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Missing Girls & Lost Boys

Not yet published
Expected 27 Jan 26
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In a world where women are scarce and tightly controlled, one young woman must choose between obedience and rebellion.

With female birthrates plummeting, Lee is living out her dwindling days of freedom before she's assigned to marry one of Eden's elite.

The revolution her fathers once whispered about is only a fading spark. And in a place where someone is always watching, freedom may cost her everything.

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 27, 2026

6 people are currently reading
9 people want to read

About the author

Hannah Elliott

1 book4 followers
Hannah is a writer based in Sheffield, England. When she isn’t enjoying life with her husband and children, she’s happily embracing her inner geek. Raised in a VHS rental store, she grew up surrounded by stories, sparking a lifelong love for movies and television. Her quest to consume as many narratives as possible led her to gaming and reading, escaping into fiction whenever the real world felt too dull or demanding. Eventually, she discovered writing…

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Jasmine .
19 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review – Missing Girls & Lost Boys by H. Elliot

Missing Girls & Lost Boys is a gripping Modern Post-War Dystopian forbidden romance that immediately pulls you into its world. We follow Lee as she counts down her final days of “freedom” before she—like all women in Eden—is assigned to marry one of the elite. Her escape to a fortified border city leads her into a gritty bar job and into the path of Joey, a man who sees through her silence and slowly breaks through the walls she’s built to survive.

The atmosphere is tense, the surveillance constant, and the stakes dangerously high. The revolution her fathers once spoke of is just a flicker, but trusting Joey with a dangerous secret sets everything in motion. In a city controlled by enforcers, drones, and powerful men who are always watching, even a lingering glance can mean everything.

This story kept me fully engaged and rooting for Lee the entire way. A dark, emotional, rebellious tale about survival, hope, and finding something worth fighting for—even when the world is built to take it away.
Profile Image for Amanda Luevano.
12 reviews
January 19, 2026
5 ⭐️

Right from the start, the writing pulled me in. The descriptions are so detailed and graphic in a way that made everything feel real. I could completely visualize the world and live inside it, which is exactly what I want from a book like this. Like a little movie inside my head!

It becomes obvious pretty quickly that the story is making a political statement, and I appreciated that a lot. The society in this book is very dystopian and honestly hits way too close to things women in our current world may soon experience. It reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale in the sense that women are treated as property, controlled, restricted, and stripped of choices. As a woman living in the U.S. right now, it hit hard, and I respect the author for going there. Genuinely.

Lee, the FMC, is easy to root for. I found myself constantly hoping she would get more than the life she’s been forced into. The author does a great job making her feel human and real instead of just another tough dystopian heroine. Although she is still kickass.

I also really liked that the story focuses on more than just romance. There are relationships and connections, but the main plot is about survival, resistance, and fighting back. That made it feel deeper and more meaningful than just another love story set in a broken world. BUT I absolutely did love the MMC, I had to quote him in my notes “And at no point—at no point—does any of that have to be romantic. Just to be with you… I guess what I really want… I want you to have choices, whether I’m involved in them or not. That … that’s my new endgame.” 😍🤏🏽

The pacing was great for most of the book. Toward the end it did get a little fast for my taste, and I wish some things had been stretched out more instead of wrapped up so quickly. In a world this heavy and complex, I think a slower build would make everything feel more realistic. But even with that, I was completely invested the whole time.

The side characters were amazing too. I got attached to them in a way I wasn’t expecting, which made the story even more emotional. I’m trying not to spoil characters so I’ll just say the motorcyclists are my favorite!!

Based on how it ended, I really feel like there has to be another book coming, and I genuinely hope there is. I would read it immediately. This was intense, emotional, and a little too close to real life in the best way.

Definitely recommend if you like dark dystopian stories with strong themes and characters you can’t help but care about!

I received this ARC book in exchange for a review, voluntarily and of my own thoughts.
Profile Image for Coleen Cassidy.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 11, 2025
*Arc review*.

Missing girls and Lost boys is a modern day dystopian book. It follows the story of Lee, a young woman in a post war era where there has been a huge decline in females being born. Once females reach a certain age they must all find a “suitable” husband basically from a catalogue. Lee finds herself heading to a city where she will work until she hits her age of requirement. She ends up working in a bar with a boy named joey - who we absolutely love - they slowly become friends and she realises not everyone around her is as brainwashed by the American president as she thought.
We meet some great friends and foe along the way, have a few crying moments and end on a cliffhanger.
I was gutted when I realised i was on the last page, I really didn’t want it to end.

I’m honestly blown away by how fantastic this book was. 2 pages in and I was glued to it. The writing truly is amazing and really hooks you in. Ive only given a few books this year 5 stars but this one really deserves it.
The best way I can describe it is like reading a movie, I’ve read a lot of books and only a few have made me feel like I can actually see it play out. One of my favourite genres of film is dystopian and this would 100% be on my top 10 list.

If you like movies or tv shows like The maze runner, The handmaids tale or The last of us you would absolutely love this.

I am so honoured to be able to Arc read this book for the author. Thank you for an amazing story I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Profile Image for Morgie.
11 reviews
January 20, 2026
📚✨ARC REVIEW✨📚
This book is The Handmaid’s Tale meets 1984, but with some flare (motorcycle gang)! I was captivated right from the beginning: lovable characters, hated characters, great world building & a strong MFC. Elliott takes women’s real life fears & experiences a spins them into a story of hope, strength and resilience.

“We’re friends, all right?”
“Yeah, we are—and for me, if that’s all I can ever have, that’s all I will ever need. To stand beside you at this bar every day until the goddamn day you have to leave.” His voice quivers as he stops a foot away from me.

THIS is how men should be when feelings are not reciprocated, though I realize this is not the case here. It’s very refreshing to have a MMC BE the kind of man every man should be. Not being friends in hopes of eventually being more, which is what actually happens IRL.

“I’m Donnie, head of security for all Krick’s enterprises.” He pauses … for applause? “You’ll see a lot of me as I come in to keep an eye on you,” Donnie says, sounding more creepy than intimidating.

I allow the patronising, since I’m sure this is the only time he can parade being more knowledgeable than anyone.

Everyone should be reading this book. I couldn’t put it down!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sofia.
863 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 6, 2026
Let me brutally honest, I went here with lots of expectations, I have read quite a lot of gendered dystopian stories, let me share what I thought about this book. This feels like a retelling of peter pan, but by Wendy instead of Peter.

At first we went with our Main character Lee in a mysterious transport, that reminded me of final fantasy 7, when we are travelling with Sephiroth to Nibelheim, its a bit weird, so women should be protected because it seems that they aren’t born that many but at the same time Lee boss treats her like disposable meat, lets put it like that... so I don’t know it felt weird...

while I was expecting to really love this book I felt a bit lost in what was going on, and then something was revealed that connects Lee directly with all society and I wont enter in details but I got a bit disappointed... so maybe I was expecting too much and I should have gone with a bit less expectations, but that being said, maybe you'll love it, so definitely try it out

I got a free copy by the author and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Swooz.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 26, 2026
I'm honored to have been chosen as an ARC reader for this book!
Missing Girls and Lost Boys is my stepping stone into the world of dystopian forbidden romance, and I quite simply loved it. I looked forward to picking up the book each day, craving the next chapters and its revelations. Hannah Elliott's worldbuilding was captivating, I felt fully emersed in the female protagonist Everlee's life journey. She was relatable, independent and fierce in a prominent male driven community. I found myself rooting for her, wanting her to kick some butt and show everyone that woman can be more than just a vessel for babies. I can't wait for book two! The ending of this book was humble and fulfilling, like eating a yummy slice of cake but there's still space for a little more. I'm intrigued to see what happens next! I can't believe this is Hannah Elliott's first book- This author is one to keep an eye on, I can tell she is going to do incredible work!
Profile Image for Lana Bernice.
178 reviews
Read
December 30, 2025
I received an advanced copy for this book so I am a arc reader.

All right, so if you really enjoy forbidding romances. Also set in a time in the future where women's rights were completely gone due to a war it kind of reminds me of present day time almost like the handsmaid tale. Not exactly, but I find a little similar. The president in this kind of reminds me of donald trump as well. i did find the first half of this book. A little slow but it does pick up at about 135 pages. the second half is much better.It's got more action as well.I would call this a sci.Fi action book. but I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for the second.
4 reviews
January 11, 2026
I received an ARC of this book and just finished reading it last night. I’m so invested in the take of Everlee Clave set in a dystopian “United State of America”. A mix of The Walking Dead (without zombies but think settlements and tribes of different people, danger and found family), Handmaids Tale, 3 Men and a Baby, first love, covert missions, and hand yearning. I love all the different types of characters we meet along the journey and I’m here chewing my nails and waiting for the next book in what I expect will be an amazing series. You can pre-order on Kindle now and it’s for sale January 27th!!!
Profile Image for Bri CalSan.
5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 11, 2026
What a journey! The way this book captivated me was incredible. It did not have one single boring chapter, it was easy to follow, beautifully written, plus I fell in love with the characters. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time because I was terrified of where things were going. I truly became invested in the plot.


Little Spoiler Alert!!!!
I respect an author who isn’t afraid of hurting feelings and I am sitting here HURT! Also the dog scene with the names with “M” and the author having a child with the letter “M” melted my mom heart.
Profile Image for Emily.
46 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 18, 2026
ARC Review

Think Handmaids Tale but way different.

I'll be honest it was a little slow in the beginning but picked up and took off.

This story meets Lee, a female, in a world where females are scarce. She is on her interval before going to Eden where females only purpose is to have babies, specifically daughters.

There's the element of females having no choices, forced marriages, and a heroine with a major secret who isn't going down without a fight.

I enjoyed Lee's story and can't wait to see how it continues.
Profile Image for Candace.
205 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 25, 2026
If you like modern dystopian, Handmaid's Tale, found family, and forbidden romance, this one is for you! You enter an America where women are scarce and forced to marry the elite in Eden by a certain age. You are not able to date or marry anyone outside of that. Outside of the governments control are cities where rebellion is taking place to help women out of those situations and rebuild the country to what it used to be.

I had a great time with this and will be looking forward to the next!

Thank you Hannah Elliott for the ARC!
3 reviews
January 8, 2026
✨️ ARC Review of Book ✨️

I was very fortunate to be asked to join the ARC team for this book.

Set in a Post War Dystopian America, female birth rates are falling and all women must, eventually, present to the City of Eden to enter into an arranged marriage and help with the repopulation efforts.

Women, like our FMC Lee, are permitted a few years before the age of requirement to have a period of "freedom" and work in the city before entering in to marriage.

The book starts with Lee leaving her fathers to head to the city. She ends up working in a bar where she meets Joey. As their friendship progresses, Lee finds herself in danger.

This is book one of three and I cannot wait for book 2.

There are strong themes of oppression, loss and patriarchy but also of love, loyalty, bravery and friendship.

The story is so well written and the characters really come to life. Despite the patriarchal themes I love what a strong character Lee is and all the kind, genuine, good male characters she interacts with.

An absolute brilliant debut novel from an Indie author and I recommend reading this book and supporting her dream!
Profile Image for Marsha.
71 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2026
Follow Lee through the post war world as she and her found family try to locate the missing girls and liberate the lost boys. This sent me on an emotional tumble between giggles and fighting tears. I felt the characters as they move through this tale. I am impressed with Hannah’s writing style and am looking forward to the next installment in this series!
Profile Image for Kerie Angele.
140 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2026
This is Handmaids Tale grittier and with an urban setting. Adopted family, found family, cool bikers and an FMC who has to decide what and who she’s willing to sacrifice to change the treatment of women. With many parallels to how women are abused and mistreated by governments, this story will question what you’re willing to do to stand up for what’s right. Excellent debut novel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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