Everybody Says It's Everything

by Xhenet Aliu

Twins growing up in America in 1999 unravel larger truths about identity and sibling bonds when one gets wrapped up in the war in Kosovo, in this unforgettable novel from the award-winning author of Brass

Growing up in Connecticut adopted twins Drita and Petrit (aka Pete) had no connection to their Albanian heritage. Their lives were all about Barbie dolls, the mall, and roller skating at the local rink. Though inseparable in childhood, their paths diverged as teenagers; Drita was a good girl with and good manners who was going to go to a good college, Pete was a bad boy going nowhere fast. Even their twinhood was not enough to keep them together.

Fast forward to their twenties and Drita has abandoned her graduate studies to move home and take care of their mother, giving up her dreams for the future. She hasn’t heard from her brother in three years when Pete’s girlfriend and their son show up unexpectedly without him and in need of help. Realizing that his child may offer the siblings a second chance at being family, Drita becomes determined to find Pete. But what she ends up discovering—both about their connection to their Albanian roots, the war in Kosovo, and the story of their adoption—will surprise everyone, and will either be the thing that brings them together, or tears them apart for good.

From the award-winning author of Brass, Everybody Says It’s Everything tells the story of a family both fractured and foundering, desperate to connect with the other and the world at large, but not knowing how.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Family, Historical, Audiobook, Novels, Adoption

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2025

About the author

Xhenet Aliu's most recent novel, Everybody Says It's Everything (Random House), will be published in March 2025. Her previous novel, Brass (Random House), was awarded the biennial Townsend Prize in 2020, the 2018 Georgia Author of the Year First Novel Prize, was a Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” selection, and was long-listed for the 2018 Center for Fiction First Book Prize. Numerous media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, The San Francisco Chronicle, Real Simple, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, named Brass a 2018 best book of the year. Previously, her debut story collection, Domesticated Wild Things, and Other Stories won the Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Fiction.

She teaches Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Reviews

[Dona's Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished Reading
DNF @ p34

Pre-Read notes
This was almost an arc that got away (I have a couple of those!) Due to a snafu with my tech. But I got it ironed out and I'm glad I get to read this one. Twenty pages in and the author has introduced a number of compelling topics. It's going to be an interesting read!

Final Review

Review summary and recommendations

I didn't get very far because of the ableism. Other readers who aren't sensitive to that will probably like this book. For a book that visits similar themes but doesn't lean so hard on ableism, try Listen to Your Sister, which is a great horror story centering traumatized siblings and mental illness.

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. The motherf-cker clinched it: Drita knew then that Shanda was telling the truth, because that was a word that could only be spoken about Pete in earnest. What a motherfucker. He was the guy who could tell the best jokes, and make indolence into a lifestyle choice. p19 This is some great writing! It's an intro to an unlikable character, Pete. It remains to be seen if he is unlikable because of his mental illness, which would be horribly ableist to actually write.

Two quibbles:

(This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.)

1. Whatever relief Drita briefly felt upon learning that Pete wasn’t an addict fell away. The man ditched his sick baby because the sick baby’s distraught mother told him to—that was the sole time in his life he actually listened to someone telling him what to do? At least a junkie could stop being a junkie by getting off drugs, whereas who knew what kind of rehab would fix whatever was wrong with Pete. p22 This passage is deeply and distressing ableist. Mental illness is a horrible state and recovering from it is nearly impossible. Recovering from disabling mental illness is far harder than recovering from addiction in part because of stigma just like this. I may not make it through this book, I don't know. I want to stick in long enough to decide if it's just the character who is ableist, or if it's the narrator or author. Because characters can grow and change even where humans can't.

2. The mentally ill character, Pete, gets introduced to the audience by sh-tting his pants in public. Keep in mind, this character has already been identified as being clean, so this is not for chemical reasons. But also, we don't get an explanation for why this character crapped himself, which makes it really difficult for the audience to empathize with him. Mental illness does a lot of stuff, but by and large, it doesnt make a person fecally incontinent. I can't read this ableist book.

Rating: DNF @ p34
Finished: Mar 19 '25
Format: accessible digital, NetGalley

Thank you to the author Xhenet Aliu, publishers Random House, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of EVERYBODY SAYS IT'S EVERYTHING. All views are mine.
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[Donna Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded upwards.

