Elinor is the daughter of a self made man who wants the best for her. She marries into an aristocratic family who is looking for money and an heir. She realizes this after she is married. She has a son who stays with the nanny and she only sees him 20 minutes a day. Elinor longs to escape. When an opportunity comes will she escape and will she be able to pull it off if she takes the opportunity.

It's nice to read historical fiction that is not about any war. This is story of a young woman who wants more out of life. However, a woman's role is to get married and have children. This is a story of striving for a better way. And maybe money isn't the answer to everything.

Thank you to #NetGalley, @franquinn, and #BallantineBooks
#TheLostPassenger

4 historical fiction stars

This one covers a lot of ground, from London socialites to the Titanic and then off to the Lower East Side of New York.

Elinor Coombes is the daughter of a self-made man who found success with mills in England. She’s got an excellent head for business, but the class rules of the day stated that she couldn’t inherit the business. (What garbage those rules were!)

As often happened in those days, she was courted by a handsome, titled man and quickly married. She thought it was for love but discovers that his family just really needed her money and a male heir. (Again, what garbage!)

Isolated and friendless in her new marriage and home with her in-laws, Elinor is miserable. She makes everyone happy with the birth of her son but is again stymied when a nanny is brought in for full-time care with her baby. She gets 20 minutes a day with him. When she protests, the doctor threatens to have her committed. This is just how it is done, she’s told. (Again, with the garbage!)

When her father surprises Elinor with tickets for the about-to-launch Titanic ship, she jumps at the chance. She convinces her husband to go and bring their young son aboard. The section aboard the Titanic isn’t that long, and we all know how it ends. What’s different about this story is that Elinor and her son survive while the rest of her party parish, including her beloved father.

Elinor knows that if she returns to England, she will have nothing, including her son. A trust was put into place that gives her in-laws guardianship if something happens to her husband. The mother has no rights whatsoever!

It's no surprise that Elinor sees a chance to start over as a new person with a new identity. However, she has to do it by lying to the family about the person’s identity she takes and with not a cent to her name. It's quite a different lifestyle from what she had in England. But she’s happier! And she gets her son. How long will this last, though? Can she keep up the ruse?

I really enjoyed this one by a new to me author, Frances Quinn. Can’t wait to read more from her.

To say this was a refreshing change to some of the historical fiction that has been out there recently sounds a bit odd, because historical fiction in itself isn't usually a "refreshing" story. But in the sense that it was so nice not to read something based around Nazi's and camps, I enjoyed having a historical fiction that was based on a different topic and focus. This is well developed and a rich story from beginning to end. Recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

This just wasn’t for me. I enjoy historical fiction very much so I may do another read when it’s traditionally published.

I never anticipated that I would be so immersed in this book! Just after reading only the first few sentences, I knew I would love this book. This unforgettable historical fiction novel is centered on Elinor Coombes, a wealthy English woman who survived the unsinkable Titanic and made a life for her son and herself under the guise of another passenger’s identity.

Elinor is the daughter of a self-made English businessman. She is an avid reader and a lover of Jane Austen. Determined to marry for love, she soon is swept off her feet by an Earl, but after a shocking revelation in her wedding day, she finds herself stuck in a loveless marriage. Living out her days in despair, she is gifted a ticket by her father to travel on the seas in the new unsinkable cruise ship, the Titanic. In a tragic turn of events, her entire world is upended but only through deception can she escape her woes and start afresh in America with her young son.

Elinor is such a resilient character. In the first half of the book she moves from one woe to another. Her marriage is a sham and is crumbling right at the beginning. She is discounted because she is a woman and is not named as an heir to her father’s business. She has a tough time dealing with the prejudices of the nouveau riche in the eyes of those with with a higher title (her in-laws). She is forced to watch her son from a distance as a nanny raises him. All of these issues were thrown at her before one of the most unfortunate disasters in history. This book was undoubtedly one of the best books written surrounding the Titanic’s history. The retelling of the events as the ship goes down is chilling.

Elinor does seem to rise from the ashes , but just when we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the rug is pulled from under the readers in a plot twist at the very ending. This was a stellar read!


If you are a fan of the sinking of the Titanic, you will love this book.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.

The only child of a self-made man, Elinor Coombes opts for a social climbing marriage. Her husband's titled family needs money and her own father needs the social position that she can acquire. While she hopes her husband will love her, she soon realizes that the marriage is merely financial and she is left with little that makes her happy. While crossing the ocean on the Titanic, the impending crash and rescue leaves her with an option--restart over in New York under a different name, just her and her young son. But while she is building her new life, her old life and its memories are still close at hand, threatening all she has worked for.

This was another one of my favorites so far this year. While interesting, the Titanic subplot is just the vehicle for launching Elinor's new life, the true meat of the story so to speak. Her new beginnings in New York really show what a woman had to be capable of and what a person can do when faced with that adversity. Despite being hampered by her husband' and his family, Elinor takes control of her own life when presented the opportunity, deciding that her happiness is paramount for her and her son's future.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
JUST WOW! I couldn’t put down “The Lost Passenger” by Frances Quinn. Loved the amazing twist that I never anticipated or saw coming.
Elinor Coombes gets swept away and Marty’s a man who she thinks loves her. He only married her for her father’s money. Life as a privileged woman is not as grand one would think it would be. A trip on the Titanic changes everything for Elinor.
This amazing story is about a mother’s love for her child. Elinor showed her resilience time and time again. And she did it all for her son. Many thanks to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheLostPassenger #FrancesQuinn #NetGalley #BallantineBooks #BooksSetInNewYork #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksAboutTheTitanic

This is the story of Elinor Coombs, whose marriage to an aristocratic lord of the manor has become a fairy tale gone wrong. When Elinor gets a second chance at a meaningful life, she seizes it—and the risks that go along with it.

This gripping, well-written book is filled with incredible, lifelike detail. I absorbed it in just a few days.

I highly recommend this book and thank Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an early read in exchange for a fair review.

Elinor is a bright young lady who spends her days assisting her father in his thriving garment business. She comes from a wealthy family and has been raised with caretakers and servants. She reads a lot and believes in happily ever after book endings. She meets Fredrick Stornton and is smitten, she is immediately swept off her to feet. She quickly marries. After her wedding day, she over hears a conversation where she learns that Fredrick married her out of family obligation for her wealth. Her families wealth will sure up his families lack of resources.

Devastated that her new husband doesn’t love her and trying to hide the truth from her father, she sticks it out and tries to make the best of it. She soon has a son and he is the light of her life. Her life is controlled by the strict family upbringing of her husband and his controlling family. She is only allowed to see her son 20 minutes a day and is not aloud to spend any quality time with him.

She is desperately unhappy. Then after two years of which she has not been able to see her father, he buys her a wedding gift for a first class trip on the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Thrilled to be getting away and with the luxury of spending quality time with him, she accepts his gift. When the titanic sinks, she has an option to never return to her previous life and begin a new life in NYC under false identities for both her and her son.

Around every corner there seems to be a threat that will surely disclose her location in exchange for reward money offered by Fredrick’s family.

This is a must read. Fantastic detail along with great story telling. I really enjoyed it.

Many thanks to Ballentine Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

Elinor Coombes finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage with no voice regarding how her son will be raised. When her father treats the family to a trip on the Titanic, she sees the voyage as a momentary escape from the constraints of her life. Then the ship hits the famed iceberg, and suddenly what was a pleasure trip becomes an opportunity to escape with her son and start anew.

I found the plot of THE LOST PASSENGER to be very predicatable with plot twists that could be seen a mile away. However, Elinor is such a plucky, likeable heroine that I was able to become invested in her story anyway. Especially during the first half of the book when she's trapped at the family estate with an overbearing, controlling mother and a disinterested husband. The book dragged a bit once she arrived in New York. She spent a little too much time handwringing over her actions, IMO. However, the book picked up speed again in the last quarter and delivered a satisfying and sweet ending.

I will also say that Quinn does a great job of capturing the atmosphere and energy of the Lower East Side. I could see it quite vividly in my imagination.

Overall THE LOST PASSENGER is a pleasant read - the kind of book to be read on a winter's afternoon while curled up with a cup of tea and a blanket. Three and a half stars.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced read in exchange for this honest review.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

This historical fiction has a young woman, whose father is a successful but "common" businessman, marrying the son of English aristocrats. The family is wealthy but they need more to keep the bloodline going and possessions in the family. They need a son, a male heir! Elinor's inheritance, when her father dies, and the children Elinor will have, will all belong to her new husband and his family. When Elinor has a son, he is basically taken from her to be raised by a nanny. Elinor has no rights, no say in anything, she is heartbroken to realize what she has gotten herself and her son into.

While on the Titanic, Elinor meets someone who will allow her to slide into another existence once the ship sinks. Doing so comes with great fear of getting caught, guilt for the lies she tells a family that only wants to love and protect her and her son, and a world that could not be farther from the world she comes from.

The horrors of women, despite being in a wealthy environment, who have absolutely no rights, children who belong to the husband's family, and being shelved as a nonperson after all that is needed is gotten from the woman, was shocking. Seeing just how badly the Titanic was prepared for a disaster and how, with proper planning and different reactions by others, many more people could have survived the wreck, is heartbreaking. And then to see the vast difference of where Elinor came from to the new life she choses to live, are very eye opening.

This is such an inspiring story and I'm glad I got to buddy read it with DeAnn. I look forward to reading more books by this author. I love historical fiction that both teaches and entertains.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Elinor Coombes is swept up into a whirlwind romance with Frederick Storton of Winterton Hall. It isn't until after she is married that she discovers he only married her out of necessity:; the estate was cash-poor and desperately in need of repairs, and Elinor's father was a millionaire who owned a cotton mill. His family went out of their way to let her know she was lower class, and could do nothing right in their eyes. When she gave birth to a son, her joy was short lived. He was named without consulting her and whisked away and she was locked in her room for weeks with no contact with the baby. Once she was finally released, she was only allowed a few minutes a day with him - the rest of the day he was cared for by the nanny. When Elinor discovered that Frederick had papers drawn up giving guardianship to his parents in the event something were to happen to him, she knew she was boxed into a corner. They were determined to send Teddy to prep school when he turned seven and then on to Eton. Elinor's father arranged for Frederick, Elinor and Teddy to set sail on the Titanic with him, so he could meet his grandson and spend time with his daughter. Frederick didn't want to go - in fact he was livid that the money wasn't being put to better use, like a new roof for their home, but Elinor put her foot down. The trip started out like something from a dream. She met a woman named Molly, who was headed to America to live with relatives she had never met before, hoping to have a better life. She agreed to hire Molly for the duration of the trip to help tend to Teddy, and the two women became quite close. When the Titanic hit the iceberg and sank, Elinor and Teddy made it onto one of the lifeboats. Molly went back to the room to get her life's savings....and never made it onto a boat. So when Elinor discovers that Molly is dead as well as the rest of Elinor's family, she makes a rash decision to take Molly's identity and let Elinor be the one who died that fateful night.

This book reminded me so much of the movie Titanic, even down to the end where Rose changed her identity to hide from her fiancé" , so she could escape him and change the path she was on. This book was captivating, and I was so immersed in it, I felt like I was actually there watching it all unfold. I really liked Elinor. She had so much grit and determination, and the things that she had to put up with when she was married to him, made me cheer her on when she decided to become Molly. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then this needs to be at the top of your TBR pile. You are going to love it!

What a fantastic book! I absolutely loved this book and read it within a few days. I loved Elinor's journey into becoming an independent woman. I liked the mention of the Titanic and it was a glimpse into what other survivors may have faced afterwards. I enjoyed the family in New York and I'm so glad that Elinor found happiness. I laughed, I cried, and felt all the the emotions. I would highly recommend this!

Tale of a woman tricked into a loveless marriage and looked down on by all of her new family and their friends. Her in-laws won't even let her raise her own son, so when the opportunity arises she fakes her (and his) identity and creates a new and better life for them. Who would think the sinking of the Titanic would be the catalyst? I enjoyed reading about this strong, hardworking, and resourceful woman.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction will love this book. Elinor finds herself in an untenable predicament when she realizes her aristocratic husband married her for her money and heir. When the Titanic sinks with both her husband and father, Elinor has a choice to make; go back to England with her son Teddy or disappear in New York. A Downton Abbey flair with more in-depth life. Realistic life of immigrants. Loved the relationships Molly made. Highly recommended!

