Everything She Lost

Written by Alessandra Harris

Narrated by Carmen Jewel Jones

After suffering a mental breakdown that nearly destroyed her marriage, Nina Taylor works hard to maintain her tenuous hold on sanity and be a good mother to her two young daughters. Despite her best efforts, she questions the possibility of a full recovery.

Single mom Deja Johnson struggles to overcome her troubled past and raise her young son. But her friendship with Nina brings more complications. What Deja is hiding could not only destroy relationships, but endanger lives.

One traumatic night threatens to shatter Nina’s mind. With Deja’s help, she strives to maintain her mental balance. But as events spiral out of control, the women must find out if Nina is losing her sanity or if someone is plotting against her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094434117

Alessandra Harris

Alessandra Harris doesn't shy away from controversial topics, and writes novels that reflect the diversity of her world. She loves stories that break your heart but leave you smiling at the end, so that's exactly what she writes: made-up stories about almost-real people. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and four children, and is the organizer of San Jose Novel Writers, a group of eclectic writers offering fellowship, support and tips on all forms of writing. Alessandra's debut novel, Blaming the Wind, was published by Red Adept Publishing in 2016, followed by Everything She Lost in 2018, and Last Place Seen in 2022. Visit Alessandra at alessandraharris.net/ or Twitter @AlessandraH17.

Reviews for Everything She Lost

[Whitney · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was sorely disappointed by this book. I love a good title and a captivating book cover and I rarely read reviews before I devour a book. However I wish I had a review or two before reading this one. Needless to say I didn’t devour this one. Instead I nibbled it like an errant child scolded at the dinner table. The main plot and the unfolding of the mystery seemed rushed and it was all too neatly wrapped into place like a scobby doo episode. I appreciated that this book touched on very important topics like mental health but even that seemed like it was glazed over not really addressing it just mentioning it at every turn. Needless to say I didn’t love it.

[Tasha Tolson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Quite the guessing game throughout. Loved the story and the way I couldn’t tell if the main character was imagining things or not. Only reason for the four stars was because the conversations felt a little odd throughout. Almost too forced or unbelievable but overall a great listen.

[Lydia Dunn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great read !! I really enjoyed listening to this book

[Stephanie Arnow · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Still listening to this one, but not enjoying it. Not a fan of the audio reader’s performance, which is making it harder to get into, but also, like what is happening? It’s very repetitive and confusing and also very stereotypical characters that aren’t very dimensional. I’ll finish it off, but def not my favorite.

[Kelly · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Way too long. Very repetitive. Predictable ending. Wouldn't recommend it.

[Katelyn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was REALLY good. Really great story! Only issue I had was the narrators voice for Nina, the main character. She made her sound like a whiney child.

[Megan Leonard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it. Great book. I feel the satisfaction of a good story. Time well spent.

[Kim Ritter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book.. a very interesting read and a plot that is enjoyable to read..

[Kandace Simpson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Regardless of what others wrote I read the book and it was decent. It sheds the light on how people gas light others and take advantage of those with mental health issues.

[Betty Bennett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Intriguing plot, kept me guessing. Love this author’s work. Crisp plot, good character development.

[Elizabeth Schneider · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Someone tell this author to have this re-narrated by someone else!!!!

Terrible narration and it ruined the book. I had to stop listening to what may be a good story.

[gpcontrols · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Narrator was putting me to sleep... also a very uninspiring story to follow and appreciate... hard to catch my attention

[Lilian · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

If it was a book, not audiobook, it would be better because I wouldn’t read it like the narrator does. Many times her intonation didn’t match the moment nor matched the characters. The story is a bit predictable. Despite all this, I finished and I kind of miss Nina and Deja.

[Vicki Hughes · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Just couldn’t get onto this one. The narrator wasn’t resonating with me.

[Erica McCarty · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Over it at chapter 9. Moving WAY Too slow. I feel like the continued use of "after my breakdown" and REPEATED use of the phrase "couldn't afford a relapse" without really any explanations as to what happened or why but I would guess her checking account had something to do with it. Not worth reading find out.

[Leah Barton Tew · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

One of the most stupid books I’ve ever read, and considering that I read two to three books a week, that says a lot. It’s amateurishly written with dialogue that sounds like it came from a group of fifth graders, the characters are caricatures and fraught with stereotypes, and the plot is transparent and unoriginal.

There are SO MANY high quality books out there. Don’t waste your time on this one.

[Jamila Sids · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It's a bad daily soap in book form. The main character is so damn annoying and the narrator's high pitched voice everytime she speaks does not help. I wouldn't have clicked on this one if I hadn't been locked out of every genre on Scribd. Looking back, I should've just listened to music till other titles became available.

[Christmas · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

If it hadn’t ended several chapters before the end. I would have liked to hear how everything ended.

[Deborah Briers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really appreciate that the author has brought the subject of mental illness to the forefront. It was expertly weaved into the story and introduced the stigma that plagues those who have mental illness. I appreciated that the subject of using drug therapy to control illness allows people to return to productive lives. Great storytelling and character building. Thanks!

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to #BookSirens for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I didn't know anything about this book when I agreed to review it, so I went into it with no expectations. I recently finished Queenie and this felt a little bit like that novel - about a black woman with low self esteem, sleeping with multiple men. But, it changed from that to a story about a woman dealing with mental illness who is truly struggling. I had a few issues with the book. 1. It wasn't explained until late in the book why Nina's brother, Isaiah, died. 2. It wasn't explained until very late in the book why Nina had a breakdown. I feel that if I had known these 2 things earlier in the book, I would have enjoyed it more. I did figure out, but not immediately, what was going on with Nina's friend, Deja, and Deja's abusive boyfriend, Kevin. I was happy with the ending to the book, but it was a little pat, wrapping up everything a little too well. #EverythingSheLost #AlessandraHarris #BookSirens

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Everything She Lost is a story about family, friendship and mental illness. Family and friends should be able to help someone who has had a breakdown but in this book, you aren't sure if they are helping the main characters recovery or working to make her relapse.Nina is working very hard on her recovery - well except for those secret shots of alcohol that she drinks in her closet to help her get through her days. As the book begins, she appears to be losing touch with reality again - notes are sent that she didn't remember sending and flowers are delivered that she didn't remember ordering. The reader is very unsure just how stable she is. Her husband, Rod, is absolutely no help and keeps putting unneeded pressure on her. Plus he is sleeping with her best friend - if you can call a friend having sex with your husband your best friend - but Nina has no idea that the affair is going on. Deja is a single mother trying her best to escape from her past and to her credit fells bad that she is sleeping with Rod.This is a very well written book about mental illness and recovery. I liked Nina but really did NOT like Deja or Rod. Even though Deja was trying to better herself, she had no idea what friendship and loyalty meant in the real world. This is a good book with interesting twists and turns and a surprising ending.Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[sharn_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The author gave me a copy to read in exchange for a review.I thought it was okay. The author did a good job at stringing me along. That's the thing with the mentally unstable characters, you never know where they're going and the author can mislead you at every turn.Nina's trying to put her life back together after a mental breakdown when she meets Deja, a single mom who's trying to overcome her past. When Deja's past eventually comes back to haunt her, Nina struggles to remain sane and be a good mom but after one horrific evening Nina feels she's relapsing and it could cost them both everything. I mean really, what are best friends for?I had issues with the book though... my kids will never call the woman who stepped into my home while I was hospitalized with a breakdown "auntie". Not gonna happen. I won't be her 'bestie' either, nope. And please tell me that there aren't really people out there this stupid...Love the cover!