The Liberty Scarf

I really enjoyed this book especially the story of Iris and the beautiful scarves she wanted to create. I thought the three stories wove together nicely although the editing on each story could be tighter. I live in London so I knew the area around the West End. We don't call streets, blocks so US expressions like that took me out of the story. But the writing was wonderful and the history fascinating. I loved how the book covered three different careers open to women at the time but also highlighted the similarities between women of a certain age regardless of background. How they were expected to behave etc. Highly recommended.

This set of books is extraordinary! I was very sad that it had to end, but I'm thankful for the epilogue that tied everything up in a satisfying way! I love how the Liberty scarf is wound through each book! It starts as the product of the creativity of one woman and touches lives and offers hope amidst war.

The characters are written brilliantly! I became invested in their lives. My heart broke when theirs did and rejoiced with them in times of joy! The women: Iris, Genevieve, and Clara each have special gifts that help others during the war. The men: Rex, Maxime, and Roman all serve in some capacity trying to end the war.

Each of the authors did a fantastic job with imagery. I could easily imagine myself in London, France, and Belgium. My favorite place was the Cave a Champagne! Francois is such a wonderful man! He truly loves his vineyard and enjoys sharing his knowledge.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Harper Muse via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Three of my fav authors have collaborated again, this time on a splendid historical novel linking three women to one scarf in WWI. I loved each compelling romance and marveled at how beautifully the tales entwined. A must-read for fans who adore women's histficrom of the highest quality!

The Liberty Scarf is an entertaining historical fiction. Book in which three women are tied together by a scarf in 1917. If you’re historical fiction fan, you’ll enjoy this book.

Three different authors, one story line that fits together beautifully.
Part 1, London, Dec 1917- Iris Braxton is a paint girl Liberty & Co and designs the Liberty of London scarf. Rex (captain Richard Conrad) is an architect with a bum leg from a previous injury. Rex is charming and a smooth talker. Both of them are are creatives. I adored Rex’s optimism and positive outlook and Iris’s best attempts to not be moved by him.
Part 2, Portland, Maine, Dec 1917 - Genevieve Tremblay is phone operator joining the Signal Corps. She comes from a large family and wants to continue to help providing for them. Captain Maxime Auvray is French airman on loan to the allies for training and just exudes romance and gentleman characteristics. I really loved Genevieve’s commitment to excellence and honor. Maxime is truly a swoony hero and I love how he treats and loves Genevieve. Peter is part of the story and builds a lot of the character development, but beyond that, he is hardly worth mentioning as Maxime is the true hero!
Part 3 Tielt, Belgium, before the war - Clara Janssens is a nurse (motivated by Pieter Bruegel’s The Blind Leading the Blind, oil painting).
Roman Allaire is a gifted violinist from Strasbourg who joins a special group of soldiers meant to deliver music and hope to those in various areas and stations. They meet during a time of convalescence for Roman and strike up an unusual, but thoroughly romantic, companionship. Their conversations exist through stories and music. This story is a little more abstract and filled with a lot of letters.Creatives will resonate with this couple!
I loved the full circle of the scarf and the various ways it appeared and inspired others. All the stories contain letters of life, love, and hope. I especially loved all the descriptions of life during the war, whether from the city, country, trenches, hospitals, or everyday rhythms. Truly a romantic collection at heart. Lots of prose and flowery writing yet balanced with meaning and depth.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

“I think liberty is as lovely a word as hope.”

This was one of the best historical fiction novels I’ve read this year!

I absolutely loved the way the liberty scarf was woven throughout each story. I don’t have a favourite; each one was unique in its own way. From one I learned about the origins of the Liberty scarf, the iconic storefront and the term ‘blighty’. From another I learned about the US Army Signal Corps and General Pershing’s ‘Hello Girls’. And from the third story, I learned about Pieter Breugel’s painting ‘The Blind Leading The Blind’ and an orchestra formed to play at the frontlines and boost troops’ morale.

I enjoyed every moment with Captain Richard ‘Rex’ Conrad, Iris Braxton, Captain Maxime Auvray, Genevieve Tremblay, Roman Allaire and Clara Janssens and I think “The Feathered Hope” story will stay in my mind the longest. I appreciated the epilogue and how it tied everything together nicely for readers.

I wonder if the scarf in the cover could have been represented differently to reflect the story within….when I think of a Liberty scarf, this red scarf is not what comes to mind.

“Everything tastes sweeter when served with a heaping spoonful of nostalgia.”

I was gifted this copy by HarperCollins Focus and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Beautiful reminder to all that, in dark times and always, hope should be a predominate factor in our lives. It tells the story of three couples and their hardships and trials during the war with their lives intertwined throughout by the liberty scarf. It becomes a beacon of hope for all of them, first by the young lady who designed the scarf encouraged by her male friend, an architect turned soldier, who quickly becomes more, then it weaves its way into the lives of a phone operator from Maine sent overseas to the front and a nurse and their soldiers in significant ways. My favorite quotes from the book: “The captain was right to believe that beauty helped remind them that there were things worth protecting in the face of war” and “Look for the beauty and joy that still exist in the world, and hold on to them when all seems lost.” These truths are as valid today as they were back then, and we should all take a lesson from their words of wisdom. The epilogue was an enchanting and perfect ending and filled my heart with joy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.