The Keeper of Lost Things: the perfect uplifting read - winner of the Richard & Judy Readers' Award and Sunday Times bestseller

The Keeper of Lost Things is a story of love and loss, of finding unexpected things and the incredible stories that might be hiding behind those small objects. Anthony Peardew collects things in the hope of returning them to the owners. He labels each item and what was so great is that he writes a backstory for each item and a simple hairband or a single puzzle piece found in the street gets so much more meaning. I can’t find any fault in this novel and I can hardly believe it’s the author’s debut. Even the small supernatural hint in it didn’t bother me at all because it was such a good means to an end, spurring Laura into action. The main characters were delightful, Laura, Sunshine (who has the dancing drome aka down syndrome), Freddy the gardener, Anthony, Eunice and Bomber who had a storyline in the past that involved their work as a publisher and Bomber’s family, and of course Douglas, Baby Jane, Carrot and Billie, all the dogs included in the story. There were some tough moments where I had to say goodbye to some of the characters but it never got to the point that it made me tearful. The only weird thing I found was that Ruth Hogan never mentioned any age, not when celebrating a birthday nor when some of them died, apart from Sunshine who was 20 I believe. She probably didn’t find it necessary but it comes so naturally to me to place people into age brackets so I did take notice of it. The keeper of Lost Things is perfect for fans of Lucy Dillon and is such a cosy and heartfelt read. If you’re a fickle reader when it comes to romance than I also recommend this one to you because it is about love that won’t make you gag (or roll your eyes if you’re already more immune). I mean it you’re going to love it if you give it a chance!

I struggled to get into the first few chapters then suddenly I was hooked and it was a struggle to put it down. This is the author's first book and the wonderful characters she has created draw you into this quirky tale of new beginnings, second chances and satisfactory endings. I loved it. It is a beautiful, imaginative story revolving around Anthony's need to pick up lost items; a button, a glove, a ribbon, someone's ashes in a biscuit tin, whatever he finds he takes home to catalogue and store. But he is getting old and knows that he needs help around his home. When Laura answers his advert, he likes her immediately and over a cup of tea he offers her the job. Her life has been on a downward spiral, she's divorced, lonely, middle aged and without any marketable skills. Anthony's offer saves her, she loves her new job, cares for his house and for Anthony. But things change, with Anthony's death she is his sole beneficiary; Padua House is hers, but so too is the staggering collection collection of lost and found items which she has to try to return to their owners. She has no idea how to start but gradually she gets help from unexpected sources and finds a way to start returning the lost items and finding happiness and fulfilment in her new life. The book is interspersed with short stories about some of the lost items and reveals amazing coincidences connecting them to other items and other people. This is a fabulous book, full of hope and positivity, a lovely read.

I loved The Keeper of Lost Things. Ruth Hogan’s writing is both engaging and deeply emotional, drawing the reader into a beautifully crafted story about love, loss, and redemption. The novel’s themes resonated with me, particularly the way it explores loss—not just of objects, but of people, memories, and opportunities. The interwoven stories of lost items initially took me by surprise, but once I adjusted to the structure, I found it to be a clever and touching way to show how small things can hold great significance. I connected most with Laura, but I also found the depiction of dementia especially poignant, as it captured the painful experience of watching a loved one fade from view. The book also made me reflect on unrequited love, as seen in Bomber and Eunice’s story, and the heartbreak of ignored wishes, particularly in the way Portia disregarded Bomber’s desires. While I loved the ending, I found myself wishing for more—perhaps a sequel or a glimpse into the characters’ future. I would recommend this book to fans of Jojo Moyes or anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven fiction. As someone who primarily reads historical fiction, The Keeper of Lost Things was a bit of a departure for me, but I enjoyed it so much that I’m eager to explore more books in this style, including Ruth Hogan’s The Phoenix Ballroom. A truly touching and memorable read.

This isn’t my normal type of book - it was our Book Group choice for January 2019. However, although this wasn’t my normal type of book, Bomber clearly explains why I like reading when he says “the wonderful thing about books was that they were films that played inside your head”. I couldn’t have said it better myself. But what of this particular book? The theory of the book, someone looking after all those things we have lost, trying to reunite them with their rightful owners intrigued me. We have all lost things that were precious to us and the idea that someone would care enough for the things they found to want to reunite them with their owner gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. The book was an easy read, flowing well, not difficult to follow at all although it jumps around the different character groups. Despite jumping around the character groups, I felt it was easy to tell which characters we were talking about in that particular chapter. I didn’t ever scratch my head and say ‘who is she?’. Despite liking the story idea and the way the book was written, I have only given it three stars. Looking at Enice and Bomber, I liked them as a pair. However, the writing of these chapters and the descriptions left me feeling that the actual era they were in was not well reflected in the writing and left me with a slightly disjointed feeling about the time these chapters were set. The introduction of Sarah felt all too contrived to me. She appeared to be brought in to fulfil a role part way through the book for a very small portion and then was never heard of again. The supposed friendship between Laura and Sarah just didnt ring true at all. Sunshine was such a sweet character, I liked the way she mispronounced common words and how everything was black and white to her. But I found it difficult to understand why a grown man and woman would suddenly welcome this person into their home on an almost permanent basis as she rarely seemed to leave. Clearly, initially Laura was hesitant but that doesn’t last and it just didn’t sit well with how society truly is in this day and age. Equally, Sunshine’s parents don’t particularly seem to mind either. I worked out at around 2/3’s of the way through the book exactly what Laura had to do although I had a sneaking suspicion from the outset what the overall goal would be. I felt that the ending was a little too convenient, almost like when Anthony had been writing to a script and producing books with a happy ever after ending. I also think more could have been made about some of the links e.g. Sunshine’s dad as the train driver. I do have to admit though that I had no clue who the ashes belonged to until the author chose to share that - but looking back, I could see the clues there so it didn’t feel too convenient, it felt right. Overall, the book was an easy read and I did enjoy it and the premise behind it but some of it felt a little too convenient and contrived.

I loved this book, very thoughtful and insightful writing. Much better than the usual chick-lit. Laura inheriting Anthony’s house was quite plausible I suppose, but not something that would happen in every day life! An interesting read, I loved all the characters. Sunshine, the daughter of the neighbours across the road was an asset, she described herself as Dancing Drome, very touching. She was actually very intuitive, and just made one think more. I would recommend this book !

Nice book took me a bit to get into the two stories alongside each other ie alternate chapters and remembering where each one ended each time but that’s my ageing memory. This book had me laughing out loud, tears and reflecting on things that happen in my life.

I’m an avid reader, but have been through a dry patch, unable to find a book that would keep me hooked, turning pages and good company on a sleepless night. Then I found The Keeper of Lost Things. I loved the characters, the storyline (which shouldn’t really work, but somehow really does). I would thoroughly recommend if you need a light hearted book, to keep you company.

I read some of the uncharitable moans and groans about this book after i read it. Glad i wasn't swayed and got the chance to experience such an absorbing book. This book appealed to me because the author had obviously had lived a full and challenging life as have I. The way you view objects and people change over time. Sunshine was a joy. We have a neice called Sunshine and it could have been written about her. My lovely teenage son was 'special needs' and the description of bullying and exclusion experienced by Sunshine was very real. Other reviewers scoffed at the spiritual insight this girl displayed; well this was a strong feature of my son's personality and this element brought back to me comforting memories of him. (Spoiler Alert) We all have posessions that hold special memories. I didn't often consider the significance of them until reading this book. I had a sygnet ring that I lost for the best part of a year until the person who found it saw my hand drawn poster asking for its return. The suggestion of the spiritual unrest of the deceased 'lady of the flowers ' was also criticised but i feel it is fiction after all so I enjoyed travelling with the author in her imagination. All in all; lovely absorbing writing, interesting and appealing characters, in a very well written book that I shall definitely read again. After I lost my son fiction seemed too trivial somehow; well this book has changed all that for me.... Thank you Ruth.

I gave Keeper a 4 out of 5 because it was a wee bit too pedestrian to rate a 5. But then most days in one's life are pedestrian. However, I enjoyed so many things about the story because I have truly enjoyed my mostly pedestrian life.

You would love to keep reading this book. Its subtle, its romantic, its humorous. A light read with great vocabulary.

Wonderful book about very special people who you're going to love. Very well written for everyone who needs a cheering up

Anything I will say about The Keeper of Lost Things won't do it justice. It's just perfect. I fell in love with the characters, laughed with them, cried with them, cried for them. I want them to adopt me, or me to adopt them. The different stories are all so moving, the characters so lovable (except poor awful Portia), so real. I wish that I could meet them, be Sunshine's new friend and that she makes me the lovely cup of tea, that I could help take care of Douglas, Baby Jane and Carrot, share film references with Bomber and Eunice, I don't want to let them go.

At first, you don't really know what and who you are reading about but then suddenly it all makes sense and you want to keep going to find out how it all is tied together. I really liked this novel and found it very well written. I'm happy to have found it on Amazon and I'm keen to read more from Ruth Hogan!