Kristin Jefferson 
Fragments of Us [EPUB ebook] 
A Love Story in Two Americas

In the heart of Richmond, Virginia, a city grappling with its past and present, Liam and Lena find each other amidst the hushed galleries of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  Their connection, sparked by a shared love of art and history, seems to transcend their different worlds: Liam, a working-class Irish-American activist fighting for social justice, and Lena, a lawyer navigating the privileged world of Richmond’s old-money elite.  Their early romance is a delicate dance of stolen kisses and whispered secrets, a fragile bridge built between two seemingly disparate worlds.
But Richmond, a city of monuments and memories, casts a long shadow over their love. The restoration of Ebenezer Baptist Church, a historic cornerstone of the Black community, becomes a testing ground for their relationship. Liam envisions a community-led effort, while Lena, influenced by her corporate world, favors a more pragmatic approach.  As their project progresses, so too do the cracks in their foundation, mirroring the city’s own struggle with its divided soul.  Their whispered disagreements escalate into heated confrontations, echoing through the cobblestone streets and historic alleys of Richmond.
Liam’s fight for equality clashes with Lena’s privileged upbringing, their contrasting values magnified by the city’s stark inequalities.  The introduction of Cory, a charismatic artist and Liam’s confidant, and Sarah, Lena’s ambitious colleague, further complicates their already fragile bond.
Then, a devastating discovery shatters Liam’s trust: a hidden truth about Lena’s ancestors and their role in Richmond’s segregated past.  Forced to confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other, their love story begins to unravel.  Lena, shaken to her core, embarks on her own journey of discovery, unearthing uncomfortable truths about her family’s legacy.
*Fragments of Us* is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of history. It’s a story about two people from different worlds, drawn together by a shared passion, ultimately torn apart by the weight of their city’s past. While their romance may be fragmented, their individual journeys towards truth and reconciliation offer a glimmer of hope, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in a deeply divided world. Can love truly bridge the divides that separate us, or are some fragments simply too broken to mend?