The Department of Lost & Found

LOVED this book! It kept me awake. It was about a 30 year old re-evaluating her life after a breakup and breast cancer diagnosis. It was honest, funny and a GREAT read...oddly uplifting! I would highly recommend it!

Natalie is the aide to a powerful New York Senator with plans of her own to ultimately become the President of the United States when she suddenly finds herself diagnosed with breast cancer. Natalie's world is completely derailed as she, at first, tries to continue working and denying the severity of the problem and only later begins to accept help from others. Throughout the story the reader watches Natalie's inner struggle to come to peace with each of her former romantic relationships as she attempts to get feedback about what went wrong. While this novel is about the personal experience of a young woman with cancer, it is not a terribly sad novel. Instead, it takes the theme of personal self-discovery, metamorphosis, and coming to show more terms with what is important. I enjoyed this book , which is Allison Winn Scotch's first novel, particularly the pop cultural themes which appear in her other books. Though Natalie was rather cold, self-centered, and politically aggressive in the beginning, it was not hard to connect with her, even from the start, as would be the challenge in a novel like this. However, I think I preferred "The Time of My Life" the most of her three books, which was a little more playful and fun than this story. However, this one was still a really good first novel. show less

This was the first book I read by Allison Winn Scotch and I really, really enjoyed. Scotch’s writing style is very simple, which makes it easy to get into the meat of the story and not find oneself all tangled up in ostentatious language. The premise of the novel could have easily made for a downer of a story, but that is definitely not what happens. Natalie is a strong character that one cannot help but like. As she struggles with men, career, and even cancer, it is hard not to relate to Natalie. Liking the central character and being able to relate to her make for a compelling novel, not a depressing one.

I highly recommend this novel. It was an easy, fast read that was totally enjoyable.

I LOVED this story! I wasn't sure I was going to like it in the beginning, because the story focused not only on Natalie's cancer, but her job and love life also. The story comes together nicely, it is not all doom and gloom about her illness.....there is even romance thrown in for good measure.

When Natalie is given her diagnosis, her current boyfriend dumps her. She sets her sights on contacting the five true loves from her past, to find out why their relationships didn't last. I thought that this was a cute diversion from the story. Natalie's parents are absent for the most important part of her treatment; a past true love shows up and is there for her. Just when you think it is FATE that will bring them back together, the story turns show more in another direction.

I liked Allison Winn Scotch's writing style. She is very descriptive....I could picture the characters and places in my head while reading. I will definitely read more by this author!

This is a chick lit/drama/comedy all wrapped up in a wonderful story about forgiveness, love, and finding your own true happiness. show less

Natalie Miller loves her life. Why shouldn’t she? She’s the top aide to a senator, young and determine and has a great political career ahead of her. The world Natalie carefully built comes crashing down when her doctor informs her, she has breast cancer. In an instant, her live-in boyfriend breaks up with her, her career is in jeopardy and whether she wants to or not, Natalie is forced to reflect on her life as she confronts her own mortality while fighting this life-threatening disease.

As Natalie begins her chemotherapy treatments, she’s assigned to Janice, a cancer therapist. Janice encourages her to keep a diary as an outlet for her feelings. As she writes her first journal entry, her mind begins to focus on her recent breakup show more with Ned. She isn’t sure where their relationship went wrong and what caused Ned to finally end things. The more she ponders this, she begins to think about her past boyfriends. A plan then forms: she will revisit her past five loves by tracking down each man to determine what went wrong in their relationship. This is more about self-discovery for Natalie and not to rekindle an old-flame.

I have to admit early on I didn’t like Natalie very much. She seemed to be very cold and distant emotionally. She was very power-hungry and would do anything necessary to manipulate the situation in her favor. The more I began to read about Natalie’s life and her battle with breast cancer, I slowly started to warm up to her and began to empathize with her.

Keeping busy and focused on work while undergoing chemo is what’s keeping Natalie in this fight. Her life is centered around her career. Without that, she wouldn’t have anything to live for. This realization to her is powerful as things begin to shift at work and she’s no longer viewed as irreplaceable. As Natalie continues journaling and reconnecting with past loves, she begins a transformation that leaves the reader feeling hopeful she will win this battle and will be given a second chance to live her life based on the lessons she has learned.

The Department of Lost & Found is the author’s debut novel, which at times I found hard to believe. Not only do I highly recommend this book, I also suggest Time of My Life, her second novel. This summer, The One That I Want will be released. show less

excellent 1st novel. Natalie has cancer and her travails are splendidly told with raw emotions as well as humor. This is a wonderful book, with a story line that should but does not bring the reader down. I highly recommend it.

Natalie (there 's an "" and no "we" in "Natalie") works hard as top aide to Senator Dupris, committed to the cause(s), giving her all. So what if the men she loves move on? Till she is diagnosed with breast cancer and reluctantly realizes that her life isn't over, there's much more promise ahea.