The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle: during desperate times, there is strength in community and individuals

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan is the story of three bold women lift the spirits of homefront brides in wartime Britain where clothes rations have put a damper on celebrations, especially weddings. When renowned fashion couturier Cressida Westcott loses her home and her design house in the London Blitz, she has nowhere to go but back to the family manor. Her niece, Violet Westcott, is thrilled and awestruck that her famous aunt is at Aldhurst Manor. Life has been unbelievably dull as life is put on hold while the men fight overseas. But soon she is conscripted into service and her dull, boring routine is about to take an interesting turn. Grace Carlisle, the local vicar’s daughter, is trying to repair her mother’s wedding gown. When she meets Cressida at the local Sewing Circle, Grace asks for her help. Cressida is more than willing to help. Soon the Sewing Circle is motivated into action as they offer their services to help other brides. In a time of war, these women work hard to celebrate love. Can they even find it for themselves? 

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle was inspired by true events as Ms. Ryan grew up listening to her grandmother’s stories about life during WWII. From the very beginning, the mood and atmosphere captured me as the British people are striving to keep a stiff upper life and to carry on. I have read many stories about WWII and this book is the first in my memory that focused on the experiences on the homefront. Cressida, Violet and Grace are three very different women who strive for similar goals: love and a life that matters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their experiences and their strength to rise to the challenges that wartime can bring. I especially enjoyed seeing Violet’s growth from a spoiled debutante to a capable woman who underestimated her own intelligence. Ms. Ryan is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. At its heart, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is about strength in community, in individuals and strength to overall life’s challenges. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle and highly recommend it! 

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle 

is available May 31, 2022 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

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