I actually started reading the book several months ago, but I couldn't bring myself to continue.

However, when I found this book in the library again earlier this month, I decided to give it a go another time.

At first, I found the first half of the book a bit boring.

But as I persisted and gave the book a chance, it definitely picked up.

Just like many books of this author, this book also had a magical touch to it.

That's what I enjoy the most about her books.

The way she weaves the story and creates a unique world that draws the reader in is truly remarkable.

It's as if she has the power to transport us to another realm through her words.

I'm now looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds and what other surprises this book has in store for me.

I'm glad I decided to give it another chance.

A 2.5 - I really struggled to get through this particular book.

The beginning had an interesting hook that initially piqued my interest, and the last 100 pages were quite engaging. However, the middle section felt like a real slog.

I resorted to switching back and forth between the audio version and reading the text to try and mix things up and keep my attention.

The premise of the story is truly creative, and I had high hopes that many interesting things would occur. But as I kept waiting and waiting, not much seemed to actually happen.

Also, it felt like we were constantly being reminded that Sandy KNOWS that stuff just doesn't go missing and that she's different from other people. It got a bit tiresome after a while.

I also did not like the character of Gregory at all. That whole storyline was a big nope from me, and it was really creepy how much Sandy's mom liked him.

Overall, this book had its moments, but it ultimately fell short for me.

A book that talks about courage and patience, the faith that we should have in our loved ones and above all never forget... otherwise nothing goes anywhere, everything ends up somewhere. It is enough to continue to search, not to forget.

This book serves as a valuable guide, teaching us the importance of these qualities in our relationships and in life itself. Courage gives us the strength to face challenges and difficulties, while patience helps us to endure and persevere through tough times. Faith in our loved ones binds us together and gives us the confidence to rely on them.

We must always remember these lessons and apply them in our daily lives. By doing so, we can build stronger relationships, overcome obstacles, and find meaning and purpose in our existence. Let us not forget the power of courage, patience, and faith, for they are the keys to a fulfilling and successful life.

It would actually be a 4.5. I really liked it, much, much more than I expected after reading the synopsis. Cecelia always surprises and, in my case, the result is not always to my liking (there are novels of hers that I love and others that I haven't even been able to finish), but this one is definitely a yes.

It's an original story with an entertaining surface and a background that makes you think. I really enjoyed it a lot.

The way Cecelia weaves the plot is masterful. She creates characters that are relatable and engaging, making it easy for the reader to get invested in their lives.

The setting is also well-described, adding to the overall atmosphere of the story.

Overall, this is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an interesting and thought-provoking novel.

Where does that other sock disappear too? It's a mystery that has puzzled many. And where do all our lost items go? This is a question that seems to have no easy answer.

Such a unique premise forms the basis of this charming story by Cecelia Ahern. The author has a talent for creating engaging and relatable characters that draw the reader in from the very beginning.

The narrative unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what will happen next. With her signature style of writing, Ahern weaves a tale that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

This is truly another cute read from Cecelia Ahern that is sure to delight readers of all ages. Five stars well-deserved for this wonderful book.

I truly despise giving a novel a one-star rating, but unfortunately, I simply couldn't establish a connection with the story. It failed to captivate me from the very beginning. As I was reading, my mind continuously wandered, and I found myself constantly waiting for something thrilling to occur. I had reached a little over halfway through the book when I decided to set it aside for a while.

I have made up my mind to persevere with this read, although I really don't have the inclination to do so. For some inexplicable reason, I feel a certain sense of loyalty to a book once I start reading it. However, I just can't bring myself to believe in the plot where missing people and objects end up in this unidentified place and lead a life in a state of limbo. The author, Ahern, could have done a better job of setting up this premise to make it more believable when the main character goes missing. I will conclude my thoughts on this book once I finish reading it. Hopefully, as I continue, I will become more engrossed in the story and find it more enjoyable.

I was truly having an extremely hard time attempting to finish this book. In fact, I very nearly gave up right in the middle because I was absolutely certain that this was not at all to my taste.

There was really nothing that left a lasting impression on me regarding Sandy's character. In fact, she was rather outrageous. How on earth can one live with someone who turns into a zombie or some sort of dragon whenever she can't find any missing things? She was overly and obsessively fixated on finding missing items to such an extent that I firmly believe she is mentally insane (and she really seems to be). She would turn the entire house upside down whenever she couldn't locate something. And the sock! Speaking about the sock, couldn't they have thought of any other example apart from the sock? You could have misplaced your keys, your shirt, couldn't you?

Why is everyone constantly speaking about the sock throughout the entire story?

Then, the most crucial reason why I dislike this novel is because it is simply too unrealistic. I can somewhat relate to the idea of things mysteriously going missing, but this here is actually just the imagination of the author. There is no conceivable way that a person could disappear (and never be found) after just walking for 2 hours into the forest.

I don't know about other readers, but for me, I just wouldn't buy that.

Other than that, the way Ahern connected some sort of string between Sandy and Mr Burton was also unrealistic. How can a 14-year-old be imagining such wild thoughts while speaking for the very first time with her psychiatrist? Is it just me who thinks this way?

