I was drawn to The Lost Passenger by its premise. The Titanic has fascinated me since I was young, so I am always looking for tales with a unique angle. The first half of the book tells of Elinor’s unhappy marriage. I got tired of Elinor’s ruminations of how she was duped into marriage, her misery, being unable to spend time with her child, and her domineering in-laws. I wanted to shake Elinor and give her a cold dose of reality. I can understand Elinor wanting to spend more time with child even though it was not appropriate for a woman of her station (you get to see your child for twenty to thirty minutes at teatime each day). The sinking of the Titanic was lackluster. I expected more considering it was such a tragic event. The author did not skimp on the descriptions of the Titanic, the house where Elinor lived with her in-laws, clothing, and so on. The second half of the book was slightly better than the first half. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. I did not feel that the author’s writing style/language matched the time period. The writing was modern with phrases from the time period thrown in. The pacing was slow (snails were zipping by me), which made the story feel long. I wanted to like The Lost Passenger, but I found it to be a predictable story with a dissatisfactory ending. I was happy when I finally turned the last page of The Lost Passenger.

💬The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn, published on February 25th, 2025, offers a vivid glimpse into early 1900s society, where class divides were stark, and wealth was shifting. As the working class rose to financial power, aristocratic families clung to their titles, often relying on advantageous marriages to maintain their status.

Elinor, the daughter of a self-made cotton magnate, has always been deeply involved in her father’s business. When she is swept into what seems like a fairytale marriage, she soon realizes it was all a façade. Her husband’s love is a mere transaction for her father’s fortune. Trapped in a world where she is neither respected nor truly accepted, she is expected to conform to upper-class ideals without question. But when life offers her a second chance, she refuses to let it slip away. For the sake of her son, Teddy, Elinor reclaims her own strength and identity by whatever means she can.💬

🛳 Reading this novel felt like experiencing Titanic from a different perspective, almost like Rose’s story in reverse. Elinor The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn offers a vivid glimpse into early 1900s society, where class divides were stark, and wealth was shifting. As the working class rose to financial power, aristocratic families clung to their titles, often relying on advantageous marriages to maintain their status.🛳

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine,for the opportunity to read this book.

I read a lot of historical fiction but nothing that surrounds the tragic sinking of the Titanic. What a ride, literally and figuratively. Elinor is married to a lordship's family where title and nobility are paramount but need money to maintain the lifestyle. Early on, Elinor learns that this marriage was not one of love but money and duty to be compliant and produce a male heir.
Elinor has a "head on her shoulders" as my grandmother would say. Given the custom of the day, women were not to show their intelligence or wile and relinquish their children to nannies and boarding schools. This does not sit well with Elinor.
Her father gifts a trip on the maiden voyage on the Titanic to her, her husband and their son. Through the ship's unfortunate event, Elinor reinvents herself in hopes of a life with her some and away from her husband and his family.
The book and the writing style kept me engaged. I look forward to another book by this author.

THIS BOOK! I have never read a historical fiction about the Titanic and now I only want to read about this topic. It hit SO many notes, there is SO much that happens but it never feels like too much. I put down another ARC that I wasted way too much time on to pick this up and have never been happier to move to a different pace book. This was such an absolute delight. It just came out so run to go get it!

'The Lost Passenger' by Frances Quinn is at it's heart a book about motherhood and womanhood. Quinn utilizes the British peerage system, the Titanic, and the immigrant experience to explore these experiences from the point of view of Elinor Combes. Elinor is challenged in each of these settings to adapt and fight the limitations placed on her by her station and sex.

Though this book had a slower start for me, I was completely invested in Elinor's story by the time Elinor boarded the Titanic. I had a visceral reaction to her relationship with her son, and rooted for her success with every turn of the page. I would recommend this to any of my friends who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you to Frances Quinn and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I do usually appreciate historical fiction, I’ve never had one suck me in this quickly! The Titanic storyline sold me on the read, but it definitely builds up to that point. If you’re reading for a Titanic experience, you will have to wait a bit for it to happen. That subject is only a small part of Elinor’s story, and the book is better for it.

I enjoyed the “riches to rags” aspect- a woman with money but not much else (aside from a close relationship with a father who adores her), surviving a disaster to start fresh with a new name and working hard to build a new life in New York. An immigrant story that feels like a good reminder at this point in history.
I think it is a fresh take with a woman taking a risk and building a future for herself and her son, without having a fairy tale romance rounding out the ending.

Thanks to Frances Quinn, Ballantine and Random House Publishing for the advance readers copy!

THE LOST PASSENGER by Frances Quinn

I haven’t read many novels that center around the Titanic tragedy, but I was immediately hooked and stayed up late to finish.

With steady pacing, descriptive prose, and a variety of despicable and endearing characters this was an engaging read. Elinor’s resilience and courage was evident throughout the story. While I didn’t agree with what she did and how long it went on, the sweet ending made up for it.

In short, this is about perseverance and courage, found family and community, sacrifice and love. Recommend if you love historical fiction and are looking for an immersive read.


Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Pub Date: 02.25.25

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & RandomHouse/Ballentine Books

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn was an outstanding twist on the story of the Titanic. I quickly found myself caught up in the tale of Elinor, a woman who desperately desires to be a mother to her young son amid societal pressures that chafe at her very being. And when she is given the unexpected chance to trade places with another woman, she seizes the opportunity to become the mother she longs to be even though she faces the risk of a lifetime in doing so.
My mother heart devoured this story. Full of emotion and suspense, my entire being was caught up this novel. Perfectly timed tension and charged prose ensured this book embedded itself in my mind. I could not have asked for more!
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Elinor Haywood, 19, lives with her widowed father and helps him to run his fabric business. The man has become quite wealthy and is known as the Cotton King. They are surprised when they are invited to a ball at the home of their neighbors, because they are much above them in society. At the ball, Elinor is introduced to Frederick Coombes, son of an earl. His mother is at the ball and she chats with her father as Frederick seems to be smitten with Elinor. Soon, he is calling on her and finally asks her father for her hand. When they marry, they live at his home Winterton. Frederick receives a vast amount of money from her dowry. Elinor is chastised by her mother-in-law who lets her know she doesn’t really measure up. Elinor knows then that he only married her for her money to keep up Winterton. After she has a baby boy, Teddy, she is not allowed to spend but a brief time with him each day.

Elinor’s father presents Elinor with several first class tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Elinor and Frederick, along with Teddy, join her father for this trip. But when the ship goes down, Elinor and Teddy escape on a life boat.

Knowing that if she and Teddy return to England, Frederick's parents will have custody over Teddy, Elinor cannot bring herself to subject her son to that so she take on another woman’s name and inserts herself into another family.

I found Elinor to be a very brave woman who was not afraid to do everything possible to protect her son and allow him to have a normal life. I admired her strength and the family she adopted as her own. She has spunk and bravery. Of course, I did not like Frederick’s parents. Terrible people. A wonderful story and I hope many people will read and enjoy it as much as I did.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Elinor is a wealthy young lady but she is not from the British aristocracy. So, she is swept off her feet and she marries above her station. But, it doesn’t take her long to realize her marriage is not what it seems. Her father offers to take her and her family on the Titanic. After the ship goes down, Elinor grasps at the chance to take Teddy, her son, and start a new life in America: They can disappear completely if they are listed among the dead.

Elinor is a character that, at first, breaks your heart. But then she grabs her chance and nothing can stop her. She is someone I rallied behind and rooted for all the way through. And believe me, she has some struggles. But her intelligence and her love for her son keep her going forward.

This was very close to a five star read for me. It is captivating and intense. The only issue I had with this tale is that I predicted everything that happened. And no, I am not going to tell you…you need to read this for yourself. The story is just a bit predictable. But this book is still a super good read!

Need a dramatic tale with a strong woman character…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

A woman believes she is marrying for love but that is not to be. She is stuck in a time where she has no say or voice. Her father gives her and her son tickets for the Titanic and well we know what happens there. Elinor takes the name of some other woman to start over for herself and child. This book was very detailed and if you like historical novels this would be a good one to read.

The Lost Passenger was an intriguing historical novel. I have always had a fascination with the Titaniic disaster and was glad to get a copy of this book.

Elinor Hayward is the daughter of the Cotton King of Manchester, at a ball at her titled neigbor’s house, Elinor makes the acquaintance of Frederick Coombes, heir to an Earldom. After a whirlwind courtship Elinor marries Frederick only to overhear her mother-in-law telliing a friend that Elinor was picked for her fortune and not for love as she thought. Elinor goes to live with her husband and in-laws who look down on her. They wanted Elinor for her money and her ability to provide an heir, but have no desire to treat her as one of them, The Coombe’s look down on Elinor and her father, but are more than happy to spend his money. Elinor to her credit sticks up for herself but is gradually worn down by the contempt her in-laws feel towards her. She gives birth to a beautiful boy named Teddy and all should be right in her world, or right enough, but Elinor is treated like a nuisance and afterthought in his life by her husband and in-laws.. Elinor’s father purchases tickets for Elinor, himself, Frederick and Teddy on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Well we all know how that ends, When the worst happens and Elinor loses her husband and father, she decides to create a new life for herself and her son, away from the soul destroying life she had in England. Elinor takes on the persona of another passenger, and through grit and determination makes a life for herself and her son in turn of the century New York.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was compelling and Elnior was a stronh character that made the best of a tragic situation.

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House- Ballantine and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Happy Pub Day to 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑻 𝑷𝑨𝑺𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑮𝑬𝑹 𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒏 a historical fiction novel graciously given to me by Ballantine Books via @netgalley and @prhaudio!

I haven't been reading as much hist.fic., so I wasn't sure this would be as gripping to me. I am glad to report, that while gripping may not be my word of choice, I was happy to be immersed into this world of so many changes!

Elinor has been brought up by her industrious father whose new money is appealing for a match with an aristocratic family. Shortly after taking her vows, she is made aware of the situation only to be humiliatingly forced to comply. When her father has tickets for the new ship, RMS Titanic, Elinor finds herself happy for a respite with her young son. This trip offers her a new way forward, and as she is asked her name after the tragedy, she names another woman.

I found this premise and the hope for new beginnings a heartwarming one. Even though the fear of discovery looms, found family and safe harbor fill Elinor with confidence and it reminds me of what America should really be about.

This story pushed no deeply contentious issues about immigration, politics, race, or any other issue you can think of, bit it did address a bit about class distinctions of that time and the opportunities America offered that England did not. I honestly found the lack of other heavy topics a bit of a balm. It does touch lightly on issues, bit it is not the point. It was nice to just read a lovely story with kindnesses shown.

The audiobook was quite a lovely pairing as well. Heather Long narrates and does a fantastic job giving life to the accents that are quite important in the story. A worthy read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Frances Quinn, and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ebook. This novel beautifully captures the resilience and determination of a woman fighting for the life she and her child deserve. Growing up in an oppressive society and entering an even more restrictive marriage is harrowing, serving as a stark reminder of past realities—and, for some, present ones. The backdrop of the Titanic, paired with a fresh perspective and compelling characters, made for an intriguing and immersive read. A truly captivating story.

