Lost & Found Lovers: Facts and Fantasies of Rekindled Romances

by Nancy Kalish

Many adults think about their first loves from time to time, pine over "the one who got away," or wonder "what might have been." Lost love is a timeless theme, immortalized in fiction through countless songs, plays, movies, and television shows.
Nancy Kalish, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at California State University, Sacramento, is the only researcher who has empirically studied couples who tried rekindled romances. Her book, Lost & Found Lovers: Facts and Fantasies of Rekindled Romances, originally published by William Morrow, Inc., describes her international landmark study of 1001 participants; profiles of the adults who tried reunions are given, along with explanations of the phenomenon of lost love reunions, and stories in the words of the men and women who lived them.
Although the original book was published in 1997, the profiles and explanations have remained constant. The only thing that has changed with the Internet explosion is the couples' way of contacting and communicating with each other -- and a higher rate of extramarital affairs. For people who are single, divorced or widowed, reunions are often highly successful. Kalish's research confirms the importance of "puppy love" and should be required reading for parents of teenagers who are dating.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

The statistics bogged this down immensely. I was hoping to read more of the lost and found lovers stories, and sure, they were there, it was just constantly numbers of this and numbers of that. I found the numbers irrelevant. Dr Kalish did explain my very thoughts at the end of the book though, which I did find refreshing.
It was an interesting book in the sense many of us have that 'wonder what happened to....' or 'if only I had done things differently, would I be with so and so....?"
I did enjoy it in total but could have done without the statistics in the face all the time. Bit too cut and dried really. Yes, it was a study and not a romance book, I accept that.
I was near the end of this book when I learned Dr Nancy Kalish had died on the 27th of July. Very saddened to hear of that.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read since I've started dating an old friend from high school. Not the best written or researched book, but the only one I can find on the topic. The author's thoughts and conclusions on the subject really hit home for me and explained why at times I feel like a giddy teenager, so there's definitley some value to reading this if you're dating someone from your past.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just “rekindled” a love from over 40 years ago this book helped me understand the intense feelings we were experiencing! Now in 2021 we are still going strong and happier than ever! Great read.

[Brittany Chase · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I expected more scientific conclusions and fewer case studies of fairy tales.

[Mona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered this book to compare my meeting up with an old HS bf after more an a half century with couples in the author's Lost Love Project. Am taking a short break from my usual theme of books about Burma. For $1 plus postage it's a quick read. Evidently the rekindling of old romances is not unusual at all even though it certainly feels that way to each couple. Am hoping for a quick read and perhaps some personal insights. Hmm

[Vikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about men and women who have found old loves after thirty or forty years. They still feel very strongly about them. Some of the relationships work out, some don't.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nonfiction book, this is the research results of the Lost Love Project. Being a hopeless romantic, I couldn't put it down. I love hearing stories of rekindled love.