The Last Piece

Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice*

Rating: really liked it
EXCERPT: 'Did you think about me at all, Cecily? After, I mean.'

The question hit Cecily like a punch and tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked rapidly to disperse them. 'Oh, yes,' she said, her voice breaking a little. 'I have thought about you every day for fifty years.'

ABOUT THIS BOOK: The chaotic but happy equilibrium of the Nightingale family is thrown into disarray when Cecily—whose children can’t remember her ever being remotely spontaneous—disappears to a Greek island with no warning or explanation.

Her reasons for doing something so out of character are a total mystery to her three daughters, high-powered executive Felicity, unfulfilled GP Julia and organised mother-of-five Lily. What connection could she possibly have with Kefalonia?

But Cecily has gone to continue a story she thought ended decades ago—one that could have a huge impact on her family. And when she returns, she’ll have to tell them the truth.

Will Cecily be able to hold her family together once she reveals her big secret? And might she discover that she’s not the only one with a story to tell?

MY THOUGHTS: The Last Piece sounds like a book about a jigsaw puzzle. And in a way it is. Picture a completed puzzle of a family; the parents with their three daughters, their husbands and their children. The puzzle is complete, but there's a piece left over...

Marnie is that piece.

I loved this realistically depicted family. Norman, retired, is married to Cecily, a wonderful mother and grandmother who is always there for her family, until the day that she isn't.

There's no great mystery, or at least there wasn't for me, as to why she has gone. It was pretty obvious from the outset although the author has attempted to shroud it in mystery. This is not a criticism, merely a statement of fact. I did feel, though, that doing this did slightly impede the flow of the book at the outset and that it was carried on for too long.

Imogen Clark's depictions of sibling rivalry/love are entirely realistic. The three sisters are all very different people with very different lives, yet they have remained close and are very supportive and protective of one another. I also related to the trepidation felt by Cecily, and the conflicting emotions felt by Marnie, and yet there were also things that I didn't understand, like Cecily not contacting Marnie on her birthday.

This is an emotional character driven family drama, one that I enjoyed immensely. I want to read more from this author.

😍😍😍😍.3

#TheLastPiece #NetGalley

As we are all currently restricted to armchair travelling, I would like to share with you the places you will visit while reading The Last Piece: the Greek Island of Kefalonia; and in the UK, Harrogate, Leeds and London.

THE AUTHOR: Bestselling author Imogen Clark writes contemporary women’s fiction about the secrets that hide at the heart of the families that she creates. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband and children (who hopefully have no such secrets to tell!)

Imogen initially qualified as a lawyer but after leaving her legal career behind to care for her four children, she returned to her first love - books. She went back to University, studying part-time whilst the children were at school and graduated with a BA in English Literature with First Class Honours.

Imogen’s great love is travel and she is always planning her next adventure.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Last Piece by Imogen Clark for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Ceecee

Rating: really liked it
Felicity is really annoyed with her mother Cecily. Why has she upped and gone to Kefalonia without a word to herself or twin sisters Lily and Julia? Why is her father Norman being so mysterious? Eventually the girls find out the truth and it’s the last thing they expected.

First of all, the characters in the book are lovely. The family are close, their lives intertwine and they are all so different. I like how each daughter has issues which makes them interesting and you follow how they deal with things. The character of Marnie who Cecily meets in Kefalonia is the ‘missing piece’. She is not an easy person but I really admire her directness and you can feel and understand her awkwardness. I like the ripple effect that she has on the story and also that it does not have a perfect ending. This feels right and it fits well. There are some good descriptions such as of Kefalonia and I like the Harrogate setting where the family live - the author had me drooling with the mention of the iconic Betty’s and the Fat Rascals. Yum. If you happen to be in the York or Harrogate area I suggest you go and try one yourself!!!

However, it takes a while for the book to get going and for a long time very little happens. Then from Part Three when we get Cecily’s story as a teenager the novel really moves up a gear. This section is very good and the 1960’s attitudes are portrayed very well although Cecily s parents are unusually modern in their outlook.

Overall, once the book gets into its stride I enjoyed it. It’s an easy read which portrays family and family dynamics well.

With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the ARC. I love the book cover!

3-4 stars rounded up.

Maria

Rating: really liked it
Not the most exciting book I've ever read. It was just basic, you know what I mean? The characters weren't the best, but I did appreciate the family drama in this book!

I can see how this can be a quick summer read, so if you're looking for something family-drama centred, with a lot of personal growth, then pick this one up!

I only read this because it was in the July Adult Once Upon a Book Club box, and the gifts that came long with it were fantastic! So the box gets a 5 stars from me!

Ioana

Rating: really liked it
The novel started fine, with a fast pace, a mystery (that wasn't that mysterious in the end, in my opinion), and the promise of a good story; and yet, I didn't enjoy this one.

The plot is weak and it's easy to see where it'll take the reader. The focus is on Cecily Nightingale, a mother of three daughters, who discovers that the daughter she gave up for adoption fifty years ago has summoned her to Greece. This isn't a spoiler because you learn this fairly early in the book.

I don't know why there were chapters focusing on all her three daughters, yet each thread is left blowing in the wind because we have no real closure or finality to their stories. Maybe this is because Cecily's story isn't a strong enough story line on its own. There is a build-up, but you can plainly see Cecily's story and secret, and the same is true for Julia, one of Cecily's daughters.
We are also handed everything on a platter, little is revealed through conversations. Norman, Cecily's husband, thinks of the past and voila! you have their history presented to you. That's too easy for me.

There aren't many characters in the novel, yet I didn't feel any fondness towards anyone in particular. However, I know for sure I didn't like Cecily. She seems naive to the point of entitlement and even judgmental - the "wobbly stomach" of another woman she sees in summer clothing makes Cecily feel "nauseous", but she feels proud of herself for going to the beach and showing her "wobbly thighs".

Marnie, the fourth daughter, is a fifty year old woman. However, I constantly had to remind myself of that because from every interaction Cecily had with her I had the impression that Marnie's in her 20s. Cecily refers to Marnie as "young people" which makes everyone seem silly. Speaking of silly, Marco, one of Cecily's sons-in-law, after twenty years in UK can't seem to be able to use the verb to be, for the life of him. Why make characters silly and fake?

The relationship between Cecily and Marnie is cold and Marnie is plain mean, not to mention somewhat disturbing, given the obsession we learn she has with the Nightingales. Why she insisted on meeting Cecily on an island in Greece, when they all live in UK, is beyond me. For the sake of change of scenery, I assume.

I am hitting this novel hard, I can see that. But as a reader I didn't see any depth. The characters were merely sketched, I couldn't like anyone because there was no character development, and everything was just handed over to read, not revealed, if that makes sense. It does read rather fast, and maybe if you've read Imogen Clark before you might find this enjoyable. It wasn't the novel for me, although I was looking forward to it.

Disclaimer: I received this novel from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

Tonya

Rating: really liked it
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my ARC. I absolutely loved this book!
I was brought to tears many times throughout this heart wrenching family drama. I thoroughly enjoyed every well developed character. The story begins with a text chain of three adult daughters speculating on their mother’s sudden trip to Greece. From there we are introduced to the Nightingale family where long held secrets are revealed. Consequences of past decisions come to light and lives are changed forever. This is a heartwarming story of loss, love and renewal.

Louise Wilson

Rating: really liked it
The sisters, Felicity, Julia and Lily are wondering why their mother, Cecily, has suddenly went to Greece. She's never even been there before. They realise their father knows much more than he's letting on about. When Cecily returns home, she tells the family the reasons why she left. Their lives are turned upside down and will never be the same again.

Cecily is a mother of three and a grandmother to six. She has gone to a retreat to face the consequences of a decision she had made fifty years ago. She has no idea how to right the past. The story unravels slowly, revealing secrets along the way. The characters and plotline are intriguing. Everyone was struggling with their own issues. The book is well written and it's quick and easy to read. The content matter had been well researched.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Imogen Clark for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Louise Wilson

Rating: really liked it
Three sisters, Felicity, Julia and Lily are wondering why their mother, Cecily, had suddenly went to Greece. She's never even been there before. They realise their father knows much more than he's letting on about. When Cecily returns home, she tells the family the reasons why she left. Their lives are turned upside down and will never be the same again.

Cecily is a mother of three and a grandmother to six. She has gone to a retreat to face the consequences of a decision she had made fifty years ago. She has no idea how to right the past. The story unravels slowly, revealing secrets along the way. The characters and the plotline are intriguing. Everyone was struggling with their own issues. The book is well written and it's quick and easy to read. The content matter had been well researched.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Imogen Clark for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alayne Emmett

Rating: really liked it
I found this book very disappointing I felt it dragged a lot and unfortunately I didn’t like the characters very much. They were spoilt, very demanding and seemed to have very shallow characters. The mother in the story didn’t seem pleasant either as she spent 40 happy years with her husband and then suddenly jets off to Greece without her husband, something that wouldn’t even occur to me to do. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Amy

Rating: really liked it
Our lives are like jigsaw puzzles. Each piece contains a story that when fitted together, portrays a photo of our journey. Looking at a section is only a snapshot but an important outline of our backgrounds.

Without warning, Cecily Nightingale disappears to Kefalonia leaving her three daughters puzzled. As the matriarch of their family, she presides with a loving but firm hand keeping her children in line. Questioning their mother's actions, they realize that their father knows more than he reveals. However, Norman insists that it's Cecily's story to share.

Meanwhile, Cecily is preparing to meet the daughter she gave away at birth. An unexpected letter requested her presence at a Greek retreat. Imogene Clark takes readers along for the tumultuous ride as Cecily hopes at last to have her 'last piece' complete the family's puzzle.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opportunity to read #TheLastPiece in exchange for an honest review. It was my first Imogen Clark novel but it won't be the last. I loved Clark's character development and teared up at the raw emotions displayed between Cecily and Marnie. Cecily desperately wants to fill the missing piece or void that giving up her daughter created but Marnie remains impermeable.

