Okay, I am hopping on the Emily Giffin fan train. I’ve seen her name on the Internet before and I finally got around to reading one of her novels. Of course, I chose the one that took place in Nashville.
I didn’t know what to expect for this read, but it certainly wasn’t what unfolded in the story. All I Ever Wanted touches on sexual assault, rape and racism, all in one story. It also reminded me of how much I do not miss high school and how evil teenagers can be.
Rating: 4.75/5 stars. A totally unexpected, great read.
Summary: Nina and Kirk have the perfect life and the perfect high school senior, Finch. He’s popular, smart, and has just been accepted to Princeton. Life seems to be working in the favor of the Browning’s. They are filthy rich after Kirk sold his business a few years ago and money is never an issue for them to get what they want.
Nina didn’t grow up this way though. She grew up middle class in Bristol, Tennessee, and every once in a while she has a little guilt about their lifestyle.
Then, their world as they know it falls apart.
This story isn’t just about them, it’s also about Lyla and Tom Volpe. Lyla is a student at Finch’s school and goes to a party at Finch’s best friends house one night. She gets uncharacteristically drunk and the next thing she knows conflict unfolds between the Volpes and the Brownings. Money can’t solve every problem. The incident that unfolds reminds Nina of something that happened in her past and revives the person she once knew herself to be.
I won’t spoil the ending but I wish I could talk about it with you because I absolutely loved it. Sometimes endings are wrapped up too neatly, but this one was perfect to me.
For Fans Of: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.
Where to Order: Amazon has plenty of copies for only $14. Click here to get a copy of your own today!
Mary Spencer Veazey 