The Library of Lost Things is a very sweet story. It features a slowburn romance, a heroine who must learn to understand herself, a fantastic friendship, and a complicated family shadowed by mental illness. I liked the characters a lot. They were intriguing, funny, and easy to get attached to. 

It was a little slow for my taste, but still a really good story. If you've been around awhile, you know that slow stories are my downfall. Even though it was work for me to go through it, I definitely felt it was worth it because the story itself was so enjoyable. Lovers of slowburn stories will definitely love this book.

I adored Darcy Wells and her story. I've never read a book that dealt with some of the issues in this one. It was very well constructed and felt true to life. The relationships were well done. I loved her friendship with Marisol, the developments with Asher, and the struggles in her family. It was a beautiful book with hard moments and sweet moments all rolled together. I'm so glad I got the chance to read this one.

Friendship, family, coming of age, first love, hoarding... Darcy has always done her best to remain invisible. Her life is only visible to her best friend Marisol. Darcy channels her response to life through the voices of her favorite book characters. Books are her anchor in a life overshadowed by her mom's hoarding. When Darcy's grandmother - who has always been supportive, offers Darcy an untenable choice, Darcy must evaluate her choices in order to survive financially until she's 18. At work Darcy meets Asher from the renovations across the street. He has his own set of struggles, as well as a girlfriend. Will Darcy be able to trust Asher enough to open her life to him?

Author Laura Taylor Namey handles hoarding and its impact on family members with sensitivity. With an interesting cast of characters and enough twists and turns in the plot, The Library of Lost Things is a highly enjoyable novel that I will be recommending often.

A good story about the common and difficult subject of hoarding. Told from the view point of the daughter of a hoarder who lives in the chaos of her mother’s addiction to shopping.

Loved the lyricism of this book. The words wrap you and hold you close to this beautiful tale. Darcy’s story was touching and heartbreaking. Loved Marisol and desperately want a whole book about her.

received an electronic ARC from Harlequin Teen through NetGalley.
Namey brings a different perspective to teenage romance. She offers a main character that escapes her life through books and lives through various characters. The unusual part is that her mom is a hoarder and Darcy hides this from almost everyone. She makes up stories to keep people from even seeing inside her apartment and is certainly functions as a fellow adult in the relationship with her mom. This book paints a realistic picture of family life when one or more members suffer from illness - mental or physical. Children establish coping methods and build on those until they break or seek help and healing themselves.
The romance portion is covered throughout the book but is only one of the focus points. The young man in Darcy's life is damaged in his own way as he recovers from a serious car accident that shattered his life plans.
Both take time to discover who they really are before moving on together. Refreshing approach often not seen in this genre.
The sidekick character, Marisol, is a terrific foil and balance for the main female character. She encourages Darcy and brings her into a functioning family dynamic.
The beginning part of the book moved slowly but once the various characters and plot aspects were introduced, it flowed well. I should have figured out who wrote the novel within the Peter Pan novel but that was a twist toward the end for me. A bit coincidental but a needed mechanism for healing to move forward for all three generations of women in Darcy's life.

The Library of Lost Things sounded like your normal contemporary novel. But once I really started reading it I found that it was so much more. This is one of those titles that is full of the feels and it hits you right in the heart. The story opened with us learning a little about Darcy and her situation with her mom. The author did a great job creating this world of hoarding as well as the character of Darcy and her mom. So may YA titles make the parents there but not and although this one did that sort of, Darcy's mom was there in some respect.

Darcy was such a great character and I have to say that she was way stronger and nicer than I would have been, with her mom's hoarding. I think I most likely would have given up on my mom ages before that and moved in with my grams or something. I am not a clean freak but I do like things being put away. And this goat tunnel system was just insane. I almost wished this would have had pictures or artwork throughout the story just so you could picture it even more.

Side characters in this one were amazing!! Marisol was my spirit animal for anything dealing with clothes and I really need a book about her!!! I want to know what happens in her life past this title!! Then there is Asher, towards the end of the title he reminded me of a Middle Ages woman who was tired of dating and just wanted to settle down. I thought it was so funny that I thought of him this way. But that is just how he made me feel. I loved his character as well and his issues and he was just so grounded.

The writing in this title was phenomenal!! It flowed so well and it just drew you into the story in the best possible way. You just can't put it down because you're just so invested in what is going to happen next. This book is just full of love for authors and books and the only issue I had with it was that hate for ebooks. This debate has been going on forever and I know it won't stop but print books and ebooks are both amazing.

Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who loves books and bookish things. As well as those who want a story about a girl just trying to not be invisible anymore.

How can a teenager deal with the abandonment of one parent, another parent who has lost control, and trying to figure out how to navigate life as a teenager growing up? These are some of the questions being explored in Laura Taylor Namey’s The Library of Lost Things. On paper this book seems like it might have too much going on: the loss of a parent, another parent is a hoarder, they might lose their home, high school graduation, first love, being an avid reader with a nearly photographic memory, a teenager with post-concussion syndrome…That is a lot to fit into one book, but the elements seem to balance and you feel yourself rooting for Darcy, the main protagonist, as she tries to figure out who she is and where she belongs. This might be slightly too young for adult readers, but we can all remember the challenges of growing up, even if our challenges were not exactly the same as Darcy’s.

As three stars implies, I liked this book. It wasn't sensational for me in that it felt a bit too long and too self-important. Darcy Wells is a likable character, and I empathized with her struggle to manage what little was left of her relationship with her hoarder mother. In fact, I found most of the characters to be well developed, with their own inner lives and complications. My biggest snag was the 'climax', or the 'all is lost' moment, when Darcy's secret-keeping bites her in the ass with her friend. It felt so contrived, and I always have trouble with drama that is completely illogical or conjured up as a result of misunderstanding. Overall, though, I'd say the book just felt a bit flat to me. Readers who enjoy YA with depth will likely enjoy this book, but it lacks the cleverness or stakes that might elevate it to 'must read' status.

Most teens will enjoy this romance with a look into serious family and personal issues. If you like hopeful , wrapped up endings this is a good choice. If you prefer dark and gritty out looks take a pass. Left me satisfied.

4/5 Stars

Author: Laura Taylor Namey

Publisher/Imprint: Inkyard Press

Edition: e-ARC, 345 Digital Pages

Hardcover Publication Date: October 08, 2019

A Spine that Shines? Quite Well!

*This review is based on the e-ARC edition provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All quotes used in this review come from the uncorrected proof. These are my honest opinions. Thank you.*

"‘Holding a real book is like holding something alive. There’s the grit of the pages between your fingers as you turn them. The edges get soft and worn. With a real book, you feel the weight of the story more.’"
-Darcy Wells, The Library of Lost Things

Initial Thoughts:

Yesterday evening, I finished reading The Library of Lost Things. It is such an adorable contemporary romance! If you are a fan of books that are about books, bookstores, or libraries, this novel would be a delightful read for you!

Here are a few initial thoughts I’d like to point out:

This novel will definitely resonate with those of us who love to read and collect books.
You will find tons of references to literary classics. There’s plenty of Shakespeare and even Peter Pan!
You’ll find that some super cute bookish-themed gifts are exchanged among characters!
There is also a hint of mystery; Darcy finds a used novel with tons of scribbling inside written by a mystery writer.
I liked the main theme. It is important to be honest with yourself and be the “real you,” rather than live a make-believe fairy tale story.
Realistic family issues aren’t magically “fixed.” There is the recognition that certain issues will require time and effort to reach a solution.
Laura Taylor Namey creates a great bunch of characters and realistic teen dialogue.

"My friend had kissed a fair number of guys; I’d heard about all of them. I’d also kissed dozens of guys – on paper. I’d fallen hopelessly in love, too – in books – with strong, flawed heroes."
-Darcy Wells, The Library of Lost Things

Characters & Romance:

The author has created a wonderful cast of characters for this novel! I’ll just go over a few.

I really liked Darcy Wells, the main character. She is super into books and has the ability to remember almost every word or story she reads! (That ability would be awesome, wouldn’t it?) When faced with a challenge she doesn’t know how to overcome, she turns to fictional characters for guidance. When she gets scared or nervous, she clutches books for comfort. Naturally, she works part time at a bookstore while finishing up her high school studies. Darcy’s life suddenly becomes way more exciting when Asher Fleet starts frequenting the bookstore where she works. Sometimes, she is afraid to admit things aloud, because: “Saying it makes it real.”
Darcy’s mother, Andrea Wells, has a serious hoarding problem. She hoards everything she can get her hands on – even things like pet food (even though they don’t own a pet). I had difficulty connecting with Andrea for most of the story. She seems distant and a bit detached from those around her. But towards the end, I began to understand her better after her big revelation to Darcy.
Marisol Robles is Darcy’s best friend. Marisol is half Cuban and half Mexican. She has a very unique personality of her own. She loves gum and fashion (and genuine Mexican food)! Her mother is a wonderful cook! Those food descriptions are mouth-watering.
Asher Fleet, Darcy’s love-interest. He has a pilot’s license and enjoys speed-reading! He is dealing with a challenge of his own. I liked how he is (mostly) patient and willing to give Darcy space and time to get to know him better.
A few romantic moments here and there feel slightly cliche, but they don’t detract from the story too much.
The romance in this novel does fall into a common trope category; a girl falls for a guy who is in a current relationship with someone else. I often have mixed feelings about this trope and find it a little annoying. But overall, I think it turns out okay in this novel, and I was satisfied with the ending.

"He was the home for all my words, even the ones I hadn’t defined yet. He was the home for all my stories, even the ones I hadn’t imagined."
-Darcy Wells, The Library of Lost Things

Final Thoughts:

Aside from the minor quibbles I mentioned above, I don’t have much else to say about this novel. I suppose I did find one aspect of the writing style a little jarring sometimes. There are several moments in which sentence phrases or fragments are inserted as if they’re full sentences. Here are some examples: “One step back, horrified hands over my heart,” or, “Her big, round eyes on mine.” For some reason, phrases like these jarred me out of the scene. In my personal opinion, these fragments would’ve flowed more smoothly if phrased: “She took one step back,” etc.

Overall, I found The Library of Lost Things to be a cute, contemporary romance! If it sounds like your cup of tea, I’d recommend checking it out when it releases on October 08th (only two weeks away)! Happy reading :)

I enjoyed this book because it shines a light on post-concussion syndrome, and the way it can affect those who suffer from it. While not the main focus of the novel, it does affect the plot significantly. It also shows how hoarding can impact the lives of those who must live with the hoarder. This was both a cute, enjoyable romance and a novel that helps readers learn about serious mental health problems - and it serves both purposes admirably.

I usually try to review a finished book before moving onto a new book, but these days it's easier to move on to another book than it is to sit down and type up a review. So The Library of Lost Things isn't as fresh in my mind as I'd like.

I picked up The Library of Lost Things because of the hoarding aspect. I can't say that I've ever read a book that dealt with this subject in any form. So the uniqueness really brought me in. Husband isn't a hoarder, but he certainly attaches sentiment to objects whereas I'm much less sentimental with material things. And Laura Taylor Namey really took on the topic well I thought. Of course, we weren't seeing the hoarding from Darcy's mother's perspective but from Darcy's.

While I liked Darcy and I liked Asher, I did feel like the romance between the two was missing something. It was a slow build for sure, which I usually like, but I wish there would have been a bit more heat or passion I guess. I don't know. Something hard to put my finger on was missing.

Initially I was annoyed with Darcy's "word of the day". This is a little overused in YA books where characters are prepping for the SATs. But this wasn't the deal at all and was worked into the overall story much better than I've ever seen it before.

For a debut, I thought Laura Taylor Namey showed a lot of promise. She wrote with a purpose. Her words chosen specifically and often poetically. It wasn't lyrical like I've seen from Lauren Oliver, Maggie Stiefvater, or Tahereh Mafi. But her words had multiple meanings at times which I can certainly appreciate. I will look out for future books from her, but I also hope to see some continued polish with pacing, the romantic relationship, and a few other areas.

The one area and character that never disappointed was best friend Marisol. The easiest choice for the best best friend of the year so far. Everything about her was wonderful. She was supportive. She never battled Darcy for center-stage. She was amazing. I loved her. I wish I had my own Marisol.

Favorite quote:
-"Don't you know? You've got me, Wells."

I want to talk more about the cause of the hoarding and how Darcy handled her relationship with her mother, but I feel like most of that is spoiler-area. I will say that some of the ultimate conflict didn't have the "oomph" that I was looking for.

The Library of Lost Things was a solid debut for author Laura Taylor Namey. It wasn't perfect. I wanted a little bit more passion from the romance and felt ultimately the build up behind the hoarding wasn't quite what I wanted it to be. Yet, I loved the side relationships. Marisol, in particular, was awesome. I'll be looking out for more from this author. The Library of Lost Things gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Library of Lost Things? What did you think? Let me know!

I really liked the concept of this book, the mother's hoarding added something new and interesting to this coming of age story. The characters and setting were well done, it was a quick & enjoyable read.

This was a bit trigger-worthy for me. The protagonist's home, with the stacks of horded materials was just hard to read. It felt really claustrophobic. Often her decisions didn't make sense, and I wanted to scream at the book. But a person in her place would likely make unreasonable choices so it worked really well. This book made me uncomfortable, which is a sign of it's worth.

I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a charming story! Laura Taylor Namey really just brought this story to life. TLoLT is absolutely full of self realization and emotions. The contrast between Darcy and her best friend Marisol was one of my favorite parts of this book. Darcy’s lack of honesty and Marisol’s brutal truth was refreshing.

Some parts of this book is predictable but the quality of Namey’s writing surely makes up for it. The pace of the story is great and made it easy to read. Namey is incredibly poetic in how she envelopes you into her world.

This story is a great way to remember that no matter your circumstances you don't have to become your parents. Pick this book up, read it, them immediately read it again.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute story, good for book lovers. I had a little trouble getting into it at first, mainly because Darcy, our main character, can be quite dramatic inside her head (admittedly she does have quite a lot to contend with in her life), and there was one sided insta love for apparently no reason.
However, the sometimes lyrical writing and a few of the other characters (her best friend, and the love interest) kept me going, and I left the book glad I'd finished. I loved that Peter Pan played a huge part in the plot (one of my absolute favourite books), and that there was a quirky bookshop with an even quirkier owner.
This was a fun read with some darker undertones. Be ready for some Shakespeare, lots of literary content, some hoarding, and a great friendship.

Darcy has a horrible secret: her mother is a hoarder. The two of them live in an apartment that is shamefully overloaded, and although her mother works Darcy and her grandmother must provide income to keep them afloat. And above all, no one else except Darcy's best friend Marisol can know what bad shape the mom and the apartment are in. Darcy has always found comfort in words and her job at a book store, and has a reputation for her perfect memory of whatever she reads. However, her stress increases when a new property manager takes over and wants to check the apartment, and then Darcy makes friends with Asher, a boy with secrets of his own who wants to know and understand all aspects of Darcy. As readers might expect, Darcy achieves new understandings of herself through her relationships others. Although at times the emotional descriptions seem overdone, this is an unusual topic presented through characters we care about.

It's a book about books and I LOVED IT! This was such a charming and sweet book!

I honestly adored every second of this sweet, light and cozy contemporary. It had so many elements that I love in books. A book that involves other books, the reading of books, and a girl who shares her love for reading. It had the perfect amount of romance, humor and even heavier topics such as mental health and physical injuries.

Darcy was so enjoyable to read about. I wish I could be her best friend.

Overall I absolutely enjoyed this and would recommend it to everyone! :)

The Library of Lost Things revolves around a family of lying liars who lie!

We have Darcy's mother lying to herself and her family on why she is a compulsive hoarder

Then there is Darcy who lies to everyone regarding reasons for why they cannot come to her home, lies to her mother about her side hustle on ebay, and lies to the landlord but we don't really care about that one.

We cannot leave out Darcy's grandmother who kept secrets from her regarding her absentee father and what her mom did when she was just a baby.

Secrets and lies are not lost in this one! However, flaws are life reality and the journey these women take to finally just coming out with it is a hard and emotional one. To note I do not condone lying I believe in open honesty. The characters in this book created snowballs that could have been avoided with some solid communication and possible therapy.

Marisol, Darcy's best friend and birthday buddy, is our non liar. She is so raw and wonderful. She doesn't let Darcy fall back on the things she must do in regards to her family and potential love life.

Asher is a too good to be true love interest but his flawed self just meshed so well with Darcy's life mess.

This book is a journey of emotions and self realization. It was a quick read. I wish I had Darcy's skills of basically memorizing books.

During the reading process I was wondering where the title for this book came from but by the end I realized the lost things must be the people themselves!

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. You made my place ride enjoyable!