The Lost Letter is a beautiful love story. I really loved Sylvia and Sebastian's characters. I finished this book in go. Happy ending ;)

The Lost Letter was a pretty good read. Looking forward to more by this author in the future.

This was a historical Beauty and The Beast story. But I loved it! It contained no smut, but you wondered if the hurts of the past could be overcome and if the two would find a love that has withstood time.

This was essentially a beauty and the beast retelling set in Victorian England. Sylvia Stafford is feeling so ashamed in life. Several years ago her gambler father killed himself. The party invitations dried up for this society miss and the beau have all disappeared,after all who wants to be associated with her. Her father's death leads her to the discovery of debts he has. Not having time to feel sorry for herself she must get a job to support herself. She is now the governess of two sweet little girls. Several years previously Sylvia and Colonel Sebastian Conrad met but never had a chance to develop a relationship before he was sent to war in India. In all the time he was away she never sent him a letter, or so he though so obviously she doesn't care for him. After receiving devastating scars he returns home in tremendous pain and bitter towards life. Locking himself away from his servants he doesn't want to see anyone especially his meddling sister. Since he is in a deep depression his sister sets out to "help" him recover. Remembering that Sebastian had talked about Sylvia previously and that she made him happy she is desperate to find her.Convincing Sylvia to stay and visit with her at her brother's house while he is there is not an easy task but it is accomplished. She is scared to see him and he is a mean grump because of life's circumstances. There was a huge misunderstanding years ago taking place between them on both of their parts. When he finally allows himself to believe she actually wants to see him for himself they overcome old misunderstandings and things progress for the better. A fast read I enjoyed this a lot and hope to read more of this author's books in the future.
Pub Date 19 Sep 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. This is a good historical romance book. The story is about a young woman whose privileged world is turned upside down when her father commits suicide. Its also about a young couple who meet, fall in love but don't tell the other one about their feelings and about a father determined to keep them apart. It is a good clean romance novel appropriate for about any age.

4.5 Stars

Colonel Sebastian Conrad is a soldier - that's his life, and it's what he knows. Although he's the second son of an earl, he doesn't spend time in society, but when a friend invites him to a musical event, he accepts to be courteous. When he spots a beautiful young lady, and hears her lovely singing, he's captivated in spite of himself. She's surrounded by friends and beaus, so Sebastian has no expectation that she'll even notice him, but she does.

Sylvia Stafford is the daughter of a baronet, and is a popular young lady. She's drawn to Sebastian, who appears quiet and serious, and so unlike the society gentlemen she's familiar with. As Sebastian changes his tune, and begins to attend every event, just to spend time with Sylvia, it seems that they are rapidly falling in love. On the night before he has to leave for India, Sebastian intends to propose, but loses his nerve, believing Sylvia could never accept him. They share a romantic moment and some tender kisses, then Sebastian leaves, without any further word.

Sylvia obtains her father's permission to write to Sebastian, and pours her heart out in dozens of letters, but never receives a reply. As for Sebastian, he never receives any correspondence from Sylvia, and is convinced that he was just a flirtation. Obviously, someone is determined that this couple should not be together, but who, and why?

Eventually Sylvia and Sebastian will both have to endure devastating and life changing events. Sylvia's father gambles away everything, then takes his own life, and the ensuing scandal causes Sylvia to be cut by society. As well as having to leave the only life she's known, Sylvia now has no means of support, and must decide whether to be a poor relation or to seek employment. She chooses to become a governess, even though her employers are in trade, rather than society. Still, they are kind, and Sylvia makes peace with her new lot in life, while she convinces herself that she no longer loves Sebastian.

Meanwhile, Sebastian was severely injured in India, and sent home, only to find that his father and older brother have died. He's now the Earl of Radcliffe. Badly scarred, and blinded in one eye, Sebastian chooses to retreat to the country at Pershing Hall, licking his wounds in private. He doesn't want to see anyone, or run the earldom. But his younger sister, Julia, can't bear to see him like this. She has a plan...

Sebastian is furious when Sylvia appears as Julia's guest at Pershing Hall. (You'll have to read the story to discover how Julia managed to arrange this.) The two former sweethearts are hurt and angry - each believing they were played false three years ago. They also misjudge the other's motives for their meeting now. Through the tangled web of deceit that originally kept them apart, to the misunderstandings they believe today, it seems unlikely there can be any type of reconciliation.

I love both these characters and hate the underhanded way they were separated. Sebastian is a serious and quiet man, who is very honorable, but is hurting both physically and emotionally. Eventually, he is determined to find out the truth, and when Sylvia's first letter is found, and he finally is able to read of her love and longing, it's an emotional and beautiful moment. Sylvia has a strength and dignity that I admire so much. She accepted her heartbreak, as well as her change in fortune, and began to build a new life for herself. This couple is so different from each other, and so perfect for each other. Their reconciliation is sweet and satisfying, though their passion is not expressed beyond kisses. THE LOST LETTER is a bittersweet and emotional second chance at love story, which I found touching and extremely well written.

Due to her father's debts and death Sylvia Stafford, a daughter of a viscount, is now working as a governess in Cheapside. Colonel Sebastian Conrad after her tour of duty in India is no longer the dashing officer that Sylvia fell in love with, but fate has kept them apart. Until Lady Julia Harker, Sebastian's sister decides that she must do something to help her brother.
A well-written romantic story, with very believable characters. A very enjoyable and satisfying read.

Sylvia Stafford is a governess for a merchant in town, a far cry from her time as a society beauty and daughter of a baronet. Her fall from society was due to her father’s suicide as a result of his gambling debts. She is persuaded to travel to Hertfordshire by Julia, the sister of her former love, on a mercy mission to save Sebastian Conrad who abandoned her three years earlier. They somehow need to find their way through the haze of miscommunication that forced them apart before. This gentle tale captures all the atmosphere of Victorian London.

I really enjoyed this 'Beauty and the Beast' type,story. It was interesting and suspenseful (would they actually end up together?). It was romance without smut.

A good Historical Romance.
Love Sebastian and Sylvia who were once in love but due to circumstances nothing develops.
they meet again and find that they still have feelings for each other, but have to work somethings out.
Really like all the characters and they situations.
Enjoyed reading.

A beautiful and heart-warming story about second chances.

The author has a way with words, describing the despair and heartbreak of two people whose souls are beaten down by circumstances and lead them to misunderstand each other's intentions. Thankfully the angst is not drawn out for far too long, I would say it is at a moderate level.

I like how each relevant scene is described not only in terms of the emotions each main character felt but also their clothing and surrounding circumstances. As this is a historical piece, such descriptions made me feel like I was a fly on the wall.

My only "complaint" is that I wanted the author to continue the story in some sort of extended epilogue. This couple did not have much time together before their separation and after 3 long years, I would have loved to read about their happier times.

Set during Victorian England, young Sylvia Stafford has learned to stand on her own two feet after the devastating suicide of her father that left her abandoned by all those in high society that she called friends. She creates a new life for herself as a governess to two young children and she comes to be content in her much simpler life until the past comes knocking at her door. Past heartbreak comes in and shatters the happiness she created for herself and leaves her questioning everything about the past that she never fully understood. Why had she given her heart away so easily? Why was her love not returned? All these questions torment and embarrass her, but she could have never imagined the truth. This is a story of heartbreak, underlined with hope, and dotted with regret.

I liked this book and might read it again soon. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

This book was a quick, exciting read. I love the enticing thrill of the unknown throughout this book. The two main characters were harboring deceptions about the other. As the plot thickened, the guise wore off and the truth rang free. I felt that this was a cute story, I wish that it had been a tad longer and a little more filling but overall a good read.

First off, this was a very quick read. With that being said, it reads like it's missing the first half of the book. The story starts after all of the "action" has occurred. The main character has already experienced destitution and degradation. Her beau has already suffered through a war. There was so much opportunity, but unfortunately the story begins after all the good stuff has happened. I hope that maybe the author will return to this title and add in the meat of the story - the first part. This would make for a great epic romance, but without the first half of the characters' stories, it's just an okay novel.

I really loved this book! I thought it was beautifully written and well researched. The characters were believable and I was rooting for them the whole time. It was the kind of story that kept me up late at night reading.

I was only annoyed with the heroine once, I hate it when assumptions are made by characters that seem to only be there to keep the plot moving. But it all worked out so nicely.

I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters in this book. The characters were well developed and the storyline so believable.
Sylvia was the daughter of a Baron and a diamond of the 1st water. She had many suitors. But the one she fell in love with was the 2nd son of an Earl, a Colonel in the Calvary.
Sebastian first sees Sylvia at a musical, where she sings like an angel. He arranges an introduction and proceeds to fall head over heels in love. Syria feels the same way. But Sebastian has to go back to the war in India.
This is where everything goes wrong for these 2. 3 years go by before they see each other. Despite all the wrong that has happened, can they find their way back to each other? Can they put their past behind them and rekindle the love they had?
The book flowed so easily. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. This was the first book I've read by this author and look forward to the next one.

Sylvia has been content in being a governess since her father's suicide. When a woman she's never met brings news of the man she once loved, this young woman must decide what she intends for her future and the truth behind the letters she once wrote.

This was a sweet, fast paced story. From the start, I was sympathetic to Sylvia's lot in life. She genuinely loved Sebastian and had the bravery to write him so. She's practical when her life crumbles around her.

Sebastian has become a recluse since his injury. His view of the past is much different than Sylvia's, and its understandable his resentment. It was a bit hard to keep sympathy for him when he clings to his bitterness, and he spends little time with Sylvia in the week she is in his home.

Overall, this was an easy read. For fans of historical romance, I highly recommend this.

New author to me and I thought it was very well written. I enjoyed the second chance plot with well developed characters and lovely dialogue. I couldn't put it down.
I received an ARC copy of this book from netgalley.