I started reading Imogen's books with Postcards from a Stranger and have devoured the rest since then.

Getting an advanced copy of this was an amazing opportunity. I downloaded it last night, waited until I had uninterrupted time this afternoon and read the whole thing. I was utterly gripped.

The story is told from the perspectives of mum (Cecily), dad (Norman) and 3 daughters (Lily, Julia, Felicity) all taking place after Cecily suddenly gets on a plane to Greece without telling her daughters why.

I had an inkling of what the reason was but the explanation for the trip and the backstory when explained fully was heartbreaking and clearly well researched.

I already want to know more about Lily, Julia and Felicity after the events of the book!

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

A well written, heartwarming family drama about a mother who raised 3 daughters and meets the daughter she gave up when she was a teenager.

IMOGEN CLARK – THE LAST PIECE

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

As it must be for an author, releasing their fledgling child into the big wide world for others to greet with warmth or tear apart, so too is it for an avid reader approaching the latest work of a favourite author, not wanting to be disappointed by the new-born, yet wanting to lend encouragement nevertheless.

Phew! Sweat flicked from the brow! I’m happy to report that not only is this child is fully fledged, it is an outright winner. More than equipped to fly the nest solo. It’s one of her best.

What more could one want in lockdown? A visit to the blue skies of Greece? Teas in Bettys of Harrogate? An interesting and likeable family to meet – three very diverse daughters, each with their own secret, a mother and father of whom anyone would be proud to call their parents… and a powerful spanner thrust into their happy nest.

It is this spanner, a bolt from the past, which starts the story, and sends Cecily, the mother, hotfooting it to Kefalonia, uncharacteristically tight-lipped about her mission to Norman, her husband, and the rest of her family.

How each daughter reacts, and what Cecily finds when she gets there, form this page-turner of a story. I admit that I had to ration myself to two chapters at a time, otherwise I would have raced through it at one sitting – and I am a person who likes to savour the nuances of the journey rather than rush from point A to point B. And what a point B. Daring and unexpected and yet right. No spoilers here: read and enjoy!

If this doesn’t reach Number One – well, if I wore one, I would eat my sun hat. And when it does, perhaps treat myself to a Fat Rascal. (You’ll get that, when you read the book!). I know which is the better bet. Yum yum!

This book is about family and how family life has changed. What is acceptable now, wasn’t always. But is it really acceptable now ........

Cecily has a secret. One that has been kept from her children. She has three daughters, Felicity, the oldest and twins Julia and Lily. When Cecily suddenly flies off to Greece, her daughters are shocked and even angered. Cecily was supposed to look after her grandson that day. Cecily never does anything out of character.

I was drawn into the lives of Cecily, her husband and her children’s lives from the first sentence.
Imogen Clark has expertly woven present day with interludes into the past. Attitudes have changed except sometimes they haven’t.

I’m not giving any spoilers, but I was shocked at how life was in 1968. Imogen has really researched this book. I really enjoyed it and I hope you do too

SeeI love Imogen Clark's writing style and this book is a winner. It is so well-written, with well detailed characters and a fantastic plot. A heartwarming family story that is filled with love, arguments, lots of family and a secret that threatens the stability of this big family. It centers on a mother who raised three daughters after having given up a baby girl as a teenager 50 years ago. I received the ARC this morning and just finished it this very second. It's that good of a book. The family dynamics and love will tug at your heartstrings. An absolutely enjoyable read.

I would like to thank Imogen Clark, Amazon Publishing U.K. and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cecily is the grounding force and heart of the Nightingale family. Mother to three daughters and granny to five grandsons, she leaves the family home to fly to Kefalonia on an urgent matter that only husband Norman understands. While there, she faces up to her past, a past that hasn’t left her mind in five decades. Once home, she must tell her family exactly what has happened – but it’s clear that she’s not the only person with a secret. The characters are endearing and warm and you feel for the whole family.

I LOVED this book! It was so well written, I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, so much so that I basically devoured this novel in one sitting. The story line unfolded little by little, revealing small snippets and secrets along the way, which made it a total page turner.

This was a story of a family, and long buried secrets waiting to be explored and revealed. Cecily is married to Norman and they have three daughters and are proud grandparents. The story begins with Cecily uncharacteristically leaving abruptly on a trip to Greece and her daughters wonder what their mother is up to. Cecily goes on a journey to confront her past and return home to share her truth with her family. This is the story of love, heartache, family, loss and new beginnings and endings, that will tug at your heart strings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. It was a gift to be able to read this story and share a review. I hope everyone will get a chance to read this beautiful story.

The Last Piece is a family drama centering on the Nightingale family - dad Norman, mum Cecily and their grown-up daughters Felicity, Julia & Lily. The novel begins with Cecily going to Greece at short notice when she receives a mysterious letter, the reason for her departure unbeknownst to her daughters. What unfolds will change all of their lives.

I like Imogen's style of writing as the characters are very believable & relatable. Having two sisters myself, I could really understand the relationship between Felicity, Julia & Lily, their similarities & differences. The subject matter was obviously very well researched, as were the locations.

This was an easy, enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this novel if you like stories dealing with family relationships.

I received a free advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do if you unexpectdly received a letter summoning you to Greece for a week in order to settle the past? Cecily finds herself at a Yoga Retreat meeting someone she has not seen in 50 years.

The Last Piece by Imogen Clark is a wholesome family novel highlighting the importance that each family member brings to the table. Cecily loves to be surrounded by her three adult children yet still feels like there is a missing piece of her family puzzle. Cecily ventures on a journey of discovery which brings truth, tension, trouble yet ultimate resolution to her family life.

The Last Piece is split into parts which flit between scenes in Greece and life back in England allowing the reader to see both sides of the story. Trigger content for readers may be feelings of emotional abandonment provoked by adoption.

The last piece is the story of a family where as the title suggests there is a missing piece. The three daughters all have very different characters and all have their own difficulties in life. As the plot thickens, the story does not develop as you would expect.
It is a nice summer read and easy going. The ending has an unexpected twist.

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read and just what I needed. Whilst I can appreciate the more serious themes of the book, I did not feel like it was considerably memorable. The characters were great and very distinct, and I liked how we could see their different personalities through how they lived their lives. However, I did not see the book as life changing or one I would insist on recommending to friends. I would recommend it to people needing a relief from the current situation.

This is a book for mothers and sisters to read. Being neither of these, I think the emotions of the book were lost in my reading. I chose this #readnow option because I love reading novels set in England but never connected with the characters or plot. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️ novel that would be a great #bookclub selection to discuss the different woman characters. 📚📚📚 #netgalley #netgalleyreview #amazonukreview #booklover #bookreview

The Last Piece is a story about the secrets families keep. Ms. Clark gives us a lovely story, with well drawn characters. A story I enjoyed and recommend

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
What a lovely, heartwarming and heartbreaking story this is, I loved it.
It features the Nightingale family, mum, dad and three daughters who happily live their lives with its ups and downs. Until the mother, Cecily, disappears to Greece, for reasons only her husband knows. When she returns home and tells the family why, their lives are upended and will never be the same again.
The characters are so real, they come totally alive, I empathized with each and everyone of them and recognized feelings, good and bad, that I have experienced myself. You really don't know what's going to happen next, so you compulsively have to keep reading. And the ending was unexpected, but
made so much sense that I was quite content with it. Terrific read, highly recommended!

Cecily is a busy older woman who has three grownup daughters and a clan of grandkids. She is always there for her family until one day she does the unimaginable. She ups and leaves her husband on his own for a week and heads to Greece on a moments notice.

The daughters are intrigued and can't possibly imagine why she has done this. What happened that made her go meet a stranger?

With thanks to netgalley and imogen Clarke for an early copy in return for an honest review.
This is the 3rd book I've read by this Author and what a book.
An extremely poignant story unfolds in front of our eyes,its been a bumpy ride for Cecily,who has shown nothing but total love and adoration for her girls and norman.
This is far from a straight forward book with many twists along the way. it really was a breath of fresh air and I can highly recommend this OUTSTANDING book.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s about an older couple who shared a life-altering event when they were younger. They have three adult daughters who are completely unaware of their secret, until it suddenly comes to light. I’m being somewhat vague, because I don’t want to give too much away. The remainder of the book is about how all of the characters come to terms with this secret, and how it impacts them in very different ways. We all experience difficult situations differently and deal with them in our own way. The characters were well-defined, and I liked all of them, although I was able to relate the most to Lily. It was a rocky road for this family, and I enjoyed taking the journey with them. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review.

I did not dislike this book, but I am not raving about it either. Cecily gave birth to a daughter, in a mother nd baby home when she was 16. She was then adopted. 50 years later she contacts her birth mother who is now married with 3 more daughters. Certainly an interesting story idea, which is told from the viewpoint of Cecily and her 3 youngest daughters. Marnie, the eldest, is a mystery at the start of the book and seems to have be an unsociable character. Her reasons for contacting her birth mother are not clear and do not seem to get any clearer as the book moves on. Cecily, as expected, has never forgotten her daughter and hopes that they can have a mother-daughter relationship, which is perhaps a little optimistic when they meet each other only a few times.
The stories of the other daughters are interesting though some detail seems irrelevant to the main story . The part of the book about "the confinement" is extremely well written and gave understanding in Cecily's mindset, both around the birth of her first daughter and later in life.
Certainly a book to give you something to think about but it left me with lots of unanswered questions.
Thankyou to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I like the way this author tells a story and the storyline was suspenseful until the story unfolded. I found myself skipping parts because of the content topic. I was sad that the main character makes custom wedding gowns but I never know if she wore one of her creations. There were parts of this booked that I really liked.

Overall, I liked this book. I enjoyed the family drama. I thought the story was believable. My favorite character was probably the father. Throughout the story, he is supportive of his wife no matter what. He has infinite patience with his daughters, even when they are talking down to him.

I enjoyed the descriptions of Greece in the first few chapters. It really took me back to my trip there a decade ago.

I did not particularly enjoy the female characters. The mother seemed frail and dithering. The sisters were each good characters, but none of them was fully drawn out during the story. We got just enough of their stories to spark our curiosity, but not more. I wish the author had focused on one of them so that we could have gotten more.

Overall, a good book for anyone who likes family centered stories.

I have read Imogen Clarks books in the past and have enjoyed her writing. They are easy to read and perfect for escapism when sometimes life needs to give a little release.
This is largely centred around a family called the Nightingales and we have Dad Norman, Mum Cecily and their grown up daughters Felicity, Lily and Julia.
When mum disappears to Greece totally out of character without any warning the daughters try to immediately question why would their mum do that? The reason we find out is that Cecily gets a letter from her fourth daughter who she gave away for adopted nearly fifty years ago and since that day has never seen or discovered what her long lost daughter became.
The Last Piece goes between scenes in Greece and the UK and shows how their daughters are all living different lives with their own challenges.
Lots of family drama, secrets and arguments feature in this novel and will tug at your heartstrings.
Although I enjoyed it, it's not one of my favorite Imogen Clarks books.
Certainly gives you something to think about and I learnt a lot about how the adoption process may have been in the 1970's - this may give some readers feelings of abandonment provoked by adoption.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I devour every word Imogen puts to paper, and this book was no exception. Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this book are real and loveable and cringe-worthy at times, as real people often are! The story of family dynamics and secrets tugs at your heart and makes you want to join them all for tea and a chat.
A charming story of mothers and daughters and their imperfections. Thoroughly enjoyable

I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the various characters within its pages. I did, however, think that it was predictable and it also had a few stereotypical personalities which is a shame eg the childless daughter had to actually really want and try for a baby, rather than being a more refreshing happy to not have children and be content with her life... I knew exactly what was happening when the mother set off on her trail...

Having said that though, the book was easy to read, I liked the way the daughters interacted with each other and I did want to know what would happen.

I've read news stories in the past about the fact that not all adoptees and their birth parents have a happy ever once they reconnect in later years. A surprise letter takes Cecily on a sudden trip to Italy with the hope of reconnecting with the daughter she gave up as a teenager. Her other daughters are stunned when they learn the reason for the trip, and are forced to try and forge a new relationship.

