This book is an enjoyable read, hard to put down. I enjoyed learning about about the era of the 1920s, and the use of the period language sprinkled throughout.

Nell is such an endearing character. I can empathize with her stuttering, since my youngest has such a difficulty himself.

When Nell was asked why she found such pleasure in designing hats, she pointed out that all women have inner beauty, and that it was pure bliss to see the transformation when someone "gets a glimpse in the mirror in one of my hats and feels beautiful." "It's not about my happiness, but other women discovering their own inner beauty and carrying themselves with poise."

A great beach read! ( )

In The Hatmaker's Heart, Carla Stewart whisks readers back to the Roaring Twenties and into the cutthroat world of hat designing. Nell Marchwold's gorgeous creations dazzle an influential client and leads to extraordinary opportunities for the talented young designer. However her ambitious and overbearing boss refuses to acknowledge her achievements and goes to extreme lengths to keep her from leaving her position at his millinery.

An interesting blend of old fashioned values and forward thinking, Nell is a fascinating character. A truly gifted designer with an uncanny ability to create hats that highlight women's inner and outer beauty, Nell's struggles to establish a career in a male-dominated field are hindered by both the time period and unscrupulous shop owner Oscar Fields. Further hampering her efforts is her lifelong stutter which worsens when Nell is in stressful situations. As she undergoes unorthodox but highly effective therapy for her speech difficulties, Nell's career begins to blossom when a rising fashion designer selects her to design hats for his upcoming fashion collection. This leads to a stunning chance to return to England for a short period of time and when she becomes reacquainted with a close childhood friend, Nell begins to question what is really important in life.

While The Hatmaker's Heart mostly takes place in the design studio, key historical elements are briefly incorporated in the storyline. Nell's boss is rather despicable but he is a fairly accurate reflection of men in the workplace and the time period in general. Nell's visit to a speakeasy provides an intriguing glimpse into the criminal enterprises that began to surface during prohibition. The colorful cast of secondary characters highlights the changes in fashion and the emergence of new slang. This younger generation also demonstrates the growing shift of young women pursuing higher education and careers rather than marriage.

Carla Stewart brings The Hatmaker's Heart vibrantly to life with a fascinating time period selection, a vivid cast of appealing characters and a unique storyline. It is a fast-paced and engaging novel that fans of faith-based historical fiction are sure to enjoy.
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Reading and loving this enchanting story of British born Nell and her creative millinery designing for NY and London's elite in the 1920s.

A favourite of the customers is Nell. Her nasty boss, Oscar, is another story. Ms Stewart describes a vibrant jazz era and draws well defined characters, easily denoting my likes from dislikes! Though Nell is surrounded by supportive friends, Oscar is a nasty piece of work. I kept watching for strength in Nell to stand up against his bullying and cheered inwardly at every step she took in that direction. Yet it appeared there was no denigration of her which he would not use. Oh, and those promised work recognition perks? right! Only when it served to ingratiate him in the eyes of the public.
Romance seems at once closing in on Nell, then with the turn of the tide could she be facing life standing on her own ...?

Excellent writing kept me guessing. Plot twists shocked then provided a satisfying yet surprise ending.

Another novel endearing Carla Stewart's writing to this reader. ( )

A good, easy read. Nell is a strong woman in a time when that was not always looked upon as a good thing. She works for a somewhat nasty boss who would like to stifle her talents. Nell has a great gift for creating beautiful hats that bring out the inner beauty of those who wear them. I enjoyed the female characters and their relationships in the story. I also enjoyed Nell's friendship with Calvin. The time period, the Jazz Age, is always such an interesting setting for a story. The story in nothing earth shattering, but a good read for this time of year when things can get hectic. This book could be interesting for book clubs as well as challenges of the time period would make for good discussions. ( )

I enjoyed the historical elements of millinery -- it taught me quite a bit and was quite enjoyable. However, I personally found it hard to root for Nell. She is not a strong protagonist and is a weak female, subject to the whims of the males around her, which is an exercise in frustration for this reader. It made the ending quite unsatisfactory. ( )