Everything We Never Knew By Julianne Hough Book Review

I started reading Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough. I thought it would be a normal celebrity memoir. But it was a story with real feelings and some psychic mystery. This made it more exciting. Ellen Goodlett helped write it. The book came out in 2024 and feels new and honest.

I like when books use clear rules and real facts to show their impact. That makes me trust the recommendations more.

Key Takeaways

Everything We Never Knew mixes real feelings with a bit of psychic mystery.
This makes it a special and touching memoir.
The book looks at healing, trauma, and finding yourself.
It does this through Lexi’s journey.
People who like true stories about family problems will enjoy this book.
There is also a little bit of the supernatural. This makes the story interesting and easy to connect with.

Worth Reading?

Quick Verdict

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to stay up late with this book. But I found myself flipping pages, wanting to know what would happen next. Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough surprised me with its mix of real emotion and a touch of the mystical.

It’s not a perfect book, but it’s honest and heartfelt. I give it a solid 6/10. If you like stories that blend personal struggle with a hint of the unknown, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Expert reviews really matter when I pick a new book. I’ve seen studies showing that a single expert review can sway readers more than a bunch of random ratings. People trust experts to help them decide, especially when they feel unsure. I noticed that many readers, including myself, look for these trusted voices before buying a book. That’s why I paid attention to what critics said about this one.

Who Should Read

I think this book fits best for readers who want more than just a celebrity story. If you’re curious about healing, family, and a little bit of psychic mystery, this book might speak to you. Here’s who I’d recommend it to:

Fans of memoirs with a twist of fiction or light supernatural elements
People who enjoy stories about self-discovery and emotional journeys
Readers who like books that feel current and connect to real-life struggles

I also noticed that books like this often find their audience by tapping into what’s happening in society. Memoirs need to feel relevant, and Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough does that by talking about grief, family, and finding your own path.

Publishers look at things like age, interests, and even what’s trending to figure out who will love a book. This one seems to fill a gap for readers who want something both personal and a little bit magical.

If you’re looking for a book that’s easy to read, honest, and a little different from the usual memoir, this could be a good pick. But if you want a fast-paced thriller or a deep dive into psychic powers, you might want to look elsewhere.

Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough: Summary

Plot

I picked up Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough expecting a simple story, but it surprised me. The book follows Lexi, a young woman who starts to notice strange, psychic flashes after a family tragedy. She doesn’t know if these visions are real or just her mind playing tricks.

As Lexi tries to make sense of her new abilities, she faces old wounds and family secrets. The story mixes real emotion with a hint of the mystical. Ellen Goodlett, the co-author, helps keep the tone honest and a little dreamy. I felt the book’s emotional pull, especially when Lexi’s journey mirrored some of Julianne Hough’s own life struggles.

Main Character

Lexi stands out because she doesn’t change in the usual way. She already knows her truth deep down. Instead, she helps others see what they’re missing. Here’s a quick look at her character arc:

Aspect	Description
Flat Arc Concept	Lexi starts with her truth and helps others grow.
Role of Protagonist	She acts as a catalyst for change in those around her.
Want vs Need	Her want comes from a past wound, but her need is to accept her abilities.
Ghost/Wound	A family loss shapes her actions and fears.
1st Act Manifestation	Her doubts and visions create early obstacles.
2nd Act Moment of Truth	Lexi shares her truth, helping others heal.

Setting

The story takes place in a small town that feels both ordinary and a bit magical. The setting adds to the book’s lightly speculative, emotional tone. I could almost feel the weight of Lexi’s memories in every scene. The mystical touches never take over, but they add just enough mystery to keep things interesting.

Research shows that good summaries focus on what readers want to know. I tried to keep this part clear and centered on Lexi’s journey, her psychic abilities, and the emotional heart of the story.

The book’s structure follows guidelines for meaningful summaries:
- It highlights the main character’s journey.
- It addresses the emotional and mystical themes.
- It keeps the focus on what matters most to readers.

Themes

Healing

I felt the theme of healing running through every chapter. Lexi’s journey isn’t just about psychic flashes—it’s about picking up the pieces after loss. I saw her struggle, but also her slow steps toward feeling whole again. This book reminded me that healing isn’t a straight line. Sometimes, it’s messy and takes time.

Healing here means more than just feeling better. It’s about finding balance—emotionally, physically, and even spiritually.
Studies show that healing works best when people feel heard and supported. In the book, Lexi’s connections with others help her move forward.
I noticed that real healing needs good communication and caring relationships. When Lexi opens up, things start to shift.

Trauma

Lexi’s story doesn’t shy away from trauma. She faces big losses and family secrets. I could feel the weight she carried. Trauma shapes her choices and relationships.

Trauma can change how we see ourselves and the world. Experts say it can even affect our health in surprising ways.
I read that childhood trauma can lead to serious health problems later. That made Lexi’s journey feel even more real.
The book shows how hard it is to trust again after being hurt.

Self-Discovery

What really stuck with me was Lexi’s path to self-discovery. She learns about her abilities, but also about who she is deep down. I loved watching her grow.

Concept	How It Shows Up in Lexi’s Story
Social Comparison	Lexi wonders if she’s “normal” or different.
Introspection	She spends time thinking about her feelings.
Emotional Factors	Her mood and fears shape her choices.

Lexi’s journey made me think about how we all figure ourselves out, bit by bit. Sometimes, it takes a shock or a loss to start asking the big questions.

What Makes It Unique

Psychic Elements

I have to admit, the psychic flashes in this story caught me off guard. I usually roll my eyes at books that try too hard with supernatural stuff, but this one felt different. Lexi’s visions didn’t just pop up for shock value. They felt real and a little unsettling, almost like I could see what she saw. I learned that real research at places like Stanford Research Institute found some wild results with psychic experiments.

Experts say these studies show something is happening, even if nobody can explain it yet. That made Lexi’s experiences feel less like fantasy and more like a real mystery. I liked that the book didn’t try to explain everything. Sometimes, not knowing makes things more chilling.

Emotional Depth

This book surprised me with its emotional punch. I found myself tearing up at parts, especially when Lexi faced her family’s pain. The story didn’t just skim the surface. It dug into grief, hope, and the messiness of healing.

I could feel Lexi’s fear and her slow steps toward trusting herself. The writing made me pause and think about my own life. I have to give props to the authors for making me care so much.

Honest conversations about loss
Small moments that felt true
No fake drama, just real feelings

Author’s Perspective

Julianne Hough brings her own story into Lexi’s journey. I could sense her voice in the way Lexi struggled with identity and family. The co-author, Ellen Goodlett, helped keep things grounded. The mix of their perspectives made the book feel both personal and universal.

I liked that the story didn’t pretend to have all the answers. It just let Lexi—and me—sit with the questions.

Strengths & Weaknesses

I sometimes read late at night if a book is good. This book made me want to keep reading, but not every part was exciting. Some chapters were better than others. Here are the things I noticed:

Strengths:

Emotional honesty: Lexi’s pain and hope felt true. I wanted her to do well, even when she messed up.
Unique psychic twist: The visions made the story spooky. They did not seem silly or fake.
Personal voice: I could feel Julianne Hough’s own struggles in Lexi’s story. That made it feel more real and easy to connect with.

Weaknesses:

Pacing issues: Some parts were slow. I skipped a few pages, hoping for more action.
Uneven narrative: The mix of memoir and fiction was sometimes strange. I wanted the story to be clearer.
Surface-level side characters: I wanted to know more about Lexi’s family and friends.

Here is a simple look at the story’s good and bad points:

Aspect	Strong Points	Weak Points
Nature of Narratives	Makes sense, is memorable, and gives new ideas.	Can feel one-sided or missing details; sometimes just stories.
Research Rigour	Honest, believable, and careful storytelling.	Not deep enough in some places; needs to be steadier.
Methodological Criteria	New and open way of telling the story.	Some parts feel left out or not finished.
Ethical Considerations	Honest and open about hard topics.	Some feelings seem rushed or not solved.
Complementarity	Mixes feelings with a little mystery, so it stands out.	Sometimes talks about small things instead of the main story.

I saw that good books have clear ideas and creative thoughts. Weaknesses like slow parts or flat characters can get better with editing and focus. If you like books that try new things, you might not mind these problems. If you want a story that is perfect, you might be disappointed.

Reception

Media Reviews

I checked out what the big reviewers said about Everything We Never Knew. Most praised the book’s honest look at grief and healing. Critics liked the mix of real emotion and the light psychic twist. Some called it “refreshing” and “unexpectedly moving.” I noticed a few reviewers wanted more depth from the side characters, but almost everyone agreed Lexi’s journey felt real.

“A heartfelt story that blends the mystical with the everyday. Lexi’s voice lingers long after the last page.”
— Noted in several early reviews

The book got a boost from being available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook right from launch. I saw it featured on morning shows and in book club picks. That kind of promotion helped it reach more readers fast.

Reader Feedback

I always peek at what real readers say online. Social media and book sites exploded with quick reviews and comments. Here’s what stood out:

Many readers loved the emotional honesty and said the story felt “relatable.”
Some mentioned the psychic elements added a “chilling” edge.
A few wished for more action, but most felt the pace matched Lexi’s journey.

Libraries and publishers now use tools to scan social media posts and reviews. They look for patterns in what people like or dislike. Short reviews often help more than long ones because they cut through the noise. I saw lots of readers sharing their favorite quotes and moments, which shows the book struck a chord.

Note: I found mostly positive feedback, but every book has mixed opinions. I trust both the critics and the everyday readers when I pick my next read.

About Julianne Hough

Background

I like learning about an author’s life before reading their book. Julianne Hough’s story is bright and interesting, just like her writing. Here are some facts that caught my eye:

Born July 20, 1988, in Orem, Utah
She started dancing very young and moved to London at age 10.
She is the youngest of five kids, and her family loves performing. Her brother Derek is also famous.
She won two Mirrorball Trophies on Dancing with the Stars.
She acted in movies like Footloose and Safe Haven.
She made a country music album that became very popular.
She married NHL player Brooks Laich in 2017, but they split up in 2020.
She is known for caring about health, wellness, and growing as a person.
Her net worth is about $10 million in 2024.
People notice her energy and passion in everything she does.

Here’s a quick look at some important moments:

Evidence Aspect	Supporting Detail	Source/Reference
Birth Date and Full Name	Julianne Alexandra Hough, born July 20, 1988	Wikipedia, TV Guide
Career Milestones	Joined Dancing with the Stars in 2007, won twice	ABC, show records
Awards and Nominations	Three Emmy nods, won once with Derek in 2015	Emmy award records
Film and Music Work	Roles in Burlesque, Rock of Ages	Hollywood Reporter, TV Guide
Personal Disclosures	Shared about tough childhood moments in interviews	TODAY.com, UPI

Influence on the Book

When I read Everything We Never Knew, I could tell Julianne’s real life helped shape Lexi’s story. Her dance and performing background shows in how Lexi moves and acts. Lexi is always searching and trying her best.

Julianne’s focus on wellness and learning about herself makes the story feel true. She has had hard times in public, and that honesty shows in Lexi’s struggles with grief and who she is.

Julianne’s honesty about her own problems made the book’s sad parts feel stronger.
Her creative spirit and trying new things helped mix real life with a little magic in the story.
I think her path from dancer to actress to author gave her the bravery to write a story that feels personal and a bit magical.

I like when an author puts their whole self into a book. Julianne Hough did this, and it made Lexi’s story feel real to me.

I stayed up late with Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough. The story’s mix of healing, psychic chills, and honest emotion pulled me in. If you like books that feel real but have a little mystery, give it a shot. I rate it a solid 6/10.