What a lovely surprise. When I was reading the first chapter, I thought I might end up DNFing. I had a hard time with the protagonist’s obsession with having another child, and wasn’t in the mood to read an entire book about that. WELL. Chapter 1 ended and IYKYK. I read half the book in one night and finished it the next day. The writing was just right, describing the little moments of day-to-day life with tenderness and honesty. I loved the supporting characters, especially Colette and her French sass. My only gripe with the story is how it ended. I don’t need every book to be dark and sad but I thought more consequences would arise from some of the characters’ decisions. Either way, a great premise, a great read, highly recommended!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loretta Rothschild is a new author for me and I always like to find new authors to read. This is her debut novel, and it's a good one.

Description:
Honor seems to have everything. She adores her daughter Chloe and her husband Tom (even if he does work one hundred hours a week). But her 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 not 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?

My Thoughts:
This is an emotional read, so get the tissues out. There are themes of grief, loss, infertility, egg donation, ethics, second chances, and hope. There are secrets and lies to be revealed. The book has some major surprises - shockers really. Tom makes a bad choice that could destroy everything for him. This book will stay with me for awhile - it's a good one.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild is a deeply character-driven novel that explores the emotional aftermath of a man’s tragic loss. Through richly drawn relationships and raw vulnerability, the story unfolds with quiet intensity. It’s a poignant journey of grief, healing, and the unexpected grace found in new love.

Tom and Honor seem to have a good life together. However, Tom works too much, and Honor is obsessed with having another child. They are waiting anxiously to hear if their surrogate is pregnant. When a tragic event happens, Tom is lost without her and their beautiful daughter Chloe. After the baby is born, Tom learns how to be a single parent. He and Henry settle into a routine. Fast forward a few years and Tom receives a letter in the mail that turns his life upside down again. I wish I could say more, but don’t want to share any spoilers. A lot of the book is narrated by Tom’s deceased wife, Honor. Tom made many choices throughout the book that made me want to shake him. But who can say what choices they would make under the circumstances? I found the characters well developed and the book held my interest. I highly recommend this book.

Also reviewed on B&N and Kobo (IrishEyes430)

Wow, what a story! This is best read going in blind, so pardon me for being vague. It's about a young family, a mother who desperately wants to have a second child but can't, and the aftermath of a tragedy. It's a love story with a gripping plot that made me so tense at times, I didn't want to turn the pages. But there's no way I couldn't go on--I had to find out what happened. The writing is so crisp and clear that the narrative just flows. Be sure to have some tissues nearby--there are some very emotional moments. It's one of the best books I've read this year so far.

You've already heard this many times already - I can't tell you really anything about this book or it would just be spoiler galore. Go in blind, meet Honor and her family and enjoy the story that follows. This is a well written novel that will tug at heartstrings in surprising ways and give you lots to think about.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy. Finding Grace is now available.

A phenomenal debut novel that was clever,, unique, and well written. The best way to read the book is to go in blind as knowing too much about the story could ruin it for the reader. The story revolves around Honor and Tom who are a married couple who seem to have it all but are struggling with infertility. Honor is desperate to have another baby and Tom seems to care less. When one day an event will change everything for this couple. Years later secrets and lies will cause a chain reaction of events that will further change everything for this family. All the characters were so well developed and as the novel unfolds the reader will feel the deep and raw emotions surrounding grief, trauma, forgiveness, and love. My only criticism may be the ending and how the drama wraps as up as it seemed to clean for such a messy and dramatic story.

The first chapter of this book left me SHOCKED. I will say the opening to this book was absolutely unmatched. I also really liked that Honor narrates the book. That being said, Tom really made me mad. The miscommunication / hiding information trope is my absolute least favorite and this book's writing is so high quality and insightful it made me really upset that was the way the Rothschild decided to go. I felt that this really took away from my true enjoyment of the book because as Tom digs himself deeper I just dreaded getting to the truth and wanted to be done before it even climaxed. Again, the writing was beautiful and the plot was so interesting. I just really dislike that trope. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC.

“He knew firsthand that “the stages of grief” were a myth. It was disobedient and unruly. This was grief—being hit from the side by unexpected turbulence.”

Thank you, @netgalley, for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Told from the perspective of Honor, who was killed alongside her daughter Chloe in a terror attack on Christmas 5 years ago. Upon returning home, widowed Tom has a message from his and Honor’s surrogate that their transfer was successful. 5 years after their son is born, Tom is still grieving, but has started living his life. He discovers a letter accidentally sent to him from their anonymous egg donor. Finding that his late wife chose a donor, Grace, who looked eerily similar to her, he is immediately drawn to her. As Tom and Grace get closer, he is reluctant to tell her the truth, but the deeper he gets in his lies the harder they are to maintain.

