Book Review: The Other F-Word by Natasha Friend

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The Other F-Word
Author: Natasha Friend
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date:  March 7th 2017
Review Source: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

A fresh, humorous, and timely YA novel about two teens conceived via in vitro fertilization who go in search for answers about their donor.

Milo has two great moms, but he's never known what it's like to have a dad. When Milo's doctor suggests asking his biological father to undergo genetic testing to shed some light on Milo's extreme allergies, he realizes this is a golden opportunity to find the man he's always wondered about.

Hollis's mom Leigh hasn't been the same since her other mom, Pam, passed away seven years ago. But suddenly, Leigh seems happy—giddy, even—by the thought of reconnecting with Hollis's half-brother Milo. Hollis and Milo were conceived using the same sperm donor. They met once, years ago, before Pam died.

Now Milo has reached out to Hollis to help him find their donor. Along the way, they locate three other donor siblings, and they discover the true meaning of the other F-word: family. 

The Other F-Word is a story of two sperm donor babies who share the same biological father going on a journey to find him. They learn to grow with one another and they learn that family is really all you need.

This story is such a good concept. I loved it. It was adorable and sweet.The fruition of the concept was what got me. I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped I would. I felt like the writing was too teenage-ish for me. The writing and the language just did not grip me and for that I gave it this low rating.

Book Review: Where You'll Find Me by Natasha Friend

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Where You'll Find Me
Author: Natasha Friend
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Contemporary
Released: March 8th 2016
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

In this powerful and buoyant YA novel, a thirteen-year-old girl learns to navigate the shifting loyalities of friendships in middle school and deals with challenges at home.

The beginning of the eighth grade is not what Anna thought it would be. Her lifelong best friend has ditched her for the cool kids, and her mom is in the hospital after a suicide attempt. Anna finds herself where she least expects to: living with her dad, his young new wife, and their baby, and starting a new year at school without a best friend. With help from some unlikely sources, including a crazy girl-band talent show act, Anna learns that sometimes you find what you need to pull you through in the most unlikely places.

Life is not always rainbows and puppies. Some people have it worst than others, like our main character Ana. She's not having the ideal start to her eight grade year. First, her best friend doesn't want to be friends with her. She's popular now and cannot hang with an "outcast". God, I don't miss those those days. Then and on a more serious note, her mother tried to kill herself. Now, Ana needs to move in with her father (whom is not open to her) and her new step-mother, while her mother is hospitalized.

Ana may see herself as a weak character but as a young girl dealing with these type of issues, the girl is a tough cookie.

Middle grade? Are you kidding me? No, don't ever say you're too old for middle grades reads. Where You'll Find Me is an adorable yet inspiring story of a young girl trying to cope with life. This story is so real with a believable character. While reading some parts, I wanted to hug Ana. Feeling alone and full of remorse toward herself is something one shouldn't go thru. So sad! Ana blamed herself for things... things she had nothing to do with. Oh, I am crying. I just wanted to tell her it's not her fault.

This is really sad because now in days, this is more common. It's sad to see kids have to grow up at a young age because either both or one parent is not there to do their job. I loved when Ana's mom apologized and made her feel better.

Where You'll Find Me is an incredible story. Ana is easy to relate and plain adorable. She did her best, more than what I would be capable of doing. There is so much to say but it's best that you read this story. Just be warned, you will have tears while reading.