Member Reviews
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!
I didn't know what to expect when starting this one but Lian Dolan certainly threw a lot in right away. Joan didn't have a typical upbringing but I found I could empathize with the grief she felt in the past and the present. From losing her father in the 9/11 attacks to the escapades of her husband she is due for a a self discovery trip to Paris.
This reminded me of The Da Vinci code but with a lot more fluff. Art heist but make it romance. It was clear the author knew Paris and Joan of Arc and there were times I could imagine myself in the places she was describing.
I did find it a little hard to get into after the drama in the beginning but I did enjoy it. I also thought the end was wrapped up rather bluntly; as if she ran out of space and just felt like ending it. It was an easy read that I would definitely recommend if you're looking for something light on a nice afternoon!
This was an enjoyable read. I was rooting for Joan to get her happy ending. Joan has been dealt a major blow to her personal life. She is given a work opportunity that takes her to Paris. Everyone tells her to use this as a time to recharge, reconnect, and have some FUN. However things don't go as planned when what brings her to Paris stolen and she is sent on a mysterious scavenger hunt. The author draws into the mystery of trying to figure out who is behind this escapade. Joan is racing all over Paris to what sounds like amazing locations. The descriptions made me feel like I was there and hope to one day see them in person. Lost and Found in Paris is just the journey you want to experience.
Lost and Found in Paris.
I'm absolutely sure that this book - and therefore its author - could end up becoming famous on places like TikTok or Twitter in the area that younger people tend to be, because like The Love Hypothesis, this book has a great chance of being famous for being a little different but delicious when reading it. But, above all, I believe that this was another brilliant book by the author made for women who have suffered losses, both family and themselves, and want to find themselves. I loved the ending and enjoyed the book as a whole, I intend to read more books by the author.
One complaint and my main one: I believe that there are many ways for the title of the book to be more attractive, even more so for its target audience, which are people who want to read a cute story but with a lesson that goes beyond just a romantic relationship between the main characters. 4,0.
Thankyou to netgalley for providing me with an
eArc.
Initially I thought it was going to be a light, fairly interesting book. I liked the initial idea of solving a mystery with clues, of Joan remaking herself while also standing up for herself after being cheated on. But as I got into the book I started getting frustrated.
You know that annoying person that has to constantly name drop? That’s what this felt like. Non-stop. I get that it’s fiction and they weren’t real events or anything but non-stop lists of celebrity names with every memory tour got really old and started to feel like a point was being made after awhile.
There was also a ton of very long reminiscing and very detailed art or modeling stories that were completely unnecessary to the story and felt more like filler than fleshing anything out. They didn’t actually add to the story other than pages and felt like a constant rabbit trail interruption.
And the biggest thing honestly, the end of the book just made me angry. It’s a bit of a hot button issue for me but someone who egotistically controls and manipulates others is not ok. Not. Ok. In. The. Least. And somehow everyone at the end of the story was ok because his intentions were good?? Nope. I was probably at 3 stars for the book until that played out.
Also that the romance side of things essentially came down to casual sex and no relationship bugged me as well in a supposed romance.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story was a delight to read. The fact that you get to navigate Paris along with Joan is enough on its own. However, the actual art history, characters and watching Joan come of age in some regards adds so much color as well to the story. I really enjoyed the epilogue at the end to get a glimpse of how Joan is doing after her trip. This book made me want to go to an art museum and visit Paris again preferable at the same time!
If I had to offer constructive criticism it would be at times the technical details about the art especially her dad’s installations can be laborious. Otherwise it was a pleasure to read.
Wow, what a delight this book ended up being. Part art heist, part romance, part journey of self discovery.
Joan is the daughter of a famous supermodel and a well known artist, the latter of whom died on one of the hijacked planes during 9/11, his life's work of notebooks going with him. Joan picks up the pieces of her life and marries young and lives in the home she grew up in.
When the book begins Joan learns that her husband of 10 years has a secret family including 5 year old twins, so after filing for divorce she jetsets with a portfolio of sketches to Paris for a private sale. However, the sketches disappear and she is left to figure out who took them and why, though a series of clued that take across Paris and through her own past, and her parents as well. She has the assistance of a handsome man and meets a few reminders of her father's past along the way.
Joan is clearly a character who comes from a place of privilege, but this novel shows that even those with wealth and social standing can be struck down and stagnate under the weight of grief. It was a true joy watching Joan emerge from her grief and reconnect with her own true self.
I recommend checking this one out if you are an art lover, or just enjoy a little bit of mystery and intrigue. High 4 stars for this one!
Thank you to Book Club Girl and NetGalley for the electronic ARC copy of this novel.
With a Paris setting, art & art history subplots, a little romance and some intrigue thrown in this was a perfect book for me. Lian Dolan's sparkling prose drew me in immediately and kept me turning the pages. Even though I did think that the plot device was a bit over the top, I thoroughly enjoyed Lost and Found in Paris. immediately putting the author's previous boos on my TBR list. Thank you "netGalley and Harper Collins for introducing me to this wonderful book and author.
There were several aspects of this story which I really enjoyed--the settings of SoCal and Paris, in particular, were beautifully and engagingly drawn, and made me yearn to travel again. I liked the puzzle/treasure hunt part of the book, and was glad to learn more about Joan of Arc and her place in French culture.
However, there was just something that kept it from being more for me--I don't think I ever really connected with Joan, which is unfortunate. It felt in some ways like her character was more a collection of the trappings of wealth and fame than a fully-fleshed out person.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Many thanks to the Book Club Girls, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book!
Lost and Found in Paris follows Joan Blakely's adventures from Pasadena to Paris. She is the daughter of a famous artist and a supermodel which has provided her with an interesting upbringing and with the tools she will find useful as an adult. This book is such a fun escape taking the reader through museums and the streets of Paris, involving romance and intrigue. Characters include eccentric art experts, a fun fashion blogger, handsome distractions and an aging egomaniac rockstar. Lian Dolan does not disappoint with her follow-up novel to The Sweeney Sisters. Her attention to detail in regards to art, music, travel and food make this a book you will not be able to put down.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the chance to read this delightful book.
lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan sucked me in from the first few pages as we follow the story of Joan Bright Blakey on her way to Paris as an art courier. I loved this book! The characters are well developed and easy to like and I loved the added history of Joan of Arc. I would definitely recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy and for allowing me to review.
I am so excited to have been given the chance to read and review this utterly beautiful novel! The heroine was delightful and so was her sidekick Nate who was helping her on her journey through history and Paris. A gorgeous tale of love and devotion!
Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan tells the story of Joan Bright Blakey on her way to Paris as an art courier. I really liked this book! The characters are real, very human and I love the dialogue! I loved the history story of Joan of Arc and the adventures around Paris. The author described Joan’s emotions well and showed growth/ change in character. It made me remember my feelings on September 11th. I will recommend this book! Thank you for allowing me to review.
Who doesn't love a book set in Paris with some California in the mix? I thoroughly enjoyed this escapist read from Lian Dolan. Wonderfully connective story and superb character development! Thanks so much for the copy to read and review!
‘Lost and Found in Paris’, by Lian Dolan, grabbed me on the first page. So much of Lian’s past experience shines through, whether it is about Pasadena and the people who live there, her blog writing, her love of music and musicians, or the beauty and vitality of Paris. This is a smart, factually rich story, filled with historical references and loads of museum and art insider information.
As in at least two of her other novels, this one begins with a marital earthquake and like ‘The Sweeney Sisters’ protagonist, Joan is the daughter of an artistic icon. Lian Dolan kept me guessing at when the “lost” part of the title would happen and exactly how. Then… boom! Mystery, excitement, puzzles, Paris, and art become a tasty pot-au-feu, and readers will find it difficult to stop eating.
Lian Dolan paints elegant pictures of the streets of Paris, giving the reader an enticing look at the surroundings as if standing on the corner, strolling down cobblestone streets or soaking in the cultural highlights. I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the City of Lights in person but I feel like ‘Lost and Found in Paris’ could be a primer for planning the trip of a lifetime. Note to author: snap up the domain name “Pasadena Meets Paris” as quick as you can! I’m sure you’ll think of something creative to do with it!
L.A. Times bestselling author, Lian Dolan's, books keep getting better and better. Lost and Found in Paris is my favorite so far. It is dynamic and gripping and I think it would make a great feature film.
Dolan's characters are all well-developed, interesting, and consistent throughout. Joan, the main character, goes on an epic journey and all of the other characters are intriguing and necessary to the story. They all add to the suspense of the story at one point or another, each one having his or her own element of mystery. Nothing about the prose is superfluous. Just when you think you have the mystery solved, the book takes a turn and again you begin to wonder how it will turn out in the end.
I was truly impressed by the writing. More than once, I paused and re read a sentence to focus on and enjoy the careful word choice and almost poetic description of thoughts and actions. While the writing is descriptive, nothing is gratuitous. Every element adds to the progression of the story as Joan travels on her journey and evolves as a person. I love that the book is well researched and spot on about the art world, and about Paris- itself an essential character in the book.
I recommend this book to lovers of literary fiction and suspenseful stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lost and Found in Paris was written by the author Lian Dolan and is different but also similar to her earlier stories. Our lead protagonist is Joan Blakely, resident of Pasadena and daughter of the famous artist, Harry Blakely. Her father is tragically killed on one of the planes that flew into the twin towers on 9/11. Dad, Mom, and Joan were a very close family, and Joan becomes unmoored after her father’s death and the loss of his voluminous art journals in the crash. Joan marries in haste and lives to regret it when she finds out her 10-year marriage now includes a family on the side with a set of 5-year-old twins. At this point, Joan was hitting a low point in life. But when she is called on to courier priceless art to Paris, the story steps up a notch because the art gets stolen from her Paris hotel room. The balance of the book involves the chase around Paris to find stolen art, a hot romance with a man she met on her plane to France, her Mom’s (a former model) return to Paris, and various hi-jinks. I enjoyed the story, but I loved the ending. I appreciate that Lian Dolan writes women who recover from loss, lies, and heartache. I like her writing. I am sure this will be a very successful book when released in April 2022. #Art #Paris #live #romance #cozy #joanofarc
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Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this book which was delightful.
#reading #books #bookstagram #book #booksofinstagram ##lostandfoundinParis #JustBooksBookstagram #bookish #lindaleereads2021 #mmdbookclub #readinglife #modernmrsdarcy @liandolan #december ❄️ #lostandfoundinparis @netgalley @williammorrowbooks
Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan is a great escapist read set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I absolutely loved being transported to Paris and definitely related to the protagonist struggling with "What Now?" after life throws her a huge curve ball. Highly recommend.
Loved the art world, the Paris setting, and the engaging characters. Joan is the daughter of a celebrity supermodel and a famous artist. When her father, the artist, is killed on one of the planes on 9/11, Joan puts her own life on hold to publicly mourn her father and develop his legacy. On assignment as an art courier, delivering precious sketches to a prospective buyer, Joan gets wrapped up in a fast-paced adventure/mystery that she definitely didn't want or ask for, but we know she needs it. Great story, lots of fun with some serious themes about being true to yourself while still supporting family members.
Maybe more of 3.5 stars. There were many things I did like and a few that I did not. Growing up in the LA area, I enjoyed the references to Southern California. I also liked that the main character, Joan, was strong and snappy when her husband admitted his affair. Often times an author makes the lead female wishy-washy and their judgement is convoluted by feelings of love. I appreciated that Lian Dolan did not. I also appreciated the fact that the main character was realistic in that she did not choose to sleep with someone else in order to feed her emotions after her marriage was over. She needed time to heal before moving on with her life. On another note, I am utterly obsessed with books that take place in Europe so I did like that aspect. Being transported through the imagery depicted was fun. Unfortunately, I felt that the many references to wealth and celebrity of the main character’s parents/life/friends came off as somewhat pretentious. I’m not sure if that was the authors intention, but it felt a bit overdone. Just my own personal preference in a book. The book was well written, it just wasn’t for me
This was more than I expected. Got some mystery added to the story. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.