When I review a book, I try earnestly to keep an open mind, to enter that writer’s created world, to find the positive in it. My readers will find that I don’t pick up too many family dramas, unless there is literary merit in the book (I’m thinking of Frederick Backman’s Anxious People, or Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again Yes, both great books.) This is to say that to receive my praise the story must be well crafted, and the writing very good to excellent. I do not push reality television-style, Hallmark channel drama on you, dear reader—I warn you away from them. I picked up Strawser’s book because of the “book club” raves, many 5-star reviews on Good Reads, and because I like to diversify my reading and reviews. All this said, if I issued stars, this would only earn two.

I will hasten to say if you are a fan of Jodi Picoult/Susan Wiggs-style novels— and many are, as evidenced by how much they sell— you will probably love this one. Strawser is one of their club, quickly earning her spot in the “women’s novel” pantheon. I put quotes around women’s novel since I don’t like that moniker, but it does capture the concept well— books that deal with the complexities of family relationships. I love stories that deal with family relationships—Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book— but this book will never come close to that level. Writing, insights, characters’ complexity— this book does not rise even to the name of “literary novel”.

This story deals with the results of unearthing unknown siblings through DNA test kits, the moral and ethical questions arising from organ donation, and the consequences of well-meaning family secrets when they are inevitably uncovered. Of themselves, worthwhile themes and questions, when in the hands of a masterful writer. What you have here, however, is pure Lifetime TV. My intention is not to be disparaging of Strawser’s book, honest. It is to make sure my valued readers do not make my mistake. If you enjoy family drama on a soap opera level, if that is your idea of an enjoyable beach read, you found it—go for it. If you need more, insightful plotting, characters, questioning on a deeper level—take a pass. The choice is yours. I’m here to uncover the gems, and warn you off the fluff. Unless you seek fluff, and sometimes we all do.