Am I glad I read it? Ah, yes, the unfortunate effect of mismarketing. The publisher lists this book on Netgalley as, first, a romance. As a result of that, and the synopsis, I requested and went into this book thinking it would be a juicy, messy, angsty romance akin to the kind Regina Black specializes in. And it is, in fact, messy and angsty, so, I have to give credit there, I suppose. It is, unequivocally, not a romance, though.

It's not a bad book, not at all. As angsty as it is, it's also deeply earnest and emotionally raw in a way that felt sort of cleansing. It's also full of Mexican-American cultural touch points, and I particularly enjoyed Claudia's deepening friendship with Mercedes. The diary entries provide needed context for Claudia's fraught relationship with her mother and show the reader the invisible cracks in the foundation of Claudia and Rachel's friendship. Narrator Elena Rey does a fantastic job of bringing all the emotions of this story to life—highly recommend the audiobook.

But I picked this up thinking it was one thing—*because* I thought it was one thing—and instead it ended up being this other thing (general contemporary fiction, or women's fiction if you choose to use that term). I infrequently choose to read that particular kind of book, and I, frankly, would not have requested an advance copy of this one had I known that it was not actually a romance.

So, really, this all boils down to a mismatch between my reading preferences and what kind of book this is, courtesy of the publisher. Alas.

Rating: 🤷🏼‍♀️ (3.5 rounded up where applicable because of the mismatch)

Thanks to Brilliance Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for the ALC of this title, which is out on 9/16.

𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓝𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓚𝓷𝓮𝔀 by Annette Chavez Macias invites readers to gather hope and forgiveness in the same room for a long-overdue conversation with friends, family, or even themselves.

Macias is a masterful storyteller who pulls you deep into the plot and the chaos simmering beneath the surface. You stay tucked in, unmoving, until you know these characters as intimately as you know yourself. The writing is so good, you devour it without realizing you’re nearly done. That was my experience, at least—I read immersively between the audiobook and physical copy in under 8 hours while doing random chores and grading, and I was blown away by the colossal messages that hit close to home: mother-daughter dynamics, mothering, and relationships.

Macias is a new-to-me author, but definitely not one I’ll read just once. I love her warm, inviting style because she welcomes you not just as a reader, but as a friend or long-lost cousin she’s eager to hug and feed. This book wants to make you feel whole and wholesome by the end.
The epistolary format and dual timeline added depth and understanding to the storyline, the characters, and their pasts. Also, any book that gets me to hate characters immensely and ready to fight on the protagonist’s behalf is a win for the author.

𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓝𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓚𝓷𝓮𝔀 is more than women’s fiction or messy drama—it’s a raw exploration of betrayal, grief, and loss across relationships with parents, friends, and lovers. Love shouldn’t be hard, but this book shows how loving someone can bring pain we never knew or expected.

The audiobook experience is a great compliment to the physical copy and only heightened my experience with the book overall so I highly recommend listening to the book in this format if you can do both. The narrator did a great job with both the native language and the Spanish. Such a pleasurable speaking voice.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏷 #AnnetteChavezMacias #EverythingSheNeverKnew #HearOurVoices #HOV #LatinxFiction #womensfiction #BookRecommendation #BooksToRead #Bookish #Booksta

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

This book was an emotional and powerful read. It follows the story of a Hispanic woman whose world comes crashing down when she discovers her best friend has not only betrayed her by sleeping with her husband, but also fled with him leaving her to pick up the pieces as a single mom. Just as she’s struggling to keep her life from unraveling, her long-distance mother whom she’s never had a close relationship with—shows up at her doorstep.

The story beautifully captures heartbreak, betrayal, and the complicated bonds of motherhood and family. I really enjoyed how the author showed her journey of resilience, self-discovery, and the messy, often painful process of putting a life back together. The family dynamic between mother and daughter was especially compelling, adding depth and raw emotion to the story.

Overall, this was a heartfelt and moving read that kept me invested until the very end. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars!

I was so excited to receive this ALC from NetGalley, and it did not disappoint!

The Narrator did an incredible job portraying the characters, and making this book an immersive experience.

The plot development was so inspiring. As someone who has been through a divorce with kids, it was extremely thoughtfully described.
The lives of these characters felt so raw and real, this book truly brought them to life.

I'd absolutely recommend!!! 4.5 ⭐ rounded up!!!

This book started off strong and shocking. However the entire theme of the book fell flat. Nothing really happened, just the grief of betrayal.
The main character handled everything very calmly as well which was odd to me considering the level of anger that was to be had..
The ending did not tie everything together either, it almost felt like it just randomly ended

Thank you to NetGalley, Annette Chavez Macias, and Brilliance Publishing for this audiobook ARC. The following thoughts are, of course, my honest review.
So picture this: our main girl comes home, and poof—all her husband’s stuff is GONE. Like, vanished. Houdini style. And when she calls him, this man actually has the audacity to tell her to check her email. (Sir. Be serious.) Turns out, he didn’t just leave her—he left her for her best friend Rachel. Cue: “This call is for Rachel.” The dramaaaa. And the kicker? He ditched not just his wife, but also their daughter, Maya. Certified trash behavior.
Thankfully, this isn’t a book about chasing after a loser. It’s about healing, family, and rediscovering yourself when life sucker-punches you. Her mom, Gloria, shows up—complicated history and all—and we see their relationship explored through present-day tension and flashback diary entries. I loved the clever touch that each chapter opens with a little “thing she didn’t know.” Cute detail that ties it all together.
There’s also a lot of love for culture, tradition, and community—food, local businesses, Día de los Muertos, memories of her abuela—and it gave the story a warm, rooted feel. The female relationships are honestly the heartbeat of this book: mother/daughter bonds, fractured friendships, and the complicated ways women show up for each other. Yes, there’s also a clean romance arc (with Rachel’s very-blindsided ex, Nick), which felt natural and earned, but the spotlight stayed on the women for me.
The vibe? Hallmark movie but with cultural depth, heart, and a sense of real healing. I personally could’ve used just a tinysprinkle of revenge (I’m petty like that), but the emphasis on growth and closure made for a very satisfying, hopeful ending.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars) — Heartwarming, empowering, and clean, with all the “starting over and finding your people” energy you could want.

New author unlocked! I absolutely loved this story, the writing style is gorgeous, the way the author weaves heartbreak, self reflection and growth in a way I found myself getting emotional, this story explores several characters and situations but the mother and daughter dynamic will stay with me for a long time to come. I loved how the author portrayed the aftermath of what it feels like to watch your life shattering in front of you, how to come back from what you thought you once knew whilst also resolving pains from the past! If you want a tear jerker in all the best ways then this book is for you! I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Everything She Never Knew is an emotional, heartfelt story that really digs into family, identity, and the unspoken truths that shape our lives. Annette Chavez Macias writes with a lot of tenderness, and the way she explores generational struggles and hidden histories feels both intimate and relatable.

The characters are layered and flawed in a way that makes them feel real, and I especially appreciated how the story balanced heavier themes with moments of warmth and connection. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and think about your own family’s untold stories.

The pacing did feel a little slow in some parts, and there were moments where I wished certain relationships had been explored more deeply. Still, the overall impact is moving, and the writing is beautiful without ever feeling overdone.

A thoughtful and poignant read, perfect if you enjoy family dramas with heart and a strong sense of self-discovery.

3.75 ⭐️

Note to self: never, ever befriend someone like Claudia. Seriously—she’s an awful human being, and if unlikeable characters bother you, this may not be the book for you. But if you enjoy diving into the inner thoughts of a messy, self-important character (with a dash of romance sprinkled in), then you’ll probably find this entertaining.

I know that sounds snarky, but sometimes reading about a full-on hot mess just hits the spot. Women’s fiction can be hit or miss for me, but this one scratched the itch. That said, I still can’t figure out why Gloria would willingly stay friends with Claudia—you’ll have to judge that dynamic for yourself. Personally, I found myself siding with Rachel. While I don’t necessarily agree with what she did, I can’t exactly blame her either. Claudia is that insufferable. If the author intended for readers to sympathize with her, I’d say that part fell flat.

On the audiobook side, Elena Ray did an excellent job. Her pacing was strong, her voice acting captured the characters’ personalities well, and the overall production was clean and polished.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Brilliance Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

I received an alc from Brillance audio through netgalley. my thoughts are my own.
it's my first book from this author, and it did not disappointed.
this is a betrayal story, Claudia's husband and her best friend Rachel, run away together leaving not only a broken heart bit also Claudia's daughter Maia.

I felt a lot during this book, the stress, the sadness and then the loss and this is what I recall more of this story.
when you have a best friend like a sister, when she is YOUR person, the devastating feeling is overwhelming, got me really emotional.
I enjoyed the characters, Gloria, Claudia's mom and their interactions,they had an interesting relationship.
her boss, a truly friend and Nick, Rachel's husband and neighbor.

I was hoping more from Nick but I think this story was real and perfect as it was.

I really enjoy Mexican representation, Dia de los muertos and the beautiful way Claudia explained , also I was moved with the way Mia wanted to learned everything.

the narrator's voice was really good, 𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙮, did a wonderful job.
as a latina, the spanish parts were really well done.

Claudia had a beautiful life. She had a loving husband, the house of her dreams, an amazing daughter, and her best friend living next door. Everything changed when her husband sent an email. That email changed everything. She lost her husband and her best friend.

I couldn't put this book down! I was on a roller coaster of emotions. I was cheering for Claudia while she navigated her life as a single parent. This was a beautiful story of rebuilding, found family, and self-love.

Elena Rey did an amazing job narrating this story. Elena brought the story to life. I felt that joy and the pain of the characters.

Audio Review: Absolutely loved the narration in this! The brief Spanish parts sounded beautiful. Narrated by: Elena Rey.

Story Review: Claudia’s world tumbles down when her husband leaves her and their daughter… for her best friend, Rachel. Shes still reeling when her somewhat estranged mother, Gloria, shows up to help out. Having had a difficult mother daughter relationship with her mom always flitting off somewhere with a new man, Claudia is confused by her mothers apparent attempts at helping at with her granddaughter. She feels there’s something her mom isn’t telling, but what? Meanwhile, her neighbor Nick is reeling from his wife, Rachel, taking off with Claudia’s husband. At first there’s spite between Claudia and Nick over losing their spouses to each others, but before long, Nick becomes a helpful friend and is steadfastly there for Claudia and Miah, even when Miah’s father isn’t. - This is a story about loss, betrayal, regret, second chances and healing. While I enjoyed how it showcased the trauma and chaos such events bring, at times Claudia’s character was a bit much since she’s insecure and a deep over thinker. The one other thing that I didn’t enjoy or understand, was how Claudia and Nick went from being nasty and spiteful with each other, to him being her handyman and constantly coming over. I felt that it should’ve been a more drawn out transition instead of within a couple days, we’ve had a complete turnaround on both sides… didn’t really make sense to me. Overall, this story was enjoyable to listen to, but I felt the ending was a bit rushed. - 3.5 stars

Run Time: 7 hrs, 45 mins
Release Date: September 16, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Picking up the pieces of a life that fell apart is not always easy.

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 8 hours and 6 minutes
🎤: Elena Rey
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Format: Single POV/ Multi Timeline
I found the narrator to be clear and concise in her narration. I never had to adjust my speed and was able to listen within my typical range. I enjoyed the tone and tempo of this narrator. I enjoyed the pronunciation and mixed in Spanish in the novel. It was very well done.

Themes:
💥: Unconventional Mother/Daughter Relationship
💥: Loss and grief
💥: Finding yourself after divorce/betrayal
💥: Toxic Friendships

Representation:
: Mexican FMC and side characters
: Spanish conversation
: Teaching a child Spanish
: Dia De Los Muertos

🥵: Spice: 🚫
Potential Triggers: domestic violence **check authors page/socials for full list.

General Thoughts:
Claudia's personal life is imploding from all angles. And it is rough to watch. The author does a great job of immediately tying emotional threads between the reader and the main character by making her relatable yet level headed. Which pulls your sympathy from the first chapter while keeping her likable and relatable.

The book was a mix of predictable and mysterious. There was clearly a secretive plot surrounding the mother that I was able to predict the main idea of, but not the intricacies. So it kept me engaged and guessing. I was also able to predict where Claudia's character arc was going to go. But watching it unfold was both fun and interesting for me. The story and the jumping timelines from past to present were very compelling.

I enjoyed the Mexican representation surrounding the textiles and Mercados. Dia De Los Muertos and talks of Ofrendas was so refreshing and welcome within the text. I loved watching Claudia not only reclaiming her heritage in her grief but passing it on to her daughter. Lovely addition!

Claudia was a very layered and nuanced character. Watching her development through the novel was difficult. At times I loved her, was exasperated by her and was straight annoyed with her. However, I never stopped rooting for her or generally liking her. Impeccable character work to be able to feel so many things for a main character seamlessly.

The ending felt complete and wrapped up everything well. I was happy with how things turned out and it felt realistic.

Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC through NetGalley and Brilliance Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

EASILY 5 stars!!! This was so beautifully written, I am now making this author a must-read on my list to "auto buy." She wrote this book so beautiful, I was instantly drawn into it and felt like I was going through it alongside Claudia. It took a bit, but I ended up loved Gloria. Claudia and Gloria's character development throughout this book was so beautiful to watch blossom and grow. I loved Claudia and how the author showed the messy bits of life but also how STRONG Claudia was without knowing she could be that strong. This truly shows her grit and determination in the aftermath of what feels like your entire world falling apart. There were times I giggled at the funny moments and stuff happening, and then times I got teary-eyed by situations. This book had my emotions all over the place, but I truly loved every minute of it! The audiobook narrator did an AMAZING job of portraying the characters and feelings throughout the book, I just couldn't stop and had to devour it in one sitting.

I received the ARC Audiobook from Brilliance Publishing to listen/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.

Wow! So privileged to listen to this ARC! From beginning to end I was completely captivated. This story pulled me in right at the beginning. This narrator did an incredible job of making me feel every emotion. I laughed out loud, and I even teared up at moments. The character development was heartfelt and real. My favorite was watching Claudia navigate heartbreak, family, and second chances. I really enjoyed the spanish culture in this book as a Latina I was able to connect to this book in a different way. I did not want this book to end, I listened to it straight through, which to me is always the sign of a fantastic book. Thank you for letting me experience this one early! I definitely feel honored. Five stars all around.

Thank you Netgalley and Annette Chavez Macias for this beautiful audiobook!

I’ve never read a Mexican family romance book before and I am so glad I finally did! The story of heartbreak for Claudia in such a realistic but said way really was an amazing listen. I loved that her daughter Maya was so involved in the story and we saw the rekindling of the harsh relationship between Claudia and her mother Gloria!! Such an amazing read!!

wow. this book had me hooked from the start! annette chavez macias writes such layered characters—you feel their pain, their mistakes, their growth, and their love.

i felt claudia’s betrayal so deeply, especially with rachel’s actions and david’s nerve 😒. but the heart of the story for me was the complicated but healing relationship between claudia and gloria. seeing gloria own her past shortcomings and try to pour into her granddaughter differently really moved me.

claudia wasn’t perfect (her handling of nick had me rolling my eyes sometimes 🙄), but that’s what made her feel human. grief makes people messy, and the author captured that so well.

the audiobook narration was another highlight—the performance felt genuine and full of emotion, which made the story even more powerful.

overall, i just really loved this book. i didn’t want it to end, but at the same time i felt a sense of completion for claudia, for nick, and really for all the characters by the final page. another thing i appreciate about annette chavez macias is that her books aren’t overly long—they’re the perfect length to tell a moving story without dragging. this is the second book i’ve read from her, and it most certainly won’t be my last.

“How I got there wasn’t that important anymore. How I moved on from here is what I needed to focus on.”

I loved this book!

Whether you read it or listen to the audiobook like I did, don’t miss this one—it’s truly worth your time!

After returning home from the grocery store to find her husband’s toiletries gone and his half of the closet emptied, Claudia is forced to come to terms with her life being turned upside down without warning. When she discovers that her best friend and her husband have run off together, she begins the painful process of piecing her life back together. Now a single mother, Claudia must navigate reentering the workforce while coping with betrayal and unanswered questions.

This story is beautifully and realistically written. Annette Chavez Macias does a fantastic job of making you feel what Claudia is going through as she struggles to wrap her head around her new reality. My favorite parts were watching Claudia learn to trust and rely on the people around her again. I also loved seeing her reconnect with her mother and the other strong women in her life, whose support helped her heal.

I received the audiobook ARC, narrated by Elena Ray (also known for The Favorites), and her performance lent the perfect voice to this story. Once I started listening to this audiobook in the car yesterday, it was a struggle to turn it off. I finished the whole thing in less than a day. Her narration, paired with Macias’s beautiful writing, really brought Claudia’s journey to life.

This is a wonderful story of found family and rebuilding from the broken pieces. Everything She Never Knew will speak to anyone who’s ever had to start again. It’s a moving, empowering read, I can’t recommend it enough. I look forward to reading more of Annette Chavez Macias’s work in the future.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

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 finds 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, Brilliance Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.