3.5 stars

This book made me so uncomfortable the entire time I was reading it, but that's not a criticism; I think that was part of the - or maybe the whole? - point.

The synopsis includes the detail that "a shocking event changes their lives forever," and that dramatic statement is accurate.

When the novel begins, Honor, her husband, Tom, and their young daughter Chloe are hoping to add another child to their family. They are in the thick of this conversation/experience when that aforementioned event occurs.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about this book is that the only correct approach is to know as little as possible before starting. In vague terms, there are some innovative (and strange?) things happening with the narration. The various truths and lies and characters' treatments of them gave me a lot of anxiety. I had - and still have - many feelings about the various choices characters make, their culminating outcomes, and how I feel about their motivations. There is stuff that I unquestionably did not like, but I do like the fact that this book made me think and provoked a lot of deeper consideration.

The most important thing this listen did for me was introduce me to this debut author, whose work I am certain I would like to read more of in the future. I have VERY mixed feelings on the content, but positive thoughts about the ambition.

*I'm not including any TW or CW here for specific reasons. Prospective readers who appreciate this info (I'm one of them) should take a look at a detailed set of warnings as there are some.

This book was unexpected from the get go. The end of chapter one made me go, "What?" That said, I expected more from the ensuing exposition. While I cared about the main character, I didn't always understand why she made the choice she did and that left me feeling a bit disconnected to the text. It was a quick and engaging read and for that, I am appreciative.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

Honor is longing to have another child, but she’s had difficulty with conception in the past and her desire turns into obsession and she doesn’t appreciate the family in front of her. Honor’s husband, Tom, works nonstop and makes some decision that trickles down and impacts his family later.

This is a book that is best going into blind and enjoy the ride. The writing is beautiful and the characters have so much depth with their flaws and choices. It is more of a character driven book, but the plot is also intriguing. This book will tear your heart out at times. The ending fell a little flat for me, but I still enjoyed this book overall. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literary fiction. It’s hard to believe that this is a debut and I will gladly read her other books in the future.

Mired in grief due to the sudden loss of his family, Tom became a shadow of himself and wondered if he ever would be truly happy again. It is only because of Henry and the serendipitous letter that led him.to Grace that he began to enjoy and appreciate life again. He opened himself up.and no longer defined himself simply as a widower. I really enjoyed how Honor narrated the book as it was evident that despite the tumultuous times of wanting to have another child, that she truly did love him and just wanted him to be happy. She wanted him to move on. He found solace in the group of women who gathered on Sunday nights. Yet he wss keeping a secret from Grace that ultimately could have led to the complete demise of their relationship. He knew what he needed to do but for the first time in years, he felt happy again. I really liked the line that love sought is good but unsought love is even better. The relationships with Annie, Oliver and Lauren certainly took a shocking turn but Tom remained strong. When Grace reappeared and announced her wonderful news, he found hid family again.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild.
Finding Grace is a great debut novel by Loretta Rothschild. Told from an onlooker's perspective adds a unique view to the story. Rothschild creates characters that are tragic, yet endearing. The reader gets emotionally connected to Tom and you find yourself hoping he finds true happiness.

This book had me hooked from the first chapter- I absolutely flew through it. It's one that I will be handing to my patrons and telling them the less they know, the better.

Literary fiction is not my genre of choice, but the marketing and synopsis for this book had me desperate to read it, and I was not disappointed!

My god, this might be the most depressing book I’ve ever read, but in the best possible way. Rothschild has an uncanny ability to capture the inner workings of a man’s mind, especially when it comes to their justifications and failings. Tom isn’t an awful character, but his poor choices make it nearly impossible to sympathize with him.

What truly sets this book apart is the narration. Using the dead wife’s perspective was such a unique and powerful choice. It reminded me so much of the early 2000s movie Return to Me that I had to rewatch it the moment I finished reading. Finding Grace is beautifully written, deeply emotional, and absolutely unforgettable.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Loretta Rothschild, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

from the first chapter i was intrigued with this novel. Tom's choices throughout the book were frustrating at times, but I think it was still a well-crafted debut. The narration was unique and beautifully written, unlike anything I've read before.I wish Tom had made different choices, as his ending felt a bit undeserved and too neatly wrapped up. However, I understand the reasons behind his actions. Overall, it was an ok read

The writing is both lyrical and grounded, with vivid descriptions that evoke a strong sense of place and atmosphere. Whether it’s the quiet introspection of the main character or the dynamic relationships she forms, Rothschild’s words draw the reader in, making them feel like a part of the story.

The characters in the novel are multi-dimensional and authentic, each carrying their own struggles, flaws, and desires. Their interactions feel genuine, and the way Rothschild explores their growth over the course of the book adds depth to the overall narrative. The relationships—whether familial, romantic, or platonic—are central to the story, and Rothschild handles them with sensitivity and insight.

It is definitely more character driven than plot driven for most of the book.

Wow. I could not put this book down. It starts out with a bang and I found myself going back to make sure I had in fact read it correctly. From there I was absolutely hooked.

The narrator is at first surprising, but very quickly turned out to be one of my favourite characters. A twisted, yet unexpectedly tender point of view which added an extra layer of suspense, and honestly quite a bit of anxiety. At times I was unsure whether to laugh, cry, smile, or scream - at Tom specifically - which made for a page turner!

What an impressive debut! Filled with likeable and unlikeable characters, this book is heavily character driven. It focused on emotional themes such as trauma, loss, and grief. Fantastic debut.

Finding Grace felt like a literary novel that ended quite like a romance novel. I liked the premise and really liked the narrator's POV. I wish there had been more establishment of the main characters before the first big plot twist.

Finding Grace centers on Honor and Tom, a couple trying for another baby. However, Honor’s obsession with being a mother to another child has blinded her to the family already in front of her.

This book has a wild plot twist that I never saw coming. I can’t share it without totally giving away the plot, but it made for an interesting read. Unfortunately, this plot twist should could with some serious TW, so I’m unsure how that will be marketed.

This is not my typical book, but I enjoyed it for the most part. I feel it really jumped the shark at the end and made a poignant book feel much less so.

While I didn’t particular love any of the characters, I did really enjoy the writing style and would read this author again.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

What a wonderful book this is!
I loved reading this story through the author’s brilliant choice of narrator.
Brava, Loretta Rothschild!

A book with lots of twists and turns making it a perfect read while on a beach or on vacation. The proganist’s dilemma kept me engrossed till the last page.

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild is an amazing debut novel that I highly recommend. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story, captivated by its unique and fun narration style. There’s not much I can say without revealing the first big twist, but the book unfolds in a way that kept me completely engaged.

The characters’ dilemmas and decisions were real and thought-provoking. While some moments were deeply emotional and difficult to read, the overall experience was enjoyable and absolutely worth it. The novel balances deep, raw human experiences with a compelling story that feels both moving and immersive.

If you enjoy books that challenge your perspective while keeping you hooked with fascinating characters and an intriguing plot, Finding Grace is a must-read. I’ll be eagerly awaiting what Rothschild writes next!

Finding Grace grips the reader's attention by the first chapter. It was so unexpected that I raced through this novel. I found the POV to be unique and the writing to be well done, but I had trouble connecting with the MMC and understanding his choices. I am also ultra-sensitive to some of the subject matter, so I likely judged this book harsher than the average reader.

Narration performed by Fiona Button was outstanding.

I received an ARC and ALC from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After 10 days…I finally finished this book.
I think I do have a love-hate relationship, because at sometimes all I could think was ‘this is so boring’, ‘when will this end’, ‘such dramatic characters’, and at the near rare moment I felt like, ‘maybe it’s a beautiful love story’, ‘I like the way the characters are portrayed and drowned in each other’.
On the other hand, this book is a weirdo, the point of view, and plot twist, the breakups, the tingling ropes of who did that what happens to the—etc.
Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Finding Grace is a heartbreaking novel.
Honor and her husband have a beautiful daughter named Chloe. Honor wants another baby, her marriage is strained due to infertility issues.
Complex relationships, emotional, unforgettable characters that kept me captivated.
Love, raw emotions, grief, secrets kept. A story that will pull on your heartstrings.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Finding Grace was a totally unique story for me. Honestly, based on the cover alone, I may have never picked it up, but once I saw Jodi Picoult's endorsement, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. I could not turn the pages fast enough, I was completely engrossed. Some of the early reviews had me expecting something a bit different, but I agree with the blanket advice to go into this blind. A strong debut and I will be excited to read more from Loretta Rothschild in the future.