
Member Reviews

I had to mull on this review because I think part of it was the story and part of it was the marketing. This is not a romance in any shape or form, despite what the blurb/teaser says. On NetGalley it was listed under romance and I think that had readers like me pick it up, when it really wasn't meaning it reached the wrong audience.
So there's no romance, oh well, I could closely relate to this book personally and vowed to give it a fair chance. It was really hard to root for Claudia, solely based on a difficult backstory. Her personality was overall really dislikable with moreso people picking her up rather than picking herself up. She was also quick to focus on the woman side of the affair and not hold equally accountability to her husband. I found that really disappointing, because while we got glimpses into their marriage I felt like the point of Maya being born to David leaving left me confused.
Overall, this shouldn't have ended up on my reading docket but I love a second chance romance and wanted to root for Claudia to find revenge and love which sadly this book didn't cover at all.

was absolutely unforgettable. I felt so emotionally connected to this book, especially because I happened to read it while going through one of the very topics it explores—making it hit that much harder. It was raw, it was real, and it stayed with me.
I loved Maya, especially her determination to speak English—it felt so authentic and heartbreaking. The scenes at La Placita Olvera were beautifully written. I could practically hear the music and smell the food. It was like I was walking right beside her.
It was also so relatable (and a little funny) how therapy is viewed in Latino culture—as something “taboo” or unnecessary. That detail made the story even more real. Rachel was the classic mean girl, always quick to judge, while Mercedes completely stole my heart. What a strong, inspiring woman.
And Gloria… the mystery surrounding her was so well done. I was completely hooked. The choice to call her Gloria instead of mom or mamá added such a powerful emotional layer to the story—it said so much without overexplaining.
This book felt like it was written for me in this moment of my life. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

This was my first read by this author and it won't be the last. I heard that this author writes beautifully deep & thought provoking stories and this proved it. This is a story about a woman suffering heartache from 2 of the closest people to her. She has to grow and rebuild her life while tryin to keep it all together. I just have 2 bones to pick. I thought this was a romance and it has romance in it but I wouldn't classify it as a romance. And I was not a fan of the relationship between Claudia and her mother.

The end of a marriage - cataclysmic. The end of a lifelong friendship - devastating. Both at once? Soul-crushing.
Claudia Torres is forced to navigate these pain-filled experiences after she learns of the betrayal of the two people who *were* the strongest pillars in her adult life. Her whole identity is left in shambles as it’s so deeply entangled with who she is as a mother to Maya, wife to David, and how her best friend Rachel perceives her.
When she faces extreme loss and the simultaneous return of her on again-off again mother, Gloria (abandoment issues), there’s no where to turn other than through the pain and trauma.
Although the premise is heartbreak and pain, Chavez Macias leads us through a story filled with healing in who we are - as individuals and in relation to others.
Readers might ponder:
How is our self-worth defined?
After being hurt by others, are we capable of letting others in?
When do we finally recognize the need for boundaries and what does it take to place them?
Who is worthy of our forgiveness?
What does healing look like for me?
Things I absolutely loved:
-Getting to know the character of Abuelita who was never physically present, but was spiritually present by memories. Memory is powerful and brings legacy and honor. Abuelita, although imperfect, captures the steadfastness and strength that many of our abuelitas hold for us, even if they come with a streak of corajudaness.
-Connection to cultura and community as a means of healing.
-Navigating hard shit while also trying to be a good parent.
-Finally a discussion on a return to the workforce after years of life as a professional domestic engineer!
And so much more. I encourage readers to pick up this book and embrace the rollercoaster, it might have just the message you need.
Gracias Annette Chavez Macias and NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a great book! It had a lot of emotional depth to it and full of plot twists and I could not put this book down.

This is a story of reinventing yourself after the biggest betrayal by your husband. He left her ghosting her. And when she calls her best friend, she has also ghosted her. And this starts a story of healing and coming to terms with a new life after the old one crumbled. Annette writes interesting complex themes in this book. The story is written in dual timelines with the younger Claudia and Rachel becoming best friends. I thought this book was well written. If anything, I just had a little complaint about Claudia blaming Rachel for the fall of their relationship rather than her husband’s betrayal.
This book would appeal to readers of Freida MacFadden.

3⭐️’s: Everything She Never Knew by Annette Chavez Macias is a reflective, emotional story about heartbreak, family, and finding your way forward when life doesn’t go the way you planned.
Claudia’s world is turned upside down when she discovers her marriage is over and her best friend is part of the betrayal. Suddenly, she’s navigating life as a single mom, trying to rebuild while keeping it together for her daughter. At the same time, Claudia’s strained relationship with her own mother takes center stage, offering both tension and tenderness as they attempt to reconnect.
The book alternates between past and present, giving insight into how Claudia’s current emotional landscape was shaped. While this structure added depth, there were moments, especially in the middle, where the pacing dragged and the story lost some momentum.
I appreciated the representation of Mexican-American culture and the weaving in of Spanish phrases and traditions, especially around Día de los Muertos—it added authenticity and a sense of familiarity.
The ending, while a bit quick, wrapped up on a hopeful note that felt earned.
That said, I was expecting more romance based on the way the book was marketed, but this reads much more like women’s fiction. Claudia’s dynamic with Nick was sweet, but underdeveloped, I found myself wishing there had been more connection or build-up there.
And I have to admit: I found Claudia frustrating at times, particularly in how she treated her mother. While their history is complicated, her mom was clearly trying to support and show up for her during a really difficult time, and I found Claudia’s responses occasionally grating.
All in all, this is a solid, heartfelt story about grief, betrayal, and healing. While it didn’t fully land for me emotionally, I think readers who enjoy stories about family dynamics, starting over, and intergenerational healing will appreciate what this novel has to offer. I’ll be curious to read more from Annette Chavez Macias, especially if she continues exploring these rich cultural and emotional layers in her work.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Montclair for the Arc in exchange for an honest review💕🫶🏼

The author of When We Were Widows turns to life after betrayal in this emotional, heartwarming novel about a woman whose marriage and friendship collapse all at once.
Thanks for allowing me to read this book!

Everything She Never Knew by Annette Chavez Macias is Claudia's journey of healing after her husband leaves her for her best friend of 20 years. Not only is she grieving the loss of a marriage, but also a friendship, when her estranged mother takes the opportunity to make amends for her failings when Claudia was young. Claudia strives to work through it all for the well-being of not only herself, but also her daughter.
This is a well written story of divorce, loss, and heartache. It was easy to like and feel for Claudia, when so many things were working against her, but she still pressed on for her daughter. This was not a romance though, and it gives the wrong expectations to the reader marketing it as a romance. Although there is some connection between her and her neighbor, it's barely even a subplot and does not evolve into anything.
I would recommend this book to someone who enjoy characters who overcome difficulties or is working through their own heartache. Thank you Montlake for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️
I really enjoy Annette’s writing style and am intrigued to read her other books! Claudia’s story starts off really somber with her marriage ending and closest friend betraying her. The character driven plot takes over in this book and at times I wanted a faster pace, so it did drop down in rating for me solely for that. However, there was so much depth and reference to healing/resilience here. The romance does take a bit of the side effect and isn’t the spotlight topic, but I enjoyed the hints of attraction and care between Claudia and Nick. This book was heartfelt and overall I enjoyed it!

4 stars.
I absolutely loved Annette Chavez Macias' novel "Too Soon for Adiós," so I was excited to read "Everything She Never Knew." Macias has her finger on the pulse of heartbreaking stories that involve love, loss, and growth, and this one is no different. Wow. Talk about a tear-jerker! This story weaves several characters and situations together in a beautiful, authentic, cathartic way. First, we have the relationship between the main character, Claudia, and her mother. Gloria. Gloria often abandoned Claudia when she was younger in favor of whatever man was in her life at the moment. Because of this, Claudia had a very close relationship with her abuela, who unfortunately passed away suddenly when she was a teen. Claudia comes to see that Gloria has had her life lessons and stories to tell and deal with over the years. The chapters go back and forth between Claudia's diary entries from her youth and the present day, when Gloria has come to help Claudia with her eight-year-old daughter, Maya, after Claudia's husband, David, suddenly said he wanted a divorce (and told her about it via EMAIL????????????????????? STRAIGHT TO JAIL, SIR). Not only did he ask for a divorce, but he also ran off to San Francisco with Claudia's long-time best friend and next-door neighbor, Rachel. Second, we have the blossoming friendship (and maybe more) between Claudia and Rache's soon-to-be ex-husband and neighbor, Nick, who find solace with one another following the double betrayal by their respective spouses. Third, we have the broken friendship between Claudia and Rachel, who was her platonic soulmate for a good portion of her life. The way their friendship is shown over time really got to me. Finally, we have the new relationship between Claudia and Mercedes, the woman who owns a shop in town where Claudia gets a job to help support her and Maya after David cuts off her credit card. I must say, I wanted to throttle David from the very first few chapters! Oh my goodness, what a horrific person... but so well written! I don't love how Claudia is much harsher on Rachel than she is on David (her own husband, like, blame him, girl!!!), but it wasn't enough to sway my enjoyment of the book as a whole. I think a lot of people can relate to a story like this, being blindsided in love with a divorce or breakup you didn't see coming. We watch as Claudia slowly rebuilds her life and her confidence over time. It's a well-written book, though not necessarily a happy one. I definitely cried while reading this.
Thank you to NetGalley, Annette Chavez Macias, and Montlake for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I eat up Annette Chavez Macias’ books in a DAY, so I wasn’t even surprised when I finished this one in just a few hours!!! 📚✨
She does not miss. The story pulled me in from page one, and I was all in for the ride—fully invested and side-eyeing certain characters 👀
And listen… I’ve got beef with Rachel. 😒 If you know, YOU KNOW. Like girl, please.
I definitely related to the FMC, Claudia—especially with the way she handled betrayal. Been there, felt that. Her strength and the way she navigated those moments hit so close to home.
This book gave me everything I needed—heart, culture, complicated family dynamics, and a little drama to keep me talking to the pages like they could hear me.

This is the kind of book that reminds you life can begin again, even after everything falls apart. Tender, warm, and wonderfully human.

The emotional depth of this story had me reeled in since the very beginning. This story highlighted the importance of matriarchal relationships among families as well.

I received this ARC from NetGallery and this book was so touching, hitting on all the feels of different types of grief. As soon who’s gone thru a friendship break up without knowing the why, it HURTS very different than a romantic break up and this story hit it on the nail. Very grateful for this read!! :)

This book wasn’t my favourite read. I liked her writing and would try another book by her but I just didn’t really relate to or care for the story.
I can imagine the heartbreak of finding out that your husband left you for your best friend and she portrayed her sadness and heartbreak very well.
I didn’t jive with her trying to blame Rachel for it all and not giving any accountability to her husband. The pain from your best friend from childhood running away with your husband would be horrible I’m sure but it’s both of their faults, not specifically the other women… it takes two to tango and she spent a lot of time blaming Rachel specifically.
I think it’s great how she said she wanted to be independent and not having to rely on anyone after being a SAHM for 8 years but the way she found her job was strange and even her being so open about everything with her boss felt strange. If she would have made the character her counsellor it would have made way more sense than her boss.
Her mom was infuriating through the whole book. Lots of people struggling with parents and situations similar to Claudia’s but her mom just drove me crazy. She would try to mend the relationship and then do something silly by recommending just “getting under someone new”.
I’m sure those who have been through similar situations or heartbreak would enjoy the book but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The true heart of Everything She Never Knew lies in its characters—Claudia, Maya, and Gloria. Brought together by the fractures of a broken marriage and friendship, their bond grows into something profoundly moving. What stood out most to me was the quiet, unwavering love Gloria has for Claudia. Through that love, Claudia begins to see her mother not just as a distant parent, but as a woman with her own story. That understanding becomes a powerful turning point in Claudia’s own journey.
Forgiveness is a central theme in this novel, and it’s explored with raw honesty. Claudia’s path is anything but easy, yet it’s her resilience that shines. She learns that falling isn’t the end—it’s the start of rising. By the end, she becomes a strong, self-assured woman who realizes she never really needed her not-so-best friend Rachel; all she ever needed was to believe in herself.
Annette Chavez Macias delivers a beautifully layered story of healing, self-discovery, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. The novel left me emotionally invested—and longing to know what happens next in the lives of these incredible women.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance readers copy!

A Thoughtful Exploration of Betrayal, Healing, and Self-Discovery
“Some truths don’t shatter you all at once. They wear you down, grain by grain, until you wake up one day and no longer recognize your own reflection.”
Annette Chavez Macias’s Everything She Never Knew delves into the emotional aftermath of betrayal and the journey toward healing. The novel centers on Claudia, whose life unravels when her best friend and neighbor, Rachel, runs off with her husband. As Claudia grapples with this double betrayal, she’s forced to confront long-standing issues in her relationships and within herself.
Claudia:
Claudia is portrayed as a woman who has always valued stability and routine. The sudden collapse of her marriage and friendship thrusts her into unfamiliar territory, challenging her to reevaluate her life choices and personal identity. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to navigate the complexities of trust, forgiveness, and personal growth.
David:
David, Rachel’s jilted husband, remains in the neighborhood, serving as a constant reminder of the past. His interactions with Claudia are marked by shared pain and a mutual understanding of loss. Through David, the novel explores the nuances of grief and the possibility of finding solace in unexpected places.
Rachel:
Rachel’s decision to leave with Claudia’s husband is the catalyst for the novel’s events. While her actions are undeniably hurtful, the narrative offers glimpses into her motivations, suggesting a deeper dissatisfaction and longing for change. Rachel’s character serves as a complex figure, embodying both betrayal and the human desire for fulfillment.
Final Thoughts..?
This read was quite an introspective novel that explores the hidden layers of family dynamics and personal truth. The author does a nice job of creating characters that feel real, with emotions that unfold gradually over the course of the story. While I found the pacing slower than I usually prefer, and some parts left me wanting more development, the emotional depth and themes of forgiveness and self-discovery still made this a worthwhile read. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a reflective tone, this one might resonate with you.

Annette Chavez Macias did it again! A beautiful, heartbreaking story, with historical elements of Los Angeles and Mexican culture and traditions spread throughout this book.
Navigating Claudia's heartbreak of losing her husband and her best friend was beautifully woven into the journey of grief, forgiveness, moving on and moving forward, her relationships with her mother and daughter, and finding the strength in herself. I enjoyed the jumping timeline with the diary entries. It made me want to look back for my old journals.
The history of El Mercadito and Cielito Lindo resonated with me because I grew up going there a few times a year. I also loved reading about the history of La Placita Church (Our Lady Queen of Angels), especially because I just baptized my son there earlier this year.
Like in her previous work, the author also includes details of Mexican food and I wanted to make molé while I was reading.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am always excited when this author announces she is working on a new project.
Thank you to NetGalley, Annette Chavez Macias, and Montlake for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!

Everything about this book is 5 stars! From Claudia picking up the pieces of the mess that David left when he left her, running off with her best friend since she was a child. To Claudias mom showing up after a wine drunk conversation and them attempting to fix their very strained relationship as Gloria steps in to help raise Maya as Claudia navigates her newly single life. I loved them learning about eachother and more about Claudias Abuela in turn, and setting boundaries in their adult lives while still accepting help and learning to love eachother. Claudias progression from the beginning to the end is incredible and such a huge F YOU to David and Rachel and everything about the blossoming friendship between Claudia and Nick, the exes, was absolutely a joy. Throughout the book, Claudia learns just what shes capable of, all while learning about her culture and her relationships and how those relationships may not have always been what she thought or how they seemed on the surface.