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jolinsdell's review
3.0
I found the characters, both Lily and Adin frustrating beyond words. I spent most of the book wanting to slap them both. That said, I found I couldn't put the book down. I needed to know how things would end between them. If was addictive to see which of the two would mess up the relationship next. I read the book in one day. I liked the idea of the story being told in emails, texts, etc...
bridget_h's review
3.0
To start with - Us, in Pieces is an epistolary novel, which some people love and some people don't. Fortunately, I'm in the category of the former and this book was VERY well done in this style. It tells the stories of not-quite college sweethearts who could never connect then and are having a pain-in-the-neck time now (10 years later) to try to sync up. There are a lot of fits and starts, all of which were very realistic. That said, I have really mixed feelings about this novel - it was engrossing and I couldn't put it down (and barely did) because I wanted to know what happened. On the other hand, i wanted to flick both Lilly and Adin in the ear because they drove me crazy and not in a good way. So in the end, I can't help but give this book a good review because it did what books are supposed to do - carry me away into another place. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review.
totallybookeduk's review
5.0
What happens if you fall in love with your college best friend, never tell them and then don't have any contact for the best part of ten years?
Introducing Adin who met and fell in love with his best friend Lilly whilst they were at college. However, Lilly never returned to Ohio University after the first year. Not that this stopped Adin thinking about her, wondering where she was, what she was doing etc. A chance conversation with another college friend leads Adin to find out that Lilly is in the middle of getting divorced. Insist makes him call her parents home in Beaufort and leads to their first meeting in almost ten years. It doesn't go well. What follows is a series of emails between them, their friends and family.
With the opportunity to see how things unfold from both Adin and Lilly's perspective. Flashbacks to their time in college and the 'what could have been' moments. The story starts slowly, however, I was soon swept up in the rollercoaster of their re-acquaintance - devoured in just one day.
Introducing Adin who met and fell in love with his best friend Lilly whilst they were at college. However, Lilly never returned to Ohio University after the first year. Not that this stopped Adin thinking about her, wondering where she was, what she was doing etc. A chance conversation with another college friend leads Adin to find out that Lilly is in the middle of getting divorced. Insist makes him call her parents home in Beaufort and leads to their first meeting in almost ten years. It doesn't go well. What follows is a series of emails between them, their friends and family.
With the opportunity to see how things unfold from both Adin and Lilly's perspective. Flashbacks to their time in college and the 'what could have been' moments. The story starts slowly, however, I was soon swept up in the rollercoaster of their re-acquaintance - devoured in just one day.
trisha_thomas's review
2.0
I feel really bad for this book, I do. I definitely think this is a case of me, not you, dear book.
I loved the idea of this book but I think I've read a few too many romances lately. I liked the additional elements in the story like emails and texts. But I was so frustrated with the couple! The story felt long, unecessarily long. And as the pages stretched, I just wasn't feeling a connection to the story or the characters.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I loved the idea of this book but I think I've read a few too many romances lately. I liked the additional elements in the story like emails and texts. But I was so frustrated with the couple! The story felt long, unecessarily long. And as the pages stretched, I just wasn't feeling a connection to the story or the characters.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
bobachel's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to like this book. The premise was interesting and epistolary novels are a favorite genre of mine. However, the two main characters were insufferable. Contrary to the protestations of the characters, epic love shouldn’t be this difficult. It was enraging that Adin and Lilly didn’t just *communicate,* as they probably could have headed off many of their problems by simply expressing themselves with words.
As is discussed at a certain point in the book, Adin IS pathetic. Meanwhile, Lilly is fickle and standoffish.
It was uncomfortable and unenjoyable to experience this particular love story as a reader. While I can appreciate the care, time, and effort that went into this book, ultimately it was not for me.
Nonetheless, thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
As is discussed at a certain point in the book, Adin IS pathetic. Meanwhile, Lilly is fickle and standoffish.
It was uncomfortable and unenjoyable to experience this particular love story as a reader. While I can appreciate the care, time, and effort that went into this book, ultimately it was not for me.
Nonetheless, thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
cmoore4194's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book but there were times when I feel like it was just dragging on and on. I get some situations need second chances but didnt feel like either one of them was willing to take the plunge to see big their love was for each other. I did like how this book gave both point of views from each character and included the conversations between text,email, and letters! Thank you for NetGalley and Shadelandhouse Modern Press for picking to give this book honest review!
xosarahirene's review
4.0
As the text begins, it seems that Adin and Lilly are star-crossed college meant-to-be-togethers, but Adin's lack of speaking up and Lilly's pursuit of settling down and establishing her children's book career made the two become a bit disconnected. The goal of this novel is to have the two find their way back to one another, amidst obstacles of doubt, divorce, job instability, family pressures, and the nagging voice inside their heads.
I did begin by rooting for Adin, but over time, I became a bit...concerned? with his obsession for Lilly. I am all for the lovesick turned to fairytale romantic ending, but for some reason, I was hoping for Lilly's independence amidst all the drama. However, the switching point of views, mixture of email, narrative, and texts, made this text structure interesting. Thank you for the ARC, #NetGalley.
I did begin by rooting for Adin, but over time, I became a bit...concerned? with his obsession for Lilly. I am all for the lovesick turned to fairytale romantic ending, but for some reason, I was hoping for Lilly's independence amidst all the drama. However, the switching point of views, mixture of email, narrative, and texts, made this text structure interesting. Thank you for the ARC, #NetGalley.
slbeckmann's review
3.0
Thank you to the authors, Shadelandhouse Modern Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do love epistolary novels, and this one is well done, with a flawless mix of face-to-face dialogue, texts and e-mails. This is especially notable because it's co-written by two persons, one known more for their poetry, and the other more known for their parenting books.
But oh, did I get fed up with the two main characters. So immature, insecure, indecisive and prone to thinking the worst and believing it - rather than just speaking openly and honestly with each other, and getting on with life either together or separately. It felt like forever to get to a kind of happy end.
I do love epistolary novels, and this one is well done, with a flawless mix of face-to-face dialogue, texts and e-mails. This is especially notable because it's co-written by two persons, one known more for their poetry, and the other more known for their parenting books.
But oh, did I get fed up with the two main characters. So immature, insecure, indecisive and prone to thinking the worst and believing it - rather than just speaking openly and honestly with each other, and getting on with life either together or separately. It felt like forever to get to a kind of happy end.
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