Grace May is actually excited about turning forty in a few months. Now that her boys are both in school and she has a stimulating new writing job, the next chapter in her life can finally begin. She can't wait to rediscover the intelligent woman buried under the layers of mother and wife. But when Grace suddenly loses her job and receives unexpected news, she stands to lose everything: her marriage, her best friend, and her sense of self. By her fortieth birthday party, Grace will realize who and what matter most. With laughter. With tears. With grace.
Almost forty, Grace May, is a mom of two boys and wife of a successful man. Then her whole world is shake. With her boys finally in school all day, she finds a job she cannot wait to start, until she loses the job before it begins. Then she gets more horrible news. Grace struggles to get her life back on track and make herself happy again.
My Review:
This was a easy read. I could relate easily to the stresses in Grace's life. Being a mother and wife brings on everyday adventures but add on the extras in Grace's world and I am amazed she truly did lot crack under the pressure. Whenever a person looks at herself it is easier to be critical of what you see rather than celebrate what you are. I loved that at her birthday party her friends managed to tell her exactly why they are friends and how amazing Grace is. Her resolution to become herself again was amazing. I was excited that she grew throughout the story and was able to recognize that she was important and needed but that she had to be herself.
On Grace is a story of warmth and humor. More importantly it is a story of a mom being more than just a mom; a wife being more than just a wife. It is a story of true friendships. I feel like anyone who reads this will sit back and have an ah ha moment and realize they can learn something. Whether they learn how to be a better friend, wife, or just a better self; they will learn something.
I certainly recommend this book. This is a book I will keep close by. A book I will return to over and over.
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy On Grace. I felt an instant connection to Grace, and I found myself engrossed in her story.
Grace is an almost 40 stay-at-home mom who just had a bombshell–well, quite a few bombshells–dropped on her, destroying her seemingly perfect life. Grace is a fantastic character. She worries, a lot. She plans, organizes, worries, and tries her best. At the beginning of the book, Grace recalls a memory of lamenting a long introduction period to preschool. I totally related to that in so many ways. It made me smile and had me hooked. Later in the book, Grace comments on her nightly routine of checking on her boys, not to see them quiet, but to see that they are okay, peaceful, and safe. I check on my kids every night for the same reasons. That resonated with me and deepened my connection to this main character. Although I haven’t shared all of her experiences (the main bombshell), I do share a lot of her thoughts and feelings.
One thing that I could not relate to–nor do I quite comprehend–is how she managed to cooked breakfast for her kids before the bus picked them up for school. What time did they get up so that she could make homemade chocolate chip pancakes, or egg-in-the-holes, or whatever other breakfast she came up with???? I don’t think I could do that!
I also shared feelings and empathy for the other characters in On Grace. It all worked. It all connected. It all resonated. This was a great read that I may revisit in the future.
Would I recommend it: Yes. It was a very relatable women’s fiction read.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
When we meet Grace May, she is relishing the thought that her two sons, James and Henry, are about to return to school following summer break; Grace's 40th birthday is approaching, and she is contemplating thoughts of finding something "useful" to do in her life. After having given up a writing career in the health and fitness industry to raise her children, Grace is now confronted with the fact that Henry & James need a little less and she needs a little more.
Even though I do not have children, I immediately felt connected to Grace; Grace has really high expectations for herself, which bleed over into her relationships, and I can relate. Grace needs to be contributing, producing, doing, in order to feel good about herself and have sense that she "fits in" to the world around her.
When Grace is faced with one of her worst nightmares and, subsequently, her best friend Cameron is dealt a horrific blow as well, Grace begins to discover what matters most in her life and she is led to make some decisions and respond to situations in ways she did not expect.
Schnall's writing allows readers to fall right into Grace's world, into her life and her thoughts; Grace is such a relatable character and, while I often become bored with stories of moms and their children in women's fiction (since I don't have an appreciation of that experience), Grace's two boys are so funny that I fell in love with them! Kudos to Susie Orman Schall on her debut novel; this is one you should definitely read for yourself.
