Cover Image: All This and More

All This and More

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Member Reviews

This book is unlike any other book I've ever read and I am still thinking about it way after finishing. It was wonderful and I wish I could read it for the first time again. 4.5 stars

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All This and More"by Peng Shepard is a groundbreaking novel that offers readers an interactive and immersive experience like no other. In this captivating story, Shepard explores the concept of second chances and the complexities of choice through the lens of quantum technology.

The protagonist, Marsh, finds herself at a crossroads in life, feeling like she has missed out on opportunities and longing for a chance to rewrite her past. When she is selected to participate in the revolutionary reality show All This and More, which grants contestants the ability to alter their life's trajectory, Marsh sees it as her ticket to a better future.

What sets this novel apart is its interactive format. Readers are given the power to influence Marsh's decisions and ultimately shape the outcome of the story. This interactive element adds an exciting layer of engagement, allowing readers to ponder the consequences of each choice and explore the myriad paths Marsh's life could take.

Shepard's writing is both poignant and thought-provoking, delving into themes of regret, redemption, and the pursuit of happiness. All This and More is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and interactive storytelling. With its compelling narrative and innovative format, it offers an unforgettable reading experience that will leave readers pondering the endless possibilities of their own lives.

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Peng, how are you so freaking cool? What if our physics made it so we could go back and change those moments in our life that we wish we could change? And what if that was a reality show? A combination of Choose Your Own Adventure and technology gone too far, this is the very story that will give readers choice and chances for outcomes directed by what page you will turn.

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I was hooked from the cover and description and so glad I was able to read this. The characters were everything that I wanted from this type of book and enjoyed getting to read this. I thought this was a strong idea of rewriting your mistake and how it worked with everything I enjoyed about the genre. Peng Shepherd has a great writing style and it left me wanting to read more.

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This innovative novel presents a woman granted the chance to correct all her past mistakes, chasing her dream of a "happily ever after" with relentless resolve. The twist? You, the reader, determine her path, reshaping her future with each decision.Enter Marsh, a prudent and reserved woman at forty-five, wrestling with a stagnant career, a broken marriage, and a detached teenage daughter. She feels she's missed out on love, achievement, and adventure, longing for an opportunity to reboot her life.The story, pulsating with momentum and creativity, held me spellbound with its sheer unpredictability—a narrative experience unlike any other. Shepherd weaves a captivating tale centered on Marsh, who, thanks to cutting-edge "quantum technology," can revisit crucial crossroads in her life. As readers, we steer Marsh's path through our choices, echoing the allure of traditional choose-your-own-adventure tales. Astonishingly, this reader-driven approach complements the story, heightening the suspense, particularly as the narrative approaches its zenith.Marsh's character strikes a chord universally—after all, who hasn't daydreamed about a second chance or questioned their influence over life's trajectories?If you're in search of a mesmerizing, enjoyable, and thought-provoking read, this novel promises to deliver. Its distinctive storytelling will captivate you from beginning to end.A sincere thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this exceptional literary discovery.

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I’ve been a fan of Peng Shepherd for a while as their use of literary fiction commingled with science fiction that isn’t necessarily explained is right up my alley.

This is basically a baby of The Bachelor and The Circle meets Bandersnatch (Black Mirror) with beautiful and intricate writing that takes us on an incredible journey. If you like reality tv this is for you, and if you don’t, this is still for you.

It’s been quite some time that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading a book as much as this since Invisible Monsters Remix by Chuck Palahniuk. It takes an impeccably detailed writer to pull off a tell your own story book in the way that Shepherd does. I quite literally lost sleep by choosing to continue reading this far past the time I should have.

A complaint I was hearing was that it was too long, but it ended so quickly for me that I could’ve read another 100-200 pages. Shepherd writes in a way that is exhilarating and you never want it to stop. I was completely hooked after a single page and that momentum didn’t end until the acknowledgements.

I truly cannot wait for this to release as I will immediately purchase the book so I can explore all the choices I didn’t make and see what I missed out the first time around. Utterly breathtaking and am blown away.

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DNF: I couldn’t finish this book. It was so hard to follow the story line and seemed extremely repetitive without any plot/narrative. Definitely a great book for a reader who likes to jump around.

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Peng Shepherd bring us an unforgettable story with the absolutely coolest mechanism - you can literally choose the fate of the star of the book!

Meek "Marsh" (short for marshmallow, since she is so sweet and such a pushover) is shocked when her application for "All This and More," The number one TV show in the world is chosen. Season 1 was a blockbuster! Season 2, never came about. Now, Marsh will STAR is season 3.

Due to a loophole of physics, this real-time reality show will show viewers Marsh's life as she goes backwards to change major life choices. Marsh is suddenly able to decide whether she wants to attend law school, whether she should date the man who broke her heart, whether she should speak up when she had a chance. All the while, the vieweres will text responses and live vicariously through her journey.

The problem of course, is that changing the past impacts plenty of more people than just Marsh. As the season continues, Marsh can see this and begin to wonder if she should continue. Worse yet, the physics loop hole seems to be fraying. What should Marsh do?

Shepherd easily juggles multiple timelines and throws us forward and back, filling in the questions of what maden Marsh the woman she is and what happens when she tries to change. The world building is simply amazing and best yet, the reader can make the decisions just like a Choose Your Own Adventure story.

This is a book for the ages and for anyone who has second thoughts, looks back, loves reality shows or has that one friend they wish they could help. Join Marsh on her journey - you will not be sorry!
#williammorrow #allthisandmore #pengsheperd

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Quantum physics, the bubble and a reality TV show. Marsh has some regrets in her current life. Things like:
her first love, Ren,
her marriage to Dylan,
the emotional distance between her and daughter, Harper,
the career path she didn't take.
She is chosen for a reality TV show that allows her to go back in time and choose a path not taken. Well, actually multiple paths ad nauseam.
The different paths were numerous and I got tired of Marsh's search for perfection. Entertwined with Marsh's various life paths is the mysterious Chrysalis and the previous season's crew and contestant. If you don't understand what I just wrote--that is the way the story evolved for me. I read the entire book and at the end, I was just confused. Undoubtedly, if you are a more than an occasional reader of science fiction, you will find this book to be a 5 star read. For me, I give it 3 stars. It was well enough written that I stuck with a book that I couldn't comprehend!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the complimentary digital ARC. This review and rating are my own honest opinions.

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Thank you NetGalley & William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on Goodreads.

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had or hadn't made a specific decision? Or wished you could tweak your life into your perfect ideal world? Enter: All This & More. Readers are bound to enjoy jumping into the quantum bubble on a mind-bending, choose your own adventure read.

In a recent quantum physics advancement, a quantum bubble has been created and the infinite possibilities of your life are at your fingertips. The TV Show 'All This & More' presents the opportunity to change your life, crafting it into a perfect world. After an uber successful season 1, and an upsetting sudden end mid-season 2, All This & More is back and better than ever for season 3.

Marsh is hand selected to participate in season 3. She's recently divorced, struggling with her dating life, and wishing she could give her teenage daughter more. Season 1 contestant, Talia Cruz, offers Marsh her expert guidance, promising to lead her through her major decisions. Marsh dives in head first, and thus begins the readers adventure. YOU get to choose what happens to Marsh, and she takes you on epic adventures, trials, and life altering decisions along the way.

Peng Shepherd does it again! Her novel, 'The Cartographers', is my all time favorite book. I went into this novel with high hopes and it did not disappoint. Shepherd has crafted a unique reading experience that allows every reader a different adventure. Her hard word and dedication in making this personalized adventure is admirable and evident on every page.

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Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read this as the formatting on the ARC was very poor. I wasn't able to navigate the interactive pieces of this work. I did reach out to the publisher to request a physical ARC, but they wanted me to fill out an additional form to receive it. I know it's just this one form for this one book, but this is a hobby for me and I have limited amount of time. I just generally try not to fill out forms and applications for an ARC for me to do free publicity to protect some of my time. I included a star rating because I had to, but I didn't complete this book, though I tried.

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This is a very unusual book. While I did enjoy the storyline
I am not certain that I took the journey the Author had in
mind. Most women would take each choice and give it]
a whirl, and most of us would question ourselves endlessly
because that’s just how we set ourselves to do.
Don’t miss the book, it’s certainly worth the adventure,
My thanks to William Morrow Publisher via NetGalley
for the download copy of this book for review purposes.

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If you're in for a wild ride this is for you. How many times have we wished we could change our mistakes and what we would do differently? Book that makes you wish you could and sometimes are glad you can't.

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Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. I enjoyed this one so much more than The Cartographers. I read it in order but may go back and read it in the choose your own adventure method next time

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Well written characters. This is an adult "choose your own adventure" book and it was a lot if fun. I enjoyed all the different "lives" that Marsh lead. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

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Marsh is in her mid 40s, divorced, and just lost her job. Lucky her, she's selected as the season 3 contestant for a reality tv show that utilizing quantum bubbling to allow her to go back and explore life choices she didn't make: becoming a high powered lawyer, living abroad, romance, adventure, and professional fulfillment. The technology is amazing, but as she continues to make decisions something seems off...

As the reader you make choices for the main character at certain points, ala choose your own adventure. I wasn't sure I'd like that element, but I didn't feel like I missed anything as I navigated the novel. If you enjoyed The Midnight Library or storylines where people get to try new choices, you will probably enjoy this.

Thank you to William Morrow Books for an ARC on @NetGalley. All opinions are my own

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I have mixed feelings about this book. Maybe if I had selected some different options I might have felt differently? I liked the idea of the book, but there didn’t seem to be any heart to the story. I kept waiting to fall in love with the main character or to at minimum start rooting for her, but I never got there.

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Do you know what I didn't know that I needed as an adult? A CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE NOVEL!! But never fear friends, unlike the choose your own adventure novels of our childhoods, you don't have to worry about the novel ending because you got ate by an alligator. You will make it to the end of the story.

I did right away think the story was a little slow to start, but Peng is so great at creating worlds so we needed some of the basic facts before we jumped too far into "the bubble" she created. I think it was also great to have a nice basic reality we were adjusting so that it didn't get to confusing.

I love that the story has 3 endings! (yes I read them all - and my first choice ending was my favorite).

I can't wait till this is out in print so I can read again choosing different routes!!

Thank you William Morrow and Peng Shepherd for the opportunity to read this novel.

While this isn't out until July - you can read her novel "Cartographers" right now - which happens to be one of my FAVORITE novels from 2022.

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Marsh is 45 and it’s all falling apart. She’s lost her job, her marriage is over and she and her teenage daughter are growing apart. She hates her life.

Then she has the opportunity to be on the reality TV show “All This and More,” which uses quantum technology to allow contestants to change their pasts and futures all in ten episodes. Is it all too good to be true?

So, this was interesting, this book is written as a “choose your own adventure” for adults, and I know I didn’t get to see all the choices. There is one BIG plot hole issue that was just skated over and was never addressed and it worried me, but never came to pass. I enjoyed THE CARTOGRAPHERS by this author, but this was a little bit too close to romance for me, even though I enjoyed the unique format. I think it will be popular.

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This was such a great book. The romance was perfect and the plot was very well thought out. I really enjoyed this book.

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