Southern Sass: Review of Emi Lost and Found Series by Lori Otto

Synopsis:

Emi Lost and Found Series

LOST AND FOUND (book one) - When artist Nate Wilson falls in love, he falls hard. The problem is, he’s only been in love once, and the girl of his affections is his best friend, Emi Hennigan. In high school, the two bonded over painful breakups, and swore off a relationship to save their friendship. Thirteen years later, Nate has had more than his share of emotionally-unfulfilling, sexual relationships with beautiful women to distract himself from his true romantic feelings.

When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes Nate away from his friend and his comfortable lifestyle, he is forced to reflect on the distinct void that Emi’s absence leaves in his life. To Nate’s surprise, Emi has a similar experience; but as the friends embark upon their journey toward happiness together, destiny reveals other plans for Emi.

TIME STANDS STILL (book two) - Depression threatens all the relationships in Emi Hennigan’s life after a near death experience leaves her injured and feeling alone in a world she barely recognizes. On a night that is supposed to signify a new beginning in her life, she loses everything she loves.

It’s on that very same night, though, that Emi has a chance meeting with a man from her past who has the power to bring her more happiness than she’s ever known. Jack Holland is on a mission to rescue Emi from the pain that’s been consuming her, but his patience is tested as Emi holds on to the memory of the only man she’s ever truly loved.

NEVER LOOK BACK (book three) - Jack Holland finally has everything a man could want. After a lengthy courtship that has required persistence and self-restraint, Emi Hennigan– the woman Jack has been fantasizing about since college– has fallen in love with him. Together, the couple sets out to create their own happily-ever-after.

It’s only when Emi delivers some unwelcome news that Jack begins to question everything about the woman he loves. It will take a considerable amount of understanding and sacrifice for Jack to accept the future Emi can offer him– a future he never imagined for himself.

Synopsis:

Not Today but Someday:

After the 3-volume Emi Lost & Found series was published, readers wanted more. This is for the readers – the story of how Nate and Emi met.

In December of 1994, when she was a junior in high school, Emi Hennigan discovered her father's infidelity. Forced to transfer schools mid-year, she wasn't trying to make new friends. In that same month, sophomore Nate Wilson's girlfriend broke up with him. Searching for someone to fill the void left by his first love, he meets Emi in his art class. Nate knows he wants Emi from the moment he sees her. Emi knows she needs Nate after one night together. A life-long friendship is born, and a pact is made to ensure that nothing will come between them. This novella is the prequel to the Emi Lost & Found series.

Review:

We give the Emi Series: a 5 I have lost and found my panties rating!

Mindy: YAY!! I HAVE FINALLY MET ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE SERIES!!!! It has seemed like it's been forever that I have had a serious book hangover...This did it!

Sarah: This series left me in the mother of all book hangovers!! I needed therapy to just be able to function daily! I mean, after reading these books I couldn’t even make myself read anything else!! I just wanted more.

Mindy: Well a friend recommended these books to me a while back, and for whatever reason, I kept putting them off. I could kick myself for doing that!

Sarah: I know exactly what you mean!! I had these and just kept skipping over them. I could literally whip my own ass for not reading these sooner. Think of that time with Nate that I missed out on!!

Mindy: This series sucked me in at the very beginning with Emi and Nate. Without giving any details away, I loved the way their relationship was already established and how it grew throughout the first book.

Sarah: It sucked me in for sure! And honestly, I don’t know if it will ever release me from it’s hold. The dynamic relationship between Emi and Nate just has such a natural flow, it keeps you hanging on their every word.

Mindy: I was warned to have a box of tissues handy. Even with that warning, I really had no idea what I would be in for! I just ended up snotting all over my comforter instead because of the amount of tears.

Sarah: A snot tsunami!!!! That’s what I would call what happened to me while I was reading!! I knew going in that something emotional was going to transpire, but I was so not prepared for the emotions that overtook me!

Mindy: I certainly don't want this to stop someone from reading this though. There are so many happy moments and characters that you will absolutely fall in love with.

Sarah: This series is totally different from anything I have read before. It deals with true love, and the different ideas/thoughts the characters have about the meaning of “true love”.

Mindy: Ok, so once we see the exciting relationship blossom between Emi and Nate, we meet Jack. Just when I think that I have fallen for Nate, I fall for Jack!

Sarah: Jack…….ahhhhh Jack!! What’s not to love?? This man comes with the whole package, and then some!! Maybe a bag of chips too!

Mindy: Jack is just one of the most understanding, caring, and lovable heroes I have ever read!

Sarah: That man rode in on a whole herd of white horses! BEST KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR EVER!!!

Mindy: Emi is an amazing heroine who goes through tremendous highs and lows. Jack is always there to help her pick up the pieces to her life and to help her to live it fully.

Sarah: Even through all the ups and downs of Emi’s life, I never really disliked her. There were times I wanted her to wise up sooner than she did, but she never veered into bitch slap territory.

Mindy: I understand what you mean. I felt like she really had good reasons to make a lot of decisions that she had to make because of the situations she was in.

Sarah: Yes! If anyone ever had a right to be the whiny heroine, it would be Emi. Maybe that’s part of the reason I enjoyed this series so much, Emi handles everything thrown at her!

Mindy: I honestly don't know what I would have done in her position in many of those circumstances.

Sarah: I would’ve been admitting myself to the nearest nut house…...She handles her situation with a maturity beyond her years. But then Jack is there to help her along the way, and her amazing family support system.

Mindy: Oh I just love all the family members and how they are such an important and supportive part of the lives of the main characters.

Sarah: The whole series does a wonderful job of weaving all of the characters together. The backstory of how everyone’s lives intertwine makes for an interesting read.

Mindy: It was recommended to me to read the Prequel after reading the trilogy, and I agree! There is a little bit of foreshadowing there.

Sarah: I definitely agree on the foreshadowing. Not only that though, but I feel like the story held more meaning by reading the Prequel last. Knowing what is going to happen in the future makes each interaction with Emi and Nate in the past that much sweeter.

Mindy: Well I'm going to Pay It Forward and scream from the rooftops that people MUST put this series at the top of their TBR lists!

Sarah: I’m not one for fighting, usually I’m a lover….but if you’re not reading this series, you need a swift kick to the rear!! Get in where you fit in peeps!! Pick this one up ASAP!

About the author/links:

After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.

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