This book begins with the death of a baby. I almost stopped reading on at this point because of the timing. I am glad I did not, however, since the story moves forward, and it is easier (at least for the reader) to put the incident behind them. The couple in the book took their own time getting to a point where they could feel like they were on the same page and a team.

Marina is Italian, and Hugh is English. When we meet them, they are already married and mourning the loss of their child. In this moment of emotional chaos, Hugh has to go home to deal with a title and land that is now his. On one of the days that they are at peace with each other and on an outing, they chance upon a piece of crockery that starts an investigation.

Although this is a dual timeline narration, there are three plots for a while. One is the current from which the others emerge. The immediate past is about how Hugh and Marina met, and the historical one is about which Marina is reading about in a diary. There is logic to how much and how the content got into the book, which is explained by the author at the very end.

The plot was interesting and had people who were believable and could be championed. The writing was the highlight and the reason I kept going. I may have veered off of dual timelines after reading one too many, but this felt different, and I would definitely read another by the author.

I received an ARC I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is based on my own reading experience.

A enchanting and tenderly moving story that will stay with you long after the last page. Emotional and grief filled read that is sad and inspiring.

The Pieces of You was a lovely dual time novel.

Marina and Hugh have barely survived the worst tragedy a couple can endure, the death of their baby daughter Francesca. They have left Marina’s home in Italy to return to Hugh’s home, Thorncliffe Hall in England. Marina an attorney and Hugh an artist, who has inherited his uncle’s house and title are trying to start anew, but can one really start anew after such an awful tragedy? While on a getaway to London they stumble across a coffee pot in an antique store that was created in the pottery factory owned by Hugh’s ancestors, by a mysterious artist named Elody Cole. Elody was a porcelain artist for the Derrington pottery factory after WWI. Elody mysteriously disappeared and her creations are limited and sought after. Marina decides to investigate what happened to Elody and since Elody once lived at Thorncliffe Hall, she had the perfect place to start. After finding a diary by Elody, Marina starts tp piece together her life. Will finding out what happned to Elody bring solace to Marina and Hugh?

This was a touching story of grief, perseverance and love. I recommend for anyone who wants to read a dual time mystery with redemptive arcs,

Thanks to Netgalley, Orion publishing group and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

First I must say I loved the cover, the colours and the picture. This is a story about love and loss and it will get you right in your heart. This is a dual time-line story that will give you a drama, family, heart-ache and more but having said that it is a bit slow and too descriptive making it a bit long winded.

I think it is a good storyline but needs a bit of work to make it a bit easier to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Marina and Hugh once thought they were the luckiest couple, they met and fell in love in Italy and had a baby girl Francesca. When she passes away in her sleep, grief creates a barrier between them and they decide to move to England. Hugh inherited Thorncliffe Hall three years ago, he feels it's time for him to try and salvage the rundown and overgrown estate.

Marina finds England bleak, cold and if it wasn’t for the kindly caretakers of the property she doesn’t know how she would have coped. Hugh decides to show Marina the sights of London, it doesn’t help their relationship and they do find a china coffee pot, decorated by a flying fox through the night sky and Marina wants to find out who made it. Marina uncovers the link the pot has to the Derrington family and they originally owned both Thorncliffe Manor and Diligence Works. Marina discovers a memoir written by Elody Cole a ward of Lord Derrington and she stayed at Thorncliffe Hall in the 1920’s.

The story has a dual timeline set in 2017 and in 1925 and it’s told from Marina’s and mainly Elody’s points of view.

Elody's mother wanted her to get away from the pot banks and before she developed Plumbism and it’s caused by the lead paint and it’s dust and it was used to paint pottery. Elody doesn’t feel welcome at Thorncliffe Hall, Lord Derrington was her mother's childhood friend, Lady Derrington and her daughter both look down their noses at her and the son Archie is the spare and rightful the heir died in The Great War. Elody promised her mother she would continue the fight for better working conditions, equal pay f0r women and she discovers the family have been keeping a secret and it’s been hushed up and not everyone knows the truth.

I received a copy of The Pieces of Us by Caroline Montague from Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A well written and emotional narrative that looks at topics such as the loss of a child, how people grieve differently and especially women compared to men.

I didn’t know a lot about the making of china and ornaments in England other than the famous Wedgwood Company and of course pottery would have been thrown, painted and glazed by hand. The story explains the demand for expensive plates and dishes ended after The Great War, people simply couldn’t afford it and the market changed.

Five stars from me, the novel has a strong emphasises on the achievements of women, the fight for equality and perseverance. My favourite two characters were Elody and she's an incredible role model and sweet and talented Lucian.

Unfortunately I am unable to complete an entire review for this book as I DNF'ed at 34%. There was good premise but it was far to slow for me and the dual timeline started to confuse me.

The cover is gorgeous and there's plenty of potential and a well done dual timeline.
i found the contemporary part a bit too slow even if it kept me reading
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I would describe this book as a family saga, dual timeline with Marina’s story set in the present day and Elody’s story set in the 1920’s. As a fan of historical fiction, I much preferred Elody’s story.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really engage with this book. Although well written, I found the plot very slow paced, with many pages having too many mundane descriptions, which did detract from an interesting idea and I struggled to finish.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy.