Scan barcode
readfrenzy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This hurts. I don’t think I’ve ever rated a Jewel E. Ann book less than four stars. After all, she is probably my favorite author. I love how she mixes humor with gut-wrenching emotions. Pieces of a Life isn’t bad, but it is missing Jewel E. Ann’s signature sparkle.
Josie and Colten were best friends growing up, but they also “dated” on and off again. They broke up and made up so many times I lost count. Just before high school graduation, Colten broke Josie's heart, and they didn’t see or speak to each other for the next seventeen years. Eventually, Josie, now a forensic pathologist, and Colten, a homicide detective, cross paths over a murder case.
The story is told from both points of view and there are flashbacks scattered throughout. I’m not a fan of flashbacks—especially here when the time jumps aren’t chronological. It’s confusing and makes the flow of the story choppy.
I can put that aside, but fundamentally I don’t vibe with Josie. She’s prickly with a frustrating push and pull nature and a tendency towards mind games. She holds a grudge longer than anyone I know, and I grew impatient with her unwillingness to (cue Elsa from “Frozen”) let it go. For some reason, Colten thinks the sun rises and sets on Josie. While I didn’t always like her behavior, I will say I respected Josie’s strength and intelligence. She’s a complex puzzle that I’m still interested in putting together.
Josie starts having creepy nightmares towards the end of the book. That’s when I got really hooked on the story. Jewel E. Ann does mind-bending romantic suspense very well, so I’m hopeful that Memories of a Life will build on that thrilling momentum.
Pieces of a Life is book 1 in Josie and Colten’s duet, which is a standalone story in the Life series.
Recommended for fans of:
Romantic suspense
Second chance romance
Paranormal mysteries
This hurts. I don’t think I’ve ever rated a Jewel E. Ann book less than four stars. After all, she is probably my favorite author. I love how she mixes humor with gut-wrenching emotions. Pieces of a Life isn’t bad, but it is missing Jewel E. Ann’s signature sparkle.
Josie and Colten were best friends growing up, but they also “dated” on and off again. They broke up and made up so many times I lost count. Just before high school graduation, Colten broke Josie's heart, and they didn’t see or speak to each other for the next seventeen years. Eventually, Josie, now a forensic pathologist, and Colten, a homicide detective, cross paths over a murder case.
The story is told from both points of view and there are flashbacks scattered throughout. I’m not a fan of flashbacks—especially here when the time jumps aren’t chronological. It’s confusing and makes the flow of the story choppy.
I can put that aside, but fundamentally I don’t vibe with Josie. She’s prickly with a frustrating push and pull nature and a tendency towards mind games. She holds a grudge longer than anyone I know, and I grew impatient with her unwillingness to (cue Elsa from “Frozen”) let it go. For some reason, Colten thinks the sun rises and sets on Josie. While I didn’t always like her behavior, I will say I respected Josie’s strength and intelligence. She’s a complex puzzle that I’m still interested in putting together.
Josie starts having creepy nightmares towards the end of the book. That’s when I got really hooked on the story. Jewel E. Ann does mind-bending romantic suspense very well, so I’m hopeful that Memories of a Life will build on that thrilling momentum.
Pieces of a Life is book 1 in Josie and Colten’s duet, which is a standalone story in the Life series.
Recommended for fans of:
Romantic suspense
Second chance romance
Paranormal mysteries
*I received an early copy. This does not affect the content of my review.*
mo_bookself's review against another edition
5.0
What was that end?! I will definitely be picking up the second book next.
daisybookattic's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I have read in a while ....FRSoon
" You lead. I follow. that's what we do. "
" You lead. I follow. that's what we do. "
jennyluvlitbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Trust this author to give you a perfect love story with all the angst and pain it brings and mix it with otherworldly vibes that will hook you from start to finish. Pieces of a Life is the third book in this series of standalone, childhood sweethearts, friends-to-lovers, second chance romance. Josie and Colten's passionate love story is rich and layered with all their history beginning when they met when they were nine years old. Josie from a young age is showing a truly interesting character that of course made our young Colten took notice. These two characters has so much depth and growth during their seventeen years apart. And as they reconnected, those feelings are still there as if they didn't end. I'm loving this new duet from this series and of course, that turn in the story of Josie and Colten just leaves me dying to read what's next!
ofbooksandromance's review against another edition
4.0
Super emotional second chance romances with a lot of push and pull and grovelling are probably my favourite books to read in the entire world, so let's just I was absolutely served with this one. This book was just such an experience and I just adored it.
Did I cry every tear in my body while reading this book? Yes.
Is that why I loved this book? Also yes.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Did I cry every tear in my body while reading this book? Yes.
Is that why I loved this book? Also yes.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
heatheradoresbooks's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐
Part 1 duet ~ Colten & Josie
Features: dual 1st person POV, slow burn, childhood sweethearts, friends to lovers~ish to enemies to lovers, forbidden love, single dad, law enforcement, medical examiner, characters in their teens and then in their 30's, second chance
Colten and Josie's story is a complicated one. It's told in the present with some flashbacks of their childhood together beginning when they were 9. Something happened near high school graduation that made them not speak for 17 years. Now, they are working in parallel career fields that give them a chance to get to know each other again. Colten is a homicide detective and Josie is an medical examiner. One character is more reluctant than the other to reconnect.
For most of the book Josie was quite frustrating, and Colten at times too, but the story slowly takes us on the journey of why she's so upset with Colten. I don't want to give too much away, but there's a bit of an intriguing mystery that they try to solve. Note that there is a cliffhanger, which is to be expected with a duet.
CW ~ many suicide and dead children references
Jewel is quite the story teller that takes you on an emotional ride. It was lighter on the romance than I thought it would be, but fast paced with an interesting plot. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Colten and Josie's story in [b:Memories of a Life|57669011|Memories of a Life (Life, #4)|Jewel E. Ann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660024532l/57669011._SY75_.jpg|90330353] and I'm excited to see what's in store for their future.
*Thanks to [a:Jewel E. Ann|7505427|Jewel E. Ann|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1564594667p2/7505427.jpg] and Valentine PR for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Part 1 duet ~ Colten & Josie
Features: dual 1st person POV, slow burn, childhood sweethearts, friends to lovers~ish to enemies to lovers, forbidden love, single dad, law enforcement, medical examiner, characters in their teens and then in their 30's, second chance
Colten and Josie's story is a complicated one. It's told in the present with some flashbacks of their childhood together beginning when they were 9. Something happened near high school graduation that made them not speak for 17 years. Now, they are working in parallel career fields that give them a chance to get to know each other again. Colten is a homicide detective and Josie is an medical examiner. One character is more reluctant than the other to reconnect.
For most of the book Josie was quite frustrating, and Colten at times too, but the story slowly takes us on the journey of why she's so upset with Colten. I don't want to give too much away, but there's a bit of an intriguing mystery that they try to solve. Note that there is a cliffhanger, which is to be expected with a duet.
CW ~ many suicide and dead children references
Jewel is quite the story teller that takes you on an emotional ride. It was lighter on the romance than I thought it would be, but fast paced with an interesting plot. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Colten and Josie's story in [b:Memories of a Life|57669011|Memories of a Life (Life, #4)|Jewel E. Ann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660024532l/57669011._SY75_.jpg|90330353] and I'm excited to see what's in store for their future.
*Thanks to [a:Jewel E. Ann|7505427|Jewel E. Ann|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1564594667p2/7505427.jpg] and Valentine PR for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
sauriemilia's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know what kind of magic Jewel E. Ann weaves into her story telling but her characters take a hold on my thoughts from when I start reading her books till long after I finish them. Colten and Josie grabbed my attention so forcefully, I can´t wait for the next installment.
timitra's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rated 4.5 Stars
What a story! It was amazing. I truly enjoyed Pieces of a Life. I lost track of how many times it made me laugh. It was also much more than funny and sexy. It was strange, intriguing and interesting. It kept me fully entertained and engaged throughout. It also had me wondering what was going on, where was this all leading to? Sadly, I have to wait for book two to get my answers. Well, it’s not really sadly since I love the anticipation of what comes next with cliffhanger endings. I loved the main characters, Josie and Colten. I loved their banter, their relationship, the dynamics within it and their chemistry. I think they complemented each other perfectly. I truly felt the connection between them and can’t wait to read the conclusion of their story. I very highly recommend this book. It’s something strange yet wonderful.
Copy provided by PR company
What a story! It was amazing. I truly enjoyed Pieces of a Life. I lost track of how many times it made me laugh. It was also much more than funny and sexy. It was strange, intriguing and interesting. It kept me fully entertained and engaged throughout. It also had me wondering what was going on, where was this all leading to? Sadly, I have to wait for book two to get my answers. Well, it’s not really sadly since I love the anticipation of what comes next with cliffhanger endings. I loved the main characters, Josie and Colten. I loved their banter, their relationship, the dynamics within it and their chemistry. I think they complemented each other perfectly. I truly felt the connection between them and can’t wait to read the conclusion of their story. I very highly recommend this book. It’s something strange yet wonderful.
Copy provided by PR company