The Dressmaker's Secret || Book Review

My Review

Recommended for 16+ 🧵🪡|| Content Meter: 4/5 🧵🪡|| Quality Meter: 9/10 🧵🪡|| Personal Enjoyment: 8 🧵🪡|| Overall: 8/10 🧵🪡

The Story

This is the second time I've read this book. Frankly, I am in a better place to be reading this book. The first time was too soon and I didn't appreciate it. But this time...I adore it. Alice is a dear and I deeply identify with her. Claire too, but in an out of context way 🤣 Nettie is by far my favorite character and I would love a whole book about her 🥰 Ivy is a dear and the whole story is one big Victorian hug. 🧵🪡

I'll sandwich my complaints between the praise, I've only two. The part about the War Between the States didn't fit, it felt completely random (Also, I listened to part of the audio book and y'all, southerners don't sound like that 🙄). The second issue is that most of the time, I just thought I was in turn of the century New York rather than Victorian England, but that may just be me. 🧵🪡

It's deep and uncomfortable but in a way people need to be made uncomfortable. Prejudging people is not okay. It just isn't. And even if the person is in the wrong, you will never help them see it if you cast them out. I firmly believe that. Jesus didn't refuse to speak to those who rejected Him and neither should we. I am very much looking forward to binging the rest of the series! 🧵🪡

The Aesthetic

This book is a book that makes me want to grab a cup of tea; fabric, thread, old sewing machines; tea, finger sandwiches and tea cakes; lace, pearls and ponies; handkerchiefs, kittens and school books; Dickens, shop girls and butlers🧵🪡

The Writing

I’ve said it before, Kelly’s is a talented author. I’ve never seen someone craft a story on such a taboo topic with such grace and honesty, balanced with struggle, realistic conflict and grounded truth. I can honestly say, this is a book I would gladly recommend to my friends.🧵🪡

The Vibe

This book gives a vibe of desperation, perseverance, love, agony, betrayal and fulfillment. It’s moody with the rainy London backdrop and cheery with the visits out of the city. It’s a reminder that olden days weren’t perfect, yes, far from it. There is darkness…but also Light…🧵🪡

The Content

Insinuations of immorality happening in the past, but no details; mentions/assumptions of assault; mention (vague) of how babies are made; mention of running away; verbally/emotionally abusive father; SPOILER: forced annulment and the man remarried while first wife is living, but the situation is resolved in a biblical manner.🧵🪡

Have you read this book? If so, did you enjoy it? If not, would you? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below!