Finding Grace, Loretta Rothschild

This is a rom-com in books, not my usual grab, yet it must have come from NY Times Books?  It was on my list, so what the hell, I read it. Her debut novel, Rothschild explores the depths of grief, the nature of family, and the harsh power of secrets, all narrated through a unique perspective. The story opens with Honor, a woman consumed by her desire for a second child. But a tragedy in Paris leaves her widower, Tom, shattered and raising their infant son, Henry, alone… a baby born via a surrogate and an anonymous egg donor. The plot takes a sharp turn when Tom accidentally discovers the identity of the egg donor, Grace Stone, a widow who resembles his late wife. Driven by a need for connection and a desire to give Henry a piece of his history, Tom engineers an ‘accidental’ meeting with Grace, launching a second-chance romance built upon a major lie.

Rothschild forces readers to wrestle with difficult questions about whether love can truly flourish on a foundation of withheld truth.  Ethical quandary… a character study on its portrayal of Tom, who makes choices born of immense grief rather than malice. Themes of modern motherhood, genetic identity, and resilience are explored. I found Tom's actions frustrating, though the intricate bonds that define a family are never as prevalent as they are today.