You know what they say, sometimes it's the right person, but at the wrong time. I think that is what the relationship between Jess and Rupert is like. Sometimes life intervenes and throws obstacles in our path, which is how the two of them are drawn apart in the first place.

Rupert is very insecure and jealous, perhaps because he has already lost so much time with Jess. His reaction to Dan is over the top and almost controlling. In fact I found it hard to find Rupert sympathetic at times.

Chronic illness and ill health play a major role in this story. The way the healthy react to people with chronic conditions and more importantly how those with chronic conditions deal with life in general, especially when it's a condition like ME (chronic fatigue). There are still plenty of medical professionals who doubt the validity of the existence of said condition. I think perhaps the lack of understanding about how it takes a toll on the life of a person suffering from ME is more relevant to this story.

Jess has good days and sometimes really bad ones, and any romantic partner has to be able to cope with the erratic nature of the condition. Jess knows from experience that it makes some men run in the opposite direction.

It's a story about second chances, perhaps even fate in a way. It's women's fiction and contemporary fiction with a focus on friendship and compassion, rather than two people being swept away by passionate encounters. It's a slow burner with strong, yet at times quite self-serving characters.

When I first signed up for the publication day push for The Pieces of You and Me, I had no idea that the Jess, the main character, was an M.E. sufferer. As someone with fibromyalgia I felt instantly connected to the character, and what she was dealing with. Couple that with the fact that I am also the last of my school friends to be single, and that Jess is an author writing under a pen name, and I began to wonder if the author had actually been stalking me for the past few years! There was so much in the character of Jess that I could relate to, the fear of being a burden, of being scared of what the future held, that at times this could have been a difficult read for me. However, Rachel Burton handles this part of the story so gently that it in fact left me feeling hopeful.

Reading about Jess and Rupert growing up made me nostalgic for my own teenage years, where again Jess’s life seemed to parallel mine to a degree (seriously Rachel, how long have you been following me around?), with my girl friends and I attending the local state school, and our boy friends coming from a nearby private school. It brought back happy memories of long hot summers, and thinking that we would be friends forever.

As well as Jess’s M.E., The Pieces of You and Me also tackles the subject of mental health, but again in such a delicate, sensitive way that even though the situation is heartbreaking, you still come away feeling positive. It was great to read a book where although these issues are tackled, and clearly have an effect on every aspect of all the characters lives, the illness is not the main focus of the book. It isn’t an inspirational tale of self-discovery, it is simply a tale of a group of people dealing with the hand that life has given them and getting on with living that life the best way they can. I think this is so important to show – the fact that is no miracle cure of life-changing revelation, but at the same time, chronic illness doesn’t mean that your life is over.

THE PIECES OF YOU AND ME by Rachel Burton is an emotional journey of second chances. A story of debilitating illness and an everlasting love. This is a story you won't want to miss!

This novel has an overall melancholic tone which emphasises the regrets that Jess and Rupert have over how their relationship has stalled with all its ups and down. The novel has an interesting structure in that you are given Jess's first person point of view, Rupert's reported thoughts and sections of Jess's diary. This takes you back and forth in time so that you begin to understand why they split. Grief and thwarted perfectionism seem to have held sway and there are secrets which both are hiding.

It becomes clear that health limitations have been major factors in their lives and it is illuminating to see the reactions of friends and family towards them. Misunderstandings and miscommunications get in the way of this second chance romance and sometimes it feels as though Jess and Rupert will never be able to stop skirting around the issues. Overall, you do root for them however, as they try to work their way through unspoken issues.

