The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke - Review

Where did I get it? I bought it at YA Shot last year and got it signed by Cat Clarke. I was looking for a book on my shelves and came across this and thought I'd add it to August's reading pile. 

What's it about? Faith was four years old when her six year old sister Laurel was kidnapped and never returned. In the thirteen years since, Faith's parents have split up and her dad is living with a man, Michel. Faith is seventeen and has just had sex for the first time with her boyfriend Thomas, when Laurel turns up. She says she was kidnapped by a man named Smith and kept in a basement. She has with her her teddy, Barnaby. She says that Smith dropped her off at her old house but got away. 

Faith meets her sister and the two get close, although there are problems along the way. Faith never seems to be the right kind of daughter that her Mum wants, she isn't sure about her relationship with Thomas, and she feels that Michel is being pushed out of the family because Mum wants everything to be exactly as it was when Laurel went missing. 

This is a quick read and a real page turner. I was dying to know what was going to happen. 

What age range is it for? 14+, it isn't too horrifying

Are any main characters LGBTQ+? Yes, Faith's dad and Michel. Dad is definitely bisexual (yay!) and Faith has always known that. I'm not sure Michel's sexuality is actually stated. 

Are any main characters people of colour? It's not mentioned. 

Are any main characters disabled either mentally or physically? No although clearly Laurel has post-traumatic stress things going on 

Is there any sex stuff? Not really, it isn't at all explicit. There is one sex scene though. 

Are drugs mentioned or used? No

Is there any talk of death? Yes, and it is quite graphic. 

Are there swear words? A few 

Would I recommend the book? Yes, Faith is an excellent central character and I liked her and her family set up a lot. 

How many stars? Eight out of ten.

Where is the book going now? I'll keep it because it's signed to me!