Cressida, a fashion designer; her spoiled niece Violet; and Grace, the vicar‘s daughter are thrown together when Cressida‘s home and fashion house are bombed in the Blitz. As Cressida reacclimates to life in the village she had abandoned to pursue her fashion career, she finds more opportunities to use her background in fashion than she expected. Ultimately, the three come together with other local women to repair wedding dresses to be shared by women impacted by rations. Ryan's research is into the time period and wedding dress repurposing is evident. What emerges is a sweet story with a strong message of choosing to live the life you want. Unfortunately, the often overwhelming focus on romance made it a bit too twee and predictable for my tastes.

Very late to this review since I forgot but I will always love the cheerfulness and just goodness in a Jennifer Ryan historical fiction novel. It feels like sitting down to watch a gorgeous BBC miniseries.

This is a delightful read that reminds me of Tracy Chevalier's A Single Thread. Very nice WWII story that makes the reader like the characters. Enjoyable.

A beautiful story of people coming together to build a community. Whether near or far, these women identified a need and found a way to fill it, helping themselves as much or more as they helped others. In times of need, here war time, survival depends upon being able to count on the goodness of others. This story will make you feel warm all over.

Fabulous Historical fiction story set in WWII about three Women who come together to charitable sew white wedding dresses that are hard to come by. lots of backstories in the great read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House and the Author Jennifer Ryan for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction is my absolute favorite but I've found myself reading other genres more lately because they all seemed to start running together. This however, was so different from anything else that I was reminded again of why I love the genre much!

I loved Jennifer Ryan's The Kitchen Front and when I reviewed The Underground Library early this year, I realized that The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle had gotten buried in my TBR pile. As I've been trying to whittle down that pile, I was excited that I found time for this book.

One of the reasons I enjoyed The Kitchen Front so much was because I love food (I've continued to make a couple of the recipes from the book. I'm not as big on fashion, but I still loved the characters.

It definitely had the same vibe as The Kitchen Front where there are three women from different walks of lives who bond while overcoming the obstacles of WWII.

It is a sweet story of life on the home front. In some ways, this book reminded me of the TV show that aired a few years ago on PBS (it was a British drama) called Home Fires. We see a lot of village life. While food rations are mentioned, the story focuses on the clothing rations. Clothing rationing might have been mentioned in some of the other WWII stories I've read, but it has never been a real focus.

Another aspect of the home front that I haven't read much about is the basic training women went through. Violet, the daughter of the late Lord of the Manor, joins up and has an eye-opening experience. Before all she was concerned about was snagging an Earl or other advantageous marriage match. But through the story, she discovers that love is the true advantage of marriage.

I also liked learning about the organization that was trying to get women to buy into the new factory-manufactured clothing options. Before the war most people didn't buy "off the rack" clothing, instead, pieces were custom-made.

If love World War II stories where you get glimpses of different aspects of that time and have great characters that you grow to care about, then you will want to read this book.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/12/the-wedding-dress-sewing-circle-by.html

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle was such a feel good, light hearted read. Having WW2 be the backdrop of this story did make it more emotional but I loved the characters so much. The book left me smiling.

Loved reading this book. Amazing story and the characters lend to the charm of this book. I would highly recommend this book. You would not be disappointed.

This is one of the most darling World War II novels I've read. I went into it expecting a lot of the same content that I see used over and over, and was so pleasantly surprised.

What really made the difference in this book is that it focused on the everyday women who lived during the war, rather than a heroine figure who was off spying or rescuing people or something equally as intense. And I loved it, because it felt so relatable. These were just women who were trying to get through the war and help those around them. They do become heroines in their own way, but because of their quiet strength and their persistence through the little everyday tasks that often get overlooked.

Another unique aspect of this book was the attention to detail. Ryan included so many little details about life in England during the war and it just felt so organic and cozy, like the author had lived this way herself. You could tell she had done her research down to the tiniest bit.

As for the story itself, it was delightful. I loved each of the three main characters and how each of them grew through the war. The story was the perfect combination of cozy and suspenseful, and I devoured it so quickly once I got started.

Overall, this is an excellent cozy read, and it made me want my own wedding dress sewing circle.

This has been on my TBR pile for awhile. I'm so glad I finally read it. It was the perfect book for a long airplane ride. At one level it is completely predictable, yet Ryan has developed her characters so well that I was drawn into their lives and wanted to know how all of the relationships worked out. Ryan handles her ensemble cast with skill, each main character's story weaving together with the others yet still completely separate. Recommended as a feel-good summer read.

Jennifer Ryan’s "The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle" is a story of resilience, community, and the power of love during one of history’s darkest periods. Set against the backdrop of wartime Britain, where clothes rationing has stripped away much of the joy and celebration from everyday life, this novel features three remarkable women who persevere: Cressida, a renowned fashion designer who loses her home and design house in the London Blitz; her niece, Violet, whose life is upended by conscription just as her famous aunt arrives; and Grace, the vicar’s daughter, desperate to repair her mother’s wedding dress for her own wedding. The bonds they form grow beyond a simple sewing circle...

To be perfectly honest, the story felt a bit fantastic at times, but I suppose at times like these, we need something uplifting.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

It took me several tries to get in to the book but once I did, I ended up loving it! The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle embraces light and friendships in what was a very difficult period for many people. I loved how the author wove in the stories of several different women with a very special tie in.

If you need to read a pick me up book give this one a try!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for allowing me to read The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. This story is so good! I love Jennifer Ryan's writing!! She creates fabulous characters! This is a story of love and strength and embracing what makes YOU happy. This is another book that is not to be missed!

The story is told through alternating POV of Grace Carlisle, Cressida Westcott, and Violet Westcott. This historical fiction is based on true events during war time Britain. Cressida Westcott is a famous fashion designer who lost her business after the London Blitz. She returns to the family home hoping to be welcomed after leaving years ago to live her dream in London. She finds the family home in the hands of her niece, Violet Westcott and nephew, Hugh Westcott. The reality of life during WWII sets in as even the most affluent feel the effects. Grace Carlisle is the daughter of the local vicar who is hoping to repair her mother's wedding dress. During this era, many women were scaping together clothes or borrowing wedding dresses as supplies are hard to find. Cressida finds her place by gathering women and teaching them how to sew. it becomes their contribution to the war effort in a unique and meaningful way.

I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and Random House Publishing. My review of this book is voluntary and all unbiased opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this book. The characters were well developed and the story kept me pulled in because the author makes you care about their success. I also learned so much about the practice of sharing wedding dresses during WW2!

If you are looking for historical fiction with strong female friendships, this book is for you. This book is not to be missed. I was on the edge of my seat and could not stop reading it. I recommend this one.
Many thanks to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

This is the kind of historical fiction that I love and that Jennifer Ryan always delivers. I love her explorations of the lives of British women during WWII. This is a heartwarming story about women who help brides with their wish for a beautiful dress for their weddings. I loved watching these women come together and grow while helping each other.
I will continue to seek out Jennifer Ryan’s novels. Many thanks to #Netgalley and #PenguinRandomHouse #Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Ryan is one of the best writers of historical fiction.
I absolutely adored The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. Set outside of London during WWll these women are doing the best they can for others. A fiction story, but some truth in the history of the sewing ladies in Britain.
Thank you NetGalley for copy of this wonderful story.

Jennifer Ryan penned a beautiful story in The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. I could not pry my eyes away from the story. Readers will be captivated with Ryan’s latest release.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.