I just finished reading A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser and the funny thing is, the whole time reading it I thought the title was Too Much To Ask. I’m not sure why my Kindle says that the arc is titled that or why someone decided to change it. I really believe that Too Much To Ask is the more appropriate title and fits the storyline better. At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be a real tear-jerker. Honestly, I love when books make me cry. I find it amazing when an author can write a story so well that it can get my emotions going like that. And Jessica Strawser has done that with this one. I got deeply and emotionally into this storyline. It’s about a woman who needs a kidney transplant and through DNA testing finds out she has a half-sister that she never knew about. But there’s so much more to this story than just that. It covers many areas and topics but the overall lesson I believe is about Forgiveness. I think everyone who cares about love, loyalty and family would enjoy and learn from reading this. I’d like to thank the author, Jessica Strawser, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the arc to read, review and enjoy. This book easily deserves a 5 star rating!

In our world where technology has made is possible to learn about our DNA and trace our relatives it has opened doors of happiness for some and dismantled lives of others. This book is all about this very idea. Two half sisters live very different lives, one having a seemingly perfect life while the other has everything going wrong. When Sela has end stage kidney disease she suddenly is faced with a problem that can have lasting repercussions for her half sister. This was a great book and I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review book.

This book is amazing!! It is an emotional read that is full of family drama. It's a beautifully written story that tugs at your heartstrings and keeps you turning the pages. This is a new to me author and I can't wait to read more of her books. Thank you St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Did I like this book?” This is actually a very good story, it’s just the writing that began to drive me crazy beginning about halfway through.

Granted, I read more books than the average person so maybe I’m more sensitive to writing styles, so take that for whatever it’s worth.

The premise of this book is that, via an online gene testing company, two people discover that they are half sisters. They are in their 30s and never knew. What unravels is a variety of twists and reveals (one involving a kidney transplant).

There are a couple of good surprises at the end that I definitely didn’t see coming.

It’s worth reading for that and I can definitely see this becoming a movie or a limited series.

The thing that really bugged me is how the author splits up dialogue. Specifically, she will have a character ask a question and then the author proceeds with some random description of something else for a few paragraphs. Then when your mind is sufficiently on something else, the other character responds and at that point you have no idea what they are talking about so you have to flip back a page to remind yourself what the conversation was about in the first place.

“Kinda”

#netgalley #amillionreasonswhy

The premise of this book really caught my eye, and that carried throughout the entire read! I love the dynamics of the storylines and the characters. Really well written and well thought out. Excited to read more by Strawser.

A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser had all the perfect elements to keep the reader absolutely enthralled —- family drama, long held secrets revealed, health tragedies, mental health issues, and relatable characters. Seriously, this is a book that you will start and finish all in the same day. Carve out some time so you are ready!

A gifted DNA test reveals to Caroline she has a half-sister Sela. You soon find out Sela has health issues that could be resolved if Caroline chooses to help her. But, underneath that seemingly simple plot, so much more comes to light. This book is told in alternating voices of both Caroline and Sela.

I was absolutely shocked when I had read 80% of the book, and then completely flabbergasted by the ending. But, even though the ending was shocking to me it was a satisfying conclusion to much of the family turmoil. Strawser tells this story with grace and true empathy. There is a richness and a joy that leaps off of the pages despite this heavy topic.

Those in the reading world love The Tall Poppy writers, Jessica Stawser, is in that group. Therefore, that is another reason to pick this book up! I have never read a mediocre book from the Tall Poppies, they are all extraordinary.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

A thought provoking perpetual page turner. This story has so much going on
I found myself asking "What would I do?"

I love a story that can feed you so much but not lose you in the balance while including characters you try to devour.

This book really makes you think about how you would react if you were in similar situations. A random Christmas gift of family DNA testing ends up linking strangers together. Sela is hoping to find family members that may be a match for the kidney transplant she needs to save her life. Caroline discovers a whole host of family secrets that change everything she thought she knew about her life. You can feel the emotions of each character through the words the author chose. The chapters alternate between Caroline and Sela giving you an inside look into how they are handling their new found family. The story is an equally heartwarming and heartbreaking look at family and the choices we would make for them.

What would you do and how much would your world change if you inadvertently found out through a mail-in ancestry DNA kit that you had a half-sister? This book is built on that intriguing and timely premise.

While this is definitely women’s fiction and not a thriller, things continue to be revealed that are not as they seem. This one was a bit dark for me and the ending seemed far fetched. I also thought the story dragged a bit for my liking. However, many readers will enjoy this book. I think it had some realistic depiction of patients and families who must navigate renal disease and kidney transplants. ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review.

This book as a deep, emotional journey. Both Sela and Caroline felt so vulnerable, real, and raw. I’m still processing that twist and everything that happened, but this was a fantastic book.

I was, at times, confused by Walt and his actions. He seemed, at first, to be consistent and steady but then became emotional unhinged.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I really enjoyed this book and was intrigued in the whole premise. How often do we hear about people getting a kit from Ancestry.com or 23 ‘n Me, submitting their sample and then get contacted by someone saying they have a DNA connection? This book is not just about that, it is about how well you think you know your family members and how their actions have affected your life, or your life as you know it.

This book feels very similar to something by Jodi Piccoult and I wish there had been some discussion questions at the end. I feel like it could definitely spark some conversation on ethics and values.

While the book didn’t grab me in terms of “couldn’t put it down,” it did keep me interested enough to read it through to the end. It was a solid and steady read. I give it a solid 3.5 out 5.

I always find Jessica Strawser's books a pleasure to read; her writing is beautiful and eloquent. This book had a multi-layered and intriguing plot (well described in other reviews) and certainly provided a lot of food for thought--what would you do in a similar situation? It was clearly impeccably researched and the facts were incorporated seamlessly, so that you learn a lot about kidney transplants in an interesting way. I found the characters to be likable and sympathetic for the most part, with mostly understandable flaws. On the downside, however, I did find that it dragged a bit in the middle and that the (surprise) resolution at the end, though a feel-good one from a human standpoint, was a bit far-fetched from a scientific standpoint and too simple a solution. Without wanting to give anything away, I think the same result could have been achieved, both in terms of the relationships and medical outcome, by using a different path mentioned in the book, and that would have avoided the unlikely coincidence, which to me detracted from the narrative and sent me back several times to reread that section and make sure I didn't miss something. All in all, though, I think this is a book that will stay with me. Definitely would make a great book club selection! Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan/St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this book.

Caroline is a self-acclaimed problem solver, until she discovers, though a DNA testing gift, that she has a half-sister, Sela. Sela is actively seeking blood relatives as she’s in desperate need of a kidney transplant and finding a matching donor has proven impossible. The new sororal connection is about to change the trajectory of both women’s lives forever, as well as the relationships they have with their own family members. This is an engrossing and moving read which will leave readers a lot to think about in terms of what makes a family. A moving and memorable read. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to Netgalley for the advanced review copy of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC of A Million Reasons Why. When I saw a new book by Jessica Strawser for request, I acted right away. I've read all of Ms. Strawser's books and became a big fan. Her books are realistic, without being over dramatic. This story is about Caroline, who has a wife and mom life. Her parents are local and she enjoys her work. She receives an email from Sela, who through DNA testing, indicates that they share the same father. As you can imagine, Caroline and her family's worlds get turned upside down. Add to it that Sela suffers from kidney disease and needs a donor and that really shakes things up. As a reader, it brings up so many questions to ask ourselves: Would you want to find out that your father had an affair? Would you want to meet your half-sister? Would you question what Sela's intentions are? This book is thickly layered with family and they ways they work and sometimes don't. I'd recommend any book by Jessica Strawser if you've not read her work.

This was a bit of a miss for me. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. I didn't really like either sister, nor their cast of characters. I had a feeling that Sela's baby wasn't alive, but as a pregnant person reading it, it was a bit depressing and tough to read. I liked the premise of the book but found it mostly depressing to read during the dark winter of a pandemic. Sorry, but thank you for the early copy to read with my book club.

Jessica Stawser takes the riveting subject of DNA testing head-on in A Million Reasons Why. Be ready for a read that goes into the minds and lives of these characters as a highly emotional drama plays out. I don't think I was ready for this type of story so I will say that my disappointment with the story is more mine than the author's.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I connected with both Caroline and Sela. I do not know what I would do in this situation. I found it difficult tp put this book down and stop thinking about it.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Caroline is in for a shock when she receives an email showing a DNA link to another wo!an. Does she have a half sister? This story is intriguing and heartbreaking. Great characters and writing. It is a heavy read, but well worth it.

Very enjoyable read! Intriguing, interesting and recommended y one of my favorite authors!! Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader's copy of in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed the depth of the subjects explored in A Million Reasons Why. We see how family members can change the course of one another's lives as they presume to know what is best for others. The story is told from two different points of view. Caroline who is married to Walt is one POV. They have three young children. Caroline's parents, Fred and Hannah, have secrets that play an important part in the course of Caroline's adult life. Sela is the other voice. Her story is revealed more slowly. One Christmas all the adults in Caroline's family are gifted a DNA test. When results show Caroline has a match for a sister her life changes drastically. Emotions run high and secrets are revealed.
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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