Another Piece of My Heart

By: Jane Green

Narrated by: Jane Green

Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling 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 37, 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.

©2012 Jane Green Warburg (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Jane nailed it again

The book was good, but a little bit predictable. I'm glad Jane read it in her English accent, because some of the phrases for characters use clearly English as in British. I truly do enjoy her work.

Please Use a Professional Narrator

I've enjoyed Jane Green's books in the past, but if she continues narrating, I might choose the print version instead.I almost didn't continue with this book after I started listening to it, but I wanted to find out what happened in the story. I did enjoy it, although I found it a bit neatly packaged in the end.

In the same way there are very few writer/directors who are also actors, I think that a writer is not often the best choice as a reader, even though they may think they 'know their characters best.' There are so many excellent readers who can do an incredible number of accents in their performances, and Ms. Green's was not varied enough and since this one was based entirely in the USA, I found the British accent distracting. It was also a bit overwrought; the narrative parts should be more neutral than when the characters themselves are speaking. I listened to the interview with Ms. Green after the book ended and she spoke about being emotionally involved with her characters, but this was too much so.

Ms. Green should also take more care in using certain expressions that are very British, such as 'swear blind,' 'garden' instead of 'yard,' etc. I had noticed this in one of the first books she set in the States when one of the US characters said, 'chalk and cheese,' which I have only ever heard used by one of my friends from London and it continues to crop up in all her subsequent writings. It is a minor annoyance, but it seems like a capable copy editor should have picked them up.

Another love

Would you consider the audio edition of Another Piece of My Heart to be better than the print version?

I would say so, although I haven't read the print version of this book. I love audio books because I can listen while I do things, I don't have to sit still. Also the characters really come to life when the story is read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Another Piece of My Heart?

The most memorable was when Emily started speaking like an adult. She made the transition from a teenage mind set to an adult. I liked hearing the story from different characters point of views. Especially Emily's, it offered good insight to a typically teenage mind.

Have you listened to any of Jane Green’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love all of the Jane Green books. I have listened to four other audio books and read a few others. This story line was a bit different than her usual. I love the details, the visual she paints for the reader in her story's. This was more involved in the characters themselves rather than outside details. I enjoyed the story, the drama of the story compensated for the lack of details that are usually provided.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A story mother and daughter will both love.

Any additional comments?

I love your books Jane, keep writing please.

Proceed with Caution but Worth the Tears

Any additional comments?

As a stepmother of child bearing age who is struggling to conceive, this book was an emotional read. Jane Green's work often tugs at my heart strings but this one struck closer to home than some of her other work. I have only ever read Green's other books but found her performance very moving. There is something about author's narrating their own work that brings a depth to the performance lacking in non-author narrating books IMO.

perfect book.

the best jane green book ever. got absolutely nothing done for two days so i could listen to this book. thanks a lot, grrr...

Another Great Story by Jane Green

What did you love best about Another Piece of My Heart?

The story is very heart felt. The characters go through deep emotions and it's clear that they will come out the other end, but it's how they get there that is so captivating. There are many plot turns that keep it lively and interesting.

Have you listened to any of Jane Green’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to almost all of Jane Greens other books and have loved them. They were part of what got me into listening to audiobooks in the first place. They are "page turners".

Any additional comments?

I usually love it when the author reads the audiobook. In this case it's a little bit difficult because of Jane Green's British accent voicing the American characters, but I got used to it quickly.

Could not stop listening.

Would you consider the audio edition of Another Piece of My Heart to be better than the print version?

I can't compare the two, but I will say I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this as my first audiobook.

What other book might you compare Another Piece of My Heart to and why?

Jane Green's Bookends.

What three words best describe Jane Green’s performance?

Pretty darn good!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I would love to see this happen. The tag line should be the title.

Any additional comments?

Strongly recommend this book. Cannot wait to choose my next listen/read!

The whining never stops

While the storyline was relatable and well told the narrator made the main character (Andy) almost unbearably because of the constant whining and shrill tone she gave to her.

My opinion

A writer..in my opinion...should NEVER narrate their own book. They OVER due the reading. Their emotions over their writing and the story are too high and it over exaggerates the way they narrate.

Starts out slow but stick with it....

Any additional comments?

I think it was a bit odd having a book set in Northern CA read by the author who has a British accent, but I got over it. The story started out slow, but the characters developed as the book went on and I thought the story was very good. I think there are parts of it that everyone who has had a complex relationship with a family member can relate to.