Book review: In Search Of Us + competition

By Ava Dellaira
Published by Hot Key Books

Synopsis: This sweeping multi-generational love story introduces readers to mother-and-daughter pair Marilyn and Angie. To seventeen-year-old Angie, who is mixed-race, Marilyn is her hardworking, devoted white single mother. But Marilyn was once young, too. When Marilyn was seventeen, she fell in love with Angie's father, James, who was African-American.

But Angie's never met him, and Marilyn has always told her he died before she was born. When Angie discovers evidence of an uncle she's never met she starts to wonder: What if her dad is still alive, too? So she sets off on a journey to find him, hitching a ride to LA from her home in New Mexico with her ex-boyfriend, Sam. Along the way, she uncovers some hard truths about herself, her mother, and what truly happened to her father.

How did this book end up in my hands? The publisher kindly sent me a copy of the book to review earlier this year and I only wish I had picked it up sooner.

Was it a page-turner? It was… until page 347. After that, I was crying so much that I couldn’t even see the pages, let alone turn them! On a more serious note, I loved the narration from two different points of view, which made me want to read even faster in an attempt to understand how Marilyn’s past shaped Angie’s present.

Having read the synopsis, did the book meet my expectations? The book has definitely exceeded expectations. I am new to the YA genre but – so far – the YA novels I picked up made me feel like there was something missing. I think that’s what led me to think the character development in this novel would be slightly too superficial for my liking. Oh boy, was I going to be surprised!

Did I like the ending? [no spoilers] I loved it! We reach the end and the beginning of the novel at the same time – which will make more sense once you’ve read it – and it’s just great!

Three words to describe it. Heart-warming. Inspiring. Multi-generational.

Do I like the cover? I do. I do! The more I read the book, the more I liked the cover and the way it captures some of the main elements of the novel.

Have I read any other books by the same author? No, but her debut novel is already on my wish list!

Will I be recommending this book? Unequivocally yes! The back cover informs future readers that the book contains ‘mothers and daughters, first love and a road trip’. This list only touches the surface of all the topics covered here and I believe the book will appeal to a variety of people, regardless of their age.

Anything else? Yes! The publisher has kindly offered one copy of In Search of Us to go to a lucky reader! All you have to do is follow me on Twitter and retweet the competition post by 16/12. UK only. All comments left below will count as extra entries (one per person). Good luck!