I’ve never read an Annette Chavez Macias book, but I was pleasantly surprised by Everything She Never Knew. ✨

This story kicks off with a gut punch: Claudia’s marriage is over, her best friend has betrayed her in the worst possible way, and she’s left to pick up the pieces for both herself and her young daughter. Add in a complicated relationship with her mother, and Claudia’s journey to healing becomes even more layered and real.

I appreciated the depth Annette Chavez Macias brought to Claudia’s story, like how it centered on reconnecting with oneself, taking risks, learning to trust again, and ultimately finding strength and independence. Even though it’s a shorter book (and I definitely would’ve loved to spend even more time with these characters!), it wrapped up with an uplifting, hopeful tone that left me smiling.

ACM has such a gift for weaving stories with so much heart, grounded in intergenerational family dynamics and rich Mexican-American culture. It’s always so comforting to see cultural representation done authentically, and Everything She Never Knew was no exception. Claudia’s journey felt personal, emotional, and deeply relatable.

While the romance is very subtle here (don’t expect a full blown love story), the hints of chemistry between Claudia and Nick were a sweet touch. At its core, this book is about healing and not just falling in love, and I loved it for that.

A beautiful, heartfelt read from Annette Chavez Macias. I’ll be first in line for whatever she writes next. ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley, Annette Chavez Macias, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.