This story brought out every emotion possible.  I both loved and hated each character at various time throughout this story, which is a true testament to how well it is written.  Loss leaves unexplainable scars on those left behind, some disappear over time and some never will.

This novel ought to come with some kind of warning, advising you not to read it while on public transport. At the very least it should be the standard against which all waterproof mascaras are tested. Aside from just being a thoroughly engrossing story that touches on themes everyone can relate to (grief, betrayal, identity) it's exquisitely written. Laura has an amazing ability to take emotions that, in the hands of someone less talented, would result in hyperbole or mawkishness. Yet somehow, her succinct turn of phrase and makes the sentiments even more poignant. Even people who wouldn't normally go for this type of novel will find something to love here, and it's the kind of story that stays with you long after you've turned the final page. Highly, highly recommended.

A compelling and heart-breaking debut novel by Laura Pearson. Split into two parts, it tells the story of a family torn apart by tragedy and guilt. Twenty-five years later, the youngest daughter Bea, who is too young to remember what happened and has been kept in the dark ever since, decides she needs to exorcise the family’s grief, which has left them empty and alienated from each other.  A thought-provoking and moving read, with an uplifting conclusion. .

A tremendous read.  I very well written story that captured my attention from the beginning.  I had a mixture of emotions whilst reading it.  Sadness and happiness with a few tears along the way.  What a wonderful first novel. I look forward to reading more from Laura Pearson.

I loved this book. The story is fascinating and emotional, an exploration of family and grief that is very moving. The author covers many contemporary issues with depth and sensitivity. My thanks to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of how a tragedy can hang over a family and that not talking about it can often be worse than looking it in the eye.  When they do start to discuss what happens it brings a resolution to some of the family riffs and shows that secrets are not good bed fellows.

I liked this book very much, although it is extremely sad. Esme's sister died in a tragic accident at home at the age of 3. Esme blames herself for what happened, though it hasn't been talked about in the family for years now. Her other sister, Bea, who was born after Phoebe's death, now finds herself pregnant, and wants to know what happened all those years ago. This is a story of guilt, extreme sadness, and finally moving on from tragedy. Thanks to Netgalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

I really enjoyed this book.  It is beautifully written and tells the story of Linda and her family and the aftermath of a terrible tragedy.  
The book is in two parts - the time immediately after the tragedy which was so well written you could feel Linda's pain pouring from the pages and then 25 years later as one of her daughters, Bea, tries to uncover what exactly happened all that time ago.
I found myself gripped and wanting to read on to uncover what exactly had happened on that tragic day.  Highly recommended.

When Tom and Linda lost their daughter Phoebe their world was torn apart.  Linda is already pregnant and when her daughter Bea is born she can't bond with her, and can't relate to her older daughter Esme, Tom tries to hold the family together but is unable to get through to Linda.  The second half of the book is set 25 years later when Esme and Bea are trying to come to terms with their life and broken family. 

A great emotional book the story is well told and I loved the way you were kept guessing about the way Phoebe died..... definitely a book that stays with you after you have finished reading it

Missing Pieces was a fab book that I struggled to put down. I was gripped from the first page. A great book by Laura Pearson.

Received – 30 May 18
With thanks to NetGalley and  Michael Joseph Comms for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
 
Missing Pieces
The book is set in two parts; the first spanning late 1985/early 1986 and the second set 25 years later in November/December 2011. In autumn 1985 Linda and Tom Sadler have two little girls, Esme (7)  and Phoebe (3) and Linda is expecting a third child. Just before the third daughter, Bea, is born Phoebe dies in a tragic accident.

We don’t discover the circumstances of Phoebe’s death until the end of the book but we learn that the tragedy affects the other four family members in different ways with much grief, sadness and many mixed emotions felt by all, including Bea who never even knew Phoebe.

It’s a very well written book which has a realistic feel to the way the different family members reacted to and coped with the tragedy.

I sensed early on the circumstances of Phoebe’s death but it didn’t detract from the story and my wanting to know how it all turned out. I was mildly disappointed that there wasn’t more of a story to Phoebe’s death than I had sensed but then maybe I read too many psychological thrillers and expect too many twists. It’s a heavy book only to be read when you are feeling in a strong enough emotional state but I found the ending very satisfying.

This is Laura’s Pearson’s first novel and I think she has great potential to write more. It’s an excellent example of how people grieve in many different ways and why statistically marriages are so vulnerable when a child dies. I’ve seen this many times in reality and this book captures it perfectly. If it’s weren’t a subject too close to hearts I’d almost be recommending it to any parent or sibling grieving the loss of a young person. 

With thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Missing Pieces really packed an emotional punch! A moving story about how a family deals with terrible loss, this book was deeply engaging and thought-provoking. I would happily read another book by this author in the future!

I want to thank Netgalley for giving me an ARC of Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson.  I loved this book & couldn't put it down.  It tells the story of Tom & Linda and the tragic death of their 3 yr old Phoebe and how the family copes with the loss and how it effects the other 2 sisters, Esme & Bea.  I'm the oldest of 3 girls and I loved the interactions between the sisters.  The story is told in 2 parts - at the time of Phoebe's death & then 25 years later.  The book focuses on how each member of the family is affected by the tragedy & the characters are extremely well written.

Missing Pieces was an emotional tale about love, loss and the long-term devastation caused by a family tragedy! An enjoyable and thought provoking read!

A terribly sad tale of traumatic loss and its impact on a family. I felt, for me personally, the first half of the book went on a little bit too long. It was so devastatingly heartbreaking and sad, I got to the stage when I didn't think I'd be able to continue. Fortunately, not long after I started feeling that way, the second part of the book started and I very much enjoyed the latter half. The deep feelings within the family were slowly but surely revealed. Laura Pearson really expressed herself with enormous clarity and eloquence. The proceedings were believable and characters who had felt somewhat distant became firm friends, both engaging and absorbing. The ending was entirely satisfactory and I closed the book with hope in my heart.

This novel was gripping! I couldn't put it down...the characters felt very real, like members of my own family or town. I can't believe this is a debut....I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more from Laura Pearson.

With two daughters and a third on the way Linda and Tom had it all. 

When tragedy strikes and Phoebe dies in a tragic accident, the family is destroyed. 

The second half of the novel is set some twenty five years later when the third baby, Bea, is trying to make sense of the event that shattered her family. 

Raw and emotional. Keep the tissues handy.

Overall, this book just wasn't for me. I felt as though it took too long to find out what happened to Phoebe. I also didn't relate to any of the characters. I thought they were all selfish and caught up in there own problems and couldn't see that Esme was having issues too. I skimmed most of the book because I just wanted to know what happened. 

*I received a free e-arc(digital advanced reader's copy) from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ALL thoughts/opinions are my own."

It was great to read and enjoy a book that wasn't a psychological thriller for a change. Well written and captivating story that required tissues at some points!

I LOVED this book.  It was incredibly heartbreaking, raw, and filled with so much emotion.  I wanted to reach out, protect and love every single character throughout the book.  This story was hard to read but also important to read.  So many people go through terrible loss and this book really gives you an insight into what someone is dealing with silently.  I definitely recommend this book and would love to read additional books by this author. 

4.5 stars out of 5.