Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “an exciting tale of love and war in the tradition of Gone with the Wind,” Gwen Bristow’s New York Times-bestselling novel tells the spellbinding story of a dressmaker who spies for the rebel cause in Revolutionary-era Charleston
A bustling port city, Charleston, South Carolina, is the crossroads of the American Revolution where supplies and weapons for the … Revolution where supplies and weapons for the rebel army must be unloaded and smuggled north. From the window of the dressmaker’s shop where she works, lovely Celia Garth, recently engaged to the heir to a magnificent plantation, watches all of this thrilling activity.
When the unthinkable occurs and the British capture and occupy Charleston, bringing fiery retribution to the surrounding countryside, Celia sees her world destroyed. The rebel cause seems lost until the Swamp Fox, American General Francis Marion, takes the fight to the British–and one of his daring young soldiers recruits Celia to spy on the rebels’ behalf. From the ashes of Charleston and the Carolina countryside will rise a new nation–and a love that will change Celia Garth forever.
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One of my favorite books of all time. I have read this book too many times to count,
This is the first and almost only historical romance I actually like. I’m a fan of the Revolutionary war and this is light on the romance and heavy on the action / adventure. Plus Celia is a seamstress and I grew up sewing so I loved that. I read this in high school I think.
The only book I re-read on a regular basis. I’ve loved this novel since I was in my teens.
1779, Charleston, South Carolina. America is at war with Britain. Celia Garth is an apprentice at a dressmaker’s shop. She doesn’t think much about the war. She wants fun in her life and to prove herself more skilled at her needle than what people think. When the war lands right in the middle of Charleston, Celia fights to survive heartbreak and destruction.
I first read this as a teenager and it is just as good as I remember it! Celia is a character I loved following. She is sassy, cheerful and fierce. When she knows what she wants, she does her best to get it. When things don’t go her way, she finds a way to move on.
The setting of this story is spectacular. The author did her research and it shows. The details make everything that much better.
For fans of Revolutionary War romance with a smidge of adventure and intrigue, this would be a perfect choice.
Considering that it’s not at all a new book, Celia Garth held up remarkably well. The story was interesting, the characters engaging , and the ending satisfying. I knew very little about life on the ground during the American Revolution, and enjoyed getting an authentic-feeling look at that time in America. I love American history, but modern historical novels tend to be bodice-rippers. I’m definitely too old for steamy love stories. Anyway, I enjoyed it and will look for more from the same author.
Interesting historical account of the seize of Charleston woven with story of relatable characters
I love all of this author’s books!
Story about the American Revolution and the everyday Americans who were fighting for independence in Charleston.
One of my favorite historical novels. Charleston in the American Revolution.
This has been an all time favorite for many years! I was so excited to see it in my recommended reading list. Was great to read again, I still love it!!!!
Love it. Read it before.
Sea Garden!
I read this years ago along with everything else Gwen Bristow wrote. She is a wonderful writer, and this was her best book.
It was a really good old-fashioned story. No foul language or steamy sex. It took place during the Civil War, so thee was some violence. I had read it when it was first published, but was glad to be able to read it again.
Wonderful historical novel. A classic
I read it in high school and have recommended it to many friends who didn’t like to read. They loved it!
While I found the details of the British siege of Charleston very interesting, I also felt the book showed its age with references to the “colored” who all seemed to share friendship and loyalty with their white owners. A bit too much GWTW for 2019! I also wanted to give the writer a tutorial on the differences between “good” and “well.”
Good writing, compelling story about the impact of the Revolutionary war on the south.
Very interesting historical fiction set during the revolutionary war in Charleston
LOVE HER WORK AND I LEARNED A LOT OF HISTORY OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
To be honest I selected this book because of the title. Our first granddaughter’s name is Celia. It’s a historical romance set in the American Revolution in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Celia is extremely easy to like, industrious, ambitious and clever. The characters are well developed and realistic. Ms Bristow takes you to a time when our nation was developing and uses Celia to bring out the dangers and the triumphs of living during that period in our history. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it if you like historical novels with a little romance mixed in for good measure