Welcome to Litsy!

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. The three come together with other local women to repair wedding dresses to be shared by women impacted by rations. It‘s a sweet story with a strong message of choosing to live the life you want but the focus on romance made it a bit too twee and predictable for my tastes.

I read this WWII HF for my IRL bookclub. It was predictable in that the endings for each primary character concluded as expected - and also as I hoped. I liked the characters and enjoyed reading the impact they had on each other. I did think the aftermath of the women surviving bombings was treated a bit too casually especially compared to Grace‘s father, Ben, as a WWI survivor.

#two4Tuesday Thank you to @TheSpineView for the tag and this thoughtful giveaway. I‘ve tagged a book I only recently learned about and added to my tbr list. I loved Ryan‘s The Chilbury Ladies Choir so I‘m betting I‘d love this one!
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Cressida left her village to become a famous dress designer in London, but when the Blitz destroyed her home and her business, she had no place to go but back to the home where she was never welcomed. Her neighbor Grace has been a blessing to the community, helping when her father lost interest in caring for his parish. Grace is to mary a preacher and would love to wear her mother's wedding gown. Would Cressida share her talents with⬇️

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. 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.

“It‘s the small kindnesses that make devastation bearable.”

#HeadOverHeels

#LuckyInLove

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

23 #28 I loved this book! I was surprised. It was about so much more than wedding dresses!

Based on actual events, if you like historical fiction set during WWII, put this on your TBR list. 👍🏻

Thanks to these Litsy folks for today‘s prompt:

#INQUOTES
@Eggs
@AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks
@LitsyEvents
#LitsyEvents

Today‘s Prompt: MEND

Not sure this is the kind of mend you were looking for, but this book is SO good…had to share.

THE WEDDING DRESS SEWING CIRCLE - Three women connected by love, war, family, and sewing - https://tinyurl.com/bdex9v4d

@jennifer_ryan_author

📚 12-31-22 || Final book of 2022 🎉 I ended up really liking this one, though the first quarter seemed to drag. The last half flew by and this author is now an auto-buy for me. A group of women in London become friends while mending wedding dresses to loan to brides during WWII. “An uplifting read that‘s as soothing as a warm cup of Earl Grey on a gloomy morning” (Booklist) 😊🫖

What a great book! The only regret I have is waiting too long to get to it on my tbr, because this story didn‘t disappoint at all. I loved all the characters, and the love story each one possessed. The historical aspect behind it was well written and researched.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Snuggled up warm and cozy in my bed with this beautiful book by my side. Goodnight all 📚🌕

A enjoyable story of friendship and discovering what‘s really important for each of the main characters. The sharing wedding dresses in WWII England was a fact that inspired this well written novel. Although set during the war, and having some important scenes that occur during bombing raids, it‘s overall a positive story that I‘m happy to recommend.

About to start another WWII-era novel, this one by an author whose books I have really enjoyed.

I‘m not one for romances but this is much more. Written by the author of The Chilbury Ladies‘ Choir, this WWII romance is filled with delightful female friendships among a group of women making do and carrying on amid rations and bombings, ushering in a new modern woman who still loves a sweet romance and a good dress. Even if it does require a bit of patching and reworking with what little is available. 😊

#AlphabetGame #LetterW @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Beautiful story 🥰🥲🤗

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another beautiful WWII story.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5 I recommend this book for people who enjoy the historical fiction genre, especially about WWII. I‘ve read a lot of books in this genre/ topic, and I still learned some things I did not know. This book also may be a good choice for a reader who is seeking a simple, uplifting read. The book contains tales of friendship, perseverance, and romance. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4763148529

I love Jennifer Ryan‘s books so much!! I‘ve been anticipating this one for ages. It is most like The Kitchen Front (LOVED!) where it involves rationing, but this time it is clothing and fabric rations-so interesting! The women in the Seeing Circle come together in friendship so beautifully, and the villagers are just lovely. Yes, there is war in the background, but it never overtakes the story. This book warmed my heart, just like all her others.

Amidst a world war and its ravages of rationing, bomb blitzes, hunger and survival, a handful of brave British women strive to help themselves and other women to feel beautiful. The sewing circle not only mends clothes, but they skillfully rejuvenate wedding dresses and veils, so brides can have a white wedding. And that‘s just the beginning…beautiful story-HF.
#bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

I love Jennifer Ryan‘s books - especially when I need some happily ever after. That‘s not to say there‘s never sorrow or loss in her book, but there‘s always hope in the end. I discovered this other WW2 era book that uses the same stock photo. Both books were published this year.

This is a lovely read, I enjoyed it so much! The growth of all the characters from beginning to end is beautiful, brought a smile to my face when I finished it ☺️🥰 WWII historical fiction readers will want to check this one out 👍

I adored this book! Check out my review https://reecaspieces.com/2022/06/09/the-wedding-dress-sewing-circle-by-jennifer-...

Blue box day! I‘ve been wanting to try Jennifer Ryan for a while so this seemed like a good opportunity. I liked Julie Clark‘s last thriller, The Last Flight, well enough so thought I‘d add her newest. And I‘ve heard lots of good things about Fajardo-Anstine‘s story collection, Sabrina & Cora, so took a chance on her novel. #BOTM

LOVED Jennifer Ryan's The Chilbury Ladies Choir.

And The Lifestyle by Taylor Hahn in my June #botm because #PemberLittens it claims to be an Homage to Jane Austen's Emma but with.....Swingers. Yes Swingers and we want to see how that is even possible. 😆

#bookofthemonth

Happy Publication Week! Ryan‘s latest novel is a bit reminiscent of her last, THE KITCHEN FRONT, but the focus from wartime food rationing creativity moves to the clothing shortages & resulting fashion. Cressida, a famed London designer, returns to the village she vowed never to step foot in after the Blitz leaves her without a home or business. There, a special wedding dress brings her together with her niece Violet & the vicar‘s daughter, Grace.

I LOVE how this was based on real events! The whole concept of the sewing circle made my heart happy, and I loved seeing Grace and Violet come into their own. Wasn't fully sold on Landon and Violet's story, but I'm head over heels for Grace/Hugh and Cressida/Ben. #historicalfiction #makedoandmend

Three women connected by love, war, family, and sewing.

THE WEDDING DRESS SEWING CIRCLE is as cozy as the cover and has characters that you will love.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/26rjp6tb

@jennifer_ryan_author
@randomhouse
@netgalley

June picks. I was underwhelmed by the choices, so I chose a historical fiction because that‘s my go-to. I‘m more excited for my add-ons. I‘m obviously in a “learn & be charmed” and/or “beach read/light” type of reading mood. Also, I *finally* earned by #botm BFF tote. I‘m such a sucker for capitalistic-based rewards. 🤷‍♀️Hooray! #bookofthemonth

Did you know there was a shortage of fabric for wedding dresses during the war because of clothing rations and a group of women started a “share your wedding dress with others” campaign?

This book is a lovely, heartwarming read and a history lesson.

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON JUNE 1.

@jennifer_ryan_author
@penguinrandomhouse