Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

All But What's Left

Rate this book
A childhood marred by tragedy.
An uncertain future.
One summer that changes everything.


After losing her mother in a tragic accident, Hannah Tatum grows up wanting nothing more than to be a good girl. At twenty-one, she has her whole future planned out. She’ll help her dad with their ranch until her childhood sweetheart finishes university. They’ll get married, take over the ranch, and live happily ever after. But since when do perfect plans ever work out?

At the beginning of the summer, Hannah’s father decides to sell the ranch. He hires Will Ludlow, travelling ranch hand and rodeo star, to help get the property ready. Hannah is determined to stop her dad, keep the ranch, and stay far away from Will and his mysterious past.

But, as new memories of her mother surface, Hannah doubts her mother’s death was purely accidental. With summer coming to an end and everything falling apart around her, can Hannah hold on to the things that matter the most?

316 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2018

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Carrie Mumford

7 books83 followers
Carrie Mumford has lived on both the East and West coasts of Canada, and many places in between. She completed a degree in English literature at Saint Mary’s University, and went on to complete a master’s in information studies at the University of Toronto. Carrie now lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband, three naughty cats, and one rambunctious dog.

Her short fiction has appeared in Full of Crow Fiction, the Bella Online Literary Review, Vine Leaves Literary Journal, the WCDR’s Whispered Words anthology and other fine journals. Her vignette, “The Blemish Collector”, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2012. In 2013, her short story “Ashes to Ashes” was short-listed for the Room Magazine contest. Her first novel, All But What’s Left, was released in June 2018.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
121 (35%)
4 stars
118 (34%)
3 stars
80 (23%)
2 stars
15 (4%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews4 followers
Want to read
June 18, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon today (6/18/2018)!💝

A childhood marred by tragedy.
An uncertain future.
One summer that changes everything.


After losing her mother in a tragic accident, Hannah Tatum grows up wanting nothing more than to be a good girl. At twenty-one, she has her whole future planned out. She’ll help her dad with their ranch until her childhood sweetheart finishes university. They’ll get married, take over the ranch, and live happily ever after. But since when do perfect plans ever work out?

At the beginning of the summer, Hannah’s father decides to sell the ranch. He hires Will Ludlow, travelling ranch hand and rodeo star, to help get the property ready. Hannah is determined to stop her dad, keep the ranch, and stay far away from Will and his mysterious past.

But, as new memories of her mother surface, Hannah doubts her mother’s death was purely accidental. With summer coming to an end and everything falling apart around her, can Hannah hold on to the things that matter the most?
Profile Image for Mijay.
165 reviews
June 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this first book from Carrie Mumford! In fact, I devoured it during a 4-hour flight. I have a soft spot in my heart for anything set in our fair country of Canada, broody romances, and strong female leads, so this was right up my alley. I’m not usually a fan of time-hopping, but it worked really well with this story. Carrie built a realistic world that envelops the reader, filled with sympathetic characters, and ended it in a way that I was fully rooting for.
Profile Image for Tyler.
Author 1 book10 followers
January 7, 2019
While this story has its dark corners, it's Carrie Mumford's sentimentality and earnestness that really shine through. The characters have a lot of complicated feelings about each other, but there really is a lot of love in here. There's mystery and tragedy, rich details and authenticity. It's a world—and a family—you're happy to spend your time with and sad to leave behind.
Profile Image for Lisa Mccombs.
28 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2018
Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

It seemed that Hannah Tatum had always known her future, even before she had lived her present. She, Radek, nor anyone else had ever doubted the union of the two best friends, soulmates. When the time was right and after Radek graduated from the University of Texas, they would marry, start a family and run Stillwater Ranch. They had a plan. There was no room for deviation. When Radek announced that it would be good for them to “sow their oats” before finalizing their goal, Hannah rationalized that it only made sense, if only to him.

With Radek firmly planted in college life, Hannah begins to question the many so-called truths of her everyday existence. The rumor around town that her father had murdered her mother years before begins to haunt her. The arrival of a handsome new ranch hand annoys her. The realization that her gal pals had dreams of their own confuses her. And, finally, the possibility of a severe disruption of “the plan” ignites conflicting feelings in her.

