Filled with both beauty and savagery, love and pain, this story dives into a sad history I was unfamiliar with.
It was hard to read and made me cry several times, reading all that the Acadian people suffered, who wanted nothing more than peace.
But, there is within the story a love that spans both time and distant spaces (from Acadia; now Nova Scotia to Virginia). A love that shouldn't be, but clearly ordered by God. That expectation of goodness yet to come is what pushed me to finish the book.
If you do not mind a deeper tale that is rocked with hardship and beauty at the same time, I recommend this book.

QUOTABLE:
Sylvie watched in horror as the fulfilling life they’d known shattered like centuries-old stained glass.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = very good

This was a complimentary eBook for the Author's launch team.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Book #1 - 2024 Reading Challenge.

In 18th century Acadie, Sylvie Galant and her family have lived and worked their orchards for generations. When tensions arise between the French, British, and Indian tribes, the fate of neutral Acadie looks grim. At first the father is arrested and held at the nearby fort while the family’s men are forced to flee. When the women and children are ordered onto British ships, they reluctantly leave their homelands. Held in miserable conditions, one by one the family starts to die, leaving Sylvie alone in a strange land.

The book was a bit slow moving, and the character did not seem fully developed. Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed this book. It followed a group of people that I knew absolutely nothing about. My heart went out to the Acadian people as they were brutally forced off their lands and relocated. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

This is well-researched and moving historical fiction about the forcible removal of the Acadian people from Nova Scotia by the British in 1755. The political climate and the removal itself are well described. The way faith and hope gently shine through even in the dark times is inspiring. The romance between William and Sylvie has to overcome great obstacles and slowly evolves throughout the novel. I learned so much about the removal and forced deportation of the Acadians from Nova Scotia in the 18th Century. The fact that the British stole their lands and belongings and forced them onto ships, causing the death of many, is vividly portrayed. 

I love how faith, history, and romance are woven together in this story. The only slight criticism I have is that the first 15 percent of the book moved a bit slowly. It picks up after that, and absolutely captivated me. The author has a gift for combining meticulously researched history with moving characters and storylines. Devastating, yet filled with hope, this is a time in history you will want to visit. 

My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book from Revell and Austenprose PR via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz is a beautiful work of Christian historical fiction. I did not know the history of the Acadian people and the atrocious things England did to them to gain their land. It was a joy to learn not only about the beauty and bounty of Acadie but of the character of the people who lived there. The Acadian characters in this story inspired me with their stewardship of their land and gifts and their unprejudiced love for others. I’m thankful for getting a glimpse of what it would look like to live in a community that is so Christ-minded!
This story deals with heavily emotional topics. But despite many characters walking through incredible hardship, there is healing and hope to be found. As a reader, I couldn’t help but turn one page after another because I was so invested in Sylvie and Will’s story. (It was difficult not to think of them even when the book was closed!)
Sylvie was so relatable that what hurt her heart, hurt mine, too. I adored her so much I couldn’t leave her for long, and by following along in her journey, I was blessed with a beautiful story of hope and redemption. Will is a force of nature. A talented warrior with a heart for humanity–a war battling in his own body. His strength and presence as a soldier were enough to make me swoon, but it was his extravagant love for others that made me fall for this ranger. The super slow-burn romance between him and Sylvie was complete perfection.
Overall, I loved this story and blazed through this book as fast as possible (with small children). The history was unknown to me, and I’m so glad the author chose to tell about the people of Acadie. They will forever be in my heart. I highly recommend this title and hope you all enjoy The Seamstress of Acadie as much as I did!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Author Laura Frantz is unparalleled in her ability to create historical fiction that carries an inspiring message. The Seemstress of Acadia not only captured my attention but also touched my heart. As a lover of history, this novel introduced me to a whole new world. I was both captivated and deeply saddened by the tragic fate of the Acadian people. Through her meticulous attention to historical detail, well-developed characters, and the raw emotions she evokes, Laura brings this time and place in history to life. Silvie, the protagonist, particularly resonated with me. Her journey from uncertainty to strength throughout the book was truly remarkable. I felt every ounce of her pain and loss and was overjoyed when she finally found happiness. The love story depicted in the novel was beautifully crafted, unfolding gradually and feeling incredibly authentic. It was also a delight to encounter characters from one of my other favorite novels by this talented author.

