Eli Williams suddenly shows up during the busy social season and is the talk of the town because he was presumed dead when his ship was wrecked 2 years prior.

I love a good historical romance and this book didn't disappoint. Jane's character is a strong female lead which is very refreshing. She is trying to define herself and make her own life in a time where women aren't allowed to do anything unaccompanied by a man.

I found the novel to be very entertaining and I was hooked right from the beginning. I liked how the story developed as Jane carried out her gambling club and the antics of her personal life. Right from the beginning I really liked the narration by Blythe Fortune. I found the narration light and easy to determine the characters.. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Faye Delacour and am eager to read more from the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Lady He Lost is a very fun historical romance. It begins with Lieutenant Eli Williams two years after he was supposed to have died at sea. He left behind Jane, who had been in love with him until Eli was forced into an engagement with Jane's cousin after the two were caught alone in the gardens. Jane has tried to move on with her life, focusing on starting a ladies gambling club so that she will not have to rely on her uncle or a husband for money. Eli wants to get back in Jane's good graces, especially now that he is no longer engaged to be married, but Jane is suspicious about the circumstances of his return. All of the characters in this book were really well developed and had their own motivations and traits. The audiobook narrator did an excellent job with all of the voices. She really fit with the story that was being told. This series will definitely appeal to fans of historical romances.

I'm conflicted about this book. The writing is very good and the story intriguing, but unfortunately I hated Jane and her costant whining. Please, let me rant a little (no spoilers, all these things are clear from the very start): Yes, her cousin was horrible, but it was Jane who let her ruin her life! What if Eli was caught kissing the cousin? Jane and Eli were just friends at the time, they didn’t have an understanding. The poor guy didn’t even know that Jane was interested in him! And he was so very young at the time! Why does she want to make him suffer? To risk court martial because of her suspicions? Why does she blow hot and cold with him? Eli is really a saint and Jane is a total disappointment. End of the ranting.
All in all an intriguing debut, but not entirely satisfying in my opinion. I’ll round up the rating to four stars because the author is very promising and I really want to read more of her.
As for the narrator, she's good, even if her female voices are sometimes a little too breathy and may seem silly. The male ones are perfect, though.

This was better than I thought. Fun story, strong and independent FMC, and an attractive MMC, there was romance, there was a little spice, a little intrigue, I mean, I enjoyed it.
The narration was also good and made the story more engaging.

It's almost always fun reading a historical romance from a debut author, and while of course there are some disappointments, happily this wasn't one for me. I enjoyed this story of two people, Jane and Eli, friends who were attracted to each other when they were younger (neither realizing the other was actually interested) but he finds himself engaged to her mean-girl cousin when they're caught in a compromising position. Before they're married, though, his naval commitment sends him to sea, where he goes MIA after a shipwreck and is presumed dead. Two years later, he returns and finds that his fiance has moved on and married. But he'd broken Jane's heart - first with his engagement, then when she realizes he didn't let her know he was alive until he returned to England (she was a bit harsh there, methinks). Meanwhile, Jane has realized that as an orphan with no dowry, she'll never "marry well", so is in the process of using her math and card-playing skills to start a gambling club for ladies, along with her friend Della, and they dream of growing it and using the income to support themselves in the future.
I enjoyed watching Eli overcome Jane's distrust of him (and parts of his story) and his persistence in reestablishing their relationship. And this was a bit of a two-fer - not just a debut author, but also an audiobook narrated by a new-to-me narrator. Blythe Fortune did an excellent job with the narration and I'd happily listen to more from her.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Low stakes and easily enjoyable Regency romance with a sweet set of characters and a touch of spice. I think you’ll love the high spirited FMC and smoldering MMC, the charm of the setting, and the interpersonal dynamics.

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

This plot. I loved it. Jane starting a ladies' gambling circle? Eli coming back from the dead? Yes, please!

The relationship between Jane and Eli was great. She's so begrudging and he's so oblivious to her feelings. There weren't many spicy scenes (2 1/2, to be precise), but y'all, they had me blushing!

I kinda wish I had an Uncle Bertie to match-make for me. But Cecily... Since this is the first book in a series, is it too much to hope our Greek friend will be a love interest at some point? 😅

Listening to the audiobook, I wasn't crazy about the narrator (Blythe Fortune) at first, but she quickly grew on me.

This was a decent historical romance and a great debut. The premise was interesting, and I enjoyed both the hero and heroine as characters. I will say Jane was a bit annoying at times in her absolute refusal to forgive Eli for being presumed dead for the longest time.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and will definitely check out more from this author.

Mistakes once made are not easily forgotten.

Eli, best friend of Jane, goes missing for 2 years after heading for the war and now returns. He made the mistake of getting caught in a compromising situation with Jane's cousin and got engaged to her before heading for the war. He was truly in love with Jane and has not forgiven himself for the mistake he made of kissing her cousin. Now that he's back, he knows he cannot win Jane back, but does want her forgiveness. He grovels throughout the book sweetly. Eli is a wonderful hero, he knows he's done wrong and wants to correct it. He's kind, he's protective, he's in love still and is a virgin.

Jane on the other hand was a viper. All she thinks off is that Eli is hiding something, not of what he went through during captivity. He also refuses to hear him out. He was young and stupid and made a mistake. Her harping on this and trying to find the truth was a little boring.

The narration by Blythe was done well, with different tones and intonations.

The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour is the first in a new regency series The Lucky Ladies Of London it was brilliantly narrated by Blithe Fortune. In The first book we meet Jane Bishop although she knows how to be the perfect Regency era debutante , her true want is for independence and this is why she is starting her ladies gambling club “after all it’s just Maths right?“ this is why when Lieutenant Eli Williams comes back after being thought and declare dead on the first meeting Jane doesn’t even seem to be moved by his reappearance she speaks to him but her tone is cold and brief. He desperately wants her to forgive him for being betrothed to her cousin after a teenage dalliance in the garden with her they got caught and he was forced to propose marriage. When he was missing her cousin went on to marry and even has a baby of her own but Jane obviously takes a lot to forgive. Eli takes every opportunity to help Jane with her gambling business or any excuse to be close to her and doing this it will also bring him closer to his sister who he barely knew but besides the betrothal Jane also believes him to be hiding something about the time he was missing. I really liked the characters in this book and would definitely or rather should say I am definitely going to look for the second book in the series I did think it was just a tad bit ridiculous that this man was thought to be dead and her best and biggest generosity is the answer his questions in such a cold tone and then hold him responsible despite all he went through or supposedly went through. I thought after his fellow Marines parents asked Lieutenant Eli about him and seeing his sadness her heart with aw but I digress. I really liked the narrator in Orono it was a great book but I really got tired of Jane’s stonewalling but still rated at four stars as the last few chapters are so worth it. I want to thank dreamscape media and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I chose this as an audiobook because I love to listen to a book while working or doing chores. I was also very much drawn in by the gorgeous cover!
The narrator was pleasant and kept me intrigued (some can be very flat) so that was a bonus. The story however left me a little wanting. I felt like the spicy moments were just added to be added and I never really felt the angst and desire that I was hoping for in a regency romance.

The Lady He Lost is a adult period romance that takes place early in the Victorian period. We follow Jane in her third season and she would rather start a card club then marry anyone. The only man who's ever come close, Eli, is dead and was engaged to her cousin. Two years after his disappearance he shows up again claiming he was kidnapped by pirates. Jane thinks he's hiding something.
I enjoyed Jane's independence as a female character is a world that doesn't allow it. She's got a chip on her should but she views things in a realistic and practical way. She doesn't like to follow the rules she doesn't agree with and finds ways around them
Eli as a romantic lead has the one thing that any women could want. He's really good at listening, this made him endearing to me at least He's also a little bit impulsive which gets his into trouble in the story.
Once I started this audio book I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the narration and I thought the voices she did fit the characters well. I think fans of Bridgerton and other romance novels will enjoy this book.
Thank you to netgalley for this audiobook. All views and opinions are my own.

Jane is upset when Eli, the gentleman she has developed a friendship with, proposes to her cousin, Cecily, after being caught in a compromising situation with her. But after Eli goes missing on a mission with the navy and is presumed dead, Cecily moves on with someone else. After two years, Eli is back in London with a story about finally escaping capture by pirates, but not everyone believes him. After he is caught in yet another compromising situation, this time with Jane, he privately proposes to her and gives his word to marry her with plans to announce publicly after he answers to the navy about his disappearance.

One of my favorite things about this book was how independent Jane was willing to be. Convinced she was meant to be a spinster, she wanted to get ahead on her own and she was always willing to put in the work even though she had to use her brother or her husband's name (once married) to do so. I also enjoyed how Jane and Eli were characters that were part of society, but not so well off that they were part of the aristocracy, which seems like most historical romances are. I felt the chemistry between Jane and Eli was a little off at first. Maybe because of the smile back from the dead thing. Don't worry, it definitely gets better, especially once they leave for the trip to the races.

This is the author’s debut book! I'll definitely keep my eyes open for her next one. It was also my first audio by this narrator and it was very well done!

Thank you to the author and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook! Opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You're looking for a historical romance with progressive views for that time in relation to the female characters.

super intriguing premise, and there was a lot that the author could have done with this concept. however, I am simply bored with the execution (stagnant plot and repetition) and unimpressed with the heroine's behavior. this man gets kidnapped by pirates and held hostage for years and she has not one ounce of empathy for how traumatic that probably was for him and instead pursues this entire vendetta to catch him in a lie. the hero's past behavior, although having occurred when he was freshly 18, gave me the ick. he pines after the heroine for ages, yet decides to make out with her cousin in the rose bushes? personally, I did not appreciate how all the while, the characters had a romantic tryst before discussing any of their unresolved issues. if the heroine had simply allowed the hero to explain his circumstances, much of the petty conflict would have been resolved in the first 50 pages. ultimately, I just had too many issues with the plot decisions made by the author.

thank you to Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Narration - 5 stars
Story - 3.5 stars

This was a cute second chance romance. It started out angsty and I wish it had continued. There was nothing major wrong with this book, but it also didn’t wow me either. I just feel like a few conversations could have solved most of the problems in this story.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Sourcebooks Casablanca for gifted copies. My thoughts are my own.

I don’t think there was much wrong with it, but I was bored as sin…so maybe there wasn’t much right with it either. The narrator also didn’t help, as she sounded a bit wispy and breathy. A book where the hero returns from the dead should be so exciting!!! But the story just never kicked off for me. I probably would’ve DNFed if it wasn’t an arc. Bonus points for virgin hero though! But then minus those bonus points for her horrible brother and mostly horrible/only slightly redeemed cousin.

⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️/5

I received an ALC from Dreamscape Media. All opinions are honest and my own.

I had read an e-arc version of this book and thought the plot was interesting, especially the woman wanting to run her own female gambling den. The ALC was a bit better than the physical book. I still felt bored in some parts and I just wanted it to end.

I got an alc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What’s worse than your best friend in love of your life proposing to your snobbish cousin? How about him returning from the dead and pretending everything is fine between the two of you!

I love a good miraculous return, and poor Jane has to deal with both of these scenarios when her long lost best friend, Eli goes missing, well at see with the navy and is presumed dead… Only to return to London, alive and well and very interested in Jane now that her cousin has married another!

This is a fun romance, and Jane and Eli‘s relationship can be described as a comedy of errors! These two belong together, but their circumstances in the truth, they’re not willing to share keep them apart… but only for so long! I absolutely loved jeans, independent spirit, and her willingness to come up with a way to save her families dwindling fortunes by creating her own women’s gambling salon. she’s a unique character and Eli complemented her perfectly!

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, and I enjoyed the narration by Blythe Fortune. They had a very easy voice to listen to and their accent work played against the story very well. I found that Fortune’s female voice variation was very well done, and she was able to create a good distinction between her female leads. On the flipside, I didn’t feel that the male leads voices were distinguished as much as I would have liked to hear. Overall, a solid listening experience.

This was a great debut from Canadian author Faye Delacourt- I can’t wait to see what she puts out next!

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Dreamscape Audio for my digital/audio review copies. Opinions are my own.

Sadly, this was not a favorite, I finished it only because I got the ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I want to give the book every opportunity to come around for me. And I guess by the end it was maybe a 2.5, at the beginning it was more 1.5-2, I just didn't love it. The intimacy scenes were abrupt and spicy without actually being genuine, they felt forced, like the author said, I'm gonna add in this spice to keep you invested in their story, but really it put me off more than made me root for them. I've read plenty of spicy/steamy scenes that really get it right, these ones just didn't. Overall, this was a miss for me. I'm sure it will be great for someone else, but it was not for me.

I enjoyed listening to The Lady He Lost. The narrator had an enjoyable tone and was pleasant to listen to. I do enjoy a historical romance so this was right up my alley. Eli and Jane, our main characters were best friends. Jane secretly pined for Eli until he was found kissing her cousin in the gardens and was forced to marry her. Before this marriage could ensue, Eli was lost at sea and presumed dead while enlisted in the Navy.
I do wish we could have seen more from Jane when she realizes Eli is not dead. This is someone she was friends with and secretly loved and it felt like her anger overshadowed any relief in his being alive. There wasn’t much depth to the characters but I did enjoy the eventual confrontation between Jane and her cousin Cecily and that her uncle received his quasi-happy ending.
While I enjoyed listening to this book, I found myself at a loss to find many things to point out that I liked or did not like. I’m not sure I would read more books in this series because of this.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.