The Dressmaker's War

Brides of Bold Street #3

by Michelle Vernal

She gazes at her mother’s face in the black and white photograph, her vision blurring as tears build. Could this wartime wedding portrait be the key to finding out why her mother went missing, all those years ago?

Brides of Bold Street is filled with beautiful, brand-new ivory gowns. But dressmaker Sabrina loves it when brides-to-be wear vintage, family heirloom dresses. Seeing wedding day photographs of future mothers and grandmothers beaming – as if knowing the happiness they feel will be passed down to their daughters – is a bittersweet reminder of the mother she’s never known.

And as she and her handsome beau, Adam Taylor, start talking about marriage, not having her mother by her side weighs on Sabrina’s heart more and more each day.

But when a bride walks into the store with a family dress made of rare parachute silk from World War Two, Sabrina feels hope rise again in her chest. Because the bride also has a photograph. A photo Sabrina is sure shows her mother’s face…

With the answers to what happened all those years ago almost within reach, Sabrina decides to risk another journey through the past – and this time, with Adam by her side. He’d never let her travel alone, to a time when air raid sirens broke the silence of the night and bombs fell on Liverpool.

Together, will they finally solve the mystery of Sabrina’s real family? Or will the dangers of the darkest days of World War Two prevent Adam and Sabrina from returning to their own time?

This completely heartbreaking and sweeping historical fiction novel is perfect for fans of Barbara Davis, Sandy Taylor and Jean Grainger. This gut-wrenching tale of love, loss and family secrets tied to the final years of the war will have you reaching for the tissues.

Previously published as The Spring Posy.

What readers are saying about The Dressmaker's War:

‘Brilliant… Totally hooked… Fabulous… Pure gold. Can't wait for the next book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘From the minute I opened this book I was invested… I was completely hooked 🥰 … I couldn’t put the book down.’ gemmaruth4

‘Wonderful… This truly imaginative story is impossible to put down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Addictive… I love this… I can’t stop reading.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Highly recommend… I haven't been able to put them down… Love them from start to finish and can’t wait to read the next.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful… Beautiful story… Like a breath of fresh air.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


What readers are saying about Michelle

‘LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOVVVEEE, LOVED IT!!!… Absolutely stunning!!!…

Genres: Historical Fiction

268 pages, Paperback

Published May 9, 2025

About the author

Michelle Vernal is a bestselling author of warm, witty, and uplifting Irish fiction. Born in England to parents from Liverpool – often called “Little Ireland” – she grew up on her mum’s tales of Iocal families, music, and humour. Later, she lived, worked, got engaged, and travelled extensively in Ireland, experiences that inspire her much-loved novels, including the hilarious Guesthouse on the Green series. Her stories, filled with heart, humour, and unforgettable characters, have earned her a loyal readership worldwide.

For updates on Michelle's latest book releases you can follow her here: https://www.amazon.com/author/michell...

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

THE DRESSMAKER’S WAR (Brides of Bold Street Book #3) by Michelle Vernal is another captivating dual timeline adventure featuring wedding dress maker, Sabrina in 1982 Liverpool, England who is able to time slip into the past. While each book has Sabrina helping a different couple in different years and could be read as standalone stories, I preferred reading them in order as those around Sabrina continue to evolve in their relationships to Sabrina in her present.

In 1982, Sabrina’s work at Brides of Bold Street and her relationship with Adam are going well and right now she has no plans to attempt a time slip to find the mother she was separated from. When a bride-to-be walks into the shop to have her grandmother’s dress altered for her own wedding, she shows Sabrina a wedding photo from her grandmother’s wedding. Sabrina is shocked to see not only herself and her boyfriend, Adam, in the photo, but she is sure she sees her mother’s face also.

Now in 1945, Sabrina and Max have slipped to the day before the celebrations for VE Day and to meet Lily, whom readers have been following in the other of the dual timelines in this story. Before the time slip, we follow Lilly’s young life during the war up to the time she meets Sabrina.

A night around the celebratory VE DAY bonfires changes everything for Sabrina.

Every book just gets better and better. I love this series and all the characters; both the main group that appear in every book and the new couple we are introduced to in each past story. This book once again had me completely engrossed as I turned the pages. Ms. Vernal’s descriptions of each time period pulled me right into the era’s history and clothing and it is especially fun and brings back good memories when she lists what music Sabrina and her friends are listening to in 1982. This is a beautiful story that is full of emotional ups and downs, love, family, and surprising revelations.

I highly recommend this mash-up of time travel, romance. and mystery!

[Gemma Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.
A time-slip novel, set in the heart of Liverpool, this work of historical fiction was well written and kept my interest throughout.

A tale of two halves, the first was a dual perspective following the lives of Sabrina Flooks and Lily Tubb. Set in 1982, Sabrina is searching for her mother who went missing in mysterious circumstances on Bold Street in 1962. Sabrina was taken in by the owner of a bridal shop, Evelyn Flooks and is stunned when Alice walks in holding a photograph of her grandmother’s wedding from 1945. In that photograph, Sabrina recognises herself and her partner Adam and this sets in motion her desire to travel back to 1945 in search of clues.

In 1939, Lily Tubb is living in wartime Liverpool and is pictured as a little girl being packed off to Skelmersdale before the bombs start falling during the blitz. She finds herself living with a hardened old battle-axe who has no time or compassion for Lily. Made to toil every hour with little food, Lily is struggling and when she tries to reach out for help, she meets Max.Hiding out in the empty house next door, Max shows up at the right time to save Lily from being beaten by the old witch.

Part two follows on from the war time. Sabrina and Adam have travelled back to 1945 in search of answers and end up staying with Lily. Will Sabrina find her mum and the answers she desperately craves or will she be stuck in time forever? Pick up the book to find out

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dressmaker’s War by Michelle Vernal is a timeslip novel that entertained me from the start. It is the third book in the Brides Of Bold Street but can be read as a stand-alone.
The action is set in 1982 and during World War II, particularly pivotal is 1945. We learn that for certain characters, Bold Street is a time portal, over which they have no control. For one young mother and her small daughter in 1963, there were life-changing consequences, resulting in a search that has never left hearts.
We see the value of good parents. Sometimes we are not brought up by our biological parents, but by others who love us and treat us with love. There are varying reasons as to why our biological parents have not brought us up, including social stigma on unmarried mothers in the past.
Young children are evacuated at the start of the phony war in September 1939. The young of Liverpool were sent to the countryside. Some were well treated but not all. Bonds were formed in adversity.
All the characters were well drawn and down to earth. They were likable as they pulled together in hardship.
The Dressmaker’s War was a unique read that I consumed in an afternoon. It was entertaining too.
I received a free copy from the publishers for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina, a renowned dressmaker on Bold Street, finds joy in designing beautiful gowns, especially vintage styles and family heirloom dresses that make brides feel truly beautiful on their special day. However, with every dress she creates, she can’t help but miss her mother, whom she never knew.

As Sabrina and her boyfriend Adam begin discussing their own wedding, she can’t help but reminisce about her mother’s absence. The thought of not being there when she walks down the aisle breaks her heart. But fate intervenes when a bride enters Sabrina’s store, wearing a breathtaking silk dress from World War II and a photograph that Sabrina recognizes instantly. The woman in the picture is her mother.

“The Dressmaker’s War,” a captivating novel by Michelle Vernal, continues Sabrina’s remarkable journey. Through Sabrina’s life story, Vernal explores themes of overcoming the past and embracing the future. Sabrina’s resilience and determination are truly inspiring, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to discover the rest of her story.

This is the third installment of a beloved series, and Vernal’s skillful weaving of the past and present in a time slip novel keeps readers engaged and enthralled. Whether read as a standalone book or as part of the Brides of Bold Street Series, “The Dressmaker’s War” is an absolute gem that I highly recommend.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy book with a magical twist is set in a bridal shop on Bold Street. Michelle Vernal writes cozy stories set in villages and this time the village is a street with a magical secret, a time slip. Sabrina is still anxious to find her mom before settling in to life with Adam. When a bride needing alterations on her grandmother’s wedding dress brings a picture of her grandmother’s wedding Sabrina is shocked to see herself and Adam in the picture. Will she find the answers she seeks when she travels to the wedding? I enjoyed this book about found family and love.The time slip was an unexpected but enjoyable part of the story. The characters were endearing and I wanted Sabrina to find the answers she needed so she could move forward in her life. This is the third book in the Brides of Bold Street series and I am looking forward to the next one. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy cozy stories of family and life and love.

Thanks to Bookouture for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brides of Bold Street is a really fun timeslip series set in Liverpool at various points from the 1920s to the 1980s. They were previously published as The Liverpool Brides, but have just been re-released with new names and covers. I've spent much of the last 2 days immersing myself in Sabrina’s life and have binged the first 3 books. I think this is my favourite so far due to the Wartime setting. And having characters called Yvonne and Joyce made me smile as my mum's name is Yvonne Joyce 😊

The use of Liverpudlian dialect really roots this book geographically, and I'm grateful for the glossary at the start as I wasn't familiar with all the terms used. The speech felt real and natural, and the overall writing was good.

I loved the plot and the continuing mystery of exactly why there's a timeslip and how it works. I'm looking forward to the final book and hopefully a resolution to the mystery.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows Sabrina's story. Separated from her Mom at a young age and raised by Evelyn Flooks, a seamstress who works in a bridal shop, Sabrina meets Alice, who is looking to alter her dress. She shows Sabrina a surprising picture. It's a dual timeline story told by Sabrina in 1982 and Lily in 1945.

This is another intriguing adventure as Sabrina is trying to find her mother. She's helped by her boyfriend Adam and her best friend Flo. Lily is navigating WWII and was evacuated to the country, and then makes her way back to town. We soon learn about the connection between the two. There's a bit of mystery, time travel, found family, and romance as Sabrina navigates her life as she is in search of her mom.

[Nethanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina continues her journey through times to find her mother and helps others to find happiness. But when she finds her mother what will happen next.
Really entertaining time travel story. This is part three and you have to read them in order. After this one the story end in the fourth one.
I really enjoyed the characters, the adjustments they have to make to fit in. This series has a very interesting storyline.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

[ClaireBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the dual timelines. The contrast between Sabrina’s life in the ‘80s and the wartime scenes added real emotional depth. The historical parts were especially powerful—evacuees, VE Day celebrations, and the quiet strength of the women trying to hold everything together. I was fully invested in both and whilst being disappointed when the story switched quickly became engrossed again.

Sabrina is such a relatable, down-to-earth character. Her determination to uncover the truth about her mother really resonated with me.

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilly ❤️ Max

A really good time travel book. Sabrina finally found her mother! What a great story. I felt so sorry for the children who were taken inland because of the blitz and all the terror that happened. But when Sabrina and Adam show up on the scene, there is only triumph happening.

[Glenda Manus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series!

I’ve been binge reading this series for days now. Just bought the last one and having to make myself stay away from it long enough to get some housework done. Love the characters and love not knowing where the next slip in time might lead them..

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good entertaining read but the format is getting a little predictable now. I’ll read the last book in the series because I like the characters, they’re well-written, and want to find out what happens to them all but I’m looking forward to moving on to a different genre now.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an interesting spin on time travel. I was drawn to this book because it centers around a dress that was made out of a parachute silk from WWII. Photos and long past memories connect multiple generations of women through the dress.

Sabrina is determined to understand what happened to her mother. She wants to understand the photograph and who is in it. In order to do so she must travel to the past.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dressmaker’s War

Reading about Lily, her mom, Sarah Lily’s best friend, Sarah’s mom Fern little brother Alfie, Max, Lily’s aunt, uncle, 3 cousins, Alice her granddaughter.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been the first book out of the Brides of Bold Street series it definitely throws you through a loop when there is talk of time jumping.
The story itself was well written and flowed really well, your heart aches for the characters but ends how it should.