Ten Thousand Stitches

By: Olivia Atwater

Narrated by: Madeleine Leslay

A housemaid needs some magical help when she falls for a high-society gentleman in this captivating historical fantasy full of wit, charm, and heart-fluttering romance.

Effie has most inconveniently fallen in love with the dashing Mr. Benedict Ashbrooke. There’s only one problem: Effie is a housemaid, and a housemaid cannot marry a gentleman. It seems that Effie is out of luck until she stumbles into the faerie realm of Lord Blackthorn, who is only too eager to help her win Mr. Ashbrooke’s heart. All he asks in return is that Effie sew ten thousand stitches onto his favorite jacket.

Effie has heard rumors about what happens to those who accept magical bargains. But life as a maid at Hartfield is so awful that she is willing to risk even her immortal soul for a chance at something better. Now she has one hundred days—and ten thousand stitches—to make Mr. Ashbrooke fall in love and propose…if Lord Blackthorn doesn’t wreck things by accident, that is. For Effie’s greatest obstacle might well be Lord Blackthorn’s overwhelmingly good intentions.

An enchanting faerie tale set in Olivia Atwater’s magical version of Regency England, Ten Thousand Stitches is “a delightful, romantic romp” (Hannah Whitten) with a Cinderella twist and heaps of heart.

Praise for the Regency Faerie Tales

"Smart and subversive, these charming romances will ignite your heart—and your hope."—Shelley Parker-Chan

"Whimsical, witty, and brimming over with charm."—India Holton

"Sweeps you off your feet in the swooniest way possible."—Megan Bannen

"I wolfed this down with great pleasure."—KJ Charles

"Warm, sparkling with magic, dangerous, and delightful."—Tasha Suri

"Whimsical but never frivolous, sweet but not sugary. I loved it."—Alix E. Harrow

©2020 Olivia Atwater (P)2022 Orbit

Charming and Whimsical Romantasy

Arguably better than the first int he series, honestly! I just loved the slow reveals and characterization and it all came together in such a satisfying way.

Lovely story

A very pleasant, lighthearted story.


***SPOILERS***

My main qualm is the narrators choice of voice for Mr. Jubilee. In the beginning of the story, when it became clear the direction the book was taking,

I had a hard time adjusting my view of him from a bumbling, monocled/ mustachioed older man to a young, handsome love interest, largely due to how he was portrayed.

Picturing him as a young Colin Firth seemed to help, however. Lol

Just as delightful as Half a Soul!

Delightful! As with half a soul, I couldn’t stop listening! The story and the narration were just wonderful!

My new favourite book

This is one of the few books I've ever read where I would not change anything. The only thing I could ever wish for is more of it. I can't say much more without spoiling.

incredible story

I liked this a lot. I was hoping for more of the sharp wit and humor from the first book and when it didn’t come, I was a little bored with the story at first. I am glad I kept listening because I ended up loving the characters, the story, and the ending. The heroine has a vast inner strength you admire and I especially enjoyed getting to know one of the characters from the first book more. I still like the first better but I think some would prefer this sort of story over the first book.

Lovely reader

Just as enchanting as the first book in the series. It is one of the best audiobooks I listened to, Madeline Leslie is simply the best!

Almost as good as the first one.

The story was a little slow but good. I liked the first in the series better.

A refreshing and heartwarming read!

I really enjoy how this author breaks clichés and makes them her own. I’d want to be friends with all of our main cast of characters. The voice acting was great as well.

Obsessed and delighted

I have eaten up this book and Half a Soul over the course of a week and I have had such a marvelous time! These stories are so romantic and charming and have the value based undertones of classical fairy tales in a way that I found charming even if they were straightforward. I just love these books, and I can’t wait to read the third one

Blends my favorite genres into one!

Historical Romance + Fantasy what a smashing coupling indeed! I have longed for a series that blends these genres into a whimsical, witty, and engaging story. Olivia Atwater is a fantastic writer! The prose is smart without being overly pretentious and the humor shines in the dialogue. I truly loved how the FMC and MMC grow together (without giving too much away) this is my favorite retelling of a Cinderella story yet!