Euphemia (Effie) Reeves is an ideal housemaid. Though she is underpaid and overworked, she manages to channel her anger into her stitching and creates beautiful embroidery. However, she longs to be truly seen by the upper-class members of the household—in particular by the handsome Benedict Ashbrook, who shows a modicum more consideration for the servants than the rest of his self-centred family.
So when Effie meets a faerie called Lord Blackthorn, despite everything she’s heard about the dangers of faerie bargains, she is drawn into a wager—he will make her into a lady and she will win Benedict’s heart. But although Lord Blackthorn is a very charming and well-intentioned faerie godfather, his attempts to help Effie have unintended and sometimes disastrous consequences.
Regency magic is one of my favourite genres, but I love how Olivia Atwater brings something extra to her books as well—an awareness of social inequality. In ‘Half a Soul’ Dora is consumed by the plight of children in workhouses and is willing to use her own status to create awareness and offer practical help. And ‘Ten Thousand Stitches’ is a Cinderella story with a difference, as Effie is not content to improve her own circumstances but is concerned with the working conditions of all the servants in her own household, and everywhere else. One could argue that it is anachronistic to bring 21st Century sentiments into a Regency setting, but no more fantastical than introducing faeries.
‘Ten Thousand Stitches’ is another charming and whimsical romance about finding yourself, channelling your anger and being kind to others—a perfect escapist read. I can’t wait to read the next Regency Faerie Tale.
Nine PM Writer 