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The Final Piece
Life shouldn’t be about picking up the pieces.
Beth Bradshaw has spent her life hiding from her tragic past. From the moment a trusted family friend steals her innocence until the moment another rescues her, she struggles to just survive.
Surrounded by the comfort and protection of her extended family, Beth embarks on a journey of healing far from the horrors of her home. In her darkest moments, she meets a boy named Ryan. For one incredible summer, Ryan shows Beth what it’s like to act her own age.
To feel free and let go.
If only for a while.
Years later, another tragedy threatens to shatter the life Beth has carefully crafted. When faced, yet again, with more pieces to pick up, Beth begins to question what her choices have cost her.
Leaving her old life behind, she sets forth on a pilgrimage that will bring her back to the boy she could never forget. He wants to help her pick up the pieces of her life, but is she willing to do what it takes to become whole again?
Can she trust him with a piece of herself?
Beth Bradshaw has spent her life hiding from her tragic past. From the moment a trusted family friend steals her innocence until the moment another rescues her, she struggles to just survive.
Surrounded by the comfort and protection of her extended family, Beth embarks on a journey of healing far from the horrors of her home. In her darkest moments, she meets a boy named Ryan. For one incredible summer, Ryan shows Beth what it’s like to act her own age.
To feel free and let go.
If only for a while.
Years later, another tragedy threatens to shatter the life Beth has carefully crafted. When faced, yet again, with more pieces to pick up, Beth begins to question what her choices have cost her.
Leaving her old life behind, she sets forth on a pilgrimage that will bring her back to the boy she could never forget. He wants to help her pick up the pieces of her life, but is she willing to do what it takes to become whole again?
Can she trust him with a piece of herself?
313 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2012
208 people are currently reading
10421 people want to read
About the author
Maggi Myers
5 books345 followersMaggi was born in West Des Moines, Iowa and raised in Miami, Florida. She has a deep love for The Heartland and really good Cuban food.
Maggi likes to write about characters who've suffered well, lived on despite it, and find beauty beyond the obstacles we all face. When she's not writing, you can find her reading or singing into the end of her hairbrush. She is a steel magnolia and a mischief maker, wrapped up and tied with a sarcasm bow.
Currently she resides in The Quad Cities with her family. For more about Maggi and her current shennanigans your can follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.maggi.myers or on Twitter @Magnolia_B_My
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 631 reviews
February 23, 2013
“We are all broken in one way or another. Its how we put those pieces back together that matters.”
“Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart.”
4.5 stars! I loved this book!
It was a captivating, emotional story of a girl healing from shattered trust and childhood abuse, rediscovering her self worth, falling in love, putting back together the pieces of her life and of the boy who helped her find that final piece and brought love, trust and safety back to her life.
I felt for Beth, I loved Ryan, I was drawn into the story, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it at 4:30 AM.
This book doesn’t ease you in – right from the first chapter you are faced with the sexual abuse endured by Beth as a 10 year old child and honestly I wan’t sure at first if I could handle the book. I mean, she was TEN. years. old!
The story quickly progresses forward 4 years and she is still in the same situation. But worse now, when she finally musters the courage to tell her drug- addicted mother, she is not believed. Its hard to say which is worse – the act itself or the helplessness of being under the thumb of someone who chooses to be blind to your pain.
Despite how horrible it made me feel to read what she was going through, I was also absolutely pulled into the story. And by 10% I was already near tears.
“I am a kind of broken they can’t fix. I am no longer the same little girl they loved.”
Luckily, Beth’s extended family of grandparents and uncles come to her rescue and take her away for the summer to heal. Their love, understanding and caring just warmed me heart to the very core!! Especially Tommy – who truly was one of the most amazing father-figure characters ever who just loved her unconditionally with all warmth and protectiveness you could ever want from a parent.
I loved their whole family dynamic – there is something about family that is created out of emotional attachment and not just through a direct blood link that really always tugs my heart strings.
At her grandparent’s place, she meets Ryan again. Two years older than her and once her child tormentor, she’s now seeing him in a different light now that they’re older. What developed between them as they went from teasing to attraction to first love was just so beautiful, sweet and heart warming made me connect with them very deeply.
“Trust me,” he pleads, and there is a sincerity in his tone that has me believing him. With a faith I didn’t know I still possessed, I lift my head and smile.”
“Ok, Ryan. I’ll trust you.”
There were a few rather detailed scenes of her abuse that I found hard to read and stomach. They were both graphic and sickening but having read the whole story I can understand how they served to give you a more “full” understanding of Beth’s character. It was hard to read but it was what she went through and having to read through her trauma as opposed to just alluding to it I guess made me as a reader feel that much more strongly for her as a character. But still, I just cringed my way through that scene.
But the book wasn’t all heavy. Ryan didn’t know about her abuse so he brought an element of lighthearted flirting and happiness to the story. And despite the heavier scenes, there were also many that made me grin and squee and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
But the perfect summer doesn’t last forever and too soon she is forced back home, having to leave behind the comfort, safety and love that she has just found. At this point, she is 15.
Although the whole first part of the book is from Beth’s POV, at 40% in, we start being treated to snippets from Ryan’s POV which was really wonderful!
The story skips forward a year. Then three. School happens, life happens, and although they can’t stop thinking about each other, they are both forced to move on their their lives.
I found this part of the story painful because you know how much they both miss each other. But at the same time it was understandable and “real” because I could easily see their separations as being a situation that would have happened in real life. It wasn’t a bad parting or anything that had transpired between them that kept them apart. It was just the flow of life. And despite the fact that the romance reader in me desperately wanted them to find a magical way around it, life just doesn’t always work out that way and I really felt it gave the story a sense of realism.
And then came a time jump that literally just made me gulp — 5 years later!! At this point I was just reading with this intense feeling of omg-when-are-they-gonna-meet?? Now? Now?? NOW???
But when a tragedy called her back to her home town and she finally saw Ryan again, I seriously SQUEE-ed out loud! I was utterly breathless!!!!
It was really one of those stories where you feel and just KNOW from the start that they just belong together. Plain and simple. At the end of the day, they had been in love since that summer they spent together.
My heart was really wrapped up in this story – all the way. I felt the tragedy very strongly – it was gut wrenching and the whole situation nearly brought me to tears more than once.
I have to say though that I didn’t ever actually cry, but I did tear up a few times. But this story still reached right into my heart and I really really loved it!!
I also loved that it was a bit of a shorter book – I read it in only a few hours but in that time, I always felt fully connected to the characters.
I swooned over Ryan, wanted to hug Beth and just flat-out loved Tommy (but in a father-figure kind of way).
I’d consider it a New Adult book in terms of sex. There is a sex scene and its not closed door but also not super graphic – its more emotional than anything and really felt right for their characters.
It was a beautiful book – hard to read in places, but really well written, with characters that I felt strongly connected to and also a happy ending.
I’d definitely recommend adding it to your TBRs :)
4.5 stars
CASTINGG (see above)
BLURB --> Life shouldn’t be about picking up the pieces.
Beth Bradshaw has spent her life hiding from her tragic past. From the moment a trusted family friend steals her innocence until the moment another rescues her, she struggles to just survive.
Surrounded by the comfort and protection of her extended family, Beth embarks on a journey of healing far from the horrors of her home. In her darkest moments, she meets a boy named Ryan. For one incredible summer, Ryan shows Beth what it’s like to act her own age.
To feel free and let go.
If only for a while.
Years later, another tragedy threatens to shatter the life Beth has carefully crafted. When faced, yet again, with more pieces to pick up, Beth begins to question what her choices have cost her.
Leaving her old life behind, she sets forth on a pilgrimage that will bring her back to the boy she could never forget. He wants to help her pick up the pieces of her life, but is she willing to do what it takes to become whole again?
Can she trust him with a piece of herself?
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January 25, 2013
4.5 Beautifully Broken Hearts
This book broke all of the pieces of my heart and put them back together again with a beautifully written story of a young women’s journey through the depths of the worst child abuse and then the ten years after the abuse occurred when she was healing, feeling and loving for real, for the first time.
“We are all broken in one way or another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.”
And… Beth was able to put the pieces back together with the love and support of some incredible people including her one true love, Ryan.
"Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart"
The author, Maggi Meyers created some of the most amazing characters. I completely connected with them and became so attached to Beth, Tommy, Ryan and Charlie; they definitely stole a piece of my heart and I wish I had more of them to read.
So many of the scenes: painful or beautiful were written so well that I wept with sickening anger and then with smiling joy.
I am so impressed with this first novel and encourage Maggi to keep on writing girl, you got to me and made me feel some intense emotions!
This is how I see the adult Ryan and Beth:
”Until you can share all of the pieces of your past with someone, you can’t possibly know what it means to love the way you say you love Ryan.”
“Pretty,” his breath dances across my ear and it takes a concerted effort not to swoon.
I am a goner."
April 23, 2014
I am so confused what to rate the book, a 2 or a 4!
Hmm.. So I kept seeing a lot of this book on my homepage here on GR first in the dirty old cover, which I never picked up, Now it came out in the new cover and I totally grabbed it..
Yes, I do judge covers by their books :P Btw..
This story is about a child facing sexual abuse for years.. lucky for us, the author hasn't gone into vast details of it.. just a chapter or two about it, thus you can totally cope and read.
So after the abuse part is over in lik 2-3 chapters, All we see in this book is how Beth and Ryan mop over each other,two children who fall in love one summer How in the span of 10 fucking years they don't meet each other, they love each other but they don't meet.. they try dating others but it just never works WHY? Because they love each other
SO BITCHES..... ACT THE FUCK ON IT, RIGHT?!
Agrh, so frustrating.. the whole book appart from the first 5 chapters and the last 2-3 chapters were them moping over each other, trying other relationships and those failing!!
This book didn't feel like an abuse book, it felt like a weird sappy romantic love lost kinda book!!!
I am pissed. I mean, yes the author had to show something appart from the abuse and the saving and blah blah blah, but the place where she took the book in the middle was nice and yet irritating.
I loved this book, yet at the same time I didn't... I was mainly irritated at Beth and Ryan I think.
I loveedddddddddddd Beth's savior, her uncle and aunt and grandparents! They were like super duper amazing.
___
I'm confused if I liked the story or not, I mean somethings were super duper pissing off... but something were all OMG :') types..
Hmm.. So I kept seeing a lot of this book on my homepage here on GR first in the dirty old cover, which I never picked up, Now it came out in the new cover and I totally grabbed it..
Yes, I do judge covers by their books :P Btw..
This story is about a child facing sexual abuse for years.. lucky for us, the author hasn't gone into vast details of it.. just a chapter or two about it, thus you can totally cope and read.
So after the abuse part is over in lik 2-3 chapters, All we see in this book is how Beth and Ryan mop over each other,
SO BITCHES..... ACT THE FUCK ON IT, RIGHT?!
Agrh, so frustrating.. the whole book appart from the first 5 chapters and the last 2-3 chapters were them moping over each other, trying other relationships and those failing!!
This book didn't feel like an abuse book, it felt like a weird sappy romantic love lost kinda book!!!
I am pissed. I mean, yes the author had to show something appart from the abuse and the saving and blah blah blah, but the place where she took the book in the middle was nice and yet irritating.
I loved this book, yet at the same time I didn't... I was mainly irritated at Beth and Ryan I think.
I loveedddddddddddd Beth's savior, her uncle and aunt and grandparents! They were like super duper amazing.
___
I'm confused if I liked the story or not, I mean somethings were super duper pissing off... but something were all OMG :') types..
February 8, 2013
4.5 Stars Warning: You will need some tissues for this one! An emotional read, not for the faint of heart!
“We are all broken in one way of another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.”
Beth has had a devastating childhood. Her parents are absent, so into themselves and their habits, they don’t even know whats going on with their only daughter. From the time Beth was 5 years old, she has been abused by a friend of her parents. Luckily, a family friend, Tommy, is able to step in and help Beth. The summer she is getting ready to turn 15, she spends with her grandparents, uncle, aunt, and Tommy- along with his 17 year old nephew, Ryan. She has feelings for Ryan, but being a victim of abuse doesn’t make it easy.
He stole every ‘first’ from me. How do you get past that? I’ll never know what it feels like to give the fist piece of myself to someone I choose, someone I care about.
Ryan and Beth start to fall for each other that summer. Though they go in different directions, Beth back home to Miami, and Ryan in Iowa, they never forget about each other. More years past, and although they are not directly in contact, there is always a link to each other through her family and Tommy.
Ten years later, Beth is 25 years old. Tragedy strikes in her life again. These terrible circumstances bring Ryan and Beth back together.
You will grow attached to these characters. Beth’s journey is heartbreaking. She is strong, despite all that she has been through.
“You amaze me, Beth. You are so strong, so beautiful and full of love. Life could’ve broken you, but you didn’t let it.”
Ryan and Beth have a sweet romance, I only wish that they wouldn’t have spent all that time apart... communication anyone? But when they were together, it was perfect.
“I want everything, Beth. All of it. I love you, and I want to share your burden. You don’t have to carry this one alone anymore.”
And my favorite character,Tommy... thinking about him chokes me up. He was exactly the person that Beth needed in her life. Someone who loved her, was always there for her in a way her parents never were, and protected her.
You were my champion. You gave hope back to me. You are my hero.
A touching story about abuse, love, friendship, family, forgiveness and second chances. Loved the dual pov’s from Beth and Ryan. I read this in one sitting, the story was so engaging. A really beautiful book, a sweet, yet emotional read. Some of the scenes were a little graphic, just an fyi. A wonderful book I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this one!!!
“We are all broken in one way of another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.”
Beth has had a devastating childhood. Her parents are absent, so into themselves and their habits, they don’t even know whats going on with their only daughter. From the time Beth was 5 years old, she has been abused by a friend of her parents. Luckily, a family friend, Tommy, is able to step in and help Beth. The summer she is getting ready to turn 15, she spends with her grandparents, uncle, aunt, and Tommy- along with his 17 year old nephew, Ryan. She has feelings for Ryan, but being a victim of abuse doesn’t make it easy.
He stole every ‘first’ from me. How do you get past that? I’ll never know what it feels like to give the fist piece of myself to someone I choose, someone I care about.
Ryan and Beth start to fall for each other that summer. Though they go in different directions, Beth back home to Miami, and Ryan in Iowa, they never forget about each other. More years past, and although they are not directly in contact, there is always a link to each other through her family and Tommy.
Ten years later, Beth is 25 years old. Tragedy strikes in her life again. These terrible circumstances bring Ryan and Beth back together.
You will grow attached to these characters. Beth’s journey is heartbreaking. She is strong, despite all that she has been through.
“You amaze me, Beth. You are so strong, so beautiful and full of love. Life could’ve broken you, but you didn’t let it.”
Ryan and Beth have a sweet romance, I only wish that they wouldn’t have spent all that time apart... communication anyone? But when they were together, it was perfect.
“I want everything, Beth. All of it. I love you, and I want to share your burden. You don’t have to carry this one alone anymore.”
And my favorite character,Tommy... thinking about him chokes me up. He was exactly the person that Beth needed in her life. Someone who loved her, was always there for her in a way her parents never were, and protected her.
You were my champion. You gave hope back to me. You are my hero.
A touching story about abuse, love, friendship, family, forgiveness and second chances. Loved the dual pov’s from Beth and Ryan. I read this in one sitting, the story was so engaging. A really beautiful book, a sweet, yet emotional read. Some of the scenes were a little graphic, just an fyi. A wonderful book I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this one!!!
March 2, 2013
2.5
"Where only a fool would build a house in shifting sand, the same goes for those who would build their lives on a lie~eventually, it is going to crumble"
"Illusions can be very convincing. No one has any reason to suspect that I am anything less than what I appear. I don't fit the typical victim profile."
I actually don't know where to start was this book, because I don't like writing negative reviews but this book really disappointed me there was just to many missing pieces to the story.
The first few chapters was brilliant how she portrayed Beth's life through her eyes was just heart breaking no little girl should have to go through what she did. You felt part of the story at that point, and when we meet Tommy it's instant love (he was the only character I connected with) After Tommy became her superman it went down hill from there in my eyes, don't get me wrong when she first went to the lake house it was like a breath of fresh air for Beth even though she had just been through some of the worst things in her life, she still tried to stay strong, at the time she was only 14, The lake house was meant to be her tranquillity but we didn't get a chance to experience any of that with her, she had like a mini flash back right at the beginning about things she did there,
but we never saw any of that apart from when it was her birthday. These should of been the Times were we saw a happier side to Beth a carefree Beth this should of been the time were we connected to her emotionally but we wasn't given that.
There was just to many missing chunks to create an amazing story.
I felt we should of saw Beth spend more time with her therapist, so we could understand that damaged little girl so then we could understand choices she would of made in her adult life. This part of the story should of been when we connected with her emotionally in the sense of what she had to suffer only a year ago, but the author didn't give us chance to do that either, it's like she gave you a little but kept the big things away.
Then we have Ryan now this could of been a beautiful summer's love, but the author didn't give us chance to see that either, she didn't develop their romance at all, he said a few things to her about trust then kissed her then it was like they were Instantly in love but it felt like we had missed a big chunk of the build up to that love. The way it's described in the blurb is that Ryan gives her a summer to remember like shows her how to have fun, but we didn't see any of that. Just a few here and there but nothing to say they should have this crazy love, he didn't save her. If that's what the author was trying to portray then it didn't work, there was just too many missing pieces. I think one thing that really annoyed me was this "Pretty" I'm not even going to waste my time explaining that, but I swear it really pissed me off.
Then after all that she suddenly has to go back home. Now again the author didn't give you that chance to connect with her parents it's really hard to explain but there was just no description, we never saw the parents sit down with Beth discussing her issues you never saw any emotionally encounters with Beth like you would of thought because what she had been through, (I swear I don't know the fathers name lol) it just jumps to much one minute she was 14 next minute she was 17 and had this amazing best friend who we never knew nothing about, then all of a sudden they were dating. Which you never got to see any of that, The only thing you got was just him saying sorry for how they broke up, which you didn't see any of that either. it was really frustrating because these little things are what helps you connect with the characters.
At this point it was switching pov which I thought okay maybe it will start picking up. Ermm no it so didn't, it was exactly the same. Ryan meets a girl she becomes his best friend they become lovers they brake up that's it, but you didn't even get to see them brake up or even be lovers, he just ends up back at the lake house, again the author didn't give you that chance to connect to Ryan in his adult years which I thought it was really important, Again so many missing pieces. It always felt like you was missing a massive chunk of their lives.
Now we have Tommy now here is a character I did connect with I loved him sooooo much every women and girl actually every human needs a man like him in their life. He was an amazing Guy especially to Beth she really was his Baby girl his Nick name for her, every time he said it was so endearing. But again that was only at the beginning and when Beth was having her flash backs, but the author took him away in the sense you didn't know anything about his life, then bam something happens and its like nooo that so shouldn't of happened I'm not going to lie at that point I did cry, but It was because I loved him so much!
"Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart." (Tommy)
"Rule number on in adapting, Control the situation at hand before it has a chance to control you."
So ten years past without Ryan or Beth's crosses paths (bullshit) because from when someone is pineing for someone the way they were you would of thought they would of found a way back to each other, but they never did in all them ten years.
So they finally come back together and I swear I don't know if the author did this to make the story longer, or to give a bit of suspense but I swear to God the argument they have at the end was just pathetic I don't think I've ever read something so stupid to be honest, I don't think that should of been in the story it really was pointless! Another thing which I didn't like about the ten year thing was when they were brought back together, it felt like Beth was still 14 and Ryan 16, but I think this was because we didn't get to connect with them in their adult years! So in my mind they were still young kids.
This is way description is so important in a story like this because of how it jumps from years to years.
Another thing that bothered me was the fact Drew was never mentioned again in the book, like once he was caught by Tommy he just disappeared, I'm sorry but Beth was being sexually abused from the age of 5to 13, and we didn't get to see any justice I'm sorry but that I was very disappointed with.
I think the author is an brilliant writer this book could of been amazing and I really mean that because the first few chapters had a lot going for them, but I felt like she just lost her way. I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to be honest.
"After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much, so you can decorate your own soul and plant your own garden instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
"Where only a fool would build a house in shifting sand, the same goes for those who would build their lives on a lie~eventually, it is going to crumble"
"Illusions can be very convincing. No one has any reason to suspect that I am anything less than what I appear. I don't fit the typical victim profile."
I actually don't know where to start was this book, because I don't like writing negative reviews but this book really disappointed me there was just to many missing pieces to the story.
The first few chapters was brilliant how she portrayed Beth's life through her eyes was just heart breaking no little girl should have to go through what she did. You felt part of the story at that point, and when we meet Tommy it's instant love (he was the only character I connected with) After Tommy became her superman it went down hill from there in my eyes, don't get me wrong when she first went to the lake house it was like a breath of fresh air for Beth even though she had just been through some of the worst things in her life, she still tried to stay strong, at the time she was only 14, The lake house was meant to be her tranquillity but we didn't get a chance to experience any of that with her, she had like a mini flash back right at the beginning about things she did there,
but we never saw any of that apart from when it was her birthday. These should of been the Times were we saw a happier side to Beth a carefree Beth this should of been the time were we connected to her emotionally but we wasn't given that.
There was just to many missing chunks to create an amazing story.
I felt we should of saw Beth spend more time with her therapist, so we could understand that damaged little girl so then we could understand choices she would of made in her adult life. This part of the story should of been when we connected with her emotionally in the sense of what she had to suffer only a year ago, but the author didn't give us chance to do that either, it's like she gave you a little but kept the big things away.
Then we have Ryan now this could of been a beautiful summer's love, but the author didn't give us chance to see that either, she didn't develop their romance at all, he said a few things to her about trust then kissed her then it was like they were Instantly in love but it felt like we had missed a big chunk of the build up to that love. The way it's described in the blurb is that Ryan gives her a summer to remember like shows her how to have fun, but we didn't see any of that. Just a few here and there but nothing to say they should have this crazy love, he didn't save her. If that's what the author was trying to portray then it didn't work, there was just too many missing pieces. I think one thing that really annoyed me was this "Pretty" I'm not even going to waste my time explaining that, but I swear it really pissed me off.
Then after all that she suddenly has to go back home. Now again the author didn't give you that chance to connect with her parents it's really hard to explain but there was just no description, we never saw the parents sit down with Beth discussing her issues you never saw any emotionally encounters with Beth like you would of thought because what she had been through, (I swear I don't know the fathers name lol) it just jumps to much one minute she was 14 next minute she was 17 and had this amazing best friend who we never knew nothing about, then all of a sudden they were dating. Which you never got to see any of that, The only thing you got was just him saying sorry for how they broke up, which you didn't see any of that either. it was really frustrating because these little things are what helps you connect with the characters.
At this point it was switching pov which I thought okay maybe it will start picking up. Ermm no it so didn't, it was exactly the same. Ryan meets a girl she becomes his best friend they become lovers they brake up that's it, but you didn't even get to see them brake up or even be lovers, he just ends up back at the lake house, again the author didn't give you that chance to connect to Ryan in his adult years which I thought it was really important, Again so many missing pieces. It always felt like you was missing a massive chunk of their lives.
Now we have Tommy now here is a character I did connect with I loved him sooooo much every women and girl actually every human needs a man like him in their life. He was an amazing Guy especially to Beth she really was his Baby girl his Nick name for her, every time he said it was so endearing. But again that was only at the beginning and when Beth was having her flash backs, but the author took him away in the sense you didn't know anything about his life, then bam something happens and its like nooo that so shouldn't of happened I'm not going to lie at that point I did cry, but It was because I loved him so much!
"Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart." (Tommy)
"Rule number on in adapting, Control the situation at hand before it has a chance to control you."
So ten years past without Ryan or Beth's crosses paths (bullshit) because from when someone is pineing for someone the way they were you would of thought they would of found a way back to each other, but they never did in all them ten years.
So they finally come back together and I swear I don't know if the author did this to make the story longer, or to give a bit of suspense but I swear to God the argument they have at the end was just pathetic I don't think I've ever read something so stupid to be honest, I don't think that should of been in the story it really was pointless! Another thing which I didn't like about the ten year thing was when they were brought back together, it felt like Beth was still 14 and Ryan 16, but I think this was because we didn't get to connect with them in their adult years! So in my mind they were still young kids.
This is way description is so important in a story like this because of how it jumps from years to years.
Another thing that bothered me was the fact Drew was never mentioned again in the book, like once he was caught by Tommy he just disappeared, I'm sorry but Beth was being sexually abused from the age of 5to 13, and we didn't get to see any justice I'm sorry but that I was very disappointed with.
I think the author is an brilliant writer this book could of been amazing and I really mean that because the first few chapters had a lot going for them, but I felt like she just lost her way. I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to be honest.
"After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much, so you can decorate your own soul and plant your own garden instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
July 7, 2013
One of the most remarkable books I've ever read. The circumstances of this story are difficult and tragic at best, but Ms. Meyers draws a gentle, yet beautiful picture - one that will make you wish you had stashed the Kleenex a little closer.
The Final Piece is not for the faint of heart. It deals with some extremely tragic events of abuse in a young girl's life and quite frankly, some parts are terribly ugly. Life unfortunately hands us "ugly" at times, but it's how we choose to deal with those pieces that gets us through our once shattered lives. Beth, the main character, picks up the shard remains of her past and evaluates them; eventually realizing that the final piece of her salvation is closer than she thinks.
