The Lost and Found Bookshop: A Novel

"A wonderful exploration of the past and the future and, most importantly, of what it means to be present in the here and now.  Full of the love of words, the love of family, and the love of falling in love, The Lost and Found Bookshop is a big-hearted gem of a novel that will satisfy and entertain readers from all walks of life.  Lovely!"—Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing In The Rain

In this thought-provoking, wise and emotionally rich novel, New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs explores the meaning of happiness, trust, and faith in oneself as she asks  the question, "If you had to start over, what would you do and who would you be?" 

There is a book for everything . . . 

Somewhere in the vast Library of the Universe, as Natalie thought of it, there was a book that embodied exactly the things she was worrying about.

In the wake of a shocking tragedy, Natalie Harper inherits her mother’s charming but financially strapped bookshop in San Francisco. She also becomes caretaker for her ailing grandfather Andrew, her only living relative—not counting her scoundrel father.

But the gruff, deeply kind Andrew has begun displaying signs of decline. Natalie thinks it’s best to move him to an assisted living facility to ensure the care he needs. To pay for it, she plans to close the bookstore and sell the derelict but valuable building on historic Perdita Street, which is in need of constant fixing. There’s only one problem–Grandpa Andrew owns the building and refuses to sell. Natalie adores her grandfather; she’ll do whatever it takes to make his final years happy. Besides, she loves the store and its books provide welcome solace for her overwhelming grief.

After she moves into the small studio apartment above the shop, Natalie carries out her grandfather’s request and hires contractor Peach Gallagher to do the necessary and ongoing repairs. His young daughter, Dorothy, also becomes a regular at the store, and she and Natalie begin reading together while Peach works.

To Natalie’s surprise, her sorrow begins to dissipate as her life becomes an unexpected journey of new connections, discoveries and revelations, from unearthing artifacts hidden in the bookshop’s walls, to discovering the truth about her family, her future, and her own heart.


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Published Jun 1, 2021

432 pages

Average rating: 7.71

52 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Margie Pettersen
Oct 27, 2025
6/10 stars
What's not to love about a novel set in a bookshop? After Natalie Harper discovers her mother and boyfriend are both killed in a plane crash, she goes back to her mother's home to take care of matters. Her mother owns a bookshop and her grandfather, Andrew Harper, has become more forgetful. However, we learn a bit about his past. Andrew's wife Lavinia left him when their daughter Blythe was still a baby. He had a business repairing typewriters and other machines. Andrew loves May Lin, is a Chinese woman, who does laundry and helps around the house, but they couldn't marry because of racial differences. As the story continues we are introduced to additional characters, such as Peach, the handyman, and girl who works in the bookstore. This was an enjoyable light book to read and recommended for those who like romance and happy endings.

Deannetownsend
Feb 06, 2024
8/10 stars
3.9 out of 5

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