What do you think?
Rate this book
The Jilted Countess: A Novel
In the aftermath of World War II, a young Hungarian émigré jilted by a G.I. persuades a Midwestern newspaper editor to help her find an American husband in this poignant novel, based on a true story, from the author of The French Winemaker’s Daughter.
The war stole Roza Meszaros’s dreams of becoming a ballerina and her aristocratic family’s fortune. But the penniless Hungarian countess’s fate takes a hopeful turn when she meets an American soldier named Joe, who promises to marry her and take her to the States. After two years of waiting to obtain the necessary money and paperwork to emigrate, Roza finally arrives in Minnesota—and discovers Joe has married someone else.
Determined to stay in America, Roza turns to popular newspaper columnist Cedric Adams to help her find a suitable husband. Sharing Roza’s story and her picture, Adams makes a special plea to his military readers. The response is overwhelming—nearly 1,800 World War II veterans bombard the paper’s offices with telegrams, flowers, candy, and cash, “a world-record” for marriage proposals, Adams tells Roza.
Like a 1948 version of The Bachelorette, Roza ultimately chooses Finn Erickson, a former soldier and railroad locomotive engineer. Putting aside her romantic ideals, she and her new husband settle into the small riverside town of Red Wing, Minnesota. But when Roza unexpectedly runs into her former fiancé, things quickly become complicated.
A captivating and unusual tale of love, loss, finding yourself, and creating your destiny, The Jilted Countess examines the meaning of marriage, the American dream, and what it takes to face our demons while searching for happiness.
The war stole Roza Meszaros’s dreams of becoming a ballerina and her aristocratic family’s fortune. But the penniless Hungarian countess’s fate takes a hopeful turn when she meets an American soldier named Joe, who promises to marry her and take her to the States. After two years of waiting to obtain the necessary money and paperwork to emigrate, Roza finally arrives in Minnesota—and discovers Joe has married someone else.
Determined to stay in America, Roza turns to popular newspaper columnist Cedric Adams to help her find a suitable husband. Sharing Roza’s story and her picture, Adams makes a special plea to his military readers. The response is overwhelming—nearly 1,800 World War II veterans bombard the paper’s offices with telegrams, flowers, candy, and cash, “a world-record” for marriage proposals, Adams tells Roza.
Like a 1948 version of The Bachelorette, Roza ultimately chooses Finn Erickson, a former soldier and railroad locomotive engineer. Putting aside her romantic ideals, she and her new husband settle into the small riverside town of Red Wing, Minnesota. But when Roza unexpectedly runs into her former fiancé, things quickly become complicated.
A captivating and unusual tale of love, loss, finding yourself, and creating your destiny, The Jilted Countess examines the meaning of marriage, the American dream, and what it takes to face our demons while searching for happiness.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2026
About the author
Loretta Ellsworth
11 books366 followersLoretta received her BA from the University of Northern Iowa, and an MFA from Hamline University in writing for children and young adults. A former middle and high school teacher, she's the author of four young adult novels, The Shrouding Woman, In Search of Mockingbird,In a Heartbeat, and Unforgettable. Her WWII historical novel, Stars Over Clear Lake, will be published in 2017. She has four children and six grandchildren, and lives in Minnesota. Follow her on Twitter @lellsworth.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
November 28, 2025
This historical fiction story was a super quick read. I really liked Roza, the narrator, and was definitely moved by her story. Roza was a Hungarian Countess whose family lost everything in the war. A soldier she had met continued to write to her and send her the money to come to America and be his wife. But when she gets there she finds he got married to someone else just a couple of weeks before. Heartbroken and desperate she finds a journalist willing to help her. She posts a story in the paper asking for a husband before her GI visa runs out in just a couple of weeks. The story is sweet and sometimes frustrating as people don’t communicate effectively. It is based on a real story and I enjoyed it all the more knowing that. The writing is great, and the characters were very compelling.
January 20, 2026
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Roza was living in Hungary with aristocrat parents, desperately working for her dream of becoming a ballerina- until the war hit and everything Roza knew was gone. Her beloved dance school had been blown up and her father was missing, leaving her mother adrift without his financial and emotional support. Luckily for Roza, she had met Joe, an American soldier, who had promised to send her to America and marry her. Once Roza got to America, however, she received word that her dreams with Joe were not going to come true and, in fact, he had married someone else. Without marriage, Roza knows she will be deported back to Hungary, back to a country she doesn’t recognize with its war and violence, so she takes matters into her own hands and, with the help of a local journalist, advertises her plight, hoping to find another American soldier to marry.
Loretta Ellsworth, author of “The French Winemaker’s Daughter”, has crafted a heartbreaking yet inspiring story of romance and starting over with her new novel, “The Jilted Countess: A Novel”.
Roza is the protagonist and right from the start she is likable, forming an instant connection with the reader. Although she was brought up as the daughter of an aristocrat, wanting for nothing, when left to her own devices she is resilient and sharp. After suffering through the horrors of war, Roza takes whatever America throws at her with grace and I was in awe of her bravery and strength.
“Countess” is, at its core, a romance novel, based loosely on true events. Ellsworth heard the tale of the countess, along with the picture that was posted in the newspaper, and turned it into a historical fiction novel. Although there are romantic components, “Countess” is a subtle nod to feminism as well, as Roza starts over in her new life, reluctant to kowtow to her husband.
Ellsworth’s novel is truly special, standing out among the rest in the historical fiction genre. With just the right amount of fact mixed in, “Countess” connects with readers through its admirable, gutsy and graceful protagonist. Readers will empathize with Roza, and others of her time, as the life she once knew is robbed from her, taken away by the Nazi regime, leaving her penniless and then again, when she is stranded in a foreign land, heartbroken and alone.
“Countess” ends exactly as it should, and I was grateful that Ellsworth chose this conclusion. A historical fiction novel, told through a unique lens, Ellsworth has created a story and characters that will leave one heck of an impression.
Roza was living in Hungary with aristocrat parents, desperately working for her dream of becoming a ballerina- until the war hit and everything Roza knew was gone. Her beloved dance school had been blown up and her father was missing, leaving her mother adrift without his financial and emotional support. Luckily for Roza, she had met Joe, an American soldier, who had promised to send her to America and marry her. Once Roza got to America, however, she received word that her dreams with Joe were not going to come true and, in fact, he had married someone else. Without marriage, Roza knows she will be deported back to Hungary, back to a country she doesn’t recognize with its war and violence, so she takes matters into her own hands and, with the help of a local journalist, advertises her plight, hoping to find another American soldier to marry.
Loretta Ellsworth, author of “The French Winemaker’s Daughter”, has crafted a heartbreaking yet inspiring story of romance and starting over with her new novel, “The Jilted Countess: A Novel”.
Roza is the protagonist and right from the start she is likable, forming an instant connection with the reader. Although she was brought up as the daughter of an aristocrat, wanting for nothing, when left to her own devices she is resilient and sharp. After suffering through the horrors of war, Roza takes whatever America throws at her with grace and I was in awe of her bravery and strength.
“Countess” is, at its core, a romance novel, based loosely on true events. Ellsworth heard the tale of the countess, along with the picture that was posted in the newspaper, and turned it into a historical fiction novel. Although there are romantic components, “Countess” is a subtle nod to feminism as well, as Roza starts over in her new life, reluctant to kowtow to her husband.
Ellsworth’s novel is truly special, standing out among the rest in the historical fiction genre. With just the right amount of fact mixed in, “Countess” connects with readers through its admirable, gutsy and graceful protagonist. Readers will empathize with Roza, and others of her time, as the life she once knew is robbed from her, taken away by the Nazi regime, leaving her penniless and then again, when she is stranded in a foreign land, heartbroken and alone.
“Countess” ends exactly as it should, and I was grateful that Ellsworth chose this conclusion. A historical fiction novel, told through a unique lens, Ellsworth has created a story and characters that will leave one heck of an impression.
January 6, 2026
My first historical fiction in a while and what a great story it was! The initial premise resembled a post-WWII episode of the Bachelorette, in my opinion, what with Roza receiving almost 1800 marriage proposals to help her remain in the US. Though she’s a countess no longer, Roza certainly came to live out the American Dream, and I so enjoyed getting to witness her newfound dreams come true. I appreciated this book’s mix of historical context and fictitious embellishments, which combined to produce the perfect story. I also loved the romantic aspect, as well as the love triangle bit with Joe and Finn. And, to borrow Joe’s words, I agree that the better man won Roza’s heart in the end.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really appreciated how real this story felt. Not just because The Jilted Countess is based on a true story, but because it feels as though it captures life as it actually could have been—during the war and particularly in its aftermath, in both Europe and the United States—without necessarily being overly detailed, and I liked the honesty.
Roza’s arc (and Finn’s as well) was really interesting to me. There were moments I deeply sympathized with her, and others where I was frustrated or disappointed by her choices. But that’s kind of the point, I think. She felt human. The characters struggle, sit in their feelings, make mistakes, and slowly figure things out, rather than magically becoming better people overnight.
Is it a perfect book? No. I do wish we’d gotten more time with the main relationship once things began to settle, just to see how it really took shape. Still, it was a compelling, engrossing read with an interesting cast of characters, and one I’m glad I picked up.
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy for review!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Roza’s arc (and Finn’s as well) was really interesting to me. There were moments I deeply sympathized with her, and others where I was frustrated or disappointed by her choices. But that’s kind of the point, I think. She felt human. The characters struggle, sit in their feelings, make mistakes, and slowly figure things out, rather than magically becoming better people overnight.
Is it a perfect book? No. I do wish we’d gotten more time with the main relationship once things began to settle, just to see how it really took shape. Still, it was a compelling, engrossing read with an interesting cast of characters, and one I’m glad I picked up.
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy for review!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
October 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️.5
The Jilted Countess by Loretta Ellsworth is very loosely based on a true story. An aristocrat from Hungary fled her country after WWII when the Russians took over. She had promised herself to an American soldier who waited for her in Minnesota. It took awhile to save up enough money to secure passage to America plus the trip to Minnesota. When she finally arrived, her boyfriend had already married someone else.
Naturally she was devastated. She managed to tell her story to Cedric Adams who gave her a fake name (Llona) and wrote an article about her plight. She ended up with 1,786 offers of marriage through letters that were mailed to the reporter.
The author created a story out of this scant knowledge. She named the countess Roza and the man she chose to marry from all those letters was Finn. Finn had his own set of demons, including a brother who had survived the war but lost a leg. Roza narrates this novel. And Roza has a secret. The writing is just okay, no depth. This author writes young adult fiction and I believe she needs to elevate her writing to attract a more mature audience.
ATY 2026 Goodreads Challenge
Prompt #51 - A book published in 2026
May 12, 2026
Rating: 3.5
Overall, this was a nice story with a rich setting and highly readable prose that made it easy to fall into the world of the novel. The story follows Roza, a young Hungarian countess who has lost everything in the aftermath of World War II. When she arrives in America, she discovers that her fiancé has married someone else. In desperation, she places an advertisement seeking a husband, meets several promising candidates, and eventually marries. As she adapts to life in a small American town, she gradually reconnects with her passion for ballet.
What ultimately held the story back for me was its reluctance to fully embrace emotional depth. Roza had the potential to be a deeply compelling character with a rich emotional journey, but there was never a truly satisfying moment where we saw her at the height of that emotion. Tension would begin to build, yet instead of leading to a powerful resolution, the narrative often seemed to soften the emotional impact and quickly tie up the plot threads.
