reveal the truth even when the consequences are high? Does money make it acceptable to cover up mistakes?
Emily Giffin never fails to bring me hours of reading enjoyment and All We Ever Wanted is no exception. Loved it!
I enjoyed the book. Did not want to put down.
Anyone with teens (or who works with teens) knows that their bodies mature before their frontal cortexes. When Lila, a biracial scholarship teen at an elite private school attends a party, drinks too much, and has a compromising photo snapped of her, her single father takes action. The drama evolves as the families become involved, and differing value sets become apparent. Nina, mom to the boy who has been accused (Finch) has her own past in which she was raped. She sides with Lila in a story that while compelling may not be all that realistic. Did Finch snap the photo? Someone else? Events collide as the story reaches its end. Good read that will keep you entertained and thinking.
loving this so far.
There’s nothing wrong with Chick Lit, but Giffin’s writing has now evolved and elevated to a more complex level. She was always a skilled writer, but now she proves she can handle tricky topics in a thought-provoking, yet totally readable way. I don’t have kids and was lucky to get through my teens before phones (and their cameras) were everywhere. So I was surprised how quickly and completely this plot pulled me in. One character was entirely unlikable, one grew on me as I turned the pages, and another felt like a friend from the start. A thought-provoking narrative of how those with privilege in our society treat those without.
The negative effect of money and how it changes one’s character and sense of right and wrong. Very pertinent story to today’s times and the thinking of some in the private school arena. I could relate to it!
Love Emily Griffin and once again another great book written.
It has been a bit since a book has grabbed me from the first page right to the end. I enjoyed the characters that the author describes in such detail I felt like I could visualize them. I have enjoyed all of Emily Giffin’s works. Happy she has only gotten better!