Book: The Last Stitch by Chantelle N. Kerr
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4/5
Rating: 4.25/5
This is a packed romantasy with time travel, witches and witch hunters, and a really unique magic system. I was captivated almost immediately. We follow our FMC, Lily, a historian in Oxford in 2025 researching mysterious disappearances from the late 1800s. A series of events leads to her suddenly finding herself in 1892 Oxford where witches (weavers) are real, magic is outlawed, and hunters actively seek them out.
She’s captured by the captain of the hunters, our MMC August, and essentially becomes a prisoner in his home. Their dynamic is heated and steeped in that delicious forbidden love/lust tension. August is understandably wary of Lily, especially once she admits she’s from the future, and he questions her validity for a good portion of the story, which honestly made the tension even better.
I loved the Victorian-era setting. Lily trying to conceal she’s from another time, discovering her magical abilities, and the dynamic of being hunted by the very man she’s drawn to hooks me every time. People compare this to a blend of Outlander and A Discovery of Witches . I’ve only read and watched a bit of Outlander , but I can see the time-travel parallels, but this doesn’t feel quite as bleak as the Scottish historical fantasy vibe.
There were a few small things that broke my immersion slightly. Writing period pieces is tricky, especially when it comes to dialogue and tone. At times, the speech and mannerisms felt more modern than Victorian, which softened some of the authenticity. There were also a couple continuity moments where a subject was introduced and then never revisited. That said, these didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment—I just hope to see a bit more refinement in the next installment.
This is very much a witch x witch hunter story with a fascinating magical system. The other weavers we meet are flawed, cautious, and layered. August’s father, the ruthless head of the hunters, brought a chilling presence to the page. The oppression woven through the story, and Lily slowly coming into herself and her newly discovered abilities, felt especially poignant.
I enjoyed this so much that I ordered a physical copy for my trophy shelf. I’m already looking forward to the next book after that cliffhanger. Definitely pick this up when you’re in the mood for something Victorian with tension, magic, and forbidden romance.
Thank you to Chantelle Kerr for the eARC. All opinions are my own.