Member Reviews
Honor and Tom seemingly have everything—the perfect daughter, successful careers, Paris vacations. But all is not well beneath the veneer, as Honor’s desperation to have another child is taking its toll on their marriage. Until one day, an unimaginable event changes the course of their lives forever.
This book has such a unique premise and is impossible to describe further without spoiling anything. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter, and it took so many wild turns that left my jaw open.
This story is about the choices we make and dealing with their consequences. It involves themes such as loss and finding love again.
While Tom’s decisions and moral dilemma left me feeling stressed and constantly shaking my head, I also felt for him.
There were a couple of lines of graphic sexual detail which while I don’t mind, felt so out of place in this book and almost felt forced, that they threw me out of the story for a moment.
I still enjoyed the story overall and would recommend this. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild is a gripping novel that kept me engaged with many great surprising plot twists. Writing a review of this book without providing spoilers is a challenge because this book is a roller-coaster ride from the first chapter to the last page. The character development is outstanding and the writer has a very readable writing style. Overall, I highly recommend this page-turner. The narrator is a female describing the experiences of the main character who is a male. While I sometimes felt that the narration reflected how females think that males think rather than how males actually think, that did not detract significantly from this outstanding read.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book made me uncomfortable on many levels. It seemed over crowded with characters, relationships and subplots. I don’t like a dead narrator, nor a dead child. So, this complicated story of multiple people involved in birth and death made me not enjoy the book.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
”Finding Grace” is an emotional journey through loss, grief and secrets, but ultimately it’s about love and the complexity of family bonds. This book will shatter you right from the first chapter.
This novel is written beautifully. Rothschild captures such heartfelt emotions in her characters and the plot is unpredictable and complex. This book gives true meaning to the term page-turner. I highly recommend this book. It’s simply amazing.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy.
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild is an impressive debut. I gravitate toward the romance genre, but my interest was piqued by the description of Finding Grace. I’m so glad I requested it on NetGalley.
There is a twist within the first chapter of this novel. While it’s devastatingly sad, it makes the narration of Finding Grace all the more unique.
I finished this book in a single day—I literally could not put it down. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Finding Grace is optioned as an HBO limited series. Finding Grace will be the book of the summer, mark my words.
My only disappointment was the ending, but it’s still well worth the read. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for an eARC of Finding Grace.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book
Loved the book
The author skillfully weaves together characters in different timeframes bringing them together in a happy ending with them each
Becoming the best version of themselves
Well written and imaginative with likeable characters .
4.5 stars
This storyline is very different from the books I usually gravitate towards. The plot explores themes of profound loss, resilience, and the power of new beginnings. While I didn't completely connect with the characters, that does not diminish the author's skill in creating figures that possess depth and authenticity. The narration was quite unique; that’s about all I can say without revealing the opening hook of the book. It was certainly an impactful read, and although the depiction of grief felt raw and genuine, I found some parts a bit redundant, whiny, and immature.
Part of me wants to suggest skipping this book, but just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it's a bad book. For its genre, I would say this book checks all the boxes. If you’re looking for a story that will tug at your heartstrings and evoke deep emotions, look no further. "Finding Grace" is a deeply moving narrative that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the final page.
However, if general fiction isn't your forte and you prefer sci-fi, fantasy, romance, or thrillers, then this may not be the right choice for you. Overall, it is a poignant and well-written story that offers significant emotional depth. 3.5 stars.
Finding Grace is a love story that touches the heart and makes you think about grief, love and all the complexities of love and marriage. I know I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time.
Very cheesy.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.
Pleasantly surprised with this one for two main reasons: shocked to see this is a debut novel as it is so well written and this is not the usual genre I pick up, but I was hooked from page one. Tom made me want to kick him in the throat and root for him at the same time. This touched on grief and relationships so well.
I enjoyed this story for overall! It kept my attention, and I was impressed it is the author’s debut book.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
First I would like to thank St Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. It’s honestly shocking that this is a debut. I loved the story . By the end of chapter 1 it is almost physically impossible to stop reading this. I was picking it back up again every spare moment I had . It covers a lot about dealing with grief, finding new love, and having the difficult conversations. I loved all the characters and was rooting for Tom throughout.
This is a very unique story and my genuine love for it took me by surprise. I am happy I ended a great year of reading with this one .
I couldn't relate to the characters, as Honor was such an insufferable character. I could not care less about her life (and therefore death), and having her narrate the ensuing chapters was a weird decision. I dropped the book shortly after the bombing.
Received a free copy from Netgalley.
This isn't the type of novel I'd usually read, but I found myself enjoying it immensely. The unusual premise is what caught my eye: a love story narrated by the main character's former love, where every decision the new couple makes is haunted by the past.
Rothschild's writing gripped me from the start; chapter 1 has one of the strongest opening lines in recent memory, and it ends on an absolute bombshell. In just a few pages, Rothschild creates memorable, complex characters, and her skill for character continues throughout the rest of the book, which I am unfortunately going to spoil (no way around this, it's that twisty-turny).
After the events of chapter 1, our narrator Honor, spends the rest of the book as a sort of omniscient narrator over husband Tom's life. It's an unusual POV--we're both in Honor's head and in Tom's head, depending on what the narrative calls for--but Rothschild handles the premise with finesse.
I loved reading Honor's flashbacks to her marriage with Tom, while also watching the relationship with Tom's new significant other Grace unfold, because it's part love story and part thriller. Because what Grace may think is fate--Tom appearing at her wine shop one day to share a few glasses with her and her Sunday Blues pals--Tom and Honor know is anything but: Grace is the anonymous egg donor who, unknowingly, shares a son with Tom. An anonymous egg donor that bears a striking resemblance to Honor, and that Honor handpicked, based on her voice recording and interests--and who now is filling the role in Tom's life that Honor used to before her passing. Everytime Grace picks up little Henry or plays toy trucks with him, all Tom can think about is that fact, a moral dilemma that continues the whole book. Because Grace is everything to him and Henry -- but everything he has with Grace is founded on a lie.
The fact that I got so engaged in this book is a testament to Rothschild's skill with characters; everyone in this book is multifaceted and complex, and I found myself rooting for Grace and Tom at the same time that I wanted to yell at Tom. I spent most of the book yelling at Tom for being the worst; I feel like we're supposed to yell at Tom, because Honor, from beyond the grave, is doing the same. Did I mention Honor's a fantastic narrator? She's a fantastic narrator. And the way the twists and turns unfold feels coincidental but never contrived. It was a riveting page turner that signals a strong voice in women's fiction. For me, the only reason I'm docking a star is that the ending felt a bit too easy and tidy. After the complexity of the rest of the book, I was hoping for a similarly ambiguous ending where Tom really sees the consequences of lying to poor Grace, but she just takes him back so easily (and on Christmas, no less!).
Still, Finding Grace sets out to do a lot of things -- be a moving meditation on grief and second chance love, be an entertaining story of tangled characters and bad decisions, and be a thrilling love story -- and does them impeccably well. A solid 4 stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Loretta Rothschild for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! Whatever editorial team St. Martin's has is some kind of magical, because a St. Martin's book rarely misses for me!
Narration POV: 5⭐️
Chapter 1 Plot twist: 5⭐️
MMC and his insufferable secrets: 1⭐️
POV narrator was truly unique. I enjoyed many of the characters and the way they evolved, but I was ready to throat-punch Tom for 60% of this book.
Thanks to Netgally, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Finding Grace.
This isn’t a plot I’d typically gravitate to, but upon reading some reader reviews, I felt it may be a worthwhile read.
This book had me hooked from chapter 1, where the author brings us to Christmas in Paris and a tragedy that changes the trajectory of Tom’s life. The characters that come in the following chapters are thoughtful and well developed. While the story mainly revolves around Tom, Honor and Grace, I really appreciated the relationship between Tom and Colette and how over time, they became closer than they had been at any point prior to Honor’s death.
This would make a great book club book- lots of points to converse about.
I loved this book! It caught my attention right away and kept me guessing throughout. I will highly recommend this book and author!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild. It was extremely well written, and proved to be thought provoking. The story is about a young couple who have a daughter and face many challenges once they decided to have a second child. Unfortunately the wife and daughter died in a horrific way and the husband, ridden in grief is left to raise their infant son alone. This book shows the moral compass life takes when one lie of omission leads to another. It is a love story with many twists and turns. I found myself holding my breath several times while reading this book until I read the next pages in the chapter and often times into the next chapter until I read the last page of the book. I highly recommend reading “Finding Grace”, you won’t be disappointed.
It starts in Paris where all love stories should begin, however as we know, life doesn’t always go according to the plans.
Couples don’t want to think about problems having a child. It shouldn’t be complicated but it can be. And where is the therapist? This book makes me bite my nails thinking about the pain Tom and Honor go through to bring their second newborn into this world when hope isn’t enough.
In the beginning, their plans get bumped into a totally new direction which brings in a good deal of suspense. It’s informative with the hardships that infertile couples go through these days. As readers, we want the best for them and there are times we just want to go inside the dialogue to help.
It’s also about grieving with a lot small gatherings in London. Friends have a meaningful place in this story. It creates the importance of having people to call when you need them. Many parts are predictable but it brings out the charm and warmth that makes it an enjoyable read.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of June 10, 2025.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
What a unique read! Tom and Honor have everything, a beautiful home, a beautiful daughter until they don’t.
Years later secrets that should have been told change everything. Is there any way to capture the love again?
A love story, a new beginning, and a haunting past!