The Hatmaker's Heart By Carla Stewart

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:  

For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman’s best qualities. She knows she’s fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell’s fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stammer she’s had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.
But it seems Nell’s gift won’t be hidden by Oscar’s efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is.

My Thoughts:  

The Hatmaker's Heart is the first book from Carla Stewart I have read and I am very glad I did. Nell Marchwold loves making hats, loves seeing her creations make women feel beautiful and accent their best qualities. Nell and her family left England and landed in Kentucky where Oscar Fields, a millinery owner from New York City, discovered Nell's talent and gave her a job as an apprentice designer at his millinery. Nell's designs have taken NYC by storm but Oscar holds her back claiming her stuttering issue reflects poorly on her and him. Soon a fashion designer seeks out Nell to be his partner for his collection 1922. The publicity from this show has Nell back in England designing for a royal wedding where Nell reconnects with her childhood friend and their feelings grow from friends to something more. Oscar is determined to keep Nell for himself.

The Hatmaker's Heart is the first book from Carla Stewart I have read and I now have a new author for my must read list!  As a huge fan of historical fiction, especially the 1920's(prohibition fascinates me) I found myself wanting to read this book. Carla Stewart writes with authority about England and the United States during the 1920's, speech therapy in that time, millinery, and  fashion design of the 1920's.  I really felt like I was there watching this story unfold. I found myself hooked from the first page and my interest kept through until the end. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, especially Nell Marchwold. She found her passion and did what she could to make it happen. Nell wanted to help women feel beautiful in her hats and really believed in the good in people. Her hard work in her career and her life is inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, Carla Stewart does NOT disappoint! I cannot wait to read more from Carla Stewart! I give this book 4.5 STARS.