The Seamstress of Arcadie is a lovely story set in the Middle of the 18th century. Arcadie was a French-Canadian colony, now known as Nova Scotia, and was in a state of almost constant conflict with Britain from its inception.

The novel tells the story of Sylvie, a French-Canadian seamstress, and Will, a Scottish Ranger who ware caught in the conflict over the land. It is a sweet, heartfelt cross-cultural romance. An enemies-to lovers’ tale of loss, forgiveness and two people trying to build a life together in a new world.
I have read a few of Laura Frantz novels, but I think that this was one of my favourites. It covered a historical setting that I’m not familiar with, and avoided a lot of the stereotypes which annoy me to create interesting, complex characters.

Thanks to Revell for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinions which are freely given and my own.

Has Laura Frantz ever failed to enchant me? ever failed to illuminate worlds lost to our generations with the glow of hope and romance? ever failed to breathe life into stories of wonder and adventure that captivate and enthrall?

I think not.

The Seamstress of Acadie is one such book. Frantz took a place that exists only in history books and revived it with the tip of her pen, weaving joy and light and love into something that should have been dark and desolate. I’ve come to expect this level of excellency from Laura Frantz ever since I first read A Moonbow Night off my computer screen on a lazy afternoon. Though I didn’t realize it then, reading ebooks for the first time at age thirteen, how integral her works would become to my own writing and how much I would treasure them for years to come, I see now how Temperance and Sion were only the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

I’m loathe to compare an author’s books to each other, because I know how confusing it can be, but I simply can’t help myself this time. Unlike The Rose and the Thistle—last January’s release—The Seamstress of Acadie felt nostalgic. Even as it explored something uncharted and unique, it hearkened back to Frantz’s previous novels. The plot was reminiscent of A Bound Heart, but more evenly paced, and it combined elements of The Colonel’s Lady and An Uncommon Woman, so much so that I felt transported back into those stories, into my hours reading of Cass and Roxanne and Tessa and Clay. And then the way Frantz wove Sylvie and William’s story into Henri and Esmee’s from A Heart Adrift…oh, how I squealed when my beloved Henri and Esmee waltzed across the page!

Yes, it was nostalgic. It was reliving all the best moments of Frantz’s many lovely works—and I drank it in.

This is such an atmospheric story. From the opening lines to the final words, Frantz painted the wilds of Acadie with vibrant shades and sealed each page with the scent of apple blossoms and chocolate. It astounds me how she was able to place me into the thick of this story.

And the way it all unfolded…oh, my heart could barely take it! From the twists and turns of the plot to the delicate dance of Sylvie and William, reading this story was like watching a ballet—beautiful, stirring, inviting you in until your heart beat in time to the music and every breath followed its cue.

The only thing I adored more than Sylvie and William, their enemies-to-lovers romance, their personal journeys to find peace and hope…was Bleu. I genuinely cannot put into words how phenomenal a character he was. From his first introduction through to the end of the story, I was searching for the next appearance of his name on every page. I need his story. Desperately.

Apart from the utterly fabulous Bleu, Sylvie and William were simply precious. I was moved on their behalves and so invested in their stories. The sole element that disconnected me was Sylvie’s hardness—perhaps that is the word I’m looking for. There never seemed a time where she truly grieved and expressed emotion over the loss of her family. Oh, she always mourned for Acadie and the life she had there, but sadly I didn’t feel like the same attention was paid to her family.

Regardless, Frantz once again succeeded in creating a story that felt sensual and alive. As though I could reach out and touch it and be enveloped by the blooming apple trees and unforgiving frontier and war-torn lands. Frantz makes history an experience, not just a memory, in every book. She personifies the frontier and forgotten ages through her strong and relatable characters. She reminds us of the souls long since gone who were marked by wars and storms and loss and yet left their mark of love and hope on this grief-laden world.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Loved this. I’ve really enjoyed everything by this author. She’s an autobuy author for me. I love how every one of her stories is completely different from the others but you can still feel she’s the author. A very strong voice - one I really enjoy.

Engaging from the first page, this beautifully descriptive story reaches deep to the heart. It tells of a fascinating part of history of which I knew little. Sylvie has a perfect life on Acadie until she becomes a victim of the selfish endeavors of men. After suffering tragedy upon tragedy, Sylvie slowly makes a life for herself, though she dwells on the past and fears the future. She gradually begins to see the hand of God guiding her life, bringing about good things from heartache.

The characters, main and side alike, are captivating and alive with emotion and conviction. Sylvie and Will are true heroes, triumphing over prejudice and difficulty. I enjoyed every page of this story and highly recommend it.

I received an advanced reader copy. This review is my honest opinion.

I greatly admire Laura Frantz as an author, but despite her talents I had trouble connecting with "The Seamstress of Acadie". Frantz's prose is enjoyable, but I struggled to develop concern for the characters. They were passably likeable, and they endured several harsh trials, but I kept waiting for my interest in them to engage. Unfortunately, it never did. I also found the development of the relationship between the main romantic characters to be somewhat lacking. As a fellow Christian I appreciated Frantz's inclusion of issues of faith, as well as the family-friendly content. It also is very apparent that she conducted much research on the period prior to writing. Although I found the narrative to be somewhat forgettable, the historical content was very educational. I'm pleased that I now know more about the Acadians and their plight. However, I cannot give "The Seamstress of Acadie" a rousing recommendation as a novel.

As I consider Laura Frantz a friend, I will not be posting this review to public websites. I do not want to offer negative press. I maintain that she is a talented writer. For some unknown reason this story just did not resonate with me.

"Snowflakes struck her heated cheeks, seeming to sizzle rather than melt. Had she a fever? The apothecary was not far, but its shutters were closed. She took another step, light-headed again, her mouth bone-dry. And then her white world narrowed to a tiny pinprick of light as her knees buckled and she pitched into the frozen street." These were my favorite lines from Laura's novel. I knew so little of Acadie, a tiny pinprick of light, so this novel opened my eyes and my heart. Laura's lyrical writing added beauty in the hard. As usual, Laura did not disappoint.

Native Nova Scotians, Acadians of French descent, were forcibly removed from Canada to both the middle colonies of the US and other to what is now Louisiana. Due to the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War, the British moved these agrarian families away from their homes and do completely different regions.

The main character, Sylvie, is a seamstress by trade. She is deported and ends up in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her brother Bleu works for the resistance. In Acadia, he is hunted by William Blackburn, a leader and British Army Ranger. As the war continues and the exiles begin, William finds himself in disagreement with the exportation of the Acadians.

I enjoyed this slice of history from Acadia into the Virginia colony. It was interesting to follow Sylvie and her family during this unfair, unsettled time.

This wasn't my favorite by Frantz. She's a master at writing stories set in 18th Century America, and her novels are obviously well researched. Her passion for the era shines in her writing. But there was something about this book that just I just couldn't get into it. It wasn't a bad read, just not one of my favorites by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A very different book about a time in history I had not previously thought about. The characters were good and the story very believable. Sparked my interest to learn more about this time in history.

The Seamstress of Acadia, by author Laura Frantz, is an engaging historical romance. The book is set in the mid-1700s in Acadia, now known as Nova Scotia. As the English invaded Acadia during the war with France, the peaceful French Catholic Acadians had to relocate south, to parts of the United States. I enjoyed how the author tells of this little-known (to me, at least) part of North American history. The author brings to life a turbulent time with nuance and sensitivity. Her style of writing flows well, and the reader can easilly relate to the to realistic struggles that her characters have. Sylvie, well-known for her sewing skills, is one of those forced to relocate. Although her journey was challenging and heartbreaking, she remains strong throughout. Along with a captivating historical tale, there is a lovely romance as well. The Seamstress of Acadia is a book not to be missed. I was given a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

"If only we could live in peace," she whispered vehemently. "We are neutrals. We only desire to farm and raise our families and honor God. This we have done for the past one hundred and fifty years. We want no war, no forts, no boundary lines. No trouble."
"There will be no peace until every Acadian signs an unconditional oath of allegiance to the English crown,"
"The Acadians must be transported to some place where mingling with our subjects, they will soon lose their language, their religion, and the remembrance of the past." Governor Richard Philipps.

Laura Frantz always has a knack for writing riveting, beautifully heartbreaking stories with characters that touch your heart. You can always see how much research goes into her stories. And, The Seamstress of Acadie highlights these skills to perfection. She manages to tell the story of Acadie, a heartbreaking part of our history. The Acadian people were neutrals. They didn't want to fight for France or England. They literally wanted to farm their land and live their lives. Their only crime was that they refused to sign an unconditional oat of allegiance to the English crown. Because of this, they were expelled from their lands and set adrift on ships. Many died before reaching land. The ones who survived found that none of the colonies really wanted to take them in. I loved Sylvie and her family and felt every bit of her heartbreak at losing her home and everything she'd always held dear. William Blackburn, based on the real life historical figure, Major Robert Rogers who founded the Rogers' Rangers, was such a strong, principled character, determined to do the right thing, no matter what it cost him. Once he sees what the British are doing with the plan to expel the Acadians, he steps down from his post and goes about trying to help them find their way in their new home. I'd have liked if there could have been done with the storyline with Dr. Boudreau. He's such a slimy character but introduced some intrigue that I found interesting. There were some real twists that surprised me and I truly enjoyed every moment of this story. I've always found the story of Acadie to be fascinating and heartbreaking so reading more about the people and this event was right up my alley.

So lovely! I never, ever miss a Laura Frantz book—her lilting wordsmithing, gentle and atmospheric storytelling and lovely characters never fail to burrow their way into my heart....and The Seamstress of Acadie is no different. She's got a forever place on my bookshelf.

p.s. If you're read past novels by Laura Frantz, there are some familiar faces from past books that find their way into this story. That was a fun surprise!

Set in the mid 1750s on Canada’s Acadian shore (now Nova Scotia) and in the Virginia Colony, The Seamstress of Acadie is an immersive experience with beautiful writing, shocking history, detailed descriptions of nature, and occasional French phrases.

I learn history from every Laura Frantz novel I read. This plot centers around the expulsion of the peaceful Acadians from their beloved land by British soldiers and the separation of families while forced to board ships bound for unknown destinations. This was sadly reminiscent of the abhorrent treatment of Indigenous Americans on the US frontier.

The story follows Sylvia Galant, a young woman and native Acadian, who survives the immense hardship of these events and finds herself alone in colonial Virginia, ill and struggling to find meaning in life. Over time, she develops relationships with a small group of people, including William Blackburn, a British Army Ranger she first believed was a leader of the injustices against her family and their neighbors.

Action, faith, and slow burn romance are key elements of this tale, and time and reality slipped away while I was reading it. Thank you to Revell for a review copy of this memorable novel; all thoughts are my own.

I know little about the history of Acadia so I find the books about it rather interesting. I also love the 18th century time period.
I did find this novel a slow read. I just couldn’t get invested in the plot, story line, or characters.

The Seamstress of Acadie
A Novel
by Laura Frantz
Pub Date 09 Jan 2024 | Archive Date 17 Feb 2024
Revell
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance
Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Seamstress of Acadie for review:
On Canada’s Acadian shore, tensions between the French and British are reaching a fever pitch as 1754 approaches its end. Sylvie Galant and her family, French-speaking Acadians who want to remain neutral, are caught between two forts flying opposing flags. The talk of unrest, war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger, raising havoc across North America’s borderlands predominates during the preparations for Christmas.
As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of imminent invasion. In order to avoid participation in the forced removal of the Acadians, he resigns his commission. But that won’t save Sylvie or her family. She struggles to pick up the pieces of her life after being relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia. Her path crosses once again with William’s, and they must work through the tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present.
I give The Seamstress of Acadie five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!

I really enjoyed The Seamstress of Acadie! Laura Frantz is a master at historical fiction. Her books will suck you in and you won't want to leave! I quickly became thoroughly engrossed in Will and Sylvie's love story which takes place in the mid 1700's starting in Canada then moving to Virginia. This is a wonderful clean romance and such a sweet read. I heartily recommend Laura's books if this is what you're in the mood for.

I also listened to the audio and love Pilar Witherspoon's narration.

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

Publication date: 9 January 2024

I've been a big fan of Laura Frantz since I was a teenager. I know I've also said this a million times, but I love her books, and I love the historical journey she takes the reader through. And this book is no different. It's got beautiful prose, and I never had to stop and roll my eyes about something said that was too far-fetched or historically inaccurate. So if you love history, you'll enjoy this.

The romance for this one was slight, but the leads for the most part, had pretty good chemistry. It starts out slow but picks up as it goes on with a hate-to-love relationship. Like I said above, Laura is one of my favorite authors, and this read came at a time, when I needed it most. Thanks, Laura! Looking forward to your next book.

Laura Frantz is among my favorite authors and was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest novel, The Seamstress of Acadie. I was far from being disappointed. I adored Sylvie and William's story. It was full of history, suspense, romance and adventure. I was engaged right from the start and had a hard time putting it down. If life's responsibilities did not get in the way, I would have had it read in one day. I loved it.

I would give The Seamstress of Acadie one hundred stars if I could. I have no doubt that lovers of historical fiction, particularly from the eighteenth century, will enjoy it as much as me. As always, I will be eagerly awaiting the next release from Laura Frantz.

I received a paperback copy of Laura Frantz's The Seamstress of Acadie from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

The Seamstress of Acadie is an excellent novel on so many levels. It is a sympathetic and emotional portrayal of a people whose history has been either forgotten or hidden from the rest of the world—except in certain areas such as the Maritime regions of Canada where Acadians first inhabited (and where I am from). They lived in what is today New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island and eastern Quebec. Currently, New Brunswick, the only official bilingual province, contains the largest remnant of Acadians in Canada. The population is one third francophone with 34% speaking both English and French. As a result, the Acadian culture is still very prominent there with a celebration of its food, music, language and festivals. If you venture to the French parts of New Brunswick, you will find it offers quite a pleasant experience. There is a joie de vie (joy of life) among the people that is celebrated fiercely and the enthusiasm is catching! I have enjoyed my visits there where the hospitality is warm and welcoming. These people have managed to preserve their nature loving holiday spirit despite their tumultuous history. This is often seen in their rollicking blue grass, country and western fiddling events.

The French first settled in North America in a territory they called ‘Acadie’ on Saint Croix Island in the early 1600s, a place that sits between Canada and United States on the St Croix River at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy (the divider of the two countries in the area of northeastern Maine and southwestern New Brunswick). The Acadians’ first winter was disastrous with many dying from scurvy. So, Champlain moved the community to a new location across the Bay of Fundy to Port Royal in Nova Scotia. In 1605, this location became the capital of Acadia until 1713 when the British took possession. The Treaty of Utrecht ceded the territory to Great Britain but the Acadians were allowed to keep certain lands. Of course, this was the beginning of much friction and sealed the fate of the Acadians and Mi’kmaq natives. As tensions escalated, the French built two forts: one being Fort Beauséjour. Later on, when asked to sign an oath to Britain: many Acadians refused as they were worried they might be called upon to fight against France. They also did not want to put themselves at risk and become enemies of the Indians. And they did not want to lose their faith/religion.

Laura Frantz’s novel initially focuses on Fort Beauséjour. A strategic site important in Acadie built in 1751 on the isthmus that is part of present day New Brunswick and connects with the province of Nova Scotia. Back then, though, the whole region was called Nova Scotia before it was divided in 1784 and became the two provinces of N.S. and N.B. But in 1755 when the French were defeated by the English, the Fort was taken over and everything changed in the lives of the Acadians.

Laura has done a beautiful job of presenting the conflicts and immersing us in the Acadian culture. Her research has served her well. She has shown us the anguish of a people being torn from the home they loved. With no say, they are loaded up on boats and shipped away. Eleven thousand and five hundred Acadians were forced from their lands, divided from their families, and in some cases— witnessed the burning of their homes. Many lost contact with their loved ones as they were deported and scattered to various British eastern seaboard locations. From New England to Georgia, many were put into forced labour or imprisoned.

When contemplating this horrific event, many of us will think of the romantic words of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who wrote of the fated lovers separated by the expulsion from their village of Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. Here is a quote from the Prologue of Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie. This poem captured the world’s attention, imagination and heart. And Laura’s novel certainly does the same and reiterates the mood reflected here.

Where is the thatch-roofed village, the home of Acadian farmers,
Men whose lives glided on like rivers that water the woodlands!,
Darkened by shadows of earth, but reflecting an image of heaven?
Waste are those pleasant farms, and the farmers forever departed!
Scattered like dust and leaves, when the mighty blasts of October
Seize them, and whirl them aloft, and sprinkle them far o'er the ocean
Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful village of Grand-Pré.

In Laura’s story, we get to know another young woman, seamstress Sylvie Galant, who is tender-hearted, resilient and full of courage. We follow her journey from the home she loves, the sweet scented apple orchards bathed in welcoming light, to the bowels and darkness of a ship shuddering across the waves to destinations she has never known. Here she must endure great suffering, after the loss and separation of her family and home. Her whole world has been shattered along with her security. Who can she trust? What will become of her? The trauma is heartbreaking but she manages to find an inner strength despite sometimes questioning her faith. And her seamstress abilities become a blessing that serve her well through some trying times. She encounters many people, some new and others from her past. William Blackburn re-enters her life: a man who initially seems to be on the opposite side but over time she realises he is also a victim who has been ‘wronged and wounded’. He does not support the expulsion and makes some major life and profession changes and becomes a positive force for the Acadians. With his help, Sylvie ends up in a place that shows great promise with other fellow Acadians: where she and they can heal and flourish. But, of course, there are conflicts and challenges she must overcome— including prejudice, kidnapping, jealousy and disease. When smallpox erupts, the Acadians try to stay together. Once again, William comes to their aid.

I was happy to see Sylvie find some happiness and a home. Her name really suits her. (It means spirit of the wood.) She loves being surrounded by fields and forests. As the text says: ‘Her whole being cried out for that.’ She thrives in her orchard: growing apples, cherries, peaches, pears and quince. This natural setting revitalises her. Although she has lost everything from her old world, she gains a new home in the new world along with a new perspective through a man who cares about the Acadians and tries to provide for them. The need for and finding a ‘home’ stands out in this quote: ‘Home. Were they not all looking for home?’

This novel kept me fully engaged at all times. The plot was well executed and the characters were exceptionally drawn. (Of course, I especially loved Sylvie and William!) It was easy to feel great emotions for these people who persevered through some pretty awful history. There are a number of brilliant bits of advice dotted throughout the story such as: ‘One’s contentment has more to do with one’s outlook than one’s circumstance’. This can make all the difference in the world to one seeking happiness. I also loved the verses listed at the beginning of each chapter (and scriptures throughout). They reflected beautifully on what followed. Many are my own favourite quotes, including those from various poets and writers.

I have only touched on a few things that make this novel a triumph as there is much to love about it. It was my first read by this author but now I want to buy Laura’s earlier books! (I’ve already started!) It was an honour to read and review The Seamstress of Acadie as it includes a page of history from my own home province in Canada. I highly recommend this thoughtful and inspiring story that will wrap itself around your heart (as it did mine) and never let go. 5 Stars for Creative Excellence ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Huge thanks to publisher Revell and Laura for a review copy.

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz will stick with you long after the last page is read. I actually have read two books since this one finished, and I find myself wandering back to it and wanting to know more about what happened after the story ended. When the Acadians are uprooted from their homes in Canada, they are forced onto ships by the English government and taken to the American colonies. Sylvie is a young woman who loses most of her family and must find her way. Will is a Scottish soldier who was working for the English government, but his conscious demands he leaves after the way the Acadians are treated. The two will find each other in Virginia and will discover that, even in the midst of heartache and pain, there can be great joy. I wish I could give it more than five stars. Thanks #NetGalley.