Oh my goodness! This book was extremely heartbreaking, but completely bingeable. If you are a Colleen Hoover fan, this book is definitely for you!

This book is about Jane who left home at 18 years of age, without a word to anyone. She ends up in LA alone with hardly any money. She ends up finding not only a job, but a man that she thinks will love and take care of her. Boy was she wrong. Not only does he not treat her right, but she ends up pregnant and trapped in this relationship. A decade goes by and she receives a phone call from her mother that she needs to come home now because her father as passed. She sees this as the opportunity that she needs to get her and her daughter out of their current situation, before it is to late. When she gets to her hometown her plan is to stay in the shadows and not let anyone know that she is there. This lasts all of about 5 seconds when she runs into her former best friend Nik at the general store. Not only does Nik want to know why she left, but also why she has bruises on her face?

This book was heavy and heartbreaking, but such an excellent read that you won't want to put down. That twist at the end!?!?! OMG, I did not see that coming and I was cheering the entire time! If you are a fan of Colleen Hoover, you will definitely love this book!


Read if you like:
-second chance romance
-small town setting
-shocking twist
-single mom/sweet kiddos
-emotional reads


Thank you Netgalley, bookedwiththeemilys and Bookouture for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

Recap: Ten years ago, Jane McCaffrey left her hometown of Linden Falls and hasn't been back since… Until now. Jane returns home after her father’s death, and runs into her childhood best friend Nik, who still had no idea why Jane really left town and the secret she's been keeping from him. When two lost souls are thrown back together, is it far too late to fix their broken hearts?

Review: Oh, my heart. What an absolutely heart-wrenching story this was. As soon as I started reading it, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. This book is told in dual POVs in past and present, so we get to learn everything that Jane endured that led her to flee her hometown, as well as what has brought her back home again. This is such a beautifully crafted story that brings awareness to what domestic abuse victims and survivors suffer, endure, and must do to survive and to protect themselves and their children. This story handles some incredibly heavy topics with respect and authenticity, and the result is an absolutely compelling story that will leave an indelible mark on your heart. It will break your heart, make you sob with joy, and remind you of the beautiful pain of lost love. It will both shatter and mend your heart in all of the ways. If you are a fan of Colleen Hoover, Love and Other Lost Things by Melissa Wiesner absolutely needs to be your next read!

As soon as I saw what this book was about, I was instantly drawn in! I was flying through it & really loved it! This book has a small town, second chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, “who hurt you”, generational trauma & lots of emotion!

It was definitely hard to read at times with what Jane goes through during her life & watching her mom go through a lot as well. Jane has to overcome things she thought she had escaped when she left home & you get to see her navigate that throughout the book. I loved the flashbacks that gave you bits of information to help you understand Jane’s thinking in the present day. It’s hard to read real life stuff sometimes, but so necessary. I saw one part of the ending coming but definitely not the other part!! I didn’t cry as much as I thought I would, but I definitely got teary eyed a few times.

Would definitely recommend this book! & I will for sure be reading another Melissa Weisner book!

Thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys @melissawiesner @bookouture for the #gifted copy of this book.

A heart wrenching emotional romance for fans of Paige Toon or Colleen Hoover. check the trigger warnings!

Jane has lived a hard life, with men who have not had her best interest at heart. She did what she thought she had to do to not only escape herself, but save the ones she loved. Unfortunately, life threw her more hardship but also a daughter Jane is determined to do anything for.

There was a lot of sadness in this story but also a lot of strength, perseverance, and grit. I enjoyed watching Jane find the will to believe in herself as she returned home to Nik and realized the support she truly had to do hard things

Love and Other Lost Things is heartbreaking and hopeful, with a fierce love that arises from past hurts. I loved Jane’s story and the strength she found as a mom. Nik was the perfect complement to her and he also has had a difficult past. They have so much to work through to trust again. Their first love was meant to endure the tests of time and it was such a joy to read! Melissa’s books are always a beautiful read with layers of real life filtered in and I’ve enjoyed every one. CW: domestic violence, on-page
I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

4.25 stars Whoosh…what an heart wrenching, emotional story-the topics addressed were surely not easy to read but I think the author did indeed treat them with sensitivity. A decade has passed since Jane ran from a terrible situation-she returns to her hometown with her little girl in tow-trying to escape another abusive relationship. She struggles with the decision to stay and lean on the people who love her. Told in dual, third person points-of-view in a then and now format, there is exceptional characterization of both heroes and villains, and as the plot progresses…one cannot help but root for the childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance of Jane and Nik. The few twists revealed towards the end of the book adds even more emotions to the mix. Although the storyline deals with ugliness, I appreciate the overriding message of seeking help, perseverance, self-discovery and love.
*Please check the content warnings-mental health is important
Thanks to Booked With The Emily’s, the author and Bookouture for the #gifted eARC
4.25 stars

I absoloutely loved and adored this book! I would love to read more by this author! The twists and turns I didn’t see coming and I’m glad I got my happy ending! But also that Jane did !

A bingeable, but heavy read from start to finish. Jane returns to her hometown after the death of her father. Having fled from the town at the age of 18, she never imagined she would return or that she would run into Nik mere moments upon returning. Nik doesn’t understand why Jane left nearly a decade prior, but knows he has to find out why and see if he can convince her to stay.

I loved the strong connection that Nik and Jane shared, which was apparent in every interaction past and present. His support for her was unwavering even while she tried to push him away. I also loved seeing Jane’s strength and growth as a character. She was much stronger than she gave herself credit for!

Read this story if you love second chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, “Who hurt you?”, emotional romance, and a twist you won’t see coming.

Thank you to the author Melissa Wiesner and Booked with the Emily’s for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me a copy to read in advance of publishing.

Jane McCaffrey left her hometown after high school and moved to LA. But after her father's death, she returns and is reunited with her mother and Nik, her first love, and other friends she had in high school. Jane is keeping secrets from those she loves and is hoping her past won't catch up with her while she is back in town.

I adored this story. It is one of my favourite books that I have read this year and I am eager to read Melissa's other books and will be watching out for her future books. Jane and Nik's story was moving and very emotional.

✨My Thoughts✨

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If I could give this book a million stars I would.

I knew from the first couple of pages that this story would break my heart and it did in so many ways but it also had so much hope and light.

Jane and her mum have a story that will resonate with so many women, it was hard to read at times but so worth it for the conclusion and ending.

The whole story had me enthralled so much that I read it in a few short hours and I didn’t put it down until the very last page.

The love story, missed opportunities and second chances had me so emotional but that epilogue was EVERYTHING.

Every book this author writes is absolutely beautiful and I’d recommend you all read her books immediately.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I am NOT okay. This book kept me up past midnight because I couldn’t put it down.
Jane leaves home at eighteen to get away from her abusive father. She runs to L.A. only to get involved with another abusive man. Jane returns home with her daughter when her dad dies. She is planning on disappearing with her after she helps her mom. Jane doesn’t expect to run into her best friend Nik or have her emotions come back after all of these years.
This book was a roller coaster of emotions. It was a difficult read with domestic abuse, but it was also filled with hope and love. Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Love and Other Lost Things” by Melissa Wiesner. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#LoveAndOtherLostThings #MelissaWiesner #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

This book is not for the faint of hearts. It’s some hard subjects to write about l’m sure, as it is to read. Melissa did a great job with this book. This is my 3rd books I’ve read and they all suck me in and captivate me till the end. Loved the twist at the end that I never saw coming as well as nik and Jane’s love. Only complaint is that I wanted more of their after story or an extra bonus epilogue selfishly. A definite recommend book to all my friends and book clubs. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for granting me the privilege to read for my honest review. 4.5 stars

I expected to be moved or that with the themes, it would be a moving read. Unfortunately, I think I missed the point.

Despite this, the book remains a good read with strong, important themes.
Jane is a character who touched me all the same. Without help, she had to fend for herself for years, and to see a woman finally get help, finally have a supportive entourage. It was really beautiful to see.

Sometimes, just having one or two non-toxic people in your life can really help. Here, Nik and Jane's mother are her people. Although I was very surprised by Jane's mother's behavior, I was very happy to see that she decided to fight for her daughter. So that she doesn't have to go through what she's been through all her life.

The plotwist? I thought about it without really thinking about it. The idea came to me but I didn't go any further, wanting to see where the novel would take me. I'm quite surprised, but why not? It was a bit abrupt for my taste, though.

If you liked it ends with us by Colleen Hoover, you’ll love this one. This book has some heavier topics so be sure to check for content warnings.

This is a very emotional love story that shows the lengths we go through to protect the ones we love. Tropes included are second chance, childhood friends to lovers, and who hurt you?

I had a hard time connecting to the characters and feeling engrossed in the story. It felt a little slow for me in the beginning but things really picked up towards the end and I truly was shocked by the ending.

At times, this book was hard to read. I can’t even imagine how someone who is in an abusive relationship feels. The hopelessness and trauma in this story crushed me, but there was also such inspiration and beauty as the story unfolded.
I found myself not wanting to put it down! I was so captivated by not only the storyline, but also the characters.
And that ending- I did NOT see that one coming!
Melissa Weisner is a phenomenal author. I have loved every book I’ve read of hers and can’t wait to read more.
If you love books that break your heart and put it back together- you will love this one!

My Rating 4.5 ⭐️

Love and Other Lost Things by Melissa Wiesner

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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.

My Opinion

Love and Other Lost Things was a beautifully written, emotional book. I read the first few chapters and knew that I was hooked. Melissa Wiesner takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride. Whilst difficult topics mean that this isn't an easy read - it has all been written delicately, and there is a warning at the beginning of the book. A heart-breaking but lovely book.

This was my second book by Melissa Wiesner and both have been 5 star reads. With this Melissa Wiesner has guaranteed a place on my must read list.

Rating 5/5

If emo romances are your jam then definitely add Love & Other Lost Things to your tbr because this book will definitely tug hard at your heartstrings.

This is a tragic and heartbreaking story about breaking the cycle and finding a second chance at life and love. It only took one time for Jane to run away in the middle of the night and escape the home she grew up in only to find herself in a similar situation years later. When he father passes away, Jane returns home to help her mother and to finally break away but she didn’t expect to run into Nik.

Nik was everything to Jane but when she left town she left him behind and all their plans together. When she learns he still followed through with his dreams she is relieved and sadden at the same time and mourns the life they could have had as she still feels the same draw to him even after all this time. Nik can’t believe his eyes when he sees Jane and all the emotions he felt came swirling back along with so many questions; ones he is determined to have answered before she disappears again.


Thank you publishers and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Wow! This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It was gripping, electrifying and a page turner.

It follows the story of Jane, who left home to escape her father’s abuse, and found herself trapped in the same cycle with her boyfriend, Matteo.

This was interesting and took on serious topics and themes with sensitivity. It may be triggering for some so check out the content warning.

It celebrates friendship, motherhood and freedom. The author’s approach to the subject matter was done with grace and respect. The plot also exposes the options and limitations available to people like Jane and her mother.

I loved Jane for taking control of her life and even though I did think about that plot twist. I never expected it and was completely blindsided in a good way.

If you love books about small towns, strong female leads and second chances then you should read this.

I cried almost all the way through this book. I grew up with an abusive dad so this book hit way too close to home for comfort. My heart felt for Jane as he was brave enough to leave her situation and start her life over. I was not expecting the ending at all and that part felt slightly cheesy but still is reality for many women. The only slight negative I have is that I wish it was longer. Reading it ifelt rushed but still the writing is amazing! Would highly recommend!

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.

"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.