
Member Reviews

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! The characters are complex and relatable and the story kept me guessing! It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Loretta Rothschild shows us the depths of grief but also that a great new life can emerge from the darkest places. This story was unexpected and I loved every page of it! My only complaint was that I simply read it too quickly.

The premise of this book is what initially intrigued me about the story. A secret can unravel right before your eyes.
The story starts with Tom, Honor and their daughter Chloe arriving in Paris to celebrate Christmas which was their yearly tradition. Honor is desperate to have another baby but after needing her ovaries removed their are dependent on an egg donor and a surrogate.
I will just suggest trying this book by reading the first chapter and just see if you aren't hooked by the end of that chapter. I found myself quickly sucked in to the storyline and didn't want to put the book down.
For a debut novel, Rothschild did an excellent job with this story. I found myself not wanting to stop reading because I wanted to know how the secrets impacted those involved.
I received an ARC of the book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is an amazing debut and I can't wait to read any future books!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never read a book with this difficult storyline ,but wow, this author hit it out of the park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I read this book without knowing anything about it and feel like that is the best way to go. It starts off with a bang that quickly drew me in. I continued to turn the pages as I got to know the main and supporting characters and was curious where the story would go. I really enjoyed the interesting choice of narrator, the setting, and the fast pace. However, this ultimately did not work for me, mainly due to the incredible amount of coincidences. I also found the ending way too tidy. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy. 3 stars

Honor, Tom and their daughter Chloe take a Christmas vacation. But Honor's obsession with having a second child puts a damper on the holiday. And then something happens that changes everything.
This book packs a real punch right at the beginning and that, along with the narrative style, kept me intrigued all the way through. This was a solid 5 stars for me almost the entire book, but I didn't love the ending and felt it would have been more impactful if it went another direction. The more I thought about it, I decided to take it down to 4 stars for that reason. I think this was a very realistic portrayal of someone who gets caught up in their own secrets and Tom's turmoil felt real.
Definitely give this one a read and let me know what you think!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Available July 8, 2025.

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild is a powerful debut novel of contemporary fiction. This is a book where any plot description can easily be a spoiler, so I will refrain from giving clues. I will say that the early twist took me by surprise and held me in its grip until the emotional conclusion.
The story has themes of grief, honesty, female friendship and what makes a person a good parent. I didn't love the main character, but I sympathized with him. I especially appreciated the relationship that developed with Honor's mother.
This is an impressive debut novel with a unique point of view; I give the author kudos for originality. I will call this a strong 4.5 star read. My only gripe is that I would have liked the ending to be more fleshed out. I predict this will be a huge hit with book clubs, who will have much to discuss.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read Finding Grace.
This is a ride. I loved the narrator’s voice. It is different than anything I have read. The storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself in moments of grief, joy, wanted to shake one of the characters. It was fun. I would recommend for any literary fiction lovers.

I absolutely was not prepared emotionally to read this book that is so filled with heart-tearing and tear-inducing drama that I had to read a while and then rest from the terrible tragedy that occurred within its pages and the secrets that unfolded as they story moved along after the tragedy. I felt so much compassion for Honor who was devastated by the news that she could not have a second child and then hopeful when she found a surrogate. Her husband Tom did not seem very enthusiastic about the whole venture, yet he went along with it. When Tom’s entire world turns upside down due to an unforeseen tragedy, things were just starting to fall into place for him when he receives a mysterious letter. Then, down into the abyss of regrets and the past as well as hidden secrets he stumbles. This book was brilliantly written with many layers and completed absorbed me into the story of Tom, the friends, Henry and Grace. I thought the first chapters would undo me, but the story continues on, taking my breath as I read a mystery within a tragedy and nested in a love story. The characterization is mysterious, with details omitted until the narrator is ready to reveal them. The plot is a story that begs to be read at the same time that is is difficult to read, a story of infertility, terrorism, a hopeful future and a mysterious past, all rolled into one intensively emotional plot. This is one of the best debut novels that I have read, although it was hard to read at first, it is a memorable and haunting story.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Gonna echo the same sentiments as other reviews - it’s really hard to properly talk about this book because yes the opening chapter ends with quite a bang (I promise it’s not what you’re expecting), and the story goes from there in a direction i definitely did not predict. Despite the first chapter it’s a very character focused contemporary fiction book with lots of drama and romance, and a unique narrative device telling the story. It was slow at times and the ending didn’t really go where i wanted it to but overall this was a good story and it was very well written.

Omggggggg 🥹🥺🥹🥺
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild was phenomenal. Phenomenal. 🤩
Like one of those books that I'll forever walk by on my shelf or in Barnes & Noble or at the airport and have a visceral reaction to. And a debut — which is so damn impressive!! 😮💨😮💨
I was NOT expecting the emotional ride that this turned out to be, and I think that's because the synopsis is vague enough to not give away any teasers so it's sort of hard to read into what this book is about. Honor has it all - beautiful daughter Chloe, impressive husband Tom, although Tom works a billion hours and isn't always paying attention. But Honor can't see what she has because she is so consumed by her longing for another baby. A shocking event changes their lives. Tom, years later, makes decisions that changes their lives and the consequences he has to grapple with as he intertwines his past and present.🫣
Gah. I just was not prepared for that first chapter, and then I was not prepared for what came after. This book just totally took me for surprise in the best way and I was sucked in, knowing that it would inevitably break me at the end. So many emotions - I was in tears by chapter two and they crept up every few chapters. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
This was a beautiful novel about grief, finding and appreciating love, family, children, secrets, found family, moral dilemmas.
I have deleted so many portions here, SO many quotes I highlighted, because I'm so afraid of spoiling it for anyone, but truly, just take my word and read this book and thank me later. 🫶🏻
THANK YOU to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Finding Grace releases July 8, 2025!

What an amazing debut! Lyrically written, it draws you in instantly and starts painting a picture - then Boom! It is a shock and the rest follows as secrets are unveiled and exposed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

4.5⭐️ {Arc}
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Loretta Rothschild and her publisher St Martin’s Press. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the July 2025 release of FINDING GRACE in exchange for my honest review.
This book got interesting right out of the gate. Shocked. Mouth drop. Hooks you right in. This book focuses on grief, heartbreak and second chance at love again. It’s a moving story about parenthood but ultimate healing.
Honor, Tom & Grace are characters you’ll fall in love with immediately. You’ll grieve with them, experience their heartache and find renewed hope again. It’s emotional, insightful, shocking and unforgettable.
This is a book you really need to go blind into, but if you like drama, emotional, thought provoking storylines this one is for you.
I loved the uniqueness of this book and can’t wait for others to experience it.

Finding Grace is such a beautiful story. Please check the content warnings for this one, as there are quite a few and for spoiler purposes, I’m not listing them here. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read this via gifted eARC. All thoughts are my own and honest.
This is Loretta Rothschild’s DEBUT and as I said earlier, it is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read! I loved the narration style, as I have never read a book narrated in this way. All of the twists were so well written.
These characters are so complex. Honor and Tom both have their flaws and I was so drawn into their story. I loved learning the little things about each of them that made them who they are.
This was an absolutely easy 5 star read for me. I absolutely did not want to put this down and yes, this was a situation where just one more chapter became five chapters. I will definitely be reading more books from this author.

This one is tough to rate. Right of the bat, the first chapter was incredibly insane—I was hooked right away and couldn’t wait to see where it was going. The first quarter of the book had me completely pulled in and somewhat emotional, but then it just… shifted. It didn’t go in the direction I thought it was headed, and not in a surprising twisty way—more like it just lost focus. The story slowed down a lot, and I kept waiting for it to pick back up, but it never really did. The ending felt super abrupt too, like there were still loose ends. Also it ended too neatly. This was not a bad read, especially since this is a debut novel, it just was not what I was expecting after such a strong start.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Well this story punches you in the stomach immediately. Like literally immediately. I did not expect it. It took me a bit to get used to the narration style but once I did I really found myself engrossed in Tom and how his story unfolded.

