Lisa Wingate has a way of grabbing her readers and pulling them into her world, bound by emotion and excitement and nerves and stories that mean something. The Book Of Lost Friends is no exception. It is based on historical ads placed in papers after the civil war to help people find those they had lost. This story follows Hannie, a young woman who hasn’t seen her mama in 12 years. When she finds herself traveling with her former master’s two daughters, one of which was by his mistress, she finds a whole new world. Their journey begins as Hannie is trying to keep the girls from trouble, but trouble seems to be following them. As they travel, they discover the Lost Friends ads and start asking people everywhere they go If they know the people in the ads, if they know Hannie’s family. 100 years later, Benny is trying to teach her high school students in an impoverished Louisiana school that history has an impact on their lives now and on their future. But the small town is working against her, unwilling to look at the more sordid parts of their history. Can she break through and show these kids hope for the future?
Wingate tells a tale of loss and betrayal and love and grace and beauty. I’m so grateful for the chance to hear these stories. I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Another great story - or collection of stories - by Lisa Wingate. She teaches us about the history of a place and people by alternating stories set in the post civil war south and a small Louisiana town in 1987. I rooted for all the main characters right up to the last page.

Highly recommend.

I was provided an ARC through #NetGalley

It’s no wonder that Lisa Wingate repeatedly sits atop my list of favorite authors! Her stories are written with so much heart, making her characters and their stories burst with life, depth, and soul.

After reading Before We Were Yours in 2017, I wondered if it would be possible for Ms. Wingate to continue to entertain, enlighten, and touch her readers in such a powerful way. I’m reassured she can, does, and will. Such a talent. Her creativity and deeply rooted stories are unmatched in my book. (Pun intended.) When asked which of her books is my favorite, I can’t find an answer, for each one becomes another favorite as I finish the last page.

The Book of Lost Friends is inspired by true stories of the past making the characters that much more memorable and their stories that much more touching. As with this author’s previous books, the dual time periods are intertwined flawlessly, melting my heart and forever changing me. The inclusion of actual newspaper advertisements of the Lost Friends is exceptional and gives the stories an additional layer of spirit.

The book opens from Hannie’s view of life, and I am quickly drawn to her. Her narration is unique and engaging, and I see and feel her emotions and desperation. Benedetta’s story is much different than I expected, yet equally as moving. These are fascinating key characters, as is the supporting cast. Everyone has a story to tell that touches and routes someone else’s life.

Dual time periods are some of my favorite types of stories, primarily due to Ms. Wingate’s brilliant storytelling. I’ve learned so much of the human experiences of the 1800s, the underprivileged, oppression, and more from this book. I connected with so many characters on many levels.

With remarkable scenes, soulful characters, and Ms. Wingate’s standard themes of faith, family, friendship, and freedom, this is another life-changing five-star read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.

I really enjoyed The Book of Lost Friends. It started out slow but once Hannie's story began in the first chapter, I could hardly put it down. Benny's 1987 experience in the same rural Louisiana town did not interest me at first, but the cast of characters brought her story to life after a few chapters. I was constantly trying to connect the people from Hannie's time to the people Benny meets in 1987.

I almost gave this 5 stars, but I thought the endings were rushed for both Hannie and Benny. The epilogue wrapped up some questions but I think they deserved more time and attention in the final chapters. Juneau Jane (love that name) was a fascinating character too--I wanted to know more of her story at the end. It seemed like there was SO much more to be told of their adventures. But it's a wonderful book--great historical fiction--and another story that has not been talked about much.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

I am a huge fan of Historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. It is written in two time periods, Louisiana 1875 and Louisiana 1987. Benny from 1987 as a new teacher trying to motivate her students to care about local history and the local plantation where Hannie was a slave back in 1875. I could really feel Hannie's pain of losing her family and trying to find them against all the dangers that came with searching. The actual "Lost Friends" advertisements really brought the story to life.
I really enjoyed reading this book. There was so much pain in the lives of not only the slaves but also from the current owner of the Plantation. As I was reading I kept wondering how much more can Hannie endure in her search for her family. The ending was a pleasant surprise.
A definite five stars! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for my advanced copy for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This is a beautiful book filled with the ugly, heart wrenching history of slaves. Told in two parts, one in the past told from the glorious, strong, hope filled Hannie Gossett (1800’s) who has been a slave her whole life in the search of her stolen family (she has a heart of gold and strength that would inspire anyone!) and the second in the modern time from Benny Silva, a hard on luck school teacher forced to work in a deeply poor town, drenched in history. The two parts tie together towards the end of the book and with the mentions of the “lost friends” book. Actual inserts from the real book that existed so long ago!
An engaging story that will make you think, make you feel, make you angry, make you sad, and make you hopeful. There is always someone good to lift you up, even in the worst moments, even when surrounded by the evils of a human.

Lisa Wingate writes novels set in real life. Her writing style pulls you in and makes you feel the story, care about the characters. I read BEFORE WE WERE YOURS and at the end, felt as if I'd gone on the journey with the children so jumped when I saw she had a new title out. Since I'd read her work before, I was prepared for the emotional journey Ms Wingate's stories take you on.. THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS is as good, maybe better as her previous titles. The journey these friends take will have you turning pages long after your "one more chapter" time is over. Count on a binge reading as you follow through the trials and travels. An absolutely wonderful book that everyone I know would love.

Wingate again brings history to life with a tale based on real world events that will reconnect people!

Louisiana in 1875 is in the full swing of post-civil war reconstruction. Hannie Gossett is now a free colored woman, but with no place to go she remained on the Gossett Grove planation and entered into a share cropping contract with the master of the planation. But when he goes to Texas to bring back his troublesome son, it is believed that he has been felled by some ill luck and perhaps dead. One night, the half-breed creole daughter of the master’s mistress shows up to seek her inheritance. When his rightful daughter, Missy Lavina, and her half-sister, Juneau Jane set off to find out the truth about his will, Hannie knows that she must tag along to find out the truth so that she can keep her share cropping land. She could never have imagined this trip would have spanned across half of Texas and introduced her to more truth than she had ever known.

In 1987, Benny Silva has taken a teaching job in Augustine, Louisiana to assist in forgiveness on her student loan. The first day in class she learns the truth about this school, no one really cares. She is just a babysitter for a group of kids between the bells. Almost all the kids are from impoverished families and many don’t have enough food to eat. When a guest speaker spurs the movement of a project in her classroom that excites her kids, things start to take a turn for the better, until members of the community that don’t want things to change get involved. Benny decides that she will do whatever it takes to get her kids to improve their learning and participation at school, even if it cost her the job.

I love how Lisa Wingate can connect the past and present (or at least closer to the present in this case) with a book. The Book of Lost Friends centers on the Lost Friends column that was published in Southern newspapers that reconnected families separated by slavery. Several of the actual stories are shared throughout the book in-between chapters. Both stories were powerful. Hannie become the matriarch of the town of Augustine, but not before a lifetime of adventure that developed the book. Benny was able to connect seemingly worthless kids to their past ancestors and give them hope for the future. I’m not sure which story that I enjoyed better. As always, her research on the time period is spot on. I enjoyed reading about the Texas hill country during this time period with references to present day Menard and Fort McKavett.

I hope that as many readers as possible will enjoy this book as with her previous.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Lisa Wingate's The Book of Lost Friends is based on actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones they had been separated from.

This story is told from alternating view points across centuries, and weaves together a remarkable story of survival, family, and the importance of stories and history.

1875 - Hannie Gossett was raised as a slave on the Gossett family plantation in Louisiana, and got separated from her mother towards the end of the war. Even though the slaves are supposed to be emancipated after the war, Hannie who is still a child, and doesn't know where her own family is, stays on with the Gossett family, helping take care of their pampered daughter Lavinia.

Juneau Jane is the illigitmate daughter of Mr. Gossett's affair with a creole woman in New Orleans. Upon Mr. Gossett's presumed death Juneau Jane and Lavinia find themselves forced to assist each other in financial matters. As Hannie eavesdrops on a conversation between the half sisters, she realizes her fate is tangled up with theirs.

Benedetta Silva is a literary loving Californian who takes on a teaching position for a poor rural school in Louisiana in 1987. As she settles into her rented house, Benedetta aka Benny, will quickly discover a connection to the Gossett family.

I loved Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and was thrilled to get a chance to review her latest book. The Book of Lost Friends did not disappoint. It is full of wondrous writing, fantastic characters and an important historical story that is worth sharing, lest it be forgotten.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Lisa Wingate for the advanced copy of The Book of Lost Friends in exchange for my honest review.

I was excited to have received the E-Arc of this book as the plot sounded intriguing and Before We Were Yours was such a good read. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I had a tough time getting into the story line, characters and the writing style. As I was reading, I kept thinking about how many books I have read in the past that have tackled a similar topic and done so flawlessly.

I absolutely HATE not being able to give a book a fair chance and giving up before reaching the end, but I decided to stop reading this book at the 19% mark.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the chance to read a copy of this novel!

"The Book of Lost Friends" by Lisa Wingate
This was an amazing historical fiction novel. I love how realistic Ms. Wingate's novels are. I feel at times like I am reading history that is captivating and personal. She weaves two narratives that travel from the mid-1800's South to 1987 Louisiana. Her tale follows two women from different times with different backgrounds, but a similar setting. The novel tells the story of these two women as well as the history of a place. Wonderful journey! Would highly recommend!

What a wonderful story. I had high expectations after reading Lisa Wingate’s previous two books.. I found it sow moving at the stArt, but am so glad that I continued on.

I loved the way she wove the two stories together by going back and forth between (almost) present day Benny and Hannie who lived in the 1800s. I found it very interesting to learn that the actual “Lost Friends” paper exists.

Lisa Wingate has raised the bar in her newest release, The Book of Lost Friends.

Wingate's fictional account is a tribute to the past while encouraging us to honor and cherish our historical heritage.

The lyrical prose draws its readers into this stunning story, reflecting the different historical settings and personalities of both narrators, Hannie and Benny. I felt as if I was sitting at Hannie's feet, entranced by the beauty of her storytelling and unique twists of phrase. Usually I am drawn into one storyline more than the other, but that was not the case in this story. It is a story of two strong women who find purpose and value in the face of adversity. It is a story to be treasured and read over and over again.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this story but ultimately found the 1987 storyline not that compelling.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Book Of Lost Friends is another example of Wingate's excellency in the historical fiction genre. Pulling out real injustices and bringing them live through good storytelling is a gift!
This is a two time period novel. The first takes place in the 1870s, post slavery emancipation. It examines how freedom comes at a cost and that just because they are free on paper, doesn't really free them. The second takes place in the 1970s where a teacher has a classroom with unwilling students and puts them on a path of researching their past.
Great writing. Great storytelling. Book clubs will adore! Links to come.

Lisa Wingate is my favorite author for historical fiction! In The Book of Lost Friends, she takes a little known piece of history and builds a fabulous story around it. The book is written with two voices telling the story, one from 1875 and one from 1987. Of course, you reach a point where the two stories connect, and it is both heartwarming and heartbreaking to read. I loved both stories, but I could really relate to the present day one where a first year teacher takes a teaching job in an underprivileged school in South Louisiana. I felt the teacher’s frustrations as she struggled, but I could also understand her joy at making connections.

I loved this book, and I am so glad that I moved it to the top of my to-read list! Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Another beautiful novel by Lisa Wingate. Although the beginning of this book started off slowly, it build up to a heartbreaking story of loss and overcoming that terrible feeling of emptiness.
The story is told in two different eras surrounding the same history. Hannie, a former slave in 1875, is on a journey with her former master and her former master's half sister as they a trying to uncover the truth behind their fathers inheritance.
In 1987, Benny Silva is just starting her teaching career at an impoverished school where the students are disengaged and don't care to hear what she has to teach.
As both stories unfold, they uncover truths about the heritage of the town, how the characters deal with loss, and how our histories are important and define where we came from.
Overall, this book was very well written and brought you in to both characters lives in a meaningful way. I really enjoyed Benny's story most, and loved reading about the change in dynamic with her and her students.
Thank you Netgalley Ballantine Books and Lisa Wingate for the chance to read and review this book.

I absolutely love historical fiction. I definitely liked the historical part of this but I'm not a big fan of the present day story inclusion. I'd prefer to have more or better yet all of the historical aspect. I wish there would of have been more to Hannie's story but this was still a good book. It was a light, easy read and I would recommend it.

An excellent and meaningful and important book. I actually listened to this on audio, which was so incredibly well-done, and the narrator's voices brought the characters to life. I am a huge fan on Wingate's books, and this one is up there with my all time favorites of hers. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to review this!

I received this book through netgalley.
I loved it great story, couldn't put it down.
I love the characters and the cover and title to the story. I haven't read many by this author, but the one's I have read I loved them so far.