Collecting the Pieces

by L.A. Fiore

At fifteen I fell in love. His name was Jake Stephens and he took the abandoned, lonely girl I had been and made me whole. His love was a pure and unconditional love that made every day better than the last…a fairy tale of my very own.

But this story isn’t about Jake. It’s about Abel Madden; the man I meet after the fairy tale goes to hell. A cocky, arrogant man who says what he wants, does as he pleases, and makes no excuses for it. He irritates me—downright pisses me off at times—but he also brings me back to life.

My name is Sidney Ellis and this is my story of finding love twice—the first when I needed it most and the second when I never saw it coming.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, Emotional, Death

400 pages, ebook

First published November 15, 2016

About the author

A top 11 Amazon Bestselling author, LA Fiore, wife, mom, identical twin, hybrid author, and extraterrestrial, is a fan of the fermented grape and a dabbler in storytelling. She believes in a happily ever after, but she likes to make her readers work for it. When she's not writing, she can usually be found in the garden or hanging on the deck with her family and friends. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and their four fur babies.

Website: https://www.lafiorepublishing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/l.a.fiore.pu...
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lafem...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lafioreauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafiore.pub...

Reviews

[Em Lost In Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @30%.

I guess there are better stories waiting for me to read them instead of wasting time on this.

[Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Stars*****

“My name is Sidney Ellis and this is my story of finding love twice—the first when I needed it most and the second when I never saw it coming.”



Wow! I absolutely loved this whole story. It was such a pleasant surprise. I went into this book somewhat blind, not knowing much about the story other than what the synopsis divulged which in itself, really intrigued me and pulled me in to read this story. This was my first L. A. Fiore book and what a great book it was to start with. The writing was absolutely beautiful and I felt every emotion portrayed, as if I was living each scene and feeling each emotion with them.

If you believe good things happen to good people then you will love this story. The book asks the question “is it possible to have two great loves of your life, two happy ever afters or two soul mates?” After reading this story, it is hard to disagree. I must clarify, there is no cheating, this is not a love triangle story as the above may allude to. The two great loves occur at two completely different stages in the heroine’s life.

Sidney Ellis is a foster child, who was abandoned by her parents as a baby. She is a lonely broken girl who has no concept of what family and love is. At fifteen she meets Jake, a kind hearted soul who loves her completely and unconditionally. Jake not only gave her the love she craved, but also the feeling of belonging and most importantly his family. Sidney’s world soon shatters and her happily ever after goes to hell when unforeseen tragedy strikes.

Sidney moves with her best friend to Wyoming to take over a retiring vet’s practice. She believes the change in scenery and pace will do her the world of good. This is where she meets Abel, the mysterious rugged man who stirs feelings within her that she can’t explain. She feels his presence even before she sees him and is completely drawn to him.

I loved these two characters together. They drove each other completely crazy, but their attraction and need for one another was so intense that it made for some hot, steamy scenes.

I absolutely loved Sidney. She was strong, determined and wasn’t afraid to start her life over again. She’s been to hell and back, but I believe it made her even stronger. I noticed the difference in her character from the start of the book to the end. She gets knocked down, but she stands straight back up and is even stronger than before. She is a true inspiration.

Abel is a cocky self-assured man who says what he wants, does what he wants and makes no apologies for it. He is a motorcycle riding “bad boy” with a beard and man bun, but there is definitely a lot more to him. He cares about the people in his life and is the only one capable of healing Sidney.

There was absolutely nothing I did not love about this story. It broke my heart but then healed it again. This story is about love, loss, heart break, friendship and the importance of family even if they’re not blood. I would most definitely recommend this story to anyone who loves intense and emotional reads about finding love a second time around. This story is about finding the missing pieces of a puzzle to complete one’s self.

“All the pieces make a life.”

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 14%, I was a mess. A hot freaking mess.



Luckily they were tears of happiness and joy because Sidney had finally been given the love that she had always dreamed of and the family that she had always wanted. Jake's love saved her and his parents' acceptance completed her and gave her the confidence to pursue her goals.

By 19%, I was a fcking wreck.



My heart was fcking shattered, into pieces much like the theme of this story. It's not like I didn't know that this was going to happen. Doesn't mean I was prepared. It's not like I couldn't predict what was going to happen. It's the fact that I was so in love!! I fell in love right along with Sidney. I fell in love with her love and her new lease on life. And then I was devastated. How else can I describe it? I was splintered. Fractured. Destroyed.



Then we meet Abel. Who freaking knew or could foresee how beautiful this man really was??? Who??? OMG this man was freaking beautiful!!!!!! He was sublime and he entered Sidney's life perfectly. He shook her up. He nudged her. He poked the bear so to speak. He sparked life back into her and I LOVED him for all that he was! To be loved by such pure souls was a blessing that anyone would be grateful for. Sidney, bittersweetly, was so blessed. There was no doubt that she and Abel were eternally thankful for their shared love.

Thank you L.A. Fiore for breaking my heart, "collecting the pieces", and putting it back together again!! This was an incredibly amazing example of hope and love! xoxo

An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's LIVE --> Amazon: http://geni.us/bml6f

Collecting the Pieces is a Romantic Suspense that explores relationships, loss and whether it’s possible to find love twice in a lifetime. It’s a story that slow burned its way into my emotions, made me cry and feel a warm connection to the hero and heroine.

The narrative begins when the female protagonist, Sidney Ellis, is fifteen and showcases her meeting and falling head over heels in pure love with Jake Stephens. Her backstory is set showcasing her life and the tragic circumstances that beautifully portray the angst and emotion of the story because the ultimate hero of Collecting the Pieces is not Jake but a man named Abel Madden. A delicious, forthright, does-what-he-wants kind of guy with a sexy beard and man-bun. His undeniable chemistry with Sidney makes it super gorgeous to experience the unfolding of their relationship.

Overall I enjoyed Collecting the Pieces and appreciated the way it raised my angst levels during Sidney’s backstory and the development of her relationship with Abele is really beautifully crafted. However, the suspense element surrounding the romance did not entirely work for my reading tastes. I felt that there was already so much to the story that it wasn’t really necessary and took my attention away from what I felt was the main focus, the relationship between Abele and Sidney and caused the story to feel too wordy at times which had a tendency to burst my story bubble. Having said that, the romance of this story is highly engaging, Sidney completely drew me into her life and her subsequent relationship with Abel is the kind of romance that makes one totally swoon and certainly caused me to shed a tear or two.


Advance copy provided for my honest review

[Nazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Solid Stars

Wow, her writing is so fantastic! when I was reading "Devil You Know" I added this one and now I’m searching for her other works to add to my tbr. I confess that I’m a junkie and her books are my cure! Haha! When I was reading this story at some point I could hear my heartbeat and I could feel my blood boiling! And at some point I just laughed out loud! How is that possible some one could write so beautifully!

Sidney is an orphan girl who her parents abandoned her on the steps of a hospital as a baby. When she was ten, she was fostered to a family. But this new family wasn’t anything like what she had in her mind. She didn’t get the mom and dad she had expected but she did get the brother.

"I was no longer the lonely and empty girl I had been, and all because one person showed me kindness and love. Connor was my family and that was enough to start the healing."

When she started high school, she met Jake. He was incredible and so sweet. They were so good together. She experienced so many first with him. He healed her. her first love. A few years later, when they were so happy, something really bad happened. Something that breaks your heart. Something that makes you cry aloud. Something that shatters you. After seeing their love and happiness that was so painful.

"All the pieces I had collected with Jake, the pieces that made me feel whole, shattered as I was dragged back into the abyss-a dark, empty and lonely abyss."



But can she find her happiness after that?! Is there someone out there who can collect her pieces and put them back together again?!

Everything in this book was in a perfect balance. The story-line was so good. The characters were well-written. the story is told in dual POV, 1st person. It was a really enjoyable read and I hope you enjoy it as well!

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Collecting the Pieces
AUTHOR: L.A. Fiore
CHAPTERS: Prologue | 23 | Epilogue
GENRE: COMTEMPORARY ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: November 17th, 2016



COLLECTING THE PIECES: This story is told in 'Dual Perspectives' once you reach chapter 9 it switches over to Abel Madden's Perspective. We're first introduced to 'Sidney Ellis' in the 'Prologue' an infant with no name abandoned on the steps of a hospital, who was known as baby number 3 until a nurse named her Sidney, in the system ever since, until she turned ten years old and was placed within a foster family, more interested in the cheque but a budding friendship ensued between their other ward Conner.



PAST

At fifteen I fell in love. His name was Jake Stephens and he took the abandoned, lonely girl I had been and made me whole. His love was a pure and unconditional love that made every day better than the last…a fairy tale of my very own.

The girl from the wrong side of the tracks, her first day of Freshman year has caught the eye of Jake, the schools hotshot captain and quarterback of the football team who was also reigned homecoming king. He's got her in his sights and he's not letting go. He pursues her relentlessly, claims her as his, makes her finally feel loved, accepted into a society that had given up on her.



Getting lulled into a false sense of security as you're pulled along on this whirlwind of love with these two an unforeseen circumstance sees her very own fairy tale come crashing down around her, surrounding her in darkness. Years go by and she's still shrouded within the darkness not able to move on, still clinging to that first undeniable all consuming love.

NOW

After her very own fairy tale ends, she packs up with her best friend and moves states starting over in a new town as the newly appointed vet, leaving the past behind her, she's not fully ready to move on but there's something about Abel Madden that intrigues her and gets her blood flowing alive again an arrogant, cocky beautiful bastard.

KINDRED SPIRITS/OPPOSITES IN EVERY WAY

"Have you ever been tested for multiple personalities?”
His expression in response was priceless.
He thought I was a nut.
"Multiple personalities?”
"Yeah, I’ve met Cocky, Flirty and Angry. You have at least three, but I’m guessing there are more in there.”



I feel you. You're inside me, in my blood and bones. Never fucking felt anything like it. I need you, crave you. ~ Abel

WOW Just wow!! No other word describes how much I LOVED this book, unique, heartwarming, the fuzzie feels on a cold winters night, highly recommend this. It's been sometime since I've read a book that took so little effort by the author to captivate me and Collecting the Pieces by L.A. Fiore did just that. I really need to read more by this talented author.

[Dilek VT · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sometimes we find a love that we’ve wished for, a love that is beautiful and pure that heals our hurts and fills the emptiness... Sometimes love is unwanted, raw and untamed. Demanding all from us, but giving back even more. Not the love we thought we wanted, but the love we need; the love we find we’re unable to live without.”

This is the story of Sidney Ellis. She was left on the steps of a hospital when she was a baby and when she was 10, she got adopted by some uncaring foster-parents. There, she had a foster-brother: Connor, with whom she felt less lonely.

While Sidney’s life got better after falling in love with Jake in high school, Connor’s life went downhill because of his growing addiction and his refusal for getting help.

It was not only Jake that turned Sidney’s world into a fairy tale but Jake’s parents also gave Sidney the home and the parents she never had. The Stephens were really a good family.

“Looking into those brown eyes, I knew this boy was the one I was meant to spend my life with. And how had I, Sidney Ellis, found not only the boy of my dreams, but a family of my very own?”

But after being very happy for a couple of years, a tragedy tore this beautiful fairy tale of Sidney’s apart and her life turned into something unbearable again.

After a few miserable years, a new guy – the second hero of the book, enters into the scene: Abel.

“What I feel for you is more than you being the first since my husband. I loved my husband with every fiber in my being, but given the chance I know what could be between us would eclipse even that.”

***

“Even if we only get a month, a year, I’d take that over days like the last six hours. Never needed anyone never wanted anyone and then you walked into my life. And now I can’t imagine living without you. We can’t know tomorrow, but we can sure as fuck live for now.”

Let me tell you that my transition from Hero #1 to Hero #2 wasn’t that easy. Reading two big love stories in one book is not easy! However, seeing how she developed feelings for another gorgeous man, I myself, as a reader also got to love Abel, maybe even more than Jake, eventually.

However, besides these two beautiful love stories, there is a lot more going on in the book such as making friends with animals, drug addiction problems, foster children problems, serial killers, con-man, murders, wild animal attacks and so on... I felt as if the writer has put whatever has come to her mind into one book. It is so damn tiring and distracting!

Look! something like that !


Yes, all of the above in one book!

There are way too many characters and you need to memorize who is who to move on. Let me name the ones that come to my mind:

Sidney, Connor, Jake, The Millers, The Stephens, Rylee, Abel, Tiny, Jayce, Duncan, Carly, Chris, Mr. Milburn, Garrett, Marnie, Stella, Keith, Ichabod & Jeshaiah... etc... Yeah, a hell of a lot of names!

Well, that being said, I still think it has a nice story in it but if I were the editor of this book, I would definitely cut down at least a hundred pages for the real story to be able to shine because it is kind of lost in all this mess...

[Alex ♈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT!
I just F*CKING LOVED THIS BOOK!
I’m a tough b*tch, and I rarely cry! But here I am – a sobbing mess with big smile on my face and my heart is beating so fast…
The most perfect heroine ever!!! I have nothing, really nothing to whinge about Sidney!
And I learned to love the hero; his character was quite a struggle at the beginning, and also because his “rival” Jake h’s dead husband was near to perfect; but then I had only love and admiration for Abel.
I have no words… it was a perfect book for me!

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! This book!
I don't even know how or where to start. I have A LOT to say, so please don't run away screaming while reading one of my rants. ☺ You should really read this book - no matter what I might say in my review!!!!!!

First of all, what we have here are basically two or even more books. There's so much story here.
The first part takes up 20 to 25% of the book and I basically cried all through it! ☺

Let's start at the beginning. I'll try my best to not spoil too much. Even if it might seem spoily - it's really not - I know I've written a lot - but it's not really spoiling anything!

This is the story of Sidney.
She was left on the steps of a hospital when she was just a baby in 1987. And after living in an okay group-home for ten years, she's finally living with foster parents. Not really the best foster parents - they only do it for the money - but at least they're not violent or abusing.

At the Millers is where Sidney meets her very first real 'family'. Connor. He's a few years older and he's already been with the Millers for a while. He becomes her brother and best friend.

And while Sidney thrives once she's out of the group home and then also later once she's starting highschool, Connor can't deal with his sad life and sinks deeper and deeper into alcohol and drugs.

But Sidney has the time of her life at school. She meets her forever-ever-after-BFF Rylee and she meets the love of her life: Jake.



Jake is perfect. He loves her with all his heart. And his parents fall in love with Sidney too.
For the first time Sidney has a family. She's in love and she's being loved for the first time in her life. She's over the moon happy, but her thoughts are with her brother a lot.

And one day, after being blissfully married to Jake for a few years, almost done with vet-school, her love for her brother ends the perfect little life she made for herself and Jake.

Fast forward to three years later.

Sidney is still not completely healed from everything that happened. But Rylee decides it's time for a change. So they up and move to Wyoming of all places, to take over the vet clinic in Sheridan.



Sidney agrees that it's probably time to start dating again. She's pretty sure she will never fall in love again and start a family. Even though those were always her biggest dreams.
But one day she sees this guy. This horribly attractive guy who is SO not her type.



He's got a full beard and a bun and rides a motorcycle. But she can't stop thinking about him.

And it's the same for Abel.
But he's SO not looking for something serious either. But they just can't resist each other.

But of course there are some problems to overcome until our darling Sidney can finally find her forever-ever-after-happy.....

We have some criminal activity in town - murderous criminal activity.
Some very dangerous wild animals. Horses to fall off of. ☺
And of course we're afraid to get hurt again when this new love doesn't work out in whatever way.

What will happen with Sidney?
Will she find her forever-ever-after in Wyoming?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
And don't forget to keep a box of tissues handy!

═════════════════════════════════



I don't even know what to say about the book.
There were so many amazing moments and so many FEELS!

I loved it. I loved the whole book .... But it's like once the story with Jake is done after 20-something %, the story of Sidney is just this nice and cute and adventurous little romance. And that's not really a bad thing, but it's like all the feels and emotions and tears and greatness left with Jake.

I don't mean that the rest of the book is bad. It's not. Abel is an amazing guy and they're building an amazing lovestory together. It's all very sexy and exciting and funny and adorable. But it's so unfair to Abel that we met Jake first. That Jake had such a huge impact on Sidney, on us and that he took up that much space in the book. I don't know what could've or should've been done differently by the author. I don't want to say that she should've left out Jake, or only made him a little part of it - maybe only 7% of the book. But that would've been better. We're so shattered and empty after Jake, just like Sidney. But Sidney had three years to heal, and we don't get that.

I didn't really like the way the book was written. The Jake part needs to be smaller. It's unfair to Abel and to the reader. And maybe Jake should've gotten a tiny little bad thing about him. So that we would be sure to love Abel more. But Jake was perfect. Young, but perfect. That's maybe the only 'bad' thing about him. That he was her first try at a real life, her first love. And now Abel is here to make it all better and right.

Ugh, I don't want to ruin this book for you, but it's just weird. It should've been more books than one.

Also the many people we meet in Wyoming. Carly and all the guy friends of Abel. There are at least 2 more romance novels that could be written for those. We hear too much about them in this book. We don't really care all that much about all that stuff. It's all so very far from Jake and the first part of the book, I felt as if it was a completely different book once we're in Wyoming.

BUT - aside from all my complaining about it, the book was really great.

The beginning, young Sidney and how she dealt with being an orphan and how happy she was once she met Rylee and Jake. It was just the most adorable thing. I cried so much in those first 20%. I started crying in the first chapter and never stopped until we got to Wyoming.

Once we're there the Abel story starts. And he's amazing. So effing hot on his bike and with all the hair. And he's funny and adorable and rude and and cocky and ugh, I just loved him.

And I love that Sidney is moving on with her life. She's loved and lost and now here's Abel and she's suddenly feeling wickedly erotic things she never felt before. Jake and Sidney were too young to really experience all that life had to offer. Their's was still some kind of puppy love. But now here's her second chance. And she's using it. I'm kind of proud of her, but also still a bit sad about Jake. ☺

I really enjoyed reading this book even though I had some problems with it.

It would've been perfect if the Jake part would've been shorter and if we would've gone a little more deep into things with Abel and Sidney. Their story just moves along slowly, almost boringly at the beginning. I just wished for a bit 'more'. (And by more I don't mean other people, we have enough of those already!☺)

BUT ... I will rate it 4 big and fat stars - and one of those stars is for the amazing cover alone! WOW!

COLLECTING THE PIECES was a heartbreakingly beautiful story. About second chances and finding your forever-ever-after-happy-end with a hot guy on a bike with a man-bun. ☺ Run to your nearest amazon to read about Sidney's life!

oh and what I didn't mention earlier - another thing I didn't like about the book. I had some problems with the writing. We have very weird sentences and the worst ... The author uses the short versions for YOU HAVE - I HAVE - et cetera A LOT. And not in the places where we usually see it. I never see or hear people talk like that - maybe in a pub full of old people in Ireland. But not twenty-somethings in america. I guess the author is british and that's why she uses it that much. ☺ Didn't bother me all that much but it happened a lot and it just sounds weird.

After writing this earlier, I just re-read my review for the last LA Fiore book HIS LIGHT IN THE DARK and it must be a Fiore thing because I already complained about that problem in that book - here's what I wrote back then:

It was my first Fiore book - and I don't know - it's probably just me being weird, but I had some huge problems with her writing :/
She sounds very british here and there, and this story is set in Philadelphia, so there shouldn't be any britishness in there. And the way she lets people talk. Little Mia talks way too old for her age. Everyone always leaves out the 'I' at the beginning of a sentence - that bothered me A LOT!!! Another thing I personally hate in my books, when people begin a sentence with 'I've something to tell you...' those I've's at the beginning sound sooo weird :/ (Is that a british thing too???)

That is STILL all happening in this book - the leaving out the I's at the beginning of a sentence, Fiore still does that all the time! And some conversations. They wouldn't happen like that in real life. It sometimes felt as if they were reading letters to each other. Nobody talks that much and that formally.☺

BUT - since I don't want to chase you away from this book... I really loved it too. Please give it a try. You will cry - A LOT - and laugh and aww and oooh. It's a really great book with an amazing cover!


♡ ♡
♡ ♡

[Linda ❤️ Sassy, Classy && a Little Bit of Nasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!









I found this book to be a surprise. When I thought the story was going to go one way, it took a complete left turn. In a sense, I almost felt like I was reading a few different stories all mixed into one, and that's not a bad thing in this case, at all. This is to say that, I felt so many different emotions for each character, that I was on a different ride with each of them. L.A. Fiore succeeded in making me feel for characters that shouldn't deserve the time of the day, and of course, drop deeply into a pit of sorrow for those who had no other choice in life but to suffer. Definitely a recommendation for those who are ready to take a dip into your feels and explore the uncanny hope of the unknown and the exciting thrill of the to-be-seen.





That's what she was. Invisible. She was left at the steps of a hospital when she was a baby. No note, no blanket, no teddy bear, not even a name. She was known as Baby Number Three until one of the nurses named her. Sidney Ellis.

Sidney grew up in the foster system in Trenton, New Jersey. With so many other kids in her group home, she was essentially just another mouth to feed. When she was ten, she was finally fostered to a new family, Mr. & Mrs. Miller, and she thought she was finally going to find the family she just knew were going to love her and show her love like she knew existed. When she met the Millers, there were no warm smiles, no affectionate hugs. They brought her home to their small, pretty house in Princeton, New Jersey.


"Your room is the first door on the left."


And that's how she's welcomed into her new home with her new family. Cozy, right?

