Really enjoyed this book. Great plot and engaging, believe characters. I was drawn right into the story. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

Ah the second chance romance! Jess and Rupert were childhood BFFs and first loves but their lives diverged when he went to the US for college. Now they're back in the same town. They've both got baggage but fans of this genre know that their secrets will eventually come out. A good read.

It took me over an year to write this review since I wanted to give this book a second, third and almost fourth chance.

This book, somehow, just didn't work for me. Everything felt too longish,
Too much of thinking, too much of ideas and contemplating the fate, too much easily avoided mistakes.

I love serendipity stories, I love the idea of sacrificing something for love, etc. but it seems, or at least the writing gave me that idea, that everything could have been resolved much earlier in the book.

I was especially annoyed by the fact that one chapter is written excellently but then the next two somehow deflated and it seems they were just written to fill out the page. :/

The connection, love, chemistry were somehow not explained thoroughly, at least I couldn't feel it at all, even though their love story was repeated numerous times and felt so repetitive on every second page as they discussed their fate.

This book really didn't make a great impression on me even though I really love reading about love and second, even third chances.

Jess and Rupert have known each other since they were born. Their homes backed up to each other and they have been friends their entire lives, until they became more than friends. Rupert goes off to boarding school and then both he and Jess finish college, planning to get married. But Jess' father dies suddenly and Rupert decides to accept a position at Harvard, an ocean away from Jess. Jess is devastated and a misunderstanding between them breaks them up. Ten years later, where this story begins, they meet up again and make an all out effort to resolve their differences and the misunderstanding, so as to begin a life together.

This was a well written, engaging story. Upon starting this book, one can really feel the romance of this reunited couple beginning all over again. There are ups and downs in their story, but that makes it all the more realistic read. Definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Rachel Burton, and the publisher HQ Digital for opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I could not put this book down. Such a beautiful story with a very easy pace. The characters are likable and I'm pretty impressed with how she dealt with writing her character's illness. An excellent read and I will be checking out the rest of her work.

This was a lovely second chance romance that was a joy to read and warmed my heart.

A can't believe that this was my first book by Rachel Burton - but it was! I do love a good second chance romance and this one was exactly that.

When Jess and Rupert parted ways, it was the end of a great love story that might have been. Now ten years later, the very different paths they have taken in life will bring them back together for a chance meeting.

But with so much left unsaid about the breakup neither ever recovered from and with each keeping their own devastating secrets, will they finally be able to make the fractured pieces of their love for one another whole again?

Jess and Rupert were both very well drawn, complex characters who I immediately liked. Rachel Burton had a beautiful writing style and I really appreciated the way that the emotion and angst in this book just poured off the pages. The story was told from both Jess and Rupert‘s points of view, along with old diary entries.

"The Pieces of You and Me" was a gorgeous tale packed with wonderful characters, second chances, angst, and love. I highly recommend this great novel.

Its a great second chance romance. The chemistry was off the charts between these two. The storyline in itself was compelling and I simply could not put it down Its my first rachel burton book but it certainly not going to be my last one. I enjoyed this second chance romance very much and will definately reccomend it. Can't wait to read more of her books.

Painful at times, heartbreaking at others, Pieces of You and Me is the story of Jesse and Rupert, torn apart and reunited with many years, relationships and pain between them. They were friends since birth, lovers since sixteen. They fall apart when his demanding father sends him from the UK to Harvard. Each of them suffers later from debilitating diseases that neither wants to bring up or discuss. When they meet again, the lack of openness and honesty threatens to tear them apart again but the strong desire to be a loving unit at last stands firm as they slowly, painfully navigate the chance for a future.

This is a story about two people who break up, follow different life paths, but true love brings them back together. I loved learning about their past while rooting for their future. A great read!

Rachel Burton has a way of writing that just sweeps you up and transports you. Her style is almost ethereal and you can feel the heat, the cold, the raindrops as she writes. Rupert and Jess are simple characters but with complications that have made for misunderstandings and their lives not going how they had expected. The issues they deal with in this book are written from the heart, and there's an undeniable truth, and pain within them. But there is also hope. And that, as always, is what we have to hold on to.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and fell in love with the cover, as well. loved the two main characters, Jess and Rupert, and the second chance at love, and how hard life is and how it takes you on different paths. The only aspect I really didn't enjoy a lot were the journal entries. I think this book could've been better if these were omitted and narrative added instead. Thanks NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

#ThePiecesOfYouAndMe #NetGalley

You might think the theme of girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl gets boy back (or vice versa!) would be getting tired by now. But no, it isn’t, and I don’t think it ever will, especially when in the hands of authors like Rachel Burton who give their own very unique take on this timeless situation.
We have two very interesting protagonists in Jess and Rupert. Jess narrates the portions of the story that centre around here, whereas we get a third person pov for Rupert. This means we get to know Jess a little better than Rupert, since we really can see into the corners of her mind and she is deservedly the central character of the story. She has a lot on her plate besides losing Rupert, and she is strong and resilient. The different points of view also add an element of disjointedness which reflects what the book is about – the disjointed pieces of the two characters that somehow need to be fitted back together again. It won’t be easy, but nothing is that is worth doing.
The pace is generally gentle, but with plenty of excitement along the way, touches of humour and always sensitive writing. Descriptions of places and people are beautifully done and this is a very richly textured book. Entertaining, moving and very satisfying.

This book really seemed up my alley but I never really found myself super invested in it. There were old journal entries with a background story - I think I needed a bit more of that to care about the characters and them reconnecting. I would be interested in trying another book because it’s written well and is definitely the genre I love.

This was a warm heart touching read of second chance romance with the backdrop of chronic illness, told in the voices of Jess and Rupert best friends and childhood loves. Things happened, circumstances changed, they broke up, moved away and years later, they met...

The story by Rachel Burton had me smiling and feeling sad at the situations of our lives. Chronic illness can cause havoc, and the author has depicted this beautifully. The author's foreword did mention that she too suffered from the same illness, and that came across so well in the prose. There was a rawness to it that only a person who has gone through it all could write. I commend the author for doing so.

I was rooting for Jess and Rupert in the entire book, as I always want love to succeed, especially when things are difficult. The book was a bit slow for me, but that added to its sweetness. The story had its moments of drama with secrets revealed so that added a flavor to it.

Overall, a beautiful book of second chance at love and life

I really enjoyed this book. I liked both of the main characters, Jess and Rupert. It was easy to see that they really were made for each other, and it was just circumstances that drove them apart all those years ago. I really wanted them to have their second chance.

I found that I learned so much from Jess having a chronic health condition. I knew very little about M.E. before reading this novel. The author mentions in her foreword that she has it too, and she handles it so sensitively and describes so well what it is to live with it each day.

The pace of this novel is perfect for the storyline, gently weaving its magic around the reader. It’s a book to savour and enjoy. Yet another gorgeous novel from this excellent author.

4☆ A Compelling and Heart Warming Romance

The Pieces of You and Me is a poignant and compelling read about relationships, starting again, illness, and second chances.

Jess and Rupert were childhood sweethearts and best friends. But as they grew up things happened and they broke up and drifted apart.

Fast forward a good few years and a chance meeting sees them together again after so long apart.
As feelings and emotions resurface can Jess and Rupert put the past behind them and give love a second chance?
Or is it too late?

What I really enjoyed most about this book was the raw and honest insight into invisible chronic illness.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and every day is a battle, a tiresome battle. I too suffer from fatigue and it literally knocks you for six.
It's so nice and refreshing to see invisible chronic illness represented in such a heartfelt way.

The Pieces of You and Me is a compelling and heart warming romance, told by Jess and Rupert viewpoints, i found the pace to be slower as the story progresses over the years which fits in perfectly, the characters are well thought out, flawed, and somewhat relatable.
This is a story of second chances, finding love, coping with illness, loss, relationships, family, secrets, drama and starting over.

So if you enjoy your women's fiction with a contemporary romance twist that's full of angst, uncertainty, Emotion, and romance then you will really enjoy The Pieces of You and Me.

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A very emotional, moving look at the impact of chronic illness and mental illness on relationships. Excellent read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

If I were to choose one voice which could speak on my behalf regarding my thoughts and feelings surrounding invisible illnesses, i would pick this book every single time. Not only does the author make it clear that she suffers from ME/chronic fatigue syndrome herself, she puts the reality of day to day life with illnesses, into the storyline in a way which non sufferers will understand.

Granted, there’s a character in this book which unknowingly ends up representing a percentage of people who invisible illness sufferers unfortunately come across (spoiler – shes a battleaxe), but the characters who mattered gave me hope for the future.

As I mentioned above, the theme of ‘The Pieces of You and Me’ centres around Jess’ journey with ME and Rupert’s journey with mental health, and I think a lot of people could learn a thing or two from every inch of this book.

As someone who has multiple chronic illnesses and who suffers with their mental health, I found the content of the story both emotional and hopeful. Emotional because it was hard reading the similarities between fact and fiction, watching Jess struggle with something that was so far out of her control and being able to empathise with her. Emotional because the author wrote the words which I struggle to speak. Emotional because I wanted to thank the author for doing justice for chronic illness warriors everywhere. Emotional because it made my own situation become more real. Emotional because it made me realise just how much people expect of me….

Not forgetting hopeful, I mean you only have to pay attention to Jess’ mum and the word ‘hope’s ends up being everywhere. Caro is like an angel – I want one!

There were several dislikeable characters in this book for me, and I will hold my hands up and say that Rupert, a lot of the time, fit that criteria well. I know he had a hard time, and still was, yet the way in which he conducted himself at times made me feel as though he was throwing a tantrum purely because of his personality. Some may say a bit marmite.

I thought the split narrative was done brilliantly and gave the storyline a great variation. That said, I did struggle to work out what the ‘IT’ was for the storyline. You know, what the hook was if you took away the illnesses. I mean, I could see what Jess and Rupert were trying to achieve, but if they didn’t have the illnesses they had, what would have been their final destination because I actually thought they didn’t fit that well together!

All in all, I loved the fact that chronic illnesses are being written about, and I adored how Rachel Burton conveyed the harsh truths alongside the hope and belief. I am in awe at the authors strength, as well as the strength of her characters and if I could reach inside the book and give them all a big hug, I totally would.

A beautiful portrayal of missing puzzle pieces, the power of hope and understanding, as well as the thought provoking realities of hidden illnesses – I would recommend Rachel Burton’s words in a heartbeat

Now who doesn’t love a second change at love sort of book and Jess and Rupert definitely take us on an emotional journey! Not only was this a great contemporary read it also gave so much more depth with having to deal with a chronic illness. This was a good book to get engrossed with on a Saturday afternoon, though at points it did seem a little slow with everything going on but I think that had to do with a lack of communication between the characters, there was some definite internal screaming from me going on. This was my first book by Rachel Burton but I will be checking out her other two as soon as I can, although frustrating at points I really did like how the story was set out and the writing really brought it alive. Four out of five stars!