All We Ever Wanted

A Novel

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Milton Bagby, Catherine Taber

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-seller.

In this riveting new novel from the number-one best-selling author of Something Borrowed and First Comes Love, three very different people must choose between their families and their most deeply held values....

“An unpredictable page-turner that unfolds in the voices of three superbly distinct characters.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

“A gripping, thought-provoking journey.” (Jodi Picoult)

Named one of the best books of the year by The Skimm.

Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. More recently, her husband made a fortune selling his tech business, and their adored son has been accepted to Princeton. Yet sometimes the middle-class small-town girl in Nina wonders if she’s strayed from the person she once was.

Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. His road has been lonely, long, and hard, but he finally starts to relax after Lyla earns a scholarship to Windsor Academy, Nashville’s most prestigious private school. Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in - and her overprotective father doesn’t help - but in most ways, she’s a typical teenage girl, happy and thriving.

Then, one photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame. At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together - all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.

Praise for All We Ever Wanted:

“Page-turning.... Timely and thought-provoking, it’s Giffin’s best yet.” (People)

“Giffin’s novel has style and substance.... Truly excellent." (The Washington Post)

“If you’re looking for a book club selection, All We Ever Wanted is bound to spark meaningful and meaty discussions.” (The Augusta Chronicle)

“A page-turning exploration of wealth and privilege.” (Entertainment Weekly)

©2018 Emily Giffin (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Stellar...an excellent page-turning story...a nuanced, thoughtful take on family and social dynamics." (Publishers Weekly)

“A compelling family story that brings up plenty of issues ripe for book group discussions.” (Library Journal)

"A timely and absorbing portrait of the complexities of modern life. This is Emily Giffin at her very best." (Kristin Hannah)

Heartwarming Story

The readers were outstanding. I enjoyed every minute. Hope to get more of her books!

Family Dynamics

This story is written in context of today's world and challenges. It is well done and the focus of sexual assault is incorporated but not overly graphic. The response to it is in tone with why "Me Too" exists today. Characters are well written. I only think a 16 year old girl in the story is more mature than most 16 years old are today. But it is a well done story I recommend.

Wow!

Listen to this book. Now. If you are a fan of Giffin and her ability to make you look at a sticky situation with empathy for all of the characters, this book is a must read. Her empathy for her three main characters—Nina, Tom, and Lila despite their often diametrically opposed interests in the book is what makes me love this author.

I would warn a reader that has past issues with sexual assault that this book may contain some triggers. I don’t say that to dissuade you from reading it. Because it’s very good! At different points in the book I was examining my own biases and assumptions.

Her Bst One Yet

Story was engaging and masterfully performed from start to finish. The complexity of the characters and the relationships that develop as the book progresses have a solid and honest foundation that capture real life at its best and worst.

Another Winner by Emily Griffin

I have been a fan of her books for awhile and this one does not disappoint. It leads in directions you wouldn't guess. Her books portray real life and not fantasies where everything works out like you hope.

Read this book

I do a lot of reading, much of which is via Audible. As a busy working Mom, audio books are easiest, and frankly I enjoy a book that is well read, with an easy to follow, engaging storyline, most. This book was not only well & thoughtfully written (with an ending that is also satisfying...without giving any spoilers), it was very well performed. My only small bit of constructive criticism would be for narrators to study a “southern accent” that is authentic to the city, rather that what non-southerners might assume is a generic accent. (As a girl who lived in Nashville for years & still commutes there, regularly, it’s a small, inconsequential pet peeve of mine, but not enough for me to give any less than 5 well-earned stars for the content and its delivery.)

Read this story.
It is well worth your time & truly a fantastic story.

Ended too soon!!

I wanted it to keep going and it ended. Great ending but Still Keep writing!!

Couldn’t stop listening!

I loved this book! It’s definitely one of my favorites now and it really made me think about what’s important in parenting my kids. Catherine Gabor is one of my favorite narrators, but the choice to use Milton Bagby as Tom’s narrator is bizarre. He is way too old for the roll. It just didn’t make any sense.

really good

loved the story. didn't go as planned which was nice. but like everyone else said, the man's voice was a little hard to get used to. otherwise it was great

great book!!

I love Emily Griffin and enjoyed this book! Sad it’s the last of her books, that’s I haven’t read. The story was great, but didn’t enjoy the choice in narrator for Thomas character. He had a great, deep voice, but it didn’t match character. His voice made him come off way older than he was. But over all great audiobook!