Lost for Words

by Lorelei Mathias

Sweet-natured Daisy, assistant at a large publishing house, has two wishes in life. One, to discover the 'next big thing' in books and two, for her gorgeous, philandering boyfriend Miles to finally commit. But soon work starts looking up. When the thoughtful and witty Elliot Thornton comes in for a temporary placement, Daisy quickly forms a close friendship with him. But she'd never want to leave Miles for him, would she? Then, one day, while glancing through her rejection pile, she comes across the intriguing first pages of a novel. With spine-tingling excitement she emails the mysterious author straightaway and as chapter by chapter slowly filter through to her, she becomes completely spellbound. But somehow, there's something very familiar about the heroine and her story! An enchanting romance about a girl who knows she's in love -- she just doesn't know who with!

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2007

About the author

Lorelei Mathias was born in ‘Metroland’ to English and Romanian parents. She studied English & Philosophy at Birmingham University. She has worked in London as a Copywriter in Publishing and Advertising, and also writes the occasional magazine article, having been a regular blogger for both Campaign Magazine and Caitlin Moran’s website.

Her first novel 'Step on it, Cupid', was published when she was 25, followed by 'Lost for Words'. As a member of the writers collective '26', she has had a poem exhibited at the Museum of Childhood, and a non-fiction chapter published in 'Common Ground: Around Britain in 30 Writers.' Credited as having one of the ‘best youtube trailers for a book, ever’ (well, this was back in 2006 and they didn’t really exist back then), she has also contributed to a number of books and articles about online marketing for authors.

Her latest book 'Break-Up Club' is a romantic comedy about friendship, and was inspired by her experiences in an accidental break-up club of her own... which taught her that a break up shared, is a break up halved. One day she'd like to set up an official refuge for the broken-hearted, so that no one should ever have to go through one alone.

When she's not writing, she enjoys making comedy sketches and short films, running a fictional bakery called Niche Quiche, and asking people where the nearest lido is. She is also named after a mythical German mermaid, which might explain the obsession with outdoor swimming.

Reviews

[Phoenix2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally don't like this kind of books, but Lost for words is really good. It's not only about the love triangle, it's about books, it's about self finding and it's funny and easy to read.

[Anastasia Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such good read, and you cant help but fall in love with Elliot. Lorelei makes the characters so real and likeable. Daisy came across a but dipsy and quite childish at times but the story si still very much enjoyble to read.

[Mickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another from the pile of brit-chick lit books that I've been rampaging through. The cover alone made me like this one. While I look nothing like the girl in the picture, I've often envisioned myself stretched out in similar fashion on a lovely day, absorbed in a book with a pile waiting to be read at my side.



I loved the premise of the book- editorial assistant in a publishing house finds a gem in the slush pile (my dream job, BTW. Even though I know what it REALLY entails), realizes that it seems to be telling parallelling her life, and finds new love in an unexpected place. The story itself- not so much. It's a little too frothy, and Daisy is amazingly, stupidly, oblivious to things that would make a normal woman stand up and scream "ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?" Things like her boyfriend's inability to commit to ANYTHING (he can't make dinner, lunch, the theatre 75% of the time and you still think he's your boyfriend?!?), her friends point blank telling her he's a jerk, or the cute guy right under her nose that is CLEARLY interested in her. She does finally figure things out in the end and the reader gets a happy ending, but you want to shake her until her head rattles before you get to it!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike many other readers of this novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Me, being the critic I claim I am, can recognise a few aspects that I personally don't fancy. At first the narrating style of writing, or third-person, was a frustration to me. I found it impersonal and something I wasn't used to from other novels I have been reading, but I found that it was a great technique the author used because it allowed a greater perspective on the situation. It wasn't just the opinion of the main character, Daisy, there was more to it. It is a slow novel, which almost killed me because of my lack of patience but I think it if it were faster then the romance wouldn't be so sweet and it reflects the quite lenghty period of time that it takes for Daisy to figure out her love life. Its not so much the lenght of time it takes for the love to actually happen, its more like how we all know that Miles is the wrong guy and Daisy doesn't know it! I loved Elliot!
Who doesn't like it when the guy in a novel remembers little minute details about the girls conversation and then publishes them in a book? Well I know I do!
Anyway, I think I sounded nerdier than usual in this review, but I found it to be a really good story and about as twisted and confusing as love can be. A great read for all.

[anieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book! A woman with a small position at a publisher finds a mysterious love while wrestling with her feelings about her current beau. An example of fun chick-lit which isn't obnoxious with vulgar language and situations. It's frothy like a beach shore and effervescent like ginger ale.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read. I didn't find the main character sympathetic, and I was frustrated throughout at her dithering between two obviously unequal love interests. Quite a bit of cliches, but writing was decent, so I would try this author again in future, perhaps.

[Nurul Nadzirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

gah i just love it ! :D

[Andie Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight into publishing world and good story. i just got fed up with her decision making skills at the end or it would have been a 4.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book a bit disappointing. I just couldn't warm to the characters, and found myself wishing I was reading the 'book within a book' rather than the one I was reading.

[T.S.C. Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for little black dress books, and this book is just as I expected. Funny and witty female protagonists, a story line that is easy and light hearted to follow. But I had to lower my rating for one reason and one reason only, and it's one I seem to be finding alot in the novels I've been reading lately; the women have no back bones.
No seriously, the female main characters I have been reading as of late are probably the most dimwitted women I have ever come across, and it's starting to really grind on me a little, and this book is no exception.
Daisy believing that a guy who actively ghosts her, ignores her, cheats on her and then comes crawling back when he realises the chain around her neck has loosened does he know he merely has to gain back the grip and bam! Daisy just goes on crawling back. And not the one time either, this is over 200+ pages of the book while the obvious candidate, Elliot, is the one she ignores and brushes off when he is actively being the one to console her and make her laugh while all of this is happening.
But no, she goes crawling back to Miles because well...He smells nice and is handsome; woopidy freakin' do.
Girl, looks are not everything, and Miles is quite literally the text book definition of a slimeball with even more slimy lines and the hair to match. But no no, he is FOR SURE the guy to go with, and the fact Daisy simply can't resist the liar, the cheat, the narcissist, the incredibly controlling guy; does she not deserve him in the long run if she believes marrying him is EASIER than simply walking away?
Yerp...she debated marriage because it was simply the easy way out, instead of comforting her problems like the adult she is 'supposed' to be. Oh, and not forgetting she threw a hissy fit and was flipping a coin over which guy to choose.
Yep...flipping a coin and writing a list over whether to choose the loving friend, or the cheater.
OH WHY OH WHY IS THAT SUCH A HARD DECISION?!
God I'm exhausted from the stupid...Onto the next book.

[Nabila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This new (for me!) trope of colleagues falling in love always tugs at my heart and this one was no different. I didn't really like the protagonist but the love interest? Definitely interesting. One time read though unfortunately.

[Melissa Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my favourite by a long shot but it's been on my to read list for ages. Typical chick lit which isn't my preferred genre. It got better as the story progressed but I found it predictable and poorly written.

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was okay. But the plot is non-existent. Chiched chicklit, which was a shame as the writing shows promise.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did enjoy the first part of the book but then I just started getting bored with it, which isn’t great so had to dnf it. :/

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Potential for a good story, but poor writing, feels like an teenager writing, and without a good editor.

[Sarah K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little book

[rainbow3 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished reading on Sunday, July 11, 2010 BOOK COVER: Sweet-natured Daisy, assistant as a publishing house, has two wishes. One, to discover the ‘next big thing’ - a hidden literary gem in the slush pile – and two -, for her philandering boyfriend Miles finally to commit. Life starts looking up when Elliot Thornton comes into her work and Daisy quickly forms a close friendship with him. But she’d never want to leave Miles, would she? Then, one day as work, she starts reading the intriguing first pages of a novel and is spellbound. But somehow, there’s something very familiar about the heroine and her story…
It’s fantastic being to be in love – it just helps when you know who with…
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This isn’t about realism but the romance of a hidden identity, no massive mystery here but a light summer read. The publishing house setting and the back and forwards banter between Daisy, and the three main man in her life, Miles, Elliot and Will, Daisy’s new favourite author were almost amusing even if the tip-toeing around each other got out of hand. Some of the background details surrounding the writing, editing and production of novels were entertaining to read and somehow despite the silliness the progression of the central relationship here, i.e. how was Mathias going to get the two star-crossed lovers together, question kept me reading. To be honest though that was a tough call as the lack of depth of character was irritating and the some of the plot meandered around vaguely. Its just occurred to me while working out my thoughts about this novel that somehow I missed how the slush pile gem actually got onto Daisy’s desk, oh well I’m not going to re-read this to find out. That was a key issue though as it pointed to the authors integrity or lack of it.

[Rosina · Rating 1 out of 5]

In honor of this novel having a focus on editing I was going to give this book a proper review, detailing all the issues it had and the few good things but by the time I finished the book I was so bored with it that I don't want to. I only completed it in a fit of sheer pig-headedness.

So here have a summary of my issues:

-A lot of the dialogue felt unrealistic
-Skips in the middle of scenes with no sign there will be a change in location or time.
-The whole heroine being familiar thing isn't actually all that accurate. It's just drips of inspiration.
-Dull characters
-The style of the story in general just feeling rather...old fashioned. It didn't fit and that bored me to tears.

Now for the good things:

-Good use of email.
-Easy enough read.
-Book references.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I never usually give one star if I've managed to finish a book but jesus. A pretty terrible read.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book in a warm fuzzy feeling kind of way. A friend bought it for as a birthday gift, and I am glad that his choice was not a boring read.

Daisy is your normal kind of chic drifting between love and the idea of love. She is in love with Miles, who does not give her as much attention as she gives him, but on the other hand there is Elliot, this guy who is cute and makes her laugh but he's struggling to make ends meet. She also comes across a manuscript submitted to their press and enjoys it so much.

So, the blurb aside, here's what made it a good read; the heroine of the story and how relatable she comes across.

[Pau Cevasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Finally, after a long series of disappointing chicklit novels, I've come across one that was not only fun to read, but that let me with that warm feeling in my chest the genre is famous for.
My only complaint would be the ending, it dragged unnecessarily and then finished abruptly. But apart from that, loved it. Yes, it's unrealistic. Yes, the characters are somewhat cliches. Yes, the alleged "mystery" is somewhat obvious. But still, it's fun, and sweet and all together lovely to read

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up from the library with the Romance tag on the spine. Suited my mood for something light and frothy. Utterly predictable. About an assistant editor dating a guy who can't commit, meeting a new guy, and getting her hands on the next big thing.

[Nuni · Rating 3 out of 5]

whoaaaa....inget masa2 jalan2 di venezia dan bikin gw pengen banget nget nget ke granada andalusia valensiaaaaa....

[Cheeky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A frothy read. Nothing too taxing. It starts off slowly but picks up a little more in the middle. However the waffling between the two choices was getting a bit too much.

[Sharon Malcolm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does chick lit have to have silly chicks in it?

[Sonia · Rating 1 out of 5]

No he podido con el aburrimiento...me queda claro que el chick lit no es lo mio (después de Bridget no se por qué sigo insistiendo).

[Deni Kulla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the ending, a lot, but the other part was just an ordinary story, no surprises at all. Anyway, it was good and I enjoyed it. :)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another predictable chic lit book for your shelves.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet, easy going read.

[Sonaksha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, especially when you’re recovering from an illness.