Decades ago, at the age of 27, I was cross-legged in a dim hallway in a starter home, leaned against a closet door, an infant at my breast, a toddler in my lap and a preschooler stroking my limp, greasy hair as I made up a story to keep her entertained. We were all waiting for relief -- for Daddy to come home and rescue us all. Such was the life of a stay-home mom of limited means in the '80s who was far from family and friends due to a job transfer: lonely, depressed, overwhelmed. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if I'd been a single mother like the character Hannah in All They Ask is Everything, the standout debut by Hadley Leggett.

All They Ask tells the story of three women at different stages in life (Hannah, Julie, Elaine) who all passionately love two little girls in the foster care system. In portraying the complicated wants and needs of these women, the novel shines a bright light on the double-standards we have for mothers (including judgment from adult daughters toward their own mothers) and illustrates the expectations everyone from the stranger in the grocery store to the judge in court to friends/family has for women with children. It also -- without a bit of hectoring scold -- describes the complications in the nation's child welfare system and offers up a unique solution through the plot and character's choices. The dialogue runs true, Leggett's mastery of description is sometimes breathtaking, and the pacing so powerful I had a hard time putting it down.

My primary thought when I finished the book was, "I wonder what Hadley Leggett will write next." Can't recommend enough.

You will initially be immersed in the compulsive, emotionally unstable mind of Hannah, a mother who all-out loves her kids, but who is struggling on the brink of drowning in her grief and circumstances. Next, you will become equally sympathetic to the plight of single Julie who always knew she was meant to be a mother, and who is riding the emotional roller-coaster of waiting for a baby to foster in hopes of adopting. Finally enters Elaine, Hannah’s high-powered and emotionally distant mother who always gets what she wants. The welfare of the two little girls at the focus of this novel does not have any easy answers, especially when secrets abound, and the truth is unclear. The character development throughout the novel is exquisite and inspiring as these initially single-minded characters expand their outlook as their stories become entwined.

This is Hadley Leggett’s debut novel, but you will be thirsty for her next offering.

This was such a thought-provoking novel. Who should care for the children? Alternating chapters between the three women vying for custody of these sweet and spunky sisters, made for a very fast-paced story. Ms. Leggett never favored which of the adults should be their guardian, only what was ultimately in the best interest for the well-being of Wren and Ivy. As the adults eventually began working together toward the most secure and stable outcome, the rainbows finally began to overcome the stormy days of the past for this family.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of Hadley Leggett's debut of All They Ask Is Everything; thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

When it comes to "All They Ask Is Everything", I'm torn. On one hand, it explores such an interesting topic, but on the other, some tropes didn't sit right with me.

In her novel, Hadley Leggett shades light on the works of foster system, including perspectives of the mother whose daughters are taken away, the foster mother who receives them, as well as the grandmother who wants to step in. These are three very strong narrative arcs and I think each character was given justice in a way how she's portrayed and what are her motivations.

What tinted my reading experience, was the romance plot that seemed completely unnecessarily stuffed with romance novel-adjacent tropes.

I loved this book, which provides a fresh take of a family in the foster care system from multiple points of view of caretakers, including the biological mother, the foster mother, and a kinship relation. It was so empathetic is all involved. One of my favorite books I've read this year.

The story is told from three female points of view,. This works really well so we can fully understand each woman's motives for wanting to care for the children - whose welfare is at stake - themselves. Like all difficult, moral decisions there seems to be no possible answer that will be good for everyone. But Hadley Leggett navigates the plot, and draws the characters with a skill and sensitivity that has us rooting for all three despite their clashing agendas. Jodi Picoult fans will love this.

A terrific debut novel. I’m done raising my children, raised seven, but I could relate to the mother’s struggles in this story. She tries her best, is a single mother, but one mistake, lapse in judgment, albeit an avoidable one, and her whole world changes.

I can’t imagine the struggles of single parenting, but I can identify with society’s expectations of motherhood. What I liked most about this book was it showed three different women and their love for two little girls. The frustration of wanting, but being unable to have children and a frustrated grandmother who wants to rescue the girls. But, who is right? Is it possible that more information is needed? Maybe a little help and understanding? The author efficiently handles these different viewpoint. To see how it turns out you will have to read the book.

Wow, this book had me thinking about it long after I finished reading it. I love how the author wound the stories together and gave me a perspective I didn't expect for each of the protagonists. There is so much to unpack in this well written and easy to read book. I actually read it in one sitting, it was so good. I just had to know what was going to happen next and I bonded with each character. I thought the way the author managed the reveals was masterful and I was hooked! I enjoyed this book so much and cannot wait for the author to give us another peek into her creative imagination. I will be purchasing this one for a gift for my friends.

the summary of this book sounded great, and I absolutely LOVE the cover. But, alas, the novel itself was greatly disappointing. Too much of a "soap opera" vibe, very unbelievable, and I hated every character in it (except the young ones). But it is a debut, so I might give the author a second chance

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early!

This was a heart wrenching book that really tackled real world issues of being a mom. I am not a mother myself but I have many friends who are and who have gone through a lot of trials and tribulations. I think this painted the perfect picture of what motherhood is like from different types of moms.

The three different points of view had very different narrators, and I think that was a wonderful way to show how motherhood is different for everyone. What made me love the book so much is that everyone came together in the end to make sure the two little girls had the absolute best choice made on their behalf to have a fantastic life. This also painted the picture not to judge a book by its cover and that someone might have a whole lot more going on then what you know.

Kudos to the author for being able to tell this story so beautifully. I do wish we got an epilogue to see what eventually happened, but other then that I truly enjoyed this book!

WOW! Holy cow! It’s not often that I read a book that hits every single emotion I’ve ever had in a sympathetic, well thought out way. I was crying, smiling, and just feeling all the emotions of the three women when I read the final page. I have never written such a long review so here goes:

I seriously can’t express how emotional this book made me and how much it made me reflect on my own life and decisions. I won’t get into that because it’s not about me, but I can’t recommend this book enough to ALL women: mothers by choice, women who never wanted to be mothers but didn’t have a choice, women struggling to become a mother, women who are childless by choice, etc. It was so well written and thoughtful in every aspect, and I couldn’t put it down. What a debut from Hadley Leggett! Please write more books!!

In All We Ask is Everything, we meet three women who are dealing with their own personal struggles: Hannah, a widowed mother of two young girls who is struggling with her mental health; Julie, a woman who wants nothing more than to be a mother, but life keeps throwing her curve balls; and Elaine, Hannah’s driven, hard working but mostly absent mother. Each woman thinks she knows what is best for the girls but do they really? I wasn’t surprised by the ending as I kind of saw it coming, but that didn’t stop me from absolutely loving this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hadley Leggett, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my review. All They Ask is Everything will be available August 27, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This really is a beautiful story of womanhood and motherhood. The characters are so well developed and I had such a great time following them through the story.

Anyone could relate to this, stunning.

It's every mother's nightmare: your kids are asleep, it's cool outside, you have to decide whether to get them up or let them sleep while you spend 5 minutes in the store--and when you come back, child protective services is taking your kids away from you.

Hadley Leggett's stunning debut follows three women at odds with each other, all of them desperate to love the two young girls at the center of the storm. Hannah, their biological mother, paralyzed by grief and depression; Julie, the girls' foster mother, who has a powerful unfulfilled longing for motherhood; and Elaine, the girls' grandmother, estranged from her family and desperate to reunite. Playing these women's hurts and mistakes and biases off each other makes for high drama, indeed. I love a book where there are no "bad guys," books in which everyone is doing their best and it's still a mess. Because that's what life is like, and in a book we know we're going to get to an ending that will satisfy--which we don't always get in real life.

Leggett is a gifted author, deftly weaving plot threads and characters together to create a tapestry of stunning beauty and heart-wrenching clarity.

What a heart wrenching, honest account of the many shades of motherhood! I absolutely loved the premise of different stages of motherhood (mother and grown daughter) and the different roles of motherhood—foster mom versus biological mom. This beautifully captivating story about the highs and lows of motherhood and the different shades of justice for the children takes a comprehensive and complete look of a classic case of things aren’t always black and white when it comes to parenting children. I couldn’t put down the last one hundred pages, I was hooked at every turn to see how the relationship and dynamics between these women would evolve. The details and characterization of the young girls left me feeling as though I knew them! This will bring any mother who has ever felt overwhelmed to tears in a good way! This story helps us feel “seen” and understood! Bravo to Hadley for tackling the complexity of motherhood with such grace and beauty in a tale I will remember long after I’ve finished the book!

This was an amazing, heart wrenching story about 3 women trying to do what's best for two young girls. Told in alternating points of view, the story is told by Hannah (who loses her children to the foster system), Julie (the foster mom who takes Hannah's 2 girls), and Elaine (Hannah's mom who is fighting for custody of her grandchildren). Throughout the book, I felt like I was rooting on each the different characters as information was unfolding. I loved the character development and I thought that the entire book was fast-paced and interesting!

This book gripped me from the first page. It centers on Hannah, an overwhelmed mother of two who suffers from depression after the deaths of her husband and father. When an incident leaves her children in the custody of social services, she'll do anything to get them back. The books is told through three POVS of three women who want custody of the children: Hannah, her mother Elaine, and Julie the foster mother where the kids are placed.

This stunning debut by Hadley Leggett viscerally captures the struggles of motherhood and the challenge of caring for ourselves while also doing what's best for our children. I was so emotionally invested that the book was almost hard to read at some points because I felt each character's turmoil so deeply. I loved everything about it and can't recommend it highly enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union publishing for the advance reader copy.

I was very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley but all thoughts are unbiased and my own!

I enjoyed this book! I know some folks may disagree with me, but I liked the characters and how realistic they were. Sure each of the characters some really bad decisions at points, but I thought it showed how they were human.

The story surrounds two young girls as they navigate through foster care. The book flips between three main women, Hannah (the biological mother), Julie (their foster mother), and Elaine (their grandmother). At points in the book, you see each of main women be put in situations where there isn’t a winning outcome for any choice they make. Because of these struggles and decisions the women have to make, you start to see all sides of foster care system.

I really was interested in this book and the whole time I couldn’t wait to figure out what was next for this family. Highly would recommend!!!

I loved this book - the issues addressed in it to do with mental health, grief, and motherhood were so well written. I loved the changes in perspective between Elaine, Julie, and Hannah. The only reason it isn’t a 5 star book for me is because the ending felt abrupt and I felt there wasn’t closure for all the storylines that took place.

This book was quite a ride that had me laughing one moment and tearing up the next. By the end I was doing both on the same page–oh the feels! As a father, I don't think I am the intended target audience for this book but I'm so grateful I got to read it.

The characters pop off the page with complexity and depth – the author does a lovely job of peeling back the layers of each woman (and the girls too!) as the story unfolds. After the first few chapters, the story ensnared me and refused to let go until the very end. I found myself emotionally invested in the fate of the children and the women fighting to care for them, unsure of how I wanted things to end.

I enjoyed the masterful balance between descriptive, elegant prose and a compelling plot. Each word feels meticulously chosen and perfectly placed, resulting in a reading experience that is effortless, enriching, and engaging. Unlike other books that juggle multiple perspectives, this one seamlessly transitions between them, leaving me eagerly anticipating each successive chapter.

I ended up staying up until about 2am to finish, unable to put it down. Reading on my phone, in the dark laying next to my sleeping wife, I wanting to wake her afterwards to thank her for all she has sacrificed and given to our family and our children. (I let her sleep and told her in the morning instead.)

This is not merely a story; it is an experience that helps you see the nuance and challenges woman face in a world that asks too much, doesn’t say thank you nearly enough, and often paints things in absolutes. It left me with feelings and a deeper connection that I will stay with me long after the final page.

I wasn't sure how this book was going to make me feel because I was worried about the emotions it might involve. However I felt the author did a good job showing all sides of the story and made me feel for all the characters involved. It was a touching read, I'd definitely read more.