This novel begins in 1962, when very different young women Daniella and Eve meet as roommates at a small women’s college in Virginia. We see them and their friendship through the 1960s and 1970s, as they grapple with the changing world, racism, and the Vietnam War, and then after a jump in time to the late 80s/early 90s, we also see their teenage daughters. The book is told most often from Daniella’s and Eve’s perspectives, with the occasional perspective chatter from a man in their lives, and then several chapters from Daniella’s daughter Anna.

This book was pretty good, I just didn’t quite love it. With all the perspectives and all the time covered in a pretty short book, I feel like this book could have benefitted from a little more focus - maybe either a shorter time period or sticking to Daniella and Eve even in the later period, as we never even hear from Eve during the latter portion of the book. Still, a decent read.

3.5 stars

I tried so hard to really like this book as I think the author had a lot to try to tell us but I couldn't like any of the characters. Daniella and Eve flip flop on their beliefs during the 30 years as they grow up and when their daughters unwittingly become involved their lives crash again but in a way they never expected. I think the author did a phenomenal job researching and really doing a great job technically but I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found that lacking. It wasn't a bad book, just wasn't a book for me.

3.5 stars

I love novels that take place over the span of several decades. It gives the reader so much time to walk the character's journeys with them - especially because people can change so much with the passage of time and after going through formative experiences. White was able to effectively traverse from the early 60s to the 90s in a really authentic way.

The book follows the perspectives of Eve and Daniella, who become college roommates in the South in the 60s. They come from extremely different backgrounds (Eve is a sheltered, wealthy kid and Danielle is more worldly with her eyes already opened to social injustices). It felt difficult to like one of these characters at times, but their unique and realistic female friendship is what made this book compelling.

I had an issue with some of the storytelling though. First, the story switches in POVs from the two main girls, but about halfway through, the reader is suddenly treated to a boyfriend's perspective and then later, one of their husbands. This took me straight out of the story and left me feeling frustrated. It felt unnecessary. Later the POV again changes to one of the character's daughters. I would have loved this book if the perspective had remained consistent between the two main women. Also, some of the most interesting events happened off the page, which made me feel like I was missing key elements of the story.

This was an ambitious novel in terms of scope but it just wasn't fulfilling in the end.

I feel like this book was trying to do a little too much. the characters were unrelatable to me. IT was a very good premise.

I had high hopes for this. And it started with promise as I love books about female friendships, especially set in college. But then this veers so far off course. I think just about every social injustice and political issue our country faced for 30 years was tackled here. Way too much, so it lacked depth and focus.

This book is great, but I felt that it was a bit on the liberal side, which was off putting at times. Though, the steps through history were very entertaining.

I am so confused about why this book is not talked about more. Thanks to NetGalley, who sent me this book for free in exchange for my honest review, I found a very engaging story following two women from college in the 1960’s to their daughters going to college.

Eve Whalen is your traditional “southern bell” from Georgia and old money. Daniella Gold is from Georgetown and a Jewish father. They are brought together as roommates at Belmont college in fall 1962.

They are inseparable through college until the men they were with and the organizations they are involved in pull them in different directions. They are reunited and have daughters the same age that grow up more like sisters.

We are shown the different paths that each of these women take and how they deal with tough topics like social injustice, the Vietnam war, sex and drugs. How they grow into married women with children and the different paths taken in how they raise their daughters. The secrets they hide and the consequences of those secrets.

This is a wonderful coming of age story spanning two generations. I loved the characters. The flow of the story was great. The ending fell a little flat...I felt like she could have taken it in a different direction and brought more to the story of Eve and Daniella.

By invitation from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

With this promise in the summary:
"That is, until the girls’ expanding awareness of the South’s systematic injustice forces them to question everything they thought they knew about the world and their places in it."

I was expecting a bit more on 'standing up for injustices' and less of a lifetime drama. It missed the mark a bit for me as far as expectations, so we will set them aside for a moment.

The two main characters, Daniella and Eve, were hard for me to separate in my head early on in the story. They ended up going their separate paths but they were very similar in the beginning making the sudden jump forward a bit confusing for a few chapters.

Once I got into the new flow of the story I quickly grasped how they had grown apart and thought that things were going to get into the nit and grit of 'standing up for injustices'. It all fizzled out a bit as they got tangled up in 'romance' (or hormones whatever) and the story careened into the realm of southern girl drama.
It was ok for what it was. It felt like a few examples of 'standing up for POC' were thrown in to keep it relevant? but missed the mark if White was shooting for a book that addressed any actual issues.

Daniella and Eve both had a daughter and the story is carried on with them having a few events and wrapped up with the girls following in their mother's footsteps (basically).

The story ended well with Daniella right back where she started and it seemed fitting. Nothing really happened and none of the characters really seemed to develop or grow.
I give it 2 'it was ok' stars. It wasn't a bad book but it didn't really deliver either.

See my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2789642624

I was drawn to this book by the description - two young women from very different backgrounds meet in college in 1962 and become fast friends, but then find their lives going in very different directions, drawn by circumstances and the changing times of the 60s and 70s. Both see many societal changes that need to happen, but they have very different ideas about the best way to effect that change. After years of essentially being estranged, they're drawn back into each others' lives through their teen daughters.
Being less than a decade younger than these two characters, it's always interesting to me to read books about that time, to see whether the author gets the feeling right. I did feel like for the most part White did get it right - for both characters. Like the author, I'm a native of the Atlanta area, so I'm also sensitive to descriptions of the area where I grew up. I could definitely relate to the Atlanta she describes. Overall a very good book about life, friendship, and values.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

3.5 stars!!

We Are All Good People Here was a thought provoking read, based around two girls from varying backgrounds in the sixties.

This book takes the reader down each of the girls paths, to see the choices they must each make. As a fan of books that include female friendships, and a character-driven story, I enjoyed this for the most part!

I also enjoyed the time periods from the 60’s and 80’s as we get to see these women navigate through life.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria publishing for the free copy. All opinions are my own

I think this book was just trying to do way too much and it got lost in the enormity of its task. I love looking at the past, seeing it ripple to the future and seeing how life ties together through the choices we make. The promise is truly astounding and amazing but I just couldn’t connect to the characters and that’s a huge thing for me in any story I love.

I absolutely adored this novel set in Atlanta during the 1960's - 1980's. As a Southerner who has visited Atlanta many times, I really did enjoy the setting.
I loved Eva and Daniella's relationship and any book set at a girls' school or boarding school is right up my alley. Susan Rebecca White must have done a ton of research, but it didn't read like many historical fiction novels...it read like a great story about friendship, class, and privilege. This comes highly recommended.

Both a timely and timeless read. I'm picky about historical fiction, but between the complex characters and great storytelling, I enjoyed this one.

The writing was exceptional, and overall, I enjoyed this book. However, I found that the cat scene was absolutely gratuitous and unnecessary, and was incredibly disappointed. I almost stopped after that. Instead, I just started skimming ahead to get ahead of any overly violent parts of the book. I felt like the character development was also lacking. Eve and Daniella both seemed to jump quickly to their adult selves, and outside of the summer in Mississippi, which focuses more on Daniella, there wasn't much development. Eve's personality after marrying Bob was also a shock -- how did she change so quickly? Did she do that on purpose? Overall, a fine book (I ended up finishing) but wouldn't necessarily recommend.

We Are All Good People Here by Susan Rebecca White

3.75 stars

This is a historical fiction novel following the two prolific lives of two white women when they meet in college as they become participants in the Civil Rights Movement. Their paths become very different when one is accepted to rally peacefully in an organization. When the other friend is rejected, she seeks out other means to take down the establishment and ends up joining a revolutionary cult. Things don’t go well and they wind up back together. Their daughters' lives are entangled in the secrets of their mothers from the time when one saved the other. I would rather not tell you which character is which because I think it makes it a little bit more fun to go in and see how the characters progress blindly. This is a character-based story, so to know too much about the characters upfront could ruin your enjoyment of the novel. White hits all the marks of an interesting historical fiction novel by building drama with the backdrop of women as the central piece. Unlike most historical fiction today romance is not at the center of the story, but race and changing the world takes the forefront. I guess the easiest novel to compare this to would be The Help, but I refuse to do that because I think this novel has some weird Charles Manson stuff that completely throws this novel into left field. If you are squeamish, then stay away from this novel because there is a scene when one of the main protagonists has to skin a cat to prove herself to the cult. It’s some weird and nasty stuff. Listening to it on audiobook was not how I expected my folding clothes session to go. The writing in this novel is gripping enough to keep you intrigued about the characters. It doesn’t steal the show and it is probably the weakest part of the whole story, but I think that most readers will enjoy the quick and rapid pace of some scenes and the slow-burn of others.


Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.25

The two main female characters are Eve and Daniella. I personally ended up not liking either of them at certain times, but also rooting for both of them. They both suck as people, but as characters your heart really breaks for them because they make some horrible choices. However, Eve was just absolutely horrendous and I spent a large part of the novel trying to keep my eyes from falling out of my head. I personally preferred Daniella’s storyline, but she was pushed into the background and not given much light.


Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: Eve-4 Daniella-4.25

The daughters were so much fun to follow in the second half of the book. Eve’s daughter has the most tragic story, but I wished that we had gotten to know her mind. Daniella’s daughter steals the show in this part and she really gives a different edge and dynamic to the novel that shows the severity and stupidity of keeping giant and life-altering secrets from family members.


Character Scale: 4

The Villain- It’s not a mystery. If you were shocked, then congrats because I saw that “shocking” twist a mile away.

Villain Scale: 3

My biggest qualm with this book is the ending. It’s depressing and unsatisfying. I love depressing endings, but this one is sad for the sake of being sad to make it a good book club book. That’s just not my cup of tea. Overall, I think that most readers in the historical fiction genre will love this or if you are interested in female friendships, generational plots, or the Civil Rights Movement.


Plotastic Scale: 3.5

Cover Thoughts: I love the cover and how you can see two faces when you move the cover. It’s a brilliant design.

Thank you, Netgalley & Atria Books, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

It is as if there is a checklist of the major historical notes, and We Are All Good People here by Susan Rebecca White attempts to hit them all. In that, the book becomes a survey of the history. The story of the women becomes the vehicle for the history rather than the history becoming a background for the story. The history is there, but the story doesn't quite come together.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/03/we-are-all-good-people-here.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

I found this to be an intriguing story with well-developed characters. Just enough mystery to keep me reading. Always fascinating to see how people seemingly on the same path can diverge end up worlds apart.

I could not get into this book. The characters seemed one dimensional and I felt no connection to them or the story.

Check out my fascinating Q&A Elevator Interview with the master Southern storyteller, Susan Rebecca White. Get exclusive behind-the-scene inspiration of her extraordinary novel, WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE, plus fun facts about the author.

I am excited to share with you one of my favorite Southern authors, master storyteller, Susan Rebecca White, and her latest highly anticipated novel, WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE— "cover of the year" and Top Books of 2019!🏆

A few months ago, I stumbled upon this vibrant cover, a stunning "optical illusion" and was spellbound. It drew me in. I "must" read this book. But wait, next, OMG, I noticed the author's name...Could this possibly be "the" Susan Rebecca White?

The Atlanta Southern Author I adore, who wrote A Place at the Table (LOVED), A Soft Place to Land, and Bound South (all favorites)? I read each of these books years ago (all 5 Glowing Stars) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. I fell in love with the author's authentic storytelling and her way of making the characters jump off the page. A Place at the Table landed on my Top Books of 2014, and have been anxiously awaiting her next book.

Immediately, I go to her profile on Amazon and, YES! it is the "same" Susan Rebecca White! Where has this gal been? Five years. (Yes, I do stalk my favorite popular authors anxiously waiting for the next book). Trust me, it is worth the wait.

You can guess I went a little "crazy" and started emailing everyone to snag an ARC copy of this book, dying to get her on my editorial schedule for a Q&A Interview, even though I had already scheduled four others for August. (thank you, Atria) A dream come true. As an Atlanta gal, I have always supported Atlanta and Southern authors.

OK, now that I have told you about my obsession, I do not want to take too much time telling you how fabulous Susan Rebecca White truly is, so we can get into this interview and her latest novel. She is amazing.

I love her writing and highly recommend each of her books, but her latest book is a true "masterpiece." Her most accomplished novel yet! As with her previous books, Susan writes about the underdog, the injustices, racism, diversity, family, the South, history, religion, and the complexities of life.

Highly charged emotional topics, all her books are character-driven. Different people from all walks of life come together. She does not hold back. I call this one her "grownup" real-life book—totally "radical."

