It is hard to believe that this is the Laura Pearson's first book and what a fantastic book it is.  This is a heart-wrenching account of a family's loss which leaves the surviving family members is a very fragile state.   After the initial account of the loss and subsequent tragedy in 1985, fast forward to 2011 when the surviving sisters have grown up and are involved in careers of their own, both of whom are still haunted by secrets surrounding their sister's death.  This book deserves more than 5 stars and I am so looking forward to reading future books by this author.  Have some tissues handy.

I'm almost lost for words after reading this novel. What can I say because I don't think the word emotional quite covers it.

The book is split into two parts, past and present. And whilst I think both parts were written well, it was the first part that had me well and truly sobbing whilst the second had me filled with hope.

*Trigger warning*

This book covers the subjects of child loss and suicide.

I found it was done in a sensitive manner and the characters had some real depth to them which would make it hard for any reader to not connect in some shape or form.

The only thing that made me mark the book down was that the suicide side of things seemed to be brushed over in a sense, I wanted more of the aftermath instead of skipping years down the line, a third piece of the puzzle would have added extra detail to both the storyline and the people who were portrayed in this book.

Missing Pieces is a novel that begins in such a harrowing way that the ending is almost a surprise, when I reached the last page I had a feeling of peace. It wasn't a cut and dry ending, it was left open to the thoughts of what we see happening next.

A refreshing read that I would recommend to others.

This book told a gentle story of family heartbreak and picking up the pieces again afterwards. Such brilliant descriptions of the characters made them feel like friends and such a moving story made it impossible not to feel real emotion for them. Brilliantly written

A fabulous book that draws you in to the sister's lives and what has happened since they last visited the cabins. I could not put this book down and although you knew what had happened in the past it did not take away any enjoyment from turning the pages.

MISSING PIECES

BY

Laura Pearson

	 Phoebe,  the toddler daughter of Linda and Tom has died but the reader does not know the circumstances until towards the end of the book. But by the almost palpable guilt weighing down each member of the family including seven year old Esme affecting Esme, it was an accident. Family life is shattered and Tom’s valiant efforts to retain some sort of bond between the three of them are failing. Linda isolates herself, totally submerged in her loss, brushing off any kindness shown to her by friends,shunning her husband and the disturbed Esme. The birth of Bea shortly after Phoebe’s demise brings Linda no joy as she refuses to take any interest in the baby and is unable to bond or love her.
	Losing a child is a mother’s worst nightmare but Linda’s reaction is so selfish and  prolonged it becomes rather wearing. I wanted to shake her and tell her to look at what remained and not what was lost. As my sympathy for Linda dissipated, my compassion for Tom and Esme increased. The whole of the first section of this book is rather one dimensional dealing solely with Linda and her depression .  Further dramatic events certainly increase the interest of the book as the other characters become better formed and more interesting.
	This writer is excellent at characterisation, and apart from Linda who was a tad overwritten, the others were sharp and believable. Her prose and her dialogue flow easily and the tender scenes between Tom and his little girls are very moving.
	For a first novel this is admirable but it is not really my kind of book.  It resembles the ads I see of soaps, disharmony. The reader must wait a long time for something that will bring any happiness to this fragmented family.  A few light touches and a plot with a wider spectrum would have made this a more interesting and gripping read.

I received an electronic copy of this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, wow, wow! This book was AH-mazing! I saw the cover and read the description and it really appealed to me. This book is sad and emotional but I love those kinds of books- the ones that make you feel! I can't wait to read Laura Pearson's next book! Hope she writes quickly!

A beautiful heart-breaking story that goes through all the feels while it explores grief. This book will tear your heart out.

Loved thinking it really tugged at the heart, what a sad story from so many perspectives but with such a lovely outcome, would highly recommend.

Wow. A very emotional book but a clever one.  Towards end of  book one of the characters explains how she felt in her childhood through letters to her sister,  I thought that was gripping and couldn’t wait to finish the book.  Would thoroughly recommend.

This was a book which did not leave my hand , the story involves 3 sisters of one who's died then the last sister is born , then the family suffer more heartache .I don't want to reveal too much but it's sad and has pages where you so need to know what happens next , 
It's a really good read and definitely a page turner which had me awake into the early hours 
Highly recommended

Oh, my! This is a heartbreaking read. It's so, so good whilst also leaving you slightly broken.

Without giving anything away, it's about one family who suffer tragedy and loss and it's also about friendship, love and grief. I was hooked from the first page to the last as it carries within it such a message of life and hope. It's beautifully written and I look forward to more from this excellent author.

Thanks so much to net galley and Ipsobooks for the opportunity to preview this wonderful book. Wishing you all every success upon publication.

An emotional book.  A family is torn apart after the youngest child's untimely death at only three years old, the blame and guilt felt by the remaining members of the family is devastating and drives them apart.  It is not until a younger sibling, who was not yet born at the time of the tragedy, questions the remaining members of the family as an adult that the whole episode is revisited and addressed.  It is a beautifully written sensitive book and one can definitely empathise with the characters,  The book is written in two parts, once around the time of the death of Phoebe and the effect this has on the whole family and later once the older child, Esme and Bea, the child as yet unborn at the start, are adults.  Both halves are captivating and hold the reader's attention.

I read that this is the author's first book and I, for one, shall be looking out for subsequent reads as she definitely has a talent.

