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The Lost Lovelies
Famed war correspondent Kit Lovely left Nova Scotia seventeen years ago under the crushing weight of a broken heart, swearing never to return. But after he receives an ominous letter from his new sister-in-law, Kit rushes back across the Atlantic, where he discovers their ransacked house tingling from mysterious magic. With his brother and sister-in-law gone without a trace, Kit’s left reeling. His own faulty magic can’t work a tracking spell, nor are the police much use. Desperate for answers, Kit has no choice but to turn to the very man who once shattered him.
Reserved mage Gus North is an expert PI specializing in missing persons cases. He’s also guarding a dangerous secret: he hails from a long line of talented blood magic users. When the only man he’s ever loved begs for help to find his little brother, Gus can’t turn him away. Not even with all the lies, and hurt, and lingering feelings between them clawing him up.
As they chip away at the case, their core beliefs about themselves, each other, and the world they live in unravel, exposing a deadlier enemy than either of them could have imagined.
After all, in a world of magic, not all monsters in fairytales are just stories.
THE LOST LOVELIES is an intensely emotional second-chance romance full of queer found family, mystery, and magic. Set in 1945 Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Reserved mage Gus North is an expert PI specializing in missing persons cases. He’s also guarding a dangerous secret: he hails from a long line of talented blood magic users. When the only man he’s ever loved begs for help to find his little brother, Gus can’t turn him away. Not even with all the lies, and hurt, and lingering feelings between them clawing him up.
As they chip away at the case, their core beliefs about themselves, each other, and the world they live in unravel, exposing a deadlier enemy than either of them could have imagined.
After all, in a world of magic, not all monsters in fairytales are just stories.
THE LOST LOVELIES is an intensely emotional second-chance romance full of queer found family, mystery, and magic. Set in 1945 Halifax, Nova Scotia.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2026
About the author
Vanora Lawless
4 books74 followersVanora Lawless is a disaster bi genderfluid Canadian with ADHD and a passion for telling love stories set in magical or niche historical worlds. A graduate of Saint Mary’s University, Vanora has a B.A. in psychology. As a Nova Scotian, loving long walks on the beach is practically a law, so Vanora takes every possible opportunity to explore the best sandy shores. In spare time between crafting new worlds and stories, Vanora can be found poorly practicing guitar or listening to the same 5 albums on repeat. Not gonna lie, it's mostly Hamilton at this point.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 26, 2026
This book initially grabbed me because this cover is so pretty but then reading the synopsis it kind of felt a little bit like Lawless reached into my brain and plucked out a bunch of tropes and plot points that feel like they were tailored made for my tastes and plonked it down in front of me. Needless to say I requested the ARC immediately and dropped everything to read it lol.
It’s 1945, in the final days of WWII, and Kit Daring, famous wartime radio correspondent, has to return from the active front to his hometown of Halifax, Canada, after receiving a mysterious letter requesting help from his sister-in-law. When Kit arrives home he finds that his brother and sister-in-law have disappeared without a trace and the only person who can help him find them is August North, Private Investigator, and the man who broke Kits heart 17 years earlier.
I know that I say this a lot but good god, second chance romance is JUST SO GOOD. The angst, yearning and pining never fails to make me feel a bit feral. There was a light smattering of dirty talk/praise kink here too which really highlighted just how down bad Gus was for Kit after so many years and made for a tasty little treat.
This world was a low fantasy alternate version of 1945 and I really enjoyed how magic was woven into the world building including fae, mages and blood mages.
Was this a perfect book? Not quite, I would have loved a little more depth in the plot and mystery and given that the book is only 266 pages it could have happily afforded them. However, I had a fabulous time, binged it in a day and was entertained the whole time so am happy to put this one as a rounded up 4.5 ✨ .
Lawless is a new-to-me author and I will be keen to read more of their work in the future. Especially because a second book with another couple has clearly already been set up!
Most importantly, this book was just released so no need to wait! ❤️ Happy Publication Day!
Thank you to GRR for the eARC and the opportunity to read and review this story.
Consider following my instagram
It’s 1945, in the final days of WWII, and Kit Daring, famous wartime radio correspondent, has to return from the active front to his hometown of Halifax, Canada, after receiving a mysterious letter requesting help from his sister-in-law. When Kit arrives home he finds that his brother and sister-in-law have disappeared without a trace and the only person who can help him find them is August North, Private Investigator, and the man who broke Kits heart 17 years earlier.
I know that I say this a lot but good god, second chance romance is JUST SO GOOD. The angst, yearning and pining never fails to make me feel a bit feral. There was a light smattering of dirty talk/praise kink here too which really highlighted just how down bad Gus was for Kit after so many years and made for a tasty little treat.
This world was a low fantasy alternate version of 1945 and I really enjoyed how magic was woven into the world building including fae, mages and blood mages.
Was this a perfect book? Not quite, I would have loved a little more depth in the plot and mystery and given that the book is only 266 pages it could have happily afforded them. However, I had a fabulous time, binged it in a day and was entertained the whole time so am happy to put this one as a rounded up 4.5 ✨ .
Lawless is a new-to-me author and I will be keen to read more of their work in the future. Especially because a second book with another couple has clearly already been set up!
Most importantly, this book was just released so no need to wait! ❤️ Happy Publication Day!
Thank you to GRR for the eARC and the opportunity to read and review this story.
Consider following my instagram
February 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this! It reminds me a bit of Allie Therin’s historical books and that is a good thing! I definitely need to read this authors other books.
This is a historical book set in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the end of World War. II. It is full of magic and intrigue. Kit Daring is a journalist who has been overseas covering the war for his home country. He left Halifax seventeen years before with a broken heart and is only returning now because he fears his brother and his new wife are in trouble. He quickly learns they are missing and the one man who can help him is August North, the man who was his first love and the one who broke his heart.
August “Gus” North is a P.I. His use of magic makes him good at his job but he has been alone since Kit left. The tragedy that took his little sister’s life seventeen years before was horrible but both Kit and Gus blame themselves and Gus knew Kit was meant for greater things so he let him go without a fight.
The tension between Kit and Gus is so strong, they both obviously never got over each other and having them work together to find Kit’s brother and wife reignites all their feelings. I love a book that reunites lovers and thus was so good!!!!
I loved the mystery and the magic that surrounded this book. The setting was very intriguing and the secondary characters were fun and supportive. I loved Agnes and Marion and Tille and even though George was a bit of a hothead he was such a great friend. I think he may be getting his own book? I hope so!
This was a quick read that keeps didn’t have any slow parts. Thank you to the author for an ARC!
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
This is a historical book set in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the end of World War. II. It is full of magic and intrigue. Kit Daring is a journalist who has been overseas covering the war for his home country. He left Halifax seventeen years before with a broken heart and is only returning now because he fears his brother and his new wife are in trouble. He quickly learns they are missing and the one man who can help him is August North, the man who was his first love and the one who broke his heart.
August “Gus” North is a P.I. His use of magic makes him good at his job but he has been alone since Kit left. The tragedy that took his little sister’s life seventeen years before was horrible but both Kit and Gus blame themselves and Gus knew Kit was meant for greater things so he let him go without a fight.
The tension between Kit and Gus is so strong, they both obviously never got over each other and having them work together to find Kit’s brother and wife reignites all their feelings. I love a book that reunites lovers and thus was so good!!!!
I loved the mystery and the magic that surrounded this book. The setting was very intriguing and the secondary characters were fun and supportive. I loved Agnes and Marion and Tille and even though George was a bit of a hothead he was such a great friend. I think he may be getting his own book? I hope so!
This was a quick read that keeps didn’t have any slow parts. Thank you to the author for an ARC!
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 ⭐️
I liked the premise and I'm always susceptible to second-chance romance, but unfortunately the execution on this one fell short. Clunky writing that needed another couple rounds of editing, plus pacing that was all over the place -- both in terms of the missing persons-mystery, which was weirdly anti-climatic, and in terms of how the relationship broke down the first time around, which came way too late in the story to have any real heft. Also, not going to get into spoiler territory here, but I HATED the reveal about the parents. I'm assuming it's supposed to be understood as romantic, but think about it for two seconds and it's deeply gross and violating -- especially when kids enter the picture. It more-or-less made sense within the story, but it was super ick on its own terms.
I know this author is a big hit among a lot of people with similar tastes to mine, but this is the second book of theirs I've read and both of them failed to live up to expectations. Chalking it up to a me-thing and rounding up accordingly.
I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the premise and I'm always susceptible to second-chance romance, but unfortunately the execution on this one fell short. Clunky writing that needed another couple rounds of editing, plus pacing that was all over the place -- both in terms of the missing persons-mystery, which was weirdly anti-climatic, and in terms of how the relationship broke down the first time around, which came way too late in the story to have any real heft. Also, not going to get into spoiler territory here, but I HATED the reveal about the parents. I'm assuming it's supposed to be understood as romantic, but think about it for two seconds and it's deeply gross and violating -- especially when kids enter the picture. It more-or-less made sense within the story, but it was super ick on its own terms.
I know this author is a big hit among a lot of people with similar tastes to mine, but this is the second book of theirs I've read and both of them failed to live up to expectations. Chalking it up to a me-thing and rounding up accordingly.
I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was almost 3.5 stars, which, for an indie, I'll usually round up to 4 here on GR.
I did very much enjoy parts of this book. On the surface, it was great: a historical fiction in an uncommonly represented time and place (the very end of WWII in Halifax) with charming and likable characters. I am fairly neutral about the inclusion of fantasy elements in a story like this so that was fine. And while I did very much enjoy all the longing and pining, for the most part, this book fell down in the execution for me, plus there were a few small relational elements that often rub me the wrong way pulled me out of the story.
All that said, I do recommend this book because I was overall entertained and moved through it quickly. And I feel like there is definitely a setup for a book two featuring George and I'll happily pick it up with my expectations managed.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from the author and Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
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Book 5 of my 2026 Trans Rights Readathon. I will be donating to LGBT YouthLine, which offers free peer support to 2SLGBTQ youth in my home province.
The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action to readers and book lovers in support of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31st. It runs from March 7-31 but I like to start early on March 1!
We are calling on the reader community to read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconforming authors and characters.
I did very much enjoy parts of this book. On the surface, it was great: a historical fiction in an uncommonly represented time and place (the very end of WWII in Halifax) with charming and likable characters. I am fairly neutral about the inclusion of fantasy elements in a story like this so that was fine. And while I did very much enjoy all the longing and pining, for the most part, this book fell down in the execution for me, plus there were a few small relational elements that often rub me the wrong way pulled me out of the story.
All that said, I do recommend this book because I was overall entertained and moved through it quickly. And I feel like there is definitely a setup for a book two featuring George and I'll happily pick it up with my expectations managed.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from the author and Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Book 5 of my 2026 Trans Rights Readathon. I will be donating to LGBT YouthLine, which offers free peer support to 2SLGBTQ youth in my home province.
The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action to readers and book lovers in support of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31st. It runs from March 7-31 but I like to start early on March 1!
We are calling on the reader community to read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconforming authors and characters.
March 21, 2026
‘Maybe I couldn’t have forever, but I could have right now with Kit relaxing against me, safe and blissful. For now, he was all mine. It didn’t matter I couldn’t keep him or how much it would hurt when we broke apart for good. I wanted Kit Lovely too damn much to cut this short.’
What an absolutely stunning novel. The Lost Lovelies was not at all what I was expecting in such a wonderful way. I thought I was just going to get a light historical mystery, but it turned out to be a beautiful and absolutely gut-wrenching second-chance love story wrapped up in a magic infused, war-time urban fantasy. I fell hard for Kit and Gus and I miss them already.
Set in 1945, we’re immediately transported across the Atlantic ocean from the battlefields that Kit Darling had called home as a war correspondent, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, as the world holds its breath waiting for the end of World War II and the subsequent fall of Nazi occupation in Europe. When Kit returns to Halifax to find his brother, Ted, and his sister-in-law, Mary-Alice, missing under suspicious circumstances, he reluctantly enlists the help of renowned PI August North. The very man who broke his heart seventeen years ago.
The magic of mages and fae was woven so easily into the story it was hard to remember at times that there aren't spell casters and faeries walking among us in the real world. It really was a beautifully written story. There were so many quotes that moved me, quite literally, to tears. I think I spent at least 30% of the book blubbering like a baby because I was feeling secondhand heartbreak from these wonderful characters. I had to put the book for for five minutes at one point, and remind myself that I am not, in fact, still pining for my lost love from over a decade ago who I will not cross paths or solve a mystery with anytime soon. Or ever.
Their connection and their longing was just so beautifully written that I genuinely felt sad when the story came to a close. Luckily for me, it was inevitable these two soulmates would weave their way back to one another and claw a happily ever after from the wreckage of their circumstances.
The importance of choosing your family, especially in such uncertain times, and truly being seen by the people you put your trust into is reiterated over and over again. Family means everything to Kit and Gus, and blood relation doesn’t give anyone a free pass to betray that trust. Both Gus and Kit stand up for the people they care about and every decision they make is with their loved ones in mind.
Though, they’re garbage at standing up for themselves. Sure, they’re confident when it comes to their professions, but advocating for what they want in their personal lives? Couldn’t be Kit and Gus. Those two doofus’s parted ways for seventeen years because they couldn’t be honest with each other and wouldn’t fight for what they wanted, and only rekindled their friendship when they were forced back together by the shittest circumstances possible. And I loved them so much for it.
Both men have experienced tragedy beyond their years by the time we meet them, and the trauma just keeps coming. My god, those two could not catch a break. I don’t even think it would matter what choices they make, what situations they find themselves in, or what company they keep - somehow danger and tragedy finds Gus and Kit. It seeks them out and not even a literal ocean between them could keep them apart or away from danger, or each other.
If you’re looking for a light read, this probably isn’t it. The whole novel is steeped in loss, guilt, and grief, with a heavy helping of confronting themes - though every sensitive topic is handled with care. But if you like a book that disquiets you as you search for answers with the characters, yet leaves you desperately hanging on for more, then I cannot recommend The Lost Lovelies enough.
I felt so sad when I came to the last page, though Lawless has set us up beautifully for a second book, so I will wait patiently (read: I will badger the author incessantly until they cave and give us a sequel) until the adventure continues.
5/5 stars! I’m off to read Vanora Lawless’s entire backlist.
What an absolutely stunning novel. The Lost Lovelies was not at all what I was expecting in such a wonderful way. I thought I was just going to get a light historical mystery, but it turned out to be a beautiful and absolutely gut-wrenching second-chance love story wrapped up in a magic infused, war-time urban fantasy. I fell hard for Kit and Gus and I miss them already.
Set in 1945, we’re immediately transported across the Atlantic ocean from the battlefields that Kit Darling had called home as a war correspondent, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, as the world holds its breath waiting for the end of World War II and the subsequent fall of Nazi occupation in Europe. When Kit returns to Halifax to find his brother, Ted, and his sister-in-law, Mary-Alice, missing under suspicious circumstances, he reluctantly enlists the help of renowned PI August North. The very man who broke his heart seventeen years ago.
The magic of mages and fae was woven so easily into the story it was hard to remember at times that there aren't spell casters and faeries walking among us in the real world. It really was a beautifully written story. There were so many quotes that moved me, quite literally, to tears. I think I spent at least 30% of the book blubbering like a baby because I was feeling secondhand heartbreak from these wonderful characters. I had to put the book for for five minutes at one point, and remind myself that I am not, in fact, still pining for my lost love from over a decade ago who I will not cross paths or solve a mystery with anytime soon. Or ever.
Their connection and their longing was just so beautifully written that I genuinely felt sad when the story came to a close. Luckily for me, it was inevitable these two soulmates would weave their way back to one another and claw a happily ever after from the wreckage of their circumstances.
The importance of choosing your family, especially in such uncertain times, and truly being seen by the people you put your trust into is reiterated over and over again. Family means everything to Kit and Gus, and blood relation doesn’t give anyone a free pass to betray that trust. Both Gus and Kit stand up for the people they care about and every decision they make is with their loved ones in mind.
Though, they’re garbage at standing up for themselves. Sure, they’re confident when it comes to their professions, but advocating for what they want in their personal lives? Couldn’t be Kit and Gus. Those two doofus’s parted ways for seventeen years because they couldn’t be honest with each other and wouldn’t fight for what they wanted, and only rekindled their friendship when they were forced back together by the shittest circumstances possible. And I loved them so much for it.
Both men have experienced tragedy beyond their years by the time we meet them, and the trauma just keeps coming. My god, those two could not catch a break. I don’t even think it would matter what choices they make, what situations they find themselves in, or what company they keep - somehow danger and tragedy finds Gus and Kit. It seeks them out and not even a literal ocean between them could keep them apart or away from danger, or each other.
If you’re looking for a light read, this probably isn’t it. The whole novel is steeped in loss, guilt, and grief, with a heavy helping of confronting themes - though every sensitive topic is handled with care. But if you like a book that disquiets you as you search for answers with the characters, yet leaves you desperately hanging on for more, then I cannot recommend The Lost Lovelies enough.
I felt so sad when I came to the last page, though Lawless has set us up beautifully for a second book, so I will wait patiently (read: I will badger the author incessantly until they cave and give us a sequel) until the adventure continues.
5/5 stars! I’m off to read Vanora Lawless’s entire backlist.
Review of advance copy
6 ⭐️ Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of The Lost Lovelies! I DEVOURED this book!
There was so much tension built up around the missing Lovely’s, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next clue! And then, the tension of a different nature (SEXUAL 🥵) between Kit Daring and August North was just *chefs kiss* I was screaming “JUST KISS AND MAKE UP ALREADY!! YOU’RE BOTH SEXY AF, YOU BOTH VERY OBVIOUSLY STILL LOVE EACH OTHER!! NOW, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, KISS AND RIP EACHOTHERS CLOTHES OFF!!” - but seriously, the wait was totally worth it. That first time was H O T… and, I also cried right before, sooooo 🤷🏻♀️
The Lost Lovelies takes place in 1945 Nova Scotia. Kit is a war correspondent in Nazi Germany when he is called home by a very worried letter from his new sister in law, Mary-Alice, because something is going on with his brother, Ted. When he arrives home, TED AND MARY-ALICE are just GONE. Gus (August), Kit’s lost love (there was BIG-TIME heartbreak involved), just so happens to be a Private Investigator. It’s been years since Kit and Gus have seen each other. I’m gonna leave it at that, because I’m not about to give away any spoilers about these BEAUTIFUL men and their relationship. But just know, there’s A LOT of history to unwrap between them throughout the entire book. I would love to read a book that takes place when they were growing up together. We get lots of little snippets and insights from the past, BUT I COULD READ A WHOLE BOOK ABOUT IT.
There’s Mages & Magic & Fae (which I was not expecting AT ALL!) & Secrets & Mystery! Total surprise. I go into ARC’s completely blind. I actually wanted this one because the cover art is just gorgeous, you can SEE the tension dripping off the cover! The Lost Lovelies was such a surprise! It’s one of those books that you will want to reread as soon as you finish, but with the knowledge you have from the first read.
PS: Can we also give a shoutout to Tillie, Agnes, Marion, Meggie, Russ, Ted, Mary-Alice… and George 😍 oh how I love George!
My review does not do this book justice. It’s an epic love story with a magical mystery and glimpses of the end of WW2. My only complaint is that I wish it had been at least 200 pages longer and I would have loved a little more backstory and history about the fae and Faerie.
