Love in Pieces: An emotional and heartwarming novel of love, family, and sisterhood, perfect reading for 2026

by Anouska Knight

Don’t miss the emotional and heartwarming new novel from Anouska Knight, of powerful bond between two sisters, perfect for fans of Dani Atkins, Emma Cooper and Becky Hunter.

What is loved can never be lost …

On Nancy’s phone sits a column of texts to her sister Molly which have never been answered. Molly may be off galivanting somewhere far away, but you’d think in two years she’d have found time to let her family know what she’s doing. At a loss, Nancy’s distracted herself by working sixty-hour weeks at her city job; that is until the day she is rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack. Nancy's been working a little too much. Drinking a little too much. Everything has become just a little too much.

Now the only sensible option for recuperation is to return to the place Nancy has been her mum’s house. Molly may not be there in person, but her presence is everywhere – in the village and in their home, where everything remains untouched, waiting for her safe return. As Nancy begins to let down her guard and reconnect with her family and childhood friend Clarence, the secrets she’s run from for two years become increasingly hard to escape. But could opening her broken heart be the best way to put it back together?

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2024

About the author

The official bit:

Since securing the top prize in widely-publicized UK writing contest Racy Reads on ITV’s Lorraine show, Anouska Knight has become an international sensation with her debut novel, Since You've Been Gone, hitting both The Bookseller and Heatseekers bestseller lists and securing praise from the likes of Jackie Collins and Jenny Colgan.
Her books have since gone on to be published in twenty countries worldwide.
A former bakery owner, she has gone on to wide acclaim in her native England and now writes full-time, currently on her next novel for Harper Collins under the pseudonym 'Erin Knight'.


The really real bit:

Frazzled mum to three smashing boys, Rad, Loch & Jesse.
Wife to childhood sweetheart, Knighty.
Big fan of peanut M&Ms. And typing 'The End'.

Reviews

[Lisa (Two Bookish Brits) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my heart..it just took a beating.

Having a strong bond with your sister is like nothing else so when that bond has been severed the feelings that must bring along would be heart wrenching.

Nancy’s story was simply heartbreaking. It’s a story following a woman who’s trying to cope with grief, a grief she refuses to accept. She’s hurting and angry but does t know how to live with it.

Working has her constantly busy so she doesn’t have to think but it ends with poor Nancy in hospital.

This lass just can’t seem to catch a break.

Realising she needs to slow down a little she heads back to her hometown to be with her mom but being home brings back memories, good and bad.

Watching this girl adjust to her new normal has been interesting. My heart just aches for her constantly.

This author did amazing with this story and really hit hard. The character development throughout was brilliant and watching the storyline unfold has been beautiful. I loved these characters, even the secondary ones. They all now hold a special place in my heart.

Love in Pieces is a heartbreaking read about the loss of a loved one and trying to find manoeuvre the path that is grief.

[Sam Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, though I was close to tears in places. If you have recently been through a bereavement I'd steer clear as it is pretty hard hitting about grief and guilt after losing a loved one. The characters are brilliant and authentically brought to life, particularly Nancy's lovely mother and awful grandmother. The story covers an intense period of growth and change for all the characters and you really want them to succeed and find happiness. Beautifully written.

[Samantha Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly beautiful book, covering such an emotional subject so delicately while showing the brutal effects of grief. Written with an outstanding level of honesty and compassion and managing to add in such wonderful humour and real life. This book stays with you long after you turn the last page

[Jodie Boast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for the raw pain and emotion that comes from this book. I think you'll appreciate the language and writing more if you've sadly experienced a breavement. However, regardless of your situation I think it's clear how stunning the writing is covering such a difficult topic. The characters were problematic but written beautifully. I found it really interesting to read through the complicated family ties and the sister dynamic. I think the nostalgia of being home when the main character goes home resonates nice with me, but quickly becomes quite heartbreaking with what we uncover as a reader.

I found this book to be very slow and it took a while for anything to 'happen' as we are uncovering a lot of things from the past for the majority of the book. I think if you're looking for a book that will take you on a journey of healing and rediscovery, this one is for you. A great read to cosy up to in the Autumnal months.

[Becca Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly this book packs the most emotional of punches. I actually messaged Anouska saying that I was in tears on my way to work. It is beautiful. I couldn't put it down. And sad...so sad... poignant bit also hopeful and funny. Basically everything I look for in a book. There are some exceptional observations of what it means to be a mother...the roles we play and how they define us. The characters are beautiful. Except Ginny🤪 We also need to take a moment for Fig the dog who I LOVED. I love that we never meet Molly but her presence is felt throughout she is a force to be reckoned with and having a spirited daughter called Molly myself,I ADORED HER! This book really is special and I can't recommend it enough...I really hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

a random discovery by my boyfriend for my Valentines present. I knew absolutely nothing about the author or the title, only 25 ratings on here.... yet I absolutely loved it! such a hidden gem. a story that is emotional and perfectly paced. Highlighted the importance of slowing down and listening to both your body and loved ones. I cannot recommend this book more!

[Lucy Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored all the characters in this book, even the ones I didn’t like, because they were so beautifully brought to life. It was wonderful to see them develop throughout the story, and the family dynamics and complexities were so authentic. A heartfelt read that I really enjoyed.

[Georgina Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book works makes it so intriguing as you question the certainty of death and whether a person is truly gone. A thought provoking story on grief and heartache. A small and simple group of characters all on their own path of healing - a beautiful tribute to loss.

[Lisa Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly wonderful. Unable to put down. Must read.

[Tequilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is loved can never be lost… 💙

This was a slow but tender read, centred on grief and the journey of learning to live with it — the good and the painful. At first I found it hard to get into (partly because of the subject matter), but by about 40% I started to pick up the pace of reading.

There are some beautiful, heartfelt quotes throughout, though overall it didn’t grip me the way thrillers/fantasy usually do — so for me it’s a 3.5⭐️ however, it’s a lovely, moving story if you’re in the right headspace. ✨

👉 Definitely check trigger warnings before picking this one up.