the_midwest_library's profile picture

the_midwest_library 's review for:

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
4.0
challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thank you to Libro FM and the publisher/author for the ARC! 

I was really impressed with this debut, fans of literary fiction with Sally Rooney vibes will probably love this as well. 

A strong narrative voice follows a family dealing with the complications of life changing events. A deep look at marriage between two tragically  flawed characters. This is a story of grief from every fucked up place grief takes you. 

There was a line, something to the effect of "grief isn't an oyster you can't swallow it in one go" (I had the audiobook so I can't find the exact line again haha) and that is absolutely this book in a nutshell. 

The writing is strong, the story compelling I read it so fast. I will absolutely keep my eyes peeled for more from this author. My biggest critique is I feel like the book would have been stronger ending like 4 chapters early. I would have preferred a sharp ending rather than a hopeful one because I'm a glutton for pain. Absolutely fabulous debut!!