Side note to the author, can we pleaseeeeee get a book about Kit’s parents and their past!! That was a crazy lil twisty twist!
Super impressed! Highly recommend. One of my new favorite MM romances!
There was so much tension built up around the missing Lovely’s, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next clue! And then, the tension of a different nature (SEXUAL 🥵) between Kit Daring and August North was just *chefs kiss* I was screaming “JUST KISS AND MAKE UP ALREADY!! YOU’RE BOTH SEXY AF, YOU BOTH VERY OBVIOUSLY STILL LOVE EACH OTHER!! NOW, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, KISS AND RIP EACHOTHERS CLOTHES OFF!!” - but seriously, the wait was totally worth it. That first time was H O T… and, I also cried right before, sooooo 🤷🏻♀️
The Lost Lovelies takes place in 1945 Nova Scotia. Kit is a war correspondent in Nazi Germany when he is called home by a very worried letter from his new sister in law, Mary-Alice, because something is going on with his brother, Ted. When he arrives home, TED AND MARY-ALICE are just GONE. Gus (August), Kit’s lost love (there was BIG-TIME heartbreak involved), just so happens to be a Private Investigator. It’s been years since Kit and Gus have seen each other. I’m gonna leave it at that, because I’m not about to give away any spoilers about these BEAUTIFUL men and their relationship. But just know, there’s A LOT of history to unwrap between them throughout the entire book. I would love to read a book that takes place when they were growing up together. We get lots of little snippets and insights from the past, BUT I COULD READ A WHOLE BOOK ABOUT IT.
There’s Mages & Magic & Fae (which I was not expecting AT ALL!) & Secrets & Mystery! Total surprise. I go into ARC’s completely blind. I actually wanted this one because the cover art is just gorgeous, you can SEE the tension dripping off the cover! The Lost Lovelies was such a surprise! It’s one of those books that you will want to reread as soon as you finish, but with the knowledge you have from the first read.
PS: Can we also give a shoutout to Tillie, Agnes, Marion, Meggie, Russ, Ted, Mary-Alice… and George 😍 oh how I love George!
My review does not do this book justice. It’s an epic love story with a magical mystery and glimpses of the end of WW2. My only complaint is that I wish it had been at least 200 pages longer and I would have loved a little more backstory and history about the fae and Faerie.
Side note to the author, can we pleaseeeeee get a book about Kit’s parents and their past!! That was a crazy lil twisty twist!
Super impressed! Highly recommend. One of my new favorite MM romances!
March 23, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Lost Lovelies is an engaging historical mystery with a paranormal spin. The story is set in the waning days of WWII in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and author Vanora Lawless does a nice job giving the story a sense of time and place. I have read lots of historical romances, but few set in this time period, and I found it particularly interesting. Lawless brings a good sense of the city of Halifax at this stage of the war, as well as what life was like on the home front. We also see how difficult it is for the two men to have a relationship, as they have to keep their feelings hidden.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The Lost Lovelies is an engaging historical mystery with a paranormal spin. The story is set in the waning days of WWII in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and author Vanora Lawless does a nice job giving the story a sense of time and place. I have read lots of historical romances, but few set in this time period, and I found it particularly interesting. Lawless brings a good sense of the city of Halifax at this stage of the war, as well as what life was like on the home front. We also see how difficult it is for the two men to have a relationship, as they have to keep their feelings hidden.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
April 6, 2026
This is the first book I've read by Vanora Lawless and it won't be the last!
The Lost Lovelies is about Gus and Kit set in 1945, as WW2 comes to an end. Kit is a renowned reporter, broadcasting from the front line, his dulcet tones recognisable over the air waves. He hasn't been back to his home in Nova Scotia since he left after Gus broke his heart 17 years ago. After receiving a letter written by his unmet sister-in-law, Kit goes back.
Gus has made a name for himself as a PI, usually concerning the paranormal. When Gus' mother invites Kit and Gus to eat at the same table, all sorts of yearning and angst is brought to the fore.
This book is good, the world building and the characters are believable. Both Kit and Gus have much to overcome, but they get there.
I'm off to find more books by Lawless, hopefully a sequel to this as I'd love to read more about Gus and Kit.
The Lost Lovelies is about Gus and Kit set in 1945, as WW2 comes to an end. Kit is a renowned reporter, broadcasting from the front line, his dulcet tones recognisable over the air waves. He hasn't been back to his home in Nova Scotia since he left after Gus broke his heart 17 years ago. After receiving a letter written by his unmet sister-in-law, Kit goes back.
Gus has made a name for himself as a PI, usually concerning the paranormal. When Gus' mother invites Kit and Gus to eat at the same table, all sorts of yearning and angst is brought to the fore.
This book is good, the world building and the characters are believable. Both Kit and Gus have much to overcome, but they get there.
I'm off to find more books by Lawless, hopefully a sequel to this as I'd love to read more about Gus and Kit.
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March 19, 2026this was not for me.
it is second chance romance and i should've known before i requested it but i didn't, so this is totally on me😔
it is second chance romance and i should've known before i requested it but i didn't, so this is totally on me😔
April 16, 2026
ARC received from the author, and I’m so sorry I didn’t read it sooner. 🫣
I had meant to read this ARC earlier and then time got away from me, and it’s actually out today so I read it today. The whole thing, in one day. I think you can figure out that I liked it *just a bit*. 😉
The Lost Lovelies is the latest from Vanora Lawless and I absolutely devoured it! Set at the tail end of WWII in Halifax NS, it is a mystery and romance and I loved everything about it.
We have Kit Lovely (or Kit Daring as he’s known across Canada, as a famous war correspondent) who has made an emergency trip home from the frontlines because his brother and sister-in-law have gone missing. Almost immediately he runs into his former love, Gus, who is a PI and who Kit asks for help to find his brother.
As with Lawless’s other books, there is magic in this one, and it plays a role in the overall story, but not so much that it feels like a fantasy (IMO).
It is a second chance romance, which isn’t my favourite, and there was much angst and pining, which again, not my favourite, but I just loved the characters and story so much that I still gave it 5 stars. I also loved the found family aspect, it felt very real and not like a trope.
I had meant to read this ARC earlier and then time got away from me, and it’s actually out today so I read it today. The whole thing, in one day. I think you can figure out that I liked it *just a bit*. 😉
The Lost Lovelies is the latest from Vanora Lawless and I absolutely devoured it! Set at the tail end of WWII in Halifax NS, it is a mystery and romance and I loved everything about it.
We have Kit Lovely (or Kit Daring as he’s known across Canada, as a famous war correspondent) who has made an emergency trip home from the frontlines because his brother and sister-in-law have gone missing. Almost immediately he runs into his former love, Gus, who is a PI and who Kit asks for help to find his brother.
As with Lawless’s other books, there is magic in this one, and it plays a role in the overall story, but not so much that it feels like a fantasy (IMO).
It is a second chance romance, which isn’t my favourite, and there was much angst and pining, which again, not my favourite, but I just loved the characters and story so much that I still gave it 5 stars. I also loved the found family aspect, it felt very real and not like a trope.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rounded from 4.25
Romance-forward and impossible to put down, The Lost Lovelies is a compelling second-chance romance between a war correspondent returned home to solve a mystery and his P.I. first love.
One of my favorite parts of Lawless's writing is the way he writes relationships. The connection between Kit and Gus is teeming with yearning, angst, nostalgia, and hope. Every scene between them is rife with complex emotions and profound pining.
I live in hope of a second book that explores more of the magical worldbuilding. The bits that this first book reveals are tantalizingly unsatisfying
For fans of KJ Charles, Allie Therin, or Jordan L Hawk, this book may be a good fit for you!
If you are looking for a queer historical featuring angsty stubborn men, a magical second chance romance, and a dash of mystery, you are in the right place. I certainly had a fabulous time
Romance-forward and impossible to put down, The Lost Lovelies is a compelling second-chance romance between a war correspondent returned home to solve a mystery and his P.I. first love.
One of my favorite parts of Lawless's writing is the way he writes relationships. The connection between Kit and Gus is teeming with yearning, angst, nostalgia, and hope. Every scene between them is rife with complex emotions and profound pining.
I live in hope of a second book that explores more of the magical worldbuilding. The bits that this first book reveals are tantalizingly unsatisfying
For fans of KJ Charles, Allie Therin, or Jordan L Hawk, this book may be a good fit for you!
If you are looking for a queer historical featuring angsty stubborn men, a magical second chance romance, and a dash of mystery, you are in the right place. I certainly had a fabulous time
April 1, 2026
I was provided with an ARC by GRR in exchange for an honest review. These are my real sentiments about the story and everything written here is respectful, without meaning to harm anyone, but to offer my opinion as constructive criticism/compliments. Thank you, GRR and Vanora, for the opportunity!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
🔥🔥🔥 / 5 - The sweetness and longing in the sex scenes made it all the more hot.
Couple: Kit and Gus.
Structure: Third person, past tense, dual POV.
I knew from the first time I read the blurb that this was my kind of book. And it did not disappoint. I'm not one to read fantasy books with heavy world building, because the chance I get lost is high LOL But since this is set in a historical real-world scenario (one I'm usually drawn to reading about), it caught my eye instantly.
First, the characters are so human. They're flawed and good people and have dreams and have seen the worst from the world and carry blame and have so much love to give. It was impossible for me to read them and simply place blame and black-and-white judgment.
Kit is an idealist, and in that sense, I related to him so much. He wasn't necessarily an optimist, but he wished for the best and held onto his principles even when the world was showing him its worst side. He carried guilt so deep, it made him reckless with his own life, but he also tried to channel it into putting some good into the world and the people around him. I loved the context of him being a journalist for WWII, and how it never made him calloused enough as to not worry about people. On the contrary, he wanted nothing but what was best for those who were suffering. His recklessness and impulses also made him close himself off to resolving misunderstandings between him and Gus.
I'm not very fond of heavy misunderstandings trope, but this one was really well done and it didn't feel like it dragged more than it needed to. Especially with Gus (who was definitely the worse at the expression emotions between them), I couldn't simply get annoyed that he kept everything to himself. Because he loved Kit so deeply, my heart ached every time I read his POV. He acted stoic and unshakeable, but boy, did he feel every single thing intensely. I loved that about him. And loved it when he realized he couldn't make decisions for Kit: he needed to just be honest and let Kit choose for himself.
At first, the mystery part of the plot didn't have me that hung up. But as it evolved and we got to know more characters, it became interesting. I was still more invested in the second-chance romance, but the backstory where it developed turned out to be a good one too, very well-built. One thing I was left wanting more was about some things related to the magical world. We do get every information we need to understand the story, but I think that with more showing of it (and also the time Kit and Gus parted in the past, and more of Kit and George), I would've felt things more intensely.
I did love the pair of them. Their chemistry drips from the pages from the first time we see them in the same room. The yearning, longing, rage, love, were palpable. When they allowed their emotions to take over, even if they turned into one of the most beautiful sexual and affectionate scenes I've read.
Vanora writes really well. Even though I did wish somethings had been more elaborated, there's a poetic aspect to her writing that touched my heart, especially the most emotional scenes. I rooted for Gus and Kit every step of the way, both romantically and for them to achieve their goal in their investigation. I love the found family too. And I really hope we get a second book with George's story 💚
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
🔥🔥🔥 / 5 - The sweetness and longing in the sex scenes made it all the more hot.
Couple: Kit and Gus.
Structure: Third person, past tense, dual POV.
I knew from the first time I read the blurb that this was my kind of book. And it did not disappoint. I'm not one to read fantasy books with heavy world building, because the chance I get lost is high LOL But since this is set in a historical real-world scenario (one I'm usually drawn to reading about), it caught my eye instantly.
First, the characters are so human. They're flawed and good people and have dreams and have seen the worst from the world and carry blame and have so much love to give. It was impossible for me to read them and simply place blame and black-and-white judgment.
Kit is an idealist, and in that sense, I related to him so much. He wasn't necessarily an optimist, but he wished for the best and held onto his principles even when the world was showing him its worst side. He carried guilt so deep, it made him reckless with his own life, but he also tried to channel it into putting some good into the world and the people around him. I loved the context of him being a journalist for WWII, and how it never made him calloused enough as to not worry about people. On the contrary, he wanted nothing but what was best for those who were suffering. His recklessness and impulses also made him close himself off to resolving misunderstandings between him and Gus.
I'm not very fond of heavy misunderstandings trope, but this one was really well done and it didn't feel like it dragged more than it needed to. Especially with Gus (who was definitely the worse at the expression emotions between them), I couldn't simply get annoyed that he kept everything to himself. Because he loved Kit so deeply, my heart ached every time I read his POV. He acted stoic and unshakeable, but boy, did he feel every single thing intensely. I loved that about him. And loved it when he realized he couldn't make decisions for Kit: he needed to just be honest and let Kit choose for himself.
At first, the mystery part of the plot didn't have me that hung up. But as it evolved and we got to know more characters, it became interesting. I was still more invested in the second-chance romance, but the backstory where it developed turned out to be a good one too, very well-built. One thing I was left wanting more was about some things related to the magical world. We do get every information we need to understand the story, but I think that with more showing of it (and also the time Kit and Gus parted in the past, and more of Kit and George), I would've felt things more intensely.
I did love the pair of them. Their chemistry drips from the pages from the first time we see them in the same room. The yearning, longing, rage, love, were palpable. When they allowed their emotions to take over, even if they turned into one of the most beautiful sexual and affectionate scenes I've read.
Vanora writes really well. Even though I did wish somethings had been more elaborated, there's a poetic aspect to her writing that touched my heart, especially the most emotional scenes. I rooted for Gus and Kit every step of the way, both romantically and for them to achieve their goal in their investigation. I love the found family too. And I really hope we get a second book with George's story 💚
June 2, 2026
Ms Lawless, I was not familiar with your game. What a fun read this was. It reminded me a bit of Allie Therin's Magic in Manhattan series in that it's kind of historical urban fantasy set in the early twentieth century. So vibes are similar, but very different character- and plot-wise.
So we're at the tail end of WWII and magic exists, it seems to be a part of everyday life, but not everyone has it. We have a domestic mystery in which Kit, protagonist number 1, a famous Canadian radio broadcaster, is drawn back to his home town of Halifax when his younger brother goes missing. When he left there to explore the world, he left behind his childhood sweetheart Gus, our second MC, and now a powerful mage and PI. These two have seventeen years of bad blood and hurt feelings between them. But who better to help you find a missing loved one than a private investigator? So the two team up to solve the case. It's a bit more complex than that, of course. And we're introduced to a host of interesting characters as we go. I did feel like the world-building was a little scanty though. The fact of magic just is, there's no real explanation or context given. We're just asked to believe that this is how things are, but I suppose most books dealing with magic are like that.
The best part of this book for me was Kit and Gus. I'm not a big fan of second-chance romance, but I really liked this one. They were just kids when they parted ways and the hurt was so big it kind of eclipsed every other relationship either of them ever had. So watching them navigate that, feeling the tension between them, was delicious. They had really great chemistry and the fantastic spicy scenes didn't hurt either.
This was a treat to read from start to finish, at no point did I feel like it was dragging. It was genuinely romantic but with an engaging plot, set in a really interesting time period with likable characters. I would not be mad if this became a series.
So we're at the tail end of WWII and magic exists, it seems to be a part of everyday life, but not everyone has it. We have a domestic mystery in which Kit, protagonist number 1, a famous Canadian radio broadcaster, is drawn back to his home town of Halifax when his younger brother goes missing. When he left there to explore the world, he left behind his childhood sweetheart Gus, our second MC, and now a powerful mage and PI. These two have seventeen years of bad blood and hurt feelings between them. But who better to help you find a missing loved one than a private investigator? So the two team up to solve the case. It's a bit more complex than that, of course. And we're introduced to a host of interesting characters as we go. I did feel like the world-building was a little scanty though. The fact of magic just is, there's no real explanation or context given. We're just asked to believe that this is how things are, but I suppose most books dealing with magic are like that.
The best part of this book for me was Kit and Gus. I'm not a big fan of second-chance romance, but I really liked this one. They were just kids when they parted ways and the hurt was so big it kind of eclipsed every other relationship either of them ever had. So watching them navigate that, feeling the tension between them, was delicious. They had really great chemistry and the fantastic spicy scenes didn't hurt either.
This was a treat to read from start to finish, at no point did I feel like it was dragging. It was genuinely romantic but with an engaging plot, set in a really interesting time period with likable characters. I would not be mad if this became a series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Perfect for fans of K.J. Charles, this historical romance features magic, second-chances, stubborn men and a mysterious disappearance. I had a grand time reading about war correspondent Kit Lovely and PI Gus North as they reentered each other's lives after nearly two decades apart. Their love for each other was palpable and I wanted to reach into the novel and knock some sense into them at several points throughout. The mystery was very intriguing and I'd love to explore more of the magical elements in (hopefully) future books. This story perfectly wraps up, but I wouldn't mind seeing what certain side characters get up to or following our main two as they get into even more trouble.
An ARC was provided by the author for review.
Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ARC was provided by the author for review.
Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars
February 6, 2026
4.5/5. I had to force myself to put this down long enough to catch a nap. It was stunningly brilliant—the story, the hunt, the characters… and it all fit so perfectly for the time period. It was also respectful of the period and the issues folx were facing during it, which happens so infrequently that it’s worth mentioning. I feel like there’s much more to their story, and to this world that's been created, and I will be watching with both eyeballs for another book to grace us with its presence. I couldn’t love it all more, and I’m so glad I found it and gave it a shot. Seriously, this has been one of the only times I felt like two guys being dumb and incapable of communication made sense. They were so perfectly aligned to the times that it was a joy to read instead of obnoxious and ridiculous.
—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.—
—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.—
Review of advance copy received from Author
B / 4 stars
I discovered Vanora Lawless’ historical paranormal romances back in 2023 when I somehow stumbled upon Imperfect Illusions a compelling, well-researched story featuring a superbly developed slow-burn romance between two men from opposite ends of the social spectrum who have been reluctantly drawn into fighting in World War One. I eagerly devoured the second book ( Twisted Tome ) as soon as it appeared so was disappointed to learn that publication of the third and final book had been delayed. That disappointment was offset, however, when I saw that the author had a new book coming out – The Lost Lovelies – which I quickly snapped up for review.
The Lost Lovelies is also set during wartime, but instead of the gruesome trench warfare of WW1, we’re in Canada towards the end of WW2 where celebrated war correspondent and broadcaster Kit Lovely has returned after receiving a cryptic letter from the sister-in-law he’s never met. He’d far rather still be reporting from war-torn Europe, but the letter – insisting his brother is in serious trouble and begging Kit to come home to talk some sense into him – is something he can’t ignore, so he returns home to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he finds his brother’s home ransacked and that Ted and his wife are missing without a trace. With his own unreliable magic quickly proving to be of no use and the police being equally unhelpful, Kit realises he has only one other option open to him – and it’s one he’s very reluctant to take because that option is to ask for help from private investigator August North, the man he’d loved and run from seventeen years earlier.
August – Gus – was devastated when Kit left and it’s immediately apparent that he has never really got over the pain of losing him. Learning Kit has returned home stirs up a lot of conflicting emotions for Gus, and he really isn’t eager to see him or spend any time with him – but when he learns about Ted and Mary-Alice being missing and sees Kit’s real fear and his desperation to find them, Gus simply can’t find it in him to refuse to help.
As Kit and Gus work together to discover the truth, they very slowly begin to rekindle their friendship and, eventually, their sexual relationship, but nothing about it is easy and they often take one step forwards and two back as they start to process the feelings of hurt and betrayal that have dogged them both for so many years. To start with, neither of them really believes they can have anything more than the now; their lives have gone in very different directions and they’re both expecting the same outcome once they’ve solved the mystery of what happened to Ted and Mary-Alice - Kit will leave and go back to his life in Europe. At the same time as they begin to talk properly about what happened between them seventeen years ago and to admit that they never really stopped loving each other, they make some truly disturbing discoveries about the truth behind the Lovelys’ disappearance and about Kit’s past which bring unforeseen and very real danger to their door – together with the prospect of losing each other again when they’ve only just found their way back to one another.
The Lost Lovelies is an engaging historical romance with a good sense of time and place, and in which the author paints an interesting and authentic picture of what life was like in Halifax at this particular stage in the war. The two leads are complex, well-developed characters who have both suffered a lot of trauma over the years, which is reflected in a pervading atmosphere of loss, guilt and grief they have to come to terms with if they’re to regain mutual trust and understanding. Vanora Lawless maintains a good balance between the darker elements of the story and the romance and doesn’t allow the story to drown in misery while at the same time not making it easy for Gus and Kit to work their way through the things they need to; they’re going to have to face up to some hard truths and make some difficult decisions if they’re going to get their happy ending.
I did, however, have a few quibbles with the book as a whole. The author does a good job of drip-feeding the details of Gus and Kit’s shared past - as boyhood friends and then more, of the events that affected them both - and then their individual backstories throughout, and of making it clear that their break-up was due to miscommunication and misunderstandings. But they both actively avoid talking about them for just a bit too long, and I found myself wishing for more real conversations between them. I was also a bit… disturbed by the reveal about Kit’s parents. No spoilers, but while I suppose it’s supposed to show they had some great, tragic love story, I found it rather cruel. My biggest issue, however, is that the magic system is vague, poorly defined and underused. We’re told that some people have magic, but not how or why; we’re toldthere are different types of magic, but other than blood magic (which Gus has and must keep under wraps because it’s frowned upon) we don’t really see any other types of magic being used. The magic system in the Devastating Magic books is much more inventive and consistent, which makes the lacklustre nature of it here all the more disappointing.
Despite my reservations, I did enjoy The Lost Lovelies – the mystery is intriguing and the central romance is sexy and angsty with a well-deserved and hard-won HEA - and in a world of so many same-old, same-old romances, it’s a definite plus whenever I find something that’s a bit different. If the author decides to write more set in this world (a sequel for George, perhaps?) I’ll certainly be picking it up.
I discovered Vanora Lawless’ historical paranormal romances back in 2023 when I somehow stumbled upon Imperfect Illusions a compelling, well-researched story featuring a superbly developed slow-burn romance between two men from opposite ends of the social spectrum who have been reluctantly drawn into fighting in World War One. I eagerly devoured the second book ( Twisted Tome ) as soon as it appeared so was disappointed to learn that publication of the third and final book had been delayed. That disappointment was offset, however, when I saw that the author had a new book coming out – The Lost Lovelies – which I quickly snapped up for review.
The Lost Lovelies is also set during wartime, but instead of the gruesome trench warfare of WW1, we’re in Canada towards the end of WW2 where celebrated war correspondent and broadcaster Kit Lovely has returned after receiving a cryptic letter from the sister-in-law he’s never met. He’d far rather still be reporting from war-torn Europe, but the letter – insisting his brother is in serious trouble and begging Kit to come home to talk some sense into him – is something he can’t ignore, so he returns home to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he finds his brother’s home ransacked and that Ted and his wife are missing without a trace. With his own unreliable magic quickly proving to be of no use and the police being equally unhelpful, Kit realises he has only one other option open to him – and it’s one he’s very reluctant to take because that option is to ask for help from private investigator August North, the man he’d loved and run from seventeen years earlier.
August – Gus – was devastated when Kit left and it’s immediately apparent that he has never really got over the pain of losing him. Learning Kit has returned home stirs up a lot of conflicting emotions for Gus, and he really isn’t eager to see him or spend any time with him – but when he learns about Ted and Mary-Alice being missing and sees Kit’s real fear and his desperation to find them, Gus simply can’t find it in him to refuse to help.
As Kit and Gus work together to discover the truth, they very slowly begin to rekindle their friendship and, eventually, their sexual relationship, but nothing about it is easy and they often take one step forwards and two back as they start to process the feelings of hurt and betrayal that have dogged them both for so many years. To start with, neither of them really believes they can have anything more than the now; their lives have gone in very different directions and they’re both expecting the same outcome once they’ve solved the mystery of what happened to Ted and Mary-Alice - Kit will leave and go back to his life in Europe. At the same time as they begin to talk properly about what happened between them seventeen years ago and to admit that they never really stopped loving each other, they make some truly disturbing discoveries about the truth behind the Lovelys’ disappearance and about Kit’s past which bring unforeseen and very real danger to their door – together with the prospect of losing each other again when they’ve only just found their way back to one another.
The Lost Lovelies is an engaging historical romance with a good sense of time and place, and in which the author paints an interesting and authentic picture of what life was like in Halifax at this particular stage in the war. The two leads are complex, well-developed characters who have both suffered a lot of trauma over the years, which is reflected in a pervading atmosphere of loss, guilt and grief they have to come to terms with if they’re to regain mutual trust and understanding. Vanora Lawless maintains a good balance between the darker elements of the story and the romance and doesn’t allow the story to drown in misery while at the same time not making it easy for Gus and Kit to work their way through the things they need to; they’re going to have to face up to some hard truths and make some difficult decisions if they’re going to get their happy ending.
I did, however, have a few quibbles with the book as a whole. The author does a good job of drip-feeding the details of Gus and Kit’s shared past - as boyhood friends and then more, of the events that affected them both - and then their individual backstories throughout, and of making it clear that their break-up was due to miscommunication and misunderstandings. But they both actively avoid talking about them for just a bit too long, and I found myself wishing for more real conversations between them. I was also a bit… disturbed by the reveal about Kit’s parents. No spoilers, but while I suppose it’s supposed to show they had some great, tragic love story, I found it rather cruel. My biggest issue, however, is that the magic system is vague, poorly defined and underused. We’re told that some people have magic, but not how or why; we’re toldthere are different types of magic, but other than blood magic (which Gus has and must keep under wraps because it’s frowned upon) we don’t really see any other types of magic being used. The magic system in the Devastating Magic books is much more inventive and consistent, which makes the lacklustre nature of it here all the more disappointing.
Despite my reservations, I did enjoy The Lost Lovelies – the mystery is intriguing and the central romance is sexy and angsty with a well-deserved and hard-won HEA - and in a world of so many same-old, same-old romances, it’s a definite plus whenever I find something that’s a bit different. If the author decides to write more set in this world (a sequel for George, perhaps?) I’ll certainly be picking it up.
March 28, 2026
The Lost Lovelies by Vanora Lawless
Length: 279 pages
Source: GRR Tours
Publication date: March 19, 2026
4 ⭐
2.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
MM historical romance (WWII)
Mages
Second chance
Miscommunication
Found family
Angst
Demisexual rep
AUTHOR'S BLURB
Famed war correspondent Kit Lovely left Nova Scotia seventeen years ago under the crushing weight of a broken heart, swearing never to return. But after he receives an ominous letter from his new sister-in-law, Kit rushes back across the Atlantic, where he discovers their ransacked house tingling from mysterious magic. With his brother and sister-in-law gone without a trace, Kit’s left reeling. His own faulty magic can’t work a tracking spell, nor are the police much use. Desperate for answers, Kit has no choice but to turn to the very man who once shattered him.
Reserved mage Gus North is an expert PI specializing in missing persons cases. He’s also guarding a dangerous secret: he hails from a long line of talented blood magic users. When the only man he’s ever loved begs for help to find his little brother, Gus can’t turn him away. Not even with all the lies, and hurt, and lingering feelings between them clawing him up.
As they chip away at the case, their core beliefs about themselves, each other, and the world they live in unravel, exposing a deadlier enemy than either of them could have imagined.
After all, in a world of magic, not all monsters in fairytales are just stories.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't generally read historical romance, and I really enjoyed this book! Miscommunication is a difficult trope for me, and it was definitely frustrating here, but it partly has to do with the story's timeframe (WWII-era Nova Scotia). It works, just be prepared for several instances of "Why won't you two just TALK to each other?!"
I loved that the book jumps right into the action, with Kit arriving home to look for his brother, and the reunion with Gus happens pretty quickly, so there's lots of second-chance vibes for most of the book. The magic action is fast-paced, and I was able to visualize each time Gus performed a spell (which is really hard to do with ADHD!). The romance between the two gives definite "It's always been you vibes," and I loved it.
BOTTOM LINE
I'd say yes, go get this one, especially if you enjoy historical romance. The story and romance are strong enough that I 100% want to go read more from the author.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Mentions of blood magic, on-page violence/threats, closeted MCs (it's 1945), mentions of parental conflict and abandonment, childhood death of sibling (past, on-page), explicit sexual content
–A🩷
Thanks to GRR Tours and Vanora Lawless for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
Length: 279 pages
Source: GRR Tours
Publication date: March 19, 2026
4 ⭐
2.5 🌶️
WHAT TO EXPECT
MM historical romance (WWII)
Mages
Second chance
Miscommunication
Found family
Angst
Demisexual rep
AUTHOR'S BLURB
Famed war correspondent Kit Lovely left Nova Scotia seventeen years ago under the crushing weight of a broken heart, swearing never to return. But after he receives an ominous letter from his new sister-in-law, Kit rushes back across the Atlantic, where he discovers their ransacked house tingling from mysterious magic. With his brother and sister-in-law gone without a trace, Kit’s left reeling. His own faulty magic can’t work a tracking spell, nor are the police much use. Desperate for answers, Kit has no choice but to turn to the very man who once shattered him.
Reserved mage Gus North is an expert PI specializing in missing persons cases. He’s also guarding a dangerous secret: he hails from a long line of talented blood magic users. When the only man he’s ever loved begs for help to find his little brother, Gus can’t turn him away. Not even with all the lies, and hurt, and lingering feelings between them clawing him up.
As they chip away at the case, their core beliefs about themselves, each other, and the world they live in unravel, exposing a deadlier enemy than either of them could have imagined.
After all, in a world of magic, not all monsters in fairytales are just stories.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't generally read historical romance, and I really enjoyed this book! Miscommunication is a difficult trope for me, and it was definitely frustrating here, but it partly has to do with the story's timeframe (WWII-era Nova Scotia). It works, just be prepared for several instances of "Why won't you two just TALK to each other?!"
I loved that the book jumps right into the action, with Kit arriving home to look for his brother, and the reunion with Gus happens pretty quickly, so there's lots of second-chance vibes for most of the book. The magic action is fast-paced, and I was able to visualize each time Gus performed a spell (which is really hard to do with ADHD!). The romance between the two gives definite "It's always been you vibes," and I loved it.
BOTTOM LINE
I'd say yes, go get this one, especially if you enjoy historical romance. The story and romance are strong enough that I 100% want to go read more from the author.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Mentions of blood magic, on-page violence/threats, closeted MCs (it's 1945), mentions of parental conflict and abandonment, childhood death of sibling (past, on-page), explicit sexual content
–A🩷
Thanks to GRR Tours and Vanora Lawless for an eARC of this book. All opinions are mine. Reviews posted regularly on StoryGraph, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, BlueSky, BookBub, and Fable.
June 16, 2026
DNF @ 39%
The intro was a bit too explicit (particularly Gus's chapters). I'm never a fan of characters his vomiting out their entire spiel though awkward dialogue and internal monologue because that's so boring. Gus did that with his powers via his convo with his boss expo dumping his blood magic and then via his thoughts expo dumping his history with Kit and his mom. Would've been better to see him trying to be discreet while using blood magic to show how taboo it was and see his interactions with his mom to get their relationship.
"...asking him to use blood magic to overcome the resistance was a bridge too far."
Then Kit goes on to expo dump the dangers of blood magic, but he literally did ask Gus to use it? That passage implied that he knew of the dangers and decided it wasn't worth the risk, but the actions were contrary to the tone and wording. It clearly wasn't "a bridge too far" considering he did ask for it.
It was weird how so much of the actual procedural part of the story was done off page or summarized. Kit finding out that his brother had an argument with a coworker should've happened on page to show us if the conversation was suspicious or not. Chapter eleven just has Gus tell us that he and Kit interviewed people, then randomly zeroed in on one of their interviewees as suspicious. We should've seen the security lady be shifty, not just have it told to us afterwards.
I gave up when yet another development had happened off page and then we just got a phone call telling us about it. Gus calling Kit telling him that one of his contacts got him the in to seeing Mary-Alice's family was the last straw. The most annoying part of it was that the scene used in its stead was Kit talking to two of his supposed best friends and going to them for some emotional support BUT then it just cuts right after Gus's call so we don't even see him debriefing about his first kiss. What was the point of having such a nothing chapter instead of showing more of the investigation?
TL;DR: I was not a fan of the writing. Too much explicit expo dumping and too many important scenes were either timelapsed or happened off page. 2 stars.
The intro was a bit too explicit (particularly Gus's chapters). I'm never a fan of characters his vomiting out their entire spiel though awkward dialogue and internal monologue because that's so boring. Gus did that with his powers via his convo with his boss expo dumping his blood magic and then via his thoughts expo dumping his history with Kit and his mom. Would've been better to see him trying to be discreet while using blood magic to show how taboo it was and see his interactions with his mom to get their relationship.
"...asking him to use blood magic to overcome the resistance was a bridge too far."
Then Kit goes on to expo dump the dangers of blood magic, but he literally did ask Gus to use it? That passage implied that he knew of the dangers and decided it wasn't worth the risk, but the actions were contrary to the tone and wording. It clearly wasn't "a bridge too far" considering he did ask for it.
It was weird how so much of the actual procedural part of the story was done off page or summarized. Kit finding out that his brother had an argument with a coworker should've happened on page to show us if the conversation was suspicious or not. Chapter eleven just has Gus tell us that he and Kit interviewed people, then randomly zeroed in on one of their interviewees as suspicious. We should've seen the security lady be shifty, not just have it told to us afterwards.
I gave up when yet another development had happened off page and then we just got a phone call telling us about it. Gus calling Kit telling him that one of his contacts got him the in to seeing Mary-Alice's family was the last straw. The most annoying part of it was that the scene used in its stead was Kit talking to two of his supposed best friends and going to them for some emotional support BUT then it just cuts right after Gus's call so we don't even see him debriefing about his first kiss. What was the point of having such a nothing chapter instead of showing more of the investigation?
TL;DR: I was not a fan of the writing. Too much explicit expo dumping and too many important scenes were either timelapsed or happened off page. 2 stars.
March 25, 2026
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
From the very first sentence I KNEW The Lost Lovelies was going to be a MEGA win for me. The VIBES were like comic book noir meets WW2 East Coast Canada. I was immediately drawn into Lawless' narrative style and tone, which was an immersive, magically infused, atmospheric capture of a fraught time for the people of Halifax at the tail end of WWII.
Everything about this story just WORKED for me! There was the mysterious disappearance of Kit's brother and his wife, the different kinds of magic, the stabby murdery action...even the OTT villain was sinister-with-a-side-of-hokey entertainment! Not to mention Kit and Gus reuniting after seventeen years apart, under some very worrisome circumstances.
This was a wild cocktail of energy and I loved every sentence of it!
Kit and Gus' past breakup tension throughout the first half of this book was pretty spikey, but the second half of this book was screaming perfection!! When Kit and Gus stopped fighting the feelings they were fighting not to show, ooooh the hearts were throbbing and I could not have loved these two idiots more! The steamy stuff was hot hot hot, but also their intimate, tender moments were so real and earnest that when confessions and hearts were being laid bare, I was full on crying for them both.
On top of the romance, both the family and the friend groups were fantastic support systems that made me melt inside! All their characterizations were so richly realized, and rocked different aspects of love and loyalty and high-competency, that it was impossible for me to not love them all.
The Lost Lovelies was wonderful and exciting and dynamic and compulsively readable. The ending had me shouting and crying in a variety of OMG ways that I'm still recovering from tbh. And now I'm beyond normal about Vanora Lawless after this captivating beauty of a read! I CANNOT WAIT to read every single thing Lawless has written and will write in the future, because this was awesome and I loved it!!!
From the very first sentence I KNEW The Lost Lovelies was going to be a MEGA win for me. The VIBES were like comic book noir meets WW2 East Coast Canada. I was immediately drawn into Lawless' narrative style and tone, which was an immersive, magically infused, atmospheric capture of a fraught time for the people of Halifax at the tail end of WWII.
Everything about this story just WORKED for me! There was the mysterious disappearance of Kit's brother and his wife, the different kinds of magic, the stabby murdery action...even the OTT villain was sinister-with-a-side-of-hokey entertainment! Not to mention Kit and Gus reuniting after seventeen years apart, under some very worrisome circumstances.
This was a wild cocktail of energy and I loved every sentence of it!
Kit and Gus' past breakup tension throughout the first half of this book was pretty spikey, but the second half of this book was screaming perfection!! When Kit and Gus stopped fighting the feelings they were fighting not to show, ooooh the hearts were throbbing and I could not have loved these two idiots more! The steamy stuff was hot hot hot, but also their intimate, tender moments were so real and earnest that when confessions and hearts were being laid bare, I was full on crying for them both.
On top of the romance, both the family and the friend groups were fantastic support systems that made me melt inside! All their characterizations were so richly realized, and rocked different aspects of love and loyalty and high-competency, that it was impossible for me to not love them all.
The Lost Lovelies was wonderful and exciting and dynamic and compulsively readable. The ending had me shouting and crying in a variety of OMG ways that I'm still recovering from tbh. And now I'm beyond normal about Vanora Lawless after this captivating beauty of a read! I CANNOT WAIT to read every single thing Lawless has written and will write in the future, because this was awesome and I loved it!!!
April 19, 2026
*ARC Review* Thank you for the copy!
Intro:
This book is an MM romance between Kit, a radio personality covering the war and Gus, a private investigator hired by Kit to find his missing family
Tropes/Highlights:
-MM
-Open Door
-Second Chance
-Historical
-Found Family
-Its Always Been You
-Magic Twist
Likes:
-Well developed characters
-Investigative work
-Magic elements
-So much longing/pining
-Supportive friends, likable side characters
-Spice scenes
-Kit and Gus's love for each other even when they want to hate the other
-Time period details/struggles
-Gorgeous cover!
Neutrals/Criticisms
-Old hurt was too easily overlooked, would have liked more emotional development
-Pacing at the end was a little too fast for me
Quotes
-"Self-preservation really isn't your strong suit, is it, buddy?"
-"It's okay to cry, you know, When it hurts this bad, when it's something this big, you don't have to keep it in"
-"Like even if I couldn't claim his heart anymore, at least I could claim his body, and he was mine in this moment as surely as I was his"
-"Kit Lovely was wound into the fibers of my heart, and I couldn't cut him out"
-"We collided like meteors in the night sky. Brilliant and breaking apart"
-"It's the way you look at him like he's the sun after a hurricane. Anyone who knows you, really knows you, is bound to notice Kit lights you up in a way no one else does. And I don't care what anyone has to say about it, there's nothing wrong with either of you"
This is my first book I have read from Vanora and it was a sweet book with mystery, magic, heartbreak and healing all rolled into one. The cover art convinced me right away to read their story and I enjoyed their journey. If you are looking for a story set in 1945 about two men angry at each other over past hurts who feel guilt, intense longing and feelings they try to smother while working together against malicious sources to save loved ones and rediscover their love for one another, then this is a great book for you.
