"All We Ever Wanted" was much darker than I expected. This book follows three characters- primarily Nina and Tom (not romantically connected). Nina is married to Kirk, a wealthy man who has changed over time, and is mother to the 18-year-old high school senior, Finch. Tom is a single parent to a young girl, Lyla. The two are drawn together when Finch posts a photo of Lyla passed out drunk with her breast exposed along with a racist caption.
At first, Nina cannot believe Finch has done this, but when he doesn't deny it, she takes a hard look at her life and family- not sure she likes what sees. As the case progresses, threatening the possibility of Finch's suspension from school and the potential notification to Princeton where he plans to attend, Nina's husband takes steps that shock her even more.
Tom is trying to do his best, working two jobs and raising his daughter. He is completely outraged and saddened by Lyla's reactions of just wanting to bury it. However, he knows the damage and is determined to stand up for his daughter. When Nina reaches out to him, they connect through this incident as she tries to help make this better and knowing she cannot. Lyla also appears in some chapters, giving us another perspective and fleshing out the story.
The story takes a lot of twists and turns as the aftermath of the photo continues to spiral. I would add some important content warnings for rape and suicide. This was not an easy read, and I would have liked some bigger consequences and outcomes. However, considering the way these things usually go, I think this is true to the way these incidents often play out. This book was not what I was expecting and was a much heavier read than I expected. This is a solid, albeit sad, book and was certainly an engaging, though difficult, read.
Please note that I received a copy through bookish first. All opinions are my own.
At first, Nina cannot believe Finch has done this, but when he doesn't deny it, she takes a hard look at her life and family- not sure she likes what sees. As the case progresses, threatening the possibility of Finch's suspension from school and the potential notification to Princeton where he plans to attend, Nina's husband takes steps that shock her even more.
Tom is trying to do his best, working two jobs and raising his daughter. He is completely outraged and saddened by Lyla's reactions of just wanting to bury it. However, he knows the damage and is determined to stand up for his daughter. When Nina reaches out to him, they connect through this incident as she tries to help make this better and knowing she cannot. Lyla also appears in some chapters, giving us another perspective and fleshing out the story.
The story takes a lot of twists and turns as the aftermath of the photo continues to spiral. I would add some important content warnings for rape and suicide. This was not an easy read, and I would have liked some bigger consequences and outcomes. However, considering the way these things usually go, I think this is true to the way these incidents often play out. This book was not what I was expecting and was a much heavier read than I expected. This is a solid, albeit sad, book and was certainly an engaging, though difficult, read.
Please note that I received a copy through bookish first. All opinions are my own.