Pieces of Me by Kate McLaughlin
Published: April 18, 2023
Wednesday Books
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Pages: 363
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Kate McLaughlin likes people, so much so that she spends her days making up her own. She likes writing about characters who are bent, but not broken – people who find their internal strength through friends, strife and sometimes humor. When she’s not writing, she likes studying people, both real and fictional. She also likes playing board games with friends, talking and discovering new music. A proud Nova Scotian, she’ll gladly tell you all about the highest tides in the world, the magical creation known as a donair, and people who have sofas in their kitchens. Currently, she lives in Connecticut with her husband and four cats.
Dylan has lost time before, but never like this.
Soon after, Dylan is diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, and must grapple not only with the many people currently crammed inside her head, but that a secret from her past so terrible she’s blocked it out has put them there. Her only distraction is a budding new relationship with Connor. But as she gets closer to finding out the truth, Dylan wonders: will it heal her or fracture her further?
“But I don’t feel much like a winner.”
Dylan often loses hours of time. She won’t remember anything she did. It scares her, but she isn’t sure how to ask for help. Kaz is confident and comfortable with her sexuality. She is not afraid of going after the things that make her feel good. Lannie is the mother hen; she protects those she loves without question. Scratch is filled with rage and resentment. She wants revenge. The others want to feel safe, but is that possible?
This was such a fantastic novel. First, trigger warnings for SA towards minors, mentions of suicide, and dealing with mental illness.
The way this book was written was so beautifully compassionate. The care, concern, and research are apparent. I don’t know much about DID, but this book did a fantastic job explaining and breaking down for Dylan’s situation.
I loved Dylan. She was so sweet. I loved her artistic soul and her desire to love and be loved. I liked Kaz and her comfort with who she is. Lannie was such a great character with a huge heart. Connor was the perfect balance for Dylan, and I love how open and accepting he was.
The topic of this book is fascinating because people are diagnosed with DID and have to navigate living their lives with it. I found this represented fair and honest, and I enjoyed how the struggles were written respectfully.
This book will grab you from the first page and hold you until the last. It’s such an engaging, haunting, beautiful story.