Linda and Tom are happily married with two daughters, Esme and Phoebe and another baby on the way. Then , in a blink of an eye their happiness is gone. One moment in which one daughter dies and the family is ripped apart with guilt.
Years later, the unborn baby, Bea, is pregnant herself and starts to ask questions about her dead sister and what happened?
The remaining Sadlers have to face up to the past and what happened but will it help or tear them further apart.
This is a beautifully written story.  Very poignant.

Deeply in love, Linda and Tom Sadler have two beautiful daughters, Esme and Phoebe. They are blissfully happy with their family life and dearly love their two girls. They create happy family memories for them with lovely outings, holidays, imaginative and exciting stories; all in the framework of security and love. Life for the Sadler family is absolutely perfect and both of their daughters thrive on their love and care. When Linda finds she is expecting a third child she worries about how they will cope, but Tom is delighted and assures her they will be fine. He is a hands-on Dad and Linda knows she will be well supported so she settles into the long wait to meet their baby feeling reassured and happy.
During her pregnancy a single moment of distraction results in the tragic death of their beautiful, vibrant Phoebe, their three-year-old bundle of fun and the light of their life. Linda never recovers from her loss and becomes very withdrawn; a blank canvas which once shone brightly over her family. She goes on to the early delivery of their third daughter whom they name Beatrice. But this time, with Bea having to stay in hospital so long, she returns to her family alone and totally wiped out, never really feeling a connection with her infant daughter. Her life is bland, she is exhausted and she exists rather than lives. Nobody ever talks about Phoebe, but each member of the family feels guilty about what happened and Linda does not receive the support and counselling she so desperately needs to overcome her grief. Their lives are devastated but Linda’s is a total wreck.
Thus ends the first part of the novel. Part two moves on twenty five years and to when their youngest daughter Bea discovers she is pregnant. The fractured family have never truly got over their feelings of guilt and each carry with them their own secrets about Phoebe’s death. Bea hasn’t seen much of her father or sister since she moved out, but now that she is pregnant she wants to reconnect and especially to find out more about her family. This is the catalyst to Tom and Esme opening up, until the truth about that day is revealed and the healing really begins. This is an incredibly moving novel and I will never forget this family and their sad story.
‘Missing Pieces’ is an emotional and beautifully written family story. I was totally immersed in it and filled with compassion for each of the carefully crafted characters. I felt so sorry for Linda whose life was altered so tragically that fateful day. I loved how this hugely talented author got inside her characters and brought their various personalities to life so vividly. This debut novel is a totally unmissable study of family dynamics, love, loss, grief, euphoria, secrecy and guilt and is heartbreakingly honest and well portrayed. I particularly liked the letters of support that Esme sent to her sister Bea whilst she was pregnant and the way Laura Pearson wrote from each person’s point of view with empathy and insight. Her understanding and turn of phrase was truly inspirational and very moving. I also loved the idea of the family having their own new beginnings as they recovered from the trauma of exposing the truth. This was such a satisfying ending, uplifting and full of hope.
I received this superb debut novel through NetGalley and publisher Agora in return for an honest review. This is my 5* review. Believe me this is an excellent moving and unforgettable novel. All the opinions are my own with no influence from other parties.

Lovely piece of work. I shed tears several times while reading this book. Unputdownable! I only wish I knew what and how Phoebe died earlier on. Discovering the cause of her death so much later in the book felt somewhat like an anticlimax.

Wow what an amazing debut book, straight away it captures you’re heart it is so beautifully written and impossible to put down, there are moments of sadness ( have the tissues ready) and it feels so real, the characters so strong and realistic that even after reading it, it stays with you and you can’t stop thinking about the pain this family went through 
  This is an author to watch out for, I can’t wait fior the next literary wonder.
 A must read for 2018, thank you to netgalley for letting me review this great book.

Amazing! I read this story on my kindle while queuing for rollercoasters at Alton towers! Absolutely heartbreaking and yet full of hope and the power of love within families. Held my attention even with all the distractions around me, I couldn’t put this book down. Would definitely recommend this book but be warned that tissues may be needed.

This beautiful book had me hooked from the first page. It centres on how a tragedy accident can affecteveryone close to it.

The book is in two parts. The first explores the tragic death of three year old Pheobe and the repercussions on her family, especially her parents , Tom and Linda.  The second half is 25 years later and explores how the tragedy is still impacting on the family including Esme and Bea the sisters of Pheobe 

The book explores grief , family relationships, trauma, guilt and secrets in a beautiful honest way. Laura Pearson is a fantastic storyteller who told the story very sensitivity. , it is hard to believe this is her debut novel because it is so beautifully written, drawing the reader in . With her magnificent writing style. I personally know a family who have suffered this grief and the book reflected their lives in many ways. 

Missing peices is a truly gripping read and will stay with me for a long time. The ending of the book was perfect . This is one of my favourite reads . I throughly recommend it. !!! Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this book .

Oh My word, I have just finished Missing Pieces and I am so emotional.
I really do not know how to review this book as I am so lost for words. 
AMAZING, is one word I can come up with.
As a 37 year old who was born in the eighties and lived a life I find hard to talk about, this book hit home but in different ways. And until recently I reconnected with my sister/best friend.
This is definitely in my top 10 books ever. I will NEVER forget it!!!

Brilliant book, gives you tears and emotions. You feel yourself feeling the same emotions as the characters. Recommended.