Verloren und Gefunden

Love in New York #1

by Elle Casey, Julia Becker (Translator)

Ein Verlobungsring ist schon eine außergewöhnliche Fundsache. Doch manchmal verlieren sich auch Menschen und müssen gefunden werden. Dafür brauchen sie nur eine große Portion Karma und die Magie Manhattans.

Leah ist ein New Age-Hippie und chronisch pleite. James ist ein wohlhabender Schönheitschirurg mit einem Treuhandfonds. Sie ist unbeholfen, er ist selbstsicher. Sie ist völlig verrückt, er ist viel zu normal. Man könnte meinen, die beiden hätten absolut nichts gemein, doch weit gefehlt. Sie leben beide in Manhattan, können beide keine Windeln wechseln und sind beide verloren … bis sie einander finden.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Humor, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Adult, Fiction

393 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Elle Casey, a former attorney and teacher, is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling American author who lives in France with her husband, the youngest of her three kids, and several horses, dogs, and cats. She has written more than 40 novels in less than 5 years and likes to say she offers fiction in several flavors. These flavors include romance, science fiction, urban fantasy, action adventure, suspense, and paranormal.

BOOKS BY ELLE CASEY
 (by genre):

ROMANCE 

By Degrees

Rebel Wheels (3-book series)
Just One Night (romantic serial)
Just One Week
Love in New York (3-book series)
Shine Not Burn (2-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Bourbon Street Boys (3-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Desperate Measures
Mismatched

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE 

All the Glory: How Jason Bradley Went from Hero to Zero in Ten Seconds Flat
Don’t Make Me Beautiful
Wrecked (2-book series), Book 1 also available as an Audiobook


 CONTEMPORARY URBAN FANTASY

 

War of the Fae (10-book series)
*Book 1, The Changelings, is a free ebook at most retailers*
Ten Things You Should Know About Dragons (short story, The Dragon Chronicles)
My Vampire Summer

Aces High



 SCIENCE FICTION
 

Drifters’ Alliance (3-book series +)
Winner Takes All (short story prequel to Drifters’ Alliance, Dark Beyond the Stars Anthology)
The Ivory Tower (short story standalone, Beyond the Stars: A Planet Too Far. A Space Opera Anthology)


 DYSTOPIAN

 

Apocalypsis (4-book series) *Book 1, Kahayatle, is a FREE ebook at most retailers*


 PARANORMAL
 

Duality (2-book series)
Monkey Business (short story)
Dreampath (short story, The Telepath Chronicles)
Pocket Full of Sunshine (short story & screenplay)

A personal note from Elle ...
If you've enjoyed any of my books, please take a moment to leave a review on the site where you bought the book, here on Goodreads, or on any book blogs you participate in, and tell your friends! I love interacting with my readers, so if you feel like shooting the breeze or talking about books or your family or pets, please visit me. You can find me at:
www.ElleCasey.com
www.Facebook.com/ellecaseytheauthor
www.Twitter.com/ellecasey
www.Instagram.com/Ellecaseyauthor

Want to get an email when my next book is released?
 Sign up here: www.E

Reviews

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 diamond ring stars



I had such a great laugh while reading it! It's completely silly and craaaaazy, but I did like it! FAB entertaining read.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad to give this a low rating because to me this book is not a romance. I didn't realize is actually a chicklit. This book is filled with wacky humor that make me groaned and roll my eyes instead of laughing. And the romance takes forever to happen and kinda rush towards the end. Sorry, just not for me.

[❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

Genre: General Romance/Chick Lit
Cover: 6/10
Writing: 7/10
Heroine: 6/10
Hero: 6/10
Humour: 5/10
Hotness: 1/10
Romance: 3/10
Extra book Details: Heroine & Hero POV; 1st person. Stand Alone. Approx 370 kindle pages.

MINOR SPOILERS





I think the biggest downfall with Lost & Found for me was the fact that there was hardly any romance. The romance didn't actually kick off until near enough 240 pages in.

So it broke down to:
1st 35% was the heroine's POV. This involved her in all her crazy, finding a ½ a million dollar ring then interacting with a bunch of side characters whilst trying to find out the rings owner. And accidentally bumping into the hero a few times.
2nd 35% was the hero's POV. His family troubles and also seeing him accidentally bump into the heroine from his POV, which had the same outcome.
The last 30% or so kicked off the romance.

The characters were okay... I suppose. Heroine was mildly entertaining, the usual Elle Casey heroine = batty.

I don't know, I was just less than impressed with it all. And after rating all of her Rebel series and Just One Night serials a 3 star each, I don't think I'll be reading any of Ms Casey's future books, she's not for me.

[Taz-xo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too boring to continue. The characters were also really annoying which didn't help matters.

The female lead seems to be a compulsive liar making up ridiculously stupid lies for god knows what reason, when she could simply tell the truth. Once she's told her lie, she always seems to become a sweaty Betty and break out in hives. But does she learn her lesson? No. Now I'm not normally a violent or aggressive person but honestly, I just wanted to hit her. Repeatedly.



It was like the author was trying really hard to be funny except her 'jokes' just went over my head and I found the whole thing stupid.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and really liked it but didn't love it. It was hilariously funny and I really liked the characters but it took forever to get to the romance portion of this story and when it finally did it was so rushed and then the book ended. The story was interesting, I really liked the setup and character development but would've liked to have seen a little more in the James and Leah section. I'm hoping the other books in this series are about James family members. Even though this wasn't a full 5 star book for me, I do recommend it to anyone who loves a romantic comedy. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5-makes-me-feel-fluffy-starr




I just love the idea of lost and found.
You lost something and you found something much greater than what you lost.

Dr. James "Boo" Oliver:


He's just so "ugh". He's kinda funny is a serious way. Love the way he go crazy whenever Le3ah is around.

Leah "Betty" Carmichael


Ever had a character who's crazy and endearing? That's Leah. Well, she's insane and caring so hands down to you girl.

*Looking forward to the next installment*

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞]

kindle freebie 9/16/16

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Lov...

[Coco.V]

FREE on Amazon today (10/4/2017)!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun read!! Definitely a great book to cuddle up with during my vacation.

The antics will make your head spin a bit, but you can't help but laugh, snort, giggle and get hooked from the water fountain all the way to the end with the thermometer.

I am looking forward to the next installment of this series!!

[Desi · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 estrellas

ME ENCANTÓ. ME ENCANTÓ. ME ENCANTÓ!!

Jajajajajaja me reí demasiado con esta historia, la prota está loca pa la ñoña! jajaja

Pero los POV de ambos están buenísimos.... lo recomiendo!!

Lo disfruté desde el principio al final, y sí, aunque la historia de amor entre Leah y James es muy instalove y algo apresurada, no me molestó e igual disfruté la lectura....
Lo que creo que le faltó fue un epílogo.

Ahora el siguiente libro, que trae al hermano de James, Jeremy, no creo que lo vaya a leer, no me gustaría verlo enamorándose de otra persona y todo cuando no puede ni ver a su propia hija porque, imagino, le recuerda a su difunta esposa a la que amó con todo su corazón.... además que tiene malas críticas jajaja
Pero el libro de Jana si me gustaría leerlo

SINOPSIS:

A veces los anillos de compromiso pueden perderse y luego encontrarse. A veces, también se puede con la gente. Todo lo que se necesita es una fuerte dosis de karma y la magia de Manhattan para hacer que todo se reúna.

Leah es una hippie sin nada económicamente. James es un cirujano rico con un fondo fiduciario. Ella es torpe, él está preparado. Ella está completamente loca, él está demasiado cuerdo. La gente puede decir que no tienen nada en común, pero podrían estar equivocados. Ambos viven en Manhattan, no tienen ni idea de cómo cambiarle el pañal a un bebé y están perdidos… hasta que se encuentran el uno al otro.

[Bella' · Rating 4 out of 5]

El Señor de los anillos versión comedia jajaja😂😂😂😂😂

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you believe in Karma? How about destiny?

This book is kind of like a mix of Serendipity and Airplane!






Perfect combo, right?

At first the humor was a little too goofy and cheesy for my taste.
I like funny, but this was a little out there!
Regardless, I pressed on.

And I'm SO glad I did.
There were some serious laugh out loud moments for me!!
The baby blow out was one of the funniest ever!

Most of the outrageousness came from Leah. She is quite a character!
The chapters in her pov were filled with absolutely crazy antics.
Chapters in James's pov were more tender and endearing.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters and what they brought into the mix.

Along with all the silliness and laughter, sweet and touching moments rounded out this RomCom making it a pretty entertaining read!

In the end, there's a moral to this story....

"Sometimes Fate just has a plan for us and all we can do is follow it."

I do believe in Fate and that everything happens for a reason.
And now I want to know what happens with James's brother Jeremy!

Bring on book #2!!

*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

FREE September 9-13
AMAZON US
AMAZON UK

Read more at Judy's Confessions

[Suleika Santana -All About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED it! Wasn't even planning on one clicking it or reading it today but after I read the sample I was hooked. This story is super funny. I loved the characters specially Leah, she was definitely something else, a bit on the crazy side but I loved her. I also loved James (Dr. Oliver) even if he gives the impression of being an arrogant jerk, he is definitely not one.
Story told in dual point of view and I was very glad the author did that because I got to know the real James, the nice and loving James.
All the things that happen in the story are so funny, and all because of a ring (an engagement ring)
There is also a baby involved and lots of funny parts happen because of the baby.
I loved all the side characters except for Veronica and Hillary but you can't always like them all and they were the villains (kind of anyway).
There were a few twists that I did not see coming and I have to say that even though I normally dislike the kind of ending from this story (I cannot say what happened without a big spoiler so I won't) I was happy the author went with that ending. It's a HEA and what I call a HEA with a bonus. Normally I don't care for this type of bonus but I loved it, I guess it does depend on the story to be able to like it or not.
I think Leah and James made a great couple and even if there wasn't a whole lot of romance in the story there was enough to make me love their story.
Will definitely recommend to my friend and to anyone interested in a good story that will make you laugh a few times.

[Flocharda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deberían ponerle un altar al bendito anillo!

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

I feel like this book was trying to be too many things at once: zany comedy, romance, family drama, crime story...and so the tone was all over the place. There were parts that I liked and parts that didn't work.

The book is in three parts: Leah's POV, James POV, and then Leah and James alternating POV. The first and second parts cover the same ground, which I usually hate, but to be fair, there is very little repeated because James and Leah don't actually interact very much until the third section.

The first part (Leah's POV) was my least favorite. Leah is 28, dresses like a hippy/flower child, and works part time selling essential oils. How she can afford living in Manhattan (even in a crap hole apartment) working part time (at minimum wage) is never explained. Nor is why she doesn't have at least another part time job. She finds a huge engagement ring and spends much of the book trying to get it back to its owner so she won't be cursed with bad Karma. There are some funny parts here, I did laugh several times, but Leah is just so strange. And even though the author tries to pull it off, Leah doesn't come as quirky/cute strange, just weird. And maybe crazy. Like someone you'd see on the street and cross to the other side to avoid. Her brief interactions with James are funny, but I didn't sense much chemistry between them. She's just too weird! (If you've ever watched the HBO show Girls, Gabby Hoffman, who plays Adam's crazy sister is who I think of when I picture Leah.)

James comes across during his brief appearances in Leah's part as someone who's got a stick up his ass. He seems arrogant and snobby. But surprise! The second section with his POV is my favorite part of the book. He's a really good guy. A plastic surgeon who's dedicated to his job and a really loving brother who is worried about his family. After his brother's wife died (leaving a newborn baby behind) his brother fell to pieces (drinking, drugs) and James is trying to help him and help his sister who stepped up to help raise their niece. He does seem to have the good sense to question his attraction to Leah, but he can't stop thinking about her.

The third section goes from sweet (them taking care of the baby) to zany (more weird back and forth about the ring) to dark (someone is stalking Leah now) to simply WTF (the whole thing with Ralph and Mel was just bizarre, and I felt like it was explained too hastily). Leah and James don't even get romantic until the book is nearly finished, and when they do we get a few kisses and then...she's tied to the headboard? Again, the tone seemed off. And to be honest, Leah came across as one of those women who doesn't do much in the way of personal grooming and with James making his living off of people who want to look perfect, I was expecting some zany shenanigans instead of light bondage.

And I had to give the ending a serious side eye. Leah and James haven't been together for long enough to explain that ending.

[M.M. Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

She: Leah, 29, completely broke, one step before homelessness, her purse is empty but her heart full of love for life and hope for something that will change her luck. Well, it's not that darn ring she found in the fountain!

