A MILLION REASONS WHY by Jessica Strawser

 

A SheReads Most Anticipated Novel of 2021

Jessica Strawser's A Million Reasons Why is "a fascinating foray into the questions we are most afraid to ask" (Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author)--the story of two women who discover a bond between them that will change both their lives forever.

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.

Caroline lives a full, happy life—thriving career, three feisty children, enviable marriage, and a close-knit extended family. She couldn’t have scripted it better. Except for one thing:

She’s about to discover her fundamental beliefs about them all are wrong.

Sela lives a life in shades of gray, suffering from irreversible kidney failure. Her marriage crumbled in the wake of her illness. Her beloved mother, always her closest friend, unexpectedly passed away. She refuses to be defined by her grief, but still, she worries what will happen to her two-year-old son if she doesn’t find a donor match in time.

She’s the only one who knows Caroline is her half sister and may also be her best hope for a future. But Sela’s world isn’t as clear-cut as it appears—and one misstep could destroy it all.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is absolutely the best book this author has written. It's almost to lyrical. Like reading with your whole heart. It hits your soul. It's told through the eyes of Sela and Caroline. Each with a beautiful, painful, and heartfelt story to share. One that will stick to you long after you close the book. It hits you full force all the way through. From beginning to end.

One of two of my favorite quotes from this book: 1) What kind of woman would be upset when her husband confesses that he's grown to love her more with time, a climb so steady they never stopped to notice the heights they'd reached, even as couple all around them lost hold, tumbling to their demise?

2) Organ transplantation and donation are acts of charity, agape love, and self-sacrifice. We recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation and encourage all people of faith to become donors as part of their love and ministry to others in need.

I believe everyone who can should be an organ donor. I lost my youngest brother who needed a liver transplant. He was so close... I miss him everyday and wonder what would have life been like had he gotten that transplant. If you can donate please do.

This is truly a heartfelt story of two sisters who never new the other existed until they did. Until one did the DNA test to find out if she had any family. To find out if she had anyone who could possibly donate a kidney that would save her life. From there things go full force towards a whole new life. New relationship. Two sisters getting to know each other as grownups. Despite the fact that mothers kept them apart.

I loved almost all the characters in this book. They were open, honest, caring, and loving. The parents of the two woman, Sela and Caroline, I did not like. I thought of them as selfish and even if they were doing things for what they thought was the right reason it was just wrong. Some things are just not right to keep to yourself. I especially thought Caroline's dad was a jerk. That is my opinion of him. A first rate jerk. But only after he knew the truth. Before that he was in the dark as much as everyone else that counted. 

This book draws you in and will hold you captive until the very end. You will root for the sisters. You will also find some pretty intense things going on. Some things that are not as they seem. A bunch of lies being told but some for reasons that are not meant to hurt or harm anyone. 

This book shows you what it's like to have some mental health issues and feel like no one cares or that there is nowhere to turn. Or that you just can't or are not ready to let go. It's about organ transplantation. About needing something that will save your life. Knowing that without it you will die. There is no way to survive. It's about the possibility that you may want it to end. All the things you can't do or have anymore. All the things that can go wrong with just one slip. Even the fact that you can't drink as much water as you want. This is a very emotional book. One that makes you feel like you are right there with these two young women. A part of what they are going through. You will feel their pain.

The last several chapters had me weeping so hard it was hard to read. My eyes were so full of tears that I had to get up and move around. My heart broke so many times. But it's a beautifully written story. The way the two tell their story is so realistic you will believe it. You will not doubt that this actually happened. The sad thing is it happens every day. People depend on people to survive. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #JessicaStrawser, #StMartinsPress for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 stars and I recommend it to everyone who loves a good cry and a good heartfelt story. It's truly perfection.