The Audacity of Sara Grayson by Joani Elliott (Review by Stacey Lorenson)

Fans of Meg Cabot’s Heather Wells Mystery series will enjoy the funny and poignant novel, The Audacity of Sara Grayson, by Joani Elliot, filled with self-deprecating wit and humor, mystery, self-discovery, and romance. The main character, Sara Grayson is still recovering from a divorce from her narcissistic husband when she finds herself unexpectedly grappling with grief over the sudden death of her mother, Cassandra Bond a celebrated author. Cassandra secretly willed her last book in a successful series to be written by her daughter Sara. Sara, who is prone to anxiety induced attacks, reluctantly takes on this task while simultaneous looking for a way out of this overwhelming task. The sudden turn of events coaxes Sara out of her cocoon and thrusts her into a journey of self-discovery where she finds herself collaborating with her nemesis, stumbles upon a new love interest, and attempts to solve a few mysteries along the way. Fortunately, she has a steadfast companion, Gatsby (her dog), her devoted sister Anna-Kath and a cadre of quick-witted, supportive friends all lending her emotional support with grace and understanding that she does not allow herself. Author, Joani Elliott skillfully concocts a very relatable self-discovery journey that takes the reader through a rollercoaster ride of tribulations and triumphs as Sara discovers who she is beyond the shadows of her parents and an inaccurate perception of herself. I found myself cheering Sara on as she carefully unlocked her untapped artistic potential and I laughed at her self-deprecating humor while hoping, she would finally find the love she deserved. The Audacity of Sara Grayson is a thoroughly entertaining, quick read with a lot to offer readers. I especially enjoyed the quotes from famous authors at the start of each chapter. Elliott provides an inside look into the writing process from beginning to end which I found fascinating and reassuring. Books are like relationships … great things involve an intricate process that does not happen overnight.