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All She Ever Wanted
Thirty-five years ago Kathleen fled her home, desperate to cast off weights of poverty and shame. But an unexpected invitation from her sister unwittingly draws her back to that sleepy New York town, her own daughter in tow.
A trip meant to salvage her relationship with her daughter changes course as Kathleen reexamines her own childhood. But even more enlightening are the stories of Eleanor, her once-vibrant mother, and Fiona, the grandmother she barely knew.
The more Kathleen learns, the more answers she seeks concerning her family's mysterious past. Yet with the past exposed, Kathleen is torn between her need to forgive and the urge to forget.
A trip meant to salvage her relationship with her daughter changes course as Kathleen reexamines her own childhood. But even more enlightening are the stories of Eleanor, her once-vibrant mother, and Fiona, the grandmother she barely knew.
The more Kathleen learns, the more answers she seeks concerning her family's mysterious past. Yet with the past exposed, Kathleen is torn between her need to forgive and the urge to forget.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
941 people are currently reading
2803 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Austin
69 books5,580 followersFor many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 513 reviews
March 29, 2021
A Very Good Book
“All She Ever Wanted” is a heart story of three generations of women: Kathleen, Eleanor, Fiona.
There are similar patterns in each story. In that each of the women left a whole situation to escape the family and attempt a new life.
The novel is full of emotions and feelings like love loss, forgiveness pain and eventually renewal.
The characters are sharp and crisp and very easy to relate to. I particularly liked Fiona in the story of her immigration to America. I am at the fan of Irish immigration stories. This portion of the book was very very well done. It was a very good historical fiction.
I recommend this book and I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I did
“All She Ever Wanted” is a heart story of three generations of women: Kathleen, Eleanor, Fiona.
There are similar patterns in each story. In that each of the women left a whole situation to escape the family and attempt a new life.
The novel is full of emotions and feelings like love loss, forgiveness pain and eventually renewal.
The characters are sharp and crisp and very easy to relate to. I particularly liked Fiona in the story of her immigration to America. I am at the fan of Irish immigration stories. This portion of the book was very very well done. It was a very good historical fiction.
I recommend this book and I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I did
August 18, 2018
All She Ever Wanted, by Lynn Austin was the tale of a woman, Kathleen, her mother, Eleanor, and her grandmother, Fiona.
Each woman worked through a world of chaos, turmoil, hurt, and pain.
The book starts out with Kathleen and her daughter, Joelle fighting. Joelle yelling at her mom and how closed off she is. Kathleen is hesitant to bring up her past for fear of judgement. After some urging from her daughter, she reluctantly travels back to where she grew up. A life of poverty, abandonment, and pain. In the process of all of the old memories stirring up she learns about her mother and why her mother was the way she was and in turn learned about her grandmother and her tainted past as well.
All She Ever Wanted was three stories wrapped up in one book. From Fiona’s life during the Great Depression, to Eleanor’s life during WWII, and finally Kathleen’s life as a little girl and now as an adult raising her own daughter.
Each story was riveting and heartbreaking in its own way and Lynn Austin tied it all together wonderfully. I loved diving into each woman’s past and gaining insight into their behaviors and why they were the way they were.
This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend this Lynn Austin novel.
Each woman worked through a world of chaos, turmoil, hurt, and pain.
The book starts out with Kathleen and her daughter, Joelle fighting. Joelle yelling at her mom and how closed off she is. Kathleen is hesitant to bring up her past for fear of judgement. After some urging from her daughter, she reluctantly travels back to where she grew up. A life of poverty, abandonment, and pain. In the process of all of the old memories stirring up she learns about her mother and why her mother was the way she was and in turn learned about her grandmother and her tainted past as well.
All She Ever Wanted was three stories wrapped up in one book. From Fiona’s life during the Great Depression, to Eleanor’s life during WWII, and finally Kathleen’s life as a little girl and now as an adult raising her own daughter.
Each story was riveting and heartbreaking in its own way and Lynn Austin tied it all together wonderfully. I loved diving into each woman’s past and gaining insight into their behaviors and why they were the way they were.
This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend this Lynn Austin novel.
January 17, 2020
What a roller coaster!
Lynn Austin often has several tales going at once in her books. This was a bit different. These stories were a piecemeal history narrative of generations within this family, beginning with the main character's great grandfather who used his exceptionally beautiful daughter to swindle people.
Kathleen had never heard the stories unfolding by several characters about her grandmother, her mother or her father. But she had also kept her past a secret for decades, having been raised in near destitute conditions.
Years later as she travels back to the home she escaped over 35 years before, she realizes she knows little about her family, nor why things turned out the way they did. What is revealed is a cycle of sin, immoral behavior, abandonment and poor choices being passed down through the generations. Often the behavior is rationalized due to poverty and condoned because it was advantageous. But often there was great shame and repentance, and a story of redemption that was awe inspiring.
Kathleen takes a journey with her daughter to reveal a surprising past, learning how God's will comes to pass in astounding ways.
Lynn Austin often has several tales going at once in her books. This was a bit different. These stories were a piecemeal history narrative of generations within this family, beginning with the main character's great grandfather who used his exceptionally beautiful daughter to swindle people.
