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The Status of All Things

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What would you do if you could literally rewrite your fate—on Facebook? This heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the authors of The Perfect Life follows a woman who discovers she can change her life through online status updates.

Kate is a thirty-five-year-old woman who is obsessed with social media. So when her fiancé, Max, breaks things off at their rehearsal dinner—to be with Kate’s close friend and coworker, no less—she goes straight to Facebook to share it with the world. But something’s changed. Suddenly, Kate’s real life starts to mirror whatever she writes in her Facebook status. With all the power at her fingertips, and heartbroken and confused over why Max left her, Kate goes back in time to rewrite their history.

Kate's two best friends, Jules and Liam, are the only ones who know the truth. In order to convince them she’s really time traveled, Kate offers to use her Facebook status to help improve their lives. But her attempts to help them don’t go exactly as planned, and every effort to get Max back seems to only backfire, causing Kate to wonder if it’s really possible to change her fate.

In The Status of All Things, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke combine the humor and heart of Sarah Pekkanen and Jennifer Weiner while exploring the pitfalls of posting your entire life on the Internet. They raise the questions: What if you could create your picture-perfect life? Would you be happy? Would you still be you? For anyone who’s ever attempted—or failed—to be their perfect self online, this is a story of wisdom and wit that will leave you with new appreciation for the true status of your life.

294 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

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About the author

Liz Fenton

12 books1,664 followers
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been best friends for over thirty years and survived high school and college together. They’ve co-authored seven novels, including the Amazon Charts bestseller, The Good Widow. Their forthcoming book, Forever Hold Your Peace, will be published on July 11, 2023.

In addition to writing books, they created a podcast, We Fight So You Don’t Have to: Lessons from a thirty-year friendship. They also appear monthly on a San Diego news station to share their favorite book club picks.

They both reside in San Diego, California with their families and several rescue dogs.Connect with Liz and Lisa on Instagram at @lisaandliz or at www.lizandlisa.com.
Connect with Liz and Lisa on social media: www.lizandlisa.com Instagram: @lisaandliz Twitter: @lizandlisa FB: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 663 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,774 reviews6,698 followers
August 3, 2015
I frequently use social media. I'm on facebook, instagram, goodreads (obviously), pinterest, sometimes twitter... you get the picture. And aside from those awkward venting rants floating around, I pretty much see everyone's best moments: the proud moments, the vacations, the special occasions, the I love you's. It's easy to forget there are real-life struggles on the other end of those smiling selfies.
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In the women's fiction novel: The Status of All Things, authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke use a topic as light and frivolous as facebook to discuss a number of issues that I personally found very relevant. The main character: Kate learns important lessons about being careful what you wish for, unplugging long enough to nurture real relationships, giving up a little of your own happiness to make someone else's happen, pushing beyond your fear even though you might get hurt, and recognizing that sometimes your mistakes turn out to be your biggest blessings.

Overall, I liked this book. It had a touch of magical realism that was both creative and annoying in my opinion (see spoiler for details). But for some reason, I could not put this book down. Despite it's predictability, I desperately wanted to see Kate's story play out to the end. Maybe it was just the right book at the right time. Maybe I was just in the mood for some brain candy. Maybe it was just a really clever book. Whatever the reason, I remained fully engaged from start to finish. I could easily see The Status of All Things adapted to a Hallmark Channel movie, and yes, I would watch it :) It's simple, fun, and delivers a message. Check it out!

My favorite quote:
“What I'm trying to say is people lie, people cheat, people leave people.” His eyes lock with mine. “And sometimes you have to accept you can't edit life the way you do online. This isn't facebook. It's the real world for Christ sake. Sometimes you just have to let your arm look fat in the picture.”
Profile Image for Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic.
1,126 reviews142 followers
Read
December 12, 2017
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DNF

I am wondering why this book is getting such high ratings. Many of them 5 stars. Is it because the reviewers received an ARC and they feel like they can't write the truth. Heck, I don't know!!! All I know is, this book irritated the heck out of me. I was constantly stopping to do status updates (how ironic) of how it was bugging me. Don't get me wrong, the storyline did sound interesting but the execution was a big fat FAILED attempt for me! It wasn't the supernatural aspect. I love supernatural books. It was the fact that Kate had the opportunity to relive her past and what does she do?? She ask for things that just complicates her life even more and for stupid things like tighter abs for her friend. How is that helping her relationship with Max? One of the big issues I had with this book was, the fact Kate knows the outcome of how her rehearsal dinner plays out and when she goes back in time to relive her past she changes herself to please Max. I said to myself, knowing his betrayal that eventually comes, I could NOT degrade myself to make him happy just because he didn't pick me and in hopes that he won't fall for another women. You're fighting a losing battle there buddy! I wanted to know the outcome after she relived her past so I just jumped to the end and found out what happen. Glad I DNF'd it!
Profile Image for Catherine McKenzie.
Author 27 books4,716 followers
June 11, 2015
I got to read an early copy of THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS. A delightfully quirky book about a woman trying to change the course of her history after she gets left at the alter, Fenton and Steinke are carving a space for themselves with their women's fiction novels that have a touch of magic to them. Fans of Allison Winn Scotch's will especially enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Mary Kubica.
Author 22 books18k followers
December 8, 2014
Absolutely loved THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS - such a treat! I was honored to receive an early copy of the novel and simply couldn't put it down. Such delightful characters (many of them, anyway!) and a unique, fun storyline about the power of destiny and the importance of friends. Be sure to check it out when it arrives in 2015!
Profile Image for Tara - runningnreading.
339 reviews102 followers
July 5, 2015
Unfortunately, this one was not a favorite for me; I was not expecting a masterpiece, but I thought it would make for a fun, entertaining, light summer read. The idea is pretty cute, I think: main character Kate, who is “obsessed with social media,” discovers that she can type a particular outcome as her status on Facebook and it will become true. There are times when that might be nice!

I can usually overlook some predictability in an easy read, but I’d already predicted what I thought would happen within the first few chapters of the book and then it felt like it took forever to get there; I was also a little annoyed with Kate’s desire to “fix” everyone else in her life, only to discover that she was complicating things for herself.

This would have been a quick read, had I not been so bored with it and put it down so many times; I wish I could report a better outcome, but I feel like there are just too many other great books this summer on which to spend your dollar. It might be just the book for your summer reading list, but it wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Andrea.
795 reviews165 followers
November 23, 2016
2.5 Stars

I almost did not finish this one, which was terribly frustrating because there was so much potential here. It could have been a breezy, fun romp through time and social media. But nooo! The main character couldn't see the reality in front of her all along and would have benefitted from a firm smack on the back of the head! All in all, it was intriguing enough to finish but not to recommend.
Profile Image for Shannon.
198 reviews20 followers
August 10, 2020
“That the status of all things in my life would have to first get messy in order for them to get better.”
Profile Image for Cherie.
110 reviews10 followers
May 4, 2023
If you could go back in time and change your life, would you? Or maybe a better question is, should you? Do you think you can interrupt or change fate?
Profile Image for Margaret Dilloway.
Author 15 books441 followers
April 17, 2015
In this day and age, who hasn't perused Facebook status updates and wondered if your own life measures up, and perhaps tried to edit your own life to appear just a little bit better than it is? THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS is about this concept. Kate, a successful professional woman, is stunned when her fiance leaves her at the altar. But a magical chance encounter lets her go back in time to fix everything that went wrong with her man (if she can figure out what it is) with this awesome convention-- everything she writes in her Facebook status comes true. Soon Kate's using her power to influence not only her own life, but the lives of her friends and enemies. The question is, will her life go right this time, even when she can control every quirk of fate-- and will she want it to? A modern fairy tale with smart observations about the downfalls of social media. Fun and fast-paced.

Also, this makes me want to take a loooong social media break. No offense, Facebook.
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
2,855 reviews406 followers
May 13, 2015
A special thank you to Atria Books/Washington Square and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Real life BFF razor-sharp and talented contemporary authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke bring new meaning to “girls just want to have fun”, blending their own passion with their characters, Kate and Jules-- in their latest witty, chick-lit with a touch of whimsy, social media obsession, with a dose of reality versus perfection THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS-- A life lesson for today’s world of appearances.

With humor and insight, these clever gals will keep you engaged, and laughing out loud, from the first page to the last. From the stunning front cover to the honest insights, this dynamic duo captures the essence of today’s social media world where everyone has come to expect perfection from our lives, food, fashion, entertainment, families, relationships, image, and lifestyle; hiding behind a mirage of facades. I am betting these two friends had a blast writing this hilarious novel.

Kate, is obsessed with social media, and Facebook. She lives for perfection. Everything has to be perfect. She cannot recall a time when she had ever written something negative, instead always focusing on the positive things. A score, a new account, a fabulous new restaurant, humor, or anything to let her friends know she is living the life—quite different than the Debbie Downers of the world; the ones who have actual problems in their lives. The ones who are not afraid to highlight unpopular opinions or rant about the kids. The people who do not fear judgment the same way she does.

However; in hindsight, could the Debbie Downers of the world possibly be on to something? Maybe it was time for Kate to be real. She had always tried to make her own life look like a Norman Rockwell painting and where did it get her?

Blindsided and feeling stupid, Kate has missed the signs. Left at the altar of her wedding, by Max, the man she had hoped to build a future with, a shared condo, dreams, family and worst of all he thinks he is in love with her friend and co-worker! It is time for a do over. A time machine. Possibly people’s lives are not always as perfect as the filtered photos or edited statuses they post on Facebook. But, wouldn’t it be nice if they were? Kate soon realizes she has been so wrapped up in herself she did not notice what was really going on around her.

Jules, Kate’s friend is married. The ideal marriage is always hanging over her head. Marriage is hard, there are expectations and worry. Does any marriage live up? Are there any guarantees? Is she satisfied with her marriage, or should she have an affair if her husband is not paying her enough attention.

I loved the other supporting characters, the mom and how she had allowed her husband’s actions to define her, and Liam, her friend, as each of the cast learn to embrace their imperfections on this journey we call life.

Fans of Jennifer Weiner and Sarah Pekkanen, will devour THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS with its take on modern relationships. Would highly recommend their first book, Your Perfect Life if you have not had a chance to read. Looking forward to more from these two--with a thumb on today’s hot topics, friendship, relationships, social media, trends, and issues we tackle in each of our daily lives. Do not forget to add this one to your beach bag - a perfect beach read for endless hours of entertainment!

JDC Must Read Books
Profile Image for Kate Hilton.
Author 4 books251 followers
August 18, 2015
Classic chicklit with a nod to Back To The Future for all the Gen Xers out there. Disappointed bride, Kate, is left at the altar. Hooked on social media, she despairs at being unable to post a sunny status update - until she discovers that her Facebook updates are coming true, and that she can wish herself back to a happier version of her life. Or can she? A sweet fable about learning to worry less about what other people think and more about what you actually want.
Profile Image for Nicholas Sparks.
Author 407 books229k followers
January 13, 2016
Could changing your Facebook status change your life? Kate tries to rewrite her romantic history, but soon learns that it might not be possible to change your fate.
Profile Image for Deborah Blanchard.
380 reviews100 followers
June 8, 2015
First and foremost I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me the honor and privilege of reading and reviewing this magnificent book.
I was hooked on this book from the first chapter and found it hard to put down thereafter. This book is extremely well written, with such wonderful characters. I was so wrapped up in this story that I feel like I knew each character personally. If you had the chance to change your life, would you do it? Is our life predetermined or can you change the outcome. I have always thought I would change things, but when you think about it, isn't it the paths we choose that ultimately make us who we become, who we truly are meant to be. I loved the main character Kate, she was funny and loving and always there for everyone else. That is who she was, who she was meant to be. This is an amazing story about Facebook but so much more. Is what people post on Facebook truth, or what they want you to perceive as the truth. This is a book that you will think of long after you finish it. It resonated with me on so many different levels. It was a difficult book to put down each day and if I had the time, I would have finished it in a day. It is absolutely flawless in its execution.
Needless to say, I loved this book! I would highly recommend this book be read by people of all ages. It doesn't matter what your favorite genre is, you will be missing out on a wonderfully written book. It is so relevant to this "Facebook" age, where we have to post our lives online for the world to see. Or do we?
Profile Image for Jackie Bouchard.
Author 5 books131 followers
March 5, 2015
I was delighted to get my hands on an ARC of "The Status of All Things"!

I really enjoyed Liz & Lisa's "Your Perfect Life" and am a big fan of their magic-mixed-with-the-everyday stories. "Status" definitely falls under that heading and does not disappoint! The characters are so real they could be your friends from college, but with the added spice of a little magic mixed in to their lives, which keeps you guessing as to what will happen next.

I also love how they weave modern-day concerns into the story. After all, who hasn't wondered about (and maybe been a little jealous of) their friends' seemingly perfect lives, as viewed through the filter of a Facebook post?

The story has both heart and humor, and will keep you turning pages until the oh-so-satisfying ending. I can see this book leading to some fun book club discussions about how you'd like to use the magic powers bestowed on Kate!
Profile Image for Teresa.
61 reviews
March 4, 2015
Fenton and Steinke just keep getting better. The Status of All Things is their best work yet. I truly could not put it down. It is funny and honest and makes the reader laugh at herself. They might not have intended for the book to put a little perspective on life and the things we share on social media, but it did just that.

How often do we look at Facebook or Pinterest and see the lives we wish we had? Kate learns that the dream life ,may not be what she thinks it is at all.

I'll definitely be recommending this one to my friends
Profile Image for Bethany Chase.
Author 3 books513 followers
April 19, 2015
I absolutely loved this book, and gobbled it up in one sitting! Liz and Lisa's writing is funny, kind-hearted and wise, and I especially appreciated how nuanced the characters and situations were. Every character in the story was believably flawed and human, trying hard to do the right thing in situations where clear answers are impossible. Real life is messy, and I love how richly these writers portray that.
Profile Image for Traci York-Goble.
8 reviews29 followers
November 6, 2015
This book was a "GoodRead"! I think that once this book comes out, you will find it at the top of the best sellers lists. I think a lot of people would wish that they had the power to do what Kate was able to do by using social media to change their own lives or a situation in their life. I will definitely be sharing this book with my family and friends.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,461 reviews
August 16, 2015
Oh I hate when I read a really excellent deep book then go to a chic-lit book. So keeping in mind this isn't a deep read, it was entertaining and amusing. Good for a light fluff read! Enjoy!
Profile Image for Kimberly Belle.
Author 20 books4,433 followers
June 21, 2015
Liz and Lisa can always make me laugh out loud, and this one's no exception. A fun and clever page-turner!
Profile Image for Grace {Rebel Mommy Book Blog}.
475 reviews175 followers
November 18, 2016
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This is the second book I have read and enjoyed by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke. This book and The Year We Turned Forty both play with the idea of getting to relive history and make changes to one's life. They definitely write women's fiction I like and can relate to with a kind of whimsical twist.

When Kate gets dumped by her fiance Max at her rehearsal dinner she is blindsided and devastated. When she takes to Facebook to wish to do the last month over she wakes up and finds she has that chance. She finds that whatever she writes on Facebook becomes true. Only her best friends know this after she uses her "power" to help them. However not everything goes as intended. Can Kate change the past and get Max to marry her this time around?

I really loved the twist with the going back in time and the Facebook statuses coming true. It was such a fun concept. Kate, while I liked her in general, was someone who was way to obsessed with what people thought about her and had to always appear perfect. I do think that is the point of the story so I was just looking for character growth which I got. I did love her friends Liam and Jules and glad they were there to help balance out Kate.

The look at relationships, friendships and how we put ourselves out there on social media was handled well and relatable. It was a quick and easy read that I am glad I picked up. Looking forward to more from these authors.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
Profile Image for Kelly Hager.
3,102 reviews146 followers
May 11, 2015
I absolutely love the concept of this story! I mean, who wouldn't love the ability to be able to completely change your life with a status update? ("I am so excited about losing weight! I genuinely love salad!")

Of course, there are a few pitfalls, and there's no way to guarantee that fate won't continue to assert itself.

Even so, Kate knows that if she just perseveres...

I did really love Kate. She's very relatable and she uses her powers for good (mostly). She shares the good fortune with her friends and (eventually) even tries to cure cancer and end world hunger (those last two don't work; the fine print is that you can't make changes that don't impact you in some way).

This book is incredibly fun and hard to stop reading. It's a little over 300 pages and I managed to read it in only a few hours.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Jessica Ashe.
635 reviews27 followers
August 13, 2015
Solid 4.5. (why don't we have 1/2 stars yet?!)

I really thoroughly enjoyed this read. Just utterly engrossing. All the characters were extremely interesting, quirky, and relatable.

The premise of this book is one I think that, especially in today's social media society, we can all take a extra large dose of the message that is in this book.

Although someone's life may look perfect from social media, more times than not, you are only seeing the edited, filtered and photoshopped cover photo of their life. Take the time to water your own grass and just don't worry about your neighbors.

Fate and God have a way of working everything about the way it is destined to go.
Profile Image for Amy.
Author 1 book1,059 followers
September 3, 2015
What a fun premise for a book and a quick & enjoyable read. I love books with a magical realism theme and the idea that you can rewrite your own history through your Facebook status was such a good one. It also makes you think about how we present ourselves online and how our reality are often so different!
Profile Image for Dee DeTarsio.
Author 9 books106 followers
July 14, 2015
What’s on YOUR mind?

That tempting Facebook question, “What’s on your mind?” sets the scene for The Status of All Things—a smart, sarcastic and ultimately sweet story of sharing (and over-sharing!) and discovering what a “perfect” life really looks like! I LOVE this book!
Profile Image for Laura Kay Bolin.
165 reviews85 followers
June 2, 2015
http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2015...

Loved! Such an enjoyable novel! THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS is the perfect summertime book. You simply fall into the story and there isn't a needless amount of overwriting--just good fun storytelling. Kate is relateable character to anyone who may post a wee bit too much on Facebook and who may make sure when posting a status reveals our awesome selves (cough cough). She can't help it everyone else seems to having amazing facebook worthy lives. Well everything gets tripped up when her fiance Max ends things at the rehearsal dinner.

Seriously? What is a girl to do? She just wants to go back in time to fix everything--a status posted and poof she gets her second chance! In fact, whatever she posts happens. Umm that is a lot of power! With a whole lot of unexpected consequences.

I gobbled THE STATUS OF ALL THINGS up! I could totally get Kate-I mean she just wanted to keep her life on track! I loved her friends Jules and Liam they brought the much needed reality check into Kate's life while still trying to be supportive. They also brought a good balance to the story itself, both brought their issues without weighing down Kate-who was completely focused on one thing only. I also loved the character Ruby, who was the fairy godmother type. Her presence was an ever reminder that there forces out there larger than our own wants and everything we do has a consequence. I just really loved it. It was fun without losing sight of real life. Reminding us how real life isn't the pretty picture we all try to paint on facebook.
Profile Image for Jencey/.
782 reviews7 followers
May 14, 2015
Thank you to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and Simon and Schuster for a copy of The Status of All Things. I really enjoyed the first novel Your Perfect Life, and I think my readers will really enjoy this one. How do you feel about Facebook and the statuses you see on them? Do constantly update your status or only report when necessary?
Synopsis:
Kate is preparing for her wedding day. The next task on her agenda once she locates Max is the rehearsal dinner. Where is Max? When she finally finds him he tells her that he doesn’t want to marry her. She is stunned by this news and goes home with her friends Jules and Liam. Kate walks into a Starbucks with a when a very special experience occurs. All of the sudden she finds herself with an opportunity to possibly changer her future. She wakes up in the past before the wedding. Will Kate’s knowledge of what will happen in her relationship with Max help her keep him? Or will she lose him?
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel! Authors Liz and Lisa explore what would happen if suddenly you could wish your life into a different direction, with just posting a status update on Facebook. How fun could it possibly is? I don’t know that I would wish for things on Facebook myself. How about you?
Once again this novel is set in LA. The authors write with such realistic dialogue and characters you would want to have real conversations. There is one character trait that is not my favorite “narcism.” I did feel that Kate was more likable by the end of the novel.
Profile Image for Leonel.
419 reviews4 followers
June 11, 2015
https://leonelescota.wordpress.com/20...

Summer's here, and the beach reads are pouring. "The Status Of All Things," by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is a great one to pick up. It ponders that modern question - what if you can write various Facebook status and they all come true. This book is a variation on that age-old wish story, only this time via a social media platform. But the book is much more than that, of course. Kate, dumped by her husband-to-be the night before her wedding, gets a chance to rewrite history. But should she? We probably all know the answer to this question but Fenton and Steinke takes us on a wild and believable journey, and I was taken along by all the twists and turns - the book is far from predictable. I found myself rooting for people I didn't think I would, and then second guess myself. This is a light, enjoyable book but it also made me think. Summer just got a little more sunnier.
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