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Confessions of the Heart #3
Pieces of Us
Maxon Chambers has a way of stealing all the attention.
All my affection, and all my dreams.
What I needed to remember was he’d stolen my good judgment and my virginity, too.
When he broke up with me, I ran across the country and swore I’d never return to Broadshire Rim.
But here I am, thirteen years later.
Maxon is all grown up.
Sexier than sin and more tempting than ever.
A detective on the Charleston force, he lives on the outside of safety, devoted to protecting the people of his city.
But with the way he’s looking at me now? I’m pretty sure what needs protecting is my heart.
Can we mend the pieces of us? Or will he leave my heart shattered forever . . .
All my affection, and all my dreams.
What I needed to remember was he’d stolen my good judgment and my virginity, too.
When he broke up with me, I ran across the country and swore I’d never return to Broadshire Rim.
But here I am, thirteen years later.
Maxon is all grown up.
Sexier than sin and more tempting than ever.
A detective on the Charleston force, he lives on the outside of safety, devoted to protecting the people of his city.
But with the way he’s looking at me now? I’m pretty sure what needs protecting is my heart.
Can we mend the pieces of us? Or will he leave my heart shattered forever . . .
367 pages, ebook
First published April 17, 2019
3028 people are currently reading
9142 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Jackson
95 books14.6k followersA.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, REDEMPTION HILLS, TIME RIVER, and MOONLIT RIDGE novels. Start your binge with the first book in her latest series, From Here to Eternity! A broody single dad, a heroine on the run, and all the steam and suspense!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
GET TO KNOW ME EVERYWHERE
Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aljacksonauthor
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
Instagram: @aljacksonauthor
Snapchat: aljacksonauthor
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Text "aljackson" to 33222 for special updates!
Want to know what music inspires my books?
I have book specific playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/1255231879
Represent by Brower Literary & Management
subrights@browerliterary.com
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, REDEMPTION HILLS, TIME RIVER, and MOONLIT RIDGE novels. Start your binge with the first book in her latest series, From Here to Eternity! A broody single dad, a heroine on the run, and all the steam and suspense!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
GET TO KNOW ME EVERYWHERE
Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aljacksonauthor
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
Instagram: @aljacksonauthor
Snapchat: aljacksonauthor
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Text "aljackson" to 33222 for special updates!
Want to know what music inspires my books?
I have book specific playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/1255231879
Represent by Brower Literary & Management
subrights@browerliterary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 737 reviews
October 28, 2019
5 STARS
Deeply romantic, heartbreakingly emotional, and achingly beautiful. Pieces of Us is easily one of my favorite AL Jackson books to date. I fell head over heels for Mack and Izzy's story and I still can't stop thinking about them after finishing.
It's no secret that I love a good punch to the feels that a second chance romance always brings. But there was something so special about Mack and Izzy's story. I don't even know how to begin to describe it, but it felt almost electric. I always knew there was some darkness in Mack's past. He's been such a solid presence in his friend's lives. But beneath that cop exterior, still waters run deep. This is a man with deep emotional scars and demons from his past that continue to haunt his present
Izzy has loved Maxon "Mack" Chambers since they were kids. Him, the boy on the wrong side of the tracks. Her, the sweet dreamer that thought she can save him. But then everything they built came tumbling down around Izzy and she had no choice but to run. Now she's back and has no desire to see the man that broke her heart. But things never quite go as you intended.
I really don't want to tell you much more about this story, but prepare yourself for one emotional ride. I couldn't bear to put this book down for even a second, utterly desperate for another piece of Izze and Mack's past. I was dying to know how it all fell apart and even more desperate to see how they would rebuild it all.
Mack is one of my favorite heroes in this series. And I though I loved Ian. But man, nothing compares to the way that this man loves. His soul is so achingly broken and yet he yearns for Izzy and everything that they lost. Izzy is a heroine that's impossible not to love. She's this delicate combination of vulnerability and strength. She's survived so much pain in her life and yet she holds strong. She never gave up on Mack when they were kids. Her unique view of the world and wonderment were extremely endearing. Izzy as an adult is even more so.
I loved everything about this story. Two secondary characters in particular. These two completely owned my heart. I loved them so much.
If you're looking for a beautiful romance that will break you and then put you back together in the best of ways, you seriously can't go wrong with this book. I can't recommend it enough!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
There’s never been a single day in my life when I didn’t want you. We are endless.”
Deeply romantic, heartbreakingly emotional, and achingly beautiful. Pieces of Us is easily one of my favorite AL Jackson books to date. I fell head over heels for Mack and Izzy's story and I still can't stop thinking about them after finishing.
It's no secret that I love a good punch to the feels that a second chance romance always brings. But there was something so special about Mack and Izzy's story. I don't even know how to begin to describe it, but it felt almost electric. I always knew there was some darkness in Mack's past. He's been such a solid presence in his friend's lives. But beneath that cop exterior, still waters run deep. This is a man with deep emotional scars and demons from his past that continue to haunt his present
Izzy has loved Maxon "Mack" Chambers since they were kids. Him, the boy on the wrong side of the tracks. Her, the sweet dreamer that thought she can save him. But then everything they built came tumbling down around Izzy and she had no choice but to run. Now she's back and has no desire to see the man that broke her heart. But things never quite go as you intended.
I really don't want to tell you much more about this story, but prepare yourself for one emotional ride. I couldn't bear to put this book down for even a second, utterly desperate for another piece of Izze and Mack's past. I was dying to know how it all fell apart and even more desperate to see how they would rebuild it all.
Mack is one of my favorite heroes in this series. And I though I loved Ian. But man, nothing compares to the way that this man loves. His soul is so achingly broken and yet he yearns for Izzy and everything that they lost. Izzy is a heroine that's impossible not to love. She's this delicate combination of vulnerability and strength. She's survived so much pain in her life and yet she holds strong. She never gave up on Mack when they were kids. Her unique view of the world and wonderment were extremely endearing. Izzy as an adult is even more so.
I loved everything about this story. Two secondary characters in particular. These two completely owned my heart. I loved them so much.
If you're looking for a beautiful romance that will break you and then put you back together in the best of ways, you seriously can't go wrong with this book. I can't recommend it enough!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
April 27, 2019
3.75 stars rounded up 4 emotional; charming, heartbreaking, second chance romantic stars.
This is my first A. L. Jackson book. I wanted to start most of them but then read depressing reviews and changed my mind. But this time I took my chances and here I am, so satisfied with amazing heroine Izzy! Big applause to this strong woman after two men’s betrayal, she stood strong and cared her two children by herself when she was too young, lonely, vulnerable.
Here comes our hero Mack, police officer, survivor but king of the worst decisions-and self destruction.
I loved Izzy and Mack’s angsty, heart wrenching love story. I loved their chemistry.
They are childhood sweethearts. When she was little,Izzy wrote a story to give him courage and save him from destruction. In the story she depicted him as dragon. Mack also names her little bird. But most parts of the book , I sensed that real dragon was Izzy. She was the savior of their love story, she was the protector of Mack. She was brave enough to face him for taking responsibility of their shared past.
I was about to cut more points because of Mack’s dysfunctional relationship with Clarissa. But then I understood that she was the punishment he gave himself to atone his sins. It seems like unhealthy way of thinking but our hero is way too tormented one because of his abusive father and giving up his love of his life ( he thinks it was the best way to protect her which makes him the king of the worst decisions
Finally I forgave him after I read the parts about his interactions with his sons( one of them not his biological son but he fully accepts him), his efforts to do the right thing to become a family.
Summary: It was well written, captivating love and family story. So far I enjoyed it☺️
This is my first A. L. Jackson book. I wanted to start most of them but then read depressing reviews and changed my mind. But this time I took my chances and here I am, so satisfied with amazing heroine Izzy! Big applause to this strong woman after two men’s betrayal, she stood strong and cared her two children by herself when she was too young, lonely, vulnerable.
Here comes our hero Mack, police officer, survivor but king of the worst decisions-and self destruction.
I loved Izzy and Mack’s angsty, heart wrenching love story. I loved their chemistry.
They are childhood sweethearts. When she was little,Izzy wrote a story to give him courage and save him from destruction. In the story she depicted him as dragon. Mack also names her little bird. But most parts of the book , I sensed that real dragon was Izzy. She was the savior of their love story, she was the protector of Mack. She was brave enough to face him for taking responsibility of their shared past.
I was about to cut more points because of Mack’s dysfunctional relationship with Clarissa. But then I understood that she was the punishment he gave himself to atone his sins. It seems like unhealthy way of thinking but our hero is way too tormented one because of his abusive father and giving up his love of his life ( he thinks it was the best way to protect her which makes him the king of the worst decisions
Finally I forgave him after I read the parts about his interactions with his sons( one of them not his biological son but he fully accepts him), his efforts to do the right thing to become a family.
Summary: It was well written, captivating love and family story. So far I enjoyed it☺️
April 22, 2019
Come on!! Pleeeease !! So much for an honest review!
I knew it was too good to be true!
The name of this book should be "Pieces of sh*t"!!
In fact, the "good boy" has always been a pathetic coward and above all a cheater. Using the same excuse ever "I'm not good for her" to get out and f*ck with the next skirt tail and have it rubbed in the face of the heroine. I've wasted too much time reading this crap, I will not waste any more time with a review. So yes my people, just one more of that kind, the same excuses, nothing new, just a little worse:
"And yes, I was with her in the years you've been away. Not because I wanted her, Izzy, but because she was what I thought I deserved. She was a representation of my shame. It was a penalty for not being able to spend my life with you. "
Convenient our guy isn't he????
I knew it was too good to be true!
The name of this book should be "Pieces of sh*t"!!
In fact, the "good boy" has always been a pathetic coward and above all a cheater. Using the same excuse ever "I'm not good for her" to get out and f*ck with the next skirt tail and have it rubbed in the face of the heroine. I've wasted too much time reading this crap, I will not waste any more time with a review. So yes my people, just one more of that kind, the same excuses, nothing new, just a little worse:
"And yes, I was with her in the years you've been away. Not because I wanted her, Izzy, but because she was what I thought I deserved. She was a representation of my shame. It was a penalty for not being able to spend my life with you. "
Convenient our guy isn't he????
Read
April 21, 2019Now Live and FREE in Kindle Unlimited
✓ Second-chance romance
✓ Sexy AF hero
✓ All the feels
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/POUAmzn
Signed Paperback and Pink Boxes: http://smarturl.it/POUPaperback
Audio (coming soon - be notified when it's LIVE!): http://smarturl.it/POUAudio
Huge Pieces of Us Giveaway > http://smarturl.it/POUReleaseGiveaway
✓ Second-chance romance
✓ Sexy AF hero
✓ All the feels
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/POUAmzn
Signed Paperback and Pink Boxes: http://smarturl.it/POUPaperback
Audio (coming soon - be notified when it's LIVE!): http://smarturl.it/POUAudio
Huge Pieces of Us Giveaway > http://smarturl.it/POUReleaseGiveaway
April 15, 2019
WANT THE FULL REVIEW (which will include quotes from book, teasers I've made and so much more)
C L I C K - H E R E
I am a HUGE DIE HARD fan of A.L. Jackson & her books. Believe it or not but she was a NEW TO BE author a little while ago & I read one book & BAM i read them all!! Therefore so happy to be able to read this master-piece before hand!! Now, this book is #3 and I have read the previous two of course. This is the story of Maxon & Isabel!
Even from the beginning I went from smiles and laughter at a situation to OH MY HEART! The tension, the words...beautiful but broken. The take-back's through out the story are also heartbreaking but in a beautiful way, more beautiful between the lines kind of way. I was blown back by how much emotion this brought out in me, I was glued to each page, each sentence. I can't express enough how much A.L. Jackson kind of does that to you, her writing style and words will mesmerize you.
Maxon is a broken soul, from the very beginning. With what he had gone through his childhood well into teenage years, it's no surprise. He now is a tall, strong and sexy man, filled out, gorgeous, a police officer for goodness sake..but still broken. The worst part is that Izzy though her love would be enough back then, what makes her believe that it would ever help out now, as adults.
Every single character in this (not just the previous book ones) are unique and to each it's own. I love Izzy's parents (her mom is the kind of mom you'd want) the predicament and situations in this are a slow burn, pulling at heart strings moments. It was like riding a roller coaster of emotion, just when you think I'M OKAY I'M OKAY nope, you're not. My love for this story and characters especially Izzy is enormous. The secrets, the nerve wrecking scenes...GAH! I don't want to give out too much BUT you will not see it coming, I'm telling you when it hits you, worse than a sledgehammer. Anguish, passion, heartbreak & conquer!
I am rating this a 10 PLUS & HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! On my TOP 20119 MUST READ list & a TOP FAVORITE 2019 READ!
H A P P Y - R E A D I N G
WANT THE FULLR EVIEW (which will include quotes from book, teasers I've made & so much more)
C L I C K - H E R E
C L I C K - H E R E
I am a HUGE DIE HARD fan of A.L. Jackson & her books. Believe it or not but she was a NEW TO BE author a little while ago & I read one book & BAM i read them all!! Therefore so happy to be able to read this master-piece before hand!! Now, this book is #3 and I have read the previous two of course. This is the story of Maxon & Isabel!
Even from the beginning I went from smiles and laughter at a situation to OH MY HEART! The tension, the words...beautiful but broken. The take-back's through out the story are also heartbreaking but in a beautiful way, more beautiful between the lines kind of way. I was blown back by how much emotion this brought out in me, I was glued to each page, each sentence. I can't express enough how much A.L. Jackson kind of does that to you, her writing style and words will mesmerize you.
Maxon is a broken soul, from the very beginning. With what he had gone through his childhood well into teenage years, it's no surprise. He now is a tall, strong and sexy man, filled out, gorgeous, a police officer for goodness sake..but still broken. The worst part is that Izzy though her love would be enough back then, what makes her believe that it would ever help out now, as adults.
Every single character in this (not just the previous book ones) are unique and to each it's own. I love Izzy's parents (her mom is the kind of mom you'd want) the predicament and situations in this are a slow burn, pulling at heart strings moments. It was like riding a roller coaster of emotion, just when you think I'M OKAY I'M OKAY nope, you're not. My love for this story and characters especially Izzy is enormous. The secrets, the nerve wrecking scenes...GAH! I don't want to give out too much BUT you will not see it coming, I'm telling you when it hits you, worse than a sledgehammer. Anguish, passion, heartbreak & conquer!
I am rating this a 10 PLUS & HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! On my TOP 20119 MUST READ list & a TOP FAVORITE 2019 READ!
H A P P Y - R E A D I N G
WANT THE FULLR EVIEW (which will include quotes from book, teasers I've made & so much more)
C L I C K - H E R E
April 22, 2019
LIVE EARLY!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Holy Feels, Batman. Someone hold me. Mack and Izzy's story just about killed me and my emotions. Their's was a story that had so much sweetness between the heartbreaks and tough times that I almost lost it. They had me captivated, dying to find out how everything would work between them and if they could move past the hurt from so many years ago. There were a lot of obstacles in their way but I knew from the beginning that they belonged together and was rooting for them to make it work.
If you know me then you know that I'm not the biggest fan of flashbacks in my books. But the few that were put into this story were absolutely amazing and I wouldn't wish them away. Seeing Izzy and Mack as kids was so friggin adorable and only had me loving them harder. It was really fun to see that even as adults with yeas apart between them they never lost that connection from when they were younger.
Overall, I'm so happy I read this story and got to experience a love like Mack and Izzy's. I would say this could definitely be read as a standalone, though there's maybe one or two things from the previous book that some would consider a spoiler.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Holy Feels, Batman. Someone hold me. Mack and Izzy's story just about killed me and my emotions. Their's was a story that had so much sweetness between the heartbreaks and tough times that I almost lost it. They had me captivated, dying to find out how everything would work between them and if they could move past the hurt from so many years ago. There were a lot of obstacles in their way but I knew from the beginning that they belonged together and was rooting for them to make it work.
"Dragon, dragon, come and rescue me"
If you know me then you know that I'm not the biggest fan of flashbacks in my books. But the few that were put into this story were absolutely amazing and I wouldn't wish them away. Seeing Izzy and Mack as kids was so friggin adorable and only had me loving them harder. It was really fun to see that even as adults with yeas apart between them they never lost that connection from when they were younger.
Overall, I'm so happy I read this story and got to experience a love like Mack and Izzy's. I would say this could definitely be read as a standalone, though there's maybe one or two things from the previous book that some would consider a spoiler.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2019
I left part of my heart with the characters of this book! A.L. Jackson’s writing is so gorgeous, this story is so moving, and the characters are absolutely perfect.
Mack has my heart. I knew early on in the series that I’d fall head over heels in love with him and boy did I. He’s so caring and giving. The love he feels for Izzy and his willingness to sacrifice his happiness for hers is everything. Their love story was truly an epic experience.
Izzy such a great character. A mom trying to do the best for her family. That’s one of the reasons I’ve loved this series of books so much. The female leads have struggles, but their kids keep them grounded and strong. I’m also total much for cute kids. Gah! They get me every single time!!
This second chance love story is everything you’ll ever want in a romance. It’s emotional (yes there were tears), sexy, and heartwarming. All the feels were definitely felt. I give it my highest recommendation!
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Mack has my heart. I knew early on in the series that I’d fall head over heels in love with him and boy did I. He’s so caring and giving. The love he feels for Izzy and his willingness to sacrifice his happiness for hers is everything. Their love story was truly an epic experience.
Izzy such a great character. A mom trying to do the best for her family. That’s one of the reasons I’ve loved this series of books so much. The female leads have struggles, but their kids keep them grounded and strong. I’m also total much for cute kids. Gah! They get me every single time!!
This second chance love story is everything you’ll ever want in a romance. It’s emotional (yes there were tears), sexy, and heartwarming. All the feels were definitely felt. I give it my highest recommendation!
For more of my reviews:
My Blog: Book Twins Reviews
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May 8, 2019
“But whose joy is forgotten is lost. And whose heart is free is found.”
Love is simple. It’s life, that’s complicated. So, when you’re on the losing side of love and life offers up a second chance, you grab ahold and hang on tight. You shove aside your fears, bury the hurt, and follow the dictate of your heart. Thus, is the story of Izzy and Mack’s slow-burning romance. In this third and final installment to her Confessions of the Heart series, AL Jackson returns to her earlier roots and delivers an emotion-driven, second-chance romance that will have you reaching for the tissues amidst all the smiles and laughter.
Presenting a powerfully heartbreaking and compelling premise, along with endearing characters that are sure to capture your heart, “Pieces of Us” is proof positive that AL Jackson is indeed the consummate storyteller. While this author’s signature prose is what always draws me in, it’s her perfectly imperfect heroes that keep me coming back for more. And Maxon Chambers is no exception. Protective, loving, sexy and fierce, Mack is everything I look for in a book boyfriend and a great deal more!
Love is simple. It’s life, that’s complicated. So, when you’re on the losing side of love and life offers up a second chance, you grab ahold and hang on tight. You shove aside your fears, bury the hurt, and follow the dictate of your heart. Thus, is the story of Izzy and Mack’s slow-burning romance. In this third and final installment to her Confessions of the Heart series, AL Jackson returns to her earlier roots and delivers an emotion-driven, second-chance romance that will have you reaching for the tissues amidst all the smiles and laughter.
Presenting a powerfully heartbreaking and compelling premise, along with endearing characters that are sure to capture your heart, “Pieces of Us” is proof positive that AL Jackson is indeed the consummate storyteller. While this author’s signature prose is what always draws me in, it’s her perfectly imperfect heroes that keep me coming back for more. And Maxon Chambers is no exception. Protective, loving, sexy and fierce, Mack is everything I look for in a book boyfriend and a great deal more!
October 28, 2019
Anyone who has ever followed my reviews would know I am a huge A.L. Jackson fan and would read absolutely anything she produces. I have been waiting for Mack’s story for what feels like a life-time, so you can imagine my elation when he finally entered my life. Pieces of Us was phenomenal and I would expect nothing less from such an amazingly talented story teller. The plot drew me in instantaneously and kept me captivated throughout, and in true Jackson fashion, the writing was like pure poetry. Pieces of Us was an angsty, emotional and heartbreaking story about second chances. A love so powerful that while it was lost, you knew it was always destined to be found once more.
Mack and Izzy have been each-others constant for as long as they can remember, and as they grew older, their life-long friendship developed into so much more. It was a love that knew no bounds. Mack suddenly decided to end their relationship and, in the process left Izzy confused and broken hearted. Mack had his reasons for ending their relationship as he felt he was doing her favor. He thought he was no good for her; but try telling Izzy losing the one person who meant the world to her was for her own good. Izzy makes the decision to leave everything behind and move from the only home she has ever known.
“She’d been my beginning. The girl had breathed her beauty and grace and goodness into my being. Made me think I could be something better. Saw me in a way I’d never seen myself.
In the same way, she’d been my ending.
My collision.
The breaking point of who I’d been and who I’d come to be.”
Years down the track Izzy and Mack have come face to face once more and Mack is a tortured and broken man who has so many scars to bear. The love he has always felt for Izzy comes back full force when he sees the one woman who has always owned his heart. His love for Izzy is intense, deep and fierce. He’s lost her once before; will he be able to let the past and his demons go and give into the one and only woman he has loved with all of his heart?
Mack is probably my favorite hero to date; he is loyal, protective, caring and loves deeply. He is a tortured hero I just could not help but feel so deeply for. Izzy was just a phenomenal, strong, caring and sweet heroine, who has had her fair share of struggles and heartache, but every time she gets knocked down, she gets right back up with such strength. A true inspiration.
Their love and connection was profound, deep and the kind of love they both deserve. They were both remarkable people who deserved all the happiness and love they could handle. I was rooting for them throughout the whole story and wanted nothing more than to see them have the HEA they were oh so deserving of.
I’m not always a fan of sequences set in the past and present because I don’t feel they always work, they often affect the flow of the scenes, but A.L. Jackson wrote both to perfection. They both flowed seamlessly and never once did I feel like it affected the story in any sort of negative way.
Pieces of Us was such an emotional, angsty, heartbreaking story about second-chances, love lost and love found and the gift of forgiveness. I was addicted to this compelling story from the very first word and was invested in Mack and Izzy’s tumultuous and heart aching journey until the very end. A.L. Jackson’s writing is outstanding and she always draws me in with her poignant and thought provoking stories that I just can’t get enough of. She has always been a one click author for me and always will be. She writes the kind of books I ache for; the tortured hero’s and the woman they love who are the only ones with the power to help them. I can not recommend this story enough, especially for those who love their emotional second chance love stories. Be sure to one click this one.
April 15, 2019
Pieces Of Us is an emotional, heartwarming second chance romance that will give the saying Endless Love a new meaning. The angst will call to us, the characters will make us feel more than what we could’ve bargained for, but it’s the love that will be never ending and through it all, not only will you feel it, but you will never forget it.
“Loving you was the only truth I knew… the only thing I ever did right. The only that has ever been real.”
Best friends since they were young, Mack and Izzy had been through a lot together. As they got older, that friendship turned into something much more and grew a love that would go beyond their time. They knew that they were young but they had each other and that was the most important thing. Until one day Mack decided to change the course of their future forever altering their lives. One decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
It’s now been thirteen years since Izzy has been in her hometown but now she’s back for good. With a new job and her parent’s full support, Izzy is looking forward to a fresh start. But when she meets the ghost from her past, starting over is not the only thing that’s going to be difficult. With secrets of their own, a looming threat, and a past that refuses to stay there, Mack and Izzy will be faced with a lot challenges and future heartbreak.
I’ve always enjoyed this author’s storytelling and this book was no different. The longing and remorse that bled through the pages of a second chance romance that you wanted to see have a beautiful ending were felt. I did have one issue though but aside from that, I loved the characters and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
July 9, 2019
This is 3.5. I liked it for the heart torture. There's some real heart sawing and tearing and shredding in here:
* star-crossed lovers, check.
* Bad boy, good girl, check.
* Baby he didn't know about, check.
* Baby who has a severe illness, check.
I mean, all the melodramatic things you can ask for in a contemporary book is in here. Including a bitchy slut who dug her claws into the H and helped tear H/h apart (but he let her, so it's all his fault).
Why 1.5 stars off? Cuz I'm not a fan of TOO much pain and angst, and this was a never-ending bleeding pool of it. And if there is going to be all this pain an angst, then I want the H to be EXTREMELY worthy. He kinda wasn't. This is where he reminds me of Charlie Hunnam's Jax in Sons of Anarchy -- being with women who he knows aren't good for him as a way to punish himself bc he doesn't think he'll ever be good enough for h.
There's something really... cowardly in that approach. If you don't think you're worthy of h, don't be with anyone! (I know, fantasy and fiction - this is why I am hooked on the Pure/ Dark Ones series by Aja James and NOT this kinda stuff).
OR, if you have to stick your P into something, go after some random, harmless chicks that you can't even recall the names of, don't go picking on the black widow spider, for f-ing sakes!!!!
So, I felt like the H didn't really deserve all the h's love, cuz the h just wasn't worthy enough.
* star-crossed lovers, check.
* Bad boy, good girl, check.
* Baby he didn't know about, check.
* Baby who has a severe illness, check.
I mean, all the melodramatic things you can ask for in a contemporary book is in here. Including a bitchy slut who dug her claws into the H and helped tear H/h apart (but he let her, so it's all his fault).
Why 1.5 stars off? Cuz I'm not a fan of TOO much pain and angst, and this was a never-ending bleeding pool of it. And if there is going to be all this pain an angst, then I want the H to be EXTREMELY worthy. He kinda wasn't. This is where he reminds me of Charlie Hunnam's Jax in Sons of Anarchy -- being with women who he knows aren't good for him as a way to punish himself bc he doesn't think he'll ever be good enough for h.
There's something really... cowardly in that approach. If you don't think you're worthy of h, don't be with anyone! (I know, fantasy and fiction - this is why I am hooked on the Pure/ Dark Ones series by Aja James and NOT this kinda stuff).
OR, if you have to stick your P into something, go after some random, harmless chicks that you can't even recall the names of, don't go picking on the black widow spider, for f-ing sakes!!!!
So, I felt like the H didn't really deserve all the h's love, cuz the h just wasn't worthy enough.
March 11, 2020
It is nearly midnight when I finished this. I have to say from all the books I read by Miss Jackson, Pieces of Us is by far the perfect one. Her signature angst writing style belnds perfectly.
Miss Jackson creates the perfect chatacters in Pieces of Us. Maxton who is truly a broken hero and Izzy that perfect heroine.
What us lacking is the conclusion. Even when I got to the part of their past, I fee I need something more twisted plot. The ending I feel a bit abrupt and forced. What a pity for such beautiful story.
Overal I enjoy this book very much.
4 stars
Miss Jackson creates the perfect chatacters in Pieces of Us. Maxton who is truly a broken hero and Izzy that perfect heroine.
What us lacking is the conclusion. Even when I got to the part of their past, I fee I need something more twisted plot. The ending I feel a bit abrupt and forced. What a pity for such beautiful story.
Overal I enjoy this book very much.
4 stars
April 21, 2019
MACK'S BOOK!!!!
We already met cop Maxon in the first two books. Now he's telling us his own story.
He's just minding his own business in a store when suddenly his past comes crashing back into his life.
Izzy. Isabel.
The girl he's been in love with since he was four years old. They loved each other so much. Whenever he was with her he could leave his horrible life for a few beautiful hours.
And then - when they were only 17 - he ended it. Of course he only did it for her own good - she shouldn't be with someone like him - his life is too dangerous!
But she just didn't understand. Izzy was heartbroken. She left town and never came back.
Until now ... and she has her reasons for moving back in with her parents ....
What will happen with Izzy & Mack?
Will there be a HEA for our two darlings???
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺
══════════════════
Well, that was adorable!
And sweet and sad and most of all .... heartbreaking.
Those back-in-time chapters! Ugh. Poor little Mack! #Crying
And the crying wasn't only happening in those chapters. It's a really moving second-chance love story!
I adored Dillon and Benjamin! And the parents. And the other couples and kids from the previous books! Great cast - this would make an amazing Netflix show!
PIECES OF US was such an adorable & heartbreaking and exciting second-chance love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Mack - this one is MINE!
♡
♡
!!! Tiny little rant coming !!! Please keep walking if you can't handle it ;)
Amy. WHY AMY?! Why do you write the way you do? Did you learn that in a weird creative writing class in college? Do the people in your life talk like that? I mean, even if they do - it doesn't belong in a book. Written in a book. It's a book because it's not a movie or a conversation in real life. Book people DO NOT leave out the words at the beginning of a sentence. All your characters do that. In all your books! WHY? It sounds so stupid and ridiculous and it stops my reading flow and sometimes I have to read it three times to understand what you meant! I just don't get why you do that. It bothers me to no end and I can't believe I'm the first person to ever tell you that!
Your overly poetic writing wasn't as bad in this book - it still got on my nerve a lot, but it wasn't too bad - at least in the beginning.
But the leaving out the I's or the THE's etc. at the beginning of a sentence or after a comma - nope. Not cool! I love your stories - how much emotion you put in there, but the writing is sooo different from every other author out there - and not in a good way. I don't like it. I can't believe I'm the only one, but I've never seen anyone complain about it before, so it could be just me and my weird reading OCD. ☺ No offense intended. YOU WRITE YOU AMY! Don't listen to me. ♥
October 28, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
Daddy-the-Great looks like he might be at his wit’s end. Grams said she is always at her wit’s end, and I don’t think we need to be driving Daddy there, too. It seems like a dangerous place to be. We might need an intervention.
I looked at Ian’s infant who was wearing nothing but a towel duct taped around his waist… “If you can get her into her bed for a nap without waking her up, I’ll give you a thousand dollars. Strike that, I’ll give you my car.”
Pulling me closer, she hiked up on her toes and murmured quietly in my ear so only I could hear, “Now don’t go and do something stupid like hurt my daughter. I’ll hunt you down and cut off your balls. Know it took some big ones for you to show up here today, so use ’em wisely.”
That’s a really bad word, Mr. Mack. Don’t tell me you really are a troublemaker, too. Mom’s already got her hands full with the two of us.
My Review:
A.L. Jackson seems to revel in anchoring her compelling yet broken and deeply flawed characters in misery, angst, melodrama, distress, and indecision while keeping her storylines fraught with tension. Thank goodness she always plants a few adorable children without filters on their mouths within her addictive stories to provide comic relief. Like the previous two books in this series, Pieces of Us was an intriguing, tragic, and heart squeezing second chance romance with elements of suspense and a ton of heartbreaking family drama. My poor coronary muscle feels battered and bruised and is in dire need of wine therapy and lighter fare. I’m thinking a vat of Moscato and a nice relaxing romantic comedy is in order for my next read.
Daddy-the-Great looks like he might be at his wit’s end. Grams said she is always at her wit’s end, and I don’t think we need to be driving Daddy there, too. It seems like a dangerous place to be. We might need an intervention.
I looked at Ian’s infant who was wearing nothing but a towel duct taped around his waist… “If you can get her into her bed for a nap without waking her up, I’ll give you a thousand dollars. Strike that, I’ll give you my car.”
Pulling me closer, she hiked up on her toes and murmured quietly in my ear so only I could hear, “Now don’t go and do something stupid like hurt my daughter. I’ll hunt you down and cut off your balls. Know it took some big ones for you to show up here today, so use ’em wisely.”
That’s a really bad word, Mr. Mack. Don’t tell me you really are a troublemaker, too. Mom’s already got her hands full with the two of us.
My Review:
A.L. Jackson seems to revel in anchoring her compelling yet broken and deeply flawed characters in misery, angst, melodrama, distress, and indecision while keeping her storylines fraught with tension. Thank goodness she always plants a few adorable children without filters on their mouths within her addictive stories to provide comic relief. Like the previous two books in this series, Pieces of Us was an intriguing, tragic, and heart squeezing second chance romance with elements of suspense and a ton of heartbreaking family drama. My poor coronary muscle feels battered and bruised and is in dire need of wine therapy and lighter fare. I’m thinking a vat of Moscato and a nice relaxing romantic comedy is in order for my next read.
April 22, 2019
The trope is old,red it before. H is a weak guy who protects the heroine when he pushes her out of his life .
he then sleeps with evil OW because he deserves her. The hook up aka relationship with shedevil is longer than 12 years.
Wow but while the hero f.... the other Woman he was only in love with our h. He can‘t help himself if he gets a hard-on for the other woman.I feel sorry for him ,poor guy...
Thank you for this devotion and love I can feel through the pages.
he then sleeps with evil OW because he deserves her. The hook up aka relationship with shedevil is longer than 12 years.
Wow but while the hero f.... the other Woman he was only in love with our h. He can‘t help himself if he gets a hard-on for the other woman.I feel sorry for him ,poor guy...
Thank you for this devotion and love I can feel through the pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2019
I'm so angry right now!! So so angry!!!
What a piece of sh*t was this hero and what a doormat heroine!!!!
She was the love of his life, he was thinking about her every minute of every far during their 13 years separation!! But he didn't talk about how was her life with her parents who lived near him, he didn't call her, he didn't answer phone when she called him and needed him most!! What a piece of sh#t!!!
She was home alone when she started giving a birth to her first child. She waited at home for him to come with her to hospital! He didn't even know she was pregnant!! Stupid woman! Her child had a palsy because of her!!!!
It's quite unbelievable for first pregnancy, I mean with first signs of pain women go to hospital in rush!!
I didn't believe in the cause of falling them apart. He went from her bed to f#ck another women...
He pushed her away too strong and too unforgettable! I would not forget this kind of crap!!
I've read till the end because I love this author's style. But this story didn't work for me.
There were a bit of grovelling but she had her panties wet for him in seconds... This doesn't work for me!!!
What a piece of sh*t was this hero and what a doormat heroine!!!!
She was the love of his life, he was thinking about her every minute of every far during their 13 years separation!! But he didn't talk about how was her life with her parents who lived near him, he didn't call her, he didn't answer phone when she called him and needed him most!! What a piece of sh#t!!!
She was home alone when she started giving a birth to her first child. She waited at home for him to come with her to hospital! He didn't even know she was pregnant!! Stupid woman! Her child had a palsy because of her!!!!
It's quite unbelievable for first pregnancy, I mean with first signs of pain women go to hospital in rush!!
I didn't believe in the cause of falling them apart. He went from her bed to f#ck another women...
He pushed her away too strong and too unforgettable! I would not forget this kind of crap!!
I've read till the end because I love this author's style. But this story didn't work for me.
There were a bit of grovelling but she had her panties wet for him in seconds... This doesn't work for me!!!
April 29, 2019
This review says everything I need to know:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am beginning to think all the high reviews are bullshit.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am beginning to think all the high reviews are bullshit.
April 23, 2019
Very enjoyable...review to come...someday ;)
April 22, 2019
➳ Rate: 5 / 5 stars
Oh my god guys! I don't even have words so this might be a short review but Mack.. oh my sweet Mack... he owns my heart. His and Izzy story was angst filled and burned me slow to the ground with the love pouring from their souls and the hurt these two carried over their past.
It was a beautiful love story and oh so sweet. My heart was so warm while reading this book. The love between them and the love Izzy had for her kids and then how fast and how hard Mack loved them too. I could cry over how sweet it all was. I loved them all so much.
Honestly, although there was a lot of hurt and a huge secret between Izzy and Mack, you could feel how much they still loved and yearned for each other from their first encounter once Izzy is back in town. She tried to stay away from him, tried to pretend she didn't love him and would never give him a second chance but she was powerless to fight their connection, specially after she told him her big secret. Oh my poor heart felt so much for Mack. Even though he's the one who did Izzy wrong in the past, you have no doubt from the very beginning he did it out of love, because he loved her so much he was willing to let her go so she could have a better life. And when he learns that he was deprived of much more than the love of his life for the past 12 years... it's heartbreaking to see him suffer.
And the friendship between Mack, Ian and Jace was stronger then ever! Their little moments and teases were so funny and cute. They all go on a triple date at some point and omg seeing them all together is AMAZING. How happy Ian and Jace are for Mack is so damn sweet. I love their friendship.
I just honestly loved this book, everything from the relationship when they were kids, the one they had now and all othe relationships in the book. It was the perfect conclusion to this wonderful series. It tied all three books so well and that ENDING. I am not gonna lie, I teared up while reading it.
What you can expect in Pieces of Us:
♡second chance romance
♡a lot of angst
♡slow burn
♡broken hero
♡mystery
♡and a whole lot of love!
A. L. Jackson's writing is just as amazing as ever. I don't know what it was about this story but it pulled me in from the get go and it was impossible not to love these characters to pieces.
➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.
➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US
➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter
Oh my god guys! I don't even have words so this might be a short review but Mack.. oh my sweet Mack... he owns my heart. His and Izzy story was angst filled and burned me slow to the ground with the love pouring from their souls and the hurt these two carried over their past.
It was a beautiful love story and oh so sweet. My heart was so warm while reading this book. The love between them and the love Izzy had for her kids and then how fast and how hard Mack loved them too. I could cry over how sweet it all was. I loved them all so much.
Honestly, although there was a lot of hurt and a huge secret between Izzy and Mack, you could feel how much they still loved and yearned for each other from their first encounter once Izzy is back in town. She tried to stay away from him, tried to pretend she didn't love him and would never give him a second chance but she was powerless to fight their connection, specially after she told him her big secret. Oh my poor heart felt so much for Mack. Even though he's the one who did Izzy wrong in the past, you have no doubt from the very beginning he did it out of love, because he loved her so much he was willing to let her go so she could have a better life. And when he learns that he was deprived of much more than the love of his life for the past 12 years... it's heartbreaking to see him suffer.
And the friendship between Mack, Ian and Jace was stronger then ever! Their little moments and teases were so funny and cute. They all go on a triple date at some point and omg seeing them all together is AMAZING. How happy Ian and Jace are for Mack is so damn sweet. I love their friendship.
I just honestly loved this book, everything from the relationship when they were kids, the one they had now and all othe relationships in the book. It was the perfect conclusion to this wonderful series. It tied all three books so well and that ENDING. I am not gonna lie, I teared up while reading it.
What you can expect in Pieces of Us:
♡second chance romance
♡a lot of angst
♡slow burn
♡broken hero
♡mystery
♡and a whole lot of love!
A. L. Jackson's writing is just as amazing as ever. I don't know what it was about this story but it pulled me in from the get go and it was impossible not to love these characters to pieces.
➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.
➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US
➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter
April 24, 2019
*******SPOILERS*******
Eh. It had the cheating trope I was looking for........but, eh. Didn't care for the writing, an example: "I blinked open my eyes, mind slowed with the drugs I could feel slogging through my veins.
But my sight was clear.
My heart right.
Soul no longer bent.” Kinda that KA, choppy, incomplete thought, Yoda poop style. It had a LOT going on, too. From secret baby, that baby having a serious disability, h having a second child, failed marriage, H past child abuse, death of a parent, parent going to jail, suspense, attempted murder of H, wanna be love interest of h, evil ow, gang of car thieves, it just goes on and on. I like cheaty, angsty romance and that isn't a shocker if you are a friend of mine (someone, who shall remain unnamed which will seriously piss her off bc she wants to be named😜, called into question my morals bc of my reading tastes) but I want that to be the focus of the book. It's not here, but that's on me bc I should have read more reviews. So this was a long ass review to say ~ I'm rating on the writing ~ lol.
Eh. It had the cheating trope I was looking for........but, eh. Didn't care for the writing, an example: "I blinked open my eyes, mind slowed with the drugs I could feel slogging through my veins.
But my sight was clear.
My heart right.
Soul no longer bent.” Kinda that KA, choppy, incomplete thought, Yoda poop style. It had a LOT going on, too. From secret baby, that baby having a serious disability, h having a second child, failed marriage, H past child abuse, death of a parent, parent going to jail, suspense, attempted murder of H, wanna be love interest of h, evil ow, gang of car thieves, it just goes on and on. I like cheaty, angsty romance and that isn't a shocker if you are a friend of mine (someone, who shall remain unnamed which will seriously piss her off bc she wants to be named😜, called into question my morals bc of my reading tastes) but I want that to be the focus of the book. It's not here, but that's on me bc I should have read more reviews. So this was a long ass review to say ~ I'm rating on the writing ~ lol.
April 17, 2019
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
"The man had always bled pain. It was his biggest pitfall-his refusal to see that he could live outside of it. The belief that maybe my love could have been enough."
Pieces of Us is an emotional and beautiful second-chance contemporary romance. Maxon (Mack) already made an appearance in the previous two books of this series, so I already felt a bond with him. I wanted to meet the woman who would show him that he was worthy of happiness, love and a family. Izzy is his childhood friend turned lover who has left the town more than ten years ago after a very difficult decision Mack made. He got wrapped up with the wrong people, and he wanted to protect Izzy and her family so he broke her heart. I absolutely loved the flashbacks because they gave me a background story and explained the dynamics of their relationship. Mack still thinks Izzy deserves better, but that definitely doesn't stop him from pursuing her. He wants to do better and prove that he deserves a second chance.
"You are my heart. The one I ache for. The one I need. The moon in my sky."
The plot isn't one that hasn't been told before, however, I can always depend on Amy to create great, likable and intriguing characters. They are the heart of the story and I especially love when she writes a second-chance romance. I always feel very connected and feel a deep understanding for her characters actions. Mack and Izzy were a beautiful couple with a strong history and love. There were also two extra characters that were a great addition to the story, I absolutely loved their interaction with Mack. It was also nice for the previous two couples to make appearances in this book, so I could catch up on what they have been up to. Confessions of the Heart series is a great contemporary romance series, and Pieces of Us was a great addition to it. I already look forward to Amy's next project, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
"The man had always bled pain. It was his biggest pitfall-his refusal to see that he could live outside of it. The belief that maybe my love could have been enough."
Pieces of Us is an emotional and beautiful second-chance contemporary romance. Maxon (Mack) already made an appearance in the previous two books of this series, so I already felt a bond with him. I wanted to meet the woman who would show him that he was worthy of happiness, love and a family. Izzy is his childhood friend turned lover who has left the town more than ten years ago after a very difficult decision Mack made. He got wrapped up with the wrong people, and he wanted to protect Izzy and her family so he broke her heart. I absolutely loved the flashbacks because they gave me a background story and explained the dynamics of their relationship. Mack still thinks Izzy deserves better, but that definitely doesn't stop him from pursuing her. He wants to do better and prove that he deserves a second chance.
"You are my heart. The one I ache for. The one I need. The moon in my sky."
The plot isn't one that hasn't been told before, however, I can always depend on Amy to create great, likable and intriguing characters. They are the heart of the story and I especially love when she writes a second-chance romance. I always feel very connected and feel a deep understanding for her characters actions. Mack and Izzy were a beautiful couple with a strong history and love. There were also two extra characters that were a great addition to the story, I absolutely loved their interaction with Mack. It was also nice for the previous two couples to make appearances in this book, so I could catch up on what they have been up to. Confessions of the Heart series is a great contemporary romance series, and Pieces of Us was a great addition to it. I already look forward to Amy's next project, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
April 22, 2019
***Spoiler free review***
A long weekend is the perfect time to get lost in a book written by Amy and I had every intention of reading this over several days. However, my book took control of my good intentions and within 24 hours I had inhaled this fabulous story!
This is the third story in the Confessions of the Heart series and whilst this can be read as a stand alone, I really do recommend that you read the other books as there is a little bit of cross over of characters. Maxon has been involved in the background of the preceding books and his story has been a long time coming and so worth the wait!
‘There’s never been a single day in my life when I didn’t want you. We are endless.’
Mack and Izzy grew up together, they were childhood friends from a very young age and this then grew into love when they were teenagers. Izzy comes from a loving family home, Maxon lives in a house filled with anger and resentment. He seeks solace at Izzy’s house and her parents have always welcomed him with open arms, knowing that it was the only thing they could offer him.
Mack & Izzy planned to spend the rest of their lives together but in their last year of high school something changed. Mack knew that he couldn’t live with himself if something terrible happened to her so he made a decision that would change the path of their lives forever. Effectively ending their dreams of a happy ever after together.
Thirteen years later, Izzy has returned to her hometown of Broadshire Rim to live with her parents. She is getting settled into a new routine, new job and the support of her family is a integral part of that. She knows she will likely bump into Mack but if she can avoid it for a while, until she is ready to see him again, that will give her time to form her thoughts and think about how she will handle it.
Mack is overwhelmed with so many feeling and memories when he first sees Izzy again. She is just as beautiful, if not more, as she was when they were teenagers. He can tell that life has not been easy for her and he is filled with a sense of concern for her too. That protective tendency he always had when he was around her is at the forefront of his mind.
‘I’d risk all of that to get one more look at her. Figure out if she was actually as worn down as it’d appeared. Fix it, if I could. Wondering if she would let me. Knowing I didn’t deserve the chance.’
Mack is just as gorgeous as she remembers and Izzy is flooded with memories of their teenage love. She is kidding herself if she thinks she doesn’t still love this man. They are both single and there isn’t any reason why they can’t rekindle what they once had but will it really be worth all the heartache? What if she opens herself up to him and he stomps on her heart again when he decides to walk away again?
‘I wanted to shield myself from it, but there I was, sucking down his aura. An intoxicating cocktail of the woods and the sea. All man. All sex.’
‘The man a hardbound book. Grief almost cut me in two. I ached, and I wanted to reach out and turn the pages. Read everything that was inside.’
Okay, there is SO MUCH MORE to this story that I haven’t even touched on. Trust me, there is a hugely integral part of this story that I don’t want to spoil for anyone so I’ve deliberately left it out of my review. This story was absolutely heart warming and I loved every moment of this wonderful reading experience!
‘Damn you, Maxon Chambers.’ I grabbed her hand and pressed her knuckles to my lips. ‘Was damned without you. Took my first real breath in years the second I saw you standing in that store.’
A long weekend is the perfect time to get lost in a book written by Amy and I had every intention of reading this over several days. However, my book took control of my good intentions and within 24 hours I had inhaled this fabulous story!
This is the third story in the Confessions of the Heart series and whilst this can be read as a stand alone, I really do recommend that you read the other books as there is a little bit of cross over of characters. Maxon has been involved in the background of the preceding books and his story has been a long time coming and so worth the wait!
‘There’s never been a single day in my life when I didn’t want you. We are endless.’
Mack and Izzy grew up together, they were childhood friends from a very young age and this then grew into love when they were teenagers. Izzy comes from a loving family home, Maxon lives in a house filled with anger and resentment. He seeks solace at Izzy’s house and her parents have always welcomed him with open arms, knowing that it was the only thing they could offer him.
Mack & Izzy planned to spend the rest of their lives together but in their last year of high school something changed. Mack knew that he couldn’t live with himself if something terrible happened to her so he made a decision that would change the path of their lives forever. Effectively ending their dreams of a happy ever after together.
Thirteen years later, Izzy has returned to her hometown of Broadshire Rim to live with her parents. She is getting settled into a new routine, new job and the support of her family is a integral part of that. She knows she will likely bump into Mack but if she can avoid it for a while, until she is ready to see him again, that will give her time to form her thoughts and think about how she will handle it.
Mack is overwhelmed with so many feeling and memories when he first sees Izzy again. She is just as beautiful, if not more, as she was when they were teenagers. He can tell that life has not been easy for her and he is filled with a sense of concern for her too. That protective tendency he always had when he was around her is at the forefront of his mind.
‘I’d risk all of that to get one more look at her. Figure out if she was actually as worn down as it’d appeared. Fix it, if I could. Wondering if she would let me. Knowing I didn’t deserve the chance.’
Mack is just as gorgeous as she remembers and Izzy is flooded with memories of their teenage love. She is kidding herself if she thinks she doesn’t still love this man. They are both single and there isn’t any reason why they can’t rekindle what they once had but will it really be worth all the heartache? What if she opens herself up to him and he stomps on her heart again when he decides to walk away again?
‘I wanted to shield myself from it, but there I was, sucking down his aura. An intoxicating cocktail of the woods and the sea. All man. All sex.’
‘The man a hardbound book. Grief almost cut me in two. I ached, and I wanted to reach out and turn the pages. Read everything that was inside.’
Okay, there is SO MUCH MORE to this story that I haven’t even touched on. Trust me, there is a hugely integral part of this story that I don’t want to spoil for anyone so I’ve deliberately left it out of my review. This story was absolutely heart warming and I loved every moment of this wonderful reading experience!
‘Damn you, Maxon Chambers.’ I grabbed her hand and pressed her knuckles to my lips. ‘Was damned without you. Took my first real breath in years the second I saw you standing in that store.’
July 21, 2019
Every time I read an A.L. Jackson book I know I'll be gutted, my heart will be shredded and eventually but ever so slowly she will piece it back together again.
Pieces of us was heartbreaking to the point of tears, sweet and witty with so many smiles and laughs but most of all it was a beautiful story about finding love, letting it go and realizing it was ALWAYS meant to be!
"But whose joy is forgotten is lost. And whose heart is free is found."
Mack was tortured by decisions and actions he made in the past but what happens when that past shows up when least expected? Izzy has always loved Mack since she was four years old and then he destroyed her, destroyed them but what happens when they come face to face again? I inhaled this story, flipping through page after page until I was at a point where there were no more pages, just left breathless from a story that stole my heart and my soul!
"There's not enough time in eternity for me to use up the love I have for you. "
How do you move on from a book that has utterly and unequivocally seeped into you....mind, body and soul with words that will stay with you long after they're read? That is what happens when you read an A.L. Jackson book!
Pieces of us was heartbreaking to the point of tears, sweet and witty with so many smiles and laughs but most of all it was a beautiful story about finding love, letting it go and realizing it was ALWAYS meant to be!
"But whose joy is forgotten is lost. And whose heart is free is found."
Mack was tortured by decisions and actions he made in the past but what happens when that past shows up when least expected? Izzy has always loved Mack since she was four years old and then he destroyed her, destroyed them but what happens when they come face to face again? I inhaled this story, flipping through page after page until I was at a point where there were no more pages, just left breathless from a story that stole my heart and my soul!
"There's not enough time in eternity for me to use up the love I have for you. "
How do you move on from a book that has utterly and unequivocally seeped into you....mind, body and soul with words that will stay with you long after they're read? That is what happens when you read an A.L. Jackson book!
April 19, 2019
Oh, my heart! I couldn't click fast enough reading this beautiful book.
It's passionate, it's emotional... it's perfect. I fell in love with Izzy right away--with her funny, sweet self, and Mack... omg. Hold me back! He is SO FINE. I just love a broken man with a gun... lol!
These two are survivors. They're so strong, and watching them find their way back to each other is intense and thrilling and SEXY... ahh!!!
Get ready, because this story will pull you in and hold you well past the final words. It's classic AL Jackson--beautiful, poetic, and intense. Cuddle up and ENJOY!
*It's a total stand-alone, so don't be afraid to dive right into this gorgeous FIVE STAR read! Highly recommend!
It's passionate, it's emotional... it's perfect. I fell in love with Izzy right away--with her funny, sweet self, and Mack... omg. Hold me back! He is SO FINE. I just love a broken man with a gun... lol!
These two are survivors. They're so strong, and watching them find their way back to each other is intense and thrilling and SEXY... ahh!!!
Get ready, because this story will pull you in and hold you well past the final words. It's classic AL Jackson--beautiful, poetic, and intense. Cuddle up and ENJOY!
*It's a total stand-alone, so don't be afraid to dive right into this gorgeous FIVE STAR read! Highly recommend!
April 12, 2019
I’ve been shaken, ripped apart and shattered. A thousand tiny pieces of hope just scattered on the ground.
That’s how I feel every time I read an AL Jackson book.
But... you know she’s going to pick those pieces of hope up chunks at a time.
I’m certain this book is one of her most emotional reads. She had me blubbering for so long and then
I felt it, that lift to my heart, those pieces gluing together and nothing was going to break them
apart again.
Get ready babes for a journey that will tangle you up and bend you.
It’s heartbreaking.
It’s beautiful.
It’s precious.
It’s healing.
Pieces of Us, it’s everything.
Kathy Coopmans
USA Today Bestselling Author.
That’s how I feel every time I read an AL Jackson book.
But... you know she’s going to pick those pieces of hope up chunks at a time.
I’m certain this book is one of her most emotional reads. She had me blubbering for so long and then
I felt it, that lift to my heart, those pieces gluing together and nothing was going to break them
apart again.
Get ready babes for a journey that will tangle you up and bend you.
It’s heartbreaking.
It’s beautiful.
It’s precious.
It’s healing.
Pieces of Us, it’s everything.
Kathy Coopmans
USA Today Bestselling Author.
October 28, 2019
No one does single parent, second chance romance like AL Jackson and Pieces of Us is exactly that! You don't need to have read Ian and Jace's story to enjoy Maxon and Izzy either, so feel free to pick this one up now!
Izzy's childhood dream was to be Maxon's wife. Then he crushed her, she left town and tried to move on with her life. She has two amazing sons, one who just got accepted into an experimental trial forcing Izzy to return home. Maxon is now a local cop and lives next to Izzy's parents, so avoidance isn't going to be an option. I love a cop hero!
Pieces of Us will repeatedly punch you in the feels and you will keep coming back for more. Mack broke up with Izzy when they were kids because, like a typical man, it was best for her (according to him). He was a wrong side of the tracks kid with trouble to boot. Izzy's kids are delightful and way too smart for their age. They really added such joy and love to the story. And I loved her parents! Her mom is a hoot! I think these characters were necessary to keep the story from getting TOO HEAVY, you know? Jackson does well of creating angst but not making the entire book angst. That's not an easy line to walk and not all authors do it well. There is some other woman drama that made me want to throat punch Maxon. That's probably what kept this from being a 5 star read for me.
POV: dual 1st
Tears: yes
Trope: second chance romance, single mom
Triggers:
Series/Standalone: standalone within an interconnected series.
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
other contemporary romance authors like Melanie Harlow, Corinne Michaels, Kennedy Ryan, Mia Sheridan...then you will probably like Pieces of Us!
Pieces of Us
“I’m not gonna let you fall,” he told her, his voice sounding like laughter, climbing higher and higher, propelling himself up with his hands and feet, so fast she thought he might be flying.
He made it all the way up to where she was, and he looped an arm around her waist and hauled her up so she could sit on a branch, freeing the weight from her arms. And it felt so good and hurt all over and she was crying again.
Relief.
She wanted to hug him and hug him and hug him.
“What you cryin’ for, Little Bird?”
Hiccupping, she wiped the tears and the snot from her face. “Cuz I didn’t wanna die. You saved me.”
He laughed. “I wasn’t gonna let you die, silly. I heard you, and I came running. That’s all you gotta do. Just start yellin’, and I’ll know when you need me to save you.”
She sniffled a little, a smile pulling to her face. “Okay. But what if you’re not strong enough?”
Except, he seemed pretty strong. Maybe even stronger than her daddy. Brave to come rushing right up that tree like it was nothin’.
“Psh. What are you talkin’ about? Don’t you know I’m a dragon?”
He flexed his scrawny arms, his biceps the size of tangerines.
“A dragon?” she asked, curiosity making her eyes pinch.
“Dragons are the strongest and the fastest and the fiercest. So scary. Just like me. Except you don’t gotta be afraid because I’m a good dragon. Even my mama says so.”
“Okay,” she agreed super fast because that sounded just fine to her.
Then he smiled softer. “Little Bird, Little Bird, stuck in a tree.”
She giggled, her heart feeling light. “Dragon, dragon, come and rescue me.”
He grinned so wide that she couldn’t help but laugh again. “That’s right. Just like that.”See full review on The Book Disciple
April 21, 2019
This last book in the Confessions of the Heart series, could very well be the most powerful one of all. All along I've been very curious about Maxon Chambers. The man who seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he made sure that his brothers, his best friends in Jace and Ian Jacobs, rose above their tortured pasts and had the lives they deserved. His protective ways seemed to help everyone else he cared for, but who was going to save him? His loner ways broke my heart and yet A.L. Jackson in her wickedly masterful ways gave him the only balm that could ever repair his shattered soul: the woman he had to let go of all those years ago, his Izzy.
Oh my goodness. From the very start I fell into the gloriously perfect pace Of Pieces of Us. It is just written so damn beautifully. I was afraid to put it down for fear that I would regret finishing it way too quickly. The words are full of the kind of angst I can't help but get lost in with Jackson once again, bringing her writing to a whole other level. It's honestly an honor being able to experience her gift of storytelling.
Getting both Mack's and Izzy's POVs told the whole story. The way they separated when just 18 years old. The way they still loved each other from afar and the way they both hurt deep inside. The secrets they held from back then are revealed in a timely manner and the shock felt by Mack at what Izzy has been hiding for so long gutted me as well. I could feel every ounce of pure heartache at what Mack may have felt was his fault. That revelation continued the thoughts in his head that he would never truly be the Dragon who could slay anything in the path of his Little Bird. The notion of never being good enough still at the forefront of his mind. These deep feelings felt by both Mack and Izzy are literally dripping off of each page and I was more than happy to soak up each and every one.
What these two have been through at times felt as if they had been cheated because of simply wanting what was best for the other. Even if that meant never seeing each other ever again. But in their misguided and youthful brains, being a bit rash seemed to be the answer. Now in the present, it was painstakingly clear that both Mack and Izzy have grown. They have become more than worthy of each other's love and their journey, full of stops and starts, was finally on the right track.
I loved that Mack knew what he wanted, no matter what challenges he might be facing. Izzy was his and there was no way in hell he was ever letting her go. And I also loved that Izzy didn't make him wait too long before she let him back into her life, allowing him to be a part of her crazy world, which now included than he could have imagined.
A.L. Jackson lets this second chance romance simmer at the right temperature. Mack and Izzy have that undeniable heat that even 13 years apart can't extinguish. There is the right amount of passion, mixed impeccably with sincere emotion as they finally find their rhythm once more. This one has ALL the feels times ten and I happily got lost in every single one. There is also a bit of mystery and danger that is truly an added bonus. It gave Izzy and Mack even more reason to show why they are a caring and dedicated couple and how their pasts and past actions don't define them. They are fierce together and that was all the more reason to smile through some nail-biting moments.
With scene-stealing characters in Dillon, Benjamin and Mr. and Mrs. Lane, not to mention the continued support from Jace, Ian, Faith and Grace and their expanding families, Pieces of Us is definitely the ultimate conclusion to this incredible trilogy. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single minute and honestly can't recommend this book and series highly enough.
5++++ stars!
Oh my goodness. From the very start I fell into the gloriously perfect pace Of Pieces of Us. It is just written so damn beautifully. I was afraid to put it down for fear that I would regret finishing it way too quickly. The words are full of the kind of angst I can't help but get lost in with Jackson once again, bringing her writing to a whole other level. It's honestly an honor being able to experience her gift of storytelling.
Getting both Mack's and Izzy's POVs told the whole story. The way they separated when just 18 years old. The way they still loved each other from afar and the way they both hurt deep inside. The secrets they held from back then are revealed in a timely manner and the shock felt by Mack at what Izzy has been hiding for so long gutted me as well. I could feel every ounce of pure heartache at what Mack may have felt was his fault. That revelation continued the thoughts in his head that he would never truly be the Dragon who could slay anything in the path of his Little Bird. The notion of never being good enough still at the forefront of his mind. These deep feelings felt by both Mack and Izzy are literally dripping off of each page and I was more than happy to soak up each and every one.
What these two have been through at times felt as if they had been cheated because of simply wanting what was best for the other. Even if that meant never seeing each other ever again. But in their misguided and youthful brains, being a bit rash seemed to be the answer. Now in the present, it was painstakingly clear that both Mack and Izzy have grown. They have become more than worthy of each other's love and their journey, full of stops and starts, was finally on the right track.
I loved that Mack knew what he wanted, no matter what challenges he might be facing. Izzy was his and there was no way in hell he was ever letting her go. And I also loved that Izzy didn't make him wait too long before she let him back into her life, allowing him to be a part of her crazy world, which now included than he could have imagined.
A.L. Jackson lets this second chance romance simmer at the right temperature. Mack and Izzy have that undeniable heat that even 13 years apart can't extinguish. There is the right amount of passion, mixed impeccably with sincere emotion as they finally find their rhythm once more. This one has ALL the feels times ten and I happily got lost in every single one. There is also a bit of mystery and danger that is truly an added bonus. It gave Izzy and Mack even more reason to show why they are a caring and dedicated couple and how their pasts and past actions don't define them. They are fierce together and that was all the more reason to smile through some nail-biting moments.
With scene-stealing characters in Dillon, Benjamin and Mr. and Mrs. Lane, not to mention the continued support from Jace, Ian, Faith and Grace and their expanding families, Pieces of Us is definitely the ultimate conclusion to this incredible trilogy. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single minute and honestly can't recommend this book and series highly enough.
5++++ stars!
April 22, 2019
4.5, Little Bird, Stars!!
“She was the kind of beauty that you couldn’t look away from. The kind that you got stuck on, wondering if you stared long enough, you could figure out if it was real.”
“My entire life had been nothing but a string of hurdles. No finish line in sight. Except for Izzy. She’d been my beginning. The girl had breathed her beauty and grace and goodness into my being. Made me think I could be something better. Saw me in a way I’d never seen myself.”
“He took a step forward, and I swore, I could feel the planets shift their orbit. Or maybe they’d shifted the second I’d crossed state lines. Our destinies had always felt dependent on the other, though I’d never imagined it’d twist our paths up quite like this. We had come alive in the other. A million mismatched pieces strewn between us that had magically fit.”
“There’s never been a single day in my life when I didn’t want you. We are endless.”
To me, there is nothing better then seeing a new book from A.L. Jackson hitting my kindle. I know right away that I am about to go on an amazing, incredible, beautiful journey. I know that the ride is going to play with my emotions and leaving hanging on every word. I know that every moment will pull at my heart and leave me aching for more. And Pieces of Us is the latest book by this author to capture my heart and find its way into my soul…
Pieces of Us is a beautifully written and all consuming second chance romance. It is the most epic kind of love story. It’s the kind of story that grabs you from the first page and that will have you hanging on every word. From the moment you meet the characters you are totally swept up in their story and you might as well cancel all of your plans for the day. You won’t want to put their story down and you’ll be dying to see just how their story will play out.
Maxson & Izzy’s road to happily ever after is not an easy one. It’s filled with pain and heartache. Maxon and Izzy will be tested in ways neither one of them ever expected. There is so much for them to move past and so much more to lose this time around. But, the love these two share is real and true and is the kind that’s worth fighting for. Sure both of them made mistakes and Maxon definitely had some demons plaguing him. But, if any couple deserved a second chance at love, it was these two. They fell in love at a young age and had a friendship that many could only wish for. I loved watching these two navigate their way through the past and journey towards their future.
Pieces of Us is the kind of story that just sweeps you up and knocks you off of your feet. It is a story of second chances and love. A story of forgiveness and moving on. Of accepting your faults and opening your heart. A story of taking chances and believing in yourself. A story that just captures you heart and leaves you begging for more. A story of just how complex and tough love can be. How it it can put you through the ringer and test you in ways you never saw coming. It can break you, yet make you even stronger because in the end, true love is always worth the pain, the fight, the heartache…
I loved every moment of this story from beginning to end. Maxon & Izzy stole my heart and took my emotions on a ride that I won’t be forgetting any time soon. A.L. Jackson has once again delivered a heartfelt and emotional romance that will stand the test of time….
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
“She was the kind of beauty that you couldn’t look away from. The kind that you got stuck on, wondering if you stared long enough, you could figure out if it was real.”
“My entire life had been nothing but a string of hurdles. No finish line in sight. Except for Izzy. She’d been my beginning. The girl had breathed her beauty and grace and goodness into my being. Made me think I could be something better. Saw me in a way I’d never seen myself.”
“He took a step forward, and I swore, I could feel the planets shift their orbit. Or maybe they’d shifted the second I’d crossed state lines. Our destinies had always felt dependent on the other, though I’d never imagined it’d twist our paths up quite like this. We had come alive in the other. A million mismatched pieces strewn between us that had magically fit.”
“There’s never been a single day in my life when I didn’t want you. We are endless.”
To me, there is nothing better then seeing a new book from A.L. Jackson hitting my kindle. I know right away that I am about to go on an amazing, incredible, beautiful journey. I know that the ride is going to play with my emotions and leaving hanging on every word. I know that every moment will pull at my heart and leave me aching for more. And Pieces of Us is the latest book by this author to capture my heart and find its way into my soul…
Pieces of Us is a beautifully written and all consuming second chance romance. It is the most epic kind of love story. It’s the kind of story that grabs you from the first page and that will have you hanging on every word. From the moment you meet the characters you are totally swept up in their story and you might as well cancel all of your plans for the day. You won’t want to put their story down and you’ll be dying to see just how their story will play out.
Maxson & Izzy’s road to happily ever after is not an easy one. It’s filled with pain and heartache. Maxon and Izzy will be tested in ways neither one of them ever expected. There is so much for them to move past and so much more to lose this time around. But, the love these two share is real and true and is the kind that’s worth fighting for. Sure both of them made mistakes and Maxon definitely had some demons plaguing him. But, if any couple deserved a second chance at love, it was these two. They fell in love at a young age and had a friendship that many could only wish for. I loved watching these two navigate their way through the past and journey towards their future.
Pieces of Us is the kind of story that just sweeps you up and knocks you off of your feet. It is a story of second chances and love. A story of forgiveness and moving on. Of accepting your faults and opening your heart. A story of taking chances and believing in yourself. A story that just captures you heart and leaves you begging for more. A story of just how complex and tough love can be. How it it can put you through the ringer and test you in ways you never saw coming. It can break you, yet make you even stronger because in the end, true love is always worth the pain, the fight, the heartache…
I loved every moment of this story from beginning to end. Maxon & Izzy stole my heart and took my emotions on a ride that I won’t be forgetting any time soon. A.L. Jackson has once again delivered a heartfelt and emotional romance that will stand the test of time….
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
April 28, 2019
****AVAILABLE NOW - FULL REVIEW ***
5 ENDLESS CROWNS
I absolutely fell in love with Mack and Izzy. Like the other books in this standalone series, Pieces of Us is a tale of a second chances, of a boy who feels unworthy of a girl and grows into a man who will move mountains to prove he is! Gah! Doesn’t that sound like romance perfection?
Mack!! Gah! I’m completely in love with this man. My heart burst with each memory of his childhood that is revealed. It mended a tad with each flashback with Izzy. Seeing him grown...SWOON. He grows in to a man who loves fiercely, driven by his need to protect those he loves.
Izzy is such a strong mom, like the other women in this series, because she has to stand alone and provide for her family. I loved that even with all she has been through she still kept her heart open and was able to forgive.
This story was so much more than a romance. It was about a journey of two people who fit from a young age. It was about not being sucked into who you are supposed to be but who you are meant to become. It showed, like the other stories in the series, that family is way more than blood. Family is the people you put your life on the line for. My heart was so happy at the end of this book that I thought it would burst!
This has been my favorite A.L. jackson book since her Rockstar series. I was totally swept away by their childhood and then later adult romance. I was intrigued by the suspenseful aspect. But ultimately the message and the themes sealed the deal on this must read!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
5 ENDLESS CROWNS
I absolutely fell in love with Mack and Izzy. Like the other books in this standalone series, Pieces of Us is a tale of a second chances, of a boy who feels unworthy of a girl and grows into a man who will move mountains to prove he is! Gah! Doesn’t that sound like romance perfection?
Mack!! Gah! I’m completely in love with this man. My heart burst with each memory of his childhood that is revealed. It mended a tad with each flashback with Izzy. Seeing him grown...SWOON. He grows in to a man who loves fiercely, driven by his need to protect those he loves.
Izzy is such a strong mom, like the other women in this series, because she has to stand alone and provide for her family. I loved that even with all she has been through she still kept her heart open and was able to forgive.
This story was so much more than a romance. It was about a journey of two people who fit from a young age. It was about not being sucked into who you are supposed to be but who you are meant to become. It showed, like the other stories in the series, that family is way more than blood. Family is the people you put your life on the line for. My heart was so happy at the end of this book that I thought it would burst!
This has been my favorite A.L. jackson book since her Rockstar series. I was totally swept away by their childhood and then later adult romance. I was intrigued by the suspenseful aspect. But ultimately the message and the themes sealed the deal on this must read!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
September 30, 2019
I could kick myself for not reading this book sooner, but in a way, I am glad I got to experience it for the first time through an audiobook, especially when it's narrated by two of the best in the business (Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan). We meet Maxon and Izzy thirteen years after they last saw one another, and we slowly discover why they broke up so many years before. But Izzy has not had an easy life since Maxon last saw her, and it is not only her forgiveness he will have to earn in order to stand by her side once again. Told through the exquisite prose of the one and only A.L. Jackson, every second I spent listening to this book was sheer bliss.
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