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jeniwarren's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Christmas Dress
By Courtney Cole
A hallmark movie in a book. This was 300+ pages of a hallmark movie.
When hopeful fashionista Meg Julliard must return to her hometown of Chicago to manage her late father’s apartment building, she thinks her dreams of making it in the fashion business are over. Add in her father’s eclectic roster of tenants who all need Meg’s attention (ASAP!), a host of building related disasters, and a handsome handyman she keeps embarrassing herself in front of, and this has all the makings for the worst Christmas she’s ever had.
Ellie Wade, one of the building’s longtime residents, is also not feeling the Christmas Joy this year. She is preparing to move into a nursing home (reluctantly), and is in the process of sorting through her belongings to downsize. Every corner of her apartment holds memories, some good, some bad. But there’s one dress she hesitates to pack up as it represents both the best and worst night of her life.
Ellie and Meg strike up an unlikely friendship and the story of Ellie’s dress comes out. Ellie gifts the gorgeous dress to Meg, hoping that it will bring her more luck, on the condition that she wear it to the building’s Christmas party.
The dress magically fits, and while it eventually leads to the best night of Meg’s life, it also acts as inspiration for Meg to follow a life-long dream of her own, a dream that will help save the crumbling Parkview West, and restore it to its former glory, and keep it as a safe home for all of the current tenants.
The dress and the magic of the holiday season helps both Meg and Ellie find their own happy endings.
It was cute and wholesome-no spice. It was heart warming and gut wrenching. No mystery-you know what’s going to happen. Just a solid hallmark movie
hmcendree's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
asp426's review
3.0
2.5 stars. I think as long as you go into this expecting a cheesy hallmarkesque book you’ll enjoy it. I listened to the audiobook and didn’t love the narrator. Everything wraps up in a nice pretty bow which is not surprising, but very unrealistic. I was hoping this would get me in the Christmas spirit but I think it may have made me more of a grinch
bibliopage's review
5.0
An enchanting Christmas story full of all of the good things a book should be! Loved it!
buttonsandbooks's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I saw this randomly on Amazon, loved the cover and was intrigued. I had to have it. I haven't done that in so long... bought a book because the cover got me, but here it is and it read like a comforting Hallmark Christmas movie. 🎄
When wanna be fashion designer Meg Julliard returns to her hometown of Chicago after her dad passes away, she's desperately trying to figure out how to run the historical apartment building he ran for seniors and assumes her career in fashion is over. Much like her latest relationship. Ellie, one of the longtime Parkview residents, takes Meg under her wing and gifts her the dress that saw both the best and worst night of her life, Meg is struck by the timelessness and magic of the dress. How it can somehow fit her and Ellie perfectly and be appropriate for any and everything. That inspiration encourages her to look into historical preservation of the Parkview AND her dreams of being a designer. Nothing quite like the magic of Christmas and the perfect dress.
This was such a feel good, happily ever after type of read. It perfectly reminded me of Hallmark feel good holiday movies. You just know you're going to get the warm fuzzies at the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When wanna be fashion designer Meg Julliard returns to her hometown of Chicago after her dad passes away, she's desperately trying to figure out how to run the historical apartment building he ran for seniors and assumes her career in fashion is over. Much like her latest relationship. Ellie, one of the longtime Parkview residents, takes Meg under her wing and gifts her the dress that saw both the best and worst night of her life, Meg is struck by the timelessness and magic of the dress. How it can somehow fit her and Ellie perfectly and be appropriate for any and everything. That inspiration encourages her to look into historical preservation of the Parkview AND her dreams of being a designer. Nothing quite like the magic of Christmas and the perfect dress.
This was such a feel good, happily ever after type of read. It perfectly reminded me of Hallmark feel good holiday movies. You just know you're going to get the warm fuzzies at the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
missy_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the touch of magical realism in this book. The main character's dream fulfilled was a satisfying trope for me.
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
4.0
Very sweet story. Definitely all tied up in a neat bow at the end but I enjoyed the wry humor and selfless friendships in the book, as well as the love stories.
saram84's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher from a Goodreads giveaway.
Meghan Julliard has just left her job and her life in New York to move to Chicago. Her father has just passed away and left her an apartment building in his will. When Meg arrives in Chicago she is mourning the death of her father and would rather be anywhere else than home that reminds her of the terrible memories of her childhood. Sylvie, the volunteer that helped her father with the building, doesn’t help much either. The building is old and has not been updated in years and the residents are elderly and need a working elevator, pipes that won’t burst, and working electricity. Meg doesn’t understand how she can help the people in this building when her father had no money left and she has no income. As Meg starts to open herself up to the residents of the building she begins to learn their stories and starts to feel like these residents are her family. When she meets a resident named Ellie she notices a beautiful green dress that Ellie is giving away. Soon Meg thinks she can help the residents of the building in more ways than one and create a beautiful Christmas.
This book starts off on a sad note with the main character losing her father. But there are such sweet and heartwarming moments and even moments that made me chuckle a little. There were happy goosebumps at the end and I read through this book faster than I have read through any book this year. If you are looking for a Christmas Hallmark feel good book please check this one out.
Meghan Julliard has just left her job and her life in New York to move to Chicago. Her father has just passed away and left her an apartment building in his will. When Meg arrives in Chicago she is mourning the death of her father and would rather be anywhere else than home that reminds her of the terrible memories of her childhood. Sylvie, the volunteer that helped her father with the building, doesn’t help much either. The building is old and has not been updated in years and the residents are elderly and need a working elevator, pipes that won’t burst, and working electricity. Meg doesn’t understand how she can help the people in this building when her father had no money left and she has no income. As Meg starts to open herself up to the residents of the building she begins to learn their stories and starts to feel like these residents are her family. When she meets a resident named Ellie she notices a beautiful green dress that Ellie is giving away. Soon Meg thinks she can help the residents of the building in more ways than one and create a beautiful Christmas.
This book starts off on a sad note with the main character losing her father. But there are such sweet and heartwarming moments and even moments that made me chuckle a little. There were happy goosebumps at the end and I read through this book faster than I have read through any book this year. If you are looking for a Christmas Hallmark feel good book please check this one out.
stevienotnicks's review
4.0
O-Em-Gee! This book just checked every single box for what I look for in a holiday romance book. Christmas time themed dates? Check. An impossible task to accomplish? Check. Grand gestures? Check. Meddling, but lovable, supporting characters? Check. A bit of good ol Christmas magic? Check.
Seriously, I finished this in two sittings. I could not put it down.
I found this to be a beautifully written story that focuses on the history of Chicago, one of my favorite cities (I grew up not far from there and have so many childhood memories of it), while weaving a tale of fated love. The majority of the cast were elderly and it was honestly such a joy to see their rich backstories explored. This was as much a romance book and a love story between a girl with a lot of loss finding her place within a new, chosen family.
The humor was on point — Sylvie is probably my favorite comic relief. She is feisty and reminds me a lot of my best friend’s mom! Logan was the perfect leading man. He was handsome (I pictured Henry Cavil the entire time, but I picture him a lot lol) flirty, funny, vulnerable, and emotionally available. There was zero spice in this, but that’s how I often prefer my romance books!
Anyway, if you’re looking for a really wholesome holiday read before the end of the season, check this one out!
Seriously, I finished this in two sittings. I could not put it down.
I found this to be a beautifully written story that focuses on the history of Chicago, one of my favorite cities (I grew up not far from there and have so many childhood memories of it), while weaving a tale of fated love. The majority of the cast were elderly and it was honestly such a joy to see their rich backstories explored. This was as much a romance book and a love story between a girl with a lot of loss finding her place within a new, chosen family.
The humor was on point — Sylvie is probably my favorite comic relief. She is feisty and reminds me a lot of my best friend’s mom! Logan was the perfect leading man. He was handsome (I pictured Henry Cavil the entire time, but I picture him a lot lol) flirty, funny, vulnerable, and emotionally available. There was zero spice in this, but that’s how I often prefer my romance books!
Anyway, if you’re looking for a really wholesome holiday read before the end of the season, check this one out!