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
Oh Maxon “Mack” Chambers-the best friend of Ian and Jace, who always had their backs. Just knew that he had a story to tell and that it would be a good one. I love a good second chance romance and AL Jackson is a master at those. I enjoyed the flashbacks mixed in with the present. It really gave you a feel for the relationship between Mack and Izzy. The emotions and feels coming from Pieces of Us was incredible. Seeing these two reunite and try to make their way in the present was interesting. But one thing was for sure-they belonged together. Pieces of Us did not lack for any intensity. I was deeply invested throughout the whole story. I wanted redemption, I wanted happiness, I wanted love. Mack and Izzy deserved it. What I love about interconnected standalones was seeing previous couples. I loved their relationship between the whole gang and I really loved the sense of brotherhood between Jace, Ian, and Mack. Overall, this was a magnificent story with amazing characters, a great story, and wonderful writing.
Every single book by A.L. Jackson completely guts me. Like I’ve been through emotional warfare but I come out with my heart in hand, asking for more. EVERY SINGLE TIME, I say, nooo I can’t, my heart can’t take her stories….and I read another because her emotional roller coasters are my kinda CRACK. I can’t say no, I can’t let go of her poetry, her style of romance, her brutal yet engaging storytelling. Mack and Izzy’s story is broad paint strokes of rage, pain, family, shattered hearts, and ultimately a love that will never die. A love for the ages that completely wrecked me.
Maxon and Izzy were childhood best friends, soulmates, a forever love, until Mack made a choice that destroyed them both. Now, both adults, and Izzy returning home to her family, she can’t escape running into Mack again, knowing full well that her heart still calls out to his. The story that ensues is breath taking. The rawness of A.L. Jackson’s words cut so profoundly, tears flow freely, while I sigh so deep. Especially in the tender moments between Maxon and Izzy’s two boys, gahhh those were intense!!! Moments only a master could create.
A.L. Jackson will continue to be my go-to angsty storyteller. An author that guarantees she will smash your heart and piece it all back together to make it shiny and new in the end. Chasing the HEA has been never been so tumultuous, but I also keep going back for more. Maxon and Izzy will capture your breath and leave you reeling in it’s perfection.
With each of these books, A.L. Jackson’s characters steal a little bit more of my heart. We have met Mack in the two previous books in this series and we see this protective man who has a broken past. In this book, we finally get his story.
Mack and Izzy were childhood sweethearts and so in love until Mack did what he had to do and pushed her away. These two never really moved on from one another even though they led their separate lives. When Izzy comes back to town, there is no escaping the chemistry and unfinished business these two have. When secrets are revealed, hearts break all over again.
The writing is very heartfelt. I felt every emotion in this story. I loved Mack and his protectiveness over his friends and loved ones. It was the same protective streak that pushed Izzy back. I loved watching these two reconnect and piece together their love until they were both whole again. Great read! Love this series!
A.L. Jackson never disappoints in bringing her readers a punch to the gut emotional story. Her Confessions of the Heart series has taken readers on a rollercoaster ride of every emotion you can think of. Both Jace and Ian’s stories tugged at the heartstrings and as I read each of those, I kept wondering what Mack’s story was. Here is this rough and rugged cop who turned to marshmallow when he got around Jace and Ian’s children. He’s been the quintessential bachelor so far, so my mind ran wild with what Amy had in store for him.
Let me tell you, Amy brings us a very intense, emotional, heart in your throat story in Pieces of Us. This second chance romance tore my heart wide open with what Mack and Isabel have been through in their lives. Prepare yourself for experiencing all the feels in this book! One minute I was laughing, the next I was a sobbing mess!
Amy certainly knows how to write the broken hero and a heroine who is both strong and vulnerable at the same time. She left no doubt that these two people love each other intensely, but circumstances tore them apart 13 years ago. Can the love they still have help them find their way back to each other?
“There’s not enough time in eternity for me to use up the love I have for you. ”
Be prepared for one emotional ride! I was wrung out by the end! I totally fell in love with several of the supporting characters. Some I wanted to steal away and keep for my very own, some others I wanted to bury in the back yard… It was great to see Jace and Ian and their families scattered throughout the story, it was like a big family reunion. And if you haven’t met the Jacobs brothers yet, I know you will want to go back and read their stories once you finish reading Pieces of Us.
I am sad that this story is over, but I am super excited to see what Amy has in store for us next.
