Samantha O'Sullivan, a fiercely independent thirty-two-year-old businesswoman, has built a thriving consultancy, SOS Management, fuelled by her late father's belief in her and her own relentless drive. But beneath her polished exterior and sharp wit lies a woman grappling with grief over her mother's sudden death, burnout from her workaholic lifestyle, and an unrelenting inner critic she calls Karen.
When a tipsy, ego-driven bidding war at a charity auction for Jersey Cheshire Home lands her a spot on a ten-day trek through Vietnam's rugged countryside, Samantha's life takes an unexpected turn. Trading her beloved Jimmy Choo stilettos for hiking boots, she embarks on a journey that's as much about self-discovery as it is about surviving the jungle.
With no natural aptitude for trekking, Samantha's preparation is a comedy of errors: early-morning walks in pouring rain, a humiliating swimming pool defeat by a woman walking laps, and a catastrophic "poonami" incident that leaves her mortified. Her training is further complicated by Karen's snarky commentary, workplace betrayals orchestrated by her former mentee, Lorena (aka the Lousy Dosser), and nagging suspicions of early menopause, prompted by a colleague's offhand remark and her own hypochondriac tendencies.
A disastrous attempt to find a walking partner through a misinterpreted personal ad yields 12,456 emails (many with unsolicited photos), forcing her to join group hikes where she meets James, a charming lawyer with a knack for spotting her Patagonia price tags, and reconnects with Kev, her ex and "the one who got away," now a private investigator uncovering corporate sabotage at SOS.
As Samantha trains for the trek, she battles blisters, self-doubt, and the emotional weight of her losses. The Vietnam trek itself is a gruelling test of endurance, filled with mishaps like getting lost on a mountainside with Lorena, who she learns isn't the villain she imagined. Through heartfelt conversations, Samantha finds closure, forgives past grudges, and reconnects with her mother's memory.
The journey culminates in a joyous reunion with Kev, who flies to Hanoi after a drunken late-night call, sparking a rekindled romance and a proposal that promises a new chapter. Alongside new friends like James and his partner Richie, she discovers that getting lost in the chaos of life is the first step to finding love, purpose, and herself.
Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, Lost and Found: The Misadventures of a Reluctant Trekker is a vibrant tale of resilience, friendship, and transformation. Donna Abel's debut novella blends fierce wit, raw emotion, and the candour of a best friend's oversharing, making it a must-read for anyone who's ever stumbled, literally or figuratively, on the path to rediscovery.
Perfect for readers who love: Humorous memoirs like Wild by Cheryl Strayed, heartfelt stories of grief and healing, and laugh-out-loud adventures with quirky characters.
Key Themes: Grief, self-discovery, resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances at love.
Length: Novella
