PIECES OF BLUE by Liz Flaherty

Fiction, Romance, Suspense

5+*****

Blurb: Self-imposed loner, Maggie North, has worked for bestselling author Trilby Winterroad her entire adult life, starting as simply his assistant and ending up as his ghost writer. Through ups and downs–including a divorce from an abusive husband–he has been the one person on whom she could always rely. So when Trilby dies suddenly, Maggie finds herself adrift, not sure what she’ll do or where she belongs in the world any longer. And the confusion continues when she discovers he’s not only left her his beloved dachshund, Chloe, but a house she knew nothing about, on a lake she’s never heard of. It only takes one visit for Maggie to fall in love with both the house and the small lakeside community. The longer she’s there, the safer she feels and the more her life begins to expand…as do her feelings toward her friend and Trilby’s attorney, Sam Eldridge. But is she really safe? Or are the glistening pieces of her new life about to shatter as an old danger returns?

Thoughts: This story really spoke to me. The main character, Maggie, was a ghostwriter/assistant for a famous writer. When he died, she was surprised to discover he’d left her a house along a lake, in the middle of nowhere. She’s always been a city girl (Muskegon, MI), but this small-town vibe pulls her in. She intends to stay only a couple of days, but it stretches into more as she develops friendships, and a love for the house and all its quirkiness. Unfortunately, there’s a dark spot in her life. Her ex – a violent abuser who broke both her hands – is getting out of jail. And coming after her. But Maggie’s friends—both new and old—rally around her and bolster her.

I loved Maggie and Sam. I especially loved the old house that went every which way. And the bits of blue that showed up everywhere. There was so much to love about this story. The author made me laugh, cry, cringe… It’s a story about friendship, love, second chances, and yes, a bit of suspense. But mostly, it’s about finding yourself at a later point in your life. About what to do when you’re not sure what you want. Maggie is at that point. And this story is about her.

Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”