Monday, December 15, 2014

Saving Grace

Title: Saving Grace
Author: Jane Green
Expected Publication: December 30th 2014 by St. Martin's Press
Format: Hardcover, 352 pagess
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Though this book has a “read that before” feel, I have to admit for one short period, I wondered along with Grace if I was just imagining it. That Jane Green was going to put a different spin on this already used plot and leave the reader with a sense of “what did I miss”.

Grace is living in constant fear of her husband’s next mood swing; she finds ways to leave her home early for her job at Harmont House where she uses her kitchen skills to cook for the women whose lives are in transition. It brings her peace and at the same time teaches skills to those who are in need.

A twenty-five year marriage has its challenges but trembling every time a door slams or her name is bellowed has Grace on edge. She somewhat knew what she was getting into when she first met Ted Chapman the world renown author and creative genius. To the outside world, she had the perfect life; it was what happened behind closed doors that had her quaking.

There was never physical abuse; it was his rages that lasted longer and longer and his finding constant fault with her. When she was near her breaking point, by serendipity her daughter Clemmie meets Beth at an Honors Dinner.

This is where Grace’s life takes a turn that has her wondering at her own mental health. Her mother was mentally unstable, the last time Grace saw her, she was living in a homeless shelter. Life with her mother was constant turmoil so living with Ted was no different. It was her sharing of this information with Beth, who was now Ted’s new assistant, which changed the dynamic of the Chapman home. Ted has been bewitched by Beth, a woman that inspires worry, a woman with her own agenda.

By the time that Grace sees Beth and the situation for what it is, it is too late. Grace’s career is over, the money is gone, many of her friends turned on her and now it is up to Grace to make the decisions. To decide what is worth fighting for and what is too far-gone to even care about.

As I said this is a plot that has been used before, yet, Ms. Green puts a slightly new spin making the reader wonder who truly is at fault in this scenario. There was a point in the book that it could go either way and that is why I continued to read. Grace is an endearingly strong woman and I was going to stick with her to the end. No matter where that end lead.

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