I enjoyed most of this debut from Faye Delacour. The two leads had an interesting backstory, and I appreciated how Eli supported Jane’s goals. I also liked that, in many ways, Eli was a “regular” guy, compared to the main male character in many historical romances. He’s not a duke or an earl. He has to worry about how he’ll earn money. He’s not a Casanova who has been with tons of women. I really appreciated that about him.

Where I felt the book lost its way at times was pacing. Some part of the book dragged and plot points took too long to resolve, but at other times, plot developments came out of nowhere and particular threads were dropped, while others were seen up too neatly. I see these issues as pretty typical for a debut author, however. I’m looking forward to seeing what Delacour does next.

Finally, I loved the cover! No more cartoon illustrations, please!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this historical romance! Delacour has created two delightful protagonists and I hope that some of the secondary characters will get novels of their own, because the framework of the ladies' gambling hell was wonderful and the world engaging. I also loved the early Victorian setting, which is less common than Regency or late Victorian.

i am generally less harsh with historical debuts, so this wasn’t so bad. i gotta be honest though the thing that disappointed me a little and can’t really overlook is that i was expecting a little bit more angst, longing and pining because since the plot certainly indicated a certain level of it but it was relatively low on them. i think i would have preferred the last portion of the book to be less packed with external things and more focused on the romance because whenever eli and jane were on page i loved them a lot!

i like the author’s voice so i will definitely keep my eyes out for her next book because even though it wasn’t what i expected, i still enjoyed myself!

The opening of this book is so strong! Naval officer Eli has been dead for two years after his ship went done. But, whoops, he's not dead after all - just held captive by pirates. His savings have been spent by his family because he was, you know, presumed dead. There's the pesky issue of nullifying his death certificate. And the pesky issue of his fiancé's cousin not believing his story.

Jane's just trying to start a gambling establishment to support herself. Like any plucky young lady would do. Then Eli shows back up and something's off. He broke her heart by proposing to her cousin instead of her, and now he has the nerve to try and get in her good graces.

What a lovely historical romance! Jane is a wonderfully self-reliant woman and Eli is ready to do anything for her. Both are navigating family dynamics - Eli's parents are badly matched and he's constantly trying to soothe their conflicts, and Jane and her brother (*shakes fist at that brother*) are orphans who've been taken in by their uncle. Jane's cousin (who Eli was engaged to, but is now married elsewhere) is also a source of tension.

And there's romantic tension. Jane wants Eli, but doesn't want to want him, and Eli just wants her. There's financial tension. Jane's trying to run a card club to support herself, Eli's only source of income is the Navy. These are characters in the upper class, but definitely not the "money is no object" set.

It's a really strong debut and was a pleasure to read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I saw the enthusiasm for this book and promptly requested on Netgalley. While it sounded promising, it fell a little flat for me. Everything else overshadowed the romance.
I liked the beginning of the book where we get to learn about the premise of the story. But it felt like nothing else happened. The coming back of Eli felt like news in every chapter. Jane, on the other hand, while I understood where she was coming from, I felt like she was clinging too much to the fact that he kissed her cousin back when he was 18. And had no idea of her feelings towards him.
I liked the uncle - he was a refreshing character.

This is, unfortunately, a dnf for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was such a wonderful debut from Delacour! From the very opening page, the author establishes the humor and tone of the book and what follows is a delightful story filled with fun supporting characters and a beautiful love story between two childhood best friends.
Eli and Jane were close friends and a young Jane was waiting for the moment Eli would finally make his intentions known. But in a cruel twist of fate, he compromises Jane's jealous, petty cousin and ends up engaged to her.
Eli immediately enlists in the navy before going through with the marriage and is declared dead after a shipwreck. When he returns, years later, his once betrothed is already married to someone else but it's Jane whose good graces he wants back in on. But Jane is not so quick to forgive and forget.
I loved how real all of these characters felt. The stakes weren't always very high but they were realistic. Jane didn't want to forgive Eli so easily because she would never live it down to be seen as his second choice after his failed engagement to her cousin. Eli didn't want to leave his career in the navy (even though Jane desperately wanted him to) simply because he needed a paycheck and his other option was living with his parents who were constantly fighting. Those are such small but realistic motivations. There was no need for life and death stakes; readers can understand the motivations of wanting to hold on to your pride or wanting to live peacefully away from toxic family dynamics. Even our villain, Jane's cousin, ends up being "redeemed" in a realistic way. The two simply have a talk about how they make each other feel and they both try to be better towards each other.
In this book we meet Jane's best friend Della and her young sister in law, who I foresee becoming heroines of their own stories in this series. I can't wait!

