Finding the Pieces

by Jane Hayes

A beautiful home, a supportive family, close friends, a happy baby boy, and a loving spouse. From the outside, Ellie’s life looks picture-perfect.

Struggling to make sense of a traumatic birth experience while also attempting to adapt to both the physical and emotional demands of motherhood, Ellie finds herself burned out, overwhelmed, and lost, not to mention deeply disconnected from her once-close bond with her husband.

Dominic has loved Ellie fiercely from the moment they met, and with each milestone they’ve reached together, that love has only grown stronger. But their introduction to parenthood has been anything but easy. Unable to watch as his wife fades away, he dreams up an idea, one he’s determined will help her find her way back to him and to herself.

Dom enlists the help of their family and closest friends to show Ellie all the pieces of herself she’s forgotten, including the foundation of their love for each other. But is it too late to salvage what’s left of their relationship?

Ellie and Dominic must lean on each other and their loved ones as they navigate unexpected shifts in their relationship as parents, embark on a journey to find themselves after the transition, and fall in love with each other all over again.

Finding the Pieces depicts a love strong enough to withstand every challenge as Ellie and Dom navigate the raw and emotional journey of parenthood and find hope, healing, and growth together. Intended for adults (18+ years of age, or legal age of adulthood) due to mature content.

300 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Jane Hayes is a new author of sweet and spicy contemporary romance. In her work, you can count on finding witty banter, strong friendships, found family, comedic relief, heart-warming connections, and of course, a happily ever after.

When she’s not writing, Jane’s chasing her toddler and two dogs, oversharing very descriptive details from her latest alien or dark romance read with her husband, working part time at the local bookstore, or devouring another romance novel.

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

˚｡⋆୨୧˚4.25 stars ⭐️

⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 april 13
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 april 14

arc review 💌
release date: april 22

it’s not just easy to love you. it's impossible not to.

⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🧺 marriage in crisis
☁️ mental health rep
🧺 parenthood
☁️ finding yourself
🧺 lovers to on pause to lovers
☁️ double pov

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

omigosh.

this book was such an eye-opening book and i felt very connected to ellie myself, even though i'm not a parent (obviously lol) but her going through depression was so similar to how i feel. 


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎❝why does the rest of the world get to keep
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎spinning while
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎i’m fucking drowning?❞
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎╰› this. this is so real ☹️💔


the way the author wrote her struggles and pain was so authentic and felt like it was coming from a personal experience, the agony and sadness. being a mom seems tough and a huge mental toll. i loved how dom stuck by her the entire time and just wanted her to know she was so cherished. 


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎❝i guess the people you love don’t care when
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎you don’t do things the right way. they just
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎want to see you try.❞
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎╰› oh my days. this just made me feel
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎‎much like i needed this reminded ❤️‍🩹


dom was the super supportive, caring husband and father. he puts his family's struggles first, always making time for them and pushing his own feelings under the carpet. since he's always talking about ellie or luca, he tends to forget to worry about himself. i loved how his friends helped him realize he was hurt by the birth too and needed to heal from that. 

“we watched a fish murder.”
‎“what did you think fishing was?!”
“i didn’t think we were beating them to death on the boat!”
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ╰› i actually died of laughter from this, and i even tried telling my dad... felt dumb afterwards bc apparently this is something fishermen actually do 💀 like how was i supposed to know people actually beat the hell out of a fish so it dies...??

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎we’re going to do this together. we’re going to find
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ our way back to each other. we’re going to find our
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ way home.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎you’ve spent all this time helping me piece myself
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎back together. but you forgot a really important
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ part of the puzzle. you.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎you were never broken, ellie. you were never lost.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎you were just rearranging pieces of you that make
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎you whole. the pieces that make you who you are.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎you’ve always been beautiful, put together or not.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎besides, i like you a little messy. i like our life when
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎it’s a little messy. no matter what, i love you in every
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎way imaginable.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

ᝰ.ᐟ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
if you're looking for a book with really good mental health rep/topics, this is SO perfect!!! it felt as if i was going through the motions over the course of a few months with ellie and experiencing her ups and downs. 

