Whatever you do, do not start ANY of Victoria’s books at 9pm because I can absolutely guarantee you’ll still be reading in the wee hours! I absolutely devoured ‘Grace’ in less than 12 hours (with some sleep in between you’ll be pleased to hear). I knew from the first chapter that it was going to be a heart wrenching story, and it is, but it is written with such authenticity and is just utterly gripping.
Amelia and Michelle couldn’t be more different and yet as the story draws on, more and more common threads appear until you realise how broken women can be by the situations they find themselves in. I have a friend who fostered to adopt and I feel this book gave me a teeny tiny insight into what they experienced and also gives us all food for thought on what a successful adoption looks like. Whoever “won”- birth mother or foster mother- someone has a child they love taken away from them. Such a complicated subject and yet Victoria Scott embraced it with care, passion and love.
This is a book I will be shouting about from the roof tops.

I really enjoyed reading this book - it was not an easy read as we have been adoptive parents and some of the experiences in the book brought back memories.

I found it well written and interesting to hear from the varied viewpoints and see the social work profession and legal process put in a positive light. I had not expected the outcome and felt for all the parties involved.

A book I will be recommending.

An amazing emotional rollercoaster of a book! I found the characters really engaging and found myself identifying with both of the protagonists in different ways. The storyline was intense and emotional, but the topics were handled sensitively by the author. A very insightful book.

An emotional read with many sensitive subjects dealt with sensitively, poverty, abuse, adoption, social services, drugs, community, so many threads. Poignant, drawing the reader in to appreciate, understand and empathise with different sides of life and what may lie beneath the surface. Totally enthralling as one just couldn't see which way this well written story was going plus a whole cast of brilliantly depicted characters make this a worthy read.

Wonderfully simple concept and a beautifully written novel. A tough subject matter was approached with real tenderness and understanding. In fact with real grace!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Michelle is a young woman who has grown up in care and has had an unstable life and decides to give her baby up for adoption. Two stories run parallel as we meet the couple who foster baby Grace with a view to adopting her. The adoptive mother falls completely in love with the baby but nothing is certain until the final court date. I thought this was a well written read that was sensitive and gripping.