Book Review: All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow
Isn’t it fascinating how certain books can pull you in simply based on their cover? All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow did just that for me. With its eye-catching artwork, I felt compelled to dive into the pages and discover the story behind it. Having thoroughly enjoyed Harlow’s debut novel, Everything We Never Said, my anticipation for this new release was high. While it didn’t quite reach the emotional depths I hoped for, it still delivered an engaging and thought-provoking read that left me with mixed feelings and a few delightful surprises.
The narrative follows River Santos, who has experienced unimaginable loss: a devastating house fire that stole not only her home but her beloved father, too. As I traced River’s journey through grief, her sense of helplessness struck a chord. The story is filled with heavy themes—loss, survival, and the agonizing search for connection. It was heart-wrenching to see how grief permeates every aspect of River’s life, especially when she’s dealing with an unresponsive mother who vanished after the tragedy.
River’s relationship with Logan Evans, her co-worker at Gertie’s diner, is central to the story and adds an interesting dynamic. Initially, their interactions felt strained—like two train wrecks continuously colliding. I found myself torn between feeling empathy for both characters and rolling my eyes at some of the awkward romantic scenes. I mean, licking inside someone’s ear? Really? While I appreciate that young love can be clumsy, those moments felt a tad too bizarre for my taste.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the sprinkling of mystery surrounding an anonymous benefactor who donated an astounding two million dollars to River’s GoFundMe campaign. This plot twist kept me guessing, inserting moments of intrigue amongst the heavy emotional themes. It vividly reminded me of the quote, "It’s not blood money—it’s a lifeline," evoking a sense of hope amidst despair. Harlow’s ability to weave in these surprises gave the plot an unexpected pulse, leaving me feeling like a deer caught in the headlights more than once!
Harlow’s writing style is straightforward and approachable, capturing the complexities of teenage emotions without being overly dramatic. Her pacing is generally strong, although some moments felt a bit bogged down—particularly in the romantic department. Despite not subjecting me to the waterfall of tears I anticipated, the book does evoke moments of reflection: “My mom is gone. My dad is dead. And my life will never be the same.” How powerful is that? It encapsulates the struggles of navigating a young person’s grief while attempting to hold onto the remnants of their former life.
In conclusion, All We Lost Was Everything will likely resonate with readers who appreciate heartfelt stories about resilience, friendship, and the complexities of young love. Sloan Harlow weaves a narrative that’s both poignant and engaging, albeit with moments that invite a head tilt or two. So, mark your calendars for May 6th, 2025, because I genuinely think this book will find its audience. Despite my feelings of it being a ‘mid read,’ I will certainly be keeping an eye on Harlow’s future ventures. If nothing else, this story reminded me of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the power of community. Happy reading! 💖
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