The other F-word

VOYA Review:
Milo and Hollis only met once, seven years ago, and only because they happened to share the same sperm-donor father. Then, a question from his doctor gives Milo, who has life-threatening allergies, a reason to begin searching for their biological father, and he asks Hollis to join him.

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Hollis, however, wants nothing to do with the man whose sperm fathered them both. She is angry—about her mom Pam’s death, about how her mom Leigh cannot let go of her grief, and about past hurts that she cannot move beyond. She resists Milo’s efforts but soon finds herself pulled into his search, as together they discover something more than they set out to find. After a slow start, the pace of The Other F-Word smoothly leads readers into the lives of Hollis and Milo and reveals their discoveries about family. Readers will recognize many of the challenges that the characters face, from uncertainty about belonging to family dynamics, friendship, and using escapes, like hooking up and smoking pot, rather than dealing with feelings and fears. Conflicts are glossed over too quickly, limiting readers’ emotional attachment to the characters. The third-person narration, alternating between Hollis and Milo, also adds distance. Although readers would benefit from more finely drawn secondary characters, they are all believable. With genuine dialogue and reactions, the result is an authentic, if incomplete, picture of messy, emotional, and funny teen lives. The story will appeal to teens who enjoy realistic fiction,

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