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 when life gets choppy, how does love stay afloat?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Summer, Audiobook, Family, Summer Reads

Audible Audio

First published 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

[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.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A realistic and funny family saga with a Mediterranean holiday setting.
Jo and Dave’s marriage is in the doldrums and money is too tight to mention. Awkwardly, Dave’s successful brother Teddy treats them to an all expenses paid weekend in a posh beach hotel, along with Teddy’s smart and lovely girlfriend and his and Dave’s bad tempered, cantankerous and recently bereaved father.
All set for some dysfunctional fun in the sun.
The writing is so perceptive and everything feels toe-curlingly familiar - if you haven’t met these characters in real life ………. I don’t believe you!
An involving and intelligent read - ideal for the beach.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it very readable. The portrayal of married life and family dynamics felt very real and honest. I couldn't call where the plot was going, which kept me guessing. Although I found the ending a little underwhelming and flat, overall, this was a great summer read and I'd definitely read more from this author.

[Sara Kelemit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nämen jag vet inte riktigt varför jag gillade den. Kanske för att den innehöll så många mänskliga tillkortakommanden och problem med kommunikation, dvs en rejäl dos igenkänning.

[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.”

[Katrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing happens in this book, it's 310 pages of teasing. A woman in an unhappy marriage goes on vacation with her husband, still dislikes him during the holiday, returns home with him. A marriage proposal never happens, a meet cute goes nowhere, and various tensions neither resolve nor escalate. It's just no fun reading about inertia.

[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

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way in which Powell captured the challenges and beauty of a marriage in the timeline of one long weekend. She also observed the strain of larger group family holidays with so much insight and humour. This was a perfect holiday read. Looking forward to talking about this with book group.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Jo & Dave are just getting by. IVF failures, money problems and the relatively recent death of Dave’s mum are all adding pressure. Sometimes Jo wonders, do they even like each other anymore?

So when Dave’s flashy brother, Teddy, calls them from Dubai with a suggestion of a fully paid up holiday for them both, alongside his new girlfriend and their grieving dad, Dave & Jo reluctantly agree. A holiday might just be what everyone needs, right?

I’ve read #AtTheTable by this author back in 2023 and fell in love with her writing. I’m pleased to report that All In continues in exactly the same intimate style. Don’t assume that this is just a holiday book, it’s way, way more than that. Powell writes SO observantly, I was captivated from the start, even the descriptions of arriving in the airport had me wincing and smiling in recognition. She absolutely nails the awkwardness of being out of your comfort zone as you travel abroad/meet new people/flirt/get forced into situations that you really don’t want to be in. The detail is exceptional, it’s honest, funny and also surprisingly moving in parts.

I was absorbed by this book; the characters, the setting, the plot are all expertly woven together. It’s realistic and VERY relatable. If you take one book in your suitcase abroad this year (hopefully without losing it), let it be this one.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but didn’t love it. The premise was intriguing - a marriage on the rocks, a family in disarray and a weekend at a luxury Spanish hotel - what could go wrong? It’s a very realistic story of a married couple and the day to day trials and tribulations they are trying to navigate. Financial issues, IVF and a brother who seems to have a never ending supply of cash. However I didn’t particularly like the main characters and the ending felt somewhat flat. I think I was expecting more a page turner that had me completely hooked. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage and the author for the chance to review.

[Ugne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this.
I knew this is going to be a different read from my usual ones but also wasn't sure what to expect from this either.
It was an easy read and I was interested enough to keep going , but I also kept waiting for something to happen and.. nothing did? Which I guess was the point of this book but I'm not used to that.
And the way it was written, seemed like something will happen and it just ended in such an underwhelming way I thought..what was actually the point of this?
I'm glad I read it as it was something different for me, but it didn't blow me away.

[Chloe]

#Gifted

All In is the second novel from author Claire Powell, following on from the success of At The Table, a book I really enjoyed a few years ago.

I took All In with me on my holidays and flew through it; it is set in sunnier climes so it feels right for a beach or poolside read, but honestly I would happily have read it all year round.

Jo and Dave haven’t had a holiday together in years; they put all their savings into several sadly-failed IVF attempts and now find themselves at a crossroads in their relationship.
Dave’s brother Teddy likes to flash the cash and books an all-inclusive holiday in a fancy resort in Dubai for him and his younger girlfriend, Dave and Jo, and the brothers’ curmudgeonly father.

It’s just a weekend, how badly wrong can things go?

Well the airline loses Jo and Dave’s luggage but unfortunately that’s only the start of a downward slope.

Soon cracks are appearing in every relationship and some big, life-changing discussions are on the cards.

I really enjoyed this book.

Powell writes contemporary domestic realism, or in bookstagram speak; family sagas, a genre I personally love.
Her characters are flawed but evoke sympathy from the reader and she balances dark humour with poignancy masterfully.

I loved the underlying tension that slowly built over the weekend; you know there’s an explosion coming but you don’t know when or between which characters.

This is a deeply engaging, realistic, and witty story that is somehow both a cozy read and a little bit tragic at the same time. I can’t wait to read the author’s next book already! Recommend!

[Hannah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot/compellingness 4/5
Themes 4/5
Characters 3/5 - I couldn't see the appeal of Dave AT ALL - he was a big walking ick. Jo was much more sympathetic but pretty boring.
Emotional resonance 4/5
Writing style 5/5

[Mel Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this, but it wasn’t very good at all. An extended family on holiday is always entertaining, but this was just crap. Don’t bother.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romped through this hyper realistic misery fest with suntan lotion thrown in

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Claire Powell’s novel All In - a very different sort of holiday novel, in which Jo and Dave are taken on an all-inclusive holiday by Dave’s high-earning brother Teddy, along with Dave and Teddy’s Dad, Alan, and the woman Teddy plans to ask to marry him.

Jo has undergone several rounds of IVF to no avail and Dave has maxed out all his borrowing capacity to pay for the final round, although Jo has no idea that he’s borrowed so much. Of course their suitcase goes missing on the plane out and there’s only one shop on the resort that Jo can use so she doesn’t end up swimming in her pants or dining in her travel jumper.

Meanwhile Teddy can’t understand why his family is so ungrateful for the holiday; why his Dad would rather hang out with the two Liverpudlians in the room next to his; or why his much younger girlfriend doesn’t see him as a longterm romantic prospect.

A novel about life and love and maybe not appreciating what you have until it’s almost gone. And, ultimately, a novel about home.

Excellent.

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️💫 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? 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...

There is no doubting that this a beautifully written story, the author’s writing style instantly embraces the reader, making you feel as you are living the experience alongside the characters.

Told from differing chapter POV’s, the characters emotions and thoughts are brought to the forefront, specifically with Jo and Dave with whom it is evident that all is not well in their relationship. Hearing the two different perspectives it brings to light that not everything is as straightforward as it seems, the couple having lost their way in their marriage.

Told over a weekend away the characters truly embrace getting away from reality, I really enjoyed the viewpoints showing them escaping from their problems, identifying how we all need that break from normality at times.

The story is written in such a way that readers will be able to relate to, with elements of humour added in to lighten some of the important issues discussed. It was indeed a poignant read and I really did enjoy, especially the insights into the realities of everyday relationships and the look behind closed doors. Unfortunately I felt the conclusion didn’t quite give me what I was expecting, alongside an element of predictability, but that’s not to say it won’t hit differently for others.

[powerlireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @novel.tours for allowing me to join the Book Tour and for kindly gifting me a copy of All In by @clairemegpowell 🩵

Told in dual POV, All In follows Jo and Dave as they head off on a family holiday generously funded by Dave’s flashy brother, Teddy, along with his gorgeous young girlfriend and their irritable father.

This is not a story built on twists or dramatic reveals, instead, it’s a beautifully understated look at the everyday rhythms of life. Claire Powell touches thoughtfully on financial strain, unspoken secrets, the emotional weight of IVF, and the sometimes complicated dynamics of family.

The pacing is steady, and even though the story feels very real and grounded, I was completely drawn in. Jo and Dave felt so natural and easy to root for, and I became surprisingly invested in their journey. Each character is relatable in their own way, with their own imperfections and flaws, and I couldn’t help but like them all. There’s also a thread of humour running through the story, which keeps it from ever feeling too heavy.

There were moments where I expected the story to veer into darker territory, but I’m glad it didn’t. Any added drama would have disrupted the subtle hint of tension that sits beneath the surface.

This book felt like a gentle reminder that comparing our lives to others is a losing game. Everyone carries their own private worries, and things are rarely as perfect as they appear from the outside. Sometimes the quiet monotony of life, the steady and ordinary days shared with someone you love, is far more precious than we realise.

Overall, a thoughtful and honest look at a marriage under pressure, and what it means to find yourself nowhere near where you thought you’d be at this stage of life. I’ll definitely be going back to read the author’s debut novel.

[Sara-Jane Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set over the course of a weekend, we join unhappily married couple Jo and Dave, his wealthy big brother Teddy and his stunning young girlfriend Kayla and their grumpy grieving dad Alan, as they go on an all-inclusive holiday to Spain.

I really enjoyed this book. In such a short time period, it captured such a rollercoaster of emotions. The relationships and characters were so relatable and the dialogue was incredibly accurate. The bickering between Jo and Dave was so spot on, especially about the glass. Alan reminded me of my own Dad and I loved Kayla’s positive energy.
I found myself getting excited so many times when I related to something, even just the little things like Jo’s thoughts about baths and Alan saying “quelle surprise.”

There are many themes throughout the book, including infertility, debt, grief and jealousy. I was genuinely invested in all the characters and how their stories were going to play out. I really felt for Jo, after years of struggling with infertility, now she has to decide whether her marriage is over. Dave is a little bit of an idiot to be fair, he’s gotten them into a lot of debt, he’s keeping it a secret and too proud to accept help from his wealthy brother.

Overall, I thought this was really well written and was often so realistic, it felt like a true story. I will definitely be reading more books by this author. I rate this 4⭐️

[Sara Troup · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely flew through All In, reading it in less than a day and happily neglecting everything else while I did. At first glance, this feels like the perfect holiday read: a luxury all-inclusive resort, family drama, sharp humor, and plenty of awkward holiday mishaps, but beneath the sunny setting, Claire Powell delivers something much more poignant and thought-provoking.

Jo and Dave are already carrying the weight of failed IVF, grief, and the everyday pressures that can quietly erode a marriage. When they're swept away for a weekend in the Mediterranean with Dave's larger-than-life brother, his much younger girlfriend, and their difficult father, old tensions have nowhere to hide. As the weekend unfolds, what emerges is a thoughtful exploration of marriage, family dynamics, and the different ways people respond to life-changing events.

What I enjoyed most was the balance Powell strikes between humor and heartbreak. There are genuinely funny moments throughout with perfectly messy and authentic family dynamics, and the writing has the lightness and readability of a great beach read, but it never shies away from the more difficult questions at its heart. It really made me think about how couples can experience the same challenges so differently, and how those differences can either drive people apart or bring them closer together.

Funny, moving, and surprisingly insightful, All In is far more than just a summer read. It's a thoughtful look at love, grief, marriage, and family wrapped up in an entertaining, compulsively readable story.

[Alistair Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, it’s fair to say that, just like Powell’s debut novel At The Table, this was a bright, breezy and enjoyable read. As in her first novel, Powell takes as her theme the family tensions that crackle between siblings, couples and generations. Jo and Dave are a millennial couple bumbling along in public sector jobs in SE London, their relationship under strain after unsuccessful rounds of IVF. At the invite of Dave’s Dubai-based moneyed brother Teddy, the couple - accompanied by Dave’s widower father Alan - fly for a long weekend en famille at a Spanish holiday resort. What begins as a fairly light-hearted comedy of manners on British holiday culture (airport breakfasts, lost suitcases, sun loungers etc) develops into a exploration of the comforts of suburban mundanity and, in some ways, a celebration of ordinariness.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written, careful study of family and intimate relationships. Jo and Dave have had a tough few years, so when Dave’s much richer brother offers them a weekend away in the Mediterranean, along with Dave’s dad, they feel like it might be what they need.
I think it’s fair to say that the weekend is not a resounding success. There’s a lot of small detail in this which makes it an absorbing g read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

[Mrs]

The story is about Jo and Dave, marriage in trouble, worn out from cycles of IVF. Teddy, Dave’s very rich and successful brother pays for a luxury holiday for them, and Alan, their widower father, and Kayla, his young and pretty girlfriend.
About relationships, and what really matters in life.

[Onyeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

All In is a breath of fresh air, realistic depiction of modern day marriage with contemporary family drama weaved in. It features a dual POV of Jo and Dave, whose marriage is on the rocks after years of dealing with failed IVF treatments, financial stress, and grief. It takes place over the course of a weekend in the Mediterranean , all expenses paid, thanks to Dave’s older and wealthier brother, Terry.

What transpires is so relatable; the group navigate complex family dynamics, uncover some deep-seated secrets, mask and eventually overcome some personal challenges, and tease out marital friction over the course of one scorching weekend. It’s brilliant.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! 😊

A really great read. A long weekend away which turns into something very different. So much of this book is ‘unsaid’ but you know what’s going on.

[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.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a lot of people will enjoy and probably relate to this book. It captures the mundane every day life struggles very well and complex family dynamics that unravel throughout the weekend. I like Jo as a character and feel very sorry for her!!! Thank you to NetGalley for this arc 🛫⛱️

[Rebecca Storr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this glimpse into a marriage. Very well observed. I went straight out and got her first novel, At the Table.

[Olivia Budde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really easy going, enjoyable read!

[Anne Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

It bubbled along but I was underwhelmed. It wasn’t awful