La fille du bus 88

by Freya Sampson

Depuis l’étage du bus à impériale, Libby Nicholls observe la ville de Londres défiler sous ses yeux. Sa vie en miettes à tout juste 30 ans, seule et au chômage, elle ne sait plus ce qu’elle attend de l’existence. Plongée dans ses pensées, elle est soudain interrompue par un vieil homme qui entame la conversation.

Lorsque Frank commence à lui raconter son histoire d’amour perdue, ce rendez-vous manqué à la National Gallery soixante ans plus tôt avec une jeune femme rencontrée dans ce même bus, et ses journées passées à arpenter la ligne 88 dans l’espoir de la recroiser… elle est bouleversée.

Déterminée à aider Frank à retrouver son grand amour avant qu’il ne soit trop tard, elle comprend qu’il est aussi temps, pour elle, de vivre pleinement sa vie plutôt que de la regarder passer.

Un roman touchant au charme so British qui nous rappelle que les rendez-vous manqués peuvent nous mettre sur le droit chemin.

« Un roman magnifique : une histoire inspirante et romantique qui célèbre le pouvoir des rêves et des relations humaines. » - ALI HAZELWOOD

Avant de devenir écrivaine, Freya Sampson a été productrice télé à Channel 4 et à la BBC. Son premier roman, La Bibliothèque des petits miracles, est un best-seller international qui a su ravir le coeur des lecteurs du monde entier. La Fille du bus 88 est son deuxième roman.

Please This audiobook is in French.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Adult, Book Club

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Freya Sampson is the USA Today bestselling author of The Last Chance Library and The Lost Ticket/The Girl on the 88 Bus. She studied history at Cambridge University and worked in television as an executive producer, making documentaries about everything from the British royal family to neighbours from hell. She lives in London with her husband, children and cats. Nosy Neighbours is her third novel.

Reviews

[Ali Hazelwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY HEART. MY OLD WRINKLY BITTER COLD RAISIN OF A HEART HAS BEEN REVIVED BY THIS BOOK. I AM KIND OF WEEPY JUST WRITING THIS REVIEW.

Okay so: it's the story of Libby, who gets broken up with by her asshole bf after like, a decade together because he's bored (hmm.) and at the same time meets Frank, THE SWEETEST ELDERLY GENTLEMAN IN THE WORLD (unlike Simon the asshole boyfriend, Frank has rights) on the 88 bus. He tells her the story of how a million years ago he met this amazing woman on the bus, she gave him her number, but he lost it. Libby decides to help him find the woman and in the process meets with DYLAN, Frank's carer, WHOM I LOVE WITH MY ENTIRE HEART, HE'S A PUNK AND I WOULD LIKE TO [REDACTED]. Okay but seriously he's a super good dude and I love him and he's what my girl Libby deserves. Also, Frank has dementia, so there are several scenes that truly reached into my chest and squoze (sqeezed?) my heart, but like, in a good, wholesome way. This is the perfect blend of romance and WF, i supermega recommend.

(ALSO NO SPOILERS BUT PEGGY ILY)

Guys, if you ever feel like you want to believe in humanity again and/or would like to pretend you're actually in London, read this book <3

Disclosure: Received an ARC from the publisher. Freya and I share a publisher, Berkley. Freya taught me the expression "crab ladder" and I owe her a lot for that, but I promise this review is sincere.

[MarilynW · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson

What an inspiring, sweet, uplifting story we get with The Lost Ticket. Twenty nine year old Libby has been abruptly dumped by her live in boyfriend of eight years. Not only that, she worked for him at his business and he thinks it's not only a good idea for her to move out of their home but for her to take leave from her job. Having no where to go and no income, Libby moves in temporarily with her sister, brother in law, and their adorable four year old son, Hector.

On the number 88 bus, Libby meets 82 year old Frank. What an engaging and fascinating man! He's had a long and moderately successful acting career (he's humble, too) and there is someone he wants to thank. Someone he has never forgotten from the one time he met her sixty years ago. That someone is a young woman he met on the number 88 bus and knew he wanted to know better. She gave him her phone number on a ticket stub and they made tentative plans to visit the National Gallery art museum together. But Frank lost that ticket stub and never saw that woman again. He'd thought about her throughout the years and even watched for her when he was in town. Now that he's been retired for years, he rides the 88 bus everyday, looking for her.

With her red hair and having wanted to attend art school before her parents squashed that idea, Libby reminds Frank of his "girl on the number 88". In her grief and heartbroken state, Libby latches on the idea of finding this woman, maybe she can find his "girl on the number 88" so he can tell her of the impact she had on his life. And to help her out, whether she wants the help or not, is Dylan, a punker she has a meet-grumpy with (kind of like a meet-cute except not quite the same). We also meet other interesting people and what I'm struck with is how this story lightened my mood so much, reminding me that it's the everyday events and people that make life so meaningful. Plus this story has cute four year old Hector, who is so happy to have met Dylan, a "plunker".

This story has a depth to its characters and I wanted to be around them, listen to them, help them. It shows that first, second, and third appearances can get people on the wrong foot. Kindness is everywhere if you don't wear blinders to people who look differently from what you think is proper. And meeting a stranger even one time can make an impression and change the path of ones life forever. The sweetness in this story isn't the sugary too sweet kind but instead the kind that is satisfying and inspiring.

Pub August 30th 2022

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Such a soul healing, heart warming, poignant, genuine story! This book is best cure for happiness at your darkest, moodiest, saddest times! Just read it and see how your smile deepens, how you make cooing sounds, how you look everything from the brighter side!

It’s an epic friendship, parenthood, self growth story embraces you so tight! Your emotions are all over the place.

The characters are so connectable, seeming like your own family members. You want to give them millions of hugs.

Let’s give a quick recap of the plot:
Frank, a romantic who still searches for the woman he met at the 88 bus for 60 years before the dementia takes the last memories of her.

Libby who recently moved back to London, after her boyfriend Simon broke her heart, finding herself sitting next to Frank, being intrigued by his story which pushes her to help him to find the red haired girl, the lost love chance.

Her fate intercepts with a thirty years old, punk but so sweet, caring man Dylan. He helps her loosen up, learning how to live her life fulfilled.

I’m not giving so much away. This book earns your full attention and your consent to open your heart to the happiness fully.

I am still dabbing my eyes, drying my tears but don’t worry, they’re truly happy tears!

This is one of the best works of the author I highly recommended!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy (U.S.)Publication Day! (August 30,2022)

4.5⭐

A chance meeting between twenty-nine-year-old Libby Nicholls and the elderly Frank Weiss a retired theater actor on the number 88 bus results in an unlikely friendship that impacts both of their lives in the best possible ways. In their first meeting on the bus, Frank reminisces about a similar chance meeting with another red-haired young lady - an aspiring artist who made quite the impression on the young man that he was in 1962. A hastily scribbled phone number on the bus ticket that was promptly lost put a wrench in their plans to meet at the National Gallery in London. However, their brief conversation had a positive impact on Frank’s life for which he has always been grateful. He has since frequently traveled the same bus hoping to meet her again with no success. He still hopes to meet her someday and express his gratitude for her advice all those years ago. Libby was recently dumped by her boyfriend of eight years and is currently living with her sister’s family in London while figuring out her future. Frank’s story touches her heart and motivates her to help him in his quest.

As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about these two friends and the people they meet in the course of their journey, including Dylan who is Frank's caregiver and friend and Esme, Dylan's friend. Not only the main characters but each of the supporting characters are very well fleshed out (even the few who are not that likable). Frank is depicted as a kind and loving human being whose gestures of kindness have touched the lives of so many people around him over the years as is evident from the number of people coming forward to help Libby and Frank in their venture and cheer them on. Libby is a sweet young woman who is yet to fulfill her dreams but as the narrative progresses we see her grow as a person and learn to prioritize herself, something she has rarely done in the past.

"The Lost Ticket" by Freya Sampson is a delightful, heartwarming read with a cast of interesting characters, an engaging plotline and a whole lot of heart! With short chapters, engaging dialogue and quite a few surprises for both Frank and Libby along the way the narrative keeps you immersed till the very end. The author touches upon themes of friendship, family, aging and second chances with the utmost compassion. Overall, this is a beautiful story that that left me with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Last year, I really enjoyed Freya Sampson’s The Last Chance Library which was a lovely story and with “The Lost Ticket”, the author does not disappoint!

I received a digital review copy of this novel from Berkley (Penguin Random House) via Edelweiss+. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOSEBUMPS!

April 2022
Libby Nichols arrives in London lugging her two rucksacks aboard the 88 bus on her way to her sister’s house-the place she will be temporarily living as she sorts out the end of her eight year relationship with Simon.

Her red hair catches the eye of an elderly gentleman named Frank, who has been looking for the red headed girl he met aboard this same bus, in 1962.

THE GIRL WHO CHANGED HIS LIFE

They had made plans to go to the National Gallery on the Saturday following their initial conversation, to see her favorite painting, Bacchus and Ariadne, but he lost the bus ticket she had written her phone # on. He waited by the bus stop all of Saturday afternoon but she never showed up, and he has been trying to find her, ever since.

Frank is starting to suffer from dementia and his daughter wants to move him from his own home, to a full-time Care facility, so his days of riding the 88 are drawing to a close.

This inspires Libby to help him search for the beautiful girl that Frank has never forgotten, and along with his caregiver, Dylan, she begins posting flyers all along the bus route. They also publish an advert for “missed connections” in the newspaper hoping for a lead.

#girlonthe88bus
E-mail girlonthe88bus@gmail.com

And, when that first lead comes in-I literally got GOOSEBUMPS!

You may think you have this one all figured out as you are reading it, but there are some surprising detours along the way!

If you have been looking for this years “feel good” lit book-the kind which has characters you enjoy spending time with-and already miss when the story ends..THIS IS IT!

Frank may have lost that bus ticket-but I lost my heart to Frank! ❤️

Have a tissue ready for the final page!

You don’t have long to wait!
AVAILABLE August 30, 2022!

I would like to thank Elisha at Berkley for my gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

[Rosh (on a short break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A decent read. Contains a couple of interesting protagonists and charming moments. Predictable as expected, but might work for fans of this genre.

Story Synopsis:

Libby Nicholls, newly arrived in London, is boarding the 88 bus broken-hearted and with an uncertain future ahead of her. An elderly gentleman named Frank strikes a conversation with her, revealing that her red hair reminded him of a girl he met in the bus back in 1962. Frank and the girl had made plans to meet but he lost the ticket on which she had written her number, and has been looking for her since the last sixty years.
Libby almost forgets her own personal chaos on hearing Frank’s sad story, and decides to help him search for ‘the girl on the 88 bus.’ Time is of the essence as Frank also has dementia, which is worsening.
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of Libby and the first person perspective of another character, whom we know about later.

Note: This book was originally published in the US under the title "The Lost Ticket".

Bookish Yays:
✔ The prologue set in 1962 gave the perfect start to the story.

✔ Of the main characters, I liked Frank and Dylan – the punker who works as Frank’s carer. (Note: ‘liked’, not ‘loved’.) Of the secondary characters, Esme (Dylan’s friend) and Hector (Libby’s nephew) were charming.

✔ The book has some surprises. Some of these are visible a mile away but many were still fun.

✔ The author sure knows London. It was nice to see the city depicted in such a genuine and detailed way.

✔ Frank’s dementia comes across realistically.

✔ The ending – bittersweet and ‘awwwwww’-inducing. Perfect for the story.

✔ This title is far better than the original title. It suits the book well, and the titular ‘girl on the 88 bus’ can refer to multiple characters and not just the mysterious woman who disappeared from Frank’s life.


Bookish Nays:
❌ Libby just didn’t feel thirty considering her behaviour. Her portrayal made her appear too naïve, especially in her people-handling skills.

❌ Some of the secondary characters were utterly flat. Simon and Libby’s mum are the most boring, being as clichéd as a one-note tune.

❌ While the first half is good, the second half is silly at times. Some scenes at the end are far exaggerated.

🚩🚩 Spoilers below. 🚩🚩
❌ The pregnancy reveal wasn’t a surprise to me, considering how the plot was developing, but the depiction was almost absurd. A sensible pregnant woman won’t drink champagne. Nor would she run (or be able to run) after a bus until its next stop in the final month of her pregnancy (especially when her tummy is supposed to be larger than average.) Now would she be able to ‘bounce’ and dance heartily at a wedding with such a huge bump. Most of the eye-roll content was in how Libby’s pregnancy was written.

❌ Another silly thing was how Frank searched for his dream girl for decades by missing out the most obvious clue. When he knew about her passion for art, it was farfetched to accept that he never thought of looking for her at the National Gallery, a place mentioned to him by the girl herself as a favourite place she frequented for hours.


The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 9 hrs 18 min, is narrated by Annette Holland and Georgia Maguire, one of whom was narrating the third person perspective, and the other voicing the secret character in first person. I loved the second narrator – the person was perfect for the role and gave the character a tone that enhanced the written text and have us an insight into the character’s personality. Unfortunately, the main narrator, while having a charming voice, didn’t appeal to me. Her voices were too farfetched at times, and the way she voiced Dylan, Simon and Hector simple didn’t match their age and/or personality. Her performance were also slightly off, as ‘yelling’ and such expressive emotions didn’t come out convincingly. To be fair, I adored the way she voiced Libby – that part was perfect.


All in all, if you know what to expect from this genre, and if you are looking for a light read where you can take a break from overanalysing, and if you just want to enjoy a predictably cosy book that doesn’t deviate much from the formula, this would be a decent option to try. (So many Ifs!)

3.25 stars.


My thanks to Bonnier UK Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Girl on the 88 Bus”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.





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[Terrie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Lost Ticket" by Freya Sampson is a story about unexpected friendships!

Have you ever met someone, by chance, which ends up having a substantial impact on your life?

That's what happens to Libby Nicholls when she meets eighty-two-year-old Frank Weiss on the number 88 Bus in London. Frank tells her about a girl with beautiful red hair, just like Libby's, he met, by chance, sixty years ago...

April 1962:
From inside the bus, Frank sees her standing at the bus stop uniquely dressed in wide-legged pants, an oversized tweed blazer and a black beret. With a quick glance at her green eyes, he feels an instant attraction. He can't stop himself from staring at her when she sits across the aisle from him and estimates her age to be eighteen, or nineteen years old.

They strike up a conversation. She tells him how she realized her dream of becoming an artist and he shares his dream of becoming an actor. She draws his picture and he gives her a Jack Kerouac book he's reading about the 'Beat Generation'.

Before the bus arrives at her stop, they set a date to meet at the National Gallery, a place Frank has never been and one she loves and visits often. Before exiting the bus, she writes her phone number on her ticket and hands it to Frank. He assures her he will call her that night.

At home, when Frank dips his hand into his jacket pocket for the ticket, it's not there. He lost the ticket with her phone number and he doesn't even know her name!

Libby is inspired by Frank's resilience and his touching story of lost love. She aims to do everything she possibly can to help him find his 'girl on the 88 Bus'!

Give me a story about an octogenarian with complex characters, relevant social topics, in a great setting, and it puts me in my happy place. I picked this up every spare moment and I loved how it played out.

This is thoughtful storytelling using important topics that impact us emotionally, at different stages in our lives, in unpredictable ways. How one copes with these challenges and who is there to offer help, hope, and support are the pieces and parts that makes it so special. The author writes in layers, creating texture to the story and its characters, which you begin to care about and root for all the way!

I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy reading about the joys of unexpected friendships! 4.25 stars!

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.

[Melissa (Vacation Mode) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story about a missed connection and those who come together to help grant an elderly man's last wish.

The Lost Ticket is filled with heartwarming characters that the reader can connect with. Libby has just been dumped by her longtime boyfriend and loses her job working at his business in the process. She moves in with her sister, a lawyer with a young son Hector, and her brother-in-law. While riding on the Number 88 bus, Libby meets 88-year-old Frank, who met a woman on that same bus in 1962, and lost her number soon after. He regularly rides the same route, looking to see the mystery woman again. Libby meets Frank's caregiver Dylan and realizes that Frank has dementia. The two join forces to put up flyers trying to find the woman from the missed connection before it's too late.

I liked this book more than Sampson's previous book The Last Chance Library. I loved Hector and his funny statements, and I overall loved all of the characters that added their own special spark to the novel. This is a story that made my heart happy and I ended the book with a smile on my face. The quest to find the woman didn't end in the way I was expecting, but it ended in exactly the right way. I was content and satisfied with the conclusion to this sweet book.

If you're looking for something to provide a bit of lightness and joy, then The Lost Ticket is the perfect choice.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Michael David (on hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another heartwarming story from the author of The Last Chance Library.

Frank was a young man in 1962 when he took the number 88 bus in London and met a young lady. They chatted and he was so into her. They discussed visiting an art gallery together…and then he lost the bus ticket that she scribbled her phone number on.

60 years later, Libby is a young woman who has just broken up with her boyfriend and got booted from his house. Heartbroken, she takes the number 88 bus one day and happens to meet Frank. He eventually shares his story of lost love with her, and confides that he has ridden the bus almost every day for the last 60 years…hoping to find the lady whose phone number he lost. Awww…

Libby is absolutely touched, and decides to help Frank try and find his love. As Frank and Libby grow closer, Libby also opens herself up to new friendships and life experiences. She and her new friends are just hoping they can find the mysterious woman before time runs out, given Frank has Dementia.

I really enjoyed all the charm and wonderful characters that Freya Sampson wrote about in her debut novel last year. I am thrilled to say that this one includes the same positives. This is such a sweet story that will have you rooting for everyone, falling in love with the characters, and wishing for the best possible outcome. It’s a truly touching book, and I’m already looking forward to the author’s next novel!

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for providing me with a widget in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 8/30/22.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, heartwarming, and honest.

*Exhales contented sigh.*

In a twist that surprised no one, I LOVED this! After having this novel recommended to me by many bookish friends, I decided to give the audio a listen and it far exceeded my expectations. Often times novels have strong plots OR characterization. So, when I come across something where both are worthy of mentioning it brands itself into my brain. I enjoy the idea that you don't have to relinquish one to have the other and The Lost Ticket drives this point home while maintaining a natural voice.

Libby Nichols was expecting an engagement ring and got dumped instead, losing her boyfriend, home and job in a single moment. She travels to London to stay with her sister and get her bearings. On the 88 bus she meets Frank an elderly fellow who spins her the story of his girl on the bus. Frank's 1962 chance meeting is life changing in more than one way. He's still riding the 88 in hopes of seeing her once again. Libby's world begins to shift and open up through her friendship with Frank. She hopes to help him locate his girl before his dementia becomes too advanced.

I adored the cast of characters, and I wanted to spend all my time with them. Who needs sleep when there's fabulous reading to do? The themes throughout were both universal and specific to not conforming which I appreciate. My emotions were all tangled up in this story which grounded it in connection. There were surprising plot threads and twists that I didn't see coming that helped to make this a solid read.

If you're like me and late to the party on this one don't sleep on it. ❤❤️

All the stars!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Omg! That ending though! 😫. Bless his heart!



Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was one of those perfect books at the perfect moment situations bc I CAN'T STOP CRYING THIS WAS SO DELIGHTFUL??????? My heart is burstin'

CW: dementia/alzheimers, body shaming, unexpected pregnancy, infertility, IVF, pregnancy complications

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes there is that story, that even though you know you have been-here-before, with boy-breaks-up-with-girl, and girl is kind-of-a-door-mat, and meets a guy who she absolutely believes she hates at first, you-kinda know where this is probably going to go…

But…You want it to go there anyway.

Still…There are some elements that make this a bit different, and special and fun and you want to go with it, and root for everyone to find their happy ending.

We start with Frank.

Who in 1962 meets a girl with flaming red hair on a bus.

And there is the prospect for something wonderful to happen there. With her.

And…His life, too.

Because…His life is going nowhere, and she convinces him that he can be whatever he wants to be.

And…They are supposed to meet again.

But…He loses the ticket (Hence: the title of the book!) with her name and information and a way to connect with her again.

So…He rides the 88 bus for the next several years trying to find her.

Enter…Libby with flaming red hair.

Who has been dumped by her boyfriend Simon and is now living with her sister and playing nanny to her nephew.

Who happens to be on bus 88.

She meets Frank and hears his story. Frank is now 82, suffering from dementia, and his daughter wants to put him in a home.

And…Libby wants to help Frank find his girl.

But…Libby also meets Dylan on bus 88.

Reluctantly.

It turns out that Dylan is Frank’s carer. She didn’t know that at the beginning.

This was the trope of should she like him or not like him?

And…As it turns out, it becomes an interesting adventure of an unlikely group of friends, an uplifting story, helping Frank find his girl…

Along with…Getting to watch Libby find herself and her personal strength and maybe even her happily-ever-after.

The story is lovely, upbeat and light-hearted, even if we have been-here-before.

[Amina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh! This lovely, heartwarming, beautiful book, takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world, London. I hope The Lost Ticket gets a film adaptation--adorable and endearing.

Libby has just come to London after heartache. She meets an unlikely elderly man named Frank on bus 88. Frank, a retired actor, tells Libby the story of a beautiful red head he met on the train over 60 years ago and how he's been riding the same route hoping to meet her again. He accidentally lost her number that was on the back of his bus ticket. Libby is drawn to Frank's story and decides to start a campaign to help him find his long lost girl.

On one of her bus rides, Libby meets a very rude, disgruntled, punk-music-type passenger named Dylan. Dylan happens to be in route to meet Frank. When Libby discovers Dylan is Frank's caretaker, she realizes he can help her mission to find Frank's long lost love.

Frank's initial connection with Libby is an instantaneous reminder of his lost girl. Libby too has red hair, and is an artist. Interestingly, Libby is drawn to Frank's lost love, and feels a connection to her. Libby realizes she doesn't have much time because Frank has dementia.

The Lost Ticket has a wonderful cast of characters, some lovely, some frustrating. I love the direction Libby takes for her life-- making changes, taking control for what she wants and doesn't want.

A story about unexpected friendships, the trials and heartache of real life, and the coming together of people who love one another in kindness.

I shed a few tears of happiness on the last page. The Lost Ticket is a genuine, warm, cozy read.

5/5 stars

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book which is happy and sad and makes you cry (in a good way) then this is it. Much of it takes place on the number 88 bus in London, some of it in the 1960's and some of it today.

I am not going to recap the story because basically it is boy meets girl, boy loses girl and then stress over whether they will meet again. A common theme for a romance. The Girl on the 88 Bus makes itself different with beautiful characters, two separate but very different couples, and red, double decker, London bus.

I would love to see this book made into a movie. I can just see the scenes on the bus, in the National Art Gallery, the views across London towards the Shard and the river. If you enjoy a really nicely written romance then I highly recommend this book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson

Synopsis /

Can one chance meeting change the course of your life?

When Libby Nicholls arrives in London, broken-hearted and with her life in tatters, the first person she meets on the bus is elderly pensioner Frank. He tells her about the time in 1962 he met a girl on the number 88 bus with beautiful red hair just like her own. They made plans for a date at the National Gallery, but Frank lost the ticket with her number written on it.

For the past sixty years, he's ridden the same bus trying to find her. Libby is inspired by the story and, with the help of an unlikely companion, she makes it her mission to help Frank's search. As she begins to open her guarded heart to strangers and new connections, Libby's tightly controlled world expands. But with Frank's dementia progressing quickly, their chance of finding the girl on the number 88 bus is slipping away. More than anything, Libby wants Frank to see his lost love one more time.

But their quest also shows Libby just how important it is to embrace her own chances for happiness - before it's too late.

My Thoughts /

rounded up to 4.5 stars

Freya Sampson's The Girl on the 88 Bus was also published under the title The Lost Ticket for her US readers. Now that I've finished reading the book, I much prefer the UK published title, it has much more of an air of mystery surrounding it. From the first page until the last, this book was just one great big warm hug. If you feel in the mood for something uplifting, something good for the soul, something that makes you go, 'awe' - then is it your go-to.

It's April of 1962. The number 88 bus pulls up at Clapham Common Station with twenty-two-year-old Frank aboard, riding on the upper level. Frank spots her out of the window. She looked slightly younger than his twenty-two years, but she had the most striking red hair and exquisite sparkling green eyes he'd ever seen, and her skin was so pale it looked like porcelain. His pulse quickened and heartrate increased, she was breathtaking. The girl boarded the bus and disappeared from Frank's view, only to reappear again on the upper level and move gracefully down the aisle to sit in the seat opposite him.

'Do you make a habit of staring at girls on the bus?'
Taken aback, Frank felt himself blush. 'Oh, I'm…eh…' he stumbled, sounding like the schoolboy he suddenly felt. 'I - I'm sorry'.
She looked at him with her olive-green eyes and Frank saw a flicker of amusement dance across her face.

As they ride the 88 route the two chat like old friends and when the young girl arrives at her stop, Frank asks if they can meet up again - at the National Art Gallery. The girl writes her number down on the back of her bus ticket which she gives to Frank. Later, Frank realises he's lost the ticket he was given and has no means of contacting his red-headed girl again. So, each day forward and every day after that, he rides the 88 bus in the hope that he might see her again.

She produced her pencil and bus ticket, scribbling her number at the bottom of the small rectangular card. She held it out to him and then stopped, pulling the ticket back. 'You're not one of those boys who likes to collect girls' numbers then never calls, are you?'
'Of course not!' Frank said. 'I swear, I will call you tonight - and every day if you like?'

Fast forward to April 2022 and, after breaking up with her boyfriend of eight years, Simon, Libby Nichols is riding the number 88 bus heading towards Parliament Hill Fields. She's on her way to her sister's house where she will be living temporarily while she sorts out the now 'mess' that used to be her life with Simon, when Libby catches someone else on the bus staring at her. When Frank (who's now sixty years more senior) spies the woman on the 88 who looks remarkably like 'his girl', 'his lady on the 88', he can't help but stare, it's like he's seen a ghost. Completely blindsided, Frank tells Libby his story about meeting, and losing, 'his girl' on the 88 bus, and Libby, who is completely taken with Frank and his story vows to help him find his lost girl.

What results from this chance encounter on the 88 is a heart-warming story of intergenerational friendship. It's a story of love, of loss, and one of hope. A story about what can happen when you have the courage to follow your heart and never let go of your dreams. If (and when) you read this book, you too will have left a little piece of your heart on the upper level of the 88 bus.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy feel-good stories then this book is for you. After reading the synopsis for this book I knew I was going to enjoy this story and I was right.

The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson is a sweet and beautifully told story that will warm your heart. I adored this charming and delightful book. Highly recommended.

[Isabella Gerli · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1: long story short: Libby gets broken up by her asshole of a boyfriend, she moves in with her sister who lives in london and she start taking the bus as transportation. She meets Frank (this very cute old man) in the 88 bus and he tells libby the story of how he met an amazing women on this same bus like 50 years ago and she gave Frank her number, but he lost it and he’s been trying to find her since but hasn’t had any luck. So, Libby decides to help Frank find the girl from the 88 bus which turn into a really cute adventure with Frank and his carer Dylan. Frank has dementia so they are trying to find the girl from the 88 bus even faster.

#2: honestly this book made me feel like I was innn London and the friendships that libby made along the way are just Precious. Also, this book just has so many parts that makes you believe in humanity, like the most beautiful selfless acts.

#3: I think one thing that I disliked a bit was every single family member that Libby had, just HATED THEM. But yet again, I think that’s the whole point haha.

#4: RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

#5: Should you read this book? Absolutely

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming!

Libby Nicholls has recently moved to London. At twenty-nine, she is currently living with her sister, her sister’s husband, and their young son, Hector. Libby’s boyfriend of eight years has ended their relationship. Worse still, she was living with him and working for him, so now she has lost both her home and her job.

One day, she takes the 88 bus—and that’s where she meets Frank. Frank is an eighty-two-year-old retired actor who had a highly successful career. He tells Libby he has been riding the 88 bus for the last fifty years, searching for the girl he met on the same bus long ago. She had given him her phone number on a ticket stub, but he lost it. They had planned to meet at the National Gallery, but the meeting never happened. Frank wants to find her again. He believes he owes her a debt of gratitude: she inspired him to follow his heart and pursue the acting career that gave him a fulfilled life.

After meeting Frank, Libby is determined to help him find this mysterious woman. Serendipitously, she also meets Dylan, a young man who works as Frank’s caregiver.

The Lost Ticket is utterly charming, filled with endearing and unforgettable characters. The novel offers many quiet life lessons and ends on a beautifully bittersweet note.

A journey well worth taking!

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

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[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like the Grinch for not liking this book. Everyone has been talking about how sweet and heartwarming this book is, and that's why I wanted to pick it up for this season. I was left so completely underwhelmed by this experience.

The writing was just... not good. The premise of this book was charming. It reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "His Favorite Christmas Story" by Capital Lights, which I listened to obsessively while I was young. So even though the idea of a man being obsessed with a woman for sixty years after meeting her once on a bus ride was a bit preposterous, I was willing to suspend my disbelief for a cute read.

Unfortunately, the more I read, the less I enjoyed the experience. The characters were so flat to me, especially Libby, who was like a piece of cardboard. Simon wasn't shit, and he should not have been such a huge part of the story. Dylan had no personality. The only character I liked was Frank, and he was not utilized as well as he could have been because his storyline took a back burner to Libby's. This book also includes one of my least favorite tropes (surprise pregnancy, and the book lost me from there. The side characters, especially Libby's family, were awful and they weren't given any depth. The dialogue was also so stilted and forced at times that I cringed my way through it. I ended up skimming this book because it was so easy to read and I didn't miss a single thing.

There were some misdirections in here that were clever, but it didn't obscure the fact that the rest of this book did not do it for me. I was also so disappointed with the ending, and I can't believe other people aren't pointing that out.

This was quite simply not the book for me. I'm glad other people enjoyed it, but I will likely not pick up other books by this author.

[Dee (on Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. A bit slow, but still charming & delightfully quirky and English.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

After immensely enjoying Nosy Neighbors, I decided to check out Freya Sampson’s earlier works. The Lost Ticket is another heartwarming story, but it veered too far into chick lit for my taste. Here, an elderly man, suffering from early stage Alzheimer’s, tells a young woman on the bus about a chance meeting he had decades earlier with a woman that looked like her and how it changed his life. But he missed the opportunity to reconnect with this woman. So, Libby, the young woman, dealing with her own broken heart, decides to try and find this lost woman. She is joined in her mission by his caretaker and other individuals.
Sampson does a great job creating characters you want to spend time with. But, as the story goes on, it veers a little too far into the sappy and predictable. I was happiest when the story deals with Frank and less with Libby and her bad choices. Now here’s my quandary. do young women these days really have no idea about birth control and when their periods are due? Or is it an overused trope that so many female characters become unintentionally pregnant?
Other problems, that seem to be a constant in chick lit, are clichéd male characters (Simon) and predictable plot setups. You can count on the female lead having a misunderstanding with the (new) love of her life just as they realize they might be meant for each other. And it’s not giving anything away to say there will be a happy ever after ending. Fans of Hallmark movies will love this.

[MicheleReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank, a man in his 80s, has been searching for the woman who changed his life. In 1962, he met a spirited red-headed young woman on his local bus. The two had an immediate connection. An aspiring artist, she drew a quick portrait of him and gave Frank her name and number on the back of her bus ticket with plans to meet. She also encouraged him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. When he got home, he realized he had lost the ticket. Frank never saw the woman again. Decades later, after a career as an actor, Frank has never stopped looking for "his girl". He rides the same bus route hoping he'll see her again. On one ride, he meets Libby. She is about to turn 30 years old and has just been dumped by Simon, her boyfriend of eight years. Without a job and nowhere to live, she moves in temporarily with her sister and brother-in-law, helping with the care of her nephew. An unlikely friendship develops between Libby and Frank as Libby, with the help of his caregiver Dylan, an imposing man with tattoos and a mohawk, set out to find the girl Frank met on the bus all those years ago. 

The Lost Ticket completely captured my heart. Author Freya Sampson has created a lovely and moving story that brings together a group of people who provide love and support for one another at a time when they truly need it. It's also a page-turner that keeps the reader wanting to desperately know if Frank will ever find the woman he is searching for. I became very attached to all of the wonderful characters. I'm so glad I took a short break from thrillers and heavy historical fiction to read this touching book that tapped into so many emotions. 

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read this heartwarming book before its publication.

Review posted on MicheleReader.com. 

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

How sweet is this...Frank met a girl on Bus 88 60 years ago, and he is still looking for her.

They met and chatted, and Frank promised to call her, but he lost the ticket she wrote her phone number on.

He never forgot her and rides Bus 88 every day in hopes of finding his long, lost, red-haired love.

We then meet Libby who is coming to live with her sister.

Libby meets 80ish Frank, and he tells her his story. Libby is determined to help Frank find his lost love.

Libby also meets Dylan who is the grumpiest person she ever met, but he turns out to be Frank's caregiver.

How does that turn out?

Dylan and Libby become friends and embark on a journey to see if they can find Frank's lost love. Does this help them find love?

Dylan was a tough one, but you will fall in love with him and all the characters. Most are very sweet and endearing.

THE LOST TICKET is a very heartwarming and at times heart wrenching book that will have you in tears, but not sad tears.

You won't want to stop reading because you want to find out if they find Frank's lost love and if anything happens with Libby and tough Dylan.

LOVED this book.

If you need a sweet, uplifting read, this is it. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher for an honest review.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this beautiful story!! What a beautiful bittersweet ending! 💕

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is on my website https://bookread2day.wordpress.com/20...

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Girl on the 88 Bus. I would have given this book far more than 5 stars if I could have!

This is one of those splendid novels that has something to be glued to on every page. I loved how all the characters collided with each other in unexpected ways.

It’s true when authors say they was inspired to write a novel by a conversation that they hear.

This is exactly what happened to Freya Sampson, over hearing a librarian having a conversation with an 102 year-old person and a simple act of kindness that sparked Freya Sampson’s idea for this story.

The author knew she wanted to write a story about a brief conversation between two strangers that could change the course of someone’s life. And how, sixty years later, another conversation with a different stranger could lead to an extraordinary act of kindness.

The inspiration for the setting of the book on a London bus came to author Freya, while sitting on a bus.

This is my first novel by Freya Simpson that I have read. With my hand on my heart, The Girl On The 88 Bus is absolutely loveable, enjoyable, and a page-turner from beginning to end.

In 1962, Young Frank can’t help starring at a beautiful red haired girl who steps onto the number 88 bus at Clapham Common Station.

They both strike up a conversation. Frank tells the girl he wants to be an actor. The girl let’s Frank know that she lives in Clapham and goes to art school. Before the girl gets of at her stop she writes her telephone number on a ticket, but Frank has sadly lost the ticket.

For Sixty years Frank has got on the Clapham number 88 bus in hope that he will find the red haired girl that he met in his twenties.

Libby has been dump by her boyfriend and steps on the 88 bus to stay with her sister. By chance Frank meets Libby on the number 88 bus. He tells Libby about the girl in 1962 that he met, but lost the ticket that she wrote her number on and that he goes on the 88 bus looking for her.

Libby has a heart of gold and with the help of social media Libby has an idea how to help Frank find the girl he met on the same 88 bus sixty years ago.

My biggest shout out is buy yourself a copy of this book and I promise you won’t be able to put it down.

[Nat K · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chance meeting on the number 88 bus has Frank meeting the love of his life. Flame haired and feisty, she makes Frank realise in the short course of the trip that he has to live life to the fullest and to fulfil his dreams, not someone else's. They exchange numbers, but Frank somehow loses the slip of paper with this all important number. He spends the next sixty years thinking about her, hoping to catch one last glimpse of the girl who changed his life.

Fast forward to today, and flame haired Libby catches the 88 bus. Her life is in tatters, having recently split from her long-term partner. Having no job or place to live, she moves to London to stay with her sister. While on the 88 bus, Frank - a daily commuter - strikes up a conversation with Libby. An unlikely friendship develops, and Libby makes it her cause to somehow reunite Frank with his long lost love.

This is the perfect book to end 2023 with. Freya Sampson has turned out to be a wonderful surprise for me this year, having read The Last Library some months earlier. While sad situations occur to the main character/s in her novels, they always retain a sense of hope. They have a gentle air that things can turn around for the better. And while this isn't always the case in life, without hope you're completely lost. So here's to hope. And new friends. And new love. And old love. And being true to yourself. You never know what - or who - is waiting around the corner.

3.5 warm, huggable stars 🌟

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew a small idea from passing conversation would lead to a fantastic read?

From the beginning of this novel we are taken to 1962 where this man Frank at the age of 22 meets this vibrant woman. He was to meet her but he has lost his ticket. Of course he moves on with life however he always goes back to riding that bus in the hopes of finding her. When one day he bumps into this woman that looked like her, Libby. He retells this story of how this beautiful young lady had helped change the course of his life and he would love to thank her for it.
Libby, having a not so good time of life as it is herself has decided to help him find her and we get to be lucky enough to go along with them in this journey!

The beginning of this novel had automatically captured my attention. Not only is the plot unique, cute and interesting but the writing style is so warm and easy to read and follow where you would want to read it all day if you could.

Libby comes across a range of diverse characters, her sister Rebecca develops as a person, slightly that is. And the others she meets (I don’t want to give too much away) but it’s no surprise the way situations unfold to make life that extra bit complicated for Libby. This novel did have my eyes water in particular scenes towards the end. I really could not stop reading this. Hearing Peggy’s story and her narrative as well in the odd random chapter was that extra bit of colourful ness you love to have in a novel. They where so close and I thought this novel was going to be 100% predicable however it had a nice twist.

When it comes to giving birth I swear I must think in the traditional / correct way because from my experience it actually is 110% spot on. This quote in this novel:

“You youngers these days are so used to planning and controlling everything, and you approach giving birth in the same way, with your books and birth plans and all that malarkey. It’s nonsense (LOL proved to be very true! Thank god I never bothered with much of that)
…
Well, you can forget all that right now. A baby’s gonna come the way a baby wants to come, and there’s not much you can do besides lie back and let Mother Nature do her work”

Praise be indeed. Spot on advice.


I enjoyed this novel immensely with the way it is written, even the annoying characters such as Simon as it does help Libby to grow throughout this novel. A realistic novel with a realistic heart felt novel that will keep you wanting to know more!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me this novel in exchange for my honest review.

——————

Blog review:

https://clife.blog/2022/05/26/the-gir...

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.9
This is a very charming, endearing and uplifting story of how one story changes so many peoples lives in only the best way 💝
New in London, Libby is riding the number 88 bus to her sisters place. She meets an elderly man in his early 80's, Frank, who tells her his story of how he met a beautiful girl with red hair on the number 88 bus back in 1962. He continues to tell Libby how he had been riding this bus for 60 years trying to find her because she changed his life forever. Frank said that they were supposed to meet at The National Gallery of Art, only he lost the ticket with her name and number on it! Talk about dedication!! Turns out that Frank is in the beginning stages of Dementia. Moved by his story, Libby vows to do whatever it takes to find " his girl on the bus" before Frank forgets everything. Soon, Dylan, Frank's caregiver gets involved in the search. Everyone on the bus route wants to help find her because Frank has helped all of them over the years! Will they find this mysterious woman before time runs out??
Such a sweet story of the power of love, dedication, friendships and neighbors helping each other. I really enjoyed this book and it's a quick read that keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next! If you are looking for an uplifting story, then this is the book for you! I also loved Freya Sampson's first book The Last Chance Library! She is a wonderful author who writes unique books with lovable characters 😁
Happy Reading everyone!!! 📖💒🍀🚌

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby arrives in London with her life in disarray. The first person she meets is elderly Frank on the 88 bus. He is reminded, because of Libby’s red hair of the red haired girl he met on the 88 bus back in 1962. They made plans to meet and he was to ring her but fate had other plans. But that day changed Frank’s life. For sixty years Frank has been riding the 88 bus hoping to find her again. Inspired by his story, Libby makes it her mission to help Frank in his quest to find her. She is aided in her task by Frank’s unlikely carer. But the clock is ticking. They need to find the woman before Frank’s dementia takes hold and he is placed in a care home. Along the way Libby meets some interesting people and learns a lot about herself and others.
This is a charming, feel good story of friendship, family and life changing decisions that captured me from start to finish. Libby, Frank, Dylan and Esme are all likeable characters. As is the narrator Peggy who appears at times and has a part to play in the story.
A hopeful tale of how one life can be impacted by another for good. There is also the other side of the coin, lives impacted by other people’s imposing views and selfishness. A poignant, heartwarming story of love, friendship and family. I adored it from start to finish. A treat to indulge in but you might also want to keep tissues handy.