This is the second novel by Imogen Clark that I have read, The first being Postcards from a Stranger which I enjoyed but I think that I prefer this book. It revolves around a retired couple and their daughters, mostly the story involves the mother and events from her past but there are chapters which give the point of view and life struggles of the grown up daughters. The book is divided into several parts with a gap in time between each part. I found the book easy to get into and actually read it quite quickly (I don't think that it's that long a book but I don't mind that). I enjoyed the different perspectives of the family members and the way that the book is divided which keeps the story moving and intrigues the reader into wanting to see what has happened in the mean time. The theme of the story is not a new one but it maybe covers a different aspect of it that is unexpected. I liked most of the characters and there could be other books developing their story lines which I would welcome. The end of a book is important to me and I was glad that this book went a slightly different direction than I thought it was going to. I now intend to check out the other books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Summary......
The chaotic but happy equilibrium of the Nightingale family is thrown into disarray when Cecily—whose children can’t remember her ever being remotely spontaneous—disappears to a Greek island with no warning or explanation.
Her reasons for doing something so out of character are a total mystery to her three daughters, high-powered executive Felicity, unfulfilled GP Julia and organised mother-of-five Lily. What connection could she possibly have with Kefalonia?
But Cecily has gone to continue a story she thought ended decades ago—one that could have a huge impact on her family. And when she returns, she’ll have to tell them the truth.
Will Cecily be able to hold her family together once she reveals her big secret? And might she discover that she’s not the only one with a story to tell?

This was a very good book!
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read. I loved the characters in the book.
It was so well written, I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, that I finished it that night.

Thank You NetGalley And Imogen Clark for this ARC I apperiacte!

At its core, “The Last Piece” by Imogen Clark is a beautiful story about the delicacy of family, and is a read anyone can find a piece of themselves in. As you read through the perfectly crafted words, the Nightingale family begin to feel as though they are your own. With each page, the Nightingales meld their way into your hearts and lives and teach us something eternally valuable, the importance of family.
The Nightingales have always been a fairly typical family. They live in a beautiful home in Yorkshire, and the couple, Cecily and Norman, raised three beautiful girls. First came Felicity, the eldest and most prim and proper. Two years later came the twins, Lily and Julia, who were peculiarly born 7 weeks apart. The three Nightingale girls have grown to be established young women who have always stayed close to home to tend to their parents. So one day, when their mother disappears to Greece with no explanation, they’re all at a loss for words.
We quickly find out that the family is not as typical as they appear, and the Nightingale girls are not only three. All the way in Greece, lives a fourth Nightingale girl, Marnie Stone. At the raw age of 16, Cecily gave birth to Marnie, and was forced to give her up. Marnie’s existence was hushed away and was Cecily’s long kept secret. As much as Cecily yearned to know her eldest daughter, she had no contact with the girl or even a name to track her down. So when Cecily received a letter in the mail instructing her to come to Greece, it turned her world upside down.
Will they be a big happy family like Cecily has always dreamed? Cecily has no idea what’s in store for her when she steps into a yoga retreat in Greece – only that her life will change forever because of it – and we all want to be a part of this exciting journey.

Reviewed by Rebecca Santangelo for Suspense Magazine

The Last Piece had me gripped from the first page with characters and a storyline that developed organically and realistically. The main characters within the story allowed the reader to explore an interesting situation from varying view points all of which felt valid and honest. This is a great holiday read or book club choice and the subject matter I'm sure will lead to some interesting and engaging discussion.

Felicity is really annoyed with her mother Cecily. Why has she upped and gone to Kefalonia without a word to herself or twin sisters Lily and Julia? Why is her father Norman being so mysterious? Eventually the girls find out the truth and it’s the last thing they expected.

First of all, the characters in the book are lovely. The family are close, their lives intertwine and they are all so different. I like how each daughter has issues which makes them interesting and you follow how they deal with things. The character of Marnie who Cecily meets in Kefalonia is the ‘missing piece’. She is not an easy person but I really admire her directness and you can feel and understand her awkwardness. I like the ripple effect that she has on the story and also that it does not have a perfect ending. This feels right and it fits well. There are some good descriptions such as of Kefalonia and I like the Harrogate setting where the family live - the author had me drooling with the mention of the iconic Betty’s and the Fat Rascals. Yum. If you happen to be in the York or Harrogate area I suggest you go and try one yourself!!!

However, it takes a while for the book to get going and for a long time very little happens. Then from Part Three when we get Cecily’s story as a teenager the novel really moves up a gear. This section is very good and the 1960’s attitudes are portrayed very well although Cecily s parents are unusually modern in their outlook.

Overall, once the book gets into its stride I enjoyed it. It’s an easy read which portrays family and family dynamics well.

With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the ARC. I love the book cover!

3-4 stars rounded up.

A lovely written heartwarming drama that involves family issues and mystery intertwined! A little bit of heartbreak to round it out!

In this book a woman gets a mysterious letter calling her off to an island. Her three daughters are concerned about her unplanned trip to Greece. It's fairly obvious it's from a child she gave up for adoption. I loved the parts with the family back in England but didn't really like the interactions with the child she gave up. It was okay, but not great. Fast read.

Really good read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

I’d like to state that I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I think I have now read all Imogen‘s novels since her fantastic debut with“ Postcards from a Stranger”. I have had mixed opinions of them but her latest work “The last piece” tackles a poignant, life-changing event back in the teenage years of the main protagonist. Cecily.

The well-researched novel covers the plight of pregnant, unmarried girls back in the 60’s, and the impact on a family when an adopted child tries to track down their birth-mother.

For a refreshing change, it is a bitter-sweet novel, and the multi-generational characters are believable and well portrayed. Events take place in 3 locations, and the author convincingly revisits the 1960’s while most of the action occurs in the present-day.

I was drawn in to the story enough to read it in a couple of days, though I did find some of the intended cliffhangers a little predictable. For me, there’s rather too much waffly “self-questioning” unnecessary narrative, along the lines of “what would he think of her if he only knew”, and I wonder if there were pressures from the publisher to write a certain number of words.? However, from reading the other novels by Imogen, I think this is her preferred writing style, she writes in an easy-to-read manner with lots of chatty conversation, which - judging by her popularity - works for the majority of her readers.

Nevertheless, an easy-to-read, enjoyable and thought-provoking novel.

Loved Imogen Clark's latest book, The Last Piece! Great quick read that had me hooked from the first page. Loved the characters and how the story developed. Perfect book to pick up while sitting on the beach or at the pool. First book by Imogen Clark, but will definitely not be my last.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Imogen Clark's The Last Piece is a family drama that focuses on the relationships between mothers and daughters, though I loved dad Norman. When Cecily leaves her predictable life to head to Kefalonia, Greece, it confuses her three daughters. What happens from there is an uncovering of long-buried family secrets.

I really enjoyed this book, and it was a quick read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

The novel started fine, with a fast pace, a mystery (that wasn't that mysterious in the end, in my opinion), and the promise of a good story; and yet, I didn't enjoy this one.
The plot is weak and it's easy to see where it'll take the reader. The focus is on Cecily Nightingale, a mother of three daughters, who discovers that the daughter she gave up for adoption fifty years ago has summoned her to Greece. This isn't a spoiler because you learn this fairly early in the book.
I don't know why there were chapters focusing on all her three daughters, yet each thread is left blowing in the wind because we have no real closure or finality to their stories. Maybe this is because Cecily's story isn't a strong enough story line on its own. There is a build-up, but you can plainly see Cecily's story and secret, and the same is true for Julia, one of Cecily's daughters.
We are also handed everything on a platter, little is revealed through conversations. Norman, Cecily's husband, thinks of the past and voila! you have their history presented to you. That's too easy for me.
There aren't many characters in the novel, yet I didn't feel any fondness towards anyone in particular. However, I know for sure I didn't like Cecily. She seems naive to the point of entitlement and even judgmental - the "wobbly stomach" of another woman she sees in summer clothing makes Cecily feel "nauseous", but she feels proud of herself for going to the beach and showing her "wobbly thighs".
Marnie, the fourth daughter, is a fifty year old woman. However, I constantly had to remind myself of that because from every interaction Cecily had with her I had the impression that Marnie's in her 20s. Cecily refers to Marnie as "young people" which makes everyone seem silly. Speaking of silly, Marco, one of Cecily's sons-in-law, after twenty years in UK can't seem to be able to use the verb to be, for the life of him. Why make characters silly and fake?
The relationship between Cecily and Marnie is cold and Marnie is plain mean, not to mention somewhat disturbing, given the obsession we learn she has with the Nightingales. Why she insisted on meeting Cecily on an island in Greece, when they all live in UK, is beyond me. For the sake of change of scenery, I assume.
I am hitting this novel hard, I can see that. But as a reader I didn't see any depth. The characters were merely sketched, I couldn't like anyone because there was no character development, and everything was just handed over to read, not revealed, if that makes sense. It does read rather fast, and maybe if you've read Imogen Clark before you might find this enjoyable. It wasn't the novel for me, although I was looking forward to it.

Thanks to Imogen Clark, Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of THE LAST PIECE.
We expect divided families to be happy with the outcome when they finally come together, but I'm sure this isn't always the case as is shown in Imogen's heart-rending story. Cecily found her last piece, but did it fit? And why didn't it? Wonderfully portrayed with relatable and believable characters. Loved it!

Excellent book,loved the character's and plot line.
Characters are lifelike.Heart warming story.
Good background,loved all the character's,liked how the story moves from present to past explaining the norms of society then and now

Family secrets! They don’t serve Cecily well. However, her saint of a husband does a good job supporting Cecily as she tries to mitigate a family secret that may affect her three daughters. As she spends time in Greece planning to tie up loose ends, the reality of her situation is that she really isn’t in control of the secret. And when Cecily returns to England, she discovers that her secret has been turned on her. It’s almost like she was punished for her decisions as a young woman, but it saddened me to see her suffer.

Realistic, emotionally messy, with a little bit of psychological irony thrown in. Unique take on a common theme/plot.

When Cecily disappears to a Greek island her daughters have no idea the story that will unravel. Heart-breakingly sad novel that follows Cecily back to her teenage years and the events that shaped her.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I like this author and everything she has written and although I enjoyed this book, good storyline, good characters it was just ok.

I really enjoyed this book the reason being it's about adoption but it doesn't give you the happy ending that most books do when writing about this. This book gives you the view from the other side , it's well written and you really get involved in the family. Most books give you the best ending and everyone gets on but in real life this doesn't necessarily happen and this book describes this well. Would highly recommend

Imogen Clark - The Last Piece

I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down once I started reading!

Cecily Nightingale takes a sudden trip to Kefalonia after receiving a letter, leaving her husband Norman and 3 grown-up daughters (Felicity, Julia and Lily) behind. The explanation for this sudden trip is gradually revealed and I found all of the characters and the story very engaging. I particularly loved the part where we see Cecily at 16 (sorry I'm being vague - I don't want to spoil the story!) I loved the Nightingale family and would like to read more about them, and I'll definitely read more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Our lives are like jigsaw puzzles. Each piece contains a story that when fitted together, portrays a photo of our journey. Looking at a section is only a snapshot but an important outline of our backgrounds.

Without warning, Cecily Nightingale disappears to Kefalonia leaving her three daughters puzzled. As the matriarch of their family, she presides with a loving but firm hand keeping her children in line. Questioning their mother's actions, they realize that their father knows more than he reveals. However, Norman insists that it's Cecily's story to share.

Meanwhile, Cecily is preparing to meet the daughter she gave away at birth. An unexpected letter requested her presence at a Greek retreat. Imogene Clark takes readers along for the tumultuous ride as Cecily hopes at last to have her 'last piece' complete the family's puzzle.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opportunity to read #TheLastPiece in exchange for an honest review. It was my first Imogen Clark novel but it won't be the last. I loved Clark's character development and teared up at the raw emotions displayed between Cecily and Marnie. Cecily desperately wants to fill the missing piece or void that giving up her daughter created but Marnie remains impermeable.

The standoffish reception shocked Cecily but while her demeanor was gruff at times, I appreciated that the author presented a real account that not all meetings go as planned. I would encourage other readers who enjoy books about family dynamics to check out "The Last Piece." After reading, I have a new appreciation for my family.

Cecily is the matriarch of a tight knit English family with 3 daughters and a devoted husband, Norman. When she receives a letter summoning her to Greece for a yoga retreat, she leaves without explaining to her daughters why she must go. As her secrets unfold on her trip, her daughters, Felicity and twins Lily and Julia must navigate their own lives and secrets without their mother for a week, and the situation becomes even more complicated when their mother returns and explains why she had to leave so abruptly. As the family dynamic is strained, Cecily must use her mothers intuition to bring everyone back together.