hope u guys love this review 🤭💖

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

🧺┆𖦹 ₊˚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𓏲⋆
so i saw a few posts about this on insta and just had to sign up for the arc 🤭 recently i've been loving the 'marriage in crisis' trope and this was one with heavy mental health topics, which is something i love while reading. i have a feeling this is going to be super emotional and cut deep (with the depression/anxiety topics) 🫂❤️‍🩹

thank you to luna literacy for an arc in exchange for my honest review

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ | 2.85🌶
this was raw and realistic and so heartbreakingly beautiful. i think this is an ode to all the mommas who never had an "aesthetic" birthstory and didn't get beautiful memories without trauma and just all moms who've had to find themselves again in the aftermath that is postpartum. Definitely Check your triggers. The way Dom loved Ellie. So... completely. So unconditionally. That's the kind of love we all strive for. Thank you to luna literary for the arc

[alyssa ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what can I say? This book ruined me.

“Finding the Pieces” is a story that we don’t see depicted enough in this genre, let alone in media overall and I devoured it.

Fifty-two chapters and two epilogues later and I still want more of Ellie, Dom, and their entire found family. Honestly, I want more written by Jane Hayes.

Thank you, Luna Literary Management for the eARC and my latest five star read. I loved this so much.

[Meghan Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a heartwarming read mixed with raw unfiltered emotions, then read this book! I read this book in less than 24 hours. It’s cute, it’s real, it’s raw, it’s spicy, it’s funny, and best of all? It’s a HEA!


I truly do not think I have ever related to a character or a family dynamic as hard as I related to Ellie and Dom’s story. Jane Hayes truly captured the literal mindfuck that is giving birth and the aftermath that follows (postpartum). It isn’t always rainbows and butterflies and the lack of sleep is SO hard on the body and mind. Reading this book validated my experience with postpartum and my less than perfect start to motherhood.

I truly loved how hard Ellie & Dom relied on their village for help. The unconditional love through their found family was so heart warming. I also loved that Jane really highlighted that healing and processing is not linear. Ellie is a complicated character with so many layers and I loved how Jane took the reader on the journey of finding herself with the help of Dom.

This is the second book in the For The Heart series and I LOVED how much the characters from the first book were so present in the second book.


Thank you, Jane Hayes, for the opportunity to be an ARC reader! I have loved being apart of your community!

[Melanie Endicott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for allowing me to ARC read this early. My first thought was 52 chapters, are you kidding me?? But I DEVOURED the book in hours. If you are going through anxiety, depression, postpartum or PTSD, this book will either help you or break you. I suffer from anxiety and depression. This book gave me a new light of life if that makes sense. It made me realize we all need our friends and family to help us through tough times. I liked how Ellie’s friends and family helped her in those moments/adventures. I loved the ending of the story, she finally realized her worth and the love of her husband, Dom and friends and family.

A quote that made me feel better and made me realize some things:
“I feel like I’m finding pieces of the me I used to be, and she’s coming back to life a little bit at a time”. - THAT is what I definitely needed to read/hear/see. THANK YOU JANE HAYES for writing this beautiful story.

10,000/10 rating!

[Lindsay Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to find the words to accurately give this book voice is near impossible. This story is unlike one I have read before. There is so much raw emotion of every page. Have you ever just wanted to reach in, hug the characters and tell them it’s all going to be ok? Yeah, that’s this book.

Dom and Ellie were introduced in Winning the Nightcap (book one) where I quickly fell in love with their little family. Even though they weren’t the main focus of the book, their relationship was such a big part of the found family. They just had Luca and were stepping into the new parent role. Finding the Pieces is such a beautiful expansion and inside look into what Dom and Ellie were going through during those snippets in WTN. Those little moments from book one really make so much more sense and hit so much harder after reading Dom and Ellie’s story.

This book is raw and real. It’s what so many people silently battle with when becoming new parents. A journey to finding themselves as individuals again but also as a family unit. Even in the rockiest of times and the hardest of days their foundation stayed strong. Dom’s dedication to help Ellie find herself again is what every woman deserves in a man. Not only did he help her find herself but it lead to the best self reflection that made him realize he had his own demons he needed to put to rest.

Marriage in crisis can be a hard trope to write. You really have to be able to capture that “new love” feel that draws readers in for a couple that has already moved past the honeymoon phase and is now navigating life and challenges. Jane absolutely did that. The tension, banter, small looks and touches were all there. The things that give you heart squeezies and make you fall in love with the characters. She has such a talent to bring stories to life and balance them out with the best dang humor.

5⭐️
1.5🌶️

If you like:
-Marriage in crisis
-Found family
-Man obsessed
-Mental health rep
-New parents

Give this book a try

[Lina]

Mind-Read Thoughts: This book is incredibly well written and articulates anxiety, PTSD, feeling like a burden incredibly well. It is just hitting a little too close to home at a time that I don't have the mental capacity to process in a healthy way so this book is going to be a pause for me. Embarrassing and maybe too much to share here but true.

Pre-Read Thoughts: I love reading to be able to learn about things that I have not necessarily experiences and reading the synopsis this felt like something I had to know more about.

Thank you Jane Haynes and Luna Literary for the eARC!

[Nadeen ElAnsari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it’s quite interesting and ironic at the same time, that I stumbled upon the headline of an article, that talks about how reading fiction novels actually helps make someone become empathetic. Especially whilst I was reading this book.

Finding the pieces is the second novel in Jane’s series Winning the Nightcap. And although it can be read as a stand-alone, the first novel does help the readers understand the characters at a deeper level and the community around them. (Plus we would get to see Dom and Ellie falling in love with each other for the very first time, YES PLEASE).

Now more about this beautiful story: it follows the life of Dom and Ellie, now not only a married couple, but parents to a hyper, giggly, (and personally I believe has a small case of fomo) newborn Luca. Throughout her novel, Haynes captures the realistic life of parents, who are not only getting accustomed to being responsible for a whole entire human being, but also the life of individuals who are trying to find not only themselves within this life, but the people who they were before that, hence finding their own pieces.

This novel is raw and real. Ellie, the FMC of the novel has my whole entire heart. Despite the fact that I don’t have a baby of my own (let alone been in a relationship of my own), yet I found myself relating to her anxiety at so many levels. As matter of fact, if and when the time ever comes around me for me, I can imagine myself having the same exact thoughts that Ellie has throughout this novel. Her need constant worry of never being good enough; whether its her role as a mother, her role as a wife, or even deep down her role to as herself. She’s deep within her own head, that it’s hard for her to realize how much of an amazing woman she is in both Mother, Wife and human!
As for Dom. Well, one can only hope to find such a supportive husband as he. He knows Ellie is struggling, he sees her struggling, as matter of fact, he’s so invested in helping her overcome her struggles, that he doesn’t realize he himself is struggling on his own as well. He buries his struggles deep within. He’s the type of man who steps up, and shows up, regardless of whatever he’s going through. Throughout the story he constantly tries to show Ellie just how amazing she is, but also treading lightly to not push her over the edge.

My favorite thing about this novel, is the village that surrounds Dom and Ellie. We’ve all heard the phrase it takes a village, and this novel sure as hell shows it. Dom and Ellie’s friends and family join together in providing both parents the love and support that they need to be not only the best parents to Luca, but to help them be the best versions of themselves as well.
I love this book, as matter of fact I talked about this book with my Coworkers, (who also don’t have children of their own), and yet we were able to understand the struggles of postpartum depression (as much as we could), and talked about how important it is to surrounded by a community that is there to help whenever one needs to lean on them.

I would recommend this book to new parents, current parents, even if you aren’t thinking about being a parent, this book can help you become the supportive community to which one can lean on.
Thank you, Luna Literary and Jane Hayes for giving me the opportunity to read the arc review of this novel.

[brianna ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

|ARC|

⋆ dual pov
⋆ found family
⋆ open door spice
⋆ marriage in trouble
⋆ FMC in need of TLC
⋆ quirky cinnamon roll MMC
⋆ parents re discovering their spark
⋆ paused lovers to lovers all the way
⋆ mental health rep: postpartum and PTSD
_________________

Wow. Just wow. I genuinely don’t think I can articulate the words needed to describe this book. This was unlike any book I’ve ever read. Such a powerful, emotional and inspiring read! Finding the Pieces is book about healing and rekindling love where we follow our FMC Ellie as she struggles to heal after a traumatic birthing experience as well as learns to let people in instead of shutting them out and our MMC Dom as he tries to do his own healing while also trying to keep the love alive in their marriage. We follow through their eyes as they take their own steps to start their journey of healing, love their son unconditionally and fall in love all over again.

I honestly don’t even know where to start with Ellie and Dom. I loved them both. Such strong and inspiring characters but so incredibly different. Ellie was such a strong, incredibly inspiring character and mother throughout the book. Her journey was full of love and healing. No matter how hard things got, she fought. Fought for son, for her husband and for herself. Dom was such a love able character. He was such a dork but such a sweetheart. The lengths he went to help Ellie heal was so incredible. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s so evident. His journey throughout this book was full of reflection and realizations. He had to take his own steps just like his wife to finally heal after the birth of Luca. Their group of friends played a huge role in both Ellie and Doms healing journeys. They offered support and love to the couple always. The books group of characters honestly were all amazing.

The writing for this book was honestly incredible. While I have never experienced postpartum or severe PTSD but the writing made me feel every emotion, ever up and down of Ellie and Dom’s story. It was raw and real. Nothing was sugarcoated but every topic was handled with such care. I honestly loved the writing style of this book and I think the pacing was perfect. This is my first marriage in trouble trope and I honestly love how Jane writes it. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this troupe but I was pleasantly surprised because I ate it up! Also I loved the puzzle theme such a great metephor for this book!

Overall, this was an amazing reads. So real and raw full of emotion and so so so powerful! I would like to thank Jane Hayes and Luna Literary Management for the arc! I can’t wait to read more from Jane in the future!! 🩵🧩🧸

[Anne Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In order for you to fully understand what this book means to me, I need to tell you a hit of my story.

Growing up all I ever wanted was to be a mom. I dreamed of being pregnant and having babies. While other kids were having their barbies get married, mine were pregnant or had newborns. I played house, but I was always the mom. Being a mom was my number one goal in life. I was the girl who told friends and family I would be their surrogate if they couldn't have kids.

Getting pregnant with my first was a battle. We tried for 10 months before the miracle happened. We were just starting the process of getting approved for ivf when we found out we were pregnant. I was excited about the baby, and getting to be a mom. That excitement was quickly clouded by my absolute hatred for being pregnant. Before I even got a positive test I was experiencing the negative symptoms, and i was miserable for the next nine months. I threw up everyday, nauseous 24/7 had high blood pressure from really early on (which ended in pre-eclampsia). I had my daughter at 36 weeks exactly. They induced me, and after 35 hours of labor I had an emergency c-section. I was bleeding, her heart rate was dipping with each contraction, and neither of us was doing well. Birthday was terrifying and traumatic. Postpartum was no better. The anxiety and depression that hit me almost killed me. I never wanted to do it again, but an accident happened and 4 days before my daughters first birthday I found out I was pregnant again. This pregnancy was worse. I barely kept food down. I lost 25 pounds, nd was hospitalized multiple times for fluids because of the dehydration. I was terrified of losing the baby or my life. At 25 weeks I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia again and told I would be watched very closely. My second daughter was born at 35 weeks and 1 day by c-sections where I got my tubes tied so no accidents could happen.

My mental health after my second was very much like Ellie's. I was constantly feeling like I wasn't being what my girls needed. I wasn't good enough for my husband.

I am Ellie. The amount of highlights I have in this book is crazy because you took my brain and put it onto the page without ever knowing me.

I just want you to know how healing this book was. I felt so validated and vulnerable reading this book. Knowing I'm not alone, that other women feel like this helps in so many ways. This book is going to help so many women. I am just one of many.

[Spicy_bookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕BOOK REVIEW📕

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is book 2 in the series, and it can be read as a standalone.

Ellie and Dom are parents to one year old Luca, and whilst they adore him, Ellie and Dom are going though some hardships, and Don enlists their close circle to help him make Ellie see she’s perfect.
Due to lack of sleep, feeling like her body is repulsive, having trauma dreams and the fear doing an awful job for Luca, Ellie’s postpartum journey is one that is full of emotions.

Oh my. I’ve not read a book like this. We’ve all read books about how you get the girl etc, but I’ve not read a book about what happens after that. Finding the Pieces really is emotional. If you’ve had children, I guarantee as parents and spouses, we’ve all been where Ellie and Dom are. I literally feel, or still feel some of the issues Ellie was going through. I literally cried a few times at how honest and open this book is.

You can clearly see that Ellie is going through some postpartum depression, and Dominic is trying his best. I loved his idea on how to give Ellie the confidence to start loving herself again. The way he enlists their entire circle just made me 🥹🥹

I also loved how this book shows you what spouses feel during this time. People often forget and focus on the mums, but I liked how it showed Dom’s struggles. I also thought their connection was top tier!! When they started to open up and trust each other again, I was blushing.

Anyway, I could go and on. Just trust me, this book is worth reading, along with
Book 1. I just love the way Jane writes.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first found Jane when I read her book Winning the Nightcap, and I instantly loved her writing. So when I seen this book promo I knew it was going to be a book for me!

Finding the Pieces was everything I needed at this point of my life. The way it spoke to me was eye opening. I could totally put myself in Ellie’s shoes (as a mum 2 years postpartum) and her inner monologue was literally everything I tell myself sometimes on the daily. The mental health rep in Finding the Pieces was dealt with in a really great way.

The story line felt so authentic which added to the emotions I was feeling while reading. Jane really got the struggles of motherhood down to a tee. From the daily mental load, connecting with your partner (the roommate stage), feeling lost and feeling like you don’t know yourself, I really could connect with Ellie, and I wanted to just give her a big hug.

Now let’s talk about Dom.. he was the perfect gentleman. I love how he tried to support Ellie without pushing her too far and how he put his family first. I feel like this is really important. I’m so glad they both had a support system behind them, also for Dom!

Jane’s writing really does immerse you in the story line. It’s easy to follow and she knows how to bring the emotion!

I’d definitely recommend if you like;
🪴Marriage in Crisis
♥️Mental Health Rep
🪴rediscovering yourself
♥️parenthood
🪴double pov

Thank you to Luna Literacy for an arc in exchange for my honest review!

[Leslie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no preparing for Dominic and Ellie. I think this book hit me hard because of events happening in my own life. However, I can honestly say this is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

Dominic and Ellie love their baby boy with everything in them but new parenthood has brought many challenges. When you add in a traumatic birth experience, things just feel very out of control for both of them. Dominic comes up with a plan to help Ellie find the missing pieces of herself. He just hopes it’s not too late.

This story tackles some very serious issues that are not so easily fixed. I could definitely tell this author has first-hand experience because of the absolute care she used with both Dominic and Ellie. Their bond was much stronger than the problems they were facing. I loved how Dominic would do everything in his power to help Ellie. His love for her was truly selfless. Ellie was a wonderful wife and mother but there was still this small voice in her head convincing her otherwise. How many of us have this same voice? I completely resonated with Ellie. Tears were pouring down my face as I read most of this book. I felt like my own thoughts and experiences were being told through Ellie.

**Please make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading. Trust me though, this author handled everything beautifully and truthfully.**

[Samantha Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the Pieces is a slice of life look at the struggles of a postpartum couple after a traumatic birth experience. There's a trigger warning at the beginning, this book can be intense if you've experienced the postpartum period or been close to it in any way.
It's been 12 years this year since I was pregnant and had my daughter, but this book is so well written that it instantly transported me back to that time. I didn't have a life threatening emergency in labor, thankfully, but it was a trauma in its own way. I still suffer from PTSD caused by the newborn stage and postpartum period.
Jane Hayes unapologetically captures the struggles, joy, heartbreak, awe, anxiety, and love of the postpartum period on a couple and as individuals. I adored the dual POV, seeing the story from Dominic and Ellie's POVs added depth to their characters and the story. The cast of family and friends created endless joy, love, and support to the story. I wish every postpartum family and person could experience this level of support.
Forget book boyfriends, Dom is your new book husband! His devotion to his wife and son are incomparable.
This is a beautiful, sweet story focused on the magic that happens in life, the memories you want to keep forever, the events you have to accept to move forward, and everything you learn along the way.

[Kate Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ellie and Dominic’s story is the most heartwarming relationship from start to finish. We briefly get a glimpse at their relationship pre children in the beginning, but are quickly transported to their current, a time where both Ellie and Dominic are floundering within their marriage, and it looks like their relationship will be collateral damage. Dom is determined to save their marriage, but Ellie is sinking in the abyss of trauma and depression and can’t see a way through it, so when Dom suggests an unconventional way back to each other, she feels they have nothing to lose.

I loved Ellie and Dom’s story but I really wish we had gotten a little more of their relationship before Luca for context, as Dom loves so hard I would have loved to have seen that. I also would have loved to have been given the full flashback to Ellie’s traumatic birth story, it was hinted at a couple of times but I felt the story needed to be fully told to compound just how much poor Ellie had been through, and I felt like if wasn’t fully finished without that.

Overall, I loved Ellie and Dom as a couple and their way back to each other and their fight for their marriage.

*ARC reader honest review*

Thanks to Jane Hayes and Luna Literary for this ARC opportunity!

[Tori]

5 stars — Beautiful, emotional, and so, so real

This story was something special. I cried multiple times—like early on (30-40%) kind of crying—and my husband was genuinely shocked how many times he caught me with tears in my eyes. It’s just that relatable. Like THANK YOU, but also WTH Jane?! I didn't realize that I signed up for a therapy sesh.

Ellie and Dom are already married, already parents, and already in love. But life has worn them down—especially Ellie, who’s a year postpartum and struggling to reconnect with herself and her husband. This is a story of healing, self-rediscovery, and falling in love all over again. And it’s gorgeous.

The dual POV was fantastic, especially Dom’s. Seeing how deeply he loves Ellie while she’s drowning in her own negative self-image? Ugh. Tears. His healing journey for her, with the help of their found family and friends, was full of heart.

There’s spice (open-door), but it fits naturally. And taking sex off the table to help alleviate pressure? Brilliantly done.

Even with 3–4 small editing hiccups, this was an easy 5-star read. Highly recommend.

Tropes:
💚 Marriage in trouble
💚 Postpartum & PTSD rep
💚 Found family
💚 Dual POV
💚 Cinnamon roll MMC
💚 Healing journey
💚 Lovers on pause → lovers again

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 3.5 🌶️
Recommend: yes!!!



Full review-
*First let me say that I am not a mom, and have never experienced post partum.*
I DEVOURED this book!!!
Ellie: a new mom who is still finding herself and her way forward after a traumatic birth experience. I can tell Ellie wants to have pieces of herself back so badly, but her anxiety just won’t release its hold on her. I’ve heard things that happened in Ellie’s head straight from friends’ mouths before so I know she would be an even more relatable character for someone who’s been in her shoes!
Dom: What. A. Man. There were so many times a lesser person could’ve/would’ve given up on Ellie, but Dom didn’t!! She was drowning in the thick of it and he found a way to help his wife see herself through the eyes of the people who love her the most. I have nothing but good things to say about this book husband.
The way Jane is able to draw us in to their life before baby, then drop us in the thick of postpartum, and finally allow us to watch them climb out of it together? Chefs kiss!!!


Favorite quote: “I love you in every phase, in every shade, in every darkness, in every ray of light”

[Ivy-Lynn Hie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me feeling every emotion, I'm a mom, so I can say I understand the postpartum but not so much the PTSD as my experience was pretty okay. But I can say I understand that pain, that spiral of fear and anxiety. And to all the mothers, fathers, and all other parents that have struggled is that you are so loved by either your partner or family, and especially by the little life you created, the one who will always look at you like you hung the dang moon. Ellie is scared, she's in pain, she's insecure and Everyone knows and they're all there for her, but she's hiding behind a mask to help herself. The way Dom and Ellie met was honestly really sweet, and also the way they started to date.
If a man like Dominic bribed me with cupcakes, l'd sure as heck let him use the printer too. Dom has this need to fix everyone or anything that is broken. But who will take care of him?
Ellie and Dom needed to heal on their own, but also they needed to heal together. Something I understand so much is having insecurities And it sucks. This is probably one of the best written emotional and wonderful book l've read so far this year. Finding the Pieces comes out April 22!

[Whitney Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh! Jane hit the nail on the head with a postpartum journey book, I didn’t read the first book of this series but I think would have got a better understanding of this book if I had. But nonetheless the whole story of Dom and Ellie is absolutely heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

Jane took the tribulations of motherhood and the post partum journey and expressed them into a novel that made you feel like you also needed to help Ellie.

Having PPD/PPA is a very real and serious issue and I am so happy to see it written about in this way. Not only do women just like Ellie, feel isolated and left with a hole in their own persona but they feel deflated in the sense that they can’t complete the one job they waited nine months to do.

Dom took it upon himself after Ellie had pushed him out due to the darkness engulfing her, to help her heal. He brought in their friends and family to help show her how competent and loved she is to help fight those feelings.

Tropes
-cinnamon roll MMC
-PPA/PPD rep
-marriage in crises
-found family
-motherhood struggles
-open door scenes

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 rounded to 5 stars

I really loved this book, but I feel like I have to put a little disclaimer here - this is not your typical romance read. For me, this was more a story of re-building, re-discovering yourself after traumatic events and after big changes. This is one of the stories that will both break your heart at time and make it soar in the end.
"Finding the Pieces" is more focused on Ellie's -the FMC - journey, than on Dom's - the MMC. It shows that having a baby can be both a blessing and a very difficult experience and that there's nothing wrong with that. We do get Dom's POV and his story too, but to me it felt more like a background to Ellie's one.
I think the found family in this book is one of the most amazing ones I've encountered in my reads so far. It was so heartwarming to see how they were there for each other and how supportive they were, with each one being their quirky selves.

However, bear in mind all the TW and sensitive topics this story touches.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
This book tugs at my heart as I am a mom of two young kids. Every scene felt like it was reality coming alive on the pages of the book. The sleep deprivation, the doubts, the confusing (and sometimes ridiculous) advice from random people…. All these happened to me too.

A marriage doesn’t breakdown thanks to one moment. It usually happens due to an accumulation of frustration and miscommunication. Unlike most romance books, the focus here is on a married couple on the verge of breakdown. It is a refreshing though difficult read, but also reinforces some important lessons which I can learn from: “Ask for help, adapt to endless change, and do everything with love.”

I loved how supportive Dominic was especially in terms of supporting Ellie with her career dreams. Mommies deserve a choice —whether it is to be a work from home mother, a full time housewife or to pursue any career they want. It’s our choice…..full stop!

This was a unique read and I hope to read future books from the author.

[Tori Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Traumatic birth flashbacks, PTSD, postpartum anxiety

Determined to save his wife, marriage and family, Dominic pulls out one last grand gesture to pull together the pieces of their broken life and make them both whole again.

This was a beautiful story about a love that lasts through all the ebbs and flows of change. Dominic’s fierce love of Ellie is something to be admired and I definitely felt my own past anxieties of being a new mom right along Ellie, so definitely pay mind to triggers listed above!

You can’t help but root for Dom & Ellie as they embark on this journey to rediscover as well as redefine their life together. While their shared trauma is driving force in this story, there are plenty of light-hearted and hopeful moments and hilarious banter with a cast of supportive side-kicks (looking at you, Dee!)

Book 2 can be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading Book 1 for Aiden and Bec’s story!

Thank you to the author, Jane Hayes and Luna Literary Management for the eARC!

[Noor Syahadah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book written amazingly but unfortunately its not for me.
look when your baby is a baby a small baby, they don't understand the meaning of independent or the concept putting them in another room will make them independent, this is my personal opinion. Baby need reassurance, safety. Yes sleep regression is a real thing but how to handle it you need to be calm, because the more you stress, the more the baby stress.
putting your baby in the same room with you is not a problem, as long as you put them is their bassinet or cot, when they waking up at night either they hurting or hungry, feed the baby and they will go back to sleep. if you think you are tired remember the baby also tired for waking up every damn time.
well I have lots to say but this is my PERSONAL opinion based on the book concept, its not easy to put babies to sleep I know that but be calm and feed the baby.
for the author Thanks for the arc <3

[Theresa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 2🌶
wow, this book surprised me. It was emotional and full of heavy topics but so beautiful. please read your trigger warnings. this story took me longer to read than normal because it felt so viscerally truthful of some of my own emotional scars, not for the same reason but still perfectly aligned with me.
Ellie and Dom go through it, but with Doms never wavering love and support for Ellie and their friends and family, they make it through some really low dark times together so they can love their son and each other in the end. Dom really put his all into showing his broken wife that she was still all in there. He was so steadfast with his love. Ellie really had to work through it, but with the help of her tribe she really worked to find all her pieces and come to herself. I love how Dom never gave up, but even more that Ellie saw what Dom was doing/did and acknowledged it.

Thank you, Jane Hayes and Luna Literary, for this ARC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.

