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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I always love reading anything by Emily Giffin. She is one of my favorite authors and her books are always must-reads. I’m always left still thinking of the characters after I finish. This book definitely stuck with me, also. I found myself looking at those around me, wondering if they really had the feelings that some of the characters did in this book. Giffin made me think about how class and race lines really are divided, how some take so much for granted. Some parts were upsetting to know that people really act a certain way and feel like it’s okay to get away with their behavior. Giffin handled some sensitive material with grace and in such a wonderful way. I greatly enjoyed this book so much. It was an engrossing, entertaining read. I would say this is one of my favorites by her, if not the best.
Very real characters. Story line was very realistic. Draws the reader in emotionally
I enjoyed this novel. I never pay this much for ebooks. I usually wait and choose from the titles my club sends me. It was entertaining, but for price and the hype , I expected much more. It was an interesting premise , and the ending was not as predictable as I feared while reading half way through.I neeed something for a long car trip, and this was perfect.
Very one sided not sure why it’s a bad thing to sell your business for profit and enjoy the things you like. Not every white male in a well to do family behaves like this so why paint it like it’s so common??
Easy read. Entertaining and having a great message.
Unlike her husband, Kirk, Nina Browning did not have a privileged upbringing. But since Kirk sold his software company a few years ago, their Nashville social status has been elevated. Fabulously wealthy and able to afford anything they want, the Brownings appear to have everything they ever wanted: security, a beautiful home, friends, and Finch, their only child. A high school senior who has attended the exclusive Windsor Academy his entire life, he has just been accepted to Princeton.
In contrast, Tom Volpe is carpenter and part-time Uber driver raising his daughter, Lyla, alone on the other side of the river, i.e. “the other side of the tracks.” More than a decade ago, Lyla’s mother, who had a drinking problem, left but she has stayed in touch sporadically, turning up for occasional visits. Lyla attends Windsor Academy on a scholarship. Lyla wants to fit in with her wealthy classmates, and engages in typical teenage behavior such as sneaking out with her girlfriends and experimenting sexually.
What started out as a typical Saturday night turns out to be the night that Finch makes “the worst decision of his life.” A photo taken during a party at his friend Beau’s house changes the lives of the Brownings and Volpes. That photo of a partially unclad Lyla bearing a racist caption is distributed to Finch’s Windsor Academy friends, setting off a series of events that none of them could have imagined.
Emily Giffin tackles a controversial and timely topic — powerful technology misused by teenagers. But All We Ever Wanted is an unapologetic, unflinching morality play in which technology serves as the plot device to set up the conflict. At the heart of the story are characters facing a timeless dilemma: What is the right thing to do? It is a tale about class structure, power, and the things that power can, but should not buy. It is a study in conscience and how those who lack a moral compass will do anything to evade the consequences of their actions. It is a story about betrayal, told from the perspectives of Nina, Tom, and Lyla as they navigate a scandal and search for the truth about what happened on that fateful Saturday night. Did Finch take the photo, add the caption, and send it to his friends? Or was it take by someone else who distributed it in order to retaliate? Ultimately, it is a story about how well it is possible to really know those you love the most.
Nina is the moral centerpiece of the story, a decent woman who has happened upon and never been fully comfortable living an ostentatious lifestyle. The incident at the party forces her to take a good look at her life and marriage. With no remaining alternatives, she has to admit that she and Kirk have been drifting apart even since he sold his company and she has doubted much about their relationship, but never before dared to voice, much less confront those doubts. Giffin’s writing is at its finest, however, as Nina questions the way in which they have raised their son. She thought she taught him to be a kind, compassionate, honest young man. But as events unfold, she critiques her own mothering of Finch even as she resolves that she will never abandon or give up on the fundamental goodness she knows she instilled in her son. Tom is also forced to analyze his parenting style, acknowledging that he has overcompensated for the fact that Lyla’s mother abandoned her by being overprotective and volatile. But like Nina, he is determined to do what is right and best for his daughter. Giffin also tenderly but believably portrays Nina’s disappointment, as well as her strength and resiliency in the face of complete disillusionment.
All We Ever Wanted is a cautionary tale for parents, as well as a searing exploration of the consequences of one careless, casual act that will leave readers pondering “What would I do if . . .?” It is a riveting and deeply moving story about good people trying to do their best in trying circumstances that will resonate with readers.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
This was an extremely relevant book in this day of social media and the MeToo movement. The author explored both topics along with the topic of the rich having more rights in the world than others.
One night at a party, Lyla had too much to drink and fell asleep. Later that evening a picture was posted that went viral at the private school that she attended. The picture was supposedly taken by Finch, a senior at the same school who had just been accepted at Princeton. Finch’s family is rich – very very rich and Lyla is definitely middle class and going to the prestigious school on scholarship. Of course, Lyla’s dad, Tom, goes ballistic and reports the picture to the school. Finch’s dad doesn’t seem too concerned because he knew he could buy his way out of the problem but his mom was another story. Never completely comfortable with being rich, due to her middle class upbringing, Nina questions her son’s story and is appalled at his actions. The result of the picture causes Nina, Tom and Lyla to question their views of family love and responsibility towards other people.
This was a powerful and emotional story that was a reflection of our current climate in this country.
Thanks to Bookish Firsts for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin completely blew me away, and it evoked many of the same feelings I had reading Beartown by Fredrik Backman.
What would you do if your son is accused of sharing a picture with his buddies that contains a half naked girl with a racist “joke” as the caption? Well that is exactly what Nina has to find out when her son Finch is accused of doing just that. Told in alternating viewpoints, this book is a heavy hitter that touches on a lot of pertinent issues in today’s society. Chapters alternate between Nina, Finch, Lyla who is the girl in the picture, Lyla’s dad Tom, plus a bit of Nina’s husband Kirk sprinkled in. I loved the way Giffin did this because not only did it keep the story interesting, it also made figuring out who was telling the truth much harder. Each character had a very strong, unique voice so you can tell this isn’t Giffin’s first rodeo, and the characterization was perfect for me.
While the main storyline has to do with the photo, there is also a touch of romance, marital woes, keeping up with the Joneses, and relationships between parents and their children. There are so many topics touched upon and I found the book to be quite emotional. Not only is the cover of All We Ever Wanted beautiful, but the inside is as well. There is struggle and sadness, but also a good dose of happiness and hope as well.
I LOVED Nina and Lyla, and I think a lot of women will be able to relate to them (even though Lyla is high school age). They are very strong female characters and they weren’t doormats which was refreshing to say the least.
Final Thought: I have heard that All We Ever Wanted is nothing like Giffin’s other books (which mainly seem to be romantic in nature), but it was such an amazing book that it makes me want to read her other novels right away. Her writing is superb and she is such an amazing storyteller. I will definitely be thinking of this book for months, and maybe even years, to come.
All We Ever Wanted in 3-ish words: Beautiful, Must-Read, Ponderous
it was a very wonderful book that takes a look and being true to who you are despite community/societal norms. Would you do what is right?
All we ever wanted was wealth, comfort, happiness, acceptance, and love. Emily Giffin’s latest novel, All We Ever Wanted is a coming-of-age story within a family drama.
Ms. Giffin’s story outlines the evils of affluence. Her message that with money comes a sense of entitlement that allows one to believe they only have to answer to themselves is not subtle. Many of her key characters feel justified in any action if it secures them their rightful place in their socio-economic class.
All We Ever Wanted is narrated from three points of view. After years of marriage, Nina Browning finally comes to the realization that her husband is a user and a liar. Worse yet, he is teaching their son, Finch, to be the same. She is a passive heroine. She is supportive of Lyla Volpe, who {allegedly} her son as publicly shamed, however, she makes no effort to push her son to own his misbehavior and accept the consequences of that admission. Single dad, Tom Volpe, tries his best to be a good role model and a protective father. He is not wholly successful, however, he is by far the only character who seems to be truly a good person. Lyla Volpe, the third narrator, is a typical teen. She is desperate to be noticed and to fit into with the cool kids at her posh private school. She makes serial bad choices, and she easily falls prey to the charms of Nina’s womanizing son and his friends.
Lyla’s story, along with that of her classmate Polly, allows Ms. Giffin to show her readers the pitfalls of social media and underage drinking. The author also broaches the tough topic of teen suicide None of these topics are explored in depth, but the author does show how quickly the well-to-do circle their wagons when accusations are made.
The story is well paced. There are a few likable characters, however, the only narrator I had empathy for was Tom Volpe. I liked the trajectory of Lyla’s life both in terms of her decision to tough out the rest of high school and later her happy and successful life. However, I was not completely satisfied with Tom, Nina and Finch’s story. The lack of justice is sadly realistic, but does result in an unsatisfying end. All We Ever Wanted is an excellent book for meaty book club discussions.
This was an absolutely fabulous read. You are always rooting for Nina Browning. This is a great story of how you change in life and sometimes your decisions at one point on life don’t fit your life later in in life. The characters are extremely interesting and have many facets to them. There were many twists and turns in this book and love how everything ends. I highly recommend this read. Emily Griffin did not disappoint with this story.
This was such an amazing, thought-provoking story! I couldn’t stop reading this story and I loved how it was split into three different points of view.
“I longed to go back. Do things differently.”
This statement is something that really hit home for me. I think we all have regrets, especially when it comes to raising our children. I really adored Nina and how she stood up for Lyla simply because it was the right thing to do.
“Money makes you more of what you already are?”
Again, something that rings true, at least to me. And that is just one of the many things I enjoyed about this story. It was relatable. It was real. It was raw. It made you think. It was complex and kept me on the edge of my seating, having to go onto the next chapter right away. I highly recommend this book! (5 stars)
4 Stars
Review by Sue
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night with Books Blog
All We Ever Wanted is the first book I’ve read by Emily Giffin. It did NOT disappoint! It is told in multiple POV. That of Lyla, the one who is taken advantage of. Tom, Lyla’s father, and Nina, Finch’s mom. Finch being the one accused of taking the photo.
Although I have not read many books told in multiple POV I believe this author pulled it off brilliantly. It gives the book a depth that it would have otherwise lacked if only told in singular or dual POV.
Nina’s character was weak willed and she drove me crazy most of the book. She was unwilling to stand up for herself either with her husband Kirk or even her son, Finch.
I loved Lyla’s dad. He is protective and strong. He goes to bat for his daughter and does not let her down.
Lyla is strong but I wondered sometimes if she realized the severity of what she was going through. She seemed a little nonchalant which bothered me to no end.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves”
This quote sums up the book quite well. It is the story of a woman who is taken advantage of while intoxicated, the repercussions or lack thereof, and the reverberations it has throughout the community.
This is so not how I thought this book was going to go, it had some twists and turns I did not see coming. The pace for me was a little slow but I was completely invested.
This author is new to me and although I wondered where this story was headed a few times, I realized at the end that it was all a build up to the ending or dare I say new beginning? The ending also left some loose ends that I would like the author to follow up on.
There is also a small who done it that had me vacillating back and forth between who I believed was the culprit. It was very well written and captured my attention thoroughly. Definitely worth the read.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Emily Giffen, but I had the opportunity to read the first two chapters and was immediately dying to read more. Dealing with the timely topic of the impact of social media and how it can impact multiple lives, this book provided me with some serious food for thought. So much so that I would say that I suffered from a book hangover for several days after finishing it as I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Despite my children being far younger than the characters in the book, I couldn’t help but feel some kinship with Nina and Tom, as parents. In addition to the topic of the potential negative impact of social media, Giffen tackles the tough subjects of class, race and privilege.
The book is told from the multiple, first-person POVs of Nina, Tom and Layla (Tom’s daughter). For readers who aren’t used to reading alternating POVs, this can sometimes take some getting used to, but I think it better helps put the reader in the mind of the characters. Although this isn’t an easy “beach read”, I’ve already recommended All We Ever Wanted to several friends as a “must read” for the summer.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
All We Ever Wanted is an exquisite read that deals with real world social issues that can affect anyone. Giffin weaves an unforgettable tale about a picture sent viral.. One that could very well ruin the lives of all involved, even those who weren’t a direct part of it. Told in alternating point of views, this book will get to the heart of a touchy subject and leave readers questioning what they would do if put in this type of situation. Many will have different opinions of the matter, but Giffin stays totally neutral on the topic. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to all mothers, women, and even mature teens.
For those who want a more in depth description of the book, I’ll do so here. First and foremost, this is a story about a picture taken at a party where high school students are drinking. When one gets drunk and goes to an upstairs bedroom, someone snaps a picture of her with a racist comment and sends it to a friend. Said friend then forwards it to others and soon after, everyone has seen it. This book deals with the repercussions of what happens next. Who is hurt by the photo, what the parents do for justice for their children, and how to handle a child who thought they were only having a little bit of fun despite the consequences.
In alternating points of views, readers will hear from Lyla- the teenager whose picture was taken and spread throughout her school, Tom- the father of Lyla (the victim), and Nina- the mother of the boy who allegedly took the photo.
Once again, Giffin has penned an unforgettable tale of how one mistake can have repercussions that affect many. She slightly tackles racism and social class as well, making it a dynamic and important book in today’s day and age. Having not read a book by her in quite some time, I wasn’t sure if this one would be up to snuff with her previous books, but it was and so much more. I think this is actually my favorite book by the author and I would certainly purchase a copy for myself and even friends and family. So make sure you grab a copy. This is THE book that should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer.Emily Giffin
This can be a hard subject for people to read. You have the rich who seems to get away with anything and then you have the middle class who seem to suffer. This book really boils down to two families and how they handle a crisis. I liked all the different point of views in this book because then you get to see all sides of the story. You are wondering who is telling the truth and want to keep reading to find out. Unfortunately this book is all to real to a lot of girls in high school and college. It is really sad how we treat boys when this happens and it’s even more heartbreaking how the girls get treated when something like this happens. This book is both heartfelt and a reminder to change things.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Nina Browning is shocked to discover her son took a picture of a female student and posted to friends with a racist comment. The Brownings are new to wealth and would do anything for their son. They believe they raised him right, after all, he got into Princeton. Nina cannot believe her son would do this.
Nina reaches out to the victim and her family. Through befriending the Volpes, Nina begins to realize things about her husband and son that breaks her heart. Nina needs to decide between her heart and her gut instincts, to side with her son or with the victim.
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This book was full of difficult material including racism and classism. Do you stand by your children when they’ve done wrong? And how far is too far? Do you upend your life to do the right thing or go along with the status quo? Do you stay true to yourself or support your family?
This book hooked me from the beginning, not knowing who was telling the truth. My heart took a journey just as Nina’s did. Definate recommendation.
**I read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I’ve been a long time reader of Emily Giffin and when I saw the blurb for this book, I was drawn in almost immediately. It seemed like a very different book in the best of ways and I am so happy to say that my instinct was right – this was a fantastic look into the current world of social media that we live in and how both parents and children have to navigate that world. I will say that I thought we were going to get a bit of a cliche plot that we’ve seen many times before, but again happily, that didn’t happen and I believe the story was richer for it.
This story is told from multiple points of view, which again I believe helps to enrich it. We get the perspective of Nina, a woman who married into money and privilege and the mother of a son who is a senior at Windsor Academy. While she’s always been happy in her life, she’s starting to wonder if she’s lost the person she always was before the money and privilege. Tom is the second point of view and he is a single father who works as a carpenter and does the best he can to raise his high school daughter Lyla while living paycheck to paycheck. Our final point of view is Lyla herself. A sophomore at Windsor Academy, she is there on a scholarship and oftentimes does not feel like she fits in. High School is hard enough as it is, but when a compromising photo of her gets shared on social media, everything in her world suddenly changes. Having all of the different points of view in this story helps to paint the picture, but it also makes you realize you really don’t know who is telling the truth about what happened that night. I was on the edge of my seat as I made my way through the book to get to the outcome.
To me this book was so much about the relationships you have in your life. Whether that be with a spouse, a parent, a child or your best friend. No one ever wants to disappoint someone they care about and when you are under pressure and in a situation that may not paint you in the best light or might cause problems for you or a loved one, you are more likely to do whatever you can to make it right and this was very evident in this book.
I enjoyed this book immensely and would highly recommend it!
I absolutely loved Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Griffin, so when I had the chance to read All We Ever Wanted, I jumped at the chance! A story told with multiple point-of-views about choices made and their impacts to those around you.
Nina went from a middle-class life to one of the wealthiest families in Nashville, But not all is what it seems in her life. Her son was just accepted to Princeton. They should be celebrating. But when her son is part of an act that harms another, she finds herself in the middle of that mess.
Tom is a single father doing all he can to provide the best life possible for his daughter. When she receives a scholarship to the elite Windsor Academy, he could not be prouder. But now Lyla, Tom’s daughter, finds herself among spoiled and entitled kids. Can she ever fit in?
All Lyla wants is to be accepted and be a part of the crowd. Instead she finds a photo that has gone viral and her life is now upside down. Tom wants justice for his daughter and Nina wants her son to take responsibility. In a world of wealth and power, will either get what they are looking for?
All We Ever Wanted deals with issues of faced by many in the age of social media and wrong choices. We see how this event affected each character and how they dealt with it. A touching and emotional story that stays with you.
Happy reading!
This book was amazing! I really enjoyed the family dynamics of the two families represented. Tom is a single father raising his teen daughter Lyla in a middle-class environment. Nina and Kirk, on the other hand, are very wealthy and are raising their son Finch in a home of privilege and expectation of more privilege. When the book begins, Finch has just been accepted to Princeton, so we know that he is intelligent. But his other character traits are not very admirable. I will most remember Nina’s reaction to what Finch has done and what Kirk is doing to try to cover up for him. It is important to remember that date rape is real, and the portrayal in this novel is very realistic. The book is fast-paced and very entertaining. I loved the way the viewpoint switched between the main characters, Tom, Nina and Lyla. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was really going on since there was so much deception . I was quickly drawn into the tale of a young girl and the parallel story o a married woman who has lost control of her life. This is such an excellent read that all avid readers should read it and are guaranteed to enjoy it!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”