"...Stephanie Claypool's writing is both evocative and tender, drawing readers into Lily's world with a vividness that makes each scene feel alive...The novel's emotional depth is matched by its inspiring message of hope and perseverance, making it a truly memorable read."
- Foram Vyas,
Readers' Favorite
5 Star Review
"...Stephanie Claypool pens a masterful story of grief, love, and hardwork...Do yourself a favorite and grab this book the next chance you get...Claypool's slice-of-life story has the right amount of mystery embedded in it to keep you turning pages...This is definitely going down as one of my favorites reads of the year."
- Elizabeth Zender,
Independent Book Review
- Starred Review, chosen as one of
Independent Book Review's
Best Reads of 2024
After a hit-and-run driver tragically kills Lily's daughter and son-in-law, she is left with unspeakable grief, custody of her eight-year-old granddaughter Emma, and an impossible wish: to fulfill her daughter's dream of opening a quilt shop in the old house in their small Western Pennsylvania town.
The house is in shambles, coated with years of grime, but Lily, unable to afford contractors on her late husband's pension, tackles the job herself. As Emma's emotional struggles deepen, the old house presents a barrage of increasingly costly obstacles. Worse, when Lily discovers a squatter living on the property, she fears for their safety. Only her unwavering belief that the shop is the best way to build a new life for herself and Emma keeps Lily pushing forward.
But not everyone in town is rooting for Lily's success, and the line between helper and hinderer isn't always clear, forcing Lily to make sacrifices she never imagined. She will need to prove it isn't the patchwork that makes a quilt but the thousands of tiny stitches that bind the layers-and maybe hold a family together.