This was an enjoyable book to read. In a time where it seems that books about the trials and tribulations of World War 2 are plentiful I was at first hesitant to explore yet another book on the topic. This was more of a character study of women in that era, however, and I found it to be delightful. Women's rights are yet again under scrutiny, and this book is a reminder of how far we have come since the 1940s, and how important it is that we do not lose footing.

This is the story of women in a quaint village situated outside London and centered by the manor house and the local parsonage. Violet grew up in the manor house, disdainful of the villagers, and sure of her station in life above the locals. Grace grew up sure in her own life at the vicarage with two parents, until her mother died when she was in her early teens. Cressida, Violet's aunt, also grew up in the manor house, but left as a very young woman to pursue a life of her own, shunned by her brother, Violet's father. As the war changes lives, Cressida finds herself back in the manor house, Violet learns that money is not always what is important, and Grace learns that a safe life as a parson's wife may not be the best choice for happiness. Fabric is not part of war rations, so when Grace's father unearths his wife's moth-eaten wedding dress, Grace, along with the village sewing circle, come together to repair not only the wedding dress, but old clothing - and themselves in the process. Surrounded by a full cast of strong women, Cressida, Violet and Grace learn how to grow and be strong in a male dominated world. It is a beautiful story of the bonds of friendship and how important it is for women to stick together and help each other learn and grow.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is a historical fiction novel set in England during WWII by Jennifer Ryan. This story follows three perspectives: Cressida Westcott, a fashion designer whose fashion house and home was destroyed during the London Blitz, Violet Westcott, Cressida’s niece who lives in the family manor where Cressida grew up, and Grace Carlisle, the pastor’s daughter who does more for the village than she does for herself.

Grace heads up the local sewing circle, and wants their help to fix her mother’s wedding dress so she can wear it for her own wedding. Having Cressida in town will not only give Grace and the Sewing Circle a chance to improve their skills, but help even more people within their town and beyond.

This story was very enjoyable. The three perspectives kept the story moving, and each character received a great character arc. Cressida, Violet, and Grace all needed to go on their own journeys, and that was only possible with the interactions they had with each other.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction with strong characters, check this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan. Pub Date: May 31, 2022. Rating: 🌟 🌟🌟🌟. Set during WWII, this novel is an interesting take on fashion, young brides, rations, sewing and female friendship. With a main focus on wedding dresses, this story weaves the perspectives of three women during a tumultuous time and how they worked to persevere through fashion. I found this novel to be fresh, inviting and unique. I loved the new spin on WWII historical fiction. I really enjoy this author’s work and I highly recommend! Thanks to #netgalley and #ballantinebooks for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review! #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookworm #igreads #theweddingdresssewingcircle

A charming historical fiction book set in WWII Britain. The story centers on the clothing rationing and how a small community sewing circle started updating old wedding dresses so that women could still wear the classic white dress on their special day. All of the romance subplots were rooted in friendship first, which was a breath of fresh air. It made the relationships so organic. Some favorite tropes too, including enemies to lovers and second chance romance. I enjoyed this book so much, very well done.

Set during World War II, fashion designer Cressida Wilson's home and shop are bombed in the London Blitz; she goes to live with estranged family in a village in the country. Her family includes her niece Violet, who is frivolous and flighty, not caring about the war except for its impact on her ability to land a rich aristocratic husband - but now is conscripted to serve as a driver for British troops. And Cressida also befriends Grace, the mousy vicar's daughter, who is engaged to a minister out of duty rather than love. The book follows the three women as they try to adjust to their changing world, organizing a sewing circle to help other women have actual wedding dresses, and find love of their own along the way. This started off very slow, but my interest picked up as it went along, and by the last third, I was fully invested in each of the women. Prior to reading, I didn't know much about what it was like to live in the UK during World War II, and it was fascinating to learn about the shortages and sacrifices that everyone had to make - the author did a nice job contrasting that with the visiting American troops / nurses and their tales of life not being all that different back home.

Cressida placed was bombed so she ended up going back to London to her childhood home to stay with her family her neice and nephew. There names are Violet and Hugh. She joined a sewing circle to make old clothes look new again. They also started a wedding dress well where you borrow wedding dresses to help out the armed services..
This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher to read and review.

A Stitch in Time.

I was on track from the beginning for an enjoyable reading experience and I wasn’t disappointed. This was a lovely book of friendship, working together, and a bit of romance with a war effort backdrop.

I loved reading this for not only the story, but for the connection to relatives who’ve since passed. I have an interest in the era because of their experiences and the stories they’ve relayed to me.

Adding my passion for fabric and sewing, I felt like I was in possession of a story tailor made for me. No pun intended.

The note at the front of the book detailing war coupons for individual clothing pieces was of special interest. Although a tiny fraction of the book, I was appreciative because I remember my Grandma speaking of this and how imitations on purchasing severely curtailed their desire to dress nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Ryan, and Ballantine Books for my electronic review copy.

Published on May 31, 2022.

Posting reviews on GR, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon

Very pleasant reading - the actual story was predictable, but nicely done. It was based upon actual events of local communities repairing clothing and sharing wedding gowns in the UK during WWII, which the author has done quite a lot of research on.
The characters were from different backgrounds, yet came together during the commons struggles of war time. The upper class characters were knocked down a peg and the selfless protagonist got a chance at real happiness.
It was a little milder than what I usually read, but I think this book will be popular with many readers of historical fiction.

This is a beautiful story of a community banding together to get through a hard time. I loved these women! I thought this was an interesting take on wartime rations, while still telling a compelling, enjoyable story.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was my first Jennifer Ryan book and I need to read more. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle was charming, heartwarming and left me wanting to read more about this time period. I normally don’t like stories with multiple viewpoints but the author had such a gripping story, I actually enjoyed the switch between characters.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle weaves together the stories of three women in wartime Britain who find each other and themselves while mending old wedding dresses. They discover their own passions and forge their own paths over the course of the novel. Violet, Cressida, and Grace come from very different backgrounds and they all think they know what they want out of life, but war changes people. How will the wedding dress sewing circle help them all find their happily ever afters?

This is a sweet, heart-warming novel that will make you appreciate the friendships in your life. Jennifer Ryan does a wonderful job of tying together three stories together in a very natural way. I rooted for all of these friendships and love stories along the way. I have read many historical fiction novels, but never any that focus on the fashion changes during WWII. I appreciated that fresh perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine Books for the ARC of this book.

OMG, an actual positive, hope-inducing story set during WWII! I never thought I'd read the like.
I started it waiting for the usual river of depressed tears that any story set during WWII usually entails and I'm happy to report that the only tears were a couple shed in happiness. It has the sad parts and underlying threats that accompany any story set in WWII but I love how Ryan focuses instead on the positivity that got so many people through the hard times.
It focuses on three very different women that find themselves at what they see as their lowest points. Cressida has lost her house and company to The Blitz, Violet despairs of ever finding a titled husband, and Grace has buried her personality under the guise of obligations. When they all find themselves brought together by a sowing circle that offers to fix Grace's mother's wedding dress, it opens up possibilities and opportunities that they'd never considered before and leads to true happiness for all.
Truly a great story full of human moments, engaging characters, and fascinating relationships.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the outstanding read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Cressida Westcott, a designer living in London during WWII, is homeless. Her home and her business both destroyed by bombs, she is forced to return to her family's home. She hopes that since her brother has passed away that she will be welcome there.

Grace Carlisle, engaged to be married to a Vicar, finds her mother's wedding dress and is hoping that the local sewing circle can help her repair it

Violet Westcott, is definitely a character that had to grow on me. She was taught that as a woman, she has her place and her only goal is to marry a man with a title. She is thrilled when her Aunt Cressida comes to stay, as she is hopeful that she will no longer be a bored lady of the manor.

Violet brings Cressida to the sewing circle meeting and when Grace shows everyone the dress, they all decide to help work on it so Grace will be able to wear it to her wedding. Along the way, they learn from Cressida and they all begin to know their own worth. They not only mend Graces dress, but others as well. Women send in their dresses to be Mendes, but also to share them with other brides to be, so they will be able to wear white on their wedding day. This is definitely a very touching WWII novel and another hit for Jennifer Ryan! 4⭐

This was a touching fun read. While much of the story was predictable, the way in which the author wrote it made me want not want to put it down. Set in England during WWII, it was, for me, a very different part of the war than other WWII books I’ve read (and I’ve read a number of them.

3.5 stars rounded up! 😇

I love WWII books and this one touched on new topics that I was unaware of during the war, like the shortage of clothing and wedding dresses! It was a shock to learn that is was actually illegal to use parachute silk to make clothing/dresses 😧 I was genuinely interested in all 3 female leads (loved having MPOV) but I did get a bit bored around the 50-60% mark... I think that was just due to the length of the book and some repetitive text. The story ends with each woman having their own happily ever after, so if that’s your thing you will definitely be satisfied by the end of this novel 💗

Side note: It was so fun to read this book and then go sew on my sewing machine!! 🪡 🧵 Made me so appreciative of my sewing machine and what a privilege it is to have nice clothes 🥹

Thank you so much Net Galley & Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine Books) for my gifted e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

When Cressida Westcott is awakened in the middle of the night with explosions and fire all around, she realizes the War has finally come into her life. A famous fashion designer in London, she has mostly continued her life, regardless of WWII raging all over Europe. With Paris shut down, London has become the center of European couture, and Cressida is one of its shining lights. But now both her home and her workshop have been destroyed and she is forced to flee to the country - to a house she left over 20 years ago and a family she doesn't even know.

Her brother is dead and his son, Hugh< has inherited the house and seems bent on continuing all his father's practices, including doing as he will with the village and the grounds. His son is expected to marry an heiress to keep the homestead going, and his daughter, Violet, MUST marry a title, no matter who.

To say the arrival of fashionable, glamourous Cressida upset the balance of the household would be an understatement. In fact, she shakes up the entire town, possibly the county!!

It's a feel-good book. Sometimes you want to shake some of the characters, and the insight into everyday life in England during WWII is informative. But, like a good book does, everything works out in the end.

This was a charming book about three women, WWII in Britain and true love. Yes, it is a light read, but well told. Grace, daughter of the local vicar and childhood friend of Hugh heir to the manor house in their small village, is engaged to marry Lawrence, a vicar with the goal of advancing in the church. Violet, Hugh's sister, has never thought more about the world, who she is or much of anything but fulfilling her deceased father's expectation she marry a man with a title. Hugh, since childhood, was destined to marry Astrid, daughter of a wealthy family. Cressida, renowned fashion designer, is an independent single woman, whose great love died in WWI. She is Hugh and Violet's aunt, but they did not know her because she was estranged from their father. Got that? Cressida's home and studio are destroyed in London bombing and she moves to the manor house, needing her relatives to help her. She meets Grace, who is trying to assess whether there is a way to save her mother's wedding gown. A local sewing circle, a renowned designer and creative collaboration save the gown and start a fast friendship among the women of the sewing circle and, in particular Grace, Violet and Cressida. There's plenty of talk of true love with unexpected turns in each woman's life. Each faces the need to be true to herself and take significant risks. I am a fan of historical fiction, so the information on strict clothing and material rationing and the extremes the government went to to control even the sale of second hand clothing was fascinating. My generation certainly heard of the shortage of stockings, the invention of nylon and that women painted stockings on with a line included for a seam. However, this was more a metaphor for much more drastic shortages of all clothing. Clothing today is often cheap and plentiful with much of it ending up in landfills and rarely recycled. While this story is about finding a way to make wedding dresses available to women to use in wartime, when purchasing them was impossible due to a lack of required coupons for both new and used clothes, it is really a tale of resourcefulness, finding a path to normalcy in very unusual times and bringing something special to people in wartime.

The wedding dress is a magnificent story about a group of women who came together in the worst possible times during the war when all their dreams were stolen away making them believe that they couldn't celebrate the happiest day of their life their wedding.

This is the story of three women whose lives and stories come intertwine by destiny but also for a shared dream and aspiration.

Cressida Wescott lost her home during the war, she lost everything her work, and her most precious things now moving to her niece and nephew's house she is ready to start all over again not really knowing what her new life will entitle she meets a few ladies who had a seeing group and are helping in some way the people of the village to survive.

Violet, used to be so entitled and afraid to live, always under the shadow of her brother and father now she has a new propose since she met her aunt. a bold woman who will help her finally find love and break all her fears away.

Grace, is a beautiful woman who is ready to get married to the wrong man and also at the wrong time. she also meets Cressida a woman who will also change her life and take charge of her decisions.

Hugh is a stubborn man who is only following traditions and laws that are not making him happy and are destroying his dreams and aspiration under the shadows of his terrible dead father.

The wedding dress sewing circle was a great book telling the story of how all these wonderful women started a sewing circle helping other women with their wedding dresses borrowing them to other brides so they could get married with the perfect dress. after a while and after so much success many women across the UK and other areas decided to help and send their own wedding dresses so many others could have a proper dress and wedding during those terrible ww2 times.

it is a book of hope and kindness but what I really love about this book is the sense of sisterhood, company, and friendship all these women had, they all empowered each other never sabotaging or doing anything wrong. I really love the feeling while I was reading I wish more women were like this


Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle in exchange for my honest review.

A historical fiction set during WW2 in a Village outside of London.There are 3 primary characters, Cressida, Grace and Violet. Each Chapter in the book focuses one one of these women.This style of writing . worked extremely well. Cressidais a well known fashion designer who loses her dwelling and business in a bombing and moves back to her " home" .She is the woman who would fix another woman's crown, without telling the world it was crooked. She also is surprised to realize that life is for living not just working. Grace is a "My Fair Lady" character coming into her own. Violet realizes life is not just about being pretty and looking for a titled man to marry. She trains in the Military and does very well there despite initially wanting to go home.The premise of the book is availability of Wedding dresses during wartime. This is extended to address clothing rations in general as well as re making old and worn clothes into new fabrics even using parachutes.
This is a very positive , heartwarming read of a group of women in a sewing circle that will grab your heart. It is about friendships. True friends that help each other, work together and together help other women in the time of war.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Ball engine Books, NetGalley and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle follows three smart, driven women during World War II, as they celebrate love by bringing repaired and renewed wedding dresses to local brides as well as brides throughout England. Cressida is a famous designer evacuated from London due to the bombings, Grace is the town vicar’s daughter, planning her own arranged wedding, and Violet is Cressida’s niece trying to find a proper society husband while doing her war work. Together they bring hope to others for a beautiful dress even with the clothing rations existing during this war. And if they are lucky, Each woman might even find her own chance at love and happiness.

Although touched by some sadness and loss, this historical fiction was full of love and light. It was uplifting, entertaining and spirited. The bond of female friendship shines throughout the pages, keeping me interested and anticipating the ending. Lovely book!