Moving on to Jack Ruttle. He was crazily scouring for traces of Sandy throughout her disappearance. But what? There was nothing mentioned about him at all in the end. And what about him? Despite all his whining and struggling, he still goes back to his good-for-nothing Gloria. Which is yet another really bad ending. I should have seen it coming. I really should have.

This book was initially rather challenging to engage with. However, I was truly captivated by the concept. Cecelia Ahern managed to fabricate a truly enchanting realm out of missing objects.

The two storylines were indeed fascinating to peruse. Nevertheless, the conclusion of both their endings left me with a sense of emptiness. Given all the anticipation and excitement surrounding it, I had expected a bit more substance. Additionally, I was simply disappointed that Bobby could never return home as I have a soft spot for that boy ❤️.

Perhaps if the author had delved deeper into the characters' emotions and provided more detailed resolutions, the overall reading experience would have been more fulfilling. Despite these shortcomings, the book still had its moments of charm and creativity. It made me reflect on the significance of the objects we often take for granted and how they can hold a special place in our lives.

Overall, while it didn't quite meet my expectations, it was still an interesting read that offered a unique perspective on the power of missing things.

In times when I misplace something as simple as a pen or a book, I often find myself sulking and complaining loudly about where it could have gone. My father, who seems to offer no real help, will then playfully tease me and say, “Find it with your hands, not with your mouth.” When all hope seems lost, I often reflect on how I had taken that item for granted. But give me a few days, and I will forget all about it. However, in Sandy’s case, things are quite different.

Sandy has been completely obsessed with finding her lost things ever since the mysterious disappearance of Jenny-May Butler. From a single sock to a cherished diary, she would go to extreme lengths, even stripping their house bare in her search. But not all of her searches end in satisfaction. Eventually, after realizing her potential, she starts an agency dedicated to finding missing persons.

On her search for the case of Jack Ruttle, she stumbles upon a path that she has long been seeking. This path leads to a place called “Here”, where all missing things, and even missing people, are said to stay. Now, she has finally satisfied her lifelong search, but it has given rise to another problem. How can she find her way back home?

At first, the idea of a place where missing things actually reside seems absurd. But as the story progresses, I find myself fully believing in the premise. Cecelia Ahern has created a fantasy world that is so closely intertwined with the real world that it almost feels as if it could actually exist. This world has its own politics, education system, and government.

The story doesn't just revolve around Sandy's isolation but also Jack's desperate quest to find her. Jack believes that once he finds Sandy, they can quickly solve his case. As he interviews Sandy's relatives, we get a vivid picture of who she really is: an obsessive-compulsive woman who labels all her things with her name and a desolate person who is truly dedicated to her job. This is an excellent choice as it not only provides backstories but also propels the plot towards its climax.

However, there are some evident flaws in the story. Ahern fails to adequately explain or strongly hint at how the system of the world “Here” and the real world operates. Things seem to come and go without any particular reason. It would be wise to simply take the story at face value. Otherwise, it could potentially ruin your reading experience.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that the book is great, but it is certainly good. It is unique in its concept, and the portrayal of her fantasy world is done perfectly. You will have no trouble getting to know the characters. Sure, the cover might be deceiving, making it seem like just another pointless, clichéd, and thoughtless story. But those who have read it know better.

PS: There's No Place Like Here and A Place Called Here are actually the same book.

Riiiiight. Well, this was an extremely odd one. As I was reading the blurb, I initially thought that Ahern was writing in a metaphorical way about a place where lost things ultimately end up. However, I was very much mistaken. The outcome? An extremely strange story that I simply could not get fully engaged with throughout the entire narrative. It was a rather perplexing read, to say the least.

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

Let me start off by saying that I truly do have a great appreciation for this author's writing style.

Moreover, this book completely defied my initial expectations. The plot of the story is extremely original and highly engaging. At the beginning, I was anticipating a greater sense of mystery, but what I received was a more contemporary narrative rather than a traditional mystery. However, that's perfectly fine because it was truly unique and not like anything else I have ever read.

I did have a fondness for most of the characters. There were, of course, a few that were rather irritating to me. Our main character, Sandy, in my opinion, was very likable. I adored how she never lost hope, unlike all the others. She knew precisely what she wanted, which was to escape from her current situation. I also liked Bobby, but I had hoped that he would have provided more assistance to Sandy than he actually did.

Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with the ending of the story. This is precisely why this review is receiving a 3-star rating instead of a 4-star one. The ending could have been so much more than what the author presented, and I had expected far more. Given how different and magical the story itself was, I had assumed that the ending would be equally so. Alas, I had hoped for a great deal more in that regard.

This is a very light and flowing book that tackles the theme of the disappearance of people, whether they are truly dead or just no longer found.

It talks about how sometimes we lose ourselves because we are slaves to a fixed thought, an obsession like what happens to Sandy; or a real problem, like what happens to Jack, who ends up isolating himself from his network of affections. Sometimes one has to get lost again in order to find oneself, to be the new masters of one's own life.

The only flaw of this book is the ending. In my opinion, it is too hasty, as if the writer had become tired of writing and wanted to close the story.

Overall, it is an interesting read that makes you reflect on the various aspects of disappearance and self-discovery. However, the rushed ending does leave a bit to be desired. It would have been nice to have a more developed conclusion that tied up all the loose ends and gave a more satisfying resolution to the story. Nevertheless, it is still a book that I would recommend to others who are interested in this type of theme.