All The Broken Pieces

Waterford #2

by Mia Hayes

Not all broken things are ruined. Ellison Brooks - PTA President, real estate agent extraordinaire, and Head Bitch in Charge with endless friends and parties to Ellison Brooks – divorced, single mother of two, financially reliant on her awful ex-husband, and utterly lacking self-confidence.One month after her divorce is final, Ellison’s ex-husband marries the woman he left her for, sending Ellison spiraling into despair. Her friends have abandoned her, her job is in the tank, and she’s lonely for human connection.The woman who once had everything now does little more than drink wine and focus on the time she has with her kids. She’s a mess and has no idea how to fix herself.But then Ellison meets Luke, an intriguing stranger who is only in town for the weekend. Determined to break out of her rut, Ellison jumps at the chance for a hot, one-night stand. When it’s over, she walks away from Mr. One Night Only with no idea how to ever reach him again……Until the first day of school when Luke turns out to be her son's new teacher. Despite their electric connection, Luke is off-limits according to school board rules and everyone around Ellison. But she just can’t stay away.As the town of Waterford buzzes about her possible romance, Ellison tries to figure out how to navigate the bitchy world of frenemies, town gossips, and a petty ex-husband while piecing herself back together.

Genres: Fiction

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2018

About the author

Mia is a notorious eavesdropper who lives in Northern Virginia, outside Washington DC, with her husband, sons, two cats, and Harlow the Cavapoo.

She drinks too much green tea, loves traveling, and has mastered the art of procrastination cleaning.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. All the Broken Pieces was a really good book. It had all the post divorce struggles that women go through (your friends become his friends, not enough money, etc.) plus a very interesting side line.
What if you were in a strange place in your life and you had a one night stand? What if your one night stand turned out to be your son's teacher? Complications, right? It was just that for Ellison. Not only was she dealing with trying to get her job back on track and her ex-husband's now pregnant wife who has also taken over her friends, but she was trying not to have a relationship with a guy that she REALLY liked. Her life really is a complicated mess, but her sons and Luke are the best part of it. The question is, can she keep everything from falling completely apart?
I was given a complimentary copy of this audio book. All thoughts are my own.

[Janell Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Broken Pieces by Mia Hayes is a really easy read-It is Book 2 in the Waterford Series. I read Book 1, The Secrets We Keep earlier this year. It, too, was an easy read. The books focus on relationships we have in the communities we live in..the friendships, the rivalries, the parents at school-the pick-ups and drop-offs at school and the difficulties of all of it! All the Broken Pieces pick up where the Secrets We Keep left off-I really enjoyed this light hearted, easy read. The author Mia Hayes has a fun Facebook group, too-with lots of author information and fun updates! By the way-Book 3, Picture Perfect Lies, comes out later this month!-5 stars for All the Broken Pieces~Janell

Ellison is starting over. Her husband-oops, recent ex-husband, is now living in her old house, in her old neighborhood, with her old friends, with his soon to be wife-even though they’ve only been officially divorced for a few weeks.

Ellison now has to share her boys time with him and is struggling that he had an affair and left her, and now he’s having another baby-already! Wow-how do you keep it all together? Ellison had everything – the most gorgeous husband, a big group of friends, the best house, and the top status among her friends. And, now? She’s living in a town nearby, her boys are starting at a new school and she’s trying to rebuild her career as a real estate agent. Thankfully she still has one friend, Andi.

Andi has stuck by her side through everything. Andi is her go to and her best friend. Andi lives life to the fullest and encourages Ellison to go out and have a great time. Ellison meets someone and doesn’t think she’ll ever see him again. But, then she does…on the first day of school… Ellison can’t believe it and is so embarrassed.. wait! Is he her sons teacher?!

A great quick read!

[Caroline Hedges · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first Waterford Novel and was looking forward to reading this and it didn't disappoint. It is less psychological thriller and more women's romance but not in the Harlequin variety and I enjoyed the lightness after the darkness of The Secrets we Keep.

But it is so much more than a romance, it's about friendship, motherhood and trying to rebuild a life that has been torn apart by divorce and betrayal - by a husband and friends. Fortunately a man walks into Ellison's life that can help put the finishing touches to her new life. But will she be brave enough to let him in.

Hayes has produced a novel that is a delight to read in one sitting so make sure you have some time and a comfy chair before you start!

Thank you for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Kimberly-Dawn Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was more than I expected. I have not heard a story that hit every note so pitch perfect in awhile in this genre. The topics of divorce, motherhood, betrayal and friendship rang true. The blend of angst with humor had me laugh crying. This was more than a book on divorce, more than a love story, more than a book about women’s friendships. This book is just more. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author. The Narrator was excellent. The character differentiation was seamless even during dialogs. I’m actually going to look for other works by the Narrator.

**I was given a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review. I honestly highly recommend this book.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Broken Pieces: A Waterford Novel, Book One was a great read by Mia Hayes. Ellison was the PTA president, an extraordinary real estate agent and always had endless friends and parties. Unfortunately now everything has changed when she became a divorced single mother of two. Her life has completely fallen apart and a month after their divorce became final, her ex husband married the woman that he left her for. Ellison winds up having a one night stand with an intriguing stranger. She didn't know until the first day of school that he is one of her son's teachers. She tries to fight off their chemistry but in falling for Luke she find's her confidence again. I loved reading Ellison and Luke's story and can't wait to read more by Mia Hayes.

[Dyane Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent most of a night reading Mia Hayes' last book "The Secrets We Keep" and I absolutely loved every minute. After reading (devouring, more like it!) that book, I knew I'd dive into Hayes' next book and finish it within a day or two. "All The Broken Pieces" is another fabulous read that will keep you spellbound. Ben Franklin famously wrote, "...but in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." - well, if Mia Hayes' book had been around in 1789, old Ben would've added "and every Mia Hayes book will certainly entertain."

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellison’s perfect life crumbled to pieces one year ago. Her husband cheated on her and wanted a divorce to marry her pregnant fiancé. One night stand with a handsome man in a club is the wildest thing she has ever done. When Ellison meets his son’s new teacher it turns out Luke was her one night stand. Can they have a chance with everything going on around them? An imperfect but awesome love story. The audiobook is great

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this Audiobook In exchange for an honest review. Ellison seem to have it all until she was suddenly betrayed by her husband and then divorced. She must then rebuild her life, when it's seems like everyone and everything has abandoned her. But then she meets Luke... How will her life change? This book was very easy to read.

[Jaime Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of change of really finding one’s happiness. I admit at times I grew frustrated with Ellison’s behavior and attitudes. But Luke definitely turned her around and I loved these two together. A new author to me and one I will definitely be reading more from.

[Phyllis Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

5 stars for All The Broken Pieces a look at how we ignore the obvious and cling to what we know. Sometimes what we think we want isn't really what we need. A look at reinventing ourselves after hitting bottom.

[Brandi Horn · Rating 2 out of 5]

honest review: Kind of hokey, some of the dialogue was cringy, for 40 year olds, they acted very childish, however the writing seemed geriatric, if that makes any sense. storyline was decent. I listened to the audiobook. not very memorable.

[Peggy Jantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hung in there and finished this book even though it was not that great at holding my interest

[Debbie Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance

A typical escapism romance novel. Fun and frivolous . Not really that gripping but was light enough to read at night

[Juliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, light read.

[Deborah Firestone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book that, for the most part, kept my attention.

[Kathleen Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good worth the read

The book wasn't all sex and had a great storyline with an mfc that really improved as the book went on. I loved seeing her growth.