When Grace Went Away in Aussie Readers

May 16, 2020 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, own-read, net-galley, 2020-release, aussie-authors, read-on-kindle, contemporary-fiction

Grace Fairley, financial analyst at a large bank in Adelaide, South Australia, had been caring for her mother Sarah since her cancer diagnosis. With Sarah finally in remission, Sarah accepted the posting – and promotion – to the bank’s London office after her mother assured Grace she would be alright. Sarah’s mother was in a nursing home in the final stages of dementia and didn’t know her family any longer. And her father, brother Tim and sister Faith were all still in Miners Ridge, still estran ...more

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May 28, 2020 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-are, aussie-author, provided-by-publisher

A thoughtful, well-crafted story of a mother and daughter at a crossroads, When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard explores the themes of family, love, grief, regret, and forgiveness.

While financial analyst Grace Fairley is excited about her new posting to London, leaving behind her mother Sarah is difficult. Estranged from Grace’s father and siblings in the wake of tragedy, Sarah will be on her own in Adelaide, and Grace fears she’ll be needed and unable to help.
Sarah is happy about her dau ...more

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May 17, 2020 Helen rated it it was amazing

I have just finished this book and it was awesome, I don’t know how I am going to be able to leave Miners Ridge and the Fairley family, this family is going to stay with me for a long time to come. The story of a country family that seems to be falling apart slowly over the years and then a tragedy pushes it to bursting point, so many things have happened over the years things kept secret things that should be said, hurts and jealousies, will they ever be able to mend their hearts and family?

Min I have just finished this book and it was awesome, I don’t know how I am going to be able to leave Miners Ridge and the Fairley family, this family is going to stay with me for a long time to come. The story of a country family that seems to be falling apart slowly over the years and then a tragedy pushes it to bursting point, so many things have happened over the years things kept secret things that should be said, hurts and jealousies, will they ever be able to mend their hearts and family?

Miners Ridge is a rural town in South Australia and the Fairley farm has been in the family for generations Doug and his wife Sarah have four children Grace, Faith, Tim and Luke, life on the farm is a struggle and this is their story. After the tragic loss of their youngest son the family slowly crumbles, Sarah leaves Doug and moves to Adelaide, Grace is working for an international bank in Adelaide Faith is married and living in Miners Ridge with her husband and two children, Tim is now helping his father on the farm.

Grace Fairly is the eldest of the four siblings she is in her forties and loves her job, when she is offered a promotion to work in London she jumps at the chance but there is the family to think of, since her mother has moved to Adelaide she has been helping her and doing her best with visits back to the farm to keep the family at least talking, always thinking of other people maybe it is time for Grace to think of Grace.

Sarah is thrilled that her daughter is going off to London she has done so much for her and the family, the move makes Sarah realize how much she is missing out on her children and grandchildren and makes the decision to move back to Miners Ridge at least for a short time this causes a very big ripple through the family but maybe the start of a better future for the family.

I loved this story from page one and it was a hard book to put down, the emotions that flow through the words are so heartfelt and moving the look we get into the family and their way of coping with life. I felt for them all in so many ways no one is perfect and life can throw some very hard balls at times. There are relationships to rebuild happiness to find and love to see this family through.

MS Appleyard has told this story beautifully, it is really moving and emotional, a story that I highly recommend, it is fabulous I loved it, the ending was so wonderful and left me smiling and yes I did shed a few tears as I got emotionally involved in this family and their story. ...more

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Jun 11, 2020 Rhoda rated it liked it

3.5 stars

Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Grace is a country girl from Miners Ridge, South Australia who moves to Adelaide for her work as a financial analyst for an international bank. Grace’s family has become quite dysfunctional following the death of her youngest brother, so when Grace accepts a promotion and moves to London, she’s forced to take a step back from trying to keep the fractured family in touch.

The book is told from the perspectives of Gr ...more

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Apr 25, 2022 Catsalive rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aww, 2022

An enjoyable tale about family set mainly in the small South Australian community of Miners Ridge. It is told in two voices, that of Grace Fairley & her mother Sarah Fairley. I did get confused about who was speaking, occasionally, & had to look back at the chapter heading to relocate myself.

The death of Grace's brother, Luke, eight years ago has ripped the family to shreads. Her father stopped communicating & Sarah, unable to stand it any longer, left for Adelaide where Grace has been supportin ...more

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Sep 14, 2020 Janine rated it it was amazing

What a lovely story this is! It's told from two points of view - firstly Grace who is the eldest of 4 children, and Sarah who is their mother.

Grace has been fortunate enough to earn a private school education which has led to her high-flying career in investment banking. When offered a transfer from Australia to the UK for 12 months she jumps at the chance to further her career. Grace is 40 and has never been interested in having a family of her own, she is married to her job.

Sarah, Grace's mum ...more

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