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Lady Lost: A Sweet Regency Mystery

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A lady with a secret past. A spy searching for the truth. A season that could change everything…
When Teodora Cesari arrives in London for her first Season, she is determined to navigate the glittering world of Regency high society while uncovering a long-buried secret about her father. Under the watchful eye of the formidable Lady Chadwick, Teo must master the art of polite conversation, society balls, and the delicate dance of courtship. But London is full of whispers, and some secrets are too dangerous to be uncovered. Yet, until she can discover her roots, Teo is lost.
Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston, is no stranger to secrets. As the leader of a covert intelligence network, his sharp mind and cool demeanor have served the Crown for years. Pressured to find a wife, he enters London’s social scene, only to find himself captivated by an outspoken, unconventional young lady who stirs his sense of duty—and his guarded heart.
As Teo’s quest for answers draws her and Sebastian closer, past secrets and present enchantment collide in London’s most elite ballrooms. But Teo’s search for the past may uncover a truth that could threaten Sebastian’s future. And he must decide if he’s willing to risk his heart for a woman who could upend his carefully controlled world.
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Julia Quinn, and Mary Balogh, Lady Lost is a slow-burn Regency romance filled with witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and an irresistible blend of intrigue and passion.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read

About the author

Meredith Bond

69 books204 followers
Meredith Bond's books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won't soon forget. She is currently living in Europe enjoying the Bohemian life. I write a blog on writing and self-publishing that is published every Sunday at www.meredithbond.com/blog/posts

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,381 reviews78 followers
October 14, 2025
3.5 stars
Lady Lost is the fourth book in the Zodiac Regency Romance series by Meredith Bond. Each book in the series can be enjoyed as a standalone. These historical romances are known for their witty banter.

The story follows Teo, who is determined to find her father. After her mother dies during childbirth, her uncle, who has sworn to keep family secrets, refuses to reveal any information about him. Teo is sent to London to seek a husband, but her primary goal is to uncover the truth about her father. With so many hidden secrets, she feels lost and unsure of what to do.

Sebastian, the Earl of Everston, is a member of a secret intelligence group called the Carlisle Group. He has been instructed to find a wife, and it isn’t long before he encounters the resolute Teo. Aware of how dangerous secrets can be, he decides to assist her in her quest.

While the premise of the story is intriguing, readers looking for a romance may find that the narrative focuses more on Teo’s search for her father than on developing a romantic relationship. However, this emphasis on mystery does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Will uncovering the truth bring an end to their relationship, or will it draw them closer together? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Profile Image for Angela.
8,256 reviews121 followers
October 16, 2025
3 Stars

Lady Lost is the fourth book in The Zodiac Regency Series by Meredith Bond. It is a sweet and charming Regency romance with a touch of intrigue.
I have come into this series a little backward, starting well into the pack, but even though this is the fourth book in The Zodiac Regency series, it can be read as a standalone as each instalment in the series focuses on a different couple.
The premise of the series is based on the ‘Zodiac’ signs interwoven with historical detailing and romance. I love a great historical story, add mystery and romance to the mix and I am one little happy camper.
“Can your zodiac sign really determine who you should marry? Matchmaker and astrological scholar Lady Rebecca Preston believes so. When she meets two people who she is certain are destined for each other her fingers tingle. Knowing that their signs are aligned only enhances her certainty. Once she is certain of a match, Lady Preston will stop at nothing to ensure the two people have every opportunity to fall in love—no matter how reluctant they might be.”
In this instalment we meet Teodora Cesari and Sebastian Clemens (the Earl of Everston, who is also a covert operative) – Teodora might be in London for the season, but she also wants to uncover the secrets about her father that her family have kept from her. Sebastian has his own agenda as pressure comes to bear - he needs a wife ….. and so the story begins.
The author has woven an intriguing little mystery into the story/romance which added an extra element of interest, keeping me engaged and on the hunt to uncover the secrets.
Knowing that there are 12 Zodiac signs, I can only presume that this series will be a twelve-book series going through each of the astrological signs in turn, so now I guess I am in for the long haul.
Happy Reading…
996 reviews14 followers
November 4, 2025
Teodora Cesari is a young woman who is visiting England, from her home country of Florence for her first season and on the search for a husband, she is staying with her aunt, Lady Chadwick and cousin Miss Chadwick, who is also coming out for her first season, but Teodora also has another reason for her trip, to find out the true identity of her father. Sebastian Clemens is the Earl of Evanston and the man who runs an intelligence network of spies and he is extremely good at it too, however, his employer decides that it is time for him to find a wife and put him on a forced leave to enter society and do just that, but he is very specific with what he wants in a partner and this makes choosing someone a little more difficult.

As Miss Cesari begins attending the rotation of parties, soirées and dinners, she meets many possible suitors and dances with many a gentleman, while also trying to find a match for her cousin, at the same time, she is also trying to find a certain Lord who may have some answers to her questions, and so she begins her quest in earnest. Meanwhile, Sebastian is doing the same, however, all the young ladies he is introduced to are all the same, pretty but lacking in conversation, so when a pair come knocking on his door, he is more than surprised, yet also intrigued by the surprise.

As Teodora and Sebastian dig deeper into her past, the mystery unearths a wider plot and this is when she also realises that entering into society can be just as fraught with missteps as any other dangerous scenario, especially when secrets wish to remain buried and scandals avoided, but will she ever find her past, or will she remain a Lady lost? This is a Regency romance where the glittering lights of English society cover an underbelly of secrets and entanglements which do not want to be revealed.
Profile Image for Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews.
5,476 reviews177 followers
May 9, 2025
Lady Lost is the fourth book in A Zodiac Regency Romance series by Meredith Bond. While I haven’t read the previous books, I’m now tempted to remedy that! This novel works well as a standalone, but if the rest of the series is as captivating as this one, I definitely want to read them all.

This was my first Meredith Bond novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’ve undoubtedly discovered a new favorite author—her writing style drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end.

The synopsis immediately intrigued me with its promise of uncovering a long-buried secret about the heroine Theodora Cesari’s father. The hero, Sebastian, is no stranger to secrets himself. As they embark on a quest for answers, their journey draws them closer together, weaving romance into a world of whispers and danger. I was captivated by the mystery surrounding Theodora and Sebastian’s relationship and couldn’t wait to unravel the truth alongside them.

From the very first pages, I was swept into a journey I didn’t want to end. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy to connect with them. The plot twists and secrets unfolded seamlessly, keeping me engaged throughout. The romance between Theodora and Sebastian was heartwarming—both were vulnerable in ways that tugged at my heartstrings, and their love story was tender and sweet.

If you enjoy historical romance with a touch of mystery, Lady Lost is a must-read. I can’t wait to explore more of Meredith Bond’s work!
384 reviews
March 14, 2025
Teodora Cesare is in London from Florence, Italy, for the Season to find a husband with the help of Lady Chadwick who is launching her shy daughter, Claire Saddler. But Teo doesn't believe she can marry anyone without learning the identity of her father, who left Florence after the death of his wife at Teo's birth. Her uncle has long told her that he promised her father never to disclose his name.

Upon learning that her father had traveled in the company with the Earl of Everston, Teo, expecting a man of her father's age, makes an improper visit to the home of the earl.

Succeeding his father to the title, Sebastian Clemens, now Earl of Everston, and head of the spy group, the Carlisle Group, has been ordered to take a leave of absence and find a wife--an order for which he had no taste and thus sought the service of Lady Preston, a widow, known as the zodiac matchmaker because of her use of zodiac signs in making matches.

The puzzle of finding Teo's father's identity intrigues Sev, so he agrees to help her, not anticipating the deadends and danger in the quest.

Teo and Sev's story is interwoven with Claire's blossoming and Lady Preston's own consideration of remarriage.

Told from multiple points of view, but with clear delineation, the story flows compellingly.

This is the fourth book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
115 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2025
Being a spy is hard, but NOT being one is harder. Ask Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston has led a secret life for years. He has been asked to stop down from his spying activities, which is causing him some heartburn. Enter Teodora Cesari. Teodora Cesari is in England, having a season but also determined to find out who is/was her father. Left in Italy, in the care of an Uncle Benjamin, she longs to solve this mystery. Spending time in England and with Lady Chadwick and her daughter Claire is nice, but still, she longs to fix this gap in her knowledge. Theodora is brave, kind, full of adventure and determination. Sebastian finds her intriguing, full of spirit and an attraction begins. They decide to work together to solve her mystery. While in that process, they find warmth, love, and surprising revelations.
The two chart their own course and find themselves in the process. While this book is part of a Zodiac series, you need not read the prior books. I gave this read 4 stars as I really did not see a matchmaker’s hand in their journey. I loved this journey without the zodiac connection, it was not needed. I am intrigued and will be reading the other books in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Leah.
48 reviews2 followers
November 1, 2025
Lady Lost is the fourth book in the Zodiak Regency Series by Meredith Bond. It is a wonderful historical romance novel with a mystery element. Teodora Cesare has come to London for the season with the help of Lady Chadwick, who is also launching her timid daughter into society. But Teo has actually come to London to solve the mystery of her father, who left after his wife’s death at the birth of Teo. Teo was raised by her uncle, who promised her father to never reveal his identity to his daughter. Teo eventually learns that her father traveled with a man who was the Earl of Everson. Teo takes it upon herself to visit the home of the Earl of Everson, expecting to meet an elderly gentleman, but is greeted by a young Earl of Everson, who is the son of the man her father traveled with. This Earl is the head of a spy group who is placed on a leave of absence after being told he must find a wife before returning to work. As Teo shares her mission, the Earl decides to help her solve the mystery of her father. Their mission meets a lot of dead ends and danger, but as they work together, they begin to have feelings for each other. This story is told from multiple points of view, but those do not distract from the storyline. The story flows and kept me wanting to read until the end.
Profile Image for Charmaine Fernando.
423 reviews8 followers
March 18, 2025
An interesting story by Meredith Bond. We are introduced to Teodora Cesari, in London from Florence, Italy to find a husband with the help of Lady Chadwick, who, at the same time, is also launching her daughter, Claire Saddler into society. Teo has a primary need to find a long-lost father, who abandoned her at birth and returned to England upon the death of Teo’s mother while giving birth to her.

She learns that the Earl of Everston was constantly in the company of her father and wants to seek further information from him. Unfortunately for Teo, the Earl has since died and his heir and son, Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston. Sebastian, the head of the Carlisle Group of spies, has been tasked with finding a wife this season. Once he hears that Teo is looking for her father, he agrees to collaborate with her to solve the puzzle, not knowing what kind of dead ends and dangers they will encounter together.

All in a lovely story that will interest you to read and find out what happens in the end. I received an ARC from Book Sirens and the publishers and submit my honest review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Gylene.
197 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2025
Teodora Cesari is sent to London for the season by her uncle who raised her. Teodora is determined while in London to discover the identity of her father who swore her uncle to never tell her who he is.

Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston runs the Carlisle Group which is a spy organization that his father helped start. He has been advised to take a year off from the organization so he can relax and find a wife.

Teo goes in search for her father’s friend Everston who went on the grand tour with him. When Seb appears she realizes that he is much younger and could not be the person she is looking for. Seb is intrigue with her story and offers to help her. Will they both be able to solve the mystery together?

I liked Teo and Seb’s story. It was interesting and trying to figure out the mystery kept the story moving. I did feel that the book focused more on trying to find Teo’s father than on the building romance between Teo and Seb. There was also a side story of some of the secondary characters that almost distracted from the main story. Overall the book was well written and enjoyable to read.
Profile Image for Jayne Butcher.
1,330 reviews15 followers
March 31, 2025
Oh such a good story! Teodora (Teo) was raised in Florence by her aunt and uncle. She knew that her mother died shortly after childbirth, but she did not know who her father was, and her uncle, who was sworn to secrecy, would not tell her. When she was sent to England to stay with her uncle’s cousin Lady Chadwick for the season, she had two goals, find a husband and find her father. Sebastian, the Earl of Everston, was head of a secret intelligence gathering group known as the Carlisle Group, and had just been instructed by the foreign secretary to take time off to find a wife and enjoy life. It wasn’t long before Teo and Sebastian were working together to find her father. Added to the mix were Lady Chadwick’s extremely shy daughter Claire and matchmaker Rebecca Preston. This story is filled with social events, anonymous threats, surprises, scattered emotions and drama. It is well-written, has a plethora of diverse characters, is exciting, engaging and very hard to put down. It is a good, solid story…..a romance on a mission….most enjoyable and entertaining!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,570 reviews21 followers
March 30, 2025
Well written, full of drama, intrigue, love, mystery, suspense, villain, society, twists and spies. Teodora arrives in London to attend her debut into society but has another reason for coming. Teo wants to find her father who left her Aunt and Uncle. She wants to meet and talk to Lord Everston. But when she gets to his home, she finds his son Sebastian to be the new Lord Everston. When they next meet up, Sebastian offers his help with finding her father. They share what they know, looking for journals that his father may have written. When finding nothing, they decide to find old friends that went on the tour with him. One
thing leads to the next and then things really to start to happen. So many questions that needs to be answered. The characters are all outstanding with an emotional journey for all. Lots of action and adventure in this story. A real page turner that keeps you reading and wanting more. Would strongly recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,635 reviews33 followers
November 3, 2025
This is an enjoyable and engaging slow-burn regency romance. Teodora Cesari is in London for her first Season under the formidable Lady Chadwick’s care. As she learns how to behave in the world of Regency high society, she is also looking to discover the identity of her father. As the leader of a covert intelligence network Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston is being pressured into finding a wife. He finds himself captivated by the unconventional and outspoken Teo.

Her quest to find answers to her past draws Teo and Sebastian closer and he feels his guarded heart stirring. However, as Teo looks for answers to her past, her search uncovers secrets that could threaten Sebastian’s future. The descriptive narrative brought the world of the Regency high society vividly to life and I could imagine myself in one of London’s elite ballrooms! The slight mystery element to the intriguing storyline kept my interest throughout. I loved the unconventional and outspoken Teo and her developing relationship with the likeable Sebastian kept me happily turning the pages.
Profile Image for Pat Robinson.
850 reviews10 followers
Read
March 30, 2025
What an ingeniously different tale of a woman looking for her father and a man looking for a wife. Teo is thrust into the Season to catch a husband, but she really wants to find her father. It was interesting how the author weaved Teo and Sebastian ‘s fate together, meeting up the first time, only to be introduced the second time and acting like strangers. The path to finding her father was rather twisted, but some of the details were confusing… especially the older man dancing with her and giving her some secrets. I never did figure out why the villain was so concerned about her finding her dad . This is the first story I read in this series and was VERY confused about the Rebecca storyline- I kept waiting for it to be weaved together, but it seemed to be an entirely different story. Claire’s story was precious, as I am a shy girl with strangers as well, so I understood her take on life well. The characters were adorable and the chemistry was good. I enjoyed it .
Profile Image for Jessica Godwin.
204 reviews7 followers
November 4, 2025
This book offers a delightful combination of sweet romance and intriguing espionage. It tells the story of Teodora Cesari, who arrives in London for her first Season determined to solve a long-buried secret about her father. She quickly gets swept up into the glittering, yet gossipy, world of high society. On the other side is Sebastian Clemens, the Earl of Everston, who leads a covert intelligence network. He's under pressure to find a wife but finds himself utterly captivated by the unconventional and outspoken Teo. As Teo's quest for answers draws them together, Sebastian must balance his duty to the Crown with his growing feelings for a woman whose past could potentially threaten his future. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy a slow-burn romance with witty dialogue and a dash of action and intrigue. It's a charming read that blends the elegance of the Regency era with a suspenseful, mystery plot.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,450 reviews17 followers
March 20, 2025
3.5*
Teodora is sent to London to find a husband but her secondary purpose is to find the father who abandoned her as a baby. With very little clue as to whom he might be, she approaches Lord Everston only to find he has died. Fortunately his son and heir is only too happy to help her but someone is not happy about their investigations….
The romance angle is not strong but the investigative action makes up for this, making it an easy read.
I did feel there were a lot of typos and some holes in the plot eg. Did feel the simplest way to have discovered her father’s name was to have asked to see the church records where her parents were married. The author could have closed this obvious route down by having had the records destroyed in a fire.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kristi McChurin.
217 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2025
Lady Lost by Meredith Bond completely drew me in. Lady Cecilia has already been through marriage and loss, and now she’s trying to figure out who she is beyond all that. I really connected with her — she’s strong, smart, and ready to take control of her own life for once.

Then there’s Julian… oh, Julian. Mysterious, kind, and definitely holding a few secrets. The chemistry between them had me smiling more than once! I found myself cheering for Cecilia the whole way through — she deserves that second chance at love and happiness.

What I loved most is that this story isn’t just about romance. It’s about healing, rediscovering yourself, and realizing it’s never too late to start over. Meredith Bond hit just the right mix of heart, humor, and hope with this one.

If you love strong heroines and slow-burn Regency romance with heart, this one’s a definite must-read! 💕
Profile Image for NelleRenn.
983 reviews
February 23, 2025
I enjoyed the storyline of a young lady seeking her father. The heroine has come to England from Italy to find a husband, but her true desire is to find her father who abandoned her. The hero has been a spy and head of a spy ring, but has been told to take some time off and find a wife. They meet and a connection is formed. She informs him that she is looking for her father but she doesn’t know his name, only that he was a friend of his father. They get too close to some other information which puts them in some danger. It was a nice read with enough suspense to keep you going. There were a lot of secondary characters to keep straight. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3,092 reviews34 followers
October 22, 2025
This book is a great historical, slow-burn romance story that, for me, is really all about the characters. Teo and Sev are brilliant characters who pulled me in right from the start. I loved their unconventional meeting and how obvious their connection was immediately. Watching it build as the story progressed was lovely to see and I think the slow-burn element made it more exciting.
I thought the story was really interesting too. It was a little unusual for this genre which made it quite a refreshing read. I wanted to see how everything would play out and I loved the spy element the author had introduced. I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish and will definitely be reading more in the series.
722 reviews9 followers
November 4, 2025
Teodora has come to London with the help of Lady Chadwick. She is to make her debut but she also has an ulterior motive. She has come seeking answers about her father. There are a lot of secrets about and some of them include the young Earl of Everston. Sebastian is being pressured by society to settle down and find a wife so he too enters society. He finds himself captivated by Teodora and her unconventional ways. As Teo continues on her quest to find answers it is soon discovered that her unearthing of things in the past may harm Sebatian's future. Will Teo find the answers she seeks and get the man? Or will the long buried secrets be too much to overcome?
16.6k reviews153 followers
March 11, 2025
A wonderful tale which will leave you wanting more. She wants to learn about her father while having her first season. He is a spy who works for the crown and he is drawn to her but it is going to be very interesting to see what will happen for them
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I loved it
Profile Image for Jill.
519 reviews12 followers
March 29, 2025
A very interesting plot that is unique. The characters change as they face trials that could cause them negative pain or positive growth. Sebastian has a strong sense of who he is, but finding out something from his past calls into question. Teodora believes she was abandoned which leads to her feeling unworthy. Both question whether they can be together. An enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Lyn D Rose .
1,113 reviews17 followers
April 1, 2025
This fourth book in the Zodiac regency series is a sweet regency mystery romance. It has drama, action, intrigue, espionage, and many emotional issues and twits that are very engaging. The characters are brave, determined, adventurous, and intelligent. I enjoyed the ending. I highly recommend reading!
Profile Image for Mary Ansell.
Author 8 books8 followers
April 6, 2025
Sweet Regency Romance with a Hint of Mystery
One of the best books I have read in a long time. I greatly enjoyed this original story with its many plot twists, intelligent, relatable hero and heroine, and happy endings for all the major and minor characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Eileen Smith.
57 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2025
I can’t imagine the feelings of abandonment and betrayal that a young lady of the upper classes must have felt at her debut. No one would actually ask for the hand of someone whose pedigree couldn’t be traced for generations. Unable to even use her father’s last name, Teodora really is lost. Beginning with her own family she meets dead-end after dead-end. As she travels from Italy to London, at least she finds kindness and assistance in unexpected individuals.
The story is well-told and quite lovely. From frustration and threats to love and marriage is a complicated journey, but with bravery and determination Miss Teodora Cesari will not give up.
I heartily recommend reading this book for the happy, positive energy it holds. I loved it!
Profile Image for Melanie Purcell.
675 reviews6 followers
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March 24, 2025
The characters are complex and the relationships amongst them are layered. Teo and Sebastien are a wonderful couple whose romance develops beautifully. The mystery adds great depth to the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
150 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2025
A very enjoyable read filled with mystery, drama and love.

A lot of twists and turns keeps you wondering and makes this story different from others.

Looking forward to the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
73 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2025
A well written and enjoyable historical romance! Great characters that grow beautifully in an England that is enchanting! If you like the Bridgerton series, you'll love this one! I adore how strong the female lead is and that our leading man is perfect for her while still being fallible!
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