Monday, July 6, 2020

LOST AND FOUND BOOKSTORE by Susan Wiggs



Publisher:      William Morrow
Published:      July 7, 2020
ISBN:      978-0062914095
Genre:     Women’s Fiction  
Format:     Ebook from Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

Natalie Harper is on the brink of some major life changes.  She’s about to receive a major promotion at her job in bucolic Sonoma County, California.  What she doesn’t know is that her mother and boyfriend also have a big surprise for her.  There is one other surprise that is far from what she is expecting or would want.  Before that news reaches her she overhears a nasty conversation at work.  Devastated by the horrible comments some co-workers have made about her, Natalie flees her job and heads to her mother’s home in San Francisco—the Lost and Found Bookstore.  In the wake of her mother’s passing Natalie now finds herself not only the proprietor of her family’s bookstore, but as the primary caretaker of her elderly, ailing, grandfather.  Adding to her cares are the amount of repairs the building requires and a stack of unpaid bills.

But Natalie has not only great inner strength, she has friends, her grandfather and the memories of a lifetime of wisdom from her mother.  And with that Natalie begins her journey to a new life.

I’m a long-time fan of Susan Wiggs and when offered the opportunity to review her latest I readily agreed.  Along with that, I lived in, and continue to live just north of San Francisco, just outside Sonoma County and am an avid fan of independent bookstores.  How could I say no to reading and reviewing THE LOST AND FOUND BOOKSTORE?  Wiggs did not disappoint.

Natalie is a wonderful character.  She’s the kind of person you want as a friend—kind, giving, genuine.  She is multi-layered with the same issues we all face at some time or other in our life.  Maybe not losing a parent the way she lost her mother, but we all have times where we deal with the death of a loved one.  We deal with changes of jobs, relationships, both friends and romantic.  Many of us deal with starting over at a time when we thought our lives would be settled.  I loved the way Wiggs takes Natalie through those myriad changes—most all in one shot rather than over time that many of us would confront them. 

Peach Gallagher is the kind of guy you want on your side.  Steady, competent and let’s not forget a hottie.  His relationship with his daughter is one every father should aspire to.  He’s not just a good contractor—he’s a good friend.  His relationship with Natalie’s grandfather is heart warming and genuine.

The story could have taken place anywhere.  The setting in San Francisco just made it a better read for me.  There were a few area where the story didn’t accurately portray San Francisco, but that kind of license made for a better read.  The spirit and flavour of San Franciscans comes through in the pages. 

Like most of Wiggs’ books THE LOST AND FOUND BOOKSTORE can be read purely for its entertainment value or for the deeper look at human relationships and growth.  Natalie’s transition from the corporate world where the bottom line rules to the unwanted job of a bookstore owner to one who loves that job and all it entails is a wonderful read.  I started this book in the morning and stayed up late into the night to finish it.  It’s not an action packed thriller, but a good solid read to pick up and immerse yourself in when you want to remember why hope and love are essential parts of our lives.



This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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