Amy Harmon has a knack for writing deeply layered, emotionally charged stories, and 'The Smallest Part' is a perfect example. If you love character-driven books about complex friendships and the messiness of love and loyalty, you’ll be hooked. The story delves into tough real-life topics like mental health and grief, while also celebrating friendship, faith, and the power of hope. Fans of women’s fiction with a dash of magical realism, anyone who enjoys friends-to-lovers tropes, or readers who like stories with lots of heart will find plenty to love here.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If love triangles or complicated romantic entanglements aren’t your thing, you might find this one tough to swallow. The narrative jumps between timelines, which can be a bit confusing for some, and not everyone will connect with all the characters (Cora, in particular, seems to split opinions). Those who want fast plots or pure romance without so much angst might not vibe with this emotional, sometimes heavy, journey.

'The Smallest Part' is a moving, beautifully written novel packed with emotion, strong friendships, and complicated love. Amy Harmon delivers another memorable and heartfelt read - perfect for those who want their fiction to make them feel all the things.

About:

'The Smallest Part' by Amy Harmon is a captivating story revolving around the intertwined relationship between childhood friends Noah, Mercedes, and Cora. The plot delves deep into themes of love, sacrifice, friendship, and imperfections, portraying the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Through a mix of past and present timelines, the author skillfully navigates the reader through the characters' journey of growth, struggles, and heart-wrenching predicaments. Amy Harmon's writing style is praised for its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and sorrow to heartache and healing, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Characters:

The characters are complex and relatable, each with their own struggles and dimensions that enhance the emotional depth of the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive and detailed, effectively transitioning through time while evoking deep emotions and thoughts.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intertwines the lives of childhood friends navigating love, sacrifice, and emotional turmoil against the backdrop of significant contemporary issues.

Setting:

The setting spans the past and present, incorporating elements of childhood, community, and family that resonate with the characters' emotional journeys.

Pacing:

The pacing balances the story's emotional depth and character development, maintaining reader engagement throughout.

“Or her marbles,” Noahmurmured. He was working his way through a stack of library booksand had borrowed Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie on a whim. It wasbetter than he’d anticipated. The red-haired girl kind...

Notes:

The book discusses themes like love, friendship, loyalty, and loss.

It includes significant social issues such as PTSD, mental illness, and homelessness.

The main characters are childhood friends who grew up in challenging situations.

Mercedes is described as a loyal and selfless friend with a big heart.

The story alternates between past and present, showing the characters' growth and struggles over time.

It contains a blend of magical realism and psychic ability elements.

The author, Amy Harmon, is known for her character-driven narratives that explore deep emotional connections.

Many readers found themselves fully immersed in the characters' lives and emotions.

The cover of the book features childhood-inspired imagery, symbolizing friendship and nostalgia.

Noah Andelin, a character in the book, is connected to Harmon’s previous work, 'The Law of Moses'.

The writing style is noted for being immersive and emotionally engaging, making it hard to put the book down.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental illness, PTSD, suicide, and other related sensitive topics.

Has Romance?

The Smallest Part contains a high level of romance, interwoven deeply throughout the narratives of the central characters.

From The Publisher:

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.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (3)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

lulareviewla

Did Not Like

10 months

I wouldn't call this book bad, but it was one of my least-favorite Amy Harmon books. There just wasn't as much drawing me to these characters as there usually is in Harmon's stories, and I didn't find myself caring for them all that deeply.

This book was just as addictive as any other Harmon book I've read; I just didn't enjoy it as much as any other Harmon book.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, but I will recommend Amy Harmon herself as an author. She is intensely talented, and a complete pleasure to read.

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About the Author:

Amy Harmon is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Where the Lost Wander, What the Wind Knows, From Sand and Ash, and The First Girl Child in The Chronicles of Saylok. Amy is also the recipient of two Whitney Awards and several Goodreads Best Book nominations, among many other honors in multiple genres. Her books have been published in eighteen languages-truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Utah. For more information, visit Amy at www.authoramyharmon.com.

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The Smallest Part

Amy Harmon

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