In short: Two likeable characters try to find a way back - an emotional read.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

When Jess bumps onto her ex, Rupert at her best friend's hen party, it's immediately obvious that there is unfinished business between the couple. It's also very clear that their feelings for one another never really went away. With most of their family and friends keen to see the pair reunited, this looks like a second chance for love. They both still need to face up to the events which led to them breaking up in the first place and be honest with themselves and each other about how the intervening ten years has changed them.
The story is told from both their viewpoints - in the case of Jess, either from her first person perspective in the present day or through a journal she wrote years ago which recalls their childhood friendship which eventually evolved into first love until their emotional split at the airport when Rupert left for Harvard without her. Rupert's point of view is also set in the present but through a third-person narrative and between the three different ways of following their story, I was able to gain a clear insight into their relationship and to be in the position of understanding the reasons behind their relationship stalling before they did.
I suspect this will mean that those desperately hoping for the happy ever after will find the behaviour of Jess and Rupert frustrating at times. It's true that they are both guilty of withholding secrets which leads to suspicion and jealousy but I could see they they are scared of revealing their flaws in case it drives the other away, even if their fear of being hurt risked jeopardising their second chance at love. While there were moments when I wished they were ready to express their doubts, I could easily empathise with their reticence at sharing their secrets.
Some of the most moving parts of the story, for me were Jess' attempts to come to terms with her M.E. diagnosis. Although she was diagnosed years ago and for the most part has learned how to manage her condition, meeting Rupert again reveals that she hasn't fully reconciled herself emotionally with her new normal. Rachel Burton's own experience as a M.E. sufferer means she can write about this still little understood illness with honesty and clarity. One of the things I really loved about Jess is that she refuses to let her health issues define her and has developed ways of coping which have allowed her to achieve professional success. I couldn't help but hope that she'd eventually find the courage to open up to Rupert but I understood her concerns; unfortunately not everybody is able to cope with the chronic illness diagnosis of a loved one and it's not surprising that she was frightened of his response.
Meanwhile, it transpires that Rupert hasn't had the easiest time of it either and still needs to confront his own issues. He also fears what Jess will say if he shares his secret with her but with the pair both too afraid to truly open up, a sense of mistrust and doubt begins to tarnish their fragile reconciliation. They also need to discuss what caused their relationship to fall apart ten years ago; as a reader, with the benefit of omnipotence, there are moments when it is baffling to see how the couple allow things to go unsaid rather than have a difficult conversation. Life can be like that however, and at our most emotionally charged times, it's not always easier to have the courage or the foresight to truly express ourselves.
The Pieces of You and Me is an touching and honest character-driven novel which is an engaging and realistic look at second chance love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anybody who enjoys romantic novels which explore the realities of having to work at love amidst the baggage which we inevitably all amass as we progress through life.

3.5/5 stars
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 break up 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?

This is a wonderfully written story with relatable characters. I loved the main characters as well as the supporting characters, and I think we could all use a Gemma in our lives. The story sucks you in and you can't seem to put it down as the plot unfolds. The heartbreak when Jess and Rupert suffer a huge loss is devastating. and their inability to cope drives a wedge between the two. They were to young and ill-equipped to handle it at the time. You can't help but feel sorry for them as they try to figure out how to process it later on when they meet up again.

I loved that she touched on mental illness and chronic fatigue in this book and brought awareness to others who may not understand the difficulties of someone who suffers from either of the illnesses. There is a certain kind of disappointment a person feels when their body betrays them despite their will to get better. That disappointment is only made worse when people don't believe you. While Jess may come off a bit insecure, I'm sure the insecurities are just a common side effect of chronic illness. As I read of their struggles I couldn't help but root for them and hope for their happy ending.

The issue I had with this book was the journal entries. They seemed like they were in the past, but with her current feelings mixed in. It was nice to get history on the couple, but the journal entries felt off to me. As you read them you got the feeling they were written by 31 year old Jess and not 16 year old Jess.

Overall I enjoyed this book and read it in one day. If you take anything from this book it should be that you shouldn't take loved ones for granted and you don't know what someone's struggles may be. Love and relationships take work and you must communicate if you want it to work.

Thank You Netgalley, HQ Digital, and Rachel Burton for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

One of the things I love about Rachel Burton’s books is the way she manages to capture my attention from the very start. The style that she has is just so effortless and it was clear that this was a journey that I was going to really enjoy.

The story is told through three perspectives, we get the present day through Jess and Rupert and the past through some of Jess’s diary entries. I enjoyed the dual timeline it meant that you got a better sense of how much the characters meant to each other and cemented how difficult their separation was. Although I have to admit to a little niggle, the diary sounded more like a letter to Rupert rather than Jess just writing in her diary, all the same things could have been said but sometimes it just kept popping into my head who writes a diary to someone.

I am a sucker for a second chance romance and from the start there is this hint toward the tension between Jess and Rupert. It didn’t take me long before I was questioning what was it that happened between them and wondering how they will work to move past it. I loved the chemistry between them, even with the uncertainty that Jess is feeling at the beginning, you can still feel that connection and I was immediately rooting for them.

I really liked both Jess and Rupert they were both so strong and vulnerable and that worked really well as a dynamic between them. The author has a knack for writing the most beautifully flawed characters, this isn’t a fairytale romance, it’s realistic and the characters are more endearing for it.

I could empathise a lot with Rupert, his habit of keeping everything in until he can’t cope, letting his feelings get the better of him and reacting irrationally to such extreme emotion, that really spoke to me but I liked that he never took long to realise when he was in the wrong. I liked that Jess had such determination, she has an illness that has completely changed the course of her life but she doesn’t let it keep her down, she creates something new from it. I don’t think I fully appreciated the kind of impact that such an illness can have on your life, especially when it’s something that can’t be tested for, so I’m glad to have been introduced to this perspective.

There was however something that just didn’t sit entirely right with me and that was part of the reasoning behind their split, I could understand a lot of it but it was also resting on the fact that Rupert essentially cuts all ties with everyone and I don’t think I found that believable.

I also think that there was a point in the book when they were having communication problems that it started to feel a little repetitive, probably very true to life, but it did mean that my attention waned slightly. Despite that I still loved the journey these characters had to take and really wanted them to get a happy ending.

Another wonderful book from Rachel Burton, she is definitely one of my go-to authors and I excited to see what comes next.

I had a hard time getting into this one. This was just okay for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read it and for the ARC.

Have you ever had one of those loves that you just cannot shake off no matter how hard you try?  Jess and Rupert have!  Childhood friends, teenage sweethearts and adult lovers, Jess and Rupert say goodbye.  In the ten years they are apart, neither manages to get over the other and a fluke meeting in York ten years later brings them together again. But, they are no longer the same people and each one has their own secrets and heartaches to bring into the relationship. 

Has too much time passed or can they finally complete their stories, together? 

I just adore the different devices used to tell the story.  

We have diary extracts from Jess, written as a young teen/adult and we get to relive her experiences through these writings.  Told with the words of someone mature but definitely a teenager it's refreshing to look at things from this perspective.  Your first real love is always special and I think the feelings it brings are captured beautifully in these extracts. 

In the present day we are told the story from two perspectives: Jess and Rupert.  Throughout both narratives the missing pieces from the past ten years are revealed slowly so although there are hints to the secrets they are both hiding, you don't find out immediately.  Jess is such a darling and her narrative is written beautifully to show her vulnerability and fears whilst not making her seem weak in character.  I love the fact that we also get Rupert's perspective although his narrative reveals less about him that Jess's, it's great to read that point of view which is often not found in romance novels. 

From the very beginning you are rooting for Jess and Rupert, I mean - Rupert is like the perfect man.  By not revealing everything at once, Ms Burton keeps the pages turning until the very end.          

Such a lovely book and highly recommended for fans of romance novels.

Rachel Burton writes emotional, immersive and captivating novels that never fail to tug at the heartstrings and her latest novel, The Pieces of You and Me is another outstanding tale that will linger in your mind and heart long after the last page is turned.

Jess and Rupert were soulmates who were always destined to be together. Born a few hours apart and living close to one another, their childhood friendship soon developed into an all-encompassing love that simply could not be denied. Jess and Rupert had thought theirs was a love that was going to last a lifetime. Nothing and nobody was going to come between them and tear them apart – but fate had other ideas in store for them. As life got in the way of their relationship, Jess and Rupert soon found themselves going their separate ways, having been left with no other option but to get on with their lives and put the past behind them. However, moving forward was easier said than done…

When a chance meeting propels them back into each other’s lives again, both are surprised. It’s been ten years since they stopped being two parts of the same whole and a lot has changed since then – but a lot has also stayed the same. Both Jess and Rupert have taken different paths and travelled down different roads, however, as old feelings and emotions that have been buried for so long return with a vengeance, they find themselves gravitating towards one another again.

Fate has given Jess and Rupert a second chance, but have they got the courage to fight for their right to be happy? Will the fractured pieces of their hearts ever heal? Or is their relationship best consigned to the past?

Rachel Burton’s books are best read with a box of tissues handy and a cardiologist on speed dial because her books are so poignant and emotional that they could sever your heartstrings. Beautifully written, life-affirming and honest, The Pieces of You and Me is a phenomenally told tale of second chances, redemption, courage and healing that is simply outstanding. Rachel Burton creates characters that are so vividly drawn and believable, you will come to care for Jess and Rupert as if they were your closest and dearest friends.

A book that made me laugh, cry and feel every single emotion going, The Pieces of You and Me continues to cement Rachel Burton’s standing as writer who is at the very top of her game!

This book intrigued me when I read the blurb as it didn’t give too much away. Actually, I don’t think it really said anything apart from there was a great love, then there wasn’t and 10 years later they find each other again.

I love the way we flick between Rupert and Jess and also the fact that Jess’s diary also places a huge part in telling their story. I’m just sorry it was only from Jess’s point of view rather than both.

Rupert and Jess have both changed a lot and problems have definitely been thrown in their path before getting to where they are now. But after a few heart to hearts they are stronger than ever.

I loved the writing style of this, it was a nice quick read and I was hooked from page 1. I couldn’t put it down and yes I did burn the midnight oil! Only once though as I read in 2 sittings! The pages just kept turning.

I’d certainly recommend this and tell other people to read it. It also gives a slight insight into something that I’d never heard of before, it made me have to research it and find out more. I can’t tell you what this is as it plays a huge part in the story, if you want to know, go and read it 😀 !

I loved this book and related to it on many levels. As someone who spends too much time under the duvet, I instantly connected to Jess who has ME.  Jess has adapted to life with chronic illness, living at home and has carved out a successful career as a writer despite the tendrils of her condition affecting all aspects of her life. There were times it made me cry and say "I know that feeling". The frustration of watching peers being busy their lives with no need for naps, medication or pacing, the emotions of having to let go of your old life to make way for a new one and the fear the illness will steal more from you in the future. It describes Jess’s dilemma balancing her heart’s desire with the knowledge how much ME affects relationships and it discusses whether being with your soulmate is enough to face a future of uncertainty together. Rupert has his own demons he faces, and it was refreshing to see the other side of the story.

The depth of emotion between the two characters touched me when Jess’ diary told the story of their lives, from best friends to lovers and the circumstance which ripped them apart. It is a tale of deep love, trust and the importance of revealing your true self. The other topics covered include grief, mental health, but they are dealt with sensitively and does not wallow. It left me with feelings of hope and uplifting.

I am grateful to Rachel Burton for writing an honest heart felt depiction of life with a chronic illness, showing its fears hopes and uncertainty but how with the power of love and determination someone can make a new but different life. As an aspiring writer having a character achieve success while pacing her writing time around fatigue gives me hope.

Would I recommend?
Yes, this novel is a love story but it is also so much more.  I would like a physical copy on my forever shelf to read again when I need encouragement but also to share so others can understand the realities of life when it is turned upside down because of illness.

I have loved Rachel Burton’s previous books so I couldn’t wait to pick up her latest release! In The Pieces of You and Me we meet Jess and Rupert who bump into each other after 10 years apart and what follows is not only about their chance meeting. It is also a wonderfully nostalgic and beautiful story that I found so engaging. Now I’m going to be as vague as I can regarding the plot because all the little reveals and past memories are so worth discovering for yourself. What I will say is that it was extremely easy to be pulled into Jess and Rupert’s life especially as I was so curious about what happened all those years ago.

Rachel Burton has created a story with warmth and love but also with a realistic down to earth feel. This story shows how people can be flawed, make mistakes but also maybe get that second chance too! I loved how the reader is shown Jess and Rupert’s relationship both in the past and also their present. All being revealed in a wonderful way so that the reader is given bits of information carefully at a time to digest. I think this really helped me to become even more attached to these characters. I loved the diary entries ( I have a soft spot for them in any story) they helped to build the emotional connection to the characters especially showing Jess’s hopes and fears. The minor characters all brought something to the story too whether it was drama, love or friendship with it all coming together to create something very special!

The Pieces of You and Me is a beautiful love story showing that life isn’t necessarily perfect but that’s okay! Honest, heartfelt and uplifting!

As a reader, it is always a thrill to find a new author and novel which resonates with you. Pieces of You And Me is such a book and tells a story which will stay with me for a while. 

Ten years after watching Rupert walk away for a new life in the US, Jess never expected to see him again. That's until they are both in the same pub in York. Much has changed in her life since then but is she strong enough to cope with seeing him again? 

Rupert never forgot Jessie, the only woman he's ever loved, yet he turned his back on their relationship to study at Harvard. Ten years later he wants to rekindle what they had, but has too much time passed for them to have a second chance? 

The narrative flowed effortlessly even though I'm not normally a fan of flashbacks. Written as Jessie's diary entries, I found it easy to keep astride of the novel and it provided insightful understandings of her feelings and connections not only for Rupert but others close to her too. Each new entry is like a piece of the jigsaw which eventually creates the happy ever after.  

'...the music changed and I heard the opening notes to The Beatles' Eight Days a Week and suddenly it was 2002 all over again...I love you too, I whispered. Eight days a week'  

Actions have consequences and all is not plain sailing. While the chemistry and attraction between the reunited pair are palpable, underlying issues have to be addressed and dealt with if they are ever going to find long-lasting happiness together. I like how the author brought all the emotions to the surface...it's relatable and easy for the reader to understand the feelings of all those wrapped up in this couple's life.

Every now and again, something within a narrative sparks a memory unrelated to the story I'm reading. Rupert and Jessie's story triggered thoughts from a time gone by. Who knew the mention of Highgate and York would do this? Certainly not me. My connection to these two places is very different, however, I still enjoyed a trip down memory lane while reading this book.  

Second chance romance is a favourite trope and I quickly became invested in the lives of the protagonists. Their story will assault your heart-strings as the past and her secrets unfurl leaving Rupert and Jess with no option but to confront all their issues head-on if they are to find a common ground to rebuild a future together. Life is tough, but somehow they manage to heal past hurts, concluding with a worthy happy ever after.  

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of HQ Digital via NetGalley***

Favorite Quotes:

Gem, I know you’re over the moon about getting married and I’m delighted for you, but it doesn’t mean that you get to matchmake. Even if I am the last one left on the shelf.

We were born twelve hours apart – you at six p.m. and me the following morning – in the same hospital, our mothers recovering in beds next to each other… You were early and I was late, which was the pattern that continued for the rest of our lives. You were always waiting for me to catch up with you.

Too young to be here, too old not to be. We’d always done terrifying things together. It felt like the first time we jumped into the deep end of the swimming pool, hand in hand, as children.

Looking back on it now with the advantage of age and hindsight I realised how foolish I’d been, how foolish we are when we’re young. Maybe that alone was reason enough for us to have gone our separate ways. I had been too young to understand nuanced grey areas of thought back then, too young to understand discretion and diplomacy and how sometimes we have to say things we don’t really mean just to keep the peace.

My Review:

One of my favorite tropes just so happens to be second-chances, and this couple was more than deserving of a rekindled relationship as they had each been living a rather miserable half-life while a decade apart. Serious health and family issues and tendencies to live too deeply inside their own heads further compounded their pressures and littered their path with landmines. This could easily have been a maudlin tale but Ms. Burton craftily shaped and paced her endearing flawed yet stubborn characters’ insights, memories, and encounters to circumvent the reader falling into the pit of despair.

While the narrative was often melancholy and angsty - which typically has me twitching and sighing in agony – I am absolutely astounded to report that I didn’t seem to mind. Ms. Burton may well have deployed some sort of magical word voodoo on her book file as, despite the angst, the tender quality and ingenious tempo of her superb storytelling kept me fully engaged, deeply invested, and intensely curious about their slowly unraveling and intriguing story. Contemplating this surprising and momentous phenomenon leaves me rather astonished and blinking in amazement. Such a sly wordsmith deserves a five-star rating for that alone.

A sweet second chance romance that put a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart!

I do love a good second chance romance, however nine times out of 10 I get frustrated at the lack of communication that went on in the first relationship that ultimately lead to the need for a second chance romance. This was definitely one of those books, don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed it I just felt the desire to reach through the pages and shake some people a couple times. Do you ever find yourself talking to your book? Thinking perhaps the characters will explain to you why they are acting the way they are? No? It is just me?

Jessie and Rupert have been the best of friends since birth. Their friendship turned into romance when they were teenagers, but then abruptly ended when Rupert went off to college in the US. 10 years later Rupert and Jesse have a chance encounter, sparks are rekindled, but can they ever find the flame again? Time has changed many things and they are not the same two lovestruck teenagers they were a decade ago. Is true love a choice or is it fated?

Jesse and Rupert were both very well drawn multidimensional characters who I really liked. Although the back and forth between them was tedious at times, they both really needed a good friend to talk some major sense into them! Their friends all seem to think they were perfect for one another, however nobody told them just to stop with the nonsense and get on with it! Rachel Burton is a beautiful writer, the emotion and angst in this book just poured off the pages. The story is told from both Jesse and Rupert‘s point of view, along with Jessie‘s old diary entries. I thought this was tremendously impactful we really got to see the entire picture. Jessie suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and I felt as though that was well explained and well researched, it is a disease I don’t entirely understand, but now I do have a better picture.

Beautifully told and packed with wonderful characters, second chances, angst, and love! Recommend!

*** many thanks to HQ Digital for my copy ***

The Pieces of You and Me is Rachel Burton's third novel and although I've only read two of her books (including this one) I feel like this author's novels and her style of writing are going straight to my 'Favourite Author' list. The Pieces of You and Me was so effortlessly written with the words and the story flowing beautifully taking you on an emotive journey with Jess and Rupert.
Jess and Rupert were always destined to be together as they were born hours apart and lived close-by each other. Growing up they had become best friends and were always there for each other. But then as childhood grew into young adults their feelings developed into love and it was if they were the pieces of a puzzle that were meant to be together. However, life, or fate, played it's part and ten years ago hearts were to be broken and their lives went separate ways.
A lot has happened to Jess in the ten years since she's seen or heard from Rupert. She had to pick up the pieces of her heart and try and build them back together but they never truly fitted back correctly. Her personal life was to experience a huge hurdle that she would struggle to overcome and would still now find this hurdle rearing it's ugly head again.
Rupert's heart broke ten years ago when he walked out of Jess' life, he's had to face many new hurdles himself that took him by surprise and he's had a long battle to face of his own.
Now their paths have crossed again and it's as if the last ten years never took place. Feelings and memories come flooding back, but could they return to how they once were? Could their own battles in the last ten years leave barriers against their chance of happiness?
The Pieces of You and Me is such a beautiful story of a love that never gave up. It's also a story of struggling with what life has thrown your way. The author, Rachel Burton, has written with honesty and with sensitivity. You can feel the emotional heartache and the physical strains that life has thrown at Jess and Rupert. I was totally swept away by Jess and Rupert's story and was heartened by their plight.
Beautiful, honest, heart-warming and very uplifting.

I really enjoyed this book. The story of Jess and Rupert was told with flashbacks to their first romance intertwined with their second meeting and restarting their relationship. A great insight into ME as well. A great read

This book started off with a bang and drew you in with each page, giving a little bit more of the history of the love interest characters, uncovering the miscommunications and wrongs that eventually separated them. The author excels at plot and writes well. I would say the only portion that was a bit confusing was with the flashback scenes. They seem to be written in diary format, but they are written in past tense rather that present tense. If not for that one issue, I would have given this book five stars. Because there were so many of these unfortunate flashback scenes written in passive third person language, it dropped my stars by two.

The Pieces of You and Me was a good book. The fact that it was set in England was a little distracting and the story seemed to stop and start but was worth reading all in all.