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Finding Grace
Charles Booker is thrilled to start married life in Two Harbors, Minnesota, with his ambitious ornithologist bride, Caroline—but he sabotages his own happiness when, blinded by his desire for a family, he tricks Caroline into a pregnancy she doesn’t want.
Caroline, bold and unapologetic, follows her own nature and holds Charles to his promise to parent their daughter without her help—an arrangement that allows her to travel the world and follow her birds, wherever they may take her. This uneasy truce results in near tragedy for their daughter, Grace, who comes of age in a household full of toxic resentment on the one side and suffocating love on the other, and increasingly struggles with her mental health as she grows older.
Told by all three of the characters involved and set against the backdrop of Lake Superior, Finding Grace is a piercing chronicle of the struggles and eventual insight gained by each over the years, starting with Charles and Caroline’s courtship and continuing into Grace’s early adulthood—and a poignant coming-of-age journey for both Grace and her parents.
Caroline, bold and unapologetic, follows her own nature and holds Charles to his promise to parent their daughter without her help—an arrangement that allows her to travel the world and follow her birds, wherever they may take her. This uneasy truce results in near tragedy for their daughter, Grace, who comes of age in a household full of toxic resentment on the one side and suffocating love on the other, and increasingly struggles with her mental health as she grows older.
Told by all three of the characters involved and set against the backdrop of Lake Superior, Finding Grace is a piercing chronicle of the struggles and eventual insight gained by each over the years, starting with Charles and Caroline’s courtship and continuing into Grace’s early adulthood—and a poignant coming-of-age journey for both Grace and her parents.
- GenresFictionContemporary
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2022
54 people are currently reading
2482 people want to read
About the author
Maren Cooper
3 books99 followersMaren Cooper grew up in the Midwest and now resides in Minnesota. She currently serves as a volunteer for various nonprofits and retreats frequently to the shore of Lake Superior, where she loves to hike and watch the deer devour her hosta. Her debut novel, A Better Next, was published in May of 2019 by She Writes Press. Her second novel, Finding Grace will be published July of 2022. Visit her at www.marencooper.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 15, 2022
This made me feel the same way a Kristin Hannah or Diane Chamberlin book makes me feel. I was so glad it touched on so many different intricacies of parenthood that feel too taboo to discuss openly. I LOVED that the end of the book addressed all of our lingering questions, although I think it was missing Caroline’s perspective. The book really painted her in a bad light and although her neglect was heartbreaking, she was always straightforward and honest about the life she hoped to live. I wanted her character to be less dark and more misunderstood.
Things I loved:
•Charlie
•the complexities of mental illness
•Charlie & Lori
•small town feel
•the timeline of Grace growing up
Thank you to Book Sparks + Maren Cooper + SheWritesPress for sending me this copy of Finding Grace
Things I loved:
•Charlie
•the complexities of mental illness
•Charlie & Lori
•small town feel
•the timeline of Grace growing up
Thank you to Book Sparks + Maren Cooper + SheWritesPress for sending me this copy of Finding Grace
July 7, 2022
4.5 🌟
Thank you for @booksparks and @shewritespress for an invitation to this #summerpopup Tour for 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞.
When Charles Booker meets and falls in love with Caroline, a brilliant ornithologist, he feels like the luckiest man in the world. After convincing Caroline that marriage won't stop her from pursuing her career in any way, the two marry. But soon, Charles is shocked to learn Caroline never intends to have children; her career will always come first.
When Caroline finds herself pregnant, Charles promises he will do the primary parenting so that Caroline can continue to focus on work and travel as she desires.
Set near the shores of Lake Superior, this is a complex and emotional family drama. At first, it seems like Caroline is just a career-driven woman. But when Grace is born, it is apparent that something is at play here; she is completely detached. Charlie is an incredibly supportive dad, but I felt he was blind to the effects of Caroline's actions. As Grace grows, we see her struggles with abandonment issues, as well as mental health issues.
I appreciated hearing from all three family members' POVs. The author does a beautiful yet gentle job of showing the thoughts of these characters. It was hard to like some of them and their decisions, but I think that makes this so thought-provoking.
