First, I LOVE this cover. I want more covers this pretty in historical romance. Now, this was a good book from a debut author. It was well written and I enjoyed the premise and the characters. But at the same time, it felt like not a lot was going on until the end when everything happened at once. I feel like some of that could have been spread out earlier in the story to be more impactful. It was a good opener for a series and I do look forward to the next one!

A young man’s folly separated them for a time. Losing him, she decided to forge her own path without the need to rely on a husband. He came back looking to reconnect with the only woman he ever cared about. The path to reconciliation is paved with obstacles, however. But the heart’s desire can not be denied and like nature, will find a way. Lovely read with a heroine who is strong willed and a hero who would do anything for her. Lovely read!

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

CW: Kidnapping; toxic relationship (not main couple); death of parents (off-page)

I first fell in love with The Lady He Lost because of its stunning cover! And I’m so glad that the story behind the cover is just as good! The Lady He Lost is a fantastic debut historical romance from Faye Delacour that had me laughing, swooning, and sighing as Eli and Jane find their way back to each other after his “death” at sea two years ago after getting engaged to her cousin.

If you’re looking for the perfect “it’s always been you” romance, The Lady He Lost would be it. I love a romance that packs an emotional gut punch with some heartache, and this book delivered! I’m truly obsessed with the romance between Jane and Eli. These two are so in love with each other, but there is a lot of hurt and history between them that they need to wade through to get to their happily ever after. This book definitely throws you right in, as I was getting all the feeling from the start with all the tension between them, given their history. I loved how deep the feelings go for both of them, and there are so many things left unsaid between them in the beginning that really add amazing depth to the romance.

I appreciated that Jane is not willing to let Eli back into her good graces so easily. But even as she tries to feign disinterest, you can tell how much she cares. This leads to some great banter and bickering between the two of them as they learn to navigate this new relationship and the sizzling sexual tension between them. And the pining! Ugh, I love it. And when they kiss – IN THE RAIN no less – oooh boy. All those true emotions come out when they’re alone together, and it’s so hot. These two are just so perfect for each other and watching them navigate their way through their complicated relationship to get the happily ever after is so rewarding.

I absolutely adored Jane. She’s determined to take control of her own future and claim her independence by running a ladies’ gaming club. She’s very practical and driven, so Eli showing up after being thought dead for two years definitely shakes her. She’s always been in love with him, but he hurt her deeply by getting engaged to her cousin (cue all the emotions!). I loved how she tries to be so cold and unfeeling towards him when she’s really a mess inside. Her relationship with her Uncle Bertie was also a highlight for me. Sweet Uncle Bertie isn’t perfect, but it’s clear he loves Jane deeply as he wants Jane settled and happy more than anything – and she wants to make him happy in return.

Eli’s had a rough few years. Everyone thought he was dead when his ship sank two years ago, but he was actually held captive by Greek pirates for that time…mostly. He definitely made many decisions in the past that have complicated things for himself now that he needs to try to untangle. I liked trying to unravel the mystery of his disappearance—there’s clearly more to it than he is initially sharing. I also loved how much he understands Jane. When it comes to her club, he not only supports it but actively encourages her to expand it and is willing to step aside for her to take the lead in the relationship. And despite being surrounded by a truly toxic relationship with his parents, he still wants to find a relationship that will bring him love and happiness.

Outside of Jane and Eli, I really enjoyed all the secondary characters in this. Jane’s friend and partner in the gaming club, Della, was one of my favorites, and I hope we see more of her! She was such a great friend, and so encouraging of everything Jane did – from the gaming club to Eli. Uncle Bertie’s another standout. He’s truly the sweetest. Even if he makes some choices that Jane may not like, he does have her best interests in mind. I love that he got his own happily ever after too, as he deserved it. I also hope we get to see more of Eli’s sister, Hannah, as I feel like she deserves to get a happily ever after as well after being stuck with their miserable parents.

If it’s not clear, I loved the premise of this book. Who doesn’t like it when someone you thought was dead for two years shows up unexpectedly? Plus, he was engaged to your cousin but was actually in love with you the whole time! So good! The pacing of the story was great, especially when it came to the romantic beats. I loved all the hints that there was more to Eli’s story than he was letting on. There was enough peppered in that the reveal wasn’t shocking, but still fun in its own way. The ending was a bit wild as a lot happened in the last 10%. That’s the only part that felt a tad rushed, but everything was resolved in a way that left me satisfied and happy, so I didn’t mind!