As a vignette of a spoiled suburban mother and wife, this books succeeds admirably. The prose is light and easy to read, drawing the reader along even though the plot does little to excite interest. The only characters which seem mildly interesting are the supporting cast: Grace is a cardboard cutout, conveniently wealthy and healthy enough to never have to face any real consequences for her life choices and given all the time she wants to dither between them. She seems to devote as much angst to her neighbor's clothing and gossip topics as she does to the fact that her husband has cheated on her. There is never any real doubt about what she will eventually decide to do, and while she endlessly over-analyzes every moment, she indulges in very little actual self-examination. She is basically the identical character at the end of the book as at the beginning, with a nearly identical life. The most painful moment should probably be either finding out that her husband has betrayed her or that her best friend has cancer, but instead, it is the rambling, multi-page monologue at the end of the book. Grace may not need pills to survive her life, but the reader will be left scrambling for some sort of chemical relief if she actually reads it word for word. Well-enough written, but not worth the time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Talk about a book that will make you want to talk! I wasn’t even finished with this one yet and I was asking my friends and husband what they would do if they were in Grace’s position. A relatable and realistic tale that is easy to read and easy to absorb, On Grace stole my heart from the first page and kept me hooked throughout. I found myself at one time thinking I disliked this book, I hated what was happening, I wanted to throw my Kindle down the stairs at the unjustness, the unfairness to some of the characters. But it was never the book I disliked or the writing, far from it. I was just so emotionally invested in the story that I felt like I was a part of Grace’s life and was feeling emotions for her, her family, and her friends. A really fantastic read that I think will touch you long after you have closed the book.
Have you ever read the first ten pages of a book and sat, mouth gaping, saying "This is my life."? Well I hadn't until I read ON GRACE. The novel opens with Grace anticipating her soon to be free days. Her youngest will be starting school and she can now decide what she wants to fill her days with beyond the demands of motherhood. Wanting to re-enter the workforce, Grace encounters obstacles due to her lapse in work history and rethinks what she should be doing with her time. Should she keep pursuing trying to get a writing job or should she focus on non-employment endeavors?
It is important to note that this should not be categorized as a "mommy wars" novel, as the story is not centered around working versus stay-at-home mothers. Schnall presents characters doing variations on that previously presented binary with the focus not on the labels themselves but how each woman expresses her individual identity. However, Schnall doen't shrink from drawing attention to the inequalities and benefits of unpaid labor. For example:
As I chop lettuce, I fantasize about the stay-at-home moms going on strike. Picketing all the school book fairs, hospital benefits, and canned food drives that, if it weren’t for their unpaid labor, would never happen.
Every woman should read this book. Once you open the book to the first page, you won't let go. I realized that the author was putting forth a message, Your life is valued by your family and friendships. When we are gone, that will be how we are remembered.
This was a perfect read for that summer vacation. I turned the pages quickly since I was anxious to find out what was on the next page. I found myself reflecting and thinking throughout the book. I felt the book has some lessons in it about what is important in life, and how we should appreciate the important things. They should not necessarily be material things but the friends and family.
The main character, Grace, mother of two in New York. I loved the starting up of old romances. The book has a lot of parts that could be so close to our own lives.
I was given a complimentary copy of ON GRACE by Susie Orman from BookSparks for my view of the book.
A purely honest story that many mothers, wives and women can relate to. I was instantly, I mean instantly drawn in. A crazy deja vu feeling and OMG do I feel your pain, happiness, frustration and so many more emotions because I felt like this story could be my own. The author bonds easily with the reader and just like that a literary friendship is made. A straight forward style of writing that is easy flowing and entertaining. My favorite chick lit book that I have read so far this year and I look forward to reading more from this author.
5 stars
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and gentle humor of "On Grace". Schnall writes with a complete abandonment of fear here, and she puts that same biting bravery into Grace. Both a story about starting over and the violent uprooting of the life she already leads, On Grace will appeal to those women of all ages (but especially those facing a big birthday!) who find themselves wondering "Who am I, and how exactly did I get here?" Grace is an imperfect woman with a less than perfect life, but readers will find themselves drawn into her authenticity and grit. In addition, On Grace is a great reflection on what it means to have "grace" as a mother, a friend, an employee, a wife and a woman not always at home in her own skin. As a person who can always use more grace in her own life, I find myself very much looking forward to Schnall's next novel.
Grace is about to turn 40 and is feeling the effects of the big birthday. She is trying to find herself and her new role as her children are leaving for their first years in school and don't necessary need her as much anymore. I loved having a different age character trying to find her place in this new set of circumstances.
Although this book deals with some hard topics, I think the author did a fantastic job of keeping it authentic and real, but not too much of a downer! I fell in love with this character and it was easy to want to follow her journey through it all. The minor characters were full and just as enjoyable as Grace; which I think is key when they have such an impact on the journey of the main character.
