I am a sucker for stories about the Titanic, so when I read the synopsis of “The Lost Passenger”, it was a story that I could not pass up. While I found the story interesting, I couldn’t help but feel there was something missing that would have taken this book to the next level.

First the good bits…what millennial doesn’t love a story about an oppressed socialite who gets on the Titanic, has a life altering experience and tries to build a new life?? While the plot isn’t one we haven’t somewhat seen before, Ms. Quinn gives this story a unique spin that keeps the story interesting for the reader. There are some great characters in this story with lovely personalities that are easy to really like, for me they were Mr. Coombes, Ruth and Anna. Elinor, the FMC, is a character who’s decision and flaws force the reader to consider whether her actions are acceptable or not. While the beginning was a bit slow, the pace at the midway point picks up considerably.

My biggest challenge with this book was in the writing style. This story was written in the first person, but the storytelling felt more like someone was reading Elinor’s journal or telling her story for her. This was especially difficult in the first half of the story, when Elinor explains her life before the Titanic and the reader is expected to understand her despair or fears. For me, these moments felt detached and never came across as expected, which then carried on to the rest of the story. I feel like there was a lot of missed opportunities to explore those emotional moments more (especially post Titanic and all that was lost then) and have the reader relate to Elinor more. For me, having that kind of connection to the characters is the difference between a great book and an ok one. For me, while a quick read, was just an ok book.

**Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate the opportunity.**

I wanted to love this book … I really did. Instead, the reaction I had was disappointment. The first half of the story took so long to tell (too long), the Titanic portion passed so quickly and the second half was a bit better. Overall, “just okay” for me.

This is my first introduction to Frances Quinn’s writing and will definitely not be my last. Though she is well known in the UK, The Lost Passenger is her debut novel here in America and is a Titanic story like no other I’ve read. Main character, Elinor, is manipulated by the charming Frederick into a quick fairy tale wedding with a foreboding mother-in-law. The restrictions of society and the accepted practices of parenting are especially saddening as Elinor is only allowed a few minutes a day with her son, Teddy. Extremely unhappy and suspicious of Frederick’s attentions, the stage for escape is set when Elinor receives tickets from her wealthy father for the maiden voyage of the Titanic.
The saga that unfolds is filled with astonishing descriptions and entrepreneurial spirit. The character development and pacing of the narrative kept me engaged, hopeful, anxious, and at times panicked! The element of historical fiction that I always appreciate is when the author sinks the reader into the scenes through sensory details. Readers will definitely get the sense of extreme differences between the divinely exorbitant amenities on the Titanic and the deplorable living conditions in the tenements of the Lower East Side of NYC.
Emotional attachments grow to overwhelming proportions as the novel progresses. A much-disliked mistress from London’s high society crosses the Atlantic and my favorite character Tommy Jenkins from the sinking ship, makes a remarkably emotional plea. The immigrant family squished into the tiny apartment shows fortitude, ingenuity, and Quinn’s pure unbridled handling of their feelings is realistic and truthful.
Can Elinor steal a life by keeping secrets and taking risks? Becoming aware of more than one kind of happy ending is a spellbinding treat for readers of The Lost Passenger.

Elinor, the daughter of a very successful cotton mill owner, is somewhat duped into marrying the son of British aristocrats and thus well above her station in life. She suffers in a loveless marriage, one that was orchestrated so that her husband’s family could get Elinor’s fathers wealth when he dies as well as an heir should Elinor have a son. A son she does have, but he is pretty much taken from her and raised by a nanny, and Elinor becomes even more miserable. When her father offers her tickets on the maiden voyage of a ship to the United States, a ship called the Titanic, she leaps at the chance to get away with her son. She does make it to America after taking the name and identity of another woman who dies when the ship went down, and she begins a new life in New York City. I was definitely intrigued by this novel’s plot line and eager to read, but I was disappointed by the time I finished — not because of the storyline itself but because I found the writing style to be somewhat discomforting and sort of sophomoric, one that I might find more often in a YA novel. I also thought that too much of the novel, nearly the entire first half, was devoted to Elinor’s suffering in her marriage. Nonetheless, overall I found this to be a good read, just not a great one.

"The Lost Passenger" by Frances Quinn tells the story of Elinor, the daughter of an affluent man, who finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage that she's been lured into for money. When her father gifts her family a holiday on the Titanic, she views it as an opportunity for a respite from the isolation of her everyday life and an opportunity to spend time with her young son. When tragedy strikes, Elinor must make a split-second decision that will change the course of her entire life and demand that she rediscover her boldness and courage. This is a story that examines how much we are willing to sacrifice for ourselves and our children and how far we will go to find out what we're made of.

Elinor is a great character, and she's easy to root for from the first page. Sometimes I find historical fiction to be a bit of hurdle for me to feel like I can immediately relate to characters, but Elinor's voice feels so modern and familiar, despite the period-appropriate language. She faces many of the same conflicts that I recognize in my life and the lives of my friends. This may be a bit of a spoiler, but I also appreciated that Quinn didn't feel the need to introduce a love interest for her, even though she longs for the loving and romantic relationships she enjoys reading in novels. Elinor is a heroine who could stand on her own as a strong, independent person whose focus was on her own survival and the wellbeing of her child.

The Titanic setting is interesting, but it really is just that- a backdrop for a portion of the book. The story doesn't dive too deeply into Titanic's culture, so readers hoping for a book about the ship might find this a bit disappointing, but I thought it was refreshing.

Those who appreciate historical fiction about strong female characters will likely enjoy this book. I found it to be a very engaging and quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.

Elinor Coombes thought she found her fairy tale ending, only to find out, even though her father was rich, she would never be able to fit into the high society she married into. Brow beaten and not allowed to look after her own baby, Elinor is devastated. When her father purchases tickets for the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Elinor convinces her husband to go and to take their young son. When her maid/nanny refuses to board, Elinor hires a passenger onboard the ship to help out. When the ship goes down, Elinor sees an opportunity to change her future. While life is hard, Elinor couldn’t be happier, but when a stranger approaches her and someone from her past recognizes her, will it all be for naught? This book was a fantastic read! Elinor was a character you couldn’t help rooting for every step of the way! Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

“The Lost Passenger” by Frances Quinn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤓🤓🤓

This started out very promising, but lost its momentum halfway through (kind of like the Titanic itself). I enjoyed this story and liked the main character but I think the pacing of this was off. I’m still overall pleased with it and I didn’t ever consider not finishing, but it went from a 4 or 5 star read for the first half to a 3.5 by the end. If you like historical fiction, try it out and let me know your thoughts!

A story from the age of the sinking of the Titantic. A young lady that was brought up with new money was married into old money, but they didn't have any money. That is why they married Elinor. Frederick Stroton of Winterton Hall was not in love with Elinor. When Teddy came along, Frederick gave guardianship to his parents if something happened to him.
A trip on the Titantic changes everything. Elinor sees that she can become Molly, the young lady who was helping her with Teddy.
She finds what she has not had in several years while at Winterton Hall.
I found the book an enjoyable book to read that will keep your attention.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own accord.

Even though this is about a survivor of the Titanic very little of the story takes place on the Titanic. This is the story of Elinor taking an unconventional chance to change her life. She was trapped in an unhappy marriage and after the Titanic sank she saw an opening to be someone else and took it. This is one of those stories where one sentence could’ve solved a lot of problems but there’s more drama with Elinor withholding important details. Even with that I enjoyed Elinor taking charge of what she wants.

This book was just beautiful historical fiction. Part of it felt like echoes of the movie The Titanic, but it veered off and focused on so many other aspects of Elinor’s life and her story. I loved the second half - her grit and determination in the face of frightening odds and circumstances. While this is historical fiction, I can easily imagine that there might have been women who took this very same chance. I tried to find fault in it and wasn’t able to. I will be digging in to Quinn’s backlist.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I loved this story! It was so easy to identify with and fall in love with the main character. She’s a dreamer who finds herself deceived and in a life that makes her miserable. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The Titanic story was a heart wrenching backdrop to a story about love and difficult choices.

I am so glad that I did not read one word about this book - in the synopsis or the reviews! I saw the cover, the title and the word "Titanic" written on the ship on the cover. This was enough for me. I enjoyed the journey the author took me on in this book . I won't spoil it for anyone else except to say Elinor was one smart and very brave woman.

My thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.

The Lost Passenger is historical fiction related to the Titanic. Elinor is a nouveau riche British woman, who marries into gentry and then immediately regrets it. But her father has gifted her, him, her husband and son the trip of a lifetime on the Titanic. Elinor and her son make it to a life boat, but her family and servants do not, and she realizes this is a way to escape her in-laws. She impersonates a servant, and lets everyone think she and her son are among the lost. The early days in America are interesting to see, as immigrants from around the world create a chaotic and vibrant culture in New York City.

A really great read that explores a Titanic passenger who assumes another’s identity. But really at its heart it’s a book about defining family and familial love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and made me wonder about all those people who disappeared after 9/11. Could some of them have done the same thing - just walked away from their lives?

I absolutely lost myself in The Lost passenger by Frances Quinn! A story of love and the lack of love, money and the lack of money, power and the need for more power. A Titanic story like one you've never read before. When the most unlikely, unthinkable thing happens, and in the face of great heartbreak, Elinor Coombes has a split second to make a decision. Go back or move forward? A comfortable life but under someone else's control or probable poverty with an almost certainly happier future. No one will know so who would it hurt? Until someone knows... Such a fascinating story, I wish we could give half stars on Goodreads because this is a 4.5 for me.

A real life historical maritime disaster, a suspenseful class difference situation, and a woman’s quiet battle for freedom and survival were a heady combo and enticed me into trying The Lost Passenger by new-to-me author, Frances Quinn.



The Lost Passenger begins with a little framing teaser and then dips back into the past for the beginning of Elinor Coombes’ tale. Elinor’s hardworking manufacturing giant of a father, who started from next to nothing to rise and become one of the wealthiest men in England, could ill-prepare her when they are inexplicably invited into the genteel aristocratic high society world of Edwardian England. Elinor rapidly progresses from meeting, falling for, and marrying the handsome, charming son of an earl. Just as swiftly, she learns she was married for her dowry, and she is disdained by her in-laws and all their ilk.



The confining restrictions of the aristocracy and the loneliness and misery she feels are choking her when her dear father presents her, her husband, and their young son with first-class tickets to join him on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. When the ship goes down, Elinor is presented with an incredible possibility.



Author Frances Quinn did a bang-up job delivering a historical setting and situation for a class-difference story. Quinn didn’t skimp coloring in Elinor’s character, creating strong sympathy for her lot. Actually, the motivations of her upper-class husband, his family, and friends were made clear as well. The Coombes were not true villains but people of their time and class. Yet, they felt like villains to Elinor, who was woefully in over her head...and alone. I saw the heartbreak and disillusion coming from the first pages, even while Elinor was still happy and feeling like a character in the romances she loved to read.

There were three distinct parts to the story: Elinor’s life in England from manufacturing heiress to future Countess, her period aboard Titanic, and then her life after the disaster in bustling New York City, living among other poor immigrants in the teeming tenements. In New York, Elinor showed courage and authentic struggles, starting over after surviving Titanic’s sinking.



With bated breath, the crisis moment had me flipping pages madly to the satisfying ending. Stellar historical details, well-paced plot, character development made for on-the-edge-of-my-seat suspense. I heartily recommendThe Lost Passenger for historical fiction readers—you won’t be disappointed.

In THE LOST PASSENGER by Frances Quinn, a young mother trapped in a stifling, aristocratic marriage where her fortune was her primary value dares to disappear after the Titanic goes down and presumably, her and her son with it. I loved the premise of the story and the hard realities for a woman attempting to disappear, penniless and with a child in tow, without raising suspicion and being discovered. I loved the way Elinor fought against the requirements and expectations for a new future for herself and her child, but no easy ways out magically appeared for her. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn was a solidly written novel that partially takes place on the Titanic, but centers around the aftermath of one survivor's life rather than the sinking of the ship.

Elinor is swept off her feet by aristocratic Frederick and marries him quickly, but it doesn't take long for her to realize she has made a mistake. She is disparaged by her husband's family and is barely allowed to spend time with her young son. When she and her son, Teddy, set sail aboard the Titanic, she has no idea what is in store for them. After the tragic sinking, they are both lucky to be alive, and Elinor is clever enough to create a new life for them in America.

I appreciated the way the story was told and the way that Elinor grew and changed through the story as she became much stronger and determined. The resolution was satisfying.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

this was such a different read. I've never read historical fiction that was based off of the Titanic, and I felt very gripped by the story.

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As a 90s kid who grew up with the iconic movie *Titanic*, this novel immediately drew me in with its perfect blend of historical events and personal drama. The backdrop of the Titanic is used so effectively here, and it completely brought me back to the magic and mystery surrounding that fateful voyage.
Elinor, a strong-willed woman from a wealthy, self-made family, is convinced she’s found her dream man in Frederick Storton, the charming future lord of Winterton Hall. But life has a way of throwing curveballs, and what she thought was a fairytale life quickly spirals into a nightmare. Just when it seems like her world is crumbling, Elinor gets the chance to board the Titanic, hoping it will be a brief escape to reconnect with her father and son. But of course, fate has other plans, and the unimaginable happens—the Titanic sinks.
Elinor is faced with an agonizing decision: return to her old life at Winterton Hall and lose her son, or escape to New York City and build a new life from scratch. What follows is a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and self-discovery. Elinor is the epitome of a strong woman, willing to do whatever it takes to reclaim control over her life, and her journey will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The author does an incredible job of weaving historical events with Elinor’s personal story, bringing the early 1900s England and New York City to vivid life. The level of detail is remarkable, from the opulence of Winterton Hall to the bustling streets of New York. Every scene feels rich and immersive, making it hard to put the book down.
This is a novel that delivers both an emotional punch and historical depth, with a fearless heroine who embodies strength and determination. If you’re looking for a compelling, heart-racing story that will leave you thinking long after you finish, this book is an absolute must-read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!