Review of For All of Us

[Leslie coccia]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "For All of Us" by Jillian Rose.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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“For All of Us” by Jillian Rose is a romance novel set in modern-day and the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Written like diary entries, the chapters alternate between the 1890’s, early 1900’s, and “Modern Day.” The book tells the story of Cora, a yoga teacher from New York, as she experiences a profoundly spiritual weekend at the Citrine Welcome and Living Center. When she meets the owner of the retreat center, a man named Kai, her world is changed forever.

I give "All of Us" a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. The story is a pleasant breath of fresh air because of the theme of spirituality. The descriptions of the Citrine Welcome and Living Center make it easy to imagine such a place. While reading, it feels like being in a real yoga class, surrounded by salt lamps and serenity. Another positive about the book is a certain intense dialogue between Cora and her husband, Emerson. The emotion between them is true to life.

This book is, quite simply, a lot. Just like Cora, it is spiritual. The spiritual elements come through in Cora’s constant self-reflection and musings about life. Even though it is a positive aspect of the book, it’s also part of the reason why I didn’t want to give a perfect rating. Told from her point of view, almost every sentence of the story describes a feeling, a pondering, or touches on an ethereal truth or piece of wisdom. When Kai’s character enters the story, the theme of spiritual searching deepens. I was drawn to the soul-searching, but the near constant emphasis on it becomes a little too much. It makes the plot drag on, and at times feels so contrived that I thought, “Get on with it.”

Another reason I give the book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars has to do with the passages about the past. There is not as much depth to them as the ones set in modern day. The character development is lacking. More backstory for the characters of Juliette and Asher would’ve made the whole story more cohesive.

“All of Us” will appeal to readers who appreciate elements of spirituality, time travel, and depictions of passionate sex in fiction. Overall, it is worth a read.

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For All of Us
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Williams Jaden]

For All of Us by Jillian Rose is a romance novel told through diary-style entries spanning the 1890s, early 1900s, and modern day. It follows Cora, a yoga teacher from New York, who has a life-changing experience at the Citrine Welcome and Living Center. There, she meets Kai, the retreat’s owner, who transforms her world forever.

[Priya Murugesan]

I am not a big fan of romance. Based on your review, I think I will skip this book! Thanks for your review!

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Y'all, after readin' this here review, I reckon "All of Us" by Jillian Rose sounds like a decent read. With its blend of spirituality, time travel, and passion, it offers a unique story that might just catch your fancy. The author's descriptive style transports ya to the Citrine Welcome and Living Center, makin' it easy to imagine bein' surrounded by its serene atmosphere. However, some folks might reckon that the emphasis on spiritual musings gets a tad overwhelming. The historical chapters could've used a bit more depth too. Overall, I reckon I'd give this book a solid 3 outta 5 stars. Masterful world-building, brought the setting to life.

[Joe Alex 2]

The story seems to offer a unique blend of spirituality and romance, with its setting at a yoga retreat adding to its peaceful atmosphere. While the spiritual themes may resonate with some, the heavy focus on self-reflection and philosophical musings might feel drawn-out for others. The lack of depth in the historical sections and character development also seems to hinder the overall experience. While I’m intrigued by the premise, I’m unsure if I would enjoy the book enough to read it, given the pacing and emphasis on spirituality.

[Catherine Sweet]

I enjoyed reading this review. It gave a good idea of the book's strengths and weaknesses. However, it places too much emphasis on spirituality for me to want to read it.