Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland Review
- Format: UK Paperback, 368 pages.
- Publisher: Bonnier Zaffre
- Release Date: 20th April 2017
- Links: Goodreads
- Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Blurb:
Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look closely, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are things she’ll never show you. Fifteen years ago Loveday lost all she knew and loved in one unspeakable night. Now, she finds refuge in the unique little York bookshop where she works. Everything is about to change for Loveday. Someone knows about her past. Someone is trying to send her a message. And she can’t hide any longer.
During one of my many visits home from Uni, of course I needed to check in at my old workplace and inevitably Fiona one of my ex-colleges coerced me into purchasing this book and I am so glad she did! Huge thank you to Fiona is warranted here because this book is exactly what I needed when I was ill and just needed to sit in bed with a book. I flew through this book in a mere three hours and 4 cups of tea.
The novel itself is told in three different timelines of Loveday’s life (Loveday is such a great name I have to say), one as a child where her life changed forever, another from just before the novel began which come in flashbacks and the present timeline. Set in York I loved how I could imagine the bookshop which Loveday works at hidden amongst the streets and it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the book.
I think which also helped was the fact that I really related to Loveday on so many levels, I understand how she is happy to remain content in her own world rather than reach out to others. Loveday is quite content to go to her little apartment and immerse herself in books when she is not at work in the bookshop. (This would be something I’d totally do). But this is mainly contributed due to Loveday’s past, she doesn’t want to be hurt and that means she keeps herself closed off from others to protect herself. However I do adore her friendship with Archie, the bookshop owner who gave Loveday her first job after catching her attempting to steal a book. He is a charismatic and over flamboyant character which brings an edition of warmth to the novel and honestly I think he maybe one of my favourite literary characters of all time.
The themes in the novel I adored because each one I felt I could relate to in some way or another; family, grief, forgiveness, self-discovery and of course love of all types. We see this in the way of Loveday’s parents, her relationship with Rob and Daniel and I thought it was so cleverly done. But mostly because I adored Daniel as he attempted to get to know and understand Loveday.
If you are looking for a book set in a bookshop with a mix of romance, drama and action then I’d definitely encourage you to pick up this book ASAP! (Especially since I’m so tempted already to pick it up and read again!)
Let me know what you thought of this review and if you’ve read Lost for Words and what your thoughts were!
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