Piece by Piece

GIVEAWAY

BRADFORD, LAURA

PIECE BY PIECE

A grieving mother learns to heal in Amish country, in this heart felt, beautifully told novel from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.

Danielle Parker is a gold-medal mom -- the kind who volunteers in her children's classrooms, shuttles them between activities, throw legendary birthday parties, and has a remedy on hand for any emergency. Whatever her husband, Jeff, and their children need, Dani is there, always.

Except for one day.

On that day -- the day that Dani reluctantly takes some "me time" while her mom and Jeff drive the children to the park -- the unthinkable happens. The car crash leaves no survivors. Somehow, Dani gets through the funerals and visits, accepting neighbours' sympathy and dropped-off meals. All the while, guilt and grief make her wish the accident had claimed her life too. Then a call comes from Lydia Schlabach, an Amish woman Dance befriended in childhood. In addition to condolences, Lydia offered Dani something more: a place to escape to.

In Pennsylvania's Amish country, Dani's days take on a new rhythm, marked by the clip-clop of buggies and the bustle of chores. Lydia gives Dani space to mourn, to think, and to realize how long it's been since she felt like a person in her own right. And with the help of friendships old and new, Dani learns about the ways life continues to surprise us -- even after the deepest loss -- with joy, love, and second chances.

My Review:

I'm going to say right up front that this novel won't be for everyone. In fact, it could be triggering for some, though I found it emotionally cleansing. Because the sole focus of Piece by Piece is following Dani on her excruciating journey through grief. I sobbed my heart out in places and hiccoughed-laughed and felt the gooseflesh rise on my skin as Dani finds faith and hope at last. Definitely an emotionally gripping read.

And it's real and raw and gritty. An honest portrayal of all the stages of grief. It's told completely from Dani's POV which makes it incredibly intense and personal. I was impressed with the way the author portrays her story with such compassion and honesty. The way she slowly opens up the heroine's perspective -- from initially so insular and isolated to gradually looking beyond her grief to make a few wary connections with people willing to stand by her in her anguish, but also willing to bring some light and hope back into her life. 

A moving tribute to those who have experience bereavement and the family and friends who nonjudgmentally support them.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Piece by Piece , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 11 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck