In 1924, the lives of three women intersect. Bea and Alice have known one another for years and come to New York from New Orleans to open a dress shop together, but their relationship will change drastically when Catherine Berrill enters the shop to buy a dress, bringing a connection to Bea’s past that will change all of them.
At its best, the book was a heartwarming tale about building connections and family, and about overcoming trauma. Some, I know, will enjoy it for that, and there is a great deal of affection and heart in the book, enough to give it three stars. However, I was on the fence about giving it three stars or two because I also found the book dull and predictable. I was able to figure out a key twist very early on, so it irritated me when Zeldis continued to be coy about what it would be up until it was revealed. I also found the world of the book quite flat. Zeldis put in many details, but they never sprang off the page so much as they lay there like a still-life painting.