What do you think?
Rate this book
Disgraceful
A hilarious and moving debut novel about a woman who writes a ‘f*ck-it’ list to reclaim herself after her marriage unexpectedly implodes.
Forty-nine-year-old Grace Miller is the ultimate good girl. Good wife, good mother, good role model. She has to be, she’s been married to a notable evangelical Christian pastor for nearly thirty years.
But when Grace’s marriage implodes, she realises she’s spent her entire life putting other people’s needs first – and she’s had enough. Determined to shake things up, Grace writes a ‘f*ck-it’ list of fifty bad decisions to complete before she turns fifty. But just as she starts to reclaim herself, her family throws her some unexpected curve balls that threaten to derail the plan.
With the emotional heart and complex family dynamics of Marian Keyes and Monica McInerney, combined with the sharp humour of Kathy Lette and Caitlin Moran, Disgraceful tramples the idea that women should grow old gracefully, and posits that sometimes bad decisions are the best ones you can make.
Forty-nine-year-old Grace Miller is the ultimate good girl. Good wife, good mother, good role model. She has to be, she’s been married to a notable evangelical Christian pastor for nearly thirty years.
But when Grace’s marriage implodes, she realises she’s spent her entire life putting other people’s needs first – and she’s had enough. Determined to shake things up, Grace writes a ‘f*ck-it’ list of fifty bad decisions to complete before she turns fifty. But just as she starts to reclaim herself, her family throws her some unexpected curve balls that threaten to derail the plan.
With the emotional heart and complex family dynamics of Marian Keyes and Monica McInerney, combined with the sharp humour of Kathy Lette and Caitlin Moran, Disgraceful tramples the idea that women should grow old gracefully, and posits that sometimes bad decisions are the best ones you can make.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Rachel Fox McLeod
3 books4 followersRachel Fox McLeod is an award-winning fiction writer and screenwriter. Her film and television credits including Wanted (Matchbox Pictures), Mako Mermaids (Disney/Netflix) and The Bachelor. Rachel has also been awarded the Josephine Ulrick Literature Prize and the Griffith Review Emerging Writers Prize. Her debut novel, Disgraceful, is being developed as a television series and has previously been supported by Screen QLD. Rachel likes tattoos, pop culture, the F word and cheese. Not in that order ... cheese always comes first.
*Rachel also writes under the pseudonym 'Ruby Fox'.
*Rachel also writes under the pseudonym 'Ruby Fox'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 11, 2026
This was hilarious! I listened to the audio, and between the narrators accent and inflection I was laughing outloud! Feel good, funny, and light read!
May 2, 2026
Disgraceful surprised me in the best way… it leans into the messy, impulsive, slightly chaotic side of starting over, and this completely worked for me. Grace isn’t the kind of character who reinvents herself overnight in some glossy, picture-perfect way. Instead, she stumbles, pushes boundaries, makes questionable choices, and somehow finds pieces of herself in the process.
There’s a sharp humor running through the story that kept me smiling, but underneath that is a really honest look at what it means to wake up one day and realize you’ve been living your life for everyone else. I also really appreciated the perimenopause references, along with the very real marriage and parenting dynamics woven throughout, which added another layer of relatability that felt grounded and true. I also liked the scripture references sprinkled throughout, they added an extra layer of depth without feeling heavy-handed. I also found myself smiling at the ’80s and ’90s references, little nods to Debbie Gibson, Bon Jovi, and that era of music, Days of Our Lives and memories that added a soft layer of nostalgia I really enjoyed. That balance between light and heavy worked so well for me, it never felt forced, just very real. Despite what appealed to me, there were a few lulls in the storyline where things slowed down a bit, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
I also really appreciated how the writing didn’t try too hard to make everything neat or tied up. It felt a little unpredictable, a little unfiltered, which matched Grace’s journey perfectly.
Overall, Disgraceful was such a strong, confident debut that felt both entertaining and quietly reflective. I’ll definitely be back for Rachel Fox McLeod’s next book.
There’s a sharp humor running through the story that kept me smiling, but underneath that is a really honest look at what it means to wake up one day and realize you’ve been living your life for everyone else. I also really appreciated the perimenopause references, along with the very real marriage and parenting dynamics woven throughout, which added another layer of relatability that felt grounded and true. I also liked the scripture references sprinkled throughout, they added an extra layer of depth without feeling heavy-handed. I also found myself smiling at the ’80s and ’90s references, little nods to Debbie Gibson, Bon Jovi, and that era of music, Days of Our Lives and memories that added a soft layer of nostalgia I really enjoyed. That balance between light and heavy worked so well for me, it never felt forced, just very real. Despite what appealed to me, there were a few lulls in the storyline where things slowed down a bit, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
I also really appreciated how the writing didn’t try too hard to make everything neat or tied up. It felt a little unpredictable, a little unfiltered, which matched Grace’s journey perfectly.
Overall, Disgraceful was such a strong, confident debut that felt both entertaining and quietly reflective. I’ll definitely be back for Rachel Fox McLeod’s next book.
May 12, 2026
Disgraceful, the debut novel by Rachel Fox McLeod, is one I had a real love–hate relationship with.
