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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
I actually took a whole day just to think before I rated this book. Listening to it, I honestly was so drawn and touched by the story. I’m not going to lie….my own life and personality parallel Lexi’s. So that may be what made me feel so connected to the story.
I was cheering for her the whole time to overcome all of the obstacles holding her back. This book may not be for everyone. I read all the bad reviews but I went into expecting absolutely nothing, and walked out of it extremely happy with the whole book.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.
I was cheering for her the whole time to overcome all of the obstacles holding her back. This book may not be for everyone. I read all the bad reviews but I went into expecting absolutely nothing, and walked out of it extremely happy with the whole book.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Everything We Never Knew" starts off with a fantastic concept — Lexi, after one shared look with a stranger, suddenly feels the taste of sea water rush into her mouth, accompanied by panicked shouts and an intense feeling of drowning. She later learns the man's family drowned in a boating accident. As the next days and weeks unfold, these moments of empathetic knowledge continue to strike her.
I absolutely loved this intro and felt immediately intrigued, but I'll admit that the book went downhill from there. What could have been a fun exploration of different characters and the unique weight of their lives — or perhaps even a deep dive into how Lexi's unusual gift might influence others — instead becomes a bit of a tiresome slog through the main character's self discovery, maternal relationship, and recovery from miscarriage. I think I would been much more engaged in this book if her power had been flexed externally more and explored internally less. Lexi's past trauma could have been poignant but came off as trite when mixed with the theme of energy healing. I also struggled with Lexi's relationship with her husband — it was lacking the depth it needed for me to care what happened to them; they could have stayed together or decided to divorce and I think I would have felt the same.
Ultimately, it feels like the author visited a new age spa, had a deeply personal experience, and tried to craft that into a book. Alas, most personal experiences are exceptionally difficult to translate into universal appeal.
On a more positive note, let's talk about this absolutely gorgeous cover art, which drew me in and will definitely result in some impulse readers. I did enjoy the breezy voice of this book, and the narrator did a wonderful job with the audiobook production.
Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
I absolutely loved this intro and felt immediately intrigued, but I'll admit that the book went downhill from there. What could have been a fun exploration of different characters and the unique weight of their lives — or perhaps even a deep dive into how Lexi's unusual gift might influence others — instead becomes a bit of a tiresome slog through the main character's self discovery, maternal relationship, and recovery from miscarriage. I think I would been much more engaged in this book if her power had been flexed externally more and explored internally less. Lexi's past trauma could have been poignant but came off as trite when mixed with the theme of energy healing. I also struggled with Lexi's relationship with her husband — it was lacking the depth it needed for me to care what happened to them; they could have stayed together or decided to divorce and I think I would have felt the same.
Ultimately, it feels like the author visited a new age spa, had a deeply personal experience, and tried to craft that into a book. Alas, most personal experiences are exceptionally difficult to translate into universal appeal.
On a more positive note, let's talk about this absolutely gorgeous cover art, which drew me in and will definitely result in some impulse readers. I did enjoy the breezy voice of this book, and the narrator did a wonderful job with the audiobook production.
Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual assault
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This a supernatural fiction with heavy topics sprinkled in including miscarriage, gender discrimination in the work place and traumatic death. There is also strong female friendship. The FMC is able to read energy and auras as well as feel other people’s emotions and glimpse into their private lives. It’s definitely well written and the concept is unique. The overall theme of the book is healing.
The author narrates the book herself and her voice is very monotone and lacks the emotional depth needed at certain times. There is a great deal character/emotional growth throughout the story.
The premise is intriguing however many times the story did not hold my attention. Unfortunately the novel did not meet its full potential.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Title: Everything We Never Knew
Author: Julianne Hough & Ellen Goodlett
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from Sourcebooks Landmark and RBmedia respectively via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Unique • Atmospheric • Healing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
On stage at an awards banquet is the last place Lexi Cole expected to drown. But as she accepts the award for top-seller at her realty firm, something unusual catches Lexi's eye: a man surrounded by a dark haze. Then she hears a woman screaming for help, and the taste of saltwater overwhelms her. Just as Lexi's throat begins to close, the man leaves the room and the sensation of drowning abruptly stops. Later that night, the man dies of an overdose, and Lexi learns about the traumatic boating accident that killed his sons and tore his family apart.
Lexi wants to believe it's a bizarre coincidence. Any other explanation would disrupt the normal, comfortable life she's worked so hard to build. Lexi is an expert at denial, a pro at fitting in. But as more strange events unfold, Lexi can't deny the truth: something is changing inside her. She feels other people's emotions, sometimes even glimpses their private memories.
By embracing her new abilities, Lexi can help heal people--though not until she confronts the past she's spent a lifetime burying. But when a vision reveals her husband is in danger, Lexi must decide: face her inner demons or lose the person she loves most.
💭 T H O U G H T S
When I first head Julianne Hough was publishing a novel, I instantly knew I would want to read it. While I don't consider myself a huge fan, I have always been drawn to her personality and listened to her music. The cover and synopsis sealed the deal for me.
Everything We Never Knew came across as a deeply personal narrative - at times I had to remind myself it wasn't Julianne's memoir. What started out highly engaging, soon turned into a plot that struggled to hold my attention. Lexi experiences bouts of survivour's guilt and anxiety. It's a story of finding oneself and the going through the process of deep healing. Lexi's character growth leapt off the page and is the true strength. I appreciated learning about the Saturn return.
Julianne narrates the audiobook herself. While the pacing and intonation suited the plot quite well. the narration truly lacked the emotional depth of the complex storyline. I expected much more emotion in voice and atmosphere from such a deeply personal story, especially one about healing.
I had incredibly high hopes for Everything We Never Knew that unfortunately were not met. It ended up being meh despite containing such a unique concept and content. Additionally, the ending felt like it cut short a story because the word count was reached. With that said, it is unlike anything I've read before, so kudos to the authors for stepping outside of the mainstream.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• the spiritual world
• unique plotlines
• witchy vibes
⚠️ CW: infertility, miscarriage, blood, toxic familial relationship, child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, death, child death, boating accident, drowning, overdose, mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You learn to hear the blank spaces in other people's stories when you insert them in your own."
"We want to believe we're in control so badly that we convince ourselves everything is our fault. Because the alternative - the world being totally random and our of our hands - is terrifying."
"You hate the new shape of the world, but you accept it anyway."
Author: Julianne Hough & Ellen Goodlett
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from Sourcebooks Landmark and RBmedia respectively via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Unique • Atmospheric • Healing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
On stage at an awards banquet is the last place Lexi Cole expected to drown. But as she accepts the award for top-seller at her realty firm, something unusual catches Lexi's eye: a man surrounded by a dark haze. Then she hears a woman screaming for help, and the taste of saltwater overwhelms her. Just as Lexi's throat begins to close, the man leaves the room and the sensation of drowning abruptly stops. Later that night, the man dies of an overdose, and Lexi learns about the traumatic boating accident that killed his sons and tore his family apart.
Lexi wants to believe it's a bizarre coincidence. Any other explanation would disrupt the normal, comfortable life she's worked so hard to build. Lexi is an expert at denial, a pro at fitting in. But as more strange events unfold, Lexi can't deny the truth: something is changing inside her. She feels other people's emotions, sometimes even glimpses their private memories.
By embracing her new abilities, Lexi can help heal people--though not until she confronts the past she's spent a lifetime burying. But when a vision reveals her husband is in danger, Lexi must decide: face her inner demons or lose the person she loves most.
💭 T H O U G H T S
When I first head Julianne Hough was publishing a novel, I instantly knew I would want to read it. While I don't consider myself a huge fan, I have always been drawn to her personality and listened to her music. The cover and synopsis sealed the deal for me.
Everything We Never Knew came across as a deeply personal narrative - at times I had to remind myself it wasn't Julianne's memoir. What started out highly engaging, soon turned into a plot that struggled to hold my attention. Lexi experiences bouts of survivour's guilt and anxiety. It's a story of finding oneself and the going through the process of deep healing. Lexi's character growth leapt off the page and is the true strength. I appreciated learning about the Saturn return.
Julianne narrates the audiobook herself. While the pacing and intonation suited the plot quite well. the narration truly lacked the emotional depth of the complex storyline. I expected much more emotion in voice and atmosphere from such a deeply personal story, especially one about healing.
I had incredibly high hopes for Everything We Never Knew that unfortunately were not met. It ended up being meh despite containing such a unique concept and content. Additionally, the ending felt like it cut short a story because the word count was reached. With that said, it is unlike anything I've read before, so kudos to the authors for stepping outside of the mainstream.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• the spiritual world
• unique plotlines
• witchy vibes
⚠️ CW: infertility, miscarriage, blood, toxic familial relationship, child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, death, child death, boating accident, drowning, overdose, mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You learn to hear the blank spaces in other people's stories when you insert them in your own."
"We want to believe we're in control so badly that we convince ourselves everything is our fault. Because the alternative - the world being totally random and our of our hands - is terrifying."
"You hate the new shape of the world, but you accept it anyway."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
toxic familial relationship, boating accident, drowning, overdose
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated