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Patchwork Girls
Cats and curses, Shadows and secrets...
Harriett, Ruby, Sarah and Emily have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Together they live in the dreary, seaside town of Woolington-on-Sea where absolutely nothing ever happens. That is until Harriett's sister dies mysteriously and a Shadow starts haunting them. Now they are plagued by memories that don't seem to belong to them and by magic they don't understand. The Shadow tests their friendships as long buried secrets come to light...
Harriett, Ruby, Sarah and Emily have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Together they live in the dreary, seaside town of Woolington-on-Sea where absolutely nothing ever happens. That is until Harriett's sister dies mysteriously and a Shadow starts haunting them. Now they are plagued by memories that don't seem to belong to them and by magic they don't understand. The Shadow tests their friendships as long buried secrets come to light...
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2023
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Rachel C. Hyde
3 books36 followersRachel C. Hyde is a novelist with an unhealthy
addiction to coffee and chocolate eclairs. She
lives with her husband and dog in a not-so sunny seaside town in the south of England. Her biggest dream in life is to have a novel published - her second biggest dream is to one day own a very expensive coffee maker.
Hyde has a BA in English Lit and Creative Writing and is currently completing an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. When not crying over her laptop, she can be found walking her dog by the sea, combing charity shops for books, or rewatching Gilmore Girls for the gazillionth time.
addiction to coffee and chocolate eclairs. She
lives with her husband and dog in a not-so sunny seaside town in the south of England. Her biggest dream in life is to have a novel published - her second biggest dream is to one day own a very expensive coffee maker.
Hyde has a BA in English Lit and Creative Writing and is currently completing an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. When not crying over her laptop, she can be found walking her dog by the sea, combing charity shops for books, or rewatching Gilmore Girls for the gazillionth time.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 2, 2025
What a ride this book has been!
Patchwork Girls is a coming of age story about four teenage girls who find themselves tangled in a dark web of magic, curses and revenge. It's an epic tale of friendship, loss, love and growing up.
Set in a dreary English town, this book is full of gothic vibes (with black cats, gloom and ghost armies), girl power, friendship and love. It masterfully explores complex topics such as loss of loved ones, chronic illness, friendships waning with the passage of time and more.
Each of the four protagonists were so realtable, complex and layered in their own way that it was a pleasure reading each of their POVs. I honestly don't even know which of the girls was my favourite. If I really had to pick one, I guess I'd go for Harriett. I just have a thing for her queenly charisma I guess.
Definitely reccomend to anyone who enjoys fantasy retellings and epic journeys with many twists.
Patchwork Girls is a coming of age story about four teenage girls who find themselves tangled in a dark web of magic, curses and revenge. It's an epic tale of friendship, loss, love and growing up.
Set in a dreary English town, this book is full of gothic vibes (with black cats, gloom and ghost armies), girl power, friendship and love. It masterfully explores complex topics such as loss of loved ones, chronic illness, friendships waning with the passage of time and more.
Each of the four protagonists were so realtable, complex and layered in their own way that it was a pleasure reading each of their POVs. I honestly don't even know which of the girls was my favourite. If I really had to pick one, I guess I'd go for Harriett. I just have a thing for her queenly charisma I guess.
Definitely reccomend to anyone who enjoys fantasy retellings and epic journeys with many twists.
September 3, 2024
I'm 100% the perfect reader for this book, give me Arthurian mythology, magic cats, and a focus on friendships during girlhood and I have no hope but to be obsessed. I loved these girls, and I loved their stories. Just beautiful <3
October 24, 2024
There was just something so real and raw about this book. With each character being so relatable and personal, I really felt that friendship that every teenage girl desires.
Thank you Rachel for the comfort this book brought and the tears you made me shed. It was a true master piece ❤️
Thank you Rachel for the comfort this book brought and the tears you made me shed. It was a true master piece ❤️
February 20, 2024
A truly amazing and unique YA novel. Beautiful from beginning to end.
November 28, 2023
{4.25/5}
CW: death of a sibling, mild gore, chronic illness, some others
Read via Order of the Bookish.
The saint. The demon of a girl. The girl who wants to know love. The descendent of travelers.
The queen. The warrior. The lover. The witch.
All is not as it seems in Woolington-on-sea. Four friend are being haunted, and the shadow grows ever nearer.
What I first thought was going to be an ultimately uneventful, somewhat dull, girl-mourns-family-and-debates-her-sanity type of thing rapidly evolved into an immersive, engaging, close-friends-go-through-hell-and-hauntings escapade, and I loved it. I absolutely could not put the book down, and I’m so glad I got a chance to read it.
Our story follows four friends, a group of 15-16 year old girls who have been friends forever. The book itself is split into different 3rd person POV sections, and each girl gets a part of the story. Thanks to each girl getting a section, we also get a marvelous glimpse into their characters and motivations along the way. This is particularly helpful because one girl (I won’t tell you which because *spoilers*) would be incredibly easy to absolutely hate. Really, she’s still my least favorite, but at least her ‘why’ has a chance to hold its own. I’m sure there will be more than a few readers who resonate with her, but I just couldn’t do it.
The story itself ended up being so much more than just a straight-forward haunting, and I was incredibly pleased about it. What we end up with is an amazing blend of modern-day, small-town UK school friends combined with Arthurian-era European history in a way that I haven’t personally seen done this well…possibly ever. To be fair, more modern spins on those legends have always been some of my favorite stories, so I may be a little biased.
I can’t really tell you more about the story itself without giving away some of the best plot points, and I really think you should read them for yourself. The characters, the setting, and the slow peeling back of the layers and layers of intricacies that the author has woven into this tale all come together in a way that is both creepy and enthralling. Those parts of the story that feel almost bogged down end up being some of the most important and revealing pieces, and right when you think you know how the story will end, something changes. It’s an incredible story, and if you like a blend of dark academia and trippy, haunting thrillers, this book deserves a read.
CW: death of a sibling, mild gore, chronic illness, some others
Read via Order of the Bookish.
The saint. The demon of a girl. The girl who wants to know love. The descendent of travelers.
The queen. The warrior. The lover. The witch.
All is not as it seems in Woolington-on-sea. Four friend are being haunted, and the shadow grows ever nearer.
What I first thought was going to be an ultimately uneventful, somewhat dull, girl-mourns-family-and-debates-her-sanity type of thing rapidly evolved into an immersive, engaging, close-friends-go-through-hell-and-hauntings escapade, and I loved it. I absolutely could not put the book down, and I’m so glad I got a chance to read it.
Our story follows four friends, a group of 15-16 year old girls who have been friends forever. The book itself is split into different 3rd person POV sections, and each girl gets a part of the story. Thanks to each girl getting a section, we also get a marvelous glimpse into their characters and motivations along the way. This is particularly helpful because one girl (I won’t tell you which because *spoilers*) would be incredibly easy to absolutely hate. Really, she’s still my least favorite, but at least her ‘why’ has a chance to hold its own. I’m sure there will be more than a few readers who resonate with her, but I just couldn’t do it.
The story itself ended up being so much more than just a straight-forward haunting, and I was incredibly pleased about it. What we end up with is an amazing blend of modern-day, small-town UK school friends combined with Arthurian-era European history in a way that I haven’t personally seen done this well…possibly ever. To be fair, more modern spins on those legends have always been some of my favorite stories, so I may be a little biased.
I can’t really tell you more about the story itself without giving away some of the best plot points, and I really think you should read them for yourself. The characters, the setting, and the slow peeling back of the layers and layers of intricacies that the author has woven into this tale all come together in a way that is both creepy and enthralling. Those parts of the story that feel almost bogged down end up being some of the most important and revealing pieces, and right when you think you know how the story will end, something changes. It’s an incredible story, and if you like a blend of dark academia and trippy, haunting thrillers, this book deserves a read.
November 27, 2023
This is the book that just keeps on giving!
Harriet, Ruby, Emily and Sarah have been friends for as long as they can imagine. In the summer before their final year at school, tragedy strikes when Harriet's sister, Hayley, dies in very suspicious and inexplicable circumstances. Just as they return to school, inexplicable things begin to happen to each of them, all of them finding lapses in time and seemingly haunted by a shadow.
From there, what follows is an absolutely fascinating story, one which kept me guessing the entire way through. Each of the 4 main characters was well written, all with significant flaws as well as very conceivable roles in the group. It's a friendship to envy, well, until it isn't!
The writing is absolutely beautiful. It was so well balanced between fantasy, mystery, thriller, a smidge of a slow burn romance and a little bit of historical fiction. Pretty much everything you could ask for, unless you have stuff to do because this is most definitely a "one more chapter" book!
Harriet, Ruby, Emily and Sarah have been friends for as long as they can imagine. In the summer before their final year at school, tragedy strikes when Harriet's sister, Hayley, dies in very suspicious and inexplicable circumstances. Just as they return to school, inexplicable things begin to happen to each of them, all of them finding lapses in time and seemingly haunted by a shadow.
From there, what follows is an absolutely fascinating story, one which kept me guessing the entire way through. Each of the 4 main characters was well written, all with significant flaws as well as very conceivable roles in the group. It's a friendship to envy, well, until it isn't!
The writing is absolutely beautiful. It was so well balanced between fantasy, mystery, thriller, a smidge of a slow burn romance and a little bit of historical fiction. Pretty much everything you could ask for, unless you have stuff to do because this is most definitely a "one more chapter" book!
February 2, 2024
The author beautifully crafted a story about female friendship woven with magic, death and betrayal. I really enjoyed getting to read the different character POVs and how each of them tied to the story.
September 3, 2023
Absolutely wonderful.
I went through all the feels; joy, sorrow, anger, rage, elation.
Ruby was by far my favourite character. Seeing someone suffering from a chronic illness be so strong and refuse to be defined by her circumstances was really uplifting. The plot twists and turns were great. I loved the historical aspects of it, the flashbacks and returning to the past and all of that was handled soooo well.
Okay, let me just put it out there: there's this one character that gets under my skin (I think they're meant to do that). I swear their idiocy was written in the stars and they were destined for foolishness in every lifetime; past, present and future!
Honestly, they did also make the story really interesting, and I think Hyde handled her character development (or the lack of it) very well.
All in all, Patchwork Girls is a very well-written book with a beautifully crafted story which has birthed in me a new love of medieval British literature.
I'm glad I read it.
I went through all the feels; joy, sorrow, anger, rage, elation.
Ruby was by far my favourite character. Seeing someone suffering from a chronic illness be so strong and refuse to be defined by her circumstances was really uplifting. The plot twists and turns were great. I loved the historical aspects of it, the flashbacks and returning to the past and all of that was handled soooo well.
Okay, let me just put it out there: there's this one character that gets under my skin (I think they're meant to do that). I swear their idiocy was written in the stars and they were destined for foolishness in every lifetime; past, present and future!
Honestly, they did also make the story really interesting, and I think Hyde handled her character development (or the lack of it) very well.
All in all, Patchwork Girls is a very well-written book with a beautifully crafted story which has birthed in me a new love of medieval British literature.
I'm glad I read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2023
Yes, I am reviewing my own book.
It's rather narcissistic of me, I know.
Patchwork Girls is a novel that lived inside my head for so long that it's hard to believe it's finally in printed form. I came up with the idea when I worked in a call centre, and then that idea mutated and changed over the next four years. I had a lot of ideas...
I wanted to write a book filled with magic and English mythology, I wanted to write a book that was about girls for girls - where every character had their own journey and was kind of in love with one another. And, for the most part, I think I succeeded in writing the kind of book I personally would love to read.
It's a book filled with strange curses, dreary English towns, friendship and growing up.
You might be wondering then, why I have rated my own novel four stars rather than five. I will tell you.
Patchwork Girls has shaped who I am as a writer. It is by far the best thing I've ever written and yet, if I was to write it again, there would still be things I would change or tweak. Because ultimately, I'm a different kind of writer now, and that's largely due to this book. I can't honestly give it five stars, because five stars would mean I think it's perfect. And I simply do not think of my writing that way.
I can honestly say I love this book though. I have loved creating it and I truly hope others love reading it.
It's rather narcissistic of me, I know.
Patchwork Girls is a novel that lived inside my head for so long that it's hard to believe it's finally in printed form. I came up with the idea when I worked in a call centre, and then that idea mutated and changed over the next four years. I had a lot of ideas...
I wanted to write a book filled with magic and English mythology, I wanted to write a book that was about girls for girls - where every character had their own journey and was kind of in love with one another. And, for the most part, I think I succeeded in writing the kind of book I personally would love to read.
It's a book filled with strange curses, dreary English towns, friendship and growing up.
You might be wondering then, why I have rated my own novel four stars rather than five. I will tell you.
Patchwork Girls has shaped who I am as a writer. It is by far the best thing I've ever written and yet, if I was to write it again, there would still be things I would change or tweak. Because ultimately, I'm a different kind of writer now, and that's largely due to this book. I can't honestly give it five stars, because five stars would mean I think it's perfect. And I simply do not think of my writing that way.
I can honestly say I love this book though. I have loved creating it and I truly hope others love reading it.
November 18, 2024
Well, how to start! This book has been a whole freaking journey. I was glued to the pages and couldn’t put it down for the life of me. The story is so well plotted and the characters have become friends. It genuinely felt like I was one of them. I felt what they felt and longed for what they wanted. The historical part of the book left me in absolute awe. I can’t recommend this book enough, for anyone wanting an immersive read this is the book to go for!
October 2, 2025
What a ride this book has been!
Patchwork Girls is a coming of age story about four teenage girls who find themselves tangled in a dark web of magic, curses and revenge. It's an epic tale of friendship, loss, love and growing up.
Set in a dreary English town, this book is full of gothic vibes (with black cats, gloom and ghost armies), girl power, friendship and love. It masterfully explores complex topics such as loss of loved ones, chronic illness, friendships waning with the passage of time and more.
Each of the four protagonists were so realtable, complex and layered in their own way that it was a pleasure reading each of their POVs. I honestly don't even know which of the girls was my favourite. If I really had to pick one, I guess I'd go for Harriett. I just have a thing for her queenly charisma I guess.
Definitely reccomend to anyone who enjoys fantasy retellings and epic journeys with many twists.
Patchwork Girls is a coming of age story about four teenage girls who find themselves tangled in a dark web of magic, curses and revenge. It's an epic tale of friendship, loss, love and growing up.
Set in a dreary English town, this book is full of gothic vibes (with black cats, gloom and ghost armies), girl power, friendship and love. It masterfully explores complex topics such as loss of loved ones, chronic illness, friendships waning with the passage of time and more.
Each of the four protagonists were so realtable, complex and layered in their own way that it was a pleasure reading each of their POVs. I honestly don't even know which of the girls was my favourite. If I really had to pick one, I guess I'd go for Harriett. I just have a thing for her queenly charisma I guess.
Definitely reccomend to anyone who enjoys fantasy retellings and epic journeys with many twists.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews