Everybody Says It’s Everything

A Novel

By: Xhenet Aliu

Publish Date: March 18, 2025

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group-Random House/Random House

General Fiction

#EverybodySaysItsEverything#NetGalley

200 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

Twins growing up in America in 1999 unravel larger truths about identity and sibling bonds when one gets wrapped up in the war in Kosovo.

Growing up in Connecticut adopted twins Drita and Petrit (aka Pete) had no connection to their Albanian heritage. Their lives were all about Barbie dolls, the mall, and roller skating at the local rink. Though inseparable in childhood, their paths diverged as teenagers; Drita was a good girl with and good manners who was going to go to a good college, Pete was a bad boy going nowhere fast. Even their twinhood was not enough to keep them together.

Fast forward to their twenties and Drita has abandoned her graduate studies to move home and take care of their mother, giving up her dreams for the future. She hasn’t heard from her brother in three years when Pete’s girlfriend and their son show up unexpectedly without him and in need of help. Realizing that his child may offer the siblings a second chance at being family, Drita becomes determined to find Pete. But what she ends up discovering—both about their connection to their Albanian roots, the war in Kosovo, and the story of their adoption—will surprise everyone, and will either be the thing that brings them together or tears them apart for good.

Book Review:

This is going to be one of the hardest reviews I have to do. I gave this book 2.5 stars and on Good Reads I rounded it down to 2 stars. I so wanted to love this book, but I just had a time trying to understand where the author was going with book. There were important things that the author talked about, but it was lost with the family issues. There was so much going with the family and the lies that each character was telling it was hard to keep track of who did or said what. The Kosovo war is started to be mentioned only around the 50% point. Spoiler here nothing gets resolved in the book and that is disappointing. Also, the chapters are long. The one good thing I liked is the writing style so I will be willing to try another book by this author.

Great writing with realistic dialogue, which always is an attention-capturer for me. Unfortunately I did not resonate with the characters too much and didn't find the story as intriguing as I was hoping as a result

I didn’t know what to expect when going into this one but I’d heard a bunch about it and it was a pleasant surprise! I was a fan of the writing style and the description and although some parts felt a little long, it was worth it!

After studying the war in Kosova last fall, this book seemed like a good fit. Even with independent knowledge, the pieces and connections never fit. I wanted to cheer for these characters, but a bright spot just didn't appear.

Thank you Random House for my copy of EVERYBODY SAYS IT'S EVERYTHING by Xhent Aliu. This one is out March 18.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. It was chocked full of unlikeable characters and I had a hard time staying engaged.

I have never read anything else from this author so this was my introduction to her work. I really enjoyed the story and the storytelling. Aliu did a good job of making Pete and Drita, two very distinct characters even though they were twins. It really shone through how Drita was the good kid who expected to be rewarded for being good but was still dissatisfied with her life and Pete being the "bad kid" but also still dissatisfied with his life. I enjoyed seeing how they both handled it.

While I enjoyed the book, I felt there were some loose threads. Somewhere in the book, in Pete's POV he mentions that Jackie, their mom doesn't give Drita enough attention and I wish that was explored. I really wanted to know what ended Drita's relationship with Isaac. I wanted more knowledge on the moment between Antonella and Jackie before the accident, was it platonic or romantic? and most importantly, I wanted an explanation for the ending. What was Drita trying to do?

Overall, it still made for a good read and I really liked Jackie's flashbacks and how her life didn't end just because she ended up in a wheelchair. It was also interesting to see a different point of view of people trying to stand up for something and believing whole heartedly in it even if it wasn't the best solution and is violent.

I'd recommend this book.

A powerful story that explores what it means to be a family. Everybody Says It's Everything centers on adopted, Albanian twins, Drita and Petrit (Pete), in 1999. Drita has spent the last several years taking care of their mom, Jackie, in Waterbury, Connecticut, while her estranged brother left to be with his girlfriend, Shanda, and their child, Dakota. After a terrifying experience with Dakota, Shanda heads back to Waterbury with Dakota in tow, and Drita works to find her brother again.

This story sucked me in immediately - there is so much depth to each and every character and some of the nonlinear storytelling really gave even more background to each person. At first blush, I would not have expected to feel so deeply for Shanda, but I came to really root for her and Dakota throughout the novel. The characters' backstories are heavy - so prepare yourself accordingly, but it's absolutely worth your time. Aliu's writing is entrancing and I couldn't pull away. I loved the bit of epistolary writing we get as Drita catfishes one of the characters via AOL email (ah the 1990s).

This book is a journey, but one that is well worth taking. Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Random House for the advanced copy.

DNF - This didn't work for me; I couldn't immerse myself in the writing style and pacing, though I'm sure other readers may find their ideal with the plot. Unfortunately, I wasn't the right reader for it.

This was not a book for me. It was heavy with unlikeable characters. Sorry for the poor review but I had to give up on this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary digital ARC. This review is my own opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance eARC . This book was very good! I enjoyed the writing and was fascinated by the fictional depiction of the real story of the Kosova Liberation Army - Albanians in the US who raised money and arms for defending Albanians in Kosovo in the late 90s. Something I admit I knew nothing about. I have a good friend from Albania so when I saw this book on Netgalley I decided to request it and see what perspective i could get. This one led me to another book, a memoir called Free by Lea Ypi, which is also very fascinating.

⭐️ REVIEW ⭐️

📖 Everybody Says It’s Everything by @xhennyfromtheblock 📖

Thank you to #NetGalley (@netgalley) and @atrandombooks for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide my honest thoughts.

🌟Rating: 4/5 stars 🌟

Emojis: 👩‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🏳️‍🌈🛼💉❤️‍🩹👦

Synopsis: Twins growing up in the United States in the nineties unravel larger truths about identity and sibling bonds when one of them gets wrapped up in the war in Kosovo. Xhenet Aliu tells the story of a family both fractured and foundering, desperate to connect with the other and the world at large, but not knowing how.

Genres/Themes: Fiction, Family, Belonging/Relationships

My thoughts: Wow, did this story really draw me in. I was so invested in learning more about the characters of this book from the first chapters - Pete and Drita, Jackie, Dom and Antonella, Shanda and Dakota. The chapters switch character point of view and timelines, revealing motivations, actions and consequences. The story line explores the meaning of family, relationships and connection, balanced by the themes of culture/ancestry and the world view. Aliu hooked me and kept me reading through the first 85% of the book, but I did feel like the ending fell a little flat and left many of the plot lines open ended. Overall, I’d rate this one four out of five stars and would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a book that threads diversity, adversity, family and cultural connection.

((Trigger Warnings: accident/injury, pregnancy and loss, adoption, war))

Xhenet Aliu’s Everybody Says It’s Everything is a heartfelt, multi-layered novel that explores family bonds, cultural identity, and personal reckoning. Following Albanian American twins Drita and Pete—who were adopted and raised in Connecticut—the story unfolds as their diverging paths force them to confront their fractured relationship and hidden family history. Aliu’s writing shines in its deep character work and emotional nuance, particularly in how she weaves themes of immigration, estrangement, and reconciliation against the backdrop of the Kosovo War.

While the novel offers a compelling and often poignant portrait of sibling dynamics and identity struggles, it occasionally feels meandering, and some narrative threads could have been more tightly woven. The pacing lags in places, making it a slower read despite its powerful themes. Nonetheless, Aliu’s sharp, evocative prose and her ability to capture complex human emotions make this a worthwhile novel for readers who enjoy introspective, character-driven stories.

Final Verdict: A solid, thought-provoking read that’s deeply moving but not always evenly paced. Best for those who appreciate family sagas with a literary touch.

(3.5/5 stars)

Woah! Such a beautifully written story!
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

This book was a beautiful story of family, and the nuances of the familial relationships. This book is both heartbreaking and raw and feels so emotionally real.

This was my first time reading this author, and I was not disappointed! Overall, I was really impressed by Aliu's depth and emotional resonance. The characters and their development were definitely the highlight for me. I loved how each character was fleshed out with nuance and care, particularly the evolving relationship between Drita and Shanda. Their dynamic felt so authentic, and it was a joy to see how it transformed over time, making me invested in both of their journeys.

The book’s exploration of Albanian/Kosovan heritage was another standout aspect. It’s not often that you see such rich cultural history at the forefront of a story, and I found it both eye-opening and thought-provoking. The timelines shifting between the 1990s and 1970s also worked really well—offering different perspectives and adding layers to the plot that kept me engaged.

At times, the pacing felt a bit slow, and there were moments where the narrative seemed to drag on longer than necessary. A few sections also felt a little disjointed, where transitions between scenes or ideas weren’t as smooth as they could’ve been. That said, these were minor quibbles in an otherwise solid read. Everybody Says It's Everything stays with you long after you’ve finished it, and I found myself reflecting on it even when I wasn’t reading. It’s a captivating story with wonderful character development and a unique cultural perspective, making it a very worthwhile read.

I liked the idea of this book and even the individual stories - but I found that the overall book was not engaging enough. The characters were one-dimensional, which at times made it difficult to connect with them. There were multiple perspectives and timelines, which I do not think fully worked in this book. The story is about Albanian twins, who were adopted by an Italian woman in a wheelchair. It follows them into adulthood and the very different paths that they take in life. The story switches between the past and current day - explaining why they each made decisions which led them to today;. The book unravels family dynamics, finding your identity, acceptance and multicultural differences. I loved all the themes of the book and I even enjoyed all the stories woven throughout. I just did not love the execution. I think focusing on one character's life experience would have made for a strong story and more dimensional character.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Set in the late 90's, Drita and Petrit (Pete) are twins who were adopted and raised in Connecticut by a wheelchair bound mother. The twins become estranged once Drita goes to college and Pete connects with Shandra, who is struggling with drug addiction.

Drita soon puts college and her bright future aside to care for their mother, while Pete disappears, leaving behind Shandra and their son.

Set during that strange time in the 90s before we all carried a computer in our pocket, and with the background of the war in Kosovo, this is a study in family duty and honor. Relationships are explored, as is the meaning of the word "family". This is a beautiful character study of a family in turmoil.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great writig and a talented author but I did not connect with the characters or story enough in the beginning. The pacing was strong in the very beginning but then tapered off as characters were introduced. The characters were well developed and felt realistic

This was a very unreadable book about sad and dysfunctional people. I suffered through about a third before giving up.

I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Random House, in exchange for an honest review. It was simply not what I was expecting from the preview.

I was intrigued by the premise as it follows twins from Albania that were adopted and raised in the US, removed from their heritage. It’s such a beautiful story about family, identity and the relationship you have with your country when you feel like you don’t have a right to call it yours. This had so many surprising elements and beautiful moments and it really stuck with me! I especially loved that we got to see their mom’s story of friendship turn to love and the unfair hand that she was dealt with her accident and marriage. I loved her perseverance and even though she didn’t necessarily make the rights decisions, we get to see her side of the story. I also loved Dritas relationship with her nephew and how it reflected the relationship with her brother. It was a beautiful book with an emotional ending.