All In

by Claire Powell

A marriage on the rocks. A family in disarray. A weekend in the sun at a luxury, all-inclusive hotel. What could possibly go wrong?

Jo and Dave haven't had a holiday in years. They've had other things on their failed IVF, the death of Dave's mother, doing up the bathroom.

So when Dave’s flashy brother Teddy offers to fly in from Dubai and take them – along with his gorgeous young girlfriend and their curmudgeonly father – to a beachfront resort in the Med, the couple can hardly refuse.

But while romance might be on the cards for some, Jo and Dave soon find that tensions don't disappear in paradise. In fact, they might just get worse...

Set over the course of one scorching weekend, All In is a compulsively entertaining and bittersweet novel that asks: when life gets choppy, how does love stay afloat?

Genres: Fiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 4, 2026

About the author

Claire Powell is the author of At The Table, which was named one of the best books of 2022 by The Times and Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Critic, Red Magazine and Good Housekeeping. Her short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and in 2017 she won the Harper's Bazaar short story contest. She lives in south-east London.

Reviews

[Abbie Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something about this book had me tense and gripped the whole time expecting something disastrous to happen.

Instead it was somewhat bleak, somewhat heartwarming look into the lives of a family just trying their best to get through the monotony of life.

The reference to Bristolian girls drinking ‘the pale kind’ of rose was pretty jarring as I unfortunately am one of those girls.

Overall I loved the writing style, loved the voice and the characters, was engaged with the plot. A lovely read! Would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishing team for this advanced copy in return for my honest review. X

[Lauren McMullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“A marriage on the rocks. A family in disarray. A weekend in the sun at a luxury, all-inclusive hotel. What could possibly go wrong?”

All In is a wonderfully written exploration of apathy in relationships, and the quiet fractures that fester when love is left unattended.

It’s a sharp, honest, and painfully relatable look at how comparison is the thief of joy, and the uncomfortable truth that if everyone you knew threw their problems into the middle of a room, you’d almost certainly take your own back.

Claire Powell’s writing is stark, frank, and brutally observant. There’s a constant hum of tension beneath the surface. Obfuscations, omissions, and the sense that something is about to spill over before the weekend is through.

This was my first Claire Powell book, and I’ve already bought her debut. I can’t wait for everyone I know to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Katie Nicol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woman with ten times more personality than her loser husband. This book is the definition of “having a boyfriend is embarrassing.”

[Victoria Hand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted All In through Net Galley in return for an honest review. I found the book well written and an enjoyable and easy read. The characters had my interested and I felt invested, particularly in Jo and her story. Having said that I do feel that the book lacked a little substance and would have liked a stronger ending. But all in all a good read and I would reach for Claire Powell again for sure.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Claire Powell’s writing, how she makes so much out of the really ordinary. Bonus points for the main character being called Joanna and this book being released on my bday!!!

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and very easy read.

The story follows the protagonist and her family as they embark on an all-inclusive weekend getaway to the sun, funded by her brother in law. What unfolds is an interesting exploration of the many masks people wear and the secrets that lie behind seemingly happy lives. The novel serves as a reminder that we rarely know the truth of what is going on behind the scenes.

While I found the story entertaining, I did find myself wishing for a little more depth or suspense to keep me fully invested. Even so, it was an enjoyable read throughout and I would recommend to others.

Advance copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen_t_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars

Thank you to Vintage for access to the Netgalley eArc of this novel which comes out on 4th June.
Here’s a brief summary:
Jo and Dave haven't had a holiday in years. They've had other things on their plate: failed IVF, the death of Dave's mother, doing up the bathroom.
So when Dave’s flashy brother Teddy offers to fly in from Dubai and take them – along with his gorgeous young girlfriend and their curmudgeonly father – to a beachfront resort in the Med, the couple can hardly refuse.
But while romance might be on the cards for some, Jo and Dave soon find that tensions don't disappear in paradise. In fact, they might just get worse...
I loved Claire Powell's debut adult fiction, At The Table, and this second one does not disappoint. It is assured, confident, and shows the author’s amazing talent for depicting flawed, damaged, and imperfect familial or romantic relationships. I absolutely loved it.
Within All In, she paints a picture of a marriage on the rocks, and a family which is troubled, and positively fraying at the edges, due to unspoken tensions, and the play of long-held dynamics. A mix of sibling jealousies, insecurities, and secrets; parental awkwardness, withheld emotion, and stiff upper lip pride; and a dash of unreconciled grief.
Set over a long weekend away in a luxury Spanish all-inclusive resort, the story unfolds from the dual perspectives of Jo and Dave, which allows the reader to fully appreciate the two sides of the story, with its misunderstandings and miscommunications.
It is a deliciously character-driven piece, rather than relying on lots of action and plot twists. Acutely observed, it captures perfectly the moments of excruciating cringe which arise from the interplay of individual foibles, obsessions and personality traits; the awkward situations, and embarrassments that occur; the false conclusions drawn and the failure to properly, honestly and openly communicate. In short, the absolute messiness of human interactions and relationships.
The characterisation is exceptional, drawn with sympathy, understanding and kindness. Each member of this novel's cast is flawed, and completely lifelike, claiming our sympathy in turn.
This is a novel that explores love, and of family relationships. How and why they go awry, and what can be done to salvage things. The book title is not only a reference to the all-inclusive holiday package. It is also a reference to the approach one can take to a relationship that is grappling with the major issues: All In, as in “I’m done” and walking away, or All In as in “I’m going to try my best to fix things”, committing to work it out and ensure it survives.
It’s an utterly compelling and entertaining read, extremely compulsive and hard to put down, and has real heart. Painful, honest, and bittersweet, it is leavened by Claire Powell's now trademark dry and wry wit.

Moving and funny, poignant and hopeful, this is a wonderful, beautifully written read, which I thoroughly recommend!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book within a day as I couldn’t put it down. I’m still shocked this is the author’s debut novel.

I really enjoyed reading “All In” and the title cleverly went beyond the all-inclusive holiday that was the focal point of the book and the themes raised include: marriage, relationships and failing relationships (including partners, parents and siblings), grief and loss, IVF, jobs and careers, debt and the impact of money on relationships, and our sense of identity, and perhaps status, and how it can be affected and impacted by all these things.

“All In” centres around one weekend and it’s an all-inclusive (aka “all-in”) weekend in Tenerife for one family from South East London, comprising of Dad/Alan, first born son Teddy and his latest girlfriend Katya, and youngest son Dave and his wife Jo. Alan (widowed for a few years) is billed as a bit of a moaner but I quite liked him & his idiosyncrasies; Teddy is a flashy investment banker who thinks nothing of generously flashing his cash around in an over the top way and reminding people what he’s done or paid for (ie. for starters, paying for everyone’s all-in holiday), he is accompanied by his younger and very attractive latest girlfriend of six months, Katya, who again I really warmed to & liked her growing relationship with Jo; then we have Dave and Jo, whose marriage is hanging on by a thread, barely surviving multiple, failed IVF attempts and both feeling very stuck, unhappy and unfulfilled. Dave is also massively in debt - this is unknown to Jo (& the rest of his family) - added additional tension to the weekend too. I really liked the character of Jo - I felt she was really kind, relatable and generally lovely.

As I say, I really enjoyed the book but I felt a sense of unease and tension throughout, feeling as if something was bubbling or even as if something massively serious/awful might happen. I can see a lot of the reasoning for this and the way things were written throughout especially as all the characters were facing some sort of internal/external battle or crisis and we saw all this play out over this “All in” weekend.

I’m looking forward to reading future work by Claire Powell now after this strong debut.

[Alis Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

All In by Claire Powell is a contemporary romantic and humorous novel that blends wit with emotional honesty in a way that feels incredibly relatable.
From the very beginning, the conversations and inner thoughts of the characters felt authentic and natural. The dialogue flowed effortlessly, making the relationships feel believable and lived-in. More than once, I found myself both chuckling and wincing at the same time with moments of “this is so true” and, dare I say it, “this has happened to me.” Powell captures those awkward, frustrating, and tender moments of everyday life with sharp observation and humour.
Although the story takes place over the course of a single weekend, it feels emotionally expansive. The twists and turns mirror the unpredictability of real life, creating something of an emotional roller coaster. One moment is filled with warmth and comedy, while the next quietly explores deeper emotions and tensions simmering beneath the surface.
At its heart, this is a story about marriage, relationships, and family dynamics. It touches on themes of infertility, grief, family tension, jealousy, comparison, and the strain that life can place on even the strongest relationships. Yet despite these heavier themes, the story never loses its warmth or humour. Powell balances emotional depth with lighter moments beautifully, making the characters feel wonderfully human.
This was a book I devoured in just a couple of sittings because I became so invested in the lives, frustrations, and vulnerabilities of the characters. The writing feels intimate and observational, almost as though you are sitting beside these people watching their lives unravel in real time.
Overall, All In is a funny, heartfelt, and emotionally perceptive novel that explores the messiness of love, family, and modern relationships with honesty and charm. It is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary fiction filled with humour, emotional realism, and the kind of life observations that make you laugh one moment and reflect the next.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start with Jo and Dave setting off on their first holiday in years. They have had a lot on their plates, what with the failed IVF, the death of Dave's mum and, well, basically lack of money and enthusiasm. They pick up Alan, Dave's widowed father, en route to the airport, where they meet up with their benefactor - Dave's brother Teddy who had recently flown in from Dubai along with his younger, stunning, girlfriend, Kayla, having worked in London the week running up to the holiday so they could fly out together. But before they take off, Dave starts to get urgent calls and texts from someone desperate to get hold of him, and someone who he is equally desperate to avoid...
The weekend isn't quite the holiday they all expected as, for various reasons that I will leave you to discover yourself, cracks starts to form in both couples' relationships...
But it isn't all doom and gloom. There are glimpses of light in the darkness. Some humour - both dark and light. A few laugh out loud moments, as well as some poignant ones. It's interesting and intriguing and I was compelled to read on to find out the eventual fates of our fivesome!
Comparing with my usual reads, this was a lighter read but it was not without substance or emotion. It's very character driven and the main characters all did a good enough job of driving the plot forward. It's full of secrets, lies, faces we display, family dynamics, and miscommunication. And although not as meaty as I would have liked, it definitely ticked my "escape from the real world for a while" box and gave me a satisfying ending. It also gave me another book to add to my tbr in At the Table, the author's debut book, which I have just got on Audiobook.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

All In is a wonderfully observant, bittersweet novel that captures the chaos, tenderness, and unspoken tensions that simmer beneath even the closest families. Claire Powell has a gift for writing characters who feel instantly real—flawed, funny, and trying their best, even when their best is a little messy.

Jo and Dave are the emotional core of the story, a couple worn down by grief, failed IVF, and the quiet exhaustion of everyday life. Their decision to accept Teddy’s extravagant offer of a luxury weekend away feels like a lifeline… until it becomes clear that paradise has a way of amplifying problems rather than solving them. Powell handles their relationship with such nuance—there’s love, frustration, humour, and a raw honesty that makes their journey deeply relatable.

The supporting cast adds spark and tension in all the right ways. Teddy, with his glossy Dubai lifestyle; his much younger girlfriend; and the grumpy, unpredictable family patriarch all bring their own complications to the table. Watching these personalities collide under the Mediterranean sun is both entertaining and painfully believable.

What makes the novel shine is its balance. It’s warm and witty, but never shallow. Powell explores the fragility of relationships, the weight of unspoken disappointments, and the question at the heart of the book: how do you keep love afloat when life keeps throwing waves at you?

