The Library of Lost and Found

Phaedra Patrick is a new-to-me author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. All I knew was that this book had 'library' in its title and it sounded like a good coming-into-herself kind of read.

This is a charming story that has some library love, a quirky group of secondary characters and a main character that readers will get behind. Filled with dysfunctional family dynamics, long-held secrets, and friendship, this is a sweet journey of self-discovery and readers will find themselves cheering on Martha as she struggles with her past, learns about her own strengths and boundaries and the power of letting go.

Patrick provides depth to her characters, turbulent family issues, some less than stellar parenting moments and emotional baggage to explain it all. Some of the plot points were obvious, but there were others I didn't see coming. The book is set mainly in present day, but I enjoyed getting a peek into Martha's upbringing which helped to explain her personality in adulthood.

This audiobook was narrated by Imogen Church who was promptly added to my list of Narrators Who Totally Rock! WOW! She did an amazing job bringing the characters to life and adding little bits of nuance enabling me to hear and picture the emotion behind the words. Her ability to add that little extra to the characters made this book even better.

The Library of Lost and Found was a delightful read that had its emotional times, its sweet moments, and an interesting gaggle of characters. As a Library Assistant and total book nerd, I particularly loved its nod to all things biblio and bookish. Recommended.

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Phaedra Patrick

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: eAudiobook from public library (unabridged)

Narrator: Imogen Church

Run Time: 10 hours, 28 minutes

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

First Published in Print: March 26, 2019

Opening Line: As always, Martha Storm was primed for action.

Book Description from GoodReads: A librarian's discovery of a mysterious book sparks the journey of a lifetime in the delightful new novel from the bestselling author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people--though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes it feels like she's invisible. All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend--her grandmother Zelda--who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda's past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever. Filled with Phaedra Patrick's signature charm and vivid characters, The Library of Lost and Found is a heartwarming and poignant tale of how one woman must take control of her destiny to write her own happy ending.