Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for Lost Luggage. My review is written with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of the book.

Blurb:

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?

Review:

I had absolutely no idea that lost luggage auctions are a real thing before I read Lost Luggage, but I loved the premise of this novel! Samantha Tonge is a hugely talented writer and her storytelling is exquisite. I loved joining the characters on their adventures and I was intrigued to see how everything would come together. Some of the story lines did feel slightly far fetched, but I didn’t mind at all, as the story is so heartwarming and wholesome! 

The characters in Lost Luggage are wonderful and I loved them all. I quickly began to feel as if they were my own friends and family. They all have flaws, but this is what made me warm to them, as I hoped they would all feel comfortable in their own skin. Their growing friendships with each other are beautiful and I will be thinking about Dolly, Phoebe and their neighbours for some time to come. 

As well as the lighthearted moments in the novel, Samantha Tonge explores some really important themes that I felt are really relevant to society today. She explores issues such as grief, self image and loneliness to name just a few and I felt she did this so effectively and in such a sensitive manner. It is clear that she is writing about topics about which she is passionate. 

Lost Luggage is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: