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The Little Pices of You and Me
Best friends Isla and Sophie made each other a promise a long time ago: to never let life pass them by. Years later, Isla is in love, living abroad and fulfilling her dreams. But for Sophie, things haven't turned out the way she was expecting and she hasn't achieved any of the things she and Isla talked about. And then, in one sudden moment, life irrevocably changes for both women. Isla and Sophie have hard decisions to make but above all else they must face up to the uncertainty that lies ahead.
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First published April 21, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
October 16, 2019
I quite missed reading a plain ole chick-lit and The Little Pieces of You and Me is the perfect fit. It was told simply without trying to sound too smart, angsty or too complicated. It’s just simply trying to narrate the story as it happens to two women and how a particular life event changes both their lives completely and how lucky they are to have each other’s back.
It’s a wonderful story of friendship, one that lasts despite years and lands apart, one that they could always go back to and rely on when times got difficult or even just boring. That’s the kind of friendship I savor. I’m thankful I have a few really good ones like this. Actually, the story kind of made me think of me and my best friend and how our friendship is quite the same as Sophia and Isla’s in the story. They have almost completely opposite personalities. Isla is carefree and independent while Sophia chooses a quiet, settled life. Ironically, life had to meddle so that they both had to go out of their comfort zones and experience what it is to live each other’s life.
Of course, the story ends up reasonably, positively and happily as a chick-lit romance always does and I’m thankful for it. Perhaps I was just missing a bit of emotion from the narrative and that’s the only reason I’m giving it less than four stars.
It’s a wonderful story of friendship, one that lasts despite years and lands apart, one that they could always go back to and rely on when times got difficult or even just boring. That’s the kind of friendship I savor. I’m thankful I have a few really good ones like this. Actually, the story kind of made me think of me and my best friend and how our friendship is quite the same as Sophia and Isla’s in the story. They have almost completely opposite personalities. Isla is carefree and independent while Sophia chooses a quiet, settled life. Ironically, life had to meddle so that they both had to go out of their comfort zones and experience what it is to live each other’s life.
Of course, the story ends up reasonably, positively and happily as a chick-lit romance always does and I’m thankful for it. Perhaps I was just missing a bit of emotion from the narrative and that’s the only reason I’m giving it less than four stars.
June 16, 2016
I was going to wait for the paperback to come out in August, yet somehow I ended up running into the first line of the prologue and I knew that I couldn’t possibly walk away before reaching the very last line.
Before I go any further into The Little Pieces of You and Me, let me first tell you that Vanessa Greene’s novels seem to have a rather strange way (is it magic, I wonder) of finding me just when I most need to read them. Ever since The Vintage Teacup Club, it almost feels like we have been walking through life together, side by side. That is why I have a copy of each of the said novels on a shelf that I proudly call best friends’ shelf.
I would say that reading Vanessa Greene’s first novel was the beginning of a wonderful bond. Even though they are not sequels, as you go from one to the other, it feels as if you are truly going through the different stages of a friendship. As steps are taken forward, dark corners are acknowledged, dusted and brought to the table. There is no judgment. Instead, you will find yourself in a safe space where you can speak your mind without either being made fun of or pitied.
That said, The Little Pieces of You and Me deals with one of my biggest fears. We are no longer trying to find the courage to walk away from something we deep down inside know is toxic, as we were in The Beachside Guest House, we are now one step further in. We are dealing with the fear of knowing that we cannot walk away from something; we are trying to find the courage to stay.
I don’t know about you, but I have found myself thinking (who am I kidding, positively overthinking) about what I would do if my body decided to give up on me before my mind did. Mind you, the opposite wouldn’t be a much brighter future, at all, and it’s equally terrifying. I find myself breathing a little easier now that I have read The Little Pieces of You and Me. You see, this is one of the things I love the most about books, you go through someone else’s journey as if it were your own. You get to experience things that you would otherwise possibly go through life without acknowledging. I understand why people say that ignorance is pure bliss, but once you’re out of the box there doesn’t seem to be a way back in so we might as well talk about it.
Vanessa Greene has a gift. She has many others, certainly many that have nothing to do with writing whatsoever, but this gift in particular is of the uttermost importance – she creates safe havens where fears can be openly feared and discussed. She is aware that talking about certain matters is frightening and that sometimes we end up shutting doors to those in need of opening up due to obliviousness. There’s a kindness, a tenderness, in her novels that must not be mistaken for pity. People learn to both speak up and listen. How refreshing is that? It gives me hope. So thank you for that, Vanessa Greene, so so much.
And speaking of hope, that is one word that is key to every single novel penned by this author. No matter what her characters are going through, even when their lows seem to test the laws of nature by eliminating the harsh yet comforting existence of ground and leading to a bottomless pit, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. And we are that light, even if sometimes we have to borrow someone else’s to find our way there, back to ourselves. And that’s another key element to this, and her every, novel. Friendship. Sophie and Isla are in this together, no matter what. It’s truly beautiful to witness. And again, hope.
The Little Pieces of You and Me opens doors. Not just to the outside, through lists of dreams that radiate belief and optimism, but also to the inside. It makes us look closer; it makes us find in those who surround us, including ourselves, all we need to face yet another day. If it’s always going to be easy? Certainly not. But it’s going to be okay.
I read somewhere that most of the times we go out of our way to find something that has been standing right in front of us the whole time. This is not something we should regret, but cherish. Sometimes all we need is a little distance to recognize it for what it is. I would say that The Little Pieces of You and Me is a beautifully written journey into a distance that ends up just where it started: you.
For someone who has found her way back home and has been playing tennis with the idea of uselessness and despair, this book was everything.
There will be tears and laughs. There will be books, tango, chocolate, tea and visits to the hospital, Paris, Amsterdam and Argentina. There will be love. There will be magic. You will have to want to find it, though. After all, this book is the distance.
P.S. I fell in love with Sadie and Berenice. Perhaps we will get a follow-up short story about their pasts? That would be wonderful.
P.P.S. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found yourself finishing this book on a plane. Vanessa Greene’s writing seems to inspire one not only to wonder about certain things, but also to wander.
"The day that your life changes for ever, chances are there won’t be a sign announcing it."
Before I go any further into The Little Pieces of You and Me, let me first tell you that Vanessa Greene’s novels seem to have a rather strange way (is it magic, I wonder) of finding me just when I most need to read them. Ever since The Vintage Teacup Club, it almost feels like we have been walking through life together, side by side. That is why I have a copy of each of the said novels on a shelf that I proudly call best friends’ shelf.
I would say that reading Vanessa Greene’s first novel was the beginning of a wonderful bond. Even though they are not sequels, as you go from one to the other, it feels as if you are truly going through the different stages of a friendship. As steps are taken forward, dark corners are acknowledged, dusted and brought to the table. There is no judgment. Instead, you will find yourself in a safe space where you can speak your mind without either being made fun of or pitied.
That said, The Little Pieces of You and Me deals with one of my biggest fears. We are no longer trying to find the courage to walk away from something we deep down inside know is toxic, as we were in The Beachside Guest House, we are now one step further in. We are dealing with the fear of knowing that we cannot walk away from something; we are trying to find the courage to stay.
I don’t know about you, but I have found myself thinking (who am I kidding, positively overthinking) about what I would do if my body decided to give up on me before my mind did. Mind you, the opposite wouldn’t be a much brighter future, at all, and it’s equally terrifying. I find myself breathing a little easier now that I have read The Little Pieces of You and Me. You see, this is one of the things I love the most about books, you go through someone else’s journey as if it were your own. You get to experience things that you would otherwise possibly go through life without acknowledging. I understand why people say that ignorance is pure bliss, but once you’re out of the box there doesn’t seem to be a way back in so we might as well talk about it.
Vanessa Greene has a gift. She has many others, certainly many that have nothing to do with writing whatsoever, but this gift in particular is of the uttermost importance – she creates safe havens where fears can be openly feared and discussed. She is aware that talking about certain matters is frightening and that sometimes we end up shutting doors to those in need of opening up due to obliviousness. There’s a kindness, a tenderness, in her novels that must not be mistaken for pity. People learn to both speak up and listen. How refreshing is that? It gives me hope. So thank you for that, Vanessa Greene, so so much.
And speaking of hope, that is one word that is key to every single novel penned by this author. No matter what her characters are going through, even when their lows seem to test the laws of nature by eliminating the harsh yet comforting existence of ground and leading to a bottomless pit, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. And we are that light, even if sometimes we have to borrow someone else’s to find our way there, back to ourselves. And that’s another key element to this, and her every, novel. Friendship. Sophie and Isla are in this together, no matter what. It’s truly beautiful to witness. And again, hope.
"Maybe I was a coward. Life can be complicated – but those complications don’t make it any less worth living – in fact, sometimes they’re the very things that make it worth living. Those little pieces are what make you, you, and me, me."
The Little Pieces of You and Me opens doors. Not just to the outside, through lists of dreams that radiate belief and optimism, but also to the inside. It makes us look closer; it makes us find in those who surround us, including ourselves, all we need to face yet another day. If it’s always going to be easy? Certainly not. But it’s going to be okay.
I read somewhere that most of the times we go out of our way to find something that has been standing right in front of us the whole time. This is not something we should regret, but cherish. Sometimes all we need is a little distance to recognize it for what it is. I would say that The Little Pieces of You and Me is a beautifully written journey into a distance that ends up just where it started: you.
For someone who has found her way back home and has been playing tennis with the idea of uselessness and despair, this book was everything.
There will be tears and laughs. There will be books, tango, chocolate, tea and visits to the hospital, Paris, Amsterdam and Argentina. There will be love. There will be magic. You will have to want to find it, though. After all, this book is the distance.
P.S. I fell in love with Sadie and Berenice. Perhaps we will get a follow-up short story about their pasts? That would be wonderful.
P.P.S. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found yourself finishing this book on a plane. Vanessa Greene’s writing seems to inspire one not only to wonder about certain things, but also to wander.
February 24, 2022
Непретенциозна история за две приятелки, едната омъжена, другата се разболява от множествена склероза. Това се отразява на живота им. Описано е тяхното приятелство, как се подкрепят. Някъде ми беше интересно, другаде доскучаваше, но пък имаше една кафе-книжарница и се говореше тук-там за книги.
Не бих я прочела отново и не бих я препоръчала, освен за хора, които искат да разберат повече за множествената склероза, за чувствата на тези болни хора и как се справят с това. Наистина е тежка болест, досега не знаех подробности за нея. Паралелно чета още една книга от друга авторка, която допълва празнините ми за това заболяване.
Не бих я прочела отново и не бих я препоръчала, освен за хора, които искат да разберат повече за множествената склероза, за чувствата на тези болни хора и как се справят с това. Наистина е тежка болест, досега не знаех подробности за нея. Паралелно чета още една книга от друга авторка, която допълва празнините ми за това заболяване.
August 23, 2016
what can i say absolutely wonderful i started this book at 7pm and ive just finished it now at 1am never have i read a book so quick story was amazing i actually want more now but wow 5+ stars
April 19, 2017
„Cząstka ciebie i mnie” to powieść obyczajowa o kobietach i dla kobiet – wzruszająca, lekka, chwilami dająca do myślenia. To historia niezwykle silnej więzi, przyjaźni na dobre i na złe, takiej, której pragnie wielu, a tylko niektórzy mają szansę przeżyć. To także poruszająca opowieść o nadziei oraz sile marzeń i wierze, że można osiągnąć wszystko, jeśli ktoś będzie przy nas trwał, nawet w tych najtrudniejszych chwilach, kiedy nie wszystko zdaje się mieć sens. Jednocześnie porusza temat, którego obawia się wielu, ale może po lekturze łatwiej będzie ten lęk oswoić i wypowiedzieć na głos. Vanessa Greene stworzyła życiową, przystępną fabułę i bohaterki, z którymi nie sposób się w jakiś sposób nie utożsamić. To powieść na uroczy wieczór lub dwa, taka, którą można podzielić się z najlepszą przyjaciółką, podać dalej, a zadziała jak przysłowiowy miód na serce.
September 1, 2016
This is the most cliche ridden and appallingly crafted book I have read for ages. I bought it on a Waterstones offer because I had nothing to read at the dentists, and from page one I knew exactly what would happen, even to the diagnosis of MS, the love-lose-refind relationship with the Mexican and the divorce from the controlling husband. Every cliche was there, Paris and the chocolate making, quilting, bicycles in Amsterdam. Bucket list novels are such a cheap and easy way to draw the reader in.
March 4, 2018
Glad I brought this on holiday with me. Because it means I can leave it here. Passable beach read.
December 14, 2016
A captivating story of friendship, which I found to be really inspiring. There is a lot of depth to the story, including a medical diagnosis that I don't see too often in books, but I had a personal connection to the condition, which added to my interest. Yet the story also features plenty of fun, and even some bucket list style challenges to be completed, by not necessarily the person who wrote the list. This is definitely my favourite of Vanessa Greene's books, although I have a feeling I may have said that at the time about the previous one!
December 29, 2018
I read 300 pages in one evening. Couldn't put it down!
January 8, 2022
An enjoyable quick easy read
June 22, 2025
A predictable enjoyable easy read
October 4, 2017
This novel is one that attracts a reader due to its beautifully laid out front cover; the artwork is fairly minimal, but somehow still manages to stand out on a bookshelf. Recently I've been reading books that contain quite difficult subject matters, so the intention was to read something a little easier and more fluid; however this book was a bit of a shock in the sense that it wasn't at all what I'd expected. Isla and Sophie are best friends and have been since their student days, however life has taken them both in very different directions. Sophie never completed her medical degree but is working in a hospital and has a husband, Liam and step daughter, Rebecca at home in Bristol, whereas Isla is a carefree, single actress currently living and working in Amsterdam with dreams of making it big within the theatre world, either by acting or scriptwriting.
Whilst they were at University the two women each wrote out a list of dreams for the future and both them still think about achieving them, although Sophie definitely feels like her dreams are much further from her reach. Isla has dreams of going to broadway and very nearly hits that dream hard on the head. Through a few short months, both of their lives rapidly change. Isla unexpectedly finds love when she isn't looking for it and he seems like the loveliest of men and his bookshop sounds so interesting; even his customers sound out of the ordinary. One of the reasons that I really enjoyed this book was that not everything in life goes to plan; Isla's life grinds to halt when she's diagnosed with a long term medical condition and she's forced to make several decisions; to give up her broadway dreams, to leave Amsterdam and a love behind and go home to her mother and grandmother in Bristol.
Each of the characters seem to be flawlessly devised and I loved the dynamic between Berenice and Rafael, how much time and energy they gave each other in terms of friendship; a foreigner abroad and an elderly lady with a lifetime love of books. Both of them came across as very kind, creative people who enjoyed having someone to talk to although they both had their own secrets to hide from the world. All of the characters make some sacrifices throughout the book, however you could argue that Sophie made the most, as when Isla was unable to fulfil her dreams of travelling, Sophie went for her and helped her to feel like she was there; they had a fantastic friendship, an incredibly supportive and almost sister-like relationship. In fact, her relationship with Isla is the strongest out of all of her relationships and that is made clear by her struggles to work around Rebecca's near constant teenage angst and her non existent relationship with her parents as they disapprove of her husband.
Overall, I found this novel to be such a surprise; I'm not sure what exactly I expected, but I definitely assumed that it would be an easy, carefree novel and that it wasn't! Well, actually it did start off very full of life's positives, however it did change fairly rapidly, with Isla's diagnosis. There were many themes in this book, including illness, faithfulness, friendship and relationships in general. Sophie was a far stronger character than she appeared at first glance and I admired how well she faired in the face of adversity, whereas Isla was far more sensitive than she originally appeared, although arguably that was due to having a shock diagnosis. As I mentioned previously, the characters of Berenice and Rafael were not only intriguing, but also key to a large portion of the plot, particularly Berenice, which considering the amount of page space she was given, ultimately had a hand in ending without even being present. Greene writes so fluidly, every word flawlessly connects to the next and makes for easy reading due to how well the novel flows, but I liked how there were many underlying elements to the book. It's a great read, but I did feel like it ended abruptly and could've had a bit more explanation in some places, for example Rafael's background was fairly unclear even after finishing the novel.
Whilst they were at University the two women each wrote out a list of dreams for the future and both them still think about achieving them, although Sophie definitely feels like her dreams are much further from her reach. Isla has dreams of going to broadway and very nearly hits that dream hard on the head. Through a few short months, both of their lives rapidly change. Isla unexpectedly finds love when she isn't looking for it and he seems like the loveliest of men and his bookshop sounds so interesting; even his customers sound out of the ordinary. One of the reasons that I really enjoyed this book was that not everything in life goes to plan; Isla's life grinds to halt when she's diagnosed with a long term medical condition and she's forced to make several decisions; to give up her broadway dreams, to leave Amsterdam and a love behind and go home to her mother and grandmother in Bristol.
Each of the characters seem to be flawlessly devised and I loved the dynamic between Berenice and Rafael, how much time and energy they gave each other in terms of friendship; a foreigner abroad and an elderly lady with a lifetime love of books. Both of them came across as very kind, creative people who enjoyed having someone to talk to although they both had their own secrets to hide from the world. All of the characters make some sacrifices throughout the book, however you could argue that Sophie made the most, as when Isla was unable to fulfil her dreams of travelling, Sophie went for her and helped her to feel like she was there; they had a fantastic friendship, an incredibly supportive and almost sister-like relationship. In fact, her relationship with Isla is the strongest out of all of her relationships and that is made clear by her struggles to work around Rebecca's near constant teenage angst and her non existent relationship with her parents as they disapprove of her husband.
Overall, I found this novel to be such a surprise; I'm not sure what exactly I expected, but I definitely assumed that it would be an easy, carefree novel and that it wasn't! Well, actually it did start off very full of life's positives, however it did change fairly rapidly, with Isla's diagnosis. There were many themes in this book, including illness, faithfulness, friendship and relationships in general. Sophie was a far stronger character than she appeared at first glance and I admired how well she faired in the face of adversity, whereas Isla was far more sensitive than she originally appeared, although arguably that was due to having a shock diagnosis. As I mentioned previously, the characters of Berenice and Rafael were not only intriguing, but also key to a large portion of the plot, particularly Berenice, which considering the amount of page space she was given, ultimately had a hand in ending without even being present. Greene writes so fluidly, every word flawlessly connects to the next and makes for easy reading due to how well the novel flows, but I liked how there were many underlying elements to the book. It's a great read, but I did feel like it ended abruptly and could've had a bit more explanation in some places, for example Rafael's background was fairly unclear even after finishing the novel.
September 26, 2016
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
I kindly received The Little Pieces of You and Me in exchange of an honest review by the publisher.
When I looked at this beautiful cover, it screamed read me! I was excited to start a novel of an author which I had not read before. This was the first novel that I had read by Vanessa Greene and I came to find that she really does have a talent for writing several unique characters. I have always admired authors like Vanessa who can write several different story lines into one book and still be able to manage them all. The story follows along Isla and Sophie. They have been best friends forever. Even though Isla does not live in the same country anymore, they are still there for each other, no matter what.
This book takes us to great places; one of them is Amsterdam. I did not know anything about the setting in this book. I took this book on holiday with me and I started reading this book at the beach in Zandvoort, which is about thirty minutes away from Amsterdam. What a coincidence! Amsterdam is one of my most favorite cities in the world, I love this place. The cannels, the flowers, the super friendly people, the architecture of the city and bicycles everywhere! Isla lives and works in Amsterdam as an actress. Since a teenager Isla is dreaming about playing on Broadway in New York. This dream is about to come true until Isla got hit by tragically news which she forces to go back home to England.
Sophie accepted a different way of life and lives with her husband and her stepdaughter in England. Sophie still thinks about her bucket list which she set up with Isla when they were teenagers. She has not archived her goals and dreams so far. All of a sudden things are changing for Sophie too and it’s time for both women to decide to start living their life to the fullest again.
The moment I stated reading this book I couldn’t read it quick enough. Vanessa Greene’s writing style draws you in immediately. I enjoyed reading The Little Pieces of You and Me a lot because I was totally taken in by the story. I was rooting to find out more and more about Sophie and Isla’s life. I adored Sophie and Isla’s amazing bond of friendship. After reading a few chapters I had high expectations that The Little Pieces of You and Me is going to be an emotional ride until the very end. Unfortunately, it was pretty much everything on the same level. The storyline is clichéd and too predictable. I guessed mostly every twist and turn before it happened. The story lacked of depth and action to move me. Don’t get me wrong, it is a very good novel which is written greatly, there are just a few things that didn’t work for me. Sophie and Isla dealt so easily with their life changing problems which was very unrealistic and not true to life to me. Most of the time I couldn’t understand Isla’s decisions. I was really mad at her at times. The story has good side characters who keep the story ticking along. I loved Barnaice and Rafael. I was happy that Vanessa told their story too.
The Little Pieces of You and Me left me with that happy feeling to make me excited to read more books by Vanessa Greene. There were a few plot lines that I would have liked to have seen developed further, but overall it's an entertaining and romantic read that will leave you satisfied at the end.
April 17, 2022
This book is full of walking cliches and bad dialogue, not much more.
"You can put down roots, Rafael, but that doesn't keep you in one place. Seeds will always get scattered by the wind." Said by the old wise woman that only has a quirky name and whose personality consists of drinking tea and reading books.
The Mexican guy has a dark gang (sic) history coming from a dusty road in a mexican border town (even though he still got a friend with "a job for him in Europe" and after a few years has a full blown business in Amsterdam), the adventurous girl gets a life-changing illness (that doesn't really get explored in depth) and the family wife abandoned her career to unload her guilt from the original affair with her now obviously cheating again husband.
Also can we please talk about the 5 day workshop to become a professional chocolatier in Paris that includes "a macaron day"? There's so many "hobbies" going around (quilt making, cooking, acting, trapeze even some nursing between holidays) that it makes you wonder if editing really needed to stop at +300 pages.
Only reason I give it two stars is because it does feature strong female characters and female friendship as the main relationship. Could have been so much more but ended being hard to finish and disappointing.
"You can put down roots, Rafael, but that doesn't keep you in one place. Seeds will always get scattered by the wind." Said by the old wise woman that only has a quirky name and whose personality consists of drinking tea and reading books.
The Mexican guy has a dark gang (sic) history coming from a dusty road in a mexican border town (even though he still got a friend with "a job for him in Europe" and after a few years has a full blown business in Amsterdam), the adventurous girl gets a life-changing illness (that doesn't really get explored in depth) and the family wife abandoned her career to unload her guilt from the original affair with her now obviously cheating again husband.
Also can we please talk about the 5 day workshop to become a professional chocolatier in Paris that includes "a macaron day"? There's so many "hobbies" going around (quilt making, cooking, acting, trapeze even some nursing between holidays) that it makes you wonder if editing really needed to stop at +300 pages.
Only reason I give it two stars is because it does feature strong female characters and female friendship as the main relationship. Could have been so much more but ended being hard to finish and disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2016
a nice friendship book. A few parts felt that something was missing from the story but nice overall.
January 15, 2017
An engaging read about friendship, relationships and life's challenges.
January 14, 2018
Втората ми книга за 2018г.''Малки парченца от теб и мен''-Ванеса Грийн.Трогателна и вдъхновяваща история за старото приятелство и новото начало.
October 31, 2019
The Little Pieces of You and Me is the story of what happens when your life changes suddenly and unexpectedly. It follows the story of two friends, Isla and Sophie, and how they cope when their lives change in a way neither of them expect. Both women, when they were younger, made a list of things they would like to achieve in their lives. Life has not turned out as either of them has hoped. Isla lives in Amsterdam and is an actress. She has recently fallen in love with Rafael, the owner of a bookshop on a canalboat. Although she hasn’t achieved many of the things on her list, it looks as though one of them – to star on Broadway – may be about to come true. Sophie is married to Liam, a lecturer, and their relationship caused quite a scandal when they got together, also resulting in a long estrangement from her parents. Their friendship is put the to test when something life-changing happens to Isla. Perhaps as a result, perhaps coincidentally, Sophie’s life is also undergoing major changes.
The friendship Isla and Sophie has is that kind which is strong and steady. It’s the kind of friendship that even when you haven’t seen your friend for ages, you can just pick up as though you’ve been in constant contact. The strength of the friendship between these two women was the strength of this novel for me. It’s the kind of friendship that everyone wants – the kind when you know no matter what, that your friend will be there for you. This is an easy book to read but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deal with some serious issues. It’s a very thought-provoking book which will make the reader consider what they would do were they in the same situation as Isla or Sophie. I particularly questioned whether Isla made the right decision about her relationship. I didn’t find Sophie’s relationship quite so convincing. I felt that things seemed to fall apart for her too quickly but perhaps that is what can happen. However, the friendship between the two women was always convincing.
An important theme of this book seemed to me to be live life to the full. It’s perhaps a cliche to say you never know what is ahead of you but like most cliches, it is true. Both women in this book come to realise that it’s never too late to do what you really want to. Some of those ambitions on their lists which seemed to have been beyond their reach or set aside became possibilities with the help and support of family and friends. Even things which seems to be negative can turn out to be a positive catalyst for change.
The Little Pieces of You and Me was an emotional book where I felt very engaged with the characters and their story. It could have been quite a sad book but turned out to be quite uplifting. The importance of friendship and love and living for the moment is very clear. The message of the book seems to be that life may be short and you never know what is around the corner, so make the most of every moment and every opportunity.
My thanks to the publishers for sending me a review copy of this book. The Little Pieces of You and Me is published by Sphere in paperback and as an e-book. You can order a copy here: The Little Pieces of You and Me
From the back of the book
Best friends Isla and Sophie made each other a promise a long time ago: to never let life pass them by. Years later, Isla is in love, living abroad and fulfilling her dreams. But for Sophie, things haven’t turned out the way she was expecting and she hasn’t achieved any of the things she and Isla talked about.
And then, in one sudden moment, life irrevocably changes for both women.
Isla and Sophie have hard decisions to make but above all else they must face up to the uncertainty that lies ahead. It’s only when they realise that this is easier together, two friends standing side by side, that each woman can embrace whatever the future holds for them.
Emotional, poignant and uplifting, The Little Pieces of You and Me is a story about old friends, new beginnings and what happens when being strong is your only choice. It will take your breath away.
The friendship Isla and Sophie has is that kind which is strong and steady. It’s the kind of friendship that even when you haven’t seen your friend for ages, you can just pick up as though you’ve been in constant contact. The strength of the friendship between these two women was the strength of this novel for me. It’s the kind of friendship that everyone wants – the kind when you know no matter what, that your friend will be there for you. This is an easy book to read but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deal with some serious issues. It’s a very thought-provoking book which will make the reader consider what they would do were they in the same situation as Isla or Sophie. I particularly questioned whether Isla made the right decision about her relationship. I didn’t find Sophie’s relationship quite so convincing. I felt that things seemed to fall apart for her too quickly but perhaps that is what can happen. However, the friendship between the two women was always convincing.
An important theme of this book seemed to me to be live life to the full. It’s perhaps a cliche to say you never know what is ahead of you but like most cliches, it is true. Both women in this book come to realise that it’s never too late to do what you really want to. Some of those ambitions on their lists which seemed to have been beyond their reach or set aside became possibilities with the help and support of family and friends. Even things which seems to be negative can turn out to be a positive catalyst for change.
The Little Pieces of You and Me was an emotional book where I felt very engaged with the characters and their story. It could have been quite a sad book but turned out to be quite uplifting. The importance of friendship and love and living for the moment is very clear. The message of the book seems to be that life may be short and you never know what is around the corner, so make the most of every moment and every opportunity.
My thanks to the publishers for sending me a review copy of this book. The Little Pieces of You and Me is published by Sphere in paperback and as an e-book. You can order a copy here: The Little Pieces of You and Me
From the back of the book
Best friends Isla and Sophie made each other a promise a long time ago: to never let life pass them by. Years later, Isla is in love, living abroad and fulfilling her dreams. But for Sophie, things haven’t turned out the way she was expecting and she hasn’t achieved any of the things she and Isla talked about.
And then, in one sudden moment, life irrevocably changes for both women.
Isla and Sophie have hard decisions to make but above all else they must face up to the uncertainty that lies ahead. It’s only when they realise that this is easier together, two friends standing side by side, that each woman can embrace whatever the future holds for them.
Emotional, poignant and uplifting, The Little Pieces of You and Me is a story about old friends, new beginnings and what happens when being strong is your only choice. It will take your breath away.
January 14, 2020
Vanessa Greenе's work was definitely unfamiliar to me. Quite by chance, in a Facebook group I came across a woman selling her books. In the pile I ordered from her (straight for nothing) were two books by the author in question - "Little Pieces of You and Me" and "The Beachside Guest House". I definitely liked Vanessa Greenе's writing style as well as the topics she was discussing in these otherwise enjoyable books.
In "Little Pieces of You and Me" the author talks about two friends, Isla and Sophie, who, by coincidence, live in a great distance from each other. One is an actress in the theater and the other is working in a hospital. Many years ago, each of them made a list of dreams they would like to pursue. Now, these lists are sitting in a drawer forgotten by them.
At one point, however, Isla and Sophie both have to change their lives, whether they want it to or not, and their lists come to light. Sophie and Isla are determined to fulfil their dream, point by point.
I definitely liked the whole idea of friendship and how the two supported each other. Although they have lived away from each other for so many years, they have not lost contact and when they need each other they know they can handle it together. It's certainly not easy to start your life from scratch, but when there is a shoulder to lean on, things seem easier.
Of course, the theme of love plays an important role. Family, affair, passion, separation, new beginnings. These are just some of the words that vaguely illustrate what is happening in the book. We see that sometimes living together does not necessarily mean that people are happy. On the other hand, a short relationship can leave a much bigger imprint on our minds and hearts.
No one is comfortable reading about illness. Vanessa Greene, however, quite skillfully opens the dialogue for them. There is hardly any person who, at some stage in his/hers life, has never had a sick relative or a friend. That is why I think it is easy to put ourselves in the shoes of some of the characters and sympathize with them in their struggle for life or in their quest to help those who are trying to maintain their health.
I gave three stars for the book because maybe I wanted to read a little more about Isla and Raphael's relationship. I wanted to see what was ahead of them, but I guess that was the author's idea - to figure out their future ourselves, whatever we wanted it to be. Also, I wanted to find out if Sophie would finish her education and if this time she would be able to start a stable family.
Overall, I recommend the book to people looking for a nice read to accompany their afternoon cup of tea!
In "Little Pieces of You and Me" the author talks about two friends, Isla and Sophie, who, by coincidence, live in a great distance from each other. One is an actress in the theater and the other is working in a hospital. Many years ago, each of them made a list of dreams they would like to pursue. Now, these lists are sitting in a drawer forgotten by them.
At one point, however, Isla and Sophie both have to change their lives, whether they want it to or not, and their lists come to light. Sophie and Isla are determined to fulfil their dream, point by point.
I definitely liked the whole idea of friendship and how the two supported each other. Although they have lived away from each other for so many years, they have not lost contact and when they need each other they know they can handle it together. It's certainly not easy to start your life from scratch, but when there is a shoulder to lean on, things seem easier.
Of course, the theme of love plays an important role. Family, affair, passion, separation, new beginnings. These are just some of the words that vaguely illustrate what is happening in the book. We see that sometimes living together does not necessarily mean that people are happy. On the other hand, a short relationship can leave a much bigger imprint on our minds and hearts.
No one is comfortable reading about illness. Vanessa Greene, however, quite skillfully opens the dialogue for them. There is hardly any person who, at some stage in his/hers life, has never had a sick relative or a friend. That is why I think it is easy to put ourselves in the shoes of some of the characters and sympathize with them in their struggle for life or in their quest to help those who are trying to maintain their health.
I gave three stars for the book because maybe I wanted to read a little more about Isla and Raphael's relationship. I wanted to see what was ahead of them, but I guess that was the author's idea - to figure out their future ourselves, whatever we wanted it to be. Also, I wanted to find out if Sophie would finish her education and if this time she would be able to start a stable family.
Overall, I recommend the book to people looking for a nice read to accompany their afternoon cup of tea!
June 9, 2020
A heart-warming story of true friendship between two women and the sudden twist and turns in their lives.
Isla and Sophie are best friends since university. They've always been there for each other. They even made bucket lists and promised to each other to live to the fullest.
Being in their 30s now, their lives have taken different directions and their expectations haven't turned out great.
Isla is not the great actress she aspired to be, she is also single and living in Amsterdam. Sophie is not the great doctor she wanted to be, she is married to Liam instead - the university professor for whom she lost her family.
However, changes are happening and Isla and Sophie are each other's greatest support once again, as they both face what life offers them.
Together.
My first book from Vanessa Greene. Not gonna lie here, the cover was what attracted me the most.
I was expecting a sweet and easy read, got a really emotional and inspiring one instead. And I'm certainly NOT disappointed.
Isla and Sophie are best friends since university. They've always been there for each other. They even made bucket lists and promised to each other to live to the fullest.
Being in their 30s now, their lives have taken different directions and their expectations haven't turned out great.
Isla is not the great actress she aspired to be, she is also single and living in Amsterdam. Sophie is not the great doctor she wanted to be, she is married to Liam instead - the university professor for whom she lost her family.
However, changes are happening and Isla and Sophie are each other's greatest support once again, as they both face what life offers them.
Together.
My first book from Vanessa Greene. Not gonna lie here, the cover was what attracted me the most.
I was expecting a sweet and easy read, got a really emotional and inspiring one instead. And I'm certainly NOT disappointed.
November 28, 2018
Wow, such a powerful novel of friendship, dedication, and love, all between two friends that are there for one another through thick and thin. The story begins with introducing Isla and Sophie, along with their respective lives, and how each of them are making time for one another despite being in different countries. All of that changes once Isla comes to terms with her newfound diagnosis, with Sophie's life being thrown into chaos as well. The book goes through some twists and turns between Sophie and Liam, along with Isla and Rafael, some of which were a tad predictable, but worth reading nonetheless. I loved the emotions that Isla expressed after her diagnosis, which made me realize how precious one's health is, especially when Isla came into contact with Jo, which made me emotional for her specific situation. I felt that the author did a wonderful job of highlighting how important Isla and Sophie's friendship was, and the beauty of how one true friend can bring out the best in you, despite what others may think or say. I felt that there were a few plotlines which could be expanded upon within a sequel, which would be intriguing to read. Overall, a well-written book that made me truly cherish the beauty of timeless friendships.
September 17, 2018
I enjoyed this story of a strong female friendship. It told the story of two life long friends who have devastating things happen to them and how their friendship holds them together during the worst of times. I particularly enjoyed Isla's story because it felt like how a person would react to receiving some disheartening news in their life (I don't want to spoil the story, that's why I'm remaining vague). Sophie's story didn't ring as true to me though. Here situation went downhill fast and her response to it didn't feel as real to me based on how the character started the book.
A little deeper than a normal chick lit read.
A little deeper than a normal chick lit read.
August 1, 2023
This story was such a comforting read!
Isla and Sophie inspired me to make my own list to accomplish in the future. Even if it’s minor things I want to experience, in the end, crossing them off my list would make me the happiest person. I loved their friendship! Despite the struggles they both dealt with, they didn’t allow them to change who they were. Berenice was a sweet character—she is an example of so many life lessons in one. I also would want to make sure I lived my life with no regrets to the full extent and did everything I ever wanted to do.
Isla and Sophie inspired me to make my own list to accomplish in the future. Even if it’s minor things I want to experience, in the end, crossing them off my list would make me the happiest person. I loved their friendship! Despite the struggles they both dealt with, they didn’t allow them to change who they were. Berenice was a sweet character—she is an example of so many life lessons in one. I also would want to make sure I lived my life with no regrets to the full extent and did everything I ever wanted to do.
June 15, 2018
I have thoroughly enjoyed all books I've read from Vanessa Greene but this was not my favourite. I enjoyed the theme - 2 close friends who find a bucket list they had made when they were younger and decide to start doing them.
Unfortunately I wasn't sorry when I finished it (which I usually am when reading anything by Vanessa Greene). I didn't find the characters as interesting as in her previous books.
Unfortunately I wasn't sorry when I finished it (which I usually am when reading anything by Vanessa Greene). I didn't find the characters as interesting as in her previous books.
October 19, 2018
DNF at page 41 but I skipped to the end. I cannot imagine reading 340+ more pages of this drivel. Isla and Rafael: electric connection on page 6 and guess what happens!!! YAWN. Sophie-the milquetoast-stepmother and Rebecca-the-bully circle the Liam wagon and guess what happens!!! This could possibly be an OK beach read.
January 4, 2025
First book of the year for me and a nice easy read all about best friends who dream big when they are young until one day thier lives get changed and changes thier outlook on the future but no matter what happens they still have each other and they navigate this new path together. A lovely story of friendship and putting a positive when things change
October 24, 2016
I had difficulty feeling any real connection with the two main characters and kept skipping ahead to see if anything interesting was happening. I had anticipated a lovely read, but felt quite disappointed that I wasn't made to feel more.
March 24, 2018
I liked the book and it had a happy ending, but the middle really pissed me off when she just left her boyfriend because she didn't want to burden him. It was stupid and not endearing and unnecessary. But the ending made up for it.
August 13, 2018
Easy read...two friends with a bucket list of things they want to do. But something happens that will change their plans. Don't take your future for granted as you never know what might happen to change it all in the blink of an eye.
March 6, 2019
This is actually 3 and a half stars for me. It is one of those books - is it a masterpiece - No! Is it worth 5 stars - No! Did I really enjoy it - Yes! It is easy to read, lovable main characters, friendship with some wonderful life lessons thrown in - I loved it!!
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