She feels that helping others is what make her life worthwhile. She can’t say NO, and she gets through life with lists and is falling behind. She leaves work one day and discovers an old book wrapped and addressed to her. When she opens it she finds it inscribed to her and it contains stories written by herself as a child and by her Nana. What follows is a journey to discover where the book came from and who wrote and published it. Beautifully written and will keep you reading until dawn. Enjoy.

In the beloved film The Holiday, Cameron Diaz's character hears a movie announcer telling her how her life is going; if the movie announcer was announcing Martha Storms' life, he'd be the nagging reminder that "her only worth was in helping others" (70). Storms is a single, forty-something year-old woman who loves stories, volunteers at the library, took care of her parents until they passed away, and who gave up the love of her life in order to do so. Still living in her childhood home, she's surrounded by a hoard of her parent's belongings and unfinished projects she does for other people in town. While she's surrounded by material things, her life is empty. Phaedra Patrick excels at telling stories of people who need to be pulled up by their bootstraps. Arthur Pepper and Benedict Stone, meet Martha Storm! With the help of a misunderstood younger sister, parents with secrets, co-workers, new friends, and a quirky Nana named Zelda who may or may not be alive, Martha's life transforms over the course of this book!

This book was a slow starter, but once the character of Martha began to develop, I was pulled in to her story. I can see how some readers would relate to her sense of responsibility and frustration at her circumstances. I supported her efforts to break out of her routine and become the person she wanted to be.

This book was received as an ARC from Park Row Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Every Librarian should have this book not only in their library collections but on their coffee table. Books like these warm the hearts of Librarians to know that they are still appreciated and also how to NEVER underestimate the power of books and the imagination. In every way I can relate to Martha and her struggles with not only being a librarian but with the feeling that she is invisible until she discovers a whole new world she never knew just from reading a book. That to me is the ultimate reason of not only my love for reading but why I love my job as a librarian!

We will definitely consider adding this title to our Fiction section of our library collection and that is why we give this book 5 stars!

Martha is a middle aged library aide who’s desire to please has led her to say yes to everyone else’s needs except her own. Her house is piled with projects that she’s taken on for other people. Having given up a chance at love to care for her ill parents, she is jolted out of her increasingly unsatisfying life when a mysterious book is left for her on the library doorstep. As she puzzles out the origins of the book, Martha recalls the stifling atmosphere of her family life, her father’s controlling nature, her mother’s acquiescence and her beloved, free spirited grandma’s attempts to encourage her creativity. She also recalls the fairy tales that she wrote as a child -- lovely and poignant allegories for the complex human relationships of her family. The juxtaposition of her current life with her past memories and her childhood stories give the story an unexpected complexity. Martha is certainly worth rooting for. She’s braver than she thinks, her ability to forgive and be kind carries her through as she discovers she’s worth far more than the tasks she did for others for so long.

Surprising twist are in store ,and while at times you could feel frustrated ( more with anticipation than the pace of the plot),the ending for me left the possibility of a follow up if not a sequel.
This would be a good read for someone who doesn't have an idea of what to read next. It has rich characters and nothing about them or the plot is predictable or easily summed up at the end, but the anticipation of every reveal keep you going till the end.

This is a lovely and poignant feel-good story. I like the author's quirky characters in this mystery/family drama/romance combined with magical fairy tales.

I almost put this book down after reading the gluten free cookies and Wonder Woman notebook, it was a little cliche for my taste. But I stuck it out and I’m glad I did. It’s a heartwarming tale of a woman’s journey through family history. I think we can all relate a little with our own personal family dramas, but it was a beautiful ending, something to give us all hope for our own story. Something to remind us to believe in ourselves, even when it seems as though no one else does. Truly charming.

As always Patrick has brought to life memorable and relatable characters. With a beautiful look at family and the impact of secrets, this book will stock with me. If you have read her other novels and enjoyed them, this is another must read.

This was a very predictable romance novel which in itself is not a bad thing. As a librarian I really did not like the way the library employees were portrayed. They have a volunteer do the work of staff. Staff does not seem to need any qualifications. No library I've ever worked in wants patrons to reshelve books themselves.

Martha has let life slide by since her parents have died. She lives in the family home and has become something of a hoarder. When a mysterious book is delivered to the library where she works, it opens up an investigation into her past as she searches for her grandmother who she thought dead. When she finds Zelda she begins to come back to life and renew her friendship with her sister. This book is funny and very heartwarming. The character of Martha is not young and charming but a lifelike person who lives life and grows. I loved her. Phaedra Patrick is a great author and I've read several of her books and enjoyed them. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A heart warming, easy read. The publisher’s blurb describes the plot pretty well, suffice to say there is a dual timeline, a missing person and bookstores involved. The pace drags somewhat at the beginning i.e. lots of sentences describing things, but picks up after the middle. Also, the reveal at the end is pretty good. Overall, it’s a feel good story, so give it a go! Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

What a sweet read! This one really tugs at your heartstrings. I loved Martha, and could relate to her character. Always saying yes and never taking time for yourself. (the old me). I thought Zelda was AH-Mazing! The ending was perfect. If you are looking for a light, sentimental story full of heart, I would recommend this one!

Anyone who loves books about books will be ecstatic with Phaedra Patrick's "The Library of Lost and Found." I could not put it down, but I didn't want it to end either. This is a lovely, lovely story paying tribute to books, to words, to family. I love it to the moon and back.

Being a librarian, I was drawn to this book. It did not disappoint. I could really relate to this character....I am also an introvert who loves to get lost in my books. I enjoyed spending time with Martha and her engaging mystery. I will recommend this book to many of my patrons.

For fans of Eleanor Oliphant and book lovers everywhere. I adored this heartwarming story.

Librarian Martha Storm has always put others before herself. She keeps careful lists of all her tasks. If if she tries to say no she is ignored . At times she just feels invisible. All that changes the day a mysterious book is left for her on the libraries steps. This diary will her to delve into her family's past and helps her discover a new side to herself.

This book is incredibly charming . However, it's more than that. I felt many emotions for Martha including being frustrated by her and saddened. All the characters in this book are so real. The story line keeps you turning pages. Sometimes books described as charming can be code for slow but this one is hard to put down. I think feel good stories are difficult to achieve and are so necessary in our reading lives. Put this one on your TBR pile when you need some to fill to your soul . This book wraps you up like a warm blanket.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity for this early review. I will be purchasing this one for family and friends.

As family dramas go, this story was par for the course: controlling father, meek mother, estranged relationships, tense atmosphere and of course, a couple of family secrets. But it's the fairy tales that make this book stand out. By the end of the story, I wanted my own copy of Blue Skies and Stormy Seas. Library of Lost and Found is perfect for those who love family dramas, BritLit, and books-about-books.

The characters in this book are so well formed. Martha feels like someone I know. At times I was so exacerbated by her that I wanted to shake her, but I'm glad I went on this journey of self-discovery with her.

This was a quick read. I enjoyed tbe characters and the fact that it has to do with libraries. I highly recommend this book to any book lover.

If you enjoyed The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, you'll love The Library of Lost and Found. Such a fun, sweet read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.