Wow, this is quite a book. It is hard to know where to begin! This is the story of 2 sisters, Jo and Bethie, spanning from their childhood until their old age. I enjoyed reading about these sisters and getting to know them. I didn’t always like them or their choices, but that was OK — I could definitely feel their ups and downs, successes and failures, joys and sorrows and was invested the whole time.
This book was really well written and spanned a huge, tumultuous time in history, exploring women’s roles and civil rights. This book deals with so many issues that women can relate to, hence the title, Mrs. Everything. There’s class and race, lesbianism, interracial marriage, women’s choices, abuse, motherhood, sisterhood, daughterhood, expectations, women’s roles in the paid working world, women’s roles at home, happiness and contentment, …
Weiner shows herself to be a wonderful storyteller as I was engaged the whole time. Parts of the book were necessarily heavy, but still very readable. This is a book that certainly got me thinking and questioning and is timely with the #metoo movement. Going back through the history of these women really shows us the underlying tensions of what women are fighting for, how far we’ve come, and how much there is to lose.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.

I saw another review that said this was a three star book with five star content and that sounded pretty fitting to me. This was a character driven novel telling the stories of two sisters, past and present. For me, the book was just too much. There were too many social issues being addressed, too many triggers, just too much. I felt overwhelmed and depressed when I was done reading it, honestly. I really love the author and her previous novels, but this book was a struggle for me. At the end, there was little resolution and I found myself glad it was over which is my least favorite way to end a book. I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Trigger warnings: coarse language, sexual assault, racism, infidelity, drug addiction, eating disorders, graphic homosexual and heterosexual love scenes.

I grew up in the 50's, not in Detroit but in New York City. As a child of the 50's I'm quite sure our generation grew up pretty much the same, no matter where we lived. I think that was what drew me to this book. However, the novel takes on many issues: ethnicity, race, bias, class, religion, sexual assault. Most of all, the relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters. Was it too much crammed into this book? Perhaps, at least for me.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This author continues to amaze me with every book she writes. I was so invested I this story that I couldn't out it down and had to order takeout for dinner. Jennifer Weiner never, ever disappoints. This book deserve s way more than five stars!

As a long time fan of Jennifer Weiner, I am always over the moon to read her latest novel. And yes, she has done it again with another beautifully written story that had me laughing, crying and unable to put it down.

In Mrs. Everything, we follow the lives of two sisters, Jo and Bethie, throughout the decades beginning in their childhood. This book is the journey of these two women and their relationship as sisters- which was joyous and heartbreaking. Through these characters, Jennifer addresses the deep and emotional issues women have faced such as drug abuse, sexual assault, relationships, sexuality, and loss.

This might be my favorite book of Jennifer's yet. Her writing is exquisite and flawless. I felt as if I personally knew and loved these characters. It was an incredible reflection of how the dreams we grow up with is not always how our destiny will play out- and our acceptance with that. She brings to life the struggles we face as women, mothers, sisters, friends and wives/partners to make our dreams a reality even when we know in our hearts that this is not how the story should go. I believe women readers will find a little piece of them in either Jo or Bethie, in one form or another, which speaks to the power of Jennifer's ability with words.

This is the book I will be pressing into women's hands this summer saying, "You MUST read this" and then hounding them until they finish so we can discuss it in all its glory.

I am so grateful to NetGalley, Atria Books and Ms. Weiner for the opportunity to read an ARC of Mrs. Everything- thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fine tasty, vivid Cholent of a book from Weiner that will appeal to those beyond her devoted fans. Her Jewish sisters are believable and likable. They go through every big US events from the postwar period to civil rights to hippies to the women’s movement to #metoo.

4 STARS

When I found this one is read now on netgalley I grabbed it immediately! Jo and Bethie are sisters and “Mrs. Everything” is their story. It takes place over the course of decades.I found this story captivating and poignant!

“She wondered whether they would ever not try to have it all and do it all and do all of it flawlessly. Would the day ever come when simply doing your best would be enough?”

There’s probably something in the book that every female can relate to.I found several things I could relate with! Overall, this was a powerful story that all the women must read!

The character development was a joy to read. Covering the sisters through their lives and changes was spellbinding.

This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Weiner, and I must admit it's not really a choice I'd usually make. Advance buzz being what it is, I decided to give it a shot not realizing that it portrays a very personal matter for her, and she wanted to honor her mother through its publication. I thought since her mother and I were similar in age and experience, I would enjoy reading about the progression through the decades that she provides, complete with memory triggers via pop cultural references, only to come across some anachronisms that were jarring. It is well written and is fine for its intended audience, which sadly, does not include me. (Four stars for its potential, not for my enjoyment)

Having read many of Jennifer Weiners previous books, I am in awe of the very different writing style, tone, and sensitivity of this novel. I. Loved. It. It was dark. So much darker but written so well and so timely and so good. One of her best yet I have to say! Highly recommend to anyone who enjoyed her precious works. Who is having trouble coping with the current political climate.

This is not a book that I would typically choose to read but I heard wonderful things about it and gave it a chance. I am so glad I did! I was so invested in the characters and it really made me think a lot about social issues. As a parent it also made me think a lot about different parenting styles and what affect that has on their children throughout their lifetime. It was a great read and one that will probably stay with me for a long time.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This was a welcome break from my usual steady diet of thrillers. I've read and enjoyed previous books by Jennifer Weiner, but I think this is the best one she's ever written. Mrs. Everything is the multi-generational story of two sisters and the ever changing world in which they find themselves. All of the characters were richly imagined and detailed and I was very invested in the story. It was at turns heartbreaking and joyful. 4 stars.

Five out of Five stars for Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

You may know the authors name from some of her past books. But do not worry, Jennifer Weiner has done it again! This book is a fun, compelling read. I recommend it for all readers - especially those looking to get swept away by a good book. I could see it being especially enjoyable around the pool this summer or taken on a beach vacation.

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley, who provided this digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I truly enjoyed it and hope my review is helpful!

I think that this book by Jennifer Weiner is one of her best works yet. I appreciate the way that she so wove the story together. Following the lives of two sisters. Seeing how sometimes we are able to fulfill dreams and sometimes.... well, life happens. The author was so beautifully able to capture the highs and lows of being a woman . The struggles that we face. This was one of my favorites and I thank her for teaching me through her eyes the true struggles of self identity and trying to be a woman, an equal. I laughed and cried!!! Thank you for the honor of the #arc #netgalley

This was my first Jennifer Weiner and it just blew me away. Her ability to craft complex characters that you can love and hate and laugh and cry with all at the same time is incredible. The books tackles important subjects like race, same sex relationships, drug abuse and sexual assault though the lens of experience and relationships. With Jo and Bethie, Weiner shows us a real family. One that is not perfect, makes countless mistakes, but never stops loving each other. This book pulled at my heartstrings in all the best ways . Highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 STARS - I think every woman will find a bit of herself in this book. With story lines that focus on the good, the not-so-good and the wonderful aspects of being a woman, Mrs. Everything contains voices of mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, aunts and partners and weaves in issues that women can relate to in varying degrees.

This is a lengthy novel that spans decades and follows the lives of two sisters, Jo and Bethie. Through their stories, Weiner addresses many issues that women faced in the past, the issues we have in the present and as well as those that may continue to affect the future of women. She hits on emotional topics through the changing decades and blends them into a story that will captivate readers as we tag along on the bumpy journey of these two women as they figure out who they are on their own and together as sisters.

This is a hearty read at 464 pages and, I'll admit, it felt like it dragged a bit at times. But it's this length that allows Weiner to dig deeper into important issues and show how they reverberate through the sisters' lives - issues that include women's roles within family and society as well as our continued struggle for the right to choose what happens to our own bodies. Through Jo and Bethie, Weiner discusses topics that were important to the women who came before us, to the women we are now and hopefully will embolden society to bring much needed change as we work to transform a world that lifts up and encourages the daughters we're raising today.

This is a powerful story that will run readers through a spectrum of emotions. You'll cry, laugh, feel frustrated and empowered as you read this story about two sisters and their journey to find fulfillment, love and acceptance as women in complicated and ever-changing times.

Note: I highly recommend that readers read Weiner's forward which describes where her inspiration for this story began.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Atria Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria for my copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Jennifer Weiner. I love the way she tells a story with her signature humor and wit. This book had tough shoes to fill. There are so many parts of this book that were so good. The characters were from and developed and the story was epic as it followed Jo and Bethie from childhood through their lives. I liked the characters and felt involved in their stories. However, there were a lot of times while I was reading this book that I felt Mrs. Everything tried to be "everything" without settling into one genre. And while that in itself is not a bad thing, I often felt like the story itself lacked a direction. Was it a family saga or a historical fiction about women's issues? At times it seemed like a lecture on equality for women. There were many parts that I felt were too drawn out and others that I wish were more developed. This was an ambitious book that for me, fell a little short.

Brief synopsis from the book cover:

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?
My rating:

Story: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Review:

The book tells the story of two sisters, Jo and Bethie. It follows their lives from early childhood in 1950,s Detroit until the present day. Interwoven in their story is the history of the women’s movement and it shows what has been achieved and how the lives of women have changed over the years. Along the way it also touches on subjects such as the civil right movement, the Vietnam war and LGBT acceptance all shown through the eyes of the two sisters.

The characters are well developed and their actions are explained well. This made them very realistic. This is not a light summer read but a book with an important message. If you enjoy well written literary fiction or women’s fiction this book is for you.

I received an ARC through Netgalley at no cost to me.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I liked it but I also didn’t like it hit deep deep topics but some of the scenes were a little too graphic for me but I still enjoyed it kind of but I tried to like the family sister dynamic of it but I would recommend this to everyone who doesn’t mind some graphic scenes

Let me start by saying I was counting down the days for this book so my expectations were beyond belief, it had been a while since a Jennifer Weiner book and I was ready. I am sad to say that it didn't meet all my expectations, but was overall a good read.

Two sisters from childhood to adulthood weave in and out of each other's lives and with a very uncaring mother, they basically are each other's real true family. Jo and Bethie are sisters, but they are two very different individuals. They may have grown up in the same house, but they react completely different to the ups and downs that happened to them when they are young and it affects the adults they become.

This book spans quite the years, so the reader gets to see a lot of these girls lives. I would say this was one thing that I didn't love. There were moments where the pacing of the book just slowed down and I thought we could have not included that moment to instead keep the book moving. I wanted a few less peak ins in these girls lives so that we see the big moments that really shape them.

The big thing for me when I read a Jennifer Weiner book are the characters. Although these characters were full and easy to picture, they were just missing some of the spark that Jennifer Weiner has put into her characters in others books. There were moments were they felt flat and caricature instead of women that I could know. This was the most distracting and frustrating part of the read, I live for Jennifer Weiner's characters no matter what situation she puts them in.

I am excited to see her back and writing adult fiction and hope that she has a few more up her sleeve!