"The truth finds us, so we, too, find each other."

Melanie: Something is coming and no one else can know
Grace: Secrets, secrets, secrets. So many secrets and so many voices telling them.
Louise: No one can know about her. After years of disappointment from her mother, Louise won't let anyone in ever again and nothing can change that.

Finding Grace is a multiple POV thriller with a dual timeline and some incredibly surprising elements.
The multiple POVs and the dual timeline kept the pace of the book decently quick and engaging. However, it still felt a little slow, especially in the middle. Also the ending felt SO rushed. It felt like such a buildup and then the final scenes were over as quickly as they began.
Story wise, I found this book so interesting and engaging. I loved the surprises and the twists and I found the family aspect really added to the whole story.
Overall, 4/5 stars and I'm super excited to check out what else Janis Thomas has written.

Thank you to NetGalley, Janis Thomas, and Blackstone Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't go into Finding Grace by Janis Thomas expecting to be blown away, but luckily for me, that is exactly what happened! I swear this one just got better and better as it went on and I wish I hadn't waited so dang long to get to it. Thomas' writing is pacy and the story felt very conversational since it is told in first person. It is a little bit of a slow burn, but thanks to the different viewpoints and the buildup of suspense, it didn't feel that slow at all. I knocked this book out in just 1 day because I had to know how it was going to end, and there was an element I wasn't expecting that made me wish the book would go on forever.

It took me a little bit to get the characters all straight, but once I did it was smooth sailing. It also really helps that the audiobook has a full cast and Stacey Glemboski, Elise Arsenault, Jesse Vilinsky & Suzanne Toren were all impeccable narrators. The relationship between Louise and Grace was strained but relatable, and I loved the way Thomas explored that strain and had a conclusion that made sense while also making Louise grow as a character. All of the characters and their corresponding narrators made this a joy to experience and trust me when I say the twists will blow your mind!

I found this a fascinating read! Finding Grace is a page turner! I couldn’t put it down. The end really threw me through a loop with its twist. I would like to say thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and the Author for allowing me to read an ARC and provide an honest review.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Read this if you:

Enjoy short chapters
Love alternating POVs
Want a book with insights on psychic abilities

My Thoughts:

This was a very enjoyable fast paced thriller! I was curious and intrigued from start to finish!

The plot line seemed very unique to me and the characters were well developed with good background stories. I didn’t like all the characters but I definitely felt that I could relate to all of them in some way. The way the author described the characters and what they were going through made me understand them.

I loved that the chapters were very short and that they ended in such a way that made me want to read more.

Something else that I loved about this book were the insights on psychic abilities. I found out things I didn’t know before and I was curious to research about them more after finishing the book. It’s probably not a subject for everyone, but I personally enjoyed it.

The only reason why this book wasn’t a five star read for me is that, while it was suspenseful from beginning to end, there weren’t any big jaw-dropping twists for me. I kind of guessed what was going to happen and the things that surprised me were minor details.

I loved the ending, but it was, again, somehow expected. Usually in a thriller I’m looking for mind blowing twists throughout the book or a jaw-dropping ending for the five stars.

Overall, this was a great read. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful novel or who’s looking for a lighter thriller. This was my first read by this author but I will probably check out more of her books.

Finding Grace by Janis Thomas is a story told from 3 different perspectives.
One from Melanie, a girl growing up in different foster families in LA, who seems to have found her permanent foster parents. Her having to swith families so much in the past is generaly explained by her supernatural connection to an entity that lives in her left hand and occasionally writes to her.
The second, Louise, who had a struggled past with her mother. Being the reason why Louise stayed with her grandmother during her younger years, far away from her so called crazy mother, who gets wound up in strange situations and hides everything, especially from Louise.
And lastly, Grace, Louises mother herself, slowly drowning in the past she hid from her daughter.
Their story lines start out all seperately, sometimes going back into the past, or describing happenings in the present.

Most of the story was one big mystery as I tried to piece the 3 characters together from their respective chapters. Which for me was definitely a good thing, it kept me picking up this story everyday to try to find out more about our 3 ladies and how on earth they would be connected to each other.
About half way through, I did wonder why the book would be titled Finding Grace, while Grace herself and her daughter Louise go on a trip to find someone else.
In all, this is an interesting women powered mystery story about family and supernatural connections. Though it didn't really wow me. I was triggered enough by the mysterious nature of the story, but the outcome didn't wow me as I would have expected since the buildup towards its climax is pretty slow.

Thank you #NetGalley for an e-copy of #FindingGrace for my honest review.

Finding Grace is a quick-paced suspenseful thriller. The story is told by the three main characters, Grace, Louise and Melanie. The chapters alternate between their points of view as well as toggle between different periods of time in their lives. That story layout works well especially with the development of the various characters.

This book's character building was really good. The dual timelines for Grace and Louise really gave great insight and understanding into how their lives have turned out like it did. I felt connected with all three characters right through the entire book.

I highly recommend this 5 star book.

This was an easy listen with multiple point of views and deep characters, but I don’t think it’ll be very memorable.

This story has 3 main characters, Louise. Grace and Melanie. At first I was a bit confused, but once I got to 'know' the characters, it all came together.
Melanie has been in foster care all her life and at present she is happy in her home life.
Louise has been estranged from her mother Grace since she was a child. Grace wasn't much in Louise's life until she visits Louise and convinces her to take a road trip.
Each character has a special gift which somehow seems to be hereditary.
I thought the start was slow, but really got intrigued with the characters as I kept reading.
I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The formatting on this ebook was a bit jumbled which intensified my confusion while reading this book.

I got a third of the way in and couldn’t figure out what was going on so I DNF.

This one pulled at my heartstrings, not gonna lie.

FINDING GRACE is a story about three women finding each other. Mother Grace and daughter Louise have a rocky past. Grace wasn’t always there for Louise. Their relationship is nonexistent. Until Grace shows up at Louise’s apartment and insists they have to go to California. Meanwhile, in California, Melanie is a 12 year old girl in the system. Her foster parents, Ray and Delilah, give her everything they can. But Melanie is hiding a secret from them. If her foster parents were to find out this secret, Melanie’s life would be ruined.

This book was fast paced. Separated into three parts with four different POVs, this book FLEW by. Paranormal elements. Dual timelines as well, as we learn about Louise’s upbringing. The character development throughout was strong. All my favorite thriller elements were in this novel.

Did I guess some of the twists? Yeah. But there were some parts that left me guessing.

I was disappointed in how abrupt the ending was, but at ~350 pages, I understand why the author ended it the way she did. I also wish we could have learned more about the foster mother, Delilah. Honestly though, if there was a sequel to this book exploring what happens after the ending I’d be all for it.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read that held my attention until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for this honest review.

** Thank you to Netgalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy **

I went into this not knowing a whole lot. I did not even read the synopsis, because I like to go into most of my books with a blind eye and not too much outside input. I was very intrigued by the cover of Finding Grace. It looked like it would be a good and tangled web of mystery for the reader to try and find out.

It did not disappoint! We are following the stories of three different women, Grace, Louise, and Melanie. As we flip back and forth in time, we start to see why these girls are connected and how each one of their tragedy's play a part in who they are. The character development and relationships are also complex and interwoven beautifully. At the core this is a story about a mother/daughter relationship. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend checking it out if you like mystery/thriller/ complex character development books!

Finding Grace

Janis Thomas

Finding Grace is a page turner! I couldn’t put it down. I was so intrigued to learn in depth about each of the main characters. The dynamic between Grace and Louise was so well written. I couldn’t help but have a spot in my heart for Grace from the beginning, and I was happy when Louise finally learned the truth. I loved that I was totally wrong about certain people and events in the book. I love a book that keeps me guessing until the end. The author did a beautiful job of providing closure, although there was some sadness in that. I don’t want to give out any spoilers! This is a great thriller that will keep your attention from the beginning to the end. Five Stars!

Oh, and one last thing, I really thought something totally different about those darn brownies! Am I the only one??

This book is out now, it’s definitely worth picking up!

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

People, relationships, perspectives, secrets

“Finding Grace” is the story of three women Grace, Louise, and Melanie. The story opens with an event filled with apprehension and mystery. Grace is found on the George Washington Bridge, disoriented and troubled. Authorities call a number from her phonebook, her long estranged daughter, Louise. And then there is Melanie, a girl who needs help, a girl with a secret, a girl in danger. The paths of these characters intersect, and each person is changed by that connection.

The narrative goes back and forth in time to give readers insight into the past experiences that shaped these characters. Readers are pulled into the events and become both observers and confidantes. Sections are appropriately labeled with name and time period, and each account is distinctive and unique. Characters talk to others, talk to themselves, and talk directly to readers sharing thoughts, apprehensions, hopes. They also have secrets, big important secrets that must eventually be resolved.

As the drama unfolds, readers gain insight into each character. The relationships are multifaceted and complex. Some events are foreseeable and typical while others are unanticipated and surprising; all are compelling and illuminating.

“Finding Grace” is an account of refurbishing relationships, overcoming pain, rebuilding trust, and gaining a new perspective. I received a review copy of “Finding Grace” from Janis Thomas and Blackstone Publishing. “Finding Grace” is now available at independent bookstores, retail outlets, online booksellers, and public libraries in print, as an e-book, and as an audiobook.

I thought that Finding Grace was a really unique and intriguing story, yet in some ways reminiscent of Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep.

Melanie is a 12-year-old living in foster care in California and harboring a secret: someone (whom she refers to as Penny) is communicating with her through her journal and she delivers a warning of impending danger to Melanie.

On the opposite side of the country, in New York, Louise is struggling with the reappearance of her mother, Grace. Louise has her guard up, not wanting to become ensnared in her mother’s madness, but Grace claims there is a young girl in danger and she requires Louise’s help. Louise plays along, but in doing so, she discovers secrets kept by her mother that shed new light on Grace’s strange behavior.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and appreciated the author’s subtle and gradual way of colliding of Melanie’s and Louise’s/Grace’s lives. They were all wonderful and dynamic characters with relatable relationships that made the story even more enjoyable. Definitely recommending this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4646172700

Damn, this hits too close to home to enjoy. No. a crazy mom is not just a door to some great adventure. She is just a crazy mom. I was expecting something more. Something to make the journey seem worthwhile. It wasn’t there.

A woman must decide whether to have her estranged mother committed or join her on a cross-country rescue mission when she claims that the voices in her head told her that the daughter she gave up in infancy is now in danger.

This novel sits at an unusual intersection between psychological thriller and contemporary fiction (or "women's fiction"). The early chapters of the book focus on multigenerational family dysfunction between Louise, her estranged mother, her late grandmother, and the daughter she gave up, while the nebulous and possibly fictitious danger hinted at by the voices in several characters' heads keeps this thriller from being truly thrilling until well into the second half. As a result, this novel is most likely to find its readers among fans of both contemporary stories of family dysfunction and psychological thrillers who will find the beginning as captivating as the final third.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Finding Grace" and all opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed reading this book. I like supernatural themes. The characters were interesting and the story kept me wanting to read. I wanted to see what would happen to everyone. I looked forward to reading this book each day and it was one of those - just one more chapter and I'll put it down type of books.

I was intrigued from start to finish. It is super quick paced and the Multiple POVs and timelines made it so intriguing that I had a hard time stopping. It has continuous suspense and amazing character built. I was at the edge of my seat with a quick hart pace throughout. Definitely a quick mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Short Chapters
Continued suspense
Multiple POVs

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢: 𝘛𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳-𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦—𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘪𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦, 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳: 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯.

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬: 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥, 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘓𝘰𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘓𝘰𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘜𝘯𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨.

Louise has never had a good relationship with her mother, Grace has never been a very good mother. She pops in and out of Louise’s life and that’s when she isn’t being committed for mental problems. When Grace gets the attention of Louise and tells her they are driving from NYC to California it is the last thing Louise wants to do. However, she finds herself on a cross country trip with the woman she grew up not trusting, but will learn the secrets Grace has been keeping that could change her perspective forever.
I so enjoyed this book. It’s told for a variety of points of view, but the author weaves them together so well that it’s easy to follow. The story is gripping, the characters well developed. So glad I came across this one!

Once again I would like to say thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and the Author for allowing me to read an ARC and provide an honest review.

What an incredible book! I couldn’t bare to put this down , it took me three days to read in-between all the day to day tasks adults have to do . If left to my own devices I could have finished it in one sitting it was that good.

I wasn’t expecting Grace , Louise and Melanie to draw me in so much but they did, I was took on a wild thrilling ride told from three very different view points but all connecting together along the way. It was honestly an edge of your seat or sofa experience.

I really didn’t want this book to end , it’s like it needs more maybe a backstory /prequel about Grace and her adventures around the country and Louise’s teenage years and all that followed right up until Finding Grace Begins.