Review: This was sooo unique and compelling. I was drawn into the story of Tom and Grace and the dynamics of his found family. It was also such an interesting twist to have it told through the eyes of Honor from the great beyond. Despite being a sad situation, there is a hopefulness to it as well.

Tom and Honor, parents to their young daughter, Chloe are spending a holiday in France. Because the reader is privy to Honor’s inner thoughts, it is evident that stress is occurring between the couple due to their differing desires regarding having another child. Soon, tragedy strikes, and Tom finds himself alone.
Many years later, due to a clerical error, Tom finds himself transfixed by Grace who bears a strong resemblance to Honor. This emotional novel asks if there is room for second chances, and when is it okay to conceal the truth?
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

An incredible debut! A very different novel with an interesting perspective on marriage, regret, and honesty. The tension felt in the chapters builds in all the best ways and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

4.5 rounded up!

Finding Grace has an unreal first chapter, and then dives right into a plot that’ll leave you clenching your jaw from the tension! It’s not a thriller whatsoever, but in its own way, it is SO deliciously suspenseful.

As the synopsis says, it’s hard to go into more detail without giving anything away. But just trust me — if you like a family/suburban drama (or just want something different and fast-paced to mix up your reads), give it a go.

This debut was so good. This was a reminder of what I tell my kids that words do hurt and once spoken it’s hardy take back. As a reader you will fall in love with honor tom and grace. As a fertility mom this story line had me so emotional not to mention the grief aspect.

I’m not exactly sure how to rate this book. It was unique, especially after the first chapter. I couldn’t get myself to like Tom. He was such a red flag. This was an okay read, but not my favorite.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and I hate when a new, debut book... I really dislike. Id it hadn't been an arc, I would have DNF. The first chapter is definitely one one to suck you in, but it was a big letdown from there. Predictable, unlikeable characters and the 3rd person narration really distracted me. Overall, this was a lifetime movie in book form, I'm surprised at all the 4* reviews. The writing is fine, long winded at times and repetitive, but it's just such a boring, no it hard to k who were its going, story

I love a literary fiction debut and this one did not disappoint. The impeccable writing and unique plot made me want to devour the story while at the same time savor every word. An absolute joy to read, Finding Grace has quickly become one of my top recommendations for the summer. Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a tough book to talk about without giving too much away. Finding Grace is best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible. I have somewhat complicated feelings about it, which, in a way, speaks to how thought-provoking it is.

The end of the first chapter completely floored me. My jaw was on the floor. But I’ll admit, that moment turned out to be the emotional high point in terms of shock or intensity. After that, the story shifts into something quieter and more introspective. It becomes less about what happens next and more about how people live with what has already happened.

At its core, this is a story about grief and second chances. It is full of moral ambiguity, and very little is black and white. That kind of gray-area storytelling is something I’ve realized I really enjoy. The narrator’s perspective also added an extra layer of interest. It’s not just about the events themselves, but how we are invited to interpret them.

While I did feel a bit catfished by where the story ultimately went, I still found the journey well worth taking.

4.5 ⭐️

What a great debut novel from Loretta Rothschild! She’s an author I’ll be reading again in the future for sure. Finding Grace was so full of twists that I didn’t see coming, starting right from chapter 1 that had me literally gasp out loud. It was a pretty wild ride, but I really don’t want to say much because I think this book should be gone into blind for maximum effect. The POV was inventive, the story was original, the lies were anything but white, and the relationships between friends and lovers, children and parents were ever-evolving. Truly just a well-written novel with a few thriller moments and a pace that had my heart racing at some times and made me want to read slower and enjoy the lull at others.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I’ve been so intrigued by all the reviews for this one that say nothing about what this book is about but “go in blind” - and now that I’ve read it, I understand why! A unique and jaw dropping early twist makes it impossible to describe this one without giving things away, so I’ll just say I agree - go read this one, and go in blind!

If you need more than that, then I can share that it’s beautifully written contemporary fiction about marriage and parenthood and fertility problems and love and friendship and grief and truth and lies. Seriously the writing is so good that it’s amazing that this one was a debut. One that will stay with me for a long time and likely to be a top book of the year for me.

4.5 stars

An absolutely bonkers book. I don't even really know how to classify it. So much crazy stuff happens under the veil of romantic notions that I have a hard time classifying this book. So stressful, so sad, just a very strange novel.