The Dressmakers of London, 9781668032725
Paperback
Sisters, secrets, and stitches: wartime London reveals family’s hidden threads.
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The Dressmakers of London

$31.99

  • Paperback

    432 pages

  • Release Date

    15 July 2025

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Summary

The Dressmakers of London: Sisters, Secrets, and Seams of War

The author of the “enthralling” (Woman’s World) The Lost English Girl returns with a heartfelt new novel about estranged sisters who inherit their late mother’s dress shop in World War II London.

Isabelle Shelton has always found comfort in the predictable world of her mother’s dressmaking shop, Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions, while her sister Sylvia turned her back on the family years ago to marry a wea…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781668032725
ISBN-10:1668032724
Author:Julia Kelly
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Imprint:Gallery
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:432
Release Date:15 July 2025
Weight:322g
Dimensions:210mm x 135mm x 25mm
What They're Saying

Critics Review

“Sensitively explores the emotional journey of two sisters…a poignant narrative that will resonate with readers…[and] offers a fascinating glimpse into women’s lives during WWII…Highly recommended to fans of Jennifer Ryan’s books.” –Historical Novels Review “The Dressmakers of London should come with a warning. You will become so immersed in the lives of the characters, their dilemmas and their relationships, that you just might ignore the world around you as you keep reading to see how the sisters will ever come together again. Watching the journey is truly a lovely experience.” —Bookreporter“An uplifting WWII story about familial struggles, societal standards, and forgiveness … Kelly portrays friendships built, sisterhoods solidified, and new, deserving love stories formed. Women’s strength in the face of adversity is the focus of this fine historical novel.” —Booklist “A captivating, uplifting story of family, fashion, and friendship during World War Two. Izzie and Sylvia are strong, resourceful sisters who have become estranged and I was rooting for them to heal the rift. The descriptions of fabrics, dressmaking techniques, and the ingenuity of fashion designers operating under wartime austerity measures are fascinating. Joyful!” —Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author of Scandalous Women“I adore Kelly’s smart, thoughtful historical novels about women finding their way … So good – sensitive and compelling and full of fabulous WWII fashion details.” —Cakes, Tea and Dreams “I was gripped by this captivating novel about two estranged sisters in WW2. The characters leapt into life, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to them…It was both fascinating and entrancing. A real page-turner.” —Maggie Brookes, author of The Prisoner’s Wife and Acts of Love and War “I absolutely adored this book and its rich cast of characters. The sisters are wonderful and their stories utterly absorbing, but what really wove a spell was the meticulous research…the result is a novel that is so authentic and powerful I felt like I could open the door to Mrs.Shelton’s Fashions and step back in time. This is historical fiction at its finest!” —Kate Thompson, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Little Wartime Library“Fascinating…While there are plenty of WWII novels out there, this one takes a different approach. I couldn’t put this down.” —Fresh Fiction “An intricate narrative about sisterhood, wartime, and the complications of family secrets … . While the dresses will be a treat for fashion lovers, the heart of the novel is its sensitive exploration of the tangled relationship between the sisters and the fresh beginnings that lie ahead for them both.” —Shelf Awareness

About The Author

Julia Kelly

Julia Kelly is the award-winning author of emotional historical novels about ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances and thrilling historical whodunnit mysteries. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London with her husband. Readers can learn more about all her books and sign up for her newsletter so they never miss a new release.

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