Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro

Ages 18+

Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro is a dual timeline novel which is a heavily fictionalized story of her life. It is told in the 1970s and 80s by Teresa and Frank Antinori, and in 2015 by Lena, their adult daughter, a lawyer who dedicates her career to fighting discrimination.

When she is thirteen, Lena discovers that her father is gay, and that her mother knew. Now, Frank is set to marry his partner Oliver, and wants Lena to plan the wedding.

Ms. Montanaro’s gorgeous writing made my heart ache both for Teresa and Frank in their own ways. The novel is incredibly moving, heartbreaking, and beautiful.

I had the privilege of meeting the author. You can read the post I wrote about the event here. I highly recommend the historic and timely novel Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro. Oh, and a word of advice? Bring tissues!