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Lost & Found #1
Lost
Librarian Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN:B00BKQMPJM
Sometimes you need someone else to help you find your way.
Maria's life was torn apart when she was fifteen, and for seven years she's kept her terrible secret hidden from the world. Now, in her final semester of college, she still struggles against paralyzing fear just trying to speak up in class, and the terror and helplessness linger on in her nightmares.
Across campus, Owen sees his scars in the mirror every morning while he gets ready for class. They remind him of the broken home he left behind, the father he hates and fears, and the little sister he couldn't protect. Now, in his final semester of college, he's scared that he may have to return to the hell he called home after staying away for almost five years.
When Owen becomes a teaching assistant for one of Maria's classes, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. As the two learn each other's secrets and grow closer, they realize that although they may be lost, they're not alone anymore.
This new adult contemporary romance is recommended for ages 17+ due to heavy subject matter.
Sometimes you need someone else to help you find your way.
Maria's life was torn apart when she was fifteen, and for seven years she's kept her terrible secret hidden from the world. Now, in her final semester of college, she still struggles against paralyzing fear just trying to speak up in class, and the terror and helplessness linger on in her nightmares.
Across campus, Owen sees his scars in the mirror every morning while he gets ready for class. They remind him of the broken home he left behind, the father he hates and fears, and the little sister he couldn't protect. Now, in his final semester of college, he's scared that he may have to return to the hell he called home after staying away for almost five years.
When Owen becomes a teaching assistant for one of Maria's classes, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. As the two learn each other's secrets and grow closer, they realize that although they may be lost, they're not alone anymore.
This new adult contemporary romance is recommended for ages 17+ due to heavy subject matter.
248 pages, ebook
First published February 25, 2013
54 people are currently reading
2560 people want to read
About the author
Nadia Simonenko
10 books143 followersNadia Simonenko is a scientist and author currently living in Pennsylvania with her husband, two cats and a dog. When she isn’t writing, she develops new drug compounds and dreams about someday painting her office to look like a forest.
Want to connect with her? E-mail her or contact her at any of the sites below!
E-mail: Nadia@Nadiaromance.com
Website: http://www.nadiaromance.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NadiaSimonenko
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nadia.simonen...
Want to connect with her? E-mail her or contact her at any of the sites below!
E-mail: Nadia@Nadiaromance.com
Website: http://www.nadiaromance.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NadiaSimonenko
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nadia.simonen...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
June 20, 2013
Books like this one are reason why I love indie authors so much. Lost is chilling, emotional and sad story about broken individuals with terrible past. If you don't mind reading about abuse and other tragic events, I highly recommend this story.
My Owen and Maria:
Maria is in her final semester at college, still hiding this one huge secret from her past which makes her going into panic attacks whenever near strangers. At this point of her life, she has no idea what to do after graduation. She just cannot stand attention of any sort which makes her life very difficult.
As we find out in prologue, Owen was raised in hell by abusive father. Now, couple of years later, he is a teaching assistant but he lives with huge guilt of not protecting his little sister from their abusive father.
What will happen when paths of these two tortured and miserable souls cross? Will they be ablle to find solace within each other or is it too late for them to find any sort of peace?
This kind of story has been here in different variations before, but I still love to read them. I flew over this story and grew attached to main characters very quickly. It was just so emotional to read about these two broken souls trying to heal each other and help overcome their nightmares. I was hurting for both of them, especially for Owen and his extremely sad life.
But even though Owen and Maria perfectly understand what it means to live with dark secrets and they are perfect match for each other, would they be able to ultimately face their demons and heal? To answer this question, you will have to read this story yourself. However it is not a standalone, readers will be spared of cliffhanger. I personally cannot wait for sequel Found!
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
March 22, 2013
4.5 stars! Okay so I really enjoyed reading Lost, it was basically the most realistic book that I've ever read. Maria and Owen are two very broken people who are trying to piece together their lives after extreme emotional trauma and when they meet they begin to help each overcome the obstacles on their journey to healing. I really appreciated the fact that the book was in both their POV's. The book starts off with a memory from Owen's past and quite frankly it was pretty heart wrenching, I mean I got scared when he got scared and I cried when he cried. Then we meet Maria who is just as broken as he is, Maria I feel had ptsd because her memories were quite graphic and paralysing. I thought of skipping through some of what she went through just because I don't like thinking about stuff like that but I didn't because that would have taken away from the overall experience. I really enjoyed this book and even though it was really quite sad the ending left me smiling and glad that I had read it.
June 17, 2013
I may feel lost, but at least we’re lost together… ~Owen
Lost by Nadia Simonenko is a gripping and emotional story between two individuals that struggle to fight through the nightmares of their past. Maria and Owen each have a burden they can’t break free from as a result of the abuse they suffered as teenagers. Their scars run deep and when they meet and begin to fall for one another, their past continues to haunt them and threatens to destroy any possibility they may have of being together.
Maria and Owen are both students at Cornell University working their way through college. They avoid deep connections, and rarely return to their hometown because of the memories that have destroyed their happiness for so long. When they eventually cross paths at school, their connection is so evident that despite their fear of exposing their secrets, they somehow find a way to break down the barriers they’ve built for so long.
