This book hooked me from the first pages.
It starts out told in the voice of the wife / mother of the two other main characters in the book and to avoid spoilers, I'll avoid saying much more in detail. I will say, the author's method of laying out the story was unique and clever, including using the wife / mother's voice in the book !
And the book kept surprising me, not once, not twice, but repeatedly.
I don't typically ( maybe ever ? ) read thrillers or mysteries but this ( type of mystery and ) story evolution really struck a chord with me.

I especially celebrate a debut novel and this author hit it out of the ballpark.
Really cleverly written, well written and hats off to the author for the arch of the story... that kept me reading !
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's'Press for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportuity to read an ARC of this debut novel. I appreciate that the synopsis didn't give away major points about the story, as I was pleased to not know a lot about it from the onset. While it was was well-written and dealt with a variety of themes including grief, friendship, honesty and regrets, I think what sets it apart is the point of view it is told from. I found this very intriguing.

The story was unique and had a lot of twists of turns, However, I felt like it was all a bit unlikely. Without giving too much away, I felt the relationsihp between Tom and Grace happened a little too easily and the middle part of hate book dragged on a bit, when Tom kept trying to tell the truth and then backing down. Also, there were a couple of chapters that I felt didn't seem to fit with the writing style,

Overall I think it was a great debut novel. I didn't love it, but enjoyed reading it.

This book starts out with a big shock that grabs you from the beginning. It's unexpected and sets the tone for its effect on all of the characters moving forward. Themes of love and loss abound here as we meet Tom, a sudden widower who doesn't have the strength to move forward, until a surprise baby gives him the motivation he needs to keep living. The story blends heartbreak with hope and the determination of the human spirit. As Tom bonds with his new son, he resigns himself to the fact that he may never find love again. As Grace enters his life, he realizes he can love again and moves forward with a relationship despite the fact that he's hiding a huge secret that is bound to be revealed by his snarky, nosy friends. This novel is set in London, in the Notting Hill area and cliques and favoritism are in full swing with the neighborhood wives and preschool politics. Tom and Grace try to navigate this world without becoming the center of attention. This does not always work out as he hopes. As things come to a head, and the grand secret is revealed, you are rooting for Grace and Tom and hope they survive the outcome. This is a romcom story with elements of survival, grief, and loss. The writing is top notch and for a debut novel it's a unique and original plot. Bravo!

This was an IMPRESSIVE debut. I will admit that I swayed to download by the Jodi Picoult endorsement and I definitely see what she means. I did want to scream at Tom over and over and over again in the book, and I kept waiting for the secret to be revealed (you knew it was coming, but you didn't know when). This was a sweet, complicated story of love, secrets, and second chances. I will certainly pick up whatever Loretta Rothschild writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So beautifully written yet so heartbreaking. I had to put it down immediately after the first chapter, picked it up again and set it back down after the second chapter… a tough book for me to get through. Watching someone grieve after the most tragic life event while picking up the pieces of their life back up one at a time? I cried through every other chapter. I was so upset, watching my own baby sleeping peacefully while reading this story and wondering how something so horrible could happen and then having to remind myself I’m just reading a book. I simply could not get over it. But aside from the emotional aspect, I truly did love the writing style and though it was predictable it was hard to put down waiting for the end to come. Incredible debut, cannot wait to see what other stories this author writes!! Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for honest feedback!

I recently read ‘Finding Grace’ by Loretta Rothschild, recommended by Jodi Picoult. The well-developed characters were engaging, but the deceptive romance was excessive. However, the life lessons and unique narration by a deceased character made it an interesting read. I’d rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Loretta Rothschild’s Finding Grace is a heartfelt exploration of personal growth, relationships, and the search for meaning. The novel centers around the journey of its protagonist, Grace, who is grappling with loss, self-identity, and the weight of her past as she navigates through pivotal moments in her life. Rothschild’s writing is warm and accessible, and she successfully creates an emotional connection with the reader, particularly through her exploration of family dynamics and inner turmoil.

While the story has its merits, the pacing at times feels uneven, with some parts of the plot dragging while others rush through potentially more meaningful moments. The characters, though relatable, lack significant depth, and their development doesn’t always feel as fleshed out as one might hope. Grace’s transformation is central to the story, but it feels somewhat predictable, and the resolution, though satisfying, doesn’t have the emotional punch that the buildup seems to promise.

Rothschild’s prose is gentle, and there’s an underlying sense of hope that runs through the narrative, making Finding Grace an uplifting read. However, at times the story feels a bit too familiar, with some themes and character arcs that don’t break much new ground.

Overall, Finding Grace is a pleasant, easy read that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories about personal reflection and healing. While it may not leave a lasting impression, it’s still a worthwhile read for those looking for a quiet, introspective novel.

What a good book! I just finished it on Christmas morning waiting for all the activities to start and I’m glad I did! When I first started it, I didn’t think I was going to like the storyline but I ended up loving it. The characters are very well written- as a matter of fact I wish I was Honor’s friend and maybe Grace’s too. The story is definitely different but very compelling. I won’t go into a book report, but I will say that I will be recommending it later today. Good book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

This story "literally" starts with a bang. I found myself turning pages and ignoring my day to day obligations so I could get this book and find out the story of Tom and Honor. The story is told "from the grave". A devastating event will change the life of Tom and his army of friends. The story is about loss, friendship, loyalty, and truth. A family is lost and a new family is formed....but what how will this new family come to be. How will the past be linked to the future. All in all, I really enjoyed the story and the authors words .....I look forward to more work from Loretta Rothschild

I felt like the synopsis was odd for what this book ended up being. I found the story unlikely and really slow in the middle to get moving. It started off really good but went downhill. Just ok for me

Wow! Wow! Wow! I can't stop thinking about how much I loved this story. The writing was powerful and sucked me in right away. I was entertained throughout and thought the presentation of drama and action all unfolded at an appropriate pace. I look forward to having this as a book club selection. There's so much to unpack and discuss! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Finding Grace, a debut book by Loretta Rothschild was a wonderful book. It is a romantic,, tragic story about Tom who loses his wife and daughter in a terror attack but how he continues with his life is a wonderful and compelling story. From the time I started reading it I was unable to stop. I don’t want to give away too much but al I can say is I highly recommend reading this book!!

Finding Grace is a poignant story of love lost and found and what makes a family. Without divulging any spoilers, the book delves into love, marriage and family and what truly makes a parent. The story is about Honor and Tom, husband and wife and parents to a daughter. A shocking event changes their lives. How the characters handle it and what happens when another child is born using an egg donor leads the story to Grace. Saying anymore will spoil the what happens for future readers. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me this ARC.

The end of the first chapter slapped me in the face so hard I fell to the ground. I love the setting and the characters and how the author uses the characters to tell the story. This is a must-read!

I enjoyed this book very much. I am giving it 3 Stars instead of 4 stars because I was frustrated with Tom, constantly wanting to tell Grace the truth and always getting thwarted by something and tongue tied, over and over again. I understand the “secret” was the bulk of the story but as a reader, it was annoying.
Kudos to the author, as a first time published author. Interesting premise and clever story line. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #FindingGrace.

Thank you, NatGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC for review. This was an interesting and moving book and it kept me engaged, but in a I couldn’t look away kinda way. The way people stare at a car wreck. I wasn’t really sure where the book was going until the end. Is it about grief and loss? Yes. Is it also a love story? In a way, also yes. Is it weird? Also, Yes. Will you still be thinking and questioning this book long after you finish reading it? Definitely!

What a wonderful debut novel for Loretta Rothschild. I felt every emotion as I read this book. I didn't know much about this book, I hadn't really read the summary, but was in tears after the first chapter. That kept me enthralled and I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to see Rothschild's next piece.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley, Loretta Rothschild, and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.

What a great way to start off 2025. This book sucked me in from the very first page and broke my heart and then repaired it by the end. It was full of sadness, but by the very end, I had hope again. I would absolutely go into this book blind and it's perfect for book clubs!

Great book. Wonderful book for a book club to follow with a great discussions. A beautiful family, yet the wife is determined to have another baby. The fight between the husband and wife, leaving the mom to bring her young daughter for breakfast and the aftermath that happens. Unbelievably written. Looking forward to more books from this author.

I enjoyed this book, even though the trope of "hiding a lie" is my least favorite. The book starts off with a very affluent scene of Christmas in Paris, with a somewhat unlikeable main character who is grinding her world into dust over her obsessive passion/mania to have another child. And then there's a shocking, unique, and fascinating twist. I thought it was brave and gutsy of this debut author. As the story continues, narrated by the main character, I was interested. The writing is good, the supporting characters hold their own. However, the events were snowballing as the husband kept telling himself he'd open his mouth and speak later, later, later, and I got frustrated. Not telling someone you have a big secret that could destroy the relationship--I don't care for that, but that's my preference, not a ding on the writing. Also, the flashbacks slowed the story a bit, but they did provide more information. Overall, a solid debut.