The Department of Lost & Found - by Allison Winn Scotch (Paperback)

About the Book

A fabulous debut novel, Scotch has written a story of hope and resolve, of a woman's digging deeper than she ever thought possible, and--ultimately--of making her own luck even when she's been dealt an uneven hand.

Book Synopsis

"Allison Winn Scotch is the real deal and The Department of Lost and Found is one you absolutely won't want to miss."
--Johanna Edwards, author of The Next Big Thing

"Funny, touching, tender, true....I loved it."
--Pamela Redmond Satran, author of Suburbanistas

A Redbook Magazine Editor's Choice, Allison Winn Scotch's sparkling debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, is a story that makes you laugh and cry in equal measure. This funny and uplifting tale of a young woman overcoming bad odds and changing her life, as she discovers unexpected truths about her friends, her family, and herself, is one that Julie Buxbaum and Jennifer Weiner fans will not soon forget.

From the Back Cover

It didn't start out as the worst day of Natalie Miller's life. . . .

As the top aide to New York's powerful woman senator, Natalie's moving rapidly up the political ladder. She works hard, stays late, and enjoys every bit of it. Then her neglected boyfriend announces he's leaving. But that's only the beginning. Her doctor gives her the worst news any woman can hear, and suddenly the life Natalie needs to change is her own.

The time has come for her to overcome her strange obsession with The Price Is Right and take a tough look at the choices she's made. She'll start by tracking down the five loves of her life in order to assess what went wrong. And by revisiting her past, Natalie just might discover exciting new paths to unexplored places--and learn how to stop barreling through life long enough to really embrace it.

Review Quotes

"What a discovery! Allison Winn Scotch is the real deal and THE DEPARTMENT OF LOST AND FOUND is one you absolutely won't want to miss. Sweet, funny, and totally endearing -- this book grabbed me from page one and didn't let go. Buy it now! You can thank me later." - Johanna Edwards, bestselling author of The Next Big Thing and How to be Cool
Allison Winn Scotch's debut The Department Of Lost And Found is not just smart and engrossing, but it's so real and raw I'd have sworn it was a memoir. Powerfully written, I connected instantly with Natalie and empathized while she healed physically and spiritually, and I cheered her on as she reinvented her concept of living. With such a sensitive subject, getting heavy-handed with emotion would have been understandable. However, Winn Scotch deftly interjects enough levity to make the story captivating and redeeming rather than maudlin -- I was engrossed from the very first page! (But, really? She had me at The Price Is Right.) - Jen Lancaster, author of Bright Lights, Big Ass
"Funny, touching, tender, true--The Department of Lost and Found is the story of a woman who loses everything, and finds herself. I loved it." - Pamela Redmond Satran, author of Suburbanistas
"The Department of Lost and Found is honest, touching and funny. Winn Scotch's thoroughly engaging and optimistic debut simply sparkles!" - Claire Cook, author of Life's a Beach
"The changes and realizations that the characters make are profound and moving....An impressive debut." - Booklist
Told with humor and hope for a happier ending, this heartwarming debut will encourage readers to take stock. - Theta magazine
Editor's Choice: When [Natalie Miller's] carefully crafted life begins to crumble...she finds inspiration from unexpected people. - Redbook Magazine
"A light, fast and fun read on a serious topic." - Philadelphia Inquirer
"With a heroine who dares to be cranky and bitchy abour her disease while still attempting to keep her 'brave' game face on. The story is real, honest, engrossing, and funny, too. Plus any book with a Bob Barker cameo is aces with me." - Valerie Frankel
"Allison Winn Scotch's thoroughly engaging and optimistic debut novel simply sparkles!" - Claire Cook, author of Life's A Beach
I really enjoyed reading Department of Lost and Found. It felt like a nonfiction work. I'm impressed with her convincing voice and approach. The Price Is Right reference is a hoot . . . and unusual too. What a great piece of pop-culture to put into a book like this! I'd highly recommend this novel to anyone who needs a life lesson on coping and hope. - Stan Blits, author of COME ON DOWN
Where you should read it: On the beach. It's smart and well-written, but still divertingly light. - Marie Claire
Told with humor and hope for a happier ending, this heartwarming debut will encourage readers to take stock.