Salutations Bookworms,
Most of the time when I pick up a book, the author is a faceless figure to me. I’m rarely up to speed with the goings on of the literary community, and I pick up a lot of books by authors who are new to me. Half the time I don’t even know if the author is a male or female, what with the use of initials and such. This book is a bit of an exception. Lost and Found is the first novel released by author Chris Van Hakes (the pen name of a blogger I’ve always enjoyed, Shalini of Reading and Chickens.)
Shalini and I have had a few conversations on twitter and traded comments on blogs, but I wouldn’t call us besties or anything. (Unless you want to be, Shalini. Because we have SERIOUSLY bonded over THE TWITTER. There will always be a place for you at my imaginary slumber party.) I’m telling you all of this because I’ve never known an author I’ve reviewed before, and I think you’re supposed to disclose that sort of thing… What’s also important to mention is that Shalini did NOT ask me to review her novel. I went and bought it with my own dollars because I was curious. I’m a curious sort of gal.
Lost and Found is a sweet little piece of chick lit, and it totally satisfied my craving for a romance novel. Delaney has just moved back to her hometown of Park Glen (which is SUPPOSEDLY in a Central Illinois college town, which I obviously assumed to be based on Peoria. Because I’m self centered and Peoria is MY Central Illinois college town. We have tons of old Victorians that have been converted into apartments, many of them in dodgy neighborhoods.) Anywho, Delaney has moved back home after a breakup with her long term boyfriend/douche nozzle (term employed liberally in book) named Cliff. She ends up living across the hall from a cantankerous doctor named Oliver who is a pretty big douche nozzle himself. The key there is that he’s a douche nozzle with layers, see?
I have to admit, I never completely warmed up to Oliver- he was kind of a jerk for most of the book. Also, Delaney was sweet, but maddeningly doormat-ish. Delaney suffered from vitiligo, which is a skin condition that leads to white, discolored patches of skin. She’s super sensitive about it, though nobody else seems to notice it. Obviously, the two fall in love, and there are complications, and also pie. (Delaney likes to bake.) It’s a romance novel, so there’s nothing spectacularly groundbreaking about the subject matter, but the way it’s written is so doggone cute. The characters have pithy dialogue, the group of gal-pals is squeal-worthy, AND Delaney is a librarian. It’s certainly an impressive inaugural effort for a blogger turned author. If you enjoy romance or chick lit, I recommend giving Lost and Found a shot.
Bookworms, let’s talk about insecurities… Delaney is freaked out by her vitiligo, but she seems to be the only one who fixates on it. We’ve all got a thing. I get that way when I have a breakout. What about you?
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
Aww, I love awesome authors I’ve had a chance to get to know a bit. Super cool that y’all are potential besties (come on, Shalini!). Ha! Great review, Katie!
Words For Worms
My imaginary slumber party is the greatest. I’m sure Shalini will be down for it!
Jennine G.
Getting to converse with the author of a book you enjoy (or even didn’t) is always way cool!
Words For Worms
It is really fun!
Joules (from Pocketful of Joules)
Ooooh, it’s like you’re in my head. I do have a ‘thing’ that I’ve never talked about on my blog before and have only recently started being comfortable enough to talk about in person. {deep breath} I actually have been suffering from a chronic immune system disease for almost 20 years. It’s incurable and there is a deep sense of shame that comes with it, for what I’m starting to understand is for pretty much no reason at all. And yes, I’ve been working up the courage to blog about it.
Words For Worms
Deep shame? Over an immune system disease? Shoot, that’s nothing you can control. Boooooo shame, shoo shame, away shame! You’re perfection, tell your brain to shut up!
Ashley F
OMG I’m so self conscious of my skin. I’m super pale so not only is it SUPER obvious when I blush, but every scratch, pimple, discoloration shows up like it’s NEON. That and in photos I look like a ghost. A few years ago a friend of mine took a picture of me and there was a white wall behind me and with the flash I basically ended up blending into the wall. I was horrified. But everyone I knows is all, OMG you have such pretty skin, and your blue eyes and dark hair make such a good contrast and I’m all OMG WHERE IS MY SPF 75!!!
Words For Worms
I bet nobody notices any “neon” blemishes. I’m pretty fair, so I totally get the SPF 75. My natural shade is pretty close to see through. Pale girls UNITE!
Ashley F
Oh I’m sure nobody notices and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter. Everyone gets the odd spot. Just why does one have to show up on my nose so I end up looking like Rudolph’s Canadian Cousin?!?!
LOL a friend of mine used to always say I’m so pale I’m clear.
Words For Worms
Bwahahahahaha, Rudolph’s Canadian cousin. Have I told you lately that I love you?
Ashley F
We could hold each other and sing Rod Stewart together. It would be awesome. It would bridge the gap between Canadian and American relations. It could bring about world peace. Or it could just be two pale girls wailing….Have I told you lately that I love you…..
Megan M.
My skin is also an embarrassment to me. I’m very pale, and I used to have a really nice complexion, barely ever got zits. Ever since my pregnancies, though, my face is constantly broken out. I hate it. I really need to start wearing makeup.
Words For Worms
LOL thanks MEGAN, just another reason to fear pregnancy!
Megan M.
I can’t lie, it does weird things to you! LOL
Allison @ The Book Wheel
How neat that you read a book by someone you know! And, a bit terrifying at the same time. As for having a “thing” – we all have one. And you know what? It doesn’t matter if you tell me you’ve never noticed, it’s MY thing and it will bother me, anyway.
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
I love when you bond with an author! And it works in the author’s favor, too, because you can’t help but want to review their book! And your review taught me something – what vitiligo is.