That said, Roza can also be read as an intentionally avoidant character. Her tendency to avoid conflict and focus on pleasing others likely reflects the lived experiences of many women during this period. While I found that aspect of her characterization interesting and believable, I still wanted to see more of the emotional cost that this avoidance had on her inner life.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this was a nice story with a rich setting and highly readable prose that made it easy to fall into the world of the novel. The story follows Roza, a young Hungarian countess who has lost everything in the aftermath of World War II. When she arrives in America, she discovers that her fiancé has married someone else. In desperation, she places an advertisement seeking a husband, meets several promising candidates, and eventually marries. As she adapts to life in a small American town, she gradually reconnects with her passion for ballet.
What ultimately held the story back for me was its reluctance to fully embrace emotional depth. Roza had the potential to be a deeply compelling character with a rich emotional journey, but there was never a truly satisfying moment where we saw her at the height of that emotion. Tension would begin to build, yet instead of leading to a powerful resolution, the narrative often seemed to soften the emotional impact and quickly tie up the plot threads.
That said, Roza can also be read as an intentionally avoidant character. Her tendency to avoid conflict and focus on pleasing others likely reflects the lived experiences of many women during this period. While I found that aspect of her characterization interesting and believable, I still wanted to see more of the emotional cost that this avoidance had on her inner life.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2025
The Jilted Countess is a upcoming novel coming out next year. I will say that this was quite an impressive story. It is interesting how someone can go from living the European lifestyle as an Aristocrat to living the live of an average American. However when you think about there were actually a lot of situations such as this that happened after the first and second world war. Overall I was very pleased with the flow of this book.
We are introduced to Roza a Hungarian Countess who has lost everything from the second World War. Worst of all she had been jilted by the man who promised to marry her. Her only option that she takes is she marries an American named Finn and settles into a modest Minnesota lifestyle. However, that doesn't put a permanent end to the problems as soon enough there are new problems to work through.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher all opinions are of my own.
We are introduced to Roza a Hungarian Countess who has lost everything from the second World War. Worst of all she had been jilted by the man who promised to marry her. Her only option that she takes is she marries an American named Finn and settles into a modest Minnesota lifestyle. However, that doesn't put a permanent end to the problems as soon enough there are new problems to work through.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher all opinions are of my own.
February 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this underrated historical fiction gem that's based on a true story of a Hungarian war refugee who was a former Countess that comes to America to marry a soldier she met overseas only to get jilted. With only a few weeks to get married or be exported, she puts an ad in the paper and receives a huge outpouring of marriage offers. After taking a chance on one she essentially disappeared and the author is still trying to track her down. What follows is the author's interpretation of what her life after marriage might have looked like. It's a compelling story full of strength, grit and mental health (war PTSD for both her husband and herself). I loved it and enjoyed the audio narration by Caroline Hewitt. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Allison Pataki.
March 10, 2026
Didn't resonate with the protagonist. The author wrote her character to be unappreciative and a snob, understandable as she's a Countess. So it's in keeping with a Countess. But unlikeable. Writing style was a little simple but as the author has written quite a few children's and young adults' books, it's probably hard to adjust your writing style to a different audience. I really wanted to like this book because the original premise is based on a true story. However, I didn't like the Countess, and there were some inconsistencies in the story that didn't take into account that they didn't have the modern conveniences back in the 1940s that we have today, like plastic bags. The relationships weren't well-formed and didn't logically result in the admiration and love that concluded the book. It was a simplistic romance. Premise good, everything else not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2026
Story line/premise had legs! Unfortunately, just not enough emotional, historic, or romantic depth for me.
March 23, 2026
Rounded up from 2.5. It just wasn’t written very well—pretty flat story, one-dimensional characters, predictable. Wait, why did I round up?
September 3, 2026
4.5/5
i really don’t know why i don’t read historical fiction more because it’s almost always a four star or higher. this book was very addicting because i was just waiting for the shoe to drop and for our FMC to run into her ex-fiancée.
i understand why that was a plot point but man i did not where the plot was going for a second when Joe got reintroduced. i too had conflicting feelings about Finn but over the course of the book, he warmed up to me and i really liked him. i liked the added ballet plot as it gave our character more dimension and personality rather than that she is a countess.
highly recommend this book and on KU !!
i really don’t know why i don’t read historical fiction more because it’s almost always a four star or higher. this book was very addicting because i was just waiting for the shoe to drop and for our FMC to run into her ex-fiancée.
i understand why that was a plot point but man i did not where the plot was going for a second when Joe got reintroduced. i too had conflicting feelings about Finn but over the course of the book, he warmed up to me and i really liked him. i liked the added ballet plot as it gave our character more dimension and personality rather than that she is a countess.
highly recommend this book and on KU !!
August 30, 2026
The Jilted Countess was an absorbing book that really explored how trauma and grief manifest over time and what it means to move forward after experiencing something truly horrifying beyond comprehension. Some of the character arcs and plot points weren't as rich or multifaceted as I would've liked, but it was still a poignant novel.
January 20, 2026
not worth your time. worn out romance storyline filled with enough anachronisms to set any baby Boomer's teeth on edge. read the book on tape version in the car and stayed through half the book, but all I can say is boring and silly .
February 4, 2026
Loretta Ellsworth’s The Jilted Countess is a captivating historical novel based on the remarkable true story of a woman who risked everything to escape the shadows of post-WWII Europe.
The story follows Roza, a Hungarian countess and former ballerina, who arrives in Minnesota in 1948 expecting to reunite with the American soldier she loves. Instead, she is met with the ultimate betrayal: he is already married. With her visa set to expire in mere days and the threat of returning to a Soviet-occupied homeland looming, Roza takes a desperate, public gamble. She places an advertisement in the newspaper seeking a husband-not for love, but for survival.
Ellsworth masterfully paints the contrast between the fading elegance of European aristocracy and the earnest, hardworking atmosphere of post-war Minnesota. The inclusion of real-life figures, like columnist Cedric Adams, grounds the story in an authentic mid-century setting.
Beyond the romance, the book is a poignant look at what it means to be a "Displaced Person." It explores the loss of identity, the struggle with a new language, and the courage required to build a life from scratch in a place that feels entirely foreign.
Roza is a complex protagonist. She isn't just a victim of circumstance; she is a woman of immense dignity and pragmatism who uses the only tools she has left to secure her future.
The Jilted Countess is a beautifully written exploration of hope born from tragedy. It avoids the clichés of a standard romance by focusing on the grit and determination required to survive. It’s a perfect pick for readers who enjoy biographical fiction and stories about women who take their destiny into their own hands. Thank you @harperperennial for the gifted copy!
The story follows Roza, a Hungarian countess and former ballerina, who arrives in Minnesota in 1948 expecting to reunite with the American soldier she loves. Instead, she is met with the ultimate betrayal: he is already married. With her visa set to expire in mere days and the threat of returning to a Soviet-occupied homeland looming, Roza takes a desperate, public gamble. She places an advertisement in the newspaper seeking a husband-not for love, but for survival.
Ellsworth masterfully paints the contrast between the fading elegance of European aristocracy and the earnest, hardworking atmosphere of post-war Minnesota. The inclusion of real-life figures, like columnist Cedric Adams, grounds the story in an authentic mid-century setting.
Beyond the romance, the book is a poignant look at what it means to be a "Displaced Person." It explores the loss of identity, the struggle with a new language, and the courage required to build a life from scratch in a place that feels entirely foreign.
Roza is a complex protagonist. She isn't just a victim of circumstance; she is a woman of immense dignity and pragmatism who uses the only tools she has left to secure her future.
The Jilted Countess is a beautifully written exploration of hope born from tragedy. It avoids the clichés of a standard romance by focusing on the grit and determination required to survive. It’s a perfect pick for readers who enjoy biographical fiction and stories about women who take their destiny into their own hands. Thank you @harperperennial for the gifted copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
The Jilted Countess is the best historical fiction that I have read in quite a while. So fun, so nostalgic, perfect for those who enjoyed Cheaper By The Dozen or Belles on Their Toes. Not only does the time period and setting take you back, but the author's style of writing also helps to set the mood. I really felt like I was transported in time. The story is about a Hungarian Countess who finds herself living in Minnesota in 1948, because of some situations that did not work in her favor. The novel is about the steps that she takes and the decisions that she makes (some good, some not so good) that allow her to stay in the United States and pursue a life there. Probably the best part of all, is that the story was inspired by real life events. The author had acquired a newspaper clipping from what had happened to the real Countess, and had written her story around what little details she was provided in the clipping. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves books set in the post WWII period, and who loves romance and historical time periods. **I was provided an ARC of this book by HarperPerennial but all views are my own.
March 23, 2026
A Hungarian countess arrives in America expecting to be swept off her feet by the soldier that she fell in love with and planned to marry, but when she arrives, the man is nowhere to be seen, and she quickly finds out that he has married another woman and she has two weeks to find a new candidate for a husband before her visa expires. It’s a lovely tale of resilience and a woman’s strength after facing hardships. Beautifully told.
4.5 ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️
April 17, 2026
I would’ve given this book a 3 1/2 if that was an option. It certainly was fascinating and particularly the parts of it that were actually true. I understand the author’s desire to dream about what happened after Roza’s subsequent marriage, but it seemed a bit too contrived and predictable after the shocker of her actual true story.
September 13, 2026
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the overall concept, but the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I would have liked more character development, but it was still enjoyable. Ballet and Chopin’s music are two of my favorite things, so I would have loved to see the latter’s storyline explored more deeply. It could have easily been its own novel.
January 12, 2026
❤️ Thank You @harperperennial for my gifted copy!
This fantastic Historical Fiction novel follows Roza Meszoras, a Hungarian Countess and former ballerina, whose family loses everything during WWII. She falls in love with an American soldier during the war and after two years of waiting for the proper paperwork, she finally travels to Minnesota to marry him.
However, when she arrives, she finds out that he is recently married to someone else and she must figure out how to stay in the U.S. because it is not safe for her to return home. With only a couple of weeks before her G.I. Visa expires, Roza turns to a newspaper reporter to help her find a husband.
After her story and photo are published, Roza receives almost 1,800 proposals and with the help of some newfound friends, she vets the top few contenders and chooses Finn Erickson, a train engineer suffering from PTSD. The story then follows Roza as she begins her life with her new husband and attempts to find her place in America.
Based on a true story, this is a fascinating analysis of what it means to achieve the American Dream and to pursue love and self fulfillment simultaneously.
I loved these characters and would definitely recommend that you grab a copy of this one. Out today!
This fantastic Historical Fiction novel follows Roza Meszoras, a Hungarian Countess and former ballerina, whose family loses everything during WWII. She falls in love with an American soldier during the war and after two years of waiting for the proper paperwork, she finally travels to Minnesota to marry him.
However, when she arrives, she finds out that he is recently married to someone else and she must figure out how to stay in the U.S. because it is not safe for her to return home. With only a couple of weeks before her G.I. Visa expires, Roza turns to a newspaper reporter to help her find a husband.
After her story and photo are published, Roza receives almost 1,800 proposals and with the help of some newfound friends, she vets the top few contenders and chooses Finn Erickson, a train engineer suffering from PTSD. The story then follows Roza as she begins her life with her new husband and attempts to find her place in America.
Based on a true story, this is a fascinating analysis of what it means to achieve the American Dream and to pursue love and self fulfillment simultaneously.
I loved these characters and would definitely recommend that you grab a copy of this one. Out today!
February 27, 2026
Interesting read. I'm half Hungarian, so I enjoy reading books about people with Hungarian culture. This was based on a true story. The writing was fine, but didn't grab me.
April 3, 2026
What an interesting story! I know the author says she hopes to track down the real person but I have a feeling they would prefer to remain unknown
May 10, 2026
I wanted to like this so bad but I’m realizing I think I just hate ww2 historical fiction and that’s okay
February 28, 2026
Fantastic — historical fiction at its finest!
July 4, 2026
2.5 stars. Very much a YA historical romance, which is fine, but not what I was expecting. I mostly skimmed and speed read this because I was interested to get to the end and find out the main character’s fate
February 21, 2026
THE JILTED COUNTESS by Loretta Ellsworth is a post–World War II novel inspired by a true story. It follows a young Hungarian aristocrat who loses her family fortune and her ballet career, only to be abandoned by the American soldier she crossed the ocean to marry. Determined to remain in the United States, she takes an unexpected path to secure her future.
When a newspaper columnist shares her story, she receives an astonishing flood of marriage proposals from veterans across the country. Beneath the unusual premise is a thoughtful exploration of identity, resilience, and what marriage truly means.
I was especially drawn to Roza’s determination as she works to build a new life in small-town Minnesota while wrestling with the weight of her past. It is an engaging and unique historical novel about love, loss, and the courage it takes to begin again.
When a newspaper columnist shares her story, she receives an astonishing flood of marriage proposals from veterans across the country. Beneath the unusual premise is a thoughtful exploration of identity, resilience, and what marriage truly means.
I was especially drawn to Roza’s determination as she works to build a new life in small-town Minnesota while wrestling with the weight of her past. It is an engaging and unique historical novel about love, loss, and the courage it takes to begin again.
February 15, 2026
Spoiler: At first I was disappointed that the author hadn’t been able to find the real Jilted Countess, and that the story was almost entirely fiction. Upon reflection, however, I realized that pertinent facts from Cedric Adam’s column were all we needed to know and the author simple weaved an entertaining narrative around them. It’s still an interesting story from our history and one I am sure I will retell often.
August 25, 2026
Love stories based on real events - and Ellsworth knows how to draw you in and keep you there! A quick read, well told.
September 27, 2026
★★★★
Living in Minnesota and loving historical fiction, this book was perfect for me!
It was a quick read based on a true story. I do wish it would have gone a little deeper into the main relationship, but overall, it was such a beautiful story of love, sacrifice, and strength.
Would recommend to any of my Minnesota historical fiction lovers!
Living in Minnesota and loving historical fiction, this book was perfect for me!
It was a quick read based on a true story. I do wish it would have gone a little deeper into the main relationship, but overall, it was such a beautiful story of love, sacrifice, and strength.
Would recommend to any of my Minnesota historical fiction lovers!
January 29, 2026
Thank you Harper Perennial for my free ARC of The Jilted Countess by Loretta Ellsworth — available now!
» READ IF YOU «
🇭🇺 want some post-WWII historical fiction
💌 enjoy unconventional love stories
🌾 love immigrant stories about starting over
» SYNOPSIS «
After surviving WWII, a Hungarian countess comes to America to marry her American soldier fiancé—only to find out he’s married someone else. With her visa running out, Roza asks a newspaper to help her find a husband, and ends up building a new life in small-town Minnesota.
» REVIEW «
The premise of this one definitely intrigued me—a newspaper ad for a countess seeking a husband?! AND it’s based on an actual ad for this?! Roza is easy to love and root for, there’s just something about her that is so captivating. I loved watching her navigate this brand new landscape while carrying so much of her past with her.
The romance aspects are steady and sweet rather than dramatic, and it’s really not the “point” of this story. This is a warm, hopeful read about a woman finding her purpose and place in life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
» READ IF YOU «
🇭🇺 want some post-WWII historical fiction
💌 enjoy unconventional love stories
🌾 love immigrant stories about starting over
» SYNOPSIS «
After surviving WWII, a Hungarian countess comes to America to marry her American soldier fiancé—only to find out he’s married someone else. With her visa running out, Roza asks a newspaper to help her find a husband, and ends up building a new life in small-town Minnesota.
» REVIEW «
The premise of this one definitely intrigued me—a newspaper ad for a countess seeking a husband?! AND it’s based on an actual ad for this?! Roza is easy to love and root for, there’s just something about her that is so captivating. I loved watching her navigate this brand new landscape while carrying so much of her past with her.
The romance aspects are steady and sweet rather than dramatic, and it’s really not the “point” of this story. This is a warm, hopeful read about a woman finding her purpose and place in life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews