A Million Reasons Why

A Novel

By: Jessica Strawser

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Natalie Naudus

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

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, number-one New York Times best-selling 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.  

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

"From the opening line to the heart-healing ending, A Million Reasons Why is an immersive and startling novel of great compassion with plot twists that will take your breath away.... Powerful, poignant and profound - don’t miss this compelling novel from a master storyteller." (New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry)

©2021 Jessica Strawser (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Well written and realistic

I’m a dialysis nurse and have been for over twenty years. I’ve also worked with kidney transplant patients, pre and post. I love how realistic most of the healthcare references were. Sorry, can’t help but notice! The book spoke to many of our patients’ struggles but instead of this book being a clinical one meant to educate or “preach” to her readers, I loved how Jessica Strawser weaved in the family issues, love stories, and so much more. I loved, loved, loved, this book and binge listened to the entire book in less than three days. This was my first book by her, now I’m going to find another one...

Lots of Audio Issues

Great story, but lots and lots of audio issues. Several times it skips and I would rewind thinking I skipped, but nope, it just skipped.

A million answers that were left out.

I read a million reasons why and enjoyed the story but I found it frustrating that so much was left out of the story line. It just jumped ahead without going into any real information about the characters. I would have loved to hear some dialogue between the 2 sisters. Why did they never discuss their father, how did the father feel about all that was happening. why didn't she elaborate on the mother why she decided to be a donor and how did Caroline feel about this. So many questions and information left out.

Didn’t see THAT coming!

This book had me hooked - couldn’t stop listening. Only two things bugged me. The nickname the author used for for Rebecca was almost intolerable to me. (Like she was trying too hard to be different. Did not ruin the book for me tho) And secondly, the end was not at all believable. Again, did not ruin the book for me. In fact I have high praise for the story ~ the insight- the absolute necessity of kind, patient friendship in ones life. I highly recommend the book!

Entertaining

Found this book to be very good It has great twists and surprises along the way keeps you hanging as what’s next. . Once the storyline truly developed I could not put it down.

Boring

Hard to follow. It was if the author couldn’t decide what to write about. Couldn’t wait for it to end. Actually fast forwarded.

Beautiful

What a beautifully written story! And the twists kept me so interested!! Definitely recommend! A+++

Interesting Story on Ethics and Transplantation

As a Transplant physician I was attracted to the story highlighting the organ shortage and the desperation people go through to get a life saving transplant - using the current ethical issues surrounding the genetic tests like ancestry.com and 23 and me - the story is a nice mix of real life organ donation issues and intriguing family drama

Of course there are some shortfalls in the actual medical science presented but they are minor compared to the point of the story and a little literary license is always accepted for the sake of the story

I recommend this book as a book club choice because it will spark an interesting ethical and moral debate on the choices each character makes to protect themselves and their families -

Surprise!

I set about my skeptic’s notion that this was going to be a predictable book and I’m so glad. A lovely story woven in and out of anything predictable. I recommend this book.

not a bad summer read

was hard to follow at the end but entertaining before that, still recommend if just need a filler read. Nice vocabulary used.