Now an Amazon Top 15 Bestseller Maxon Chambers has a way of stealing all the attention.All my affection, and all my dreams.What I needed to remember was he’d stolen my good judgment and my virginity, too.When he broke up with me, I ran across the country and swore I’d never return to Broadshire Rim.But here I am, thirteen years later.Maxon is all grown up.Sexier than sin and more tempting than … years later.
Maxon is all grown up.
Sexier than sin and more tempting than ever.
A detective on the Charleston force, he lives on the outside of safety, devoted to protecting the people of his city.
But with the way he’s looking at me now? I’m pretty sure what needs protecting is my heart.
Can we mend the pieces of us? Or will he leave my heart shattered forever . . .more
AL Jackson has pulled out all the stops in this fantastic romance. Do not miss a word!
Top 10 Recommended
Wow is all I have to say in this beautiful series by A.L Jackson. We see a little of Mack in the previous with Jace and Ian but man A.L. Jackson sure did save the best for last. There is so much between Izzy and Mack it is so easy to love them from the beginning. Seeing them reunite was tough but the one thing I love about A.L. is that it goes so quickly to loving them right away. It’s not just Izzy and Mack but we see Ian, Jace, Faith and Grace how they have come along just touched my heart. This book is more than just second chances but of a love that knows no bounds, fears just pure love that surpasses everything.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Pieces of Us is book three in the Confessions of the Heart series and each book can be read as a standalone, but there is not one set of characters that you won’t fall in love with. These covers of A.L.’s are getting hotter and hotter each time and I’m loving it. As you read each book, you see more and more of just how connected and close these men truly are from before/now. You know they are based upon the storyline, but they interconnect with many events and their true friendship/love for all is heartfelt. Maxon, Jace and Ian each of your stories tug at our hearts, but you are true men and these stories have us crying, laughing and swoony over how they develop in the story.
Maxon (Mace) didn’t have a good childhood, but Izzy was the one good thing in his life (besides Jace/Ian). While they were meant for each other they were from two different worlds and he may not have made the best choices, but he did what he felt was best to protect Izzy from his world. There was always a piece of him that wasn’t whole. Can you guess what that piece was?
Izzy loved Maxon since she was four, but he leaves her broken and running from her town at the age of seventeen. Can I just say how brave she was to endure those thirteen years before coming back home? You heart breaks and melts at the same time. The secret that she has been keeping maybe just as bad as her wanting to know why Maxon did what he did all those years ago.
Oh my heart! You will fall in love with two characters we meet in this story. Ben and Dillon stole the show in this story and you just want to squeeze them and laugh at the things that fly out of their mouths. The road to put this puzzle back together won’t be easy, but than again life isn’t easy so let’s hope that once the Pieces of Us (Maxon/Izzy) are laid out that that this puzzle becomes whole cause these two were destined to be together curveballs and all. Love the suspense we got from his line of work as well and I would have never guessed that outcome. Lips are sealed. Your heart will hurt/mend all in one cycle over and over reading this. I love all this authors book, but this series just may be my favorite and this series truly needs to be a movie. I highly recommend that you read this story (or the full series) cause you will not be disappointed. Emotions all over, but that is all and you will see what a beautifully broken story this was.
Pieces of Us definitely left me on a book hangover that I will not be getting rid of anytime soon. Izzy and Mack’s story will bring you sorrow and hope. A.L. Jackson gives you everything you could ever ask for with our broken heroine and hero. I had a feeling Izzy had a huge secret that she has been keeping from Mack. And when it all unfolds, there is so much emotion and beauty within it all.
Mack is a dream and I could not help but want to protect him. Even though he plays the protector part so well. Izzy shows Mack his worth. The passion and love built through each word will have you glued to this book. Little Bird and Dragon will become a team and slay their monsters.
When the past slowly unveils itself, you can start to feel the pain and anguish. There is one thing that A.L. Jackson will give you and that is ALL THE FEELS. You will be pulled deep into the dark, and only hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel for these two.
I completely fell for Big Ben and Lil Dill. They made my heart smile. So much joy these two will bring to this story. Pieces of Us is real and raw. Mack will crawl under your skin and stay imprinted in your heart. I truly loved the Confession of the Heart series. Jace, Ian, and Mack are three men that you will always remember. #Endless
I loved the flashbacks of seeing Mack and Izzy growing up. The friendship that turned to more, the more that turned to heartbreak. Mack broke her heart but he also broke his own. He has demons and just tries to live his life to the best that he can now that he drove her away. Izzy is back though, is his demons going to claim his future again with Izzy or is he going to be able to get past them?
Loved this series! Your heart breaks in each book but Amy will put it back together again after ripping it to shreds!! She is phenomenal at it!!! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
5 endless stars!!
When this author has a new release, you can guarantee that it will be an angst-fest! This book was no exception.
“Need and attraction and the love I’d tried to squash underfoot whipped around me. A vicious summer storm in a cloudless sky.”
Izzy Lane is back in town after a 13-year absence, when she fled with a broken heart. She brings baggage and secrets with her, as well as a fragile heart. However, no matter how much she has prepared herself, she’s nowhere near ready to come face to face with the love of her life, Maxon Chambers.
“Loving you was the only truth I knew.”
Maxon AKA Mack Chambers has lived a pretty empty life in Izzy’s absence, whilst constantly trying to atone for sins of the past. Izzy’s presence is like a bullet to his heart and no matter how much he tells himself to stay away, she is like a beacon and a balm to his soul. He’s determined to prove himself worthy and deserving, regardless of the dangers that shroud him.
“The only thing I know is my life means nothing without you in it.”
OH. MY. GOD! This author just writes the most beautiful, stunning words that bring forth such pain, such love – almost too many emotions to handle. Her delivery is so riddled with feeling that the essence of the story stays with the reader for a long time.
Maxon is the best kind of hero. He was so stoic and good and strong. He was so focused on doing the right thing to the detriment of everyone’s happiness. His heart was in the right place, his fear forced him into make painful sacrifices. I adored his protectiveness, and the breadth and depth of his love for his Little Bird. Izzy was infinitely courageous – she was a tower of strength herself considering all that she had endured. Special mention to those kids of hers, too – they were freakin’ adorable. They totally grabbed at my heart! Another brilliant story!
I loved this story!
After meeting Maxon Chambers, Mack, in the previous books, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his story! I’m a sucker for hot cops!
My heart broke for Mack and Izzy. They both have gone through so much heartbreak, and the hands of each other as well as other people in their lives. Watching them get their second chance at a happily ever after was emotional and an amazing journey!
I love all of the secondary characters in this book, and series. We were able to catch up with some of the characters from the previous books and I enjoyed it so much! The new characters brought into this world with Izzy were absolutely fantastic! I fell in love with all of them!
This author’s storytelling and writing style is everything and I love the way she weaves a few twists and turns, even a little suspense, into such an emotional romance story. The flashbacks she wrote not only in this book, but the others in this series, gives so much backstory to our characters, and leaves you feeling so incredibly sad for the character and what they went through. It adds so much more emotion to the characters and leaves you praying they get their happily ever after.
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain why this book has affected me as much as it has without giving any pertinent details away that may end up spoiling the story for anyone who has yet to read it. Neither Izzy nor Mack were perfect, having made their fair share of mistakes both in the past and the present, but I loved how they fought for the love they rekindled. Mack had an overwhelming need to redeem himself, and my heart went out to the guy because he didn’t give himself as much credit as those who cared about him did. My favorite thing about this book, however, well, I can’t really mention it because, again, I don’t want this to post spoilers, and this would be one heck of a spoiler, so I NEED to remain mum. What I can tell you is that I loved watching how certain relationships progressed here, and I may have needed a couple of tissues at certain points. Let me just say this: Pieces of Us is a must-read, and I’m giving it five-plus stars.
Another fabulous read from A.L. Jackson, this one will have your heart breaking in two and an emotional wreck before being put back together again with a love sooo strong!! I fell hard for Mack and Izzy’s story, its achingly beautiful and an absolute delight to read!
Mack and Izzy were neighbours growing up and have been the best of friends since they were little. He’s the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, his dad being dangerous and abusive, living in fear for most of the time. Izzy was the light in his life, his best friend, the one who made the darkness go away if only for a little bit. But he knew he was no good for her and didn’t want to bring her into his darkness.
Izzy has been in love with Mack since she was 5, he was always rescuing her when she needed it, he was her best friend and she loved him dearly, clearly seeing the good in him which he could not see himself. But he broke her heart and she ran away. Its been 12 years since they have seen each other and now she’s back in her hometown, and she can’t escape the pure magnitude of passion and electricity that still flows between them. She was hoping that she could just stay away, but things don’t work out that way.
Beautifully written, very powerful and raw, I couldn’t get through this fast enough, eager for another piece of Izzy and Mack’s past and how their future would pan out. I’m not going into details as you need to read this for yourself to understand the electricity and the passion that just flows off the pages for these two, its quite incredible! Izzy is a wonderful character, strong and determined, having survived so much and with such a weight on her shoulders! Mack is so desperately broken but his yearning for Izzy will break your heart, he wants what he has lost and missed out on, but still feels she is too good for him, but lives in hope.
I loved this story, especially the two secondary characters you will meet, my word my heart ached for them but they really did bring out all the feels while learning about them, stole my heart they did!
A wonderful read, the whole series has been fabulous, highly recommended reading.
“Let’s love again, Little Bird. Love me, the way I love you. And I promise, I will never let you go.”
Mack and Izzy’s story crushed my soul…my heart went out to them both for all the missed opportunities, chances, and hurt they both endured at such a very young age. I’m a sucker for second chance romance, and this checked all the boxes. Their story is for the ages, beautiful and poignant, bonded in childhood, and never really losing it’s spark. Their attraction was magical, a force of nature, and even many years later, undeniable. Mack never feeling quite good enough due to things beyond his control, and doing what he thought was right, and regretting every second for YEARS. I wanted this so bad for them both, and with the twist in the form of a huge secret that I never saw coming, wanted it even more. The sweetness, the romance, the heat kept me glued, engaged, and unable to put it down. This couple had my heart racing, and the end brought me to happy tears. This Author never disappoints, and I was enamored by yet another amazing story!! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
“That man had always bled pain. It was his biggest pitfall—his refusal to see that he could live outside of it. The belief that maybe my love could have been enough.”
Damn, A.L. Jackson, what have you done to me? I’m ruined now. This has been one of my favorite series ever, and now that I’ve finished this book about these beautifully broken characters my heart is full, but I’m sad it’s over. I’m feeling kinda drunk and gooey, not ready to move on. The Confessions of the Heart series has earned a place on my ‘favorites’ shelf, and I need paperback copies so I can sigh and fondle them on my bookshelf.
Maxon Chambers (aka Mack) is a #HotCop that I met in the previous books in the series. I’ve been excited to get to know him and learn his history. I’ve also been excited to meet the woman that would capture his heart. Now, it’s obvious that she wasn’t someone in his future, but a woman from his past. As the author took me back in time to when they first met as kids I felt their connection even then. I was pulled into their vortex and totally invested in their whirlwind relationship. I don’t blame her for falling for him, I did too. And I don’t blame her for being devastated when he broke up with her, I was too.
Mack has been broken his whole life. He is battling demons that keep him from believing he deserves anything good. And she is exactly that, everything good. He became a cop to try to make a difference, but he can’t undo all the bad he’s done. He was determined to stay away from her, allowing her to find the happiness she deserves. But, then she went and showed up back in his town, looking even more beautiful than he remembered. Yeah, you know what they say about good intentions, right?
Page after page of pain and passion, secrets and betrayal, love and laughter, and danger and suspense. To make it through this incredible story I needed tissues, alcohol, a punching bag, a shovel, a do-not-disturb sign, and more tissues. This series needs to be made into a movie. I know it would be amazing, it’s already playing in my head and it’s beautiful…sigh.
Favorite Quotes:
Daddy-the-Great looks like he might be at his wit’s end. Grams said she is always at her wit’s end, and I don’t think we need to be driving Daddy there, too. It seems like a dangerous place to be. We might need an intervention.
I looked at Ian’s infant who was wearing nothing but a towel duct taped around his waist… “If you can get her into her bed for a nap without waking her up, I’ll give you a thousand dollars. Strike that, I’ll give you my car.”
Pulling me closer, she hiked up on her toes and murmured quietly in my ear so only I could hear, “Now don’t go and do something stupid like hurt my daughter. I’ll hunt you down and cut off your balls. Know it took some big ones for you to show up here today, so use ’em wisely.”
That’s a really bad word, Mr. Mack. Don’t tell me you really are a troublemaker, too. Mom’s already got her hands full with the two of us.
My Review:
A.L. Jackson seems to revel in anchoring her compelling yet broken and deeply flawed characters in misery, angst, melodrama, distress, and indecision while keeping her storylines fraught with tension. Thank goodness she always plants a few adorable children without filters on their mouths within her addictive stories to provide comic relief. Like the previous two books in this series, Pieces of Us was an intriguing, tragic, and heart squeezing second chance romance with elements of suspense and a ton of heartbreaking family drama. My poor coronary muscle feels battered and bruised and is in dire need of wine therapy and lighter fare. I’m thinking a vat of Moscato and a nice relaxing romantic comedy is in order for my next read.
“Our destinies had always felt dependent on the other, though I’d never imagined it’d twist our paths up quite like this. We had come alive in the other. A million mismatched pieces strewn between us that had magically fit.”
I’ve read an A.L. Jackson romance after AGES! Pieces of Us is an emotional and angsty second chance romance.
Best friends since they were children, Izzy and Mack have been through a lot. They were the best of friends and the thickest of thieves and as they got older that friendship turned into something more. They shared a connection that surpassed everything. Whenever Mack needed to escape his abusive father, it was Izzy whom he would run to comfort. It was like this for years until Mack broke Izzy’s heart and she left town.
13 Years Later… Izzy is back home for a fresh start at life and she is not alone this time. She has her two incredibly loving and fun boys — Dillon and Benjamin — and these two kids bring such a light to the story, it is impossible not to love them.
Izzy and Mack’s journey is tumultuous because of their past and present and the baggage that comes with it, but it is also beautiful, heartwarming and heartwrenching at the same time.
One of the things I loved about this book was the instant relationship that was formed between Mack and Izzy’s sons. It was so effortless and they way the boys expected Mack into their little circle was beautiful.
I’ve loved Jackson’s touch on all things heartbreak and how can you feel the pain and longing with every word. Did I have an issue or two? Yes, but as always it was with a certain character (and also when do I not have an issue with a book? Lol!) but apart from that one, I loved all the other characters that were introduced. I hope we can get a bonus scene featuring, Dillon and Benjamin, those two are adorable and I would love to revisit them!
Note:- This is the third book in the Confessions of the Heart and I haven’t read the previous two books but I did not feel confused or thought anything to be a spoiler. Pieces of Us can be read as a standalone and in the epilogue, everything is tied up neatly for all the three couples.
4 Stars!
Maxon Chambers came from the wrong side of the tracks and was told by his father for his entire life that he was never meant for more than a life of crime. Izzy always knew Maxon was more than enough, and the one for her from the time he rescued her from falling out of a tree when she was only 4 years old. Best friends and then lovers, she gave him her while heart and he promised he would always be there to love and protect her. After all, he was her dragon and she was his little bird.
Thinking he would never be good enough and in an attempt to keep her safe from the life he was dragged in to, Mack crushes Izzy’s heart to push her away so she can have a better life without him. But when she returns to town 13 years later, Mack knows he can’t let her go again. He’ll do everything he can to prove that he’s here to stay and will work to be not only the man he knows she deserves, but the man she can entrust her heart to again.
But what happens when the threat that loomed 13 years ago resurfaces. Will Maxon be able to keep Izzy safe this time around without breaking her heart again?
A.L. Jackson’s Confessions of the Heart series has been absolutely stunning and Pieces of Us was completely amazing!!!
So, I can’t go into much detail without giving away this breathtaking story, but I will tell you to grab some tissues, because you are going to need them. Pieces of Us was an emotional roller coaster and uplifting all in one. The characters show such depth and complexity that their story immediately sucked me right in. And, what’s so special about A.L. Jackson’s writing, is that it isn’t just the main couple that steals the show . . .all of her characters combine to make a truly unforgettable cast.
I always enjoy a second chance romance, and this one had very deep roots considering Izzy fell in love with Maxon at age 4. Watching this couple find their way back to one another was gorgeous. They were heartbreaking and swoon-worthy all in one and I couldn’t wait to see the the dragon and little bird soar together! 5 stars!
