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Everything's Relative
When their mother dies, sisters Jules, Brooke, and Lexi breathe a collective sigh of relief. Their days of being hurt and controlled by Juliana Alexander are over.
It turns out, Juliana isn’t about to let a little detail like death stop her.
The three estranged sisters expect to inherit their mom’s beat-up car and outdated condo. Instead, they discover there’s a fortune waiting to be claimed—one they knew nothing about. But in classic Juliana fashion, there’s a catch. Three of them, to be exact.
Now Jules, Brooke, and Lexi find themselves forced to rely on one another in order to become the women their mother wanted them to be. With millions of dollars on the line and as many obstacles in the way, they embark on a hilarious journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the real meaning of wealth.
It turns out, Juliana isn’t about to let a little detail like death stop her.
The three estranged sisters expect to inherit their mom’s beat-up car and outdated condo. Instead, they discover there’s a fortune waiting to be claimed—one they knew nothing about. But in classic Juliana fashion, there’s a catch. Three of them, to be exact.
Now Jules, Brooke, and Lexi find themselves forced to rely on one another in order to become the women their mother wanted them to be. With millions of dollars on the line and as many obstacles in the way, they embark on a hilarious journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the real meaning of wealth.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2016
23 people are currently reading
983 people want to read
About the author
Jenna McCarthy
34 books123 followersI’ve been writing for a long time.
I submitted my first short story to Highlights magazine in 1977.
I never got a reply.
In high school I wrote a lot of really bad poetry. Mercifully, I didn’t save any of it.
The first thing I ever had published was an essay in my college newspaper. The typesetter misspelled the word "sing" as "sign" in the last line and the whole thing made no sense whatsoever.
After graduation I got a job writing copy for a big advertising agency. I would have stayed there forever if I hadn’t gotten laid off on my twenty-fifth birthday. I grabbed a stapler and some sticky notes before I was escorted out of the building by a police officer.
I started writing fabulous articles and submitting them to all of the Fancy New York City Magazines (FNYCMs). None of them were ever published, although I did get one really nice, hand-written rejection letter.
One day, a FNYCM Editor offered me a job. I was so excited that I took it without knowing the salary. A few years later, I moved to another FNYCM. And then another. Dozens more asked me to write articles in exchange for actual money. I moved to California, wrote a book, had some babies, and wrote several more books. I gave a TED talk, flipped a house on TV and learned how to play tennis. Right now I’m trying to give up processed food and teach myself how to write a screenplay. At the same time. It’s not easy.
Someday I’d like to start a petition to have the words mauve and moist removed from the English language.
I don’t like to brag, but I’m the luckiest person I know. I’m married to my best friend, I work in my pajamas and I have two beautiful, healthy, hilarious daughters. I like cats and sparkly things and laughing until my sides hurt. And hats. I really like hats.
Oh, and I’m not Jenny McCarthy. But you knew that, right?
I submitted my first short story to Highlights magazine in 1977.
I never got a reply.
In high school I wrote a lot of really bad poetry. Mercifully, I didn’t save any of it.
The first thing I ever had published was an essay in my college newspaper. The typesetter misspelled the word "sing" as "sign" in the last line and the whole thing made no sense whatsoever.
After graduation I got a job writing copy for a big advertising agency. I would have stayed there forever if I hadn’t gotten laid off on my twenty-fifth birthday. I grabbed a stapler and some sticky notes before I was escorted out of the building by a police officer.
I started writing fabulous articles and submitting them to all of the Fancy New York City Magazines (FNYCMs). None of them were ever published, although I did get one really nice, hand-written rejection letter.
One day, a FNYCM Editor offered me a job. I was so excited that I took it without knowing the salary. A few years later, I moved to another FNYCM. And then another. Dozens more asked me to write articles in exchange for actual money. I moved to California, wrote a book, had some babies, and wrote several more books. I gave a TED talk, flipped a house on TV and learned how to play tennis. Right now I’m trying to give up processed food and teach myself how to write a screenplay. At the same time. It’s not easy.
Someday I’d like to start a petition to have the words mauve and moist removed from the English language.
I don’t like to brag, but I’m the luckiest person I know. I’m married to my best friend, I work in my pajamas and I have two beautiful, healthy, hilarious daughters. I like cats and sparkly things and laughing until my sides hurt. And hats. I really like hats.
Oh, and I’m not Jenny McCarthy. But you knew that, right?
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 20, 2016
Great, light, distracting, quick chick lit held my attention through the very last line!
May 15, 2020
Definitely not my kind of book. Jules, Brooke and Lexi were three very, very unlikable characters. I didn't know whether to give up reading or just scream so I screamed and threw the book across the room. The next day I picked it up determined to struggle through it. I really wish I had left it on the floor.
January 26, 2016
McCarthy is a force of bookish nature!
February 22, 2016
Jenna McCarthy has put it all out on the pages of Everything’s Relative and succeeds in crushing the laugh factor as a result. It’s not often I pick a book up in the morning and wipe my calendar clean to finish the book in the same day because it’s simply too darn good to put down. Such is the case with this book. I am the third of three sisters and the wave upon wave of flat-out relativity to the dynamics and interactions of the three fictional sisters is uncanny. It made me think back to some of the shenanigans my sisters and I imposed upon each other growing up. A writer can’t learn that kind of writing in a workshop; it’s in her DNA! McCarthy treats her audience to rich, believable and down-right hilarious dialogue. There is not one iota of drag throughout this story. The sucker punch ending is brilliant and ties beautifully with the overarching plot. Bravo Ms. McCarthy! May I have another, please? Everything’s Relative is one of the funniest, laugh-out-loud reads I’ve had the pleasure of devouring in a long time—a must read!
March 3, 2016
I received a review copy
The best word I could come up with for this novel was entertaining. It was entertaining from page one and kept me happily reading throughout. The sisters are all so different yet easily likeable (okay, it took me a little bit to get on Lexi’s side) but it was a lot of fun watching them grow together and grow closer as they took on their mother’s challenge. The ending I was a little unsure about. The twist I did see coming, but it did actually kind of bum me out. Clever, very well-written, and filled with life lessons, Everything’s Relative, was insanely entertaining to read.
4.5 stars
The best word I could come up with for this novel was entertaining. It was entertaining from page one and kept me happily reading throughout. The sisters are all so different yet easily likeable (okay, it took me a little bit to get on Lexi’s side) but it was a lot of fun watching them grow together and grow closer as they took on their mother’s challenge. The ending I was a little unsure about. The twist I did see coming, but it did actually kind of bum me out. Clever, very well-written, and filled with life lessons, Everything’s Relative, was insanely entertaining to read.
4.5 stars
February 4, 2016
AMAZING. Jenna is one of my favorite authors! So funny and a great story too!
February 20, 2016
Original review at http://125pages.com
Three sisters who have been controlled by their mother for as long as they can remember, finally feel free when she dies. Jules, Brooke, and Lexi have dealt with their mother being hash and, at times even cruel, for the majority of their lives. None of them reached the potential she excepted of them, and so even as adults they do not feel relief from her scrutiny. When she passes, they figure that they finally are able to live their lives the way they want. Until the reading of the will. A fortune is theirs for the taking as long as they live the next year under the last of their mother’s rules.
Jenna McCarthy crafted a cute tale of a sisterly bond overcoming harsh odds. The writing flowed well and the pacing was structured well. The world was fairly well crafted, not super vivid, but very understandable. The characters were well plotted out, but were not super sharp. At times I was unsure of the sisters motivations and thought processes. The plot was entertaining, but not amazing. I knew what the outcome would be pretty early on, but that did not ruin the read.
Everything’s Relative was a cute and fun read. It was not deep or insightful, but not every book needs to be. McCarthy has a sharp wit and at times Everything’s Relative was laugh out loud funny. The ending was expected, and I almost wish it had gone the other possible direction, as that would have been a nice change. This was a nice entry into the chick-lit genre; a sister story with heart. A nice change of pace book from the thrillers I have been reading lately, Everything’s Relative worked well as a nice palette cleanser.
Three sisters who have been controlled by their mother for as long as they can remember, finally feel free when she dies. Jules, Brooke, and Lexi have dealt with their mother being hash and, at times even cruel, for the majority of their lives. None of them reached the potential she excepted of them, and so even as adults they do not feel relief from her scrutiny. When she passes, they figure that they finally are able to live their lives the way they want. Until the reading of the will. A fortune is theirs for the taking as long as they live the next year under the last of their mother’s rules.
Jenna McCarthy crafted a cute tale of a sisterly bond overcoming harsh odds. The writing flowed well and the pacing was structured well. The world was fairly well crafted, not super vivid, but very understandable. The characters were well plotted out, but were not super sharp. At times I was unsure of the sisters motivations and thought processes. The plot was entertaining, but not amazing. I knew what the outcome would be pretty early on, but that did not ruin the read.
Everything’s Relative was a cute and fun read. It was not deep or insightful, but not every book needs to be. McCarthy has a sharp wit and at times Everything’s Relative was laugh out loud funny. The ending was expected, and I almost wish it had gone the other possible direction, as that would have been a nice change. This was a nice entry into the chick-lit genre; a sister story with heart. A nice change of pace book from the thrillers I have been reading lately, Everything’s Relative worked well as a nice palette cleanser.
February 16, 2016
Jules, Brooke and Lexi were young girls (12, 8 and 6 respectively) when their father died suddenly leaving them and their mother devastated. Jules took on family responsibilities well above her age level doing what her mother could no longer do. Brooke became the family peace-maker/fixer. Lexi thumbed her nose at everyone. The three girls took these characteristics with them into adulthood. When their mom died twenty years after their dad she left an unexpected inheritance for the three sisters. In order to collect the inheritance they would have to meet specific conditions and they all had to do so or none of them would receive their due.
Jenna McCarthy’s story of sisters drew me in from page one and had me turning the pages quickly. The chapters are short and each is from a different sister’s perspective. I loved seeing the changes in each character and pulled for all three as they tried to accomplish their assignments.
Everything’s Relative is a thoroughly entertaining novel that by turn tugged a few heartstrings and made me laugh out loud. Recommended to fans of contemporary humorous fiction about dysfunctional families. *I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Jenna McCarthy’s story of sisters drew me in from page one and had me turning the pages quickly. The chapters are short and each is from a different sister’s perspective. I loved seeing the changes in each character and pulled for all three as they tried to accomplish their assignments.
Everything’s Relative is a thoroughly entertaining novel that by turn tugged a few heartstrings and made me laugh out loud. Recommended to fans of contemporary humorous fiction about dysfunctional families. *I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 3, 2016
The opening of this new novel had me really uncomfortable and somewhat surprised at the depth of negative emotion from this usually pretty funny, lighthearted author. Thankfully, the introduction simply served as a snapshot of the lives of three sisters when they were younger following the death of their father. To say that their mother mistreated them is an understatement, but they all survived, each developing their own unique coping mechanisms. I enjoyed the roller coaster ride that was the story of their adult lives after their mother's passing, with an interesting plot twist that forces each of them to make significant changes, be it related to career, relationships, personal appearance, or even all three. Humor comes second nature to McCarthy, so it's not surprising to have expletive-laden quips that cause a sudden burst of laughter while reading.
July 12, 2016
Engaging, entertaining, fun and light-hearted -- Jenna McCarthy navigates the relationship between the three estranged sisters in this book with ease and hilarity. She even makes the whacky circumstances of the relationship between these sisters believable to someone without siblings, and with a fairly stable home life. It was not an incredibly mind-blowing book, but it was a fun, light read, which I sometimes need. I finished it in a day, and was happy with the conclusion, though the "surprise" twist was not particularly surprising to me. I recommend this book for those seeking an easy beach-read.
February 5, 2016
Jenna McCarthy writes funny, relatable women
probably because she's a funny, relatable woman, the prologue made me cry, not kidding--then I was hooked, I practically couldn't put it down
probably because she's a funny, relatable woman, the prologue made me cry, not kidding--then I was hooked, I practically couldn't put it down
February 28, 2016
This was a hard book to put down. I'm a huge fan of Jenna's writing and cannot wait for her next book! The story of these three sisters (told through each one's point of view) is woven together magnificently. It's a great read that will make you laugh, cry and certainly cringe.
March 2, 2016
Quick and delightful read
Wow! What an ending...I could not put it down from beginning to the end. There was never a dull moment.
Wow! What an ending...I could not put it down from beginning to the end. There was never a dull moment.
March 15, 2016
I won this book in a 12 book winter reads bundle from Jennifer O Regan. This was the first book I read. It is a fast, fun, easy read. :-) I enjoyed it.
July 9, 2018
A great premise for a book, but the plot fell flat. Too many flashbacks and boring sisters. Instead of being fun escapism; it was a dull journey. Once the author started to develop more of the characters it got more interesting, but the boring story before that disinterested me. Since it was a quick read, and I guessed how it might end, I finished it. I will say there were some good twists at the end.
July 20, 2018
I loved this story and characters!
This was a great story of 3 women who at the beginning felt like their world was horrible and then their mother died saying she left them an inheritance but in order to receive it they each had conditions to meet. It was fun reading about how they transformed themselves and met the conditions. It was a great story!!!!
This was a great story of 3 women who at the beginning felt like their world was horrible and then their mother died saying she left them an inheritance but in order to receive it they each had conditions to meet. It was fun reading about how they transformed themselves and met the conditions. It was a great story!!!!
November 16, 2018
three sisters are forced to fulfill their mother’s last wishes to receive their inheritance + lots of laughs, plenty of tender moments
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“...in her own weird Juliana way, she’d managed to give Lexi the greatest gift she could imagine, one she hadn’t even known how desperately she wanted or needed: her sisters back in her life.”
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instagram book reviews @brettlikesbooks
🍸
“...in her own weird Juliana way, she’d managed to give Lexi the greatest gift she could imagine, one she hadn’t even known how desperately she wanted or needed: her sisters back in her life.”
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instagram book reviews @brettlikesbooks
August 3, 2017
This one was "enough:" cute enough, interesting enough, likable enough characters, etc. I thought the plot was a tired one and it was quite predictable, right down the very last chapter. If you're looking for a light read, this might be one for you~
August 3, 2017
This book was such a nice, easy, refreshing read. It certainly wasn't a classic, but it was an enjoyable guilty pleasure. I loved the path the story took and I was shockingly surprised by the ending. Cute, fun story.
June 21, 2019
2.5-3 stars. A fast, easy read with some too-good-to-be-true plot resolutions, but when your 15-year-old reads a book and tells you to read it, the real joy lies in just sharing a book and talking about it! 💗
November 13, 2024
I loved this novel and seeing each sister achieve the task there mother asked of them.I was however shocked that there mother tricked them into achieving those goals and there wasn’t millions of dollars for the daughters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2018
Boy do I love the holidays. I had no one home and got to read all day! Winning! Nice light fast read to start out the new Year.
January 12, 2018
A fun read!
This is a new author to me, but the book was fun, funny and I could not put it down!
This is a new author to me, but the book was fun, funny and I could not put it down!
April 11, 2018
The alternating three sisters chapters was very creative, but I didn't care for the writing-a-book-about-the-book-your-reading aspect.
July 8, 2018
I enjoyed this, the characters were fun and light. You can definitely see yourself in the characters! The ending was awesome!!
August 18, 2018
Enjoyed this story very much. Loved seeing the changing relationships of the sisters.
November 5, 2019
A unique story line and some cute characters. Light and entertaining.
February 27, 2021
Enjoyed the story and characters...nice simply read
May 5, 2023
Cute story and easy read!
February 15, 2017
I was lucky enough to win this book from the Facebook book launch party. Once I started it, I had to read it as I ate, drank coffee or if someone else drove the car. I found myself wanting to skip over the bad language used by the youngest sister but I knew it had to be written in this manner to illustrate her personality. Jenna McCarthy did a great job with this. I enjoyed the concept of writing a book within a book. The ending surprised me which I enjoyed. I liked how Jenna used the growth of the sisters to make me want to keep turning the pages until I reached the conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews