#BookRevew : THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE by Laura Frantz

Unfamiliar with what is now present-day Nova Scotia, this novel brought to life the beauty and peacefulness of Acadia and its people. The cover captured Acadia's raw beauty. The narrative transported me to the land, where a sense of peace radiated until the French and then the British soldiers drove them away. These people of the land, accustomed to toil and hardship, never let go of their connection to their homes.

As I followed Sylvie’s story, I could feel her love of the land and her family. I enjoyed her relationship with her brother,Bleu. So it was so heartbreaking when the Great Upheaval arrived. The stench of despair was truly felt while Sylvie and her family were in the ship. The Acadian’s resilience was amazing even when death took the lives of their loved ones.

William and Sylvie’s enemies-to-more love story was an interesting read. Sylvie’s life has been turned upside down but William’s determination to be with her was sweet. Their love blossomed overtime as they each tried to survive their new life in Williamsburg. I am so glad that William gave his notebook of bible verses to Sylvie. Witnessing her growing trust in God's grace was a heartwarming thread woven into the story. I truly enjoyed beautiful narrative of love and hope.

Rating: 5 ⭐
Pub date: 09 Jan 2024

Thank you Revell and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Laura Frantz has done it again. She has penned another lovely historical romance. This book starts in Acadie, now known as Nova Scotia. The people there are peaceful and neutral to the impeding war of the French and English. The heroine, Sylvie is a precious soul who endures much heartache and loss. The hero, is a thoughtful, and tough surveyor who loves Sylvie from basically the first moment they meet. We also meet characters from her previous book A Heart Adrift, which was a fun surprise for me.
The history in this book is well researched and penned in a beautiful way that ties the romance and the happy ending into a beautiful bow.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.

Laura Frantz immediately sweeps the reader into the story world in this captivating novel. She has clearly done her research into the world of eighteenth-century Canada. However, she does not let the research details get in the way of the story, which I really appreciate.

Sylvie is a wonderful main character, and I really enjoyed getting to know her. As her relationship develops with William, I was more and more invested in the story's outcome.

I love how the author includes prayer and some references to the Christian faith.

My only complaint is that the book could have been shorter and the pacing drags a tiny. bit. I think readers these days are accustomed to a faster pace, especially with Netflix, etc. competing for their attention.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will look forward to more from this very talented author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy; all opinions are 100% my own.

4.5 stars

“𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤’𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.“

laura frantz never fails to completely captivate me with her stories. the seamstress of acadie was a sweeping story of loss, hope, forgiveness, and finding love and family in the most unexpected places.

until i read this story, i had never known about the hardworking people of acadie now known as nova scotia. though they remained neutral in the conflict between the french and british, it didn’t stop them from being unjustly imprisoned and forcibly removed from their lands. after getting to know sylvie’s family and way of life, it absolutely broke my heart for all that they went through and endured. it seemed like one bad thing after another kept happening to sylvie and in the middle of it was william blackburn.

i love enemies to lovers and this particular love story absolutely made my heart burst. it seemed as though sylvie and will had everything working against them. their journey from enemies to more made me swoon! i love a determined hero. 🫠 i also loved eve and the children, and how everything worked out for them. this story overlaps with a heart adrift, another of laura’s story that i absolutely loved, and it made me so happy to see some beloved characters show up in this book. i highly recommend this beautiful story for fans of historical fiction and romance.

thank you to the author, revell, and austenprose for an advanced copy. my thoughts are my own.

One thing I appreciate about Laura Frantz’s novels are the rich historical detail she includes in each story. From the beginning, she swept me into the world of eighteenth-century Canada and the British/French conflict over the Acadian shore.

A large portion of the novel’s beginning focuses on Sylvie, which did leave me a bit impatient to get to William, but the wait paid off. William proves to be a great hero, dashing and brave and swoonworthy. I loved seeing the way he treats Sylvie with kindness and respect even when they’re on two different sides of a conflict.

Their romance is definitely a slow burn, but it’s all the sweeter because of it. And it fits seeing as the conflict between their people led to so much heartache. There’s also some discussion about God, and the characters pray throughout the book.

If you’ve read A Heart Adrift, you’ll spot some familiar faces, which is a fun little Easter egg. But The Seamstress of Acadie is a standalone.

Overall, The Seamstress of Acadie is a sweet historical romance.

I enjoyed this story. I was not familiar with the history of the Acadian people, and I feel like I've learned something on top of being entertained. The beginning a bit slow with a lot of setup to introduce not only the characters but the historical setting and the Acadian way of life and love of their land. The setting and time period are well researched, and no one is exempt from hardship and loss.

This is a Christian fiction novel so expect church, prayer, and discussions about God.

Family friendly though some subject matter may not be appropriate for younger readers.

Recommended for everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this very detailed story. I was quite impressed with the book and I loved the story.

It is 1754 in Acadie which is modern day Nova Scotia. The English and the French were fighting over land. Sylvie and her family were caught in the middle of this conflict.

What would you do if all that you knew just disappeared? Sylvie loved her home. She expected to live and die there. She couldn't imagine any other place to be as magical as the orchards she cared for.

Who was the enemy? Who was your friend? This was the life for Sylvie and her family. Why was she so attracted to William Blackburn? He was a British Army Soldier who threatened everything she loved.

I knew nothing of this actual conflict. I enjoy reading historical fiction. But it is amazing when I learn about real events and actual history.

With her beautiful prose, masterfully drawn characters, meticulous historical research, and elegant storytelling, Laura Frantz has penned another outstanding novel.

The Seamstress of Acadie is based on historical events about the Acadians, who wished to remain neutral between the English and French conflict, being forcibly exiled from their lands and country.

I had never heard of this before, and thought the author did an exceptional job of describing not only the events of this tragic episode in the 1750’s, but also the devastation and heartbreaking emotional toll it took on the Acadians.

The protagonist ends up in Williamsburg, Virginia, where Frantz’s portrayal of Colonial America is fascinating and shines, as it has in her previous novels. Adding to the story was the appearance of characters that I loved from A Heart Adrift.

Mixed in with the historical fiction is a very lovely romance, and some gripping adventure. I loved it from beginning to end.

I received a digital review copy from the publisher, NetGalley, and Austenprose PR, but a positive review was not required.

A beautiful story of faith and resilience. This is a common theme that I’ve come to expect in Laura Frantz’s books. I always feel uplifted and inspired after one of her books, and the Seamstress of Acadie was no exception.

This book was a little slow for me at the beginning, but quickly picked up and I didn’t want to put it down. The book follows Sylvie and Will as they try to put their lives back together after the forced exodus of the Acadian people.

Sylvie not only had to learn to trust God again, but she had to learn to trust Will, who was once believed to be her enemy. Their romance was definitely slow burning, even though they both definitely felt an attraction from their first meeting. Their path was wrought with a lot of obstacles, but it only brought them closer together. This book will definitely pull on your heartstrings. One of my favorite characters in this book was Bleu and I’m really hoping we get his book at some point…hint hint

** I was sent a completely eARC from Revell fiction and NetGalley with no expectations for a favorable review.

The Seamstress of Acadie was my first book by Laura Frantz, and it definitely won't be my last. This is such a beautiful, sweeping story full of love, hardships, family, perseverance, and faith.

Here are some of the things I loved the most:
- The History - I knew nothing of the history of Acadie (modern-day Nova Scotia) and it was heartbreaking to learn what happened to the people of that island. It was also fascinating to read about colonial Virginia.
- The Faith - I loved the way the faith was represented in the book, especially when characters were not always allowed to worship. It required the characters to draw upon their personal faith during their hardships.
- The Character Growth - Both Sylvie and William have to work through some major traumas in their lives. They are able to grow and heal through their faith and strength, and I was cheering them on the entire time.
- The Romance - I love that this was a slow building romance. It made sense for Sylvie and Will, that they both had to get to the point where they could be happy in love.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves Christian fiction, historical fiction, and an epic journey of healing and love.

Thank you to Revell, NetGalley, and Laura Frantz for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I started this novel with a sort of blindfolded feeling because the historical setting and geographic context is not a familiar one to me. Based largely in Acadie (modern-day Nova Scotia) and partly in colonial Virginia, the story chiefly surrounded a land/governance conflict between the British & French. I could tell the writer put in a lot of research to keep her writing accurate and as true to the historical context as she could. I felt she did honor to the experience of the Acadians by telling their story in this way, and I commend her for that!

But, I felt a little lost in all the complicated details of this conflict, along with the frequent use of French words, terms, and even old-English/colonial vernacular. I didn’t personally enjoy or connect with the style of writing, which at times felt dry and abrupt. I also found the myriad of characters very hard to keep up with.

😇: Christian publisher (Revell), frequent appeals to God in short prayers, brief references to scripture throughout, discussion of freedom to worship as different denominations
😍: a few short and sweet kisses
🤐: no language!

I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Seamstress of Acadie sheds light on a little-known time in Acadian history with the British forcing the removal and relocation of the French living there. The story is real and raw with the French Acadian inhabitants enduring horrible on-board conditions at the hands of the British on the way to Virginia.

From the first chapter Laura Frantz's turn of a phrase captivates, "She'd always found the snow enchanting. It lay like white silk shot through with silver thread and had the power to shut them in for days."

I also enjoyed the quotes used at the beginning of each chapter, a few favorites,
*"If you suppress grief too much it can redouble." Moliere
*"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it. " Jean de La Fontaine
*"Solitude sometimes is best society." John Milton.

Sylvie and Will were admirable character, but brother Bleu also intrigued. I most enjoyed the time spent in Virginia and the hope it brought for their future. The Seamstress of Acadie is historical fiction at its finest. I appreciate Revell Publishing making a copy available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Thank you Netgalley and Revell for access to this arc.

I will note that despite the nice glossary at the beginning (and thank you for that), a lot of it was used only to annoyingly be followed immediately by an English translation. Some of the writing was also done in a way to, I guess, make it sound more period. I either got used to this or it petered out. Religion is a major part of the character’s lives but in a way that is personal to them without it being inserted too much in the story with a heavy hand. Mileage will vary for readers.

What happens in the book is not sugar coated. And I don’t just mean what happens to the Acadians though that is the main injustice. Sylvie’s crew initially end up in an almshouse in Virginia before having to take jobs that are offered to them regardless of what they really want to do. They are not welcomed with open arms by many in Williamsburg. There is a pair of orphans who become important to Sylvie who were bound out for service though the youngest is only about four. Also, an enslaved woman sets Sylvie straight about the differences between them and what Society will allow. I wish that Eve’s story had some closure but perhaps she will appear in a future book?

I like that Sylvie takes control – as much as she can – of her path forward after losing everyone dear to her. She uses her skills with a needle, ability to speak French to improve her lot. Given the book title, I wasn’t surprised that more of the plot revolves around her. Will is basically a decent guy. He treats people well and comes up with a plan to help those Acadians in need. Like Henri two books ago, Will faces some criticism in not being in the military with war already breaking out but yeah, he’s done.

The romance is more of a slow burn with Sylvie conflicted by her feelings and Will knowing his but not willing to push her. He gently courts her though he steps back to let her figure out what she wants. Their relationship is an enemies-to-lovers slow thaw. The plan that Will has actually works and things with this go well. So well that the third quarter of the book seemed to drag a little as I waited for a few things I thought might happen. When Something Finally Happened, it occurred very quickly and (only) partly out of the blue. I didn’t think that Will would be fooled but how were things going to be solved and ended? I was happy with this though, like Sylvie, I’d enjoy seeing Someone settle down and yes, I want more about several characters.

1754 Acadie (Canada) and Virginia

What a beautiful tale based upon the inhabitants of Acadie (present day Nova Scotia) that were pushed from their homes and shipped away. There is a lot of tension between the English and French. Acadians are neutral and just wish to live in peace.

Sylvie Galant enjoys life in Acadie as a seamstress. She lives with her family and treasures their home which includes an apple orchard. When that life is ripped from her, will she have the fortitude to start over? Will she be a be able to stay with her family?

The slow burning romance was well written, however, it was even more the historical details that captured me. The use of French language in the novel gives readers a greater sense of the differences that exist at a base level between the warring nations. The scenery and feel of the difference locations used in the novel were expertly drafted.

Another superb novel by the talented Laura Frantz.

Brimming with history and rich descriptive imagery, The Seamstress of Acadie showcases Laura Frantz’s impeccable research and attention to detail beautifully. The setting of Acadie, present-day Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1755 is a wonderful, intriguing backdrop as the story begins. The French and British had contested this area for years, and the British were finally taking over and forcibly removing the Acadian people from their lands and sending them on ramshackle boats to Virginia. A great many of them perished on their way.

Frantz is a master at creating colorful, engaging, and multi-layered characters that come alive on the page. This tale features Sylvie Galant of Acadie, and William Blackburn, a courageous British Army Ranger with a reputation for raising havoc in the area. As Blackburn realizes what the British soldiers are doing to the Acadians, he resigns his commission and heads for Virginia. When Sylvie and Will unexpectedly meet in Virginia, Sylvie finds that Will is really much different than his reputation would suggest. I enjoyed the slowly budding courtship and romance that simmered between the two.

When I read a Laura Frantz book, I’m always torn between wanting to savor each page and needing to hurry to finish the story, and this one was no exception. With her signature beautiful prose and rich historical detail, Laura Frantz has once again created a riveting, poignant masterpiece.

Filled with intrigue, action, rich historical detail, and just the right amount of romance, The Seamstress of Acadie is historical fiction at its finest. It has earned a spot on my keeper shelf, and I’m sure it will be a contender for my favorite books of the year list. I heartily recommend it to those who enjoy outstanding historical fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy courtesy of Baker Publishing/Revell through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

“The evil had come. It pulsated all around her, thick and black and unruly as a horde of gray wolves with no restraining hand.”

All Sylvie Galant and so many of her fellow Acadians wanted was to be neutral, uninvolved in the land grab in the “New World” between England and France. The Acadians just want to go on living life in their beautiful, productive land as they have for generations. But that right is ferociously torn away from them by the English governor, who vanquishes them all from the land of their dreams to exile in the English colonies… if they survive to arrive. While all Acadians know Bleu Galant, Sylvie’s half-brother, fights for them and the French, they also know that the man responsible for rounding up the Acadians is Le Diable Blanc (the White Devil), Le Loup ( the Wolf).

Laura Frantz, winner of the Christy for historical fiction in 2023, has written yet another novel, The Seamstress of Acadie, equally deserving of a Christy.

No one has a way with words like Laura Frantz. Frantz writes so beautifully, I can almost hear music or see art accompanying her words. I could certainly see Acadie in all its beauty, then its denudation of its people and prosperity. Frantz makes you feel like you are on those transport ships of death. I could feel the rise and swell of the waves in the storm, smell the odors of sickness and fear, feel the terror of the hurricane, taste the loss of dreams and faith.

Still, people that go through the same horrific circumstances can come out different on the other side. Frantz points the reader to the fact that this is because some, like Sylvie, devastated, turn to their faith to bolster them and provide a purpose for their lives. Others continue to stew in their hatred, with disastrous results.

Some, like Sylvie, attempt to share the bit of light they find. “God Himself collects our tears and stores them in a bottle…God takes note of our suffering. It is no light matter to Him. I find that . . . comforting.” Yet few are willing to see that God can be present in and allow horrible circumstances and still be directing a person’s path. “There is no bottle big enough for Acadie’s weeping.”

Sylvie battles fear, loss of family, loss of homeland, prejudice, and finally her own treacherous heart, falling for the one man she should hate.

With a map, glossary, and short historical note at the front, the reader is well-prepared for this both painful and beautiful journey. In The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz, I found a new book to reread for her rest of my life!!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. I also ordered a paperback copy for myself and a friend. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Perhaps the Lord was leading her in ways she hadn’t planned or preferred, but still he leadeth.”

Wow. This book is a well-written work of historical fiction. I enjoyed the amount of history included in this book, as much of it was not something I have read much about before this. The story of the people of Acadia is so heartbreaking and tragic! May we never repeat those horrors. The author draws the reader into the story well through the descriptions of each setting and the depth of each of the main characters. I appreciated the real to life emotions and struggles that Sylvie endured and the process she went through of reconciling her experiences with the Truth of God’s word. I highly recommend this book, especially to readers who enjoy Christian Historical Fiction.

I requested and received a copy of this book for review, but the thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.

BOOK REVIEW - The Seamstress of Acadie - Laura Frantz - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
January and the New Year means a new tale from Laura Frantz! And what another amazing tale it was! You know you're reading a good book when you have to go to bed because your eyes can no longer focus but you can't sleep because the story is still whirling in you thoughts. I'd never heard of Acadia and it's French inhabitants before reading this story and was both fascinated and saddened to learn about their history. I don't know how Laura Frantz manages to pour so much history and detail into a story and still keep it a sweeping romantic tale, and not just a history book, but she does it every time! Also some beloved characters from one of her previous stories appears in the pages, it's the first time I can remember a crossover in her stories and it was a delightful discovery!

THE ROMANCE
What do you do when you fall in love at first sight with the literal enemy? That is the plight of Sylvie and Will that they must overcome. Prepare yourselves for an achingly sweet slow burn! As always it's worth the wait but it is a long wait!

THE TRUTHS
I loved the reminder in this story of God's faithfulness and promises. Despite her tragic losses Sylvie begins to see the fulfillment of some of God's promises in Scripture which reminds her of His nearness and love despite her circumstances. May we also look to God and His promises during trying times and not forget His faithfulness to us!

Frantz always leaves you with the longing to stay within the pages of her books long after the story ends.
This evocative tale will turn your heart to mush, but in all the right ways. I will admit I wished for a bit more time with Will, but I think that’s only because I loved his character so much! He’s manly and a hero and yet gentle and so thoughtful. Also can I just say we need a book featuring her brother?? Pretty please. :)

*I received an ARC copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

The Seamstress of Acadie
Laura Frantz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the winter of 1754, tensions mount between the French and the British in Acadia. Though attempting neutrality, Sylvie Galant and her family find their home in the middle of two forts flying rival flags.

When British ships arrive in the summer of 1755, Sylvie encounters famed British Army Ranger William Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Though William resigns his commission rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, Sylvie and her relatives are loaded onto ships bound for Virginia. Far from everything familiar to her, Sylvie is struggling to piece her life back together when she encounters William once more.

Laura Frantz is dedicated to immersing the reader in true historical fiction. She doesn’t simply set her stories in an historical timeframe; she guides her readers in understanding the period of history from multiple perspectives and allowing them to walk away with a new appreciation of a time long spent.

In this story, Sylvie Galant is torn from her homeland and her faith is tested. All she sees and feels is suffering and abandonment. She longs to return to a past that can never be while fighting an attraction to a perceived enemy. It isn’t until much later, as Sylvie’s heart begins to heal, that she can look back and see God’s provision in the midst of her deepest sorrow.

Frantz helps remind us that while we live in a broken and sinful world, we have a God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How much could we shorten our own suffering in trials if we only remembered this truth and decided to trust in an unchanging God.

We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.