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Dear Grace
The most unlikely friendship. The most unexpected consequences.
When Anna’s husband cheats on her, she’s sure she’ll never be happy again. But then she meets 94-year-old Grace. Despite an age gap of more than fifty years, the pair set out together on a life-changing journey halfway across the country in search of some answers.
Sometimes the only way to move on is to revisit the past. But will Anna and Grace be prepared for what they find?
A story about love, female friendship, heartbreak and learning to forgive.
When Anna’s husband cheats on her, she’s sure she’ll never be happy again. But then she meets 94-year-old Grace. Despite an age gap of more than fifty years, the pair set out together on a life-changing journey halfway across the country in search of some answers.
Sometimes the only way to move on is to revisit the past. But will Anna and Grace be prepared for what they find?
A story about love, female friendship, heartbreak and learning to forgive.
- GenresFiction
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2021
184 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
August 19, 2021
Stop whatever it is you are doing (except for reading this review obviously) and go get this book. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, a hot contender for my book of the year!
I loved carer Anna from the moment she got off her motorbike dripping wet to visit her new client Grace. This meeting felt serendipitous as Anna is feeling lonely and it seems so is Grace, they could both use a friend. They have each suffered heartbreak, Anna with her husband’s cheating and Grace being abandoned on her wedding day many years ago before marrying her beloved Roy who has since karked it. I love that word and I’m so pleased the author used it.
As they let each other into their lives, imparting secrets and wisdom, they form a bond that worries Grace’s great nephew Tom. Questioning her motives after seeing Anna’s effect on Grace. Little does he know that Grace is sharp as a tack and has motives of her own.
Set in Lowestoft which amusingly is referred to as The Island. I grew up in Chedgrave which is half way between there and Norwich so it was lovely to see Beccles, Great Yarmouth and other places I know well. The author obviously has a soft spot for it as it is viewed through rather rose tinted glasses but childhood memories often make you view places like that.
I picked this book up expecting a nice gentle read, which I got in spades. What I wasn’t expecting was for the characters to feel so real and become such a part of me that I was sad to let them go. This is an adventure featuring two wonderful women and their friendship is the beating heart of the story.
I loved carer Anna from the moment she got off her motorbike dripping wet to visit her new client Grace. This meeting felt serendipitous as Anna is feeling lonely and it seems so is Grace, they could both use a friend. They have each suffered heartbreak, Anna with her husband’s cheating and Grace being abandoned on her wedding day many years ago before marrying her beloved Roy who has since karked it. I love that word and I’m so pleased the author used it.
As they let each other into their lives, imparting secrets and wisdom, they form a bond that worries Grace’s great nephew Tom. Questioning her motives after seeing Anna’s effect on Grace. Little does he know that Grace is sharp as a tack and has motives of her own.
Set in Lowestoft which amusingly is referred to as The Island. I grew up in Chedgrave which is half way between there and Norwich so it was lovely to see Beccles, Great Yarmouth and other places I know well. The author obviously has a soft spot for it as it is viewed through rather rose tinted glasses but childhood memories often make you view places like that.
I picked this book up expecting a nice gentle read, which I got in spades. What I wasn’t expecting was for the characters to feel so real and become such a part of me that I was sad to let them go. This is an adventure featuring two wonderful women and their friendship is the beating heart of the story.
September 8, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ a slice of life story about love, hope and regrets.
February 20, 2022
Brilliant uplifting read. The characters are loveable and fun. I did not want to stop reading it even though it was rather predictable.
July 21, 2022
Such a lovely heartwarming book 📖 💕
August 21, 2021
Anna and Grace meet when Anna becomes her new carer and despite the age gap 39/94 they become firm friends. Grace’s nephew Tom wonders about their friendship and questions it. This is a lovely gentle read with a powerful message and it made me feel yes age is just a number and it shouldn’t define anyone 💜
October 19, 2022
Wat een lief boek is dit!
In dit boek leer je voornamelijk Grace en Anna kennen. Anna ontmoet Grace door haar werk als verzorgende en daardoor ontstaat er een dierbare vriendschap.
