The Lost Guide to Life and Love

by Sharon Griffiths

Follow food writer Tilly Flint as she discovers her roots, her sense of adventure and the secret to happiness in this timeless, inventive tale for fans of Eva Rice and Elizabeth Noble.Do the answers to Tilly Flint's future lie in her past?In a nightclub full of the rich and famous, a glamorous model leaps from a window and escapes into the night. Food writer Tilly Flint - on a rare date with boyfriend Jake - is sole witness to her flight. Little does she know the chain of events set to unfold…The following week, Tilly and Jake have the last of many arguments, leaving Tilly alone in the wild Pennines landscape where she's on assignment. Terrified yet strangely exhilarated, she investigates the area - and finds more than a few surprises.Intrigued to learn that, as an only child, she has family in the area, Tilly starts to dig deeper, discovering her great grandmother's past and the eerie parallels with her own life. As she explores the treacherous moors, she stumbles across mysterious pieces of cherry-red ribbon. What do they signify? And who is the strangely familiar face in the local pub?Then a chance encounter with celebrity Clayton Silver leads Tilly into a high-octane world that spells danger. Can the ribbons from the past be a lifeline in the present?

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be my favourite Chick Lit. Well written, and the characters so believable, for once the main character wasn't a complete ninny.

[Lorna Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect summer read with a brilliant ending for all.  Tilly Flint is a bit lost romantically, her floundering relationship dies leaving her surprisingly happy to be alone and far from her city life.  Tilly embraces all that the remote moors offer in the rented house that is linked with her family history.  I love that the very distant past is periodically brought into light and the delightful way both past and present tie together.  This is a treat to read and I was delighted with Tilly's sense of adventure, bravery and determination.

[Danielle Theule · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was at first turned off by the cover, thinking it would be a cheesy romance. Then I was drawn into the story by the first few chapters and changed my opinion. I loved the concept of a woman finally dumping her mediocre boyfriend and discovering her own independence, strength and character, particularly while set against the beautiful backdrop of the isolated English countryside. When she meets Clayton, it then felt like a Wattpad story - a famous footballer suddenly arriving in the middle of nowhere and sweeping her and her friend off to high end hotels and prestigious celebrity events? She declares to herself that she has no interest and won't allow such an arrogant man to dictate her actions, but that's all it is - words. She ends up allowing just that to happen. Classic.

All that to be said, the book did end up having a bit more depth than I anticipated and I enjoyed reading it. I liked the connection that was established between the past and present; how the author included excerpts of the grandmother. Her storyline broke my heart.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrible title, twee cover art, synopsis didn't sound promising... but I really enjoyed it. Much more than I expected.

[Joanne Donegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick heart warming read. It is probably one of the first books that I have enjoyed for over four years'.

[Amy Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely captivating and has you feeling like you were in her world, emotionally gripping and easy to read

[Rachael Hosson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Somewhat predictable, but entertaining all the same.

[Marie Rayner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exellent read

[Lauren Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story line in this book average, it is an easy read but very difficult to get into and not at all captivating. I didn't really enjoy Sharon Griffiths style of writing and I feel that if she wrote with more description it would make the book slightly better, as all events and settings in the book were very basic.
I also felt that the lives of Tilly and Granny Allen didn't connect as much as I'd expected, due to the fact that the book is advertised as showing parallels between Tilly's family history and her life in the present.
Overall the book was average and not one of the best that I have read.

[Pat Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The historical parts of the story had me intrigued and rooting for Granny. I could understand Tilly's apprehension with Clayton - was he really into her, or simply toying with her? Laughed out loud at the car keys at King's Cross. Loved the red velvet ribbons, where they were fluttering and how they led Tilly home in the fog. Very enjoyable read.

[MetLineReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read great for an afternoon on the sofa.
Not much substance but a story that plods along nicely
Don't rush out and buy it but not a total waste if you do read it
Read a few years ago details sketchy

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this in Tesco's on a Sunday morning and had finished it by teatime - but it had served its purpose very nicely as something to read on the sofa on a lazy afternoon.

[Elisabeth]

This was a bit better than 'chick lit' although of course predictable. Nonetheless I enjoyed the characters, and the history in this novel.

[Nicole Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky book that I quite enjoyed reading. The story line was very creative and I couldn't help but like the characters. It left me wanting more which is always a good thing when you read a book.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me ages to get into this book, glad I kept going though, end of the story gets much better!