The Lost Letter: A Victorian Romance

A worthy debut historical romance set in Victorian England in 1860. It’s the story of Miss Sylvia Stafford, daughter of a baronet and a sought-after beauty in her first season. But when her father committed suicide, she is cut by her friends and forced to become a governess. Silvia is happy in her work but misses the life she had.

One day, the sister of the man she once loved, a colonel serving in India, shows up to plead with Silvia to come to visit her brother to save him from despair. Colonel Sebastian Conrad, now the Earl of Radcliffe, is horribly disfigured from a sepoy’s saber and hides away at his estate in Hertfordshire.

From the beginning, it is clear these two people are in love, but each believes betrayed by the other. Given the title of the book, I assumed it had to do with a lost letter and a misunderstanding, which proved correct.

A well-written story, the chemistry between the characters is good, the emotions well developed and the secondary characters (Sebastian’s valet and his sister) delightful. And, importantly, all comes right in the end.

Excellent, excellent Cinderella/Beauty and the Beast variation! This book hit all the right notes with me. The H was properly beastly at the beginning, but his internal monologues as he came to realize the truth were very satisfying. The h was just the right combination of humble and proud. The basic misunderstanding underlying everything was resolved fairly early on, much faster and more completely than I expected, but other complications filled out the rest of the book nicely. The dialogue and writing in general were first rate. I will be anxiously awaiting further books from this new author.

Sylvia Stafford, once a society diamond of the first water is left impoverished and shunned when her high rolling father takes his own life. She finds sustenance and a certain amount of peace as a governess with a kindly merchant's wife.
Unexpectedly coming into an earldom, Colonel Sebastian Conrad, badly scarred and emotionally tortured from the terror that was the Sepoy Rebellion, has withdrawn from any form of society, to his estates in Hertfordshire.
Sylvia and Sebastian had been in love. An understanding between them as Sebastian left for active duty in India was cut short when promises were not held to. Each feels betrayed and hurt.
Conrad's feather headed sister concocts a scheme to bring them together. Anything to have her beloved brother return from his self imposed hermit lifestyle.
However misunderstandings and broken promises seem to get in the way of any form reconciliation.
A pleasing read!

A NetGalley ARC

Sweet, clean regency romance. The characterization of the main characters, Sylvia and Sebastian, was nicely done, and background info was given as flashbacks that were clearly indicated. A nice read for a relaxing day. I didn't notice any jarring editorial errors or period anachronisms, so that was a definite plus also.

I'm a little irritated with Ms. Matthews. After reading the sample I decided to buy her book. That was earlier this morning. It is now 6 PM and I haven't gotten much accomplished this day finding it hard to put the book down. I had to find out how the issues between Sebastian & Sylvia would get resolved. The book left me with a smile on my face. It was a clean romance. It was short and sweet, just the way I like them. Thank you Ms. Matthews!

Oh my, what a truly beautifully written story! I easily devoured it in one sitting because I simply couldn't stop myself. Mimi Matthews borrows a bit from Beauty and the Beast and Persuasion, but her tale feels fresh and original. I was rooting for Sylvia and Sebastian from the first page, but that didn't stop me from being frustrated at their (very believable) misunderstandings.

I'm very happy to add Matthews to my "must read" authors list. And thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Wow, this book was amazing! I just loved everything about it. I was drawn in at the very beginning and didn't want to put it down. I loved all the characters with their unique personalities. I wished I could learn more about several of the minor characters - they intrigued me. The story was captivating. It expressed so many emotions through both the main characters.

A quick read full of love and misunderstandings, The Lost Letter was a predictable yet pleasant read! I enjoyed the genuine emotions portrayed by both of the main characters, and I could easily picture each scene with the author's excellent narration. I enjoyed the banter between the hero and his sister, especially, as I kept picturing Charlotte Palmer from the 1995 movie Sense and Sensibility. Although I believe her husband was not as enthralled as Julia Harker's husband seems to be!

Living as a governess ever since her father's devastating suicide, Sylvia Stafford has gotten used to the change from society darling to forgotten servant. That all changes when Lady Julia Harker comes calling, eager to bring Sylvia to save her brother from utter ruin. The only problem is that her brother is none other than Sebastian Conrad, once a colonel and now the Earl of Radcliffe, a man whom Sylvia had loved long ago. After sending him a letter that laid her heart at his feet, she received no response, and that combined with the censure of society upon her father's death ripped her heart in two. Sebastian is scarred now, blind in one eye and a recluse in his home. Seeing Sylvia Stafford is both a joy and a torment, as he recalls all the letters he sent to her that were never answered. With such misunderstanding between them, can they ever find true love again?

While I frequently wanted to jump in the book and shake the pair of them, I really enjoyed both Sylvia and Sebastian. Sylvia was such a quiet young woman who had been dealt several bad cards in life, and Sebastian had an injury so devastating that he was sure he would repulse Sylvia on first glance. It was lovely to see that she looked right past those scars and acknowledged the man beneath. If only that man weren't so stubborn! If they had just sat down and hashed it out, this book would have been over in just a few short chapters. Instead they go back and forth until finally the truth is revealed. Then it's a matter of seeing if their love survived all these years - and of course, it did.

Great book by Mimi Matthews! I am eager to read her next book, whatever it may be.

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this clean historical romance. It had a common Beauty and the Beast type theme of wounded hero meeting sweet, innocent heroine but with some original twists on that theme. I am glad that we did not have to wait until the very end to find out about the lost letter. I had a very hard time putting this book down to accomplish other tasks as I was so absorbed into the lives of the main characters. I definitely look forward to reading more books from Mimi Matthews.

I highly recommend this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It has a great story line and characters that draw you in. It was one that I didn't want to put down until I was finished. I hope this author does more like this. I received this book as an advanced copy for my honest opinions.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. This is a good historical romance book. The story is about a young woman whose privileged world is turned upside down when her father commits suicide. Its also about a young couple who meet, fall in love but don't tell the other one about their feelings and about a father determined to keep them apart. It is a good clean romance novel appropriate for about any age.

Based on the beautiful cover and catnip tropes – a wounded hero, opposites, second chance love – and its fairy tale premise, I had high hopes for The Lost Letter and I wasn’t disappointed. Mimi Matthews’ début novel is deeply romantic, and I enjoyed every (little) bit of it. Her principals are an appealing pair, and the circumstances that force them apart – just as they’ve fallen deeply in love – hooked me right away. On the downside, Ms. Matthews does her principals – and the story – a disservice by delivering neither a traditionally short novella or full-length novel, and it’s a missed opportunity. Secondary characters are underdeveloped, which is unfortunate for many reasons, but mostly because I liked them and wanted to know more about their backstories and motivations. The Lost Letter is a sweetly moving love story… I just wish there had been more of it.

Sylvia Stafford never thought she would end up in Cheapside working as a governess, but when her father lost everything in a game of cards and then took his own life, she had few other options. Destitute and alone – abandoned by fair-weather friends and without family to turn to – Sylvia became governess to the two young daughters of the merchant Dinwoody family. Treated fairly and with kindness by her employers, she’s spent the past two years trying (and failing) to forget the past and make peace with her new station in life. Unfortunately, her memories of Sebastian Conrad have been harder to forget.

Three years earlier, Sylvia fell deeply in love with Colonel Sebastian Conrad, the second son of the Earl of Radcliffe. She spent a heady season falling in love, but never confessed her feelings to him; when Sebastian was sent to India to help put down the Sepoy Rebellion shortly after their first kiss, Sylvia penned dozens of letters to him finally confessing her love and devotion. To her dismay, Sebastian never responded. Desperate for some sign of his affection, Sylvia continued to write even in the face of his rejection and in spite of her father’s (selfish) entreaties to find another, wealthier suitor. After her father committed suicide, Sylvia knew she would never see or hear from Sebastian again. Still hurt by his rejection but resigned to life as a spinster, Sylvia has made peace with the past and tried to forget Sebastian.

Unbeknownst to Sylvia, Sebastian returned to England badly wounded and with his face horribly disfigured. Upon his return, he learned his father and brother were dead, and that he was now the Earl of Radcliffe. But when his sister Julia swooned after seeing his injuries for the first time, Sebastian retreated to the family home in rural Hertfordshire, choosing to spend his days living in lonely isolation with only his valet (and former batman) Milsom for company. His only comfort is a lock of hair given to him by Sylvia Stafford the last time he saw her. Despite fond memories of the blissful weeks they spent together before he left for India – memories that helped him survive the horrors of war and a subsequent confinement after he was injured – he’s never forgotten Sylvia, or forgiven her for jilting him. Oops.

Fortunately, we have Sebastian’s much younger sister – the beautiful, meddling, Lady Julia Harker – willing and able to reunite this stubborn, lovesick pair, which she does with the help of the delightfully impertinent Milson. A relentlessly optimistic and hopeful Lady Julia becomes convinced that if she can bring Sylvia to Sebastian, her brother will be happy once again, and after a bit of digging, she tracks Sylvia to Cheapside and implores her to come with her to Hertfordshire.

Oh reader. Lady Julia is silly and ridiculous, and the premise on which this story unfolds is flimsy at best, but I liked it anyway! Sebastian and Sylvia cherish memories of their past (the flashbacks are a highlight), and Ms. Matthews does a wonderful job contrasting who they are with who they once were. When Julia arrives with a friend, Sebastian is irritated, but when he spots Sylvia, he’s shocked. Memories of Sylvia assail him… but unfortunately, in a comedy of errors perpetuated by his flighty sister, Sebastian mistakenly assumes Sylvia is only after his fortune. Resentful and hurt after her long ago rejection (and unaware of her father’s suicide), he’s rude, condescending and dismissive, treating her like the fortune hunter he believes her to be. Sylvia is similarly overwhelmed to see Sebastian again, and horrified by what he must have suffered. She isn’t horrified by him, but for him, and despite the pain of his long ago rejection she struggles to forge a friendship with him.

The Lost Letter relies heavily on one of my least favorite romantic tropes – the Big Misunderstanding – but Ms. Matthews doesn’t belabor it once our principals reunite in Hertfordshire. Sylvia reveals early on that she did indeed write to Sebastian, but Sebastian – shocked to learn Sylvia never jilted him – fails to tell her he never received her letters. I’m not going to tell you why Sebastian never received the letters (that little mystery is solved by Milsom), but his omission results in yet another misunderstanding that further delays a reunion between the couple. When Sebastian finally discovers what Sylvia wrote to him long ago, the letter overwhelms him and… well, this jaded romance reader may have shed a tear, too.

Sebastian, our “Beast,” and Sylvia, our “Beauty,” are a wonderfully opposite pair. It’s easy to see how they fell for one another, and once they finally reunite, sparks fly right away. I do wish Ms. Matthews had spent more time developing her principals, because even though I liked them and their relationship, and I sympathized with the circumstances that forced them apart – a credit to Ms. Matthews’ strong writing – we deserved more time getting to know them when they first fell for each other (before their lives changed so dramatically), and once they finally reunite and the truth behind their separation is revealed. I’m torn over my feelings for Lady Julia; she’s often inappropriate and ridiculous for a person in her position in Victorian era England, but I liked her anyway and am willing to overlook those faults. Lady Julia always has Sebastian’s best interests at heart, and despite his rebuffing her attempts to get close to him, she perseveres. It’s an oddly endearing sisterly love. I also enjoyed Milsom and his meddling… I don’t usually like ‘buddy valets’, but the relationship between these two men and their genuine affection for one another strikes just the right balance between friend and employer.

The Lost Letter, though short (too short!) is an emotionally satisfying second chance love story. It doesn’t break any new ground, but Ms. Matthews does a terrific job developing the attraction between Sylvia and Sebastian, and delivers a happily ever after that’s both romantic and believable. I’ll be looking forward to more from this promising new historical romance author.

How could this book fail? Our heroine is employed by an understanding mistress. Our hero was wounded in India. His sister is a charming busybody. Enjoy some time in Victorian England. And, yes, there's a lost letter .

There was some repetition at times, but I still liked this little book.

Content: clean
Language: There's some language, but I still consider the language clean
Religious: No

Happy reading!!

Sebastian and Sylvia were young and in love ?. When tragedy recalls Sylvia, she is all alone in the world ?. Julia, Sebastian 's sister, finds Sylvia for her brother despite, Sebastian 's protests. After three years, misunderstandings, tragedies, bitterness, and hopelessness, things do take a turn for the better for the couple ?. This is a standalone novel of love, hope, and romance. Sebastian and Sylvia are a couple that the reader will love ?.

What a lovely story! I've read stories about lost letters before, but this one is my most favorite. Why? The meddling matchmaking sister, Julia, made this a unique story that will go on my keeper shelf. It will be frequently revisited with fondness.

Sylvia Stafford, the only daughter to a profligate baronet, once met a gruff Army colonel, a second son to an earl, who stole her heart before being shipped off to India to serve. Three years have passed since she said goodbye to him. Two years have passed since the untimely death of her father and she has had an extreme reversal of fortune.

Sebastian has been elevated to the earldom due to the loss of both his father and older brother. He has been horribly scarred during his service to the Crown. Accordingly, he has isolated himself on his family's estate and closed his heart to all.

Enter his meddling little sister to interfere in both their lives without their consent to bring about a satisfying HEA. This story tugged at my heartstrings and made me chuckle several times. The characters were lovable and the misunderstandings made sense. I appreciate the manner in which the author unraveled the story. There were no shadowy villains keeping them apart in the present to mar the unveiling of the story.

I enjoyed the pace and plotting. Everyone in the story was just lovely. I can't wait until the release of the author's next book. I've already preordered it!

Sweet, clean regency romance. The characterization of the main characters, Sylvia and Sebastian, was nicely done, and background info was given as flashbacks that were clearly indicated. A nice read for a relaxing day. I didn't notice any jarring editorial errors or period anachronisms, so that was a definite plus also.

Wow, this book was amazing! I just loved everything about it. I was drawn in at the very beginning and didn't want to put it down. I loved all the characters with their unique personalities. I wished I could learn more about several of the minor characters - they intrigued me. The story was captivating. It expressed so many emotions through both the main characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this clean historical romance. It had a common Beauty and the Beast type theme of wounded hero meeting sweet, innocent heroine but with some original twists on that theme. I am glad that we did not have to wait until the very end to find out about the lost letter. I had a very hard time putting this book down to accomplish other tasks as I was so absorbed into the lives of the main characters. I definitely look forward to reading more books from Mimi Matthews.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. This is a good historical romance book. The story is about a young woman whose privileged world is turned upside down when her father commits suicide. Its also about a young couple who meet, fall in love but don't tell the other one about their feelings and about a father determined to keep them apart. It is a good clean romance novel appropriate for about any age.

Beautiful love story! !! The lost letter is a ☆☆☆☆☆ rating book. I Highly recommend this book.!!! Thanks to Netgallery for allowing me to review this free copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you’re a lover of Victorian Romance, you’ve got to add The Lost Letter to your TBR piles! I read this book really quickly because I just didn’t want to put it down. As is often the case, a misunderstanding has kept Sylvia and Sebastian apart for over three years. After an intensive hunt, Sebastian’s sister finds Sylvia and convinces her, by stretching the truth, to return to Sebastian’s home with her.

Sebastian is less than thrilled, to put it mildly, when they show up. He’s kept himself in seclusion in the years since his time during the war left him scarred horribly. But the more time that passes, the more Sebastian realizes Sylvia is tougher than he thought. She doesn’t run away from his scars. In fact, she embraces them. As Sylvia and Sebastian start to spend more time together, they realize that letters the two exchanged during Sebastian’s time in the war were “lost.”

I love Sebastian and Sylvia. They are such well-written characters. The story is fast-paced and will keep you reading. So much happens in a short span of time, but when you realize their love has never stopped, it is very believable. You’re going to love The Lost Letter!

If you've read the Matrimonial Advertisement then you've read the Lost Letter. Scarred soldier from war in India, both heroines reading Dickens, trite overused scene of h in dressing gown found by H in the library late at night, of course lots of misunderstandings...and on and on.