Review- Wedding Dress sewing Circle
If this novel had not included the fascinating author’s notes my review would be much different. Romance novels are never my first choice, this story included 4 rather predictable romances. But the glue that held together these romances was the new-to-me fascinating history that made this a 4 star read.
I had no idea the impact WW2 made on clothing in England. Not only are romances not my first pick I usually become rather distracted by stories that dwell on what girls wore. But the history tied in to this story about necessity driving creativity made it a great story. I have read a number of stories based on England during the blitz, and I thought I understood about rationing and shortages. This novel brought in little known facts not just about wedding dresses, but everything down to underwear and just how long these shortages and regulations carried over even into the 1950’s.
I liked the focus on adaptability and the flattening between the snooty upper class and those people considered more common. I enjoyed the focus on women’s roles during the war in England.
This was an advance reader copy provided by Net Galley and the publisher.

During WW2, at the height of the London blitz, three British women are brought together as their lives are changed by the ongoing war. Cressida, a successful London fashion designer, Violet, an aristocratic socialite, and Grace, daughter of a small town vicar, have their lives intertwined as war upends their traditional roles in society and have them each facing new challenges, and new ways of viewing their own lives and choices.

From the author of The Chilbury Ladies Choir comes this gorgeous story of friendship, love, perseverance, and hope, at one of humanity’s darkest hours. Each of the three main women in this book (as well as the sparkling cast of supporting characters) must decide what path their future will take and what will truly bring them happiness. I loved the characters and found myself particularly rooting for Violet, loving to see her development from haughty socialite to a woman who realized what was actually important in life. Though the book covers plenty of the trials and hardships of life for the women of World War 2 era Britain, overall I came away with a sense of hope, and the importance of having a strong supportive group of friends by your side.

4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is based on true events – when clothes rationing during WWII leaves young brides in challenging situation, a group of women comes up with an idea to start a charity to give out white wedding dresses. In the process, they lift spirits and learn resilience.

England, 1942. In the village of Aldhurst, as Grace is preparing for her wedding, she finds her mother’s wedding dress visibly damaged by moths, and in need of mending. Thus, she seeks help with the Sewing Circle.

In London, Cressida Westcott, a noted couturier, has just lost her home and her design house in the London Blitz. She is forced to seek shelter with her estranged family in Aldhurst. Estrange from her family, because she is a woman of strong character, who broke from conventions and that put a rift between her and her brother, the late owner of Aldhurst Manor.

Violet Westcott is ecstatic to have her famous aunt at the manor, but at the same time she receives conscription letter, which is very problematic for her. She is of aristocratic blood and doesn’t like to mingle with lower class people. But the army conscription opens her eyes to her own hypocrisy. How can she hate being told what to do by her superiors, while also be willing to abide by her aristocratic husband?

The backbone of the story is the challenging shortages of clothes during the war, but it is also about one woman helping other women find their voice, not to follow the path they were put on. As Cressida supports the Sewing Circle with her ideas how to mend dresses, she also gives some women much needed boost in confidence. And as she does all the supporting work, she encourages women to take chances in their lives, but will she take her chance?

The story weaves a wonderful atmosphere of both the place and its people: the circle of women supporting each other and learning resilience and in an enchanting way presents the village community. The story also intertwines fascinating historical facts. For example, of how unpatriotic it was to simply sit idle. Hands were supposed to be busy with knitting or sewing and supporting either your family or the troops by creating necessary clothing.

Despite the dark side of the war, the warm writing spins a magnificent tale of home-front camaraderie, women coming together and supporting each other, showing that by joining forces you can achieve great things. They also grow on an individual level, forge their own paths, and despite all odds find love.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

I loved this book! The story was fantastic and the characters were will developed. The amount of research that must have gone into this book amazed me. The details that Ms Ryan included in the story were wonderful. Truly an excellent book that I could not put down!
Thank you to NetGalley and teh publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This novel is set outside of London during World War II, when creativity and teamwork were especially valued due to the rationing of food, supplies, and clothing, A group of woman from varied social class, age, and experience come together in a sewing circle. The group transforms an inherited wedding dress for one of their own, during a time when most women have no option other tan to wear their best everyday dress to wed. The ladies create a wedding gown loan system through the repurposing of donated gowns. Along the way a love story is told for each, as they realize their value and the importance of supportive relationships.
This is the best book I’ve read in some time. The story was elegantly thought-out, the characters well-rounded, and the relationships satisfying. I was sad to finish it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the ARC. It was a delight from start to finish.

This novel is an upbeat historical romance set in England during WWII. I loved all three women as we experience their growth during this devastating time period. The novel highlights different women with different life experiences coming together to support others. Wedding dresses were in short supply along with all clothing. Rationing coupons for clothing had to be wisely used since they had to last the entire year. Women began to donate their old wedding dresses to be taken apart and remade and passed along to future brides. This was another aspect of the war that was new to me. Strong women coming together to fill a need with a few romances make this a winner! #TheWeddingDressSewingCircle #JenniferRyan #NetGalley

It is war time in Aldhurst Village, England. Supplies are scarce, and everything is being rationed, including clothing and material. Purchasing or making a brand-new wedding dress is not an option. Grace is engaged to be married and would like to wear her mother’s wedding dress, which is in serious need of repair. Grace turns to her local sewing circle for guidance on what can be done to repair the dress.

Cressida, a well-known London fashion designer, is devasted when her home and fashion house in bombed. She has nowhere else to go but to return to her childhood home in Aldhurst, which now belongs to her niece and nephew, Vivian and Hugh. Vivian becomes involved with the sewing circle again, and Cressida also joins them. Although Vivian receives her conscription letter that she’s being drafted to work in the war effort, she resolves to do something more with her life and enrolls in driver training in the service, instead.

As the ladies of the local sewing circle work on Grace’s dress, they begin to realize how they could help other brides by gathering wedding dresses, repairing and lending them out. They start spreading the word, and the Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is born. More and more women from all over are donating their wedding dresses, and the far-reaching effort even reaches Eleanor Roosevelt. Based on true events, this is a beautiful story of resourcefulness and doing for others, even during the toughest of times. I found myself not wanting the book to end. I loved it that much.

Very enjoyable read that revolves around the lives of villagers living in a small English community near Canterbury during WW2. Clothing ration coupons were scarce and fabric was hard to come by during the war. Sewing circles were formed to mend, re-work, alter and re-make donated/used clothing to be exchanged, borrowed or swapped.

White wedding gowns were not available in stores and brides had to wear regular dresses or their military uniform. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle in this story started a wedding dress exchange that became so popular, they had to advertise for used wedding dress donations from all over the country to keep up with requests.

The author based the story on actual events and I loved reading about the organization, details and kindnesses involved. The “magic” of having a wedding with a white bridal gown helped everyone escape the dark realities of war for one day. I was fascinated by the story of white silk parachutes and their value during a time of luxury fabric shortages.

A story with great characters and friendships, where romance and joy had to be grabbed and appreciated during difficult times.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Writing: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 4/5
Another upbeat, can-do, WWII based piece of historical fiction from Jennifer Ryan, author of The Kitchen Home Front and The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. Three women in Aldhurst Village help transmute the local sewing circle into a shining example of community spirit during the deprivations of war — launching a wedding dress sewing circle, transforming old, often moth-eaten wedding dresses into modern beauties available for loan to brides in need. Grace Carlisle — the dutiful vicar’s daughter, soon to marry her father’s curate; Cressida Westcott, renowned fashion designer, returning to the village manor house (from which she was evicted decades before due to non obedience) when her home and business in London are reduced to rubble; and her spoiled niece Violet Westcott, who wants nothing but to marry a title and live the luxurious life to which she is entitled.

There was romance and it is handled well, but the real treats for me were the friendships, the awakening of awareness of opportunities and alternate lifestyles for each of the women, and the well-researched details of life on the home front. Ryan’s tidbits about wartime clothing were fascinating: The rationing (40 coupons per year — about enough for a a couple of dresses), the government Make Do and Mend program, the restriction on bathing to 5 inches of bathwater twice per week to save on fuel, the “paint on stockings” made from gravy — useful if there are no dogs around! — and most interesting, the challenges for designers who had to make do with “less fabric, more synthetic materials, and absolutely no metal fastenings or elastic.” It was just technical enough on the design and sewing aspects to be interesting but not overwhelmingly confusing to a sewing ignormaus like myself.

As always, Ryan captures the real community spirit of wartime in Britain — ordinary people “joining forces to overcome the difficulties of war.” While not avoiding the terror and depression of the time, the book manages to focus on the positive and uplifting aspects of people coming together to do what needs to be done.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed this sweet WW2 novel that followed three interconnected women's stories in a small town in England. Each of these women is a member of the same sewing circle, helping Brits to "make do and mend" clothing to help the war effort. Along the way, these three ladies find love and learn to stand on their own two feet, all while making over a vintage wedding gown that can be shared among their group.

Stars: This was a fast, easy read. Not too sad or scary, and inspiring for our times. I was genuinely interested and invested in the main characters.

Wishes: I wish this book wasn't so predictable. It also started to drag a little for me towards the middle. Nothing much seemed to be happening.

All in all, a delightful book for a cozy read.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I come from five generations of sowers and quilt makers and this was a very beautiful history.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan 4 stars

A historical novel set during World War II in England. it is a story told by three women: Grace Carlisle, daughter of the village vicar; Cressida Westcott, a noted fashion designer and Violet Westcott, Cressida's niece and sister of the current Westcott lord. The book sets the tone with historical facts about rationing and the constant bombings in London and major industrial centers. It is a story of how a nation and its people survived a horrible time with stoicism and grace. Each of the three women come to a realization about their lives and how they can move forward from the past. It is a story of love and second chances. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for this ARC.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is a beautifully-written story told from three different points of view: mousy Grace Carlisle, daughter of a vicar who is planning to enter into a loveless marriage with a vicar; Cressida Westcott, a successful clothing designer who is forced to return to the country home where she had been unhappily raised when both her London apartment and studio are bombed in the WWII blitz; and Violet Wescott, niece of Cressida, raised to be shallow and to look for marriage for status rather than love. All three women become a part of their small town's sewing circle and all grow and change for the better throughout the novel, finding love along the way. These were characters that I felt like I knew so well by the end of the novel; it would be wonderful if there were a sequel! I could also see this novel being made into a wonderful film.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely book! The characters in this book made my weekend better. I felt like a member of the sewing circle! Ms. Ryan has woven a beautiful tale that led me to reaching more about this time period.

A truly lovely historical romance. This is a story of lost love, second chances, and community. Having previously read The Chilbury Ladies Choir , I was excited to read The Wedding Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan and boy it did not disappoint!
Set during world War 2 in England, three women deal with the changes in their life brought on by the effects of the war. Having lost her home and fashion house during a London bombing, Cressida returns to her country family home after having left years before, running from the confines of her family. Cressida, the fashion designer, surprisingly finds a sense of home and takes a special interest in Grace (who is aptly named) as together they draw out the best in each other. Her niece, Violet is a very spoiled young miss who feels that her goal in life is to marry a Lord and give parties, who is truly vexed with the limited availability of eligible young men due to the War. Violet is conscripted into service and learns to rethink her perspectives on life with the help of a handsome American soldier. Grace is the village vicar’s daughter, soon to marry a man of faith, older than she, to be the perfect helpmate and seeks to always serve others. Grace, hesitant to marry, struggles with what is expected of her and who she used to be when she reconnects with the boy who once was her best friend and is now lord of the village. Together they have in common The Women’s Sewing Circle in the village which tries to contribute to the war effort by remaking clothes to help others and is also a welcoming and friendly gathering place. When Grace brings her mother’s wedding gown to see if they can help restore it for her wedding, the Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is born as it evolves with the goal to remake white dresses for brides to share for their special day rather than getting married in flour sacks and everyday clothes.
This is a joyous book of women discovering that they are stronger together and have so much to give. Going against the societal norms that have changed due to the war, they show they are amazing women as they throw off the limits of their birth and societal status. I loved this book. The writing is beautiful and the characters well developed as they evolve. You can’t but help cheer for them as they face the everyday challenges of war but come together to find what really matters and survive. This is a great story how war affected everyone, no matter the class you were born in to, and finding that sense of community.

Many thanks to #netgalley #theweddingdresssewingcircle #jenniferryan #randomhouse for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I found this the perfect book to be immersed in to escape the pandemic. I've read and loved all of Ryan's previous books, and this one was a great read as well. I was transported into the British home front during WWII, this time focusing on the shortage of clothing and how it was handled. I grew to love all the characters and how they evolved. It was a great combination of historical fiction and romance. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the author. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy.

What a lovely book. Yet again, Jennifer Ryan has done a tremendous amount of research and written a historical novel of life in WW II England. This book tells the story of how the very strict rationing of clothing affected life for a group of women in a small rural village. Not only every day clothing items were rationed but it was almost impossible to obtain a white wedding dress. And the women so wanted to wear a white dress to be able to suspend the difficulties for war for just one day. With ingenuity and hard work this group of women put together a lending closet of donated, repaired wedding gowns to loan out. Along the way several of the women in this sewing circle find love and fulfillment. As with all of Jennifer Ryan's historical novels I am reminded of how truly difficult the war years were for the people of the British Isles.

“The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle” by Jennifer Ryan is a WWII historical fiction book set in England. The book follows three main characters - Cressida, Violet, and Grace. Cressida is a fashion designer in London, who returns to the family house after she loses her home and shop in a bombing. Upon returning to the house, Cressida renews a relationship with her niece, a rather vain Violet. Violet is the figurehead for the town’s sewing circle, but has no interest in it, the people, or the town. One of the town members is Grace, who wants to restore her mother’s wedding dress in order to wear it for her own upcoming nuptials. Over the course of six months, things change for all three women.

This book is about community, loss, hope, friendships, and things not turning out the way one expects. I liked the idea of Ms. Ryan showcasing the history behind these “sewing circles” because while clothing rationing in the UK was known, what isn’t necessarily known is how people “made do with less” and how they went about doing that (for instance, I didn’t know that the new clothing rations went into effect on a Sunday, when the shops were closed, to prevent people from stocking up). I enjoyed learning about using parachutes for clothing and the way the women bonded over not only donating wedding dresses and making them more modern, but also willingly paying it forward to strangers in order to ensure anyone who wanted one was (possibly) able to borrow a wedding dress. The Author’s Note was an extremely interesting read - and while I’ve been to one of the museums Ms. Ryan mentioned, I had to go through photos to see if I’d seen the posters/display that she’d commented upon.

While I enjoyed the history in the book, it took me a really long time to warm up to a few of the characters and, while not unexpected, the romance parts were predictable and, sadly, a bit flat. I did enjoy the community of women - along with Cressida’s fashion forays.

Oh my goodness, Jennifer Ryan never disappoints me with her heart-warming stories about women's lives on the World War II homefront. This was a story about the importance of friendship and being part of something bigger than yourself and finding hope in the midst of challenging times. Throw in 3 sweet romance stories, and the result is perfection! What a charming, sweet novel!

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan is a wonderful WWII-era historical fiction that tells the heartwarming story of a little village in England and all of the amazing inhabitants within and their involvement surrounding the local Sewing group. I just loved it!

I have enjoyed several books by Ms. Ryan in the past, and this book is a great addition. It is told in alternating chapters/viewpoints between Grace, Violet, and Cressinda. All three women are tied together by the same small village and some also by relation. All have gone their separate ways and have distanced themselves from their shared past. All are brought together again during the unique circumstances of the war, and through their new and initially “forced” interactions, they begin to bond, form friendships, and join forces within their own Sewing Circle and it ends up becoming so much more.

Yes, this book does contain lost loves, romance, and luckily amongst such times of devastation and distress, some happily ever afters. But this story is also about community, helping others, finding your purpose in life, and the strong friendships that are forged between this group of women. I loved reading about the changes, progression, and self-awakenings of the three women. I also truly loved seeing all of the activities and plans that the group participated in to help with mending, designing, donating, and helping others in these times of rationing and scarcity. It was beautiful to see the plans with the central wedding dress as well as the creation of the “pay it forward” in regards to helping other women as well. It was creative, beautiful, and touching.

What I love the most is the Author’s note to help let us know how much of these ideas were real, and actually happened. So wonderful!

I highly recommend this book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Ballantine Books/Random House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/31/22.