Despite being completely a historical novel wirh nary a reference to the Bergstroms and Elm Creek Quilts asin the other novels, this one held my attention all the way through! My only complaint is it ended rather abruptly. Having not read the other book this is supposed to be connected to, I was at least not spoiled by knowing any outcomes. Having also not read Pride and Prejudice, which some reviewers draw comparison to, I also did not have the plot spoiled by recognizing similarities. (I did however predict romantic arcs and make correct character judgments just based on being well read in general, recognizing character introductions as foreshadowing, and picking up on subtext.)

This book holds up on its own just fine (minus the abrupt ending) so it does not have to be read in order of the rest of the Elm Creek books.