When Sara's mother, a superstar novelist, dies, the last book in her famous series hasn't yet been written, and thirty million fans are left wanting. Then the family attorney notifies Sara that her mother has left a stipulation that Sara write the last book. This throws Sara into a tizzy, because she is living a very small life, afraid to use her creative gifts and relegating herself to writing greeting card verse. Now she must step into the Madison Avenue-level life of her famous mother, complete with a complicated publishing team. Each member has his or her own agenda, and Sara will have to navigate that world on the path to completing the novel. Clearly, Mom was trying to do Sara a favor by forcing her to use her gifts. But Sara is tempted to give up, because that is what Sara mostly does. She is paralyzed by insecurity and negativity. She has low expectations for herself. She drinks tea and cries a lot. Eventually, she rallies to romance and the solving of a family mystery set in London having to do with her late father, mother, and an estranged aunt. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The download format is proving difficult, so unable to preview text - the blurb sounds delightful though!

Sara's mother has just died. Cassandra was a mega-famous author and the world was waiting for the last and final book in her much loved and made into a movie series Ellery. When Sara and her sister go to the reading of their mother's will - she is astounded and appalled that Cassandra wanted Sara to write the final book in the series. To say that Sara is unsecure is putting it mildly. Her first attempt at a novel years before had been rejected and she now spends her days writing greeting cards and coupons. Her husband has left her and she has only her dog, Gatsby to keep her company. Her sister is very supportive but she isn't the one who's been asked to write the book that the world is waiting for. Sara decides NOT to write the book until the publisher makes fun of her at a business lunch. She decides then and there that she WILL write the book and it will be successful. Along the way she discovers some hidden family secrets that cause her to question what she knew about her mother. Will Sara become strong enough to write the book that her mother has requested - will she be able to become strong enough to move past the criticism and her failed first novel? And if she does, how will it affect her life and her view of herself?

I really like the character of Sara. Yes she was insecure - not unstable as the blurb says. But why not, this final request from her mother is a huge responsibility. This is a book that will give you a main character to enjoy but also to laugh with. This is a debut novel and I look forward to future books from this author.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own

Cassandra Bond is one of the most famous authors in the world. Her daughter, Sara Grayson writes coupons and greeting cards. When Cassandra passes away, she stipulates in her will that Sara should be the one to write the last book in her Ellery mystery series. Stuck with an impossible deadline, an editor who doesn’t believe she can write this book and a heaping dose of self doubt, Sara must figure out a way to make this work.
The Audacity of Sara Grayson by Joani Elliott is the best book I’ve read this year. Sometimes, you find an author whose voice just speaks to you and that’s what happened here. This was just such a fun book. The storyline flowed beautifully and every character was believable. Sara is such a relatable character, I will be thinking about her long after I finished this book. I can’t wait to read more by Joani Elliott.

Sorry--this format doesn't work for me and my staff so we won't be able to review it.

Thanks anyway! Have a great day!

Oh the AUDACITY!

How could Sara’ mother, Cassandra, as her dying wish, ask that her daughter write book five-the FINALE to her best selling suspense series, Ellery Dawson-when the most Sara has written in the past has been greeting cards and cutie coupons?

No Pressure!

Book four only sold 15 million copies in its first month, and still sits at #1 on the bestseller lists- a record setting 21 weeks later. The movie, based on the first book in the series shattered the box office numbers opening weekend earning $450 million!

Armed with a lack of confidence and only her yellow lab, Gatsby, (who failed to pass as a Companion Dog from the Louisville Companion dog School) to cheer her on, Sara is about to say NO.

But, when Jane, the publisher from Iris Books insults her at lunch, it motivates Sara to prove her wrong, and she finds herself saying YES !

The story is peppered with emails and newspaper articles, as part of Sara’s journey to find her voice, and all of the family secrets, before her looming deadline.

I didn’t find Sara to be neurotic, as the blurb suggests, and I thought based on the title and cover that this book would be funnier.

Instead I discovered a FRESH premise with a RELATABLE lead character in Sara, and more of light but empowering story about a woman coming into her own, after her mother gave her the greatest gift-belief in her daughter’s talent.,

If you enjoy books about books, bookish people, the writing process, and the Publishing world, then you will enjoy this book as well!!

Thank you to Post Hill Press for my gifted copy!
It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!

Available May 25, 2021.

Looking for a book that will keep you in your beach lounge chair until the sun goes down? Well, put on plenty of sunscreen and grab “The Audacity of Sara Grayson”. You’ll love this book- each and every paragraph sparkles.

The book has an audacious premise. Cassandra Bonds is a mega-successful author. (Think Jackie Collins or Danielle Steel). She has written many bestsellers, and her latest “Ellery Dawson” series is universally acclaimed. But author Bonds dies of cancer before she writes the fifth and final book in the series, a book that the whole world is holding its breath for. Of course, her publisher will now have to choose a new author to write the final book. Except- Cassandra had a different author in mind- her daughter. Her “dying wish” is that her daughter Sara write Book 5.

We first meet befuddled 32 year old Sara at the movie premiere of “Ellery Dawson”. Sara’s gown was supposed to be emerald green but the dress shop goofed and sent her a gray dress. And that fits Sara’s image of herself. She is gray, lost, confused. Fortunately, she has a lovely family, and they see more than a vague, puzzled girl in gray. Sara’s Mum the author is kind, wise and caring. She taught her girls to make a “comfort drawer.” Sara’s older sister Anna-Kath is focused, organized and fondly protective of Sara. Their British Dad died when they were young, and they all remember his loving, creative presence. Each character in this book is so real.

Sara spends much of the story trying not to write the book. Her thoughts are quirky and humorous as she deals with the publishing world and her mother’s death. She also discovers some mysteries about her sweet family. “Audacity” means to be willing to take bold risks. As her words come to her, she learns that she doesn’t have to be bold. She just has to know herself and believe in herself.

This is the debut novel for author Joani Elliott. And this book is a success that Cassandra Bond would have envied. This story is a deft mix of the craft and business of writing, with a gently humorous romance for Sara, and a few mysteries. Each chapter begins with a writing-related quote, which delighted me, too.

Many thanks to Meryl MossMedia and Post Hill Press for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

Summary
Sara Grayson is a thirty-two-year-old greeting card writer about to land the toughest assignment of her life. Three weeks after the death of her mother, Cassandra, a world-famous suspense novelist. Sara learns that her mother’s dying wish is for her to write the final book in her bestselling series.

In a bold move that surprises even herself, Sara takes it on. Against an impossible deadline and a publisher intent on sabotaging her every move, Sara discovers that stepping into her mother’s shoes means stumbling on family secrets she was never meant to find—secrets that threaten her mother’s legacy and the very book she’s trying to create

Review
Sara is such a likable character. She is full of self doubt and overwhelmed at the thought of filling her Mother’s shoes as she is grieving This book takes you on her journey to get out of her own way and become the author she was meant to be. There are wonderful quotes from various authors at the start of each chapter. They support the struggles that Sara encounters in finding her own voice. Along the way she meets Nic, dealing with his own heartache. He is a poet, teaching at a small college, unable to leave his circle of comfort. There are mysterious circumstances surrounding provisions in Cassandra’s will which will lead Sara to question her parent’s marriage and Cassandra’s integrity. She travels to her Mother’s house in Maine and her childhood home in London in order to find her words. And finally she finds closure, redemption, confidence and love.

I really liked this read and easily recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

*Thank you very much to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC of "The Audacity of Sara Greyson" in exchange for an honest review.*

I really liked this. Sara is completely relatable, both in terms of feeling stuck in her life, and the pressures everyone (especially herself) puts on her.

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end!

Joani Elliott's sparkling contemporary fiction debut, THE AUDACITY OF SARA GRAYSON, is a deeply compelling and seriously funny novel that Is the perfect read for fans of Maria Semple (WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE), Abbi Waxman (THE BOOKISH LIFE OF NINA HILL), and Linda Holmes (EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER).

In THE AUDACITY OF SARA GRAYSON, an insecure greeting card writer embarks on a humorous and heartwarming journey of self-discovery as she struggles to write the long-awaited final book in her mother's mega-bestselling suspense series..

(Although I work with the author, this is an unsolicited and honest review..)

I'm sorry, I did want to read this book, but it appears that there is no option for reading on a Kindle paperwhite. Thank you anyway for the opportunity and best wishes for its success.