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Whatever It Takes
Sienna has no memory of her late mother, yet every significant day of her life—birthdays, the first day of high school, graduation—has been marked by a letter written during her last weeks of life. Sienna knows her father feels grateful to be able to offer up these connections to the loving, talented woman his daughter never got a chance to know. Yet for Sienna herself, the letters have become a dreaded burden, a reminder that every milestone is less than it would be if both parents were still living.
A month before her twenty-fifth birthday, Sienna finds a lump. Facing a cancer diagnosis, Sienna begins to ask questions about her mother’s terminal illness—questions that reveal unsettling inconsistencies and voids in the stories she’s been told. The deeper she digs, the more the image of her mother as a contented homemaker warps into something much darker and far more troubling. If Sienna’s dad lied about this, what else did he lie about?
What does it mean to be a good parent? What role does the past play in who we are? And to what lengths should one go to protect a child? Like the best of Jodi Picoult, Whatever It Takes delves into these fascinating questions of family and identity with power, insight, and love.
Praise for Jessica Pack’s As Wide as the Sky
National Reading Group Month Selection!
“Characters as rich and indelible as the life they endure . . . A phenomenal read.”
—Internationally Bestselling Author Davis Bunn
“In the vein of Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes, As Wide as the Sky explores the human component of tragedy.”
—Mandy Mikulencak, author of The Last Suppers and Forgiveness Road
“A story that is painfully relatable even as it shines with originality. I felt this tale all the way to my toes. A treasure.”
—Amy Harmon, New York Times bestselling author of The Law of Moses
A month before her twenty-fifth birthday, Sienna finds a lump. Facing a cancer diagnosis, Sienna begins to ask questions about her mother’s terminal illness—questions that reveal unsettling inconsistencies and voids in the stories she’s been told. The deeper she digs, the more the image of her mother as a contented homemaker warps into something much darker and far more troubling. If Sienna’s dad lied about this, what else did he lie about?
What does it mean to be a good parent? What role does the past play in who we are? And to what lengths should one go to protect a child? Like the best of Jodi Picoult, Whatever It Takes delves into these fascinating questions of family and identity with power, insight, and love.
Praise for Jessica Pack’s As Wide as the Sky
National Reading Group Month Selection!
“Characters as rich and indelible as the life they endure . . . A phenomenal read.”
—Internationally Bestselling Author Davis Bunn
“In the vein of Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes, As Wide as the Sky explores the human component of tragedy.”
—Mandy Mikulencak, author of The Last Suppers and Forgiveness Road
“A story that is painfully relatable even as it shines with originality. I felt this tale all the way to my toes. A treasure.”
—Amy Harmon, New York Times bestselling author of The Law of Moses
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2019
11 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 14, 2019
Although the plotline was interesting, I just failed to connect with any of the characters on an emotional level, especially the main character Sienna. I mean for a person who has breast cancer that can be potentially fatal if not treated in time, she seems to ignore it like it's nothing more than a common flu! The writing was alright as well but the characters just did not work for me.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Kensington and author for providing me with an e-Arc of the book.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Kensington and author for providing me with an e-Arc of the book.
May 24, 2019
Sienna is going through a tough period of her life--she and her husband Tyson are separated by a continent and an ocean. She's in Wyoming and Tyson's working in London. Their marriage hit a rocky patch after they'd spent 3 years and $30,000 trying to conceive. Right about the time they decided to take a break from the fertility treatments her dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer which is how Sienna ended up in Wyoming. Now on top of all that Sienna has discovered a lump in her right breast. She grew up being told that her mother died from breast cancer when Sienna was only 2 years old. Sienna chooses to keep her diagnosis to herself but wants to find out more about her mother's cancer, however her dad doesn't want to talk about it.
Growing up Sienna received letters from her mom on significant birthdays and events, but didn't receive one on this birthday--her 25th. Her estranged husband seems to think the letters weren't written by her mother and she starts to wonder about it when she can't find anything about her mother in her dad's papers--not even a death certificate. After undergoing a lumpectomy she follows some leads which takes her to Canada, trying to find the truth about her mother's death.
I've read almost everything by Josi Kilpack and decided to read these new ones released under her pen name, Jessica Pack, but I have mixed feelings about this particular one. I found the story really interesting but found myself not really liking the character of Sienna most of the time. She doesn't let anyone help her with anything which is how she ends up in a hospital in Canada with a massive infection from her lumpectomy.
I'm not sure how I feel about her dad, Mark or his mom Diane (Dee). I know they thought they were doing what was best for Sienna when everything happened, but feel she should have been told the truth when she was older--maybe a little at a time as she grew up. Not everything at once which is how she finally found out the truth.
I liked that the chapters switch between Sienna and Mark's (her dad) point of view. Sienna's are in the present and Mark's are from the past so the reader gets the backstory that Sienna doesn't know yet. I would like to have had chapter from Mark that takes place in the present after Sienna discovered the truth about her mother. This is an interesting family mystery which turned out very different than how I imagined it would end. A couple of twists I didn't think of and a major one at the end.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Growing up Sienna received letters from her mom on significant birthdays and events, but didn't receive one on this birthday--her 25th. Her estranged husband seems to think the letters weren't written by her mother and she starts to wonder about it when she can't find anything about her mother in her dad's papers--not even a death certificate. After undergoing a lumpectomy she follows some leads which takes her to Canada, trying to find the truth about her mother's death.
I've read almost everything by Josi Kilpack and decided to read these new ones released under her pen name, Jessica Pack, but I have mixed feelings about this particular one. I found the story really interesting but found myself not really liking the character of Sienna most of the time. She doesn't let anyone help her with anything which is how she ends up in a hospital in Canada with a massive infection from her lumpectomy.
I'm not sure how I feel about her dad, Mark or his mom Diane (Dee). I know they thought they were doing what was best for Sienna when everything happened, but feel she should have been told the truth when she was older--maybe a little at a time as she grew up. Not everything at once which is how she finally found out the truth.
I liked that the chapters switch between Sienna and Mark's (her dad) point of view. Sienna's are in the present and Mark's are from the past so the reader gets the backstory that Sienna doesn't know yet. I would like to have had chapter from Mark that takes place in the present after Sienna discovered the truth about her mother. This is an interesting family mystery which turned out very different than how I imagined it would end. A couple of twists I didn't think of and a major one at the end.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
June 9, 2019
First off I have to say that this book won't be for everyone. Secondly, once I started reading it, I couldn't set it down. I haven't stayed up reading all night in a long time. But I did that with this book. It was an emotional roller coaster for me. I had a couple times where I had some slow tears coming out and other times when I ugly cried. I laughed a couple different times and I sighed a couple times.
This book is definitely women's fiction. If you're looking for a sweet romance, a happy and light read, this is not really that book. But if you're looking for a book that makes you think about life and relationships, then this is definitely that book.
This isn't really a book where I feel like I can say much as far as a review goes. There are so many aspects of it that if I start writing any little details, I'm afraid that I'll spoil it. And I really don't want to spoil it for you. The book is written mainly in Sienna's point of view. But there are a couple chapters where it breaks from that and is written from a couple other characters' view points.
This book looks at several topics that can be sensitive to those who have experienced them in their own lives. I felt like the emotions of those situations were well written through the characters' perspective and feelings. The sorrow and pain from their struggles and desires were hard to read about at some points. But then it was hard to not continue on and find resolution through the story.
I kept hoping for certain things to happen. Some did and some did not happen as I'd hoped. There are parts of the story that I wasn't expecting. But I went on a journey with Sienna and her family and was glad to find that my hope was worth having.
Content: Sensitive topics such as infertility, cancer, drug use. There is also some mild swearing, mild innuendos and a couple scenes of intimate relations outside of marriage but no details.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
This book is definitely women's fiction. If you're looking for a sweet romance, a happy and light read, this is not really that book. But if you're looking for a book that makes you think about life and relationships, then this is definitely that book.
This isn't really a book where I feel like I can say much as far as a review goes. There are so many aspects of it that if I start writing any little details, I'm afraid that I'll spoil it. And I really don't want to spoil it for you. The book is written mainly in Sienna's point of view. But there are a couple chapters where it breaks from that and is written from a couple other characters' view points.
This book looks at several topics that can be sensitive to those who have experienced them in their own lives. I felt like the emotions of those situations were well written through the characters' perspective and feelings. The sorrow and pain from their struggles and desires were hard to read about at some points. But then it was hard to not continue on and find resolution through the story.
I kept hoping for certain things to happen. Some did and some did not happen as I'd hoped. There are parts of the story that I wasn't expecting. But I went on a journey with Sienna and her family and was glad to find that my hope was worth having.
Content: Sensitive topics such as infertility, cancer, drug use. There is also some mild swearing, mild innuendos and a couple scenes of intimate relations outside of marriage but no details.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
May 25, 2019
Facing a serious health crisis, Sienna decides to ask questions about her mother, who died when she was only two years old, but discovers startling inconsistencies that lead her to dig deeper, finding a complex web of lies.
Marriage is challenging, but when combined with infertility, an overseas job, possible cancer, and other stresses, the breaking point for all of it can be achieved without much effort. My heart went out to Sienna, who tries to be strong and face everything pressing in on her alone. I could feel her desperate need for answers and thought the way the chapters went back and forth between past and present was a clever way to divulge the truth.
This tangled web of deception was interesting to watch unfold and really made me think about the impacts of family relationship and identity. Sienna's relationships are all complicated in one way or another and watching her sort out her connections with others, as well as the mystery surrounding her mother was satisfying. I enjoyed this one and thought it was well done, but wanted the vague threads of the story to have more resolution.
Content: moderate romance (affairs, innuendo, implied intimate relations); mild+ descriptions of drug use; moderate language
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Marriage is challenging, but when combined with infertility, an overseas job, possible cancer, and other stresses, the breaking point for all of it can be achieved without much effort. My heart went out to Sienna, who tries to be strong and face everything pressing in on her alone. I could feel her desperate need for answers and thought the way the chapters went back and forth between past and present was a clever way to divulge the truth.
This tangled web of deception was interesting to watch unfold and really made me think about the impacts of family relationship and identity. Sienna's relationships are all complicated in one way or another and watching her sort out her connections with others, as well as the mystery surrounding her mother was satisfying. I enjoyed this one and thought it was well done, but wanted the vague threads of the story to have more resolution.
Content: moderate romance (affairs, innuendo, implied intimate relations); mild+ descriptions of drug use; moderate language
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
April 28, 2019
Whatever It Takes has an intriguing premise behind it. But I failed to connect to the main character and found much of her actions and thoughts frustrating. I finished it cause I wanted to find out the mom's story, but getting there wasn't a journey I enjoyed.
