All families have their own secrets, but when Caroline finds out she has a sister she never knew about her hold world begins to unravel. This one secret brings her world crashing to her feet like a house made of blocks. Well written, fast paced and engaging, I found myself drawn into this story and feeling the characters emotions. This is the first book I have read by Jessica Strawser, but I will seek out more.

Sela is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. She's possibly found the perfect match; but how do you turn someone else's life upside down by revealing that you are her previously unknown half-sister, the product of her father's affair? As Sela begins to connect with Caroline, she must decide which she wants more - a sister or a kidney?

Jessica Strawser's family drama was my surprise favorite of the March 2021 Book Releases. I absolutely loved the complicated relationship between Sela and Caroline. Each woman was realistic and nuanced, trying her best to navigate an unexpected situation while dealing with the choices of their parents. If you love women's fiction, you can't miss this thought-provoking tearjerker.

I received this book as an ARC copy from NetGalley. In this book, a Christmas gift of DNA tests for the family reveals long-kept secrets. Caroline learns she has a half-sister named Sela who is in need of a kidney transplant. The book explores the relationships between the family members as they adjust to the truths that have been revealed. The characters, especially the sisters, are well-developed and likeable, and the struggle they face about a transplant was heartbreaking. I really enjoyed reading this book, and Jessica Strawser continues ro be one of my favorite authors! The book will be released on 3/23/2021.

I was originally drawn this book because of far too similar circumstances in my own life. I thought that I would connect with the characters and perhaps gain a new perspective. I was able to find that in this story, however I didn’t love the way it was written. The sentences were overly punctuated with commas and it messed with the flow of the story. Overall a decent read, and if the premise is anything unlike your own life experience you might love it just for the ability to step inside such a chaotic and life-altering situation. Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read every book Jessica Strawser has written and loved them all. This book was very different from her other books but was excellent. So if you read the blurb you know from the start the two half sisters connect as adults and all the skeletons on both sides eventually emerge. Caroline’s story is filled with anger at her mother for things she did to prevent her daughter from finding out about so many things. Sela is going into renal failure and needs a kidney transplant. She is divorced and has a son Brody. Caroline has a loving husband and three children and both her parents while Sela’s mother has passed away. Without giving away any spoilers they have the same father, but Caroline’s father stayed married to Hannah, while Rebecca raised Sela on her own. This was a very emotional book throughout and as you near the end there is a major twist that comes which I never saw coming. I enjoyed this book and the epilogue was awesome. I highly recommend this book.I received this book from Net galley as an ARC for an honest review. Thank you net galley for this ARC.

This book kept me in its grip till the end.
It might have you think twice about doing a DNA test. What secrets might surface that you rather not know about. Caroline did not know the can of worms she was opening when sending in the DNA test that was given to her as Christmas present by her husband. Family secrets from before she was born slowly came to the surface. Finding out the existence of a half-sister can bring up a lot of mixed feelings. Will she be loyal to her parents, follow her husband’s request or her own feelings. This is a very emotional story that will stick with you after closing the book. It also shows how hard it is to accept an illness and the loss of an unborn child. I can’t tell you more without given away the story but I highly recommend this book.

Jessica Strawser has become an author I rely upon for interesting stories about domestic life. Her latest, A Million Reasons Why, was endorsed by Jodi Picoult and I can see why it would appeal to her.

It took several chapters before this novel picked up momentum, but then it moved along at a nice pace. I felt sympathetic toward both Caroline and Sela, as they were put into some difficult situations. I really liked the friendship that formed between them though. I was frustrated over the pressure they were feeling from different sides that were trying to influence their decisions.

The story was pretty straightforward with a couple doses of deceit, but then there was a game changer that totally threw me for a loop, as well as some other surprises. Jessica's great use of description brought the story and characters to life. The dialogue was genuine and honest, as well.

When I was watching Degrassi: The Next Generation this past year, one of the characters had a situation similar to Sela's (kidney failure that caused her to seek out family members she didn't know about), so this novel made me think about that.

If you're looking for a thought-provoking read this spring, this novel is worth checking out!

Movie casting ideas:
Caroline: Amanda Righetti
Sela: Aubrey Plaza
Walt: Stephen Amell
Doug: Brett Dalton
Maureen: Ari Graynor
Leigh: Michaela McManus
Hannah: Lea Thompson
Janie: Sophia Bush
Fred: Dylan McDermott

Thought provoking novel on what would one do when unexpected results of a DNA test come back. Caroline and her family get a dna test kit for a Christmas gift and then she is left reeling when the results come in, digging up family secrets from the past. There was so much going on in this book but I didn't feel overwhelmed by it all. Maybe overwhelmed thinking about the choices Caroline had to make but not the actual story. This was such a rich, powerful narrative. Fans of Jodi Picoult would enjoy this one. I don't cry easily when reading this one got me at certain points, some heart breaking moments.

Much to discuss with this one for a book club. I reccomend it whole heartedly. Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book and the subject matter involving organ donation. The story is told in alternating points of view of Caroline & Sela. Sela has failing kidneys & is beginning her search for a living donor. Caroline learns of Sela’s quest & wrestles with the impact on her immediate & extended family. I would give this title 3.5 stars as it kept me interested, but at times lagged in character development. It was my first novel by Ms. Strawser, but it won’t be my last. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What if....?

What if I found out my dad had an affair while my mom was pregnant with me?
What if I found out I had a half-sister as a result?
What if I I found out my only sibling was dying from end-stage kidney failure?
What if I found out I was a match and could donate a kidney to save her life?

Ultimately, A Million Reasons Why, is a book of "what ifs," and while it's vaguely intriguing (and a lot thought-provoking), I also found the internal dialogue a little too long-winded and philosophical. Add to that the completely unprofessional behavior of the renal nurses, which is not only implausible, but would also result in employment termination...and I ultimately found this novel to be average, at best.

The whole story involving Keaton seemed unnecessary, and frankly, a little unbelievable (what are the chances Caroline would choose to live in the one American town where her unknown half-sister lived?)

I would probably only recommend this book if you literally have nothing else to read.

2.5 stars
Available March 23, 2021

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my review copy.

Wow! Just wow! I always am amazed by how talented Jessica Strawser is! I have read every single book by her and I don’t tend to ever stop! This book throws two half sisters together after they each take a DNA test and find out about each other. One sister did it to see if she could find any siblings who could possibly be a match for her as she’s facing a health issue. Only to find out so much more. This book took so many turns by the end I was having to digest what I read. It kept me guessing how it would end. Five stars all the way!

This is actually a 3 1/2, but you can't give half stars. I like the way Jessica Strawser writes. I've read three of her books so far. This one is about family and siblings and the decisions that make your life your life. It's also about organ donations and kidney disease. I learned things I didn't know about before. I am a listed organ donor for when I die, but I hadn't thought much about live organ donation. I liked that the book made me think.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What an excellent read! I loved how the story was told in the alternating voices of Sela and Caroline. I I really enjoyed the strengthening of the bond between Sela and Caroline. There were many twists which made the story even more interesting. I can not say enough good things about this book! I will definitely read more books by this amazing author!

A Million Reasons Why contains just about everything a reader looks for. There is drama, betrayal, reckoning, forgiveness, and rebuilding in this family drama. Caroline and Sela are sisters, revealed during a DNA test. Sela needs Caroline, but Caroline might also need Sela to clear some mysteries of their parents’ relationship. The author provides a story that compelling and embracing of heavy subjects. Much angst and sorrow are experienced by two of,the characters and they come together in a way I was floored, and I didn’t anticipate. It’s also an uplifting story, I enjoyed reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

I chose this book because I recently discovered via a DNA test that my previously thought half sister was actually not half - and thus identifying my father.   This book did a great job of describing all of the highs and lows and questions that come from such a revelation.

Well-written book, reminiscent of Jodi Piccoult.  More of a "twist" than you usually get with one of her books and a surprise for this reader. 

I highlighted several bits in this book, but having read this book while following covid restrictions, this line stood out for me:
If you didn’t get out in the world, you could forget what a beautiful place it was.

Highly suggested for fans of women's fiction and complex family dramas.

A MILLION REASONS WHY was an amazing read overall. Strawser is a flawless writer and reading her words is an effortless task. I devoured this book. The relationships she creates are complex and yet so relatable that you can’t help but feel as if they are real. Just when you think you understand the plot of the story or the nature of one of these complex relationships, Strawser challenges your notions and sends you reeling. One of the plot twists is so intense, I found myself with my jaw hanging open. This story incorporates physical and mental health, complex familial relationships, the struggles and joys of being a mother, the challenge of unearthing information on someone you thought you truly knew, and the idea of coming to terms with the fact that not everything is as it seems and can be fit into a precise bubble that you’ve created. This book made me cry, laugh, and smile. It reminds me a bit of Liane Moriarty’s book but is more nuanced in its connections of characters and its plot twists. I would definitely recommend any woman, anyone dealing with chronic health issues, anyone with complex family relations, any mothers, and any siblings to read this book. St, Martin’s Press does it again!

Suddenly Caroline has a sister? At least that’s what the DNA website is telling her. How can she have a sister so close to her own age though? Caroline isn’t ready to be thrown into the family drama that is to come. Sela meanwhile is living with kidney failure. A blood relative match is quickly becoming her only chance of a transplant. Will Caroline still want to help Sela after she turned her world upside down?

Wow. Ok so when I first read the synopsis for this one, it kind of seemed like a thriller maybe? Once I started reading I realized it was not, but that did not keep me from loving this book! There was so much happening in this one with all of the characters, but particularly Caroline and Sela. I cant imagine the situation that either of them were put in. I feel like DNA test matching seems to be a new trend in novels these days, and I am here for it. This one was insanely different than the other DNA test books I have read, but it was on such an important topic to learn more about. This one took me a bit longer to get through than is my norm, but I wanted to savor every aspect of the story as I read.

Though I enjoyed Jessica Strawser's writing style I was not a huge fan of A MILLION REASONS WHY. I actually considered abandoning the book a few times but then a new twist would arise and I would stick around to see what happened only to be disappointed in the outcome.

Perhaps my issues are with Caroline and Sela, I just didn't really like them. Their characters fell flat for me. They lack believability and charisma.

Will most definitely read another book by Ms. Strawser as her writing style attracts me but her story did not.

I have read all of Jessica Strawser’s novels and what I appreciate the most about her writing is that she is adept at conveying profound life truths in the complexities of her characters. Each book is also quite different in its approach and genre which speaks to the versatility and skill of the author. I was excited to receive an advance copy of A Million Reasons Why and I knew I would be in for a compelling story as I have been highly intrigued and moved by each of Strawser’s previous works.

The novel centers around two half sisters who only come to learn about one another after a DNA test reveals their family connection. Caroline’s husband Walt gifts the DNA test to Caroline and her parents as Christmas gifts. Sela seeks out the test for a much more important reason, quite literally a life altering reason. She has kidney failure and is hoping for a transplant candidate among her unknown father’s side of the family. Once the sisters establish communication there are so many threads that come together only to unravel and create further threads in this complicated story. What does this discovery mean for Caroline’s parents? Will Sela be able to ask Caroline to potentially become her donor? How will this affect the sisters’ new and fragile relationship? Will both sisters be able to navigate the differing opinions and pressures of the family and friends surrounding them?
This book especially resonated with me as my husband and I have a close friend who has dealt with kidney failure and most recently had his second successful kidney transplant surgery. A Million Reasons Why explores all of the emotions, fears, and hopes of each character and shines a light particularly on sisters as well as mothers and children. Strawser’s writing stops me in my tracks when I least expect it and delivers beautiful and poignant messages of love and hope. I highly recommend you check this one out when it releases on March 23, 2021. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! That’s what immediate comes to mind when I think about this book. One of those ancestry kits given as a Christmas present leads to results no one would have suspected. The author deeply examines the motives and feelings of all involved. The hurts, deceptions, anger and love rolled into an unforgettable story. The author did a great job with all the medical and psychological aspects of this novel. Excellent storytelling! Highly recommend! #AMillionReasonsWhy #JessicaStrawser #NetGalley