readabookorfive's review against another edition
3.0
3.75!
trigger warnings; adoption, heart transplant, mentions of drugs, alcohol and a brief mention of suicide, birth, pregnancy, racism, homophobia and mentions of abuse
The How & The Why follows our main character, Cass, who knows she was adopted when she was six weeks old. She has the perfect family and the perfect friends but with her mother in the hospital needing a heart transplant and her future on the horizon, Cass finds that she wants to find her birth mother. It is also told in letters that her birth mother wrote for her whilst she was pregnant with Cass and gives insight into the process of adoption and how it can change somebody's life.
I've been hearing good things about this book since it first came out and I have a massive soft spot for sad books or books featuring hard hitting topics so I knew that I wanted to give this one a go and I am genuinely glad that I read it.
I'm still a little bit confused about how I feel about the book just because of some of the things that happened but overall, I think the book was really good, it was emotional and the writing was stunning but there were a couple things I didn't love. I'm going to start doing my reviews in stages so, here we go;
The Writing
I really enjoyed the writing style. I think that the story flowed really well even when it's broken up a little bit because of the fact it's told in two different formats; normal prose and letters. I wanted to keep reading which is how I ended up reading this entire book in one sitting and I think overall the writing was really beautiful. The pace was even throughout the book and it was definitely easy to read. i think the language choices etc were really good, the writing overall, was just really stunning and definitely one of the best parts of the book as a whole.
The Plot
Overall, I enjoyed the plot of this book. As everyone says who have read both books, it did really remind me of Far From The Tree which is one of my absolute favourite books of all time. It also follows the themes of adoption and trying to find out who your biological parents are so in that sense, the whole plot kind of made me feel warm inside because I just love Far From The Tree so, SO much. But, it was also unique in its own way, I loved that it had the theatre elements to it because I'm a bit of a theatre nerd myself and love books revolving around the theatre and how much people love it so I loved that aspect of it. As well as Cass' adoptive parents being a huge part of the plot and that they were genuinely good people who obviously adored Cass so much.
This book was truly heartbreaking in some parts especially in regards to how much Cass is truly struggling internally between her mother being ill, college, feeling like she's second best when it comes to the theatre, her lust over a boy and her birth mother. As well as the letters from her birth mother were so heartbreaking in some parts. I definitely shed a few tears through the book and that means that I did really enjoy it and was definitely invested.
I don't think there's really anything wrong with the plot apart from two things that I had a bit of an issue with.
1) I don't think this will be a wide spread issue but the epilogue. I had an issue with the epilogue just because I wanted more. I wanted to know what happened next between Cass and the people around her. I will say I did predict the ending in a way because I knew that a certain character had something to do with Cass and her family.
2) USING SEXUALITY AS A PLOT TWIST is my least favourite things that authors do. I didn't know that this book had an LGBTQ+ character because guess what? it's technically a spoiler. I hate it. Sexuality should never, ever be used as a plot twist, it's a disgusting writing technique that I just absolutely loathe and I hope one day, authors will just stop doing it so yes, it's a spoiler but Sebastian is gay and his parents are awful.
Characters
I really did love most of the characters that we were introduced to throughout the story. Cass was a brilliant protagonist and I really empathised with her and wanted her to succeed and do what she wants. I also really loved the group of friends that she had, especially her best friend, Nyla who understands parts of what Cass is going through because she was also adopted at a young age, loves the theatre and is also deciding what college to go to. I also really loved Bastien, he was a really good, pure person who's heart was forever in the right place and I loved him. I thought Cass' adoptive parents were wonderful too, they truly love Cass and want what's best for her although her dad really did frustrate me at times when it came to college.
I also really loved S, which is Cass' birth mother. Her story was really sad and I loved reading from her perspective through the letters that she was writing to Cass. It was a really beautiful way to see both sides of adoption and what it can be like when you're a teenager and in that position. She also deserved the world and I would happily read another book just about what happened afterwards and the happy life she got.
