When I was younger I used to dream my parents were hiding a secret fortune and one day, on some significant birthday, they would reveal my awaiting trust fund. I’m now 32 and have lost hope, but I also see that I was thinking too small . The true dream is a secret inheritance of a closet packed to the rafters with rare Chanel pieces and Hermes scarfs.

That is the surprise that awaits Gabrielle and Lulu after their mother dies and they are tasked with creating a suitable plan for her "collection.” Of course, both the sisters are already at rock bottom in their lives and the collection offers more than one solution out of their respective holes.

This book was fun; very much a holiday movie without the holiday. It was light, vaguely inspiring in that you-can-achieve-your-dreams-as long-as-you-have-extremely-generous-acquaintances-and-an-inheritance-of-nearly-priceless-Chanel way and filled with beautiful descriptions of fashion.

I was excited when I heard about this collaboration between Randy Susan Meyers and MJ Rose. Individually, I loved their work, and I thought that anything they wrote together would be fantastic—and I was right! This is a very poignant novel about estranged sisters who come together following the death of their mother. They were both struggling financially and emotionally, and were quite stunned when their wealthy mother’s will is read—and find that she didn’t leave behind a fortune. But her mother was a complicated woman, and what she left them might not cure their financial woes, but it might just leave them with something more important. The interaction between the sisters was real and honest and often abrasive and hurtful, but there was pain behind their words and feelings, and I never doubted their love for each other. I loved how the two sisters find their way, together, but also with the love and support of their family and friends; with a bit of Coco Chanel wisdom and magic.

Half-sisters, Gabrielle and Lulu, have to come together after their mother passes away and work together. If they want to receive their inheritance, It is a rough start, but slowly things improve. As I was reading the book, I kept thinking the story is being told like the girls felt. Growing up, they didn't understand their mother, things didn't make sense, and now they are starting to get clarity. When I started reading, I didn't understand the story, I am like Gabrielle and Lulu, not into fashion. But as they started going through their mother's things, she had written messages for them to find, and when they found the messages, it seemed the message was meant for the one who found it.
As they learned about their mother and why she did the things she did, they also find themselves, who they really are, why they did the things they did, and start to build a better future for themselves.
I received an ARC from Blue Box Press AuthorBuzz through NetGalley.

Thank you to @netgalley for my ARC of The Fashion Orphans. This work of contemporary fiction provides some valuable life lessons as half-sisters Gabrielle and Lulu work together to navigate the instructions left in their mother’s will. Their mother, Bette, was a dedicated fashion enthusiast, had an unthinkable love for Chanel. However, the siblings find themselves at a loss when it’s time to confront just how much she loved her- and the question of why- as it may finally answer some questions they have about Bette. As the sisters learn lessons in love, fashion, and their way of living, they have the opportunity to meet new people and try new things. The authors’ writing will compel you to follow along with the sisters’ luxury fashion-filled journey from start to finish. The characters are believable, the fashion ins and outs that are referenced are understandable for fashion rookies and experts alike, and it is a smooth read in Kindle format. This title is worth checking out on publishing day 💍

Typos found:
-Chapter 15, location 1957. “unzipped the compartment she hadn’t know about”
-Chapter 17, 2291 “what her son is proposing is will kill her”
-Chapter 22, 3044 “that would honor Better in a way she would have loved”

Format comment:
-I think the ending would be smoother without actually saying “the end.” I would recommend ending the book with the final Chanel quote.

"The Fashion Orphans" by Randy Susan Meyers was a fun drama of two sisters, brought together by the passing of their mother, and the discovery of her very unusual obsession. I really enjoyed this novel with its lovely focus on the power of style, women's strength, friendship, family bonds, and re-invention. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early reader edition for review. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this book. It's about my favorite things - family dynamics and fashion. But something about this story just felt kind of meh. I truly loved the premise but I think the execution, especially in the first half, was rough. The second half though was wonderful, and I loved the addition of the sister's mothers' friends. They were a delightful group of women that I would've loved to have learn more about. I did like that the author had both sisters grappling with something big, and the reaction to one another through it felt very authentic. But overall, I don't think I liked either Gabrielle or Lulu as much as I wish I did which I think cast a bit of a pall over the whole book.

This book was discussed on Episode 21 of Reading Through Life podcast.

The Fashion Orphans is a delightful and fun novel with a serious side. The book tells how the sisters find their way to back to each other and pick themselves up in the face of defeat. Gabrielle and Lulu are sisters who are estranged when their mother passes away suddenly and leaves them her Chanel clothing collection. Gabrielle's husband has left her for another woman and she has lost her job as costume designer. Lulu is a young widow with two grown sons who is struggling with a huge amount of debt. Deciding what to do with their inheritance brings the two women together and helps them find their path in life. It's a fun read filled with much information on fashion and the designer Coco Chanel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC for an Honest Review.

My first time reading from this author, but it was a great story.

"Two estranged sisters find that forgiveness never goes out of style when they inherit their mother’s vintage jackets, purses… and pearls of wisdom"

The Fashion Orphans is a heartwarming story about love, forgiveness, and relationships between Sisters.
I really enjoyed this story. They had to learn what it was to live, expecting that they were getting money from their mother's inheritance, just a bunch of very nice clothes, but what was in the clothes and things they come to find out, made them realize their own lives.

A good heartfelt story.

Gabrielle and Lulu alternately tell the story of how their mother's unusual legacy bring them back together in this tale of sisterly love. Both women have been struggling with loss - Gabrielle's husband has left her and Lulu is a recent widow- and both could use some cash. Their mother Bette, however, had something else in mind when she left them a full vintage Chanel collection complete with quotes in the pockets of the garments. It helps, I think to be a fan of fashion (especially Chanel) but even I, who loves it, found it got to be a bit much after a while. That said. I liked both sisters and it was a different take on a familiar theme. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This is a delightful change from the suspense books I usually read. There is no page turning angst. It is just a comfortable read about two sisters who discover who they really are after their mother dies. The relationships are somewhat complicated, but they are still easy to keep track of. This is a story of what seems impossible to figure out turns out to have a solutions that is far greater than first perceived. Just a delightful, rainy (or snowy) day read.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.

This was a good story about two sisters who have let their relationship die over various issues and differences. The death of their mother and her last wishes force them together. Both sisters are hoping for a cash windfall to solve their financial problems. Instead they get a closet full of vintage Coco Chanel. They must decide what to do with this legacy. I won’t disclose the outcome, but the process of getting there helps the sisters restore their relationship with each other. The story was just ok for me for the first half. It got much better in the second half, particularly with the addition of the mother’s friends and Lulu’s children and spouses. The second half brought this book to a four star read for me.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 1, 2022
Authors Randy Susan Meyers and M.J. Rose combine their talents in “The Fashion Orphans”, a tribute to Coco Chanel written in the fashion of “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” and “In Her Shoes”.
Gabrielle and Lulu are as different as sisters could be, and their differences have made them estranged for years. When their mother dies, the two siblings reunite in hopes of collecting their mother’s estate and moving on with their individual lives. But their mother, Bette, had different ideas. Leaving both girls a large, and valuable, collection of Chanel clothes and accessories, with a very specific set of rules as to how they can be used, Gabrielle and Lulu are forced to figure out how they can both benefit from a collection they cannot use or sell. As they sort through the collection, both Gabrielle and Lulu begin to uncover secrets from the very elusive and private Bette, helping the girls to rekindle their bond with each other.
“The Fashion Orphans” is a celebration of family, in designer clothes. Both Gabrielle and Lulu are dealing with loss (not only of their mother but of their respective husbands through both divorce and death, respectively) and they re-connect and bond with each other through the discovery of notes their mother left in various pieces of clothing. Their relationship is honest and emotional, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the sisters as individuals, and as a connected unit.
This novel is, obviously, very fashion-focused. Not only is the personal and business history of Coco Chanel talked about, but also specific details about her pieces, including their value and materials. I am not what you would call a “fashionista” (I am one of those people who wear three hoodies on rotation), and expensive clothing is so beyond my budget. It was hard to understand Bette’s obsession with Chanel, and her desire to spend all of her money on various pieces, even though the end result was a reconnection of her daughters. I could connect with the characters far more than I could with the plot.
The story is well-written, told from the perspective of Gabrielle and Lulu, in alternating chapters. Obviously, the only place this story could take place is New York City (it would honestly not work anywhere else) and I loved the hustle and bustle of the urban setting.
Both Meyers and Rose are talented authors in their own right, and “Fashion Orphans” had such a good flow, I could not determine how the two writers collaborated, and their writing styles could not be differentiated. I definitely think these two powerhouse authors should work together in the future, but I would love it if they focused on a subject matter that was less specific. “Orphans” is a detailed piece for hard-core fashion lovers, and it won’t hit the right note with everyone.

The Fashion Orphans
by Randy Susan Meyers and M.J. Rose

Thank you to @netgalley and Blue Box Press for my E-ARC 🙏🏻

Two estranged sisters find that forgiveness never goes out of style when they inherit their mother’s vintage jackets, purses… and pearls of wisdom 

Gabrielle, the firstborn, was raised in relative luxury on Manhattan’s rarefied Upper East Side. Lulu, who spent half her childhood under the tutelage of her working-class Brooklyn grandparents, is a grieving widow at forty-eight. The two sisters arrive for the reading of their mother’s will, expecting to divide a sizable inheritance, pay off their debts, and then again turn their backs on each other. But to their shock, what they have been left is their mother’s secret walk-in closet jammed with high-end current and vintage designer clothes and accessories— most from Chanel. 

This was such a good book! I loved the family drama (and comedy) of this group of characters. Not only are the main characters, Gabrielle and Loire (Lulu) so flawed and real, but the other characters, especially the elder ladies of the Style Endures Society are so fun and genuine! This is a heartwarming tale of family, both one you’re born to and the one you form. Gabrielle and Lulu’s journey to find their mother’s true intent is enlightening and has the reader step back to acknowledge that what we perceive is not always the truth. The inclusion of Coco Chanel’s history was a bonus for me, such an interesting person. I loved reading the Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little last year, such a great piece of the Chanel family history, too!

Pub date is February 1, 2022
Mark those TBRs!

The Fashion Orphans is a feel-good book in the truest sense. Two sisters fail to relate to each other's pain and heartbreak until their mother dies. Separated by years, life pursuits, and career paths, Gabrielle and Lulu find themselves confronted with their mother's inheritance.

Betty, their mother, has left them as a drool-worthy collection of Chanel handbags, shoes, outfits, hosiery, and jewelry. Gabrielle--the older sister, costumer designer, and divorcee, is in awe of the collection and wants to figure out how to position the collection to the best selling vantage point. While Lulu, the younger sister, baker,, widow and mother, wants to sell the collection as quickly as possible.

Both sisters miss their mother and wrestle with the bittersweet relationship they had with Betty. A control freak, and a micro-manager, Betty had definite ideas of how her daughters should live their lives. She shared her opinions openly with her daughters, but she also imparted words and lessons about survival if only they would remember these nuggets when they need them. Fortunately, Betty had a plan; but the sisters will have to discover what that plan was before the lease expires on Betty's condo.

As they navigate the awkward situation of their inheritance with an ever-vigilant estate attorney, they connect with Betty's friends--women with whom Betty shared a love of fashion and a belief in women being successful on their terms.

Together, the sisters learn to embrace the sweet, the sour, the savory, and the unsavory of their own lives. They discover the secrets of their mother. And learn from the complicated history of Coco Chanel. They recognize that life is messy and complex, but if you are doing the work you love and are surrounded by those you love, life is manageable, worthy of the investment, and may surprise you.

Written by two successful and unique authors, The Fashion Orphans is a book that warms the heart, provides laughter, and will have you rooting for Gabrielle's and Lulu's success. Thoroughly enjoyable.

An excellent story of estranged sisters, a difficult mother, and fashion. Two sisters that thought they knew their mother come together after she dies and are tasked with the job of going through her apartment. This job has strings attached and the two sisters must learn to agree or give everything up. This is a beautifully written story of love, loss, and the true journey of learning. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for my requested ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. #thefashionorphans #rndysusanmyersmjrose

Two sisters who lost their Mom and were expecting and inheritance of money to help ease their debt were surprised to find that there was no money. Instead, their Mom had a huge closet full of vintage Coco Chanel. The sisters are namesakes of Coco Chanel. The lawyer in charge of the will says they have to come up with a plan for the clothes and accessories which she will have to approve. Both sisters have had their fair share of heartache but they get their heads together and go through their Mom's things. They discovered some magical notes among the purses which helped them cope. Not knowing a lot about their Mom, they discovered she had beautiful friends who loved and missed their Mom as they did. As the saying goes "it takes a village", these wonderful friends encouraged the 2 sisters go outside their comfort zone and try something different. If you like sister stories, family drama, friendship stories and fashion, then you are sure to love this book.

Thanks to #blueboxpress and #netgalley for an ARC of this book.

A very enjoyable story about sisterhood and fashion. I don't consider myself a "fashionista" by any means, but I liked the way this book incorporated haute couture into the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Estranged sisters, Lulu and Gabrielle, are forced together with the passing of their mother. While both were expecting, and very badly needed, a cash inheritance, they inherit something completely different. Bette has left a closet full of Chanel to her daughters. The sisters are forced to work together to dispose of the collection and claim their inheritance. While the first half of the book is about the relationship the sisters had with each other and their mother, the second half of the book is about what they decide to do with the collection. Bette has left "notes" in many of the items which seem to appear at just the right moment and specifically apply to the sister who found the note. This is a fun easy read for the first half but then tends to drag a bit for the last half.I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Estranged sisters Lulu and Gabi are forced to go through their deceased mothers things but her will made it very clear: her “collection” was to be split evenly between them and had to meet the approval of her lawyer before anything was taken from her apartment. Tasked with that from the lawyer, they deem the Grey Lady, the sisters find a treasure trove in their mother’s living space and have to decide what she would want them to do Twitch it and if their relationship can withstand it.

Super cute story about sisters finding each other again through fashion and bonding. The relationships in this book are the entire backbone and really compel you to continue.

Gabrielle and Lulu have had a difficult few years. They lost their father 4 years ago, and both Gabrielle and Lulu lost their husbands a couple of years ago (Gabrielle's ex-husband cheated on her and took her money and reputation, and Lulu's husband passed away). At Lulu's son's wedding, the sisters had a huge fight, and haven't really spoken since. Now their mother has passed away. They never doubted that she loved them, but she wasn't a warm and fuzzy mother, either. Both sisters go to the will signing hoping for a big enough inheritance to make their money troubles go away. But they are in for a surprise. Their mother left them some money (not nearly enough), but most of their inheritance is tied up in her "collection," which the sisters must decide together what to do with and get the approval of the lawyer before they do anything.

I won't spoil the book by sharing what the collection is, but is fascinating! As the sisters explore what the collection is and what it meant to their mother, they also meet her friends, learn more about their mom, and grow close again. They also start to heal and move on from the disappointments and heartbreaks they've gone through in the last few years, and take a chance on new careers and new love.

This is a lovely story of family, friends who become family, and the love we share with them that makes all the hard stuff worthwhile.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy of a wonderful book!