Cover Image: The Wedding Dress

The Wedding Dress

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Danielle Steel delights again with The Wedding Dress . A wonderful story of love, heartbreak , and family draws you in as only she can do .
This multigenerational story starts in the 1920’s and follows the story of four generations on women and is wonderfully woven together. The wedding dress follows the women in the family and ties it all together. Each high and low in the story leaves you wanting more .
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

In this addictive novel, Danielle Steel covers four generations of a family in the twentieth century. The book begins in the 1920's, right before the crash of Wall Street and the Great Depression. Elenore and Alex both come from wealthy banking families, and their nuptials are match made in financial heaven. But soon after their wedding, their families lose everything in the stock market.

The story then moves into the sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll of the sixties. We watch with trepidation as Elenore and Alex's daughter, Camille, rebels against her parents and succumbs to her deadly drug addiction, leaving behind a three-week-old daughter, Ruby Moon, who Elenore and Alex raise like their own child.

Ruby's storyline is fascinating in its own right, as she becomes involved with Zach, Steve Jobs-like character--a brilliant but selfish man who doesn't know how to resist temptation. I was surprised by Zach's behavior, because he started out as a very sweet and loving but awkward boyfriend. But money and success turn their relationship inside-out, ruining what could have been a great thing.

Finally, we come to Kendall, Ruby's daughter, who looks up to her father in spite of all his flaws, and wants to be just like him. But at what cost?

The wedding dress follows the women of this family through the generations. Danielle Steel has been churning out book after book for more than forty years, and this one reminded me of some of her earlier sagas, like JEWELS. It was a nice return to form for the doyenne of women's fiction.

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steels, The Wedding Dress is a lovely multigenerational story that spans 80+ years. Four generations of resilient women, one dress. Based in San Francisco, follow the Devereux family through years of love, immense hardship, painful loss and ultimately finding their happily ever after. 4 stars.

Was this review helpful?

1928

Charles and Louise Deveraux and their daughter, Eleanor, are very wealthy residents of San Francisco. Charles is the owner of a very successful bank. When Eleanor has her come out ball, her dress is made by the House of Worth in Paris. At the ball, she meets Alex Allen who also owns a highly successful bank. They soon become engaged and Eleanor’s dress is made by Jeanne Lanvin of Paris. It is an exquisite dress that cost an enormous amount of money. While they are on they honeymoon in Europe, they received word of the stock market crash that has ruined many people. But they bravely carry on by getting jobs and living in a tiny apartment. Charles and Louise move to a small house in Lake Tahoe. Louise has insisted that many items be stored in a large barn on the property which also contained Eleanors wedding dress. After many disappointments, Eleanor and Alex are finally blessed with the birth of a daughter, Camille, who is the light of their lives. But when war is declared, Alex insists on enlisting and hoping for a desk job.

This book follows this family through the war and its aftermath. We see the birth of Eleanor and Alex’s daughter, Camille, and her own daughter, Ruby. The trials of life are beautifully described here as it leads up to the conclusion. The wedding dress plays a part as well. I loved how the author obviously researched this time period and how she brought all of the storylines together. I have read a number of her books and I can honestly say that this one is her best by far. It’s one of those books that one wishes they could award more than 5 stars. Wonderful book full of history. Don’t miss it!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Wedding Dress is an epic, multi-generational tale of a family, starting with life in the roaring 20's and not ending until it reached modern day life in the United States. While the characters, settings, and overall lavishness of this book were incredible, my favorite part of this book turned out to be an unintended consequence of when I got to read it. Quarantined at home during the coronavirus pandemic, this book provided great insight into where our current situation will fit into the history of our country. Not only providing me with great entertainment, this book also provided me with great comfort-not an easy task right now.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This was a refreshing book to read during these uncertain times. I've always enjoyed stories that span generations - they get me thinking about my own ancestors and what their lives must have been like. I don't believe I had any debutante balls or trips to Paris or lavish mansions in my family history - but it's fun reading about them!

There's a lot of repetition in the writing but I can overlook that and just sit back to enjoy an easy-going story. As usual in Danielle Steel's books, the characters are somewhat too good to be true - but this is fiction!! For pure entertainment value, Steel's books usually hit the mark.

Was this review helpful?

The Wedding Dress is an endearing story that will capture your heart. I love how one family’s story is told over several generations. Danielle Steel writes with such precision. She captures the time periods perfectly.

Was this review helpful?

The story starts with Eleanor Deveraux and her debutant ball. Eleanor and her mother go to Paris to find the perfect dress for the occasion. And when it comes time to find a wedding dress again they go to Paris to purchase the dress. This story starts at the ball, to her wedding and her having children and growing old. We also look into the lives of 2 more females in the family through the years.
As always Danielle Steel books are so enticing and you cannot put them down. If you want a romance but not sappy then you will enjoy. If you are a fan of Steel's then you will love this book.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! Read this within a few days. This book was an excellent read. It was romantic and it happened in the early 1920’s. Sometimes I have a hard time getting into books into the 1920’s but Danielle’s I didn’t. This book is about a family that had everything and loses it all and has to start all over and the sacrifices they make to do it. It was about the depression. The book goes from parents, to children to grandchildren to great grandchildren. It was great. I would recommend this to everyone.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Steel has not written a book like this in years and I, for one, an certainly glad she came back "home". Love, debutante balls, economic collapse - what more can you ask for in a great book? Her writing continues to be amazing and her characters have panache and gumption. This story being out the importance of family and love and loyalty. Highly recommended. Enjoy!📚

Was this review helpful?

I've always loved Danielle Steel books, and re-read them all the time. This is another great story! The story begins in 1928 in San Francisco and follows each generation through to the 1970's. Each generation adds to the story, and the wonderful wedding dress follows along. I loved the history, Danielle Steel always puts so much history into her books and this one is no different. Highly recommend!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Any book by Danielle Steel is fabulous and this book is no exception . Immerse yourself in this amazing story as you read about the women about to wear the wedding dress and change their lives forever. It's a must read and deserves a top spot on your keeper shelf. Happy reading!

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steell is great on historical novels. The Wedding Dress takes through 5 generations of family. The stock market crash set heavy on Eleanor's family but they had no way to to know what was to come of the future generations. The era of each generations takes a part of history on each generation, some devastating. I enjoy reading Danielle Steel novels and this one did not disappoint me. I recommend this book as a 5 star.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adored this book. I loved reading about the four generations of women from the same family and seeing the differences in how each of them chose to live their lives and how they each made decisions. I don't even care much for historical fiction and I found that the first woman in this book was my favorite, and her story was the most historical of them all. However, most of the story took place around her story. I do wish that this book was more evenly spread out. I feel like this book could easily be turned into more than one book as the stories of the last three women could have been expanded on more. Overall, it as a fabulous read!

Was this review helpful?

Another great story from Danielle Steel. This one follows four generations of Deveraux women, some strong, some not so much.
The story takes us from The Great Depression, through both World Wars and into present time as The Wedding Dress is passed down through the generations. Although the dress is an integral aspect of the story, the book revolves around the daily lives of the women who may or may not wear it.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Was this review helpful?

The Wedding Dress is a lovely, multi-generational story. It starts in 1928 in the opulent world of a wealthy San Francisco banking family. The Nob Hill mansion of the Devereaux’s is the scene of daughter Eleanor’s presentation to society as a debutante. Soon, the family is preparing for her wedding. Eleanor and her mother head to Paris for a custom-designed, couture wedding dress. Her wedding to the equally wealthy Alex is planned to take place in October, 1929. The Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression are about to follow. Fortunes are lost. World War II is next. Well, you know U.S. history.

This fast-paced book covers five generations taking us through the early days of Silicon Valley as Eleanor and her family experience life’s ups and downs with its share of happiness and tragedy.

The Wedding Dress was a nice break from recent, heavier reads. It moves so quickly that even after something sad has happened, a happy occasion is around the corner and another wedding is taking place with another bride in that fabulous dress.

Fans of Danielle Steel surely have this one on their list but if you haven't read one of her books lately, this might just be the right one to entice you back.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House – Ballantine / Delacorte Press and Ms. Steel for an advance copy of this enjoyable book (with a perfect cover).

Rated 3.75

Was this review helpful?

I received this book from Net Galley, free, in exchange for a honest review.
First of all, it is no surprise that all of Danielle Steels books are best sellers.
In this age of the Corona, it is important for us to find things to do at home, so we don’t have to go outside.
The Wedding Drress is fantastic, actually it is one of her best books.
It is about a very special wedding dress, and the effect it has on the lives of people in a 40 year span.
In all her books, the characters are engaging, and we root for them to do well.
The only problem with Danielle Steel is that she just releases 1 book every 2 months.
I wish it was a book a week.
Another fantastic book that will keep you mesmerized and entertained

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steel is the master of women’s romantic fiction, and the Wedding Dress proves that she’s still at the peak of her talent. Spread over four generations of women, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, with fortunes gained and lost, this is another one-sitting, can’t put down saga. The Wedding Dress takes readers from San Francisco, Tahoe, and through Europe, starting in the 1920s and ending today.

Reading a Danielle Steel novel snuggled deep into the sofa and shutting out the world has always been a guilty pleasure for me, and I’m so happy to know that Danielle Steel is still giving her past and future readers exactly what they want - good, enjoyable escapist fiction with an engaging plot, interesting characters, and just the right mix of steamy heat and a great story.

Was this review helpful?

I was given the opportunity to read this book recently by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and I would like to thank them for the opportunity. As a long standing Danielle Steel fan who has been reading her books for over half my life, I realized that hi... my name is Christina and I am addicted to Danielle Steel love stories. LOL

Ms. Steel has a way of bringing major events in the world, and this time in the United States, to a family, in this case. generations of a family, and making you feel their happiness, sadness, triumphs, defeats, and everything in between.

This book starts off in 1929, before the Great Depression, and with a young girl who has grown up well loved and very wealthy. Her father and mother do everything to make her Cotillion everything that a girl could ever dream of. That night, Eleanor meets the dashing banker Alex. A few short months later, in a couture dress made in Paris, they wed. On their honeymoon, the stock market crashes twice and fortunes are lost. They return from Europe, having nearly lost everything. Their new lives begin then. This book continues on for two more generations and ends somewhere in the late 90s.

While I don't want to ruin any other plotlines, I was disappointed two times, with deaths that are mere sentences while pages go on about the trips that are taken (that could have been shorter to pay more respect to the losses), While this crazy COVID19 isolation/stay home order is in effect, this book was the perfect distraction from the fear of the unknown that is what we are all living through. I can not wait until Ms, Steel's next book and hope that NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine will let me review it for them,

Was this review helpful?

"In Danielle Steel’s epic new novel, the lives of four generations of women in one family span fortune and loss, motherhood, tragedy and victories.

From the glamorous San Francisco social scene of the 1920s, through war and the social changes of the ’60s, to the rise of Silicon Valley today, this extraordinary novel takes us on a family odyssey that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as each generation faces the challenges of their day.

The Parisian design houses in 1928, the crash of 1929, the losses of war, the drug culture of the 1960s - history holds many surprises, and lives are changed forever. For richer or for poorer, in cramped apartments and grand mansions, the treasured wedding dress made in Paris in 1928 follows each generation into their new lives, and represents different hopes for each of them, as they marry very different men.

From inherited fortunes at the outset to self-made men and women, the wedding dress remains a cherished constant for the women who wear it in each generation and forge a destiny of their own. It is a symbol of their remaining traditions and the bond of family they share in an ever-changing world."


This book has everything I love, a generational story that is in San Francisco! And yes, I make it a point to read books set there!

Was this review helpful?