The Lost Lieutenant (Serendipity & Secrets)

Loved every minute of The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch. It is my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more by her! I am thrilled to be binge reading this wonderfully engaging story AND The Gentleman Spy back to back!

What an amazing Regency tale. Two people completely at a loss for situations thrust upon them. A war hero Evan Eldridge, is given a title, that comes with a run-down estate, and a bride he felt obligated to marry. Diana Seaton has a marriage foisted upon her and doesn't know if she can trust her new husband. She trades in her cruel father and brother for an unknown husband.

Very engaging story! I could not put it down!

Quotes I enjoyed:
At the moment, he looked at Evan as if you were a stray mongrel sneaking into a pedigree kennel. Which was just how Evan felt.

Upon arriving at his dilapidated estate with his steward and former army friend, "We might as well advance, sir. " followed by the standard army answer "Retreat is not an option."

Nobility had more to do with character than birth. There were many who called themselves Noble because of their family tree, but Evan had nobility stamped all over him because of his character.

All his military said if you ever gave someone the opportunity to best you, you gave them a weapon to use against you. This was what love did to you. Made you vulnerable because the person you loved had enough of your heart to break it. He'd never trusted someone like that before, but now he needed to. Wanted to, even.

"The Lost Lieutenant" is a romance set in 1813 in England. Lieutenant Evan Eldridge saved a noble's life, but he can't remember exactly what happened due to a concussion. The Prince Regent makes him an Earl as a reward, but Evan wishes he could just go back to soldiering. He feels overwhelmed and that God must've made a mistake when allowing this to happen. Then the Prince further changes Evan's life by commanding him to marry Diana. She has an abusive father who uses her promise to take care of her sister's illegitimate child as a way to control her. She risks her new marriage if she brings the child with her, but the child's life is in danger she doesn't.

Both Evan and Diana were kind, compassionate people who cared about others, like the baby and discharged, wounded soldiers. Though they had misunderstandings and secrets to work through, they built each other up and supported each other's talents. Historical details about the war and the Prince were woven into the story and created suspense about the marriage working, potential social ruin, and a dangerous spy uncovered yet not remembered by Evan. There were no graphic sex scenes. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

In The Lost Lieutenant, Lieutenant Evan Eldridge is a soldier who unexpectedly saves the life of the Prince Regent’s godson. It earns him a title, an arranged marriage to the Duke of Seaton’s daughter, Diana, and an estate in disrepair – on top of his war injuries. While his body recovers, he still suffers from memory loss and flashbacks.

Diana’s abusive father tries to broker an arranged marriage that benefits his finances, but the Prince Regent makes other plans for Diana. When Evan realizes her father is abusive, he moves ahead with the marriage quickly. Will they be able to leave their pasts behind and embrace a future together?

Diana is caught between an abusive father and a stranger for her husband. She enters the marriage cautiously but wanting to make it a true marriage. Evan remains humble about his heroic actions, never clearly remembering exactly what he did to earn it, although his flashbacks give him glimpses. Will he recover his memories?

Vetsch pens an engaging novel filled with realistic characters, faith elements that are overpowering, historical narrative, and unexpected twists. Both Evan and Diana are on a faith journey as they learn to trust one another and accept God’s healing. The Lost Lieutenant is a clean historical romance, with some suspense thrown in. Readers will be eager for ther remaining novels, The Gentleman Spy, coming in July 2020, followed by The Indebted Earl in January 2021.

Disclaimer: Book reviews are written for books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, or authors. The author gifted me with a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review on it.

The Prince Regent was not exactly a man with whom I’d want to be friends. He was a womanizer, a glutton, a drunk, and a spendthrift. Had his marriage to a twice-widowed, Roman Catholic woman named Maria Fitzherbert been recognized, he would’ve been removed from the line of succession to the throne and the Regency era might’ve been vastly different. But I digress. What I’m trying to say is that the future George IV was not a popular person, and I wondered how he might be portrayed when I learned that he would be featured in the new novel by Erica Vetsch.

But even the worst of men has his friends. Enter the ghastly Seaton family; a father, his pathetic son, and a daughter whose only use is her inheritance. But the Prince Regent interrupts Seaton’s scheme when he strongly suggests the new Earl of Whitelock marries Diana Seaton, and everyone knows you don’t say no to the Prince Regent!

Let’s look at the negatives first. Vetsch’s first foray into Regency romance uses a couple of characters I’ve seen in other novels set in the same era. There’s the motherless daughter, the uncaring father, the scandal-causing rake who believes he can get away with anything, and the loyal employees. And the Prince of Wales, but that’s not Vetsch’s fault. The only portrayal of him I’ve liked was comedically played by Hugh Laurie back in 1987.

And the good stuff in The Lost Lieutenant? How about the sidekick, Marcus Haverly, who takes Evan under his wing and guides him through a social minefield? Given the timing of his first appearance, I did initially wonder if he was to play the “bad guy” role, but he stayed true to his character throughout. I had a couple of suspects for that role, but the real “bad guy” wasn’t on my radar. Even when he was revealed to readers, there was still suspense to be had in terms of what he might do and how he would be discovered. Also, I enjoyed reading about the renovations to the house Evan is given. I would’ve loved seeing the before and after pictures of White Haven!

Do I want to read future titles in the Serendipity and Secrets series? While I’m not sure I can put up with more of the obnoxious Prince Regent, the answer is yes. Besides, the next book in the series features my favorite character; the aforementioned Marcus Haverly. The Gentleman Spy is scheduled for release at the end of July and is available for pre-order.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog review tour, the words and opinions below are my own.

When I first saw this book I had to look twice at the cover. I had read The Earl’s Betrothal by Karen Tuft just the month before and was surprised by the covers being nearly identical. The stories have a few similarities as well.

Both heroes are soldiers recently returned to England after the Battle of Salamanca and both suffer from PTSD with recurring nightmares. There also are adorable tots in the stories and the main lady and gentleman are forced to wed under different circumstances. I firmly believe these are coincidental similarities as the rest of each book’s plot is unique. I hope you read both these elegantly written Regency novels.

Evan Eldridge is just a commoner. While recovering from a traumatic injury, he receives a request to appear before the Prince Regent as reward for saving the Prince’s godson. He has no recollection of most of the battle or saving Percival Seaton. The Prince doesn’t just offer him his appreciation but grants him an earldom as reward for his heroic deed.

At court, Evan meets the lovely Diana Seaton, Percival’s sister and the daughter of a duke, who is being introduced to the Queen as her entrance into Society. He is befriended by Marcus Haverly who is the second son of a Duke. With his new friend’s help and further assistance from the Prince, Evan is introduced into Society where he meets Diana again.

He also meets Percival whose lewd friend Viscount Fitzroy ruined Diana’s sister last Season leaving Catherine broken and with child. These rakes try to tempt Evan in joining them in their leacherous pursuits

“Surely such infidelity couldn’t be acceptable in a society so strict about everyone’s actions.”

After Catherine was compromised, her father sent her to the countryside to hide her shame. She begged Diana to raise the baby, Cian, as her own and protect him from the duke before she died shortly after giving birth.

The duke threatens to send the baby to an orphanage if Diana ever crosses his wishes. He schemes to get ahold of half of Diana’s inheritance her grandmother willed to Diana’s future husband.

Evan attends Almack’s the first time that same night upsetting the duke’s plans. Unaware of all the rules, Evan attempts to save Diana from the demeaning attentions of Fitzroy by drawing her into a waltz without permission. The Prince appears at this interesting juncture and unwittingly saves both Evan and Diana from censure through his approval. He is struck by new inspiration and “suggests” the Earl of Whitelock, Evan, propose to Lady Diana.

The Duke of Seaton is outraged by the proposal and the ensuing engagement. His anger and abuse terrify Diana. Evan is shocked the duke would strike Diana and insists they marry within seven days to protect her from suffering more abuse. Diana is afraid to trust any men after living with her father and half brother, Percival.

The Prince invites himself to their wedding feast and announces how rich Evan now is because of Diana’s inheritance. He also invites himself to visit the new Earl and Countess of Whitelock, Evan and Diana, at their country estate in a couple months time.

Diana hides her nephew in a basket when they leave for the countryside secretly removing him from the duke’s residence. She claims the baby is her maid’s child when he discovers her hungrily crying nephew.

The Prince’s impending visit makes it essential that Evan and Diana prepare their new home. The inheritance will be necessary to accomplish everything needed. Neither Evan nor Diana, nor Evan’s army friend, now employed as estate manager, are prepared for how derelict their new estate has become.

Evan’s worst fear is being sent to an asylum if anyone learns of his flashbacks, loss of memory, and nightmares. There is something mysterious about what he cannot remember that of course is vitally important.

Diana’s secret about the baby’s real identity is revealed abruptly one night. Before she finds the courage to tell Evan, the baby becomes deathly ill.

Just as things are beginning to improve, disaster shows up at Whitelock. The fate of many lives rests on the decisions Evan and Diana make.

I was joyfully surprised by The Lost Lieutenant! The painful episodes I anticipated were different than I anticipated. This tale of compassion, faith, endurance, and trust is an entrancing read. I hope you enjoy reading it!

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own. Full review with more quotes available at BookofRuthAnn.com

Pulls on your heart strings. Romantic with a little suspense. Those are the phrases I would use to describe The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch.
I’ve always been a fan of Erica’s western romances and now I can add her regency romances to that list. She brings the trials of being an aristocrat to life while weaving in a beautiful romance story.
I look forward to reading the other two books in the Serendipity and Secrets series

This is a new to me author and this book is a delight! One of my favorites of the past 6 months. I ordered the next two books in the series and I look forward to enjoying the couple of days reading them!!

4.5 stars
"No French soldier, no cannon fire, no smoke or broken, bleeding bodies. He wasn't on the battlefield . . . He wasn't fighting for his life. He was in the hospital. Still."

Evan Eldridge is suffering from terrible wartime flashbacks, insufferable nightmares and has no recollection of the battle that could have easily ended his life, rather than his career; making him wonder if some will deem him insane. Instead, to his complete astonishment, Evan is recognized by the Prince Regent as a hero, being awarded a title, property and a lovely, young bride. . . . . who is bringing secrets of her own into their union.

"What would it be like to live in a peaceful, happy home, where people were kind and treated one another with respect? Did such a household even exist?"

Diana Seaton has been viewed as a valuable commodity by her father for quite some time, but on the eve of being "sold to the highest bidder", she is suddenly paired with the newly titled Earl of Whitelock. The new earl seems like a kind man, but Diana's only experiences with men have not been pleasant ones, and yet as she is being whisked away to a new life, Diana makes a rash decision; the consequences of which have the potential to dramatically change the course of her new family's future. What has she done?

Allow the magnificence of this story to settle in, for readers will not only develop an instantaneous bond with Evan and Diana as they carefully navigate the dangerous relationship thrust upon them,
but they will also appreciate the carefully crafted surrounding cast, several of whom do not have the newlywed's best interests in mind. Conversation by conversation, hurdle by hurdle, one misunderstanding at a time; two solitary hearts cautiously tiptoe toward a union of hearts, and it's a beautiful thing to behold.

Fans of Regency and Marriage of Convenience stories will be delighted by this tale of a hero -- who can't remember the event that made him a hero -- and a woman with her own secrets united by the Prince Regent's wishes.

Guys, I really enjoyed this one even more than I expected, and I had high expectations. I loved the mystery, the complex connections, and oh my goodness, the relationship development between Evan and Diana. They both had so much to learn in those early days, and Erica Vetsch handled it so well. This was the type of story that shows marriage as it can really be, not all rainbows and butterflies. Watching these two learn each other's strengths and to play off of them was so heart-warming. I loved this story so much, I went ahead and bought the second book and read it as soon as it arrived in the mail.

I highly recommend this book to readers of the Regency era, marriages of convenience, and complex plots mixed with danger and intrigue.

"Love was more than regard, more than trust, more than companionship. It was getting everything without reservation, without secrets."

A friend gifted me The Lost Lieutenant because she knows I adore Regency era stories. Well, this one was an incredible tale! I was captivated from beginning to end. My emotions went for a wild carriage ride that came to a spectacular happily ever after ending. I'm looking forward to the next book in this exciting series filled with intrigue and blessings. There's a sneak peek of The Gentleman Spy at the end and oh my....Marcus Haverly is going to be amazing.