I chose this book based only on the synopsis and the fact that it was a story about the adventures of two women, one of whom was escaping an abusive marriage, both with children. Because I’m a survivor of domestic violence, stories with a female survivor as protagonist interest me, and over the years, I’ve read several books with a similar theme. Because themes of domestic abuse, poverty, and the struggles of living in, then subsequently escaping those situations are frequently used as plotlines or tension-builders in hundreds of stories, I was unsure of the ability of Hadley and Grace to present a truly fresh take and different perspective. I had no reason to doubt.

Hadley and Grace, the two protagonists, each believe they have planned the perfect escape from their lives – one woman fleeing a life of abuse, the other fleeing from poverty and a history of uncertainty. The trouble is, neither woman knows the other is hatching an identical plan to her own. In fact, they don’t know each other at all until fate, desperation, and an almost comical set of events brings them together. For the rest of the story, Hadley, Grace, and their children are inseparable, first due to necessity but, very soon, due to friendship and loyalty. Together, they cross through several states, several sticky situations, and several moments that test the bonds of a new allegiance.

While the story didn’t rely heavily on worldbuilding in the traditional sense, it did provide the reader with a solid feeling of having become familiar with the character’s internal worlds. One of Redfearn’s strongest talents as a writer seems to be her ability to fully develop her characters in a way that engages readers and enables them to believe they had actually met and spoken with each of the two protagonists. Hadley and Grace wasn’t a story that needed a heavy dose of imagery, but Redfearn produced several clear and striking descriptions of the appearance, smells, and sounds of landscapes, backrooms, and hotels. Her ability to carefully highlight and draw attention to things that are typically taken for granted or overlooked in commonplace settings, added depth, and realism to the story.

I will admit, there were more than a few unrealistic plot turns, and the ending was a little bit too “nice and neat” for my usual tastes. However, the plot turns kept the pace of the story moving and, after traveling with the women through many misadventures, holding my breath until they escaped yet another twist, the ending was quite satisfying. It gave me exactly what I wanted for all the characters.

Hadley and Grace is a story that will appeal to readers who enjoy strong female characters, stories of endurance, motherhood, and friendship, and those who just want to be able to immerse themselves for a weekend in an engaging and truly enjoyable story. I can't wait to read more work by Suzanne Redfearn!

Thank you so much to Suzanne Redfearn, the publishing company and Netgalley for an early copy for an honest review.

AMAZING!!! Excellent writing, topic, characters, kids, etc. I couldn't get enough of Grace and the baby, and then when Hadley came in with the kids (especially her nephew, who is special), I wasn't sure if I was going to like her, but her and Grace were easy characters to fall in love with, root for, and just ultimately understand exactly what they were going through.

While the ending wasn't as truly believable as the rest of the book, I couldn't put this book down, and truly enjoyed every single minute of it. THANK YOU!!!

Strap yourselves in because Hadley and Grace are about to take you on the bumpiest ride of your life!

In the vein on Thelma and Louise, Hadley & Grace takes you on a cross-country ride with two women, a teenager, a kid, and a baby. Although they start out wanting to flee for different reasons, both women have a shared ultimate goal: freedom. But first they have to get through a lot of road blocks, proving that they're better together than they ever were apart.

This book jumps between 3 points of view: Hadley - an unhappy wife with two kids, Grace - an unhappy wife with a baby, and Mark - the agent tasked with finding them before they do too much damage.

This is only the second book I've read by Redfearn, and you can check out my previous review of her novel In An Instant. I can tell you all that I absolutely adore her writing, but I have one complaint: both of her books have brought me to tears. In fact as I finished Hadley & Grace I just sat and cried for a little while. And now I'm left with this huge hole in my heart that this story has left because it's over.

At this point I can safely add Suzanne Redfearn to my list of favorite authors, but apparently I will need to go slowly so as not to traumatize myself too much. This book is best read early in the morning in bed, with a big box of tissues beside you for the inevitable tear-fest.

This books is about 2 women that are strangers to each other but soon find out they are better together than trying to go their separate ways. Both women are stronger in their own sense but the other seems to pick up what is lacking. This is a well written story that makes you want to not put it down!

This is an enjoyable Thelma & Louise type caper. Hadley is running from her stifling, abusive husband. Grace from her husband & his constant gambling debts. The book takes a while to get going & it is hard to figure out all the characters. Once the story got going, I really enjoyed the back & forth between the characters & especially Hadley's journey of self-discovery. I had some mixed feelings as I felt most of the time this was somewhat of a lighthearted romp, but then (spoiler alert), there is a death that kind of ruined it for me. I also wanted to understand a little bit more about Grace & what exactly had happened when she ran away with her friend years ago. Some of the story was a bit far-fetched & the ending was a bit too perfect, but the story definitely had a lot of heart. I will look for other titles from this author.

I was looking forward to reading this book but all the time I was reading it i kept thinking about the Thelma and Louise film and it spoilt it for me.
I enjoyed how the book is written and the characters were interesting. The two lead ladies, Hadley and Grace strike up a friendship but without giving the game away you wouldn't expect them to be friends!
Both Hadley and Grace have children who also feature in the story and are great characters. Hadley is married to Frank who is a controlling unlikable man and Grace to Jimmy who has a gambling problem and is also in the forces so she is often on her own with their baby and has a real lack of money. This is where the problems for them both start!
They end up on the run from the law with their children in tow. The story does flow and the women strike up and unlikely friendship.
I wont spoil the story by giving more away and the end is good to so put the kettle on and have a read of this book.

Well, strap yourself in and brace yourself for a bumpy ride as Suzanne Redfearn takes you on an exciting road trip with some unexpected travelling companions. Hadley Torelli is married to Frank who is frankly (sorry) a rotten excuse of a man and she’s had enough. Grace Herrick works for him but he ruthlessly tricks her and is about to fire her. I shall divulge no more except to say that the two women’s lives become inextricably linked as they race to escape and survive the danger that is closing in.

The characters of Hadley and Grace are tremendous. They’re both at a fork in the road, chance brings them together and they learn they are stronger as one unit. Their differing personalities blend so well that they compliment each other so they resemble halves of a whole. The stand out character for me is Skipper, Hadley’s nephew who lives with them. He is absolutely enchanting, I love the way he looks at the world and the bond between him and Mattie, Hadley’s daughter, is heartwarming. The story is inspired by Thelma and Louise and it’s every bit as exciting as the movie but has been given its own spin. They use their ingenuity, wit and common sense in order to survive the test of several lifetimes. The action takes place in some terrific settings such as Coors Field in Denver. This is a really well written thriller, the plot unfolds effortlessly and the pace is fast. There are some very tense moments of suspense too where you don’t know what’s going to happen next. This has all the other essential ingredients too, such as some humour, moments of joy and some sadness.

Overall, this is another winner from the author. It’s exciting, very entertaining, a heroes versus villains tale which makes you root for the women. There are one of two unexpected heroes too! Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and especially Lake Union for the ARC.

Suzanne Redfearn’s Hadley and Grace is a story of companionship, empowerment, and forgiveness, inspired by the 1991 Ridley Scott film, Thelma and Louise.

Hadley is a full-time mum trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband Frank. When an unexpected opportunity arises to escape Frank's violence Hadley takes it. Grace is a struggling young mother, solo parenting her five-month-old son Milo. When Grace's partner Jimmy relapses his gambling addiction and leaves her with no money she knows she must leave him. The two women's lives become entangled and they form an unlikely bond. The pair get caught up with the police monitoring Franks's secret illegal dealings. Now fugitives and the novel follows their desperate bid for freedom.

There are many things to like about this book. Putting herself on the line to help Hadley and her children, Grace’s character is the star of the show. Her hardened street-wise exterior cushioned with selfless compassion is fresh and human. Skipper, Hadley’s 8-year-old nephew and his love of baseball adds a charming innocence to the story. Redfearn sends her readers on an emotional roller-coaster. It is impossible not to root for the women and their children as you become invested in their escape.

Unfortunately, this book does feel rushed. Many of the supporting characters are flat and need more development and depth. The emotional impact of years of domestic abuse could have been better represented. As could the experience of living with a partners addiction. This book has so much potential but for me fell short.

Never the less Hadley and Grace is a good read. It just isn’t Thelma and Louise.

A current day Thelma and Louise story filled with suspense, action, and lots of laughter. Hadley, one of the main characters, is escaping from an
abusive marriage and Grace is escaping from a bad past. They meet each other due to bad circumstances and decide to flee from danger together with kids in tow. This book takes you along on their high speed adventure. I enjoyed the suspense of this book but also that it included a lot
of humor as well. I highly recommend and will be reading more by this author.

Fasten your seat belt guys, Hadley & Grace are here to take you on a ride!

I haven't watched Thelma & Louise yet, but I wish this book is converted into a movie. I absolutely loved this book. Right from the start, I was hooked on to it. You just cannot take your eyes from even a single sentence. The whole environment, the dialogues, the fluency in the language makes it seem so real as if you are a part of their journey. The end leaves you surprised.

Humour, sadness, anger, you name the emotions, and you have it. They take you on a roller coaster ride as our ladies face their own ups & downs. This book makes you understand the value of friendship and relationships. This book is fast-paced, action-packed, and leaves you spell-bound. This is my first book from the author, and I can't wait to delve into more of her books. I wish this book has a second installment.

Thank You NetGalley, Author Suzanne Redfearn and Publishers Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Pretty good story along the lines of Thelma and Louise. Touching and edge of your seat. I hope this author keeps putting out great work.

Wow! Readers will want to buckle up for this adventure. This story is filled with as much action as it is emotion. The unlikely meeting between Hadley and Grace takes them on a trip of a lifetime, with their kids along for the ride. An introspective story of two mothers who accidentally find themselves in a situation that spirals out of control. These two women dig deep and find inner strength and determination to overcome obstacles. The further into the story I got, the harder it was to put down. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book, every single page!,!! A beautiful story of two very different women that meet each other by happenstance, grow and are empowered during their devastating, wild, terrifying, emotional and exciting journey. It’s about abuse, resilience,, love, stereotyping, adolescence, empowerment, autism, problem-solving....the list goes on..It’s just a fantastic thrilling read!

Hadley and Grace’s lives intersect when they stumble in to each other at Hadley’s husband’s business. Both ladies have reasons to strike back at Hadley’s husband, and rather than wage separate wars against him, they reluctantly team up. This is touted as being similar to Thelma and Louise. There is action, suspense, love, and betrayal. I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader.

A fun and fast-moving story. the friendship that was a Thelma and Louise type was interesting and well-developed. this book made you want to keep reading. At times even had bits of humor. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to preview this book

This book has 2 different main characters and you learn about the 2 different characters as you read this book, lots of twist and turns. The 2 main characters are Hadley who escapes her abusive marriage, with her 2 children, as she needs to escape from her husband Frank who likes her dressed a certain way and also to act a certain way. Grace who is married to Jimmy who has a serious gambling addiction and Grace and Jimmy and there baby Miles have to move due to Jimmy Gambling addiction.

I really enjoyed this book and really enjoyed getting to know Hadley and Grace and learning all about what they get up.

I would recommend others to read it also.

I really enjoy this authors books. This one was great right from the beginning. It drug a little in the middle and picked up again at the end. Overall, I think this a great read.

It took me several chapters to get into this book. So many chapters to keep track of that I finally gave up. I see others love it but sadly, just could not get into this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I couldn't put it down. Both women and the kids are all characters you can relate to and cheer on. I will definitely be recommending this book to friends! I rate it a 4.6

A feminist adventure with a big emotional punch, this will inevitably be compared to “Thelma and Louise,” which is even referenced by the characters, but “Hadley and Grace” has its own character and its own charms. The two women are not friends but are thrown together when they both attempt to raid the safe of Hadley’s husband Frank, a successful businessman who, unbeknownst to them, has been laundering money and running drugs and gambling scams.. Hadley is fleeing with her children from her husband’s domestic abuse, while Grace, who has had a tough life and has a police record, plans to make a new start with her baby after her soldier husband continually gambles away the housekeeping. They form an uneasy partnership, but soon become aware that the FBI had been monitoring Frank’s activities and are now on their trail, and somehow things are a lot less straightforward.
We cannot help but root for these unlikely outlaws- Hadley who has lived in luxury but is good with people and knows how to use her feminine whiles, and the younger Grace, who is street-smart and resourceful after a life of hard knocks and poverty. Their love for their children is what pushes them on towards a better life, and it is a real pleasure to see their bond grow as they come to understand and learn from each other and to form a new little family bound by loyalty and love while facing danger, loss and even death. There are some lovely little cameos among the minor characters- feisty Mattie, Hadley’s teenage daughter, who learns about reinventing who you are to be who you want to be, Skipper, the nephew with special needs who she has raised for her feckless sister, and Mark, the FBI agent who is drawn unwittingly into the women’s escapade and finds himself more involved than he could have imagined. But this is Hadley’s and Grace’s story, and they shine out of the pages in a way that will be hard to forget.