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I'm not sure if me not remembering anything about The Scarlet Letter helped or hindered me with this book, but for a retelling, I was pleasantly surprised. Usually I despise retellings and it wasn't until after I picked it up that I was told it was a feminist retelling of The Scarlet Letter. The story centers around a young seamstress, Isobel Gamble, and her emigration from Scotland to Salem. Isobel is soon deserted by her husband after joining a ship in the New World as a medic, with no money and forced to figure out her own path. After meeting Nathanial Hawthorne, the two get closer and more romantically involved. What's the worst that could happen?

This book is a complete atmospheric read in every way. That being said, the slow build up once you get about 25% in doesn't move faster until the very end. The early chapters of this book really enrich the story's exposition and I was so ready to see what happens, but then it takes way too long for a build up. I enjoyed the spin on Nathaniel Hawhorne's character and I also enjoyed how beautifully set everything is. Although Hester is definitely leaning towards one of my more enjoyable retelling reads, it further proves that retellings are just not for me.