I went into this completely blind and I was floored. The writing is gorgeous but not pretentious, and the story flows smoothly. I loved the characters and how well their quirks and habits and personalities were developed. I enjoyed this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Finding Grace is a clever but emotionally charged novel that starts with a family vacationing in Paris during the holidays—until tragedy strikes. Honor is a devoted mother, consumed by her longing for another child. She and her husband, Tom, have turned to surrogacy and are anxiously awaiting news when everything changes in an instant.

It’s hard to talk about this book without giving too much away, but it explores the pain of infertility, the ripple effects of grief, and the ethical choices that come with unexpected circumstances. The narrator’s voice is especially unique—a bold choice that adds a layer that is emotional and complex.

The pacing has a steady flow after a gripping first chapter, and there are just enough small reveals and emotional turns to keep the story moving. We follow Tom as he becomes entangled in a moral dilemma that blurs the line between right and wrong, love and responsibility.

This book isn’t flashy, but it asks some big, haunting questions. It left me with a lot to think about—and would make for an excellent thought-provoking conversation with fellow book lovers. A worthy debut novel!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press (via NetGalley) for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Honor seems to have everything: she adores her bright and beautiful daughter, Chloe, and her charming, handsome husband, Tom, even if he works one hundred hours a week. Yet Honor’s longing for another baby threatens to eclipse all of it―until a shocking event changes their lives forever.

Years later, Tom makes a decision that ripples through their families' lives in ways he could never have foreseen. As the consequences of that fateful choice unfold, two women's paths become irrevocably intertwined. But when old love clashes with new, who will be left standing? And what happens when your secrets come back to haunt you?

Blending a page-turning moral dilemma with satisfying emotional poignancy, Finding Grace is a sweeping love story that explores the price of a new beginning, how the ghosts of our past shape our future, and whether redemption can be found in the wreckage of what we've lost.
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The first chapter of this book grabbed me like few other books have in recent memory. It was that good. And the rest of the book was...also good but maybe didn't quite live up to the promise of that first chapter. The premise was unlike anything I had really read before, and I enjoyed many elements of this story, making this a solid four-star read for me. However, there was one main character whom I really found it difficult to root for, and this kind of marred the reading experience for me. Still, there was enough action to keep me turning the pages, and there was a sweet redemptive arc in there that was the kind of thing I love to see in well-written women's fiction. This was a debut novel that hints at a promising new voice in women's fiction, and I look forward to reading what Rothschild brings us in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Loretta Rothschild for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked from the first page with all the twists and turns, plus very real characters, who you will love and care about throughout the entire book. Tom, a young man, faces many life decisions following a tragedy involving his family which takes him years to understand, luckily with the help of his son, Henry, his friends, his mother-in-law, and a special lady named Grace, who owns a wine store and hosts ladies who are mourning AND Tom. This story, with more twists than you can imagine, will keep you thinking and sharing with others for a long time. I really liked this sweet book.

Chapter 1 had me hooked and chapter 2 had me crying. Overall, it was a predictable romance, but I truly enjoyed it (and I don’t read a lot of romance). Actually, it wasn’t completely predictable. I was expecting one twist that never came. I really liked the characters and the development of relationships, although one character completely frustrated me, but I’m pretty sure that was supposed to be the case. I also felt there were a couple plot holes, but it didn’t take away from the storyline. For a debut novel, I think the author did great. I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary copy of this book. As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.

I saw this book on Netgalley before it was on BOTM and both times I said yes so to get the review copy - it was ecstatic. Hearing from so many readers that the first chapter was insane made me pick this up even faster. However, what was a very successful first chapter turned into a book that I felt like had an aim in mind and nothing would distract from where we’re headed. Which was uncomfortable for me.
I found Grace very two-dimensional, I found his son very two-dimensional. At times I felt like maybe I was reading a thriller with the massive speech and the amount of drama being stirred up. For me this missed the mark. I don’t do well with over-the-top nor do I like out-of-the-realm-of-possibility and with many things coming together or wrapping up conveniently - this ultimately was not the book for me.

Finding Grace is a phenomenal book that leaves you heartbroken and grieving from the very first pages.
This book is filled with secrets and lies, it is a poignant piece of writing. It explores grief, love, hope, loss and pain.
This was a bold, emotional, and unique debut. I can’t wait to see what Loretta Rothschild writes next.

📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

Finding Grace By Loretta Rothschild
Publication Date: July 8, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for the #gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY SPOILER-FREE REVIEW:

The first chapter of Finding Grace ended with such a shock that I audibly gasped aloud - and with that, I was immediately hooked into this book. This stunningly beautiful debut from Loretta Rothschild was a story about love, grief, hope, regret, loss, forgiveness, and second chances -- all of the ups and downs which make life richer and fuller. I was swept up into this story and it's one that will stay with me for quite some time.

This is one of those books where it's really impossible to say a lot about the plotline without giving away a massive twist that is so much better if you have no idea it's coming. The written synopsis does a great job of providing a vague summary without giving anything away, so check that out if you want to know more.

The premise of the book was intriguing and the story was so compelling that I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I quickly became completely immersed and so invested in the trajectory of the characters. I thought this was a brilliant and emotionally-driven story about the possibility that our worst tragedies can sometimes bring about our greatest joys.

From the book's start and continuing throughout, the subject of the main character's miscarriages and infertility struggles were slight emotional minefields for me, given my own personal history. If that's a struggle for you too, I think it's good to have the knowledge of that trigger warning before you begin. I thought Rothschild handled those parts of the storyline with care, and while they were hard for me to read, they were important to connect with pieces of the story and contributed to the compelling nature of the book.

This general fiction book was easily a 5⭐ read for me! I love character-driven stories filled with emotional arcs and gripping plotlines that have me thinking, "just one more chapter" until the book is finished and I'm in tears. This magnificent debut will publish on July 8th and it was a Book of the Month pick for July. And I have serious remorse that I didn't choose it as a selection last week, so you can bet I'll be adding to my order next month because it simply MUST be on my bookshelves!

#FindingGrace #LorettaRothschild #StMartinsPress #gifted #eARC #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #fivestarreads #debutreads #mustreads #bookreviews #bookrecs #booklover #bookaddict

From the moment the first chapter ended, I knew this book had me hooked-what an opening! It was the kind of start that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go. As the story unfolded, I found myself inching closer and closer to the edge of my seat-literally.

The characters, particularly the central husband-and-wife duo, were written with such depth and complexity. They weren't the most likable people, but that's what made them so compelling. Their flaws were laid bare, forcing me to wrestle with how I felt about them. At times, I pitied them. Other times, I hated them. And in some moments, I wondered if I should extend them grace, given what they were going through.

Told from the wife's point of view, the narrative was sharp, raw, and powerful-and the twist? Absolutely perfect. I wouldn't have wanted to hear this story from anyone else.

At its core, this book is a striking exploration of selfishness in marriage-how two people can want such different things and become so entrenched in their own desires that they grow indifferent to each other's needs. That disconnect led them both down a path of emotional and moral decay, and ultimately, they had to face the consequences.

Watching the husband try to wrestle with fate was gripping. He twisted himself into knots trying to control the outcome of everything, utterly dismissive of anyone else's feelings.

But in the end, fate had its say-and the lesson he learned left me completely satisfied.

The first chapter has got to be one of the most brilliantly written openings to a book I have ever read. If the story had ended there as a short story, it would still be good. I am just blown away that this is a debut novel.

Finding Grace has both literal and figurative meanings. Forgiveness of oneself is probably one of the hardest things to emotionally do in one's life. Seeing how this process pans out across multiple characters was both heartbreaking and hopeful. I am purposefully being vague so as to not give away the plot twists. this is a book best gone into blindly so that you can feel the full emotional rollercoaster it takes you on. Enjoy the ride and keep your tissues safely stowed in their upright read-to-reach position.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

BOOK: Finding Grace
AUTHOR: Loretta Rothschild
PUB DATE: July 8. 2025, by St. Martin’s Press
PAGES: 336 pages
RATING: 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Women/Family Life Fiction/Romance/Mystery

THANK YOU to @stmartinspress & Netgalley for gifting me an advanced copy for what has turned out to be one of my favorite books of 2025 so far! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“Love sought is good; but given unsought is better.”

QUICK SYNOPSIS: Honor Wharton has everything she ever wanted. A beloved daughter, a successful husband, and a beautiful life. But beneath the surface, her yearning for another child begins to overshadow it all. Then, in an instant, everything changes. Years later, Tom makes a life-altering decision; one that sends quiet shockwaves through the lives of two families. As the ripple effects unfold, the paths of two women cross in unexpected & deeply personal ways. When past love collides with present truths, loyalties are tested and buried secrets begin to surface. Finding Grace is a moving exploration of grief, connection, & the powerful choices that shape our futures.

QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: Finding Grace is a deeply emotional debut novel that explores love, loss, and the unexpected paths to healing. From the very first page, I was completely pulled in. By the last page of the first chapter, I was left hanging on a cliff, so much so that I did a double-take and flipped back to see that I had read that cliffhanger correctly! This book drew me in immediately and I couldn’t finish it fast enough, however I find myself wishing I could read it for the first time again. It was such a gift to receive an advance copy of this debut novel. I’m just blown away, and this book currently holds my #1 spot so far for 2025. I reached out to the author to see if she might be working on another book and was thrilled to hear that she is! I simply can’t wait for her next novel!

Finding Grace opens with a gripping—and emotionally charged—tragedy that promises a deeply moving exploration of grief, forgiveness, and family. It follows Honor, who seemingly has it all: a devoted husband, Tom, and a bright daughter, Chloe. But when their hopes for another child unravel in the wake of a shocking event, the story takes an unexpected turn. Years later, Tom’s choice to connect with Grace—a woman whose eggs were used in their fertility journey—sets off a tangled web of secrets, love, and moral reckoning.

That beginning is powerful. The premise is compelling: a perfect-sounding life upended, ghost-like narration from Honor’s perspective, and a complex infertility storyline involving IVF and egg donation. The questions it raises—about identity, loyalty, and second chances—were thought-provoking and had me hooked, at least initially.

Yet for me, the emotional promise didn’t fully land. I found myself pulled along by the moral conflict and structural twists, but I never felt truly invested in Honor, Tom, or Grace. By the middle—and especially in the final stretch—the pacing slowed, and the emotional beats felt muted rather than profound. The tension that started so strong just…fell flat, and I was left watching the pieces unfold rather than feeling their impact.

Bottom line: A novel with a compelling premise and noteworthy themes—but despite its potential, it didn’t resonate deeply. A decent read with strong ideas, but lacking the emotional punch I expected.

A great debut- so glad i chose to read it! The editor's synopsis was brief and didn't give anything away about the book and neither will, other than to say this book drew me in from the first chapter and I had a hard time putting it down. A love story, secrets, a little mystery, and tragedy. How does your past impact your future?

As many other reviewers have noted, it’s nearly impossible to talk about Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild without giving away huge plot twists. So, I’ll keep this short and sweet and make three observations in lieu of a formal review:

1. The final sentence of Chapter 1 stunned me and sent the book into a completely unexpected new direction.
2. Grace. Girl. I think we need to have a get-a-grip talk.
3. Tom’s choices are bonkers and get worse with every chapter.

Statements #2 and 3 might lead you to think that I didn’t like Finding Grace—but, somehow, I did. Rothschild sets up the plot and narrative voice in such a compelling way that I had to keep going to see how the story would play out. I didn’t love the ultimate destination of the plot, but it was a ride that I had no desire to cut short.

I went into this book without really knowing what it was about and I think that is the best way to read it. You have no expectations and the story can just unfold.

It was a very quick read as I wanted to find out what happened next and was curious how it would all work out in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I am not sure what I expected with this book- the description was vague, so that may be what intrigued me! I wasn't sure if it would be a mystery, thriller, romance! I am so, so glad that I read this! I did not realize that this is exactly the book that I needed at this time!