This is a family drama about 3 very diffferent daughters slowly discovering their mother's 50 year old secret. As well as coming to terms with their mother's past they must also deal with their own life issues. It is difficult to say too much about this book without giving away the plot. It is well worth a read and should reward with some pauses for thought.

Clever title, I only realised at the end where it came from!

This is a story about Cecily & Norman, and their three grown daughters, each with their own lives and issues to deal with. But then all of a sudden Cecily disappears off to Greece with her husband's knowledge, but not her childrens, something completely out of character for their mother, and on her return secrets are revealed about her early life and why she went to Greece.

I liked the pace of the book and the different dynamics of each member of the family, each so different from one another, but really couldn't warm to the daughter given up for adoption, Marnie, although she was that sort of character anyway I suppose. But she really spoiled it a bit for me, especially with revelations towards the end, she was a very abrupt and quite rude character and I just didn't like her, regardless of her upbringing.

So mixed feelings really, if Marnie had been taken out of the equation and the story had been slightly different (I know... she was the underlying reason for the story) I think I would have liked it much more as I liked the style of writing and the family themed plot, although it did feel as though the ending was a bit... oh is that it? I wanted more loose ends tied up really. But nevertheless an enjoyable read.

A mother has a 50 year old secret from her 3 daughters and takes a trip to Greece when she receives a letter asking her to come to a yoga retreat. She goes to Greece but does not tell her daughters that she went and they had to find out from their dad.

Lots of secrets throughout, all the way until the very end. I enjoyed this book and the many stories it told. A quick read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release book in exchange for my honest opinion. To be published July 2020.

//📚BOOK REVIEW -
The Last Piece by Imogen Clark ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you @netgally, @imogenclark and @lakeunionpublishing for the opportunity to read this book prerelease in exchange for my honest review
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The chaotic but happy equilibrium of the Nightingale family is thrown into disarray when Cecily—whose children can’t remember her ever being remotely spontaneous—disappears to a Greek island with no warning or explanation.
Her reasons for doing something so out of character are a total mystery to her three daughters, high-powered executive Felicity, unfulfilled GP Julia and organised mother-of-five Lily. What connection could she possibly have with Kefalonia?
But Cecily has gone to continue a story she thought ended decades ago—one that could have a huge impact on her family. And when she returns, she’ll have to tell them the truth.
Will Cecily be able to hold her family together once she reveals her big secret? And might she discover that she’s not the only one with a story to tell?
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This was a charming story about family and the secrets we keep to protect our loved ones and ourselves. The story was a slow burn for me, and I found the characters flawed, but lovable. Cecily vacillates between trying to do what’s best for those around her while also centering herself and her feelings, hoping to make peace with the situation at hand, and keep peace among her family. I found myself rooting for everyone at various moments in a nod to the phenomenal accomplishment of writing characters that are complicated complicated and messy, and truly feel as if they could be my own sisters.
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Overall a wonderful peek into an average family, and the secrets we all keep close.

#TheLastPiece #NetGalley

A well written heart warming family drama about a mother of 3 daughters who reveals in her sixties that she's in fact a mother of 4 daughters. After 50 years apart since she gave her for adoption, Marnie contacts Cecily inviting her to a yoga retreat in Greece. Not a spoiler actually since the reader could easily see where the story was building up to.
Most of the characters are likable, even Felicity with her neurotic high functional life style. I liked the sisters relationship who seemed to be a harmonious unit despite their differences.
Cecily and Marnie though I couldn't grasp a solid opinion regarding them, I don't know if Cecily is kidding herself about having no option but giving her baby to adoption yet in the same time I really wouldn't know, different circumstances, different time who knows if that wasn't really her only option. Then comes Marnie, the most character I struggled to like or accept then I keep reminding myself about her situation, shouldn't that give her card blanche for however she behaves. I don't really know since the story left us with more questions about what actually happened in her life to make her unsatisfied about her adoptive parents.
As a whole I liked the book and would recommend reading it.