The story follows Grace, a 49-year-old who has built her identity around being a “good” wife, mother, and role model. Her life unravels when her husband announces he is leaving her, forcing Grace into a period of emotional upheaval as she tries to understand where she fits in her new reality.
Determined to reclaim her sense of self, Grace creates a list of fifty “bad decisions” to complete before turning 50. This premise drives much of the novel, but this is also where I struggled. The story takes her through increasingly chaotic experiences involving drugs, alcohol, and sex, alongside other sensitive themes that may not resonate with all readers.
At times, I found myself laughing at some of the things Grace does in her attempt to reclaim her life, but at other points the storyline felt like it dragged. Despite this, I kept reading and was glad that I did. Disgraceful is definitely a challenging novel, dealing with a range of complex issues through its main character. Ultimately, I did find myself emotional by the end, even crying as I could see how far Grace had come on her journey.
This is my honest review and simply reflects my own reading experience — it doesn’t mean other readers won’t enjoy this book.
The story follows Grace, a 49-year-old who has built her identity around being a “good” wife, mother, and role model. Her life unravels when her husband announces he is leaving her, forcing Grace into a period of emotional upheaval as she tries to understand where she fits in her new reality.
Determined to reclaim her sense of self, Grace creates a list of fifty “bad decisions” to complete before turning 50. This premise drives much of the novel, but this is also where I struggled. The story takes her through increasingly chaotic experiences involving drugs, alcohol, and sex, alongside other sensitive themes that may not resonate with all readers.
At times, I found myself laughing at some of the things Grace does in her attempt to reclaim her life, but at other points the storyline felt like it dragged. Despite this, I kept reading and was glad that I did. Disgraceful is definitely a challenging novel, dealing with a range of complex issues through its main character. Ultimately, I did find myself emotional by the end, even crying as I could see how far Grace had come on her journey.
This is my honest review and simply reflects my own reading experience — it doesn’t mean other readers won’t enjoy this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An entertaining and engaging read - a great debut!
If you have ever been sceptical about 'big' churches, then you will LOVE the beginning of this book. I laughed out loud at the irony (and don't think for a minute I didn't have an exact picture in my mind!). But don't be fooled. Disgraceful is as deep as it is funny and, at moments, have you questioning what you would do if put in Grace's position.
Is there a life after 'life'? Is it possible to reinvent yourself when you are nearly 50? What if all the things that you thought were your short comings actually combined to make you unique? Grace faces all these questions - and makes some unlikely life choices - while on an unplanned journey of discovery.
AGAIN WITH THE HALF STARS!! 3.5/5.
If you have ever been sceptical about 'big' churches, then you will LOVE the beginning of this book. I laughed out loud at the irony (and don't think for a minute I didn't have an exact picture in my mind!). But don't be fooled. Disgraceful is as deep as it is funny and, at moments, have you questioning what you would do if put in Grace's position.
Is there a life after 'life'? Is it possible to reinvent yourself when you are nearly 50? What if all the things that you thought were your short comings actually combined to make you unique? Grace faces all these questions - and makes some unlikely life choices - while on an unplanned journey of discovery.
AGAIN WITH THE HALF STARS!! 3.5/5.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a debut!! Rachel Fox McLeod’s first novel is set to make waves and I feel so lucky to have had read it before it hits the shelves.
Rachel’s writing feels so natural - funny, wise and deeply honest - and Grace is such a relatable protagonist. The story examines the light and shade of family, the weight and joy of motherhood, and the expectations placed on women.
Women of all ages, but especially those in mid-life, will love following Grace as she rises from the ashes - stumbling, soaring and everything in between - to discover who she really is
A superb entry to the Australian fiction market. Highly recommend.
Rachel’s writing feels so natural - funny, wise and deeply honest - and Grace is such a relatable protagonist. The story examines the light and shade of family, the weight and joy of motherhood, and the expectations placed on women.
Women of all ages, but especially those in mid-life, will love following Grace as she rises from the ashes - stumbling, soaring and everything in between - to discover who she really is
A superb entry to the Australian fiction market. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A wild and dazzling debut from a smart, fresh voice in Australian fiction, DISGRACEFUL is a propulsive story of midlife tumult and triumph.
Protagonist Grace's journey is raw and real. From the moment the rug is ripped from underneath her through to the immensely satisfying conclusion, I was willing her through a gauntlet of chaos inflicted by others (and by herself).
Rachel Fox McLeod's writing is whip-smart and lyrical. I can't wait to read whatever's next!
Protagonist Grace's journey is raw and real. From the moment the rug is ripped from underneath her through to the immensely satisfying conclusion, I was willing her through a gauntlet of chaos inflicted by others (and by herself).
Rachel Fox McLeod's writing is whip-smart and lyrical. I can't wait to read whatever's next!
May 1, 2026
**Thank you to Rachel Fox McLeod, Simon & Schuster Australia, and Libro.fm for this ALC**
This is a funny, intelligent, emotional book about finding your identity after a lifetime of being a wife and mother. Having to go on a journey through ask the "dumb decisions" to figure out what truly matters and how to be honest with yourself.
This is a funny, intelligent, emotional book about finding your identity after a lifetime of being a wife and mother. Having to go on a journey through ask the "dumb decisions" to figure out what truly matters and how to be honest with yourself.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews