From the New York Times bestselling author of JEMIMA J, and THE BEACH HOUSE, comes Jane Green’s most emotional and powerful novel yet: a story that explores the complications of a woman marrying into a ready-made family, and the true meaning of motherhood. Andi has spent much of her adult life looking for the perfect man, and at thirty-seven, she's finally found him. Ethan--divorced with two daughters, Emily and Sophia--is a devoted father and even better husband. Always hoping one day she would be a mother, Andi embraces the girls like they were her own. But in Emily’s eyes, Andi is an obstacle to her father’s love, and Emily will do whatever it takes to break her down. When the dynamics between the two escalate, they threaten everything Andi believes about love, family, and motherhood—leaving both women standing at a crossroad in their lives…and in their hearts. ANOTHER PIECE OF MY HEART is a novel that illuminates the nuances and truths about relationships and is Jane Green at her absolute best.
Another Piece of My Heart
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“[Green] has a soothing voice. It is a pleasure to listen to her as she brings the characters to life.” – Record-Courier
--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.About the Author
Jane Green is the author of twelve bestselling novels, dealing with real women, real life, and all the things in-between, with her trademark wisdom, wit and warmth. She contributes to various publications, both online and print, including Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, and assorted Anthologies. Passionate about both food and the home, most weekends see her cooking up a storm in her home in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives by the beach with her husband and their many children. Visit her at www.JaneGreen.com.
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Jane Green is a bestselling author of popular novels. She has been featured in People, Newsweek, USA Today, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. She lives in Connecticut with her family.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 37 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Irresistible chick lit. Even if you think you're too cool for this sort of story.
February 25, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
There's a scene early in Another Piece of My Heart in which one of the main characters is grieving for her mother. (Don't worry, that isn't a spoiler.) Her best friends come over with a box of See's Chocolates, and -- even though they are health-food California yoga-and-granola types -- say, "Sometimes, you just need some sugary crap." And they eat the entire box in one sitting.
That's pretty much how I feel after reading this novel. It's not deep meaningful fiction; I don't think anyone is going to choose this for their next book club meeting. But sometimes you just need someone to tell you a story about someone ELSE's problems and victories, and Another Piece of My Heart is a perfect example.
Our basic setup: Andi married in her late 30s, and feels she's found the perfect man. Ethan is warm and understanding, and Andi's happy to have a ready-made family, with Ethan's two teenage daughters from an earlier marriage. All she needs to feel fulfilled is a baby of her own. Only she has friction with the older daughter, and self-doubts. And that's just where we start...
This book is all about the characters and their relationships and their journeys. Andi is our main character but we also see into the worlds of the step-daughter Emily and several other key people.
I have oddly mixed feelings about the result. On the one hand, this novel is so very much a chick lit *fantasy*. When people get angry, they remain articulate. When they have a life-changing moment, they rarely waver. Ethan is a sensitive new age guy, the one that most women imagine to be perfect (he probably picks up his own socks, too), except for his understandable weakness for his older daughter. And he isn't very realistic. Most guys just aren't going to say, "I love you. I hate these fights, these moments that happen when we disconnect from each other so completely, but that isn't what defines our relationship." I don't think they talk that way during a marital argument even in California.
And yet... I couldn't put the book down. I ate the whole box of cheap chocolates at one sitting. Despite the fact that the prose is sometimes overworked sentimentality, the characters do come alive. I cared what happened to them. I don't really _believe_ them, but I wanted to. And I think you will, too.
If you're ready for a good wallow in a hot tub with bubble bath... this is the book you want beside you.
That's pretty much how I feel after reading this novel. It's not deep meaningful fiction; I don't think anyone is going to choose this for their next book club meeting. But sometimes you just need someone to tell you a story about someone ELSE's problems and victories, and Another Piece of My Heart is a perfect example.
Our basic setup: Andi married in her late 30s, and feels she's found the perfect man. Ethan is warm and understanding, and Andi's happy to have a ready-made family, with Ethan's two teenage daughters from an earlier marriage. All she needs to feel fulfilled is a baby of her own. Only she has friction with the older daughter, and self-doubts. And that's just where we start...
This book is all about the characters and their relationships and their journeys. Andi is our main character but we also see into the worlds of the step-daughter Emily and several other key people.
I have oddly mixed feelings about the result. On the one hand, this novel is so very much a chick lit *fantasy*. When people get angry, they remain articulate. When they have a life-changing moment, they rarely waver. Ethan is a sensitive new age guy, the one that most women imagine to be perfect (he probably picks up his own socks, too), except for his understandable weakness for his older daughter. And he isn't very realistic. Most guys just aren't going to say, "I love you. I hate these fights, these moments that happen when we disconnect from each other so completely, but that isn't what defines our relationship." I don't think they talk that way during a marital argument even in California.
And yet... I couldn't put the book down. I ate the whole box of cheap chocolates at one sitting. Despite the fact that the prose is sometimes overworked sentimentality, the characters do come alive. I cared what happened to them. I don't really _believe_ them, but I wanted to. And I think you will, too.
If you're ready for a good wallow in a hot tub with bubble bath... this is the book you want beside you.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The newest offering by Jane Green "Another Piece of My Heart" tells the story of Andi a stepmother to two teenage girls' trying her best to be loving stepmother though one of her stepdaughter's makes it extremely hard.
The main protagonist of the novel, Andi, is a loving wife to a divorced man named Ethan. Ethan when she meets him is divorced with two daughters, who at the start of their relationship were fairly young. The two girls, Emily and Sophia are like night and day. Sophia loves Andi and Andi loves her. However, the oldest daughter, Emily, has a contentious relationship with Andi that often turns into bitter arguments, fights, with Emily always getting her way.
However, Andi wants more than anything to get along and love Ethan's daughters like her own since she wants to have a large family and eventually have more children with Ethan.
As the novel progresses we have Andi now 41 and married to Ethan for several years, and Emily now 17 still fighting and causing a lot of scenes and frequent fights between Andi and Ethan. Emily at the time is just drifting and has no plans for college, but frequently comes home drunk and high.
During this time period an event occurs that I felt was telegraphed very early by Jane Green dealing with Emily and how it will now affect Andi and Ethan.
I also felt that the event was such a cliche and what ended up happening was a cliche that I found myself checking out mentally as I continued to read. I called every event that happened with the characters afterwards right up to the happy ending.
I have to say that though the book overall was written very well I found myself disappointed and wished that Jane Green had chosen a different outcome to her story. She had great potential there and I think she just wanted to ensure a happy ending for all of the characters.
Additionally, I think Jane Green made a mistake in switching from Andi back to Emily's point of view throughout the novel. By the time the novel switches to Emily's point of view I was fully invested in Andi and felt myself getting frustrated with Emily since she was selfish and thoughtless throughout. Also at that point about 40 percent of the novel had just been told from Andi's point of view and it would have been better served to leave it as Andi's story, not Emily's.
Finally though, what really disappointed me above all else when I finished this book was that by the end of it Emily does a total 180 and to me as a reader it felt forced. Sometimes stories can be left open ended or even sad it doesn't take away from the novel.
Overall grade: C+
The main protagonist of the novel, Andi, is a loving wife to a divorced man named Ethan. Ethan when she meets him is divorced with two daughters, who at the start of their relationship were fairly young. The two girls, Emily and Sophia are like night and day. Sophia loves Andi and Andi loves her. However, the oldest daughter, Emily, has a contentious relationship with Andi that often turns into bitter arguments, fights, with Emily always getting her way.
However, Andi wants more than anything to get along and love Ethan's daughters like her own since she wants to have a large family and eventually have more children with Ethan.
As the novel progresses we have Andi now 41 and married to Ethan for several years, and Emily now 17 still fighting and causing a lot of scenes and frequent fights between Andi and Ethan. Emily at the time is just drifting and has no plans for college, but frequently comes home drunk and high.
During this time period an event occurs that I felt was telegraphed very early by Jane Green dealing with Emily and how it will now affect Andi and Ethan.
I also felt that the event was such a cliche and what ended up happening was a cliche that I found myself checking out mentally as I continued to read. I called every event that happened with the characters afterwards right up to the happy ending.
I have to say that though the book overall was written very well I found myself disappointed and wished that Jane Green had chosen a different outcome to her story. She had great potential there and I think she just wanted to ensure a happy ending for all of the characters.
Additionally, I think Jane Green made a mistake in switching from Andi back to Emily's point of view throughout the novel. By the time the novel switches to Emily's point of view I was fully invested in Andi and felt myself getting frustrated with Emily since she was selfish and thoughtless throughout. Also at that point about 40 percent of the novel had just been told from Andi's point of view and it would have been better served to leave it as Andi's story, not Emily's.
Finally though, what really disappointed me above all else when I finished this book was that by the end of it Emily does a total 180 and to me as a reader it felt forced. Sometimes stories can be left open ended or even sad it doesn't take away from the novel.
Overall grade: C+
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
First, the author's voice started to bother me after 11 hours. A British accent telling a story about Californians? It was discordant at times.
Second, the book itself was interesting, but at the end, I really didn't like any of the characters.
What did I like to give it 3 stars?
The author created real-life situations. I'm so used to reading romance and fantasy, with their black and white storylines, this was a nice change for me. Life didn't become perfect overnight, it took years of pain and struggles to reach that point and the book took you through all of the pain.
The main focus of the book was on a self absorbed stepdaughter who was experiencing immense pain over the indifference of her alcoholic mother. Only after 10 years of drama, do things get better. Wow, I'm worn out just thinking about it again.
Second, the book itself was interesting, but at the end, I really didn't like any of the characters.
What did I like to give it 3 stars?
The author created real-life situations. I'm so used to reading romance and fantasy, with their black and white storylines, this was a nice change for me. Life didn't become perfect overnight, it took years of pain and struggles to reach that point and the book took you through all of the pain.
The main focus of the book was on a self absorbed stepdaughter who was experiencing immense pain over the indifference of her alcoholic mother. Only after 10 years of drama, do things get better. Wow, I'm worn out just thinking about it again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not too believable
I had a hard time getting through this book and skimmed a lot. The characters were not believable. It was as if their behaviors were artificial constructs, not the way real... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Marie Lutz
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's easy reading.
This book is worth reading. It will be hard to put down though. It's a book I can read over again. Loved it!
Published 2 days ago by lili
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
This book was so good I read it in a day and a half...didn't want it to end! I wanted another chapter or two!
Published 6 days ago by Lupus Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
Couldn't put it down!! Finished it in 2 days. Great story line! First book I have read by Jane Green, and I am totally a fan of hers now.
Published 8 days ago by Emily
4.0 out of 5 stars
Family Drama
I've read, though not reviewed, several of Jane's books. Surprisingly, perhaps because stylistically she is best know for 'chick lit', I, as a man, have enjoyed her novels. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Bruce
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good story with mixed messages
The book about a couple who, the husband is on his second marriage, a wife is on her first and 2 children one of which is nothing but evil to her step mother. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Jerry Helsing
4.0 out of 5 stars
ANOTHER PIECE OF MY HEART
I AM A STEPMOM AND THIS BOOK REFLECTS MY LIFE ALOT,I HOPE MY STORY TURNS OUT LIKE THIS BOOK! VERY UPLIFTING AND A PAGE TURNER,I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!!
Published 22 days ago by JEANNE M ROBERTS
2.0 out of 5 stars
Predictable
Not one if Jane Green 's best. The characters are all very unlikable. I wasn't rooting for Andi. I found her to be a controlled self-centered person. Read more
Published 28 days ago by K. Semrau
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for moms
This book is a great read, especially for moms. When family is your most important thing, it's hard when things don't always go according to plan. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Jilliansham
3.0 out of 5 stars
Printed version is MUCH better than audio book
Based on her early books I'd come to associate Jane Green with breezy, romantic chick lit. In Another Piece of My Heart she explores a very different side of her writing, more... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chicago Book Addict
