A few years ago I read and enjoyed Knowing You and last December I loved reading Under One Roof so when I saw Samantha Tonge had a new contemporary Chick-Lit book available on NetGalley I scooped up the chance to read it and am I ever glad I did, this was such a delightful read.

I felt for these characters right away and I cared about what happened to them, in other words, I was fully invested in the outcome in all of their interconnected lives. The story is sad yet funny at the same time and it was very heartbreaking but hopeful too. There were some heavy-hitting subjects in this one like grief, self-esteem, eating disorders, and mental health but Tonge manages to deal with them sensitively and with a sense of humour.

Tonge writes an elderly lady, a retired gay man, and an eleven-year-old girl so realistically I was impressed it was all by the same author. I love books with quirkily unique characters and the growth of every single one of them was a wonderful thing to see and read about. I especially loved the moral of the story, family isn't necessarily blood-related and you can feel loved without a romantic partner.

This one promised to be "a perfect uplifting, feel-good read" and it totally delivered. The end of the book was a tad predictable but I loved everything else so much I am willing to overlook it. All. The. Stars.

I decided to read this book on a whim as I was intrigued to find out why older ladies would be interested in purchasing lost luggage!

This is a story about Dolly, a lonely pensioner, who is grieving after the death of her older sister Greta. The sisters had lived together in the same bungalow for 60 years. Greta was a bit stuck in her ways and slightly coercive towards her younger sibling and Dolly is now feeling a bit lost without her guidance.

A yearly purchase from the  lost luggage auction was a Christmas treat that the sisters had enjoyed together. However this year, as Dolly opens her suitcase, she discovers a notebook labelled "a year of firsts" and  she becomes.curious about its owner, Phoebe Goodsbody. She decides to try to track Phoebe down by taking part in some of the notebook's challenges and, as she does so, comes out of her shell and starts to rebuild her life, making some new friends along the way!

This was an enjoyable, fluffy read and I really warmed to the characters in the story (even Maurice and Fanny the goldfish!)

Absolutely fantastic! Could not put this book down once I started reading it. Will definitely recommend to everyone I know that enjoys reading!

Such an enjoyable enchanting story.
Dolly Bell and sister Greta in their cottage in Manchester, go to a suitcase auction every year bidding on lost luggage and save to open on Christmas day, when Greta passes away Dolly is so lonely, these lost luggage cases only contain mostly dirty laundry or personal items like nif nafs and costume jewellery and toiletries items any vintage or sentimental value items she can't hold on to as they are what someone can't replace.
after bidding on a suitcase she finds inside a notebook belonging to a Phoebe Goodbody from Manchester and starts to read it oh if only Greta was still here. and tracks down Phoebe and she has fascinating stories to tell that even include Greta as Dolly is about to learn some almighty secrets that are all wrapped up in a remarkable tale, I loved reading it, no matter how hard times are these chapters take a hold onto you as you read. The lost luggage, the notebook and the challenges make this book a joy to read.
Loved it and could not put it down.

Lost Luggage has been such a joy to read! I have LOVED every page!
I love Dolly! She is such an adorable character. I love that she has spent a contented life with her older sister, Greta, having been let down years before by the love of her life. I did feel sad for her though as she has so much love to give and never found another man to share her life with. Not that we all need a man to fulfil us, but I feel sad that she has missed out on that love and companionship, especially as she finds herself alone, at 70 years old, following the sudden passing of Greta.
I love the idea of buying lost luggage and wondering about the people it belonged to. Although I do feel sorry for the original owners. Are lost luggage auctions a real thing?
I love the idea of a year of firsts. I might have to see if my husband fancies creating our own.
I love the friendships Dolly shares with Leroy, and Flo, and Maurice! These characters add so much extra warmth to the story.
I loved following Dolly’s story as she discovers more about the owner of her most recent lost luggage purchase and the secrets it holds….
It’s a beautifully intriguing story full of gorgeous characters, happiness, heartache, and hope.
I highly recommend!

Great novel. It begins steadily and opens like a flower. Gorgeous central protagonist and clever development. Warm, humorous and incredibly wise. Positive happy endings for all. The best thing of all - the title is just so right!!!

What a wonderful and heartwarming book. Dolly, Maurice, Greta, Leroy, Flo, Phoebe and Fred will stay with me for a long time. Who knew that someone’s life could change so much after purchasing a trunk at a lost luggage auction? This beautiful story puts life, friendships and fear in perspective- life is so special and fleeting and we never know what is around the corner. I would highly recommend this book and I am definitely a fan of Samantha Tonge’s writing style- I will be reading more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a beautiful read.I really loved this book it's a story of love,friendships and family beautifully written with fabulous characters. Dolly and her sister Greta bought many lost suitcases over the years but after Greata dies Dolly doesn't take care of herself or her home as she struggles to adjust to life on her own with her beloved goldfish Maurice who I loved ,but she decides to still carry on with buying lost luggage. What she finds inside sets her off on a journey of discovery, renewed friendships and secrets which will change her life forever. and with her little circle of supportive neighbour's and friends she finally finds the happiness she deserves. I really enjoyed this story and shed a tear at the end such a lovely and at times emotional read .A well deserved 5 ⭐

Ever wondered what happens to your suitcase if/when it gets lost?
This is a story full of laughter, tears, angst and redemption. In short, this book has it all and I'm so very happy to have read it. Pensioner Dolly is wallowing in self-pity after the loss of her elder sister, the contents of a suitcase she wins at auction turns her life, and that of those closest to her, around.
I've been a fan of Sam's books for a while and she always delivers, but here, here she uses a bucket and spade. So far as a story of hope can do, this will take some beating. Characters to love, situations which are believable, and for the first time, a fully-rounded goldfish - you'll have to read to find out what I mean.
If you're looking for a new author to read, give this book a try, you won't be disappointed and then you'll have many more Samantha Tonge books to read!
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood for allowing me to read.

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.

I am a fan of this author and couldn’t wait to read this offering from her. I can honestly say this may be one of my favourite books she has written.

The storyline felt so unique, with a lovely premise to it from the beginning. The idea of bidding on lost luggage is one I would love to try in the future. From then the story takes a twist which leads Dolly down a path she could never have imagined.

I loved the characters who we meet during the story, especially Flo who is a real livewire. The relationship between Flo and Dolly is a wonderful thing to see happening on the pages.

I loved the story, the characters, the whole thing if I’m being honest.

Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and the author for providing a copy.

Thiy novel has an interesting storyline with lots of unaxpected twists and turns. (Although some of the twists sometimes felt a bit over the top and unnecessary for me).
It shows an inner journey mainly for the main protagonist, Dolly, but for some of the other characters as well. It is a bit like a roller coaster ride of emotions for them and the reader.
I loved the characters. It would be lovely to live in such a supporting and caring circle of friends.
This is an uplifting and heartwarming story about starting again, laying some ghosts and finding new friends. I can recommend it to anyone.
A word of warning: There is a character with eating disorder, which might be an uncomfortable or even dangerous topic for some people.

"Lost Luggage" is a wonderfully inventive story of multi-generational friendships. The main character is Dolly, a 71 year old spinster who lived with her sister most of her life. When her sister Greta died she gave up on herself and her bungalow. Luckily her neighbours Leroy (66) and Flo (11) keep her on her toes and try to encourage her to come back out of her shell. She also needs to care for Maurice the fish, her long time companion.

The lost luggage of the title is that sold off once a year when it has languished unclaimed. For some years Dolly & Greta had been buying a single case and for the first time Dolly goes to the auction on her own. This is the story of how the case she buys affects the lives of herself and her friends. It is a tale of love and friendship, pathos and comedy, as they each go journeys of self-discovery. This is a wonderful, heart-warming read and is highly recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a charming, warm-hearted read about living and experiencing your life wholeheartedly. I enjoyed the characters and how fleshed out they were. The writing was solid and the cover art was colorful and it grabbed my attention.

Full review to follow…I think this is such a sweet story! I love that this story focuses on an older age group and that’s not something you see in a lot of books these days! It gives me hope even as a young woman myself that there is something out there for everyone no matter what your age and I can’t wait yo go on Dollys journey

Brand new from the bestselling author of Under One Roof.
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 received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

In LOST LUGGAGE-- a quintessential, feel-good read-- Dolly is struggling to grapple with the loss of her beloved sister, Greta. After continuing to struggle with depression for a year, Dolly decides to honor her sister and partake in their Christmas tradition of attending a lost luggage auction. Drawn to a bright steamer, Dolly finds a journal inside with a "Year of Firsts" challenge. With the help of her neighbors, 11-year old Flo and retired Leroy, Dolly embarks on the adventure of her lifetime.

LOST LUGGAGE is everything you could hope for in a cozy book; it emphasizes the importance of found family and acceptance of love, even if you don't feel like you deserve it. While the plot twists are predictable for the genre, they feel appropriate and add depth to the characters.

When Dolly‘s sister Greta passed away her life shrunk The only people she spoke to was her 10-year-old neighbor Flo and her best friend Leroy. Every year her and Greta would go to the lawsuit case auction at the airport in this year would be her first time going alone. She auctions on 10 wins a beautiful marina themed trunk and this so excited on Christmas day she cannot even finish her lunch. When she opens it she finds a hoodie some trainers in in a secret compartment a notebook. At first she doesn’t want to read the notebook but when she makes a deal with her neighbor flow she knows she hast to follow up. It is Phoebe good years book of first and now there dollies as well. This will not only change Dolly‘s perspective but her life to an all for the better. This book was a good book it flowed nicely and keep you interested. I especially love the one she did the task in the notebook she was trying to find theby Goodyear, but eventually I look forward to the Tess. I truly enjoyed this book. I received it from Nick Galli but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

What a really enjoyable book, some trigger issues like grief and eating disorders but handled so well. Beautifully written with well thought out characters, a mixed bag of ages but works. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I really enjoyed Lost Luggage!

Once again, I thank NetGalley for introducing me to an author that I was not familiar.

Dolly lived with her sister Greta; they had a routine where they would each buy a "lost luggage" suitcase at a regular sale and open the suitcase at Christmas. Greta passed away and Dolly's life deteriorated to TV dinners and the brink of depression. In opening her suitcase (for the first time solo) she finds a notebook of "monthly firsts" along with some jewelry that she guesses is important to the owner of the missing suitcase. With some encouragement from her neighbors, she pursues some of these "firsts".

This is heartwarming, lovely story. The cast of characters are all really unique and interesting.

I was drawn by the title and the cover. Definitely glad that I gave this one a try.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Lost Luggage in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Samantha Tonge (I'll look into reading some of your prior 1-2 DOZEN prior books!) and also to Boldwood Books (publisher) for approving my request for the advance read copy.

This is such a sweet and cosy read featuring an older character and some exciting twists and turns as well as multi generational friendship, lost loves, secrets and a goldfish named Maurice.

I really enjoyed this cosy and sweet novel, all the characters felt incredibly real and like people you might know in real life.

It hits on some themes like bereavement and eating disorders but I really enjoyed the novel and the twists and turns.

Some bits of the plot were predictable but I just enjoyed being in these characters worlds so I didn’t mind too much.

I loved it!