No one does single parent, second chance romance like AL Jackson and Pieces of Us is exactly that! You don’t need to have read Ian and Jace’s story to enjoy Maxon and Izzy either, so feel free to pick this one up now!
Izzy’s childhood dream was to be Maxon’s wife. Then he crushed her, she left town and tried to move on with her life. She has two amazing sons, one who just got accepted into an experimental trial forcing Izzy to return home. Maxon is now a local cop and lives next to Izzy’s parents, so avoidance isn’t going to be an option. I love a cop hero!
Pieces of Us will repeatedly punch you in the feels and you will keep coming back for more. Mack broke up with Izzy when they were kids because, like a typical man, it was best for her (according to him). He was a wrong side of the tracks kid with trouble to boot. Izzy’s kids are delightful and way too smart for their age. They really added such joy and love to the story. And I loved her parents! Her mom is a hoot! I think these characters were necessary to keep the story from getting TOO HEAVY, you know? Jackson does well of creating angst but not making the entire book angst. That’s not an easy line to walk and not all authors do it well. There is some other woman drama that made me want to throat punch Maxon. That’s probably what kept this from being a 5 star read for me.
There are times in life when you feel fortunate that you’ve experienced something profound happening. This is one of the times!! Pieces of Us is the third book in the Confessions of the Heart trilogy, and my absolute favorite hands down of the series. Although I loved Ian and Jace’s stories, Mack will forever own my heart and soul. Mack is strong, loyal to those he cares about. Izzy is smart and beautiful, and protective of those she loves. AL Jackson is at her best and brightest with Mack & Izzy’s story, writing a beautiful and emotionally charged one that had me in tears one moment, and smiling the next. Yes, this is a second chance romance story, but it is so much more than that. It’s a story of redemption, trust, unconditional love, and faith.
Maxon and Izzy have been friends with each other since they we’re children. Izzy has loved Maxon most of her life. She knows what she wants her future to be, and its to be together forever. Maxon’s childhood is far form perfect, growing up in an abusive home life with his deranged father is something Mack has to deal with on a daily basis. Finding refuge in with Izzy and her parents is the only thing good in his life. As they grow older they begin to fall in love, giving Mack hope for the a future with the girl he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Unfortunately Mack makes a decision that will have rippling effects for years to come, not only for them, but those they loved. Izzy decides leaving her hometown is for the best, leaving with a broken heart that may never heal.
After 13 years Mack has made Detective, and finally has his life going in a positive direction. He’s got good friends Jace and Ian an their families by his side. Then an unexpected encounter with the girl he’s never stopped loving, has him rethinking every past decision he’s ever made.
Izzy is back in her hometown for a reason, and for now hoping to steer clear of Maxon Chambers. But circumstances beyond their control will have their lives tested in ways they never see coming. Secrets and lies will be uncovered, and a threatening force from the past, bringing danger to them all.
Al’s writing is flawless, and fluent, as she peels back the layers of the story. You feel every emotion Mack and Izzy are experiencing, tugging and pulling you in every direction. Seeing Mack come face to face with his past, was explosive and gut wrenching to see, and is the catalyst that will change the course of all their lives!!! If there’s one book that is a must read in 2019, this is it!!
Pieces of Us is absolutely one of the most beautifully written, heartbreaking yet heartwarming second chance love stories that I have read!
If you want to know what an endless love is all about then read Mack and Izzy’s story. They have always been meant for each other even when they were children. He was her broken protector and she was his sweet savior.
Love is hard, but life is even harder and they each made mistakes, but they were young. Now they have a chance to try and get back the connection that has tethered them together since they were children, but they are not the only ones who will be effected by the decisions they make when the secrets of the past are revealed.
AL Jackson is a relatively new author to me as I have only read one of her previous books. What a great read this book was; it ticked all the boxes for me and I was riveted from the first to the last page. This is a second chance at love story which is probably one of my favourites this year.
Where do I start? This was one of those books that once I started I couldn’t put down. Pieces of Us got to me on so many levels. It was an emotional read with plenty of angst, heartache, danger and above all else love and forgiveness.
I fell in love with Maxon (Mack) Chambers, a hot cop who has intrigued me from the first time he was mentioned in the series. I knew that the woman who would bring him to his knees would have to be special and that is exactly what Izzy is.
I knew that Izzy would eventually forgive him for breaking her heart, however I had no idea of the roller coaster of an emotional journey that they would have to undertake before they could get their happily ever after.
AL Jackson has written a beautiful love story about love, sacrifice, regret and forgiveness and one that left me with a book hangover.
Okay… this one was a hard one to rate for me. I had to sleep on it and I settled on a 3.5 star rating.
Pieces of Us left me in pieces. My heart was so heavy reading this. It felt like that the whole book. I had to take a break because I couldn’t deal with this weight on my chest.
Mack has only loved one girl all his life. Hurting her was the worst thing he has ever done. Without her in his life, he is just going through the motions. He doesn’t believe he deserves a happily ever after or a life with someone in it but he gets a chance at happiness when the love of his life moves back to town.
Izzy left town 13 years ago and didn’t look back after she had her heart brutally broken by Mack. Coming back to town was one of the hardest decisions she had to make but it was the only option she had. She couldn’t let go of the boy that broke her heart and every time she was in his vicinity, she lost her breath and sensibility. He still had a powerful effect on her. It was the same way for Mack. He lost the girl once. He isn’t going to let it happen again.
This was hard to rate for me because of the reason Izzy left town. I have my limits when reading books and that one is one of them. Mack hurt her and I disliked the fact that when she did come back, she was so caught up on him and had little self control. I get the fact that their love is consuming and unconditional but Mack did break her heart.
This book was powerful though. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have hurt so much. This book overwhelmed and wrecked me. It tore me to pieces.
Another hit for AL Jackson! Pieces of Us is Izzy and Mack’s book. I’ve been waiting for Mack’s book for a while and it didn’t disappoint!! This book brought out all the feels!! Izzy is funny and charismatic. She was instantly likable! Mack is all alpha male!! You could feel the connection between them and it seemed as though it was leaping off the pages, their story dying to be told! I’m so glad AL gave Mack his own book!
I’m late to Confessions of the Heart in fact this is the first book I have read in this series and for that reason I can vouch that this book can certainly be read as a stand-alone but in saying that I will be going back to read books 1 and 2 as soon as time permits.
This second chance romance ticked so many boxes for me, it was emotional, it was romantic and at times heartbreaking but its also a beautifully written love story about beautiful broken characters who I’m sure like me you will fall in love with.
.Mack and Izzy grew up together, friends since they were kids and and lovers as they grew older but one decision changed their futures forever…… But when Izzy moves back to her hometown they are given a second change at love but will either of them be prepared to take a risk on what could lead to heartbreak once again ….
Mack is the hero that is everyone’s idea of a perfect book boyfriend and Izzy is the girl we all want to see find their HEA. This was a story I didn’t want to end and that’s a sure sign of a great read, I loved the story and I loved the characters and I can’t wait to read more from Confessions of the Heart from the very talented A.L. Jackson.
Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance with a sexy detective-who has a troubled past-who wants to make mends for all the things he did wrong as a seventeen year old boy?!
Max and Izzy have a undeniable connection on so many levels. But they have a past with betrayal, hurt, lies and secrets. Will they let that stand in their way?
A.L. Jackson does her thing and tells another beautiful story of destruction, tragedy, strength, hope, love, and mending all the broken pieces and putting them back together again word by word
Grab some tissues and get ready to sink into the latest installment of A L Jackson’s Confessions of the Heart series. This time our tortured, broken hero is Maxon, the hot cop you’ve met in More of You and All of Me. If you’ve read those books, then this one will feel familiar: troubled, shrouded-in-pain hero meets woman running from her own struggles. You’ll also recognize Jackson’s writing style: short, choppy sentence fragments that make it occasionally difficult to tell which character is narrating without looking at the chapter title.
This second-chance romance focuses on Maxon and Izzy, who had a romance in their teen years that fell apart for Reasons. Of course there are Secrets and Obfuscations, and of course it takes forever for the two of them to be honest with each other. When one particular secret is revealed, you will feel more than a little outraged, more than a little sad. In fact, A L Jackson, as is her wont to do, makes you cry. A lot.
Fans of Jackson’s books will love this one. It has her trademark hooks and style. Plus a hot love scene or two.
“But whose joy is forgotten is lost. And whose heart is free is found.”
