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Hadley & Grace

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The author of In an Instant delivers a heart-pounding and emotional roller-coaster ride of self-discovery in the tradition of Thelma and Louise.

Needing to escape her abusive marriage, Hadley flees with her two kids, knowing it might be her only chance. A woman who can’t even kill a spider, Hadley soon finds herself pushed to the limits as she fights to protect her family.

Grace, new mother of baby Miles, desperately wants to put her rough past behind her for good, but she finds it impossible when her path crosses with Hadley’s, and her quest for a new start quickly spirals out of control and turns into a terrifying flight for survival.

Stronger together than apart, the two find their fates inextricably entwined, and as the danger closes in, each must decide how much she is willing to risk for the other.

A powerful story of self-discovery, Hadley and Grace is the heart-racing tale of two women facing insurmountable odds, racing to stay one step ahead of the trouble that is chasing them, and discovering new kinds of love and family along the way.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2021

12412 people are currently reading
15835 people want to read

About the author

Suzanne Redfearn

10 books2,302 followers
Suzanne Redfearn is the award-winning author of Six novels: Hush Little Baby, No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, and Hadley & Grace, Moment in Time, and Where Butterflies Wander. In addition to being an author, she’s also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza and Beer. You can find her at her website, www.SuzanneRedfearn.com, on Facebook at SuzanneRedfearnAuthor, or on Instagram at SuzanneRedfearn.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,928 reviews
Profile Image for MarilynW.
1,900 reviews4,392 followers
April 30, 2021
Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn

Thirty eight year old Hadley is finally doing what needs to be done to get herself and her daughter, Mattie, away from her abusive husband. Twenty eight year old Grace is pushed to her limits by the same man, when he cheats her out of the commission she needs to be able to support herself and her baby. Grace's husband has once again gambled off every last cent that they had and Grace knows she can't stay in such a marriage. 

This story is full of coincidences and unlikely scenarios, making serious subjects also a bit lighthearted and implausible but I enjoyed the characters and the way the story was told. I thought I wouldn't like Hadley and Grace, with Hadley being so submissive to her abusive husband and Grace left hard edged and untrusting due to being thrown into the foster system after losing her grandmother. But the author shows a depth to both women and shows that they aren't just black and white caricatures. Throughout this journey both women change, become a team, not willing to leave the other to an uncertain future. 

There is also sullen, angry teenage Mattie who changes, too. And Skipper, IQ of 75, the sweetest, smartest (in his own very intelligent way) kid, a kid that is based on a real life Skipper. Not to be forgotten are two FBI agents. We get to know Mark and what makes him tick and we get to know Fritz. We see how both men know each other so well, giving us another sense of life having been lived before we meet these two partners. Even though the story is farfetched in many ways, it endears me to so many of the characters while being funny and hopeful, during what seems to be a hopeless situation. 

This is a retelling of Thelma and Louise, a story I've never read or watched because I know how it ends and I'm not into those kinds of endings. But I wanted to give this story a go since I enjoyed Redfearn's In an Instant, so much. The first part of the story seems to be a long buildup but it's worth the time it takes for me. I think that's why I was able to want these women and those around them, to succeed. I'm very happy with how the story ended and couldn't have imagined such a satisfying conclusion to all that happened before the final chapter. 

Publication date: February 1st 2021

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
Profile Image for Tina Loves To Read.
3,457 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2022
This is a Contemporary/women's fiction that is a take on Thelma and Louise. I love the characters Hadley and Grace. They both have their own problems they are running from, but I feel the characters and their story is well written. I really love the Skipper character, and his character just touched my heart so much. I feel each character came to life which made this book so much fun to read. The storyline had you praying, crying, and sitting on the edge of your seat during reading this book. This book is fun at times, but it is very suspenseful at times. This is one of the take of books you do not want to put it down because you want to know how it ends, but on the other hand you also do not want the book to end. I cannot say how much I love this book. It had great characters and a great storyline/plot. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Lake Union Publishing) or author (Suzanne Redfearn) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Profile Image for Dorie  - Cats&Books :) .
1,184 reviews3,827 followers
October 1, 2020
After reading some dark and disturbing books this was just the novel I needed. This was a great story with lots of heart!

Hadley, her daughter Mattie and nephew Skipper have been living a very constrained life. Hadley’s husband Frank is a controlling man who lashes out at Hadley whenever something displeases him. He is cruel and abusive.

Daughter Mattie is having some struggles of her own, she is 14 and at the age when she is trying to decide who she really is, what she wants out of life and how to get along in this dysfunctional family.

Hadley has been raising Skipper since he was very young because her sister couldn’t handle taking care of him. He is a special needs child, age 8, but has some incredible insights into life and ways of dealing with his own inner stresses. Finally Hadley has made a plan to escape this life and her husband. It should have all gone fine.

Grace is a young mother of a colicky 4 month old. Her husband Jimmy is a great guy, except for his gambling habit. He is currently away and serving in the Army. Once again Grace finds herself almost penniless and decides she needs to flee this marriage and this apartment. Her boss, Frank, has just cheated her out of money that she had been counting on. She wants to get the money that was promised to her. Her plan should have worked.

One night at Frank’s office, both women meet and have the same idea. Though from completely different backgrounds, they have one thing in common, they feel that Frank “owes” them.

What ensues is at first a comedy of errors as the two women and three kids begin their escape together, not really having a solid plan except to get as far away from Frank as possible.

There are so many ups and downs in this book, it was a terrific ride!! I enjoyed watching these two women learn to appreciate each other for who they really are. The relationship between the three children changes into something resembling a family.

“Coincidence is not something Grace believes in and the chances of what happened that night are too infinitesimally small for her to simply write off as happenstance. No, it seems to her that some hidden connectivity existed in that moment that profoundly influenced their lives, intertwining their fates and bringing them to this remarkable place and time.”

It isn’t long before this group is being hunted by everyone from Frank and his henchmen to the FBI and find themselves highlighted on all of the news stations.

I will leave the reader to discover all of the situations that this group finds themselves in. Ride along as they tackle all of the challenges that fate has in store for them.

I can highly recommend this book as a great escape read. You will be rooting for Hadley and Grace but wondering how this could possibly end well? The characters evolve and connect in wonderful ways.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
This novel is set to publish on February 1, 2021
Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while).
2,632 reviews2,472 followers
February 13, 2021
EXCERPT: Five minutes later, they are on their way. (Hadley) glances at Mattie beside her and Skipper behind her, unable to believe it, stunned that it is happening. For fifteen years, she's been searching for a way out, and now, just like that, she is doing it, driving away with the kids. Her heart pounds with adrenaline and a small sense of pride.

'We're not going back?' Mattie says, startling Hadley from her thoughts.

'You packed your mom's apron,' she says to Hadley's surprised expression.

Hadley swallows hard, wondering if her last minute decision to shove the keepsake in her bag will tip Frank off as well. The apron is hand embroidered with daisies and stained in a dozen places; her mother wore it almost every day of Hadley's childhood, and it is one of the few things of her mom's she has left.

'Don't worry,' Mattie says, reading Hadley's fear. 'Dad never goes in the kitchen drawers.' And all the pride Hadley felt the moment before deflates, knowing how much she has failed her daughter all these years.

ABOUT 'HADLEY AND GRACE': Needing to escape her abusive marriage, Hadley flees with her two kids, knowing it might be her only chance. A woman who can’t even kill a spider, Hadley soon finds herself pushed to the limits as she fights to protect her family.

Grace, new mother of baby Miles, desperately wants to put her rough past behind her for good, but she finds it impossible when her path crosses with Hadley’s, and her quest for a new start quickly spirals out of control and turns into a terrifying flight for survival.

Stronger together than apart, the two find their fates inextricably entwined, and as the danger closes in, each must decide how much she is willing to risk for the other.

