I was intrigued for about the first two-thirds of the book, and I just knew this was going to be a fun, finding-herself sort of tale for Martha. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the sense of place she created, and I often like novels that go back and forth with the time lines, so that element was enjoyable too. But when I learned the Big Secret About Grandma, I just didn’t buy it at all. I think writers today are perhaps well intentioned, but when they try to impose modern-day sensibilities on past eras, that just doesn’t have the ring of truth to me, and this time, it ultimately made the book fall flat.

Thank you to Harlequin Books for my digital copy of this book!
I had a hard time getting into this book at first. Once I did though I was enchanted with Martha. I was able to see so much of myself in her. She was a lovely character. I ended up loving this book.

I loved this book. The main character was fun to watch as she grew and found her backbone as the book progressed. Martha was smart and fun to read with. I loved her nana and all the relationships within the book. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family!

The Library of Lost and found was an enchanting exploration of family secrets and self concept. Quirky characters and lovely magical tales to describe real life. Thank you NetGalley for the e-reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I am always drawn to a book about books! The cherry on top of that for this book is that the middle-aged main character works at her local library as well. The author does a brilliant job at the beginning of the book showing, not telling, of Martha's fussy and pedantic yet selflessly giving nature. Martha lives on her own but fills her time doing thankless tasks for family and neighbors, like fixing her nephew's trousers and repairing a paper mache dragon. Her insular world is broken apart when she receives a book left at the library’s door that was inscribed by her beloved grandmother who died when Martha was young. This opens up a whole new world for Martha as she tries to puzzle out the mystery of how her grandmother could have inscribed a note to her in the book months after the elder lady supposedly died.

This is the first time that I have read this author, and I was delighted by her in-depth characterization in this book. Martha at the beginning could very well have been a pitiable martyr, but the author managed to make her real in such a way that didn't allow for such a simple take. The book does meander a bit, but I have found that to be quite often the case for certain British writers that I’ve read (and enjoyed, like the delightful cozy mystery writer V. S. Vale). While some may find this annoying, this author pursues this path deftly, in part because of the very excellent characterization of not only Martha but the secondary characters she meets along her path but also because of the depth of the backstory and its secrets that are slowly revealed. I quite enjoyed Martha's transformation over the course of this book. A wonderful read.

This book was ok, I didn't really connect with any of the characters. It was a quick read. The author can write that is for sure. I am not sure if I just read this at the wrong time or what. It just seemed kind of forgettable for me. I really don't remember a whole lot of it. Aside from the fact that Martha's sister was a character I didn't like... lol

A cute book but I think it needs a different title. This book is really about a women discovering herself and living her life rather than hiding behind doing things for others. Along the way she discovers things about her family that were hidden from her and reunites with the favorite grandmother that she had not seen in 30 years.

Wasn't what I expected it to be. I work in a library so any thing library usually works for me, but meh, took have left his one. It's not that it's poorly written, it isn't! It's just not a story for me. I am sure others will find it an enjoyable read. Maybe as a summer read.

While Patrick's other books have been nice gentle reads for me, this one (ironically the one on one of my favorite subjects - a librarian!) was just too saccharine for me. Martha just struck me as a bit pathetic while her grandmother Zelda struck me as so self-absorbed she was cold. Even her goal to share stories with the world seemed to be more of a self-aggrandizing task rather than a humanitarian one. I really struggled with this book, which should have been simply some feel-good fluff.

The Library of the Lost and Found

by Phaedra Patrick

The Library of Lost and Found is Martha’s story woven by author Phaedra Patrick into a tapestry of several generations of women trying to survive, to see their way through. The background is emotional abuse and family secrets. Martha devotes her life to caring for her aging parents, Betty and Thomas, and later trying to please her contacts at the library where she volunteers. Because Martha does not value her own contributions, no one else appreciates her. As a child, Martha is imaginative and creative and her flamboyant nana, Zelda, encourages her to be a storyteller. Unfortunately Martha’s inventiveness is in direct conflict with the wishes of her overbearing father.

The basic plot line-up to this point in the story appears fairly straight forward, but much more conflict brews beneath the surface. There are past romantic entanglements that affect Martha and her sister Lilian. Zelda disappears from Martha’s life and is proclaimed dead. The past and its secrets affect the present and the future.

One of the fun characters is Suki, a young, single, pregnant co-worker with a tendency to misuse words. For example, speaking of her baby’s father she says “He says he can’t make up his mind between us. I’ll have to give him a culmination.” “Do you mean an ultimatum?” She may not always use words correctly, but she believes in Martha and ends up being an encourager for her as Martha takes steps to find her independence.

There are lots of surprises along the way as figurative skeletons in the closet are revealed and as Martha finds herself again. The Library of Lost and Found is appealing to book lovers as books, libraries, bookstores, writing and reading all play important roles. Its appeal spreads wider though as it addresses universal issues of power and control, love, whimsy, family, and self-worth, and their emotional impact.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Harlequin (Park Row) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: General Fiction (Adult)

Publication: March 26, 2019—Harlequin (Park Row)

Memorable Lines:

She often felt like there was an electrical storm around him, and she could sense it crackling now, between him and Zelda.

She didn’t usually feel jealous, but as she watched her mother and daughter, it crept over her now like winter frost across a window.

“Why does something have to last forever to be classed as successful? Surely it’s okay to give things a try.”

Quirky characters, books and family secrets. A delightful read full of charm.

This book landed somewhere between The Bookshop on the Corner and The Thirteenth Tale for me. It was a beautiful mix of charming, character-driven narrative and a family saga. Martha Storm is a character you cheer for in a story that keeps you turning the pages. Add in the quaintness of a small-town library and it makes for an even more enjoyable.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! I appreciate the kindness. <3

The Library of Lost and Found sounded like it would be exactly my kind of book. However, this one fell a bit flat for me. It was cute and I found it to be a relatively quick read but it lacked that extra spark.

I enjoyed meeting all of the different quirky characters. They felt a bit over the top sometimes but that somehow added to the book’s charm. Martha, the main character, was my favorite. I enjoyed watching as she changed throughout the story. That being said, some of her choices near the end didn’t really make sense to me.

The Library Of Lost and Found was very oriented around family drama and how each family member constructs their own version of history. It was interesting to see how the stories clashed and to see the truth slowly spill out. But there just wasn’t enough tension or intrigue to really draw me in.

Overall, The Library Of Lost and Found didn’t quite work for me. While it was interesting at times, I wasn’t able to connect to the story and the characters weren’t quite good enough to make up for that.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Volunteer Librarian Martha Storm has lived a pretty solitary life since her parents passed. For years she has devoted herself to their care and the doing for others. Martha loves the rewarding feeling of a job well done, but has found herself frustrated by a boss that will not pay her to do the job she's been doing for years and "friends" that continue to rely of her good nature. When a book arrives for Martha at the library, her orderly world is sent into a tailspin. The book is inscribed to her by her grandmother Zelda... two years after she died.
Phaedra Patrick has written an easy to read cozy, mystery that will give the reader hours of enjoyment. The creative storyline with flashbacks will hold the reader's interest. However, at times, the clues laid make the twists a little too predictable. This is a nice light read.

What a wonderful example of a character that just makes the book! The character of Martha was so captivating and relatable she felt like a real person. Reading about her and seeing things through her eyes is what kept me turning the pages. You'll feel like crying and laughing along side her as she sets on her journey to find Grandma Zelda I was cheering her on so much I just wanted her to find the happy ending she deserved a timeless endering character that will make you fall in love with her story

“You should always make time for books”

I'm glad I made time for this book (and thanks to netgalley for the review copy)! The Library of Lost and Found shows such a love of stories and books, so I knew that I would enjoy it. The main character is Martha, who has given up her life caring for others, and who never even considers her own needs. When she is given a mysterious book that contains stories from her childhood, she goes on a search for the author. Some of the story takes place in the past, and we see Martha as a child, along with her parents and family. I especially loved the resolution of this story - it had a lot of good things to say.

This started out very charming, then turned into something much more than what I expected. The book grew on me and now wish there was more to the story.

There were many turns that I did not expect and I loved the character growth here. It did take me a while to realize how old Martha is in the story, as at first her actions seemed to be of someone at a younger age. But this book shows you are never too old to change, never to old to become a better version of yourself.

Martha Wood is a perpetual volunteer. She has an inability to say no and therefore doesn't get paid to take on the worst jobs at the library, watching her sister's kids, even washing laundry for one of her library patrons. Her life stopped when her parents needed her and she's been put upon ever since. But at a low point (she spent all day making cookies for a library event that was cancelled, though no one told her), she discovers a book that has been left on the library doorstep. But this isn't just any book, it's one inscribed to her from her long-dead grandmother. One that is dated two years after her grandmother supposedly died. Finding out more about the book threatens to shake up Martha's life and to reshape her past when long-hidden secrets are revealed.
This was a fine book and fairly easy read though it did drag some for me. The best part was Martha's character arc, moving from being put-upon and unable to get out of her rut to making decisions for herself (with a little help from her friends.)

Three and a half stars
This book came out March 26th
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This book had me at:

Library! What book lover doesn't like a book about books and libraries?

Mystery.. mixed in with a little magic.

Feeling like a caretaker/feeling invisible: many women feel this way, whether from being a wife/mother, or being a caretaker, or just getting older.

There was so much to relate to in this sweet book and so much to enjoy!

Thank you for the opportunity to read a galley version of The Library of Lost and Found.

I think I went into this book with too high of an expectation and the book couldn't live up to that expectation. It was very mediocre. I wanted to love it or really like it but it was just okay, if that. I felt like it was too predictable and therefore too long considering there was no big "ending" to come.

#TheLibraryOfLostAndFound #NetGalley