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Tiny Pieces of Us
My heart is less than 1% of my body, it weighs hardly anything; it is only a tiny piece of me, yet it is the part everyone finds most interesting.
Vivi Palmer knows what it's like to live life carefully. Born with a heart defect, she was given a second chance after a transplant, but has never quite dared to make the most of it. Until she comes face-to-face with her donor's mother, Grace, who wants something in return for Vivi's second-hand heart: her help to find all the other people who have tiny pieces of her son.
Reluctantly drawn into Grace's mission, Vivi's journalist training takes over as one by one she tracks down a small group of strangers. As their lives intertwine Vivi finds herself with a new kind of family, and by finding out more about all the pieces that make up the many parts of her, Vivi might just discover a whole new world waiting for her...
- GenresFictionContemporary
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2020
125 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Pellegrino
23 books639 followersI was born and grew up near Liverpool, England. For a while I worked as a magazine journalist in London but then 21 years ago I came on holiday to New Zealand and met my future husband Carne Bidwill at a wedding. Now we live together near a beach in Auckland with our dogs Charlie the standard poodle and Lucy the pointer. I spend my time writing novels, working as a freelance journalist, riding my two horses, growing veges in my garden, cooking, trying to get other people to cook for me, eating and reading. There isn't much time for anything else except a little light housework.
My all-time favourite book is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and my book of 2013 was LIfe After LIfe by Kate Atkinson.
I have a website www.nickypellegrino.com
My all-time favourite book is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and my book of 2013 was LIfe After LIfe by Kate Atkinson.
I have a website www.nickypellegrino.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 31, 2022
"Švari širdis, pilna meilės širdis, tyra širdis; kiek daug tikimės iš mums gyvybę palaikančio organo, iš 300 ar panašiai gramų raumens, kamerų ir vožtuvų, kurie suplaka šimtą tūkstančių kartų per dieną. Nebuvau tikra, ar mano širdis tyra, ir jau tikrai ji nebuvo tobula, tačiau žinojau, kad ji pilna meilės, labiau nei bet kada anksčiau. "
Kokia graži knyga, nors labai jautri istorija apie donorystę, bet ji tokia pozityvi ir šilta. Labai patiko! 🧡
Kokia graži knyga, nors labai jautri istorija apie donorystę, bet ji tokia pozityvi ir šilta. Labai patiko! 🧡
October 22, 2020
Tiny Pieces of Us is the twelfth novel by New Zealand author, Nicky Pellegrino. Seven years earlier, when Vivi Palmer was nineteen, a heart transplant saved her life. Now, she’s a journalist at a tabloid paper, the Daily Post and, when her editor, Dan discovers she is a transplant recipient, he immediately wants to use her very personal experience to front a campaign to change the law to opt-out organ donation. Vivi writes her article.
But Dan Parker, who “reckoned it was acceptable to break rules as long as it led to an exclusive and you didn’t get caught”, then takes it further: his research uncovers the name and a photograph of the donor, a sixteen-year-old boy who died tragically in a road accident. Jamie McGrath’s mother, Grace is shocked at the flagrant disregard of privacy, but when she speaks to Vivi, her most fervent wish is to know who received those little pieces of her son, to know they are fulfilling the promising life denied him.
When Vivi meets her, she wants to be a buffer against Grace’s despair, and she promises to do what she can to track down the other five recipients, those lucky people whose lives, or sight, were saved by Grace’s consent to donate. But that proves more challenging than Vivi anticipated.
The obligatory anonymity that is characteristic of organ donation means that no details are forthcoming via official channels, but internet searches and social media produce surprising results. Online recipient forums are common. Her initial efforts find Tommy, who has one of Jamie’s kidneys, and is eager to meet Grace and to help track down other “transplant twins”. But will other recipients feel that way?
Clearly Pellegrino has done a great deal of research into her subject so that, as well as the expected feelings of gratitude and the sense of obligation to make the best of the life extension the transplant has given, she illustrates, for example, the eternal sense of good health/good life guilt that siblings of disease sufferers might feel, and the guilt those disease sufferers feel at always being the centre of the attention of parents.
But her protagonist, Vivi, who carries the bulk of the narrative, is likely to frustrate readers with her “undeserving” attitude and submission to poor treatment. While it begins with a real emotional punch, enough to bring a lump to the throat or tear to the eye, this is noticeably absent for the rest of the story, and it tends to drag a little. A moving and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
But Dan Parker, who “reckoned it was acceptable to break rules as long as it led to an exclusive and you didn’t get caught”, then takes it further: his research uncovers the name and a photograph of the donor, a sixteen-year-old boy who died tragically in a road accident. Jamie McGrath’s mother, Grace is shocked at the flagrant disregard of privacy, but when she speaks to Vivi, her most fervent wish is to know who received those little pieces of her son, to know they are fulfilling the promising life denied him.
When Vivi meets her, she wants to be a buffer against Grace’s despair, and she promises to do what she can to track down the other five recipients, those lucky people whose lives, or sight, were saved by Grace’s consent to donate. But that proves more challenging than Vivi anticipated.
The obligatory anonymity that is characteristic of organ donation means that no details are forthcoming via official channels, but internet searches and social media produce surprising results. Online recipient forums are common. Her initial efforts find Tommy, who has one of Jamie’s kidneys, and is eager to meet Grace and to help track down other “transplant twins”. But will other recipients feel that way?
Clearly Pellegrino has done a great deal of research into her subject so that, as well as the expected feelings of gratitude and the sense of obligation to make the best of the life extension the transplant has given, she illustrates, for example, the eternal sense of good health/good life guilt that siblings of disease sufferers might feel, and the guilt those disease sufferers feel at always being the centre of the attention of parents.
But her protagonist, Vivi, who carries the bulk of the narrative, is likely to frustrate readers with her “undeserving” attitude and submission to poor treatment. While it begins with a real emotional punch, enough to bring a lump to the throat or tear to the eye, this is noticeably absent for the rest of the story, and it tends to drag a little. A moving and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
September 2, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
'My heart is less than one percent of my body; it is only a tiny piece of me.’
Bestselling author Nicky Pellegrino returns with a new novel full of heart, emotion, connections and soul searching. Tiny Pieces of Us offers a considerate look at organ donation, organ recipients and second chances in life. Nicky Pellegrino’s new novel offers a thoughtful, comprehensive and well-rounded fictional representation of a sensitive subject.
Tiny Pieces of Us brings the remarkable story of organ recipient Vivi Palmer. Vivi has always lived with the fear of her life being cut short due to heart defect she was born with. However, an opportunity to extend her life due to the help of a heart transplant means that Vivi is offered an essential lifeline. But we learn that Vivi has been afraid to live her life since the transplant. A fateful encounter with her heart donor’s mother changes everything for Vivi. Together, this mother and the recipient of her son’s heart complete a journey to track down all of the recipients of Jamie’s organs. It is sojourn that brings tears, laughter, connection, friendship, acceptance and appreciation. For Vivi, life is now to be valued and enjoyed, thanks to this meaningful mission.
Nicky Pellegrino, a British born author who calls New Zealand home is probably best known for her wonderful fictional holiday reads featuring food and love, all set to a picturesque Italian backdrop. The one and only book I have read by Nicky Pellegrino is One Summer in Venice. I recall being drawn to the stunning cover of this one and I really did enjoy taking an armchair trip to Italy. This time around, Nicky Pellegrino has set her novel in London, with some movement to Italy in smaller sequences of Tiny Pieces of Us.
Tiny Pieces of Us features quite a tearjerker opener. We are soon thrust into the emotion, chaos, confusion and the heartbreaking decisions involved in organ donation. Pellegrino’s approach is sensitive, insightful, comprehensive and balanced. The author also manages to balance quite an emotive subject matter with a clear head, without injecting too much sentiment into this difficult topic. As someone who has been directly involved in organ donation from a recipient point of view (my father in law received a heart transplant) I was appreciative of the path Pellegrino decided to take with this novel. I think for those who are not aware of the ins and outs of organ donation, along with the recipient side of things, Tiny Pieces of Us is both educative and accessible.
Pellegrino utilises the character of Vivi Palmer, an organ recipient, as her central character concern. This is followed by Grace, the mother of the teenager who passed away and gave the gift of life to a number of people. We follow a first person style of narration with Vivi , which I connected to very easily. I was also able to direct my sympathies towards Grace, a grieving mother, who makes a decision that continues to haunt her for some time. We also see the world from the eyes of a handful of other organ recipients connected to Grace’s son. This ensures that the book is objective, well rounded and interesting. It also provides some great connections and character dynamics. I appreciated Pellegrino’s approach to this aspect of her new novel.
It would be easy to come across as preachy when dealing with such a delicate topic as organ donation. I do think this is the case with Tiny Pieces of Us. Sometimes I had to question the characters and their preoccupations in this novel. At times the cast did frustrate me. However, Pellegrino manages to cover all bases in regards to this tender topic. Hopefully the author will raise some much needed awareness around the whole concept of organ donation and the impact of this life saving gesture on recipients, as well as their loved ones. Tiny Pieces of Us is a well advised, topical, hopeful and connective piece of fiction.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
'My heart is less than one percent of my body; it is only a tiny piece of me.’
Bestselling author Nicky Pellegrino returns with a new novel full of heart, emotion, connections and soul searching. Tiny Pieces of Us offers a considerate look at organ donation, organ recipients and second chances in life. Nicky Pellegrino’s new novel offers a thoughtful, comprehensive and well-rounded fictional representation of a sensitive subject.
Tiny Pieces of Us brings the remarkable story of organ recipient Vivi Palmer. Vivi has always lived with the fear of her life being cut short due to heart defect she was born with. However, an opportunity to extend her life due to the help of a heart transplant means that Vivi is offered an essential lifeline. But we learn that Vivi has been afraid to live her life since the transplant. A fateful encounter with her heart donor’s mother changes everything for Vivi. Together, this mother and the recipient of her son’s heart complete a journey to track down all of the recipients of Jamie’s organs. It is sojourn that brings tears, laughter, connection, friendship, acceptance and appreciation. For Vivi, life is now to be valued and enjoyed, thanks to this meaningful mission.
Nicky Pellegrino, a British born author who calls New Zealand home is probably best known for her wonderful fictional holiday reads featuring food and love, all set to a picturesque Italian backdrop. The one and only book I have read by Nicky Pellegrino is One Summer in Venice. I recall being drawn to the stunning cover of this one and I really did enjoy taking an armchair trip to Italy. This time around, Nicky Pellegrino has set her novel in London, with some movement to Italy in smaller sequences of Tiny Pieces of Us.
Tiny Pieces of Us features quite a tearjerker opener. We are soon thrust into the emotion, chaos, confusion and the heartbreaking decisions involved in organ donation. Pellegrino’s approach is sensitive, insightful, comprehensive and balanced. The author also manages to balance quite an emotive subject matter with a clear head, without injecting too much sentiment into this difficult topic. As someone who has been directly involved in organ donation from a recipient point of view (my father in law received a heart transplant) I was appreciative of the path Pellegrino decided to take with this novel. I think for those who are not aware of the ins and outs of organ donation, along with the recipient side of things, Tiny Pieces of Us is both educative and accessible.
Pellegrino utilises the character of Vivi Palmer, an organ recipient, as her central character concern. This is followed by Grace, the mother of the teenager who passed away and gave the gift of life to a number of people. We follow a first person style of narration with Vivi , which I connected to very easily. I was also able to direct my sympathies towards Grace, a grieving mother, who makes a decision that continues to haunt her for some time. We also see the world from the eyes of a handful of other organ recipients connected to Grace’s son. This ensures that the book is objective, well rounded and interesting. It also provides some great connections and character dynamics. I appreciated Pellegrino’s approach to this aspect of her new novel.
It would be easy to come across as preachy when dealing with such a delicate topic as organ donation. I do think this is the case with Tiny Pieces of Us. Sometimes I had to question the characters and their preoccupations in this novel. At times the cast did frustrate me. However, Pellegrino manages to cover all bases in regards to this tender topic. Hopefully the author will raise some much needed awareness around the whole concept of organ donation and the impact of this life saving gesture on recipients, as well as their loved ones. Tiny Pieces of Us is a well advised, topical, hopeful and connective piece of fiction.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
September 15, 2021
Perskaičius gana įdomų kriminalinį trilerį nusprendžiau, jog norisi jautraus romano. Pasirodė, jog tam puikiai tiktų "Dalelė manęs". Anksčiau teko skaityti vieną šios autorės kūrinį, tad visuomet malonu draugystę ir pratęsti.
Vivi Palmer nuo pat mažumės gyveno visiškai kitokį gyvenimą. Mergaitė gimė su širdies yda, tad "normali" vaikystė jai atrodė tarsi pasakų šalis. Viskas pasikeitė prieš septynerius metus, kuomet jai buvo persodinta donoro širdis.
Vivi dirba "Daily post" ir paskatinta viršininko papasakoja savo istoriją. Taip susikerta merginos bei Greisės keliai. Greisė - motina paauglio, kuris žuvo avarijoje. Moteris priėmė kilnų, nors ir labai nelengvą sprendimą.. Paaukojo savo sūnaus organus tiems, kam jų labiausiai reikia.
Tarp moterų po truputį užsimezga draugystė ir Greisė paprašo Vivi paslaugos. Ji nori surasti visus, kuriems buvo paaukoti Džeimio organai. Moteris tikisi tokiu būdu numalšinti begalinį ilgesį bei surasti sielos ramybę.
Jautri bei svarbi knyga apie draugystę, donorystę bei pagalbą kitam 🙏🏻 Tokia paprasta istorija, bet tikrai neprasta. Autorė mano manymu, panagrinėjo tikrai gana opią ir mažai kur aptariamą problemą - donorystę. Tikrai buvo įdomu skaityti apie visus teisinius aspektus bei kitas su šia tema susijusias subtilybes. Taip pat man patiko ir draugystės tema šioje istorijoje. Be galo žavėjausi šių praktiškai nepažįstamų žmonių draugyste ir džiaugiausi, jog nepaisant visų išbandymų jie atrado vienas kitą.
Su šia knyga taip pat galima sudalyvauti ir #skaitauirverkiurudeni iššūkyje. Šį kartą ašaros neišspaudžiau, bet vietomis istorija pasirodė tikrai jautri bei priverčianti susimąstyti. Jau dabar žinau, jog ateityje tikrai norėsiu perskaityti ir kitas Nicky knygas.
Vivi Palmer nuo pat mažumės gyveno visiškai kitokį gyvenimą. Mergaitė gimė su širdies yda, tad "normali" vaikystė jai atrodė tarsi pasakų šalis. Viskas pasikeitė prieš septynerius metus, kuomet jai buvo persodinta donoro širdis.
Vivi dirba "Daily post" ir paskatinta viršininko papasakoja savo istoriją. Taip susikerta merginos bei Greisės keliai. Greisė - motina paauglio, kuris žuvo avarijoje. Moteris priėmė kilnų, nors ir labai nelengvą sprendimą.. Paaukojo savo sūnaus organus tiems, kam jų labiausiai reikia.
Tarp moterų po truputį užsimezga draugystė ir Greisė paprašo Vivi paslaugos. Ji nori surasti visus, kuriems buvo paaukoti Džeimio organai. Moteris tikisi tokiu būdu numalšinti begalinį ilgesį bei surasti sielos ramybę.
Jautri bei svarbi knyga apie draugystę, donorystę bei pagalbą kitam 🙏🏻 Tokia paprasta istorija, bet tikrai neprasta. Autorė mano manymu, panagrinėjo tikrai gana opią ir mažai kur aptariamą problemą - donorystę. Tikrai buvo įdomu skaityti apie visus teisinius aspektus bei kitas su šia tema susijusias subtilybes. Taip pat man patiko ir draugystės tema šioje istorijoje. Be galo žavėjausi šių praktiškai nepažįstamų žmonių draugyste ir džiaugiausi, jog nepaisant visų išbandymų jie atrado vienas kitą.
Su šia knyga taip pat galima sudalyvauti ir #skaitauirverkiurudeni iššūkyje. Šį kartą ašaros neišspaudžiau, bet vietomis istorija pasirodė tikrai jautri bei priverčianti susimąstyti. Jau dabar žinau, jog ateityje tikrai norėsiu perskaityti ir kitas Nicky knygas.
May 15, 2021
This is a lovely story, beautifully and so thoughtfully written, it delves into the lives of transplant recipients and that of the donor family the start is heart-breaking but as you read you see what that tragedy made happen for other ill people.
We meet Vivi Palmer journalist living in London, she is still living and doing really well thanks to a heart transplant seven years before but when Vivi meets her donor’s mother Grace and Grace wants to meet all of the recipients who received organs from her son, she asks Vivi to help, Grace has been struggling for a while and is hoping that this will help, so Vivi takes on the task through the newspaper where she works.
Vivi tracks down some of the recipients, Tommy, Fiona, Stefano and Emerald and although she has a beautiful family of her own as she gets to know them it isn’t long before she sees these people as family as well her transplant twins and together a bond forms with Grace.
My heart went out to Grace her story is heart breaking but she can see what she and her son have done for all of these people and she finds a new family and some happiness along the way, there are some very teary moments throughout this story but there is also lots of reasons to smile.
This is a fabulously researched story one that was filled with emotion and feelings as we get to know Vivi, Grace and the other characters for there are a few that add so much to the story, I do recommend this one very much it certainly opens up a lot about organ donation and the people who benefit, a very poignant and touching story.
My thanks to Hachette for my copy to read and review.
We meet Vivi Palmer journalist living in London, she is still living and doing really well thanks to a heart transplant seven years before but when Vivi meets her donor’s mother Grace and Grace wants to meet all of the recipients who received organs from her son, she asks Vivi to help, Grace has been struggling for a while and is hoping that this will help, so Vivi takes on the task through the newspaper where she works.
Vivi tracks down some of the recipients, Tommy, Fiona, Stefano and Emerald and although she has a beautiful family of her own as she gets to know them it isn’t long before she sees these people as family as well her transplant twins and together a bond forms with Grace.
My heart went out to Grace her story is heart breaking but she can see what she and her son have done for all of these people and she finds a new family and some happiness along the way, there are some very teary moments throughout this story but there is also lots of reasons to smile.
This is a fabulously researched story one that was filled with emotion and feelings as we get to know Vivi, Grace and the other characters for there are a few that add so much to the story, I do recommend this one very much it certainly opens up a lot about organ donation and the people who benefit, a very poignant and touching story.
My thanks to Hachette for my copy to read and review.
July 16, 2021
Su Nicky Pellegrino kūryba susipažinau pernai, skaitydama jos "Itališką vasarą". Žinau, kad autorė sugeba sukurti tobulą, kvapnią ir spalvingą atmosferą, rašydama apie saulėtąją Italiją. Šiek tiek išsigandau, pradėjusi skaityti ir supratusi, kad šioje knygoje veiksmas vyksta Anglijoje. Bet vis dėlto, Italijos buvo! 🔆 ⠀
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Lengvų, atostoginių romanų autorė šį kart pasuko kitu keliu ir pasirinko gana jautrią temą.⠀
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Po šešiolikmečio sūnaus žūties, jo mama Greisė, nusprendžia paaukoti jo organus donorystei. ⠀
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Vivi, viena iš Džeimio recipienčių, dirba žurnaliste ir yra paskiriama parengti kelis straipsnius didžiulei organų donorystės kampanijai palaikyti. Tokiu būdu likimas ją suveda su Greise. Kartu jos nusprendžia surasti likusius Džeimio organų recipientus, turinčius po dalelę jo. Taip prasideda paieškos, atnešiančios didžiulių pokyčių, primenančios netekties skausmą, bet teikiančios viltį.⠀
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Labai įdomi tema, kuria, mano nuomone, kalbama per mažai. Autorė pasikapstė po etinius ir moralinius šios temos aspektus - ar donoro šeima gali susipažinti su recipientais? O gal vis gi reikėtų laikytis konfidencialumo? Kas nutiks, jei donoro artimiesiems pasirodys, kad žmogus, gavęs antrą šansą gyventi, neišnaudoja jo tinkamai? Ar recipientai tikrai įpareigoti išpildyti jų lūkesčius?⠀
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Taisyklių, kurių tenka laikytis tokiais atvejais, yra nemažai. Buvo įdomu sužinoti, kuo viskas pasibaigs, romano veikėjams, jas sulaužius. Knyga labai lengvai skaitoma, jautrių vietų yra, bet bent jau man, ji nebuvo iš tų, kurias skaitant, gumulas stovi gerklėj. Daugiau dėmesio buvo skirta recipientų paieškoms, jų pažinčiai ir romantikai, o ne jautrioms, širdį veriančioms scenoms. Ieškantys #skaitauirverkiu tipo knygos, gali likti kiek nusivylę. ⠀
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Bet knyga tikrai graži, pabaiga verčianti šypsotis. Man patiko ir tikiu, kad tai tikrai ne paskutinė Nicky Pellegrino knyga, kurią skaičiau.
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Lengvų, atostoginių romanų autorė šį kart pasuko kitu keliu ir pasirinko gana jautrią temą.⠀
⠀
Po šešiolikmečio sūnaus žūties, jo mama Greisė, nusprendžia paaukoti jo organus donorystei. ⠀
⠀
Vivi, viena iš Džeimio recipienčių, dirba žurnaliste ir yra paskiriama parengti kelis straipsnius didžiulei organų donorystės kampanijai palaikyti. Tokiu būdu likimas ją suveda su Greise. Kartu jos nusprendžia surasti likusius Džeimio organų recipientus, turinčius po dalelę jo. Taip prasideda paieškos, atnešiančios didžiulių pokyčių, primenančios netekties skausmą, bet teikiančios viltį.⠀
⠀
Labai įdomi tema, kuria, mano nuomone, kalbama per mažai. Autorė pasikapstė po etinius ir moralinius šios temos aspektus - ar donoro šeima gali susipažinti su recipientais? O gal vis gi reikėtų laikytis konfidencialumo? Kas nutiks, jei donoro artimiesiems pasirodys, kad žmogus, gavęs antrą šansą gyventi, neišnaudoja jo tinkamai? Ar recipientai tikrai įpareigoti išpildyti jų lūkesčius?⠀
⠀
Taisyklių, kurių tenka laikytis tokiais atvejais, yra nemažai. Buvo įdomu sužinoti, kuo viskas pasibaigs, romano veikėjams, jas sulaužius. Knyga labai lengvai skaitoma, jautrių vietų yra, bet bent jau man, ji nebuvo iš tų, kurias skaitant, gumulas stovi gerklėj. Daugiau dėmesio buvo skirta recipientų paieškoms, jų pažinčiai ir romantikai, o ne jautrioms, širdį veriančioms scenoms. Ieškantys #skaitauirverkiu tipo knygos, gali likti kiek nusivylę. ⠀
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Bet knyga tikrai graži, pabaiga verčianti šypsotis. Man patiko ir tikiu, kad tai tikrai ne paskutinė Nicky Pellegrino knyga, kurią skaičiau.
October 3, 2020
A quick easy beach read, with a meaningful plot. One which will make you stop and think about your body and what might happen to it. Organ donation isn't a topic most of us talk about with our families, but make sure you do.
Also, now I really really want to go back to Italy and rent a home for a month or three with a personal chef! There are not many books that make you want to travel in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, but this one did!
Also, now I really really want to go back to Italy and rent a home for a month or three with a personal chef! There are not many books that make you want to travel in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, but this one did!
August 21, 2020
An interesting book about an emotive topic.
If you're a Nicky Pellegrino fan don't expect this book to be of the same vein as her other titles.
Interesting character development for the most part, however a little flat at times.
A beautiful ending, although abruptly arrived at after a loooooong middle.
If you're a Nicky Pellegrino fan don't expect this book to be of the same vein as her other titles.
Interesting character development for the most part, however a little flat at times.
A beautiful ending, although abruptly arrived at after a loooooong middle.
November 17, 2021
Pažintį su Nicky Pellegrino pradėjau nuo naujausios jos knygos „Dalelė manęs“. Tai jautri, graži ir daug apmąstymų sukelianti knyga.
Vivi gimė su širdies yda, todėl nuo mažens žinojo, ką reiškia kasdien kovoti už gyvenimą. Kartu su donoro širdimi ji gavo antrą šansą gyventi. Bet... mergina šiek tiek nusivylusi, nes jai atrodo, kad ji to šanso neišnaudoja iki galo, nesiseka nei darbe, nei asmeniniame gyvenime. Kol gyvenimas pameta jai dar vieną staigmeną ir suveda su donoro mama Greise. Sūnaus besiilginti motina Vivi paprašo surasti kitus organų recipientus, kad galėtų atrasti ramybę. Nenoriai, bet mergina sutinka. O kaip joms sekėsi paieškos sužinosite perskaitę knygą.
Tai knyga, kurioje galima rasti visas gyvenimo spalvas, nuo nemažėjančio skausmo iki begalinės laimės, nuo griaužiančios kaltės iki palengvinančio susitaikymo, tačiau viską vainikuoja draugystė, meilė ir viltis.
Knyga palietė psichologiškai ir privertė apmąstyti savo moralines nuostatas. Ką daryčiau būdama Greisės vietoje, kai nelaimingas įvykis atima mylimą vaiką? Kaip žinoti ar pasielgei teisingai padovanodama jo organus?
O kita pusė, kai esi recipientas. Ar turi jaustis dėkingas gavęs tokią dovaną ar tai priimti kaip savaime suprantamą duotybę? Nebūtum tu, būtų gavęs kitas? Kiek nepažįstamo žmogaus gali įsileisti į savo gyvenimą? Kaip nesijausti blogai, jei gyvenimas suteikė antrą šansą, o tu jautiesi jo neišnaudojantis?
Ech tikrai gera knyga. Man labai patiko, todėl būtinai skaitysiu ir kitas autorės knygas.
Džiaukimės gyvenimu, kol galime.
Vivi gimė su širdies yda, todėl nuo mažens žinojo, ką reiškia kasdien kovoti už gyvenimą. Kartu su donoro širdimi ji gavo antrą šansą gyventi. Bet... mergina šiek tiek nusivylusi, nes jai atrodo, kad ji to šanso neišnaudoja iki galo, nesiseka nei darbe, nei asmeniniame gyvenime. Kol gyvenimas pameta jai dar vieną staigmeną ir suveda su donoro mama Greise. Sūnaus besiilginti motina Vivi paprašo surasti kitus organų recipientus, kad galėtų atrasti ramybę. Nenoriai, bet mergina sutinka. O kaip joms sekėsi paieškos sužinosite perskaitę knygą.
Tai knyga, kurioje galima rasti visas gyvenimo spalvas, nuo nemažėjančio skausmo iki begalinės laimės, nuo griaužiančios kaltės iki palengvinančio susitaikymo, tačiau viską vainikuoja draugystė, meilė ir viltis.
Knyga palietė psichologiškai ir privertė apmąstyti savo moralines nuostatas. Ką daryčiau būdama Greisės vietoje, kai nelaimingas įvykis atima mylimą vaiką? Kaip žinoti ar pasielgei teisingai padovanodama jo organus?
O kita pusė, kai esi recipientas. Ar turi jaustis dėkingas gavęs tokią dovaną ar tai priimti kaip savaime suprantamą duotybę? Nebūtum tu, būtų gavęs kitas? Kiek nepažįstamo žmogaus gali įsileisti į savo gyvenimą? Kaip nesijausti blogai, jei gyvenimas suteikė antrą šansą, o tu jautiesi jo neišnaudojantis?
Ech tikrai gera knyga. Man labai patiko, todėl būtinai skaitysiu ir kitas autorės knygas.
Džiaukimės gyvenimu, kol galime.
August 24, 2020
This was such a lovely novel. Truly heartfelt and deeply affecting. I’ve never read such a multifaceted account of organ donation before and I appreciated the many views and perspectives, giving me so much to think on that I never would have thought on before.
“She is so lost in grief that I think this search is almost like a form of therapy,” I explained. “And meeting all of the recipients may help her accept that Jamie is gone. It’s what I’m hoping for anyway, that it might be healing, because I think things have been desperate…really desperate. I’m worried about her.”
There was a well of sadness within this novel, particularly relating to Grace, the mother who donated the organs of her teenager after he died tragically in a bicycle traffic accident. Grace’s grief was deep and I could relate as a mother to the pain she would have been in. However, on the other side, I found Grace’s fixation on the donor recipients unhealthy and uncomfortable. There were times where she definitely seemed to see them less as people and more as vessels containing a piece of her son. It was very tricky terrain and I feel that the author navigated this issue and the many thorny areas surrounding it with empathy and honesty. It was all very well done.
‘None of us could say no to Grace and I was beginning to see the potential for a problem. She was such an unknown quantity. Who was to say meeting us all would be enough? What if it didn’t help her at all; what might she want next?’
While the story is primarily told from the perspective of Vivi, the recipient of Jamie’s heart, the story also dips in and out of other key perspectives at pivotal times within the plot. We might only hear from a character once or twice, but the insight was useful in driving the plot forward and also in offering a differing voice, not that Vivi was annoying or anything, but even so, a new voice here and there is always refreshing.
‘My sister didn’t get it and that was fine. This was no time to remind her that borrowed hearts don’t last forever; I might not be around to see Farah and Darya grow up; we weren’t going to get old together, she and I. That knowledge was always there, and even though I tried to keep it small and safe at the back of my mind, how could it not affect the way I lived the shorter life I was bound to have?’
I did really enjoy the sister bond between Vivi and Imogen and the sidebar issue of Imogen’s fracturing and the long term effects on her that stemmed from growing up as the older sister of someone who was constantly facing death. The relationship between the sisters was heartfelt and relatable, and I enjoyed the very real affection they had for each other and the way in which this played out through their dialogue and text messaging.
‘When you have another person’s heart inside your chest it is natural to worry about every flutter, each moment when your heart seems to skip a beat or hammer out too many, any sense of tightness or sharp pain. You don’t shrug off those things, assuming there is nothing to be concerned about like other people might.’
Above all though, this novel offers a great deal of insight into the entire process of organ donation stretching beyond the transplant. There were many things I had no idea about and was surprised to discover. I honestly didn’t know the extent to which the battle for life continued for the recipient, and nor did I realise that their life was still shortened, that the transplant doesn’t ‘save’ them, it just gives them extra years and an improved, but not wholly well, quality of life. This was the first novel by Nicky Pellegrino that I’ve read and it was a brilliant introduction to her work. I can highly recommend this one and look forward to reading more of her books.
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Tiny Pieces of Us for review.
“She is so lost in grief that I think this search is almost like a form of therapy,” I explained. “And meeting all of the recipients may help her accept that Jamie is gone. It’s what I’m hoping for anyway, that it might be healing, because I think things have been desperate…really desperate. I’m worried about her.”
There was a well of sadness within this novel, particularly relating to Grace, the mother who donated the organs of her teenager after he died tragically in a bicycle traffic accident. Grace’s grief was deep and I could relate as a mother to the pain she would have been in. However, on the other side, I found Grace’s fixation on the donor recipients unhealthy and uncomfortable. There were times where she definitely seemed to see them less as people and more as vessels containing a piece of her son. It was very tricky terrain and I feel that the author navigated this issue and the many thorny areas surrounding it with empathy and honesty. It was all very well done.
‘None of us could say no to Grace and I was beginning to see the potential for a problem. She was such an unknown quantity. Who was to say meeting us all would be enough? What if it didn’t help her at all; what might she want next?’
While the story is primarily told from the perspective of Vivi, the recipient of Jamie’s heart, the story also dips in and out of other key perspectives at pivotal times within the plot. We might only hear from a character once or twice, but the insight was useful in driving the plot forward and also in offering a differing voice, not that Vivi was annoying or anything, but even so, a new voice here and there is always refreshing.
‘My sister didn’t get it and that was fine. This was no time to remind her that borrowed hearts don’t last forever; I might not be around to see Farah and Darya grow up; we weren’t going to get old together, she and I. That knowledge was always there, and even though I tried to keep it small and safe at the back of my mind, how could it not affect the way I lived the shorter life I was bound to have?’
I did really enjoy the sister bond between Vivi and Imogen and the sidebar issue of Imogen’s fracturing and the long term effects on her that stemmed from growing up as the older sister of someone who was constantly facing death. The relationship between the sisters was heartfelt and relatable, and I enjoyed the very real affection they had for each other and the way in which this played out through their dialogue and text messaging.
‘When you have another person’s heart inside your chest it is natural to worry about every flutter, each moment when your heart seems to skip a beat or hammer out too many, any sense of tightness or sharp pain. You don’t shrug off those things, assuming there is nothing to be concerned about like other people might.’
Above all though, this novel offers a great deal of insight into the entire process of organ donation stretching beyond the transplant. There were many things I had no idea about and was surprised to discover. I honestly didn’t know the extent to which the battle for life continued for the recipient, and nor did I realise that their life was still shortened, that the transplant doesn’t ‘save’ them, it just gives them extra years and an improved, but not wholly well, quality of life. This was the first novel by Nicky Pellegrino that I’ve read and it was a brilliant introduction to her work. I can highly recommend this one and look forward to reading more of her books.
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Tiny Pieces of Us for review.
September 25, 2020
Tiny Pieces of Us by Nicky Pellegrino is a wonderful uplifting story about a heart transplant recipient, Vivi Palmer. Vivi meets her donors mother and begins a journey to discover the other recipients who survived because of Jamie's organs. I absolutely love Nicky's books and really enjoyed the return to Villa Rosa and that my favourite character of Nicky's, Rafaella, made an appearance! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
March 16, 2020
ARC received via Hachette Australia for an honest review
Tiny Pieces of Us is a beautiful, heartwarming yet also heartbreaking tale of loss, love and finding "family" who aren't blood.
I felt for Vivi as she is caught between a rock and a hard place when her boss *HISS* pushes her into a story she is not keen on. Let's just say, Dan is a d1ck!
As she is taken on the journey to find the others her donor helped, I couldn't help but want to see new relationships, new friendships forged and a new "family" grow together.
I can't even imagine what all of them have gone through, and thank my lucky stars every day that I am relatively healthy.
Besides Vivi, my favourite character, who plays a very big part in the story, is Imogen, her sister. She could have so much resentment towards Vivi for ruining her childhood, yet there is none. She is all about loving her sister and the second chance she has been given, and getting her to live her best life.
You can' help but fall in love with the others are they are brought into the Palmer family fold.
If your heart doesn't ache a little whilst reading Tiny Pieces Of Us, you are a stronger person than me!
I am new to Nicky Pellegrino's books (this is only my second read) but I am looking forward to what she brings us next.
Tiny Pieces of Us is a beautiful, heartwarming yet also heartbreaking tale of loss, love and finding "family" who aren't blood.
I felt for Vivi as she is caught between a rock and a hard place when her boss *HISS* pushes her into a story she is not keen on. Let's just say, Dan is a d1ck!
As she is taken on the journey to find the others her donor helped, I couldn't help but want to see new relationships, new friendships forged and a new "family" grow together.
I can't even imagine what all of them have gone through, and thank my lucky stars every day that I am relatively healthy.
Besides Vivi, my favourite character, who plays a very big part in the story, is Imogen, her sister. She could have so much resentment towards Vivi for ruining her childhood, yet there is none. She is all about loving her sister and the second chance she has been given, and getting her to live her best life.
You can' help but fall in love with the others are they are brought into the Palmer family fold.
If your heart doesn't ache a little whilst reading Tiny Pieces Of Us, you are a stronger person than me!
I am new to Nicky Pellegrino's books (this is only my second read) but I am looking forward to what she brings us next.
August 4, 2024
Įtraukiantis pasakojimas, parūpo veikėjai ir jų likimai. Paliečiama transplantacijos tema savitu kampu. Šiokia tokia sąsaja su kita autorės knyga Po Italijos padange. Patiko ir gaila, kad baigėsi.
February 24, 2025
Trūksta žodžių, kad galėčiau apibūdinti knygą, nepasakydama apie ką ji.. o ji nuostabi, su labai svarbia misija, žinia, kuri vieną dieną gali būti bet kuriam iš mūsų aktuali priimant vieną svarbiausių gyvenime sprendimų.. Daugybė jausmų, išgyvenimų ir išskirtinės veikėjų asmenybės, juos visus kažkas sieja, bet tuo pačiu visi su savo gyvenimais, savo istorijomis.. rekomenduoju..
July 24, 2021
Vasarą, atrodo, norisi šviesių ir lengvų knygų. Imdama Nicky Pellegrino naujaisią romaną to ir tikėjausi. Bet nebuvo taip lengva ir paprasta. Rašytoja pasirinko labai įdomią temą - tai organų transplantacija bei recipientų ir organų donoro artimųjų santykiai.
Vivi gyvena su transplanuota širdimi. Ji gavo šią dovaną prieš septynerius metus, baigė žurnalistikos mokslus ir dabar dirba bulvariniame leidinyje.. Gyvena įprastą gyvenimą iki tada, kai jos kolegos sugalvoja Vivi kampaniją už sklandesnę transplantacijų sistemą. Ji sutinka savo donoro Džeimio mamą ir kitus recipientus. Ir kas iš to išeina?
Nicky Pellegrino iš karto čiupo stipriai: romane buvo nagrinėjama tiek recipiento savijauta, dėkingumo samprata. Tada kaltė prieš donoro artimuosius - juk jie neteko mylimo žmogaus, kai tu gyveni. Na, ir ryšys tarp žmonių, kuriems persodinti to paties donoro organai.
Jautrias ir svarbias temas rašytoja įvilko į pilną kvapų ir skonių istoriją: veiksmas vyko ne tik ūkanotoje Anglijoje, bet ir saulėtoje Italijoje. Veiksmas tekėjo lengvai ir paprastai, bet kartu ir jaukiai. Kaip visad neapsieita ir be kulinarinių vilionių... Kaip suprantu, tai rašytojos vizitinę kortelė.
Būtinai skaitysiu ir kitus šios rašytojos romanus, kurių lietuviškai išleista dar penki.
Vivi gyvena su transplanuota širdimi. Ji gavo šią dovaną prieš septynerius metus, baigė žurnalistikos mokslus ir dabar dirba bulvariniame leidinyje.. Gyvena įprastą gyvenimą iki tada, kai jos kolegos sugalvoja Vivi kampaniją už sklandesnę transplantacijų sistemą. Ji sutinka savo donoro Džeimio mamą ir kitus recipientus. Ir kas iš to išeina?
Nicky Pellegrino iš karto čiupo stipriai: romane buvo nagrinėjama tiek recipiento savijauta, dėkingumo samprata. Tada kaltė prieš donoro artimuosius - juk jie neteko mylimo žmogaus, kai tu gyveni. Na, ir ryšys tarp žmonių, kuriems persodinti to paties donoro organai.
Jautrias ir svarbias temas rašytoja įvilko į pilną kvapų ir skonių istoriją: veiksmas vyko ne tik ūkanotoje Anglijoje, bet ir saulėtoje Italijoje. Veiksmas tekėjo lengvai ir paprastai, bet kartu ir jaukiai. Kaip visad neapsieita ir be kulinarinių vilionių... Kaip suprantu, tai rašytojos vizitinę kortelė.
Būtinai skaitysiu ir kitus šios rašytojos romanus, kurių lietuviškai išleista dar penki.
June 28, 2020
‘My heart is less than one per cent of my body; it is only a tiny piece of me. All I can do is trust it will keep beating, that its valves will open and close, pumping blood round my body. All I can do is hope and live, like everyone ... like other ordinary people.’
I have read and enjoyed a couple Nicky Pellegrino's books yet it would seem this is a step in a different direction and I liked it. Tiny Pieces of Us will inspire you with its tale of organ transplants. At first I was somewhat unsure, but I warmed to the story and the characters as Nicky’s writing encapsulated the grateful moments along with the heartbreaking ones.
‘No one is ever safe,’ said Stefano, matter-of-factly, ‘that’s why it’s so important to make the most of life.’
This is an interesting fictional look into organ donations from both sides, something I failed to consider beyond the initial donation and transplant (‘People tend to think of an organ transplant as a happy ending’). I found it eye opening and learnt a great deal. The story will take you through a plethora of emotions - everything from love and laughter to tears and heartbreak. It will prompt you to reconsider ‘family’ and the importance of connections.
Nicky will take you on a journey of how it must be for those who have lost a loved one and also the relief of receiving an organ is in fact, the beginning of a physical and emotional lifelong journey. I appreciated seeing things through Vivi’s point of view and the many hurdles (real and imagined) she put herself through. I enjoyed the backstories behind the other organ recipients and I particularly warmed to her sister Imogen as once again Nicky invites you to consider what it might be like for family members as well. A comprehensive and, I feel, realistic portrayal of all.
‘Don’t you ever think that we got this second chance at life so should be doing something more important?’ ‘Like curing cancer or negotiating world peace?’ ‘Perhaps not that important.’ ‘I don’t know.’ Tommy sounded thoughtful. ‘We can’t live our best lives all the time, can we? Sometimes we just have to get through the day, same as anyone else.’
Woven into this is also family dynamics, a career quandary and relationships with some romance which adds depth and therefore this is not a one dimensional tale. There is much to appreciate here and a grateful heart (pardon the pun) to walk away with. I have always enjoyed Nicky’s writing but feel she has really stepped it up with her latest offering and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
‘The only thing that has ever made her feel slightly better is knowing that out there somewhere Jamie’s heart is still beating, that his death meant other people had a future. She thinks about the ones that have tiny pieces of him inside them.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
I have read and enjoyed a couple Nicky Pellegrino's books yet it would seem this is a step in a different direction and I liked it. Tiny Pieces of Us will inspire you with its tale of organ transplants. At first I was somewhat unsure, but I warmed to the story and the characters as Nicky’s writing encapsulated the grateful moments along with the heartbreaking ones.
‘No one is ever safe,’ said Stefano, matter-of-factly, ‘that’s why it’s so important to make the most of life.’
This is an interesting fictional look into organ donations from both sides, something I failed to consider beyond the initial donation and transplant (‘People tend to think of an organ transplant as a happy ending’). I found it eye opening and learnt a great deal. The story will take you through a plethora of emotions - everything from love and laughter to tears and heartbreak. It will prompt you to reconsider ‘family’ and the importance of connections.
Nicky will take you on a journey of how it must be for those who have lost a loved one and also the relief of receiving an organ is in fact, the beginning of a physical and emotional lifelong journey. I appreciated seeing things through Vivi’s point of view and the many hurdles (real and imagined) she put herself through. I enjoyed the backstories behind the other organ recipients and I particularly warmed to her sister Imogen as once again Nicky invites you to consider what it might be like for family members as well. A comprehensive and, I feel, realistic portrayal of all.
‘Don’t you ever think that we got this second chance at life so should be doing something more important?’ ‘Like curing cancer or negotiating world peace?’ ‘Perhaps not that important.’ ‘I don’t know.’ Tommy sounded thoughtful. ‘We can’t live our best lives all the time, can we? Sometimes we just have to get through the day, same as anyone else.’
Woven into this is also family dynamics, a career quandary and relationships with some romance which adds depth and therefore this is not a one dimensional tale. There is much to appreciate here and a grateful heart (pardon the pun) to walk away with. I have always enjoyed Nicky’s writing but feel she has really stepped it up with her latest offering and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
‘The only thing that has ever made her feel slightly better is knowing that out there somewhere Jamie’s heart is still beating, that his death meant other people had a future. She thinks about the ones that have tiny pieces of him inside them.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
October 27, 2020
This was such an interesting premise. For me, I knocked a star off for the incessant meal-plans, as we really don't need to know every single bite the characters eat, and some mistakes that shouldn't have crept in after an editing and proofreading exercise, which has been done, according to the acknowledgements.
It was going great guns till we were 18% in and then mistakes started kicking in. I had been thinking it was going to be almost perfect ! Most were dropped words from sentences, like sense (of) excitement, me (it) seemed, be (the) one, would (like) to, meant (to) do and of (anything ??) left.
Some sentences needed question marks or commas to read properly, like with "We have some of the same DNA now right" or "Wait till you set eyes on this place I'm taking you to Vivi, it's fantastic" and "Just one more night; you want to Vivi." There were quite a few fullstops missed off sentences as well and the odd misplaced apostrophe, too. Woman's and not women's, a BIG ouch with too and not to, then health not healthy. All things that shouldn't have slipped through in a paid-for book properly published.
I am never struck with 2nd person narratives and some chapters were set like this but thankfully only the shortest chapters from other viewpoints to Vivi's. I liked Fiona and Tommy the most, I'd say. Vivi I found a little too flaky and indecisive for my liking. I was in 2 minds as to whether I liked Grace but I warmed to her in the end. All very differing characters and it was fascinating how they all related to each other. Just a bit of a shame for me that the presentation side let it down.
It was going great guns till we were 18% in and then mistakes started kicking in. I had been thinking it was going to be almost perfect ! Most were dropped words from sentences, like sense (of) excitement, me (it) seemed, be (the) one, would (like) to, meant (to) do and of (anything ??) left.
Some sentences needed question marks or commas to read properly, like with "We have some of the same DNA now right" or "Wait till you set eyes on this place I'm taking you to Vivi, it's fantastic" and "Just one more night; you want to Vivi." There were quite a few fullstops missed off sentences as well and the odd misplaced apostrophe, too. Woman's and not women's, a BIG ouch with too and not to, then health not healthy. All things that shouldn't have slipped through in a paid-for book properly published.
I am never struck with 2nd person narratives and some chapters were set like this but thankfully only the shortest chapters from other viewpoints to Vivi's. I liked Fiona and Tommy the most, I'd say. Vivi I found a little too flaky and indecisive for my liking. I was in 2 minds as to whether I liked Grace but I warmed to her in the end. All very differing characters and it was fascinating how they all related to each other. Just a bit of a shame for me that the presentation side let it down.
June 28, 2022
What an amazing story. I couldn't get enough of it, and it really did give me all the feels.
The amount of research that must have gone into all the details regarding transplants and donors is incredible, and I felt as though I learnt a lot from reading this.
And it was impossible to predict the finale of the book, as it could have gone in some many ways and I couldn't help but read the last third of the book in one sitting, ignoring the world around me, as I had to know what would happen next.
For fans of the author, who like me are a tad surprised that this book isn't set in Italy, don't worry a rather familiar location does pop up, and provides a stunning backdrop to that portion of the book.
I think this will really open people's eyes about organ donation and whether or not they wish to be on the donor register. It seems like such a selfless thing to be able to do and to help others.
There are a lot of big topics covered in this rather special book, and I couldn't get enough of them all. I don't read these sorts of emotional, deep books all that often, but when I do, I know I'll be in for a story to really capture my imagination and empathy and this was no exception.
Just wow, Nicky Pellegrino has truly written a fabulous book here, and I am already eager to see what she writes next.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The amount of research that must have gone into all the details regarding transplants and donors is incredible, and I felt as though I learnt a lot from reading this.
And it was impossible to predict the finale of the book, as it could have gone in some many ways and I couldn't help but read the last third of the book in one sitting, ignoring the world around me, as I had to know what would happen next.
For fans of the author, who like me are a tad surprised that this book isn't set in Italy, don't worry a rather familiar location does pop up, and provides a stunning backdrop to that portion of the book.
I think this will really open people's eyes about organ donation and whether or not they wish to be on the donor register. It seems like such a selfless thing to be able to do and to help others.
There are a lot of big topics covered in this rather special book, and I couldn't get enough of them all. I don't read these sorts of emotional, deep books all that often, but when I do, I know I'll be in for a story to really capture my imagination and empathy and this was no exception.
Just wow, Nicky Pellegrino has truly written a fabulous book here, and I am already eager to see what she writes next.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 23, 2025
In ‘Tiny Pieces of Us’, a grieving mother's selfless act sparks a poignant exploration of life, mortality, and the human condition. The novel masterfully weaves together the narratives of those who received a second chance at life, including Vivi Palmer, a young heart recipient struggling to truly live.
The Complexity of Second Chances
This thought-provoking novel raises essential questions about the complexities of second chances. Can they be both liberating and suffocating? How do we reconcile the desire to seize life's opportunities with the weight of responsibility that comes with them?
The Unseen Struggles of Others
The author also sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of those who grow up in the shadow of a sibling's illness. The "healthy" child, forced to compromise their own childhood, serves as a powerful reminder that physical ailments, though daunting, can be less frightening than the invisible struggles of mental health.
Takeaway:
Mental wellness is just as vital as physical health. This novel will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the intricacies of the human experience.
The Complexity of Second Chances
This thought-provoking novel raises essential questions about the complexities of second chances. Can they be both liberating and suffocating? How do we reconcile the desire to seize life's opportunities with the weight of responsibility that comes with them?
The Unseen Struggles of Others
The author also sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of those who grow up in the shadow of a sibling's illness. The "healthy" child, forced to compromise their own childhood, serves as a powerful reminder that physical ailments, though daunting, can be less frightening than the invisible struggles of mental health.
Takeaway:
Mental wellness is just as vital as physical health. This novel will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the intricacies of the human experience.
January 5, 2021
A quick easy read, but thought provoking and dealing with an interesting issue. Perhaps closer to 3.5 stars but not possible so I'm being generous.
October 25, 2021
Gostei deste, especialmente do tema e das emoções bem vívidas que os acontecimentos me permitiram ter.
Acho que o elemento de romance podia ter sido bem melhor, já que foi incluído.
Acho que o elemento de romance podia ter sido bem melhor, já que foi incluído.
May 21, 2023
This was really good but very emotional.
December 25, 2022
Rekomenduoju, lengvai ir įtraukiančiai "susikramtė" ;) apie donorystę, jos prasmę ir antrą kartą suteiktą gyvenimą.
August 5, 2020
I always love reading a book by Nicky Pellegrino but this time I was especially gripped by the story as it was about something I am not familiar with. I loved the way Nicky described how the different characters dealt with it. I don't want to give too much away but it becomes pretty clear pretty soon that the book deals with organ donors and organ recipients. I wish I hadn't read it so I could enjoy the story afresh...
August 30, 2020
The storyline of this novel is absolutely beautiful. Vivi is given a second chance at life after receiving a heart transplant - and helps the mother of her donor, Grace, to find the other people who share tiny pieces of her son.
It's the beauty of this storyline that drew me in, as I found the concept unique and intriguing. What also makes the novel interesting to read is the change in perspectives. Vivi is the first-person narrator of the story, while we also get a glimpse into the lives of Grace, Vivi's sister Imogen, and the organ recipients she meets along the way. While I thought the different perspectives were fantastic, I personally would've found it even more compelling if these were told in first person rather than in third person to give the characters more depth and personality for the reader to connect with.
The middle of this novel is long and slow, perhaps mimicking the pace of their summer holiday spent in Italy. Nicky Pellegrino's love for Italian places and cuisine definitely comes out in rich, mouthwatering descriptions of the food, and gorgeous descriptions of the scenery. As a passionate foodie and fan of Italian cuisine, I loved these and thought they were brilliantly descriptive and immersive.
A few things seemed unfulfilling: the long, run-on sentences; the plain dialogue; the abrupt ending; and Vivi's mission & major campaign left somewhat incomplete. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but there is a plot line associated with the liver recipient that, for me, felt unfinished; as well as the plot line I anticipated for the pancreas recipient. A romantic scene that had been foreshadowed at length felt anti-climactic and better suited for a thrilling end to the chapter.
I'd recommend Tiny Pieces of Us as a lovely, light-hearted novel for anyone who is looking for an uplifting story. While there were definitely parts that had the potential to be more dramatic and exciting, it is a hopeful and heartwarming read - a lesson on friendship, taking risks, and learning to live fully. ❤🫀
It's the beauty of this storyline that drew me in, as I found the concept unique and intriguing. What also makes the novel interesting to read is the change in perspectives. Vivi is the first-person narrator of the story, while we also get a glimpse into the lives of Grace, Vivi's sister Imogen, and the organ recipients she meets along the way. While I thought the different perspectives were fantastic, I personally would've found it even more compelling if these were told in first person rather than in third person to give the characters more depth and personality for the reader to connect with.
The middle of this novel is long and slow, perhaps mimicking the pace of their summer holiday spent in Italy. Nicky Pellegrino's love for Italian places and cuisine definitely comes out in rich, mouthwatering descriptions of the food, and gorgeous descriptions of the scenery. As a passionate foodie and fan of Italian cuisine, I loved these and thought they were brilliantly descriptive and immersive.
A few things seemed unfulfilling: the long, run-on sentences; the plain dialogue; the abrupt ending; and Vivi's mission & major campaign left somewhat incomplete. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but there is a plot line associated with the liver recipient that, for me, felt unfinished; as well as the plot line I anticipated for the pancreas recipient. A romantic scene that had been foreshadowed at length felt anti-climactic and better suited for a thrilling end to the chapter.
I'd recommend Tiny Pieces of Us as a lovely, light-hearted novel for anyone who is looking for an uplifting story. While there were definitely parts that had the potential to be more dramatic and exciting, it is a hopeful and heartwarming read - a lesson on friendship, taking risks, and learning to live fully. ❤🫀
July 22, 2025
Tai jautrus ir šiltas romanas apie draugystę, meilę ir gyvenimą, ypač gavus dar vieną šansą.
August 15, 2020
Another really enjoyable read from Nicky Pellegrino- light but great story telling. Just the thing for these trying times.
December 15, 2020
Tiny Pieces of Us is the new novel from Nicky Pellegrino. Nicky is well known for her romance novels set in Italy, but this new book is a move in a slightly different direction to contemporary fiction. Tiny Pieces of Us is an emotional but heartwarming read about a group of strangers all linked through organ donation from the same donor. Vivi Palmer has spent her life being careful, born with a heart defect but was lucky enough to get a transplant. She now has a job as a journalist and when her boss, and boyfriend Dan, finds out about the transplant he wants to use her as a poster girl for a transplant donation campaign. From this article Vivi comes across Grace, the mother of the teenage boy whose heart Vivi has. Soon Grace has Vivi using her journalistic talents to find the other four recipients of her sons organs. These strangers soon become like a second family to Vivi, and through them she is able to make some brave decisions.
I have been reading Nicky Pellegrino’s books for about ten years after falling in love with her books set in stunning Italy, I think there are only two I haven’t read but they are on my bookshelf in my bedroom. As I mentioned previously Tiny Pieces of Us is a new direction for Nicky and one that she has taken with great success. The central theme of organ donation, from the viewpoint of both the donor family and the recipients and their family is handled with sensitivity, understanding and obviously a lot of research. This is such an important issue and one we may not want to face but maybe will at some point in our lives. Nicky captures the many different emotions around this subject perfectly, from Grace’s grief at the loss of her son, to her joy at meeting those who keep part of him alive in themselves to the constant worry of the recipients and their families as to how long the donor organs will last and living with a life limiting illness.
As a central character Vivi is complex, vulnerable and trying to live her best life, even if those around her disagree. Being a sick child and having a life limiting illness she spent her life wrapped in cotton wool by her parents and sister, and wants her independence. This is why she lives in a small bed sit, writing social articles to fill space in the newspaper and dating her boss. Her parents, and sister, who are rich, want more for her and they get their way when she feels taken advantage of by Dan, her boss and boyfriend. I loved her sister Imogen who supports her in everything she does, even if she thinks it’s wrong, and has a total unconditional love for her sister. She is the one who supports her in her quest to help Grace find the other organ recipients and accepts them as part of Vivi’s life. She certainly adds humour to the plot with her observations and terrible cooking. I did like the fact that Nicky Pellegrino included a holiday to Italy for Imogen and Vivi, to the beautiful Villa Rosa which appears in a couple of her previous books.
Tiny Pieces of Us is an emotional , heartwarming and thought provoking read. Nicky Pellegrino is a natural storyteller who really gets to grips with her characters and their experiences and brings them to her readers hearts. As beautifully written as her previous books this new trajectory in her writing is very exciting and I can’t wait to see what she writes next
I have been reading Nicky Pellegrino’s books for about ten years after falling in love with her books set in stunning Italy, I think there are only two I haven’t read but they are on my bookshelf in my bedroom. As I mentioned previously Tiny Pieces of Us is a new direction for Nicky and one that she has taken with great success. The central theme of organ donation, from the viewpoint of both the donor family and the recipients and their family is handled with sensitivity, understanding and obviously a lot of research. This is such an important issue and one we may not want to face but maybe will at some point in our lives. Nicky captures the many different emotions around this subject perfectly, from Grace’s grief at the loss of her son, to her joy at meeting those who keep part of him alive in themselves to the constant worry of the recipients and their families as to how long the donor organs will last and living with a life limiting illness.
As a central character Vivi is complex, vulnerable and trying to live her best life, even if those around her disagree. Being a sick child and having a life limiting illness she spent her life wrapped in cotton wool by her parents and sister, and wants her independence. This is why she lives in a small bed sit, writing social articles to fill space in the newspaper and dating her boss. Her parents, and sister, who are rich, want more for her and they get their way when she feels taken advantage of by Dan, her boss and boyfriend. I loved her sister Imogen who supports her in everything she does, even if she thinks it’s wrong, and has a total unconditional love for her sister. She is the one who supports her in her quest to help Grace find the other organ recipients and accepts them as part of Vivi’s life. She certainly adds humour to the plot with her observations and terrible cooking. I did like the fact that Nicky Pellegrino included a holiday to Italy for Imogen and Vivi, to the beautiful Villa Rosa which appears in a couple of her previous books.
Tiny Pieces of Us is an emotional , heartwarming and thought provoking read. Nicky Pellegrino is a natural storyteller who really gets to grips with her characters and their experiences and brings them to her readers hearts. As beautifully written as her previous books this new trajectory in her writing is very exciting and I can’t wait to see what she writes next
June 30, 2020
A beautifully written story that really tugs on the heartstrings.
Born with a life-threatening heart defect Vivi receives a heart transplant, her donor, a 16 year old boy killed in an accident riding his bike home one evening. Grace, the boy’s mother makes the selfless yet heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to her son and offers his organs so he can give the gift of life to others. It’s one of the most gut wrenching starts to a novel I have read in a long time.
A few years later Vivi, working as a journalist for a tabloid newspaper in the UK, publishes an article to raise awareness for organ donations and is soon contacted by Grace. Her pain is still so raw and so fresh and she is struggling with the decision she made knowing that others now have tiny pieces of her son helping them live and breathe each day. It has now almost become an obsession, she needs to find and meet these people so she can feel closer to her son again and Vivi is unwittingly thrust into the search with Grace.
Over time we are introduced to the other “organ recipients” for want of a better term. Each with their own fears and struggles just like Vivi. Although we don’t learn about the others in as much detail, we understand them as how Vivi sees them and how they fit in with her life, while still understanding the tears, heartaches but also joy they have all experienced at receiving a second chance at life.
The story captures the emotion of Vivi perfectly and how she lives her life with the constant worry of how things could suddenly turn for her, almost an acceptance that her life could still be a short one. Will her new heart fail? How can she plan for a future of a long and happy life when her body could reject her heart even years on from her surgery?
As someone who reads a few too many thrillers this was a surprising change of pace for me, one that was full of warmth and emotion and ultimately uplifting. I thought the author handled the subject of organ donation with absolute care and sensitivity, it made me think of my own mortality and what I could be doing to take better care of myself. Am I living my best life every day?
Definitely a wonderful read, thanks so much Hachette Australia for providing me a copy in exchange for my review.
Born with a life-threatening heart defect Vivi receives a heart transplant, her donor, a 16 year old boy killed in an accident riding his bike home one evening. Grace, the boy’s mother makes the selfless yet heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to her son and offers his organs so he can give the gift of life to others. It’s one of the most gut wrenching starts to a novel I have read in a long time.
A few years later Vivi, working as a journalist for a tabloid newspaper in the UK, publishes an article to raise awareness for organ donations and is soon contacted by Grace. Her pain is still so raw and so fresh and she is struggling with the decision she made knowing that others now have tiny pieces of her son helping them live and breathe each day. It has now almost become an obsession, she needs to find and meet these people so she can feel closer to her son again and Vivi is unwittingly thrust into the search with Grace.
Over time we are introduced to the other “organ recipients” for want of a better term. Each with their own fears and struggles just like Vivi. Although we don’t learn about the others in as much detail, we understand them as how Vivi sees them and how they fit in with her life, while still understanding the tears, heartaches but also joy they have all experienced at receiving a second chance at life.
The story captures the emotion of Vivi perfectly and how she lives her life with the constant worry of how things could suddenly turn for her, almost an acceptance that her life could still be a short one. Will her new heart fail? How can she plan for a future of a long and happy life when her body could reject her heart even years on from her surgery?
As someone who reads a few too many thrillers this was a surprising change of pace for me, one that was full of warmth and emotion and ultimately uplifting. I thought the author handled the subject of organ donation with absolute care and sensitivity, it made me think of my own mortality and what I could be doing to take better care of myself. Am I living my best life every day?
Definitely a wonderful read, thanks so much Hachette Australia for providing me a copy in exchange for my review.
November 23, 2024
3.5/5
This story is very real and very well researched in my opinion. Nicky Pellegrino is the first author that made me want to read her other works just for the sake of seeing where her storytelling would take me next and what would it make me experience.
This story is about life and death, love, hope, second chances and new beginnings.
Vivi didn’t have much plan for her future because she believes that she wouldn’t live that long anyway since she is a transplant recipient. Her heart belonged to a boy called Jamie, who had big dreams but died young.
It was frustrating to see her at the start not listening to the advice of her family of quitting her job or dating a more suitable man. It was like she already gave up on herself and in life.
Her outlook in life starts to change as she meets Jamie’s mother and the other donor recipients of Jamie’s organs. They were strangers linked together by a common thread that was Jamie. Vivi found new family and friends and gained the realization that it was still important to live her life to the fullest and to make each day count.
It was a relief for me to witness Vivi’s turning point because she was just annoying in over 50% of the book. Sense was finally knocked into her when she moved out of her boyfriend’s place and joined her sister to vacation in Italy.
In the end, Vivi learned that no matter how careful, there would still be risks in life. She was still constantly worrying but at the same time, she understands that it’s part of life that she needs to face, get used to it eventually and find it worth it in the end.
This story is very real and very well researched in my opinion. Nicky Pellegrino is the first author that made me want to read her other works just for the sake of seeing where her storytelling would take me next and what would it make me experience.
This story is about life and death, love, hope, second chances and new beginnings.
Vivi didn’t have much plan for her future because she believes that she wouldn’t live that long anyway since she is a transplant recipient. Her heart belonged to a boy called Jamie, who had big dreams but died young.
It was frustrating to see her at the start not listening to the advice of her family of quitting her job or dating a more suitable man. It was like she already gave up on herself and in life.
Her outlook in life starts to change as she meets Jamie’s mother and the other donor recipients of Jamie’s organs. They were strangers linked together by a common thread that was Jamie. Vivi found new family and friends and gained the realization that it was still important to live her life to the fullest and to make each day count.
It was a relief for me to witness Vivi’s turning point because she was just annoying in over 50% of the book. Sense was finally knocked into her when she moved out of her boyfriend’s place and joined her sister to vacation in Italy.
In the end, Vivi learned that no matter how careful, there would still be risks in life. She was still constantly worrying but at the same time, she understands that it’s part of life that she needs to face, get used to it eventually and find it worth it in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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