In “Love and Other Lost Things,” Wiesner presents a potent, heartwarming, and emotional story. A story which focuses on healing, redemption, self-discovery, and a second chance at love. Once begun, it becomes a tale hard to set aside. Brace yourself for a journey that will simultaneously shatter and mend the heart, whilst tackling subjects that may challenge some readers. The characters are crafted to resonate with readers in various ways, ensuring full investment in their lives.
Title: Love and Other Lost Things
Author(s): Melissa Wiesner
Published by Bookouture on August 6, 2024
Pages: 351
Genre(s): Women's Fiction
Source: Netgalley
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
A completely heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, and unforgettable romance, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Paige Toon. When two lost souls are thrown back together, is it far too late to fix their broken hearts?
Jane McCaffrey is only back in her hometown of Linden Falls because of her father’s death. She swears she’ll leave again forever—it’s not like her childhood home holds any happy memories. But Jane hadn’t planned on bumping into Nik…
The boy she fell hard for was a skinny teenager with messy hair and his glasses askew. Now he’s broad-shouldered and stands well over six feet but his deep brown eyes are just the same. And when he breathes her name and caresses the fresh bruise on her cheek—like he can’t help but touch her—Jane is thrown right back to the best and worst time of her life.
Jane and Nik once shared kisses, hopes, and teenage dreams. Taking in his blue scrubs and doctor’s ID badge, Jane’s heart lifts that at least one of them got to live their dream. And as they catch up over the beautiful music they once loved, it’s like the years between them fall away.
But Nik doesn’t know the heavy secret Jane carries about the real reason she left town. Or who put that bruise on her cheek… or about her plans to truly disappear, forever.
So when the past comes calling, can Jane and Nik find the strength to fight for each other? Or was Jane dangerously wrong to think she could outrun her secret—and will it destroy them both?
Love and Other Lost Things will shatter your heart, make you sob with joy, and remind you of the beautiful pain of lost love.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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“Love and Other Lost Things” showcases Jane McCaffery’s struggle to reclaim her life. The story leads readers to empathize with her pain of leaving home and the man she loves to flee an abusive situation. A decade later, a tragic event leads her back home, where she reunites with her mother and her first love, Nik. Despite this, Jane intends to leave again, but this time, she is not planning to escape by herself.
This story led me on a nerve-wracking and heartbreaking journey. It compelled me to read into the early hours, eager to discover whether Jane would finally find freedom and happiness. As the tale unfolded, one cannot help but cheer for Jane and Nik. They both deserved a shot at happiness and the opportunity to be rekindle what they lost ten years ago.
“Love and Other Lost Things” delves into the issue of domestic abuse. It showcases the challenges victims encounter while trying to leave such situations. It’s common to hear people blame the victims for not leaving. However, this compelling narrative sheds light on the struggles they endure. It also demonstrates the extreme measures they must sometimes take to break free from their abusers.
This book provided my first experience with Melissa Wiesner’s writing and it assuredly won’t be the last. Love and Other Lost Thing takes readers on compelling, sincere, and emotional journey through generational trauma and the quest to break the cycle of abuse.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 COYER Summer Challenge
- 2024 Netgalley and Edelweiss