Wonderful account of complex intersections of gender, ethnic, and sexual identities, told in an authentic voice. Great story of how middle-class mores change over time. And it's funny!

I’ve been a career-long fan of Jennifer Weiner, so this one was at the very tippy top of my most-anticipated list for this summer.....and I liked it! I really did. It was compelling and addresses so many women’s issues - I’ll be thinking of it for quite awhile.
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Did I LOVE it? Well, not passionately. I honestly like contemporaries best, and if I’m going to read hist fic I want it to be WWII and earlier. This one starts in 1950, so I was immediately set up to have clear that hurdle. And I did, but reluctantly. Again, this is personal preference, so I’m not knocking the book or the author for the setting!
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Should you read it? Sure! If you’re a patient reader who wants to confront everything from religion to race to rape and the essence of womanhood from 1950-2015, through the eyes of two Jewish sisters from Detroit. Know what you’re getting into - I do think this book is full of book club discussion opportunities 😊 If I’m going to pull from the big guys and choose from Buy, Borrow or Skip, I’d say Borrow.
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Can’t wait to hear other thoughts on this one! And to see what Weiner writes next.

This novel is sure to be a classic! The message of this book is so strong and the writing and characters are thoroughly flushed out. It covers issues that women have faced for generations and spans the lifetime of Jo and Bethie rather than just a snapshot which is wonderful. Seaxuality, weight, family, divorce, death, me too. Literally everything is covered and not in a glossed over way. Not only does it show the struggle but the long term effects. I can not recommend this book enough to anyone who will listen.

3,5 stars
A decent read that follows two sisters through an eventful, if somewhat predictable, series of joys and sorrows. The book highlights the strength of women over the second half of the 20th century and celebrates the bond between sisters.

This is the first book that I had read from this author so I didn’t know what to expect. I was so pleasantly surprised! This book tales the story of two sisters throughout their lives. It covers many decades and the troubles that women faced before us. I really fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the “ride” the author took us on. This is quite possibly the best book I have read this year.

I LOVED Mrs. Everything, This book follows two sister through the span of their lives. It hits on many important topics such as the #metoo and illustrates the power and struggle of womanhood. The book shares the different lives of Jo and Bethie, how they work to be true to themselves and find what is important to them. The book powerfully discusses the hardships and miracles of raising children, understanding relationships and marriage and thinking about elderly parents. I would highly recommend this novel.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this story of Jo and Bethie. I read an article where the author has always wanted to write a story that takes place over the lives of the characters. She did a wonderful job in this novel and I think all women can relate to this. I removed one star only because it slowed a little in the center. The fault lies with me because I like a little faster pace.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Weiner, again, does not disappoint! This book you can tell, is very near and dear to her. She wrote it with her mother as inspiration. It has a very personal feel to it, and I enjoyed it so much!

This story follows sisters Jo and Bethie over a span over 60 years. It is a coming of age story, of them finding themselves, losing themselves, and finding themselves again. They are complete opposites but still figure out a way to have a relationship.

Sad, funny, and poignant, this is a lovely story

This is a great book. I'm a fan of Jennifer Weiner to begin with, but this book is so different from anything else she's written. The characters of Jo and Bethie are so rich, I really cared for them. I fluctuated between who's story I was more invested in. It kept me engaged from start to finish; there was no lag. If I was forced to find a fault, I would say it's that we spend a lot of time with Jo and Bethie in their younger years, I would like to have had more in their twilight years. As well, as they grew older it seemed as Bethie became a secondary character, almost, a reflection of what was happening in Jo's life.

Mrs. Everything is an epic saga and a transformational read about life in post-war America. Self-actualization doesn’t come easily for Jewish sisters, Jo and Bethie Kaufman. They experience loss, sexual abuse, abortion, war, interracial relationships, cancer, and the sexual revolution.

Giving a nod to Little Women, Jennifer Weiner creates multifaceted storylines and delivers a gratifying reading experience. Weiner’s descriptions make a reader forget she’s merely looking at words, from intricacies of the Detroit neighborhood to the scents in Mrs. Kaufman’s kitchen. This roller-coaster ride alternates smooth detours and tender simplicity with sudden drops as the characters face terrifying complications.

Weiner crafts Jo and Bethie as badass champions who embody how far we’ve come and remind us there’s more work ahead. She intertwines the trials of the Kaufman sisters into one lush tapestry and reminds us that our individual essence doesn’t come after one season, but arrives as a result of many.
This one left me with a book hangover to rival few others. Exceptional.

Jennifer Weiner is known for her stories of sibling relationships. With her newest book MRS. EVERYTHING she brings us siblings Jo and Bethie Kaufman. However, where this book differs from all her others is the time span of the story. She gives us three generations of women over a 60-year span. The Kaufmans are a Jewish Russian immigrant family who assimilate well into their community while maintaining their Jewish identity. So it was refreshing to have these characters be a “typical” Jewish family in America.

As the book opens in 1951 Jo is six years old and Bethie is four; the story ends in 2016. Jo is the sister that doesn’t care what other people think of her, while Bethie cares too much. Weiner’s description of the simple life for children in the fifties made me nostalgic for my childhood (although I was a decade later).

I enjoyed reading of the different directions life took them, but how sibling loyalty was still there. We travel with them through the sixties and the time of “free love” and drugs. We feel the conflict as their sexual identity is explored. I think there is something in this book that will strike home for everyone. While I cringed over drugs and “free love” portions it did remind me of hearing all this on the news. I was sheltered from that but knew it was out there. So to a degree I could relate. As the next two generations came along I could relate to the traits that carry on in the next generations and the frustration and dawning recognition of seeing yourself in your own children. (And blessing your parents for letting you live!)

While this is overall a more serious read that we are used to from Weiner she still gives us her special touches of humor. Example: Around page 40 she gives us a truly unique take on the Purimspiel. I dare you not to laugh!

This is a very realistic family saga that I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reading copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

An absolute must-read! This is definitely a top three book of the year!

Following two sisters (Jo & Bethie) from when they are young girls in the 1950's until present day, this page turner explores the two different journeys of each sister and their ups & downs. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and make me think - all great things in a book! Exploring how life changes from what you once imagined and the choices you make or were made for you and how it impacts your life. A super engaging, powerful, and very satisfying book that I will be recommending to everyone this summer! Exceptional!

Thank you Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books, and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #MrsEverything

An ambitious novel, Mrs. Everything follows two sisters through the ups and downs, the hopes and dreams of their lifetimes – from childhood in Detroit in the 50’s, adolescence, college, through adulthood. Their stories embody many of the experiences, emotions, and roles of every woman… sister, daughter, student, activist, businesswoman, friend, mother, wife, aunt, grandmother… Mrs. (Ms.) Everything. Most of all, they exemplify the faamiliar struggle for self-acceptance and fulfillment and the pressure to do it all.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by author’s own words in her introduction and quickly became immersed in the characters of Jo and Beth. As a woman born in the early 50’s, it brought back a lot of memories. Perhaps that is why I did not feel that their experiences introduced a lot that was new for me, but I could re-live and relate to both sisters and their stories as I think many women will as well.

Overall, I found Mrs. Everything to be a very heartfelt, engaging and satisfying read that covered a wide scope in both topics and time.



FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an

I really loved this book. This is the story of two sisters growing up in the 50s and 60s and making their way through the 70s and beyond, dealing with societal issues that are still very important today. This book illustrates just how far we have come as a society yet still have so much more to go. What I loved about Jo and Bethie is how they are real women. I loved and hated them by turns. They had their good moments and their bad moments like all of us. A lot of books tend to portray their character as either "good or bad" - Weiner makes them plain human.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I’ve always considered Jennifer Weiner to be the unofficial queen of “Chick Lit,” so when I requested her latest novel, Mrs. Everything, I was expecting a fun, sexy read. What I got, however, was so much more than I anticipated, and I mean that in the best possible way. I honestly cannot remember the last time a book resonated with me as much as Mrs. Everything did. It packs an emotional punch on many levels – it made me smile at times, but it also made me shed a few tears, and sometimes it even just made me angry and frustrated. Why? Because it accurately, vividly, and sometimes painfully explores how hard it can be to grow up as a woman, especially during the time period when the book is set. The whole time you’re trying to figure out who you are and what your place in the world is, someone is looking over your shoulder trying to pigeon-hole you into some pre-determined notion of what makes an ideal woman, telling you your life will be best if you just do what you’re “supposed” to do.

Mrs. Everything captured my attention right away because it’s actually more of a historical fiction in that it follows two sisters, Jo and Bethie, from their childhood in the 1950’s through the sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll era of the 60’s and 70’s, all the way up to their senior years, including Hillary Clinton’s historic run for the U.S. Presidency in 2016. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Weiner does an incredible job of capturing each decade in terms of fashion, hair, pop culture references, etc. I truly felt transported back in time.

Weiner also captured my heart with Jo and Bethie. When we first meet Jo as a child in the 1950’s, she’s a rebellious tomboy who would much rather wear jeans and read books than do anything her mother considers “ladylike.” In contrast, Bethie is Mommy’s little princess, the epitome of beauty and femininity. In their mom’s eyes, Bethie is doing everything just right in order to secure herself a husband who will take care of her when she’s an adult, while who knows what will happen to Jo since she’s clearly on the “wrong” path. At first Jo had the bulk of my sympathy because her mother was so awful to her, always making her feel like she’s a disappointment, but later, when Bethie’s life doesn’t go as expected and her journey takes a darker turn, she earned my sympathy as well.

In following Jo and Bethie from childhood up into their senior years, Weiner fully explores what it was like to be a woman back in the latter 20th century all the way up to what it’s like now. She takes us through the highs and lows, the successes and the failures, and most especially, how hard it can be to stand up and be brave when the easier path is often to let fear win out. Even though the story takes a few dark turns through addiction and abuse, it’s ultimately a very uplifting story that shows how much has changed over time and proves women can be whoever they want to be: sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, wives, friends, lovers, teachers, role models, and yes, even Presidential candidates (and hopefully Presidents someday!).

I feel like I just don’t have the words to convey just how powerful and moving a read this is, so I’m just going to close by saying this is one of my favorite reads of the year so far and that I highly recommend it to everyone!

I can't stop thinking about this book. It is hard to put in words the emotions this book evoked. Mrs. Everything brought forth social justice issues while also telling a beautiful story of two sisters trying to navigate life. A tragedy hits the family and from then on the sisters have to choose how to deal with it and how it will change their lives. This was the perfect book to read for pride month!

Jo is a smart athletic girl and the older of the two sisters. From the beginning of the book you can see that Jo feels as though she just doesn't fit in. Even her mother called her "unnatural." She feels as though the world isn't ready for her and she recoils a bit. As the story progresses your heart breaks because she feels as though she has to hide who she is.

Bethie is the younger sister who was always beautiful and outgoing. Something terrible, that no child should have to go through, happens to her and she tries desperately to make herself undesirable. She no longer wants to be seen and throughout the book she goes through many up and downs. Bethie's actions were sporadic and careless at times but probably very similar to many women who have gone through what she did.

Jennifer Weiner did a great job fully developing the characters and showing their progression through life. She touched on so many issues that still affect women and men today. Jennifer was able to address social justice topics through the years and showcase the history of how far we have come but also how much fighting we still have to do today. I do not want to give too much away so I will not tell you what topics (you will have to read the book) but will say the overall theme of independent women stuck with me. There are so many strong female characters in this book who face many obstacles and adversity. I could talk about all the themes and parts I loved for hours. Go buy this book when it comes out next Monday June 11.

Thank you netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jo and Bethie, sisters growing up in 1950s Detroit, are leading rather rigid lives. Jo is the troubled and angry older sister--the "different" one, while Bethie is the adored, perfect younger sister. Jo feels completely misunderstood by their mother, Sarah, but at least she has their father to act as a go-between. But, as the sisters grow up and move out, they somehow find their roles and lives changing. Bethie becomes the free spirit: the one unable to settle down and please their mother. Meanwhile, Jo marries and leads a picture-perfect life with her husband and children. Yet, deep down, neither sister is truly happy. Is it too late for either Jo or Bethie to find the life they really want?

This is a really wonderful novel from Jennifer Weiner. In the beginning, she states that she always wanted to write about a woman like her mom, who was born in the 40s, came of age in the 60s, married and had children, but then divorced and ended up falling in love with a woman. By then, times had changed and she could live a very different life than when she was born. Framing the story in this way makes perfect sense, and I think Weiner has more than fulfilled her goal. She's written a gorgeous and sweeping epic novel, starting with Jo and Bethie as children and continuing throughout the majority of their lives.

The novel, as mentioned, starts with Jo and Bethie as kids, moving into a new house in Michigan. Each is hopeful for a new start to their small kid-sized lives. Already Jo is feeling different. The book is told from both Jo and Bethie's perspectives, and Weiner does a wonderful job of not only capturing each of their own unique voices, but telling the story from their perspective at that particular time period.

"But maybe, in this new place, she could make a fresh start. Maybe here, she could be a good girl."

From the beginning, we clearly see how much trouble Jo is to her mother, and how she struggles with her feelings of being different. She's a tomboy who hates dresses and loves sports. She doesn't want to date the boys that her other classmates fawn over. I had no idea that the book was going to cover Jo's sexuality in this way, and it was such a pleasant surprise. It's so well-done. I loved the unexpected storyline about this intelligent and strong girl/woman struggling with her sexual orientation during a time period where it not at all accepted: it was very poignant and touching.

"I am going to leave here, she thought. I am going to read, and I am going to write. I am going to find a girl who is brave enough to love me, and I am going to have the kind of life I want."