All But What's Left by Carrie Mumford is an easily read coming of age romance told with rich imagery and realistic dialogue. Mumford incorporates her story-telling with a fast moving plot that draws in the reader until the final pages. As the story unfolds, the dimensions of each character strengthen the passion reflected in the individual internal conflict, cementing the reality of a solid tale. An entertaining, yet thought-provoking read. How many times have you thought “what if”?
Readers' Favorite Team
Profile Image for Michelle Randall.
715 reviews22 followers
June 21, 2018
Reviewed for Readers Favorite

Ever since she was a little girl, Hannah Tatum has tried to be the good girl, to blend in and not be noticed, to do what is expected of her, but now her father has pulled the rug out from under her feet by announcing that he is selling the ranch. This was where she planned to live, well once Radek was done with college and married her, right next door to his brother and the family ranch. Then there is Radek wanting to see other people while he is in college, and the new ranch hand. Even worse is the researcher that is digging into her mothers death. Hannah doesn't know what to make of it all and she doesn't do well with change. All But What Is Left is the story of Hannah's life, told in different time periods, sometime going back to her mothers death, and other times her and Radek growing up. Author Carrie Mumford creates a story with many levels of details, some many things all going on at once.

All But What Is Left looks at the death of Elizabeth Tatum, her husbands involvement or non-involvement and Hannah's life afterwards. Hannah is the good girl, the one afraid to make noise or draw attention to herself because she didn't want to be the girl whose dad shot her mom, the murderers child, the little lost girl. She just wants to be normal, but that is hard to do in the small town of Jessop. Hannah is easy to relate to because most all of us have wanted to hide in life and not be noticed, but at the same time just accepting things as they go and never questioning doesn't make for a happy life. Finally it is Hannah's turn to question the status quo and what she wants in her life. There is some brief sexual affairs but they are probably less that what is on television today, so I still feel comfortable recommending this book to readers of all ages. Its a good story for young adults, to process what they want in life and not just accept what is laid out in front of them.
Profile Image for Trudi Fleischman lopreto.
11 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2018
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Hannah and Radek have been friends since childhood. Will has just entered the picture, but both men will change Hannah’s life forever. Hannah and Radek plan on marrying when he comes home from university in two years, but each is free to check out the field until then. Hannah tries to remain loyal but when Will comes to work on her dad’s ranch, her attraction to him is impossible to ignore even though she tries as hard as she can. She is also determined to find out the real story of her mother’s death – was it on purpose or just a horrible accident. Hannah worries about the ranch that is the only life she has ever known - is her dad really going to sell the ranch and will he ever marry Lily?

I really liked everything about All But What’s Left by Carrie Mumford very much. As we spend time with Hannah, her friends and family, it is impossible not to quickly become entwined in the story. The story is filled with passion and feeling from the very beginning until the final pages. I didn’t expect that ending. Hannah tells her story, jumping back and forth between the present and her childhood seamlessly. All But What’s Left is about emotions, love, family conflict, family love, friendship and watching Hannah's transformation into adulthood. It is hard to believe that this is the first novel by Carrie Mumford as it is so well written with wonderful characters and a plot that will keep you glued to your book/kindle. I think that everyone who reads All But What’s Left will be glad they did.
Profile Image for Mary E.
430 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2018
Sad story

I liked the story although it was not an uplifting experience. Life is messy as this story although depicts. I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Angelique McGowan.
161 reviews9 followers
July 1, 2018
Most excellent

I truly loved this book! Well written, engaging and full of truthful emotions! Great read for any age woman! Timely
Profile Image for Conchita.
440 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2018
Loved the story & couldn’t put it down
501 reviews20 followers
August 20, 2018
I found this to be an exceptionally moving novel. Overall, the story and the characters are highly realistic and sensitively developed.

This is one of - if not THE - best coming-of-age novels I've ever read. The character development is exceptional. The vast majority of the characters are thoroughly drawn and they remain largely true to form.

While Hannah's situation is exceptional given her upbringing, the questions she faces are common to many young adults: how to reconcile the challenges life throws our carefully laid plans, the eternal mystery surrounding one's parents (separating our own identity from theirs, discovering them as individuals - including their flaws), struggles with first love, learning to listen to our own inner voice when it comes to what we want, the confusion over "the rest of our lives," etc.

I think the author has captured small-town/rural Canadian life really well, although I do wish there had been more specifically Canadian references, other than to sports teams.

While I recognise that the story wouldn't be as successful had it been told in any other way, I find myself still very curious about Hannah's parents, Lily, and Mere. I also wish I had a better understanding of both Will and Radek. (I think the only way to do this would have been to change the view point, and that would have created distance from Hannah, so this was absolutely the right choice).

I can't overstate how much I enjoyed reading this book.

I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
Profile Image for Bette.
2,640 reviews11 followers
March 15, 2019
Great Story! Great Audible Listen🎧 4.5 Heartfelt Stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

All but What's Left
By: Carrie Mumford
Narrated by: Amanda Stribling

This is a well written, well told story that captivated me from start the end. The storylines and characters are original, interesting and realistic. The lead character is Hannah and this is her story, a story of inner growth and discovery, self and of others around her. Carrie Mumford put a lot of heart in to Hannah’s story, a lot of emotion, drama, some twists, suspense and romance. I was cheering her on, hoping sense would come to her in regards to her relationship with Radek. I have mixed feelings about Will and still not sure what to think of her Dad, but I guess everyone has their own demons and obstacles in life, some of their own making. I My one complaint about this book is the ending I do wish there was another epilogue five years from the ending. I respect the Carrie Mumford’s decision how to end things or not end things. A new beginning maybe?? Hopefully she is not done with the characters and there are plans for a sequel, even a short followup would be nice. Thank you for this great & enjoyable story.

I listened to the Audible edition, Amanda Stribling is wonderful narrator & voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own unique sound and personality. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧

Thank you 🎧AudiobookObsession

#AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
563 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2018
I really liked this novel

There is something so sincere about this story of a farm girl who grew up without her mother, never questioning how her father "accidentally" shot and killed her mother. She missed her mother desperately, but never realised her mother had been having an affair. As a child a neighbour, who was her mother's friend, helped raise her, together with her own son. It was taken for granted that these two young people would eventually marry, until her father decided to hire a ranch hand, after he suffered a heart attack, to repair the ranch for sale. Suddenly Hannah was forced to rethink her future. Her boyfriend was off at college "sowing his wild oats," which left her feeling rejected and bereft, until she and the ranch hand developed strong feelings for each other. When he revealed that he was married with a son, she felt devastated. However, it was time for her to persue her own dreams, which he encouraged. For me this absorbing story, portraying teenage insecurity and hormone-driven passions ended far too suddenly. I hope there is a sequel because too many loose ends exist. I wish the second book was already written. I would be halfway through it by now. Well done Carrie Mumford. Keep writing!
Profile Image for Thelma.
748 reviews43 followers
April 3, 2019
All but what's left, was a roller coaster of emotions, Hannah went through a sad experience in her past that left her feeling insecure in life. Her father didn't know how to give her what she needed and he often made her feel like something was not good. she is determine to save her ranch and her memories but she is not sure she will accomplish this with her stubborn father wanting to get rid of all..

It was a good novel, with a lot of feelings at some point, felt very sad especially for Hannah she was trying to understand her father's motives to sale what she loved the most but couldn't comprehend his reasons. she spends many years waiting for someone who was now a stranger to her. but life brought her someone who will shake her balance and will definitely change the course of her life and heart..

Will, Hannah, and Radek will steal your heart and keep you hooked until the end of this story.

Great characters and story, the narrations were great, Amanda Stribling really brought so much to the story making us feel Hannahs emotions even stronger. love how she made this story deeper with her voice. really love how she narrated the other characters giving them a unique side..

AudiobookObsession.
Profile Image for Rachael.
187 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2019
This is a fairly quick read. If I had started it on a weekend it would probably have taken less than a day's worth of reading to get through it.

The summer is not starting out at all how Hannah expected. First, she finds out Rydak, her boyfriend, is staying on campus for the summer and is also fully embracing the relationship "break" he insisted on while he's away at school. Second, in light of his recent heart attack, her dad has decided to sell the family ranch she has spent the entirety of her 21 years. And before she has a chance to digest either of these pieces of news, the new ranch hand will be there by dinnertime! Hannah can't catch a break today. Most of the background information is told by jumping back and forth between a total of 3 timelines in Hannah's life. The earlier timeline deals with the months surrounding the tragic death of Hannah's mother when Hannah was 6 years old while the later timeline highlights moments from Hannah's high school romance with Rydak. And the main timeline covers the summer romance she barely resisted with the ranch hand.

Definitely not the worst thing I've ever read, but it didn't wow me.


*netgalley provided a free digital ARC
2 reviews
October 26, 2018
I was quite surprised with how highly other people rated this book so it has caused me to rethink my reaction to it. I think partly from the book description I was expecting a novel more like a thriller but actually what really happened to Hannah’s mother is summed up by the ‘I don’t know’ which she eventually gets from her father. I found Hannah sympathetic but she came across as someone still a teenager rather than someone in her early twenties.
I found her inner turmoil not very well articulated; not going much beyond the fact that she didn’t know what to do.
I struggled to keep going with this book but in the end I did want to know if she ever made a choice or really found out anything more so I kept going.
If this had been labelled a romance I probably would not have read it; so I guess it’s a reflection that I do not really like old fashioned romances. Much of the narrative is set in 1996 but it seemed much more old fashioned than that but that’s probably because things have changed so much since then and that communication between lovers would not depend on simply a house telephone these days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Stephany Snell.
131 reviews5 followers
July 26, 2018
The feels

All But What’s Left pulled on my heart strings in a way that I was so not expecting. I agreed to Read an advanced copy expecting a mystery or suspense but what I got was a true coming of age story that follows Hannah through the grand, life altering moment where she stops going through the motions and actually begins to consider who she is and who she wants to be. You may not have grown up on a ranch or lost a parent or even been raised in the kind of small town where everyone knows your name yet, her story is so relatable, so universal that I can’t imagine any reader not feeling connected to her or being taken back to the time in your life when you stood at a proverbial fork in the road and had to make a decision about which way to go. Have you ever read a book that just *felt* like it should be a movie? To the point where you were even playing casting director and location scout in your head? This was one of those books. It gave me serious Nicholas Sparks vibes.
Profile Image for Vicky Quenault.
281 reviews5 followers
September 2, 2018
This book was good but not great.
The opening scene is captivating and the character development is well done. The flow of the story is good as well, at least until the end which felt rushed and crammed in.
There is a lot of build up as the protagonist searches for answers about her mothers life, death and her fathers involvement. Unfortunately she doesn’t really discover anything and, apart from her fathers admission of ‘I don’t know’, there is no culmination to this story arc.
The relationship between the protagonist and her boyfriend is tepid at best. He obviously doesn’t care about what she wants and she never contradicts his plans for them, just goes along with whatever he says. It’s definitely not a great love match that leaves her understandably conflicted.
Theres an auto accident flash back that seems to have no real baring on the story.
It feels like the book is building to a big reveal or a dramatic ending, but instead it just fizzles out.
I received a complimentary copy from VRO in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Natalie.
454 reviews
June 13, 2019
Amanda Stribling did a great job with the voices for this performance. I did feel like the accents were a bit more american/southern than I would have expected. I was a good ways into the book when I realized it was set in Canada and not Texas or something close.

I enjoy most small town, farm/ranch stories so I was immediately sucked into the book. Add in the mystery of Hannah's moms death, and a possible new love interest and I couldn't press pause. my one disappointment was how the book ended. It wasn't a cliffhanger but it wasn't really and HEA either. there is no definite conclusion for Hannah. You don't know if she goes to school, if she goes and finds Will. I feel like I invested a lot of time and need those answers (lol). This is one of Carrie Mumford's first books and it was amazing. The entire storyline had be waiting for what came next, the characters all had a great dynamic. Looking forward to reading whatever she puts out next.

#AudiobookObsession
🎧AudiobookObsession
Profile Image for HungryBookworm.Reads.
135 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2019
I'm not sure if I wasn't in the mood for a book of this genre or if I've just lost my reading mojo a bit, but this one did not produce an emotional reaction that I expected. I have to admit first half of the book I was emotionally invested from the mystery and complexity of the plot. However, it ended without the closure that I needed. There were still so many left unanswered questions that it just kind of felt rushed for me. I know writing takes a lot of work that's why I always try to keep an open mind every time I read, but this one just did not do it for me. Sadly I'd give this a 3.5 star-rating.

However despite my inability to entirely love this book, I still think this is an excellent debut novel. I appreciated how the author made it very raw & realistic. Like they've said not all stories have a happy ending. Sometimes on rare occasions, you get that one story that doesn’t end with "And they lived happily ever after." And this is one such story.
Profile Image for Deven Kane.
Author 11 books4 followers
October 9, 2019
Carrie Mumford's first novel is a bittersweet coming-of-age story. The main character, Hannah, must come to grip with her past (her mother's mysterious death), her future (to ranch or not to ranch?), and her own identity (does she do what's expected and she herself assumed, or is there adventure "out there"?).

Mumford does an admirable job of shifting back and forth between three significant seasons in Hannah's life (young child, high school student, and present-day twenty-something). The three time frames are an excellent showcase of Hannah's evolving personality, struggles, and her wrestling with the expectations of others as she seeks to find her own voice and identity.

Mumford cheekily refers to her work as a "cowboy romance," and there's definitely cowboys and romance in the mix. But her book is really a work of literary fiction . . . set on a Canadian ranch.
Profile Image for teresa pogue.
146 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2019
I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving a free copy, but I really enjoyed it. I found it hard to put down. Hannah is a realistic character who is easy to like and relate to. I see myself in her. She has had a hard life but is still a good person with a good heart. She wants to please everyone but towards the end of the story, she realizes that what she wants in life is important. There is an heir of mystery to the story due to her mom's death but sadly, I did not learn the truth. I can only assume I know what really happened. I think that the ending is set up for the reader to decide how Hannah's life turns out or maybe there will be a sequel. If there is, I will have to read it.
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
4,984 reviews37 followers
July 11, 2019
All But What's Left was a great read by Carrie Mumford. Hannah had a childhood that was very tragic. She lost her mother at a young age in a tragic accident. She was also involved in a car accident when she was in high school. At 21, she has planned to help her dad on their ranch until her high school boyfriend graduates college. Her father tells her that he wants to sell the ranch and hires a new ranch hand, Will. Hannah will do anything to stop the sale of the ranch. Although she's attracted to Will, she wants to stay far away from him. Hannah starts having memories of her mom that make her question if it was truly an accident that caused her death. I really enjoyed listening to Hannah's story and can't wait to read more by Carrie Mumford. #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
277 reviews4 followers
February 24, 2019
I received a free copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Hannah has always been a good girl and has always tried to do the right thing to make everyone else happy. That changes one summer when she is encouraged to think about what makes her happy.

I thought this book was okay. There are several subplots happening within the story and the author jumps between past and present often, so it was difficult to keep up at times. The pacing was good, until the end when everything attempted to wrap up in the last chapter. It was not a satisfying ending.

Overall- a decent book and a quick read.
Profile Image for Jan Miller.
732 reviews7 followers
December 12, 2019
All But What's Left by Carrie Mumford is a great coming of age story with decisions, consequences, and heartache. The author did a great job with the small town imagery and what life was like in the 80's and 90's. The book has the unresolved mystery of Hannah's mother (that is why I hadn't rated the story higher). I ached for the child in the beginning. Amanda Stribling was perfect bringing the characters to life. I could hear all the emotions, and who was speaking. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator. Thank you Audiobook Obsession for directing me to this book, Its a great listen!
Profile Image for Jill.
393 reviews
October 25, 2018
A great book about how complicated love can be! Hannah thought she knew what she wanted out of life. She thought she knew the truth about her mother's death. One summer changed all of that. Very well-written with great characters full of depth! This book has a lot of emotion and appeal. I loved the backstory of Hanna's childhood to help explain the emotions and events of the main story. I also enjoyed the simple fact that this wasn't a run-of-the-mill feel-good story. Not all of the characters have a happy ending and that's true life.
Profile Image for Beth Ann.
283 reviews7 followers
March 10, 2019
Since her mother's tragic death, Hannah has known how her life would turn out: she'd marry her high school sweetheart, take over her father's ranch, and live happily ever after. So when her boyfriend starts dating someone else, and her father decides to put the ranch up for sale, Hannah's perfect plans crumble like the soil in the drought-ravaged fields. But when travelling ranch hand and rodeo star Will Ludlow shows up, Hannah begins to question everything she once believed to be true.


given as an ARC from Hidden Gems.

This book has you living thru lots of emotions.
Profile Image for Barb.
Author 5 books62 followers
August 30, 2019
The tragic death of her mother when Hannah was only a small child has left its mark on her forever, and her father has never completely been cleared of implications that it was not an accident. Hannah has grown up assuming she'll run her father's ranch and marry the boy next door, but when he goes off to college and wants to date other girls, she's at a loss for how to handle that -- until Will, a new ranch hand, shows up and captures her attention. Lots of time-hopping made for a disjointed story.
Profile Image for Bluepits73.
323 reviews
January 11, 2020
I listened to the audiobook version of this book.

Loved the characters and the small town feel of this story. There are some things Hannah thinks and does that is frustrating, but one must remember that she doesn't know any different than the little town. There was a little bit of a mystery written in to the story as well, which I appreciated. I loved seeing Hannah fight for what she wanted and I'm glad she finally realized that something's are worth taking a chance for.

I like this narrator for this story and I feel like she did a great job throughout the performance.
78 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2018
Set over three different time frames, this novel goes through the growing pains of childhood, teenage years and adulthood with a good dose of family drama, without confusing the reader. I love that it was realistic. I was taken on a journey; Hannah struggles as an awkward teen into adulthood, her friends have their own issues, she thinks she knows what she wants yet...doesn’t. Lovable characters in a relatable world. Brilliant first novel Carrie!! Thank you Voracious Readers Only.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.