Lost and Found

by Chloë Rayban

To hold something and turn it round in your hand, knowing that someone else, long ago, has run their fingers along these same curves and edges. It makes you wonder who they were, what their lives were like and what became of them. When Julia found objects lost or hidden or buried in her French manoir, they set her on a quest to learn their stories. The facts she uncovered changed her own life in a way she could hardly have envisaged.

Genres: Romance, France, British Literature, Fiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2015

About the author

Pseudonym of Carolyn Bear

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. A solid, decent well-crafted romance story with just enough tension to keep me engaged. Lovely characters and a great setting. I particularly liked the fact that the author didn't overload the reader with unnecessary details about the father or the rest of the family.

Full of rich descriptions and great dialogue. I struggled little with the 'flashbacks' - I find those in any book difficult to get my head round (my fault, not the author's) but the writing was lovely.

[Eleanor Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Within a Story

Julia is elected by her two sisters to look at the centuries old mansion that her father purchased shortly before his death. They want to sell it to finance their own lives and want to know what can be done to spiff it up. Julia falls in love with the house as soon as she sees it's grandeur and the beautiful French countryside that it occupies.

Julia still grieves for the loss of her father her crumbled relationship after the ectopic pregnancy that leaves her barren and being passed over by an incompetent man then finally being cut from her job. Throwing herself into repair and visions of making the home her own ads the joy of finding historical items that begin to tell the tale of the homes past residents. Life takes a turn for the better including an on again off again romance with her neighbor Jaques Ladier. He is a handsome rough man with a penchant for arrogance and pride but leaves her feeling fiercely protected.

The tale begins to move into the lovely pace of the French life. Work well done, food enjoyed, friends appreciated and supported and love trusted and shared without reservation. Past and present seem to run in parallel and the lessons learned come naturally together. This is a story lovingly told without treacle or force. Beautiful.

[A D MANN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blissful escapism!

A lovely romantic read about falling in love with both a house and a man. The book sweeps one up in the story of the enigmatic characters who have lived in a special house and gives you a real sense of how a house can help shape destinies . A great read to curl up with.

[Andreea Micu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the book included both the story of Julia and of the people who lived at the La Mulatiere before her, going as back as the 18th century. This gave the reader the opportunity to dive not only into the history of France but also of the Mulatiere family, and the way those events impacted them. I loved everything about it, the perfect book to start the new year :)

[barry dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyably good read.

Satisfying and enjoyable storyline which was well told and had a good conclusion and did not disappoint. Recommended to anyone who likes history interwoven with the present and future plus an amazing setting. Escapism and romance in abundance.

[Mary Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The search for the French property and subsequent discoveries of artifacts in the house were so authentic and I felt I could almost see and Touch them .The history of France and the revolution was so informative I learnt a great deal and sat up very late each night reading this .Most enjoyable.

[Carolyn Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this author been all my life? Lost & Found is one of the best books I've ever read. So beautifully written; I was instantly transported into Julia's world. I can't wait for Chloe Rayban to write another one!
Leo Bear


For those who love France, fantasy property, history and a touch of mystery this book ticks all the boxes. Engagingly written and wryly observed I could not put it down!
Gloria Wood



Entrancing, elegant & utterly romantic... I started reading this book on the Eurostar back from Paris and honestly didn't want it to end. It fulfils every fantasy you've ever had about reinventing your life - finding a crumbling chateau, moving to the French countryside and falling in love with a gorgeous Frenchman. It's also beautifully written, astonishingly well-researched, and historically gripping. I'm recommending this to every one I know - and plotting my own escape to France!
Gorgeous Tiger

[Alison Rakotonirina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended on a Facebook page I follow as an expat living in France. I figured I'd give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a light, fun read, but well written with a well developed main character. I fell in love with the storyline, my only complaint is the book ended too soon!

[C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started out loving this book and falling in love with the house along with the MC, but then I got tired of her being the only character ,and there was far, far, far too much French words! I cannot pronounce French and do not know the definitions, so it totally destroyed any flow to the story, and I gave up at about 30%.

[Linda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Enjoyed the history behind the book and how it affected the future generations. A love story somewhat but more of a life changing experience

[Pamalama Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a wonderful enough book. I enjoyed reading it when I was, but I wasn't drawn back to it to read late into the night. It's still a great read and I would recommend it to others.