Set over one scorching weekend, All In is immersive, sharply written, and full of emotional truth. A perfect summer read with real depth.

With thanks to Claire Powell, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

All In is set in the Med at a luxury hotel resort, where affluent Teddy has invited his younger brother, Dave, sister-in-law Jo and father Alan for an all expenses paid weekend.
Living and working in Dubai, Teddy has a high-flying job and a glamorous American girlfriend, Kayla. Although generous, he has very little thought about the reality his family live in. It is all about the moment and impressing them.
All In follows the weekend the family spend together. Each one brings with them their problems, hopes and fears, all of which they hide, cleverly masking these emotions, and convincing each other all is okay.
I really enjoyed this read, and could easily empathise with each of the characters. With Jo as the lead narrator, it’s easy to begin to understand the disappointment and frustration within her marriage. Dave is also in a bad place, keeping secrets which will surely catch up with him. And Alan, still struggling after the death of his wife. I found his crabby attitude, pouring scorn on everything clearly down to his own despair as he tries to navigate a new pathway without Val. Even Teddy, with all his bravado, does not have the perfect life he wants others to believe he has. It’s a real page turner – emotional, yes, but with a big dollop of humour in places which balances the whole thing out.
I would like to thank Penguin Random House, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of All In in exchange for an honest review.

[Rozem · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

This was such a fast, engaging read. The writing moves at a great pace, sharp, clean, and easy to sink into. Even though the story unfolds over just three or four days, it never felt short or stuck. In fact, the tight timeframe made everything feel more immediate and tense.

The whole time, I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. There’s this quiet sense of anticipation threaded through the story that keeps you turning pages, even when the characters are just navigating ordinary conversations and family dynamics. And that’s what I found most compelling. Two couples and a dad, layered relationships, small frictions and long-standing histories. It felt real.

I especially enjoyed the all-inclusive hotel setting. There’s something about that contained, almost artificial vacation environment that adds pressure. Everyone is supposed to be relaxed, having the perfect time and that contrast makes the emotional undercurrents stand out even more. The setting worked beautifully to heighten the interpersonal drama.

If you enjoy character-driven stories that simmer with tension and explore family dynamics in a contained setting, this one is worth picking up. A quick read with enough emotional weight to stay with you.

Thanks to the NetGalley and the publishing team for the advance copy in return for my honest review.

#AllIn #NetGalley

[Paula Sterling-Stead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo and Dave have been together since they met at university. To outsiders, they appear to be a rock-solid couple in a happy and stable marriage, but for Jo, something is missing—excitement. Despite trying for years, they have been unable to have children, and their relationship has grown dull.

Dave’s wealthy brother, Teddy, has invited them—along with their father—on an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid holiday with his girlfriend as a way of bonding. However, tensions begin almost immediately when it becomes clear that Jo and Dave are very much the poorer relations. To make matters worse, their suitcase goes missing at the airport.

It soon becomes apparent that, despite the luxury resort and its trappings, Dave is hiding a secret from the family. He switches off his phone under the pretext of living in the moment and reacts poorly to the news that Jo will need to buy some outfits from the hotel boutique.

As the holiday unfolds, cracks begin to show. Sibling rivalry comes to the fore, and parent–child responsibilities are explored, along with suppressed grief and emotional triggers. Powell’s ability to create a credible and authentic voice makes this a very enjoyable read. It offers a glimpse into how real families cope behind closed doors.

Thank you to Vintage and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this as the blurb mentioned ‘all in hotel family drama’ and a bit like a book with new neighbours or set on transport it was the same with the mention of hotel and family drama…it was for me!

We meet Jo and Dave, okishly married who reluctantly accept an all expenses paid holiday with Dave’s rich brother, Teddy, and his girlfriend and Dave and Teddy’s forever grumbling Dad

A sure disaster waiting to unfold in what should be a luxury ‘all in’ hotel experience…and it didn’t disappoint

However the writing surprised me as was at times so gentle, yet even with that gentleness it was packed with emotion….we also had bursts of high energy disappointment and resentment alongside want, need and sadness but then flashes of humour, dark and light

I absolutely loved how all the differing writing themes came together to make this book and kept it so alive, so poignant and so relatable to readers

It was odd but I didn’t have time/focus to like or dislike the characters as I was just there with them and on the holiday and part of it/them for good or for bad and tolerated every negative and enjoyed every positive in their behaviours and actions

Such a good, enticing read with my only small criticism that I would have liked more clarification of the ending but then re reading it I think we are meant to take away what we want/ hope in those last lines

Absorbing fiction

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

All In was one of my most anticipated reads of the year after how much I loved Claire Powell’s At The Table, and I’m so happy to say it completely lived up to my hopes. If anything, it’s made me love Powell’s writing even more and she’s firmly become one of my favourite authors.
All In is a brilliant, quietly devastating look at a marriage under pressure, unfolding over one tense weekend at an all-inclusive resort. It could have been a typical “family holiday gone wrong” story, but Powell turns it into something far more layered and emotionally resonant.
Jo and Dave’s marriage has been worn down by failed IVF and constant money worries, and the free luxury holiday from Dave’s brother Teddy quickly exposes everything simmering beneath the surface. Through awkward family dinners, poolside conversations, and painfully familiar late-night arguments, Powell explores the emotional gamble of IVF, marriage, and how much of yourself you can invest in another person before it starts to cost you.
Jo and Dave feel refreshingly real because they’re allowed to be messy, petty, avoidant, and frustrating. The dialogue feels completely natural, and even Teddy, Kayla, and Alan are given enough depth and vulnerability to feel like real people rather than stereotypes.
I also loved the single-weekend structure. The beautiful resort slowly becomes claustrophobic, trapping everyone inside the emotional chaos. The tone balances comedy and melancholy so well. One page you’re laughing, and the next quietly breaks your heart.
A compelling and emotionally perceptive novel about love, resentment, grief, and family dynamics. If you enjoy character-driven relationship fiction, this is absolutely one to pick up.

Thank you so much to @vintagebooks for the copy. Publishing 4/6/26

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

All In by Claire Powell kept me transfixed throughout. It is a step away from my usual genre choices but I am so glad that I did not pass this one up, it is likely going to be incredibly popular due to its plausibility and relatability. I felt this book, almost viscerally and I was invested right up to the end.

Jo and Dave are the average couple next door who have been enduring more ups and downs than is fair and to cap it all, they have not had a holiday in years. That is until they get the chance to go on a family holiday care of Dave's brother Teddy and joined by Teddy's new GF and Dave and Teddy's father (who is not the ideal holiday companion, but still they choose to go!) However, family in close quarters and a trip away do not all ills repair and things start to go downhill father than a superslide at a waterpark

A brilliant novel that will be the perfect poolside read this summer and beyond. Well written, engaging and with characters you will love, and maybe not hate, but enthusiastically dislike! Absolutely fantastic

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Random House UK, Vintage | Chatto & Windus for this incredible ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo and Dave have been together for 20 years but having struggled, unsuccessfully, with IVF and with Dave grieving the death of his mother, their marriage is on the rocks. When Dave’s brother pays for them, his girlfriend and their Dad to go away on holiday for a long weekend, they hope that it’ll be the break they need but, in reality, it ends up being far from it. Is there any way back for Jo and Dave or is this the beginning of the end?

