I am very familiar with the Biltmore as I live fairly close to it. This was an interesting story. I loved how the author described the beauty of Appalachia.

Though the concept of this was so interesting, I found myself struggling to maintain interest. The dual timeline and very detailed description of weaving and cloth work was confusing and hard to follow without any background knowledge. This story was beautifully written, but slightly dry and left me wanting more of a connection with the characters.

Sarah Loudin Thomas has given her readers a wonderfully heartwarming story with These Tangled Threads. The author takes us to the late 1910s and early 1920s Asheville, North Carolina, the workings of the Biltmore Estate, and the lives of three young people who live and work there. The characters are realistic and easy to relate to. As the past catches up to these individuals, the future seems dismal and troublesome. The theme of forgiveness is strong throughout, not just forgiving others but learning to forgive oneself. Romance blooms. Relationships heal as the characters begin to see the miracles of hope and love that cover a multitude of sins. These Tangled Threads is a book I didn't want to end. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

Loved reading a “Biltmore” book that gives a glimpse into the lives of those surrounding the Vanderbilts, instead of focusing on the Vanderbilts themselves. Good faith element.

I loved this inspirational novel that takes place in a beautiful Appalachian setting. Even though the main character Lorna made some serious mistakes that harmed others for her own self gain, she was able to redeem herself and make it right. I loved how the other characters were able to forgive her and extend grace to her. Because it takes place over several years, all the characters grew and learned important life lessons, which I enjoyed.

This story, set in and around the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, fascinated me just because of the historical significance. But the characters & setting display such cultural richness that I immediately loved immersing myself in them. It was a little bit complicated switching between the timelines simply because there wasn’t as much time between them as one might normally see in a classic split time format, but rather it was more like pulling back the curtain to peek into the recent past to see how deeply it affected the present. The art form of weaving was such a delight, and I loved learning about it from Lorna‘s perspective. Perhaps it’s a reminder to cherish friendship, to be true to oneself, and to trust in the journey. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Lorna Blankenship, orphaned as a young adult, makes her way in the Biltmore Industries company due to her skill at weaving. She is an expert in the technical work of the job and she loves the creations that result. She is challenged, however, with the artistic side of the work. Her long-time friend, Gentry, is a master woodworker who understands the need for artistry and craftsmanship. He has pined after Lorna for years. But, he bides his time and stays in her life as a devoted friend. The youngest character is Gentry who lost her mother at a young age and grew up under the reluctant guardianship of her crusty grandfather. She is relieved to have escaped that household when she takes a job in the weaving business under Lorna’s tutelage.


The story slips into three different time periods. Each one is cleared marked on the chapter, though I found that we did a lot of moving between the time periods. Forgiveness, self-awareness and the love of family, no matter its make-up, are themes of the book.

I was delighted to get an Advance Reader Copy of this book for review, just prior to my family’s trip to visit the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, the area where this story was set. While there, we visited the Antler Hill Barn area near the Village Hotel and Winery, and I discovered some nice displays about woodworking and weaving and the history of Biltmore Estate Industries, including tools of the trades on display. Pretty cool to see all that while in the midst of reading a story about characters directly involved in this history!

The book itself is well written, engaging, and all around fun to read. This book features the kind of thought provoking depth I like to find in Christian fiction. The characters are complex, in a good way, and have a lot of mistakes and hurts to work through, and realizations to make over the course of the story.

I think it could work well for book groups, especially given that the publisher has made a book club guide available, complete with discussion questions and a craft project idea!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an Advance Reader Copy of this book through NetGalley for review purposes.

Like a handwoven fabric, the story in These Tangled Threads took time to form and held complexity. I confess, Gentry’s attitudes and Lorna’s actions early on made it difficult for me to like them and be invested in their narratives. The time jumps and character switches also added to my disconnect. However, my admiration of Sarah Loudin Thomas’ prior novels compelled me to continue reading. Within the pages, I found well-crafted prose and pleasing depth as the story explored guilt, shame, alcohol addiction, and family dysfunction. These hard topics were offset by kindness, faith, forgiveness, and generosity which added a heartwarming feel.

Since reading These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I’ve started examining cloth – skirts, blankets, scarves, etc – trying to determine the warp and the weft. Early on, the author introduced the process of handweaving cloth, an essential element of the story. With so many terms and steps, I found it necessary to watch a video to understand the procedure; however, learning about this subject fascinated me and it was my main takeaway from the novel. Although These Tangled Threads is not my favorite book by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I’ll continue reading her books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book. I enjoyed it a lot!

An interesting tale following a weaver and her accomplices. The story jumps around a lot and this can be a little confusing, especially with three different points of views. The storytelling and voice of the author is enthralling and I enjoyed her writing style. I also enjoy viewing the world through a weavers eyes. The slow romance is a sweet relief from all the quick ones in most books. I enjoyed and appreciated this story, especially with the complicated relationship developments.

These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas

These Tangled Threads opens with Mr. Vanderbilt admiring young eight-year-old Arthur’s carving in the West Virginian home of his guardian, the Reverend Swope. As time marches on, Arthur grows into a skilled woodworker on Mr. Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate and faces each day with longing for family and unrequited love. Lorna, a master weaver on the estate, faces each day with the weight of loss and regret.  Gentry faces each day with the hurt of abandonment. Follow these three as their lives intertwine and tangle as they each work to build their futures against the backdrops of pain. But how will their past weave beauty into their future?
Sara Loudin Thomas captures the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the iconic Biltmore Estate. She transports the reader to the local artisan workshops where Lorna is a master weaver, and Gentry is her student. Arthur works nearby as a master carpenter. Her writing is true to the heart of her characters’ culture and community.  This tale is one of friendship, love, and resilience. These Tangled Threads is a charming tale that will make you want to step into Arthur, Lorna, and Gentry’s world and stay for a short while.

I was especially excited to pick up this read for the Biltmore/Asheville setting; I visited there for the first time in November '23, and loved it. The setting proved the highlight for me, and I geeked out several times at mentions of places I'd been.

I struggled with the three narrators and multiple timelines, though, finding it confusing and draining to keep track of after a while. Thomas writes well, and I did enjoy the characterizations--but sometimes Lorna, in particular, was done too well--painted too effectively as, frankly, an annoying character. I found her hard to relate to and was too impatient to keep reading and dig into her motives for passing off others' work as her own; my sympathies waned quickly. So, for now, a DNF.

Apparently I DNFed another book by the author back in October 2020--but I didn't leave a review, LOL. So, who knows what happened there--but note to self re: whether I'll pick up a third book.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Sarah Loudin Thomas but will not be my last! These Tangled Threads is a beautiful story of forgiveness and moving on. I love how Ms. Thomas wove together the stories of Lorna, Arthur and Gentry. I will be looking for more by this author soon!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 2 April 2024

Biltmore Castle is a wonder. I’ve visited the estate several times over the last forty years. Each time I visit I learn new things. I’ve read several books about the people of the estate and whose hard work and dedication made Biltmore thrive.
I loved all the weaving stuff. I’m not a weaver but thread and thread and tapestry work have always interested me.
There are 3 stories intertwined: Arthur, Lorna, and Gentry.
I loved Arthur. He was so patient and accommodating and my heart broke for him over and over until he finally got his heart’s content.
I barely tolerated Lorna for most of the book. She finally Improves by the end but I seriously considered tossing her into a loom.
Gentry was a hurricane ready to erupt. She finds her way and her story is compelling.
Set against the shadow of Biltmore, this story tells of everyday people whose craft and art were finally acknowledged and rewarded.

Sarah Loudin Thomas has become one of my favorite authors. Her gift with words is amazing and I always look forward to her latest release. This book is historical fiction focused on the years 1915 to 1924 set in Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. There is a wonderful cast of characters that are well developed ... especially Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry. I enjoyed learning about weaving and the looms. In fact so much so, that I researched the topic and watched several videos.

This story will have your heart aching as you experience loss, the negative consequences of choices made, and the result of being abandoned or being made to feel unworthy. By the end of the story, you are cheering Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry on as they struggle to find their place in life and grow into mature individuals who see their worth ... in the eyes of others as well as God.

The focus on faith and Christian values was not over the top and allowed you to see how God was working in each of their lives. The history of the Vanderbilt family and the personalities of some of the family members was interesting. As someone who has visited the Biltmore Estate several times in my life, I could visualize the town and the house.

So many threads are tangled in this tale ... from Lorna’s tangled mess of lies to the tangled threads of reaching out to an estranged family member and how he struggles with his feelings for Lorna to the tangled mess Gentry experiences on her quest to find fulfilment and satisfaction. For the whole mess to be untangled through love, hope, forgiveness, restoration, discovering that God’s plan will come to fruition in His own time, and finding family amidst a group of random individuals will bring a smile to your face as you savor the last word, closing the book with a sign of satisfaction and a smile on your face.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

He marveled, uncertain how the tangled threads of their lives had come together to create this gorgeous pattern."

Another outstanding book! These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a story that is woven with the threads of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Ashville, North Carolina.

The story follows Arthur, a woodworker and Lorna, a weaver who work for Biltmore Industries and Gentry as we witness the intricate weaving of their hearts, the abandonment of others and choices that they made. A well written story rich with forgiveness, second chances, grace, and mercy.

I enjoyed the attention to detail, I could see the colors of the threads that Lorna was weaving into something beautiful, the mountains with the sunrise and sunset. My aunt was a weaver and the time and patience that goes into weaving is incredible, the talent that Lorna had was unique. Family is not always those through blood but can be others that you share incredible bonds with like the characters in the story that withstand the test of time.

These Tangled Threads, by Sarah Loudin Thomas, is a very interesting Christian historical story that focuses on the craft of fabric weaving and the weavers that make the fabric. I enjoyed reading this story and tried to imagine how the thread could make up the designs within the fabrics. This is a well written story with interesting characters. However, I did struggle in the beginning with how the story changed from one date to another, but quickly adjusted and enjoyed the story a lot. Not only do we read of the art of fabric weaving, the story touches on wood working.

There are points in the story that touched on sensitive topics such as child neglect, family issues, prostitution, and alcoholism. I appreciate how the author has included these topic in the story to show the strength the characters have and why they do some of the things they do. I so appreciate the way Gentry thought of her music helping the women where she played. I appreciate how the story also focuses on how Gentry and her mother were separated and how Gentry parted with the one thing she had left of her mother’s to find her. This is just a really good story to read.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

This is my first Sarah Loudin Thomas novel, and based on THESE TANGLED THREADS, it won’t be my last. Rich with beautiful prose, suspense, and reflective characters that develop in powerfully unique ways, it ticked all my boxes for a profound read.

THE STORY: Set in the early 1900s, a hidden betrayal divides three young friends living and working for the Vanderbilt conglomerate. Before them is the gorgeous Biltmore estate, but their lives are far from spectacular as they seek to find the beauty in the life God has given them.

These three young people, Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry were trained by the Vanderbilt’s artisans in traditional Appalachian crafts such as weaving and woodworking.

This story begins gradually with three POVs at different time periods. At first it felt disjointed, and I wasn’t sure what I thought. Then I looked at the title—THESE TANGLED THREADS—and I got it! Her writing technique gave me that sense of tangled life choices, making the journey all the more poignant! It also created a sense of suspense and mystery. The ending was surprising and—well—you’ll see.

Readers who love historical fiction with strong emphasis on characters who are flawed by life experiences thrust on them, will love this book. Yes, there is romance, but the true journey is one of overcoming and restoration. This story has depth and meaning that you’ll chew on for a long time after you close the book. Highly Recommended.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I loved this book! It was set near the Biltmore Estate, and surrounding areas in Tennessee. In addition to enjoying that setting, I enjoyed each of the main characters- Lorna, Arthur and Gentry. The book focuses on various years, the earliest being in 1916, the latest in the “present” of 1923 and 1924, and we got to see the changes in each main character.

What impressed me most about this book was that I was left feeling hopeful, and touched by the power of family. The author beautifully demonstrates the importance of letting ourselves be known- flaws and all. Doing so allows us to let others in and provide support and love. We all stumble and make mistakes, but we also are all “forgiving and forgiven.” The tangled threads of our lives can all come together, through love, forgiveness, patience and family.