Title: The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 365 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
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.
Review:
The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs is a delightful novel of healing.
Natalie Harper has a career that provides her with security but not much joy. After a tragic loss, she quits her job and moves back to San Francisco to work in the family bookshop. Despite her grief and worry, Natalie is delighted to spend time with her beloved grandfather Andrew. However, her joy is tempered with sorrow since his health is failing. Although concerned about the business, Natalie goes ahead with much needed repairs on the historic building and she enjoys the quiet company of contractor Peach Gallagher and his adorable daughter Dorothy. Will Natalie save the bookshop and the only home she has ever known?
After moving back home, Natalie is surprised at how happy she is to be back at the bookshop. But with the extremely precarious financial situation looming over her, she is uncertain how she will be able to keep the business afloat. But her biggest worry is losing the building that houses both the business and their family. Trying to keep her anxiety at bay, Natalie does everything she can to increase sales while trying to temper her frustration over how the business ended up in such a mess. At the same time, she continues to mourn her loss.
Peach is a devoted dad who will do anything for Dorothy. He is the epitome of “once burned, twice shy” so he ignores his growing attraction to Natalie. As he restores the historical buildings, Peach makes a few unexpectedly valuable discoveries that might just help Natalie save her family’s legacy.
The Lost and Found Bookshop is a marvelous novel with an engaging and interesting storyline. The characters are wonderfully developed and quite appealing. The bookshop is a charming backdrop and springs vibrantly to life. Susan Wiggs brings this heartwarming novel to a poignant yet uplifting conclusion.
