Lost For Words: A heartwarming novel, perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern

Oh dear- judging by most of the other reviews, I'm swimming against the tide on this one, which is rather how it felt wading through this book.I fail to see why so many people have lavishly praised this story so highly. I found the protagonist, hard to empathise with despite her history. I wouldn't describe her as spiky, just hard to like as a person. I hate to give up on a book half way through so persevered to the end but felt mightily relieved when it was over. Sorry just not for me-- and I LOVED The Keeper of Lost Things! This simply wasn't in the same league.

Loveday is a loner and her whole world revolves around the Bookshop where she works and, even better, the books within it. All books are special to her and they are the only place she feels safe.The book is paced so well that you are eager to learn why Loveday is so sue that she has to wall herself off from the world and why she quite simply doesn't like people. A feeling many of us are sure to empathise with. The overarching drama of her young life is slowly laid bare and through poetry and prose her damaged little soul is laid bare.Great psychological from the author in places about how every individual perceives events differently and deals well with the basic insecurities we all face and how different people overcome them in different ways. Archie is garrulous and exceptionally extroverted, Nathan copes with the world by narrowing focus to a few rather than the many, Melodie takes refuge behind her exotic looks and creates a persona to match them, Rob hides behind academia because his demons look like hardwork in that milieu and Loveday, Loveday is just lost and scared and maybe a little emotionally retarded.The only thing that grated for me where the descriptions of Whitby. They certainly didn't match my childhood memories of this Yorkshire gem and I am not entirely sure they would have matched Loveday's either. I also found it hard to believe she had read so much but never read Dracula when she had been brought up in Whitby.Not an easy read in places on an emotional level but a throughly engrossing book that makes you examine your own motives for your actions toward others.There are some editorial issues that made me wish for a bright red pen to slash through the typos and grammatical errors. Fortunately they aren't liberally sprinkled through the book so it still gets an unusual 5 stars from me.

I love books and am always drawn to books about books so this novel about a bookshop was always going to be on my reading list at some point. I usually have high expectations and am often disappointed but always remain hopeful.The story starts really well with a main character who is gentle yet rebellious which is an endearing combination of personality traits. Loveday is introduced well and has a back story which is possible, even though unlikely. She is not developed as thoroughly as she could have been - she is an intriguing character who could have been used to great effect.It's an easy book to read and is well structured. There are three timelines (called POETRY, CRIME and HISTORY) that are followed which is appealing.Unfortunately the plot is just too dull and predictable. It doesn't feel gritty enough to be real life and doesn't feel wonderful enough to be a full-on romance. There is much more to these characters that could have been explored and it was a wasted opportunity.I was hooked initially but the plot soon lost my attention and the rest of the book was a struggle.

Stephanie Butland’s third novel, Lost for Words, is set in a secondhand bookshop in the walled city of York, two of my favourite places to wander around. And while the bookshop on the cover may look quirky and cute at first glance, there are shadows lurking inside it. Much like its main character Loveday.I liked Loveday Cardew from the instant I met her in Lost for Words. True, Stephanie Butland’s main character was talking books but there was something in her voice that sparked recognition. Once she rescued a book further down that same first page, I was smitten. I mean, what reader wouldn’t love someone who saves abandoned books and later tries to reunite them with their owner? Even without it being on a rainy day. Loveday’s a book person; she’s one of us.Although Loveday seems lost at times, and is certainly withdrawn and lonely, her inner voice is strong and sassy. Some may even say sarcastic. She’s a spiky character but she’s also a survivor, partly wearing those favourite first lines of hers tattooed on her body as inked-on armour to protect her. Loveday has a caring, watchful guardian in its wonderful owner, Archie, but it’s in Lost for Words itself, the bookshop of the title, where she finds her refuge. That is, until books start bringing a poet and worse, unsettling memories from the past, into her previously safe haven and disturbing her peace.This is a book for anyone who’s ever dreamed of spending their days in a bookshop. More especially, it’s for anyone who’s ever fled reality and sought comfort in the world of books: a place which offers an escape, protection against the real world and somewhere to hide out. Lost for Words illustrates how books connect us and can be a way of reaching out to us when we’ve all but shut ourselves off from the world.Filled with literary references, spoken word events and original poetry, and an eclectic cast of characters, Stephanie Butland’s novel will warm the heart of any book lover. It will also then promptly proceed to break it, possibly even shatter it, before collecting up the pieces and stitching them back together again. A beautiful, heartrending story of learning to open up and let people into your life, Lost for Words is a warm and tender novel, full of gentle understanding. I fell in love with both it and its characters.

The cover is perfect, it gives nothing away at all. I like to go into a book knowing as little as possible. It’s meant to be an adventure, I want to meet everyone in my own time and settle into my new surroundings. I also like that the book is suitable for all seasons. I could give it as a present for someone’s birthday in June or a Christmas gift in December. Which will be happening, because the story and characters are a must for everyone to meet.The story is very well written, you get taken on a journey as we learn about Loveday and the history that haunts her present. The pieces of the puzzle unfold and at times it’s best to have an unlimited amount of tissues at the ready. It’s deeply moving and tears will fall. This is not your average run of the mill love story, this one has heart!I don’t do spoilers in my reviews and I am struggling today not to tell you about the characters I detested and the ones I loved. Once you have read the book you will know who’s who.So I encourage you with every bone in my body to reach out today and get your copy, give your heart and head an unforgettable journey.