Helpful Score: 2
This story is based on the real town of Hawick, Scotland (renamed Branswick for the book), a border town heavily involved in the Scottish cashmere trade, both in the book and in reality. I've been to Hawick, and the author has described the region very well. There is some romance, but this is ultimately the story of a woman's life in her family's textile business. Her work, her love life, her family dramas, her successes and failures are all described on the open page. The details about the weaving process and fashions of the time (WW I and WW II) are expertly provided and will engage historical fiction fans who love a soft cashmere sweater on a cold night.