After growing up reading Jane Austen and other stories where the couple of the story get married and, presumably live happily ever after, Elinor is wooed by a young aristocrat she meets at a ball and soon finds herself married. As the daughter of "the cotton king" of Manchester, Elinor brings a much needed infusion of cash to her husband's cash-strapped family and estate, but she is dismayed when she realizes that not only did her husband marry her for her money, he doesn't love her and has a mistress he would rather be with. Elinor's in-laws look down on her and she soon realizes that her new life comes with responsibilities and expectations that don't match her own desires. When her father treats Elinor, her husband, and their young son to a trip to NY on White Star's new ocean liner, the Titanic, she can't wait to get away from her in-laws for a bit and for her son to get to know his other grandfather. When the ship goes down, Elinor decides to take on another woman's identity rather than lose guardianship of her son to her in-laws, and the rest of the book tells the story of her new life in NYC. This was an absorbing historical fiction that makes me, as a woman, glad to live in the current era, where we have rights and are not just expected to generate heirs (if you're rich enough) or slave away at menial labor tasks to scrape by, your biggest dream being to move to an apartment building with indoor plumbing! Elinor is an inspiring character and Quinn does a superb job of capturing the perspective of a naive but intelligent woman of the period.

“I’ve got the weight of thirteen generations on me and I can’t let them down.”

If you love female led historical fiction then this is the book for you!

Imagine, if you will, that Rose DeWitt Bukater boarded the boat in Titanic already having had a baby. That is this story and it is an eye opening, heartbreaking, and heartfelt one.

It will never cease to amaze me how new mothers were treated not all that long ago. UGH! Threatening them with their babies and weaponizing their emotions and mental health. I have feelings about this. Strong ones.

Here here for those strong women in history that paved the way for change👏🏻. May we never stop fighting for what’s right and for our children!! What a fantastic story and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and @randomhouse #partner for the complimentary copy.

As an historical fiction lover this book checked all the boxes for me. Strong female characters. Twists and turns.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to start over? While living a life of luxury, Elinor Coombes did. Her life was everything she could wish for, yet underneath the glittering surface was a loveless marriage, a blistering mother-in-law, and a fake friend. Elinor’s life was set to change, though, when she, her father, and Frederick boarded the unsinkable Titanic. What was set to be time well spent with Elinor’s father turned out to be life-altering in more ways than one.

The Lost Passenger tells the story of determination, perseverance and the willingness to do whatever it takes to start over. Quinn’s ability to develop a lovable character with consistent growth is admirable. I found it inspiring to watch Elinor develop into someone she always wanted to be all while doing what was best for her family. She was neither perfect nor imperfect. Her moral compass was always a guide – even when it wasn’t the most obvious.

This book is one to get lost in and one to find yourself in. Whether you read in the morning or at night, The Lost Passenger will settle you into the blooming 1910’s New York City, when–while still more complicated than the rest of the world–times were simpler.
If you love a good women’s fiction doused in found family, growth, and courage, The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn is a PERFECT! The vibes are all there with this historical fiction read. I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Ballantine Books for the free digital copy of The Loss Passenger by Frances Quinn in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction involving women's stories, so this book was right up my alley. A "new money" woman, Elinor, married into aristocracy, and the "old money" people looked down on her because she had a normal upbringing. Unfortunately she did not get the knight in shining armor she thought she had married and instead was in a loveless relationship, only there to bring her family's "new" money to save the estate and to produce an heir, Teddy. Her new husband's family wanted nothing to do with her and he stayed true to his mistress, his true love. Her husband's will even stipulated that if anything were to happen to him, Teddy would become the ward of his parents, not her.

As a gift, her father bought tickets on the maiden voyage of the Titanic! Elinor and her husband were not getting along, but he had promised to go on this trip before they were married. Elinor, Teddy, her father, her husband and two of their servants were set to embark. At the last minute, Elinor's maid refused to get on the ship, as she thought it was too big to stay afloat. Molly, a third class passenger who was heading to the US for a new life with family she never met, overheard the conversation and agreed to help take care of Elinor and Teddy while aboard.

As we all know, the ship went down. Women and children of first class were given spots on the life rafts and Elinor and Teddy made it to NYC, but the rest of the entourage did not. Elinor quickly realized the only way she could keep Teddy was to take on the persona of Molly, a who had shared her story during the sailing. This was a difficult new life for her, but she was willing to sacrifice to keep Teddy away from her husband's family.

This was an interesting and new take on the Titanic story, as well as an immigrant story of how people lived and made a way for themselves once they arrived in America.

I enjoyed reading The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!