Hey everyone! Today I have a post that I've been almost bursting to share...The Dressmaker's Secret by Kellyn Roth is now available to purchase, and let me tell you, it's fantastic. I'll probably be using that word a lot in this post because I'm lacking all other words since I read this book's major plot twist last month as an ARC reader. Whew. Anyway, before I dive into the review, let's read the blurb. Make sure to stick around and enter the giveaway!
If they knew who she was, they’d never accept what she’s become.
Claire will stop at nothing to provide for her daughters. An unwed mother, she does everything possible to raise them whilst avoiding her scandalous past. Some secrets are best kept, even between mother and daughter.
Alice longs for a father, especially if that means her mother will be happy. She takes matters into her own hands—but she never expected what she finds.
Despite her efforts to shelter her daughters, Claire’s ghosts rise up to haunt her, and any semblance of control over her life vanishes. If her secrets are uncovered, what will become of her family?
Genre is Christian historical women's fiction. Era is 1870s (Victorian). Setting is England (London, Kent, Yorkshire).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series.
She founded the company Reveries Co. to help Indie authors achieve excellence affordably and without delay. Kell teaches writing through the Young Writer Lessons as well as privately and through her blog.
She lives in the country outside a small town in North-Eastern Oregon with her parents, two little brothers, conceited beta fish, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, and various cows and chickens.
MY REVIEW
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. The characters seemed so very realistic, the situations were reminiscent of a classic Regency novel, and the overarching themes were perfect for a story such as Claire's. While I don't want to spoil anything, I can say that the tricky situations that each character pushed through were dealt with from a wholesome perspective, one that is pretty realistic to the time period in which this is set.
I especially appreciated seeing the start of Ivy's character and the health struggles she dealt with -- and what surprised me the most (and endeared Alice to me completely) was how Alice's perspective was written. Ivy struggles realistically with health problems - if you've read the other books in this series, you probably already know that - and oftentimes, those struggles affect Alice too, and she knows it keenly. I just wanted to reach into the book and give them both a hug, okay?!!
*clears throat* Anyway --
Unraveling the mystery of Alice and Ivy's birth was one I definitely didn't see coming -- there's a series of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and curious. The final plot twist is kept under wraps until the last absolute second, but it's well-written and makes you go "Ohhh, THAT'S why!" about several instances in the book.
Finally, the prose for this book was also genuine and wonderful for the genre; readers of Austen and similar Regency authors will likely enjoy the first book in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. It's a definite must-read!
I especially appreciated seeing the start of Ivy's character and the health struggles she dealt with -- and what surprised me the most (and endeared Alice to me completely) was how Alice's perspective was written. Ivy struggles realistically with health problems - if you've read the other books in this series, you probably already know that - and oftentimes, those struggles affect Alice too, and she knows it keenly. I just wanted to reach into the book and give them both a hug, okay?!!
*clears throat* Anyway --
Unraveling the mystery of Alice and Ivy's birth was one I definitely didn't see coming -- there's a series of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and curious. The final plot twist is kept under wraps until the last absolute second, but it's well-written and makes you go "Ohhh, THAT'S why!" about several instances in the book.
Finally, the prose for this book was also genuine and wonderful for the genre; readers of Austen and similar Regency authors will likely enjoy the first book in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. It's a definite must-read!
GIVEAWAY
One winner will receive a paperback copy of The Dressmaker’s Secret and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Enter now!
Have you read The Dressmaker's Secret yet, or do you plan to? What's your favorite historical book?
Thank you so much for sharing, Michaela! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity & congrats on releasing this gorgeous book!!
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