In “Little Pieces of Me” Paige Meyer, a forty three year old unemployed graphic artist discovers through a DNA test sent to an ancestry site that the man she thought was her father was not. Instead, according to the e-mail sent to her by the ancestry company, her father is a stranger named Andrew Abrams. She is still mourning the death of Mark Meyers, the man she thought was her father and reels at the discovery. Her mother has always been distant and apparently unloving, while her twin sisters, thirteen years her junior seem to absorb all her mother’s attention and love. Her father was the only source of love and affection that she knew.

She contacts Andrew Abrams through a message sent via the ancestry website, but gets only a cryptic reply in response. With the help of her two best friends, Maks and Margaux, Paige tries to find out more information about her biological father. While deciding if she wants to meet her new father, she struggles to redefine herself and in the process, hopefully find a new relationship with her mother. Through it all, her fiancee Jeff remains steadfast in his support of her while her moods swing as she grapples with her personal struggle.

The novel has engaging characters with interesting personality traits, and does a good job of slowly developing Paige’s personal growth as she comes to terms with the loss of the man she considered her father, and tries to integrate the shocking discovery of an unknown father into her view of herself. The book will appeal to those readers who like a good character driven storyline.

This is a story about family connections and the journey of discovery DNA test results bring about in the life of the main character Paige Meyer. She has always had a difficult relationship with her mother and an extremely close one with her now deceased father.. As she prepares for her own wedding the results of a DNA test prove she isn't the biological daughter of her much loved father. So she, with the support of her friends and fiance, tries to find out the truth of who she is and where she came from. The story line is interesting and the mother daughter conflict is so well written the author must have some personal experience to illuminate the tension so accurately. I will be watching for future books from this author.

Just finished “Little Pieces of Me”, by Alison Hammer. I’ve been in a reader slump lately but couldn’t put this book down. An easy read but definitely kept my interest up wanting to know what happens next. I really liked the way she wrote in the present tense and then paralleled with the past. I feel like she kept the reader’s interest simultaneously wanting one to know what happens in both stories. She did a great job leading you to both conclusions. Really enjoyed this .

*Addendum: laying in bed 12 hours later when the AH HA moment comes to me! Talk about missing the obvious! So wishing I had someone to talk to about this! 😃

This was an interesting story that began with an email from an ancestry site that informs you that a match for your dad has been found on their database. The one problem with this is her dad has died two years ago. So begins Paige’s quest to find the truth of her identity. Two timelines are used as the story unfolds. Paige has always had a strained relationship with her mom and as she tries to make sense of her new identity it becomes more tenuous. Secrets that have been kept slowly are revealed and new relationships are formed. Truthfulness aids Paige’s relationship with her mom as she looks forward to her new life while being mindful of the past. This is the perfect book club book. #LittlePiecesOfMe #AlisonHammer #NetGalley

This is one of those books I’m so glad I took a chance on requesting and then receiving. Wow, what a delight! I loved every character in this and how distinct all their voices were. Even the secondary characters felt well developed and I was interested to learn about them just as much as Paige, Andy, and Betsy.

I do wish the very last chapter did not exist; I think it puts into question a lot of what was said earlier and disappoints me in a way, but it wasn’t enough for me to take away a star. I definitely will be reading more from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine signing up for a DNA test and finding out your dad isn’t your biological father. To make matters worse, the man you called “dad” has passed and your mother isn’t talking. This is the premise of the heartfelt LITTLE PIECES OF ME by Alison Hammer, which deftly explores the definition of family, and what might happen if yours is turned upside down. With its richly drawn characters and poignant dialogue, this novel is sure to tug at those heartstrings as you flip back and forth from past to present, gently unraveling the mystery. An emotional and equally compelling read. - Hannah Mary McKinnon, bestselling author of SISTER DEAR

NOTE: I received a free Advance Reader's Copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

For a premise that could have been overly dramatic or soap opera-ish, this book about 43-year old Paige who through a DNA testing kit finds out the man she thought was her father is actually not her biological parent seems to hit the right note. The book follows two timelines: "Now" - Paige's story of discovery and "Then" - mom Elizabeth/Betsey's story about the events leading to Paige's conception and birth. Both parts are compelling and you'll keep the pages turning to find out what happened and who knew what and when.

