Can they navigate their past traumas and learn to trust each other, to turn this relationship into something real and lasting?
Elaina Losing her first love at eighteen, the pain and heartbreak prevent Elaina from letting any man get too close. A decade later, fate throws her a curveball in a chance encounter with Hollywood star, Adam. Despite the intense pull between them, Elaina tries to keep her distance, determined not to let anyone shatter her heart again.
Adam Battling his own demons, Hollywood star, Adam, is reluctant to let anyone get too close. When his publicist suggests a fake girlfriend to silence rumors about his personal life, Elaina readily volunteers. As the couple navigates their fake romance, they realize it is more real than they thought.
In Lost Love Found, readers will be swept away by the poignant story of two wounded souls who find love and healing in each other's arms.
Cristina Santos is a mom of two little boys who hopefully will never read her books. She is married to the man of her dreams and lives lakeside with all her wild boys (pup included) in Nova Scotia, Canada. She loves a good sunset and will forever and ever and ever believe in the power of playlists, 90’s romantic comedies and love stories.
I've been in this dark place for far too long, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to make the leap into the light. But here she is, stirring something inside me that begs me to jump.
Cristina Santos is still a relatively new author to me with LOST LOVE FOUND only being the second book I've read of hers but those two I did read have made me a fan. Her stories are full of love; the kind that starts slow and builds into something beautiful. The weak in the knees, can't get enough, want to be anywhere you are love. And that love starts with the foundation of friendship like it did here for Elaina & Adam.
They meet on New Year's eve. One wants to be anywhere but at a party. And the other just had eye surgery. Kitchen dancing and blurry vision brings these two into each other's orbit and its clear from the start there is something special between these two. Their chemistry was instantaneous, their bond genuine and when those feelings start to change; the hugs longer, the looks turn heated that's that's where Santos does what she does best and has me falling right along with our leads. 4.5 Stars!
Highlights
-Famous actor/production designer -Set in LA -Fun meet-cute -Shared playlist & texting -Celibate hero -Shoulder kisses -He falls first and hard -Grand gesture -Great supporting characters -Third act breakup but its brief -Dual pov -Open door
Memorable Quotes
How can she think this is just friendship? She’s it for me. I don’t want ice cream with any other girl. I don’t want anything with anyone that isn’t her.
I wonder if my heart will ever not beat a little faster every time she looks at me. I wonder if this feeling of wholeness I feel when I’m with her will ever fade. My gut says no. Not ever.
“Thank you. For being so steady. For holding me up. For letting me fall. You… this… means so much and I just… I don’t have the words quite yet.”
“In fact, this is what I want to do every day. Forever. What do you say, Lainey? Will you dance with me forever?”
I have to admit, I was already having a tough time with the slow burn in this one. Don’t get me wrong, it had its moments! The friends-to-lovers dynamic was really sweet, and I could see the potential there. But wow, the pacing felt so drawn out, this was a 12-hour audiobook... It was just way too long for my taste. And then came the third-act breakup... that completely threw me off. At that point, I just couldn’t stay invested in the story. On a brighter note, the narration was actually really enjoyable, so props for that! But overall, the story itself didn’t do it for me.
I read this lovely story last year, and jumped at the chance to hear it on audio!
📖 Lost Love Found by Cristina Santos 📚 book 1 • Love in LA series 🎙 narrated by: Elisabeth Leigh and Conor McGee
⭐️: 4.5/5 🌶️: open door,
💭 overall thoughts: It’s a beautiful thing when 2 broken people can find & heal one another with friendship first 🥰
This book had one of my fav meet-cutes EVER and had me laughing so hard 🤣 I won’t spoil the details but I loved it! I was totally rooting for Elaina & Adam to work out their baggage and figure out how to be together 🥰
Lost Love Found also had 2 of my fav things - chapter titles, and a playlist that includes John Mayer 😍
🎙 audiobook thoughts: I really enjoyed the audio, both narrators captured the characters perfectly!
read if you love: 🫶🏻 friends to lovers 🥸 fake dating 🌟 celebrity (actor) mmc production designer fmc? 💙 he falls first 🛏 only one bed 🐢 slow burn 🧡 found family 💞 dual 1st person pov *make sure to check trigger warnings if you need to, there are some.
Thank you author Cristina Santos & Luna Literary for an advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.
This was really cute but not too much was happening, and it was a little hard to get through.. like some little parts I was *SLIGHTLY* hard to get through??? But still good, and the ending was cute. Adam is an angel baby and needs to be protected at all costs.
• Meet cute • Strangers to friends to lovers • Fake dating • Forced proximity/one bed • Golden retriever MMC • Cute notes • Slow burn • Mutual pining
I am so in love with Cristina Santos' writing. I first fell in love with it reading Out of Focus. And when I found out this series was getting its own audiobook, I was so excited! And then to get the opportunity to review it 🤯💥🥰 I can't even express my excitement.
Cristina writes the perfect main characters every time. They're always so gentle, loving, caring characters with huge hearts and compelling stories. Each of these characters had me immediately hooked. Especially after their first meet cute on New Year's Eve. Adam finds himself at a party of an upcoming costar and the second he walks through the door, he's immediately drawn to the girl dancing in HUGE sunglasses. Little does he know those huge sunglasses are protecting Elaina's eyes because of a surgery she just had! And her sight is restricted, and she is unable to really see. I loved how forward Adam was during his first interaction with Elaina! But even as forward as he was, Elaina put him right in the friend zone, afraid of being hurt like she was in the past. Her story is so sweet, and it'll break your heart to hear what she's been through. But Adam's patience with her will have you falling so hard for this man.
These two were adorable together, and their mutual pining had me feral!!!
"Is this what being her friend is like? Having to hear about her being smooth and falling asleep with no clothes on? I’m fucked." - Adam
🎧Audiobook review🎧 Dual narration Narrated by Elisabeth Leigh and Conor McGee
These two brought this book to life so well! And immediately after finishing this book, I went looking for more of their work! Even contacted Cristina to find out if I was missing it when I couldn't find anything. Because these two sounded so good together! I'm blown away that they're both just starting out as narrators! Elisabeth's voice was so perfect for Elaina. Gentle and calm, she did such an incredible job bringing Elaine to life! Conor played Adam, and I LOVED listening to him war with his emotions over his feelings for Elaina! He was the perfect Adam!!! Sexy and playful!
This audiobook comes out in a few days!! And if you haven't ever read a book by Cristina Santos, this is a wonderful place to start. It's the first book in her Love in LA series!
Okay to say this book was amazing would be an understatement. It was so brilliantly good that I devoured about 60% of the book in one sitting and had to force stop so I don't end up with dark circles the next day.
This is the author's debut novel and it was ah-ma-zingggggg I am so looking forward to the next book oh oh oh and the main trope of the second one is just my favourite one.
Anyway back to this book. After reading tons of dark romance this book was exactly what I needed. It had all the right things to make my heart jump, pump fast and get the butterfly feeling which I really missed. And to top it all it was a friends to lovers which was perfect for Adam and Elaina!!! They were never meant to be anything but lovers.
Adam fights with his demons and so does Elaina but when they come together they were just firecrackers!!! I was so in love with them and craving them to confess their feelings. The first meeting was so unique and I loved how Adam found someone who spoke or rather connected him for who he really was and not who he was in front of the world.
Their love and understanding for each other is so amazing to read. Ahh I wish to forget the whole book and read it once again. There were so many scenes that made me blush, go all mushy and squeaky. Adam and Elaina were meant to be, they were always meant to meet and they were always meant to be just more than friends. This book is something everyone would love and enjoy. You will not regret giving this book a chance!!! It has a balance of everything and is amazingly written.
Tropes: - Friends to Lovers - He falls first - No 3rd act breakup - Instant connection - One Bed - Fake Dating - Celebrity MMC
This book is the definition of "He falls first but she falls harder"!!!
Tropes Friends to lovers Fake dating One bed He falls first Forced proximity Celebrity MMC Found Family
Where do I even begin?! Cristina created something magical in this book, she handled heavy topics in such an amazing way. Both Elaina and Adam have had their share of heartbreak, and difficult times. It really helps them relate, and be compassionate toward each other.
When Elaina and Adam meet (in the most hilarious and adorable meet cute might I add), they hit it off instantly. Immediately I knew Adam was going to be that perfect cinnamon roll of a book boyfriend. I also knew Elaina was going to be so fucking relatable (she without a doubt is). Adam being a celebrity(actor) per the request of his management he needs to be in a relationship, so one things leads to another and the two enter a fake relationship (MY FAVORITE!), it’s clear to literally everyone this is relationship is anything but fake. Elaina makes it clear she isn’t interest in any type of relationship, but honestly I wouldn’t be able to resist Adam, how could she!
I’m in awe that this is Cristina’s first novel, and I absolutely can not wait for more from her! This is the perfect book for anyone who loves strong female friendships, adorable cinnamon roll book boyfriends, celebrity romance, friends to lovers, and a slow burn. Speaking of slow burn the TENSION, it had me hooked! When the spice comes in the adorable Adam, becomes something wildly hot (the things this man says and does 😮💨)! Perfect example of those cartoon covers can be hiding some spicyyyy scenes.
This book was totally adorable. They both fall for eachother pretty soon but remain friends until near the end. So for that I’d consider it a slowish burn. There was a little bit of spice but not heavy.
I know the author says there’s no third act breakup but they do split up around 90% so I’d consider that a third act break up even though it’s not super angsty and there’s no need for groveling. You do get a HEA!
I’d honestly give this book a 3.5 star rating And maybe a half of a chili pepper.
**ARC REVIEW** "....I want to know every part of you. Because you matter to me. Because what's important to you is important to me..."
Lost Love Found is book #1 in the Love in LA series and it is the debut novel of author Cristina Santos!
My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars Spice: 🔥🔥
If you love these tropes, then you will enjoy reading this book :) 🧁Friends to Lovers 🧁Fake Dating 🧁Forced Proximity 🧁Found Family 🧁Slow Burn 🧁Instalove
For a debut novel this was well written and I really enjoyed the storyline.
Elaine, aka Bonnie, aka Lainey, is the female main character in this book and I loved her personality so much. She loves baking, putting others before herself especially her friends and family, dancing when no one is watching, listening to all kinds of music and has the biggest heart!! She works on movies as a set designer and part of the inspiration behind her job is her father's love for architecture. She is still working through her past traumas related to her previous relationships and the death of her father.
Adam, aka River, is a well-known actor in Hollywood who hasn't had a relationship in a few years due to his own traumatic past relationship. River and Maeve (one of Lainey's besties) are co-stars in the film they are currently filming. When he meets Elanie at Maeve's New Year's Eve party he falls for her instantly.
It's a funny encounter between the two of them because Elaine can't see what he looks like due to her recent eye surgery and she has no idea he is the River Holm. They get along well from the get go and Adam is gone for her. I love the nickname "Tornerose" that he gives her when he finds her fast sleep.
They both can't stay away from each other and when the paparazzi get videos and photos of them at a bar Adam's publicist suggests that they fake date. The lines between what's fake and what's real start to blur.
I loved that this book was filled with so much love and personal growth. There were a few tear-jerker moments so keep the tissues handy. One thing this book taught me was that there is always still time to find your forever love ❤
Well done Cristina!! I cannot wait to read more books from you!
Thank you to The Author Agency for kindly sending me this ARC to read and review. This is my own honest opinion on the book :)
This was such a cute story! Elaina (Lainey) and Adam (River) meet at a NYE party. Lainey had just had eye surgery that day, and could not see, but automatically took a liking to Adam and they had a fast friendship. They kept their work lives hidden for now as Adam wanted a short time of having someone in his life without the knowledge of his Hollywood status, and Lainey because of her trying to find herself outside of her work life.
Lainey is a lover with her whole heart of those in her life and is always the one to care and think about anyone but herself. Because of her past relationships, she has a hard time letting people, specifically men or future relationships, get to close as her fear of losing them is far too great.
Adam had avoided any and all potential relationships after a scandal that occurred 5 years prior. As I mentioned, they are fast friends and become very close very quick with the knowledge of that is what they’ll remain. Adam wants more, but doesn’t want to scare her off.
In this story of finding yourself, finding love after heartbreak, and letting go of the fear associated with it all, this was a beautifully written story. The secondary characters are great and add so much to the story.. and the internal dialogue of the two MC’s was AMAZING. Elaina is a very relatable character and the author makes it easy in that sense.
“I need to get my head checked. I’m pretty sure yesterday I agreed to let Adam live with me while I pretend to be his girlfriend after he slept IN MY BED holding me all night because I was downright schnookered Friday night thanks to my nightmares. What the actual f*** is my life?”
✨arc review✨ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️ -friends to lovers -fake dating -forced proximity -found family -slow burn -instalove
Thanks to Cristina for the arc!! Watch as Adam and Elaina navigate fake dating while working through past traumas and learning to trust each other.
