The Ones We Choose

Lisa Genova meets 23andMe in this "extraordinary breakthrough novel" (Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author) about the genetic and emotional ties that bind as a young boy searches for his place in this world and a mother comes to terms with her own past.

The powerful forces of science and family collide when geneticist Paige Robson finds her world in upheaval: Her eight-year-old son Miles is struggling to fit in at his new school and begins asking questions about his biological father that Paige can't answer--until fate thrusts the anonymous donor she used into their lives.

Paige's carefully constructed life begins to unravel as the truth of Miles's paternity threatens to destroy everything she has grown to cherish. As Paige slowly opens herself up--by befriending an eccentric mother, confronting her own deeply buried vulnerabilities, and trying to make sense of her absent father's unexpected return--she realizes breakthroughs aren't only for the lab. But when tragedy strikes, Paige must face the consequences of sharing a secret only she knows.

"An absolutely dazzling, profound ruby of a novel" (Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author), The Ones We Choose shows that while the science is fascinating, solving the intimate mysteries of who we are and where we come from unleashes emotions more complex than the strands of DNA that shape us.

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368 pages

Average rating: 6.61

18 RATINGS

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1 REVIEW

Community Reviews

JHSiess
Feb 03, 2024
8/10 stars
The Ones We Choose is a compelling family drama, punctuated by scientific explanations that aid understanding of the story's nuances. Some predictable plot developments are forgivable as they move the action forward and provide satisfying dramatic tension. Julie Clark has crafted a story of a modern American family that is both heartbreaking, relatable, and, ultimately, hopeful. Her characters are likable and empathetic. In The Ones We Choose there are no villains -- just folks doing the best they can under the circumstances in which they find themselves and consistent with their own emotional limitations. This was my first time reading Julie Clark's work, but it definitely will not be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.

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