The Other F-Word

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 by Natasha Friend is heartwarming and original young adult novel. Natasha Friend is also the author of Where You’ll Find Me, Perfect, Lush: A Novel, Bounce, For Keeps, and My Life in Black and White.

Praise for The Other F-Word:

“Writing in third-person, Friend (Where You’ll Find Me) shifts focus between Hollis and Milo, keeping the mood light and heartfelt as she celebrates the bonds that emerge between newfound siblings and turns their paternal search into an engrossing adventure. This is a joyful, emotional story full of love, humor, and the messiness of family, no matter the shape it takes.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

＂With convincing dialogue, multidimensional characters (including the adults), and a timely topic, this compelling story movingly proves that there are no stereotypes when it comes to family.＂ —Bookist, starred review

＂With genuine dialogue and reactions, the result is an authentic . . . picture of messy, emotional, and funny teen lives. The story will appeal to teens who enjoy realistic fiction.＂ —VOYA

＂Hollis and Milo are authentically young adult, both in their voices and in their mixed feelings about their perfectly imperfect families . . . The plot moves along smoothly with well-timed revelations about the mysterious donor and Hollis’s anger and grief, and many teens will connect with the questions about identity and the true meaning of family. VERDICT In a world where many teens’ families include diverse and complicated parent and sibling situations, Friend’s tale fills a void in YA literature and does it with style.＂ —School Library Journal

＂Those facing similar quests to find birth parents will find this story comforting.＂ —Kirkus Reviews