Book Review - The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cassandra McMurtrey has everything she could want. Her parents are kind and generous and she wouldn't trade them for anything. However, Cass is adopted and she has questions about who she is. She wants to know more about herself that her adoptive parents can't answer no matter how much they love her. 

Eighteen years ago, a sixteen-year-old girl becomes pregnant. She decides to give her daughter up for adoption and writes her unborn daughter a series of letters. The novel alternates between the expectant mother and Cass searching for answers.

I thought the novel to be a cute read. I am not adopted but, I have considered adoption and the novels give insight on how a child might feel about being adopted. For example, Cass and her best friend, Nyla has conflicting views on finding their birth parent.  I enjoyed reading the interactions with Cass and her friends. I love the supportive relationship Cass has with her friends and family. The author did a good job portraying that love and support can come from anywhere.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Imprint: HarperTeen (November 5, 2019)
On Sale: 11/05/2019
Pages: 464
List Price: 17.99 USD Age: 13+
ISBN: 9780062693167
ISBN 10: 0062693166

Praise for THE HOW & THE WHY

“The novel’s great strength is the emotional depth of its characters and the complexity of their relationships. A heartfelt and hopeful story about coming of age as an adoptee.” ―School Library Journal

“Hand explores adoption’s multiple dimensions with great insight and sensitivity. Inclusive and illustrative: an engaging lesson in timeless family values.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Cynthia Hand is the master of pulling at your heartstrings. The How & the Why tells both sides of an adoption story with love, compassion, and care. You’ll be reaching for your tissue box with this one -- if you can stop turning pages long enough, that is.” ―Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times Bestselling Author of Letters to the Lost

“Beautifully rendered and superbly shaped. Hand has crafted an absorbing novel that focuses on family, friendship, teen pregnancy, adoption, personal choices, and serious health issues. Give this exquisite novel to readers seeking an emotionally intricate story.” ―Booklist (starred review)

A poignant exploration of family and the ties that bind, perfect for fans of Far From the Tree, from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.

Today Melly had us writing letters to our babies…

Cassandra McMurtrey has the best parents a girl could ask for. They’ve given Cass a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. She has everything she needs—except maybe the one thing she wants. Like, to know who she is. Where she came from. Questions her adoptive parents can’t answer, no matter how much they love her.

But eighteen years ago, someone wrote Cass a series of letters. And they may just hold the answers Cass has been searching for.

Alternating between Cass’s search for answers and letters from the pregnant teen who gave her up for adoption, this voice-driven narrative is the perfect read for fans of Nina LaCour and Jandy Nelson.

You can purchase The How & the Why at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the UNEARTHLY trilogy, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE (with fellow authors Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows), THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE, and the upcoming novel THE HOW AND THE WHY (Fall 2019). Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing. She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with a husband who's addicted to typewriters, two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a entourage of imaginary friends.

        

WEEK ONE

NOVEMBER 4th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW
NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY Life Within the Pages REVIEW

NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More EXCERPT

NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT 

NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY Booknerdchelcie REVIEW

NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

WEEK TWO

NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY Kait Plus Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY On My Bookshelf REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 12th TUESDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Lenissahh Reads REVIEW

NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Wonder Struck REVIEW
NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Random Bookish Banter REVIEW

NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Little Bookish Thoughts REVIEW & INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 15th FRIDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
NOVEMBER 15th FRIDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Good Neighbors by Ryan David Jahn

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the early morning of March 13, 1964, a young woman is assaulted in the courtyard of her Queens apartment building. She cries for help and while her neighbors hear her pleas; no one calls the police. The story unfolds over the course of two hours, showing the woman's night along with the stories of her neighbors. Each of the stories intersects with each other weaving a larger story.

When I first picked up this novel, I thought it was going to be a revenge novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised when  I realized it wasn't. I found the story to be engaging and kept me on the edge of the seat. The novel was a bit grim but, overall a worthwhile read. I can't wait to read more by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

Photo Credit - Amazon

Valerie Alston-Holt is a single mother who is raising her talented biracial son in tight-knitted Oak Knoll, a North Carolina neighborhood. Xavier is headed to college on scholarship and Valerie is facing the prospect of becoming an empty nester. While Valerie is planning on how to spend her future, things take the turn for the worse, when a new affluent family moves next door.

The Whitmans is like every other family except, their teenage daughter has a few secrets. Brad Whitman is a local celebrity around town and he made a small fortune after selling his invention. He and his wife, Julia escaped their meager upbringing. Together they try to build a new life filled with privilege and wealth.

The Whitmans and Alston-Holt have very little in common with each other. However, when Valerie's beloved oak tree starts dying and the two teenagers secretly starting dating; the two families find themselves at odds. Will the neighbors be able to look past each other's transgressions and live peacefully?

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book but, I will say that the ending certainly did stay with me. I kept thinking about what would I do if I was in the characters' shoes. The novel discussed many important topics such as racism, class, money, and power. I felt like this novel was very much relevant and really makes readers think.

. 

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

Photo Credit - Amazon

Adisa Johnson, a young African American woman is living her dream. She is an aspiring lawyer in a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta with a promising career.  However, a simple makes changes the trajectory of her career and causes her to lose the job she loves. Around the same time, her dearly beloved aunt became ill and Adisa to move to be closer to her aunt and looks for a new job. A few days earlier a Caucasian police offer had shot an unarmed African American team who is fighting for his life in the hospital. With racial tensions high, Adisa wants to be bought on as a special prosecutor on the case. Although, when she speaks with a fellow mentor and victim's grandmother, she is left with conflicting feelings on the case. Which side will Adisa choose? What happened during that faithful of the shooting?

I like that the novel took on racial topics that are very prevalent this day. However, I felt the story lacked depth and suspense. The story seemed to drag on and on, filled with details that just cloud the story. Sadly, I also couldn't find myself liking the any of the characters. As a WOC, I loved seeing a fellow WOC in charge, smart and engaging. But I felt like Adisa fell flat and act impulsively/emotional. For example, when she was let go of her job she didn't want to steal her former employer's clients. But when she asked her mentor for a job, she had no problem becoming a special prosecutor on the same case her mentor was defending on.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Home at Last (Chicory Inn #5) by Deborah Raney

Photo Credit - Amazon

Every sibling in the Whitman family has settled down with their soul mates, except for Link. He is stuck in a dead end job, lives in a small dump of apartment, and can't seem to find love. When, his sister's wedding day approaches, Link feels the loneliness sinking in.

Shayla Michaels has always felt the burden of life. Her mother's white family disowned her and her mother because of her African American father. While, her father's family did disapprove of her, they eventually embraced her.  After her mother's death, following her brother's incarceration, it left Shayla with a niece, Portia and her father bitter. Will Shayla and Link be able to put their differences aside and find love? Will they let the skin color dictate who they should fall in love with?

The novel was beautifully written and had engaging characters. I found myself hoping that Link and Shayla could put their differences aside and fall in love. I sometimes, find myself yelling, "Why did you do that, you fool --- Go after her!!".  I loved how the story featured characters of mixed races and felt that added another dimension to the story. A truly heart warming story and I can't wait to read other novels by the author.

**Disclosure -  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**