In this very same home, she meets Connor. He turns out to be her saving Grace in this home. I expected a lot more from...OK...let me rephrase, I won't say I expected a lot more, however, I expected a different role from Connor. Mind you, I went into this story blind so I didn't know what each character's roles may have been. But I think I enjoyed it even more this way. He became the brother Sidney never had. He always looked out for her and never let her become a statistic. Sadly, the outcome doesn't prove the same for Connor.



Jumping ahead, we meet Abel Madden. I really enjoyed his character. He's a mechanic who's in town to help a close friend. While in town, he meets Sidney, the town's new vet. The instant sexual tension between these two is the icing on the cake. Abel's alpha mannerisms and Sidney's resilience and strength, together, are definitely a tussle to be witnessed. Love the banter and jest between the two! Between them, there are pieces that match, and pieces that differ so greatly. Then there are pieces that have been broken and pieces that are being refinished. Some pieces are pushed to the side and some are the main focus, but maneuver them just right, and the pieces all fall into place. And I loved seeing the development and placement of those pieces. L.A. Fiore did an exceptional job with this piece, no pun intended.

This is definitely a rec from me.

[NMmomof4]

I lost interest at 20%

I might come back to it, I might not...

I don't think I click with this author tbh, as I struggled with the other 2 books I read from her. I think I'm simply not a fan of her writing style, but it seems like others have no issues and love her works.

It just isn't working for me, sorry...

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 3.75 stars ... the ' then ' part of the book was a real lacklustre .. It just felt too robotic without much emotions .. I loved Jake , don't get me wrong , but their love was just too fast and too quick .. I loved that Sidney finally had someone to call her own but it mostly felt like a blur .. But the 'now ' part had soooo much KA feels to it .. I thoroughly enjoyed.. Abel stole my heart .. So rough around the edges but a total softie on the inside .. yum !

[Josiane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I finished this book a few days ago and usually after "The End" I run and write my review while everything's still fresh. I waited on this one because I was conflicted about many aspects of this book and didn't want my review to come out unjustly harsh. Truth is, I had to force myself to continue reading in quite a few parts and that's never a good sign but I soldiered on.

This book is really 2 parts. We meet Sidney at 10 years old when she gets foster parents for the first time and in time moves from middle school to high school and falls in love with the high School boy wonder. I had many issues with these chapters because

A) Jock extraordinaire is just too perfect
B) Chapters where nothing much happens and I didn't need all those words to get me to Part 2
C) I saw the plot coming a mile away

Part 2 is where Abel comes in (yup, sexy bearded tall cool drink rocking a man bun from the cover shows up in Chapter 8) but nothing much happens for many more chapters as we get to meet the town folks, of which there are way too many. Then we get to go on multiple patient visits with Sidney the Vet as she hears gossip and news. There's the occasional stormy encounter with Abel and ...well you get the picture. There's drama. love, sex, murder, wild animals, house pets, horses, lots of horses, pickup tucks, custom bikes and cowboys hats. This book has it all! It just didn't quite work out as a great read for me.

[Helena Bookhooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do not know where to start when reviewing this book. I don't think my writing skills have what it takes to get across my feelings towards this book and give you, a fellow reader just how good this book was and five stars is just not enough praise for this book.

L.A. Fiore has really put her heart and soul into this book, from her wonderful words, to the inspiration for the cover and the work of art that is the inside of the book, nothing has been left out to give the best reading experience.

To me this book is all about Sidney, yes our brooding hero is the epitome of rough, sexy and unattainable but the bones of this book is Sidney and her journey, her depth, her strength and ability to overcome the obstacles that life keep throwing at her I just loved her and everything about her. It's not very often you come across a character that you wish you could meet up with and have a drink with, Sidney was this character she really buried herself in my heart and she is my favourite book heroine to date.

The sadness in this book is sad but L.A really has this uncanny way of giving the reader hope though the sadness and instead of those emotional Kleenex moments, you find yourself as the pillar of strength to help these characters through their turmoil, mentally cheering them on to pull themselves through the tough times. This book was a really profound read, it's on the edge of your seat read really hoping and praying that these characters find themselves. L.A writes some incredible scenes, some very hot sexy scenes, they all fit nicely and appropriately within the story and enhance the feeling of the characters and not just there because the reader expects it.

I was just gripped and I savoured every word and sentence it took me hours to read the last 20% as I just didn't want the book to end.

I ended the book with a small tear in my eye as it was just so beautiful and sadness that I had finished.

If there is one book, one author to take a chance on this winter then make it this one, you will not be disappointed as L.A. Fiore for me delivers the finest alpha male's and kickass heroine's to grace your bookshelf or ereader.

[JAIME LOUISE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because the dude on the cover is basically my dream guy.

(Do you know this person? Give him my number)

This book was weird, and I'm not 100% it deserves the 3 stars I gave it. It may just be getting the bump up because, bearded motorcycle head with man-bun. Sigh.

This one starts with a 10 year old girl, being placed in her first foster home, and basically discovering that she is nothing more than a paycheque to her foster parents and that humans are generally the worst. Until she meets her foster brother and somehow throughout a miriad of events that should ruin a person, she sees the bright side in nearly everything.

15 years on, and an event that may actually break her occurs, and prompts her to move half way across the country.

This is where the book goes from Part 1 to Part 2 and there is a definite 'tone' change.

The thing is, the first part of the book wasn't written well at all. There was a lot of eye rolling and 'as if that would ever happen' on my part. And the event, I saw that coming from so far away that I actually paused reading for the night because I know myself and I kew that if I kept reading I would end up reading until I finished the book and well, I have a job, and I'm old and all nighters just aren't on the cards for me anymore.

After that, there were a lot of words telling not much of a story, and I think that's important to note. Because, when there was 'something' going on in the story that could have been told big, it fell really flat.

Still, motorcycle bae is hot. I pretty much liked his character, even if it's the same old reformed alpha man whore we see all the time with the addition of a man bun.

[Desi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 estrellas


Este libro no fue lo que esperaba.... por la sinopsis pensé que iba a ser algo desgarrador y me iba a conmover, pero no me pareció así o la autora no lo hizo sentir así.
Parte del libro me pareció muy meloso para mi gusto (la 2da parte)

No sé si era que tenía las expectativas demasiado altas o no era el mejor momento para leerlo, no lo sé... pero no me llegó, ni tampoco los personajes, de la historia me pareció interesante la primera parte (creo que el único que me gustó fue Jake)... quizás por eso las partes que más me gustaron fueron los primeros capítulos, ya después se me hizo algo cansina.
Pero ni Sidney ni Abel me gustaron, a mi parecer se enrollaron y enamoraron super rápido. Y la historia detrás de su romance, nada que ver... muy meh!!

Pero como dije es mi opinión y tal vez no lo leí en el mejor momento.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many really good authors I like that write really great books - but there are only a few that write real magic.

Those authors usually have their very own special “thing” … their tiny magic that they weave into their stories. And the stories they create will draw you in and if you are lucky it will take you a long time to recover.

Let me use one of my favorite Authors here as an example again. Colleen Hoover’s magic is that she will always place a twist you never saw coming in her story. You will always know that there will be one coming but you will never know where or when until it hits you in the face.

L.A. Fiore’s magic is different but no less magical - she creates lifetimes in the smallest number of pages I ever saw. Using a depth that is almost impossible to recover from once she drew you in.
I thought it was unbelievable what she did in “A Glimpse of the Dream” – where she told a lifetime worth of memories and a story so real that it hurt reading it.

But with “Collecting the Pieces” she has outdone herself in a way that makes me question the boundaries of her writing. Just now I cannot see much stopping her.

I found myself sending Goodreads Recommendations for that book to everybody I thought might enjoy reading this and I feel like I need to handout flyers to everybody I see with a book in their hands.

On the Journey through “Collecting the Pieces” I had the pleasure of meeting not one but two extraordinary Guys that would make wonderful Book boyfriends to the majority of readers enjoying romances. I was lucky to be able to experience not one but two lifetimes full of love – and I would like to thank the author for that (with tears in my eyes)

Jake and Able were both unique in their own way and I would have been honored to meet them (if that were possible)

But not only the leading characters are beautiful in this book. All the supporting characters down to those on four legs are too.

I have to give you a fair warning – while reading this book you will encounter love as well as heartache. And both of those emotions will be thrown at you in an equally powerful way.
Trust me when I say that it was not an easy feature to conceal my tears when I was reading during commuting. They will simply come and you will have no way of hiding when your heart will be torn and it will feel like you are there right beside Sidney.

This is not a Christmas novel but as Christmas is coming closer and closer I have to say that - if you are looking for a good romance Novel to read or gift to a friend over Christmas – you can stop searching.

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[Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read the blurb on this one it doesn't really give very much away except how Sidney fell in love at 15 to Jake Stephens. Pure and loving Jake.......what you don't realize that Sidney falls in love again but not as a girl as a woman. This is an amazing love story showing you that second chances at falling in love actually happen.

The book is told in told in two parts - Sidney's life as foster child, meeting her "brother" Conner and then meeting and falling in love with the lovely Jake and becoming part of his family. L A Fiore created a wonderful character in Jake and that story had to be told....... and that is all I am going to say at this point.

Abel is a complete contrast to Jake, foul mouthed, says what he means and means what he says, cocky arrogant but a great character. My kind of male alpha. He is also a loving man.

What unfolds over this story is a story of heartache, second chances and loving people. Its the story of how Sidney Ellis found love when she needed it and the next time when she didn't see it coming.

A great standalone contemporary romance and no cliffhanger - Perfect

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Mrs. Fiore wrote Abel just for me.

This is the second time Im writing this review and I dont even remember what I wrote the previous time.

Just know that I think this was a spectacular read full of amazing characters, a gripping plot, a fantastic sceneary (I really wish to visit Sheridan, Wyoming) and two love stories in one.

Im left feeling enamoured and wishing for my motorcycle-driving, manbun-wearing, dirty-mouth bearded, blue-eyed devilsh man.

::sigh::

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! This author did an amazing job of building the relationships between the characters in this story. There is so much that happened in this book and I didn't want to put it down. By the time I was done reading, I had huge tears rolling down my face - it was that good! Really fantastic!!!!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book this year. I was cautious because I want my first read to be amazing and I choose right.

Safety: safe
- no others after meeting each other
- heroine has been celibate for three years but she has had a great sex life with her first husband
- no details of hero's sexual past
Her first husband, Jake, was her first everything but although I belive he was also a virgin, he dated someone else before he met her whom he broke up at about eight months after he met her. He was an amazing man who died three years before she met Abel, the hero.
Not super descriptive but there is a sex scene with Jake and the first 19% showed their story.
The hero Abel, is not with anyone after he met her and although I think he was never serious with any woman I don't belive he was a manwhore, he has a dirty month but he was a good guy and he never reacted to any woman the way he did to the heroine.

I loved how she adopted stray animals.
The second caracters were amazing and truly good people.
I felt super sad for her brother Connor, I understand her anger but I couldnt help but emphatize with the boy who was abused (neglect) for about 19 years and who only knew love at 14.

ps: the second caracters Duncan and Carly loved each other since childhood but he was with others girls while she was a teen and he believed she was with the hero (never happened).

Beautiful.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisite read telling of a broken woman who finds a second chance at life with a man to her extreme opposite. Collecting Pieces is so smooth, refreshing and real that you find yourself immersed in every word that builds a story that will stay with you.

LA Fiore always gives reads that make us think and feel, Collecting The Pieces was beyond this.

From page one i was involved in this story. A girl who grew up in a foster home that only wanted to collect a paycheck and a brother who started to get wild. In all that chaos she found her first love.

Life was good and all was well, then tragedy falls upon Sidney and her family. Not knowing how to continue on she embarks on a journey with her best friend and moves to the midwest.

She instantly falls in love with her new home.

Then her eyes fall upon Abel.

“Dressed in his faded jeans and leather jacket with his hair pulled up in a messy kind of bun and the full beard and mustache.”

Abel has been on his own since he was a teen. No one to count on besides himself and the man who took him in under his wing.

He is rough around the edges and is not one to stay in one bed more than needed.
Besides riding his bike, he loves building them.

He was happy with the way things were.

Then his eyes fell upon Sidney.

“She is about thirty, fine body, killer face and brown hair the color of mink, the kind of hair you want on your pillow or running down your chest.”

Both stubborn.
Both smart.
Both content.
Both gorgeous.
Both attracted.
Both ballsy.

Both have met their match.

Two souls who are thought first love and to love again would never happen find themselves running towards each at full force.

There are going to be some bumps and bruises along the way.
Strength is going to be tested.
Wills are going to pushed to the limit.
Power is going to be spread throughout their lives.
Obstacles are going to be hurdled at them.

Pieces are going to be pieced together to create the perfect completed puzzle.


For more reviews, visit

[Alba M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

UN MILLON INFINITO DE ESTRELLAS ⭐ (y cajas de pañuelos).

Sidney vivió parte de su vida en un orfanato donde la abandonaron sus padres biológicos. Nunca tuvo esperanza de conocer el verdadero amor de una familia, y menos con los Miller, pero al menos tenía a Connor... Y luego a Jake. Jake le dio el amor de una familia, el amor de un hombre y la hizo sentir completa. Hasta que ya no estuvo. Teniendo que recoger sus piezas rotas de nuevo, Sidney se traslada a Wyoming en busca de un nuevo comienzo, pero lo que no esperaba era encontrase con Abel.

Os digo de verdad que estoy perdidamente enamorada de esta historia. No sabía si iba a ser capaz de aceptar a Abel, después de conocer a Jake, porque Dios mío QUIEN NO AMARIA A JAKE? Era el hombre perfecto, y para mí fue como si yo fuese Sidney y yo misma sufría sin fin. Así que cuando conocí a Abel... Bueno, como que la memoria de Jake estaba tan presente para mí como para ella y a ella le habían pasado años pero a mí me habían pasado páginas y no eran suficientes. Pero lo consiguió. Abel consiguió ganarme y hacerme feliz, me hizo sentir contenta de que Sidney encontrase a alguien que la completase, a parte de esa maravillosa mejor amiga llamada Rylee.
De Sidney no puedo deciros nada más que, ESTOY TAN ORGULLOSA DE ELLA ♥️. Es una chica luchadora, con carácter y coraje y estoy tan tan feliz de que consiguiese seguir adelante.
Y no hablemos de los padres de Jake... Son las mejores personas que he conocido jamás y ojalá existan personas como ellos, este mundo lleno de egoístas los necesitan. En general todo el pueblo me ha encantado, y todavía no me creo el final. Una parte de mi entiende al Sr. Milburn y otra está en shock sin saber que ha ocurrido 😔.

En resumen, OS RECOMIENDO TANTISIMO ESTA LECTURA QUE LA MARCO CASI COMO OBLIGATORIA ♥️. Ha sido un bálsamo estupendo después de llevar tiempo sin dar con una buena lectura.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank god i didn't pay for this book!
Right now its on Kindle unlimited.
Only 3 stars, boring.
Meh
Author killed good guy on the first pages.didnt like heroine and hero... They didn't mix for me.
Hero a lot of times trying to left heroine for good..
Nah
Nor my kind of hero

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Markella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every so often you read a book that leaves its imprint on your soul. Collecting the Pieces is proof that L.A. Fiore is a master of her craft. This book is simply, beautiful. Within the span of a few pages, you find yourself captivated and in love. Be warned, it's an emotional read; it has you shaking with excitement and blushing the one minute and bawling your eyes out the next. Abel and Sydney's story is guaranteed to take up residence in your heart, it sure has a part of mine.

“Regardless of what love you find, the simple act of loving has the power to fix the broken, to lift the fallen and to light the dark”. - Sidney Ellis

L.A. Fiore is a master at writing books that sweep you away from reality and immerse you into their own magical world. This isn’t your typical Happily Ever After Romance Novel… This is a book about survival, courage, hope, healing and above all about love. Unconditional, all consuming, everlasting love.

Sidney Ellis is an unforgettable character. The Author has successfully given us a female lead that is so tangible… L.A. Fiore’s writing is so on point, that it allows us to follow in her footsteps, to feel her every fear, happiness, sorrow. For me, this book was all about Sidney’s journey, all about her spirit, her inner strength. It was all about her fight for love. Very early in the book, Sidney lays in bed wishing for a family who would love her, she wished for people who would “just like her company”. She made those wishes and held them in the very deepest part of her. She found that love when she met Jake.

Jake was all that Sidney ever dreamed for. He was her Haven, her knight in shining armor. You cannot help but fall in love with this man; sexy, charming, smart, protective - Sidney’s Happy Ever After. Fate however, played a cruel trick on Sidney and Jake was brutally torn from her life. (Break out the box of Kleenex ladies because you're going to need them!) This is where our Author shines. Her writing and the way she weaves Sidney’s story allows us as readers, time to heal and deal with the loss of Jake. We experience all of her emotions, every time her heart aches, we feel it…the tears will run freely and your heart will be torn to shreds. As time passes, Sidney slowly but surely, begins to heal.

Fate intervenes once again and sends a sexy, cocky motorcycle riding man to shake up the waters and bring Sidney, back to life. Enter Abel. Wow, does Abel take your breath away. L.A. Fiore was very clever with how she introduced Abel to us after Jake’s death. Her writing allowed me to break through my inner resistance and accept another man into Sidney's life. She successfully got me to fall head over heels in love and lust for that matter, with Abel without feeling like I was ‘cheating’ on Jake. This man, who is the total opposite of what she was used to, breathed life back into Sidney and turned her world upside down. Jake may have been her heart but Abel is her soul.

Collecting The Pieces is a phenomenal book. The characters, both leads and secondary are very well written. The secondary characters are much more than comic relief or shadows to their lead counterparts; they are key to our story. The book moves at a perfect pace. It is split into two parts – then and now. The Author has not rushed through any section but at the same time, the book does not drag on unnecessary. This book will break your heart and it will demand your tears without shame! This is L. A. Fiore’s best work to date. This book is magical, highly descriptive, and emotionally powerful.

[Kerry Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when a book makes you feel every emotion possible it's hard to describe what your feeling.when your done with the book and can't stop thinking about the characters this is what happend after I read collecting pieces. I was so invested in the characters it was well written ever word flowed. La Fiore has outdone herself with this one she really has shown aside of herself and pour her heart and soul into this book. It takes a lot for me to cry and this book has done it a few times its full of anguish heartache but there's also happiness through out. When you lose faith and feel you can't go on.. how is it possible to pick up those pieces.

This book is fulled with love friendship and healing it's about finding yourself and trusting again. Sidney Ellis didn't grow up in a loving family there were no birthdays or Christmas but she always dreamed about them.

Oh Jake had me falling for him in the very beginning he grew up differently from Sidney his was fulled with happy memories. Jake opened a whole new world for Sidney fulled with possibilities. But some misfortunate circumstances changed there course

Sidney has been dealt a rotten hand in life she has cope with so much sadness and loss but through her strength she shows us how to move forward trust me there are times she wanted to throw the towel in and give up. Moving forward to a new life Sidney is open to all possibilities

Abel the sexy as hell bearded tattoo hot has sin who rides motorcycle. Abel has been dealt a shitty hand growing up he strives to be a better man. He never thought he wanted to settle down he lives his life they way he thinks he should. One look at Sidney he knows she different but when Sidney gets a glance at Abel he ends up taking her breathe away he is the total opposite of anything Sidney knows but damn he makes her feel alive.

You know when a book makes you feel every emotion possible it's hard to describe what your feeling.when your done with the book and can't stop thinking about the characters this is what happend after I read collecting pieces. I was so invested in the characters it was well written ever word flowed. La Fiore has outdone herself with this one she really has shown aside of herself and pour her heart and soul into this book. It takes a lot for me to cry and this book has done it a few times its full of anguish heartache but there's also happiness through out. When you lose faith and feel you can't go on.. how is it possible to pick up those pieces.


LA Foire has broken my heart with this one but she mends it back slowly loved this story and the characters and the growth through out there's so much that can be said but I want you to read and see for yourself

[Sbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved, loved, like
had a girl crush on Sidney. Sidney
could have very easily been one of
those heroines that I didn't like.
Instead, the author took all of Sidney's
many adversities and used them to
mold her into an incredible woman.

Sidney was lucky in her life to have
2 loves. I loved them both. I loved
how the author weaved such a beautiful
story about a woman just finding her
way in life.

All the side characters were interesting
and I am thinking that she will have
books for some of them too.

Abel, Abel, Abel. He is just about
the perfect man. He is beyond sweet,
and so kind and sooooo HOT. He is
a dirty boy with a dirty mouth and
was just delicious.

I could have rated this book a 4-if I
was nit-picking because imo it did
drag a little toward the end. I was
bored for a little bit, but it picked back
up and ended up being a great read. And
honestly, It was so refreshing to read about
a woman making an incredible life
for herself in spite of!!!!!!

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a life and how to find love, deal with loss, overcome tragedy, friendship, family, and just anything the world could throw at a person. It was a beautiful, heartfelt story that had my emotions all over the place. At times I was destroyed but there were a few moments that moved a little slow for me as well. Overall the story covers Sydney's entire life and that just felt perfect!

This specific video review will be included in the May 2018 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every thing about this book. Every damn thing. The first love. The second chance. The friendships. The scenery. All of it. The writing was engaging, honest, and kept me connected from page one until the words the end. All of it was perfection for me. This book found it's way to my favorites of the year. Heart wrenching, beautiful, and told in a way that you are able to fully love all the characters involved. I recommend it whole heartily.

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