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Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

In Hester Laurie Lico Albanese speculates on the woman that might have inspired Nathaniel Hathrone(Hawthrone)'s Hester Prynne. As our story begins we are introduced to Scottish woman, Isobel Gamble, a young seamstress that descends from a line of women who see colors and have often raised the suspicions of the local people. When Isobel makes the passage to America, it is here that she and Nathaniel will cross paths.

Something in him knows� I believe this, even after all this time� that although his father will never return , a story just as powerful is coming toward him. It is me, bent into the wind, fleeing home with my colors and my needle and my own set of needs and dreams.
It is me with my red letter secreted away.

I can easily say that I was quite consumed by this story. It was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed Isobel as a protagonist and I fell hook, line, and sinker for this reimagining. I was also intrigued by author Nathaniel Hawthorne who was certainly a man of his time. That's me not excusing his behavior as the story unfolds but rather accepting that "it is, what it is." I am even going to go as far to state Hester was better than The Scarlet Letter.

I’m a witch and he’s a sorcerer. Or perhaps he’s the sorcerer and I’m the cauldron. I wrap my arms around him and touch the place where his shoulder is scratched and raw. He cries out and my eyes fly open. I want to know him down to the soul.


* My quotes are taken from the ARC*
Publication Date 04/10/22
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ review published 04/10/22