The Christmas Dress has no great pretensions of being the great literary novel, which is more than fine, because it is no less than an absolutely wonderful, feel-good Christmas story that's worth reading any time of the year. Cole does a wonderful job of incorporating adversity into this story - main character Meg leaves a mean, demanding boss and an ex-boyfriend that didn't understand her in New York City to take over management of an apartment building her father left her when he passed away unexpectedly. Meg, already feeling her fashion career slipping away, gets off to a rough start and the building seems to be falling apart around her. But a handyman with a heart of gold and a community that wants to see her succeed begins to make her believe that even if she no longer has a biological family of her own, she does have one in the community around her. A tenant's dress further inspires her that her career in fashion may not be over after all, and that she can save it and the building and create a happily ever after not just for herself but for the people she's beginning to consider her found family. This is just a wonderful, happy story that have me all the warm fuzzies.

Meg is pursuing her dream of working in fashion in New York. When her father dies, she is left with no family and with an inheritance of a deteriorating apartment building of elderly residents. It's a really tough start to a story and a reminder that the holidays can be a very sad and lonely time.

The novel is told entirely in the present but with pictures and stories about a dress that has been worn by multiple women over the decades. The dress is a timeless classic with some sort of magic that makes it look good on a variety of women. And the building has a similarly rich history. Both feel like really important symbols throughout the story.

This is a story of grief and resilience, of dreams, and of love. It's not your typical, light Christmas romance. It's an emotional and very moving story. I really loved reading it and couldn't put it down.

Thank you to William Morrow, Avon and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

TW: heart disease, childhood cancer

4.5 stars rounded up

This is a great book! I'm loving all the Christmas vibe and the characters are amazing. Very sweet and fun romance.

Meg's father just died and she needs to go home to run the building he left behind. I enjoyed this read. There were parts that were so sad, the fact that Meg has lost her entire family being the main one. I will say this gives off huge Hallmark vibes. Everything comes so easily to the characters. I would've liked to have seen more balance. I don't want to give anything away, but aside from the fact that she lost her family, mc could've just wished for something and it would seem to happen. It does make for a Wonderful Christmas book. It gives you all the good happy vibes. Thanks to Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I received an advance copy of, The Christmas Dress, by Courtney Cole. I like the character of Meg and Logan. The other characters were good, I just found the book a bit slow.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. This book was like stepping in time to a hallmark Christmas movie. Honestly, they should totally make one off of it. Meg’s father passed away and she inherits a historic building in Chicago. She has to learn about all the residents who live there as well as restore the building. The reader is taken on some twists and turns throughout the book and it’s just a really nice lovely story. All opinions on my own. 3.5 stars.

Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒

I really enjoyed The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole. It was very different than what I expected and all in a good way. This book was magical, fun, emotional, and heartwarming. I flew through the pages of this book enjoying the romance, the history, and the mystery. This book has everything.

Meg Julliard returns to her father’s apartment building after his sudden death to manage and run the old building that is falling quickly into disrepair and further into debt. The residents of the building are all elderly and depend on the building as their only home as they face the later years of their lives. Meg’s only experience is in Fashion as she worked as a journalist for a high-powered fashion magazine in New York City. Meg feels as if her dreams of making it big as a fashion designer is over as she has to live in Chicago to manage the building her father left her.

The one highlight of managing the building is the very handsome, handyman, Logan Scott who knows all the problems of the building and all the residents. Meg, Logan, and the residents of the building work together to save and upgrade the building as Meg works to find a way to save her dream of becoming a fashion designer.

I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Meg is a very sympathetic character as is her love interest Logan. They have many obstacles to overcome and I enjoyed watching them struggle to find their way to happiness. The historical significance of the old building was fun to uncover and gave the book a bit more depth and interest. The magical properties of the dress are subtle, but powerful making the story realistic and enchanting at the same time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Christmas romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole is an excellent novel that has it all: romance, festive spirit, historical fiction, and an uplifting and positive message that I truly enjoyed.

I loved reading this wonderful story of love, hope, family, friends, and making that go of following your heart. Meg and Ellie may be of different ages and generations, but their hopes, dreams, and “that” magical dress all make these two ladies more similar than it first appears.

I loved the story of Meg, returning to Chicago lost, dejected, and down in life, only to find a friend in Ellie, and a purpose, and perhaps even a love interest with Logan.

I loved the eclectic cast of inhabitants in the down and out apartment building, and I enjoyed the friendships that developed.

The pace, plot, and dash of “magic” really added to the feel of the story to give it a sense of hope and promise. The progression and change in the characters as the story goes on really added to my enjoyment and satisfaction with the storyline. I finished the book with a bounce in my step and in a festive spirit for the holidays to come.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow and Custom House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I'm not sure what I thought when I chose to read this book, what drew me to it; but it was a great book to read.

