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All That's Left
How do you tell identical twins Steven and Scotty apart?
One of them is dead.
Steven is the sensible twin with a sensible job, sensible clothes, sensible haircut, and sensible girlfriend. He works as a sommelier and has annoyingly good taste. Scotty is the wild one, a free spirit who travels the world, gets drunk, gets laid, then gets in trouble. They haven't spoken in three years. And now Scotty is dead.
Upon hearing the news of his brother's fatal aneurism, Steven hops on a plane to Singapore to retrieve the body. He discovers that his twin had a hot local girlfriend, which isn't surprising. With Scotty, there was always a girl--usually young and pretty, but not the kind of woman to die for. Dania is another story. She's sexy, smart, sings in a cocktail bar, and notices a striking similarity between Steven and his "You look like trouble, too." She must be right because, over the next few days, Steven finds himself shirking his staid life back home, talking to Scotty's ashes--and becoming dangerously involved with the one woman who might know the truth about his brother's death. . .
One of them is dead.
Steven is the sensible twin with a sensible job, sensible clothes, sensible haircut, and sensible girlfriend. He works as a sommelier and has annoyingly good taste. Scotty is the wild one, a free spirit who travels the world, gets drunk, gets laid, then gets in trouble. They haven't spoken in three years. And now Scotty is dead.
Upon hearing the news of his brother's fatal aneurism, Steven hops on a plane to Singapore to retrieve the body. He discovers that his twin had a hot local girlfriend, which isn't surprising. With Scotty, there was always a girl--usually young and pretty, but not the kind of woman to die for. Dania is another story. She's sexy, smart, sings in a cocktail bar, and notices a striking similarity between Steven and his "You look like trouble, too." She must be right because, over the next few days, Steven finds himself shirking his staid life back home, talking to Scotty's ashes--and becoming dangerously involved with the one woman who might know the truth about his brother's death. . .
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
3 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 6, 2015
This was an interesting read. I've never read one of Ward Anderson's books, although I have his debut novel on my Kindle somewhere. I actually expected a funny read, but this was actually way more serious than I expected. I mean, I knew it was a brother dealing with his twin's death, but I very much expected it to be more humorous. It's okay that it wasn't, though.
All That's Left was interesting and also a bit gross, because it was a bit weird to me that Steven would be attracted to his brother's girlfriend, and that his brother's girlfriend Dania would be attracted to him. The whole reason Steven went to Singapore was because Scotty died!!!! I mean, have a bit of respect?!?! But, no. They're attracted to each other from the off and that's the part of the novel I just didn't get. Shouldn't Steven and Dania have been mourning instead of wondering about their "attraction" to each other? Who needs enemies when your brother's happy to sleep with your girlfriend, eh?
The love story just didn't work for me. I mean, it did. It was just weird to me that it was Steven's brother's girlfriend, of all the women in Singapore; of all the women in the world, etc. The love story itself was fine (and had a pretty impressive, well thought out twist), I just struggled with the notion a brother would do that, especially since it's his twin and his twin is now dead.
I liked the Singapore setting immensely. More books should be set there, it sounds like a nice place and it's nice to read a book set somewhere you rarely read about and have never visited. A very, very good setting, although I would also have liked to have seen more of Canada, which is forgotten about with America right there usually.
This was an engrossing read, it definitely kept me reading, but the central premise for me was the sticking point, the thing I didn't agree with. The rest of it was fine, more than fine, but I just couldn't get over Steven and Dania, it just didn't seem right to me. If Dania had been anyone but Scotty's ex, I would have loved this book more.
All That's Left was interesting and also a bit gross, because it was a bit weird to me that Steven would be attracted to his brother's girlfriend, and that his brother's girlfriend Dania would be attracted to him. The whole reason Steven went to Singapore was because Scotty died!!!! I mean, have a bit of respect?!?! But, no. They're attracted to each other from the off and that's the part of the novel I just didn't get. Shouldn't Steven and Dania have been mourning instead of wondering about their "attraction" to each other? Who needs enemies when your brother's happy to sleep with your girlfriend, eh?
The love story just didn't work for me. I mean, it did. It was just weird to me that it was Steven's brother's girlfriend, of all the women in Singapore; of all the women in the world, etc. The love story itself was fine (and had a pretty impressive, well thought out twist), I just struggled with the notion a brother would do that, especially since it's his twin and his twin is now dead.
I liked the Singapore setting immensely. More books should be set there, it sounds like a nice place and it's nice to read a book set somewhere you rarely read about and have never visited. A very, very good setting, although I would also have liked to have seen more of Canada, which is forgotten about with America right there usually.
This was an engrossing read, it definitely kept me reading, but the central premise for me was the sticking point, the thing I didn't agree with. The rest of it was fine, more than fine, but I just couldn't get over Steven and Dania, it just didn't seem right to me. If Dania had been anyone but Scotty's ex, I would have loved this book more.
May 5, 2015
Best. Lovestory. Ever.
Ward Anderson's second novel "All That's Left" will captivate attention to the final page. The imagery embedded within this story gives insight into the mind of each character. Steven and Scotty Kelly are adult twin brothers who reside in different worlds. Metaphorically, each boast traits from opposite sides of the personality spectrum. Yet, their stark similarities collide beautifully and explode, as the plot thickens.
Will the devastingly gorgeous Dania steal the hearts of both brothers? Is Steven ready to find closure and move forward? How does Dania cope with losing her boyfriend so suddenly? The answers to all of these questions (along with hope for a prequel, then a sequel,) await.
Ward Anderson's second novel "All That's Left" will captivate attention to the final page. The imagery embedded within this story gives insight into the mind of each character. Steven and Scotty Kelly are adult twin brothers who reside in different worlds. Metaphorically, each boast traits from opposite sides of the personality spectrum. Yet, their stark similarities collide beautifully and explode, as the plot thickens.
Will the devastingly gorgeous Dania steal the hearts of both brothers? Is Steven ready to find closure and move forward? How does Dania cope with losing her boyfriend so suddenly? The answers to all of these questions (along with hope for a prequel, then a sequel,) await.
July 13, 2022
I ended up with this book when I was testing a new Library app and it shows that I need to be more selective about how I spend my reading time. The first half had no action or plot there was a weird twist in the middle but that didn't help much. Repetitive phrases, overall not very good but I did finish it.
June 1, 2025
A book about death, grief and finding the bravery to be oneself
When Steven Kelly hears of his twin brother’s death in Singapore he immediately flies there to bring his brother home. But while there he digs into his brother’s life and discovers things about himself. A good read!
When Steven Kelly hears of his twin brother’s death in Singapore he immediately flies there to bring his brother home. But while there he digs into his brother’s life and discovers things about himself. A good read!
June 28, 2018
Very good! Great love story❤️
August 10, 2018
Fabulous story with quirky characters and an unusual plot...a must read for any romance lover!
Read
April 16, 2020Very interesting lecture, different of what i was thinking was about... i liked it
February 13, 2017
Bought at a Dollar store and still paid too much for it. I would rate it at 1.5 stars if possible, a little worse than ok, a tiny bit up from hated it.
I'll try to do this without major spoilers:
Well, the good... the writing was not horrible. However, the plot was not engaging, the protagonist was a snobbish jerk with a need for better glasses (not someone I can relate to), and the plot twist(s) was/were so darn obvious that it made me cringe about how long the 'discovery' was dragged out.
And - just to top it off and firmly implant it in the muck of crappy fiction - nothing else follows the big reveal. I mean, sure there is action, but no soul searching, no nothing. The entire book the protagonist analyzes himself, his brother, his (ex) GF... but how does he feel about this revelation? Eh, no biggie. Or are Canadians just too polite to even think a disparaging word?
Another reviewer pointed out that is was unconvincing that the two have a relationship at all, without grief or anything that human nature would expect, and that is a big part of what makes this book fail. Another is that they have nothing but lies upon which to build a relationship. So apparently "a man loves a woman for perfect boobs, even if they are fake" is enough for the author. Well, it isn't for this reader.
I'll try to do this without major spoilers:
Well, the good... the writing was not horrible. However, the plot was not engaging, the protagonist was a snobbish jerk with a need for better glasses (not someone I can relate to), and the plot twist(s) was/were so darn obvious that it made me cringe about how long the 'discovery' was dragged out.
