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Lost and Found
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • What might have been ? That tantalizing question propels a woman on a cross-country adventure to reunite with the men she loved and let go, in Danielle Steel’s exhilarating new novel.
It all starts with a fall from a ladder, in a firehouse in New York City. The firehouse has been converted into a unique Manhattan home and studio where renowned photographer Madison Allen works and lives after raising three children on her own. But the accident, which happens while Maddie is sorting through long-forgotten personal mementos and photos, results in more than a broken ankle. It changes her life.
Spurred by old memories, the forced pause in her demanding schedule, and an argument with her daughter that leads to a rare crisis of confidence, Maddie embarks on a road trip. She hopes to answer questions about the men she loved and might have married—but didn’t—in the years after she was left alone with three young children. Wearing a cast and driving a rented SUV, she sets off to reconnect with three very different men—one in Boston, one in Chicago, and another in Wyoming—to know once and for all if the decisions she made long ago were the right ones. Before moving forward into the future, she is compelled to confront the past.
As the miles and days pass, and with each new encounter, Maddie’s life comes into clearer focus and a new future takes shape. A deeply felt story about love, motherhood, family, and fate, Lost and Found is an irresistible new novel from America’s most dynamic storyteller.
It all starts with a fall from a ladder, in a firehouse in New York City. The firehouse has been converted into a unique Manhattan home and studio where renowned photographer Madison Allen works and lives after raising three children on her own. But the accident, which happens while Maddie is sorting through long-forgotten personal mementos and photos, results in more than a broken ankle. It changes her life.
Spurred by old memories, the forced pause in her demanding schedule, and an argument with her daughter that leads to a rare crisis of confidence, Maddie embarks on a road trip. She hopes to answer questions about the men she loved and might have married—but didn’t—in the years after she was left alone with three young children. Wearing a cast and driving a rented SUV, she sets off to reconnect with three very different men—one in Boston, one in Chicago, and another in Wyoming—to know once and for all if the decisions she made long ago were the right ones. Before moving forward into the future, she is compelled to confront the past.
As the miles and days pass, and with each new encounter, Maddie’s life comes into clearer focus and a new future takes shape. A deeply felt story about love, motherhood, family, and fate, Lost and Found is an irresistible new novel from America’s most dynamic storyteller.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
About the author
Danielle Steel
829 books15.1k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 594 reviews
July 16, 2019
This will probably rank as one of my favorite DS books ever! All the feels and a few surprises and giggles along the way. I always describe her books as comfort food and this one didn’t disappoint
June 27, 2019
Lost and Found is the newest contemporary romance from Danielle Steel. This new novel asks and answers one woman’s question of had she made the right choices in her life. The book features an older protagonist with fifty eight year old Madison Allen as she looks back on her life.
Maddie has been divorced for years after her marriage resulted in three children in as many years of marriage all the while her husband dived into affair after affair. Once divorced Maddie put everything she had into giving her children a wonderful life all while building her career as a photographer.
Once Maddie’s children were grown she invested in an old firehouse in Manhattan that had plenty of space for visiting children and grandchildren along with a nice large studio space, however, the kids spread out around the country and rarely visit. One weekend alone Maddie takes a spill off a ladder while cleaning her closets and with her daughter ready to put her in a nursing home after the accident Maddie decides to take a look back on her life and the choices she’s made by taking a road trip across country.
I loved the whole concept behind Lost and Found with Maddie being older yet still very active in her life deciding to see if her major life choices had been the right ones. Who hasn’t thought about the past and wondered what if at some point in their life? It was also nice that along with the romantic side of the story we also get to see improvement in her family’s relationships. Another lovely story by Danielle Steel that makes it easy to see why she’s had such a long writing career.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Maddie has been divorced for years after her marriage resulted in three children in as many years of marriage all the while her husband dived into affair after affair. Once divorced Maddie put everything she had into giving her children a wonderful life all while building her career as a photographer.
Once Maddie’s children were grown she invested in an old firehouse in Manhattan that had plenty of space for visiting children and grandchildren along with a nice large studio space, however, the kids spread out around the country and rarely visit. One weekend alone Maddie takes a spill off a ladder while cleaning her closets and with her daughter ready to put her in a nursing home after the accident Maddie decides to take a look back on her life and the choices she’s made by taking a road trip across country.
I loved the whole concept behind Lost and Found with Maddie being older yet still very active in her life deciding to see if her major life choices had been the right ones. Who hasn’t thought about the past and wondered what if at some point in their life? It was also nice that along with the romantic side of the story we also get to see improvement in her family’s relationships. Another lovely story by Danielle Steel that makes it easy to see why she’s had such a long writing career.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
May 5, 2023
Danielle Steel's stories are like my getaway whenever I am stressed and confused about life. The stories are so close to my heart that I could relate to every character Danielle has created. And whenever I feel like I am losing hope, the characters in the books will give me the courage and hope to move forward. Lost and Found is one of my absolute favorites. It talks about how good things can happen to people in the most natural and believable way.
June 25, 2022
It’s been awhile since I read a Danielle Steel book and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed LOST AND FOUND. Maddie is a world famous photographer. She has three grown children and has been divorced for many many years. She lives in a refurbished firehouse in New York City. She falls off a ladder and injures her ankle. Her oldest daughter reads her the riot act and pushes her mother to the brink. Maddie decides to go on a cross country trip to visit her past relationships. She wants to make sure she made the right choices. I thought the characters Maddie and William were unique in their presentation. Both damaged, but taking things slowly but keeping an open mind.
Wow! I honestly wasn’t expecting to love LOST AND FOUND as much as I did. I honestly thought it was just going to be one of those books that people hyped up too much but now I see why. This made me feel all the feels. I laughed. I cried tears of sorrow and tears of joy. This was an emotional rollercoaster and I can’t wait to read more of Danielle Steel’s other books. I planned to finish LOST AND FOUND in a few days. Who knew that I would finish it in a day! Another great story from Danielle Steel. I cried from the start till the end at various parts of the journey. Well… stories about broken families always touch me deeply. You all really have to read this one.
LOST AND FOUND took on a true to life form. Things that happen to everyday people. It is very easy for anyone to relate to. The sorrow, grief, mistakes, forgiveness and ways to overcome them. Also the joy and happiness of breaking away from the past. Danielle Steel writes many books and they’re good stories. They all serve a purpose. They help me escape my boring days and take me to places I will most likely never get to. Literary reads are great of course, and so are books like this! They’ve all got their place and I have many of them on my shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wow! I honestly wasn’t expecting to love LOST AND FOUND as much as I did. I honestly thought it was just going to be one of those books that people hyped up too much but now I see why. This made me feel all the feels. I laughed. I cried tears of sorrow and tears of joy. This was an emotional rollercoaster and I can’t wait to read more of Danielle Steel’s other books. I planned to finish LOST AND FOUND in a few days. Who knew that I would finish it in a day! Another great story from Danielle Steel. I cried from the start till the end at various parts of the journey. Well… stories about broken families always touch me deeply. You all really have to read this one.
LOST AND FOUND took on a true to life form. Things that happen to everyday people. It is very easy for anyone to relate to. The sorrow, grief, mistakes, forgiveness and ways to overcome them. Also the joy and happiness of breaking away from the past. Danielle Steel writes many books and they’re good stories. They all serve a purpose. They help me escape my boring days and take me to places I will most likely never get to. Literary reads are great of course, and so are books like this! They’ve all got their place and I have many of them on my shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 24, 2019
I read many Danielle Steele books when I was younger. They were light romance with a problem easily solved. This was the same. The problem that I had with it was the repetition of ideas even down to almost the same sentences. I had to skim because I found it so irritating. The premise of the book was good., but it also was very strange that a world renowned photographer could be cowed by her bully of a daughter. This was a woman who photographed natural disasters and war zones. And yet she was doubtful of being independent anymore because of a broken ankle! There were parts of the story that were warm and loving. Being reunited with two of her children was fun. Time and the wisdom of age helped heal those wounds and insecurities Her adventure across the country started with a shoebox of old love letter and traveling to see if she had made the right decisions letting them out of her life. Once again, good premise but too much repetition..The I will keep to myself.
This is not a book that I would easily recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC and Random House in exchange for an honest review.
This is not a book that I would easily recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC and Random House in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2019
Poorly written
So poorly written. So repetitive. Had not read one of her books in years because they were all carbon copies and so predictable. Ordered this in error and thought I would give it a chance. Wish I had my time and money back. Does anyone proof read this crap? She breaks her ankle...clean break with no surgery. Just a cast. When it is removed, the pin in her ankle will help keep it more stable. What pin? What surgery to put it in?
So poorly written. So repetitive. Had not read one of her books in years because they were all carbon copies and so predictable. Ordered this in error and thought I would give it a chance. Wish I had my time and money back. Does anyone proof read this crap? She breaks her ankle...clean break with no surgery. Just a cast. When it is removed, the pin in her ankle will help keep it more stable. What pin? What surgery to put it in?
July 14, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
What might have been? This is the intriguing question that encircles Danielle Steel’s latest novel, Lost and Found. A contemplative story, busting full life, complete with good and bad times, Danielle Steel carries the reader away with her latest novel.
Lost and Found opens up the life adventure of Madison Allen, a woman who was once at the very pinnacle of her chosen career as a respected photographer. However, in recent times, Madison has found that she continues to cast her mind back to the past. Although she has a very modest life in her New York apartment, Madison can’t help but wonder what life would have been like if she had chosen a different pathway. Madison grapples with memories of three doomed love affairs, each with their own pitfalls. She also questions her commitment to her own true love, photography, and how this has impacted the life she now leads. As Madison fights with box of old memories and the decisions she made in the past, she is consumed by a desire to take a road trip. She hopes the road trip will serve as a wake up call and allow her to trace back her connections to a number of key figures, as well as places in her life. It is a difficult and emotionally complex journey, but Madison knows she cannot put it off any longer, she must face the past in order to build her future.
I really loved the cover design of Lost and Found. I have to admit that the front cover pulled me in to this title, I was looking forward to taking a journey with Madison, a once highly renowned photographer on an eventful road trip to confront her past. Lost and Found was a light touch story that placed no demands on my reading.
Lost and Found features Madison Allen, a mature age protagonist, looking back on her life with lots of uncertainty, some regrets, along with a set of unanswered questions. The strength in Lost and Found can be found in the main character of Madison. She is extremely relatable and connective. I am sure many readers from across the globe will be able to compare themselves to and sympathise with Madison. Even if you cannot directly connect with Madison, I am sure some similarities can be drawn to known figures, such as a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or friend. Steel has shaped the character of Madison well and I enjoyed her character journey, as well as the growth she experiences. There is a nice supporting cast that rounds this novel off well, including a token nasty figure. However, in true Danielle Steel signature style, there is the inevitable happy ever after the look forward to!
Ultimately, this is a story of relationships, love, life, careers, choices, regrets, second chances and above all, reflecting on the past. The concept is deceptively simple, questioning the ‘what if’ aspect, but in retrospect, it is actually quite a taxing process. Lost and Found will be sure to enthrall fans who love to get their regular Danielle fix, it is classic Steel fare!
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
What might have been? This is the intriguing question that encircles Danielle Steel’s latest novel, Lost and Found. A contemplative story, busting full life, complete with good and bad times, Danielle Steel carries the reader away with her latest novel.
Lost and Found opens up the life adventure of Madison Allen, a woman who was once at the very pinnacle of her chosen career as a respected photographer. However, in recent times, Madison has found that she continues to cast her mind back to the past. Although she has a very modest life in her New York apartment, Madison can’t help but wonder what life would have been like if she had chosen a different pathway. Madison grapples with memories of three doomed love affairs, each with their own pitfalls. She also questions her commitment to her own true love, photography, and how this has impacted the life she now leads. As Madison fights with box of old memories and the decisions she made in the past, she is consumed by a desire to take a road trip. She hopes the road trip will serve as a wake up call and allow her to trace back her connections to a number of key figures, as well as places in her life. It is a difficult and emotionally complex journey, but Madison knows she cannot put it off any longer, she must face the past in order to build her future.
I really loved the cover design of Lost and Found. I have to admit that the front cover pulled me in to this title, I was looking forward to taking a journey with Madison, a once highly renowned photographer on an eventful road trip to confront her past. Lost and Found was a light touch story that placed no demands on my reading.
Lost and Found features Madison Allen, a mature age protagonist, looking back on her life with lots of uncertainty, some regrets, along with a set of unanswered questions. The strength in Lost and Found can be found in the main character of Madison. She is extremely relatable and connective. I am sure many readers from across the globe will be able to compare themselves to and sympathise with Madison. Even if you cannot directly connect with Madison, I am sure some similarities can be drawn to known figures, such as a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or friend. Steel has shaped the character of Madison well and I enjoyed her character journey, as well as the growth she experiences. There is a nice supporting cast that rounds this novel off well, including a token nasty figure. However, in true Danielle Steel signature style, there is the inevitable happy ever after the look forward to!
Ultimately, this is a story of relationships, love, life, careers, choices, regrets, second chances and above all, reflecting on the past. The concept is deceptively simple, questioning the ‘what if’ aspect, but in retrospect, it is actually quite a taxing process. Lost and Found will be sure to enthrall fans who love to get their regular Danielle fix, it is classic Steel fare!
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
April 6, 2020
I listened to the book and it was just okay for me. Maddie was interesting and likable and I was happy that she found romance at the end, but the middle part of the book didn’t hold my attention as much. I kept drifting away from the story.
May 3, 2019
Lost and Found is a story of reflection and second guessing. Maddie sustains an injury that causes her to revisit and reflect on her past. She has three grown children and works as a photographer. Don't we all ask these questions from time to time? Did I marry the right person? Should I have taken that job? What if I had done this instead of that? Maddie makes a journey of self reflection. While it makes for a good read, there's just no way to know what might have been. Following Maddie will make you reflect on your past as well. It's a bittersweet story of family and choices that's warm hearted and complex. Another good read from Danielle Steel. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2019
This was such a fun quick read for me! As a single mom I can totally see me finding my one true love when my daughter is a adult
November 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this Danielle Steel book because it was a great blend of family, parenting, love, and staying young against the passage of time. I always turn to Danielle Steel books during the fall and winter because they are lighthearted reads that are not drawn out. Also, the books are great stories without having to become involved in a long series with a lot of characters. I loved all the characters except Deanna in this one. She was over aggressive and way to abrasive. However, the story was wonderful and a great staple for Steel fans.
August 16, 2019
Once again, Danielle Steel entertains us with her latest book. But then I love most of her books.
June 15, 2019
Lost and Found is a story about a women’s self-reflective journey. Maddie Allen is a famous photographer who is divorced and on her own after raising her three children. She does not have a close relationship with any of her kids, and Maddie leads a quiet life focusing on her work where she excels. Maddie loves her home which is a converted firehouse with a spiral staircase and where she has her studio and offices on the ground floor. After breaking her ankle in a fall and a dress down from her eldest daughter, Maddie decides to take a trip. She wants to see if the choices she made in the past were the right ones. It also allows Maddie to reflect on her life, lay old ghosts to rest and see what the future holds for her. Lost and Found reminds me of Danielle Steel’s earlier books. It is a light women’s fiction story with a heaping helping of romance and a splash of fairy tale (happily ever after). I like the author’s relaxed writing style. It makes the story easy to read and it has a smooth flow. I did not understand how Maddie could let her daughter run roughshod over her and be intimidated by Deanna’s words. Of course, critical comments from family affect us more than remarks from others. There is a significant amount of repetition in the first half of the book. After a while, I knew the information by heart (a little rewriting would have dramatically improved this book). As Maddie’s journey progresses, the story improves. I was especially moved by her Wyoming visit. There were some heartwarming scenes that were touching. I liked seeing the characters develop and the changes in various relationships. I agree with Maddie when she said. “strange things happen in life when you don’t expect them”. Sometimes it helps to look back before moving forward. Lost and Found is sweet story about reflection, family, romance, and choices.
July 1, 2019
After breaking her foot, a 58 year-old woman takes a cross country road trip to visit three former loves in her life.
Too much exposition at start, stereotyped characters that seemed to care more about stuff than others, and way too much brand name dropping. After all where else can you stay but a suite at The Ritz !??!!
I just may be officially done with her. 😟
Too much exposition at start, stereotyped characters that seemed to care more about stuff than others, and way too much brand name dropping. After all where else can you stay but a suite at The Ritz !??!!
I just may be officially done with her. 😟
January 26, 2020
Terrible and repetitive. Never read a Danielle Steel before and never will again. Who likes these books? The characters are ridiculous and she doesn't build on them just explains who they are in the first chapter and then repeats the same info over and over. Nothing actually happened in 80% of this book. She would do a thing, then tell her son about the thing we just read, then tell her assistant, then tell her friend. And repeat each time how it made her feel, how it changed her. We get it. Move on. Never again Danielle. Sorry.
September 19, 2019
Every single Danielle Steel book I have ever read is amazing! This included! A woman who has just concentrated on raising her kids after she was no longer with her husband. When her daughter suggests that she should get assisted living while only being in her 50s she decided it was time to put things to rest from her past. She looked up all past men she was ever in love with and travelled to them to see if maybe she made any regrets. This is a warm story about a woman trying to find her own identity without her kids. Loved it!
May 21, 2022
An amazing book about a journey of self discovery and knowing your worth. Recommend if you need help finding clarity and closure in your own life <3
August 11, 2019
Lost and Found
By Danielle Steel
This was great storytelling and very well rounded. The characters were diverse and the theme was about not giving up on your life at any age. The woman that the story centers around is named Madison Allen who is a photographer who is 58 years old and is fiercely independent. Her oldest daughter treats her mother as if she was a senior citizen or more to the point geriatric. At 58 years old, Maddie is shaken to her core after an argument with her oldest daughter Deanna.
Deanna is the oldest out of Maddie's three children and a shrew to her mother after she has an accident in her lovely firehouse restored home. The novel explores a woman looking back on three lovers from the past, whom after her accident she decides to go on a road trip and visit with each one to see if she made the right decision to end each relationship in her youth.
I enjoyed this story which was about family and their lack of involvement with their loving mother. Maddie lived in New York City but the places she traveled were descriptive and interesting. This was very light reading for me and I really enjoyed it. Fans of Danielle Steel are in for a treat with this book. I never read her before putting her in a pejorative category and was delighted to read her and think she has a gifted imagination and deserves more recognition.
Thank you to Net Galley, Danielle Steel and the Publisher for granting me my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
By Danielle Steel
This was great storytelling and very well rounded. The characters were diverse and the theme was about not giving up on your life at any age. The woman that the story centers around is named Madison Allen who is a photographer who is 58 years old and is fiercely independent. Her oldest daughter treats her mother as if she was a senior citizen or more to the point geriatric. At 58 years old, Maddie is shaken to her core after an argument with her oldest daughter Deanna.
Deanna is the oldest out of Maddie's three children and a shrew to her mother after she has an accident in her lovely firehouse restored home. The novel explores a woman looking back on three lovers from the past, whom after her accident she decides to go on a road trip and visit with each one to see if she made the right decision to end each relationship in her youth.
I enjoyed this story which was about family and their lack of involvement with their loving mother. Maddie lived in New York City but the places she traveled were descriptive and interesting. This was very light reading for me and I really enjoyed it. Fans of Danielle Steel are in for a treat with this book. I never read her before putting her in a pejorative category and was delighted to read her and think she has a gifted imagination and deserves more recognition.
Thank you to Net Galley, Danielle Steel and the Publisher for granting me my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 9, 2019
This was a typical Danielle Steel book where money is no object for the characters. Maddie is a famous photographer who falls and breaks her ankle. When her daughter reads her the riot act and tells her that assisted living is in her future, Maddie decides to go,on a road trip and look up three ex boyfriends. She drives from New York to California stopping at several locations. Along the way she meets William who is a famous writer. Maddie has three grown children, and it was interesting to see how they changed during the book.
July 2, 2019
Not one of her best! Felt preachy to me; I wonder if Ms. Steel’s kids have treated her this way and she was trying to send them a message.
March 26, 2021
Ooof. I have THOUGHTS.
This was my first Danielle Steel, and it's only from 2019, and I really hope that at some point her writing was better than this, because I can't imagine how this got past an editor, other than perhaps she's just so prolific that, like Stephen King, no one bothers to tell her to rework stuff anymore.
First off, it was so, so ridiculously repetitive. Maddie thinks something, then tells her adult children that thought, then she thinks it again a few pages later. She tells the same damn stories over and over in her own mind and to her children, and then to her love interest too. This book could have been half the length, and it was less than 300 pages in the first place. It still probably would have been too long though, because ...
There is absolutely no character development, for any of the characters. Maddie has no interior life, she just wants to revisit the "ones that got away," even though they were caught and released for reasons that didn't need to be revisited at all. It's all, she loves her work as a photographer, loves her renovated fire station home, repeat ad nauseum. Nothing ever goes any deeper, and I never had a good reason to relate to or connect to Maddie. There was nothing interesting about her, and there COULD have been.
Plus, I found a better story halfway through, when I realized that I didn't trust Maddie as the narrator of her own story. Her daughter, Milagra, had been afraid to introduce her partner of EIGHT YEARS to her mother, or to let her mother visit her in California. Why? This was not explored at all! What had happened in the past to make Milagra not trust her mother? There’s a much more interesting story here that we aren’t getting! Same with her son's wife and her other daughter, who is unnecessarily cruel to Maddie. WHAT is going on with this family! Make the setting darker and you've got a story rife for some closet-skeletons!
I also didn't believe Maddie's relationship with William. For most of the beginning of their relationship, she keeps describing their time together as pleasant, and with "interesting topics of conversation" for them both, but we get basically none of the conversations or why either of them is interested in the other. There was so much telling, and absolutely NO showing anywhere in this book.
And finally, it had some weird colonization/racist undertones. As a photographer, Maddie travels all over the world to take photos, but when describing places like India and Pakistan, characters describe them as "uncivilized" and "awful," and then the big will-they-won't-they story has to do with Maddie's hotel in Pakistan being bombed with absolutely no context as to what is supposed to be going on there at the time, and that bothered me, even though Google news sites indicate that bombings in Islamabad wouldn't have been out of character for the country at the time. But the fact that this useless book flexed that way in order to characterize some assignments as dangerous and others as safe really irritated me.
If this is how all of Steel's books are, then I probably won't read any more of them.
I got this one from my Bookcase Club romance box. (So far I'm 3/3 for disliking the books I got from there.)
This was my first Danielle Steel, and it's only from 2019, and I really hope that at some point her writing was better than this, because I can't imagine how this got past an editor, other than perhaps she's just so prolific that, like Stephen King, no one bothers to tell her to rework stuff anymore.
First off, it was so, so ridiculously repetitive. Maddie thinks something, then tells her adult children that thought, then she thinks it again a few pages later. She tells the same damn stories over and over in her own mind and to her children, and then to her love interest too. This book could have been half the length, and it was less than 300 pages in the first place. It still probably would have been too long though, because ...
There is absolutely no character development, for any of the characters. Maddie has no interior life, she just wants to revisit the "ones that got away," even though they were caught and released for reasons that didn't need to be revisited at all. It's all, she loves her work as a photographer, loves her renovated fire station home, repeat ad nauseum. Nothing ever goes any deeper, and I never had a good reason to relate to or connect to Maddie. There was nothing interesting about her, and there COULD have been.
Plus, I found a better story halfway through, when I realized that I didn't trust Maddie as the narrator of her own story. Her daughter, Milagra, had been afraid to introduce her partner of EIGHT YEARS to her mother, or to let her mother visit her in California. Why? This was not explored at all! What had happened in the past to make Milagra not trust her mother? There’s a much more interesting story here that we aren’t getting! Same with her son's wife and her other daughter, who is unnecessarily cruel to Maddie. WHAT is going on with this family! Make the setting darker and you've got a story rife for some closet-skeletons!
I also didn't believe Maddie's relationship with William. For most of the beginning of their relationship, she keeps describing their time together as pleasant, and with "interesting topics of conversation" for them both, but we get basically none of the conversations or why either of them is interested in the other. There was so much telling, and absolutely NO showing anywhere in this book.
And finally, it had some weird colonization/racist undertones. As a photographer, Maddie travels all over the world to take photos, but when describing places like India and Pakistan, characters describe them as "uncivilized" and "awful," and then the big will-they-won't-they story has to do with Maddie's hotel in Pakistan being bombed with absolutely no context as to what is supposed to be going on there at the time, and that bothered me, even though Google news sites indicate that bombings in Islamabad wouldn't have been out of character for the country at the time. But the fact that this useless book flexed that way in order to characterize some assignments as dangerous and others as safe really irritated me.
If this is how all of Steel's books are, then I probably won't read any more of them.
I got this one from my Bookcase Club romance box. (So far I'm 3/3 for disliking the books I got from there.)
May 28, 2020
Lost and Found was an entertaining, predictable beach read. Danielle Steel does have the skill to take the reader on a fantasy trip where the beautiful, rich talented work and travel.
July 29, 2019
An amazing story of finding yourself at an age when your kids outgrow you. It took me on an emotional journey. I cried so much with Maddie that it felt like I was right there with her experiencing all that life was throwing at her. It was rewarding to see how her family came through in the end. I highly recommend this book.
September 2, 2020
As expected of Danielle Steel books, a story that is interesting and enjoyable. After being told she is getting old, and might need assisted living, by her daughter, Maddie an active and famous photographer feels a change needed. She had discovered an old box filled with memories of three men she might have married and this led to her taking time off and on a trip to see what happened to them. It's been many years and she isn't looking for romance, just curiosity about their lives. Go along on her journey, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
July 19, 2019
It was definitely a Danielle Steel "fairy tale", but some days that is what need, a quick read.😊
July 13, 2019
Loved this book....
July 9, 2019
I really loved this book.
I liked the concept of the protagonist taking a self reflective journey to find answers to parts of her past.
What happens along the way during her travels was eye opening and chapter closing and even new chapters in her life beginning
What an enjoyable, relaxing read this was!
I liked the concept of the protagonist taking a self reflective journey to find answers to parts of her past.
What happens along the way during her travels was eye opening and chapter closing and even new chapters in her life beginning
What an enjoyable, relaxing read this was!
July 7, 2019
Loved it, couldn’t put it down.
July 31, 2023
In Danielle Steel's Lost and Found, I must admit that I found myself somewhat disappointed. It seemed as though the book lacked proper proofreading, as there were inconsistencies in the storyline. For instance, the protagonist breaks her ankle, but there is no mention of any surgery or pin being inserted. It is simply stated that she wears a cast and later the pin is referred to without any explanation of how it got there. This lack of attention to detail was quite frustrating.
I found the plot to be repetitive and predictable. It felt as though I was reading the same scenes and events over and over again. At times, I even questioned if the author had simply copied and pasted certain sections. This repetition made the story lose its momentum and became quite dull.
The dialogue in the book also left much to be desired. It often felt forced and unrealistic, with characters rambling on for pages without any real substance. This made it difficult for me to connect with the characters and invest in their stories.
Speaking of the characters, I found myself not caring much for any of them. They lacked depth and complexity, making it hard for me to become emotionally invested in their journeys. I believe that well-developed characters are crucial in creating a compelling story, and unfortunately, this was lacking in Lost and Found.
Overall, Lost and Found fell short of my expectations. The lack of attention to detail, repetitive plot, unrealistic dialogue, and underdeveloped characters made it a disappointing read. While I have enjoyed some of Danielle Steel's previous works, this particular book did not live up to her usual standards.
I found the plot to be repetitive and predictable. It felt as though I was reading the same scenes and events over and over again. At times, I even questioned if the author had simply copied and pasted certain sections. This repetition made the story lose its momentum and became quite dull.
The dialogue in the book also left much to be desired. It often felt forced and unrealistic, with characters rambling on for pages without any real substance. This made it difficult for me to connect with the characters and invest in their stories.
Speaking of the characters, I found myself not caring much for any of them. They lacked depth and complexity, making it hard for me to become emotionally invested in their journeys. I believe that well-developed characters are crucial in creating a compelling story, and unfortunately, this was lacking in Lost and Found.
Overall, Lost and Found fell short of my expectations. The lack of attention to detail, repetitive plot, unrealistic dialogue, and underdeveloped characters made it a disappointing read. While I have enjoyed some of Danielle Steel's previous works, this particular book did not live up to her usual standards.
July 12, 2019
Lost and Found is full of emotion. This is Maddie's story. She has been a single mother for a long time. Deanna her oldest daughter tests her mother at every turn. She thinks she knows what is best for her mother. It is a very strained relationship. Ben is her only son. Maddie lives in New York and Ben and his family live in California so they don't get to see each other very often. Milagra also lives on the west coast but is a bit of a hermit as she writes gothic novels.
Each of Maddie's children have done well in life. It is a shame that they do not take more time with their mother. This is Maddie's story about her relationship with her children and also her past loves. There was a particularly horrible conversation between Maddie and Deanna. No matter what a mother's love is unconditional. This made Maddie rethink all the choices in her life. She wondered if she had made the right ones in particular with her past loves.
This is a very touching story and will bring tears to your eyes many times. If you are a fan of Danielle Steel you will love this book as much as I did.
Each of Maddie's children have done well in life. It is a shame that they do not take more time with their mother. This is Maddie's story about her relationship with her children and also her past loves. There was a particularly horrible conversation between Maddie and Deanna. No matter what a mother's love is unconditional. This made Maddie rethink all the choices in her life. She wondered if she had made the right ones in particular with her past loves.
This is a very touching story and will bring tears to your eyes many times. If you are a fan of Danielle Steel you will love this book as much as I did.
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