Ever since Tori Weston and MamaBear were abandoned by her dad, finances have been tighter than a new pair of skinny jeans. As if keeping her grades up for scholarships and working every spare moment weren’t enough, Tori gets suckered into visiting a retirement home and paired with ancient resident Marigold Williams. After learning she’s the only one to visit Marigold in decades, Tori becomes a … regular at Willow Springs. Besides, someone has to help with her history homework.
Corbin Dallas barges into Tori’s life with a prosthetic leg and a dimple, working his way into her hectic schedule. Though she tries to deny it, there’s something beyond his Texan drawl that gets Tori hoping she’s more than his sidekick. Together, they race to find Marigold’s missing family before she fades away. Tori ditches her soul-sucking job, along with her dreams of having a paint-peeled clunker to call her own, in order to help her friend one last time.
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Victoria Grace is a whip-smart, hardworking teen with a penchant for sarcasm and a strong reluctance to volunteer at a local nursing home. At the not-so-subtle urging of her mom, she finally agrees to make an effort with the old folks. All of this leads her to connect with 90-something Marigold, who has a lot more than a sweet giggle to share with Victoria.
I am 100% down for a good story about an intergenerational friendship, and this book is all of the things and more. Humorous writing (and Instagram feed from the author!), believable characters and wonderful life lessons without being preachy. This is a good Christian YA read — even for those of us who don’t typically read YA.
Note: I received and ARC of this book from the author, but all opinions are my own.
So much praise for Victoria Grace Jerkface. What an emotional and cozy read.
Teenage Victoria Grace is such a hoot. I often found myself giggling at her antics. The whole cast was phenomenal. I adored every second of Tor, Mamabear, and Marigold. My favorite scenes took place with Tor and Marigold. I enjoyed hearing Marigold’s old stories. It was way too easy to get attached to her. The journey of Tor’s story reminded me of the time we have with our loved ones, which is so darn short, and not take anything for granted. And to take the time to learn more about others.
Oh, I almost forgot Corbin Dallas! Loved that little dude. Excellent chemistry between Corb and Tor and not the usually sappy teen romance. Nice job. Overall, VFJG is fun for all ages. A pleasant read that I highly recommend.
Favorite quotes:
“Give him a gift–the gift of your time.” –Marigold
“Make sure he is worthy. Don’t settle for just anyone. Settling is living in fear, and a life lived in fear is a life half-lived.” –Marigold
What a pleasure to be introduced to SE Clancy’s writing by reading her Victoria Grace, The Jerkface. This book was a delight to read. It was so much fun with a lot of laugh out loud humor. There were a few scenes that made me tear up a little bit, too. I adored Tori’s character right from the start. I think many readers would be able to relate to her. I loved watching her grow throughout the story. She was a true to life character and I was happy getting to know her and seeing the relationships she shared.
I am giving Victoria Grace, The Jerkface a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for those who love a heartwarming and entertaining young adult story. I can not wait to read more by SE Clancy in the future.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I liked Victoria Grace. I smiled at the conversations she usually had in her head. I admired her determination to achieve a goal and her love for Marigold. The name she called her mum was just so funny but sweet.
Corbin! Awww he was a darling. I loved every aspect of his character. Despite the tragedy that he went through he took life in stride and brought color into Tori’s life.
I loved her mum’s protectiveness over Tori. I enjoyed reading how the characters lives intertwined.
Very beautiful story of a young girl’s journey through life.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Victoria Grace, the Jerkface was a pleasant surprise of a book! Growing up near the town of Redding, CA I was easily immersed in the backstory of Tori and could also relate to her character. This book touched on a little bit of everything, a little mystery, a little history, a little romance. It’s the kind of book that a preteen/teenager/young adult could easily relate too. But dont let the young adult genre scare you away! “Regular” adults will be able to easily relate too. 😉 The unlikely friendship between Tori and Marigold is absolutely touching. Victoria Grace (as Marigold insists) teaches you to cherish the time you have with your elders, whether they be related to you or not.
I do hope their is a second book to accompany this storyline. It ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and leaves some unanswered questions that I hope get answered in the next one.
Don’t forget your tissues!
What happens when a teenaged girl living with her mom volunteers at a retirement home and meets an elderly woman who has no one else visiting her? Add in a teenaged boy who just moved to the area, and things get interesting. Enough details are given to keep the story interesting while not so much that it bogs the story down.
As a homeschooling mother, I always love finding new young adult novels for my children to read. This book does an excellent job of conveying the difficulties a mom deserted by her husband, and her daughter actually encounter because finances are tight. Perhaps because I am estranged from my own father and my daughter has never met her maternal grandfather, this book really spoke to me.
I loved how Tori refers to her mother as “Mama Bear”. The relationship between her mom and herself helps bring Victoria’s story to life. I loved reading about the “rollercoaster” of emotions and thoughts as Victoria and her new friend Corbin set out to find Marigold’s family.
So check out this book for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Victoria Grace: The Jerkface is a new young adult contemporary fiction title that has entered our house. I’m reading lots of them these days. This is a cute read. I loved the whole aspect of visiting residents of a retirement home as a nurse who has worked in nursing homes for years. Those residents need love and they so appreciate visitors.
This is a fun book that is going to make you want to keep reading. It’s got fun content, some mystery, tiny suspense, and some romance which makes for a good read. I would not put it in the young adult category as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Where is the category for adults young and old? I would not let my preteens read this but it’s a good older teen into adult book.
Tori is a wonderful strong lead character and I appreciate the bond that she has with her mother. There are good positive values in the book but I would not label this book as a Christian book or a book that is going to help increase your child’s faith by reading.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I will surely pick up a few more titles. I do recommend this book for a fun summers read.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Ms. Clancy has shoved some very real and very deep issues into a quirky and entertaining. Told in first person—this reader’s favorite point of view—Jerkface is a discovery of one teen’s wretched existence. Wretched being Tori’s own perception.
The dialogue is simply delightful—a make it or break it for the reviewer—and Ms. Clancy has written winning dialogue, crackling with humor and very real evasive non-answers and almost slapstick flirting.
Marigold is just a delightful old lady, full of sparkle if not vim and vigor. Tori’s connection to her is quick, and deep, an old soul leading and schooling a young whippersnapper.
And Corbin! Can I just say, oh my! And swoon for a minute!!! The epitome of friendly Southern kindness.
An enjoyable story with lessons none of us are ever to old to learn (or revisit) that kept me turning the pages!
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Saturday, #TRD, Book Review Triple Header #2, Victoria Grace: The Jerkface, S.E. Clancy, Celebrate Lit
I have really enjoyed reading this story about a wonderful character named Victoria Grace. The name is quite beautiful and matched her personality. She goes by Tori and I loved her nickname for her mom. They have a great relationship and I liked that her mom checked on her throughout the day. MamaBear is doing the best she can since Tori’s dad abandoned them. Tori is a typical teenager with a goal of buying her own car.
It was nice spending time following Tori through school and her job at the theater. The best part of the story for me was when Tori met Marigold. It started as a challenge in a youth group, but visiting Marigold became so much more. Not having any grandparents I think helped Tori appreciate her time with Marigold. I could sit for hours listening to her stories about Hollywood in the day. Their friendship becomes very special and I liked how the author shows how important it is to visit elderly people.
Corbin is not such a typical teenage boy with his prosthetic leg. It never seemed to bother Tori and I liked how the author took their relationship slow. It is a nice touch to a story that I think teenagers would enjoy reading. There are a few funny moments in the story with a cat that will bring a smile to your face. Animals are so unpredictable and this cat is quite mischievous. I’m hoping the author will do a follow story because I must know who Marigold worked for.
I received a copy of this story from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
A multi-generational story that will appeal to both young adults and adults as it pulls on your heartstrings and leaves you a bit undone. My emotions are so raw as I finish this novel of an unlikely friendship between an awkward seventeen-year-old and a ninety-six-year-old lady. SE Clancy has a clear winner in Victoria Grace, the Jerkface.
“My delicate stick of dynamite.” This is how a friend of Victoria Grace (or Tori, as she’s known to everybody but Marigold), describes our socially awkward and misfit book nerd heroine. Tori has no father present in the home, a mom (“MamaBear”) who is a cop, and a bike for transportation. She wants out of Redding, where they have recently moved…NOW.
In reluctant response to a youth group challenge, Tori ends up at Willow Springs Retirement Home where she meets and slowly befriends prim and proper Marigold.
I love the paradox that is Tori. Unpopular, she is a friend to Madison, who seems like she should be on the inside track. She’s part of the self-joined group of Grammar Police. “Fingernails down a chalkboard. No matter how many times I teased or corrected her, Madison’s text messages looked like an illiterate goat typed them, one hoof at a time.” Oh, do I love Tori! And her sarcasm is cute and ever-present, as is her quick wit. Who else would call a bus a “rolling metal zoo”?
Marigold, of Willow Springs, is sweet, feisty, secretive, and regal, all at once. I love the way Tori and Marigold develop a symbiotic relationship and become stronger as two than they are as individuals.
Ah, Corbin. Not quite perfect, but close. In the right spot at the right time, he grows on you. He complements Tori well.
This book somehow conjures up the same feelings as A Walk to Remember. So be warned and ready. Open the book prepared for laughs, memories, love, and tears. Don’t forget the Kleenex.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher via Celebrate Lit. This in no way influenced my opinions, which are solely my own.
My full review can be found here: bit.ly/33RAu6E
’ .
The above line was probably the second or third line from the first page of this story, and after I read it…I had even HIGHER hopes that , would be an enjoyable book.
And I was right, because this book was absolutely beautiful.
Wow. That’s how I want to “officially” start this review, by saying: WOW.
Honestly, my heart is so full. , offered a little bit of everything. Sarcasm? Yes. Romance? Yes. Depth? Yes. Humor? Yes. Meaningful relationships? Yes. Struggles? Yes.
Like my last read, this book just felt so REAL. I was invested in the characters. I cared about what was happening. I didn’t want it to end. Seriously, I was almost 90% through the book and I forced myself to stop reading justttttt so I could make the experience last a little bit longer.
As far as content goes: There wasn’t any “actual” language (everyone does have different preferences and viewpoints on what counts as profanity though), and I don’t remember any mild innuendo/suggestive comments…soooooo, I would definitely consider this a CLEAN read!
And even though the book is considered Christian fiction, the “religious elements” weren’t overbearing in any way, I found them to be tasteful and realistic.
Okay, well, I’m going to end this review. And I’m ending it by saying that you need to read the book. Seriously.
Why? Because , was a wholesome read about love, family, and growth. It showed the importance of putting others first, and stepping out of your comfort zone to benefit someone else…a lesson that’s good for any age. I honestly can’t recommend the book enough!!
Also, for all you epilogue-lovers (like myself), I’m warning you ahead of time that there is NOT an epilogue. However, I was surprisingly okay with the book’s ending, and I think it was very fitting…so no worries there.
Did I mention that you need to read this book??
~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.~