I loved this book and not just because it has a library in it. The characters are so real. Definitely recommend it. I need yo read her other books.

Martha Storm grew up reading mostly encyclopedias at her father’s insistence, even though her mom and grandma would sneak and tell her the occasional fairy tale. Martha loved listening, reading, and writing her own fairy tales, but unfortunately her life has turned out to be the complete opposite of one. She’s always taking care of others and never does anything for her own enjoyment until she is mysteriously gifted a book of fairy tales that read suspiciously like ones from her childhood…

Soon Martha connects with Owen, the bookseller who sent her the fairy tales, and sets out on a journey to uncover some family secrets and find her love for creating stories once more. I enjoyed this story so much but found myself getting irritated with Martha at times for being such a doormat to others!

I love books about books. They are just so charming! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my copy of this book.

This was an interesting story – nothing earth shattering but a nice read. It took me awhile to warm up to Martha but she eventually grew on me and I was glad she started living for herself and not for others. But my favorite characters were Suki and Owen. Suki continually made me laugh and added a lot of comic relief for me and Owen was just quirky enough to be endearing. 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

☕️ I absolutely loved this book!!! Whimsical , heartwarming, and full of charm- plus, who doesn’t love a book about books?

📚

This tells the story of Martha Storm, self-proclaimed “guardian of books”, who spends her days working at the library and lives a quiet, unassuming life- until a mysterious book of strange fairytales is left for her on the doorstep with an even more mysterious inscription written to her inside. As Martha goes on a journey to track down the book’s origin, she inadvertently unravels astonishing family secrets, solves a mystery from her past, and finally comes into her own in the process.
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This book was just what I needed, and was such a joy to read! I loved every single thing about it, but the strange, sad fairytales Martha had written as a child were actually my favorite part of all. I would love to have a book of those on my shelf in real life.... @phaedrapatrick can we make that fairytale book really happen, please?!🤞🏼
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I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Eleanor Oliphant or Fredrik Backman- that perfect mix of heart, character growth, and quirkiness makes for an unforgettable, touching read. I’m delighted to have discovered this author, and will definitely be adding all of Phaedra Patrick’s other books to my list!
☕️
Thanks so much to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks Park Row for providing this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review- all opinions are solely my own.

A book about a book...what’s not to love?!

There’s so much more to the Library of Lost and Found than the book Martha finds in her possession. It’s the beautiful story of Martha, a woman who is stuck in a rut. She gives all of herself to helping others, to the point that it’s taken over her life and she’s being taken advantage of. A book shows up on her doorstep, inscribed to her. But the inscription is from her beloved Nana who died years before the inscription is dated. This blast from the past is just the kick in the pants that Martha needed. As she starts to delve into the mystery of the book, she discovers not only shocking family secrets but begins to find herself again.

This was a delightful book with charming characters. The character development was excellent and I adored the quirky character of Martha. I was ‘Mama Bear’ protective over her as others took advantage of her kindness. This was an easy, hopeful book that had me enthralled from the beginning. For me, The Library of Lost and Found was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @harlequinbooks for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

The Library of Lost and Found
by Phaedra Patrick
Published: March 26, 2019 by Park Row
Dates Read: March 30 – April 5, 2019
Genre/Category: Humorous / Domestic Fiction
Read For: NetGalley Free Copy for Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars

Lifetime movies meets the introverted librarian and gains a 4 solid stars from me. Phaedra Patrick has written a tender and heartwarming novel with serious undertones that revolves around a library, books, and some amazing stories.
When a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep with a dedication written to her from her passed away grandmother, Martha Storm discovers a clue that her grandmother may still be alive. Determined to discover the truth, she reveals a secret that will change her life forever.
I had read a few reviews about this book and was looking forward to reading it because most people were calling it lighthearted and laugh out loud funny. I needed some sort of diversion from the serious books I have been reading lately but unfortunately this book did not check off those boxes for me. What I got was so much better. This novel was so amazingly written I actually had a HOLY CRAP moment half way through the book. I was so overcome with emotion at how brilliant a story about family dynamics and parental structure this was; I totally did not see any of it coming at all. Between the mother-in-law/husband/wife/daughter/sister/coworker and friend relationships that occur here, there’s enough psychological drama that definitely qualify for a Lifetime movie. There is a lot more lost and being found in this library than just books.
For anyone who exists in the world today, we all come with some sort of baggage, so it is easy to find some sort of personal connection to this story whether it is with Martha’s grandmother, her father and mother’s relationship, Martha’s relationship with her parents and her sister, how Martha’s handles her current personal environment, as well as the many other issues that occur that I won’t list. I mention this because I myself experienced some strong feelings as I was reading because the character development of Martha’s father hit home for me. I don’t think these feelings influenced my opinion at all but part of me feels that maybe by having them I was able to connect with this storyline just a little bit more. Martha is every person who has grown up with a sense of morality, regardless of her own wants and needs.

There’s a point before the end of the book that leaves you with this “please don’t end this way” feeling, and when you reach it, you’ll know what I mean. I mention this only because it brings an odd sense of satisfaction and disappointment all at once, like you don’t want it to end this way but if it does you’re ok with it. The storyline takes a unusual detour at this moment, but it is quite necessary for closure. The book ends with a nice wrap up, which truly was heartfelt. (I guess this is where the heartwarming feelings from the other reviewers come into play).
Overall I enjoyed this novel, I would definitely recommend it if asked, although I would not categorize it as a laugh out loud type of book, this definitely fits in the domestic fiction genre. It was well written and I found that I was interested in the characters and the plot and was vested in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and ParkRow for a Free Copy of this book for an honest and non biased review.

The Library of Lost and Found, though a gentle read, addresses some harsh subjects. Our heroine comes from a dysfunctional family and her road to wholeness and restored confidence is scattered with unfortunate memories and episodes. I really appreciate how Phaedra Patrick's characters are so layered and experience such growth throughout her books. The pacing of TLOLAF is quite even, the back and forth in time is handled smoothly and is easy to follow. As I said earlier, this is truly a gentle read, I would not hesitate to share it with family and friends. I will read more from Phaedra Patrick.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

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<p>As already mentioned, I love books about books. Let's be honest -- is there anything better than family drama combined with a literary mystery? From the very beginning, I found myself rooting for Martha. Hating the way people treated her, I wanted to step into the book and give her a hug. </p>
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<p>Similarly to Fixie from<a href="http://www.mariesjourney.com/book-reviews/i-owe-you-one-book-review/"> </a><em><a href="http://www.mariesjourney.com/book-reviews/i-owe-you-one-book-review/">I Owe You One</a>, </em>Martha has a hard time saying no. She lets people take advantage of her and measures her worth by the number of things she can do for other people. Quite depressing, isn't it? Thankfully, everything changes when she comes across a book supposedly written by her grandmother -- with the publication date three years after she passed away. </p>
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A delightful and thought-provoking book. I love books about books...and this story did not disappoint. The grandmother-granddaughter relationship reminded me of my own, wonderful grandmother. Such a wonderful, introspective story of a woman truly learning to stand up for herself.

More on www.amysbooketlist.blogspot.com

I don’t particularly like to mention other reviews in my own review, but in this book I feel I have to. When I went to create my review, I went onto Goodreads to get the book summary and was extremely surprised to find the average rating of this book at 3.72. How is this possible? I have to ask other reviewers, especially book lovers, what more can you want from a book?

The characters were simply wonderful. In the beginning, I found Martha a little difficult to connect with, but I honestly believe this was on purpose. Throughout the story, Martha finds herself and her voice. In the process, we find Martha. By the end of the book, I was so emotionally invested in her journey that I wanted so much for her.

Furthermore, sometimes it takes a certain person or people to truly see us and bring out the parts of ourselves that we have hidden. In Martha’s case, those parts were painfully and systematically obscured by an emotionally abusive father. But once she meets Owen and regains a relationship with her grandmother, she is able to see and explore her true self. She literally digs herself out of the emotional and physical tomb her father created and gets to know the woman she might have been without his influence.

The writing in this book was delightful. I found myself laughing out loud, in deep contemplative silence, and tearing up all in one reading session. And the wonderful short stories that the author expertly weaved throughout were astounding. I would love to just sit and analyze the symbolism of each story and the book as a whole. The fairy tales themselves showed such skill and brilliance that I want a real copy of them to add to my library.

This is a poignant book about books, but also about women finding and living their truths. Any book lover should fall in love with The Library of Lost and Found. Oh, and please take a minute and enjoy that freaking adorable cover. Doesn’t it just make you want to curl up and read?

