All We Ever Wanted is a great novel touching on many different, pertinent topics relevant to teens and all ages above. The issue of the power of social media and the multitude of emotions set off by a simple touch of a button are explored through different perspectives: indifferent, innocent-claims made by “jokesters”; the ones affected—those on posts and their friends, acquaintances, and families. Also, the reactions of characters to the post are varied, pointing out the good, the bad, and the ugly true characters inherent in society. The #MeToo hot topic is brought to life through these characters in a very insightful manner that portrays the lifelong, generational, damaging affects of sexual abuse and why it is often unreported. The struggles faced from all perspectives makes this novel a great book for discussions and awakening awareness of this prevalent issue. Best of all, this novel portrays the inner strength that can be found within those determined to succeed as healthy individuals who work to help others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. I was late to the game with this author, but I've grown to love her chick lit. I wondered how this one would morph into that, but it was so much more. This book is timely. When a rich young man, with everything on his side, makes a terrible choice that affects not only him, but a girl at his elite school who attends on scholarship. Nina is the wealthy mom, and Tom is the single dad of the teen, Lyla. There are twists and turns, and I found myself hoping that the characters would make the right decisions. I loved this book...I'm pretty certain you will too.

This book was WOW, just WOW. Emily Giffin crafted a wonderful story that had me hooked from the first chapter. It's a story that reaches out to everyone. It tells a tale that says no one is ever too entitled, too rich, too poor, too perfect to have things happen in their lives that we don't plan on. A story about love and loss and being so caught up in out lives that we don't see what's actually happening around us.

A mother's love. A father's fight for justice for his daughter. The inner workings of relationships, including good and bad. The ending was perfect for the book. A nice tie up.

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest and fair review*

I received an advanced copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I have always been a fan of Emily Griffin, so it was no surprise her latest masterpiece would be marvelous! This book, in short, was very powerful. It is a story about two families from different walks of life who are impacted by social media, wealth, power and healing. A strong message about sexual abuse is prominently displayed in this book. The ending came together very nicely!

Sandy Edwards's review Mar 21, 2018 · edit
really liked it

I really enjoyed this book. The main female character, Nina, was strong and courageous. This book is based on elitism and the choices made to be part of "the group" or stand alone for a cause. What lengths will people go to even if it hurts those who are innocent. I really liked how it ended. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I’ve always loved Emily Giffin’s novels, and this one is no exception. The sweet romance element is not there, but the typical Giffin storytelling is ever present.

HS senior Finch is accused of taking an inappropriate photo of HS sophomore Lyla. Before too much time passes, Finch’s father has bribed Lyla’s father to stay silent, and Finch’s mother and Lyla’s father begin texting and even set up private meetings.

While written as an adult contemporary novel, this could easily pass for YA. The characters are strong and the ending comes together nicely. I am thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

🌟Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️out of 5
📖Read it if you like: current social topics, multiple points of view, Jodi Picoult 👉🏼This book isn’t out until June 26, so thanks to #netgalley for my advanced proof! I’ve read every book by Emily Giffin and this is probably in my top three (nothing will ever knock Something Blue out of my #1 spot!) but it’s not her typical subject matter. It deals with social class and sexual assault in varying scenarios. I loved the Nashville setting and the uncertainty of where the story was heading, which kept me interested. I finished it in about two days!

Set at an elite private school in Nashville, where the majority of parents and students are moneyed, scholarship student Lyla passes out at a party and finds out her crush, Finch sent a nasty picture of her to his friends. When their parents go in front of the headmaster, who is taking this very seriously, Tom, Lyla’s father wants justice, while Kirk only wants to know how he can bribe his sons way out of trouble without taking responsibility. This sets the tone of the novel. Lyla has an unexpected ally in Nina, Finch’s mom who finally sees that Uber wealth doesn’t mean you should lose your moral character and not do the right thing. She sees her husband clearly for the first time and worries whether Finch has become his father. Written beautifully and realistically, set in my favorite city, this novel has much to say about who we are, how we evolve, and what is ultimately important. I highly recommend.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is, hands down, Emily Giffin's best book. I've always enjoyed her books and found her writing style to be engaging, but this book was straight up gripping. It's incredibly timely, addressing issues of the effects of social media on high school life, class issues, and the reactions that people often have when "good people" from "good families" do horrible things.

Giffin nailed everything - from the reaction of a young woman who wants an embarrassing photo to go away, to the questionable morals/ethics of a parent who knows his son did something wrong, and the idea that any problem can go away with the right amount of money. She could've turned her characters into caricatures, but she develops them beautifully, showing that so often people fall into the gray area of right and wrong.

I finished this in a day and cannot wait for her next book!

I really enjoyed this book, which I received from NetGalley. I have enjoyed many of Emily Griffin's books, but I think this is one of the strongest and most timely.

The book focuses on Nina, a wealthy mother and wife, whose son, Finch, takes and spreads an inappropriate picture of a fellow student at his high school. Nina is left to deal with the question of how far should you go to protect your child?

The themes of the book include privilege (both class and race), mother and son relationships and finding your identity at any age. Nina has to reckon with her life as an extremely rich white house wife, her husband's entitlement and money buys everything attitude, and how her son is growing up in the shadow of extreme privilege. The story forces Nina to reevaluate her life and those she loves.

All in all, this is a much more weighty book than "Something Borrowed," but I really feel it shows Ms. Griffin's growth as an author.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin - 5 stars!

Emily Giffin has done it again - a page-turner that is enjoyable and oh so timely in our digital age. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to a friend for sure. It's especially relevant for parents - I don't care how old your child(ren) are, this book is a great tale of the dangers that can come from excess and technology. Although I'm not a parent, it made me think a lot about these topics and more - while still being a great story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, who provided a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is a good example of contemporary fiction based on a plot about two seemingly different families that lives intertwine. Nina and Kirk and their son Fitch are a modern, rich family. Kirk has made a lot of money in his career and selling his company. Tom is a single dad, carpenter raising his daughter Lyla by himself. Both Fitch and Lyla attend a highly recognized private school. Fitch has plans to go to Yale but his plans may fall apart when he uses social media to show Lyla in a compromising position and slaps on a racial tag to go with her picture. The book is written well with various chapters from different points of view including: Nina's , Tom's and Lyla's. Nina discovers some ugly truths about her husband and son and what they will do for Fitch to attend Yale. She meets Tom and Lyla and is determined to help the young woman. I would have liked a little longer epilogue but otherwise the book was a satisfying read like all of Emily Giffin's novels.

I love Emily’s writing but...definitely not my favorite book of hers.The subject matter to me was just ill timed with all of the “metoo” movement stuff going on. Spoiled rich kid Finch is caught with the Snapchat of a half naked girl with a racist caption. As the story progresses we are left guessing was it him or his jealous ex girlfriend Polly. Just as we think the mystery is solved another comes to light. The book is told from the perspectives of Finch’s mom Nina, Lyla the girl in the photo, and Tom who is Lyla’s father.
I think if it were any other subject I may have enjoyed it more but I was left skimming some chapters towards the middle because I was just no longer into it. I would have also liked it more I think just as a story, not as individuals perspectives. I wish I could give this more stars because I love Emily’s work but this one just missed the mark for me, especially after havinf loved her last book so much!

I will start by saying that I received an ARC from netgalley. I am a huge fan of Emily Giffin so I was thrilled to get my hands on her newest book ‘All We Ever Wanted’. The story grabbed me from the start and to be honest I forgot it was written by Giffin until the end because it was so different than her previous works. For me it was a home run! I loved the characters, the Nashville setting and the storyline. I found myself caught up in the characters lives and wanting them to make certain choices and get what they deserved in the end. I wish the ending told us more about what happens to the characters, especially Nina and Tom, but I have no complaints. I read this book in one sitting and have continued to think about it long after it ended.

If you are a fan of Emily Giffin, this is a book you will love! So timely and relevant, it's the story of a group of entitled teenagers who get wrapped up in social media sex scandal that could have been ripped from the headlines. The characters each have such different perspectives and make you realize that no one is left untouched by thoughtless, reckless acts.

I could not put this book down. I literally read it over breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine.... in the middle of the night... breakfast and lunch until I finally finished it a day after I began. I love novels that pull me in like that! Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballatine Books for the ARC of this novel!

I’ve read most of Emily’s books. This was like no other. I wanted to root for Finch until I figured out what he was. His father Kirk was the worst of the worst. You’ll hope he gets his someday. Nina started out wishy washy but turned into an interesting women. I wish there was more of Bonnie & Julie in the story. I guess this is a “timely” tale, but there are a few turns that will keep you guessing.

This book was so beautiful. I enjoyed it so much. I have tears streaming down my face. What a wonderful story about our #metoo society that can turn into friendships and love and forgiveness.

Lyla's story is one that will be familiar to many but has been told by very few. Wronged by the rich, entitled boy, Finch, who seemingly has no consequences - but since the narration isn't from his point of view, do we really know there were none? - Lyla is in the awkward time of life (high school) and really just looking for love and acceptance. Her single father is making her life miserable. It is surprisingly Nina, Finch's mother, amidst sad revelations that becomes her strongest supporter.

I received and ARC for my true and honest feedback. I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it as a result of this copy.

Nina Browning lives a privileged life in Atlanta with her successful husband and her high-achieving teenaged son, Finch. When finch is accused of taking a picture a half dressed classmate, complete with a racist caption, Nina begins to question her values and those she has passed on to her son. In the meantime, Finch's classmate, Lyla, just wants everyone to forget about the picture and move on. Her father, Tom, in contrast, wants Finch to be severely punished. As both parents struggle to understand their children, and do what is right for them, the each engage in an evaluation of themselves as people and parents. A rich and timely novel with realistic characters and a relatable story line, ALL WE EVER WANTED is a very satisfying and thought-provoking read.