4.5/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. I have never read any other books from this author. I own Before We Were Yours, but I haven’t read it quite yet. I will definitely pick it up soon after reading this book. I’ll admit that parts of it were slow, but stick with it because it definitely is worth it. I loved the alternating time lines, it worked really well for this story. Thanks to Netgalley for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lisa Wingate has brought readers another wonderful story based on true happenings from the past. What’s even better about this one is that readers will find themselves on an adventurous journey with three young women in search of missing family.

I must admit, I was more interested in the timeline from the past. These three young women find themselves traveling into the rugged state of Texas in post-civil war days, at times facing treacherous situations. Reading about Texas in those days was interesting to me, especially because my ancestors were in Texas some years before.

The present day timeline focused on a young teacher in a struggling school district in Louisiana. She is trying to find ways to interest her students in learning. When she hits upon an idea that will teach them their local and family history, the students become engaged and help come up with a way to present their stories that strikes a raw nerve with some of the people in the community.

What links the two timelines together is the Lost Friends ads that were published in the Southwestern Christian Advocate. Printed in Louisiana, from 1877-1929, the focus of the ads was to help people search for their loved ones that they became separated from during the years of slavery.

Because of these ads, people were able to preserve their family genealogy. Of course, the family secrets of many slave owners were outed through this process, which is what some folks in the community were not happy about.

I loved finding out about the Southwestern Christian Advocate because I had always wondered about those slaves that had their families torn apart. I know that not everyone was reunited, but at least some families had the opportunity to find one another. This is a very engaging story and I highly recommend it to readers who love history and historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

1875 Augustine, Louisiana: Hannibal grew up enslaved and cannot forget her mama and siblings along with where they were going when they were separated. She has been working as a sharecropper and has one year left to take ownership of the land when she ends up following her former master's daughters (half sisters - one is daughter of his mistress) on a quest to find him in Texas. Along the way they shelter in a hidden church where they find newspapers filled with letters that ask for help finding lost family members (former slaves). Hannie begins learning to read and write as she begins the Book of Lost Friends,.

1987 Augustine, Louisiana: Benny has taken a teaching position in a poor rural school as a way to eliminate her student loans. She rents a house that was formerly part of the plantation where Hannie was enslaved. Benny's students are unruly and without direction. As she works to inspire her students through researching local history, she runs into problems with the school board. Augustine is not ready to leave the past behind.

This book was inspiring. Learning about the letters that former enslaved people wrote in an effort to reunite with their families and reading the actual letters throughout the book was wonderful. Benny's story struck home as she worked with poor students and their families. I was happy to pick up this book in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. I'd rather read than sleep when it was this book waiting for me.

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

“The Book of Lost Friends” by Lisa Wingate

A phenomenal novel of historical fiction that interchanges from the post-Civil War South to several centuries later when a teacher discovers the stories of many from that era.

“The Book of Lost Friends,” is based on advertisements that were placed in Southern newspapers by free slaves looking for family members that many hadn’t seen in decades having been separated when sold to many different owners. Many individuals spent years looking for any connection to “their people,” some with success and many with no success.

In later years, the advertisements from these newspapers were entered into a database for genealogical use. Based upon these actual clippings, Lisa Wingate has written the story of three women who set out to find the owner of the Gossett Plantation to settle issues of inheritance which pertain to each woman in very different ways. Their journey takes them through many unsavory s d dangerous areas throughout the south and into Texas where they each learn much about themselves, each other, and how their past and present affect how they face the journey and how they return at the end of it.

In 1987, a woman is hired fresh out of school to teach students in Alabama. These students are the poor and are guided to basically graduate and get a trade job. No one is expecting them to succeed. But for several students, this one teacher has a different idea. Utilizing centuries old books and journals and other items she finds, she begins a search, with the help of her students, to uncover the histories of the many individuals that are buried in the graves in a nearby cemetery or who lived centuries ago within their families in order to bring their stories to life. What they come to find is not only history that includes many of her students ancestors, but also those of several members of the community, as well. As the search continues, they uncover “The Book of Lost Friends,” and so much more. What they learn is invaluable and life changing for almost everyone.

A stunning and thought provoking novel, which brings to life the past, the present and everything that lies between it. A novel that is eye opening in so many ways in regard to slavery, freedom, family dynamics, race relations, past and present history, genealogy, and so much more. A novel that makes clear how much has changed since the late 1800’s and yet how many of the same barries, expectations and issues still exist even in the 1980’s.

It is an honest and realistic portrayal of both time periods, the author brings all of characters to life via multiple storylines that often crisscross in ways unexpected, yet purposeful, bringing validity to the time periods and other aspects of the novel.

An authentic historical read with actual Lost Friends ads posted throughout the novel, to bring the true history of so many individuals to life. A book that will teach you much about history and the challenges faced then and now that are at times heartwarming and heartbreaking. Written with the care and respect the Lost Friends ads require, the author has brought forth a part of history many were unaware existed and how that one act of looking for lost family members was much more than just the Lost Friends ads.

Rating: 5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

I had a hard time liking this book, which surprised me as I had liked Before We Were Yours so well.
I do like dual time lines in stories, and that was one thing that kept me reading until the end. I enjoyed the 1987 story more than the 1875 one, which at times was boring to me
I thought the ending seemed rushed, and after reading the whole book, would’ve liked a bit more detail in the resolution.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved it! The Book of Lost Friends is another stunner from Lisa Wingate. While the events of this book are not based on one particular person, they are very indicative of the times, and provide a very compelling story. And I knew nothing about the ads for missing friends and family that were published after the Civil War, so that part was fascinating, if saddening. This is a dual timeline novel, alternating between 1875 and 1987 rural Louisiana. In 1875, Hannie, a former slave, and two of her former master's daughters wind up on a grueling and dangerous trek through Louisiana and Texas, all of them searching for family. Opening each chapter are actual ads of people searching for their missing family members with details of when and where they were sold, and who they belonged to. In 1987, Benny is a young teacher who moves to that same area of Louisiana to teach in an impoverished school for a program that will pay off her student loan debt. She soon sees that she needs to do something special to inspire her students to want to learn, not only general school subjects but to know their own history. The connection between the residents of 1875 and 1987 is very deftly written, and again, just a compelling story - and a reminder for us all of the power of family and family history. Many thanks to Random House/Ballantine Books for the e-arc. 4.5 stars!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review, and I can easily give one as I loved the book!.

In her distinctive voice, Lisa Wingate brings to life startling stories from actual "Lost Friends" advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold off.

Louisiana, 1875 In the tumultuous aftermath of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now-destitute plantation; Juneau Jane, her illegitimate free-born Creole half-sister; and Hannie, Lavinia's former slave. Each carries secrets as they head for Texas, following dangerous roads. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and eight siblings before slavery's end, the pilgrimage westward reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the seemingly limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.

Louisiana, 1987: For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to canceling her hefty student debt--until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town. Augustine, Louisiana, seems suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled live oaks and run-down plantation homes lies the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.

Lisa Wingate is a master at tying two histories into one as they merge at the end of the story.

This is my first Arc from NetGalley. I tried really hard to like The Book of Lost Friends but I just couldn't get into it. I found I was dreading that wording and finding the long descriptions of everything so hard to follow. I was about 40 percent in and just couldn't bring myself to finish it.

Another fascinating aspect of American history that was completely unknown (untaught?) to me. Dual timelines are used to contrast a current-era English teacher trying to reach students in a “throw-away” school, with three women from the past, connected to the plantation that anchors the area, and their post-Civil War ordeal.

Wingate does a marvelous job, once again, of creating characters to care for, in believable settings that are not overwrought with extraneous detail.

Well researched.

Lisa Wingate has delivered another great book. Well written plot with dual time lines that are woven together perfectly. You will love this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

Lisa Wingate has done it again, another wonderful book. This one is a tale to read slowly, schedule several hours with no interruptions, bring in a comfy chair, a nice comforter and just savor this little gem. I have read several of Ms. Wingate’s books and have loved all of them.
In this one, we’ve got a dual timeline story, switching between the 1880’s and 1987. I don’t really know how she does it, but she intertwines the past, the present, a little bit of tasty romance, a developing storyline in both timeframes with developed characters and just the best bit of humor that makes you just outright laugh. What a ride!!!
I can’t decide whom I enjoyed the most, Nathan, Hannie, Juneau Jane, Granny T, Bennie or Sarge. They all have a great story to tell. My only small con on this book was towards the ending, there was a whole lot of information that I had to re-read to try and make sure I understood who was who. But that was such a small inconvenience of an otherwise great memorable story.
The research on this one was done so well and it really brings to light the history of slavery. I highly recommend for all historical fiction readers.
I was so glad I was allowed an ARC from Random House Publishing Group from NetGalley for my honest unbiased review. Thank you!! This one gets high 5 stars!! Great gook.

I was really looking forward to this book as I loved Before We Were Yours. Unfortunately, this book just did not hold my interest. The first 60-70% dragged for me. The last part of the story just went to quick. It was hurried and just didn’t flow for me. I did keep with it hoping it would engage me, but it just didn’t. I can only give this 2.5 stars which I will round up to 3.
#TheBookofLostFriends #NetGalley

I am a huge fan of this author and this book did not disappoint. While it started slowly , I was glad I stood with it. I like books that navigate between time periods.
I recommend this book

Filled with rich historical plots, this story is slow to build while you invest in all of the characters. Told in alternating time lines the story picks up quickly. Fans of Lisa Wingate will enjoy this story. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful. You can’t help but cheer for the teacher and students working on this project of lost friends and family.

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate is a story told from alternating timelines between the 1870s and 1987. The story is slow to start and thus did not grab me initially, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Once the stories started weaving together and I could see how they link is when I kept reading and couldn't put the book down. I would rate this 3.5 out of 5 stars so rounded up to 4 stars.

Amazing story! I couldn’t put the book down. The author brought a little piece of history to life for me that I was not aware of.

I wanted to like this book. I was really interested to read and learn more by reading this book. But I started reading and I just couldn't make my way through the style of writing. I'm so sorry!

Wonderful book about learning from the past. A historical fiction that deals with slavery, a teacher trying to motivate students who seem to have lost interest, and the connection between the two. LIsa Wingate knows how to weave a beautiful tale, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!

The year is 1875. Hannie knows her people are free, but are so close to owning the land they worked as slaves. However, their master is sick and Hannie knows that his wife will burn the papers were he to pass. She must find them, and ends up on a journey with his daughter, and his illegitimate daughter to find the truth. In 1987, Benny is teaching at a poor rural school, and trying to get the kids excited about English. When she learns a bit about the local plantation and towns past, she has an idea that could really get the students invested.

So I have to start by saying this book completely drew me in from the get go, but around 60% it dragged a bit for me. Once I hit 75% though I was right back in the thick of it! Im not sure if I was just more invested in the other book I was reading at the time, but I think that might have been it. So if you get to that point and feel the same, keep going! This story was told in dual timelines, and I definitely found myself preferring the current day timeline, but the past was still fascinating. The synopsis for this one was so hard to write because there is so much happening in the story. I love the entire idea behind the book of lost friends, and that Wingate included some of the ones she found within the book. It was a horrible part of our history, but it was fascinating to learn more about it. As always, Wingate took a piece of history that many don’t know much about and shone a light on it, in a truly beautiful novel.

The story starts out in Louisiana in 1875 in the era of Reconstruction. Laconia the pampered heir to a destitute plantation, Hannie a freed slave, and Juneau Jane Lavinia's Creole half sister set out to find Levine's dad. The journey they go on is filled with danger but you will love the girls. Janine is looking for her list family and they start a book of list slaves hoping they can help others who have lost family. Moving from past to 1987 Benedetta is a teacher in a poor rural area where she and her students in Louisiana find out that without finding out your past how can you move on to the future. This is a very heart warming story that will stay with you along time.