Lost Luggage

Lost Luggage 

Lost Luggage from author Samantha Tonge is the latest novel to be checked off my to be read list, that never seems to stop growing. Does your reading list ever grow faster than you feel like you can keep up with? I can’t be the only one! 

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Have you read Lost Luggage yet? Come on in and let me tell you about it! 

About Lost Luggage 

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 neighbors, 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? 

Thoughts on Lost Luggage 

The description of Lost Luggage is what captured my attention. Can you have a year of firsts when you’re seventy two years old? Good question! Obviously I want to find out if she does. 

“All these months later, Dolly still expected Greta to walk through the front door, calling to her to put the kettle on, as if the worst hadn’t happened after all.” 

Samantha Tonge, Lost Luggage

Lost Luggage turned out to be a much deeper read than I was expecting. It is about grief, and change, learning to live again after a loss, and accepting changes as something positive. Samantha Tonge tackles some tough subjects, yet manages to do so in the most positive and uplifting way possible. 

I found myself instantly liking Dolly and wanting to see her tackle the list of firsts and loved how she had the courage to actually do it! The list certainly kept me wanting to read and find out what the next challenge was and how she would handle it. 

She has this adorable eleven year old neighbor, who supports Dolly’s adventures, as she navigates the awkward middle school years herself, and is growing up and trying new things. I loved watching them support each other through this book, each better at giving advice than taking it. 

“I knew things had to change when I went out in underwear that didn’t match my socks.” 

Lost Luggage, Samantha Tonge

I am finding myself tempted to push myself with a list of firsts to try out after reading this. I think it is something we all should do, just because it can inspire us to grow and learn more about ourselves. 

If you want a book that is emotional, uplifting, funny, or just a change of pace from your normal reading, Lost Luggage is the one for you! I am beyond grateful that I had the opportunity to read this book, and I can’t say that very often. 

Final Thoughts on Lost Luggage 

“You should borrow my latest book about chemical elements, it’s full of interesting stuff, like during kissing the brain releases this love hormone; it makes you attached to whatever you’ve got your lips on. We should all kiss the mirror at least once a day. Everyone might love themselves a bit more, then.” 

Samantha Tonge, Lost Luggage

What I loved most about Lost Luggage is that it was just a really fun read. Very light and bright, definitely a different perspective than the other books I’ve been reading lately. I like a nice break once in a while to pick up something different, and this one provided that. 

This is the first book from author Samantha Tonge that I’ve read, but I’m going to buy her other books and tuck them away for when I need something really light and bright to read. 

Discussion 

Have you read Lost Luggage or any other writing from author Samantha Tonge? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

About the Author 

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has traveled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines. 

She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2020 her novel Knowing You won the RNA’s Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award. 

Purchasing Lost Luggage 

If you are interested in buying the audiobook version of Lost Luggage, click here.

Click here for the Kindle version.

Click here for my favorite Kindle I currently own.

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