The Patchwork Bride: A Novel

The Patchwork Bride by Sandra Dallas was a heartrending read that had me engrossed from cover to cover. What a beautifully written historical romance that left me absolutely in love with the characters who now have a place in my heart. Ellen, who lives on a ranch with her husband Ben, who is suffering from dementia, is finishing up a homemade quilt for her soon to marry granddaughter June. When June comes to visit her grandmother, she expresses that she is having second thoughts about her upcoming marriage. Ellen shares a story of her friend Nell, who also struggled with her feelings and fears of settling down with the right, or wrong man. Nell, who enters womanhood in the late 1800s is on the hunt for a husband. She ends up on her aunts ranch in New Mexico, working in the kitchen. In hopes of finding herself a cowboy to wed her, her path crosses with Buddy. She is sure he is the love of her life, but when he breaks her heart, she packs up and leaves her aunt’s without a word to Buddy. In an effort to forget him, she heads out, yet again in search of a husband. She ends up meeting and running from multiple suitors for one reason or another as she takes on the task of finding her true love, or at least a suitable husband. Will Nell ever find the love of her life? As Ellen shares the story of Nell with June, she uses the opportunity to share with her granddaughter what Nell learned along the way. As she travels about the country, meets people and grows, she learns things about herself, life and what she truly desires in a partner. I absolutely connected with Nell’s character. She was such a strong, independent woman who refused to settle for something less than she knew she could be. While love and marriage were her number one priority, she refused to be someone’s wife and mother, while setting aside her own dreams. What a unique concept for the early 1900s. This proved to be a challenge for her, and contributed to her hurtles in finding a mate, but it was so beautiful to see her stick to her guns and push through to find her true happiness. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good historical romance. What a charming and marvelously written happily ever after this was. It will be one that sticks with me for years to come.