I was drawn into Grace's story from the very beginning! Grace's journey was very realistic, from her struggle to find a career that fit into her life as a mother, to her struggle to feel find fulfillment, to her struggle to work through issues in her marriage. As a Westchester resident, I can honestly say that the the setting was spot on. This was a fabulous debut novel. I look forward to reading Susie Orman Schnall's next book!
Grace May is truly excited about turning 40 in a few months. And now that her boys are both in school and she has a stimulating new writing job, the next chapter in her life can finally begin. She can’t wait to rediscover the intelligent and interesting woman deeply buried under the layers of mother and wife.
But when Grace loses her job and gets unexpected news from her husband and her best friend, life suddenly gets complicated. Grace stands to lose everything: her marriage, her best friend, and her sense of self. But by her 40th birthday party, Grace will realize who and what matter most. With laughter. With tears. With grace.
This is a well written novel, it wasn't anything like I expected. It was a great read, it went quickly.
The topic of the novel is one that we face in society more often these days, and I think it was handled well in this novel. The one thing I didn't like, was the use of unnecessary language in the novel.
All in all yes, if your looking for a book to curl up with on a rainy day, this would be great, but it is a secular book, with secular ideas.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Grace May is happily married and the mom of two boys, now she's about to embark upon her fortieth birthday. Not only that, but she's looking forward to some new changes in her life. Both of her children will finally be in school all day, which opens up her days allowing her to return into the work force. She's been looking forward to this and the perfect job falls into her lap. Within one week, not only does she lose the job before she even gets the chance to begin, her world begins to unravel and fall apart.
"On Grace" is a wonderful story about dealing with a crisis while finding one's self and path at the age of forty. Grace is an amazing character that every woman can connect with in some way. She teaches us about forging on, and forgiveness and not succumbing to everyone's expectations. This book had moments of laughter and moments of tears, as Grace rationalizes her family crisis and comes to terms with her situation. This is a great chick lit novel, one that is quite meaningful that every woman will enjoy.
I love this book! this is my first book I have ever read from Susie and I loved it! My boss recommended it to me and I loved it. I think she has made her own writing style/influence come across and I truly enjoyed the book and finished it within a few days. I love chick lit but this was definitely much more than that. I loved how realistic it was and how easy it was to understand Grace and all of the other vulnerable yet real characters. it's a great book for women and men of all ages and paths of life. if you are looking for a book to reflect upon life, change, parenthood, marriage, relationships and true friendship, this is the book. I loved how this book reminds you that lie wont be easy, but making the most out of every situation is a must if you want to live your best life. There were some sad( low) and high points but it was truly an enjoyable book. I would categorize this in the level/genre of Weiner/Jane Green books. if you love those, you'll definitely love this but any reader looking for a happy and realistic read, should read this.
I am so exited for the second book/next series of books. Congrats on such a great first book Susie.
Wow. Grace May is getting ready to turn 40 and she is excited about it. To me it seems that her life has fallen into a bit of a rut and she is making plans to change that. I was drawn in to Grace's voyage of self discovery as she deals with those life changing events that we all have and have to get through.
There is so much of Grace that I see in myself and that I think that just about every other woman will identify with parts of who Grace is. I found myself liking Grace so much that the book was a fast read and very enjoyable. In fact, it's difficult for me not to tell you her story here like I'm talking about events in a friend's life.
This is a book that I will keep on the shelf to read over whenever I need a boost. And I am definitely looking forward to Ms. Schnall's future books.
I would also like to take a moment to thank Ms. Schnall as I won my copy of On Grace in a First Reads giveaway. Yes, I really lucked out on this one!!
Have you ever wondered how you would handle a significant other's betrayal. Would you be forgiving in a situation like this?? Grace is approaching her 40th birthday, her children are both in school now and she is ready to go back into the work force. Everything is near perfect in Grace's world until her husband gives her some devastating news. She is not sure if she can ever forgive him. A series of events bring her full circle so that she knows that she needs to learn to let go and move forward with grace.
I found this book to be very well written, full of emotion, humor, sadness and of course grace. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book takes the reader through the love of children, infidelities, past loves, family issues and disappointments that make up a life. Written with compassion and forgiveness, this is a novel not to be missed.
Grace has had a pretty good life, with two sons, a loving family, and good friends. Then, the day before her youngest starts kindergarten, she gets a call from the magazine she's about to go to work for, telling her that they are folding, so she won't have a job with them after all. Over the next month, she gets several more pieces of bad news.
The book focuses on how Grace deals with these events. She is not perfect, but she does the best she can to cope with everything life throws at her, and in the end, she grows from it. This was an enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of this book. The last 1/3: not so much. The beginning moved quickly with Grace about to turn 40, her kids finally all in school, trying to get back into the work force and reconnect with her husband of 10 years. Grace's inner struggle after her husband confesses a drunken one night stand with a cocktail waitress during a business trip also rang true as did his reasons for this transgression. However, the book almost ground to a halt when Grace returned from a weekend away and her husband's reaction to her "confession" seemed out of character and unrealistic. I skimmed the remainder of the book just to get through.
Maybe it's where I am in my life, but I loved this book. I thought it was smart and interesting. Grace is about to turn 40 and thinks she has it all -- a little boredom in her life, maybe, but otherwise, she has it all. Until her husband drops a bomb on her. It may sound cliche, but Schnall handles a common plot theme (infidelity, divorce, boredom in a marriage, etc.) with a fresh voice. I thought it was good. Ending kind of went a bit off with a subplot having to do with the best friend, but regardless, definitely entertaining. A great beach read. Another Emily Giffin recommendation and she even gets a shout-out in the book! :)
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, and easy to read. I didn't want to put it down as Grace's story evolved from her "worrying" about turning 40, having both her boys in school all day,"what should she do", to being told a secret by her husband, losing her job (that she hadn't started yet) to a health problem of her best friend. I love the "advice" of her Mom, sister, Dad, and best friend to "Stop worrying and thinking about what you are supposed to do, and think instead about what you love to do. Stop being so careful and just go for it!"
"On Grace" is a sizzling, dazzling and very fun debut novel that captures the questions and situations mid-life women reach as they inch their way to their forties. Author Susie Orman Schnall's cast of lively characters and fast-paced story is a treat to read - readers will feel they are right there in the midst of the group as they look forward to their futures.
Fans of contemporary women's fiction will really get a kick out of this novel. I look forward to more work from this bright new author!
Grace is looking forward to September when her two sons will both be in school and she will be starting her new job as a writer for a magazine. Her marriage is going great and her best friend has just announced she is pregnant. Well the boys do start school but... She gets a phone call that the magazine has been sold and discontinued, her husband confesses he had a one night stand on a summer business trip and her best friend discovers she has breast cancer. Not the fall season that Grace was planning on. A great read with wonderful characters.
This book keeps you turning the pages until the very end. It's an amazing story about Grace, a woman about to turn forty and trying to figure out what is truly important in life. It's also, so much more than that. Extremely well written and I absolutely loved all the characters in this book. What an amazing book by an incredibly talented storyteller! I highly recommend this book. This is one you won't want to miss out on! I absolutely loved this book!!!!!!
I really enjoyed this book. It's a light, easy read. It's about a stay at home mom, Grace, who on the brink of turning 40, is ready to return to work, but life throws her a couple of curveballs. She has to deal with these things with as much grace as she can. I enjoyed her character, as well as many of the others introduced in the book. I found her to be very likeable and relatable. I was always cheering for her!
I absolutely loved this story and the character of Grace! Grace is an easy to love woman and many times throughout the book I felt like she was inside my head. There are many situations in this book that I think many women will relate to. The author has a great insight into friendship, family and relationships. This is a great page turner and you will not be disappointed! I look forward to her next book.
This book keeps you turning the pages until the very end. It's an amazing story about Grace, a woman about to turn forty and trying to figure out what is truly important in life. It's also, so much more than that. Extremely well written and I absolutely loved all the characters in this book. What an amazing book by an incredibly talented storyteller! I highly recommend this book. This is one you won't want to miss out on! I absolutely loved this book!!!!!!
Good read. Very close to home as I just turned 40 3 weeks ago. I liked Grace. She reminds me of me. Always worrying. Always figuring out what's next and if I'm doing the right thing. Am I where I "should" be at 40?. I also loved the LA references (I am also from LA but do not live in LA). Cute read.
the struggles we as women go through in our lives are written well and clear in this novel. from each person's stand point her words are wise. I really related to this book and found it encouraging and full of strength. I definitely recommend.