Review: Everything All At Once

 Legit got my hands on this because I wanted to read a standalone without disturbing the rest of the months on the tbr doc. Well, I should have disturbed the other months considering I'm like fully booked this year.

Lottie Reeves has always struggled with anxiety, and when her beloved Aunt Helen dies, Lottie begins to fear that her own unexpected death might be waiting around every corner.

Aunt Helen wasn’t a typical aunt. She was the author of the best–selling Alvin Hatter series, about siblings who discover the elixir of immortality. Her writing inspired a generation of readers.

In her will, she leaves one last writing project—just for Lottie. It’s a series of letters, each containing mysterious instructions designed to push Lottie out of her comfort zone. Soon, Lottie’s trying some writing of her own, leaping off cliffs, and even falling for a boy she’s only just met. Then the letters reveal an extraordinary secret about the inspiration for the Alvin Hatter series. Lottie finds herself faced with an impossible choice, one that will force her to confront her greatest fear once and for all.

QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 3.9/5, BEAUTIFUL STORY, BUT IT FEELS A BIT INCOMPLETE.

Possible Trigger Tags:

1. Anxiety

2. Nervousness

3. Mentions of mental health problems

WHAT DID I FEEL ABOUT THE  BOOK'S: 

1. Writing Quality: I'd read Horrid by Katrina Leno earlier this year. But well, I tried to, but I couldn't really get into it because the writing style felt really crass for a horror book. But the same writing style is present in this book and I'd dare to say that it fits this book perfectly. There's a simple but beautiful vibe that makes this book much better and to be honest Leno's writing style is much suited here than in Horrid.  Like so much better. And I really love the little snippets in between the chapters.

2. Character Development: I really love how Lottie's character is developed. In some way or the other I kind of find myself relating to her because I'm a bean with anxiety that struggles to get out of my comfort zone. You won't believe the sheer amount of panic I get when I have to face the public. Like I'll rub and scratch the lobe of my ear with two of my fingers when I am nervous in a crowd and I'm always thinking of how to get out of there. I love how Helen understands her niece and helps her in tying up both of their loose ends and working out of their comfort zone. Love the fact that Helen, even after her death is making sure that her niece can live her life and explore while dealing with anxiety.

3. Couldn't put it down- Ness: 7/10. It's a short book. And really nice.

4. Intellectual Depth: Anxiety has a way of fucking up with your thought process and how you balance your everyday work life and messes with your work ethic. When you have anxiety its tough to be a normal person at home or at work. I love how Lottie's parents, brother and friends are understanding of her situation and I absolutely love how Helen is taking care of Lottie after death and trying to get her comfortable. Anxiety is one of the most misunderstood mental health setbacks which people often refuse to accept exists. Like people, anxiety is real, so real that some of us have a problem blending into the norm. Neurodivergent people exist. And neurotypicals have the habit of pushing neurodivergents out of the social periphery.

  

5. Plot: The plot is really beautiful and I really like the little snippets of Alvin Hatter in between the chapters and I love how Lottie grows as a person throughout the whole of the book. But if I may say so, the arc with Sam is kind of neither satisfying nor is it like hella important the way it's stressed. His secret, I get it that he has to keep it a secret but I think the book would have done much better without adding that twist onto it. Seriously, a romance arc would have been enough for us.

OVERALL, A NICE READ, it works really well as a detox read to be honest.