My Lost and Found Life

by Melodie Bowsher

Ashley's world is perfect-until her mother disappears, accused of embezzling a million dollars. Left completely on her own, Ashley ends up living in a camper behind a gas station. Her friends have abandoned her, bills are piling up, and she can't understand why her mother doesn't come home.

Ashley survives by taking a job in a quirky San Francisco coffee shop, where she finds the friends, the confidence, and the courage to start putting her life back together. But there is still one piece of her former life that just doesn't fit into her new one. What really happened to Ashley's mother?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Chick Lit, Teen, Coming Of Age, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2006

About the author

Melodie Bowsher grew up in Derby, Kansas (near Wichita). She attended Kansas State University in Manhattan where she majored in journalism and won a first place award for investigative reporting from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. After college she went to work in the Wall Street Journal’s Dallas bureau as a staff reporter.
After a brief stint in Denver, Melodie moved to San Francisco where she began working in corporate communications. Two children later she found herself a soccer mom in suburban Millbrae. Her two kids, Mia and Luca, provided the research and the dot.com bust provided the impetus for her first novel, MY LOST AND FOUND LIFE.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

It's five days before graduation and Ashley's perfect life is crumbling. Her mother is being accused of embezzling a million dollars, and has disappeared. Ashley can't believe her mother would do something like that, much less disappear and leave her with the fall-out. Although it's starting to look like it all might be true. One by one the things Ashley counted on and took for granted are falling away. There's no way she can afford the senior trip to Hawaii. Her perfect boyfriend won't even acknowledge her. Gone are her plans to go to college in Boston with her best friend. Not to mention the bills, but those can wait for her mom to come back. Except it's getting pretty obvious that she's not coming back.

Suddenly Ashley, who's always just gotten what she asked for, has to fend for herself. It's a hard crash course in reality. There's no way she can afford to keep the house, even after she has a yard sale to sell off its contents. She needs a job, but it's hard to find a job with no work experience. It's impossible to find a place to live without income. The only people who can help are her mother's ex-boyfriend, who doesn't like her, her mother's best friend, who thinks she's a spoiled brat, and the cop who's investigating her mom. Everyone seems to be waiting for her to fail.

Ashley finds herself living in a camper behind a gas station., without heat or running water. She falls into a job at Mad Malcom's, an off-beat coffee shop where the clientele is as nutty as the owner. In her wildest dreams she could never imagine her life getting this off track. The question is, can she pull herself out of where she`s ended up? And, what really happened to her mother?

On the way through she learns a few things about real friends, dangerous people, and personal strength.

MY LOST AND FOUND LIFE is so well-written that Ashley seems like a real person. It's written like an autobiography, and I almost forgot that it wasn't a true story. Especially since it could be--things like this actually happen to people. It is a good reminder that you don't always know what people have been through. As well as a reminder that you might be surprised at what you can do when you run out of options.

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I wrote this book, I naturally give it a five-star rating. But, hey, I actually LIKE my book. It was and is meaningful to me.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading My Lost and Found Life by Melodie Bowsher. I really enjoyed seeing how the main character, Ashley, grew up and I admired her for never giving up and making the best out of the worst situations. Throughout the book, Ashley meets a lot of people and she learns from all of them. for example, she makes a friend who loves to party and she learns how to forget her troubles and move on with life.

In this book, Ashley's mother embezzles a million dollars and then runs away, leaving Ashley, a teenager fresh out of high school, with no job, to fend for herself. Ashley, who has always been used to having everything she wants is forced to sell everything she owns, move out of her house, and get a job. By the end of the book, Ashley has gotten a job, learned how to take care of herself, found somewhere to live, and even saved enough money to start taking some college classes.

I enjoyed reading this coming of age book because when the main character, Ashley, is struggling, she finds a way to manage, therefore letting the reader sympathize with her. Even though everyone in her life doubts her, Ashley prevails and starts a new life for herself.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly picked up this book because I saw that my friend Alex read it (and she has pretty good taste in books). It's the only YA novel on her shelf, so I thought I'd have to give it a try. I managed to read this book in a single day. I didn't want to put it down even though I had some last minute homework to do (I ended up blowing off the homework, haha. Not unusual when I'm reading a good book!). "My Lost and Found Life" captivated me from the very first paragraph and didn't let me go. It is a heartwarming story about a young woman who is thrust into growing up fast, making the best of a bad situation, about making decisions right or wrong, about discovering love, relationships and learning to cope with life's journeys. Ashley's transformation is amazing, and I highly recommend this book to all girls finishing up high school! I believe they will both enjoy it as much as I did.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it enough to read in one sitting!!! Ashley was a number one BRAT!!! Spoiled, conceited, popular, smart, sassy, and huge amount of self-entitlement. This changed when her mother disappears and is accused of embezzlement. The rest of the book is Ashley's journey from what she was to a smart, resourceful, educated, self-reliant, thoughtful, aware girl. It was a great read and hopefully the reader will take something positive from it and Ashley's journey.

