The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch

The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch is the first in her Serendipity & Secrets series. A fresh take on the marriage of convenience trope, the novel features Lieutenant Evan Eldridge, who has saved the life of the Prince Regent’s godson and is given an earldom as a reward. But the Prince Regent isn’t satisfied with just that reward, and before he knows it, Evan is married to the Prince Regent’s goddaughter.

Because no one says no to the Prince Regent.

The characterization is impeccable. Evan and Diana jump off the page. They’re real, they’re relatable, and they’re root-worthy. Vetsch grabs you from the first line and thrusts you into Diana’s world and Evan’s recovery. She sends you on the journey with them, and you don’t just witness their setbacks, you feel them. While I didn’t always agree with Diana’s and Evan’s decisions and subsequent reactions, I could understand why they did it, and that’s important. Their backgrounds are fleshed out enough that you can see how the abuse affected Diana. How the war affected Evan. And how they’re unprepared for the new life given them.

The plot is interesting. If you’re not already intrigued by a soldier becoming an earl overnight, there’s a mystery, secrets, and a rundown manor that has to be repaired before the Prince Regent’s visit. Not to mention the fact that Evan can’t remember something important. And if he doesn’t, someone could end up dead.

Talk about suspense!

Vetsch manages to keep you on your toes and keeps you guessing. She does a great job of using her supporting characters to add intrigue and humor as well as give the main characters the push they need. (My favorite is Marcus, Evan’s society “tutor” and friend.)

I loved this book, ya’ll. I was engrossed in it from the moment I read the first line, and I stayed up way too late reading it. But it was worth it! If you love Regency romances, marriage of convenience tropes, and historical romance in general, you’ll love this book.

Further information

To check out The Lost Lieutenant for yourself, click the image to order it from bookshop.org (a website that supports local bookstores). This fantastic book releases today.

For more on Erica Vetsch, visit her website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

For more Regency romance, check out my reviews for Kristi Ann Hunter’s The Hawthorne House series.

Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.