Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: The Lost Lovelies
SERIES: Standalone
AUTHOR: Vanora Lawless
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 266 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2026
BLURB:
Famed war correspondent Kit Lovely left Nova Scotia seventeen years ago under the crushing weight of a broken heart, swearing never to return. But after he receives an ominous letter from his new sister-in-law, Kit rushes back across the Atlantic, where he discovers their ransacked house tingling from mysterious magic. With his brother and sister-in-law gone without a trace, Kit’s left reeling. His own faulty magic can’t work a tracking spell, nor are the police much use. Desperate for answers, Kit has no choice but to turn to the very man who once shattered him.
Reserved mage Gus North is an expert PI specializing in missing persons cases. He’s also guarding a dangerous secret: he hails from a long line of talented blood magic users. When the only man he’s ever loved begs for help to find his little brother, Gus can’t turn him away. Not even with all the lies, and hurt, and lingering feelings between them clawing him up.
As they chip away at the case, their core beliefs about themselves, each other, and the world they live in unravel, exposing a deadlier enemy than either of them could have imagined.
After all, in a world of magic, not all monsters in fairytales are just stories.
THE LOST LOVELIES is an intensely emotional second-chance romance full of queer found family, mystery, and magic. Set in 1945 Halifax, Nova Scotia.
REVIEW:
After receiving a pleading letter from his sister-in-law, Canadian War Correspondent Kit Lovely heads home to discover his nearest and dearest missing. To find them, Kit needs the help of the one person he wants to avoid, Private Investigator Gus North. Years ago, Gus broke Kits’ heart. But needs must, regardless of the fallout.
Lost Lovelies is a tale packed with investigative action, secrets, unvoiced emotions, and misunderstandings that need to be aired. What encouraged me to pick it up was the combination of investigation, second-chance romance and the paranormal element in the form of Magic and Fae. I was thoroughly entertained by this page-turning tale. However, I felt a couple of things needed further explanation, which didn’t materialize.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Kit and Gus. Worldbuilding contained all the information needed to form a mind ‘s-eye picture and enough backstory for the various characters to give context and depth, without overdoing it.
Set towards the end of WWII, I enjoyed Kit’s insightful broadcasts. They not only provided a window to the war, but also Kit’s thoughtful mindset. He’s a good man, plagued by regrets, and his perceived broken magic that has shaped his life. Yet, back in Halifax, it is clear that he doesn’t enjoy navigating office politics. He’s a man in search of something that he has put aside to find his brother, at all costs. Despite earlier aspirations to travel, Gus is at home in Halifax. He fully intends to help Kit in any way he can and try to repair the damage of years ago. Both men have their circle of protective friends. I have to give a shout-out here to Agnes – totally badass.
There were a couple of areas where I felt explanations were cut short in favor of the big finish. It is a shame that the chosen route was taken when a slightly longer but more satisfying road was available. The overall impact on the tale was minimal, but I’m not keen on finishing standalone stories with questions.
RATING: 
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