The Lost and Found Necklace is an utterly charming read

The Lost and Found Necklace is the most charming book you’ll read this year. There’s no better word to describe it. It’s utterly charming. Louisa Leaman, author of The Second Chance Boutique, has crafted a story of love, true love and the adventure of finding true love, and she’s wrapped it in a splendid tale that will make for a wonderful summer read.

Jess once lived a life full of adventure. Unlike her sister Aggie, she was always the one to go out and live life to the fullest, but after an accident sidelined her and forced her to adjust her life and lifestyle, she’s slowly settling down into her new normal. She has a blossoming antique jewelry business and a healthy relationship with her boyfriend, a loving man who dotes on her. She has been working on fulfilling her grandmother’s wish of finding an old family heirloom at an auction.

The butterfly pendant, resplendent in its art nouveau style, was created by one of Jess’ relatives long ago and it disappeared from the family for a number of years. When Jess heads to an auction to buy it, she’s outbid by a charismatic treasure hunter named Guy. She pleads to get the necklace back from him but his hands are tied, though he’s open to discussing the matter over dinner.

The Lost and Found Necklace is a witty and romantic adventure to find love

Louisa Leaman spares no efforts developing her characters. Jess is wholly relatable as the adventurous sister whose wings have been clipped by circumstance. Her sister, a married mother of two who became the matriarch of the family after their mother’s death and their father’s departure from their lives. When Jess meets Guy, she feels something she hasn’t felt before. Sparks fly, but she’s unwilling to allow them to catch fire.

Jess’ accident has forced changes in her life that she’s not really willing to accept. While she has a boyfriend who would do anything for her, she’s unfulfilled physically, mentally and emotionally. Like so many people who spend their days going through the motions because it’s what’s expected, Jess needed a spark to set things alight.

Guy is that spark.

What Jess doesn’t realize is that her grandmother’s wish to bring the Taylor family heirloom back to the family is more than a dying woman’s dream; the necklace has been a catalyst in the lives of Taylor women since it was created, and the mission soon helps Jess discover the person she was truly meant to be.

I adored The Lost and Found Necklace because it brings together a love story that’s somewhere between enemies to lovers and second chance love. It’s also a great mystery and adventure as Jess embarks on the journey to understand the necklace’s origins.

Leaman’s writing is witty and sharp, and it’s easy to get lost in the story. (Fair warning, I stayed up all night to finish it) She creates characters that are flawed but kind-hearted. They are the kind of people we want to be friends with; they’re the kind of people we want to be. You root for the characters because you want them to win, and by the end of the story you’re smiling because the journey has been so much fun.

If you need a summer escape, The Lost and Found Necklace is it. It’s witty, charming and full of adventure, and it’s guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.