Customer Reviews

Restoring Grace

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Much of life is unreliable and disappointing - but Katie Fforde books don't fall into this category. Katie does have somewhat of a regular format - protagonists that seem ill-suited, but turn out to be perfect. And there's never any London glamour and glitz. But another always-present element of the Fforde formula is sold writing, great plot lines, witty (yet believable) dialog. Restoring Grace is no exception - in fact, its one of the best of her books, certainly the best one of recent years. That's not to say that Paradise Fields or Highland Fling weren't good, they were - but Restoring Grace is fabulous. So, what's it about? Grace has been left at odds - her ex-husband has left her with a nice bed, great linens, and a historical house that's rotting away, requiring repairs far beyond her marriage settlement or her meager earnings as a wine writer. Ellie is an artist with a handsome, charismatic boyfriend - who has no interest in becoming a father. Which is problematic, since Ellie is pregnant and determined to have the baby. Ellie and Grace fall together and discover some potentially valuable paintings in Grace's rotting home. Along the way, they also discover a surly-on-the-outside, solid-gold-at-heart local land developer and a prickly-on-the-outside but (yes, here it comes) solid-gold-at-heart art restoration expert - and you know where this is going, but the fun is all in getting there. Add in Grace's horrid siblings, very weird ex-husband (what DID she see in him), ex-husband's first wife, ex-step-daughter - well, a cast of characters that goes on and adds to the humor of the story. And as the extra icing on the cake - Flynn (surly land developer) is really the best "leading man" Fforde's written in years. His character (and attractiveness) just leap off the page. A must read, whether you're a long-time Fforde fan or just discovering her for the first time.

I had only read Paradise Fields by the author when I found this title at the library. I enjoyed PF so much that I knew I was going to get lucky with this one and I certainly did. I loved the way Ellie and Grace became fast friends, and I loved how honorable Grace was without coming across as pious. Certainly the plot was fairly predictable, but I had such a good time reading it that it didn't matter. For "chick lit", Fforde's characters were fleshed-out just enough for me to feel like I "knew" them. The secondary characters were a little two-dimensional (Allegra and Hermia), but everything else about the book was so charming that again, it didn't make a difference. I've got two more of Fforde's titles to read next and I am really looking forward to it. I know they will be a pleasant diversion.

I was in the middle of a nice European cruise and wanted some light reading for those down times one finds on a cruise. "Restoring Grace" was in the ship's library and the cover looked nice, so even though I'd never read any of Fforde's books, I'd give it a try.

I almost never stop reading a book in the middle, but I can't tell you how many times I almost did with this one. If I hadn't been nearing the end of the cruise without time to start a new book, I would have chucked it after about 5 chapters.

The story is a good one, but the characters drove me around the bend having the same conversations over and over and over. I like seeing a nice balance between narration/exposition and conversation. I even like it a little heavy on the conversation, if it makes sense. But these girls went round and round... Grace should get a boyfriend, Grace is/is not still in love with Edward, it's too soon for a boyfriend, etc... Over and over. And over.

It sounds like many readers have enjoyed Fforde's other books, so I might give her another try. But based on this novel, I don't think I'm going to be a fan.

Grace Soudley loves the old house she inherited from her aunt and godmother, even if it is crumbling down around her and without furniture. She is recently divorced and in desperate need of funds to repair her old home. Grace is nervously awaiting her first wine tasting since her divorce, when Ellie Summers knocks on her door to sell her a painting. Thinking that the young woman's paintings are beautiful, and to forget her nervousness, Grace invites Ellie in for a tour of her house and some tea. Grace soon learns that Ellie is pregnant, and her boyfriend is not happy about it.

Grace and Ellie soon become friends, and when Grace learns the Ellie needs a place to stay, the two decide the best action would be for Ellie to rent out a room from Grace. These two friends get along great together and are trying to find a way to earn enough money for Grace to repair her home, when Grace stumbles over some old paintings that Ellie thinks might be valuable enough to pay for any repairs Grace's old home may need.

Restoring Grace is a charming tale of love, laughter, and friendships. This book has an easy flow to it with its lighthearted storyline and lenient characters. I loved watching the transformation and growth of each of these characters throughout the story. Restoring Grace will ease its way into your heart with its humor, honesty, and charm, while also displaying the complexity of relationships. Katie Fforde has created a fascinating story that will enchant everyone who reads it.

Reviewed by: Tammy

For Fallen Angel Reviews

I have loved everything Katie Fforde has written but I really had to make an effort to finish this one. Her character developement in this book was soo basic you could see what was going to happen from page 1. The Grace character is so down-trodden and put-upon that it is hard to feel sorry for her. I am really looking forward to Flora's Lot to get me back in her fan club

This storyline sounded promising. But I really had to struggle with this one. Midway through I put it down and re-read "Wild Designs." I find it hard to believe these two books were written by the same person.

I simply don't believe it. Unless "Restoring Grace" was written in a weekend. Sloppy. Too much mindless dialogue. Several characters with absolutely no appeal.

More than half the dialogue in the book was unnecessary. It did not move the story along. I got the feeling the book was written and then someone - perhaps not even Katie Fforde - padded it with dialogue.

Don't bother. Unless you are easily amused.

This is the first Fforde book and the last I will read. It was not only silly and predictable, but sexist. The characters were cartoonish and none likable. I see where Fforde has written 10 books. Oh my! This one will be returned directly to my public library.

The first KF book i read was Paradise feilds and i really loved it. Since then I've read a few more and i can get into some more than others (the worst for me being Living Dangerously). This book, i felt i could get into really quickly and although the characters really, REALLY annoyed me at times (grace in particular...oh and ran), i enjoyed the book alot.

The biggest issue i had that made me want to give this book a lower rating that i am, was the ending. It was the worst ending ever. It made me rethink the whole book. It was trite and seemed so rushed and the other characters personalities seemed to change within the last few pages of the book.

Saying that, I will be reading another of KF books, because i really like them :)

Restoring Grace is a light--very light--book that is both completely predictable and slugs along. The book moves at a snail's pace, with dialogue that is boring and redundant. None of the characters are believable--they are either all good or rotten. I did manage to read through it, however--fluffy summer reading.

I have to say that I really liked this book. I found Grace to be a fragile person, but by the end of the book she had become strong and able to stand on her own two feet. She was able to do this with the help of Ellie and her sexy new boyfriend, Flynn. Ellie herself seems to be a strong independent sort. She can sometimes come across as being into other people's business, but not overly so that the reader would not find her likeable. This is exactly the type of friend that Grace needs as she struggles to keep up an old house that was left to her as an inheritance. Add to this combination Grace's ex-stepdaugher, a teenage girl who is in her final year of what we would call high school in America, and you have an instant family.

A very heart warming story of how your friends become the family you choose, Restoring Grace is definitely as the title states. Grace's family and those she has surrounded herself with in the past have never really been that supportive of her to include her greedy brother and sister. With Grace's new additions to her inner circle she finds the strength and support that she always deserves. Ellie also comes out with a happy ending, but isnt that how Katie Fforde's books turn out anyway. This is why I like reading her works so much because they leave the read with a warm cozy feeling in the end.