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Nothing. Everything
To her children, her pushy mother, her preacher father and her four seemingly perfect brothers, YA author Ellis Sloan is surviving the sudden demise of her damaging marriage just fine. On the outside, she's her usual irreverent self, helping her teens adjust while working hard on her second novel. But privately, she's paralyzed by panic, the words are all gone, and she has been typing gibberish into a document she deletes every day.
Her depressing monotony is interrupted when her one-time childhood nemesis and eventual first kiss re-enters her life by shouting profanity at a toppled piano outside her bedroom window. Now famous and beloved, Lincoln Hale’s mysterious return resurrects memories Ellis buried deep on the prom night he never came for her and unleashes a chain of events that leads her to discover what it’s going to take to finally get back to who she once was. With equal doses of humor and heart, she learns the secrets of the past, faces her traumatic fears, and tries to repair her brokenness before time runs out on her next book and her first shot at real happiness.
Her depressing monotony is interrupted when her one-time childhood nemesis and eventual first kiss re-enters her life by shouting profanity at a toppled piano outside her bedroom window. Now famous and beloved, Lincoln Hale’s mysterious return resurrects memories Ellis buried deep on the prom night he never came for her and unleashes a chain of events that leads her to discover what it’s going to take to finally get back to who she once was. With equal doses of humor and heart, she learns the secrets of the past, faces her traumatic fears, and tries to repair her brokenness before time runs out on her next book and her first shot at real happiness.
- GenresFiction
426 pages, Paperback
Published June 17, 2023
10 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 14, 2023
There's much that is beautiful about this debut novel from Virginia Montanez, a local Pittsburgh personality, but it needed more balance. I also wish Pittsburgh had been made more of a "character" in the story (but I would think that, as someone who lives here).
Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book over on my Booktube channel, abookolive.
Click here to hear more of my thoughts on this book over on my Booktube channel, abookolive.
June 26, 2023
I laughed. I laughed so hard. I read lines aloud to my husband. I quoted them on Twitter and Instagram. I took photos. I cried. I cried a number of times. I felt the description of the panic attack was spot on; I struggled with another section for personal reason, but it was written so well. The writing? I never wanted it to end. The Pittsburgh references brought joy, but the writing? Pure beauty. I will be gifting this book to everyone I know. I’m not letting anyone borrow my copy. I’m just going to buy it for people. This copy? Goes on my Favorites shelf.
October 5, 2023
I have been a fan of Ginny since before we knew her real identity. I'm so glad she's returned to writing in the form of a weekly newsletter, and now, her first novel! She has been generous enough to visit book clubs, and mine was lucky enough to have her as a guest!
Would you believe she wrote this book in three months‽ And out of order, without an outline? That makes this debut all the more impressive, because it's good!! There's a present day timeline with Ellis, who's kind of stuck in her life and trying to get over a bad marriage when her old friend Lincoln makes a reappearance. There's a past timeline in which we see how she and Lincoln became friends and helped one another. And the dialogue from her therapy sessions throughout show what she's been through and how she slowly is reclaiming her life.
The story is relatable, real, and reflective of the author's usual humor and writing skill.
Shame on you, Goodreads, for making this book difficult to find through a search! I tried all the variations and the only thing that worked was entering the author's name.
Would you believe she wrote this book in three months‽ And out of order, without an outline? That makes this debut all the more impressive, because it's good!! There's a present day timeline with Ellis, who's kind of stuck in her life and trying to get over a bad marriage when her old friend Lincoln makes a reappearance. There's a past timeline in which we see how she and Lincoln became friends and helped one another. And the dialogue from her therapy sessions throughout show what she's been through and how she slowly is reclaiming her life.
The story is relatable, real, and reflective of the author's usual humor and writing skill.
Shame on you, Goodreads, for making this book difficult to find through a search! I tried all the variations and the only thing that worked was entering the author's name.
June 20, 2023
Ellis Sloan is such an endearing character; I just found myself cheering for her. It's an absolute love story to Pittsburgh and the ties that bind. Bravo!
June 29, 2023
Obsessed is a great way to put it.
I love Ellis. And Lincoln. And Hadi and Christopher and Dunn and omg, especially Wren.
This is a beautiful book and would that I could be more articulate in my adoration of it. Perhaps later, when I’ve had time to dwell, to reread, and soak in it.
I love Ellis. And Lincoln. And Hadi and Christopher and Dunn and omg, especially Wren.
This is a beautiful book and would that I could be more articulate in my adoration of it. Perhaps later, when I’ve had time to dwell, to reread, and soak in it.
December 1, 2024
It took me a minute to get into the story and I think it was because I was anticipating predictability with the setup of divorce/old guy friend visiting from the big city set up - which is not my jam. I was wrong. So wrong. A wonderful, delightful, punch in the heart.
June 29, 2023
I purchased this book to support a local author, and I’m so happy I did. I really enjoyed how the author chose to tell the story - with short chapters, childhood flashbacks, and therapy session snippets. I don’t always enjoy flashback sequences, but this was done perfectly. I loved the humor throughout the novel and the raw emotions felt so genuine. You did Pittsburgh proud, Virginia! I’m so excited to see what you write next!
October 18, 2023
I couldn't put this down. The author was so accurately able to capture that painful drudge through life when battling depression. The ending left me feeling very hopeful.
I have been following the author since her early blogging days. It was great seeing glimpses of her through the book.
I have been following the author since her early blogging days. It was great seeing glimpses of her through the book.
November 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the structure, moving from past to present in parallel chapters.
February 13, 2024
It was heartfelt and funny. Great writing. I didn’t love that her ex-friend was a famous actor … reminded me too much of This Is Us … but otherwise story got really good/deep by the end!
August 5, 2023
I thought this book was wonderful! It’s smart, funny and made me smile so often while reading. So many lovely, illuminating little phrases that I went back and read over and over.
October 22, 2023
It’s unusual for a book that can make me laugh and cry within the same chapter, but Virginia Montanez’s debut novel did just that. The plotting and complex characters kept me reading far into the night when I should have been sleeping.
I was lucky enough that this local author visited my book club so we could learn about her writing process and inspirations. Despite her claims to the contrary, I argue that this is a solid literary read!
I was lucky enough that this local author visited my book club so we could learn about her writing process and inspirations. Despite her claims to the contrary, I argue that this is a solid literary read!
July 14, 2023
First novel. Can't wait for the second
As a long time fan of her writing, going back to her blogging days, I was looking forward to reading Virginia Montanez's first novel and it did not disappoint. Containing the warmth, intelligence, and humor of her shorter works, it was a great read that never lagged, jumping between times in the main character's life, always making me want to know what's going to happen next.
Hopefully this is the first of many novels by this author.
As a long time fan of her writing, going back to her blogging days, I was looking forward to reading Virginia Montanez's first novel and it did not disappoint. Containing the warmth, intelligence, and humor of her shorter works, it was a great read that never lagged, jumping between times in the main character's life, always making me want to know what's going to happen next.
Hopefully this is the first of many novels by this author.
August 29, 2023
I'm not much of a reader -- I prefer audiobooks as I fall asleep reading a traditional book after a few pages. Because this book isn't available yet as an audiobook, I had no choice. And I read it to the end, 400+ pages, in slightly over 48 hours. As another reviewer said, I have trouble putting my compliments into words. It's funny but not overly so, it's sad at times but not overly so. I love all the characters and enjoyed watching them grow and find themselves as the story developed. I highly recommend to all.
July 3, 2023
Just a Steel Town girl living in her California world transported back to a place with so many memories - bad and good and reading through this book I am feeling a lot of them but ending it feeling the healing warmth and smiling. It was a good visit back home for me while reading this book.
October 31, 2023
I kind of liked Nothing. Everything. I didn't love it; didn't hate it. It kind of grew on me and I did want to see how things ended for Ellis, so I kept reading.
Ellis is a divorced mother of two with a lot of issues. The story is mostly told in first person, except for Ellis's therapy sessions. She grew up as the only girl in the middle of four brothers, with a pastor father and a pushy mother called Poppy. (Is that her name or is that what she is called by her children?) The story is not told sequentially and the reader needs to be aware of the dates heading each chapter. (There were times when I was very confused; not the author's fault, but the reader's.)
As I generally enjoy Montanez' weekly newsletters on local events and history, I wanted to like Nothing. Everything. more. Some of the descriptions were so apt but there were too many expletives for me. I thought that some of the brothers, all except Christopher, and their wives and children were extraneous to the story and I couldn't really distinguish them. However, the book was a fairly quick read and I wanted to keep reading.
"She stepped into the dark woods and brushed away the tug of loss that pulled at her as she allowed the full unraveling of a stitch in her life she'd once been desperate to hold on to." (242)
Ellis is a divorced mother of two with a lot of issues. The story is mostly told in first person, except for Ellis's therapy sessions. She grew up as the only girl in the middle of four brothers, with a pastor father and a pushy mother called Poppy. (Is that her name or is that what she is called by her children?) The story is not told sequentially and the reader needs to be aware of the dates heading each chapter. (There were times when I was very confused; not the author's fault, but the reader's.)
As I generally enjoy Montanez' weekly newsletters on local events and history, I wanted to like Nothing. Everything. more. Some of the descriptions were so apt but there were too many expletives for me. I thought that some of the brothers, all except Christopher, and their wives and children were extraneous to the story and I couldn't really distinguish them. However, the book was a fairly quick read and I wanted to keep reading.
"She stepped into the dark woods and brushed away the tug of loss that pulled at her as she allowed the full unraveling of a stitch in her life she'd once been desperate to hold on to." (242)
August 25, 2023
Everything.
‘Nothing. Everything.’ was everything for me. I started following Virginia Montanez (@janepitt) on social media several years ago. Something she wrote caught my attention and I’m a sucker for a Pittsburgher. My parents are from Pittsburgh and now that Dad’s gone I regret not intently listening to every story he told about Pittsburgh throughout my childhood, and every narrated tour through the #Burgh on visits with relatives.
I read a review that said they were disappointed Pittsburgh wasn’t more of a ‘character’ in the book. Eat ‘N Park, Oakmont Bakery, and Gulf Tower are mentioned, however I felt Pittsburgh was a character. I felt Pittsburgh in the cadence, the words, the rhythm. I felt my Dad.
In the morning, three more copies are being sent to friends and my sister. My copy is already in the hands of my daughter, with 2 friends in line after her. Honestly, I may even send a couple copies in memory of my Dad to our local bookstore.
I cannot wait to read her next book, no matter the topic. This one was EVERYTHING.
‘Nothing. Everything.’ was everything for me. I started following Virginia Montanez (@janepitt) on social media several years ago. Something she wrote caught my attention and I’m a sucker for a Pittsburgher. My parents are from Pittsburgh and now that Dad’s gone I regret not intently listening to every story he told about Pittsburgh throughout my childhood, and every narrated tour through the #Burgh on visits with relatives.
I read a review that said they were disappointed Pittsburgh wasn’t more of a ‘character’ in the book. Eat ‘N Park, Oakmont Bakery, and Gulf Tower are mentioned, however I felt Pittsburgh was a character. I felt Pittsburgh in the cadence, the words, the rhythm. I felt my Dad.
In the morning, three more copies are being sent to friends and my sister. My copy is already in the hands of my daughter, with 2 friends in line after her. Honestly, I may even send a couple copies in memory of my Dad to our local bookstore.
I cannot wait to read her next book, no matter the topic. This one was EVERYTHING.
October 10, 2023
Boy did this book catch my interest early and never let it go. It is well written with lots of emotional scenes about love, life, parenting, pride, trust. It’s quite full of spot on descriptions of all of these realities. I liked most of the characters, especially her fierce voice for her children and siblings. Throughout Ms. Montanez kept it interesting and didn’t disappoint. I love that it was written by a native Pittsburgher who interspersed various locations throughout as an homage to our favorite city. Very entertaining, spent a little over a day to complete. So glad that it was recommended from an unexpected source.
December 28, 2023
This is a fabulous debut novel. I'm happy that my book discussion group selected this because I might not have found this author on my own.
Ellis is an engaging hero of her own story. But there's so much swearing, which seems an oddly lazy characteristic for a character who loves words. Shouldn't she be able to express herself vividly without the laziness of knee-jerk swearing?
The description of the panic attack is horrifying.
I'm delighted by the character expansion/growth that's shown in this novel.
Ellis is an engaging hero of her own story. But there's so much swearing, which seems an oddly lazy characteristic for a character who loves words. Shouldn't she be able to express herself vividly without the laziness of knee-jerk swearing?
The description of the panic attack is horrifying.
I'm delighted by the character expansion/growth that's shown in this novel.
September 11, 2023
A charming, sweet, and funny story about a woman rediscovering love - and herself - after leaving an abusive marriage. The book manages to cover heavy topics like abuse, trauma, and suicide, while still feeling like a light read. I'm annoyed at myself for buying the Kindle version because I liked the book so much that now I want a hardcover copy to keep on my shelf - I guess I'll just have to buy the book twice.
September 23, 2023
I think I accidentally deleted my review🙃 from a couple of months ago, so I can’t remember what I wrote.
But I do remember that I loved this book! I have been a fan of Virginia’s for a number of years & am born/raised in Pittsburgh, I could “see” what she was describing. Even though the main character is not Ginny , she had her voice.
I hope when she is done with getting her degree, she will write more novels. Thank you, Virginia/Ginny!
But I do remember that I loved this book! I have been a fan of Virginia’s for a number of years & am born/raised in Pittsburgh, I could “see” what she was describing. Even though the main character is not Ginny , she had her voice.
I hope when she is done with getting her degree, she will write more novels. Thank you, Virginia/Ginny!
December 22, 2023
I never read fiction, and I hadn’t finished a book in years, and then I got this book and could not put it down. Descriptive, but not overly so. Characters you can see yourself in. Just the right amount of twists and turns. Set in Pittsburgh, but not so much that the city is its own character. You can picture this anywhere. This book really shows the depth of this author’s abilities. She’s also hilarious and intelligent on Twitter/X.
July 1, 2023
I’ve followed this author for years as she wrote various pieces locally. I was so excited for her first novel and it did not disappoint. She doesn’t shy away from the angsty, raw feelings that many of her readers have experienced. And does so in a hilarious way. I couldn’t put it down (I stayed up way too late with this one). I can’t wait for the next one, perfection.
October 1, 2023
I love Montanez's email newsletter and was so excited to read her novel--which I loved. Of course I love the Pittsburgh setting, but what I love most is how clearly Montanez loves her characters. This investment--this life-giving--comes through in every twist of the story, and I fully believe I'll run into these characters one of these days on the streets of Pittsburgh.
February 2, 2024
My heart is bursting, melting, and all of the above! Please let there be a sequel, there’s so much I need to know!! But seriously, I loved this book. I’ve met Ginny and talked to her in person at a book reading and the humor and energy infused through every page of this novel is truly her in real life. It’s what made the book and painted such a raw and relatable story from start to finish.
September 6, 2024
There were many jaw dropping moments, moments I didn’t expect but moments I loved! I started off the book with confusion but ended in wanting more and secretly wanting to become friend with Ellis.
As you can tell by the start & finish date…it took me a while to read. Having a toddler, a pre teen travel baseball son and recently becoming pregnant…I hope you can understand.
As you can tell by the start & finish date…it took me a while to read. Having a toddler, a pre teen travel baseball son and recently becoming pregnant…I hope you can understand.
June 24, 2023
I typically no longer purchase books and prefer to use libraries. However, I wanted to support this local author and placed a pre-order for her first novel. I enjoyed the book and laughed out loud at her often comedic writing style. Congratulations to Virginia Montanez on her first novel.
July 15, 2023
This book is exquisite! It will make you laugh it will make you cry. You’ll want to highlight passages to go back and read them again. Extra fun that it is set in Pittsburgh and I recognized so many references. I look forward to reading many more books from this author.
August 10, 2023
I happily slept badly last night because I couldn't stop thinking about this book. It is so beautiful, funny, and well-crafted, with some of the best characters I've read in a while. There's so much love in this story and healing and hope. I very highly recommend it.
September 11, 2023
This was my favorite book to read this year and 2023 still has a few months to go! The development of Ellis was like a roller coaster at Kennywood. Wren’s growth, understanding Lincoln and his secrets, as well as Christopher finding himself round out this well-writing story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews