I began All We Ever Wanted expecting a light-hearted summer read and I found myself having trouble putting down this thought-provoking, very socially relevant novel. It powerfully addresses issues that afflict our society today and will stay with you long after the last page. Through three alternating points of view and incorporating two generations, the readers are shown the downfalls of societal entitlement, indisputable class disparities and the manipulations that stem from them, the negative effects of social media, gender and class-based double-standards, and the effects of sexual violation.
Nina grew up comfortably middle-class, but enters the world of Nashville’s elite when she marries Kirk Browning. As the years go by, she realizes she has become “that wife,” the online shopping, yoga class attending, philanthropy gala attending trophy wife. When her son, Finch, is accused of sharing an explicit photo with a racially charged caption of a female classmate, Lyla, to his friends after a party, both the parents and the teens all have to suffer the consequences. Is he guilty or is he covering for someone? Who else knows the truth and is assisting in the cover up? The reader finds themselves questioning these very answers along with the characters as we jump between the points of view of Nina, Lyla, and Lyla’s father, Tom.
Due to the multiple POVs, the characterizations are well-developed and empathetic. Nina is put into the difficult decision of what to do when you believe your son is guilty. Do you support your family no matter what or follow your values? She feels much of the blame belongs with her and Kirk for allowing Finch to become so spoiled and, in a sense, lose sight of reality and morality. Tom is a single father who has devoted himself to his daughter and will do anything to get justice for her, despite her arguments. Lyla is a scholarship student in a prestigious private school making her way through the tumultuous emotion-charged high school years.
In the end, All We Ever Wanted leaves you with hope for the younger generation and a reminder that anyone can find the right path in life if they have a strong moral compass to guide them.
Nina grew up comfortably middle-class, but enters the world of Nashville’s elite when she marries Kirk Browning. As the years go by, she realizes she has become “that wife,” the online shopping, yoga class attending, philanthropy gala attending trophy wife. When her son, Finch, is accused of sharing an explicit photo with a racially charged caption of a female classmate, Lyla, to his friends after a party, both the parents and the teens all have to suffer the consequences. Is he guilty or is he covering for someone? Who else knows the truth and is assisting in the cover up? The reader finds themselves questioning these very answers along with the characters as we jump between the points of view of Nina, Lyla, and Lyla’s father, Tom.
Due to the multiple POVs, the characterizations are well-developed and empathetic. Nina is put into the difficult decision of what to do when you believe your son is guilty. Do you support your family no matter what or follow your values? She feels much of the blame belongs with her and Kirk for allowing Finch to become so spoiled and, in a sense, lose sight of reality and morality. Tom is a single father who has devoted himself to his daughter and will do anything to get justice for her, despite her arguments. Lyla is a scholarship student in a prestigious private school making her way through the tumultuous emotion-charged high school years.
In the end, All We Ever Wanted leaves you with hope for the younger generation and a reminder that anyone can find the right path in life if they have a strong moral compass to guide them.