"Libby Lost and Found" completely captured my heart. The story follows Libby Weeks, the brilliant yet reclusive author of a best-selling fantasy series, who is grappling with early-onset Alzheimer’s while trying to finish her final book. Yes, there were clichés, and sure, it asked me to suspend my disbelief a bit, but isn't that part of the magic of a good book? Despite its imperfections, this story made me feel, and that's why I love reading.

Libby herself was incredibly lovable, and every character seemed perfectly placed to complement her journey. Peanut, the spirited eleven-year-old superfan who becomes Libby's unlikely ally, brought an authenticity that worked so well for the story. With all her preteen sass and obliviousness, she added a layer of charm that felt just right. The ending may have been a little far-fetched, but it was also beautifully done, pulling all the right emotional strings.

I loved it all—every single bit of it.

Sourcebooks LandmarkThis book was soooo strange and ended up being way different than I thought it would be. It’s so much more about the wacky storytelling and Peanut’s character than Libby, which I didn’t expect. I also felt that Libby never really went through any character growth around her dementia, it was all just resolved nicely in the end. This story did intrigue me, but I don’t think I would necessarily recommend it to anyone. 3.5 rounded down!

🌈Queer rep: Secondary nonbinary character

I like the premise of the book with the main character dealing with a very important issue with age and/or early onset Alzheimer’s.

A very famous children’s series author Libby Weeks, who writes under the pen name of F. T. Goldhero, is unable to finish the last book in the “The Falling Children” series. Readers and fans are getting rather anxious and angry.

Libby gets desperate and turns to eleven year old fan Peanut.

This is their story helping each other out of their darkest secrets. Hopefully other readers like the ending and the big reveal towards the end.

I find the writing a bit repetitive in most parts and the second half a bit tedious for me to enjoy.

I love the cover and the characters so much!

Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark, for the advance reading copy.

It took me a hot minute to fully get into the book. I was into it at first and then the Peanut chapters just seemed out of place? The changing POVs kept getting me lost but then I kept getting angry at Libby, and you realize oh hey this is the frustration and tough part of dealing with people with dementia, so it was meant to come.

Definitely a read for anyone who read the Harry Potter series as there are so many parallels, same with A Wishing Game.

3.5 rounded

This is so heartbreakingly nostalgic. If you’re the kid that stayed up on release night reading the entire HP book in one sitting this is for you. My heart broke for Peanut, a kindred spirit 😭 outcast clinging to a book series she loves finding a magical home within its pages. I had to sit it down and cry and stop reading for a day at one point.

Libby, oh Libby. You know how sometimes you can’t figure out why the hell a book is titled what it is? That’s not this. Libby finds herself in the depths of despair (you’ll get that even more after you finish) and she comes out with the best found family 🥹


While I do think there are several plot holes it’s still worth the read if you have ever felt alone and found a home within the pages of a book 🩷



**SPOILERS**
I’m not sure if I missed something along the way or misinterpreted a plot point? But this got extremely confusing. I was under the impression that Libby was from Blue Skies? How was the Fallen Children a copy paste of Peanuts story? Did I misunderstand the plot of that book or was it just the way Peanut inflated her own story because it was the way she found a home within the books?

Thank you for the copy. Sadly it didn't work for me mainly because I couldn't connect with the main character and the writing style. It might work for you if too much telling isn't a problem for you.

Thanks to NetGalley for allolwing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I am sorry to say this book wasn't for me. I thought it was completely different.

Endearing story of a children's author diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Sometimes depressing, but it is realistic.
The book seems almost geared to YA but IMO some scenes/issues may go too far for that audience. However, mature juniors and seniors (emphasis on "mature") would like and be able to handle this.
Plot is a bit trite and predictable (hence the YA feeling) but the sweet characters make up for that.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely adored this book. I haven't read such a heartwarming story in a long time!

Libby Weeks is a mega-famous author of a children's fantasy series called The Falling Children. No one knows who she is, and, as an introverted recluse, she likes to keep her identity a secret. The only problem? Libby has absolutely no idea how to end the series and save her children (or, more accurately, her characters) from the conundrum she left them in during the last installment. To make matters worse, Libby is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. She begins forgetting both small and important things, and she knows she must hurry to finish the story before she forgets herself—and the children—altogether.