Meghan has inherited an historic building in Chicago that has been converted into condominiums that house older residents. The elevator is on its last legs, the plumbing is shot, there are structural issues that need to be repaired. The kicker is there is no money to be had to make any of the repairs and some of the residents need a safer place to live.

Meghan has given up a career working for a fashion magazine to come and take care of the building and its residents. While Meghan is not missing being with the fashion magazine, she does miss designing. It is through the auspices of one of the residents, she finds that her building has significant historical value. This opens the door to possible grants from the historical society, which will help but not entirely cover the repairs needed.

An opportunity arises for Meghan to show her designing chops in a contest that holds a purse of $300,000 for the winner. The two second place prizes are $100,000 each, and even if she came in second, the money would go a long way toward making the needed repairs. During the months that Meghan is sorting through all of the options and designing the dresses for the contest, her father's handyman, Logan, is doing Bandaid™ repairs to hold the building together until funding for the major renovations can be found. Everything culminates on Christmas Eve--the fashion contest, an inspection by the historical society, and a party for the residents of the building.

Courtney Cole has woven a bit of magic into the plot of this book, making it a most entertaining read. There is a bit of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants involved in the book, along with nostalgia for a different era, and more happy endings than anyone could thing possible. And I do love me a happy ending.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a dress that not only fits, but makes you look gorgeous regardless of the occasion.

William Morrow and Custom House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sweet Christmas tale! A magical Christmas dress inspires Meg to take a leap of faith and follow her dreams. Love the historical building setting in Chicago with all the unique residents. Sylvie is quite the quirky lady who adds a special touch to the story. The story did remind me a little of the Sisters of the Traveling Pants. Very enjoyable! Recommend!

I am loving the Christmas stories this year. This is my first book by Courtney Cole, but I hope it won’t be my last. This story is wonderful and the characters even better. It was great to see Meg take charge of her life and her circumstances. I love old buildings and would love to explore the Parkview and yes, live there too. This story shows the love of friends and neighbors and how family is of the heart. We all need a little Winter White in our lives. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

This was a really sweet, touching Christmas story, perfect for the holiday season! I really enjoyed the writing style and the overall pacing of the story.

5 stars, An enchanting dress

THE CHRISTMAS DRESS
by COURTNEY COLE
Publisher WILLIAM MORROW and CUSTOM HOUSE

An enchanting dress is what it takes to bring two women together as fast friends and create the dream of a lifetime.

Meg Julliard leaves her unfulfilling job in the fashion industry in New York, to come home to Chicago to settle her father's affairs and take over the management of her late father's apartment building, Parkview West. She finds the crumbling building and all of the tenants are overwhelming and endearing. Now, if they will only give her a chance to improve everything.

Logan is Mr. Fixit for Parkview West. He likes the old building and wants to help to keep it in a good state of repair.

Then another tenant gives Meg a beautiful Christmas dress and it fits her, she is amazed.

Join Meg, Logan, and the other tenants to find out the amazing history behind Parkview West and the amazing Christmas dress.

Highly recommend.

Much appreciation to @WmMorrowBooks @williammorrowbooks @customhousebks @customhousebooks #netgalley @netgalley for the complimentary copy of #TheChristmasDress I was under no obligation to post a review.

Just the perfect book for this Christmas! It's a sweet romance set in an ageing condo community in Chicago. The cast of characters are so endearing and funny - I would love to live in that condo!

Meg leaves her fashionista world in NYC to move back to Chicago to manage the condo after her father passes away - basically leaving her an orphan alone during the holidays....however, she soon finds family in the building occupants. Determined to save the crumbling condo, she sets out to win a dress design competition - and along the way, finds the perfect Christmas dress for inspiration. There is a touch of magic in the old dress and it's story is so sweet.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Christmas is a magical time of the year.
Love, friendship romance,and happiness can be found when the stars align.
This book is a beautiful, light, story of warmth and "family" for any reader.
it will make your day better!
I adored Meg, Ellie and Sylvie. They are three strong women!
It is a quick read that will have you sitting with your blanket, drinking hot cocoa and all the while, smiling!

"Fate has a funny way of working out."

A sweet holiday story about a magical dress and the women who wore it. Will make a nice Christmas gift for a good friend.

I found this novel to be a beautiful story. Job well done by Courtney Cole who embraced the holiday season with this book.

This book is about a dress that is magical. Whomever wears it finds true love and happiness. There are three examples in this book about a woman wearing this dress and finding true love.