The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan – Audio  

ARC from PRH Audio for an honest review

Book Blurb:

After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both her home and her design house in the London Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago. Praying that her niece and nephew will be more hospitable than her brother had been, she arrives with nothing but the clothes she stands in, at a loss as to how to rebuild her business while staying in a quaint country village.
Her niece, Violet Westcott, is thrilled that her famous aunt is coming to stay—the village has been interminably dull with all the men off fighting. But just as Cressida arrives, so does Violet’s conscription letter. It couldn’t have come at a worse time; how will she ever find a suitably aristocratic husband if she has to spend her days wearing a frumpy uniform and doing war work? Meanwhile, the local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, is trying in vain to repair her mother’s gown, her only chance of a white wedding. When Cressida Westcott appears at the local Sewing Circle meeting, Grace asks for her help—but Cressida has much more to teach the ladies than just simple sewing skills.
Before long, Cressida’s spirit and ambition galvanizes the village group into action, and they find themselves mending wedding dresses not only for local brides, but for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might even manage to find it for themselves.

My Review: 4 stars

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The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan is one of those stories that shares hope and light in an otherwise dark and sad time during World War Two. Jennifer Ryan has done much research in to this time period when the British government created and passed a clothes rationing system and a Make Do and Mend program. Honestly, her author’s note is so informative and interesting…do not skip it, it’s fascinating. 

The story follows three women: Grace, Cressida, and Violet, who were geographically or familially estranged until circumstances during the war bring them together in a small, idyllic country town. Attending their weekly sewing nights becomes a favorite activity where they share advice, banter, and form deep friendships.

The book has a bit of romance, heartbreak, new beginnings and sad endings, but it is the joy of doing something for others that makes these characters fuller and richer in heart and mind. This is an easy read and a quiet read. Although it takes place during wartime, the author allowed the rays of happiness in these villagers’ lives to be the highlight of the story. Great escape from our current woes here in the US. 

Quotes I liked:

It’s the small kindnesses that make devastation bearable.”