The Ones We Choose: A Novel

This is a wonderful debut novel about family - not necessarily the family we are genetically part of but also the family that we create out of love. The subject matter is very up to date and I could see the possibility of the same issues happening in other families.

Paige's 8 year old son wants to know more about his father which is very normal in a family that is only composed of mother and son. He is getting bullied at school because he doesn't have a dad and even through Paige's new boyfriend tries to help out, Miles pushes him away. In truth, Paige can't tell Miles about his dad because she only knows what she read about him in his application to become a sperm donor. As Paige tries to help her son out with his problems at school and show more in life, she finds herself finally making some friends and opening herself up to her family.

There is a short chapter between each chapter in the book that explains the science of genetics and DNA. I have to admit that science is not my 'friend' and I skipped over a lot of the information in those chapters. The author did a tremendous amount of research to be sure that she had her scientific knowledge sharp to explore the issues in this book. I thought that it was an excellent book and can't wait to see what Julie Clark writes next.

I read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own. show less

Family Challenges and Keep on Going Back to Try Again

Or is this book about DNA? I was glad there were no preachy ethics. The second book I've read by this author, who has a style that holds your interest with mastery of character, plot, and suspense. I was surprised she did not have a DNA background, - she's just been a smart 5th grade teacher - like me. Readable and feel good ending without total sappiness.

Family Challenges and Keep on Going Back to Try Again

Or is this book about DNA? I was glad there were no preachy ethics. The second book I've read by this author, who has a style that holds your interest with mastery of character, plot, and suspense. I was surprised she did not have a DNA background, - she's just been a smart 5th grade teacher - like me. Readable and feel good ending without total sappiness.

The Ones We Choose
By
Julie Clark

What it's all about...

Part science...genetic science...part beautiful story...this was an amazing book about Paige...a scientist...who discovers that the man who was the anonymous
donor for her young son could be someone she knows. Paige’s
son...Miles...has just begun to ask questions about why he doesn’t have a father. Miles isolates himself...doesn’t make friends easily...but...is smart, funny, clever...and totally miserable. He won’t give Liam...Paige’s boyfriend...a chance but Paige has other issues...her own father was in and out of her life throughout her childhood and is now back. Paige’s instincts are to protect Miles from feeling the way she did. So...no one really gets that close to show more Paige...not even Liam...and especially not the return of her father. Paige remains distant and detached.

Why I wanted to read it...

This book just grabbed me. The writing was beautiful...vivid...clear...strong. Paige had clearly raised an incredible son on her own. The possibility of the donor...potentially someone she knows...knocks her rigidity. She begins to see similarities. She has no clear idea about what she should do.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

I absolutely loved Paige. She was brilliant and yet so flawed. I loved that every chapter started with science...genetics, chromosomes, DNA...it was fascinating. Paige’s project was in determining why women are more nurturing than men. It was also fascinating.

Why you should read it, too...

This was a difficult book to put down. The chapters were endearing yet filled with suspense...not a chiller thriller kind of suspense but more a wonderment about what Paige would do next. I loved her relationship with her sister Rose. I loved that her life was relatively good and then bit by bit it began to fall apart. This book has everything I dearly love in a book. Relationships, quirkiness, drama, sadness...they were all in this incredibly endearing package. I am almost positive I will read everything Julie Clark writes...and...everyone else should, too!

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it. show less

A fast read that focused on genetics and the mystery it holds. Paige has a child via a sperm donor. Her son Miles never fits in.
Not knowing who is "real" father is presents many psychological problems for Miles.

Touching upon the problems that may result from sperm donation, and the resulting unknown DNA problems that can result.

A quick, worthwhile read. The book held interest to me. I am the mother of a 39 year old child who who was adopted when she was two.

Five years ago, she developed thyroid cancer, and survived. I never knew that she carried such problematic feelings about her "real" mother. Her statement that she developed cancer because her mother didn't take care of her when she was a baby, and she was malnourished, led me to show more know that she harbors a lot of questions.

I offered to help her locate her biological mother, she refused. We were able to talk and sort through a lot of her feelings, including the fact that because she does not know her gene pool she will always blame "them" when she has serious health issues. show less

I loved so much about this book. The cover is what drew me in and the detailed research and great storytelling by Clark kept me here. This is one of those great novels that examines family, friendship, and the consequences (whether good or bad) of one's actions. Paige is a geneticist whose son was conceived with a sperm donor. Here, Clark's research shines through and I was surprised to find out she didn't have a background in science. The book's synopsis does a great job laying out the plot, so it is more about the superb writing than the surprises that make you turn the pages. I'm excited to see what Clark writes next.

I thought this book was completely predictable. Paige has a child via a sperm donor. She protects her son, Miles, from other children who make fun of him for not having a ‘real dad’. He begs Paige for info on his father.
When Miles meets another boy and his dad who share his love of science, he becomes a new boy, and is much happier. Then tragedy strikes.
The book examines the anonymity of sperm donors and a a result, the genetics that may be unknown to the children of these donors.