First off, I have to say I was immediately drawn into each of their stories. The alternating perspectives that Nadia Simonenko decided to use between Maria and Owen really allowed me to gain complete insight into their internal struggles. To witness their nightmares through flashbacks was heartbreaking, and to see them try so hard to build a relationship made their story even more emotional. Each of their stories was difficult to witness, and that just made me root for a happy ending for these two even more.
Also, I really came to like the secondary characters - Tina and Craig. They were the rare example of true friendship that you hardly ever experience in novels lately. I admired how they stood by Maria and Owen and helped them try and get past their hardships.
Overall, I feel Nadia Simonenko exemplifies the perfect example of what indie authors are capable of, which is sharing a story with true heart that’s filled with likeable characters and a believable plot. Well done.
Lost by Nadia Simonenko is a gripping and emotional story between two individuals that struggle to fight through the nightmares of their past. Maria and Owen each have a burden they can’t break free from as a result of the abuse they suffered as teenagers. Their scars run deep and when they meet and begin to fall for one another, their past continues to haunt them and threatens to destroy any possibility they may have of being together.
Maria and Owen are both students at Cornell University working their way through college. They avoid deep connections, and rarely return to their hometown because of the memories that have destroyed their happiness for so long. When they eventually cross paths at school, their connection is so evident that despite their fear of exposing their secrets, they somehow find a way to break down the barriers they’ve built for so long.
First off, I have to say I was immediately drawn into each of their stories. The alternating perspectives that Nadia Simonenko decided to use between Maria and Owen really allowed me to gain complete insight into their internal struggles. To witness their nightmares through flashbacks was heartbreaking, and to see them try so hard to build a relationship made their story even more emotional. Each of their stories was difficult to witness, and that just made me root for a happy ending for these two even more.
Also, I really came to like the secondary characters - Tina and Craig. They were the rare example of true friendship that you hardly ever experience in novels lately. I admired how they stood by Maria and Owen and helped them try and get past their hardships.
Overall, I feel Nadia Simonenko exemplifies the perfect example of what indie authors are capable of, which is sharing a story with true heart that’s filled with likeable characters and a believable plot. Well done.
Want to read
July 25, 2013FREE today on Amazon US (7/25/2013).
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Adul...
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Adul...
June 21, 2013
I read this book days ago and I had to stop myself from writing a review directly after or even a few days after because I was afraid it would be too gushy. So here I am, writing the review for my blog tour stop and I am still afraid that my review may be too gushy but I also want to let you guys know how much I absolutely LOVE this book. Lost is going to be on my top 10 list of 2013 and right now it is sitting right on top of that list in the number one spot. (And honestly I don't see that changing anytime soon.) Lost is powerful and emotional and just so great to read. Nadia Simonenko did such a great job with the writing. Lost is all about secrets, and how secrets can haunt you and being your own personal demon. I think there is just so much for people to relate to in the first book in the Lost and Found series.
Lost follows the story of two twenty somethings, Owen and Maria. Owen and Maria each have their own deep dark secrets that they are always carrying around with them. But through some sneakiness of their two friends they get to meet each other and get to know each other. It should be noted that Lost deals with some very real and troubling issues of abuse and rape, but I have never read another book that has handled those tough issues in such a delicate and amazing way. I just loved what Nadia did with the plot of this book. And Maria and Owen are two amazing characters. I love how loyal they each are. Once Maria saw that owen had a secret like her, she dubbed him "lost" as well and from that moment forward she never once wavered. She was always there for him, even though it was really hard for her at times. I loved that about her.
I'm normally not one to fall in love with lots of quotes from books but there were so many that just really resonated with me. One part of the book really spoke to me and I thought was just so beautiful and powerful. Owen was deciding whether or not he could share his secret with Maria. And when you tell someone a secret so deep there is a huge fear of rejection tied into it. And Maria just looked at Owen and thought, I know that look. He's told me his secret and now he is worried that I am going to hurt him with it. Oh man! I read that page probably 5 or 6 times before I was finally able to move on. I just think that Nadia's writing is so insightful and on point and I completely fell in love with all of it.
Maria and Owen's story is a tragic but beautiful one. I loved the romance that was in the book. It was never rushed, it never felt fake and it was always worked seamlessly into the bigger issue of the secrets and trust the two of them had with each other. And the best part is that I got the satisfaction of watching them get together (because they are just so perfect for each other) but right after the end of the book the author lets us know that this is just the beginning of Owen and Maria. I can't wait! I have not been this excited to read a sequel in a LONGGGGG time. This is one of those books that deserves more than my 5 gavel rating. I was blown away by Nadia's characters, story and most of all her incredible writing. Lost is a must read book of 2013. Must read for everyone. Do yourself a favor and read Lost today!
Lost follows the story of two twenty somethings, Owen and Maria. Owen and Maria each have their own deep dark secrets that they are always carrying around with them. But through some sneakiness of their two friends they get to meet each other and get to know each other. It should be noted that Lost deals with some very real and troubling issues of abuse and rape, but I have never read another book that has handled those tough issues in such a delicate and amazing way. I just loved what Nadia did with the plot of this book. And Maria and Owen are two amazing characters. I love how loyal they each are. Once Maria saw that owen had a secret like her, she dubbed him "lost" as well and from that moment forward she never once wavered. She was always there for him, even though it was really hard for her at times. I loved that about her.
