Jane Doucet has become one of my favourite rom-com writers. Her books are light and funny with a spot of romance. Romance is not the focus of the novels, however – women are the focus. Women of all kinds, all ages, making their own lives, with or without men. Mothers, writers, small business owners, politicians, animal rescuers. Building and holding each other up.
After the unexpected death of her husband, 50-year-old Rose is in need of a change. And, it just so happens, that Wendy is looking to sell the sex shop she established in Lunenburg ten years ago.
Rose was taking only the things she really needed. The essentials. Clothes. Dogs. Laptop. Sleeping pills. The Hot Young Widows Club. Cremated husband.
Rose moves to Lunenburg, buys the shop and continues the first year after the death of her husband on an emotional rollercoaster, sometimes wondering what she was possibly thinking making such a purchase while at other times happy she has something other than her thoughts to occupy her time. Working at the shop is also a great way to get to know some of the townspeople.
Like in Jane’s other books, it’s the secondary characters that take the book from good to great. Rose’s sister is supportive, but sometimes gets a little too involved. Rose’s cousin May wants to get to know her newly-found cousin, but can be a handful. (“It was obvious that May was determined. Her vocation was rescuing and rehabilitating needy creatures. Rose hoped she wasn’t going to be one of them.”) Ex-sex shop owner Wendy tries hard not to overstep her boundaries at the shop. There’s the grief support-group pusher that keeps coming into the shop to leave behind brochures. And we can’t forget the handsome–single–restaurant owner Rose is trying to avoid.
When her lease is up at the end of the year, will Rose rush back to her old life in Halifax, or will she stay and make a new life in Lunenburg?
Lost & Found in Lunenburg brings back the protagonist from Jane’s first book, The Pregnant Pause, and many of the characters from her second book, Fishnets & Fantasies. This makes the book more fun for those who have read the first two, but it’s also able to stand on its own. I recommend reading them all, though, and envy those of you who are just getting started!
A few of my other favourite writers have gotten it just right in their cover blurbs…
Ali Bryan: “Big-hearted, playful, and chock-full of truths.”
Bobbi French: “A whip-smart, sweet (and salty) tale of love, loss, and starting over… A pure delight.”
Amy Jones: “Doucet writes with a joyfulness that you can’t help but get swept up in.”
Sarah Butland’s Review at The Miramichi Reader
Consumed by Ink 
I like (non-formula) rom.coms but pick them up at the library without thinking about who the authors are. I agree though that these days they are often an excuse for women to write protagonists who do quite well without men (Spoiler. They still get hitched).
I guess if it’s a romance, they still have to get hitched (or at least begin the process of it), but it’s still nice when that’s not the complete focus of the book. And it’s nice when you know they would be totally fine on their own. But not many of us really want to be on our own forever, I don’t think. But I could be wrong about that!
Don’t worry, I’m in favour of pair-bonding, in life and in literature. But I did my masters thesis, a long time ago, on independent women, and pre-1960 that was mostly expressed by not marrying. Women who were independent AND married were rare, but there were some.
Yes, I bet that was rare. My grandmother would have fit into that category. I think, in my own life, I took a small step backward. Oops. The difference is that I had a choice.
This sounds a little like Katherine Heiney territory.
And I have been meaning to try one of her books!
Hmm, I don’t usually read rom-coms, but this one sounds interesting, although I can’t imagine buying a sex shop.
You might be able to imagine it a little bit better if you read Fishnets & Fantasies first! 😉
This sounds like fun. It reminds me a little of a subplot in the Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin show “Grace and Frankie” (a favourite). Lots of comic potential with a s*x shop, I’m sure!
Jane does such a good job at tickling my funny bone!
I’ve always thought Grace and Frankie sounded like a fun show. Another for my list. 🙂
Light and funny with a spot of romance sounds perfect!
Exactly!
You know I love a good dose of humour in my writing, it sounds a bit like Ali Bryan’s writing, but with romance added in, so no doubt I would love these ones.
Yes! I have been loving both authors lately. I must be getting to the point of needing more humour in my life. But it’s not always easy to find just the right books/authors for that.