Since I am new to this author, I had no expectations of style, depth, characterization, or grace. I found them all, in abundance. Why did I request the ARC from NetGalley? Because I am a total sucker for fiction about books, book stores, and book sellers. I was not disappointed.

Remember The Little Paris Bookshop? Blythe Harper, the recently-deceased owner of The Lost and Found Bookshop in San Francisco, was also a bibliotherapist who know how to match a book to a reader, no matter the age of either. What she could not do was to keep her little indie shop solvent, the building maintained, and her daughter involved in the business.

Natalie Harper, who had long decided against book selling in favor of an unfulfilling but steady career, and a good-enough boyfriend instead of a true love, finds herself thrown back to it when a plane crash kills both mother and lover. Returning to San Francisco, she tries to rescue the shop financially, and retains her mother's handyman, the delectable Peach, whose pigtailed daugher Dorothy reminds Natalie of herself as a child. Dorothy's favorite series of children's books, featuring familiar tales told from two points of view - both hero and villain - provides the theme and harmonies for the stories of all of this book's characters.

The man Natalie loves most is Grandy, her ailing grandfather Andrew, who lives in the bookstore, and whose story is both clarified and obscured by the onset of dementia. We read, through his point of view, about his family history, which include the earthquake of 1906, the historical damage of the Great War, how Buffalo Soldiers were recruited and treated, and the treasure that he is certain is hidden in the walls of the building ... somewhere. Is his narrative unreliable, or do some memories remain true? We also struggle along with his inability to focus on the present, as he confuses Natalie with her mother, and becomes increasingly feeble.

As he works, Peach finds objects in the old walls that may corroborate some of Grandy's memories. Natalie, attracted to Peach even before she learns about his history and true passion, refuses to act on the attraction out of guilt over her boyfriend's death. Peach, attracted to Natalie, holds back as he sees new people come into her life and recognizes her emotional fragility. A book signing by Dorothy's rich and suave favorite author, a mysterious DNA report found amongst Blythe's paperwork, and the lure of security... can true love find a way? Let's say that the reader will be intrigued by the characters, how history informs and repeats, and the company of fellow book-lovers.

Is this book perfect? No. I removed one star because of a few too many coincidences, and a few too-perfect characters. However, I hope Susan Wiggs will revisit them. I'll gladly go along, teacup in hand.

Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this love letter to readers, booksellers, and librarians! Susan Wiggs writes finely drawn and appealing characters, and the San Francisco setting was also a bonus. The portrayal of increasing dementia in main character Natalie's beloved grandfather is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved spending time with these characters!

This romance novel set in San Francisco demands more credulity than I could muster, especially when the characters find street parking "right in front" more than once! The book hits a a handful of tourist spots and digs into local history, but the setting feels like a hastily sketched pastiche of the city by the bay that I know and love. Nevertheless, the story lines tackles several contemporary themes of interest, including: biracial love, children of divorce, addiction, and aging in place with a sensitivity and sense of humor that elevates the book beyond straight up romance. It's no home run, but If you enjoy romance and bookstores, this story of loss and love will get you to second base!

An enjoyable read. Very visual with an interesting plot. I found a few things really annoying. Without giving anything away, the motivations of Blythe and the suddenness of the ending were up there and detracted from the story. Bug overall, a fine read.

Natalie, becomes the owner of the Lost and Found Bookshop after her mom passes away. The bookshop is in trouble financially. Trying to figure out a way out of the debt, Natalie discovers much about her past and her grandfather, Andrew, who raised her along with her mom.

This book is like a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day. It's comforting. It reinforces why we have independent bookstores and just how important they are to our lives.

Books about bookstores, books, and libraries are always on my must read list so this was on my radar. I was glad to get a copy via netgalley so thank you.

Natalie, our main character, starts the story with a promotion but then comes a rude awakening followed by tragedy. Suddenly she is overseeing a bookstore that she knows and loves but this was not her agenda. She is dealing with grief, and aging grandfather and a host of problems that go with this. The reader feels for her and the struggles. All the while, we see the behind the scenes of what it is to run a bookstore and it give a read some appreciation for that.

The bookstore itself is a story. It's historic and has its own secrets. Since I do not want to spoil, I will just say there are stories to be hold and they take their time revealing. Meanwhile, Natalie meets an interesting man who doe repairs/restores, interesting customers and a famous author.

I enjoyed this a recommend. It's part mystery, part redeeming and just a fun ride.

Susan Wiggs never fails to write enjoyable books with great characters and settings. This would be a good choice for readers of women's fiction and of course, a good beach book. It's a feel-good book that is so needed right now.

I loved how family was very important in this book. I felt like there were a few strories this book intertwined and made it all the more interesting . I enjoyed this book very much and could’t wait to get back to it when I needed to put it down .

Probably a 3.5 rating.

Natalie seems to have it made - a secure job, a so-so boyfriend (but he's a really nice guy). In an instant her life changes. A plane crash kills her mom and her boyfriend. She returns home to San Francisco to run her mother's indie bookshop, take care of Grandy who is struggling with dementia, and her mother's massive out of control debt. Grandy remembers that treasures are said to be hidden in the bookshop. The old bookshop which was standing at the time of the 1904 earthquake needs many, expensive repairs to its run-down interior and to bring it up to code. Peach Gallagher, hammer-for-hire, saves the day with his spot on repair skills, and his daughter Dorothy makes it her personal mission to keep the bookshop from closing. The whole crew of oddball characters come together to live out the bookshop adventures.

The Lost and Found BookShop
by Susan Wiggs

Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC of this book. It by far is one of my favorite reads of the pandemic!

I will recommend this book to friends and patrons when we reopen the library. Don't miss this great read!!

5 stars for sure!

I reviewed this title for Library Journal to read the review please read it in the journal's July 7th issue.

Unfortunately this seems more like Women’s Romance than Women’s Fiction. I did like the relationship between Natalie and her grandfather and the bookshop. The whole love triangle thing was a bit too much, her inner dialog was almost like a YA novel. I almost threw my kindle across the room when her and Peach have sex and then she grabs some pot and they both smoke it. Nowhere else in the whole story does she smoke pot. Really a stupid story action! This is the first time I’ve read something by this author who is very popular at my library. Wasn’t impressed, sorry.

Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for this copy of the Lost and found Bookshop. Release date: July 7, 2020.
Natalie, a self assured executive is ready for the her promotion and bonus, that she feels deserved. Today luck is not in the stars, the day starts out with her mother, late as usual, not returning her calls, Natalie’s boyfriend is testing a plane for his company and Marge, a coworker, spills red wine on her silk blouse before the big party.
By a trick of fate, Natalie hears her coworker, Marge talk about how they conspired to get her a corner office due to her micromanaging, she is deviastated. Before she has a chance to recover, Natalie hears a newscast about a plane crash, then her whole world comes crashing down.
Natalie inherits The Lost and Found Bookshop, a small, independent book store. At first look bookstore is charming. The reality slowly starts as she see the in need of many repairs. Though the repairs she meets Peach and his daughter Dorothy. With the help of an adorable letter written by Dorothy to a Children’s author she has a very successful book signing. Is this more than just a bookstore and author book signing?
There is never a lack of excitement in this story for the Lost and Found Bookshop. Grady informs Natalie that she has a suitor but which one will be the best. Peach and Grandy find rare or important antiques. I could not put this book down as each chapter seems to open up a new problem or exciting adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc. I had read and enjoyed The Oysterville Sewing Circle, so I was looking forward to this new book. Susan Wiggs doesn’t disappoint. Although some of the plot was a bit predictable, I loved the setting, the characters, the family issues Natalie faces, and the bookstore itself. I very much appreciated the different perspectives, such as hearing from Natalie’s ancestor through her journal.

The Lost and Found Bookshop is a thoroughly enjoyable read for any book lover. Following a tragic accident, Natalie faces the challenges of caring for her beloved Grandy, who appears to be suffering from dementia, and saving or selling her mother's book shop, housed in a building filled with memories and history. Dotted with book references and quotes, and filled with likable characters, including the bookstore staff, the contractor tasked with saving the crumbling building, and a precocious child named Dorothy, this book is a cozy read that feels like an enveloping hug from a friend. Susan Wiggs gives us the opportunity to enter a world that's comfortable to inhabit, and difficult to leave when the book is finished.

Independent bookshop in San Francisco, tragic small plane crash, forgetful grandfather, historical twist, - there are so many elements in this story. My initial reaction was, “ ho hum, another book store story hitting on social issues- do I want to Spend my time on this?” Well, I did read it and I am happy that I did give it a chance. The characters grew on me and the story captured my attention. It wasn’t predictable, loving, or preachy. It was just a tales of people caring for each other and trying to get through life. I would recommend it. I think it would be a good read for these uncertain times.

Good for Book Lovers and Romantics. Loved the Happy Ending, the back story of orphans, finding a valuable Audobon book, the puffery and lies (but with some good reasons here) of best-selling authors. Great for Book Clubs who like romances.

Natalie Harper, successful wine executive in Sonoma County, seems to have everything she needs in life: a secure job with benefits and a pension, and a loyal, stable boyfriend. Then tragedy strikes, and she finds herself moving back to her hometown of San Francisco to run her mother’s bookstore, The Lost and Found Bookshop. There lives her grandfather, Andrew, who is suffering from dementia. The bookshop is deep in debt, and she considers selling it. However, the owner - Andrew - will not allow it.

Natalie hires handyman Peach Gallagher to perform much-needed repairs to the old building. His young daughter Dorothy adores the bookshop and is a frequent customer. The plot also includes a tale of ancestry and discovery about the past. The story unfolds as Natalie reimagines her life journey and makes personal discoveries along the way.

The title of the book hooked me immediately, and if you are a book lover, librarian, or bookstore owner, you may feel the same way. The author adeptly developed the lovable characters, with a healthy helping of too-good-to-be-true moments. In the beginning, I thought the story would be extremely predictable and a bit maudlin, but once I got into the depths of the book, I found it had much more substance. The mention of real book titles was intriguing, and made me want to read them, if I hadn’t already done so. While I was able to predict certain elements of the plot, there were also a few surprises. I recommend this book if you enjoy a quaint, heartwarming story that is ideal for curling up with on a rainy day with a good cup of coffee or tea.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-proof of this book!

This is such a wonderful story. Natalie, and all of the other characters, are so likable as a character. I love the setting and the surprise treasures found hidden in the old building. This would be a great summer read.

As a librarian, I love reading books about books that are set in bookstores and/or libraries! Susan Wiggs does not disappoint with this tale of finding your true purpose in life. Family, romance, friendship, self-discovery - this heartfelt book has everything and combines them in the best way possible.