OVERALL RATING:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong Recommend - Great book. There is a lot to love, it is well written, you’ll want to share and talk about it!

ROMANCE RATING: .
❤️❤️❤️ | HFN/ HEA - The author gave them a Happily Ever After and they clearly love each other. But, are they meant to be? The vibe was much more happy for now.

STEAM RATING:
🔥🔥🔥 | While not overly sexy the door is open with descriptions on the more vague to clinical end.

A NOTE REGARDING CONTENT/ TRIGGER WARNINGS: Sometimes these can be “spoilery.” Mine are found at the end of the review so you may easily choose to read them or avoid them.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
“Finding Grace,” by Loretta Rothschild, is one of those books that the blurb does not prepare you for. In fact, paired with a cover that is fairly benign you won’t see it coming. And, what’s coming is an emotional novel that looks deep into what is ethical? What is moral? And, is it okay to bend those to get back the life you need?

This is a stunning debut novel. The story is unique and, though not a mystery-thriller, there is an explosive twist that acts as a catalyst to ignite the story as it follows Tom and Honor into a new phase of their relationship.

The characters are mostly well rounded. The story is told exclusively from Honor’s point of view so we certainly get to see her as a person. She knows her husband well, so Tom is likewise someone we come to understand as he navigates their new chapter. There are several supporting characters who are well-developed enough for side characters, none that steal the show, but are very real in the sense that you have friends and neighbors just like them.

The author’s style is straightforward and sets the perfect tone for this sort of story. The pacing moves along well without a lot of fluff.

The cover is eye-catching and beautifully appropriate. It is multi faceted where the longer you look the more you see. And, while initially it appears simple it makes much more sense once you get into the book.

The best part of the book was the catalyst. I had no idea that something like that would set the wheels in motion for the story. Further, I liked Honor as the voice of the novel. She is smart and engaging.

While I unreservedly recommend the book I did have some small issues, but I can’t get into them without revealing major spoilers beyond the blurb of the book summary. So, suffice it to say, the book is quite good. There is another character who is prominent but I felt did not get her due. It felt like, even though she is important to the story, she was most often used for Tom’s personal growth and overall her personality felt a bit cold even though we’re supposed to be quite sympathetic to her. Particularly, at the point where she should be running hot, she just runs and doesn’t come back until another catalyst forces her. Without that device I’m not sure she would have. So, her motivations and actions did not necessarily feel authentic or realistic (if this was the real world - but it’s not, so it's okay and it worked out to help the book reach its conclusion in a nice way).

If you’re interested in the audiobook, it uses a single narrator. Her voice is lovely and the characters are distinct. For books that include a language I'm not familiar with it is nice to hear the proper pronunciation (Honor's mother is French).

WHO SHOULD READ IT?
If you enjoy relationship dramas and literary romance this one is for you.

GRATITUDE & DISCLOSURE
Thank you @Netgalley and @stmartinspress for early access to this ARC in return for an unbiased and voluntary review.

CONTENT WARNINGS/ SPOILERS (not exhaustive, but what stood out to me):
• Murder / Attempted murder
• Explosions / Bombings
• PTSD / Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) / Trauma responses
• Death (general, on-page, off-page)
• Grief / Mourning
• Child death / Infant death
• Parental death / Loss of a loved one
• Terminal illness
• Miscarriage / Stillbirth
• Infertility

I see from skimming through some reviews here and elsewhere that this is one of those "love it or hate it" books. Mark me down in the "loved it" column.
When I started listening to this book, I couldn't quite remember what it was that prompted my interest in it. Frankly, I found the cover to be just a bit off-putting, and I didn't reread the synopsis, just went in a bit blind. I still don't quite remember what it was that initially sparked my interest, but I'm definitely glad I acted on it because I loved it. And I can't be much more enlightening than the synopsis is, because I don't want to be one to give away any details of this surprising book. It's about love and commitment and family and choices and repercussions of our choices and forgiveness and second chances and, well, life itself. And it's about being human, which seems to me to be at the heart of some people's issues with it. It surprised me and touched me and made me think. And I'm glad that I listened to the audiobook version, Fiona Button's narration was just lovely, and I'm sure I would've been butchering some of the French phrases and names in my Southern brain had I read it with my eyes.
My thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing copies for an unbiased review.

Uniquely written narrative kept me invested in this tragic story. I was shocked at the beginning, the story did not start out even remotely how i had expected. I was really frustrated with the characters until the end. This was an interesting story. I really liked the narrative and the way the pieces of the story interlinked. There were some slow parts, but overall a decent read. Great title for a book club.

3.5 stars

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for my early listening copy of FINDING GRACE! It was one of my favorite summer reads.

This is a book that's best read going in blind which makes it trickier to review. Trust me that you don't read too many reviews on this one. I loved that this book surprised me and I loved the themes of grief, friendship, family and so much more.

🎧 I really enjoyed the narration and would definitely recommend it!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 out of 5)

Read if you enjoy: Family dramas, dual timelines, grief, parenthood

This one totally caught me off guard—in the best way. Honor’s seemingly perfect life quickly unravels, and I found myself completely invested in the complex moral dilemmas and emotional twists that followed. The story beautifully weaves themes of love, loss, and redemption, with secrets that haunt and choices that change everything. It’s a compelling, heartfelt read that stayed with me long after the last page. Definitely a story about how new beginnings can rise from the wreckage.

Wow, one of my top books for 2025. Difficult to review without giving away spoilers. It took me by surprise from the very first chapter and is unlike any other book I've read. Had I read spoilers, I may not have picked it up, but I'm glad I did because it sucked me right in. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Different from what I expected, in a good way! It grabs you from the start and doesn't quite let go... I enjoyed reading.

If getting hooked on a book from the very first chapter is vital to your reading experience, look no further. My jaw literally hit the floor, and I was in shock. I think this book is best experienced if you go in completely blind as well. I did not truly know what the story was about, and I’m happy that I did it that way. It was heartbreaking but incredibly well written. It is a story about love and loss and an examination of grief that was so interesting. I felt for all the characters in this book, going from wanting to just shake them to force them to make good decisions and just give them a hug to comfort them. I absolutely loved the point of view of the narrator- that certainly made the story much more layered and interesting. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing this character to life. The only gripe I have about the book is that I felt it drug a bit in the middle, but wow, what a story this was. Overall, however, I felt it was incredibly well written, tragic but almost hopeful. Would be an absolute perfect book for book clubs because of how unique it is.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

What an absolute WILD RIDE this was from the very first chapter. I felt like I had to keep reading this book because I was on the edge of my seat wondering if this entire romance plot was going to just blow up. The way this author wrote the narrator was also so incredibly unique. I really enjoyed seeing it from her view from elsewhere. The audio for this was REALLY good.

I struggled with the audio version of this book. For some reason, I couldn't connect with the narrator's voice. I ended up switching over to a hard copy of the book and found it to be much more engaging. The story was truly something unique and unexpected!

What an unforgettable and powerful debut. Saying I gasped at the twist in the opening chapter barely does it justice. For the best experience, go in completely blind—you won’t regret it.

Told across dual timelines, this is a profoundly moving exploration of love, loss, grief, and the possibility of second chances. It manages to feel wholly original while echoing something deeply familiar. Emotionally rich and quietly haunting, the story weaves in a subtle thread of mystery, with unexpected turns that keep you fully engaged. It’s the kind of novel that lingers, prompting reflection long after the final page is turned.

First I would like to thank k NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the early audiobook of this novel.

I loved this book so much. The story grabs you right from the start and the first chapter is so shocking you have no idea where the rest of the book is going. I loved the backstory aspects, I loved that this book surprised me and I loved the themes of grief, friendship, family and so much more.

I highly recommend going into this book blind. I knew almost nothing about the book and it probably made it even more impactful for me.

Also, the audiobook narrator was fantastic. She really brought the story and character to life.

My only complaint is that the middle seemed a little slow at times but even that didn’t keep me away from this one.

4.5/5 stars rounded up to 5 for this review.

Finding Grace is a debut novel about marriage, motherhood, grief, and healing. I am floored that this complex, multilayered, reflective, twisty love story is a debut. I loved the unique plot structure and how the story was told. I was hooked after that unexpected cliffhanger in the first chapter and couldn’t put it down.

The audiobook created an incredible immersive experience. The narrator, Fiona Button, does a phenomenal job with tone and voice differentiating the multiple characters, adding emotional depth and empathy to an already powerful story. Button definitely helped bring the story and characters to life and delivered a flawless performance from start to finish.

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the #gifted ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This intriguing novel begins with a provocative premise: after a mother and daughter are killed by a suicide bomber, should the grieving husband pursue a relationship with the egg donor of the child a surrogate was carrying at the time of the tragedy? Especially considering the donor happens to look just like his late wife?

While that might sound sensational on the surface, in the deft hands of author Loretta Rothschild, it becomes something far more affecting. Her emotionally rich writing, combined with Fiona Button’s moving audiobook narration, transforms the story into a sad, romantic, charming, and suspenseful exploration of grief, love, identity, and moral ambiguity.

Told primarily from the point of view of Honor, the novel starts in Paris, where she and her husband Tom are vacationing with their young daughter, Chloe. Tension simmers between the couple—Honor is singularly focused on expanding their family through surrogacy and egg donation, and Tom is angered by her single-mindedness. After a fight, Honor takes Chloe down to the hotel lobby, where both are tragically killed in a terrorist bombing.

Devastated, Tom clings to the one flicker of hope left: the child Honor arranged to bring into the world. Their son, Henry, is born via surrogate. In the midst of navigating his grief and new fatherhood, Tom inadvertently discovers the identity of the egg donor—Claire—and is stunned by how much she resembles Honor. Compelled by curiosity and something deeper, he seeks her out.

As Tom and Claire's relationship evolves, Rothschild skillfully builds emotional complexity and suspense. The tension rises as Tom delays revealing the truth about who Claire is to him—and to Henry. One late-in-the-novel plot twist may stretch plausibility, but overall, the story is gripping and emotionally resonant.

This is a distinct, engaging novel that blends intimate personal drama with larger questions about identity, consent, and the ways we try to hold onto the people we’ve lost. I was emotionally invested from start to finish.

I have such mixed thoughts on this book. I think I liked it? The characters were unlovable, which isn't always a death knell for me. But they were REALLY unlikable in this book and the miscommunication trope is a huge red flag for me. BUT I love the secrets and the plot twists that just kept coming. And that first chapter was spectacular.

I kept hearing everyone say how shocking the first chapter is and wow it definitely was! Definitely a very gripping start to a very emotional read. Very unique and incredible, especially for a debut! Will definitely be awaiting any publications from this author in the future. Audiobook was also incredible well done, the narration perfectly reflecting the tone of the story.

2025 Debut Authors are delivering!!
And here's another knockout!

Everyone was right - go in blind. Avoid spoilers or detailed summaries. Just know this: Finding Grace is wholly original, beautifully written, morally complex, and completely unforgettable.

Rothschild hooks you with a shocking first chapter and doesn’t let go. Her choice of narrator (within the story, not just audio) is unique—one I found compelling, though I understand it might not resonate with everyone. Personally, I loved it.

Tom, the MMC, definitely tested my patience, but by the end, I understood the complexity of his choices. The story wouldn't have been the story if he had made different decisions, and ultimately, I loved the story.

🎧 Narration Note: Fiona Burton is terrific. She brings emotional depth to an already charged story. Her performance lets the characters’ rawness truly shine.

Final Verdict: 👍 Emotionally rich, thought-provoking debut that doesn’t shy away from complexity. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. Great book club or buddy read selection!

You need to go into this book with as little information as possible. A family drama about love and loss.

SPOILERS

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. In this story we follow Honor and Tom who are married and have a daughter, Chloe. The family is vacationing when a terrorist bombs their hotel and Honor and Chloe are killed. When Tom returns home he discovers that he surrogate that they were trying to inceminate with a donor egg is pregnant. Fast forward four years and Tom is raising his son alone. He inadvertently recieves a letter from the egg donor facility that tells him who the donor was. So he seeks this woman out and discovers that she looks just like his dead wife, Honor. This book was so emotionall and just not what i was expecting. I loved it from start to finish!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

Wow, this uniquely tragic love story was oddly a breath of fresh air to me. Lacking the shallow tropes of most modern romances, I found Finding Grace fascinating from start to finish. Emotional from the start, Loretta Rothschild does not shy away from taking a deep dive into various forms of grief and loss. Although I do not enjoy stories that are centered around lies, I felt this story was strong enough to carry through to the end. The characters were also beautifully textured and easy to connect with.

The narration was gorgeous and only added to the story!