Little Pieces of Me: A Novel Paperback – April 13, 2021

Paige Meyer is struggling with the common challenges of adulthood as she prepares for her wedding. A DNA test uncovers a family secret that sends shockwaves through her self-concept. She must face her parents' past in order to make room for her future. When I say I could not put this book down, I am not exaggerating. I literally killed the battery in my iPad in the first sitting. Alison Hammer is a gifted story teller. In Little Pieces of Me, she developed a diverse cast of characters with insight and depth. She has a knack for weaving the past and present into the story with authentic social and cultural detail. At the same time, she explores the multiple personal perspectives on those details. She deals with difficult topics with compassion and honesty. Hammer does not pull punches when it comes to writing. I laughed and cried in equal measure.

A relatable plot and a compelling story given how much more prevalent home genetic testing is. In this family drama, Paige is about to be married, when she unexpectedly finds out that the father she adored, who recently passed away, is not her biological dad. Told from several points of view, her mother Elizabeth’s past, and Paige’s present day.A DNA testing site reveals that Paige’s biological dad is someone she has never met. How? Why? This must be a mistake. She is still grieving the huge loss of her loving father. When confronted, her always a bit distant mother won’t even discuss it. Unemployed, feeling a bit unmoored, but fortunate to have two best friends and a terrific fiancé, does she want to pursue her ‘bio dad’?In a previous timeline, Elizabeth, formerly known as Betsy, back in her college days, has a history that she kept secret from pretty much everyone. Including her boyfriend and best friend. She was young, confused, and torn about what she thought her future was supposed to be. Then, she met Andy and became that much more embroiled in what he was holding back.What a tangled web is woven in the 70s that Elizabeth never imagines will unravel in the present day. She never intended to cause any pain, she simply thought she was doing what was in the best interest of her family.​LITTLE PIECES OF ME is about discovery of identity, the definition of family, the devastation of secrecy, and offers some insight about the choices parents make.

I would have preferred for the characters not to drink so often and so much, but the book held my interest throughout.DNA testing and mysteries solved by the results contribute to making a book interesting for me. I also appreciated the author's assignment of quirky traits to Paige and to her family and friends. This added to the humor and the suspense of the book. The characters also showed genuine empathy for each other at times.I thought I had found an error when the author stated that NPE stood for Not Parent Expected, but apparently that is what it means on Facebook although 23andme has said NPE stands for Non-Parental Event. Either way, NPE refers to the same thing.I don't remember finding any typos and found the author's writing to be excellent as she switched between two timelines.

As a fan of Ms. Hammer's first book, You & Me & Us, I was excited to read her second book and it did not disappoint. Little Pieces of Me is a wonderful read that makes us think about who our parents were before we arrived and what family is. The characters in this book were well developed and the story is fresh, prompting us to think about what defines who we are. It's the kind of book that will encourage you to curl up and let yourself be taken away by a powerful story.

This was a great read. Hammer expertly tells two stories simultaneously, through multiple narratives and decades, which I absolutely loved. The transitions between chapters are so smooth and seamless and really help set the pace for this book.Hammer’s ability to write with such inclusion is applaudable and so appreciated. I loved the diversity of the characters and the solid friendships represented throughout. Not to mention, the family aspects that are the core of the story. Very well done!I will say I expected a shocking twist or a climax somewhere and never got it...I hate to say the story felt predictable, but it kind of did. Nonetheless, a well written and truly enjoyable read.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I only give this 3 stars due to the alarmingly toxic relationship between Paige and her mother. Betsy is extremely self centered and cold. She treated Mark like crap and used his love for her as a way to protect herself. There was no good reason why Andy would have proved to be unfit to be a father. Betsy was too worried about her image to be honest and sadly it seems that is all she cares about throughout the book. I don’t like that Paige felt she had to be the one to apologize. When they finally did have their “big” talk, Paige had to walk on eggshells and never truly got out what needed to be said.However,I loved how the story switched from past to present and we got to see little pieces of Andy, Sissy, Mark, and Betsy. I found past Andy, Macs, and Sissy to be the most interesting characters and would have loved to see more of them.The ending made me very upset. Sooo Andy wants to act so grateful he has a daughter now but he knew the WHOLE time? Seems like the only parent who did right by Paige didn’t even share DNA with her.

Fun, heartfelt, and honest story of finding identity, family secrets, and reckoning the past. My favorite line is, “He tasted like whiskey and bad decisions.” My favorite line of dialogues is, “You know, there’s nothing more attractive than a kind, good man who values your opinion and what you have to say. Who encourages you to go after your dreams even if you think it’s too late and reminds you why you’re worth loving even on the days you feel like you’re not.” There’s the decades-long daughter and mother aggression, trustworthy friendships, and budding romance that all prove even forty-three year old women get happy endings where all the kinds of love are rolled into one. For readers who enjoy themes of gratitude and forgiveness.