This is Faye Delacour's debut novel; it's a friends-to-lovers romance by way of unrequited love (I wouldn't really say there's an enemies aspect, especially if the enmity is so one-sided). Jane had feelings for Eli which she thought he reciprocate back in the day, then he was caught in a compromising position with her cousin and they were engaged before Eli was lost at sea. I'm gonna be honest: I did not expect the level of resentment Jane showed Eli once he reappeared, but here's my thing: Eli does not owe Jane anything. All he ever did was treat her like a friend before he was caught with her cousin (regardless of what he tells Jane later in the book about his feelings for her before the shipwreck, which I did not find very convincing), and what more, the cousin ultimately married someone else and Eli obviously doesn't feel anything for the cousin anymore. I'm very careful when it comes to checking my biases regarding "unlikeable" heroines or unlikeable things heroines do, and look, unhappiness over unrequited love is natural (though I'm always a bit annoyed when heroines are insecure about their appearance and compare themselves to other women like Jane constantly does with her cousin), but I'd be equally irritated with a hero if he behaved in a similarly rude manner towards his heroine, as if she owed him something.

That being said, I did find it funny when Jane's resentment towards Eli took a turn and she actively started questioning what he was up to during the years he disappeared and was ostensibly kidnapped by pirates, purely out of spite. Does she come across as a narc? Yes, but it's also kind of hysterical when she's interrogating him in front of his navy boss or a bunch of society ladies and he's anxiously trying to communicate through his gaze for her to Shut Up. However, her words do end up having actual consequences, namely, him getting court-martialed for possible desertion.

Eli and Jane begin a no-strings attached affair by the middle of the book, however, Jane is still under the impression he could never want her long-term, and that she will always be seen as second best to her cousin (who also fans the flames with her constant need to put Jane down and her insistence that Eli still has feelings for her), which is admittedly rough to read. There is also the ladies gambling club that Jane is trying to start with a friend, but I feel that subplot was mostly set aside as Jane became entangled with Eli once more.

The sex:

There are actually two instances of the rare male masturbation scenes in historical romance in this book; the second one immediately follows dry-humping and Eli can't wait anymore before jerking off in front of Jane. The good thing is, he reciprocates very thoroughly. There is also some surprise virgin rep, which I did appreciate.

Overall:

While this book wasn't quite for me, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a friends-to-lovers historical romance that is very much a slow-burn as far as feelings go.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Rating: 3.5/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5

I would like to thank netgalley and Sourcebooks for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable. I loved the fmc's card club business and that they all went to Ascot.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Lady He Lost from NetGalley for an impartial review. Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable debut historical romance. Definitely a good comp for readers who like Evie Dunmore. The romance is both tender and steamy, the misunderstandings are believable and don't overstay their welcome, and Delacour strikes the very difficult balance of making the time period feel specific and lived in, but not belabored. I'll look out for future books by this author!

I picked this up on a whim as I am usually pretty picky with historical romance and man I am so glad I did. I love a romance that has been brewing for years so this really worked for me and I love an HR that has a gaming hell backdrop. I was so rooting for Jane here, it was so easy and I am very excited to see where we go from her because there are certainly other characters primed for their own happy ending!

I had high hopes for this one, given the positive of reviews of it that I'd seen, but it was ultimately disappointing. I just didn't feel like there was enough development of these characters or their relationship. And also the plot was pretty lackluster; it sort of just meanders for most of the book, and then a lot--too much--happens towards the end that really strains credulity.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

4 stars

No one wanted an orphaned lady without any dowry for a wife. Much less one who aspires to run a clandestine gambling club…

Straight-laced lady Jane Bishop wants to start an all-female gambling club to ensure the state of her financial future. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done when her long-lost love comes back and wreaks havoc on her life.

Lt. Eli Williams appears out of nowhere after being pronounced dead for two years; shipwrecked and captured by pirates. Eli holds a life-changing secret that could leave a devastating impact on those around him. He must, first, try to win Jane's trust and love back before it's too late. Love and admiration reconnect Jane and Eli, making “the lady he lost”, “the lady he found”.

Pros:

- Well-written story
- Love Eli and Jane
- Some spicy moments
- All female gambling club

Cons:

- I hated one of the characters - very catty woman (Cecily)
- I wish it had more steam (I like a lot of steam and spice in my books)

Overall, I give this book 4 stars. Great debut novel by Faye Delacour. I look forward to reading more of her books! Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this free arc in exchange for my honest review. The book debuts April 2nd, 2024.

I have enjoyed this book thus far, but I am doing very poorly, mentally, and need to read something that is a better distraction. I fully intend on returning to this book when I am feeling a bit better.

Jane was heartbroken when the man she loved compromised her cousin and quickly got engaged. She was devastated when she found out he was lost at sea. She was shocked when he arrived back from the dead, free of his engagement (her cousin had remarried), and expecting Jane to welcome him back with open arms…

I loved this book. Right from the premise I knew I was going to love this book and the author did not do me wrong. Eli was an idiot and had to grovel, love that. Jane made him work for it, love that. I enjoined both Jane and Eli as separate characters with different goals and I was fully rooting for them to work through their issues. I fully fell in love with them.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a fun plot. Our leading lady has given up on the idea of marriage and seeks financial freedom by starting a gambling club for ladies. However, a wrench is thrown into her carefully planned future when her past love comes back from the "dead" after going MIA when his military ship was attacked by pirates. This book was a bit "overseasoned" where there were too many plot plots like a jealous cousin, selfish brother, political problems, secrets, pirates, and more. I wish some of the points were tabled and the romance was more fleshed out.

4.25 stars

I loved reading this book! I’m a friends to lovers girl at heart and it’s harder to find in historical romance. So I was thrilled when I saw what this book was about and instantly knew I had to read it. This has easily become my second favorite historical romance, my favorite still being A Lady for a Duke (which also features a main character coming back from supposedly being dead during military service and friends to lovers… so I’m sensing a bit of a pattern).

I loved Eli and Jane’s chemistry. The dual POV was great and both of them dancing around each other and pining was delicious. It was really fun seeing them interact and Jane trying to resist him while all Eli wanted to do is win her back. I do feel like the way they finally got together was a bit anticlimactic after everything they’d been through but I guess it’s more about the journey than the destination in this case

It felt like the side plots of Eli’s desertion trial and Jane trying to get money for the club were both wrapped up super quickly and easily in the final part of the book. I know that it’s a historical romcom and not supposed to be realistic, but I did want it to at least be believable. I also really wanted Cecily to get what was coming to her in the end because she sucked and was not super satisfied with that aspect of the story but oh well.

Overall this was a very lighthearted and fun book and I had a great time reading it. Many of my favorite tropes were combined so I had pretty high expectations and I was not disappointed. Definitely would recommend to people looking for a historical romance. I’ll be looking forward to whatever Faye Delacour puts out next.

Loved reading the entertaining and engaging romance story. When Eli returns from the dead, Jane doesn't want anything to do with him. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

There’s no greater feeling than stumbling across a book that makes you remember why you love reading and that to be in the presence of great books is one of life’s greatest privileges. And, undoubtedly The lady he lost was that book for me.