He: James, 39, the go-to plastic surgeon for celebrities. A tragic event messed up his orderly life, and he's shouldered family responsibilities that don't fit. He's doing his best to help out, but everything seems to fall apart. Yet his mind keeps going back to the obviously crazy, hippy chick that keeps bumping into him.

Conflict: It's the most unlikely duo I've read. A frazzled, juju-believing, totally disorganized woman and a put-together, career-oriented professional clash (literally) and find each other with a huge karmic boost.

Setting: Modern-day Manhattan. From highbrow surgeon offices and Cartier sales people to the ailing homeless and eighties Bronx castoffs, it's a vibrant mix.

Chemistry: Very slow building. It's the case where logic says WTF? but your gut says "go for it and you won't be sorry". As the protagonists' relationship comes toward the end of the book, I expected a low heat or glossed-over come together, but, no, they go down with a bang!

The good stuff: This story is structured in a very original way. The first third is from Leah's point of view; in the second third, we rewind to the beginning of the story, and see James' life, and in the last third, one chapter is Leah, the next James. The voices are very distinct. Leah's is roll-on-the-floor hilarious, James more serious, matching his grave situation, so the middle part of the book is more somber. I loved the change of pace, and how complete the story felt told from both sides. The characters are full-fleshed and fully developed, real, relatable and loveable. The secondary characters are just awesome. The wit, especially in the first third of the book, deserves a prize. I can't remember laughing so hard, staring at my Kindle.

The other stuff: Nothing important, really. Maybe the fact that there was a rewind when James took over, and we got to re-see the two of them bump into each other, knowing how that would play out, took some of the excitement away. The middle part of the book doesn't push the story forward; it's just retold. I'm not sure if having alternating voices in each chapter from the beginning wouldn't work better. But, if that's the author's personal style, I'm game.

The bottom-line: Excellent book. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll swoon (bare-chested guy holding a baby? Swoon!) you'll never regret reading this.

I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lustful Literature]

**BETH'S REVIEW**

Rating: DNF 38%

I am a woman who loves a man in a suit so when I got a glimpse of the cover of Lost & Found, it definitely caught my eye enough that I decided to check out the synopsis. Leah is a bit of a hippy who meets a surgeon, Dr. Oliver, and somehow an engagement ring plays a part of it all. It sounded good and it sounded different, too many times reading synopsis it’s like reading the same thing, just different names, different cities, different jobs but same premise to the book. So seeing that it was different and having not read anything by Elle Casey and love finding new authors to read, I decided to pick this one up.

This one started in Leah’s POV, it was slow and she was a bit all over the place but being a hippy I kind of expected it and decided to keep on reading. The further I got into the book the more it was all over the place and the more farfetched as she began to tell more and more lies in order to get Dr. Oliver’s lost ring to back to him and I still wasn’t connecting. I decided to stick things out, I am not one to give up on a book to early and knowing that it would switch to James’ POV I wanted to keep reading to see if the story would pick up and engage me by getting it from his POV. Sadly by 38% I decided to go no further and DNF, I couldn’t connect with the characters, the story wasn’t engaging me at all and , both were just starting annoy me and I just couldn’t spend any further time trying to make this book work for me, just wasn’t my type of story.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it! As always Elle Casey's writing hooked you right in and making you stay in place till the last page.

I guess I was hoping for more. More laughter, more swoon worthy moments, more sweets, more characters build up, more solutions to the end, and just more.

The story has good build up and gives a lot of background story that making you hope to see how things will play our towards the end. But left with feeling it's all rushed and patched up conveniently and seal it with HEA stamp.

It also has a feel of Sophie Kinsella meet pretty woman and mix of dharma and Greg into it.

Nothing is wrong with it... But I guess I just expecting more and feels like the story left me hanging a bit. It was good but not great.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an interesting story. A ring has been lead to all come together. Because of the ring, Leah found her man, her uncle even her twin brother. So does James.

Even I am wondering if it is true that too many good people in New York? A poor lady like Leah, when she found out she had a half million dollars ring, she doesn’t want to keep and sell it, she did try her best to locate the owner? Leah has her difficulties to pay her rent but she still gives her money to the homeless? The shop owner where Leah’s work, it is difficult to keep her business but she still offer a job to Leah? Are they real? Especially in the big city like New York? I am wondering.

Anyway, it is a story full of fun lines and you may laugh while you are reading.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beach Read? Only if you like descriptions of standing in dog pooh and trying to clean it off your shoes, and then mention of period cycles. Not what I want to read while on holiday. Leah comes over as immature, stupid and more unpleasantly - someone who thinks only of herself.

DNF when I read ( re: the 'period' discussion:) 'Or you've just noticed no toilet-paper-wrapped packages in the bathroom trash.'

NO. Periods are a fact of life, but that was just ................EEEEEEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUW

[Amanda Grooms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what this book was about before I read it-- it was a free book on Amazon that I found on BookBub. It was really interesting trying to see what was going to happen when I had no clue what to expect. I found this to be a really fun book-- very random, but fun too. The premise was actually pretty depressing, even though the humor did shine through, but if the attraction between the two leads didn't work out, things were looking pretty bad for her! I'm glad everything worked out in the end. :)

[GTR33GURL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I loved the crazy banter between James and Leah it was certainly funny fate kept throwing them back together all because of this ring James threw into the fountain there love came on fast but when YA know YA know lol fate karma whatever but they were meant to be the only thing I didn't like was the first 30% was Leah POV then the next 30% was James POV but repeating what I've just read pet peeve of mine the rest was in dual POV 4 stars!!!!

[SaN~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the story. Cute, crazy, sweet, hilarious, heartwarming, all in one package. Laughed out loud a lot reading it. Don't expect too much hot scenes here because you will be disappointed. I waited for so so long for it to happen. But then without it the story itself had been so good. Totally recommended for those who needed a good dose of laughter.

[Antonella · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is what I call a romantic comedy book!!

Laugh out loud...
so much fun...
feel good book...
this was such a fun book that made me laugh and I found all characters, especially our main couple very loveable.. i love how opposite they were

reread book for sure when I am in the mood for some lighthearted and feelgood story

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious and abstrus and totally over the top - but it was also one of the best books I've read lately. My face still aches from all the smiling and laughing and people were looking funny at me when reading it on the bus this morning and evening when I couldn't stop myself from snorting with laughter. A ludicrous story about two people on a mission getting rid of an extraordinarily expensive engagement ring: Leah, poor and struggling to make ends meet - James, a rich doctor who has so much money, he throws a five hundred thousand dollar ring into a fountain just to get rid of it.

One would think when a poor girl finds such a treasure, she keeps it or at least tries to after she is told to keep it but Leah is on a mission and dead set on getting the ring back to the owner - whatever it takes - or die trying. But she never met someone like James who is just as stubborn as Leah and she had to be very, VERY creative to find a way to return the ring.

While Leah is poor, she never gives up and finds always the bright sides of life. Even though she cannot pay her rent, she still gives the homeless guy Mel some money so he can buy a coffee. She is outgoing and loud and a real hippy girl who works part-time at an esoteric shop. When she finds this ring by accident, she immediately decides to find the rightful owner and return it even if she could really use the money this thing is worth but she is now on a mission and nobody will stop her until the ring has been returned. Even this strange guy who she keeps running into all the time, this cute but annoying hot guy.

James is a doctor, a plastic surgeon whose family was hit by a tragedy and is still reeling from the shock. When the woman the ring was intended for makes a move on his brother, he ends it and together with his drunk brother throws the ring away as he sees it at the root to all evil as the intended receiver is an evil bitch. But he never stood a chance against Leah and her determination and creativity to return the blasted thing and soon he never wants to resist her.

Leah's attempts to return the ring was a blast! I never laughed so much even though it was totally over exaggerated but it was still very funny and I was highly entertained and could hardly put my kindle away. The story was heartwarming and cute and I highly recommend it if you need a real good laugh. I'm looking forward to the next books about James' siblings and hope we get a glimpse about how Leah and James fare as new parents. I was laughing to hard when they hosed down baby Callie. This book was so much fun!! Thank you, Elle Casey.

[Barbara Lemieux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story line

Not a fan of the repetition of the story to show the perspective of each character. This could have been done without repeating the scenes. Otherwise good reading. A little predictable but fun

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

7% in is all I can take 🫣

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a weird book... It's a more mellow 50 Shades of Grey without BDSM and add a whole lot of humor. I was laughing so hard at this book!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muuuuy lento al inicio, casi lo dejo, pero en la tercer parte por fin tomó ritmo!

[Andrea B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. Story of serendipity. I had a hard time relating to the female lead but she was still likable.