Liz Loves Books.Com.

Thank you to Avon Books for the copy via a Goodreads Giveaway.

It is 1910 and Maria, a talented young girl from the East end of London, is employed to work as a seamstress for the royal family. As an attractive girl, she soon catches the eye of the Prince of Wales and she in turn is captivated by his glamour and intensity.

I had heard good things about this one so despite it being slightly out of my reading comfort zone, I was very pleased to receive a copy. And it is indeed a terrific and compelling story.

Multi-layered storytelling at its best we follow Maria, telling her story via cassette tape sometime in the past, alongside Caroline who has discovered a beautiful patchwork quilt in the present - as she investigates its origins, the trail leads her back towards  a hidden love story..

Quite haunting in places - especially with a view to the outcome for Maria - hidden away she does indeed become "The Forgotton Seamstress" of the title and there are many intriguing aspects interwoven into the story. The descriptions of sewing and quilting are truly fascinating and now a subject I want to know more about - alongside that we have intriguing soundbites on psychiatric care and the institutions of Maria's time and place.

I loved both the women for different reasons - and the quilt is a whole character in and of itself - the three of them make for an excellent and evocative reading experience. Recommended for those who love Historical fiction and a past/present interwoven narrative with heart.

Happy Reading Folks!