When I began the review I was confused by the name change of the novel. I realize sometimes that happens but I actually prefer the original. “ Too Much To Ask” seems more fitting and more suggestive of the theme. I truly loved this book. It was beautifully written and wonderfully descriptive as it follows the life of Sela an only child with kidney failure. It realistically delves into the issues of organ donation and the medical hurdles needed to secure these organs. Sela resorts to DNA testing to find a donor and the ramifications are life changing. This new availability of DNA testing has created scenarios that are cataclysmic for families. This novel explores those revelations and when the reader thinks he or she has figured out the ending.... the book delivers its knockout punch. Believe me, it is a shocker. I am thrilled I was given this chance to read it before publication. I always feel like I am making a discovery when I read and adore an incredibly terrific book no one has recommended or read before me. Now I will send the word out in great gasps of approval.... read and revel.

Well-written book about some inherent dangers in DNA analysis but, more importantly, an exploration of what it means to have chronic kidney disease and the discussions about organ donations. I was bored with Caroline's constant introspection about "roads not taken", but perhaps that was necessary to move the plot line forward.

What I loved most about this book is there's so much going on in the story that you can't help but ask yourself, what would I do if I was this character? How would I handle this situation? So many dilemmas to ponder which made for an intriguing read.

Caroline is married with three young children. After submitting her DNA sample to an ancestry site, she is caught off guard when a woman named Sela contacts her claiming they are half-sisters. So, that bombshell rocks Caroline's world. Sela also has something else she is debating about telling Caroline. You see, Sela needs a kidney transplant and because they are related, Caroline might very well be a match. Not really the easiest favor to ask of someone you barely know, right? The story alternates between the perspectives of Caroline and Sela.

This certainly is a story full of dilemmas. Every character in the book, not just Caroline and Sela, are faced with really tough decisions. This book would be great for a book club discussion because there is so much to debate and maybe even judge regarding actions of the different characters.

It's always challenging to write a review when the bulk of what you want to write about is basically spoiler territory. I will keep my mouth shut and just say if the premise sounds interesting to you, definitely check this book out. There is also so much more to the story than you might expect which is an added bonus.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, St Martins Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. The first part was so good, I could not put the book down. Then I'm not sure what happened. The book was still interesting and I was anxious to find out what was going to happen, but at the same time, I didn't like Sela or Caroline. I found myself scanning paragraphs. And the reveal of Sela's secret - I was like huh? The premise of the book was great, I just think there was too much going on. Simpler would have better and more impactful for me.
I did like the writing style, so I will give this author another try!

I am a big Jessica Strawser fan. I have read almost all of her books and this one may just be best one yet. This book totally blew me mind. I was unable to put it down and found myself reading it in a day and a half. I love how the author integrated the use of DNA testing, something so prevalent in our society today, into her storyline. A story of two half sisters, both only children, who didn't realize that they have each other. This is wonderfully well written with excellently developed characters. The author's attention to detail and the amount of feeling it evokes are amazing. I read so much of this book with teary eyes. A fantastic, surprising ending that I honestly did not see coming. This is going to be a must read for readers. I definitely recommend.

I would like to thank Jessica Strawser, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have read ALL of Jessica's books. I was excited to see a new book.

I started reading and I could not stop - read entire book in a day!
I had to know outcome!

DNA testing - Organ Donation - Half Siblings -
what does family mean??
WOW, this book is so good!!

I am a huge Jessica Strawser fan! I have read all of her books and this one might be the best one yet. This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers.

4.25 STARS

Caroline believed she was an only child—up until the day she discovered that she wasn’t. That was the day Caroline’s life slowly began to unravel; the day that secrets were exposed and lies uncovered. For Caroline’s half-sister, Sela, the genetic discovery held a deeper truth; a deeper purpose. Fate brought these two strangers together, but navigating their unthinkable circumstances could tear these sisters apart for good.

Right from the get-go, I was drawn into Caroline and Sela’s saga, and I remained captivated right up until the very end. Boasting a unique and compelling premise, “A Million Reasons Why” poses questions that’s impossible for the reader not to ponder while navigating the story’s shockingly twisty road. But at the end of that arduous journey, I was met with a rapid conclusion that felt flat and utterly unsatisfying. For that reason, an otherwise 5-star book, fell off its precarious pedestal for being a little less than perfect.

It seems like writers have a new tool in their quivers, the DNA test. Strawser chooses to use hers in this novel of 2 half sisters finding each other as the result of A DNA test. Of course, myriad complications follow. The DNA test disrupts lives and marriages. Sadly, these disruptions are not so far from the truth, read INHERITANCE by Dani Shapiro, for a real life example.

The reliability of these tests is quite remarkable and can unfurl huge amounts of information. In this case, Sela and Caroline took the test for very different reasons. The author skillfully unpacks the history of the sisters and their parents. Unlike other novels using this theme, tge DNA creates a melodrama, not a mystery.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as Strawsers’ earlier novels. It presents a fascinating premise that book clubs will enjoy exploring and discussing.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Wow, Jessica Strawser really knocked it out of the park with this gem! A Million Reasons Why grabbed me by the heart from the very beginning!

This novel centers around Sela and Caroline, who upon both summiting their DNA to an ancestral company find out that they are half sisters. Caroline was completely shocked her doting father had an affair and more shocking was that she wasn’t the only child she always thought she was. Sela on the other hand knew there was a father out there somewhere, but being that her mother passed away without ever telling her his identity, she hoping she would find family. Sela obviously wanted to know her father’s side, but she has so much more at stake— if she doesn’t find a donor kidney, she may not be around very long!

The storyline is extremely thought provoking and I also learned so much about the donor search/process. The storyline is extremely original and the characters are very well developed! Jessica Strawser does a fantastic job with telling a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale that will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page. I found this 5 star novel completely unputdownable! I’ve read and enjoyed all of Jessica’s novels, but A Million Reasons Why is by far my favorite from her to date! A true must read!

As a huge fan of Strawser's book Almost Missed You, I was happy to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of A Million Reasons Why. This book is very different, but suspenseful and enjoyable in a different way. It is very thought-provoking, making the reader consider ethical issues. I find the subject of DNA testing and potentially surprising results intriguing. This book included some of the things I liked about Jodi Picoult's book, My Sister's Keeper, and Dani Shapiro's book, Inheritance. I thought the author did a great job bringing the characters and their relationships to life. I'm not sure how realistic the ending of the book is, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I would have liked more information about how things evolved with Caroline's parents.

I think this book would make a great choice for book discussion groups; there's a lot that would be discussion-worthy.

The story centers on two characters: Sela, who’s suffering from kidney disease, and her newly-found half-sister, Caroline, who could be a potential match as a donor. (I don't know which character I loved more: they’re both equally human; caring and loving.) It’s a compelling novel that explores the complicated bond of two sisters—one of whom illegitimate—the secrets and hurt, the shame, the sacrifices you make, the complexity of marriage, and the agonizing ways to ask people for help. It’s not all black or white, they are always two sides to a story; it’s very compassionate. While the beginning felt a bit like stalling to me, the characters quickly grew on me. Strawser’s debut is still my favorite of hers, but A Million Reasons Why is the next best thing.
Thanks to NerGalley and St. Martin’s for the chance to read the ARC.

This is just the type of book I like - detailed and nuanced, a family saga with a few surprises thrown in. This is the story of Caroline and Sela who, through the magic of mail-in DNA tests, find they are half-sisters. Of course, that opens up the whole drama of their parents' relationships, which would be a complete story in itself. But the author gives us so much more. We know why Caroline's family took the test - it was a last minute Christmas gift - but eventually, we find out that Sela took the test because she's suffering from irreversible kidney failure and is worried what will happen to her young son if she can't find a donor. Aside from the main plot line of the women finding each other, we learn about Sela's marriage and her child, Caroline's former boyfriend and why their relationship ended so abruptly, and the tricky relationships between parents and children. Once Sela and Caroline meet, they find they really enjoy each other's company, and Caroline is determined to help Sela and to include her and her son in their lives. The story lines and the author's writing reminded me of Jodi Picoult's work in the best way - she gave readers a compelling story, well-researched food for thought, and a story I'll be thinking about for a long time. Thank-you to the author, publisher and to Netgalley for the digital ARC.