Thank you for @booksparks and @shewritespress for an invitation to this #summerpopup Tour for 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞.
When Charles Booker meets and falls in love with Caroline, a brilliant ornithologist, he feels like the luckiest man in the world. After convincing Caroline that marriage won't stop her from pursuing her career in any way, the two marry. But soon, Charles is shocked to learn Caroline never intends to have children; her career will always come first.
When Caroline finds herself pregnant, Charles promises he will do the primary parenting so that Caroline can continue to focus on work and travel as she desires.
Set near the shores of Lake Superior, this is a complex and emotional family drama. At first, it seems like Caroline is just a career-driven woman. But when Grace is born, it is apparent that something is at play here; she is completely detached. Charlie is an incredibly supportive dad, but I felt he was blind to the effects of Caroline's actions. As Grace grows, we see her struggles with abandonment issues, as well as mental health issues.
I appreciated hearing from all three family members' POVs. The author does a beautiful yet gentle job of showing the thoughts of these characters. It was hard to like some of them and their decisions, but I think that makes this so thought-provoking.
April 6, 2022
What a thoroughly enjoyable story about a complicated family struggling to survive. Charlie and Caroline start out in what looks like a good marriage, but it soon it becomes clear they were not meant to be a family. Their daughter, Grace grows strong but is haunted and exhibits some mental illness. All is not lost though because Charlie is the guiding force in this story and in his family. I very much enjoyed this book and thought about it when I wasn’t reading it which is always the sign of a good book.
July 17, 2023
I would absolutely recommend this as a book club read because I think the discussions about each character and their choices would be VERY interesting.
This book is told in three points of view.
Caroline- a college professor who just wants to travel the world studying birds.
Charlie- a high school teacher who has complete responsibility for his daughter, Grace.
Grace- daughter of Caroline and Charlie who has an indifferent mother and a father doing his best.
Caroline never makes it a secret that she doesn’t want kids and wants to travel the world. Charlie tricks Caroline by switching her birth control pills and she gets pregnant. In order to get Caroline to keep the baby, Charlie agrees to take total responsibility for baby Grace.
As Caroline is busy living her life, Grace as a teenager goes down the road of mental illness which includes her disappearing.
This book has a lot of heart and stirred up a lot of emotion in me as a mom. This is a book that not only kept me with an internal dialogue but also was one I really wanted to discuss with others.
This is a coming of age story for Grace while at the same time a family drama and love story.
This book is told in three points of view.
Caroline- a college professor who just wants to travel the world studying birds.
Charlie- a high school teacher who has complete responsibility for his daughter, Grace.
Grace- daughter of Caroline and Charlie who has an indifferent mother and a father doing his best.
Caroline never makes it a secret that she doesn’t want kids and wants to travel the world. Charlie tricks Caroline by switching her birth control pills and she gets pregnant. In order to get Caroline to keep the baby, Charlie agrees to take total responsibility for baby Grace.
As Caroline is busy living her life, Grace as a teenager goes down the road of mental illness which includes her disappearing.
This book has a lot of heart and stirred up a lot of emotion in me as a mom. This is a book that not only kept me with an internal dialogue but also was one I really wanted to discuss with others.
This is a coming of age story for Grace while at the same time a family drama and love story.
March 17, 2024
This was a lovely story about a family surviving a difficult situation, depending on one another, and finally--after much angst and heartache--moving forward.
I totally connected with Grace and Charlie and even Laurie. Caroline, on the other hand, seemed very 2 dimensional to me...almost a villain twirling a mustache. It's hard to believe anyone could be that cold and selfish, but I am sure it is possible.
Overall, a very satisfying read that deals with many difficult topics. I'll definitely look for the next book by this author.
Highly recommend.
I totally connected with Grace and Charlie and even Laurie. Caroline, on the other hand, seemed very 2 dimensional to me...almost a villain twirling a mustache. It's hard to believe anyone could be that cold and selfish, but I am sure it is possible.
Overall, a very satisfying read that deals with many difficult topics. I'll definitely look for the next book by this author.
Highly recommend.
April 15, 2022
A heartbreaking story that rings true, it explores the premise of a baby brought into the world by an unwilling mother and the effect of the mother's indifference on the girl as she becomes a young adult. It's mostly the father's story, as he tries valiantly to save his daughter when she succumbs to mental illness. The reader experiences his agony, and we stay with him as his love for her and need for vital emotional connections in his life almost drive him to despair. In the end, it's a hopeful read.
July 18, 2022
Finding Grace is a heartbreaking and beautiful story about a father’s love for his daughter and the sacrifices he made to raise his daughter with his narcissistic wife. When Charlie married his wife, Caroline, he thought he finally had everything he ever desired and then next logical step was to have a baby and a family he never had. Caroline is a wanderer and had no desire to have a child so when she found herself pregnant, naturally she endured and secured her end goal. Charlie would be the primary parent leaving Caroline to follow the birds quite literally. As their daughter, Grace, grew Charlie noticed that Caroline went out of her way to avoid their daughter but the finally breaking point came when Grace became sick and left their lives completely. What ensured afterwards caused heartache for Charlie and Grace and only an act of new hope could bring their fractured lives back together again.
It’s hard not to feel heart broken for Charlie and Grace and the struggles they went through. And in a way you can feel something for Caroline but it’s hard especially when I’m a mother myself. I did really like that the primary voice of this story was Charlie’s and that we also got Grace and Caroline’s voices as well. This is a masterful piece of literary fiction surrounding the struggles of one parent, the distain of another, and the mental health struggles of their daughter.
Thank you @BookSparks + @MarenWrites + @SheWritesPress for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
It’s hard not to feel heart broken for Charlie and Grace and the struggles they went through. And in a way you can feel something for Caroline but it’s hard especially when I’m a mother myself. I did really like that the primary voice of this story was Charlie’s and that we also got Grace and Caroline’s voices as well. This is a masterful piece of literary fiction surrounding the struggles of one parent, the distain of another, and the mental health struggles of their daughter.
Thank you @BookSparks + @MarenWrites + @SheWritesPress for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
March 17, 2022
A truly engaging story, filled with well-developed characters, is what you will find when you read Finding Grace. Though they are not all likable, the reader will not stop until the end just to know what happens with each of them. Beginning with the unlikely marriage of Caroline and Charles, the author takes us on their journey from Nebraska to Minnesota, in search of the best in bird-watching. Caroline's travels do not stop there as she becomes a world-famous ornithologist who stops at nothing to pursue birds and professional acclaim all over the world--including the arrival of their daughter, Grace. Caroline's detachment from her baby borders on the pathological, with Charles stepping in to fill in the enormous gaps in parenting that she leaves. While Caroline's obsession is almost beyond belief, the author seamlessly brings the reader to an understanding of her. As Grace grows up, the story takes new direction in her tortured path to maturity. The reader follows her journey and is not disappointed in its direction. A really satisfying story for this reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 28, 2022
Potent and Moving
Finding Grace by Karen Cooper is an irresistible story about a dysfunctional family. Cooper captures the emotional intensity needed to convey to the reader the dynamics of their drama throughout this soul-stirring tale.
Finding Grace by Karen Cooper is an irresistible story about a dysfunctional family. Cooper captures the emotional intensity needed to convey to the reader the dynamics of their drama throughout this soul-stirring tale.
September 25, 2022
At turns heart-wrenching and hopeful, this book addresses complicated psychosocial issues with compassion and care. The plot is engaging, the characters are well-drawn, and the story evoked strong emotions. Highly recommended.
July 9, 2022
Finding Grace tells the story of a family created out of betrayal and damaged by neglect. Charlie wants a family so badly he tricks his wife, Caroline, into getting pregnant. Caroline is a selfish, narcissistic woman who only wants what she wants and that does not include a baby. Grace is the child who suffers deeply from the neglect from her mother and her father’s inability to protect her and at times perceived enabling of the neglectful behavior.