As the author mentions, we can try to rewrite our history, but the truth will eventually surface, as we find in her latest novel. How women, in particular, feel the need to reinvent who they once were when they have children

WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE brilliantly explores the lives of two young women who form a bond starting at Belmont College in the 60s, and their lives are forever changed. Often it takes one incident to ignite a movement. A gripping, multi-generational story inspired by real events that follow their friendship for years to come, even though they take different paths.

Can you imagine a debutante going underground? From political awakening, social classes, racial, privilege, justice, causes, passions, duty, love, friendship, family, and moral divides.

In the first half of the book, we follow the turbulent 70s with two women from college and beyond. (this is the era I lived through: college, marriage, children).

In the second half of the book, we catch up with their daughters as the dark secrets of the past began to unravel. This novel covers an incredible period—from the early 1960s to the 1990s.

The story resonates with what we are dealing with today across America in these trying and turbulent times. Ironically, Georgia ranks among the worst states in America for women’s equality. Often you think we are going backward instead of forward.

Georgia has always been a controversial state, particularly Atlanta. I resided in Vinings, Buckhead, and Midtown and was in the media business as an associate publisher (Atlanta B&B Magazine), Black's Guide, Network Publishing, Cahners/Reed, and publisher (Primedia) for many years before relocating to South Florida full time. Atlanta will always be home for me and often meet up with my sons there which reside in NC.

Look at what is going on in the headlines at the moment: Controversial anti-abortion bill passes in Georgia State Senate. Controversial Atlanta judge hit with ethics charges by state watchdog agency. Celebrities postpone events and shows. An activist artist removes controversial art from the Atlanta beltway. Atlanta's Controversial 'Cityhood' Movement. They also have an Atlanta Controversial Topics Group. And the list goes on and on. Atlanta is diverse. Spread-out, and traffic is a nightmare. It is forever changing.

Without individuals who speak up, take action, risk their lives for a bigger cause, where would our country be? As referenced in this extraordinary blending of fact and fiction, the author explores courageous women and men who have stood on their beliefs to create change. I totally agree with one of the author's previous interviews. Atlanta is the perfect setting for these rich fictional stories.

In WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE, the author proposes many thought-provoking questions:

Why do good intentions often lead to tragic outcomes? Can we separate our political choices and our personal morals? And is it possible to truly bury our former selves and escape our own history? She adds a new dimension. Actions have consequences.


White offers detailed historical research into the Weather Underground Organization, documentaries, and other references for additional reading. I particularly enjoyed learning more about the Mississippi Summer Project, “Freedom Summer,” and what occurred during those months and enjoyed learning more about Bob Moses and particularly, Fannie Lou Hamer.

Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer’s role in the civil rights movement was absolutely fundamental and blown away by her continuous courage to overcome obstacles and providing a voice for others. Read More on Susan's website.

The true essence of the story, as the author so eloquently describes:

"[I] I hope that readers, no matter where they fall on the political spectrum, will recognize how dangerous ideological purity is—removed from love, removed from mercy, removed from compassion. I hope this book encourages readers to seek justice, but with love."


Indeed, you accomplished your goal and exceeded all expectations!

I cannot wait to tell everyone about this powerful book. I am a huge fan of shows such as Underground (2016), Queen Sugar, and The Good Fight, etc. Flannery O'Connor would be proud! You will note many similarities here ripped from today’s headlines.

If you are new to the author's work, I highly recommend reading her previous books as well, listed below. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did and look forward to your thoughts.

PS. Since these are some of my long-time favorite Southern authors, please take a moment to review the recent feature in Atlanta Magazine, Scribes of Summer. Atlanta authors talk about their latest books and invite us inside the writer’s life.

Congrats, Susan another hit!

A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

@JudithDCollins
#JDCMustReadBooks

We have so many people that grace our lives over the years. It's hard to find that one person that will always be there for you no matter what. Eve and Daniella found that friendship. They found the level of love that wouldn't let them out of each other's lives, even when their roads took separate turns.

This book spans different events and difficulties throughout the two girls lives. Both have similar values at first, but have been brought up very differently all of their lives. Sometimes that one particular difference comes between them more than they would have thought possible.

What's important is whether or not they are there for each other through the different trials that will be faced. Trials that may threaten to tear them apart in the process.

A thought provoking and heartwarming/wrenching book.