My Review:

Siobhan has written an engaging and interesting story about war in two different times. As this book is a dual timeline set in the 1940s Ukraine during World War 2 and 2022 in Lviv.

In the 40’s Zirka and Perla, two cousins sew for their lives, using their skills in cloak and dagger sewing missions. The secrets and risks, the lies and truths.

In 2022 Ana finds herself with a hidden diary.

80 years apart wars rage, how many similarities are there to be found?

Heartstrings are pulled and tissues are needed for this emotional ride of fear, love, loss, divide and incredible courage. A recommended book.

Book overview
As enemy soldiers march in the streets, the Needles of Freedom embroider by candlelight beneath the faded gold sign of an old dressmaker’s store. Will their secret messages help win the war?

Occupied Ukraine, 1940. Zirka has been sewing ever since she was a little girl. But now, every stitch contains a spark of rebellion. Together with her cousin Perla, as war rages around them they sew vital secret messages for the resistance into embroidered shirts.

Every night, Zirka leaves to meet with her fiancé in secret and Perla pours her heart out into her diary. Nobody else knows that Perla is living under false papers. If the two women are caught, or betrayed, it would mean certain death…

Lviv, 2022. As Ana gazes around at the peeling wallpaper, she hopes this little shop will bring her closer to the memory of her grandmother Zirka. After Ana’s mother suddenly refused to see or speak to Zirka decades ago, Ana has been desperate to find out what terrible secret tore them apart.

A diary hidden in a long-forgotten kitchen drawer tells of a secret sewing society vital to the war effort long ago. Ana knows she must continue her grandmother’s legacy of resistance now another war has come to her beloved country. But she’s no closer to finding the truth about her own family… and when she does, will she learn that some wartime secrets are too dangerous to uncover?

The Secret Sewing Society is a sweeping, heartbreaking tale about a devastating family mystery, a doomed love affair, and generations of women coming together against the odds. Fans of Evie Woods, Fiona Valpy and The Keeper of Happy Endings will be utterly swept away.

What readers are saying about The Secret Sewing Society:

‘WOW!… this novel completely pulled me in… gripping… unforgettable… heart-breaking in the best way… powerful.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘HEARTBREAKING… powerful and emotional…will stay with you long after you finish it… Gripping.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… I loved this book so much… had me hanging on to every word… my favourite read!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A must-read… I adored this book… loved… A wonderful novel. Five stars.’ Betsysbookshops, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Utterly captivating… heartbreaking, hopeful… A moving read that lingers… excellent.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautiful… I had to keep looking down through tears… I was so moved from this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Loved… both heart-breaking and hopeful… gripping… utterly swept away… Stunning.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Readers love Siobhan Curham:

‘Unforgettable… pulls on the heart strings… had me glued to the pages… left me breathless…dug deep into my heart… absolutely loved… 5 glorious stars… I loved this story so much.’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Totally gripping… I adored… mesmerizing and I didn’t want it to end… a page-turner that will capture your heart.’ Christian Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘From the very first page of this book, I was stunned, mesmerised… knock the wind out of you! I’m so sad it’s over. I could have read another sixty chapters… fantastic.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Warning: do not begin this book if you have food cooking or housework to do! Your food will burn and your house will stay dirty, because you will not be able to put it down!…The best historical fiction… Brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hi, I’m Siobhan – which for those of you not familiar with the wonder of Irish names, is actually pronounced, Shiv-on!

I’m an award-winning author of over 50 books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, young adults and children, and my first book was published back in 2000, so I’ve been at this writing game for almost a quarter of a century now.

I’m also a former council estate kid and a university drop-out – I dropped out because I didn’t think I had what it took to make it in the middle class world of publishing. Thankfully I managed to overcome my self doubt and fear and achieve my writing dreams, and now I love helping others do the same through my mentoring, courses and talks.

I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic I felt as if my life had collapsed in on itself and I’d had to shrink myself to fit this strange new world of lockdowns and zoom calls (oh, so many Zoom calls!) and working from home and working alone. Even when things returned to some semblance of normal back in 2022, I felt that I’d lost sight of who I was and I’d definitely lost my joy for living.

Then, an unexpected trip to Jamaica changed everything, jolting me back to life and reminding me of who I truly am. In a bid to never lose sight of myself and my sense of wonder and purpose again, I started travelling more and writing a weekly Substack letter called Wonderstruck. And in September 2023 I gave up my home in the UK and pretty much all of my worldly goods to solo travel the world while I write my books and mentor other writers.

I send Wonderstruck out to my subscribers every Sunday morning, writing about the places I visit and the lessons I learn there. My sole aim for writing this letter is to inspire others to rediscover their own sense of purpose, wonder and adventure.

If you’ve enjoyed reading any of my books I’d love it if you joined the Wonderstruck community over on Substack.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my books, I really appreciate it!

Siobhan

To Purchase please follow the link

https://amzn.eu/d/gsLcnyc