Sasha Melody

The Lost and Found #3

by Cathy Cassidy

Après le succès de leur clip sur Internet, les Lost & Found sont plus motivés que jamais ! Surtout lorsque leur mentor leur propose de travailler avec lui en studio. Mais Sasha, la chanteuse, a de plus en plus de mal à faire face. Elle est victime de malaises dont elle n'ose parler à personne, sauf à Matt, qui a rejoint le groupe en tant que photographe et qui ne tarde pas à la séduire. Pourra-t-elle compter sur lui lorsque la pression deviendra trop forte et que sa place sera remise en cause ?

Genres: Romance, Mental Health, Disability, Middle Grade, Music, Friendship, Contemporary

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

I was born in 1962 in Coventry (scarily ancient, I know). I wrote my first picture book for my little brother when I was eight or nine. I loved making comics, too - pages and pages of picture stories, features and competitions.

I went to Art College in Liverpool, then got a job as fiction editor on the fab and legendary Jackie magazine.

I have worked as agony aunt on Shout magazine and also as an art teacher in the local primary & secondary schools, as well as as a freelance illustrator. These days, I am a full-time author.

I love my family, I love living in the middle of nowhere and I love my work. Of all my jobs, writing has to be the best - it's the perfect excuse to daydream, after all!

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha's Secret is beautiful and no one can convince me otherwise. It depicts the story of a teen with worries and cares that many of us have experienced at one point. I loved how real the story was and that it included issues that are so important to talk about. Types of seizures within epilepsy aren't often talked about so I love the inclusion of a seizure type that is very easily missed. Cathy also really captures the mentality of a young person going through any mental health issue in the way that Sasha perceives it. The story opens your eyes to what can really hide behind the face of someone everyone thinks is perfect. Everyone needs to read this. It doesn't matter how old you are!

[Kym Payne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contains possible spoilers.

I debated whether or not to actually write this review, after some discussions with other bloggers and seeing/hearing that I'm not the only person with this opinion... It felt okay to do so.

Sasha's Secret is a big improvement on the first two books in the Lost & Found. Overall it is better written and is more enjoyable to read. Hence the 3 star rating.

However... It does feel like Cathy wants to write more hard hitting topics. But either, doesn't have the courage to explore them properly with depth or isn't allowed to because of her publisher. I've noticed this before with her writing, she mentions subjects but never explores them completely with depth. They are glossed over and it never shows the true importance of the subject. As readers we want more emotive language, we want to feel what is happening. If you are going to explore a subject, do it properly. I really felt this with the LGBT character earlier in the series. It feels like these things get mentioned because they are popular and draw people to the book, but actually once you read the book. You sorta feel like "what's the point."
From the description of the book, you think that anxiety is going to be the main focus point, it's mentioned repeatedly, yes. But you don't feel for Sasha in that sense because it is glossed over by an epilepsy storyline. You could argue that it's due to the age group she writes for, but many other children's/pre-teen authors have managed it, and managed it well. Children need it how it is if they are going to connect with it fully.

Add more depth to your hard hitting topics Cathy, just dive in and do it. The readers don't want the flowery cover ups.

[Etty Carson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Cathy Cassidy books and I'm pretty sure I've read nearly all of them by now (the chocolate box girls are my favourites 🍫😆) so I was waiting for ages to read this like I was literally going into the bookshop every day in case it was in early (it was)
As soon as I got it I started reading and it was a little disappointing 😒

So I read love from Lexie and Sami's silver lining and I don't know if I'm right but I feel like the lost and found series is kind of gradually getting worse?
Like I really liked love from Lexie (also the cover is really pretty and I liked the title) but I feel like it would have worked as a stand alone because next book we get is called SAMI'S SILVER LINING I mean maybe that's just my opinion but that kind of sounds like the title of a picture book

Anyway next book is called Sasha's secret and the description online sounded pretty good (even if the title sounds like the name of an anti bullying video they show 8 year olds in school )so I read it

So there was definitely some of the book I liked but it wasn't the best ,the ending was kind of stupid and it just wasn't really the same as Cathy's other books

☹️

[karolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good but idk I just preferred the other books in the series! Just not my fav!

[Ruthie Dearden-Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!

[Jay_Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good, but I felt like something was missing. I loved Sami’s Silver Lining and Sasha’s story just didn’t cut it for me. I did enjoy reading it, but not as much as I hoped. Now whether I just had high expectations or it, I’m not sure.

I much admit I loved the crossover! Seeing the Tanberry family again was amazing and I really have missed them. In the first book, I hoped we’d have a crossover with Jake being there and now we had one.

I didn’t really like the way anxiety was written. It just didn’t feel real at some points, which was really disappointing because I suffer from anxiety and the way Cathy Cassidy presented Summer’s anorexia was really relatable and real so I expected the anxiety to be more realistic.

[Book_dreamer10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très bonne lecture.
La plume est vraiment jolie, simple et addictive
Cette auteure est une valeur sûre pour moi.
Les sujets abordés sont importants mais tout de même adapté à un public assez jeune.
J'ai adoré tout l'univers de la musique, et une autre thématique que j'ai très peu lu.
Les personnages sont attachants et très chou.
J'ai adoré les illustrations à chaque chapitre. Elles sont jolies et variées
Ce roman est vraiment tout doux, sans prise de tête. Il est rapide et addictif.

[Feline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the author was pretty good in explaining the zone out moments Sasha was going through but I some how hoped to have seen more of how she was coping with her anxiety and the relationship developing between her and Jack. Furthermore the book was easy too read in comparison that English is not my first language and the chapters where not too long.

[Amelie Place · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathy Cassidy is one of my favourite authors so I obviously love this book SO much!! I highly recommend this book!!

[Berthouse Ona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le livre est très bien. La fin ma un peu déçu. Je trouve ça dommage que Sasha parte du groupe. J'espère que dans Phoenix Melody elle reviendra.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha feels pressured, at home her life isn't perfect as her parents argue a lot and there's always an air or tension around. At school, she gets to hang out with her friends and after of course too at band practise but she is trying to hide a huge secret, her absence see which remain undiagnosed through the first half of the book.



As Matt a wannabe news reporter comes along with the Lost & Found band as they head away to record their debut EP, she can't keep faking she's ok being around everyone 24/7 and soon enough Jake notices what's up...



With boy drama and figuring out her dreams for the future in this book Sasha has a lot to face.



I was surprised to discover absence seizures as I've never ever heard them mentioned before and especially in this book it was inspired by Cathy's daughter Cait and her struggle with the condition and it's especially great that's the reason they're included. I also loved the fact that The Chocolate Box series tied in to this new story with Jake being involved and didn't realise it was that Jake at first! Sasha was a genuine and great teen girl character dealing with a lot of issues in all aspects of her life which is super relatable, Matt was the perfect villain and I sussed the way the story would go and it was executed very well indeed!



I can't wait for the next instalment in this series now!

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Cathy Cassidy book is always a huge treat, and the 3rd in the Lost and the Found series is no exception. It follows the band`s lead singer Sasha, as their rising star starts to take its toll on her in the form of anxiety and mysterious blackouts, and things reach their boiling point when their mentor Ked invites them to Devon for a week. Sasha, like all of Cathy`s main characters, is wonderful and I loved seeing her point of view- the way that this series works is that that each book is both about an individual and the band`s progress, and it`s always so fun getting to learn more about someone who was a side character in the book before. I also especially loved the romance, which is one of my favourites that Cathy has ever written, and the rest of the band. The thing I loved most, though, was definitely getting to see certain people I hadn`t expected to when I started- it made me so happy and emotional. I`m already so looking forward to the next in the series, especially as I don`t yet know which band member it`ll focus on. 5/5

[lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was an interesting book, and I quite enjoyed the crossover with the Chocolate Box girls- but then again, when do I not? However, I do think the blurb was quite misleading. It talked about anxiety, and naturally I thought it was going be about her having that anxiety but instead it ended up being about her epilepsy. I do hope that in the future, Cathy can be more accurate with her stories' descriptions.

[Becca 💕 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely the weakest of The Lost & Found series. I found it difficult to invest in. I figured out fairly early in the book that she had epilepsy. The book is a series of anxious build ups, epilepsy is triggered, she decides not to do anything about it, repeat. The start of each new cycle was tedious because you know nothing has changed and it’s going to start all over again. I definitely appreciated the inclusion of The Chocolate Box Girls characters though!

[Célia Roussel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce livre m'a fait réfléchir. J'ai beaucoup aimé comment elle a commencé petit a petit a se méfier de Matt. Matt m'a vraiment énervé pendant le livre. L'article dans le journal il a abusé. Je ne m'attendais pas à ce que Sasha ai cette maladie, je suis triste pour elle. Je suis aussi contente que l'autrice au fait allusion aux filles aux chocolats avec Jake qui est leur demi frère. J'ai beaucoup aimé ce clin d'œil.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really sweet! It has the perfect amount of drama, angst and heartwarming resolutions to keep me reading - and get me out of my (almost year-long) reading slump! The stories are filled with interesting and well-rounded characters whose stories kept me intrigued. Definitely something I will be recommending - it's perfect for middle grade readers!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although it’s fairly underrated. I love how sensitive this book is, and how it’s kind of gentle and serious at the same time. Also Jake. Jake is great. Where can I find myself a Jake? I was sad to see less of Lexie, Bex, Marley, and Sami, however the focus on Sasha, Romy and Jake is nice. I felt like Matt was kind of too obvious, and I didn’t feel the attraction between him and Sasha, but oh well, I still love it:

CW: Mental health issues, a potentially scary hospital vignette, Sasha worries about her parents shouting at each other, verbal bullying and fat-shaming, mild sexual assault (a nonconsensual, unwanted kiss), runaway teenagers

[Emilia Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After about one year of only reading for school, I wanted to get back into reading for fun and was looking for a book that would intrest me. This book is one of my favourites it had so many clif hangers and it intrests me a lot. Sashas anxiety relates to me and even if it stressed me out a bit i couldnt stop reading for 1 second it was a great way to get back into reading.

[Johanna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that I like about Cathy Cassidy's books is that she deals with real world problems so she can really connect with her books to the teen and pre-teen audience. This book dealt with issues such as anxiety and identity. I hope to see more of the lost and found in the future!

[Lydia Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the character of Sasha, she felt realistic to me. Knocked a star off as there were two problems Sasha's character was struggling with and neither were explored properly. Preferred book 2 of the series.

[Haneen Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very beautiful and heart-touching. I could really understand the way Sasha felt and I loved how they mentioned the chocolate box girls. Was kinda disappointed that Sasha didn't end up playing the keyboard instead. Great book though.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book

[EdenB15 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best and most interesting book in the series

[Gia Goliath · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book deserves 6 stars. highly recommend to pre-teens and teens. this book is really relatable.

[Romanebooks_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai adoré ce tome, pour l’instant c’est mon préféré (je n’ai pas encore lu phœnix Mélody). Les sujets abordés sont hyper intéressant, il y’a un fond de romance avec un personnage de la saga « les filles au chocolat » et j’ai trouvé ça trop bien de retrouvé toutes les sœurs le temps d’un chapitre mais dans un autre livre. Je ne m’attendais pas à la fin mais je ne suis certainement pas déçu.

[Bethany Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and heart wrenching story! 🥲

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It gave me tingles. I loved it so much, I wrote a narrative based on its plot.

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*

Personally, this is my least favourite of the Lost and Found series. Despite the fact that Cathy attempts to explore the struggles that Sasha is experiencing- absent seizures and anxiety - honestly, the whole book itself just felt a bit rushed. It felt rushed with it all revealed at the end, added with the revelation that Sasha's concern over the gleaned growing tension between her parents was, in fact, because her Mum was pregnant, and the arguments she remembered between her parents a few years ago had to do with a miscarriage. I kind of wish this had been built up to throughout the book, or at least not all lumbered together.

I did love that this book more directly links the series back to 'The Chocolate Box Girls', but here again, the visit to Tanglewood just felt too brief and rushed, as the whole end of the book felt, to be honest.

I wish that the topic of absent seizures and anxiety had perhaps been covered differently or was in more depth, as I feel this could have been more impactful. Having suffered with anxiety myself, I did not think that it was truly represented in this book, which is such a shame as usually, Cathy does such an excellent job at writing about complex topics in a way that goes into just enough depth such that it raises awareness of it, but does it in a way that is suitable for pre-teen and teenage readers.

Having said that, the book was overall really good. I love reading books by Cathy, and I loved the relationship explored between Sasha and Jake, as well as Sasha's discovery of her true passion. I appreciate that even if she has to step down as lead singer she is still part of the Lost & Found group.