Previously having read The Kitchen front and thoroughly enjoyed it I was thrilled to read the upcoming book The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. The story of 3 women set in world war 2, this historical fiction was excellent. It was a very heart warming story and i would highly recommend this to all.

I truly enjoyed Jennifer Ryan’s soon to be released (May 31, 2022) novel, The wedding Dress Sewing Circle. This story is based true events and takes place in a small village in England during WW2. It revolves around three women who, with the help of the local sewing circle, transforms old, moth eaten wedding dresses into beautiful wedding gowns. The gowns are then loaned out to brides all over the country.
This is wonderful historical fiction based on friendships and women supporting each other in difficult times. Would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys WW2 historical fiction with a little romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Thank you Jennifer Ryan this most enjoyable book.

THE WEDDING DRESS CIRCLE is a sweet story about the bonds of community and friendship even during difficult times. The author does a fantastic job of conveying what this time period must have been like, with the various shortages and rations and concerns about the war. I enjoyed reading about how it was patriotic to stay busy and it was heartwarming how a small operation grew into something much larger and widespread. The romance angle is lovely as well, even if a bit predictable.

Recommended for fans of uplifting historical fiction.

I often pass over some historical fiction books as “just another WWII novel”. However, having recently shared a video on my BookTube channel about the numerous historical fiction novels with a fashion focus that are on my shelves, my interest was piqued by The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. It came as such a pleasant surprise to me that I was hardly able to put this book down. Following the intertwining stories of 3 women as they attempt to support the war effort yet maintain their own identities in war-torn Britain, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is full of family, grit, determination, strength, and love, sprinkled generously with a fashion theme. Violet, Cressida, and Grace are newfound friends that I won’t soon forget.

Thanks go to @NetGalley and @BallentineBooks for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is set in wartime Britain where three protagonists try to cheer up brides in a time when clothes rationing leaves scarce garments for events, such as weddings. The events are based on true stories. The three main characters, Cressida, Violet and Grace are all spunky and come from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. What starts out as a small operation of mending weddings dresses for local brides quickly escalates into a cross-country effort for brides all over Britain. This is a story of resilience, love and friendship in the face of a devastating world war, and the power of human bonds. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of WWII history and women-centered friendships and plots.

Taking true events in England during WW II, the author brings a village to life with impressive women who become stronger and yet more vulnerable supporting each other and learning what they really want from life. Unlike many stories of war, this one does not create unbelievable heroes or heroines, but many ordinary people and what they did to keep up their spirits during a terrible time. There’s romance and new and renewed relationships and the changing attitudes about traditional social standing.
Cleverly written with humor and seriousness, this is a great read that draws the reader in and carries you along beside the characters.

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.