**Grace** by **Victoria Scott** is a poignant and emotionally stirring young adult novel that weaves themes of grief, love, friendship, and self-discovery. This contemporary novel offers readers an insightful exploration of a young woman's journey through personal trauma and her quest to find her own path to healing. Through strong character development, realistic dialogue, and vivid writing, Scott crafts a tale that resonates on a deep emotional level, with plenty of heart and warmth to balance the weight of its more serious themes.

### Plot Overview:
The novel centers around **Grace**, a 17-year-old girl who is struggling with the aftermath of a devastating event. After the tragic death of her sister, Grace finds herself lost in a whirlwind of grief, guilt, and confusion. She feels disconnected from her family, who are each processing the loss in their own way, and she is grappling with her own complex emotions about what happened.

As Grace tries to navigate her own healing, she discovers that she must come to terms with not only her grief but also the way it has reshaped her identity. The novel explores Grace’s deep sense of loss, how she feels overshadowed by her sister’s absence, and her struggle to figure out who she is without her sibling. Grace’s world is further complicated by her relationship with **Noah**, a boy from her past who returns into her life and seems to offer a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.

The story is largely about Grace’s emotional journey as she learns to cope with the impact of the tragedy, redefines her relationships, and ultimately finds the strength to move forward. Through her interactions with friends, family, and Noah, she discovers that healing isn’t linear, and sometimes, it requires facing uncomfortable truths and letting go of things she thought were permanent.

### Character Development:
**Grace** is a relatable and fully realized protagonist. She is complex, vulnerable, and deeply human, making her journey incredibly compelling. Scott does a fantastic job of capturing the internal struggle of a teen who feels like she’s lost part of herself due to a tragic event. The portrayal of Grace’s grief feels authentic and raw—at times, she’s angry, at other times resigned, but always searching for a way to piece her life back together. Readers will find themselves rooting for Grace as she slowly begins to heal, and will relate to her emotional complexity.

**Noah** adds a layer of intrigue to Grace’s story. He’s a love interest, but more importantly, he’s a character who serves as a catalyst for Grace’s emotional growth. Their relationship is not without its complications, but Noah’s presence in her life challenges Grace to open up and face her feelings head-on. The dynamic between the two is nuanced, built on a foundation of shared history and a gradual reawakening of their bond.

Grace’s relationship with her parents and friends also plays a significant role in the narrative. Her strained relationship with her parents, particularly her mother, underscores the difficulties that arise when people grieve in different ways. The disconnection between them is heartbreaking at times, but it also highlights the necessity of finding a way to communicate and heal together. Grace’s friendships provide some moments of light and relief in the story, as her friends offer support and understanding even when she can’t quite see it for herself.

### Writing Style:
Victoria Scott’s writing is both lyrical and grounded. Her prose captures the rawness of grief without descending into melodrama. Scott excels at portraying the subtle, emotional nuances of her characters' thoughts and interactions. The language is evocative, yet accessible, and it captures the complexities of teen emotions and relationships.

Scott’s pacing is steady, with the emotional beats hitting at just the right moments. The novel’s quiet moments of introspection and reflection are balanced by the more dramatic events of the plot, creating a well-rounded narrative. The pacing is deliberate, allowing Grace’s emotional journey to unfold organically and without haste. By the end of the novel, readers will feel a sense of satisfaction in Grace’s emotional growth, despite the ups and downs she faces along the way.

### Themes:
1. **Grief and Healing**: At its core, *Grace* is about processing grief and the different ways it manifests. The novel explores how grief doesn’t have a set timeline and that healing looks different for everyone. Grace’s journey is one of learning to live with her loss while finding ways to rebuild herself.

2. **Identity and Self-Discovery**: Grace struggles with her identity after her sister’s death, questioning who she is without her sibling. This theme of self-discovery runs through the novel as Grace comes to understand that she doesn’t need to be defined by her loss. She must discover who she is on her own terms, outside of the shadow of tragedy.

3. **Love and Relationships**: The novel touches on the complexities of love—romantic love, familial love, and friendship. Grace’s relationships with Noah, her parents, and her friends all evolve throughout the book, highlighting the ways love can both help and hinder during times of grief. The importance of healthy, communicative relationships is a key message.

4. **Forgiveness and Letting Go**: A major theme in *Grace* is the power of forgiveness—whether it’s forgiving herself or learning to forgive others. The novel emphasizes that healing sometimes requires letting go of the past, even when it’s painful to do so.

### Emotional Impact:
*Grace* is an emotionally impactful read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss or is grappling with the complexities of grief. The novel handles the subject matter with sensitivity and authenticity, making it easy to empathize with Grace’s internal struggles. It’s a story about the long and difficult process of healing, and readers will find themselves rooting for Grace as she slowly but surely comes to terms with her emotions and her past.

While the book does deal with heavy themes, there are moments of lightness and hope that balance out the sadness. The novel is not just about grief but also about resilience and the ways people can rebuild themselves after loss. It’s a hopeful story that reminds readers that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for growth, healing, and new beginnings.

### Final Thoughts:
*Grace* by Victoria Scott is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that skillfully explores themes of grief, identity, and healing. The complexity of the protagonist, Grace, makes her an incredibly compelling character to follow, and the novel’s portrayal of her emotional journey is both authentic and heart-wrenching.

Scott’s sensitive handling of the subject matter, combined with her ability to write deeply relatable characters, makes this a standout in the contemporary YA genre. Fans of emotionally driven stories with strong, nuanced character arcs will find *Grace* a rewarding and thought-provoking read. Whether dealing with the aftermath of loss or searching for one’s identity, this novel offers a deeply moving reflection on the resilience of the human spirit.

If you enjoy character-driven stories that explore difficult emotions with depth and empathy, *Grace* is definitely a book worth picking up.

This was a thrilling read! I couldn't put it down, and genuinely felt emotional at many points. A tough subject matter approached with humanity and tenderness, inspiring empathy and deep ethical thought.

Grace by Victoria Scott is a poignant exploration of adoption through the intertwined lives of Michelle, a young mother who has just given up her baby for adoption, and Amelia, a bereaved woman hoping to adopt. The narrative delves deeply into both women's backgrounds, revealing the complexities and imperfections in each seemingly perfect option for baby Grace. While the book's emotional depth and dual perspectives offer a fresh and compelling look at adoption, some readers may find the pacing uneven. Nonetheless, the story is beautifully written, capturing the heartache and hope involved in the adoption process. It’s a heartfelt read that challenges perceptions and tugs at the heartstrings.

On the one side of the story, we have Michelle who has just given up her newborn baby for adoption. On the other side, we heard from Amelia, a bereaved mother who is hoping to foster to adopt baby Grace.

Throughout the story, we learn more about each woman - what looked like a perfect options appears to be pretty flawed, and it doesn’t seem like there is an obvious choice.

I really enjoyed this book. There were a few lulls but overall, I found it so interesting to explore such a unique experience.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. Unfortunately since requesting the book, my reading tastes have changed and it would be unfair to review this book as I do not think I could give it the review that would be justified

Victoria Scott is an amazing Author and Grace is a wonderful story, One that will take hold of you and keep you captivated page, after page. A very much recommended read.

Very well written about a complicated topic. I found it really interesting to see this concept from different viewpoints. Highly recommended.

Oh my goodness this book is absolutely beautiful! I couldn’t put it down, honestly the writer knows how to capture your attention and make you read till the very end, fabulous

Michelle and Amelia want the same thing which is baby Grace.

A heartfelt story written from both perspectives where you get an insight into two very different lives.

An emotional read.

From this cover and description, I didn't expect the book to have almost thriller-y vibes to it but I really enjoyed this book. It's quite a difficult and emotional read at times, but I really enjoyed this book at a person's life through the care and foster system.

Victoria has a knack for writing with such sensitivity, whatever the subject. This was a touching story, and I really felt for the two main female characters. It was quite early on that I was not a fan of Piers, however. He was a snobby, misogynistic control freak.

It was beautifully written and I definitely shed a few tears on more than one occasion

I sobbed reading this book, such a heart-warming and emotional tale of the entire adoption process from all angles. 19 year old Michelle hasn't had the best start to life, and when she falls pregnant she decides that her baby will be adopted. An adoptive family is found, but when Michelle wants her baby back, there is going to be heartbreak for at least one family. Beautifully written and well paced, this story took me to emotional places that I didnt know existed- beautiful!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This story starts with Michelle giving birth to Grace as Amelia is struggling with another negative pregnancy test. As the book progresses we learn more about each woman's background and their relationships with others, including friends and social workers. Their realistic situations and actions engendered my sympathy and empathy, and as the story developed it was hard to decide who I wished Grace would be with for the rest of her life. The ending may have been a little trite, tidying up all loose ends, but I was relieved to see there was some happiness in store for both women.
I thought this was an excellent book, and have signed up to follow the author.

A beautifully written story surrounding an important topic of adoption and the complexities with everyone involved. I liked the fact that the author was sympathetic to the topic meaning that usual tropes in this area were not followed.

I am still reminded of the emotional impact of this book - the clarity of the characters was heartbreaking at times.

The outcome was unexpected and it’s a book that I recommend to many!

A fairly standard domestic thriller exploring class divides and fertility issues - I feel like I’ve read this story so many times and I’m afraid “Grace” says nothing new.

Really lovely heartwarming story about a young vulnerable girl who puts her baby up for adoption and the woman who adopts….which ends in a tug of war. Loved it

The book was very well written and flowed well. The plot was great. Everything I thought it would be from the description

Grace has had a complicated life, and is now very pregnant. Since she herself grew up in foster care, she does not want her baby to go through the same. She finds a lovely couple to adopt baby Grace, but eventually, she misses her baby and wants her back. You follow the adoptive mother as she falls in love with her child, but of course, life with a baby is complicated and hard. Imagine having to go to court because the biological mom wants her back. It's beautifully sad, and well written. Obviously not a light read.

Heartfelt and heart wrenching, this book played with my emotions. i had to read it in a day, and was so engrossed. I didn't know who I was rooting for to end up with the baby - teenage mum Michelle, who has been so damaged by the system and let down her whole life, or foster/adoptive mum Amelia who loves baby Grace but who is having to face some hard truths about her marriage. I think this is showing us that nobody is perfect and it's very difficult for an outsider to judge on what they see. Some twists and turns here, and a satisfying ending. A beautiful read. #netgalley #Grace

What a beautiful book this is. Right from the start I was totally drawn into it
I liked all the characters and I didn't know how it was going to all turn out. Either way, there would be no winners at the outcome.
Relatable characters, a heartbreaking plot and a beautiful style of writing make for a totally engrossing and captivating read that will stay with me for a long time.