Beautifully written, "The Lost Lieutenant" is an engrossing Regency romance featuring fish out of water Evan Eldridge and the Duke of Seaton's daughter, Lady Diana. Thrust into a marriage of convenience due to a social faux pas at Almack's, the positively swoon-worthy Evan and the delightful Lady Diana slowly find their way to happiness.

All the characters are well-drawn. Evan Eldridge suffers from PTSD and its symptoms are unnerving yet accurately portrayed. Lady Diana maintains her dignity and sweet nature in spite of her father's threats.

The Duke is evil and immoral, and his son Percival is repulsive. Louise Monroe is a fabulous secondary character.

Descriptions are vivid and detailed. I was completely charmed by the manner in which the newlywed couple renovated their dilapidated estate, a gift from the Prince Regent. The ending of the book was unexpected for me and simply fabulous.

This well-edited novel is clean, and references to God are gentle, true and heartfelt. I look forward to Marcus's story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this enjoyable novel.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Lost Lieutenant drew my interest due to having read and enjoyed a previous novella by Erica Vetsch, and wanted to try more of her work. And while this book was a bit of a slow start for me, I ended up enjoying once I got to the second half.

There were a lot of questions for me about the setup, since there’s a gap in Evan’s memory from his time abroad serving in the army. But I enjoyed how it all came together in the end, with it tying into the situation that Diana is in taking care of the child her sister died giving birth to.

One of the things I admired immediately was Diana’s devotion to her sister and doing right by her memory. Even though her father and brother behave less than honorably at various points throughout the book, I like how she was determined to see to the child’s welfare, despite the fact that it could jeopardize her own future.

Evan is also a likable character, thrust into a situation he did not expect nor want due to his heroics: being awarded a title and being married off to a woman whose father is set against him due to the Prince Regent’s endorsement.

However, the pacing resulted in my interest flagging at points. Once things started wrapping up, I kept wondering when it would end, instead of letting myself enjoy the admittedly cute, but drwn out ending. This is mostly a “me” thing, especially as I found myself more interested in other things and having to keep promising myself I would pick this back up.

This is objectively a good book, but it was perhaps not the best time for me to read it. I do think if you like a sweet Regency romance with a suspense plot, you will enjoy this.

Amazing Start to New Regency Series!

With plenty of family drama, intrigue, and a clean, sigh-worthy romance, what’s not to like in this novel? In Erica Vetsch’s new Christian historical romance The Lost Lieutenant, you will find all of these qualities woven into a story that is most difficult to put down. Forget about your to-do list once you start reading this book, because you won’t want to do anything else but keep reading, and reading, and reading!

Having sustained some injuries while fighting against Napoleon’s forces in Spain, Evan Eldridge finds his life drastically changed upon his return to England from circumstances beyond his control. As does Diana Seaton, daughter of a greedy and self-centered London duke. It was riveting storytelling to read how Evan and Diana would now have to navigate life in their “new normal”, each overcoming inner personal battles as well as misunderstandings and deceptions to achieve a harmonious balance and eventual happiness.

I so enjoyed this book and was excited to note that it is the first book in a new series titled Serendipity and Secrets. If the rest of the series is even partially as captivating as The Lost Lieutenant, readers will be in for many more hours of pleasurable and absorbing reading! Highly recommend!

#TheLostLieutenant #EricaVetsch #NetGalley

I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are my own.

A beautiful marriage of convenience story filled with hidden truths, misunderstandings, derring dos, lies, love, and the Prince Regent himself! Engaging and sympathetic from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for book 2!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.