Author: Mike Greenberg
Published: September 3, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Edition: trade paperback
Source: TLC book tours and the publisher, William Morrow. Receipt thereof has no influence over my opinion nor this review.
Brooke has been happily married to her college sweetheart for fifteen years. Samantha’s newlywed bliss is steam-rolled when she finds shocking evidence of infidelity on her husband’s computer.
Katherine works eighteen hours a day for the man who irreparably shattered her heart fifteen years ago.
Brooke, Samantha, and Katherine don’t know one another yet, but all three are about to discover the conquering power of friendship—and that they have all they could ask for, as long as they have each other.
My thoughts:
Brooke, Samantha and Katherine have never before met. Their lives are very different. Brooke is married to her college sweetheart and together they have two children. Samantha discovers while on her honeymoon that her husband is having an affair and Katherine is a power-house on Wall Street working for a man she once loved and is single.
What draws each of them together is the diagnosis of breast cancer. So when these three meet via an online forum for those diagnosed with breast cancer, they discover an enduring friendship that offers the support they each need beyond the stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Since their lives and lifestyles are very different, a common denominator is not evident, nor is it in reality. I am glad this was pointed out in the novel because not all cancer is caused by lifestyle choices such as smoking. Sometimes there are hereditary factors, sometimes environmental. Often, though, there is no obvious cause. It just happens.
Greenberg writes women so well that you forget you are reading the words of a male author! I suspect his wife has a great deal to do with the inspiration and insight with which he writes. Though there were times near the beginning that I found myself checking back on the characters to be sure I was picturing the correct one as I read her chapter, I still found the overall effect of three separate stories bound together by circumstance a warm and touching read.
The inspiration for this novel comes from a personal experience the Greenbergs had with a close friend. Her legacy lives on with this novel and the fundraising from it. I am happy to share that the proceeds from All You Could Ask For will go to charity for cancer research.
About the author:
Mike Greenberg is co-host of ESPN’s Mike & Mike and the author of two previous New York Times bestsellers. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a native of New York City. He lives with his wife, Stacy, and their two children in Connecticut. In conjunction with the release of this book, Mike and Stacy have created a foundation called Heidi’s Angels, through which all of the author’s profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research to combat breast cancer.
Find out more about the All You Could Ask For at allyoucouldaskfor.com.
Follow Mike on Twitter.
There are some men who can write women REALLY well but it isn't common - I'm glad to see that this author excels at it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour.
Yes, he does it quite well! Thanks for sharing this tour Heather.
DeleteImpressive that the book profits are going toward research.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I was quite thrilled to learn the same Ann. I have a very dear friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago. It really brought it home reading All You Could Ask For.
DeleteI've read several reviews that compliment his female characters and "voice." I need to add this to my Goodreads list.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, yes, if I hadn't read his name I would have thought it was written by a female author.
ReplyDelete