What do you think?
Rate this book
Rumor Has It #5
Piece by Piece
Everything can change in an instant.
They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, but the truth is, sometimes you know exactly what you have. And when it’s gone, you start to fade away, too.
Taylor Hopkins knows this firsthand. For the past couple of years, he’s focused on only three things: college, working out, and girls. School to focus on the future and forget the past. Exercising to zone out and clear his mind. And girls for all of the above. Then Sasha falls into his life …
Sasha Williams loves to cook. Skipping her second year of college to work under a head chef and owner of a restaurant was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. After yet another breakup with a guy still hung up on his ex, she decides a night out is the perfect thing to wash away recent memories, and make sure her focus is on cooking. Of course, it doesn’t help that meeting Taylor, and a subsequent deal between them, turns into something she never thought she’d face.
While trying to break down walls, Taylor and Sasha work to come to terms with a future between them. But can you build a future on a foundation that continues to crumble away?
Piece by Piece is the fifth book in the Rumor Has It series and can be read as a stand-alone.
They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, but the truth is, sometimes you know exactly what you have. And when it’s gone, you start to fade away, too.
Taylor Hopkins knows this firsthand. For the past couple of years, he’s focused on only three things: college, working out, and girls. School to focus on the future and forget the past. Exercising to zone out and clear his mind. And girls for all of the above. Then Sasha falls into his life …
Sasha Williams loves to cook. Skipping her second year of college to work under a head chef and owner of a restaurant was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. After yet another breakup with a guy still hung up on his ex, she decides a night out is the perfect thing to wash away recent memories, and make sure her focus is on cooking. Of course, it doesn’t help that meeting Taylor, and a subsequent deal between them, turns into something she never thought she’d face.
While trying to break down walls, Taylor and Sasha work to come to terms with a future between them. But can you build a future on a foundation that continues to crumble away?
Piece by Piece is the fifth book in the Rumor Has It series and can be read as a stand-alone.
- GenresRomanceYoung Adult
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
53 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
R.H. Tucker
16 books89 followersRH Tucker writes cute & edgy YA romance, and drinks too much caffeine.
I’m a firm believer that Rocky Road is the absolute best flavor of ice cream in the world, although if I must, I will settle for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
You can sign up for my newsletter and get the FREE short story, One of a Kind, at:
https://www.subscribepage.com/rhtucke...
You can also find me on instagram at: instagram.com/rhtuckerauthor
I’m a firm believer that Rocky Road is the absolute best flavor of ice cream in the world, although if I must, I will settle for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
You can sign up for my newsletter and get the FREE short story, One of a Kind, at:
https://www.subscribepage.com/rhtucke...
You can also find me on instagram at: instagram.com/rhtuckerauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 6, 2019
This is the 2nd book this week with the same story! I guess I know how to pick 'em!
Manho hero? - Check
Hero obsessed/mourning OW? - Check
Hero having baby with OW? - Check
Hero treating heroine like shit? - Check
Heroine accepting sloppy seconds? - Check
Stupid/weak heroine? - Check
For anyone who cares, Hero spends the ENTIRE book grieving OW and he was about to hookup with OW when a friend of his stopped him! No thanks!...
SPOILER AHEAD!!!!
Hero had a girlfriend(Reese) that he grew up with and dated, but an accident occurred in which she died and hero cannot seem to stop feeling guilty & grieving - throughout the entire book!
Ever since her death, he has been having ONS & brief "hookups" with women and not getting attached because he feels he doesn't deserve happiness or love because he blames himself for her death. So he pushes women away and when he meet heroine, he does everything he can not to get attached. Heroine also has a bad track record with always falling for guys who are obsessed with their ex's & she is the one who constantly pursues him.
Manho hero? - Check
Hero obsessed/mourning OW? - Check
Hero having baby with OW? - Check
Hero treating heroine like shit? - Check
Heroine accepting sloppy seconds? - Check
Stupid/weak heroine? - Check
For anyone who cares, Hero spends the ENTIRE book grieving OW and he was about to hookup with OW when a friend of his stopped him! No thanks!...
SPOILER AHEAD!!!!
Hero had a girlfriend(Reese) that he grew up with and dated, but an accident occurred in which she died and hero cannot seem to stop feeling guilty & grieving - throughout the entire book!
Ever since her death, he has been having ONS & brief "hookups" with women and not getting attached because he feels he doesn't deserve happiness or love because he blames himself for her death. So he pushes women away and when he meet heroine, he does everything he can not to get attached. Heroine also has a bad track record with always falling for guys who are obsessed with their ex's & she is the one who constantly pursues him.
April 6, 2019
0.5 star
oh man that was a really tough ride for me, I really wanted this book to end soon because I couldn't stand Taylor or Sasha, both are pethetic and there is no chemistry between them at all !! its all misunderstandings like how dysfunctional couples operate .. I really didn't like reading this book, and the series is really not my cup of tea except the first book
that said I finally finished the series
oh man that was a really tough ride for me, I really wanted this book to end soon because I couldn't stand Taylor or Sasha, both are pethetic and there is no chemistry between them at all !! its all misunderstandings like how dysfunctional couples operate .. I really didn't like reading this book, and the series is really not my cup of tea except the first book
that said I finally finished the series
March 18, 2019
I’ve loved the previous books in this series so my low rating in no way reflex’s on the author’s writing style.....but I wasn’t a fan of this one!
I think if I’m being honest there is only one book with this storyline (dead ex) that I have genuinely loved.
And they’re was one part in particular that I struggled with! (The H is drunk and thinks the h is his dead ex.....they look very similar) It was slightly difficult to read (he just wanted to hold her all night, which was sweet but it was so sad that he wanted his ex and not the main heroine)
He went back and forth a lot, trying to decide if he could love the h! Because he still loved his ex!
And if I’m honest I kinda didn’t want him to end up with her 🤦🏻♀️ I know, it sounds bad but I don’t believe he will ever truly love her (he does love her.....but not more than his ex..... and that’s what I wanted to read about, not some romance for him to only give piece of his heart because the ex already had a big part of it!)
I think thou this one is one you all need to check out yourself, so have a sneaky sample download and let me know what you all think of it!
I think if I’m being honest there is only one book with this storyline (dead ex) that I have genuinely loved.
And they’re was one part in particular that I struggled with! (The H is drunk and thinks the h is his dead ex.....they look very similar) It was slightly difficult to read (he just wanted to hold her all night, which was sweet but it was so sad that he wanted his ex and not the main heroine)
He went back and forth a lot, trying to decide if he could love the h! Because he still loved his ex!
And if I’m honest I kinda didn’t want him to end up with her 🤦🏻♀️ I know, it sounds bad but I don’t believe he will ever truly love her (he does love her.....but not more than his ex..... and that’s what I wanted to read about, not some romance for him to only give piece of his heart because the ex already had a big part of it!)
I think thou this one is one you all need to check out yourself, so have a sneaky sample download and let me know what you all think of it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2019
****•There's a lot of spoilers throughout this review; so beware ******•••
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
I don’t know how many times I want to smack the shit out of Sasha ass because Taylor was so disrespectful to her and mean! & when he comes around or call she go running. Gah! She reminds me of two stupid females in my family! I felt like Taylor could’ve gotten over his hurt with his ex-girlfriend that died; they were teenagers then; he’s 20 years old now. But instead, he tends to push his friend Micah away and even disrespected his girlfriend and punched Micah... I only felt that Calvin just deserved that SMACKDOWN! But I believe that Taylor could’ve told his friends minus Calvin the reason behind why he acts the way he does. I think he could’ve trusted Micah, Sasha, and Ethan but he was an asshole a BIG one at that. I never knew he was going through what he was going through when I was reading the book with his best friend Micah and Veronica.. but for him to go out a mess around with girls, so he doesn’t dream of Reese and fall in love, so he doesn’t forget her is ridiculous. Because I felt like you will always have that person in your memory even when they are gone. But I still wanted to punch him in his throat and also wanted to smack Sasha... because he makes me sick for not going home more (but I understand) and pushing his main friends away Micah and Sasha. & Sasha for being dumb as heck for running every time he said JUMP. I felt like when he says jump she says how HIGH ... it got on my nerves so bad that I just kept rolling my eyes. I was with her sister Felecia on that. Because I wanted Sasha to diss him or don’t speak to him to show him how she felt and even go on a date with Ian to show him she could do better; since he wasn’t over Reese.
But hearing him tell Sasha the story between him and Reese so sad, it even gave me little tears to my eyes especially with Reese being pregnant when she died. Gah! Such a tragic story sheesh! Like I said I understood why he didn’t want to tell anyone because he blames himself, but I’m glad he finally told Sasha what happened. But I also realized why no one blames him either; you look at it honestly wasn’t his fault that he gotten hurt and she died. I think that it helped Taylor in so many ways to get out everything that he was feeling inside of him when he came back well more came to Sasha apartment to talk to her. Because I think they would have a relationship if he didn’t try to fix himself especially when he actually wants to be with her but doesn’t know how but especially when he doesn’t want to forget Reese. Which I think ridiculous; because you’ll always remember a loved one. REGARDLESS. This story was so different and sadder than any of the books to this series. Like sheesh! Talk about sad; pain in the ass; annoying all in one.
I always thought that Taylor should’ve let Sasha go until he figures his crap out within himself. Instead of stringing her along. More feelings get hurt by doing that. I felt terrible for Sasha because I knew she wanted more from Taylor and he couldn’t give it to her at that time. I thought a little bit of therapy would’ve continued helping him too. & in the end, I’m glad Sasha told him that needed to figure things out. I was like yasss girl! I think that with Reece brother AJ talking to him and his talks with Reece help him get a lot of reinsurance (don’t think that’s the word but whatever). But I think that is what Taylor needed that push; he gained that understanding with AJ... I was like if he doesn’t finally admit and get his woman. I’m a smack him to North Dakota. I wanted to smack him to North Dakota too especially at that flipping supper Market. Damn he got on my last damn nerves in this book. Now I’m not even mad at him 😂 when I realize Celery McGiggles is that girl Claire he trains at the new gym he works at...
She (Sasha) did him on him (Taylor) damn it’s so funny 😂 , but it’s sad at the same time. Like the same way he pushes her away she’s doing it right back. I’m here like yasss girl pay him back. But I feel so bad for him even though he got on my nerves that wanted to body slam him a few times throughout the book. But dang poor boy; I want to say he was going to “cry on his home” or when he “get home”...
When Tara ask was Sasha eating eggs I’m like don’t tell me pregnant... but then that’s not it; I want to smack for doing that to him too. Because he was coming there to get Sasha back ugh these two irk my nerves. But couldn’t stop reading until the end! Wishing they hurry up and be together with their annoying selves. & in the end, I am like about flipping time f*ck!!! ... but I have to agree Taylor would’ve made a great dad too especially how he is with Ashley, Ethan daughter. It cracked me up when Taylor had to tell her Sasha wasn’t his girlfriend & she didn’t want Sasha close. Priceless... this book was good & I wasn’t disappointed. May as well said I read it in one day...
***“I’ll always thank you, Sasha, because I don’t know that I’d be where I am now if it wasn’t for you. I know I’ve told you before, but every piece of my heart that I have left is yours. I love you.**** <<< one part of this book I like because this is true; if it wasn’t for Sasha he still is pitiful drowning in his pain & shutting people out. I’m glad he made up with Micah too. He only had two real friends anyways that was Micah and Ethan. I saw that throughout the book.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
I don’t know how many times I want to smack the shit out of Sasha ass because Taylor was so disrespectful to her and mean! & when he comes around or call she go running. Gah! She reminds me of two stupid females in my family! I felt like Taylor could’ve gotten over his hurt with his ex-girlfriend that died; they were teenagers then; he’s 20 years old now. But instead, he tends to push his friend Micah away and even disrespected his girlfriend and punched Micah... I only felt that Calvin just deserved that SMACKDOWN! But I believe that Taylor could’ve told his friends minus Calvin the reason behind why he acts the way he does. I think he could’ve trusted Micah, Sasha, and Ethan but he was an asshole a BIG one at that. I never knew he was going through what he was going through when I was reading the book with his best friend Micah and Veronica.. but for him to go out a mess around with girls, so he doesn’t dream of Reese and fall in love, so he doesn’t forget her is ridiculous. Because I felt like you will always have that person in your memory even when they are gone. But I still wanted to punch him in his throat and also wanted to smack Sasha... because he makes me sick for not going home more (but I understand) and pushing his main friends away Micah and Sasha. & Sasha for being dumb as heck for running every time he said JUMP. I felt like when he says jump she says how HIGH ... it got on my nerves so bad that I just kept rolling my eyes. I was with her sister Felecia on that. Because I wanted Sasha to diss him or don’t speak to him to show him how she felt and even go on a date with Ian to show him she could do better; since he wasn’t over Reese.
But hearing him tell Sasha the story between him and Reese so sad, it even gave me little tears to my eyes especially with Reese being pregnant when she died. Gah! Such a tragic story sheesh! Like I said I understood why he didn’t want to tell anyone because he blames himself, but I’m glad he finally told Sasha what happened. But I also realized why no one blames him either; you look at it honestly wasn’t his fault that he gotten hurt and she died. I think that it helped Taylor in so many ways to get out everything that he was feeling inside of him when he came back well more came to Sasha apartment to talk to her. Because I think they would have a relationship if he didn’t try to fix himself especially when he actually wants to be with her but doesn’t know how but especially when he doesn’t want to forget Reese. Which I think ridiculous; because you’ll always remember a loved one. REGARDLESS. This story was so different and sadder than any of the books to this series. Like sheesh! Talk about sad; pain in the ass; annoying all in one.
I always thought that Taylor should’ve let Sasha go until he figures his crap out within himself. Instead of stringing her along. More feelings get hurt by doing that. I felt terrible for Sasha because I knew she wanted more from Taylor and he couldn’t give it to her at that time. I thought a little bit of therapy would’ve continued helping him too. & in the end, I’m glad Sasha told him that needed to figure things out. I was like yasss girl! I think that with Reece brother AJ talking to him and his talks with Reece help him get a lot of reinsurance (don’t think that’s the word but whatever). But I think that is what Taylor needed that push; he gained that understanding with AJ... I was like if he doesn’t finally admit and get his woman. I’m a smack him to North Dakota. I wanted to smack him to North Dakota too especially at that flipping supper Market. Damn he got on my last damn nerves in this book. Now I’m not even mad at him 😂 when I realize Celery McGiggles is that girl Claire he trains at the new gym he works at...
She (Sasha) did him on him (Taylor) damn it’s so funny 😂 , but it’s sad at the same time. Like the same way he pushes her away she’s doing it right back. I’m here like yasss girl pay him back. But I feel so bad for him even though he got on my nerves that wanted to body slam him a few times throughout the book. But dang poor boy; I want to say he was going to “cry on his home” or when he “get home”...
When Tara ask was Sasha eating eggs I’m like don’t tell me pregnant... but then that’s not it; I want to smack for doing that to him too. Because he was coming there to get Sasha back ugh these two irk my nerves. But couldn’t stop reading until the end! Wishing they hurry up and be together with their annoying selves. & in the end, I am like about flipping time f*ck!!! ... but I have to agree Taylor would’ve made a great dad too especially how he is with Ashley, Ethan daughter. It cracked me up when Taylor had to tell her Sasha wasn’t his girlfriend & she didn’t want Sasha close. Priceless... this book was good & I wasn’t disappointed. May as well said I read it in one day...
***“I’ll always thank you, Sasha, because I don’t know that I’d be where I am now if it wasn’t for you. I know I’ve told you before, but every piece of my heart that I have left is yours. I love you.**** <<< one part of this book I like because this is true; if it wasn’t for Sasha he still is pitiful drowning in his pain & shutting people out. I’m glad he made up with Micah too. He only had two real friends anyways that was Micah and Ethan. I saw that throughout the book.
February 10, 2019
[1 star] did not like this book at all. hero is an asshole, heroine is a doormat. that about sums the book up.
Want to read
January 17, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/17/2020)! 🎁
February 8, 2019
The story might’ve been much better but for the endless multiple incorrect use of parallel activity participles and adjective phrases. The constant confusion as to who really did what at any given moment in the book must be driving every single reader crazy just like it did me. So yeah, there’s still room for bettering the author’s best.
To take just a few random examples:
“Getting out of the bed, my curiosity is piqued...” WTF? Why the hell was her curiosity getting out of the bed?!
“Reading it [the note], it tells him what time I am off...” Why, the author should’ve just gone on and written “Reading itself, the note tells him...” because it definitely was not the main character reading the note.
“Looking over at him to ask him what he means, his gaze meets mine...” How is it physically possible for his gaze to be looking over at himself?! That’s just crazy.
And it goes on and on...
To take just a few random examples:
“Getting out of the bed, my curiosity is piqued...” WTF? Why the hell was her curiosity getting out of the bed?!
“Reading it [the note], it tells him what time I am off...” Why, the author should’ve just gone on and written “Reading itself, the note tells him...” because it definitely was not the main character reading the note.
“Looking over at him to ask him what he means, his gaze meets mine...” How is it physically possible for his gaze to be looking over at himself?! That’s just crazy.
And it goes on and on...
January 29, 2019
I received a free ARC copy of this book for an honest review and that in no way affects my review.
This was a cute read!!! I love Dual POVS!!!
The only thing I didn’t like was how long it took for Taylor to figure things out, but a lot of issues don’t get resolved really quickly so I guess it is realistic. Personally for me I felt like I was in a rollercoaster with liking him or not just like Sasha was. It was frustrating to me because I didn’t know if I could have kept giving him all these chances. He really was a jerk at times. However he did have his good moments and deep down through everything he went through he is a good guy!
