The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz ISBN-13: 9780800726638 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Jan. 2, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
When colonial Williamsburg explodes like a powder keg on the eve of the American Revolution, Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson is abandoned by her father and her fiancé. Former friends accuse her of being a spy for the hated British. No one comes to her aid save the Patriot Noble Rynallt, a man that the British want to capture. Will the Virginia belle turned lacemaker side with the radical revolutionaries, or stay true to her English roots? And at what cost?


My Review:
The Lacemaker is a Christian romance set in May 1775 to Oct. 1776 in Virginia. Very little of that time was spent in Williamsburg or making lace (which, when referred to, was something just finished or something needing to be done). Libby's father was a noble, Tory, and complete jerk, but her mother was outspoken for American independence. Libby was left behind when her father fled due to danger. Her mother was gone traveling. Her betrothed decided he didn't want a Tory's daughter. But Noble will keep her safe!

To me, much of the story felt forced or fell flat. Libby was constantly making foolish decisions that resulted in exciting moments, yet any danger resolved quickly. For example, Libby was handed a letter containing sensitive information when it would have been easy to simply tell her the message. She didn't read the letter, decided to hold it in her hand and walk home alone rather than wait for her father's carriage, walked down a busy street and in front of a cart, was swept up to safety by Noble, all so she could lose that letter to the Independence Men and miss her chance to flee. Yet the Independence Men don't use the information, nor did Libby end up in real danger. Much later, Noble was leading soldiers in a big battle. The entire battle was covered in about a page and was basically Noble thinking about how awful it was to kill and that he didn't want to keep fighting. What a missed opportunity for suspense.

The author appears to have researched some aspects of the book (like the historical building layouts and Welsh food), but I had a very hard time with how the characters acted. For example, Libby's father left her at home while he went to Libby's betrothal ball. The friends holding the ball started the ball without Libby or her betrothed being present, and no one checked up on her. Her betrothed felt it was socially acceptable to send Noble in his place to take her to this ball rather than attend himself. Libby and Noble entered the ball without being announced. And Libby was blamed for not being there on time. Huh?! The characters often behaved with modern values rather than reflecting the attitudes of the time.

Noble and Libby were a good pair in that they cared for and valued each other. There was no bad language or sex scenes (though a married couple does get intimate off screen). If you just want a romance story and care less about the setting, then you may enjoy this story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.