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docdubbs's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in 2 nights. That might say it all, but this was truly a pleasure. A rollercoaster of emotions, especially as a mother. I read this for our schools summer reading book club and I’m so glad I did. Highly recommend!
chandlerainsley's review against another edition
4.0
poignant & realistic YA contemporary. here for it
there's not much to say about the plot that isn't described in the blurb. this story is about cassie who is a senior in high school and going thru a lot: her mom needs a heart transplant, she has a crush on the new guy, she's fighting with her bestie, she's trying to get a scholarship to her dream college and she wants to learn more about her birth mother.
this story is told in dual POVs. cassie's and her birth mom's letters to her that she writes when she is pregnant.
this is not a loud story. this is not another far from the tree by robin benway. it's quieter and frankly more realistic. i think this story will help A LOT of teens. and i like that there aren't a lot of cheap twists used. there are realistic coincidences and there are shitty things that happen and there are also a lot of really beautiful moments too.
the only major complaint that i had was that the "twist" re: the love interest was kind of cliche/expected. and i wish that the love interest's past had been explored more. we get background on cassie's bff but not the love interest and i would have appreciated it/it would have added that extra touch of depth to the story.
overall, loved this.
there's not much to say about the plot that isn't described in the blurb. this story is about cassie who is a senior in high school and going thru a lot: her mom needs a heart transplant, she has a crush on the new guy, she's fighting with her bestie, she's trying to get a scholarship to her dream college and she wants to learn more about her birth mother.
this story is told in dual POVs. cassie's and her birth mom's letters to her that she writes when she is pregnant.
this is not a loud story. this is not another far from the tree by robin benway. it's quieter and frankly more realistic. i think this story will help A LOT of teens. and i like that there aren't a lot of cheap twists used. there are realistic coincidences and there are shitty things that happen and there are also a lot of really beautiful moments too.
the only major complaint that i had was that the "twist" re: the love interest was kind of cliche/expected. and i wish that the love interest's past had been explored more. we get background on cassie's bff but not the love interest and i would have appreciated it/it would have added that extra touch of depth to the story.
overall, loved this.
sarahhyatt's review against another edition
1.0
This was a disappointment and didn't really add anything new as an adoption story. It relied heavily on tired and overdone adoption tropes -- closed adoption because the adoptive parents were afraid the birth mother would "want her back" -- that's not how it works AT ALL, secrecy on the part of adoptive parents, adoptee decides to search for her birth mother but feels extreme guilt because of her parents, and except for a twist ending that doesn't get much follow up, the resolution is basically that the ~search was enough~ and she doesn't need to know. It's anticlimactic and unsatisfying. The plot is basically "adoption search!" but it lacks a lot of the emotion and complexity of similar YA books. Some other minor plot points that I hoped would be tied up or connected in some way weren't. I didn't feel like this book added anything new as far as adoption literature. Which isn't an official thing, maybe, except I just made it one.
nbreezy17's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Medical content
Moderate: Abortion
hamckeon's review against another edition
4.0
Most of the book was a 4 for me, but I didn’t like the epilogue. It took away from the story. Though possible, the ending seemed highly unlikely. Having been adopted, I could relate to some of what Cassandra felt.
kayleighroy17's review against another edition
5.0
I. Loved. This.
A story of Cass, now 18, an adopted child who is dealing with all the things life brings at that age (and more) while trying to navigate her feelings on whether she should find her birth mother now that she’s legally allowed.
This story choked me up several times. Everything is so well handled. When characters do shitty things, they’re addressed and not swept under the rug (as I feel sometimes happens in YA contemporaries). Cass reads very mature for her age and I really enjoyed her voice as well as all of the characters around her.
A lot of topics are tackled as well. Religion, racism, mortality (specifically death of a parent), adoption, LGBTQ+... and in my opinion, every topic is handled well and sensitively.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for an impactful and heart wrenching, but also often lighthearted, YA contemporary!
A story of Cass, now 18, an adopted child who is dealing with all the things life brings at that age (and more) while trying to navigate her feelings on whether she should find her birth mother now that she’s legally allowed.
This story choked me up several times. Everything is so well handled. When characters do shitty things, they’re addressed and not swept under the rug (as I feel sometimes happens in YA contemporaries). Cass reads very mature for her age and I really enjoyed her voice as well as all of the characters around her.
A lot of topics are tackled as well. Religion, racism, mortality (specifically death of a parent), adoption, LGBTQ+... and in my opinion, every topic is handled well and sensitively.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for an impactful and heart wrenching, but also often lighthearted, YA contemporary!
tessvdv's review against another edition
4.0
4,5
A lovely, realistic, own voices story about both sides of adoption.
A lovely, realistic, own voices story about both sides of adoption.