This was such a beautiful debut. I swear I highlighted like half of it as so many of the passages, particularly when it came to Eli or Jane talking about the other, were so beautiful and just hit right in the emotions! I also loved the humor Delacour wove into this. I seriously found myself chuckling so many times, including at the opening line. Overall the book felt so fun, and the tongue-in-cheek humor really added to it!

If The Lady He Lost was on your radar yet, ADD IT! It’s a beautiful debut historical romance filled with characters who are richly nuanced, a plot that is fun and engaging, and a romance that is so swoonworthy and hot. I had a blast while reading this as it was so fun but it also packed all the emotions I want from my romances! I cannot wait to see what Faye Delacour writes next, and I hope we’ll see some characters from this book get their own spinoffs!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Presumed dead for two years, Eli resurfaces in the midst of London’s social season. Jane, whose heart he broke before going to the sea, refuses to pine over him. She’s focused on establishing a ladies’ gambling club to gain financial independence. When he faces suspicion of desertion, she must decide whether to embrace a future with him—or risk losing him forever.

This book hooked me from the beginning. There’s a high level of romantic tension and a strong plot. Jane and Eli are complex and relatable characters who have a lot to overcome so they can be together.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is a fun and sexy friends to lovers romance with a mysterious twist.

Lt. Eli Williams was well and truly dead. Until he walked into his family’s home very much alive, two years after the tragic shipwreck that had reportedly sent him to a watery grave. He quickly learns that the joyous homecoming he imagined is not to be, when he finds his former fiancée married to someone else, his childhood friend still furious over his former engagement, and that the Royal Navy is highly suspicious of the reasons for his prolonged absence.

I’m giving this one a 3.5-4 star review. It is a charming historical romance set in London in 1839 and has a great premise, and a great cast of characters to bring it off. I loved Chapter 1. It was really a perfect beginning and hooked me from the get go. I also loved the first half of Chapter 2 when Eli and his family met with Mr. Filby. It was so funny! The author did a wonderful job with character development so that I was quickly invested in both Eli and Jane as individuals. Then, I loved the scene when they were reunited in the library, and the sparks of tension that were created between them in that moment.

I love Jane’s independence and her idea to form a women’s gambling club, knowing that she was flaunting societal expectations and risking her reputation as a “proper” young lady whose purpose “should” be to make a suitable match. I also thought that the rivalry between Jane and her rich cousin Cecily worked well as a counterpoint to the romance arc.

The weakness with this novel is the pacing and plot development. The first 50% of the book was amazing as the plot was laid out well, the characters came to life, and there was some really fun banter and conflict. Then it just kind of petered out. Even though I kept reading and waiting for the next big thing to happen, nothing ever really did. I felt like the narrative struggled as far as developing an overall theme or a new and interesting conflict after Eli and Jane began their affair, and then there was an anti-climactic ending. I’m not even sure exactly where it started to go meh for me, but Jane started to annoy me with her “I can’t do this! But let’s have sex anyway!” melodrama, I was also disappointed with the reveal about Eli’s whereabouts during the two years he was missing, as it just wasn’t that exciting after all of the build-up. I also didn’t understand the point of Jane’s brother morphing into a really awful person all of a sudden right at the very end.

While I won’t revisit this one, it was an enjoyable read despite a mediocre second half. I will also be adding this author to my one-to-watch list, and look forward to reading her next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars. Two years after having been declared dead by the Navy, Eli Williams suddenly returns home expecting to return to his live only to learn that his fiancee has married another and his family has spent his wealth. He hopes to regain his connection with his former friend, Jane Bishop, but she is focused on opening a gaming club for women and is hesitant to trust him again after Eli chose her cousin over her. Jane does not want Eli to mess up her plans for her future but each time they are forced together by friends and family is a reminder of their mutual attraction that neither can control. Secret kisses lead to secret steamier encounters, but with Eli facing possible court marshal for his disappearance there are questions about what a future for the two could look like.

I was first drawn to this book by the gorgeous clinch cover and the content did not disappoint. I can’t express how great it was to have a debut historical romance from an author who understands how to pace a romance. Every scene moved the story forward and focused (even indirectly) on the relationship between Eli and Jane. It was also a nice change to have a historical romance set not amongst the aristocracy as it changed the stakes. The book gives strong Persuasion vibes, which I absolutely loved. The only thing keeping this book from being a full 5 star book for me is that Eli’s character was keeping a secret even while we were in his POV, which is just frustrating, especially where it was such an anticlimactic secret. That being said, I could feel the tension between Eli and Jane and the attraction was definitely there. I am excited to see where this series goes.

I listened to most of the book and really enjoyed the performance by Blythe Fortune. The characters came to life and I found myself looking for more activities to do while listening rather than switching to the eBook which would have gotten me through the book faster. I will have to keep my eye out for other books read by Blythe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fabulous, interesting read.
Jane and a friend want to open a gaming club for women. She has vowed never to marry, since she was betrayed by Eli when he was caught in the garden with her cousin Cecily. When Eli's ship goes down near Greece, he is declared dead. Two years later he shows up saying that he was captured by pirates. No longer engaged to Cecily, since she married someone else, he tries to tell Jane that he has always cared for her.
I loved the push-pull relationship between the two of them as they try to find their way back to each other.
There were several interesting characters and some surprising twists in the story.
This is the debut novel by this author, and I am looking forward to more of her stories.

The Lady He Lost is the first book in the Lucky Ladies of London series. I enjoyed this author’s debut historical romance.

It was refreshing to have MC be respected gentry and not titled. Their lives were complex and I liked that they were just trying to figure things out a day at time. I liked Jane and sympathized with her as every plan she’d made to be financially independent was met with obstacles. Eli was likable and I could understand his reluctance to confiding in Jane. He endeared me to him over his enthusiasm for her gambling ladies club and his explanation on his return to England but I still wanted more from him and his reasoning on Cecily over Jane. I thought Jane was deserving of that.

Overall, I’m glad to see this is the beginning of a series and interested to see where it goes from here.

There are two encounters, the first was fairly long that I counted as one. While they are detailed, they were lower steam to me.

I received an advance ecopy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a pretty quick read for me - it started off super strong and I really liked the premise! I think as the book went on, I got increasingly annoyed with Jane for her hot-and-cold demeanor in regards to the relationship with Eli.

I liked Jane's friend a lot and I hope the next book is about her! I really hated Jane's cousin and I hated that I hate her if that makes sense - I really hate the "other woman" trope and just found the cousin to be irredeemable, I actually would have liked to see her about face.

There's really not a whole lot of plot in this book until pretty close to the end, which doesn't always bother me but I don't know that it worked particularly well here.

I still enjoyed and will read the next book in the series! I think this is a pretty good debut and the author will continue to grow.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I'm going to go ahead and call time of death for this book. I've been reading it for well over a week, an abnormality for me, and I just can't get into it. The premise is something I really enjoyed and it's not like the characters weren't well written, I just could not get into this book. I am DNFing at 39%. There might be a time when I come back and try this book again, but right now I am not feeling it.

This was a quick read historical romance that I thought gave overall sweet, but angsty vibes.

A second chance romance, I appreciated the author's take since it felt like one I don't usually see (he's a sailor and was declared dead in a shipwreck and had been engaged to her cousin). I thought both MCs were well written and fleshed out with complex backstories and motivations that fit for the time, but also made for a good story. I really loved the MMC, Eli who is maybe the most supportive historical book boyfriends I've seen in a while. He is genuinely just the sweetest despite the secrets he is trying to handle.

I found this to be a joy to read and it flowed so well that I was over halfway through before I even realized. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a quick distraction that will leave that warm impression long after you're done.

I was very much looking forward to this debut. The cover is absolutely stunning and the premise was interesting. Our main characters are Jane, a lady gambler with a secret club, and Eli, Jane’s childhood friend, returning after being lost at sea and presumed dead. This is a second chance romance of sorts as both characters had feelings for each other that were never shared due to Eli having been engaged to Jane’s cousin.

The story really doesn’t have much plot beyond the two of them dancing around their feelings for 75% of the novel. Jane is holding onto bitterness over his engagement and the fact that she wasn’t able to mourn him. Eli wants to talk, Jane avoids talking at all costs. It felt unfair for her to behave this way since she had never shared her feelings with him before. I could understand her feeling that she didn’t want to be a second choice to her cousin but if she’d spoken to Eli sooner it would have been clear that her feelings were returned.

I wanted more about Jane’s club and less of Jane’s horrible cousin, Cecily. Cecily was downright terrible. Eli is a nice, dependable hero with good qualities but the romance between the two felt lackluster. Once the two are able to communicate the ending was rushed and then the author threw in a wrench with Jane’s brother that had me scratching my head.

My favorite character was Jane’s friend Della and I hope she has her own story one day. I believe in this author’s potential but ultimately this wasn’t a book for me. The writing is done well, but I was bored through most of the book. I read this book 50/50 in digital and in audio and I think audio misses the humor that the author intends to be conveyed. I personally didn’t see the humor that others within my buddy read noticed.

Thanks to Sourcebook Casablanca for the review copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve seen mixed reviews for this debut but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the kind of storyteller this author becomes.

This is a second chance, he picked my cousin over me, orphaned FMC, hot and cold romance.

I usually can’t stand women pitted against each other but the comedy of the FMC’s cousin’s cruelty kept that plot point from the extreme. The FMC’s uncle is a bit of a sexist but he’s otherwise a devoted care taker who also just wants to live his own damn life. I loved his story!

I loved the MCs (Jane and Eli) and thought the secondary characters added a lot to the story. She has some naivety and stubbornness that didn’t seem to fit with her personality but it didn’t take away from how much I liked her. Eli is clearly besotted and devoted and I loved him. The chemistry really worked for me and the consent is perfect.

The big reveal (why Eli took so long to return) was hilarious but slightly less exciting than I was hoping for.

I really hope Della is a MC in the next book and that Edmund gets his just desserts.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own. I really enjoyed the narration for this audiobook.

Jane is working on getting her lady’s gambling club up when her long lost crush returns from the dead. Eli was believed dead in a shipwreck but has returned after being kidnapped by pirates and escaping. Jane and Eli have a rough start as they resume their acquaintance. When he left he was engaged to her cousin after being caught in a compromising position.

I liked how Eli and Jane’s relationship was rebuilt. They are thrown together at a house party and find they struggle to stay away from each other. They have obvious chemistry but have to rebuild some of their trust. I would’ve liked a little more romance, but overall I really enjoyed this and look forward to more books from this author.

Genre: historical romance
London, 1839

Everyone, including the Navy, presumes that Eli Williams is dead. Until, one Sunday morning, he shows up on his parents’ doorstep very much alive. Now that he’s back in town, he’s eager to reconnect with Jane Bishop, one of his closest childhood friends. Jane also happens to be the cousin of his former fiance, Cecily, who is now mostly-happily married. Jane hasn’t forgiven Eli for his engagement to her cousin while she had hoped he had feelings towards her (spoiler: it’s always been her), and Eli’s attempt to reconnect is met with frosty resistance. Afterall, after several Seasons, Jane has decided she’d rather not marry, and instead set up a gambling hall with her best friend Della as a source of income. But the draw between Eli and Jane is too strong, and they’ll find that they need one another, especially as Eli’s disappearance comes into question.

The Lady He Lost is a strong historical romance debut from Faye Delacour! And Sourcebooks with the stunning cover art! Give me more clinches! I enjoyed seeing Jane trying to be an independent young woman in the very early Victorian era. Eli is steadfast and honorable, and also kind of a fool in love. He’s a good listener and goes out of his way to make things better for Jane, if only she’d pay attention. There are well developed side characters throughout, with the cake going to Uncle Bertie, devoted father of Cecily and guardian of Jane, who really just wants to see his niece married.

As a fun activity related to my #RomancelandiaUniversity lecture, I decided to try to suss out the dates of this book, even though they aren’t listed. There are a couple of great hints that Delacour drops: the onset of the Opium Wars, how young the new queen is, and then to pinpoint it, she references the opening of the grandstand at the Ascot racecourses in 1839! The historical details feel comfortably situated in the book, particularly those surrounding the horseraces as well as Eli’s time as a sailor.

He’s back from the dead and she want to be financially independent. A great plot and delivery. Jane and Eli were a great match and the slow build up was great. Eli had to gain Jane’s trust again after getting engaged to her cousin before he was shipwrecked. Jane was a strong female character, dismissing marriage in favor of spinsterhood and having a successful club.

Lost at sea,
Eli returns in hopes of finding Jane. She’s not having anything to do with him.

A cute story, but I stopped reading about 40%. Fairly predictable.

After a series of events has left, Jane determined not to need anyone for support, she starts a gambling club for ladies in hopes of becoming financially independent.  Her world turns upside down, though, when her old friend Eli returns from the dead after being gone for two years.  He's determined to make amends even though she is finding it hard to forgive him after initially proposing to her cousin and rival.  Eli is determined to win her trust back just as she is determined not to let anyone in. 

I couldn't put this one down!  The pace was perfect, and there was event after event that made me want to keep reading. It was a smooth read.  Both Jane and Eli were really likable and had fantastic chemistry.  I loved the friends, to enemies, to lovers trope.  It was very well done.  If you love historical romances, be sure to check this one out because it's pretty original.  The only negative thing for me is that I don't love the miscommunication trope, but it played a smaller part to other events going on, so it wasn't too bad.  I'd be interested in other books by this author. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I started off loving this book but then it kind of lost momentum a little bit. I liked the FMC and understood right away that the MMC was holding a big secret but to me, that big secret seemed kind of underwhelming. I really couldn't stand the cousin sister (Cecily) and then at the end, the younger brother (Edmund?) was a really asshole to his sister. I liked most of the book but the last 10% felt rushed, like the author had written herself into a corner and needed a quick way out. However, I liked her voice well enough to definitely keep an eye out for future releases.

Vibes: back from the dead, sweet guy/card sharp girl, unfinished business

Heat Index: 6/10

For two years, Lieutenant Eli Williams has been presumed dead following a shipwreck. He comes home to find that his money's gone (thanks to his brother), his fiancee married another man, and his former friend Jane... still hates him. Though Eli wants to fix things before returning to sea, Jane has bigger plans in mind. Eli chose her cousin over her, and she's bent on locking in her own future through her ladies' gambling club. As Eli works to regain her affection by bringing in new members, she's determined to resist--but can she?

This is one of those books where I liked the writing style and saw definite potential in the author (and it's important to note, I think, that this is her debut). However, I can't say that I was completely wowed. This is a brisk romance with some solid heat, and I would recommend it for readers who like something on the lighter side, if that makes sense. I just personally would've preferred a bit more done with this concept.

Quick Takes:

--Part of why I may be a little more on the "whelmed" side with this one is that I don't know that the marketing matches this book. This is a great cover--and I do feel like the lighting, the colors, the intimacy suggest something a bit angstier when coupled with the back copy. Despite it being a book about two people coming back together after the hero is presumed dead... It never felt that serious?

And because it didn't feel that serious, I also didn't really get the anger Jane felt towards Eli. Personally, it felt a bit "I had dibs on him!" which I.... don't care for! I enjoy an unlikable heroine, but I just didn't get Jane. I didn't get her beef with Eli. It felt unjustified, but it also felt like the story didn't get that it was unjustified, which made her come off as annoying. For me, at least. I did enjoy her angle as a card sharp.

--I appreciated Delacour's effort to add diversity into the story. Yes, a supporting queer character who doesn't suffer isn't like, smashing windows, but it does matter. Especially in historical romance, which can be more on the conservative side. Casual positive representation makes a difference, and it's the kind of little detail that makes me feel like the author was really thinking carefully as she wrote.

--Eli is a sweetie. The thing is that because he's a sweetie, you kind of have to accept him taking a lot of shit from Jane throughout the story. And if he's taking a lot of shit without really dishing it out, is it? Enemies to lovers? I'd say no. It's not a bad thing, but it's not enemies to lovers.

The Sex:

You get several good scenes, not that are super explicit, but all of which are sexy. I really enjoyed the fact that this is a book wherein the leads begin a "casual" situationship... While also clarifying that he can't put it in. Because historical romance and the heroine caring about whether or not she gets pregnant.

(Do they fully succeed in the whole "not putting it in" thing? Well, perhaps for longer than they would have had this book come out 20 years ago.)

You get some hero masturbation (yes!) some dry humping, and... ladies and gentlemen... we have virgin hero! The sex isn't crazy, but it is hot, in and in large part because of how Delacour writes Eli's mindset. Poor fella. God bless him.

I wish I'd loved this, but I was kind of in the camp of "it didn't thrill me, it didn't make me mad, and I do see promise". I'd like to try something else from Faye Delacour. However, I do think we need to see more drama to back up the hype for the next release.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.