Scan barcode
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
At a time of year when there's sooo many holiday reads to choose from this book was everything I wanted and MORE! Full of a host of charming and quirky characters, a swoony male lead, a seemingly hopeless problem and a last minute Christmas miracle all without being too over the top or cheesy.
When Meg's father dies unexpectedly leaving her his Chicago building and the responsibility for all its tenants she quits her job in NYC at a fashion magazine and comes back home only to find the building practically falling apart. With the help of the residents and the heart of gold handsome handyman Logan, Meg manages to keep things together long enough to compete in a fashion competition that has a $300,000 grand prize.
What I loved:
That a beautiful vintage dress is at the heart of this story, inspiring Meg's fashion designs and reuniting two old lovers.
The history of the building and supposed ties to Al Capone and a hidden speak easy
The Devil wears Prada evil boss vibes
The big-hearted characters who all band together for a good cause
This was also REALLY great on audio narrated by Bailey Carr (who voices Pip in the Good girls guide to murder books). Highly recommended if you want a beautiful Hallmark movie style feel good holiday read!
When Meg's father dies unexpectedly leaving her his Chicago building and the responsibility for all its tenants she quits her job in NYC at a fashion magazine and comes back home only to find the building practically falling apart. With the help of the residents and the heart of gold handsome handyman Logan, Meg manages to keep things together long enough to compete in a fashion competition that has a $300,000 grand prize.
What I loved:
That a beautiful vintage dress is at the heart of this story, inspiring Meg's fashion designs and reuniting two old lovers.
The history of the building and supposed ties to Al Capone and a hidden speak easy
The Devil wears Prada evil boss vibes
The big-hearted characters who all band together for a good cause
This was also REALLY great on audio narrated by Bailey Carr (who voices Pip in the Good girls guide to murder books). Highly recommended if you want a beautiful Hallmark movie style feel good holiday read!
sanja_knez's review
4.0
3.5 stars… the perfect cheesy hallmark story for the holidays. Predictable but I appreciate that about a lighthearted read.
helloashley's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
chapstick123's review
5.0
Such a cute story! Definitely the cozy Hallmark vibe I wanted for the season
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
A magical dress that fits everyone, and that still looks great decades later. More women's fiction than romance.
Meg inherits a building that is crumbling. People are upset when she does show up, cos hello, things to fix. But Meg is the sweetest, nicest person ever ( I would just have sold that money pit at once.) She tries to help, to fix, and to figure out what to do with her life.
She is also very self sacrificing. She meets this great guy, but is ready to give him up because she thinks she knows best (she does not). She broke up with someone (he was not for her), and she seems very cool with her best friend seconds later asking if she can date him. Wait until the body is cold. That feels like a really strange friendship.
But yes Meg is really nice, she would be the best friend anyone could have.
A little sidestory about the dress and its previous owner, Ellie is in here too.
But is mostly about saving this building, falling for someone (not a romance book though.) And meeting a new family.
A nice little Christmas book.
Good narration, and good voices for the whole cast.
Meg inherits a building that is crumbling. People are upset when she does show up, cos hello, things to fix. But Meg is the sweetest, nicest person ever ( I would just have sold that money pit at once.) She tries to help, to fix, and to figure out what to do with her life.
She is also very self sacrificing. She meets this great guy, but is ready to give him up because she thinks she knows best (she does not). She broke up with someone (he was not for her), and she seems very cool with her best friend seconds later asking if she can date him. Wait until the body is cold. That feels like a really strange friendship.
But yes Meg is really nice, she would be the best friend anyone could have.
A little sidestory about the dress and its previous owner, Ellie is in here too.
But is mostly about saving this building, falling for someone (not a romance book though.) And meeting a new family.
A nice little Christmas book.
Good narration, and good voices for the whole cast.
debyik's review
4.0
A heartwarming Christmas story about loss, love, and finding your strength to keep going. A found family troupe that includes history and fashion, so fun with a tissue or two tossed in. The characters were so well written and you just fall in love with them all. Definitely on my list to reread again next Christmas.
christinavarela's review
3.0
A good amount of Christmas in Chicago. Makes me want this very dress. Loved the story of the building. I knew that Frankie and Eli would be reunited somehow. Felt a little long at the end.
agarrett77's review
3.0
Sweet and feel good. Basically like reading a Hallmark movie. Nice for a Christmas read.