All the Lovely Pieces by J.M. Winchester is a gripping thriller that will pull you in immediately and not let go until the final page has been turned. Compulsively readable and with palpable tension throughout, this is one fun ride.

Drew has been in hiding for nine years with her son, Michael, after fleeing an abusive marriage. But she is not only keeping a low profile to protect herself from her husband, Adam. She also believes that she has committed a serious crime, and must stay under the radar of police. It is no way to live for a nine year old boy, and Drew knows that she must confront her past if she is ever to free herself from the untenable situation that she has put Michael in, if she is to fully protect him.

This is a tense, spine-tingling read that you will not be able to put down. I would encourage this author to continue to explore the darker side of the human psyche, as I will be first in line to purchase her next offering in this genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC.

All the Lovely Pieces takes you through the past and present with ease. There are a number of physiological trillers recently printed, and this one stands out as how a psychopath is created. The first 85% was fast and exciting to read. Unfortunately, the end of the book seemed to end quickly and unbelievable after everything Drew had been through.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for an early release of the e-book for an honest review.

This is a dark and twisted psychological thriller about a woman, Drew Baker and her son on the run from an abusive, controlling husband. And what a monster he is. Adam Crenshaw, rich and powerful, the CEO of a tech company he worked his charm on Drew until she fell in love with him and married him. But after the wedding he started controlling her movements, what she wore, who she saw and when she became pregnant made her give up her fledgling career as an artist. After the baby arrived, he hired a nanny and kept her away from the child until finally one night she escaped with her son, but left a trail of blood behind in the nursery and is scared she will be arrested if found. ince then she's changed her name and had to keep one step ahead of him, moving from one town to another whenever she thinks they've been found. She knows it's Michael Adam wants to get back and she'll do whatever she can to keep him hidden.

Now Drew and nine year old Michael have arrived in a small town of Liberty, Missouri where for the first time they feel welcome in a community and make friends. Michael is sick of constantly changing schools and begs to stay in the first one he's ever enjoyed, but Drew knows they may have to run again when Adam hunts them down. But she has an ace up her sleeve and has a reason for picking this town that she hopes will help her escape Adam forever.

There seem to be a lot of thrillers being published at the moment centred around women in abusive relationships with controlling men but this one is more focused on the woman and child who escaped rather than the relationship itself. The plot unfolds in three voices, those of Drew and Michael as well as a damaged woman called Catherine who is currently under Adam's spell. A dark and twisty tale, the author keeps the tension ramped up high, right up to the dramatic ending.

I love a domestic/psychological thriller and the description of this book really sounded up my alley. Unfortunately I didn't totally connect with the story or the characters and while there were aspects that I enjoyed as a whole this story was a miss for me.

Drew and her son Michael have been on the run for the past nine years in an effort to escape Drew's heinous husband, Adam. The story is told from the perspective of Drew, Michael and Catherine (the woman currently involved with Adam). Out of the gate I wanted to know the answers to all my questions - why are they on the run, what happened that made her leave, what's Adam's deal, will Drew find peace and safety, what's Catherine's deal?

I felt there was some potential to the story. Drew is a somewhat unreliable narrator and her memories of the night she fled her husband are murky at best. She's been accused of murder and knows that Adam wants to get his son back. Drew is on a quest to clear her name and finds herself in a specific town where the key to unlocking her past and clearing her name lie. I wasn't totally clear on where she's been the last nine years or why it took her so long to get to this town (#confused) but was in for the story.

Parts of the story were a slow burn, as pieces were gradually revealed, but then other parts of the story were fast tracked. I was eager to see Drew open up to a possible romantic relationship but it was completely rushed and I wasn't invested in it at all. I actually felt like I missed part of their courtship as it went from hate to love with nothing in between. Similarly I felt the ending gave me whiplash - it was too much, too fast. And while I can suspend disbelief as long as it makes sense in the story I found Drew's "evidence" to be completely implausible.

We never really got a good sense of Adam except through Drew's memories and I think it would have been very interesting to have some of the story from his perspective. Alternately if we could have had more of Drew's perspective on when she and Adam met/got married that may have helped. He was just painted as a pure evil character and I didn't understand why Drew would have been with him in the first place. Even the villain needs some redeemable quality and I found Adam to be very cliche and cookie cutter. He was just the bad guy to her yet a beloved billionaire in charge of a mega company so the rest of the world believes he's a great guy.

What I also found confusing was that Drew was supposed to be hiding out and on the run yet there was never any sense that Adam was searching for her all these years/hot on her trail or that she was in danger. Also if you are a notorious possible killer on the run wouldn't you change your name? As for Catherine - so confused about her whole situation and never really got the answers to those questions.

The initial "what happened" question is what kept me reading as I did want to know the answer but much of the book didn't work for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

After reading just a small preview of this book I thought I would enjoy it. The writing it great and the story is enjoyable. But after sitting down and trying to read this several times I just can't get into it. I have a harder time keeping everything straight when there is many different perspectives that the book switches the between constantly. I might give this book another try at a later time but for the moment I've had to put it down.

Wow! Definitely didnt expect this book to be as good as it was. A page turner that keeps you guessing. Great story and characters.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks for sharing this one. It was gripping, though a bit over the top for my taste. My full review appears on Weekend Notes.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Drew, who took her son and escaped an abusive marriage to an extremely rich man, Adam. They have just moved to a town in Missouri after being in the run for about 10 years. In addition to Drew’s current story, we get onsite into Adam’s current situation and some flashbacks to the time Drew left.

This book was about a 4.5 star for me. I read it in a day because it grabbed me right away and I wanted to see what would happen next. I thought the characters were interesting and there was enough tension with Drew and her son being on the run to keep me engaged. I would read more from this author.

#All the Lovely Pieces#NetGalley
I received and read an advanced copy of this book. First, thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!
I found this to be a fast paced dark and compelling psychological thriller. I highly recommend this book, but want to warn you, I couldn't put it down until I finished it!!
The plot was interesting and it was written in a very readable style. I found the characters well drawn and felt I really knew them by the end of the book. The settings were creepy, with a gothic touch and kept you turning the pages.
The story of a mother's harrowing escape to save herself and her son from an evil, psychotic and abusive husband reveals the fear and terror felt by the mother and also the longing for an ordinary home life by her young son. The story is told from the rotating view points of three characters, the mother, the young son, and a very strange and creepy nanny. The author reveals the story, bit by bit, and pulls one to the last page!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think others who are looking for a good psychological thriller should give this book a try. I will be looking forward to future reads by this author!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is phenomenal. Must read. Outstanding plot with excellent writing. Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. Best thriller of the year.

For nine years Drew and her son have been running from an abusive relationship and dark memories of her leaving.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review
She tries to find proof of her husbands nature before he finds her and their so - but will she?

Great book! I really enjoyed it. I really love domestic suspense and that’s what this book reminded me of. The story takes place with Drew Baker on the run from her husband along with her son Michael ..there was something for everyone. Suspense, intrigue, twists and so much more. I really enjoyed the pace of this story and it did not disappoint. The character development was very good. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book for. My honest opinion. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Netgalley

A solid thriller and a good beach read. Some scenes seemed superfluous (the MC remembering pleasuring herself on a canvas didn’t further the plot at all). The ending was a bit rushed, given the slow burn pace of the book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

All the Lovely Pieces started with a bang, diving right into Drew's complicated world as she settles in a new town and enrols her son, Michael, into an elementary school. She and Micheal, unbeknownst to him, have been on the run from his multi-billionaire father since he was an infant. They never really stay in a place for too long in fear they'll get caught- either by her ex-husband or the police for crimes she committed- until now. Michael is a growing boy and he craves stability and long-term friends. What can go wrong, right?

I was instantly hooked after reading the first page and eager for more until the intensity suddenly faded. The characters became unlikeable. Michael's character- or lack thereof- was the worst for this as he became a bratty shell to propel the story, not a well-rounded, convincing person. Even the way he "spoke" was flat and carried little meaning. Same with Catherine, actually- it seems the only character that was semi-real was Drew, which is why I wish that Drew had been the only narrator. Each time it went to Catherine's POV or- even worse- Michael's, I wanted to skip the chapter. Not to say that Drew is perfect, because she isn't. Tell me: if you're on the run, why wouldn't you change your own name? Why stay with "Drew"?

The romance was underdeveloped and rushed. You need to suspend your belief a bit to tolerate the Adam (aka my least favourite) portion of the book, and some scenarios- especially nearing the end- were so ridiculously unbelievable.

Overall, it's a quick read with a gorgeous cover that'll keep you interested. While it wasn't my absolute favourite, it definitely wasn't bad by any means and I can see where the 4- and 5- star reviews are coming from! It's definitely engaging.

Holy Hades! This was one heck of a mind trip! I’m not sure there is any coming back from this crazy, insane, twisted journey this author just took me on.

How do you even begin to review a book that has literally held you on the edge of your seat for HOURS, all while feeling like you’ve been shaken repeatedly, given a slight reprieve, only to be yanked up and tossed again?

From the very first page, every word draws a clear and precise picture of uncertainty, fear, and terror as we follow the story of a woman running from her abusive husband. Using one brush stroke at a time, this author paints a picture so horrendous it’s inconceivable. And yet, the story is never unbelievable. It is in fact, very believable, which only adds another layer of horror to an already intensely suspenseful book.

I was never sure how much of what the heroine was experiencing was truth, normal fear anyone might feel, a wild imagination, or paranoia born of insanity. Whichever way, there is never a doubt that she believes she has reason to fear and the suspense only builds higher and higher due to being inside her every thought. Her mind at times emotionally exhausted me due to her concerns but more often than not, frightened me because of what might really be in the dark.

”I feel for the blade under my pillow, hoping it someday won’t be used as a weapon against me. Having it there terrifies me. Being without it isn’t an option.”

There are so many frightening moments inside this heroines mind, but to be honest after the 3% mark, I was so consumed by this story that I was unable to pull myself out long enough to highlight the truly horrific thoughts. I’m telling you, this book is going to suck you in and everything around you will come to a screeching halt.

Be sure you go into this one blind. Stay away from reviews that are going to give details of the story you’re about to dive into. You should also be prepared for an all-nighter if you start this one later in the day and above all, have a support system ready for when you’ve completed it. You’re going to need it.

What would you do to save your child? How far would you go? Drew is widowed and is new to town. She enrolls her son, Michael, in a school, after he has been homeschooled for a few years. Michael begins school with joy, and loves being around new friends. Catherine has been injured and is unable to speak. She is carrying Adam's baby, and we quickly learn that she has suffered several miscarriages. Catherine's isolation is overwhelming. These lives appear completely separate, but we soon learn that they are tied together in a frightening way. The suspense will have you reading long into the night!

Quote: If you try to drown your problems they eventually learn to swim.

This is an EXCELLENT mystery from page 1!!
Such a page turner!
Lots of twist and turns.
There is a reason people run...….

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer for this ARC.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I've read too many "thrillers" lately that leave me feeling meh, so I was hesitant to begin another only to be disappointed again. But this one sounded especially intriguing. And it definitely didn't disappoint.

From the beginning and the three rotating viewpoints, you begin to wonder what happened and who the bad guy really is in the whole scheme of this story. The author does an exceptional job in parsing out just enough information to keep the pacing tight and straightforward, but also holds enough back to compel the reader to read on and find out what's missing. The characters are believable and the bad ones, creeptastic. An excellent balance is strung between public personas and private demons. So many demons.

The only character I had some difficulty with was the new love interest, who came across almost too good to be true. When his love was tested, I didn't find his actions believable in light of everything that came before.

My other problems with the book (that knocked it down from 5 stars to 4) arose from the red herrings laid but never later explained. There were too many things I was still guessing at by book's end, which made them feel contrived to build suspense.

Spoilers: [Who broke the lock on the gate and put a kitten in the backyard to begin with? Who was the strange guy late at night lurking around Drew's house, the guy who upset the kitten and who a sleepy Michael saw lurking and then run away? If Michael saw him, why didn't the sheriff see him too and say something? Who unlocked the kitten door? And if the kitten stayed by Drew's side (slept with her), why would it disappear in the middle of the night? From Michael's POV at the end, why didn't he say why he killed Adam? He must have had a reason, even if it was only to protect his mother. Who knows how a 9-y.o. thinks or what his motives might have been? I would have like that answered.]

Nope. With no explanations, each incident felt like literary cheating. Otherwise, the book would have been a solid 5 stars.

Even with my nitpicking, the author does such a fabulous job of pulling us into this world and through every paranoid and heinous part of it. I highly recommend.

Actual rating - 4.5 stars
Wow! All the Lovely Pieces is a fantastic page turner! I went into it blind not knowing a single detail of the book.
We get 3 perspectives, Drew, a woman on the run with her son, Michael. Michael, a 10 year old boy who's finally starting to get a chance at a normal life. Catherine, a nanny who's lost her voice due to an attempted murder when the infant she's caring for is kidnapped.

I don't want to give too much more away because I believe the less you know about thrillers the more intrigued you are to keep flipping the pages. Just know that All the Lovely Pieces will be a one setting reading, the unreliability of characters will keep you second guessing your predictions until the very end & there are some hard to read about abuse scenes.

Absolutely mesmerizing! If you enjoy domestic thrillers you will not want to miss this one. I could not put this book down until I got to the ending.
Drew and her son have been on the run for nine years trying to stay one step ahead of Adam, her husband who is an abusive psychopath. The story is told from three different perspectives, Drews Adams and Michaels. There are flashbacks to the past so you understand what is going on and why Drews so terrified and so protective of her son. The ending left me thinking that maybe the author has a sequel planned or that could be wishful thinking on my part.

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this incredible book!