Book Review - Lost Luggage by Samantha Tonge

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Title: Lost Luggage

Author: Samantha Tonge

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 22nd September 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

One lost suitcase. Two strangers. And a notebook that will change lives.

For almost fifty years, sisters Dolly and Greta have lived together – getting each other through the good times and the bad.

Except this year, Greta isn’t there and Dolly is feeling lost and alone. In memory of her sister, Dolly heads to the lost luggage auction where she and Greta go each Christmas. But her bid reveals a gift she never imagined.

Amongst the clothes is the notebook of a reclusive woman who has hardly been outside for an entire year, but who isn’t ready to give up on life. The notebook’s contents resonate with Dolly. With the support of her neighbours, retired Leroy and eleven year old Flo, Dolly decides to take on the year of firsts Phoebe had planned.

But, can you have a year of firsts when you’re seventy-two? And is Dolly ready to discover the notebook’s secrets, or are some secrets better left lost at the airport?

I think Samantha Tonge has surpassed her previous excellence with this book.  Just wow. 

This is uplifting, it's emotional in places, there are all manner of tough subjects within it, but ultimately it will make you feel good and have you thinking too. 

And it all begins with an auction for left luggage, which sets of a chain reaction of Dolly starting to live again, after a year of grieving for her sister Greta. And within Dolly's trunk she has purchased this year there is a notebook of Phoebe's year of firsts. 

Dolly decides to try to do some of these firsts for herself in the hope of reuniting the notebook and some other valuable contents of the case with it's owner.  And it's once we get into the firsts, which is where the story really gets going for me, and keeps me on my toes with so much happening and fabulous plotlines.

We get to learn all about Dolly and Greta's exceptionally close sisterhood throughout the book. I loved getting to know Dolly's neighbours, especially Flo, is one rather special 11 year old, and the amount of insect facts she comes out with are fascinating, impressive, and clearly means the author did a lot of research into creepy crawlies. (Sorry Flo even after all of your wisdom, I'm still not keen on them!). 

I can't really explain how wonderful the various elements of the book come together, without spoiling things, but I will say it's a truly wonderful story that I am so happy that I have had the opportunity to read, and that I feel could stay with me for a while. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.