The Lost Passenger may be one of the best historical novels I have ever read!
Elinor Hayward is only seventeen when she meets the aristocratic Frederick Coombes at a dinner party. A smart girl, she is still naive about society because she derives all her ideas about love and marriage from the pages of novels by Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Thomas Hardy. When Freddie, the heir of Lord Storton, courts her, Elinor assumes it is for love. Even her normally shrewd father, the wealthy "cotton king" of Manchester, believes she is making a good marriage.
Elinor learns too late that her new family is cash-poor and orchestrated the marriage for the sole purpose of shoring up their estate with her father's money. They do all they can to erase their plebian daughter-in-law, from correcting her table manners and accent to keeping her away from her baby son, Teddy. Elinor is wretched and too ashamed to tell her beloved father the truth.
When he surprises her with the gift of a family trip on the new ocean liner, Titanic, Elinor is thrilled to have even a few weeks away from her horrible in-laws. For the first time, she can spend as much time as she likes with Teddy and introduce him to the grandfather he never knew. An unexpected bonus is the last-minute substitution of Molly Mortimer, a Manchester girl traveling to New York to live with relatives she has never met, as her maid.
Elinor's brief happiness ends when the "unsinkable" ship hits an iceberg. She and Teddy end up on a lifeboat. Somehow Molly doesn't make it. Both Freddie and Elinor's father perish as well.
On board the Carpathia and bound for New York, Elinor makes a brave decision. She will take Molly's name and disappear.
Suddenly, the young woman who has been rich all her life finds herself living poor on the Lower East Side of New York City with her toddler son in a small tenement apartment with five strangers. How she manages to survive and thrive with her new family is a fascinating story.
Elinor is a wonderful character as are so many others in this richly detailed book. My only complaint is that the story had to end. (384 pages flew by and I still wanted more!) I would recommend The Lost Passenger to anyone who enjoyed Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs, the novels of Belva Plain or Betty Smith and those enthralled by stories about the Titanic. I will definitely look for more novels by Frances Quinn.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read a free advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Elinor Coombes lives a privileged life, enviable from afar. Her reality is a loveless marriage, a cheating husband, a household who shows only disrespect and a baby boy destined for a bleak, loveless life ahead, isolated from his mother. On a transatlantic journey aboard the Titanic fate gives her a second chance. Holding tight to her son Teddy, she survives and makes a decision that will alter the future of many. Posing as Molly, her maid, she is welcomed into the family who lives in a Manhattan tenement and finds herself working at tasks she never attempted and leading a life she never imagined. Elinor/Molly lives a lie and when she is faced with exposure, she prepares to flee. Frances Quinn’s writing is so good that one can hear, see and feel all that her protagonist experiences from the screams of the dying to the homes of the living and the fear and tension of being discovered.

If you’re a Titanic fan then you’ll probably love this one as much as I did. I’ve read dozens of historical fiction novels surrounding this fascinating (and devastating) disaster and this one had a super interesting premise. I enjoyed getting to know our main character for the first part of the book (tho not a super deep dive - this isn’t a character driven novel) & see how British aristocratic life was from her point of view. The chapters on the actual sinking were gripping and then the second half of the book about her life in New York were super interesting too. Love the good ‘ole American dream! The very last page made me cry!

Elinor’s Dad promised her first class accommodations on the new ship being built The Titanic. The only child of a self made wealthy cotton manufacturer she was conned into a marriage to a pedigree but poor upper class family who sought her out only to help save their estate and bear them a son who would carry on the family traditions.
After Elinor has her son and she quickly realizes the future is quite bleak for her. When the first class tickets arrive for her and her immediate family she skillfully talks her husband into the trip of a lifetime by using some bribery that she had been subjected to and knew that her husband would want her secrets kept.
The events leading up to the tragedy on the Titanic and the quick thinking of Elinor in the aftermath of the situation and what Elinor decides to do about her life after her and her beloved son Teddy are spared is quite heroic.
Thank you to NetGalley for ARC of this wonderful book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Elinor was shocked to learn her partner married her for her money. When she gets a chance to travel on a ship, she is so excited. When the ship sinks, Elinor gets an idea to take another individuals identity. A nice read.

This is so much more than another "Titanic" story. Elinor only wants the kind of love she saw between her father and mother, the kind she read about in Jane Austen's novels. When a young nobleman comes courting, she thinks he is the one she's been waiting for, but after the wedding, she finds that he only married her for her money. The "Cotton King's" daughter is a smart business woman who could have run her fathers mills with ease, but in the world of her new husband's luxurious estate, she is despised and made to feel useless. The story of Elinor's heartbreak, struggles, and eventual triumph is so rich in detail, the world of the early 1900s come alive for the reader. Five enthusiastic stars.This is so much more than another "Titanic" story. Elinor only wants the kind of love she saw between her father and mother, the kind she read about in Jane Austen's novels. When a young nobleman comes courting, she thinks he is the one she's been waiting for, but after the wedding, she finds that he only married her for her money. The "Cotton King's" daughter is a smart business woman who could have run her fathers mills with ease, but in the world of her new husband's luxurious estate, she is despised and made to feel useless. The story of Elinor's heartbreak, struggles, and eventual triumph is so rich in detail, the world of the early 1900s come alive for the reader. Five enthusiastic stars.This is so much more than another "Titanic" story. Elinor only wants the kind of love she saw between her father and mother, the kind she read about in Jane Austen's novels. When a young nobleman comes courting, she thinks he is the one she's been waiting for, but after the wedding, she finds that he only married her for her money. The "Cotton King's" daughter is a smart business woman who could have run her fathers mills with ease, but in the world of her new husband's luxurious estate, she is despised and made to feel useless. The story of Elinor's heartbreak, struggles, and eventual triumph is so rich in detail, the world of the early 1900s come alive for the reader. Five enthusiastic stars.

This book gave a very interesting take on what it might have been like for someone that did survive the sinking of the Titanic. What her life was like before she left on the ship and the life she made for herself after she landed in America. It was a great fiction story surrounding a very real event.

Elinor, the daughter of a wealthy cotton manufacturer, enters marriage with an upper class husband, believing that
it is al ove match. When she discovers it is for her father's money, she does her best to hold on to her identity
bit is gradually forced to act the way her husband's stature demands. The hardest to cope with is the limited
contact she has with her son. When her father comes through with tickets for the Titanic's maiden voyage,
she sees it as a time to temporarily escape from her in-laws. A maid is hired at the last minute to help with the care
of her son Teddy. When she and her son are the only survivors from their party, Elinor decides to assume the maid's
identity. She moves in with the family and adapts to a new way of life.
A woman willing to undergo challenges and hardships to make a better life for herself and especially her son.
#TheLostPassenger #Random House #BallantineBooks #NetGalley

The Lost Passenger
I never pass up an opportunity to read a book based on the Titanic. This is an immersive and beautifully written historical fiction novel. The story of a mother’s love and the lengths she will go to protect her child. It’s a story of a strong woman who rebuilds her life to protect what she holds dear. It is also a story of family and the many forms it comes in. An unforgettable read that will stay with me.

This was a compelling, emotional read about a woman trying to escape from her previous life after surviving the sinking of the Titanic. I'm obsessed with anything Titanic, and this story took on a unique perspective from anything I've read before. Although this book was fiction, my mind kept wandering to the possibility that this story could have been real for any number of survivors who were looking to start fresh in America. The title is perfectly fitting, too, for the main character as well as for the reader. I found myself getting lost in this story, the same as Elinor, like I was a passenger navigating this terrifying journey alongside her. The writing was superb and extremely transparent. I felt all of Elinor's struggles, fears and pain. I could vividly picture being on the ship and witnessing its demise as well as being haunted by all of the lost souls who went into the water. It was like taking a step back in time to early 1900s New York, seeing the sights as they were back then, and feeling the nostalgia for how different it is today. What a fantastic story! This is my first by this author, but I will definitely be looking for more of her stories in the future. I highly recommend! I can see this being one of the top historical fiction reads of 2025.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for granting me a widget via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

A wealthy young English woman finds herself trapped in a miserable marriage, with only limited access to her young son. She jumps at a chance to accompany her father, husband and son on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. She and her son survive and she decides to take the identity of a young maid on her way to live with her cousin's family. Though a bit melodramatic, the story is interesting, and offers a look at life in New York in the 1910s,

I have read many stories surrounding the sinking of the Titanic, yet this one is a completely different take.

Elinor Coombes dreamed of marrying the man of her dreams, unfortunately her prince was a fake, and becoming a lady of society is not anything like she imaged. Marrying into the aristocracy is beginning to choke her as she is not even allowed to care for her own child. Her father’s trip on the Titanic is the only bright light in her future, as she will be allowed to take her son with her on the maiden voyage.

When the Titanic goes down, and she is alone in the world with only her son now, she makes a brave decision to adopt another woman’s identity and escape into the wilds of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Leaving behind her wealth, she must now work hard and struggle as the other immigrants must do. Yet, through this hard work, she realizes just how tough her is and that the love of a family can overcome any obstacles, including confronting those in her past that want to expose her lie.

Frances Quinn gives us a heroine that at first you feel sorry for, but soon you cheer on!

I enjoyed reading The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn. The main character, Elinor Coombes is introduced as the naive young daughter of a successful father. As the story progresses, Elinor is met with more and more challenges. Despite her young age and posh upbringing, she rises to each challenge and becomes a character you can't help but root for! The Lost Passenger would be a great book club read. If you enjoy historical fiction, this would be a good choice for you. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced digital copy.

I was so happy to get this ARC. I always enjoy historical fiction and I loved this one about a passenger on the Titanic. I thought the details and the emotions were very well written. I really felt for the main character’s dilemma. I was happy that I could never quite figure out how it would wrap up until the very end. I thought the ending was well done and not rushed.

This was an awesome adventure! Of course I say that about all Titanic books. Anything Titanic I love.
Elinore is a woman before her time and I really admired her and her outspoken ways. She really is a woman before her time.
I'm so glad that I was t born into High Society. It's really too much. Money isn't everything as Elinkd proves to us readers..
What made me admire her more was her love for her son. Now, that is true love.
I did NOT like Fredrick or his faultin family so I do t blame Elinore one bit for what she did. A very brave lady.
What a weird way of finding out who you truly are and how you choose to do it.
5 stars from me for keeping me invested from the beginning. I really enjoyed this and didn't want it to end. I'm thinking about these characters especially Elinor.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Elinor is the “cotton kings” daughter and marries a Lord, quickly realizing he only wanted to marry her for her father’s money. After having their son, Teddy, Elinor realizes this isn’t the life she wanted. Convincing her husband to go on the Titanic with her father, her and Teddy survive and she takes over a fellow passengers identity so she doesn’t have to return. I really enjoyed this historical fiction and it kept me engaged - it went through before, during and after the sinking!

Elinor Coombes has a better-than-average life. Her father has a very successful business in cotton and fabrics. As the only child, Elinor grew up around the business. Her natural inquisitiveness spurred her interest in and understanding of her father's business. The inheritance laws do not allow female children to inherit property or businesses. If only something could be done to change the law! Elinor's mother died when she was small. She hadn't been invited to parties or balls until a neighboring estate invited them to a New Year's ball. She attends with her father and is swept off her feet by the son of an earl. Life on her husband's family estate is dreadful. Elinor misses home and the cheerful presence of her father. When the Titanic makes her maiden voyage, her father promises to take her along. Although her husband doesn't want to go, the family embarks on the journey. Elinor survives the sinking but realizes that the deaths of her husband and her father dictate her return to England and the family's estate. Instead of identifying herself with her name, she assumes the identity of her nanny/maid who perished with the ship. Will she be able to fade into the background in America? She fears discovery. Can she live with being someone else?

This book is reminiscent of the Titanic movie. A young girl dreads the future awaiting her and takes measures into her own hands. Society expected upper-class women to act in a certain manner and guard the long-held family traditions. Elinor chafed against this narrow role. Becoming another person is difficult and she travels a bumpy road. The author describes the post-traumatic stress Elinor lives with vividly. How could anyone survive such emotionally devastating trauma? Elinor is a character that you feel drawn to as she decides to change her life. Her struggles, both major and minor, shape her character. Elinor rejects conventional British society and embraces her freedom in America. The trauma she has endured shapes her into an admirable person, one the reader will eagerly hope for.

The author excels at description whether it is the glamor of the Titanic stateroom or the wretched poverty of the Lowen East Side of New York City. The main characters are multidimensional and realistic. She has crafted a strong-willed heroine in Elinor and although times may be different, it is never too late to show women how to be courageous.

Thank you Random House, Megan Whalen, and Frances Quinn for providing me with an early reader's copy.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn is a compelling historical drama set in the wake of the Titanic disaster, exploring themes of reinvention, and class constraints. Elinor Coombes is a young mother trapped in an aristocratic marriage, with limited access to her son. When she embarks on the Titanic with him, the tragic sinking becomes an unexpected opportunity for escape. Faking her own death, Elinor seizes a new identity and heads to America, aiming to carve out an independent life. However, her past resurfaces in this new world, challenging her to protect both her child and her hard-won autonomy.

You immediately are thrown into 1910s New York and the limits for women during that time. Imagine going to a new country, knowing noone and forging your path from there. She is so brave! Elinor’s journey is fraught with emotional and logistical struggles, blending survival instincts with a longing for liberation. Her story is one of resilience, exploring what people will risk for a second chance, especially when the stakes include family and freedom. The opportunity to create a new life fills her with joy and hope, but she's constantly looking over her shoulder, not knowing who to trust.

With vivid period details and a nuanced portrayal of early 20th-century societal norms, The Lost Passenger resonates as both a suspenseful and deeply emotional tale of self-discovery and love. The novel’s blend of personal transformation against a richly historical backdrop offers a gripping experience for readers drawn to stories of survival and reinvention

The Lost Passenger was a wonderful book from the very beginning. Throughout the entire book you cared about every single person. I felt like I was right there with the characters so many times in the book, especially when the Titanic was sinking. I think this is the best book I have read all year and have recommended it to so many people.

Elinor dreams of romance and believes she’s found it in the wealthy Fredrick Coombes. Unfortunately, her husband only wanted her for her family’s hard earned money. Elinor hates her life with the snobby Coombes family and only resents them more when they insist her son be raised by a nanny. When the family takes a trip on the Titanic and it sinks, Elinor snatches the opportunity to start a new life with her son. She hopes it will be easy to disappear into the crowded city of New York but she knows there’s always a chance of being found…

I truly enjoyed this book. Elinor is headstrong and speaks her mind, something that her husband’s aristocratic family hates. What really made me like Elinor, though, was her love for her son, Teddy. My own son is around the same age and I was reading, I couldn’t help but ask myself would I make the same choices; the answer is yes, yes I would.

I loved seeing Elinor adjust to life in a crowded apartment and having to learn normal domestic skills for the first time. It again proved what she’s willing to go through to give her son a good, normal life where he won’t be forced into an aristocratic role.

The only reason this book wasn’t a five star read was because the Titanic section was so short. The first part of the story was Elinor getting married, trying to adjust to her new role and having Teddy. The Titanic voyage takes up maybe 15% of the book after that and then the rest is focused on Elinor’s life in New York. I LOVE anything to do with the Titanic so I was hoping for more. Elinor and Teddy were the first off the ship so she really doesn’t witness any of the chaos on board. She’s able to see it from a distance but that isn’t quite as immersive.

Though I did hope for more about the Titanic, The Lost Passenger is still an excellent story about a mother’s love and determination.