Broken Pieces - Kathleen Long

 

DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley.  All thoughts and opinions about this book are my own.

Title: Broken Pieces
Author: Kathleen Long
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release Date: July 19, 2016

Destiny Jones is doing just fine on her own, thanks. From her thriving one-woman carpentry business to the loving support of her small-town community, Destiny has constructed a life as sturdy and polished as her best cabinets. Twenty years ago, Destiny’s world collapsed when her mother died and her father, Albert, abandoned his daughter to pursue acting in New York. His devastating exit taught Destiny a lesson in self-reliance that has kept her safe—and alone—ever since.
Now Albert Jones is back, begging for a second chance. Destiny suspects he’s simply staging another performance, starring himself as the prodigal father. Should she act on her misgivings? Or listen to her inner child, who still yearns for a family? When Albert divulges a shocking secret, Destiny’s life will again be turned upside down.
Kathleen Long’s warm, wise novel reveals the armor that has protected us in the past is often the very thing we must shed to fully live and love.

Broken Pieces, by Kathleen Long, is a book that will break your heart into pieces, and yet still make you believe in the goodness of people and the power of love and forgiveness.  From the first page, I was drawn in by the characters and their weird, kind of crazy lives. 

Destiny, the heroine of our book, finds herself in an interesting situation when her dad, Albert, shows up at her house out of the blue.  Throughout the novel, a series of discoveries come about that all leave Destiny reeling, and change her life.  I won't spoil everything - but let's just say that once you get drawn into this book, you won't want to put it down until you finish.

The characters in this book were fantastic, and real, and well-developed.  They all had their own distinct personalities and they all grew and changed in the best ways throughout the book.  Each character learned something about themselves and the other characters throughout the story. 

In addition to the great characters, the story is well thought out and written very well.  I wasn't left with questions about the ending or plot, and that was good.  Even when the story was sad, it never sucked. 

Overall, this is a must read book - I give it 5 stars all the way.  When it comes out, you have to get it!