Friday, November 8, 2019

My Thoughts: The How & The Why by Cynthia Hand

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43884147-the-how-and-the-why
The How & the Why
by Cynthia Hand
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Publication Date: November 5th 2019
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 464
ISBN: 9780062693167
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy | Finished Copy from Publisher

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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. (Goodreads)


I am always on the lookout for a new book by Cynthia Hand, so of course I had to add The How & the Why to my TBR as soon as I discovered it!

I knew just from reading the synopsis of this book that it was going to be an emotional read, but I really didn’t know quite how emotional it would make me. Going on this journey with Cass throughout the book -- from turning 18 and trying to find out who her birth mom is, while also trying to spend as much time as she can with her adoptive mom who is very ill, and trying to find the college that fits her – it was quite a roller coaster ride of emotions. I felt like I was experiencing everything right along with Cass, and what a ride it was. The storyline for this book was really great, and yes, very emotional.

And not only does this book have an interesting storyline, it also has some pretty great characters as well. Cass has a great support system around her, including her awesome parents, (the ones who adopted her, and raised her with so much love), and her best friend, Nyla, who also happens to be adopted, but has a completely different story. We also get to see a bit of the birth moms story told in letters that she wrote to Cass before she was even born. Reading some of those letters were my most favorite part of the book, and I enjoyed getting to know more about this woman right along with Cass. She was definitely fascinating!

Overall; As you can probably tell from my thoughts above, I really, really enjoyed The How & the Why! Cynthia Hand always manages to WOW me with her books, and I am always happy after I finish one of her reads. (They are all great!) I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next awesome read that Cynthia has coming our way, which I do believe will be the third book in the My Lady Janie’s series, and after that, the first book in the Mary series, My Contrary Mary! I can’t wait for all of these!

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