This was my first time reading a book by this author. I very much enjoyed this story. It was heartfelt and beautiful.

I immediately read anything by Lake Union Publishers. I went into this book not knowing anything about the story. This is a daughters path from anger to forgiveness and I often wonder what I would do in this situation. I enjoyed this book and the characters

I definitely enjoyed the book and would give it 3.5 stars. It's not action packed. It's about a daughter trying to get over the anger she has for her estranged father and learning to forgive him. I liked Sara and TR grew on me. I hated how her husband seemed to be following in TR's footsteps.

Sara learns her estranged father is in the hospital after surviving a house fire. He has extensive burns and needs somewhere to go. At first Sara doesn't want to take responsibility for him, but eventually changes her mind and brings her dad home to her house. At the same time, Sara is having problems with her husband. Charlie is a commercial pilot and is away more than he is home. He has also started picking up more shifts. He makes it known to Sara he doesn't want TR living there. Sara is stuck at home taking care of her ten year old son and father. Sara eventually learns her father wasn't completely truthful and learns the secrets he was hiding.

I liked the story, characters and writing style. The only character I had a hard time with was Charlie. I had no sympathy for him. While he was away from home working, Sara took care of the house, dog, their son and volunteered at the school. Eventually she adds TR to the mix. He picks up more shifts and is away from home even more, but expects Sara to drop everything when he is home. With one phone call at the end, I didn't think everything would have been solved and they would be happy again. I enjoyed TR's relationship with Sam and how he tried to repair his relationship with his family. I think TR finally realized all the mistakes he made as a father. I really enjoyed the book overall.

I recommend the book and look forward to reading more by the author. I really liked the cover of the book, it matched the story perfectly.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Nicole Meier, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-ARC of this title. I'm disappointed because I'd been invited to go to a book launch for this novel, but I couldn't make it. That said, Nicole is very talented, and she has a way with words. This book had an interesting plot centered around a reunion with a father she hadn't seen in years, a husband who is growing increasingly more distant, and trying to keep it all together. You'll enjoy this one, and I recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for this book. My review is mine and does not reflect the fact that I was given a copy.

This book was ok. It was very good in parts but in others I just had a hard time connecting. I do not understand how Sara could or should feel obligated to take care of a man who had not been there for her for the better part of her life. I know she wanted answers and closure. I can personally relate to that. TR was a big jerk to everyone. He was hard to like because of the way he treated people and the way he acted to Sara’s husband, Charlie. Charlie was no better in that he treated Sara like she was stupid for wanting to know her dad and brother, who she never knew existed. TR, Sara’s dad left when she was young. He left her with a very unstable mother and he knew she was unstable. There is no excuse for that. Why didn’t he just take her with him or get her mother help. He sure had the money. Why did TR think Sara owed him anything, much less help or forgiveness, when all he did was lie to her at every turn. Charlie, Sara’s husband should have been more understanding and though in ways I didn’t blame him either. They already had some problems before TR came but his attitude and not even trying to get to know TR was uncalled for on every level. I wanted to like Charlie and TR but both were jerks. My own dad left when I was almost six years old and I didn’t see him until I was 22 and married with a new baby. Then it was another 17 years before him and the woman he left for moved back to this area. He actually didn’t expect to just be welcomed with open arms. He asked for forgiveness for leaving me with a crazy mother who not only was abusive but let her sick husband moleste me. It took a while to forgive my dad but he was remorseful for what he did. TR was not until almost the end.

This book was told from Sara and TR’s points of view. I think it was an ok read. It could have been better but it was not the worse book I’ve ever read either. It seemed to go on a bit to much in some area and was predictable in areas. But overall it was a fairly good story. The ending was predictable and part of it was good. I truly did want to love this book but I have to be honest. It was just ok to me. I will read more by this author. I think Nicole Meier will be a good author to read. It was just parts of this book that I was disappointed in.

I gave it a 3.5 stars though all that it will show is 3. I’m sure a lot of people will like this book and from the reviews I did read there are lots who love it and lots who feel kind of the way I do. Give it a chance as you may love it.

After years of trying to erase her past, Sara comes face to face with the reason she’s been trying to forget everything. TR, the world famous sculptor and the father who abandoned her and her mother years ago.
It’s a really nice story of family, forgiveness and the importance of talking to one another instead of running away and scarring the people you leave behind in that process.

Thank you net galley for the advanced readers copy.

I really enjoyed these characters and enjoyed this story! Loved that it was about renewing relationships that was lost! Highly recommend...

I really enjoyed the tough emotions that were portrayed in this novel! Sarah finds out that her father has been injured in a house fire. She hasn’t seen her father since she was a young girl. She allows him to come to her house to help him with his injuries. This creates many difficult situations with Sarah, as well as with her husband and her young son. The story is an intricate exploration of the relationship between a child and their long estranged parent. It also explores the relationship of a marriage. Old wounds and misunderstandings come to the surface for everyone involved as time goes on. Sarah discovers more secrets about her father as well. Sarah has to fight with her feelings that she has held on to for so many years.

I did not have to look twice to know that this book was published by Lake Union. Their covers say it for them!! And whoever said you can't judge a book by it's cover was never a reader!! The cover drew me in but Nicole made it totally worthwhile!! I found myself so invested in all of the characters, I didn't want to let them go!! The story was touching and TR was hysterical in his own way -- great job Nicole!! I can't wait for your next book!!

Honestly I never used to be into books like these, about normal life situations, until very recently. Books like this, have really turned me onto the idea, and gotten me reading them more and more, and really just enjoying them when I thought I couldn’t before. I think that’s the idea of this book, also. That the things you want, you have to work for, even if they’re hard at first, and just keep trying until you figure something out.

“The Girl Made of Clay” follows a woman named Sara. She’s just found out her long lost father, a well known artist who basically abandoned her and her mother when she was very young, has been badly injured in a house fire, and she’s his only contact. She has a very hard time convincing herself to go and meet him at the hospital, but eventually does, and brings her young son Sam with her.

He’s not what she expects though. A beat down old man of almost seventy, a lot has changed, but other things like his stubbornness haven’t. The hospital staff need her to take him home and care for him, but she’s very hesitant until Sam speaks up and says that he thinks it’s wrong of her to leave him. So she brings him home. Her husband, however, has other ideas, seeing as for the entirety of their marriage he’s heard almost nothing about her father and has no reason to get to know him.

The book switches viewpoints between T.R., her father, and herself. I’m really glad to be able to see both sides of this story, because there are things that neither of the characters want to reveal about themselves that I think it’s really good to know about. This easy read is something that really makes you re-think people’s behavior in the past, and wonder if you too should give them a second shot.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a completely relate able, relaxed and yet still very interesting book about normal but hard to talk about life situations. I’m very tempted to get a paper copy for my collection, just to have it as a reminder for myself.

Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)

Sarah is roped into taking care of her estranged father after his house burns down. He brings with him decades of secrets. 85% of this book was people hiding things from each other, making assumptions, not communicating, and treating poor 10 year-old Sam like he was 5. (Yes, I realize the boy has asthma but that doesn't mean he is mentally impaired.) The last 15% of the story, people finally started talking to each other and it was almost good enough to make up for the majority of the book where I either pitied or was shaking my head at the characters.

An entertaining and emotional book with the possibility of trying to make amends after many years of being torn apart. A tragedy happens to be the catalyst to set this all into motion. It was a well written book which flowed easily.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy.

Sara has spent her life trying to forget her father who left her when she was young, and, she feels, never looked back. She has built a life for herself, and she is happy. Well, almost happy. Her husband seems a little distant, and as she ponders this, the last thing she expects is someone trying to reach her about her father. Her father needs her, and just maybe she can get the answers she is looking for. Family, anger, secrets, forgiveness, and, above all, second chances. Sara and TR must work through the past and TR’s pride if there is any chance for them to have a future as a family.
This was an enjoyable story. Sara is a relatable character, TR is definitely a hard one to like, Charlie isn’t very present, and Sam is adorable. This is definitely Sara’s journey, and I enjoyed the way the author wove her story, especially weaving in TR’s point of view.
As a new author to me, I will definitely be looking for more of Nicole Meier’s work.

“Sometimes folks don’t know what they’re doing until it’s too late.”

This novel was pure honesty wrapped up in 304 pages. However slow-paced and tamed in terms of angst, it was an interesting character-driven story, full of family drama and thought provoking dialogues. There were different things that surprised me, in a positive way: for instance how the author chose to portray TR, the father who, once upon a time, forgot about his daughter and unstable wife. She could have easily turned him into the villain of the whole story, but she decided not to. It was a wise decision, because as a reader, I was forced to acknowledge his failures and shortcomings as collaterals of his human nature, not his evil plans. Sarah, the heroine, who was constantly torn between her role as a neglected wife and as an estranged daughter, made me feel for her. Every time she tried to talk to her husband, Charlie, begging for his attention, my stomach was in knots. I wanted to scream at him. I happen to have a great dislike for men like him and this time was no exception. I couldn’t stand his behavior and the way he neglected Sarah and his son, I just couldn’t. An overall 3 stars for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Nicole Meier and Lake Union Publishing for granting me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

This story reminds me that no relationship is truly beyond repair, especially when both parties are willing to work on it. I loved Sara's resilience and the quiet demeanor that her son, Sam, has. Thank you Netgalley for the eARC, this book would move readers to tears.

This book was a solid read! Thanks to NetGalley, for providing me with an advance reader copy.

Four stars: I've known for a long time that I don't do well reading books that just tell a ... story. I live for books that hook you, thrill you and leave you guessing until the very. last. page.

Unfortunately, all those books basically read the same and I have grown sick of those, too. The Girl Made of Clay made my transition to "basic stories" easy, and I so enjoyed these characters. A wife with an workaholic husband, a pre-teen child, an estranged father and a dream she gave up on years ago? Yeah, sign me up for that hot ass mess.

I'm so glad I read this book. Highly relatable, a main character that isn't too whiny or impossible, and a solid storyline. You know when you read books and really get into it, and you're in a bad mood if the characters are? Yes. That was me! If you're stuck in a reading rut, give this one a try!

Sara has been estranged from her famous sculptor father for many years, so when he suddenly finds his way back into her life following a fire in his home which leaves him seriously injured, her whole world is turned upside down, This contemporary family drama from Nicole Meier is not afraid to dig into the heart of a troubled relationship, and how difficult it can be to leave the past behind in the hope of rebuilding for the future. Besides the difficult relationship with her father, our protagonist is also facing difficulties with her husband, a commercial pilot who is often absent from the home because of work. While she is reluctant to invite the man who caused her so much hurt back into her life and even into her home, it is through his budding relationship with her son, his grandson, that she begins ,ever so slowly to extend him some trust. Will the secret he is keeping destroy their relationship forever or bring them closer together as a family?
The strongest aspect of this book is the warmth and real human feel to the characters, particularly Sara and her father. The complicated bond between them and the ebb and flow of the dynamics of their relationship is made all the more believable because of the way the author has built up the layered personalities of the character,
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of the book from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Girl Made of Clay is a contemporary fiction novel by Nicole Meier.

SUMMARY:

After Sara’s father, famous sculptor Thomas “TR” Harlow, is badly injured in a fire, she’s suddenly forced to care for a man who is more of a stranger than a parent. Once known as his muse, Sara long ago lost her father to his desire to live the celebrity life.

Now TR’s abrasive and unpredictable presence in her home is reopening old wounds—and causing the rift in her already-strained marriage to deepen. As her young son begins bonding with the grandfather he never knew, Sara must decide if she can find it within herself to forgive the man who broke her heart all those years ago. Will she walk away from a chance to rebuild what was lost, or will she find, by bringing her father back to health, that healing can come in many forms?

The Girl Made of Clay is a novel that will remind you of the importance of your family. I was initially attracted to this book because of its cover and I was pleased to discover how much this book has to offer. I was surprised by how much the theme of forgiving your family is covered and handled so well throughout.The tension between Sara and TR is palpable at first, but soon they learn a lot from each other. They come to an understanding that it is never too late to start over again. It really made me reflect on my own relationships with my family, and what I would do if I had to learn to forgive them for their past.

I like this book a lot. Nicole Meier’s writing is wonderful. Her dialogue had me on the edge of my seat and her descriptions are fulfilling. The plot goes deeper than I expected and I am impressed with the way that the story flowed. I do feel at times the pacing was a little off; sometimes the narrative felt to me like it was going too fast, or too slow. But overall I think this is a great story and I really enjoyed getting to know Sara. She has been through a lot of hardships in her life, especially regarding the men in her life. But it was nice to see that she was still able to hold her head high and stand up for herself when she needed to. I suggest this book to anyone who has family secrets and wants to read an honest book they won’t want to put down until the finish. The Girl Made of Clay teaches you that it is okay to believe in yourself and believe in others even if they have let you down in the past.

Sara is more generous to her father TR than many of us might be, especially when he expects her to nurse him back to health even though he abandoned her and her mom when she was ten. She's got a lot on her plate- her marriage to Charlie is floundering and her son Sam is, well, a kid. When TR moves in things get more chaotic and stressful but then peace begins to fall. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is all about forgiveness and it's a well written positive read.

A woman's journey from anger to forgiveness...

First, let's talk about the amazing cover artwork for this book. I just love it when authors and publishers put time and thought in the book cover. This was the entire reason I wanted to read The Girl Made of Clay. 
Sara has a full life as a mom, wife, volunteer and her time is filled from morning to night. The last thing she needed was for her estranged father to re-enter her life, but enter he does after a devastating fire left him in the burn unit at a near-by hospital. TR, the father, is a sculptor whose most famous piece was based on Sara as a child. They once shared a very close relationship until he abandoned Sara, leaving her to care for her mentally ill mother. Caring for TR puts a further strain on Sara's marriage which already was in trouble. How can she care for the man who left her - her husband and her father.

The author has given us an emotional story that explores the question of forgiveness and its healing powers. Unfortunately the characters that were drawn In The Girl Made of Clay were predictable and uninteresting. I never was able to fully connect with Sara and I couldn't tolerate her husband, Charlie, or her father, TR. I did like her dog, Acer, very much. However, for the life of me, I couldn't understand why she wanted to forgive this man who was and had been terrible throughout his life. So, her son wanted to connect with his grandfather... so what. In the real world it isn't always beneficial to "connect" or to "forgive" and yet we, as women, often are asked to do just that - for our own good. Perhaps it's time to write books where men are not contemptible in the first place so that women didn't have to spend their time learning about "forgiveness. There are many good books out there about dysfunctional families and the restorative power of forgiveness, unfortunately this is not one of them. 

This was an advanced read from #Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing.