Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Saving Gracie is a work of fiction in the women's literature subgenre. It is suitable for the general adult audience and was penned by author Jill Teitelman. The book follows the journey of Ruth Kooperman as she experiences late-life motherhood and the challenges that come with it. A key part of Ruth’s ability to cope with her quest to find her place in the universe whilst raising a child during menopause is helped by her dear friend Gracie with whom she shares an honest and empowering friendship. When Gracie is suddenly faced with the prospect of dying well before her time, Ruth must find the strength to push on and support her friend.

I was so moved by this story of female friendship and the strength and power that can be drawn from such a bond, rooted as it was in down-to-earth and well-realized characters, that I couldn’t help but emotionally invest in Ruth's and Gracie’s journeys. Author Jill Teitelman depicts two unique women with an incredible deftness of prose that emphasizes the deep emotional bond between them whilst constantly keeping the reader hooked on the narrative. As with any story capable of producing laughter and tears in equal measure, there is such a strong feeling of bittersweet contentment by the tale’s conclusion; with the journey undertaken to be a turbulent one from the word go, it is easy to feel a personal stake in the outcome. Overall, Saving Gracie is a tribute to strong women and the secret source of their strength: the friendships they share with other women.