Book Review: 'All Our Tomorrows' by Amy DeBellis

Reviewer: Brandon Nadeau

Amy DeBellis’ debut novel, All Our Tomorrows, weaves the separate lives of three Gen Z women into a compelling narrative about finding fulfillment in a world that feels doomed. The story takes place in a near-future New York City as existential anxiety pervades the social landscape.

I tend towards plot driven narratives with lots of action and surprises. However, on occasion, I’ll read a character driven novel where the developments are internal, and the outside world is merely a setting for dialogue and thinking sad thoughts alone. While I often loose interest in stories with little plot, that was not the case with All Our Tomorrows. This book captured my attention with complex, believable characters, which I cared about enough to keep following, despite the lack of gunfights and explosions.

The climate crisis, the fallout of capitalism, and the isolation of online life combine to form the story’s foreboding backdrop. These facts of modern life are portrayed with unflinching clarity. And yet, I laughed a lot. Amy has a way with dark humour, which makes the unfortunate state of everything more bearable. Most often, the humour is subtle and—whether situational, introspective, or sprinkled in dialogue—it is always well-timed.  

I enjoyed All Our Tomorrows and recommend it to fans of The Hours by Michael Cunningham or Circling the Drain by Amanda Davis. I look forward to Amy’s next book and, while I hope it incorporates more of a plot, that’s a matter of preference, not necessity.

All Our Tomorrows by Amy DeBellis will be available on February 25, 2025, but you can preorder a copy from CLASH Books now.

Brandon Nadeau is a writer and the Executive Editor of MoonLit Getaway.