The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe

It wouldn’t feel like summer if I didn’t read and share Mary Alice Monroe’s latest book.  The Summer of Lost and Found is the seventh book in the author’s Beach Read series.  It certainly can be read as a standalone, but is more likely appreciated if you’ve read the earlier books in the series.

Plot Summary

The book is set in the Isle of Palms during 2020 in the throws of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Linnea Rutledge has been furloughed from her position at the aquarium and is feeling all the financial, emotional and health issues many have felt in the past year.  Her boyfriend Gordon is in his native England and Linnea has felt the struggle of maintaining a long distance relationship.  To compound things further, her former flame John has moved in next door to care for his Grandmother. Desperate for company and to meet her financial obligations, Linnea invites a female colleague to move in with her.  By the time Gordon arrives and finishes his quarantine, John and Linnea have rekindled their friendship.  Linnea’s life becomes more complicated as she has feelings for both men at the same time and is uncertain what to do about it.

Book Review

The Summer of Lost and Found was an entertaining and enjoyable read.  It explores many of the complexities of life during the pandemic, providing insight into how the Rutledge family coped. The author’s love of sea turtles and their preservation continues with this latest book – a process that I find to be quite fascinating. The positivity in helping others even during our own troubling times was a lovely message in this book.  Having said that, I was looking for an escape from the pandemic in my reading and did not feel the relaxing vibes I was hoping for in this book.  Lesson learned – even when choosing to read a book from a favourite author, always check the synopsis.

Audiobook Review

The audiobook was narrated by Cassandra Campbell who gave a great performance.  Her clarity and expression made the book easy and pleasant to listen to.  I would not hesitate to recommend this version to those who enjoy this format.

What I Liked About The Summer of Lost and Found:

• The positive message about helping others during times of adversity
• The depth of relationships between author and reader that can only be achieved with a series.
• The ecological theme and its importance on the Isle of Palms and elsewhere.

I Recommend This Book To:

Those readers who enjoy stories about family and don’t mind the context of COVID-19.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Add The Summer of Lost and Found to your Goodreads shelf

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe

Reunion Beach: Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank by Elin Hilderbrand and others – A Book Review

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey – A Book Review

Thank you for reading!  How do you feel about reading a book about the pandemic before it’s behind us?  Let me know in the comments.  I hope you have a wonderful day.