The Lost for Words Bookshop, a used bookshop, comforts and shelters Loveday Cardew. Sometimes she may be at a loss for words, but words are not lost on Loveday, and her love of books has sustained her for over half her life.
When Loveday's family is destroyed, she ends up in foster care and the loss of her family results in a happy and friendly child becoming an isolated and reclusive teen.
At fifteen, however, a visit to the Lost for Words bookshop provides a sanctuary when Archie, the owner, offers her a job. Ten years later, Loveday continues her mostly self-imposed and unsociable existence with Archie as her only real friend.
On her way to work one day, she picks up a book that has been lost or discarded and posts a "found" sign in the bookshop window--an inciting incident that will change the course of her life.
The story is told in past and present, and the traumatic events that destroyed her family are revealed in small doses. In the present, boxes of used books begin arriving that connect to Loveday's past, a new relationship offers the opportunity for Loveday to expand her life beyond her small flat and the bookshop, and a past relationship becomes threatening.
I was expecting bit of romantic chic lit, but found a more thoughtful coming of age tale.
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Bibliophile/Contemporary. First published, 2017; June 19, 2018. Print length: 304 pages.
Sounds like a delightful read. Will keep this book in mind. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a interesting mix of characters and of past and present. :)
DeleteI can never resist a book about a bookshop...and this one sounds better than most. Thanks for reviewing this one. I can't wait to read it, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI find bookshop books hard to resist, too, and Lost for Words tackles some important social issues. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a touching story, Jenclair. I am glad you liked this one more than you anticipated. I will definitely give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like it, Wendy. Great character in tattooed Loveday Cardew. :)
DeleteThis sounds really charming! I love books about books and glad to hear this one was well-done.
ReplyDeleteI guess all bookshops are magical to book enthusiasts. We love books about books and books about bookshops. I really enjoyed this one.
Deleteisn't it great when book surprises us in a good way? I love coming of age stories and this is about a bookshop! YESSS!
ReplyDelete:) Yep, another bookshop book! And yes, it is great when a book is surprising in a good way!
DeleteOh my, this sounds wonderful! I'm for ALL the bookshop books ever, but this blurb is uplifting and devastating at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYou can't help but go all in for the prickly Loveday--she's a true bibliophile. :)
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