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nemtynakht's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting idea, but would have been much better as a novella or short story.
misscopiousreads's review
2.0
Meh.
The premise is great. The story is interesting and had the opportunity to be great. Although Friedland narrates the story through the two main characters the story still just seems so one sided. There’s not much dimension. Her supporting characters have very little depth and it’s quite obvious who she wants you to see as hero’s and villains in the story. She had an opportunity to really make the reader place themselves into the story and decide what would’ve been best for them, their family which quite obviously might be different from what works for another family. Instead she spoon feeds us her version. It’s really disappointing bc “He Gets That From Me” could’ve been so much more.
The premise is great. The story is interesting and had the opportunity to be great. Although Friedland narrates the story through the two main characters the story still just seems so one sided. There’s not much dimension. Her supporting characters have very little depth and it’s quite obvious who she wants you to see as hero’s and villains in the story. She had an opportunity to really make the reader place themselves into the story and decide what would’ve been best for them, their family which quite obviously might be different from what works for another family. Instead she spoon feeds us her version. It’s really disappointing bc “He Gets That From Me” could’ve been so much more.
thelittlethingsandmore's review
5.0
Thank you to Booksparks and Netgalley for my advanced and finished copies of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Wow wow wow. I haven’t read a book like this in a while. I stayed up and forgo-ed sleep to read it, so you know that’s saying a lot.
This one had everything: family drama, romantic relationships, science, sibling love, strained families—but it all comes together so well in this story, and is not a mishmash of “let’s throw this subject in there.” This is a favourite read of 2021 read for me.
I was afraid the dual POV with alternating timelines would confuse me but they truly enhanced the story. An intense story about love and what you’ll do for family, do yourself a favour and pick this one up.
…and that last chapter
Wow wow wow. I haven’t read a book like this in a while. I stayed up and forgo-ed sleep to read it, so you know that’s saying a lot.
This one had everything: family drama, romantic relationships, science, sibling love, strained families—but it all comes together so well in this story, and is not a mishmash of “let’s throw this subject in there.” This is a favourite read of 2021 read for me.
I was afraid the dual POV with alternating timelines would confuse me but they truly enhanced the story. An intense story about love and what you’ll do for family, do yourself a favour and pick this one up.
…and that last chapter
itsashtaylor's review
4.0
Maggie, a young mom, decides to be a surrogate to her money so she can go back to school. She carries twins for a couple, Chip and Donovan. 10 years later, some questions arise from a Relativity test the twins took, leading the fertility clinic to ask Maggie for a follow-up DNA test.
The story was so unique and fascinating, and I couldn’t wait to keep reading to find out how it all turned out. It took me a little while to really get into the story and I felt the book bored me a little at first. But as the story progressed, I got really into the book and couldn’t put it down. The book did an excellent job of exploring the theme of family and what it really means to be a family. The characters were compelling and complex; they were flawed, but lovable.
The story was so unique and fascinating, and I couldn’t wait to keep reading to find out how it all turned out. It took me a little while to really get into the story and I felt the book bored me a little at first. But as the story progressed, I got really into the book and couldn’t put it down. The book did an excellent job of exploring the theme of family and what it really means to be a family. The characters were compelling and complex; they were flawed, but lovable.
crolovr's review
4.0
Make sure you have the day free because you will not want to put this book down. This family drama involves surrogacy and what happens when a DNA test proves different from what you believe is true . The story is told in the dual time lines of 10 years ago and the present. Told in the POV of Maggie and Donovan and the heart wrenching decisions they must make. I just don't know what decision I would make if I was faced with their dilemma. This book will stay with you after you have finished reading it.
helenh1975's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sharondblk's review
Wow, this books packs a punch! I'm not going to say anything about the plot, because it's a book that is better without spoilers, but It's an interesting book that asks questions about family, blood, relationships and what holds us together. It tackles complex issues, in a way that is interesting and accessible. It's also well written, which makes it a pleasure to read.
Even though couple of choices that often annoy me, like chapters set in different times, and having two narrators, she pulls it off by skillful writing.
This would be great a great book to do in a book club, because there is so much to unpack, as well as being an enjoyable - if at times tense read.
Thanks NetGalley and SparkPress for the free e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Even though couple of choices that often annoy me, like chapters set in different times, and having two narrators, she pulls it off by skillful writing.
This would be great a great book to do in a book club, because there is so much to unpack, as well as being an enjoyable - if at times tense read.
Thanks NetGalley and SparkPress for the free e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
curlyjessreads's review against another edition
4.0
This was definitely an interesting book that kept your attention and kept you guessing the whole way through. Sadly I wasn't able to make the book club meeting for it because I know there was a lot of good discussion and it probably would have helped me work through some of my thoughts.
Maggie agrees to be a surrogate for a gay couple, Chip and Donovan Rigsdale, as a way to better her financial position and go to college. When she successfully gives birth to twins and gives them to the Rigsdales, she thinks that is the end of things. However (minor spoiler),10 years later a DNA test proves that one of the boys is in fact her son. Thus begins the roller coaster of decisions. What defines a family? What rights does either side have? Does DNA change your relationship with someone? What is the "best interest" of a child?
The story is told from both Chip and Maggie's side from the past, as well as the present. While I did enjoy the book and thought it was a good story, I felt like some of the characters (especially Maggie) were not fully fleshed out. There was a huge point about her family that was revealed pretty late (even to her) that did help explain some of it, but she felt like a confusing character, often making decisions that didn't seem in line with who she was or portrayed herself to be. I definitely felt like there could have been more depth to the characters to understand them. Although maybe that was part of the point. Who knows how we would act in this scenario? Who's to say we would act "in character" if faced with the same situations?
Also, the 'epilogue' was an interesting addition, that almost throws the whole story upside down a bit. I'm not sure if it was needed, or if it goes further into, people acting out of character.
Maggie agrees to be a surrogate for a gay couple, Chip and Donovan Rigsdale, as a way to better her financial position and go to college. When she successfully gives birth to twins and gives them to the Rigsdales, she thinks that is the end of things. However (minor spoiler),10 years later a DNA test proves that one of the boys is in fact her son. Thus begins the roller coaster of decisions. What defines a family? What rights does either side have? Does DNA change your relationship with someone? What is the "best interest" of a child?
The story is told from both Chip and Maggie's side from the past, as well as the present. While I did enjoy the book and thought it was a good story, I felt like some of the characters (especially Maggie) were not fully fleshed out. There was a huge point about her family that was revealed pretty late (even to her) that did help explain some of it, but she felt like a confusing character, often making decisions that didn't seem in line with who she was or portrayed herself to be. I definitely felt like there could have been more depth to the characters to understand them. Although maybe that was part of the point. Who knows how we would act in this scenario? Who's to say we would act "in character" if faced with the same situations?
Also, the 'epilogue' was an interesting addition, that almost throws the whole story upside down a bit. I'm not sure if it was needed, or if it goes further into, people acting out of character.