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Nothing But It All
From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a warm and romantic novel about a marriage in trouble, two conspiring kids, and the meaning of long-lasting love.
After twenty years, the cracks in Lauren Reed’s marriage are showing. She and her husband, Jack, feel more like roommates than a loving couple. What they have in common are two wonderful teenagers, Michael and Maddie, and the same wistful When did it all go wrong? Now that Lauren’s decided to get on with her life—alone—divorce is inevitable.
Not to the kids. They aren’t giving up so easily.
Michael and Maddie have conspired with their grandfather to bring everyone together for a vacation in the family’s favorite summer getaway, a rustic lakeside cabin in Story Brook, Ohio. Awkward? Yep. A little deceptive? Sure. But as far as traps go, Lauren and Jack agree—the meddlers couldn’t have set one that was more scenic or filled with so many bittersweet memories.
This trip is going to be life-changing for the whole family. Fourteen days of hope, heartbreak, and unexpected possibilities—like maybe falling in love all over again.
After twenty years, the cracks in Lauren Reed’s marriage are showing. She and her husband, Jack, feel more like roommates than a loving couple. What they have in common are two wonderful teenagers, Michael and Maddie, and the same wistful When did it all go wrong? Now that Lauren’s decided to get on with her life—alone—divorce is inevitable.
Not to the kids. They aren’t giving up so easily.
Michael and Maddie have conspired with their grandfather to bring everyone together for a vacation in the family’s favorite summer getaway, a rustic lakeside cabin in Story Brook, Ohio. Awkward? Yep. A little deceptive? Sure. But as far as traps go, Lauren and Jack agree—the meddlers couldn’t have set one that was more scenic or filled with so many bittersweet memories.
This trip is going to be life-changing for the whole family. Fourteen days of hope, heartbreak, and unexpected possibilities—like maybe falling in love all over again.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2024
About the author
Adriana Locke
68 books14.4k followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.
She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.
Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty-five years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.
Learn more at adrianalocke.com.
She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.
Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty-five years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.
Learn more at adrianalocke.com.
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February 20, 2024Now available!
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Narrated by: Amy Hall & Ryan Duncan
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Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited
Amazon: https://bit.ly/44Wv6Nk
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/NothingButItAll
Audible: https://adbl.co/3OLLSK6
Narrated by: Amy Hall & Ryan Duncan
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3RjQt8p
February 22, 2024
3.5⭐️ I’m not sure how I feel about this yet…Marriage in trouble trope…I loved the kids and how they “tricked” their parents into staying together as a family in the cabin for 2 weeks. It’s sad that as hard as Lauren(Mom) tried to do everything for the kids and hide their marital problems, they knew she wasn’t happy and looking at getting a divorce from Jack(Dad).😔So they come up with a plan to try and force them to spend time together….
That is the HUGE problem…Jack stopped putting his family first and never spends time with them. His business comes first.
Jack and Lauren have been married over 20 years now and have teenage kids. Lauren is a stay at home mom and devotes herself to their kids and Jack. Jack owns his own business, auto shop, and the past few years he spends more time at work then at home. I couldn’t understand how a man could choose to sleep at his office rather than come home. I don’t understand how he could be so dumb and not see how he is missing years of the kids life. My heart hurt for Lauren. She is so hurt and distant with Jack that she is thinking of a divorce once the kids graduate…
Jack wasn’t a bad man, he just made horrible choices. He thought he has to work so much to provide for his family when all they wanted was him😔
I was frustrated with these 40 year old adults not communicating for years and allowing their marriage to crumble. I mean how can a 40 year old man not see what he is doing is wrong🤷🏻♀️ They do finally figure things out and finally talk. Jack does take responsibility for what he’s done and definitely makes changes so he is home!!
Anyways….it was a sweet read overall.
Absolutely no OW drama, Jack is so in love with his wife and would do anything to get her love back!
Jacks dad added some humor and sadness but he helped Jack see what was important in life. He did the same with his wife and doesn’t want Jack to make his same mistakes…
That is the HUGE problem…Jack stopped putting his family first and never spends time with them. His business comes first.
Jack and Lauren have been married over 20 years now and have teenage kids. Lauren is a stay at home mom and devotes herself to their kids and Jack. Jack owns his own business, auto shop, and the past few years he spends more time at work then at home. I couldn’t understand how a man could choose to sleep at his office rather than come home. I don’t understand how he could be so dumb and not see how he is missing years of the kids life. My heart hurt for Lauren. She is so hurt and distant with Jack that she is thinking of a divorce once the kids graduate…
Jack wasn’t a bad man, he just made horrible choices. He thought he has to work so much to provide for his family when all they wanted was him😔
I was frustrated with these 40 year old adults not communicating for years and allowing their marriage to crumble. I mean how can a 40 year old man not see what he is doing is wrong🤷🏻♀️ They do finally figure things out and finally talk. Jack does take responsibility for what he’s done and definitely makes changes so he is home!!
Anyways….it was a sweet read overall.
Absolutely no OW drama, Jack is so in love with his wife and would do anything to get her love back!
Jacks dad added some humor and sadness but he helped Jack see what was important in life. He did the same with his wife and doesn’t want Jack to make his same mistakes…
February 29, 2024
Audiobook 4 stars
Story 5
Nothing But it All is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time. At times I was smiling, other times I did get a little teary eyed.
After 20 years of marriage, Lauren and Jack are struggling and have been for some time. I could understand the struggle and the choices that were made. The story was real and honest. It delved into why Lauren felt so abandoned and hurt and why Jack was pushing himself so much. They were just lost until their kids and Jack’s dad get involved.
Highly recommend!
Story 5
Nothing But it All is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time. At times I was smiling, other times I did get a little teary eyed.
After 20 years of marriage, Lauren and Jack are struggling and have been for some time. I could understand the struggle and the choices that were made. The story was real and honest. It delved into why Lauren felt so abandoned and hurt and why Jack was pushing himself so much. They were just lost until their kids and Jack’s dad get involved.
Highly recommend!
Read
April 14, 2024DNF 40%
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The supposed hero checked out of his marriage and dedicated himself exclusively to work. At first, I thought he had a lover on the side to justify abandoning his family. Our heroine learns to be self-sufficient and not count on her husband's presence. The children get used to his absence, but they plot a reconciliation between the couple. I didn't understand why... but... whatever.
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The supposed hero checked out of his marriage and dedicated himself exclusively to work. At first, I thought he had a lover on the side to justify abandoning his family. Our heroine learns to be self-sufficient and not count on her husband's presence. The children get used to his absence, but they plot a reconciliation between the couple. I didn't understand why... but... whatever.
March 19, 2024
Gosh I loved this. This one is very close to a five star book for me simply because I was instantly pulled in. I developed a connection with each and every character - my heart was right there in the pages. This genre was a little out of my norm but I was not disappointed. At first, some of the initial dialogue I didn’t fully relate to but I’m glad those original thoughts get expounded upon. A simple yet compelling story.
“The magic is taking the time to have a conversation about something that seems insignificant and sending texts throughout the day, just to connect. It’s about ensuring that you give nothing but it all to your marriage, that you say “I do” every single day.” 🥹🥹
“The magic is taking the time to have a conversation about something that seems insignificant and sending texts throughout the day, just to connect. It’s about ensuring that you give nothing but it all to your marriage, that you say “I do” every single day.” 🥹🥹
February 13, 2024
4.5 stars!
A beautiful, real and heartwarming story of a marriage on the edge of collapse, and a couple’s fight to get back on track and find their HEA again. This is a beautifully written story with great characters and a gorgeous romance, and I loved this one!
Jack and Lauren have been married for 20 years. They have two smart and funny teenagers, but with Jack completely consumed with running his own business to support the family, and Lauren left to take care of everything else, they’re living separate lives. After years of struggle and loneliness, Lauren is finally ready to take charge of her life and move on without her husband – who has no idea how dire the situation really is. Until their kids conspire with their grandfather to bring their heartbroken parents together for a family vacation in their lakeside cabin for two weeks over the summer.
There is still a lot of love between Jack and Lauren, but life has interfered and they’ve both lost sight of each other. I could absolutely feel for Lauren, her struggles and emotions are real, and I could empathise with her anger, frustration, sadness and loneliness. She has lost herself while taking care of her family, and just wants her husband and partner back. And my heart ached for Jack, a man who knew he and his wife weren’t happy, but who is doing his best to provide for his family and give them a good life, having no idea how bad things actually are.
I love these two. I could feel how much they love each other, but how completely lost they both were in dealing with their situation. Lost in different ways, but they’re finally together and in a place where they can open up and be honest about their issues and how they’re feeling. And here is where their fight begins.
They’ve both made mistakes, and I felt so much for both of them. I could see where both of them were coming from, could understand how it got to where they were, and I was cheering for them every step of the way. I especially loved seeing Jack come to some pretty huge realisations, and I so admired how he accepted and dealt with it all, fighting hard for the woman he loves so much.
Their kids, Michael and Maddie, are fantastic characters, and I loved their interactions with their parents. And I loved that while their parents are dealing with their relationship issues, both of them have their own encounters with love over the summer. And Jack’s fabulous father is also along for the ride, bringing his own unique perspectives on love and family.
This is a beautifully written story, full of raw emotion, and I loved watching Jack and Lauren navigate through their challenges and find their way forward.
4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
A beautiful, real and heartwarming story of a marriage on the edge of collapse, and a couple’s fight to get back on track and find their HEA again. This is a beautifully written story with great characters and a gorgeous romance, and I loved this one!
Jack and Lauren have been married for 20 years. They have two smart and funny teenagers, but with Jack completely consumed with running his own business to support the family, and Lauren left to take care of everything else, they’re living separate lives. After years of struggle and loneliness, Lauren is finally ready to take charge of her life and move on without her husband – who has no idea how dire the situation really is. Until their kids conspire with their grandfather to bring their heartbroken parents together for a family vacation in their lakeside cabin for two weeks over the summer.
As much as the kids shouldn’t have done this, I’m grateful they did. It gives me two weeks to figure this out. Because I have to figure this out.
I’m not losing Lauren.
“We did this for twenty years, babe,” he says softly. “Pretty sure we can do it for fourteen days.”
There is still a lot of love between Jack and Lauren, but life has interfered and they’ve both lost sight of each other. I could absolutely feel for Lauren, her struggles and emotions are real, and I could empathise with her anger, frustration, sadness and loneliness. She has lost herself while taking care of her family, and just wants her husband and partner back. And my heart ached for Jack, a man who knew he and his wife weren’t happy, but who is doing his best to provide for his family and give them a good life, having no idea how bad things actually are.
It’s pure hell being around a woman you love so fucking much and knowing you’re making her miserable.
I love these two. I could feel how much they love each other, but how completely lost they both were in dealing with their situation. Lost in different ways, but they’re finally together and in a place where they can open up and be honest about their issues and how they’re feeling. And here is where their fight begins.
Having her beside me and not being able to touch her – being afraid to even speak to her – was an eye-opener. What is it about confined spaces that brings truth to light? Maybe it’s because there’s nowhere to go. There are no distractions available to avoid reality. There’s no running from what’s real.
They’ve both made mistakes, and I felt so much for both of them. I could see where both of them were coming from, could understand how it got to where they were, and I was cheering for them every step of the way. I especially loved seeing Jack come to some pretty huge realisations, and I so admired how he accepted and dealt with it all, fighting hard for the woman he loves so much.
“I’m not walking away from this … I’m fighting for her – for us.”
“What do you need from me, Lo? Ask for it. Let me love you like you want to be loved.”
Their kids, Michael and Maddie, are fantastic characters, and I loved their interactions with their parents. And I loved that while their parents are dealing with their relationship issues, both of them have their own encounters with love over the summer. And Jack’s fabulous father is also along for the ride, bringing his own unique perspectives on love and family.
This is a beautifully written story, full of raw emotion, and I loved watching Jack and Lauren navigate through their challenges and find their way forward.
4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
February 5, 2024
This book is my second "marriage in trouble" love story, and I never thought that this would be a trope that I could really enjoy it, but look at me now... I'm hooked!
There's something about a story that starts by showing you the true colors of what really happens in a relationship after the normal book epilogue... The struggles of the day to day routine, the chores, the family responsibilities that usually falls into the stay at home mom/wife, while the husband thinks that he does enough by putting food on the table and paying the mortgage, while also being absent from home.
It's not something bad, when you see that the deep love that led them to built a family together is still there, just clouded by all the things that they're wrongly prioritizing.
It's even better when they start to put on the effort to make it work again!
Jack did great by putting his priorities in order, and getting his family back together.
He was a great dad since the beginning, and he saw that he would loose his family, if things hadn't changed.
I loved how is both of them worked not only their grudges against each other, but also the mistakes that they made along the way.
It's a quick summer trip for their family, but that helped them to put everything into perspective, and I adore how fiercely they fought for their HEA.
The audiobook version made it even easier to fall in love with the Reed's family!
There's something about a story that starts by showing you the true colors of what really happens in a relationship after the normal book epilogue... The struggles of the day to day routine, the chores, the family responsibilities that usually falls into the stay at home mom/wife, while the husband thinks that he does enough by putting food on the table and paying the mortgage, while also being absent from home.
It's not something bad, when you see that the deep love that led them to built a family together is still there, just clouded by all the things that they're wrongly prioritizing.
It's even better when they start to put on the effort to make it work again!
Jack did great by putting his priorities in order, and getting his family back together.
He was a great dad since the beginning, and he saw that he would loose his family, if things hadn't changed.
I loved how is both of them worked not only their grudges against each other, but also the mistakes that they made along the way.
It's a quick summer trip for their family, but that helped them to put everything into perspective, and I adore how fiercely they fought for their HEA.
The audiobook version made it even easier to fall in love with the Reed's family!
March 3, 2024
I love a good marriage in trouble romance, and this definitely tugs on your heartstrings with how *real* it is. And I could really see both sides here ; Lauren feeling invisible in her marriage since she's been the one taking care of the children, the house and everything life entails while putting herself on the farthest back burner possible, and Jack for putting in all that hard work in his career so his family could have everything they could ever want, even if his dedication was the thing that was destroying his family.
I saw a lot of myself in Lauren -- I'm a housewife with three kids while my husband works-- and the very accurate description of eating a dry sandwich while you're hunched over the kitchen sink in the dark (which is usually the first and last meal of the day) because your focus is always on your kids and making sure *their* cups are always full, is the most realistic thing I have ever read in a romance. And yes, life is so exhausting and overwhelming, and keeping your marriage thriving on top of that is insane. So I really loved how Lauren stood up for herself and finally made herself heard after years of sacrificing what she really needed so her husband could have his dream.
That being said, I could never bring myself to resent Jack. Yes, he definitely took things too far, and he let things slide when he shouldn't have, but he really thought he was doing best for his family. He was so focused on building his career and having his wife and kids be so financially set that he lost sight of what was most important, but I feel like that's true for a lot of the men in our world -- especially since society has forced it down their throats that they must be the caretakers and load every burden on their shoulders -- so even though he lost sight of his wife, he was doing it all for her and the family they raised. I honestly couldn't begrudge him for that.
But I do wish there was more angst here. This book, for the subject matter, was criminally short, and very unrealistic that it took one weekend to help patch up everything that was wrong. I personally wanted to sit in the hurt a little longer, and I get thats a very *me* criticism, but I still felt like we just scratched the surface of this couple. I did love the grandfather, and their kids were absolutely wonderful, and I do understand why AL went the route she did, I just wish we could have seen them forge through BOTH of their emotions and see them come out stronger more on the other side.
That being said, this was still worth the read, and I hope Addy revisits this topic in the future!
I saw a lot of myself in Lauren -- I'm a housewife with three kids while my husband works-- and the very accurate description of eating a dry sandwich while you're hunched over the kitchen sink in the dark (which is usually the first and last meal of the day) because your focus is always on your kids and making sure *their* cups are always full, is the most realistic thing I have ever read in a romance. And yes, life is so exhausting and overwhelming, and keeping your marriage thriving on top of that is insane. So I really loved how Lauren stood up for herself and finally made herself heard after years of sacrificing what she really needed so her husband could have his dream.
That being said, I could never bring myself to resent Jack. Yes, he definitely took things too far, and he let things slide when he shouldn't have, but he really thought he was doing best for his family. He was so focused on building his career and having his wife and kids be so financially set that he lost sight of what was most important, but I feel like that's true for a lot of the men in our world -- especially since society has forced it down their throats that they must be the caretakers and load every burden on their shoulders -- so even though he lost sight of his wife, he was doing it all for her and the family they raised. I honestly couldn't begrudge him for that.
But I do wish there was more angst here. This book, for the subject matter, was criminally short, and very unrealistic that it took one weekend to help patch up everything that was wrong. I personally wanted to sit in the hurt a little longer, and I get thats a very *me* criticism, but I still felt like we just scratched the surface of this couple. I did love the grandfather, and their kids were absolutely wonderful, and I do understand why AL went the route she did, I just wish we could have seen them forge through BOTH of their emotions and see them come out stronger more on the other side.
That being said, this was still worth the read, and I hope Addy revisits this topic in the future!
April 11, 2024
Liked, not loved this one. I’m not sure I love the whole marriage in trouble trope but this was better than most. I like Adriana Locke’s writing, it reads so quick and it’s easy to get lost in her world and characters.
February 20, 2024
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, but not so much with a married couple. It seems like the hurt and bitterness are too fresh, too deep, and too raw to be resolved in a fictional romance. Leave it to Locke to disabuse me of my notion and make me fall in love with this entire family, cheering for them all as I blazed through this one.
Jack and Lauren may be married, but they’re living separate lives, independent of each other. They think they’re hiding it all from their family, but people see a lot more than we think. Their teenage kids, Maddie and Michael, conspire with their Pops to have one last family vacation before the bottom drops out.
Every year, the Reed family spends two weeks each summer at Story Brook lake, but this year Lauren and Jack have each decided they’re too busy and that the family won’t be going. Except Maddie and Michael manage to get their way, and Lauren and Jack find themselves arriving at the lake cabin separately.
There are so many things I love about this one. It made me nostalgic for family vacations from my childhood, and the locals and scenery were so vivid in my mind. In addition to fixing a marriage, we get a glimpse of young love, as well as some of the challenges older adults face, so the entire spectrum is pretty much covered.
This one is incredibly sweet, with pops of humor, moments of frustration, and a great big dose of heart. It will make you believe that anything is possible when desire and determination are backed by love. Charming, funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, you won’t want to miss this phenomenal second-chance romance!
Jack and Lauren may be married, but they’re living separate lives, independent of each other. They think they’re hiding it all from their family, but people see a lot more than we think. Their teenage kids, Maddie and Michael, conspire with their Pops to have one last family vacation before the bottom drops out.
Every year, the Reed family spends two weeks each summer at Story Brook lake, but this year Lauren and Jack have each decided they’re too busy and that the family won’t be going. Except Maddie and Michael manage to get their way, and Lauren and Jack find themselves arriving at the lake cabin separately.
There are so many things I love about this one. It made me nostalgic for family vacations from my childhood, and the locals and scenery were so vivid in my mind. In addition to fixing a marriage, we get a glimpse of young love, as well as some of the challenges older adults face, so the entire spectrum is pretty much covered.
This one is incredibly sweet, with pops of humor, moments of frustration, and a great big dose of heart. It will make you believe that anything is possible when desire and determination are backed by love. Charming, funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, you won’t want to miss this phenomenal second-chance romance!
March 4, 2024
OH MY GOSHHHH I READ THIS IN ONE SITTING + STAYED UP UNTIL 1AM TO FINISH + I LOVEDDDD IT.
Marriage in trouble hits such a tender spot in my heart. I felt EVERY-STINKING-THING with Lauren and Jack on this emotional rollercoaster of a book. Adriana hit all of her marks with this one.
Honestly, this book was so hard and beautiful and wonderful and bittersweet and SWEET and STEAMY. It had so many things to love/hate. Marriage-in-trouble is hard because the main characters are lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, and that hurt, the tension, the pining through the walls erected around hearts that have been bruised and beat up and broken, it captures marriage perfectly.
List of things I LOVED:
- Jack being jealous in the first little bit of the story (swoon)
- Lauren being an absolutely beast of a mama bear, working so hard for her kids and then for herself
- The meddling teenagers and the grandpa who needed to insert his own learned wisdom
- Jack doing dishes with his shirt off
- That the reconciliation was a forced proximity situation
- More meddling teenagers ;)
- When the fighting turned to breakthroughs and I just wanted to CHEER AND SCREAM with gratitude
- When Jack and Lauren rediscovered things they love about each other
- Jack forcing his help on Lauren
- When they start to believe the best in each other again
- The specialness of the lake cabin
- The memories
- The way that this family felt real and you could just imagine all of the ways that this fictional family felt so imperfectly perfect and real
Thanks for early access to this ARC via NetGalley to Montlake and Adriana Locke and her team! These are my honest thoughts!
Marriage in trouble hits such a tender spot in my heart. I felt EVERY-STINKING-THING with Lauren and Jack on this emotional rollercoaster of a book. Adriana hit all of her marks with this one.
Honestly, this book was so hard and beautiful and wonderful and bittersweet and SWEET and STEAMY. It had so many things to love/hate. Marriage-in-trouble is hard because the main characters are lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, and that hurt, the tension, the pining through the walls erected around hearts that have been bruised and beat up and broken, it captures marriage perfectly.
List of things I LOVED:
- Jack being jealous in the first little bit of the story (swoon)
- Lauren being an absolutely beast of a mama bear, working so hard for her kids and then for herself
- The meddling teenagers and the grandpa who needed to insert his own learned wisdom
- Jack doing dishes with his shirt off
- That the reconciliation was a forced proximity situation
- More meddling teenagers ;)
- When the fighting turned to breakthroughs and I just wanted to CHEER AND SCREAM with gratitude
- When Jack and Lauren rediscovered things they love about each other
- Jack forcing his help on Lauren
- When they start to believe the best in each other again
- The specialness of the lake cabin
- The memories
- The way that this family felt real and you could just imagine all of the ways that this fictional family felt so imperfectly perfect and real
Thanks for early access to this ARC via NetGalley to Montlake and Adriana Locke and her team! These are my honest thoughts!
March 4, 2024
Great review lost but book was a tad slow but a good read!
February 20, 2024
It’s coincidental that I read this book a day after my 11th anniversary but every word rings true! My goodness so many times did I feel like Lo! Marriage, kids, life, it’s all so hard to juggle sometimes! I don’t think I have ever identified with a character like I did with Lauren!
What I love though is that even though you could easily “hate” Jack, the way Locke wrote this book you don’t! You can see both of their points of view! The story was so realistic and raw. My heart was so broken for these two and I was cheering for them because I see my life in these pages and I wanted them to find their way back!
So many romance books are focused on the blossoming love. But what happens after you say I do! Is forever always followed through? Getting this glimpse of what comes next and how in relationships and life you grow and so that growth means adjusting and learning who each other is each day.
“The thing that got us through them was simple—we wanted to get through them. It’s amazing how far that one little thing goes.” Love is a conscious choice that needs to be made every day. Love is fighting for one another and being there even when it’s tough. Locke did a phenomenal job at truly showcasing what comes after “I do”!
What I love though is that even though you could easily “hate” Jack, the way Locke wrote this book you don’t! You can see both of their points of view! The story was so realistic and raw. My heart was so broken for these two and I was cheering for them because I see my life in these pages and I wanted them to find their way back!
So many romance books are focused on the blossoming love. But what happens after you say I do! Is forever always followed through? Getting this glimpse of what comes next and how in relationships and life you grow and so that growth means adjusting and learning who each other is each day.
“The thing that got us through them was simple—we wanted to get through them. It’s amazing how far that one little thing goes.” Love is a conscious choice that needs to be made every day. Love is fighting for one another and being there even when it’s tough. Locke did a phenomenal job at truly showcasing what comes after “I do”!
November 12, 2023
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke is a sweet second-chance love story about Jack and Lauren, a married couple trying to rekindle their spark. Alongside the romance, the book brings in some great parenting moments.
Jack and Lauren are characters you'll easily connect with in this easy-to-read, feel-good contemporary romance. The family dynamics and the chemistry between characters make the story even more enjoyable.
“I love you,” I say, tears falling freely. “But I feel so broken. I can’t break myself to build you anymore.”
While the overall vibe is light and fun, the story hits you in the feels towards the end, adding a nice emotional touch. Jack and Lauren owning up to their mistakes adds a realness that makes them relatable.
I really enjoyed how the characters grew, and the storyline kept me hooked. Here's hoping Adriana Locke brings us more stories from this world. If you're into heartwarming second-chance romances with a good dose of humor, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.
Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke is a sweet second-chance love story about Jack and Lauren, a married couple trying to rekindle their spark. Alongside the romance, the book brings in some great parenting moments.
Jack and Lauren are characters you'll easily connect with in this easy-to-read, feel-good contemporary romance. The family dynamics and the chemistry between characters make the story even more enjoyable.
“I love you,” I say, tears falling freely. “But I feel so broken. I can’t break myself to build you anymore.”
While the overall vibe is light and fun, the story hits you in the feels towards the end, adding a nice emotional touch. Jack and Lauren owning up to their mistakes adds a realness that makes them relatable.
I really enjoyed how the characters grew, and the storyline kept me hooked. Here's hoping Adriana Locke brings us more stories from this world. If you're into heartwarming second-chance romances with a good dose of humor, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.
February 26, 2024
don’t trust me I’m such a mood reader 💀
March 2, 2024
“If I wasn’t already married to you, I’d be figuring out how to be,” he says. “And since I already am, I’m figuring out how to stay that way.”
I wasn't expecting this book to be so sweet and fun, like I expected lots of angst due to this being a marriage in trouble book and it was there but there were also so many wholesome and adorable family moments which touched my heart! While Jack & Lauren were a bit too late to properly explain to each other their problems but I loved it when they finally tried. The communication between them was amazing and I could really feel connected with their relationship due to that. Also I loved how once Jack knew he fucked up, he started being better right away. He wasn't a bad person, he was just stressed and lost but I'm so glad that Lauren's actions finally gave him a wake up call. These two were meant to be and their kids were a delight! Maddie & Mike were the most enjoyable part of this book and the way the story also focused on their individual little side plots was commendable! It showed that they were not just cupids but normal teenagers who had their own struggles. Overall, it was a quick, fast paced and lighthearted read and was somewhat emotional too. But I admit, it wasn't as good as I expected it to be. So, it was a 3.75 star read for me.
I wasn't expecting this book to be so sweet and fun, like I expected lots of angst due to this being a marriage in trouble book and it was there but there were also so many wholesome and adorable family moments which touched my heart! While Jack & Lauren were a bit too late to properly explain to each other their problems but I loved it when they finally tried. The communication between them was amazing and I could really feel connected with their relationship due to that. Also I loved how once Jack knew he fucked up, he started being better right away. He wasn't a bad person, he was just stressed and lost but I'm so glad that Lauren's actions finally gave him a wake up call. These two were meant to be and their kids were a delight! Maddie & Mike were the most enjoyable part of this book and the way the story also focused on their individual little side plots was commendable! It showed that they were not just cupids but normal teenagers who had their own struggles. Overall, it was a quick, fast paced and lighthearted read and was somewhat emotional too. But I admit, it wasn't as good as I expected it to be. So, it was a 3.75 star read for me.
February 11, 2024
4.5⭐️
Nothing But it All was an emotional marriage in trouble, second chance romance. Lauren and Jack’s love story was filled with so much emotion but despite all of their issues they still had so much chemistry and connection between the two. This was so beautifully written and loved it so much.
Nothing But it All was an emotional marriage in trouble, second chance romance. Lauren and Jack’s love story was filled with so much emotion but despite all of their issues they still had so much chemistry and connection between the two. This was so beautifully written and loved it so much.
February 14, 2024
Listen...I didn't really know this was a trope I needed (marriage in trouble), but if Adriana writes it, I'm reading it. Period.
I think one of the most amazing things about reading romance books is it allows you to live in the world that the writer creates for a little while. Some are relatable, some are fantasy, some are just feel good reads.
Lauren and Jack's story definitely fell in the relatable category for me. My husband and I have been married for going on 27 years and it's so easy to put myself in Lauren's shoes. Seriously...so relatable. But, I love that they too stuck through it and the journey was so worth it!
I don't want to spoil anything in this amazing book...but I promise you it's freaking amazing! Jump in, hold on, and enjoy the ride...it's flawed and beautiful (but aren't we all)!
Favorite quotes:
"The think that got us through them was simple-we wanted to get through them. It's amazing how far that one little thing goes."
"If I wasn't already married to you, I'd be figuring out how to be, and since I already am, I'm figuring out how to stay that way."
"Don't get caught up in this performance-based lifestyle the world demands nowadays. The only performance that matters is the one you do with your family."
I think one of the most amazing things about reading romance books is it allows you to live in the world that the writer creates for a little while. Some are relatable, some are fantasy, some are just feel good reads.
Lauren and Jack's story definitely fell in the relatable category for me. My husband and I have been married for going on 27 years and it's so easy to put myself in Lauren's shoes. Seriously...so relatable. But, I love that they too stuck through it and the journey was so worth it!
I don't want to spoil anything in this amazing book...but I promise you it's freaking amazing! Jump in, hold on, and enjoy the ride...it's flawed and beautiful (but aren't we all)!
Favorite quotes:
"The think that got us through them was simple-we wanted to get through them. It's amazing how far that one little thing goes."
"If I wasn't already married to you, I'd be figuring out how to be, and since I already am, I'm figuring out how to stay that way."
"Don't get caught up in this performance-based lifestyle the world demands nowadays. The only performance that matters is the one you do with your family."
January 4, 2024
When it comes to romance novels, we always hear about the character's journey getting together, but we rarely get to experience what happens after they get their happily ever after. Now, I don't read a lot of marriage-in-trouble romances, but this one really hit me with all the feels.
After 20 years of marriage, Lauren is starting to question everything. Lauren and her husband Jack, have become more like roommates than anything else, but their kids are the glue that holds them together. And while Lauren is desperate for a change, poor Jack couldn't be more clueless about what's happening around him. As Lauren prepares for the inevitable next step, her kids decide to step in and plot to bring their family back together for one last family vacation. What could possibly go wrong?
Nothing But It All pulled me in from the very first page. Lauren and Jack's story was filled with so much emotion and definitely pulled on my heartstrings. You could tell that despite all of their issues, the chemistry and connection were still there, but Jack was going to have to really put in the work if he wanted to save his marriage. And with a little help from his father and meddling teens, Jack just might have a chance.
If you're a fan of marriage-in-trouble, second-chance romances with parent-trap vibes, you are not going to want to miss, Nothing But It All.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
After 20 years of marriage, Lauren is starting to question everything. Lauren and her husband Jack, have become more like roommates than anything else, but their kids are the glue that holds them together. And while Lauren is desperate for a change, poor Jack couldn't be more clueless about what's happening around him. As Lauren prepares for the inevitable next step, her kids decide to step in and plot to bring their family back together for one last family vacation. What could possibly go wrong?
Nothing But It All pulled me in from the very first page. Lauren and Jack's story was filled with so much emotion and definitely pulled on my heartstrings. You could tell that despite all of their issues, the chemistry and connection were still there, but Jack was going to have to really put in the work if he wanted to save his marriage. And with a little help from his father and meddling teens, Jack just might have a chance.
If you're a fan of marriage-in-trouble, second-chance romances with parent-trap vibes, you are not going to want to miss, Nothing But It All.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
September 21, 2023
LOVED!!
Loved, loved, loved. I could not put this down and a marriage in trouble trope? It’s been so long!
I was enchanted with Nothing but It All. Lo and Jack were going through so much and you are out right into the middle of it. You can’t help but feel heartbroken and hopeful.
The star of this book though!? Harvey! Oh what an adorable silly old man! What a character, I loved him and the kids.
The side characters are equally important as Lo and Jack and I loved all of them.
I feel like I want to just re read this over again to feel all the feelings I just did!
Bravo!
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to review.**
Loved, loved, loved. I could not put this down and a marriage in trouble trope? It’s been so long!
I was enchanted with Nothing but It All. Lo and Jack were going through so much and you are out right into the middle of it. You can’t help but feel heartbroken and hopeful.
The star of this book though!? Harvey! Oh what an adorable silly old man! What a character, I loved him and the kids.
The side characters are equally important as Lo and Jack and I loved all of them.
I feel like I want to just re read this over again to feel all the feelings I just did!
Bravo!
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to review.**
February 20, 2024
“Nothing But It All” is a captivating novel that unexpectedly touched my heart. Whether you’re a newlywed or, like Lauren (and myself), have weathered two decades of marriage, this book is a must-read. Beyond mere romance, it imparts profound life lessons applicable to anyone, regardless of their relationship status.
What sets this story apart is its raw authenticity. The painful realities of life strain even the strongest bonds, and we witness a marriage teetering on the edge. Lauren, who has devoted her life to her family, finds herself disconnected from her husband after years of juggling kids, responsibilities, and misplaced priorities. Divorce seems inevitable, but she hasn’t factored in her children and father-in-law. Enter a group of scheming teenagers, a cantankerous old man, and a husband unwilling to abandon the love of his life. Their shared connection, though frayed, refuses to fade completely. Can they rekindle their love? Are they willing to try?
Enter the clever old man who orchestrates an unexpected family vacation—a last-ditch effort to salvage their relationship. Lauren’s awakening moment arrives when she realizes something crucial is missing from her life. Something just for her, independent of her role as a wife and mother. As someone who once grappled with a similar identity crisis, I empathize deeply. Parenthood is a beautiful journey, but sometimes we lose ourselves along the way. Lauren’s journey resonates, reminding us that self-discovery is essential, even within the context of a long-standing marriage.
Lauren found a hobby she loved and made it so much more than a hobby. Similarly, I started a blog, and it changed my life. When your pleas for help fall on deaf ears, you learn to do it all. You lose yourself in the process of being everything to everyone else. Your existence becomes defined by others.
Jack, on the other hand, remained blissfully unaware of Lauren’s inner turmoil. His focus was on building his business, and over time, he and Lauren seemed to live parallel lives. The heartbreak lies in the love they still share, despite the pain caused by their circumstances. They love each other fiercely, yet their shared life has become a mere existence.
As I read this story, tears flowed freely. The dedication alone struck a chord deep within me. Sweet nostalgia mingled with my own emotions, creating a tapestry of heartache. This fictional tale felt achingly real, like a biography waiting to be lived.
Lauren’s thoughts and emotions mirror my own experiences as a mom and wife. The troubled marriage depicted here is poignant and raw. Lauren's and Jack’s journey takes us on an emotionally charged ride. Locke’s words resonate, emphasizing the importance of family love woven into every page.
Nothing But It All isn’t just the best book I’ve read in a long time—it’s also refreshingly unique. Its authenticity and relatability make it a gem unlike anything else.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
What sets this story apart is its raw authenticity. The painful realities of life strain even the strongest bonds, and we witness a marriage teetering on the edge. Lauren, who has devoted her life to her family, finds herself disconnected from her husband after years of juggling kids, responsibilities, and misplaced priorities. Divorce seems inevitable, but she hasn’t factored in her children and father-in-law. Enter a group of scheming teenagers, a cantankerous old man, and a husband unwilling to abandon the love of his life. Their shared connection, though frayed, refuses to fade completely. Can they rekindle their love? Are they willing to try?
Enter the clever old man who orchestrates an unexpected family vacation—a last-ditch effort to salvage their relationship. Lauren’s awakening moment arrives when she realizes something crucial is missing from her life. Something just for her, independent of her role as a wife and mother. As someone who once grappled with a similar identity crisis, I empathize deeply. Parenthood is a beautiful journey, but sometimes we lose ourselves along the way. Lauren’s journey resonates, reminding us that self-discovery is essential, even within the context of a long-standing marriage.
Lauren found a hobby she loved and made it so much more than a hobby. Similarly, I started a blog, and it changed my life. When your pleas for help fall on deaf ears, you learn to do it all. You lose yourself in the process of being everything to everyone else. Your existence becomes defined by others.
Jack, on the other hand, remained blissfully unaware of Lauren’s inner turmoil. His focus was on building his business, and over time, he and Lauren seemed to live parallel lives. The heartbreak lies in the love they still share, despite the pain caused by their circumstances. They love each other fiercely, yet their shared life has become a mere existence.
As I read this story, tears flowed freely. The dedication alone struck a chord deep within me. Sweet nostalgia mingled with my own emotions, creating a tapestry of heartache. This fictional tale felt achingly real, like a biography waiting to be lived.
Lauren’s thoughts and emotions mirror my own experiences as a mom and wife. The troubled marriage depicted here is poignant and raw. Lauren's and Jack’s journey takes us on an emotionally charged ride. Locke’s words resonate, emphasizing the importance of family love woven into every page.
Nothing But It All isn’t just the best book I’ve read in a long time—it’s also refreshingly unique. Its authenticity and relatability make it a gem unlike anything else.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
February 20, 2024
Two meddling kids and a meddling grandpa? Count me in.
Lauren and Jack have been married for 20 years. Two kids, a business, life… everything seems to come before their marriage for these two. As a married woman, I could relate to both Lauren and Jack so much.
Lauren is fed up with Jack not making their family a priority. Jack is so focused on his business, he doesn’t realize that he’s losing his wife and his family amidst the daily grind of trying to provide for them. When their two teens and their grandpa realize the dire situation they realize their parents relationship is in, they know just the place to help reignite the spark for their parents and that’s none other than Story Brook, a quaint little area full of memories from vacations past.
When Lauren and Jack realize they have been finagled into a two week vacation with one another, they have no choice but to confront their issues and they realize that they both have become complacent in their relationship to one another. Lauren is so sick of doing everything herself because Jack is inattentive to her wants and needs. Jack is tired of feeling like the bad guy when he does try to support Lauren so he just stops trying. But once these two finally get past the concrete walls they have built around their hearts and minds about their situation, they both realize they are the problem. They finally see how beautiful their relationship really is and finally are able to reconcile their differences.
If you’ve ever been in a relationship for a long period of time, you know how easy it is to become complacent in your relationship. But like Billie (Lauren’s best friend) says, relationships need a maintenance plan. I really ended up loving Lauren and Jack even though I thought a few times that things could have been solved if they both would have stopped and listened to the other. But when you’re in the hustle and bustle of the every day activities, sometimes you don’t see the bigger picture. I loved this book because it is so relatable. Any one of our relationships could end up like Lauren and Jack.
I love their meddling teenagers and the grumpy old grandpa 🥹 they really came out swinging for Lauren and Jack to reconcile and I loved that.
February 26, 2024
Beautiful telling of falling in love all over again
4.5 stars! When Adriana Locke was leading up to the release of Nothing But it All, I knew I had to read it, but when it landed on my Kindle, I avoided it for several days rather than dive in like I usually do with her books
Reason: I was afraid it was going to be filled with angst. I didn’t want to cry and I felt like I would. (I didn’t, and thankfully, despite Lauren being on the brink of ending her marriage, it is not an angsty book really at all.)
Jack takes most of the heat in this one (sins of his father’s example), but Lauren (Lo) is also responsible for her half and she comes to acknowledge that too. Thankfully.
The kids and Jack’s dad work and scheme to bring them back together and that part is fun. But it’s the work Lo and Jack do to acknowledge their hurts and roles they played in where they get to the brink, that make this book so special.
I do wish there was more of Jack’s voice. I think it would help so many of us to understand our own long term partners.
This book had so many reals along with the feels. I am turning around and reading it again to catch all the subtleties I always miss when I read a gripper like this one and stay up way too late in order to find out what happens.
And that, my friends, is the sign of a must read book!
4.5 stars! When Adriana Locke was leading up to the release of Nothing But it All, I knew I had to read it, but when it landed on my Kindle, I avoided it for several days rather than dive in like I usually do with her books
Reason: I was afraid it was going to be filled with angst. I didn’t want to cry and I felt like I would. (I didn’t, and thankfully, despite Lauren being on the brink of ending her marriage, it is not an angsty book really at all.)
Jack takes most of the heat in this one (sins of his father’s example), but Lauren (Lo) is also responsible for her half and she comes to acknowledge that too. Thankfully.
The kids and Jack’s dad work and scheme to bring them back together and that part is fun. But it’s the work Lo and Jack do to acknowledge their hurts and roles they played in where they get to the brink, that make this book so special.
I do wish there was more of Jack’s voice. I think it would help so many of us to understand our own long term partners.
This book had so many reals along with the feels. I am turning around and reading it again to catch all the subtleties I always miss when I read a gripper like this one and stay up way too late in order to find out what happens.
And that, my friends, is the sign of a must read book!
February 20, 2024
4.5✨
This story dives into the messy, beautiful reality of relationships, making you laugh, cry, and root for the characters every step of the way.
Jack and Lauren's journey feels like peeking behind the curtain of a real-life couple. From juggling chores to navigating misunderstandings, their struggles hit close to home. But what shines through is their unwavering love, even when it's buried under the chaos of everyday life.
Jack's transformation from a workaholic to a devoted family man is heartwarming. Seeing him prioritize his loved ones reminds us of what truly matters. And Lauren's strength in confronting their issues head-on is inspiring—she's not just fighting for her marriage but for her family's happiness.
The dynamic between the kids and their Pops adds a delightful touch of humor and heart. It's like watching a team come together to tackle life's curveballs, showing us that family is our greatest support system.
In the end, "Nothing But It All" is a love letter to second chances and the power of forgiveness. It's a reminder that even when life gets messy, love always finds a way to shine through.
So, if you're craving a story that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, pick up "Nothing But It All" and get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions. And a big shoutout to Valentine PR and Adriana Locke for the ARC—my heart is full, and my bookshelf is grateful. As always, all thoughts are my own.
This story dives into the messy, beautiful reality of relationships, making you laugh, cry, and root for the characters every step of the way.
Jack and Lauren's journey feels like peeking behind the curtain of a real-life couple. From juggling chores to navigating misunderstandings, their struggles hit close to home. But what shines through is their unwavering love, even when it's buried under the chaos of everyday life.
Jack's transformation from a workaholic to a devoted family man is heartwarming. Seeing him prioritize his loved ones reminds us of what truly matters. And Lauren's strength in confronting their issues head-on is inspiring—she's not just fighting for her marriage but for her family's happiness.
The dynamic between the kids and their Pops adds a delightful touch of humor and heart. It's like watching a team come together to tackle life's curveballs, showing us that family is our greatest support system.
In the end, "Nothing But It All" is a love letter to second chances and the power of forgiveness. It's a reminder that even when life gets messy, love always finds a way to shine through.
So, if you're craving a story that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, pick up "Nothing But It All" and get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions. And a big shoutout to Valentine PR and Adriana Locke for the ARC—my heart is full, and my bookshelf is grateful. As always, all thoughts are my own.
February 23, 2024
A good read that had me smiling.
March 11, 2024
I was provided both the print and audio ARCs of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
The narrators were fantastic, they really captured the emotion of Lauren and Jack. This is a fairly emotional storyline and good narration is key. Both narrators really brought through the pain, uncertainty, and love the couple is feeling!
If you have been married for a significant amount of time this will really resonate with you. It isn't easy to make a marriage work, especially if one of you is the default parent like Lauren. When communication between you fails, it makes this really hard to keep going especially when the role of primary care giver falls on the shoulders of one partner. That is the situation between Lauren and Jack. After 20 years of being the primary caregiver for their two kids, while Jack spends all of his time at his auto shop Lauren has had enough. She's given up trying to communicate with him because he gets defensive and shuts down. They aren't making time for each other or themselves, so their teenagers decide it is time to intervene because they know their parents still love each other. The kids concoct a plan to get their parents together for one last family vacation, and Lauren and Jack have to decide if their love is worth fighting for or are they willing to throw 20 years away?
I really loved Lauren and Jack. As someone who has also been married for 20 years I've had similar conversations with my husband about work, kids, and balancing the load around the house. You don't get to your 20 year anniversary without having some hard discussions over the years some really good and some really unpleasant. There were so many situations that I found relatable. I liked that their relationship was already established so we didn't have an insta-love situation, we had a realistic married couple that loves each other but has let life get in their way. They have to make the conscious decision and effort to spend time with each other, have the conversations and listen to one another (which isn't always easy in reality). They have to take interest in each others passions while still finding balance with their family and business commitments and their commitment to each other.
I loved this, it is relatable whether you are married, in a relationship, or not. I love the author's standalones just as much as I love her series. This standalone is perfect if you love second chance romances, family dynamics, and all the emotions. This also has great side characters to support the main characters as they rediscover each other and what is truly important.
The narrators were fantastic, they really captured the emotion of Lauren and Jack. This is a fairly emotional storyline and good narration is key. Both narrators really brought through the pain, uncertainty, and love the couple is feeling!
If you have been married for a significant amount of time this will really resonate with you. It isn't easy to make a marriage work, especially if one of you is the default parent like Lauren. When communication between you fails, it makes this really hard to keep going especially when the role of primary care giver falls on the shoulders of one partner. That is the situation between Lauren and Jack. After 20 years of being the primary caregiver for their two kids, while Jack spends all of his time at his auto shop Lauren has had enough. She's given up trying to communicate with him because he gets defensive and shuts down. They aren't making time for each other or themselves, so their teenagers decide it is time to intervene because they know their parents still love each other. The kids concoct a plan to get their parents together for one last family vacation, and Lauren and Jack have to decide if their love is worth fighting for or are they willing to throw 20 years away?
I really loved Lauren and Jack. As someone who has also been married for 20 years I've had similar conversations with my husband about work, kids, and balancing the load around the house. You don't get to your 20 year anniversary without having some hard discussions over the years some really good and some really unpleasant. There were so many situations that I found relatable. I liked that their relationship was already established so we didn't have an insta-love situation, we had a realistic married couple that loves each other but has let life get in their way. They have to make the conscious decision and effort to spend time with each other, have the conversations and listen to one another (which isn't always easy in reality). They have to take interest in each others passions while still finding balance with their family and business commitments and their commitment to each other.
I loved this, it is relatable whether you are married, in a relationship, or not. I love the author's standalones just as much as I love her series. This standalone is perfect if you love second chance romances, family dynamics, and all the emotions. This also has great side characters to support the main characters as they rediscover each other and what is truly important.
April 20, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
Marriage in trouble !
Jack and Lauren are basically living separate lives. Jack focuses on his career while Lauren takes care of the house and the kids. Along the way, they lost eachother and Lauren decides she’s better off alone.
Their kids and Jacks father suspect their marriage is struggling and scheme to get them both to their family cottage for 2 weeks!
Forced proximity forces Jack and Lauren to take a close look at the ins and outs of where they went wrong in the hopes of repairing the love they once shared.
This book is emotional and heartbreaking and absolutely not what I expected when we chose this for book club!
I was pleasantly surprised with the second half of the book and ended up really enjoying it!
Marriage in trouble !
Jack and Lauren are basically living separate lives. Jack focuses on his career while Lauren takes care of the house and the kids. Along the way, they lost eachother and Lauren decides she’s better off alone.
Their kids and Jacks father suspect their marriage is struggling and scheme to get them both to their family cottage for 2 weeks!
Forced proximity forces Jack and Lauren to take a close look at the ins and outs of where they went wrong in the hopes of repairing the love they once shared.
This book is emotional and heartbreaking and absolutely not what I expected when we chose this for book club!
I was pleasantly surprised with the second half of the book and ended up really enjoying it!
February 22, 2024
It’s about ensuring that you give nothing but it all to your marriage, that you say “I do” every single day.
When Addy writes, you get to feel it, go through it, and learn something from it. I may be biased for rating this 5 stars because I'm married (though I don't have kids and my marriage is at the happiest, for real) but it just really tugs at my heart to read something like this, or maybe I'm at that stage where I appreciate this trope even more now in my 30s.
Nothing But It All is so raw, real, and eye-opening. You don't just read it, you experience it. You read their story, go through the process with them and think "Am I doing this in my marriage? Am I not appreciating my partner enough? When did I start prioritizing work over family? Why did no one tell us that prioritizing marriage, kids, and life would be so much harder than bringing in the money? Am I being fair? Are my feelings being invalidated? Am I just overreacting? Don't I deserve enough?" You get so much thoughts like these and it's impossible not to be riveted in the story, because we all want to live life to the best that it has to offer and leave life in peace when we get to that point. It should be all about the quality of life over quantity.
Hoping for it all that marriages end up like this story, to choose nothing but it all.
The story depicts what battles you should choose to fight in life that matters the most than what're just irrelevant. Jack and Lauren are those types of married couples who are very overwhelmed with life's responsibilities—kids, career, business, parent—and it seemed so endless for them that it's difficult to prioritize everything at once. They are both at fault for their actions toward each other but you can see where they're coming from. It's not just black and white, right and wrong, or easy and difficult—it just is.
The story may seem like it's just a case of miscommunication but it's really not because there are some topics that are best left ignored until both parties are willing to set aside their differences. It's not just about communication—it's more than that, it's choosing to be present. Sometimes it's easy to leave the argument behind because it'll just blow up to resentments—I understand that perfectly well from Jack and Lauren's povs because in their case, their relationship is not their only focus but their kids, sick parent, business, and schedules as well. There really are some things that you need to figure out and realize on your own, to look back and assess where you went wrong or what you didn't do enough and that's not only on Jack's side but on Lauren's as well.
When Addy writes, you get to feel it, go through it, and learn something from it. I may be biased for rating this 5 stars because I'm married (though I don't have kids and my marriage is at the happiest, for real) but it just really tugs at my heart to read something like this, or maybe I'm at that stage where I appreciate this trope even more now in my 30s.
Nothing But It All is so raw, real, and eye-opening. You don't just read it, you experience it. You read their story, go through the process with them and think "Am I doing this in my marriage? Am I not appreciating my partner enough? When did I start prioritizing work over family? Why did no one tell us that prioritizing marriage, kids, and life would be so much harder than bringing in the money? Am I being fair? Are my feelings being invalidated? Am I just overreacting? Don't I deserve enough?" You get so much thoughts like these and it's impossible not to be riveted in the story, because we all want to live life to the best that it has to offer and leave life in peace when we get to that point. It should be all about the quality of life over quantity.
Hoping for it all that marriages end up like this story, to choose nothing but it all.
“How many times a day do you get so absorbed in something that you won’t even remember the next day?”
“You stop giving a shit about things that don’t matter.Tell me that you’ll remember to live your life while you’re living it.”
The story depicts what battles you should choose to fight in life that matters the most than what're just irrelevant. Jack and Lauren are those types of married couples who are very overwhelmed with life's responsibilities—kids, career, business, parent—and it seemed so endless for them that it's difficult to prioritize everything at once. They are both at fault for their actions toward each other but you can see where they're coming from. It's not just black and white, right and wrong, or easy and difficult—it just is.
The story may seem like it's just a case of miscommunication but it's really not because there are some topics that are best left ignored until both parties are willing to set aside their differences. It's not just about communication—it's more than that, it's choosing to be present. Sometimes it's easy to leave the argument behind because it'll just blow up to resentments—I understand that perfectly well from Jack and Lauren's povs because in their case, their relationship is not their only focus but their kids, sick parent, business, and schedules as well. There really are some things that you need to figure out and realize on your own, to look back and assess where you went wrong or what you didn't do enough and that's not only on Jack's side but on Lauren's as well.
Our bond tells a story of a family going to wild lengths to ensure it stays together—because together is the only way.
“The thing that got us through them was simple—we wanted to get through them. It’s amazing how far that one little thing goes.”
February 22, 2024
4🌟 1🌶️
So uhm, yeah.. this book made me cry. Haven’t sobbed unexpectedly like that in a while. I was crying in voice notes to my friends about what happened and how it hit me. They were all so concerned for me, it was bad. I was a mess, straight up. 😅
So thanks, Adriana for hurting me the way you did, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill. 😂😂
Back to the book though, so uhm yeah clearly I liked it, and clearly it hit me in my feels. This is a marriage in trouble trope, which was new to me. I think Adriana did a phenomenal job with the trope (see previous comments about losing my 💩). You could feel how much Jack and Lauren loved each other and really still wanted each other. Sometimes life and goals, and other things get in the way and sometimes it can really impact your relationships if you’re not careful and you’re not communicating effectively. I was just really rooting for Lauren and Jack to find their groove again, throughout the book.
Listened to the audiobook as well, and loved the narrators performances for the characters. They nailed it. It’s probably another big reason why I broke down the way I did. They played their characters so well, that it resonated with me, and I couldn’t hold back the tears.
Highly recommend this if you love marriage in trouble, redemption stories that captivate your heart. 💕
So uhm, yeah.. this book made me cry. Haven’t sobbed unexpectedly like that in a while. I was crying in voice notes to my friends about what happened and how it hit me. They were all so concerned for me, it was bad. I was a mess, straight up. 😅
So thanks, Adriana for hurting me the way you did, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill. 😂😂
Back to the book though, so uhm yeah clearly I liked it, and clearly it hit me in my feels. This is a marriage in trouble trope, which was new to me. I think Adriana did a phenomenal job with the trope (see previous comments about losing my 💩). You could feel how much Jack and Lauren loved each other and really still wanted each other. Sometimes life and goals, and other things get in the way and sometimes it can really impact your relationships if you’re not careful and you’re not communicating effectively. I was just really rooting for Lauren and Jack to find their groove again, throughout the book.
Listened to the audiobook as well, and loved the narrators performances for the characters. They nailed it. It’s probably another big reason why I broke down the way I did. They played their characters so well, that it resonated with me, and I couldn’t hold back the tears.
Highly recommend this if you love marriage in trouble, redemption stories that captivate your heart. 💕
February 20, 2024
Lauren has spent the last two decades dedicated to her husband the family they have created but she feels like she is doing it alone. She loves her children and her husband Jack but feels like she is not a priority, and it has reached a breaking point. She isn’t certain what could possibly change in two weeks of forced proximity when her husband doesn’t seem to understand how she feels.
Jack is blindsided by the new that Lauren wants to separate. Even though their relationship has some challenges he believed that he was doing what a husband was supposed to be doing and that was financially supporting his family. This is a wake-up call of how distant he and Lauren have become, and he is determined to reclaim her heart and his family.
Marriage and life can be challenging, and it is easy to become sidetracked by the little things and lose sight of what is important and that is the people you love. Seeing Lauren and Jack understand where they went wrong and recapture the love they shared is sure to touch your heart.
Jack is blindsided by the new that Lauren wants to separate. Even though their relationship has some challenges he believed that he was doing what a husband was supposed to be doing and that was financially supporting his family. This is a wake-up call of how distant he and Lauren have become, and he is determined to reclaim her heart and his family.
Marriage and life can be challenging, and it is easy to become sidetracked by the little things and lose sight of what is important and that is the people you love. Seeing Lauren and Jack understand where they went wrong and recapture the love they shared is sure to touch your heart.
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