In dit boek staan, rouw, vriendschap, verlies en liefde centraal. Door terug te kijken naar het verleden van Grace komen er vele herinneringen terug naar boven, pijnlijk en mooi. Dit maakt dat er een levensveranderende reis op de planning staat.
Dit boek is zo mooi geschreven, je vliegt door de pagina's heen en ervaart de vriendschap. Als je van een hartverwarmend verhaal geniet, zul je dat zeker van deze doen!
In dit boek leer je voornamelijk Grace en Anna kennen. Anna ontmoet Grace door haar werk als verzorgende en daardoor ontstaat er een dierbare vriendschap.
In dit boek staan, rouw, vriendschap, verlies en liefde centraal. Door terug te kijken naar het verleden van Grace komen er vele herinneringen terug naar boven, pijnlijk en mooi. Dit maakt dat er een levensveranderende reis op de planning staat.
Dit boek is zo mooi geschreven, je vliegt door de pagina's heen en ervaart de vriendschap. Als je van een hartverwarmend verhaal geniet, zul je dat zeker van deze doen!
August 17, 2021
I fell in love with this book!
Being a carer myself I could totally relate to it all, we all have that favourite client that we become closer too, even though it's not permitted.
Very well written, with lovable characters & it shows that friendships can be formed no matter what your age.
Heartwarming, emotive & will give you all the feels.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Being a carer myself I could totally relate to it all, we all have that favourite client that we become closer too, even though it's not permitted.
Very well written, with lovable characters & it shows that friendships can be formed no matter what your age.
Heartwarming, emotive & will give you all the feels.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
July 12, 2021
I loved this from pretty much the beginning- there's that special quality about it that you just know you are in for a treat. Anna is a carer and goes to a new client- ninety four years young Grace- who has that gift of seeing people and knowing what is behind their eyes. Very quickly the two become friends and Anna treasures Grace’s wisdom of experience whilst Grace treasures Anna’s friendship and extra special help. Grace was stood up at the altar more than seventy years ago and Anna has had her own heartache being recently divorced after her husband cheated on her. The two bond through talking about their own experiences and then rather a surprise or two for both of them. I can’t say how much I loved this. It reminded me of a very treasured friendship of my own. A book that wrapped itself around me like a hug in a blanket, just when I needed re-assuring of the goodness of (wo)mankind. If you want a book to think about and one that is uplifting then this could be it. There is a wiseness in life experience whatever others may think and often one to be treasured. About 10% of the books I read per year ( around 230 total)I give 5** to- those that have that something special, that life affirming quality and this is most certainly one of them. Brilliantly written- I'd love to see this as a film, but make sure I have the kleenex and that's without any sad bits- it's just one for me that stirred the emotions in a very good way. We could all do with someone in our lives like this- someone to Grace us with their experience. Stunning
August 23, 2021
Anna is divorcing her husband.
Dear Grace was a total treat of a read, being charming, uplifting and engaging. I felt as if I’d been given time out from a stressful world to discover three wonderful people whom I thoroughly enjoyed meeting.
The plot in Dear Grace is relatively gentle with few great dramas and this is its absolute success. Clare Swatman lays out exactly the kind of life and experience anyone can relate to so that Dear Grace feels authentic, realistic and all the more engaging as a result. I felt very much as if I’d been given a snapshot of real lives that began before I met the characters and would continue after I closed the pages.
The fact that Dear Grace revolves (with a couple of more minor characters like Julia) mostly around Anna, Grace and Tom gives it a beautiful intimacy. I loved all three characters and, rather like Grace, wanted more to develop between Anna and Tom because Clare Swatman made me care about them as real people. Their suspicions about one another, their misunderstandings and their developing acceptance of each other gave Anna and Tom a vivacity I loved. But for me, it was Grace who stole the show. At 95 her resilience and feistiness illustrate that old age does not have to mean life is over. Through her friendship with Anna and the outings they go on Clare Swatman shows us just how much there is to enjoy at so many levels in life. Grace also exemplifies how our past might shape us but that it doesn’t have to control us so that I felt Dear Grace was a positive and enlightening narrative.
The themes are gorgeous. There’s love, including romantic love, but also enduring, unrequited, familial, and platonic, making for a really satisfying read. Add in the concepts of memory, identity, mental health, care for the elderly and personal response to adversity and the challenges we are presented with in life, and Dear Grace has depth and interest that I wasn’t initially expecting. The exploration of friendship across generations is so important and I feel Dear Grace could be the panacea the world needs.
With Clare Swatman’s smooth authorial style and naturalistic dialogue I was captivated throughout, but I especially enjoyed the Lowestoft setting as it is brilliantly depicted. I could picture it perfectly in my mind’s eye so that reading Dear Grace was akin to taking a small holiday too – with sun, rain and wind so common in the UK!
Readers wanting high drama, visceral crime and psychological twists should look elsewhere than Dear Grace, but those looking for a book that feels right; warm, caring and able to ameliorate the woes of the world, will love it. Although there is sadness and regret as well as happiness and joy in Dear Grace, I loved it because it made me feel happy and as if the world is a better place. I really recommend it.
Dear Grace was a total treat of a read, being charming, uplifting and engaging. I felt as if I’d been given time out from a stressful world to discover three wonderful people whom I thoroughly enjoyed meeting.
The plot in Dear Grace is relatively gentle with few great dramas and this is its absolute success. Clare Swatman lays out exactly the kind of life and experience anyone can relate to so that Dear Grace feels authentic, realistic and all the more engaging as a result. I felt very much as if I’d been given a snapshot of real lives that began before I met the characters and would continue after I closed the pages.
The fact that Dear Grace revolves (with a couple of more minor characters like Julia) mostly around Anna, Grace and Tom gives it a beautiful intimacy. I loved all three characters and, rather like Grace, wanted more to develop between Anna and Tom because Clare Swatman made me care about them as real people. Their suspicions about one another, their misunderstandings and their developing acceptance of each other gave Anna and Tom a vivacity I loved. But for me, it was Grace who stole the show. At 95 her resilience and feistiness illustrate that old age does not have to mean life is over. Through her friendship with Anna and the outings they go on Clare Swatman shows us just how much there is to enjoy at so many levels in life. Grace also exemplifies how our past might shape us but that it doesn’t have to control us so that I felt Dear Grace was a positive and enlightening narrative.
The themes are gorgeous. There’s love, including romantic love, but also enduring, unrequited, familial, and platonic, making for a really satisfying read. Add in the concepts of memory, identity, mental health, care for the elderly and personal response to adversity and the challenges we are presented with in life, and Dear Grace has depth and interest that I wasn’t initially expecting. The exploration of friendship across generations is so important and I feel Dear Grace could be the panacea the world needs.
With Clare Swatman’s smooth authorial style and naturalistic dialogue I was captivated throughout, but I especially enjoyed the Lowestoft setting as it is brilliantly depicted. I could picture it perfectly in my mind’s eye so that reading Dear Grace was akin to taking a small holiday too – with sun, rain and wind so common in the UK!
Readers wanting high drama, visceral crime and psychological twists should look elsewhere than Dear Grace, but those looking for a book that feels right; warm, caring and able to ameliorate the woes of the world, will love it. Although there is sadness and regret as well as happiness and joy in Dear Grace, I loved it because it made me feel happy and as if the world is a better place. I really recommend it.
September 15, 2021
Anna is about to meet a new client. She is a carer, visiting people’s houses to help with domestic tasks. She travels by motorbike, as her car was a casualty of her recent separation. Grace turns out to be a very special elderly lady with a mind of her own. As they get to know each other it is obvious that this will be a special relationship, with the rather lonely Anna befriending Grace as she struggles to come to terms with the death of her beloved Roy. She has memories of her first love, Arthur, and the way that the relationship ended which still upsets her. Her great nephew Tom is her favourite, helping her with the garden, but he seems less than pleased to see Anna.
There are so many questions in this book, so many very human situations to be experienced in this well written novel. Anna and Grace are wonderful creations, vivid characters in their own right. The ninety-four year old Grace is inspired to remember her youth, her eagerness to work as a journalist in a job usually the preserve of men, the experience of War. This is written in a vibrant style as Anna becomes involved in Grace’s life. She has a few good friends, but her husband’s infidelity and other difficulties in her marriage have left her with many doubts. This book is full of the problems of the past and the discontent of the present, but Grace’s irrepressible spirit and humour shines through the narrative. The setting, of the unusual landscapes of Lowestoft, is a worthy basis for this story of people and place. I enjoyed this book and was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this novel.
At first Anna is nervous of Grace, unsure what she is being employed to do by this independent minded woman. Grace soon enquires whether she has “a young man”, saying “A lovely young girl like you ought to have someone to love her.” Anna protests that she is forty next year and therefore no longer young, but Grace scorns such a belief. Indeed, she soon introduces the topic of Tom, who helps her with her garden and much else, as well as teaching children to swim and running his own business. It is obvious that he is Grace’s favourite relative, the only one who visits her regularly. Anna is interested to hear about this helpful man, but her first impression of him is anything but favourable. Indeed, he seems to actively resent her, and it is only their mutual care for Grace that keeps them in the same space. As Grace demands that Anna take her out in the local area, they revisit places that are important to both of them, albeit decades apart. Anna was close to her grandparents, is sad about her marriage, and relies on her few close friends. Like Grace, she has important memories of the area, and that is an important element of the book.
This is a very enjoyable book which has a lot to say about the nature of old age, the power of the past and the strength of female friendships. The style of the writing is positive and thoughtful, and there is real depth in the characters that Swatman has chosen. The developing relationships in the book are realistic, and certainly not without challenges. This is a most enjoyable book and I recommend it as a rewarding read.
There are so many questions in this book, so many very human situations to be experienced in this well written novel. Anna and Grace are wonderful creations, vivid characters in their own right. The ninety-four year old Grace is inspired to remember her youth, her eagerness to work as a journalist in a job usually the preserve of men, the experience of War. This is written in a vibrant style as Anna becomes involved in Grace’s life. She has a few good friends, but her husband’s infidelity and other difficulties in her marriage have left her with many doubts. This book is full of the problems of the past and the discontent of the present, but Grace’s irrepressible spirit and humour shines through the narrative. The setting, of the unusual landscapes of Lowestoft, is a worthy basis for this story of people and place. I enjoyed this book and was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this novel.
At first Anna is nervous of Grace, unsure what she is being employed to do by this independent minded woman. Grace soon enquires whether she has “a young man”, saying “A lovely young girl like you ought to have someone to love her.” Anna protests that she is forty next year and therefore no longer young, but Grace scorns such a belief. Indeed, she soon introduces the topic of Tom, who helps her with her garden and much else, as well as teaching children to swim and running his own business. It is obvious that he is Grace’s favourite relative, the only one who visits her regularly. Anna is interested to hear about this helpful man, but her first impression of him is anything but favourable. Indeed, he seems to actively resent her, and it is only their mutual care for Grace that keeps them in the same space. As Grace demands that Anna take her out in the local area, they revisit places that are important to both of them, albeit decades apart. Anna was close to her grandparents, is sad about her marriage, and relies on her few close friends. Like Grace, she has important memories of the area, and that is an important element of the book.
This is a very enjoyable book which has a lot to say about the nature of old age, the power of the past and the strength of female friendships. The style of the writing is positive and thoughtful, and there is real depth in the characters that Swatman has chosen. The developing relationships in the book are realistic, and certainly not without challenges. This is a most enjoyable book and I recommend it as a rewarding read.
August 25, 2021
Having really enjoyed Clare Swatman's previous two novels, I was really looking forward to reading Dear Grace. This author has such a knack for creating realistic characters who the reader can really relate to, and she has done it again in this endearing and uplifting story of friendship and discovery.
Anna is in her forties and going through a divorce. She's living in a bland flat with no soul as she waits for the marital home to be sold. She no longer has a car and travels to work as a carer on a motorcycle. It's fair to say that she's fed up and doubting herself. She thinks longingly of the home that she created with her ex, the house that she loved so much. She remembers the pain she felt when she found out that her husband was cheating on her. She feels washed up and fears that she will never be happy again.
Grace is Anna's newest client. Ninety-four years old and recently widowed, she's as independent as she can be, but welcomes Anna's visits, even though she's really not in need of a great deal of care.
Anna and Grace click immediately. Despite the vast age-gap, Grace seems to know just exactly what Anna is going through, she's perceptive, sometimes blunt, but always right. Grace feels that her age allows her a touch of honesty that Anna may not get from those who know her well.
Having lived for over ninety years, Grace has many stories of her own, and as she slowly reveals her past to Anna, their bond becomes tighter.
The only fly in the ointment is Tom; Grace's great-nephew. Tom is very protective of his Aunt and has suspicions about Anna's motives, whilst Grace would like nothing more than for Tom and Anna to get closer, and Anna is really not interested at all.
I honestly don't think there is anything more valuable than a strong female friendship and Dear Grace shows how two people from different eras, with different backgrounds can form a bond that becomes unbreakable. This story is an utter delight, and whilst there are sadnesses and heartbreak at times, there is also so much joy and understanding of the human nature.
Perceptive, moving and a delight to read. Once more Clare Swatman proves that she can create characters to love and a story to get lost in.
Anna is in her forties and going through a divorce. She's living in a bland flat with no soul as she waits for the marital home to be sold. She no longer has a car and travels to work as a carer on a motorcycle. It's fair to say that she's fed up and doubting herself. She thinks longingly of the home that she created with her ex, the house that she loved so much. She remembers the pain she felt when she found out that her husband was cheating on her. She feels washed up and fears that she will never be happy again.
Grace is Anna's newest client. Ninety-four years old and recently widowed, she's as independent as she can be, but welcomes Anna's visits, even though she's really not in need of a great deal of care.
Anna and Grace click immediately. Despite the vast age-gap, Grace seems to know just exactly what Anna is going through, she's perceptive, sometimes blunt, but always right. Grace feels that her age allows her a touch of honesty that Anna may not get from those who know her well.
Having lived for over ninety years, Grace has many stories of her own, and as she slowly reveals her past to Anna, their bond becomes tighter.
The only fly in the ointment is Tom; Grace's great-nephew. Tom is very protective of his Aunt and has suspicions about Anna's motives, whilst Grace would like nothing more than for Tom and Anna to get closer, and Anna is really not interested at all.
I honestly don't think there is anything more valuable than a strong female friendship and Dear Grace shows how two people from different eras, with different backgrounds can form a bond that becomes unbreakable. This story is an utter delight, and whilst there are sadnesses and heartbreak at times, there is also so much joy and understanding of the human nature.
Perceptive, moving and a delight to read. Once more Clare Swatman proves that she can create characters to love and a story to get lost in.
March 1, 2022
Heartwarming, addictive and life-affirming, readers cannot help but be charmed and moved by Claire Swatman’s Dear Grace.
The bottom falls out of Anna’s world when she discovers that her husband has cheated on her. As her entire life comes crashing down around her ears, Anna doesn’t know whether she will ever be happy again. With all her hopes and dreams for the future smashed into a million pieces, Anna finds herself having to pick up the pieces of her broken life. But little does she realise that help is on its way and it’s going to come from a most unexpected quarter: 94 year old Grace…
There might be a fifty year age gap between the two women, but Anna and Grace immediately connect. As the women bond and begin to confide in one another, they quickly realise that unshackling themselves from the past and forging forward into the future is possible, but only if they stop running from heart-wrenching memories and confront their demons head on. As they set out on a life-changing journey across the country, the two women find themselves tested like never before. But what is even more surprising is that they might just find the answers and the future they had long given up on!
Dear Grace is a wonderful story full of hope and heart that beautifully explores the importance of female friendships, the ties that bind us together, healing from old wounds and learning to forgive which is guaranteed to have readers laughing and crying in equal measure. Clare Swatman writes with candour, sensitivity and great humour and her emotionally satisfying page-turner Dear Grace is one that will keep readers engrossed and entertained from beginning to end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The bottom falls out of Anna’s world when she discovers that her husband has cheated on her. As her entire life comes crashing down around her ears, Anna doesn’t know whether she will ever be happy again. With all her hopes and dreams for the future smashed into a million pieces, Anna finds herself having to pick up the pieces of her broken life. But little does she realise that help is on its way and it’s going to come from a most unexpected quarter: 94 year old Grace…
There might be a fifty year age gap between the two women, but Anna and Grace immediately connect. As the women bond and begin to confide in one another, they quickly realise that unshackling themselves from the past and forging forward into the future is possible, but only if they stop running from heart-wrenching memories and confront their demons head on. As they set out on a life-changing journey across the country, the two women find themselves tested like never before. But what is even more surprising is that they might just find the answers and the future they had long given up on!
Dear Grace is a wonderful story full of hope and heart that beautifully explores the importance of female friendships, the ties that bind us together, healing from old wounds and learning to forgive which is guaranteed to have readers laughing and crying in equal measure. Clare Swatman writes with candour, sensitivity and great humour and her emotionally satisfying page-turner Dear Grace is one that will keep readers engrossed and entertained from beginning to end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 19, 2021
Sometimes friendship can turn up in the unlikeliest of places.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
As soon as Anna meets Grace, she knows there’s something special about her. Despite the age gap – Grace is 94 and Anna is 39 – the two connect and friendship blossoms. Bit by bit the lives of these two lonely women are brightened by each other’s company and neither can imagine their lives without the other in it. Unfortunately, not everyone is as pleased about it as they are. Grace’s great-nephew Tom, for one. Not only does he suspect Anna’s motives, he also does not like the effect she’s having on Aunty Grace. Grace’s new found independence is dragging up old memories that seem to be unsettling her. Memories about the man who left her at the altar long before she married her beloved Roy. Anna embarks on a project to help Grace gain closure which does not go down well with Tom. And Grace has her own project. All she has to do is get Anna and Tom to like each other and the rest should be easy.
There were no great surprises in this book but that didn’t matter. I still couldn’t wait to return to it every time I put it down. A charming and heart-warming story and a perfect holiday read. Funny, touching and uplifting. Grace is a lovely, sweet character. One I could easily fall in love with.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 19, 2021
A heartwarming ‘slice of life’ story where age has no boundaries. It’s about the friendship between two women - Grace, a 94 year old widow, and Anna, a 39 year old carer. They go on quite a life changing journey together and learn lessons along the way. There is also a smattering of romance in the form of Tom, Grace’s great-nephew.
This story is beautifully written with some realistic, believable and likeable characters. I found it quite a slow burner initially, but soon found myself becoming invested in the lives of Grace, Anna and Tom. I did think it was a little padded out at times, but even so I was eager to pick the book up and read on. It’s not all sweetness and light - there are some sad and poignant moments. It’s a moving, uplifting and inspiring tale which touches on the importance of friendship and the art of forgiveness. Life sometimes throws us lemons but we must put our best foot forward and realise that it’s never too late to start again. I enjoyed it.
This story is beautifully written with some realistic, believable and likeable characters. I found it quite a slow burner initially, but soon found myself becoming invested in the lives of Grace, Anna and Tom. I did think it was a little padded out at times, but even so I was eager to pick the book up and read on. It’s not all sweetness and light - there are some sad and poignant moments. It’s a moving, uplifting and inspiring tale which touches on the importance of friendship and the art of forgiveness. Life sometimes throws us lemons but we must put our best foot forward and realise that it’s never too late to start again. I enjoyed it.
August 12, 2021
I really fell in love with this book, it really warmed my heart seeing the relationship grow between Anna and Grace. Anna is a carer and her new patient is Grace, Anna is a people's person and cannot wait to meet Grace, even though they have a very big age gap that is not a problem for them as they become firm friends. It was lovely to see as they both can help each other out. When Anna suggests they start going out, Grace cannot wait this is all she has been wanting to do for ages. The only problem is Grace's nephew who is not happy about it all. He only wants what is best for his Aunt but he thinks Anna is after a lot more than she is willing to say. I found it such a lovely heart warming story that will leave you with tears in your eyes. I felt as though I knew the characters and cared about them too.
