Review of The Lost and Found Hotel by Caroline Young
Release date: November 12, 2026
Publisher: Storm Publisher
REVIEW
I really appreciated The Lost and Found Hotel by Caroline Young and all its challenging relationship themes. Set in two timelines is a powerful story about family secrets, betrayal, rejection, forbidden love and finding yourself. It covers all the possible things that can go wrong between parents and children, husbands and wives and friends. The negative effects of getting married for the wrong reason to the wrong person are clearly demonstrated with couples Rose and Simon, and Clare and Pete. Years of heartache and unnecessary sacrifice are inevitable. Nerves will be raw and blame will be established in unhappy relationships. The novel also showcases health issues like the horrid disease Alzheimer’s. Those who have experienced it in loved ones will recognise the trials seen in Simon’s parents and unexpectedly in Rose’s family. The potential heartache children must endure seeing their parent fading away and then not recognising them is a hard pill to swallow.
On a brighter note, the love of writing and books are part of Rose’s and Pete’s story. Plus the passions and pitfalls that come when those around them do not understand their worth or see value in pursuing this interest as a profession. The comfort, peace and joy found in books is something many of us can relate to. Pete’s writing of poetry is vital to his mental health and wholeness. When Pete is discouraged from writing by a parent that wants him to focus on the ‘real’ stuff of life like running the farm, it plunges him into a dark place. This along with being married to the wrong woman spells disaster.
Rose is a creative person who loved writing and reading books but was steered away from that life to fit the one organised by her mother who wants her to have independence and stability. This is understandable but as she learns, should it be at the expense of happiness? Should she settle for less than she deserves and needs, to be a productive and happy person? You can only suppress your true nature and desires so long until these things rise up at some point. And when they do, severe upheaval is bound to come. And like a volcano, your life will eventually rupture. We see this not only in Rose’s life but particularly in her best friend Clare’s.
The beautiful Devon coast setting is particularly a lovely part of the healing process for Rose. When she is urgently called from her London residence back to her mother’s home, she does not know she will need to run the family hotel, while her mother rushes away to a secret destination to sort out a matter. She does not tell Rose why she is going or where or who she will be seeing but assures her she is in good hands and will be back as soon as she can and tell her everything. Rose is baffled but decides to stay and help her mother out with the business. Her two children are thrilled as they love being there enjoying the beach and new friends. Although this time away begins as a couple of weeks, it is extended to the whole summer, much to Rose’s frustration and that of her husband’s. But through this experience Rose gets reacquainted with herself and the coast she once loved growing up. She learns a great deal about herself, her family and even her friends. Some revelations will be shocking and life changing. But while being back home, dealing with certain hurtful events, Rose will be pushed to make some changes in her life. And she will be transformed in ways she never expected.
The Lost and Found Hotel novel is aptly named. When Rose’s mother returns, everything changes. After a long held secret that previously affected three generations is cracked open, it leads the way to healing, forgiveness, identity and belonging. And a second chance romance. In this emotionally raw family drama, we see how words can bring both ruin and redemption. And that there still can be hope in the darkest of moments. 4.25 stars
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
