The Secrets of Lost Stones - Melissa Payne - A Short Summary and Review
The Secrets of Lost Stones - Melissa Payne - A Short Summary and Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A short summary:
The Secrets of Lost Stones centers on the aftermath of a tragedy and the slow, deliberate work of healing that follows. As characters grapple with grief and unanswered questions, the story focuses on tying up emotional loose ends rather than sensationalizing loss.
Through small discoveries and human connections, the novel shows how people move forward, not by erasing pain, but by learning how to carry it. The pacing is calm and reflective, allowing resolution to emerge organically rather than forcefully.
My favorite quote from the book:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My review:
This is an easy book to settle into, with characters that are immediately likable and accessible. There’s comfort in its familiarity, Payne writes in a way that invites the reader in without asking for emotional acrobatics.
What I appreciated most is how approachable the story is. The characters are easy to root for, the emotional stakes are clear, and the journey toward healing feels sincere rather than rushed. It’s the kind of book you can read without bracing yourself, trusting that it wants to leave you in a gentler place than where it found you.
The Secrets of Lost Stones is simply easy to enjoy, thoughtful, warm, and quietly affirming.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
✨ #TakeTheBackRoads
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