All She Ever Wanted

Synopsis:

Thirty-five years ago Kathleen fled her home, desperate to cast off weights of poverty and shame. But an unexpected invitation from her sister unwittingly draws her back to that sleepy New York town, her own daughter in tow.

A trip meant to salvage her relationship with her daughter changes course as Kathleen reexamines her own childhood. But even more enlightening are the stories of Eleanor, her once-vibrant mother, and Fiona, the grandmother she barely knew.

The more Kathleen learns the more answers she seeks concerning her family’s mysterious past. Yet with the past exposed, Kathleen is torn between her need to forgive and the urge to forget.

Review:

Lynn Austin has written another great story. It is similar to her book Eve’s Daughters in that the story takes the reader into the past generations of the main character, Kathleen Seymour, and reveals the stories of her mother and grandmother. Kathleen has no idea of her family’s history and why they lived the way they did when she was growing up.

This book not only brought to my mind the importance of communication among family, but also that of forgiveness. Kathleen never desired to reestablish contact with her brothers and sisters even though growing up with them was not a great experience and it is eye opening to read what was revealed to her about the family she more or less rejected.

The story made me aware that sometimes we have to learn to move on in life no matter happens. We also must make wise decisions because our decisions impact others along the way. What happens with Kathleen’s mother, Eleanor, and her grandmother, Fiona, are good examples of these lessons in life.

I believe you will enjoy the book from beginning to end as you discover with Kathleen and her daughter, Joelle, a shocking truth that is finally brought to light for all of the family as well as the new-found relationship between all of them.

Chris Walker

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