By Laura Frantz

To celebrate the start of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, I decided to reread this gem in (almost) real time. This was the first Laura Frantz book I read. Quite a few years ago, my mom had gotten it from the library. I read the back cover, was intrigued, and opened the book. I was hooked from page one back then, and that hasn’t changed today!

Lady Elizabeth Lawson is the daughter of the lieutenant governor of Virginia in 1775, and engaged to a prominent tory. Her life is one of wealth and security, with the only storm clouds being those between her estranged parents. But when the patriots turn on the ruling families, Elizabeth finds herself stranded and homeless, abandoned by her father and fiance. With her patriot-minded mother living abroad, Elizabeth has no one to turn to until her fiance’s cousin, the handsome patriot, Noble Rynallt, offers his protection.

As Elizabeth and Noble’s feelings for each other grow, so does the danger. When Elizabeth’s father recruits her as a spy, Elizabeth agrees, acting as a double agent so she can funnel information to Noble and the other patriots. The risk is great. If the tories find out about her connection to Noble, she could be imprisoned – or worse. But as political tensions rise, and Elizabeth and Noble’s romance deepens, Elizabeth finds out that the dangers of spying might be the least of her worries.

Pros: I still love this story! Gorgeous historical detail, a heart-wrenching romance, and dashes of suspense will keep you reading late at night. I ended up binge reading over half of this book in one afternoon, even though I’d read it three or four times before. The romance is also one of my top three favorites of all the ones Laura Frantz has written so far. (I know – shocking coming from me and all my suspense!)

One of the specific things I like is the immersion into 1775 Virginia politics. You feel like you’re really there. Lots of books focus on Boston in the spring of 1775. But Williamsburg was just as crazy. There was so much uncertainty, making Virginia a hotbed of spies and confused loyalties. We know how history plays out, but can you imagine the chaos of living in that time? 

Cons: I will admit to being slightly jaded in the middle section of the book this time around. The action slows down and I wasn’t as invested. I also have a hard time with pampered heroines suddenly turning tough and plucky. Maybe I’m too skeptical, but, in my experience, that rarely works out in real life.

Bottom Line: With nods to the story of Ruth, The Lacemaker immerses the reader in a stunning historical romance set in the tumultuous days of Williamsburg 1775.