There were some parts I can't be mad at, but overall this book wasn't for me.
*Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 2/5 stars
There were some parts I can't be mad at, but overall this book wasn't for me.
*Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 2/5 stars
March 31, 2019
I received a copy from Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At 25-years-old, Sienna has found herself in the slump of all slumps. She was unable to conceive, her marriage is failing, and she’s been living with her dad for the last year. Just to top things off, she’s now facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Sienna is not ready to share her cancer scare with anyone, but she does want to find out more about her mom, who died from breast cancer when she was kid… or did she? Her dad clams up when questioned, her husband reveals he thinks the milestone letters her mom left behind are bogus, and she can’t find any information about her mom across her dad’s home. Watch Sienna battle the sea of lies that begins to stack up between her and her dad as she investigates the truth about her maternal lineage.
I had a difficult time getting into the story because I felt like I never really got to know Sienna. It’s a shame because it is an interesting story with a good plot, but I felt like Sienna was closed off from us, the readers, even though she is the primary narrator of the story. She holds her cards close to her chest and runs away from her problems, but I just couldn’t get a hold on her because it seemed like part of her was hiding even from her own narrating. That said, I really do feel for her. Between the startling cancer diagnosis and discovering that her family lied to her about her mother, she was under a tremendous amount of shock and stress from beginning to end.
I loved the rotating narrators, but I wish that there were more chapters told from Mark and Grandma Dee’s perspective. I liked their chapters because they gave me more insight on who they were as people and what began the lies about Sienna’s mother and the fake letters. It would’ve been cool if there was a chapter or two from Mark in the present to see him trying to deal with the aftermath of Sienna questioning him.
I had an idea about where Sienna’s mother was and why her family lied to her about it, but it was still interesting to watch the story unfold. The truth was a little different than I thought it was going to be and then there was a twist on top of that, which left me surprised. What a reveal! I am a bit shocked that the big conversation between Sienna and Mark was cut off. We already knew both sides of the story at that point, but that conversation was important, and it cut off and jumped to a few months later. It’s sad that we only got to see part of this conversation, bringing an end to Sienna’s journey, only to skip ahead to the aftermath.
I do recommend this book because it’s fun to watch the story unfold and see how the characters interact with each other. Plus, it’s got a great plot. I’m a sucker for family mysteries like this, which is what drew me to the book. There are a few misses, but overall, the story is a good one.
At 25-years-old, Sienna has found herself in the slump of all slumps. She was unable to conceive, her marriage is failing, and she’s been living with her dad for the last year. Just to top things off, she’s now facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Sienna is not ready to share her cancer scare with anyone, but she does want to find out more about her mom, who died from breast cancer when she was kid… or did she? Her dad clams up when questioned, her husband reveals he thinks the milestone letters her mom left behind are bogus, and she can’t find any information about her mom across her dad’s home. Watch Sienna battle the sea of lies that begins to stack up between her and her dad as she investigates the truth about her maternal lineage.
I had a difficult time getting into the story because I felt like I never really got to know Sienna. It’s a shame because it is an interesting story with a good plot, but I felt like Sienna was closed off from us, the readers, even though she is the primary narrator of the story. She holds her cards close to her chest and runs away from her problems, but I just couldn’t get a hold on her because it seemed like part of her was hiding even from her own narrating. That said, I really do feel for her. Between the startling cancer diagnosis and discovering that her family lied to her about her mother, she was under a tremendous amount of shock and stress from beginning to end.
I loved the rotating narrators, but I wish that there were more chapters told from Mark and Grandma Dee’s perspective. I liked their chapters because they gave me more insight on who they were as people and what began the lies about Sienna’s mother and the fake letters. It would’ve been cool if there was a chapter or two from Mark in the present to see him trying to deal with the aftermath of Sienna questioning him.
I had an idea about where Sienna’s mother was and why her family lied to her about it, but it was still interesting to watch the story unfold. The truth was a little different than I thought it was going to be and then there was a twist on top of that, which left me surprised. What a reveal! I am a bit shocked that the big conversation between Sienna and Mark was cut off. We already knew both sides of the story at that point, but that conversation was important, and it cut off and jumped to a few months later. It’s sad that we only got to see part of this conversation, bringing an end to Sienna’s journey, only to skip ahead to the aftermath.
I do recommend this book because it’s fun to watch the story unfold and see how the characters interact with each other. Plus, it’s got a great plot. I’m a sucker for family mysteries like this, which is what drew me to the book. There are a few misses, but overall, the story is a good one.
May 28, 2019
This book wasn't what I'd expected it to be and I freely admit I didn't read the blurb because this author (also known as Josi Kilpack) is an auto yes for me. That's why this whole book came as a surprise. But honestly, I like it that way with the books from authors I have read for so long and know I enjoy.
This story was full of trouble and difficult things. It was hard to find the light, the positive, and the hope to hold on to. As a reader, I don't mind hard things but I am always looking for the hopeful thread that will carry me through. It was hard to find that in this book. The other thing I am always looking for is the emotional connections to the characters. I really didn't get that in this book. Sienna is an expert at blocking people out and I felt that strongly. It felt as though I was blocked out as well. I definitely had compassion for the many, many hard things Sienna was facing but found myself constantly frustrated by her too. I had a harder time with this book.
It is so interesting to me how we, as people, so inherently want to know who we are and where we come from. There is an instinct deep within us that craves that foundation of knowing who our people are. I think this book really brings those achings to life. I liked the constant surprises in the plot in this book. I was guessing all along at what I thought was happening or where things were going and I wasn't always right. I like plot surprises. Even though I didn't love this book as much as others by this author, I'll still be coming back for more.
Content: swearing, drug use, death, infertility, cancer, intimate relations outside of marriage with no details.
This story was full of trouble and difficult things. It was hard to find the light, the positive, and the hope to hold on to. As a reader, I don't mind hard things but I am always looking for the hopeful thread that will carry me through. It was hard to find that in this book. The other thing I am always looking for is the emotional connections to the characters. I really didn't get that in this book. Sienna is an expert at blocking people out and I felt that strongly. It felt as though I was blocked out as well. I definitely had compassion for the many, many hard things Sienna was facing but found myself constantly frustrated by her too. I had a harder time with this book.
It is so interesting to me how we, as people, so inherently want to know who we are and where we come from. There is an instinct deep within us that craves that foundation of knowing who our people are. I think this book really brings those achings to life. I liked the constant surprises in the plot in this book. I was guessing all along at what I thought was happening or where things were going and I wasn't always right. I like plot surprises. Even though I didn't love this book as much as others by this author, I'll still be coming back for more.
Content: swearing, drug use, death, infertility, cancer, intimate relations outside of marriage with no details.
June 14, 2019
This is one powerful story. I absolutely loved it. Without giving anything away, I was stunned at the turn of events for Sienna. Sienna is diagnosed with breast cancer and tries to find out the details of her deceased mother's cancer. All while uncovering secrets that have been long buried. I enjoyed so many things about this book. This is another extremely well written book by Jessica Pack.
Content: drug use, some language (wasn't offensive to me)
Content: drug use, some language (wasn't offensive to me)
March 31, 2019
Title: Whatever it Takes
Author: Jessica Park
Pages: 352
Genre: Adult Fiction, Slice of Life
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
This is an Advanced Readers Copy. That means that this is not the final version of the book therefore some facts and quotes are subject to change in the published book. I snagged an arc of this book from Netgalley.
This novel follow Sienna Chadwick, a 25 year old who has just been told she might have cancer. Her whole life falls apart as she remembers that her mom also had breast cancer, or did she? We follow Sienna as she thinks back on her life and about all of the things she has overlooked starting with her mom and her complicated relationship with her husband. I rated this book with 2 out of 5 stars because this is mainly a descriptive novel which failed to hold me attention.
Oh No's
Holy information dump. Why do I care about the entire history of these characters? I literally skimmed the entire book it feels. She had a five page monologue walking past pictures frames and reminiscing about her life. This book is 90% description and 10% dialogue.
This story is not about finding out the secret of her mother or the fact that she has breast cancer. This story is about Sienna and her inability to listen to anyone but herself.
The multiple perspectives felt so random. I felt the point of view of her father and mother were not needed except for that ending scene.
Yay's
I loved learning about the mother. But, Sienna does not begin her search for her mother until at least halfway through the novel. As I said, this novel mainly focuses on Sienna and her thinking back on her life. When she finally begins to take action and research her mother.
Author: Jessica Park
Pages: 352
Genre: Adult Fiction, Slice of Life
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
This is an Advanced Readers Copy. That means that this is not the final version of the book therefore some facts and quotes are subject to change in the published book. I snagged an arc of this book from Netgalley.
This novel follow Sienna Chadwick, a 25 year old who has just been told she might have cancer. Her whole life falls apart as she remembers that her mom also had breast cancer, or did she? We follow Sienna as she thinks back on her life and about all of the things she has overlooked starting with her mom and her complicated relationship with her husband. I rated this book with 2 out of 5 stars because this is mainly a descriptive novel which failed to hold me attention.
Oh No's
Holy information dump. Why do I care about the entire history of these characters? I literally skimmed the entire book it feels. She had a five page monologue walking past pictures frames and reminiscing about her life. This book is 90% description and 10% dialogue.
This story is not about finding out the secret of her mother or the fact that she has breast cancer. This story is about Sienna and her inability to listen to anyone but herself.
The multiple perspectives felt so random. I felt the point of view of her father and mother were not needed except for that ending scene.
Yay's
I loved learning about the mother. But, Sienna does not begin her search for her mother until at least halfway through the novel. As I said, this novel mainly focuses on Sienna and her thinking back on her life. When she finally begins to take action and research her mother.
July 27, 2019
DNF'd I could not click with this book at all. I recieved this from Netgalley in exchange for review but I just couldn't get into it and there is so many other books I would like to read.
May 12, 2019
Initially, I was afraid to read this book. The first chapter is all about one of my greatest fears, doctors offices and receiving a devastating health diagnosis. However, after reading the plot of the story, I was intrigued and decided to read it anyway. I am so glad I did. It was not at all what I expected it to be. I expected a devastating story about a person who is going through cancer, and how awful that must be. (which is why I was hesitant to read it in the first place). While the book is still a heartbreaking story, it has a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
Sienna has gone through her life thinking her mother died of breast cancer when she was just a young girl. However, as she receives a diagnosis herself, and tries to dig to learn about her family medical history, she ends up with more questions then answers regarding her past. This book takes you through a few different perspectives, so you can truly see things through different characters eyes. While you don't really get down to the core of Sienna, you do learn about her internal struggles, and her thought process throughout it all is very relateable.
This is a solid book, and worth reading. It does contain mild language.
*I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sienna has gone through her life thinking her mother died of breast cancer when she was just a young girl. However, as she receives a diagnosis herself, and tries to dig to learn about her family medical history, she ends up with more questions then answers regarding her past. This book takes you through a few different perspectives, so you can truly see things through different characters eyes. While you don't really get down to the core of Sienna, you do learn about her internal struggles, and her thought process throughout it all is very relateable.
This is a solid book, and worth reading. It does contain mild language.
*I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2019
This book really touched me. I loved the way it made me think. There was so many great things about it. I do want to make sure you know that this one is not squeaky clean. It’d probably be rated PG-13 pretty much for thematic elements. There are a few words, but nothing terrible.
I loved Sienna. For me, she was a character who I was able to relate to. She seems to be down to earth. But she keeps too much to herself. She’s home in Wyoming staying with her dad on the ranch she grew up on. And she’s found a lump. Sienna doesn’t want to tell her family about it because her mom died from breast cancer when Sienna was small. So she keeps it from everyone around her, until she could no longer keep it.
Most of the story is from Sienna’s point of view. There are a few chapters with her dad’s point of view and one or two from her grandma’s. I loved the way the author did that. It let the reader know just enough to be able to understand what went out in the past. But not too much to reveal anything too early.
The plot of this one is great. I loved the way the reader learns things as Sienna does and kind of moves with her through the plot. I’m still thinking of the ending. And I’m wondering what happens with Sienna and her family after the story. I’d really like to know. Maybe Jessica Pack can help me with this!
I loved Sienna. For me, she was a character who I was able to relate to. She seems to be down to earth. But she keeps too much to herself. She’s home in Wyoming staying with her dad on the ranch she grew up on. And she’s found a lump. Sienna doesn’t want to tell her family about it because her mom died from breast cancer when Sienna was small. So she keeps it from everyone around her, until she could no longer keep it.
Most of the story is from Sienna’s point of view. There are a few chapters with her dad’s point of view and one or two from her grandma’s. I loved the way the author did that. It let the reader know just enough to be able to understand what went out in the past. But not too much to reveal anything too early.
The plot of this one is great. I loved the way the reader learns things as Sienna does and kind of moves with her through the plot. I’m still thinking of the ending. And I’m wondering what happens with Sienna and her family after the story. I’d really like to know. Maybe Jessica Pack can help me with this!
May 15, 2019
Sienna's health crisis- breast cancer at age 25- propels her to look further into her mother, who she has always believed died of the same disease at a similarly young age. Her husband, Tyson, from whom she is geographically estranged (he's in London and she's helping her father with his ranch), thinks there's more to the story of her mother. Her quest for the truth tears at her assumptions. This is well written but it's got a mix of themes going. Thanks to net galley for the ARC.
May 12, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this novel. I loved the cover and loved the book. I felt the fear we all might when we have a health scare, think we know our history and find out that might not be the case. Girls have complicated relationships with their moms, but when you lose them young, you have to rely on what they might have left behind, and what others tell you. This story has well developed characters and the plot was intriguing.
June 1, 2019
Whatever it Takes by Jessica Pack is a tragically beautiful story about a young women trying to find her place in life. It’s about a family that is built upon love, but also lies. Lies used to protect. It’s about dealing with a health crisis and going on a journey to find a birth mother, discovering truths, and learning to still love and forgive. This story is inspiring and heart-wrenching all at the same time. It is filled with the hard pieces of life and full of strong emotions. Readers will be hurt and touched as they fall into this story and come to know and love its characters.
Genre: contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: May 28, 2019
Number of pages: 352
A review copy of this book was provided by the author via her street team. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: May 28, 2019
Number of pages: 352
A review copy of this book was provided by the author via her street team. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
May 14, 2019
She tackles dysfunctional secrets in a complex family dynamic. It's not angry or jaded but clear, and kind. We need more books that delicately portray the human side of loving.
April 27, 2019
This book had the opportunity to be really emotional and heartbreaking but way too much happened to really coerce a clear emotion from the reader.
When the book begins, one would think the story would be based on a young woman reconnecting with the memories of her mother who passed from breast cancer, which she is fearing she herself has. This would have been a beautiful plot if the author had truly committed to it. Instead, the story is forced into a twisty mystery that loses sight of the initial plot it began with and loses the reader at the same time. The strong admiration I had for the father ended up dissipating as so many other things occurred that took him away from your focus. When the author tries circling back to the father/daughter relationship at the end, it was already too late and I felt zero empathy for either of them. Lies were told that weren't even warranted and respect that was initially seen seemed weak.
One thing that also rang true for me throughout the entire book was my lack of sympathy for Sienna, the main character. At only 25, I did not put any belief into the strength of her knowledge or the maturity of any of her decisions. The fact that she almost never once could put her own health first without someone forcing her too was just ignorance and being plain selfish. She was not very likable in general. Also, I don't have the least bit of understanding why a past boyfriend was brought up in the first 20 pages, making the reader think there was going to be some sort of rebound or at least personal growth in a relationship sense and then he was mentioned in passing just once more in the remainder of the book. It was like there were subplots thrown against a wall, hoping once would stick and the ones that did just shouldn't have.
Luckily this was a quick read but I just can't help but think the author just tried too hard to make the reader keep guessing when there was no need to. Stick to the basics and create good, strong characters that readers can relate to.
When the book begins, one would think the story would be based on a young woman reconnecting with the memories of her mother who passed from breast cancer, which she is fearing she herself has. This would have been a beautiful plot if the author had truly committed to it. Instead, the story is forced into a twisty mystery that loses sight of the initial plot it began with and loses the reader at the same time. The strong admiration I had for the father ended up dissipating as so many other things occurred that took him away from your focus. When the author tries circling back to the father/daughter relationship at the end, it was already too late and I felt zero empathy for either of them. Lies were told that weren't even warranted and respect that was initially seen seemed weak.
One thing that also rang true for me throughout the entire book was my lack of sympathy for Sienna, the main character. At only 25, I did not put any belief into the strength of her knowledge or the maturity of any of her decisions. The fact that she almost never once could put her own health first without someone forcing her too was just ignorance and being plain selfish. She was not very likable in general. Also, I don't have the least bit of understanding why a past boyfriend was brought up in the first 20 pages, making the reader think there was going to be some sort of rebound or at least personal growth in a relationship sense and then he was mentioned in passing just once more in the remainder of the book. It was like there were subplots thrown against a wall, hoping once would stick and the ones that did just shouldn't have.
Luckily this was a quick read but I just can't help but think the author just tried too hard to make the reader keep guessing when there was no need to. Stick to the basics and create good, strong characters that readers can relate to.
April 7, 2019
This book was really good! I loved the author's style and I was immediately drawn into the story. It was an emotional story that completely surprised me at the end. I look forward to reading more from Jessica Pack in the future.
September 17, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of “Whatever it Takes” by Jessica Pack.
3*
How can you reconcile your life when it turns out to be untrue?
Sienna’s story is one of grief, sorrow and layered with lies she believed her entire life. This story is full of raw emotion. Sienna grew up without a mother and it seems the storybook love story her father told her isn’t true. Secrets, even with the best intentions of protecting the ones we love can tear us apart..
3*
How can you reconcile your life when it turns out to be untrue?
Sienna’s story is one of grief, sorrow and layered with lies she believed her entire life. This story is full of raw emotion. Sienna grew up without a mother and it seems the storybook love story her father told her isn’t true. Secrets, even with the best intentions of protecting the ones we love can tear us apart..
February 14, 2019
Thanks so much for the ARC Jessica Pack! You always do a great job of weaving a story and delving into challenging topics. Although this was a heavier read for me, I loved how this Sienna gains a whole new perspective through her trials.
July 1, 2019
3.5 stars. Mystery might be a bit of a stretch; it's more like a suspenseful realistic fiction.
I really like how this book showed one way that the past is hugely relevant: medical history. The protagonist is facing all of her challenges because of her own medical condition and the holes that she's trying to fill in her medical history. I also really liked the way the relationships played out because the author did not try to make anyone out to be a hero or a martyr--she showed a lot of people trying their best and making mistakes that hurt other people, and a lot of hurt people working their way through things but not always into a "happily ever after." It felt like a really authentic look at the way secrets can destroy relationships but also at different ways people can choose to deal with the fallout of secrets.
I really like how this book showed one way that the past is hugely relevant: medical history. The protagonist is facing all of her challenges because of her own medical condition and the holes that she's trying to fill in her medical history. I also really liked the way the relationships played out because the author did not try to make anyone out to be a hero or a martyr--she showed a lot of people trying their best and making mistakes that hurt other people, and a lot of hurt people working their way through things but not always into a "happily ever after." It felt like a really authentic look at the way secrets can destroy relationships but also at different ways people can choose to deal with the fallout of secrets.
April 2, 2019
Sienna and her husband of 5 years have lived apart for the past 6 months. He is working in London - she is helping her father at his ranch in Wyoming.
Sienna finds out that she has breast cancer. She is only 25, but had been told that her mother died from breast cancer at 23. Regardless, Sienna puts off a biopsy and then puts off her next visits. Eventually she tells her husband and he flies in from London to be there for her operation - a lumpectomy. I suppose the fact that she waited too long to tell her dad had to do with him having had cancer, too. Sienna was needed on the ranch! Her father had been her only real support all of her life. She lies to him that she is just seeing her husband, Tyson, instead of telling her dad about the surgery. Tyson had been there for her the week after her surgery. I have been disgusted with Sienna all along! She does what SHE wants and does not think about anyone else's feelings.
Yet, NOW Sienna, not recovered - most likely seems to have a rip roaring infection - also has put off any further treatment to an incision from the surgery that is out of control. She HAS to know more about her mother and eventually goes to Ontario to find any information she can. It turns out not to be a good idea - mentally and certainly not in the physical shape she finds herself in.
The story revs up as we, the readers, find out more about Sienna's mother and more about Sienna and her father. This is a saving glory for the book! I found it to be a fast read and enjoyed it once certain drawn out (the letters) parts were over.
A fast OK read!
Many Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.
Sienna finds out that she has breast cancer. She is only 25, but had been told that her mother died from breast cancer at 23. Regardless, Sienna puts off a biopsy and then puts off her next visits. Eventually she tells her husband and he flies in from London to be there for her operation - a lumpectomy. I suppose the fact that she waited too long to tell her dad had to do with him having had cancer, too. Sienna was needed on the ranch! Her father had been her only real support all of her life. She lies to him that she is just seeing her husband, Tyson, instead of telling her dad about the surgery. Tyson had been there for her the week after her surgery. I have been disgusted with Sienna all along! She does what SHE wants and does not think about anyone else's feelings.
Yet, NOW Sienna, not recovered - most likely seems to have a rip roaring infection - also has put off any further treatment to an incision from the surgery that is out of control. She HAS to know more about her mother and eventually goes to Ontario to find any information she can. It turns out not to be a good idea - mentally and certainly not in the physical shape she finds herself in.
The story revs up as we, the readers, find out more about Sienna's mother and more about Sienna and her father. This is a saving glory for the book! I found it to be a fast read and enjoyed it once certain drawn out (the letters) parts were over.
A fast OK read!
Many Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.
June 25, 2019
After Jessica Pack's last book I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. The story was interesting and has some twists and turns but I was rather disappointed. Sienna was a hard character for me to root for even with so much turmoil happening to her. I loved the authors description of ranch life in Wyoming but everything else fell flat.
May 30, 2019
Whatever it Takes by Jessica Pack kept me on my toes. I was surprised about how this book ended. This book would be a great book club read because it has many topics to discuss. I am not sure how I feel about the ending. I think this book brings up good ethical questions and makes us think about how we would respond to life situations. This is an easy read. I would recommend this book if you like mystery/suspense type reads. I was given this book for free for a honest review.
June 8, 2019
Whatever It Takes by Jessica Pack is a recommended story about relationships, a health crisis, lies, and seeking answers.
Sienna Chadwick, 25, is estranged from her husband, Tyson, and living on the family ranch with her father, Mark, when she finds a lump in her breast and is facing a cancer diagnosis. She refuses to tell anyone about it. She does question her father about her mother's cancer. Sienna has always been told that her mother died from breast cancer when she was a toddler. Her father, Mark, however, is evasive about the details of her mother's death and Sienna is wondering why there are all these gaps in her knowledge of her mom. She doesn't want to push her father, who is recovering from his prostate cancer, but clearly there should be more information about her. All she has is the stories her dad tells and the letters that were supposedly written by her mother for Mark to give to their daughter on certain big moments and times of Sienna's life. Tyson, who is living in London, learns about her cancer and returns to Wyoming to help.
The story is mostly through Sienna's voice, with a few chapters from Mark, her father, and her grandmother's point-of-view. Some of the letters that are supposed to be from Sienna's mother are interspersed between chapters. Whatever It Takes is an okay way to pass some time but is nothing special. The problem is it is poorly plotted/imagined. The narrative starts out with an immature young woman facing a health crisis via denial until she is forced to deal with it. She refuses to do the mature thing and tell people about it. Hiding it seems nonsensical and, quite frankly, a bit ridiculous. Sienna is not a very appealing young woman and the constant introspection included after or before all the dialogue, does not make her any more appealing. Then the whole story morphs into a mystery about who was Sienna's mother. I'm sure the breast cancer was a way to have Sienna ask about her mother's cancer in the plot, but to be realistic, she could/should have asked about it anyway for a family medical history.
I'm recommending the novel because once it commits to being a mystery, it is more interesting. The twisty ending helped.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/0...
Sienna Chadwick, 25, is estranged from her husband, Tyson, and living on the family ranch with her father, Mark, when she finds a lump in her breast and is facing a cancer diagnosis. She refuses to tell anyone about it. She does question her father about her mother's cancer. Sienna has always been told that her mother died from breast cancer when she was a toddler. Her father, Mark, however, is evasive about the details of her mother's death and Sienna is wondering why there are all these gaps in her knowledge of her mom. She doesn't want to push her father, who is recovering from his prostate cancer, but clearly there should be more information about her. All she has is the stories her dad tells and the letters that were supposedly written by her mother for Mark to give to their daughter on certain big moments and times of Sienna's life. Tyson, who is living in London, learns about her cancer and returns to Wyoming to help.
The story is mostly through Sienna's voice, with a few chapters from Mark, her father, and her grandmother's point-of-view. Some of the letters that are supposed to be from Sienna's mother are interspersed between chapters. Whatever It Takes is an okay way to pass some time but is nothing special. The problem is it is poorly plotted/imagined. The narrative starts out with an immature young woman facing a health crisis via denial until she is forced to deal with it. She refuses to do the mature thing and tell people about it. Hiding it seems nonsensical and, quite frankly, a bit ridiculous. Sienna is not a very appealing young woman and the constant introspection included after or before all the dialogue, does not make her any more appealing. Then the whole story morphs into a mystery about who was Sienna's mother. I'm sure the breast cancer was a way to have Sienna ask about her mother's cancer in the plot, but to be realistic, she could/should have asked about it anyway for a family medical history.
I'm recommending the novel because once it commits to being a mystery, it is more interesting. The twisty ending helped.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/0...
November 1, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The characters everything in this book kept me guessing on what happened. It was cool to see it all come together
Sienna was married at a young age. Her and her husband Tyson had a hard time having kids. They ended up trying for IVF but it failed. Their marriage took them both to different areas one to Chicago and one to London. Will they save their marriage?
When Sienna needed Tyson he was there for her and she realized why she fell for him all those years earlier. I always thought they’d end up staying together!(; but I guess they had their own problem to figure out.
Sienna right before her birthday got devastating news. And couldn’t come to terms to tell her dad she had cancer. She was always told her mom dies of cancer. But was that true? Her father also had cancer but he ended up covering from that.
In the end Sienna learned who her mom really was. And what happened to her mother. She learned that her family were all had “addictions, violence and emotional disconnections” but she is grateful for her father who raised her to have a better life. Even if it hurt her.
I liked this book that I’m glad I was able to read one of my favorite authors pen name book. I rated it a 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sienna was married at a young age. Her and her husband Tyson had a hard time having kids. They ended up trying for IVF but it failed. Their marriage took them both to different areas one to Chicago and one to London. Will they save their marriage?
When Sienna needed Tyson he was there for her and she realized why she fell for him all those years earlier. I always thought they’d end up staying together!(; but I guess they had their own problem to figure out.
Sienna right before her birthday got devastating news. And couldn’t come to terms to tell her dad she had cancer. She was always told her mom dies of cancer. But was that true? Her father also had cancer but he ended up covering from that.
In the end Sienna learned who her mom really was. And what happened to her mother. She learned that her family were all had “addictions, violence and emotional disconnections” but she is grateful for her father who raised her to have a better life. Even if it hurt her.
I liked this book that I’m glad I was able to read one of my favorite authors pen name book. I rated it a 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 26, 2019
I got this book via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
It wouldn't be as bad as it was if every character hadn't been as stupid as they were.
The main character, Sienna, has breast cancer. She doesn't tell her family or loved ones for a long time, then proceeds to skip treatment for weeks and every time someone calls her out on it she gets really defensive and starts pulling weak excuses out of her ass. Sweetie I'm so sorry you aren't ready to tell your family and friends you have cancer but are you more ready to fucking die???????
I had A LOT of issues with this, but the "doing anything for your family" rethoric leads to murdering a family member struggling with addiction (who had been clean for two weeks for the first time in their life). AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHALLENGED!!! What. The fuck.
The rest of the book (character development, plot, writing style) was average at best. Although the plot twists were good, the rest of the book doesn't hold up on its own.
It wouldn't be as bad as it was if every character hadn't been as stupid as they were.
The main character, Sienna, has breast cancer. She doesn't tell her family or loved ones for a long time, then proceeds to skip treatment for weeks and every time someone calls her out on it she gets really defensive and starts pulling weak excuses out of her ass. Sweetie I'm so sorry you aren't ready to tell your family and friends you have cancer but are you more ready to fucking die???????
I had A LOT of issues with this, but the "doing anything for your family" rethoric leads to murdering a family member struggling with addiction (who had been clean for two weeks for the first time in their life). AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHALLENGED!!! What. The fuck.
The rest of the book (character development, plot, writing style) was average at best. Although the plot twists were good, the rest of the book doesn't hold up on its own.
January 12, 2020
This slow-paced novel depicts life on a ranch outside Cheyenne, Wyoming. It's a quiet and relatively thorough study of a woman who has managed to estrange herself from both her husband and her sole surviving parent.
The action shifts back and forth from the present day, i.e. roughly 2019, back to the mid-1990s when the main character was an infant growing up in urban Ontario with a mother she will lose long before she ever comes to know her.
The novel provides interesting insights into the differing perspectives of parents and their children, and it presents some surprising twists and turns along the way, which give the child new perspectives on what had previously seemed to her to be manipulative and traitorous behavior on the part of her father and anger or perhaps indifference on the part of her grandmother.
The novel is well written, with passages of great beauty scattered here and there throughout.
The action shifts back and forth from the present day, i.e. roughly 2019, back to the mid-1990s when the main character was an infant growing up in urban Ontario with a mother she will lose long before she ever comes to know her.
The novel provides interesting insights into the differing perspectives of parents and their children, and it presents some surprising twists and turns along the way, which give the child new perspectives on what had previously seemed to her to be manipulative and traitorous behavior on the part of her father and anger or perhaps indifference on the part of her grandmother.
The novel is well written, with passages of great beauty scattered here and there throughout.
August 21, 2025
This book was a tough one to rate. On one hand, the mystery behind the things going on in Sienna’s (main character) life kept me flipping pages to the point where I finished the book in three days. On the other hand, Sienna is a deeply unlikable character, the ending leaves something to be desired, and sometimes random details the author added in that were not truly relevant to the story made my eyebrows shoot way into my hairline (i.e. a middle eastern man can only be a terrorist or a man with four kids who works at a call center to Sienna). Overall it kept me interested but it’s not something I’d ever recommend to anyone. You can go ahead and skip it.
May 30, 2019
Jessica Pack (aka Josi Kilpack) delivers another amazing novel! Sienna's story kept me guessing and guessing up until the very end. Not knowing what happened with her life was driving me crazy, let alone how it would make a character like Sienna feel. Pack delivers a poignant message about the love a parent has for a child and what a parent will do for their child. She also highlights on the mistakes that love sometimes causes us to make. Overall, this was another brilliant novel by Jessica Pack and one I will be thinking for some time.
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the eARC!
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the eARC!
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