The characters that stick by her without condition are some of the loveliest "pieces" a reader will ever encounter and that's exactly what a very fragile Beth needs. They embrace all her brokenness to hopefully reveal the obviously exquisite person that is still hiding within her. The rich and undeniable romance between Beth and Ryan is simply a once in a lifetime kind of love, and will make the reader delight in their sometimes rocky journey together.
I honestly don't often cry in books. I actually held it together until the very end, when my heart had finally met it's breaking point. When a book can reach that level of emotion in me, it earns it's place in my five star ranking - and this one certainly made the mark. Ms. Meyers wrote a book in a most profound way. Her gentleness in handling such unfortunate events in a child's life was sweet brilliance.
I sincerely loved this book.
The Final Piece is not for the faint of heart. It deals with some extremely tragic events of abuse in a young girl's life and quite frankly, some parts are terribly ugly. Life unfortunately hands us "ugly" at times, but it's how we choose to deal with those pieces that gets us through our once shattered lives. Beth, the main character, picks up the shard remains of her past and evaluates them; eventually realizing that the final piece of her salvation is closer than she thinks.
The characters that stick by her without condition are some of the loveliest "pieces" a reader will ever encounter and that's exactly what a very fragile Beth needs. They embrace all her brokenness to hopefully reveal the obviously exquisite person that is still hiding within her. The rich and undeniable romance between Beth and Ryan is simply a once in a lifetime kind of love, and will make the reader delight in their sometimes rocky journey together.
I honestly don't often cry in books. I actually held it together until the very end, when my heart had finally met it's breaking point. When a book can reach that level of emotion in me, it earns it's place in my five star ranking - and this one certainly made the mark. Ms. Meyers wrote a book in a most profound way. Her gentleness in handling such unfortunate events in a child's life was sweet brilliance.
I sincerely loved this book.
December 22, 2012
Ummmm....WOW!
I borrowed this book for free on Amazon Prime. The cover was cute and the description was convincing. Nothing to lose, right? Wrong! I lost all control of my emotions during the first 5% of the book! This book made me ugly cry in only a few pages! Needless to say, I returned the book (since it was only borrowed) and bought it. I knew right then I wouldn’t want to return it.
Elizabeth Bradshaw (Beth) is a broken little girl. She has endured more pain and abuse than anyone should ever experience in hundred life times. A family friend, Tommy, turns out to be her angel in disguise. He saves Beth in more ways then she would ever be able to comprehend. This begins her journey to trust and forgiveness….and Ryan.
Ryan is Tommy’s nephew. He’s a young kid who likes to tease and taunt Beth. He is a few years older than her but they become childhood friends. Over the years, they start to see each other in a different light. Ryan is Beth’s first love. Things happen and their road to life takes them in different directions, but never giving up hope it will one day lead them back to each other.
This book is about abuse, trust, forgiveness, family, and love. Getting to see the world through Beth’s eyes is heartbreaking. The book is mostly told from her POV, although we get to see Ryan’s POV a few times. I loved that the author chose to do it that way, I thought it was perfect. It’s hard not to go into detail about how much I loved this book, but I don’t want to give too much away!
This is NOT a fluff or YA read. It has a very disturbing and graphic storyline, but it was written perfectly. I couldn’t even explain how much I loved this book. Maggi Myers is an amazing author. I can’t believe this is her debut novel. I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommend it but make sure you have tissue.
"Pretty"
I borrowed this book for free on Amazon Prime. The cover was cute and the description was convincing. Nothing to lose, right? Wrong! I lost all control of my emotions during the first 5% of the book! This book made me ugly cry in only a few pages! Needless to say, I returned the book (since it was only borrowed) and bought it. I knew right then I wouldn’t want to return it.
Elizabeth Bradshaw (Beth) is a broken little girl. She has endured more pain and abuse than anyone should ever experience in hundred life times. A family friend, Tommy, turns out to be her angel in disguise. He saves Beth in more ways then she would ever be able to comprehend. This begins her journey to trust and forgiveness….and Ryan.
Ryan is Tommy’s nephew. He’s a young kid who likes to tease and taunt Beth. He is a few years older than her but they become childhood friends. Over the years, they start to see each other in a different light. Ryan is Beth’s first love. Things happen and their road to life takes them in different directions, but never giving up hope it will one day lead them back to each other.
This book is about abuse, trust, forgiveness, family, and love. Getting to see the world through Beth’s eyes is heartbreaking. The book is mostly told from her POV, although we get to see Ryan’s POV a few times. I loved that the author chose to do it that way, I thought it was perfect. It’s hard not to go into detail about how much I loved this book, but I don’t want to give too much away!
This is NOT a fluff or YA read. It has a very disturbing and graphic storyline, but it was written perfectly. I couldn’t even explain how much I loved this book. Maggi Myers is an amazing author. I can’t believe this is her debut novel. I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommend it but make sure you have tissue.
"Pretty"
July 27, 2014
“We are all broken in one way or another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.”
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It is fairly short (unliked this review... sorry, I just have to gush!), but packs a punch with heaps of emotion, and the most gorgeous love story that had me squeeing out loud.
We meet Beth when she is 10 years old and dancing around her bedroom, singing into her hairbrush to Xanadu (I loved her immediately!). With emotionally absent parents, Beth endures a traumatising childhood, being molested from a very young age by a family friend. And let me warn you, these scenes are emotional, graphic and incredibly disturbing. Told from the POV of a confused, distressed and terrified child while she endures the abuse (and later in flashback) it’s very tough reading.
But the story quickly moves to when 14 year old Beth is ‘rescued’ from her situation by her Uncle Rob, and family friend, Tommy. Both of these characters are incredible, but Tommy is something very special.
"Tommy senses me cowering behind him and grabs my hand. Without missing a beat, he pulls me forward and into a reassuring hug. “I got you, baby girl.”"
Beth calls him her “champion”, and that is exactly what he is. She has always had a special relationship with him, and he is 100% there for her – protective, loving, and utterly adoring of her, he is Beth’s rock, and gives her everything that she needs.
"Tommy cocooned me in his arms. The same arms that struck out to protect me, the arms that saved me.
“In my life, I have never known, nor will I ever know, someone as strong and courageous as you, Elizabeth Irene Bradshaw,” Tommy whispers against my temple. I have no words, so I nod my head against his chest, hoping he understands my acceptance of his praise. “You honour me with your trust, baby girl. I am so very proud of you.”"
Tommy and Uncle Rob whisk Beth away to the home of her grandparents, where she spends her summers every year, and the one place in the world that she considers home. There she meets up with Ryan, Tommy’s nephew and her childhood friend / tormentor. He is two years older than her, and recognises that she is suffering with something and with his tenderness and gentle teasing, he is the one to bring her out of her shell and back to herself, and feelings start to develop between them.
The emotions and excitement of first love are captured beautifully as Beth and Ryan tease, play and share meaningful stares. And even though they are surrounded by their families, I love that they are open with what they are feeling, and they don’t try to hide their growing affection for each other.
"I hold my breath and close my eyes as Ryan brushes the hair off my shoulder and whispers in my ear. “Pretty,” his breath dances across my ear and it takes a concerted effort not to swoon.
I am a goner."
Me too!!! SWOOOOON!
But Beth and Ryan are torn apart before their fledgling romance really takes hold, and we then watch them through the following years as they go about their lives, trying to move on but never forgetting about each other.
Flashforward 10 years later (yes! 10 years!!), and both Beth and Ryan are pulled home to deal with a family tragedy. This is not a secret, it’s in the synopsis, but when it happened, I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. OMG, the emotion!!! It’s devastating, and watching Beth and Ryan deal with their grief absolutely broke my heart.
But it does provide our separated lovers with the opportunity to reunite. As they come together in their grief, they lean on each other in an attempt to cope with their tragedy, and find that the feelings that were stirred in them all of those years ago are still very much there. But is that enough to overcome Beth’s tragic past, and all that has happened in the intervening years?
I love these characters!
Beth is amazing. She goes through so much, but she pulls herself together and moves on. She never becomes a tragically whiny emo, she does her best to deal with what life throws at her, and lives her life. She is so brave, and I so admired her for that.
“You plant your own garden instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. In other words, take responsibility for your own needs and your own happiness.”
And Ryan is romance hero perfection! As a teenager, he is funny, caring, gentle and oh so swoony. All grown up, he is exactly the same, just more intense… and a whole lot hotter! He was never afraid to tell Beth what he was feeling, and I loved how he laid it all out for her and was so determined to not let her get away.
“No you don’t, Beth.” Ryan furrows his brow and closes the distance between us with two steps. “Don’t push me away because you think you shouldn’t lean on me. You need me, Beth, and I need you.”
I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down. Reminiscent of A.L. Jackson and Priscilla Glenn, it is beautifully written, with heaps of emotion, and off the charts swoon.
“I love you, all of you. Every scar, every freckle… I love that you didn’t let your past stop you from chasing your dreams.
Hell bent and beautiful, you’re my heart.”
I absolutely loved it – 5 stars.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It is fairly short (unliked this review... sorry, I just have to gush!), but packs a punch with heaps of emotion, and the most gorgeous love story that had me squeeing out loud.
We meet Beth when she is 10 years old and dancing around her bedroom, singing into her hairbrush to Xanadu (I loved her immediately!). With emotionally absent parents, Beth endures a traumatising childhood, being molested from a very young age by a family friend. And let me warn you, these scenes are emotional, graphic and incredibly disturbing. Told from the POV of a confused, distressed and terrified child while she endures the abuse (and later in flashback) it’s very tough reading.
But the story quickly moves to when 14 year old Beth is ‘rescued’ from her situation by her Uncle Rob, and family friend, Tommy. Both of these characters are incredible, but Tommy is something very special.
"Tommy senses me cowering behind him and grabs my hand. Without missing a beat, he pulls me forward and into a reassuring hug. “I got you, baby girl.”"
Beth calls him her “champion”, and that is exactly what he is. She has always had a special relationship with him, and he is 100% there for her – protective, loving, and utterly adoring of her, he is Beth’s rock, and gives her everything that she needs.
"Tommy cocooned me in his arms. The same arms that struck out to protect me, the arms that saved me.
“In my life, I have never known, nor will I ever know, someone as strong and courageous as you, Elizabeth Irene Bradshaw,” Tommy whispers against my temple. I have no words, so I nod my head against his chest, hoping he understands my acceptance of his praise. “You honour me with your trust, baby girl. I am so very proud of you.”"
Tommy and Uncle Rob whisk Beth away to the home of her grandparents, where she spends her summers every year, and the one place in the world that she considers home. There she meets up with Ryan, Tommy’s nephew and her childhood friend / tormentor. He is two years older than her, and recognises that she is suffering with something and with his tenderness and gentle teasing, he is the one to bring her out of her shell and back to herself, and feelings start to develop between them.
The emotions and excitement of first love are captured beautifully as Beth and Ryan tease, play and share meaningful stares. And even though they are surrounded by their families, I love that they are open with what they are feeling, and they don’t try to hide their growing affection for each other.
"I hold my breath and close my eyes as Ryan brushes the hair off my shoulder and whispers in my ear. “Pretty,” his breath dances across my ear and it takes a concerted effort not to swoon.
I am a goner."
Me too!!! SWOOOOON!
But Beth and Ryan are torn apart before their fledgling romance really takes hold, and we then watch them through the following years as they go about their lives, trying to move on but never forgetting about each other.
Flashforward 10 years later (yes! 10 years!!), and both Beth and Ryan are pulled home to deal with a family tragedy. This is not a secret, it’s in the synopsis, but when it happened, I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. OMG, the emotion!!! It’s devastating, and watching Beth and Ryan deal with their grief absolutely broke my heart.
But it does provide our separated lovers with the opportunity to reunite. As they come together in their grief, they lean on each other in an attempt to cope with their tragedy, and find that the feelings that were stirred in them all of those years ago are still very much there. But is that enough to overcome Beth’s tragic past, and all that has happened in the intervening years?
I love these characters!
Beth is amazing. She goes through so much, but she pulls herself together and moves on. She never becomes a tragically whiny emo, she does her best to deal with what life throws at her, and lives her life. She is so brave, and I so admired her for that.
“You plant your own garden instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. In other words, take responsibility for your own needs and your own happiness.”
And Ryan is romance hero perfection! As a teenager, he is funny, caring, gentle and oh so swoony. All grown up, he is exactly the same, just more intense… and a whole lot hotter! He was never afraid to tell Beth what he was feeling, and I loved how he laid it all out for her and was so determined to not let her get away.