So this book touches on a lot of tough subjects--racism, immigration, feminism, sexual orientation, religion, sexual assault, and more. It offers a discussion on womanhood, motherhood, marriage, and the options available to women (or not). Perhaps in the hands of a lesser author, this would all be too much, but through Weiner's deft writing, it's really truly beautifully done. The book spans a huge time period, but it never feels rushed or as if too much is crammed in. Once you get into Jo and Bethie's story, you're there: you are part of the family. And truly, this is a story of family at its core. A bitter family, perhaps, at times. It's a story of how certain moments can change the course of your life. But it's also a story of love and sisterhood, in all its many forms.

"'You think I ruined your life? Well I think you ruined mine.'"

Overall, this is a really lovely book. It's heartbreaking at times, for sure, and I cried at the end, but it's a testament to how much I fell for these two sisters. Its story of strength and love is a wonderful theme. It's a book for and about women, with some excellent messaging about women and society. (Wow, so much has changed and yet so little, it seems.) I certainly recommend this one. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 06/11/2019.

<b>Women had made progress — Jo only had to look as far as the television set to see it — but she wondered whether they would ever not try to have it all and do it all and do it all flawlessly. Would the day ever come when simply doing your best would be enough? </b>

I'm sure the quote above will be used in many other reviews, but I felt like it summarized the underlying theme the best. As the title (and above quote) suggests, this is a story of two sisters, Joe and Bethie, who are battling the ever changing landscape of what it means to be a woman. Told over the span of 70+ years, the girls go through the Eisenhower era, the Civil Rights movement, free love and expression of the 60s, (which could be three separate books in itself), through various women's rights movements all the way up to the 2016 election.

While this book does seem a little long at times, taking a look back at the scope of everything these characters went through, Jennifer Weiner masterfully brings it all together and I do not think it could have been done better. To me, this is *the* book on how complicated and wonderful it is to be a woman and should be required reading for us all. Every emotion possible is experienced, while learning something about yourself too. I think Ms. Weiner set the tone of the book up perfectly with her author's note. She mentions she always wanted to write a sweeping saga of a lifetime and she absolutely accomplished that here.

One common theme I've seen among reviews is how relatable this book is. You might not connect with one particular plot point or attribute of a certain character - but give it time and you'll find something. I think if anything, the message that spoke the most to me is how ridiculously tough we all are on ourselves and to each other. I think we all need to cut ourselves some much deserved slack and reach out and support others if we see someone struggling. At some point, we all have and will. Ultimately, reading is an escape from our daily lives, and if we are lucky, we come away with the experience of walking in someone else's shoes. I know I'm a better person for reading this book and I will try in future situations to look past my emotions and work to resolve conflicts with other women with patience, understanding and compassion. Isn't that what we all deserve?

Thank you to Ariele Fredman at Atria Books and Jennifer Weiner for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Review Date: 6/6/19
Publication Date: 6/11/19

This was an amazing book! MRS. EVERYTHING by Jennifer Weiner is her first book in four years. To be honest, the first and only Weiner book I’ve read before this was GOOD IN BED - and that was way back in the early 2000s - so I wasn’t sure what to expect.⁣
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However from the start, I was pulled into the story of two sisters growing up in the 1950s - Jo and Beth. The story progresses over the decades - from high school to college to marriage and adult life. The reader is taken on a journey that offers not only a terrific sense of history with US and world events and movements, but also offers a front row seat to experience the winding paths these two characters take over a lifetime.⁣
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I loved the theme of womanhood and the exploration of what being a woman means to both of these characters. As a mom and wife now approaching my 40s, I could relate so much to the themes of being a MRS EVERYTHING myself in terms of the role I play in my marriage, family, career...and the path my own life has taken from girlhood to womanhood.⁣
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Another reason I loved this book is because I could see my mother and my aunt in these characters - both born in the early 40s and similarly raised in the 50s and 60s. I felt this book really shined a light on the culture they grew up in - is it weird to say I feel like I might understand my mom better now? ⁣
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If you enjoyed THE FEMALE PERSUASION or other character driven books that explore themes of feminism, you will like this one too (might I even say, you might like MRS EVERYTHING even better - I did!).⁣⁣

Mrs. Everything is the VERY LONG story of the lives of two sisters and their mistakes and accomplishments as their live their lives through the decades. It's the story of women who don't necessarily fit into cultural norms. It takes the reader through the demonstrations and drugs of the 1960s and 70s and the ramifications of poor / questionable decisions made during those formative years. Weiner writes of relationships that come and go, and the ultimate joy and love of family.

I think that maybe Jennifer Weiner tried to accomplish too much with this story. It seemed like everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Though I enjoyed reading this story (in record time!) I felt a little annoyed with the seemingly endless negative issues in the lives of all the characters. Having said that, the ending was satisfying.

This book will appeal to women readers who love very deep narrative type stories of family members with complex relationships. Also, I especially enjoyed the "hippie" parts, having lived through that decade!

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read Mrs. Everything.