These characters will infuriate you, break your heart, twist your gut into pieces, and have you on the edge of your seat. Caroline was despicable and you can’t help but despise her from the start (which is what was needed in order for the storyline to be as successful as it was). Charlie is a rollercoaster ride of a character. You love him and hate him and want to shake him. Grace left me so heart broken and gutted. As a mother myself, it was the hardest to read Grace’s storyline and not tear up or want to protect her.
Finding Grace is so well written and the story extremely well developed. I often forgot these were just characters in a book and not people in the real world. While the storyline will break your heart and make you angry, you can’t stop reading to see where it all ends up. I cringed, I cried, I yelled at these characters, but wanted to hug most of them in the end.
If you want a book that will stir your emotions, Finding Grace is absolutely going to do that. Clear your schedule because you will not want to put this down.
These characters will infuriate you, break your heart, twist your gut into pieces, and have you on the edge of your seat. Caroline was despicable and you can’t help but despise her from the start (which is what was needed in order for the storyline to be as successful as it was). Charlie is a rollercoaster ride of a character. You love him and hate him and want to shake him. Grace left me so heart broken and gutted. As a mother myself, it was the hardest to read Grace’s storyline and not tear up or want to protect her.
Finding Grace is so well written and the story extremely well developed. I often forgot these were just characters in a book and not people in the real world. While the storyline will break your heart and make you angry, you can’t stop reading to see where it all ends up. I cringed, I cried, I yelled at these characters, but wanted to hug most of them in the end.
If you want a book that will stir your emotions, Finding Grace is absolutely going to do that. Clear your schedule because you will not want to put this down.
July 16, 2022
Charlie wants to start a family with his new wife, Caroline. Since she’s reluctant, he tricks her into a pregnancy she doesn’t want. Carline is strong willed and independent and holds Charlie to a promise that he will their daughter, Grace, without Caroline’s help while she travels the world for her career. Unfortunately, the one that suffers the most is Grace. And some pretty tragic things happen to the family.
I like stories about parenthood (I’m a parent myself) and I thought the dynamic was interesting here with father/husband doing most (basically all) of the parenting and housework. Not completely unheard of these days, but the situation here (the reason for it) was unique. It should be noted that a large percentage of women have been subjected to this, or something very similar, for eons.
Early on it seemed clear who the villain was – Charlie. Then it was Caroline. Caroline was pretty bad (not just at parenthood, for which she was terrible). But of course, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Caroline didn’t want to be a mother to begin with (and this alone does NOT make her a villain – kids aren’t for everyone). She was 100% tricked into it. Yes, she had a child, so she needed to step up and parent…. but she only had Grace because of what Charlie did. Was she a terrible parent? Definitely. But as good a father as Charlie was to Grace, what he did was totally wrong. So who is the villain of this story? Again, it’s complicated.
I liked the location of the story – Minnesota. They author did a good job of capturing the small town feel as well as the temperatures and the difficulties (and wonders) of living near Lake Superior.
Definitely an interesting read and an ending that surprised me.
Thank @BookSparks for the gifted copy!
I like stories about parenthood (I’m a parent myself) and I thought the dynamic was interesting here with father/husband doing most (basically all) of the parenting and housework. Not completely unheard of these days, but the situation here (the reason for it) was unique. It should be noted that a large percentage of women have been subjected to this, or something very similar, for eons.
Early on it seemed clear who the villain was – Charlie. Then it was Caroline. Caroline was pretty bad (not just at parenthood, for which she was terrible). But of course, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Caroline didn’t want to be a mother to begin with (and this alone does NOT make her a villain – kids aren’t for everyone). She was 100% tricked into it. Yes, she had a child, so she needed to step up and parent…. but she only had Grace because of what Charlie did. Was she a terrible parent? Definitely. But as good a father as Charlie was to Grace, what he did was totally wrong. So who is the villain of this story? Again, it’s complicated.
I liked the location of the story – Minnesota. They author did a good job of capturing the small town feel as well as the temperatures and the difficulties (and wonders) of living near Lake Superior.
Definitely an interesting read and an ending that surprised me.
Thank @BookSparks for the gifted copy!
July 19, 2022
Finding Grace
Author, Maren Cooper
Thank you @booksparks for the opportunity to participate in this Summer Pop Up and for my #gifted copy!
What an incredibly heart- wrenching debut novel written with insight, emotion, and intensity! A powerful and moving story of a dysfunctional family- a narcissistic mother, an enabling father, and a confused daughter caught in the middle of it all.
Caroline is a successful Ornithologist who leads a life of carefree adventure and travel, even marrying Charlie was not in her plans. So, when she becomes pregnant against her wishes, Charlie promises to raise their daughter unconventionally on his own accepting all parenting responsibilities. He believes, in his heart, that once Grace is born, Caroline will change her mind. However, he could not have been more wrong.
Told in alternating point of views between the three of them, Cooper writes an absorbing tale of their dysfunction and how it leads Grace to spiral into mental illness. A novel of the consequences of being raised by a narcissistic parent, the depths of a father's love, a daughter's journey into understanding, acceptance, and wellness, and of the powerful connections of a community.
Finding Grace is an emotional page- turner filled with love, hope, and second chances. I absolutely recommend. 4.5 stars!
Author, Maren Cooper
Thank you @booksparks for the opportunity to participate in this Summer Pop Up and for my #gifted copy!
What an incredibly heart- wrenching debut novel written with insight, emotion, and intensity! A powerful and moving story of a dysfunctional family- a narcissistic mother, an enabling father, and a confused daughter caught in the middle of it all.
Caroline is a successful Ornithologist who leads a life of carefree adventure and travel, even marrying Charlie was not in her plans. So, when she becomes pregnant against her wishes, Charlie promises to raise their daughter unconventionally on his own accepting all parenting responsibilities. He believes, in his heart, that once Grace is born, Caroline will change her mind. However, he could not have been more wrong.
Told in alternating point of views between the three of them, Cooper writes an absorbing tale of their dysfunction and how it leads Grace to spiral into mental illness. A novel of the consequences of being raised by a narcissistic parent, the depths of a father's love, a daughter's journey into understanding, acceptance, and wellness, and of the powerful connections of a community.
Finding Grace is an emotional page- turner filled with love, hope, and second chances. I absolutely recommend. 4.5 stars!
July 22, 2022
Book Review…Finding Grace by Maren Cooper
Charles Booker is thrilled to start married life with his ambitious ornithologist bride, Caroline but he sabotages his own happiness when, blinded by his desire for a family, he tricks Caroline into a pregnancy she doesn’t want. Caroline, bold and unapologetic, holds Charles to his promise to parent their daughter without her help. This uneasy truce results in near tragedy for their daughter, Grace, who is raised in a household full of toxic resentment on the one side and suffocating love on the other, and increasingly struggles with her mental health as she grows older.
A heartbreaking and engaging story about the love a father has for his child. It's hard not to feel for Charlie and Grace especially with everything they have been through and even though as a mother I can't ever imagine doing what Caroline did in some way you can't help but feel for her as well. The characters are wonderful. The love Charlie feels for his daughter is an emotion you feel throughout the whole book. The story is told from all of their points of view so you get a good understanding of the dysfunction between them and Grace's mental illness. It's a well written emotional tale that has a surprisingly perfect ending!
Charles Booker is thrilled to start married life with his ambitious ornithologist bride, Caroline but he sabotages his own happiness when, blinded by his desire for a family, he tricks Caroline into a pregnancy she doesn’t want. Caroline, bold and unapologetic, holds Charles to his promise to parent their daughter without her help. This uneasy truce results in near tragedy for their daughter, Grace, who is raised in a household full of toxic resentment on the one side and suffocating love on the other, and increasingly struggles with her mental health as she grows older.
A heartbreaking and engaging story about the love a father has for his child. It's hard not to feel for Charlie and Grace especially with everything they have been through and even though as a mother I can't ever imagine doing what Caroline did in some way you can't help but feel for her as well. The characters are wonderful. The love Charlie feels for his daughter is an emotion you feel throughout the whole book. The story is told from all of their points of view so you get a good understanding of the dysfunction between them and Grace's mental illness. It's a well written emotional tale that has a surprisingly perfect ending!
July 10, 2022
Author Maren Cooper writes a novel called Finding Grace. As a child, Caroline attended a convent school, while Charlie lived with several foster parents after being abandoned at the fire station as a baby. During their biology class at college, they were lab partners. Because Caroline felt the need to be free, she appeared hesitant to get engaged to Charlie when he asked for her hand in marriage.
In September, Caroline will start her new job as an ornithologist, and Charlie will start as a high school biology teacher. They decided to start their appointments as a married couple. Even though they never discussed starting a family, Charlie was shocked when Caroline refused to have children. He tricked her into conceiving so that it would fulfill his dream of having children, which only made his marriage more difficult. It became clear from the start how communication could destroy their relationship. Charlie's dedication, commitment, and love ultimately prevailed.
It was an emotional novel, well-written and edited with a strong plot. I would recommend this book to a mature audience. My rating is five out of five stars. Congratulations.
Thank you, NetGalley and SheWritesPress, for their opportunity to review this novel.
In September, Caroline will start her new job as an ornithologist, and Charlie will start as a high school biology teacher. They decided to start their appointments as a married couple. Even though they never discussed starting a family, Charlie was shocked when Caroline refused to have children. He tricked her into conceiving so that it would fulfill his dream of having children, which only made his marriage more difficult. It became clear from the start how communication could destroy their relationship. Charlie's dedication, commitment, and love ultimately prevailed.
It was an emotional novel, well-written and edited with a strong plot. I would recommend this book to a mature audience. My rating is five out of five stars. Congratulations.
Thank you, NetGalley and SheWritesPress, for their opportunity to review this novel.
July 24, 2022
Finding Grace by Maren Cooper
This book grabbed my attention right away and never let go.
I highly recommend Finding Grace.
Finding Grace is set mostly in Minnesota, along Lake Superior, and in Duluth. People familiar with Two Harbors and Duluth will recognize several landmarks mentioned.
Once you start reading, be prepared to keep reading. I was drawn in, and this book is the true depiction of small-town Minnesota!
Boy and girl fall in love and get married. She gets a job as a professor at UMD (University of MN-Duluth), and he gets a job as a teacher in Two Harbors. He loves the community, and the people around them-she isn't a fan. She wants her privacy and to be able to do her own thing. She wants to travel for her research and be independent. BUT she does want to be around her husband.
When she is surprised by a pregnancy, she is not happy. She does not want a child and has no interest in being a parent. If they are going to have this baby, Charlie will be its parent, and the baby will be his responsibility. He agrees.
Thankfully, the friends in town help Charlie with raising Grace, and her mother, Caroline, lived her own life. Gone for long periods of time and never acknowledging their daughter, although, it seemed, jealous of her relationship with others.
As time goes by, the repercussions of Caroline's actions become a factor, and Grace and Charlie do their best to cope without Caroline.
A fantastic book about a dad and his endless love.
I was given this book to read and review.
This book grabbed my attention right away and never let go.
I highly recommend Finding Grace.
Finding Grace is set mostly in Minnesota, along Lake Superior, and in Duluth. People familiar with Two Harbors and Duluth will recognize several landmarks mentioned.
Once you start reading, be prepared to keep reading. I was drawn in, and this book is the true depiction of small-town Minnesota!
Boy and girl fall in love and get married. She gets a job as a professor at UMD (University of MN-Duluth), and he gets a job as a teacher in Two Harbors. He loves the community, and the people around them-she isn't a fan. She wants her privacy and to be able to do her own thing. She wants to travel for her research and be independent. BUT she does want to be around her husband.
When she is surprised by a pregnancy, she is not happy. She does not want a child and has no interest in being a parent. If they are going to have this baby, Charlie will be its parent, and the baby will be his responsibility. He agrees.
Thankfully, the friends in town help Charlie with raising Grace, and her mother, Caroline, lived her own life. Gone for long periods of time and never acknowledging their daughter, although, it seemed, jealous of her relationship with others.
As time goes by, the repercussions of Caroline's actions become a factor, and Grace and Charlie do their best to cope without Caroline.
A fantastic book about a dad and his endless love.
I was given this book to read and review.
May 31, 2023
A book that will have you feeling so many different emotions while reading, the author did an incredible job creating a story that will make you think and wonder.
Charles Booker is happy to be marrying Caroline, he is aware she doesn’t want children but when she becomes pregnant with their child, they have an agreement that Charlie would be the primary parent leaving Caroline to follow the birds and I mean literally. This family is built on betrayal and Caroline is what I would call a narcissist and she only wants what she wants. Grace is the daughter they have together and she grows up in this dysfunctional family, Grace feels the neglect from her mother and her father’s inability to protect her. As Grace grows Charlie notices how Caroline goes out of her way to completely avoid Grace. A final breaking point comes when Caroline disappears from their lives completely. As the heartache affects them both can this fractured family heal or is it to late?
Charles Booker is happy to be marrying Caroline, he is aware she doesn’t want children but when she becomes pregnant with their child, they have an agreement that Charlie would be the primary parent leaving Caroline to follow the birds and I mean literally. This family is built on betrayal and Caroline is what I would call a narcissist and she only wants what she wants. Grace is the daughter they have together and she grows up in this dysfunctional family, Grace feels the neglect from her mother and her father’s inability to protect her. As Grace grows Charlie notices how Caroline goes out of her way to completely avoid Grace. A final breaking point comes when Caroline disappears from their lives completely. As the heartache affects them both can this fractured family heal or is it to late?
July 29, 2022
You know how much I hate to cry when reading and this one did it to me and I didn’t even mind. This is a powerful story about the bond of a father and daughter. The pull of family both the ones you are born with and the family you create and how it changes and grows over time. It’s funny that we all read the same words but a different book. Our experiences have us focus and interpret things differently. And this is definitely a book that will leave different impressions on each reader based upon their life and experiences.
I could not put it down and loved spending time with Charlie and Grace.
I could not put it down and loved spending time with Charlie and Grace.
December 11, 2022
I loved this novel! I got it from a friend, who had the opportunity to meet the author at her local book club. This is a tearjerker. Charlie tricks his wife Caroline into getting pregnant. She clearly is a very selfish person, and has NO interest in raising a kid. Charlie raisesGrace on his own, with the help of his widowed friend, Lori. Grace grows up feeling unloved by her mother, who is rarely, if ever, home. Grace makes some poor life decisions which render her homeless and pregnant. Mental illness is evident. Charlie never gives up on his daughter. Such a nightmare for any parent going through such a crisis.
February 23, 2022
A family drama so compulsively readable that you better plan to stay up late! A cast of well-drawn characters play out the inevitable consequences of one impulsive choice. Tense plot, strong dialogue, and vivid scenes combine to make a perfectly surprising story. One you'll be discussing with your friends for a long time with characters you won't soon forget. Who's the good guy, who's the bad? This is a book club dream book.
June 9, 2022
Wow, what a fascinating read!
This domestic drama checks every box for a truly dysfunctional home. Exceptionally written, this gripping story reveals a broad spectrum of toxic behaviors and their inescapable consequences.
The complex relationship of these well fleshed-out characters is so realistic, they will stay with you long after you're done reading (I still utterly despise one of the characters a month later!).
This book would definitely open up a very interesting book club discussion.
*Thank you BookSirens, Maren Cooper, and She Writes Press. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This domestic drama checks every box for a truly dysfunctional home. Exceptionally written, this gripping story reveals a broad spectrum of toxic behaviors and their inescapable consequences.
The complex relationship of these well fleshed-out characters is so realistic, they will stay with you long after you're done reading (I still utterly despise one of the characters a month later!).
This book would definitely open up a very interesting book club discussion.
