Member Review

A best-selling author dies before she can complete the fifth book in a wildly popular series that has been adapted for movies. In her will, she tasks her daughter, Sara Grayson, to complete that much-anticipated novel. Sara tried previously to write a novel but put that dream aside after her draft was eviscerated by a publishing friend of her mother’s. Her self-confidence had fallen even more after her recent divorce, and Sara questioned why her mother would give her what she thought was an impossible task.

Joani Elliott uses that premise to examine a number of themes, including creativity, self-worth, and family. The reader sees how Sara reacts as she questions her capabilities. Is it worth staying in a safe, smaller place in the world? Or is it better for her to take a leap of faith that could include pain, major life questions, and the possibility of a large-scale public failure?

The reader is inside Sara Grayson’s mind as she learns more about her family and herself. She writes in charming locales that welcome the reader to settle comfortably and appreciate how each one advances the story.

The Audacity of Sara Grayson is a wonderful summer read. Joani Elliott did a terrific job bringing the reader into an enjoyable story with a great ending.