Upper class newlywed Catherine Berrill is desperate to have a child in 1924, Brooklyn. She meets Beatrice and young Alice in their new chic dress shop. Little does she know that Bea has long searched for her.

Bea moved to NY after ending 2 decades as a successful New Orleans madam. As she succeeds in getting closer to Catherine, her past catches up with her, forcing her to move again.

This is a novel of triumph over great adversities, and the bonds of family in all its forms.

The book takes place in Brooklyn, in 1924, when women were expected to get married and have children. Catherine and her husband Stephen are trying desperately for a baby. At the same time, Catherine’s birth mother, Bea, has been searching for her. Originally from Russia, Bea ends up in New Orleans, without family or friends. Alice is close to Bea, a young woman with no family who attaches herself to Bea. These three women will meet, and the consequences of their meeting will impact all three in life changing ways. The characters were appealing, and the story kept my interest. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights by @kittyzeldis is a historical fiction mostly set in Brooklyn in 1924.

Beatrice has recently moved to Brooklyn from New Orleans bringing Alice, an orphaned teenager she's been caring for and they've opened a dress shop. Catherine, a newlywed who lives down the block walks into their shop and a friendship forms. Alice feeling left out runs away to Manhattan and sets off a series of events that causes each of them to confront the painful secrets of their past.

This is a book about family, friendships and the bonds between women. I haven't read anything like this. Through the stories of their pasts we go to Russia and New Orleans as we see how these women are connected. The descriptions of the settings and the storytelling are captivating.

Predictable tale of young married couple hoping for a child, losing one in childbirth and finding an adoptive one as a solution. THE DRESSMAKERS OF PROSPECT HEIGHTS weaves three tales together of mothers and their children and the longing and wishes that accompany those relationships. The locations of Brooklyn and New Orleans at the early 20th Century add nice touches to a tale told in broad and recognizable ways. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

1924 Brooklyn New York and New Orleans is where this book takes place, the story of 3 women Bea, Alice and Catherine. They all have something in common that they are not aware of until the story unravels about their past. Catherine wanders into a shop one day and buys a dress from Bea, and she immediately recognizes her and spends time to find her as Catherine never returns to the shop as she detects something is out of place,
At the end of the story the 3 main characters are reconnected and their lives are intertwined.
I liked the book but was expecting a bit more from this author who I have enjoyed her previous book Not our Kind,

From beginning to end, I was captivated by The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights. I loved this fantastic novel about three different women and their challenges, triumphs, and connections in 1920s New York City. The author captured women living vastly different lives during this time period well, and also shared so much about their back stories in New Orleans and Russia that I felt like I was there and could see how these experiences shaped their everyday lives. I was encouraged to see how women's lives have changed (and stayed the same) between then and now. I kept trying to decide which character - Alice, Bea, or Catherine was my favorite...and I simply couldn't choose.

Though I did truly enjoy this novel, please be aware that there are some trigger warnings for many women - sexual abuse/assault, a stillbirth, violence, murder, rape, death of parents, etc. This was a heavy book at times, but the hopeful ending made it worthwhile (for me).

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable but predictable. It was clear how the three lives of the main women would intersect early on, and nothing about it was surprising of unexpected. Well written, but nothing gave me a good sense of time or place, which I expect in historical fiction. A little two dimensional in that respect.

Set in 1924 Brooklyn this is the story of three women. Beatrice and teenage Alice have recently arrived from New Orleans. Beatrice ran a successful if questionable business and is now looking for a fresh and more respectable start. Using her ideas and Alice's skills they open a dress shop in Prospect Heights. One day Catherine comes in and buys a dress. But why is Beatrice acting so strangely? Both Catherine and Alice notice and wonder. Beatrice seems to be becoming obsessed with Catherine, Alice is feeling neglected and Catherine just wants to have a baby. And so the story evolves.
This is a review of an eGalley provided by NetGalley.

The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights
by Kitty Zeldis
Pub Date: December 6, 2022
Harper
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This book was a treat to read! From the beautiful descriptions to the historical fiction I could not put this book down.
For fans of Fiona Davis, Beatriz Williams, and Joanna Goodman, a mesmerizing historical novel from Kitty Zeldis, the author of Not Our Kind, about three women in 1920s New York City and the secrets they hold.

Brooklyn, 1924. As New York City enters the jazz age, the lives of three very different women are about to converge in unexpected ways. Recently arrived from New Orleans, Beatrice is working to establish a chic new dress shop with help from Alice, the orphaned teenage ward she brought north with her. Down the block, newlywed Catherine is restless in her elegant brownstone, longing for a baby she cannot conceive.

When Bea befriends Catherine and the two start to become close, Alice feels abandoned and envious, and runs away to Manhattan. Her departure sets into motion a series of events that will force each woman to confront the painful secrets of her past in order to move into the happier future she seeks.

Moving from the bustling streets of early twentieth century New York City to late nineteenth-century Russia and the lively quarters of New Orleans in the 1910s, The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights is a story of the families we are born into and the families we choose, and of the unbreakable bonds between women.
5 stars

I could not put this beautiful story down, and read it cover to cover in one setting. Featuring an interesting historical background and strong, but flawed characters there are so many layers to this well written story.

When I saw a new book was being published by this author I was thrilled to be able to receive an advanced digital arc. Her vivid descriptions set the stage for her engaging story of three women who are intertwined by both love and loss. Despite what life has in store for them, they forge ahead with their ambitions while trying to reconcile their past. This is a story of mothers and daughters seeking love and forgiveness as they all grow to understand each other’s past and move ahead with their futures. #TheDressmakersOfProspectHeights #KittyZeldis #NetGalley

This book was a real treat. It’s the story of three women, Bea, Catherine and Alice. The author details their intimate connections within a beautiful story of maternal love, friendship and loyalty.

Bea is a Russian immigrant, coming to America after her family is destroyed during intense acts of Anti-Semitic violence. Her life is upended by the abuse of the males she meets. She has to face the ultimate struggle of a young, unprotected pregnant woman. It is this pregnancy that serves as a nexus for the novel.

Later, it is the young Alice who must struggle with the aftermath of sexual abuse.

I was totally engaged by the novel and loved all the women. The author has made life in NYC during the 1920’s come to life. I felt incredibly connected to all the women. I will recommend this novel to my book clubs since it is not only an enjoyable read, but brings up so many important and incredibly timely issues.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC. It was truly a pleasure to read.