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The Witches' Weave #1
The Last Stitch
One magical pendant. Two enemies bound by fate. A love that could unravel history itself.
When Oxford graduate student Lily Whitmore inherits her grandmother's mysterious hourglass pendant, she's catapulted into Victorian England, where magic is forbidden and those who wield it are erased from existence. But Lily isn't just any time traveler. She's a Weaver, capable of rewriting the very threads of fate.
Enter August witch hunter, sworn to erase Weavers from existence. Cold. Calculating. Devastatingly beautiful. And bound by duty. Every clash between him and this mysterious woman strips away another layer of his merciless exterior, revealing the tortured soul he's desperate to hide. He should be her hunter. Instead, the witch he's sworn to destroy is unraveling everything he believed about magic, duty, and himself.
As magic bleeds from the world around them, Lily faces an impossible embrace her power and save the Weavers, knowing she'll never see home again, or let magic die forever and watch the man who owns her heart become just another casualty of history.
Some threads bind tighter when pulled. And some enemies are destined to become everything.
The Last Stitch is a romantasy that blends the time-travel wonder of Outlander, the witchy magic of A Discovery of Witches, and the sizzling enemies-to-lovers chemistry readers crave.
When Oxford graduate student Lily Whitmore inherits her grandmother's mysterious hourglass pendant, she's catapulted into Victorian England, where magic is forbidden and those who wield it are erased from existence. But Lily isn't just any time traveler. She's a Weaver, capable of rewriting the very threads of fate.
Enter August witch hunter, sworn to erase Weavers from existence. Cold. Calculating. Devastatingly beautiful. And bound by duty. Every clash between him and this mysterious woman strips away another layer of his merciless exterior, revealing the tortured soul he's desperate to hide. He should be her hunter. Instead, the witch he's sworn to destroy is unraveling everything he believed about magic, duty, and himself.
As magic bleeds from the world around them, Lily faces an impossible embrace her power and save the Weavers, knowing she'll never see home again, or let magic die forever and watch the man who owns her heart become just another casualty of history.
Some threads bind tighter when pulled. And some enemies are destined to become everything.
The Last Stitch is a romantasy that blends the time-travel wonder of Outlander, the witchy magic of A Discovery of Witches, and the sizzling enemies-to-lovers chemistry readers crave.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2026
39 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Chantelle N. Kerr
2 books60 followersChantelle N. Kerr is the author of new adult fantasy romance that blends real-world struggles with sweeping, magical realms, crafting stories where love is as powerful as destiny and the line between good and evil is never black and white.
A lifelong dreamer and storyteller, she thrives on exploring themes of fate, sacrifice, and the cost of power. When she’s not lost in the worlds she creates, she’s embracing the beautiful chaos of motherhood, devouring books, and connecting with fellow fantasy lovers through content creation.
The Starfire Prophecy is her debut novel, the first of many journeys into epic love, fate-defying choices, and the magic that lingers in the shadows.
A lifelong dreamer and storyteller, she thrives on exploring themes of fate, sacrifice, and the cost of power. When she’s not lost in the worlds she creates, she’s embracing the beautiful chaos of motherhood, devouring books, and connecting with fellow fantasy lovers through content creation.
The Starfire Prophecy is her debut novel, the first of many journeys into epic love, fate-defying choices, and the magic that lingers in the shadows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW - This was my first time being an ARC reader and what a perfect book to start this off with. I honestly do not get pulled into books so quickly very often, but from the first chapter to the very last word, I didn't want it to end! And to end how this did... I'm trying for no spoilers but holy cow, can we have book 2 already! I am going to go insane waiting to find out what happens next!
Needless to say, this book was well written, intriguing in a way I didn't expect and so unlike many others I have read recently. The characters, especially the 2 MC's, have so much substance, I felt as if I was actually living with them. The settings, I so desperately wanted to be there to view them myself, to take in all the views, experiences and feelings of the story. From heartbreak (yes there were tears) to the overwhelming feelings of love and hate, I felt it all.
I will admit, there was maybe one or two chapters that lost me for a minute, but I was quickly back on track and those chapters not only made sense, but were helpful in explaining situations once I kept going. Reading about time travel has never been my thing, but if it is like this, Chantelle N Kerr has changed it for me!
@chantelkenkerr
Needless to say, this book was well written, intriguing in a way I didn't expect and so unlike many others I have read recently. The characters, especially the 2 MC's, have so much substance, I felt as if I was actually living with them. The settings, I so desperately wanted to be there to view them myself, to take in all the views, experiences and feelings of the story. From heartbreak (yes there were tears) to the overwhelming feelings of love and hate, I felt it all.
I will admit, there was maybe one or two chapters that lost me for a minute, but I was quickly back on track and those chapters not only made sense, but were helpful in explaining situations once I kept going. Reading about time travel has never been my thing, but if it is like this, Chantelle N Kerr has changed it for me!
@chantelkenkerr
February 15, 2026
Wow..what an ending! I absolutely did not see that twist coming. This book hooked me from the start and never let go. The magic system is rich and imaginative, the suspense is relentless, and the action scenes are incredibly satisfying. I adored the fierce, determined FMC and really appreciated the moral growth the MMC goes through. Now I’m counting down the days until the next book releases, because I need it in my hands immediately.
January 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️¾✩✩ 2.75 stars
I really wanted to love this one—and there is a lot here that I admired—but in the end, the gaps were things I just couldn’t overlook.
The Last Stitch starts with a genuinely compelling setup: a young historian researching erased disappearances, grief, inherited jewelry, and a sudden fall into the mid-1800s. The idea of witches as weavers of fate, history as something stitched and unraveled, and magic tied to threads and time is beautiful on paper. Add in a slow-burn romance and lyrical prose, and this felt like it should have been a hit for me.
What worked:
The writing itself is often gorgeous. The prose leans lyrical, with an almost dreamlike quality that makes the emotional beats—especially the relationship between Lily and August—feel intimate and tender. The slow-burn romance is clearly the heart of the book, and that’s where the story feels most confident and cohesive. I also loved the conceptual parallels between history, memory, fate, and weaving; the inspiration drawn from the idea of the Fates adds a nice thematic layer without being heavy-handed.
What didn’t work for me:
The magic system, while lovely in concept, never fully solidified. We’re told about threads, weaving, mending, unraveling—but rarely shown how any of it actually works in a concrete way. Training scenes feel vague, abilities feel inconsistent, and it’s hard to grasp limits, rules, or stakes, which makes the magic feel more symbolic than functional.
World-building in general felt underdeveloped. Characters appear and disappear without resolution, scenes jump locations abruptly, and entire threads (no pun intended) seem to drop out of the narrative. I kept wanting more grounding—more sense of place, continuity, and cause-and-effect.
August’s POV also never fully comes into its own. While his arc gains some emotional weight later on, his voice remains less distinct than Lily’s, and he often reads as a familiar archetype rather than a fully realized character.
Finally, the pacing falters in both directions: the middle lingers too long in atmosphere without enough narrative momentum, while the final stretch rushes through major developments so quickly that the urgency paradoxically disappears. The inclusion of multiple late-stage spicy scenes also felt tonally out of sync with the slow-burn, character-first story that came before and pulled me out of the larger conflict.
Overall:
If you’re here for vibes, lyrical writing, and a romance-forward fantasy with a cool central idea, there’s a lot to enjoy. But if you’re someone who needs clear magic rules, stronger world-building, and tighter narrative structure, this may leave you wanting more. For me, it was a book full of beautiful ideas that never quite stitched itself together.
I really wanted to love this one—and there is a lot here that I admired—but in the end, the gaps were things I just couldn’t overlook.
The Last Stitch starts with a genuinely compelling setup: a young historian researching erased disappearances, grief, inherited jewelry, and a sudden fall into the mid-1800s. The idea of witches as weavers of fate, history as something stitched and unraveled, and magic tied to threads and time is beautiful on paper. Add in a slow-burn romance and lyrical prose, and this felt like it should have been a hit for me.
What worked:
The writing itself is often gorgeous. The prose leans lyrical, with an almost dreamlike quality that makes the emotional beats—especially the relationship between Lily and August—feel intimate and tender. The slow-burn romance is clearly the heart of the book, and that’s where the story feels most confident and cohesive. I also loved the conceptual parallels between history, memory, fate, and weaving; the inspiration drawn from the idea of the Fates adds a nice thematic layer without being heavy-handed.
What didn’t work for me:
The magic system, while lovely in concept, never fully solidified. We’re told about threads, weaving, mending, unraveling—but rarely shown how any of it actually works in a concrete way. Training scenes feel vague, abilities feel inconsistent, and it’s hard to grasp limits, rules, or stakes, which makes the magic feel more symbolic than functional.
World-building in general felt underdeveloped. Characters appear and disappear without resolution, scenes jump locations abruptly, and entire threads (no pun intended) seem to drop out of the narrative. I kept wanting more grounding—more sense of place, continuity, and cause-and-effect.
August’s POV also never fully comes into its own. While his arc gains some emotional weight later on, his voice remains less distinct than Lily’s, and he often reads as a familiar archetype rather than a fully realized character.
Finally, the pacing falters in both directions: the middle lingers too long in atmosphere without enough narrative momentum, while the final stretch rushes through major developments so quickly that the urgency paradoxically disappears. The inclusion of multiple late-stage spicy scenes also felt tonally out of sync with the slow-burn, character-first story that came before and pulled me out of the larger conflict.
Overall:
If you’re here for vibes, lyrical writing, and a romance-forward fantasy with a cool central idea, there’s a lot to enjoy. But if you’re someone who needs clear magic rules, stronger world-building, and tighter narrative structure, this may leave you wanting more. For me, it was a book full of beautiful ideas that never quite stitched itself together.
December 29, 2025
The Last Stitch hit all the themes I love- intergenerational friendships, a slow-burning romance, a fight against the patriarchy, time travel, and magic. In this story, set in Victorian England, women have the power, and the hunters refuse to allow even one woman to live: they literally erase any trace of their existence. The idea of one man having the ability to unravel women of power resonated with me because what is a witch, really, except a woman with too much power. Kerr's characters are strong, determined women who will fight for their way of life with the support of unlikely allies. The story is told through the perspectives of Lily and August as they find themselves at opposing ends of the genocide that August's father is orchestrating.
This is the first book in The Witches' Weave series, and it ends, leaving the reader ready for book 2 immediately. It is a great start to what I expect will be an excellent series.
This is the first book in The Witches' Weave series, and it ends, leaving the reader ready for book 2 immediately. It is a great start to what I expect will be an excellent series.
February 17, 2026
Thanks to Chantelle N. Kerr for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
Threads of Fate and Forbidden Desire
Some stories draw readers in with speed, others with atmosphere. ‘The Last Stitch’ by Chantelle N. Kerr belongs firmly to the second category.
This romantasy unfolds through a third person dual perspective, following both Lily and August. That choice strengthens the emotional core of the story, especially within the enemies to lovers dynamic. By allowing access to the inner worlds of both characters, the tension grows naturally through misunderstanding, restraint and unspoken desire. The romance develops slowly, deliberately, and feels grounded in emotion rather than convenience.
Chantelle Kerr’s writing style is lyrical and richly atmospheric. The prose leans toward the poetic, often prioritising mood and feeling over sharp plot progression. Victorian England is portrayed with a misty, almost dreamlike quality, and the shift from modern Oxford into the past feels immersive and intentional. This is a novel that invites readers to linger within scenes rather than rush through them.
The concept of the Weavers, individuals who manipulate fate through threads of time, is original and intriguing. It adds a unique layer to the story and sets it apart within the genre. At the same time, the magic system remains somewhat abstract. Rules and limitations are not always clearly defined, and certain developments rely more on emotional logic than on a solid structural foundation. For readers who prefer clearly outlined magical systems, this may occasionally feel frustrating.
Pacing shows a similar contrast. The middle section slows down considerably, focusing on character interaction and internal conflict, while the final chapters move at a much quicker pace. This uneven rhythm does not derail the story, but it does make the overall structure feel slightly unbalanced.
Character work is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Lily is a thoughtful and emotionally driven protagonist whose doubts and choices feel believable. August sometimes leans toward familiar tropes, yet gradually gains depth as the story progresses. Their connection is charged with tension and quiet emotion, making even small interactions feel significant.
‘The Last Stitch’ is not a book driven by action or strict rules. It is a story that values emotion, atmosphere and romantic tension above all else. Despite a few loose threads in world building and pacing, it remains an immersive and compelling read that leaves a strong desire to continue the journey.
A beautifully written romantasy that prioritises feeling over clarity, and does so with confidence.
Enemies-to-Lovers | Slow-Burn Romance | Time Travel | Magic / Magical System | Historical / Victorian Setting | Secret Identities / Hidden Powers | Forbidden / Complicated Romance | Fated Connections / Destiny | Coming-of-Age / Self-Discovery | Family Secrets / Legacy
Threads of Fate and Forbidden Desire
Some stories draw readers in with speed, others with atmosphere. ‘The Last Stitch’ by Chantelle N. Kerr belongs firmly to the second category.
This romantasy unfolds through a third person dual perspective, following both Lily and August. That choice strengthens the emotional core of the story, especially within the enemies to lovers dynamic. By allowing access to the inner worlds of both characters, the tension grows naturally through misunderstanding, restraint and unspoken desire. The romance develops slowly, deliberately, and feels grounded in emotion rather than convenience.
Chantelle Kerr’s writing style is lyrical and richly atmospheric. The prose leans toward the poetic, often prioritising mood and feeling over sharp plot progression. Victorian England is portrayed with a misty, almost dreamlike quality, and the shift from modern Oxford into the past feels immersive and intentional. This is a novel that invites readers to linger within scenes rather than rush through them.
The concept of the Weavers, individuals who manipulate fate through threads of time, is original and intriguing. It adds a unique layer to the story and sets it apart within the genre. At the same time, the magic system remains somewhat abstract. Rules and limitations are not always clearly defined, and certain developments rely more on emotional logic than on a solid structural foundation. For readers who prefer clearly outlined magical systems, this may occasionally feel frustrating.
Pacing shows a similar contrast. The middle section slows down considerably, focusing on character interaction and internal conflict, while the final chapters move at a much quicker pace. This uneven rhythm does not derail the story, but it does make the overall structure feel slightly unbalanced.
Character work is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Lily is a thoughtful and emotionally driven protagonist whose doubts and choices feel believable. August sometimes leans toward familiar tropes, yet gradually gains depth as the story progresses. Their connection is charged with tension and quiet emotion, making even small interactions feel significant.
‘The Last Stitch’ is not a book driven by action or strict rules. It is a story that values emotion, atmosphere and romantic tension above all else. Despite a few loose threads in world building and pacing, it remains an immersive and compelling read that leaves a strong desire to continue the journey.
A beautifully written romantasy that prioritises feeling over clarity, and does so with confidence.
Enemies-to-Lovers | Slow-Burn Romance | Time Travel | Magic / Magical System | Historical / Victorian Setting | Secret Identities / Hidden Powers | Forbidden / Complicated Romance | Fated Connections / Destiny | Coming-of-Age / Self-Discovery | Family Secrets / Legacy
March 24, 2026
“I would’ve lost myself, if I’d let myself want you the way I do. Yet, here I am anyway, completely lost in you.”
So much tension, SO much angst and yearning, there’s this irresistible push and pull between our two main characters that continues to deepen the more you read. I LOVED the way this was written. The prose is addictive, and Chantelle really knows how to keep you at the edge of your seat.
Imagine questioning everything you were groomed to be was lie. And now you have to grapple with making a sacrifice of who you are, what you were taught, for who you need to be and finally finding out who you truly are.
The cliffhanger was diabolical and stressful af and I got an early peek of the blurb for book two and now i’m extremely stressed tf out 🤣 like?? THE WAY IT ENDED?! UGHHH.
I needed book two yesterday!! 😫
So much tension, SO much angst and yearning, there’s this irresistible push and pull between our two main characters that continues to deepen the more you read. I LOVED the way this was written. The prose is addictive, and Chantelle really knows how to keep you at the edge of your seat.
Imagine questioning everything you were groomed to be was lie. And now you have to grapple with making a sacrifice of who you are, what you were taught, for who you need to be and finally finding out who you truly are.
The cliffhanger was diabolical and stressful af and I got an early peek of the blurb for book two and now i’m extremely stressed tf out 🤣 like?? THE WAY IT ENDED?! UGHHH.
I needed book two yesterday!! 😫
December 20, 2025
I can’t decide if I want to hug the author right now for writing such a thrilling and beautiful book, or yell at her for that ending because I cannot believe the cliff she left us on, with everything hanging in the balance at the end! I need the next book like NOW please!!
The FMC Lily is a student at Oxford when she is magically transported back in time to the exact period she was studying mysterious disappearances. She ends up caught in the battle between those with magic who can weave the threads of the world (the weavers) and a group of witch hunters who wish to eliminate them all. When the MMC August is thrust into a world that forces him to question everything he’s believed by a tempting women who claims she’s from the future, he must decide what path to take and if he really knows the truth about the weavers.
As each stitch of this story is woven, I became more and more enthralled in this story. The storytelling and world building enriched a world based in reality that I was somewhat familiar with being 1890s English society, while putting an exciting twist on it through adding the world of magic. I truly enjoyed the relationship that developed between Lily and August and how they were both trying to use each other while resisting the undeniable tension between them. They both must learn the truth about this magic system and work together even when they are at odds to protect Lily and try to get her back to her 2025 timeline. I also loved the side characters sibling duo of Garrick and Adeline, they both brought fun sass and some added twists to the status quo of the story that kept me entertained!
This book was filled with plenty of twists and turns, running for their life, some hidden powers/identity and of course plenty of romance and tension that I was on the edge of my seat, rapidly turning to the next page. This was a beautiful, well crafted story and I cannot wait to see where the author takes us next after the cliffhanger ending! Overall my rating 4.8/5!
The FMC Lily is a student at Oxford when she is magically transported back in time to the exact period she was studying mysterious disappearances. She ends up caught in the battle between those with magic who can weave the threads of the world (the weavers) and a group of witch hunters who wish to eliminate them all. When the MMC August is thrust into a world that forces him to question everything he’s believed by a tempting women who claims she’s from the future, he must decide what path to take and if he really knows the truth about the weavers.
As each stitch of this story is woven, I became more and more enthralled in this story. The storytelling and world building enriched a world based in reality that I was somewhat familiar with being 1890s English society, while putting an exciting twist on it through adding the world of magic. I truly enjoyed the relationship that developed between Lily and August and how they were both trying to use each other while resisting the undeniable tension between them. They both must learn the truth about this magic system and work together even when they are at odds to protect Lily and try to get her back to her 2025 timeline. I also loved the side characters sibling duo of Garrick and Adeline, they both brought fun sass and some added twists to the status quo of the story that kept me entertained!
This book was filled with plenty of twists and turns, running for their life, some hidden powers/identity and of course plenty of romance and tension that I was on the edge of my seat, rapidly turning to the next page. This was a beautiful, well crafted story and I cannot wait to see where the author takes us next after the cliffhanger ending! Overall my rating 4.8/5!
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars
Stories about witches, time travel, and magic have always enchanted me, and this one sounded really different. I love the idea of witches as weavers, manipulating the threads of reality to heal, to see the future, to create change, etc. And more often than not, where witches exist so do witch hunters.
Lily is a young historian sent back in time from 2025 to 1892 in Oxford, England by a magical necklace. Arriving suddenly in a dark forest, Lily is immediately entangled in the conflict between weavers and hunters. Captured by August, captain of the hunters, and taken to his home for questioning, Lily's only hope of finding her way home is to cooperate.
The story itself captured my attention and I'm invested enough that I'd like to read the next book in the series. That being said, there were several things that didn't work for me.
- The historical fiction aspect did not feel very authentic. While Lily has modern-day speech and manners, the other characters should not. An upper class gentlemen like August would not take a lady out for dinner at tavern, nor would a lady like Constance or Adeline stop by a tavern for a drink. Adeline is meant to act as a chaperone for Lily, yet Lily is alone with August frequently, and he sees nothing wrong with barging into the bathroom while she is bathing. Despite the emphasis placed on Lily being a historian familiar with the time period, as well as Adeline drilling her in proper etiquette, Lily constantly behaves inappropriately.
- Characters disappear from scenes and even from the story entirely without explanation. August's housekeeper, Mrs. Hartley, is never present or mentioned in the last 2/3 of the book. Adeline is in the forest with Marigold, and Garrick is there with Lily (chapter 39), until suddenly they're not. They aren't mentioned again for several chapters without any explanation of when or how they left or avoided the hunter attack in chapter 40.
- There are several other issues with continuity and subjects being dropped, such as in the following examples. On page 80 August tells Lily he expects a description of the necklace and they agree to trade questions, but then he never asks about it again. On page 279 the waltz ends while Lily and August are having a private conversation. Then on page 281 at the conclusion of their discussion the same waltz ends again. On page 283 and 284 Lily reaches for her wineglass with trembling fingers. On page 290 August tells Lily, "“You’re going to tell me everything you know about my mother," and then they never discuss his mother again or the vision Lily had of her. On page 292 Lily stands up and remains on her feet, but on page 295 she stands up again. On page 300, Elias says, “Seal the exits. No guest departs until the child is found," but on the very next page, Lily, August and Garrick are leaving without any explanation as to how that was permitted.
- The writing at times was extremely beautiful and lyrical, but by the middle of the book many phrases became repetitive and lost a lot of the initial emotional impact.
- The pining/romance felt like it overshadowed the rest of the plot. Having two spicy scenes very close together near the end of the book pulled me out of the story. One would have been more than sufficient.
- There were a lot of magical terms and types of weaver magic that weren't clearly explained and Lily's magical training felt quite vague. I actually liked many of the weavers and would have enjoyed learning more about these secondary characters.
-The last part of the story felt extremely rushed and there were so many things left unexplained. The final chapter introduces yet another type of weaver, a threadbreaker, without explaining what the term actually means. Perhaps that part will come in the next book.
Overall I feel like the story has so much potential, and with some thorough editing and polishing it could really shine.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Stories about witches, time travel, and magic have always enchanted me, and this one sounded really different. I love the idea of witches as weavers, manipulating the threads of reality to heal, to see the future, to create change, etc. And more often than not, where witches exist so do witch hunters.
Lily is a young historian sent back in time from 2025 to 1892 in Oxford, England by a magical necklace. Arriving suddenly in a dark forest, Lily is immediately entangled in the conflict between weavers and hunters. Captured by August, captain of the hunters, and taken to his home for questioning, Lily's only hope of finding her way home is to cooperate.
The story itself captured my attention and I'm invested enough that I'd like to read the next book in the series. That being said, there were several things that didn't work for me.
- The historical fiction aspect did not feel very authentic. While Lily has modern-day speech and manners, the other characters should not. An upper class gentlemen like August would not take a lady out for dinner at tavern, nor would a lady like Constance or Adeline stop by a tavern for a drink. Adeline is meant to act as a chaperone for Lily, yet Lily is alone with August frequently, and he sees nothing wrong with barging into the bathroom while she is bathing. Despite the emphasis placed on Lily being a historian familiar with the time period, as well as Adeline drilling her in proper etiquette, Lily constantly behaves inappropriately.
- Characters disappear from scenes and even from the story entirely without explanation. August's housekeeper, Mrs. Hartley, is never present or mentioned in the last 2/3 of the book. Adeline is in the forest with Marigold, and Garrick is there with Lily (chapter 39), until suddenly they're not. They aren't mentioned again for several chapters without any explanation of when or how they left or avoided the hunter attack in chapter 40.
- There are several other issues with continuity and subjects being dropped, such as in the following examples. On page 80 August tells Lily he expects a description of the necklace and they agree to trade questions, but then he never asks about it again. On page 279 the waltz ends while Lily and August are having a private conversation. Then on page 281 at the conclusion of their discussion the same waltz ends again. On page 283 and 284 Lily reaches for her wineglass with trembling fingers. On page 290 August tells Lily, "“You’re going to tell me everything you know about my mother," and then they never discuss his mother again or the vision Lily had of her. On page 292 Lily stands up and remains on her feet, but on page 295 she stands up again. On page 300, Elias says, “Seal the exits. No guest departs until the child is found," but on the very next page, Lily, August and Garrick are leaving without any explanation as to how that was permitted.
- The writing at times was extremely beautiful and lyrical, but by the middle of the book many phrases became repetitive and lost a lot of the initial emotional impact.
- The pining/romance felt like it overshadowed the rest of the plot. Having two spicy scenes very close together near the end of the book pulled me out of the story. One would have been more than sufficient.
- There were a lot of magical terms and types of weaver magic that weren't clearly explained and Lily's magical training felt quite vague. I actually liked many of the weavers and would have enjoyed learning more about these secondary characters.
-The last part of the story felt extremely rushed and there were so many things left unexplained. The final chapter introduces yet another type of weaver, a threadbreaker, without explaining what the term actually means. Perhaps that part will come in the next book.
Overall I feel like the story has so much potential, and with some thorough editing and polishing it could really shine.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
“Because I knew the truth now: survival meant choosing sides. And I’d just run straight back into the home of the very thing I was supposed to fear. The enemy. The man I was falling for.”
✨ Enemies-to-lovers
✨ Captor x captive
✨ Forbidden magic
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Slow burn romance
Lily Whitmore is suddenly pulled from her world and thrown into Victorian England, where magic is forbidden and survival is more than just staying alive. It is choosing who to trust, who to fight, and who to let into your heart. She’s a Weaver, capable of bending threads of fate, but every step forward is a test of courage and instinct.
“The woman in my arms held secrets. They clung to her like the strange fabric of her clothing, the impossible device on her wrist, the way she didn’t belong to this world at all.”
August Hawthorne is controlled. Measured. A man shaped by duty, loyalty, and a belief system he has never had reason to question. He approaches Lily first as an obligation - something to assess, contain, understand. And that restraint? That’s where the tension lives. Every flicker of softness, every moment his composure falters, feels earned.
“She was a source of intelligence. A puzzle to be solved. A potential threat that needed to be understood and neutralized.”
The romance is a slow burn, layered in every stolen moment, every spark, heightened by the stakes surrounding them.
“I kissed him back like I was drowning and he was air.”
The magic system is clever, the pacing is easy to sink into, and the characters are instantly likeable. Lily and August’s dynamic evolves naturally, making their connection feel authentic.
“Love. Such a small word for something that was rewriting my entire existence.”
This is a well-crafted, immersive read that blends time-travel wonder, clever magic, and soft romance.
Thank you to Chantelle N. Kerr for sharing this story ✨
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share. ✨
“Because I knew the truth now: survival meant choosing sides. And I’d just run straight back into the home of the very thing I was supposed to fear. The enemy. The man I was falling for.”
✨ Enemies-to-lovers
✨ Captor x captive
✨ Forbidden magic
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Slow burn romance
Lily Whitmore is suddenly pulled from her world and thrown into Victorian England, where magic is forbidden and survival is more than just staying alive. It is choosing who to trust, who to fight, and who to let into your heart. She’s a Weaver, capable of bending threads of fate, but every step forward is a test of courage and instinct.
“The woman in my arms held secrets. They clung to her like the strange fabric of her clothing, the impossible device on her wrist, the way she didn’t belong to this world at all.”
August Hawthorne is controlled. Measured. A man shaped by duty, loyalty, and a belief system he has never had reason to question. He approaches Lily first as an obligation - something to assess, contain, understand. And that restraint? That’s where the tension lives. Every flicker of softness, every moment his composure falters, feels earned.
“She was a source of intelligence. A puzzle to be solved. A potential threat that needed to be understood and neutralized.”
The romance is a slow burn, layered in every stolen moment, every spark, heightened by the stakes surrounding them.
“I kissed him back like I was drowning and he was air.”
The magic system is clever, the pacing is easy to sink into, and the characters are instantly likeable. Lily and August’s dynamic evolves naturally, making their connection feel authentic.
“Love. Such a small word for something that was rewriting my entire existence.”
This is a well-crafted, immersive read that blends time-travel wonder, clever magic, and soft romance.
Thank you to Chantelle N. Kerr for sharing this story ✨
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share. ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Last Stitch absolutely scratched the Outlander-wanting itch in my soul. If you love time travel, forbidden magic, broody morally-conflicted men, and enemies-to-lovers tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, this book delivers in all the best ways.
Lily Whitmore is pulled from modern Oxford into a Victorian England where magic is outlawed and Weavers, people who can manipulate fate itself, are hunted down and erased. The world-building here is immersive without being overwhelming, and the concept of “weaving” fate is genuinely fresh in a genre that can sometimes feel repetitive. The magical system feels purposeful, dangerous, and beautifully tied into the emotional stakes of the story.
And then there’s August Hawthorne. Cold. Ruthless. Witch hunter. Bound by duty. Emotionally constipated in the most delicious way. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Lily and August is chef’s kiss. Every interaction is loaded. Every argument feels like foreplay. Watching his rigid beliefs slowly unravel because of her is incredibly satisfying, and their chemistry is one of the strongest parts of the book.
The time travel elements really do have that Outlander feel. Being dropped into a past that feels alive, political, and hostile, where survival depends on learning fast and trusting carefully. If you loved that aspect of Outlander, you’ll feel right at home here.
That said… I did have one big frustration. It took way too long for Lily to realize that Elias, the Unraveler, was August’s father. The clues were practically waving flags, and she remained completely oblivious until the Pemberton ball. I found myself internally yelling at her more than once. It didn’t ruin the story, but it definitely tested my patience.
And then the ending. I won’t spoil it, but HOW did the Weavers not sense what was happening?! HOW did no one put it together?! I was equal parts shocked, stressed, and slightly exasperated, in the way that makes you immediately need the next book. Which, honestly, is the mark of a good romantasy. This book weaves together magic, fate, romance, and time travel in a way that feels both epic and intimate. If you’re a fan of Outlander or enemies-to-lovers romances with high stakes and emotional tension, this is one you’ll want on your shelf. Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for Book 2 because I need answers.
Lily Whitmore is pulled from modern Oxford into a Victorian England where magic is outlawed and Weavers, people who can manipulate fate itself, are hunted down and erased. The world-building here is immersive without being overwhelming, and the concept of “weaving” fate is genuinely fresh in a genre that can sometimes feel repetitive. The magical system feels purposeful, dangerous, and beautifully tied into the emotional stakes of the story.
And then there’s August Hawthorne. Cold. Ruthless. Witch hunter. Bound by duty. Emotionally constipated in the most delicious way. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Lily and August is chef’s kiss. Every interaction is loaded. Every argument feels like foreplay. Watching his rigid beliefs slowly unravel because of her is incredibly satisfying, and their chemistry is one of the strongest parts of the book.
The time travel elements really do have that Outlander feel. Being dropped into a past that feels alive, political, and hostile, where survival depends on learning fast and trusting carefully. If you loved that aspect of Outlander, you’ll feel right at home here.
That said… I did have one big frustration. It took way too long for Lily to realize that Elias, the Unraveler, was August’s father. The clues were practically waving flags, and she remained completely oblivious until the Pemberton ball. I found myself internally yelling at her more than once. It didn’t ruin the story, but it definitely tested my patience.
And then the ending. I won’t spoil it, but HOW did the Weavers not sense what was happening?! HOW did no one put it together?! I was equal parts shocked, stressed, and slightly exasperated, in the way that makes you immediately need the next book. Which, honestly, is the mark of a good romantasy. This book weaves together magic, fate, romance, and time travel in a way that feels both epic and intimate. If you’re a fan of Outlander or enemies-to-lovers romances with high stakes and emotional tension, this is one you’ll want on your shelf. Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for Book 2 because I need answers.
February 25, 2026
I devoured this book. I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be living in August and Lily’s world until the next book comes out. So so good!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
what can I say about this book that doesn't give to much away? It's captivating, wonderfully written, made me feel like I was there in the thick of it all. I loved this book so much. Chantelle Kerr has a way to bring you into the world she creates with such ease, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 14, 2026DNFing an ARC always makes me feel guilty, especially when the author has been generous with their readers. This one, in particular, gave ARC readers two months to finish, and I genuinely wish more authors were that considerate with their timelines. For that alone, I truly appreciate Chantelle N. Kerr.
This was actually one of the very first ARCs I ever applied for. Back then, I didn’t really know what I liked yet. I saw a gorgeous green cover, some intriguing tropes, and hit apply. Rookie mistake. Lesson learned. My experience with time travel stories is limited, but the last one I finished was The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It was a thick book, yet I never felt bored. But I couldn't read The Last Stitch past 31%.
My first issue is how the time travel happens almost immediately in chapter one. In Audrey’s book, we at least get a prologue and a solid foundation for the main character’s life before all the clocks start going crazy. Here, Lily’s life in 2025 barely exists. No friends (eh, wonder why? 🤨) no hobbies (*insert shocked Pikachu face meme* 😮), no personality outside of research. Her grandmother is her only connection. A professor is mentioned maybe twice. That’s it. Does she have a favorite movie? Any quirks? We never find out. So when she lands in 1892, it feels less like she lost something and more like she simply started existing there.
If we compare this to The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, which explores similar themes and much more closely than Audrey’s book, the difference is obvious. Owen actually feels like a historian because his knowledge matters, and Una never treats him like a captive.
Lily, on the other hand, could be replaced with "random woman who likes history" and nothing would change. She rarely uses her expertise, rarely pushes back, and oddly seems willing to just ... Accept being August’s prisoner. She barely tries to escape. The first time she leaves his house, she basically just waltzes out the door with a side character’s blessing 😏 Pretty easy for a captive, huh? Hmmm, okie. The thing is, I don’t need her to succeed every time. I just need her to try. Let her make bad plans. Let her fail spectacularly. Anything is better than passivity.
Second: August.
I didn’t like him from the moment he appeared. He gave me Draco Malfoy energy, but without the charm or bite. Just spineless, obedient 26/27 year old boy with ✨ daddy issue ✨ I swear this man thinks his dad farts rainbows 😂 This book made me realize I have a new ick: spineless men. And this is coming from someone who likes subby men. But there’s a massive difference between submissive and spineless. One is a dynamic. The other is a personality void.
August is not compelling; he was just someone with (ofc) a tragic past who’s angry at the world. Mostly women. Mind you, he hunted a little girl when he met Lily. Idk why that’s barely mentioned. Please die :) As a love interest, August feels painfully generic. Someone save me from shadow daddies and give me golden retriever boyfies anytime.
Third: the romance.
I didn’t buy it for a second. Lily admits August is "the most devastatingly handsome man" she's ever seen. And August notices her because she looks different, dresses different, talks different. And yup, she’s pretty!! Who could’ve guessed 😍 That’s all. Their attraction is basically based on physical appearance, mwah 😘 You call that chemistry? My cat has more chemistry with my neighbor’s tom.
By chapter 8, he’s already possessive. By chapter 14, she trusts him. Enemies to lovers where? 🤡 I blinked and apparently we were already at soft gazes 🥺 and emotional dependency after he saved him when he was distracted by OW, oh nooo 😭 I’m so exhausted with the trope where "trust" is built by putting the FMC in danger so the man can rescue her, often in situations involving sexual threat. It’s overused, tiring, and lazy. Next time, maybe include something like, contains: instalove, heroine forgets she has legs, possessive shadow daddy, rescue based romance progression.
Also, how the hell does someone get attacked near a restaurant??? We’re talking about Oxford in the late 1800s, not Gotham City. It’s a town. A busy one. Full of shopkeepers, students, grandmas who know everyone’s business, and old men staring out of windows like unpaid security cameras. People back then were nosy as hell. This isn’t modern "everyone films for TikTok and does nothing". There was no TikTok. No TVs. No headphones. You sneeze wrong and three neighbors already know your entire medical history.
I don’t remember Lily even trying to scream. If someone grabs you and drags you into a dark alley, your body does NOT wait for some tall, brooding man to show up. Screaming isn’t bravery. It’s instinct. Toddlers scream. Cats scream. I scream when I see a cockroach. She basically said, "I guess I’ll die quietly so the hero can have his entrance." 🤤 Girl. Use your mouth. God gave you vocal cords for free. One scream and Auntie Petunia would already be out there bonking the attacker like, "NOT IN MY STREET, YOUNG MAN!"
Oh, and August? Please explain how you just walked away after nearly killing two men, honey. This is not a mafia romance. This is Victorian England. You don’t get immunity because your daddy has money. Cracking someone’s skull in public isn’t "protective boyfriend behavior". It’s felony behavior.
Lastly: the pacing.
This book moves slower than a 100 year old crossing the street. I’m fully aware we’re supposed to be patient and wait for Lily to settle in. I think 8 chapters is reasonably enough, right? RIGHT? 😬 So I was happy when something interesting finally happened in chapter 9: someone from the other side wanted to meet Lily. Great. Momentum. Stakes. I was ready. Hooray 🎉 But guess what? They didn't meet until chapter 16. That's SEVEN fucking chapters apart. Seven. Over the course of one single day in the story. I repeat: one day!
At that point, it felt like the romance kept interrupting the plot instead of serving it. By the time the meeting finally happened, I just didn’t care anymore. No investment. No tension. I wasn’t rooting for Lily. I still didn’t like August, even when he started rebelling against his daddy thanks to Lily, who actually did ... Nothing? But somehow she inspired him 🥰 Idk man. Like I said, their relationship never convinced me. I'm done.
In the end, The Last Stitch taught me two things: don’t apply for ARCs based on pretty covers, and be far more selective with my time. Hard lesson, but a useful one. Still, thank you to the author for the opportunity, but sometimes a beautiful cover simply isn’t enough.
This was actually one of the very first ARCs I ever applied for. Back then, I didn’t really know what I liked yet. I saw a gorgeous green cover, some intriguing tropes, and hit apply. Rookie mistake. Lesson learned. My experience with time travel stories is limited, but the last one I finished was The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It was a thick book, yet I never felt bored. But I couldn't read The Last Stitch past 31%.
My first issue is how the time travel happens almost immediately in chapter one. In Audrey’s book, we at least get a prologue and a solid foundation for the main character’s life before all the clocks start going crazy. Here, Lily’s life in 2025 barely exists. No friends (eh, wonder why? 🤨) no hobbies (*insert shocked Pikachu face meme* 😮), no personality outside of research. Her grandmother is her only connection. A professor is mentioned maybe twice. That’s it. Does she have a favorite movie? Any quirks? We never find out. So when she lands in 1892, it feels less like she lost something and more like she simply started existing there.
If we compare this to The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, which explores similar themes and much more closely than Audrey’s book, the difference is obvious. Owen actually feels like a historian because his knowledge matters, and Una never treats him like a captive.
Lily, on the other hand, could be replaced with "random woman who likes history" and nothing would change. She rarely uses her expertise, rarely pushes back, and oddly seems willing to just ... Accept being August’s prisoner. She barely tries to escape. The first time she leaves his house, she basically just waltzes out the door with a side character’s blessing 😏 Pretty easy for a captive, huh? Hmmm, okie. The thing is, I don’t need her to succeed every time. I just need her to try. Let her make bad plans. Let her fail spectacularly. Anything is better than passivity.
Second: August.
I didn’t like him from the moment he appeared. He gave me Draco Malfoy energy, but without the charm or bite. Just spineless, obedient 26/27 year old boy with ✨ daddy issue ✨ I swear this man thinks his dad farts rainbows 😂 This book made me realize I have a new ick: spineless men. And this is coming from someone who likes subby men. But there’s a massive difference between submissive and spineless. One is a dynamic. The other is a personality void.
August is not compelling; he was just someone with (ofc) a tragic past who’s angry at the world. Mostly women. Mind you, he hunted a little girl when he met Lily. Idk why that’s barely mentioned. Please die :) As a love interest, August feels painfully generic. Someone save me from shadow daddies and give me golden retriever boyfies anytime.
Third: the romance.
I didn’t buy it for a second. Lily admits August is "the most devastatingly handsome man" she's ever seen. And August notices her because she looks different, dresses different, talks different. And yup, she’s pretty!! Who could’ve guessed 😍 That’s all. Their attraction is basically based on physical appearance, mwah 😘 You call that chemistry? My cat has more chemistry with my neighbor’s tom.
By chapter 8, he’s already possessive. By chapter 14, she trusts him. Enemies to lovers where? 🤡 I blinked and apparently we were already at soft gazes 🥺 and emotional dependency after he saved him when he was distracted by OW, oh nooo 😭 I’m so exhausted with the trope where "trust" is built by putting the FMC in danger so the man can rescue her, often in situations involving sexual threat. It’s overused, tiring, and lazy. Next time, maybe include something like, contains: instalove, heroine forgets she has legs, possessive shadow daddy, rescue based romance progression.
Also, how the hell does someone get attacked near a restaurant??? We’re talking about Oxford in the late 1800s, not Gotham City. It’s a town. A busy one. Full of shopkeepers, students, grandmas who know everyone’s business, and old men staring out of windows like unpaid security cameras. People back then were nosy as hell. This isn’t modern "everyone films for TikTok and does nothing". There was no TikTok. No TVs. No headphones. You sneeze wrong and three neighbors already know your entire medical history.
I don’t remember Lily even trying to scream. If someone grabs you and drags you into a dark alley, your body does NOT wait for some tall, brooding man to show up. Screaming isn’t bravery. It’s instinct. Toddlers scream. Cats scream. I scream when I see a cockroach. She basically said, "I guess I’ll die quietly so the hero can have his entrance." 🤤 Girl. Use your mouth. God gave you vocal cords for free. One scream and Auntie Petunia would already be out there bonking the attacker like, "NOT IN MY STREET, YOUNG MAN!"
Oh, and August? Please explain how you just walked away after nearly killing two men, honey. This is not a mafia romance. This is Victorian England. You don’t get immunity because your daddy has money. Cracking someone’s skull in public isn’t "protective boyfriend behavior". It’s felony behavior.
Lastly: the pacing.
This book moves slower than a 100 year old crossing the street. I’m fully aware we’re supposed to be patient and wait for Lily to settle in. I think 8 chapters is reasonably enough, right? RIGHT? 😬 So I was happy when something interesting finally happened in chapter 9: someone from the other side wanted to meet Lily. Great. Momentum. Stakes. I was ready. Hooray 🎉 But guess what? They didn't meet until chapter 16. That's SEVEN fucking chapters apart. Seven. Over the course of one single day in the story. I repeat: one day!
At that point, it felt like the romance kept interrupting the plot instead of serving it. By the time the meeting finally happened, I just didn’t care anymore. No investment. No tension. I wasn’t rooting for Lily. I still didn’t like August, even when he started rebelling against his daddy thanks to Lily, who actually did ... Nothing? But somehow she inspired him 🥰 Idk man. Like I said, their relationship never convinced me. I'm done.
In the end, The Last Stitch taught me two things: don’t apply for ARCs based on pretty covers, and be far more selective with my time. Hard lesson, but a useful one. Still, thank you to the author for the opportunity, but sometimes a beautiful cover simply isn’t enough.
February 17, 2026
This book was a 5/5 for me before I even got the chance to finish it. The narrative is beyond captivating. Lily & August carry the perfect banter throughout the book. I didn’t just want to read this story.. I wanted to be a part of this story.
It’s beautiful, it’s so deeply thought out and I’m so thankful I was able to read it. The realization that Lily may have been the one to leave the necklace for herself —- mind blown! I didn’t even consider such an idea but yes on every level. “I think I’ve always been here, August. I just didn’t know it yet” !!!!!!!! The cliffhanger ending has me wanting more now. Can’t wait for book 2.
It’s beautiful, it’s so deeply thought out and I’m so thankful I was able to read it. The realization that Lily may have been the one to leave the necklace for herself —- mind blown! I didn’t even consider such an idea but yes on every level. “I think I’ve always been here, August. I just didn’t know it yet” !!!!!!!! The cliffhanger ending has me wanting more now. Can’t wait for book 2.
February 20, 2026
The Last Stitch is a time-travel romantasy featuring witches, witch hunters, and a semi slow-burn romance. Lily is sent back to 1892 after her grandmother’s death when she touches a mysterious pendant among her belongings. Shortly after arriving she finds herself captured by August, a Weaver Hunter. Weavers are witches who manipulate the threads of the universe to create and alter reality. As Lily learns more about the systemic prejudice against Weavers, she begins to challenge August’s worldview, and feelings develop between them along the way.
This book was very close to a five-star read for me—until the final 10%, which significantly impacted my overall enjoyment.
⚠️ Spoilers Below ⚠️
One moment that really pulled me out of the story occurs after the Weavers are attacked and forced into a situation resembling a refugee camp. While the group is grieving, displaced, and in immediate danger, Lily and August decide this is the right moment to have loud, passionate sex in a tent. The timing felt extremely inappropriate given the circumstances and undermined the emotional weight of what the Weavers had just endured. It caused me to lose a lot of respect for both characters in that moment.
Another frustration was August’s inconsistency regarding Lily’s magic. He repeatedly shifts between fully trusting her and then suddenly doubting her abilities and intentions. This back-and-forth felt unnecessary and made his character arc feel less cohesive. I wanted him to either fully commit to trusting Lily or openly grapple with his doubts in a more meaningful way.
Lastly, the revelation involving August’s father, specifically that he knew about August’s powers all along and deliberately turned him into a weapon, felt abrupt and underdeveloped. This plot point came out of nowhere and added complexity that didn’t feel needed so late in the story, especially when there were already plenty of high-stakes conflicts in play.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book… until I didn’t. Despite my issues with the ending, I’m still invested enough that I plan to read the next book in the series and hope it addresses some of these concerns.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book was very close to a five-star read for me—until the final 10%, which significantly impacted my overall enjoyment.
⚠️ Spoilers Below ⚠️
One moment that really pulled me out of the story occurs after the Weavers are attacked and forced into a situation resembling a refugee camp. While the group is grieving, displaced, and in immediate danger, Lily and August decide this is the right moment to have loud, passionate sex in a tent. The timing felt extremely inappropriate given the circumstances and undermined the emotional weight of what the Weavers had just endured. It caused me to lose a lot of respect for both characters in that moment.
Another frustration was August’s inconsistency regarding Lily’s magic. He repeatedly shifts between fully trusting her and then suddenly doubting her abilities and intentions. This back-and-forth felt unnecessary and made his character arc feel less cohesive. I wanted him to either fully commit to trusting Lily or openly grapple with his doubts in a more meaningful way.
Lastly, the revelation involving August’s father, specifically that he knew about August’s powers all along and deliberately turned him into a weapon, felt abrupt and underdeveloped. This plot point came out of nowhere and added complexity that didn’t feel needed so late in the story, especially when there were already plenty of high-stakes conflicts in play.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book… until I didn’t. Despite my issues with the ending, I’m still invested enough that I plan to read the next book in the series and hope it addresses some of these concerns.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I'm such a giant sucker for witch/witch hunter books, and this one did not disappoint! Throw in a dash of time travel, strong women, and sassy friends, and who could really ask for more?
There were definitely some issues (grammar, plot armor, historical inaccuracies), but honestly, I didn't mind most of it because the story was just so fun and engaging. My biggest issue with the book was the end, which felt fairly incongruous from the rest in terms of pacing and tone. The romance, which I loved in most of the story, was over the top at the end as well.
In addition to being a sucker for witch/witch hunter books, I am also a sucker for dual POVs. This one was done incredibly well, with a good mix of POVs, and with both being written in such a way that I could connect with the two main characters. Lily was easy to like from the start, but I appreciated seeing all the inner turmoil in August's chapters because it made the story so much more believable.
Adeline and Garrick were great in a not-super-believable but still very entertaining to read sort of way. I hope we see a lot more of them in the next book.
This book ended with a pretty depressing/calamitous cliffhanger, which typically doesn't have me super excited to pick up the next book (that's a me problem, lol), but this book was so fun that I am really looking forward to seeing where it goes next!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
There were definitely some issues (grammar, plot armor, historical inaccuracies), but honestly, I didn't mind most of it because the story was just so fun and engaging. My biggest issue with the book was the end, which felt fairly incongruous from the rest in terms of pacing and tone. The romance, which I loved in most of the story, was over the top at the end as well.
In addition to being a sucker for witch/witch hunter books, I am also a sucker for dual POVs. This one was done incredibly well, with a good mix of POVs, and with both being written in such a way that I could connect with the two main characters. Lily was easy to like from the start, but I appreciated seeing all the inner turmoil in August's chapters because it made the story so much more believable.
Adeline and Garrick were great in a not-super-believable but still very entertaining to read sort of way. I hope we see a lot more of them in the next book.
This book ended with a pretty depressing/calamitous cliffhanger, which typically doesn't have me super excited to pick up the next book (that's a me problem, lol), but this book was so fun that I am really looking forward to seeing where it goes next!
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“My father would say you're bewitching me. That this is how it starts—the corruption, the fall...And part of me. . . God help me, part of me still wonders if he's right.”
I am right there with you, I am utterly bewitched by this book.
Do you remember the first book that truly captivated you? That swept you away?!
This book was that feeling I have been chasing!
The Last Stitch by will absolutely enthrall you,leave you equally in love and in pieces.
The perfect blend of time traveling from Outlander and the grittiness from A Discovery of Witches.
Magic is outlawed and wielders are hunted.
This is a huge problem for Lily who can not only time travel, she also has the power to weave fate.
Whats a girl to do?!
Well...she meets a witch hunter of course.
August is as handsome as he is grumpy and he has vowed to eradicate all witches.
They say opposites attract....right?!
As fates bind and unravel, we are caught in an epic hunt between worlds, duty, and love.
Absolutely lush!
This author does an amazing job weaving an intricate story without it feeling muddled. It's gripping and beautifully written. I was glued to every word and just a fair warning, there is a slightly cruel cliffhanger I am currently still dangling from.
I am right there with you, I am utterly bewitched by this book.
Do you remember the first book that truly captivated you? That swept you away?!
This book was that feeling I have been chasing!
The Last Stitch by will absolutely enthrall you,leave you equally in love and in pieces.
The perfect blend of time traveling from Outlander and the grittiness from A Discovery of Witches.
Magic is outlawed and wielders are hunted.
This is a huge problem for Lily who can not only time travel, she also has the power to weave fate.
Whats a girl to do?!
Well...she meets a witch hunter of course.
August is as handsome as he is grumpy and he has vowed to eradicate all witches.
They say opposites attract....right?!
As fates bind and unravel, we are caught in an epic hunt between worlds, duty, and love.
Absolutely lush!
This author does an amazing job weaving an intricate story without it feeling muddled. It's gripping and beautifully written. I was glued to every word and just a fair warning, there is a slightly cruel cliffhanger I am currently still dangling from.
December 31, 2025
Mind..truly..blown! 🤯 I was excited to receive an ARC of The Last Stitch because I had a feeling it was going to be special. Special is an understatement. I could not put this book down once I started.
I’ve seen The Last Stitch being compared to Outlander. I confess I’ve never seen Outlander so I had zero preconceived notions beginning this story.
Our FMC is Lily, a historian from England thrust back in time after accidentally breaking a magical glass pendant. She comes to discover she possesses the magic of a weaver. Our MMC is August. He’s broody, he’s sexy and he has always done what was expected of him. He also happens to be a hunter who has vowed to put an end to all weavers.
The characters were so well written in this series. Lily was such a strong FMC. I could also feel and sympathize with August’s struggle of doing what his father and position demand of him vs what he uncovers to be the truth. August is so controlled and here comes Lily, chipping away at all the walls and restraint he has built up. The chemistry between Lily and August was fire! That ending though?! I wanted to throw my kindle across the room and I mean that in the best way possible.
I ADORED this book and will be one of the first in line when the second book comes out.
I’ve seen The Last Stitch being compared to Outlander. I confess I’ve never seen Outlander so I had zero preconceived notions beginning this story.
Our FMC is Lily, a historian from England thrust back in time after accidentally breaking a magical glass pendant. She comes to discover she possesses the magic of a weaver. Our MMC is August. He’s broody, he’s sexy and he has always done what was expected of him. He also happens to be a hunter who has vowed to put an end to all weavers.
The characters were so well written in this series. Lily was such a strong FMC. I could also feel and sympathize with August’s struggle of doing what his father and position demand of him vs what he uncovers to be the truth. August is so controlled and here comes Lily, chipping away at all the walls and restraint he has built up. The chemistry between Lily and August was fire! That ending though?! I wanted to throw my kindle across the room and I mean that in the best way possible.
I ADORED this book and will be one of the first in line when the second book comes out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was delightful! Time traveling, magic, and a brewing rebellion...what more could you want in a story! Not to mention the banter between the two main characters was so charged you could feel the tension building throughout the book.
I enjoyed the world the author built, blending the Victorian era with magic. More than that, I appreciated the FMC's status as a historian which I found brought relevance of this story into current events of the world, since history tends to devestatingly repeat itself and do significant and irreparabale damage to people. It is a reminder that if you have a voice, you have a responsiblity to use it in defense of those who have lost theirs.
The characters were incredibly likeable and I am looking forward to book two of this series to find out what happens next.
4.5 🌟
Also, HUGE shout out for the cover, it is gorgeous!
I enjoyed the world the author built, blending the Victorian era with magic. More than that, I appreciated the FMC's status as a historian which I found brought relevance of this story into current events of the world, since history tends to devestatingly repeat itself and do significant and irreparabale damage to people. It is a reminder that if you have a voice, you have a responsiblity to use it in defense of those who have lost theirs.
The characters were incredibly likeable and I am looking forward to book two of this series to find out what happens next.
4.5 🌟
Also, HUGE shout out for the cover, it is gorgeous!
February 18, 2026
How is this book not talked about more? It deserves all the hype in the world.
Tha magic system is sooo cool and something I have not read about yet. It is also described in a way that I can really see the magic when reading. It is amazing!!
Lily is a great FMC. Smart, direct, honest and lovable with a moral compass. I love to see her evolve from the lonely and broken scholar to a badass FMC who takes sugar from nobody.
I really enjoy August‘s character arc. He starts off blindly following orders and thinking his cause is the only right one. Later on we see him doubt everything and using his chance to be a good person.
The chemistry between Lily and August is perfection. I love the tension, slow burn and their conversations. Executed brilliantly!
This book has it all:
Slow burn
Magic
Time travel
Enemies to lovers
You name it 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Tha magic system is sooo cool and something I have not read about yet. It is also described in a way that I can really see the magic when reading. It is amazing!!
Lily is a great FMC. Smart, direct, honest and lovable with a moral compass. I love to see her evolve from the lonely and broken scholar to a badass FMC who takes sugar from nobody.
I really enjoy August‘s character arc. He starts off blindly following orders and thinking his cause is the only right one. Later on we see him doubt everything and using his chance to be a good person.
The chemistry between Lily and August is perfection. I love the tension, slow burn and their conversations. Executed brilliantly!
This book has it all:
Slow burn
Magic
Time travel
Enemies to lovers
You name it 🙌🏻🙌🏻
March 15, 2026
“Magic now flowed through me and I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to go back to just reading about history. Experiencing it firsthand had become so much more.”
“She had found me in the dark before. She would find me again.”
Time traveling romantasy that you won’t be able to put down!!! With amazing witchy elements and Victorian vibes any fans of Outlander and The Discovery of Witches will love this ✨
I had to share my two favorite quotes from the book. One is from our FMC and the other our MMC. I really enjoyed how we get thrown into the time travel part quite fast. I didn’t want to wait 🤭
I love how August was immediately taken by Lily’s presence. The weavers were amazing! I love how the magic is described. The slow burn is so real with these two! Be ready to wait lol
But the ending is what got my the most 😭
I can’t wait for book 2!
Thank you Chantelle for my eARC 🫶🏼
“She had found me in the dark before. She would find me again.”
Time traveling romantasy that you won’t be able to put down!!! With amazing witchy elements and Victorian vibes any fans of Outlander and The Discovery of Witches will love this ✨
I had to share my two favorite quotes from the book. One is from our FMC and the other our MMC. I really enjoyed how we get thrown into the time travel part quite fast. I didn’t want to wait 🤭
I love how August was immediately taken by Lily’s presence. The weavers were amazing! I love how the magic is described. The slow burn is so real with these two! Be ready to wait lol
But the ending is what got my the most 😭
I can’t wait for book 2!
Thank you Chantelle for my eARC 🫶🏼
January 17, 2026
***ARC REVIEW***August and Lily ughhh swoon! This book is absolutely incredible. He's the ruthless hunter from the 1800's who has been trained his whole life to hunt Weavers, the witches he thinks are responsible for the death of his mother and countless others. She's the time traveling historian from 2025 who falls into his world literally and figuratively, who not only makes him question everything he has ever known but who he cant help but fall for. This is my first 5 star read of 2026 and man does it deserve it. The world building (I'm a sucker for all things Victorian England), the pacing, the absolute yearning and the giant cliff Chantelle left us hanging off with that ending. All I can say about this book is Masterpiece.
January 22, 2026
This book was everything I expected it to be and more!
Lily starts out in present day Oxford 2025 studying as a historian about hundreds of missing girls just erased from history in the late 1800s. Vanished without a trace.
Events happen and somehow Lily is magically thrust back into Oxford, 1892. The exact time period when all of these girls were being erased from history.
Now, not only is she living in the piece of history she was studying, she is determined to uncover the truth about these missing girls!
What she doesn’t expect is to fall for a devastatingly, handsome hunter in the process.
The story unfolded in a way I was not expecting. I had so much fun reading this book! I love the author’s writing, it was easy to connect with, easy to visualize and hard to out down. I can’t wait for the next one! Because yes, there will be more!
Lily starts out in present day Oxford 2025 studying as a historian about hundreds of missing girls just erased from history in the late 1800s. Vanished without a trace.
Events happen and somehow Lily is magically thrust back into Oxford, 1892. The exact time period when all of these girls were being erased from history.
Now, not only is she living in the piece of history she was studying, she is determined to uncover the truth about these missing girls!
What she doesn’t expect is to fall for a devastatingly, handsome hunter in the process.
The story unfolded in a way I was not expecting. I had so much fun reading this book! I love the author’s writing, it was easy to connect with, easy to visualize and hard to out down. I can’t wait for the next one! Because yes, there will be more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay this one?? completely pulled me in from page one and did not let me go 😭✨ time travel + forbidden magic + enemies to lovers tension = I was OBSESSED. Lily being thrown into Victorian England and trying to survive in a world that literally wants to erase women with power had me so invested in her journey.
And August… sir pls 😭 the cold witch hunter who’s supposed to destroy her but slowly starts questioning everything?? the tension between them was SO good ..slow burn, angsty, and full of those little moments that make your heart ache.
The world building felt rich without being confusing and I loved the whole Weaver magic concept ,it felt unique and really added depth to the story. There were twists, emotional moments, action, romance… basically I was fully entertained the entire time.
Also that ending??? I’m not okay and I need book two immediately because HOW am I supposed to wait after that 😭
If you love romantasy with enemies to lovers, time travel, powerful FMCs and lots of tension , definitely pick this one up. Easy 5⭐️ for me 🖤✨
And August… sir pls 😭 the cold witch hunter who’s supposed to destroy her but slowly starts questioning everything?? the tension between them was SO good ..slow burn, angsty, and full of those little moments that make your heart ache.
The world building felt rich without being confusing and I loved the whole Weaver magic concept ,it felt unique and really added depth to the story. There were twists, emotional moments, action, romance… basically I was fully entertained the entire time.
Also that ending??? I’m not okay and I need book two immediately because HOW am I supposed to wait after that 😭
If you love romantasy with enemies to lovers, time travel, powerful FMCs and lots of tension , definitely pick this one up. Easy 5⭐️ for me 🖤✨
March 1, 2026
When readers say they want yearning in their romance, this book is exactly what is wanted.
I pre-ordered this book after seeing a reel depicting a time travel romance unlike any that I’ve heard of. Lily is a PhD student studying missing people from the 1800’s when she is suddenly transported to that time. She crosses paths with August, who is a witch hunter. August thinks she is a witch. This dynamic makes for the best kind of enemies to lovers/forbidden romance that I’ve ever read.
THE LAST STITCH is the perfect blend of time travel and fantasy romance. There are also elements of regency romance due to the time period. All of it combined to create a type of yearning that is unmatched.
I pre-ordered this book after seeing a reel depicting a time travel romance unlike any that I’ve heard of. Lily is a PhD student studying missing people from the 1800’s when she is suddenly transported to that time. She crosses paths with August, who is a witch hunter. August thinks she is a witch. This dynamic makes for the best kind of enemies to lovers/forbidden romance that I’ve ever read.
THE LAST STITCH is the perfect blend of time travel and fantasy romance. There are also elements of regency romance due to the time period. All of it combined to create a type of yearning that is unmatched.
January 21, 2026
The Last Stitch had so much of what I love: history, witches, slow-burn, enemies to lovers, and friendship. Lily as a present-day historian flung back into the Victorian period she was studying had be hooked. I enjoyed the heat between Lily and August. August really grew on me becoming one of my favourite characters. Adeline ended up being a favorite character of mine, I loved her “let me get blood on my boots this time” quote. I enjoyed seeing the arc of the battles of morals vs doctrine in multiple characters.
I thought the writing style was great and many beautifully deep quotes in the story. However, the editing was lacking in ways such as confusing point of view switches and some inconsistencies.
There are some excellent life lessons in this story!
The author brilliantly led the story into a book 2. Looking forward to the next weaver’s book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thought the writing style was great and many beautifully deep quotes in the story. However, the editing was lacking in ways such as confusing point of view switches and some inconsistencies.
There are some excellent life lessons in this story!
The author brilliantly led the story into a book 2. Looking forward to the next weaver’s book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2026
I have never heard of this author but the cover and the blurb had me picking it up so fast. The writing is some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read. I love the mix of modern with old world magic. It was so masterfully done. Very dreamy like a fairytale. August and Lily's relationship is so beautiful and sweet and tender. Very slow moving but still so gorgeous. While I wish the concept of the magic was a little stronger, it did not take away my enjoyment. The story is beautiful with or without the magic. Stunning story and I want more
December 17, 2025
This was an absolutely fabulous book. It’s a unique spin on the Witch Hunter trope. Lilly is transported back in time and lands right in the middle of a witch hunt where she is captured by a witch hunter named August. The relationship that blooms between the 2 MC’s is believable. The tension and banter is realistic. I found myself rooting for them from the beginning. The fantasy/romance genre is so saturated with carbon copy story lines it is hard as an avid fantasy reader to find new and interesting books in this genre right now. This one blew my expectations! I can’t wait for book 2. Favorite line from the book, “In my time, we’d called it “privilege” the ability to speak truth because you had less to lose.
Review of advance copy
I loved this book. The characters are epic. Watching everything unfold was so absorbing. The tension builds beautifully. The sex is very good and fits the story, not just for the sake of it. I loved the ballroom scene … It was so well described I felt like I was there & even held my breath at the important moment! Can't wait to read the next one! Highly recommended. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
February 3, 2026
Thank you Book Sirens for the ARC!
If you liked Outlander and the Shepherd King series, then you'll like this book!
The magic system was extremely unique.
The burn was slow and poetic!
I cannot wait for the next book!
If you liked Outlander and the Shepherd King series, then you'll like this book!
The magic system was extremely unique.
The burn was slow and poetic!
I cannot wait for the next book!
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