Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Pieces of Me

AUTHOR: N.R. Walker

SERIES: Missing Pieces #2

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 196 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 26, 2020

BLURB:

Justin’s recovery is slow, but any step forward is a win in Dallas’ eyes. Having always been a source of strength for Justin, even before the accident, Dallas is trying to find his feet again as he struggles to get some normalcy back in their lives.

But now, with added financial pressures and Justin’s ongoing medical needs, Dallas isn’t sure how much longer he can be the strong one.

As missing pieces of Justin’s memory return, Justin realizes the physical side of their relationship is another piece of the puzzle he desperately wants to put back together. And as he gets to know Dallas all over again, he realizes what his mind can’t remember, his heart can’t forget.

REVIEW:

“I want to be for you what you are for me.”
  I touched the side of his face. “And what’s that?”
“Everything. Dallas, you’re everything to me.” 

Pieces of Me is another extraordinary novel in the Missing Pieces series by author N.R. Walker. Justin and Dante’s bond is the embodiment of the kind of love we should all aspire to: selfless, tender, unconditional, and profound. The book is equally as riveting as Pieces of You, but puts more emphasis on acceptance of a new normal as Justin slowly recovers pieces of his memory. Life will never return to what it was before the accident; it’s been indelibly altered. Justin is working to find his footing, both literally and figuratively, while Dallas works to balance taking care of Justin with keeping his business functioning. One of the big developments is that the men’s dynamic shifts from patient/carer to boyfriends. *sigh* And there’s lots and lots of kissing. *double sigh* 

I can, perhaps, best describe the tone of the story by characterizing the predominant traits exhibited by the men: Dallas is strong and determined, devoted, nurturing, worried, and relieved. He is the sweetest man ever with how he takes care of his sleepy Jussy. Justin is also strong and determined, endearing, mostly positive, exhausted, mystified, and content. He shows strong character by never falling into a downward spiral of “why me?” 

Even though this is a relationship–focused, non-action-packed narrative, It’s compelling and hard to put down. (I was prepared to stay up all night reading but my darn eyes! Slow blinking like Justin’s, leading me into snooze-land.) The book is relatively low angst, although I was on edge most of the time waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ms. Walker pulled through: no major relationship strife, no – thank gods – Big Misunderstanding, and no terrible cliffhanger. The book follows the same format as book one, told in Dallas’ first-person POV, with the exception of the first and last chapters told from Justin’s perspective. I’m pleased that we received even a brief glimpse into his mind, but I would’ve enjoyed a few more chapters through Justin’s eyes. The pace dipped a little in the middle but I didn’t mind, as the cadence felt appropriate for the storyline. It’s enjoyable to spend some time with Davo and Sparra, Dr. Chang, and Jimmy, the truck driver, and his wife, Nancy. 

There are snippets of their life together before the accident but the book focuses on the present and finding stability in their lives, not the past and what they’ve lost. Justin’s realization to this effect sets up book three, Pieces of Us, with what must be a focus on the future. 

The memory development was amazing. But his emotional connection, his emotional memory, what he felt for me, how he could feel how very real we were … well, that was better than any memory to me. That was everything. –Dallas

I can’t. can’t. CAN’T WAIT for Pieces of Us, due out July 24, 2020. This is one of my favorite love stories ever. I hope you agree. Pieces of Me earns my highest recommendation. 

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon