Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the copy of this eARC for my honest review. All ratings and any reviews are opinions of my own.

A heartwarming story of two teens who find out they are half siblings, I enjoyed Samira and Henry’s relationship and how it evolved, trying to find their place in the world, and figuring out who they are.
I enjoyed this book, I thought the storytelling was beautifully done and the characters were full of depth.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

So pretty much every single adult in this book sucks. The two main characters are Samira and Henry, half siblings who found each other through an ancestry DNA test. They are trying to track down their father who disappeared from their lives when they were babies.

Okay, first there’s Samira. Samira is dealing with a ton of very very difficult shit throughout the story. She’s essentially forced to be the only adult handling things, giving up her dreams to help save her brother.

Then we’ve got henry. Henry’s parents all fight over him, his mom and dad (aunt and uncle) and his bio mom. Henry’s also under pressure, but more so from his parents to be a certain way and succeed in a way they want. I don’t think anyone cared if henry was happy, he seemed like more of a pawn in their game until the end.

I don’t love how quickly all was forgiven. It seemed very rushed.

I also did not like these characters. I did not connect with them. Samira had very little regard for Henry’s well being the entire book. The concept was great but not executed well.

A touching story of a connection brought on by a DNA test. High school senior Samira is tired of being the adult in the family. Everything seems to land on her shoulders. When her chance to escape to college is threatened, she decides to take a DNA test, in the hopes of finding her father and maybe getting some of the child support he never paid. Henry, also a senior, is beginning to question who he is. He loves his family (his biological mother and his aunt and uncle who raised him), but he starts to think that maybe finding his biological father could help fill in the some of the blanks. Instead of a father however, Samira and Henry discover each other: the half sibling they never knew they had. Maybe together they can find their father, forming this newfound connection along the way.

I adored this story about familial love and forgiveness. The slowly built connection between Samira and Henry was fantastic. It was very sweet watching them meet and learn from each other. Family relationships are just as important as romance, but a lot less featured in YA. I relate a lot to Samira's character, and also felt for Henry, so it was easy to root for their happiness. There are so many difficult topics in this story, and I felt that they were all handled well. These families have a lot to work through, but it seems that they just might make it. The ending definitely brought on the emotions. I loved the whole ride. I recommend reading the author's note, where the inspiration for the story is described.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

what a beautiful, heartwarming story! the character development was top-tier especially given the difficult situation they found themselves in! I'm excited to see what Susan does for future books!

The premise of this book is so different from what I expected in the best of ways. The double helix and the characters facing each other could initially imply romance, but I was really pleasantly surprised to learn this was a story about half-siblings finding each other and building a connection. While interesting it didn't keep me engaged throughout unfortunately and I can't really place why. Perhaps this just didn't work for me as a YA. I'm still looking forward to reading more of Susan Azim Boyer's work!

I really enjoyed seeing the journey these characters went on to find out who they were outside of how they've grown up. More than anything it was refreshing to see such a tough topic handled in a way that was so well executed. I truly enjoy when an author can write something that can touch so many people. In a world where so many individuals are put up for adoption, IVF, or donated IVF it's interesting to see how people may handle those situations going forward. I will absolutely be reading more from this author in the future.

I absolutely loved this heartwarming story!

Samira and Henry are each having a tough time, and each decide to take a DNA test to find their missing father. Instead, they find each other, and decide to search for their father together. Through this search they find out a lot about each other and themselves.

I adore Boyer's prose and mastery of characters, and have ever since her debut, so I was very excited for this one, and it did not disappoint. Boyer is definitely an auto-buy author. Can't wait to see what she does next!

i adored this book. loved LOVED ‘jasmine zumideh needs a win’ and susan azim boyer did it again! it’s a very touching story about family and taking your place in the world, and it’s simply JUST <33 4.5 stars!

Thank you @wednesdaybooks for this complimentary copy!

I loved this author's previous book, and this one was great! This beautifully written story was all about figuring out who you are, what your place is in the world, and learning how to deal with differences in family dynamics with tough topics such as adoption, addiction and PTSD. I loved the main characters, Henry and Samira, and I thought they had amazing character development throughout the story! I was really rooting for them the entire time. I love young adult novels, but I do not normally read stories about sibling relationships, so I found this one incredibly interesting and unique!

Read the authors note at the end 🤗

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮:
• young adult books
• finding yourself
• multiple POVs
• mental health focus

"They were a family. And now that they had found each other, they were never letting go."

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

What a surprising gem of a story. I connect on a personal level with none of the key topics in the book, yet I finished reading it with the sense that I not only related to the topics but that I also felt them deeply. From addiction to PTSD to adoption, this book ran the gamut of emotional storylines, and it tackled each one with a gentle hand. I found my eyes rimmed in tears more than once.

In support of the SMP boycott, I will be withholding my review of this title until SMP speaks out. If the boycott is resolved, I will update with a full review.

"The Search for Us" by Susan Azim Boyer is a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the enduring power of sibling bonds. Samira Murphy, determined to hold her fractured family together, embarks on a journey to find the father she hasn't seen since infancy. In parallel, Henry Owen, feeling misunderstood by his well-meaning but distant relatives, seeks a connection to his own identity through the search for his biological father. What unfolds is a poignant narrative that delves into the complexities of family relationships.

Boyer crafts a compelling story by intertwining the narratives of Samira and Henry, who unexpectedly discover each other through a DNA test meant to connect them with their long-lost father. The twist in their search forms the basis for a unique and emotionally resonant exploration of sibling bonds. As they navigate the challenges of unraveling their shared past and searching for their elusive father, the characters undergo personal growth and self-discovery.

The author masterfully captures the emotional depth of the characters, making their struggles and triumphs relatable to readers. Samira's dedication to her family and Henry's quest for self-identity are portrayed with authenticity and nuance. The evolving connection between Samira and Henry, as they uncover lost pieces of their past, adds a layer of emotional complexity to the narrative.

Boyer's prose is evocative and skillfully renders the intricate dynamics within a family. The novel successfully tackles themes of belonging, acceptance, and the transformative power of familial love. The search for their father becomes a metaphorical journey for both Samira and Henry to find their place in the world.

"The Search for Us" is a touching exploration of the deep and abiding ties that bind siblings, even in the face of unexpected revelations. Susan Azim Boyer's storytelling is rich with emotional resonance, and the novel's themes of family and self-discovery make it a compelling read. I give it four stars for its well-drawn characters, emotional depth, and the exploration of complex family dynamics that resonate with authenticity.

I really enjoyed the journey of Samira & Henry finding each other and connecting. The Search for Us is an emotional, young adult story about siblings finding themselves by way of a DNA test that connects them as siblings. So touching and well written!

Susan Azim Boyer has brought us through a beautiful story of half siblings who did not know about each other, and, once found, they fight hard together to find their birth father, whom they both know nothing about.

Samira and Henry were both in situations as mixed race teens being raised in families where they never felt quite like they belonged. Samira continued to have to take care of everyone, and Henry was expected to follow the path his adoptive parents had laid out for him. Together, they go on the adventure as newly found half siblings, hoping to find out who they both truly are.

This was an excellent story, more than five stars, and I cannot recommend it enough. It will be a title that I will read again.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Through a twist of fate, two half siblings learn of each other's existence from a DNA website when they were both searching for their father. Both teens are going through a rough time at home and think that finding their father may be the solution. As problems become worse, the two team up to find him.
Opinion
I loved this book enough to ask my school librarian to purchase it for my school. There is a strong sense (search) for identity and the story is just plain amazing. While reading the after thoughts, I learned that the author's husband actually found a half sibling through a DNA website. I think this is awesome and something that would interest students today, especially if they do not know who their biological parent(s) is(are.)
Many thanks to Net Galley and to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Unexpectedly intriguing and also unexpectedly sweet.
The characters in this book beg for our attention and care, and with me they got it. The story was both plausible and unique and I think just about anyone would enjoy it and get caught up in it. This would also be a great selection for a parent-teen book group because there is a lot to unpack and different roles and choices to be considered. I do hope it finds its way to high school libraries all over the US.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I was in it all the way!

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#ya

Yup, I'm a little late I think I actually finished this book 2 weeks ago. So this is a November book. Bad girl!

This is a story of 2 teens that live a 5 hour drive apart that have decided to look for their father. Each for different reasons. So they each decide to do an a DNA test. They both of course decide to use 23 and Me. Instead they found each other. Half siblings. Each teen has cheerleaders on their side to get things going.

I felt that so many great story/plot opportunities were missed while writing this book. But I liked the story. I liked the way the book ended. I love how this was a story of true "found" family. But unfortunately, didn't feel the pull to keep picking it up. But I will be rounding up for ratings. It does deserve the boost.

#halfsiblingstory
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