The Lost Passenger is a historical novel set in the 1910's. Elinor Coombes is a passenger on the Titanic, traveling with her young son. She is tired of the restrictive nature of her upper class life. When the Titanic goes down she assumes another woman's identity, blending in with her son in New York.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction. I also am interested in the Titanic. This is a fresh look at the Titanic and I loved the storytelling around the story of Elinor's voyage -- and her life afterward in NYC.

The historical details are wonderful and the storytelling is so engrossing! I had a hard time putting this book down. I recommend The Lost Passenger for other fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the Titanic.

Story of a woman slowly coming ii to herself and her strength. A good use of a historical background to share a coming to self power story. Left me feeling good and happy for the heroine at the end after she went through lots of adversity. The ending felt a bit rushed though. I would have liked to have had more time spent pulling the end together and seeing what was next for her. The overall pace of the story felt bumpy. There was too much time and detail spent on her life and hardships between her marriage and the Titanic. I wanted multiple times to put the book down as the reading became uncomfortable and repetitive. With the areas that would have been better with some editing and rewrites, it was a good story and an overall enjoyable read.

The Lost Passenger is a story about a young woman thrown into the strict traditions of early 20th century British aristocracy when she marries the heir to Winterton Hall. Unhappy in her marriage, Elinor is thrilled when her father gifts her tickets on the Titanic’s maiden voyage to New York. She looks forward to time with her son, Teddy and her father whom she hasn’t seen since she was married two years earlier. With the sinking of the Titanic and the death of her husband and father, Elinor takes the opportunity to start over with a new life in America. This is a story of grit and tenacity, internal strength and second chances, and finding a family to call her own with lots of love to give. The first half of the book is pretty slow but necessary in the development of the characters. The second half is excellent as we see the growth and strength Elinor exhibits as she makes a new life for herself and her son. I recommend this book for everyone who loves historical fiction and strong women.

Oh this book! It is one I wished I hadn't read because I will never have the experience of reading it for the first time again. It's a book I would definitely read again though.

I liked the riches to rags element of this book. My heart hurt for Elinor during the first part of the story. The things she had to endure and the way of life of the titled in England sucked in my opinion. I loved her life in America though. Elinor was a character I cared about from the beginning of this book.

The author has a wonderful writing style and told this story very well. It kept my interest and I couldn't put the book down. She also created characters that were realistic and I thought she did an amazing job telling of the sinking of the Titanic and what it was like for the survivors.

I could go on and on about this book but I won't. I will just say it is one of the best books I have read in a long time and one that will stay with me forever and one I can see myself reading again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Elinor thought she was getting her fairytale dream - marry the wealthy lord and live happily ever after. But it was not to be. In a fight to hold on to who she is and who her parents raised her to be, a family trip on the Titanic opens up an opportunity for a new life. Through the challenges and hardships, Elinor discovers a found family and true happiness that isn’t tied to money or prestige but love.

A well written and fast paced book. Elinor’s life back in England is about 1/2 the book and sets the stage well for her future decisions. I liked the 2nd half of the book the best when you really see Elinor’s growth and how she comes into her own. The entire cast of characters in NYC are wonderful in their own ways.

Some of the early writing was hard for me to get into but once I became more comfortable with the authors writing style the book flowed better and I was able to dive into it more. Great premise and execution.

Elinor, the daughter of a wealthy mill owner gets noticed by a son of the aristocracy at a local ball. At 19-years-old, Elinor has led a sheltered life with her father, learning the business and keeping his accounts in order. When her father receives a proposal for his daughter's hand in marriage, he sees it as a huge rise in status for the family. Little did he or Elinor know, she was scouted out by Lord and Lady Stornton not for her looks or brains but due to her father's wealth. The 600 year old dynasty is on shaky ground with debts piling up all around them. Having Frederick marry Elinor will shore up the family finances and hopefully, produce a male heir to the title and estate. But Elinor is not an aristocratic debutante willing to go along with decisions made for her by the family and when the chance comes to break free- she takes it. Surviving the sinking of the Titanic, Elinor and her young son arrive in New York under assumed names, not wishing to tip off the Storntons to their survival. Creating a new life isn't easy but when her past threatens to strip her son away from her, Elinor (now Molly) has to make some hard decisions.
Capturing the atmosphere of two very different cultures, author Quinn draws reader's into Elinor's story and gives us an insight into the not-so-perfect world of the British aristocracy and what immigrants were willing to sacrifice for a new beginning in America.
For readers who enjoy books by Marie Benedict, this one is for you.

This is the story of a wealthy young American woman who marries into English nobility. Unsurprisingly she ends up miserable and powerless in an old tradition bound family. They only wanted her for her money and an heir. When she and her son sail on the Titanic she gets a chance to escape.

This story of a woman who makes some daring life choices after surviving the voyage on the Titanic with her son was often tense. What if someone finds her out was always in the background, and if it moved to a known, how terrible would the consequences be? I enjoyed the book, and believe it will be a popular choice in our library.

If you were terribly unhappy and had an opportunity to start a new life, with a new name, would you take it? Would you take the risk with a young son, giving up the privileges you’ve enjoyed since birth, in a country where you know no one? Well, that’s what Elinor does on that fateful night with the Titanic. As a fan of historical fiction, the plot was intriguing. At first, this seemed a predictable read. However, a few twists and turns led to a not so predictable conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. I look forward to reading other books by Frances Quinn

Elinor Coombes finds herself trapped in an unhappy marriage of convenience in which her husband doesn’t love her and her British, aristocratic in-laws look down on her nouveau riche father and her. When her son is effectively taken from her to be reared in the stifling traditions of her husband’s family and she discovers her husband loves and is having an affair with a woman she thought was a friend, Elinor wants out. Her father buys tickets for himself, Elinor, her husband, and son on the Titanic. When the ship sinks, ending the lives of her father, husband and a nanny she hired upon boarding the ship, Elinor finds an opportunity for the escape she desperately needs. Elinor takes on the identity of Molly, the nanny, and moves in with Molly’s relatives in New York City who Molly never met and who have no idea what Molly looks like. These relatives live in virtual poverty on the Lower East Side. Elinor, now Molly, is in for a massive economic and cultural shock and lives in constant fear that she will be discovered and forced to return to England.

The stolen identity plot device is in danger of being overused and I was skeptical of it working well here, but Frances Quinn avoided the easy cliches and kept the story interesting and compelling. The description of the horror and helplessness of the Titanic’s sinking were conveyed skillfully and Elinor’s PSTD-tinged flashbacks felt true. I also thought the business acumen part of Elinor’s character development, instilled in her by her beloved father at an early age, felt true to itself and was woven into the plot in a way that made this a strong point of the book. A well-done use of stolen identity gives me anxiety and I shared Elinor’s anxiety throughout that portion of the book. The positive ending was a bit predictable but was appreciated nonetheless. This is not a literary classic, but the book was engaging and is worth a read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced reader’s copy in return fir y honest review.

As a frequent cruiser, I have always been fascinated by the Titanic and the horrible fate that befell most of the passengers on its inaugural cruise. It was thought to be unsinkable but of course we know now that wasn't the case. This book is about a young wife and mother caught in an unhappy marriage who does manage to get on one of the lifeboats with her infant son. When she realizes that her husband did not survive and if she goes back to England to the estate where she felt trapped, her situation would only be worse. Also her husband tricked her into signing a document that would give her in-laws custody of her son and essentially cut her out of his life. So while on the lifeboat she makes a decision that will change the course of their lives forever. Definitely a page turner and one that makes you wonder what you would have done in the same situation.

Thank you to author Frances Quinn and NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

Always up for a good yarn with the Titanic as the backdrop. Young Elinor duped into marriage quickly marries Frederick Coombes and finds herself welcomed into a cold, uncaring family who are more interested in old traditions and money than a new daughter-in-law. Forced to adapt to the staunch upbringing that comes with the aristocracy, Elinor locked away finds herself unhappy, in a loveless marriage and dreams of escaping the confines of this home and family. When her working class but successful father surprises her with passage on the newly built marvel, the Titanic, Elinor finally feels she can at last escape the hell of Winterton estate even if for a short journey. When the now famous tragedy begins to unfold at sea Elinor makes a life changing decision that will alter the course of her and her son's life.

The sinking of the Titanic was a huge shock at the time, in both England and the US, because it meant that the impossible could, in fact, be possible. And it was an even worse trauma for those few who lived through it. On the other hand, it offered an opportunity for the survivors, if they were brave enough, to start a new life with a new identity. Elinor/Molly was one of them. It's a fascinating look at how being wealthy does not equate to being happy, and how it's possible to start a new, happier life, regardless of the circumstances.

"The Lost Passenger" is predictable at every turn. I was so disappointed because I loved the premise of the novel but Quinn played it safe and delivered a generic and basic plot structure, stock characters and an unsatisfying ending.

Compelling! Evocative! Immersive! I could think of hundreds of adjectives to describe this beautifully written work of historical fiction constructed around the sinking of the Titanic. Erase the images of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet from your mind as this is not that story.

Disillusioned and unhappy in her marriage to English aristocrat Frederick Coombes, Elinor is thrilled when her father arranges for the couple, their infant son Teddy and their servants to join him on the ships maiden voyage to New York. As Elinor watches the majestic Titanic sink from the lifeboat she and Teddy are placed in, she is struck with the idea that this is her opportunity to escape the control and despondent life that her husbands family has exerted over her. Through Elinor’s story, we rejoice in new beginnings, resilience and hope amidst the hardest of tragedies.

I was fully immersed in the plot and characters of this dazzling story which left me wondering how many survivors of this tragedy might have taken action similar to in order to rebuild their life in a new land. Though not a novice author, this is Ms. Quinn’s US debut and I’m excited to watch its February 25th release as it climbs the charts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is an engaging tale, if a tad predictable. The first half kind of drags and I wish it'd been tightened up. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible read! Frances Quinn deftly draws us in to the changing worlds of young Elinore. The lies she believes, the lies she tells- I could not believe her courage as she faces so many unexpected losses that would have broken me. Wonderful characters Ruth and Anna provide wisdom and support when she starts a new life in America. And through it all, the bargaining skills her father taught her continue to keep her afloat. The ending perfectly shows just what Elinore is made of, though your heart will be bruised time and again getting there. I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Elinor Coombes Daughter of a wealthy cotton mill owner thinks she getting married for love but the marriage was only for her husband's and family's financial interests. Elinor struggles to fit into her new life, she feels belittled by her husband and in-laws. Now that she brought a baby into the world she feels that she has no way out, the Stortons have full control of her and her son. Elinor’s father mentioned to her about taking a cruise on the unsinkable ship called The Titanic. When the time came she convinced her husband to join her and her father into this adventure. Elinor is excited to be away from the strict rules of the Stortons and be able to enjoy time with her son and father, but the unthinkable happens during this voyage.

If you're like me and have seen the movie Titanic on repeat, you know I had to sign up for this arc! I’m intrigued by the history of this ship and this story was based on this era. I was fascinated to read about a different point of view of the Titanic. I wish the storyline would have focused more on survival during the shipwreck, but the story talked very little about it. Overall the read took me through so many emotions and enjoyed the read! 🤍

This is the story of survival on several fronts. Elinor is trapped in a loveless arranged marriage and is treated like a pariah in the family. After becoming pregnant and having a son, the boy is whisked away leaving Elinor longing to raise her child her way, with love and affection. As a present, her father purchases a ticket on the “Titanic” and she claims the chance to mother her son properly. She engages a lady’s maid to help with the journey and to advise on how to take care of a toddler. When the ship hits an iceberg, she seizes the chance to save her son while her husband and father perish. Her maid also dies. Elinor realizes that she has an opportunity to escape her previous life and assumes the identity of her maid and presents herself as such to Molly’s family. There she learns a trade and learns what real hardship is, but it is alleviated by the joy of becoming one of the family members. Frances Quinn makes you hear the screams of the dying while the “Titanic” was sinking so much so that it made me cringe. The descriptions of the tenements and the hard-scrabble life are realistic.

** spoiler alert ** I really enjoyed this book. Much of the plot is given away in the description, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. The beginning of the narrative isn't anything readers haven't seen before -- Elinor, a young woman whose father made tons of money through hard work marries Fredrick, the aristocratic heir to an estate that needs money to keep it running and in the family (shades of Downton Abbey, anyone?). It's a loveless marriage (at least on the husband's part, as he carries on a long-time affair with a mistress who wasn't marriage material because she had no money), yet Elinor tries to make the best of it, produces a male heir named Teddy, who she desperately wants to be a doting mother to, yet the family insists that Teddy be taken care of by a nanny and who will eventually be sent off to boarding school at the ridiculously young age of seven.

But Elinor's life literally changes when her father gifts her, Fredrick and Teddy with tickets on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. When the ship goes down, Fredrick and Elinor's father don't survive, along with a maid named Molly who befriended Elinor on the ship and offered to help take care of Teddy. Elinor, despite her grief and literal shock after the sinking, impulsively decides to steal Molly's identity and make a life with her relatives in New York (who had never met Molly, but were going to welcome her and give her a place to live).

I wish there had been more time spent on the Titanic part of the story, because I've always been fascinated with it, but I also really enjoyed Elinor's transition from pampered rich girl to poor seamstress in New York, all while trying to raise Teddy and fit in with her adopted "family." Elinor's perserverance and moxie made for a character I really rooted for, and while the overall story arc isn't anything unique, it was well-written and kept my interest.

Thanks to NetGalley, Frances Quinn, and Simon & Schuster/Ballantine Books for the digital ARC and the opportunity to read this book. I will definitely recommend this novel to my book club.