Grace and John seem to go from strength to strength in their relationships, where Jane is struggling. The story moves along at a steady pace towards John's exhibition, where "the space between dreaming" will be shown. Jane and Grace become good friends and try to help each other. Jane wants to help Grace heal. The Space between dreaming, seems to not only be a painting but also a metaphor for the lives of Grace and Jane. They are both missing things in their lives and the story surrounds their observations of their lives and those around them. The book has nice, straightforward dialogue, focusing on emotions, thoughts and reactions. The story has a steady pace, concentrating on the main characters and their life journey. It is literary in some places, in its description of feelings. Powerful. If you like character focused books, with an emotive storyline based on friendship, family and love, this is a good book for you.
Grace and Jane both crave family but for much different reasons. Grace longs for the child she was never able to conceive and Jane for the new family she will have once she marries her boyfriend. They meet and become unlikely friends when Grace’s husband paints his masterpiece and Jane’s gallery represents him. As they ponder their future, Jane’s meddling 80-year-old landlady helps them see the beauty in letting go of expectation. Grace and Jane each see something different in the painting, and it causes them to look beyond their stubborn dreams to a fresh reality that could hold the key to their happiness.
