Member Reviews

Grace by Victoria Scott is a poignant exploration of adoption through the intertwined lives of Michelle, a young mother who has just given up her baby for adoption, and Amelia, a bereaved woman hoping to adopt. The narrative delves deeply into both women's backgrounds, revealing the complexities and imperfections in each seemingly perfect option for baby Grace. While the book's emotional depth and dual perspectives offer a fresh and compelling look at adoption, some readers may find the pacing uneven. Nonetheless, the story is beautifully written, capturing the heartache and hope involved in the adoption process. It’s a heartfelt read that challenges perceptions and tugs at the heartstrings.

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On the one side of the story, we have Michelle who has just given up her newborn baby for adoption. On the other side, we heard from Amelia, a bereaved mother who is hoping to foster to adopt baby Grace.

Throughout the story, we learn more about each woman - what looked like a perfect options appears to be pretty flawed, and it doesn’t seem like there is an obvious choice.

I really enjoyed this book. There were a few lulls but overall, I found it so interesting to explore such a unique experience.

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Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. Unfortunately since requesting the book, my reading tastes have changed and it would be unfair to review this book as I do not think I could give it the review that would be justified

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Victoria Scott is an amazing Author and Grace is a wonderful story, One that will take hold of you and keep you captivated page, after page. A very much recommended read.

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Very well written about a complicated topic. I found it really interesting to see this concept from different viewpoints. Highly recommended.

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Oh my goodness this book is absolutely beautiful! I couldn’t put it down, honestly the writer knows how to capture your attention and make you read till the very end, fabulous

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Michelle and Amelia want the same thing which is baby Grace.

A heartfelt story written from both perspectives where you get an insight into two very different lives.

An emotional read.

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From this cover and description, I didn't expect the book to have almost thriller-y vibes to it but I really enjoyed this book. It's quite a difficult and emotional read at times, but I really enjoyed this book at a person's life through the care and foster system.

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Victoria has a knack for writing with such sensitivity, whatever the subject. This was a touching story, and I really felt for the two main female characters. It was quite early on that I was not a fan of Piers, however. He was a snobby, misogynistic control freak.

It was beautifully written and I definitely shed a few tears on more than one occasion

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I sobbed reading this book, such a heart-warming and emotional tale of the entire adoption process from all angles. 19 year old Michelle hasn't had the best start to life, and when she falls pregnant she decides that her baby will be adopted. An adoptive family is found, but when Michelle wants her baby back, there is going to be heartbreak for at least one family. Beautifully written and well paced, this story took me to emotional places that I didnt know existed- beautiful!

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This story starts with Michelle giving birth to Grace as Amelia is struggling with another negative pregnancy test. As the book progresses we learn more about each woman's background and their relationships with others, including friends and social workers. Their realistic situations and actions engendered my sympathy and empathy, and as the story developed it was hard to decide who I wished Grace would be with for the rest of her life. The ending may have been a little trite, tidying up all loose ends, but I was relieved to see there was some happiness in store for both women.
I thought this was an excellent book, and have signed up to follow the author.

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A beautifully written story surrounding an important topic of adoption and the complexities with everyone involved. I liked the fact that the author was sympathetic to the topic meaning that usual tropes in this area were not followed.

I am still reminded of the emotional impact of this book - the clarity of the characters was heartbreaking at times.

The outcome was unexpected and it’s a book that I recommend to many!

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A fairly standard domestic thriller exploring class divides and fertility issues - I feel like I’ve read this story so many times and I’m afraid “Grace” says nothing new.

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Really lovely heartwarming story about a young vulnerable girl who puts her baby up for adoption and the woman who adopts….which ends in a tug of war. Loved it

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The book was very well written and flowed well. The plot was great. Everything I thought it would be from the description

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Grace has had a complicated life, and is now very pregnant. Since she herself grew up in foster care, she does not want her baby to go through the same. She finds a lovely couple to adopt baby Grace, but eventually, she misses her baby and wants her back. You follow the adoptive mother as she falls in love with her child, but of course, life with a baby is complicated and hard. Imagine having to go to court because the biological mom wants her back. It's beautifully sad, and well written. Obviously not a light read.

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Heartfelt and heart wrenching, this book played with my emotions. i had to read it in a day, and was so engrossed. I didn't know who I was rooting for to end up with the baby - teenage mum Michelle, who has been so damaged by the system and let down her whole life, or foster/adoptive mum Amelia who loves baby Grace but who is having to face some hard truths about her marriage. I think this is showing us that nobody is perfect and it's very difficult for an outsider to judge on what they see. Some twists and turns here, and a satisfying ending. A beautiful read. #netgalley #Grace

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What a beautiful book this is. Right from the start I was totally drawn into it
I liked all the characters and I didn't know how it was going to all turn out. Either way, there would be no winners at the outcome.
Relatable characters, a heartbreaking plot and a beautiful style of writing make for a totally engrossing and captivating read that will stay with me for a long time.

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Grace's mother gives her up for adoption as soon as she is born. Amelia and Piers are desparate to become parents and agree to foster Grace with a view to adoption. Grace's mother Michelle was brought up in care and doesn't have a good opinion of Social Services but then when she reaches rock bottom she is helped by an unlikely source and finally realises that she could bring up her own daughter.

An interesting topic and well worth reading.

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When I first saw this book and started reading it, I had no idea it was set in an area I knew. Having spent a few years in Worcester when I was around the same age as Michelle, I could identify many places she mentions and it helps contextualise a lot of the book for me, even the parts in Malvern that I am less familiar with.

The relationships set up between characters really show the excellence of Victoria Scott's writing. Seeing Michelle's trust come and go for different people and how it affected the way she thought of them and spoke of them, especially Gillian, was what really drew me in.

The character of Amelia and her narrative was handled so well and respectfully that I teared up at the end, no spoilers, because of how attached I had gotten and how much I cared about whay happened to her.

While it is not my usual go-to genre of fantasy or even romance, Grace has reminded me of the importance of reaching past your comfort zone to try something new.

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