While I was reading The Lost Passenger I felt so much a part of the story. It was interesting to read how Elinor taking another passenger identity to start a new life was so enjoyable for me to read. To be with her as she built a new life for herself and feeling all the emotions, she had kept me really into the story. I have not read a book by this author before but will now be looking for others to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Frances Quinn and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of The Lost Passenger. This is my personal review

I am not a normal reader of historical dramas, romances, etc., however when I got the opportunity to read The Lost Passenger, I was drawn in by the books description and I can say that I was sufficiently drawn in as soon as I started reading.

Elinor comes from a wealthy family where her father worked tirelessly to build his business from the ground up. When she meets Frederick Storton, who will eventually become the Lord of Winterton Hall, she thought she had found her love match, but it turns out he and his family really just wanted access to the money Elinor's family could provide. After their wedding, things very quickly come into focus for Elinor and life is not as rosy as she thought it would be. Truthfully, it is a nightmare.

When Elinor's father follows through on getting the family tickets on the Titanic, she is thrilled that she will get to spend time with both her son and her father. What she never expected was the ship would sink, putting her in a position where she had to make the most difficult of decisions. Go back to Winterton Hall or continue on to New York to make a new life for herself and her son.

This novel showcases how Elinor took control of her life and made decisions that would change the course of her life in multiple ways. I truly felt immersed in the world in which Elinor was living and felt all she was feeling from elation to heartbreak and everything in between. I enjoyed this novel so much and would highly recommend it!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Elinor Coombes has it all! Newly married to a Prince Charming after a very brief romance and quickly pregnant. Her happily ever after dream is underway, just like in those Jane Austen and Bronte sisters novels that she enjoys reading. Her dream is quickly shattered after overhearing her mother in law's conversation that the marriage was one of convenience for both procuring Elinor's father's wealth and an heir to the Storton estate.
Elinor and her infant son Teddy are about to undergo a life changing event as she boards The Titanic on its maiden voyage to New York.

Elinor's transformation will keep you turning pages. I loved the book's premise and the character's journey. Will she get her happy ending?

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the eARC.

I adored it.
Run don’t walk to get a copy.

The premise of the book—that a passenger on the Titanic ‘becomes’ a lost passenger was enough to hook me—but this book is so much more. The compelling tale of Elinor Coombs’ road to become a passenger on the Titanic swept me up and I was entirely invested in her survival throughout.

Her role as daughter, wife, and then mother, is riveting. Her strength is inspiring. I was waving the pompoms while she struggled with the multitude of challenges offered by life.

The Titanic portion of the book is actually quite short—which is perfect as there is so much more of Elinor’s life packed into this compelling historical. Pages turn like the wind and it’s very hard to put it down. There are a few spots where I suggest you have a tissue handy.

This is the first Francis Quinn book I’ve read, and I can honestly say I am now an avid fan and will be reading her other two books.

Don’t miss this.

Many thanks to @NetGalley and @RandomHouse @BallantineBooks for an advanced reading copy.

Elinor Combes is the daughter of an American wealthy cotton manufacturer and visiting her friend in England. She is quickly romanced by what seems to be her Prince Charming but after the marriage she Elinor realizes it’s a front. The pedigree family was only 2 things, her money and an heir. Then throw in the fact that she will almost never see her son at all because there they believe in the children being raised by the nanny. On a chance her father sends her tickets, her husband and her son tickets on the maiden voyage of the newest luxury liner for a trip to the US so he can meet his grandson. Eilnor was looking for a way out and it came to her suddenly because of an iceberg and the chance of a taken someone’s identity. Now she has a chance but it means going to a place she has never been before, poor, homeless and struggling to make ends meet. But if she beats the odds she can be very successful in more ways than one.

Frances Quinn has written this an amazing book that catches your attention right from the start and holds on to it. This is a story about things that happened over 100 years ago and how different the world was then, especially for women no matter what class they were in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC for my honest opinion.