I enjoyed this book which was a very easy read. I liked that we saw the story from both Jo and Dave’s viewpoints so my sympathies and loyalty would continually switch but that’s a good thing from my perspective. There are always two sides to every story after all! I liked both main characters a lot but found the supporting characters a bit annoying (they were meant to be in some instances!) but also less well drawn out. But I was really invested in Jo and Dave and really wanted to know how their story ended or continued…you’ll have to read the book to find out which it was and I would recommend that you do!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

All In was a book I loved from the first page even though it’s a different genre from what I usually read.
Jo and Dave are flying away on holiday with Dave’s dad, Alan. Jo and Dave are looking forward to the long weekend holiday as they haven’t had one for years due to failed IVF and Dave’s mum passing away. Dave’s brother, Teddy has treated them all which is lovely as Jo and Dave don’t have a lot of spare cash for holidays. Teddy is going to introduce his girlfriend to them as they haven’t met with them living in Dubai. The weekend has a lot riding on it but things go wrong from the start with lost luggage and too much free wine flowing.
This was a book I enjoyed, it describes very well your life in your forties, thinking what you should have done and achieved by then and how far off the course you are. I felt for Jo as she was really struggling at times and Dave has a lot of explaining to do. The writing is funny at times but very on point. The characters definitely made the book with their quirky ways. I shall look out for this author in the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[KathVBtn · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘All In’ is a deceptively simple and incredibly easy to read story about life in those middle years where you haven’t really got to where you think you should be. The pages absolutely melted away and I was totally transfixed,

Jo and Dave are muddling through life, they have had several unsuccessful IVF attempts ,but starting to face the truth it might not happen. Dave’s brother Teddy is an incredibly wealthy bachelor in Dubai who has offered to take them and his father on a weekend away. Also joining them is Teddy‘s latest girlfriend.

From the very outset tension is in the air, no one can be truthful with each other, all looking at what the others have got and wondering why it can’t be theirs. There are big fissures in Jo and Dave‘s marriage wants to be the one to bring it up.

The weekend is taut with stress and tension, the only person who is having a good time their dad Alan.

It is a wonderful emotional snapshot of life in these middle years things that tie you together and the issues that push you apart.

[Cocopopalicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you change your life in one long weekend?

All In follows stuck-in-rut couple Jo and Dave on an all inclusive luxury overseas holiday with Dave's filthy rich brother Teddy (generously footing the bill), his latest girlfriend Kayla, and their grumpy widowed father Alan. The airline loses their luggage, but they have plenty emotional baggage with them!

Sun, sand and copious amounts of drinking lead them all to seriously consider the directions their relationships and lives are taking.

Ultimately they all leave with a renewed perspective and a new reality. There's a lot of disinhibited honesty, love and forgiveness.

The characters grow on you, and despite what may feel an abrupt ending, I felt satisfied that I had a window into the directions their lives would take past the last page.

Random House UK, Vintage | Chatto & Windus provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave's big brother, Teddy, is treating the family to an all expenses paid, all inclusive weekend in the sun. But with Dave and wife Jo at a marital crossroads, dad Alan still grieving for his late wife and Teddy's real reason for the holiday all bubbling under the surface it may turn out not to be the relaxing break they all needed.

All In is a novel about marriage under pressure, loss and expectations. Whilst the characters of the protagonists were well drawn, the story felt to be lacking at times. The story felt a little predictable at times and I wasn't blown away by any part of it in particular.

This would make a decent holiday read and I would recommend it if you like a story about human nature and our failings as flawed human beings. I liked the characters of Jo and Dave - they seemed to be the most honest descriptions rather than caricatures.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Random House for the digital review copy.

[S A · Rating 4 out of 5]

An all inclusive family holiday paid for by your brother in law. What’s not to love?

This book is completely relatable about a married couple in their forties managing life. All the character were believable with parts of the dialogue making me think that it was a conversation I or one of my friends was having.

The book explores the perceived mundanity of marriage and whether divorce would be a better option. After failed rounds of IVF, Jo and Dave are in a position that they hadn’t planned for. That question of ‘is this it?’ makes this book relatable in so many ways for people in their forties managing forties and older.

Set over the course of a weekend, the story moves along quickly enough to make this a really quick read. I enjoyed this book and would recommend and am now interested to read other books that Powell writes.

[Jodie Pochon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Net Galley for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. I write this review voluntarily.

I loved this book. There was nothing majorly dramatic within the plot, but there was a perfect undertone of tension throughout the whole story. An expertly written family drama all taking place during a disastrous weekend away in Spain.

I honestly adored all of the characters. They all felt very real, human: flawed yet wonderful in their own ways. Even Teddy managed to redeem himself eventually.

The ending could not have been better (in my opinion!). It was the ending I wanted and hoped for. Everything tied together in a very heartwarming way.

Overall, a very enjoyable read. Definitely going to have a look at what else this author has written. 5 stars!

[Always Reading Between The Wines · Rating 4 out of 5]

All In by Claire Powell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jo and Dave have had their fair share of difficult times, so when Dave's brother offers to take them along on an all inclusive holiday, they jump at the chance. But what if the tensions and problems you have before paradise dont disappear once you're there?

Powell's novel is quiet and insightful. Dealing with the hard hitting and thought provoking problems that can arise in a long term relationship, such as failed IVF; it has a nuance and realism that is emotional and pulls you in. I loved the awkward moments and friction where everybody is hiding secrets or making the snarky comments disguised as humorous jibes that every family sees. The family dynamics at play add tension and strain onto what is already a difficult time for Jo and Dave, providing humour and believability to the story.

[Martin Southard · Rating 4 out of 5]

All In is a sharply observed, quietly gripping portrait of a family holiday where the sunshine does little to warm the tensions beneath the surface. Powell captures the uneasy mix of love, resentment and unspoken worry that comes with long-term relationships and sibling dynamics. The clash between glossy, tax-free Dubai wealth and the financial and emotional strain of years of failed IVF is handled with honesty and wit. What begins as an awkward weekend away becomes a tender exploration of how people hold themselves together when life hasn’t played out as planned. Smart, immersive and surprisingly moving — a standout contemporary read.

Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage for this advanced copy

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the risk of sounding corny… I am ‘all in’ on being Claire Powell’s number one fan! I have been checking NetGalley for more of her work ever since I read (inhaled) At the Table, and I was delighted to get the chance to review All In. Powell writes relationships and the dialogue within and about them so, so well - I guess ‘relatable’ is the word, but that doesn’t do justice to the depth of life experience shared here. I recognised so much of myself in Jo, and so much of my parter in Dave. These aren’t characters - they are living, breathing people. And that’s what keeps me singing Claire’s praises - I can never understand how more people haven’t heard of her! She is my top literary fiction stylist writing today.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reeling from a bruising few years of failed IVF, Jo and Dave are invited on all inclusive long weekend in the sun paid for by Dave’s wealthy brother Teddy who lives in Dubai. It’s a real family gathering as Teddy has brought along his latest girlfriend and invited his dad Alan as well.
The forced close proximity of the weekend puts the family dynamics under pressure with secrets and resentments constantly bubbling to the surface. Jo and Dave have lost direction in their marriage and to them Teddy seems to have it all. This is an easy book to get into, perhaps a good holiday read as you can practically smell the sun cream in some of the chapters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I thought this book would be an easygoing bit of light holiday reading, but it was actually quite….bleak and stressful? What I will say is that it’s a really strong character study. The author has created some very real characters, and very deftly brings then to life through the well observed tiny details. But they are all awful. Everyone is awful here, and the whole thing is a stressful experience. Even the ending left me cold because I just wasn’t rooting for either of the main characters.
It was a compelling read though and also a quick one. I think I just expected something a bit more wry and funny, like The Wedding Party, rather than just so bleak.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo and Dave’s marriage is on the rocks. After numerous failed IVF attempts and financial pressures they are struggling. Dave’s rich brother invites Jo and Dave and Dave’s dad to join him and his girlfriend on an all expenses paid luxury holiday. The story follows them over that weekend. I couldn’t stop reading this book and read the whole thing in less than a day. I think it would be an ideal summer read. It’s written well and easy to read. The characters all come alive. It’s perhaps not the cheeriest of reads at times but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’ll definitely be looking to purchase the authors previous novel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.