Book Review of All That We Are by Mariah Stewart

 

Name of Book: All That We Are

Author: Mariah Stewart

ISBN: 978-1542039635

Publisher: Montlake

Part of a Series: Wyndham Beach Series

Type of book: Women's fiction, heroines in fifties, surprises, taking care of children, family, friendship, weddings, beach,  art, budding romance, secrets 

Year it was published: 2022

Summary:

A hopeful and emotional novel about twists of fate, enduring friendships, and life’s never-ending surprises by New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart.

In the decade since Emma Dean’s husband died, she’s maintained a peaceful and organized life in her hometown of Wyndham Beach—until she finds evidence of her husband’s longtime affair. How, Emma wonders, can a man who’s been gone for ten years still break her heart?

Still reeling from the betrayal, Emma must focus on the group of artists she’s invited to take up residence at the art center she founded, one of whom is secretly seeking refuge from her abusive ex. Toss in a charming businessman who’s returned to town with eyes for only Emma, and it’s becoming a most interesting summer.

And the biggest surprise of all is about to ring Emma’s doorbell and turn her life completely upside down yet again.

As Emma struggles between what was and what is, she discovers that the life she really wants—however unexpected—is just within reach, if she’s willing to fight for it.

Characters:

Main character includes Emma, a woman who is too nice to say no but at the same time she has elegance and warmth and is not afraid to stand up when it comes to her only son to her ex husband who has been dead.. Emma is also best friends with Maggie and Liddy and does what she can for those she cares about. There are plenty of wonderful secondary characters such as  Natalie is Maggie's daughter, a single mother with a little girl named Daisy and she is also seriously dating Emma's son Chris Dean, a popular singer of the band named DEAN as well as another little girl and so forth. 

Theme:

Where will life take you?

Plot:

The story is in third person narrative, primarily from Emma's point of view, although from time to time Maggie's other daughter, Natalie, is also given a voice in the novel. (I do not recall if Chris is given a point of view or not.) I definitely think the previous two books, An Invincible Summer as well as Goodbye Again are necessary to read and understand what is going on, although information from previous books is filled in. But yes, for emotional reasons its best to read the previous two novels. Just like in other tales, romance plays either a second or a tertiary role in Emma's life because the reader gets focused with two main plots: that of the artist colony that Emma is in charge of, and a special surprise that arrives to her and her son, Chris. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)

After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?

Opinion:

So this is my 11th(!) Mariah Stewart novel, and once again I am amazed at how unique and beautiful is Emma's journey to healing herself. The women in her stories are humans and each of their journeys is best described as unpredictable, in a good way. All That We Are is no different from previous novels, although I think I would have wanted a few loose strings to be tied up so to speak. All That We Are has the trademark Mariah Stewart focus on familial relationships as well as friendships, on building and renovating and gorgeous descriptions of scenery. Romance is tertiary in this case, the primary focus being on Emma's journey to healing herself, and there is not a boring spot anywhere in the story for each word and action matter. 

This was given for review

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)