A Christmas gift unearths a web of family secrets and the family gets much more than they bargained for. When Caroline entered her results and saw a notification that she had a match for a half sister, she thought there was an error. When she realized her half sister was practically the same age she was, she realized her view of her parent’s “perfect” relationship was false.

Going against her family, she reaches out to see her half sister, and they hit it off. However, Selma, Caroline’s half sister is hiding secrets of her own.

This was an interesting view on relationships, trust, and much more.

It also gave me another reason why I don’t want to do a DNA test.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I loved the premise of the DNA presents at Christmas and finding out hidden family secrets. So I was excited to read this book. Overall, the book was interesting, and I learned some things, but a lot of the book felt very predictable, and it just didn't live up to what I had wanted it to. The dialogue and characters actions didn’t ring true and were hard to become invested and engaged in. I felt the plot details sometimes made the novel drag at times. Overall, it was just too much for me. This is my first book by this author, and I would definitely try another. And while some people may really like the book, it wasn't one I think my students would be into either.

I really liked the premise of the book but felt it fell a little short. I appreciate the review copy. Thanks again.

Not going to lie I was a little bit tentative when I started reading this book as wasn’t sure what direction it would go. The author had an excellent way of conveying exactly in a million reasons why thought provoking situations that arose around DNA testing etc. Great from cover to cover.

The mail in DNA testing market is huge. The results have brought families together, torn families apart, identified criminals, and generally stirred up the lives of countless unsuspecting participants. In A MILLION REASONS WHY, test results bring together two women who discover they are half sisters. These women never knew they had a half sister so the results bring a full range of emotional results. As you could imagine, not all of them happy. The title says what most of us would say when presented with the choices these sisters must face, but the WHY can be positive and/or negative. When asked to donate a kidney for her new sister, what would you say?
Jessica Strawser has not only given us food for thought, she has skillfully drawn two lives that will never be the same. Their futures depend on how each handles the circumstances of family. Definitely an excellent read for anyone who loves Jodi Picoult.

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.

What an amazing book!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this remarkable ARC copy in exchange my honest thoughts.

I have a book hangover from these types of books. They are so moving and beautiful but put me in such a weird headspace it almost isnt worth it, LOL

Wonderful story.

Finally got to this one and it was pretty good. I enjoy a DNA test kind of story, and this hits the mark. I really enjoyed it and thought it brought a lot of different emotions.

*Thank you @stmartinspress for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.*

I have long been fascinated with DNA tests, and this story's premise asks: what happens when a DNA test yields an unexpected result that makes you question your own family?

This was well-paced and compelling, with characters I easily cared about. Strawser does an excellent job alternating between Caroline and Sela's perspectives, and developing their respective stories, families, and issues equally. I will say the final reveal about Sela felt a bit like a curve-ball. It came pretty much out of nowhere and was resolved very quickly too. I think it could have perhaps been teased out more, rather than being a late-game twist. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this!

There are a lot of themes in this book - love, marriage, infidelity, missed opportunities, loneliness, chronic disease, regret, secrets, deception, motherhood, friendship, choices, and family. It had my emotions all over the place as I was reading, not knowing how i felt about some of the characters and having really strong feelings about others. This was an intriguing story that really makes you think. There is definitely a lot to be discussed about this book.

This was a far fetched domestic drama that was too drawn out and tedious for my liking.

Just a story that I couldn't get connected with or buy into.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

A Million Reasons Why is such a heart warming story about family and how we need each other. In the times of mail in DNA test people everywhere are finding loved ones they never knew about, some they were searching for, and sometimes people they didn't know they needed. The story is about two women who were linked by their DNA and later discover they are half sisters. For one sister this is a possible life saving event as she needs a donor to help save her life.
Sela is suffering from kidney failure and needs a donor to save her life. She has all the dreams of watching her baby grow up and watch him soar but with the state of her health she may not make it to his third birthday. How can she build a relationship with her sister while hiding the fact she's hoping she's a match? She doesn't want Caroline to think that she's being used because after her mother died Sela really needs family. How does one draw a line between family and organ donor?
Caroline has everything, the amazing husband and three great kids. Her career is thriving and she she can't think of anything she needs. Caroline has an amazing family and is so thrilled to find out she has a half sister. Being able to have Sela in her life and a part of her Childrens lives seems like such a blessing until she finds out that maybe Seal's intentions aren't pure. Her husband has strong opinions on the matter but Caroline feels like she should trust her own instincts. Maybe Sela is using her but just maybe she needs her in her life right now the most.
Secrets, family, and ultimately love is what the two have in common.

Thank you so much for this ARC! I actually did not read it until recently and it was also my book clubs pick a few months ago. Everyone loved it. Enjoyed the family lies and betrayals as well as the emotional tugs this made us all feel.

Excellent. Well written. Interesting, and differing, characters. Moving. Heart-wrenching. Uplifting.

This book was about two sisters that find each other when they both fill out DNA tests (which is why I will never do it 😏). One sister needs a kidney transplant but she doesn’t want to ask her sister to see if she is a match for donation and it complicates their relationship.

I really enjoyed Strasser's first novel and found it to be very compelling, which is why I was excited about this book. This one was very middle of the road to me though. I enjoyed the family dynamics and the plot line, but it felt a little *too* drawn out at times. Again, the premise was really interesting and timely since everyonnnnnee seems to be doing those DNA tests, but wish it had been a little more fast paced and shorter. Nevertheless I am excited for her next book and to see what premise she comes up with.

This wasn’t really what I was expecting although I’m not sure why. The last novel I read by this author was a domestic drama, although more of a thriller. This was pure domestic. It did turn out to be enjoyable in spite of many unlivable characters. Poses many thought provoking situations.

Caroline’s husband buys her and her parents DNA test kits, similar to 23 and me, for Christmas presents. One day Caroline gets a notification that she has a family match- it’s a half sister and they are almost the same age. She starts to investigate further and determines that Sela is her half sister. The book is told from both Caroline and Sela’s point of view. Drama from the last is rehashed and current medical issues come to the surface casing more tension in their new relationship. I liked this book a lot more than I anticipated. Once I started reading, I felt a lot of empathy towards the sisters and didn’t want to put the book down. I was a little disappointed in the ending, it just seemed abrupt.

This is the first book I've read from Jessica Strawser and I absolutely loved it! The plot was so juicy and fast-paced, that I couldn't help but read this entire novel in one sitting! The characters were well-developed and the mysteries and both Caroline and Sela were interesting, complicated, and REAL. I can't wait to see what's next by this author...absolutely loved it!

The premise here was an intriguing one. Caroline's family takes a DNA test and Caroline gets more than she bargained for when she discovers she has a half-sister. Sela, the half- sister is in need of a donor for a kidney. I'm sure you can guess where this is going as the twists were not very shocking. I did really enjoy learning about the whole donor process, it really opened my eyes to how hard it is to find a match. Unfortunately, I think it is far to say that Jessica Strawser's books and I just aren't meant to be a match. I've read them all and they haven't really left a lasting impression.