I love everything Adriana Locke, but Nothing But It All just hit different. Jack and Lo are every couple at some point in their marriage. Their characters and issues are real life and so relatable. There is just the right amount of angst while keeping the story in the realm of real life. I loved this book and it was by far one of my favorite reads of 2023z

Adriana Locke once again proves that she knows family dynamics as well as family dysfunction and can mold them both into a beautiful story. Whether it is the struggle with a 20 year marriage that has lost it's way or the beginnings of teenage love and heartbreak and let's not forget the trials and tribulations of an aging parent, this book will have your emotions running high while at the same time making you laugh out loud. A wonderful portrayal of real life and real struggles. 5 Stars are not enough.

Nothing But It All is another amazing read by Adriana Locke. I haven't found a book by her I haven't liked yet, and as I've said in many of my other reviews by this author I absolutely loved these characters.

This is a second-chance romance about Lauren and Reed. Lauren and Reed's marriage is falling apart, and their kids Michael and Maddie will do whatever they can to fix it.

Lauren asks for a separation from Reed because she feels like his work is more important than his time with Lauren. Reed thinks they just need time to work out their issues. However, when Michael and Maddie realize what is going on they do what they can to get their parents back together.

When a family tradition brings Lauren and Reed back together will they fall in love all over again? Or will they be done for good? This book was amazing. I loved the characters, the growth, the funny and sad moments, and everything in between!

Refreshing!
Wow what a refreshing way to view the struggles of marriage throughout a lifetime. I absolutely devoured this poignant look into life’s ups and downs. I loved this family and their way of looking out for each other.

I enjoy reading anything that this author writes. But when I saw a promo for this book, I absolutely knew I had to read it. One of the things that I see readers asking for is stories with older characters. The two main characters in this book have been married for over 20 years and are in their 40's.

Lauren and Jack have been married for over 20 years. They have 2 children, a son who is going into his senior year of high school and a daughter who is 14. Jack started his own auto shop and built it from the ground up. He poured a lot of hard work and hours into it to support his family and Lauren supported him and helped him all the way. She stayed home and raised the kids and took care of getting them to their activities. She made sure the house was taken care of and cooked meals.

But somewhere along the way, Jack and Lauren lost themselves and each other. Jack stopped doing things around the house, knowing that Lauren would take care of it. He spent more and more time at the shop, frequently missing dinner and sometimes even spending the night. When he did come home, things were strained because Lauren felt like she was nothing more than the caretaker and an afterthought. She felt like she had lost herself.

This is a story about love found, love forgotten and love reborn. These two, actually, the whole family, learn how precious love and family are and come together to save theirs. The supporting characters really add to the book as well.

I absolutely recommend this book.

BOOK REVIEW:
Title: Nothing But It All
Author: @authoradrianalocke
Publisher: @Amazon Publishing
Publication Date: February 20, 2024

HOLY COW ADRIANA DOES IT AGAIN this was such a great story I loved every single page it made me cry at certain points too, Adriana’s writing is so beautiful and captivating!!

This is not a surprise whatsoever because I’ve never disliked an Adriana book but I LOVED it.
From the very first page I knew how relatable it would be. Instead of being all rainbows and fairytales it addresses real life problems that couples and parents face all the freaking time! Such a necessary story to be told to not only make others aware they aren’t alone but also to show that things CAN get better! Well written, easy to follow and an easy but sometimes deep read.

This was a romance story of two who drew apart and have the chance to find that love they once had. With the help of their grandfather, children Michael and Maddie trick their parents to come to their lakehouse. Reading their story, I knew those two hadn’t fallen out of love, their love was just misplaced, cast to the side by work and life. Their story was a sweet one with humor and a little seriousness as we peek into their lives. A good story that leaves you with a gladness in your heart.

OMG, I absolutely love love and loved this book! I'm a bug fan of this author and can't wait to see what's next. Thanks for the ARC

This book had me sobbing. It definitely hit close to home with the point my husband and I are at in our marriage, but gave me some clarity and helped me put words into feelings. It's been a long time since I've seen myself so vividly as a character written by anyone, and Adriana Locke did it beautifully. (This part is just for you guys. I don't want it public but wanted to convey how real, raw, and honest this story and these characters are.)

I loved how Adriana showed relationships at so many stages. Budding new love (Michael and Ava,) Second chance at love (Harvey and Mrs. Shaw,) Love in trouble (Jack and Lauren,) & Unrequited love (Maddie and Daniel.). As each relationship grew and shattered my heart expanded and contracted. So beautifully written.

Cons were few; It was short, I would have liked to see Jack fight the issue a bit more and really just have a full emotional breakdown that started his apology tour, and I would have liked to see them go home and put their new lives to the test.

Overall, a beautiful story with dynamic characters who left me with some big feelings I will need to address in therapy. Thank you Adriana Locke and Montlake for making this story available to us.

Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke is everything! It's absolutely one of my top favorite novels by her for sure!

Lauren and Jack have been married for 20 years. They have two teenagers, and their life is nowhere near what they expected it would be at this point in their lives. So distanced that they feel more like strangers than a couple. They find themselves asking, at what point did we stop trying? Stop caring? Stop paying attention?

This story hit all my feels buttons! Having been with my husband for 14 years now and the fact that I knew that I'd be able to relate to this story so easily made me a little nervous jumping in. But I didn't want to put it down, and it's a great lesson in not taking your partner for granted. Not taking time for granted and making sure to live life...not just survive day by day.

Truly an amazing love story that gives you hope that things can turn around, even if you think you are at the end of your rope! Amazing job Adriana Locke!

This was a heartwarming read. In the beginning Lauren and Jack are in a terrible spot with their marriage. I honestly felt Jack really was trying but it just wasn't enough for Lauren. I completely understood where she was coming from because at some point in a marriage we've all been there. Having it feel as things get stagnant and it all falls on one person's shoulders. I loved how the kids came up with the idea to have the family vacation. It was really cute with the way the schemed this plan. Overall, this was a great read that will tug on your heartstrings.

I absolutely loved the marriage in trouble trope. Jack and Lauren went through a tough time, but you still rooted for them. I enjoyed this book and loved the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the arc of this book.

This was a excellent ready by Adriana Locke. You will want to continue reading to find out what happens next! She keeps you intrigued that you can't stop reading.

Five solid stars for this book. It’s the story of Lauren and Jack and their two children Michael and Maddie, and Jack’s father Harvey. Lauren and Jack have been married for twenty years and have grown apart. They are both miserable and Lauren has taken action: she’s started her own life, her own career. After a while she realizes that Jack doesn’t fit in that life anymore. You can feel the sadness of the situation: <i>I hate that this is what we’ve become—that the only way we’re happy is when we’re apart. </i>
She’s given up on their marriage, their relationship, and she doesn’t think Jack cares anymore. <i>Unlike me, he’s unbothered by our unofficial separation—because that’s what our life really is. We’re both here for the kids and maybe convenience, but this isn’t a marriage and hasn’t been for a long time.</i> So she’s contemplating getting a divorce.
Their family used to spend a few weeks each year in their cabin in the woods, but Jack and Lauren decide to cancel it since they don’t think they’re able to fake being the happy couple in front of their children and their granddad. They think they are oblivious to what’s going on, since Jack spends all his time at his business and they’re already living separate lives. As Lauren says: <i>“We aren’t even passing ships in the night. We’re more like trains operating on different continents.”</i>
But the kids have noticed. And without Lauren and Jack knowing, they plot to get the family together for two weeks at the cabin. You can imagine their surprise when both of them turn up there and see the other one there as well. And that’s when you see the greatness of the author, the way this story is written! With so much raw, authentic emotions - it really describes everything that goes through your mind in a situation like that:

<i>“What are you doing?” I ask, stopping a solid ten feet away from him.
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
I exhale, the sound ragged and rough. “Why are you here?”
His eyes narrow and slowly, oh so slowly, he turns toward the truck.
“Jack?” I ask, irritated.
“What do you want, Lauren?”
My name sounds so generic coming out of his mouth. Lauren. Lauren, like I’m an aggravating mechanic at the shop. Not Lauren like the mother of his children—the woman who’s spent her life building something special with him. The woman who has given every moment, every ounce of energy, every speck of life in her to make his life happier.
My teeth grind together at the perceived insult. </i>

<i>I point toward my car. “If you need anything out of there, get it, because I’m going home.”
“Mom,” Maddie whines. “No. You can’t leave.”
Jack stills beside me.
“I can’t stay here, Maddie.”
“Yes, you can.”
My face burns.
I don’t know how to navigate this. My defenses climb up. My shoulders stiffen as all three members of my family stare at me like I’m the problem. I don’t want to be the problem, and I don’t want to be the bad guy. And I sure as hell don’t want to stay here because Jack pities me. </i>

How do you get passed this? It is something that you can’t rush, can’t skip over. You need the right pace, and an authentic way to address all the hurt, the heartbreak, the guilt, anger, shame, insecurity and even the mourning of what was before, but also the wish for all the hurting to end. It is handled so incredibly well! Because how do you get passed that? Can you even get passed that stage, or is it too late?