Once again, Alison Hammer has brought me to tears with her sophomore novel, Little Pieces of Me. This novel about the meaning of family and the choices we make that affect everything that comes next was so beautiful. Just like Hammer's debut, You & Me & Us, this book had a very complicated mother/daughter relationship at the center and the way it came together was so satisfying without being too unrealistically tied up in a bow. I also appreciated the Jewish representation, the supportive fiancé role, and the strong platonic friendships. This book was a winner for me and I can't wait to see what Alison Hammer brings us next.

Little Pieces of Me by Alison Hammer is an excellent second book by an amazingly readable author, This book showed the redemptive power of forgiveness. Hammer had the perfect elements to keep the reader absolutely enthralled —- family drama, long held secrets revealed, conflicted mother daughter dynamics, and relatable characters. Seriously, this is a book that you will start and finish all in the same day. Carve out some time so you are ready!

The book opens with a strong female character, Paige, who at 43 is newly unemployed and struggling with planning a wedding with the help of her mother. Paige has an outstanding group of friends, Maks and Margaux, who help support her when she gets an unexpected email that rocks her identity. She is notified that she has a Parent Not Expected, her beloved father does not share her DNA.

As a red haired blue-eyed child Paige was always on the outskirts of her mother’s love, but her father was her number one supporter. What follows is an extremely well done dual timeline novel. Hammer switches between Now and Then with the backstory of her mother, Betsy, and her DNA dad, Andy, in 1975. What is revealed changes everyone involved, will bring out long held beliefs, and have everyone questioning their values.

Hammer has outstanding storytelling with a few twists and a satisfying conclusion to much of the family drama. She tells this story with grace and true empathy. There is a richness and a joy that leaps off of the pages despite the damage to the human heart and the fallout that secrets can cause to not just those directly involved but the entire family unit.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from William Morrow and Custom House in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

Paige Meyer is 43-years-old, happily engaged, newly unemployed, and still grieving the death of her father. When a DNA test reveals startling results, Paige is left reeling—does this information validate the feelings she’s always had that she did not fit in with her family, does it negate the loving relationship she had with her dad, and does this revelation change who Paige is? Both timelines are equally compelling and heartfelt as we learn the unvarnished truth about Paige’s conception and birth, and as we watch Paige wrestle with all the emotions this has revelation stirred up. I loved that there were no easy answers to any of this, no right or wrong, no blame or guilt; there were secrets and deceptions, choices and consequences, but there was also devotion and love. My own emotions were in a twist; smiling, crying, angry, conflicted. Little Pieces of Me is a book to be read with your heart, with memorable characters we care about, grieve for, and for whom we wish happiness and healing.

In Little Pieces Of Me a mother and daughter are faced with a new relationship one where Paige’s father is no longer there to be the buffer. Paige and Elizabeth navigate a new dynamic after she discovers her mother kept a secret from her.

Paige is experiencing an identity crisis after learning that her mother has kept a secret from her. A DNA test shows Paige that the life she has been living is a lie eventhough it’s been a joyous wonderful life. She can’t help but wonder what her life would’ve been like had the circumstances been different. She felt like her and her mother never truly bonded. She attributes it to her being young when she got pregnant and not being able to finish college. Paige wants the truth but her mother is scared to face the truth.

Paige is in her forties and about to get married for the first time to a patient loving man. She has a healthy loving support system with friends, sisters, and family. While Paige plans her wedding and looks for a new job she also works at rebuilding her relationship with her mother.

Alison set out to write a convincing story about family and identity. She certainly conquered both. Alison included a variety of relationships where Paige bonded with different individuals. Paige’s life with her dad. Her relationship with her mother. Her sisterly bond with her younger twin sisters. Her friendship with Mak and Margaux. Her life with Jeff. Each one of these relationships are like torn pieces of paper. When the pieces are put back together they make up the whole of who Paige is. Paige is a unique character with each relationship. Overall she isn’t defined by these relationships she’s defined by the choices she makes.

I had a love/hate relationship with the way Alison presented the truth. As a reader I liked being privy to the truth before Paige’s character. But then again I didn’t know what to do with that information when the other factors of the story were still in play. For me the wedding planning portion of the storyline crowded the concept. The wedding was the tool used to build the relationship with her mother yet the actual planning process was tedious to read.

I enjoyed Andrew’s character. The chapters with his backstory were beautifully written. Sadly I’m on the fence regarding my feelings towards Betsy in those chapters.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story, but it dragged on for far too long. Where I originally thought of Paige as this brave warrior character soon fell to the wayside when she second guessed her decision on one too many occasions. I did like that she had options on how to get the truth. Some roadblocks and obstacles were handled better than others. This is where her support system really came into play.

This was a character driven story with each character searching for that path to self discovery. Each character was venturing into a new chapter in life trying to navigate the new altered version of themselves. Basically saying goodbye to one part of themselves while saying hello to a new piece. It’s like each character carried around pieces of themselves in different parts depending on life’s circumstances.

I thought the timing of this secret was interesting considering who the secret protected. This is where my conundrum lies. The convenience of withholding a secret for this long to wait until this pivotal moment just brought out my impatience. I admit I had to skim the last half of the story filtering through the wedding planning scenes.

I'm soooo excited to discover a new to me author and I absolutely LOVED this book!!! It's super relevant in today's times - everyone is DNA testing all over the place and family secrets are popping out of the closets all over the place! I connected with ALL the characters (although, it was a little prickly with the Mom) - Paige could NOT have asked for a better tribe!! Between her soon to be husband and her best friends - sister had it made!! I'm a sucker for a happily ever after and this one gave me all the feels!!! I appreciated how the book dove into what made the mom tick and explained how she came to the decisions that she did- and the lifelong friendship and support that she had - we ALL need buddies like it seemed everyone had in this book. Oh! I won't spill about the secret that I didn't even see coming ;) I Can NOT wait to read more from this author!! Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Paige Meyer finds out through DNA testing that she's not the biological daughter of the father she's loved her whole life. This is especially sad since Paige's father has already passed away. When Paige asks her mother about this, she finds more questions than answers.

The story is told from the perspectives of Paige, her mother in the past, and her biological father in the past. I liked this way of narrating, but it made me dislike the mother even more. She had reasons for the things she did, but she didn't show much remorse, nor did she really take responsibility for the pain she caused her daughter. I didn't find Paige unlikeable, but for the most part, she kind of just let life happen to her, not really taking charge.

Overall a solid story.

Paige’s life gets turned upside down when she received an email from the DNA site telling her she has a family match. Her father. Except this Andy person isn’t her father, it must be a mistake. After asking her mother doesn’t go as planned, Paige knows she will need to go to the only other person that may have answers. Andy himself.

I can’t imagine one day waking up and finding out the man you knew as your father your entire life wasn’t actually your father. With the rise in DNA testing, I am sure there are a lot of people out there that find out things like this all the time. I absolutely loved the way this book explored identity, and how identity can feel tied to who our parents are. My heart broke for Paige as she tried to find out who she was with this new information that had been thrust at her. The dual timeline added a different side to her mother, which certainly made her seem more real than if we only saw the current day Elizabeth. And oh man Andy. I cannot imagine how he was feeling during his college years, I just wanted to reach out and give him a hug! I adored You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer, and let me tell you, her second novel does not disappoint! She is quickly becoming an auto-buy for me!

My first thought on finishing "Little Pieces of Me" was this: I need to discuss this book with someone! With her sophomore book, Alison Hammer has established herself as a go-to author of women's fiction. Told in dual timelines and multiple points of view, "Little Pieces of Me" is the story of Paige, a woman who discovers through DNA results that the man who raised her was not her biological father. As Paige seeks out the truth in the present timeline, we learn through a past timeline the story of Paige's mother, who became pregnant while in college. Secrets, lies, and a mother-daughter relationship fraught from conception. Book club discussions of this book are liable to get rambunctious.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a copy for review purposes.

Paige Miller receives an email that shakes her world. She has learned through DNA testing that her biological father is alive. Problem is, Paige is grieving for the man she thought was her father for most of her life. Stunned, Paige begins to search for answers, digging into memories of her childhood, which made her question her mother's love.
It's 1975 and Betsy Kaplan is in her second year at the University of Kansas., A fight with her boyfriend causes Betsy to seek consolation in the arms of another man, Andy Abrams. But when she learns that her one night stand has lasting consequences, Betsy has to create a stable life for her unborn child. Her past is not something she wants to talk about with her daughter.
Her mother's refusal to revisit the past leads Paige on a quest to talk to the only other person would would know the truth. This dual timeline gives us a compelling story from each character's perspective and we are given front-row seats behind each of the decisions made.
I absolutely loved the dual timeline. I think the author handled this feature well. There was a great balance between the two timelines -- Now and Then -- which really showed how decisions of the past affect the future. But I did enjoy the Then narrative better. Paige was troubled about so many things and it was great to see her not only love herself but gain a better understanding of her mother. I was so glad that the author showed us Betsy's POV as well because that kept her likable and relatable. The secondary characters were also well-developed although I would have to loved to see more of Paige's relationship with her sister explored. The title was apt and the cover design is really pretty. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you @Netgalley
Thank you @williammorrowbooks

In her sophomore novel, Alison Hammer once again delivers an emotional and heartfelt story about love, family, and connection.

The premise of this novel piqued my interest immediately. Paige Meyer gets an email from a DNA testing website that shakes the foundation of her life. The father that she loved so deeply may not be her biological father after all. This shocking revelation sends Paige on a journey of discovery that causes her to question every part of her life as well as her own identity.

Told in dual timelines, the story follows Paige searches for answers in the present as well as her mother’s sophomore year at college where the story truly begins. The transitions between past and present are seamless and flow with purpose, pushing the story forward. This structure also allows the readers to understand the challenges and motivations of each character on a deeper level.

And it is the characters that are truly the heart of this novel. The relationship between Paige and her mother is heartbreakingly real in its complexity and the supporting characters really compliment the story. I especially loved the interactions between Paige and her two best friends. Their conversations were so real I found myself laughing out loud several times.

LITTLE PIECES OF ME is a compulsively readable novel that would be perfect for book clubs.

I highly recommend you pick up a copy on April 13 and, while you’re waiting, be sure to read Hammer’s debut novel, YOU AND ME AND US.

Thank you to the publisher for my advance reading copy.

Thank you to Net Galley, Alison Hammer and the Publishers for this ebook ARC in. Exchange for my honest review,
I went in with high expectations as I so loved Alison's first book so much.( You And Me and Us)
She does not disappoint with her second book. I was a bit worried hearing it had duel timelines as frequently they are confusing to follow. Not this one, this actually was so well done it made the story flow easily back and forth allowing continuity thru both timelines. I will recommend it to others when released, a great story of friendship and mother daughter relations, with a DNA mystery too.

Little Pieces of Me is a powerful and emotional book. Paige Meyers discovers her deceased father who she adored, may not be her biological father thanks to a DNA website she participated in when working on their advertising campaign. When the website tells her that she has a parental match to Andy Abrams, a man she has never heard of before, Paige questions her mother who shuts the questioning down. Determined to figure out why she felt like her mother never truly loved her and why she always felt different growing up, Paige sets out to find out the truth of her paternity.

The book is told in dual timelines, present day as Paige unravels her paternity and in the 1970's when her parents and Andy were sophomores in college. I enjoyed how even when the story switched back and forth between timelines, it flowed easily. There is a lot of emotion in this book, not just with Paige's world being turned upside down with her paternity, but with her relationship with her mother. The interactions between them brought me to tears a few times with how much you could tell that they love each other but didn't know how to express it to the other correctly. This book felt very raw and honest with the depiction of the paternity situation and Paige's relationship with her family and friends and it is something that made to me this story shine.

One thing I was pleasantly surprised about as Jewish reviewer who is always seeking out Jewish books, was that this was a Jewish story. I had no idea about that when I requested this book on NetGalley since it is never once mentioned in the synopsis. I liked the ties of Judaism that were sprinkled throughout.

Wow this was a great book! I was not expecting this to be such an emotional book going into it! This was a great story, and I really connected to it! I was adopted and have even done a 23 and Me test, but I have no hopes of ever actually finding any relatives this way. Mine was more to see the medical results it can provide you. If I ever did get a random email though I am not sure how I would feel or respond! My favorite parts of this book were the moments in the past when you see Betsy and young Andy. I loved that you got to see both perspectives throughout this, and the reasonings behind their actions.

The very last paragraph shocked me! I don't know what to think about those final words! This book will stick with me, and I cannot wait to see other reviews when this comes out!

Thank you Netgalley & Harper Collins for my digital copy in exchange for a honest review!