4 stars for this witty novel!

Sara Grayson writes greeting card messages and claims she's not a real writer. She's in her 30s now and not sure where her life is headed. When Sara's famous novelist mother passes away Sara must finish her final novel. Sara angsts over this but it was her mother's last wish for Sara for finish her last book. There are twists and turns along the way but one way or another Sara is determined to finish writing this book!

I enjoyed this book and I liked Sara as a main character, she was funny and endearing. I liked the side romance as well. When Sara meets Nic it made me smile and felt like it fit well with the overall storyline of the book. There are also emails throughout the book and I felt they added to the plot. Sara was such a likeable character and along with her dog, Gatsby, she's determined to finish her mother's final novel.

Would recommend this to any fiction lover!

Thank you NetGalley, author Joani Elliott, and Post Hill Press for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
The Audacity of Sara Grayson is a debut novel by author Joani Elliott and what a wonderful first book.
This book follows the journey of Sara Grayson and the fulfillment of her mother's final wish, which is for her to write the fifth and final book in her mother's wildly popular book series. I really liked the characters and how well developed they were. Each character had a connection to the other in some form or fashion. I especially loved the relationship between Sara and Phil. They had such a father daughter relationship by the end of the book. The writing and the pacing were well done. I really became invested in the process Sara was going through as an author as well as finding out more about the mysteries that surround her parents. In addition, I was rooting for Sara to write the book that her mother always wanted, her book!
This book has a little bit of everything. Some mystery, romance (but not the main focus), self-discovery, and the ties that bind a family.
The relationship between Phil and Nik was a little sad, but very realistic. Many children feel the pressure from their successful parents and this was well represented throughout this book.
Nik was such a wonderful male hero. I loved the relationship development between Nik and Sara. They both became better writers due to their connection.
I would have liked the author to reveal what was in the safety deposit box , but I guess that is left up to the reader to wonder what was in the box.
The ending left me well satisfied and happy for how everything was wrapped up!
Overall, I would recommend this book for those who have ever had the desire to write a book or are looking for their next vacation book. I can't wait for the next book published by this author!

Can she do it?

Sara Grayson is having a tough time. Her husband has left, taking her confidence with him. Then her mother, a world-famous suspense novelist, dies. Three weeks later, Sara learns that her mother’s dying wish was for Sara to write the final book in her bestselling series. Gulp. Sara does not believe that she can do this and is on the verge of declining in a meeting with her mother’s publishers. But then an insult gets her back up and she decides to proceed.

Really, Sara. From writing greeting cards to writing a satisfying conclusion to a bestselling series? How audacious.

We travel with Sara on her journey through self-doubt, compounded by writer’s block, and her discovery of family secrets. Sara’s sister, Anna-Kath, supports her but has some issues of her own to deal with. Sara is up against very tight deadlines and the publisher seems sure that she will fail (and is doing her best to achieve that outcome). I kept reading and changing my mind about whether I thought Sara could do it. In the meantime, Sara writes and procrastinates, freezes, unfreezes, and refreezes. All this angst to deal with, all these issues to overcome, and family secrets threatening to undermine everything. The odds seem stacked against Sara.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. While I enjoyed much of it, I became frustrated at times with four hundred pages containing much angst and deeply involved family secrets. But I wanted Sara to succeed (it is an underdog thing) so I kept reading. And yes, I liked the ending.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Meryl Moss Media for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Loved it. It took a few chapters to really get a feel for the book and to be engaged by it. Once that occurred I did not want to put the book down. A sweet romance, a revelation of past issues, and an adorable dog.

2.5 stars, rounded up. When Sara and Anna-Kath (sometimes referred to as Ann?)’s bestselling author mother Cassandra Bond passes away suddenly, leaving the final book in her wildly popular series in Sara’s hands, chaos, tantrums, wild mood swings, ensue for the duration of the book. Alongside the ongoing narrative of Sara’s angst-ridden writing process, a number of side plots insert themselves, and the inevitable but puzzling romance; the jacket description is not necessarily an accurate summary of the contents within. This debut novel could have done with some tighter editing; a number of plot points and side characters seemed random and extraneous, a distraction rather than pushing the narrative forward. Some presented in an “oh by the way” manner, and only highlight Sara’s self-involvement and immaturity further – I don’t think she’s intended to be as unlikable and frustrating as I found her. The family secrets introduced along the way and Sara’s writing efforts are satisfyingly resolved in the end, though a few too many convenient coincidences and forced plot points get us there. While a little long and tediously repetitive in parts, I pushed through to the conclusion, mainly drawn to Cassandra Bond’s character, who ironically is reveals herself to be the most interesting, realistic and likeable character, given she passes away in the first few pages. Her faith in her daughter’s abilities lacking in Sara herself is the most redeeming of the book’s qualities. Overall, a pleasant enough read just in time for beach book season.

Thank you to NetGalley, Post Hill Press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5⭐

I need to know what's in the box, Joani Elliott!

I love a book that focuses on books! Sara Grayson is a failed novelist turned college professor tasked with writing the last book of her mother's famous series like writing the last Game of Thrones or Hunger Games novel. This was such a fun premise that I was really excited to receive this ARC.

it was so fun to watch Sara determine what she wanted to write to conclude her mom's series, but at the same time, Sara was honestly a frustrating character. I loved that Joani recognized Sara's previous trauma was serious so she had been to therapy to work out her issues. But every time a challenge came her way, it was a calamity for Sara and the woman could not get out of her way. Thank goodness at the end of the book she wrote something she loved!

I loved the ending and how the pieces of the story connected at the end. I thought Nik was a fantastic character and enjoyed their romantic interlude though I could have done with more time with him and less time building up the story. Overall, this was a fun book and a good debut though it needed a little more focus. I would definitely be curious to see future books from Joani!

I don’t know if it was just me but from the summary of the book, I thought there was going to be ... more. I didn’t gain a real connection with Sara (even though we have the same name) even though I really wanted to.
It was charming and witty, good to the point where I wanted to keep reading but I did fee a bit unfulfilled at the end.

Sara Grayson is living a mediocre life - recently divorced, teaching at a university, having given up on her writing career. A few weeks after her acclaimed author mom passes away, Sara is informed she has been designated to finish her mom’s series, Ellery Dawson, THE hottest series on the planet. Although she had reservations, Sara agrees to taking on this endeavor - and discovers much more than she bargained for.

When I was reading this book, I did not want to put it down. It was such a page turner and I wanted to keep reading. I was pretty certain how the main portion of the story would end, but there were so many twists and side plots that I did not see coming! Sara was an intriguing character I was rooting for from the beginning. Her relationship with Anna-Kath, her sister, was a complex but real relationship that I appreciated. Phil, the hard but lovable editor, was another character who had more depth than I originally expected, which added to the story.

The biggest complaint I have was that there was no epilogue. There were so many unanswered questions, and they could have easily been wrapped up in 2 or 3 pages. I was so upset when I got to the end and it just - ended. No wrap-up, no answering the burning question I had in my mind, just THE END. This book is not written with the intention of a sequel (that I know of), nor does the unanswered questions need an entire book; a few pages would suffice. If you’re the kind of person who likes answers to burning questions at the end of the book, this will probably irk you as well.

At the end of the day, while I really enjoyed this story, it’s not one that is going to stay with me forever. It’s a well told story, but it didn’t tug at my heart strings, or have a message that I’m going to take with me forever. That’s really why the rating is so low - it’s not a bad book, but it’s nothing I would recommend to everyone I know. If the blurb sounds interesting to you, you’ll very likely enjoy it, but it probably won’t be your favorite book of all time.

Rating: 3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4.

This book started slow for me but I stuck with it. The story had some interesting twists which kept me reading. I did feel like it was wordy at times and lacked character development. The love story of the main character was cheesy and predictable, but there were enough other little twists to keep me reading.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC of The Audacity of Sara Grayson by Joani Elliott.

It's been a long time since I was unable to put a book down, since I craved finishing it because I needed to know where it was going -- but that's exactly what The Audacity of Sara Grayson was for me: an unputdownable book that felt like a fiction companion to some of my favourite non-fiction writing books.

In the weeks after her mother's death, Sara Grayson - an aspiring greeting card writer - gets word from her mother's lawyer that Sara is to write the last book in her mother's landmark series, Ellerly Dawson. With immense pressure and no amount of writing confidence, Sara must unravel some family drama, some lies she's believed for a long time, and actually write the book.

There are so many things I liked about this book - there were aspects of Sophie Kinsella, Mhairi McFarlane, and a little bit of a Gilmore Girls feel here. The way Elliott writes the sister relationship between Sara and Anna-Kath made me gasp and laugh out loud at how similar it is to my relationship with my sisters. It's a book about writing, about family, about second chances, about trying things we long told ourselves we couldn't do. I laughed, I gasped - I did it all.

I will say, there were a couple of spots where I thought the book was going one way and then a character would get abruptly dropped, or swing in a different direction. It wasn't enough to make the reading experience not great for me, but that might not be the case for everyone, so just a heads up.

I give this four stars straight for content, but an extra star for being unable to put it down.

Sara Grayson's mom wrote four best selling books before passing away. Sara now has the job of writing the last book to finish the series. She has not really developed her writing skills as she should, but she's determined to fulfill her mom's wish.This book is the story of Sara's quest to write both what the publisher demands, and what her mother would find wonderful. Throughout the process, she must deal with the editor and publisher, and along the way, she learns about family secrets, and ultimately, finds love in the most unexpected places.

This story is a lot about the process of writing books and discovering how to put one's life into the story. It's about what it takes to be dedicated to the final product. The book is well written and compelling, and it has a very satisfying ending. I do feel a little exhausted after finishing it and I think maybe that's what Joani Elliott wanted.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Audacity of Sara Grayson.

The Audacity of Sara Grayson is about a mother-daughter dynamic that is put to the test after Sara's mother passes away and leaves the daunting task of writing the final book in her famous series. Its also about finding the truth, lost family, loyalty, and finding yourself. Sara is someone who just feels stuck, she wants to write but she isn't sure if she can find the words. Her character develops over the course of the book as she discovers more about her parents and about herself.
Joani Ellliott captured wit, charm, emotional vulnerability in the writing and plot of the story. I liked how there was a romantic aspect but it wasn't at the forefront of the story which was more about Sara. I also liked the plot twists and obstacles that Sara had to work around in order to keep moving forward. This book is charming, smart, witty, funny, and also has some real emotional parts that you feel along with the characters. One thing I didn't like was that parts of it felt too drawn out, but overall the flow of the story made sense. I would definitely recommend it! Thank you Netgalley and Post Hill Press for the advanced copy. #TheAudacityofSaraGrayson #Netgalley

Imagine if a very famous author was your mother - someone like Agatha Christie, for example. They have an incredibly lucrative and entertaining franchise going on. This franchise has sold around 50 million copies worldwide and there are movies made on it and everything.

Then, before the last book in the series comes out, the author dies. And they leave a letter asking you to complete the last book.

This is exactly what happens in The Audacity of Sara Grayson.

Sara is a 32-year-old who teaches English to hungover students and tries to get side jobs for writing Cutie Coupons and greeting cards. Her husband has left her, taking the waffle-maker with him, and he even fought long and hard for the dog.

Sara has totally given up on life and is just pulling along when her mother's letter - delivered 3 weeks after her death - is put in her hands by their attorney.

Obviously, Sara is devastated. She CANNOT write a book, such a successful one at that! And she meets the publishers to convey just that. But she changes her mind at the last minute and suddenly, she is burdened with the HUGE task of completing the franchise. The audacity!

Plus, there is the matter of the large trust amount entrusted to someone called Meredith Lamb.

Sara has a deadline and now she has to work with the editor she hates most in the world. Will they be able to get over their differences and come out with the book in time? Will the publishers accept it? Will Sara be ever able to match up to the talent of her mother?

I loved the way Sara tackled her issues. They are very realistic. Gatsby was a sweetheart. Sara's sister, Anna-Kath is the pillar of support every person needs. Phil was excellent, exactly how an editor should be. Nik made me feel warm and content.

I loved how things played out and how Sara untangled various knots in her family while managing to move from self-pity to a confident woman. The support she got from all the people in her life made me happy.

If you are looking for a feel-good, coming-of-age book, read this one. I requested it because of the beautiful cover and look at me, not disappointed at all!

4.5 audacious stars for Sara Grayson.

Thanks to Netgalley, Joani Elliott, and Post Hill Press for the ARC.

I wish I could say I liked this book more than I did but... The synopsis sold me on wanting to read this but the actual story was drawn out. As much as I love romance, the mini romance subplot wasn't necessary.

The three stars are for the plot I actually really enjoyed, everything having to do with writing the book and Nik and Maine were all excellent. The whole plot line with Mari could go. It really muddies the main story line and distracts from the crescendo and energy of her needing to get the book written. She could have just gone to London to escape the press when they found out she was the writer or reconnect with her roots with out pulling mystery family members in it. And the whole Cree thing was bananas. I enjoyed the parts that were enjoyable but think an editor could have done a better job helping the author to really focus and sharpen the main story line.

This was a very fun book! I am a long-time fan of books about writers and writing, and this was a super-cute entry in that category. I enjoyed the characterizations a lot - the blend of personality types and quirks was entertaining and the characters felt well-fleshed out and relatable in all their frivolities and foibles. Watching Sara evolve and come into her own was like cheering for your little sister - frustrating and fascinating in equal measure. I found the writing easy to fall into and the plot engaging, heart-warming, and amusing in equal measures. This was a fun read and a great escape from regular life...

Joani Elliott's THE AUDACITY OF SARA GRAYSON held such promise: rudderless writer daughter flailing in her work and personal life is assigned the daunting challenge of writing the final volume in her stupendously successful writer mother's beloved series. Sadly, it failed to deliver on it for me. A major problem is that Sara, the character that the story revolves around, is a lost, unlikeable person surrounded by interesting, dynamic, and worthy others including her older sister and her mother's agent, publisher, and lawyers. Try as I might, I could not figure out why I should care about this character--I was way more interested in the secrets that are revealed and answered throughout the story than I was in what this living person in the here and now would do next. Parts of the story rushed by as if they were placeholders for more in-depth exploration -- but in other parts, the detail was exquisite and enough to keep me slogging through to the increasingly inevitable end. I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my unbiased review.

The story is about Sara's unexpected journey as a writer after her world-famous author mother dies and leaves a dying wish for Sara to finish the last book of her most popular series.

I loved how this story revolves around writing. I have fantasized about writing a book myself. How would it feel to be brave enough to put my work out there for others to read? What would be the reaction? How would I feel about it? 🙈 This book definitely helps my imagination of what it would actually take to get something published. Unfortunately, that's the only aspect of the book I enjoyed.

The beginning felt a little bland and boring. I had to push myself to give it a chance and not to quit. I also am not a fan of a plot when someone has to die for others to make a long-needed change in life. Sara being a self-absorbed person, who did not deserve kindness even from the closest ones, did not help the case either. She was very unlikable through the book. I do not think she redeemed herself at all. Even her desperate attempts to know the truth about the past were very selfish. Never did she once thought how any of it would impact others.

Everything wrapped up very nicely in the end. However, I would have loved to find out what was in that box, and I would have liked to read a little more self-awareness on Sara's part regarding the way how she ignored and missed so much of the lives of her loved ones.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joani Elliott, and the publisher for providing advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. 🤗

I enjoyed The Audacity of Sara Grayson, by Joani Elliott, even more than I expected to. It's clever and funny when it needs to be, with a particular wit for one-liners, and honestly, vulnerably emotional when it needs to be (although the premise and cover led me to expect more of a light-hearted comedy, it was much more of a family drama type of book than that). Sara's development as a character feels natural and well-paced, and the side characters feel like real, whole people, not just props in the protagonist's journey.

I will say that the secrets and family drama revelations at the end got a little overly convoluted for me, and I do think the end of the book would have benefitted from more simple, honest emotion, as it had for the first 3/4 or so. But it’s still an excellent story, funny and moving by turns (sometimes simultaneously), with a protagonist whose growth you can really understand and root for.

CW for parent death, cancer, child death (not depicted).

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for the advance review copy!

I spent most of the first half of this book, THE AUDACITY OF SARA GRAYSON, being confused about what genre it was and what it was trying to accomplish. Is it women's fiction? Romance? Mystery? All three? I'm still not sure of the answer.

The romance in the book came a bit late for me (we don't meet the love interest until 50% of the way through) and there are some funny side characters that only appear for a second before disappearing. The climax is a family secret on top of family secret on top of family secret, and the secrets felt a bit heavy for the book—almost in the vein of THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, like they were only there for shock value.

Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read that has a lot of life to it. I would definitely read more by this author. The writing is humorous and fun, Sara is an entertaining character, and the challenge of her having to write the last installment her dead mother's bestselling book series is intriguing.