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The Lost Passenger: the most big-hearted story you'll read this year
In the chaos of that terrible night, her secret went down with the Titanic. But secrets have a way of floating to the surface…
Trapped in an unhappy aristocratic marriage, Elinor Coombes sees only lonely days ahead of her. So a present from her father - tickets for the maiden voyage of a huge, luxurious new ship called the Titanic – offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy.
When the ship goes down, Elinor realises the disaster has given her a chance to take Teddy and start a new life – but only if they can disappear completely, listed as among the dead. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she has to learn to survive in a world that couldn’t be more different from her own, and keep their secret safe.
An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are.
Trapped in an unhappy aristocratic marriage, Elinor Coombes sees only lonely days ahead of her. So a present from her father - tickets for the maiden voyage of a huge, luxurious new ship called the Titanic – offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy.
When the ship goes down, Elinor realises the disaster has given her a chance to take Teddy and start a new life – but only if they can disappear completely, listed as among the dead. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she has to learn to survive in a world that couldn’t be more different from her own, and keep their secret safe.
An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2025
620 people are currently reading
24565 people want to read
About the author
Frances Quinn
5 books267 followersWelcome to my Goodreads author page! I'm the author of The Smallest Man, my debut novel, which tells the story of Nat Davy, a 'court dwarf' at the time of Charles I and the English Civil War, and That Bonesetter Woman, set around a century later, in Georgian London, and telling the story of Endurance Proudfoot and her sister Lucinda, two women determined to make their way in very different worlds.
I love hearing from and talking to readers, so if there's anything you'd like to know about me, my writing or my books, do get in touch via Twitter (@franquinn), Instagram (@franquinn21) or my author page on Facebook, Author Frances Quinn
I love hearing from and talking to readers, so if there's anything you'd like to know about me, my writing or my books, do get in touch via Twitter (@franquinn), Instagram (@franquinn21) or my author page on Facebook, Author Frances Quinn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,139 reviews
January 16, 2025
Absolutely brilliant from the first page to the last!! I was hooked completely and couldn't put it down!
Elinor is a fantastic character who has a huge amount to deal with in her life. She lives with her father who owns cotton mills but has fingers in other pies as well. He's a very wealthy man who adores his daughter and would do anything for her. Elinor takes a great interest in her father's business and helps him a lot but even so she won't inherit because she's a single woman.
At a party, which she's surprised they've been asked to, she meets Frederick and starts to fall for him right away. From here on her life changes utterly and she's hit with a myriad of problems and her life is never the same again.
Part of this book happens on the Titanic but this is not a story about this great ship, it just plays a part in a huge change for Elinor and her life. The parts that did take part on the ship were very well done.
But it's the rest of the story that's the stand out part. Her life in America is so different to what she has already been through and it toughens her up. All she learned from her father stands to her in her new way of life.
There's a huge amount of tension in the story and I found myself holding my breath wondering what was coming next!
I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who likes historical romance.
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
Elinor is a fantastic character who has a huge amount to deal with in her life. She lives with her father who owns cotton mills but has fingers in other pies as well. He's a very wealthy man who adores his daughter and would do anything for her. Elinor takes a great interest in her father's business and helps him a lot but even so she won't inherit because she's a single woman.
At a party, which she's surprised they've been asked to, she meets Frederick and starts to fall for him right away. From here on her life changes utterly and she's hit with a myriad of problems and her life is never the same again.
Part of this book happens on the Titanic but this is not a story about this great ship, it just plays a part in a huge change for Elinor and her life. The parts that did take part on the ship were very well done.
But it's the rest of the story that's the stand out part. Her life in America is so different to what she has already been through and it toughens her up. All she learned from her father stands to her in her new way of life.
There's a huge amount of tension in the story and I found myself holding my breath wondering what was coming next!
I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who likes historical romance.
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
December 10, 2024
'The Lost Passenger' feels a bit like a fairy-tale, and one which upends Cinderella expectations. I really liked the voice of the writing - it was irreverent and agile. I've had 'The Smallest Man' and 'That Bonesetter Woman' on my TBR for ages, and look forward to catching up with those earlier stories.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
April 20, 2025
Tricked into a marriage that was only for the benefit of the groom because his family needed money even though they were aristocrats, Elinor finds herself looked down upon and not even allowed to raise her own son.
Elinor was very unhappy, but when her father wrote and said he had tickets on the Titanic, Elinor had some hope that the voyage would get her away from this oppressive family and its rules for a few weeks.
We all know what happened on the Titanic, but what did the voyage mean for Elinor?
Could this be the break she needed?
Could it free her from the family she married into?
See what Elinor does in this well-written, pull-you-in read that proves tragedy can bring joy at times.
You will love Elinor for her bravery, for starting over, for her ambition, and especially for moving on after a tragedy.
Do not miss this one if you love historical fiction and a strong female character. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Elinor was very unhappy, but when her father wrote and said he had tickets on the Titanic, Elinor had some hope that the voyage would get her away from this oppressive family and its rules for a few weeks.
We all know what happened on the Titanic, but what did the voyage mean for Elinor?
Could this be the break she needed?
Could it free her from the family she married into?
See what Elinor does in this well-written, pull-you-in read that proves tragedy can bring joy at times.
You will love Elinor for her bravery, for starting over, for her ambition, and especially for moving on after a tragedy.
Do not miss this one if you love historical fiction and a strong female character. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2024
Elinor was surprised to learn her husband married her for her money. When she gets a chance to travel on a new ship, she is so excited. Elinor gets an idea to take someone's identity when the ship sinks. A nice read.
February 25, 2025
Elinor, a young woman in 1910 Manchester, is trapped in a marriage to a man who doesn’t love her and looked down upon by her husband’s aristocratic family. When she and her infant son survive the Titanic disaster, she makes a desperate decision— assuming her maid’s identity to protect her child from being taken back to England as his family’s heir.
While only a portion of the novel takes place on the Titanic, the heart of the story is in Elinor’s emotional journey in New York, where she navigates guilt, deception, and constantly looking over her shoulder. We get to know her new family as kind and supportive and she feels terrible for deceiving them—but her fear of losing her son prevents her from telling the truth. Her struggles feel real and compelling, especially as she adjusts to life in crowded, unsanitary conditions and having to work— far from her privileged upbringing. Quinn does a nice job at identifying Elinor’s state of mind as a survivor of a disaster who also can’t talk about those feelings. The novel moves at a quick pace while maintaining emotional depth, making Elinor’s predicament both gripping and sympathetic. Though I wished for more Titanic details to enrich the historical setting, the novel still delivers a satisfying blend of personal drama and suspense. I was fully immersed in Elinor’s story.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an advance copy for review.
While only a portion of the novel takes place on the Titanic, the heart of the story is in Elinor’s emotional journey in New York, where she navigates guilt, deception, and constantly looking over her shoulder. We get to know her new family as kind and supportive and she feels terrible for deceiving them—but her fear of losing her son prevents her from telling the truth. Her struggles feel real and compelling, especially as she adjusts to life in crowded, unsanitary conditions and having to work— far from her privileged upbringing. Quinn does a nice job at identifying Elinor’s state of mind as a survivor of a disaster who also can’t talk about those feelings. The novel moves at a quick pace while maintaining emotional depth, making Elinor’s predicament both gripping and sympathetic. Though I wished for more Titanic details to enrich the historical setting, the novel still delivers a satisfying blend of personal drama and suspense. I was fully immersed in Elinor’s story.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an advance copy for review.
November 4, 2024
I see you, Frances Quinn. I see what incredible writing you do. This was my first book from you and it won't be the last. I don't usually read books from this time period but I was intrigued by the Titanic aspect and the storyline. And it delivered. Thank you for letting me immerse myself in the life of Elinor and Teddy. I loved them just as much as I loved her new "family". I look forward to reading your other two books. And any other books you write in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and Frances Quinn for an advanced e-ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Frances Quinn for an advanced e-ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 29, 2025
2.75 ⭐
If I could describe this book in one word, the word would be “disappointing.” I’m a sucker for historical fiction, and I haven’t read novels that involve the Titanic, so I was so stoked to read this book. But it was nothing like I expected it to be.
The book's first half is about Elinor suffering from her loveless marriage and how she wishes she could’ve done things differently. I can understand that because, heck, don’t we all have regrets? But spending 50% of the book going over that is kind of ridiculous. I skimmed through so many pages to get to the part involving the Titanic, and that’s when the story started to get interesting.
I think a lot of the background story and tragedy of how Elinor ended up in such a predicament could have been done differently. It could have gradually been introduced to add some mystery to Elinor and her situation, slowly revealing why she was miserable so I could root for her even more when she gets a second chance in New York when the ship sinks. I’m not hating on the author’s writing. She did a great job, and I genuinely wanted Elinor to succeed. But dumping all the particulars at once and the plot slowly making its way to Interesting Town was confusing and unnecessary. Even the sinking of the Titanic felt underwhelming. There you go! That’s another good word to describe this book! 😭
Look. I usually love reading descriptions, thoughts, and ruminations from the character, but there was too much of it. I wanted more dialogue to give the characters some…character. Just adding that to the book would’ve made it so much better! You can leave the descriptions and ruminations for all I care! Just give me something to connect with the characters, whether it’s the way they talk or the way they act and react. And the ending! It felt abrupt and unfulfilling. I get it, leaving the ending open-ended gives me the chance to use my imagination to guess what happened to the characters, but not this way, hun. I was baffled by how I was shoved into the ending without warning or a heads-up.
Gosh, I wish I could’ve loved this, but I didn’t. On a positive note, I didn’t like Elinor’s husband. I don’t know how that’s a positive, but there you have it. I liked the family Elinor lied to and stayed with, pretending to be Molly Mortimer to spare herself and her son a constricting life of old-fashioned nobility. And the imagery of the bustling streets of New York was 👍. I’m so sad I didn’t like this book, and I apologize to those who loved it because I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it.
I received an arc from Ballantine Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
#TheLostPassenger #NetGalley
If I could describe this book in one word, the word would be “disappointing.” I’m a sucker for historical fiction, and I haven’t read novels that involve the Titanic, so I was so stoked to read this book. But it was nothing like I expected it to be.
The book's first half is about Elinor suffering from her loveless marriage and how she wishes she could’ve done things differently. I can understand that because, heck, don’t we all have regrets? But spending 50% of the book going over that is kind of ridiculous. I skimmed through so many pages to get to the part involving the Titanic, and that’s when the story started to get interesting.
I think a lot of the background story and tragedy of how Elinor ended up in such a predicament could have been done differently. It could have gradually been introduced to add some mystery to Elinor and her situation, slowly revealing why she was miserable so I could root for her even more when she gets a second chance in New York when the ship sinks. I’m not hating on the author’s writing. She did a great job, and I genuinely wanted Elinor to succeed. But dumping all the particulars at once and the plot slowly making its way to Interesting Town was confusing and unnecessary. Even the sinking of the Titanic felt underwhelming. There you go! That’s another good word to describe this book! 😭
Look. I usually love reading descriptions, thoughts, and ruminations from the character, but there was too much of it. I wanted more dialogue to give the characters some…character. Just adding that to the book would’ve made it so much better! You can leave the descriptions and ruminations for all I care! Just give me something to connect with the characters, whether it’s the way they talk or the way they act and react. And the ending! It felt abrupt and unfulfilling. I get it, leaving the ending open-ended gives me the chance to use my imagination to guess what happened to the characters, but not this way, hun. I was baffled by how I was shoved into the ending without warning or a heads-up.
Gosh, I wish I could’ve loved this, but I didn’t. On a positive note, I didn’t like Elinor’s husband. I don’t know how that’s a positive, but there you have it. I liked the family Elinor lied to and stayed with, pretending to be Molly Mortimer to spare herself and her son a constricting life of old-fashioned nobility. And the imagery of the bustling streets of New York was 👍. I’m so sad I didn’t like this book, and I apologize to those who loved it because I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it.
I received an arc from Ballantine Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
#TheLostPassenger #NetGalley
December 14, 2024
This was excellent! I really enjoyed the entire premise behind this book. Elinor comes from a wealthy family with self made money. She thinks she finds her dream man in Frederick Storton the future lord of Winterton Hall. However things are not what they seem and her life quickly turns into a nightmare. When a chance to go on the Titanic comes, she thinks it will be a nice diversion and a way to spend time with her son and father. What she did not expect was that the ship would sink and she would have a terrible choice to make, go back to Winterton Hall and lose her son or try to start a new life in New York City. What follows is an incredible tale of a strong woman who will do whatever it takes to take control of her life.
This novel was filled with incredible detail. Set in England and New York City in the early 1900s, I really felt like I was there with Elinor. I enjoyed reading about everything she went through and her triumphs. What more was I thought I knew how things were going to go but I was wrong in a good way. This was excellent historical fiction and I look forward to reading more by Frances Quinn. The writing was excellent and I enjoyed every moment reading this novel.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
This novel was filled with incredible detail. Set in England and New York City in the early 1900s, I really felt like I was there with Elinor. I enjoyed reading about everything she went through and her triumphs. What more was I thought I knew how things were going to go but I was wrong in a good way. This was excellent historical fiction and I look forward to reading more by Frances Quinn. The writing was excellent and I enjoyed every moment reading this novel.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 13, 2025
4.5 stars
Read
October 9, 2024I found this historical novel set right before, during, and after, the Titanic's maiden voyage a gripping read. Elinor, only child of a wealthy cotton manufacterer, is skillfully conned into marriage by a pedigreed-but-poor upper class family. Without physical violence, but searingly done emotional abuse, Elinor's new family does their best to constrain her into a semblance of their lifestyle. Elinor's mother-in-law utterly despises her, her husband--without being a monster--is totally indifferent to her, and her sister-in-law is bitter about women's place in that life.
Elinor watches with defeated horror as her little son is being inexorably molded toward a copy of his father, when
Ellie's dear of a father gives her tickets aboard the new ship launching on its maiden voyage...
Quinn's first person Elinor does a great job with period language. I loved Elinor's voice. The experience of the Titanic's crash and sinking was vividly evoked, but where Quinn really shines, I thought, was in the emotional aftermath.
Elinor takes the place of her chance-met maid, who never turned up to join her in the lifeboat; she finds herself in a dirt-poor part of New York, amid a welter of different cultures all trying to establish a better life for themselves than the one they left behind. She shares a minute apartment with a family headed by a Swedith matriarch who believes in the virtue of hard work, and Ellie, in her new guise, learns and begins to excel, determined to keep her true identity, and her son's, from being discovered. How that pans out was really well handled, I thought--and how Quinn writes women, in particular, just shines with complexity. And compassion.
Elinor watches with defeated horror as her little son is being inexorably molded toward a copy of his father, when
Ellie's dear of a father gives her tickets aboard the new ship launching on its maiden voyage...
Quinn's first person Elinor does a great job with period language. I loved Elinor's voice. The experience of the Titanic's crash and sinking was vividly evoked, but where Quinn really shines, I thought, was in the emotional aftermath.
Elinor takes the place of her chance-met maid, who never turned up to join her in the lifeboat; she finds herself in a dirt-poor part of New York, amid a welter of different cultures all trying to establish a better life for themselves than the one they left behind. She shares a minute apartment with a family headed by a Swedith matriarch who believes in the virtue of hard work, and Ellie, in her new guise, learns and begins to excel, determined to keep her true identity, and her son's, from being discovered. How that pans out was really well handled, I thought--and how Quinn writes women, in particular, just shines with complexity. And compassion.
April 28, 2025
This book gave me chills, it gave me hope, and it gave me a new perspective towards lifeee
One of the things I loved most was the setting (some portion of it is set on Titanic!) the novel takes place across three different locations, and experiencing each one through the protagonist’s eyes made it all the more vivid and captivating! also another aspect that i really enjoyed was the character development, watching the personalities of each character shift and evolve over time was truly fascinating as it was not over done and felt natural
And this story has a perfect ending imo!
One of the things I loved most was the setting (some portion of it is set on Titanic!) the novel takes place across three different locations, and experiencing each one through the protagonist’s eyes made it all the more vivid and captivating! also another aspect that i really enjoyed was the character development, watching the personalities of each character shift and evolve over time was truly fascinating as it was not over done and felt natural
And this story has a perfect ending imo!
Read
January 6, 2025This book started sad, continued sad and after some more sad had a sliver of happy? It was fairly predictable, minus the last character that shows up, I kept waiting for the person she impersonated to show up, but she didn’t so that’s a plus, I will say, the plot kept me engaged and that’s why I actually finished it, however, this was a depressing story, and I didn’t particularly enjoy reading it. Idk, what to think, but it was an ARC soooo 🤷🏼♀️ I guess I was just hoping for more. Also, I think my biggest problem was the writing didn’t flow and the voice was disjointed? If that makes sense??
I’m not quite sure what to rate this…so I’m giving it no stars to not affect the rating since there are so few reviews. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC
I’m not quite sure what to rate this…so I’m giving it no stars to not affect the rating since there are so few reviews. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC
April 27, 2025
Eh, entertaining historical fiction that I'm going to forget I read in about a weeks time. Part of the appeal was that the Titanic plays a role in the story.
Elinor thinks she's marrying for love, but the family of the man she's marrying have other reasons for her joining their family.
The loveless marriage that follows, along with a young son, takes a turn when she, her husband, son, and her father are in the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic.
Her survival offers an opportunity to live a different life.
Elinor thinks she's marrying for love, but the family of the man she's marrying have other reasons for her joining their family.
The loveless marriage that follows, along with a young son, takes a turn when she, her husband, son, and her father are in the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic.
Her survival offers an opportunity to live a different life.
April 28, 2025
This was an excellent book. I was totally engrossed and couldn’t put it down. The main character Elinor goes through hell and comes out a winner. This was a new author for me and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Highly recommended to anyone living a great historical fiction book.
Highly recommended to anyone living a great historical fiction book.
August 29, 2025
Not super original, but enjoyable.
A happy ending story.
Clean fiction with no vulgar language or sex scenes.
-Desiree Reads
August 28, 2025
A happy ending story.
Clean fiction with no vulgar language or sex scenes.
-Desiree Reads
August 28, 2025
October 6, 2024
In Frances Quinn’s Edwardian-era novel, “The Lost Passenger,” the daughter of a wealthy cotton mill magnate finds herself in a deceptive marriage to a broke British aristocrat who’s been in love with someone else for years and whose tyrannical parents take pleasure in making every minute of her married life miserable.
Living in a loveless marriage, Elinor despised even living on a posh estate. She was constantly ridiculed for her less-than-elegant accent and manners by her husband’s family. The in-laws were also very dictatorial about everything related to her little boy, Teddy, the heir to the estate. As a result, Elinor hardly knew her own toddler because she was only allowed short daily visits.
Consequently, Elinor was completely heartbroken, frustrated, and miserable. However, that was before she made a decision that changed the course of their lives forever. She stole another woman’s identity.
The Lost Passenger is a multi-layered story about strength and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds—like escaping a sinking ship in freezing water adrift with icebergs.
It's a story of an independent woman willing to endure tremendous losses and misfortunes to make a fresh start for herself and her child.
JoyReaderGirl1 submitted this objective review, and I offer my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley, Author Frances Quinn, and Random House PublishingGroup—Ballantine | Dell for providing this Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) for my review.
Living in a loveless marriage, Elinor despised even living on a posh estate. She was constantly ridiculed for her less-than-elegant accent and manners by her husband’s family. The in-laws were also very dictatorial about everything related to her little boy, Teddy, the heir to the estate. As a result, Elinor hardly knew her own toddler because she was only allowed short daily visits.
Consequently, Elinor was completely heartbroken, frustrated, and miserable. However, that was before she made a decision that changed the course of their lives forever. She stole another woman’s identity.
The Lost Passenger is a multi-layered story about strength and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds—like escaping a sinking ship in freezing water adrift with icebergs.
It's a story of an independent woman willing to endure tremendous losses and misfortunes to make a fresh start for herself and her child.
JoyReaderGirl1 submitted this objective review, and I offer my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley, Author Frances Quinn, and Random House PublishingGroup—Ballantine | Dell for providing this Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) for my review.
March 2, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Elinor grew up sheltered and trapped in a fictional fairytale world. She had no mother to guide her and teach her the ways of the world. Her father, the "Cotton King," taught her about the business world, but this didn't do her much good, as a woman in her time and culture wasn't taken seriously in business anyway. She ended up married to a cash-poor earl's son who needed her daddy's millions to keep his money pit of a crumbling castle standing. Her husband didn't really love her, wasn't faithful, her in-laws were dreadful, she was kept away from her beloved father (who financed the whole thing), and she barely got any time to spend with her son. So, when the Titanic sank and she was presumed dead, I really couldn't blame her for taking the opportunity to start a new life in New York.
Elinor assumes the identity of lady's maid Molly, and tells a series of whoppers in order to live and work with Molly's relatives in New York. For a while, she gets away with it, but she's always looking over her shoulder and wondering if she will eventually be trapped by her web of lies.
I loved the character development in this book, the creation of atmosphere in the time and place, the relationships, and the tension. I recommend this book to fans of Downton Abbey, and fans of other period and class dramas.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Elinor grew up sheltered and trapped in a fictional fairytale world. She had no mother to guide her and teach her the ways of the world. Her father, the "Cotton King," taught her about the business world, but this didn't do her much good, as a woman in her time and culture wasn't taken seriously in business anyway. She ended up married to a cash-poor earl's son who needed her daddy's millions to keep his money pit of a crumbling castle standing. Her husband didn't really love her, wasn't faithful, her in-laws were dreadful, she was kept away from her beloved father (who financed the whole thing), and she barely got any time to spend with her son. So, when the Titanic sank and she was presumed dead, I really couldn't blame her for taking the opportunity to start a new life in New York.
Elinor assumes the identity of lady's maid Molly, and tells a series of whoppers in order to live and work with Molly's relatives in New York. For a while, she gets away with it, but she's always looking over her shoulder and wondering if she will eventually be trapped by her web of lies.
I loved the character development in this book, the creation of atmosphere in the time and place, the relationships, and the tension. I recommend this book to fans of Downton Abbey, and fans of other period and class dramas.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 16, 2025
The book is easy to read, engaging, fabulously written, and historical fiction, set in 1912 and partly on the titanic. it's obviously well researched. The characters are well written and developed, and the main character, Elinor, you really root for, and she's so relatable. The story itself was well plotted and, whilst predictable in parts, it was very convincing. There are themes in this book, misogyny, class system, PTSD, and the treatment of women, particularly their lack of rights. The differences between the English and American families are highlighted, and the differences couldn't be bigger. The cold, shallow, aristocratic, traditional, set in their ways, rich English side versus the warm, loving, welcoming, hard working, accepting, and encouraging change is contrasted wonderfully. Overall, it's a very engaging page turner. Historical fiction at its finest.
September 21, 2025
Absolutely fantastic in many different aspects. The plot was very clever and extremely entertaining.
September 23, 2025
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.
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.
March 1, 2025
Frances Quinn's third novel, The Lost Passenger, delivers a captivating historical drama about one woman's bold decision to forge a new identity following the Titanic disaster. When young Elinor Coombes boards the doomed ship with her infant son and controlling aristocratic husband, she has no idea that tragedy will offer her an unexpected chance at liberation. Quinn crafts a compelling narrative about class distinction, personal agency, and the courage to begin anew in an unfamiliar world.
Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century England and New York, this immersive story explores the stark contrast between the rigid British aristocracy and the bustling immigrant neighborhoods of America's largest city. Quinn's meticulous attention to historical detail and her compassionate portrayal of working-class life in the Lower East Side elevate this beyond a simple Titanic survival tale into a nuanced examination of identity, belonging, and what truly makes a family.
Aristocratic Cages: A Marriage Built on Deception
From the opening pages, Quinn establishes the suffocating environment of Winterton Hall, where protagonist Elinor finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage. The daughter of a self-made industrialist (nicknamed "the cotton king"), Elinor is initially dazzled by Frederick Coombes and his aristocratic family. However, her romantic illusions are shattered on their wedding night when she discovers the harsh truth: Frederick married her solely for her father's money.
Quinn skillfully depicts the casual cruelty of the British upper class through small, cutting moments:
"Dreadfully bold?"
"But the father!" she went on. "Appalling man. Couldn't back out of course, once it was announced, but he haggled all the details. Not a bit grateful."
What elevates the novel is Quinn's refusal to portray Elinor as merely a victim. Despite her naivety, she maintains her northern accent and attempts to assert herself, characteristics her mother-in-law Lady Storton is determined to eliminate: "She's been rather indulged at home, encouraged to think herself clever, unfortunately. It's made her dreadfully bold in her manner... But she's only nineteen—easy to mold."
Motherhood Restricted: The Aristocratic Control of Children
The most heartbreaking aspect of Elinor's life at Winterton involves her limited access to her own son. Quinn unflinchingly portrays the aristocratic practice of relegating childcare entirely to nannies, with mothers permitted only brief daily visits. When Elinor attempts to keep her newborn with her, she's labeled mentally unstable and forbidden from seeing him for weeks—a devastating scene rendered with genuine emotional impact.
Through this storyline, Quinn examines how the English aristocracy perpetuated its values through generations, prioritizing land, titles, and tradition over individual happiness. This systematic approach to child-rearing serves as the primary motivation for Elinor's later decisions, adding moral complexity to her choices.
Opportunity in Catastrophe: The Titanic as Catalyst
Quinn handles the Titanic disaster with appropriate gravity while avoiding melodrama. Rather than sensationalizing the sinking, she focuses on its psychological impact—the haunting cries of those left behind in the water become a recurring motif throughout the novel. This restrained approach makes the tragedy feel all the more real, and Elinor's impulsive decision to assume another woman's identity becomes understandable, if not entirely justifiable.
The novel's strength lies in exploring the moral ambiguity of Elinor's choice. By taking the identity of Molly Mortimer, a pregnant ladies' maid who perished on the ship, Elinor secures a place to stay with Molly's relatives in New York. Quinn doesn't shy away from the ethical complications, particularly as Elinor forms genuine bonds with the family she's deceiving.
A New World: Immigrant Life in New York's Lower East Side
Quinn's portrayal of New York's Lower East Side in the 1910s is richly detailed and historically grounded. Through Elinor/Molly's shocked perspective, readers experience the cramped tenement apartments, shared outhouses, and overwhelming sensory immersion of immigrant neighborhoods:
"The stairway was lit by one dim light and the steps snaked up into darkness. From inside a door to the left came the voices of a man and a woman shouting at each other in a language I didn't understand, and there was a revolting smell of cabbage that got stronger as we walked up the stairs."
What makes this section particularly compelling is Elinor's growth. Raised with servants and luxury, she must learn basic domestic skills—cooking, cleaning, sewing—while maintaining her false identity. Quinn avoids the cliché of instant transformation, instead showing Elinor's gradual adaptation through trial and error, including comedic moments of incompetence that humanize her journey.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Novel
What Works Well
1. Character Development: Elinor's evolution from sheltered aristocratic wife to resourceful businesswoman feels earned and authentic. Secondary characters, particularly Anna (the Swedish grandmother) and Ruth (Molly's cousin), are memorably distinct.
2. Period Details: Quinn excels at integrating historical elements without overwhelming the narrative. From Grand Street pushcarts to bathhouse etiquette, these details enhance the world without distracting from the story.
3. Moral Complexity: The novel resists simple judgments about Elinor's deception, showing both the harm caused by her lies and the understandable desperation behind them.
4. Cross-Class Perspective: By positioning Elinor as someone who has inhabited both wealth and poverty, Quinn creates unique insights into class differences of the era.
Where It Falls Short
1. Pacing Issues: The middle section occasionally drags, particularly once Elinor establishes herself in New York. Some scenes of daily tenement life could have been condensed.
2. Convenient Resolution: The confrontation with Lissy near the end feels somewhat contrived, with Elinor discovering leverage at precisely the right moment to secure her freedom.
3. Limited Historical Context: While Quinn excels at depicting domestic life, broader historical events like labor movements and women's suffrage remain largely in the background.
4. Simplified Antagonists: The Storton family, particularly Lady Storton, occasionally verges on caricature in their coldness and rigidity.
Final Assessment: A Thoughtfully Crafted Historical Drama
The Lost Passenger succeeds as both a gripping survival story and a nuanced exploration of class, identity, and chosen family. While occasionally slipping into melodrama, Quinn's respect for historical reality and her compassionate approach to her characters' moral dilemmas create a satisfying reading experience.
The novel's emotional center—Elinor's determination to give her son a life free from aristocratic constraints—resonates because Quinn has established so thoroughly what those constraints would mean. By the conclusion, when Elinor confronts her past and secures her future, readers will likely find themselves fully invested in her unconventional path to happiness.
Quinn's prose is accessible without being simplistic, moving the story forward while occasionally offering moments of striking insight. While not flawless, The Lost Passenger represents a strong addition to the historical fiction genre, particularly for readers interested in early 20th-century social dynamics and the immigrant experience.
Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century England and New York, this immersive story explores the stark contrast between the rigid British aristocracy and the bustling immigrant neighborhoods of America's largest city. Quinn's meticulous attention to historical detail and her compassionate portrayal of working-class life in the Lower East Side elevate this beyond a simple Titanic survival tale into a nuanced examination of identity, belonging, and what truly makes a family.
Aristocratic Cages: A Marriage Built on Deception
From the opening pages, Quinn establishes the suffocating environment of Winterton Hall, where protagonist Elinor finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage. The daughter of a self-made industrialist (nicknamed "the cotton king"), Elinor is initially dazzled by Frederick Coombes and his aristocratic family. However, her romantic illusions are shattered on their wedding night when she discovers the harsh truth: Frederick married her solely for her father's money.
Quinn skillfully depicts the casual cruelty of the British upper class through small, cutting moments:
"Dreadfully bold?"
"But the father!" she went on. "Appalling man. Couldn't back out of course, once it was announced, but he haggled all the details. Not a bit grateful."
What elevates the novel is Quinn's refusal to portray Elinor as merely a victim. Despite her naivety, she maintains her northern accent and attempts to assert herself, characteristics her mother-in-law Lady Storton is determined to eliminate: "She's been rather indulged at home, encouraged to think herself clever, unfortunately. It's made her dreadfully bold in her manner... But she's only nineteen—easy to mold."
Motherhood Restricted: The Aristocratic Control of Children
The most heartbreaking aspect of Elinor's life at Winterton involves her limited access to her own son. Quinn unflinchingly portrays the aristocratic practice of relegating childcare entirely to nannies, with mothers permitted only brief daily visits. When Elinor attempts to keep her newborn with her, she's labeled mentally unstable and forbidden from seeing him for weeks—a devastating scene rendered with genuine emotional impact.
Through this storyline, Quinn examines how the English aristocracy perpetuated its values through generations, prioritizing land, titles, and tradition over individual happiness. This systematic approach to child-rearing serves as the primary motivation for Elinor's later decisions, adding moral complexity to her choices.
Opportunity in Catastrophe: The Titanic as Catalyst
Quinn handles the Titanic disaster with appropriate gravity while avoiding melodrama. Rather than sensationalizing the sinking, she focuses on its psychological impact—the haunting cries of those left behind in the water become a recurring motif throughout the novel. This restrained approach makes the tragedy feel all the more real, and Elinor's impulsive decision to assume another woman's identity becomes understandable, if not entirely justifiable.
The novel's strength lies in exploring the moral ambiguity of Elinor's choice. By taking the identity of Molly Mortimer, a pregnant ladies' maid who perished on the ship, Elinor secures a place to stay with Molly's relatives in New York. Quinn doesn't shy away from the ethical complications, particularly as Elinor forms genuine bonds with the family she's deceiving.
A New World: Immigrant Life in New York's Lower East Side
Quinn's portrayal of New York's Lower East Side in the 1910s is richly detailed and historically grounded. Through Elinor/Molly's shocked perspective, readers experience the cramped tenement apartments, shared outhouses, and overwhelming sensory immersion of immigrant neighborhoods:
"The stairway was lit by one dim light and the steps snaked up into darkness. From inside a door to the left came the voices of a man and a woman shouting at each other in a language I didn't understand, and there was a revolting smell of cabbage that got stronger as we walked up the stairs."
What makes this section particularly compelling is Elinor's growth. Raised with servants and luxury, she must learn basic domestic skills—cooking, cleaning, sewing—while maintaining her false identity. Quinn avoids the cliché of instant transformation, instead showing Elinor's gradual adaptation through trial and error, including comedic moments of incompetence that humanize her journey.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Novel
What Works Well
1. Character Development: Elinor's evolution from sheltered aristocratic wife to resourceful businesswoman feels earned and authentic. Secondary characters, particularly Anna (the Swedish grandmother) and Ruth (Molly's cousin), are memorably distinct.
2. Period Details: Quinn excels at integrating historical elements without overwhelming the narrative. From Grand Street pushcarts to bathhouse etiquette, these details enhance the world without distracting from the story.
3. Moral Complexity: The novel resists simple judgments about Elinor's deception, showing both the harm caused by her lies and the understandable desperation behind them.
4. Cross-Class Perspective: By positioning Elinor as someone who has inhabited both wealth and poverty, Quinn creates unique insights into class differences of the era.
Where It Falls Short
1. Pacing Issues: The middle section occasionally drags, particularly once Elinor establishes herself in New York. Some scenes of daily tenement life could have been condensed.
2. Convenient Resolution: The confrontation with Lissy near the end feels somewhat contrived, with Elinor discovering leverage at precisely the right moment to secure her freedom.
3. Limited Historical Context: While Quinn excels at depicting domestic life, broader historical events like labor movements and women's suffrage remain largely in the background.
4. Simplified Antagonists: The Storton family, particularly Lady Storton, occasionally verges on caricature in their coldness and rigidity.
Final Assessment: A Thoughtfully Crafted Historical Drama
The Lost Passenger succeeds as both a gripping survival story and a nuanced exploration of class, identity, and chosen family. While occasionally slipping into melodrama, Quinn's respect for historical reality and her compassionate approach to her characters' moral dilemmas create a satisfying reading experience.
The novel's emotional center—Elinor's determination to give her son a life free from aristocratic constraints—resonates because Quinn has established so thoroughly what those constraints would mean. By the conclusion, when Elinor confronts her past and secures her future, readers will likely find themselves fully invested in her unconventional path to happiness.
Quinn's prose is accessible without being simplistic, moving the story forward while occasionally offering moments of striking insight. While not flawless, The Lost Passenger represents a strong addition to the historical fiction genre, particularly for readers interested in early 20th-century social dynamics and the immigrant experience.
November 25, 2024
3.5 Stars
Thank you to author Frances Quinn and NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
Always up for a good yarn with the Titanic as the backdrop. Young Elinor duped into marriage quickly marries Frederick Coombes and finds herself welcomed into a cold, uncaring family who are more interested in old traditions and money than a new daughter-in-law. Forced to adapt to the staunch upbringing that comes with the aristocracy, Elinor locked away finds herself unhappy, in a loveless marriage and dreams of escaping the confines of this home and family. When her working class but successful father surprises her with passage on the newly built marvel, the Titanic, Elinor finally feels she can at last escape the hell of Winterton estate even if for a short journey. When the now famous tragedy begins to unfold at sea Elinor makes a life changing decision that will alter the course of her and her son's life.
Thank you to author Frances Quinn and NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
Always up for a good yarn with the Titanic as the backdrop. Young Elinor duped into marriage quickly marries Frederick Coombes and finds herself welcomed into a cold, uncaring family who are more interested in old traditions and money than a new daughter-in-law. Forced to adapt to the staunch upbringing that comes with the aristocracy, Elinor locked away finds herself unhappy, in a loveless marriage and dreams of escaping the confines of this home and family. When her working class but successful father surprises her with passage on the newly built marvel, the Titanic, Elinor finally feels she can at last escape the hell of Winterton estate even if for a short journey. When the now famous tragedy begins to unfold at sea Elinor makes a life changing decision that will alter the course of her and her son's life.
February 25, 2025
The Lost Passenger is an intriguing historical fiction novel about a young English woman who attempts to run from her previous life after surviving the sinking of the Titanic. Elinor is the 19-year old daughter of a self-made millionaire. She unknowingly enters a loveless marriage with the titled Frederick, who is in need of her money. Elinor is later thrilled by the opportunity to escape her in-laws expectations for a short time when her father treats her, Frederick and their 2-year old son to the maiden voyage on the Titanic. After surviving the horror of the ship’s sinking, Elinor assumes the identity of a working class victim and attempts to make a new life for herself and her son in New York with the other woman’s family.
I preferred the content and pacing of the second half of the novel, especially Elinor’s determination and resourcefulness, and the theme of found family. “This place that I’d found so strange at first was my home now, and I didn’t want to leave it, or the life we’d built here.” I found the ending satisfying, when Elinor realizes “that there’s more than one kind of happy ending”. 4/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own. Pub date: 2/25/25
I preferred the content and pacing of the second half of the novel, especially Elinor’s determination and resourcefulness, and the theme of found family. “This place that I’d found so strange at first was my home now, and I didn’t want to leave it, or the life we’d built here.” I found the ending satisfying, when Elinor realizes “that there’s more than one kind of happy ending”. 4/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own. Pub date: 2/25/25
February 11, 2025
What a great story! This is not a romance but has elements of love, parenthood, and taking on a new identity all tied to the Titanic. Frances Quinn has written such an unputdownable intriguing tale, my first by her and definitely not my last. Not to be missed. 5 stars — Pub. 2/25/25
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2025
The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn. Thanks to @randomhouse for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A young woman uses the tragedy of the Titanic to escape a stifling aristocratic life for her and her son.
The synopsis really gives a lot away but that okay. The story is still intense, even after the Titanic voyage. While this story is similar in plot to the Titanic movie, there is not a romance (thankfully!). This book is solely about a young woman’s resilience, strength, and dedication to her son.
“We’d been given a chance to go on with our lives, when so many others had lost theirs. What if I decided not to waste that chance on a life that would make us both miserable?
The Lost Passenger comes out 2/25.
A young woman uses the tragedy of the Titanic to escape a stifling aristocratic life for her and her son.
The synopsis really gives a lot away but that okay. The story is still intense, even after the Titanic voyage. While this story is similar in plot to the Titanic movie, there is not a romance (thankfully!). This book is solely about a young woman’s resilience, strength, and dedication to her son.
“We’d been given a chance to go on with our lives, when so many others had lost theirs. What if I decided not to waste that chance on a life that would make us both miserable?
The Lost Passenger comes out 2/25.
December 20, 2025
The Lost Passenger follows the story of a woman who survives the sinking of the Titanic and upon being rescued, decides to take on a new identity to have a better life. As she builds a future in America, her life is shaped by secrets, loss, and difficult choices. The author does a good job bringing the time period to life, as well as the emotional struggles of the characters. While the pacing slowed in parts and some plot threads felt a bit underdeveloped, the overall story remained interesting and meaningful.
June 5, 2025
I’ve always been drawn to historical fiction, and this novel was no exception. While the general direction of the story was predictable, Frances Quinn's writing kept me invested throughout most of the novel. Well done!
May 3, 2025
A real life historical maritime disaster, a suspenseful class difference situation, and a woman’s quiet battle for freedom and survival were a heady combo and enticed me into trying The Lost Passenger by new-to-me author, Frances Quinn.
The Lost Passenger begins with a little framing teaser and then dips back into the past for the beginning of Elinor Coombes’ tale. Elinor’s hardworking manufacturing giant of a father who started from next to nothing to rise and become one of the wealthiest men in England could ill-prepare her when they are inexplicably invited into the genteel aristocratic high society world of Edwardian England. Elinor rapidly progresses from meeting, falling for, and marrying the handsome, charming son of an earl. Just as swiftly, she learns she was married for her dowry and she is disdained by her in-laws and all their ilk.
The confining restrictions of the aristocracy and the loneliness and misery she feels are choking her when her dear father presents her with first class tickets so that she, her husband, and their young son can join him on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. When the ship goes down, Elinor is presented with an incredible possibility.
Frances Quinn did a bang up job presenting the historical setting and situation for a class difference story so that Elinor’s life was easy to imagine just like Quinn didn’t stint on coloring in Elinor’s character so her thoughts and actions gave me a strong sympathy for her. Actually, the motivations of her upper class husband, his family, and friends were made clear as well. The Coombes were not true villains, but were people of their time and class, but they felt like villains to Elinor who was woefully in over her head and alone.
As the reader, I saw the heartbreak and disillusion coming from the first pages even while Elinor was still happy and feeling like her life was like the fictional romances she loved reading. There were three distinct parts to the story: Elinor’s life in England from manufacturing heiress to future Countess, period aboard Titanic, and then her life after the disaster in bustling New York City living among other poor immigrants in the teeming tenements. The New York end of the story was where she really showed her courage starting over after surviving Titanic’s sinking. Incidentally, the author gave Elinor the struggles of a shipwreck survivor’s life that would stay with them life-long.
In the end, the crisis moment had me reading on baited breath and flipping pages rapidly to the satisfying ending. Stellar historical details, well-paced and flowing plot mingling the character’s development and the sometimes suspenseful plot. I heartily recommend following Elinor’s fraught journey in The Lost Passenger for historical fiction readers.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink 3.6.25.
The Lost Passenger begins with a little framing teaser and then dips back into the past for the beginning of Elinor Coombes’ tale. Elinor’s hardworking manufacturing giant of a father who started from next to nothing to rise and become one of the wealthiest men in England could ill-prepare her when they are inexplicably invited into the genteel aristocratic high society world of Edwardian England. Elinor rapidly progresses from meeting, falling for, and marrying the handsome, charming son of an earl. Just as swiftly, she learns she was married for her dowry and she is disdained by her in-laws and all their ilk.
The confining restrictions of the aristocracy and the loneliness and misery she feels are choking her when her dear father presents her with first class tickets so that she, her husband, and their young son can join him on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. When the ship goes down, Elinor is presented with an incredible possibility.
Frances Quinn did a bang up job presenting the historical setting and situation for a class difference story so that Elinor’s life was easy to imagine just like Quinn didn’t stint on coloring in Elinor’s character so her thoughts and actions gave me a strong sympathy for her. Actually, the motivations of her upper class husband, his family, and friends were made clear as well. The Coombes were not true villains, but were people of their time and class, but they felt like villains to Elinor who was woefully in over her head and alone.
As the reader, I saw the heartbreak and disillusion coming from the first pages even while Elinor was still happy and feeling like her life was like the fictional romances she loved reading. There were three distinct parts to the story: Elinor’s life in England from manufacturing heiress to future Countess, period aboard Titanic, and then her life after the disaster in bustling New York City living among other poor immigrants in the teeming tenements. The New York end of the story was where she really showed her courage starting over after surviving Titanic’s sinking. Incidentally, the author gave Elinor the struggles of a shipwreck survivor’s life that would stay with them life-long.
In the end, the crisis moment had me reading on baited breath and flipping pages rapidly to the satisfying ending. Stellar historical details, well-paced and flowing plot mingling the character’s development and the sometimes suspenseful plot. I heartily recommend following Elinor’s fraught journey in The Lost Passenger for historical fiction readers.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink 3.6.25.
December 17, 2024
Wow, this book was amazing!
Yes, it’s a book about the tragedy of the ship Titanic. That’s only a short part of the book, albeit very detailed and heart-rending. The main focus of this novel was about a young woman who foresaw a loveless, miserable future for herself and her young son. When an opportunity to possibly escape that gloomy existence presented it itself, the woman took it, though frightened, out of pure love for her child.
A very thought provoking book, in a “what would I have done?” way. And, an absolute must-read for Titanic story lovers, and for those interested in life on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the early 1900s.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
Yes, it’s a book about the tragedy of the ship Titanic. That’s only a short part of the book, albeit very detailed and heart-rending. The main focus of this novel was about a young woman who foresaw a loveless, miserable future for herself and her young son. When an opportunity to possibly escape that gloomy existence presented it itself, the woman took it, though frightened, out of pure love for her child.
A very thought provoking book, in a “what would I have done?” way. And, an absolute must-read for Titanic story lovers, and for those interested in life on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the early 1900s.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
November 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review.
I wanted to love this story. The decade, the location, the events, are all interests of mine. However, I got 25% of the story read and just couldn't read another page of sadness and frustration for the main character. It just wasn't moving in an enjoyable direction for me to continue.
I was frustrated with the incongruence between the timeframe that the story is set in and the writing style/language used. It didn't feel authentic. It felt like Freida McFadden was writing historical fiction.
I wanted to love this story. The decade, the location, the events, are all interests of mine. However, I got 25% of the story read and just couldn't read another page of sadness and frustration for the main character. It just wasn't moving in an enjoyable direction for me to continue.
I was frustrated with the incongruence between the timeframe that the story is set in and the writing style/language used. It didn't feel authentic. It felt like Freida McFadden was writing historical fiction.
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