This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Verdict: A funny, big-hearted British romance that will also make you cry: a 45-year-old massage therapist and secret screenwriter wins a competition her mother entered her in and falls for the film producer who runs it. Fleur, the mother, steals the show; the only real knocks are a slow start and a romance that could use more page time.
Best for: Readers who want laughter, family and tears in one book, with leads in their forties and fifties.
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️ (one reader calls a scene among the best they’ve read)
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5 — a 3.81 Goodreads average across 412 ratings, 3.52 on StoryGraph from 61 reviews, and 4.5 stars across 135 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Workplace romance, age-appropriate grown-up leads, meddling family, found family, bittersweet.
Lost for Words is Andrea Bramhall’s 2018 contemporary lesbian romance from Ylva, set in Manchester. Sasha Adams lives with her ageing mother, Fleur, works as a massage therapist and spends her time with her best friend, Bobbi — content, if not happy. Then Fleur and Bobbi secretly enter her script in a writing competition run by film producer and director Jac Kensington.
It holds a 3.81 average across 412 Goodreads ratings, with 66% of them four or five stars, 3.52 on StoryGraph from 61 reviews, and 4.5 stars across 135 Amazon ratings.
What Is Lost for Words About?
Jac has spent thirty years perfecting her career with little thought for her personal life. When Sasha wins, her life starts to change beyond recognition — professionally and romantically.
Meddling brings them together; fate, as the blurb warns, has plans of its own.
What Works in This Book
- Fleur: Readers laughed until they cried at Sasha’s embarrassing, scene-stealing mum.
- Humour and heartbreak: Many describe laughing and crying within the same chapter.
- Supporting cast: Bobbi and the wider circle are praised.
- Older leads: Readers enjoyed a love story in the 45–50 age range.
Book Synopsis
A content-enough massage therapist’s secret screenplay is entered into a competition by her meddling mother and best friend.
Winning brings her a new career, a new love and a life on the brink of change.
My Review
Bramhall’s British humour and warmth carry this; even readers who prefer her darker mysteries were won over. The emotional subplot lands hard.
The criticisms are modest. Some wanted more time on Sasha and Jac’s romance, one found Fleur over the top, one felt Jac’s sad backstory added little, and a few found the start slow. At least one reader found Vanessa, Jac’s much younger partner at the outset, insufferable. One reader who wanted a pure comedy felt misled by the blurb.
My honest note: Keep tissues nearby, and maybe don’t read it on a plane.
| Element | In Lost for Words |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Sasha Adams (massage therapist, screenwriter) & Jac Kensington (film producer) |
| Core tropes | Workplace romance, meddling family, bittersweet |
| Setting | Manchester and the film industry |
| Heat level | 🌶️🌶️ |
| Length | 300 pages (about 104,000 words) |
| Tone | Comedy with a heartbreaking subplot |
| Content notes | Cancer, grief |
How Spicy Is Lost for Words?
Moderate. One reader singles out a smoking-hot first kiss and a standout love scene.
Readers mention cancer and loss in the family storyline.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you like British humour with heart. It is on our women over 40 list.
You may want to skip it if: you want a purely light romcom.
In short: Laugh, cry, repeat.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 29% five stars, 37% four, 20% three, 8% two and 4% one. A couple of readers admit to crying in public while reading, and many name Fleur as the standout.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): Fleur first. Second, the humour. Third, the tears. Fourth, the supporting cast.
What readers argue about and complain about: Romance screen time, above everything. Second, a slow start. Third, the marketing as a pure romcom.
The comparison worth making first: Hungry Hearts, another funny, family-centred romance with leads over 40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lost for Words a romcom?
It is billed as a bittersweet romantic comedy, and readers confirm both halves: plenty of laughs, and a heartbreaking subplot that had many in tears. One reader expecting pure comedy was disappointed.
Who is Fleur?
Sasha’s eccentric mother, recovering from cancer. Many readers say she steals the book; one found her over the top.
Is there much angst between the leads?
Very little. Readers say the conflict comes from life and family rather than the couple.
How old are Sasha and Jac?
Sasha is 45 and Jac is around 50; readers enjoyed a romance in that age range.
Is Lost for Words on Kindle Unlimited?
Not when we checked; the Kindle edition was listed at $9.99.
If You Loved Lost for Words, Read These Next
Try Hungry Hearts, or browse our women over 40 list and the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Lost for Words sets out to be a bittersweet romcom about second acts, and it makes readers laugh and cry in equal measure. What holds it back is a little too little romance. Recommended. Check Lost for Words on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Lost for Words ranks as a very good romance — funny, moving.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★★☆ 3.9/5
- ✓ 3.81 average across 412 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 66% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 3.52 on StoryGraph from 61 reviews
- ✓ 4.5 stars across 135 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★★☆ 3.5/5
- ✓ Low angst
- ✓ Grown-up
- ✓ Hot first kiss
- ✓ Needs more page time
Characters ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
- ✓ Scene-stealing Fleur
- ✓ Strong Jac
- ✓ Great supporting cast
- ✓ Annoying Vanessa
Writing ★★★★☆ 3.9/5
- ✓ British humour
- ✓ Well edited
- ✓ Slow start
- ✓ Nods to Nightingale
Emotional Impact ★★★★☆ 4.3/5
- ✓ Laughter and tears
- ✓ Bittersweet
- ✓ Family love
- ✓ Hits home
Heat Level ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- ✓ Moderate
- ✓ Standout scene for one
- ✓ Adult romance
- ✓ Not the focus
Ending ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ Emotional
- ✓ Satisfying for most
- ✓ Tearful
- ✓ Standalone
Re-read Value ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ $9.99 Kindle price
- ✓ 300 pages
- ✓ Reread-worthy for fans
- ✓ Not on Kindle Unlimited
Affiliate disclosure: Lesbian Romance Reads is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. If you buy through the link below we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.