By: Julia Kelly
Narrator: Shiromi Arserio
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9781668032725
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: 02/18/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
The author of the “enthralling” (Woman’s World) The Lost English Girl returns with a heartfelt new novel about estranged sisters who inherit their late mother’s dress shop in World War II London.
Isabelle Shelton has always found comfort in the predictable world of her mother’s dressmaking shop, Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions, while her sister Sylvia turned her back on the family years ago to marry a wealthy doctor whom Izzie detests. When their mother dies unexpectedly, the sisters are stunned to find they’ve jointly inherited the family business. Izzie is determined to buy Sylvia out, but when she’s conscripted into the WAAF, she’s forced to seek Sylvia’s help to keep the shop open. Realizing this could be her one chance at reconciliation with her sister, Sylvia is determined to save Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions from closure—and financial ruin.
Through letters, the sisters begin to confront old wounds, new loves, and the weight of family legacy in order to forge new beginnings in this lyrically moving novel perfect for fans of Genevieve Graham and Lucinda Riley.
My Review
Julia Kelly (favorite author) returns following The Lost English Girl with THE DRESSMAKERS OF LONDON —a heartfelt, moving novel of two estranged sisters who inherit their late mother’s dressmaking shop in London during WWII.
Little do they know, this inheritance will lead them on a journey of discovery, love, and forgiveness, with lots of unexpected twists and turns.
About...
The 1940s, Great Britain, and Izzie, enjoys the backroom of her mother's dressmaking shop. After her father's tragic accident, her mother purchased the shop to support herself and the girls.
Sylvia left their mom and sister to marry a wealthy and sophisticated man. When the mom dies, Izzie is upset to discover her mom left the shop to both the girls.
This stirs up old resentments and hurt feelings, but it also reignites the unbreakable bond between the two sisters as they begin writing letters to one another.
Then the conscription forces Izzie to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service in another part of the country. In a testament to their resilience, Sylvia steps up to save the shop from ruin.
My thoughts...
THE DRESSMAKERS OF LONDON is a beautifully written story of two sisters during the war and all its many restrictions during this era. The letters between the two sisters allowed readers to hear their innermost thoughts.
Meticulously researched, Kelly does an outstanding job portraying the era and the familial struggles in the face of adversity.
A compelling, captivating, and fascinating story of fashion, family, love, forgiveness, sisterhood, and friendship with all things dressmaking and fashion.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Author's Note regarding the clothing rationing during WWII and its effect on women. The Clothes Rationing Order went into effect on June 1, 1941. From restrictions, rationing, and coupons. In 1942 the rules changed again with the introduction of the Board of Trade's Civilian Clothing Order, or CC41. This order not only imposed further restrictions on clothing design but also influenced the characters' lives and the plot of the novel.
Recs...
For fans of the author and those who enjoy stories of sisters, family, WWII and historical fiction.
Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rationg: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 18, 2025
Praise
“An uplifting WWII story about familial struggles, societal standards, and forgiveness . . . Kelly portrays friendships built, sisterhoods solidified, and new, deserving love stories formed. Women's strength in the face of adversity is the focus of this fine historical novel.”
—Booklist
About the Author
Julia Kelly is the international bestselling author of emotional historical fiction about extraordinary women and thrilling historical whodunnit mystery novels. Her books have been translated into 13 languages. She has also written historical romance. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London with her husband.
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