Cristina’s debut novel is absolutely delightful! Her story telling and ability to pull you in was so well done! This might be my all time favourite meet cute, such a fun idea! I loved the lack of miscommunication, there were so many opportunities but Cristina was able to avoid it all and build genuine relationships and open lines of communication! The spice is just right 😮💨 even though it was a slow burn lol That found family hits just right with fantastic side characters and so much good banter!
Adam is #bookboyfriendgoals he falls hard and fast but is so dang patient! I love how he is in his friendships and with most of his family.
Elaina has so much depth, I loved getting to see all the parts of her and getting to watch her heal over the course of the story through so many different interactions!
Faves: - the meet cute - All the texts - The playlist - The boxing - The ice cream - All of Hawaii - Frankie - Found family - His wedding speech
This book was absolutely so cute! Adam was so patient and falls first! Eliana is funny and speaks what’s on her mind and so trusting and caring. Adam and Eliana meet at a New Year’s Eve party, and start off as strangers to friends sparking a connection right away. They end up meeting on set of Adam and Eliana’s friends movie set, and Adam’s reps want him in a fake relationship and suggest Eliana and she agrees, starting their fake relationship, and makes feelings confusing. Then Adam invites her to a family function and they really start falling for one another and things get spicy! I love how at first Adam is jealous, and how caring he is and he’ll go out of his way with small gestures showing how much he cares for Eliana. The nicknames are so cute! And the friendships built in this story are so strong and amazing I loved all the characters in this book and can’t wait to read Owen’s and Maeve’s story next!
Tropes: Strangers to friends to lovers Shared playlist Fake dating He falls first (falls harder) Cute Nicknames Cute meet cute Celebrity MMC Texts and notes Slow burn with Spice FMC with traumatic past Dual POV Found family
What a sweet love story! These two... my gosh, they had so much stacked against them! After so much tragedy, they both had plenty of reasons NOT to believe in love again, but I'm so glad they made it there! It made perfect sense that they would become great friends first before they could entertain the idea of trusting someone else--AND THEMSELVES--in a relationship again. I adored the meet cute and the fake dating... absolutely adorable.
This story is very character-driven, so if you love watching people heal and learn to take chances again, this will melt your heart. You will be cheering for these two from the get-go in this slow burn! So. Much. Pining.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, and the production was solid. It was dual narration, and both narrators breathed so much life into these characters. Personal presence: I had to speed the narration up to 3.0 for the female narration (something I NEVER do) because I found it a touch too slow. But that was an easy fix.
Special thanks to Luna Literary Management for a copy of the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This book is SO sweet! It was the perfect cotton candy contemporary romance to read out in the sunshine on a hot summer's day.
What I Loved About This Book: - Elaina's love language is cooking and baking for people, she's obsessed with 90's and early 00's music, she's a total career baddie - could this girl be more relatable? - Adam is SO so sweet, he is a total fucking cinnamon roll. His genuine care, concern, and love for Elaina was so heartwarming. Half of the stuff that came out of his mouth made me swoon and the other half made my heart skip a beat. - The characters showed so much personal growth and development throughout this story and it deals with so much more than just their romance. They are real people struggling to move through real life situations and I think that made the book resonate a lot more.
You'll Probably Like This Book if You Liked: - The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas - Beach Read by Emily Henry - Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Tropes: - Fake Dating - Text Banter - Celebrity MMC - One. Bed. Trope!! - He Falls First - Found Family - Forced Proximity - Friends to Lovers - Slow Burn
lost love found follows elaina and adam who meet at a new year's eve party after elaina has eye surgery and she literally can't see anything (little bit of hidden identity trope. elaina is starting a much needed break from her set designing job and creates a list of things she absolutely must do to get out of the funk she's in and making a new friend is on the list. so adam is there at the perfect time. adam is a famous hollywood actor who is starring in a movie alongside elaina's closest friend. life keeps bringing them together and adam can't help but fall for elaina. after losing so many people that she's loved, elaina isn't interested in falling in love. but they can't seem to stay away from each other especially after elaina agrees to fake date adam to get the press to stop focusing on adam's love life. there we so many fun takes on tropes that i love in this one/
lost love found is a stellar debut romance from @cristinasantosauthor 📖 it was a soft, sweet, friends-to-lovers, celebrity romance which is basically everything i love <3 from the start i was in love with the characters and their friendship to more!! elaina is the kind of character i just want to wrap in a hug and make sure they know how loved they are. adam is the softest, sweetest hero i've read in a long time and he truly falls first (so if you love he falls first pls pick this up!!!). i was so so so impressed with this debut and can't wait to read more in the love in la series 🎥📚
This was a cute, friends to lovers story! Elaina and Adam meet at a New Years Eve party, but Elaina couldn’t see him after having eye surgery and they instantly have a connection. Hers is towards the friends side and his is more towards the romantic side. They call and text each other until they meet again in London. They both have traumatic pasts and have to learn to trust each other.
Lost Love Found was a beautiful story about finding love after being betrayed and losing loved ones. I loved how light and caring Elaina is and how supportive Adam is. I loved their relationship so much and their friends and how close they all are.
I became addicted to the slow burn relationship development of Adam and Elaina. There meet cute is so adorable. It was unique while still being realistic. The plot is mostly daily lives of the characters and their relationship really drives it. I really enjoyed it. I was never bored. Elaina is the "mother" of her friends group. She’s always taking care of them and making sure she has everything they need. She’s also healing from an incredible past trauma that makes it hard for her to open herself up to love. Adam is an actor that wants more out of his career. He isn’t looking for a relationship at all after his last one left him broken. He just can’t help but fall for Elain.
✨Read if you like -Celebrities -Fake Dating -He Falls First -Slow burn -Friends are like family -Forced Proximity
⚠️Read her note in the beginning because it has some trigger warnings. The past for these characters are hard. They have to overcome some tough stuff in their own lives.
The burn is slow, but the payoff is sweet. Actually, th payoff is spicy, but you get the idea.
I adored this book. It delves into so many different topics from grief, to choosing family, to making your life what you want it, all while keeping an even pace and good tension on a solid romance arc.
Even though I know lately people protest the third act break up, I am pro third act break up if it fits the story, and it did here. Though, I’m not really sure I can call it a true break up, but the point is that the separation in the third act makes sense.
Overall this was a great book. I loved reading it and I look forward to the next books in this series!
✔️ Friends to Lovers ✔️ Fake Dating ✔️ One bed ✔️ He falls First ✔️ Celebraty MMC
⭐️��️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️
Thank you Cristina Santos and The Author Agency for the eARC.
This book was beautifully written. Elaina, I found her to be relatable. How loss for her husband and father had done to her. How she could not love again due to the fear of someone leaving.
Adam who is a celebrate and old friend, has his own torment and troubles he needs to work through.
How they both use their networks to not only grow as people, but as a couple. The writing style was great, and an extremely easy read. I finished this book in one sitting. Highly recommend.
- Strangers to Friends to Lovers - He falls first - One bed - Fake Dating
I listened to the ALC and thoroughly enjoyed it! The male narrator in particular did an exceptional job.
I'm a sucker for the friends to lovers, mutual pining tropes. Not to mention, their friend group is to die for. I loved both MC's, Adam (AKA River) is elite Golden Retriever, whilst Elaina was a humble talented individual with an absolute heart of gold who loves looking out for those she loves. The two together - adorable.
The book had a slower pace, which wasn't bad, but it did have its lulls. Listening to the book meant that these slower parts were easier to get through, in my opinion.
Overall, this is a beautiful feel good book. Both MC's have to work through some of their own trauma, but while they do that, they have support from each other and their incredible friend group. It just gives cosy vibes!
Thank you to Cristina Santos and Luna Literary for allowing me to be a part of the ALC team, and to offer my honest opinion :)
I did the audio and I will be THE FIRST person to buy any subsequent audiobooks that come out.
Funny, charming, the slowest slowy slowness of burns which is right up my alley, enough trauma to keep me interested for a book on the sweeter side without being heavy or depressing.
This book has so much depth and soo many feels! I really enjoyed the entire thing and felt for the characters so much. Cristinas writing is so incredible and I will forever read anything that she writes. Her writing just has a way of sucking you into a story. I can't wait to read more from this series!!
This book is amazing! Adam and Elaina were meant to be and seeing their love and support for each other was delightful. A well written, heartwarming, beautiful and sweet love story!
This book was so cutesy!!! The warm hug I needed. I loved the way these two went from having a genuine crush to falling in love. I legit was kicking my feet!
Elaina and Adam’s story was so cute from the very beginning. I love that Adam was careful with her from the beginning while also sharing how he felt. Their love felt genuine and real and could last the test of time.