All We Ever Wanted

A Novel

De: Emily Giffin

Narrado por: Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Milton Bagby, Catherine Taber

New York Times best-seller.

In this riveting new novel from the number-one best-selling author of Something Borrowed and First Comes Love, three very different people must choose between their families and their most deeply held values....

“An unpredictable page-turner that unfolds in the voices of three superbly distinct characters.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

“A gripping, thought-provoking journey.” (Jodi Picoult)

Named one of the best books of the year by The Skimm.

Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. More recently, her husband made a fortune selling his tech business, and their adored son has been accepted to Princeton. Yet sometimes the middle-class small-town girl in Nina wonders if she’s strayed from the person she once was.

Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. His road has been lonely, long, and hard, but he finally starts to relax after Lyla earns a scholarship to Windsor Academy, Nashville’s most prestigious private school. Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in - and her overprotective father doesn’t help - but in most ways, she’s a typical teenage girl, happy and thriving.

Then, one photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame. At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together - all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.

Praise for All We Ever Wanted:

“Page-turning.... Timely and thought-provoking, it’s Giffin’s best yet.” (People)

“Giffin’s novel has style and substance.... Truly excellent." (The Washington Post)

“If you’re looking for a book club selection, All We Ever Wanted is bound to spark meaningful and meaty discussions.” (The Augusta Chronicle)

“A page-turning exploration of wealth and privilege.” (Entertainment Weekly)

©2018 Emily Giffin (P)2018 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Stellar...an excellent page-turning story...a nuanced, thoughtful take on family and social dynamics." (Publishers Weekly)

“A compelling family story that brings up plenty of issues ripe for book group discussions.” (Library Journal)

"A timely and absorbing portrait of the complexities of modern life. This is Emily Giffin at her very best." (Kristin Hannah)

relevant, contemporary & thoughtful; not chicklit

This book was a strong departure from what I've come to expect from this author, to the point where I checked three times that she was, in fact, the same author of other books I read and it wasn't a name mix-up in my brain.

All We Ever Wanted begins when a sexually charged photo (with a racist caption) of an intoxicated teen girl goes viral within a waspy private school community. The girl in the photo, her father, and the mother of the boy who allegedly took/sent the photo are the main narrators of the story.

The catchy part of the novel is the "whodunit" aspect... This part of the plot is twisty while cleverly bringing in additional contemporary issues (like teenage suicide). There's a real zinger at the end and without this back-and-forth did he do it? Who is lying? The book would fall flat.

While this "investigation" is happening, you experience the raw and difficult emotions both parents have about the situation, see how the community reacts (the school/teachers, other parents, friends of the girl), and what the teenage girl herself makes of the situation and subsequent fallout. I was disappointed the political/legal drama happens with these situations wasn't covered more (it was barely touched on), but I did find myself thinking about the situation and varied consequences, and what I would do or think or want if I was the teen girl or the parent... I love when a novel makes you think and examine your beliefs.

My complaints are awkward: I liked the story, found it accurate, and surprising, yet somehow wholly unremarkable and s-l-o-w at times.

I think the problem may be that this book was trying to do and be a little too much. There's the whodunit, the adult parent "finding herself", the coming of age stories, the love story, the teen issues, family/community drama, philisophical questions, and a light touching on legal issues around teenagers drinking and sexting AND racisim. Potluck much?

I didn’t CARE about any one character (relate I could, but care I did not), which I should have given the subject matter.

I felt verrrry uncomfortable when a sex scene was described---not because it was a sex scene (I read romance) but it was happening and being described in great detail by/to a 16-year old girl. She was narrating and that left me feeling pervy and intrusive.

Overall, this book is not something I’ll be quick to recommend, but I hold much respect for.

Good for what it was

I love a nice beach read. I did, despite myself, like the characters in this book. The mother was overly indulgent until her “epiphany.” Lyla’s father had a huge chip on his shoulder. The other characters seemed like caricature. Despite that, I always enjoy Emily Giffin and find her immensely enjoyable. Like a brat pack movie— it’s not high art, but it never disappoints.

Great story!

I loved this book and the raw emotions that Emily wrote with. And what an important topic to write about too. My only critique is that the voice of Tom was ALL wrong. The voice was too old and not blue collar enough, not sexy enough for Tom.

won't disappoint

i read [listened] to this in less than 48 hours. i enjoyed it most when the characters' true colors came out, and we finally got to the bottom of it all. frustrating at times because of wanting to ring the neck of many characters, the 3 people who are narrated are at least redeemable. the ending wraps things up in a satisfying and unpredictable way. this story is about as messy as life gets without actual messiness. it's all a little blown out of proportion, but also underwhelming. this book won't make you cry, it won't stun you, and you won't be overwhelmed, but it will stimulate your mind enough to crave another chapter and more answers. all in all i liked it, and would recommend.

Excellent book, did not love the audio version

This book was really good and I imagine I’ll be thinking about it for a while. I did not love the audio version, next time I read this I will grab an actual hard copy.

Amazing book

Loved it, couldn’t stop listening to it. It taught me a few things to truly warn my kids about. So much to this great book ❤️

Best book

I loved everything about this book emily is so consistent with every novel she has written

Wonderful!

I loved this book!! I hated to see it end. It is a great read!

Parenting in the modern era

This was a surprising book from Emily Giffen. Definitely not as light and fluffy as her other reads. I really enjoyed it. I don't have a teenager yet, but I read it as a cautionary tale for parents of teenagers. How to stay involved without hovering; how to monitor online behaviour without smothering. A delicate balance. #Bullying #Heartfelt #Teenagers #MiddleAmerica #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Excellent read

Really great book! Especially for parents raising kids in this technology age. May even learn a little something. Great book