The Search for Us

I just finished The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer and here are my musings.

Samira is ready to go to college. She got her acceptance, her grandfather left her the money to go too. Problems arise when her brother gets in trouble with a DUI and the money she has is needed to keep him out of jail. She is so desperate she does a DNA ancestry kit to see if she can find her father, a U.S Army veteran who left when she was young. He owes a lot of child support.

Henry lives with his aunt and uncle but keeps in touch with his flaky bio mom but he is desperate to find his dad, a man who might see him for who he is.

As luck would have it, Samira and Henry match as half siblings. They set about to help each other to find their dad and to try and build a relationship as only lost siblings can.

This book hit me right in the feelers. It was so heartfelt and emotional. As a person who found their half siblings at age 12, I can tell you that this book was well researched and did a good job of capturing the feelings and emotions that come with finding a family you didn't know you had.

I felt for Samira. She took the weight of her whole family on her shoulders. Living with her grandma and alcoholic brother. Taking care of them both. Shouldering the responsibilities of the house. She puts her whole life on hold for them yet her older brother won't take responsibility for his actions and life. She is just a kid and shouldn't have to do any of the things she had to do.

Henry lives with his aunt and uncle and they are so strict and rigid that he stifles under them. His bio mom always says they took him from her and that's why he lives with them. He just wants to be himself and can't. Watching them find each other was wonderful.

I loved how it all worked out in the end too. Definitely an excellent read.

If you love realistic YA this one is the one for you. @wednesdaybooks thank you so much for my gifted copy

4 stars