Why ‘Most of All You’ by Mia Sheridan Is One of the Best Books You’ll Read this Year

We meet Crystal and Gabriel at a strip club. Yes, that’s right.

Gabriel, having been kidnapped as a child, struggles with PTSD and physical touch. He seeks out the Platinum Pearl gentlemen’s club to see if he can take baby steps in becoming comfortable with intimacy and romantic connections.

Crystal grew up poor and suffered the loss of her mother young and was left to be raised by a father who never wanted a child. She finds herself stripping for a living when she comes across a man that doesn’t seem to fit in with the crowd. Gabriel notices her too and sees that there is more to Crystal than the persona she portrays and is determined to get past her defences.

I found this story absolutely beautiful. You have two damaged souls who have both endured a life filled with pain. You also have total opposites – a man that is terrified to be held or touched by another person and a woman who is touched constantly, having trained herself to become numb while others take liberties with her body. The peace and healing they find in each other was so heartwarming. They truly completed each other the way they needed and I loved how the different worlds they came from added to the tension of every moment they got just a little bit closer. Gabriel’s character emphasizes appreciating what we have in life and finding gratitude in the small things. Crystal (Ellie as she eventually becomes known) teaches us it is never too late to make something of yourself, to find healing and put yourself on a new path.

One of my favourite quotes: “You get my heart, Eloise. You. And, God, I hope you want it. But if you don’t, I still won’t regret giving it to you.”

Mia Sheridan often writes deep, heartfelt books with complex or troubled characters and that is why I will always read whatever she puts out.

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