The standoffish reception shocked Cecily but while her demeanor was gruff at times, I appreciated that the author presented a real account that not all meetings go as planned. I would encourage other readers who enjoy books about family dynamics to check out "The Last Piece." After reading, I have a new appreciation for my family.

Sherri Thacker

Rating: really liked it
A mother has a 50 year old secret from her 3 daughters and takes a trip to Greece when she receives a letter asking her to come to a yoga retreat. She goes to Greece but does not tell her daughters that she went and they had to find out from their dad.

Lots of secrets throughout, all the way until the very end. I enjoyed this book and the many stories it told. A quick read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release book in exchange for my honest opinion. To be published July 2020.

Lady Kate La Fleur

Rating: really liked it
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The Last Piece ★★☆☆☆ – 2.5


Writing: 3.5 stars
Characters: 3.0 stars
Plot: 2.0 stars
Originality: 1.0 stars
Cover: 3.5 stars

Recomendability: meh, nothing special. It was written okay, but the language didn’t draw me in.


The book was decent and readable, but I won’t be recommending it. The mystery was far too obvious, I hoped for some twist that would make this story stand out, it didn’t come.
I was mostly bored, the story was too similar to many others and I didn’t resonate with any of the characters. Also, there were details that didn’t add anything to the plot.
I don’t know, perhaps, it was just me, but I expected more from the story, something more akin to Danielle Steel and her captivating books.

Vonda

Rating: really liked it
I hadn’t read any of Imogen Clark’s books before this one. as they aren't a genre I really enjoy; however, I was surprised when it grasped me and pulled me in from the beginning. A well written, heartwarming family drama about a family with 3 daughters who were distinctly different and with a secret of their own. Mother Cecily holds the biggest secret of all. Will it tear apart the family?

Jessica Reads It

Rating: really liked it
A powerful journey of self-discovery.

For Cecily, the past was never the past, every day of her life she carried a little piece of it in her memories and her heart. Now, 40 years later the past has finally caught up with her, and her mysterious invitation to Greece may just blow the lid off her entire life. Meanwhile, back home, her three daughters are astounded by their mother’s sporadic trip to Greece with no explanations as they slowly realize just how integral their mother is to their lives.

Imogen Clark weaves a powerful tale about the hardships of women and their resilience in the face of tragedy. A powerful theme throughout this book is “family” and the many iterations it can manifest from. The premise of the last piece, though simple in concept is masterful in its execution as Imogen Clark gives us a classical writing style with modern twists. Her characters were powerful and engaging, offering honest insights into motherhood, struggling marriages and separation, career obsessions, and the simple desire for children.

The last piece was an emotional roller-coaster that will have you guessing right up until the end. I appreciate books that are grounded in reality, as ugly as it may be, and Imogen did not disappoint. This is an excellent book for those who enjoy reading family drama, complicated dynamics, and OMG endings!

Sometimes in life you need to focus on the pieces you have instead of wondering what could be missing.

This review was posted to my blog on 07-08-2020 here https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/...

Samantha

Rating: really liked it
I am absolutely baffled by the high reviews of this book. It was a train wreck.

First, not a single character was likable, except maybe Lily and Julia in the beginning. Felicity and Marnie are downright terrible people. I hated them every second of the book. Cecily was a pretty awful person too. They were judgmental, harsh, and narrow-minded. I’m guessing the author was trying to give the impression of a “strong independent woman,” but they were not even close to that.

I enjoyed the story of Cecily when she was younger. I honestly think that was the only part of the book I liked and enjoyed reading. There was so much detail and emotion in her character. Peggy was a great character. The obstacles and heartbreak they went through made for a very compelling story. I would have preferred just a book about that.

The addition of the lives of each of her daughters was weird and in the end, incomplete. It seemed thrown in there as filler. Also, the sisters kept secrets from each other, and they were secrets that you wouldn’t keep from your sister. They’re YOUR SISTER! That’s what they’re there for. That was frustrating and unrealistic too.

And the end? So dumb. (Honestly that’s the best word I can think of for it, just DUMB.) I don’t think I’ve ever been this harsh in a review but I’m just so mad I wasted my time on this book. The ONLY reason I didn’t DNF this book was because it was part of the Once Upon A Book Club Box for August and I wanted the full experience of the box.

If the author reads this, I am truly sorry but this is how I really felt. This book had potential and the verbiage was written well. I just hated the story, the characters and gosh, the end was just terrible. Ugh. I’m done.

Kimberly

Rating: really liked it
Finally a touch of reality

Finding one's birth family can be a wonderful experience but sometimes it's just not and people need to be prepared for that and to live with the consequences. You can't make up for decades of differences. There can be love but it's not the same as that from the first day of life. Different experiences, education, viewpoints all stand in the way. Proceed with caution.