Cover Image: All They Ask Is Everything

All They Ask Is Everything

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Member Reviews

I was very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley but all thoughts are unbiased and my own!

I enjoyed this book! I know some folks may disagree with me, but I liked the characters and how realistic they were. Sure each of the characters some really bad decisions at points, but I thought it showed how they were human.

The story surrounds two young girls as they navigate through foster care. The book flips between three main women, Hannah (the biological mother), Julie (their foster mother), and Elaine (their grandmother). At points in the book, you see each of main women be put in situations where there isn’t a winning outcome for any choice they make. Because of these struggles and decisions the women have to make, you start to see all sides of foster care system.

I really was interested in this book and the whole time I couldn’t wait to figure out what was next for this family. Highly would recommend!!!

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I loved this book - the issues addressed in it to do with mental health, grief, and motherhood were so well written. I loved the changes in perspective between Elaine, Julie, and Hannah. The only reason it isn’t a 5 star book for me is because the ending felt abrupt and I felt there wasn’t closure for all the storylines that took place.

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This book was quite a ride that had me laughing one moment and tearing up the next. By the end I was doing both on the same page–oh the feels! As a father, I don't think I am the intended target audience for this book but I'm so grateful I got to read it.

The characters pop off the page with complexity and depth – the author does a lovely job of peeling back the layers of each woman (and the girls too!) as the story unfolds. After the first few chapters, the story ensnared me and refused to let go until the very end. I found myself emotionally invested in the fate of the children and the women fighting to care for them, unsure of how I wanted things to end.

I enjoyed the masterful balance between descriptive, elegant prose and a compelling plot. Each word feels meticulously chosen and perfectly placed, resulting in a reading experience that is effortless, enriching, and engaging. Unlike other books that juggle multiple perspectives, this one seamlessly transitions between them, leaving me eagerly anticipating each successive chapter.

I ended up staying up until about 2am to finish, unable to put it down. Reading on my phone, in the dark laying next to my sleeping wife, I wanting to wake her afterwards to thank her for all she has sacrificed and given to our family and our children. (I let her sleep and told her in the morning instead.)

This is not merely a story; it is an experience that helps you see the nuance and challenges woman face in a world that asks too much, doesn’t say thank you nearly enough, and often paints things in absolutes. It left me with feelings and a deeper connection that I will stay with me long after the final page.

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I wasn't sure how this book was going to make me feel because I was worried about the emotions it might involve. However I felt the author did a good job showing all sides of the story and made me feel for all the characters involved. It was a touching read, I'd definitely read more.

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I love a sweeping family drama, so I was very intrigued by the description of this book. So glad I picked it up, because wow, it was powerful. Seeing the same event from multiple viewpoints was such a clever way to present this story. I found myself equally rooting for all the women, even when it seemed like a positive outcome for them would negatively affect another. The commentary relating to foster care and how much more we need to do as a society to support families will stick with me for a long time. Highly recommend this book.

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I really liked this book! It was engaging from the start. I like multiple perspective books, and this one did a nice job balancing the narratives of these three women. I found that I was ultimately rooting for them all, even as I was frustrated with them at times. The story reads really quickly, but there's a lot of meat in there. A lot of things to think about, like what modern motherhood demands, the different approaches women take, and how so many people can fall through the cracks because there isn't enough support. But the narrative is never preachy! It's a "show don't tell" experience.

I feel like I'll be reading every Hadley Leggett book from here on out! Definitely an enjoyable, thought-provoking book, perfectly paced. And a perfect title!

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"All They Ask Is Everything" by Hadley Leggett is a poignant and emotionally charged exploration of motherhood, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds that tie us together.

At the heart of the novel are three women—Hannah, Julie, and Elaine—whose lives intersect in unexpected ways as they navigate the complexities of parenthood. Leggett masterfully delves into the inner workings of each character's mind, revealing their fears, hopes, and deepest desires with empathy and nuance.

Hannah, a widowed mother, is determined to provide a better life for her daughters than the one she had. However, when a mistake lands her girls in foster care, Hannah's world is turned upside down, forcing her to confront her own limitations as a parent.

Julie, single and longing for a child of her own, finds herself drawn to Hannah's daughters after becoming a foster parent. As she forms a bond with the girls, Julie is forced to confront her own insecurities and fears, wondering if she is truly capable of being the mother they need.

Elaine, Hannah's mother, is grappling with feelings of rejection and abandonment after being shut out of her daughter's life. When she learns of her granddaughters' plight, Elaine sees an opportunity to make amends and forge a new connection with her family.

As the three women come together in their fight to keep the girls out of the foster care system, Leggett expertly navigates themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of unconditional love. Through moments of heartache and triumph, readers are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of familial bonds.

With its richly drawn characters, evocative prose, and compelling storyline, "All They Ask Is Everything" is a captivating read that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. Leggett's poignant exploration of motherhood and sacrifice is sure to tug at the heartstrings of anyone who has ever loved and lost, reminding us that, in the end, all that truly matters is the strength of the bonds we share with those we hold dear.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

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This isn’t the type of book i would usually read, however, i am so glad i decided to step out of my comfort zone. What a debut to kick off the authors writing career.

It was beautifully written, heartbreaking, and weaved a complex story about family and parenting. It was told in three perspectives, but despite the, the story was easy to follow and it was clear who’s point of view we were reading from. This was absolutely brilliant and I’m excited to read what comes next from the author.

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I really was draw to this book with the title and the impression the cover gives you. It fully reminded me of how my life is going at the moment, with everything full throttle and 160% being expected from you, at all times and your mind running frantic. I am so glad that made me jump for this book as it was such an excellent and well written read. It is easy to connect with and really think about the way things are going. I found the flow of the book was so good and I just sunk into it, really taking in what the author was saying. Genuinely excellent.

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In this stunning debut, Hadley Leggett expertly weaves a story that captures the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, love and heartache that embody motherhood. The story unfolds through the lens of three different women at various ages and stages of life who only want to do what's best for two little girls. At its heart, the story delves into the mental and emotional complications of motherhood, especially the loss of identity many women grapple with after having children. However, Hadley Leggett doesn't give us a book filled with doom and gloom but the hope, strength, and power women find when fighting against all odds for the children they love. A beautiful story told at breakneck speed, All They Ask Is Everything is a must-read for anyone who has experienced the power of love amid loss and grief.

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I really enjoyed this book. I felt that I cared so much about Hannah, Wren, Ivy, Elaine and Julie that I couldn’t put it down. A great insight into all is not what it seems and I would love to read more from this author.

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I was hooked on All They Ask is Everything by the end of the first chapter. Due to their grieving mom's mistake, two young girls end up in foster care. They're taken in by a woman who wants to be a mom, and these girls are her first chance. A surprise visitor starts out as an adversary, but becomes an advocate. Naturally, the girls' mom is unhappy and resentful., until she realizes this is what needed to happen so she can get her life back under control. The whole book shows the good side of foster care, along with mentioning several times just how overloaded the system is, as are the people trying to work in it. It also shows that family is more than just the people you're related to by blood. Finally, while it's not directly mentioned, the mom comes across has undiagnosed bipolar disorder with mania and depression.

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A lovely story about love and care, growth and self awareness.

Hannah with her undiagnosed depression and messy life. Julie with her desperate desire for a family. Elaine with her strong sense of righteousness. Three very different women circle around 2 children.

From the description, I thought most of the book would be about each woman trying to get custody of the children, but most of the book is just about the three adults, their backgrounds and how they grow to understand themselves. It's only right at the end that it pulls together into deciding who cares for the children. So the book is much more about personal growth than child custody. And that's a good thing :)

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This is a beautiful book about motherhood. Wonderful characters on a difficult, soul-challenging journey. I felt as though I was living inside the book and wanted so much more of the world. The writing is clean, flows well, and is full of so many beautiful descriptions. Truly enjoyed this one!

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I loved this book so much! All of the characters were extremely relatable, despite their flaws and complications. As a mother myself, I found so much in this story to discuss. It's a perfect novel for book clubs, parents, anyone dealing with the foster system, and readers interested in complex characters and relationships. I couldn't put it down!

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Excellent story. The writing sucked me in. The topic is something I’m familiar with as a former foster mom with hopes of adopting. The author described the situations spot on. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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Thank you NetGalley for the ebok in exchange for an honest review.

I think it took me a couple of chapters to properly get into this, but I really liked it. Heartbreaking book of a fictional story that shows many facets of life. Parenthood, mental health, grief, and relationships, along with how the involvement of social services can affect all of these facets.

Wren and Ivy were adorable characters and you feel for them both throughout the whole book. I also really enjoyed Anitha, she was a very good supporting character. All in all, really good for a debut!

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Hadley Leggett's debut turns an honest, poignant, and tender lens on parenthood in its various forms. When overwhelmed Hannah leaves her young daughters unattended in a car while she pops into the supermarket, she and her kids are thrust into the world of DHS and foster care. And when foster parent Julie takes the girls in, Hannah and her estranged mother Elaine both want them back. But no one is a villain here, but rather three very different women struggling to do what's right.

At the root of Hannah's struggle is grief and pride, which is actually similar to her mother's journey and even Julie's. This book really rang true for me as a parent, and I recommend All They Ask Is Everything wholeheartedly.

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A compelling read that depicts multiple perspectives on motherhood with honesty and emotional intimacy, All They Ask is a smartly written, relatable, and unexpectedly touching debut.

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The kind of story that draws you in right away and stays interesting all along through deft use of multiple POVs that kept this reader wanting to know more. Enjoyable, heartwarming, and surprising. Brava on a terrific debut! If you enjoy a good complex mother/daughter story—complete with a bonus mom of a sort, no spoilers—I highly recommend this read.

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