All That Life Can Afford

All That Life Can Afford is a coming-of-age novel by Emily Everett. Everett’s debut title traces the protagonist and first-person narrator Anna Byrne’s attempts to reinvent herself after her mother’s death. A grieving Anna flees her Massachusetts home to study British literature in London, England. When she starts tutoring a wealthy young girl named Pippa Wilder, Anna wonders if her dreams of living a luxurious lifestyle are within reach. The more involved she becomes with Pippa, her sister Faye, and Faye’s elite friends, the more Anna hides from her disadvantaged past. Becoming someone new comes with a cost. Originally published in 2025 by Putnam Books, All That Life Can Afford explores themes including Self-Reinvention Versus Authenticity, The Seductive Power of Wealth, and Power Dynamics in Interpersonal Relationships.

This guide references the 2025 Putnam Books hardback edition of the novel.

Content Warning: Both the source text and this guide include depictions of illness, substance use, and death.

Plot Summary

A year after Anna Byrne’s mother passes away, Anna leaves her home in Massachusetts to study literature at Queen Mary University in London, England. Anna has always wanted to live in the UK and is thrilled to be pursuing her passion. However, life in London isn’t what she expected. She lives in a squalid flat with her friend Andre, works two jobs as a tutor and a bartender, and struggles to complete her classwork while paying her bills. One day, Anna gets the opportunity to tutor 16-year-old Pippa Wilder at the Savoy Hotel where she’s staying, and her life begins to change.

Anna immediately gets along with Pippa. They work together for several months and form a connection. Pippa is so appreciative of Anna’s test-prep help that she begs her mother to keep Anna on as her tutor. Mrs. Wilder agrees and invites Anna to accompany their family to Saint-Tropez, France, for Christmas and New Year’s. Anna initially hesitates, but Andre and their mutual friend Liv convince her she can’t give up this opportunity.

Anna feels overwhelmed by her time in the South of France. The Wilders own a palatial home. They throw gallant parties, go out to eat at expensive restaurants, drink specialty wine, and wear designer clothes. Anna is especially delighted that Pippa’s older sister, Faye, lets her borrow items from her wardrobe and invites her to spend time with her friends. One night, they meet Faye’s school friend Callum while out to dinner. A charmed Anna opens up to Callum about her difficult past. She lost her mother recently, she never felt she fit in as a child, she’s familiar with economic insecurity, and estranged from her father.

Callum snubs Anna the next time they meet up with Faye and her friends, and Anna wonders if he’s being cold because he disdains her for her background. To distract herself, she turns her attention to another of Faye’s friends named Theo. Unlike Callum, Theo seems delighted by Anna. She embraces his affection and decides to tell him nothing about her true self. By the end of her time in France, she and Theo are dating.

Shortly after Anna returns to London, Mrs. Wilder asks her to housesit their now-empty home in Highgate—a wealthy London neighborhood. Anna immediately accepts and moves in. She and Theo continue seeing each other. Anna is thrilled when he introduces her to the rest of his social circle as Faye’s friend. She quickly realizes that because she’s with Theo, they all see her as one of them. To maintain this facade, Anna starts borrowing clothes from Faye’s closet at Highgate. She’s also careful to never mention her past in Massachusetts or her current struggles in London. Over time, this charade proves increasingly difficult to maintain. Anna feels bad for deceiving her new friend Tess, who is genuine, kind, and shares her passion for literature. Callum eventually confronts her about lying to all of his friends and forcing him to lie, too.

One night, Anna bumps into Faye at a house party wearing one of her dresses. Faye publicly accuses her of stealing her things and trying to con her family. Everyone in the room is shocked. Feeling attacked, Anna is rendered speechless. Theo does nothing to defend her, but Callum swoops in and shepherds her out of the party.

The next day, Anna packs up her things at Highgate, cleans the house, and makes plans to leave. Theo shows up and insists that she’s overreacting. When Anna notices him looking at Faye’s Facebook page, she realizes that he and Faye have been dating this whole time. She confronts him for his deception and throws him out. At the door, she runs into the Wilders’ lawyer, who’s come to evict Anna and to warn her that the Wilders might be pursuing further legal action.

Anna leaves Highgate and moves onto Liv’s couch. That night, Pippa calls Anna to confirm that Faye has indeed convinced their parents to press charges against Anna for fraud. Rumors spread about her alleged con, causing her private tutoring students to fire her, a school where she taught prep courses refuses to pay her for her work, and her dissertation professor informs her that if she doesn’t pay her tuition immediately, she might lose her spot at the university. Panicking, Anna calls Callum. Callum assures her that he’ll do everything in his power to help.

Anna throws herself into her schoolwork. While studying at the British Library one day, she discovers a posting for an apprenticeship job and applies. Not long later, she secures an interview. Although it goes well, Anna doesn’t get the apprenticeship. Instead, the director hires her for a full-time position in the educational department. Anna also finishes and submits her dissertation. That night, she goes out for drinks with Liv and Andre to celebrate. When she visits the ATM later, she discovers her missing teaching payment is in her account.

Anna bumps into Callum outside the British Library after her first day of work. He congratulates her on her recent successes and informs her that he convinced the Wilders to drop the charges against her. She thanks him for his legal help and for getting her the money she needed. The two clear up their misunderstandings and kiss.

In the following weeks, Anna moves into a new flat with Liv and Andre. One night, Callum comes over for dinner and spends the night. In the morning, the four companions go for a walk. While out, they make plans to visit Vienna together. Anna feels content for the first time in months.