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lindablock's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was an interesting topic. Having a child from a sperm donor and the impact on the child’s life as well as your own. Thought provoking was the added interest of the mother who was a geneticist. I enjoyed the book
lrgreenb's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Cancer
rmarcin's review
3.0
I thought this book was completely predictable. Paige has a child via a sperm donor. She protects her son, Miles, from other children who make fun of him for not having a ‘real dad’. He begs Paige for info on his father.
When Miles meets another boy and his dad who share his love of science, he becomes a new boy, and is much happier. Then tragedy strikes.
The book examines the anonymity of sperm donors and a a result, the genetics that may be unknown to the children of these donors.
When Miles meets another boy and his dad who share his love of science, he becomes a new boy, and is much happier. Then tragedy strikes.
The book examines the anonymity of sperm donors and a a result, the genetics that may be unknown to the children of these donors.
jrei45's review
4.0
4.5 stars!
Three words I’d use to describe The Ones We Choose are fascinating, eye opening, and thought provoking.
Before each chapter, there is a small section on genetics, discussing things like DNA methylation, genetic disorders, different genetic theories, and mock cryogenic bank documents, among other things. I learned so much! I truly love the way genetics was such a big part of the book. It was a really unique aspect that made the story so distinct and interesting.
Julie Clark was able to use Paige’s relationships with the people in her life to illustrate such powerful messages about acceptance and forgiveness. I applaud Clark on how beautifully she she did this. Even some of the passages about genetics was tied into real life scenarios in such a way that made me stop reading and really think deeply about what was written. I said “wow” aloud more than once when absorbing Clark’s words of wisdom.
The Ones We Choose was a fantastic story that will stick with me for a long time. I will absolutely be recommending this one!
Three words I’d use to describe The Ones We Choose are fascinating, eye opening, and thought provoking.
Before each chapter, there is a small section on genetics, discussing things like DNA methylation, genetic disorders, different genetic theories, and mock cryogenic bank documents, among other things. I learned so much! I truly love the way genetics was such a big part of the book. It was a really unique aspect that made the story so distinct and interesting.
Julie Clark was able to use Paige’s relationships with the people in her life to illustrate such powerful messages about acceptance and forgiveness. I applaud Clark on how beautifully she she did this. Even some of the passages about genetics was tied into real life scenarios in such a way that made me stop reading and really think deeply about what was written. I said “wow” aloud more than once when absorbing Clark’s words of wisdom.
The Ones We Choose was a fantastic story that will stick with me for a long time. I will absolutely be recommending this one!
jollyjohanna's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
hmbb99's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book from page one to the end. The way Julie Clark intertwined the story of Paige and Miles with the genetic research Paige was working on as a geneticist was seamless. I am amazed by the amount of research Julie Clark had to have done to write this book.
This book grabs you by the heart strings and keeps pulling even after the story was told. You feel the anger and hurt that Paige feels from growing up with a father who is constantly absent and unreliable. You understand why this leads her to come to the decision to conceive a child without a father by using an anonymous sperm donor. You feel Paige's struggle when Miles starts to question who his father is and when Paige's father reappears in her life again.
If you have ever questioned your place in your family or struggled with a family relationship, then this book is for you.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this advanced copy of the book, the opinions are my own.
This book grabs you by the heart strings and keeps pulling even after the story was told. You feel the anger and hurt that Paige feels from growing up with a father who is constantly absent and unreliable. You understand why this leads her to come to the decision to conceive a child without a father by using an anonymous sperm donor. You feel Paige's struggle when Miles starts to question who his father is and when Paige's father reappears in her life again.
If you have ever questioned your place in your family or struggled with a family relationship, then this book is for you.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this advanced copy of the book, the opinions are my own.
danidsfavereads's review
4.0
* Thank you Gallery Books for sending me a beautiful finished copy to read and review. *
This book follows Paige as she navigates her world as a geneticist studying a specific gene in fathers, and as a single mother to her son. When her son begins to ask questions about his father, she does not know how to answer as she utilized a donor. Throughout the book, Paige confronts her vulnerabilities and has to examine how her own father's behavior is impacting her now.
This book talks about family. About how certain experiences during childhood will affect you in adulthood. It's about friendship, and difficult choices. This book is an emotional journey. I felt invested in Paige and her experience. I rooted for her through the difficult choices she had to made, but also questioned some of the things she did.
This book follows Paige as she navigates her world as a geneticist studying a specific gene in fathers, and as a single mother to her son. When her son begins to ask questions about his father, she does not know how to answer as she utilized a donor. Throughout the book, Paige confronts her vulnerabilities and has to examine how her own father's behavior is impacting her now.
This book talks about family. About how certain experiences during childhood will affect you in adulthood. It's about friendship, and difficult choices. This book is an emotional journey. I felt invested in Paige and her experience. I rooted for her through the difficult choices she had to made, but also questioned some of the things she did.