Missing Pieces

Missing Pieces is a story about family tragedy and the heartbreak of having to cope with the death of their little girl little Phoebe who was only two years old, without giving too much of the story away, it takes you through to what Linda and Tom, her mum and dad went through, what I loved most about this book was that it kept you guessing as to how she died, it had me totally gripped throughout, I really enjoyed it.

I found this book to be an excellent example of contemporary fiction. The writing was well done and the characters very in depth. You could really get into this book and allow yourself to feel what the characters were feeling.
Linda and her husband Tom have two young daughters Esme and Phoebe. When a horrible incident at home leaves Phoebe dead Linda who is pregnant and her family have a hard time going on. After Linda gives birth to their third daughter Bea everything feels worse for her. She can't look at her husband who she thinks is having an affair, or her oldest daughter Esme and feels nothing for the new baby.
The chapters in the book go back and forth through the different main characters voices. I really enjoyed reading this book and learning how the family would go forth after all their grief.

Missing Pieces is Laura Pearson’s debut novel. The book is divided into two halves, with the first half telling the story of the months following the death of Tom and Linda Sadler’s daughter Phoebe. The second half is set twenty-five years later, and Phoebe’s younger sister Bea is trying to make sense of Phoebe’s death and the devastating effect it has had on their family.

Pearson explores the subtleties of familial relationships, the fragility of children’s thoughts and emotions, and the way that trauma during childhood can have an effect long after the event has passed. The Sadler family were very believable in the way the reacted to Phoebe’s death, and despite the two halves of the book being set a quarter of a century apart, it was easy to understand what had unfolded during that time.

The writing is delicate and honest, and the book was an emotional read. Despite the upsetting content, Pearson handled the topic sensitively and carefully. I would highly recommend this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read Missing Pieces.

Elegant, honest and breathtakingly beautiful, Laura Pearson’s debut novel is an impressive and raw portrayal of how one tragedy affects an entire family. In this captivating story Pearson explores the fragility of childhood and how trauma inherently changes our future, focusing on themes of love, honesty and forgiveness.

The story is split in two: the first half about the death of three-year old Phoebe and how it affects Tom and Linda Sadler; the second half takes place 25-years later, focusing on Phoebe’s older and younger sisters, Esme and Bea, and how her death has affected them. Torn apart by grief and a terrible secret, the Sadler family slowly unravels, but can anything bring them back together?

I was completely swept away by this book. It is utterly mesmerising and emotional, an intricately woven exploration of family and grief that had me reaching for a tissue more than once. Pearson deals with numerous contemporary issues with depth and sensitivity. If you’re a fan of Fiona Neil, you’ll love Laura Pearson’s new novel Missing Pieces.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for letting me read Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book, I think it was written by someone who has experienced or researched this topic greatly. The characters were exactly the way they should be, in midst of a tragedy, or after, and this is certainly always the case in these types of book. Heart wrenching to read, but beautiful!

Missing Pieces
By
Laura Pearson


What it's all about...

This is a beautifully written book about a family that is so damaged by the death of a young daughter that they are irretrievably broken. Blame and grief truly shatter this family. Tom...husband and father...does his best to hold his family together but nothing seems to work. Tom’s pregnant wife cannot deal with the birth of a third daughter...and Esme...the oldest daughter is left feeling guilty about what happened to her sister Phoebe.

Why I wanted to read it...

Tom tries everything he can to hold his family together. He takes over their care almost entirely on his own but still his wife withdraws...still his wife drinks...still his wife mourns.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

I think the writing in this book was real and true. The story was often incredibly sad. But throughout the book...and...even though you know that the three year old daughter died...there was the why as well as the what...I was always turning pages trying to find out how Phoebe died and where the burden of guilt could possibly be.

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who love family stories that are sad but engaging...and where you hope there might be some peace and happiness eventually...will enjoy this beautifully written book.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.

Missing Pieces is the first book I've read by Laura Pearson and I am happy to find a new author to follow and read. I loved this book and I hated this book! You'll have to decide what you think after you have read it. I read it in two sittings as I had to find out how it happened! How did sweet, bouncy, happy Phoebe, a child of only three, die? How can they all move on from the pain. Seven year old Esme's little sister is gone forever. Esme just knows it's all her fault Phoebe's mom, very pregnant with her third child, is devastated beyond words and knows she is the reason her baby girl is gone. How can she bring this other baby into the world? Could she even love another child? The father, kind, helpful and loving has a secret. A secret that in his mind made him the guilty party. The damage it does to a family far into the future is what this book is about. It's not revealed until the end how Phoebe actually died, who is really to blame. The new sister Bea feels left out of what once was a happy, loving, and complete family. No one talks about the past at all. Bea only knows she had a sister and she died. The pain each one carries with them swirls around every relationship. Bea, struggles with the feeling of not being a complete part of this family. The fight for survival and the ability to move on are an everyday challenge. It is a book you won't soon forget. I thank NetGalley for allowing me to read the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.. You'll have to read it to decide if you will love it or hate it. I'm glad I read it.

As this is the debut novel of Laura Pearson, I am elated to note the wonderful skill of storytelling that she possesses and acknowledge her beautiful way with words as she paints a picture of a family shrouded under the cover of grief and the pains of a happier life prior to the moment an unthinkable tragedy struck. As I maneuvered my way through the story, I instantly knew that this would become one of my favorite books and no matter how much time had passed while I was reading it, I simply did not want to put the book down or the story to finish. The mystery surrounding the middle daughter's death hung forbiddingly throughout the story, yet it kept me engaged, desiring to know how the precious 3 year old Phoebe had died. With each page that I turned, I longed to know her cause of death and the moments leading up to the collective despair that each of the family members she left behind endured. I empathized deeply with the mother's lost of her daughter and I felt every bit of the emptiness and heartache she encountered as she desperately tried to come to terms with Phoebe's sudden death. My heart ached with every tear that the mother shed as she downed yet another drink of vodka as she tried to escape her the pain of her reality while chasing away the memory of losing her daughter away in the warming, yet numbing, comfort of alcohol. Midway through the story, there was a heart wrenching shock that left me with my mouth agape, wishing that things had taken another turn. This change in the family's lives set the pace for the remainder of the book and shook me to my core.

As part two of the story began, I was pleasantly pleased to learn more about the family prior to Phoebe's death as the elder sister, Esme, thoughtfully, yet finally, explained to her younger sister, Bea, the circumstances surrounding their sister's death through a series of letters. Esme's jealously, envy, and love-hate relationship towards Phoebe was one that I knew all too well from a personal viewpoint. As Esme finally revealed her truths to her sister and more secrets from the past before there ever was a Bea were revealed, I lavished in the revelations as if I were personally being told the story by Esme herself. This book was emotionally raw, breathtakingly beautiful as it intricately wove a tale of grief, depression, and a searing devoted love for another human being. The character's deep devotion and longing to fill an unfillable void in their lives that once held the departed Phoebe demonstrated the raw emotions one experiences after the death of a loved one. I read this book within 24 hours and I must honestly say that it stole a piece of my heart when I read the last word on the last page. I look forward to reading more works from this brilliant author in the future.

The first half of this book was about the aftermath of a child's death on her family. Linda can barely function in her grief over the loss of her 3-year-old daughter, while Tom struggles to hold the family together. The second half of the book deals with the family's other two daughters and how the loss has shaped their lives. I enjoyed it a lot. It was sad and hard to read at times, the parents' grief and everyone's guilt and self-blame, but I liked it. Four stars.

I loved this book!
This is a beautifully written story of sadness, heartache...and hope!
The story flowed perfectly, I enjoyed the format....each chapter a different perspective from the Mum, dad...and Bea!
This is an author to watch....I would put Laura Pearson in the Jodi Picoult category....she’s just that good!,,,

This novel is an emotionally charged story - a debut from a natural born writer. An ordinary family are thrust into a tragedy when their three-year-old daughter Phoebe dies. There is a snowball effect, and a series of further tragedies as the family fail to cope with the fall-out. Suffering the loss of a child must be a devastating ordeal. To cope with it during pregnancy when the hormones are crazy must be far worse. All the characters seem to close off believing they are responsible for the death and indeed they are a lot of "if only....." situations and serious issues to work through. Each member of the family has their individual way of recovery. None of them wise or workable. Strangely I found myself perpetually changing my opinions of the family members as the story progressed. There is love in the family, but it sours and stagnates as they blame themselves, each other or believe others are blaming them. These secrets emotionally separate the family. Will they find peace and forgiveness? Thank you to NetGalley and Ipso.

A really good debut novel, I look forward to her next book!
This book is well written, the characters are relatable and I really enjoyed the unravelling of the story. It’s heartbreakingly sad though.

Just finished Missing Pieces by @LauraPAuthor What a read! Cried lots but loved it & it's brilliantly written. Highly recommended.

Missing Pieces is a beautifully writing but heartbreaking read. It needs to come with a box of tissues. Covering big issues of bereavement, infidelity, motherhood and what it means to be family, Laura Pearson's writing is exquisite and lyrical. From the very start, the images she creates will stay in your mind for days.. I loved how the story was told in two ways with the past and the present and how each family member's truth is revealed.

A beautiful story and I look forward to reading more by this author.. Thank you to ipso and netgalley for this advance reading copy.

This novel is heartbreaking yet hopeful. It takes the reader on a journey from the depiction of visceral, absolute grief, to the possibility of redemption. It’s a hard read (especially if you’re a parent), but it’s worth the heartache and tears to share the lives of Sadlers as they try to repair their broken lives. This is a beautifully written debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Gripping, tragic and thrilling. Three words to describe this book. The book follows a family after a tragic loss and tells about how this tragedy has shaped their lives. The mother is having a difficult time coping and it shows in her daily life, the father is struggling to keep his wife's spirits up and keep the family together. To find out what tragic I am talking about, you'll have to check out the book and find out :)

I was hooked on this book from the very first page. This book had me up reading into the late hours of the night, often until 2am or later to find out what was going to happen next. Be prepared for a lot of "wow" and "oh no" moments and even a tear or two as you read about the family dynamics and tragedy in this book. So much sadness and grief and it pulls on your heart strings.

I liked how this book was written in two parts. In the first part of the book you follow the lives of the mother, father and their daughter Esme leading up to the tragedy and the time that follows. In the second part of the book you follow their lives and how the tragedy has affected their lives 25 years later.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ipso Books for an ARC copy of this book. It was a pleasure to read and give my honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced Kindle copy of "Missing Pieces" in exchange for an honest review. "Missing Pieces" describes life for a family after the death of a child. Phoebe's mother, father and sister all feel responsible for her death for different reasons. The story covers the events that took place the night Phoebe died and the fallout from that time until almost 30 years later. Laura Pearson's writing is sharp, breathtakingly sad and poignant. She takes the reader through a journey of one family's pain and heartache and chance for recovery. The story seems so realistic that its difficult to believe that its not based on true events. I highly recommend this debut novel from Ms. Pearson.

Great read. Very emotional. Different to my usual reads. But very enjoyable even in the circumstances of the plot of the book

Have you ever experienced something and felt such regret? What if that regret was trusting somebody you thought was trustworthy? Missing Pieces is layered with feelings of loss, regret, sadness, hopelessness. It is also layered with hope, happiness and strength. The Sadler family experienced an ultimate tragedy and cannot move past it. Each character has to live with a regret of their own and instead of them growing closer through this hard time, they grow even further apart. My heart broke during Missing Pieces but my heart was also repaired by the hope that Missing Pieces instilled. Once you begin Missing Pieces, you will not be able to put it down until you find the missing pieces in the Sadler family.

Missing Pieces is one of the most moving books of the year. Laura Pearson's writing in this debut novel is beautiful and a complex story is well told.

A family is torn apart by the death of a young child, Phoebe, and the reader is kept guessing as to the manner of her death until the end. Each member of Phoebe's family: her mother, father and older sister all feel responsible for Phoebe's death. When a new baby, Bea, is born the loss of Phoebe is magnified for them all.

The story is told in timelines twenty five years apart. In 1985 we follow Linda, wife of Tom and mother of 7 year old Esme and 3 year old Phoebe as she tries to come to terms with the loss of her younger daughter. The birth of Bea only serves to exacerbate Linda's pain. In 2011 Bea is about to become a mother herself and wants to know more about the sister who died before she was born. Esme finds the only way she can give the information Bea so desperately craves is to write letters detailingPhoebe's short life. Through this device the family's story is revealed.

I particularly felt for Linda and the pain she suffered; I liked Tom in his role as father especially through the stories he told Esme, but not as a husband. However, Laura Pearson excels in illustrating human frailties so Tom was most realistic. What struck me strongly was the lack of support given to postnatal mothers in the 1980s and the lack of communication within families that continues to this day.

I especially liked that the book is written in the third person and manages to remain close to each character's inner feelings. The one irritant for me was the number of days listed at the beginning of each chapter which I found a distraction.

I'm sure Missing Pieces will be a great success and I look forward to reading more from Laura Pearson. Many thanks to NetGalley and Ipso Books for the opportunity to read and review Missing Pieces.

Wow! Missing Pieces is gripping, heartbreaking and I did not want to put it down. Laura Pearson's writing is phenominal. Losing a child (of any age) has to be the worst thing parents can go through. Learning to move forward without that child is just so hard. This book grabbed me from page 1. It is gripping throughout and the ending had me crying! I've only cried TWICE reading books! This is one of my favorite books of 2018 so far!! I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review. I loved it and highly recommend it to all!!

Ultimately, this is the story of the power and devastation of unrequited guilt.

The lives of Tom, Linda, Esme, Phoebe and Bea are permanently scarred and shattered by the circumstances of the tragic death of Phoebe at age 3. Because of circumstances each takes on guilt for the death and each then retreats into his/her own cocoon, not knowing how to reconcile the guilt nor how to bond together to grieve and then live. And of course, the most tragic of all is poor Bea who was not even born until after Phoebe’s death and never knew her mother.

From time to time while reading, I wanted to shake various characters and say, “Talk to each other! Express your feelings! Grieve together – Heal together! You’ve got a precious new family member who shouldn’t bear the brunt of your guilt – she shouldn’t be dragged into the quagmire of your despair.”

But in all honesty, I truly do understand that that’s very difficult to do when being burdened with such terrible guilt.

This book was very deep and probed the emotions in a family. It was quite thought provoking.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ipso Books for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book, I read it nearly all in the bath - had to refill the hot water 3 times and came out looking like a prune but I just couldn't put it down! It follows the story of a young family who have experienced the most awful tragedy; losing a much loved child and sister in a tragic accident, The first half of the book is set in the aftermath of the accident and we follow how the remaining family members are coping or not coping. The second half is set 25 years later and we see how the tragedy is still affecting the family.

This book is so well written, I couldn't find fault with it at all, the characters are well fleshed out and we are given brilliant insight into their lives, thoughts and feelings, it really brought them to life and I felt so much empathy for them all. There are several parts where the characters behave pretty poorly but because of the way they were written I could see exactly why they did what they did.

I would definitely recommend this book and would be very interested to read more from Laura Pearson, although with more tissues next time!

Wow. What a book. This is gripping and I couldn’t put the book down.
A very emotional read and I was in tears at the ending. An amazing book.

I received this book from netgallety in exchange for a honest review

I think it would be quite a challenge to read this empathically written book without empathising with the characters.
Dealing with emotions around the theme of loss, grief, and guilt the book is very well written. Heart wrenching at times I read wondering if there are echoes of first hand experience within the pages....
Recommended with a cautionary warning of some may wish to pick when they read this dependent on their own emotional state...but also I think that the book, though seemingly fiction, it does leave the reader with reassurances of "normal" or "expected" responses to loss due to death.... this in mind, the book may well aid readers to share theircown grief and feel a little better in doing so.

. The book follows a family after a huge tragic loss and tells about how this tragedy has shaped their lives. The mother is having a difficult time coping which shows hugely in her everyday life; the father is struggling to keep his wife’s spirits up and keep the family together. Alongside this, the father seeks out an ex-girlfriend who reappears unexpectedly which he later regrets and ends the relationship. There is a lot of sadness, grief, and disappointment, but overall, I felt that author had done her research carefully and engaged the readers throughout the book. I liked the fact the book was written in two parts - the first part took the reader through the lives of the mother, father and their daughter Esme, which led into the tragedy and then the subsequent birth of another daughter and then in the second part of the book, the author still had the reader engaged in following their lives and and we could see how the tragedy had affected their lives 25 years later. A well written book with some very sad overtones but with positive vibes in the second part of the book.

Oh My word, I have just finished Missing Pieces and I am so emotional.
I really do not know how to review this book as I am so lost for words.
AMAZING, is one word I can come up with.
As a 37 year old who was born in the eighties and lived a life I find hard to talk about, this book hit home but in different ways. And until recently I reconnected with my sister/best friend.
This is definitely in my top 10 books ever. I will NEVER forget it!!!

Brilliant book, gives you tears and emotions. You feel yourself feeling the same emotions as the characters. Recommended.

Wow what an amazing debut book, straight away it captures you’re heart it is so beautifully written and impossible to put down, there are moments of sadness ( have the tissues ready) and it feels so real, the characters so strong and realistic that even after reading it, it stays with you and you can’t stop thinking about the pain this family went through
This is an author to watch out for, I can’t wait fior the next literary wonder.
A must read for 2018, thank you to netgalley for letting me review this great book.

This beautiful book had me hooked from the first page. It centres on how a tragedy accident can affecteveryone close to it.

The book is in two parts. The first explores the tragic death of three year old Pheobe and the repercussions on her family, especially her parents , Tom and Linda. The second half is 25 years later and explores how the tragedy is still impacting on the family including Esme and Bea the sisters of Pheobe

The book explores grief , family relationships, trauma, guilt and secrets in a beautiful honest way. Laura Pearson is a fantastic storyteller who told the story very sensitivity. , it is hard to believe this is her debut novel because it is so beautifully written, drawing the reader in . With her magnificent writing style. I personally know a family who have suffered this grief and the book reflected their lives in many ways.

Missing peices is a truly gripping read and will stay with me for a long time. The ending of the book was perfect . This is one of my favourite reads . I throughly recommend it. !!! Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this book .

Amazing! I read this story on my kindle while queuing for rollercoasters at Alton towers! Absolutely heartbreaking and yet full of hope and the power of love within families. Held my attention even with all the distractions around me, I couldn’t put this book down. Would definitely recommend this book but be warned that tissues may be needed.

Linda and Tom are happily married with two daughters, Esme and Phoebe and another baby on the way. Then , in a blink of an eye their happiness is gone. One moment in which one daughter dies and the family is ripped apart with guilt.
Years later, the unborn baby, Bea, is pregnant herself and starts to ask questions about her dead sister and what happened?
The remaining Sadlers have to face up to the past and what happened but will it help or tear them further apart.
This is a beautifully written story. Very poignant.

An emotional book. A family is torn apart after the youngest child's untimely death at only three years old, the blame and guilt felt by the remaining members of the family is devastating and drives them apart. It is not until a younger sibling, who was not yet born at the time of the tragedy, questions the remaining members of the family as an adult that the whole episode is revisited and addressed. It is a beautifully written sensitive book and one can definitely empathise with the characters, The book is written in two parts, once around the time of the death of Phoebe and the effect this has on the whole family and later once the older child, Esme and Bea, the child as yet unborn at the start, are adults. Both halves are captivating and hold the reader's attention.

I read that this is the author's first book and I, for one, shall be looking out for subsequent reads as she definitely has a talent.

Oh, my! This is a heartbreaking read. It's so, so good whilst also leaving you slightly broken.

Without giving anything away, it's about one family who suffer tragedy and loss and it's also about friendship, love and grief. I was hooked from the first page to the last as it carries within it such a message of life and hope. It's beautifully written and I look forward to more from this excellent author.

Thanks so much to net galley and Ipsobooks for the opportunity to preview this wonderful book. Wishing you all every success upon publication.

Deeply in love, Linda and Tom Sadler have two beautiful daughters, Esme and Phoebe. They are blissfully happy with their family life and dearly love their two girls. They create happy family memories for them with lovely outings, holidays, imaginative and exciting stories; all in the framework of security and love. Life for the Sadler family is absolutely perfect and both of their daughters thrive on their love and care. When Linda finds she is expecting a third child she worries about how they will cope, but Tom is delighted and assures her they will be fine. He is a hands-on Dad and Linda knows she will be well supported so she settles into the long wait to meet their baby feeling reassured and happy.
During her pregnancy a single moment of distraction results in the tragic death of their beautiful, vibrant Phoebe, their three-year-old bundle of fun and the light of their life. Linda never recovers from her loss and becomes very withdrawn; a blank canvas which once shone brightly over her family. She goes on to the early delivery of their third daughter whom they name Beatrice. But this time, with Bea having to stay in hospital so long, she returns to her family alone and totally wiped out, never really feeling a connection with her infant daughter. Her life is bland, she is exhausted and she exists rather than lives. Nobody ever talks about Phoebe, but each member of the family feels guilty about what happened and Linda does not receive the support and counselling she so desperately needs to overcome her grief. Their lives are devastated but Linda’s is a total wreck.
Thus ends the first part of the novel. Part two moves on twenty five years and to when their youngest daughter Bea discovers she is pregnant. The fractured family have never truly got over their feelings of guilt and each carry with them their own secrets about Phoebe’s death. Bea hasn’t seen much of her father or sister since she moved out, but now that she is pregnant she wants to reconnect and especially to find out more about her family. This is the catalyst to Tom and Esme opening up, until the truth about that day is revealed and the healing really begins. This is an incredibly moving novel and I will never forget this family and their sad story.
‘Missing Pieces’ is an emotional and beautifully written family story. I was totally immersed in it and filled with compassion for each of the carefully crafted characters. I felt so sorry for Linda whose life was altered so tragically that fateful day. I loved how this hugely talented author got inside her characters and brought their various personalities to life so vividly. This debut novel is a totally unmissable study of family dynamics, love, loss, grief, euphoria, secrecy and guilt and is heartbreakingly honest and well portrayed. I particularly liked the letters of support that Esme sent to her sister Bea whilst she was pregnant and the way Laura Pearson wrote from each person’s point of view with empathy and insight. Her understanding and turn of phrase was truly inspirational and very moving. I also loved the idea of the family having their own new beginnings as they recovered from the trauma of exposing the truth. This was such a satisfying ending, uplifting and full of hope.
I received this superb debut novel through NetGalley and publisher Agora in return for an honest review. This is my 5* review. Believe me this is an excellent moving and unforgettable novel. All the opinions are my own with no influence from other parties.

Wow. A very emotional book but a clever one. Towards end of book one of the characters explains how she felt in her childhood through letters to her sister, I thought that was gripping and couldn’t wait to finish the book. Would thoroughly recommend.

This was a book which did not leave my hand , the story involves 3 sisters of one who's died then the last sister is born , then the family suffer more heartache .I don't want to reveal too much but it's sad and has pages where you so need to know what happens next ,
It's a really good read and definitely a page turner which had me awake into the early hours
Highly recommended

Loved thinking it really tugged at the heart, what a sad story from so many perspectives but with such a lovely outcome, would highly recommend.

A beautiful heart-breaking story that goes through all the feels while it explores grief. This book will tear your heart out.

A fabulous book that draws you in to the sister's lives and what has happened since they last visited the cabins. I could not put this book down and although you knew what had happened in the past it did not take away any enjoyment from turning the pages.

This book told a gentle story of family heartbreak and picking up the pieces again afterwards. Such brilliant descriptions of the characters made them feel like friends and such a moving story made it impossible not to feel real emotion for them. Brilliantly written

I'm almost lost for words after reading this novel. What can I say because I don't think the word emotional quite covers it.

The book is split into two parts, past and present. And whilst I think both parts were written well, it was the first part that had me well and truly sobbing whilst the second had me filled with hope.

*Trigger warning*

This book covers the subjects of child loss and suicide.

I found it was done in a sensitive manner and the characters had some real depth to them which would make it hard for any reader to not connect in some shape or form.

The only thing that made me mark the book down was that the suicide side of things seemed to be brushed over in a sense, I wanted more of the aftermath instead of skipping years down the line, a third piece of the puzzle would have added extra detail to both the storyline and the people who were portrayed in this book.

Missing Pieces is a novel that begins in such a harrowing way that the ending is almost a surprise, when I reached the last page I had a feeling of peace. It wasn't a cut and dry ending, it was left open to the thoughts of what we see happening next.

A refreshing read that I would recommend to others.

I found this book to be heartbreaking and heart lifting in equal measure. It’s a story of loss and grief and how a family can be fractured seemingly beyond repair. It’s also a story of love and growth and hope for the future.

It is hard to believe that this is the Laura Pearson's first book and what a fantastic book it is. This is a heart-wrenching account of a family's loss which leaves the surviving family members is a very fragile state. After the initial account of the loss and subsequent tragedy in 1985, fast forward to 2011 when the surviving sisters have grown up and are involved in careers of their own, both of whom are still haunted by secrets surrounding their sister's death. This book deserves more than 5 stars and I am so looking forward to reading future books by this author. Have some tissues handy.

A beautiful, heartfelt novel written so beautifully a story of love losses and tragedy and a family all trying to cope in different ways and it affects the rest of their lives but eventually they find happiness in the future as well as coming to terms with the past a really emotional read

A family in devastation after the loss of a child and the grief and guilt cause by such a tragedy. Follow the lives of the parents and siblings as they try and come to terms with the loss and the questions that arise through life. A well written truly moving tale.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author & publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

**TRIGGER WARNING, THIS BOOK CONTAINS CHILD LOSS & SUICIDE**

Firstly WOW! What a story, I absolutely couldn't put it down. I think I read this within a couple of days which hasn't happened for a long time. Since having my son 2.5 years ago I have been mindful of stories which contain children. I haven't read anything to do with abductions, missing children or death. Silly really because just because I read it doesn't mean it will happen to our family. I am glad that I didn't read any of the reviews of this book because I wouldn't have picked it up. I am also thankful that I persisted past the first chapter.
A harrowing and beautiful story, I even cried in the bath & now welling up when writing this review. I would instantly read anything by Laura Pearson based on this debut It has taken me a couple of days to write this review as I wanted some time to reflect. Honest & Breathtaking story. I can highly recommend.

What a superb debut from Laura Pearson - she is going to be an author to look out for. Her tragic story about a family who try to cope with two deaths is sad but poignant and uplifting.

Phoebe dies at an early age in the family home. The circumstances are not clear at the beginning but revealed as the story progresses. Each family member feels at fault, and struggle to accept Phoebe's death. Linda (mum) is devastated but also pregnant with Bea. Tom (the husband) and eldest child Esme feel the pain and battle to help Mum. Overcome by guilt Mum commits suicide.

Although the book is sad there are many life affirming moments as Tom, Esme and Bea grow older. The roller-coaster of emotions is quite dramatic. There are new relationships, and the circumstances of Phoebe's death are gradually revealed and the influence it has had on each member of the family.

Calling all Book Clubs - this is the one for you! A deconstruction of a family tragedy. A debut novel that will inspire debate, wring out emotion and give hope for the future. I felt for all the characters as the story unravelled. Particularly my heart went out to Esme, the older sister who, from the age of seven, carried the weight of the tragedy on her shoulders. For Linda, who was suffering from undiagnosed post natal psychosis. For Tom who was living chaotically in a nightmare he couldn't control. Congratulations too on the book cover with the inspired tear in the centre indicating 'missing pieces' in this literary jigsaw. Thanks to Net Galley and Ipso for this remarkable novel.

Gripping! I found it hard to put down and was finished in two evenings.

An emotional, heartbreaking story about a family fragmented after the death of a child.

A brilliant debt novel.

An emotional tale about a family who loses their daughter and what they face afterwards.

I am actually having a hard time writing a review for this book without giving away too much of the story. But, I will say be sure you have some tissue ready when you read it. It feels so real. Just the thought of losing a child is hard enough, but what the family endures afterwards is heartbreaking.

The book is told in two parts. The first part of the book is about Linda and Tom Sadler and how losing their daughter, Phoebe, changes their relationship and other daughter’s life. The second part is 25 years later and focuses on sisters, Esme and Bea. We learn how the death of Phoebe has affected their lives. When Esme reveals some secrets to Bea, she doesn’t know if it will help or harm the family even more, but she needs to open up about them.

This is one of those books that once you read it, you can’t get it out of your mind.

*Thank you to Agora Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

I read this book in two sittings, it was incredibly sad but also gave a fascinating insight into how different members of the same family deal with one tragic event. I definitely recommend this book.

This is the story of three family members who each make a seemingly small mistake leading to a devastating outcome and years of consequences. The writing is exceptional with raw grief filtering through every page. It’s a harrowing read at times where you feel desperately sorry for all of them. The characterisation is flawless and Esme crept into my heart. For a debut novel this is astoundingly beautiful.

A very sad story but it wasn't depressing as the story was told in a sensitive way which was amazing for a first novel. Loosing a child must be horrendous for anyone and the guilt and if what's in this story eat in to the family and threaten to destroy them all. It is a compelling read and will certainly stay with me.

Having a small child, I found this novel to be a very difficult read, but not because it isn’t good, it is a breathtaking story, about the death of a child and the devastation the family has suffered from the loss.
A harrowing, emotional and simply heartbreaking read, I cried through the majority of the book. I feel that I need to read something lighthearted to read next.

I found Missing Pieces to be a well written story with finely drawn characters and enjoyed it all but the first half more than the second.
It was brutally honest in places but it did come across as a true reflection of how a family might react to a tragic situation in their lives.

Missing Pieces is Laura Pearson’s debut novel. This is a heartbreaking read but you will be hooked to the very end.

This book is sad throughout. Linda is struggling. All she wants to do is sleep, she can’t stand her daughter, can’t bear to look at her husband and doesn’t want the baby she s carrying. She wants to go back to before. Before the tragedy happened.

Twenty five years later, her daughter is pregnant and before she brings her baby into the world, she wants to know what happened twenty five years earlier. What tore her family apart.

This book although sad and heartbreaking, is also heartwarming. The characters are likeable and you can easily identify with them. It’s a tough read but is written with sensitivity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ipso books and the author for the chance to review.

This book was a treat. Very readable.. I kept searching for opportunities to continue reading it. Good character development and the pacing of the "reveal" was just right for me. I will continue to read more book by this author. Very much enjoyed her work!

It has taken me a couple of days to write the review of this book, as I was still thinking about how moving it was, and how the characters stay with you. The main character, Essie, is complex; we learn about her from a young age to an adult, and how her life was changed beyond belief by a tragic accident at the age of 7. She suffers further trauma later in her young life. After the loss of her younger sister Phoebe, the whole family never recovers - understandably - and we learn how destructive their grief becomes, how it affects not only the existing members but also her unborn sister, whose later life is also greatly affected. The book is beautifully written, so sad and moving, yet such an endearing story, you get to know the characters intimately and feel like you just want to reach out to them. Essies Father tries his best after the death of his beloved daughter, however he is unable to act how he wants to and display his affection as his wife is truly broken. Her Mother is beyond heartbroken and cannot see a way out of her fog. She has no interest in her living daughter and the baby she is carrying. He is unable to reach her and subsequently falls into the arms of an old flame. The book jumps forward after further tragedy and we now meet the unborn sister, and find out how life has been for her until she is in her late twenties. A life changing event leads her to want to reconnect with the family she has drifted from, and it eventually makes them all complete again. The past unfolds and secrets come out, some shocking, some as expected, but always moving. This book tells the story of love, loss, sibling relationships, parental love, friendship, growing up and growing old. I found it impossible to put down and struggled to believe it was a debut novel, it was told in such an amazing way, and how cleverly it all came together. A truly beautiful read. I will absolutely be looking for this authors next book.

A very moving read,with emotion and brings you to tears in some parts. About the demise of a family, tragedy and loss. A very well written debut.

This book moved me to tears! It’s about a family’s demise after devastating loss, but it also tells the story of a family’s survival.
Bea wants to know what happened all those years ago, when she was born. Esme tells her in a series of letters, because she can’t bring herself to talk. There’s also their father, Tom, who brings up his girls under the shadow of blame that both he and Esme feel. I really wanted them to find their happy ending, and they kept moving toward it. Bea is bringing a new life into the world; her decisions are long ranging for herself and her baby. Tom rekindles an old love; healing him. Esme discovers that she deserves to be loved.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I couldn’t put it down!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazingly emotional book

wow where to start....a parents worst nightmare, the death of a child....and this book hits every nerve going...a slow build up but you know right from the beginning the worst has happened and its the fallout from that....

the characters are well written and you feel for them and wonder how much more can life throw at them...
have to say i couldnt put the book down and hoped i wasnt on the bus in floods of tears when i found out how it all happened...

this author though is one to keep an eye out for...

In Missing Pieces Laura Pearson has vividly portrayed a father's love for his children, even in the pain of deep trauma.

What happens when a sibling passes away? Pheobe is only 3 when she dies (do not want to say how as will spoil the whole story) Each family member feels somewhat responsible for this terrible accident. The story of Esme (7 at the time her sister died) How she copes, how her relationship with her parents might change, guilt. Bea is the younger sister (not born when Pheobe died) This tale is a heart wrenching view of death and how families try to deal with the aftermath. Beautifully written, I felt the sorrow the loss, but, it was written in a sympathetic way, absolutely loved it and well worth a read

Oh my goodness, this book was heart wrenching!! Every parent & child nightmare, that could happen to anyone, and this Author has captured all the characters side of their own story /feelings all in one go!! I couldn't put it down!!

This is a real humdinger of a novel, it hits you between the eyes and penetrates your soul. It is heartfelt, absolutely full of darkness and you really can relate to her pain.

Yes, it is a very sad story but it's written in two parts to try and balance the family dynamic. It is cleverly written and thoughtfully planned out. Definitely one to grab as soon as you can! Loved it.

Without doubt, one of the saddest stories I've ever read. It broke my heart.

I won't give away the plot details, but the book deals with the aftermath of a child's death, and how her loss affects her parents and siblings.

The author has captured the utter devastation and ongoing fallout of such a loss - the grief, the shock, the guilt, the what-ifs and if-onlys - and how hard - indeed impossible in some cases - it is for people to move on afterwards.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Heartbreaking, touching and devastatingly written! The family is torn apart by grief and you are taken on a whirlwind journey of a family falling apart, to finally coming together
A family’s unspoken secret, a unknown sister and everyone holding themselves accountable. Brilliant. Absolutely outstanding and would recommend wholeheartedly


What if the one thing that kept you together was breaking you apart?

All Linda wants to do is sleep. She won’t look at her husband. She can’t stand her daughter. And she doesn’t want to have this baby. Having this baby means moving on, and she just wants to go back to before. Before their family was torn apart, before the blame was placed.

Alienated by their own guilt and struggling to cope, the Sadler family unravels. They grow up, grow apart, never talking about their terrible secret.

That is until Linda’s daughter finds out she’s pregnant. Before she brings another Sadler into the world, Bea needs to know what happened twenty-five years ago. What did they keep from her? What happened that couldn’t be fixed?

A devastating mistake, a lifetime of consequences. How can you repair something broken if pieces are missing?

Really enjoyed this read......very moving;gripping;very realistic characters;beautifully written.
Linda's perfect family falls apart after the death of her second child and the birth of her third. Can Linda cope?
I don't want to give any spoilers to this impressive debut novel.

A beautifully written and emotional story, which pulls at the heartstrings. A book about a highly troubled family, with an unexpected and satisfying conclusion. Definitely worth reading

I loved this book. I wasn't sure I would, but I did and it barely took a few pages before I was hooked. This story is devastatingly sad, but makes for a gripping read. The characters are so well rounded and realistic. You feel yourself empathising with them all. A really well written, realistic account of how families can fall apart and com together. A must read.

Readable and compelling - really got swept up in these characters, and the writing style made it very easy to completely get absorbed into their lives and world. Kept me interested right up to the end

Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson a thrilling five-star read. This is a compelling read and one that I can’t pigeon hole into one genre, there is a lot going on in this story and just when you think you know what is happening and who your heart is breaking for, things happen and you will be left reeling and compelled to read more pages, even when I was tired and emotional I still couldn’t put it down. Each character of the family will reveal another detail of the story and what a story. I am gobsmacked that this is a debut novel, this is a talent that I am sure will only get better and better.

The story follows a family, broken by the death of a child. First we learn about them in the days round the death, and then many years into the future. We see the profound effects of the death of a child on everyone. But we also see the problems of not talking, of keeping secrets, of accepting blame without questioning the truth. Every character is beautifully drawn - even the lesser ones (the record collecting boyfriend, the flatmate, the neighbour). At its heart is a father’s love for his daughters and his efforts to keep them going.

Omg wow... is all I can say about this book. I had no idea where it was going to take me and I am so glad I took a chance on this one. It pulls at your heartstrings from the very beginning. Dividing the book into two parts was an amazing idea and it pulled the story line together at the end. I loved every part of it. The characters were perfect and you felt as if you knew them from the very beginning. Definitely worth a read.

Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson may seem like a departure from my go-to reads, namely general non-fiction or suspense novels. However, with no shame or embarrassment, I can say that in high school I was the biggest Jodi Picoult fan there ever was. My well-read copies now sit in the bottom of a few boxes, tucked away in a closet at my mom's house--as is most of my teenage book collection. Missing Pieces felt like a Jodi Picoult novel--in the sense that everything surrounding family, relationships and love, with some traumatic and devastating twist, of course. I could be wrong, but I think that's pretty high-praise for Pearson's first novel!

Missing Pieces explores a family trying to pick up the pieces after the devastating loss of one of their daughters, Phoebe. Linda, the mother, is also pregnant with the family's third daughter and is seen trying to navigate her guilt for losing Phoebe, while trying to find a place in her grief to welcome and love a new daughter. Told in a split-narrative, the novel also cuts to Bea, the third daughter, in adulthood, as she tries to navigate the loss that seemed to fill her childhood and the sister she never knew. Ultimately, readers see how differently grief can manifest, how guilt can impact your life, and how a family moves through their relationships with one another. 

Like I mentioned, this was a bit of a departure from the type of books I have been reading in the last few months. However, I immediately requesting it on NetGalley after seeing the author interact with a few #BookBloggers on Twitter. Where some authors only rely on their publisher, with little thought or attention to the masses that read (and review!) their work, Pearson seemed seemed genuinely kind and interested in what bloggers had to say; and, when she mentioned this was her first novel, I was eager to support that and read it! Ultimately, Missing Pieces is devastatingly beautiful. You get characters you empathize with, realistic family and romantic relationships to explore, and an enticing story about how grief and guilt can be long and lingering.

Wow what a heartbreaking, complex, beautiful story.
The feelings of the characters jump from the pages and there’s no way to dodge them. It’s absorbs you and with each page you are hit with a different feeling. So beautifully written and is sure to leave you with a book hangover. It will take time to process the magnitude of what this family endured. Yet they didn’t completely fall apart or take a wrong turning they kept going despite it all and still loved each other. which I think it utterly important. Yes they weren’t completely untouched by it all but dealt with it in an elegant way (rightly or wrongly)
The twists and turns of the plot kept the story interesting as well as being a who done it as a side note.
I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed it despite all the heartbreak, the courage of the characters kept me turning the pages and wanting to know more.
It’s so different from other books out at the moment which is refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, I will recommend it whole heartily.

A family torn apart by the death of one of their young children. It seems tactless to then say “I enjoyed this book”. How can you “enjoy” reading about a family dealing with such tradegy? So how do I recommend it. Well, I couldn’t put it down, in fact I read it straight through. It is written with such compassion. You really feel what each member of this family is trying to deal with in the aftermath of catastrophy. The young sister, 6, who is trying to understand, the inconsolable and heavily pregnant mother, the desperate father who is trying to hold his devastated family together. The book Is about each family member’s ability to cope - including the new baby. I turned the pages wanting to know and eventually discover the fact of what actually happened. That is why I can recommend this book.

What a book! From the first chapter I was sold. Unbelievably heart breaking story about grief. 5 stars!! Get the tissues ready!!

I.HAVE.NO.WORDS……ok well I will find the words to tell you how AMAZING Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson was! When I got the book the amazing people at Ipso sent me a care package of tea, tissues and chocolate. I thought it was such a cute idea but OMG I needed the tissues and then another pack and then the chocolate helped with the book hangover after I was done!
I was floored this is Laura Pearson’s debut novel! Missing Pieces is broken into two parts, the first part is the story is like the first couple months after Phoebe’s death (tissues you will need lots of tissues). The second part is around 25 years later and deals with Bea ( Phoebe’s younger sister) still dealing with her sister’s death and how it broke her family……(do yourself a favor before you one click this….one click a case of tissues)
Laura did an amazing job writing this book, she tackles a difficult story with such power and emotion! I seriously can’t wait to read more from Laura Pearson! #2018FavoriteBooks #WritesToKeepAnEyeOn

An absorbing read, from the very beginning it dragged me in and kept me there until the very end, a heartbreaking story about a family that are torn apart after tragedy and how they somehow make it back together

A story told in two parts and I didn't realize how much I was glad to make the jump to the second half to see how this story really evolved. In the first half, we have a family that has endured a tragedy and are living not just day to day but moment to moment and at any second things could really fall apart. The reader doesn't find out what truly happened until the second half, but you don't need to know the details to know that this family is falling apart. The second half makes a huge time jump and you see the family and how each member has evolved and even how they are still stuck in things.

What a fantastic story and what a great way to tell it. I was surprised by the time jump, but it was so worth it to make the story to feel full and complete. I loved these characters and was hoping for their best from the very beginning, so it was satisfying to see them years later and see how their worlds were after many years had passed from the tragedy. The way the reader finds out the details was genius and worked so well.

I was excited to learn after reading it that this book was a debut. I love finding a new author with their first work and it adds to the excitement to see what may come next. I will be on the lookout for the next Laura Pearson, I hope it is another family drama with a lot of heart in the middle just like this one!

Gosh ! This is quite the rollercoaster- heartbreakingly sad and yet life affirming at the same time. I loved the characters, poor broken Esme, the delightful dad Tom, and Bea, the baby who came after the storm and who grew up without her mother. Phoebe is an ever present character who in 3 short years had the entire family hopelessly in love with her !

Tom, Esme and Bea all eventually resolved the sad, complex grief which engulfed them and the reader is left with a sense of hope and resolution as the past is finally laid to rest and they all move on.

A truly delicious book which deserves to be read by many

Missing Pieces, a polished and mature debut from first-time novelist Laura Pearson, is a portrait of a family paralyzed by grief after the death of three year old Phoebe. Devastated by their loss, Phoebe's mother Linda, father Tom, and sister Esme struggle to find a way forward, their grief complicated by the pending arrival of a new baby. For Linda, the passage of time represents little more than increasing distance between herself and Phoebe. Isolated and in mourning, Linda spirals deeper into depression.

Two and a half decades later, an unexpected event prompts Phoebe's surviving family members to revisit the circumstances surrounding Phoebe's death and the trauma that followed. Now in her thirties, Esme tries to find a way to capture these events for her youngest sister Bea. Will sharing long-held secrets fracture the family further, or help them find redemption?

A heartbreaking story told with insight and grace from an exciting new author.

A well written book based on how decisions can rapidly alter a family. This captures your heart and makes you feel a part of the story.

This is the heartbreaking story of a family broken by the death of a child. I really felt for Linda as she struggled with the loss of her little girl especially as she was pregnant at the time. The second part of the story is set years after the tragic events and centres on Esme and Bea's lives as adults and how they interact with their father and others. A great read.

A beautiful, heart-wrenching debut.

‘As though you’d been sent here, loaded up with aeons of wisdom, to show us how to live’ (Missing Pieces - Laura Pearson)

This is quite simply a beautifully written debut. At its centre are a family that have been torn apart - their lives irrevocably changed. The story is told in the days after the event - resulting in a haunting portrayal of grief and how it consumes all of you.

For anyone who has lost, Missing Pieces will strike a chord deep inside them as it fully captures
that pressure in the days and months afterwards, the pressure to feel better, to be ‘normal’ even as your heart feels like it has shattered into a million pieces, missing pieces that may never be gathered up and restored.

At times this book lit me up with an inner hope, the radiance of the key characters shining from the pages. At times it made me weep at the battles they had to face to find a place in their new world.

Worthy of the highest praise this book is certain to fly. It broke me apart piece by piece and then put me back together again.

This book.... I'm sobbing through this review. Is it heart wrenching? Yes! Is it tragic? Yes! Will it make you cry? Definitely? Would I recommend it? 100% absolutely!!!! The horrible events that lead to pheobe's death tore this family apart and ultimately brought them back together! I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book and will need a day to recover. It will stay with me long after this day! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have never read anything by this author but I enjoyed this story. Very memorable and a great ending. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

This debut novel is the story of a family who are mourning the loss of their 3 year old daughter Phoebe, how they are dealing with that loss and trying to prepare for a future without her.  Tom and Linda are expecting their 3rd child when Phoebe dies and their whole world is blown apart, how will they ever get through this with another baby on the way and what will it mean for their eldest daughter Esme?

Unless you've actually experienced it first hand I don't think you can ever understand what the loss of a child can do to a family.  How are those that are left behind to pick up the pieces ever going to get over this?  They say time is a great healer, which may be true, but every one deals with the grieving process differently and there is no time frame in which a parent is expected to come out of it the other side, if they ever can!  The author dealt with this story beautifully and very sensitively and I shed a few tears whilst reading this.  The story is very well written, I was surprised to see it was a debut novel and I look forward to reading more by this author. 

I would like to thank Ipso Books for the approval and I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon

Tragic story of the consequences of losing a child and the effects the tragedy has on the whole family; even family members not yet born. It demonstrates the strength of family ties in extreme circumstances.

this isn’t the usual type of book i read but i’m so pleased i did! A family drama that explores the grief and guilt after a child dies. keep a box of tissues handy whilst reading this!

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Laura Pearson’s book Missing Pieces is beautifully heartbreaking!
Missing pieces absolutely broke my heart from page one and made me UglyCry for sure. It starts sad and just gets sadder. We love love loved this book! It takes worlds and lives ripped apart in unimaginable ways, in ways you can’t see a way back from, and shows the perseverance and strength of spirit. Its shows whats left of a family picking up the pieces and stumbling their way ahead to find a way to keep going.
Missing pieces has two parts. Part one is where everything is heartbreakingly ripped apart and crumbles. Part two years later when the family is still trying to come to terms with the past and find a way to heal and move forward.
I can not say enough good things about this book. Laura Pearson has created a beautifully written story that breaks your heart and builds you up. Once I picked it up I couldn’t stop reading. I truly can’t wait to read more from this wonderful new author.
*WARNING: You will need tissues!

I dont usually read books in this category,
I was extremely moved with this story, I read it in one sitting and have recommended it, It left me with all different feelings, The extremely high emotions you feel while reading this book, deep sadness, understanding and happiness at the end for the three charactors. The storyline has you feeling so close to the charactors.
This is the first book i have read by this author and for an a book to leave me feeling this way i will certainly be reading more of their books

This highly emotional story is one that describe family issues over a long period of time. The characters are lifelike and the unravelling of the story is perfectly paced to keep the reader wanting more information. The story is set in two parts and begins with a happy family situation that disintegrates very rapidly when the youngest child Phoebe dies and a third child is then born into the family. .The first part of the story mainly delves into how this death affects the mother, Linda, and the grief that the family all share in. The second part is about a grown up pregnant Bea, the child born to Linda when she was going through the crisis of coping with the death of Phoebe.
I loved the way that Laura Pearson brought the characters and the family dynamics alive in such a empathetic way. The unusual way that the eldest sister. Esme, communicated the family history to Bea allowed the story to progress at a more natural speed and illustrated the pain that Esme had in going back in time.
From such an emotional ride through the book it concludes in a warm and beautiful ending.

An amazing debut, beautifully written. No child is ever born into the same family - a first child joins its parents, a second child changes the relationship of everyone - joins a family of 3 and the first child has to 'move over'. The author has described beautifully how all the members of the Sadler family deal with the death of their second child.
Esme in retrospect, describes when Phoebe joins the family:
'You were loud and angry and I wondered how someone so small could take charge so swiftly, so completely. All at once, everything was different. You determined when we could eat, and sleep, and make noise. You lay there, unable to do anything for yourself, and you might as well have been marching around these rooms with a whip.'

This is not a weepy, it is a delicately portrayed story of love and loss and family relationships which I could not put down. There was sadness, happiness and some wonderful humour when Tom tells his children stories. Can't wait to read more by this author.
Very many thanks to Netgalley/Laura Pearson/Agora Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

First-time novelist Laura Pearson pulls readers into the life of the Sadler family with the first paragraph of Missing Pieces: "The coffin was too small. Too small to contain what id did, which was not only Phoebe's body, but a large part of Linda, too." Immediately, readers' questions are formed: Who is Phoebe? How did she die? Can Linda survive?

It soon becomes clear that Phoebe was Linda and Tom's three-year-old daughter, and they, along with seven-year-old Esme, have sustained the must unimaginable loss. Each of them responds to the tragedy in his/her unique way. A part of little Esme has been lost along with her younger sister. She carries the weight of what has happened, even though she is too young to full comprehend the tragedy, much less its impact upon her family. Tom attempts valiantly to hold his family together, even though he carries guilt as a result of his own reaction to the chasm that had broken open in his marriage to Linda even before Phoebe's death. He encourages Linda to carry on for the sake of their two surviving daughters, who deserve to be loved, cherished, and protected. As he looks as newborn Bea, he longs to tell Linda, "I know what we've lost and it's killing me too, but look at what we have. You're missing it."

But Pearson's focus is upon Linda and her crippling grief, guilt, and anger. Pearson realistically crafts a heartbreaking portrait of a woman who is undone and utterly unable to function. It is not easy, but devastatingly compelling reading.

And then Pearson moves the story forward twenty-five years. Bea has moved away from home and been largely estranged from Tom and Esme. She has not seen either of them for a year, and is in a dead-end relationship with a man who is neither equipped nor ready to be a father. But she is indeed pregnant and must decide whether to carry the baby to term. Bea is the only member of the family with no memory of Phoebe upon which to draw. In fact, she has never been told how Phoebe died, much less any of the details about how her family coped in the horrible days following Phoebe's death. As a result she has always felt like an outsider in her own family, "never understanding why they wouldn't -- or couldn't -- let her in." She resolves to go home for a visit and learn the truth so that she can understood her family's history and move forward with her own life.

Esme, now thirty-two, has never married, continues living at home with Tom, and assists him with the operation of his bookstore. She channels her energy into jogging, running for the "sensation of being alive," running "away from the pain and guilt" she has carried since she was a young child. She has never confronted her own emotions about the loss of Phoebe. But she agrees with Bea that the time has come and sets about telling Bea what happened through a series of confessional letters addressed to Phoebe. As with her description of Linda's reaction to losing Phoebe, Pearson pulls readers into Esme's psyche in a convincing, emotionally raw manner. It is an authentic exploration by a young woman at the events that transpired when she was but a child. In the process, not only is the relationship of the two sisters, Esme and Bea, transformed, but both daughters also confront their reaction to revelations about Tom's behavior, their parents' marriage, as well as their mother's suffering and fate. Things begin to change in the Sadler family. Secrets are revealed, difficult conversations had.

Missing Pieces is a stunning debut work, featuring characters with whom readers will readily relate. Pearson reveals the details about the Sadler family history at expertly-timed intervals that keep the action moving and sustain the reader's interest. Pearson deftly explores the characters' responses to the sudden tragic death of a young child with compassion, credibility, and depth, sans melodrama or plot contrivance. Rather, Missing Pieces is a beautifully crafted story about a family struggling to survive an unthinkable event. There are no villains in this story, but Pearson explores each characters' believable strengths and flaws in a manner that makes the characters increasingly empathetic as the truth is gradually revealed. When the full story of the tragic day when they lost Phoebe is finally told, the characters' catharses ring true, as does their strength, resiliency, and capacity to forgive -- and the hope for their futures that Pearson injects into their story.

A story of devastating guilt that shapes the lives of 3 sisters

Any story about sisters always resonates with me as I too, come from a family of three daughters, and this story is so poignant. Laura Pearson writes with incredible insight into a tragedy that has far-reaching effects on the lives of three sisters.

Esme, the eldest, carries the weight of a terrible accident into her adult life and she shuts down her emotions to cope with the burden of guilt she feels. Phoebe is the lost sister, the bright, bubbly middle child that does not have a chance to grow up and fulfil her promise and the youngest, Bea, is left to flounder as her family close ranks and never speak of the past.

When Bea falls pregnant she starts to ask questions about her shared past and demands answers and the story is slowly peeled back, layer by layer, and the past is revealed, and the healing can begin.

This is an outstanding first novel and I am sure that the writer has a bright future ahead of her. The storytelling is beautiful and each revelation leaves the reader wanting more and more to be revealed. A very clever storyline that weaves the lives of the main characters together. Each and every choice each character makes along the way leads them to their final destination where they must choose to be happy and lead fulfilled lives or remain locked in the past.

Gillian

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
#FirstLine ~ The coffin was too small.
This book will move you to the core. This book will make you ugly cry. This book may even change you in ways you cannot really understand. This book will become a new favorite. This book will be a book you read more than one time! I cannot really capture how good this book is without giving too much away. Missing Pieces is special because it is harsh and real. It captures life when it is broken. There is heartbreak and beauty within these pages and a story that will leave its mark on you, in the best possible way. A MUST R

A beautifully told, heartbreaking story. What really happened to Phoebe on the day she died? Was it anyone's fault, or a tragic accident? By telling the story in the past when three year old Phoebe died, and then moving it forward to the present day when Bea, who was born in the immediate aftermath of the story, has found out she is pregnant and wants to know what happened to break her family, we are caught in the lives of the Sadler family and want to find what happened. I couldn't find anything to like about Linda, I know she was grieving for her daughter but to turn from her seven year old who needed her and ignore a newborn was mindblowing. How could any mother admit that one child was her favourite- even Esme had picked up on this from an early age. Esme seemed like such a good, well behaved child, some of her later accounts of early life were surprising. Thank goodness for Tom, such a good dad, but is there more to his story than at first appears? Such a good read about the long term effects tragedy can have on a family if not addressed at the time. #missingpieces # netgalley

This is a brilliant debut novel. Once I started it I found if difficult to put down. In 1984 the Sadler family have the perfect life. Two lovely daughters, Phoebe and Esme, and Linda finds out she is expecting a third child. During her pregnancy events happen that leads to the tragic death of Phoebe, Linda cannot recover from her death and becomes totally withdrawn from her family. Her third daughter Bea is born early and has to stay in hospital. Linda returns home but cannot connect with the family or with Bea. Phoeb is never talked about and their lives are shattered.
Fast forward to 2011 and Bea is pregnant and is desperate to know all about Phoebe. Esme finds the only way to tell her is through writing letters about Phoebe’s life. Then the family’s secret is revealed. This book explores grief, bereavement, secrets and family relationships with sensitivity and all the characters have unique qualities. This is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. A highly recommended read. I can’t wait for Laura’s next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Agora publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

It is generally accepted that everyone will experience pain and loss in their lifetime. What sets individuals apart is their reaction to these fundamental and universal experiences. Laura Pearson offers the reactions of the Sadler family to a dramatic and disastrous tragedy in Missing Pieces. Each member of the family is impacted by the death of the youngest member.
Their reactions to the tragedy colors their interactions with each other and the outside world. Ms Pearson allows her characters to grow. Eventually they face the fact that reactions are not stoic, they change, they develop and they evolve. Tragedy’s deathly grip can be faced.
Ms. Pearson writes with depth and compassion in this story of loss and rebuilding.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This did not effect my review of this book. #netgalley #missingpieces

This book is an absolute beauty. It's deep and emotional and incredibly touching. The characters are full of depth an intrigue making for a really interesting read. I really enjoyed reading this and i'd definitely recommend it.

Now – I don’t like reviews to have spoilers, but sometimes parts of the storyline are so fundamental, and also so difficult for people who’ve been through situations, that I think the blurb needs to be upfront. So – if you don’t want to know any more then stop now – but I think it needs to be said that this book’s entire premise is based around the death of a young child. Having watched a friend lose her son (in his instance to an evil b*stard brain tumour) I think it could be really upsetting for someone to pick up this book not knowing that was going to blindside them within the first chapter.

The first half of the book is set in the immediate aftermath of the death of Phoebe in the mid 80s. It is written just beautifully and is very emotional. I found it hard going at times – emotionally. But you wanted to keep reading and know what happened. Each chapter is at a new date and it specifies the number of days since Phoebe’s death – starting in single digits and increasing.

The book is set in Southampton – where I went to University – and the campus, and the Common both feature – and I always like having such reference points – although geographical knowledge definitely wasn’t fundamental to enjoying the book.

The second half of the book is much closer to now – in fact 9,000+ days from Phoebe’s death. It’s very interesting picking up with the characters – from the Sadler family and peripheral people – after such a large period of time has passed. This chunk of the book finally explains what actually happened to Phoebe – and how many of the central characters blames themselves for the events of that fateful day. It felt like the whole book was building to the point where you found out what happened.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom, and the way the individuals develop is really interesting. It ends with potential new beginnings for most of the characters – which is lovely after a read that was harrowing at times.

This is Laura Pearson’s debut novel – but I am sure it won’t be her last, as it is really good, well written, pacy and keeps you wanting to read on. I’m not sure there could be a sequel – although I’d love to know what happens to Esme and Bea in particular.

loved this book. I liked how it told how people were feeling about the death of their daughter and how they were trying to cope with getting past that and a new baby on the way. Then how it moved on 26 years later and showed how people were living with their grief and guilt and how the relationships developed between people because of this. lovely book makes you very tearful.

I wasnt expecting this book to go in the direction it did almost like reading four stories all linked by one sadness - the players are all very human with failings and this is a story of survival
and moving on - very enjoyable read

EXCERPT: Linda approached the coffin slowly, looked in at the girl who couldn't possibly be Phoebe. Who was too small, and still, and quiet, to be Phoebe.

And Linda felt like getting inside it, curling up with her daughter and going to sleep.

But the coffin was too small.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: What if the one thing that kept you together was breaking you apart?

All Linda wants to do is sleep. She won’t look at her husband. She can’t stand her daughter. And she doesn’t want to have this baby. Having this baby means moving on, and she just wants to go back to before. Before their family was torn apart, before the blame was placed.

Alienated by their own guilt and struggling to cope, the Sadler family unravels. They grow up, grow apart, never talking about their terrible secret.

That is until Linda’s daughter finds out she’s pregnant. Before she brings another Sadler into the world, Bea needs to know what happened twenty-five years ago. What did they keep from her? What happened that couldn’t be fixed?

A devastating mistake, a lifetime of consequences. How can you repair something broken if pieces are missing?

MY THOUGHTS: 5 stars for this emotionally raw and completely absorbing debut novel by Laura Pearson.

I am lost for words to describe this book which drew me in, enveloped me to the point where I was constantly thinking about the characters, worrying about them like they were my own. I fell in love.

I am inclined to be dismissive when I read glowing reports of a book from its publisher. After all, that's their job, to make you want to read the book. But in this case, they have put into words exactly what I want to say and so I am going to quote from the publisher's letter at the beginning of Missing Pieces because I can't say it any better or with any more heart.

'(The) book that you can't put down at night, the book you tell everyone about - the book you tell anyone about.

This is that book.

When Kate (the publisher) read it, she was enamored. She read it in one go. She cried on the tube. Arriving in a jumbled flurry of manuscript pages, it was all Why Didn't I Read This Sooner?! and This Bit? Yes. That Bit? So Good.

This book will make you think about family and the unfathomable grief of losing someone you love. It will make you ugly cry. (No judgement.) It will make you think long and hard about who you want to be, the life you're living, and the relationships you cherish. It will make you happy cry. (You do you.) And it will make you want to read anything you can get your hands on by Laura Pearson.

And trust us, there's more. . .'

And like a child in a sweet shop, all I can say to that is 'more please.'

Thank you to Ipso Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

The first part of the book absolutely devastated me; the gritty realism and profound sadness permeated my day-to-day life. The second half of the book was like heaving a huge sigh of relief and the interplay between the two is what makes this book work.

The first half is told from three perspectives; Linda, her husband Tom and their eldest daughter Esme.

The three are linked by a terrible tragedy, each eaten away by remorse and all taking on the burden of blame. Tom has his personal demons and is racked with guilt and yet strives to keep going and ensure his children have a happy life. Heavily pregnant Linda is a broken woman, empty and struggling to cope and also consumed by guilt, while Esme is doing her best not to upset her parents and struggling with her own heavy weight of regret.

One of the issues powerfully highlighted by Esme’s character is the horrible reality of a child growing up with a depressed parent. She is forced to grow-up quickly and feels like she has to take on the responsibility for her parents’ happiness and well-being. This is a shocking, harrowing story and while I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters, especially Linda, I wasn’t sure how much more sadness I could take. I was desperate for a glimpse of hope or some kind of recovery for the characters.

Luckily the second half of the book, told from the perspectives of Esme and Bea, the youngest daughter, was like a breath of fresh air. I realised without the initial heartbreak and trauma of the first part of the book we wouldn’t appreciate the hope and warmth and the idea of new beginnings found in the second part. Pearson’s characters are all incredibly believable, flawed individuals, and even the minor characters have complex and unique personalities.

This debut by Laura Pearson is not only deeply moving but tackles extremely difficult themes such as grief, depression and guilt which could be uncomfortable and upsetting for the reader. I loved the stark honesty and complete lack of pretentiousness or excessive sentimentality in the story. But you have been warned, you’ll need tissues at the ready because tears are inevitable. I highly recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy 4.5*

As a parent there is nothing that could be worse than the death of a child.The unimaginable pain and torment you must feel is hard to comprehend but this author has captured it totally in this amazing debut novel.

This book is told in two parts, firstly with the death of 3 year old Phoebe and the aftermath for her parents Tom and Linda and older sister Esme. As Tom tries to deal with the tragedy in his own way Linda finds solace in the bottom of a bottle even though she is pregnant with their third child. She withdraws from her family and is tormented with grief.

The second part deals with Esme and Bea born after the death of their sister. Esme writes letters to Bea to try and explain the circumstances surrounding the death. Oh how my heart broke for them all, the tortured parents and poor little Esme who has lived with so much guilt for not being the perfect big sister. Bea who has always felt distanced from her family slowly learns about the past and why there family is so fractured.

This is a beautifully written tale of emotional heartache, guilt and family dynamics. If this is the standard of the debut I cannot wait for her next offering.

A really heartbreaking and emotional read that grips your heart so tight at times it feels its going to break. I feel this book will not be for everyone as its a pretty sad kinda book bot for me it was amazing written. Even though it brought out a lot of emotions I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend.

Loved this book from page 1. Characters are so well developed. I felt like I was a part of their lives. This is a story of a family who loves each other more than anything but can't get past the pain. A family who needs to learn how to move on and accept what is and accept what can be. I wanted to keep reading. A sequel is needed. I want Tonkin how the all turn out!

A heart wrenching book from start to finish.

The story begins with a tragic funeral that should have been able to be avoided - pheobe (3) had lost her life. Part one of the book written during the days following the funeral tells us of the huge impact this loss has had on the family, how each of the surviving members - mother (pregnant), father and sister were dealing with their sorrow. More tradgedy ensues.
Part two, written years after brings into the story the new sister who knew little about her ‘absent’ sister begins to question what actually happened all those years ago.

A story of family, heartache and acceptance. A highly recommended read.

This is a sad book. A very sad book. A book that is sad from the beginning almost to the very end.

As such, it's not really for me. It's a hard read and depressing.

Having said that, it's written beautifully and it explores the impact of tragedy in a caring, thought out way.

If you like that type of domestic drama, you'll love this.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

Slow start but then it gathers pace and you will love this! A very well written and original thriller.

This is Laura Pearson's debut and honestly you would think that she had been writing for years it's that brilliant. It was raw, original and full of emotion. I was hooked from the first page until the end and wanted to reach through the page and hug them. It was a brilliant and honest look at how loss can hurt and change people, and how guilt can grow and manifest into something no one can comprehend. I loved Bea and how determined she was at making sure she gave her child a good future no matter what. Well written and a great summer read.

A beautifully written tale covering the extremely sensitive subject of the death of a child. The book explores the complex emotions experienced by each family member as they battle with the tragedy of Phoebe dying. Set in two parts, the first is set in the 1980s when the incident occurred. The second part brings the story up to 2011 as secrets are revealed. Excellent book.