We All Live Here: A Novel

I was delighted to receive a copy of Jojo Moyes’ We All Live Here, but unfortunately, this novel did not resonate with me. The story follows Lila Kennedy, whose life seems to be in a constant state of upheaval. As I read, I found myself overwhelmed by the relentless stream of challenges she faced, making the experience feel more exhausting than engaging.

Much of the frustration stemmed from Lila’s interactions with those around her. People repeatedly insert themselves into her life—most notably her stepfather and her estranged biological father—and she often appears unable or unwilling to establish meaningful boundaries. When she finally makes a spontaneous decision that departs from her usual character, the outcome is predictably humiliating. It became difficult to watch a protagonist endure setback after setback without much relief.

While I understand that the novel explores themes of family, belonging, and the importance of allowing others into our lives, many of the supporting characters felt excessively eccentric and difficult to connect with. In fact, the only character I genuinely enjoyed was the gardening assistant, who provided a welcome sense of normalcy amid the chaos.

Ultimately, I found the pacing slow and the plot unnecessarily drawn out. The story struggled to hold my interest, and there were several points where I considered setting it aside altogether. By the end, I was more relieved than satisfied to have finished it.