Love is simple. It’s life, that’s complicated. So, when you’re on the losing side of love and life offers up a second chance, you grab ahold and hang on tight. You shove aside your fears, bury the hurt, and follow the dictate of your heart. Thus, is the story of Izzy and Mack’s slow-burning romance. In this third and final installment to her Confessions of the Heart series, AL Jackson returns to her earlier roots and delivers an emotion-driven, second-chance romance that will have you reaching for the tissues amidst all the smiles and laughter.
Presenting a powerfully heartbreaking and compelling premise, along with endearing characters that are sure to capture your heart, “Pieces of Us” is proof positive that AL Jackson is indeed the consummate storyteller. While this author’s signature prose is what always draws me in, it’s her perfectly imperfect heroes that keep me coming back for more. And Maxon Chambers is no exception. Protective, loving, sexy and fierce, Mack is everything I look for in a book boyfriend and a great deal more!
5+ Stars ~ Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KindleFriendsForever
Going into this book I knew it would be a heartbreaking journey for both the characters and myself.
Mack has been a constant throughout this series, speaking for myself; I was always awarely knowing that he had a dark past. Drops had been scattered throughout both Jace’s and Ian’s journeys to a happily ever after.
Parents hold the power to make or break us and there is no truer show of this than with Mack. His mother was a shining star, whilst his father was the devil incarnate. No lines were uncrossable and no low beneath him. He ruled his household with an iron fist and plenty of liquid courage. Mack truly comes across to me as a prisoner of war, if that statement doesn’t make sense read this book and it will surely jump out at you sooner or later. Chains that bind us in place aren’t just made of steel; our minds can create unbreakable bars and surround us in darkness, smothering our senses and driving us into a feral state.
‘“You’ve been hiding for a long, long time, Izzy. Don’t you think it’s about time you freed yourself from the cell you’ve been locked in? You’ve let the past dim your light. You’re one of the most brilliant, genuine, caring people I know, and you hide all of that behind your pain and fear. You can’t fly if you’re wearing chains.”’
His safe place was through the trees and up along the branches. Growing up he was always tapping on the glass and climbing through a window.
‘The things he’d done. The things he was bound to do.
She was so much better than him. She was the great one. The one going places.
His Little Bird with the biggest, brightest wings.
Then the day had come when he’d had to accept it fully–that their worlds could no longer mesh.’
Izzy made choices. Extreme choices and nobody can hold her accountable for those. Even Mack blames himself for them. She did all she could being blocked at every turned. Returning home was a gift and a curse; she knew she’d have a run in with Mack sooner or later, it was just a question of when.
‘“Not for a second, Little Bird. Can’t fly without you by my side.”
“You’re wrong. You could always fly. Soar higher than anyone.”
My moon in the darkest sky.
‘“You just forgot to remember you had wings. That you had the power. I believed in you. Believed in us. You gave me away, Maxon, why? For what?”’
With the heat index through the roof. Izzy and Mack don’t even have to be between the sheets to smolder on a page. Each scene brought a different pain or emotion. Joy could turn quickly to pain. Tears of happiness to blood flowing dark and viscous.
‘Our breaths mingled and our hearts careened, tempos lost to the urgency in the air, and Maxon running his nose along my jaw, inhaling as he went, as if he were looking for some sort of control that had long since slipped.
But I was so tired of fighting this truth.
The truth of who we were.
No longer could I lie to myself.
And I was issuing his name like a praise,
A promise.
A plea.’
I could go on and on about this book and the author who created it. But that would be spoiling a sensationally real feeling tale. Ms. Jackson does real and raw. Never holds back and is always true to the characters.
Each book in this series has upped the ante and forced me to take a hard look at both myself and the world in general. Crappy things happen to people who can’t change them, it doesn’t mean that they have to let this change them forever. The best, in my humble opinion, was saved for last. Thank you, Ms. Jackson, for another tear-jerking, heart-pounding read.
This is the 3rd book in the series, however, each can be read as a stand alone. You can read the other books in the series, it gives you better insight into the characters and their back stories, and friendships.
In this story we have Maxon Chambers – who is a detective on the Charleston police force.
Isabel, “Izzy” all she ever wanted to bee when she was a little girl was Maxon Chambers wife. What else in life could she want? She just always wanted him. Maxon & Izzy have always been best friends, eve since they met in elementary school. Izzy left when they were 17 and Maxon broke her heart. She has moved back in with her parents and winds up in front of Maxon at the grocery store of all places. Maxon is dumbfounded, he can’t believe his eyes. Izzy is really back in town? All they can say to each other is hi. Now that Izzy is back in town will she give Maxon the time of day? Will Maxon try to win Izzy back? He’s been without her since she left him when they were 17, and always wanted her back.
Maxon is trying to find out who some punk kids are, but, he’s also trying to keep the danger away from Izzy. Will Maxon be able to get these kids before they hurt Izzy? Will he be able to be her dragon and keep her safe from harm?
Maxon and Izzy have a back and forth relationship. She doesn’t want him to find out somethings. But, she needs to tell him also. Maxon doesn’t want her to leave again. Will they both open their hearts and let each other in?
I did receive a Free ARC Copy of is book, I am freely leaving an honest review.
Being a teenager is never easy, but the four main characters in this book have had an especially hard time, coming from broken homes, foster homes, or just horrible mothers. When the four individuals come together, they create their own family, supporting each other, even when it is hard to do. They school together, play music together, and seem to find a safe place until it all goes out of control.
I liked the way they all came together to form a friendship and the band, Sinners of Seattle. Still, they suffered a lot of pain and angst while trying to support each other. I think I fell in love with Zeke; he had such a gentle heart and wanted to live up to his mother’s wishes (she died when he was 5).
This book is intense, there is joy and anguish, but mostly the struggle to get through life. The book does have a cliffhanger, but we won’t have to wait long to part two of this duology.
I received an advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.
Another jackpot read. Again, Mrs. Jackson has outdone herself — if I could rate this book with 10 stars I would. Mrs. Jackson has delivered yet another masterful work of art. Maybe I’m just a blubbering emotional mess because I cried like a lot reading scenes with Izzy, Mack and especially Benjamin. My heart strings were definitely being pulled tight. As a mother, I was overcome with intense emotion and thanking the heavens for my children after reading this sweet novel. The fact that kids love unconditionally and their innocence so pure reminds me to slow down, love and enjoy them because it goes by so fast. Hug your kids often
“Dragon, dragon, come and rescue me”
Holy heart of mine, speeding full pace ahead, while slowly being ripped in too little pieces.
His little bird and her dragon; Izzy and Mack’s story, brings a turmoil amount of emotions, heartbreak, tough obstacles, and family trails, you can’t stop reading it, because you need to know what happens next, will they move past their past mistakes – will he see he worth love, and will she move past the pain.
‘Fly Little Bird, Fly’
Pieces of Us – (Confessions of the Heart #3) – A. L. Jackson
I’m going to meld two reviews into one here. I have the e-book of Pieces of Us and I have the audio-book. This book, be it read or listened to is a story that touches you, touches your soul and touches your heart.
On it’s own this wonderfully written story of a second chance romance draws the reader into giving all your attention to what is happening. The audio book narrators Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan take this story to a whole other level. The voices are OMG just amazing and they bring this story to life.
Mack, this man, this handsome, caring, wonderful, tortured man! His childhood was beyond terrible and the only brightness in his life was his best friend Izzy. Izzy was a bright spot to everyone who knew her, but to Mack she was like a lifeline to what might be. As they grew up he made sure Izzy was safe and cared for. Until he felt he was put in a position where caring for her would only bring danger to her, and when she needed him, he walked away.
Izzy left Broadshire Rim when Mack walked away from her. She was broken in so many ways. When she arrived back 12 years later with two sons, she had two big issues to deal with #1 her oldest son Benjamin and #2 Mack Chambers. Oh and it was obvious from the first moment Izzy and Mack ran into each other, those hot as a poker feelings they had for each other when they were younger, those feelings still existed for both of them. Oh the steam, the heat, the fire, it never left. Problem was going to be would it bring them back together or would it be the wedge that keeps them apart.
Of course there are issues that need to be taken care of, truths, feelings, acceptance and giving in to learning how to trust again. Both Izzy and Mack have much to overcome, and Mack has that extra step and earn trust from both of Izzy’s boys, most especially Benjamin.
The feelings are all in here, there is angst, fear, heartbreak, forgiveness and love, so much love. Reader beware there will be tears. You become invested and your feelings are put through just as much as Izzy and Mack’s are. In the end your heart will be filled with happiness for these character.
If you want an even better twist, get the audio book and read along while Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan take you on this ride with soft, sweet words, an omg sultry deep sultry voice and a love that never died. It’s a treat readers need to give themselves sometimes. I can’t recommend this story enough.