The Patchwork Girls

 

 From the bestselling author of The Woolworths Girls 

The Patchwork Girls 

By ELAINE EVEREST 

14th October 2021 | Pan Macmillan | £7.99 | Paperback Original 

A moving story set during WWII, about how the strong bonds of female friendship can carry you through the most difficult times. 

PRAISE FOR ELAINE EVEREST 

“A warm, tender tale of friendship and love” Milly Johnson 

“A charming, warm-hearted read” Take A Break 

“Heartwarming . . . a must-read” Woman’s Own 

“A lovely read” Bella 

1939. After the sudden and tragic loss of her husband, Helen returns to her mother’s house in Biggin Hill, Kent – the one place she vowed she’d never go back to. 

Alone and not knowing where to turn, she joins the local women’s sewing circle to find some companionship and comfort, despite being hopeless with a needle and thread. These resourceful women can not only ‘make- do and mend’ clothes, quilts and woolly hats, but the fast-formed friendship with Lizzie and Effie mends something deeper in Helen too. 

When the reason for Helen's husband's death comes to light, her world is turned upside down yet again. The investigating officer on the case, Richard, will leave no stone unturned – but it’s not long before his interest in Helen goes beyond the professional. As she pieces together old fabrics into a beautiful quilt, will Helen patch up the rifts in her own life? 

ABOUT ELAINE EVEREST: 

Elaine Everest is the author of bestselling novels The Woolworths Girls, The Butlins Girls, Christmas at Woolworthsand The Teashop Girls. She was born and raised in North-West Kent, where many of her bestselling historical sagas are set. She grew up listening to tales of the war years in her hometown of Erith, which has inspired her own stories. 

 

Elaine has been a freelance writer for 25 years and has written over 100 short stories and serials for the women's magazine market. She is also the author of a number of popular non-fiction books for dog owners.

 

When she isn't writing, Elaine runs The Write Place creative writing school in Hextable, Kent. She now lives in Swanley with her husband, Michael and their Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Henry. 

My Review

Really enjoyed reading Helen's story and the slow-burn relationshp with Richard. Set against the backdrop of WW2, it was a pleasant change to have the patchwork story at the forefront as although references to war were  there, the story isn't primarily about the hardship and suffering of the time, rather the way in which friendship and shared activities can offer support. The idea of deliberately adding an imperfection was a little gem that shows the amount of research the author does. a pleasant change from the usual sagas.