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When Grace Went Away
She's gone ... will her family pull together, or fall further apart?
Classic, women-centred fiction, a complex, multi-layered story about family and community, from the author of the warmly received Home at Last.
'Functionally dysfunctional.' That's how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family in the small South Australian farming community of Miners Ridge - a family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, Grace tries to keep the family in touch, but now she's accepted a promotion to the London office. Time-zones and an enormous workload mean she's forced to take a step back, although she finds time to stay in contact with Miners Ridge landscape gardener Aaron Halliday.
Sarah Fairley, Grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she finds herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change her world ...
Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
- GenresContemporaryRomance
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2020
34 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Appleyard
10 books121 followersMeredith Appleyard lives in the Clare Valley wine-growing region of South Australia, two hours north of Adelaide. As a registered nurse and midwife, she has worked in a wide range of country health practice settings, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service. She has done agency nursing in London and volunteer work in Vietnam. After her first manuscript was rejected, she joined a writers' group, attended workshops and successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing with the Adelaide College of the Arts. And she kept working. When she isn't writing, Meredith is reading, helping organise the annual Clare Writers' Festival, or at home with her husband and her border collie, Daisy. The Country Practice is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 30, 2020
EXCERPT: Bearing down on seventy, my plans had never included living like I was, alone, in the shadow of my eldest daughter and estranged from the people and places that had come to mean the most to me.
Getting old had always conjured up images of Doug and I taking in the sunrises and sunsets at the farm together, hopefully content, with our children and grandchildren never far away.
How had I made such a muddle of being a wife, a mother, and then a grandmother? I'd had such ambition to be the best.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: 'Functionally dysfunctional.' That's how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family in the small South Australian farming community of Miners Ridge - a family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, Grace tries to keep the family in touch, but now she's accepted a promotion to the London office. Time-zones and an enormous workload mean she's forced to take a step back, although she finds time to stay in contact with Miners Ridge landscape gardener Aaron Halliday.
Sarah Fairley, Grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she finds herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change her world ...
Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
MY THOUGHTS: I loved this gentle story of a family that has slowly fallen and drifted apart. Meredith Appleyard has written an honest portrait of life on Australian land. Aussie farmers battle the elements like nowhere else I can think of. They are constantly in drought. Or being ravaged by fire. Or flooded. And still the farmers battle on. They have a fierce pride in their land and what they do. A pride and stubbornness that can get in the way of their own lives and those of their families.
When Grace Went Away is told through the voices of Sarah and Grace, her daughter. Sarah was once married to Doug, a farmer on the outskirts of Miners Ridge, South Australia. When their youngest son, Luke, died it tore their marriage and their family apart. Originally a city girl, Sarah fled back to Adelaide and her mother. Now sixty eight and an orphan, estranged from her only sibling, having survived cancer, and no longer content to be reliant on her eldest daughter Grace who has moved to London, she decides to move back to Miners Ridge to try and mend some bridges with her remaining two children. But things don't go quite to plan.
Meanwhile in London, settling into her dream job Grace is surprised by the presence of an old lover and finds that even after all the years she has been away, and although she has always pretended otherwise, deep down, she still thinks of Miners Ridge as home.
The whole time I was reading When Grace Went Away, it was playing like a movie in my mind. Although I have never been to the Adelaide region, Applyard's descriptions of the countryside and the people had me feeling homesick. Life in small Australian towns is like nowhere else. The fly-in, fly-out culture, women alone coping with their families for weeks at a time, the relentless dust, the culture of holding on to your land no matter what. All this is realistically portrayed by Appleyard, and woven into a story laden with family dysfunction, grief, loss, love, friendship and resentment.
A moving story, and a satisfying read.
❤❤❤❤.5
THE AUTHOR: Meredith Appleyard lives in the Clare Valley wine-growing region of South Australia, two hours north of Adelaide. As a registered nurse and midwife, she has worked in a wide range of country health practice settings, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service. She has done agency nursing in London and volunteer work in Vietnam. After her first manuscript was rejected, she joined a writers' group, attended workshops and successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing with the Adelaide College of the Arts. And she kept working. When she isn't writing, Meredith is reading, helping organise the annual Clare Writers' Festival, or at home with her husband and her border collie, Daisy.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Getting old had always conjured up images of Doug and I taking in the sunrises and sunsets at the farm together, hopefully content, with our children and grandchildren never far away.
How had I made such a muddle of being a wife, a mother, and then a grandmother? I'd had such ambition to be the best.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: 'Functionally dysfunctional.' That's how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family in the small South Australian farming community of Miners Ridge - a family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, Grace tries to keep the family in touch, but now she's accepted a promotion to the London office. Time-zones and an enormous workload mean she's forced to take a step back, although she finds time to stay in contact with Miners Ridge landscape gardener Aaron Halliday.
Sarah Fairley, Grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she finds herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change her world ...
Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
MY THOUGHTS: I loved this gentle story of a family that has slowly fallen and drifted apart. Meredith Appleyard has written an honest portrait of life on Australian land. Aussie farmers battle the elements like nowhere else I can think of. They are constantly in drought. Or being ravaged by fire. Or flooded. And still the farmers battle on. They have a fierce pride in their land and what they do. A pride and stubbornness that can get in the way of their own lives and those of their families.
When Grace Went Away is told through the voices of Sarah and Grace, her daughter. Sarah was once married to Doug, a farmer on the outskirts of Miners Ridge, South Australia. When their youngest son, Luke, died it tore their marriage and their family apart. Originally a city girl, Sarah fled back to Adelaide and her mother. Now sixty eight and an orphan, estranged from her only sibling, having survived cancer, and no longer content to be reliant on her eldest daughter Grace who has moved to London, she decides to move back to Miners Ridge to try and mend some bridges with her remaining two children. But things don't go quite to plan.
Meanwhile in London, settling into her dream job Grace is surprised by the presence of an old lover and finds that even after all the years she has been away, and although she has always pretended otherwise, deep down, she still thinks of Miners Ridge as home.
The whole time I was reading When Grace Went Away, it was playing like a movie in my mind. Although I have never been to the Adelaide region, Applyard's descriptions of the countryside and the people had me feeling homesick. Life in small Australian towns is like nowhere else. The fly-in, fly-out culture, women alone coping with their families for weeks at a time, the relentless dust, the culture of holding on to your land no matter what. All this is realistically portrayed by Appleyard, and woven into a story laden with family dysfunction, grief, loss, love, friendship and resentment.
A moving story, and a satisfying read.
❤❤❤❤.5
THE AUTHOR: Meredith Appleyard lives in the Clare Valley wine-growing region of South Australia, two hours north of Adelaide. As a registered nurse and midwife, she has worked in a wide range of country health practice settings, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service. She has done agency nursing in London and volunteer work in Vietnam. After her first manuscript was rejected, she joined a writers' group, attended workshops and successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing with the Adelaide College of the Arts. And she kept working. When she isn't writing, Meredith is reading, helping organise the annual Clare Writers' Festival, or at home with her husband and her border collie, Daisy.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 30, 2022
It’s been over a decade since Grace Fairley’s youngest brother tragically passed away in a car accident and within her family relationships are very strained. Her parents Sarah and Doug’s marriage ended, her sister Faith and brother Tim don’t speak to their mother and it’s broken her heart. Her family own a farm at Miners Ridge in South Australia, her brother and sister still live in the small country town and they could easily visit Sarah in Adelaide.
Grace, helped her mother out by buying her a unit to live in, supported her through her cancer battle and she’s been offered a new job. Grace works as a financial analyst, she accepts the opportunity to work in London and her mum assures her she will be fine. Sarah left Miners Ridge eight years ago, she’d had enough of her husband behavior and she couldn’t take it anymore. The farm has been in his family for generations, like most farmers Doug loves his land and it’s always been his main propriety.
Sarah is lonely in Adelaide after her mother passes away, she decides to visit Miners Ridge and a place where she spent thirty five year of her life. Sarah has ties to the town, after her first trip, she rents a house for six months, makes friends with Carol the cleaner and volunteers at the local art gallery. She wants the repair the relationship with her son Tim, her rather stubborn daughter Faith, see her grandchildren and she’s the one to make the first move.
Grace is busy in London, she misses her mum and is feeling down and tired. On her last visit to Miners Ridge she met landscape gardener Aaron Halliday, he’s a friend of her brother Tim’s and they keep in contact. Grace and Aaron live in very different worlds, he makes Grace feel like she has never done before, now she’s stuck across the other side of the world from him and her mum.
When Grace Went Away is a brilliant story set in my home state of South Australia and I really enjoyed reading about familiar places. Strong women, Grace and Sarah had to decide what they really wanted out of life and achieved it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, brilliant and five stars from me. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Grace, helped her mother out by buying her a unit to live in, supported her through her cancer battle and she’s been offered a new job. Grace works as a financial analyst, she accepts the opportunity to work in London and her mum assures her she will be fine. Sarah left Miners Ridge eight years ago, she’d had enough of her husband behavior and she couldn’t take it anymore. The farm has been in his family for generations, like most farmers Doug loves his land and it’s always been his main propriety.
Sarah is lonely in Adelaide after her mother passes away, she decides to visit Miners Ridge and a place where she spent thirty five year of her life. Sarah has ties to the town, after her first trip, she rents a house for six months, makes friends with Carol the cleaner and volunteers at the local art gallery. She wants the repair the relationship with her son Tim, her rather stubborn daughter Faith, see her grandchildren and she’s the one to make the first move.
Grace is busy in London, she misses her mum and is feeling down and tired. On her last visit to Miners Ridge she met landscape gardener Aaron Halliday, he’s a friend of her brother Tim’s and they keep in contact. Grace and Aaron live in very different worlds, he makes Grace feel like she has never done before, now she’s stuck across the other side of the world from him and her mum.
When Grace Went Away is a brilliant story set in my home state of South Australia and I really enjoyed reading about familiar places. Strong women, Grace and Sarah had to decide what they really wanted out of life and achieved it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, brilliant and five stars from me. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
May 16, 2020
Grace Fairley, financial analyst at a large bank in Adelaide, South Australia, had been caring for her mother Sarah since her cancer diagnosis. With Sarah finally in remission, Sarah accepted the posting – and promotion – to the bank’s London office after her mother assured Grace she would be alright. Sarah’s mother was in a nursing home in the final stages of dementia and didn’t know her family any longer. And her father, brother Tim and sister Faith were all still in Miners Ridge, still estranged.
In London, Grace was inordinately busy from the start until the end of each day, with no time to allow for jet lag. She made sure she kept in contact with her mother, and on occasion she managed to speak with Tim. She’d met Tim’s good friend Aaron Halliday on a recent visit to Miners Ridge and found herself in contact with him as well. But when she heard that Sarah had headed back to Miners Ridge for the first time in eight years, Grace was shocked. Sarah’s family were there including her grandchildren. But was she putting herself up for more heartache? Or would matters take a turn for the better? And what would happen when a long-held secret came to light?
When Grace Went Away is another excellent tale by Aussie author Meredith Appleyard. A contemporary family drama, told in both Grace and Sarah's voices, with plenty to keep the reader involved, the family dynamics in this novel were explosive. A more dysfunctional family you’d be unlikely to find! I thoroughly enjoyed the story; found the characters (mostly) likeable and was satisfied with the outcome. A great read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
In London, Grace was inordinately busy from the start until the end of each day, with no time to allow for jet lag. She made sure she kept in contact with her mother, and on occasion she managed to speak with Tim. She’d met Tim’s good friend Aaron Halliday on a recent visit to Miners Ridge and found herself in contact with him as well. But when she heard that Sarah had headed back to Miners Ridge for the first time in eight years, Grace was shocked. Sarah’s family were there including her grandchildren. But was she putting herself up for more heartache? Or would matters take a turn for the better? And what would happen when a long-held secret came to light?
When Grace Went Away is another excellent tale by Aussie author Meredith Appleyard. A contemporary family drama, told in both Grace and Sarah's voices, with plenty to keep the reader involved, the family dynamics in this novel were explosive. A more dysfunctional family you’d be unlikely to find! I thoroughly enjoyed the story; found the characters (mostly) likeable and was satisfied with the outcome. A great read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2020
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**3.5 stars**
When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free advance readers copy of this novel; published 18 May 2020**
Financial analyst Grace describes her family as functionally dysfunctional. They live in the small farming community of Miners Ridge and all of them hold anger, resentment and petty jealousies after a tragedy shatters them. Grace tries to keep everyone in touch but now she's moving to London so will need to take a step back. She manages to make a connection with Aaron, a Miners Ridge landscaper, before she leaves...Meanwhile, Grace's mother Sarah has been pulled back to the town after fleeing it 8 years ago. While trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change everything. Can all of the family find a way to heal?
The thing that I liked most about this novel was that the family felt believable and realistic with their issues both serious and petty. The sibling and parental relationships were a mix of love and frustration. Where it fell slightly flat for me was that I found Grace's personality to be quite exasperating at times; I can't quite put my finger on it to be honest but she irritated me. Actually the whole family all kind of irritated me. They all felt just slightly over the top in their respective attitudes to me. Putting that aside, there are some quite moving parts of this story particularly the relationship growth between Grace's mother and sister (Sarah and Faith). There was a big secret that I guessed almost immediately and I feel most readers would; not sure if that was intentional or not. All of the reviews on Goodreads at the time of writing this indicate that people are really getting into this book.
Overall: an enjoyable domestic drama that I think a lot of readers would like.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**3.5 stars**
When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free advance readers copy of this novel; published 18 May 2020**
Financial analyst Grace describes her family as functionally dysfunctional. They live in the small farming community of Miners Ridge and all of them hold anger, resentment and petty jealousies after a tragedy shatters them. Grace tries to keep everyone in touch but now she's moving to London so will need to take a step back. She manages to make a connection with Aaron, a Miners Ridge landscaper, before she leaves...Meanwhile, Grace's mother Sarah has been pulled back to the town after fleeing it 8 years ago. While trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change everything. Can all of the family find a way to heal?
The thing that I liked most about this novel was that the family felt believable and realistic with their issues both serious and petty. The sibling and parental relationships were a mix of love and frustration. Where it fell slightly flat for me was that I found Grace's personality to be quite exasperating at times; I can't quite put my finger on it to be honest but she irritated me. Actually the whole family all kind of irritated me. They all felt just slightly over the top in their respective attitudes to me. Putting that aside, there are some quite moving parts of this story particularly the relationship growth between Grace's mother and sister (Sarah and Faith). There was a big secret that I guessed almost immediately and I feel most readers would; not sure if that was intentional or not. All of the reviews on Goodreads at the time of writing this indicate that people are really getting into this book.
Overall: an enjoyable domestic drama that I think a lot of readers would like.
May 3, 2020
When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard is the second novel I have read by this author, I do have a few more of her novels waiting on my shelf and I do aim to get to those as soon as is possible. This was a very enjoyable read, there was so much in it to explore and uncover. A dysfunctional family and grief being two important themes running through the story. There is also romance and forgiveness, relationships, friendship, and discovering who one truly is and what they want out of life regardless of age.
I found this a hard book to put down and even took it to work with me just in case I got the opportunity to read some, which amazingly I did.
The family members in this novel are all so different and so complicated. Grace, the eldest of the four siblings was sent away to boarding school at a young age and she's never fit into the family in quite the way she wished because of this. She has a high power job with a financial institution and is off to London to start a new position. This is the catalyst to a load of changes that are about to happen to the Fairley family members.
Grace goes to London, following a dream she thought she wanted, before she left, she met Aaron while she was back in Miners Ridge saying a last goodbye to her family, and Aaron causes her to question some of the things she believed she wanted and didn't want out of life. I could really feel the struggles that Grace was going through, things she'd always controlled changed once she left Australia, her family seemed to be changing and making decisions without her and she meanwhile was feeling very much out of control and conflicted in the choices she'd made.
Grace's mother, Sarah, was a complex character, she'd left her husband and children a few years after the death of her youngest son and this caused a lot of strain and severing of ties with her children and the town she had lived in for over 30 years. She has struggled to come to terms with what she has been through and when Grace leaves and her elderly mother passes away, she has to take a look at her life and at nearly 70 years of age, she is determined to make some changes. I really loved the journey that Sarah went through, the growth she found, and the relationships she formed, through taking a chance on changing her circumstances.
Sarah's decisions also cause a domino of changes to her other two children and her ex-husband who live back in Miners Ridge, the town she left 8 years before. There is plenty of emotion, recriminations, and learning that happens for all the family members who all have some pretty big issues of their own to deal with.
There are so many dynamics in this novel and I was completely absorbed in the lives of this family. I loved all the characters, though the jury is out on Grace's father Doug.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
I found this a hard book to put down and even took it to work with me just in case I got the opportunity to read some, which amazingly I did.
The family members in this novel are all so different and so complicated. Grace, the eldest of the four siblings was sent away to boarding school at a young age and she's never fit into the family in quite the way she wished because of this. She has a high power job with a financial institution and is off to London to start a new position. This is the catalyst to a load of changes that are about to happen to the Fairley family members.
Grace goes to London, following a dream she thought she wanted, before she left, she met Aaron while she was back in Miners Ridge saying a last goodbye to her family, and Aaron causes her to question some of the things she believed she wanted and didn't want out of life. I could really feel the struggles that Grace was going through, things she'd always controlled changed once she left Australia, her family seemed to be changing and making decisions without her and she meanwhile was feeling very much out of control and conflicted in the choices she'd made.
Grace's mother, Sarah, was a complex character, she'd left her husband and children a few years after the death of her youngest son and this caused a lot of strain and severing of ties with her children and the town she had lived in for over 30 years. She has struggled to come to terms with what she has been through and when Grace leaves and her elderly mother passes away, she has to take a look at her life and at nearly 70 years of age, she is determined to make some changes. I really loved the journey that Sarah went through, the growth she found, and the relationships she formed, through taking a chance on changing her circumstances.
Sarah's decisions also cause a domino of changes to her other two children and her ex-husband who live back in Miners Ridge, the town she left 8 years before. There is plenty of emotion, recriminations, and learning that happens for all the family members who all have some pretty big issues of their own to deal with.
There are so many dynamics in this novel and I was completely absorbed in the lives of this family. I loved all the characters, though the jury is out on Grace's father Doug.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
April 26, 2020
A beautiful contemporary Australian family drama.
Despite this being a relatively long read, it is a lovely one. The Fairley family was easy to connect to and then I became engrossed in their very interesting dramas and sagas. Grace, her mother Sarah and Aaron are characters I will not forget and closing the novel felt like I was saying goodbye to friends.
I really enjoyed the Australian setting and colloquialisms which brought the plot to life. Nothing quite as interesting as small-town politics and sticky-beak neighbours. There are parts I felt could have been edited a little more as they weren't entirely necessary to progress the story but on the whole, it is a solid contemporary novel by an author I will definitely read again.
In a drama, such as this, it was particularly enjoyable to have an Epilogue which rounded off the threads and left me with a sense of satisfaction.
Thank you to Maddie Barclay @HarperCollins Australia for an ARC in return for an honest review.
@harlequinaus
#TheWomensPages
Despite this being a relatively long read, it is a lovely one. The Fairley family was easy to connect to and then I became engrossed in their very interesting dramas and sagas. Grace, her mother Sarah and Aaron are characters I will not forget and closing the novel felt like I was saying goodbye to friends.
I really enjoyed the Australian setting and colloquialisms which brought the plot to life. Nothing quite as interesting as small-town politics and sticky-beak neighbours. There are parts I felt could have been edited a little more as they weren't entirely necessary to progress the story but on the whole, it is a solid contemporary novel by an author I will definitely read again.
In a drama, such as this, it was particularly enjoyable to have an Epilogue which rounded off the threads and left me with a sense of satisfaction.
Thank you to Maddie Barclay @HarperCollins Australia for an ARC in return for an honest review.
@harlequinaus
#TheWomensPages
May 20, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
Australian author Meredith Appleyard explores family dysfunction in her moving life literature title, When Grace Went Away. Appleyard’s fifth release takes a poignant look at family dynamics, strained relations, miscommunication, loss, blame and love. With a hearty dose of drama and emotion, When Grace Went Away will be sure to leave a strong impression on the reader, well before the final page has been turned.
A life changing move from the small town of Miners Ridge in rural South Australia to London, sends analyst Grace Fairley in a spin. As much as she is excited by the opportunity to leave her home and work abroad, Grace is concerned about the family she leaves behind. Devastated by a tragedy that struck at the heart of this family fold, the Fairley clan have struggled to keep their emotions in check. With rivalries, dramatic outbursts and admissions frequently occurring, deep divisions have set in. Grace knows now is not the best time to up and leave to the other side of the world, but when is it the right time? With distance and time playing a factor in Grace’s continued connection to her family, Grace hopes that her family can find it in their hearts to come to terms with their grief and support one another in her absence. Compounding these issues further is the estrangement of matriarch Sarah Fairley from the rest of family, who escaped Miners Ridge almost a decade ago. As Grace has been the glue to hold this delicate family together since Sarah’s departure, it is time for Sarah to take the reins yet again. This proves to be a difficult task, with so many bitter resentments to deal with and relationships to repair. When Grace Went Away is a story of the search for peace, healing, restitution and courage.
It is wonderful to welcome back Meredith Appleyard. I have really enjoyed a number of Appleyard’s previous rural/medical fiction novels. Appleyard’s has made a graceful entrance into the Australian life lit sphere with her new novel. When Grace Went Away is tinged with plenty of insight, reflection and realism. I felt completely embraced by Appleyard’s writing and her connective character set.
When Grace Went Away is defined by a dual voice narrative. We are privy to the close thoughts of Grace Fairley, the title character of this tale, along with her mother Sarah. Immediately we learn of the bitter divide, strained relations and heartbreak that follows this splintered family unit. However, what becomes abundantly clear to the reader is that these are feelings and emotions that every family has faced, is facing, or will face in the future. It made me feel relieved in a sense that my own family is just as flawed and dysfunctional as the Fairleys! The approach Meredith Appleyard takes to this novel is truthful, honest and revealing. No stone is left unturned. Miscommunication and things that are left unsaid seem to dominate the problems faced by this family, but these are common issues that every family must confront at various times. I appreciated the authenticity and realism of When Grace Went Away a great deal.
Appleyard’s characterisation is spot on. Appleyard also moves very easily between the different members of this tenuous family circle. From the strong, determined and stoic Grace (who often reminded me of myself), to the complicated matriarch Sarah and unlikeable patriarch Doug, each is fully realised. The combination of these leads with the periphery character set, who are all carefully rendered, helps to move the narrative forward in an engaging fashion.
The setting is beautifully realised and I enjoyed taking a stroll through the rural locale of Miners Ridge. Country South Australia is a part of our country I would dearly love to visit first hand, but until I can make this happen I was more than happy to indulge in a spot of armchair travel. Appleyard’s recreation of this locale was enticing. Likewise, the movement to some European destinations through the experiences highlighted in the book enables us to see that Appleyard has a very good command of both local and international settings. This was highlight of my reading experience with this novel.
The balance between family drama, estrangement, secrets and relationship repair offers the reader plenty to set their mind to when committing to When Grace Went Away. I was motivated by the strong hope I had in heart that these characters would eventually find happiness, acceptance, forgiveness and mutual understanding. The conclusion did offer plenty of reader satisfaction.
Meredith Appleyard has delicately crafted a novel that strikes at the core of family problems and dysfunction. The experiences and emotions felt so deeply by the character set in When Grace Went Away, will provide a sense of solace to and unite many readers. When Grace Went Away is a well written and enthralling novel that I am happy to endorse.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
When Grace Went Away is book #57 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
Australian author Meredith Appleyard explores family dysfunction in her moving life literature title, When Grace Went Away. Appleyard’s fifth release takes a poignant look at family dynamics, strained relations, miscommunication, loss, blame and love. With a hearty dose of drama and emotion, When Grace Went Away will be sure to leave a strong impression on the reader, well before the final page has been turned.
A life changing move from the small town of Miners Ridge in rural South Australia to London, sends analyst Grace Fairley in a spin. As much as she is excited by the opportunity to leave her home and work abroad, Grace is concerned about the family she leaves behind. Devastated by a tragedy that struck at the heart of this family fold, the Fairley clan have struggled to keep their emotions in check. With rivalries, dramatic outbursts and admissions frequently occurring, deep divisions have set in. Grace knows now is not the best time to up and leave to the other side of the world, but when is it the right time? With distance and time playing a factor in Grace’s continued connection to her family, Grace hopes that her family can find it in their hearts to come to terms with their grief and support one another in her absence. Compounding these issues further is the estrangement of matriarch Sarah Fairley from the rest of family, who escaped Miners Ridge almost a decade ago. As Grace has been the glue to hold this delicate family together since Sarah’s departure, it is time for Sarah to take the reins yet again. This proves to be a difficult task, with so many bitter resentments to deal with and relationships to repair. When Grace Went Away is a story of the search for peace, healing, restitution and courage.
It is wonderful to welcome back Meredith Appleyard. I have really enjoyed a number of Appleyard’s previous rural/medical fiction novels. Appleyard’s has made a graceful entrance into the Australian life lit sphere with her new novel. When Grace Went Away is tinged with plenty of insight, reflection and realism. I felt completely embraced by Appleyard’s writing and her connective character set.
When Grace Went Away is defined by a dual voice narrative. We are privy to the close thoughts of Grace Fairley, the title character of this tale, along with her mother Sarah. Immediately we learn of the bitter divide, strained relations and heartbreak that follows this splintered family unit. However, what becomes abundantly clear to the reader is that these are feelings and emotions that every family has faced, is facing, or will face in the future. It made me feel relieved in a sense that my own family is just as flawed and dysfunctional as the Fairleys! The approach Meredith Appleyard takes to this novel is truthful, honest and revealing. No stone is left unturned. Miscommunication and things that are left unsaid seem to dominate the problems faced by this family, but these are common issues that every family must confront at various times. I appreciated the authenticity and realism of When Grace Went Away a great deal.
Appleyard’s characterisation is spot on. Appleyard also moves very easily between the different members of this tenuous family circle. From the strong, determined and stoic Grace (who often reminded me of myself), to the complicated matriarch Sarah and unlikeable patriarch Doug, each is fully realised. The combination of these leads with the periphery character set, who are all carefully rendered, helps to move the narrative forward in an engaging fashion.
The setting is beautifully realised and I enjoyed taking a stroll through the rural locale of Miners Ridge. Country South Australia is a part of our country I would dearly love to visit first hand, but until I can make this happen I was more than happy to indulge in a spot of armchair travel. Appleyard’s recreation of this locale was enticing. Likewise, the movement to some European destinations through the experiences highlighted in the book enables us to see that Appleyard has a very good command of both local and international settings. This was highlight of my reading experience with this novel.
The balance between family drama, estrangement, secrets and relationship repair offers the reader plenty to set their mind to when committing to When Grace Went Away. I was motivated by the strong hope I had in heart that these characters would eventually find happiness, acceptance, forgiveness and mutual understanding. The conclusion did offer plenty of reader satisfaction.
Meredith Appleyard has delicately crafted a novel that strikes at the core of family problems and dysfunction. The experiences and emotions felt so deeply by the character set in When Grace Went Away, will provide a sense of solace to and unite many readers. When Grace Went Away is a well written and enthralling novel that I am happy to endorse.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
When Grace Went Away is book #57 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
May 31, 2020
A thoughtful, well-crafted story of a mother and daughter at a crossroads, When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard explores the themes of family, love, grief, regret, and forgiveness.
While financial analyst Grace Fairley is excited about her new posting to London, leaving behind her mother Sarah is difficult. Estranged from Grace’s father and siblings in the wake of tragedy, Sarah will be on her own in Adelaide, and Grace fears she’ll be needed and unable to help.
Sarah is happy about her daughter’s well-deserved promotion but once Grace is gone, the only link to her son, daughter and grandchildren is lost. With nothing keeping her in Adelaide she decides to return to Miners Ridge, the small rural town where her family still lives, and attempt to rebuild her relationship with her children.
Told from the perspectives of Grace and her mother, Sarah, one woman is faced with making decisions about her future, while the other is looking to reconcile her past. This is an emotional, layered story that explores a wide variety of issues including the process of grief, family dysfunction, addiction, illness, and long distance romance, as well as challenges related to farming, FIFO, career ambition, and small communities.
I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this so much is because the two main characters are of a ‘mature’ age – Grace is in her early 40’s and Sarah in her late 60’s – and even though I have little in common with either of them, I found it refreshing to have the focus on familiar contemporary themes and issues from the perspective of those closer to my age group. There is a sincerity and realism to the actions and emotions of the characters which meant I became invested in their journey.
I found When Grace Went Away to be an engaging, poignant, and satisfying read, and I enthusiastically recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary women’s fiction.
While financial analyst Grace Fairley is excited about her new posting to London, leaving behind her mother Sarah is difficult. Estranged from Grace’s father and siblings in the wake of tragedy, Sarah will be on her own in Adelaide, and Grace fears she’ll be needed and unable to help.
Sarah is happy about her daughter’s well-deserved promotion but once Grace is gone, the only link to her son, daughter and grandchildren is lost. With nothing keeping her in Adelaide she decides to return to Miners Ridge, the small rural town where her family still lives, and attempt to rebuild her relationship with her children.
Told from the perspectives of Grace and her mother, Sarah, one woman is faced with making decisions about her future, while the other is looking to reconcile her past. This is an emotional, layered story that explores a wide variety of issues including the process of grief, family dysfunction, addiction, illness, and long distance romance, as well as challenges related to farming, FIFO, career ambition, and small communities.
I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this so much is because the two main characters are of a ‘mature’ age – Grace is in her early 40’s and Sarah in her late 60’s – and even though I have little in common with either of them, I found it refreshing to have the focus on familiar contemporary themes and issues from the perspective of those closer to my age group. There is a sincerity and realism to the actions and emotions of the characters which meant I became invested in their journey.
I found When Grace Went Away to be an engaging, poignant, and satisfying read, and I enthusiastically recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary women’s fiction.
May 16, 2020
‘Everything had ended, and started, the day her youngest brother had died.’
Meet the Fairley family of Miners Ridge, a small farming community in South Australia. Once, Doug and Sarah Fairley had four children: Grace, Faith, Tim and Luke. The death of Luke fractured the family. Sarah left Doug, Tim works on the farm reluctantly, Faith hasn’t forgiven Sarah for leaving and Grace tries to keep them all in touch. But then Grace, a financial analyst, accepts a promotion to the London office of the firm she works for.
Sarah, estranged from her husband, has limited contact with Faith and Tim. She has grandchildren as well. In Grace’s absence, Sarah finds herself drawn back to Miners Ridge. Can she possible rebuild family relationships?
The story alternates between Grace and Sarah. We learn about the events of the past that have broken the family apart, we learn a secret, and we share hopes for a better and brighter future.
I enjoyed this novel. I like the way in which Ms Appleyard kept the story moving, balancing past and present, giving insights into most of the characters and their actions. I felt a range of emotions: anger, hope, sadness, and sorrow as the story unfolded.
‘Her leaving had certainly been a catalyst for change.’
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Meet the Fairley family of Miners Ridge, a small farming community in South Australia. Once, Doug and Sarah Fairley had four children: Grace, Faith, Tim and Luke. The death of Luke fractured the family. Sarah left Doug, Tim works on the farm reluctantly, Faith hasn’t forgiven Sarah for leaving and Grace tries to keep them all in touch. But then Grace, a financial analyst, accepts a promotion to the London office of the firm she works for.
Sarah, estranged from her husband, has limited contact with Faith and Tim. She has grandchildren as well. In Grace’s absence, Sarah finds herself drawn back to Miners Ridge. Can she possible rebuild family relationships?
The story alternates between Grace and Sarah. We learn about the events of the past that have broken the family apart, we learn a secret, and we share hopes for a better and brighter future.
I enjoyed this novel. I like the way in which Ms Appleyard kept the story moving, balancing past and present, giving insights into most of the characters and their actions. I felt a range of emotions: anger, hope, sadness, and sorrow as the story unfolded.
‘Her leaving had certainly been a catalyst for change.’
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 17, 2020
Grace’s family is broken.
Eleven years ago Grace’s brother Luke died. Eight years ago her mother left the family after her father was unable to deal with his grief. Her two remaining siblings dealt with things their own way. She is supported her mother, caring for her through cancer and housing her when her grandmother went into a nursing home. Her siblings supported their father. In her early 40s Grace is offered a job in London and she can’t wait to leave her mess of a family behind.
This book is an intergenerational drama told from Grace and her mother Sarah’s perspectives. It’s set in rural South Australia for the most part with a smattering of London details.
It’s rich in familial dysfunction and is quite the lesson in how NOT to communicate. With time and distance Grace realises Luke’s death was not the catalyst she thought for her family’s undoing - it had had unravelled way before.
The villain in the story is Grace’s father, a stoic and harsh man, replicating the sins of his own mother but actively choosing the same path, rather than striving for something different.
The story is quite sad in parts which makes for hard going but there are glimpses of a possible happily ever in the form of a handsome friend of Grace’s remaining brother and the allure and charm of a small Australian country town.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for an advance reading copy of this book.
Eleven years ago Grace’s brother Luke died. Eight years ago her mother left the family after her father was unable to deal with his grief. Her two remaining siblings dealt with things their own way. She is supported her mother, caring for her through cancer and housing her when her grandmother went into a nursing home. Her siblings supported their father. In her early 40s Grace is offered a job in London and she can’t wait to leave her mess of a family behind.
This book is an intergenerational drama told from Grace and her mother Sarah’s perspectives. It’s set in rural South Australia for the most part with a smattering of London details.
It’s rich in familial dysfunction and is quite the lesson in how NOT to communicate. With time and distance Grace realises Luke’s death was not the catalyst she thought for her family’s undoing - it had had unravelled way before.
The villain in the story is Grace’s father, a stoic and harsh man, replicating the sins of his own mother but actively choosing the same path, rather than striving for something different.
The story is quite sad in parts which makes for hard going but there are glimpses of a possible happily ever in the form of a handsome friend of Grace’s remaining brother and the allure and charm of a small Australian country town.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for an advance reading copy of this book.
May 23, 2020
I loved this book, my first by Meredith Appleyard!
May 21, 2020
An absolutely fantastic read that I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading more of Meredith 's wonderful books.
May 17, 2020
I have just finished this book and it was awesome, I don’t know how I am going to be able to leave Miners Ridge and the Fairley family, this family is going to stay with me for a long time to come. The story of a country family that seems to be falling apart slowly over the years and then a tragedy pushes it to bursting point, so many things have happened over the years things kept secret things that should be said, hurts and jealousies, will they ever be able to mend their hearts and family?
Miners Ridge is a rural town in South Australia and the Fairley farm has been in the family for generations Doug and his wife Sarah have four children Grace, Faith, Tim and Luke, life on the farm is a struggle and this is their story. After the tragic loss of their youngest son the family slowly crumbles, Sarah leaves Doug and moves to Adelaide, Grace is working for an international bank in Adelaide Faith is married and living in Miners Ridge with her husband and two children, Tim is now helping his father on the farm.
Grace Fairly is the eldest of the four siblings she is in her forties and loves her job, when she is offered a promotion to work in London she jumps at the chance but there is the family to think of, since her mother has moved to Adelaide she has been helping her and doing her best with visits back to the farm to keep the family at least talking, always thinking of other people maybe it is time for Grace to think of Grace.
Sarah is thrilled that her daughter is going off to London she has done so much for her and the family, the move makes Sarah realize how much she is missing out on her children and grandchildren and makes the decision to move back to Miners Ridge at least for a short time this causes a very big ripple through the family but maybe the start of a better future for the family.
I loved this story from page one and it was a hard book to put down, the emotions that flow through the words are so heartfelt and moving the look we get into the family and their way of coping with life. I felt for them all in so many ways no one is perfect and life can throw some very hard balls at times. There are relationships to rebuild happiness to find and love to see this family through.
MS Appleyard has told this story beautifully, it is really moving and emotional, a story that I highly recommend, it is fabulous I loved it, the ending was so wonderful and left me smiling and yes I did shed a few tears as I got emotionally involved in this family and their story.
Miners Ridge is a rural town in South Australia and the Fairley farm has been in the family for generations Doug and his wife Sarah have four children Grace, Faith, Tim and Luke, life on the farm is a struggle and this is their story. After the tragic loss of their youngest son the family slowly crumbles, Sarah leaves Doug and moves to Adelaide, Grace is working for an international bank in Adelaide Faith is married and living in Miners Ridge with her husband and two children, Tim is now helping his father on the farm.
Grace Fairly is the eldest of the four siblings she is in her forties and loves her job, when she is offered a promotion to work in London she jumps at the chance but there is the family to think of, since her mother has moved to Adelaide she has been helping her and doing her best with visits back to the farm to keep the family at least talking, always thinking of other people maybe it is time for Grace to think of Grace.
Sarah is thrilled that her daughter is going off to London she has done so much for her and the family, the move makes Sarah realize how much she is missing out on her children and grandchildren and makes the decision to move back to Miners Ridge at least for a short time this causes a very big ripple through the family but maybe the start of a better future for the family.
I loved this story from page one and it was a hard book to put down, the emotions that flow through the words are so heartfelt and moving the look we get into the family and their way of coping with life. I felt for them all in so many ways no one is perfect and life can throw some very hard balls at times. There are relationships to rebuild happiness to find and love to see this family through.
MS Appleyard has told this story beautifully, it is really moving and emotional, a story that I highly recommend, it is fabulous I loved it, the ending was so wonderful and left me smiling and yes I did shed a few tears as I got emotionally involved in this family and their story.
May 26, 2020
I’m a big fan of Meredith Appleyard’s books and this ticked all the boxes.
Since the death of Luke, the youngest of the four Fairly siblings, in a car accident a number of years ago, the family has become totally dysfunctional and broken. Eldest Grace has always felt to be the glue that kept the family, if not together, then the go between both parents and her siblings.
She is a successful financial analyst and has been offered a contract in the London office but with the family still torn and resentment, anger and jealousy simmering through them, she still feels she has to be the peacemaker from far away. Perhaps it’s time she steps back and let matters take it’s course and just maybe she can find some happiness herself.
A contemporary family drama set in a small farming community of Miners Ridge, in the Mid north of South Australia, it didn’t capture the small town community feeling that I have taken from some of her other books but it was no less enjoyable. Most of the characters have their own journeys and they are interwoven, in a multilayered plot to a well to a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
Since the death of Luke, the youngest of the four Fairly siblings, in a car accident a number of years ago, the family has become totally dysfunctional and broken. Eldest Grace has always felt to be the glue that kept the family, if not together, then the go between both parents and her siblings.
She is a successful financial analyst and has been offered a contract in the London office but with the family still torn and resentment, anger and jealousy simmering through them, she still feels she has to be the peacemaker from far away. Perhaps it’s time she steps back and let matters take it’s course and just maybe she can find some happiness herself.
A contemporary family drama set in a small farming community of Miners Ridge, in the Mid north of South Australia, it didn’t capture the small town community feeling that I have taken from some of her other books but it was no less enjoyable. Most of the characters have their own journeys and they are interwoven, in a multilayered plot to a well to a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
June 21, 2020
From author Meredith Appleyard comes her fifth novel, the contemporary When Grace Went Away. This is my first book by the Australian author, and I was looking forward to having the opportunity to read it. From the opening line, I was hooked as I found myself swept away in the Fairley family drama. Switching between two lead protagonists, Grace and Sarah Fairley, the story took place in country town Miners Ridge, South Australia, and cosmopolitan London. With themes of family, roles, farming, marriage, dreams, grief and love, Appleyard shows the stark reality of life in the twenty first century.
Grace was an independent woman that was to be admired. In her early forties, Grace was single and career orientated. I was able to connect with Grace’s choice to not have children, yet with the right man, be in a committed relationship. Dating a married man meant that Grace’s love life was not straightforward but her dedication to her family was. Grace was the eldest of what was once four siblings. A decade later, the family dynamics were strained with little hope on the horizon. Despite this, Grace tried to fix the family problems. I particularly respected Grace’s strength and devotion to her mother in times of difficulty. Here was truly a beautiful relationship that readers could learn from. Helping her mother regain full health both mentally and physically, Grace decided to take the job opportunity of a lifetime in London. Before she leaves, Grace unexpectedly meets farmer Aaron Halliday. With long work hours and no social life, Grace fights a growing attraction to the man back home. Is London where Grace’s heart is?
In her sixties, Sarah had come a long way over the course of her journey. As a farmer’s wife, she had dreams and aspirations that never came to fruition for one reason or another. Appleyard truly conveyed the commitment and dedication needed to run a farm. This isn’t a lifestyle choice for everyone and Appleyard didn’t hold back from demonstrating this. Like many women of her time, Sarah did the best she could. With the death of a family member, it all became too much to bear. Sarah made the decision that would turn her life upside down. It brought her closer to Grace but fractured the relationship with Tim and Faith. I emphasised with Sarah as I knew that she had no other choice. Worse was to come for Sarah it the form of an illness but once again, it was Grace that came through for her. I had my doubts that things could be repaired with Tim or Faith but, kudos to Sarah for believing in them both. It was wonderful to see the growth that the Fairley’s made as individuals and as a unit. Will it be enough to salvage their relationships?
When Grace Went Away is a great introduction to an Australian author that I will be looking out for in the future.
Grace was an independent woman that was to be admired. In her early forties, Grace was single and career orientated. I was able to connect with Grace’s choice to not have children, yet with the right man, be in a committed relationship. Dating a married man meant that Grace’s love life was not straightforward but her dedication to her family was. Grace was the eldest of what was once four siblings. A decade later, the family dynamics were strained with little hope on the horizon. Despite this, Grace tried to fix the family problems. I particularly respected Grace’s strength and devotion to her mother in times of difficulty. Here was truly a beautiful relationship that readers could learn from. Helping her mother regain full health both mentally and physically, Grace decided to take the job opportunity of a lifetime in London. Before she leaves, Grace unexpectedly meets farmer Aaron Halliday. With long work hours and no social life, Grace fights a growing attraction to the man back home. Is London where Grace’s heart is?
In her sixties, Sarah had come a long way over the course of her journey. As a farmer’s wife, she had dreams and aspirations that never came to fruition for one reason or another. Appleyard truly conveyed the commitment and dedication needed to run a farm. This isn’t a lifestyle choice for everyone and Appleyard didn’t hold back from demonstrating this. Like many women of her time, Sarah did the best she could. With the death of a family member, it all became too much to bear. Sarah made the decision that would turn her life upside down. It brought her closer to Grace but fractured the relationship with Tim and Faith. I emphasised with Sarah as I knew that she had no other choice. Worse was to come for Sarah it the form of an illness but once again, it was Grace that came through for her. I had my doubts that things could be repaired with Tim or Faith but, kudos to Sarah for believing in them both. It was wonderful to see the growth that the Fairley’s made as individuals and as a unit. Will it be enough to salvage their relationships?
When Grace Went Away is a great introduction to an Australian author that I will be looking out for in the future.
May 22, 2020
“When Grace Went Away” is a genuine and heartfelt exploration of family estrangement and how it affects the individuals in a family. I found it both interesting and moving, a story in which the emotions rang true.
Grace Fairley is a successful financial advisor. So successful, in fact, that the bank she works for has just awarded her a two year posting in London. Grace is looking forward to it – not just the work, or the chance to travel, but also the chance to remove herself a little from the problems in Australia.
Grace’s family has been prickly and uncomfortable for as long as she can remember. Her father is a harsh and uncommunicative man. Two of her three younger siblings are jealous of the educational opportunities Grace received that they didn’t. Her mother has been increasingly unhappy with her life. And then, after her fourth sibling, Luke, was killed in an accident, everything really fell apart.
Grace’s father became even more harsh and uncommunicative. Grace’s mother eventually left, and her remaining brother and sister chose sides and cut her out of their lives. Her brother is trapped, working on the family farm with a father he loathes. Her sister is struggling with small children and a FIFO husband.
For years, Grace has been awkwardly in the middle. Supporting and helping her mother, maintaining a distant and difficult relationship with her father and siblings, and trying – and failing – to be the peacemaker. She’s about ready to give up. Leaving may give her not just new opportunities, but also the chance to be free of the oppressive relationships.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way the family estrangement is shown as something that took root over time. Although Luke’s death does precipitate a sharp decline in relationships, there were problems long before that traumatic event. It’s not blamed for everything. And that’s realistic; it’s rarely any one thing that breaks a family.
I also found Grace’s dilemma very realistic: she doesn’t want to keep exposing herself to what amounts to abuse, but neither does she want to lose her family. She’s also got all the stresses and strains of a high powered job, and the challenges of dating.
This is a very grounded and realistic novel that explores a particularly extreme example of family estrangement. The characters and their relationships and conflicts are very real, and I think most readers will find a lot to recognise and empathise with. I found it absorbing and moving. It is not a tear-jerker, but it has emotional depth.
I really enjoyed this as a change of pace from some of the women’s literature I’ve been reading. It’s highly contemporary, with characters whose concerns are very real and well balanced (not focused, for example, almost entirely on romantic concerns). It requires some attention and contemplation to get the best out of it, but it’s not a particularly challenging reading experience: it’s smoothly written and flows well.
This is highly recommended for readers who like a little meat in their plots, and depth to their characters. I think many readers will find it both highly enjoyable and thought provoking.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
Grace Fairley is a successful financial advisor. So successful, in fact, that the bank she works for has just awarded her a two year posting in London. Grace is looking forward to it – not just the work, or the chance to travel, but also the chance to remove herself a little from the problems in Australia.
Grace’s family has been prickly and uncomfortable for as long as she can remember. Her father is a harsh and uncommunicative man. Two of her three younger siblings are jealous of the educational opportunities Grace received that they didn’t. Her mother has been increasingly unhappy with her life. And then, after her fourth sibling, Luke, was killed in an accident, everything really fell apart.
Grace’s father became even more harsh and uncommunicative. Grace’s mother eventually left, and her remaining brother and sister chose sides and cut her out of their lives. Her brother is trapped, working on the family farm with a father he loathes. Her sister is struggling with small children and a FIFO husband.
For years, Grace has been awkwardly in the middle. Supporting and helping her mother, maintaining a distant and difficult relationship with her father and siblings, and trying – and failing – to be the peacemaker. She’s about ready to give up. Leaving may give her not just new opportunities, but also the chance to be free of the oppressive relationships.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way the family estrangement is shown as something that took root over time. Although Luke’s death does precipitate a sharp decline in relationships, there were problems long before that traumatic event. It’s not blamed for everything. And that’s realistic; it’s rarely any one thing that breaks a family.
I also found Grace’s dilemma very realistic: she doesn’t want to keep exposing herself to what amounts to abuse, but neither does she want to lose her family. She’s also got all the stresses and strains of a high powered job, and the challenges of dating.
This is a very grounded and realistic novel that explores a particularly extreme example of family estrangement. The characters and their relationships and conflicts are very real, and I think most readers will find a lot to recognise and empathise with. I found it absorbing and moving. It is not a tear-jerker, but it has emotional depth.
I really enjoyed this as a change of pace from some of the women’s literature I’ve been reading. It’s highly contemporary, with characters whose concerns are very real and well balanced (not focused, for example, almost entirely on romantic concerns). It requires some attention and contemplation to get the best out of it, but it’s not a particularly challenging reading experience: it’s smoothly written and flows well.
This is highly recommended for readers who like a little meat in their plots, and depth to their characters. I think many readers will find it both highly enjoyable and thought provoking.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
May 5, 2020
She's gone ... will her family pull together, or fall further apart?
Delightful story of a family in turmoil — and how eldest daughter, Grace’s departure from Australia influences them to search deeper into the loss, regret and miscommunication that divides them. I hadn’t read Meredith Appleyard’s books before and was drawn to the themes of love, forgiveness, regret, grief—but more importantly, the multi-layering of family dynamics. It was a completely engaging story and based on my enjoyment level, I’d be happy to read another.
Told through the alternating voices of Grace, and her mother Sarah, this was such a joy to read — a dysfunctional family, torn apart by grief and the ripple effect that Grace’s youngest brother, Luke’s death has on all members of the family.
Grace is a financial analyst in merchant banking, returning home for the weekend to the small South Australian town of Miner’s Ridge, where the Fairley family have farmed the land for four generations. Grace is immediately reminded of the small town views and sentiments that endure when she arrives to tell the family of her planned move to London. But it’s the interplay of emotions and resurfacing of long-held resentments and family baggage that keeps this story moving seamlessly.
Sarah, Grace’s mother, left the family eight years ago following a breakdown in the aftermath of Luke’s death. Grace worries how the family will survive —with her in London, there is no one to link her mother to the family who have been closed to her for the past eight years. Typical family gripes and grudges soon re-emerge, as each try to navigate the rocky path of their life, carrying grief, past resentments and jealousy in varying degrees. However, this is a story of hope and resolution — the alternating voices avoid the story having too dark or sombre a mood overtake it.
Sarah is beautifully drawn on the page — her storyline, written in first person, truly defines the anguish of a mother torn apart by the grief of losing a son, and the snowball of events that lead her to become the outcast of the family. Husband, Doug, is closed, non-communicative and deeply resentful. But it is Appleyard’s beautiful linking of each member of the family’s stories that keep this story moving along.
The story really takes off when Grace meets her brother Tim’s friend, Aaron Halliday, and her ordered world begins to unravel as her feelings for him grow.
Grace is a strong and extremely likable character, used to order and organisation — the driving force of the family. As her long distance relationship progresses, Aaron points out that her family are all adults and capable of making their own decisions, without Grace’s interference — and Grace begins to look to her own needs.
Particularly pertinent at the time of reading, is that we are all in lockdown and have looked to technology as a way to further communicate with our loved ones. Grace and Aaron’s relationship begins with one weekend’s meeting — but continuing communication is necessitated via text messages, Facetime and phone calls, with Grace in London. Their burgeoning long-distance romance adds the spice to the story, offering hope and promise, albeit in a mostly non-physical sense.
Faith, pregnant and resentful, is the perfect spiky sister and opinionated daughter, while Tim is the lovable larrikin brother who begrudgingly works with his father on the farm following Luke’s death. Grace encourages him to stand up to their father, and to reach out to their mother.
The resolution of the family, while we are clearly led to the secret that Sarah unfolds, is the perfect conclusion. I really couldn’t put the book down — I just longed to continue turning the pages.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
#HQFiction #HarperCollinsAustralia #WhenGraceWentAway #MeredithAppleyard #NetGalley
Delightful story of a family in turmoil — and how eldest daughter, Grace’s departure from Australia influences them to search deeper into the loss, regret and miscommunication that divides them. I hadn’t read Meredith Appleyard’s books before and was drawn to the themes of love, forgiveness, regret, grief—but more importantly, the multi-layering of family dynamics. It was a completely engaging story and based on my enjoyment level, I’d be happy to read another.
Told through the alternating voices of Grace, and her mother Sarah, this was such a joy to read — a dysfunctional family, torn apart by grief and the ripple effect that Grace’s youngest brother, Luke’s death has on all members of the family.
Grace is a financial analyst in merchant banking, returning home for the weekend to the small South Australian town of Miner’s Ridge, where the Fairley family have farmed the land for four generations. Grace is immediately reminded of the small town views and sentiments that endure when she arrives to tell the family of her planned move to London. But it’s the interplay of emotions and resurfacing of long-held resentments and family baggage that keeps this story moving seamlessly.
Sarah, Grace’s mother, left the family eight years ago following a breakdown in the aftermath of Luke’s death. Grace worries how the family will survive —with her in London, there is no one to link her mother to the family who have been closed to her for the past eight years. Typical family gripes and grudges soon re-emerge, as each try to navigate the rocky path of their life, carrying grief, past resentments and jealousy in varying degrees. However, this is a story of hope and resolution — the alternating voices avoid the story having too dark or sombre a mood overtake it.
Sarah is beautifully drawn on the page — her storyline, written in first person, truly defines the anguish of a mother torn apart by the grief of losing a son, and the snowball of events that lead her to become the outcast of the family. Husband, Doug, is closed, non-communicative and deeply resentful. But it is Appleyard’s beautiful linking of each member of the family’s stories that keep this story moving along.
The story really takes off when Grace meets her brother Tim’s friend, Aaron Halliday, and her ordered world begins to unravel as her feelings for him grow.
Grace is a strong and extremely likable character, used to order and organisation — the driving force of the family. As her long distance relationship progresses, Aaron points out that her family are all adults and capable of making their own decisions, without Grace’s interference — and Grace begins to look to her own needs.
Particularly pertinent at the time of reading, is that we are all in lockdown and have looked to technology as a way to further communicate with our loved ones. Grace and Aaron’s relationship begins with one weekend’s meeting — but continuing communication is necessitated via text messages, Facetime and phone calls, with Grace in London. Their burgeoning long-distance romance adds the spice to the story, offering hope and promise, albeit in a mostly non-physical sense.
Faith, pregnant and resentful, is the perfect spiky sister and opinionated daughter, while Tim is the lovable larrikin brother who begrudgingly works with his father on the farm following Luke’s death. Grace encourages him to stand up to their father, and to reach out to their mother.
The resolution of the family, while we are clearly led to the secret that Sarah unfolds, is the perfect conclusion. I really couldn’t put the book down — I just longed to continue turning the pages.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
#HQFiction #HarperCollinsAustralia #WhenGraceWentAway #MeredithAppleyard #NetGalley
May 26, 2020
I just want to preface this by saying that I'm thoroughly enjoying this new-to-me genre of Australian family drama.
When Grace Went Away is a deep and insightful story that leaves you evaluating what your priorities are and why.
When Grace went away follows main characters Grace (the eldest daughter of the Fairley family) and Sarah (the mother who has moved to Adelaide after the death of her youngest son and the estrangement of her marriage) as they go about their lives. Sarah caring for her mother and Grace working hard to keep the family somewhat connected through visits to Miners Ridge whilst also being a strong minded career women.
The Fairley family is estranged and barely tolerating each other more and more so with each visit Grace makes to the childhood farm.
It is during her most recent visit that Grace announces she will be working overseas in London and no longer making the visits to the farm.
Will this move sever the only remaining ties Sarah has to her past life and the family she left behind? or will it force the Fairley family to re-evaluate whats important to them and become closer than ever?
Find out in this amazing story by author Meredith Appleyard!
A massive thank you to Harper Collins Australia for sending me an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review. I absolutely loved it and it has grown near and dear to my heart.
When Grace Went Away is a deep and insightful story that leaves you evaluating what your priorities are and why.
When Grace went away follows main characters Grace (the eldest daughter of the Fairley family) and Sarah (the mother who has moved to Adelaide after the death of her youngest son and the estrangement of her marriage) as they go about their lives. Sarah caring for her mother and Grace working hard to keep the family somewhat connected through visits to Miners Ridge whilst also being a strong minded career women.
The Fairley family is estranged and barely tolerating each other more and more so with each visit Grace makes to the childhood farm.
It is during her most recent visit that Grace announces she will be working overseas in London and no longer making the visits to the farm.
Will this move sever the only remaining ties Sarah has to her past life and the family she left behind? or will it force the Fairley family to re-evaluate whats important to them and become closer than ever?
Find out in this amazing story by author Meredith Appleyard!
A massive thank you to Harper Collins Australia for sending me an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review. I absolutely loved it and it has grown near and dear to my heart.
January 7, 2021
I absolutely loved this book - and if you love Australian family drama with a comtemporary feel this is for you. Set around the Fairley family I found a connection with them all and I was super engrossed in each of them. I felt like I got to know them all very well and am now missing them! In a book I read recently I said I felt like I was on the outside looking in - not so with this book.
This is a story of a country family that just cannot connect anymore after a tragedy changes the direction of their family. Be prepared to be drawn in to this thoughful, heartfelt read.....5 stars for me.....
This is a story of a country family that just cannot connect anymore after a tragedy changes the direction of their family. Be prepared to be drawn in to this thoughful, heartfelt read.....5 stars for me.....
August 3, 2020
A story about fractured family relationships.
The storyline kept me involved until the end. I’ve never been to that area of South Australia but I could imagine the different places in the story with Meredith’s descriptions. A great read.
The storyline kept me involved until the end. I’ve never been to that area of South Australia but I could imagine the different places in the story with Meredith’s descriptions. A great read.
February 18, 2021
I haven't read a contemporary family book that I couldn't put down for a while, so really enjoyed this very much. Loved the familiar setting, the characters and the romance.
March 10, 2025
I loved this book . I had worked some of the storyline out before it was made clear , but that didn’t spoil it . It was not predicable and very well written
June 11, 2020
3.5 stars
Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending me a copy of this book to review.
Grace is a country girl from Miners Ridge, South Australia who moves to Adelaide for her work as a financial analyst for an international bank. Grace’s family has become quite dysfunctional following the death of her youngest brother, so when Grace accepts a promotion and moves to London, she’s forced to take a step back from trying to keep the fractured family in touch.
The book is told from the perspectives of Grace and her mother Sarah, who is more or less estranged from the rest of her family besides Grace. With Grace gone, Sarah is feeling the pull back to Miners Ridge and the rest of her family. Meanwhile, Grace is not settling in London as well as she’d hoped and is also feeling the pull of Miners Ridge, but for entirely different reasons.
This was a very good family drama, if a little predictable in parts. The characters were believable and well-developed and I did enjoy the time I spent with them reading this book. I wasn’t entirely convinced by the romance but there were enough other things going on in the storyline that kept the book interesting to me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending me a copy of this book to review.
Grace is a country girl from Miners Ridge, South Australia who moves to Adelaide for her work as a financial analyst for an international bank. Grace’s family has become quite dysfunctional following the death of her youngest brother, so when Grace accepts a promotion and moves to London, she’s forced to take a step back from trying to keep the fractured family in touch.
The book is told from the perspectives of Grace and her mother Sarah, who is more or less estranged from the rest of her family besides Grace. With Grace gone, Sarah is feeling the pull back to Miners Ridge and the rest of her family. Meanwhile, Grace is not settling in London as well as she’d hoped and is also feeling the pull of Miners Ridge, but for entirely different reasons.
This was a very good family drama, if a little predictable in parts. The characters were believable and well-developed and I did enjoy the time I spent with them reading this book. I wasn’t entirely convinced by the romance but there were enough other things going on in the storyline that kept the book interesting to me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
June 1, 2020
Thank you Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
If you're looking for a story that is hard to put down, When Grace Went Away is it.
Grace, originally from Miner's Ridge, a country town in South Australia, is a woman who has worked hard for her recent promotion. Her job will take her to London. Grace is close with her mother and has been there for her in the hardest of times. Her decision to move is one she doesn't take lightly.
I connected with Grace immediately. She is a character who has suffered grief, having lost her brother and in essence, the connection with her siblings and father. Before leaving for London she takes a trip to Miner's Ridge. As Grace learns more about her family, she learns more about herself. She ends up moving to London for her career and finds herself in the perfect spot to travel around Europe, yet with her long hours, this prevents her from exploring and with the homesickness she starts to feel, she must consider what is truly important. Will Grace choose family and love or her career?
The romance in the novel kept my attention. Grace connects with her old flame, Grant as she is getting to know Aaron. Aaron and Grace meet in Miner's Ridge before she leaves. Aaron's caring nature and interest in Grace's wellbeing continues when Grace is in London and they start to confide in one another in an online setting.
Meredith Appleyard's characters are real and I loved reading about them, their relationships and their development in the story. Here is a family who have been drawn apart due to grief and despair. The pain and loss felt has changed who they are and what they live for. With a few important changes, each character experiences healing in their lives.
Appleyard's writing is heartfelt and makes for an enjoyable read. This is a story I couldn't put down. I love a good story in which the protagonist truly considers what is important in life. The overall message of the novel is beautiful.
@harlequinaus
www.chapterichi.com
www.instagram.com/Chapter_Ichi
If you're looking for a story that is hard to put down, When Grace Went Away is it.
Grace, originally from Miner's Ridge, a country town in South Australia, is a woman who has worked hard for her recent promotion. Her job will take her to London. Grace is close with her mother and has been there for her in the hardest of times. Her decision to move is one she doesn't take lightly.
I connected with Grace immediately. She is a character who has suffered grief, having lost her brother and in essence, the connection with her siblings and father. Before leaving for London she takes a trip to Miner's Ridge. As Grace learns more about her family, she learns more about herself. She ends up moving to London for her career and finds herself in the perfect spot to travel around Europe, yet with her long hours, this prevents her from exploring and with the homesickness she starts to feel, she must consider what is truly important. Will Grace choose family and love or her career?
The romance in the novel kept my attention. Grace connects with her old flame, Grant as she is getting to know Aaron. Aaron and Grace meet in Miner's Ridge before she leaves. Aaron's caring nature and interest in Grace's wellbeing continues when Grace is in London and they start to confide in one another in an online setting.
Meredith Appleyard's characters are real and I loved reading about them, their relationships and their development in the story. Here is a family who have been drawn apart due to grief and despair. The pain and loss felt has changed who they are and what they live for. With a few important changes, each character experiences healing in their lives.
Appleyard's writing is heartfelt and makes for an enjoyable read. This is a story I couldn't put down. I love a good story in which the protagonist truly considers what is important in life. The overall message of the novel is beautiful.
@harlequinaus
www.chapterichi.com
www.instagram.com/Chapter_Ichi
September 14, 2020
What a lovely story this is! It's told from two points of view - firstly Grace who is the eldest of 4 children, and Sarah who is their mother.
Grace has been fortunate enough to earn a private school education which has led to her high-flying career in investment banking. When offered a transfer from Australia to the UK for 12 months she jumps at the chance to further her career. Grace is 40 and has never been interested in having a family of her own, she is married to her job.
Sarah, Grace's mum has just been through a bout of bowel cancer and Grace has been caring for her in a unit in Adelaide but she is on the mend and encourages Grace to follow her dream job. Sarah has been estranged from her husband for 30 years as their marriage did not survive the tragic death of their youngest child after his 21st birthday. The other children are Faith who is married with 2 children and another on the way and Tim who is footloose and fancy free but is tied to the farm helping his dad much against his will.
When Grace leaves for the UK, her mother decides to move back to the hometown and start afresh rebuilding her life plus wanting to connect with her remaining two adult children and see her grandchildren. Grace is loving her new role but her health begins to suffer and she becomes very homesick.
This is a lovely family story and was the first book of Australian author Meredith Appleyard that I have read, it will appeal to readers of Womens Fiction, Family Stories and Australian rural stories and I would highly recommend it.
Grace has been fortunate enough to earn a private school education which has led to her high-flying career in investment banking. When offered a transfer from Australia to the UK for 12 months she jumps at the chance to further her career. Grace is 40 and has never been interested in having a family of her own, she is married to her job.
Sarah, Grace's mum has just been through a bout of bowel cancer and Grace has been caring for her in a unit in Adelaide but she is on the mend and encourages Grace to follow her dream job. Sarah has been estranged from her husband for 30 years as their marriage did not survive the tragic death of their youngest child after his 21st birthday. The other children are Faith who is married with 2 children and another on the way and Tim who is footloose and fancy free but is tied to the farm helping his dad much against his will.
When Grace leaves for the UK, her mother decides to move back to the hometown and start afresh rebuilding her life plus wanting to connect with her remaining two adult children and see her grandchildren. Grace is loving her new role but her health begins to suffer and she becomes very homesick.
This is a lovely family story and was the first book of Australian author Meredith Appleyard that I have read, it will appeal to readers of Womens Fiction, Family Stories and Australian rural stories and I would highly recommend it.
December 16, 2023
Loved this book. Well written, kept you interested and turning pages to see how it works out. Nice relaxing read with no mention of crime/murders/drugs/alcohol
She's gone ... will her family pull together, or fall further apart?Classic, women-centred fiction, a complex, multi-layered story about family and community, from the author of the warmly received Home at Last.'Functionally dysfunctional.' That's how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family in the small South Australian farming community of Miners Ridge - a family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, Grace tries to keep the family in touch, but now she's accepted a promotion to the London office. Time-zones and an enormous workload mean she's forced to take a step back, although she finds time to stay in contact with Miners Ridge landscape gardener Aaron Halliday.Sarah Fairley, Grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she finds herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change her world ...Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
She's gone ... will her family pull together, or fall further apart?Classic, women-centred fiction, a complex, multi-layered story about family and community, from the author of the warmly received Home at Last.'Functionally dysfunctional.' That's how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family in the small South Australian farming community of Miners Ridge - a family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, Grace tries to keep the family in touch, but now she's accepted a promotion to the London office. Time-zones and an enormous workload mean she's forced to take a step back, although she finds time to stay in contact with Miners Ridge landscape gardener Aaron Halliday.Sarah Fairley, Grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she finds herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long-kept secret that could change her world ...Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
April 25, 2022
An enjoyable tale about family set mainly in the small South Australian community of Miners Ridge. It is told in two voices, that of Grace Fairley & her mother Sarah Fairley. I did get confused about who was speaking, occasionally, & had to look back at the chapter heading to relocate myself.
The death of Grace's brother, Luke, eight years ago has ripped the family to shreads. Her father stopped communicating & Sarah, unable to stand it any longer, left for Adelaide where Grace has been supporting her ever since. Grace's brother & sister have had nothing to do with Sarah since. Grace has tried to remain a link between her dysfunctional family members but now she is heading to London for a high-profile position in investment banking, & the family will have to function without her.
Grace's departure acts as a catalyst: Sarah moves back to Miners Ridge to be near her children & grandchildren, whether they want anything to do with her, or not. Grace begins to wonder what it is she really wants in life: is the high-stress London job truly all her future holds? Now that she's away, do her family no longer need her?
A very easy-reading tale about love, family, grief & hope. Makes you think about what's really important in your own life.
The death of Grace's brother, Luke, eight years ago has ripped the family to shreads. Her father stopped communicating & Sarah, unable to stand it any longer, left for Adelaide where Grace has been supporting her ever since. Grace's brother & sister have had nothing to do with Sarah since. Grace has tried to remain a link between her dysfunctional family members but now she is heading to London for a high-profile position in investment banking, & the family will have to function without her.
Grace's departure acts as a catalyst: Sarah moves back to Miners Ridge to be near her children & grandchildren, whether they want anything to do with her, or not. Grace begins to wonder what it is she really wants in life: is the high-stress London job truly all her future holds? Now that she's away, do her family no longer need her?
A very easy-reading tale about love, family, grief & hope. Makes you think about what's really important in your own life.
August 21, 2023
Functionally dysfunctional. That's how financial analyst Grace Fairley describes her family in the small South Australian farming community of Miners Ridge - a family fractured by tragedy and kept that way by anger, resentment and petty jealousies. As the eldest sibling, Grace tries to keep the family in touch, but now she's accepted a promotion to the London office. Time zones and an enormous workload mean she's forced to take a step back, although she finds time to stay in contact with Miners Ridge landscape gardener Aaron Halliday.
Sarah Fairley, grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she find herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long kept secret that could change her world.....
Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
**********************
Sarah Fairley, grace's mother, fled Miners Ridge and her embittered husband eight years ago. Now, in the absence of Grace, she find herself pulled back to the small town where her estranged children and grandchildren live. Drawn into the local community, and trying to rebuild family relationships, she uncovers a long kept secret that could change her world.....
Can Grace, Sarah and their family find a way to heal? Who will have the courage to make the first move?
**********************
July 7, 2023
"When Grace went Away" by Meredith Appleyard was beautiful! It was so easy to read and I felt as though I knew the characters! The complicated dynamics of a family were well drawn, and having lived in somewhat similar circumstances myself, I empathised with the problems and ached for the family members who found it so hard to communicate and find some peace after the death of a family member, deeply felt by all, the effects dividing the family rather than bringing them together in their grief. Grace, the eldest daughter in the family, does her best to help and keep the family together, but the various members need to find their own way to navigate their problems. I heartily enjoyed this story and loved the way the characters all managed to find a way through their grief to some sort of resolution.
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