So, it took me a while to get around to reading this book. I have to admit, that might have something to do with the cover. I kept thinking it was about a young woman in her 30s, finding herself. But once I started reading it, I was totally hooked on it for a few reasons. One was that Libby, the main character, is a famous author of a children’s book series, but she goes by an alias. So, I experienced the whole Harry Potter craze when I was in my late 20s, even though this series was for kids LOL! But it was so popular among all ages, it was crazy. And then, as a parent, my daughter was part of the Keeper of the Lost Cities craze. That was another children’s series where kids became super obsessed with the books. So, I totally understood Peanut’s passion for the Falling Children series. It was so sweet to see how she knew all the characters and the whole plot. It really warmed my heart.

But then there was also the other side of the story. Libby Weeks, aka FT Goldhero, the famous author of those children’s books. It was so wild to meet the main character just as she’s getting diagnosed with dementia. It was heartbreaking to see how she would try so hard to remember the simplest things, but then she would forget something right in front of her. It was also so sweet to see how these two characters eventually met and came together just when they needed each other the most. Libby Lost and Found was a really heartfelt story, but I think you might have to be open to a little children’s fantasy to really enjoy it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who remembers being a passionate reader as a kid or having that one children’s book series that they loved forever.

Libby lives a quiet life with her dog Rolf, where she has written the most famous fantasy series Falling Children. But nobody knows she's the author because she uses a pen name that gets to keep her privacy. When she's writing the last book of the series, she is diagnosed with dementia at only 40 years old. This is worse than writer's block, since on top of trying to finish the book she starts forgetting basic living things, like forgetting her dog at the dog park. After missing a few deadlines, Libby decides to take the offer of one of her most passionate fans to help her write the ending of the book. She meets Peanut, an eleven year old orphan who knows the Falling Children as if it was her own life. When Libby travels to Colorado and starts forgetting that she is supposed to keep the author's identity secret. I was very entertained throughout the almost 400 pages of this book, my only thing was that I'm not very into fantasy and there were a lot of references to the fantasy books, so I kind of skimmed over those parts. Besides that, I enjoyed this book and really liked the ending. I felt very sad for Libby's situation with her worsening dementia, especially when she starts losing her independence, but I was glad that in the end she found her people.

A poignant novel that explores identity, memory, and the power of storytelling. There is both humor and heartbreak in this story and I loved the connection between Libby and Peanut. A memorable read.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Libby Lost and Found" by Stephanie Booth is a heartwarming and uplifting story that beautifully captures the journey of self-discovery and resilience. This novel offers a gentle yet powerful narrative about finding one's way back to oneself, even when life takes unexpected turns.
"Libby Lost and Found" is an ideal read for anyone seeking a feel-good story that offers both comfort and inspiration. If you appreciate narratives about overcoming adversity, the power of community, and the quiet triumph of finding your true self, this book is a delightful and encouraging choice.

Liked the premise, really didn't love the book. Overall, a disappointment to a gravely important and to me, a deeply personal topic.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Libby Weeks is losing her mind. Along with her house keys, the password to her computer and email, and, during one particularly bad episode, her beloved dog. Recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, she's consumed by two things: finishing the book series and then killing herself... if only she could remember to do either of those things consistently.

Also known as F. T. Goldhero, the secret writer to the infamous "The Falling Children" book series, beloved by children for the story and by adults for the mystery behind the authorship; Libby still has to deliver on the last book but she can't seem to figure out how to get the children out of the forest. So, in a desperate bid to try to save her life-long companions, Libby reaches out to avid fan Peanut Bixton for help.

In Blue Sky, CO, Peanut is an eleven-year old super-fan of "The Falling Children" and is willing to whatever it takes to help finish the series. If that means lying to her older sister? No problem. Breaking into the creepy house down the road? Sure thing. Bribing her older brother into taking care of Libby while she tried to figure out how to end the story? Done. However, as Peanut gets more and more caught up in the secret of F. T. Goldhero her own life starts to fall apart.

.

This book has so much potential. In an unusual move, I loved Libby as an unreliable narrator-- there was so much care and thought put into the depiction of a degrading mind, and Libby's narration was an example of fantastic, and thoughtful, writing. And while Peanut wasn't my favorite voice, she was a faithful recreation of how we all think and feel at eleven years old: everything feels too big, too raw, and too important for anyone else to understand what's going on.

My biggest issue was the ending; Booth has done a brilliant job of weaving Libby, Peanut, and the story of the Falling Children into a confusing tapestry-- the edges of reality and pretend blurred and bled into one another, and I was never 100% certain what was real or what Libby's mind had created (but in an interesting way). <spoiler> I was desperate, especially after the conversation between Libby and Peanut in the hospital, for Peanut to be Libby. For Libby's mind to have created this beautiful story of a blended and complex family, a new love, and a place she belongs, to help her create and cope with the end of her book series and, indeed, her life. But, no. Alas. Peanut is given credit for Libby's writing, which is convenient since Peanut's own life so closely mirrors the Falling Children's (which is just such a big coincidence I can't help but retroactively roll my eyes). Booth had an opportunity to do something mind-melding, but instead took the easy ending out.</spoiler>

I wanted to love this book, while I read it I enjoyed this book, and by the end I was just disappointed.

I had seen some hype for this on social media and was excited to check it out. I enjoyed it, but set it down for awhile while reading it and wasn't really drawn to pick it back up -- it took awhile for me to get hooked on it.

The premise of this one was extremely stressful to me -- I deal with dementia in my daily life and the idea of it's onset being in someone so young is just terrifying.

I really enjoyed Peanut's character and all the people in her life and liked the book a lot more once Libby went there.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Libby Lost and Found offers a poignant premise—an acclaimed author with early-onset Alzheimer’s racing to finish her final fantasy novel with the unlikely help of a young superfan. It’s a love letter to readers and the stories that shape us, tender in its reflections on identity, memory, and the creative legacy we leave behind.

While the emotional beats hit with sincerity, the plot occasionally veers into melodrama, and some twists feel more jarring than earned. Still, the bond between Libby and Peanut is compelling, and fans of metafiction and bittersweet narratives will find much to admire!

Libby’s anxieties and her health issues grabbed a hold of me from chapter one. The Falling Children series, and the conclusion that Libby was attempting to write as she struggled to focus was a necessary part of this book, but for me that part of the story felt jumbled and confusing at times.
It was the moments dealing with Libby's early onset dementia that had me coming back to read more. And Peanut, the ultimate Falling Children fan; I can’t imagine anyone who wasn’t curious as more and more of the mystery of her character was revealed.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read the previously published early edition e-copy of; Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth.

With an intriguing premise, beautiful writing, and two compelling leads, LIBBY has a lot of upside for readers who stick with it though the pacing and heavy subject matter might deter some patrons.

Libby Lost and Found is a deeply moving, emotionally resonant story about identity, memory, and the power of storytelling. With a protagonist facing early-onset Alzheimer’s and a devoted young fan by her side, the novel weaves heartbreak and hope into every page. A poignant tribute to the stories that shape us—and the ones we leave behind

🎧 LIBBY LOST AND FOUND by Stephanie Booth
Genre: contemporary fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
💭: 3.5⭐️ — read more like a YA book which was unexpected and given the subject matter, i would’ve preferred a little more depth/substance but definitely a quick read

first off, thank you to netgalley for providing me an e-arc of this book!

this was such a cute and interesting read. Definitely did not expect for this to be so good! totally would recommend!

Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth follows reclusive author Libby, diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and 11-year-old superfan Peanut, who seeks to uncover her birth parents' identity. The novel beautifully explores themes of identity, loss, family, and resilience, with a creative narrative style and a respectful portrayal of dementia.

3.5 stars

Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth introduces us to Libby Weeks, the famous author of a popular fantasy book series called The Falling Children who writes under a pen name. Her diehard fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the final book in the series, The problem is that Libby has just been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in her 40s and is struggling to complete the book. She finds an 11 year old super fan named Peanut to help her finish the series. There was a little bit of everything in this book - excerpts of The Falling Children, a little mystery over who Peanuts parents were, a little magic and a bit of fantasy. It did grow harder to tell which parts were the book excerpts and which were really happening to Libby. This was to portray that her mind wasn't to be trusted, I believe. I thought the writing was fabulous, the story was moving and captivating, and what's not to love about books within books, books about books, books about authors, etc.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I thought the premise of this book sounded really interesting but sadly it just didn’t work for me.

This book wasn’t bad but it just didn’t captivate me. I found myself a bit bored with it and uninterested in both story lines. It felt repetitive and I didn’t enjoy the book within the book.

I am trying to be better at DNFing books I am not enjoying so I stopped this one at the 25% mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I really struggled with this book. It opens with heaviness as when we meet Libby, our protagonist and a prolific author under a pseudonym, she is already losing herself. I wish I had the opportunity to know her before her early onset dementia took over. When she travels south to get ideas for her final book from her biggest fan, we meet the Bixon clan and with the mix between fantasy and reality due to the interspersed passages from the books, I’m afraid that was where things started to fall apart for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth!

Stephanie Booth has created two first-rate FMC's in Libby Lost and Found, and I'm predicting that readers will be begging for more of their adventures. This book is difficult to describe and summarize so I'll leave you with this; Libby Lost and Found is about readers and writers and the love they have for one another and the printed word. I loved it and highly recommend it!

Started out so good...the author of the wildly popular YA series has dementia and can't finish her last book ... and contacts a young fan who she thinks can help, But the last part, I don't know, just wasn't as satisfying as I would have liked.