The Lacemaker's Fortune ⭐⭐⭐

The Lacemaker's Fortune by Andrea Catalano


NetGalley

In the 1870s, the fate of an immigrant desperate to escape the factories of New York City collides with the ambitions and passion of two men in an enthralling and darkly sensual novel by the author of The First Witch of Boston.

New York City, 1879. Eileen Maguire is a factory lacemaker limited by her humble circumstances and dreaming of a better life. Lawrence Barnard is the sole heir of one of Manhattan’s wealthiest families, but his means keep him confined by the expectations of society. When their paths cross one fateful winter night, Eileen and Lawrence become caught under the spell of the charismatic and enterprising Stanley Jones, who extolls the boundless opportunities awaiting in the West. The millinery shop Eileen dreams of owning with her sister is possible, as is the freedom to make his own choices that Lawrence so craves.

What begins as an idealistic journey westward quickly becomes something unexpected and sinister once the group lands in Leadville, Colorado, a wild silver mining boomtown high in the Rocky Mountains. A love triangle emerges, pitting promises and passion against betrayals and lies. With their starry-eyed intentions gone terribly awry and forbidden desires threatening to undo them, it will take heartbreak and a shocking secret to shake Eileen and Lawrence out of their blinded stupors and remind them that their fortunes are entirely in their own hands. Set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age, this is a dark tale of dangerous, suspenseful seduction.

Genre: Historical Fiction (although I think they should add Dark Romance)

The How/Why: As seen on SM ads and listed in NetGalley. Requested and Approved. 

⭐⭐⭐

🎉 Overall Enjoyment? 🎉🎉🎉

🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention? 🎣🎣

🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone? Maybe 🤷 If you like a dark romance love triangle set in the late 1800's.

🕮 Would I want a sequel? No ➖ 

📚 Would I want to read more books by this author? Maybe 🤷 

💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? Google says: Vi0lɇncɇ, Sɇxuɐl Assɐult. Not graphic.

🌶 Spice? Google says: Darkly Sensual

🌪 Plot Twist? No

👟 Pace? Slow

💻 Tidbits ~ Eileen is a talented lacemaker working in a factory. Her sister Mary has turned to prostitution to make ends meet while they are trying to save for their future. Eileen is longing for the better life that she and her sister came to America for. Along comes charming Stanley with promises of the better life she dreams of out west. Before you know it she's married to wealthy Lawrence, thanks to the matchmaking of Stanley. Her dreams of owning a shop seem to be within reach. 

This New York immigrant story turned into a dark romance with a love triangle in the Colorado Rockies. Promises are broken and passions are dangerous. Could Stanley be a conman?

The ambience of the Gilded Age turns quickly to a silver mining town in Colorado. 

They must learn how to seize control of their own fate. 

Why I deducted two stars:
Minus 1 Star for the title being little [and by a little I mean a lot] misleading to me. This is not a story of how Eileen makes her fortune with her lacemaking craft. 

Minus 1 Star for not finding the characters very likeable so I wasn't invested in them finding their way to a fulfilling life. 

🎧 Narrator: Michael Crouch and Alana Kerr-Collins

🎧10.0 hours 🕮 381pages

Not yet published. Expected 3-31-2026

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review.



11 and counting

 


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