The Lost Passenger is an immersive historical fiction novel that sucks you in from the start. Lured into a loveless marriage to prop up the English aristocracy with her father’s money, Elinor is looked down on by her new family as common and has trouble adjusting to the life of the titled. When she finds out that her new husband is having an affair with her best friend and her misery is at its peak, her father sends first class tickets for a vacation to New York aboard the Titanic, and Elinor absolutely insists on taking her husband and young son to spend some much needed quality time with her father.

When the Titanic sinks, Elinor loses her husband and father, and because her husbands will stipulates her sons guardianship in the event of his death be passed to his parents, Elinor is faced with the possibility of losing her son too, so she assumes the life of another passenger when she finally lands in New York.

While this book is a quintessential example of American dream, I remain conflicted. The lies and blackmail abound, the choice Elinor made for her son, the assumption of another persons life, etc. I can absolutely understand why she’d want to disappear— but when and if she remarried, does she tell her new husband who she is? When her business grows big enough to draw attention, how can she get her papers? What if she just told her father the truth in the beginning? He clearly loved her, and he certainly would have supported her.

The story is beautiful and certainly last page was just enough to drive you wild with satisfaction… but taking another persons life— it feels so much like the easy way out. I kept waiting for Elinor to surface and be proudly and unapologetically Elinor - not only broken and tragic, but capable and strong. Clearly this is a book that will stay with you for a bit after finishing.

I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine books for the ARC!
This was fantastic. It was so beautifully written, and such a great story. Being a mom myself, I really felt for what Elinor was going through in the beginning. I was baffled that they could do that to her.
This book is what i think of what i think of historical fiction, and one of the reasons I love it.
The amount of background story was a lot, but crucial to the story, and why she did was she did.
Finding a new life had to be hard, especially after what she went through.
Overall, it was fantastic, well written, quick chapters, great plot and main character.

What a great story! With elements of aristocracy, love, parenthood, and taking on a new identity all tied to the Titanic, how could it miss? It doesn’t. This is the first of British novelist Frances Quinn’s books that I’ve read, but now I’ll check out her previous releases.

The protagonist, Elinor Coombes, is a character to love. She’s smart, willing to take chances, and in love. But the first chance she takes—marrying a wealthy Englishman she doesn’t know well—proves to be miserable. When her father gives the unhappy couple tickets for the maiden voyage of the new luxurious ocean liner, RMS Titanic, she hopes the escape will turn things around.
Well, we all know what happened to that ship. But Quinn has some delectable surprises for her readers. Elinor and her young son survive and start over in a new world that is nothing like hers. Welcome to America, the place of second chances and secrets

Though mildly stereotypical, the characters are all well-drawn and interesting and still have original, compelling voices. Their stories will tug at your heart. From the antagonistic mother-in-law to the scrappy “found” cousin, you’ll see the world at that time through new lenses.
Quinn explores themes of a mother’s love, courage, risk-taking, women's independence, marriage and family, and authenticity with nimble writing. The Lost Passenger is riveting, dramatic, and satisfying—everything you want historical fiction to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for my advance reader copy.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn is a wonderfully immersive historical fiction read set in the early 1900's in England and America in the years shortly before and after the Titanic's maiden voyage.

Elinor Coombes, daughter of a self-made businessman with notable wealth, finds herself married to an English aristocrat, Frederick Storton, after a brief courtship. Though she has always dreamed of a love-filled, happily-ever-after marriage, she quickly awakens to the reality that this is not, and never will be, the case. This becomes even more apparent after she gives birth to her son, the long-awaited male heir who is meant to carry the Storton's name, holdings, and way of life into the future.

At first, the trip aboard the Titanic is but a welcome respite from her stifled live in England. When the ship sinks and Elinor and her son survive, Elinor realizes this may be her only chance to break away from the life she hates and save her son from the future in store for him.

Quinn does an excellent job of depicting the differences of life in various social classes in both countries, and of placing the reader into the events and time period of the novel. This is quite an engaging read. I highly recommend it!

My thanks to Ballantine/Dell for allowing me to access a DRC of the novel via NetGalley. Publication is 2/25/25. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

A sincere thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

The Lost Passenger takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the life of Elinor Coombes, a young aristocratic bride deceived into a loveless marriage. From the harrowing experience of surviving the Titanic disaster to forging a new life as an immigrant and single mother in New York City, Elinor’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and inner strength. Her struggles and ethical dilemmas will captivate you, leaving you both astounded by her courage and invested in her triumphs. Perfect for fans of historical fiction, this heartwarming novel is a must-read that promises to leave a lasting impression.

The Lost Passenger focuses on the daughter of self-made million who enters a loveless marriage to a Lord. When the take the inaugural trip on the Titanic fate gives her a chance to assume a new identity with her son.
I liked the concept of the book, but there were parts that were improbable and other parts that were rushed. For a woman who hadn't done a chore in her life to suddenly learn to sew and sew well seemed unlikely.
Also, her run-in with her former friend. New York City had over 9 million residents in 1912.
It was a quick read. 3.5 stars.

Frances Quinn’s The Lost Passenger presents a promising premise—a gripping mystery involving a missing passenger and a complex web of secrets. Unfortunately, despite its intriguing setup, it was too similar to other historical fiction books about the Titanic.

The story’s main issue lies in its pacing. The opening chapters are engaging and draw readers in, the story drags considerably.

Additionally, the characters feel underdeveloped. The protagonist, who is meant to anchor the story, often comes across as one-dimensional.
Another drawback is the writing style, which tends to over-explain events and emotions, leaving little room for reader interpretation. This approach diminishes the impact and makes the twists feel predictable rather than surprising.

In the end, The Lost Passenger is a novel with potential that ultimately fails to live up to expectations. While it may appeal to readers new to the mystery genre, seasoned fans may find it lacking in suspense and depth.
Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this book.

It is ironic that the sinking of the Titanic provides Elinor Coombes and her young son Teddy a way to escape a suffocating life in aristocratic England. As a survivor, Elinor makes a life-changing decision to take on the identity of a dead woman that changes the course of her life as well as Teddy's.

Frances Quinn weaves an interesting story of Elinor -- the daughter of a wealthy man who gained his riches through hard work, the wife of an English aristocrat caught in a loveless marriage, and lastly, a Titanic survivor who takes on the identify of a penniless woman in order to find a new (and hopefully, happier) life in America. While the story line doesn't give a lot of details of daily life aboard the Titanic, Quinn does provide some interesting twists for Elinor as she navigates her new life in New York City.

A quick and interesting read of a young woman who needs to make a new life for her and her son at any cost. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Ballantine Books for this e-ARC of #TheLostPassenger.

🚢🗽 The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn 📚
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 384 pages
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - read this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the e-ARC of this book. The opinions stated here are solely my own!

Synopsis:
Elinor Coombes is the daughter of a self-made wealthy man from Manchester, England. She is ecstatic to be wooed by and eventually married to aristocrat Frederick, whom she thinks is her true love. Shortly after the wedding, this love story becomes merely an illusion, made more difficult when Elinor has their son, Teddy. She is treated terribly, and not allowed to spend time with Teddy, also realizing that Frederick does not truly love her.

When Elinor's father gives Frederick, herself, Teddy, and their nanny tickets for the maiden voyage on the Titanic to NYC, Elinor is glad for the time away from the suffocating Winterton Manor. With the sinking of the ship, Elinor and Teddy are safe in a lifeboat and make it to NYC, but have lost her husband, father and nanny, Molly, to the ocean's depths.

With nothing left back in England, Elinor makes a quick decision to take on Molly's identity and re-invent herself to make a new life for her and Teddy. Living with Molly's relatives who have never met her, she succeeds until she is recognized one day on the Lower East Side. Can she avoid her true identity and escape those who will certainly be willing to sell her out for their own gain?

Opinion:
This book had me captivated from the very start. It has such a wonderful build-up and setting even before Elinor boards that fateful voyage. It really is a story of knowing one's worth and what you are capable of achieving just from pure will, grit, and love for your child. There were so many parts of the story when Elinor is living on the Lower East Side that connected me to my own relatives' story as immigrants from Greece, selling food from a cart to make a living and achieve the American dream. The descriptions and imagery made me feel like I was right there in the story and I could see it playing out like a movie in my mind. Beautiful book - I will definitely read more from Frances Quinn.

I knew there would be sad moments when reading a book about the Titanic. I expected it during the sinking but not towards the end of the book.
Just when you think that Molly is safe.....Lissy shows up and yet another plot twist. I liked how part of the book was about life with rich and hard that was and then in the tenements of New York, where she was happy.
I would be happy to read another book by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

This is my first book by this author & I enjoyed it. It is a great historical fiction story of finding yourself and your own happiness your way.

This was a truly gripping read! I read it in two sittings after putting my boys down for bed! I have always loved Titanic and Titanic adjacent history. This story provided a unique narrative surrounding Titanic. Elinor/Molly is a lovable heroine.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

A historical fiction book that masterfully blends themes of resilience, reinvention, and defiance against societal constraints. Set between 1910 and 1915, the story follows Elinor, a bold and intelligent young woman who, at just 19, finds herself trapped in a life of privilege turned nightmare, only to rise again through remarkable strength and ingenuity.

Elinor, the daughter of a wealthy cotton magnate, is tricked into marrying Frederick, whose family’s only goal is to exploit her wealth. Her life quickly becomes suffocating as she is reduced to becoming a "baby factory" in order to produce an heir rather than assist in running the estate. When she does have a son, she is allowed to see her beloved Teddy for only 30 minutes a day. Then, just when all hope seems lost, Elinor receives tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic from her father, including enough tickets for her husband, son, ladies’ maid, and husband’s valet.

When tragedy strikes and the ship sinks, Elinor seizes the opportunity to escape her oppressive life by assuming the identity of Molly, a lady she knew on the ship who perished in the disaster. With remarkable pacing, the book shifts from Elinor’s life of luxury to the gritty realities of New York City’s Lower East Side. Living in a cramped tenement with a group of immigrant seamstresses who were Molly’s family, she reinvents herself as a pushcart vendor selling lace scraps.

The book takes a turn when a crewman from the Titanic recognizes her and attempts to blackmail her. Elinor’s clever negotiation, a skill she learned from her father, not only defuses the threat but also showcases her growth and adaptability. As she begins to rebuild her life, her past resurfaces in the form of Frederick’s mistress, Lissy, who unknowingly endangers Elinor’s carefully constructed new identity. In a gripping confrontation, Elinor turns the tables on Lissy, solidifying her resolve and agency.

The supporting cast, including Ruth, Per, and Anna—her roommates and the real Molly’s extended family—bring warmth and camaraderie to the story, while Frederick and his insufferable family serve as perfect antagonists. The dynamic pacing splits the book into three distinct parts: Elinor’s stifling marriage, her survival aboard the Titanic, and her eventual liberation and empowerment in New York.

The book concludes with a deeply satisfying resolution as Elinor fully embraces her identity as Molly. She secures a modest apartment for herself and Teddy near her newfound family and begins saving for a shop with Ruth, symbolizing her hard-earned independence and new beginning. Elinor proves that she can rise again through remarkable strength and ingenuity.

Rich with historical detail, emotional depth, and a compelling plot, The Collector of Burned Books is a must-read for fans of stories about resilience and transformation. I’ll be recommending it to everyone, pre-ordering a physical copy, and eagerly awaiting its official release!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was just wonderful. So much wonderful details and descriptions that I was transported back to the early 1900s during aristocratic era in England during the time of the biggest and unsinkable Titantic. The aftermath of this horrible tragedy is where this story shines and I believe does not get talked enough about. What about the survivors and how they learn to live on after going through this horrible and unthinkable nightmare. The author gives us such a great character development of Elinor and how she did everything she could for her son. This book was so hard to put down and would recommend to everyone.

Ellie thinks she’s marrying for love, but Frederick and his parents are only interested in her father’s wealth. They try to force her into their aristocratic lifestyle, they limit her time with her baby. She’s miserable. Then her father takes them on the Titanic. When Frederick dies, Ellie sees a second chance for freedom and a life with her son.
Her life in New York didn’t engage me. The blackmail, the anger. Not my cup of tea.

This book almost feels like the story of Rose from the movie Titanic, and I am here for it. Elinor marries into a boring high society family thinking she found her fairytale ending when in reality she is in an unloving marriage and isn’t allowed to raise her own son. When the Titanic sinks Elinor escapes with her son and she assumes the name of a passenger who died. Will she be able to escape her past life? Or will her in laws find her and take guardianship of her son. 

I was immediately drawn into Elinor’s story and felt all her feelings. Her anger when she was called “crazy” for wanting to spend time with her newborn son. The anxiety she feels that someone will discover her true identity. The love for her son and the life she wants him to have. 

The detail put into this story is amazing. You really feel like you are part of Elinor and Teddy’s lives. Even the Titanic scenes are immersive. The trauma Elinor experiences listening to the passengers die is horrific. Even though it is horrible, she does everything she can to give Teddy a better life. Perseverance is definitely a theme throughout this book. 

This story is well written and there is so much emotion throughout. I didn’t want to put this book down because I was so connected to it. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballentine for this eARC to review. All opinions are my own. This book is available on February 25th. 

Read if you like:
🛥️ Titanic history
❤️ Found Family
🔨 Rebuilding a life
💪 Emotional Strength

What made The Lost Passenger great was the development of Elinor's character, which is somewhat ironic, given that she changes characters in a way when she steals the identity of her maid who did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. Despite changing name and circumstances, Elinor does not change who she is deep down and often draws on her experience growing up with her inspirational father. As a frequent reader of historical fiction, I was definitely missing the Historical Note that almost always comes at the end of a novel such as this, so if I could request one thing, it would be the addition of one!

3.5 rounding up. I enjoyed! An oddly nostalgic read for me if that makes any sense. I by no means lived through the Titanic catastrophe but I did live through the 90s and it was a Titanic craze. This book resurrected my old Titanic hyper-fixation in a fun and cozy way. I though the plot moved smoothly and characters were well rounded and conveyed. I did find it a liiitttle slow though which is the main reason for the docked star, but I'd still recommend!

The lost Passanger tells us about a young lady from a wealthy family who was introduced to a gentleman who came from an aristocrat family. Elinor was fooled by Frederick into thinking he was in love with her when the whole time his family wanted him to marry someone of means who could help with the expenses of keeping up with expenses of running a castle. Fredrick was in love with someone else his whole life and only needed Elenor’s family money. The married and it was expected of her to become pregnant with a boy to carry on the legacy! Fredrick is having an affair with this other woman named Lissey while the whole time pretending to be Elinor’s fried. Elinor found out and while on a trip on the newly built Titanic threatened him to expose him if he didn’t allow her to have more time with their son. The Titanic sank and Elinor got on a boat to safety and stole her nanny’s identity when she died along with her father and husband when the ship sank. This was a story of bravery and a story of survival. Kudos to the author! I loved this book. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.

I definitely recommend, The Lost Passenger, especially if you have an interest in the history of the Titanic. Every emotion that the main character went through after surviving was felt. This book gave me a different perspective on not only the people that lost their lives but also the people that survived and how they coped with life after such a tragic event. This book was well written and the characters are well-developed. This book was a slower read for me which is the reason for my rating.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this book.