As far as Maren is concerned, life is perfect and it’s just about to get better. On the cusp of her fortieth birthday and with her only child almost grown, it’s time to start putting herself and her marriage first. But when the butterflies in her tummy turn out to be morning sickness, Maren’s world is flipped upside down with an unplanned, high risk pregnancy—one she’s ashamed to admit is … unwanted.
Overnight, everything changes and the ripple effect of the baby she’s so unsure of is felt in every corner of her life. Her perfect life slowly disappears. Her teenage daughter looks for attention in the wrong places. Her best friend inexplicably blows up and stops speaking to her. And worse, her once doting husband pulls away when she needs him the most.
Just when she’s sure things couldn’t possibly be worse, a shocking discovery rocks Maren’s world. Faced with a devastating deception, a truth she can no longer ignore, and an impossible choice, can Maren stop her life from completely unraveling? Or is All We Never Knew too much for love to overcome?
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Why do I do this to myself?! Last night I decided to start reading Elena Aitken’s newest story. I was sure I could read a chapter or two & then go to bed. After all, it was 10:30 & she’d mentioned it was different than her other books. Instead, from the first page, I was engrossed in the storyline. I smiled & I cried. Oh, how I cried! This story hit my heart so hard but it was uplifting in parts too. Maren was a beautiful strong woman. I really don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll just say this is a wonderful story of the trials of a strong woman. Give this story a shot! I think you’ll really enjoy it!
No spoilers here and a must read if you are looking for almost true life experience after 40. Maren’s story can be relatable to so many women who are hitting that 40 year milestone in there life. This book is definitely a normal HEA that Elena usually writes but dont let that make you think that it won’t be a great book. Difenately a book for those women that need a silver lining in there life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is definitely different than Ms. Aitken’s other books. It is well written and broke my heart at times. I don’t want to give anything away. Marin, Davis and Sabrina have all been good friends since their teenage days. Marin and Davis fell in love, married and have a daughter Rylee. I can understand how Marin is excited about turning 40 and ready to put more of herself in her job. Especially since Rylee is turning 16 and will be out of the house soon. Marin is such a good mother and has put all of herself in raising her daughter to feel so loved. Davis shows his love to Marin and Rylee all the time. It was nice that Marin had such a good friend in Sabrina for all these years. Then Marin and her whole family have their lives turned upside down. I couldn’t understand some of the decisions made, and felt bad for Rylee as going through teenage years is not easy, especially with how her world is going crazy. There are times my heart was breaking while reading and other times I was so mad. This is a good book, but not a feel good giving you fuzzies book. I strongly encourage you to read the book if you want something that really makes you think. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
Wow, this chick just could not catch a break. Big 40th birthday and her world literally falls apart. Honestly, I don’t know how she survived it in one piece (mentally). The story was moving and I enjoyed reading this book. My heart hurt by the end.
It took me a few days to think of what I could say about this book, without giving any spoilers, because it was really pretty…deep for me. It may be that some of the things that happened in the story have happened to me in my own life so it really affected me on many levels. I truly enjoyed the story – read straight thru until 2 in the morning! – because I wanted to know how it ended.
The cast of characters are Maren Bennett, her husband Davis, her daughter Rylee, and her best friend, Sabrina. The story opens with Maren walking into a surprise situation annnnnnnnnddddddddd she really doesn’t enjoy them. She is a very controlled individual – has her life planned out, days are scheduled – but in a way that just helps her make it the very busy days that she and her family have. Not a bad thing, just the way it is. Davis loves his wife and daughter very much and is more easy-going. Rylee is a typical teen and probably just like the rest of us when we were her age. I mean, it’s all about her, right? I felt Sabrina was a bit too self-centered but there are other words and feelings I can attribute to her – you will need to read the story to come up with those yourself.
I’d say that the events that happen in All We Never Knew would never happen in real life but of course, they do. I can attest to that. In that vein, some of the story can be hard to read because it can dredge up strong feelings. Don’t let that scare you away – I really enjoyed the book. It’s just that sometimes, you see a train wreck about to happen (sometimes because you have been there yourself!) and there is nothing you can do to change events as they happen. I truly appreciate how the author created Maren to be flying steady, blindsided, feeling lower than a worm, and then how she rose above her circumstances to be the best she could be. I feel strongly that everyone should read this story as it is impactful, loving (in its own way) and about support systems you do not even know you have. I feel…more…for having read it.