Book Review: Before We Grow Old by Clare Swatman

I’m excited to share my review for Clare Swatman’s new novel, Before We Grow Old. I adored her previous book Dear Grace so I couldn’t wait to get started with this.

Before We Grow Old by Clare Swatman

Title: Before We Are Old

Author: Clare Swatman

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Genre: Woman’s fiction

Release Date: 19^th Jan 2022

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/2Y7Z8l7

Blurb

When seven-year-old Fran first met Will they knew instantly that they were made for each other. For eleven years they were inseparable, but then, at the age of eighteen, Will just upped and disappeared.

Twenty-five years later Will is back.

Is fate trying to give them a second chance?

Still nursing the heart break from all those years ago, Fran is reluctant to give Will the time of day. The price Will must pay is to tell the truth – the truth about why he left, the truth about why he’s back…

And Fran has her own secrets to hide. The time has come to decide what Fran and Will really want from life – before it’s too late.

My Thoughts

This is a love story with believable characters that grabbed me from the start. Fran and her son Kieran have a settled life which changes with the arrival of her childhood sweetheart Will. The themes of first love and second chance love are covered and I enjoyed reading the chemistry between Will and Fran in the past and the present. With the rediscovery of a list they made when younger listing all they wanted to do before they grow old, there are moments of joy, sadness and reflection. Both characters have secrets that could change their path forever.

It is a highly emotional read told with compassion and sensitivity. Fran as a narrator , allowed me to see her growth, her turmoil but also the depth of her love for Will.

Would I recommend?

Yes, it has a different feel to Dear Grace with the focus on a younger generation but is a delightful, and heart-breaking romantic novel to rival the classic  The Love Story. It’s one that requires a box of tissues and a duvet day to indulge in one day.

Author Biography

Clare Swatman

Clare Swatman is the author of three women’s fiction novels, published by Macmillan, which have been translated into over 20 languages. She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. She lives in Hertfordshire.

Social Media Links  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/clareswatmanauthor

Twitter https://www.twitter.com/clareswatman

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/clareswatmanauthor

Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to this tour and providing an advanced copy for me to review and give my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Book Review: Dear Grace by Claire Swatman

Finally, it is my turn to share my review for Dear Grace by Clare Swatman. I’ve been wanting to tell you all about this book as soon as I closed it for the final time a few weeks ago. Scroll down to see why.

Dear Grace by Clare Swatman

Title: Dear Grace

Author: Clare Swatman

Publisher: Nielsen

Genre: Contempory fiction

Release Date: 25th June 2021

Purchase: Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Grace-Clare-Swatman/dp/1916906001/

• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1916906001
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1916906006

Blurb

The most unlikely friendship. The most unexpected consequences.

When Anna’s husband cheats on her, she’s sure she’ll never be happy again. But then she meets 94-year-old Grace. Despite an age gap of more than fifty years, the pair set out together on a life-changing journey halfway across the country in search of some answers.

Sometimes the only way to move on is to revisit the past. But will Anna and Grace be prepared for what they find?

A story about love, female friendship, heartbreak and learning to forgive.

My Thoughts

Oh my, where do I start? This book is phenomenal and one of the best examples of friendship fiction, the chemistry between Anna and Grace leapt off the page and showcased the depth of love that can exist between friends, whether they are new or old ones. Like in this story, age doesn’t matter; sometimes you meet someone and you just click like these two did.

Clare Swatman has captured realistic characters on the page and I instantly connected with them all but especially Grace with her fierce determination and meddling. She is the glue holding the other characters, Anna and Tom,  in place while they find their place in life. She made me chuckle on more than one occasion and I had to keep on reading when her past began to be revealed.

The descriptions of the seascape and locations are perfect, and atmospheric; I could visualise being on the beach and felt every lap of the ocean on the shore, and this along with the depth of emotion layered in this beautifully written tale immersed me into the trio’s lives. I didn’t want it to end.

Dear Grace is full of humour, love and stunning use of words and it is more than just a novel about friendship, it’s about living your life and loving those you meet.

Would I recommend?

If you have read the above, you know the answer. This is a must read of the year. It’s uplifting and heart-breaking and grabs your soul, making you want to reread it again and again. This is one for my forever bookshelf to be treasured. I now need to read Before You Go.

Author Biography

Clare Swatman

Clare Swatman is an author and journalist. She has had two previous novels published, with her debut, Before You Go, selling in 22 territories around the world. She has also spent 20 years writing for women’s magazines in the UK.

Her latest novel, Dear Grace, is inspired by her love of Lowestoft, the town where she spent many happy holidays with her late grandparents.

Clare lives in Hertfordshire in the UK with her husband and two boys. Even the cat is male, which means she’s destined to be outnumbered forever.

Facebook at Clare Swatman Author, Insta @clareswatmanauthor, and twitter, where she’s @clareswatman

Why not pop to other blogs on the tour?

Thank you Random Thing Tours for inviting me to this tour and providing an advanced copy for me to review and give my honest and unbiased opinion.

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