Customer Reviews
You’ll enjoy this if you like historical fiction
I really enjoyed this book! If you appreciate historical fiction, this one's a great pick.
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Really good!
I'm really happy with my purchase! It was shipped out quickly, and the product is well-made. I appreciate Hawkins Woodshop's attention to detail and quality. Overall, a great experience!
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Great book!
I really enjoyed this book! It's a great read that kept me hooked from start to finish.
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Quick Shipping!
It showed up in less than a day and was in perfect shape. The person I gave it to was pleased!
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A Gentle WWII Story with Heart
I like to think of this as a "gentle WWII book" since it touches on the war without going too deep into the gloom. It's all about a group of women coming together to restore old wedding gowns (and even a Nazi parachute—shhh!). They started off sewing and organizing events to help their community. One woman, Grace, finds her late mother’s ratty dress and brings it for help. What I loved most was watching the characters evolve. Grace, who took on her mom’s responsibilities after she passed, is engaged to a pretty dull guy who wants everything perfect. He even thinks a honeymoon at a museum is exciting! But thanks to the sewing circle, Grace starts to rediscover her fun side and even finds a talent for designing clothes, with some help from Cressida. Cressida, a top designer, had to leave London after losing everything in a bombing. Now back at her childhood home, she steps out of her brother's shadow and becomes more involved with the sewing circle, realizing how much she missed friendships. Violet, a wealthy young woman, is all about marrying a duke. When she joins the war and has to deal with lower-class women, it’s a real shock for her. After her hair gets cut off, she discovers she’s actually good at being a mechanic, which shifts her perspective. All the side characters add to the charm, and I often pick this book up when I need a little lift. It leaves me smiling every time. The character growth is so well done—it feels natural. I don’t want to spoil it, but this book is worth keeping. I wish I could give it even more stars!
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Great read for historical fiction fans!
I really enjoyed this book. If you're into historical fiction, it's worth picking up.
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A Heartwarming Story of Change
I call this a "gentle WWII book" because it touches on war but doesn't dwell on it. It’s about a group of women who get together to repair wedding dresses for war brides, and even some old Nazi parachutes. They start by sewing and organizing jumble sales and meals for the elderly. One member, Grace, finds her late mom's wedding dress and seeks help from the group. Each woman in the story goes through her own changes, which is the best part. Grace learns to embrace her fun side again with help from the other women. Cressida, a former top designer, sheds her past and discovers friendship, while Violet, a wealthy girl aiming to marry a duke, learns some real lessons in life. This book always lifts my spirits. The characters evolve naturally, and you’ll root for them. It’s definitely a keeper and I highly recommend it!
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Great purchase!
I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly my order arrived from Hawkins Woodshop. The item is exactly what I was looking for and pretty easy to put together. I'm really happy with my purchase!
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A delightful read!
I absolutely loved this book! Jennifer Ryan has quickly become one of my favorite authors, even though I'm not usually into WWII historical fiction like many others. I can't wait for her next release because she's such a storyteller, focusing on women during a time that often highlights the bravery of men. Her writing is fun and light, filled with quirky characters and charming settings. This story reminded me most of Ryan's The Kitchen Front, which is my top pick from her. Instead of food rationing, the ladies in this book are dealing with clothing and fabric! I never thought about fabric rationing until I read this, and it's such an intriguing topic. The friendships in the Sewing Circle flourish beautifully, and the villagers are just wonderful. While there's a war in the background, it never takes over the story. This book warmed my heart, just like all of Ms. Ryan's works do.
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