This book was a delight from start to finish. It's an interesting story of how one women fights for her place in a world where the odds are stacked against her. I love how the book paints a picture of how a happy ending can be different for everyone.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I had a hard time putting this book down because I wanted to know what would happen next. Of course we all know the story of the Titanic, but what if you wanted to change the direction of your life due to it sinking? That's the choice faced by Elinor when she has to quickly decide to go forward or backwards.

a young mother fakes her death on the Titanic and relocates her and her son to New York. very good historical book.

WoW! What an unexpectedly wonderful story!

I want to thank the publisher for the privilege of reading this pre-publication for my honest review- which is so easy to provide because I was enthralled with this book!

At its core this is another version of a “Titanic” novel, but it is also so much much more! The plot is unique. The daughter of a wealthy mill owner marries an Earl only to discover that that the man was not in love with her, but married her for her father’s wealth which helps his family hold on to their familial home and keeps the Earldom alive and the family manse sound and staffed. The Earl’s family sets about changing all of the “lower class” elements of Elinor’s character - her less than perfect accent and diction, her wardrobe, her manners, her ambitions. When she gives birth to a son they set about preparing him to eventually be lord of the manor - which will entail sending him off to private boarding school at age 7 because that is simply what must be done. She is allowed only 20 minutes a day to care for her sin by herself - otherwise he is placed in the care of a nanny.

Her new family will not invite her adored father to their mansion for visits because they consider him too gauche. When “the cotton king” (her father) offers to buy Elinor, her husband and their son tickets to join him for the Titanic’s maiden voyage to New York, Elinors accepts as a way to escape her new but unhappy life. She and her husband and son will sail with her father enabling her to spend some much needed time with her father as he gets to know her son.

Of course, the Titanic’s destiny is all too well known. Elinor and her son, Teddy, are placed in a life raft. Her husband, and father will follow in another boat when they locate Elinor’s hired lady’s maid who had tuned back to retrieve her savings from their cabin. As fate would have it none of them survived. Elinor is faced with a choice. she can return to her loathsome existence in England where her son will be reared more by her in-laws than by her or she can assume the identity of her lost maid and begin her life anew in New York. This is what she decides on…..which makes for an amazing story of grit, resilience, ambition and friendship that may knock your socks off as it did mine.

The plot is delicious : a new, unique, Titanic story. The characters are beautifully developed and the reader will find themselves cheering Elinor on as she works to make a new life for herself and her son. She finds her strength, her ambition, her talents and a new family in New York. Each character is so believable!

I could say so much more but it would most likely sound like hyperbole and anything more might also divulge too much……and spoil the reading. I loved this book and will be looking for more from this gifted author!

"The Lost Passenger" is an intriguing historical fiction book about the Titanic tragedy. I loved reading about Elinor's journey in the book. Her resilience, strength as a mother, ability to make fast decisions, and fight to become independent and find the "American dream" were truly inspiring.

The first half of the book gives readers a better look at British aristocracy and how it affects different types of people, which I found interesting. The second half of the book focuses on Elinor’s life as Molly in New York. Some parts of that section were not fleshed out completely, but I thought the stolen identity plot was believable when I researched that many people boarded the ship with stolen passports. I still could not believe Molly's family believed Elinor immediately.

I thought the portrayal of the Titanic was well-balanced. The reader could feel the pain and the sense of the unknown, while also understanding how the tragedy impacted Elinor. The tragedy played an important role in the book, and I truly enjoyed reading it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Thank to NetGallery and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for my copy of the book.

As a lover of historical fiction I really enjoyed this book. The setting of England and New York in the early 1900’s was so interesting. Reading about the rich British society and their strict hierarchy about keeping their wealth in the family was not new but still intriguing. The story of the Titanic was well done and played well into the book. I also loved the characters, especially Elinor and how she used her strength and grit to get what she wanted. This would make a great movie!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC!

The Lost Passenger is a riveting and imaginative novel. Our main character, Elinor Hayward, is a clever and bold young woman. She is also a romantic and an avid reader of the Bronte sisters, Hardy and Austen. Despite her smarts, she is also naive and easily taken in by Earl Straton's son, Fredrick, his flattery and good looks. Although she was managing her father's accounts of his various cotton mills, print works, and two other shops, and advised him on materials and designs, she finds herself relegated to the life of a traditional wealthy family much like those seen in Downton Abbey. Her previous life had been one of wealth and work, now it was of wealth and boredom, not to mention her frustration and disappointment in her new role. Women, no matter their riches, were rarely in positions of power, public decision-making, or given respect for their skills and intelligence. Everything changes after she survives the sinking of the Titanic. Elinor, with her gumption and business expertise from working alongside her father, hold her in good stead. I found the story to be exciting, well-written, and very creative. One wonders if some real people survived the Titanic who made a similar choice to that of Elinor. We will never know.

4.5 stars out of 5.

I really loved this story and was immediately drawn into the book. The characters were very well written and I enjoyed reading Elinor's story. The beginning of the book was paced well but I did find the middle to drag on in parts which is why I did not rate this 5 stars. The ending wrapped everything up nicely. This was an incredible story about survival and overcoming such a tragic event. Overall, this is a great historical fiction book and I would highly recommend reading it.

In The Lost Passenger, we met Elinor who is the "cotton king's" daughter. She meets what she thinks is a man to give her her fairy tale ending. Fredrick is from a well know English family and soon they tie the knot. Later, Elinor finds out she was duped and Fredrick and his family only wanted her for her father's money. She is struggling, especially after having her first son Teddy. She is only allowed to see him for a brief moment each day while the nanny raises him. Her father ends up sending her tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Elinor, Teddy, and Fredrick join her father for the journey. After the sinking, Elinor and Teddy are alone. She doesn't want to go back to her old life so she assumes the identity of a stranger and tries to start a new life in New York. Read on to see how it all turns out.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Lost Passenger" is a historical fiction novel centering around the Titanic. Elinor Coombes is the sheltered daughter of the self-made "Cotton King". She is tricked into a loveless marriage to an aristocrat who looks down on her modern and Nouveau-Riche upbringing. As she grapples with the reality of her new life, Elinor decides to embark on the Titanic's maiden voyage across the Atlantic. Elinor and her son survive the sinking and begin a new life in New York City.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it. The characters are well-developed; however, the plot was drawn out at times.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn is a historical fiction novel centered around the Titanic. This novel is EXCELLENT! 5 STAR Storytelling!
An immersive historical drama about Elinor a young woman born to a self-made wealthy "new money" British father. Elinor "marries up" into a titled British family who needs her father's money to continue with their estate.
At first, young Elinor is besotted and hopeful for romance and true love as she's read in her Jane Austin books. After her quick wedding, reality sets in and Elinor discovers she'd been extremely naive. Her new husband's family is rigid and controlling. Elinor has a son and her hopes of her future as a mother are dashed when her mother-in-law takes control of the baby's upbringing.
Elinor is gifted a trip on the Titanic from her father. On that fateful trip, Elinor finds she must make quick life-changing decisions to keep her in-laws from becoming custodial parents to her son and begin a new life under a new name in New York City. Elinor's tenacious spirit drives her to discover her strengths, life skills, and maybe a new family of her own.
This book is unputdownable and keeps the reader thoroughly engaged.
Will have you cheering for Elinor!
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Elinor is the daughter of "the cotton king," and a smart, capable young woman who has dreams of love and a happy future. Her father has praised her abilities, instilled confidence, and loved her well. So when she is swept into a marriage with a handsome aristocrat, Elinor couldn't be happier. Until she realizes it's a marriage of convenience, and she's expected to be a compliant wife who has no voice. She is undone. So when her father sends tickets for a vacation to New York on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Elinor couldn't be more thrilled for a brief escape and visit with her father. After the ship goes down, Elinor takes the opportunity to take her future into her own hands.

Characters: The characters are well-rounded and well-developed. The author allows the reader to see into the actions of not only Elinor, but her husband, friends, and in-laws (however abhorrent some of those actions may be), which serves to evoke both compassion and anger in the reader.

Pacing: While there were points where I felt the story start to lag, the author generally kept the story moving along nicely. She was descriptive, without being exhausting, and gave the reader beautiful pictures of the setting, surroundings, and lives of the characters.

Plot: This was the weak link for me, as it was totally predictable. If I thought it was going to happen, it did. There weren't many surprises in the plot, but I still enjoyed the story that was told.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine
Publication Date: February 2025

Elinor expects the happily-ever-after fairytale ending when she marries her “prince.” She soon discovers, however, that she is a pawn in a loveless drama to keep the old world aristocracy she’s married into alive. When Elinor’s father secures passage for himself, Elinor, her husband and son, on the maiden voyage of the Titanic she is thrilled. As the Titanic sinks, however, Elinor and her son are saved while her father, husband, and nanny perish. Afraid to return to England where she faces the loss of custody of her son, Elinor assumes another woman’s identity and starts her life over in America where she must keep her true identity secret at all costs. A story of deception, tragedy, love, and perseverance, this is a must read for historical fiction fans. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a pleasant surprise, to me, because based on the cover I expected yet another churned out historical romance. It was much more than that. It's a story about survival, both emotionally and physically.

Elinor comes from a family made wealthy by her father, a self-made man. Their wealth was not one steeped in old money, long-held traditions, social standing and estates. She is also young and naive enough to be persuaded into marriage to a man from just such an old-money background. After her child is born, she realizes what the future holds for her and her offspring, and it's far from what she envisioned in her starry-eyed optimism.

I'll be honest and admit I really wanted the story to move along to the Titanic voyage, and there was quite a lot of build up. When it finally got there, that portion of the book brought tears to my eyes, and I find myself still shocked at an event we know all too well by now. Elinor's life afterwards is fascinating and I was rooting for her all the way.

Recommended for an enjoyable read and a bit of history on how people lived, both rich and poor, in the early 20th century. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Passenger is a great historical fiction novel. It's engaging and interesting. The story is different than any Titanic novel I've read. The beginning had me enraged, the middle had me on the edge of my seat, and the ending was very satisfying. If you like historical fiction, The Lost Passenger is a book you should read.

Elinor, deceived into a bleak marriage, finds a way out. Elinor survives the tragic fate of the Titanic, assumes a new identity, and starts a new life for herself and for her child. An interesting story of survival. Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn was an excellent book. I enjoyed the writing style and the well developed characters. A variety of emotions were definitely present while reading the book. I loved the strong will of the main character! I will look for other books from Ms Quinn. Thank you for this book! I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

I received this e-book for free in exchange for an honest review. The Lost Passenger is the story of an English heiress who takes on the identity of another passenger in the wake of the sinking of the Titanic. Her motive was to escape the constraints of her life - and her son's life - in an aristocratic family in England. I found the premise of "identity theft" at a time before all of our modern documentation and technology interesting, although - without getting into spoilers - some aspects of the story in terms of her life in America just didn't seem believable to me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book, found it a fast read, and was able to root for the heroine as she reinvented herself.

I liked this story of a different take on the Titanic story and the reinvention of the main character after . It was a good read but I hate this cover it makes me not want to read the book
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

Trapped in a loveless marriage to an English aristocrat, Elinor uses the sinking of the Titanic to totally change her life but then lives with the consequences. This story is well written with characters that you come to care for. It was an enjoyable read that I struggled to put down. I would highly recommend this book.

The Lost Passenger by Francis Quinn is one of those books that you know, from page one, will be a gift of reading pleasure. The story of Elinor Coombes, a smart and strong young woman trapped in a loveless marriage in aristocratic England, provides a vivid picture of of how stifling a marriage could be when one weds “above” their class. The details of this period in English history are sometimes hard to envision; the author describes repressed women in a society that expects them to look good, speak properly, have perfect table manners and always dress beautifully. Brains are not required but manipulative skills are a bonus. Ugh!

Elinor was smart and well-read/ She and her father had a wonderful relationship but she knew she would not inherit her father’s successful cotton mills. Never mind that she could manage the mills better than most men. She was a woman and, as her father told her, men would not work there with a woman in charge in the early 1900’s.

The back-story thickened when Elinor her father were invited to a society ball out of the blue and attended with the expectation of sharing a new experience together. Little did either of them realize at the time that the invite was a set up for her to meet and marry Frederick Coombes, the title and land rich aristocrat whose family needed the financial support Elinor’s father could provide. And, they needed the male heir that Elinor was able to give them to carry on the centuries old traditions of the Coombes clan.

I was stunned to read how children were “seen” but not “heard” in upper-class homes. How mothers like Elinor were allowed 20 minutes or so a day with their child, who was raised by a governess. How Elinor was forced to comply with her mother-in-laws demands and change who she was to fit in with society at their level. Oh my…this part of the book provides both devastating and riveting reading. The atrocities forced on her and Frederick’s duplicitous behavior led to their boarding the Titanic, as Elinor’s father purchased first class tickets for Elinor, Frederick, their son Teddy and staff for the sailing

I’ve read other stories of the Titanic but, thanks to Quinn’s superb writing skills, I felt I was on that ship as it started to sink. I felt Elinor’s terror and marveled at her determination to live. How she survived and made a life for herself and Teddy is what makes The Lost Passenger the incredible novel that it is. Telling Elinor’s story in the first person brings reality, raw emotion and joy to the forefront of an memorable historical novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an digital copy of The Lost Passenger.