[Jelea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. What a book! I haven't read a book like this before, that describes the post partum period so undeniably well. The pure, simple, true honest representation of this was great to experience. Jane's writing enhances Ellie and Dom's experience. I love the focus on the time it takes to heal from the complexities of birth and post partum. The prose was so beautiful, that reading this was simple when the topic is multifaceted.

While I normally read books like this in one or two days, this one took longer for me, about a week. I think it took longer because of how close to home this book hit for me, even though I'm 4.5 years from my last baby. For those who are fresh from a traumatic birth, I encourage you to wait before reading this book. Put it on your TBR list for the days where you've slept longer than 3 hours at a time, can leave the house without smelling like baby puke, ...and when you've found yourself again.

This is an ARC review.

[Priscilla Herchold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the absolute emotion in this book... Raw, heartbreaking, and beautiful.

I'll start off by saying I'm not a parent nor am I in a relationship, so you'd think reading a book about new parents with a marriage in crisis would be difficult. Not here. Hayes does an excellent job of conveying the anxiety, PTSD, postpartum, etc. that may come at a particularly joyous time in new parents' lives. You don't have to have experienced these events because Hayes helps you to experience through Ellie and Dom - you're right there with them through the ups and downs of it all.

You really feel for Ellie as she is going through it, perhaps lost isn't the right word but it's the only one I can think of right now. Maybe overwhelmed is better. And Dom does everything that he can to support his wife, leaning on their families to help support them both.

I read this book a couple of weeks ago and I'm still processing and reflecting on it. It'll be one that sticks with me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Winning the Nightcap, I had to read Finding the Pieces, the second book in the series. This story follows Ellie and Dom as they navigate not just parenthood, but marriage and life, after their son, Luca, came into the world traumatically. Ellie quietly struggles with life postpartum while Dom tries to find the fix that Ellie needs to overcome Luca’s traumatic birth as well as being a mother. While I cannot directly relate to the struggles that Ellie and Dom faced, the struggles that I have faced as an adult and the secondhand PTSD I have from traumatic experiences made their struggles more relatable.
While you could read Finding the Pieces as a standalone, I strongly recommend you read Winning the Nightcap first, so you have a better understanding of all of the characters, especially Hop. Plus, Jane is an amazing writer, and you should most definitely read both of her books.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly beautiful and raw story of two new parents finding their way back to themselves. I loved this book because it was so real, even though I’ve never experienced anything like Ellie and Dom, I could feel their emotions. Jane has a way of incorporating mental health into her love stories in a really authentic way.

I loved the plot and how Dom leaned on both their families found family to help Ellie through this difficult period. I highly recommend if you’re looking for an emotional and touching read with an HEA, and be sure to read the authors note beforehand as there are heavier themes discussed throughout.

There is an iconic barbie level speech on motherhood! I love this friend group and I’m so excited to see what’s in store for this series! Thank you so much Jane for the eARC!

[LovelybeautycReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding the Pieces is a powerful journey through heartbreak and healing—an honest portrayal of trauma, growth, and the importance of support. Jane Hayes masterfully shows how pain doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it ripples out, touching everyone around us. But ultimately, healing is a choice we must make for ourselves.

What resonated deeply with me was the reminder that losing who you once were—before becoming a mom, a wife, before “life started life-ing”—doesn’t mean you’ve failed or disappeared. It means you’ve evolved. You’ve become something new, and that transformation deserves grace.

This book left me feeling seen, validated, and helped me acknowledge parts of my own story I had buried, dismissed, or downplayed. I hope this book finds every woman who needs it—especially the moms and wives—right when they need it most.

[Bookskee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Solid Stars!

Many many Thanks to the author for opportunity to read this ARC and share my thoughts!

Without even reading the "authors note" it is clear that this book is very close to the Authors heart.

Our MC's meet, fall in love and begin their wonderful life together. A moment that was supposed to be joyful brought so much trauma with it that Ellie has a hard time getting over it as a new mother.

The book follows Dominic's dedication to bringing back his wife to who she was, while also accepting who she has now become.

Dominic could not have done this without the help of their wonderful support system of friends and family.

The author captured the friend/family dynamic beautifully.

Dominic was such a caring and devoted spouse and you couldn't help but root for him to get is wife,lover and friend back.

Absolutely recommend for a heartwarming tender read.