This is a story of relationships; best friends, mother/daughter, girlfriends, boyfriends. Darcy is a senior in high school and feels invisible. We see her story through her eyes, and there is so much heartbreak, but hope too. Her best friend Marisol is a great example of what a best friend should be. I appreciated how Darcy finally learned what drove her mother's hoarding and how her, her mother, and her grandmother got to a better place of understanding and healing at the end. I loved Asher, how he came to care for Darcy, how Darcy learned about traumatic brain injury in order to understand his actions better; it's a sweet love story in the midst of the chaos in the rest of her life. I also loved all the literary references, how Darcy lived her life through other stories and in the end learned she needed her own story. A very affecting book.

This book had me at "literary genius heroine." I loved the secret gift she had for memorizing passages of her favorite books. Darcy Wells is exactly the type of character I have a weakness for. Shy, intelligent, not exactly nerdy but feels socially invisible. Then to find out that she's named after my ultimate book hero, the dashing Mr. Darcy??? How could I possibly dislike her after that? Spoiler alert: I couldn't. Books are the center of Darcy's world, they're her escape from the harsh reality of her mother's shopping and hoarding addiction. Inside the pages of her books was invaluable information she could stockpile in her brain to get her through a stressful time. Because her mother just isn't there for her to give advice and guidance the way she is supposed to be. She's a young girl trying to cope in the only way she knows how.

She knows her mother loves her, but through the years, their roles have become reversed and Darcy has taken on the responsibility of many things she shouldn't have to worry about at her age. Her mother has completely checked out and spiraled into an anxiety ridden maze of denial and comfort spending. If you've seen the show Hoarders, you probably have some horrific images in your head about what kind of filth they're living in. Their situation isn't quite that dire. Her mother holds down a well paying job selling make-up, and on the outside, you'd never guess that their home is stacked with so many piles of stuff that you barely have enough room to walk from room to room.

Darcy has adapted and learned how to project the perfect image and blend into the background so no one asks too many questions. Her best friend's cousin is called in for a favor when a repair needs to be made in their apartment. Her grandmother's monthly allowance is used to buy groceries or pay a bill that wasn't taken care of. And no one, absolutely no one, is allowed to step foot inside her home, because the fear of child protective services removing her is one that she lives with every day. She's one month away from turning eighteen, and she needs to keep their skeletons firmly in the closet until that day. Then suddenly her house of cards starts tumbling down around her. She's hit with one problem after another and everything is on the verge of collapsing with one wrong move. It's all she can do to take one shaky breath at a time.

Asher was such a refreshingly sweet hero. Yes, he's a little moody and unapproachable in the beginning, but his behavior wasn't just teenage angst or bad manners. When Darcy runs into him a few times and starts to get to know him better, she realizes that his mixed messages are coming from a place that he has no control over. Asher is one year ahead of her and just recently graduated, but he's been working for family while he heals from a traumatic car accident that destroyed his plans for the future. I enjoyed the fact that these two formed a friendship first and you could tangibly see their feelings grow into something deeper. To Darcy, he is the unattainable popular guy that she could never hope to capture. She's quirky, secretive, and would rather read a book at a party than socialize. He sees much more of her true self than she thinks and there isn't a part of her he doesn't like.

Darcy's best friend Marisol was amazing and every girl should have a supportive person in their life like her. The Peter Pan book that plays a big part in the book was pretty special, and I really enjoyed the relatable quotes at the head of each chapter. I guessed early on how the book tied into the plot, but it was such a creative thing to do that I didn't mind at all. Throughout the story I thought this would be a simple and sweet teen coming of age romance that's low on the angst and high on the cute factor. Then out of nowhere at the end, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself choking back emotion as Darcy navigated the broken relationship with her mother. This is definitely more than your average YA fluff, it has lots of heart and introspection in it.

I thoroughly loved Laura Taylor Namey's debut and I cannot wait to read more from her in the future.

This is a captivating teen romance with deep characters and complex relationships. The first person perspective makes the main character, Darcy, particularly intriguing and her life circumstances - unusual mental abilities, connections with literature and family intricacies - add great depth to the story.

The intricate relationships are the gold in this book. Darcy’s mother is such a complex mystery and has created a home atmosphere that is very challenging for Darcy. The love interest, Asher, is also battling demons of his own and the two seem to connect somewhat over their mutual adversity. Darcy has an almost unbelievably close, supportive relationship with her best friend Marisol, adding some much-needed normalcy and balance to her life.

I especially enjoyed the bookshop setting and the literary references throughout the book.

The psychological challenges of Darcy’s mother are especially poignant as is the effect of her mother’s hoarding on Darcy herself.

I found this book engaging, although there were a few parts that were a bit slow-paced and I’m still not entirely sure what the title is referencing. An enjoyable, entertaining read with unexpected depth.

Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey, 384 pages.
Inkyard Press, 2019. $19.
Language: R (57 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Darcy hides her real life from everyone but her closest friend, choosing instead to live in the pages of fictional stories. She’s learned to package her life nicely and keep everything separated as it should be, until things start to unravel with the threat of her eighteenth birthday and a new, responsible apartment manager. Maybe things aren’t as perfectly cut as Darcy pretends they are.
Having finished the story, I love how the title encapsulates so much of what happens between the covers of this book. We’re all a little lost, as Darcy and readers discover on their journey together. Without having experienced many of the things Darcy has to deal with in her life, I feel a kinship with her as the words that helped her were able to touch me, too. I found that this book is about learning how to deal with seemingly impossible situations and trying to understand that this life is about trying, learning, and doing better today than you did yesterday -- ideas that we all need to learn to apply in our lives. And I appreciate that Namey was able to all of this and more with real, relatable, non-excessively-dramatic conflict. The only reason I have marked this book as "optional" is because of the language.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I'll bet there are a lot of people who can relate to Darcy. Maybe not all of it= that her mother is a hoarder and that she's become the adult in that relationship- but definitely to the fact that she lives inside of her books. Books are her safe place, maybe the only place where there's nothing off. She does have a good friend in Marisol, who is a hoot. Darcy's thrown off balance when she meets Asher, who has suffered a concussion, among other things. This is a sweet romance, with a hero who has more depth (and loves books) than it appears on the surface. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A terrific YA novel that makes a nice crossover.

The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey is soul touching in a way that will leave you breathless and wanting more. The writing is simple yet lyrical and will have you under a spell from the start. 

"We were different--the girl who'd told her most guarded secret, and the boy who'd held every word like glass, because he'd known it was." -Namey

Even though this book is categorized as YA I believe it holds something dear for everyone. The complex relationship between the main character, Darcy, and her mom is gut wrenching and heart-warming all at once. You feel Darcy's pain, but you also feel the love she has for her mother. I connected with Darcy instantly and I just fell in love over and over with each passing chapter. She's real and understandable in a way that makes you feel as if you've known her your whole life. 

Asher is just a good soul and you don't see that a lot in today's YA books. We usually see the player or the douchebag turned good guy, but Asher Fleet is good from the start. He has his issues, but there's no hiding his goodness and I absolutely love that about him. He's perfect for Darcy and really gets her to open up and find herself among the chaos. 

"Impossible boy, invisible girl." -Namey

The storyline itself was beautifully written, perfectly executed, and leaves you with a smile on your face. If you have your own personal issues with a family member then this book will touch you in ways that you cannot imagine. Coming from a long strained history with my own mom, Darcy became my hero. I seriously want to be her when I grow up. Everything about this book was amazing and I can't wait to see more from Namey. She's definitely on my watch list!

The Library of Lost Things is a very sweet story. It features a slowburn romance, a heroine who must learn to understand herself, a fantastic friendship, and a complicated family shadowed by mental illness. I liked the characters a lot. They were intriguing, funny, and easy to get attached to. 

It was a little slow for my taste, but still a really good story. If you've been around awhile, you know that slow stories are my downfall. Even though it was work for me to go through it, I definitely felt it was worth it because the story itself was so enjoyable. Lovers of slowburn stories will definitely love this book.

I adored Darcy Wells and her story. I've never read a book that dealt with some of the issues in this one. It was very well constructed and felt true to life. The relationships were well done. I loved her friendship with Marisol, the developments with Asher, and the struggles in her family. It was a beautiful book with hard moments and sweet moments all rolled together. I'm so glad I got the chance to read this one.

Friendship, family, coming of age, first love, hoarding... Darcy has always done her best to remain invisible. Her life is only visible to her best friend Marisol. Darcy channels her response to life through the voices of her favorite book characters. Books are her anchor in a life overshadowed by her mom's hoarding. When Darcy's grandmother - who has always been supportive, offers Darcy an untenable choice, Darcy must evaluate her choices in order to survive financially until she's 18. At work Darcy meets Asher from the renovations across the street. He has his own set of struggles, as well as a girlfriend. Will Darcy be able to trust Asher enough to open her life to him?

Author Laura Taylor Namey handles hoarding and its impact on family members with sensitivity. With an interesting cast of characters and enough twists and turns in the plot, The Library of Lost Things is a highly enjoyable novel that I will be recommending often.

A good story about the common and difficult subject of hoarding. Told from the view point of the daughter of a hoarder who lives in the chaos of her mother’s addiction to shopping.

Loved the lyricism of this book. The words wrap you and hold you close to this beautiful tale. Darcy’s story was touching and heartbreaking. Loved Marisol and desperately want a whole book about her.

received an electronic ARC from Harlequin Teen through NetGalley.
Namey brings a different perspective to teenage romance. She offers a main character that escapes her life through books and lives through various characters. The unusual part is that her mom is a hoarder and Darcy hides this from almost everyone. She makes up stories to keep people from even seeing inside her apartment and is certainly functions as a fellow adult in the relationship with her mom. This book paints a realistic picture of family life when one or more members suffer from illness - mental or physical. Children establish coping methods and build on those until they break or seek help and healing themselves.
The romance portion is covered throughout the book but is only one of the focus points. The young man in Darcy's life is damaged in his own way as he recovers from a serious car accident that shattered his life plans.
Both take time to discover who they really are before moving on together. Refreshing approach often not seen in this genre.
The sidekick character, Marisol, is a terrific foil and balance for the main female character. She encourages Darcy and brings her into a functioning family dynamic.
The beginning part of the book moved slowly but once the various characters and plot aspects were introduced, it flowed well. I should have figured out who wrote the novel within the Peter Pan novel but that was a twist toward the end for me. A bit coincidental but a needed mechanism for healing to move forward for all three generations of women in Darcy's life.

The Library of Lost Things sounded like your normal contemporary novel. But once I really started reading it I found that it was so much more. This is one of those titles that is full of the feels and it hits you right in the heart. The story opened with us learning a little about Darcy and her situation with her mom. The author did a great job creating this world of hoarding as well as the character of Darcy and her mom. So may YA titles make the parents there but not and although this one did that sort of, Darcy's mom was there in some respect.

Darcy was such a great character and I have to say that she was way stronger and nicer than I would have been, with her mom's hoarding. I think I most likely would have given up on my mom ages before that and moved in with my grams or something. I am not a clean freak but I do like things being put away. And this goat tunnel system was just insane. I almost wished this would have had pictures or artwork throughout the story just so you could picture it even more.

Side characters in this one were amazing!! Marisol was my spirit animal for anything dealing with clothes and I really need a book about her!!! I want to know what happens in her life past this title!! Then there is Asher, towards the end of the title he reminded me of a Middle Ages woman who was tired of dating and just wanted to settle down. I thought it was so funny that I thought of him this way. But that is just how he made me feel. I loved his character as well and his issues and he was just so grounded.

The writing in this title was phenomenal!! It flowed so well and it just drew you into the story in the best possible way. You just can't put it down because you're just so invested in what is going to happen next. This book is just full of love for authors and books and the only issue I had with it was that hate for ebooks. This debate has been going on forever and I know it won't stop but print books and ebooks are both amazing.

Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who loves books and bookish things. As well as those who want a story about a girl just trying to not be invisible anymore.

How can a teenager deal with the abandonment of one parent, another parent who has lost control, and trying to figure out how to navigate life as a teenager growing up? These are some of the questions being explored in Laura Taylor Namey’s The Library of Lost Things. On paper this book seems like it might have too much going on: the loss of a parent, another parent is a hoarder, they might lose their home, high school graduation, first love, being an avid reader with a nearly photographic memory, a teenager with post-concussion syndrome…That is a lot to fit into one book, but the elements seem to balance and you feel yourself rooting for Darcy, the main protagonist, as she tries to figure out who she is and where she belongs. This might be slightly too young for adult readers, but we can all remember the challenges of growing up, even if our challenges were not exactly the same as Darcy’s.

As three stars implies, I liked this book. It wasn't sensational for me in that it felt a bit too long and too self-important. Darcy Wells is a likable character, and I empathized with her struggle to manage what little was left of her relationship with her hoarder mother. In fact, I found most of the characters to be well developed, with their own inner lives and complications. My biggest snag was the 'climax', or the 'all is lost' moment, when Darcy's secret-keeping bites her in the ass with her friend. It felt so contrived, and I always have trouble with drama that is completely illogical or conjured up as a result of misunderstanding. Overall, though, I'd say the book just felt a bit flat to me. Readers who enjoy YA with depth will likely enjoy this book, but it lacks the cleverness or stakes that might elevate it to 'must read' status.

Most teens will enjoy this romance with a look into serious family and personal issues. If you like hopeful , wrapped up endings this is a good choice. If you prefer dark and gritty out looks take a pass. Left me satisfied.

4/5 Stars

Author: Laura Taylor Namey

Publisher/Imprint: Inkyard Press

Edition: e-ARC, 345 Digital Pages

Hardcover Publication Date: October 08, 2019

A Spine that Shines? Quite Well!

*This review is based on the e-ARC edition provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All quotes used in this review come from the uncorrected proof. These are my honest opinions. Thank you.*

"‘Holding a real book is like holding something alive. There’s the grit of the pages between your fingers as you turn them. The edges get soft and worn. With a real book, you feel the weight of the story more.’"
-Darcy Wells, The Library of Lost Things

Initial Thoughts:

Yesterday evening, I finished reading The Library of Lost Things. It is such an adorable contemporary romance! If you are a fan of books that are about books, bookstores, or libraries, this novel would be a delightful read for you!

Here are a few initial thoughts I’d like to point out:

This novel will definitely resonate with those of us who love to read and collect books.
You will find tons of references to literary classics. There’s plenty of Shakespeare and even Peter Pan!
You’ll find that some super cute bookish-themed gifts are exchanged among characters!
There is also a hint of mystery; Darcy finds a used novel with tons of scribbling inside written by a mystery writer.
I liked the main theme. It is important to be honest with yourself and be the “real you,” rather than live a make-believe fairy tale story.
Realistic family issues aren’t magically “fixed.” There is the recognition that certain issues will require time and effort to reach a solution.
Laura Taylor Namey creates a great bunch of characters and realistic teen dialogue.

"My friend had kissed a fair number of guys; I’d heard about all of them. I’d also kissed dozens of guys – on paper. I’d fallen hopelessly in love, too – in books – with strong, flawed heroes."
-Darcy Wells, The Library of Lost Things

Characters & Romance:

The author has created a wonderful cast of characters for this novel! I’ll just go over a few.

I really liked Darcy Wells, the main character. She is super into books and has the ability to remember almost every word or story she reads! (That ability would be awesome, wouldn’t it?) When faced with a challenge she doesn’t know how to overcome, she turns to fictional characters for guidance. When she gets scared or nervous, she clutches books for comfort. Naturally, she works part time at a bookstore while finishing up her high school studies. Darcy’s life suddenly becomes way more exciting when Asher Fleet starts frequenting the bookstore where she works. Sometimes, she is afraid to admit things aloud, because: “Saying it makes it real.”
Darcy’s mother, Andrea Wells, has a serious hoarding problem. She hoards everything she can get her hands on – even things like pet food (even though they don’t own a pet). I had difficulty connecting with Andrea for most of the story. She seems distant and a bit detached from those around her. But towards the end, I began to understand her better after her big revelation to Darcy.
Marisol Robles is Darcy’s best friend. Marisol is half Cuban and half Mexican. She has a very unique personality of her own. She loves gum and fashion (and genuine Mexican food)! Her mother is a wonderful cook! Those food descriptions are mouth-watering.
Asher Fleet, Darcy’s love-interest. He has a pilot’s license and enjoys speed-reading! He is dealing with a challenge of his own. I liked how he is (mostly) patient and willing to give Darcy space and time to get to know him better.
A few romantic moments here and there feel slightly cliche, but they don’t detract from the story too much.
The romance in this novel does fall into a common trope category; a girl falls for a guy who is in a current relationship with someone else. I often have mixed feelings about this trope and find it a little annoying. But overall, I think it turns out okay in this novel, and I was satisfied with the ending.

"He was the home for all my words, even the ones I hadn’t defined yet. He was the home for all my stories, even the ones I hadn’t imagined."
-Darcy Wells, The Library of Lost Things

Final Thoughts:

Aside from the minor quibbles I mentioned above, I don’t have much else to say about this novel. I suppose I did find one aspect of the writing style a little jarring sometimes. There are several moments in which sentence phrases or fragments are inserted as if they’re full sentences. Here are some examples: “One step back, horrified hands over my heart,” or, “Her big, round eyes on mine.” For some reason, phrases like these jarred me out of the scene. In my personal opinion, these fragments would’ve flowed more smoothly if phrased: “She took one step back,” etc.

Overall, I found The Library of Lost Things to be a cute, contemporary romance! If it sounds like your cup of tea, I’d recommend checking it out when it releases on October 08th (only two weeks away)! Happy reading :)

I enjoyed this book because it shines a light on post-concussion syndrome, and the way it can affect those who suffer from it. While not the main focus of the novel, it does affect the plot significantly. It also shows how hoarding can impact the lives of those who must live with the hoarder. This was both a cute, enjoyable romance and a novel that helps readers learn about serious mental health problems - and it serves both purposes admirably.

I usually try to review a finished book before moving onto a new book, but these days it's easier to move on to another book than it is to sit down and type up a review. So The Library of Lost Things isn't as fresh in my mind as I'd like.

I picked up The Library of Lost Things because of the hoarding aspect. I can't say that I've ever read a book that dealt with this subject in any form. So the uniqueness really brought me in. Husband isn't a hoarder, but he certainly attaches sentiment to objects whereas I'm much less sentimental with material things. And Laura Taylor Namey really took on the topic well I thought. Of course, we weren't seeing the hoarding from Darcy's mother's perspective but from Darcy's.

While I liked Darcy and I liked Asher, I did feel like the romance between the two was missing something. It was a slow build for sure, which I usually like, but I wish there would have been a bit more heat or passion I guess. I don't know. Something hard to put my finger on was missing.

Initially I was annoyed with Darcy's "word of the day". This is a little overused in YA books where characters are prepping for the SATs. But this wasn't the deal at all and was worked into the overall story much better than I've ever seen it before.

For a debut, I thought Laura Taylor Namey showed a lot of promise. She wrote with a purpose. Her words chosen specifically and often poetically. It wasn't lyrical like I've seen from Lauren Oliver, Maggie Stiefvater, or Tahereh Mafi. But her words had multiple meanings at times which I can certainly appreciate. I will look out for future books from her, but I also hope to see some continued polish with pacing, the romantic relationship, and a few other areas.

The one area and character that never disappointed was best friend Marisol. The easiest choice for the best best friend of the year so far. Everything about her was wonderful. She was supportive. She never battled Darcy for center-stage. She was amazing. I loved her. I wish I had my own Marisol.

Favorite quote:
-"Don't you know? You've got me, Wells."

I want to talk more about the cause of the hoarding and how Darcy handled her relationship with her mother, but I feel like most of that is spoiler-area. I will say that some of the ultimate conflict didn't have the "oomph" that I was looking for.

The Library of Lost Things was a solid debut for author Laura Taylor Namey. It wasn't perfect. I wanted a little bit more passion from the romance and felt ultimately the build up behind the hoarding wasn't quite what I wanted it to be. Yet, I loved the side relationships. Marisol, in particular, was awesome. I'll be looking out for more from this author. The Library of Lost Things gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read The Library of Lost Things? What did you think? Let me know!

I really liked the concept of this book, the mother's hoarding added something new and interesting to this coming of age story. The characters and setting were well done, it was a quick & enjoyable read.