Xhenet (pronounced similar to “Jeanette”) Aliu is the author of Brass, the award-winning debut novel that was one of my favorites of 2018. When I saw that she had a new book, Everybody Says It’s Everything, I was so excited that I bounced up and down in my desk chair. My thanks go to Random House and NetGalley for the invitation to read and review; sadly, I found this book disappointing. The sophomore slump is real, friends.

Our story centers—to the extent that it has a center—on adopted twins, Drita and Pete, who’ve been leading quintessential American lives. Drita was a star student, and is in the midst of graduate studies when she is called home to care for her mother; Pete—actually Petrit—has been in various sorts of trouble, and now his girlfriend and son have landed with Drita looking for help, since they aren’t getting any from Pete. The story takes us through their native Albanian roots and heritage, through the war in Kosovo, and through Pete’s discouragement, hardship, and addiction.

I have a hard time connecting with any of these characters. The dialogue drags, and the poignant qualities that I found in Brass are nowhere to be found. Both are sad stories, but the protagonist in Brass had my whole heart and my full attention, whereas these characters left me feeling as if I was eavesdropping on one more group of depressed, underserved people, but also edging towards the door. I was just straight up bored, a word I rarely use in reviews. I continued all the way through because I was sure that it would turn brilliant any minute; it never did.

I look forward to seeing what this author writes next, because she has proven that she has the ability to connect with readers in general and me in particular, but I can’t recommend this book to you.

[Laura Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such beautiful story of family, identity, and what we owe relatives, blood related and not. I am not a big historical fiction reader but this one gripped and moved me. There’s also a twist that hit close to home for me - family secrets and lies are more common than you’d think. I loved the many backstories this book included, and that it takes place in the late 90s, the beginning days of chat rooms, the internet, and online sleuthing.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written account of boy-girl twins raised by a woman in a wheelchair, who learn through hard lessons the meaning of family. Told from shifting points of view, structuring itself across various eras, with a twist that explains some of the choices made for better or for worst. What appealed to me most was the realistic dialogue that propelled the action and the characterizations that enhanced it.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I generally found Aliu's writing to be good, I found the characters themselves to be too one dimensional and decided not to finish the book as a result.

[Adrienne Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What duty do we have to our families? How does that change when you are cut off from your family of origin or willing cut them off?

Everyone Says It’s Everything is a family saga told from multiple perspectives across decades that coalesces around the genocide of Albanian people in the late 1990s. Pete and Drita are adopted twins in their mid 20s who respond to familial crises in vastly different ways but both find themselves called to their roots. In flashbacks, we learn about their Italian American mother, Jackie, and the unexpected love and loss that led her to adopt them and raise the twins in New York. The interwoven side story of Shanda, Pete’s troubled girlfriend, introduces the next generation of their family as the mother of Pete’s son, Drita’s nephew and Jackie’s grandson.

At one point, Drita sees her family’s story as “three generations of people who shared nothing except for feeling sorrow in tandem,” but there’s a hopeful message that shines through at the end about holding space for different definitions of family and duty. I enjoyed reading this book, especially the blast from the past AOL email exchanges.

I received a digital advance reader’s copy from Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Reyna M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for providing me an e-ARC!

**2.5 stars** This is my first Xhenet Aliu book I read and am intrigued to read more. I do appreciate the perspective on having a multicultural identity crisis but there was something lacking.

The story follow adopted twins, Drita and Pete of Albanian heritage navigating their separate lives. Now in their twenties, Drita, having been the star pupil and the family’s ideal daughter puts her future at pause to care for her mother while Pete has a son with his now-separated partner, struggle with an identity crisis having been adopted by Italian parents. Drita helps Pete’s ex, Shanda find Pete after he disappears, abandoning his son.

Having a huge interest in multicultural families, this premise sounded very interesting. But from the beginning, there lacked any information of the family dynamics. The novel barely explores the nuances of the twins' upbringing within the adoptive family. We get glimpses of their childhood, but the dynamics within the family remain largely unexplored

The writing style did not help clarify the family dynamic. The dialogue sounded very juvenile for characters in their twenties. The lack of detailed physical descriptions also made it difficult to fully visualize and connect with the characters. I found Pete's perspective more engaging than Drita's. His struggle to find his place in the world, torn between his adopted identity and his Albanian heritage, will resonate with a lot of readers.

While the writing was not my favorite, the core concept of exploring the complexities of identity and belonging is interesting to read about. This wasn’t my favorite read but I am curious of this author’s other works.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody Says It’s Everything by Xhenet Aliu is a well written story told from multiple points of view across multiple timelines involving family secrets, lies, cultural identity and found family. The novel features adopted twins Drita and Petrit (Pete) who were raised in Connecticut in the 1990’s by their wheelchair bound mother, Jackie. Drita and Pete become estranged as teens when good girl Drita goes off to college and Pete ties himself to drug addicted Shandra. Pete eventually finds himself wrapped up in the war in Kosovo. And Shandra turns to Drita when she becomes overwhelmed with caring for her son with Pete, Dakota. I found the background stories of Shandra and Jackie to be most compelling.
“Everybody says it’s everything” refers to family ties. The main characters explore what it means to be family, whether by blood or not. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this moving character based family drama. I didn’t anticipate becoming so invested in the lives of these troubled people. 4/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own. 3/18/25

[Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Compelling characters, an intriguing story, and family secrets revealed, making this an engrossing read. I enjoyed Xhenet Aliu’s first novel, Brass, so I was eager to read her latest novel. Her writing is so beautiful, one feels for the characters and the ups and downs of their respective lives. The story is set in the 1990’s but moves back and forth in time seamlessly. Although there are several povs, one never loses track of the story. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended to those readers who enjoy character-driven stories.

[Bryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. Wow, this was so well written. The story is so complex and at times heartbreaking. A story of how difficult families and relationships can be. This is a very character driven book and I really liked the characters. I was rooting for them, especially sweet Dakota. There are so many Dakotas out there and this book brings humanity to them. Ditra is like any sister who is angry with her troubled sibling and trying desperately to know what the right thing to do for them is. She was very relatable. This book is very well written and I inhaled it in a day. 4.5 stars Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this book.

[Star Gater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Random House for allowing me to read and review Everybody Says It's Everything on NetGalley.

Published: 03/18/25

Stars: 2

Oh, not again. The synopsis drew me in. Unfortunately the book never actually created a story for me. I teetered between boredom, confusion, to what is the appeal.

Characters like Pete are frustratingly antiquated. There were paragraphs so descriptive I would tear up. However, the storyline itself was convoluted.

Obviously this didn't work for me. I hope if you pick this up the book works for you.

There is foul language.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xhenet Aliu's sophomore novel, "Everybody Says It's Everything," weaves a captivating tale of twins navigating the complex terrain of identity, family bonds, and cultural heritage against the backdrop of late 1990s America and the Kosovo War. Building on the promise of her award-winning debut "Brass," Aliu demonstrates her gift for creating richly textured characters whose lives illuminate larger societal issues while remaining deeply personal.

Set primarily in 1999, the novel follows Albanian-American twins Drita and Petrit (Pete) DiMeo, whose paths have dramatically diverged since childhood. Drita, once college-bound and full of ambition, has returned to her hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut, to care for their disabled mother Jackie after her father's death. Meanwhile, Pete has been absent for three years, having abandoned his girlfriend Shanda and their young son Dakota. When Shanda unexpectedly reappears with Dakota in tow, Drita finds herself drawn into a search for her wayward brother that will ultimately unravel truths about their family that challenge everything she thought she knew about herself.

Character Development That Resonates

Aliu excels at crafting characters who feel lived-in and authentic, with complex motivations that defy easy categorization:

- Drita emerges as the novel's emotional center—a woman caught between obligation and aspiration, who clings to ambitions of rejoining the world of public health while feeling increasingly trapped by circumstances. Her journey from resentment to understanding forms the backbone of the narrative.

- Pete, though absent for much of the novel, looms large throughout. His sections reveal a man desperately seeking belonging, easily swayed by stronger personalities offering direction and purpose.

- Shanda, perhaps the novel's most surprising character, evolves from a seemingly one-dimensional junkie stereotype into a nuanced portrait of a woman fighting to overcome her past for her son's sake.

- Jackie, the twins' adoptive mother, harbors secrets that have shaped the family in ways none of them fully understand until they're forced to confront the truth.

The relationship between Drita and Dakota—her nephew who might not technically be her nephew at all—provides some of the novel's most touching moments, as the boy's guileless observations cut through Drita's defenses.

Thematic Depth and Cultural Exploration

Aliu's exploration of identity—both personal and cultural—gives the novel its philosophical heft. The twins' disconnection from their Albanian heritage becomes increasingly significant as Pete is drawn into the Kosovo War through his work with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), highlighting how the search for belonging can lead down dangerous paths.

The theme of cultural displacement runs throughout, with characters grasping at thin connections to homelands they've never known or barely remember. When Drita discovers the truth about her and Pete's origins—that they aren't biological twins but unrelated Albanian orphans Jackie adopted and raised as twins—the novel raises profound questions about what constitutes family and how much our origins define us.

"I just think Pete should think about his people before he joins a war for his people." Drita asks at one point, encapsulating the novel's central tension between obligations to abstract ideas of heritage versus concrete responsibilities to the people in our immediate lives.

Narrative Structure and Voice

The novel unfolds primarily through Drita's perspective in 1999, with interludes showcasing Pete's experiences and flashbacks to crucial moments in the family's history. This structure effectively builds tension while gradually revealing the family secrets that drive the plot.

Aliu's prose is sharp, often darkly humorous, and deeply attuned to class markers and regional specificities. Her descriptions of Waterbury's post-industrial decline provide a fitting backdrop for characters struggling to find stability in shifting circumstances. Consider this characteristic passage describing Nadia's apartment:

"Mounds of garbage had been shoved into black lawn bags, and Shanda, on her hands and knees, shoveled yet more debris in, looking ironically less animal than she ever had before among all that trash. Now she just seemed broken, though Drita wondered why people always talked about that as a pejorative, as if it wasn't what was done to horses to make them able to live proximate to humans."

This blend of gritty observation with unexpected philosophical insight typifies Aliu's narrative voice—unflinching yet empathetic, with an ear for the cadences of everyday speech that brings her characters vividly to life.

Historical Context and Relevance

Set against the backdrop of the Kosovo War, the novel deftly integrates historical events without becoming didactic. Aliu portrays how distant conflicts reverberate through immigrant communities in America, creating unexpected allegiances and divides. The depiction of the Albanian-American community's mobilization around the Kosovo crisis feels authentically rendered and provides crucial context for Pete's misguided attempt to find purpose.

The late 1990s setting is equally well-realized, with cultural touchstones (Furbies, AOL chat rooms, Jeopardy!) serving not just as nostalgic markers but as meaningful elements that inform character and plot. The emerging internet becomes a tool through which Drita attempts to locate her brother, highlighting how technology was beginning to transform human connection even as it created new avenues for deception.

Critical Assessment: Strengths and Limitations

Aliu's greatest strength is her ability to capture complex emotional states with precision and restraint. The scenes between Drita and Dakota shine particularly bright, portraying their tentative bond with tenderness without slipping into sentimentality. Similarly, the complicated relationship between the twins feels authentic in its messiness.

The novel also excels in its portrayal of class struggles in post-industrial America. Characters make compromises and poor choices not because they're inherently flawed but because their options are severely constrained by economic realities. Aliu never condescends to her working-class characters, instead rendering their lives with dignity and nuance.

If the novel has a weakness, it's that certain narrative threads feel somewhat unresolved by the conclusion. Valon's character, who becomes increasingly important to Drita through their online correspondence, doesn't quite achieve the depth afforded to the central family members. Their connection, while intriguing, doesn't fully pay off emotionally in their brief in-person meeting.

Additionally, some readers might find the pacing in the middle section slightly uneven, as Drita's search for Pete occasionally stalls while other character dynamics develop. However, this deliberate pacing ultimately serves the novel's themes about the frustrating nature of seeking answers that may never fully satisfy.

Conclusion: A Significant Literary Achievement

"Everybody Says It's Everything" confirms Xhenet Aliu as a significant voice in contemporary American fiction. Building on the promise of her debut "Brass," which won both the Townsend Prize and the Georgia Author of the Year First Novel Award, this sophomore effort demonstrates her growing mastery of complex narrative structures and thematic depth.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about adopted twins, Drita and Pete, who grow up in CT in 1999. They are Albanian by birth but don't really know much about their culture. As they approach their teenage years their paths in life begin to diverge. At one point, they stop speaking altogether, and don't really come back together until Pete starts to pay more attention to the Albanian/Serbian conflict.

This novel is told from many different points of view, in addition to jumping back and forth in time. It's VERY hard to follow because of the constant switching. While I found the writing itself very good, the story was just not that interesting. I didn't really connect to any of the characters, and while it seemed to be a book about family connections, I thought those were kind of lacking as well. Nothing really happens.

Thank You NetGalley for the free e-galley. 2.5 Stars.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. I really liked this. A bit sad, but hopeful. Characters with real flaws and the little kid, Dakota, is written impossible not to love and want to hug (although he probably doesn’t want a hug). It did end a bit ambiguously which, if you read my reviews, you know I find annoying! But the part right before the end worked for me, so I’m still keeping a high rating on this one. Good audiobook narrator, too.

[Michelle’s Library]

Dnf 26% in. I had a hard time with the switching perspectives in this one. Also the audiobook narrator really ruined this for me. I was listening at 3x and it still sounded so stilted

[Shana Katzenstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending felt way too rushed and plot was not wrapped up well at all

[Deborah Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everybody Says It’s Everything

A Novel

By: Xhenet Aliu

Publish Date: March 18, 2025

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group-Random House/Random House

General Fiction

#EverybodySaysItsEverything#NetGalley

200 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

Twins growing up in America in 1999 unravel larger truths about identity and sibling bonds when one gets wrapped up in the war in Kosovo.

Growing up in Connecticut adopted twins Drita and Petrit (aka Pete) had no connection to their Albanian heritage. Their lives were all about Barbie dolls, the mall, and roller skating at the local rink. Though inseparable in childhood, their paths diverged as teenagers; Drita was a good girl with and good manners who was going to go to a good college, Pete was a bad boy going nowhere fast. Even their twinhood was not enough to keep them together.

Fast forward to their twenties and Drita has abandoned her graduate studies to move home and take care of their mother, giving up her dreams for the future. She hasn’t heard from her brother in three years when Pete’s girlfriend and their son show up unexpectedly without him and in need of help. Realizing that his child may offer the siblings a second chance at being family, Drita becomes determined to find Pete. But what she ends up discovering—both about their connection to their Albanian roots, the war in Kosovo, and the story of their adoption—will surprise everyone, and will either be the thing that brings them together or tears them apart for good.

Book Review:

This is going to be one of the hardest reviews I have to do. I gave this book 2.5 stars and on Good Reads I rounded it down to 2 stars. I so wanted to love this book, but I just had a time trying to understand where the author was going with book. There were important things that the author talked about, but it was lost with the family issues. There was so much going with the family and the lies that each character was telling it was hard to keep track of who did or said what. The Kosovo war is started to be mentioned only around the 50% point. Spoiler here nothing gets resolved in the book and that is disappointing. Also, the chapters are long. The one good thing I liked is the writing style so I will be willing to try another book by this author.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drita and Pete are twins, or so they believe. Their mother, Jackie, has a car accident and is unable to have children. She adopts these two children from two different mothers. The two children have very different personalities. This story weaves between the lives of these twins. Pete is married and has a child. After Pete leaves his wife, Shandra, and child, Dakota, Drita decides to locate him. The story develops each character very well. The plots with the twins’ lives and the interweaving within the plot are very clear.

I found this book thought provoking and well written. It runs deep and is very well done. While at times it was difficult to read due to the heaviness of the situation, it was realistic. It felt like a true portrayal of the challenges of life including the loss of a child, drug abuse, child neglect, and recruitment for war for the Kosova Liberation Army. Overall, it is an excellent book; and, for me, it was a page turner. I think it probably will win some awards and be a bestseller.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Brittany Zeoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: Siblings Pete and Drita have made choices that have sent their lives on different trajectories. Drita went to college and is a nurse and holds it over Pete’s head that he’s made mistake after mistake. When people from Pete’s life arrive in Drita’s, she considers what makes someone family and what you will do for them.

Themes: family, success, addiction

Characters: the story alternates between Drita and Pete’s POV as well as their adopted mother Jackie and Pete’s girlfriend Shanda. Honestly, Shanda’s story was the most intriguing to me. Jackie’s backstory was also interesting, but I didn’t find the majority of these characters likable at all.

Writing: The book was very well written and shines a light on Albanian/Serbian conflict that I didn’t know much about. I really disliked how much the story timeline jumped around. We alternate POV but then also jump from the early 90s to the 80s and back to present time all throughout the book.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher.

[Kathy Cowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I don’t want to add any more negativity to the universe right now.

I love to read a story that shines a light on a part of the world I know nothing about; in this case, the war in Kosovo, albeit told through an Albanian-American perspective. This is a story that delves into some very heavy issues, so be warned. The novel is told from multiple points of view, which I find compelling, but can also obscure certain truths. I also love a story with long-kept family secrets, and this one has a doozy, with deep implications for all those affected. All in all, this is a challenging and compelling book.

[Morandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book by a talented writer! A fascinating story of family, identity, honor, and the Albanian diaspora

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔.

The novel begins with a sweet memory Drita carries about her troubled twin brother Pete, a reminder of the love they once shared, before his life became a disaster. It was Christmas seventeen years ago when he gave her a gift she had been yearning for and never expected to receive, but the wildness within Pete, even then, was evident. She has always felt different from Pete, even in their close times, being far steadier, straightlaced. His cool attitude is something she couldn’t fake if she tried. Now, dreading answering the ringing telephone, sure it can only be news that Pete, her “junkie” brother has overdosed on drugs or been killed by his dealer, she braces herself to take charge. She knows her disabled, widowed, adoptive mother shouldn’t have to deal with this, not with her failing health. Instead, Jackie informs her that Nadia is dead. Nadia, Pete’s girlfriend Shanda’s mother, also his son Dakota’s grandmother. Drita is perplexed that Jackie thinks it should matter to them, that she claims Nadia as family is loose at best. As a VNA nurse, Drita volunteers to pick up the medical detritus that remain from Nadia’s apartment, but she is shocked when she comes face to face with her nephew, who doesn’t even know her, surrounded by trash and a weeping Shanda. Worse, she learns that Pete is nowhere to be found, in fact, he hasn’t been in contact with Shanda nor their little boy. Drita doubts her own place in life too, not quite getting as far as she had wanted to in her career. She isn’t exactly walking in the sunshine herself. Drita offers Shanda her help but ends up with far more questions than answers. How much is expected of you, in a fractured family?

Family is a complicated tree, Albanian born Drita feels grateful for everything Jackie has done for she and her brother. Their father Dom wasn’t exactly the greatest, but where would they be without Jackie’s love and care? She knows Pete cannot blame Jackie for his failure, and that the success Drita has had isn’t luck but hard work, staying on a straight path. So why is she being pulled into his mess? There are things that happened in Arizona with Dakota, Pete is ashamed, feels worthless as a father, unfit. Drita doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does about his choice to stay away or why he has become drawn to his only friend Valon and his organization to help fight for Kosovo. This was during violent conflicts between the Albanians and Serbs, and with Pete’s Albanian roots, he is encouraged to get involved. But Drita will do anything she can to get inside and find Pete, remind him of his responsibility to his child.

The mystery surrounding the twins’ ethnic identity and birth is astounding. Jackie has hidden parts of her own painful past that must come to light and could well change how Drita and Pete define themselves. It begs the question what makes us who we are? Are we the stories we are told, our own inventions, or something in the blood? The novel has a deeper story than estranged siblings, it’s an engaging read about one’s loyalty to their country too.

Yes, read it.

Published March 18, 2025

Random House

[Marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, emotional and riveting story about two siblings who reach adulthood and are following completely different paths.

The book is told in four different voices; Drita, her twin brother Petrit (Pete), their adopted mother Jackie and Pete's girlfriend Shanda. Drita and Pete feel tied together not just by genetics but by the Albanian heritage that was never explored growing up in an Italian-American family. Set in the 1990s against the backdrop of the Kosovo war, Drita has hit a dead end after dropping out of her school to return home and take care of her mother and Pete is on the run after leaving Shanda and his son Dakota with nothing more than a note.

I enjoyed some of the storylines more than others. Jackie's was particularly interesting and shows how misunderstood parents can be by their children but also the lengths parents go to- and the mistakes they make along the way.

Drita's storyline with Shanda and Dakota, a child is very special and unique, was really touching and the real heart of the novel. I was less engaged in Pete's storyline but perhaps that's because Pete was the least likeable of the characters, though I understand he had his reasons. What was relatable was Pete himself, in that everyone has a family member like Pete who they want save even when they refuse to save themselves.

At less than 300 pages, this book expertly tackles themes of complex familial relationships, cultural identity and belonging. The characters and the dialogue was very raw and real. The title of the book is taken from a passage where one character notes that she isn't someone's blood relative.

'That's just, like, a matter of blood. What does that have to do with anything?'

'Pete always said it was everything. Everybody says it's everything.'

The takeaway: Family is about more than blood.

I found the exploration of Drita and Pete's Albanian identity very compelling and informative- one of my reading goals this year is to diversify my reads and I feel this book was a good example of the books I am hoping to read more of in 2025. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an earc in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Amanda Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for relatable, flawed characters and roving perspectives that gradually open up their interiors to us. adopted albanian twins drita and petrit wonder why they are perpetually at odds, lacking the us-ness of siblings and feeling passed over--drita is the high-functioning one jealous of the attention/support her troubled brother recieves, and pete accepts his role as "the fuckup" as they grow increasingly distant. the estrangement comes to a head when he joins a ragtag albanian militia and drita ends up housing his abandoned wife and child. drita sees them as burdens at first, but gradually learns the value of people trying their best to be better. i'll admit i was more drawn to the supporting characters--shanda, a recovering addict who is learning how to be a mom and have standards; and jackie, the adopted mom of drita and peet who is wheelchair-bound after an accident and nursing her own secrets--than pete and drita. shanda and jackie stole the show in terms of characters that unfold with unexpected layers--whereas pete and drita circle the same wounds and hangups. that's realistic when it comes to dysfunctional family dynamics, but their insights to each other feel small for taking longer to emerge. granted, i think this book is most successful in the realm of small changes--but the pacing and the backdrop of the kosovo war sets us up to expect something bigger after a slow burn. of course, wanting big changes and getting something smaller and messier is also true to life. overall: more character-driven than plot-driven; a writing style more interested in grit and hardship than optimism or beauty; and an author unafraid to *not* give the characters what they want.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twins Drita and Petrit (known as Pete) grow up in Connecticut as typical 90's kids with no ties to their Albanian heritage. They are close, although different from the start--Pete will know exactly the perfect gift for his sister and will get it by shoplifting whereas Drita would save up for his perfect gift. Their lives veer in different directions. Drita graduates from college and begins a Master's program. Pete dives headfirst into the world of addiction, abandoning his girlfriend and his little boy.

When "Everybody Says It's Everything" begins, Drita has dropped out of her Master's program to take care of their adoptive mom. She hasn't thought much about Pete for a while, but then his girlfriend shows up, fighting to stay sober, and needs Drita to look after her son Dakota while she world at the Dollar Store. Drita is being drawn into this little family but where's Pete? Why isn't he taking care of his family? Pete, in the meantime, has connected with a bunch of local Albanians and Albanian Americans who are educating him and on his birth country and its current struggle.

This novel is poignant, funny, and tough at the same time. Xhenet Aliu is a lovely writer and this book has it all including the added spice of the Albanian history and struggle in the Balkan wars. It's a good engrossing read and will keep you thinking about Drita, Pete, and their circle long after the last page.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital review copy of Xhenet Aliu's latest in return for an honest review.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Twins, Drita and Pete, are of Albanian descent, and adopted into a Connecticut home. They grow up with a typical middle American upbringing. Thought connected through blood, the two diverge as they age; Drita is the good girl doing all the correct things, whereas Pete is the bad boy destined for nothing. The story fast-forwards to when the twins are in their 20s, with Drita leaving her graduate school to return home and help care for their mom. She is estranged from her brother, but one day his girlfriend and son show up asking for help. Drita is determined to find Pete (who has actually been sucked in to a group of Albanians who are educating him about the Albanian struggle), but instead faces a reckoning as she learns about their heritage and the war in Kosovo and how that ties into their adoption.

I really enjoyed this book. I was quite interested to read a book about Albania and Kosovo as these countries are not frequently written about, so that was a very big personal enjoyment for me. Another great part of this book was it essentially being a character study, which I thought the author excelled at; there was a strong lens looking at the dynamics of family and how complex the relationships can be. I think we have all had a family member we wanted to "save" and have tried numerous routes for that, and this is depicted well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family. We love each other and yet harm each other. We need each other and avoid each other. Sometimes family is connected by blood, while other families are connected by love. We inherit families and we create families.

Adopted twins Drita and Pete loved each other as children. They were nothing alike. Drita was driven to succeed and saw Pete as a perpetual loser, always making stupid choices. When he married the girlfriend he impregnated, Drita was through with helping her brother. They went their separate ways.

Then, Pete’s wife Shandra and her son Dakota show up at Drita’s door. Pete has cleared off. Drita takes them in,but decides to find Pete, searching online. Can she change Dakota’s life for the better? Will Shandra keep of the drugs that brought relief from her painful childhood? Or can Pete stay sober?

Drita’s quest ro find Pete alters all their lives.

The twins grew up knowing they were Albanian, but knew little of their heritage. Pete’s journey leads him to connect with American Albanians deeply connected to their homeland, now under war. He wants to join the effort, as a way of finding community.

As Drita follows Pete’s trail, she also learns about her people and forges an unexpected relationship.

Alternating chapters reveal the twins’ and their adopted mother’s backstory, revealing an startling truth.

With strong and interesting characters and insights into Albanian history and culture, I enjoyed this read.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

[SaraFrancesReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ REVIEW ⭐️

📖 Everybody Says It’s Everything by @xhennyfromtheblock 📖

Thank you to #NetGalley (@netgalley) and @atrandombooks for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide my honest thoughts.

🌟Rating: 4/5 stars 🌟

Emojis: 👩‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🏳️‍🌈🛼💉❤️‍🩹👦

Synopsis: Twins growing up in the United States in the nineties unravel larger truths about identity and sibling bonds when one of them gets wrapped up in the war in Kosovo. Xhenet Aliu tells the story of a family both fractured and foundering, desperate to connect with the other and the world at large, but not knowing how.

Genres/Themes: Fiction, Family, Belonging/Relationships

My thoughts: Wow, did this story really draw me in. I was so invested in learning more about the characters of this book from the first chapters - Pete and Drita, Jackie, Dom and Antonella, Shanda and Dakota. The chapters switch character point of view and timelines, revealing motivations, actions and consequences. The story line explores the meaning of family, relationships and connection, balanced by the themes of culture/ancestry and the world view. Aliu hooked me and kept me reading through the first 85% of the book, but I did feel like the ending fell a little flat and left many of the plot lines open ended. Overall, I’d rate this one four out of five stars and would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a book that threads diversity, adversity, family and cultural connection.

((Trigger Warnings: accident/injury, pregnancy and loss, adoption, war))

[Taynement · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read anything else from this author so this was my introduction to her work. I really enjoyed the story and the storytelling. Aliu did a good job of making Pete and Drita, two very distinct characters even though they were twins. It really shone through how Drita was the good kid who expected to be rewarded for being good but was still dissatisfied with her life and Pete being the "bad kid" but also still dissatisfied with his life. I enjoyed seeing how they both handled it.

While I enjoyed the book, I felt there were some loose threads. Somewhere in the book, in Pete's POV he mentions that Jackie, their mom doesn't give Drita enough attention and I wish that was explored. I really wanted to know what ended Drita's relationship with Isaac. I wanted more knowledge on the moment between Antonella and Jackie before the accident, was it platonic or romantic? and most importantly, I wanted an explanation for the ending. What was Drita trying to do?

Overall, it still made for a good read and I really liked Jackie's flashbacks and how her life didn't end just because she ended up in a wheelchair. It was also interesting to see a different point of view of people trying to stand up for something and believing whole heartedly in it even if it wasn't the best solution and is violent.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adopted twins Drita and Petrit (Pete) grew up knowing almost nothing about their Albanian heritage, as they grew up in Connecticut and had a typical childhood. Drita, however, followed the path of the good girl in her grades, and chose to attend college. Pete chose a different path which created a separation between them. Now in their twenties, Drita’s life hasn’t turned out as she’d hoped, having to drop out of graduate school to care for their mother. When Pete’s girlfriend shows up with his son and needs help, she does her best to take care of them and to find Pete. As she digs more into where he might be, and their shared path, a lot of hidden secrets are revealed.
This is a hard book to review. It’s a messy look at the lives of people, with some shocking twists, as themes of identity, family, addiction, and poverty are discussed. The characters are complicated and often not very likable. And yet, the story will stick with you.
If you’re looking for a feel good story to escape reality, this one is not for you. If you’re prepared to take a walk in the realities and messiness of real struggles, pick this one up and take a journey.
This has already been published, so pick it up at your favorite book buying location.
Thank you to @netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #EverybodySaysItsEverything