Intro:
This book is an MM romance between Kit, a radio personality covering the war and Gus, a private investigator hired by Kit to find his missing family
Tropes/Highlights:
-MM
-Open Door
-Second Chance
-Historical
-Found Family
-Its Always Been You
-Magic Twist
Likes:
-Well developed characters
-Investigative work
-Magic elements
-So much longing/pining
-Supportive friends, likable side characters
-Spice scenes
-Kit and Gus's love for each other even when they want to hate the other
-Time period details/struggles
-Gorgeous cover!
Neutrals/Criticisms
-Old hurt was too easily overlooked, would have liked more emotional development
-Pacing at the end was a little too fast for me
Quotes
-"Self-preservation really isn't your strong suit, is it, buddy?"
-"It's okay to cry, you know, When it hurts this bad, when it's something this big, you don't have to keep it in"
-"Like even if I couldn't claim his heart anymore, at least I could claim his body, and he was mine in this moment as surely as I was his"
-"Kit Lovely was wound into the fibers of my heart, and I couldn't cut him out"
-"We collided like meteors in the night sky. Brilliant and breaking apart"
-"It's the way you look at him like he's the sun after a hurricane. Anyone who knows you, really knows you, is bound to notice Kit lights you up in a way no one else does. And I don't care what anyone has to say about it, there's nothing wrong with either of you"
This is my first book I have read from Vanora and it was a sweet book with mystery, magic, heartbreak and healing all rolled into one. The cover art convinced me right away to read their story and I enjoyed their journey. If you are looking for a story set in 1945 about two men angry at each other over past hurts who feel guilt, intense longing and feelings they try to smother while working together against malicious sources to save loved ones and rediscover their love for one another, then this is a great book for you.
Review of advance copy
**I received an electronic ARC via Gay Romance Reviews.**
Actual rating: 3.5
Vanora Lawless presents a queer historical novel that weaves together mystery and fantasy elements in The Lost Lovelies. Kit left his home in Halifax after tragedy and a breakup with his childhood sweetheart. He has made a name for himself as a journalist covering World War II from the front, reporting both in print and via a radio show. When Kit gets a strange letter from his brother's wife stating that she and Kit's brother may be in trouble, Kit knows he has to return home immediately. Only when Kit makes it back to Halifax, his brother and sister-in-law are missing. And it is just Kit's luck that his former flame, Gus, is now one of the best PIs in the area specializing in missing persons cases. Though the case brings them together, it will take a lot to repair the broken relationship between Kit and Gus despite the feelings that never quite faded.
This was absolutely a fun read. I never quite knew where the story was headed, in part because I never was sure where the magic began or ended in this world. It was the softest of magic systems that really never got an explanation as to functionality, but the story never really suffered for the lack. Some interventions started to feel a little "deus ex machina" given that gap in understanding, particularly toward the end. But the strength of this story was in the characters. Kit and Gus are both compelling and charming in their own right. They complement each other well, though the story relies heavily on their inability to communicate to instill conflict.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this story to people who are interested specifically in the genre blend and the queer romance. I think any reader going in for solely their genre of interest will be disappointed, but fans of the blend itself will be more than happy to enjoy the ride.
Actual rating: 3.5
Vanora Lawless presents a queer historical novel that weaves together mystery and fantasy elements in The Lost Lovelies. Kit left his home in Halifax after tragedy and a breakup with his childhood sweetheart. He has made a name for himself as a journalist covering World War II from the front, reporting both in print and via a radio show. When Kit gets a strange letter from his brother's wife stating that she and Kit's brother may be in trouble, Kit knows he has to return home immediately. Only when Kit makes it back to Halifax, his brother and sister-in-law are missing. And it is just Kit's luck that his former flame, Gus, is now one of the best PIs in the area specializing in missing persons cases. Though the case brings them together, it will take a lot to repair the broken relationship between Kit and Gus despite the feelings that never quite faded.
This was absolutely a fun read. I never quite knew where the story was headed, in part because I never was sure where the magic began or ended in this world. It was the softest of magic systems that really never got an explanation as to functionality, but the story never really suffered for the lack. Some interventions started to feel a little "deus ex machina" given that gap in understanding, particularly toward the end. But the strength of this story was in the characters. Kit and Gus are both compelling and charming in their own right. They complement each other well, though the story relies heavily on their inability to communicate to instill conflict.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this story to people who are interested specifically in the genre blend and the queer romance. I think any reader going in for solely their genre of interest will be disappointed, but fans of the blend itself will be more than happy to enjoy the ride.
March 28, 2026
Overall, a fun and enjoyable read but a bit of a mess at times. War correspondent Kit Lovely has come home to WW2-era Halifax in order to find his missing brother, Ted, and Ted's wife, Mary-Alice. Once home he enlists the help of Gus North, his former lover and powerful mage, to help locate the two missing family members.
From there, the two men find themselves fighting a conspiracy directed by a powerful magic user who seems to always be one step ahead of them. It's a fun story, with an intriguing villain. Where the plot has a few problems, though, is that there are an awful lot of moving parts getting there and a large cast of characters, probably too many, with some of those characters showing up at convenient times just to move the plot along. The characters of Agnes and Marion, for example, seem to arrive and make appearances solely for the sake of being available for the climax of the book. Another edit or two of the book would have probably tightened up the plot, along with sharpening some of the characters since there are SO many of them.
The biggest success here is Lawless' deft depiction of Canada at the end of WW2 and the social powder keg it was. Combining it with magic gave it some intriguing shifts in the narrative and a different perspective, as well. The social stigma of homosexuality at the time was also well drawn and raised the stakes for our couple.
Lawless knows how to write a fun tale set in unusual settings and time periods. Hopefully, we'll see a bit tighter plotting on subsequent installments by the author, as this one missed the mark a bit, in my opinion, on being a 5 star read. Nonetheless, it is an entertaining tale with an intriguing magic system and alternate history.
From there, the two men find themselves fighting a conspiracy directed by a powerful magic user who seems to always be one step ahead of them. It's a fun story, with an intriguing villain. Where the plot has a few problems, though, is that there are an awful lot of moving parts getting there and a large cast of characters, probably too many, with some of those characters showing up at convenient times just to move the plot along. The characters of Agnes and Marion, for example, seem to arrive and make appearances solely for the sake of being available for the climax of the book. Another edit or two of the book would have probably tightened up the plot, along with sharpening some of the characters since there are SO many of them.
The biggest success here is Lawless' deft depiction of Canada at the end of WW2 and the social powder keg it was. Combining it with magic gave it some intriguing shifts in the narrative and a different perspective, as well. The social stigma of homosexuality at the time was also well drawn and raised the stakes for our couple.
Lawless knows how to write a fun tale set in unusual settings and time periods. Hopefully, we'll see a bit tighter plotting on subsequent installments by the author, as this one missed the mark a bit, in my opinion, on being a 5 star read. Nonetheless, it is an entertaining tale with an intriguing magic system and alternate history.
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC from GRR. I have mixed feelings about this book. It had a ton of promise - up until 1/3-1/2 of the way through I was really loving it, the writing is descriptive, the characters are interesting, the pacing was ok, and then things just kind of deteriorated a bit. The pacing was choppy - some bits dragged and seemed overblown (the big breakup between Kit and Gus) while the mystery bits accelerated and went on fast forward in the last 20%, lots of the denouement was just explained (the *big* reveal), and it felt like a lost opportunity to work the plot points into the narrative more smoothly. I also think this book would have been better served written as single POV - there wasn't enough distinction between the 2 MC's voices, especially in the second half, and I kept getting confused whose POV I was reading mid-chapter. I love period romantic mysteries, and this was overall true to the time (although the family's loving acceptance - maybe not?), and magic is always fun. The magic worldbuilding was fine up until the fae stuff was added, it was a little weird to read that there were fae among us until just a couple years ago, it felt kind of thrown in and didn't really sit well with the rest of the story. I suspect this may be the start of a series, as plenty of doors were left open for new adventures, and if so I hope the pacing and editing do more to tighten things up. Overall I'm giving it a 3.5 rounded to 4 because there was a lot of promise - hopefully the issues can be resolved in any follow ups.
March 26, 2026
Kit Lovely left Nova Scotia seventeen years ago after having his heart broken. Even though he swore to never return, a letter from his sister-in-law has him rushing back, only to find the house ransacked and his brother and sister-in-law missing. The police are useless and his own magic is not good for much of anything, least of all a tracking charm. Having no choice, Kit turns to August North, who has done an excellent job of tracking people in his PI job. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke his heart. Now with the trail obscure, the two struggle to work together as the danger escalates and they cannot afford distractions.
Set during the end of World War II, looking for his brother Ted was turning out to be more dangerous than Kit’s job as a war correspondent. Determined to find him, he pulls Gus back into his world. Gus is still in love with Kit and can refuse him nothing. One of the things that strike you the most about these two men is how family shaped them. Through all the tragedies and losses the two families experienced, pulling together into one big found family is what saved them. The pain both Gus and Kit experienced will pull at your emotions and have you routing for happy endings. With the setting in the past, this story captures you on page one and keeps your attention with escalating danger as the story unfolds. If this is what you like, look no further for your next book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Set during the end of World War II, looking for his brother Ted was turning out to be more dangerous than Kit’s job as a war correspondent. Determined to find him, he pulls Gus back into his world. Gus is still in love with Kit and can refuse him nothing. One of the things that strike you the most about these two men is how family shaped them. Through all the tragedies and losses the two families experienced, pulling together into one big found family is what saved them. The pain both Gus and Kit experienced will pull at your emotions and have you routing for happy endings. With the setting in the past, this story captures you on page one and keeps your attention with escalating danger as the story unfolds. If this is what you like, look no further for your next book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kit Lovely is a famed war correspondent covering events happening in Europe in early 1945 when he receives an ominous letter from his new sister-in-law back home. Worried, Kit returns to Halifax only to find his brother and sister-in-law’s home ransacked and covered in a strange magical residue. Unable to use his own wild and unstable magic to conduct a tracking spell, Kit must rely on PI August (Gus) North to help him. But there’s a history there. Seventeen years ago, August broke Kit’s heart, which never fully healed. Can the two put aside their past to find Kit's brother and his brother's wife?
I LOVED THIS BOOK! 🩷 It’s a lovely (ha) second-chance romance full of magic, mystery, intrigue, healing, and more. The yearning was palpable and I liked how much Kit and Gus still cared for one another even with broken hearts and having not spoken in seventeen years. It felt like no time had passed at all, even though they both clearly had changed and grown up since then. And obviously had some conflict to resolve between themselves. I kind of like when characters have emotional arguments lol 🙈 It’s refreshing to see them finally communicate, ok!!!!?? But also it always leads to hurt/comfort, my favourite trope, and I eat that sh*t up. I loved seeing Kit and August rekindle their love for one another throughout this book. It was beautiful and wholesome and lovely (sorry, not sorry).
The story itself was really intriguing! I kept trying to guess who was behind everything and there was one character I thought might have been involved but I was completely wrong lol. It was fun to guess! I also really liked the side characters like Agnes, Marion, Tillie, and Meggie! I’d LOVE a book about Agnes and Marion haha.
Overall, The Lost Lovelies is amazing and a new favourite of mine 🩷 Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review! 🩷🩷🩷
I LOVED THIS BOOK! 🩷 It’s a lovely (ha) second-chance romance full of magic, mystery, intrigue, healing, and more. The yearning was palpable and I liked how much Kit and Gus still cared for one another even with broken hearts and having not spoken in seventeen years. It felt like no time had passed at all, even though they both clearly had changed and grown up since then. And obviously had some conflict to resolve between themselves. I kind of like when characters have emotional arguments lol 🙈 It’s refreshing to see them finally communicate, ok!!!!?? But also it always leads to hurt/comfort, my favourite trope, and I eat that sh*t up. I loved seeing Kit and August rekindle their love for one another throughout this book. It was beautiful and wholesome and lovely (sorry, not sorry).
The story itself was really intriguing! I kept trying to guess who was behind everything and there was one character I thought might have been involved but I was completely wrong lol. It was fun to guess! I also really liked the side characters like Agnes, Marion, Tillie, and Meggie! I’d LOVE a book about Agnes and Marion haha.
Overall, The Lost Lovelies is amazing and a new favourite of mine 🩷 Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review! 🩷🩷🩷
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars easy.
The Pining. Yes, that’s a capital letter, not a typo.
So I got drawn to this ARC in the first place because of its cover. It’s gorgeous.
Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romances.
However, from the blurb I read, I got exactly what I expected and then some.
This was a beautiful, frustrating story about two heartbroken men who haven’t seen each other in 17 years, but still pine for each other. They made mistakes and still suffer from it.
This book focuses on its main leads and the mystery has the purpose to bring them together again and again. However, it was well written and both the romance and the mystery plot grabbed my attention from the start. So much so that I was at 50% and decided to read another hour before bed. I finished the book in the middle of the night.
The only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars is the ending. Although satisfying enough, I felt it was rushed.
I received this book as an ARC through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
The Pining. Yes, that’s a capital letter, not a typo.
So I got drawn to this ARC in the first place because of its cover. It’s gorgeous.
Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romances.
However, from the blurb I read, I got exactly what I expected and then some.
This was a beautiful, frustrating story about two heartbroken men who haven’t seen each other in 17 years, but still pine for each other. They made mistakes and still suffer from it.
This book focuses on its main leads and the mystery has the purpose to bring them together again and again. However, it was well written and both the romance and the mystery plot grabbed my attention from the start. So much so that I was at 50% and decided to read another hour before bed. I finished the book in the middle of the night.
The only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars is the ending. Although satisfying enough, I felt it was rushed.
I received this book as an ARC through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A good second-chance romance and mystery. Kit Daring has been reporting on WW2 from Europe for the last 6 years. He left his hometown of Halifax and never looked back after his first love and best friend broke his heart. But a mysterious letter from the sister-in-law he's never met brings him home immediately. Kit's brother is missing and their house has been ransacked. Feeling at a loss, Kit reaches out to the one person he shouldn't knowing that Gus will help him. Gus knows he's the reason Kit ran away from Halifax but he's still angry that Kit stayed silent and gone for 17 years. When these two former lovers and friends see each other again, all the emotions return with a vengence - lust, anger, hurt, and love. I will admit that these guys hurt my heart a little. They're both walking wounded and don't have all the emotional tools to figure it out quickly. I was tearing up at several points in the story as they slowly give in to what they are both feeling. I like the magical realism of the world these characters inhabit and the side characters that are part of the story. The mystery is good as well. I would recommend this one and I hope there are more stories with these characters.
March 24, 2026
This was a wonderfully atmospheric mix of historical fiction, magic, and second-chance romance. The 1945 Halifax setting adds a really rich backdrop to the story, with a sense of post-war tension woven neatly into the mystery and the supernatural elements.
Kit and Gus are at the heart of it all, and their shared history gives the story a strong emotional pull from the very beginning. There’s a lingering ache between them that feels genuine, and watching them navigate old wounds while working together again adds a lovely layer of depth to the investigation.
The mystery itself is engaging and keeps the plot moving at a steady pace, with just enough twists to hold your attention. I especially liked how the magical elements were incorporated—they enhance the story without overwhelming it, and add an extra sense of danger and intrigue.
The supporting cast also stood out, bringing warmth and a sense of found family that balances the darker aspects of the plot. Altogether, it’s a compelling and emotional read that blends romance and mystery really well, and I’d happily pick up more from this author.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Kit and Gus are at the heart of it all, and their shared history gives the story a strong emotional pull from the very beginning. There’s a lingering ache between them that feels genuine, and watching them navigate old wounds while working together again adds a lovely layer of depth to the investigation.
The mystery itself is engaging and keeps the plot moving at a steady pace, with just enough twists to hold your attention. I especially liked how the magical elements were incorporated—they enhance the story without overwhelming it, and add an extra sense of danger and intrigue.
The supporting cast also stood out, bringing warmth and a sense of found family that balances the darker aspects of the plot. Altogether, it’s a compelling and emotional read that blends romance and mystery really well, and I’d happily pick up more from this author.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
March 27, 2026
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Lost Lovelies by Vanora Loveless is a new historical magical MM romance. Kit Daring has returned home to Halifax, Nova Scotia from the war front to find his younger brother Ted and wife Mary Alice. He reluctantly partners up with his ex-best friend and more Gus to try and find the missing couple. But there are powers fighting their every attempt to locate Ted and Mary Alice. Gus and Kit have unfinished business but that business may stay that way if the danger lurking in the Halifax streets gets to them first.
I enjoyed the mix of magic and history blended in this story. Kit and Gus were both likeable characters who you wanted to see happy. Both are driven by the need to right wrongs and find the truth through different avenues. They also have a great group of friends and family looking to support them through it all. There were times when things felt a bit bulky in the writing and dragged but through it all you needed to see what happened next with Kit and Gus.
4 stars for Kit and Gus reuniting to find the lost Lovelies.
The Lost Lovelies by Vanora Loveless is a new historical magical MM romance. Kit Daring has returned home to Halifax, Nova Scotia from the war front to find his younger brother Ted and wife Mary Alice. He reluctantly partners up with his ex-best friend and more Gus to try and find the missing couple. But there are powers fighting their every attempt to locate Ted and Mary Alice. Gus and Kit have unfinished business but that business may stay that way if the danger lurking in the Halifax streets gets to them first.
I enjoyed the mix of magic and history blended in this story. Kit and Gus were both likeable characters who you wanted to see happy. Both are driven by the need to right wrongs and find the truth through different avenues. They also have a great group of friends and family looking to support them through it all. There were times when things felt a bit bulky in the writing and dragged but through it all you needed to see what happened next with Kit and Gus.
4 stars for Kit and Gus reuniting to find the lost Lovelies.
March 29, 2026
My first instinct was to describe this as 'lovely' but that would be too on the nose, obviously.
I was intrigued by the history of Halifax during the ending of WWII. At first, the addition of magical and fantasy elements seemed too much, but as the story progress, all the threads weaved together nicely. Lawless deftly handled a large cast of characters, and my only minor gripe is that I think but it honestly didn't bother me overmuch.
The main relationship between Kit and Gus shines here, and there's enough external conflicts, coupled with the same societal pressures as our own 1940s had, that their miscommunications feels real and expected, rather than frustrating.
So far, this is marketed as a standalone, but I could easily see it being the first in a series, with future books having Gus and Kit working together to solve cases. I would happily read future installments, but if this is all we ever get, I enjoyed my time a lot! Many thanks to GRR for the review copy.
I was intrigued by the history of Halifax during the ending of WWII. At first, the addition of magical and fantasy elements seemed too much, but as the story progress, all the threads weaved together nicely. Lawless deftly handled a large cast of characters, and my only minor gripe is that I think but it honestly didn't bother me overmuch.
The main relationship between Kit and Gus shines here, and there's enough external conflicts, coupled with the same societal pressures as our own 1940s had, that their miscommunications feels real and expected, rather than frustrating.
So far, this is marketed as a standalone, but I could easily see it being the first in a series, with future books having Gus and Kit working together to solve cases. I would happily read future installments, but if this is all we ever get, I enjoyed my time a lot! Many thanks to GRR for the review copy.
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