Pieces of Perfect

One Perfect Summer #1.5

by Brenda Novak

In One Perfect Summer, three women who had never met—and seemed to share nothing but a DNA match—discovered they were sisters. Their search to uncover how and why brought them together and transformed strangers into family.

Now, in Pieces of Perfect, those bonds are tested, deepened, and celebrated as they continue to explore what it truly means to belong.

Genres: Contemporary

Paperback

Published October 22, 2025

About the author

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.

“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”

However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.

Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.

“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”

Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.

When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...

Reviews

[Nadine Bookaholic]

This is a 50-page sequel novella to One Perfect Summer, which was released in April 2020. For maximum enjoyment, be sure to read that story first. It’s about three strangers who take a DNA test and find out they’re sisters. In their quest to figure out how and why, they become family in every other sense of the word, too.

[Sharilyn Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading One Perfect Summer when it released I was left with so many questions. What happened with the sisters after they went their separate ways? Will Lorelei ever find out who murdered her adoptive mom? We get answers to those questions with this novella. I am still hoping we get another full-length book with these sisters!

[Rachel (storybookcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Perfect Summer left me wanting more. I had to know the answers to so many questions racing through my mind. Pieces of Perfect answered all of those questions, but once again has left me wanting more. These three sisters could easily become a series. I'm 100% here for it if they do!!

[Amy Herskovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was too short!!! I wanted more!!!

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so blah. I don't understand why the author even bothered to write this novella even for the sake of an extended epilogue. The h in this is one of the most boring h I've ever come across. So one note. even the mystery element in this novella was so bland. And to think, the murder plot held more precedence over the romance plot. That arc felt more incomplete than ever. I usually find Brenda Novak a good writer but this one was such a miss that I'm conflicted about reading her slice of life books which don't really do much for me anyway.

[Ann-marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a novella/follow up story from Brenda's book "One Perfect Summer" that came out in 2020. I would advise reading that book to get the gist of this novella. Lorelai is still adjusting to finding out she has two half sisters. She is also still dealing with her ex husband combative behavior. He still refuse she has moved on from him. In this novella we get some closure on certain subject matters brought up in the book. I would have love this to be a bitter longer but enjoyed it.

[Erin Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more! I said that after reading One Perfect Summer and got 50 more pages to read! I repeat, I want more! This is such a good story line and great characters I was sad that it was over so quickly but grateful I did get to read a bit more of the story.

[Susan Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I definitely needed this because after reading One Perfect Summer I wanted more. But know I still want more. Maybe we will get lucky and get another Novella with more about the sisters. I loved it.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pieces of Perfect was a great quick read by Brenda Novak. This is a sequel novella to One Perfect Summer. You need to read that book first. This book follows the three sisters who found out they were sisters through a DNA test. This was a good sequel to a great book.

[Harriet Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pieces of Perfect was the perfect Novella to tie up ends from One Perfect Summer.
It's only 50 pages and it completes the story of Finn and Loralie. Well worth the read and it only takes 20-30 minutes. Great for a short day at the beach or with morning coffee.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel I didn’t know I needed! Now I just want a full on sequel of the sisters & their family instead of the teaser novella. Tidying up some lingering questions from the first book, and giving us some more info - it’s the perfect conclusion… for now.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella. Was sorry to see it end.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Brenda Novak, for this short story, this is a follow up to “One Perfect Summer” loved it

[Dana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story. Good plot. Would be great to read more of the three sisters stories. Still would like to know more of their stories.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short read.

[Bev Stegmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Answered some follow up questions

[Melinda Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda i loved this. I hope there's another book .. I love loreli!!!

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story about Lorelei. I would love to have known if Lorelei and Finn stay together. She has some answers but not all.

[Sparklin C Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sequel novella of One Perfect Summer. One Perfect Summer should be read first. As it gives you background to the sisters.

[Jeanne Dembenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great novella to bring some of the unanswered questions from "One Perfect Summer"

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little novella-I’ll be ready for more stories with the sisters in the future!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved seeing Lorelei get to answers she was looking for. And being able to stay connected with her sisters was good too.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet finish to stories started in One Perfect Summer.

[Lottie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have easily extended the story. Focus of the story on one character.

[Tina Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect continuation of what is going on in the sister’s lives. So glad Lorelei and Finn are finally together. Now we just need a little more.

[Patricia King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pieces of Perfect
Sequel
Brenda Novak, author

This is a short story that ties together some loose ends from the book. The three sisters visit their biological father in prison to seek out some answers. Although, he was not very forthcoming. Hence, one of the sisters hired an investigator, who found the answers they were seeking.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Tena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story about the three sister that found each other.

[Bookish Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, sweet novella that has me anxiously awaiting book number 2!

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars