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danimat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Amazingly well written. Strong female lead with a great partner. Combines history, fashion, love story, and life's challenges seamlessly.
sayfarah's review against another edition
2.0
Based on the blurb provided, I was expecting this book to be something different than what it was. I really wanted to like this book but found the first half to be slow and boring. There were way too many characters to keep track of and I did not care for the two main characters. The book picked up slightly in the middle, but nothing quite happened in the book. It just went jumped from month to month explaining a few events, and continued as the years passed. I found myself skimming pages at a time, especially those dedicated to accounting or society. However, the fashion descriptions in the book were detailed and lovely, really evoking just how exquisite "Lucille" gowns were.
gracehansen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A fascinating story about an early female entrepreneur! This book made me want to start my own business!
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fascinating story! I had never heard of Lucile Wallace or her designs but I love Edwardian stories especially with the Titanic and I was eager to learn more about her and to look up her life and designs online.
I really loved the relationships of the women, this book jumps from Lucy’s POV to her assistant Celia’s. You are able to see the up and downstairs look into the overwhelming process of making clothes! I have a new appreciation for seeing pictures of old gowns because its the product of hundreds of hours, blood, sweat and tears.
I really loved the relationships of the women, this book jumps from Lucy’s POV to her assistant Celia’s. You are able to see the up and downstairs look into the overwhelming process of making clothes! I have a new appreciation for seeing pictures of old gowns because its the product of hundreds of hours, blood, sweat and tears.
gemini110460's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
janbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one. Though I almost stopped reading as a couple times got slow for me. How many different ways can you describe a dress after all? But glad I kept going. It was especially fun to do a bit of research after finishing about Lucy. I do enjoy stories about strong women in that time period, who stepped up and were successful in a mans world.
joabroda's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
Historical Fiction set in the late 1800’s early 1900’'s about Lucy Duff Gordan, famed dress designer and innovator in the fashion world.
To say that Duff Gordon blazed the trail would be putting things mildly. The story is good, and the protagonist being a strong women did not hurt the chances of my liking it. The tale begins when Lucy divorces her first alcoholic/gambling husband and is in need of way of supporting herself and her daughter. She begins designing dresses for rich women she has come to know through her sister and becomes the go-to couture.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending being so abrupt, I would have preferred the author carried the story to it's final end. Arlen admits to embellishing here and there on the true story, but her facts are correct and so it appears her research was solid.
A decent book to while the spring time days away with-
To say that Duff Gordon blazed the trail would be putting things mildly. The story is good, and the protagonist being a strong women did not hurt the chances of my liking it. The tale begins when Lucy divorces her first alcoholic/gambling husband and is in need of way of supporting herself and her daughter. She begins designing dresses for rich women she has come to know through her sister and becomes the go-to couture.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending being so abrupt, I would have preferred the author carried the story to it's final end. Arlen admits to embellishing here and there on the true story, but her facts are correct and so it appears her research was solid.
A decent book to while the spring time days away with-
shankl's review against another edition
3.0
A Dress of Violet Taffeta is an enjoyable historical fiction novel based a true fashion icon. This is my favorite genre and I LOVE fashion - this was the perfect mashing together two things I enjoy. The book started rather slow, but picked up midway especially when discussions of the titanic were brought forward.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the advance reader copy.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the advance reader copy.
thatbookishgal's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I had a hard time getting through the book. Most likely because it was not what I was expecting AT ALL. Near the end the Titanic name drop happened and I though the story was about to take a turn and get a little dark but it didn't and , honestly, I kinda wish it did. It would've spiced up the book a bit . I hadn't realized that the book was based on the real life of a famous fashion designer. The pacing of the story definitely makes sense now.