Today’s team review is from Alison. She blogs here https://alisonwilliamswriting.wordpress.com/
Alison has been reading Grace And Serenity by Annalisa Crawford
This is a really well-written novel, full of emotion, and it’s good to read a story involving domestic abuse that doesn’t hold back, and that really traces Grace’s story from an innocent and hopeful young girl to someone manipulated into making decisions that ruin her life.
Grace is very well-drawn and her feelings and frustrations are depicted clearly, making the reader really care about her and what is happening to her.
However, I found it quite difficult to accept that Grace’s parents would react the way they did towards the man who treated their daughter so badly. They are supportive and loving and interested in their daughter, so it didn’t seem realistic at all that they would behave the way they do – this really spoiled the story for me, unfortunately. While I could completely understand and believe that Grace could be so manipulated, I didn’t believe that her parents could be, and that they would trust a man who had hurt their daughter.
That said, this is a thought-provoking, sensitive and well-written novel.
Four stars
Living on the streets is terrifying and exhausting. Grace’s only comforts are a steady stream of vodka, and a strange little boy who’s following her around.
At nineteen, Grace has already had a child and endured an abusive marriage. But she’s also had her baby abducted by her vengeful husband and been framed as a neglectful mother. Even her own parents doubted her version of the story. So she did the only thing that made sense to her—run away.
The streets are unforgiving. Winter is drawing in. And Grace isn’t prepared for the harsh realities of survival. At her very bleakest, a Good Samaritan swoops into her life and rescues her. With a roof over her head and food in her stomach, she longs to see her baby again.
But nothing ever comes for free.
Rosie Amber 
An interesting review, Alison. perhaps another edit to slightly alter the parents’ POV/side of things?
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I disagree, to be honest. I’ve had first hand experience of this happening – good, decent parents who were convinced that their daughter was somehow ‘at fault’, because they loved the picture of himself that the husband presented, and the daughter had made a couple of mistakes.
I also have an online friend who is going through this right now. It happens. Maybe it’s the most decent, loving people who are easiest to manipulate, because they believe everyone has motives as pure as their own.
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Yes, you are right, Terry – I should know that happens. I was really answering Allison’s questioning of the text ( how it’s written – maybe not as convincing in the change of tact the parents portray? ) Perhaps it’s a book I should read and judge for myself.. Cheers
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I do take your point and I know that happens, but my problem was that he didn’t hide what he was, that they knew what he was like, and it didn’t ring true for me. That said, it’s a really good read.
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I like your review and I also know a lot of what we write is based on our own experiences. I thought you were fair and positive.
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Thanks for stopping by today and joining in with this post discussion Amorina.
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