[Camila Andrade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but in fact I did not enjoy it as much as I would have liked to. The story was simple, and something already seen, there was obviously some lil changes that made it different. It was supposed to make you reflect in a certain way about your life, it actually did, but not a lot. I did not expect that plot twist though 🙂

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The young adult fiction book, “My lost and found life” by Melodie Bowsher is a heartfelt coming of age story with a twist of action and drama all at once. To understand my review, you need to know some background of the book. It's five days before graduation and Ashley's perfect life is crumbling. Her mother is being accused of embezzling a million dollars, and has disappeared. Ashley can't believe her mother would do something like that, much less disappear and leave her with the fall-out. Although it's starting to look like it all might be true. One by one the things Ashley counted on and took for granted are falling away. There's no way she can afford the senior trip to Hawaii. Her perfect boyfriend won't even acknowledge her. Her plans to go to college in Boston with her best friend are gone. Not to mention the bills, but those can wait for her mom to come back. Except it's getting pretty obvious that she's not coming back. Suddenly Ashley, who's always just gotten what she asked for, has to fend for herself. It's a hard crash course in reality. There's no way she can afford to keep the house, even after she has a yard sale to sell off its contents. She needs a job, but it's hard to find a job with no work experience. It's impossible to find a place to live without income. The only people who can help are her mother's ex-boyfriend, who doesn't like her, her mother's best friend, who thinks she's a spoiled brat, and the cop who's investigating her mom. Everyone seems to be waiting for her to fail.
There is many reasons I gave this book 5 stars. One example is when reading the realistic fiction book, I really liked the overall scenario. I thought it was really interesting how the author started the book and added certain events throughout. For example is on page 35, the night before Ashley’s mom had left ,the two of them had an argument! Multiple things started to go wrong from that point forward. Then on page 50 Ashley was having a rough time paying the bills and keeping friends when the FBI started their investigation as well. After making connections, the FBI and Ashley start to piece it all together. During this time, Ashley is forced to get a job at a coffee shop where she begins to face new problems and interactions with people. Another reason I gave this book 5 stars is because it’s so well-written that Ashley seems like a real person. It's written like an autobiography, and I almost forgot that it wasn't a true story. Especially since it could be--things like this actually happen to people. One of my favorite parts of the book was that I was able to see the situation through Ashley’s eyes. It really made me able to realize what was going on and the tragedy of it all! When the FBI first knocked on Ashley’s door, I could really tell how she felt about the situation and feel her frustration. While reading this book, I felt as if Bowsher really made it flow well and always had something going on. She expressed the tragic mood well. It is a good reminder that you don't always know what people have been through. As well as a reminder that you might be surprised at what you can do when you run out of options.
The book “My lost and found life” by Melodie Bows was very eye opening. On the way through Ashley learns a few things about real friends, dangerous people, and personal strength. I really enjoyed this book because it made me realize what a great life I do have when compared to others, and you don’t always know what you have until it’s gone. Most people go through life expecting a lot of things, but when you have nothing, you appreciate everything much more. Overall it was a great book that teenagers can relate too.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading the realistic fiction book My Lost and Found Life by Melodie Bowsher, I really liked the overall scenario. I thought it was really interesting how the author started the book and added certain events throughout. The story involves a girl named Ashley and her mom. Ashley had just graduated high school when one day her mom went missing. The night before her mom left the two of them had an argument! Multiple things started to go wrong from that point forward. Ashley was having a rough time paying the bills and keeping friends when the FBI started their investigation as well. Her mother was being accused of embezzling a million dollars! After making connections, the FBI and Ashley start to piece it all together. Ashley is soon forced out of her home leaving her with the only option of living in her mom’s boyfriend’s camper! Also during this time, she is forced to get a job at a coffee shop where she begins to face new problems and interactions with people. One of my favorite parts of the book was that I was able to see the situation through Ashley’s eyes. It really made me able to realize what was going on and the tragedy of it all! When the FBI first knocked on Ashley’s door, I could really tell how she felt about the situation and feel her frustration. While reading this book, I felt as if Bowsher really made it flow well and always had something going on. She expressed the tragic mood well. If you like action, drama, and a book that leaves you wondering and curious about what will happen next, I definitely suggest My Lost and Found Life!

[Madi Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this overall was a great book and had lots of drama and suspense. I think this book had a lot of tension and everything just seemed to have a meaning to the story. At first i was confused of why her mom would do that to her (you have to read to see what she did), but then i realized there background and how everything was. My favorite part and probably the most interesting part was how she handled the whole situation and what she did to try to fix it. I would recommend this book to people who like slight mysteries, drama, and an action filled story.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book and recommend it to everyone who loves young adult or/and coming of age books. Although the ending of the book is somewhat rushed, the rest of it was a page turner type of book that I did not want to put down. I love the growth of Ashley as well as reading about the connections she makes with those around her. Super amazing book regarding growth, friendship, and a big reminder to always appreciate the things you have and those around you.

[Victoria Sandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. It was an easy read. I was a little put off by the snobbiness of Ashley in the beginning but it definitely made sense why the author portrayed her that way when I got further into the book. It was a very good reminder that we never know the curveballs life will throw at us and it will almost never turn out how we planned it. Just roll with the punches and be true to yourself. A reminder I just happened to need at this time.

[Ana Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Lost and Found Life is a really great book that goes through the life of a girl whose mother is an embezzler. Ashley is 18 years old and learns how to be responsible for herself. She goes from being a “I have everything” to “I lost it all and have nothing”. She matures over time.

[Rhonda M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be an easy one day read. Pretty decent. I was just sad by the ending and not a fan of how many loose ends were left open. I like a book real, but dang not too real and tie stuff up please 😅

[Kiauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Lost and Found Life was surprisingly worthwhile. The cover itself would make you feel like you’re about to read a teenage sob story, which it was to an extent, but it’s written in an amusing way to get through to its readers. The wording alone was simple, but it gave insightful advice. For example, Ashley ends the story by saying “My mother made herself responsible for everyone else’s happiness, and in the process she crossed the line between right and wrong. But I can’t hate her for it. Whatever she did, she always loved me, I am still, and always, her daughter” (Bowsher 312). Melodie Bowsher has a clever, yet relatable way of getting her message across. We as teens love to get whatever we want, not knowing what our parents go through to provide us with those things. Some of us would get angry if we don’t get what we want; however, you won’t live with that anger once you find out your mother disappeared after digging a huge whole for herself by trying to please everyone else all her life.
Melodie Bowsher’s purpose for writing this book was to show a mother-daughter relationship take a turn and change a spoiled girl’s outlook on life. Ashley was a high school student that had everything you could ever imagine: popularity, a cute boyfriend, and all the expensive clothes that were in style. A few days before graduation and their senior class trip to Hawaii, Ashley’s mother went missing. No one knows where she went or why she left, but her disappearance was linked to an embezzlement of her company’s money. Ashley had to learn the hard way about funding everything on her own. Today, teens are raised to feel like they have a sense of entitlement, yet this book’s point is to show you aren’t entitled to anything: you have to work for what you want.
The greatest strength of this book is the fact that it shows growth within a character. The whole San Francisco knew about the spoiled girl with a mother that steals money from her job and runs away; leaving her daughter alone. Everyone doubted Ashley’s ability to survive on her own and make something of herself. Instead of proving them right, Ashley made some unpredictable changes by living in an old camper behind the gas station for months, and working inside a Madhouse coffee shop with people that seemed abnormal to her. The greatest weakness must have been the author’s way of building suspense. While reading, you want her to get to the point and say what’s going on: but she doesn’t do that right away.
The best books leave you wanting more, which you can only get by continuing to read. I would recommend this book to my girlfriends as a way of entertainment or even a reality check to let them know they should never take advantage of their mother. Once you lose everything, there’s no getting that back. You have to work towards something new. This book has many inspirational quotes within it, one being “experience is always the best teacher” (Bowsher 251). I would tell someone to read this book to just read about Ashley’s story.
While reading My Lost and Found Life, I was able to relate to Ashley over any other character. I’m the girl that loves fashion and is known around school. I saw this as an eye opener because I realize how much my mother sacrifices for me and I wouldn’t have as much strength to go about life as Ashley did. This impacts a teenage audience and leaves a lasting value as we learn to stop our selfish ways and appreciate what we have today, because it can be gone tomorrow. Ashley sounds like she has grown as she admits she “wouldn’t call it courage, I just didn’t have any choice. It was sink or swim after my mother disappeared” (Bowsher 285). When her friends left her after they heard about her story, Ashley got attention from the outcasts in school, including a girl that strips, parties, and takes drugs for a living. She could’ve followed that path, but Ashley found other ways to stay alive and live a life her mother would be proud of. That’s what touched me the most because she continuously thought about what her mom would want her to do in order to make her proud of who she’s becoming.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy, last year I read a few books about isolation.. my theme this year seems to be embezzlement! This book was better than I expected. I didn’t care for the main character at first, but she later grew and matured throughout her traumatic experiences.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought this was going to be a 'Poor Little Rich Girl' story, but I'm REALLY glad I read it. Though Ashley was spoiled by her mother, I feel like she really grew as a character as the book progressed. I genuinely laughed Weekend in the cabin with Patrick, anyone? ;) AND cried when she discovered her mom really WAS dead. And she'd driven right past the place the car went off the road. as I read this book. I loved the characters so much. Tattie, Malcolm, Earl, Patrick. They were all fantastic. I fell in love with them all. And you can really see how much Ashley changes through the book. From being a stuck-up, spoiled brat to getting a job at the Nuthouse and going through hell not knowing where her mother is. And the fire at the nuthouse really shook me up. How close they all came to death themselves. Ashley's quick thinking saved lives and more people would have died if not for her, including poor Steffie. And even Malcolm, who she sent Tom after. I love how Ashley progressed as a character and how all the people she wouldn't have thought about twice when she was a snob became her family in her time of need. I absolutely LOVED this book and read it more than once, eventually buying a copy of my own from Amazon so I can read whenever I want. Definitely Recommended to anyone who will give it a chance. I even made my best friend read it.

[Shantana Stanhope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I picked it because i was in need of a book to read for classes with it being the first week of school, so this book looked good. Its about this girl named Ashley that had a good life till it crashed in on her after her mom was accused of embezzling a million dollars. Ashley knew in the back of her head that her mother would never do such a thing but the police still came in the house and searched up and down for "clues". Her mom went missing after all of this happened and that left Ashley alone with money but not enough to live off for the rest of her life. Thats when a friend of her mom told her she was going to have to get a job to make ends meet.
The only thing i didnt exactly like about My Lost and Found Life was how it didnt tell you where Ashleys mom had went or what happened till the very end. I just wanted to know but at the same time i liked it because it kept you reading because you want to know what happened. I highly recommend this book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Lost and Found Life is about a senior, Ashley, whos mother is accused of stealing 1 million dollars. Her mother disappears for a day, then a week, then months. Ashley can't pay the bills, and she has never had a job before in her life. She doesn't have anyone to turn to for help, having all her friends at college. Her mother's best friend thinks she is a spoiled rich kid. Her mother's boyfriend is a jerk, who couldn't care less about her. She doesn't know how she will live, without a job, place to stay or anyone there to help. She goes on for months wondering what happened to her mother, why did she abandon her? She eventually finds out the terrible truth.

My Lost and Found Life is written as if you actully know Ashley. You feel as if you know what she is going through, even if you don't. This is a great book, recommended to anyone who wants a good mystery.

[Joe Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry. If you able to read it without crying you might be a robot or an alien unfamiliar with the human relations between mothers and daughters. Even some robots cry oily tears when they read this book - that's how touching it is.

Ashley is a typical, upper-class teenager living in the suburbs of San Francisco. She is popular, dates a hot, vacuous football player, shops at the most expensive boutiques and has her future all gloriously planned out. A few weeks prior to her Senior class trip to Hawaii Ashley's mother disappears amidst rumors of embezzling money from her employers. Now Ashley is left with no family, no money, and no clue about what to do next! Author Melodie Bowsher crafts a gripping, emotional tale of one girls journey of growth and self-discovery. Highly recommended, although themes of teen sex and drug use are prevelent.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Lost and Found Life is about Ashley, a high school senior who's mom is accused of embezzling money from her job. When the police show up looking for her mother and no one can get in touch with her Ashley begins to worry. Her situation worsens when weeks then months go by with no one hearing from Ashley's mom. So, Ashley, the spoiled, selfish teenager has to find somewhere to live and get a job and start taking care of herself. The majority of this book was really interesting, but then the last quarter of the book had too many over-the-top situations to keep it even remotely realistic. But, overall it was a very interesting and entertaining book and Ashley's transformation is very well-done.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley is living a typical life with her mother in San Francisco until the day she finds out her mother has been embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from her company. Even worse, her mother has apparently skipped town and left Ashley to fend for herself. Eighteen-year-old Ashley now has to figure out how to live on her own by getting a job, finding a new place to live, and starting a new life alone.

Bowsher portrays the struggles of a girl used to an easy life being thrust into the real world. While the story occasionally stepped into unlikely events, Bowsher otherwise depicts Ashley’s struggles realistically. This book is for an older teen reader, because it deals explicitly with drugs, alcohol abuse, and sex.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right after I read it, I saw that there were lots of good reviews, and that's fine for those people, but I didn't like it. I guess is was because Ashley was spoiled and had no sense at all of what to do after her mother left. I read the beginning and kept thinking of what she should've done. I know that she was made spoiled on purpose, but she just really annoyed me. So I ended up reading the beginning, part of the middle, and the end, without parts in between, and I don't think it would have helped me much to read the rest. It was one of those books where I didn't feel bad about skipping over parts to the end.

[Kemble · Rating 5 out of 5]

First you had Generation X, then Generation Y. This is a novel about the current group of teens. Generation $. Entitled and spoiled, prom queen Ashley is the outrageously snarky voice of this generation. She must suddenly learn to fend for herself after her mother disappears. That ain't easy when you don't even know how to pay your own Nordstrom's bill. MY LOST AND FOUND LIFE is a highly entertaining tale about the price of privilege. Set in the wealthy San Francisco area, every indulgent soccer parent should read this to see what they're turning their kids into!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books full quirky characters and coffeehouses. After reading the book jacket and noticing the main character, Ashley, finds a job in a nutty coffee house, I instantly threw it in my reading bag. And it was good. The first half of the book is slow, but finally picks up toward the middle. I enjoyed watching Ashley's life progress in a good way, especially after thinking she was a total and complete bitch in the first half. It takes big things to change your view of life and yourself and that's exactly what she had to do. I enjoyed the book and want to visit San Francisco again!

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley is pretty and popular, about to graduate high school and move across the country for college. But when her mom is accused of a crime and suddenly disappears, Ashley's plans are turned upside down. She's on her own for the first time in her life, and paying the bills isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Going from a big house in the suburbs to a trailer in the back of a gas station, the former Homecoming Queen isn't sure if she'll ever get back on track. Intense and at times heart-breaking.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went back and forth on how much I liked it -- great storyline with cool characters at the Madhouse, while she tended to be a horrible main character and I was peeved at all the unnecessary sex, more on the level I expect from adult fiction -- but ultimately with the missing-mother mystery element it pulled itself off. Not without squeezing my heart a few times, though, playing on my irrational fears of losing your only family and being thrown out into the world with essentially nothing and zero work experience to boot.

[Sascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. It's like this. I read four or five or six pages and thought, "well, there is no way in hell I am finishing this." The "heroine" is so self-absorbed, so supercilious that I cannot abide reading another paragraph. But I did. And, it was worth it.

Ashley changes from a very self-absorbed teenager into a survivor, and not only a survivor, but into a total, caring individual.

If you start reading this book and want to throw it against the wall, don't. It's the worth the entire read.

Excellent job, Ms. Bowsher!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I was really intrigued at the beginning, wanting to see how she found herself after having a worst possible scenario happen to her, but it wasn't as deep as I expected it to be. I liked her relationship with the old man and was pretty bummed when her mom ends up being dead and she finds out her mom really was a criminal and a mess. There was a lot of build up about the involvement of the married guy in her mothers scandal and then no explanation until the last couple pages of the book and a scarce one at that.

[Laura Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised at the depth of this book...and for the most part, enjoyed the story. I picked it up because it took place in San Francisco, a place a know well. The characters are realistic, and the story sad and hopeful.

I identify with a life lost and found, so it resonated with me. Really it's the story of a girl coping with life when everything she's ever known has been taken from her. It's her coming of age story, and it's pretty cool.

[Jonitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book my life lost and found is about a girl who comes home one day and dosnt find her mom. She just thinks she was working late until a police comes to her house and tells her that her mom stealed 10,000 dollers from her office!
This book teaches you that it takes more then one person to do the job. It also teaches you that you should keep an eye on the oeople you meet because they might just turn on you.