And - just to top it off and firmly implant it in the muck of crappy fiction - nothing else follows the big reveal. I mean, sure there is action, but no soul searching, no nothing. The entire book the protagonist analyzes himself, his brother, his (ex) GF... but how does he feel about this revelation? Eh, no biggie. Or are Canadians just too polite to even think a disparaging word?
Another reviewer pointed out that is was unconvincing that the two have a relationship at all, without grief or anything that human nature would expect, and that is a big part of what makes this book fail. Another is that they have nothing but lies upon which to build a relationship. So apparently "a man loves a woman for perfect boobs, even if they are fake" is enough for the author. Well, it isn't for this reader.
April 30, 2015
I could not read this book without falling asleep. The writing while commendable in some ways falls short in adequately describing anyone who was not the protagonist or his brother; everyone else felt like thy were simply "Asian, white or black." While on the other hand there were sections that meandered on without adding ANY value to the story.
The protagonist himself is a reprehensible, self absorbed, judgemental individual. I really wanted to give up on this before even a 1/4 of a way in. I only continued because I held out some semblance of hop that this book would get better and that there would be some character development. I just could not finish this.
This is the type of book that I would borrow from the library as opposed to buying for my shelves. DNF @60%.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for approving my request for a free digital copy in exchange for a honest review.
The protagonist himself is a reprehensible, self absorbed, judgemental individual. I really wanted to give up on this before even a 1/4 of a way in. I only continued because I held out some semblance of hop that this book would get better and that there would be some character development. I just could not finish this.
This is the type of book that I would borrow from the library as opposed to buying for my shelves. DNF @60%.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for approving my request for a free digital copy in exchange for a honest review.
April 28, 2015
Well, this book turned out to be something I wasn't even close to expecting. It's a very unusual love story, but a true love story. The beginning starts out a little slow, but once Steven gets to Singapore the story takes on a whole nother level of wth? The blurb gave me quite a different interpretation of what this book was going to be about. And I'm not really sure that's a good thing or a bad thing. While there were several pages I skipped over, the overall story was decent with a few jaw dropping secrets exposed.
Actually I think I would give this book 3 1/2 stars only because it was out there and so different from anything else I've read.
Thank you Kensington Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this free e-galley.
Actually I think I would give this book 3 1/2 stars only because it was out there and so different from anything else I've read.
Thank you Kensington Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this free e-galley.
March 5, 2015
While I was reading this I had hard time figuring out what my final rating would be. Toward the middle of the book I almost didn't finish it. But I am glad I decided to continue. This is an unusual love story. Don't want to say too much and give anything away. The main character, Steven, deals with lots of emotions and issues throughout the story and ultimately I like where he ends up. I would have given this 4 stars but I really didn't like a lot of dialogue in the middle of the book. It didn't seem to flow like a real conversation.
May 1, 2015
This book was just ok for me. I just did not feel invested in the story and I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.
The majority of this book just kind of felt like i was waiting for the plot to get going and for something to start happening.
This book did contain some very diverse relationships so that was really great.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy to review.
The majority of this book just kind of felt like i was waiting for the plot to get going and for something to start happening.
This book did contain some very diverse relationships so that was really great.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy to review.
May 5, 2015
I loved this book! It's such a fun love story...very unique and wonderful! I have not read anything by this author before, but am hoping that he follows up and writes a sequel to All That's Left because I am dying to find out what happens with Steven and Dania. I was hooked from the moment I started reading and could not put the book down until I finished it.
Great job Mr. Anderson! Please...write more about these two interesting characters. :)
Great job Mr. Anderson! Please...write more about these two interesting characters. :)
March 16, 2015
I was trying to figured out how to rate this book, I read just 50 % and then everything just got so boring, I really couldn't finish. 2 stars .
May 11, 2015
I received this from netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Pretty slow.... engaging premise, but didn't grab me, I'm afraid.
July 30, 2015
I actually raced through this book. I absolutely loved it. Unique romantic angle. Interesting character building and later fleshing out. Great read! Thanks Mr. Anderson, I'll try another.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews