For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the
transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of
her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that
bring out a woman's best qualities. She knows she's fortunate to have landed a
job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New
York City. Yet when Nell's fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her
back from the limelight, claiming the stammer she's had since childhood reflects
poorly on her and his salon.
But it seems Nell's gift won't be
hidden by Oscar's efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her
out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity
for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her
childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But
thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two
directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and
what her dream truly is.
Carla Stewart is the award-winning
author of four novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to
take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called "home."
She and her husband live in Tulsa and have four adult sons and six grandchildren
(with one on the way!).
MY REVIEW:
This was such a great book and I think the thing I loved about it most was the time period and the creativity of Nell. I really haven't read many (if any) books set in the 1920's and this was really interesting to me. I loved how the author included many of the sayings of the time - some I had never heard! It just made it so much more real. Nell and her two roommates were typical girls of the 1920's and their conversations just really tickled me. It really added depth to the story.
Nell is a hatmaker and I really loved how she would be sketching late into the night to put her ideas down. I could really relate to this and how she wanted to make things of beauty for women to wear. The fact that Nell is from Britain also made me love this story. I do love all things British! I love when Nell travels from New York back to her homeland of England.
There was a romance story to this book, however, it really took the back burner and I actually liked that! It was so fun and interesting to read about Nell's work and her family that I really didn't miss the romantic side of the book at all. I found it more interesting to read about her relationships with her family and friends. Her working relationship with her boss was important as he forces Nell to make a very important decision in her life.
This book was just so enjoyable! I had a hard time putting it down and I always love a book like that. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
Blessings - Julie
Awesome review.
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