Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by one of my favorites, Jessica Strawser - 5 stars for a book that was hard to put down. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, this will be a wonderful book club pick.

Walt and his wife, Caroline, are parents to 3 young children living in Cincinnati. Walt decided to buy the extended family all DNA kits for Christmas, only to find the results opened up family secrets never imagined. Caroline is shocked to receive an email from Sela, stating that she is her half-sister, and hoping to start some type of connection. Sela lives in North Carolina and is suffering from end stage kidney failure. She's lost everything that is dear to her - her health, marriage, her mother - her son, Brody, is all that is keeping her going. As Caroline comes to grip with starting a relationship with Sela, she discovers that there are even more secrets her family has been keeping from her and struggles to move forward.

The least said the better with this book, but trust me, you will find yourself gripped to these pages. It's impossible to not put yourself in the positions of all of these characters and wonder how you would react in the same situation. This was also an eye-opening look into kidney disease and transplantation - hopefully it will spur thought and discussion about organ donation.

How would you react if a DNA test revealed you had a previously unknown sibling? This is what happens to Caroline when a Christmas gift from her husband unearths a half-sister, and decades of family secrets.

This story delves deep into the world of organ transplant and donation processes, and uncovers the hopes, fears and questions experienced by donor and recipient alike. Well-researched, and eye opening, I was drawn into each sister’s perspective: Caroline’s decision and uncertainty about having compatibility testing done, and whether a live donation was something she could follow through with; and Sela’s trepidation about asking for the help she so desperately needed, while wanting to remain alive. It made me consider how I would have felt, on either side of the equation.

The twist in the last quarter of the book was well-played, and handled well. It added a level of empathy that I hadn’t expected to experience. This book will be well-received by readers who love family dramas, and pondering the question of “what would I do if I could save another person’s life, even if it could jeopardize my own”.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb is what made me want to read this book! As someone, who deals with a rare autoimmune disease that impacted my kidneys, I felt that I could relate to one of the protagonists and in many ways I could relate. There was so much more to this book that all started with a Christmas gift of DNA kit, that kept me turning the pages.

The story is told from alternating views of Caroline and Sela.

Caroline, an only child, married to an only child, Walt, who have three children. They wanted to make sure that their children grew up with something they didn't--siblings.

Not expecting much from the DNA test, Caroline receives an email from someone claiming to be her half sister and chalked it up to it being an error. Out of curiosity, Caroline pulls up her parents results and notices a box that had been unchecked for her father, figuring it was an oversight when she set up the accounts, checked it. A New Match was found!

Sela, an only child, raised by a single mother, who, while pregnant was diagnosed with kidney disease which pregnancy only exacerbated the disease. Sela's husband, Doug, remained her husband in name only for the benefit of her having insurance. Sela was pushed to take the DNA test by her ex-husband and best friend, as she was running out of time.

Sela connected with a nurse, who was a kidney recipient herself, and at her urging Sela attended a seminar The Big Ask, although listening to the lectures didn't quite have the same impact on Sela. Sela decided that she couldn't ask her half sister, whom she didn't know for such a favor.

Caroline pays a visit to her parents, and realizes there truth to the DNA test, and despite her mother's obvious distress, Caroline opens communication with Sela. The two start off exchanging emails. After Caroline discovers some unsettling news, followed by a family health crisis, she answers a phone call from Sela and agrees to meeting face to face.

Sela keeping her condition secret, drives to Cincinnati to stay with Caroline and her family. The two sisters find themselves enjoying each others company, until over indulging on Sela's behalf provides a scare and she is forced to tell Caroline and Walt about her health.

While Caroline is stunned and trying to absorb the news, Walt is incensed leveling charges that Sela was just trying to get close for her own benefit. Sela's pleas that she wasn't going to ask fell on deaf ears.

Time is really running out for Sela!

Oh my gosh, I loved that this book brought organ donating to the theme, by way of a story that made me cry, hope, hurt for both Caroline and Sela because of those they loved, who made decisions based on what was best for them. I wanted to dislike Doug, until I was able to hear his side, then I hurt for him too. Among all the secrets, there was one, that really shocked me, which carried the story into a different direction and made the story more heart wrenching. The ending was a surprise too.

One of the quotes from the book that I loved, was when Caroline's best friend, Maureen, doles out when Caroline is feeling defeated:"I am doing the best I can with the information I have available at the time." Isn't that all each of us can do?

I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via St. Martin's Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

What started as an innocent Christmas present (DNA test kits) for the entire family, turns into so much for Caroline when she learns she has a half-sister, Sela. It’s far more complicated for Sela, though, having a medical condition that makes it necessary to find a living-donor kidney donation. Sela also made a promise to her mother to never look for her father.

Strawser is known for complicated, suspenseful family drama stories, and this one is just that. A Million Reasons Why is chock-full of family secrets, complex relationships and omgosh a twist I did not see coming.

After reading and loving the author’s three previous novels, Almost Missed You (4 stars), Not That I Could Tell (5 stars) and Forget You Know Me (5 stars), Strawser has become a must-read author for me.

Thank you to the Tall Poppy Writers for the advanced copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser is an emotion filled and thought provoking novel. A DNA test, meant to be a fun Christmas gift to members of a family turns out to be the gift that keeps on giving, in some very unique ways. What happens then when you receive an email informing you that you have an unexpected match? This story makes you think about how you would react when you find out some very surprising family secrets. One of them turns out to possibly become a matter of life or death choice. Well developed characters, page turner storyline and plenty of surprises along the way. I highly recommend reading this one.
Thanks to netgalley and the author for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser is the kind of story that once you're in for a few pages you resent your life pulling you away from reading more. When not actively reading, I found myself thinking about this story. Ms Strawser gives the reader some surprises and possibly some tears. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy to review.

A Million Reasons Why is a slow-burn, character-driven story that touches on a few topics - namely the issues surrounding organ donation, implications of DNA testing sites and complicated family ties.

This novel had great discussion-provoking topics (I enjoyed learning more about organ donation from both perspectives), but I was surprised that the story and characters weren't as impactful or emotional as I had hoped. The plot had a disjointed feel due to the excessive internal dialogue and several tangents that spent too much time rehashing the past.

I give kudos to the author for the plot twist that I didn't see coming and for writing a story around organ donation, but this book rambled too much for my liking and I ended up skimming much of the last half. At this point even little things like Sela's mom's odd nickname of 'Ecca' started to grate on me.

I am in the minority with this book so please know many others rated this book 4 and 5 stars. This would be a good choice for readers who love character-based stories with topics that would instigate good book club discussion.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to St Martin's Press for my advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve become such a fan of this author, she really has the kind of writing style that I enjoy and she creates these characters that are relatable and believable and this was no exception. I feel like DNA testing has been a hot topic in quite a few books lately, so I was slightly hesitant if she could bring something new to the table and I feel like she did. It was remarkably thought provoking and made me wonder what I would do if I was in either Caroline or Sela’s shoes.

This one was very twisty for a book that isn’t even remotely a thriller which gave the whole thing a suspenseful feel. Not that it was fast paced and tense necessarily, just that so many secrets kept coming out that you really didn’t know what would happen next. A family drama would be my best way of explaining what it was for me, with an emphasis on drama, it veered slightly into Lifetime movie territory but I actually love that vibe. Ultimately I loved the exploration of the usual family dynamics and found it to be an engrossing read.

This story was compelling from the beginning and just kept picking up speed the whole way through to the end. Very thought-provoking and will leave you asking yourself 'What would I do?'. Perfect for book clubs or if you enjoy Jodi Picoult novels.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Caroline has a fulfilling life; an attentive husband, three kids, a good career, and parents with whom she is very close. However, her seemingly perfect world is thrown into chaos when a DNA test reveals she has a half-sister her same age, the result of her father's affair shortly after marrying her mother. Sela's life isn't nearly as perfect as Caroline's. Reeling from a serious illness, the failure of her marriage, the death of her mother, and the very premature birth of her son Brody, Sela puts her hope for the future in a sister she's never met.

This is a beautifully written story about love and loss, the importance of family, and the power of forgiveness. The author's character development is top notch, and both Caroline and Sela come alive from the pages. This book is an emotional punch to the gut at times, but so encouraging and uplifting at others. There are many levels to this story, as well as many different kinds of relationships, which add to the realistic feeling of the storyline. It's an emotional rollercoaster, for sure!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this fabulous book, in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Ms. Strawser, but it definitely will not be my last!

A million stars for A Million Reasons Why!!!! It is in the top five of 2021 for me! A story of resilience and love. The heartbreaking reality of illness and what it can do to those who love you and to marriages is well portrayed in this beautiful story. Tragedy, hope and love fill the pages of the beautifully written must read!

“What do you do when a decision is so large, you can’t see around it?”

After receiving a DNA test for Christmas, Caroline finds out she has a half sister. What does her sister, Sela, want? Should Caroline go against her parents wishes and find out?

Did Caroline’s father knowingly turn his back on his daughter? Did her mother know? What else haven’t they told her?

Sela’s kidneys are failing. As she gets to know her half sister, will she be able to go through with The Big Ask?

This is an emotional, thought provoking story dealing with complicated issues. The characters are well developed and extremely relatable.

Loved the surprising twists thrown in near the end.

I highly recommend this beautifully written story,

Thank you to Jessica Strawser, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Last minute gifts to the family of mail in DNA tests bring unforeseen results within the family. Very thought provoking story. Really made you think about how you would react if you found out you had a half sister.Well written story that has stuck with me and gave me things to ponder.
I would recommend it. Thank you to the author. Publisher and Net Galley for this Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

DNA tests have been used for so many things. Finding out ancestry, finding serial killers, and connecting with long lost relatives. This book is about the connection...a long lost half sister....and one who needs you to save their life.

This....didn't do it for me. It felt overwrought and overdone. In the end, I didn't care about either of these women.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

After taking a commercial DNA test Caroline finds out she has a half sister, Sela. Sela contacts Caroline and this sends Caroline’s family into shockwaves and brings up a past her parents would rather forget. Sela has more that just a desire to connect with family when she took the DNA test. She needs something. Something that is impossible to ask for especially from a half sister she just found out about.

I was intrigued by this book. I loved the storyline and characters. They are extremely relatable, from the husband protecting his family to friends doing whatever Is needed to save their friend.

What I first thought was a simple story about connecting with long lost relatives turned into a completely different story. I loved that the story was taken to another level. I did not see the last 1/4 of the book coming. It makes you rethink everything you had already read. I would definitely recommend this book!

Caroline’s husband, Walt helps with the family Christmas gifts, buying a home DNA test for everyone. When the results come back surprising Caroline with evidence of a relation she was unaware of, the life she has believed in begins to fray at the edges. Sela is her half-sister, revealing a past affair that impacts Caroline’s relationship with her parents, and the illness that is lethal if Sela does not find a match for a transplant. There were some interesting twists and turns, as the story makes you think about what you would do in the same situation. Recommended, and thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

DNF, this book did not grab me at all. I was so bored and skipping through from the beginning. Other reviews say there are a lot of twists and turns but I couldn’t be bothered to wait around. On to the next! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of A Million Reasons Why in exchange for an honest review. If you have ever submitted a DNA test, you wonder, what will it show? Of course, you wonder what your ancestry is but also what else the test could show. For Caroline, she definitely received some expected results in that she had a half-sister. Not only did she have a half-sister but they were separated by just a few months. This in itself could cause some stress for a family, but there was much more that came to light with this information. There were many other elements which led to conflict within her family. Sela, her half-sister, is in need of a liver. While she was always curious about who her relatives were, she also is motivated by needing a liver. Caroline's family must work through many issues when Sela enters their life.

Juicy and complicated, this family drama has it all: secrets, lies, complex relationships, and so many sides to the same story! There is so much to unravel in this novel, as the characters search for truth and forgiveness, understanding and loyalty; each of them trying to do the right thing at the risk of hurting those they love the most. There are twists in this story that I never saw coming, each of them revealing another layer in the characters and the circumstances that brought them to this time in their lives.

As someone who got a DNA test this year for Christmas and found out exactly the same, that I had an unknown half-sibling, I was so excited to read this book. However it bored me to bits. By 25% in, almost nothing had happened other than Caroline finding out and arguing with her parents. The characters felt very surface level, and I just couldn’t connect. The writing wasn’t bad, it was just meh.