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Chasing China: A Daughter's Quest for Truth

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From the bestselling author of The Scavenger's Daughters comes a suspenseful novel about one woman's tenacious search for her birth parents and the truth of how she came to be adopted.
Mia left China as a small child, destined to be protected within the loving arms of an all-American family. She is grateful for her life, but now that she is on the precipice of total independence, she feels she is missing something. Determined to learn more of her past, Mia hops a plane to the country of her birth. As she follows the red thread back through her motherland, she is enamored by the history and culture of her heritage, strengthening her resolve to find the truth of her beginnings, even as Chinese officials struggle to keep it buried.
With an unwavering spirit of determination, Mia battles the forces stacked against her and uncovers a truth that will change her life.

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2011

466 people are currently reading
1267 people want to read

About the author

Kay Bratt

55 books2,076 followers
Writer, Rescuer, Wanderer


Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.


Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian. 


Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.

In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.


As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.


Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. 
For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.


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5 stars
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381 (19%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
Profile Image for Carey.
9 reviews5 followers
November 8, 2011
I wanted to like this book because a novel about an international adoptee searching for her birth-story and birth-family appeals to me. And I think there is a passionate audience for this type of story. However, the actual writing style and language kept pulling me out of the pages and often had me rolling my eyes.
The author knows a lot about Chinese culture, adoption in general, Chinese adoption specifically, and Chinese orphanages. The problem is that she tried to cram so much information in there was no room for the story to breathe. Everything felt forced. The dialog was unnatural and unwieldy. The author changed tense within a single paragraph. She changed narrators within a single paragraph. I think the story itself could have been great...it just needed to go through a lot of revisions to make it readable.
Profile Image for Rachel Cotterill.
Author 8 books103 followers
January 14, 2012
I'm finding it hard to know how to rate this book. On the one hand, I liked the characters, and the story of one girl's struggle to find her Chinese birth family was both gripping and moving, right to the last page (not counting the epilogue). On the other hand, I didn't much care for the style, and there were points when I found the jarring POV shifts sufficiently annoying that I just had to put the book down: most of the time the story follows Mia's point of view, and sometimes Jax's, but then some scenes start head-hopping across several minor characters. The inconsistency just bugged me. So... I enjoyed this story, but I didn't thoroughly enjoy the process of reading it. A pity, as it really could have been excellent.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,395 reviews283 followers
July 19, 2015
This story wasn’t quite what I had expected, and Mia’s search for her birth parents took a huge backseat to Mia’s romance with Jax, and them shopping and spending time together. That did not appeal to me and I rapidly had to change my expectations for the rest of the story.

However, where this novel excels is in capturing the culture, struggles, and immense poverty of China, as well as its government’s utter carelessness and disregard toward Chinese children, the elderly and the poor. The parts in the book that interested me most were Bratt’s vivid and insightful descriptions of the mismanagement of funds in the orphanages, the callous way in which the children in these orphanages are treated, and how criminals ruthlessly abduct and torture children to turn them into street beggars and criminals. I think most of us have a pretty good idea of what’s happening in China, but Bratt’s excellent narrative in this regard really brings it home to the reader. For that alone this novel is worth the read.

The ending and epilogue wasn’t to my taste though. I’m happy that Mia finally got the answers she wanted, but everything was too Disney-happily-ever-after, and thus hampered what could’ve been a great ending for all. Still, I probably wouldn’t recommend this book for what the book summary promises, but it is eye-opening to see what these orphaned children have to endure.
Profile Image for Gina Brenna.
Author 2 books32 followers
February 28, 2012
The plot of this book is interesting enough to keep your interest, and as someone who has lived for a long time in China, I am impressed with the accuracy of the cultural insights the author makes as a backdrop to the story. The writing, however, is fairly amateur, so much so that I almost had to stop reading. If you're looking for a quick read and a glimpse into Chinese culture, it's enjoyable. If you're looking for good quality literature, skip it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lara.
1,140 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2025
Chasing China: A Daughter’s Quest for Truth by Kay Bratt is one woman’s determination to discover her roots. Mia left China as a child, adopted and loved by an American family. While she is grateful for the family she loves and the life she has been given, she still feels this nagging feeling that something is missing. Determined to learn as much as she can about her past, Mia heads to China and tries to follow the path that led to her being placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted. As she seeks information, she soaks up Chinese history and culture, and she feels the officials are hiding something. They know more than they are telling her. Even more determined to discover the truth, she might have to find a different route to discover the truth. Will she be able to find her family? Is she ready for the truth?
Chasing China is a fast paced, suspenseful story as Mia fights to learn the truth. It is heartbreaking to see the condition of the children in and out of the orphanage. I loved how Ms. Bratt truly captured the turmoil raging inside Mia as she wants to know her birth family and feeling she is betraying the family who has raised and loved her. The story also doesn’t shy away from the careless and yet prejudiced comments from Americans about an adopted Chinese child. Mia is truly an individual between two worlds, not fully feeling belonging to either. There were quite a few surprises in this story which led to a few tears falling as I closed the book. There are a lot of details about Chinese culture, the people and the orphanages which I appreciated. I truly felt as if I was there with Mia. I highly recommend Chasing China.

Chasing China: A Daughter’s Quest for Truth is available in paperback and eBook.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,437 reviews35 followers
February 23, 2012
What would you do if you had been adopted at a young age and suppressed the feeling of abandonment, only to realize that now as an adult, in order to move forward you need to know your past? Could you take the risk of possibly never finding out the truth of why you were placed in an orphanage and put up for adoption? How will your decision affect your relationship with your adopted family? If you do find out the truth, how will it affect and/or change your future? These are the questions that Mia, a young Chinese woman had to consider in her quest of Chasing China for the truth of her adoption.

Mia is a young Chinese college student who was adopted in China by an American family at the age of four. Throughout her childhood she had suppressed the feeling of abandonment, no one knew of the turmoil that grew inside of her. She had even tried to resist the urging of her adopted parents to learn the culture and traditions of her motherland. It wasn't until she went away to college that she realized that her life had been a facade, that in reality, the mystery of her birth parents and adoption really had bothered her for a very long time. She figured out that she wouldn't be able to move forward in her life until she faced the truth about her past. While she was on spring break from college, Mia decided to embark on a life changing journey of self-discovery of who she was, in order to become who she can be in the future. That journey led her to travel to her motherland, China, to embark on an odyssey that would be filled with mystery, betrayal, deception, heartache, loss, discovery, love and redemption.

Chasing China is a powerful and compelling story of a young woman seeking to find answers about her birth family, her past and the reason for her adoption. The storyline was well written and intriguing, as Mia embarks on her journey to seek answers, the reader comes along for the ride that proves to be one of an emotional roller coaster. The characters were well developed and realistic, their complex personalities and interactions with each other gave the story depth and made it that much more compelling. I loved how Mia and Jax's relationship developed throughout the story, it provided a lighter part to an otherwise very heart wrenching and difficult journey that Mia endured while on her search for the truth of her past. The author's description of the setting in China was fascinating, I found myself googling the Chinese cities of Suzhou, Shanghai and Xi'an, just to satisfy my curiosity. I also found that her description of the Chinese culture and traditions were equally fascinating. I always enjoy a story that has descriptions that embraces the reader. I think that the author's personal experience of having lived and worked in China, especially within the orphanage and adoption process, enriched the story and made it that much more compelling and powerful. The author's description of the heart wrenching plight of the Chinese population, especially that of the orphans and street children, and the shady government tactics and corrupt bureaucracy was very disturbing, it made me wonder what other atrocities that the Chinese people may have to endure under their government. I think that by telling Mia's story, the author is promoting awareness of this disturbing plight of the Chinese children to the rest of the world.

Chasing China is an hauntingly beautiful story that is powerful and compelling, it begs to be read by readers who have an interest in the adoption process, and who embrace human interest stories.


Disclaimer: At the request of the author and Chick Lit Plus, a Kindle edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Thursday, February 23, 2012, in association with Chick Lit Plus, Kay Bratt participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Interview on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
120 reviews4 followers
August 4, 2012
SPOILER ALERT...

At first I thoufgt it was a great read as it delves into the difficult identity issues of adoptees, but the end was very disappointing. The author opts for the "happy ever after fantasy" ending where the adoptee finds she was desperately wanted by her birth parents, she is easily reunited with her birth father, and more good comes forth.

While this is a plausible ending in China, I think it is not most adoptees' experience. A more realistic ending would have had her NOT finding her birth parents and wrestling through those ramifications for her life. I write this review from the perspective of being an adoptive mother. I wouldn't recommend this book to my kids because it could "add insult to injury" as their story is not a storybook tale.

