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Much "I Do" About Nothing #1
Dictatorship of the Dress
As the dress-bearer for her mother’s wedding, comic book artist Laney Hudson has a lot more baggage than the bulky garment bag she’s lugging from New York to Hawaii. Laney is determined to prove she’s capable of doing something right, but running chores for her mom’s fairytale nuptials is proving to be a painfully constant reminder of her own lost love.
So when she’s mistaken for the bride and bumped up to first class, Laney figures some stress-free luxury is worth a harmless white lie. Until the flight crew thinks that the man sitting next to her is Laney’s groom, and her little fib turns into a hot mess.
The last thing Noah Ridgewood needs is some dress-obsessed diva landing in his first-class row. En route to his Vegas bachelor party, the straight-laced software designer knows his cold feet have nothing to do with the winter weather.
When a severe storm leaves them grounded in Chicago and they find themselves booked into the last available honeymoon suite, Laney and her in-flight neighbor have little choice but to get better acquainted. Now, as her bridal mission hangs in the balance, perhaps the thing Laney gets right is a second chance at love.
So when she’s mistaken for the bride and bumped up to first class, Laney figures some stress-free luxury is worth a harmless white lie. Until the flight crew thinks that the man sitting next to her is Laney’s groom, and her little fib turns into a hot mess.
The last thing Noah Ridgewood needs is some dress-obsessed diva landing in his first-class row. En route to his Vegas bachelor party, the straight-laced software designer knows his cold feet have nothing to do with the winter weather.
When a severe storm leaves them grounded in Chicago and they find themselves booked into the last available honeymoon suite, Laney and her in-flight neighbor have little choice but to get better acquainted. Now, as her bridal mission hangs in the balance, perhaps the thing Laney gets right is a second chance at love.
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
11 people are currently reading
1609 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Topper
14 books278 followersRock. Write. Repeat.
Jessica Topper broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.
After working almost two decades in the music industry, Jessica hung up her touring boots in order to concentrate on her writing. She lives in Western New York with two cats who love to walk across her keyboard, a teenage writer girl and a husband who wishes to remain anonymous. You can visit her at www.jessicatopper.com.
Jessica is the author of two series:
LOVE & STEEL
(Louder Than Love, Deeper Than Dreams, Softer Than Steel – NEW EDITIONS COMING SOON)
MUCH “I DO” ABOUT NOTHING
(Dictatorship of the Dress – January 2015, Courtship of the Cake – June 2015) from Berkley/Penguin RandomHouse.
Jessica Topper broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.
After working almost two decades in the music industry, Jessica hung up her touring boots in order to concentrate on her writing. She lives in Western New York with two cats who love to walk across her keyboard, a teenage writer girl and a husband who wishes to remain anonymous. You can visit her at www.jessicatopper.com.
Jessica is the author of two series:
LOVE & STEEL
(Louder Than Love, Deeper Than Dreams, Softer Than Steel – NEW EDITIONS COMING SOON)
MUCH “I DO” ABOUT NOTHING
(Dictatorship of the Dress – January 2015, Courtship of the Cake – June 2015) from Berkley/Penguin RandomHouse.
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May 14, 2015
4 stars. Review posted December 8, 2014
"Oh, am I supposed to get down on my knees and thank you? If you're looking for some alcohol-infused camaraderie or sleazy movie fantasy hookup out of this, you are sadly barking up the wrong tree."
Having been inspired by the story, here is my own short summary:
Hello, Tech-Boy!
Come out of your self-inflicted sensory-overloaded bubble
Tear out all the crazy wires, unplug your adapters
My Magic 8 Ball will lead the way to a grand adventure
And show you there's more to all of it than apps and net profits
Don't you crave the sensation of not being
Strapped down to your computer and fiancée?
Hello, Laney!
I've never met a Superpower Cartoon Girl before
Who's disguised as a dress bearer
I'm wondering what's hiding behind that
Caustic and prickly exterior?
I want to cheer you up
Flash me your thousand-watt smile again
You amaze and intrigue me all at once
Let me see the candy girl
The Incredible Hulk Pez dispenser
Is ready to crack me up
I've always believed in strategy
And product placement
But for you, I'm willing to reconsider my game plan
Maybe it's time to start believing in good-luck charms
And being in the right place at the right time
Let's start believing in fate together, shall we?
I have this strange urge to burst through the
Pages of your comic sketches and be your superhero
I'll protect you, I want to see you laugh
And brush away the pain
Though I'm afraid of my own reality
It's crushing me, smothering me
What will people think of me?
I don't know what to do
A sea of pigeons will be our epiphany
Let me taste cherry Pez again
I can't get enough because it's genuine, it's you
You are my truth and my future
Never lose your dreams, Laney
Because truth feels like home
Never fear, I don't plan on losing you
After all, I just found you
And home is in the heart
You have found it
In me and with me
After reading and loving Louder Than Love, I was very excited to tackle Dictatorship of the Dress. Told from alternating POVs, the story allows readers to get into both main protagonists' minds. The author also did a great and sensitive job at delving into Laney's painful past. Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but in this case it was really needed and well done. Besides, the reader must know about Laney's background in order to understand and empathize with her.
Love is wanting the best for someone, even if it makes you feel fucking awful.
The story started off with some caustic dialogue which was right up my alley. Fact was, the prickly heroine was definitely to my liking and, while I did like Noah, he couldn't give Adrian a run for his money. Simply put, he didn't manage to come only remotely close to Adrian's charisma. More importantly, I thought the story was carried strongly by the baggage-laden (pun intended) Laney and, surprisingly, I fell hard for a great yet character, Laney's A friendly heads-up: keep some tissues at the ready, you might need them.
As hoped for, the writing was excellent and the plot, that mainly took place within 48 hours, was refreshingly profound but I wouldn't have expected anything less from this author. I loved the Naughty Sleepover Q&A, the (single) smexy scene and, of course, the meaningful lyrics of All You Had to Do. Overall, the story had a rather extensive comedic feel to it with a healthy dose of pain and sadness as well as a lovely romance (I mean romance not sex). I can reassure readers who are wary of possible cheating, there is none.
Minor quibble
I know I sound like a broken record but I’m allergic to giggling. I’ll forgive Laney for doing it while being tipsy but otherwise I can’t be so compliant. Anyway, she didn’t giggle all the time, there is that.
Bottom line, Dictatorship of the Dress is both funny and serious in equal measures and provides very good entertainment from start to finish. It's a story about a love lost and a new love found in a rather unexpected way and place. In consequence, I'm looking forward to reading Courtship of the Cake and anything else written by the wonderful Jessica Topper. It goes without saying that I'm particularly excited to read Softer Than Steel.
Recommended read.
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy.
**ARC courtesy of Berkley in exchange for an honest review**
P.S. Dictatorship of the Dress can be read as a standalone. There is NO cliffhanger.
"Oh, am I supposed to get down on my knees and thank you? If you're looking for some alcohol-infused camaraderie or sleazy movie fantasy hookup out of this, you are sadly barking up the wrong tree."
Having been inspired by the story, here is my own short summary:
Hello, Tech-Boy!
Come out of your self-inflicted sensory-overloaded bubble
Tear out all the crazy wires, unplug your adapters
My Magic 8 Ball will lead the way to a grand adventure
And show you there's more to all of it than apps and net profits
Don't you crave the sensation of not being
Strapped down to your computer and fiancée?
Hello, Laney!
I've never met a Superpower Cartoon Girl before
Who's disguised as a dress bearer
I'm wondering what's hiding behind that
Caustic and prickly exterior?
I want to cheer you up
Flash me your thousand-watt smile again
You amaze and intrigue me all at once
Let me see the candy girl
The Incredible Hulk Pez dispenser
Is ready to crack me up
I've always believed in strategy
And product placement
But for you, I'm willing to reconsider my game plan
Maybe it's time to start believing in good-luck charms
And being in the right place at the right time
Let's start believing in fate together, shall we?
I have this strange urge to burst through the
Pages of your comic sketches and be your superhero
I'll protect you, I want to see you laugh
And brush away the pain
Though I'm afraid of my own reality
It's crushing me, smothering me
What will people think of me?
I don't know what to do
A sea of pigeons will be our epiphany
Let me taste cherry Pez again
I can't get enough because it's genuine, it's you
You are my truth and my future
Never lose your dreams, Laney
Because truth feels like home
Never fear, I don't plan on losing you
After all, I just found you
And home is in the heart
You have found it
In me and with me
After reading and loving Louder Than Love, I was very excited to tackle Dictatorship of the Dress. Told from alternating POVs, the story allows readers to get into both main protagonists' minds. The author also did a great and sensitive job at delving into Laney's painful past. Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but in this case it was really needed and well done. Besides, the reader must know about Laney's background in order to understand and empathize with her.
Love is wanting the best for someone, even if it makes you feel fucking awful.
The story started off with some caustic dialogue which was right up my alley. Fact was, the prickly heroine was definitely to my liking and, while I did like Noah, he couldn't give Adrian a run for his money. Simply put, he didn't manage to come only remotely close to Adrian's charisma. More importantly, I thought the story was carried strongly by the baggage-laden (pun intended) Laney and, surprisingly, I fell hard for a great yet character, Laney's A friendly heads-up: keep some tissues at the ready, you might need them.
As hoped for, the writing was excellent and the plot, that mainly took place within 48 hours, was refreshingly profound but I wouldn't have expected anything less from this author. I loved the Naughty Sleepover Q&A, the (single) smexy scene and, of course, the meaningful lyrics of All You Had to Do. Overall, the story had a rather extensive comedic feel to it with a healthy dose of pain and sadness as well as a lovely romance (I mean romance not sex). I can reassure readers who are wary of possible cheating, there is none.
Minor quibble
I know I sound like a broken record but I’m allergic to giggling. I’ll forgive Laney for doing it while being tipsy but otherwise I can’t be so compliant. Anyway, she didn’t giggle all the time, there is that.
Bottom line, Dictatorship of the Dress is both funny and serious in equal measures and provides very good entertainment from start to finish. It's a story about a love lost and a new love found in a rather unexpected way and place. In consequence, I'm looking forward to reading Courtship of the Cake and anything else written by the wonderful Jessica Topper. It goes without saying that I'm particularly excited to read Softer Than Steel.
Recommended read.
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy.
**ARC courtesy of Berkley in exchange for an honest review**
P.S. Dictatorship of the Dress can be read as a standalone. There is NO cliffhanger.
January 10, 2015
4.25 Stars
"You've heard of a ring bearer, right? Well, I'm just the dress bearer. For my mother."
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This story was so much more than I had expected. The story is told in alternating povs and it was highly enjoyable and to my surprise it even delivered on the depth factor. The author tugged on my heartstrings with the slow reveal of Laney’s lost love of her past. Laney Hudson is a comic book writer (comic fans will highly enjoy her) who is on her way to Hawaii to deliver her mother’s wedding gown for wedding number three. Laney was a fantastic character but she is tormented by the regrets of her past.
”It was easy to wallow in regret rather than to move on and take a new chance, a different choice.”
Noah “Tech Boy” Ridgewood is on his way to his bachelor party in Las Vegas and struggling with any reason why he is with Sloane as he refers to himself as POW Prisoner of Wedding.
”I had experimented with every variable I could think of to find the formula for happiness between Sloane and myself, and none were valid. We were like a #NULL! error.”
The banter between Laney and Noah was fantastic as was their connection and growth during this forty-eight hour story. While the two get snowed in Chicago for the night and share a room and the next day sightseeing till their connecting flights depart. (For friends who wonder about cheating.. none takes place) There were several scenes that came across over the top but still it was a fun and a heartwarming read of growth for all the characters.
”The delay had been an inconvenience, yes, but perhaps it had been the catalyst to jump-start our lives forward.”
Overall this was a good read that for me was worth the price tag. The story is a standalone and the next book with be Laney’s best friend Dani’s story due June of 2015. I hope Noah and Laney will be in it because I would love to see them written as a true couple.
[image error]
”You were the best layover I’ve ever had.”
"You've heard of a ring bearer, right? Well, I'm just the dress bearer. For my mother."
[image error]
This story was so much more than I had expected. The story is told in alternating povs and it was highly enjoyable and to my surprise it even delivered on the depth factor. The author tugged on my heartstrings with the slow reveal of Laney’s lost love of her past. Laney Hudson is a comic book writer (comic fans will highly enjoy her) who is on her way to Hawaii to deliver her mother’s wedding gown for wedding number three. Laney was a fantastic character but she is tormented by the regrets of her past.
”It was easy to wallow in regret rather than to move on and take a new chance, a different choice.”
Noah “Tech Boy” Ridgewood is on his way to his bachelor party in Las Vegas and struggling with any reason why he is with Sloane as he refers to himself as POW Prisoner of Wedding.
”I had experimented with every variable I could think of to find the formula for happiness between Sloane and myself, and none were valid. We were like a #NULL! error.”
The banter between Laney and Noah was fantastic as was their connection and growth during this forty-eight hour story. While the two get snowed in Chicago for the night and share a room and the next day sightseeing till their connecting flights depart. (For friends who wonder about cheating.. none takes place) There were several scenes that came across over the top but still it was a fun and a heartwarming read of growth for all the characters.
”The delay had been an inconvenience, yes, but perhaps it had been the catalyst to jump-start our lives forward.”
Overall this was a good read that for me was worth the price tag. The story is a standalone and the next book with be Laney’s best friend Dani’s story due June of 2015. I hope Noah and Laney will be in it because I would love to see them written as a true couple.
[image error]
”You were the best layover I’ve ever had.”
November 2, 2015
4,5 stars
I have just discovered Jessica Topper and after reading two of her books……she’s beyond…
Having loved Louder than Love, her debut novel….https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... , I couldn’t wait to start on another one of hers!! And just keeping my fingers crossed that I would not be disappointed!!!! Well, let me just say….not even a smidgen!!!
Dictatorship of the Dress is the 1st book in her Much “I Do” About Nothing Series…a fresh and unique take on two of the most unlikely people who meet by chance….it’s a heart-warming, romantic, charming story of love, loss, discovery, growth, fate and dealing with your past and all the insecurities.
One of the things that blew me away was how the author used a wedding dress as the revolving plot of the story!!!
Helena "Laney" Hudson is such a fun, quirky and a bit off the wall heroine….I mean, this girl is a comic book artist…yes, Marvel comic moments!!!! She’s on a trip to Hawaii to take her mother’s wedding dress to her….before she even boards the plane, she’s lost her boots ….just a reminder that it’s winter in NYC…so what does she do??? Grabs her slip-slops and dons them on there and then!!!! Hell, she’s on a mission…nothing will stop her for delivering the darned wedding dress…come what may!!!
Okay, so she’s bootless but the good news ….she’s gets bumped up to first class because the check-in agent thinks she’s carrying her own wedding dress for her own wedding!! Absolute luck…but wait..more in store for Laney!!
Seated in the last first class seat next to the gorgeous guy she had noticed earlier in the departure lounge….the hot tech nerd turns out to be Noah Ridgewood, who’s on his way to Las Vegas for his bachelor party!!!
What ensues is 48 hours of the most unexpected happenings for these two endearing characters.
Undeniable chemistry……
I loved how the relationship between Laney and Noah evolved….how they learnt things about each other…things they had never talked to anyone else before…
The banter and interaction between Laney & Noah….totally awesome….funny, kind, warm….
The one scene that really stayed with me takes place in Chicago, when Noah takes Laney on a sight-seeing tour of the city he lived in before he moved to the big city of NYC…..
Loved the author’s voice….this well-written and developed story flowed so so well…..I couldn’t get enough Laney and Noah and even the secondary characters..of which there are a few I would love to read more about. I was also impressed how real the story and characters felt to me….somehow they were written in such a way that I totally relate to.
I kept thinking…what’s going to happen to these two endearing characters? Will they get together and have their HEA????? Well, what a great ending….
I am really looking forward to the next book….Courtship of the Cake…. (I love
the author’s book titles!!!!)
My favorite quote:
Oh, on a last note…what a way to start my
I have just discovered Jessica Topper and after reading two of her books……she’s beyond…
Having loved Louder than Love, her debut novel….https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... , I couldn’t wait to start on another one of hers!! And just keeping my fingers crossed that I would not be disappointed!!!! Well, let me just say….not even a smidgen!!!
Dictatorship of the Dress is the 1st book in her Much “I Do” About Nothing Series…a fresh and unique take on two of the most unlikely people who meet by chance….it’s a heart-warming, romantic, charming story of love, loss, discovery, growth, fate and dealing with your past and all the insecurities.
One of the things that blew me away was how the author used a wedding dress as the revolving plot of the story!!!
Total genius!!!
Helena "Laney" Hudson is such a fun, quirky and a bit off the wall heroine….I mean, this girl is a comic book artist…yes, Marvel comic moments!!!! She’s on a trip to Hawaii to take her mother’s wedding dress to her….before she even boards the plane, she’s lost her boots ….just a reminder that it’s winter in NYC…so what does she do??? Grabs her slip-slops and dons them on there and then!!!! Hell, she’s on a mission…nothing will stop her for delivering the darned wedding dress…come what may!!!
Okay, so she’s bootless but the good news ….she’s gets bumped up to first class because the check-in agent thinks she’s carrying her own wedding dress for her own wedding!! Absolute luck…but wait..more in store for Laney!!
Seated in the last first class seat next to the gorgeous guy she had noticed earlier in the departure lounge….the hot tech nerd turns out to be Noah Ridgewood, who’s on his way to Las Vegas for his bachelor party!!!
What ensues is 48 hours of the most unexpected happenings for these two endearing characters.
Undeniable chemistry……
tender and funny moments…..
I loved how the relationship between Laney and Noah evolved….how they learnt things about each other…things they had never talked to anyone else before…
How Noah showed Laney what she was using the wedding dress as…
And how Noah finally understood something in himself that he had forgotten…
I had a few laughs when I read the scenes with his fiancée….empty headed is too kind a word for the his future bride!!!!!
The banter and interaction between Laney & Noah….totally awesome….funny, kind, warm….
The one scene that really stayed with me takes place in Chicago, when Noah takes Laney on a sight-seeing tour of the city he lived in before he moved to the big city of NYC…..
He dropped his forehead gently against mine and closed his eyes.
A speck of a snowflake dotted his perfect lashes where they fanned out above his cheekbone, and dissolved in an instant.
Loved the author’s voice….this well-written and developed story flowed so so well…..I couldn’t get enough Laney and Noah and even the secondary characters..of which there are a few I would love to read more about. I was also impressed how real the story and characters felt to me….somehow they were written in such a way that I totally relate to.
I kept thinking…what’s going to happen to these two endearing characters? Will they get together and have their HEA????? Well, what a great ending….
…just knowing that I will be seeing Laney and Noah again….MADE MY DAY!!!!!!
I am really looking forward to the next book….Courtship of the Cake…. (I love
the author’s book titles!!!!)
My favorite quote:
“Love is wanting the best for someone, even if it makes you feel fucking awful.”
Oh, on a last note…what a way to start my
REVIEW!!!!!
August 17, 2015
3.5 stars
This was a nice easy read.
I absolutely loved Ms Topper's book Louder than Love so I do like the author's writing style.
Laney ends up sitting beside Mr Suit in First Class on her way to her mother's wedding in Hawaii.
Noah is heading to Las Vegas for his Bachelor party.
Well, now I visited Vegas last month and, yes, it's plastic but isn't that whats so great about it?
But the weather intervenes and they are stranded in Chicago!
This was told in dual point of views. And we got a backdrop story from Laney's past.
This was a nice easy read.
I absolutely loved Ms Topper's book Louder than Love so I do like the author's writing style.
Laney ends up sitting beside Mr Suit in First Class on her way to her mother's wedding in Hawaii.
Noah is heading to Las Vegas for his Bachelor party.
"Vegas just seems so plastic," Laney went on. "Everything's a mirage. I mean, you're in the freakin' desert. Everyone having the time of their lives, please."
Well, now I visited Vegas last month and, yes, it's plastic but isn't that whats so great about it?
But the weather intervenes and they are stranded in Chicago!
Talk about the straw breaking the camel's back. For me, it was a lone feather, slowly rocking back and forth in the air as it descended. It took its own sweet time to finally land, and it snapped me right in half.
This was told in dual point of views. And we got a backdrop story from Laney's past.
Now all you have to do is
Forgive me
Say my name
Will you take my call
It should be easy to
brak me
'Cuz
All you ever did was
love me
After all.
January 14, 2015
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 7, 2015
“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.”
----Sarah Dessen
Jessica Topper, an American author, weaves a heart-touching and romantic story, called Dictatorship of the Dress , about a wedding dress bearer and her journey to Hawaii through a series of airports and a number of flight delays and cancellations. And this is the first book in the Much "I Do" About Nothing series.
Synopsis:
As the dress-bearer for her mother’s wedding, comic book artist Laney Hudson has a lot more baggage than the bulky garment bag she’s lugging from New York to Hawaii. Laney is determined to prove she’s capable of doing something right, but running chores for her mom’s fairytale nuptials is proving to be a painfully constant reminder of her own lost love.
So when she’s mistaken for the bride and bumped up to first class, Laney figures some stress-free luxury is worth a harmless white lie. Until the flight crew thinks that the man sitting next to her is Laney’s groom, and her little fib turns into a hot mess.
The last thing Noah Ridgewood needs is some dress-obsessed diva landing in his first-class row. En route to his Vegas bachelor party, the straight-laced software designer knows his cold feet have nothing to do with the winter weather.
When a severe storm leaves them grounded in Chicago and they find themselves booked into the last available honeymoon suite, Laney and her in-flight neighbor have little choice but to get better acquainted. Now, as her bridal mission hangs in the balance, perhaps the thing Laney gets right is a second chance at love.
Laney Hudson, the graphic comic artist, carries a lot of baggage of her own from the past along with the baggage of a wedding dress when she arrives at the LaGuardia airport, but little did she knew that her non-direct flight to Hawaii would give her a second chance at life and love, when she is bumped to a first-class seat because of the dress.
Noah Ridgewood, you can call him a tech-boy, since he develops app for a living, is traveling to his bachelorette party at Vegas. He has enough drama in his life with his dominating finance, changing wedding dates without even consulting him or splurging mindlessly without any consent, living life like a rich-spoilt-daddy's-girl, so when he sees this girl on his first-class flight with all the air-hostesses' attention on her, he cared less.
So what happens when these two lost souls meet and greet on a layover due to a sudden delay of their flights?
Jessica Topper spins this entertaining and no-fuss contemporary story brilliantly. The narration is catchy and effective and so is the pace. The writing style is crisp thus keeping us engaged from the very first chapter. The author have layered the plot with funny anecdotes and quotes that will make you go ROFL, and it's also quite emotional filled with quite a lot of 'aww' moments and heart breaking moments that will pull you deep into the ocean of emotions with Laney and her past relationships.
The central characters Noah and Laney, both are crafted strikingly who draws enough realism with their problems from our daily lives. The characters evolve eventually with the progress of the plot. We learn and get accustomed with Laney from the flashbacks of her relationship with a drummer, Allen. We eventually get to know why Laney acts in a weird way when she kicks the second chance at love out of her system. Noah comes across as a very methodical and less emotional human being who knows nothing other than work, but with Laney's quirkiness, he opens up and we easily for his sexy-and-suave demeanor. The chemistry between Laney and Noah is mildly passionate yet the author portrayed it with all the yummy details, thus turning the heat a notch up. The rest of the characters from Laney's bestie, Dani, a kick-ass-cool-bff-who-is-always-ready-to-get-your-back, Laney's mom who is way too protective and complaining about Laney's every move, Noah's best-man, Tim, who is bit of a jerk, are all well-developed.
The author have featured Laney and Noah's evolving relationship sensibly, considering the fact that Laney is still in the process of letting go her past love, thus this where the author pulls out our sympathy hat for Laney. Layover and one night with a stranger in a hotel-room is the best possible combination that the author came with to portray Laney and Noah's relationship. Unfortunately, like most chick-lit novels, this too came with a predictable and neat ending, but if you're looking for a chick-lit with less drama, then go for this book. And I'm definitely looking forward in reading the next book in this series.
Verdict: Heart-warming and seriously fun- this book is a real gem for any chick-lit fans.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Jessica Topper, for providing me with a copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
----Sarah Dessen
Jessica Topper, an American author, weaves a heart-touching and romantic story, called Dictatorship of the Dress , about a wedding dress bearer and her journey to Hawaii through a series of airports and a number of flight delays and cancellations. And this is the first book in the Much "I Do" About Nothing series.
Synopsis:
As the dress-bearer for her mother’s wedding, comic book artist Laney Hudson has a lot more baggage than the bulky garment bag she’s lugging from New York to Hawaii. Laney is determined to prove she’s capable of doing something right, but running chores for her mom’s fairytale nuptials is proving to be a painfully constant reminder of her own lost love.
So when she’s mistaken for the bride and bumped up to first class, Laney figures some stress-free luxury is worth a harmless white lie. Until the flight crew thinks that the man sitting next to her is Laney’s groom, and her little fib turns into a hot mess.
The last thing Noah Ridgewood needs is some dress-obsessed diva landing in his first-class row. En route to his Vegas bachelor party, the straight-laced software designer knows his cold feet have nothing to do with the winter weather.
When a severe storm leaves them grounded in Chicago and they find themselves booked into the last available honeymoon suite, Laney and her in-flight neighbor have little choice but to get better acquainted. Now, as her bridal mission hangs in the balance, perhaps the thing Laney gets right is a second chance at love.
Laney Hudson, the graphic comic artist, carries a lot of baggage of her own from the past along with the baggage of a wedding dress when she arrives at the LaGuardia airport, but little did she knew that her non-direct flight to Hawaii would give her a second chance at life and love, when she is bumped to a first-class seat because of the dress.
Noah Ridgewood, you can call him a tech-boy, since he develops app for a living, is traveling to his bachelorette party at Vegas. He has enough drama in his life with his dominating finance, changing wedding dates without even consulting him or splurging mindlessly without any consent, living life like a rich-spoilt-daddy's-girl, so when he sees this girl on his first-class flight with all the air-hostesses' attention on her, he cared less.
So what happens when these two lost souls meet and greet on a layover due to a sudden delay of their flights?
Jessica Topper spins this entertaining and no-fuss contemporary story brilliantly. The narration is catchy and effective and so is the pace. The writing style is crisp thus keeping us engaged from the very first chapter. The author have layered the plot with funny anecdotes and quotes that will make you go ROFL, and it's also quite emotional filled with quite a lot of 'aww' moments and heart breaking moments that will pull you deep into the ocean of emotions with Laney and her past relationships.
The central characters Noah and Laney, both are crafted strikingly who draws enough realism with their problems from our daily lives. The characters evolve eventually with the progress of the plot. We learn and get accustomed with Laney from the flashbacks of her relationship with a drummer, Allen. We eventually get to know why Laney acts in a weird way when she kicks the second chance at love out of her system. Noah comes across as a very methodical and less emotional human being who knows nothing other than work, but with Laney's quirkiness, he opens up and we easily for his sexy-and-suave demeanor. The chemistry between Laney and Noah is mildly passionate yet the author portrayed it with all the yummy details, thus turning the heat a notch up. The rest of the characters from Laney's bestie, Dani, a kick-ass-cool-bff-who-is-always-ready-to-get-your-back, Laney's mom who is way too protective and complaining about Laney's every move, Noah's best-man, Tim, who is bit of a jerk, are all well-developed.
The author have featured Laney and Noah's evolving relationship sensibly, considering the fact that Laney is still in the process of letting go her past love, thus this where the author pulls out our sympathy hat for Laney. Layover and one night with a stranger in a hotel-room is the best possible combination that the author came with to portray Laney and Noah's relationship. Unfortunately, like most chick-lit novels, this too came with a predictable and neat ending, but if you're looking for a chick-lit with less drama, then go for this book. And I'm definitely looking forward in reading the next book in this series.
Verdict: Heart-warming and seriously fun- this book is a real gem for any chick-lit fans.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Jessica Topper, for providing me with a copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
December 18, 2015
From the author of my best book choice of 2013, Louder Than Love, comes an all new story of learning to love, embrace, and let go. The past needs to be dealt with in order to learn how to live in the present.
Blown away: that’s what I was after reading. There is just that certain something Jessica Topper possesses that transforms her books into a memorable journey on the page. Once again, I am left pondering and rereading a story I hesitate to let go of.
Laney Hudson is dragging her mother’s wedding dress across country in time for her mothers wedding in Hawaii. It becomes more than a dress along the trip. It transforms into a metaphor for her life and the weight, baggage, and guilt Laney carries.
Noah Ridgewood is on his way to a bachelor party: his bachelor party, in Vegas. Finding himself at a real crossroads and rethinking his plans, he mistakenly judges the wedding dress-carrying woman across from him as just another bride-zilla on her way to make another man miserable.
A series of encounters in different airports, bad weather, and misunderstanding lead this unlikely pair to sharing a hotel room for the night. The freedom created by having a person to unload on has both Noah and Laney revealing bits and pieces of their past, and forming an understanding of self and each other neither has experienced before.
It’s a wonderful version of a story that has been done before, but with the talented Jessica Topper, it feels fresh and mature. I absolutely loved it!
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Blown away: that’s what I was after reading. There is just that certain something Jessica Topper possesses that transforms her books into a memorable journey on the page. Once again, I am left pondering and rereading a story I hesitate to let go of.
Laney Hudson is dragging her mother’s wedding dress across country in time for her mothers wedding in Hawaii. It becomes more than a dress along the trip. It transforms into a metaphor for her life and the weight, baggage, and guilt Laney carries.
Noah Ridgewood is on his way to a bachelor party: his bachelor party, in Vegas. Finding himself at a real crossroads and rethinking his plans, he mistakenly judges the wedding dress-carrying woman across from him as just another bride-zilla on her way to make another man miserable.
A series of encounters in different airports, bad weather, and misunderstanding lead this unlikely pair to sharing a hotel room for the night. The freedom created by having a person to unload on has both Noah and Laney revealing bits and pieces of their past, and forming an understanding of self and each other neither has experienced before.
It’s a wonderful version of a story that has been done before, but with the talented Jessica Topper, it feels fresh and mature. I absolutely loved it!
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January 25, 2015
01/20/2014
This book is just quirky enough to work. Not as original as you'd think. I've read bits of this plot elsewhere, or have seen it in movies or TV, but it works and I enjoyed it.
Ms. Topper's debut book, Louder Than Love, was a 5 Star book for me in 2013. This doesn't happen often, so am very interested in any book from one of my 5 Star authors thereafter.
The Good:
1 -- The story is a fun one. It started well and kept flowing. I can't even imagine schlepping a wedding dress in bag through an airport time and again, but she did and it works.
2 -- The drawing / comic book element. I could so imagine the pictures Ms. Topper describes. I thought this component powerful and well told.
3 -- Recovering from the death of someone you love. From a relationship that is really very half baked, where you had no real time to determine if it would have ever evolved into the perfection you were after. This is what I wondered as I read the story of Laney and Allen. Laney struggles to move on after it all. She is left feeling wrung out and incomplete. She disappoints herself and others because she feels very incomplete. Who'da thunk schlepping a dress would be her test and her answer?
4 -- Have you experienced those relationships that you know can't possibly work and wonder .. what were they thinking? This story gives us a bit of the inner workings or thoughts about the drive to find that "special" person and start your "couple" story. I liked this inside track. It was interesting just what they pay attention to and what they don't. How they convince themselves they love and care for someone when they really don't have a clue.
The Not so Good:
1 -- Well, the dress schlepping got a bit tedious.
2 -- The misunderstanding again and again between Noah and Laney got a bit tedious. I would have thought we'd have seen that we were really relying on it a bit much in the same book and have evolved a smoother method of telling this tale, but what do I know.
3 -- I expected a bit more depth from this author and not so much a chick-lit feel. Not sure how much was her and how much her editor/publisher, but I was a bit disappointed. You read her first one where she slays you with so much feeling and emotion in a very well told story to this one where she lightened it up a bit and relied on some really "chicky" elements and you'll be a bit disappointed to.
Overall, good. It could have been better. I liked it well enough to read others by this author. I hope I get more of the author of her first book and not so much the author of the second book -- if that even makes sense?
Happy Reading!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 5 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 5 Stars
Ending = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 4 Stars -- [$7.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
368 pages
First sentence: Really, LaGuardia?
This book is just quirky enough to work. Not as original as you'd think. I've read bits of this plot elsewhere, or have seen it in movies or TV, but it works and I enjoyed it.
Ms. Topper's debut book, Louder Than Love, was a 5 Star book for me in 2013. This doesn't happen often, so am very interested in any book from one of my 5 Star authors thereafter.
The Good:
1 -- The story is a fun one. It started well and kept flowing. I can't even imagine schlepping a wedding dress in bag through an airport time and again, but she did and it works.
2 -- The drawing / comic book element. I could so imagine the pictures Ms. Topper describes. I thought this component powerful and well told.
3 -- Recovering from the death of someone you love. From a relationship that is really very half baked, where you had no real time to determine if it would have ever evolved into the perfection you were after. This is what I wondered as I read the story of Laney and Allen. Laney struggles to move on after it all. She is left feeling wrung out and incomplete. She disappoints herself and others because she feels very incomplete. Who'da thunk schlepping a dress would be her test and her answer?
4 -- Have you experienced those relationships that you know can't possibly work and wonder .. what were they thinking? This story gives us a bit of the inner workings or thoughts about the drive to find that "special" person and start your "couple" story. I liked this inside track. It was interesting just what they pay attention to and what they don't. How they convince themselves they love and care for someone when they really don't have a clue.
The Not so Good:
1 -- Well, the dress schlepping got a bit tedious.
2 -- The misunderstanding again and again between Noah and Laney got a bit tedious. I would have thought we'd have seen that we were really relying on it a bit much in the same book and have evolved a smoother method of telling this tale, but what do I know.
3 -- I expected a bit more depth from this author and not so much a chick-lit feel. Not sure how much was her and how much her editor/publisher, but I was a bit disappointed. You read her first one where she slays you with so much feeling and emotion in a very well told story to this one where she lightened it up a bit and relied on some really "chicky" elements and you'll be a bit disappointed to.
Overall, good. It could have been better. I liked it well enough to read others by this author. I hope I get more of the author of her first book and not so much the author of the second book -- if that even makes sense?
Happy Reading!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 5 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 5 / 4 = 4.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 5 Stars
Ending = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 4 Stars -- [$7.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
368 pages
First sentence: Really, LaGuardia?
January 11, 2015
Dictatorship of the Dress was such a well written gem. In one word this book was refreshing. It had a fun, smart story, witty characters, great pacing, and much needed depth.
Laney is a comic book author. She’s witty, fun, confident and in charge of getting her mother’s wedding dress across the country. Noah is a fun loving but overly stressed techie on his way to Vegas…He’s also nerdy in the best way possible. When unforeseen circumstances force them to stay together, these two connect in expected ways. Their internal thoughts had me cracking up but their actual dialogue was just perfection.
The story is relatable, the sexual tension is yummy, the feels were great, and the writing is fantastic. Loved this book and I can’t wait to read more from Jessica Topper.
Laney is a comic book author. She’s witty, fun, confident and in charge of getting her mother’s wedding dress across the country. Noah is a fun loving but overly stressed techie on his way to Vegas…He’s also nerdy in the best way possible. When unforeseen circumstances force them to stay together, these two connect in expected ways. Their internal thoughts had me cracking up but their actual dialogue was just perfection.
The story is relatable, the sexual tension is yummy, the feels were great, and the writing is fantastic. Loved this book and I can’t wait to read more from Jessica Topper.
Want to read
January 8, 2015Sigh I want to read this book, but I don't understand why the cheapest ebook price I can find of it is $10.99 that is crazy. That is what I would pay for a paperback, not a freaking ebook. This is definitely going down on the tbr list till the price goes down.
December 24, 2016
A little chick lit morsel, inconvenient love at first sight, the rich unsuitably engaged handsome software developer, the self-doubting, cute cartoonist carrying her mother's wedding dress to Hawaii and a flight delay. A little bit of relaxation in print, after reading some heavy duty books.
Read
March 15, 2017DNF
This was kind of fine half of the book. Then it dragged , became very corny and had unnecessary drama.
This was kind of fine half of the book. Then it dragged , became very corny and had unnecessary drama.
Read
February 14, 2015Happy Heart Day from your favorite fictional comic book illustrator, Laney Hudson!
Thanks for all the comments and feedback on the book so far!
I'm taking a break from writing today to gather some eye candy - some of my favorite scenes from Dictatorship of the Dress inspired these Pictures & Words! Enjoy.
Click each for full-size goodness!
As always, feel free to share but please do not crop or alter! All quotes from Dictatorship of the Dress © Jessica Topper and Berkley.
Thanks for all the comments and feedback on the book so far!
I'm taking a break from writing today to gather some eye candy - some of my favorite scenes from Dictatorship of the Dress inspired these Pictures & Words! Enjoy.
Click each for full-size goodness!
As always, feel free to share but please do not crop or alter! All quotes from Dictatorship of the Dress © Jessica Topper and Berkley.
August 10, 2020
** Reviewer’s note: From the synopsis I know people are going to worry about cheating in this book, it didn’t happen.
Having loved Jessica Topper’s Louder than Love and Stronger than Steel which are in my rotation of books I re-read frequently, I hopped at the chance to grab Dictatorship of the Dress on sale for $2.99. This book falls more into the Women’s fiction category than romance, but it is incredibly well written as are all of Ms. Topper’s books and there was a romance, it was just a bit unconventional and crazy. The majority of this book takes place in 48 hours with the whole book being about four days; it goes from New York to Chicago to Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and ends in Hawaii. It was smart, funny, poignant, and so refreshing. Not to mention there are three main characters in this book and they are all integral to the plot; Laney Jane Hudson on her way to her mother’s third wedding, Noah Ridgewood on his way to Las Vegas for his bachelor week with friends, and a wedding dress, yes the wedding dress plays a big part in this story and the way it is used throughout is pure genius.
Laney is an artist currently working for her mother’s greeting card company and honestly dying from boredom. She is fun, smart, and recovering from losing the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. She has spent a good deal of her life following her mother’s wishes which honestly is something I never could figure out and missing her dad who left for another country when she was in her early teens. He was the reason she began drawing, he was the reason she fell in love with comic books, he was the reason she got a job at Marvel, he was the reason her mother constantly berated her about her life choices.
Noah aka “Tech Boy” lives a pretty ordered life, he loves his gadgets, designs apps, and works for a big firm with his later father’s best friend and his soon to be father in law who has basically told him to go to Vegas and come back ready to get married. He is stressed, he’s begun to realize that his life isn’t working out the way he wanted it to, and he feels stuck. His fiancée is a piece of work; spoiled, selfish, and literally plastic and he’s not happy but ending things will hurt the man who has been there for him his whole life.
The dress seems to be an amalgamation of Laney’s conflicted relationship with her mother, her incomplete life with Allen due to his death, and her unhappiness with her life in general. It was truly brilliant how this inanimate object became such a big part of this story.
Laney and Noah get off on the wrong foot from the start I loved their verbal sparring and as this book is told from both points of view, their internal dialog had me laughing often. When they have a forced layover in Chicago due to weather, they end up spending time together and learning so much about each other. I found it intriguing how easy they opened up to one another and while it came in spurts, they timing of each piece they revealed is what kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew their secrets to some degree and I was invested in when they’d be revealed. I loved that Laney’s sketch pad; her art helped her tell Noah her story. I believe he really began to understand so much about her life and saw not only how important her art was too her, but also how deeply she was affected by the moments in time she carried with her in her book. I felt like they knew there was something big happening between them, but they both had to let go of their pasts to move forward. Surprisingly, it was almost like they switched roles in doing so; Laney’s moment was pretty conservative and without a lot of fanfare where Noah’s was almost like a three ring circus.
So much goes on in this book it is hard to believe it takes place in such a short amount of time, but Ms. Topper packs it in yet I feel like she covered everything really well. Dictator of the Dress kept my interest from the first page to the last, the characters were both likeable, the plot while crazy was believable, and the intense chemistry sizzled; it was extremely enjoyable.
Book purchased for review.
Having loved Jessica Topper’s Louder than Love and Stronger than Steel which are in my rotation of books I re-read frequently, I hopped at the chance to grab Dictatorship of the Dress on sale for $2.99. This book falls more into the Women’s fiction category than romance, but it is incredibly well written as are all of Ms. Topper’s books and there was a romance, it was just a bit unconventional and crazy. The majority of this book takes place in 48 hours with the whole book being about four days; it goes from New York to Chicago to Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and ends in Hawaii. It was smart, funny, poignant, and so refreshing. Not to mention there are three main characters in this book and they are all integral to the plot; Laney Jane Hudson on her way to her mother’s third wedding, Noah Ridgewood on his way to Las Vegas for his bachelor week with friends, and a wedding dress, yes the wedding dress plays a big part in this story and the way it is used throughout is pure genius.
Laney is an artist currently working for her mother’s greeting card company and honestly dying from boredom. She is fun, smart, and recovering from losing the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. She has spent a good deal of her life following her mother’s wishes which honestly is something I never could figure out and missing her dad who left for another country when she was in her early teens. He was the reason she began drawing, he was the reason she fell in love with comic books, he was the reason she got a job at Marvel, he was the reason her mother constantly berated her about her life choices.
Noah aka “Tech Boy” lives a pretty ordered life, he loves his gadgets, designs apps, and works for a big firm with his later father’s best friend and his soon to be father in law who has basically told him to go to Vegas and come back ready to get married. He is stressed, he’s begun to realize that his life isn’t working out the way he wanted it to, and he feels stuck. His fiancée is a piece of work; spoiled, selfish, and literally plastic and he’s not happy but ending things will hurt the man who has been there for him his whole life.
The dress seems to be an amalgamation of Laney’s conflicted relationship with her mother, her incomplete life with Allen due to his death, and her unhappiness with her life in general. It was truly brilliant how this inanimate object became such a big part of this story.
Laney and Noah get off on the wrong foot from the start I loved their verbal sparring and as this book is told from both points of view, their internal dialog had me laughing often. When they have a forced layover in Chicago due to weather, they end up spending time together and learning so much about each other. I found it intriguing how easy they opened up to one another and while it came in spurts, they timing of each piece they revealed is what kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew their secrets to some degree and I was invested in when they’d be revealed. I loved that Laney’s sketch pad; her art helped her tell Noah her story. I believe he really began to understand so much about her life and saw not only how important her art was too her, but also how deeply she was affected by the moments in time she carried with her in her book. I felt like they knew there was something big happening between them, but they both had to let go of their pasts to move forward. Surprisingly, it was almost like they switched roles in doing so; Laney’s moment was pretty conservative and without a lot of fanfare where Noah’s was almost like a three ring circus.
So much goes on in this book it is hard to believe it takes place in such a short amount of time, but Ms. Topper packs it in yet I feel like she covered everything really well. Dictator of the Dress kept my interest from the first page to the last, the characters were both likeable, the plot while crazy was believable, and the intense chemistry sizzled; it was extremely enjoyable.
Book purchased for review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2014
It was different than what I expected, in a way even better, and I quite enjoyed it!
AS usual, this full review is posted also on Ellie Reads Fiction
I really enjoyed this book though it turned out to be different from what I expected. Based on the cover I thought it would be a light romantic comedy and while it had its funny times, it was much more serious and thought-provoking. It's not dark or depressing, but there is some sense of sadness, a lot of regret and a wonderful HEA.
I really enjoyed Ms Topper's debut novel, Louder Than Love (my review) and I can see some similarities in the writing here. It's a complex story with well developed characters who undergo profound changes in their lives - real people with real problem, easy to relate to and understand the decisions they make.
On the surface this story shouldn't work for me, he is engaged, they meet under extreme circumstances and are forced to share a room/space, fall in love in matter of 2 days, turn their lives around, still I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it. Ms Topper has given both the characters and their romance some depth and authenticity which made them very appealing.
Laney is lost, grieving, insecure, a quitter. Noah seems her polar opposite - he is in control of his life, knows who he is and where he is going. As it turns this is pretty much an illusion, a lie he keeps telling himself.
There is subplot, the story of Laney and Allen, which I found very moving and emotional. We see just bits and pieces but they are enough to create a powerful vision of their romance which I absolute loved.
The story goes between present and past and this is where I had some issues. It was confusing, the transitions between Laney's memories and her present day situation were too abrupt sometimes and I needed time to figure out who is talking and when the said events are taking place.
Another weakness for me was the way things with Noah's fiance were handled. The problems there were resolved too neatly and everybody got their HEA, which took away from the realistic aspect of the story.
I'm already excited about the next book in the series coming in the summer of 2015. It's be about Laney's best friend, Dani, and to my surprise not Noah's army buddy Ben. Ms Topper keeps twisting my expectations with this series! I recommended this read if you are looking for a contemporary romance with a touch of humour, some sadness and nostalgia but ultimately with a lot of passion, love and hope for the future.
AS usual, this full review is posted also on Ellie Reads Fiction
I really enjoyed this book though it turned out to be different from what I expected. Based on the cover I thought it would be a light romantic comedy and while it had its funny times, it was much more serious and thought-provoking. It's not dark or depressing, but there is some sense of sadness, a lot of regret and a wonderful HEA.
I really enjoyed Ms Topper's debut novel, Louder Than Love (my review) and I can see some similarities in the writing here. It's a complex story with well developed characters who undergo profound changes in their lives - real people with real problem, easy to relate to and understand the decisions they make.
On the surface this story shouldn't work for me, he is engaged, they meet under extreme circumstances and are forced to share a room/space, fall in love in matter of 2 days, turn their lives around, still I'm surprised how much I enjoyed it. Ms Topper has given both the characters and their romance some depth and authenticity which made them very appealing.
Laney is lost, grieving, insecure, a quitter. Noah seems her polar opposite - he is in control of his life, knows who he is and where he is going. As it turns this is pretty much an illusion, a lie he keeps telling himself.
There is subplot, the story of Laney and Allen, which I found very moving and emotional. We see just bits and pieces but they are enough to create a powerful vision of their romance which I absolute loved.
The story goes between present and past and this is where I had some issues. It was confusing, the transitions between Laney's memories and her present day situation were too abrupt sometimes and I needed time to figure out who is talking and when the said events are taking place.
Another weakness for me was the way things with Noah's fiance were handled. The problems there were resolved too neatly and everybody got their HEA, which took away from the realistic aspect of the story.
I'm already excited about the next book in the series coming in the summer of 2015. It's be about Laney's best friend, Dani, and to my surprise not Noah's army buddy Ben. Ms Topper keeps twisting my expectations with this series! I recommended this read if you are looking for a contemporary romance with a touch of humour, some sadness and nostalgia but ultimately with a lot of passion, love and hope for the future.
December 15, 2015
Really cute read.....liked the characters.
January 14, 2015
I really didn't pay close attention to the blurb when I picked this one up (gasp, I know, should have warned everyone to be sitting down for that shocking announcement). I read the author's previous book and loved it so much that if I had time for re-reads, I would be re-reading it. I wanted that experience again and after shutting the cover, I honestly think she surpassed my previous experience.
Keywords and phrases to describe my latest Jessica Topper journey: sassy cartoonist music superhero geek, wedding from hell and the domineering mother to go with it, geeky computer wizard who secretly wishes to escape his life, society wedding and bridezilla, growing up military, rocky Romeo & Juliet past, quirky, miscues and misunderstandings, truth and daring card game, drunk is in order, tour around Chi-town, nightmare transportation woes, faux newlyweds, and it all comes back to the Dictator Dress.
Quirky, snarly and geeky graphic artist, Laney Hudson, has the simple task of getting herself- and more importantly- her mother's bridal dress from NYC to Hawaii in time for the big third times the charm wedding. All her life she has been one huge pile of disappointments for her mother so she is out to prove that she can handle this one task. Unfortunately, the weather and the airline is working against her and getting to Hawaii has become a whole lot more complicated. Or is it truly unfortunate? She is now pushed down an unforeseen path alongside an annoying stranger that becomes less annoying and more endearing as time goes by. He is a surprise and a catalyst to force her to look back on her past and painful present, but he is going his way and she is going hers in the end.
Noah Ridgewood, geeky and serious computer app inventor and closet comic book fan is on his way to his bachelor party in Vegas with threats from his wealthy, powerful future father in law that he'd better come up to scratch with his petulant, demanding Bridezilla daughter or else. Just his luck he gets stuck next to another bridezilla and she gets him embroiled in a misunderstanding with everyone they encounter that he is her groom. Then he starts to see the real woman and the truth brings him to analyze his own situation. For the first time, he realizes what has eluded him all along only his opportunity window is shutting fast and there is a lot more riding on his choices that affect others.
This book had a fun, but realistic plot. Anyone who flies in the winter and experienced the hazards of weather, mechanical or computer failure will be nodding their heads knowingly over all the mishaps these two experienced. Though, personally, I thought these two had way more fun with their groundings, overnight stays and delays. I was also entertained by the insertion of the comic book love, rock music moments and all around fun geekery that themed this story.
Really, it just plain tugged so many emotions out of me. Laney's snarky, grief-ridden defensiveness, Noah's sad and lonely pensiveness and their opposites personalities and situations offered so much for me to experience and to which I could connect. The story is told in alternating narrations, but Laney's narrative sections also included dips into her past to explain why she is who she is in the present. My heart just ached for her. Noah's past wasn't as trauma-laden, but he too was shaped by his past. Laney must let her past go and learn to live on her own terms while Noah, as brilliant and organized as he is, must stop drifting and finally take a chance to find his home.
Because of the situation, the romance stays strictly on the 'look, but don't touch' side for a long time. I was nervous at first knowing that Noah was an engaged man and thinking that he might give into his attraction, but relaxed when no cheating took place. These two had so much internal baggage and distractions that they had to deal with stuff before even the feelings could come. They were both antagonistic when the other one inadvertently poked a sore spot. It was all very tentative and slow. I was pleased with the pace and eager because I had no trouble buying into these 'met as strangers to friends to lovers' couple.
This was not just a romance, but was a growth and development story too. The symbolism of Laney's growth was the wedding dress.
You've got a dress dictating your every move. That's what Noah had said back at the airport food court. And he was right, even before knowing that it wasn't mine. It was if the dress, even flat in its bag, embodied my mother. And everything she had ever criticized me for, disapproved of, and forbidden me to do was stitched into its very fabric and held fast. p. 148 Laney, Dictatorship of the Dress
The epiphany point for Noah was a memory of his childhood with his dad watching a political speech on the news.
"It's because he wasn't honest, son. He lied to the people. And then he lied to himself, to make him feel better."
His words had concerned me..."How do you know the truth from a lie?" I asked him.
"You'll know the truth by the way it feels, Noah."
My father's words rang clear then and I heard them now, despite the winter wind whistling in my ears. And standing in this spot, while looking down at Laney, brought them full circle. p. 208 Noah, Dictatorship of the Dress
The ending was predictable to a certain extent, but it was the surprising way it happened that left my swoony romantic heart so satisfied and my vocal sigh fortunately unheard. I loved how perceptions were changed, courage was gathered and surprises ensued. I will definitely be going on with this series and I think lots of Contemporary Romance fans will love this book.
My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
Keywords and phrases to describe my latest Jessica Topper journey: sassy cartoonist music superhero geek, wedding from hell and the domineering mother to go with it, geeky computer wizard who secretly wishes to escape his life, society wedding and bridezilla, growing up military, rocky Romeo & Juliet past, quirky, miscues and misunderstandings, truth and daring card game, drunk is in order, tour around Chi-town, nightmare transportation woes, faux newlyweds, and it all comes back to the Dictator Dress.
Quirky, snarly and geeky graphic artist, Laney Hudson, has the simple task of getting herself- and more importantly- her mother's bridal dress from NYC to Hawaii in time for the big third times the charm wedding. All her life she has been one huge pile of disappointments for her mother so she is out to prove that she can handle this one task. Unfortunately, the weather and the airline is working against her and getting to Hawaii has become a whole lot more complicated. Or is it truly unfortunate? She is now pushed down an unforeseen path alongside an annoying stranger that becomes less annoying and more endearing as time goes by. He is a surprise and a catalyst to force her to look back on her past and painful present, but he is going his way and she is going hers in the end.
Noah Ridgewood, geeky and serious computer app inventor and closet comic book fan is on his way to his bachelor party in Vegas with threats from his wealthy, powerful future father in law that he'd better come up to scratch with his petulant, demanding Bridezilla daughter or else. Just his luck he gets stuck next to another bridezilla and she gets him embroiled in a misunderstanding with everyone they encounter that he is her groom. Then he starts to see the real woman and the truth brings him to analyze his own situation. For the first time, he realizes what has eluded him all along only his opportunity window is shutting fast and there is a lot more riding on his choices that affect others.
This book had a fun, but realistic plot. Anyone who flies in the winter and experienced the hazards of weather, mechanical or computer failure will be nodding their heads knowingly over all the mishaps these two experienced. Though, personally, I thought these two had way more fun with their groundings, overnight stays and delays. I was also entertained by the insertion of the comic book love, rock music moments and all around fun geekery that themed this story.
Really, it just plain tugged so many emotions out of me. Laney's snarky, grief-ridden defensiveness, Noah's sad and lonely pensiveness and their opposites personalities and situations offered so much for me to experience and to which I could connect. The story is told in alternating narrations, but Laney's narrative sections also included dips into her past to explain why she is who she is in the present. My heart just ached for her. Noah's past wasn't as trauma-laden, but he too was shaped by his past. Laney must let her past go and learn to live on her own terms while Noah, as brilliant and organized as he is, must stop drifting and finally take a chance to find his home.
Because of the situation, the romance stays strictly on the 'look, but don't touch' side for a long time. I was nervous at first knowing that Noah was an engaged man and thinking that he might give into his attraction, but relaxed when no cheating took place. These two had so much internal baggage and distractions that they had to deal with stuff before even the feelings could come. They were both antagonistic when the other one inadvertently poked a sore spot. It was all very tentative and slow. I was pleased with the pace and eager because I had no trouble buying into these 'met as strangers to friends to lovers' couple.
This was not just a romance, but was a growth and development story too. The symbolism of Laney's growth was the wedding dress.
You've got a dress dictating your every move. That's what Noah had said back at the airport food court. And he was right, even before knowing that it wasn't mine. It was if the dress, even flat in its bag, embodied my mother. And everything she had ever criticized me for, disapproved of, and forbidden me to do was stitched into its very fabric and held fast. p. 148 Laney, Dictatorship of the Dress
The epiphany point for Noah was a memory of his childhood with his dad watching a political speech on the news.
"It's because he wasn't honest, son. He lied to the people. And then he lied to himself, to make him feel better."
His words had concerned me..."How do you know the truth from a lie?" I asked him.
"You'll know the truth by the way it feels, Noah."
My father's words rang clear then and I heard them now, despite the winter wind whistling in my ears. And standing in this spot, while looking down at Laney, brought them full circle. p. 208 Noah, Dictatorship of the Dress
The ending was predictable to a certain extent, but it was the surprising way it happened that left my swoony romantic heart so satisfied and my vocal sigh fortunately unheard. I loved how perceptions were changed, courage was gathered and surprises ensued. I will definitely be going on with this series and I think lots of Contemporary Romance fans will love this book.
My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2020
4.5 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Air travel is unpleasant on a good day, so having travel plans go awry isn’t the scenario you’d think of for a classic “meet-cute.” Yet that’s exactly what happens in the utterly charming Dictatorship of the Dress . Jessica Topper’s first Much “I Do” About Nothing is a fast-paced, engaging read featuring two loveable characters brought together by chance.
Laney and Noah were so easy to adore. Laney is a former comic book artist and she’s so creative and fun that I wish she were real just so we could be friends. She’s had a hard time lately after losing a loved one, not to mention the pain and hardship that lead up to that loss (if I’m being vague, it’s to avoid spoilers). She also has a tumultuous relationship with her mother and being the dress bearer for her mother’s wedding (not to mention having her travel plans go awry) is bringing those family problems to the forefront. Laney is a wonderful mix of vibrancy and vulnerability and I so wanted her to get a happily ever after of her own. And Noah… Oh, Tech-Boy. He’s in over his head with a fiancée he doesn’t love who is constantly changing wedding plans without his consent, stomping over his feelings, and having her dear daddy try and bully him. Noah comes across as straight-laced, but meeting Laney opens him up, helps him find the person he was that has been lost over time. The two of them seem like opposites, but they fit so incredibly well. Their romance was so fun to watch unfold and I practically devoured Dictatorship of the Dress because I couldn’t wait to see how things would work out for them.
One thing I was concerned about going into Dictatorship of the Dress was the possible cheating element and I’m sure that’s a concern for others. Noah is engaged and his fiancée being a total nightmare (which she is) isn’t an excuse to cheat in my book. Fortunately it isn’t in Noah’s either. I can’t say how things play out or I’ll spoil the whole story, but suffice it to say Ms. Topper makes it work perfectly.
Dictatorship of the Dress is both tons of fun and deeply emotional. What other story would give you moving past grief, finding love, and encounters with a pack of Elvii? I adored this book from beginning to end.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Air travel is unpleasant on a good day, so having travel plans go awry isn’t the scenario you’d think of for a classic “meet-cute.” Yet that’s exactly what happens in the utterly charming Dictatorship of the Dress . Jessica Topper’s first Much “I Do” About Nothing is a fast-paced, engaging read featuring two loveable characters brought together by chance.
Laney and Noah were so easy to adore. Laney is a former comic book artist and she’s so creative and fun that I wish she were real just so we could be friends. She’s had a hard time lately after losing a loved one, not to mention the pain and hardship that lead up to that loss (if I’m being vague, it’s to avoid spoilers). She also has a tumultuous relationship with her mother and being the dress bearer for her mother’s wedding (not to mention having her travel plans go awry) is bringing those family problems to the forefront. Laney is a wonderful mix of vibrancy and vulnerability and I so wanted her to get a happily ever after of her own. And Noah… Oh, Tech-Boy. He’s in over his head with a fiancée he doesn’t love who is constantly changing wedding plans without his consent, stomping over his feelings, and having her dear daddy try and bully him. Noah comes across as straight-laced, but meeting Laney opens him up, helps him find the person he was that has been lost over time. The two of them seem like opposites, but they fit so incredibly well. Their romance was so fun to watch unfold and I practically devoured Dictatorship of the Dress because I couldn’t wait to see how things would work out for them.
One thing I was concerned about going into Dictatorship of the Dress was the possible cheating element and I’m sure that’s a concern for others. Noah is engaged and his fiancée being a total nightmare (which she is) isn’t an excuse to cheat in my book. Fortunately it isn’t in Noah’s either. I can’t say how things play out or I’ll spoil the whole story, but suffice it to say Ms. Topper makes it work perfectly.
Dictatorship of the Dress is both tons of fun and deeply emotional. What other story would give you moving past grief, finding love, and encounters with a pack of Elvii? I adored this book from beginning to end.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
January 8, 2015
Coffee dates with Dictatorship of the Dress
First Date: We meet Laney Hudson at the airport, toting her mother’s wedding gown. Right away, I liked this snarky, outspoken comic book artist. Laney clearly has some hang-ups and I slipped right into the tale. Things are going wrong which seems to typical for Laney, but as luck would have it she is mistaken as a bride to be and bumped up to first class where she finds herself seated next to successful, dressed to impress, Noah Ridgewood. Noah is on his way to Vegas for a weeklong bachelor party. His own but Noah has cold feet and is beginning to wonder how he got himself into this mess. The banter as these two engage is hilarious and I felt their connection.
Second date: Planes, weather and delays equal a shared honeymoon suite. Far-fetched? Perhaps but Topper made me believe. Things could have taken a wrong turn here, especially with Noah engaged but instead we receive a wonderful story…a budding friendship, a little sexual tension and two souls sharing their life stories. I laughed, got misty eyed, and genuinely loved every minute.
Third Date: Breakfast, a tour of the city and a little magic have me giddy, but than a misunderstanding has the two parting without a good-bye. Topper did a wonderful job of creating just enough tension and angst without overdoing it. We see personal growth from both characters, and I loved how the author handled messy loose ends before bringing it all home and making me smile.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
First Date: We meet Laney Hudson at the airport, toting her mother’s wedding gown. Right away, I liked this snarky, outspoken comic book artist. Laney clearly has some hang-ups and I slipped right into the tale. Things are going wrong which seems to typical for Laney, but as luck would have it she is mistaken as a bride to be and bumped up to first class where she finds herself seated next to successful, dressed to impress, Noah Ridgewood. Noah is on his way to Vegas for a weeklong bachelor party. His own but Noah has cold feet and is beginning to wonder how he got himself into this mess. The banter as these two engage is hilarious and I felt their connection.
Second date: Planes, weather and delays equal a shared honeymoon suite. Far-fetched? Perhaps but Topper made me believe. Things could have taken a wrong turn here, especially with Noah engaged but instead we receive a wonderful story…a budding friendship, a little sexual tension and two souls sharing their life stories. I laughed, got misty eyed, and genuinely loved every minute.
Third Date: Breakfast, a tour of the city and a little magic have me giddy, but than a misunderstanding has the two parting without a good-bye. Topper did a wonderful job of creating just enough tension and angst without overdoing it. We see personal growth from both characters, and I loved how the author handled messy loose ends before bringing it all home and making me smile.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
April 6, 2025
I was looking for a light hearted and fun book to read !!! This book was everything I needed ! So fun, so cute a little sad but it was so so good !! Can’t wait for the follow up book !! 5 stars ⭐️
July 16, 2015
I have been meaning to read this book ever since it came out. I loved how it promised a story of a girl who was mistaken as the fiancé of the hunky guy next to her on the plane. How was that going to turn out? I had to see!
Laney Hudson has been given the job of transporting the dress to her mother's wedding in Hawaii. Laney is determined to not let her mom down, which means not letting that garment bag out of her sight. When Laney is mistaken as a bride and bumped to first class, Laney takes the upgrade and doesn't correct the assumption. But when the flight crew thinks the man next her her is her fiancé, Laney has no idea how to get out of the lie she's told. Noah Ridgewood is a straight-laced business man on the way to his bachelor party in Vegas and wants nothing to do with the Bridezilla sitting next to him. When a storm leaves them stranded in Chicago, though, Laney and Noah spend some time together and soon realize their assumptions about each other couldn't have been further off…
This book was exactly what I thought it would be: Adorable. Starting with Laney, I absolutely loved her character and how she was an artist. She used to illustrate comics and turned to drawing when she was stressed. I loved when she drew different people she came across (especially when she drew Noah!) and used her drawing as a way to entertain an adorable little kid they ran into during the novel. Both Laney and Noah have a geeky side and it was so gosh darn cute when they connected over their inner geeks and stopped judging each other based on their first impressions. Noah had a stressful life where some serious expectations were placed upon him, but it only took one day with Laney to make him realize his life really wasn't what he wanted it to be anymore.
With this book, the author framed it in a way that it was Laney and Noah in the present often reflecting on scenes from the past. We got to see what Laney had experienced in the past that left her so broken and what Noah has been dealing with with his actual fiancé back home. With all of the flashbacks, the pacing was a bit slow and I just wanted to get back to Noah and Laney, but those flashbacks were necessary to understanding the characters. The time Laney and Noah spent together, though, was cute and fun and I loved watching them discover new things about each other and slowly falling for each other.
Overall, this book was just a bundle of joy to read. With mistaken identities, insane snow storms, and a night in a honeymoon suite, Laney and Noah's story is impossible not to love. If you're looking for a cute, fun romance, you have to check out Jessica topper's Dictatorship of the Dress.
Laney Hudson has been given the job of transporting the dress to her mother's wedding in Hawaii. Laney is determined to not let her mom down, which means not letting that garment bag out of her sight. When Laney is mistaken as a bride and bumped to first class, Laney takes the upgrade and doesn't correct the assumption. But when the flight crew thinks the man next her her is her fiancé, Laney has no idea how to get out of the lie she's told. Noah Ridgewood is a straight-laced business man on the way to his bachelor party in Vegas and wants nothing to do with the Bridezilla sitting next to him. When a storm leaves them stranded in Chicago, though, Laney and Noah spend some time together and soon realize their assumptions about each other couldn't have been further off…
This book was exactly what I thought it would be: Adorable. Starting with Laney, I absolutely loved her character and how she was an artist. She used to illustrate comics and turned to drawing when she was stressed. I loved when she drew different people she came across (especially when she drew Noah!) and used her drawing as a way to entertain an adorable little kid they ran into during the novel. Both Laney and Noah have a geeky side and it was so gosh darn cute when they connected over their inner geeks and stopped judging each other based on their first impressions. Noah had a stressful life where some serious expectations were placed upon him, but it only took one day with Laney to make him realize his life really wasn't what he wanted it to be anymore.
