Sophie Fairfield leaves Charleston society behind and becomes a Harvey House waitress to escape an arranged engagement to her father’s business associate - but not before falling in love with her would-be stepson, Carver Ashton.

Carver, too, wants to break away and start his own business in New Orleans. When he tracks down Sophie in New Mexico, she has come into her own but still may be in need of a hero.

This sweet, effervescent romance is not to be missed - likable main characters, peril from evildoers, tender romance, train travel, and Harvey Girls both on and off the job. I always enjoy Grace Hitchcock's historical romances, but there’s something about Harvey Girls that just draw me in and now I’m impatient for book two!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but a positive review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Finding of Miss Fairfield
by Grace Hitchcock
Pub Date: August 29, 2022
Valmont House
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This was a new author for me. It is the first book in the Aprons & Veils series.
This was a step back in history when life was not as simple as we might think. Ms. Hitchcock captures the atmosphere of 1899 perfectly. She is running away from Prescott, a business partner of her father and a man twice her age. She is also running from the feelings she has for his stepson, Carver Ashton.
Danger follows her to New Mexico at a Harvey Restaurant. Her faith in God sustains her as she tries to figure out a way to honor God and marry the one she loves.
I enjoyed reading this book.
4 stars

I simply enjoyed this wonderful tale. From the very beginning, I liked the bookish Sophia. Then when she meets Carver, their sweet and fun romance just took off. I truly appreciated the lessons of faith learned as circumstances changed. The atmosphere of the Harvey restaurant with the famous Harvey girls was very interesting and well researched. The camaraderie and competition of the girls kept everyone on their toes. As the story continued, the suspense built up and I couldn’t do anything else until I finished the book. What a story! My only problem is how am I going to wait until next year for the next installment of this series? I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Grace Hitchcock is a new author to me. I love historical fiction, so I was excited for this story. Overall the premise was good, arranged marriage, heroine trying to find a way out, and an escape to the Wild West. The historical accuracy was interesting throughout the book and the glimpse of early Las Vegas was fun.

However, to say I enjoyed the book would not be entirely truthful. It was a bit disjointed and at times felt like the author was trying to cram too many scenarios into the story. The early interactions between the hero and heroine felt rushed with limited dialogue to show why they fell in love with each other. Their argument that sent them separate ways was quite brief and felt a bit overly dramatic. I love reading about the Harvey girls, but again the author tried to fit too many personalities and conflicts into Sophia’s relationship with her co-workers.

In the end it was a sweet story with a happy ending. The subtle lesson of learning to trust God and look to Him for your worth was nicely woven in. Definitely an easy read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

I received a free ebook from NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Finding of Miss Fairfield by Grace Hitchcock is a sweet story with exciting adventure. Sophia Fairfield is desperate to escape an arranged marriage. She has absolutely no say in marrying someone she doesn't even like, who is twice her age. Sadly, her birthday party turns into a betrothal party. When her fiance has to travel for business, his stepson is tasked with keeping her company. "Her father may intend for her to marry the man, but she would find an escape, one way or another."
"There could be worse ways to spend my time than with an intelligent woman." "He had not laughed this much in months. His task was going to be far pleasanter than he anticipated......a fact that was rather disconcerting." "Men don't really sit around and talk about their favorite colors." "My stepfather is a fool for ignoring you." "Carver's fists tightened. She was so much more than a pretty face, more than a bargaining chip." "After a few hours under his thoughtful care, her heart was very much in danger." "I long to fly, but I am caught in a cage forced by society and propriety."
As she's fleeing to avoid marriage and a scandal, she remembers wise words from her Grandmother: "You will never be alone when He is by your side, remember the second book of Timothy, child." Her adventures gain her friends and teach her many lessons.

A compelling historical fiction tale that had me turning pages. Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy.. All opinions are my own.

Sophia Fairfield's story, set in 1899, is easily applied to today's society. Even though fear of making a misstep according to society's protocols for young women is not so much a thing anymore; for many though, fear of what others say bout them on social media is a big deal. Fear can be controlling, even paralyzing. Seeing Sophia take control of her own future and build confidence is encouraging, but it is her becoming aware of the role fear had played in her life and her growing reliance on the wisdom of Second Timothy, chapter one, verse seven that makes the deepest impression. It is this theme of not living in the spirit of fear that can be generalized to so many situations we encounter in today's culture.

I recommend The Finding of Miss Fairfield, book one in the Aprons and Veils series, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Valmont House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Finding of Miss Fairfield by Grade Hitchcock was a delightful read. I was immediately drawn to the title character, Sophia Fairfield. I felt sad when she was hurt, cheered when things went well for her and appreciated her relationship with God. Hitchcock's use of prayer and conversations which Sophia had with the Lord were insightful. Readers will love the characters - or love to dislike them - and value that they had strengths and weaknesses. It was also great to learn a part of US History that I did not know. Hitchcock did not disappoint with The Finding of Miss Fairfield and I look forward to the next installment of the Aprons & Veils Series.

When Sophia Fairfield is forced into a betrothal with a widower twice her age, by her parents, she is desperate to escape. Yet when she meets his handsome stepson, Carver, who is given the task of looking after he, she soon realises that she can never go ahead with the marriage. Sophia decides to save Carver from scandal and financial ruin if he is associated with her, so she runs away, leaving him and all else behind to become a Harvey Girl waitress at the Castañeda Hotel in New Mexico. Carver decides to go in search of her, without realising that his actions will bring his stepfather back into the picture.
The lives of the Harvey Girls, women who worked in the restaurants associated with the trainlines, were followed in this enjoyable read set in a variety of locations including Charleston, Las Vegas, Mexico, and New Orleans. This was an intriguing portrayal of a period in history that I was unfamiliar with. The difficulties that these women faced were well described in such vivid detail.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Finding of Miss Fairfield is a Victorian romance novel written by Grace Hitchcock. It is book one in the Aprons & Veils series.

Summary: When Sophia Fairfield discovers that her parents have arranged her marriage to a man she barely knows, she is determined to find a way out of the engagement.

With her new fiance out of town on an extended business trip, she is entrusted to the care of his stepson Carver.

The more time they spend together, the closer they get, and soon they find themselves falling in love.

Knowing there is no way out of her marriage contract, and loathe to create scandal by declaring her love for her future stepson, Sophia decides to flee to the West and make a new life for herself. At least she knows she was able to find the love of a good man-even though it wasn’t destined to last.

Carver does everything to track her down, but his stepfather is doing the same. Can Carver locate Sophia first and find a way for them to be together? Can Sophia adjust to a new life of hard labor when she is used to the debutante lifestyle? Or there even more dangerous things in the West that will derail their relationship for good?

My Thoughts: I liked this book. The premise is really fun and unique, and there are plenty of interesting plot twists. The characters are easy to root for, and there are some pretty bad characters to root against as well.

There is a bit of damsel in distress, but also some really strong moments where Sophia learns how to take care of herself and others-even when it’s out of her comfort zone.

This is a wonderful read, and I really enjoyed it. It is one I would read again, and would recommend you check it out-especially if you like stories set in the Old West.

I would like to thank Valmont House Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

This book is not about a rich young woman fleeing to the west as a mail-order bride.

Poor Miss Fairfield. Her father makes her a pawn in his business by a betrothal to a man, twice a widower, his business partner. You’ll dislike him immediately and well you should. The cad leaves town and asks his stepson to “look after” Sophia. The setting: Charleston, SC. The time: February 1899.

And you can guess what happens between Carver and Sophia. Carver’s stepfather threatens to ruin him financially. Unable to get her parents to change their minds. and seeing there was no way to stop the wedding, Sophia flees Charleston and becomes a Harvey Girl waitress in Las Vegas, New Mexico at the Castañeda Hotel.

My review …
Sophia was a Charleston, South Carolina daughter of wealthy parents; she is a socialite. She loves poetry and would rather read than attend balls, teas, et al. Carver Ashton, Prescott Payne’s (the cad's – and I’m being nice) stepson is handsome and has future plans which do *not* include going into the “family” business. He did not mean to fall in love with Sophia — but he did.

There really was …
[a picture of the Castañeda Hotel, Las Vegas, NM in the early 1900s inserted] 1
Traveling home from college, I remember the bus stopping for a meal at the Harvey House. Having little money, I think I had a fried egg, toast, and coffee. The point of that memory is the Harvey Houses were real. And so was the Castañeda Hotel1 and it WAS in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Maybe my ancestor who lived there saw it? Ate there?

I enjoyed this book. Sophia, to use a 20th-century phrase, “finds herself” as a Harvey House waitress. Carver is a man you, the reader, will like. I’m hoping Sophia’s maid shows up in Las Vegas, NM in a later book. She has guts. I rate The Finding of Miss Fairfield a solid four (4) stars. Oh, be sure to read the short “Author’s Notes” at the end of the book.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of The Finding of Miss Fairfieldvia NetGalley from the publisher, Valmont House Publisher. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Castañeda Hotel still exists and while no longer owned by the railroad, it has been renovated after being closed for 70 years. See https://castanedahotel.org which has some pictures of the hotel in its heyday.

Rating: 4 stars
#TheFindingofMissFairfield #NetGalley #GraceHitchcock
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Photo source: Harvey Houses.net, New Mexico. Photo courtesy [to that site from] Fred Harvey Collection, Cline Library, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ. NOTE: Information about the Castañeda is *NOT* valid. Page last updated 11-Jun-2007.

Looooooove this story!!! Sophia and Carver had my heart!! I love all things to do with Harvey Girls and the adventures they all have in any book about them! Grace Hitchcock always has my vote with all her books! This book has charm, romance, and adventure! I was drawn in from the first page!

While the premise of this book has been done many times before (girl being forced to marry someone she doesn’t love), I still enjoyed it. Sophia strikes out on her own and becomes a “Harvey Girl” and it’s fun seeing her find the strength she’s had all along. She was not as inept a worker as I would have expected from someone who has never worked before.

The Harvey Girls concept was so incredible for that time and place. It would have been something to experience it. I find it fascinating and am glad that it comes up in books now and then.

I enjoyed the relationship between Sophia and Carver. I was glad that at one point she took a stand and didn’t let fear win. She didn’t take too much responsibility on herself for others’ actions and decisions. I appreciated that.

Thank you to Valmont House Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I’d recommend it. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Finding Of Miss Fairfield is an engaging, sweet, easy-to-read romance. This reasonably short read has a lovely storyline with an adorable couple and undesirable protagonists. Sophia is promised to a man she does not love, and she fears him. Carver is the groom’s stepson tasked with looking over Sophia. Carver and Sophia fall hopelessly in love. Sophia takes drastic, desperate measures to ensure she marries the man she loves.

I enjoyed Sophia’s journey of finding her sense of self-worth and independence. I loved the Harvey Girl storyline. Sophia finds her voice and discovers hidden strength. Carver is a romantic, and his search for Sophia is heart-warming.

The Finding Of Miss Fairfield is the first book in the Aprons & Veils series. Carver and Sophia’s love story is sweet and romantic. I enjoyed the protagonists, and their presence in the book gave a sense of uncertainty and danger that created action and fearlessness in the couple. The finding Of Miss Fairfield was a lovely, sweet romance that is completely enjoyable.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book needs an editor. The first sentence alone was surprisingly windy. Not a good portent for the rest of the book. I'm sorry, but I can't continue with it.

This book was a great read!! It's well written and hooks you on the first page. The author brings the book to life with her words, and you feel like you are there. It's a clean fun romance that's full of love, faith and adventure. I loved everything about this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Valmont House Publishers and Grace Hitchcock via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wealth makes right in this romance set in the Gilded Age. Or at least that is what the Antagonist , Prescott, of this story thinks. He, twice a widow, is determined to merry Sophia Fairfield, against her will. But because he is the business partner, of Sophia's father, he sees no disadvantages in it.

With a little bit of Christian faith thrown in, and a whole lot of coincidences worthy of a Dickens novel, Sophia manages to escape to New Mexico to become a Harvey Girl, which was a series of restaurants in the west, that followed the railroads, and gave young women a respectable way to make a living. The Dickens part is that although she managed to run away without being found, at first, the sheriff happens to be related to Prescott.

Good atmosphere, and other than the coincidences, a pleasant enough story, though I guessed some of what was going to happen, and wanted to shout at Sophia not to do it.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

This was my first introduction to Grace Hitchcock's historical fiction work. What a sweet, endearing story! True, some parts were a little predictable, but on the whole, the sweet innocence of love and the lengths to which it goes for the loved one was a treat to read. I'm so very glad I spent the time to 'travel' back in time to the Old West and high society of Charleston. If you enjoy historical fiction with a romantic flare, this is the story for you. Clean, uplifting, redemptive, enlightening.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Such a sweet fun read! I couldn’t get enough of this story! I instantly fell in love with the characters. Sophia I’d a strong female character who after her dad makes a business deal to marry her off flees and becomes a Harvey girl. I had no idea they actually existed. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series

A delightful and engaging read, filled with adventure and romance!

Sophia Fairfield has always played by the rules following the path her parents have laid out for her, that is until they arrange a marriage to man twice her age. How can she go along with the marriage when her heart is swiftly being won by someone else?

A wonderful read that once picked up I didn't want to put down. I admired Sophia for her kindness and willing to learn attitude, taking on new challenges head on. She has a big heart for others, and I liked how she quickly made friends among the other young women despite her different upbringing. Carver is a noble man, and I liked that he saw Sophia and liked her for who she was, and not as a means to an end like the others, and was willing to fight for her.

This was such a fun read, filled with faith, adventure, friendship and love. Highly entertaining, with likable protagonists that have you cheering for them all the way through, you won't want to miss this wonderful new romance from Grace Hitchcock!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

OH MY GOODNESS!
This book just got better and better!
I loved Sophia and Carver! Carver had my heart from the moment he entered the story!
Sophia was so much fun and a great character.
I DID not like Kane, man did I want to walk into the book and deal with him...haha!!
Grace Hitchcock knows how to write in such a way that you feel like you are there and that you get so attached to the characters in the book!
Loved, loved, loved!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.