* Special thanks to Phaedra Patrick, Park Row, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of The Library of Lost and Found in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the book! I loved the whole mystery behind Zelda. I never guessed the reason behind her "disappearing/dying" until it was revealed during that disastrous dinner party. I liked Martha more and more as the book went on and when she was finally able to say NO. People walked all over her and she would apologize. I hated that her father's voice kept her from enjoying cake. I had a hard time with Martha's family. It wasn't hard to see that Martha grew up in a household where her father was the supreme ruler and everything had to be his way. Lillian inherited those traits, but ends up trying to fix her mistakes. Suki was a great friend to Martha and I loved her word mix-ups. Owen was wonderful with his monogrammed red slippers and constant ink smudges. Suki and Owen were exactly what Martha needed. The family had so many secrets. Martha, Lillian and Zelda were finally able to be a family once the truth was revealed. I loved the recommendation Martha receives for her librarian application. I also enjoyed reading all the fairy tale stories.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As a self-proclaimed bibliophile, not only do I love books, but I also really enjoy books about books. The Library of Lost and Found tells the story of Martha, an introverted librarian who has always had an easier time connecting with books than with people. Even though I am not a librarian, I often found myself relating to Martha's character. I thought the story took an interesting turn when Martha makes it her personal mission to find out what happened to her grandmother. This was a cute, light read that I would recommend to anyone who loves books about books. It was quaint, touching, and enjoyable. Martha's character reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant, and her story resonated with me. The story was predictable at times, but that did not stop me from enjoying it. I give this one 3.5 (rounded up to 4) stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy for review.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com, the author and the publisher HARLEQUIN – Park Row. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.

The Library of Lost and Found is a delightfully written novel. It hits all the right emotional notes without becoming overly dramatic or maudlin. A woman who thinks of herself just as a helping hand to everyone around her, after caring for her ill parents who pass away, discovers a family secret. Hilarity and heartbreak ensues.

Touching on issues of emotional abuse without becoming the subject matter, there are moments of backstory told from the perspective of the main character's mother, a woman struggling to balance her controlling husband and her free-spirited mother while raising her daughters. The main character herself has made decisions throughout her adult life trying to please her father, and hears his voice in her head when she wants to do something he wouldn't like.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

The Library of Lost and Found is the latest novel by Phaedra Patrick. Martha Storm is a library assistant in Sandshift. She lives a quiet life since her parents passed away. Martha spends her time helping others and she keeps careful track of the status of her favors in her small Wonder Woman notebook. Martha is heading to the library for an author signing event when she notices a shadowy figure leaving a package. The brown paper wrapped parcel has Martha’s name on it. Inside she finds a battered book of fairy tales with a dedication written to her by her grandmother, Zelda Sanderson who passed away in 1983. The inscription is dated 1985. How could her grandmother have written this message in 1985 if she died in 1983? Zelda was Martha’s favorite person growing up and her life changed when she was no longer around. Martha wants to learn the truth and starts searching for answers. Martha has started down a path that will change her life forever. Once you start looking into your family’s past, you are bound to uncovers secrets. Is Martha prepared for what she unearths?

The Library of Lost and Found is not what I expected from the book description. Martha Storm is a woman in her 40s (we are not given her exact age) who cannot say no. It seems that all the locals take advantage of Martha by unloading various tasks they do not wish to do on her (fixing papier mache dragon head for school, cleaning chandeliers, doing Nora’s endless bags of laundry because her machine is broken, storing items, fish sitting, hemming her nephew’s pants) for which she gets nothing in return (rarely even a thank you). It does not help that Martha feels unworthy thanks to her father and his controlling nature. The story also takes us back to Betty Storm, Martha’s mother, and her life with Thomas Storm. We see how Zelda affected their lives and finally what happened to Zelda. The special book left for Martha is what prompts change in Martha’s life. We follow Martha’s journey for the truth. While others may see The Library of Lost and Found as a feel good story, I found it depressing. The author is a verbose descriptive writer (i.e.—long winded and detailed) which leads to a slow paced story. There is a slight uptick in the pace towards the end of the book. I thought it was a predictable story, and I wanted something more. Two phrases I liked from the book are “I take each page and chapter as they come” which is from Zelda and the other is “You should always make time for books” (very true) from Owen. Owen wore a shirt that had “Booksellers—great between the sheets” on the front (makes me smile). For readers who like to read women’s lit, you will find this story appealing. The Story of Lost and Found is about letting go of the past so you can move forward towards a brighter future.

Sweet beach read - a middle age woman finally learns to live, rather than being somewhat frozen in the past. Despite the blurbage, there's nothing here that's really that surprising about the family secrets.

eARC provided by publisher.

I truly enjoyed reading this book even though I was guessing correctly all along at what was coming next. Some of the characters themselves weren't very likeable but I enjoyed the way they were written. I also like the underlying message of taking a chance and not letting the past define who you are as a person. Slow moving at times but overall a very enjoyable read!

This was a sweet story, and if it was a little predictable, it was no less enjoyable for that. There were times when I wanted to grab poor Martha and shake her very hard, to get her out of her wallowing woe-is-me mentality - and then times when I couldn't believe how kind and sweet she was, despite everything. There were times when Zelda's antics made me laugh right out loud - and others where she seemed selfish and self righteous and I wanted to give HER a good shake. And there were lots of poignant and touching and difficult and exasperating moments in between, which I occasionally found exhausting to read, but which wrapped up nicely in the end as I knew they would.

It was a sweet story overall and a relatively quick read, and my only regret is that we didn't get enough Siegfried OR Owen OR Gina to make any of them into the fully developed characters they could have been with a little more time and attention. They mostly served as plot advancers, which is a shame because they were some of the loveliest characters in the book despite their only appearing on the sidelines...

I read the Library of Lost things hoping to find a sweet story. Although I liked the main character and the concept of the book. I wasn't thrilled with the ending. The characters are quirky and the small town is nice, but the idea of some of the "things" that are found was off putting to me. Not my cup of tea.

Thanks to #NetGalley #HarlequinBooks for a free e copy of #TheLibraryofLostandFound by #phaedrapatrick in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Martha Storm volunteers at the library, and she spends much of her free time selflessly helping others. In fact, she keeps meticulous lists of her projects in a Wonder Woman themed notebook (which we might call a bullet journal). Even though many people depend on her to help them out with small projects, Martha doesn’t have many friends and feels “invisible.” Her routine at the library and hours of service to others take a dramatic turn when a mysterious book arrives for her and Martha is determined to solve a family mystery that surrounds the book.

Any time a book is described as a book about books, count me in! The library is one of the many settings in the story, the book club members are colorful characters, and the mysterious book of fairy tales that Martha receives is a predominant theme/mystery in the story. Some of Martha’s back story is revealed through the fairy tales in the mysterious book.

If a book about books is appealing to me, so are quirky characters. Martha Storm is now in my collection of memorable quirky characters who bravely confront circumstances and make changes to live their best lives.

The fairy tales in the mysterious book are metaphorical, and I feel like the entire story could be a metaphor for life. Without giving a spoiler, it especially struck me that Martha’s entire experience in the water can be seen as a metaphor for depression and hopelessness…..or hitting bottom…..and then the healing process follows as she receives TLC from a friend, gains strength, and finds reasons to hope in the future.

In this engaging, heartwarming, and charming story, the writing is honest, gentle, and uplifting. I feel that one of the author’s purposes in writing is to show how people from emotionally abusive childhoods and who have lost themselves in service to others, can find themselves again and create meaningful and hopeful futures. Although Phaedra Patrick creates believable and well drawn characters and the settings are filled with vivid details, sometimes the transitions between events could have been smoother.

Important themes include gaining confidence, finding your voice, friendship, family secrets, sibling relationships, importance of grandmothers, selflessness and care taking, trust, controlling husbands/fathers, and taking risks.

I recommend The Library of Lost and Found for fans of books about books, for readers who love quirky characters, for those who love metaphor, and for readers looking for a nice change of pace in their reading material. This would make an excellent book club selection for its discussion possibilities.

Review posted on blog 4/5/19

I always feel kind of bad when I write a review for a book I didn't like, but I have to give an honest review. This book started soooo slow for me. I almost gave up, but then towards the middle it picked up enough that I became interested in where the story was going. But then the last part because a slog again and I just powered through in order to finish. If you pick this up, like I did, because you expect a story about libraries and books, you'll be disappointed. This is a story that's been told several times in different ways and I just didn't like this one. The only parts I enjoyed were the stories that Martha had written as a child, but it wasn't enough for me to really care about the characters. Some books just aren't the right books for certain people, and I think this was just not the right book for me.

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *