{Review} Grace Space by Robin Merrill

Most people in this day and age have probably had contact with someone who does direct sales or perhaps have even dabbled in it themselves. Years ago, when my oldest was my only child, I was a Creative Memories consultant. I could tell you some stories about some of the parties I did. Oh wait, they weren't parties, they were "classes."

Grace Space by Robin Merrill follows Darcy, age 24, whose life has fallen apart. She is living back in her childhood bedroom trying to make her student loan payments while working as a waitress. When she hears about Grace Space, the direct sales marketing company that sells makeup, she quickly signs on the dotted line. After all, they make $40 an hour! She quickly realizes that Grace Space isn't what she was promised. The director of her unit is an over-the-top control freak who makes every meeting more interesting than the last. Add to that the cast of characters Darcy meets along the way and there is nothing but laughter and sympathy for our main character. 

I've read Grace Space twice now and enjoyed it even more the second time around. I would so love this book to be longer. That would probably be my only complaint. The pace of the book is fast as we follow poor Darcy on her adventures. One would think that things like this can't really happen, however, I've been part of a direct sales world and it can so happen! Yes, some of the events may be a bit exaggerated, but that's what makes it so funny to read especially for anyone who has ever been part of that world.

About the author:

Robin Merrill is the author of several books, including two collections of poetry from Moon Pie Press and five Scholastic Book Fair books. Her poems, short stories, articles, and essays have appeared in hundreds of publications, including The Cafe Review, Ledge Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Spoon River Poetry Review, and Stolen Island Review. Three of her poems have been featured on The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor. She is a 2013 recipient of an Emerging Artist Award from St. Botolph Club Foundation of Boston. Visit her at robinmerrill.com.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.