“A wonderful exploration of the past and the future and, most importantly, of what it means to be present in the here and now. Full of the love of words, the love of family, and the love of falling in love, The Lost and Found Bookshop is a big-hearted gem of a novel that will satisfy and entertain readers from all walks of life. Lovely!”—Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art … Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing In The Rain
In this thought-provoking, wise and emotionally rich novel, New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs explores the meaning of happiness, trust, and faith in oneself as she asks the question, “If you had to start over, what would you do and who would you be?”
There is a book for everything . . .
Somewhere in the vast Library of the Universe, as Natalie thought of it, there was a book that embodied exactly the things she was worrying about.
In the wake of a shocking tragedy, Natalie Harper inherits her mother’s charming but financially strapped bookshop in San Francisco. She also becomes caretaker for her ailing grandfather Andrew, her only living relative—not counting her scoundrel father.
But the gruff, deeply kind Andrew has begun displaying signs of decline. Natalie thinks it’s best to move him to an assisted living facility to ensure the care he needs. To pay for it, she plans to close the bookstore and sell the derelict but valuable building on historic Perdita Street, which is in need of constant fixing. There’s only one problem–Grandpa Andrew owns the building and refuses to sell. Natalie adores her grandfather; she’ll do whatever it takes to make his final years happy. Besides, she loves the store and its books provide welcome solace for her overwhelming grief.
After she moves into the small studio apartment above the shop, Natalie carries out her grandfather’s request and hires contractor Peach Gallagher to do the necessary and ongoing repairs. His young daughter, Dorothy, also becomes a regular at the store, and she and Natalie begin reading together while Peach works.
To Natalie’s surprise, her sorrow begins to dissipate as her life becomes an unexpected journey of new connections, discoveries and revelations, from unearthing artifacts hidden in the bookshop’s walls, to discovering the truth about her family, her future, and her own heart.
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I absolutely adore this book! I love Susan Wigg’s books and this one is one of my very favorite. Oh the emotions that you get to go through while reading this book is anything short of amazing. You can feel what the characters are feeling right along with them. Susan, thank you for writing us such another wonderful book!
A woman inherits her mother’s quirky bookshop in San Francisco and discovers that more than a business, the bookstore holds the key to her past and her future. A sweeping, romantic tale that will make you want to wander through your favorite bookshop looking for the wonders inside.
Great book. I looked for other books from this author after reading it. All are good!!!
Very disappointed.
This book had been on my “to read” list for a while and I finally had the opportunity to read it. Susan Wiggs is one of my favorite authors and this book just reinforces why.
The Lost and Found Bookshop has wonderful characters who deal with loss, love, grief, aging parents, dementia, family history – all while trying to save the bookshop. Were there some less than realistic situations? Yes, but that is one of the hallmarks of fiction!
If you love books and see them as friends, then this book is one you’ll enjoy.
The Lost and Found Bookshop is such a great read. I have to admit my bias that I absolutely adore books that take place in bookstores. There is something magical about living and working in a space with the inspiration of great writers all around you. The main character, Natalie, comes back to run the family bookstore after a tragic airplane crash that took the life of her mother, Blythe, and her boyfriend, who was getting ready to propose. At the funeral Natalie reads a quote from a famous poem that will become the biggest question for her own life. “Tell me, what is it you plan for your one wild and precious life?” Because her mom was such a free spirit, Natalie has always played it safe. What should she do now? Should she go back to the stable and predictable job she hated, or risk it all to save the bookstore? When she is at her worst, Natalie meets a handsome handyman named Peach that her mom had hired prior to her death to help tackle some of the projects required by the aging building. Readers will have an immediate soft spot for the handyman and his sweet daughter, Dorothy, who becomes a cheerleader to help rally sales for the bookstore. Readers will also love Natalie’s aging grandfather, Grandy, who lives in the store with Natalie despites his recent struggles with dementia and unknown health problems. This book reminds me of all the things I loved about the movie, You’ve Got Mail (charming bookstore, quirky booksellers, great recommendations / knowing what each person needs …). Like Meg Ryan’s character, Natalie is also trying to honor her mother’s legacy despite the financial challenges ahead. This book is also about the importance of family. Sometimes you have to make difficult sacrifices for the ones you love, but sometimes life gives you a second chance at love. I love how the author included the stories about the hidden treasures in this book. I would love to read more about why these items were hidden where they were found and the early history of the building and the impact of the earthquakes of 1906. I hope she will continue to explore these stories! Thank you to #netgalley and #William Morrow for the copy of this book. Highly recommended book club read!
Would have been four star until the latter part of the book. I felt the author departed from the characters she had built and their actions were disappointing, gratutious.
Great story!
Really enjoyed it very different story line
This is a recent read for me, and one I really enjoyed!
Susan Wiggs never disappoints. Never!
Susan Wiggs writing is just so good and this book is no exception! This book just gave me all the feels. I just love the names she uses in this book, Peach, Dorothy, Grandy (the name she calls her grandfather) they just fit the book so well. I think it is a honest and heartfelt book about family, loss and yes even love.
Great read
I liked this book, but it was predictable. Still, I wanted to keep reading to find out if I was right!
I liked the characters and the setting. The story touches on very real life situations and brings a little history in. I was sorry when I reached the end, although the ending was satisfying.
This story is sensitive, well told & full of hope. The characters are relatable and have just enough mystery & mischief to make me hurry back to see what happens next. That’s the sign of a wonderful book!
The book was nice. I had a feeling though that in some places it lacked more building up and in some places it went over a subject more than necessary. Otherwise, nice read.
Natalie loses her Mother and Fiancee in a plane crash. She now needs to figure out what to do with the family bookstore that carries a load of debt and a grandfather who has memory problems. The bookstore building has a history spanning 3 generations. The history unfolds with the help of one very attractive handy man. What direction will Natalie’s life take now?
Quick read! Love books set in bookstore.
Excellent book to curl up in front of the fire and read on a rainy cold afternoon. Kept my attention and was glad for the happy ending.