kaylakaotik's review against another edition
4.0
My heart broke for Chelsea. While I haven't been pregnant yet, one of my fears is PPD (especially since, like Chelsea, I long to be a mother one day). Though I've never read another book dealing with postpartum depression, I believe the author did a good job at showing the effects of PPD and how others react to it.
Overall, the book was satisfying. The most well developed character is, by far, Chelsea. The other characters were done well enough, but not to the same extent. The writing wasn't anything special, but it wasn't bad either. I enjoyed the "false leads" to who Annabelle's kidnapper might be. It was nice for the story to not lay it all out on the table immediately and then drag it out for half a book. In the end, I was happy with my decision to read the book. I would even say that it was more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
Overall, the book was satisfying. The most well developed character is, by far, Chelsea. The other characters were done well enough, but not to the same extent. The writing wasn't anything special, but it wasn't bad either. I enjoyed the "false leads" to who Annabelle's kidnapper might be. It was nice for the story to not lay it all out on the table immediately and then drag it out for half a book. In the end, I was happy with my decision to read the book. I would even say that it was more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
amyma's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites of 2013. This book kept me interested from beginning to end. Gripping storyline with a mystery. This book deals with PPD and a missing infant, so keep that in mind when you decide to read it. Definite recommendation!
*** Bonus - e-book edition on sale for $2.99.
*** Bonus - e-book edition on sale for $2.99.
heidi_boyles's review against another edition
5.0
5 FANTASTIC STARS!!! This was such a great novel!! It gripped my attention from page 1 and kept it until the very end. It kept me guessing throughout and second-guessing as well. All She Ever Wanted is definitely a MUST READ!!!
tonimariep's review against another edition
3.0
Easy read, total chic lit who done it type mystery. Not extremely well written but enjoyable none the less. It did keep me guessing until the end so that was good.
authorheatherw's review against another edition
4.0
This book is slightly frustrating to review because the beginning was so good. I really loved it and felt the author did an amazing job of portraying a woman suffering from post-partum depression. However, the abduction plot didn’t pack the same emotional punch and I became annoyed with some of the characters after Annabelle goes missing.
I’ve never read a book with the POV of a woman who has PPD. Chelsea’s feelings were equally tragic and horrifying. The author did an amazing job of drawing the reader in and making you feel like you were gripped in the throngs of depression right alongside her. Her thoughts were dark and you could feel things spiraling more and more out of control.
I also enjoyed how the author was able to portray the frustrations of dealing with insurance providers. If anyone has ever experienced problems getting claims paid, they’ll be able to relate to Chelsea’s growing aggravation over having to harass the insurance company to pay the bills for her and her daughter.
The further I read, the more I realized what a dangerous path Chelsea was heading down. She’s exhausted and overwhelmed while feeling no connection to her daughter. She turns to a doctor for help, but he shoos her away saying she’s just experiencing the “baby blues.”
As gripping as the first half of the novel was, it lost some of its luster in the second half. The mystery aspect was good because the author definitely kept you guessing on who took baby Annabelle. However, the main characters lack of realistic emotions diminished the suspense for me. The parents were never hysterical over losing their baby or worried she was dead. They wanted her back, but seemed pretty certain she was being well cared for and went about their days in seemingly normal ways. Also, I would’ve thought more focus would’ve been placed on Chelsea as the suspect, but that was never the case.
The secondary characters were interesting enough. The neighbor provided some comic relief and Chelsea’s sister helped paint a picture of what led to her sister’s downward spiral. I really didn’t care for Chelsea’s husband Leo at all. I couldn’t believe he would go away for a week when Chelsea was having fantasies of knives falling on her daughter and thinking about smashing their car into a guardrail. Plus, he makes a gourmet dinner a couple of days after his infant daughter has been snatched. I guess people react differently, but it didn’t sit well with me.
I would read another book from the author. I was in the mood for a gripping family drama and this book was certainly satisfying.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!
I’ve never read a book with the POV of a woman who has PPD. Chelsea’s feelings were equally tragic and horrifying. The author did an amazing job of drawing the reader in and making you feel like you were gripped in the throngs of depression right alongside her. Her thoughts were dark and you could feel things spiraling more and more out of control.
I also enjoyed how the author was able to portray the frustrations of dealing with insurance providers. If anyone has ever experienced problems getting claims paid, they’ll be able to relate to Chelsea’s growing aggravation over having to harass the insurance company to pay the bills for her and her daughter.
The further I read, the more I realized what a dangerous path Chelsea was heading down. She’s exhausted and overwhelmed while feeling no connection to her daughter. She turns to a doctor for help, but he shoos her away saying she’s just experiencing the “baby blues.”
As gripping as the first half of the novel was, it lost some of its luster in the second half. The mystery aspect was good because the author definitely kept you guessing on who took baby Annabelle. However, the main characters lack of realistic emotions diminished the suspense for me. The parents were never hysterical over losing their baby or worried she was dead. They wanted her back, but seemed pretty certain she was being well cared for and went about their days in seemingly normal ways. Also, I would’ve thought more focus would’ve been placed on Chelsea as the suspect, but that was never the case.
The secondary characters were interesting enough. The neighbor provided some comic relief and Chelsea’s sister helped paint a picture of what led to her sister’s downward spiral. I really didn’t care for Chelsea’s husband Leo at all. I couldn’t believe he would go away for a week when Chelsea was having fantasies of knives falling on her daughter and thinking about smashing their car into a guardrail. Plus, he makes a gourmet dinner a couple of days after his infant daughter has been snatched. I guess people react differently, but it didn’t sit well with me.
I would read another book from the author. I was in the mood for a gripping family drama and this book was certainly satisfying.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!
ranaelizabeth's review
1.0
So, I did finish this before it went back to the library but really only because I had about three uninterrupted hours today and I decided to just skim. No, seriously, I only read about ten words on each page. I just wanted to know who was the baby kidnapper. I guess finishing this book was better than watching Cold Case, right? That's worth at least one star.
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