You should really go into this one as blind as you can.
Honor has her beautiful family, her young daughter and husband, but is not satisfied, she feels the deep need for a second child. While waiting to hear from her surrogate to learn if she’s pregnant, something tragic happens to set the rest of the novel into motion.
I am really torn as to how I feel about this novel; I thought the storyline and pacing were great and I was engrossed in the book; but there was a long game of miscommunication that made me uncomfortable. There is a lot in this book to unpack - grief, miscarriage, love, and parenthood. The writing was fantastic and I loved how the author set up the POV. In addition, the audio on this one was great, and to be honest, sometimes when I get really uncomfortable in a story I actually prefer the audio because I can passively listen while the story unfolds.
Thank you to St Martins and NetGalley for the ARC to review

"Finding Grace" by Loretta Rothschild is a beautifully crafted novel that captures the essence of loss, recovery, and the transformative power of friendship. From the first page, the story draws you in with its unique narrative voice, highlighting the dynamics of an unconventional family that feels both distinctive and relatable.
The plot gracefully navigates through the protagonist's journey of self-discovery, punctuated by heartfelt moments of grief and the profound recovery that follows. Rothschild’s portrayal of friendship as a beacon of hope and support adds depth and warmth to the narrative, making it resonate long after the final chapter.
What truly sets "Finding Grace" apart is its ability to weave complex emotions into a story that ultimately leads to a satisfying, happy ending. The characters are rich and multi-dimensional, allowing readers to connect deeply with their struggles and triumphs.

I went into this completely blind and I was floored. The writing is gorgeous but not pretentious, and the story flows smoothly. I loved the characters and how well their quirks and habits and personalities were developed. I enjoyed this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Finding Grace is a clever but emotionally charged novel that starts with a family vacationing in Paris during the holidays—until tragedy strikes. Honor is a devoted mother, consumed by her longing for another child. She and her husband, Tom, have turned to surrogacy and are anxiously awaiting news when everything changes in an instant.
It’s hard to talk about this book without giving too much away, but it explores the pain of infertility, the ripple effects of grief, and the ethical choices that come with unexpected circumstances. The narrator’s voice is especially unique—a bold choice that adds a layer that is emotional and complex.
The pacing has a steady flow after a gripping first chapter, and there are just enough small reveals and emotional turns to keep the story moving. We follow Tom as he becomes entangled in a moral dilemma that blurs the line between right and wrong, love and responsibility.
This book isn’t flashy, but it asks some big, haunting questions. It left me with a lot to think about—and would make for an excellent thought-provoking conversation with fellow book lovers. A worthy debut novel!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press (via NetGalley) for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Honor seems to have everything: she adores her bright and beautiful daughter, Chloe, and her charming, handsome husband, Tom, even if he works one hundred hours a week. Yet Honor’s longing for another baby threatens to eclipse all of it―until a shocking event changes their lives forever.
Years later, Tom makes a decision that ripples through their families' lives in ways he could never have foreseen. As the consequences of that fateful choice unfold, two women's paths become irrevocably intertwined. But when old love clashes with new, who will be left standing? And what happens when your secrets come back to haunt you?
Blending a page-turning moral dilemma with satisfying emotional poignancy, Finding Grace is a sweeping love story that explores the price of a new beginning, how the ghosts of our past shape our future, and whether redemption can be found in the wreckage of what we've lost.
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The first chapter of this book grabbed me like few other books have in recent memory. It was that good. And the rest of the book was...also good but maybe didn't quite live up to the promise of that first chapter. The premise was unlike anything I had really read before, and I enjoyed many elements of this story, making this a solid four-star read for me. However, there was one main character whom I really found it difficult to root for, and this kind of marred the reading experience for me. Still, there was enough action to keep me turning the pages, and there was a sweet redemptive arc in there that was the kind of thing I love to see in well-written women's fiction. This was a debut novel that hints at a promising new voice in women's fiction, and I look forward to reading what Rothschild brings us in the future.