Overall though I enjoyed reading Taylor’s and Sasha’s journey and would recommend this book.
The whole series have been a joy and can’t wait to see what will come next!!!
This was a cute read!!! I love Dual POVS!!!
The only thing I didn’t like was how long it took for Taylor to figure things out, but a lot of issues don’t get resolved really quickly so I guess it is realistic. Personally for me I felt like I was in a rollercoaster with liking him or not just like Sasha was. It was frustrating to me because I didn’t know if I could have kept giving him all these chances. He really was a jerk at times. However he did have his good moments and deep down through everything he went through he is a good guy!
Overall though I enjoyed reading Taylor’s and Sasha’s journey and would recommend this book.
The whole series have been a joy and can’t wait to see what will come next!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2019
I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words that will do the book justice.
In the beginning, I was close to giving up on the story several times, because, frankly, I didn't like the two main characters very much.
While Sasha simply felt a bit bland to me at first (she did grow on me after a while, though), I flat out disliked Taylor for a good portion of the book.
And yes, I understand where he's coming from, and how a heartbreak like he lived through can royally mess up a person's life, but still... The way he treated his friends, pretty much all the people who loved him and stood by him despite all his douchebaggery? That made it really difficult for me to feel any kind of connection or even sympathy.
Still, the story is well written, it comes to a satisfying resolution, and I *did* like the supporting cast of characters.
3.5/5
In the beginning, I was close to giving up on the story several times, because, frankly, I didn't like the two main characters very much.
While Sasha simply felt a bit bland to me at first (she did grow on me after a while, though), I flat out disliked Taylor for a good portion of the book.
And yes, I understand where he's coming from, and how a heartbreak like he lived through can royally mess up a person's life, but still... The way he treated his friends, pretty much all the people who loved him and stood by him despite all his douchebaggery? That made it really difficult for me to feel any kind of connection or even sympathy.
Still, the story is well written, it comes to a satisfying resolution, and I *did* like the supporting cast of characters.
3.5/5
August 1, 2020
Dang
I was so interested in what happened to Taylor. And how he was going to turn his life into something he wanted. And man, what he went through.... was heart wrenching. I can't even fathom. And it does, to some extent, explain his behavior. It was heart warming to see him get some healing.
Sasha was sweet, but a wee bit immature. But, she was just as confused as Taylor. Her sidekicks were hella obnoxious though. I kept wanting to tell them to butt out.
I was kind of hoping for a different ending... but it was still sweet.
I was so interested in what happened to Taylor. And how he was going to turn his life into something he wanted. And man, what he went through.... was heart wrenching. I can't even fathom. And it does, to some extent, explain his behavior. It was heart warming to see him get some healing.
Sasha was sweet, but a wee bit immature. But, she was just as confused as Taylor. Her sidekicks were hella obnoxious though. I kept wanting to tell them to butt out.
I was kind of hoping for a different ending... but it was still sweet.
February 6, 2019
This is a great read. I really like how the story is told by Taylor and Sashas point of view. Taylor has some deep reasons why he doesn't want a relationship and so does Sasha. Will something in there hearts change that fact. The Author has really brought out the personalities and the emotions out in them, plus the characters around them. Its a great read that I highly recommend.
Shauna Joesten
Shauna Joesten
August 11, 2020
A multilayered romance
I really wasn’t expecting this story. It was a journey of young love, tragic loss, and new love. It really portrayed grief well and how it is processed differently.
It was interesting to see that coincidence with a new blossoming romance.
I really enjoyed it. I think it was one of my favourites by the author.
I really wasn’t expecting this story. It was a journey of young love, tragic loss, and new love. It really portrayed grief well and how it is processed differently.
It was interesting to see that coincidence with a new blossoming romance.
I really enjoyed it. I think it was one of my favourites by the author.
March 12, 2023
Too many side characters.
Hero was in love with childhood friend who died when they were in sophomore. He went off grid for many years and then he started friends with benefit thing with the heroine. He was not a real ass to her but still hung up on OW and harsh to her when she tried to help him. Things resolved eventually with some push and help from friends and family and HEA.
Hero was in love with childhood friend who died when they were in sophomore. He went off grid for many years and then he started friends with benefit thing with the heroine. He was not a real ass to her but still hung up on OW and harsh to her when she tried to help him. Things resolved eventually with some push and help from friends and family and HEA.
April 22, 2019
DNF 62%
Read
July 29, 2020this guy needs therapy not a girlfriend
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews