I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. Parts of it I liked, others not at all. I also felt the way Grace led her life was so contradictory to the fact she kept referring to herself as a wasp. The characters around Grace were never fully flashed out so I kept getting all the ones that were living with her confused. Grace spent to much time thinking about her age and she wasn't THAT old. I was happy to see who she finally ended up with and I hope it works out. I guess you can tell this is not one of my favorites but still a pretty good read.
Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion .

DNF at 34%.

i really couldn't get into the writing - it felt incredibly dense and was info dumpy to the point where i felt like i was told everything about grace rather than learned who she was. the author also made it seem as if she was way older than her fifty three years, and grace's outlook at being that age felt hopeless and bleak, as if her life was over. i did enjoy her going out and reclaiming her post divorce life and sexuality though.

there were times where the writing felt incohesive and more like a stream of conscience, which i know works for others. it also was a bit redundant with grace continuously reminding us of her age and the constant double standards.

sad about this one!

I have a very complicated relationship with this book. Much like Grace and everyone in her life in it. There were parts I liked, loved even, and parts that I definitely did not like. Grace as a main character was fascinating because she mostly did not care what anyone thought about her and stuck to her own ways of looking at her world. And I'm all for a reinvention story. But this one was a little much for me. I know the point of this book was for Grace to rediscover herself through spicy time with men she meets at a bar, but those certain scenes did not blend well with the tone of the rest of the book. However, the men she chose were so weirdly interesting that it kind of balanced out. I am happy that at the end she chose the most normal one, even if that's not saying much about him lol
I also love a found family and there was definitely a lot of that in here! Grace was surrounded by so much love and so many people the whole time, even if she struggled to see it. And each side character was so unique. I think my biggest complaint is that Grace did get on my nerves throughout the story and was a little unrelatable, but I'm also not a middle-aged woman so that could be why.

I loved everything about this novel! The author did an excellent job developing the characters. I really connected with Grace and couldn’t wait to read about more of her experiences. Themes of womanhood, aging, divorce, and family are explored with heart and humor. And while I thought the ending was perfect, I would love a sequel!! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely love the premise of an over-50 woman rediscovering herself and her sexuality after divorce. Pierce is a solid writer, and has packed her novel with intriguing characters. Unfortunately, There But for Grace just didn’t hit for me. I didn’t find Grace likable and didn’t feel that her development was earned. The supporting characters were undeveloped, which was a real shame because some of them really had potential. There were a few opportunities for Pierce to really say something about what it means to be an older woman on the dating market, or how feminism, sexual mores, and language have evolved since the sixties, but every opportunity was missed and I am left wondering what the point was.

How refreshing to have an older women's voice in fiction! A wonderful and witty look at the life post amicable divorce of Grace. A heartfelt look at family dynamics and the complexities of starting again. The characters are really well drawn and complex and the plot is perfectly paced. There's so much depth and beautiful mundane humanity in this book. It's a really special read.

*There But For Grace* is a witty and heartfelt exploration of midlife reinvention as Grace Winthrop Hobbes dives headfirst into a year of unexpected adventures and self-discovery. With quirky characters, a touch of romance, and a dash of humor, the book delves into the complexities of relationships, intimacy, and what it truly means to find a place to call home. A refreshing read for anyone navigating the twists and turns of life and love.

I love a story with a woman starting over late in life. This author did a great job at capturing the awkwardness/thrill/confusion of it all. However, I wish there wasn’t so much time spent during the first half of the book spent on her constantly
talking about the double standard of men vs women (I’m not denying it) but I got the point the first time so it became redundant. I would’ve rather just seen her exploring everything without reminding us it’s okay. When this toned down, I started to enjoy much more.

Side note, there was use of a derogatory term (relaying a harmful comment not using directly) that did throw me.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the premise of the story and the beggining was very well delivered.

Even though Grace wasn't super old she talked like she was. Unfortunately this is something women are raised to believe, that as we grow old we lose our worth, and as Grace mentions when menopause arrives then we lose it all. I was expecting a challenge to society where she realised this and regained her own individuality.

Unfortunately as the book progressed both the story and the writing became - in my opinion - flat.

About the writing: Some parts simply did not make sense, for example: The way that the characters move - one point Isabelle is opening the door and screaming the next she is on the toaster. New information and characters appear out of nowhere as they've been there since the beginning. Sam being mentioned and Grace asking Otis if they were friends. Or when Otis mentioned that the painted. Grace reacted all normal saying how she missed seeing art and then being all surprised that the paintings on the bar were from Otis.

About the story: I think it was in the moment that Grace resumed her time with Fuzz that the story started to fell short for me, and simultaneously I was expecting this to be a pivotal moment for Grace. Her reaction and thinking path just don't make sense with the rest of the character story, the waspy detail that she kept talking and talking about, tends to come with a lot of pride and Grace just acted based on her hormones without an inch of doubt.
And this was what I continually felt afterwards, a mash of bad men and a 20s-like behaviour from Grace.

At the end, I hoped that Grace came to terms with herself and her individuality. Unfortunately her resolution was focused on the community she built (undoubtedly important), but only that. She continued to see herself only as a mother, a daughter, a lover and not in her as her own person and her growth.

Potentially Grace could be a role model for a lot of women and provide hope to many others that feel lost during middle age, but from my 30s POV this didn't gave me hope nor challenged the stereotypes as it could.
Overall I loved the premise but the delivery wasn't for me.

Anne Whitney Pierce's There But for Grace is a poignant and compelling novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, personal growth, and the enduring impact of past decisions. Pierce masterfully crafts authentic characters whose struggles and triumphs resonate deeply, set against a richly detailed backdrop. The narrative's emotional depth and insightful exploration of human resilience make it a thought-provoking read, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Geez, this book was like a warm hug. Like the awkward, odd, messy hugs you receive in life that actually warms your heart or cause you to finally break out into the tears you've been holding in. It felt like a call to the 90s Nora Ephron movies that have you nestled on the couch all day under a big blanket. You laugh. You cry. You cringe lol Grace was a tremendous character with tremendous thoughts and the supporting characters were so well written and placed perfectly. Gonna cross my fingers that this novel is adapted into a film or miniseries in the near future.

ARC read

I loved all of these characters so much. The time I got to spend with them all while reading this was such a joy!

My one biggest struggle with the whole thing was that Grace really isn’t that old? The way she spoke and thought of herself was just a very sad image, whereas a newly divorced woman at 53 living her new lease of life should have been much happier! That said, she definitely appreciated her little village, and it was lovely to read a book from such a well defined point of view… I just wish she thought more of herself.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of There But for Grace by Anne Whitney Pierce. This novel immerses the reader in the world of Cambridge, MA in the early 2000's. We get to meet Grace, who is a 53 year old new divorce. We follow along with Grace as she creates the life that she wants- the one that is true to her. Grace is brave, funny and I would love to have a cup of coffee with her. There But for Grace is the "All Fours" for women over 50. It is open door but in a way that will be ok for more sensitive readers. I was rooting for Grace - and loved this story of found family and self discovery.

I have not Literary Fiction in long while so this was a good pick me up. It's always refreshing to see more stories about women and their freedom/ autonomy in their life.