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The Search for Us
“A sharp-witted and illuminating, impressive sophomore novel.” - Isaac Blum, author of the award-nominated The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
Two half-siblings who have never met embark on a search together for the Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father they never knew.
Samira Murphy will do anything to keep her fractured family from falling apart, including caring for her widowed grandmother and getting her older brother into recovery for alcohol addiction. With attendance at her dream college on the line, she takes a long shot DNA test to find the support she so desperately needs from a father she hasn’t seen since she was a baby.
Henry Owen is torn between his well-meaning but unreliable bio-mom and his overly strict aunt and uncle, who stepped in to raise him but don’t seem to see him for who he is. Looking to forge a stronger connection to his own identity, he takes a DNA test to find the one person who might love him for exactly who he is―the biological father he never knew.
Instead of a DNA match with their father, Samira and Henry are matched with each other. They begin to search for their father together and slowly unravel the difficult truth of their shared past, forming a connection that only siblings can have and recovering precious parts of their past that have been lost. Brimming with emotional resonance, Susan Azim Boyer's The Search for Us beautifully renders what it means to find your place in the world through the deep and abiding power of family.
Two half-siblings who have never met embark on a search together for the Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father they never knew.
Samira Murphy will do anything to keep her fractured family from falling apart, including caring for her widowed grandmother and getting her older brother into recovery for alcohol addiction. With attendance at her dream college on the line, she takes a long shot DNA test to find the support she so desperately needs from a father she hasn’t seen since she was a baby.
Henry Owen is torn between his well-meaning but unreliable bio-mom and his overly strict aunt and uncle, who stepped in to raise him but don’t seem to see him for who he is. Looking to forge a stronger connection to his own identity, he takes a DNA test to find the one person who might love him for exactly who he is―the biological father he never knew.
Instead of a DNA match with their father, Samira and Henry are matched with each other. They begin to search for their father together and slowly unravel the difficult truth of their shared past, forming a connection that only siblings can have and recovering precious parts of their past that have been lost. Brimming with emotional resonance, Susan Azim Boyer's The Search for Us beautifully renders what it means to find your place in the world through the deep and abiding power of family.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2023
7 people are currently reading
6132 people want to read
About the author
Susan Azim Boyer
2 books80 followersMy grandmother began my obsession with reading when I was four, and I won an essay contest in second grade that included a trip to Knott's Berry Farm (I got duped--it was only to see the Fake Liberty Bell). I write young adult fiction featuring Iranian American heroines (whom I *never* encountered growing up), who make messy, complicated choices that rapidly snowball into avalanches. My debut novel JASMINE ZUMIDEH NEEDS A WIN is releasing on 11.1.22 from Wednesday Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
November 8, 2023
In a Nutshell: I am pleasantly surprised! Enjoyed this YA novel to a great extent. (Just for context, I don’t enjoy YA to any extent, most of the times.) Interesting themes, some good characters, atypical plot. PSA: This is NOT a romance but a sibling story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
💐 It was refreshing to see a YA novel focus on sibling relationships. Moreover, there is no forced romantic content in the story. Henry is already in a relationship and Samira isn’t provided any love interest. Loved this choice!
💐 The dual perspectives of Samira and Henry are well written. I like how there is no repetition between their points of view. The transition between their perspectives is in sync with the plot progression.
💐 I loved Henry’s character. While he is torn across his three parents, he does his best to keep them all happy. At the same time, he doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind. Even when his newly discovered sibling Samira gets overbearing, he doesn’t hesitate to put her in her place.
💐 Tara (Samira’s best friend) and Linh (Henry’s girlfriend) add the right level of support and fun to the story.
💐 Through the characters, we get multiple kinds of representations. Samira and Henry both are biracial. The key characters are from American, Iranian/Persian, Vietnamese, Irish and Black ethnicities. One character is bisexual, one is a trans-racial adoptee. There is also a Muslim character.
💐 I enjoyed the detailing in the story when it came to real-world matters. Everything seems realistic, whether it is the process of getting DNA results or of looking up someone online.
💐 Don’t miss out on the author’s note! I loved what she revealed about her inspiration for this story.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 I found it tough to connect with Samira. She is a great character, no doubt. Resourceful, concerned about her family, and hyper-attentive to detail. However, she has the typical YA habit of assuming that she knows more than everyone else, which gets annoying after a while.
🌹 Samira has a tendency to classify everyone as either an overfunctioner or an underfunctioner. This habit of hers is overused in the plot as she slots everyone into these two categories without even realising it. Sometimes, she even goes wrong while doing so. So while I liked the concept at first, I think it was stretched too far.
🌹 There are many discussion-worthy topics in the book: biracial kids, depression, autoimmune disorder, alcoholism, uninterested parents, parental pressure, Islamophobia, parental abuse, parental abandonment, infidelity, racism, drugs usage, DNA testing, found family,… As you can see, it went a little overboard on the social issues. Many of the themes could have safely been eliminated without affecting the core plot. The overuse of relevant themes nullifies their impact as the discussion stays mostly surface-level.
🌹 I love the cover. The double helix between the two characters hopefully indicates that it’s a sibling story. (Then again, The Soulmate Equation also featured a double helix, and it was a romance! 👀) I love the title as well; it suits the story perfectly. The problem is that when you put that title and that cover together, it makes the book look like a YA Romance, which is most certainly isn’t. Readers who pick the book up just by the cover might end up disappointed. And other readers might dismiss the book assuming it is a YA Romance. (I almost did!)
🌹 The ending is too neat and too perfect. I understand that it's a YA work, so a happy ending is almost mandatory. But given the topics, I think the book would have done better with a hopeful ending than a perfectly resolved one.
Bookish Nays: (This is where I forget that it was a YA novel and review it with my adult goggles on. 😎)
🌵 As always, almost every adult in the book is an idiot. The sole exception is Mr. Hartford from the alcoholic rehabilitation centre, but his role is too small. I don’t understand why YA novels have to portray adults as selfish persons with no common sense and no heart and no awareness of what it means to be young. I am not saying all adults are perfect; I am saying that a balanced representation would be more realistic. Any YA book that shows only YAs handling things well while the adults are jerks is doing a disservice to both YAs and adults.
🌵 Samira is supposed to have an autoimmune disorder. But the name of this is never mentioned. All we hear instead is the effects of the same, and how she uses Benadryl to counter its effects and to sleep well. I cannot appreciate a YA book that gives its young readers a new idea of misusing a medicine; it's irresponsible. The Benadryl references (15 prominent mentions) should have been culled.
🌵 There are multiple cuss words (including the F word) and references to drug (weed) usage. YAs might do this in reality, but that doesn’t mean I have to like seeing it in fiction meant for them. Of course, there’s plenty of alcohol mentioned as well, but as the two characters are highlighted as alcohol addicts, this reference can’t be helped.
All in all, I did enjoy this book much more than I had expected. I loved the focus on family, even if the family was so dysfunctional. Though it does have problems (most of which are because I am an adult reading YA), the core storyline is wonderful.
Recommended to older YAs (16+) who are interested in strong sibling connection stories.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Search for Us”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Samira Murphy knows that she is an overfunctioner. She takes care of her widowed grandma and also ensures that her alcoholic elder brother stays put in recovery. However, when certain incidents threaten to topple their already precarious financial situation, she takes a DNA test in a bid to locate her father, whom she hasn’t seen or heard from since she was a baby.
Henry Owen has been reared by his aunt and uncle, though his biological mom (his aunt’s sister) is also a vital part of his life. He feels torn between his overly strict adoptive parents and his unreliable birth mom. In a bid to know more about his heritage, he takes a DNA test to search for the biological father he has never known.
Imagine their surprise when, instead of finding their father, Samira and Henry find each other – as matched siblings on the DNA results. Thus begins a new journey of discovery, focussed of learning more about the past as well as the present in a bid to ensure stronger future connections.
The story comes to us in the alternate third-person perspectives of Samira and Henry.
Bookish Yays:
💐 It was refreshing to see a YA novel focus on sibling relationships. Moreover, there is no forced romantic content in the story. Henry is already in a relationship and Samira isn’t provided any love interest. Loved this choice!
💐 The dual perspectives of Samira and Henry are well written. I like how there is no repetition between their points of view. The transition between their perspectives is in sync with the plot progression.
💐 I loved Henry’s character. While he is torn across his three parents, he does his best to keep them all happy. At the same time, he doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind. Even when his newly discovered sibling Samira gets overbearing, he doesn’t hesitate to put her in her place.
💐 Tara (Samira’s best friend) and Linh (Henry’s girlfriend) add the right level of support and fun to the story.
💐 Through the characters, we get multiple kinds of representations. Samira and Henry both are biracial. The key characters are from American, Iranian/Persian, Vietnamese, Irish and Black ethnicities. One character is bisexual, one is a trans-racial adoptee. There is also a Muslim character.
💐 I enjoyed the detailing in the story when it came to real-world matters. Everything seems realistic, whether it is the process of getting DNA results or of looking up someone online.
💐 Don’t miss out on the author’s note! I loved what she revealed about her inspiration for this story.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 I found it tough to connect with Samira. She is a great character, no doubt. Resourceful, concerned about her family, and hyper-attentive to detail. However, she has the typical YA habit of assuming that she knows more than everyone else, which gets annoying after a while.
🌹 Samira has a tendency to classify everyone as either an overfunctioner or an underfunctioner. This habit of hers is overused in the plot as she slots everyone into these two categories without even realising it. Sometimes, she even goes wrong while doing so. So while I liked the concept at first, I think it was stretched too far.
🌹 There are many discussion-worthy topics in the book: biracial kids, depression, autoimmune disorder, alcoholism, uninterested parents, parental pressure, Islamophobia, parental abuse, parental abandonment, infidelity, racism, drugs usage, DNA testing, found family,… As you can see, it went a little overboard on the social issues. Many of the themes could have safely been eliminated without affecting the core plot. The overuse of relevant themes nullifies their impact as the discussion stays mostly surface-level.
🌹 I love the cover. The double helix between the two characters hopefully indicates that it’s a sibling story. (Then again, The Soulmate Equation also featured a double helix, and it was a romance! 👀) I love the title as well; it suits the story perfectly. The problem is that when you put that title and that cover together, it makes the book look like a YA Romance, which is most certainly isn’t. Readers who pick the book up just by the cover might end up disappointed. And other readers might dismiss the book assuming it is a YA Romance. (I almost did!)
🌹 The ending is too neat and too perfect. I understand that it's a YA work, so a happy ending is almost mandatory. But given the topics, I think the book would have done better with a hopeful ending than a perfectly resolved one.
Bookish Nays: (This is where I forget that it was a YA novel and review it with my adult goggles on. 😎)
🌵 As always, almost every adult in the book is an idiot. The sole exception is Mr. Hartford from the alcoholic rehabilitation centre, but his role is too small. I don’t understand why YA novels have to portray adults as selfish persons with no common sense and no heart and no awareness of what it means to be young. I am not saying all adults are perfect; I am saying that a balanced representation would be more realistic. Any YA book that shows only YAs handling things well while the adults are jerks is doing a disservice to both YAs and adults.
🌵 Samira is supposed to have an autoimmune disorder. But the name of this is never mentioned. All we hear instead is the effects of the same, and how she uses Benadryl to counter its effects and to sleep well. I cannot appreciate a YA book that gives its young readers a new idea of misusing a medicine; it's irresponsible. The Benadryl references (15 prominent mentions) should have been culled.
🌵 There are multiple cuss words (including the F word) and references to drug (weed) usage. YAs might do this in reality, but that doesn’t mean I have to like seeing it in fiction meant for them. Of course, there’s plenty of alcohol mentioned as well, but as the two characters are highlighted as alcohol addicts, this reference can’t be helped.
All in all, I did enjoy this book much more than I had expected. I loved the focus on family, even if the family was so dysfunctional. Though it does have problems (most of which are because I am an adult reading YA), the core storyline is wonderful.
Recommended to older YAs (16+) who are interested in strong sibling connection stories.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Search for Us”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
October 29, 2023
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming with a few issues
Samira Murphy is stretching herself thin to keep her family together. At seventeen, she has an autoimmune disorder, low attendance, a Gran in mourning, an alcoholic brother, a mother working the job of her dreams in another state, and a low bank balance. When Samira’s college and future become uncertain, she decides to hunt down her estranged father through a DNA search. Imagine her surprise when it matches with a sibling she didn’t even know about!
Henry Owen has two moms – a bio-mom who loves him (and may not always be reliable) and a not-adopted-but-adopted mom and dad/ uncle who want him to achieve the sky and more. Henry longs for a connection to call his own. His DNA search leads him to Samira, a half-sibling.
Can two people struggling with personal demons find comfort in this new bond? What is it to have a brother or sister you didn’t know about?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Samira and Henry in alternative chapters.
My Thoughts:
My only reason to grab this book was the premise. A YA read that centers on half-siblings finding each other is not common (at least as far as I know). It’s refreshing to read how two people get to know each other’s existence when they are in a most vulnerable age group.
Samira and Henry are well-etched. They are your average teens but also different. Samira is half-adult, no thanks to the responsibilities dumped on her head. Henry has anger management issues (which somehow get resolved off-page) but is a sweet guy.
Tara and Linh ensure there are enough lighthearted and sweet moments in the book. People do need friends like them (even if Tara can be overwhelming at times).
The dual POV (both in the third-person) works well. We see their current situation and get the necessary backstories. Once they start interacting, the dual POV helps maintain the balance between the happenings and the characters’ perceived ideas about the events.
The interactions between Samira and Henry feel organic. They go through a range of emotions, learn to bond, fight like all siblings do, and support each other.
Since this is a YA novel, it doesn’t deal with the triggers in depth. Much of it is surface level but that’s expected. Still, I wish Kamron’s alcoholism got a bit more space. While we see how it affects Samira’s life, the resolution feels a little too neatly tied up.
The same goes for Henry’s personal issues with his uncle and aunt, who are also his dad and mom. The change seems to come out of nowhere. While this can be due to the POV restrictions, it also makes everything seem too easy.
However, I do like that Gran’s arc is consistent. It makes more sense since people are indeed like that in real life. Change doesn’t happen so easily, and people who make selfish decisions are more likely to continue making them. I don’t mind the happy ending, though I do wish it wasn’t made easy for certain characters.
I also wouldn’t mind if Samira and Henry spent more time together. The siblings sure have a lot to talk about!
Family is another theme of the book. Some of it is handled well and provides a hopeful outlook. The other part may be too optimistic even for YA readers.
There are a few cuss words commonly used by teens (even if we want to pretend otherwise). There’s a bit of adult-ish content, too.
To summarize, The Search for Us deals with quite a few complex issues at the surface level. It is a steady-paced read with a different premise and delivers a neatly wrapped-up ending.
Oh, don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
Thank you, NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press (Wednesday Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
One Liner: Heartwarming with a few issues
Samira Murphy is stretching herself thin to keep her family together. At seventeen, she has an autoimmune disorder, low attendance, a Gran in mourning, an alcoholic brother, a mother working the job of her dreams in another state, and a low bank balance. When Samira’s college and future become uncertain, she decides to hunt down her estranged father through a DNA search. Imagine her surprise when it matches with a sibling she didn’t even know about!
Henry Owen has two moms – a bio-mom who loves him (and may not always be reliable) and a not-adopted-but-adopted mom and dad/ uncle who want him to achieve the sky and more. Henry longs for a connection to call his own. His DNA search leads him to Samira, a half-sibling.
Can two people struggling with personal demons find comfort in this new bond? What is it to have a brother or sister you didn’t know about?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Samira and Henry in alternative chapters.
My Thoughts:
My only reason to grab this book was the premise. A YA read that centers on half-siblings finding each other is not common (at least as far as I know). It’s refreshing to read how two people get to know each other’s existence when they are in a most vulnerable age group.
Samira and Henry are well-etched. They are your average teens but also different. Samira is half-adult, no thanks to the responsibilities dumped on her head. Henry has anger management issues (which somehow get resolved off-page) but is a sweet guy.
Tara and Linh ensure there are enough lighthearted and sweet moments in the book. People do need friends like them (even if Tara can be overwhelming at times).
The dual POV (both in the third-person) works well. We see their current situation and get the necessary backstories. Once they start interacting, the dual POV helps maintain the balance between the happenings and the characters’ perceived ideas about the events.
The interactions between Samira and Henry feel organic. They go through a range of emotions, learn to bond, fight like all siblings do, and support each other.
Since this is a YA novel, it doesn’t deal with the triggers in depth. Much of it is surface level but that’s expected. Still, I wish Kamron’s alcoholism got a bit more space. While we see how it affects Samira’s life, the resolution feels a little too neatly tied up.
The same goes for Henry’s personal issues with his uncle and aunt, who are also his dad and mom. The change seems to come out of nowhere. While this can be due to the POV restrictions, it also makes everything seem too easy.
However, I do like that Gran’s arc is consistent. It makes more sense since people are indeed like that in real life. Change doesn’t happen so easily, and people who make selfish decisions are more likely to continue making them. I don’t mind the happy ending, though I do wish it wasn’t made easy for certain characters.
I also wouldn’t mind if Samira and Henry spent more time together. The siblings sure have a lot to talk about!
Family is another theme of the book. Some of it is handled well and provides a hopeful outlook. The other part may be too optimistic even for YA readers.
There are a few cuss words commonly used by teens (even if we want to pretend otherwise). There’s a bit of adult-ish content, too.
To summarize, The Search for Us deals with quite a few complex issues at the surface level. It is a steady-paced read with a different premise and delivers a neatly wrapped-up ending.
Oh, don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
Thank you, NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press (Wednesday Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
April 18, 2023
I liked Susan Azim Boyer’s debut, but this one is a gem! A story about two Iranian-American half-siblings finding each other and both searching for their father for different reasons.
I let out a sigh of frustration after the first sentence because this story is written in third person, and I like my YA books in first person. But after a few pages, I had forgotten my irritation entirely and drowned myself in the story and just couldn’t stop reading until the end.
The Search for Us has so much to offer. A glorious cover. A dual narrative. Distinctive voices. A girl who takes far too much responsibility for her family. A boy who follows his (adoptive) parents' dreams instead of his own. Alcoholism. PTSD. Anxiety. Depression. Iranian heritage. A diverse cast. A perfect pacing.
I fell in love with Henry, but I had a love-hate relationship at first with Samira. So stupid because I recognized so much of that girl in myself. But maybe because of that? Those lists! She was only caring about other people and completely forgot what she wanted, what she needed. And in a way, Henry was the same, doing exactly what his (adoptive) parents had planned for him.
Be aware that this YA novel isn’t a romance. It’s a story about family relationships. About two teens both growing up in a white family while having an Iranian-American dad they’ve never met. About how that family can support you or can let you down. About how mental health issues can influence those relationships.
I loved this story with all my heart and even got teary-eyed at the end. Thank you, Susan, for giving me the opportunity (again) to read your second book early.
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I let out a sigh of frustration after the first sentence because this story is written in third person, and I like my YA books in first person. But after a few pages, I had forgotten my irritation entirely and drowned myself in the story and just couldn’t stop reading until the end.
The Search for Us has so much to offer. A glorious cover. A dual narrative. Distinctive voices. A girl who takes far too much responsibility for her family. A boy who follows his (adoptive) parents' dreams instead of his own. Alcoholism. PTSD. Anxiety. Depression. Iranian heritage. A diverse cast. A perfect pacing.
I fell in love with Henry, but I had a love-hate relationship at first with Samira. So stupid because I recognized so much of that girl in myself. But maybe because of that? Those lists! She was only caring about other people and completely forgot what she wanted, what she needed. And in a way, Henry was the same, doing exactly what his (adoptive) parents had planned for him.
Be aware that this YA novel isn’t a romance. It’s a story about family relationships. About two teens both growing up in a white family while having an Iranian-American dad they’ve never met. About how that family can support you or can let you down. About how mental health issues can influence those relationships.
I loved this story with all my heart and even got teary-eyed at the end. Thank you, Susan, for giving me the opportunity (again) to read your second book early.
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August 22, 2023
The Search for Us is a touching, young adult, family-based story. While it wasn't my personal favourite, the characters were very well written and it was refreshing to read a contemporary young adult book that centred around family relationships and character growth rather than romance.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2024
Susan Azim Boyer is easily becoming one of my favorite YA authors. Her newest is an incredible story about figuring out your place in the world and in your family, and deals with heavy themes of addiction, PTSD, and adoption in the most accessible way especially for young adults. Her characters are so loveable and easy to relate to making it perfect for all readers alike. And more, you’ll be thinking about the book long after finishing. Go grab this one asap. It's severely under hyped and deserves way more love.
April 21, 2023
As much as I love a romance, it's refreshing to pick up a YA book that's about family and friendships, and the ways we're changed as our non-romantic relationships shift over time. Told through the dual POV of half-siblings Samira and Henry, the story follows the pair as they struggle with uncertainties about their emotions, their career and college goals, their parents and other closest relatives, and their friendships. Each senses something is missing, information or context about their past that leaves them filling in the blanks with assumptions rather than truths. When they discover they're related, they combine forces to track down their absent father, anxious to get the answers each has been craving since childhood. What unfolds is a thoughtful look at what shapes us as we grow into adulthood, and how truth can be complicated, and how withholding that truth--even with the best of intentions--can have lasting repercussions. Both protagonists are easy to root for, warm-hearted and well-meaning, with family struggles that left me aching for better days ahead, and for the truth they both yearned for. I won't spoil the ending, but will say that the final act of the story was my favourite. I really enjoyed the layers of what Samira and Henry learned, how it filled in some blanks for each of them, but left both challenged to reach for what they each wanted, without everything in life suddenly cleared up with one quick conversation. I also loved that every character in the story was layered, and that no one was a perfect hero or a perfect villain. With swift prose and two relatable teen voices, this one's a great fit for YA readers looking for stories that step outside the romance umbrella to focus on the ways we build our sense of self and the heart of what makes a family.
2023
October 22, 2025Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books
January 13, 2024
beautifully written
November 4, 2023
I need convincing characters. Both the main and the side adult characters. They sound like they are practising a show.
September 7, 2024
they all sucked like everyone was the worst
November 17, 2023
TITLE: THE SEARCH FOR US
AUTHOR: Susana Azim Boyer
PUB DATE: 10.24.23 Now Available
Emotional
Moving
Complicated
I love a story about siblings finding their way in the world and in THE SEARCH FOR US, Boyer tells a compelling story about siblings Samira and Henry who find each other through DNA test and together find the father they never knew.
I was emotionally invested in the story and though a heartbreaking story, I found so much hope for the siblings as they both unravel the story behind their shared past, their connection with each other, and discovering themselves in the process.
I enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it!
AUTHOR: Susana Azim Boyer
PUB DATE: 10.24.23 Now Available
Emotional
Moving
Complicated
I love a story about siblings finding their way in the world and in THE SEARCH FOR US, Boyer tells a compelling story about siblings Samira and Henry who find each other through DNA test and together find the father they never knew.
I was emotionally invested in the story and though a heartbreaking story, I found so much hope for the siblings as they both unravel the story behind their shared past, their connection with each other, and discovering themselves in the process.
I enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it!
April 13, 2023
This was such a compassionate and beautifully written story 😭
Two teenagers who are trying to find their estranged Iranian immigrant father (each for their own support / mental health purposes) take a genetics test and find out that they are half-siblings. They hesitantly connect with the goal of finding their father, and eventually that blooms into a wonderful sibling relationship, and the journey that they take (literal and metaphorical) gives their future a lot of much needed clarity and closure.
💫 The narration was good, and the narration swaps between the siblings were well-timed.
💫 The sibling relationship was written so well, I had multiple breakdowns over it.
💫 I loved their journey and I very much loved the happy ending!!
💫 And I also loved the underlying themes of adults taking responsibility and owning up to their mistakes, and taking steps to correct it. A lot of what had happened in the past/present was because of very complicated abuse scenarios as well as emotional decisiveness, and the author has done a wonderful job of weaving all those arcs and resolving them ❤️
TWs - estranged parent(s), alcoholism, drunk driving, mentions of manslaughter due to drunk driving, PTSD from war, racism against Muslims, racism against Muslims after 9/11, domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, a teenager forced to take on the responsibilities of an adult, miscarriages (multiple times)
--- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
Two teenagers who are trying to find their estranged Iranian immigrant father (each for their own support / mental health purposes) take a genetics test and find out that they are half-siblings. They hesitantly connect with the goal of finding their father, and eventually that blooms into a wonderful sibling relationship, and the journey that they take (literal and metaphorical) gives their future a lot of much needed clarity and closure.
💫 The narration was good, and the narration swaps between the siblings were well-timed.
💫 The sibling relationship was written so well, I had multiple breakdowns over it.
💫 I loved their journey and I very much loved the happy ending!!
💫 And I also loved the underlying themes of adults taking responsibility and owning up to their mistakes, and taking steps to correct it. A lot of what had happened in the past/present was because of very complicated abuse scenarios as well as emotional decisiveness, and the author has done a wonderful job of weaving all those arcs and resolving them ❤️
TWs - estranged parent(s), alcoholism, drunk driving, mentions of manslaughter due to drunk driving, PTSD from war, racism against Muslims, racism against Muslims after 9/11, domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, a teenager forced to take on the responsibilities of an adult, miscarriages (multiple times)
--- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
July 15, 2023
You would never guess that this was a debut. It was such a touching read. If this great book was Boyers first, I can't wait to read the next book.
I love all things DNA so this was right up my alley.
I have to say this is a must read. Very well done. 4 stars from this avid reader.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
I love all things DNA so this was right up my alley.
I have to say this is a must read. Very well done. 4 stars from this avid reader.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
May 26, 2023
A heartfelt and poignant quest for self-discovery by an author to watch. Readers will relate to both siblings, whose dual narratives describe complicated familial bonds with nuance and compassion as they seek out their estranged father. At once deeply tender, authentically messy, and ultimately brimming with hope, THE SEARCH FOR US will captivate till the last page.
May 31, 2023
Look, this book was fine. In fact, I think it was quite well written, I just didn't care. I didn't care about the characters but like I said the writing was good.I do think I liked the ending but oh well. This book just wasn't for me.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2023
This book healed a piece of my inner child as not only an adoptee but the loved one of an alcoholic.
I need 3-5 business days to recover before I attempt to write a review.
I need 3-5 business days to recover before I attempt to write a review.
March 5, 2024
This was a great story but WHY are they wearing the same shoes on the cover? There has to be a less weird way to show that they're related, right? It just makes it seem like the artist only knows how to draw Timbs. So bizarre.
Beyond that, I felt so much frustration on Samira's behalf and was glad to see some of those conversations (about how much responsibility she had, etc) play out by the end. It's the kind of story you want to finish in one sitting, and I liked the way the author represented generational trauma, families dealing with substance abuse, and PTSD.
Beyond that, I felt so much frustration on Samira's behalf and was glad to see some of those conversations (about how much responsibility she had, etc) play out by the end. It's the kind of story you want to finish in one sitting, and I liked the way the author represented generational trauma, families dealing with substance abuse, and PTSD.
January 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest, spoiler-free review!
Themes: Family, Anti-Iranian Racism, Addiction
Representation: Half-Iranian main characters, Black side character, Vietnamese side character, Bisexual and Iranian side character
Content Warnings: Alcoholism, Racism, Addiction
Premise: Samira and Henry are both having troubles with their family. So they decide to take a DNA test to try to find their dad, only to be matched with each other! This leads them on a wild goose chase to find out what happened to their dad.
Characters
My favourite thing about this book is that it focused more on familial relationships rather than romantic ones (though one of the main characters DOES have a girlfriend). I mean, after all, it is a book about family. However, it is refreshing to see that because many books in general, tend to focus mostly on romantic relationships. BUT, familial relationships are just as important as romance!
The story starts with Samira’s narration. You are instantly drawn in by her voice, her frustrations, and her character. The problems that Samira faces, trying to keep her “fractured family from falling apart,” are pretty relatable to many youths. As you read about Samira’s problems, you can probably relate to how she feels and how she reacts to her issues regarding her family.
Though she’s not perfect and can be harsh at times (she’s human after all), you sympathize with her. You wish that she doesn’t have to deal with what she had to deal with. And she also grows and develops and heals as a character.
As for Henry, his character draws you in more slowly. Initially, he seems to be the “typical YA male protagonist” who plays hockey and has a girlfriend. However, as you read on, you start to realize that like Samira, he too, faces issues with his family. You start to root for him as well. Wishing that he too, can resolve his relationships with his parents.
As for Samira and Henry’s relationship, I thought it was well written. Though they are skeptical of each other at first, they learn to trust each other and developpe a sibling relationship where they support each other and help each other grow!
Finally, a book isn’t complete without its side characters. I liked how the author brought in Samira’s brother, Henry’s girlfriend, and their other family members. Though these characters do play a supporting role and help the main characters grow, they are also complex in their ways, particularly the family members. (I do wish the friends had a bit more complexity to them though….) They also have their own issues, and as you read the book, you cannot help but root for them.
Overall, props to the author for writing good, complex characters!
Rating: 4.8/5
Plot
Although this story is more character-based, the author doesn’t neglect the plot as well!
The author effectively uses the “plot mountain” to hook readers in. Setting up a nice exposition that introduces the characters, their problem, and their “goal”: which is for Samira and Henry to “embark on a search together for the Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father they never knew.”
In the rising action of the book, the author adds obstacles that the two siblings face that hinder them from meeting their “goal.” Making them wonder: is this a good idea? Making you, the reader wonder: what will happen? Which keeps you on your toes as you are invested in your journey.
And though the climax and end of the story are predictable, I think the author does a pretty good job with them. She wraps up the story nicely, leaving you with no more questions to ask and giving you a satisfying ending.
Rating: 4.7/5
Style
For the general formatting of the book, the author writes in dual points-of-view in the third-person, past tense. The chapters tend to be shorter so it is slightly faster-paced. This also allows the author to switch fluidly between both points of view.
As for the themes in the book, I think they are generally well-represented.
First of all, at the centre of the book, family is the focus. It is the main theme in the book considering that Samira and Henry are half-siblings that are looking for their dad. It answers the question “What does family mean?” Can family members that have been separated reunite? Can we forgive the actions of our family members? And the author addresses the nuances and complexity of family. Also, I like how family plays a huge role in the books which is, again, not something you see in many YA books.
The other main themes are more serious: addiction and racism. I won’t say too much about the first theme as it spoils some of the book other than that the author does a good job at addressing the complexity of addiction and not painting people who face these addictions as “monsters” but rather, complex people. For racism, I think it is well-addressed. The author is half-Iranian and truly pays homage to her main characters who are also half-Iranian. She also addresses the very real racism that Iranians face because, unfortunately, racism is still very prevalent today.
Finally, one of my favourite things about this book is that the author uses real-life experiences to write this story, which I think is pretty cool!
Rating: 4.8/5
Final Rating
Characters: 4.8/5
Plot: 4.7/5
Formatting: 4.8/5
Final Rating: 4.8/5 (round to 5 stars)
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Date Read: July 11th, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 11th, 2023
Themes: Family, Anti-Iranian Racism, Addiction
Representation: Half-Iranian main characters, Black side character, Vietnamese side character, Bisexual and Iranian side character
Content Warnings: Alcoholism, Racism, Addiction
Premise: Samira and Henry are both having troubles with their family. So they decide to take a DNA test to try to find their dad, only to be matched with each other! This leads them on a wild goose chase to find out what happened to their dad.
Characters
My favourite thing about this book is that it focused more on familial relationships rather than romantic ones (though one of the main characters DOES have a girlfriend). I mean, after all, it is a book about family. However, it is refreshing to see that because many books in general, tend to focus mostly on romantic relationships. BUT, familial relationships are just as important as romance!
The story starts with Samira’s narration. You are instantly drawn in by her voice, her frustrations, and her character. The problems that Samira faces, trying to keep her “fractured family from falling apart,” are pretty relatable to many youths. As you read about Samira’s problems, you can probably relate to how she feels and how she reacts to her issues regarding her family.
Though she’s not perfect and can be harsh at times (she’s human after all), you sympathize with her. You wish that she doesn’t have to deal with what she had to deal with. And she also grows and develops and heals as a character.
As for Henry, his character draws you in more slowly. Initially, he seems to be the “typical YA male protagonist” who plays hockey and has a girlfriend. However, as you read on, you start to realize that like Samira, he too, faces issues with his family. You start to root for him as well. Wishing that he too, can resolve his relationships with his parents.
As for Samira and Henry’s relationship, I thought it was well written. Though they are skeptical of each other at first, they learn to trust each other and developpe a sibling relationship where they support each other and help each other grow!
Finally, a book isn’t complete without its side characters. I liked how the author brought in Samira’s brother, Henry’s girlfriend, and their other family members. Though these characters do play a supporting role and help the main characters grow, they are also complex in their ways, particularly the family members. (I do wish the friends had a bit more complexity to them though….) They also have their own issues, and as you read the book, you cannot help but root for them.
Overall, props to the author for writing good, complex characters!
Rating: 4.8/5
Plot
Although this story is more character-based, the author doesn’t neglect the plot as well!
The author effectively uses the “plot mountain” to hook readers in. Setting up a nice exposition that introduces the characters, their problem, and their “goal”: which is for Samira and Henry to “embark on a search together for the Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father they never knew.”
In the rising action of the book, the author adds obstacles that the two siblings face that hinder them from meeting their “goal.” Making them wonder: is this a good idea? Making you, the reader wonder: what will happen? Which keeps you on your toes as you are invested in your journey.
And though the climax and end of the story are predictable, I think the author does a pretty good job with them. She wraps up the story nicely, leaving you with no more questions to ask and giving you a satisfying ending.
Rating: 4.7/5
Style
For the general formatting of the book, the author writes in dual points-of-view in the third-person, past tense. The chapters tend to be shorter so it is slightly faster-paced. This also allows the author to switch fluidly between both points of view.
As for the themes in the book, I think they are generally well-represented.
First of all, at the centre of the book, family is the focus. It is the main theme in the book considering that Samira and Henry are half-siblings that are looking for their dad. It answers the question “What does family mean?” Can family members that have been separated reunite? Can we forgive the actions of our family members? And the author addresses the nuances and complexity of family. Also, I like how family plays a huge role in the books which is, again, not something you see in many YA books.
The other main themes are more serious: addiction and racism. I won’t say too much about the first theme as it spoils some of the book other than that the author does a good job at addressing the complexity of addiction and not painting people who face these addictions as “monsters” but rather, complex people. For racism, I think it is well-addressed. The author is half-Iranian and truly pays homage to her main characters who are also half-Iranian. She also addresses the very real racism that Iranians face because, unfortunately, racism is still very prevalent today.
Finally, one of my favourite things about this book is that the author uses real-life experiences to write this story, which I think is pretty cool!
Rating: 4.8/5
Final Rating
Characters: 4.8/5
Plot: 4.7/5
Formatting: 4.8/5
Final Rating: 4.8/5 (round to 5 stars)
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Date Read: July 11th, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 11th, 2023
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June 29, 2023
A solid YA book.
Henry and Samira connect bc a DNA website showed they are siblings. Both are dealing with their own internal problems, but it helps bring them together. They both want to find their dad for different reasons. Samira is hesitant at first, but Henry really wants to know their father.
Seeing them both struggle and grow closer made this story worthwhile. The outside conflicts each had added to the story and reinforced why they wanted to meet their dad. I enjoyed this so much I finished it in one sitting.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC
Henry and Samira connect bc a DNA website showed they are siblings. Both are dealing with their own internal problems, but it helps bring them together. They both want to find their dad for different reasons. Samira is hesitant at first, but Henry really wants to know their father.
Seeing them both struggle and grow closer made this story worthwhile. The outside conflicts each had added to the story and reinforced why they wanted to meet their dad. I enjoyed this so much I finished it in one sitting.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC
July 27, 2023
“They were family. And now that they had found each other, they were never letting go.”
Samira Murphy, a self-described “overfunctioner,” is navigating her senior year of high school while handling all of the responsibilities for her household on the side. Fearing her family will crumble when she leaves for university, if she can even afford tuition, Samira orders a DNA test kit and begins the search to find her absent father, who her gran steadfastly refuses to talk about. Meanwhile, Henry Owen is trying hard to make his adoptive parents happy, but yearns for a deeper connection to his Iranian heritage and elusive birth father. Ordering a DNA test in search of an explanation to why his father left, Henry’s results reveal a half-sister set on answering the very same question. Forming a hesitant but strong connection that soon leads to a fast-paced road trip, Samira and Henry embark on a journey to find the answers they both truly desire in their search for their father.
The Search for Us moves fast, yet I quickly found myself reading it even faster. From the beginning of the story, the reader is thrown right into the lives of both Samira and Henry, learning the true motivations of each character long before they work up the courage to reveal them to each other or anyone else in their lives. While raised separately and in very different living situations, I liked seeing similarities in the personalities of each sibling: both do everything they can to make their loved ones happy, yet feel hesitant to ask for any assistance or support in return. I also liked that Samira and Henry gradually began to ask more and more of each other and turn to each other for support they previously could not find in their immediate surroundings. Their dynamic was very touching to witness as it developed. While Samira and Henry’s journey does not conclude with the perfect, fairytale ending they may have hoped for, they discover that their mission to find their father was always to uncover more about themselves and what it truly means to be family. Overall, The Search for Us was an engaging read featuring realistically complex families and distinct characters that grow and develop as the story progresses. I would recommend The Search for Us to any fans of YA craving a poignant, engaging read about the importance of family, heritage, and personal identity that they can devour in one sitting.
Samira Murphy, a self-described “overfunctioner,” is navigating her senior year of high school while handling all of the responsibilities for her household on the side. Fearing her family will crumble when she leaves for university, if she can even afford tuition, Samira orders a DNA test kit and begins the search to find her absent father, who her gran steadfastly refuses to talk about. Meanwhile, Henry Owen is trying hard to make his adoptive parents happy, but yearns for a deeper connection to his Iranian heritage and elusive birth father. Ordering a DNA test in search of an explanation to why his father left, Henry’s results reveal a half-sister set on answering the very same question. Forming a hesitant but strong connection that soon leads to a fast-paced road trip, Samira and Henry embark on a journey to find the answers they both truly desire in their search for their father.
The Search for Us moves fast, yet I quickly found myself reading it even faster. From the beginning of the story, the reader is thrown right into the lives of both Samira and Henry, learning the true motivations of each character long before they work up the courage to reveal them to each other or anyone else in their lives. While raised separately and in very different living situations, I liked seeing similarities in the personalities of each sibling: both do everything they can to make their loved ones happy, yet feel hesitant to ask for any assistance or support in return. I also liked that Samira and Henry gradually began to ask more and more of each other and turn to each other for support they previously could not find in their immediate surroundings. Their dynamic was very touching to witness as it developed. While Samira and Henry’s journey does not conclude with the perfect, fairytale ending they may have hoped for, they discover that their mission to find their father was always to uncover more about themselves and what it truly means to be family. Overall, The Search for Us was an engaging read featuring realistically complex families and distinct characters that grow and develop as the story progresses. I would recommend The Search for Us to any fans of YA craving a poignant, engaging read about the importance of family, heritage, and personal identity that they can devour in one sitting.
October 22, 2023
A search for their place in the world and a search for lost family leads them on separate journeys of the heart to each other. I do not describe a romance, but two long lost siblings discovering a DNA match and a need to find their father. The story setup had me eager to try a new to me author and a rare delve into the YA genre.
The Search for Us is told in alternate points of view third person narrative. Samira and Henry are half-siblings with Iranian American heritage. They didn’t know about each other until both, for different reasons, decided to use DNA testing to find the father they never knew and found each other. I’ll say again, this isn’t a romance because I could see how the gorgeous cover might give folks that impression. It’s the story of family hope and struggles through the eyes of two young people on the brink of college.
I knew the search and finding lost siblings part was going to happen from the blurb, but I was surprised that their meeting and togetherness didn’t come about until well over half-way into the story. I wasn’t disappointed really because both Samira and Henry’s lives were interesting enough, but let’s just say I wasn’t as engaged with their stories until I could see them physically connecting in their quest. I wanted to explore how virtual strangers discover they have a connection of family and heritage.
Perhaps it was my mood, but I also felt the bittersweet qualities of the story and didn’t feel engaged as deeply with them and their situations, at first. Samira is one who put herself completely into her family and lost a bit of herself in the process. And, when I say put herself out there, I mean for a brother with substance abuse struggles for whom she sacrificed a lot. Henry has the difficulty of the tug o’ war between adopted parents who raised him and their expectations and his birth mom and her. I started to get more into it as Henry and Samira started to connect. I was glad for the immersion into the Iranian American cultural side since I wasn’t as familiar going in. The ending was good and brought closure and a realistic way.
All in all, I was well-satisfied with a coming of age YA that explored family and was rich in cultural heritage. I would definitely recommend it to those who like strong character-driven non-romance plots.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Sept 22nd.
The Search for Us is told in alternate points of view third person narrative. Samira and Henry are half-siblings with Iranian American heritage. They didn’t know about each other until both, for different reasons, decided to use DNA testing to find the father they never knew and found each other. I’ll say again, this isn’t a romance because I could see how the gorgeous cover might give folks that impression. It’s the story of family hope and struggles through the eyes of two young people on the brink of college.
I knew the search and finding lost siblings part was going to happen from the blurb, but I was surprised that their meeting and togetherness didn’t come about until well over half-way into the story. I wasn’t disappointed really because both Samira and Henry’s lives were interesting enough, but let’s just say I wasn’t as engaged with their stories until I could see them physically connecting in their quest. I wanted to explore how virtual strangers discover they have a connection of family and heritage.
Perhaps it was my mood, but I also felt the bittersweet qualities of the story and didn’t feel engaged as deeply with them and their situations, at first. Samira is one who put herself completely into her family and lost a bit of herself in the process. And, when I say put herself out there, I mean for a brother with substance abuse struggles for whom she sacrificed a lot. Henry has the difficulty of the tug o’ war between adopted parents who raised him and their expectations and his birth mom and her. I started to get more into it as Henry and Samira started to connect. I was glad for the immersion into the Iranian American cultural side since I wasn’t as familiar going in. The ending was good and brought closure and a realistic way.
All in all, I was well-satisfied with a coming of age YA that explored family and was rich in cultural heritage. I would definitely recommend it to those who like strong character-driven non-romance plots.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Sept 22nd.
October 17, 2023
Very interesting YA novel. Samira Murphy and Henry Owen are seniors in high school in California and have ongoing issues in their families. Samira is bright but has too many adult responsibilities as she tries to help her alcoholic older brother and watch over her grandmother. Her mother is supportive but lives a state away. Henry's family relationships are complicated too. He was raised by a strict aunt and uncle but his bio mother is a part of his life too which causes tension at home.
Both Samira and Henry take DNA tests hoping to find their Iranian-American father who left them behind. Samira hopes he may have money (back child support) and can help with her brother's drinking issue, rehab and legal problems. Henry wants answers and a family or cultural connection. And both are surprised to learn they are each other's half siblings. (They live a few hours apart.)
This one surprisingly hits home for me. My spouse's parents legally adopted a grandchild and although raised in a loving home there are lasting issues dealing with feelings of abandonment and more. Also four of my first cousins are adopted and three in the last few years have found their biological families thanks to DNA testing. I found the story hit on a lot of emotional topics I have seen play out in my extended family.
The story is well written and I was so upset at the parentification Samira endured. And I was frustrated at her mothers seeming lack of concern about it. Also mom knows more than she shares when she is asked about her ex husband. None of the parents are bad guys but there are a lot of mistakes and miss-steps in their roles that causes a lot of the frustration and angst for Samira and Henry. The true good guys are Henry’s girlfriend and Samira’s best friend who are supportive and loving at all times.
The cover makes this look like a romance. It is NOT! This is a story about family and connections. And finding a family doesn’t solve all the problems. This has a realistic ending not a HEA. I would have liked it to have gone a bit further and seen Samira get counseling and help for herself. I read this in a few hours and could not put it down. I’d recommend it for older middle school and up. (4.5 Stars)
Both Samira and Henry take DNA tests hoping to find their Iranian-American father who left them behind. Samira hopes he may have money (back child support) and can help with her brother's drinking issue, rehab and legal problems. Henry wants answers and a family or cultural connection. And both are surprised to learn they are each other's half siblings. (They live a few hours apart.)
This one surprisingly hits home for me. My spouse's parents legally adopted a grandchild and although raised in a loving home there are lasting issues dealing with feelings of abandonment and more. Also four of my first cousins are adopted and three in the last few years have found their biological families thanks to DNA testing. I found the story hit on a lot of emotional topics I have seen play out in my extended family.
The story is well written and I was so upset at the parentification Samira endured. And I was frustrated at her mothers seeming lack of concern about it. Also mom knows more than she shares when she is asked about her ex husband. None of the parents are bad guys but there are a lot of mistakes and miss-steps in their roles that causes a lot of the frustration and angst for Samira and Henry. The true good guys are Henry’s girlfriend and Samira’s best friend who are supportive and loving at all times.
The cover makes this look like a romance. It is NOT! This is a story about family and connections. And finding a family doesn’t solve all the problems. This has a realistic ending not a HEA. I would have liked it to have gone a bit further and seen Samira get counseling and help for herself. I read this in a few hours and could not put it down. I’d recommend it for older middle school and up. (4.5 Stars)
November 28, 2023
3.5 stars. Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book to read early! This is about 2 teenagers who do not know their dad. Samira is a young girl who has been forced to grow up way too soon. She is primarily raised by her grandma and grandpa as her mom works far away and has not been the primary care giver. She has an older brother named Kameron who struggles with alcoholism and after her grandpa dies, she is solely responsible for a lot of Kameron's care. She doesn't know her dad and definitely has a little resentment (as you would). Henry was raised by his aunt and uncle who adopted him to be their own when his mom knew she couldn't do it. She's still in the picture so he has Mom, Dad, and Mama. He also has very few if any memories of his dad, but he has a desire to know him that Samira kind of struggles with because of the resentment and the heaviness of her life. The 2 kids find out that they're half siblings through 23 and me and so they go on a journey together to find their dad. They find out things about him that change their perspective and then once they get to meet him it changes again. I like that this book had a little bit of depth in it. It had a lot of conversation around mental health, racial issues, substance abuse and more that kids may or may not be dealing with in their late teens. The father (and therefore the kids) are of middle eastern descent and in present day that can be a really hard title to carry. Henry struggles with his mental health and we see the impact of that a few times. Overall, this is definitely YA and feels relatable for kids of that age, but it goes very wide without going super deep on any one thing. I don't think I'll remember it forever but it was good while I read it.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Their dad is in jail because of a DUI where he badly hurt someone. He has a little history because he's had to face a lot of discrimination for being of middle eastern descent while in the army, but he's actually a really good guy. He has a lot of PTSD, substance abuse issues, and racial tensions to deal with and he's doing the best he can.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Their dad is in jail because of a DUI where he badly hurt someone. He has a little history because he's had to face a lot of discrimination for being of middle eastern descent while in the army, but he's actually a really good guy. He has a lot of PTSD, substance abuse issues, and racial tensions to deal with and he's doing the best he can.
October 28, 2024
This book was such a good read! It was really easy to understand. This book was a five star because it has a lot of plot twist in it and a lot of settings.
May 9, 2023
Samira has a lot going on . Like, a lot! But because she is a self-identified "over-functioner" (OF), she thinks that she can handle it all. She can make excuses for her absentee mom, help her grandmother hold things together after her grandfather dies, make sure her brother keeps making it to his AA meetings, and keep her academic performance up so that she can get the scholarship she needs to go on to university. Of course she can.
Henry is trying to figure a lot out. He's trying to keep a lot of people happy. He plays hockey to keep his adoptive parents happy, and also manages to spend time with his birth mom (his parents are her sister and brother-in-law), who can be demanding in terms of affection. He's also trying to deal with some anger management issues, especially on the ice.
What both of these characters have in common is their lack of a dad. They have memories of some good times when they were very small, but there are also whispers around about violent outbursts and unsafe situations.
For different reasons, Samira and Henry both choose to have DNA testing done in hopes of finding a father. Instead, they unexpectedly find half-siblings in each other.
Susan Azim Boyer writes books about kids who live in an intersectional world, our world. Her debut, "Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win" was one of my favourite books of last year, and here come Samira and Henry to find places in my heart. I tend to get attached to her strong female leads, and Samira is no exception.
I very much enjoyed the parallel structure in the book. I appreciated that Boyer lets the reader get to know each character individually before they meet each other, and the narrative voices dovetail as they continue their journey of discovery together.
This book is one for all those students you've taught who have had to struggle through innumerable "Father's Day" activities, or family trees, or anything where they have to say "I don't know" about part of their family background, because that piece is just not available to them. I cried, thinking of the difference this book would have made to some of the students I have taught over the years.
So many thanks to Susan Azim Boyer, Wednesday books and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Henry is trying to figure a lot out. He's trying to keep a lot of people happy. He plays hockey to keep his adoptive parents happy, and also manages to spend time with his birth mom (his parents are her sister and brother-in-law), who can be demanding in terms of affection. He's also trying to deal with some anger management issues, especially on the ice.
What both of these characters have in common is their lack of a dad. They have memories of some good times when they were very small, but there are also whispers around about violent outbursts and unsafe situations.
For different reasons, Samira and Henry both choose to have DNA testing done in hopes of finding a father. Instead, they unexpectedly find half-siblings in each other.
Susan Azim Boyer writes books about kids who live in an intersectional world, our world. Her debut, "Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win" was one of my favourite books of last year, and here come Samira and Henry to find places in my heart. I tend to get attached to her strong female leads, and Samira is no exception.
I very much enjoyed the parallel structure in the book. I appreciated that Boyer lets the reader get to know each character individually before they meet each other, and the narrative voices dovetail as they continue their journey of discovery together.
This book is one for all those students you've taught who have had to struggle through innumerable "Father's Day" activities, or family trees, or anything where they have to say "I don't know" about part of their family background, because that piece is just not available to them. I cried, thinking of the difference this book would have made to some of the students I have taught over the years.
So many thanks to Susan Azim Boyer, Wednesday books and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2023
The Search for Us by @susanazimboyer is a powerful story about exploring your roots and discovering long-lost family! 🥰
Blurb: Samira Murphy will do anything to keep her fractured family from falling apart, including caring for her widowed grandmother and getting her older brother into recovery for alcohol addiction. With attendance at her dream college on the line, she takes a long shot DNA test to find the support she so desperately needs from a father she hasn’t seen since she was a baby. Henry Owen is torn between his well-meaning but unreliable bio-mom and his overly strict aunt and uncle, who stepped in to raise him but don’t seem to see him for who he is. Looking to forge a stronger connection to his own identity, he takes a DNA test to find the one person who might love him for exactly who he is―the biological father he never knew. Instead of a DNA match with their father, Samira and Henry are matched with each other. They begin to search for their father together and slowly unravel the difficult truth of their shared past, forming a connection that only siblings can have and recovering precious parts of their past that have been lost. Brimming with emotional resonance, Susan Azim Boyer's The Search for Us beautifully renders what it means to find your place in the world through the deep and abiding power of family.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Search for Us made me cry and smile so many times!!! I relate to Samira and Henry’s journey because I am also adopted. Until I took a 23and Me DNA test, I never knew I had three half-siblings!!! It was such a rewarding experience getting to meet them and I really felt that similar joy in this book. The story was so well-written and definitely pulled on your heartstrings!!! Please read The Search for Us when it releases on October 29th.
