I have to say I was intrigued by the way the story unfolds. A few times I felt frustrated with the main character, Martha. She lets herself get taken advantage of by everyone. She feels the need to please which stems back to her childhood. I cheered when she finally stands up for herself and makes positive changes in her life.
There is drama, romance, family mystery, storytelling, betrayal and intrigue.
As Martha finds out the truth pertaining to the disappearance of her grandmother, Zelda, you get drawn into the family drama Martha is determined to figure out.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a beautiful, endearing story.
Many thanks to NetGallery, the publisher and author, Phaedra Patrick, for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

Phaedra Patrick is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me! I loved The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper and immediately sought out others including Rise and Shine Benedict Stone. I was so anxious to read her latest, The Library of Lost and Found.

Martha devotes all her time to helping others, perhaps as a way to feel valued and indispensable. She cared for her elderly, ill parents until their death, sacrificing a life with her beloved fiance, Joe. She offers to do anything anyone needs from doing a neighbor's laundry to watching her niece and nephew for her sister. Martha volunteers countless hours at her local library in hopes of securing a permanent position.

When a character experiences growth and change throughout the course of a novel the author has hit my reading sweet spot. Martha's journey begins when someone leaves a book for her with an inscription from her beloved grandmother. She is stunned to see the date is after her grandmother died.

On the quest to solve the puzzle Martha (and the reader) meet some delightful characters and enjoy some hilarious and poignant adventures. With every "No" to others Martha is closer to saying "Yes" to her own life.

Mystery, family dysfunction, community and self-discovery - it's all here. And I highly recommend you join Martha at The Library of Lost and Found.

Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Title: The Library of Lost and Found
Author: Phaedra Patrick
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

Martha Storm volunteers at the library. She does projects for anyone who needs help—laundry for a neighbor with a broken appliance, repairing a paper mache dragon head for the school, altering school uniforms for her nephew— and she’s so busy she doesn’t have time to wonder what happened to her life.

Until she receives a mysterious book filled with stories from her childhood, stories she wrote, and dedicated to her by her grandmother, Zelda, who died suddenly years before. In the book, Martha finds a clue that her grandmother may still be alive, and she’s determined to unravel the family secrets once and for all. And maybe, along the way, she’ll discover the truth about herself she’s kept hidden.

Martha experiences tremendous growth as a person in this book. Who she is and what she thinks she knows is completely upended, and she becomes someone new, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis into the sun. I was enthralled by the mystery of Zelda and what happened in the Storm family all those years ago.

(Galley courtesy of Park Row/Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

The Library of Lost and Found didn't end up being what I was expecting. The book involves Martha, who is middle aged and kind of at a loss for what to do with her life. She is a people please and can't say the word "no", ever. One day, she is given a book that has an inscription in it written to her from her dead grandmother. This sets her off on a journey to find out the truth about her grandmother's death.

I'll admit that I had a hard time initially getting into this book. I didn't care for Martha. She was kind of a doormat that everyone in town walked all over. She came across as way older than she actually was supposed to be. She definitely grew on me as the book progressed. The book end up being an OK read for me. The overall story was kind of predictable and ended up where I thought it would end up. The family secret was no surprise and I wasn't shocked when it was revealed. The story is well written and I especially enjoyed the little fairy tales scattered throughout the book. I just didn't love it as much as I was hoping I would.

I was able to read the ARC of "The Library of Lost and Found" by Phaedra Patrick through NetGalley to my delight! It was a joy to follow along as the main character discovers herself and finally the ability to say No! to continual requests for assistance. The characters are interesting and realistic, leaving you slightly wanting more at the end.

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. I read it in a day and the characters brought out my emotions. Martha frustrated me in the being but she came into her own in the end. Zelda was the quirky grandmother everyone would love to have. This was a fun and sweet read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row and Phaedra Patrick for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Like:
- A book about books - always a good thing!
- Shows the emotional effects of domestic abuse/controlling behaviors - not all just bruises and broken bones
- Cute and whimsical story
- The fairytale made up within the book - great life lessons
- The cover - especially the colors

Love: —

Dislike:
- not what I thought it would be: I thought it would be a cozy mystery type of story about books/librarians. What I got was domestic abuse, family drama, lies, but also was somewhat boring at times
- All the family drama … and it didn’t have any redeeming aspects

Wish that:
- The story delivered more - found myself not caring if I found out what happened

Overall, not what I thought the story would be about. Not terrible, but not for me.

Martha Storm is a yes person. If someone needs something she will agree to do it for them. A book is sent to her and it was written by her Grandmother but the date in the book is past when her Grandmother died. Martha's search for the answer about her Grandmother makes Martha do some soul searching and makes her look at her agreeing to everything.
A very interesting book about an older female in a world by herself.

A charming story of family secrets and a past that may not be as it seems. I enjoyed Martha as a character, even more after she learned to say NO! I liked the fairy tales/stories woven in to the main story, and I really enjoyed how it all connected.

I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I love books about books. Add a cutsy cover and I am IN! The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick was such a sweet spring read. Martha Storm is a volunteer at her local library and spends her days doing everything she can for others. Whether it is doing the laundry for someone whose washing machine is broken, baking cookies for an author event no one tells her is cancelled, or even repairing a paper mache dragon head, Martha’s sole focus is helping others, yet she often feels forgotten. One day, a book of fairy tales appears with a mysterious dedication written to her by her grandmother Zelda, who died when she was a child, yet the dedication was written years after her death. This results in Martha embarking on a mission to discover the truth about her family and learn about herself along the way.

Phaedra Patrick’s books are just so damn charming, you can’t help but become invested in her characters. Though I will say I found the plot to be very predictable, it is still a fun and quirky read and an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. This type of novel is perfect for when you just need something light and comforting to help you de-stress. Fans of Fredrik Backman, Maria Semple or Graeme Simsion will definitely enjoy curling up under a blanket with their cup of tea to read this delightful novel.

The Library of Lost and Found revolves around Martha Storm, a woman in her forties who can’t say no. After caring for her parents until their death, Martha is now living in her childhood home and volunteering at the local library. To feel useful and worthwhile, she constantly offers to help others with their problems and projects. From taking care of Horatio’s fish to washing Nora’s laundry, Martha is constantly ticking off the projects in her Wonder Woman notepad.

Then, one day, she receives a book that was obviously written by her deceased grandmother but written three years after her Nana supposedly passed away. This is when the real story begins, as Martha tries to determine the truth about what happened to her grandmother and, by extension, her family. Along the way to her own self-discovery she meets a variety of people who add dimension and richness to her life.

What a delightful book! I so enjoyed cheering on Martha as she made her discoveries, stood up for herself and realized just wonderful she could be. It’s a book of warm hugs, vibrant characters and a story that will be remembered. I thoroughly enjoyed The Library of Lost and Found and intend to pass it on to other readers who enjoy books, libraries and life!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Park Row Books, and Phaedra Patrick for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel. I'm a huge fan (you have read The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, right?) - so I loved falling back into another book by this author.

Martha has lived her life helping others - she gave up her chance at happiness with boyfriend, Joe, to stay home and take care of her ailing parents. She keeps a book where she compiles all the "to-do" items she has to do for other people because she can't say no to them. She works at the library but can't get hired full time. Then a book appears at the library door for her - inscribed to her from her grandmother. Investigating the origins of this book take her on a journey of self-discovery that you must experience.

Full of little stories from this special book from her grandmother (think Aesop's Fables), plus so many lovingly quirky characters, plus a book about libraries and books! - definitely a highly recommended read! 5 glowing stars yet again for this author!

I want to thank Phaedra Patrick, Park Row and Netgalley for allowing me this advanced copy of this book. I went in with no idea what I was getting myself into. It seemed like a simple story. Martha Storm lives for others. She is meek and timid. Her home is a horde of projects for other people. She wasn't always this way, but years of taking care of her parents and giving up her own happiness have taught her to live for others. It's safer. She won't be hurt again if she just focuses on others. She use to write and laugh, fantastic stories she wrote with her grandmother, no long dead.

Then she gets the book. It's left at the library she volunteers her days to. A book full of her stories with an inscription from her grandmother from 1985, three years after she died. Martha follows the clues and finds her old self again. There are more copies of the book and following the trail leads her to find out about her own life and to make decisions that take it back. She becomes a more tolerable character to read. She is less doormat, meets people who support her instead of using her, and she lets people help her instead of always doing for others. In some ways she stays childlike and clueless.

The story manages to be touching without being sappy. Saying more would ruin the story for future readers, so I'll just leave it with the feeling of hope that I had as I finished reading. We still have a lot of questions about Martha's future and her relationships with family, friends, and those who use to use her. But I am hopeful for Martha.

I recently finished 'The Library of Lost and Found' by Phaedra Patrick and really loved it. The story is about a librarian named Martha Storm and a mysterious gift she receives. When a book of stories that she had written with her deceased grandmother surfaces, Martha sets off to figure out who left it, who wrote it, and why the dedication to her, from her grandmother, is dated after she was already dead.



Martha Storm spends her life trying to help others, while her own life falls to shambles around her. Yet, she keeps going. At times, I cringed at how hard she tries to please the people in her life. I suppose we all have those moments, whether we care to admit them or not. As the story goes along, Martha discovers who she really is and what she should be doing with her life. She does this all while finding the missing pieces of her past that she sometimes didn't even know were there. The cast of characters in this book is so fun. Eccentric co-workers, domineering sister, care free grandmother, and an overly confident bookseller to name a few. I feel like a lot of people can relate to at least one of the characters in this book. They are all quirky in their own ways and it was the perfect mix of personalities. The story is funny, heartwarming, and a bit sad. There are a few pretty emotional topics that Phaedra touches on, but they are an absolute must in order to know Martha's full story.





The story goes back and forth between Martha's childhood and present day and I felt like the transitions were really easy. Sometimes, flash back stories feel disconnected but it wasn't in this case.



I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I can safely say I would recommend this book to my friends. I will also be looking for other books by Phaedra Patrick to read since I enjoyed this one so much. If you are in the mood for something light and fun to read, I highly suggest you try this one out! This book is available for purchase on March 26, 2019.



Happy reading!

Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for this free review copy! This little gem was a delight to read ☺️ Our protagonist, Martha, wants nothing more from life than doing things for, and caring for others. She is a librarian who has a lifelong connection to books and the fairy tales penned by her own hand. I loved the literary references sprinkled throughout. Growing up with a tyrannical, passive/aggressive father, she has conditioned herself to accept the mundane life which hers has become.

But then a mysterious book finds its way into her hands, making Martha question her family history surrounding her beloved grandmother, Zelda. The ensuing family secret that shaped Martha’s choices and life is something all readers can relate to on some level.

I found myself cheering Martha on; the underdog, who was finally stepping out from underneath the doormat she had always been for everyone else.

This novel exemplifies the power of storytelling. It shows how the written word is cathartic, both by the act of writing and reading. It can bring generations together and provide healing power.
Perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Rachel Joyce.
My review will also be posted on my Instagram account today.

I really enjoyed this story of past regrets, family secrets and hope lost and found. We go along with Martha on her unexpected journey, experiencing her sorrows, hopes and dreams as she looks through the past to find her future. This is a thoughtful, heartwarming story that will appeal to readers who enjoyed A Man Called Ove and of course The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Thanks for Harlequin and Netgalley for the advance reader's copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick is a contemporary novel about the theme of family. The protagonist Martha is in a rut, when a bit of her past takes her on an adventure forcing her to exam the events of her past, present and future. Along the way we met some quirky and entertaining characters, whose tales and memories add to the adventure.

I think what I appreciated most about this book is how much I could relate to the main character - doing things for others without expecting anything in return. I loved the idea of solving a mystery from her grandmother. I feel like this is a book that every bookworm needs to read. It's fun...not my favorite, but a quirky read.

I almost gave up on this book in the first twenty five pages. I really dislike reading about people who find their validation in other people's approval and, boy, does Martha Storm meet that criteria. She does errands for people, sews and washes their clothes and acts like a floor mat in situation after situation. Her house is so full of other people's projects and storage, she can't even move around. You just want to shake her.

Then, slowly, things start changing. For one thing, her friend, Suki, appears and she's as cute as can be. Then a bookseller emerges with a mysterious, important book. Finally, her long lost Nana, Zelda makes a connection and suddenly things start evolving for her. She stands up for herself against her overbearing boss at her job as a volunteer at the library giving her the courage to apply again for a paid position.

The book connects to her past and her Nana which makes her sister nervous and yet she perseveres on discovering what happened to her when she was young. She finds unexpected strength and courage and heals old wounds. In the end it is a heart warming story that makes you feel good. It is a light and easy read.

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy in exchange for a fair review.

I enjoyed this book. Martha is the local librarian and spends her time doing things for others, even though they don't return the favors. When she discovers a book with a dedication from her long dead grandmother, she is off to solve a mystery.

This was an easy, quick read for me. It didn't require a lot of thing, just allowed me to unwind and enjoy. I enjoyed it quite a bit!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review**