With this book, the author framed it in a way that it was Laney and Noah in the present often reflecting on scenes from the past. We got to see what Laney had experienced in the past that left her so broken and what Noah has been dealing with with his actual fiancé back home. With all of the flashbacks, the pacing was a bit slow and I just wanted to get back to Noah and Laney, but those flashbacks were necessary to understanding the characters. The time Laney and Noah spent together, though, was cute and fun and I loved watching them discover new things about each other and slowly falling for each other.
Overall, this book was just a bundle of joy to read. With mistaken identities, insane snow storms, and a night in a honeymoon suite, Laney and Noah's story is impossible not to love. If you're looking for a cute, fun romance, you have to check out Jessica topper's Dictatorship of the Dress.
January 7, 2015
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When Laney is enlisted by her mother to act as a courier for her wedding dress from New York to Hawaii, little did she know she would be embarking on the journey of a lifetime. Laney is jaded by her mom’s past partnerships and the relationship between mother and daughter has been strained as a result. When Laney boards the plane bound for Hawaii, with dress in tow, she finds herself taking advantage of the assumption that the wedding dress she is accompanying is actually hers, thereby giving her perks such as first class upgrades, etc. When a handsome man becomes her seatmate on her first flight, it is assumed that he is in fact her fiancé, which Laney doesn’t correct. When the two find themselves stranded in Chicago due to adverse weather, they’re thrust into yet another compromising position…sharing the last hotel room available, the honeymoon suite.
Noah is on his way to Vegas for one last hurrah before he marries Sloane, the daughter of a business partner whom finances a lot of his endeavors. He’s very much the buttoned up businessman compared to Laney’s eclectic lifestyle. At first he’s not at all receptive towards Laney, but as they begin to spend more time in each other’s presence, especially after being grounded in Chicago, he finds himself oddly attracted to the woman that is nearly the polar opposite of his fiancée. Sloane is definitely looking for money and status, something that Laney wants to be no part of. As cracks begin to show, demonstrating exactly how little Noah and Sloane really have in common, Noah begins to question his choice of marrying. But what will happen to his business prospects if he disappoints his number one investor? Is leading an unhappy life with a woman he doesn’t love worth his livelihood?
Dictatorship Of the Dress was a fun read that certainly kept me on my toes. It is well written and the characters are fun, especially Laney, given all of the crap she had been dealt with by her mother. My biggest issue with the book was the timeline in which the events take place. Over the course of one week strangers are professing their love for each other and Noah, along with his friends stage a disappearing act in order to ditch Noah’s would be bride and catch up with Laney. It was a cutesy Lifetime movie kind of that serves one purpose, entertainment. There’s nothing prophetic or deep, but it makes for a nice escape from everyday life. I’ll definitely pick up the next book in the series, which is due mid-2015 and follows Dani, Laney’s best friend, and her journey to find the love of her life.
When Laney is enlisted by her mother to act as a courier for her wedding dress from New York to Hawaii, little did she know she would be embarking on the journey of a lifetime. Laney is jaded by her mom’s past partnerships and the relationship between mother and daughter has been strained as a result. When Laney boards the plane bound for Hawaii, with dress in tow, she finds herself taking advantage of the assumption that the wedding dress she is accompanying is actually hers, thereby giving her perks such as first class upgrades, etc. When a handsome man becomes her seatmate on her first flight, it is assumed that he is in fact her fiancé, which Laney doesn’t correct. When the two find themselves stranded in Chicago due to adverse weather, they’re thrust into yet another compromising position…sharing the last hotel room available, the honeymoon suite.
Noah is on his way to Vegas for one last hurrah before he marries Sloane, the daughter of a business partner whom finances a lot of his endeavors. He’s very much the buttoned up businessman compared to Laney’s eclectic lifestyle. At first he’s not at all receptive towards Laney, but as they begin to spend more time in each other’s presence, especially after being grounded in Chicago, he finds himself oddly attracted to the woman that is nearly the polar opposite of his fiancée. Sloane is definitely looking for money and status, something that Laney wants to be no part of. As cracks begin to show, demonstrating exactly how little Noah and Sloane really have in common, Noah begins to question his choice of marrying. But what will happen to his business prospects if he disappoints his number one investor? Is leading an unhappy life with a woman he doesn’t love worth his livelihood?
Dictatorship Of the Dress was a fun read that certainly kept me on my toes. It is well written and the characters are fun, especially Laney, given all of the crap she had been dealt with by her mother. My biggest issue with the book was the timeline in which the events take place. Over the course of one week strangers are professing their love for each other and Noah, along with his friends stage a disappearing act in order to ditch Noah’s would be bride and catch up with Laney. It was a cutesy Lifetime movie kind of that serves one purpose, entertainment. There’s nothing prophetic or deep, but it makes for a nice escape from everyday life. I’ll definitely pick up the next book in the series, which is due mid-2015 and follows Dani, Laney’s best friend, and her journey to find the love of her life.
January 17, 2015
More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives
This book was adorable! Adorable and so much fun! This is the kind of book you pick up when you need something sweet and light. Something to read when you need a pick me up. It’ll make you laugh and make your heart happy. It is also a bit quirky and I loved that.
Laney was a fun character. At first I wasn’t sure we were going to get along, but as she opened up and I got to know her, I really came to love her. She is nerdy and quirky and I loved that about her. I loved how she is her own person and didn’t fit the bill for a normal heroine. I loved how original Laney was. Her comic book references were awesome and I really loved her Lord of the Rings references. While Laney is fun, she has known heartache. Her past has some dark parts and she is still working through them, but she still keeps her lively personality.
Noah was another very likable character. At first glance he seems very controlled and uptight, but that is not the real Noah. The real Noah likes SyFy monster marathons and comic books. Noah is engaged to a real bridezilla and it is clear he is not a priority to his fiancé. I didn’t know how I’d feel about Noah being that he is engaged and the romance centers around his relationship with someone else, but that whole aspect was handled perfectly. I really loved Noah. He was such a lovable nerdy tech boy in a matchy match suit and he was so so swoony.
I also loved that the book was told in dual perspective. But it is more heavily in the perspective of Laney. Laney has a bigger story to tell, so she needs more page time. However, I really felt it was important that we got Noah’s perspective too. It was really important for the reader to see what was going on inside his head and what his life was like before he met Laney. The relationship that springs up between them may take place over a few short days, but it doesn’t feel like that. It feels much longer. Also another quick note, I loved Tim. He was great.
The only thing that I struggled with a bit was the transitions. The transitions between Noah and Laney were seamless. However, Laney would sometimes flash back to her past and when this happened, I didn’t always notice that we had changed time periods right away. It was a bit jarring and very quick and I sometimes had to go back to get my bearings.
All in all, Dictatorship of the Dress was a very fun read and perfect for when you need something to make you smile and swoon.
This book was adorable! Adorable and so much fun! This is the kind of book you pick up when you need something sweet and light. Something to read when you need a pick me up. It’ll make you laugh and make your heart happy. It is also a bit quirky and I loved that.
Laney was a fun character. At first I wasn’t sure we were going to get along, but as she opened up and I got to know her, I really came to love her. She is nerdy and quirky and I loved that about her. I loved how she is her own person and didn’t fit the bill for a normal heroine. I loved how original Laney was. Her comic book references were awesome and I really loved her Lord of the Rings references. While Laney is fun, she has known heartache. Her past has some dark parts and she is still working through them, but she still keeps her lively personality.
Noah was another very likable character. At first glance he seems very controlled and uptight, but that is not the real Noah. The real Noah likes SyFy monster marathons and comic books. Noah is engaged to a real bridezilla and it is clear he is not a priority to his fiancé. I didn’t know how I’d feel about Noah being that he is engaged and the romance centers around his relationship with someone else, but that whole aspect was handled perfectly. I really loved Noah. He was such a lovable nerdy tech boy in a matchy match suit and he was so so swoony.
I also loved that the book was told in dual perspective. But it is more heavily in the perspective of Laney. Laney has a bigger story to tell, so she needs more page time. However, I really felt it was important that we got Noah’s perspective too. It was really important for the reader to see what was going on inside his head and what his life was like before he met Laney. The relationship that springs up between them may take place over a few short days, but it doesn’t feel like that. It feels much longer. Also another quick note, I loved Tim. He was great.
The only thing that I struggled with a bit was the transitions. The transitions between Noah and Laney were seamless. However, Laney would sometimes flash back to her past and when this happened, I didn’t always notice that we had changed time periods right away. It was a bit jarring and very quick and I sometimes had to go back to get my bearings.
All in all, Dictatorship of the Dress was a very fun read and perfect for when you need something to make you smile and swoon.
March 9, 2015
5 'perfectious' stars
I ADORED this story. It was a cute and quirky reminder to follow your heart and find what makes you happy. With an alternating POV and a mix of memories, the author made me fall hard for ALL of these characters.
Laney Jane has let her mother dictate most of the decisions in her life, out of fear of disappointing her. She's living with regret, anger and feeling lost after the death of her high-school sweetheart and drummer extraordinaire, Allen. Taking off his class ring or even thinking about moving on has been difficult, if not impossible.
Laney has been tasked with schlepping her mom's wedding dress from New York to Hawaii for the big day. The large garment bag she's toting, gets her a bump up to first class, putting her in the seat next to 'tech-boy', Noah.
Noah has his own issues. He's headed to Las Vegas for his bachelor party weekend and hoping the time away will clear his head. Things with his bride-to-be, Sloane, just don't feel right.
"I'm afraid to hurt anyone. I'm afraid of what people will think."
What neither of them expected was getting stranded in Chicago, together. With only one hotel room available, Laney and Noah end up spending the night getting to know one another. It's incredibly cute watching them find exactly what they've both been missing. Noah is so darn sweet.
"You're the best layover I've ever had."
With the story taking place over a 48 hour time period, it could have easily turned into insta-love. Believe me when I say, I HATE insta-love and that's not what this felt like at all. It was about two people sharing a connection and the possibility of them exploring a future together. I loved the author's voice and felt the flow of the story was perfect. Like a great movie playing out in my mind. I seriously can't wait to get my hands on Dani's book. Since she's Laney's best friend, I'm hoping we get to see more of her and Noah.
"I brought them all here as my witnesses - I'm not asking you to marry me just yet, Laney. But promise me you'll lay over with me somewhere, sometime soon?"
5/5 Fangs
Mrs Leif's Two Fangs About It
*Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I ADORED this story. It was a cute and quirky reminder to follow your heart and find what makes you happy. With an alternating POV and a mix of memories, the author made me fall hard for ALL of these characters.
Laney Jane has let her mother dictate most of the decisions in her life, out of fear of disappointing her. She's living with regret, anger and feeling lost after the death of her high-school sweetheart and drummer extraordinaire, Allen. Taking off his class ring or even thinking about moving on has been difficult, if not impossible.
Laney has been tasked with schlepping her mom's wedding dress from New York to Hawaii for the big day. The large garment bag she's toting, gets her a bump up to first class, putting her in the seat next to 'tech-boy', Noah.
Noah has his own issues. He's headed to Las Vegas for his bachelor party weekend and hoping the time away will clear his head. Things with his bride-to-be, Sloane, just don't feel right.
"I'm afraid to hurt anyone. I'm afraid of what people will think."
What neither of them expected was getting stranded in Chicago, together. With only one hotel room available, Laney and Noah end up spending the night getting to know one another. It's incredibly cute watching them find exactly what they've both been missing. Noah is so darn sweet.
"You're the best layover I've ever had."
With the story taking place over a 48 hour time period, it could have easily turned into insta-love. Believe me when I say, I HATE insta-love and that's not what this felt like at all. It was about two people sharing a connection and the possibility of them exploring a future together. I loved the author's voice and felt the flow of the story was perfect. Like a great movie playing out in my mind. I seriously can't wait to get my hands on Dani's book. Since she's Laney's best friend, I'm hoping we get to see more of her and Noah.
"I brought them all here as my witnesses - I'm not asking you to marry me just yet, Laney. But promise me you'll lay over with me somewhere, sometime soon?"
5/5 Fangs
Mrs Leif's Two Fangs About It
*Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
January 7, 2015
Can I give this more than five stars?
Graphic artist Laney Hudson fell in love in with her high school sweetheart, made plans for a wedding and then her boyfriend left her right before the big day. She left her dream job as an artist for a famous comic book company and went to work for her mother's greeting card company. Although not fulfilling, she is reluctant to try anything new and her mother's constant put-downs as a screw up has not helped her self-esteem much either. When her mother decides to get married in Hawaii, Laney is recruited to deliver the wedding dress from her home near New York City.
Scoring an upgrade because of the dress, Laney expects to be asleep until she has to change planes in Chicago. In the first class lounge, she sits at the only open seat next to a business man using every single outlet and the two end up seated next to each other which leads the crew to assume they are engaged. A little white lie and a snow storm creates a life changing event for both of them. Noah Ridgewood is on his way to his bachelor party and finds himself caught up in the excitement that is Laney. He also realizes that he connects with Laney more than he ever did with his wife-to-be. Stuck in a Chicago hotel for a day, the two connect more than either thought possible.
Laney and Noah become truly honest with each other because they expect to never to see each other again. We find out what happened to Laney's fiance in flashbacks that may have you in a bit of tears by the end. Noah's fiance is someone you will dislike right away, trust me. I appreciate the fact that she is made more human by the end. Overall, this is a swoon-worthy read, perfect for Valentines Day. Oh, yeah, there is a bit of a music angle as well, since Laney's ex is a drummer. Those little details just make a book a great read. Sigh, it just can't get better than this.
Graphic artist Laney Hudson fell in love in with her high school sweetheart, made plans for a wedding and then her boyfriend left her right before the big day. She left her dream job as an artist for a famous comic book company and went to work for her mother's greeting card company. Although not fulfilling, she is reluctant to try anything new and her mother's constant put-downs as a screw up has not helped her self-esteem much either. When her mother decides to get married in Hawaii, Laney is recruited to deliver the wedding dress from her home near New York City.
Scoring an upgrade because of the dress, Laney expects to be asleep until she has to change planes in Chicago. In the first class lounge, she sits at the only open seat next to a business man using every single outlet and the two end up seated next to each other which leads the crew to assume they are engaged. A little white lie and a snow storm creates a life changing event for both of them. Noah Ridgewood is on his way to his bachelor party and finds himself caught up in the excitement that is Laney. He also realizes that he connects with Laney more than he ever did with his wife-to-be. Stuck in a Chicago hotel for a day, the two connect more than either thought possible.
Laney and Noah become truly honest with each other because they expect to never to see each other again. We find out what happened to Laney's fiance in flashbacks that may have you in a bit of tears by the end. Noah's fiance is someone you will dislike right away, trust me. I appreciate the fact that she is made more human by the end. Overall, this is a swoon-worthy read, perfect for Valentines Day. Oh, yeah, there is a bit of a music angle as well, since Laney's ex is a drummer. Those little details just make a book a great read. Sigh, it just can't get better than this.
January 8, 2015
4.5 Stars! This is one of my favorite book covers. I don't know what it is, but I adore the cover!
“Kissing Laney was like stepping into a hot shower on a cold day; that luxurious tingling sensation that starts at the back of your brain and rushes pleasure through your nerves. Once you were in, you craved more heat.”
If you love a true romance, then this book is for you!
Dictatorship of the Dress is the first book Ive read by Jessica Topper and I’m digging her. I always…ALWAYS enjoy a story more when I feel the authors personality and own style come through the words.
Dictatorship of the Dress is about Laney and Noah’s awesome layover. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. Laney is on a mission sent from her over bearing Jewish mother to deliver her mom’s wedding dress to Hawaii. Snowy weather delays her in Chicago where she meets Noah, the man with all his computers and gadgets. Noah is heading to his own bachelor party in Vegas. Laney is an artist who use to draw for Marvel, she is the opposite of the perfectly put together Noah. She is my favorite type of heroine quirky, confident, but not in a vain way with flaws just like the rest of us.
The connection they form on their adventure in layovers is fun with this super sexy tension. The relationships both characters have with their family and friends is very relatable. The sad past Laney went through to Noah’s issues with his future in laws. I loved all the emotions from this story and cant wait to read more from Jessica!
“Kissing Laney was like stepping into a hot shower on a cold day; that luxurious tingling sensation that starts at the back of your brain and rushes pleasure through your nerves. Once you were in, you craved more heat.”
If you love a true romance, then this book is for you!
Dictatorship of the Dress is the first book Ive read by Jessica Topper and I’m digging her. I always…ALWAYS enjoy a story more when I feel the authors personality and own style come through the words.
Dictatorship of the Dress is about Laney and Noah’s awesome layover. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. Laney is on a mission sent from her over bearing Jewish mother to deliver her mom’s wedding dress to Hawaii. Snowy weather delays her in Chicago where she meets Noah, the man with all his computers and gadgets. Noah is heading to his own bachelor party in Vegas. Laney is an artist who use to draw for Marvel, she is the opposite of the perfectly put together Noah. She is my favorite type of heroine quirky, confident, but not in a vain way with flaws just like the rest of us.
The connection they form on their adventure in layovers is fun with this super sexy tension. The relationships both characters have with their family and friends is very relatable. The sad past Laney went through to Noah’s issues with his future in laws. I loved all the emotions from this story and cant wait to read more from Jessica!
November 9, 2014
Laney Hudson is dreading her flight to Hawaii. Her mother is getting married again and she's the one responsible to bring the wedding dress with her.
Noah Ridgewood is in route to Las Vegas to meet his Bachelor party. He's not sure if the feelings he's having are related to cold feet or his fiancée is the cold one.
By chance, Laney and Noah sit together and soon everyone thinks they are the engaged couple to be married. To stay in first class, Laney rolls with the lie.
This is a perfect example of first impressions being very wrong since both assumed wrong things about each other. Luckily, thanks to a storm and getting stranded in Chicago they are going to be able to uncover the real truths.
I was a little disappointed with the time frame of the love story. In less than one week they are already in love. I would've love to see them over time fall in love. I'm just not an insta-love lover.
Saying this, I still enjoyed the book. I thought they were both interesting characters. It had humor and the secondary characters gave more depth to the story, I just wish I had liked it more than I did.
“Marriage isn’t just about sticking around for the pretty light show and water features. You’ve got to be there for the dry season, too.”
Cliffhanger:No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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Noah Ridgewood is in route to Las Vegas to meet his Bachelor party. He's not sure if the feelings he's having are related to cold feet or his fiancée is the cold one.
By chance, Laney and Noah sit together and soon everyone thinks they are the engaged couple to be married. To stay in first class, Laney rolls with the lie.
This is a perfect example of first impressions being very wrong since both assumed wrong things about each other. Luckily, thanks to a storm and getting stranded in Chicago they are going to be able to uncover the real truths.
I was a little disappointed with the time frame of the love story. In less than one week they are already in love. I would've love to see them over time fall in love. I'm just not an insta-love lover.
Saying this, I still enjoyed the book. I thought they were both interesting characters. It had humor and the secondary characters gave more depth to the story, I just wish I had liked it more than I did.
“Marriage isn’t just about sticking around for the pretty light show and water features. You’ve got to be there for the dry season, too.”
Cliffhanger:No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
November 18, 2015
I received this book from PBC in exchange for an honest review. From the beginning I knew I was probably going to like this book. I really like the authors writing style and the way the book flows. This book introduces us to Laney Hudson. Who is superb at drawing. She is on a mission to get her mothers wedding dress from New York to Hawaii. She accidentally gets mistaken for the bride and then bumped up to first class. She doesn't correct it thinking a little pampering and relaxation is earned. Anyway she ends up sitting next to a tech mogul named Noah. His first impression of her is bridezilla while she's thinking jeez dude put down an electronic device for once! He's on his way to his bachelor party in Las Vegas. So when there next flights are grounded and he is mistaken to be Laneys groom to be he just kind of rolls with it. Then they both get put in the last room the honey moon suite at the hotel well why not? They start learning things about each other and both learn things from each other that they needed to hear to make their own lives better.
Anyway I thought it was a very good fun read. It was what I needed I think after the last romance I read. There is some romance but I laughed too. I really feel like it deserves the 4 star rating!
Anyway I thought it was a very good fun read. It was what I needed I think after the last romance I read. There is some romance but I laughed too. I really feel like it deserves the 4 star rating!
November 22, 2015
I'm giving this book a solid 4.5 stars!!!
I loved this book from the moment I started reading it! I love how Laney & Noah fit together this perfect whole, and it's absolutely magical!
The first thing that attracted me to this story was the whole airport part. I think it's coz of my frequent visits to the airport, I'm really starting to obsess over airport love stories! Lol!
In the end, this story was perfect in my eyes! I absolutely loved the characters, and the story! It was magical from the start till the end! It just left me yearning for my Noah to come along one day! ;)
I loved this book from the moment I started reading it! I love how Laney & Noah fit together this perfect whole, and it's absolutely magical!
The first thing that attracted me to this story was the whole airport part. I think it's coz of my frequent visits to the airport, I'm really starting to obsess over airport love stories! Lol!
In the end, this story was perfect in my eyes! I absolutely loved the characters, and the story! It was magical from the start till the end! It just left me yearning for my Noah to come along one day! ;)
January 2, 2015
Noah and Laney
Really good book. Loved the characters and loved how the story was laid out with flashbacks of Laney's past and Noah's present. Great way to start 2015. Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Really good book. Loved the characters and loved how the story was laid out with flashbacks of Laney's past and Noah's present. Great way to start 2015. Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
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