I'm normally not one to fall in love with lots of quotes from books but there were so many that just really resonated with me. One part of the book really spoke to me and I thought was just so beautiful and powerful. Owen was deciding whether or not he could share his secret with Maria. And when you tell someone a secret so deep there is a huge fear of rejection tied into it. And Maria just looked at Owen and thought, I know that look. He's told me his secret and now he is worried that I am going to hurt him with it. Oh man! I read that page probably 5 or 6 times before I was finally able to move on. I just think that Nadia's writing is so insightful and on point and I completely fell in love with all of it.
Maria and Owen's story is a tragic but beautiful one. I loved the romance that was in the book. It was never rushed, it never felt fake and it was always worked seamlessly into the bigger issue of the secrets and trust the two of them had with each other. And the best part is that I got the satisfaction of watching them get together (because they are just so perfect for each other) but right after the end of the book the author lets us know that this is just the beginning of Owen and Maria. I can't wait! I have not been this excited to read a sequel in a LONGGGGG time. This is one of those books that deserves more than my 5 gavel rating. I was blown away by Nadia's characters, story and most of all her incredible writing. Lost is a must read book of 2013. Must read for everyone. Do yourself a favor and read Lost today!
April 29, 2013
More reviews at The Reading Realm
"I don't care if your messed up. I am too. It doesn't matter how lost we were, because we found each other anyway" - Owen
***SPOILERS***
(This book contains adult content & therefore so does my review)
THE GOOD:
The story:
Wow, the first scene in this book really shook me, just a warning that it does graphically depict domestic violence - but not in a glorifying way - it really does give an insight into how damaging it can be to someone mentally not just physically.
Both Maria & Owen have survived traumatic pasts, and have very few people to rely on for support. They don't trust other people - especially Maria, who often has flashbacks to her assault when other people (men in particular) get too close. Her best friend Tina is the only person who knows what happened to her & Tina tries to help her push past her fear of people & trust again.
Owen also suffers from flashbacks to his traumatic past & avoids crowds & social situations too. And the book follows both their stories of overcoming their fears, with the help of each other.
The characters:
Owen & Maria are very similar characters, not just because of the issues in their past, but also the way they have dealt with it, withdrawing into themselves & focussing on their studies. However, despite their similarities, you can still easily differentiate their voices in the alternating POV (something that many authors seem to struggle with).
I really liked Maria, I connected with her straight away & could feel that she really wanted to move forward with her life, but was scared & doubted her own strength. I loved how she was proud of herself as she made progress & stepped outside her comfort zone - she could see how far she had come. Owen was sweet, he could see that Maria had gone through something & wanted to help her.
The romance:
The romance between these two was so beautiful. It was very realistic - awkward at times with each of them having very little experience it relationships. But that's what made it so believable.
It was a sweet and tender romance, not the usual angst filled relationship. Their romance began as a tentative friendship and slowly built into a romance as they began to understand each other. It was beautiful to watch Maria & Owen grow throughout the story with the mutual understanding & support from each other.
The Writing:
Nadia's writing was really beautiful, she doesn't shy away from the difficult issue & doesn't sugar coat anything. The story felt very real & I became emotionally invested in the story. I especially love the way she handled the romance. They both have trust issues for obvious reasons, and as a result some of the interactions between them were a little embarrassing but so realistic. As neither of them have been intimate with anyone before their love scenes were also written with a genuine 'first time' feeling - I couldn't help but giggle when Owen is describing Maria about to have her first orgasm:
"Maria is suddenly very still, almost rigid, and her mouth opens wide as if she is silently screaming. Her eyes close tightly, and she starts to shake like nothing I've ever seen before. Just as I'm about to pull my hand away in fear, I suddenly realise what's happening. I've never seen a girl have an orgasm before, and Maria's on the brink of one." -Owen
THE BAD:
Looking at the dates/timeline that this story is told along, the progress that they make in their relationship etc may have been a little fast. However in saying that, I didn't notice that as I was reading (and besides, everybody handles trauma differently, so it wasn't really a big issue for me)
Also for some I think the graphic descriptions of abuse may be a bit too much, but for me they only added to the realistic nature of the story.
FINAL WORD:
This was a confronting look into domestic violence & sexual assault, and how it can effect people for the rest of their lives. I loved the fact that this has a proper ending to the book while still leaving their story open for a sequel - can not wait to read it!
CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium-strong / sex scenes & sexual assault
Violence: very strong / graphic descriptions of domestic violence -
Language: medium / regular use of sh*t, f*ck
Drugs & alcohol: mild-medium / main characters drink in nightclub etc
Other: Maria does have a brief moment of suicidal thoughts
More reviews at The Reading Realm
"I don't care if your messed up. I am too. It doesn't matter how lost we were, because we found each other anyway" - Owen
***SPOILERS***
(This book contains adult content & therefore so does my review)
THE GOOD:
The story:
Wow, the first scene in this book really shook me, just a warning that it does graphically depict domestic violence - but not in a glorifying way - it really does give an insight into how damaging it can be to someone mentally not just physically.
Both Maria & Owen have survived traumatic pasts, and have very few people to rely on for support. They don't trust other people - especially Maria, who often has flashbacks to her assault when other people (men in particular) get too close. Her best friend Tina is the only person who knows what happened to her & Tina tries to help her push past her fear of people & trust again.
Owen also suffers from flashbacks to his traumatic past & avoids crowds & social situations too. And the book follows both their stories of overcoming their fears, with the help of each other.
The characters:
Owen & Maria are very similar characters, not just because of the issues in their past, but also the way they have dealt with it, withdrawing into themselves & focussing on their studies. However, despite their similarities, you can still easily differentiate their voices in the alternating POV (something that many authors seem to struggle with).
I really liked Maria, I connected with her straight away & could feel that she really wanted to move forward with her life, but was scared & doubted her own strength. I loved how she was proud of herself as she made progress & stepped outside her comfort zone - she could see how far she had come. Owen was sweet, he could see that Maria had gone through something & wanted to help her.
The romance:
The romance between these two was so beautiful. It was very realistic - awkward at times with each of them having very little experience it relationships. But that's what made it so believable.
It was a sweet and tender romance, not the usual angst filled relationship. Their romance began as a tentative friendship and slowly built into a romance as they began to understand each other. It was beautiful to watch Maria & Owen grow throughout the story with the mutual understanding & support from each other.
The Writing:
Nadia's writing was really beautiful, she doesn't shy away from the difficult issue & doesn't sugar coat anything. The story felt very real & I became emotionally invested in the story. I especially love the way she handled the romance. They both have trust issues for obvious reasons, and as a result some of the interactions between them were a little embarrassing but so realistic. As neither of them have been intimate with anyone before their love scenes were also written with a genuine 'first time' feeling - I couldn't help but giggle when Owen is describing Maria about to have her first orgasm:
"Maria is suddenly very still, almost rigid, and her mouth opens wide as if she is silently screaming. Her eyes close tightly, and she starts to shake like nothing I've ever seen before. Just as I'm about to pull my hand away in fear, I suddenly realise what's happening. I've never seen a girl have an orgasm before, and Maria's on the brink of one." -Owen
THE BAD:
Looking at the dates/timeline that this story is told along, the progress that they make in their relationship etc may have been a little fast. However in saying that, I didn't notice that as I was reading (and besides, everybody handles trauma differently, so it wasn't really a big issue for me)
Also for some I think the graphic descriptions of abuse may be a bit too much, but for me they only added to the realistic nature of the story.
FINAL WORD:
This was a confronting look into domestic violence & sexual assault, and how it can effect people for the rest of their lives. I loved the fact that this has a proper ending to the book while still leaving their story open for a sequel - can not wait to read it!
CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium-strong / sex scenes & sexual assault
Violence: very strong / graphic descriptions of domestic violence -
Language: medium / regular use of sh*t, f*ck
Drugs & alcohol: mild-medium / main characters drink in nightclub etc
Other: Maria does have a brief moment of suicidal thoughts
More reviews at The Reading Realm
July 19, 2013
Actual rate 3.5 stars
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“Everyone has dark, scary places inside them, ”places where all the memories are nightmares"...
Maria is a smart girl, but she has a terrible past trauma which make her going into panic attack while she's in crowds or near strangers.
Maria attempted wherever possible to keep her self "invisible" , hiding behind a shell that he has made, so that no one noticed her.
Until one day she met a man who looked at her with a look that made her feel uncomfortable, but also made her interested.
There is something in this person that makes her feel .... "connected" ....
Owen, a young man with a past that is no less traumatic.
Was raised by abusive father, make Owen passes his days in torture miserable life.
For many years he lived in guilty feeling for not being able to protect his beloved sister, Samantha.
Samantha's death still haunts Owen, and when he met with Maria, he saw the same fear in her eyes like what he saw in Samantha's.
"I shake my head as an uncomfortable memory flits into sight for a millisecond. I recognize the fear in Maria's eyes, and it's too late to close Pandora's box now.
The memory roars to life and hits me so hard that I nearly fall over. I gasp in shock, turn away, and grab onto the back of a nearby bench to steady myself."
Owen painstakingly tried so hard to resist panic attacks every time he was with Maria....but, there's something in Maria that attract him more than his own fear.
Will these two broken people heal each other and found their peace ?
This is another sweet-tortured-abused-story.
I admit, it not consuming enough or make me feel overwhelmed, but still...I like this story.
I was sad when I saw how Owen and Maria tried to cope with their trauma.
But I love the way they to took care and protect each others.
I love Owen's patience when Maria have to deal with her trauma.
As well, with Maria...
Like a piece of lost puzzle, their life was perfectly made for each other....
I recommended this book if you like these kind of abuse torture but beautiful story....
"You know why I like pomegranates?" he asks.
"Why?"
"Because they're so ugly," he whispers. "They look like they're totally disgusting."
"When you break one open, it's beautiful and delicious," whispers Owen. "It's absolutely perfect, but not until you break it."
"I don't know why the memories keep coming back or why I can't get rid of them, but what I need most is time and patience."
"You don't even have to ask for those," he whispers back. "They're all yours."
"I'm not going anywhere," he continues quietly. "If you're willing to stick by me and put up with my problems, I'm sticking by you."
“Why ?”
"Because I'm yours, no matter what happens," he answers, hugging me tightly. "I need you, and I'm not going to lose you like that."
“I don't care if you're messed up. I am too. It doesn't matter how lost we were, because we found each other anyway.”
“You deal with my problems," I counter, squeezing her tightly. "I can deal with yours."
“Maria?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you," he whispers. "Thank you so much. You're the best thing to ever happen to me."
I cuddle up close to him and I kiss him softly on the cheek.
"We'll find each other somehow. We're not lost anymore," I whisper to him.
I may feel lost, but at least we’re lost together…
January 18, 2018
Samantha crashes into the wall at the middle landing with a terrifying thud, her neck contorted in an impossible way and her gray eyes staring blankly up at me.
The world freezes around me as I stare back into her empty eyes, and everything is strangely silent.
I’ve failed her. I’ve failed her in the worst way I possibly could have.
This is brutal! Child abuse is never pretty. It's always left scars forever.
This is the story about Maria and Owen, two people with abusive tortured past behind them, and still haunted them until now.
That's why, I think, they made for each other, from a very beginning.
Owen suffered from his abusive monster father and and the death of his baby sister. Maria was a rape victim, by her brother's best friend, at age 15!
Their life was a disaster!
They both have panic attack, but yet, feel that they're bond to each other.
They both have their fear.Especially Owen, who always tried to put space between them. But at some point, Maria won't let him.
For a rape victim, she a bit too brave wooing Owen, yes, she's the one who made a first move.
(This is a bit annoying, honestly).
But again,maybe she tried to cope with her past?
But why Darren still haunted her after 7 years?
This typical sexual assault, can't tell, can't report. Or even they tell, they would be judged! How cruel.
But they have each other, and that's enough for them
But their life was not yet a happily ever after kind of live, yesterday's nightmare was still followed them everywhere.
Could they survive?
One time, I really loved Maria for defending Owen bravely, and how Owen finally found his voice to say NO to his father.
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I cried when Owen's mother robbed his money and left him starving..this statement was deep, cut my heart...I always hate when seeing people hungry, especially, when their parents made them!
"“Would you rather not watch a movie, then?” she asks quietly. “What if we just make some snacks, grab some drinks, and spend the night talking?”
The mention of food makes my stomach grumble again. I’ve had nothing to eat since my apple this morning"
Will they have their happy ending? Yes, for a while...
"“I don’t care if you’re messed up. I am too. It doesn’t matter how lost we were, because we found each other anyway."
But...
Let's see in Found.
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my-kindle-freebie-to-read
July 25, 2013FREE TODAY 7-24-13 on Amazon
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Adul...
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Adul...
June 11, 2013
Maybe that's what I'm so angry about-that no matter how many answers I know on tests, I can't figure out how to be a normal girl again. ~ Maria Loc 571
Maria never really moved on past the day her world was shattered at the young age of 15. She's paranoid, scared, and determined to keep everyone at arm's length to protect herself, and you definitely feel her brokenness at every turn. It was sad to see her so shattered and unable to really enjoy life all because of that one moment that changed everything. As she tried to deal with day-to-day roadblocks, it was really her best friend Tina who carried her through it all. She was the best friend every girl wants, always there for her and with the patience of a saint putting up with Maria's inability to cope. But Maria's world changed drastically the day she first met Owen, the boy who was just as broken as she was in many ways, and it was quite a struggle for both of them.
I fell, of course. At least, that's what they told the doctors. I was out riding my bike, and I fell over and hit the sharp corner of a mailbox. Nobody questioned it. Why would they? My dad was a great guy, everyone in our small town knew that. ~Owen
In some ways, I really liked that Owen wasn't the typical strong and tough knight in shining armor. The abuse he suffered from had made him weak in many ways, and I don't mean that in an offensive way. He's just broken, beaten down and struggling to get past always being stepped on by the ones who were supposed to love him. And Maria, wow she just let her mind get the best of her even in everyday situations because she had felt so frozen up all those years ago. She reacted to situations that really shouldn't have been difficult for her sometimes, but then the mind is such a complex thing. I did struggle a bit with Maria and Owen's immaturity. I get that both of them had been through a great deal of emotional and physical pain in their lives and that greatly affected their behavior, but these characters are all adults. It really threw me when they were both so completely naive about relationships and their behavior was something I’d expect from young teenagers versus college students. There were moments when it was sweet, but there were also times it just seemed childish, especially coming from hot grad student Owen. I wanted more depth and emotions and less drama and excitability.
The antagonists in this story really make your blood boil, without a doubt, and seeing what Maria and Owen are going through just made it that much harder. I won’t give away Maria’s secret, but as she relived what happened to her, oh I was so angry! She had no one to turn to until she met Tina, and even then it was more like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound. And Owen’s father, well he just an appalling excuse for a man, and I hope he gets what’s coming to him before this series is over!! He leans a bit too far into the maniacal and deranged category for my tastes, and the sensationalized abuse wasn’t entirely realistic, but really that just made me hate him even more. Which is a good thing. Poor Owen literally had no one that he could lean on or trust, and there were moments when his situation breaks your heart. The man deserves all the happiness in the world after what he endured, and I was so happy when he and Maria started to heal each other along the way!
Overall, this was a story of survival and the healing powers of love that will speak to many readers, and I’m crossing my fingers for Maria and Owen to see their happily ever after without too much more heartache!
This and other of my reviews can be found at: http://www.autumnreview.com/search/la...
Maria never really moved on past the day her world was shattered at the young age of 15. She's paranoid, scared, and determined to keep everyone at arm's length to protect herself, and you definitely feel her brokenness at every turn. It was sad to see her so shattered and unable to really enjoy life all because of that one moment that changed everything. As she tried to deal with day-to-day roadblocks, it was really her best friend Tina who carried her through it all. She was the best friend every girl wants, always there for her and with the patience of a saint putting up with Maria's inability to cope. But Maria's world changed drastically the day she first met Owen, the boy who was just as broken as she was in many ways, and it was quite a struggle for both of them.
I fell, of course. At least, that's what they told the doctors. I was out riding my bike, and I fell over and hit the sharp corner of a mailbox. Nobody questioned it. Why would they? My dad was a great guy, everyone in our small town knew that. ~Owen
In some ways, I really liked that Owen wasn't the typical strong and tough knight in shining armor. The abuse he suffered from had made him weak in many ways, and I don't mean that in an offensive way. He's just broken, beaten down and struggling to get past always being stepped on by the ones who were supposed to love him. And Maria, wow she just let her mind get the best of her even in everyday situations because she had felt so frozen up all those years ago. She reacted to situations that really shouldn't have been difficult for her sometimes, but then the mind is such a complex thing. I did struggle a bit with Maria and Owen's immaturity. I get that both of them had been through a great deal of emotional and physical pain in their lives and that greatly affected their behavior, but these characters are all adults. It really threw me when they were both so completely naive about relationships and their behavior was something I’d expect from young teenagers versus college students. There were moments when it was sweet, but there were also times it just seemed childish, especially coming from hot grad student Owen. I wanted more depth and emotions and less drama and excitability.
The antagonists in this story really make your blood boil, without a doubt, and seeing what Maria and Owen are going through just made it that much harder. I won’t give away Maria’s secret, but as she relived what happened to her, oh I was so angry! She had no one to turn to until she met Tina, and even then it was more like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound. And Owen’s father, well he just an appalling excuse for a man, and I hope he gets what’s coming to him before this series is over!! He leans a bit too far into the maniacal and deranged category for my tastes, and the sensationalized abuse wasn’t entirely realistic, but really that just made me hate him even more. Which is a good thing. Poor Owen literally had no one that he could lean on or trust, and there were moments when his situation breaks your heart. The man deserves all the happiness in the world after what he endured, and I was so happy when he and Maria started to heal each other along the way!
Overall, this was a story of survival and the healing powers of love that will speak to many readers, and I’m crossing my fingers for Maria and Owen to see their happily ever after without too much more heartache!
This and other of my reviews can be found at: http://www.autumnreview.com/search/la...
March 6, 2017
4.5 stars!!! Two broken souls trying to make it in life and end up stumbling into each other both skittish and both with tragic pasts .... come to find each other!! Absolutely beautiful!!!
April 23, 2013
I don't have the heart to give this book less than two stars, despite the fact that I absolutely hated it...
To start with I was sceptical about reading this book because I've been reading quite a few self-published books recently and some have been a bit rubbish. So when I started Lost I felt pleasantly surprised that the editing seemed fairly decent and so was the language.
I don't know what it is that changed in this book, but about halfway through everything suddenly went downhill exponentially. This book is alternating pov, which just didn't seem to work as Owen had an almost identical inner voice to Maria, honestly sounding as unsure, analytical and over-thinking as an incredibly annoying female protagonist can be. So I was put off by both of the protagonists, which probably didn't help my cause in attempting to like this book.
Then there's the over use of a simple piece of punctuation known as the exclamation mark. I think I may never use one or look at one in the same way again after seeing one on Every. Single. Page.
This then leads to how none of the characters seemed their age. Maria was meant to be 22, yet she acted as if she was about 16, annoying me further. I understand that the traumatic events which took place in her life had left her without experience with boys and most likely stopped her from much socialising, but she has still been in the company of other people her age, so should not come across so adolescent-esque.
The traumatic and incredibly disturbing events that are addressed in this book are done so with great care, sympathy and skill, with the flashbacks making me feel shocked and hateful towards the people in power. But that is where my connection to this book ends.
I'm too stubborn to drop a book once I have started it, so I gritted my teeth and forcefully made myself read to the end. It's been a long time since I've read a book that failed to grab my interest and drag me in, and I honestly can't remember a time when I have felt relief as I read the last page... Maybe it's just me...
To start with I was sceptical about reading this book because I've been reading quite a few self-published books recently and some have been a bit rubbish. So when I started Lost I felt pleasantly surprised that the editing seemed fairly decent and so was the language.
I don't know what it is that changed in this book, but about halfway through everything suddenly went downhill exponentially. This book is alternating pov, which just didn't seem to work as Owen had an almost identical inner voice to Maria, honestly sounding as unsure, analytical and over-thinking as an incredibly annoying female protagonist can be. So I was put off by both of the protagonists, which probably didn't help my cause in attempting to like this book.
Then there's the over use of a simple piece of punctuation known as the exclamation mark. I think I may never use one or look at one in the same way again after seeing one on Every. Single. Page.
This then leads to how none of the characters seemed their age. Maria was meant to be 22, yet she acted as if she was about 16, annoying me further. I understand that the traumatic events which took place in her life had left her without experience with boys and most likely stopped her from much socialising, but she has still been in the company of other people her age, so should not come across so adolescent-esque.
The traumatic and incredibly disturbing events that are addressed in this book are done so with great care, sympathy and skill, with the flashbacks making me feel shocked and hateful towards the people in power. But that is where my connection to this book ends.
I'm too stubborn to drop a book once I have started it, so I gritted my teeth and forcefully made myself read to the end. It's been a long time since I've read a book that failed to grab my interest and drag me in, and I honestly can't remember a time when I have felt relief as I read the last page... Maybe it's just me...
April 11, 2013
The exclamation points were really becoming distracting for me. I think I saw one to two on every single page and I’m reading on my iPhone so the pages are extremely tiny. I am curious to know exactly how many exclamation points were used in the entire book. I bet it is in the hundreds.
** Spoiler, Kind of ***
Owen didn’t feel very masculine to me. I don’t know if it were all of those exclamation points making him sound as excited as the very excited best friend, Tina, but I didn’t get a very manly vibe from him. It could have been the H/h had the same speech patterns, maybe. Or was it was all those damn exclamation points.
Another thing I didn’t understand was the plot. I’m not really sure there was one, if there was I couldn’t identify it. The story is about two people with tragic pasts helping each other through it. Touching, but I thought I was reading something a little more mysterious with a little more action.
One thing I noticed that bugged me a little and I don’t think it was mentioned earlier in the book or maybe I just glazed right over it? I’m not sure but I couldn’t recall Owen ever telling her about his sister being murdered but it comes out later in the story as a known fact. That’s a major detail to skim over. I seriously tried to remember when he told her because I was waiting for him to tell her forever in the book but then it never happened and then all the sudden the heroin just stated it later as a known fact. I was like, what the hell? How did I miss that?
I would have given this book a higher rating but the damn exclamation points are so hard to forgive. It’s like every character in the book was yelling ecstatically or screaming. Usually authors save all their exclamation points for the air-headed best friend in their books for when they say absurd statements or jokes, but everyone in this book was really excited to say their lines!!!!!!!!
** Spoiler, Kind of ***
Owen didn’t feel very masculine to me. I don’t know if it were all of those exclamation points making him sound as excited as the very excited best friend, Tina, but I didn’t get a very manly vibe from him. It could have been the H/h had the same speech patterns, maybe. Or was it was all those damn exclamation points.
Another thing I didn’t understand was the plot. I’m not really sure there was one, if there was I couldn’t identify it. The story is about two people with tragic pasts helping each other through it. Touching, but I thought I was reading something a little more mysterious with a little more action.
One thing I noticed that bugged me a little and I don’t think it was mentioned earlier in the book or maybe I just glazed right over it? I’m not sure but I couldn’t recall Owen ever telling her about his sister being murdered but it comes out later in the story as a known fact. That’s a major detail to skim over. I seriously tried to remember when he told her because I was waiting for him to tell her forever in the book but then it never happened and then all the sudden the heroin just stated it later as a known fact. I was like, what the hell? How did I miss that?
I would have given this book a higher rating but the damn exclamation points are so hard to forgive. It’s like every character in the book was yelling ecstatically or screaming. Usually authors save all their exclamation points for the air-headed best friend in their books for when they say absurd statements or jokes, but everyone in this book was really excited to say their lines!!!!!!!!
July 10, 2013
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I'd like to thank Nadia for having the strength and courage to share this story. One thing I've learned through the years is that as much as you think you're alone and that no one would ever understand the pain you've gone through, you're not. There are so so many stories such as this that go untold; whether it be from fear, humiliation, or shame. So if you are like me, or the characters in this story, I hope someday you find the strength to let go; accept the past and move on. You're not alone, I promise.
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Maria is a junior in college in Ithaca, working towards her biology degree. She has a terrible secret that has been eating her alive for a horrifying seven years. She only has one person in her life that she can trust; her best friend Tina. She left her family behind in New Jersey and has barely spoken to them since. They have no idea about the nightmare that changed her forever when she was 15 years old. They would never understand anyways.
Owen is a grad student and also Maria's T.A. He has a painful secret that no one knows but his family. Years and years of abuse have scarred him both inside and out. His past is riddled with painful memories that follow him everywhere he goes. He's alone, broken and scared. His soul was shattered long ago and there's no hope of ever putting the pieces back together. Or so he thought.
As the title says, both Maria and Owen are lost in their own way. They both suffer through endless nightmares that haunt them still to this day. When fate steps in, they hope that together, maybe they will be able to overcome their own demons once and for all.
This is definitely a tear jerker. Grab some tissues and some hot cocoa because you won't be able to put this down.
First off, I'd like to thank Nadia for having the strength and courage to share this story. One thing I've learned through the years is that as much as you think you're alone and that no one would ever understand the pain you've gone through, you're not. There are so so many stories such as this that go untold; whether it be from fear, humiliation, or shame. So if you are like me, or the characters in this story, I hope someday you find the strength to let go; accept the past and move on. You're not alone, I promise.
------
Maria is a junior in college in Ithaca, working towards her biology degree. She has a terrible secret that has been eating her alive for a horrifying seven years. She only has one person in her life that she can trust; her best friend Tina. She left her family behind in New Jersey and has barely spoken to them since. They have no idea about the nightmare that changed her forever when she was 15 years old. They would never understand anyways.
Owen is a grad student and also Maria's T.A. He has a painful secret that no one knows but his family. Years and years of abuse have scarred him both inside and out. His past is riddled with painful memories that follow him everywhere he goes. He's alone, broken and scared. His soul was shattered long ago and there's no hope of ever putting the pieces back together. Or so he thought.
As the title says, both Maria and Owen are lost in their own way. They both suffer through endless nightmares that haunt them still to this day. When fate steps in, they hope that together, maybe they will be able to overcome their own demons once and for all.
This is definitely a tear jerker. Grab some tissues and some hot cocoa because you won't be able to put this down.
June 9, 2013
I loved the brokenness of Maria and Owen and how they appreciated and accepted each other the way they were. They didn't expect them to change, but in fact, connected more because they saw that hesitation, the freezing up, and uncertainty around others, it opened up those channels of trust.
Both had such hard pasts that still effected their lives and how they interacted with each other.
Loved Tina and the friendship there. How she protected and understood her. That she wasn't perfect herself, she had a mouth, that they were close and open with each other.
The parents in this one infuriated me, as well as the bullies. I hate it, but I loved watching Maria and Owen rise above their past, and learn to heal.
This is such a realistic story, and I appreciate how just because they were together, it didn't mean they were automatically healed, it just meant they had more support and incentive to work on it, getting a little better.
The emotions in Lost are well done. There was so much terror, dread, pain and also love, acceptance and hope.
I was caught up in Lost, and didn't want to put it down, and I am very eager to read Found!
Bottom Line: Realistic, gritty and dark with steamy romance.
Both had such hard pasts that still effected their lives and how they interacted with each other.
Loved Tina and the friendship there. How she protected and understood her. That she wasn't perfect herself, she had a mouth, that they were close and open with each other.
The parents in this one infuriated me, as well as the bullies. I hate it, but I loved watching Maria and Owen rise above their past, and learn to heal.
This is such a realistic story, and I appreciate how just because they were together, it didn't mean they were automatically healed, it just meant they had more support and incentive to work on it, getting a little better.
The emotions in Lost are well done. There was so much terror, dread, pain and also love, acceptance and hope.
I was caught up in Lost, and didn't want to put it down, and I am very eager to read Found!
Bottom Line: Realistic, gritty and dark with steamy romance.
July 27, 2013
This was the book I read throughout the week during my breaks at work. It was good. It had just enough drama and relationship turmoil to keep you entertained but not enough steaminess to make you go cherry cheeked in the middle of the break room so everyone would know what kind of novel you were reading.
The two main characters were both lost until they found each other and through the other, they found themselves. I don't want to get into the premise of the book because I believe this novel is a must read to everyone and therefore you should only know, going into the novel, that this book has an overwhelming amount of heartbreak that the author has only barely begun to scratch in this novel. This means the second novel is going to put me in an early grave. This also means that you become attached to the main characters in such a way that you can't comprehend how they weren't in your life in the first place.
AND I read the authors bio at the end... She's a scientist - so she's pretty freaking amazing (I may be biased but I don't care).
The two main characters were both lost until they found each other and through the other, they found themselves. I don't want to get into the premise of the book because I believe this novel is a must read to everyone and therefore you should only know, going into the novel, that this book has an overwhelming amount of heartbreak that the author has only barely begun to scratch in this novel. This means the second novel is going to put me in an early grave. This also means that you become attached to the main characters in such a way that you can't comprehend how they weren't in your life in the first place.
AND I read the authors bio at the end... She's a scientist - so she's pretty freaking amazing (I may be biased but I don't care).
June 11, 2015
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! There was some much emotion in this book it was crazy!
Maria and Owen have horrid pasts that they are trying to over come. Owen fells that he isn't worthy of Maria becuase of his past, but Maria fells that same way. Are they able to help each other through what they have been thorugh? Or will the past be to much and everything they are trying for falls apart?
I cannot wait to read the next book Found to see what happens. I'll be telling my friends this is a must read!
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! There was some much emotion in this book it was crazy!
Maria and Owen have horrid pasts that they are trying to over come. Owen fells that he isn't worthy of Maria becuase of his past, but Maria fells that same way. Are they able to help each other through what they have been thorugh? Or will the past be to much and everything they are trying for falls apart?
I cannot wait to read the next book Found to see what happens. I'll be telling my friends this is a must read!
January 28, 2014
a DNF @ 48% all the characters have something fucked up about them and Maria's mom acts like a fucking teen. it's just all sorts of fucked up. the story is moving kinda slow and I don't like how the author changes the outline of the story halfway through. so at 1 point we went back 3 minutes to hear from his POV! so im not going to finish this b/c there is a companion and I'll probably be disappointed.
August 13, 2013
I loved every single page. I couldn't put it down and started Found immediately after finishing Lost; sleep be damned. It's a beautiful love story about two broken people who learn they're not only strong enough to help fix one another but they can also fix themselves.
March 3, 2013
(4.5 STARS)
Another little gem I came across! I loved Owen and Maria and really belived their struggles. Can't wait to read Found!
Another little gem I came across! I loved Owen and Maria and really belived their struggles. Can't wait to read Found!
March 9, 2013
I want book 2 please
July 5, 2013
This was so great book and I really liked it. I was so proud of Maria.
Want to read
July 24, 2013Amazon freebie 7/24/13
July 30, 2013
Loved this book!!
August 4, 2013
Loved it.
June 3, 2016
My tears never stopped 5 Stars!
November 28, 2019
Way too simple
This book lacked everything! It didn't even have a decent plot!! I get the main characters are broken by their own traumas but it's so repetitive that it fails to inspire any sympathy for them
This book lacked everything! It didn't even have a decent plot!! I get the main characters are broken by their own traumas but it's so repetitive that it fails to inspire any sympathy for them
May 31, 2017
Sweet❤
August 5, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
May 28, 2018
having in oh Good book
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