What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tailor's Girl
A humble soldier, known only as 'Jones', wakes in hospital with no recollection of his past. The few fleeting fragments of memory he glimpses are horrifying moments from the battlefield at Ypres. His very identity becomes a puzzle he must solve.
Then Eden Valentine comes gliding into his world, a stunning tailoress who has a dream of her own business in high fashion but whose duty to her family may never permit her to fulfil. Her fiancé resents the intrusion of the disarming Jones who is in desperate need of her help to unravel his past.
Surrounding the mystery is Alex Wynter, the influential heir to an industrial empire and country manor Larksfell Hall. With his aristocratic family still reeling from a recent tragedy, he brings news that will further rock the foundations of their privileged lives.
When their three very different worlds collide, the pieces of the past finally fall into place and lead them into wildly unexpected futures. What they discover will bring shattering consequences that threaten to tear apart far more than just the heart of the tailor's girl.
From the bustling streets of post-Great War London to the idyllic 1920s Sussex countryside, this is a breathtaking story of passion and persistence from a phenomenal Australian storyteller about how true love can overcome incredible odds, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.
Then Eden Valentine comes gliding into his world, a stunning tailoress who has a dream of her own business in high fashion but whose duty to her family may never permit her to fulfil. Her fiancé resents the intrusion of the disarming Jones who is in desperate need of her help to unravel his past.
Surrounding the mystery is Alex Wynter, the influential heir to an industrial empire and country manor Larksfell Hall. With his aristocratic family still reeling from a recent tragedy, he brings news that will further rock the foundations of their privileged lives.
When their three very different worlds collide, the pieces of the past finally fall into place and lead them into wildly unexpected futures. What they discover will bring shattering consequences that threaten to tear apart far more than just the heart of the tailor's girl.
From the bustling streets of post-Great War London to the idyllic 1920s Sussex countryside, this is a breathtaking story of passion and persistence from a phenomenal Australian storyteller about how true love can overcome incredible odds, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.
421 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
155 people are currently reading
1465 people want to read
About the author
Fiona McIntosh
70 books1,985 followersFiona writes best selling historical adventure-romance alongside the heroic-romantic, often brutal, fantasy she built her career upon. She lives in Australia but frequently roams the world meticulously researching the locations and gathering material for her historical novels that have international settings. Her books are published worldwide and in various languages.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
January 17, 2018
Dnf @30%.
Obviously, I’m missing something here as most reviewers gave the story high ratings. But I can’t continue as it gets more melodramatic and far-fetched than I can handle.A shell-shocked amnesia-struck war hero doesn't know his name, where he was rescued from, or where he belongs. He enlists assistance of our heroine to help him leave the hospital and ends up at the house she shares with her father. A couple of hours together plus an earth-shattering kiss and they are smitten to the point of declaring everlasting love and agreement on marriage. Never mind that she is engaged to someone else, never mind that nobody knows who he is, not even his name. For all we know, he may be already married and have a family on his own. Who cares about these and other “small” things? Nope, luurve it is and nothing is going to stand on the way to their questionable happiness. Even his shell-shocked symptoms miraculously and selectively disappeared (at least for now) allowing the hero to dazzle the father-daughter with his commercially enterprising skills.
No kidding, we are moving with a lightning speed and bingo! next chapter- they are happily married with kiddo on the way. Excuse me, did I miss something? Was my kindle just malfunctioned and skipped some chapters on how they got from point A to point B and overcome some darn good obstacles? Did I downloaded a 60-second recap instead of the actual story ? Hmmm...
Add to this a wooden dialogue and an uninspiring writing and count me out. Life is too short…
March 16, 2017
A man returns from World War 1 and ends up in a military hospital. He can remember being in the trenches with the other soldiers at Ypres but can remember nothing else, not even his name. Then he meets Eden Valentine, a Jewish seamstress and his life changes. Tom, is the name he and Eden choose for him as he begins to forge a new life. Does this sound a little familiar? Like it has been done before. Well, yes it has. So what kept me reading? The characters. Tom is an interesting character, as is Eden’s father Abe as well as some of the minor characters like Madeleine. Eden is a woman ahead of her time and a great character. She wants more from life than being just a wife and mother and subject to some man’s rules. She also wants Tom and is prepared to go after what she wants, whatever the cost. Eden and Tom plan ahead. But of course things do not always go to plan. If his memory of life before the war returns what then? And then tragedy strikes in more ways than one. I really liked Eden's pluck and spirit. She does not let life's tragedies stop her.
At times events did seem a little too coincidental and one event extremely convenient towards the end of the book, but I was so involved with the characters and their lives that I didn’t care. I’ve read and enjoyed several other books by this author and I gulped this story down. It was another I was reading at strange hours of the morning till I finished. Fiona McIntosh is a good storyteller. This is a definite four star read for me but it gets an extra half star because she manages to tell a good story, with great characters and interesting settings and all without using bad language. Such a refreshing change these days. A thoroughly enjoyable read that tapped into the emotions.
At times events did seem a little too coincidental and one event extremely convenient towards the end of the book, but I was so involved with the characters and their lives that I didn’t care. I’ve read and enjoyed several other books by this author and I gulped this story down. It was another I was reading at strange hours of the morning till I finished. Fiona McIntosh is a good storyteller. This is a definite four star read for me but it gets an extra half star because she manages to tell a good story, with great characters and interesting settings and all without using bad language. Such a refreshing change these days. A thoroughly enjoyable read that tapped into the emotions.
November 29, 2013
I have been reading Fiona McIntosh since she launched her first book, and it is great to see her moving forward in great leaps and bounds.
I have loved every one of her books, but this one is definitely one of her best to date.
I believe she is really coming into her forte in the genre and it shows in this book.
The time setting, location and attention to detail is hard to ignore.
You need to read this book with a great cup of coffee, large block of Chocolate and a box of tissues!
I've, laughed, cried and fallen in love with all the characters in this story. I love Eden Valentine and would love to see what she got up to after this story finished.
I really hope this gets made into a movie, as the colour and detail described in this story would make a fantastically visual and moving big screen production!
I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I did. It is a page turner and I couldn't put it down. I read it in 24 hours.
Yet another fantastic story from Fiona and I look forward to her next novel, and learning from the Master herself next year in her writing course. If I can write half as well as her, then I will be happy!
If you haven't read Fiona yet, pick this book up right now and start an amazing journey with a truly talented author!
I have loved every one of her books, but this one is definitely one of her best to date.
I believe she is really coming into her forte in the genre and it shows in this book.
The time setting, location and attention to detail is hard to ignore.
You need to read this book with a great cup of coffee, large block of Chocolate and a box of tissues!
I've, laughed, cried and fallen in love with all the characters in this story. I love Eden Valentine and would love to see what she got up to after this story finished.
I really hope this gets made into a movie, as the colour and detail described in this story would make a fantastically visual and moving big screen production!
I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I did. It is a page turner and I couldn't put it down. I read it in 24 hours.
Yet another fantastic story from Fiona and I look forward to her next novel, and learning from the Master herself next year in her writing course. If I can write half as well as her, then I will be happy!
If you haven't read Fiona yet, pick this book up right now and start an amazing journey with a truly talented author!
January 4, 2017
3.5 stars
This is my first Fiona McIntosh book and from what I understand, she writes a lot of historical fiction. I loved the idea of this one: a soldier wakes up in a hospital with no memory - he doesn't know his name, where he was rescued from, or where he belongs. He grows more and more melancholy as days go by and no one comes to "claim" him. Along comes Eden Valentine, who with the tap of her high heels, brings a way of escape.
I wanted to like this story more than I did, but the way the memory loss is depicted throughout the book, I just couldn't help but grimace at times. I know this is just a story, and that's why I battled to put aside the eye-roll, clichéd moments and enjoy it for what it is - a beautifully written breathtaking story of love that overcomes tragedy.
This is my first Fiona McIntosh book and from what I understand, she writes a lot of historical fiction. I loved the idea of this one: a soldier wakes up in a hospital with no memory - he doesn't know his name, where he was rescued from, or where he belongs. He grows more and more melancholy as days go by and no one comes to "claim" him. Along comes Eden Valentine, who with the tap of her high heels, brings a way of escape.
I wanted to like this story more than I did, but the way the memory loss is depicted throughout the book, I just couldn't help but grimace at times. I know this is just a story, and that's why I battled to put aside the eye-roll, clichéd moments and enjoy it for what it is - a beautifully written breathtaking story of love that overcomes tragedy.
November 29, 2013
As Jonesy woke from yet another nightmare, Nurse Nance was quickly at his side. Recovering from wounds received on the battlefields of Ypres, his mental anguish was absolute. For Jonesy had no memory of who he was, no memory of the very battlefield which injured him so – only fleeting glimpses of dreams and memories which wouldn’t stay, no matter how hard he tried. Jones was the nickname he’d been given in the hospital – there was a Brown, a Smith and a Green, all with the dreadful “shellshock” which left them not knowing who they were.
Eden Valentine was a lovely young girl, a seamstress who worked with her father, Abe Valentine, a fine Jewish tailor. Abe had lost his wife Nina some years before, but only recently his beloved son Daniel had been killed in the war; devastated and lost Abe and Eden kept themselves busy with their work.
When Eden came into Jonesy’s life, she was delivering a suit to a member of the hospital staff. He was stunned by her beauty, her impeccable taste and style – but he had no idea she would feature prominently in his future. But Eden had been promised to Benjamin Levi from the time she had been in her mother’s womb. The two families were fast friends, and their desire to combine the families went back decades.
As Jonesy became involved in Eden and Abe’s lives, he chose the name “Tom” for his own. He had no real reason for choosing that name, only that it seemed to mean something to him. So Tom he was – but still his great desire was to find out who he really was. With tragedy and sadness threatening the lives of them all, happiness was fleeting, but real. What would happen to Eden and Tom? Would he discover who he was in his past, or his future? Would the tailor’s girl’s dreams come to fruition?
What an absolutely phenomenal story! This has just landed in my favourite books list for 2013 – London in the early part of the twentieth century was the setting of The Tailor’s Girl; the description of post-war London was painted with passion making the pictures in my mind crystal clear, and the plot flowed beautifully. Heartbreak and tragedy, happiness and joy, they all combined to create a story which is gripping, emotional and totally wonderful. A book which I would very highly recommend from an Aussie author with amazing talent!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Eden Valentine was a lovely young girl, a seamstress who worked with her father, Abe Valentine, a fine Jewish tailor. Abe had lost his wife Nina some years before, but only recently his beloved son Daniel had been killed in the war; devastated and lost Abe and Eden kept themselves busy with their work.
When Eden came into Jonesy’s life, she was delivering a suit to a member of the hospital staff. He was stunned by her beauty, her impeccable taste and style – but he had no idea she would feature prominently in his future. But Eden had been promised to Benjamin Levi from the time she had been in her mother’s womb. The two families were fast friends, and their desire to combine the families went back decades.
As Jonesy became involved in Eden and Abe’s lives, he chose the name “Tom” for his own. He had no real reason for choosing that name, only that it seemed to mean something to him. So Tom he was – but still his great desire was to find out who he really was. With tragedy and sadness threatening the lives of them all, happiness was fleeting, but real. What would happen to Eden and Tom? Would he discover who he was in his past, or his future? Would the tailor’s girl’s dreams come to fruition?
What an absolutely phenomenal story! This has just landed in my favourite books list for 2013 – London in the early part of the twentieth century was the setting of The Tailor’s Girl; the description of post-war London was painted with passion making the pictures in my mind crystal clear, and the plot flowed beautifully. Heartbreak and tragedy, happiness and joy, they all combined to create a story which is gripping, emotional and totally wonderful. A book which I would very highly recommend from an Aussie author with amazing talent!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
December 9, 2013
I've been eager to read The Tailor's Girl, having liked everything I have read by Fiona McIntosh, in fact a glowing quote from my review of her last novel, The French Promise appears on the book jacket of this novel. Yet I have to confess that I was disappointed by this story that is essentially a historical romance, which is not my favourite genre.
The characters are appealing, 'Tom' is a charming wounded war hero who inspires sympathy as he struggles with amnesia after fighting on the front. Eden is a sweetheart with an innate core of strength who wants more than to be just a wife and mother, with dreams of being a successful designer and seamstress. I desperately wanted them both to find happiness and I was invested in their relationship, which is wildly romantic.
The setting and period are vividly drawn from the English countryside, to the streets of Paris, and the grandeur of London's Savile Row. McIntosh touches on the post Great War challenges faced not only by the returning soldiers but also the women whose new found freedoms were curtailed upon their return.
But I was dissatisfied with the story of the The Tailor's Girl. I found the plot to be entirely predictable, and its major turning points were horribly cliche, though I can't reveal them without risking spoilers. The entire story also felt oddly familiar but it wasn't until another reviewer pointed out the strong similarities of this story to an old movie, 'Bitter Harvest' (based on a novel) released in 1942 (starring Ronald Colman and Greer Garson)that I realised why. To be fair though the details are McIntosh's own, different from the film's, and the amnesia trope is common in both film and fiction.
I want to be clear that my disappointment with the novel is purely a matter of genre preference, the writing is of McIntosh's usual high standard and I found the characters and setting appealing. As such I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Tailor's Girl to any reader who enjoys historical romance, but I have to admit this won't be a favourite of mine.
September 12, 2023
4.5 stars
Wonderful, wonderful.
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Narrated by Madeleine Leslay
Duration: 15 hrs, 47 min. 1.50x Speed
Wonderful, wonderful.
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Narrated by Madeleine Leslay
Duration: 15 hrs, 47 min. 1.50x Speed
December 15, 2013
Fiona McIntosh writes to keep the reader comfortable. The characters are drawn as likeable and the story flows taking different paths but usually ending as a cosy read. The Tailor's Girl was an extremely enjoyable read. Falling in love with the main players and their lives, gathering together history of an era and flipping through the story without too much angst. Fiona portrays the history of the time beautifully, the family values, the place of women and the general bustle and vibrancy of post war. Recommend as a great holiday read.
August 15, 2016
This was my fifth Fiona McIntosh book, and I haven’t read a bad one yet. I enjoyed this one set mostly in post-WWI England but with some flashbacks to war-time. The ending was no surprise, but I very much enjoyed the journey to get there - and there were a few surprises along the way!
November 22, 2013
I love books like this. They sweep you into the era with such detail that you feel like you are there. This one had an unusual twist which made it particularly fun to read.. I want more!
August 30, 2018
Auf das Buch war ich so richtig gespannt, denn es wird ja schon mit dem Satz “Die mitreißendste Liebesgeschichte seit »Der Englische Patient«” angekündigt und das klingt ja schon mal sehr vielversprechend.
Die Autorin entführt den Leser ins Jahr 1918 und zwar nach England. Wir treffen hier einen jungen Mann, der aus der Krieg zurückgekehrt ist und sich an nichts mehr erinnern kann, außer das er im Kampfeinsatz war. Eines Tages trifft er auf Edie und man merkt recht schnell, dass es zwischen den beiden gefunkt hat. Es gibt allerdings noch so einige Umstände, die für die Beziehung auf den ersten Blick störend sind. Edie ist Jüdin und eigentlich schon einem anderen Mann versprochen und es ist ja dann auch noch die Sache mit seiner Amnesie. Ich will jetzt eigentlich auch nicht zu viel verraten, denn sonst ist der ganze Lesegenuss hinweg.
Persönlich fand ich die Geschichte einfach nur toll. Es gibt in diesem Buch solch eine Fülle an Emotionen, sowohl die Guten als auch die Schlechten. Ich fand es beispielsweise einfach nur reizend, wie die beiden sich näherkommen und gerade Tom ihr gut zuredet und sagt, sie soll sich für ihre Ziele und Wünsche durchsetzen. Hat mir einfach sehr gefallen, gerade für die damalige Zeit. Die Autorin hat allerdings eine riesige Wendung im Plot eingebaut, welche mich wirklich umgehauen hat und es hat mich dann auch deprimiert zu sehen, welche Dinge sich dadurch entwickelt haben. Es gab hier so einige traurige Abschnitte, da habe ich dann doch mit den beiden Hauptprotagonisten mitgelitten und nur noch gehofft.
Die Handlung war auch teilweise sehr spannend, denn man wollte ja unbedingt wissen, wie sich die Sache mit dem Gedächtnis entwickelt. Fand ich richtig toll aufgebaut.
Das Setting in London und in der Nachkriegszeit war sehr realistisch beschrieben, denn bei gewissen Passagen merkte man einfach, wie die Leute leiden und stellenweise auch nichts haben. Es war aus meiner Sicht eine schwierige Zeit.
Die Charaktere haben mir gut gefallen. Gerade die beiden Hauptprotagonisten fand ich toll und authentisch beschrieben. Gerade Edie hat mich definitiv begeistert. Man merkte durch die Seiten regelrecht ihren Lebensmut und welche Entwicklung es damit auf sich hat. Aber auch Tom empfand ich als wirklich sympathisch und nett. Ich konnte auch von beiden die Handlungen sehr gut nachvollziehen.
Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig und angenehm zu lesen. Ich würde ihn auch als wirklich sehr gut verständlich bezeichnen, sodass man auch der Handlung sehr gut folgen konnte. Die Geschichte wird aus wechselnder Perspektive der beiden Hauptprotagonisten erzählt.
Das Cover finde ich sehr ansprechend. Ich finde die Idee mit der Frau im roten Kleid sehr gut umgesetzt und das Cover passt so wirklich gut zur Geschichte.
Zur Autorin:
Fiona McIntosh stammt aus Brighton in England, zog jedoch schon als Teenager nach Australien. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Mann baute sie sich dort eine erfolgreiche Karriere in der Tourismusbranche auf, bevor sie sich dem Schreiben zuwandte. Die Autorin lebt mit ihrer Familie – bestehend aus ihrem Mann, ihren beiden Söhnen, zwei frechen Hunden und zwei verrückten Vögeln – im Süden Australiens.
Quelle: Verlag
Fazit:
5 von 5 Sterne. Tolle Liebesgeschichte. Fand ich mal was anderes, aber einfach nur reizend. Hat mich toll unterhalten. Klare Kauf – und Leseempfehlung.
Die Autorin entführt den Leser ins Jahr 1918 und zwar nach England. Wir treffen hier einen jungen Mann, der aus der Krieg zurückgekehrt ist und sich an nichts mehr erinnern kann, außer das er im Kampfeinsatz war. Eines Tages trifft er auf Edie und man merkt recht schnell, dass es zwischen den beiden gefunkt hat. Es gibt allerdings noch so einige Umstände, die für die Beziehung auf den ersten Blick störend sind. Edie ist Jüdin und eigentlich schon einem anderen Mann versprochen und es ist ja dann auch noch die Sache mit seiner Amnesie. Ich will jetzt eigentlich auch nicht zu viel verraten, denn sonst ist der ganze Lesegenuss hinweg.
Persönlich fand ich die Geschichte einfach nur toll. Es gibt in diesem Buch solch eine Fülle an Emotionen, sowohl die Guten als auch die Schlechten. Ich fand es beispielsweise einfach nur reizend, wie die beiden sich näherkommen und gerade Tom ihr gut zuredet und sagt, sie soll sich für ihre Ziele und Wünsche durchsetzen. Hat mir einfach sehr gefallen, gerade für die damalige Zeit. Die Autorin hat allerdings eine riesige Wendung im Plot eingebaut, welche mich wirklich umgehauen hat und es hat mich dann auch deprimiert zu sehen, welche Dinge sich dadurch entwickelt haben. Es gab hier so einige traurige Abschnitte, da habe ich dann doch mit den beiden Hauptprotagonisten mitgelitten und nur noch gehofft.
Die Handlung war auch teilweise sehr spannend, denn man wollte ja unbedingt wissen, wie sich die Sache mit dem Gedächtnis entwickelt. Fand ich richtig toll aufgebaut.
Das Setting in London und in der Nachkriegszeit war sehr realistisch beschrieben, denn bei gewissen Passagen merkte man einfach, wie die Leute leiden und stellenweise auch nichts haben. Es war aus meiner Sicht eine schwierige Zeit.
Die Charaktere haben mir gut gefallen. Gerade die beiden Hauptprotagonisten fand ich toll und authentisch beschrieben. Gerade Edie hat mich definitiv begeistert. Man merkte durch die Seiten regelrecht ihren Lebensmut und welche Entwicklung es damit auf sich hat. Aber auch Tom empfand ich als wirklich sympathisch und nett. Ich konnte auch von beiden die Handlungen sehr gut nachvollziehen.
Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig und angenehm zu lesen. Ich würde ihn auch als wirklich sehr gut verständlich bezeichnen, sodass man auch der Handlung sehr gut folgen konnte. Die Geschichte wird aus wechselnder Perspektive der beiden Hauptprotagonisten erzählt.
Das Cover finde ich sehr ansprechend. Ich finde die Idee mit der Frau im roten Kleid sehr gut umgesetzt und das Cover passt so wirklich gut zur Geschichte.
Zur Autorin:
Fiona McIntosh stammt aus Brighton in England, zog jedoch schon als Teenager nach Australien. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Mann baute sie sich dort eine erfolgreiche Karriere in der Tourismusbranche auf, bevor sie sich dem Schreiben zuwandte. Die Autorin lebt mit ihrer Familie – bestehend aus ihrem Mann, ihren beiden Söhnen, zwei frechen Hunden und zwei verrückten Vögeln – im Süden Australiens.
Quelle: Verlag
Fazit:
5 von 5 Sterne. Tolle Liebesgeschichte. Fand ich mal was anderes, aber einfach nur reizend. Hat mich toll unterhalten. Klare Kauf – und Leseempfehlung.
Read
August 26, 2015DNF at 38%
I want it to be known that this resolution completely sucks for me.
Fiona McIntosh is one of my favourite authors (and my favourite Aussie Fantasy author), and I would recommend any one of her fantasy series' in a heartbeat. Unfortunately The Tailor's Girl just didn't work for me.
Reading should be a thing of enjoyment and escapism but I just found this book a complete chore. The story itself is fine and, as always, Fiona's writing is vivid and intricate and the actions of these characters are so life-like that what little I read played out like a movie in my mind.
While this is a great thing it couldn't stop the constant boredom that kept seeping in. It got to the point where I was finding things to do so I wouldn't have to keep trying to read this.
Honestly, I'm disappointed with myself that I can't push on.
One thing to note, this is not my kind of genre. I usually avoid any books of this kind like the plague. You're probably wondering why in the heck then did I bother purchasing this book and set myself up for such a fall. Well, basically, Fiona McIntosh did a book signing a few months back and I was dying to go. I took my old copy of Betrayal - her first novel that was ever published - to get signed and felt that it would be cheap of me not to purchase one of her current novels that were on display at the signing. There was a whole bunch to choose from and I went with my gut and picked this one up.
Bottom line: My gut instinct sucks.
I'm choosing not to rate any stars as I think it's unfair of me to effect the grading for this book when I only made it to 38%. Thats not to say I'm giving this no stars, it just means I'm withholding any rating.
So anyone out there reading this, unsure of giving this book a go, please don't let my lack of rating baffle you. If this is your kind of genre (wartime, romance, protag. suffering memory loss, heroine who is begging to be seen as a strong independant woman of 1920s England) then go right ahead. You may find something in here that I didn't.
On the positive side of things; signed copy!
I want it to be known that this resolution completely sucks for me.
Fiona McIntosh is one of my favourite authors (and my favourite Aussie Fantasy author), and I would recommend any one of her fantasy series' in a heartbeat. Unfortunately The Tailor's Girl just didn't work for me.
Reading should be a thing of enjoyment and escapism but I just found this book a complete chore. The story itself is fine and, as always, Fiona's writing is vivid and intricate and the actions of these characters are so life-like that what little I read played out like a movie in my mind.
While this is a great thing it couldn't stop the constant boredom that kept seeping in. It got to the point where I was finding things to do so I wouldn't have to keep trying to read this.
Honestly, I'm disappointed with myself that I can't push on.
One thing to note, this is not my kind of genre. I usually avoid any books of this kind like the plague. You're probably wondering why in the heck then did I bother purchasing this book and set myself up for such a fall. Well, basically, Fiona McIntosh did a book signing a few months back and I was dying to go. I took my old copy of Betrayal - her first novel that was ever published - to get signed and felt that it would be cheap of me not to purchase one of her current novels that were on display at the signing. There was a whole bunch to choose from and I went with my gut and picked this one up.
Bottom line: My gut instinct sucks.
I'm choosing not to rate any stars as I think it's unfair of me to effect the grading for this book when I only made it to 38%. Thats not to say I'm giving this no stars, it just means I'm withholding any rating.
So anyone out there reading this, unsure of giving this book a go, please don't let my lack of rating baffle you. If this is your kind of genre (wartime, romance, protag. suffering memory loss, heroine who is begging to be seen as a strong independant woman of 1920s England) then go right ahead. You may find something in here that I didn't.
On the positive side of things; signed copy!
July 9, 2019
The Tailor’s Girl
by
Fiona McIntosh
The Tailor’s Girl by Fiona McIntosh is the best book I have read this year; maybe all time. Romance is combined with the trauma suffered by a returned World War 1 soldier who is suffering amnesia and shell shock, as it was known back then. Jonesy, as the staff called him, is hospitalised towards the end of World War 1, and has no memory of anything prior to waking up in this establishment.
A friendly visitor (Eden) helps him escape from the hospital and he begins life again. Romance blooms, followed by marriage and a pregnancy. Suddenly Alex is reborn with only flashes of memory and noises to remind him of those lost years.
The Tailor’s Girl was a thoroughly enjoyable novel. It was well-paced and more than once I found myself sitting in our garage listening to the end of a chapter. Narrator, Madeleine Leslay, made the nearly sixteen hours of this novel pass so quickly, it seemed more like a 7-8 hour book.
The Tailor’s Girl is definitely a five star audio book
The only negative comment is that I enjoyed The Tailor’s Girl so much it has been difficult to find a ‘next read’ that will hold my attention.
Other Goodreads readers have rated The Tailor’s Girl an average of 4.09 stars, from 1,135 ratings and 138 reviews.
by
Fiona McIntosh
The Tailor’s Girl by Fiona McIntosh is the best book I have read this year; maybe all time. Romance is combined with the trauma suffered by a returned World War 1 soldier who is suffering amnesia and shell shock, as it was known back then. Jonesy, as the staff called him, is hospitalised towards the end of World War 1, and has no memory of anything prior to waking up in this establishment.
A friendly visitor (Eden) helps him escape from the hospital and he begins life again. Romance blooms, followed by marriage and a pregnancy. Suddenly Alex is reborn with only flashes of memory and noises to remind him of those lost years.
The Tailor’s Girl was a thoroughly enjoyable novel. It was well-paced and more than once I found myself sitting in our garage listening to the end of a chapter. Narrator, Madeleine Leslay, made the nearly sixteen hours of this novel pass so quickly, it seemed more like a 7-8 hour book.
The Tailor’s Girl is definitely a five star audio book
The only negative comment is that I enjoyed The Tailor’s Girl so much it has been difficult to find a ‘next read’ that will hold my attention.
Other Goodreads readers have rated The Tailor’s Girl an average of 4.09 stars, from 1,135 ratings and 138 reviews.
April 7, 2018
I'll be generous and say this was an error of casting on my part: I expected it to be a book in the style of Kate Morton, but it turned out to be a "Romance". It didn't start too badly, despite an annoying audiobook narration where!everything!was!an!exclamation!with!the!same!emphasis.
But soon, things stopped making sense. An amnesiac WWI veteran is "rescued" from a hospital by a jewish girl that takes him home to her father. Obviously, in the journey they fall madly in love, for some mysterious reason. However, the jewish girl Edie is set to have an arranged marriage soon, strongly supported by her father. After a couple of days, the amnesiac Tom manages to convey his feelings for Edie, engraciate himself to the father and win a ton of money just by betting on a horse with the only coin he had. Because, that's what happens.
Edie, who wasn't set on the arranged marriage anyway, starts to have more and more objections. And then an incredible scene happens: Benjamin's (groom-to-be) mother and other ladies invade her house saying: "In the absense of your mother, I have agreed to be your guardian in the week prior to the wedding ceremony." Edie is shocked, saying she doesn't understand. Future mother in law says: 'Last night, we sensed some reticence on your part regarding this marriage. Why wait?!' A minute later they're telling her: come, we must prepare you for your wedding. Edie asks: 'when exactly is this marriage taking place?' 'We thought TONIGHT! We are ready.' (Wait a minute lady, didn't you just say a week before the wedding? I'm sorry but this conversation is bonkers!) She continues to tell Edie her plans. When bewildered Edie turns to her father to demand why this was arranged behind her back, her dear mother-in-law slaps her in the face. DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE TO YOU? Because to me it was worse than slapstick.
Later, the cherry on the cake, Edie and her father invite the would-be in-laws to tell them gently the wedding is off, but the dinner is interrupted by amnesiac Tom who starts negociating the cloth Edie's father has to sell and basically flaunting his new money (on the Jewish Sabbath, when no business is done) because he is incredibly charming and classy like that. In the middle of an argument about Edie's hopes and dreams (defending him like a knight in shining armor because he loves her more than words can say - after knowing her for two days) he still manages to ask Edie TO MARRY HIM, in front of all the people present. At this point I was just shaking my head at the madness and decided that this is not the book for me. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else either.
December 1, 2013
PATHETIC - RANDOM HARVEST RIP OFF
I love this story, so much...I've seen the movie 20 times. The movie you ask, why yes - Random Harvest (1942) starring Greer Garson and Ronald Colman based on the novel 'Random Harvest' by James Hilton who also wrote 'Goodbye Mr Chips' and 'Lost Horizon'.
The plot in Random Harvest - a WWI soldier with amnesia in santorium named Smithy, meets a woman, settles into life together, goes to Liverpool for a job interview and is hit by a taxi, loses his post-war memory but remembers his pre-war memory and that he is the son of a wealthy industrialist but forgets his pregnant wife and their life together...
SOUND FAMILIAR ANYONE !!!
This is my first review, I think. My reason is that I like to give credit where it's due - thank you James Hilton for providing the plot for one of my favourite movies.
As for Fiona McIntosh, I will never read one of your books again. The first sentence under acknowledgements in the back of this book says 'Where do ideas for stories come from?...but for this novel I precisely know what triggered the tale.'
REALLY - my guess would have been a Bill Collins movie night!!
I love this story, so much...I've seen the movie 20 times. The movie you ask, why yes - Random Harvest (1942) starring Greer Garson and Ronald Colman based on the novel 'Random Harvest' by James Hilton who also wrote 'Goodbye Mr Chips' and 'Lost Horizon'.
The plot in Random Harvest - a WWI soldier with amnesia in santorium named Smithy, meets a woman, settles into life together, goes to Liverpool for a job interview and is hit by a taxi, loses his post-war memory but remembers his pre-war memory and that he is the son of a wealthy industrialist but forgets his pregnant wife and their life together...
SOUND FAMILIAR ANYONE !!!
This is my first review, I think. My reason is that I like to give credit where it's due - thank you James Hilton for providing the plot for one of my favourite movies.
As for Fiona McIntosh, I will never read one of your books again. The first sentence under acknowledgements in the back of this book says 'Where do ideas for stories come from?...but for this novel I precisely know what triggered the tale.'
REALLY - my guess would have been a Bill Collins movie night!!
September 4, 2013
This is only the second Fiona McIntosh book I have read (another is already on the 'to read' pile) and I must say she is quickly becoming a favourite. After all this book combines historical fiction and romance - what more can a girl like me ask for? I actually didn't want this book to end because I enjoyed visualising it, I was there with the characters, I was in their world (London at the end of WWI) and when I finished the book I desperately wished this book could be made into a movie because it would look superb played out on the screen!
I loved the romance between Tom and Eden. "Tom" has lost his memory after the battle of Ypres and is in hospital in England waiting to be claimed by someone. Instead of waiting around he decides to live his life, and falls in love with Eden, the tailor's daughter. The reader can't help but fall in love with both of them. But tragedy strikes (for want of a better phrase) when his memories return and we play out completely new strands in their lives, not knowing whether they will find each other again and love will indeed conquer all.
I loved the romance between Tom and Eden. "Tom" has lost his memory after the battle of Ypres and is in hospital in England waiting to be claimed by someone. Instead of waiting around he decides to live his life, and falls in love with Eden, the tailor's daughter. The reader can't help but fall in love with both of them. But tragedy strikes (for want of a better phrase) when his memories return and we play out completely new strands in their lives, not knowing whether they will find each other again and love will indeed conquer all.
April 6, 2016
Sweet story, but not compellingly told. The dialogue doesn't ring true: British reserve is a stereotype for a reason, and yet almost everyone in this book is incredibly candid, even with near-perfect strangers. This candour contributes to the feeling that everything happens so quickly, that major life events are piling one upon the other and rushing to the conclusion. I felt I was reading a condensed version of a longer, more elegant novel.
April 8, 2016
This was the first Fiona McIntosh book I have ever read - but it won't be the last. The Tailor's Girl was lovely, a perfect mesh of several genres; romance, suspense, historical fiction, mystery. The characters were likeable and engaging and the attention to historical detail impressive. I particularly enjoyed the way McIntosh makes her female characters strong and empowered, even in a historical setting where women were not afforded the same rights and responsibilities they are today.
November 4, 2015
I loved this book. As usual, Fiona McIntosh's writing is wonderful. She draws the reader into the book.
I didn't want to put this book down, nor did I want it to end!!
I didn't want to put this book down, nor did I want it to end!!
January 8, 2019
Beautiful story. I love it. Really don't wanna stop reading this book. I was so courios about what's gonna happen next. But when it's come to an end - Oh no! I don't like the ending. But I do really enjoyed it.
September 12, 2019
This was my second Fiona McIntosh novel and it definitely will not be the last. Loved every single page! I was nearing the end and as much as I was keen to read to the end, I went back 70 pages or so to recap and re-establish the events.
March 30, 2020
Loved it! A real romance!
Read
March 17, 2024A lovely romantic tale. Loved it
December 31, 2013
I received this book from The Reading Room (THANK YOU!) for review purposes and I am so glad I did! This was my first introduction to Fiona McIntosh's work and I can honestly say that I loved it and look forward to reading more from this talented writer. From the onset the reader will find that the setting in post war London successfully evokes the feelings of the time and the struggles faced by the returning soldiers, the war having changed their psyches forever. The main characters are well formed and very charming and I was hooked from the onset. In fact, once I really got into it at around chapter 3- I had to finish it in 24 hours! And not without being moved to tears in several parts. I particularly loved the relationship Edie shared with her dear father Abe and how circumstances ravelled and unravelled around them. This is a historical romance and anyone looking for a page turner filed with emotion, drama, love, loss and many twists all set within a charming British countryside as well as the chic London scene of the 1920's will appreciate this work. The first twist (which I can't explain for fear of spoiling) I did not see coming and really loved but I must admit as the novel progressed, I found myself predicting the outcome. Nevertheless, I did not see this as a negative as I loved the whole expanse of the story. Tom and Eddie 's saga captured my heart and I read the last few pages through tears! Bravo Ms McIntosh! Thank you for a beautiful holiday read! If you love historical romance- try this one. You will be hooked!
February 12, 2018
This would definitely be my favourite Fiona McIntosh novel so far. From the start I was caught up in Edie and Tom/Alex's lives and, after Tom's accident, had my fingers crossed that, somehow, these two star-crossed lovers would find their way back to each other.
Fiona McIntosh always knows how to create extremely likeable characters, and Eden and Tom/Alex were both sweeties and I enjoyed following their journeys. I especially admired Eden for her strength of characters and determination to be more than just a good Jewish wife and mother, which was what her father was hoping for her. The fact she was a talented seamstress who dreamt of establishing her own salon, despite women's restrictive choices in the 1920s, was a big plus.
I also liked most of the secondary characters including Abe Valentine, Eden's father, Penny Aubrey-Finch, Alex's fiancee, and Edie's French friend, Madeleine. In fact the only character who really annoyed me was Benjamin Levi, the guy who was determined to make Eden his wife.
Despite being predictable and a bit cliche, The Tailor's Girl was a delightful story full of emotion, mystery, drama, loss and love. I was captured from the first page and didn't want to put the book down until I finished the last.
Fiona McIntosh always knows how to create extremely likeable characters, and Eden and Tom/Alex were both sweeties and I enjoyed following their journeys. I especially admired Eden for her strength of characters and determination to be more than just a good Jewish wife and mother, which was what her father was hoping for her. The fact she was a talented seamstress who dreamt of establishing her own salon, despite women's restrictive choices in the 1920s, was a big plus.
I also liked most of the secondary characters including Abe Valentine, Eden's father, Penny Aubrey-Finch, Alex's fiancee, and Edie's French friend, Madeleine. In fact the only character who really annoyed me was Benjamin Levi, the guy who was determined to make Eden his wife.
Despite being predictable and a bit cliche, The Tailor's Girl was a delightful story full of emotion, mystery, drama, loss and love. I was captured from the first page and didn't want to put the book down until I finished the last.
April 26, 2015
It's 1919, and "Jonesy" can't remember who he is. He remembers glimpses of his times in the trenches, believing he was in the battle of Ypres, but he has no memory of his life from before the war and cannot remember his name. Feeling helpless and wanting to do something to leave the hospital he's been recovering in, he enlists the help of the local Tailor's Girl, Edie Valentine.
Edie is an accomplished seamstress and has big dreams of her own. But she falls for the disarming stranger with no memory, and he with her. But their world unravels when Tom (Jonesy) loses his memory of her in a street in London, only to regain those of his past as Alex. Lost and alone, will they find their way back to one another?
I finished reading this only moments ago and immediately set about writing this review. The characters in this book were so fantastic, I think I fell in love with most of them, with the exception of one. My heart broke many, many times and I couldn't put The Tailor's Girl down until the end. I love it when a book makes me feel disappointed, not because of how it ended, but because it did. That is how I feel about The Tailor's Girl.
Edie is an accomplished seamstress and has big dreams of her own. But she falls for the disarming stranger with no memory, and he with her. But their world unravels when Tom (Jonesy) loses his memory of her in a street in London, only to regain those of his past as Alex. Lost and alone, will they find their way back to one another?
I finished reading this only moments ago and immediately set about writing this review. The characters in this book were so fantastic, I think I fell in love with most of them, with the exception of one. My heart broke many, many times and I couldn't put The Tailor's Girl down until the end. I love it when a book makes me feel disappointed, not because of how it ended, but because it did. That is how I feel about The Tailor's Girl.
January 21, 2015
What is it about Fiona McIntosh, I can't help but read her novels in one sitting. I read Fields of Gold a couple of years ago and loved it, so I purchased The Tailor's Girl, expecting more of the same. I wasn't disappointed because I did love it, however this lacked the action and adventure I was expecting. Nonetheless I was drawn in to life in 1920's London through a series of wonderfully developed characters and a well woven plot, that initially I thought would fail to capture my attention for the entire novel, but to my surprise kept me largely captivated throughout.
Upon reflection I guess this is primarily a romance novel and had I been aware of this, probably would not have started reading this book as I don't usually rate the genre, however this was a great read.
Upon reflection I guess this is primarily a romance novel and had I been aware of this, probably would not have started reading this book as I don't usually rate the genre, however this was a great read.
July 24, 2016
This was a warm and inviting read. I'm quite a fan of Fiona's books now and The Tailor's Girl would have to be my favourite of those I've read so far.
Where most wartime historical fiction focuses on the events as they were happening, this book focuses on the aftermath and the trauma returned soldiers experienced and I really liked that about this story.
Filled with mystery, romance and delicious descriptions of tailoring and dressmaking during the rise of the Jazz age, I'd recommend this to anyone who hasn't yet picked up one of her books and isn't sure where to start. It was great!
Where most wartime historical fiction focuses on the events as they were happening, this book focuses on the aftermath and the trauma returned soldiers experienced and I really liked that about this story.
Filled with mystery, romance and delicious descriptions of tailoring and dressmaking during the rise of the Jazz age, I'd recommend this to anyone who hasn't yet picked up one of her books and isn't sure where to start. It was great!
January 26, 2016
This is definitely a girly read - hopelessly romantic, very improbable yet with a fairly predictable outcome, but a lovely book that kept me hooked the whole way. It really felt like watching a romantic movie. It's the story of a shell shocked soldier who returns from WW2 having lost his memory. He manages to build a happy life and family before regaining his old memories and losing memories of his current life. The search for his missing link, and his wife's search for him go on as they both live their new lives. Very easy to read and entertaining. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
November 10, 2013
I loved this book. I thought the setting of post-war London was wonderful, especially the author's descriptions of the fashions at that time. The book had a very cinematic feel to it - I think it would make a wonderful movie. The story is well-paced, with lots of twists and turns - all in all a great love story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews