4 Stars!

"Maybe I am different. Being different isn’t the worst thing."

I feel like I went into this book with different expectations. I was expecting more of a light chick lit, per other books by Jennifer Weiner, however this book dives DEEP into women's issues whether you are a mom, sister, daughter, wife, etc. Although my expectations were different, I'm glad they were as it was a pleasant surprise!

Jo and Bethie are sisters. They grew up in a typical home in the 1950's. Bethie was a beauty queen and was the "perfect" child and Jo was more of a tomboy trying to find her way during childhood. Their Dad worked and their Mom stayed at home. Jo didn't get along with Mom and Mom loved Bethie. Both girls were definitely daddy's girls. One day, their Dad dies unexpectedly and they need to find their way as three girls. They all get to work and start to find their ways.

Due to the unexpected family member passing, Jo and Bethie start to explore outside sources of love and their personalities start to change. Jo becomes more confident in who she is and Bethie stops putting pressure on herself and becomes more of a hippie. These personality changes don't come without hardships. Both girls explore their sexuality, happiness, family life, etc. as they go through their adult lives. They always seem to take care of each other and they truly do try to be everything...

As I stated before, this book was so much more than what I was expecting. It explored what life was like for women in the 1950's all the way through present day and boy has it changed. It explored what it meant to try to be yourself in the 50's and how women were expected to be a certain way. It also showed how far women have come when standing up for themselves. Back when the main characters were little girls, they were expected to do whatever men wanted them to and be the perfect housewives. Nowadays things have changed and some women are head of households.

For me, the content of this book was so strong. I think it covered almost every topic that women struggle with on a daily basis. Sexuality, family life, being taken advantage of, eating issues, drug issues, depression/anxiety, etc. I felt that Weiner touched on each bit just enough that it was realistic but didn't dive so deep that it triggers anything, at least for me. The only thing I wish was different was the book length. This is a hefty read - 460+ pages and I think it could have been about 100 pages less. There are times it draws out a little bit and I think that could make some readers disinterested depending on what kind of reader they are. Nonetheless, it's definitely 5 star content!

This one published today and I highly recommend you pick it up if you love reading about women's issues over time. Thank you to Atria books for my ARC!

First, thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-galley of this book.

Jo and Bethie are sisters growing up with their parents in the suburbs of Detroit. Jo, the older, can do no right in the eyes of her Mom, and her Dad is always coming to her rescue. Beth, the younger, can do no wrong in her Mother's eyes.

When the girls are in high school, their world takes a left turn, and things are not as they seemed to be.

This story goes all through the sisters' lives through many decades.

I got so caught up in the story, i read it in one sitting.
#NetGalley #Mrs.Everything

I wasn’t too sure if I was going to like Mrs. Everything. I have had bad luck with novels that follow families over the years. I either lose interest halfway through the book or the book goes off the rails. I am happy to say that I did not lose interest in Mrs. Everything. The book also didn’t go off the rails.

The plotlines for Mrs. Everything were terrific. They were well written. I loved that the author chose to have certain events as the background to Jo and Bethie’s lives. That added enough realism to the book.

Out of the two storylines, Jo’s touched me the most. She grew up with a mother who didn’t understand her. Jo was a lesbian who was forced to marry to keep up appearances. She gave up her dreams to help Bethie. But she wasn’t perfect. That is what I liked the most about her character. She wasn’t perfect, and she owned it.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Bethie but I did feel bad for her. What happened to her as a young teenager was awful, and should have never happened. Her rebellion was a direct result of that. I didn’t like her holier than thou attitude when she was visiting Jo. It left a bad taste in my mouth. She did redeem herself in the latter half of the book. She more than redeemed herself in my eyes.

I liked how the author chose to address Jo’s sexuality. Instead of making everything sunshine and unicorns, she decided to portray everything Jo went through realistically. I loved it.

I did not like Lila, but I understood her. She was suffering from her parents’ divorce, moving, and her mother coming out. She acted out. She was unlikable. Again, I loved it.

The end of Mrs. Everything had me in tears. I was a blubbering mess. And the epilogue. Oh, my poor heart. But, I wouldn’t have had the book any other way.

I recieved an electronic version of this book for my honest review.

Oh how I loved this book! So much that I can't wait to read or again! Fans of Jennifer Weiner's books will fall head over heels for this one!

"Do we change or does the world change us?

Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise.

Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life.

But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?

In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?"

Mrs. Everything is out now! Grab this up for some great summer reading!

This lengthy novel tells the story of two sisters, Jo and Bethie Kaufman, from the 1950s to 2016. Growing up in Detroit, Jo is the tomboy who dreams of being a writer while Bethie is pretty and popular and believes her destiny is to be a star. Of course, their lives take unexpected turns. The book is actually a journey through American social history, focusing on the role/status of women in society during this period, so the names of the protagonists are surely an allusion to Little Women.

The book references many historical events including the civil rights movement, Woodstock, the Vietnam War, the women’s rights movement, and even the #MeToo movement. The assassination of JFK, the moon landing, and the 2016 Democratic National Convention are mentioned. Cultural allusions to music and film abound.

The emphasis is on the experience of women in a male-dominated society, and the major characters or their female family members experience virtually everything: rape, sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual assault, abortion, romantic heartbreak, eating disorders, body image issues, traditional marriage, commune living, same-sex relationship, bi-racial relationship, motherhood, unwanted pregnancy, single parenthood, unfaithful spouse, promiscuity, divorce, widowhood, stay-at-home parenting, balancing of career and family obligations, conflicts with parents and siblings, economic hardship, career success and failure, drug use, cancer.

My problem with the book is that the writer tried too hard to touch on all possible experiences a woman might have. At one point, Jo wonders “whether [women] would ever not try to have it all and do it all” and this is the feeling I had about the author: while bemoaning women being Mrs. Everything, the author becomes Mrs. Everything Writer. It’s as if she had a list of female trials, traumas and tragedies which she had to check off one by one.

The theme is that things for women have changed but they haven’t changed enough. In the mid-20th-century, women were told that the most important role for a woman was to be married and to be a mother so a woman who did not marry or a married woman who did not have children was regarded with suspicion. On the other hand, a woman living in the 21st century is expected to have a career so any woman who wants only to be a mother is considered unambitious: “’You can say you want to be a mom and something else. Or you can be a mom after you’ve done something else. But that, just by itself, that’s not enough.’” Appropriately, the book ends with Hillary Clinton’s nomination as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate but we know how that election turned out. Perhaps, the author suggests, stories “about brave little girls and happy endings [can only begin with] ‘Once upon a time’.”

The message for women is that “women should forgive themselves . . . [and] take care of themselves with kindness. The world was hard enough, would beat them up enough without them adding to the pain.” In other words, they should not try to be everything to everyone and should focus on finding happiness by being true to themselves.

The pace is slow at times so that the book felt overly long. I also had issues with virtually all the men being portrayed as either weak or bad. At the beginning, the author addresses her readers and acknowledges that this book is her longest and “the most ambitious work I’ve ever attempted.” I applaud her efforts but think that perhaps a less-ambitious novel might have been more compelling.

Note: I received a digital galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Light and fluffy chic lit, this is not. There are some heavy topics included is Ms. Weiner's book including sexual abuse, sexuality, racism, religion, war, and politics in this book with a timeline from the 1950s to current. The story centers on two sisters, Jo and Bethie, two young Jewish girls dealing with the ups and downs that interrupt what should be their ideal childhoods. I cheered for characters. I jeered at characters. Ultimately I embraced the characters for what they were and what made them that way. And despite the book being over 400 pages, I wanted more time with them!

3.25. I read a lot of reviews that raved about this book. I found this book very shallow, simplistic, and hard to connect with. A lot of nostalgia for the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc. but that was the high point. The plot of the novel was well intentioned and if it had more depth and reality to it, it might have made it more likeable for me.

Thank you to Atria and Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mrs. Everything and I found myself really wanting to delve deeper into the time period. This book takes a long hard look at family dynamics and the life of women. Jennifer Weiner did a wonderful job of engaging the reader even during the parts of the story that are heavier in context. The amount of detail that she included made you feel like you were right there with these characters as they traveled through life. If you are expecting a quick summer beach read this isn't it, this was a heartfelt portrayal of life and family. I highly recommend for someone who is eager to read about the lives of these women and the trials and joys that they encountered along the way.

3 Stars-- Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
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Thank you Atria books and Netgalley for a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Jo and Bethie Kaufman are sisters growing up in 1950s Detroit. Completely different than one another, both sisters endure their own challenges and pleasures. Told over their lifetime, Weiner takes us through how each sister deals with the decade of time they are in, as well as, the choices they made.
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What I Loved: I loved how we watched two sisters change and grow-- positively or negatively-- during their lifetime. Each sister has their own chances and we watch how they struggle. we watch as they make decisions based on the time period and how society pressures for women have always been a burden we shoulder.
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What I Didn't: Though this was a well written book, I can honestly say almost nothing good happens to these sisters. If you want to read about a family of 3 generations that deal with every possible issue this is it. I found that to be a bit much. I felt that Weiner was trying to put too many obstacles in the sister's paths. I was frustrated with their choices-- especially Jo. I felt it took so long to see anything beneficial happen to them. Though the writing was well done, there were times when the descriptions and inner dialogue just dragged on for whole pages.
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While I enjoyed this book, I did not love it. But I think this would make a great book club book due to the discussion that could be had amongst the readers.

I haven't read many of Jennifer Weiner's books, but I plan to read more in the future! Really enjoyed this one; I expected a light and easy chick-lit book, and I got so much more. It's the story of two sisters, following them from their childhood in the 60's and 70's through adulthood. The issues they face, both together and separately, and how their experiences form their relationships with themselves, each other and others in their lives. There are a lot of "hot topic" era-related issues that are woven into their stories, and that makes for a super interesting read. As they grew up and matured, the characters went in directions I wasn't expecting so the book kept me interested throughout. I think you can read this book in a number of different ways - it can be a lighter, easy read where you simply lose yourself in the characters' lives, or it can be a deeper, more meaningful depiction of feminism, sexual orientation, civil rights, social justice, etc. Your call in how you want the book to affect you. Highly recommend!!

Mrs Everything follows the lives of sisters Josette and Elizabeth Kaufman from the 1950s to the 2010s.
It explores such themes as women's rights, abortion, sexual abuse, motherhood, interracial and gay marriage - ambitious, but interesting.


It highlights the highs and lows of motherhood, the joys of it and the consequences too. For example, once you have children, nothing about you ever really stays the same - your body, priorities, your outlook, your dreams and the will (and time) required to achieve them.


From the reviews I read, this book resonates well with Baby Boomers, especially the women. They lived in communes, witnessed those marches for integration and equality, and maybe even participated in them. Some of them were Jo and Bethie Kaufman. They lived through a time when women's choices were dictated by societal expectations, when it was unnatural to be different, "What will people say?" "People will talk." Very few women could afford to be brave. It was interesting to see how things changed from then to 2016, when Hillary Rodham Clinton made history as the first female presidential candidate.


I don't know that one story can satisfactorily address these hot-button issues, but I also don't know that this was the author's intention. Mrs Everything is a sprawling story, and what it does more than anything, is tell our (women's) story in our voice, from our point of view. It is not always exciting or interesting, but it is important and it is true.

Books with long sweeping timelines can always pull me in. The length alone tells me I’m going to get to really know these characters, not just a small snippet of their lives. Jennifer Weiner tells the story of Jo and Bethie, young girls when we meet them in the 1950’s, and how two sisters raised in the same Jewish home, in a nice Jewish suburb of Detroit can be very different. Bethie is the younger of the sisters, and she is everything her mother could wish for, pretty, talented, obedient. Jo is challenging, questioning, and her own person. Her mother struggles understanding her, and her father is the one who comes in to smooth things over, to take her away from that pain. Jo knows she is different, Jo knows that she is what her own mother calls “unnatural”, Jo likes girls. Being gay in the 50’s, 60’s and on wasn’t easy. Jo battles this desire most of her life.

Weiner lets history take Jo and Bethie along for the ride in a turbulent 60’s and 70’s, Coming of age in a time of political and social turmoil, the choices each of them make is paramount to where they end up later in life. The book follows along as the sisters leave college, take other paths and age. Nothing is lost on the fact that it ends taking note of the 2016 election and the beginning of the #metoo movement, pivotal times for women’s rights. Just as sisters do in real life, they are best friends and worst enemies, they are brutally honest and hurt each other, yet they are also there to save one another.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved this book. The characters are the same age as my own sisters, two very different women just as Weiner’s sisters are. I thought of them so much while I read this. I also thought of my daughter, a gay woman who has been able to be herself, out and honest since her teen years. I know how lucky she is but also how judgmental and ignorant so many people still are of her, and all people or aren’t like them.

Reading Mrs. Everything is an emotional journey, one of wanting to reach out and comfort the characters, wanting to slap others who didn’t step in to help, and also cheering Jo and Bethie on.

I have read most of Jennifer Weiner’s books and I believe this to be her best work yet. She has created a story that will grab you, turning pages, longing to know more, invested in the characters and crying when the last page is read. Thank you again to Net Galley and Atria books for an early copy, and thank you always to Jennifer Weiner for sharing your words.

Here is a link to an article Jennifer Weiner wrote for the NY Times about writing this book for her mother.

Yes, this book was long. Yes, this book did drag at times. However, this book was totally worth reading. is about two sisters, Jo and Bethie. It starts when they are children, growing up in Detroit in the 1950's and spans all the way to 2016. It covers the ups and downs during each sister's life as well as tacking the subjects of segregation, interracial marriage, homosexuality and sexual assault/abuse. I honestly wasn't planning on the book being this deep and thought it would be more of a chick-lit kind of book, but this book was so much better that what I expected.

Nothing that I write will do this wonderful, beautiful book justice. I just can't find the words to describe it. Mrs. Everything is unlike anything I've ever read in the best way possible.

Spanning two sisters' entire lives, from ages 5(1940s) through their death/2022, we grow up with Bethie and Jo. We live through the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement through #MeToo, and we see through their eyes how challenging it was being a woman in history. It's sad to see how many things just really haven't changed. What was amazing about this book is that not only did we see our two main characters grow up, but we also watched them raise their children, who then grew up to be adults. Because of this, we really got to see the maternal influence on the children.

At times I related to Jo, then at others I felt like I shared a life with Bethie, then Kim, then MIssy. I never found myself unable to relate, which is something that rarely happens.

Mrs. Everything has everything you love in a book--relatable characters, interesting topics/themes, and a plot that, while spanning 70 years, moves so quick it's like you just started reading when you realize you're about to finish. You will not be disappointed in this book.

This book was a little slow going for me but it kept me interested just enough to continue to the end. It was an interesting premise and I wanted to see where each of the characters ended up when all was said and done.

I’m a big Jennifer Weiner fan, so I’m always excited for a new release. Mrs. Everything did not disappoint. The characters are wonderfully complex and their struggles with love and feminism and family are timeless. There are moments of profound sadness and moments of lighthearted joy and through it all you root for Jo and Bethune to get their happy ending. This book will make you laugh, it will make you (ugly) cry, and you will be left with a serious book hangover when you finish. Bravo Jennifer Weiner, bravo! Definitely my pick for book of the summer, maybe even of 2019!

Finally, after four years of waiting Jennifer Weiner’s new book, MRS. EVERYTHING is here! Let me tell you, it is definitely worth the wait! It is the story of two sisters, Jo and Bethie and is told over decades, from the 1950’s until today. Jennifer Weiner has a way of intertwining lives and making you feel like you have a front row seat into the story.

MRS. EVERYTHING is filled with so many different things such as family drama, love, forgiveness, second chances, and hope. The sisters grow up in Detroit in the 1950’s. Bethie is the talented sister, who loves being the center of attention, is very pretty, while Jo is the tomboy, who would rather be playing sports in her old clothes and not dressing up in girly girl dresses like Bethie. Jo is forever at odds with her mother as well as the world. Bethie is constantly dieting just so she can get the lead in all the school plays.

MRS. EVERYTHING is a well written novel that contains a powerful message that every female will connect with. Both of these women face separate struggles, but they are strong and know they always have each other’s backs no matter what. I do not want to tell too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but while reading, I felt every possible emotion I could think of and loved every minute of it! I learned some things about myself while connecting with these strong women. Women are very tough on themselves and need to just support each other through our daily struggles. There is so much going on in this story, but Jennifer Weiner does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together.



Overall, MRS. EVERYTHING is a book I can say nothing but fantastic things about. There is so much heart in Jennifer’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart, very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. I look forward to reading Ms. Weiner’s previous books I haven’t gotten to yet as well as her future ones.

Mrs. Everything is everything you could ask for in Jennifer Weiner’s new, wonderfully written, generational family saga. The book spans the lives of two sisters, Jo and Beth, who are 6 and 4 years old respectively when the book begins in 1951, ending in 2015.

This book gets so much right –
• richly drawn, fully human characters with easily relatable quirks, strengths, fears, dreams, regrets;
• family and sibling relationships;
• the coverage of each decade that passes and the societal impacts the carried;
• how someone can change paths again and again as they strive to get closer to the one that fits best who they really are;
• how those who love us best often hurt us the most;
• how we sometimes give up on our dreams because we’re just too tired of fighting for them anymore;
• how we can live the same event(s) with someone and see them totally differently;
• how in the end, all that matters is that we feel loved, accepted and seen for who we really are.

Mrs. Everything is a story you can get lost in, that feels real, and that you will close the covers with a sigh of satisfaction and also one of regret that it has ended. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Jennifer Weiner is my favorite thought-provoking author! While sometimes I don't love the story as a whole, the message and inspiration the reader is left with at the end is worth the read! Mrs. Everything is every one and every woman, and should be read by all.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.