This was an interesting family story centered around Cecily who takes off on an uncharacteristically spontaneous and solo trip to Kafalonia. Her husband knows the reason behind her venture but her three daughters are oblivious and somewhat frustrated. The story shifts between England in the present and 1960s and Greece but was done well enough not to be confusing. When she returns and reveals the story behind her travels it shakes her family. The daughters are all interesting characters with their own life challenges going on. The ending might not be what I’d hoped for but maybe was more realistic for all that.

The Review
This story focusses on the Nightingale family; Cecily and her husband Norman, and their three grown-up daughters Felicity, Lily and Julia. From the beginning we are aware Cecily has just upped and gone to Greece, no explanation to her children, though Norman seems to know what it’s all about and is keeping schtum.

I don’t think revealing the Big Secret would really constitute a spoiler, given how early in the book everything is revealed; however, I will stick to my usual approach with these things and let Cecily tell you in her own words. It is, after all, not my story to tell.

The only thing I will say is that I struggled with so much of this. I like the way the story unfolded, there are different parts, which seem to work well in terms of moving the story forward, and there are some clever ways of telling the backstory. However, I struggled with much of it.

For example, the story is clearly about Cecily coming to terms with her past, and trying to bring it in to her present with her family. That said, there is a lot of focus on the three daughters, which detracts from the story and ultimately leaves you in limbo as a reader. Had their storylines been fleshed out better, and actually finished, it wouldn’t feel like what was going on with them was a distraction. I felt that the author didn’t really believe in the strength of her main premise, and was therefore adding everything else as stuffing, which was really disappointing.

The main character was fundamentally unlikable – I found it very hard to have any sympathy with her, apart from the chapters she told from her youthful perspective. The rest of the time she was just a moaning, pathetic woman who seemed to have a very one-dimensional view of the world, which given her experiences, I find hard to believe.

In the end, this kind of didn’t make much sense to me, didn’t really go anywhere and left me feeling quite cold. Actually, given it’s a fair length, I think I also feel a bit fed up with it.

The Stars
2 stars. A good premise, but just didn’t go anywhere, and took ages to do so!

This book was a hit and miss for me... Didn't really connect with any of the characters and the storyline fell short. But thank you Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest feedback

This book deals with some heavy topics and tells the stories of several members of a family, changing perspective to each of the women as each tells her own story. For me, there was too much going on to focus on one storyline. I realize that in real life all the members of a family can have their own issues at the same time, but one book wasn’t enough time for me to fully get to know each woman and be satisfied that her story was told. I was left disappointed in the end that most of the characters didn’t get closure. It felt to me as though the book wasn’t finished.

I received an ARC of this book from netgalley. A heartwarming tale unlike anything I've previously read. I cod not put it down.

The book opens with the adult Nightingale sisters upset that their mother, Ceciley, has taken off to Greece without telling them. Their father assures them their mother will reveal what's happening when she returns. It's revealed very early in the book that Ceciley is meeting the daughter she gave up for adoption fifty years ago. The rest of the book follows what happens once they are all in contact.

I cannot imagine being pregnant at 15 in 1968 plus being forced to give up the baby for adoption. I do think I would be more understanding of Cicely than her daughters were in the story. I do wish we would've had more of Marnie's perspective.

Overall this was a fast read and I would recommend the book to people who enjoy character driven stories.

This book was super good. It was super original and I flew through it. It didn't feel like anything I've read in the past. Can't wait to read more from the author!!

A family tale of love and loss and hidden secrets, great detail and while I don’t fancy a retreat myself the Greek island in the sun and swimming in the sea sounded wonderful.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I received this book from Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review. Honestly? How many times can an author use the phrase “pull a face?” Hundreds apparently. Cecile hops on a plane to Greece 50 years after a very emotional and secretive event. You’ll figure it out in a couple of minutes. She doesn’t take her mobile phone. Geez, the phone lives in the kitchen drawer begging the question why she has one? It’s 2020, she has 3 daughters and grandchildren, is not elderly, can hop on a plane at a moment’s notice, but cannot be bothered with a phone? It gave the author something to dwell on because this is not much of a story. Marni is horrid regardless of circumstances as is Felicity. The Last Piece is a an excellent title for some other book. The analogy is just too contrived.

I gave it a 3 because Cecily’s experience as a teenager was well written.

When Cecily receives a letter summoning her to Greece, she drops everything and makes the trip. Her husband, Norman, knows what is happening, but their daughters, Lily, Felicity and Julia, are completely puzzled by their mother’s trip. The three daughters each have their own stories, but the focus is on Cecily and what she discovers while away. I liked the story line, it felt the characters could have been developed more. I did like the section looking back at the home for unwed mothers. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a nice family story about a woman with three demanding daughters , a husband and a life 40 years in the past that none of her family knows about. She receives a mysterious letter and leaves in a hurry for a Greek Island to un bury a secret she hoped would never surface yet it has.

This was a quick read, a great escape for a afternoon. The charcters were well rounded to the story and the plot while very predictable was a page turner to the end.

Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher. My review opinions are my own,.

A wonderful family story.A happy family a husband wife threE grown daughters A close family.One day the mother shocks everyone and takes off for a Greek Island.The reason for their mother taking off will shock everyone.A really enjoyable read.#netgalley#amazonuk

This book was only okay. Basic story about a young girl forced to give her baby up for adoption only to have said child come find her 50 years later.
Marine seeks out Cecily but just remains awful to her no matter how hard Cecily tries. Cecily tells Marnie every last detail of her pregnancy and Marnie still remains cold and mean.
Marnie then comes to meet her 3 sisters and stepfather and still remains rude to all but Julia. Marnie and Julia look most alike and seem to have a bind only to have that bind inexplicably broken by Marnie a couple days later.
The ending fell pretty flat as well. It was a struggle to get through this story.

I received an eARC of The Last Piece by Imogen Clark from Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
4 stars! A heartwarming family drama that is full of secrets. The characters were unique and the plot was enjoyable. Overall worth the read.

The Last Piece is an emotional novel that tells Cecily’s life story. She is a much loved mother and grandmother, but has a secret heartache from her youth that she is forced to confront. Only her husband Norman knows about her past and this is slowly revealed to the reader as the narrative progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the part focusing on Cecily’s teenage years. I wasn’t quite sure that I would like it at the start as Cecily’s daughters (especially Felicity) jarred with me slightly. As they aren’t the main characters of the story I didn’t allow them to detract from my enjoyment, and by the end I could see how they fit in with the overall tale.
I have read another Imogen Clark book and have found them both to be both poignant and subtle, with the story remaining with you long after the last page.

This book hooked me in from the first page and kept me interested throughout. It was very easy to read, and the characters were very relatable. Everyone’s families are different, and come to be in different ways. This book was a very good representation of complexities of family life. I really enjoyed it!

This is the story of a woman who gets the chance to reconnect with the child she gave up for adoption 50 years ago. You really feel for the main character and at times truly don't like her daughter. The other three daughters the main character has after giving up her first daughter all have issues of their own, which makes for interesting stories. It was confusing at first, when I didn't realize it was set it England, and some of the things in the storyline are definitely British (e.g. "squash" is some kind of drink ...), once I figured that out, things started to make much more sense.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this. Well written with great characters. I really invested in the story and loved the interaction between family members. Recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and Imogen Clark for the advance readers copy of “The Last Piece”.

I found this book quite enjoyable. Not wanting to give any spoilers, it’s a story of a young pregnant girl and her family’s. The first part is about this young girl and the latter is 50 years latter. I was caught of guard by the ending.

I love a good family drama and this was definitely that. Cecile suddenly disappears to a holiday island and her three grown up children are astounded. Each of the three daughters have their own issues and can’t contemplate that their mother has a secret from them.
I loved how the story unfolded and how the characters developed as indivuals and family.
Thanks to Amazon publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheLastPiece #NetGalley