Kathleen had never heard the stories unfolding by several characters about her grandmother, her mother or her father. But she had also kept her past a secret for decades, having been raised in near destitute conditions.
Years later as she travels back to the home she escaped over 35 years before, she realizes she knows little about her family, nor why things turned out the way they did. What is revealed is a cycle of sin, immoral behavior, abandonment and poor choices being passed down through the generations. Often the behavior is rationalized due to poverty and condoned because it was advantageous. But often there was great shame and repentance, and a story of redemption that was awe inspiring.
Kathleen takes a journey with her daughter to reveal a surprising past, learning how God's will comes to pass in astounding ways.
March 2, 2017
A sweeping epic that takes you back to yesteryear, proving that the decisions we make today have a big effect on tomorrow. Well-written, gripping...all in all, amazing.
May 4, 2020
Wow! I read and listen to a lot of books but rarely have time to post a review. I’m currently hiding from my children so I can post a few words. I just finished this book and LOVED it. After I finish a book I usually think, that was nice, or meh. After I finished this book I thought, wow! I was mad it was over because it left me wanting more of the story.
I liked this book because it really made me sit and think about how judgmental I can be about people, sometimes. It wasn’t until the end of this book that you came to understand the characters and why they made the choices they did. Most people do the best they can. I’ll try to remember that the next time I negatively judge someone. You never know what other people are going through.
I liked this book because it really made me sit and think about how judgmental I can be about people, sometimes. It wasn’t until the end of this book that you came to understand the characters and why they made the choices they did. Most people do the best they can. I’ll try to remember that the next time I negatively judge someone. You never know what other people are going through.
March 7, 2015
This story focuses on four generations of women in a family line. Each deplored her mother and resolved to be completely different. The passage of time hid the fact that they were all most alike, especially in their decisions to sever all ties with their families. Kathleen, who is number three in the pattern, realises that her relationship with her teenage daughter, Joelle, seems to be heading the same way. She delves into their past and becomes aware of the trend, arming her with understanding and knowledge to end the process.
After a lot of thought, I realised the captivating quality of this story is because it is told backwards in time instead of chronologically. That's enough to add depth and mystery. We're already aware of the results of each woman's choices, and just need to find out how they got there. From Kathleen's own sad background we're drawn back to the pasts of her mother, Eleanor, and grandmother, Fiona, through the memories of others. Delving into several characters' lives at different stages can be as fascinating as time travel stories.
I love the massive bombshell twists. One major one got me wishing I could take back some of the tears I cried, and then made me wish I'd cried them for a different reason.
At first, my biggest gripe was being unable to perceive a male character as a clear role model to admire. Donald, Leonard, Rick, Howard, Rory, Arthur, Lorenzo. There is a long line of despicables. I was glad when a couple from that list grew on me as the story progressed, especially the one whose past was unraveled the same time as his sister's.
It's interesting to see how history is shown to have a major role in shaping characters, rather than rolling off like water from a duck's back. Kathleen was a product of the political uneasiness of the volatile '60s. Eleanor's story took place in the WW2 era, and Fiona's in the roaring '20s, with flappers and speakeasies.
I didn't always approve of characters' decisions to turn their backs. I can understand Fiona's position, but wished Eleanor and Kathleen could have shown a bit more grace. The fact that Kathleen never once wanted to find out what became of her brothers and sister didn't sit easy with me - like abandonment. She just decided she was better than they were, and took off! I thought her family were most magnanimous in opening their arms to accept her back in the fold after the way she treated them. Yet it reminds us we're all in need of grace and forgiveness at times, for a lot less. It's good to come across stories in which it is offered freely, helping us to offer it to ourselves.
After a lot of thought, I realised the captivating quality of this story is because it is told backwards in time instead of chronologically. That's enough to add depth and mystery. We're already aware of the results of each woman's choices, and just need to find out how they got there. From Kathleen's own sad background we're drawn back to the pasts of her mother, Eleanor, and grandmother, Fiona, through the memories of others. Delving into several characters' lives at different stages can be as fascinating as time travel stories.
I love the massive bombshell twists. One major one got me wishing I could take back some of the tears I cried, and then made me wish I'd cried them for a different reason.
At first, my biggest gripe was being unable to perceive a male character as a clear role model to admire. Donald, Leonard, Rick, Howard, Rory, Arthur, Lorenzo. There is a long line of despicables. I was glad when a couple from that list grew on me as the story progressed, especially the one whose past was unraveled the same time as his sister's.
It's interesting to see how history is shown to have a major role in shaping characters, rather than rolling off like water from a duck's back. Kathleen was a product of the political uneasiness of the volatile '60s. Eleanor's story took place in the WW2 era, and Fiona's in the roaring '20s, with flappers and speakeasies.
I didn't always approve of characters' decisions to turn their backs. I can understand Fiona's position, but wished Eleanor and Kathleen could have shown a bit more grace. The fact that Kathleen never once wanted to find out what became of her brothers and sister didn't sit easy with me - like abandonment. She just decided she was better than they were, and took off! I thought her family were most magnanimous in opening their arms to accept her back in the fold after the way she treated them. Yet it reminds us we're all in need of grace and forgiveness at times, for a lot less. It's good to come across stories in which it is offered freely, helping us to offer it to ourselves.
May 15, 2013
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The first couple of pages had me thinking I would. The problem for me was that this story was too easy to walk away from and not think about again. There was not a single character that I rooted for--not a single one. And the problems they dealt with, though they created a complex web of family dysfunction, were just too shallow. Domineering man vs. helpless woman. Rich vs. poor. These same simple themes occurred in all three generations and I get that the cycle perpetuates...I'll give Austin the benefit of the doubt and hope that's what she was trying to convey, but it became boring after a while, like I was just waiting to see how each woman would deal with these same issues.
I did not enjoy getting to know Uncle Leonard, the Communist and found the dialogue sorely lacking there. He didn't even seem real to me until he was an old man. Neither did Arthur the philanderer. Or Lorenzo the mobster. Were they just archetypes of men? Where does Mike fit it? He was well-drawn for the two whole pages he was in there. I'm just confused now, the more I think on it. How did Kathleen get such a fantastic husband after three decades of avoidance, shallow and unpracticed Christianity, and being spoiled with the "American Dream?"
I love historical fiction and the interweaving timelines were interesting to me but it was almost too much evidence that she had done her research and not enough story line. It seemed like she could have taken out huge chunks and the story wouldn't have suffered.
I wish that I could have seen more of the transformation that happened in Joelle. That's what all this was for, right? To break the cycle? I can't close the book, satisfied that a mission trip to Mexico is going to change her family tree.
I did not enjoy getting to know Uncle Leonard, the Communist and found the dialogue sorely lacking there. He didn't even seem real to me until he was an old man. Neither did Arthur the philanderer. Or Lorenzo the mobster. Were they just archetypes of men? Where does Mike fit it? He was well-drawn for the two whole pages he was in there. I'm just confused now, the more I think on it. How did Kathleen get such a fantastic husband after three decades of avoidance, shallow and unpracticed Christianity, and being spoiled with the "American Dream?"
I love historical fiction and the interweaving timelines were interesting to me but it was almost too much evidence that she had done her research and not enough story line. It seemed like she could have taken out huge chunks and the story wouldn't have suffered.
I wish that I could have seen more of the transformation that happened in Joelle. That's what all this was for, right? To break the cycle? I can't close the book, satisfied that a mission trip to Mexico is going to change her family tree.
November 2, 2025
✨Spoiler-Free Book Review✨
Title: All She Ever Wanted
Author: Lynn Austin
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
✨ All She Ever Wanted is an emotional, multi-generational story about three women—Kathleen, her mother Eleanor, and her grandmother Fiona—each shaped by heartbreak, secrets, and faith. After decades of estrangement, Kathleen sets out to uncover her family’s past and mend the broken pieces of her heart and her relationship with her daughter. What she discovers is a powerful story of forgiveness, redemption, and the grace that bridges generations.
💔 Plot: I loved how this story unfolded through three generations. It was my first time reading a book like this, and I found it so unique! Lynn Austin beautifully showed how life’s hardships can shape people, and how grace allows us to see beyond mistakes.
⏳ Pacing: A few moments felt slow, but every chapter built toward something meaningful. There were plenty of twists that kept me invested!
💗 What I Loved: Kathleen’s journey deeply resonated with me. Her story of finding faith and healing was beautiful.
😣 What I Didn’t Love: It was tough to read at times—the themes are heavy and emotional.
🙏 Faith: The threads of redemption were incredible. It shows that no matter how broken your past feels, Jesus can restore and redeem it all.
🪶 Writing: Simple, heartfelt, and easy to follow.
💡 Would I Recommend? Yes! But I’d suggest readers super sensitive to specific content to please check trigger warnings. There may be more than I have listed - there was just so much! It’s a beautiful story, just a heavy one.
⚠️ Content Warnings:
Suicide, extreme poverty, child neglect, murder, grief of a spouse, and a character who resorts to prostitution-like circumstances to survive (not graphic or on-page).
Title: All She Ever Wanted
Author: Lynn Austin
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
✨ All She Ever Wanted is an emotional, multi-generational story about three women—Kathleen, her mother Eleanor, and her grandmother Fiona—each shaped by heartbreak, secrets, and faith. After decades of estrangement, Kathleen sets out to uncover her family’s past and mend the broken pieces of her heart and her relationship with her daughter. What she discovers is a powerful story of forgiveness, redemption, and the grace that bridges generations.
💔 Plot: I loved how this story unfolded through three generations. It was my first time reading a book like this, and I found it so unique! Lynn Austin beautifully showed how life’s hardships can shape people, and how grace allows us to see beyond mistakes.
⏳ Pacing: A few moments felt slow, but every chapter built toward something meaningful. There were plenty of twists that kept me invested!
💗 What I Loved: Kathleen’s journey deeply resonated with me. Her story of finding faith and healing was beautiful.
😣 What I Didn’t Love: It was tough to read at times—the themes are heavy and emotional.
🙏 Faith: The threads of redemption were incredible. It shows that no matter how broken your past feels, Jesus can restore and redeem it all.
🪶 Writing: Simple, heartfelt, and easy to follow.
💡 Would I Recommend? Yes! But I’d suggest readers super sensitive to specific content to please check trigger warnings. There may be more than I have listed - there was just so much! It’s a beautiful story, just a heavy one.
⚠️ Content Warnings:
Suicide, extreme poverty, child neglect, murder, grief of a spouse, and a character who resorts to prostitution-like circumstances to survive (not graphic or on-page).
June 5, 2023
I didn't know what to expect from this story and I got a little bit of everything. If all Lynn Austin books are like this I can see why people love her books so much! I'm already looking forward to reading the other ones of hers I have.
This story follows Kathleen, Eleanor and Fiona, 3 different generations of women and the redemption story of their lives. I was hooked on every bit of these stories, wanting to find out how they all link together. I just loved how real, raw and emotional this entire story was!
You'll definitely catch me reading Lynn Austin again sometime. If you love a good multi-generational story, this book is definitely for you!
This story follows Kathleen, Eleanor and Fiona, 3 different generations of women and the redemption story of their lives. I was hooked on every bit of these stories, wanting to find out how they all link together. I just loved how real, raw and emotional this entire story was!
You'll definitely catch me reading Lynn Austin again sometime. If you love a good multi-generational story, this book is definitely for you!
August 16, 2021
This is my first Lynn Austin Book and I HAVE A NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR who commands my love , respect and gratitude.
I have very limited time but here are some prominent features I see in her work
Intelligently and wisely written
Unparalleled Character development through the use of short story style flash backs (very much like the Big Bad wolf , Little Red Riding Hood , The lumber Jack and Granny's stories in the movie "Hood winked"
relatable characters(at least to me)
superbly woven effortlessly flowing plot despite its complexity very easy to follow by arousing readers natural curiosity about what changed a kid into the adult he/she became
good sense of humor
Curiosity arousing
Authentic. accurate , crisp ,clear factual history period depiction (like most good fiction writers she gets her facts right then fits in the fiction lending an air of believability to the fiction )
Heart felt
She puts you right there in historical context .I actually grasped the cold war when she was describing the 60s and the fall out shelters she captured the times so easily and effortlessly
This work is a cut above for all genres . She is a "Christian writer but she's up there with the best geopolitical writers and the saccharine sweet dogma is missing for her work.
I am now reading "Where we belong " and I am so in love with this author .I am so grateful to introduce LYNN AUSTIN to my my GR friends
sorry that's all the time I have
I have very limited time but here are some prominent features I see in her work
Intelligently and wisely written
Unparalleled Character development through the use of short story style flash backs (very much like the Big Bad wolf , Little Red Riding Hood , The lumber Jack and Granny's stories in the movie "Hood winked"
relatable characters(at least to me)
superbly woven effortlessly flowing plot despite its complexity very easy to follow by arousing readers natural curiosity about what changed a kid into the adult he/she became
good sense of humor
Curiosity arousing
Authentic. accurate , crisp ,clear factual history period depiction (like most good fiction writers she gets her facts right then fits in the fiction lending an air of believability to the fiction )
Heart felt
She puts you right there in historical context .I actually grasped the cold war when she was describing the 60s and the fall out shelters she captured the times so easily and effortlessly
This work is a cut above for all genres . She is a "Christian writer but she's up there with the best geopolitical writers and the saccharine sweet dogma is missing for her work.
I am now reading "Where we belong " and I am so in love with this author .I am so grateful to introduce LYNN AUSTIN to my my GR friends
sorry that's all the time I have
March 23, 2018
O poveste încântătoare. O carte ce nu o poti lasa din mana. Trei destine se împletesc intr un mod absolut superb. Am empatizat cu personajele, însă cea care mi a atins sufletul a fost Fiona. Autoarea a pus accent pe viata femeilor, pe alegerile lor si a trasat consecințele acțiunilor lor, intr un mod atat de natural încât mi a fost imposibil să nu ma pun în pielea lor... Este o carte despre familie, despre copii, despre sacrificiu, despre iubire, despre diferentele sociale si nu in ultimul rand despre Dumnezeu... 5 stele fără doar și poate.
July 13, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. And as far as Christian fiction goes, it's really nicely written. There were a few eye-roller moments at the end, but generally throughout the book references to religion and God seemed natural, not forced. That's my problem with most Christian fiction, God is forced into everything and it ends up being corny. Anyone who reads Christian fiction knows what I'm talking about. The God references are just eye-rolling moments where you're like, "good grief." But Lynn Austin really wove the religion in so it seems much more natural.
The story starts with the rocky relationship between Kathleen and her teenage daughter Joelle. This part starts out a little dry, but stick with it. Kathleen soon dives into her past, growing up as a poor kid in the 50s. Then later on you read about Kathleen's mother's past and what made her the way she was. Then you take a step back even further and learn about Kathleen's grandmother. All of the events in their lives combine together to show you how your past shapes who you are.
Like I said I really enjoyed the book.
The story starts with the rocky relationship between Kathleen and her teenage daughter Joelle. This part starts out a little dry, but stick with it. Kathleen soon dives into her past, growing up as a poor kid in the 50s. Then later on you read about Kathleen's mother's past and what made her the way she was. Then you take a step back even further and learn about Kathleen's grandmother. All of the events in their lives combine together to show you how your past shapes who you are.
Like I said I really enjoyed the book.
July 8, 2015
This is a book that will likely stick with me long after tonight. It was both joyful and heart-wrenching in places. It's so sad how each character, in some way, had run away from her life--be it emotionally or physically, thereby leaving her family. Also very sad to me was the running theme of thinking you really want something, but when you finally get it, it isn't what you thought you wanted at all. I thought it was also very sad how the characters failed to ask for God's will in their lives. However, there was also redemption--and I loved that, too! I love how austin wrapped up the story! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys generational family sagas involving mothers and daughters. I love stuff like this, and I love the lessons and wisdom Austin included. I love books that make you think and feel--and this one definitely did both! it also made me cry in several places
February 27, 2022
I often got confused with the story of what was going on. However, it was a story of different families which are all connected with each other that seem to have the same problems down through the decades. It would be nice if the author provided for us a family tree showing how everybody is related to each other, especially the main family in the story.
October 17, 2017
Meh. The impression the ending gave me was the author couldn't wrap it up quickly enough.
September 25, 2022
Excellent reminder that unforgiveness leads to bitterness and always hurts the one who’s unwilling to forgive more than the offender. Wonderful story of generational unforgiveness and God’s sweet gift of grace!
March 22, 2023
Really eye-opening story of how poor choices can affect generations down the line, but also really sweet to see the redeeming grace of the Lord at the end of it all. <3
December 16, 2014
Summary:
Kathleen Seymour is having a "no-good-very-bad-day." A fight with her boss. A phone call from the police department about her teenage daughter. A fight with her daughter. And an invitation to attend a party for a dad she's not seen in over 35 years.
Too many events have stirred Kathleen's childhood memories. A trip back to the past (literally) is a chance for closure.
My Thoughts:
There are a few aspects of the book I really liked. There are a few aspects I did not like.
What I liked:
Multiple main characters. All the characters link together (family), but show different personalities, choices, time periods, and world history events.
Coming of age story.
I love the time period of the 1940s and 1960s.
What I disliked:
The ending is wrapped up tight with a cute little bow. The entire book had been about broken people living broken lives. A quick clean-up is nonsense.
Too many stories of secondary characters who needed their own book. For example: Rory Quinn. He was an dreamy, shifty, odd person. I wonder if he had a mental illness? His choice to abandon family in Ireland, and drag away his eldest daughter Fiona promising unrealistic expectations made me angry. Further, Fiona never learned to make wise choices.
Kathleen's husband is plain and boring. He has very little story-line.
Kathleen Seymour is having a "no-good-very-bad-day." A fight with her boss. A phone call from the police department about her teenage daughter. A fight with her daughter. And an invitation to attend a party for a dad she's not seen in over 35 years.
Too many events have stirred Kathleen's childhood memories. A trip back to the past (literally) is a chance for closure.
My Thoughts:
There are a few aspects of the book I really liked. There are a few aspects I did not like.
What I liked:
Multiple main characters. All the characters link together (family), but show different personalities, choices, time periods, and world history events.
Coming of age story.
I love the time period of the 1940s and 1960s.
What I disliked:
The ending is wrapped up tight with a cute little bow. The entire book had been about broken people living broken lives. A quick clean-up is nonsense.
Too many stories of secondary characters who needed their own book. For example: Rory Quinn. He was an dreamy, shifty, odd person. I wonder if he had a mental illness? His choice to abandon family in Ireland, and drag away his eldest daughter Fiona promising unrealistic expectations made me angry. Further, Fiona never learned to make wise choices.
Kathleen's husband is plain and boring. He has very little story-line.
August 12, 2013
Not Austen's best work. Austen has great potential but she makes the mistake of preaching way too much. While it is certainly not as bad as Though Waters Roar it is far too much.
The stories of the women are interesting but they ought to have been told in a more linear format. As it is I find it disjointed.
Fiona's story is the most tragic and the most horrible. I felt sorry for her but as the story continued I found her lack of understanding that her actions affect others highly annoying. She was a very selfish women.
Eleanor and Kathleen were more sympathetic but sadly both lived unhappy lives. The men were almost all terrible and so the women's devoted love seemed to make them ridiculous.
The ending is unrealistic and tacked on. It sounds as if I hate the book but really it was pretty good.
The stories of the women are interesting but they ought to have been told in a more linear format. As it is I find it disjointed.
Fiona's story is the most tragic and the most horrible. I felt sorry for her but as the story continued I found her lack of understanding that her actions affect others highly annoying. She was a very selfish women.
Eleanor and Kathleen were more sympathetic but sadly both lived unhappy lives. The men were almost all terrible and so the women's devoted love seemed to make them ridiculous.
The ending is unrealistic and tacked on. It sounds as if I hate the book but really it was pretty good.
February 9, 2021
A generational saga of four generations of women woven by Lynn Austin. A story of family dysfunction and secrets that carry on from generation to generation. The last few pages felt a bit rushed after listening to each woman's story. I guess that wasn't the main point of the novel but the relationships built...or not built through the years. A story that God wants good for us even if we can only see the bad.
February 27, 2012
Love it, the depth of the characters, the stories, the descriptions... Only down side is a slightly-to-perfect/fairytale ending, but that's not enough for me to lower it down a star (hey, I grew up on Janette Oke... I'm used to overdone, fairytale endings!). I need to buy some more of Austen's books, I've read all I own :(
August 21, 2017
I read Lynn Austin's books to fall in love with great characters and be uplifted...and this book didn't deliver. Too much sadness, depression, poverty, adultery, illegitimacy - UGH. There were no characters I could totally root for. Overall, my least favorite Austin book thus far.
May 20, 2016
Lees mijn recensie over dit boek op mijn blog, https://surfingann.blogspot.nl/2016/0....
April 28, 2019
I loved this book....the story truly shows how our choices can effect others, even those that are born after us. Great message
April 26, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
The story was interesting enough, but I didn’t feel like any of the characters were that believable.
The story was interesting enough, but I didn’t feel like any of the characters were that believable.
June 9, 2025
I was honestly pretty bored, especially at the end. At first it was pretty interesting, but as the stories progressed it just started losing my interest.
I think I appreciated the idea of a book like this, it just wasn't really my thing.
For one, I found it pretty repetitive and predictable, and sometimes it was hard to relate to the characters because they seemed over dramatic.
For an example:
"Joelle (Kathleen's daughter) is a very sensitive young woman," Dr. Russo said, interrupting her (Kathleen's) thoughts. "She wants to express her feelings- to you, not just to her friends. But she needs to feel like you're giving something of your inner self in return. You see, she's trying to discover who she is, and part of that exploration includes the need to know where she came from- where her parents came from."
"Whoa!" Kathleen held up both hands. Alarm bells and warning sirens began to shrill in her mind like a four alarm fire. She half-expected the sprinkler system to kick in, or for the secretary to burst through the door shouting "call 9-1-1!"
then a few chapters later she told her daughter all about her childhood and her life with little to no struggle. Sure, she felt bitter and hurt by her childhood, but there was so much drama about it that just seemed completely unnecessary.
Overall, there were just so many things that unimpressed me about this book. I feel like every romantic relationship in this book (except her own) was completely terrible. There was so much misunderstanding and drama.
I think the biggest ick for me was all the kissing. Especially in Fiona's story there was just so much kissing. She could barely talk without her boyfriend kissing her and it just seemed like a very unhealthy relationship.
I was expecting a lot more from this book and would definitely not recommend.
I think I appreciated the idea of a book like this, it just wasn't really my thing.
For one, I found it pretty repetitive and predictable, and sometimes it was hard to relate to the characters because they seemed over dramatic.
For an example:
"Joelle (Kathleen's daughter) is a very sensitive young woman," Dr. Russo said, interrupting her (Kathleen's) thoughts. "She wants to express her feelings- to you, not just to her friends. But she needs to feel like you're giving something of your inner self in return. You see, she's trying to discover who she is, and part of that exploration includes the need to know where she came from- where her parents came from."
"Whoa!" Kathleen held up both hands. Alarm bells and warning sirens began to shrill in her mind like a four alarm fire. She half-expected the sprinkler system to kick in, or for the secretary to burst through the door shouting "call 9-1-1!"
then a few chapters later she told her daughter all about her childhood and her life with little to no struggle. Sure, she felt bitter and hurt by her childhood, but there was so much drama about it that just seemed completely unnecessary.
Overall, there were just so many things that unimpressed me about this book. I feel like every romantic relationship in this book (except her own) was completely terrible. There was so much misunderstanding and drama.
I think the biggest ick for me was all the kissing. Especially in Fiona's story there was just so much kissing. She could barely talk without her boyfriend kissing her and it just seemed like a very unhealthy relationship.
I was expecting a lot more from this book and would definitely not recommend.
December 10, 2018
„Tot ce ea își dorește” este o carte încântătoare, care îți atinge cele mai sensibile corzi ale sufletului. Este acel gen de roman pe care, odată ce îl începi, cu greu îl mai poți lăsa din mână, căci te farmecă și te face să rămâi captiv între paginile sale. Asistăm cu sufletul la gură la o saga de familie care se întinde pe aproape o sută de ani și ne dorim să aflăm toate dedesubturile familiei lui Kathleen Seymour, toate secretele care au condus la multe greșeli și la distanțări între membrii familiei, la orgolii rănite și la tăceri care au făcut ca viețile multor femei din sânul acesteia să nu fie ceea ce și-au dorit ele și ca multe destine să fie marcate de o negură ce părea fără ieșire. Autoarea ne poartă pașii între trecut și prezent, oferindu-ne o călătorie inițiatică spre sufletul personajului principal, care își dorește să repare legătura șubredă pe care o are cu fiica sa adolescentă și află că are multe găuri negre în povestea vieții sale, fapt care o face să fie nesigură și să nu fie mama aceea devotată și apropiată de fiica ei așa cum își dorește și să devină mult mai mult o copie fidelă a mamei sale de care se ferise întreaga viață. Autoarea ne duce în trecut, până în Irlanda, iar toate bucățile lipsă din puzzle-ul vieții acestei femei se adună încetul cu încetul și se așează la locul lor, oferindu-ne răspunsuri mult așteptate și înduioșându-ne totodată.
https://sufletsicrampeie.blogspot.com...
https://sufletsicrampeie.blogspot.com...
January 1, 2020
This book was a multigenerational story based around the relationships between mother and daughter and the secrets we all don't know about the generations before us. The book starts with Kathleen and her teen daughter Joelle. Kathleen is very wealthy and religious. She's the CFO of a company and is happy with just her family-- her husband and daughter. She doesn't want anything to do with her family of origin and she's very focused on morality so she's really thrown for a loop when she gets an invitation from her sister for a party for her dad AND her daughter is caught shop lifting. She and her daughter start going to counseling and her daughter says she wants to get to know her extended family so Kathleen decides to go to the party with Joelle in order to help their relationship. As the story goes on, Joelle learns alot about her mom's past that helps her understand her mom. In turn, Kathleen runs into her old friend's mom and learns a lot about her own mother. In the end, she meets up with her uncle and gets to learn about her grandmother. Each woman has a long, roller coaster story with lost loves and friendships and lots of intriguing drama. The book jumps timelines and since it goes so in depth in each woman's life, theres a fair amount of characters so a few times I had to stop and think through the connections and how everyone was related and where we were in time, but it wasn't so confusing that I couldn't enjoy the story.
Overall, I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a family drama that spans many generations. The book touches a lot on class issues and I thought it was interesting how that manifested through the generations. It's mostly historical fiction and it does have some Christian elements woven in, but I don't think its over the top.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
So after we read about Kathleen and Joelle, we find out more about Kathleen's mom, Eleanor. She had a best friend named Cynthia when she was young. Cynthia was shy and quiet while Eleanor was confident and lively. Eleanor hated rich men because she knew them and was surrounded by them and knew how arrogant they could be. The girls were young around the time of WWII and the USO was hosting dances all the time. The girls would always go and one night an aggressive rich guy named Rick came up to them and wanted Eleanor but she said no so he danced with Cynthia. However, he still ended up with Eleanor and slowly she softened to him and they had an epic romance. He wasnt as bad as he originally seemed. They got married right before he went to war and then Eleanor is heartbroken when she finds out he was killed. However, a few months later she finds out he's not really dead. His dad had their marriage annulled because of something her mom did and Rick faked his own death because he didn't want to be with Eleanor. Eleanor lost it after that point and just sank into a depression. She lost her confidence and her spark and that's the mother that Kathleen knows. She eventually married her father and her father was a criminal who spend most of his time in and out of jail. Eventually her mother was murdered and the dad is the one put in prison for it, but in the end we find out thats not what happened.
So as the story goes on, Kathleen and Joelle see Eleanor's brother, Leonard, and he tells us the story of their mom, Fiona. Fiona was from a poor family in Ireland and her dad brought her to the US to make a life for their family. Fiona was beautiful and he basically brought her to NYC to pimp her out and try to marry her off to a rich man so their family could have money. She was one of 8 sisters so the end goal was to make enough to send the rest of the family over. She finds an older man named Arthur Barrett and despite him being her dad's age, they fall in love. He says he's divorced, but it comes out that he's not. He's married with 2 kids and he's a very wealthy Wall street man. He has an apartment near Central Park that he stays at when he doesn't want to go back out to the suburbs with his family so he moves Fiona into that apartment. Eventually they have Leonard and then Eleanor. He keeps them living very comfortably without Fiona working. When the kids are about 7 and 5, Arthur commits suicide, leaving them with a little money and nothing else. Fiona realizes she needs to move out of the apartment and find somewhere cheaper. She opens a hat shop and meets a man named Lorenzo who offers her an apartment to rent for her family. Long story short, to keep rent affordable, Fiona agrees to be his mistress. When she's a teenager, Eleanor thinks shes falling for Lorenzo, but then her mom tells her that he's trying to screw them both. She's disgusted and this further fuels her hatred for rich men (which was started by her cheating father). Eleanor leaves NY and starts her story with Cynthia, and Fiona eventually dies of a heart attack.
In the very end, we find out that Eleanor was actually murdered by Lorenzo. When Kathleen was 18 or so she left home and was really angry with her mom for choosing a criminal for a father and not being able to provide anything for her. So, Eleanor went to NY to try to blackmail the men from her past into giving her money that she could give to Kathleen for college. She went to Rick first. He was a politician who did not want the story of his fake death and annulled marriage to come out. The reason the marriage was annulled is because her mom was a Catholic woman who carried on a candid affair with a married man for years and disgraced her own name (according to Rick's father). So she went and got money from him I think and then went to Lorezno. She was going to out him for making both her and her mother his mistress, but then he killed her ( we assume).
The book ends with everyone understanding their mothers more and the family relationships being healed. Kathleen is now in touch with her 2 brothers, her sister, her uncle Leonard and his wife Connie, and even her dad. Her dad had spent many years in jail for the murder of the mom, and while he was there he became a pastor.
It was interesting how Fiona was chasing money, Eleanor hated it, then Kathleen was chasing it again, all because they didn't understand the lessons that had been learned the generation before.
Overall, I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a family drama that spans many generations. The book touches a lot on class issues and I thought it was interesting how that manifested through the generations. It's mostly historical fiction and it does have some Christian elements woven in, but I don't think its over the top.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
So after we read about Kathleen and Joelle, we find out more about Kathleen's mom, Eleanor. She had a best friend named Cynthia when she was young. Cynthia was shy and quiet while Eleanor was confident and lively. Eleanor hated rich men because she knew them and was surrounded by them and knew how arrogant they could be. The girls were young around the time of WWII and the USO was hosting dances all the time. The girls would always go and one night an aggressive rich guy named Rick came up to them and wanted Eleanor but she said no so he danced with Cynthia. However, he still ended up with Eleanor and slowly she softened to him and they had an epic romance. He wasnt as bad as he originally seemed. They got married right before he went to war and then Eleanor is heartbroken when she finds out he was killed. However, a few months later she finds out he's not really dead. His dad had their marriage annulled because of something her mom did and Rick faked his own death because he didn't want to be with Eleanor. Eleanor lost it after that point and just sank into a depression. She lost her confidence and her spark and that's the mother that Kathleen knows. She eventually married her father and her father was a criminal who spend most of his time in and out of jail. Eventually her mother was murdered and the dad is the one put in prison for it, but in the end we find out thats not what happened.
So as the story goes on, Kathleen and Joelle see Eleanor's brother, Leonard, and he tells us the story of their mom, Fiona. Fiona was from a poor family in Ireland and her dad brought her to the US to make a life for their family. Fiona was beautiful and he basically brought her to NYC to pimp her out and try to marry her off to a rich man so their family could have money. She was one of 8 sisters so the end goal was to make enough to send the rest of the family over. She finds an older man named Arthur Barrett and despite him being her dad's age, they fall in love. He says he's divorced, but it comes out that he's not. He's married with 2 kids and he's a very wealthy Wall street man. He has an apartment near Central Park that he stays at when he doesn't want to go back out to the suburbs with his family so he moves Fiona into that apartment. Eventually they have Leonard and then Eleanor. He keeps them living very comfortably without Fiona working. When the kids are about 7 and 5, Arthur commits suicide, leaving them with a little money and nothing else. Fiona realizes she needs to move out of the apartment and find somewhere cheaper. She opens a hat shop and meets a man named Lorenzo who offers her an apartment to rent for her family. Long story short, to keep rent affordable, Fiona agrees to be his mistress. When she's a teenager, Eleanor thinks shes falling for Lorenzo, but then her mom tells her that he's trying to screw them both. She's disgusted and this further fuels her hatred for rich men (which was started by her cheating father). Eleanor leaves NY and starts her story with Cynthia, and Fiona eventually dies of a heart attack.
In the very end, we find out that Eleanor was actually murdered by Lorenzo. When Kathleen was 18 or so she left home and was really angry with her mom for choosing a criminal for a father and not being able to provide anything for her. So, Eleanor went to NY to try to blackmail the men from her past into giving her money that she could give to Kathleen for college. She went to Rick first. He was a politician who did not want the story of his fake death and annulled marriage to come out. The reason the marriage was annulled is because her mom was a Catholic woman who carried on a candid affair with a married man for years and disgraced her own name (according to Rick's father). So she went and got money from him I think and then went to Lorezno. She was going to out him for making both her and her mother his mistress, but then he killed her ( we assume).
The book ends with everyone understanding their mothers more and the family relationships being healed. Kathleen is now in touch with her 2 brothers, her sister, her uncle Leonard and his wife Connie, and even her dad. Her dad had spent many years in jail for the murder of the mom, and while he was there he became a pastor.
It was interesting how Fiona was chasing money, Eleanor hated it, then Kathleen was chasing it again, all because they didn't understand the lessons that had been learned the generation before.
November 8, 2024
This is a family saga covering a number of decades. Fiona Quinn comes to America from Ireland with great hopes for the future, she hopes to marry a wealthy man. Fiona succeeds in accomplishing her goal at great cost to herself and her children. Fiona's daughter, Eleanor marries and lives in poverty with a husband who is absent much of the time. She and her children depend on others for clothing and other things. Eleanor's daughter Kathleen can't wait to grow up and escape the poverty and bad memories of her school years. Her mother's inability to help her children, causes Kathleen to have strained relationship with her own daughter. Kathleen receives an invitation to celebrate with her father and brothers and sisters whom she hasn't seen in years. She is very reluctant to attend this reunion. She finally agrees to go and take her daughter, Joelle. As Kathleen visits with her uncle she learns the story of her grandmother, Fiona. As she visits with an old friend she learns more about her own mother, Eleanor and she begins to understand her a little better. After meeting with her father and her siblings there is forgiveness and reconciliation.
December 19, 2023
Another excellent novel by Lynn Austin. Full of twists and surprises. A tangled web of past secrets and hurts starting with Fiona and passed along through her daughter then granddaughter. Kathleen untangles it all as she sets out with her daughter to reunite with her father she has not seen in 35 years. God uses all this in the most amazing way.
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