Sylvia's Lovers is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century, set in the late 18th century in the coastal town of Monkshaven, England. The story revolves around love, social class, and the lives of those involved in the whaling trade. The protagonist, Sylvia Robson, begins the story with a desire to own her first new cloak as she goes into town with her friend Molly Corney. At the same time, a sense of unease looms over the town due to the press-gang, an enforced recruitment system during wartime. As news of the sailors’ return spreads, tension in the town rises. The novel unfolds through the struggles of the characters as they navigate the conflicts between personal desires and societal pressures.

I. MONKSHAVEN
II. HOME FROM GREENLAND
III. BUYING A NEW CLOAK
IV. PHILIP HEPBURN
V. STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG
VI. THE SAILOR'S FUNERAL
VII. TETE-A-TETE.?THE WILL
VIII. ATTRACTION AND REPULSION
IX. THE SPECKSIONEER
X. A REFRACTORY PUPIL
XI. VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
XII. NEW YEAR'S FETE
XIII. PERPLEXITIES
XIV. PARTNERSHIP
XV. A DIFFICULT QUESTION
XVI. THE ENGAGEMENT
XVII. REJECTED WARNINGS
XVIII. EDDY IN LOVE'S CURRENT
XIX. AN IMPORTANT MISSION
XX. LOVED AND LOST
XXI. A REJECTED SUITOR
XXII. DEEPENING SHADOWS
XXIII. RETALIATION
XXIV. BRIEF REJOICING
XXV. COMING TROUBLES
XXVI. A DREARY VIGIL
XXVII. GLOOMY DAYS
XXVIII. THE ORDEAL
XXIX. WEDDING RAIMENT
XXX. HAPPY DAYS
XXXI. EVIL OMENS
XXXII. RESCUED FROM THE WAVES
XXXIII. AN APPARITION
XXXIV. A RECKLESS RECRUIT
XXXV. THINGS UNUTTERABLE
XXXVI. MYSTERIOUS TIDINGS
XXXVII. BEREAVEMENT
XXXVIII. THE RECOGNITION
XXXIX. CONFIDENCES
XL. AN UNEXPECTED MESSENGER
XLI. THE BEDESMAN OF ST SEPULCHRE
XLII. A FABLE AT FAULT
XLIII. THE UNKNOWN
XLIV. FIRST WORDS
XLV. SAVED AND LOST