All We Ever Wanted

by Emily giffen

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Jen R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Emily Giffin's other books, but this one left me unsatisfied in the end. It started off strong and had the opportunity to provide thought-provoking content, but ended without any real sense of closure for the original premise of the book.

A well-off family struggle with the aftermath of their sons actions. Actions that were both racially and sexually abhorrent. The mother and father completely disagree with the seriousness of the act, and how to handle it.

The story is told from two sides, the mother of the accused, and the father of the victim. Both the accused and the victim attend a posh private school together. The victim is a scholarship student, and not white.

Early on I was enthralled because it's one of those things not often discussed. What if you think you've raised your child right and they still do something totally against the morals that you thought you instilled in them?

However, the book lost focus on this aspect of the story somewhere along the way. Suddenly undertones of an attraction appear and then just as suddenly the book concludes with a closing that focuses once more on the closing, where a single interaction is supposed to be enough.

The lost focus and the closure of the book frustrated me as I wanted more about the original subject matter. In the end I was left less than fulfilled with a book that gave such promise in the beginning.

[Kaydee56 · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
Stereotypical and predictable white, rich, evil, Republican husband along with his white, callous, and sleazy son. Girl power! Oops…can’t use girl any longer…my apologies! So very tired of this…so very boring.

[Reena Bhatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought of all her books, it was my least favorite, although I thought the main character was very well written.

[Merla Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wealth and privilege is put to the moral test when Kirk and Nina's son (on his way to Princeton), is not the golden child Mom thought after he posts a pic on social media of a 16 year old honor society student (who happens to be hispanic) in a compromising position and said son adds a racist comment as well. Story delves into morality, mysogeny, teen affluenza, the "me too" movement, and the rich vs. poor. A page turner

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had not read Giffen before but have now read a second one of hers as I found her to be a very good storyteller.

[Pam Cain · Rating 3 out of 5]

ending was so dumb, but lots of twists. Not sure I'll read more of her or not, but a good vacation read

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just didn’t hit it out of the park really expected more from this author.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Nina and Lyla's courage and bond together and individually as they uncovered truths of how far men will go when they believe they can.

[Jennifer Heisey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read but the topics in the book were not my favorites - teenage boys mistreating teenage girls. Unethical and cheating husbands. But Inliked Nina and Lyla and kept reading so….