All That We Carried by Erin Bartels is a truly wonderful story about two sisters, Olivia and Melanie, that become distant memories to each other for 10 years after a tragic accident changed everything.

After another life-changing occurrence, Melanie decides to break the isolation and ask Olivia in a several day hiking and camping trip in the fall in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Serious lawyer Olivia says yes to get the plucky, peace-be-with you Instagramer/influencer Melanie off of her back despite her desire to say no. What ensues is their eventful, difficult, and challenging multiple day journey to understanding their past, one another, and their own purposes in life, future, and finding hope, faith, and God once more.

Melanie and Olivia can not be any more different, but on a fundamental level they find they are more alike then ever before. The acceptance, clarity, understanding, love, forgiveness, and hope that they find in one another, as well as in finding their faith, is a beautiful story that touched me deeply. I loved both characters. I loved the way the author was able to create a wonderful, realistic, and hopeful path that each experience during their interactions and eventual understanding. I love that it is so realistic that I can see myself within each one of them. I love the visual landscapes and the natural elements that the author was impressively able to create as a backdrop to this story. Most of all, I love that this has given me the ability to look within myself and my own family and life, just as she was able to do for each of these women.

Truly a blessing and a beautiful story. This is the first book by this author that I have had the privilege to read, and she has most certainly made a fan out of me.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Revell Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/5/21.