Thursday, July 12, 2018

Book Review: The Smallest Part

You guys. GO BUY THIS BOOK. I cannot tell you all of the reasons I loved this book but just trust me.

The Smallest Part - Amy Harmon

It was a big lie. The biggest lie she’d ever told. It reverberated through her head as she said it, ringing eerily, and the girl behind her eyes—the girl who knew the truth—screamed, and her scream echoed along with the lie. 
“Are you in love with Noah, Mercedes?” Cora asked. “I mean . . . I know you love him. You’ve been friends forever. We all have. But are you in love with him?” 
If it had been anyone else—anyone—Mercedes would have stuck out her chest, folded her skinny arms, and let her feelings be known. She would have claimed him. But it was Cora. Brave, beautiful, broken Cora, and Cora loved Noah too. 
So Mercedes lied. 
And with that lie, she lost him. With that lie, she sealed her fate.
She was the best friend, the bridesmaid, the godmother, the glue. She was there for the good times and the bad, the ups and the downs, the biggest moments and the smallest parts. And she was there when it all came crashing down. 
This is the tale of the girl who didn’t get the guy. 

This was my first book by Amy Harmon but this was so good I want to buy all of her books. Right now. Credit card worthy purchase. I went into this story feeling kind of skeptical and within a few pages I was completely hooked. I laughed, I cried, and did those two things on repeat throughout the book. 

So we have this triangle of best friends, Cora, Mercedes, and Noah. Mercedes has loved Noah since she was eight years old but when Cora says SHE loves him, Mercedes gives him up. She doesn't want to be the one who turns their friendship messy. They each have had challenges growing up but it's clear Cora is the most messed up of the trio so Mercedes thinks if she has Noah then maybe it would ground her more. It doesn't, and in the first few pages we learn that Cora essentially kills herself and the book is about Noah and Mercedes picking up the pieces and moving forward. Noah and Cora have a one year old daughter, Gia, and Mercedes is her godmother so she feels a sense of responsibility.

Mercedes, in her true fashion, picks Noah up and helps him move forward. That moving forward though has Noah seeing Mercedes in a different light, a light her used to see her in. He always thought he would end up with Mercedes but then Cora kind of took the reigns. Mercedes doesn't feel right taking Cora's place and she's worried that any romance will ruin the friendship she's come to depend on her entire life.

But thrown into this are characters that are SO fantastic. We have Cuddy, who has a connection to Noah's past and we have Moses, a patient of Noah's. Both Cuddy and Moses can see dead people and dead people communicate to them and this ends up being key into giving Noah and Mercedes closure and save the day. Literally.

Lots of twists and turns, emotional revelations, and big breakthroughs for both Noah and Mercedes. I absolutely could not put this book down. I loved Mercedes' character and she reminds me a lot of me. I didn't love Cora's character and liked her less and less as the book went on. Loved Noah, he's such a classically good guy who wants to do the right thing but always wants to do what his heart wants and he isn't sure if it's the same thing. I cannot recommend this book enough. It was amazing.

   

4 comments:

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I think I could relate to Mercedes! This does sound like a really good read!

-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net

Zooloo's Book Diary said...

Wow this book does sound really good, i need to get this on my list! It does sound fab!

Tanya @ Girl Plus Books said...

Loved seeing your review for this one, Sara! I adore Amy Harmon and I have The Smallest Part sitting right here ready to pick up very soon. Just the synopsis of this one is a heartbreaker and I love the sound of both Mercedes and Noah. I enjoyed your review and can’t wait to experience this one for myself!

Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
Http://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com

Karla J. Strand said...

That's a ringing endorsement! Thanks for sharing!