I applaud the intent of the author and the first part of the book is quite good and handles the need for the adoptive child's search for their birth parents well. But I think that the ending could cause those whose lives have not been touched by adoption to come away with an inaccurately rosy view of the unanswered questions and unresolved grief most adoptees must learn to deal with for their entire lives. Adoption is a beautiful process--but it is not easy. There are many layers to the experience and it is in the adoptee's and the adoptive family's journey that resolution and beauty come forth--not in finding all the hoped for answers to their searching.
Profile Image for Helen Thompson.
5 reviews
December 31, 2012
Written for teens adopted from China, this book explores the identity feelings many adoptees, from China, deal with. The writing is not the best, but another good one for the shelf of adoptive parents....warning... read it before you think of simpy giving it to your child. The "happy-ever after" ending may cause some unrealistic expectations in your child.
Profile Image for Beverly.
109 reviews13 followers
May 17, 2013
Wonderful "coming home" story. The book kept my interest from start to finish. And the main character lives in WA.
Profile Image for Tracey Madeley.
Author 3 books38 followers
May 24, 2023
Mia has been adopted by a white American family and goes to China to find her real parents. She is shown around the orphanage where she was left, encountering street children in the town. After her purse is snatched by a street child she meets Jax and he introduces her to wealthy American expats who work in the orphanage. As part of their philanthropic efforts, they want to take a sick child to the hospital to have an operation. Mia gets a call from a couple claiming to be her parents, she soon discovers it is a scam and they just want money. Jax phones to warn her the authorities are looking for her and that she needs to leave where she is staying. She arranges to stay with Tingting and her aunt who facilitate a meeting with the finders to locate her real birth parents.

The most impressive thing about this book is the authority with which this story is told. You get the distinct impression that the writer knows what they are talking about. The poverty and the shocking state of the orphanages provoke sympathy in the reader juxtaposed with the practice of taking children from their country of birth to be adopted into Western families. Unfortunately, I think this story is more told than shown and a little over-written. Why do we need to know what she eats at the orphanage? How does this move the story forward? I understand why we have the incident with the sick little girl and the American benefactors but if it is removed would the story still make sense?

I think this author has great knowledge, but the execution is not good. It was a satisfying ending in terms of completing her quest, whether it works romantically is another story.
Profile Image for Jeanne Chepko.
338 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2023
What a gut wrenching story of the orphan and foreign adoption system in China. For whatever the reason they find themselves in an orphanage, abandoned girls,disabled children,impoverished parents,abducted children the trauma caused to the children and parents is inexcusable. How does one handle the deep feelings of being unwanted and unworthy? How do parents overcome losing a child and being unable to get thru the red tape?
Mia was adopted by a loving family and had a great upbringing,but always wanted to know about her birth parents. With her adoptive parents support she travels to China in search of any information.
Although she meets many honest,loving,helpful people, the amount of corruption,dishonesty, power abusing directors that thwart her discovery is frustrating.
Once she finds a way to the truth, nothing will stop her.
I know there are many wonderful adoptions, but children should be allowed to discover their background if it will help them heal. I love the author touches on services available to help children.
A wonderful read, you won’t want to put it down!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.



Profile Image for Ann Hutt.
49 reviews
August 3, 2025
Mia was plucked from a Chinese orphanage as a toddler and raised in the safety of suburban America. Her life has been good, but as college ends and adulthood looms, a void gnaws at her—one that no amount of gratitude can fill. So she goes back.

Armed with a single faded photo and a strong sense that something isn’t right, Mia lands in China determined to trace her past. The the deeper she digs, the more resistance she meets—from closed archives and stone-faced officials to whispered warnings that her story was never meant to be uncovered.

What begins as a personal quest turns into something bigger—and more dangerous—than she ever imagined. As she pieces together the fragments of her origin, Mia is forced to confront a buried past that some would do anything to protect.

She’s not just looking for her parents. She’s chasing the truth. And she won’t stop until it’s hers.

I didn't read the authors bio until after I finished the book, sadly, the book reflects some of her experiences in China.

Profile Image for Robin Watson.
49 reviews10 followers
June 2, 2019
What a great story by an author, Kay Bratt, who lived in China and saw first hand how the orphanages work. Ms. Bratt also works from her home in GA with needs of orphanages in China, if I understand correctly.

This story tells the journey of an adopted Chinese young lady who needed to know her roots. There is trouble as she tried to find her truth. But her determination and some friends along the way, allow her the truth of her early years. We all have a history. But I can’t imagine how empty it would feel to not know your story. For Mia, she needed to know if she was abandoned by her parents or if the idea of being ripped out of living arms is true.

A lovely story, as Kay Bratt’s tend to be!
5 reviews
August 18, 2019
Wow! I was very moved by this book. Very descriptive of norms that are so different than our own in America. While

God calls us to the place we are to adopt from. We have to trust Him with the details.

Very difficult to imagine that in one side of the world, the government will steal children away from parents to make a profit. Despicable.

On the other side of the world, parents are opening their hearts and homes, many called by Him, unaware that some were taken from families not abandoned as orphans.

Our sincere prayer is that only true orphans will be adopted and the tragedy of corruption will cease.
12 reviews
August 20, 2020
Awesome Stories

Of Course my favorite characters are MIA and Jax they were so sweet together. I am hoping their characters will continue in your next book. I reread the ending 4 times the part where Mia remembered her Mom singing to her before 3 years old.. Maybe she blocked that memory because she was traumatized by her abduction. But Mia was lucky to be adopted by a genuine and loving couple.
I read all of Kay Bratts books. Now what am going to read!! I am sad!! And keep thinking about Chasing China; a daughters quest for truth! Well written Kay Bratt!!!!! I enjoyed all 11 books
Profile Image for Cayla.
1,078 reviews36 followers
June 24, 2025
Good.

This is a good book and I teared up a bit toward the end. The process of locating one's birth parents sounds breathtakingly difficult and emotionally draining. It takes a lot of willpower to put yourself out there not knowing if you will achieve success. You need money, resources, an understanding of government regulations, culture, customs, etc. The list could go on.

Mia's story very likely resonates with many adopted children. So many questions and very few answers. But the journey allows her to grow as an individual.

This is a book worth reading, but I don't see myself rereading it. It's an emotional tug at your heartstrings.
Profile Image for Sandy Mckenzie.
182 reviews30 followers
March 20, 2023
Chasing China doesn't disappoint! I really enjoyed it,and even learned from it. It is a story of one girl's struggle to find her Chinese birth family.She travels to China looking for her birth story and her birth parents. She takes us through the orphanage system in China, parts of which were hard to get through, but I couldn't put it down. The only thing I didn't like was the rushed ending. It felt like the author was close to deadline and had to finish it quickly. But the story itself is a 4.
Profile Image for ♥ Joy Joy ♥.
462 reviews36 followers
October 8, 2018
To explain my 3 star rating - this kind of book is just not really my thing to read and I don't plan on re-reading. Despite that, though, I will say the writing was well done and it was easy to get immersed into the story. Although I didn't quite like the MC, I did enjoy getting to know her and going with her on her journey of discovering not just her real family, but about things that really mattered. Would recommend.
899 reviews
April 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see her find her family, and I was surpised at how cruel and uncaring so many people are in China with exploiting children and blinding them, crippling them, and many other abuses which makes them able to beg for more money through living on the streets. Also how the adoption agencies hide what is going on behind the scenes. So cruel in China. Also the pollution and how so many people continuously work to earn barely enough to live.
590 reviews2 followers
March 31, 2023
Intriguing

This is the story of a young woman, adopted by a white middle class family in the United States who travels to China to learn of her biological parents. The details of life in the orphanage are vivid and heartbreaking as she begins her search here. Read of her discoveries and struggles as she strives to learn the truth.
204 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2024
Great educational read

Nothing I say will suit. You just have to read thus book. I spent years advocating for children here in the United States. Appalled, outraged, discouraged over the lack of value children hold in our culture. But in China ... Dear God... Great job exposing evil in a readable format, Kay!
Profile Image for Cris Dobberstein.
103 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2024
Wonderful

This book is beautifully written and so amazing. I couldn't put it down. The trouble, heartache and misery that Mia went through to find her birth parents is so unbelievable....but so true. I highly recommend this book. As a Nana to six adopted grandchildren this book really touched my heart ❤. Thank you Kay Bratt for the wonderful book.
Profile Image for Merry Mayo.
19 reviews
September 2, 2025
It certainly was an eye opener for me to read about the adoption ways in China. What the daughter had to go thru in order to learn about her past was nothing short of exhausting. I know I would not have worked as tirelessly as she did to find the truth. I loved the ending and it was definitely worth the read!!
Profile Image for Susan Finnell.
118 reviews
October 5, 2018
Poignant

Beautifully written, once again another book by this author that I couldn’t put down until I had finished it. So full of sadness and joy beautifully blended with an in-depth Look at the corruption and shame involved in some international adoptions.
492 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2020
As usual Kay Bratt has delivered a fascinating story that I couldn't put down.

Telling the story of a Chinese girl adopted from an orphanage in China by an American couple.

An intriguing story encompassing both romance and thriller.
238 reviews
August 12, 2020
Enjoyed this book. Good story line. Very educational history of China. Heart wrenching yet true facts of how another country can be so barbaric. Really like all the main characters. Highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Pat.
482 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2021
Chasing China

Mia, a Chinese born American who was adopted when she was three years old went back to China to fine her roots. As she was searching, she not only found her roots but a new beginning with the love of her life. Great book. Fool of laughter, tears and happiness.
24 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2017
Chasing China

Book was wonderful. Every time I see a Chinese child I wonder what there story is. Seems that even with babies money and greed rule the world.
Profile Image for Jan Crossen.
Author 26 books11 followers
January 5, 2018
Another amazing book about family, identity, adoption, love, and commitment. I always learn so much about the culture and history of China through Kay Bratt's books. Another excellent read!
Profile Image for Chris Sheppard.
10 reviews
June 3, 2018
Good reading

This book kept me coming back to find out if Mia found her family. Really enjoyed this book can't waitg to read more from this author.
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