This book is so descriptive, I felt like I was walking alongside the characters on the Harvard grounds. I also learned so much from this story - my favorite kind of historical fiction stories are always the ones that have enlightening information. The story is about Harry Elkins Widener, his death on the Titanic, and his memorial library at Harvard. The two timelines - past and present - had wonderful connections that kept me curious. The book does have a lot of sadness and grief so while I did love it, it is a pretty heavy read.

Relationships and love, grief and loss, love of books, and the supernatural all come together in The Missing Pages. Set in a library at Harvard, the story is told in two time periods. Hints are dropped along the way about why someone in the present is so committed to seeking answers from the past. This is an interesting and engaging book.

Writing a fictionalized account of someone's life is always a tricky prospect. The author wants to fill in the gaps where history has no record, but the author also wants to keep the integrity and personality of the actual person intact. In The Missing Pages by Alyson Richman the life of Harry Elkins Widener, 27 year old Harvard graduate, businessman and book collector went on an overseas book buying expedition in London, where he made the purchase of a lifetime, a small volume of Bacon's Essays. This would have been unremarkable, except he boarded the Titanic for his return trip to America. He and his father both stayed aboard the sinking liner as his mother and her maid were placed on a lifeboat.

The novel has a double time period, that of Harry in 1912, and of Violet Hutchins in 1992. Violet is suffering the loss of her boyfriend Hugo as she continues her studies at Harvard after his death. She begins to work as a page at the Widener Memorial Library. Her supervisor has her transcribe letters pertaining to Harry and his book buying quests. She become more and more intrigued by his life, and also begins to have supernatural encounters.

We also see Harry's story told in first person, which makes his experiences all the more immediate and emotionally dimensional. His correspondence with a British book seller puts him in touch with Ada, the shop's assistant. Their blossoming friendship and first love adds gentle romance to the story. I almost wished that the novel was solely about Harry and Ada as the modern portion of the story with Violet feels flat. And to be honest, the modern story is only a contrivance to tie up loose ends that begin in Harry's story.

As for the ghostly aspect, I have no problem with Harry's ghost trying to make contact with Violet, it's the cockamamie new age way that she deals with his ghost that is suspect. She uses a ouija board, uses a psychic and researches spiritualists aka charlatans from the early 20th century to find out if there is life after death. Arthur Conan Doyle is mentioned in Violet's research for his use of seances and mediums to contact his dead son. Doyle was famously deceived by spiritualist fraudsters. Because Harry was an honorable man, I hardly think he would use these dishonorable means to communicate with Violet.

This brings me back to making a fictionalized version of an actual person. The real Harry's actions of having a "stiff upper lip" in the face of certain death showed he was a man of high morals and man of his era and class. It is this sense of honor and dignity that the actual Harry displayed that gets caught up in current 21st century social/relationship mores in Richman's story and is, for this reader, a bit unsavory as it is out of character for an upright and dignified man to act this way without considering all of the consequences these actions would put into action.

Morality and new age spiritualism aside, readers will truly enjoy the romance between Harry and Ada, and the love of books and the comfort they bring.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title.

I was completely pulled into The Missing Pages from the very first chapter. Alyson Richman has such a gift for bringing history to life in a way that feels intimate and emotional. This story is about so much more than art and survival—it’s about love, legacy, and the pieces of ourselves we pass on, even in the face of incredible loss.

The characters felt so real and their journey was both heartbreaking and hopeful. I found myself Googling parts of the real history behind it because I just wanted to know more. If you love historical fiction that feels deeply human and beautifully written, this one is a must-read.

Violet, a student at Harvard, gets a job as a page at the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library after the tragic death of her boyfriend, Hugo. The library, built in remembrance of Harry Widener, who died in the sinking of the Titanic, offers a refuge for Violet in the aftermath of Hugo's death, a space away from the constant uncomfortable attention of nagging roommates and Hugo's old friends and rowing teammates. While working there, Violet is put in charge of replacing the weekly flowers in Harry's memorial room. Throughout her time spent in this room, strange things begin happening—books falling off the shelves open to specific pages relaying a message to Violet, the scent of burning tobacco that only she can seem to smell, eerie drafts rustling the curtains where there shouldn't be any breeze at all—and Violet starts to wonder if Harry is trying to communicate to her from beyond the grave.

I really enjoyed the plot of The Missing Pages. I thought the premise was super interesting, and the Richman did a great job researching the lives of her historical characters, like Harry Widener. However, I think there were a few errors in terms of the facts presented in the book relating to the sinking of the Titanic. She kept many imaginative pieces neatly knitted into the foundation of this story (it is partially a ghost story after all), but I felt like the historical aspect of this book still had a foot firmly planted in truth.

I feel like this would be great as a YA or children’s book. The writing was very elementary, and the dialogue was cringeworthy (victimless crime), but it doesn't feel natural at all. If the writing was better, I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more, but what mainly frustrated me was that the dialogue was so stiff and unbelievable. Additionally, there were some parts that I found to be unnecessary, specifically characters. The book slasher, someone intentionally ripping pages out of books or ruining them by writing them in the library, felt like a completely unnecessary plot point to me because it didn't add anything to the overall story of Violet or Harry, or contribute to any message the book was trying to convey. The character Theo also seems rather pointless to me. He only helped Violet in the last third of the book, and I feel like the role of this character would've been better served if it had just been one of Violet's roommates instead.

The love story between Harry and Ada was this book's best quality. I loved their sections in the narration and felt like I, as the reader, learned and felt the most from this story through them. This book isn't published until October, so I'm confident the final edit will be an improvement. Nevertheless, I know readers will love Harry's story and his relationship with Ada.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC!

Following the tragic death of her boyfriend, grieving Harvard sophomore Violet lands a job at the Widener Library, a campus landmark, where she is tasked with transcribing the letters of Harry Elkins Widener to
a famed Philadelphia book dealer just before Widener's real-life trip to London and his ill-fated return on the Titanic in April 1912. As she works, Violet finds herself drawn more and more to Harry, a renown and passionate book collector. And when she discovers clues to Harry's previously unknown relationship to Ada, a young British woman temporarily employed by the book dealer, Violet can't help but dive deeper into Ada and Harry's secret connection. With a little help from Harry beyond the grave, Violet soon makes a stunning discovery that brings clarity to the past while allowing her to release her grief and open up her heart to love.

Part historical fiction, part genealogical mystery with a touch of magical realism, The Missing Pages deftly transports the reader back to the Gilded Age in a riveting dual-timeline, Titanic-adjacent narrative brimming with layered, fascinating characters. In these charming and nuanced characters, Alyson Richman eloquently reminds her readers of the joy, humor and hope that can be experienced in the world of books: "She closed her eyes and inhaled...a world of familiar friends. The fragrance of paper, glue, and leather. The scent of books." Highly recommended. Perfect for all readers, especially book clubs and fans of all things Titanic, book nerds and rare book collectors.

I absolutely adored this story! The Missing Pages is a historical fiction centered around the Titanic and an unforeseen love story. Harry E. Widener was last seen running back to his estate room on the Titanic to retrieve a beloved book. Years later a student page at his memories library starts to sense Harry’s ghostly presence and starts to wonder if maybe he is trying to tell her something!

This book starts off a little slow and gets deeply into our main character's love for books. The slow-paced beginning pays off by providing rich character development that makes the second half of the story really hit hard.

If you love historical fiction, books, or are a Titanic fanatic, I would highly recommend picking this one up!

Out on October 14th just in time for spooky season! Thank you, NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the opportunity to read and review this eARC

Sadly this was a DNF for me, I was really hoping to love this one because I love reading about the Titanic. But this just fell a little flat to me and I just couldn’t get into it. I’m sure I will be in the minority of this one! Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review!

This book is exquisite! The writing, the pace, the characters all grabbed me and wouldn't let go.
In a dual timeline we move from early 1900's and America's wealthiest, to modern day Harvard University, where Violet works as a page at Widener Library, a library that displays the collection of Harry Widener, who went down with the Titanic.
Why did he get his own library, what is his connection to Violet and why is his ghost still lingering?

This is a story for booklovers, collectors and librarians. Historical fiction meets modern day mystery, exploring human strength and perseverance.
The characters are decent, likable, honest human beings.
Harry, a true gentleman with calm manners and respect for his surroundings.
Ada, a strong woman in a paternal society, connecting collectors.
Violet, keeping it together in modern day, while exploring history and defying all odds.
The twist in the end took my breath away, what a treat!

Thank you Netgalley and Union Square for the ARC.

I devoured this book! what a beautifully written novel with so much love in the pages. my only complaint is that it could have been longer! I would have loved for more development near the end and the friendship of Theo and Violet to develop further.

overall amazing book!

This is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love, with dual timelines and intriguing connections between them. The focus on books, book collecting, and libraries was a bonus. The way in which the 1990s protagonist, Harvard student Violet, delves into the life of Harry Widener, who perished on the Titanic, was very interesting in the context of the library established as a memorial to Widener. I loved learning more about him, his family, and how the library came to be; I also loved all of the conversations about book collecting in the early 20th century. I typically do not like books with a paranormal aspect, but this was well done. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to write an honest review.

The Missing Pages by Alyson Richman was an absolute treat—it is a well-researched historic fiction, a hauntingly beautiful love story, a tale of grief with a touch of paranormal that anyone who has experienced the agonizing pain of losing a loved one would be able to appreciate, and of course the main characters are bibliophiles so this would also appeal to those who love books, reading, and libraries.

The story is presented as a dual timeline narrative: one letting us have a glimpse of the life of Harry Elkins Widener in the last few months of his life before he perished (RMS Titanic, 1912) and another following Violet, a young Harvard student, who finds solace in the Widener library after recently losing a loved one in a tragic accident.

I loved reading the chapters giving Harry's POV more than the ones that presented Violet's POV. I couldn't rush through this book. I took my time to savor the chapters and stopped in between to either read about the landmarks/people mentioned or to imagine the life of those people in the early 1900s. I would love to visit Lynnewood Hall in Elkins Park and the Widener Memorial library someday.

Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

As always, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the book prior to its release.

There were things I loved about this books, and things I didn’t, so I’m struggling to sit on a rating. I loved Harry’s story as well as the setting being Harvard, I almost wish the book just followed his story, and then his mothers and Adas. I found myself less interested in Violets chapters.

But overall a nice read and such a unique part of history to read about!

Wonderful read!
I enjoyed this story, notably the setting at Harvard, and that it is based on an actual historical figure, Harry Wideman.
The historical aspect of the story from Harry's perspective adds the punch that propels the story to its unforeseen ending—a great read and highly recommended!

I really love the setting and concept of this novel and those elements were definitely my favourite part of the reading experience.
The Titanic is obviously something almost all of us are still fascinated by and always will be so the connection to that major part of history within this book was really interesting to read about.
I also really enjoyed the almost paranormal element to this book as well and having Harry Widener's perspective and voice throughout the story. This was just a lovely blend of historical fiction with a bit of mystery and paranormal that felt unique and refreshing in the genre.

That being said I did find the writing was a bit lack lustre and felt quite amateur and clunky. There wasn't a nice flow to the prose or a dominant style to the writing that captured my attention in any way. I think good writing can really draw you into the story and I don't feel this book had that.
I also found none of the characters overly gripping and so had a hard time forming a real connection to any of them. Again, like the writing, they didn't have a prominent voice that felt strong enough to fully draw you into the story.

Overall this was an enjoyable read with a unique concept but with a bit of work could have been really great.

Following the tragic death of her boyfriend, Harvard student Violet finds solace in her job at the Widener Library. Built in honor of Harry Elkins Widener, who died aboard the Titanic, the library houses his extensive private collection. Soon, Violet starts to feel that Harry is reaching out to her from the other side, asking her to tell a love story lost to time.

In this dual timeline narrative, we follow Violet in the 1990s at Harvard and Harry in the last few months of his life. The two are connected supernaturally, which isn’t really something that works for me personally. Nor was that the only detail that seemed quite far-fetched. While I was invested in the story and characters, I just couldn’t quite suspend my disbelief enough to find it enjoyable over all.

Richman’s previous book, The Time Keepers, is one of the best books I’ve read this year (of over 100) but this one will probably prove to be forgettable.

A young bibliophile goes down in the Titanic but his spirit remains afloat to tell his story in Alyson Richman’s latest novel, The Missing Pages. I have to admit that I didn’t know anything about the background of the Widener Library at Harvard. Harry Widener was a Harvard graduate and accomplished book collector who died in the sinking of the Titanic. His mother built Harvard University's Widener Memorial Library in his memory and to house his massive book collection.

The author has written a lovely story about love, loss, and the devotion to books and the written word. It’s about how Harry’s ghost tries to communicate his story and secrets with Violet, who is a Harvard student working as a page in the Widener Library. Violet has her own tragic past that she’s been struggling to deal with so her interaction with Harry’s ghost helps bring her into a state of healing.

I enjoyed how the author incorporated the story of the Titanic without the book having to dwell on it too much. The historical characters were extremely well fleshed out and were actually more compelling than the contemporary ones. The story was well researched but a little slow at times. For readers who enjoy a historical novel with a little mystery, romance, and the supernatural, this is for you!

Calling all bibliophiles! Calling all lovers of historical fiction! Written in two POV’s, this haunting novel is the story of Violet Hutchins, a book-loving sophomore at Harvard who has recently suffered a personal loss. Violet finds solace working as a page in the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library. Harry Widener was a twenty-seven year old alum of Harvard and rare book collector who boarded the Titanic on his return trip home from London after his trip there to purchase several antiquated tomes. Through the pages of this book, you will discover the connection between the two as strange occurrences take place in the library.

Alyson Richman has delivered another captivating work of historical fiction, developing a beautiful story around the real person Harry Widener. Her combination of accurate details about Harry, fictionalized characters and a touch of the supernatural was powerful and compelling.

Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co. - a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing / Union Square & Co. for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. Publication date: October 14, 2025

I always love dual storylines that come together, so I knew this was up my reading aisle so to say. I am going to be honest--I had a couple of hesitations about The Missing Pages. First, a male perspective--I know I know not very enlightened of me, but I don't read a lot of books with a man as the protagonist. Second, this really sounds like a story about a lot of books. Now I'm a bit of a Bibliophile myself, so I was open to the idea, but I just couldn't imagine how a ghost, books, libraries and a historic male protagonist would converge into a great read. The book had my attention with its beautiful cover, a great author and a book synopsis a little different than a lot of books,

Let me tell you, I fell in love with Harry. I loved his ghost and his story. I honestly enjoyed reading about his part of the story more than Violets. Not that there was anything about her storyline that I didn't like-I did! I just wanted to know his story, understand his motivation! I was willing Violet to go faster in her search for learning more about Harry! I don't want to give any of the story away, but you learn his demise pretty early on, but when you get to the moment---have the Kleenex handy! I was heartbroken!

Violet. Oh, sweet Violet. Her story was a story of healing. I was rooting for her the entire book. I wanted so much for her. I was angry at how she was treated at one point. I loved her tenacity to uncover Harry's true story. I wanted a happy ever after for her.

I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend!

The Missing Pages is another beautifully written historical fiction novel by Alyson Richman. The story is told from the perspective of two protagonists, Harry Elkins Widener, a Philadelphian book collector and graduate of Harvard who perished aboard the Titanic, and Violet, a grieving student at Harvard in 1992.

The novel is part mystery and part romance. Most of the novel takes place on the campus of Harvard at the Widener Memorial Library. However, my favorite parts of the novel were Alyson's detailed description of Harry's meetings with Ada, his love interest, in New York City, London and aboard the Titanic. I enjoyed the clever dialogue between these two characters and the descriptions of each historical location. It is clear that this was a well researched novel. I felt like I was present witnessing each event. Alyson's lyrical writing and brilliant choice of words brought each of these memorable characters to life.

At its core, this novel is about the power of love and the connections we make with others through the shared love of literature. Alyson (through Harry) captures a book lover's love of literature while strolling through the expansive library on the Titanic -- "Our books were clues into our souls. Every day, our lives were filled with obligations, formalities, and constrictions. But in our libraries, our thoughts -- our longings- had a place to breathe. In that scared vault we were free."

I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and books generally. Although it is only June, I know this will be the best historical novel I will read this year!

Thank you to Net Galley and Union Square & Co. for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available on October 14, 2025.