Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum

Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: Button Jar #1
Publication Date: 1st April 2013
Pages: 400
Book Source: Harlequin Mira

Synopsis: When Emily Oliphant married John Stratten, she thought it was the beginning of an exciting new adventure, imagining herself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the most eligible farmer in the district, mucking in to build a thriving agricultural business. Three years later, however, Emily sees her marriage for what it is — a loveless tie to a callous man, her advice heeded only when it pertains to her husband’s dinner.

The last straw comes when John threatens to harm her new puppy, and Emily is forced to brave her husband’s wrath, and her mother’s glaring disapproval, and move out. With the encouragement of her new friend Barbara, Emily moves into an abandoned property, taking on the mammoth task of making the unloved house into a home. As she begins to work on the property, she discovers a new side of her father, meets some new friends and finds an inner strength she never knew she had.

Emily’s fragile confidence is soon tested, though, when the owners of the property make her a tempting offer. Will she risk everything and invest in the ramshackle house that has finally given her a sense of purpose? Or will Emily listen to the views of the community, and the voice of her mother, and go back to her sensible, but meaningless, life with John?

My Thoughts:

I wanted to love Saving Grace, I really did, the cover is gorgeous and I thought Emily would be someone I identified with ... not so.   

I've been where Emily's been so I was positive I'd feel empathy for this woman and her situation, be rooting for her. Don't get me wrong I understood her fears, the courage it took to finally leave her abusive, controlling husband, the erosion of self esteem and the self doubt but not the self pity and bitterness or the whiny, poor me attitude. Emily just wasn't very likeable and in my experience the attitude of women in abusive relationships is often quite the opposite of Emily's. For me, the circumstances surrounding Emily's leaving didn't ring true, once again and this is just from my own experience, controlling abusive husbands do not go away quietly or quickly.  

The saving grace in this book (pardon the pun) was Emily's good friend, Barbara, their friendship is forged after Emily buys a puppy (Grace) from Barbara. I enjoyed Barbara's wisdom, encouragement and tough love and I also enjoyed the rekindled relationship between Emily and her father. 

I'm sorry to say, the stilted unnatural dialogue made Saving Grace a hard slog. It would be nice to know that Emily figures out the secrets within her Grandmother's button jar, sees her dreams to fruition and finds happiness but I'm just not sure I care enough to read the sequel. 

Cover: love it