A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser is a heartfelt novel.
When two strangers are linked by a mail-in DNA test, it’s an answered prayer―that is, for one half-sister. For the other, it will dismantle everything she knows to be true.
But as they step into the unfamiliar realm of sisterhood, the roles will reverse in ways no one could have foreseen.
Caroline lives a full, happy life―thriving career, three feisty children, enviable marriage, and a close-knit extended family. She couldn’t have scripted it better. Except for one thing:
She’s about to discover her fundamental beliefs about them all are wrong.
Sela lives a life in shades of gray, suffering from irreversible kidney failure. Her marriage crumbled in the wake of her illness. Her beloved mother and lifelong best friend passed away. She refuses to be defined by her grief, but still, she worries about what will happen to her two-year-old son if she doesn’t find a donor match in time.
She’s the only one who knows Caroline is her half-sister. That Caroline may be her best hope for a future. But Sela’s world isn’t as clear-cut as it appears―and one misstep could destroy it all.
After all, would you risk everything to save the life of the person who turned yours upside down
This was such a thought-provoking read. I always like it when a story/plot make me think and imagine what it must be like to experience this story as one of the characters.
I really feel horrible about this, but right from the start I had a hard time believing the plot line, and unfortunately this did not change as the story progressed. The premise of this story in my mind is excellent, but the characters and their actions just did not seem real to me, and this kept me from feeling involved and engaged in the story. Moreover, I felt there was too much detail and the family drama was just too much at times.
If you are looking for a complicated family drama full of secrets and lies you may want to check this story out. There is definitely a lot of drama along with twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
