Sasha Wagstaff

Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Too much back and forth between the past and the present in this book. It was sweet to see Luke and Lucy's love story but the contrast of where they came from vs where they are was too depressing for me. From the summary of the book, it's clear that it's not a happy story but man, anyway you look at it, this story was difficult to get through. I also don't much care for stories with cheating plot lines and this one especially threw me as an extra knife in the gut because of the outcome of the affair set against Lucy's day to day struggle.… (meer)

A special thank you to Harper Collins UK, Avon and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ella Harper’s bittersweet debut contemporary novel, PIECES OF YOU, is a powerful, and emotional tale involving morality and secrets.

Set in England, Lucy and her husband, Luke have a dream of building a family and a home of their own. Unfortunately Lucy gets discouraged after multiple miscarriages, failed pregnancies, and eight long years of trying with no luck having a baby. She is obsessed with being a mother and continues to wish and hope and question, the what ifs?

When more tragedy occurs, Lucy begins to think about her priorities. When a woman arrives with a secret which will further complicate her life, she is faced with more choices, and her love is love is tested, time and time again.

A heartbreaking novel, written with sensitivity, clarity, and raw emotion with a bittersweet gift for one woman who longs to be a wife and mother. Told from different POV’s of Luke and Lucy, family members, and friends, some offering more support than others.

A novel of relationships, marriage, family drama, tragedy, betrayal, and choices. Every character in the novel has something to hide and each have repercussions.

PIECES OF YOU would make an ideal book for book clubs and groups with some thought-provoking questions, as how different things would be if the characters had chosen to tell the truth.

A compelling and absorbing, debut novel, of flawed characters, inspired by personal loss and fertility issues suffered by the author’s friends, making it a unique and special novel.

Fans of Diane Chamberlain, Lisa Jewell, Sarah Rayner, Jojo Moyes, and Liane Moriarty will enjoy Harper’s style – An author to follow!
… (meer)

Pieces of You by Ella Harper was the emotional story of how an entire family deals with a tragedy and a scandal. Lucy has the ideal relationship with her husband Luke, except their inability to have children. There have been close calls, but each attempt has ended in heartbreak. To add to the suffering, Luke is severely injured, putting him in a coma. During this time, a scandalous secret is revealed, throwing Lucy’s already teetering life in to a tailspin.

I wanted so badly for the secret not to be true. I was rooting for Stella to be a conniving liar, so I was disappointed when the truth was revealed. Pieces of You had a good plot and pulled me in, leaving me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The characters were believable and their feelings were nearly palpable.

Would I recommend this book? I’m not sure. While I thought the plot was strong, I was not a fan of all the different POVs. I understand their importance, being able to see the toll the accident is having on everyone, but it was too much for me. I think the story would have been just as engaging without seeing what Luke’s family was going through. As always though, to each his/her own. Never base your judgement on what I say, for I am just a normal gal.… (meer)