The reflection, the way of writing is truly brilliant. It’s like watching a movie that sometimes switches to slowmotion to make you pause a bit and think back…
<i>I make my way into his kitchen, taking in the thin layer of dust on the cabinets and table. The drop cloths that covered the living room furniture are lying in a heap in front of the sink.
As I pass the doorframe, I notice how faded the lines are that Mom marked on the wood every summer to see how much I’d grown. I also can’t help but notice her red apron hanging on the hook by the refrigerator. It looks like she could walk right back in, sling it over her neck, and whip up a batch of her famous fried chicken.
God, I miss her. </i>

You might think this makes this book very heavy, but it’s not! It has a good pace, just the right amount of pace to not skip over the issues easily but what needs to be done, thought over and talked through to get to the other side. I love that the issued raised weren’t dismissed easily and too quickly but were handled perfectly. And I really like that it wasn’t like them having a talk and everything was all of a sudden hunky dory. There were real issues and they have a way of creeping up again. Truly an amazing book about love, life, heartbreak, second chances, doubt, guilt, growing up, maturing, the difficulties of communicating, life choices and consequences - it has it all. The watershed moments of marriage. I just would have toned it down on the F-word. I think it is unnecessary to use foul language.
The book is written in Lauren’s and Jack’s point if view, which gives insight to both sides. The secondary characters enrich to the story: the teenagers have their own path and challenges in life, and the father-in-law has the maturity to look back and reflect on the past. Even the people around them play a realistic role as bystanders. All of this makes this book a very well written and balanced book! The ending is very satisfying and the epilogue wraps it all up perfectly. I can highly recommend this book. It’s a book for everyone; male or female, single or married. Each can take something out of it and enjoy a good story at the same time.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher Montlake for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved reading the entertaining and engaging romance story. When Jack finds out his wife has an appointment to meet with a divorce lawyer, he is willing to change and do whatever he can to change Lauren's mind. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story.

I LOVE marriage in trouble tropes!! So combine that with kids, a dog, and a hilariously blunt grandpa and it’s everything i need in my life.

Nothing but it all is about Jack and Lauren who’s relationship is on the brink of collapsing. Lauren wants a divorce and Jack is completely clueless on why.

I love how this book showed honest communication and having hard conversations between two people who clearly love each other deeply. it gives me hope for human kind 😂.

The best part of this book besides the romance we’re the other characters. The children, the people around town, the friends they all made this book super enjoyable.

This is my first time reading author Adriana Locke books. I was hesitant in the beginning. But, I have no regret after reading. The novel feel very real to be a fiction.. The author has beautifully woven the memories and moments, and captures the emotions of each characters. A warm- hearted reading, like a breeze after a storm.

Recommended for readers
📌who like a good romance
📌A less spicy boom
📌Family/couple drama
📌Couple next-door story
📌Small town life
📌A relaxed read after the hustle bustle of daily life.

Nothing But It All is a heartwarming, second-chance romance by Adriana Locke.

Lauren and Jack are two of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read. While I’m not married, I’ve had several conversations over the years with my married friends who were experiencing the same thing Jack and Lauren are going through. This book highlights the importance of communication and shows how the lack of communication impacts relationships. I loved how this book showed that both Jack and Lauren had some changes to make and, that in order for a marriage to be successful, there has to be some give and take.

I always look forward to Adriana's books and Nothing But It All did not disappoint. I want to live in her books because no one can write family dynamics quite like her! I adored Harvey and his relationship with the kids. And, of course, sassy Snaps was hilarious.

Even though this book doesn’t come out until February, I’ve already recommended it to so many people! If you’re looking for a small town, second chance, marriage in trouble romance, this book is definitely for you!

A second chance romance
Jack and Lauren have been married for 20 years. Have 2 children in their last few years of school and have been living together separately for 2+ years.
The kids pull a parent trap on them and bring them back to their usual summer hangout. A trip which they had cancelled for the first time.

There's a lot of emotion here but its a super slow burn and I would have liked to see more of Jack and Lauren reconnecting.

Still a good read overall.