Every time I read an A.L. Jackson book I know I’ll be gutted, my heart will be shredded and eventually but ever so slowly she will piece it back together again.
Pieces of us was heartbreaking to the point of tears, sweet and witty with so many smiles and laughs but most of all it was a beautiful story about finding love, letting it go and realizing it was ALWAYS meant to be!
“But whose joy is forgotten is lost. And whose heart is free is found.”
Mack was tortured by decisions and actions he made in the past but what happens when that past shows up when least expected? Izzy has always loved Mack since she was four years old and then he destroyed her, destroyed them but what happens when they come face to face again? I inhaled this story, flipping through page after page until I was at a point where there were no more pages, just left breathless from a story that stole my heart and my soul!
“There’s not enough time in eternity for me to use up the love I have for you. ”
How do you move on from a book that has utterly and unequivocally seeped into you….mind. body and soul with words that will stay with you long after they’re read? That is what happens when you read an A.L. Jackson book! Definitely a top read I highly recommend!
Stories like these are why I adore reading books by A.L. Jackson. She gives us emotional and captivating stories. I have been loving the Confessions of the Heart series and since we first met Mack in More of You and then again in All of Me as Jace and Ian’s friend, I could not wait to get his story. And it is finally here! A second chance romance with all the feels! I loved it from start to finish.
We learned early on that Mack is a loyal and caring man and will stand up for those he cares about. Years ago, he let the woman he loved go and never expected to see her again, but now she is back. Mach is a good man, and more than any woman could want, but he sees himself differently. When Izzy is back in town, he cannot avoid her. I absolutely loved Izzy. But the very reasons that drove her away are still between them. Could they find a way to move forward or is it too late?
Pieces of Love by A.L. Jackson was an emotional second chance romance and I loved it. This book is angsty and full of some amazing characters I adored it! This was such a great read and one I highly recommend!
4.5-stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading.
An emotional second chance romance. This story was AL Jackson at her best! Mack and Izzy because best friends as kids and fell in love with each other as teenagers. Mack never felt he deserved the sweet, innocent Izzy. Mack is tormented by the hard life he lives with a cruel father that leads him to believe that he does not truly deserve to be loved by someone as good as Izzy. Mack pushes her away in an attempt to protect her. Flash forward 13 years and Izzy is back in town and the feeling between them are just as strong as ever. Mack still has doubts about his worth, but he can not deny that he needs her in his life. This story was so emotional and a real page turner. Dillon and Benjamin melted my heart. Another great story!
Pieces of Us is my favorite A.L. Jackson book to date. I have read and loved each and every one of her books, but Maxon’s story pulled at every fiber of my being. This good man who has spent his entire life feeling like he was never worthy of the love he was given and then selflessly let go, causing more heartbreak and devastation than he could have ever imagined. His life’s mission as a detective was to try and erase what bad he feels he did in the past. When the love he pushed away all those years ago walks back into his life, his world is irrevocably changed in ways he can’t fathom. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but just know that your heart will break with sadness for what time was lost, but burst to overflowing with the love that is found when souls are reunited. This story was beautiful and wonderfully written.
Pieces of Us is my favorite A.L. Jackson book to date. I have read and loved each and every one of her books, but Maxon’s story pulled at every fiber of my being. This good man who has spent his entire life feeling like he was never worthy of the love he was given and then selflessly let go, causing more heartbreak and devastation than he could have ever imagined. His life’s mission as a detective was to try and erase what bad he feels he did in the past. When the love he pushed away all those years ago walks back into his life, his world is irrevocably changed in ways he can’t fathom. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but just know that your heart will break with sadness for what time was lost, but burst to overflowing with the love that is found when souls are reunited. This story was beautiful and wonderfully written.
Every single time I read an AL Jackson book i feel like I’ve had my heart ripped apart and put back together. Every. Single. Time. Gah!! They way she creates these characters and storylines is nothing short of amazing!
This is the final book of the Confessions of the Heart series and boy did she save the best for last. It is Maxon, aka Mack and Mack daddy, and Izzy’s story. They were two people that were destined to be together from a very young age but were torn apart at 17. Thirteen years they lived apart, thirteen years that they still have a love that is endless and a bond that will hold them together forever. This is the story of survival and forgiveness, second chances and love that is endless. Pieces of Us will stick with me for a long, long time to come.