The Last Lieutenant is an emotional and a heartfelt story. I enjoyed reading about Evan and Diana story. It's a well written and has a good story-line. I was a engaged from the beginning to the end.
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for letting me read this story. I read and reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

This one took me a while to really appreciate. The first few chapters build the characters up and create their story - which you will need as the story continues. I love the ending and I love how the relationship builds up to something beautiful. A very well-written story that supports the timeframe in which it is set.

"I think he's finally realized that nobility starts in the heart, not in the pedigree. It's a matter of action, not standing."

What a delightful Regency romance with a hefty dose of intrigue and suspense! I've always enjoyed Erica Vetsch's writing but have only read her novellas in different collections. This is my first full-length novel by the author and I'm definitely coming back for the second book in the series! The plot is fascinating, the slow build-up in the intrigue is quite delicious, the characters are truly charming, and the writing is fun and witty. If you enjoy well-written historical romance, particularly those set in Regency England, you will fall in love with this book and the characters.

Evan is a war-hero who is steadfast, loyal, and faithful even if he's struggling with memory loss and PTSD. He's awarded an earldom for his bravery on the battlefield. Diana is a sweet, intelligent, and creative daughter of a duke who's never been loved or cherished. As Evan and Diana get thrown into a life together, their secrets and fears emerge and collide. The slow-building suspense about what Evan can't quite remember from the battlefield is perfectly interspersed with sweetness from Evan and Diana's budding relationship, revolting threats from Diana's own family members, and comical and well-timed meddling from the Prince Regent himself. These two wounded hearts and souls find a safe harbor in each other and in God's grace. Marcus, Evan's friend, is a great secondary character in this story and I am looking forward to his story in The Gentleman Spy (book 2 in this Serendipity & Secrets series).

I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publications via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved it. The characters were so real. I felt for Evan and the head-spinning turn of events he was thrust into. I appreciated Marcus taking him under his wing to help him acclimate to being an Earl with all the accompanying expectations, but perhaps there was more to Marcus wanting to be close to Evan. I am excited to read more about Marcus in the next book. Then there's Diana. She's an amazing woman with a heart of gold who happens to have an abusive, scoundrel father and brother. It was beautiful watching her flourish once she was out of their vicinity. Together, Evan and Diana have an amazing way with tired, "used-up" people and animals. I hope there'll be more on all this, in particular Shand and the "spike-tongued housekeeper."

I enjoy Regency novels and learned more about the times and some of the traditions in this book. It was a delight to read and I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Kregel Publications for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

"One did not say no to the Prince Regent." This is the line that this entire book is based on.
I had never read anything by Erica Vetsch. This tale was so interesting and really showed that the 'lost lieutenant' was really only lost for a bit but was truly the 'found lieutenant'. All through the events that he had no control over he grew and became a man who handled his sudden rise to nobility with grace, wisdom and kindness.

The characters in the book were so full and complete. They all melded together and moved the story along seamlessly. I loved the connection that Evan and Diana had from the beginning and how knew knew right away that he was her protector. Diana was also a protector of her nephew and proved it by the risks she took. I also loved the mystery aspect.

I only have one thing I didn't care for and that was the cover. I've seen many people have loved.it. It just doesn't seem to present Evan as a man who as strong and caring. but as a prissy character, which he most certainly is not. I am sure it must have been the dress of the time period though.

I truly enjoyed the book. and would definitely recommend it. I will read Ms. Vetsch again
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and JustRead Tours. These are my honest thoughts.

How do I even begin?

I was a little nervous going in to this one. See, I’d only read a couple of westerns by Mrs. Vetsch. Sometimes the quality of books, the attention to detail, lags a bit in the first book exploring a new genre for an author. Rest assured, my friends, that was not at all the case with this author. This Regency era novel perfectly captured the time period, including the settings, costumes, and the hierarchy of the British nobility.

The people populating this fictional world Mrs. Vetsch created were fantastic, even those I found rightfully abhorrent. From the leads (Diana and Evan) to the supporting characters (Louisa, Shand, Marcus, Cian, and Beth) to the antagonists (who I’ll keep secret for you to discover for yourself), they each brought something important and unique to the story. Because their personalities popped off the page so well, I was completely engrossed in their journeys, good and bad and every twist and turn in between. Of course, the hope for certain somebodies to find their fictional comeuppance kept me flipping those virtual pages quickly. But it was the hope strung throughout that kept my heart so intimately connected to the journey of the leads to the very end.

Newlyweds’ stories are typically tough for me to read, because often they come with details I’d rather not read about. Not so, my friends! Mrs. Vetsch perfectly handled the newlywed angle, steering clear of the intimacies yet creating such wonderful empathy that those moments that found the newlyweds quite alone became some of my favorites for how special and sweet they were. This book is definitely a newlyweds-done-right story that hit the sweet spot my clean-romance-loving heart craves so much.

Okay, may I just say that the war horses were amazing? Happy sigh! I adored how the author used these precious steeds. I wish I could say more, but this portion of the story is definitely best discovered on one’s own. Check out the book to see just how amazing these horses were.

The timing of reading about these horses was perfect too, because I just finished reading Joey by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley, which was about a blind horse that became a therapy equine. What an emotional book! If you have the opportunity, go ahead and read that book right before or after The Lost Lieutenant. I believe these books pair up well, even though they’re set in vastly different eras.

Content: alcohol, gambling

Awesome story! This is the first book I've read by Erica Vetsch. The characters were loveable and the storyline engaging. Sort of a marriage of convenience plotline...but more marriage by royal decree. The memory loss aspect of this story lent an air of mystery and intrigue and it was sometimes humorous reading of a common person navigating the waters of high society for the first time. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

The Lost Lieutenant is the first book I’ve read by Erica Vetsch. I enjoyed the blend of the historical time period, a blossoming romance and faith woven together in this beautiful read.

When Evan Eldridge saves the life of a peer on the field of battle, he watches as this one event changes the landscape of his life overnight. Now the Earl of Whitelock, Evan has to learn to adjust to a new title, deal with a derelict estate, a stranger for a bride and navigating the reality of the trauma he experienced in war. With the realization that he is missing something important from his memories, can he figure out what it is before it’s too late?

Diana, is thrust into marriage with a stranger. After living so long under the cruel thumb of her father and brother, she is reluctant to open her heart to her new husband the Earl of Whitelock. As the pair work together to repair the rundown estate, navigate their new relationship and the twists and turns of a dastardly plot - it’s a story that will keep you turning page after page.

A wonderful read, I look forward to Book 2 in the Serendipity & Secrets series.

A big thank you to Kregel Publications (Independent Publishers Group) for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #TheLostLieutenant #Goodreads

What a beautiful regency romance novel. My first experience with Erica Vetsch's writing and it was written so well. Diane was a lived although a privilege life, a life missing a lot of family fundamentals and relationships. With a father who only sees her as a roadblock to getting his hands on a fortune, why would she know any better for a male role model. Until she meets Evan.
I love the connection that they have from the beginning, the shyness of each character and the protectiveness that they show for what is right and just.
Thank you for my free ARC, it won't be the last time that I read this author.

I always look forward to Erica Vetsch’s novels. I, unfortunately, have not had time to read novels like I have wanted to. I’m so glad I took the time to read The Lost Lieutenant!

Vetsch has done a great job in her research, not only into the Regency period but also the feelings and emotions of the people who lived them.

Diana Seaton has a cruel father. He obviously never wanted a daughter, and never lost an opportunity in digs, slights and other ways of letting Diana know his feelings. I could really empathize with Diana. Even though my father wasn’t quite as cruel as Diana’s, my father was sometimes cruel. He, too, wanted a boy and was extremely disappointed when his first child, me, was a girl (hence my name!).

Evan Eldridge was a war hero, much to his dismay. The Prince Regent promoted him to the ranks of nobility, leaving Evan upset and disgruntled. I could also understand Evan’s feelings. I would rather be a regular everyday person than one in a position of “privilege”.

Vetsch pulls you into the roller coaster named The Lost Lieutenant and does not let go until the end of the story. She paints vivid word pictures, putting you right in the scene. Her characters run the gamut from kind, charismatic and loving to cruel, hedonistic and evil, which creates a thoroughly captivating novel.

I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to write a review.

The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

This well-paced and lovely story from Erica Vetsch is one that will have readers coming back to read it again given the excellent characters and the wonderful plot lines.

There are so many directions one can go in when writing a “regency” type book and Ms. Vetsch chose a good one. She begins her story with a young woman named Diana who is trying desperately to keep her infant nephew safe. Her sister, Catherine, was assaulted during her season in London and died giving birth, but not before extracting Diana’s promise to take care of Cian as her own. Diana’s father had hoped to make a great deal of money with the match he was lining up for Catherine and is still raging about being thwarted. He had turned his attention to Diana now and has told her that he will choose a man for her who will give him what he wants in exchange for giving over his daughter. Resigned to her fate but praying for a miracle, Diana prepares herself to be presented at court and endure her coming first Season. At the same time, a young Lieutenant who is recovering from devastating wounds received during a battle in Spain against Napoleon receives summons from the Prince Regent to be rewarded for his valor. Evan Eldridge only wants to serve his country and live a quiet life. But everything will change when the Prince rewards him with more than he ever wanted. His new title of Earl of Whitelock comes with money, lands and responsibilities that Evan is not sure what to do with. Thankfully, Marcus Haverly, the second son of the Duke of Haverly is kind enough to befriend Evan and offers to help him navigate his new life. Having never been a man of society before, Evan takes Marcus’ words as law and sets out to make a good show of his new position. His actions are good and draw the attention of the Prince Regent once more, putting yet another surprise in his path – marriage. Diana cannot believe that the Prince Regent cares enough about her or Evan to propose that they wed one another. But one doesn’t say no to the Prince, even when he is arranging your life. Marriage to Evan will allow Diana to keep her nephew safe but only if she gives over her inheritance to her father. But his demands on her money will be overcome when the Prince tells Evan of the money that comes with her. Terrified of what her father will do, Diana secrets Cian away from her father’s house after the wedding and doesn’t tell Evan who he is. Determined to make good with his new life, Evan packs everything and everyone up to make their way to White Haven, his new Sussex estate. He cannot believe that he has such a lovely wife and he hopes they will be able to become friends in spite of their awkward beginning. Diana is determined to make good with her marriage too, and turns her mind and talents for decorating to the estate in much need of repair. Building their house into a home will help both Evan and Diana see the best sides of each other and how much each is willing to invest into their life together. It will bring them closer together and teach them that trusting each other is not a sacrifice to be made but a joy to embrace. But there are matters at work that create danger for them and for the Prince. Will Evan be able to recall the lost memories from battle that are so vital to the Prince’s safety? And will the dangerous happenings cause tragedy to spill over into his and Diana’s new lives? Much will be decided during the Prince’s visit and it will take a miracle to keep everyone safe through it all. I loved the way this story was crafted. New surprises revealed at just the right time and an underlying tension that added good depth to the story. I’m always a fan of arranged marriage stories because it becomes the choice of those involved as to whether they will allow love to grow. The characters that Ms. Vetsch created were also very well done and realistic. I liked that she let them have a clear voice and real feelings while also making them strong characters, willing to take on injustice for others. The only slight issue I had with the story was that the revelation and subsequent end of the plot of danger to the Prince was a bit rushed. I would have preferred that it was better developed over more pages to really make it fit with the story. But other than that, I really enjoyed the book and will be recommending it to others. I’m also looking forward to reading Marcus’ story next, which is supposedly coming out later this year.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Kregel Publications via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

I received a copy of this as an ARC from netgalley. This was a charming book about two people who were brought together because of circumstances out of their control. Evan Eldridge, a lieutenant during the war with Napoleon, saved the life of the Godson of the prince regent. As a reward, the prince makes him a title, money and an estate. In addition, the prince regent also arranged for him to marry a young woman, Diana Seton, who had just made her debut. This young woman was under the thumb of her cruel father and older brother. Throughout the story, these two come together to repair the rundown estate that Evan was awarded, navigate their own relationship and foil a plot to assassinate the prince.

I enjoyed reading about Diana and Evan’s relationship. It was endearing how much they grew to care about each other even though their relationship didn’t start in the most conventional manner. I also particularly enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story. Overall a charming story that is well worth the read!

The marriage of convenience trope is my absolute favorite and then once you set it in Regency England, I'm alll over it. So when I saw The Lost Lieutenant on NetGalley, I had to get it.

And it did not disappoint. Dashing, handsome, protective hero Evan who has peerage thrust upon him. Delightful Diana who escaped a marriage to a horrible man, but is now all of a sudden in a marriage with a man she doesn't know, thanks to the involvement of the Prince Regent.

Thankfully for people like me, there is no shortage of books like these. So with that being said, it's hard to be completely original when so many books in a similar vein have gone before. But even though we know they'll end up together and the twists and turns were fairly predictable, the characters were delightful, the tension between them was exactly what you want in a story like this, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Definitely recommend if you like Regency Romance books.

What a wonderful book!! This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. I've heard so many great things about this book and loved the cover, so I knew I had to read it. I was completely intrigued from the first chapter. I love Regency Romance and this book is now one of my favorites. The marriage of convenience story line was different than any I've read before. I really enjoyed the romance, mystery, faith and the strong characters. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

This book was absolutely delightful. The characters were engaging, the story intriguing, and the pacing excellent. I remained engaged and interested throughout the story.

I find it hard to say too much without revealing spoilers, but I guess I will say that I would happily read other books by this author.

Thank you publishers and Netgalley for a free e-ARC.

The Lost Lieutenant was a fast-paced read that I had little trouble getting into. A lot of Christian fiction can be written in a bland, boring, tedious style but this book was pretty full of life and action. However, there were several things I didn't love about it. :P I'll talk about some of those and then get into the nicer part of the review—the things I did like!

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

-I didn't really like any of the characters (with the possible exception of Marcus—interested in reading the next book in the series, which focuses on him!). Diana did have a spark of life to her but Evan felt kinda cliched. I know that Christian historical romance almost always follows certain tropes and character archetypes, but I just never 'got' most of the characters.
-The Prince Regent, while an interesting character on-page, was used a bit too much as a deus ex machina in my opinion. (Without getting into spoilers.)
-There was the annoying 'she lied to me, so now I'm not going to talk to her' thing. *shrugs*

WHAT I DID LIKE:

-Diana's penchant for making lists was highly relatable. And Diana, overall, was actually a pretty good heroine.
-Marcus was a great character! The typical 'guy best friend' character at first, but there's more to him than meets the eye.
-The story was fast-paced/interesting/high stakes enough to keep me reading. If you're looking for Christian historical romance with more excitement than usual, this is probably the book for you.
-It's an arranged marriage book, done reasonably well.
-Diana's questions about whether or not God really heard her were also relatable and I wish the author had done more with that.

If you're a fan of the historical romance genre, I would recommend The Lost Lieutenant! It's not without its faults, but the (mostly) quick pacing and good writing/research make this a somewhat more unique offering in the genre.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Kregel Publications, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

I found this Regency romance enthralling and I would definitely read more by this author.
A young highborn woman feels helpless as her controlling father prepares to put her on the marriage market. Her father hopes to gain control of her inheritance by striking a bargain with her future husband, and Diana feels she must go along with his wishes. Her biggest concern is the fate of her dead sister's illegitimate child who she has sworn to protect - and whom her father has threatened to send to an orphanage.
Meanwhile Evan is a leiutenant recovering from his wounds in the Spanish war. He only wants to regain the use of his leg and remember what happened on the day that he was injured so that he can return to his unit. But a sudden request to appear at court by the Prince Regent sends Evan down a very different path.
I greatly enjoyed this Regency romance. At times I felt the author was a little to heavy handed with the use of Regency terms. Diana's faith filled thoughts seemed a bit forced at first, but flowed better as the book went along. I really enjoyed the slow building love story between Evan and Diana as they were forced into a relationship by the Prince Regent and then gradually get to know each other and fall in love. There is also a mystery to be solved and some dasterdly characters to be disposed of along the way.
I would defnitely recommend this to fans of Regency Romance who enjoy learning more about the language of that time. I would especially recommend it if they enjoy an inspirational flavor along the lines of books by Julie Klassen.

Another situation where the description is accurate but gave me a different impression of what the book would be about.

Evan is wounded in battle. He's suffering from memory loss as well as PTSD (which wasn't known or understood at this time). He doesn't remember saving Percival's life. He doesn't remember the battle. He just has flashes from time to time with a sense of urgency that he doesn't understand. He doesn't even know if the flashes are real. Evan starts out in a hospital recovering from his injuries when he receives word that the Prince Regent wants to honor him and to present himself at court.

Diana is headed to London for her first Season. Her father and brother are going to attempt to sell her off to the highest bidder with plans to split Diana's inheritance from her grandmother with her husband. Diana's father and brother are the worst sorts of people, and her father specifically is using Diana's nephew (born out of wedlock to her older sister who died during childbirth) as leverage to get Diana to do what he wants.

Diana and Evan meet at court where Diana is presented and Evan is named the new Earl of Whitelock. The two are thrown together in a few chance situations. Diana is goddaughter to the Prince Regent and Evan is the Prince's newest favorite person. The Prince decides to play matchmaker and basically requires the two to marry. Where both are in many ways resistant to the plan (it foils their own plans for their lives), they both know that you can't say no to the Prince Regent.

Evan and Diana travel to their new (to them) estate which is essentially falling apart with the mission of getting it ready for a royal visit. They have to hire a staff, make the repairs to the estate, get the estate functioning (the prior Earl of Whitelock has been dead for 20 years), as well as navigate their new marriage. On top of that, Evan has to figure out why his memories (what little he has) feel so urgent, and they have to settle the issue of Diana's illegitimate nephew.

I loved this book. Each piece of it. The forced marriage. The restoration of the estate. The mystery behind Evan's memory. The side characters--particularly Marcus. (I cannot be more thrilled to get my hands on his story, and if it were available now I would purchase it and read it immediately.) And the conclusion. I found each part of this story enthralling. I wanted to keep reading every time I had to put it down. And I will be stalking The Gentleman Spy.

I loved both Evan and Diana. Each character had strengths to bring to the marriage and story. Each character had thorough backstories and came alive off the page. I enjoyed their journey. I found the estate restoration, Evan's side projects, and the mystery of the original battle that sparked everything into motion intriguing. The side characters were enriching. They added depth. Marcus is a favorite, but also Shand. Percival and Fitzroy, as well as Duke Seaton, were all characters I enjoyed hating. And the Prince Regent brought a little humor in to liven things up. I appreciated God being worked into the story in a way that felt authentic and not forced. And I am absolutely going to stalk book 2 in the series until I get my hands on it. The Lost Lieutenant gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read The Lost Lieutenant? What did you think? Let me know!

Too much unnecessary drama for me, it wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't a fan of the Prince regent either.

This is a fun read! I believe this is Ms. Vetsch's debut book, and she starts out strong. Diana must please her angry father to protect her young nephew. Evan must keep hidden a secret that could see him locked away. Both must please their prince, which means a marriage of convenience and a whole lot of inconvenience along the way.

The characters are likeable and entertaining, the story is fairly well-paced, and it kept my interest. Occasionally there were some plotlines that were a little more dependent on "suspended belief" than I like, but overall the story was fun. I am interested in the second book coming, as Marcus has swiftly become one of my favorites in the story.

Rated PG-13 for some violence
--little cursing
--some violence but little gore
--no sexual content shown, though some innuendo and intense situations--I would still consider this a clean read

I received this ebook free from NetGalley in return for an honest review.