I really enjoyed reading this novel about motherhood, grief, and healing. As a mother of 2 small children, I know how all-consuming the task can be. Even when I am not with my kids, I am thinking or worrying about them. In All They Ask Is Everything by @hadleyleggett , Hannah is a mom and widow who struggles to get custody of her 2 small children after a terrible mistake lands them in foster care. This book brings to light how tough motherhood is, and how fragile the human psyche can be when faced with tragedy and isolation. I rooted for Hannah to pull herself up by the bootstraps, and toward the end, I saw just how badly Hannah needed help from outside sources. Julie was annoying at first, but her change in perspective was redeeming. I really disliked Elaine.
I thought the writing flowed well, and the only reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the storyline became a little chaotic and rushed toward the end. I didn’t quite believe it. I did appreciate the happy ending, though I am sure most cases involving the foster system in the United States don’t turn out as pleasant as was written. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend.
4/5 stars
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for this ARC via @netgalley
All thoughts are entirely my own.

ALL THEY ASK IS EVERYTHING is an absolute gem of a debut.

This heartfelt and compelling novel masterfully delves into the silent struggles of motherhood through the intertwining lives of three very different women. The way their lives converge over the custody of the two girls is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, revealing the unspoken bonds and shared experiences that tie them together. Leggett so beautifully captures the complexities of love, loss, and motherhood. A must-read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories that tug at your heartstrings.

I'll definitely be reading everything this author writes from here on out!

When a grief-stricken Hannah leaves her two young daughters in the car for a what is supposed to be a brief errand, she has no idea just how far-reaching the effects will be. As she navigates the legal system in a desperate attempt to regain custody of her children, she must confront her own failings as a mother and along the way, finds support from the unlikliest of people. Emotional and thought-provoking, this beautifully written novel is an honest depiction of what it means to be a good mother.

A warm, engaging story that shines an important light on the truth of motherhood with all its challenges and messiness. Society loves to paint motherhood with a shining, unrealistic brush, leaving women set up to fail as they try relentlessly to live up to impossible expectations. This story of one woman’s brave intentions and unfortunate mistakes is a refreshing, compassionate view of the complexities of mothering and the necessity of support. Two other characters who both help and hinder her add multiple layers of conflict, each woman convinced of her own perceptions.

This is the book I wish I’d had during my own years of parenting and believing the cultural pressures to have it all, do it all, and never ask for help. The antidote is this beautifully written, relatable page-turner. A story that will stay with you long after the ending.

All They Ask Is Everything is a compelling novel told from the perspectives of three women:

Hannah, who has buried her growing grief and isolation until her children are taken into foster care.

Julie, a single woman with aspirations of motherhood, who becomes the foster mother to Hannah’s daughters.

Elaine, Hannah's mother, who is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her granddaughters back home.

Each woman’s story is poignant and deeply emotional, showcasing their individual struggles and the lengths they go to in order to provide love and stability for the girls. The narrative weaves their lives together beautifully, making you feel deeply for each of them.

While I felt a slight sense of something missing, I was fully invested in their journeys and eager to see how everything would unfold.

Thanks to NetGalley download

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beautiful story of three women, all wanting the best for two young girls. Hannah makes a tragic mistake that ultimately lands her two young daughters, Wren and Ivy, into foster care. Julie, a single foster mom ends up caring for the two young girls and instantly becomes attached to them. And finally, Elaine, is Hannah’s mother, who hasn’t spoken to her daughter, or her granddaughters in over a year; but now wants to be involved in their lives.

I really enjoyed this debut novel about the struggles of motherhood & how it takes a village, honestly, just to stay afloat at times with children. Will definitely look for more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC. This book is released on August 27; definitely add it to your list! #booksbyashleynicole

A brilliant debut. Relatable as a single mother myself! Parenting is complicated and all consuming, so rarely described as accurately as within these pages. Real, relatable, thought provoking and entertaining!

Hadley Leggett has done an amazing job with her debut novel! She takes very complicated and difficult themes (parental neglect, foster system, mental health) and spins a tale with these heavy themes that doesn't leave the reader feeling weighed down. Well done! Great summer read right here!

Decades ago, at the age of 27, I was cross-legged in a dim hallway in a starter home, leaned against a closet door, an infant at my breast, a toddler in my lap and a preschooler stroking my limp, greasy hair as I made up a story to keep her entertained. We were all waiting for relief -- for Daddy to come home and rescue us all. Such was the life of a stay-home mom of limited means in the '80s who was far from family and friends due to a job transfer: lonely, depressed, overwhelmed. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if I'd been a single mother like the character Hannah in All They Ask is Everything, the standout debut by Hadley Leggett.

All They Ask tells the story of three women at different stages in life (Hannah, Julie, Elaine) who all passionately love two little girls in the foster care system. In portraying the complicated wants and needs of these women, the novel shines a bright light on the double-standards we have for mothers (including judgment from adult daughters toward their own mothers) and illustrates the expectations everyone from the stranger in the grocery store to the judge in court to friends/family has for women with children. It also -- without a bit of hectoring scold -- describes the complications in the nation's child welfare system and offers up a unique solution through the plot and character's choices. The dialogue runs true, Leggett's mastery of description is sometimes breathtaking, and the pacing so powerful I had a hard time putting it down.

My primary thought when I finished the book was, "I wonder what Hadley Leggett will write next." Can't recommend enough.

You will initially be immersed in the compulsive, emotionally unstable mind of Hannah, a mother who all-out loves her kids, but who is struggling on the brink of drowning in her grief and circumstances. Next, you will become equally sympathetic to the plight of single Julie who always knew she was meant to be a mother, and who is riding the emotional roller-coaster of waiting for a baby to foster in hopes of adopting. Finally enters Elaine, Hannah’s high-powered and emotionally distant mother who always gets what she wants. The welfare of the two little girls at the focus of this novel does not have any easy answers, especially when secrets abound, and the truth is unclear. The character development throughout the novel is exquisite and inspiring as these initially single-minded characters expand their outlook as their stories become entwined.

This is Hadley Leggett’s debut novel, but you will be thirsty for her next offering.

This was such a thought-provoking novel. Who should care for the children? Alternating chapters between the three women vying for custody of these sweet and spunky sisters, made for a very fast-paced story. Ms. Leggett never favored which of the adults should be their guardian, only what was ultimately in the best interest for the well-being of Wren and Ivy. As the adults eventually began working together toward the most secure and stable outcome, the rainbows finally began to overcome the stormy days of the past for this family.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of Hadley Leggett's debut of All They Ask Is Everything; thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

When it comes to "All They Ask Is Everything", I'm torn. On one hand, it explores such an interesting topic, but on the other, some tropes didn't sit right with me.

In her novel, Hadley Leggett shades light on the works of foster system, including perspectives of the mother whose daughters are taken away, the foster mother who receives them, as well as the grandmother who wants to step in. These are three very strong narrative arcs and I think each character was given justice in a way how she's portrayed and what are her motivations.

What tinted my reading experience, was the romance plot that seemed completely unnecessarily stuffed with romance novel-adjacent tropes.

I loved this book, which provides a fresh take of a family in the foster care system from multiple points of view of caretakers, including the biological mother, the foster mother, and a kinship relation. It was so empathetic is all involved. One of my favorite books I've read this year.

The story is told from three female points of view,. This works really well so we can fully understand each woman's motives for wanting to care for the children - whose welfare is at stake - themselves. Like all difficult, moral decisions there seems to be no possible answer that will be good for everyone. But Hadley Leggett navigates the plot, and draws the characters with a skill and sensitivity that has us rooting for all three despite their clashing agendas. Jodi Picoult fans will love this.

A terrific debut novel. I’m done raising my children, raised seven, but I could relate to the mother’s struggles in this story. She tries her best, is a single mother, but one mistake, lapse in judgment, albeit an avoidable one, and her whole world changes.

I can’t imagine the struggles of single parenting, but I can identify with society’s expectations of motherhood. What I liked most about this book was it showed three different women and their love for two little girls. The frustration of wanting, but being unable to have children and a frustrated grandmother who wants to rescue the girls. But, who is right? Is it possible that more information is needed? Maybe a little help and understanding? The author efficiently handles these different viewpoint. To see how it turns out you will have to read the book.

Wow, this book had me thinking about it long after I finished reading it. I love how the author wound the stories together and gave me a perspective I didn't expect for each of the protagonists. There is so much to unpack in this well written and easy to read book. I actually read it in one sitting, it was so good. I just had to know what was going to happen next and I bonded with each character. I thought the way the author managed the reveals was masterful and I was hooked! I enjoyed this book so much and cannot wait for the author to give us another peek into her creative imagination. I will be purchasing this one for a gift for my friends.

the summary of this book sounded great, and I absolutely LOVE the cover. But, alas, the novel itself was greatly disappointing. Too much of a "soap opera" vibe, very unbelievable, and I hated every character in it (except the young ones). But it is a debut, so I might give the author a second chance

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early!

This was a heart wrenching book that really tackled real world issues of being a mom. I am not a mother myself but I have many friends who are and who have gone through a lot of trials and tribulations. I think this painted the perfect picture of what motherhood is like from different types of moms.

The three different points of view had very different narrators, and I think that was a wonderful way to show how motherhood is different for everyone. What made me love the book so much is that everyone came together in the end to make sure the two little girls had the absolute best choice made on their behalf to have a fantastic life. This also painted the picture not to judge a book by its cover and that someone might have a whole lot more going on then what you know.

Kudos to the author for being able to tell this story so beautifully. I do wish we got an epilogue to see what eventually happened, but other then that I truly enjoyed this book!

WOW! Holy cow! It’s not often that I read a book that hits every single emotion I’ve ever had in a sympathetic, well thought out way. I was crying, smiling, and just feeling all the emotions of the three women when I read the final page. I have never written such a long review so here goes:

I seriously can’t express how emotional this book made me and how much it made me reflect on my own life and decisions. I won’t get into that because it’s not about me, but I can’t recommend this book enough to ALL women: mothers by choice, women who never wanted to be mothers but didn’t have a choice, women struggling to become a mother, women who are childless by choice, etc. It was so well written and thoughtful in every aspect, and I couldn’t put it down. What a debut from Hadley Leggett! Please write more books!!

In All We Ask is Everything, we meet three women who are dealing with their own personal struggles: Hannah, a widowed mother of two young girls who is struggling with her mental health; Julie, a woman who wants nothing more than to be a mother, but life keeps throwing her curve balls; and Elaine, Hannah’s driven, hard working but mostly absent mother. Each woman thinks she knows what is best for the girls but do they really? I wasn’t surprised by the ending as I kind of saw it coming, but that didn’t stop me from absolutely loving this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hadley Leggett, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my review. All They Ask is Everything will be available August 27, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This really is a beautiful story of womanhood and motherhood. The characters are so well developed and I had such a great time following them through the story.

Anyone could relate to this, stunning.