Luckily, Libby has a number one fan, Peanut, who knows The Falling Children better than anyone. Peanut is a bit of a misfit herself, and she has found comfort in reading the series over and over and over again. So when Libby reaches out to Peanut for ideas, she is more than willing to help Libby find a way to save The Falling Children.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, but I loved the each of the characters. I expect this will be one of the book highlights of my year!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

- loved the concept
- found the supporting characters a bit weird... especially the reporter
- loved peanut bixon and what she stood for and her beliefs although a little far fetched at sometimes, it was nice to see her be transported into a world of a novel
- the book could have been a YA but some scenes were not YA friendly
- good read, i think a lot more could have been done with the story within a story

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Stephanie Booth's "Libby Lost and Found"

Libby Lost and Found is a delightful story filled with heart. Libby is the author of the hugely popular series The Falling Children. But she can't finish the series because of her declining health. Having recently received a diagnosis of dementia, we see Libby struggle through tasks as she attempts to move through her daily life. Determined to finish the series, she makes the fraught journey to find a young girl who she believes can help her finish the book and most importantly save the children in the series. I fell in love with Peanut and can't remember the last time I read such a wonderful young character. Peanut and her brother by adoption Buzz truly become Libby's rocks. The author employed humor to keep the story light even when dealing with some dark and troubling issues. I felt engaged and connected to the characters and the story throughout. This is one I will be recommending often.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Libby is in trouble. As the writer of the world's best selling children's series, "The Falling Children", she is overdue with the manuscript for the final book in the series. She's written her three child heroes into a disastrous and deadly situation and is simply stuck as to how to rescue them so that fans will find the "happy ending" that they expect. The plot of her book follows along with her diagnosis of early onset dementia. She too has wandered into the deep dark woods of her memory and can't seem to find a way out. Her publisher insists on keeping her identity a secret, using the pseudonym, " F.T. Goldhero." Rabid fans are looking for a way to find the elusive Mr. Goldhero so they can force him to finish the last book in the series; there's even a million dollar reward for finding the author.
As Libby grows more confused and desperate, she contacts her number one superfan, Peanut Brixton, hoping that Peanut's memory of the stories' events will help her to finish the final manuscript. What she finds in Blue Sky, Colorado is more than the solution to her writer's block, she finds a way to finally belong in the real world instead of living through her characters in their fantasy world. Libby and Peanut together find what they've both been searching for - a family.

Loved! This book is so different than anything else on the shelves today. It is perfect for anyone that just wants a great original story. A book you will not be able to put down and that you will not want to end.

4.5 stars rounded up! thank you netgalley and sourcebooks for the advanced copy. i loved this book more than i even expected, especially the (imagined) fantastical elements, peanut's relationship with her adoptive siblings, and rolf the dog.

books about books always have a leg up on most other contemporary tropes for me, but add a small town and found family? just perfect. and i love me a little grown-adult-learns-life-lessons-from-a-small-child.

Libby Lost and Found is a book for people who don't know who they are without the books they love. It's about the stories we tell ourselves and the chapters of our lives we regret. Most importantly, it's about the endings we write for ourselves.

i do have one small issue with the ending, particularly for peanut since she's very young and would have to live with the consequences for her entire life basically... easy to say that these characters and this story will live in my head for a long time.

I couldn't land on if I like or if I hate this book, but hate is an incredibly strong word. I found myself getting lost in the changing narrative and being upset why a grown adult would just follow a child's command. I found myself getting upset with Libby being so scared of everything.

Then in the sadness that is knowing those with dementia I came to realize the frustration was meant to come. So though I hated one of the main characters and found the other one a super annoying kid (but like aren't all 12 year olds meant to be a little annoying) I think I liked this and the hate I felt just made me sad instead and that makes me like this story.

thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the ARC 🤍

This book completely exceeded every expectation I had. I didn’t want it to end, and it has hands down made it onto my all time favorite reads list. Libby Weeks, famous author under a pseudonym of F.T. Goldhero, is diagnosed with early onset dementia. Immediately, my heart shattered - but I was quickly swept up in what felt like a hug of sheer comfort. This story felt so important to me and so magical. When this book is released I will be buying a copy and displaying it proudly, just like Peanut does with her favorite authors books. LOVED!

Thanks to NetGalley and Stephanie Booth for an advanced copy of "Libby Lost and Found".

Stephanie Booth is an excellent writer, however, this book just wasn't for me. I definitely want to give it a second chance when the audiobook is available!

Friendship, love, family and magic.

Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth, has all this and so much more. I was captivated from the moment I started this book to the very end.

Libby is a reclusive author of a best selling children's book series who has just been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Peanut, a superfan of the book series, is an 11 year old girl who is desperate to find out who her birth parents are. Together, they form an unlikely partnership to complete the book series.

This book so beautifully explores the themes of identity, loss, family and the human spirit and capacity to endure amidst the labaryinthe of challenges one faces in life. So many of the characters voices resonated with me. I could easily relate to Peanut, and her obsession with the Falling Children, it reminded me of my love of Harry Potter. I also thought that Booth masterfully navigated the complexities of dementia, and her portrayal of Libby's diminishing memory is poignant yet respectful throughout the novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed Booth's writing style, as well as her use of epistolary elements which added to the narrative's credibility. This book was refreshingly creative, beautifully articulated, and full of magic. I highly recommend it for all to read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative gem of a novel. It was full of engaging writing, interesting characters, and a unique storyline/premise. I could really feel the frustration of Libby as she was experiencing the dementia setting in. The story is also about fitting in, feeling left out, friendship, family, and the joyful surprise that is love.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Libby Lost and Found" is a feel-good novel with a great plot and fun characters. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Pub Date: Oct 15, 2024

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