I'm honestly not sure how to review this book. I think it was good -- I'm not upset that I read it but it just didn't hit me the way I wanted it to. I like that its a psychological introspective but I also wanted more drama (but that's just my personal preference). I think its very important in that it shows a "quieter"/more subtle story of abuse. I really enjoyed Grace as a character and her growth and recovery process. Her relationships with the other women in her life were by far the best part of this book (I'm thinking mainly her sister, mother, and Emilia).

“I was untouchable, unstoppable, hurtling down a path to immortality so rapidly, so immaculately, that not one person stopped to question how it all worked so well, a fortysomething man and a teenager being so inextricably linked.”

Timely and compelling. Heartbreaking and hopeful. Riveting and disturbing. Ella Berman’s debut will resonate with any woman who has ever been objectified by a man catcalling her as she’s walking down the street or made to feel less then by a man Gaslighting her to believe that it’s all her fault. When Grace is 13 she is discovered at an audition in her UK hometown. Famous movie producer Able Yorke has found his muse and gives Grace’s family an offer they can’t resist. Enticed by the glittering Hollywood movie star lifestyle the entire family packs up and moves to California. Grace loves the glamorous lifestyle and being able’s number one protégé. But things go dark when the Producer crosses the line sending the protégé down the lonely path of guilt and insecurity.

Ella Berman started writing this in 2017 before #metoo. In the author note at the end she talks about this and why she didn’t really bring the movement into the story. I have a really hard time with stories about men in power taken advantage of innocent or even not so innocent girls/women, but I have to say the story did a really thoughtful job with the subject matter. Nothing was overly graphic or gratuitous it was more implied than anything else. This really allowed me to focus on Grace and her comeback. Grace was such a sympathetic character she was so hardened and yet so naïve. She could party like a champ, but she couldn’t purchase a phone. I’d imagine this is true of many child stars they are not able to do many of the things that their “normal“ counterparts are able to. I really loved watching Grace’s growth throughout the story. She started as a selfish spoiled diva and grew into a compassionate caring human. I also liked that this is not a total manhater book, seriously the nicest most caring character in the story was Dylan (Grace’s husband). A well told thought-provoking story with well developed characters. Just a little warning there is a lot of alcohol and drug use in the book, I mention this because I think the story will appeal to teens but in case you don’t want your kids to read about that here’s the warning.

This book in emojis 🎬 💊 🍸 🏖 📹 🎤

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Described as a deep dive into a young actress’ psyche, the mind of Grace Hyde felt like quicksand, pulling me deeper and deeper into her many layers of trauma as she struggled to claw her way back to normalcy.

I’m not normally drawn to character-driven novels but this was so raw and painful and honest that it’s hard not to get caught up in Grace’s battle. I was especially fascinated watching the Hyde family maneuver around each other, each relationship more complicated than the last.

And Able, scum of a human, an apt representation of so many of the real predators out there... it was incredibly hard to read Grace’s flashbacks of what happened to her over the course of her teenage years but Berman shows just enough to convey the horror without crossing a line into gratuitous.

It feels strange to say I loved a book about such a sickening subject but it really was fantastic, and not for nothing, it’s called The Comeback for a reason.

The Comeback takes on the darker side of Hollywood in the timely premise of the #metoo movement. Debut author Ella Berman addresses manipulation and the abuse of power in this novel about a fictional child star, Grace Turner, who has a rapid rise and fall from fame.

While this certainly isn't your easy summer beach read, it's completely compelling dark plotline shines a light on an all too common issue while also showing the power of strength and survival.

While Grace can be an unreliable narrator who has been dealt a messy hand from a young age, I found myself rooting for her as she discovered her own courage and power along the tumulous path of healing. If you are looking for an engrossing and heart-wrenching novel that you will have a hard time putting down, I highly recommend this, and I can't wait to see what Berman writes next.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy. As always, all thoughts are my own.

This is the story of Grace Turner, an uber-famous child actor who suddenly went off the grid after no-showing the Golden Globes. The story picks up a year later, when she's been hiding away at her parents house, newly sober and completely adrift. We quickly find out her reasons for leaving the spotlight - she was sexually abused and gaslit for years by the director that discovered her. The story flashes in between the then and the now. In the then, we come to see just how bad it got for Grace, and in the now, she's slowing coming back into her L.A. life. She gets asked to present the director with a lifetime achievement award and has to decide - move forward and try and break back into the business, or go public with her truth with the understanding that people will likely not believe her.

This was a lot different than I was expecting, but I enjoyed it. Grace was such a sharp character and it was interesting to read about the time in her life in where she's numb and on the precipice of a downward spiral. The author started writing this before the #timesup movement came to light, but the power dynamics and relationships depicted in the book were all too familiar. This would pair well with She Said by Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor. This is definitely a character driven story so don't come in looking for juicy gossip and a lot of action, but do expect raw storytelling and excellent writing. I recommend this debut and look forward to more from the author!

I made it halfway through this and it’s just not for me. I think I was expecting something different than what it was

Grace Turner (nee Hyde) is a child star turned adult actress. She was discovered by a famous director named Able Yorke, who signed her to play an assassin in a wildly popular trilogy of movies. After her rise to fame, she becomes increasingly dependent upon Able as he becomes the only consistent person in her life when her parents drift away and she stops returning home. However, Able is not a good person for a vulnerable teenage girl to rely on. When Grace is in her early twenties, she flees Los Angeles and appears on her parents’ doorstep in Anaheim without giving anyone notice (including her assistants and husband). Grace is running from her reality in L.A. but soon realizes she needs to return to get some closure and face Able once and for all. When she is asked to present a lifetime achievement award to him at an awards ceremony, she has a decision to make.

Thanks to @netgalley and @berkleypub for this review copy. It is reminiscent of the #metoo movement that erupted in Hollywood after women started coming forward and claiming sexual abuse by numerous men in the industry. Grace is quirky and fallible with a plethora of mental health issues. I liked her character development but I would have liked more details about her mother as it’s clear she had a profound impact on Grace. It was a bit slow at the start for me but picks up a third of the way through once she returns to Los Angeles. I thought Berman did a great job portraying the effects of being a child star such as a lack of life skills and true friends. I thought she portrayed Grace as a sufferer of trauma well and she explored the complexity that comes with being a victim with depth.

I found this to be a contemplative, deep look at the #MeToo movement in Hollywood and what it must of been like for those women. I found Grace' s journey to be compelling and difficult, it made me uncomfortable at times because of how realistic it was. The look at her inner thoughts and situation had me compulsively reading.

I love that the author gave this book time to breathe in the pacing. It really is a journey that Grace has to go through to get where she is both in the beginning and at the end. My heart went out to her, I ached to give her a hug. Nothing in this book is easy, none of her relationships are great, and Grace herself is just doing all she can to keep her head above water and herself numb. And I can't blame her.

Grace is a young Hollywood actress who had a rapid rise to fame during her teen years after director, Abel Yorke, hired her for her first film. What Grace keeps hidden is the constant manipulation and control Abel had over her life at that time. It’s this abuse of power that causes her leave Hollywood and go into hiding for a year. But what will happen when Grace is ready to make her comeback? Can she come face-to-face with the secrets of her past or will they continue to haunt her forever?

This one was heavy, y’all. But I really liked it a lot! I know there are lots of similar stories to Grace’s. And not just in Hollywood, but everywhere. One thing I appreciated about this book is the fact that any graphic details of what happened between Grace and Abel are left out. You know it happened, but you don’t know the specifics. The Comeback is a good reminder to us all about how an abuse of power such as this can easily tear someone’s life apart. Especially that of an impressionable young girl.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Comeback was the haunting but gripping story of a successful young actress who is discovered by a famous director, sexually abused and discarded by him, then suffers a breakdown. The story begins after Grace has fled Hollywood. She's spent a year living with her parents in Anaheim when she's found by the paparazzi.

Grace is only twenty-four, but it feels like she's lived a lifetime in those years, from an award-winning performance in a movie about a teen prostitute to her retreat from the spotlight. She's suffered substance abuse problems, abandoned her marriage, and lost touch with her agent and manager. She's never been able to speak to anyone about the terrible things that happened to her at the hands of Able Yorke, the charismatic director who made her a star.

The Comeback tackles many issues, from our culture's obsession with women's appearance, bodies and sexuality, to sexual abuse in Hollywood. The book doesn't let anyone off the hook, from those who commit the abuse to those who are complicit in it, enable it, or just look away.

Grace is a memorable character you'll root for as she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life and start again. Though the book mainly takes place in the present, the narrative does delve into her past trauma as she struggles to come to terms with how that trauma has affected her mental health, self-esteem, and ability to trust others.

It's sad to learn that Ella Berman began writing this book months before the Harvey Weinstein story broke, because it's just more proof that the entertainment industry has had problems with sexual harassment and abuse for a long, long time--whether it was being reported or not. I found the scenes describing the psychological manipulation and gaslighting of young Grace to be some of the best writing, though they were also some of the hardest parts to read.

Man oh man this was a heavy read!! When I read the synopsis I was prepared for more comedy but honestly there wasn’t much in this book. But that didn’t matter!! This book was really very good. The subject matter of this one is quite heavy so I wouldn’t read this after another heavy read. Grace’s story is heartbreaking and infuriating all at the same time. Even though Grace is this Hollywood starlet, I was able to relate to her character in a lot of ways. I don’t normally write trigger warnings into my reviews but there is sexual abuse and heavy drug use in this one. This story was very moving to me and I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

Holy intense, gut-wrenching story! The Comeback is the story of Grace Turner, her rise to stardom, her fall to rock bottom, and everything in between. It's been a long time since I've been so caught up in a character, but Grace's story grabbed hold and held on tight. The story feels very real and it's completely compelling. It's one of those emotional stories that just takes root - if I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, and it's a tale that I won't soon forget. I would caution that some parts of this book are quite hard to read, and I think the fact that it feels so real makes it even more so. It's dark, it's prevalent, and it's impossible to put down even when I read parts that made me want to look away. That said, and I'm trying very hard not to enter into spoiler territory, it is called The Comeback, so there is something to hope for. I won't say what, or even how much hope there is, but there you have it. I haven't read a story that's hit me like this one in some time, and I would challenge anyone looking for an intense read to give this one a gander. And I'll finish with this - The Comeback is a debut novel, and as such, Ella Burman has set the bar quite high for whatever comes next.

TᕼE ᑕOᗰEᗷᗩᑕK
⁣⁣
Quick synopsis: Grace, a former teen star now in her early 20s, returns to LA after disappearing for a year to the safety of her parent's house. Now, mostly sober, she needs to figure out her next steps and how to tackle her demons. Grace knows she's been a victim. Now she needs to figure out what she's going to do about it...⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Overall: Recommend! This book is timely, raw, and darker than I had anticipated. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about Grace-- there was just so much self-loathing, which made the book start off a bit slow for me. After the halfway mark, the plot started to fall into place, and by the end I was absolutely rooting for Grace, as she finds her inner strength. While I have no idea of the inner workings of Hollywood and the lives of stars, this struck me as probably a very accurate representation of a child actor and the challenges they face by working in a very adult industry. I finished this one a few days ago, and it's one I just keep thinking about. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
3.75/5

The Comeback is a well written book that is so timely in the era of the #metoo movement. I love that it's told in the present with flashbacks to the past, so that the reader can fully understand Grace's journey and what led her to leave L.A. for a year. While it's something that's gone on for decades, news headlines over the past few years have really brought to light how many women are victims of sexual assault in Hollywood. Grace's story was no different, and it was so interesting to learn about it from her point of view. Able didn't just take advantage of her, but also got into her head, psychologically abusing her and controlling her every move. He metally tore her down to the point that she was afraid to be without his guidance, even though she hated the things he forced her to do.

I appreciate that this book focused so much on mental health as well. We learned about how Able affected Grace's psyche, but also saw how it resulted in Grace abusing drugs and alcohol just to cope. Not only did Grace have her issues, but we learned about her sister Esme's struggles as well. It was interesting to see the different ways they each dealt with things, as well as how it impacted both of them. While I didn't necessarily feel that Esme's story needed to be a part of the book, I didn't mind it either.

This book really kept my interest and was hard to put down at times. I was really intrigued to see how Grace handled her friendship with Mrs. Yorke, at times feeling anxious about how it would turn out.

Overall, I thought it was a captivating read that gave a realistic portrayal of how psycholocial and sexual abuse can impact someone long term. I look forward to more books from Ella Berman in the future!

As I was getting ready to write my review for The Comeback by Ella Berman, when I saw this was one of Jenna’s August book pick! So excited. In the Comeback, we have a powerful story that is honest, raw and puts readers right in the middle of what is happening. Grace Turner, a young actress who was raised in the lights of Hollywood was at the height of her career when she disappeared. A story told in past and present tense, we see how one deeply affects the other. The story of how a young girl was taken to a world she was not ready for and lost so much at the hands of one man.

Now Grace is confronted with the past that almost destroyed her and she is ready. Ready for her comeback and maybe to admit secrets she carried for too long. We begin to see Grace confront what happened to her and though her journey was not an easy one, it is one many can relate too on so many levels. The Comeback by Ella Berman was emotional and thought-provoking read and I am excited to read more from this author in the future.

Happy reading!

[4.5/5] Full of deeply-flawed characters and tumultuous relationships, The Comeback sheds light on so many issues that plague society today (like toxic masculinity, power abuse, and fame). Though this story is fictional, it felt so real and honest.

As a famous teen star, Grace Turner grew up in the public eye. After being plucked from her average life in England at 14 by director Able York, she’s transported to Hollywood to be “groomed” as a movie star. But it comes at a price: she spends eight years under Able’s control as he manipulates her every move.

Now in her early twenties, we see Grace after a drug-and-alcohol-ridden year of running away from everything and everyone. We watch as she grapples with the pain of her adolescent years, reconnects with her family and friends, and attempts to figure out the type of person she wants to be.

This was an emotional, beautifully-written story. It started a bit slow, with Grace struggling to crawl her way out of the hole she’s dug herself into, but it wasn’t long before I was entranced.

She describes herself as being stuck in time, because with all the limelight and movie shoots, she was never really given the chance to grow up. The detail about her always showing up at Disneyland to sit in the dining room and eat Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles (where one time she proceeds to get in a tiff with Sleeping Beauty) was hilarious and sad in equal measure.

While I was frustrated with Grace’s choices at times, I also understood why she made them (especially as we see flashbacks of her past). I grew attached to her, and to some of the other characters, like Esme, Dylan, and Blake. They all felt so fully-formed.

I also really enjoyed the setting. To me, Los Angeles (Hollywood in particular), has always felt like a mirage you can’t help but stare at. It’s fascinating in an unsettling sort of way, with its shiny facade and artificial underbelly. Berman painted this living, breathing picture of brightly-colored houses, extreme wealth, uber-hip restaurants, and paparazzi waiting around every corner. The setting itself was a character all on its own.

Overall, this was a moving, absorbing, and incredibly important story. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy character-driven novels!

**Thank you to Berkley Pub for my digital review copy.

This book was spectacular. Taking on the #MeToo movement, showing readers what it is like when someone is forced to deal with sexual assault and how it affects them even years later, The Comeback is a story that all women need to read. When Grace is a young teenager, she auditions for a movie and when she receives the part, her life is turned upside-down by the fame. The producer who finds her--Able--proceeds to take over every aspect of her life, claiming that he is there to help her and keep her safe. But then he forces himself on her and continues to do so until Grace has a drinking and drug problem, and on the verge of a breakdown, skips the Golden Globes and goes back to her family's home. But she cannot escape what Able did to her and how it continues to affect her life and her relationships. She even starts a friendship with Able's husband, thinking that she will help, but instead she takes Able's side.

This book shook me to the core. Yet, as a woman, I should not have been surprised by any of it, considering how much sexual assault and harassment women are forced to deal with daily. Ella Berman did a wonderful job creating an environment that felt familiar but detrimental, that pulled me in but made me want to run away. I loved this book, and I cannot say enough good things about it. I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future!

The Comeback is the story of Grace Turner, a teen actress turned Hollywood darling, who disappears from Hollywood without a trace at the height of her career. Now she’s back in LA, picking up the pieces of her life and figuring out how to move forward… but first she must confront her past and the dark secret of her Hollywood career.

At its core, The Comeback is a fictionalized look into the real world sexual exploitation and abuse of young women in Hollywood, but it is also a story of reclaiming agency - of healing, personal growth, and taking control of one’s story and identity.

Grace is a fascinating protagonist - she feels so raw and real, but there’s also that layer of celebrity that keeps her feeling a bit aloof in a way that reminded me a lot of Daisy Jones. As someone who has struggled with depression, I could empathize with Grace’s listlessness and I thought she was a strong portrayal of a woman coping with real trauma. Grace’s path to recovery is also the path of learning to trust her own instincts, rediscovering who she is, and learning to live again… this time for herself.

This book deals with some very dark issues - abuse and grooming, depression, substance abuse - but it still read at a quick pace and felt like a real page turner.

The Comeback is especially relevant in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the Me Too movement. While I have no insider knowledge or understanding of Hollywood, the world that Berman has created in this book feels incredibly real and I think that this is a story that many women will be able to connect with.
.
I recommend this book to fans of Hollywood stories like Daisy Jones & The Six, and to readers of Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill. I also think that this book would be a fantastic pick for a book club as it provides lots of good discussion opportunities.

TW/CW - grooming, sexual assault, substance abuse

📖𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬📖⁣
⁣
Hollywood Stories surrounding the famous such as scandals and behind the scenes content have always been fascinating to me. Not everything is what is seems.. But, to hear it from rising stars perspective, just confirms the brutal life Hollywood starlets sometimes endure to sustain their fame. ⁣
⁣
Meet Grace Turner, a teen actress taken under the wing of a charming and successful film director. Grace is a privileged, entitled and coddled individual who is sometimes an unlikable character. The intention behind her unappreciated personality, is to show how common this becomes when someone is raised as a celebrity. However, behind the glamour, Grace holds a painful secret she has never spoken of before. ⁣
⁣
What I liked most about this book was how raw and painful it felt at times. I sympathized with Grace and her character. This book covers topics around sexual assault and substance abuse, please keep that in mind. There was a fun yet dark element to the story, which made it very intriguing. ⁣
⁣
⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 @𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺𝘱𝘶𝘣 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳. ⁣
⁣
𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝟺⭐️/5