4.5 Wine Glass #Audio #Review of Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Title: Lost and Found Sisters
Series: Wildstone #1
Author: Jill Shalvis
Narrator: Karen White
Format: Unabridged Audiobook (11 hours and 7 minutes)
Published: June 20, 2017 (Harper Audio)
ISBN-10: 1538418142
ISBN-13: 978-1538418147
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5 Wine Glasses

From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes her first women's fiction novel—an unforgettable story of friendship, love, family, and sisterhood—perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Susan Mallery, and Kristan Higgins.

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.'s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she's looking for a missing piece she can't find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north, but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn't quite fit in right away, she can't help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there's another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn't a house or money, but rather something earthshattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she's searched so long for. 

Linda's Thoughts:
“His expression was strained. "I'm trying like hell to be the good guy here. I need you to go inside and lock the door behind you to keep out of trouble."
"I thought Wildstone was safe."
"It is. The trouble isn't going to come from the unknown. It's going to come from me. Go, Quinn. Now. And lock your door."

She stared up at him, mesmerized by the thought of him being trouble, images going through her head of him proving it to her, all of them involving little to no clothing and a bed.”

Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis is the debut installment in her new Wildstone series. While the primary focus of this tale is Quinn’s life journey, the book does not short in the sweet and hot romance department in the least. This book is the story of chef Quinn Weller and Mick Hennessey. Mick is awesome!

Since her sister passed away suddenly in an accident, Quinn has only been going through the motions of living. From all appearances, her life is perfect. She has a gorgeous boyfriend who is eager to put a ring on her finger, a loving family and a career in Los Angeles. Then, a monkey wrench gets inserted into the mix when she is blindsided by news of a mysterious inheritance accompanied by a revelation that her parents have not been truthful with her. Needing to escape, she gets in her car and heads to the charming, small California town of Wildstone to check out what this secretive bequest entails.

As she arrives in Wildstone, she is understandably emotionally strung out. She experiences a panic attack and is attended to by sexy Mick and his golden retriever, Cooper. Mick is in Wildstone temporarily to assist his Mom after his father passed away. He has a life elsewhere in San Francisco and is dealing with issues of his own.

When Quinn discovers that her inheritance isn’t money or property, but something else, she will need all the support system she can as she will need to step out of her comfort zone over and over. I was pulling for Quinn as she adapts to the newness of her situation and grows into her new responsibilities. Her friends will play important roles.

Wonderful supporting characters include Cooper who is obviously much-loved by Mick (making me love Mick more.) Then… there’s a lesbian couple who are nothing short of a hoot! AND, not to be forgotten is Quinn’s little sister, Tilly. I especially enjoyed the heart-pulling quotes from Tilly’s diary which headlined each chapter.

This book is being marketed as women’s fiction. In the past, I’ve not been a big fan of women’s fiction because some can be downright depressing and, hey, I do like a good HEA. That said, this is from Jill Shalvis who has never failed to draw me into any of her stories and who always produces amazingly satisfying endings. So…  while Lost and Found Sisters admittedly does include a bit more family drama than is the norm for Jill’s books, it’s still a wonderful romance set in Wildstone, located a few miles north of Los Angeles. AND there’s a pretty awesome HEA making me really glad that I gave this book a chance!

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Lost and Found Sisters:

“If it has tires or testicles, it’s gonna give you trouble.” 
--- 

 “Some people aren't meant to stay in your life. But, that doesn't mean you can't carry a piece of them in your heart.” 
--- 

“There's a big difference between want and need," she muttered to herself, picking her pad and pen back up. "I mean I want a bikini body, but I need chicken nuggets.” 

Lost and Found Sisters is superbly narrated by the incredibly talented Karen White. She has done a great job with every book I’ve ever heard her narrate and this audio is no exception. She even aces Cooper’s woof. Her voicing of all the characters – male, female and animal – sounds realistic and exudes the proper emotion. Her impersonations remain consistent through-out. Bottomline: If you enjoy audios and can pick up Lost and Found Sisters in audio, your enjoyment of the story will be exponentially increased. Period.

Lost and Found Sisters is a delightfully endearing romance populated with characters who will steal your heart. It is an emotional rollercoaster alternating between belly-laughs and near-tears. Most of all, it’s pertaining to love, laughter, family and relationships and about living life fully though all of its ups and downs. I’m counting down the days until the projected June 2018 release of Rainy Day Friends, the next entry in this series.



Suggested Reading Order: 
Lost and Found Sisters (Book #1)
Rainy Day Friends (Book #2) – Coming June 2018!