While I enjoyed reading the dual stories of strong, independent women - Anne in the San Francisco art world in the present time and Sally Sue, 1885, kidnapped by a bank robber - it felt like the connection with the green corset lacked strength holding it together. I always like love stories but was hoping something would tie it together more at the end. I wish the author spent more time writing about the history of women wearing corsets as it's most fascinating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy with the book release date of October 13. ( )

While I enjoyed reading the dual stories of strong, independent women - Anne in the San Francisco art world in the present time and Sally Sue, 1885, kidnapped by a bank robber - it felt like the connection with the green corset lacked strength holding it together. I always like love stories but was hoping something would tie it together more at the end. I wish the author spent more time writing about the history of women wearing corsets as it's most fascinating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy with the book release date of October 13. ( )

The Green Lace Corset A Historical Novel by Jill G. Hall is the third book in a series with split time periods. The Black Velvet Coat & The Silver Shoes are the other books in the series. Anne McFarland is a bohemian artist type in San Francisco. Anne buys eclectic vintage clothing that somehow links her to people in the past. Sally Sue is a very naive woman in 1885 who has a completely different personality than Anne but both have unusual adventures. Light reading for relaxation.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars ( )

I have read all three of the Anne McFarland books, and they are so good! If you love historical fiction and have an imagination that runs away with objects or buildings of the secrets they hold, then this series is for you! You do not have to read them in order, but I would highly suggest you do, so you can get the background on Anne’s life.

Somewhat starving artist, Anne McFarland needs a break. She needs to clear her mind, and find some inspiration. She decides to head east to Arizona, and re-connect once again with nature as well. Of course, she must hit thrift shops along the way, but she had tried to make a promise to herself, to be better with her money and purchases, that is until she see’s a beautiful green lace corset in a Flagstaff resale shop. No, she can’t! But it is beautiful! And of course, a perfect fit! In the bag it goes!

Anne wonders when she would wear something like this? It needs a few minor stitches but it looks good for how old the piece appears. She wonders what kind of woman wore this? Who was she? What did she do? What as the occasion this woman wore this for? and in the Wild West! There were tons of saloons and bar halls back then. Anne gets invited out for a night of drinks and decides she is going to wear the corset. What better chance, than out on the town?! This decisions alters Anne’s life unlike she thought would ever happen!

Sally Sue, has been sent off by her mother to care for her sick aunt. Her mother despises her as it is, and this is her chance to get ride of Sally Sue. She feels she should have been married by now, and her mother reminds her of this daily. She is still reeling after having been part of a bank robber, where she was held hostage and so leaving on a train ride on her own has her a little on edge. She still remembers those cool steely eyes of that man.

She gets on board and settles in, when a handsome man sits by her. As she slowly makes eye contact, she knows something is familiar. Something is nagging at her, and her mind is flipping through memories, and it clicks in place! How dare she have been so bold to have introduced herself, and given this man her name. Now he knows her name! Maybe he won’t realize it is her, it was just that one time.

Sally Sue has to get away from him. She cannot stand to look at him for a minute longer, as she attempts to leave her seat he stops her and makes it known she is not going anywhere! He know! What is she going to do now… scream? Run? Make a scene? That just won’t do. She will just have to get off and hurry away at her stop. Cliff makes it clear to her, that she is not going anywhere without his say. She has just told the ticket collector she is his wife! What in the heck is going on?

As Sally Sue’s decisions are made for her, and Anne is also struggling with making decisions, and the right one. She is not the only one who will be affected by the outcome. Just as Sally Sue is unsure of the outcome of what will happen to her. The two women’s lives, although a century apart are on a similar path in finding the thing they may just have needed in life, but was not looking for. One piece of fabric changed both women’s lives.

Thank you to the author, Jill G. Hall and She Writes Press for sending me an arc of this novel! I could not wait to crack it open when I received it, and it did not disappoint in continuing Anne’s story. I am really excited to see where things take Anne in life, and what the next mysterious piece will connect her to next.