MY THOUGHTS: I started off by not liking this story or its characters very much: A shallow, beautiful, abused wife and her husband's secretary, a single mum with a criminal record who has left her compulsive gambler husband. What's to like? As it turns out, there's a lot to like about this book. Once Hadley and Grace have robbed Frank and are on the run, we get the real measure of these two women and the children they have in tow.

From a fairly average start, Hadley and Grace explodes into an implausible but thoroughly entertaining romp involving the FBI, a kidnapping or two, occasional gunfire and several car chases. This is a read that will have you holding your breath one minute, then bursting into laughter the next, and reinforces my theory that the best friends are found in the oddest of places.

Hadley and Grace has been compared to Thelma and Louise, but I enjoyed this a whole lot more. A fun read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.4

#HadleyandGrace #NetGalley
#crime #thriller #humour #contemporaryfiction #familydrama

'Today is not forever. It's just today.'

'You brought your baby to a robbery?'
'You wore stilettos to a robbery?' (Abridged)

'The first three letters in diet are a warning.'

THE AUTHOR: Suzanne Redfearn is the award-winning author of four novels: Hush Little Baby, No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, and Hadley & Grace. In addition to being an author, she’s also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Hadley and Grace 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/...
Profile Image for Michael David (on hiatus).
833 reviews2,012 followers
February 2, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

HADLEY AND GRACE is “Thelma and Louise” 2.0...with kids and less violence.

Hadley needs to get away from her terrible husband, Frank. With her teenaged daughter and her younger nephew, she has a plan in place to sneak into his work overnight, take his money, and run. What she doesn’t expect is to run into Grace, who works with Frank, also in the office in an attempt to get his money and make her own escape. Grace is escaping her past with her infant son. One thing leads to another, and Hadley and Grace (and the 3 children) end up on the run together when the 💩 hits the fan.

This was an extremely entertaining read. Through moments of humor, suspense, and some sadness, it was lovely to see the friendship grow between the two women from different backgrounds who bond over the insane circumstances they’ve been put in. As the situation gets increasingly out of control, it’s hard not to root for both of them and their children...hoping they find a way out of the mess they’ve created. I felt I needed to suspend a bit of disbelief with the wrap up, but it’s a fun (and slightly emotional) journey getting there!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, author Suzanne Redfearn, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo).
1,553 reviews4,531 followers
August 17, 2020
3.75 rounded up!

The newspaper headline read: “Real Life Thelma and Louise Blaze through Salt Lake City!

The two women and their kids fled in a Chevy Truck with California plates. These women might not be Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, and there might not be a 66 Thunderbird or an Oscar nomination, but there is no doubt of the similarity in these women’s story with the fictional Thelma and Louise!”

Frank was a terrible boss.
And, and even worse husband.

But, he had money, and that is what causes these two women to meet by chance, and become accidental outlaws, on the run, alluding the FBI and capturing the nation’s fancy! 💰💵💰

How they expected to escape is mind boggling!
Their plans...not well thought out.

And, trying to travel with a 4 month old colicky baby, a “special boy” of eight, who will only dress in baseball uniforms and speak in the language of that sport, and a fourteen year old girl with a very distinctive earring-makes hiding out challenging!

Add in some questionable choices from EACH of the women, because, hey-that is what is going to make this road trip entertaining, and we have got ourselves a book that could easily become a remake of “Thelma and Louise” !

Completely different from the very emotional “In An Instant”, this ride was comedic fun!

You can root for them on Feb. 1, 2020!

Thank You to DeAnn for the fun buddy read and discussion!

Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the invitation to read an early digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for a candid review!

P.S. Check out the picture of the real life Skipper Carrillo from the biography “Have a Home Run Day” which Author Suzanne Redfearn credits for inspiring the “Skipper” in this story-in her acknowledgements page, along with her love for Thelma and Louise, which believe it or not came out almost 30 years ago!
Profile Image for DeAnn.
1,763 reviews
February 2, 2021
4 Thelma and Louise Road Trip Stars

Two women skip town with kids in tow – what could possibly go wrong? Hadley is a gorgeous woman married to a scoundrel who is quick with his fists. She has raised her sister’s son with special needs for years but now her sister wants him back. Hadley hits the road with Skipper and her daughter Mattie to meet up with her sister.

Grace has made a new life for herself, but she’s finding it hard to be a single parent to her four-month-old, especially when he’s struggling with colic. Her husband is in Afghanistan, so she’s figuring this out somehow. She’s got a good job, but senses things are about to change when she’s cheated out of her commission on a deal.

By a strange coincidence, the women team up, and all sorts of crazy situations plague them on the road and soon they are fleeing for their lives. They form a strange alliance and friendship, working together to escape their circumstances. Grace is street savvy and knows how to stay one step ahead of the authorities.

This book was a great escape from life, and I enjoyed the trip with Hadley and Grace. It certainly did not end up the way I had predicted, but I’m happy with the ending. I really enjoyed the time they spent in Colorado, Coors Field and baseball player references.

This was a fun buddy read with Jayme!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the copy of the book through NetGalley. Batter up this one is now available!
Profile Image for Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader.
2,785 reviews31.9k followers
February 10, 2021
My best friend and I loved the movie Thelma and Louise SO much that for a short time, one of us was Thelma (her), and one was Louise (me). Hadley and Grace has T&L vibes and is also completely its own story of friendship with mystery and excitement, too.

Hadley is in an abusive marriage. When the time is right, she leaves with her two children. Grace is a new mom with a not-so-pretty past. She meets Hadley, and her past is back in her face, as the two are fighting to survive, together.

Hadley & Grace is the perfect escape read that’s both fun and emotional at the same time. I laughed more than I cried, and I love to laugh and read. And cry and read too. 😆 Also, the ending was a complete surprise in a great way. I loved this edgy road trip amongst new friends!

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Profile Image for Ceecee .
2,744 reviews2,307 followers
July 20, 2020
Well, strap yourself in and brace yourself for a bumpy ride as Suzanne Redfearn takes you on an exciting road trip with some unexpected travelling companions. Hadley Torelli is married to Frank who is frankly (sorry) a rotten excuse of a man and she’s had enough. Grace Herrick works for him but he ruthlessly tricks her and is about to fire her. I shall divulge no more except to say that the two women’s lives become inextricably linked as they race to escape and survive the danger that is closing in.

The characters of Hadley and Grace are tremendous. They’re both at a fork in the road, chance brings them together and they learn they are stronger as one unit. Their differing personalities blend so well that they compliment each other so they resemble halves of a whole. The stand out character for me is Skipper, Hadley’s nephew who lives with them. He is absolutely enchanting, I love the way he looks at the world and the bond between him and Mattie, Hadley’s daughter, is heartwarming. The story is inspired by Thelma and Louise and it’s every bit as exciting as the movie but has been given its own spin. They use their ingenuity, wit and common sense in order to survive the test of several lifetimes. The action takes place in some terrific settings such as Coors Field in Denver. This is a really well written thriller, the plot unfolds effortlessly and the pace is fast. There are some very tense moments of suspense too where you don’t know what’s going to happen next. This has all the other essential ingredients too, such as some humour, moments of joy and some sadness.

Overall, this is another winner from the author. It’s exciting, very entertaining, a heroes versus villains tale which makes you root for the women. There are one of two unexpected heroes too! Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and especially Lake Union for the ARC.
Profile Image for Apoorva.
190 reviews205 followers
July 16, 2020
Fasten your seat belt guys, Hadley & Grace are here to take you on a ride!

I haven't watched Thelma & Louise yet, but I wish this book is converted into a movie. I absolutely loved this book. Right from the start, I was hooked on to it. You just cannot take your eyes from even a single sentence. The whole environment, the dialogues, the fluency in the language makes it seem so real as if you are a part of their journey. The end leaves you surprised.

Humour, sadness, anger, you name the emotions, and you have it. They take you on a roller coaster ride as our ladies face their own ups & downs. This book makes you understand the value of friendship and relationships. This book is fast-paced, action-packed, and leaves you spell-bound. This is my first book from the author, and I can't wait to delve into more of her books. I wish this book has a second installment.

Thank You NetGalley, Author Suzanne Redfearn and Publishers Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Profile Image for Karren  Sandercock .
1,318 reviews394 followers
June 23, 2021
Hadley needs to leave her abusive marriage to the very controlling Frank Torelli, her family isn't safe and she’s planned her escape. Her teenager daughter Mattie has just started testing her boundaries, this worries Hadley and she also looks after her nephew Skipper and he has special needs. Grace Herrick works for Frank as his assistant, her husband Jimmy’s a soldier, he’s away serving in Afghanistan and they have a four month old baby Miles. Grace is a stressed new mother, Miles has colic and she’s literally running on empty. She’s worked really hard on a deal for months and Frank cheats her out of her commission. This makes her mad, what is she going to do, she's broke, hungry and Miles doesn't stop crying?

Both women find themselves at Frank’s business one Friday night, they bump into each other and they desperately need money and Frank must have some stashed somewhere? Due to a series of unexpected events things quickly escalate, in the tradition of Thelma and Louise we now have Hadley and Grace two women on the run and with three children. They begin a mad dash across America with Frank’s money, they had no idea it was obtained by him illegally and trying to stay one step ahead of the FBI, police and the media.

Hadley, Grace, Mattie, Skipper and little Miles become really close, when it looks like they will be caught, Hadley and Grace do everything they can to protect their new family unit and outsmart everyone. Hadley and Grace is a feel good story, I adored the characters, except Frank of course and I didn’t want them to get caught and I really didn’t want Grace to get into trouble. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, a story full of action and adventure and four stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for La BiblioFreak.
59 reviews15 followers
February 11, 2021
This book was a major disappointment for me. I was expecting an on-the-road family drama interspersed with some comedy that ends with the characters finding their true selves. And that was kind of what I got... except that it was badly written, eye-rollingly over the top, and heavily clichéd.

I had some serious problems with this book. First and foremost with the sexualisation of a 14-year-old girl:
"Mattie is curvy like her mom, and the hip-swaying moves suit her; Grace notices several guys’ eyes sliding her way. And while she wants to slap their faces for looking at a fourteen-year-old the way they’re looking at her, she also feels proud."
Umm, no. She shouldn't be proud that adult men are looking creepily at a teenage girl. Being the object of desire for men much older than them is not something to be proud of and not a message we should be spreading.

There was also so much American military propaganda. The two 'good' men in the book have served in the military, and at one point one of them starts indoctrinating Skipper, the 9-year-old boy, while Hadley watches adoringly thinking this:
"there’s something about a man in uniform that makes you believe they are good, even if they’ve done nothing to prove it. It’s like he is cloaked in truth, justice, and the American way, and it makes her want to stand up and salute, or applaud, or knit socks—a swelling of gratitude for his courage, service, and selflessness."
It wouldn't have bothered me if this was the only mention of it, but the military is brought up again and again throughout the second half of the book. Was it really necessary? It seemed needlessly patriotic and political and was off-putting for a non-American like me.

My biggest problem with the book, however, lies in its dullness. I can forgive a book a lot of things as long as it's entertaining. That was not the case here. I found myself trudging through, determined to get to the end because I have a slightly obsessive need to finish every book I start. When I was finally done I let out a sigh of relief.

I would've given this book two stars if the idea had been at least original. But seeing as it isn't, it's one from me. Do yourselves a favour and just watch Thelma and Louise instead.
Profile Image for Theresa Alan.
Author 10 books1,169 followers
January 30, 2021
4.5 stars

Hadley wants to flee her abusive husband, but she’s going to need money to do it. She takes her fourteen-year-old daughter and the eight-year-old son that is her sister’s special needs child that Hadley has raised since he was a baby. She knows her husband must have some money at his office; she just needs to find where. This is when she meets up with Grace, her husband’s employee. Grace is smarter than her rough upbringing might lead people to believe. She also is desperate for money since her husband, who is fighting in Afghanistan, has a gambling problem and she’s about to get fired—for doing her job too well.

These woman, with their children in tow, find themselves in a lot more trouble than they could have imagined, not just by the abusive husband Frank and his entourage, but by the FBI. What follows is a fun story of two women with completely opposing talents in life that complement each other. I rooted for them the whole time, hoping they’d figure some happy way out of this mess.
Profile Image for Becca.
23 reviews
February 4, 2021
Parts of this book were exciting and engaging, but most of the story was eye-rolling ridiculous. And I had a hard time remembering who was Hadley and who was Grace. Their characters seemed too similar and underdeveloped.
Profile Image for Desiree Reads.
808 reviews46 followers
November 21, 2020
A pleasant read, if a bit unrealistic.

Hadley & Grace, an unlikely duo, with a tag-along family consisting of a baby, an autistic grade-schooler, and a sullen teenager, cross the country in a Trains, Planes, and Automobiles-like adventure, on the run from the FBI, Hadley’s criminal husband Frank, and other local authorities.

The book kept my attention enough to finish it, yet I wasn’t “wow”-ed by the story. One thing I did enjoy, however, to see the personal growth of the characters throughout the novel, in particular Hadley’s daughter Mattie.

If you suspend your disbelief for a time, the ladies’ misadventures are a fun frolic. Perfect for those who enjoy a tale of a couple of gals breaking free from their former selves and deciding just who and what they want to be. And, for those book club lovers, don’t miss the Discussion Questions at the back of the book.

Hadley & Grace is available February 1, 2021, from Lake Union Publishing, in paperback, audio CD, and for Kindle.

#HadleyAndGrace
#LakeUnionPublishing
#NetGalley
Profile Image for Dana.
897 reviews21 followers
March 29, 2021
"Hadley has the worst voice Grace has ever heard. The woman is completely tone deaf, with a kazoo implanted in her larynx" - This made me laugh out loud!

This book was such a delight! Hadley and Grace both find the courage to leave their current situations. What they don't expect is that this decision will bring the two woman together. A very unlikely duo.

I loved this modern day take on Thelma & Louise. The addition of the three children made it even more thrilling as it ultimately changed these mother's actions and decisions.

Well written and thought-provoking! If you're looking for a great escape read I recommend this book.

Ps. I love the fact Skipper is based on a real person. Skipper Carrillo!
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,301 reviews1,781 followers
February 15, 2021
Favorite Quotes:

Handing him over to Vanessa feels a little like handing a live grenade to a known sufferer of seizures.

“You don’t need to gloat about it,” Grace says. “I’m not gloating.” “You are. You’re gloating all over the place. You’re completely covered in gloat.”

The media storm around this is going to blow up. He can already see a Lifetime Original Movie being made. Hell, the motel clerk, that scrawny kid at the desk who went white as the walls around him when Mark showed his badge, probably has six marriage proposals by now and a dozen benefactors willing to give him a new smile. Every damn person in the article is going to be a celebrity and a hero, while the FBI is being painted as the Big Bad Wolf hunting Little Red Riding Hood and taking money from little old ladies and young men who need dental work.

She looks like a Greek goddess—empowered, bold, and fearless— like she should be chiseled of marble and holding up a temple.

… rumors have been floating around about a movie being made. Grace cringes at the idea, certain someone like Angelina Jolie will be cast to play Hadley, while some actress who looks like Nanny McPhee will play her.

My Review:

I was riveted and on edge while reading this cunningly crafted book and was holding my breath that the two protagonists would survive, and it didn’t look likely. The storylines were intriguing, tragic, highly emotive, and perfectly pitched to maintain an undercurrent of tension while also balancing out the emotions with more lighthearted and amusing observations and memories of two women who by happenstance and a series of poor choices became bonded and accidental fugitives on a cross-country run from the FBI with their children in tow.

The pacing and storytelling were nothing short of brilliant and evoked a steady stream of heart clenches and keen visuals. I ached for the woman working as hard as she could to keep her head above water and wearing worn-out shoes with superglued soles while contending with a screaming inconsolable baby. Suzanne Redfearn has mad skills and a rabid new fangirl.
Profile Image for Suzanne Redfearn.
Author 10 books2,302 followers
September 16, 2020
I have always loved the movie THELMA & LOUISE, so I decided to write a modern retelling of the story only to discover it couldn't be done because times have changed. But the friendship and fire of the original idea is still there, and it was great fun to write. I hope you enjoy it. Suzanne
Profile Image for Vanessa Menezes.
549 reviews169 followers
August 4, 2020
An amazing ride that will fill you with emotions right till the end!

Hadley needs to escape her abusive marriage with Frank Torelli. She decides to flee with her two kids, knowing it might be her only chance. Grace, new mother of baby Miles, desperately wants to put her rough past behind her for good.

As their path cross with each other, their quest for a new start quickly spirals out of control and turns into a terrifying flight for survival. Stronger together than apart, the two find their fates inextricably entwined, and as the danger closes in, each must decide how much she is willing to risk for the other.

This story is told in such a beautiful way! It is narrated in alternating chapters between Hadley and Grace.

Its filled with emotions and the two women are just phenomenal. Their journey is not an easy one but both of them grow in strength and courage as they deal with each situation. It was lovely to see their bond and friendship grow as well.

I loved all the characters with the exception of Frank Torelli. Though the FBI termed them as outlaws, they were heroes in my eyes and I was rooting for them right till the end!

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!
1,723 reviews110 followers
January 2, 2021
This was a very good book to read. It same to be very similar to the film Thelma and Louise which I love!! This was the sort of book that as you read it you could picture it all in your mind’s eye. It was fast-paced and kept the tension going all the way through. A great start to the new year of Prime First Reads.
Profile Image for Valleri.
1,013 reviews44 followers
December 11, 2021
3.5 Stars

Wow! Hold on to your hat because Hadley and Grace is quite the heart-pounding ride!! For the most part, I LOVED this book! The author did an excellent job of making the readers hate the characters they should hate, and love the characters they should love. The relationship between Hadley and Grace was sheer perfection! Another fantastic character was Skipper, whose innocence and wisdom were completely charming.

The fact that Skipper was loosely based on a real character made him even more interesting. The author wrote: "Skipper Carrillo. This story started with you and I could not have created the character without the man. It is rare in this world to meet a person who shines so bright and with such special light it changes the way you view the world."

I found this book to be more entertaining than the usual, serious, crime novels I read.

So, that was the good. Now for what I considered to be not-so-good.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
900 reviews53 followers
August 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I could sympathize with both Grace and Hadley in different ways. I loved the movie Thelma and Louise but the ending was so sad. The reimagined ending was wonderful. These two women were thrown together unexpectedly but they needed each other and complemented each other. Well done!! This one is going to stick with me for a while I think.
Profile Image for Betül.
1,067 reviews292 followers
October 3, 2020
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
description

I honestly went into this book with no expectations, and I have to say what draw me primarily to the story was that it involved children. I probably wouldn't have decided to read it if it was just a book about two women running away and hiding from law enforcement. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was a very engaging, unpredictable, and emotional story. The main characters are Hadley and Grace. Hadley is a trophy wife in an abusive marriage and knows she has to leave her husband for the sake of the children. However, not everything goes as planned when she goes to her husband Frank's office to search for money she can use to start a new life. Grace is a young woman with a baby and is down on her luck after being cheated by her boss, she feels desperate and decides to go after what he owes her. In their normal lives these two women wouldn't cross each other's paths, but because of circumstances they do.

I didn't expect to connect and care so much about the characters. Grace and Hadley are the opposite of each other, and this definitely resulted in some conflict between them. However, the more time they spent together the more they started caring about the other. Hadley's daughter Mattie and nephew Skipper were amazing, and they were definitely my favorite characters in this book. Especially Skipper was such a beautiful young boy who I just couldn't help but care for. Grace struggles with her baby Miles and doesn't know how to handle him at times, but I loved seeing her grow and learn from Hadley. They both taught each other very important life lessons, and I enjoyed seeing them grow into such great characters. I didn't know how this story would end and it really had me on the edge of my seat at times. There were moments when I couldn't contain my tears and my heart broke for these characters. This book had me on an emotional roller coaster and I loved it. This is my first but definitely won't be my last book by this author.
Profile Image for Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~.
1,895 reviews139 followers
dnf
July 16, 2022
DNF @ 9%

I'm already annoyed with these spineless women and their awful families. And who the hell names their kid Skipper? I hope they enjoy their road trip as they Thelma and Louise themselves back to confidence (hopefully, without the murder and the swan dive ending), but I don't have the patience for them right now.

The writing itself was good though, even though I see no reason whatsoever this requires 3rd-person present tense. 😖
Profile Image for Dean.
538 reviews134 followers
October 15, 2021
This is my third novel by Suzanne Redfearn which I have read...
Again she doesn't disappoint on this one either!

Inspired by a movie featuring Suzanne Sarandon...
A road and coming of age novel, if you will.

Two women with her little ones are fleeing on car through the USA from their husbands with nearly two millions Dollars...

The FBI, Killers, and their husbands close behind!!!
Sounds familiar?
If not, I guess it should!!!

Anyway, the characters well-developed and the story a winner...
All what a reader dreams and longs for...

I did enjoy it, because it kept me turning the pages to the very end and managed to entertain me!
Now it's up to you, give it a try, and you will be hooked like I was!
Promise!!!

By the way, the audiobook from Audible rightly deserves also five glittering stars in my humble opinion...
All the speakers excels in their task!!

Happy readings, and stay healthy...
Dean;)




Profile Image for Chris.
757 reviews15 followers
March 10, 2021
A modern day Thelma & Louise type of story. It included two women and their children, on the run for taking money from (employer in one case, dirty husband in other case). The two women could not be any different in all respects. Personality, character, status in life, parenting, etc. yet, they come together and make a solid team after a series of mid-starts and apprehension of each other. Their friendship and teamwork and final goal come together in a somewhat happy way. It doesn’t end like Thelma &Louise, thank goodness. The car getaway attempts and speeding, evasive car scenes - though dangerous, it’s what they had to do to avoid getting caught - now by the FBI who are hot on their trail, all with the children in tow.

It was a decent read and for a reader looking to get away from all the other problems in this world, it’s a quick step away looking at and experiencing someone else’s life situation. 3.5 getaway stars 🚗
Profile Image for Sherri Thacker.
1,678 reviews373 followers
July 3, 2020
It took me several chapters to get into this book. So many chapters to keep track of that I finally gave up. I see others love it but sadly, just could not get into this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Martine.
285 reviews
January 6, 2021
I chose this from the Amazon First Reads selection for January 2021. Having read and enjoyed the author's book In An Instant, I was looking forward to reading this. However, despite the great reviews, I just couldn't get into it. DNF at 32%
Profile Image for Camille Maio.
Author 11 books1,222 followers
March 11, 2020
I always enjoy a book that is different from what else is out in the market. Hadley and Grace was just that kind - an exciting read where every chapter left me with a "What will happen next?" feeling. Two women on the run, three kids in tow, but not is all as it seems. Filled with heart, suspense, adventure, and thrills, this is a story that would equally feel at home on a screen.
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