1.29k reviews for:

A thousand broken pieces

Tillie Cole

4.2 AVERAGE

jmichelle1986's review against another edition

5.0

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Ok guys this one was hard for me to get through. Not because I didn't like it but because it hit me in all the places that I thought were already healed (for the most part). The main character in this book lost her sister, I too lost my sister back in 2018. Going through the journey of someone who has lost a loved one is tough but going through the journey of someone who is experiencing the same feelings, the same hurt, the same emptiness is crushing. I understood exactly where she was at each point of this book, with all of the waves and stages you go through in grief.
Now, there is a negative aspect to this book. I didn't like the fact that her healing journey was tied to a boy. I know it's YA, so it's expected, but it almost made it seem as if she couldn't or wouldn't get past or accept her sister's passing had she not had the boy to focus on. They could have gone through each of their stories without making it seem as if they needed a love interest to heal. Even with this, I would strongly recommend this book to any and all.

sophjoy's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kamma_josefine's review against another edition

3.5

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this book made me feel a lot—sometimes in quiet, unexpected ways. the writing resonated with me deeply, and there were moments where i felt so seen it made me emotional. there’s something powerful about reading a story that dares to look grief in the eye, even when it doesn’t always get it right. i really loved the central relationship —watching the characters travel and heal together gave the story heart and softness. their bond pulled me in, and i appreciated how the plot carried their connection through both pain and joy. at the same time, i found parts of the story lacking. some of the plot points felt thin or underdeveloped, and the depiction of grief sometimes leaned into romanticization. while that didn’t stop me from feeling connected to the story, it did pull me out of it in places. still, i’m glad i read it. it transported me somewhere else for a little while, and i cried with the characters. i smiled with them. even with its flaws, the story stayed with me—and i think that says something.

eliseheinle_20's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jordonabel's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful sad tense 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

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This is a masterclass in emotional manipulation. I cried, and I fell in love with them. The story is beautifully written, with vivid descriptions that transported me to the world Cole created.

The characters are complex, flawed, and relatable. Their struggles, triumphs, and heartbreaks are expertly woven throughout the narrative, keeping me invested from start to finish. Cole's writing is raw, honest, and unflinching, tackling tough topics with sensitivity and care.

kcoop93's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

millie055's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

endymarch's review against another edition

2.0

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

ashley_strode's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

alltoowelllll's review against another edition

5.0

emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes