The Ways of Grace [Mass Market Paperback]

Dr. Jack Berenger has been living life on the merry go round-work, sleep, eat, work, sleep, eat, etc. for so long, he's astounded when he looks out his window and sees a vision sitting in her wedding gown, seeming to just be waiting for him to come and rescue her. When Jack follows through on his impulse, he never dreams that the woman he'd had his one night stand with would walk out on him, even lying to him about her name. When he discovers that his neighbor is none other than the lying Holly aka Grace Colebrook, he decides he's much better off just to forget about her. Hasn't he had enough problems in his life up to this point? It's why he doesn't feel anymore. But even as Grace lies and tries to evade him, Jack finds himself drawn to this beautiful and intriguing woman against his will. Is it because she seems to be so needy? Because she makes him laugh-something he hasn't done in so long he can't remember when the last time was?

Grace is an incredible heroine-full of laughter, even though her life is falling apart around her, scrambling for excuses to see Jack one minute, and trying to hide from him the next. She's struggling for independence from her overbearing family, and doing an incredible job at a hard time in her life. When she stumbles upon the perfect business-Fluff Cakes-to help her gain confidence, and begin to rebuild her life, we see Grace flourish. And Jack was the perfect hero for Grace. Serious and staid, having given up light and laughter after the tragic death of his daughter, it's like seeing the petals of a flower open up, watching him flourish under Grace's compassion and zest for life.

Ms. Lee has penned an emotionally charged tale, that'll make you cry, and make you laugh out loud, then cry again. Grace and Jack are the perfect balance for one another, and the author does a super job of letting us see not only the relationship grow, but Grace and Jack as people grow. This is Ms. Lee's first venture into contemporary romance, and this reviewer thinks it was absolutely the right move! The Ways of Grace is a love story we'll all want to add to our keeper shelves!

Reads like an ER script? Linda Francis Lee's transition from historical to contemporary plunges into a shaky start where the drama unfolds unabashedly melodramatic with sketchy side-characters like Jack's brother Hugh and her homosexual colleague Mark that sparks occasional banal laughs. The first half of the book is underdeveloped with Jack and Grace in an identity askance though the chemistry between the two is palpable with the alpha-male and damsel-in-distress situation that is out of platitude.

It wasn't till the second part that solved the enigma of the ravishing accolades heaped upon the book. Linda Francis Lee redeems herself as she juggles the dynamics of a family drama with sensitivity and light-hearted humour. The romance improves with Ruth's entrance who added the needed barbs to the tepid pace. She is the seven-year old sprite who comes under Grace's care after the demise of her father. Grace channels her energy to fighting the custody of the child and sheds her wimpish facade to prove to Jack she can carve a niche for herself and set things right through a thorny path. The family drama is poignant as each confronts his personal demons to stay united together in the face of adversity.

It was initially more fluff than stuff and certainly Linda Francis Lee's perilous fall from grace. However like her heroine despite her flaws, she finds strength and beautifully soars with renewed faith and grace. The romance is bittersweet and will leave a smile in its surprising triumph.