June 20, 2023
Age means nothing
The whole story told how friendship can happen when you are least expecting it. Please doesn't matter what your age and background are friendship can happen between the most different types of people. Friends can be made anytime and anyplace. The old saying a friend is just someone you haven't met yet is very true. A smile is all that is needed to open up to a stranger. This story reminds you of this. The different characters portrayed give such a wonderful insight into how easily it is to find friendship when least expecting it. Everyone has a story and this writer really covered all aspects of their story. A really engrossing novel which I would recommend to everyone.
The whole story told how friendship can happen when you are least expecting it. Please doesn't matter what your age and background are friendship can happen between the most different types of people. Friends can be made anytime and anyplace. The old saying a friend is just someone you haven't met yet is very true. A smile is all that is needed to open up to a stranger. This story reminds you of this. The different characters portrayed give such a wonderful insight into how easily it is to find friendship when least expecting it. Everyone has a story and this writer really covered all aspects of their story. A really engrossing novel which I would recommend to everyone.
February 11, 2024
Good book
This was a sweet story of friendship, lost love and finding new love. Anna, a carer for ninety-five year old Grace, form a unique bond. Anna' s 12 year marriage is over and she is definitely not looking for love. Grace's great-nephew, Tom is very suspicious of Anna's relationship with Grace. Anna has stirred feelings from the past in Grace about lost love. As their friendship grows, Grace begins to wonder what her life would been like if she had married her first love, Arthur. These two friends begin a journey to get answers from the past and to help Anna get on with her future. Sweet story!
This was a sweet story of friendship, lost love and finding new love. Anna, a carer for ninety-five year old Grace, form a unique bond. Anna' s 12 year marriage is over and she is definitely not looking for love. Grace's great-nephew, Tom is very suspicious of Anna's relationship with Grace. Anna has stirred feelings from the past in Grace about lost love. As their friendship grows, Grace begins to wonder what her life would been like if she had married her first love, Arthur. These two friends begin a journey to get answers from the past and to help Anna get on with her future. Sweet story!
August 1, 2021
This is a charming tale of two ladies, one 39 and the other 94, who very quickly realise that they have a connection and become firm friends. The older one, Grace, starts to tell her life story to Anna and in response Anna makes it her mission to try to find the answer to why Grace had been left at the altar 7 decades earlier. Also in the mix is Tom, Grace’s nephew, who suspects Anna of befriending Grace for nefarious purposes. There are no great surprises in this book, but it is well written and I did find it interesting and it kept me wanting to know more.
August 6, 2021
This was a touching book about friendship and moving on after heartache. Grace and her carer Anna discover a mutual bond and develop an unlikely friendship in spite of their age gap. Grace makes it her mission to help Anna find happiness, while Anna helps Grace get answers to a mystery from long ago. I liked the characters and the developing friendships. Although I could see where it was going, I still enjoyed the story and looked forward to picking it up after a break.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2023
such a brilliant story and lovely bond between women
Grace and Anna had developed an immediate mutual bond and had felt from their first meeting they were going to become great friends. While the years vetweeen then was more than 50 Anna began as 95 to Graces career and become closest confidants and spent so much time together. The older eiman imbued her lifelong wisdom and told her of regrets and helped heal Anna’s heart from her divorce. When grace and Anna start secretly making profound gestures in the others interests thr story becomes endearingly lovely.
Grace and Anna had developed an immediate mutual bond and had felt from their first meeting they were going to become great friends. While the years vetweeen then was more than 50 Anna began as 95 to Graces career and become closest confidants and spent so much time together. The older eiman imbued her lifelong wisdom and told her of regrets and helped heal Anna’s heart from her divorce. When grace and Anna start secretly making profound gestures in the others interests thr story becomes endearingly lovely.
July 18, 2021
This book is a real find. A heartwarming and beautiful tale of an unexpected friendship between 94 year old Grace and get new carer Anna who is struggling to adapt after her recent divorce. As Grace starts to open up about her life and experience their friendship develops into something special much to the concern of Graces nephew Tom who seems to hate Anna. This story with really touch you and I loved it and was really sad when it ended
August 13, 2021
This was a joy and true delight to read, a warm and sweet story about two women, both considering themselves 'old' (one is middle-aged, the other one is 94), who form a strong and beautiful friendship, helping each other 'come back to life' in their own special way. I smiled, I cried, I got to love the characters, and I definitely look forward to reading more from this author, if her other stories are anything like this.
August 21, 2023
I’ll be honest, I don’t often read books without at least one murder in them, but after meeting Clare at a recent literary festival and chatting about her book I couldn’t resist it. What can I say? Each chapter was like having a warm hug and I found myself looking forward to reading more each night. I loved the focus on the unlikely friendship, and I might just have had a lump in my throat at the end. I would definitely recommend.
September 26, 2021
Book tebiew
This book started out so good and then took a nose dive. there was so much feeling and depth in reading Grace's story and how she and Anna filled voids in each others lives. Then it got to be a long drawn out predictable drama. The ending was not complete. No idea what became of Arthur. I was very disappointed in this book.
This book started out so good and then took a nose dive. there was so much feeling and depth in reading Grace's story and how she and Anna filled voids in each others lives. Then it got to be a long drawn out predictable drama. The ending was not complete. No idea what became of Arthur. I was very disappointed in this book.
June 1, 2022
loved this book
Lots of memories brought back by reading this book. Brought up in Kessingland just down the road from the books setting and spent much of my time in Lowestoft. My grandparents would regularly visit Sparrows nest with a flask of tea and sit on a bench to enjoy the view. Loved the characters and the story line
Lots of memories brought back by reading this book. Brought up in Kessingland just down the road from the books setting and spent much of my time in Lowestoft. My grandparents would regularly visit Sparrows nest with a flask of tea and sit on a bench to enjoy the view. Loved the characters and the story line
April 20, 2024
This was an incredible journey!
When I first started reading this I was (spoiler alert) anticipating the start of the cruise. However, this was about friendships in the unlikeliest places. Of hurt, healing and to put away walls. There was a bit of too many filler descriptions, a lot. But I felt like she was my friend and cried and laughed. A good read!
When I first started reading this I was (spoiler alert) anticipating the start of the cruise. However, this was about friendships in the unlikeliest places. Of hurt, healing and to put away walls. There was a bit of too many filler descriptions, a lot. But I felt like she was my friend and cried and laughed. A good read!
July 28, 2021
This book is definitely a 5+ in my eyes. Love the story of how the cater and the elderly lady form a relationship. This book is not only uplifting but makes you think about what is inside a person. Brilliantly written. Stunning we all need a Grace in our life’s.
August 8, 2021
A beautiful story of female friendships that transcends ages.
Perfectly plotted and will definitely appeal to anyone who has read the flat share or Switched.
Excellent characters and a plot line that had me in tears of mirth and disbelief at times
An excellent read
Perfectly plotted and will definitely appeal to anyone who has read the flat share or Switched.
Excellent characters and a plot line that had me in tears of mirth and disbelief at times
An excellent read
September 3, 2021
Just what I needed
Delightful characters and storyline. So glad I stumbled onto this author and book. I felt as though I’d known the characters for a longer period of time than the time it took to read it.
Delightful characters and storyline. So glad I stumbled onto this author and book. I felt as though I’d known the characters for a longer period of time than the time it took to read it.
September 10, 2021
Dear Grace: The Tale of Two Friends Separated by Age
“Dear Grace” is a delightful story of love and longing, filled with misunderstandings, suspicions, and hidden truths; but ultimately a story of friendships that cross the barriers of age and suspicion.
“Dear Grace” is a delightful story of love and longing, filled with misunderstandings, suspicions, and hidden truths; but ultimately a story of friendships that cross the barriers of age and suspicion.
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