The Grace Kelly Dress revolves around a bridal gown that three different women wore and passed down to her daughter. The story is told in three different timelines, narrated by the different women. It tells their stories and connections they have to the dress. It was originally designed to look like Grace Kelly'e wedding dress, but each wearer makes their own changes based on personal likes.

Rose is a French seamstress who agrees to design and make a wedding dress for a well-to-do woman whose only request is that it resemble the wedding dress of Grace Kelly. Very young and naive, Rose creates a dress that she would love to wear. While working with her customer, she begins to have feelings for her brother. When people find out the secret that the atelier is hiding, will Rose's dress ever get worn? In the 1980's Joan, a college student is preparing to wear her mother's wedding dress, but wants to add some Princess Diana touches to the gown. Not only that, but she is dealing with a family tragedy that will change her life forever. Finally in 2020, Rachel, aka Rocky, doesn't want to wear her mother's gown, but is afraid to tell her. She is more comfortable in pants and motorcycle boots. As we learn more about the women's style and their wedding days come closer, we also see into their hearts and souls.

This was a well-written story using three time periods and meshing them together perfectly. Each woman is trying to find their way in the world during different times as well as developing and maintaining their relationship with one another. As we learn about the past, we see how this family of strong women ended up where they are in 2020. The ending not only surprised me, but was a beautiful ending to this story. This is not a fast moving story, but it flows well and I truly enjoyed Brenda Janowitz's writing style.

I really enjoyed this novel as it shifted among the three women's perspectives. It has less to do with Grace Kelly and more to do with both women's and society's expectations about weddings, marriage, relationships, and the ever-changing landscape of the world.

I will definitely read more from this author, because I loved her characters, her settings, the descriptions--everything about this incredibly readable book was a delight.

I highly recommend this novel for readers who like books that move in time and have multiple points of view, with a historical link among all the story lines to connect them.

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Grace Kelly Dress is a charming, multi-generational winner that I just loved!

The story focuses around three generations of women who are all tied together by a dress that was inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding gown. Rose, Joan and Rocky - all brides in different eras - each have their own style and the thoughts on how they want the dress to look for each of their weddings. These women are all totally different in personality and style, so it was fun to read each of their stories. All told in alternating POVs with short chapters, we learn a lot about each of them and how they all tie together in the end.

I love, love, love short chapters while reading. Not only does it keep things moving at a decent pace, it keeps the story interesting and makes me want to continue reading until I find out what happens! At times, I found it hard to put the book down. I just found each of these women so fascinating - for different reasons.

I’ve read a couple of other books by Janowitz, and although they were both read many years ago, I remember loving them. So glad I decided to request this one. It was definitely worth it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin - Graydon House and Brenda Janowitz for my advanced copy to read and review.

Not sure if the word "charming" is one of those overused adjectives. If so I am overusing it again. This is a charming book based on romance and the lives of three generations of women. Its a great escape book....and who doesn't need one of those?

3 generations of women, 1 wedding dress - each story told from the perspective of the young woman falling in love and the story leading up to her wedding day. A lovely multigenerational story.

One of the best parts of The Grace Kelly Dress was that picked a format that allowed the different stories (a grandmother, a mother, and a mother) unfold in a way that allowed you to really learn more about each character and truly develop feelings towards each one. At the same time though it felt like some parts were more compelling than the others, leading the reader to wonder at times if they even cared about that story, or were just waiting around for the next part. However, this is one that I would recommend to friends, as the characters were so fascinating.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Brenda Janowitz, NetGalley and Graydon House for the copy of this truly exceptional novel.

I enjoyed everything about this book, the characters, the places, the romance and the beauty of a story that brings so many people together through an exquisite wedding dress.

This is without a doubt, a MUST READ!!! If you want a read that makes you smile and remind you of true, original love along with things that get in the way, ahem, life, you must read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ also, I will be adding Brenda’s other books to my to-be read list!

An engrossing story, full of emotions and entertaining.
I liked the strong women, their voices and how well they are developed.
The plot flows and keeps you hooked.
It's good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A beautiful 3 generational story that will leave you filled with hope and love. I loved how it showed the importance of honoring our past. Our past helps make up who we are today whether we realize it or not.

My favorite storyline was the bride's mother. There were many surprises that when revealed tied so much together and made the story.

The title is what drew me to this book as I remember reading a paperback over and over again throughout middle and high school about Grace Kelly. The cover had a picture of her in her wedding dress. I wish I still had the book.

This book is for all romance, fiction, and fans of weddings.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Harlequin - Graydon House Books through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above reviews are entirely my own.

Lovely book but wasn’t for me. I wasn’t in the right mindset for it and found other books with similar ideas to be more engaging!

This story follows three perspectives. The first is a bride in 2020. She has been given the wedding dress that her mother and grandmother wore, but she doesn’t want to wear it. The second perspective is the bride’s mother in the 80s when she was going to get married. Her own mother had give her her own wedding dress, but she has some uncertainties about getting married. The third perspective is a seamstress in Paris in the 50s. She suddenly has to take over the designer’s studio when she dies, and she has to secretly design a special wedding dress under the designer’s name.

This story had a lot more tension than I expected. There were cliffhangers at the end of many chapters, so I had a hard time putting the book down. There were some shocking twists that I didn’t expect.

I loved the way the wedding dress was woven throughout three generations, yet it had very different meanings to each woman. The original dress was inspired by Grace Kelly’s famous dress, but I expected Grace Kelly to have a much bigger part of the story. The theme of marriage and the meaning behind the dress was prevalent throughout the story.

This was a great story!

Thank you Graydon House Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Grace Kelly Dress is a good book that shares the stories of three women and how their lives intersect around a wedding gown. The wedding gown is designed after Grace Kelly's gown and we learn how the gown was made. I really enjoyed the stories and the alternating timelines from 1950's, 1980's and current time 2020.

I really liked this book! It is told as three parallel stories - a bride in 2020, her mother, and the original dressmaker - and revolves around an heirloom wedding dress passed down through generations. The story is about relationships, family and otherwise, and being true to oneself, which manifests in several different ways. Heirlooms can be blessings but can also feel like curses at times, perhaps changing the way you choose to see things. I did like the three parallel story lines but sometimes it felt a bit quick, the transitions between them. I would just be getting into what was going on in one story, and it would switch. I debated if I thought perhaps the stories should have been told separately, but in the end I think they were done correctly. I might have just extended the time we were in each time/situation? I did find things to connect to in each of the main characters, which helped draw me in to the story. I'd recommend to those looking for an easier read focusing on romance and family traditions/relationships.

The Grace Kelly Dress: A Novel by Brenda Janowitz is a new book that shares the stories of 3 women and how their lives intersect around a wedding gown. The wedding gown is modeled after Grace Kelly's wedding gown and shares how the dress was made. I personally enjoy stories like these that have different timelines and this one takes place in the 1950's, 1980's, and 2020. Overall, this book met my expectations and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Graydon House Books and Netgalley for this review copy.

A beautifully written tender love story about three women each a generation apart, one wedding dress and their stories of how they ended up with this iconic Grace Kelly wedding dress.

Rose is a timid French seamstress who reluctantly agrees to make a wedding dress for a well-to-do woman whose only request is that it resemble the wedding dress of Grace Kelly. Very young and naive, as Rose creates the dress she begins to develop feelings for the woman's brother who himself is getting ready to wed. As the two grow closer, Rose is uneasy about finishing the design of the dress.

Joan is in college during the 1980's. She is in a sorority and enjoys the late night parties and the camaraderie of her sisters. When she becomes engaged, she is excited at the thought that the now will be able to wear the Grace Kelly dress. But what happens next sets off a chain of events which will change her life forever.

In the year 2020, Rachel, also known as "Rocky" who owns her own gaming business, becomes engaged. To the excitement of her mother, the Grace Kelly dress becomes hers to wear. But, unfortunately, Rocky does not care for the dress. Never has and never will. She also does not have the heart to tell her mother knowing it will devastate her. As the wedding nears, her anxiety about the dress becomes an obsession. How can she destroy her mother like this? What is wrong with her? What should she do?

As we learn how these three women's lives are intertwined by a wedding dress, by their love and by their struggles, how they are able to endure hardships by their strength and each other so that their future generations will know the story of the Grace Kelly dress.

Thank you #NetGalley #GraydonHouse #TheGraceKellyDress #Brenda Janowitz for the advanced copy.

The Grace Kelly Dress follows the timeline of three different women on the cusp of adulthood and marriage.  They are three generations of women and at the centre is a wedding dress made in the likeness, but not a knock off, of Grace Kelly's dress. The eldest Rose is French and an excellent seamstress living in Paris and working in an atelier in 1958. She will eventually live in the USA.

After Rose marries her daughter Joan wears her wedding dress, and some adjustments are made, now Joan wants Rocky (Rachel) to wear the dress, but... it isn't quite to Rocky's taste. But can she tell her mother that? And what about Grandmère?

The story moves along in three timelines and is fast paced and often revealing little surprises along the way. Each woman has a love story that threads through,  yet  there are heartaches  and challenges for each that are painful to face.

While I liked each character and their story, for me there was not enough emotional depth to each character, I didn't fully connect to their lives. There was too much happening, and so much had to be glossed over.

It is well written and if you like stories of generations of women, tradition and moving on, the joy of a wedding dress and high couture then this one could be for you.

As a thank you to Netgalley and the publisher (Harlequin – Graydon House Books) for a copy of Brenda Janowitz’s novel “ The Grace Kelly Dress”. This novel was exceptional as it took me one day to read. I enjoyed its pace, attention to detail and at its heart three generations of women whose life experiences revolve around the aforementioned dress. The novel explores the importance of traditions, new relationships and moving forward despite the loss. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy contemporary reads with hints of classic Hollywood. I give this novel four out of five stars on GoodReads.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Netgalley, and Graydon House Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

So I really wanted to read this novel because it was reminding me of another book I read about a famous dress and famous wedding, and this gave me another story to fall in love with historical fiction and beautiful wedding dresses. I don’t remember the dress that Grace Kelly wore and yeah sure it was before my time but looking it up and seeing just how gorgeous it was ended up making sense. I’m so glad that this book came into existence, and thank you so much to Janowitz for writing this story.


I think one of my favorite tropes with historical fiction novels is when there’s an item that connects generations of people together in such an interesting way – like this wedding dress. It could be passed down from mother to daughter like any other dress, but the fact that this is a hugely famous dress and everything that went into it was pretty insane also makes it so much more than a family heirloom to the world. I think that’s what appeals me so much about books like this.

So yeah this actually broke my heart, of course. I was expecting to have some tears fall but I was also super happy with the ending and just felt like I was a part of this family – well maybe not Grace Kelly and the royal family, but definitely Rose and Rachel’s families. I think also, as a woman that could have inherited my mother’s wedding dress – if I were her size and if I had an actual ceremony – this struck a cord in me because I think about what I missed out on and what kind of emotions could have been going through me during this time.

Maybe it’s a bit sentimental and all that, but a girl can dream about the choices she did’t make, right? Nothing wrong with that.

I was utterly charmed and completely captivated by this smart, heart-warming, compelling and irresistible tale of friendship, romance and the ties that bind that readers will want to tell all their friends about: The Grace Kelly Dress. As effortlessly classy and chic as the iconic Hollywood movie star, The Grace Kelly Dress is a brilliantly written tale readers will simply not be able to resist.

In 1958, it might have been two years since Grace Kelly married her prince, but the gorgeous dress she wore on the day of the royal wedding still has Parisians talking and modistes all over the French capital desperate to replicate this sumptuous gown. But little did the Hollywood startlet realize when she walked down the aisle to her Prince Charming that her dress was going to inspire generations of women all over the world and give them the courage to forge their own paths and become mistresses of their own destiny. However, the path to happiness and fulfilment is paved with hardship, defeats and heartbreaks, but one which will finally lead to the joy and elation which they have been fighting so hard for.

When dressmaker Rose was entrusted with the task of sewing a Grace Kelly lookalike gown for a wealthy bride to be, she never imagined that her life was about to be turned upside down. A seamstress at one of the city’s most fashionable establishments, Rose’s entire existence changes beyond recognition when she finds herself unexpectedly falling head over heels in love with the bride’s handsome brother. When she finds herself forced to make a difficult choice, Rose realizes that she must think hard before taking a leap of faith because one false move could end up costing everything which she worked so far – including the infamous dress!

Sixty years later, tech CEO Rachel – or Rocky as she is best known – has inherited the dress for her upcoming wedding, but although the gown is absolutely gorgeous there is just one problem: she doesn’t want to wear it! Although it is a priceless heirloom, the dress just isn’t her, but she knows that would break her mother’s heart if she wears something else. However, Rocky is not aware why her mother Joan is so adamant that she wears this dress or the secrets and sacrifices which have weighed heavily upon her shoulders from decades before when
she was getting ready to wear this dress for her own wedding.

As these three women’s lives become interlinked in the most unexpected and surprising of ways, the past collides with the present and old secrets come to light which must be confronted and vanquished – or else risk losing the chance of a wonderful future.

Brenda Janowitz has the storyteller’s gift and in The Grace Kelly Dress she has created a joyous, uplifting, emotional and satisfying tale that will tug at the heartstrings and bring a tear to the eye as readers find themselves completely and utterly enchanted by this mesmerizing tale.

Full of wonderfully nuanced characters it is impossible not to care about, drama, pathos and heart aplenty, Brenda Janowitz’s The Grace Kelly Dress is an unforgettable read that is difficult to forget.

I really enjoyed this book. The journey of the dress from 1950s Paris, to 1982 and then 2020 in/around New York told a beautiful story of three generations of women. The good things and bad things in their lives made them more believable characters.

While I wanted to pick a favorite character, I really liked each of them for different reasons. My favorite part was probably when they all tied together at the end.

Overall, I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was a great light read for nearly any adult age. I liked the references from 1950s Paris, 1982, and the current day bride-to-be. While it didn't have a lot of steamy sex, there were other adult themes.