It has taken me a couple of days to write the review of this book, as I was still thinking about how moving it was, and how the characters stay with you. The main character, Essie, is complex; we learn about her from a young age to an adult, and how her life was changed beyond belief by a tragic accident at the age of 7. She suffers further trauma later in her young life. After the loss of her younger sister Phoebe, the whole family never recovers - understandably - and we learn how destructive their grief becomes, how it affects not only the existing members but also her unborn sister, whose later life is also greatly affected. The book is beautifully written, so sad and moving, yet such an endearing story, you get to know the characters intimately and feel like you just want to reach out to them. Essies Father tries his best after the death of his beloved daughter, however he is unable to act how he wants to and display his affection as his wife is truly broken. Her Mother is beyond heartbroken and cannot see a way out of her fog. She has no interest in her living daughter and the baby she is carrying. He is unable to reach her and subsequently falls into the arms of an old flame. The book jumps forward after further tragedy and we now meet the unborn sister, and find out how life has been for her until she is in her late twenties. A life changing event leads her to want to reconnect with the family she has drifted from, and it eventually makes them all complete again. The past unfolds and secrets come out, some shocking, some as expected, but always moving. This book tells the story of love, loss, sibling relationships, parental love, friendship, growing up and growing old. I found it impossible to put down and struggled to believe it was a debut novel, it was told in such an amazing way, and how cleverly it all came together. A truly beautiful read. I will absolutely be looking for this authors next book.

This wasn't for me, but I can see why some people liked it. It was marketed as a weepie of rare magnitude but I found it emotionally manipulative, as if it was trying too hard to be super-sentimental. I kept waiting to like the characters but maybe I'm not empathetic or sensitive enough - I just thought they were generally bland. Sorry but it just wasn't my thing.

This book was a treat. Very readable.. I kept searching for opportunities to continue reading it. Good character development and the pacing of the "reveal" was just right for me. I will continue to read more book by this author. Very much enjoyed her work!

I found Missing Pieces to be a well written story with finely drawn characters and enjoyed it all but the first half more than the second.
It was brutally honest in places but it did come across as a true reflection of how a family might react to a tragic situation in their lives.

Missing Pieces is Laura Pearson’s debut novel. This is a heartbreaking read but you will be hooked to the very end.

This book is sad throughout. Linda is struggling. All she wants to do is sleep, she can’t stand her daughter, can’t bear to look at her husband and doesn’t want the baby she s carrying. She wants to go back to before. Before the tragedy happened.

Twenty five years later, her daughter is pregnant and before she brings her baby into the world, she wants to know what happened twenty five years earlier. What tore her family apart.

This book although sad and heartbreaking, is also heartwarming. The characters are likeable and you can easily identify with them. It’s a tough read but is written with sensitivity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ipso books and the author for the chance to review.

Having a small child, I found this novel to be a very difficult read, but not because it isn’t good, it is a breathtaking story, about the death of a child and the devastation the family has suffered from the loss.
A harrowing, emotional and simply heartbreaking read, I cried through the majority of the book. I feel that I need to read something lighthearted to read next.

A very sad story but it wasn't depressing as the story was told in a sensitive way which was amazing for a first novel. Loosing a child must be horrendous for anyone and the guilt and if what's in this story eat in to the family and threaten to destroy them all. It is a compelling read and will certainly stay with me.

Heart breaking book but written with so much compassion from all characters and from various different viewpoints.

A beautiful, heartfelt novel written so beautifully a story of love losses and tragedy and a family all trying to cope in different ways and it affects the rest of their lives but eventually they find happiness in the future as well as coming to terms with the past a really emotional read

A family in devastation after the loss of a child and the grief and guilt cause by such a tragedy. Follow the lives of the parents and siblings as they try and come to terms with the loss and the questions that arise through life. A well written truly moving tale.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author & publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

**TRIGGER WARNING, THIS BOOK CONTAINS CHILD LOSS & SUICIDE**

Firstly WOW! What a story, I absolutely couldn't put it down. I think I read this within a couple of days which hasn't happened for a long time. Since having my son 2.5 years ago I have been mindful of stories which contain children. I haven't read anything to do with abductions, missing children or death. Silly really because just because I read it doesn't mean it will happen to our family. I am glad that I didn't read any of the reviews of this book because I wouldn't have picked it up. I am also thankful that I persisted past the first chapter.
A harrowing and beautiful story, I even cried in the bath & now welling up when writing this review. I would instantly read anything by Laura Pearson based on this debut It has taken me a couple of days to write this review as I wanted some time to reflect. Honest & Breathtaking story. I can highly recommend.

