YA Contemporary
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 8th 2019 by Inkyard Press
Summary
From the moment she first learned to read, literary genius Darcy Wells has spent most of her time living in the worlds of her books. There, she can avoid the crushing reality of her mother’s hoarding and pretend her life is simply ordinary. But when a new property manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their apartment complex, the only home Darcy has ever known outside of her books suddenly hangs in the balance.
While Darcy is struggling to survive beneath the weight of her mother’s compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works…and straight into her heart. For the first time in her life, Darcy can’t seem to find the right words. Fairy tales are one thing, but real love makes her want to hide inside her carefully constructed ink-and-paper bomb shelter.
Still, after spending her whole life keeping people out, something about Asher makes Darcy want to open up. But securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she’ll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth—even if it’s messy.
My Review
THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS is one of the best books to be released in the contemporary young adult genre this year! Full of meaningful moments of friendship, self discovery, family, and mental health, it runs the gamut of emotions. Add to all that lovable characters, sweet romance, and references to books woven through the pages, and it's a booklover's dream. Highly recommended!
I never know what exactly I'll get when I pick up a new contemporary YA release, so I seem to begin with some trepidation. That quickly melted away as I read this book. Darcy is one of those characters with a great voice and is easy to relate to as well. Who of us booklovers haven't lived inside our books at least a little? And who of us find ourselves in situations where we don't know exactly what to do or who to be regardless if we're booklovers or not? All of us have faced insecurities, fear, inviting someone inside our lives, and figuring out who we are. I feel like that is the center of this story. There's so much more than that going on, but this is the real question, and one Darcy must answer herself. And what an answer it is as she works through it and is challenged by those around her to find out what it is.
Beyond all that, Darcy is dealing with quite a few things. She's still in high school and has to deal with mean girls and trying to stay invisible. Her home life is less than desireable, with a mother who is a hoarder, and it tries to bleed into other areas of her life. Then there's the new guy who she tries to keep in a box, but seems to not want to stay there. There's financial strain, an estranged father, and a grandmother with her own agenda. Through it all are words and parts Darcy plays from beloved books, while also working in a quirky bookstore and living her life.
I loved these characters so much! Darcy is really a gem, and Marisol... she is the best, best-friend. I even learned to love Darcy's mom who is stuck in a cage of her own making, but still desperately loves her daughter. I have to mention Darcy's boss and his ex Tess, who totally made me laugh, but was full of wisdom. And Marisol's family! Loved them!! There's Jase and there's Asher. Oh, my gosh, Asher! He's like a booklover's dream boyfriend. These words literally melted me:
"You," he said, "are so pretty. But when we're at Yellow Feather, and I'm staring at you from across the room, and you're bent over some novel, you're beautiful. . . . I watched you almost every day." He smiled. "Watched you tuck hair behind your ear and fall in love with words."
And while we're sharing parts I loved, here are a few others:
"I thought giving up was the answer, but it's not. It's being honest about what and who we are." — Darcy
"Even the best guys aren't storybook princes. They're messed up and flawed. . . . You both kinda fumbled. But that's how real love stories go."
"No knights storming castles, no damsels in distress."
"Right, and that's super boring anyway," she said. "Real hearts love for real. But they also hurt each other for real, sometimes." — Marisol & Darcy
"That's where I was wrong before. We can't get stuck on one goal and a plan it to the letter. Life isn't to-the-letter predictable. It's messy, like us, and it changes. So our dreams can change too." — Asher
I also really liked that this story wasn't all about romance. It was about a girl facing her mother's issues as well as her own and finding out who she wanted to be. It's about friendship and letting others inside your heart. And it's about the pain and joy of life.
My only complaint were the swear words. There weren't very many and they were used how any teen would use them, but it means I can't pass this one to my daughter.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I loved this story so much! Memorable characters and moments, the best of friendships, plus a very swoon-worthy romance. This one has all the feels and is definitely one to add to your list.
Content: Some drinking, a handful of swear words (including a few s-words).
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through the Fantastic Flying Book Club, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
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