“Lost in the Beehive,” the latest novel from author Michele Young-Stone, is set to release in early April, and to celebrate Downtown Books is throwing a launch party on Friday, April 6.

The book is Outer Banks resident Young-Stone’s third published novel and her second from Simon & Schuster.

“Lost in the Beehive” is set in the 1960s and examines the power of friendship, love and accepting your past in order to find a future.

Publisher’s Weekly called it “emotionally rewarding” and it has gotten glowing reviews from Booklist and Kirkus Reviews, as well.

“I got lost in the story,” said Jamie Anderson, owner of Downtown Books. “The characters are so vivid it almost read like a memoir to me, in the vein of Jeannette Walls’ ‘The Glass Castle’ or ‘Just Kids’ by Patti Smith. I think this will be Michele’s break-out book and can’t wait to share it with the Outer Banks.”

The Downtown Books launch party is open to the public and will kick off at 6 p.m. on April 6.

Young-Stone will be on hand to meet and greet friends and sign books. A special toast to and reading by the author will take place at 7 p.m.

Outer Banks Distilling will also be on hand with a tasting table featuring its Pecan and Honey Kill Devil Rum.

Young-Stone has also recently re-published her first novel, “The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors,” which takes place partly on the Outer Banks and those will be available for sale as well.

Downtown Books is located at 105 Sir Walter Raleigh St. in Manteo.