Far from the Tree

This book is incredible - I cried my way through the last 25 or so pages, full of those happy-cathartic-relief tears that come when something is so good and satisfying and right. This deals with some heavy topics, but never in an exploitative or preachy way, and it certainly doesn't dwell on them for bleakness' sake. The characters felt authentic and realistic and their actions all made sense in the context of their backstories, which is refreshing - nothing felt like it was done just because the story needed for it to happen. This is basically a perfect book and I can't wait to read it again.

Two quick spoiler notes: 1) Oh my god, ADAM IS THE WORST and I wished for more bad stuff to happen to him, and 2) spoiler-slash-CW: this book is an absolute gut punch if child abuse, adoption, foster care, or loss of a child (to adoption) are difficult topics for you. Again, nothing's done exploitatively, but those are major topics in the book, so be advised. I cried through Grace's chapters several times, because I have a six-month-old and anything to do with kids makes me cry these days. Not a criticism of the book at all, and I think everything was handled very well, but definitely something to be aware of.

4.5 Really loved this book. Minus a half star for some plot conveniences and the over use of a phrase that drives me batty (character x let out a breath they didn't even realize they'd been holding) but those are quibbles. The characters seem to live outside the page, the story is so tender, and the resolutions had me teary, Joaq's storyline in particular. I had to pull over for that one because the audio got me hard.

After reading Empire of Storms I felt I needed to catch my breath and read a book based in the real world in order to counterbalance all the fantasy I've been reading recently and Far From The Tree had popped up in a great offer in my local bookshop and so I picked it up for a steal!

Contemporary fiction can be a bit of a hit or a miss for me. Sometimes they can really touch you and leave you feeling you've read something really special or they can be too light and fluffy and you kind of wish for more from them. I'd heard lots of people say they had fallen in love with Robin Benway's Far From The Tree and so I hoped this would fall into the first category of an emotional read.

This book is definitely more of a Young Adult read, it follows 3 siblings who have been born to the same birth mother but who have either been adopted by other parents or in the case of Joaquin spent their lives bouncing around the foster and care system. They have never met each other before but when Grace gives birth to a daughter aged 16 and makes the choice to give her to adoptive parents she begins to wonder more about the mother who gave her away and the story she may be hiding. Grace sets out on a journey of self-discovery, firstly tracking down her brother Joaquin and sister Maya and then trying to persuade them to all go in search of their birth mother.

This definitely had it's fair share of emotional moments. Grace's story is wonderful to read and she is instantly likable and you root for her from the outset and give thanks to her adoptive family who are there for her through her pregnancy and the adoption process afterward, supporting her and looking after her.

Similarly, Joaquin is an amazing story to read as he has had a very different upbringing to his two estranged sisters having been passed from foster family to foster family, some okay but others that have scarred him. He is scared of being hurt and rejected and as a result, could be pushing away the one family who will always be there for him.

Rounding out the trio was the character I least bonded with Maya. Maya is the most outspoken, the youngest and probably most spoiled of the 3 siblings. Her adoptive family has some issues and she is part of a family where just after her adoption her parents got the one thing they'd always dreamed of, a biological child of their own. This has always hovered as a cloud for Maya but at times she comes across as a little too centered on herself and she is the one who challenged me as a reader the most. At times I'd want to flick past her chapters but she does have some interesting points of view but she doesn't read as strongly as Grace and Joaquin.

I read this book in just under a day. It was a quick and dirty contemporary. It wasn't as emotional as I'd expected. Some people spoke of tears reading this book, maybe I'm just really hard-hearted but whilst I was touched by the story it didn't resonate with me to that extent. I enjoyed it but couldn't say it was worth more than a 3.5 out of 5 stars for me.

*4.5
This book was so beautiful I made me cry, laugh, and make me be more thankful for my brother and sister. This book is easily one of my new favorites and I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes one of my top favorites of the year.

Writing: I personally read this book by a combination of audiobook and ebook. From the parts that I physically read I really liked Robin Benway's writing. I felt like I was there with Grace, Maya, and Joaquin.

Plot: This book was different for me because I've never read a book that centers around adoption. Personally I thought that this book executed it very well. Although I cannot really give my opinion about if its represented well or not because I don't know much about adoption. I do recommend to look for a review from someone that has been through it, because its very important.

Characters: I loved the characters soooo much they deserve the world. I cried a lot in Grace's PoV because sometimes I just wanted to jump into the book and give her a hug. Maya was annoying at times but I loved her sense of humor and the fact that she was queer. I liked how accepting her parents were when she came out. And Finally my baby Joaquin, THIS BOY DESERVES ETERNAL HAPPINESS!!!!. Also buddy was half latinx so you already know!!. An honorable mention is Rafe he was so pure and really cares about Grace, he was there when she needed someone.

Enjoyment: If you haven't noticed yet, I reeeaaaallllyyy enjoyed this book. Please read it!

Trigger warnings: Slut Shaming

FAR FROM THE TREE weaves together important issues like adoption, alcoholism, & teenage pregnancy with an almost heartbreaking honesty. There's romance too (from all three characters !!!!) & it's very adorable, but never the full focus of the plot. Instead, this book builds on quieter, more subdued themes, like family (obviously) & finding your way back to the people you love & learning to accept them.

“You can't just push family away. You're always going to be connected to them.”

Robin Benway is great at characterization & she manages to successfully bring all three of them to life, as well as the numerous minor characters that step in & out of the story

amazing emotional depth

“Grace didn't think she could handle seeing them, hearing them shout about the water, without thinking of what Peach might look like at that age. Just seeing a baby on TV made her change the channel. It was like her heart was being stabbed with the most immense kind of love, and regardless of its source, the pain was still too much to handle.”

Grace's kindness, her steely inner strength, & courage after giving her baby up for adoption still makes me want to cry

real

true

“You're my big sister. I don't care where you came from and I don't care what you look like. You're mine, you know? I don't have anyone else except you.”

f/f relationship

“To call Linda and Mark Mom and Dad on purpose would mean that Joaquin's heart would form into something much more fragile, something impossible to put back together if it broke, and he could not—would not—do that to himself again. He still hadn't managed to pick up all the pieces after last time, and one or two holes remained in his heart, letting the cold air in.”

also

I love how he has such a positive recovery arc in the end, especially one that makes sure to cast therapists in a positive light

deep breath

unexpected and tender, full of emotional heart

*4.5
This book was so beautiful I made me cry, laugh, and make me be more thankful for my brother and sister. This book is easily one of my new favorites and I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes one of my top favorites of the year.

Writing: I personally read this book by a combination of audiobook and ebook. From the parts that I physically read I really liked Robin Benway's writing. I felt like I was there with Grace, Maya, and Joaquin.

Plot: This book was different for me because I've never read a book that centers around adoption. Personally I thought that this book executed it very well. Although I cannot really give my opinion about if its represented well or not because I don't know much about adoption. I do recommend to look for a review from someone that has been through it, because its very important.

Characters: I loved the characters soooo much they deserve the world. I cried a lot in Grace's PoV because sometimes I just wanted to jump into the book and give her a hug. Maya was annoying at times but I loved her sense of humor and the fact that she was queer. I liked how accepting her parents were when she came out. And Finally my baby Joaquin, THIS BOY DESERVES ETERNAL HAPPINESS!!!!. Also buddy was half latinx so you already know!!. An honorable mention is Rafe he was so pure and really cares about Grace, he was there when she needed someone.

Enjoyment: If you haven't noticed yet, I reeeaaaallllyyy enjoyed this book. Please read it!

Trigger warnings: Slut Shaming