What a superb debut from Laura Pearson - she is going to be an author to look out for. Her tragic story about a family who try to cope with two deaths is sad but poignant and uplifting.

Phoebe dies at an early age in the family home. The circumstances are not clear at the beginning but revealed as the story progresses. Each family member feels at fault, and struggle to accept Phoebe's death. Linda (mum) is devastated but also pregnant with Bea. Tom (the husband) and eldest child Esme feel the pain and battle to help Mum. Overcome by guilt Mum commits suicide.

Although the book is sad there are many life affirming moments as Tom, Esme and Bea grow older. The roller-coaster of emotions is quite dramatic. There are new relationships, and the circumstances of Phoebe's death are gradually revealed and the influence it has had on each member of the family.

Calling all Book Clubs - this is the one for you! A deconstruction of a family tragedy. A debut novel that will inspire debate, wring out emotion and give hope for the future. I felt for all the characters as the story unravelled. Particularly my heart went out to Esme, the older sister who, from the age of seven, carried the weight of the tragedy on her shoulders. For Linda, who was suffering from undiagnosed post natal psychosis. For Tom who was living chaotically in a nightmare he couldn't control. Congratulations too on the book cover with the inspired tear in the centre indicating 'missing pieces' in this literary jigsaw. Thanks to Net Galley and Ipso for this remarkable novel.

Gripping! I found it hard to put down and was finished in two evenings.

An emotional, heartbreaking story about a family fragmented after the death of a child.

A brilliant debt novel.

An emotional tale about a family who loses their daughter and what they face afterwards.

I am actually having a hard time writing a review for this book without giving away too much of the story. But, I will say be sure you have some tissue ready when you read it. It feels so real. Just the thought of losing a child is hard enough, but what the family endures afterwards is heartbreaking.

The book is told in two parts. The first part of the book is about Linda and Tom Sadler and how losing their daughter, Phoebe, changes their relationship and other daughter’s life. The second part is 25 years later and focuses on sisters, Esme and Bea. We learn how the death of Phoebe has affected their lives. When Esme reveals some secrets to Bea, she doesn’t know if it will help or harm the family even more, but she needs to open up about them.

This is one of those books that once you read it, you can’t get it out of your mind.

*Thank you to Agora Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

I read this book in two sittings, it was incredibly sad but also gave a fascinating insight into how different members of the same family deal with one tragic event. I definitely recommend this book.

This is the story of three family members who each make a seemingly small mistake leading to a devastating outcome and years of consequences. The writing is exceptional with raw grief filtering through every page. It’s a harrowing read at times where you feel desperately sorry for all of them. The characterisation is flawless and Esme crept into my heart. For a debut novel this is astoundingly beautiful.

Three sisters, not each knowing each other as one is taken far too soon. A family torn apart by grief and guilt, we begin reading about Esme as a child when her little sister Pheobe has died. Linda and Tom are dealing with the tragic loss of their daughter and trying to keep everything together but sadly it doesn't work.
Missing Pieces is a tragic story of loss within a family. The book is told over two generations when Esme is a child and again when she is an adult. The youngest sister Bea is born just after Pheobe has dies, and Bea is now a grown up dealing with her own life when she learns what happened when they were children.
I enjoyed reading Missing Pieces but I felt it was a little cliche in places and some of the stronger storyline was glossed over a little too much.

I found this book to be heartbreaking and heart lifting in equal measure. It’s a story of loss and grief and how a family can be fractured seemingly beyond repair. It’s also a story of love and growth and hope for the future.

It is hard to believe that this is the Laura Pearson's first book and what a fantastic book it is. This is a heart-wrenching account of a family's loss which leaves the surviving family members is a very fragile state. After the initial account of the loss and subsequent tragedy in 1985, fast forward to 2011 when the surviving sisters have grown up and are involved in careers of their own, both of whom are still haunted by secrets surrounding their sister's death. This book deserves more than 5 stars and I am so looking forward to reading future books by this author. Have some tissues handy.