Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe: Book Review

 **I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Sometimes what haunts you most is wondering what could have been.

Avalee Elvis prides herself with being able to fix just about anything. . . except her past. Unable to put the puzzle of her life together, she pours heart and soul into making neglected places whole again. As the owner of Lowcountry Lost, Avalee spends her days in hot-pink Carhartt overalls and a tool belt reclaiming Lowcountry properties. Making them beautiful again releases the deep sigh that soothes the hurt she holds.

Avalee’s latest project takes her to tiny Somewhere, South Carolina, a long-abandoned town. She ignores its ghostly folklore but can’t miss the shock of hearing the familiar Irish brogue that materializes on the job site—the voice of the man she never wanted to see again.

Rowan Murray is a structural engineer hired by investors to oversee the redevelopment of the quaint downtown Avalee is bringing back to life. Once upon a time, he was also the man who knew Avalee better than anyone else—or so he thought. Six years ago, neither of them was prepared for the tragedy they would face together or what would happen in its wake. But as they work together to complete the rehabbing of Somewhere, their broken pieces and the pain that nearly consumed them begin to lose its grip, and both begin to wonder if it’s not too late for a restoration of their own.

From the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias comes a story of loss and abandonment, forgiveness, and the beauty of undying love.

The Author

T. I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She is the author of nearly twenty published novels, including her recent bestselling and critically acclaimed novel, Under the Magnolias, and her debut breakout, Lulu's Café. She lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina. Find her at tilowe.com or on Facebook (T.I.Lowe), Instagram (tilowe), and Twitter (@TiLowe).

Book Review

If I had to use just one word to sum up Lowcountry Lost, that one word would simply be restoration. On the surface, of course, the story centers around the restoration of the rundown and abandoned town of Somewhere, North Carolina. If you love HGTV, this will definitely be a definite plus for you! Beyond that though, it serves as such a perfect backdrop for the restoration of a marriage that has been torn apart by tragedy and loss. I always adore a good second chance romance, and I think there is something even more special about that when it is a marriage being restored. Rowan and Avalee definitely have a lot to work through, but I enjoyed watching the healing in each of them and their relationship throughout the story. I absolutely adored Rowan's flirting and charm and thought that added some much-needed lightness to their story too. Throw in some fantastic side characters and there really was so much to love in this story. 

While I don't want to give any spoilers, I do want to make note of potentially triggering content that I personally would have appreciated knowing beforehand due to my own experiences. (Stop reading here if you'd prefer not to know.)

It is important to note that this story deals quite heavily with the topic of miscarriage/infant loss. The author did a truly wonderful job of not just covering this topic with grace and sensitivity, but also in a way that felt very real to those emotions felt. As someone who has experienced recurrent miscarriages, I appreciated seeing my own thoughts and feelings reflected in the characters' experiences... but it also made it a really difficult one for me to read too. I loved the story, but I did have to step away several times when it became too much for my own mental health. Please keep this in mind if it's a trigger for you as well. In the end though, it really was a story filled with hope and healing, and one that I was glad to have read. 

You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4dce4iU