In Search of Us

In Search of Us follows two parallel narratives set seventeen years apart. The story alternates between Marilyn, a white teenager in Los Angeles in 1999, and her biracial daughter Angie in 2017. Marilyn's storyline traces her life as an aspiring photographer living with her controlling mother, until she meets and falls in love with James, a Black musician. Angie's narrative follows her quest to uncover the truth about her father James, whom she never knew. Mother and daughter's stories mirror each other as they navigate first love, identity, and family secrets in Los Angeles. Their dual perspectives reveal how the choices of one generation ripple into the next. The novel explores themes of racial identity, inherited trauma, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Through its interlinked timelines, it examines how our understanding of both ourselves and our parents evolves as we grow up.

Readers find the parallel storylines between mother and daughter compelling, with many noting the authentic portrayal of first love and family relationships. The shifting timelines between 1990s Los Angeles and present day help build tension and emotional depth. Readers appreciate: - Complex portrayal of race, identity, and belonging - Strong character development, especially Marilyn and Angie - Realistic mother-daughter dynamics - Photography themes woven throughout Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in early chapters - Some plot points feel predictable - Secondary characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (80+ ratings) From reader reviews: "The mother-daughter perspectives complement each other perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going but worth pushing through" - Amazon reviewer "Captures the messiness of family secrets and teenage emotion" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson This dual-timeline narrative follows twins navigating art, love, and family secrets, mirroring the parallel mother-daughter storylines in Dellaira's work.

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway Three adopted siblings search for their birth parents and identities while uncovering family truths, echoing the themes of parenthood and self-discovery.

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen A daughter processes grief over her father's death while discovering new relationships, connecting to the maternal bonds and loss explored in In Search of Us.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng The story unfolds through multiple perspectives as a mixed-race family confronts their past and secrets, exploring similar themes of identity and racial dynamics.

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan A biracial teenager explores her family history in Taiwan after her mother's death, weaving together themes of heritage, loss, and maternal connections.

🌟 "In Search of Us" weaves together parallel love stories between two generations of a family, alternating between 1990s Los Angeles and 2017. 🎨 Like her protagonist Marilyn, author Ava Dellaira has biracial heritage and explores themes of identity and belonging throughout her work. 📚 This is Dellaira's second novel, following her successful debut "Love Letters to the Dead," which was optioned for film by Fox 2000. 🎬 Before becoming a novelist, Dellaira worked in the film industry and was an associate producer for "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." 🎵 Music plays a significant role in the novel, with characters bonding over shared musical interests and specific songs marking pivotal moments in both timelines.