The Little Pieces of You and Me is the story of what happens when your life changes suddenly and unexpectedly. It follows the story of two friends, Isla and Sophie, and how they cope when their lives change in a way neither of them expect. Both women, when they were younger, made a list of things they would like to achieve in their lives. Life has not turned out as either of them has hoped. Isla lives in Amsterdam and is an actress. She has recently fallen in love with Rafael, the owner of a bookshop on a canalboat. Although she hasn’t achieved many of the things on her list, it looks as though one of them – to star on Broadway – may be about to come true. Sophie is married to Liam, a lecturer, and their relationship caused quite a scandal when they got together, also resulting in a long estrangement from her parents. Their friendship is put the to test when something life-changing happens to Isla. Perhaps as a result, perhaps coincidentally, Sophie’s life is also undergoing major changes.
The friendship Isla and Sophie has is that kind which is strong and steady. It’s the kind of friendship that even when you haven’t seen your friend for ages, you can just pick up as though you’ve been in constant contact. The strength of the friendship between these two women was the strength of this novel for me. It’s the kind of friendship that everyone wants – the kind when you know no matter what, that your friend will be there for you. This is an easy book to read but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deal with some serious issues. It’s a very thought-provoking book which will make the reader consider what they would do were they in the same situation as Isla or Sophie. I particularly questioned whether Isla made the right decision about her relationship. I didn’t find Sophie’s relationship quite so convincing. I felt that things seemed to fall apart for her too quickly but perhaps that is what can happen. However, the friendship between the two women was always convincing.
An important theme of this book seemed to me to be live life to the full. It’s perhaps a cliche to say you never know what is ahead of you but like most cliches, it is true. Both women in this book come to realise that it’s never too late to do what you really want to. Some of those ambitions on their lists which seemed to have been beyond their reach or set aside became possibilities with the help and support of family and friends. Even things which seems to be negative can turn out to be a positive catalyst for change.
The Little Pieces of You and Me was an emotional book where I felt very engaged with the characters and their story. It could have been quite a sad book but turned out to be quite uplifting. The importance of friendship and love and living for the moment is very clear. The message of the book seems to be that life may be short and you never know what is around the corner, so make the most of every moment and every opportunity.
My thanks to the publishers for sending me a review copy of this book. The Little Pieces of You and Me is published by Sphere in paperback and as an e-book. You can order a copy here: The Little Pieces of You and Me
From the back of the book
Best friends Isla and Sophie made each other a promise a long time ago: to never let life pass them by. Years later, Isla is in love, living abroad and fulfilling her dreams. But for Sophie, things haven’t turned out the way she was expecting and she hasn’t achieved any of the things she and Isla talked about.
And then, in one sudden moment, life irrevocably changes for both women.
Isla and Sophie have hard decisions to make but above all else they must face up to the uncertainty that lies ahead. It’s only when they realise that this is easier together, two friends standing side by side, that each woman can embrace whatever the future holds for them.
Emotional, poignant and uplifting, The Little Pieces of You and Me is a story about old friends, new beginnings and what happens when being strong is your only choice. It will take your breath away.
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