Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Book Review: Hadley and Grace

You may not remember this but I called Suzanne Redfearn's last book, In An Instant, my book of 2020 before 2020 even started, and I was not wrong. That book rocked my world and I still think about it often and that is one that will stick with me for a long time, and if you haven't read it yet- you need to.  

Here we are, the beginning of 2021 and Suzanne Redfearn has done it again, this might be my book of the year, certainly the top five. 

Hadley and Grace - Suzanne Redfearn

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.
Raise your hand if you loved Thelma and Louise, for all of their faults and terrible choices? That is exactly how I felt about Hadley and Grace. Both of them have their own faults, and they certainly made questionable choices along the way, but their individual back stories are complex and tragic in their own way and dammit, you just root for them. You literally find yourself cheering on both of them through danger, federal crimes, crossing state lines, all with children with them. They were both at really dire crossroads in their lives so what do they have to lose? 

It turns out they had quite a bit, but freedom is always worth the price, isn't it? 

I started this book as an evening, before bed read, which turned out to be terrible because it kept me awake. The book starts outlining the current situation Hadley and Grace are living in, then they realize how they are linked, and we learn that coincidences don't exist for no reason. Immediately they are on the run, both untrusting but they also know they are better off together than apart. Each woman has strengths the other one needs and it works perfectly in this story. 

I loved the character development in this book, I loved them separately but their bond together is perfect, too. I loved the drama and danger in the book, I loved that you feel like you are on this journey with them so when police circle in, your anxiety is as high as theirs is. I loved the secondary characters and how they come in and out, I loved how the book alternates between Hadley and Grace- they are such compliments of each other. By the end of this book I was crying and I just felt like I was emotionally spent in the best way. I feel like there aren't as many books that come across my path that just gut me, but in a good way, that connect with real human emotions and experiences, but all of this is a strong skillset Suzanne Redfearn has and we all benefit from it. 

I know we are all kind of burned out from the news and Covid, but if you are looking for a book to sink totally into and really get an escape? You need to pick this one up. I think this would be a fun book club read but honestly, this might be one just for you. Get cozy in bed, line up your snacks and drinks, and start reading. You will love it. 

A huge thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Suzanne Redfearn for sending me an ARC for review. I feel like I can't possibly start a new year without a new one from this author, who is quickly becoming one of my go-to favorites. 

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1 comment:

Why Girls Are Weird said...

I adored this book SO MUCH. I remember when it was over I was left feeling as if I lost friends. Suzanne Redfearn is totally an author to watch, her writing is just SO GOOD.