Thank you @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC. 😊📚✨❤️
#thesearchforus #susanazimboyer #review #bookrecommendation #bookobsessed #instabook #booklovers #instabooks #fiction #readingtime #currentlyreading #readmorebooks #bookgram #author #amreading #novel #ilovebooks #booksofig #romance #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #readersofig #wednesdaybooks #stmartinspress
Blurb: Samira Murphy will do anything to keep her fractured family from falling apart, including caring for her widowed grandmother and getting her older brother into recovery for alcohol addiction. With attendance at her dream college on the line, she takes a long shot DNA test to find the support she so desperately needs from a father she hasn’t seen since she was a baby. Henry Owen is torn between his well-meaning but unreliable bio-mom and his overly strict aunt and uncle, who stepped in to raise him but don’t seem to see him for who he is. Looking to forge a stronger connection to his own identity, he takes a DNA test to find the one person who might love him for exactly who he is―the biological father he never knew. Instead of a DNA match with their father, Samira and Henry are matched with each other. They begin to search for their father together and slowly unravel the difficult truth of their shared past, forming a connection that only siblings can have and recovering precious parts of their past that have been lost. Brimming with emotional resonance, Susan Azim Boyer's The Search for Us beautifully renders what it means to find your place in the world through the deep and abiding power of family.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Search for Us made me cry and smile so many times!!! I relate to Samira and Henry’s journey because I am also adopted. Until I took a 23and Me DNA test, I never knew I had three half-siblings!!! It was such a rewarding experience getting to meet them and I really felt that similar joy in this book. The story was so well-written and definitely pulled on your heartstrings!!! Please read The Search for Us when it releases on October 29th.
Thank you @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC. 😊📚✨❤️
#thesearchforus #susanazimboyer #review #bookrecommendation #bookobsessed #instabook #booklovers #instabooks #fiction #readingtime #currentlyreading #readmorebooks #bookgram #author #amreading #novel #ilovebooks #booksofig #romance #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #readersofig #wednesdaybooks #stmartinspress
October 28, 2023
Thank you @tbrbeyondtours @wednesdaybooks for having my kids and I on this booktour, and our tour stops here.
👧🏻 review: my mom convinced me to read this book and I finished it last night and loved the story. Samira and Henry’s journeys to find their father had brought them together in a way that only being siblings could understand and appreciate the way they were able to express themselves. Their differences and similarities are unique to find their ways. I wanted to give Samira a big hug so that she could continue going on. It is a coming of age, siblings-love and determinations. When I’m stressed I have my little brother to lean on, so this is a good book to read and be reminded that siblings are important people in our lives.
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👧🏻 review:
Thank you Susan Azim Boyer for this wonderful ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I am full of emotions after reading this book. This book is perfect for young adults who are searching and seeking answers. It offered elation and dejection too while the half-siblings reunited and found each other while uncovering redemptions and answers. Henry and Samirah’s forged relationship provided a glimpse of their own personal journeys and triumphs of their lives. This book is movingly brilliant about families, relationships and survivals through their own experiences. This is my second book with Susan Azim Boyer and her books are full of fascinating insights into life, families, cultural background and relationships. Also, her books have powerful messages about life and how to cope through stresses that come with being trapped and unable to find the answers. This beautiful book is a must read!!!
👧🏻 review: my mom convinced me to read this book and I finished it last night and loved the story. Samira and Henry’s journeys to find their father had brought them together in a way that only being siblings could understand and appreciate the way they were able to express themselves. Their differences and similarities are unique to find their ways. I wanted to give Samira a big hug so that she could continue going on. It is a coming of age, siblings-love and determinations. When I’m stressed I have my little brother to lean on, so this is a good book to read and be reminded that siblings are important people in our lives.
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👧🏻 review:
Thank you Susan Azim Boyer for this wonderful ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I am full of emotions after reading this book. This book is perfect for young adults who are searching and seeking answers. It offered elation and dejection too while the half-siblings reunited and found each other while uncovering redemptions and answers. Henry and Samirah’s forged relationship provided a glimpse of their own personal journeys and triumphs of their lives. This book is movingly brilliant about families, relationships and survivals through their own experiences. This is my second book with Susan Azim Boyer and her books are full of fascinating insights into life, families, cultural background and relationships. Also, her books have powerful messages about life and how to cope through stresses that come with being trapped and unable to find the answers. This beautiful book is a must read!!!
September 6, 2023
Two teens, Samira and Henry, who have never met take a DNA test to find their father but find each other (the half sibling they never knew about) instead. Once they connect they agree to search for their father together.
This book was so refreshing and different and I absolutely loved this story. I felt Samira and Henry's story so deeply and just wanted them to be able to get what they needed. What unfolds is an incredible story of found family and healing. While there are many heavy topics in this book Boyer handled them well so they weren't overwhelming. I will be recommending this one to everyone.
TW: addiction, PTSD
This book was so refreshing and different and I absolutely loved this story. I felt Samira and Henry's story so deeply and just wanted them to be able to get what they needed. What unfolds is an incredible story of found family and healing. While there are many heavy topics in this book Boyer handled them well so they weren't overwhelming. I will be recommending this one to everyone.
TW: addiction, PTSD
April 13, 2023
This was a refreshing read! Samira and Henry lead very different lives. While motivated and haunted by different things, they're brought together by the same need to learn more about the father they never knew. It's an unforgettable journey exploring family relationships and how the past shapes us.
I loved the complexity of the characters and how they evolved throughout the book. They have their flaws, but you ultimately understand where they're coming from. It's a tricky balance, but the author did it so well. It's unlike any other YA novel I've read and I would highly recommend it to others.
Things I liked about this book:
-Multicultural characters/backgrounds.
-Different kinds of family relationships.
-Mental health and its affect on everyone.
-Dual narrative. Henry was a gem. I would've loved to see more of him.
-The author's note at the end sharing her connection to this story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the complexity of the characters and how they evolved throughout the book. They have their flaws, but you ultimately understand where they're coming from. It's a tricky balance, but the author did it so well. It's unlike any other YA novel I've read and I would highly recommend it to others.
Things I liked about this book:
-Multicultural characters/backgrounds.
-Different kinds of family relationships.
-Mental health and its affect on everyone.
-Dual narrative. Henry was a gem. I would've loved to see more of him.
-The author's note at the end sharing her connection to this story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2023
I thought that The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer had a strong storyline that addressed so many issues that teens today are impacted by. On the surface, both our main characters seem like they have it together and are ready for the next part of their story after high school. Very quickly though the reader learns that things aren't what they always appear for both Samira and Henry. A DNA test connects the two as half siblings and they embark on a mission to find out what exactly happened to the father that is missing in both of their lives. Along the way they untangle relationships with their other family members and forge a new relationship with each other.
The book addresses some heavy hitting topics including alcoholism, family pressures, financial concerns, college/future planning and more. The characters are likeable and I think today's teens would relate well to the pressures that they are under. The journey to find their father doesn't quite end up like Henry and Samira hope but together they start to build a future for their families and themselves.
The book addresses some heavy hitting topics including alcoholism, family pressures, financial concerns, college/future planning and more. The characters are likeable and I think today's teens would relate well to the pressures that they are under. The journey to find their father doesn't quite end up like Henry and Samira hope but together they start to build a future for their families and themselves.
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