Synopsis:
A housemaid needs some magical help when she falls for a high-society gentleman in this captivating historical fantasy full of wit, charm, and heart-fluttering romance.Effie has most inconveniently fallen in love with the dashing Mr. Benedict Ashbrooke. There’s only one problem: Effie is a housemaid, and a housemaid cannot marry a gentleman. It seems that Effie is out of luck until she stumbles into the faerie realm of Lord Blackthorn, who is only too eager to help her win Mr. Ashbrooke’s heart. All he asks in return is that Effie sew ten thousand stitches onto his favorite jacket.

Effie has heard rumors about what happens to those who accept magical bargains. But life as a maid at Hartfield is so awful that she is willing to risk even her immortal soul for a chance at something better. Now she has one hundred days—and ten thousand stitches—to make Mr. Ashbrooke fall in love and propose…if Lord Blackthorn doesn’t wreck things by accident, that is. For Effie’s greatest obstacle might well be Lord Blackthorn’s overwhelmingly good intentions. 

An enchanting faerie tale set in Olivia Atwater’s magical version of Regency England, Ten Thousand Stitches is “a delightful, romantic romp” (Hannah Whitten) with a Cinderella twist and heaps of heart. 

Review:
“Why, her soul is made of the very finest thread I have ever seen!” (Chapter 10, page 138)

Effie does so much to try to be the best housemaid, and to keep her own anger in check. She pays attention to all the rules about the fae and other creatures and yet, she still ends up trapped in an agreement with one. I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. I thought that Effie was a sensible, likable character and I loved how everything developed and worked out. I loved the concept of how what you have too much of sometimes accidentally ends up spread to others, even if it isn’t complimentary. This world is truly amazing, and I was so grateful to get to step back into it.

Effie had such a great character arc where she truly learned and grew. It was awesome to see how she learned to harness her feelings and abilities for what is right, and to do what truly would make her happy in the long term.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