Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn

Thirty eight year old Hadley is finally doing what needs to be done to get herself and her daughter, Mattie, away from her abusive husband. Twenty eight year old Grace is pushed to her limits by the same man, when he cheats her out of the commission she needs to be able to support herself and her baby. Grace's husband has once again gambled off every last cent that they had and Grace knows she can't stay in such a marriage. 

This story is full of coincidences and unlikely scenarios, making serious subjects also a bit lighthearted and implausible but I enjoyed the characters and the way the story was told. I thought I wouldn't like Hadley and Grace, with Hadley being so submissive to her abusive husband and Grace left hard edged and untrusting due to being thrown into the foster system after losing her grandmother. But the author shows a depth to both women and shows that they aren't just black and white caricatures. Throughout this journey both women change, become a team, not willing to leave the other to an uncertain future. 

There is also sullen, angry teenage Mattie who changes, too. And Skipper, IQ of 75, the sweetest, smartest (in his own very intelligent way) kid, a kid that is based on a real life Skipper. Not to be forgotten are two FBI agents. We get to know Mark and what makes him tick and we get to know Fritz. We see how both men know each other so well, giving us another sense of life having been lived before we meet these two partners. Even though the story is farfetched in many ways, it endears me to so many of the characters while being funny and hopeful, during what seems to be a hopeless situation. 

This is a retelling of Thelma and Louise, a story I've never read or watched because I know how it ends and I'm not into those kinds of endings. But I wanted to give this story a go since I enjoyed Redfearn's In an Instant, so much. The first part of the story seems to be a long buildup but it's worth the time it takes for me. I think that's why I was able to want these women and those around them, to succeed. I'm very happy with how the story ended and couldn't have imagined such a satisfying conclusion to all that happened before the final chapter. 

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. The two main characters, Hadley and Grace, are so different and the children add an extra layer of interest and engagement to the story. The writing from the different viewpoints was well done as each character had a separate and distinct voice. I would like to read more by this author. Recommended.

What a page turner! There is never a dull moment from page one in Hadley and Grace from author Suzanne Redfearn. Two women with a connection but who don’t know each other plan to leave their husbands on the same day, take some money they each feel is theirs and then they go on the run. What happens next is a crazy, suspense-filled trip with twists and turns along the way. Their relationship that develops is totally unexpected as they could not be two more different personalities. It was a great ride and I highly recommend it.

This book is of two very different women Hadley & Grace who become unlikely allies.
Both of them initially looking to leave their husbands for different reasons.

One night they both show up at Hadley's husband's Frank office to rob his safe, Hadley because she wants the money for her trip to take her nephew to live with his mother, a trip Hadley decides is a good reason for her to start a new life for her and her daughter Mattie. Grace wants her commission money she is due for landing a contract for Frank's parking business, ( money he cheated her out of, that she needs for herself and her infant son because she's broke. due to the fact her husband who is serving in Afghanistan gambled away)..

One know the location of the safe and the other knows the combination, thus begins the need for each other.
The money in the safe is close to #2 million dollars, turns out Frank was running a side business of drugs and gambling. The women decide to split the money 50/50..

Hadley hurts her ankle and is unable to drive so Grace becomes the driver to get them to Hadley's sister and then out of the country.

Federal agents have been watching Frank's business but their "marked money" hadn't shown up yet.
The federal agent follows Hadley & Grace and they kidnap him and use his car for their getaway..

He gets killed by Frank when he shows up and kidnaps Mattie.. She is able to get away and contacts her mother and they reunite and reunite with Grace's husband and they make a plan to throw the cops and federal agents off their trail.

Thins work out for them however and the two families become close



I have read all of the aurhor's books and highly recommend them

Hadley and Grace, two women who only know each other by name, find themselves on the run after they both steal money belonging to Frank, Hadley’s husband and Grace’s employer. What they don’t know is that the money is also being tracked by the FBI. While I found this take on the “Thelma and Louise” story entertaining, there were parts of the story that were challenging to believe. I’m glad this story had a happier ending than the movie, but I don’t think this story will be quite as memorable.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I so loved this book and these characters!, a wild ride and I couldn’t wait to see how it all tied together! Highly highly recommend..

Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn is an energetic twist on Thelma and Louise. Two women, both wronged by the same man but in completely different ways, set out to change the course of their lives. What happens next will change who they were and who they become. Hadley is in an abusive marriage with Frank. When the opportunity comes for her to leave, she takes it, even though she is terribly afraid. But she can't allow her children to watch her live like this any longer. She can't allow her children to suffer any longer. Grace is a young mom and wife, whose husband has a gambling problem. When she loses her job working for Frank, Hadley's husband, and her own husband loses all of the money they have, yet again, she sets off to find a way for her and her young son Miles to start over. The two women meet in Frank's office, where they are both intending to steal enough money to start over. Little did they know that Frank had more than enough money stashed away. So much money that the Feds have been watching him. What starts out as simply a need to escape becomes so much more. The two women and their children must risk everything as they try to outrun Frank and the Feds.
This story was very intense. I really enjoyed it, although some of it seemed slightly unbelievable to me. Although, honestly, isn't that the point of a good book: to get down into something new and exciting and see where it lead you. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to do that with this story. It was well worth the read and I enjoyed it! All opinions are my own.

So, tell me, what is the likelihood of two women, polar opposites, being in the same place at the same time to commit the exact same crime? That and the insanity that follows is the storyline. Tough luck hardened Grace doesn’t believe in coincidence. Hadley is not allowed to believe in much except answering to her overbearing husband Frank. Grace is street smart, very logical and can make and follow a plan. Hadley is a great liar, an improviser and can offer huge emotional support. So, I ask you once again, how likely is it that they will meet and agree to join forces to escape their current circumstances. The risks are great, the situations sometimes hilarious, the danger very real.

Everything is a plus one, the writing, the characters, the humor, the emotions and even the plot which, while compared to others, is just a little bit better. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy

I first discovered Suzanne Redfearn with her debut novel Hush Little Baby and wow is she one talented writer. This story is a twist on the movie Thelma & Louise but this time we have Hadley who is a mother and the victim of an abusive husband and Grace who has a little baby and is desperately trying to make ends meet. Their accidental meeting starts a road trip across the country with a kitty of dirty money that Hadley's husband had been hiding. It was a roller coaster ride and a journey of discovery for all on that ride including Hadley's children. They are constantly evading capture by the FBI and trying to survive.

I really enjoyed this latest offering and admire the author for having the talent to engage you from page one until the end. This will definitely appeal to readers of suspense and women's fiction novels. Thank you to Lake Union and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Hadley & Grace

Hadley & Grace are two women from different backgrounds that are connected by one man, Frank Torelli. Frank is Hadley’s abusive husband and Grace’s jerk of a boss. By a crazy set of circumstances they are thrown together both trying to start over fresh.

The contrast of the two women is interesting because even though they both think the other has it made neither one of them do. They both have their thoughts and assumptions of the other based on looks and supposed circumstances. It speaks to the current state of affairs of women and their relationships with each other. We are so hard on ourselves and each other. Never giving ourselves the credit we deserve or the belief we should have in each other. Hadley and Grace both suffer because of this. Hadley and Grace both suffer because of this very thing. But they were each women I understood and could relate to in different aspects of the lives.

During Hadley’s and Grace’s time together they have to make choices, decisions and find themselves in circumstances that not only affect themselves, but those around them. One wrong move and they’re going down a path never expected. Both Hadley and Grace grow in understanding and acceptance of each other as the women they truly are and not what they are perceived to be.

I’ve been trying to save my 5 star ratings for what I think are best stories that I’ve read. The ones that stick with me. This was one of those stories. Was this story a bit unrealistic at times? Sure, but aren’t most? Hadley & Grace kept me more than engaged, had me smiling throughout and gave me those happy heart feelings. It definitely deserves my 5 stars.

Two women desperate to escape their currents lives, each for their own reasons. A tussle throws both in cahoots with each other, along with a sullen teenager, a cranky baby, and a special boy. Usually, I'm not a fan of characters who subvert the law, but these women do what is necessary. Some people got what they deserved in the book, while,others paid a very high price. The book is loosely based on the movie Thelma and Louise, but I think the book is more compelling. The ending was my favorite part.

Loved this book!!! It was very Thelma & Louise, but seriously so much better! I loved the addition of children, and how that changes the choices available to the women. This was a fast-paced, wild ride following two women and their children as they run from one danger after another.

I loved the characters Hadley and Grace. They were an unlikely and accidental partnering that created this amazing dynamic. The two bicker like sisters, and yet clearly care for each other. Their stories created wonderful character growth for each of them, which was honestly, extremely surprising. Running from the law, trying to protect their children, they somehow managed to have their own personal moments of inspiration and change.

One thing that always helped me decide if a book is a 5-star read, is when, at the end, I find that I keep going. I read anything else the author has chosen to provide to the reader. There was an author’s note at the end of this book that spoke about her inspiration for characters and the setting. It was interesting and made one character even more special after reading.

I have to say that this is a book that I would recommend to any reader. It’s a wonderful story that made me fall in the love with the characters!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I loved this book. All the characters were great, very likable for the main part, and believable .The story was great and kept me page turning as fast as I could read, and the pace of the book was great. I can't fault it, just a really good enjoyable read. I would happily recommend it to other readers.

Suzanne Redfearn has done it again people! She has completely obliterated me with one of her stories. 
I went into Hadley & Grace thinking it couldn't be as good as In An Instant. I mean Thelma & Louise is a movie from the 90s, the story about two renegade ladies running lose in the USA has been done and told and frankly the concept is a bit outdated. 

Luckily, Redfearn realised this and changed Hadley & Grace enough to make it current. Apart from that, she makes it so that the story takes a hold of you and doesn't let go. Let me talk about the plot first. 

Hadley's husband Frank is a very bad man and father (to put it mildly). Hadley who has been nothing but obedient the last 15 years decides that enough is enough and sees her chance to escape from him with her 14 year old daughter Mattie and her sister's son Skipper. She knows Frank has some money lying around his office so that's the first place she goes. There she runs into Grace, a disgruntled employee who also decides to take Frank's money and run away with her baby boy Miles. 

These two ladies have nothing in common, but their fates intertwine on the day they decide to rob Frank. What they didn't know though is that the FBI has had their eyes on Frank's money as well. They end up not just running from Frank but also from the FBI. 

This is a road trip story, but really it's more about the characters then about the scenery. I like to travel, and I wasn't inspired once to check out where they were going, I was too immersed in the stories of the two heroines and their kids. I found out in the author's note that Redfearn based Skipper on a real person, I'm not surprised because he felt so real to me. All other characters are well-rounded; Mattie is a real teenager with troubled feelings and Grace and Hadley make decisions and choices that fit their personalities. 

The last thing I want to mention is this: Have you ever felt like a scene in a novel or film was so frustratingly heart breaking that you feel it's unnecessary, but it's still good? That's what I have with this book. My heart broke, I felt it was not needed I could've thought of so many other ways this story could end, but I understand it. I think I can find it in my heart to forgive Redfearn. 

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

This book grips you from the moment Frank wads the sheet of paper in front of Grace and tosses it unceremoniously into the round file. The SOB.

The author has taken an arguably classic Thelma and Louise and run with it, adding her own fantastic two main characters and then making it that much more complex, a neurologically handicapped boy, a disdainful insouciant teenager, and a colicky four month old infant.

If Frank is not the kindest of bosses, he is worse at home, and my heart initially sank thinking this would be a domestic abuse trope. NOPE!

Hadley is the domestic goddess of a dysfunctional family with the teenager and the special needs boy she’s cared for after her much younger sister decided she couldn’t.

Grace has a history--not a good one and has a record. She is married now to a soldier currently serving in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, he’s continued his gambling habits one too many times.
This particular evening, Frank goes on a rampage when the pizza is baked improperly.

Two women, 180 degrees in their experience flee together. Someone upstairs, however, is playing with them, pulling strings, watching them dance as they escape from one crisis to the next which then escalates out of control.

The characters are so well developed. Your heart sinks with each new development and the pages are now turning themselves. The well-paced narrative ramps up right into the conclusion. Suffice it to say, this is one devil of a ride and one you won’t want to miss. Heartily recommended!

Dramatic, impactful, and thought-provoking!

Hadley & Grace is a fast-paced, heart-pounding, thrilling novel that takes you into the life of an abused housewife and a disgruntled employee as coincidence and an unfortunate accident causes them to embark together on a wild ride of misfortune, chaos, and danger to escape their everyday lives.

The prose is eloquent and intense. The characters are multilayered, distressed, and impulsive. And the plot, reminiscent of the famous Ridley Scott film, Thelma and Louse, is an enthralling tale of life, love, loss, motherhood, family, guilt, acceptance, mayhem, abuse, persuasion, and survival.

Overall, Hadley & Grace is an alluring, empowering, entertaining romp by Redfearn full of heart, hope, and humour that does a wonderful job of delving into all the complex dynamics of relationships while highlighting the incredible power of friendship.

Lots of people have likened this book to Thelma and Louise, as I haven't seen the film I wouldn't know. I thought it's an ok read, quite predictable but enjoyable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Suzanne Redfearn made me fall in love with this book and the main characters. Hadley and Grace portrays two women running from the men they're married to...ripped apart by abuse and addiction. The book depicts a touching story filled with strong themes of forgiveness, love, and betrayal but also two women who become friends during a crisis in their lives. The story revolves around the title characters who are seeking new lives and are running from their pasts...or are they running to their futures? I love when authors write books and develop characters that everyone can relate to in some way.

This book is so good. It will make you laugh, cry, think, hold your breath, cringe in parts, scream, laugh again and cry lots of tears. It’s so well written and will definitely tug at your heartstrings. It’s one that you won’t want to put down until the end and then you’ll want more. I highly recommend this book to everyone I know who loves reading about strong women and friendships that come unexpectedly but turn out to be exactly what you need.

This book was so much fun. An updated Thelma and Louise with less violence and more kids! I was pleasantly surprised at how quick moving the story was as Hadley escapes from her abusive husband and Grace takes off with her infant to make a new start (with Hadley's husband's dirty money). They plan as they go and make plenty of mistakes as hilarity ensues during the mishaps.
❤ What I loved: I loved both women: strong, clever, caring and genuine. They were able to work together to get out of some hairy situations. I also adored the children, the colicky baby who Hadley is able to soothe. Mattie, the teenager trying to find herself, knows how to take care of her nephew jist the right way. Skipper, my favorite of all, the "special needs" nephew that Hadley has raised. He added so much to this story.
💜 What I liked: I liked that there were exciting and tense scenes throughout the book. It wasn't just fun and fluff. There was great balance there. I also liked the romance thrown in the mix although totally unbelievable it just added to the hilarity.
🤎 What fell flat: Parts were a little confusing and then explained two chapters later. The ending was satisfying but totally unrealistic.

Overall, I found myself smiling through most of this book and even laughing out loud, where my daughter asked what was so funny! A great story of friends who become family. I am so glad I was able to read this one through #netgalley.

I loved this book!

Two women meeting by chance, stealing from the same man, both trying to make an escape with their children in tow.

This was a well written story with relatable characters. I was with them every mile of their journey wanting things to go their way.

Definitely a recommended read.