I feel that I cannot give a true in-depth description of what the story is about because it might ruin the experience for you. I can say that the first couple of chapters are shocking, mind-blowing, and once you read it you know that you just have to finish the book to see where this is going and what in the word is happening! Then there is the letter! This will lead to decisions that are morally questionable.

I appreciated the author's attention to detail. She writes about domestic relationships intimately- not the big moments, but the everyday little moments, both good and bad- that demonstrates a fully fleshed out relationship. This was very important to the story. There is heartbreak, struggles and at times desperation. However, underlying all of this, there is hope. This is a beautiful, unique story that will stay with you for a while.

I loved everything about this book, except that I felt the ending was too quick. I wanted just a little more information about that last scene!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book was not at all what I was expecting. It takes a big turn in the first chapter, and then uses an unusual narrator for the rest of the book. But underneath all that is a story of grief and trying to heal from it.

I don't want to get too into the plot because of spoilers, but Tom has a son who is born from a surrogate and an egg donor, and for the aforementioned spoiler reasons, his wife and daughter are no longer in the picture. One day he opens a letter that was accidentally sent to him and discovers the name of the egg donor, something that was supposed to be forever secret. This is Grace. He becomes a bit obsessed with finding her, and then once he does, he quickly falls in love. But he hasn't told her about the letter.

I really enjoyed this story and how it was constructed, though occasionally I would forget about who the narrator is and get a bit confused about the point of view. But all in all I think this was a great debut, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

Finding Grace really grabbed me in the first chapter. Then, some things happened that made me roll my eyes. I know it's fiction but can all these things really happen? I guess I'm just very cynical. As much as I liked parts of the book, it was frustrating with all the miscommunication and unbelievable occurrences.

Finding Grace
by Loretta Rothschild

For a young woman consumed with expanding her family, the agony of multiple miscarriages is by far the worst that can happen, until it isn’t. She didn’t even see it coming. I didn’t see it coming. Perhaps you will be able to . . . but I doubt it. And all this occurred in the first chapter! Imagine the whirlwind found in the rest of the novel?!

Honor and Tom have the perfect marriage, which is one of love and respect. Their love is magnified through their adorable and whimsical daughter, Chloe. They are united in their desire to share their love with another child, but difficulties arrive. This comes with tough choices like continued disappointment, possible adoption, and even surrogacy. Even the best of marriages have trouble navigating these choppy waters.

Don’t get me wrong. The novel isn’t filled with doom and gloom. Rather, it has intrigue, surprise, and plenty of drama. But what makes it special is its depth of characterization. The genuineness of these characters shines through in their actions, but especially in their words. Honor and Tom say out loud what they are thinking and feeling, despite the consequences. Their abrupt and painful honesty with each other makes them better people in the end.

Likewise with their actions. Honor and Tom follow through with their dreams and goals. They never let life get in their way. When an author is able to achieve this level of characterization and plot development, the reader is elevated to a higher level. It allows readers to see the movie of the book in their brains. They are able to fully picture what the characters look like, and see them perform the plot in full action. This allows readers to get away from the daily troubles of life for a little while, and thoroughly get lost the show.

The unusual character perspective of this novel is one of its greatest attributes. It really is quite unique. The only change I would have made would be with the characters of Annie and Lauren. Although they are outspoken and say how they feel, we are blocked from hearing their internal thoughts. Both are consumed with jealousy for different reasons, and I would have enjoyed reading their spiteful thoughts.

Overall, this is one of the best books I have read this year, based on its characters, events, and perspective. Excellent debut novel by Loretta Rothschild! Two thumbs up!

One of the absolute best books I've read this year, Finding Grace grabbed my attention from the first chapter with its nail bitting ending through the very end. This is a book about love, about tragedy,about grief, and about healing. I'm stunned this is a debut novel - the writing is brilliant, intelligently well crafted. I can't wait to read more by Loretta Rothschild!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.