What a magical story this, following a wedding dress that is being passed down generation to generation and being allowed to indulge in the eras and the lives of each of these women and their families. I was hooked from the very beginning.

Good, But Too Reminiscent Of Her Earlier Books!

Just for the record, I am a HUGE Danielle Steel fan and have read TONS of her novels (I can’t even remember/keep track of just how many, now!). So when I saw THIS novel, [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]] while browsing the Netgalley website for Kindle books available for free in exchange for a truthful & unbiased review I could not resist getting it.

Now as I said, I have read NUMEROUS Danielle Steel books (too many now to count!) and with a couple exceptions, like [[ASIN:0345530896 Until the End of Time]] (which I did NOT really like at all, or even HATED!), out of the dozens of her novels that I've read, I've LOVED or at least liked, EVERY SINGLE ONE of them. However, when reading this book, [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]], I got a DISTINCT sense of déjà vu as if I had read it before — and then it hit me, I actually HAVE READ IT BEFORE. So many aspects of this novel (like characters, settings, events, etc.) are IDENTICAL or VIRTUALLY THE SAME as her earlier books.

First of all, [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]] is an epic novel that tells the story of a family in 4 generations of women that spans over the course of decades, nearly a century, from the 1920s to the present-day. JUST LIKE the premise(s) of several of Danielle Steel's OTHER books including [[ASIN:B0029732J8 Jewels]], and [[ASIN:B001TMCFFQ Zoya]], and at least a couple others, which I can't recall the titles of, off the top of my head (because Danielle Steel has written SO MANY novels [150 novels last I heard], and I've read many/most of them, I have trouble keeping them all straight in my head!)

Secondly, in the [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]] the main character (for most of the novel, anyway!) is Eleanor Deveraux, the daughter of a successful banker, and a society debutante in San Francisco, in the early 1900s. Similar or identical to several of Danielle Steel's novels in which the protagonist/main character are women who grew up in extremely wealthy (usually banker) families and were society debutantes (like in [[ASIN:B00164X29K A Good Woman]], and [[ASIN:B0029732J8 Jewels]], and [[ASIN:B001TLZESC No Greater Love]], and [[ASIN:B001TLZF9A Crossings]], etc.) in the early to mid 1900s — and in at least one or two of them ([[ASIN:B001TLZESC No Greater Love]] and [[ASIN:B001TLZF9A Crossings]]) the debutantes were from San Francisco................and that's FAR from all of it. There are many other things that are basically a repeat of her previous novels. Because, in [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]] the story goes into detail of how the formerly-affluent Deveraux family, as well as the very well-to-do banker, Alex Allen (who Eleanor marries), loses ALL (in the case of Alex) or nearly all (in the case of the Deveraux family) of their wealth and income in the Wall St. Crash of 1929 & the resulting Great Depression, and struggle to recover financially & otherwise — JUST LIKE in [[ASIN:B001TMCFFQ Zoya]] and possibly others.

Also, Eleanor & Alex's daughter, Camille is a rebellious brat just like the characters of Isabelle in [[ASIN:B0029732J8 Jewels]], and Sasha in [[ASIN:B001TMCFFQ Zoya]], both of whom hook up with basically loser guys — and similar to Sasha in [[ASIN:B001TMCFFQ Zoya]] (though it happens in a different way than it does in [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]]) Camille also comes to a bad end, leaving a young daughter behind, which the protagonist/main character (Zoya in [[ASIN:B001TMCFFQ Zoya]], and Eleanor in THIS book, [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]]) is given to raise. If that's not enough, in this book, [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]], the main character, Eleanor (and Alex) start an antiques business just before/around the start of World War II, and in [[ASIN:B0029732J8 Jewels]], the main character, Sarah (and William) start a jewelry business soon after World War II.

In other words, basically the majority of [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]] is just a mishmash redux of several of her earlier novels — and as much as I ❤️ Danielle Steel, if she is running out of ORIGINAL ideas for her books, then she needs to either retire, OR at least reduce the amount that she publishes every year. Maybe writing 3 or 4 or 5 novels per year is too much for her and she needs to cut down, or even stop entirely. Because, judging from [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]], her writing is just NOT up to its usual caliber/quality and this was one of the VERY FEW Danielle Steel novels that left me feeling disappointed. I felt as if I’d wasted time reading a book that I’d read before but yet not really read before — and even though I DO re-read books I’ve enjoyed, this was different because I went into it, expecting it to be something NEW and it wasn’t. It was just a recycled patchwork of her earlier novels, and while I like it nonetheless, its still a big disappointment. Which is why I cannot honestly give it 5 stars, or 4 stars like I'd usually give (and have given) other Danielle Steel novels or even 3 stars, because of what a repetitive redux of other novels that [[ASIN:B07VP1SWKY The Wedding Dress]] turned out to be!

⭐️⭐️ 2 STARS!!!

This was a pretty good story of a wedding dress that spanned four generations. It is a bit slow but interesting enough that you can't stop reading it.

A timeless classic by my favorite author of all time was instantly my favorite book of hers this year! That is until the next one I read everytime! I recommended this book to a friend who had not read any books by this author and she now is addicted too even though it's not her usual genre. Beautiful and emotional this book was everything I hoped for!

The wedding dress was another family saga and all that sagas bring. The Wedding Dress being the tie that binds. From the '20's thru the 60's. Good story

What a charming read! Delightful beach reading. It's a story about a wedding dress and all the women who wear it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Wedding Dress chronicles the story of the Deveraux family of 1920s San Francisco society, and the wedding of their daughter, Eleanor, to wealthy banker Alexander Allen. The wedding, held in the family’s Pacific Heights mansion, was everything they’d hoped, and Eleanor’s dress, designed by one of the most famous fashion houses in Paris, was exquisite in every way. But their dream life was about to come to an end, during their perfect honeymoon in Europe, when Alex learns of the Wall Street Crash. The families lose everything. We watch the families struggle through war, personal tragedies and changing world situations. The book starts strong but somehow loses steam by the end. I felt that the beginning was so much better than the end. This has happened several times lately with Danielle Steel's books.

An interesting novel that spanned several decades. If you are a Danielle Steel fan, you'll love this new novel. It was a quick read.

Loved this story of 4 generations of women who lived in California. Starting in the 1920's with a very special wedding dress being designed for Eleanor and her fabulous wedding. Soon afterwards the stock market crash and great depression hit but Eleanor, Alex and her parents do everything they can to keep the dress. They survive and have a daughter Camille who is a disappointment to the family. When she dies a week after giving birth to a little girl her grandparents are there for her. Ruby is a wonderful character and she and Zack live a life in turmoil. I almost wish this was a series with 4 books each of the women were so strong and likable. It was nice how the dress tied each of the stories together. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved this book! I don't know how Danielle Steel continues to do it, but her books just pull me in and make me feel like I am watching her story play out right in front of my ears. A heartfelt story of love and loss, rich to poor played out over generations.

The Wedding Dress is classic Danielle Steel. Spanning multiple decades The Wedding Dress begins in the roaring 20s in California in the glitzy social circles of San Francisco. The event of the season is the Devereaux wedding-beautiful Eleanor marrying handsome banker Allen. The year is 1929 and the Eleanor's wedding dress, couture made in Paris, is the talk of the town. Recognizing the date readers will soon realize that fortunes turn quickly in this novel and Eleanor, Alex and her parents are not spared from the stock market crash. Not afraid of hard work amid changed circumstances Eleanor and Alex try to adapt to their new normal as newlyweds. Throughout economic and political changes, both in America and internationally, the one constant that remains is the exquisite wedding dress and the generations of family that will wear it. This is classic Steel-historical family saga that wraps up in a pretty bow at the end.

This story is a quick read, with some great historical references and delicious fashion detail; the repetitious details (common in many of her books) are not necessary and detract from the novel.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to NetGalley.

I loved this book. I'm biased because I loved most of her books and that's a lot of them.

Who doesn't love a wedding, historical fiction, and a traditional wedding gown passed down from generation to generation except for one?

From 1928 from luxurious cotillion balls to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 through depression, and through the years, this family had it's ups and downs, tragedies and happiness and everything else you can think of.

I loved it and cried sometimes because who doesn't cry at weddings. If you do not, you're not an emotional person like me, especially with a wedding gown that gets passed down.

The Wedding Dress is a gripping story of families throughout time, their tenacity to keep moving forward, love, heartbreak and the true bond of families. A lot of historical facts are built into the story, which made it come to life even more. The lessons of traditions, love and forgiveness are especially poignant. Well done Danielle Steele.

4 1/2 STARS!

A novel by Danielle Steel is always sure to please and THE WEDDING DRESS is no exception. A family rich in depth and character falls into despair during the crash of 1929 just after their only daughter wore the Parisian designed wedding dress of her dreams to marry the love of her life. Hard times hit them all for many years as they slowly learn to live a different life than they dreamed of, but prosper in their own way none-the-less. The story lines sees us through the lives of all of these characters into several generations to come as this wedding dress is the start of several marriages.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a family rich saga that shares both ups and downs of life as the story delves deeply into each character. Through love and hate, dreams and nightmares, riches and the simple things in life we follow the lives of the families. There's a lot to comprehend along the way, but I really enjoyed it.

This book follows four generations in a family that has been through so much. From the stock market crash in 1929 to weddings and funerals, this book has it all. I loved being swept away into the different time periods in the book and seeing how this beautiful one of a kind dress takes part in this family's journey throughout time. Danielle Steele is definitely true to form in this book. Thanks for the ARC, Net Galley. It is yet another literary triumph from this author.

Danielle Steel is one of the authors that readers buy their books without even looking at the subject or synopsis. We know that inside, we will find an emotionally charged story filled with ever evolving characters set in communities that seem familiar. There is never any question on whether we will love the story, we already do.
This story is centered on several generations of a family who find themselves wearing a wedding gown first worn in 1928 and passed through the decades to bring a sense of continuity as traditions are set. Each bride will add another loving memory to the dress's history and we will follow along, enjoying the journey and loving the stories.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is a sweet story from one of the best in the world, Danielle Steel. In this wonderful read we meet the Deveraux/Allen family. As the family goes through generations of good and bad including war, births, money struggles and so much more the thing that thrives generation after generation is The Wedding Dress.

This book reminded me so much of Jewels, the book Steel wrote in 1992. A family heirloom that is handed down through the generations and if only the heirloom could tell the stories it has seen.

Again, Danielle Steel has written a book that will stand the test of time and like her heirlooms will be passed along the generations of readers.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This read like her older books, which are my favorites. You start out in the 1920's to current. Spanning a family of generations. Set in San Francisco. People that went from Rich to Poor in a short time and how they rebuilt their lives.
We follow a wedding dress in the family during this time and who will wear it and who won't. How many generations it will go through. Relationships that stay and go. SO much emotion all into one book.
I received this from NetGalley for review.

This was the story of a couture wedding dress that was created before the big crash of 1929 and continues being used by generations of women in the same family. Something Danielle Steele is good at is writing romances and she created not one but three love stories. Each of the women endures trials and tribulations finding true love as the decades go by from the stock market crash of '29 to the age of computer whizzes and house-flippers. This is a good one. I highly recommend it.

I obtained this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

Another great book by Danielle Steel! This was probably one of my favorites by her. She never fails me. ❤️