The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan a NetGalley review. Cressida Westcott loses everything she has worked in the Blitz in the Second World War. The only place she has to go in here family home she fled years ago. Yet this family home in a small countryside village surprises even her.
This is a new author for me and one I won’t forget, this is a great and poignant read, one of a time that is beyond imaginable but with people like these characters who shows such braveness. The author immediately gets the tone of this book right and the characters feel like she’s writing about real people. This book probably isn’t something I would normally pick but I was drawn to the cover. Whenever I read books based during the world it always gets me thinking about my grandparents and what they went through and makes me regret not asking them more questions, yet who knows if they would have answered them. At the beginning a characters home and work place is bombed, yet the character had resilience and a strength and carried on and started again, brave beyond words. From very early on this book made me feel in awe of these characters and left me quite emotional. There’s a old fashioned elegance about this story of times gone by, of a community coming together, of love and friendships, of people brought together no matter what there background, because of the war. We see each character grow, I fell in love with each character, I wanted them to succeed in whatever they chose to do, I wanted them to fall love and live happily ever after and I wanted them to survive the war. It’s a predictable read but it doesn’t matter because there are parts in the book that had me fingers crossed and hoping for there survival as they are rushed into an air raid shelter. I will be reading more from this author and to be honest I would love to hear more from these characters because it felt like there was more these characters had to say. I will be recommending to family and friends. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

Such a good book! I loved the information about how fashion was managed during World War 2 and how clothing rations were used. There are lots of interesting details, and actual events woven in to the story. The story itself was lovely, full of humour, warmth and feeling. Another winner from Jennifer Ryan.

What a wonderful read, focussing on three very different female characters and how they perceived things and how they evolved as their wartime experiences impacted on their lives. Loved the sharing and camaraderie, thanks so much for being able to review it

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. The characters were likeable, and the focus was on women, the roles others wanted for them, what the women wanted for themselves, and the challenges they faced in achieving them.

The backbone of the story is the challenging shortages of clothes during the war, but it is also about one woman helping other women find their voice, not to follow the path they were put on. As Cressida supports the Sewing Circle with her ideas how to mend dresses, she also gives some women much needed boost in confidence.

The story weaves a wonderful atmosphere of both the place and its people: the circle of women supporting each other and learning resilience and in an enchanting way presents the village community. The story also intertwines fascinating historical facts bringing an aspect of truth to the tale that draws the reader even further in.

Despite the dark side of the war, the warm writing spins a magnificent tale of home-front camaraderie, women coming together and supporting each other, showing that by joining forces you can achieve great things.

Overall, I learned a lot about these women who had a vision and pursued it relentlessly. The excellent characterization made this book special. The author also did significant research on clothing coupons, rationing, and the sharing of wedding dresses during this time in history.

This was a lovely book about a group of women meeting up during the war years to sew and help out their community. A gorgeous wedding dress has been passed down- but once it's unpacked it's clear that it needs some tender loving restoration. The sewing circle comes up with the idea that anyone can borrow the dress for their wedding and the idea just expands so that during strict rationing the countries young brides can have their own fairy tale white wedding.
It was lovely to see friendships growing and their simple idea bringing all classes together to make such magical memories for each other.

Every time I time I hear a story, about how people come together during the war it inspires me so much. The story of Grace, Violet and Cressida three very different women who come together for such a wonderful cause is lovely and glad they all got their happy ending.

I have already read The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan and was looking forward to reading her next book. I wasn't disappointed. I loved all the characters and how from one small village with one wedding dress they could inspire a lending service of dresses. Cressida, Grace and Violet really came alive within the story. Cressida having moved from London after being made homeless with a bombing raid, rekindled her family ties which had loosened over the years, Violet learnt to realise there was more to life than marrying a title and Grace was the glue that kept the story flowing as she blossomed. A lovely book.

This is the story of the Second World War
This is the story of a small village and its attempts to help in as many different ways as possible
This is the story of different women and how they adapt their lives to extraordinary circumstances
And this is the story of trying to keep things normal in the face of terrible conditions.

I loved the characters and how they support each other and make do and mend.

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Three plucky women lift the spirits of home-front brides in wartime Britain, where clothes rationing leaves little opportunity for pomp or celebration—even at weddings—in this heartwarming novel based on true events, from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.

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?

Having read this book I am struggling to see why the book has such a high rating. I really struggled with this book and did consider not finishing the book. To begin with it felt like it was going to be a nice cosy read but I just could not connect with the writing. I do not usually read historical fiction so I am going to choose to believe that this is the reason I did not enjoy this book.

Rating 3/5

As a fan of sewing and historical fiction, I was really keen to read this book. It massively exceeded expectations and I couldn't put it down! I loved every second of it.

During WWII World renowned fashion designer, Cressida Westcott, relocates to Aldhurst Village the small country village that she fled decades ago.

Here she joins the local sewing circle where the vicars daughter Grace is seeking help to repair her mother‘s wedding gown. Before long the group find themselves mending wedding dresses for brides across the country during the difficult wartime rationing.

I love that this novel is based on a true story. It was the first I have read by Jennifer Ryan, and most certainly won’t be the last.

1942, Aldhurst village, England....the war is beginning to take its toll on the citizens of Britain, and the citizens of the small country village of Aldhurst are looking to support their country. Cressida Westcott, daughter of the manor, has made a name for herself as a top fashion couturier in London.....but one night sends her back to her home village. And so the wedding dress circle was created!
This is a brilliantly told story of life, and love, on the home front during the Second World War. A group of village women who came together to help other young women. Warm and engaging characters fill this book, with lives that you really care about.
Based on historical fact, the wedding dress exchange groups did exist during the war ensuring white wedding dresses for as many young people as possible. This is such a heartwarming and enjoyable story! Highly recommended!

Grace is getting married and she has been given her mothers old wedding dress to use – however it is perhaps not in perfect condition, it has perished in parts and the moths have got to the others and perhaps it is not really a true reflection of Grace but is her impending marriage a true reflection either ? Grace knows if she goes to the local village sewing circle she will be able to find some help.

Cressida Westcott is a name everyone knows ibn the fashion world even during the Second World War. But London is not always the safest place to be and when Cressida’s home and studio are completely devastated and all she has is the clothes she stands in, she needs to find some courage to change. Unfortunately that means going back to the family home where she never had a pleasant life.

Violet Wescott is Cressida’s niece and is beside excitement that this famous and infamous aunt has returned to the family home. Violet sees herself as waiting to find the right husband to keep her in the manner to which she wants to be accustomed to. However the country is at war and young unattached single women are called up to service. Violet is about to learn what life is really like.

These three women with different backgrounds, classes, and outlook of life and love are drawn together because of the village sewing circle. Where just as food is rationed, clothes are rationed too. The make do and mend philosophy is living well and the women come together and share their knowledge, their strength and their wedding dresses so that woman can always have that special outfit for their big day even if there is a war on.

At the heart of the novel as with Jennifer Ryan’s other is strong female characters, showing their strength in different ways. However there is so much you learn from her novels that I was totally absorbed in everything as I devoured this book. Even better when you learn something too and I even almost wanted to get my own sewing machine out and have a go at making my own clothes!

If you are fan of historical fiction and perhaps want a different take on what went on at the Home Front then this and pervious novels are the go to books I would recommend.

Another really enjoyable story based on facts by Jennifer Ryan. My mother trained as a dressmaker in the 1930s and I can now see where she learned how to transform clothes in the 1950s. I had never heard of the competition for utilitarian clothes and was fascinated. Beautiful characters, all with something to contribute to the story.

When the bombs over London destroyed the home of one lady, it made her return home to the village where she grew up. What happens there brings everyone together and you need to read this book to find out what happens. I really enjoyed this and am giving it 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

A lovely read. Wonderful characters. i am new to the author but will definitely keep an eye out for more from her.

In a Nutshell: Quite unlike any WWII fiction I have read. Never knew the fashion industry had such a role to play during the war. Lovely characters, good old-fashioned story-telling. Feels like a romance than a war story.

Story:
1942, Aldhurst Village, England.
Grace Carlisle, the vicar’s daughter. Engaged to a navy chaplain many years her senior. Believes it is her bounden duty to be a dutiful wife and serve the parish where her husband serves.
Hugh Westcott, Grace’s childhood friend and now Lord of the local manor. Holds a high position in the war office. Believes it is his bounden duty to follow his late father’s instructions and do his best to carry the title ahead.
Violet Westcott, Hugh’s younger sister. Interested only in finding a rich titled husband so that she can fulfil her end of the family tradition.
Cressida Westcott, Hugh and Violet’s aunt. Owner of successful design house in London and believes that nothing will take her back to her brother’s house again.
After a round of intense bombing in London destroys Cressida’s home and design house. She has no choice but to return to Aldhurst to her late brother’s house. This sets off a chain of events that changes the lives of the above characters forever. Along the way, you will meet some gutsy characters and encounter some brilliant ideas of how wedding dresses were made/shared/reused.
The story comes to us in the third person perspectives of the three leading ladies.

I must confess, I was on a self-imposed break from WWII fiction because the genre had begun saturating me. But after seeing many wonderful reviews for this book from friends here, I succumbed to the temptation and requested a copy from NetGalley. So glad I did so or else I would have missed out on this wonderful story!

Where the book worked for me:
❤ Well, it didn’t follow the typical format of recent WWII fiction: no dual timelines, no first person narratives, no single-minded focus on dreary war-related topics such as survival or death (these are included but the narrative doesn’t limit itself to these). I enjoyed the fresh content within the familiar topic.
❤ I liked the main characters. Violet, Grace and Cressida are very interesting and their arcs allow them to experience a range of emotions. (Some part of their character transition is a bit unbelievable but I liked the change.) A couple of the male characters aren’t far behind, unlike most other historical women’s fiction. Hugh and Landon have a great role to play and are carved well enough for you to know them and their thinking.
❤ The whole writing had such an old-worldly charm to it. Nothing OTT. Good characters facing tough situations and learning to change with the changing situations. It is a survival story in many ways, but not in the typical way.
❤ While I had read about coupons and clothes rationing in England during the war, I had assumed that the fashion houses would have been closed either due to shortage of material or because of the war circumstances. Reading about how these houses operated with the limited resources available was an enlightening experience. Ditto for the titular ‘Wedding Dress Sewing Circle’ which bonds all the characters together. The author’s research is evident.
❤ The author’s note was nice to read and it reveals the extent to which a part of the story is based on facts.

Where the book could have worked better for me:
💔 It is somewhat clichéd despite the novel topics it contains. There is no suspense, no character conflict. Almost everything is guessable. All character behaviour is predictable. The romances are easy to figure out the minute the character steps on the page. I don’t mind straightforward storytelling but maybe this was a bit too much so.
💔 In many ways, it hardly feels like a WWII story except for the mention of certain ideas as rationing and the blitz.


Despite the few reservations I had with the simplistic storytelling, I mostly enjoyed the story. It is a feel-good kind of read and if you read it without over-analysing it or expecting something earth-shattering, you will have a wonderful experience. Recommended to historical war fiction fans who aren’t looking for a grim read.

4 stars.

My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Another remarkable wartime read from a favourite author!

When Grace Carlisle’s mother died young, Grace stepped up to take her place not only in the home, but also in her father’s parish where she spends her days helping out anyone and everyone in need. With her wedding day looming and new rules about clothing, her only hope of being married in white is to wear her mother’s wedding dress, but there has been considerable moth damage; will it be possible to renovate the frock in time? At the local ‘big house’, Cressida Westcott has returned to live, temporarily, with her niece and nephew after her home and business were bombed in the Blitz. Cressida, not used to sitting on her laurels, soon becomes involved in village life and she has more skills to offer than just being a lady of the manor . . .

As with the author’s other novels, this is a delight from beginning to end. I always enjoy reading the acknowledgements and the amount of research carried out is quite mind boggling! It shows in all the little details throughout – like women in the village being referred to as ‘Mrs’ or ‘Miss’; when we were children we wouldn’t have ever considered calling a neighbour or friend of our parents by their Christian name. Also shining through is the determination of everyone to pull together during the war and it’s easily seen how it was the beginning of the end of the so-called ‘class war’. Everything about this one was a sheer delight and I revelled in it. Of course, Grace and Cressida’s stories were so very different but equally enthralling. Beautifully written and so very entertaining, this is easily a five star read and I recommend it to all lovers of a rather good tale!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

Thank you to #NetGalley for my advance copy of #TheWeddingDressCircle by #JenniferRyan

Grace is the perfect vicars daughter since her mothers death, filling the role of assisting the vicar and helping the villagers
But who looks after Grace as World War Two. Rages around them the women of the village come together to support each other and help the war effort in their own way.
Loosely based on a true happenings this little book is a treasure.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️