WOW! This book is PHENOMENAL! A few words that come to mind to describe this book include: moving, poignant, heartbreaking, hopeful, full of heart, and powerful. Whenever I picked up "The Seamstress of Acadie", I went on such an emotional journey with this story.⁣
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Laura Frantz's writing is incredibly detailed, visceral, and breathtaking. I can only begin to imagine the amount of research Ms. Frantz must have done for this novel, as I felt fully immersed in the world of the story. Furthermore, she seamlessly weaves history and fiction together, and, while reading, I learned so much about this time period in history. Her characters all feel like such real people, and this book truly took my breath away so many times.⁣
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Sylvie is such a strong, brave, intelligent, and warm-hearted woman. She endures so much heartbreak, and I found myself pulling for her from the very first page. She strives to help those around her in any way she can, and often puts others before herself. Will is a kind-hearted, courageous man who has suffered a lot of heartbreak as well. Knowing the horrors he both sees and hears about are horrific and wrong, Will knows he must step on a different path and do what he can to help those who have been harmed. Along the way, Sylvie begins to see Will for who he truly is, and the two of them grow together. ⁣
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I do not want to say too much else due to spoilers, but, I will say, this book truly has so much in it: moments that will have you on the edge of your seat, moments that pull at your heartstrings, heartbreaking moments, twists, turns, heartwarming moments, and much more.⁣
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I would love for Bleu to have a book focusing more on his story as well.⁣
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I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading what Ms. Frantz writes next!⁣
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Thank you so much to Austenprose PR, NetGalley, and Revell for the ARC of this book, and for having me on the book tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Seamstress of Acadie by author Laura Frantz is a Christian historical romance novel. For me, it is the best book this author has written. I was absolutely captivated from the very beginning until the end. It is certainly a page turner.

Set in 1750s this is the story of Silvie Galant. She lives with her family in Canadian Acadia. Silvie is strong, gentle, caring, selfless, and everything you want in a heroine. Her character has been carefully crafted to perfection. I adored her. Will Blackburn is equally heroic. Handsome, smart, rugged, caring, gallant, and basically as close to a perfect man as one could imagine. The chemistry between these two sizzles.

The writing in this book is extraordinary. I was able to feel so many emotions as I read what the characters lived. The vivid descriptions and prose swept me up and took me back in time to Canada and Virginia. Scenes played out in my mind like a blockbuster movie.

I gleaned so much knowledge about the time and places just by reading this book. Some of the things I learned were heartbreaking, while others were heartwarming. Lovers of French, British, and early American history will adore this beautiful tale. The story has stuck with me long after finishing the book. There are good Christian and life lessons to be found in this mesmerizing book.

It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. I highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers. A copy was provided by Revell Publishing, but these are my honest words. #TheSeamstressOfAcadie

I really loved this story! When I read the Song of Acadia series by Janette Oke in my teen years, I became fascinated with the Acadian people. These characters were so well-done. I really enjoyed their journey and seeing their faith throughout their struggles. It really impressed me how Laura Frantz wove Scripture naturally throughout the story, and the special emphasis on Psalm 23 was a wonderful touch to the story. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set in the early days before the French and Indian War, Laura Frantz writes a masterpiece about Sylvie, an Acadian Seamstress who lives in what is now Nova Scotia with her family. The Acadian people speak French but want to stay neutral in the battle between the French and the English. This becomes impossible due to the English wanting the fertile territory. This sets Sylvie on a course she had never anticipated. She crosses paths several times with a man named William Blackburn, once she knows who he is, she sees him as the enemy, however, the actions in Acadie have set them both on a different path. Through various hardships, their paths cross again and again and something wonderful begins to happen.

This story has all the depth of a good historical novel. The history is rich and feels like the reader is there beside Sylvie as she faces each new challenge and tries to contend with everything her heart faces. The descriptions are breathtaking and the tension in the book is palpable. Laura Frantz has captured this world in a way unlike I have seen. I want to see more.

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

The Seamstress of Acadie follows a heroine with fortitude, Sylvie Galant, in a bittersweet 18th century tale that explores heartache and hope in a world upended by true historical events. This novel is part historical fiction in content and part a slow burn, unexpected romance, all tucked into a lush account of the era with themes of grief and longing, hope and home.

Frantz’s signature ability to stir emotions with her immersive narrative and poignant prose is unrivaled. The mournful events Sylvie and her family are subject to are heartrending, in direct contrast to the brilliant thread of hope and God’s care that overshadows the heartache. I especially love Sylvie’s relationship and dynamic with her older brother, Bleu, and the role he plays in drawing out the integrity of Will Blackburn for the reader to see.

With a slow burn romance worth every moment of the reader’s patient investment, characters Sylvie and Will recognize the refuge they can find in each other as they go from tentative enemies to stilted friends to more. And oh, how Frantz pens the attraction between them! Will is the perfect steady counterpoint to Sylvie’s resourcefulness and strength. Their match reminds me of this time of history itself in a metaphorical way — their relationship representative of the things required to survive this time in early American history: commitment, faith, hard work, and devotion.


If you’re a devoted reader of Frantz’s novels, you will notice a few familiar characters overlapping into this story from her previous novel, A Heart Adrift, which takes place during the same timeline. Delightfully, Esmee’s chocolate shop makes an appearance, as do Captain Lennox and Esmee’s sister and brother-in-law .

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Ms. Franz is truly a writing master! It took a little bit for me to get into this story but it was totally worth continuing the journey! I loved learning more about this period of the French and British conflict during the 1700s, and Will and Sylvie's story is just gripping. Ms. Franz creates characters with amazing depth and scenery that one can experience just from her descriptions.

I highly recommend this story to those who love historical fiction.

*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

If you enjoy historical fiction at all, Laura Frantz’s books are for you. The Seamstress of Acadie is heartbreaking, timely, and hopeful. Although the world has changed quite a bit in the last three hundred years, we still face war, injustice, and tragedy. I knew little about Acadie and what happened to the Acadians in the 1750s, and Frantz’s work shines a light on this forgotten bit of history that is so relevant to our world today. I enjoyed the story and characters, although the romance subplot could have used a bit more development. I will always recommend Frantz’s books to readers who love historical stories that make one reflect and learn. 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Seamstress of Acadie was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did not disappoint! The story pulled me in right away and, while it was a slower read for me in the beginning, I really enjoyed it.

The characters were great. I really liked Bleu (her brother) and Will. Both were favorite characters. 😊 The romance between Will and Sylvie was good and I liked that it took its time to progress.

All in all, The Seamstress of Acadie was a very good read. It had some sad moments, but it felt realistic and I loved the book. I am eagerly looking forward to Laura Frantz's next story.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz is simply wonderful! Frantz transports the reader to Sylvie Galant’s journey in the 1750s from the French and English conflict in Acadia (Canada) to Virginia. This is the first book by Frantz that I have read, and I cannot wait to read her past books while I wait for her next one. I highly recommend The Seamstress of Acadie to lovers of historical fiction that includes a little action and faith filled message. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

“The Seamstress of Acadie” is a beautifully-written, heartbreaking, and inspiring book from author Laura Frantz. The setting is described very vividly and with detail that make the reader feel truly immersed in the story and emotionally invested and connected with the characters. The author has done great work beginning by showing us the natural beauty and everyday work and life of the people of Acadie during that time period as well as the simmering political tensions of that time. It was lovely to see the simple, beautiful, and honest way of life that Sylvie and her family lived before everything changed for them and so many other Acadians. It was also heartbreaking to see them torn away from their home and the people they so loved. The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people of that time period along with personalities, emotions, and unimaginable challenges of their own. The author has done great work showing us how each character reacted and healed in different ways. We are left wondering if some characters will heal at all. The speed of the plot is perfect, the writing is smooth and sparkling with beauty and depth, and the romance was sweet and very full of heart and emotion. It was great to see Sylvie and Will grow, change, and heal as people. This is an absolute must read! I now feel that I know so much more about the Acadian people and the terrible events that they suffered. This is a book that is insightful, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and inspiring. This book along with it’s characters are unforgettable. 5 stars! Thank you very much to AustenprosePR, author Laura Frantz, Baker Publishing Group/Revell, and NetGalley for the great opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.

Once again Laura Frantz has transported me to an era that I knew little of, to a setting I knew nothing of, and enriched my reading experience with vibrant characters and history that everyone should learn about. The pace of the book begins slowly as we get to know Sylvie and her family, living in a lush and idyllic land, but surrounded on both sides by warring French and English. Despite their neutrality, they were unjustly driven from their homes and thrust into the lives of refugees. The contrast between Sylvie's beautiful "before" life and the harsh, heartbreaking reality of "after" is so great, and I gained a small sense of and vast sympathy for what millions of displaced people have felt over the ages. The author illustrates the historical backdrop with a variety of individuals that bring the story even more to life, and represent so many different perspectives and circumstances of the time. Sylvie and Will's unlikely and seemingly impossible connection brings miracles into both their lives, as they strive to support the Acadians within their reach. I loved their sweet and gentle romance that grew despite the outside influences and prejudices that they overcame as they were vulnerable and trusted each other with their devastating losses. This is a story that brought so many emotions, and filled my spirit with gratitude for the strength and endurance of our forebears who continued on in faith and hope through trials, injustices, poverty, illness, and grief.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

There are so many things to love about The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz. In this novel, I learned a bit of history as I knew nothing about the forced removal of the Acadians from their land (now Nova Scotia). The author did an excellent job of representing external and internal conflicts of the time. Frantz handled Sylvie’s emotional trauma with enough weight to feel authentic, but not so much that it became a heavy read. I loved the weaving of Psalm 23 into Sylvie’s pain as it served to express Sylvie’s raw, honest emotion, yet it pointed her toward healing.

Though The Seamstress of Acadie hosted a lovely romance, the settings, historical events, and Sylvie’s character drove the plot until the romance with Will began later in the novel. Even then, life events demanded slow growth for their relationship. In true slow-burn style, Will and Sylvie had instant chemistry and lingering romantic tension, but it took time for them to work through their shared past and truly connect. I loved the fruition of their romance.

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz reads fine as a standalone novel, but characters from A Heart Adrift appear in the latter half as the stories run concurrent of each other. For the best experience, I recommend reading A Heart Adrift prior to The Seamstress of Acadie and having a physical copy of the latter novel. The Seamstress of Acadie includes an abundance of French words and flipping to the glossary in a physical book is easier than navigating back and forth on the kindle (at least for me). 4.5 Stars.

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.

The Seamstress of Acadie is a brilliant triumph that transports readers on a breathtaking journey of loss and love. In the beginning as the seasons change and we see Sylvie’s picturesque life, the reader falls in love with the land and people of Acadie. As tragedy strikes, readers grieve the losses of the Acadian people and hold their breath as Sylvie faces hardship. As hope is renewed for Sylvie in Virginia, her romance with William blossoms into a beautiful love story with the happiest of endings. Sylvie and William find true love and joy against all odds, and demonstrate a faith in God that is inspiring. Enriched by the author’s vast historical research, this tale depicts the truly horrific treatment of the Acadian people without dwelling in dark places. Instead, God’s light shines through this story and shows that, while we might not understand why we face trials in this broken world, the Lord is ever present and ever loving. This book is truly a masterpiece, and a story for the ages.

Really enjoyed The Seamstress of Acadie. I knew nothing about the Acadian people prior to reading this book and really appreciated how well researched Laura Franz's historical fiction is. She tells a very full story, taking her time setting up the characters and giving lots of background. I'll admit it took me a while to get into the story but I'm so glad I stuck it out because by 1/3 of the way into the book I was totally hooked. If you haven't read A Heart Adrift but want to, I'd recommend reading that first as there is some character crossover which was really fun.
I received an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review.

Wow, Laura Frantz does it again with this Amazing book. The Historical elements were fantastic and drew me right in to the Winter of 1754. Readers are transported to a time in history most don’t know about as the story takes place surrounding the Expulsion of the Acadian people from what is now Nova Scotia, Canada. It follows a young woman, Sylvie, as she faces loss of home and loved ones, traveling to a new land, and facing an uncertain future. Sylvie, is also is faced with trusting someone her family once feared and learning to trust God again. Although the romantic theme isn’t as strong as some of Laura’s other books. I still found this to be a beautiful love story filled with many swoon worthy moments!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All Opinions expressed are mine alone.