*Thank you BookSirens, Maren Cooper, and She Writes Press. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 12, 2022
LOVED this book! The characters are so fully developed you get very strong feelings for each of them. This is the second book by Maren Cooper I’ve read and they are both page turners. I had to see how this story would turn out so I read right through the weekend. So fun to read about all the local spots I know so well.
October 12, 2022
I was captivated by all the characters…the sweet, the strong, the narcissistic, and the well-meaning. While the character of Caroline was hard to stomach, people like her exist in the world and people like Charles and Grace have to deal with the damage.
Cooper is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend this gripping story of family and an imperfect father’s love.
Cooper is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend this gripping story of family and an imperfect father’s love.
April 29, 2022
Strong storyline about a father's true love for his daughter, Grace. Also shown in this compelling, well written and powerful story is a mother's love shown only to herself, Caroline, with NO real love for anyone else. Heartbreaking and great highs that Grace went through emotionally in dealing with such a cold hearted mother. Much thought put into this storyline as it carried the reader through to the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2022
AMAZING Grace! What a heart-felt, heart-full, sometimes heartbreaking, story. Characters are so finely tuned, in their foibles and flaws as well as feats of the human spirit. The descriptions of romantic love nail complications as they exist. Even more brilliant are the descriptions of relationships between parent and child, friend and friend. A book about love that I loved!
July 25, 2022
Thank you to BookSirens and She Writes Press for the ARC!
👍:good storyline,very engaging,fast paced
👎: some parts were too heavy, a bit wordy
Overall, it was a good book,but not really a beach read
👍:good storyline,very engaging,fast paced
👎: some parts were too heavy, a bit wordy
Overall, it was a good book,but not really a beach read
October 2, 2022
Just finished this emotionally riveting novel and am amazed at how it captured life's joys and challenges. A story for our times. Special love for the representation of small town life and North Shore beauty!
July 6, 2022
Charlie and Caroline—two orphans that meet at Harvard, fall in love, and end up creating a family. Except…things aren’t that simple. Charlie has a dark secret he hides from Caroline. Oblivious, Caroline strives to live the life she wants, but there is one problem: her daughter, Grace. This trio forms a twisted, dark, and dysfunctional family dynamic that readers get to trek through.
It’s definitely interesting to read about a not-so-perfect family. Overall, I did like the story. I felt that Charlie never really grew from the secret he hid from everyone, and Caroline starts to fall off the map without any true resolution in the end. Grace’s story line is completely heartwarming, and it was so sweet to see her earnestly change. The deep mental health struggles that Grace faces came across as genuine, and I think Cooper’s awareness of this subject gives the story a lot more depth. I think a few more chapters would have done this story good, but I really can’t complain.
Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s definitely interesting to read about a not-so-perfect family. Overall, I did like the story. I felt that Charlie never really grew from the secret he hid from everyone, and Caroline starts to fall off the map without any true resolution in the end. Grace’s story line is completely heartwarming, and it was so sweet to see her earnestly change. The deep mental health struggles that Grace faces came across as genuine, and I think Cooper’s awareness of this subject gives the story a lot more depth. I think a few more chapters would have done this story good, but I really can’t complain.
Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2022
An audacious act born of desperation is at the forefront of this gripping story. Cooper treats readers to the full spectrum of emotions. I cheered, cried, and loathed—a feeling rarely on my palette. FINDING GRACE grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go until the final sentence.
March 10, 2022
Riveting Read!! Maren Cooper did an excellent job typing in the themes of a dysfunctional home, single parenting, mental illness, and forgiveness/reconciliation in one engaging story. This book is the type that keeps you glued to your seat.
Caroline, a famous ornithologist, gives birth, but is unnaturally apathetic towards her daughter, Grace. Watch how Grace copes with only a father. Her decline into mental illness is sharply contrasted with her amazing debut back into society.
Caroline, a famous ornithologist, gives birth, but is unnaturally apathetic towards her daughter, Grace. Watch how Grace copes with only a father. Her decline into mental illness is sharply contrasted with her amazing debut back into society.
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