“No you don’t, Beth.” Ryan furrows his brow and closes the distance between us with two steps. “Don’t push me away because you think you shouldn’t lean on me. You need me, Beth, and I need you.”
I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down. Reminiscent of A.L. Jackson and Priscilla Glenn, it is beautifully written, with heaps of emotion, and off the charts swoon.
“I love you, all of you. Every scar, every freckle… I love that you didn’t let your past stop you from chasing your dreams.
Hell bent and beautiful, you’re my heart.”
I absolutely loved it – 5 stars.
December 3, 2012
I was given an ARC of this for an honest review.
There are so many words to describe this book: heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, hopeful, romantic, and sweet. Just as the title suggests, there are many pieces to this story. We follow Beth through parts of her painful childhood as well as the love she is given a second chance at in adulthood.
Maggi's writing style is clean and refined. Her imagery is strong and poetic and so I was able to feel like I was a fly in the wall in so many scenes. I laughed, I cried (a lot), I gasped during difficult flashbacks and I grew very attached to several of the characters in this book, especially Beth, Ryan and Tommy.
A beautiful debut novel from a very talented new author.
There are so many words to describe this book: heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, hopeful, romantic, and sweet. Just as the title suggests, there are many pieces to this story. We follow Beth through parts of her painful childhood as well as the love she is given a second chance at in adulthood.
Maggi's writing style is clean and refined. Her imagery is strong and poetic and so I was able to feel like I was a fly in the wall in so many scenes. I laughed, I cried (a lot), I gasped during difficult flashbacks and I grew very attached to several of the characters in this book, especially Beth, Ryan and Tommy.
A beautiful debut novel from a very talented new author.
January 5, 2013
Reviewed at http://www.toughcriticbookreviews.blo...
This book left me with a whole lot of emotions that I'm having a hard time putting into words. A hard time processing. Writing a helpful review at this point seems as possible as Christian Grey speaking at a true love waits seminar. I'm--I'm just...I feel violated by my own emotions. The Final Piece is a book that miraculously found love, passion, and strength in spite of trauma, loss, and sexual abuse. It's a story about growth and forgiveness. This book tackled the impact of molestation and pain, but it was done with taste. It was done with heart. It was done beautifully.
This book didn't just explore the romantic relationship. It explored the relationship between family. It showed the intensity of friendship. But most importantly it revealed the growth of Beth's relationship with herself. Doing this made me develop a relationship with the story.
Beth's relationship with Tommy was achingly beautiful, but I have to admit the relationship between Ryan and Beth was my favorite. Ryan's love for Beth returned to her an innocence that was lost. An innocence that was stolen. It was heartbreaking.
Despite my love for this unique and emotional story, I do have some wishes for The Final Piece. I really, really wish more time would have been spent developing the start of Ryan and Beth's relationship. They fall in love as teenagers, but I feel like I was short changed on that experience. Ryan sees Beth in a bikini and given how it's written...BOOM! He's in love (or his dick is). That seems to be the turning point of their relationship and then things progress quickly, too quickly. They do have a beautiful moment in the cherry tree, but I wanted to experience them falling in love instead of getting told about it later in the book. Beth and Ryan falling in love as teenagers is the foundation of their relationship and if that would have been a little bit stronger I would have molested this book with stars!!
Other issues such as with dialogue and pacing were easily overlooked because of the strength of the story. The emotion of the story. The intensity, and the passion. This book will break your heart and put it back together. It will make you feel emotion and passion that's almost paralyzing. Is it perfectly written? No, but the journey...the journey was perfect! READ ON!
This book left me with a whole lot of emotions that I'm having a hard time putting into words. A hard time processing. Writing a helpful review at this point seems as possible as Christian Grey speaking at a true love waits seminar. I'm--I'm just...I feel violated by my own emotions. The Final Piece is a book that miraculously found love, passion, and strength in spite of trauma, loss, and sexual abuse. It's a story about growth and forgiveness. This book tackled the impact of molestation and pain, but it was done with taste. It was done with heart. It was done beautifully.
This book didn't just explore the romantic relationship. It explored the relationship between family. It showed the intensity of friendship. But most importantly it revealed the growth of Beth's relationship with herself. Doing this made me develop a relationship with the story.
Beth's relationship with Tommy was achingly beautiful, but I have to admit the relationship between Ryan and Beth was my favorite. Ryan's love for Beth returned to her an innocence that was lost. An innocence that was stolen. It was heartbreaking.
Despite my love for this unique and emotional story, I do have some wishes for The Final Piece. I really, really wish more time would have been spent developing the start of Ryan and Beth's relationship. They fall in love as teenagers, but I feel like I was short changed on that experience. Ryan sees Beth in a bikini and given how it's written...BOOM! He's in love (or his dick is). That seems to be the turning point of their relationship and then things progress quickly, too quickly. They do have a beautiful moment in the cherry tree, but I wanted to experience them falling in love instead of getting told about it later in the book. Beth and Ryan falling in love as teenagers is the foundation of their relationship and if that would have been a little bit stronger I would have molested this book with stars!!
Other issues such as with dialogue and pacing were easily overlooked because of the strength of the story. The emotion of the story. The intensity, and the passion. This book will break your heart and put it back together. It will make you feel emotion and passion that's almost paralyzing. Is it perfectly written? No, but the journey...the journey was perfect! READ ON!
February 5, 2013
It's really a shame cause I thought this had all the elements for a good story. But it was really lacking. I had some issues with this book.
*SPOILERS*
I had a hard time believing the emotional connection between Ryan and Beth. We’re told they’ve known each other all their lives but we’re only shown two summers. Even in their last summer together, I didn’t feel the connection between them. It’s hard to believe they pine for each other for 10 years, but they don’t see or speak to each other in all that time and a strong relationship was never established beforehand. I wish their relationship would’ve been more developed in the beginning. There are some flashbacks of them in the second half of the book but it’s too little, too late.
Actually none of the relationships in the book are really developed.
There were some inconsistencies or stuff that didn’t really make sense. At the beginning, Beth mentions a cousin that was with her by the lake one summer. The only uncle mentioned doesn’t have any kids. So where did this cousin come from? And she’s never mentioned again.
I didn’t think the graphic scenes of the child abuse were really necessary. A fade to black would have gotten the point across just fine. A little less of the graphic, disgusting scenes and a little more character/relationship development would've been nice.
The way the child abuser got away with everything made no sense to me. He molested and raped a young girl for 8 years but he’s not going to jail because they don’t want him to press charges against Tommy? First off, once he’s been arrested, it’s not up to the family to not press charges. It’s up to the DA. And they won’t let a pedophile off just like that. A plea deal I understand. Getting off without jail time, I don’t. Tommy would not have been okay to be the reason why that sicko got off. The DA would’ve had a hard time convicting someone that was defending a young girl from a pedophile, I doubt they’d press charges against Tommy. The whole thing was just swept under the rug too easily for me to believe.
Overall, I didn’t think the writing was bad. It just needed more.
*SPOILERS*
I had a hard time believing the emotional connection between Ryan and Beth. We’re told they’ve known each other all their lives but we’re only shown two summers. Even in their last summer together, I didn’t feel the connection between them. It’s hard to believe they pine for each other for 10 years, but they don’t see or speak to each other in all that time and a strong relationship was never established beforehand. I wish their relationship would’ve been more developed in the beginning. There are some flashbacks of them in the second half of the book but it’s too little, too late.
Actually none of the relationships in the book are really developed.
There were some inconsistencies or stuff that didn’t really make sense. At the beginning, Beth mentions a cousin that was with her by the lake one summer. The only uncle mentioned doesn’t have any kids. So where did this cousin come from? And she’s never mentioned again.
I didn’t think the graphic scenes of the child abuse were really necessary. A fade to black would have gotten the point across just fine. A little less of the graphic, disgusting scenes and a little more character/relationship development would've been nice.
The way the child abuser got away with everything made no sense to me. He molested and raped a young girl for 8 years but he’s not going to jail because they don’t want him to press charges against Tommy? First off, once he’s been arrested, it’s not up to the family to not press charges. It’s up to the DA. And they won’t let a pedophile off just like that. A plea deal I understand. Getting off without jail time, I don’t. Tommy would not have been okay to be the reason why that sicko got off. The DA would’ve had a hard time convicting someone that was defending a young girl from a pedophile, I doubt they’d press charges against Tommy. The whole thing was just swept under the rug too easily for me to believe.
Overall, I didn’t think the writing was bad. It just needed more.
March 26, 2013
Okay so... here's the thing. Within the first five pages, this book broke my heart. And then slowly, carefully, in detailed, beautifully crafted writing, Maggi put it all back together.
I honestly can't do any justice to this book in a review. The book takes us through a journey with Beth, who went through hideous abuse as a child. Maggi doesn't shy from the detail, capturing both the physical and emotional experience of a child being sexually molested and raped. It's devastating. But really, that's only one piece of the puzzle.
Beth's story doesn't just add up to abuse. She's a survivor. She fights back, and she's blessed to have others who fight for her, especially Tommy, the older family friend who rescues her as a young teen and watches over her as she grows older. The reader gets taken along on her journey as she heals from her experience, pushes through her boundaries learns to live, and love again.
This book made me cry like a baby. I'm in awe of Maggi's talent as a storyteller.
I honestly can't do any justice to this book in a review. The book takes us through a journey with Beth, who went through hideous abuse as a child. Maggi doesn't shy from the detail, capturing both the physical and emotional experience of a child being sexually molested and raped. It's devastating. But really, that's only one piece of the puzzle.
Beth's story doesn't just add up to abuse. She's a survivor. She fights back, and she's blessed to have others who fight for her, especially Tommy, the older family friend who rescues her as a young teen and watches over her as she grows older. The reader gets taken along on her journey as she heals from her experience, pushes through her boundaries learns to live, and love again.
This book made me cry like a baby. I'm in awe of Maggi's talent as a storyteller.
December 3, 2012
4.5 Stars
I interviewed Maggi Myers awhile back and she told me her favorite quote in the book was simply “Pretty”. At the time I didn’t know where she was going with that and why that simple word would mean so much but now I do. The Final Piece was a terrific story about trauma, love, forgiveness, loss and strength. This book tackled the impact of molestation and, truthfully, I wasn’t expecting that level of hurt and pain in this book but Myers did it with taste. The character development was exceptional and storytelling ability captivating.
Beth feels like everything she had to give someone was taken from her. A person has so many firsts: a kiss, a touch, etc. What happens when you don’t get to choose who gets to experience those with you? Beth feels a lack of control and will do anything to get it back. She guards her heart with everything she has and when she finally finds someone worthy of taking it, she can’t be with him. She may feel like every piece of her is gone but the one thing she hasn’t given away. Her heart is hers and hers alone and she has complete control over it.
“I follow him blindly. I’d follow him anywhere.” – Beth
In the beginning of the book, we get to know a younger Ryan who likes to torment Beth but don’t all teenagers do that when they like a girl? I liked some of the sweet gestures like the concert tickets and how he could use a little humor to make Beth open up and feel a little more normal. Ryan grows to be a caring, determined and smart man and I think he was everything that Beth needed. He is Beth’s everything and Beth is his always. He could say so much with the one word: pretty.
“It’s all I have dreamt about for years. But I also remember how good it felt to have your trust. We were kids, but it was special, Beth. You were always special.” – Ryan
While Beth’s hurts outweigh Ryan’s, they both had lonely, painful childhoods and it seems to bond them. They both are looking for the something that is missing in their lives, the space that Tommy couldn’t fill but rather the space only true love can. This story grabbed my heart because of the number of years Ryan and Beth knew each other, the number of years they spent apart and what they had to endure to come back together. They stole each others hearts with a kiss ten years before and no matter how hard they tried, they could not get past their feelings for each other. I think it is easy to replace a first love when that first love falls apart but it is painful when the heart has no choice but to move on. These two had a love that withstood miles and years. They needed each other, their final piece.
“We are all broken in one way or another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.” – Beth’s Mom
I loved Maggi Myers’ writing style and the way she covered so many years without making the book unnecessarily long. She included little flashbacks that helped me understand the characters and their past; she also tackled a very touchy subject with class and honesty. It was painful to read and I felt the emotions of a little girl who no one would listen to. A little girl who felt alone in her own home and longed for attention and love. Beth was a smart, beautiful girl who deserved all the goodness the world could give her.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes emotional, yet sweet love stories. I promise the characters will capture your heart!
I interviewed Maggi Myers awhile back and she told me her favorite quote in the book was simply “Pretty”. At the time I didn’t know where she was going with that and why that simple word would mean so much but now I do. The Final Piece was a terrific story about trauma, love, forgiveness, loss and strength. This book tackled the impact of molestation and, truthfully, I wasn’t expecting that level of hurt and pain in this book but Myers did it with taste. The character development was exceptional and storytelling ability captivating.
Beth feels like everything she had to give someone was taken from her. A person has so many firsts: a kiss, a touch, etc. What happens when you don’t get to choose who gets to experience those with you? Beth feels a lack of control and will do anything to get it back. She guards her heart with everything she has and when she finally finds someone worthy of taking it, she can’t be with him. She may feel like every piece of her is gone but the one thing she hasn’t given away. Her heart is hers and hers alone and she has complete control over it.
“I follow him blindly. I’d follow him anywhere.” – Beth
In the beginning of the book, we get to know a younger Ryan who likes to torment Beth but don’t all teenagers do that when they like a girl? I liked some of the sweet gestures like the concert tickets and how he could use a little humor to make Beth open up and feel a little more normal. Ryan grows to be a caring, determined and smart man and I think he was everything that Beth needed. He is Beth’s everything and Beth is his always. He could say so much with the one word: pretty.
“It’s all I have dreamt about for years. But I also remember how good it felt to have your trust. We were kids, but it was special, Beth. You were always special.” – Ryan
While Beth’s hurts outweigh Ryan’s, they both had lonely, painful childhoods and it seems to bond them. They both are looking for the something that is missing in their lives, the space that Tommy couldn’t fill but rather the space only true love can. This story grabbed my heart because of the number of years Ryan and Beth knew each other, the number of years they spent apart and what they had to endure to come back together. They stole each others hearts with a kiss ten years before and no matter how hard they tried, they could not get past their feelings for each other. I think it is easy to replace a first love when that first love falls apart but it is painful when the heart has no choice but to move on. These two had a love that withstood miles and years. They needed each other, their final piece.
“We are all broken in one way or another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.” – Beth’s Mom
I loved Maggi Myers’ writing style and the way she covered so many years without making the book unnecessarily long. She included little flashbacks that helped me understand the characters and their past; she also tackled a very touchy subject with class and honesty. It was painful to read and I felt the emotions of a little girl who no one would listen to. A little girl who felt alone in her own home and longed for attention and love. Beth was a smart, beautiful girl who deserved all the goodness the world could give her.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes emotional, yet sweet love stories. I promise the characters will capture your heart!
November 22, 2017
Dear Tommy....Do you remember what you used to say to me when I missed you?
“Together forever. Never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart.”
I’m sorry I never told you that you’re in my heart every day. Every. Day. I never told you, that of all the horrible things I went through, YOU made the biggest impression. Not Drew, not the drugs, none of it. You made me believe in the goodness in people when all I knew was evil. You showed me what it meant to sacrifice yourself for someone else and you showed me that I was important enough to fight for. You risked going to jail to defend me when no one else would acknowledge what went on under their noses. Above all else, you believed me. You never wavered or doubted that I was being hurt and that it needed to stop. When you grow up in a house where you’re preyed upon and no one believes you, it makes you feel like you deserve what you’re getting. It makes you think that your word is useless. The world is an empty and hopeless place when you don’t have anyone in your corner. You were my champion. You gave hope back to me. You are my hero
I never have anyone like uncle Tommy (my daughter has). I know when you lost someone like Uncle "T", you will have a broken heart, losing a shoulder to cry, losing your real life diary...sigh...
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This is not a Young Adult typical story, the way Maggi drove us fro Beth the 15 years old, to Beth 25 years old, feels smooth.
Tommy was just a friend of family, a neighbor, but Beth have a sanctuary in him mostly after "Drew" thing.
Beth at least having "someone" to talk to, someone who believe in her. That was precious !
And this guy, Ryan...who can't fall in love with him ? He's patient, adorable and love Beth the way she is.
I wasn't feel like they're separated for ten years after their vacation and one kiss that day (a kiss that stay forever in their heart).
Maggi wrote it beautifully.
Tears here and there...crying over what they had been through...
This was about forgiveness, acceptance, love at second chance, a meaningful love..and true love from someone who's not even having a blood relation with us.
Some part of the story made me smile, when Ryan saw Beth in bikini, and when "the kiss of a life time"..that was cute.
I smile and said "well, it's about time, Ryan!", after Ryan told everyone he broke up with his GF,Liz by calling her "Beth". When he kissed Liz and imagine that he kissed Beth.
It was obvious who's always in his head :)
It was always Beth...Forever.
But lot's of time, I lost in tears...
If you are parents, mother, boyfriend, uncle, grand ma, grand pa...you should read this one...you will have "lesson" from what Maggi wrote....
can't tell you the story line, I'm still overwhelmed after reading this.
I'm still "in love" with Tommy after reading this....
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
June 11, 2015
Trigger warning: child abuse with graphic scenes. Was that necessary? Because I could think of plenty of scenes that could have been more in depth. A vague description could still be effective—. The timeline skipped and there was A LOT of telling me things rather than letting me see and experience them. Beth healed somewhat. She patched up her relationship with her parents. She gained a new best friend. She dated her best friend. She graduated college and got a job. Etc., etc. None of these markers in Beth's life were really detailed and explained as well as they could have been. It's kind of a shame because I believe this had all the elements for a very good story. There were some pretty intense emotional scenes and for me, those were the strength of the book. In particular, the moments when Ryan and Beth were teenagers were clear highlights. I really think concentrating on this strip of time would have been brilliant. The huge gap where no words were passed between the two made it difficult to believe they continued to share such strong feelings for one another in adulthood. I liked Beth and Tommy's relationship though it too could have been explored a bit more.
February 9, 2013
"We are all broken in one way or another. It's how we put those pieces back together that matters."
There is no book I've read that has shown the value of family more than this book. This was a beautiful, inspiring and heartbreaking story with the truest form of love. When the whole world failed Beth, she could always count on the unconditional love and support from the ones that mattered the most.
Tommy taught me about unconditional love through the way he showed it to me. Uncle Rob taught me integrity in the way he stood his ground and insisted my parents get . Pops taught me the value of family that sticks together, no matter what. He stood by all of us while we picked up the pieces.
Friends are fleeting, family is forever.
Beth is a broken girl who has gone through way too much. She's been sexually abused since she was 5 by a family friend. Her mother doesn't believe her, but when Tommy finds out, he saves her. In more than one way. Ryan is Tommy's nephew. Beth and Ryan have been spending their summers together at Beth's grandparents's house ever since they were kids. When Beth is 15 and Ryan is 17, they fall madly in love with each other. Ryan makes her forget about every reason she has to be broken. When Beth's parents come to take her back to Miami, that's the last time she sees Ryan.
No matter how many years pass by, she never forgets him.
For me, it always comes back to Ryan.
He never forgets her.
I'll always love Beth, I'll always want her..
When something tragic happens, faith brings them back together a decade after their last goodbye.
Don't you think I remember? How could I ever forget how it felt to kiss you? It's all I have dreamt about for years. But I also remember how good it felt to have your trust, and to have someone I could trust. We were kids, but it was special, Beth. You were always special.
This was such a beautiful book, it touched my heart in every way. I felt everything the author wanted me to feel. There was one disturbing graphic scene that made me wish I didn't get so invested in books, because I was so sickened after it. However, reading books is all about feeling both the good and the bad.
Beth amazed me and I was so proud of her. She's one of my favorite female characters. And Ryan was amazing too. Beth was an intelligent, strong, wise, mature and caring girl. She wasn't afraid to tell anyone off and didn't let anyone influence her thoughts or feelings. She didn't let her asshole mother get to her and I loved her for that. The way she picked up the pieces was admirable.
You amaze me, Beth. You are so strong, so beautiful and full of love. Life could've broken you, but you didn't let it.
Her grandparents were such amazing people too. It's because of their love that she pulled through.
Gran and Pops have always been the strong and silent type. They're my North Star - the ones that remind me that no matter where I am or how much time passes, they are home.
I loved how Gran and Pops weren't afraid to show each other affection. The way Gran blushes when she talks about Pops is so adorable. And Pops giving her so much attention.. Loved them.
The girlish brush that crosses Gran's cheeks makes the problems I left in Iowa City seem a little further away.
This book made me feel for every character and I was in love with all of them. Beth, Ryan, Tommy, Rob, Melissa, Gran and Pops. I'll never forget them.
Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance, but never in heart. You are with me, baby girl and I'm with you. Always.
*gets teary eyed*
Hell bent and beautiful, you're my heart.
There is no book I've read that has shown the value of family more than this book. This was a beautiful, inspiring and heartbreaking story with the truest form of love. When the whole world failed Beth, she could always count on the unconditional love and support from the ones that mattered the most.
Tommy taught me about unconditional love through the way he showed it to me. Uncle Rob taught me integrity in the way he stood his ground and insisted my parents get . Pops taught me the value of family that sticks together, no matter what. He stood by all of us while we picked up the pieces.
Friends are fleeting, family is forever.
Beth is a broken girl who has gone through way too much. She's been sexually abused since she was 5 by a family friend. Her mother doesn't believe her, but when Tommy finds out, he saves her. In more than one way. Ryan is Tommy's nephew. Beth and Ryan have been spending their summers together at Beth's grandparents's house ever since they were kids. When Beth is 15 and Ryan is 17, they fall madly in love with each other. Ryan makes her forget about every reason she has to be broken. When Beth's parents come to take her back to Miami, that's the last time she sees Ryan.
No matter how many years pass by, she never forgets him.
For me, it always comes back to Ryan.
He never forgets her.
I'll always love Beth, I'll always want her..
When something tragic happens, faith brings them back together a decade after their last goodbye.
Don't you think I remember? How could I ever forget how it felt to kiss you? It's all I have dreamt about for years. But I also remember how good it felt to have your trust, and to have someone I could trust. We were kids, but it was special, Beth. You were always special.
This was such a beautiful book, it touched my heart in every way. I felt everything the author wanted me to feel. There was one disturbing graphic scene that made me wish I didn't get so invested in books, because I was so sickened after it. However, reading books is all about feeling both the good and the bad.
Beth amazed me and I was so proud of her. She's one of my favorite female characters. And Ryan was amazing too. Beth was an intelligent, strong, wise, mature and caring girl. She wasn't afraid to tell anyone off and didn't let anyone influence her thoughts or feelings. She didn't let her asshole mother get to her and I loved her for that. The way she picked up the pieces was admirable.
You amaze me, Beth. You are so strong, so beautiful and full of love. Life could've broken you, but you didn't let it.
Her grandparents were such amazing people too. It's because of their love that she pulled through.
Gran and Pops have always been the strong and silent type. They're my North Star - the ones that remind me that no matter where I am or how much time passes, they are home.
I loved how Gran and Pops weren't afraid to show each other affection. The way Gran blushes when she talks about Pops is so adorable. And Pops giving her so much attention.. Loved them.
The girlish brush that crosses Gran's cheeks makes the problems I left in Iowa City seem a little further away.
This book made me feel for every character and I was in love with all of them. Beth, Ryan, Tommy, Rob, Melissa, Gran and Pops. I'll never forget them.
Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance, but never in heart. You are with me, baby girl and I'm with you. Always.
*gets teary eyed*
Hell bent and beautiful, you're my heart.
February 8, 2013
5+ PRETTY STARS!!!
My review does include spoilers. And Fair warning to ALL you WILL cry for the last 35% of this story!!!
Firs I would like to say Thank you to Maggi Myers for writing the most beautifully emotional contemporary romance I have perhaps EVER read!!!
This is the story of a first love so strong that nothing can keep them apart. Because no matter what you go through in life, what matter is...
How you put the pieces back together...
Beth is a young girl going through the most horrific nightmare an innocent child has to go through. When you are 5 years old you expect your parents to be your safe haven, but in this case Beth's parents fail to do that. She is molested for 8 years by her parents' best friend Drew. From the age of 5 until the age of 13. Beth finally gets a break from the monster she used to call Uncle Drew when he moves away. A year later she is faced with that very monster at her parents' dinner table.
Beth confides her horrors finally to the one person she thinks she can trust, her mother. That confession just slaps her in the face, when her own coke head of a mother does not belive her.
Tommy is Beth's Savior. The only one who believed her and figured out the horrors of the constant abuse she has been objected to. When Beth comes face to face with Drew in her parents' home Tommy rescues her.
Beth gets a break by finally being able to get away from her coke head parents and termporarily moves away from Miami with her Uncle Rob and Tommy to Iowa. For one Summer she gets to be a girl again, and most importantly safe from all of the horrors she has had to endure from her parents' drug use to the molestations of Drew.
That summer Beth meets Ryan. Ryan shows Beth what it's like to be free, and have a summer of fun and romance. The two are separated at the end of the Summer after Beth's parents appear in Iowa to take her back home to Miami.
The story progresses to show Ryan and Beth both grow up, apart from each other. We see them grow into young adults, while still not being able to get each other out of their hearts.
When tragedy hits 10 years later, Beth and Ryan are finally brought back together in Iowa. Even after being apart for 10 years, their love for one another has remained the same.
Ryan is the final piece to Beth's new life. He is the one thing missing to put her back together and make her whole again...
“Hell bent and beautiful, you're my heart.”
My review does include spoilers. And Fair warning to ALL you WILL cry for the last 35% of this story!!!
Firs I would like to say Thank you to Maggi Myers for writing the most beautifully emotional contemporary romance I have perhaps EVER read!!!
This is the story of a first love so strong that nothing can keep them apart. Because no matter what you go through in life, what matter is...
How you put the pieces back together...
Beth is a young girl going through the most horrific nightmare an innocent child has to go through. When you are 5 years old you expect your parents to be your safe haven, but in this case Beth's parents fail to do that. She is molested for 8 years by her parents' best friend Drew. From the age of 5 until the age of 13. Beth finally gets a break from the monster she used to call Uncle Drew when he moves away. A year later she is faced with that very monster at her parents' dinner table.
Beth confides her horrors finally to the one person she thinks she can trust, her mother. That confession just slaps her in the face, when her own coke head of a mother does not belive her.
Tommy is Beth's Savior. The only one who believed her and figured out the horrors of the constant abuse she has been objected to. When Beth comes face to face with Drew in her parents' home Tommy rescues her.
Beth gets a break by finally being able to get away from her coke head parents and termporarily moves away from Miami with her Uncle Rob and Tommy to Iowa. For one Summer she gets to be a girl again, and most importantly safe from all of the horrors she has had to endure from her parents' drug use to the molestations of Drew.
That summer Beth meets Ryan. Ryan shows Beth what it's like to be free, and have a summer of fun and romance. The two are separated at the end of the Summer after Beth's parents appear in Iowa to take her back home to Miami.
The story progresses to show Ryan and Beth both grow up, apart from each other. We see them grow into young adults, while still not being able to get each other out of their hearts.
When tragedy hits 10 years later, Beth and Ryan are finally brought back together in Iowa. Even after being apart for 10 years, their love for one another has remained the same.
Ryan is the final piece to Beth's new life. He is the one thing missing to put her back together and make her whole again...
“Hell bent and beautiful, you're my heart.”
January 4, 2013
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I needed time after I finished reading The Final Piece by Maggi Myers before I could write my review. It was a very emotional read with very descriptive scenes of child molestation. I won’t lie; it was hard to read and made my stomach twist and turn just reading the very graphic scenes. The Final Piece is a short read but full of emotions; love, hate, sadness, death, fears. I couldn't put the book down and read it in its entirely in one long sitting.
Beth, the female lead is such a strong character. I adored her in every way and as much as I felt her pain for being molested as a young child, I was also glad she had Tommy in her life to keep her sane and to recover from her past. Then there is Ryan... sweet, loveable Ryan. He is not only an amazing first love but would be an amazing love for anyone- anytime in their life. Beth would visit her family back in Iowa each summer spending time with Tommy and his nephew Ryan. Finally at the age of 15 they confessed their feelings for each other and had an innocent summer love until Beth had to leave to go back home. Ryan and Beth won’t get to see each other again for another ten years and the two try to move on with their lives.
I LOVED Ms. Myers writing style. I loved that the book was over an almost twenty year span starting from when Beth was young to the age of 25 with flash back of memories in between. The story is mostly told in the POV of Beth but a little of Ryan’s also. Ryan and Beth are apart and you will read about their lives, trying to have normal relationships but can’t get over each other. My heart was breaking for both of them when they were apart for ten years but still deeply in love with one another, never being able to love anyone else. It was the sweetest first-time love I have ever read. With that said, the book is not overly romantic- which is fine by me because the main focus was about Beth and her loss of innocence, of Tommy, and her life and future with Ryan.
I can’t even tell you how much I love this book, I cried sad tears in the beginning but happy tears at the end. The epilogue was perfect and am so glad the author gave us a glimpse of Beth and Ryan one year-later. This is an amazing read I highly recommend for anyone looking for a deep, emotional read, with an amazing love affair between two people.
I give The Final Piece 4.5 Stars.
I also really loved the Felicity reference, not only taking the story to the date when it takes time but it is also one of my favorite shows of all time :)
I needed time after I finished reading The Final Piece by Maggi Myers before I could write my review. It was a very emotional read with very descriptive scenes of child molestation. I won’t lie; it was hard to read and made my stomach twist and turn just reading the very graphic scenes. The Final Piece is a short read but full of emotions; love, hate, sadness, death, fears. I couldn't put the book down and read it in its entirely in one long sitting.
Beth, the female lead is such a strong character. I adored her in every way and as much as I felt her pain for being molested as a young child, I was also glad she had Tommy in her life to keep her sane and to recover from her past. Then there is Ryan... sweet, loveable Ryan. He is not only an amazing first love but would be an amazing love for anyone- anytime in their life. Beth would visit her family back in Iowa each summer spending time with Tommy and his nephew Ryan. Finally at the age of 15 they confessed their feelings for each other and had an innocent summer love until Beth had to leave to go back home. Ryan and Beth won’t get to see each other again for another ten years and the two try to move on with their lives.
I LOVED Ms. Myers writing style. I loved that the book was over an almost twenty year span starting from when Beth was young to the age of 25 with flash back of memories in between. The story is mostly told in the POV of Beth but a little of Ryan’s also. Ryan and Beth are apart and you will read about their lives, trying to have normal relationships but can’t get over each other. My heart was breaking for both of them when they were apart for ten years but still deeply in love with one another, never being able to love anyone else. It was the sweetest first-time love I have ever read. With that said, the book is not overly romantic- which is fine by me because the main focus was about Beth and her loss of innocence, of Tommy, and her life and future with Ryan.
I can’t even tell you how much I love this book, I cried sad tears in the beginning but happy tears at the end. The epilogue was perfect and am so glad the author gave us a glimpse of Beth and Ryan one year-later. This is an amazing read I highly recommend for anyone looking for a deep, emotional read, with an amazing love affair between two people.
I give The Final Piece 4.5 Stars.
I also really loved the Felicity reference, not only taking the story to the date when it takes time but it is also one of my favorite shows of all time :)
February 15, 2013
"Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart."
LORD ALMIGHTY.
I have never cried so much from one book, and I don't mean my eyes got tears in them. I'm talking tears flowing, heart in my throat and sobs coming from my chest. This book broke my heart many times, but also gave my heart happiness and hope. I can officially say this is one of my favorite books that I have ever read.
Maggi Myers is amazing.
LORD ALMIGHTY.
I have never cried so much from one book, and I don't mean my eyes got tears in them. I'm talking tears flowing, heart in my throat and sobs coming from my chest. This book broke my heart many times, but also gave my heart happiness and hope. I can officially say this is one of my favorite books that I have ever read.
Maggi Myers is amazing.
December 6, 2012
"Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart."
"My heart is in pieces that will never fit together again." <=== That is how I felt when reading the first 75% of this book. But, just like Beth, I found the final piece to put myself back together. My final piece began at about 80% and finished with the beautiful epilogue. My heart bleeds such beautiful tears over this book. Tears of heartbreak. Of sadness. Of anger. Of relief. Of grief. Tears of joy. When I first started reading this book, I was shocked at what I read on the first few pages. I wondered where the author was going with this. My mind kept leaping to a horrific presumption, but I was in denial thinking, no, this is not what I expected. The author wouldn't go there. *shakes head* Would she? Well, she went there! I even threw up in my mouth a little. I've read horrific stories with abuse of the heroine before, but not like this one. In fact, I've never wanted to "Bobbitize" someone in a book before...until now. Thankfully, Maggie Myers did give me a reprieve, and although those first few pages were haunting and sickening in content, they blinded me at the beginning of the book, serving as the perfect background for a beautiful story of a young girl damaged and broken into a million pieces, only to find promise in a childhood friend.
I don't think I've ever read such a strong heroine as Beth; to endure what she went through from childhood, yet to grow up without living in a padded cell with a strait jacket as her fashion statement is remarkable. The events of her life could have so easily broken her and dictated her path, but she didn't let it. This is all thanks to Tommy and the love of extended family. I. Loved. Tommy. He is everything I wanted for Beth. Her rock. Her savior. Her father figure. Her protector. He believed her, when no one else did. He stood up for her, when no one else would. He put her needs first, when no one else considered them. He protected her, when her own parents turned a blind eye. He was her everything, and he gave her Ryan.
Ryan is my idea of the perfect first love. He is my idea of the perfect first everything. He is the healer for Beth. He doesn't judge her or pressure her. He just lets Beth be Beth. He is her normalcy, the one person with whom she can feel normal, undamaged, and forget.
There is so much angst in this book, but it is angst of a different kind. I was pining for Ryan and Beth to be together. My heart was broken into a million pieces with these two, and I wanted so badly to skip ahead in the story to relieve the pain of the angst, but I knew I couldn't miss the incredible journey of reading each page in succession. I needed to appreciate the journey of their lives, and I did. Then I hit that pivotal shocking point in the story, when my heart leaped into my throat, and I nearly choked on my own tears. Beth's letter to Tommy gave me a gigantic case of the "uglies". My face distorted from my tears and wails at the shock the author left for me. I never saw it coming. I was thinking to myself, how much can this poor girl take before she is just a shell of herself?! At this point, I didn't think I could go on, but I had to. I had to see it through on the hopes of a happy ever after for Beth. I'm so glad I did. In sharing some of my favorite quotes from the book, I hope you will be teased enough to get this book and read it.
"We are all broken in one way or another. It's how we put those pieces back together that matters." ~ Casey
"Life is full of lessons we either learn from or get bitter over." Currently, I'm a Bitter Bob. Life sucks. Hard. I don't care how melodramatic that sounds, it's the truth and I'm living it." ~ Beth
"When you grow up in a house where you're preyed upon and no one believes you, it makes you feel like you deserve what you're getting. It makes you think that your word is useless. The world is an empty and hopeless place when you don't have anyone in your corner." ~ Beth
Maggi Myers has delivered an exceptional novel of love, loss, hope, and healing in the face of anguish, trauma, and a wounded soul. This book is easily one of my favorite reads for 2012 and has rightfully earned its place on that special bookshelf only coveted by other books. I proudly give this book 5 stars and my highest stamp of approval and recommendation for a heartfelt tale of promise. This book is wonderfully, "Pretty."
You can read more of my reviews at Romantic Reading Escapes Book Blog
"My heart is in pieces that will never fit together again." <=== That is how I felt when reading the first 75% of this book. But, just like Beth, I found the final piece to put myself back together. My final piece began at about 80% and finished with the beautiful epilogue. My heart bleeds such beautiful tears over this book. Tears of heartbreak. Of sadness. Of anger. Of relief. Of grief. Tears of joy. When I first started reading this book, I was shocked at what I read on the first few pages. I wondered where the author was going with this. My mind kept leaping to a horrific presumption, but I was in denial thinking, no, this is not what I expected. The author wouldn't go there. *shakes head* Would she? Well, she went there! I even threw up in my mouth a little. I've read horrific stories with abuse of the heroine before, but not like this one. In fact, I've never wanted to "Bobbitize" someone in a book before...until now. Thankfully, Maggie Myers did give me a reprieve, and although those first few pages were haunting and sickening in content, they blinded me at the beginning of the book, serving as the perfect background for a beautiful story of a young girl damaged and broken into a million pieces, only to find promise in a childhood friend.
I don't think I've ever read such a strong heroine as Beth; to endure what she went through from childhood, yet to grow up without living in a padded cell with a strait jacket as her fashion statement is remarkable. The events of her life could have so easily broken her and dictated her path, but she didn't let it. This is all thanks to Tommy and the love of extended family. I. Loved. Tommy. He is everything I wanted for Beth. Her rock. Her savior. Her father figure. Her protector. He believed her, when no one else did. He stood up for her, when no one else would. He put her needs first, when no one else considered them. He protected her, when her own parents turned a blind eye. He was her everything, and he gave her Ryan.
Ryan is my idea of the perfect first love. He is my idea of the perfect first everything. He is the healer for Beth. He doesn't judge her or pressure her. He just lets Beth be Beth. He is her normalcy, the one person with whom she can feel normal, undamaged, and forget.
There is so much angst in this book, but it is angst of a different kind. I was pining for Ryan and Beth to be together. My heart was broken into a million pieces with these two, and I wanted so badly to skip ahead in the story to relieve the pain of the angst, but I knew I couldn't miss the incredible journey of reading each page in succession. I needed to appreciate the journey of their lives, and I did. Then I hit that pivotal shocking point in the story, when my heart leaped into my throat, and I nearly choked on my own tears. Beth's letter to Tommy gave me a gigantic case of the "uglies". My face distorted from my tears and wails at the shock the author left for me. I never saw it coming. I was thinking to myself, how much can this poor girl take before she is just a shell of herself?! At this point, I didn't think I could go on, but I had to. I had to see it through on the hopes of a happy ever after for Beth. I'm so glad I did. In sharing some of my favorite quotes from the book, I hope you will be teased enough to get this book and read it.
"We are all broken in one way or another. It's how we put those pieces back together that matters." ~ Casey
"Life is full of lessons we either learn from or get bitter over." Currently, I'm a Bitter Bob. Life sucks. Hard. I don't care how melodramatic that sounds, it's the truth and I'm living it." ~ Beth
"When you grow up in a house where you're preyed upon and no one believes you, it makes you feel like you deserve what you're getting. It makes you think that your word is useless. The world is an empty and hopeless place when you don't have anyone in your corner." ~ Beth
Maggi Myers has delivered an exceptional novel of love, loss, hope, and healing in the face of anguish, trauma, and a wounded soul. This book is easily one of my favorite reads for 2012 and has rightfully earned its place on that special bookshelf only coveted by other books. I proudly give this book 5 stars and my highest stamp of approval and recommendation for a heartfelt tale of promise. This book is wonderfully, "Pretty."
You can read more of my reviews at Romantic Reading Escapes Book Blog
November 19, 2012
Wow!!! This book is soooo good!! What a beautiful story! Everyone should read it!
Beth is a little girl who has a painful secret that causes her to have an unhappy childhood- she has been betrayed by someone close to her that she should have been able to trust. A dear family friend who is like a father figure to her, Tommy, finds out what is going on and saves her from what is happening. How Beth deals with what has happened to her as she goes through life (high school, college, friendships, first love, young adulthood) is extraordinary. Tommy’s role in her life and her first true love, Ryan, are what eventually help her heal, move on and survive. This book tells how there are many pieces to our lives and that it is possible to move on and live life to the fullest.
This book is written so well. I loved how the paragraphs are written- some alternate between Beth and Ryan and there are some flashback scenes. This made it enjoyable to read to me. I love how it spans from Beth’s childhood to adulthood and we see how what happened to Beth as a young girl shapes her life and her future. I loved the characters especially Beth, Ryan and Tommy. Beth is a fabulous character. She does not see herself as strong at all but she is. The story shows that it may not always be easy but it is possible to overcome negative things that happen in life and survive. Ryan- oh Ryan- you will fall in love with him when you read this book! He is Beth’s first love and she is his. They are so sweet. Circumstances keep them apart but when they eventually meet up again he is the sweetest thing ever. As an adult he learns Beth’s secret and he is there for her every step of the way. Instead of leaving her or treating her differently, he helps bear her burden and is there for her. Tommy is a father figure to Beth more than her own father is. The role he plays throughout Beth’s life and the love he has for her are just extraordinary. And he stands up for what is right and saves Beth. He is such a wonderful man. And I loved the ending. It was perfect!
I laughed at parts and was sad at parts, but I loved EVERY part of this story. Maggi did a wonderful job on her first book and deserves a lot of praise!! I definitely cannot wait to read more from her.
Reviewed for www.bookbitchesblog.wordpress.com
Beth is a little girl who has a painful secret that causes her to have an unhappy childhood- she has been betrayed by someone close to her that she should have been able to trust. A dear family friend who is like a father figure to her, Tommy, finds out what is going on and saves her from what is happening. How Beth deals with what has happened to her as she goes through life (high school, college, friendships, first love, young adulthood) is extraordinary. Tommy’s role in her life and her first true love, Ryan, are what eventually help her heal, move on and survive. This book tells how there are many pieces to our lives and that it is possible to move on and live life to the fullest.
This book is written so well. I loved how the paragraphs are written- some alternate between Beth and Ryan and there are some flashback scenes. This made it enjoyable to read to me. I love how it spans from Beth’s childhood to adulthood and we see how what happened to Beth as a young girl shapes her life and her future. I loved the characters especially Beth, Ryan and Tommy. Beth is a fabulous character. She does not see herself as strong at all but she is. The story shows that it may not always be easy but it is possible to overcome negative things that happen in life and survive. Ryan- oh Ryan- you will fall in love with him when you read this book! He is Beth’s first love and she is his. They are so sweet. Circumstances keep them apart but when they eventually meet up again he is the sweetest thing ever. As an adult he learns Beth’s secret and he is there for her every step of the way. Instead of leaving her or treating her differently, he helps bear her burden and is there for her. Tommy is a father figure to Beth more than her own father is. The role he plays throughout Beth’s life and the love he has for her are just extraordinary. And he stands up for what is right and saves Beth. He is such a wonderful man. And I loved the ending. It was perfect!
I laughed at parts and was sad at parts, but I loved EVERY part of this story. Maggi did a wonderful job on her first book and deserves a lot of praise!! I definitely cannot wait to read more from her.
Reviewed for www.bookbitchesblog.wordpress.com
December 12, 2012
CLICK HERE TO READ MY FULL REVIEW AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
I just finished reading The Final Piece by Maggi Myers and I'm speechless. I'm literally sitting at my computer, staring at the blinking cursor.
30 minutes later...
Every now and then you find a special, one-of-a-kind novel that completely knocks you on your ass, renders your speechless, and leaves you in awe. The Final Piece was that novel for me. The Final Piece isn't your typical romance novel. In fact, compared to the majority of the romance novels that I've read, I'd consider this novel to be romance-lite. Don't freak out. A sweet, beautiful love story is told throughout this novel, but that isn't the only story that is told throughout this novel. This novel also focuses on addiction, abandonment, sexual abuse, recovery, and makeshift families.
This novel spans the two main characters lives from childhood to adulthood. Although this novel is told in both Beth and Ryan's perspectives, it focuses more heavily on Beth. Beth is a survivor. Her parents are cocaine addicts who host lavish parties and leave Beth unattended in her room for long amounts of time. When Beth is five years old, a close friend of her parents, a man she calls uncle, starts to show Beth an inappropriate amount of attention. With her parents high and focused on themselves, the sexual abuse continues for years. Her only escape is the time she spends every summer at "home" with her real family: her grandparents, her Aunt Melissa, her Uncle Rob, her uncle's best friend Tommy, and Tommy's nephew Ryan.
I hate to use the words dark and heart-shattering because I feel like those words turn off some readers, but this novel was definitely both of those things. But where there is dark, there is light. And for every dark, heart-breaking moment in this story, there was a light, positive moment to counter it. Overall, this story had it all- the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.
I gave The Final Piece by Maggi Myers 4 STARS (4.5 STARS). I strongly encourage adults and "mature" young adults to read this novel. It's a powerful story that will stay with readers for days and days.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
I just finished reading The Final Piece by Maggi Myers and I'm speechless. I'm literally sitting at my computer, staring at the blinking cursor.
30 minutes later...
Every now and then you find a special, one-of-a-kind novel that completely knocks you on your ass, renders your speechless, and leaves you in awe. The Final Piece was that novel for me. The Final Piece isn't your typical romance novel. In fact, compared to the majority of the romance novels that I've read, I'd consider this novel to be romance-lite. Don't freak out. A sweet, beautiful love story is told throughout this novel, but that isn't the only story that is told throughout this novel. This novel also focuses on addiction, abandonment, sexual abuse, recovery, and makeshift families.
This novel spans the two main characters lives from childhood to adulthood. Although this novel is told in both Beth and Ryan's perspectives, it focuses more heavily on Beth. Beth is a survivor. Her parents are cocaine addicts who host lavish parties and leave Beth unattended in her room for long amounts of time. When Beth is five years old, a close friend of her parents, a man she calls uncle, starts to show Beth an inappropriate amount of attention. With her parents high and focused on themselves, the sexual abuse continues for years. Her only escape is the time she spends every summer at "home" with her real family: her grandparents, her Aunt Melissa, her Uncle Rob, her uncle's best friend Tommy, and Tommy's nephew Ryan.
I hate to use the words dark and heart-shattering because I feel like those words turn off some readers, but this novel was definitely both of those things. But where there is dark, there is light. And for every dark, heart-breaking moment in this story, there was a light, positive moment to counter it. Overall, this story had it all- the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.
I gave The Final Piece by Maggi Myers 4 STARS (4.5 STARS). I strongly encourage adults and "mature" young adults to read this novel. It's a powerful story that will stay with readers for days and days.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
September 16, 2014
You will need tissues, lots of them. Ones for angry tears, sad tears and happy tears. This should be on everyone's to be read list or read list. No excuses -
I stumbled across this book after seeing some rave reviews of it. The summary looked interesting so I decided to give it a go. I am in love with this book. It was devastating and beautiful. I even cried after finishing it - just thinking about the book.
You meet Beth as a small child - the story continues with chunks of time until she is 14, where you get a short break of time to know her, and meet Ryan. The story then goes forward again in chunks of time over a decade.
Beth has had to deal with something no child should ever have to endure, while her parents are aloof and uncaring - she finds the hero in Tommy - a close family friend who has always been a father/uncle figure to her. After discovering what has unfolded, Beth is taken back to her home town with Tommy, her uncle & aunt and to her grandparents. Tommy's nephew is just 2 years older than Beth, Ryan has always teased Beth - but this time something is different about her. She looks broken. She starts to realize she can trust Ryan and is discovering an attraction to him.
But she is taken back home by her parents before they even have a chance. But that connection is so strong that even after a decade; neither have let go of their feelings. Until one fateful day - when they are brought back together. Be prepared to cry your eyes out.
The healing and the love that is found throughout this journey is stunning. I feel like I have personally known each one of these characters after reading this book. I want to hug Beth with all my strength - praise Ryan for being such a decent caring man and I want to shake Tommy's hand for being the most upstanding, responsible and loving man.
I stumbled across this book after seeing some rave reviews of it. The summary looked interesting so I decided to give it a go. I am in love with this book. It was devastating and beautiful. I even cried after finishing it - just thinking about the book.
You meet Beth as a small child - the story continues with chunks of time until she is 14, where you get a short break of time to know her, and meet Ryan. The story then goes forward again in chunks of time over a decade.
Beth has had to deal with something no child should ever have to endure, while her parents are aloof and uncaring - she finds the hero in Tommy - a close family friend who has always been a father/uncle figure to her. After discovering what has unfolded, Beth is taken back to her home town with Tommy, her uncle & aunt and to her grandparents. Tommy's nephew is just 2 years older than Beth, Ryan has always teased Beth - but this time something is different about her. She looks broken. She starts to realize she can trust Ryan and is discovering an attraction to him.
But she is taken back home by her parents before they even have a chance. But that connection is so strong that even after a decade; neither have let go of their feelings. Until one fateful day - when they are brought back together. Be prepared to cry your eyes out.
The healing and the love that is found throughout this journey is stunning. I feel like I have personally known each one of these characters after reading this book. I want to hug Beth with all my strength - praise Ryan for being such a decent caring man and I want to shake Tommy's hand for being the most upstanding, responsible and loving man.
March 29, 2013
"Together forever. Never apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart."
This was a quick read for me, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it! It was heartbreaking, Tommy....*sniff sniff* and it was sweet, Ryan. I loved Ryan and I loved we got his POV! He's such a sweetheart, such a gentleman. I always loved Tommy, he was one of my favorites and he broke my heart. Uncle Rob and Aunt Melissa were wonderful. Gran and Pops were funny and great family members to Beth. Never a dull moment with that family. She had great support when her parents were asses and couldn't see the shit that was happening right in front of their own faces. Or they did, they were just in denial with all the issues they had. SMH. Some parts made me cringe in disgust. OMG, I cried for Beth. I shuddered in revulsion. I know plenty about sexual abuse, been there. And it's not fun. So I could relate and I hated this man with every fiber of my being. Scared for her, sad for her, helpless to stop it. I would have reached into my kindle and cut his dick off if I could, but yeah...I had to endure it like she was. Ugh. For all young helpless girls thinking what he was doing is okay, I pray for them. So sad. How can men be so disgusting and repulsive and un-remorseful? Makes me sick. I have that fear for my girls and hope and pray to God that shit doesn't happen to them or so help me fucking God, I will slice their dicks off so quick, they'll die of shock. Yeah, I am a bit vindictive.
Overall this book was wonderful and tearjerking. Such a great ending! Love Ry and Beth's story of first love. It was sweet!
January 8, 2013
I don't even know where to start. This book really did have it all and more - a beautiful love story, friends to lovers, second chance love, a dark back story and a complete life changer.
Elizabeth 'Beth' Bradshaw starts out this book as a five year old girl who's life is about to be broken in to smithereens in more ways than she could care to think about in the form of horrendous child abuse.
The book spans 10 years living through EVERYTHING Beth has had to, sometimes in the most horrific of detail. At one point I did have to put my kindle down but it was worth it to truly understand what Beth went through. You see Beth go from a scared and confused little girl in to a young woman who's trying to do all that she can to fix the broken parts of her life and piece them back together. It isn't an easy journey, it's painful, it's dark, but it's real.
Beth has some of the best friends and family, and at some points, boyfriend that I have ever read about - Charlie, Tommy, Ryan, her grandparets are just to name a few. I loved reading about their relationships and how they helped Beth deal with everything.
I think the author took a risk with some of the scenes in this book, honestly they made me want to be sick, but I completely understood why and the risk more than paid off. Every scene was so well written that you could sympathise with and completely understand Beth and all her actions and reactions.
I am so glad I read this book, even the ugly parts, to see Beth live her life how she wants to and in the end come out a whole woman - with her final piece.
Elizabeth 'Beth' Bradshaw starts out this book as a five year old girl who's life is about to be broken in to smithereens in more ways than she could care to think about in the form of horrendous child abuse.
The book spans 10 years living through EVERYTHING Beth has had to, sometimes in the most horrific of detail. At one point I did have to put my kindle down but it was worth it to truly understand what Beth went through. You see Beth go from a scared and confused little girl in to a young woman who's trying to do all that she can to fix the broken parts of her life and piece them back together. It isn't an easy journey, it's painful, it's dark, but it's real.
Beth has some of the best friends and family, and at some points, boyfriend that I have ever read about - Charlie, Tommy, Ryan, her grandparets are just to name a few. I loved reading about their relationships and how they helped Beth deal with everything.
I think the author took a risk with some of the scenes in this book, honestly they made me want to be sick, but I completely understood why and the risk more than paid off. Every scene was so well written that you could sympathise with and completely understand Beth and all her actions and reactions.
I am so glad I read this book, even the ugly parts, to see Beth live her life how she wants to and in the end come out a whole woman - with her final piece.
February 9, 2013
I’m going 4.5. It started off good for me and had a little lull in the middle but the last 1/3 of the book made which way to swing on the stars very easy for me.
The synopsis is all over the place on this so I’m just going with a quick review. I loved the book! It grabbed me very early on and although the middle had question marks flying up in my head it didn’t stop me from wanting to get to the next page and read more of Beth and Ryan. I loved the feeling of close family that was filtered through the book. Their memories of their vacations brought out memories of my own. I love family time and we have been going to the same lake for over 30 years now, only missing one year because of the birth of a child. The author had a way of really reaching in and tugging on all of the emotions. I went through a wide range of emotions and felt rage, hate, love and hope. I loved that there were times that drama could have been written in to the story but wasn’t. Most of the drama felt real to the story without being scripted except a little piece at the end but I let that pass probably because I was a mess at the time any way…haha I loved that Beth dealt with her parents but never really let them off the hook and loved how Ryan was there for her and didn’t push when it was obvious that she just needed someone to treat her normal when she was feeling so abnormal.
It’s not perfect, but I loved it. It's Amazon Prime eligible so if you are on the fence make it your monthly freebie. :o)
The synopsis is all over the place on this so I’m just going with a quick review. I loved the book! It grabbed me very early on and although the middle had question marks flying up in my head it didn’t stop me from wanting to get to the next page and read more of Beth and Ryan. I loved the feeling of close family that was filtered through the book. Their memories of their vacations brought out memories of my own. I love family time and we have been going to the same lake for over 30 years now, only missing one year because of the birth of a child. The author had a way of really reaching in and tugging on all of the emotions. I went through a wide range of emotions and felt rage, hate, love and hope. I loved that there were times that drama could have been written in to the story but wasn’t. Most of the drama felt real to the story without being scripted except a little piece at the end but I let that pass probably because I was a mess at the time any way…haha I loved that Beth dealt with her parents but never really let them off the hook and loved how Ryan was there for her and didn’t push when it was obvious that she just needed someone to treat her normal when she was feeling so abnormal.
It’s not perfect, but I loved it. It's Amazon Prime eligible so if you are on the fence make it your monthly freebie. :o)
March 26, 2017
2.5 stars
The good: supportive awesome family rallies around abuse victim. Young love.
The bad: The part of the story that went, "five years later." Really?
All the flashbacks of good memories with Tommy the awesome father-figures got ridiculous. Oh my goodness, this story got dragged on and on.
The good: supportive awesome family rallies around abuse victim. Young love.
The bad: The part of the story that went, "five years later." Really?
All the flashbacks of good memories with Tommy the awesome father-figures got ridiculous. Oh my goodness, this story got dragged on and on.
April 26, 2013
This story was AMAZING!!!!!! This review might be short because I don't want to give anything away and I don't feel I can express my real thoughts without spoilers.
Let me start by saying that this book evoked so many different emotions from me that I couldn't give it anything less than 5 stars, truly I would love to give it more if I could. This book had been on my TBR list for quite awhile and the only reason I got to it now was because a friend started the book and expressed to me that she was having difficulty getting thru her emotions in the first chapter. So I told her I would read it with her and we could support each other while reading it. I am so glad I did because I also needed a lot of support to get thru the first 25% of the book. The scenes during that period of the book were so gut wrenching I really was sick to my stomach a couple of times. But I understand why it was in the book. After that the book was excellent. Yes there were still hard parts to read but for a different reason.
Beth was an AMAZINGLY strong person and character. What she endured as a child is just horrific and for her to come out in the end as strong as she was, truly says something about her and her support system. Ryan was also AMAZING....total book boyfriend. I can't describe him, you just need to read the story to get the full effect of Ryan. Tommy and Uncle Rob were such strong support systems for Beth. Again you need to read this story to understand their full effect.
I will say that this book had me laughing in some parts, crying in a lot of parts, so mad and disgusted that I wanted to throw my Kindle, but mostly this book had me in awe....of the story, characters and the ending. I loved the epilogue and I cried all the way to the last line. This book will definitely stick with me and one I will read again some day. I would recommend this book to everyone!!!!!
Let me start by saying that this book evoked so many different emotions from me that I couldn't give it anything less than 5 stars, truly I would love to give it more if I could. This book had been on my TBR list for quite awhile and the only reason I got to it now was because a friend started the book and expressed to me that she was having difficulty getting thru her emotions in the first chapter. So I told her I would read it with her and we could support each other while reading it. I am so glad I did because I also needed a lot of support to get thru the first 25% of the book. The scenes during that period of the book were so gut wrenching I really was sick to my stomach a couple of times. But I understand why it was in the book. After that the book was excellent. Yes there were still hard parts to read but for a different reason.
Beth was an AMAZINGLY strong person and character. What she endured as a child is just horrific and for her to come out in the end as strong as she was, truly says something about her and her support system. Ryan was also AMAZING....total book boyfriend. I can't describe him, you just need to read the story to get the full effect of Ryan. Tommy and Uncle Rob were such strong support systems for Beth. Again you need to read this story to understand their full effect.
I will say that this book had me laughing in some parts, crying in a lot of parts, so mad and disgusted that I wanted to throw my Kindle, but mostly this book had me in awe....of the story, characters and the ending. I loved the epilogue and I cried all the way to the last line. This book will definitely stick with me and one I will read again some day. I would recommend this book to everyone!!!!!
September 12, 2014
This book was recommended to me from a very good friend online who has many similar tastes as mine in books. I trust her judgement as she's not been wrong so far!
I've never heard of this author, much to my shame. She writes fluently, the story is very easy to read and digest. This particular story started off with abuse of a small little girl. It showed how a parent or parents can get it so very wrong. This went onto a division of trust for her and many thoughts when growing up. Until she found the love of her life who she could trust.
I hope you get the chance to read this too as you won't be disappointed.
I've never heard of this author, much to my shame. She writes fluently, the story is very easy to read and digest. This particular story started off with abuse of a small little girl. It showed how a parent or parents can get it so very wrong. This went onto a division of trust for her and many thoughts when growing up. Until she found the love of her life who she could trust.
I hope you get the chance to read this too as you won't be disappointed.
May 25, 2013
The story itself could have been very heart-breaking and moving but the way the story was written kinda killed any potential story-greatness-that-could-have-been for me.
I mean, you hear all the time in school about how you're supposed to show not tell, and you're like wtf r they on about? Then you read stories like these, so promising plot-wise, and realise exactly why they made such a big deal about it. For me, this story told too much- and by told too much, I mean told so much, in the simplest of words, firstly, what the character is doing and then how they are feeling, to the extent I couldn't become attached to them anymore because they were so...flat. I don't want to be told straight up what they're feeling people! I want to feel for myself the emotion ebbing through an awesome-ass manipulation of words and subtle implications and actions! So anyway, the point is, the writing was too flat and as a result the characters fell flat and for some reason kinda cliche-ish
Another thing that I really didn't like about this book is Ryan's pov that only starting coming in about a third of the way through and then stopping about a third to the end. What was the pt of knowing his pov? Seriously. I mean I am a HUGE fan of switching pov's between characters in books, but the way this one did it....it just doesn't really work. THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANCE IN KNOWING HIS POV so...why is it there? All we really gain by knowing it is what we kinda already knew in the first place, which is that he really really likes Beth. And i mean come ON, the blurb can tell us that!
And another thing, I really don't like the way the book practically leaps through time. It makes me feel like I'm constantly being upended and it too, prevented me from becoming attached to the characters and not to mention sub characters cos they're there for like, two pages and then they're gone and all you really know is that the main character really trusted them and blah blah blah and you're like WHAT. So anyway, I think this book would've been a lot better had it just stuck to a smaller time frame, introduced characters that it could actually develop so we KNOW why the protagonist becomes attached to them.
And one more thing, is it just me or does this story feel more like a blotchy romance than anything else? I really don't think it put enough serious attention to the issues being discussed at hand- they were treated more like factors to make the protagonist more pitiful and sympathetic and not to mention the plot more interesting, And ten discraded to make room for a more interesting plot line. I mean, If you're gonna incorporate it into the story, make them REAL along with your characters. I don't know, there's just something about the story that made me want throttle someone; everything just wasn't done well enough. There was just so many things incorporated into the book and nothing actually done quite right; I mean its a story about child abuse, there are therapists, it's a romance story, it's a story about a family, it's a story about drug abuse (sort of), absent parents, there are so many stories that even one, picked apart and developed PROPERLY would've made up a very good book! I don't know, I just feel like the author was trying to do so much that, in the end, the author ended up doing nothing at all.
Cheers
p.s. I really liked the plot though. Very interesting. Just not done right.
I mean, you hear all the time in school about how you're supposed to show not tell, and you're like wtf r they on about? Then you read stories like these, so promising plot-wise, and realise exactly why they made such a big deal about it. For me, this story told too much- and by told too much, I mean told so much, in the simplest of words, firstly, what the character is doing and then how they are feeling, to the extent I couldn't become attached to them anymore because they were so...flat. I don't want to be told straight up what they're feeling people! I want to feel for myself the emotion ebbing through an awesome-ass manipulation of words and subtle implications and actions! So anyway, the point is, the writing was too flat and as a result the characters fell flat and for some reason kinda cliche-ish
Another thing that I really didn't like about this book is Ryan's pov that only starting coming in about a third of the way through and then stopping about a third to the end. What was the pt of knowing his pov? Seriously. I mean I am a HUGE fan of switching pov's between characters in books, but the way this one did it....it just doesn't really work. THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANCE IN KNOWING HIS POV so...why is it there? All we really gain by knowing it is what we kinda already knew in the first place, which is that he really really likes Beth. And i mean come ON, the blurb can tell us that!
And another thing, I really don't like the way the book practically leaps through time. It makes me feel like I'm constantly being upended and it too, prevented me from becoming attached to the characters and not to mention sub characters cos they're there for like, two pages and then they're gone and all you really know is that the main character really trusted them and blah blah blah and you're like WHAT. So anyway, I think this book would've been a lot better had it just stuck to a smaller time frame, introduced characters that it could actually develop so we KNOW why the protagonist becomes attached to them.
And one more thing, is it just me or does this story feel more like a blotchy romance than anything else? I really don't think it put enough serious attention to the issues being discussed at hand- they were treated more like factors to make the protagonist more pitiful and sympathetic and not to mention the plot more interesting, And ten discraded to make room for a more interesting plot line. I mean, If you're gonna incorporate it into the story, make them REAL along with your characters. I don't know, there's just something about the story that made me want throttle someone; everything just wasn't done well enough. There was just so many things incorporated into the book and nothing actually done quite right; I mean its a story about child abuse, there are therapists, it's a romance story, it's a story about a family, it's a story about drug abuse (sort of), absent parents, there are so many stories that even one, picked apart and developed PROPERLY would've made up a very good book! I don't know, I just feel like the author was trying to do so much that, in the end, the author ended up doing nothing at all.
Cheers
p.s. I really liked the plot though. Very interesting. Just not done right.
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