All Stories Are Love Stories: A Novel

In this thoughtful, mesmerizing tale with echoes of Station Eleven, the author of An Uncommon Education follows a group of survivors thrown together in the aftermath of two major earthquakes that strike San Francisco within an hour of each other—an achingly beautiful and lyrical novel about the power of nature, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring strength of love.

On Valentine’s Day, two major earthquakes strike San Francisco within the same hour, devastating the city and its primary entry points, sparking fires throughout, and leaving its residents without power, gas, or water.

Among the disparate survivors whose fates will become intertwined are Max, a man who began the day with birthday celebrations tinged with regret; Vashti, a young woman who has already buried three of the people she loved most . . . but cannot forgot Max, the one man who got away; and Gene, a Stanford geologist who knows far too much about the terrifying earthquakes that have damaged this beautiful city and irrevocably changed the course of their lives.

As day turns to night and fires burn across the city, Max and Vashti—trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium—must confront each other and face the truth about their past, while Gene embarks on a frantic search through the realization of his worst nightmares to find his way back to his ailing lover and their home.

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An achingly beautiful novel about the power of nature, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring strength of love

On Valentine’s Day, two major earthquakes strike San Francisco within the same hour, devastating the city and its primary entry points, sparking fires throughout, and leaving its residents without power, gas, or water.

Among the disparate survivors whose fates will become intertwined are Max, a man who began the day with birthday celebrations tinged with regret; Vashti, a young woman who has already buried three of the people she loved most . . . but cannot forget Max, the one who got away; and Gene, a Stanford geologist who knows far too much about the terrifying earthquakes that have damaged this beautiful city and irrevocably changed the course of their lives.

As day turns to night and fires burn across the city, Max and Vashti—trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium—must confront each other and face the truth about their past, while Gene embarks on a frantic search through the realization of his worst nightmares to find his way back home to his ailing lover. And by morning, nothing will be the same.

Advance Praise For All Stories Are Love Stories

“In All Stories Are Love Stories, the fault lines run deep: secrets are laid bare and regrets threaten to swallow a handful of characters caught in a devastating earthquake. You’ll hope for their survival, but you’ll pray that they’ll forgive each other­—and themselves—before their crumbling city swallows them whole.” —Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet

“Elizabeth Percer uses the small space of the hours surrounding a catastrophic Valentine’s Day earthquake to explore big themes of love, longing, loss, and, of course, survival. All Stories Are Love Stories is a moving reminder of the way stories connect and the way we connect through stories, as well as a gorgeous contemplation of the stabilizing force of love.”—Meg Waite Clayton, New York Times

bestselling author of The Race for Paris

“All Stories Are Love Stories is a gripping novel, full of love for a group of wonderful characters and a shattered San Francisco. Elizabeth Percer’s beautiful writing and her overwhelming compassion enable us to take this harrowing journey through a very possible near-future world.”—Ellen Sussman, New York Times bestselling author of A Wedding in Provence and French Lessons

“All Stories Are Love Stories is not only a vivid and frightening tale about a devastating earthquake, it’s also a love letter to San Francisco and a compassionate and thoughtful look into its characters’ lives and secret hearts. There is sweetness and hope among the ruins, and that makes Percer’s novel all the more compelling.”—Edan Lepucki, New York Times bestselling author of California |

“Gripping, poignant. . . . San Francisco’s unique architecture, diverse neighborhoods, and colorful residents are vividly brought to life. The intertwined love stories in this remarkably drawn setting will keep readers absorbed until the final, tear-jerking moments.” - Publishers Weekly

“A stunning tale of perseverance and affection in the face of disaster...Her literary command, which also has elements of magical realism and the headlong suspense of a thriller, forces you to take your time...a book to savor.” - Washington Independent Review of Books

“…gripping and affecting…Percer has delivered a heartfelt valentine to San Francisco, lyrical in its language, suspenseful in its incidents.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“[M]akes good on the promise of its title by reshaping a fictional disaster story into one of love . . . Even the most jaded reader can be moved by Percer’s conception of San Francisco.” - Shelf Awareness

“Dazzlingly plotted and thematically rich . . . . Percer, a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee and author of An Uncommon Education (2012), compellingly delivers a story of love in the ruins.” - Wellesley Magazine

“This captivating, and at times heartrending, novel demonstrates the powerful forces of nature and love.” - Women's Day

“This engaging novel is a thoughtful celebration of human spirit, the moving force of love, and a gentle reminder of the unstoppable fate we all live under: nature.” - Sunset Magazine

“All Stories are Love Stories is a gripping novel, full of love for a group of wonderful characters and a shattered San Francisco. Elizabeth Percer’s beautiful writing and her overwhelming compassion enable us to take this harrowing journey through a very possible near future world.” - Ellen Sussman, New York Times bestselling author of A Wedding in Provence and French Lessons

“In All Stories Are Love Stories, the faultlines run deep: secrets are laid bare, and regrets threaten to swallow a handful of characters caught in a devastating earthquake. You’ll hope for their survival, but you’ll pray that they’ll forgive each other—and themselves—before their crumbling city swallows them whole.” - Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet

“Elizabeth Percer explores big themes of love, longing, loss, and, of course, survival. All Stories are Love Stories is a moving reminder of the way stories connect, and the way we connect through stories, as well as a gorgeous contemplation of the stabilizing force of love.” - Meg Waite Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Race for Paris

“All Stories Are Love Stories is not only a vivid and frightening tale about a devastating earthquake, it’s also a love letter to San Francisco and a compassionate and thoughtful look into its characters’ lives and secret hearts. There is sweetness and hope among the ruins, and that makes Percer’s novel all the more compelling.” - Edan Lepucki, author of California

“Not only a vivid and frightening tale about a devastating earthquake, it’s also a love letter to San Francisco and a compassionate and thoughtful look into its characters’ lives and secret hearts. There is sweetness and hope among the ruins, and that makes Percer’s novel all the more compelling.” - Edan Lepucki, author of California