All Things Considered

by Debbie Macomber

A Debbie Macomber Classic

In this emotional novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, one woman must learn to rely on her own strength as a single parent—until her husband returns out of the blue, forcing her to make an impossible decision.

Realtor Lanni Matthiessen has adjusted to life without her estranged husband, Judd. Two years ago, despite the cozy life they’d built in a Seattle suburb, he grew restless and left, their happiness short-lived. Now Lanni strives to give their beloved daughter, Jenny, enough love for two parents, having returned all of Judd’s letters unopened. Hearing from him was just too painful, and eventually, the letters stopped.

The last thing Lanni expects is to see Judd again—but one fateful day, he reappears, eager to be a father to Jenny. So why, when she should detest the man, she’d once loved, can’t she bring herself to shut him out for good?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Harlequin

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[MK ( MaKayla) · Rating 1 out of 5]

All I have to say is the contents of the book when compared to the back cover are astounding !
My sister picked this up at the library for me cause she knows I'm a sucker for a Debbie macomber romance .
I honestly believe Debbie came up with the idea for the book and Harlequin had someone else write it for her cause this is NOT a Macomber book .
It was absolute rubbish !
Let's talk about the cover !Mine was a two in one edition with a bouquet of flowers on a swing which is clearly NOT anywhere close to the original cover .
Thanks for reading
Makayla 😊

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

All things Considered by Debbie MacComber
Lannie's. husband Judd left her and their daughter Jenny. He. was living in Seattle. Her sister Jade kept in touch with him. He is estranged from his father Stuart. Stuart is dying. Stuart asks to see his granddaughter Jenny before he dies. Lannie agrees to go to Twin Oaks Montanna where Stuart has the ranch. When they arrive at Twin Oaks, Stuart is not dying. He has a plan to get Lannie and Judd back together. In the middle of this Lannie's coworker Steve Delaney comes to Starts ranch house to ask Lannie out to dinner. The plot thickens.

[Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They were both caught up in acting out a role, pretending there were no problems,” This is the basis for the story.

[Tmstprc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reread 4/15/2022. Still looking for the Debbie Macomber book with the cheating husband, this isn’t it.

“All Things Considered” this book sucks.

Very dated. Married couple with a 4 year old daughter. He works in oil fields all over the world, makes good money and hasn’t been home in 2 years. And has basically been no contact because she wants no contact. She’d had enough of his leaving for long periods of time when he could find work locally, but he felt stifled… blah, blah blah.

He comes back, announces his dad is dying and is taking their daughter to see him, whether the wife likes it or not. My reaction would have been… yeah, I don’t think so a$$hole. She’s way to accommodating.

Well, dad isn’t dying and the hubby wants them to now settle on the family ranch, like this is really going to last… doubtful.

2 star writing, -1 star for the crappy husband.

[Emma Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

First part of the reluctant groom

Loved this one!

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was this really Debbie Macomber's work? It was so boring and repetitive I almost didn't bother to finish it, but I persevered in the belief that it would get better. It didn't. The characters were one dimensional and kept doing the same inane things over and over. And finally and unbelievably, apparently there were no telephones between Montana and Mexico when this was written. Or maybe Judd didn't have a dime.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Things Considered by Debbie Macomber
Western Lovers #35
244-page Libby Ebook
2020 Edition originally published in 1987

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Romance

Featuring: Estranged Couple, Seattle, Washington; Montana, Real Estate Agent, Single Parenting, 4-Year-Old, Pipefitter, Sisters, Bully Romance, Second Chance Trope - Separated Spouses, Pushover MC, Stubbornness, Road Trip, Sex - Low Details, Ranch, Cantankerous Grandpa, City vs Country, Dramatics, Author's Partial Bibliography, Links, Excerpt for A Walk Along The Beach

Rating as a movie: PG-15 for adult situations

Songs for the soundtrack: "Happy Trails" by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

Books and Authors mentioned: Contes de ma Mère l'Oye/Tales of My Mother Goose by Charles Perrault, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz aka The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum (Lyman Frank Baum) - Oz #1

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💔🏙🚙🐃

My thoughts: 🔖Page 48 of 244 [Chapter] Three - This is one of those dated tropes that readers find offensive in everything because it's considered toxic and misogynistic today.
🔖65 [Chapter] Four - I have to take this one in small doses.
🔖102 [Chapter] Six - I'm not sure if this has been updated as 4-year-olds in car seats and the term SUV wasn't as common in '87 but the frequency of the same vocabulary (milquetoast, taciturn, etc.) and the awkward transitions show how far Macomber's storytelling has come. I should be done with this book but it's like a bad movie. I don't even know why these people are arguing or kissing, it feels unbelievable.

I was very disappointed with the format selection. I originally got this book in the Kindle format, but Kindle was unable despite being listed. So, I had to read it in Libby, and the page count changed based on device, font size, font type, and even vertical vs horizontal, it was very frustrating. Not as frustrating as the plot or characters. Lanni doesn't want to leave Seattle so she ends her marriage. She gets bossed around by both her husband and potential love interest. Judd wants to work outside of Seattle because the pay is better and he's worried about money after the birth of their daughter wiped out their savings. This is a very weak plot and this isn't even the worst of it. I guess take charge men who didn't take no for an answer and bullied their way into relationships while stating they weren't going to pressure you, were all the rage in the 80s. Every time I read an older romance 90% of the time that's what I get. Once I knew this was '87 I wasn't surprised with how bad it got. I decided to just enjoy it anyway, as best as I could. This story reads differently than most of the DM books I've read. Her style changes each decade and I'm not a fan of some of her '80s plots, you can't say it's because she's a new writer, she had over 30 published books when this was released. All in all, despite the dated attitudes I liked the story, eventually it was like watching an old movie, like The Parent Trap or something. I plan to read more of her older stories but I will certainly spread them out.

Recommend to others: Maybe, you may be offended or you might feel nostalgic about Harlequin books of yesteryear.

Western Lovers (Multi-authors)
1. Betrayed by Love (1987)
2. Blue Sage (1987)
3. Chase the Clouds (1983)
4. Mustang Man (1988)
5. Painted Sunsets (1986)
6. Carved in Stone (1987)
7. A Marriage of Convenience (1989)
8. Where Angels Fear (1988)
9. Inheritance (1993)
10. The Hawk and the Honey (1983)
11. Wild Horses Canyon (1988)
12. Someone Waiting (1985)
13. Rancher's Wife (1989)
14. His and Hers (1987)
15. The Best Things in Life (1986)
16. All That Matters (1987)
17. One Man's Folly (1989)
18. Sagebrush and Sunshine (1990)
19. Moonbeams Aplenty (1987)
20. A Home on the Range (1992)
21. The Fairy Tale Girl (1984)
22. Snow Bird (1987)
23. The Countess and the Cowboy (1993)
24. Heart of Ice (1984)
25. Fools Rush in (1987)
26. Wellspring (1988)
27. Live-In Mom (2011)
28. Laughter in the Rain (1987)
29. With No Regrets (1990)
30. Family Affair (1988)
31. Yesterday's Lies (1986)
32. The Texas Way (1995)
33. Wild Lady (1981)
34. Cody Daniel's Return (1988)
35. All Things Considered (1987)
36. Return to Yesterday (1987)
37. Ambushed (1988)
38. West of the Sun (1990)
39. Bittersweet (1988)
40. A Deadly Breed (1988)
41. Desperado (1988)
42. Heart of the Eagle (1986)
43. Rancho Diablo (1990)
44. Big Sky Country (1988)
45. A Family to Cherish (1986)
46. Texas Wildcat (1984)
47. Not Part of the Bargain (1989)
48. Destiny's Child (1988)
A Wild Wind (1987)
Ramblin' Man (1989)
Soul of the West (1990)

[D.M. Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber has always been my go-to for a reliable read. I know I can count on her for a decent book, something quick, easy and entertaining. When I finish a deep, thought-provoking book, it might be time for Debbie. Or when I finish something awful, at least I have my go-to.

Her older books are typically preferable because the characters weren't usually quite as unrealistically saintly as they are in her newer novels. (They weren't as clean either, by the way, including this one, if that's what you're expecting.) With that said, I struggled with both the plot and characters of All Things Considered.

Yes, it was easy to read, and there were times when I couldn't put it down, wanting to know what came next for this strange pair, Lanni and Judd. However, there were inconsistencies in Judd's personality that didn't make sense to me, as well as Lanni's. What's more, the actions of the father-in-law were so outrageous, I kept telling myself, "Willing suspension of disbelief!"

No spoilers, but in the end, there was a major plot flaw in my opinion. "All things considered," it was still a Debbie Macomber, and as such, it was a decent read-- not because of her name-- but because the author didn't become who she is without knowing what she's doing!

[Dorene Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a happy ending to what could have been a sad life for the leading character and her daughter. It's a good thing Lanni made a good choice for her daughter, prodded on by her sister to do so. I didn't like the Realtor/Partner pushing his way into her decision in her life. I'm glad she ignored him in the beginning and didn't tell him directly what she was doing or where she was going. He found her at the end and was sneaky in what he did. He made her think he was home in Seattle when he was actually in a car talking to her on his cell. He tried to convince her to leave her husband and come back to Seattle and start a life with him instead. They had had one or two dates and he thought he could get her to make a life with him when she told him she loved her husband and not him. If it had been real life, I think I would have hit him in the head with a broomstick for not listening and being pushy. --- This was the 2nd story included in the book, "Finally You". As I sad, I enjoyed this book BUT I wasn't crazy about the first story in the book, "Finally You" called "No Competition". (I'll include my comments about that book separately.

[Eunice Coorlas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A formula second chance read by Debbie Macomber about a young couple who must find their way back to together. Lanni and Judd have lived apart for two years ever since she filed for divorce. Lanni has been a single parent to their 4 year old daughter. Judd, a pipe fitter, has worked all the world. When judge received a letter from his estranged father that before he dies he wishes to see his granddaughter. When Judd sees his wife he realizes that the love he felt for her is still front and center. Lanni also feels the pull but fears Judd will once again abandon her and their daughter.
When the couple arrive in Montana at Judd’s father‘s ranch, they begin to feel a new start might be possible.
Will they be able to overcome the obstacles put in their path? This was a relatively easy read.

[Linda A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love??

While this was a basically fun, quick read, it truly lacked the well developed characters and plot I have come to expect from Ms. Macomber's novels. Both Judd and Lannie were two of the most immature "adults" ever. A married man who takes off with no contact with his wife and child beyond paying child care for two years is not dad or husband material. A woman who pines away for two years has a major problem. I also cannot fathom my response if my younger sister stayed in contact with my husband and was continually telling me to give my runaway husband another chance. Well, at least there was a happy ending.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Debbie Macomber's books and realize this is an old one but expected better. This was just an awful story - the main characters were immature, ridiculous and stupid. The story wasn't even any good - no real drama or romance. I was actually pulling against their reunion and with their communication skills know they shouldn't be together. Granted this is fiction but the author could have shown a little bit of how Judd & Lanni worked through their problems instead of just jumping into bed again and stating everything's great again. Skip this book.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good second chance romance story that will make you laugh and at times make you want to cry. Lannie and Judd had been married at a young age an then separated for several years. They have a daughter Jennie.

Judd comes back into their lives to try and convince her to let Jennie come to visit his father because he is dying.

I really enjoyed the book and think you will too.

[Cindy F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and tender

The story is classic Miss Debbie. Sweet and tender and clean. The love story moved a long pretty quickly and easily. I read it in about a day. It's a great little escape for a worn out momma.

[Lisa Drung-Hardey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Begining...

I am reason Macomber’s Clasics that date back to the 1980s. I am enjoying the series, but you can definitely tell Debbie was a young author trying to find her voice. The story is fun, but way to whiny. It drags and comes to an end way too easy.

[R. Jetleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gently told story, complete with the predictable happy ending. Although it wasn't a roller coaster ride of a book with many twists and turns, it was a calm float-lazily-down-the-river book which I really enjoyed.

[Tani Garberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am from the PNW and have always wanted to read a Debbie Macomber book because she is from this area. Maybe I picked the wrong one. This was very simplistic and everything was so predictable. Not sure I will read another.

[Jan Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love this author, this book didn’t do it for me. I was probably generous with three stars. It’s almost as if there was a commitment to write a certain amount of words. It goes back and forth, back and forth and finally ends. The plot is fine, but for heavens sake, end it.

[Sosa Coleone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do, don't

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy reading books by this author. This one was not one of my favorites. The story was plausible and the characters as well. I struggled to finish the book.

[shnance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Judd is such a dick. They were better being apart. The last part of the book was such a mess.

[Angie Davern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I think it had a great story line and of course happy ending! I think I could go for a second book about the people in this story!

[Carrie Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

spicier than I recall her other books being but thankfully not graphic.

[Tammi Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

as always, you can never go wrong with a Debbie Macomber book

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little love story. Lanni Matthiessen had moved on with her life after her husband Judd left her. Her life was busy with their daughter Jenny and her job as a Realtor.
Now he was back, and wanted to take Jenny to Montana as he had heard from his father that he was dying and wanted to see his granddaughter before he passed on. Judd and Lanni are both stubborn and not good at expressing their feelings. Will their love get the upper hand and find a way for them to get back together? You'll have to read it to find out!

[Sandra]

read

[Lbaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I read a "heavy" type book I want a "popcorn" type book, and this was my choice this time.

Light, silly, exactly what I wanted to read at this time.

[Cynthia]

I didn't really get into this story. Sorry Debbie

[Kandia Watson]

Reluctant Groom, The