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The Liberty Scarf tells the story of three women—each in a different place and phase of World War I—linked by a single silk scarf. The idea is lovely: that a handmade item, stitched with care and hidden messages, could travel across borders and connect lives. And for the most part, it works… just not as smoothly as I hoped.
Iris, the Liberty scarf designer with big dreams and a guarded heart, was the standout for me. Her chapters were full of hope, creativity, and a touch of romance. Geneviève, a French-Canadian Signal Corps recruit, brought up timely questions about assimilation and identity, but her story felt rushed. Clara, a Flemish nurse, had a sweet musical connection with a wounded violinist—but their relationship never quite took flight before the story moved on.
The problem lies in the seams. With three authors writing three threads, the tone and pacing shift noticeably between sections. The scarf connects them symbolically, but narratively, it doesn’t tie things together as tightly as it could have.
Fans of romantic wartime fiction will enjoy the setting and spirit, but the book doesn’t quite deliver the emotional punch it aims for. It’s charming in pieces, but as a whole, it feels more like a patchwork than a tapestry.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for a comp of the audiobook, and Edelweiss+ and Harper Muse for a comp of the eBook. All opinions are my own.