The novel tells the story of Judith, a young woman from a deeply religious community who is kidnapped for two years and brought back with her tongue partially removed.

That same night Judith is kidnapped by Lucas's alcoholic father, whom the village believes died in a fire years before but has secretly been hiding deep in the forest.

One day, sails are spotted, and the villagers panic, thinking people from their home country, "Homelanders" are coming to wage war and take over their prosperous town.

All the men in town plan to fight, including Lucas and Judith's brother Darryl, even though they are grossly outnumbered and this will mean certain death.

The villagers win, but many are dead and injured, including Judith's brother Darryl, who accidentally shoots himself in the foot and has to have it amputated.

The schoolmaster, however, makes unwanted advances towards Judith, and begins spying on her, catching her leaving her house at night on several occasions, including one visit to Lucas' cabin.

"[6] Writing for The Guardian, Safah called the novel " a dark and chilling tale of abuse and secrets, of love and loss, of silence and courage.

She's a very calculating kind of person and seems to always see deeper than others, as if her lack of speech opened her eyes and ears to a far more intricate world only she can see and the narration portrayed it wonderfully.

"[7] Abigail Packard, writing for Children's Book and Media Review, called the novel "very powerful," highlighting how "Berry has created strikingly real and believable characters."

"[11] Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, The Horn Book Magazine named All the Truth That's in Me one of the best young adult novels of the 2013.