Great Reads and Tea Leaves

Title: Lost Without You.

Author: Rachael Johns

Publisher: Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non-fiction, YA) & MIRA HQ, 29th October.

Pages: 440 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Four women, one dress, and the secret that binds them all...

On a special night that is supposed to be a celebration of new beginnings, Paige MacRitchie's joy quickly falls away when her mother collapses during the speeches at her book launch. In the aftermath, and terrified of losing her, Paige decides she wants to make the ultimate tribute to her parents' perfect marriage: she will wear her mother's wedding dress for her own big day.

There's just one problem - her mum, Rebecca, no longer has the dress.

As Paige tries to track down the elusive gown, she discovers that Rebecca has a long-hidden secret that, if revealed, could blow her whole family apart. Her new friend Josie is at a crossroads too. She met her husband Nik when she was singing in an eighties-themed bar, but now she's lonely, yearning for a family and wondering if Nik understands her at all.

And then there's nurse Clara. When she married Rob Jones, an up-and-coming rock star, she thought she was in it forever. But now Clara needs to make a new life for herself and Rob can't seem to understand that it's over.

When the fates of these four women intertwine in an unexpected and powerful way, none of their lives will ever be the same again.

A fresh and poignant novel of family, journeys, past decisions … and dresses … from the ABIA award-winning, bestselling author Rachael Johns.

My Thoughts

Lost Without You is a novel that will make you laugh, cry, wonder and reminisce. It would have to be the best book I have read this year! Having been lucky enough to meet Rachael, I am honoured to be reviewing her latest book!

I really enjoyed how each chapter started with a different character’s name and began with their story. Rebecca was the central character and all the other characters

somehow weaved into her story. This was done so well that I just had to keep turning the pages and I often read late into the night (sometimes even into early morning!)

There were many different controversial issues dealt with in the story and they were well researched. I laughed and I cried along with the characters and they became an everyday part of my life that I couldn’t wait to get back to!

I especially enjoyed reading about Josie. As an 80’s fan myself and a teacher, I identified with her the most.

“In reality she planned a night in bed with a bottle of wine and one of her favourite movies from the eighties playing on her laptop. Big bold hair, outrageous fashion, feel-good music and a little Molly Ringwald had been her medicine of choice for as long as she could remember.”  

There were so many twists and turns in this book and Rachael did an amazing job of linking all the characters together. The secret that Rebecca was keeping from her family was the link with all the characters and by using a wedding dress Rachael brought all the characters together.

“...‘Dad-what happened to Mum’s wedding dress? Is it packed away at the house somewhere?’...’I think she gave it away to charity.’...Paige’s heart sank and she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice; the grand plan that had entered her head a few seconds earlier was gone as soon as it arrived.”

Every single character in this book is likeable and some are even lovable.Their stories are unique and written very well. While Paige is looking for her Mum’s wedding dress, there are other stories being developed along the way. You would think, this would make it difficult to follow, but the talented way Rachael writes and links them together makes it very easy to follow and an extremely enjoyable read.

“...’I do remember that dress...I put it up in the window and in less than an hour, it had sold’...’Do you know who bought it?’...’I remember it was a man. Pretty young. Tall, dark, handsome…”

I highly recommend this book. It was such an enjoyable read and I was very sad when I got to the end, I wanted more!

“...’Thankyou’..said in unison, before they turned to each other and enjoyed a celebratory group hug.”

As Paige tries to track down the elusive gown, she discovers that Rebecca has a long-hidden secret that, if revealed, could blow her whole family apart. Her new friend Josie is at a crossroads too. She met her husband Nik when she was singing in an eighties-themed bar, but now she's lonely, yearning for a family and wondering if Nik understands her at all.

And then there's nurse Clara. When she married Rob Jones, an up-and-coming rock star, she thought she was in it forever. But now Clara needs to make a new life for herself and Rob can't seem to understand that it's over.

When the fates of these four women intertwine in an unexpected and powerful way, none of their lives will ever be the same again.

A fresh and poignant novel of family, journeys, past decisions … and dresses … from the ABIA award-winning, bestselling author Rachael Johns.

My Thoughts

Lost Without You is a novel that will make you laugh, cry, wonder and reminisce. It would have to be the best book I have read this year! Having been lucky enough to meet Rachael, I am honoured to be reviewing her latest book!

I really enjoyed how each chapter started with a different character’s name and began with their story. Rebecca was the central character and all the other characters

somehow weaved into her story. This was done so well that I just had to keep turning the pages and I often read late into the night (sometimes even into early morning!)

There were many different controversial issues dealt with in the story and they were well researched. I laughed and I cried along with the characters and they became an everyday part of my life that I couldn’t wait to get back to!

I especially enjoyed reading about Josie. As an 80’s fan myself and a teacher, I identified with her the most.

“In reality she planned a night in bed with a bottle of wine and one of her favourite movies from the eighties playing on her laptop. Big bold hair, outrageous fashion, feel-good music and a little Molly Ringwald had been her medicine of choice for as long as she could remember.”  

There were so many twists and turns in this book and Rachael did an amazing job of linking all the characters together. The secret that Rebecca was keeping from her family was the link with all the characters and by using a wedding dress Rachael brought all the characters together.

“...‘Dad-what happened to Mum’s wedding dress? Is it packed away at the house somewhere?’...’I think she gave it away to charity.’...Paige’s heart sank and she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice; the grand plan that had entered her head a few seconds earlier was gone as soon as it arrived.”

Every single character in this book is likeable and some are even lovable.Their stories are unique and written very well. While Paige is looking for her Mum’s wedding dress, there are other stories being developed along the way. You would think, this would make it difficult to follow, but the talented way Rachael writes and links them together makes it very easy to follow and an extremely enjoyable read.

“...’I do remember that dress...I put it up in the window and in less than an hour, it had sold’...’Do you know who bought it?’...’I remember it was a man. Pretty young. Tall, dark, handsome…”

I highly recommend this book. It was such an enjoyable read and I was very sad when I got to the end, I wanted more!

“...’Thankyou’..said in unison, before they turned to each other and enjoyed a celebratory group hug.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.