shibh's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
annaavian's review against another edition
1.0
To me, the book felt boring and slow and it just didn't spark my interest. I would put the book down and not really have the urge to pick it up again because I simply didn't find anything intriguing about the story.
1librarianspath's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the varied backgrounds and voices that the main characters had. I never truly bought into the storyline though, or really cared about the characters. If I had to summarise, then I’d describe it as a cross between ‘Paper Towns’ and ‘13 Reasons Why’, but toned down. Sadly, it wasn’t to my taste.
nylee's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
makexbelieve's review against another edition
5.0
I love Non Pratt's stories so I was really excited to start this one. It's another brilliant contemporary YA told from the perspective of four very different but equally engaging characters.
Non captures teenage life in a way that will resonate with teen readers without feeling patronising. Sophie's refusal to think about her exams, the whole-life encompassing impact of friendships, family fallings out are just a few of the ways she creates authentic teenage characters.
It was interesting to read about a teenage character with a chronic illness and Non's author note at the end is really informative. It's clear that Non really did her research before writing Every Little Piece of My Heart, and I've finished it feeling more empathetic, and also having learnt a lot about Lupus. But Sophie is far more than just her illness, and it doesn't define her character. She is loyal and funny and in desperate need of a friend.
Every POV character was fun to read, and I was never disappointed when they switched. Win was strong and stable and she kept the peace. Her story will resonate with lots of readers. Lucas's toxic friendship with Kellan is something many teenagers will relate to as well - the conflict between knowing someone isn't a good friend for you, but wanting to keep them in your life because you're afraid of letting go. Ryan was different again, believing himself to be unloveable and pushing everyone away.
Although the shining star of Every Little Piece of My Heart wasn't a POV character at all, but Sunny. She was an absolute delight and impossible not to love. I also found it fascinating how much Freya dominated the narrative, despite her absence.
I loved the way the timeline flipped back and forth, so the story slowly fell into place. There's a great mystery element to the plot which will keep readers going late into the night.
This is a wonderful story of friendship, growing up, and being yourself. Every Little Piece of My Heart is a must-buy for school libraries this September.
Non captures teenage life in a way that will resonate with teen readers without feeling patronising. Sophie's refusal to think about her exams, the whole-life encompassing impact of friendships, family fallings out are just a few of the ways she creates authentic teenage characters.
It was interesting to read about a teenage character with a chronic illness and Non's author note at the end is really informative. It's clear that Non really did her research before writing Every Little Piece of My Heart, and I've finished it feeling more empathetic, and also having learnt a lot about Lupus. But Sophie is far more than just her illness, and it doesn't define her character. She is loyal and funny and in desperate need of a friend.
Every POV character was fun to read, and I was never disappointed when they switched. Win was strong and stable and she kept the peace. Her story will resonate with lots of readers. Lucas's toxic friendship with Kellan is something many teenagers will relate to as well - the conflict between knowing someone isn't a good friend for you, but wanting to keep them in your life because you're afraid of letting go. Ryan was different again, believing himself to be unloveable and pushing everyone away.
Although the shining star of Every Little Piece of My Heart wasn't a POV character at all, but Sunny. She was an absolute delight and impossible not to love. I also found it fascinating how much Freya dominated the narrative, despite her absence.
I loved the way the timeline flipped back and forth, so the story slowly fell into place. There's a great mystery element to the plot which will keep readers going late into the night.
This is a wonderful story of friendship, growing up, and being yourself. Every Little Piece of My Heart is a must-buy for school libraries this September.
girlglitch's review against another edition
4.0
One thing that I love about contemporary UKYA is that writers aren't afraid to take a simple idea and run with it. Every Little Piece of My Heart is essentially an exploration of friendship, and how complex, confusing and all-consuming it can be.
The story takes place over two days (with the help of a few flashbacks), but somehow it never feels rushed. There's not all that much plot, but there is a lot of character development, with each of the cast of characters going on their own emotional journey.
It's an effortless read, a YA that explores a whole range of issues and diversity without being reductive or overly didactic. Every Little Piece of My Heart is real and relatable, smart and understated - with just enough of a mystery to keep you turning those pages.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
The story takes place over two days (with the help of a few flashbacks), but somehow it never feels rushed. There's not all that much plot, but there is a lot of character development, with each of the cast of characters going on their own emotional journey.
It's an effortless read, a YA that explores a whole range of issues and diversity without being reductive or overly didactic. Every Little Piece of My Heart is real and relatable, smart and understated - with just enough of a mystery to keep you turning those pages.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
This is beautiful, heartbreaking, uplifting and just, well bring tissues you will need them. I absolutely loved the authors note before the book and it’s just wonderful to read a book about someone with chronic illness being represented. I loved how much this emphasises and focuses on the difference that one person can affect others lives, the love, the friendship, very It’s a Wonderful life (I mean that in a very positive way, I love that film and the difference people make to the world, to people who love them is so massive it needs to be used and shown far more) I mean it’s not the same per se, but you get my point. Friendships matter, they mould is, make us and they are the family we choose for ourselves. This was beautifully written and a powerful story. I also loved reading about British people for a rare change. Fabulous and thoroughly recommended
lostcupofstars's review
3.5
Overall, I liked this. I thought all of the characters were tangible and interesting. I liked the bonds they formed and was interested in what was gonna happen with the parcel Sophie received. Also a lot of important rep in this book!
I got to the end and felt somewhat unsatisfied - I really wanted more from it! Not necessarily a conclusion, just more. The book ended right when the characters were all on the precipice of change and I really would have loved to have seen how it changed them for the better.
abbie_davis_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bibliophilogy's review against another edition
3.0
FULL REVIEW IS UP!
Huge thanks to Pansing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book is now available in all good bookstores!
Three-word description : friends, mystery, connected
My rating : 3 / 5 stars
Every Little Piece of My Heart is a heartwarming book about Freya who leaves behind a package for her friends after leaving without any explanation out of the blue. This throws her friends into questioning why did she ever leave and inside the package would uncover some of Freya’s real and raw feelings and emotions towards the recipients of the parcel.
This is told in different POVs, we have Sophie, Freya’s best friend, Ryan, the easy target, Win from next door and Lucas the co-worker. This packages connected the four of them as they are all trying to figure out why Freya left. I’d say this is a character driven novel and you have to really love the characters to be able to enjoy it. I liked Sophie and Ryan’s stories, I think they definitely stand out to me, especially Sophie with a chronic illness lupus, it was so interesting and well-researched and I got to know more about the illness.
The storyline is quite ambiguous, it does not reveal much about Freya, nor does it unravels the real reason why she left so suddenly. It is an open ended ending which I kind of liked, because it opens up to so many possibilities, but I wish the book reveals more about Freya, because I would like to know her a little bit more. But with the multi-POV format, I think it is also quite unique how different people perceives a different side of Freya, and I definitely think that this is such a smart way of storytelling.
Overall, this book did not stand out to me very much, but it’s definitely one that I read in one sitting! It kind of keeps you turning the pages just to find out what happened, if you are a big fan of open ended and vague endings that would allow you to continue the story on your own, this would be the book for you because the story could go so many different directions and you can take the pick on which one you like best.
My thoughts
Huge thanks to Pansing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book is now available in all good bookstores!
Three-word description : friends, mystery, connected
My rating : 3 / 5 stars
Every Little Piece of My Heart is a heartwarming book about Freya who leaves behind a package for her friends after leaving without any explanation out of the blue. This throws her friends into questioning why did she ever leave and inside the package would uncover some of Freya’s real and raw feelings and emotions towards the recipients of the parcel.
This is told in different POVs, we have Sophie, Freya’s best friend, Ryan, the easy target, Win from next door and Lucas the co-worker. This packages connected the four of them as they are all trying to figure out why Freya left. I’d say this is a character driven novel and you have to really love the characters to be able to enjoy it. I liked Sophie and Ryan’s stories, I think they definitely stand out to me, especially Sophie with a chronic illness lupus, it was so interesting and well-researched and I got to know more about the illness.
The storyline is quite ambiguous, it does not reveal much about Freya, nor does it unravels the real reason why she left so suddenly. It is an open ended ending which I kind of liked, because it opens up to so many possibilities, but I wish the book reveals more about Freya, because I would like to know her a little bit more. But with the multi-POV format, I think it is also quite unique how different people perceives a different side of Freya, and I definitely think that this is such a smart way of storytelling.
Overall, this book did not stand out to me very much, but it’s definitely one that I read in one sitting! It kind of keeps you turning the pages just to find out what happened, if you are a big fan of open ended and vague endings that would allow you to continue the story on your own, this would be the book for you because the story could go so many different directions and you can take the pick on which one you like best.