Overall, I really did enjoy The How & The Why yes, there were things I didn't massively love and things that frustrated me but overall, it's beautiful story about family and about the fact that you can follow your own dreams not the dreams other people have for you. It's about friendship and believing in yourself and it was truly a beautiful novel that I would definitely recommend!
trigger warnings; adoption, heart transplant, mentions of drugs, alcohol and a brief mention of suicide, birth, pregnancy, racism, homophobia and mentions of abuse
The How & The Why follows our main character, Cass, who knows she was adopted when she was six weeks old. She has the perfect family and the perfect friends but with her mother in the hospital needing a heart transplant and her future on the horizon, Cass finds that she wants to find her birth mother. It is also told in letters that her birth mother wrote for her whilst she was pregnant with Cass and gives insight into the process of adoption and how it can change somebody's life.
I've been hearing good things about this book since it first came out and I have a massive soft spot for sad books or books featuring hard hitting topics so I knew that I wanted to give this one a go and I am genuinely glad that I read it.
I'm still a little bit confused about how I feel about the book just because of some of the things that happened but overall, I think the book was really good, it was emotional and the writing was stunning but there were a couple things I didn't love. I'm going to start doing my reviews in stages so, here we go;
The Writing
I really enjoyed the writing style. I think that the story flowed really well even when it's broken up a little bit because of the fact it's told in two different formats; normal prose and letters. I wanted to keep reading which is how I ended up reading this entire book in one sitting and I think overall the writing was really beautiful. The pace was even throughout the book and it was definitely easy to read. i think the language choices etc were really good, the writing overall, was just really stunning and definitely one of the best parts of the book as a whole.
The Plot
Overall, I enjoyed the plot of this book. As everyone says who have read both books, it did really remind me of Far From The Tree which is one of my absolute favourite books of all time. It also follows the themes of adoption and trying to find out who your biological parents are so in that sense, the whole plot kind of made me feel warm inside because I just love Far From The Tree so, SO much. But, it was also unique in its own way, I loved that it had the theatre elements to it because I'm a bit of a theatre nerd myself and love books revolving around the theatre and how much people love it so I loved that aspect of it. As well as Cass' adoptive parents being a huge part of the plot and that they were genuinely good people who obviously adored Cass so much.
This book was truly heartbreaking in some parts especially in regards to how much Cass is truly struggling internally between her mother being ill, college, feeling like she's second best when it comes to the theatre, her lust over a boy and her birth mother. As well as the letters from her birth mother were so heartbreaking in some parts. I definitely shed a few tears through the book and that means that I did really enjoy it and was definitely invested.
I don't think there's really anything wrong with the plot apart from two things that I had a bit of an issue with.
1) I don't think this will be a wide spread issue but the epilogue. I had an issue with the epilogue just because I wanted more. I wanted to know what happened next between Cass and the people around her. I will say I did predict the ending in a way because I knew that a certain character had something to do with Cass and her family.
2) USING SEXUALITY AS A PLOT TWIST is my least favourite things that authors do. I didn't know that this book had an LGBTQ+ character because guess what? it's technically a spoiler. I hate it. Sexuality should never, ever be used as a plot twist, it's a disgusting writing technique that I just absolutely loathe and I hope one day, authors will just stop doing it so yes, it's a spoiler but Sebastian is gay and his parents are awful.
Characters
I really did love most of the characters that we were introduced to throughout the story. Cass was a brilliant protagonist and I really empathised with her and wanted her to succeed and do what she wants. I also really loved the group of friends that she had, especially her best friend, Nyla who understands parts of what Cass is going through because she was also adopted at a young age, loves the theatre and is also deciding what college to go to. I also really loved Bastien, he was a really good, pure person who's heart was forever in the right place and I loved him. I thought Cass' adoptive parents were wonderful too, they truly love Cass and want what's best for her although her dad really did frustrate me at times when it came to college.
I also really loved S, which is Cass' birth mother. Her story was really sad and I loved reading from her perspective through the letters that she was writing to Cass. It was a really beautiful way to see both sides of adoption and what it can be like when you're a teenager and in that position. She also deserved the world and I would happily read another book just about what happened afterwards and the happy life she got.
Overall, I really did enjoy The How & The Why yes, there were things I didn't massively love and things that frustrated me but overall, it's beautiful story about family and about the fact that you can follow your own dreams not the dreams other people have for you. It's about friendship and believing in yourself and it was truly a beautiful novel that I would definitely recommend!
angiejoli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
saltyglasses's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
guitourinho's review against another edition
4.0
Amei esse livro, mas teve uma parte que me incomodou muito: O momento do anuncio das vencedoras do concurso anual. Totalmente corrido, senti que não trabalhou bem o que tendia a ser um momento emocionante.
PS: Era obvio que o Bastian era Gay. Clichês que adoramos.
PS: Era obvio que o Bastian era Gay. Clichês que adoramos.
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
Wow...it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a book I didn’t want to put down—or end, for that matter. There is so much to love about this story: the writing, the family dynamic, Cass and Nyla’s friendship, the letters, all of it. It’s thought provoking and at times, utterly heartbreaking, but so full of hope.
And that epilogue... ♥️♥️♥️♥️
And that epilogue... ♥️♥️♥️♥️
lestaslettering's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my heart, please tell me that you did not just cut us out of the most possibly epic reunion/meeting of ever, Dear Cynthia Hand, no I don't want this to be left to my imagination, nooooooo!!!!! Can't you see me crying? Rolling on the floor crying? Why do you have to do this to me?
I really loved S ,oh and Nyla and Class's mom & dad, obviously Cass too. Just cos he owned up doesn't mean he's not an asshat, Dawson, because he is. Too good that we like Ted, right? Not everyone has to be depicted good, C, okay? But other than that, my heart is full. And Ms. Hand whenever I meet you, you are telling me how the meeting went. Please. I beg you. I was okay when Cass moved on but not okay when THAT happened in the last page and we don't get to witness it. In this case, the universe doesn't at all unfold the way it should :/
Also I wanted this to be part of my 2020 reads, I mean, I didn't want to end this year without reading it and no matter how much I complain, I love this book to bits. Also not every book makes it to my personal shelf. It's very easy to be part of the 5 star club but not to be a personal go-to-book for so many people and after The Truth about Forever and The Last Time We Say Goodbye, this book just, my heart, I'm gonna cry once more.
I really loved S ,oh and Nyla and Class's mom & dad, obviously Cass too. Just cos he owned up doesn't mean he's not an asshat, Dawson, because he is. Too good that we like Ted, right? Not everyone has to be depicted good, C, okay? But other than that, my heart is full. And Ms. Hand whenever I meet you, you are telling me how the meeting went. Please. I beg you. I was okay when Cass moved on but not okay when THAT happened in the last page and we don't get to witness it. In this case, the universe doesn't at all unfold the way it should :/
Also I wanted this to be part of my 2020 reads, I mean, I didn't want to end this year without reading it and no matter how much I complain, I love this book to bits. Also not every book makes it to my personal shelf. It's very easy to be part of the 5 star club but not to be a personal go-to-book for so many people and after The Truth about Forever and The Last Time We Say Goodbye, this book just, my heart, I'm gonna cry once more.
vera_michele's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
I was sort of bored throughout this novel. I just wasn't connecting with the plot. I really enjoyed the characters, though, and that's what made me stay interested. I loved the little epilogue, but sort of wish there was some more in the end. I will say that I enjoyed the letters a little bit more than the present day. I just found them to be a little bit more interesting in the end, and loved S's sarcasm and friendships she made in the home she was in. I also just found them sad in the end because you know it ends in adoption, but it was just a really nice ending for them.
I was sort of bored throughout this novel. I just wasn't connecting with the plot. I really enjoyed the characters, though, and that's what made me stay interested. I loved the little epilogue, but sort of wish there was some more in the end. I will say that I enjoyed the letters a little bit more than the present day. I just found them to be a little bit more interesting in the end, and loved S's sarcasm and friendships she made in the home she was in. I also just found them sad in the end because you know it ends in adoption, but it was just a really nice ending for them.
caitiep92's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
tthe_cancerian's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Wow! This was just so beautiful. I absolutely loved what the author did with this book, it's especially more amazing that it was mostly own voices. I loved the way it was written, the letters were such a nice addition to this novel. Seeing both sides of the story was really fulfilling. The characters were real and made you feel for them. made me tear up numerous times. I really loved this.
Wow! This was just so beautiful. I absolutely loved what the author did with this book, it's especially more amazing that it was mostly own voices. I loved the way it was written, the letters were such a nice addition to this novel. Seeing both sides of the story was really fulfilling. The characters were real and made you feel for them. made me tear up numerous times. I really loved this.