Everything All At Once

24 dares. 3 weeks. Take the leap.

Lottie Reaves is not a risk taker. She plays it safe and avoids all the ways she might get hurt. But when her beloved aunt Helen dies of cancer, Lottie’s fears about life and death start spiraling out of control.

Aunt Helen wasn’t a typical aunt. She was the author of the bestselling Alvin Hatter series, about siblings who discover the elixir of immortality. Her writing inspired a generation of readers. She knew how magical writing could be, and that words have the power to make you see things differently.

In her will, Aunt Helen leaves one writing project just for Lottie. It’s a series of letters, each containing mysterious instructions that are supposed to get Lottie to take a leap and—for once in her life—really live. But when 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 fears once and for all.

I don’t know if you’ve ever had a book call to you, but when I was thinking about what I might want to read next one day, my eyes landed on this book and I knew it was time. Everything All at Once was everything I didn’t know I wanted and needed.

It was funny. It was relatable. And it was vulnerable.

Katrina Leno was able to write Lottie’s story in a way that felt like she was also writing to the reader. It never comes off preachy or pretentious, but always like having an Aunt Helen who’s there to challenge and guide, all while being gentle, funny, and sassy.

Everything All at Once was about a high school girl who recently lost her Aunt to cancer. She is grieving and isn’t quite sure how to let go, and she is anxious about life and death, and things that come in between.

This book is about her journey and how she grows, stumbles, and gets back up to face another day. Yes, it’s about loss and mental health, and it’s also about family, friendships, adventures, and living.

Everything All at Once may never affect you the same way it touched me, but it’s a book I’d gift a friend, the same way my friend gave it to me, because I think she knew everyone needs something like it.