A review by bootrat
Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood

emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I enjoyed some parts of this book, but there were lots of aspects I didn't like. Firstly that it was far too slow, and poorly paced. We don't find out one of the major plot points about Grace's life until over 250 pages in, and it just seemed to come out of nowhere. The fact that the book jumped between three timelines just made me impatient to find out what the hell was going on (mainly with Lotte), so even as I was enjoying reading the other timelines I was wanting to skip them to get to Lotte.

Lotte's plotline was unfortunately very recognisable to me (and I predicted what was coming), which made it quite hard to read. I also detested the way it was handled by every adult in the book. As somebody who works with kids and in safeguarding I was screaming.

I think my biggest gripe with this book though is that from the blurb and the start of the book it seems fairly lighthearted, just a book struggling with getting older and with her relationship with her daughter, but then as a reader you're suddenly thrown into these quite dark situations without expecting it. It didn't fit the vibe. 

I also hate that all of Graces problems are just blamed on ~hormones, when actually she's inches away from a mental breakdown (which imo is what the "current day" timeline documents). It felt quite misogynistic, even though it was written by a woman and presumably based somewhat on her own experience of peri-menopause. Grace really needs to see a therapist, instead of blaming all her actions and thoughts on the hormonal changes in her body.

If you want to read this book, absolutely check the trigger warnings first.
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