Henry and Samira are half siblings who find each other through 23&Me. Both of them do it to find their father that neither of them know, but instead they find each other. Once they start talking, they eventually meet and go on a roadtrip to find their father. As someone really into genealogy and has done 23&Me, I was instantly interested in this book. I read it in one sitting!

Also - Samira lives in the same place I do and it was super cool to be able to recognize so many places she mentioned. The thing about everyone having their birthday parties at Snoopy's is so true.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Another book I enjoyed. Following the two struggling main characters find each other, find their biological dad, and find themselves along the way. Well done. Well written. Like another review said refreshing to see a ya novel about friendship and family.

I absolutely loved this novel. Often, books portray love in the romantic way, so it’s sometimes rare that you see it in a familial way. I love how this book was able to showcase that aspect of love.

I thought the way the author showcased the growth of Henry and Samira and the found family trope was so beautiful.

Thank you Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for allowing me an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I was lucky to receive an ARC of this book, and I can say… I loved it. I love reading books that involve love in non-romantic ways. I loved getting to see familial love grow and change. I’ve always been a firm believer in the idea that family doesn’t end in blood and it doesn’t even start there, and this book is truly a prime example of it. Family extended to the friendships, extended families, families of half-siblings, and even themselves. Fair warning, the ending made me tear up!!

This was such a good read about 2 half-siblings that don’t know about each but connect on an ancestry site both trying to locate their father that they haven’t seen since they were really young. Samira is just trying to get through the weeks before graduation and accepting her dream college without everything imploding at home with her alcoholic older brother and taking care of her grandmother now that her grandfather is dead and her mom is living in Oregon for her job. Henry is just trying to figure out how he ended up with his Aunt and Uncle who raised him since no one will tell him anything about his dad and he is trying to live up to what his parents want for him which might not be what he wants. I really loved the dynamic between Henry and Samira and how alike and different their circumstances are and how much their dad leaving impacted their lives in different ways. They do find their dad and not where they think he would ever be and Kamron who is Samira’s older brother finally accepts the help for his alcoholism and everything works out for them and they end up meeting a bunch of their dad’s family they never knew about since they don’t know anything about their Iranian heritage. All in all a great easy read.
Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

“They were family. And now that they had found each other, they were never letting go.”

Samira Murphy, a self-described “overfunctioner,” is navigating her senior year of high school while handling all of the responsibilities for her household on the side. Fearing her family will crumble when she leaves for university, if she can even afford tuition, Samira orders a DNA test kit and begins the search to find her absent father, who her gran steadfastly refuses to talk about. Meanwhile, Henry Owen is trying hard to make his adoptive parents happy, but yearns for a deeper connection to his Iranian heritage and elusive birth father. Ordering a DNA test in search of an explanation to why his father left, Henry’s results reveal a half-sister set on answering the very same question. Forming a hesitant but strong connection that soon leads to a fast-paced road trip, Samira and Henry embark on a journey to find the answers they both truly desire in their search for their father.

The Search for Us moves fast, yet I quickly found myself reading it even faster. From the beginning of the story, the reader is thrown right into the lives of both Samira and Henry, learning the true motivations of each character long before they work up the courage to reveal them to each other or anyone else in their lives. While raised separately and in very different living situations, I liked seeing similarities in the personalities of each sibling: both do everything they can to make their loved ones happy, yet feel hesitant to ask for any assistance or support in return. I also liked that Samira and Henry gradually began to ask more and more of each other and turn to each other for support they previously could not find in their immediate surroundings. Their dynamic was very touching to witness as it developed. While Samira and Henry’s journey does not conclude with the perfect, fairytale ending they may have hoped for, they discover that their mission to find their father was always to uncover more about themselves and what it truly means to be family. Overall, The Search for Us was an engaging read featuring realistically complex families and distinct characters that grow and develop as the story progresses. I would recommend The Search for Us to any fans of YA craving a poignant, engaging read about the importance of family, heritage, and personal identity that they can devour in one sitting.

Oh my heart 💜❤️ Many thanks to the author ,Wednesday Books, and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Realistic and relatable, The Search for Us will be joining Jasmine Zumideh on my classroom bookshelf when it's available in October.
I loved Susan Azim Boyer's debut novel Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win - a coming-of-age story about an Iranian-American teenager in the 1970s. I learned a lot about Iranian culture and the 70s, and I also appreciated that it was a break from the romance and thrillers that seem to be the main options on the YA market.
The Search for Us is also a coming of age story about an Iranian-American teenager but set in the present day. Told in dual POV by Samira and Henry, both high school seniors in California, The Search for Us follows the pair, strangers to each other at the beginning of the book, as they find they are siblings through a DNA test and work together to find their father.
I enjoy reading stories about found families and this book involves a literal found family and many accompanying emotions. I appreciate that the book doesn’t shy away from serious topics like absentee parents, adoption, alcoholism, an autoimmune disorder, and the pressures of college decisions (including finances), but it also includes humor, love, and ice hockey! ⛸️ 🏒 It will be available October 24th, 2023.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This is the first novel from the author and I really started to love this. This is about two Iranian-American half-siblings finding each other and both searching for their father for different reasons. The Search for Us has so much to offer. A glorious cover. A dual narrative. Distinctive voices. A girl who takes far too much responsibility for her family. A boy who follows his parents' dreams instead of his own. I fell in love with Henry and with Samira. She was only caring about other people and completely forgot what she wanted, what she needed. And in a way, Henry was the same, doing exactly what his parents had planned for him.

This is not ba romance I dare say but more like a story about family relationships. About two teens both growing up in a white family while having an Iranian-American dad they’ve never met. About how that family can support you or can let you down. About how mental health issues can influence those relationships.

This was cute, the perfect summer read if you looking to get lost in a book while sitting by the pool. It has all the right vibes of a good old school rom com. The characters were well developed and interesting to read about and the chemistry between the characters was also great, not forced but more slow burn which is always more realistic.

Rating: 3.5 stars

The Search for Us was an overall a solid read. I definitely feel like the plot could've been developed more and wish the character arcs had been stronger. I had a hard time connecting with either but somehow still found myself getting sucked into the story whenever I was a couple chapters' in after picking it up. There were a lot of interesting themes and subplots that I wish had been explored more. Boyer touched on addiction, mental health and complex family dynamics but only skimed the surface before the book is over. I think it would've been a much more compelling book if she'd taken the time to tease out the nuances more. I found the resolution of Henry's family issues and the overall treatment of Samira's family especially disappointing.

Still, I enjoyed the moments between Henry and Samira. I'm a sucker for the found family trope and when the dynamic is combined with literal found family members, there's just something so wholesome and sweet about it.

The Search for Us is one of those books that objectively had a lot of room for growth but subjectively was enjoyable to read. If you're looking for a YA contemporary that isn't a romance, want some light biracial rep, and/or have always dreamt of having and finding a long, lost sibling, this is the story for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Themes: Family, Anti-Iranian Racism, Addiction
Representation: Half-Iranian main characters, Black side character, Vietnamese side character, Bisexual and Iranian side character
Content Warnings: Alcoholism, Racism, Addiction

Premise: Samira and Henry are both having troubles with their family. So they decide to take a DNA test to try to find their dad, only to be matched with each other! This leads them on a wild goose chase to find out what happened to their dad.


Characters


My favourite thing about this book is that it focused more on familial relationships rather than romantic ones (though one of the main characters DOES have a girlfriend). I mean, after all, it is a book about family. However, it is refreshing to see that because many books in general, tend to focus mostly on romantic relationships. BUT, familial relationships are just as important as romance!

The story starts with Samira’s narration. You are instantly drawn in by her voice, her frustrations, and her character. The problems that Samira faces, trying to keep her “fractured family from falling apart,” are pretty relatable to many youths. As you read about Samira’s problems, you can probably relate to how she feels and how she reacts to her issues regarding her family.

Though she’s not perfect and can be harsh at times (she’s human after all), you sympathize with her. You wish that she doesn’t have to deal with what she had to deal with. And she also grows and develops and heals as a character.

As for Henry, his character draws you in more slowly. Initially, he seems to be the “typical YA male protagonist” who plays hockey and has a girlfriend. However, as you read on, you start to realize that like Samira, he too, faces issues with his family. You start to root for him as well. Wishing that he too, can resolve his relationships with his parents.

As for Samira and Henry’s relationship, I thought it was well written. Though they are skeptical of each other at first, they learn to trust each other and developpe a sibling relationship where they support each other and help each other grow!

Finally, a book isn’t complete without its side characters. I liked how the author brought in Samira’s brother, Henry’s girlfriend, and their other family members. Though these characters do play a supporting role and help the main characters grow, they are also complex in their ways, particularly the family members. (I do wish the friends had a bit more complexity to them though….) They also have their own issues, and as you read the book, you cannot help but root for them.

Overall, props to the author for writing good, complex characters!

Rating: 4.8/5


Plot


Although this story is more character-based, the author doesn’t neglect the plot as well!

The author effectively uses the “plot mountain” to hook readers in. Setting up a nice exposition that introduces the characters, their problem, and their “goal”: which is for Samira and Henry to “embark on a search together for the Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father they never knew.”

In the rising action of the book, the author adds obstacles that the two siblings face that hinder them from meeting their “goal.” Making them wonder: is this a good idea? Making you, the reader wonder: what will happen? Which keeps you on your toes as you are invested in your journey.

And though the climax and end of the story are predictable, I think the author does a pretty good job with them. She wraps up the story nicely, leaving you with no more questions to ask and giving you a satisfying ending.

Rating: 4.7/5


Style


For the general formatting of the book, the author writes in dual points-of-view in the third-person, past tense. The chapters tend to be shorter so it is slightly faster-paced. This also allows the author to switch fluidly between both points of view.

As for the themes in the book, I think they are generally well-represented.

First of all, at the centre of the book, family is the focus. It is the main theme in the book considering that Samira and Henry are half-siblings that are looking for their dad. It answers the question “What does family mean?” Can family members that have been separated reunite? Can we forgive the actions of our family members? And the author addresses the nuances and complexity of family. Also, I like how family plays a huge role in the books which is, again, not something you see in many YA books.

The other main themes are more serious: addiction and racism. I won’t say too much about the first theme as it spoils some of the book other than that the author does a good job at addressing the complexity of addiction and not painting people who face these addictions as “monsters” but rather, complex people. For racism, I think it is well-addressed. The author is half-Iranian and truly pays homage to her main characters who are also half-Iranian. She also addresses the very real racism that Iranians face because, unfortunately, racism is still very prevalent today.

Finally, one of my favourite things about this book is that the author uses real-life experiences to write this story, which I think is pretty cool!

Rating: 4.8/5


Final Rating


Characters: 4.8/5
Plot: 4.7/5
Formatting: 4.8/5
Final Rating: 4.8/5 (round to 5 stars)
Personal Rating: 4.5/5

Date Read: July 11th, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 11th, 2023

In "The Search for Us" by Susan Azim Boyer, Samira and Henry take a DNA test to uncover information about their father. To their surprise, they discover that they share the same dad. Samira, hoping for child support to support her college expenses and get her brother into rehab, and Henry, constantly torn between his mom and his legal guardian aunt, longs to find his father who could love him unconditionally.

As we follow their journey, we witness their growing connection, their mutual understanding, and their determination to find their missing father.

This is a truly heartwarming young adult read. It's perfect for those who are curious about their heritage or for anyone who may not know one of their parents.

The Search for Us follows two half-siblings, Samira Murphy and Henry Owen, who both are encouraged to take a dna test because they want to find their father, who abandoned them at a young age. Samira has a heavy weight on her shoulders with helping her grandmother pay the bills and keeping her alcoholic brother afloat; Henry is trying to keep the peace between all of his parents, his aunt and uncle [his adoptive parents] and his biological mom. instead of finding their father, they connect with each other, and they decide to team up and try to find their father together.

overall, this was an alright read. i never felt a strong connection with either the plot or the characters. when i first came across this book, i thought it would be a romance novel [probably because my brain is wired around romance books, but also because the cover reminded me of [book:The Soulmate Equation|58438593 with the dna on the cover], and so, when i found out that its definitely not about romance, i felt less motivated to read it.
with all that being said, it was still a very solid read about friendship and family relationships.

thank you netgallery & st. martin's press for this e-arc!!

This is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that explores the profound impact of family connections and the journey of self-discovery. With two half-siblings in separate searches for their father accidentally finding each other and joining together to search for him. Samira and Henry's growth throughout the story is beautifully depicted, and their evolving relationship tugs at the heartstrings.

I didn't know what to expect when I snatched this up, but this was really great! It even got me tearing up, a feat only a few books have done to me.

I just adored both Samira and Henry. Their individual POVs are very distinct from each other and are filled to the brim with their personalities. It got even better when our two leads finally met face-to-face. They had to get past the initial how-do-i-talk-to-a-sibling-i-just-met awkwardness, but they had natural chemistry and bonded so well over things; they were calling each other family by the end and it was so cute!

I love that there's more YA coming out that focuses on family and friendship rather than romance. Marketing and statistics pointing to the fact audiences want romance make me so cynical, but it's books like these that purposely go against that motion and can be damn great, to boot.

All in all, great book. I hope this book gets the attention it deserves when it officially releases in October!

When I first encountered Susan Azim Boyer's debut, "Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win," I knew I encountered a singular, enjoyable voice in YA. What stunned me even more was that that was a debut! She and I have become acquainted since that, and it was my honor to read and encounter her sophomore effort, "The Search for Us." No sophomore slump here!

There is a profound tenderness with which Susan Azim Boyer writes her works, and this is no exception. The intertwining narratives of both Henry and Samira, discovering that they are long-lost siblings, really moved me - and while the prospect of alternating voices is my kryptonite, that is not a guarantee it is done well. Here, Boyer's pacing perfects this structure, and she effortless moves the plotline along, stitching the DNA of their cadences together.

Boyer is adept at weaving this, doubly so in the face of the truth that both would likely voice, "This is awkward! But it's necessary." How do you interact with a sibling you had no idea you had? I loved that both characters stumbled their way into how they connected with each other, and I felt there was a sense of realism here we don't always get from YA. I appreciated it even more as a result of that; there was solid verisimilitude here, and Boyer has captured the voices of teenagers rather well!

What "Jasmine Zumideh" also did admirably was incorporate various topics into the narrative, and this one also tackles the wide gamut of identity, college admissions, class disparity, family secrets, attempting to please your parents (while still doing what you know to be true), and the throes of addiction. There is also a tenderness, but not a saccharine one, with which all of this presents itself.

Perhaps the line, completely independent of the narrative, that made me smirk the most was when Samira's friend quips to her something like, "You have a Facebook? It's not 2010." I felt so old in that moment, haha. But through the highs and lows, the tender moments and tough confrontations, Boyer reminds us of the power of family and how searching can lead us to unexpected, beautiful places. Highly recommended and many thanks to her for letting me experience her warmly drawn characters!

Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters we're so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

growing up as an immigrant child myself I often struggled with my identity. I still do, in other words I have led my entire life in an identity crisis. I have always been too western or not western enough. This book made me feel seen, I could see so many similarities with Samira. Having to take responsibility as a child for adults due to different circumstances really hit home. This beautiful story is about identity, relationships, mental health and so much more.
Thank you net galley and Susan for letting me read this beautiful piece of art that made me feel like I belong.

The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer is a beautifully written novel that explores the profound journey of two half-siblings who embark on a quest to find their Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father, whom they have never met. Samira and Henry, both searching for connection and a sense of belonging, are unexpectedly matched with each other through a DNA test. Together, they navigate the difficult truths of their shared past, forming a bond that only siblings can share and uncovering precious parts of their history that have been lost.

Boyer's storytelling is captivating from start to finish. The book's cover may give the impression of a romance, but it offers so much more. The author skillfully weaves together the narratives of Samira and Henry, allowing readers to get to know them individually before their paths intertwine. This approach adds depth to their characters and fosters a stronger connection with them.

The third-person point of view, although taking some adjustment, allows for a comprehensive understanding of the characters' emotions and experiences. The pacing is well-executed, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its authentic portrayal of heritage and culture. Boyer handles the Iranian culture with respect and sensitivity, enabling readers to grasp the significance of the characters' backgrounds, even if they have little prior knowledge. The inclusion of Iranian culture in YA literature is a refreshing and valuable contribution.

Family and friendship take center stage in The Search for Us, offering a refreshing departure from the typical romantic focus found in many YA novels. The bonds between Samira, Henry, and their loved ones are explored with depth and nuance, highlighting the power of these relationships in shaping one's sense of self and place in the world.

The book is an emotional rollercoaster that tugs at the heartstrings. Samira and Henry's journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and the enduring power of family ties. Boyer's writing style is engaging and evocative, making it difficult to put the book down.

In summary, The Search for Us is a well-crafted and thought-provoking novel that beautifully captures the quest for identity, connection, and belonging. With its engaging characters, authentic portrayal of Iranian culture, and focus on the importance of family and friendship, it is a must-read for fans of YA contemporary fiction. Boyer's novel provides a much-needed representation of an underrepresented culture and will leave readers with a profound appreciation for the power of love and family bonds.
4.6 rounded up to 5/5