Jill G. Hall

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.… (meer)

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.… (meer)

I absolutely loved this book. I'm a sucker for a novel with dual timelines and something linking the two people, and this nailed it.

Anne is a present struggling artist that works in collage. She finds the black velvet coat from the title in a thrift shop, along with a key in the pocket. The coat prompts her to search for the owner, and in doing so is inspired in her art...in a manner that is almost, dare I say, magical?

Sylvia is the original owner of the coat (some 50 years earlier), and her story is captivating. She is an heiress who is drawn in by a bad boy - a very bad boy - and finds herself hurtling towards a marriage with a man who isn't who she thought him to be.

How their storylines unfold, and eventually connect, is engaging and captivating. You'll be rooting for both Anne and Sylvia to find their courage and their happy endings! I devoured this book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)