What do you think?
The Cairo Bridal Shop
Find the dress of your dreams, then run for your life.
Nestled at the bustling foot of the pyramids lies the iconic Albi Bridal Shop, where three sisters are about to break the shackles of tradition to fight for their futures.
When Mariam Albi was tragically killed, the responsibility of running the business was thrust upon eldest daughter, Sarah. Bound to the dress shop and to the demands of her husband and his spiteful mother, Sarah finds herself trapped with nowhere to turn.
Political journalist Aya is writing the story of her career while on the cusp of a thrilling new relationship with Australian-raised journalist, Gamal. When Gamal is arrested on suspicion of treason, Aya risks her life to follow her heart.
University student Lola, the youngest of the Albi girls, is finding her place in the world while masking her true identity. But her secret is exposed, putting her life in grave danger as she faces losing everything and everyone she loves.
Inspired by the stories of the ancient pharaoh queens before them, the Albi sisters must harness their inner strength to survive - for in Egypt, history runs deep but blood runs deeper.
'Tess is an artist, she creates pictures with her words.' - Australian Women's Weekly
'Woods is a natural storyteller.Her characters are as well drawn as Melina Marchetta's and Maeve Binchy's.' Writing WA
Nestled at the bustling foot of the pyramids lies the iconic Albi Bridal Shop, where three sisters are about to break the shackles of tradition to fight for their futures.
When Mariam Albi was tragically killed, the responsibility of running the business was thrust upon eldest daughter, Sarah. Bound to the dress shop and to the demands of her husband and his spiteful mother, Sarah finds herself trapped with nowhere to turn.
Political journalist Aya is writing the story of her career while on the cusp of a thrilling new relationship with Australian-raised journalist, Gamal. When Gamal is arrested on suspicion of treason, Aya risks her life to follow her heart.
University student Lola, the youngest of the Albi girls, is finding her place in the world while masking her true identity. But her secret is exposed, putting her life in grave danger as she faces losing everything and everyone she loves.
Inspired by the stories of the ancient pharaoh queens before them, the Albi sisters must harness their inner strength to survive - for in Egypt, history runs deep but blood runs deeper.
'Tess is an artist, she creates pictures with her words.' - Australian Women's Weekly
'Woods is a natural storyteller.Her characters are as well drawn as Melina Marchetta's and Maeve Binchy's.' Writing WA
Audible Audio
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Tess Woods
9 books292 followers Visit www.tesswoods.com.au
Facebook and Instagram - look for Tess Woods Author
Email Tess at tess@tesswoods.com.au
Facebook and Instagram - look for Tess Woods Author
Email Tess at tess@tesswoods.com.au
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 22, 2026
This one took me a bit to get into at first, but it wasn’t long before I was getting to know the three sisters of The Albi Bridal Boutique set at the base of the pyramids in Cairo, Sarah, Aya and Lola and how their lives would change so drastically, the story is told by Sohiela the woman who has been with firstly their grandmother then mother and then them, come along for a trip to Egypt.
Mariam Albi the mother of three beautiful girls has designed six wedding dresses named for the female pharaoh kings but when she is killed tragically the running of the shop is taken over by Sarah the eldest daughter with the help of seamstress Sohiela, life is not easy for Sarah with her husband and his mother but still the shop keeps going and does well.
Aya is a political journalist and that can be a very dangerous position in Egypt these days but she is writing a story that is sure to make a name for her in the world of journalism but when one of her co-workers the Egyptian born/Australian Gamal is arrested after piece he has written Aya will risk her life to save the man she loves.
Lola is an arts student at university the youngest of the girls who has been keeping a secret and she is trying to find herself and when she start to find that person she also now finds herself in grave danger, will she lose the people she loves the most?
This story is written from the heart of the author who is Egyptian born herself, I don’t understand a lot of the Egyptian ways or language but was pulled into the story and there are some awesome characters in this book that I really felt for that being the girls and Sohiela but there are some not to snice people in this book who show that the world needs to change, I did very much enjoy this story and the emotions that come from the story telling that is so very good. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves a book that digs deep into family and love and loves a bit of history about the pyramids and the pharaohs.
Mariam Albi the mother of three beautiful girls has designed six wedding dresses named for the female pharaoh kings but when she is killed tragically the running of the shop is taken over by Sarah the eldest daughter with the help of seamstress Sohiela, life is not easy for Sarah with her husband and his mother but still the shop keeps going and does well.
Aya is a political journalist and that can be a very dangerous position in Egypt these days but she is writing a story that is sure to make a name for her in the world of journalism but when one of her co-workers the Egyptian born/Australian Gamal is arrested after piece he has written Aya will risk her life to save the man she loves.
Lola is an arts student at university the youngest of the girls who has been keeping a secret and she is trying to find herself and when she start to find that person she also now finds herself in grave danger, will she lose the people she loves the most?
This story is written from the heart of the author who is Egyptian born herself, I don’t understand a lot of the Egyptian ways or language but was pulled into the story and there are some awesome characters in this book that I really felt for that being the girls and Sohiela but there are some not to snice people in this book who show that the world needs to change, I did very much enjoy this story and the emotions that come from the story telling that is so very good. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves a book that digs deep into family and love and loves a bit of history about the pyramids and the pharaohs.
September 22, 2026
The Cairo Bridal Shop is about three sisters who inherited their parents’ bridal shop, situated on a bustling street in Cairo.
Sarah, the eldest sister, is a seamstress who also runs the shop. She’s been married for over ten years with a less than ideal man. The worst part is she has to put up with her obnoxious mother-in-law. She’s desperate to have a baby.
Aya, the middle sister, is a political journalist. She’s fallen in love with an Egyptian-Australian political journalist.
The youngest sister, Lola, is studying art at university. She’s going through a crisis of identity.
The three sisters simultaneously go through tough times for different reasons. It’s intense, stressful and life altering. You’ll have to read the novel to find out why.
Through depictions of everyday situations and the sister’s lives and family history, Tess Woods painted a revealing picture of the social, economic and political situation in Egypt. Behind the tourist attractions there’s poverty, corruption, pollution, misogynistic, bigoted and patriarchal attitudes and rules.
Tess Woods’ fifth novel is her most personal and, in my view, her best work yet, and I’m extremely pleased to have read it. I also appreciated her author’s note.
I can’t wait to have my copy signed at the Fiction writers’ festival.
Sarah, the eldest sister, is a seamstress who also runs the shop. She’s been married for over ten years with a less than ideal man. The worst part is she has to put up with her obnoxious mother-in-law. She’s desperate to have a baby.
Aya, the middle sister, is a political journalist. She’s fallen in love with an Egyptian-Australian political journalist.
The youngest sister, Lola, is studying art at university. She’s going through a crisis of identity.
The three sisters simultaneously go through tough times for different reasons. It’s intense, stressful and life altering. You’ll have to read the novel to find out why.
Through depictions of everyday situations and the sister’s lives and family history, Tess Woods painted a revealing picture of the social, economic and political situation in Egypt. Behind the tourist attractions there’s poverty, corruption, pollution, misogynistic, bigoted and patriarchal attitudes and rules.
Tess Woods’ fifth novel is her most personal and, in my view, her best work yet, and I’m extremely pleased to have read it. I also appreciated her author’s note.
I can’t wait to have my copy signed at the Fiction writers’ festival.
September 5, 2026
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
The Cairo Bridal Shop is one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it deserves all the stars, what a natural born storyteller Tess Woods is, absolutely brilliant!
The setting for this book is breathtaking, it’s in modern Egypt and situated at the iconic Albi Bridal Boutique in Cairo with a magical view of the great pyramids. I hope to visit there one day!
The Cairo Bridal Shop is the story of three sisters, Sarah, Aya and Lola. When their mother was tragically killed, Sarah inherited the bridal shop. I don’t want to give too much away but here’s a quick glimpse of the main characters.
Sarah Thirty one is unhappily married and has a demanding and spiteful mother in law.
Aya is naturally beautiful but she hides it, she’s also a political journalist and human rights advocate. Aya risks her life to follow her heart.
Free spirited Lola is a uni student and hides her true self. When she finds herself exposed her life is in grave danger.
Soheila is the girls surrogate mother and a seamstress in the shop, she has a magical gift.
The story touches on history, tradition, culture, sisterhood, political pressure, defiance, pharaoh queens, survival and ancient wonders.
I loved the ancient history that was weaved into the way the bride dresses names came about, amazing. A story I easily devoured and I also enjoyed the humour along with the serious and dark parts of the story.
A must read for everyone, it will steal your heart! One of my favourite reads this year!
Publication Date 01 September 2026
Publisher Penguin Australia
Thank you so much Tess Woods & Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
The Cairo Bridal Shop is one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it deserves all the stars, what a natural born storyteller Tess Woods is, absolutely brilliant!
The setting for this book is breathtaking, it’s in modern Egypt and situated at the iconic Albi Bridal Boutique in Cairo with a magical view of the great pyramids. I hope to visit there one day!
The Cairo Bridal Shop is the story of three sisters, Sarah, Aya and Lola. When their mother was tragically killed, Sarah inherited the bridal shop. I don’t want to give too much away but here’s a quick glimpse of the main characters.
Sarah Thirty one is unhappily married and has a demanding and spiteful mother in law.
Aya is naturally beautiful but she hides it, she’s also a political journalist and human rights advocate. Aya risks her life to follow her heart.
Free spirited Lola is a uni student and hides her true self. When she finds herself exposed her life is in grave danger.
Soheila is the girls surrogate mother and a seamstress in the shop, she has a magical gift.
The story touches on history, tradition, culture, sisterhood, political pressure, defiance, pharaoh queens, survival and ancient wonders.
I loved the ancient history that was weaved into the way the bride dresses names came about, amazing. A story I easily devoured and I also enjoyed the humour along with the serious and dark parts of the story.
A must read for everyone, it will steal your heart! One of my favourite reads this year!
Publication Date 01 September 2026
Publisher Penguin Australia
Thank you so much Tess Woods & Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
September 14, 2026
It took me a while to get into this book, mainly because I'm completely unfamiliar with Egyptian customs, laws and language. If this worries you, fear not. Tess Woods takes you by the hand and leads you on unerringly. I ended up loving the three Albi sisters, all walking different roads in life but rich with their love for each other. Their Egyptian heritage was tangled up with goddesses and past Queens. The bridal shop is nestled on the outskirts of Cairo in full view of the mighty pyramids, all of which which adds to the epic-like status of the setting. There is danger and disaster looming for each of the sisters here, legal and illegal, and how they find their way through is genuinely heart-stopping. From about half-way be prepared to simply read to the end. There's no way you can put the book down! Tess Woods has Egyptian heritage, and her note at the end tells of the many family she popped into the book, the customs, the stories, the love, and the need for justice in the Middle East. This is, indeed, the book of her heart, and I'm so glad she wrote it.
September 6, 2026
5 stars for a highly entertaining story but also such bravery in highlighting the human rights horrors in Egypt and also in Saudi Arabia through the story line with the political journalist sister, Aya. I learnt so much about the ancient Egyptian female Pharaohs & it was a clever idea to link the different bridal gowns to a particular female Pharaoh. As my mother and grandmother were both dressmakers, there was so much I understood about the planning of how to create a gown, even down to the careful hemming as you stood on a table, bring told not to look down. There is a genuine sense of place in this novel & I feel like I have visited Cairo after reading the very vivid descriptions. I loved the diversity of the three sisters: Sarah, Aya and baby Lola. Easy to read, informative, challenging, courageous & bold fiction. Thank you Tess Woods!
August 18, 2026
My top read of 2026. Without question.
I’ve been waiting to lose myself in The Cairo Bridal Shop from the moment I found out Tess Woods was writing it. After falling completely in love with The Venice Hotel, my expectations were already high. I knew I would enjoy this book. What I wasn’t prepared for was just how deeply I would love it or that somehow, Tess would manage to write something I loved even more.
By the final page, I felt as though I hadn’t simply read a story. I had gained three sisters, an entire Egyptian family and, somehow, their ancestors too. I became so emotionally invested in these women, their relationships, their histories, their heartbreak and their love for one another that leaving them behind genuinely felt like saying goodbye to people I knew.
There is so much heart within these pages. Generations of women, family, culture, sacrifice, resilience and the complicated ways love and expectation can become intertwined. Tess beautifully immerses us in Egyptian life while also confronting the very real and current struggles surrounding women’s rights throughout the Middle East. These heavier realities are woven through the story with such humanity that they never feel distant or abstract, they belong to women we have come to know, understand and care deeply about.
And I think that is what made this book so special to me. The Cairo Bridal Shop made me feel connected to women whose lives may look completely different from mine, while constantly reminding me of all the things that bind women together across cultures, countries and generations.
I laughed with these women. I hurt for them. I wanted to protect them, shake them, sit at their table and be folded into their family. I finished the book feeling incredibly full and also a little heartbroken that I had to leave them behind.
Tess Woods has written something truly beautiful here. The Cairo Bridal Shop isn’t simply my favourite Tess Woods novel…it is my favourite book of 2026!
If you only read one book this year, please make it this one. Get your hands on a copy of The Cairo Bridal Shop.
You can thank me later. ❤️
I’ve been waiting to lose myself in The Cairo Bridal Shop from the moment I found out Tess Woods was writing it. After falling completely in love with The Venice Hotel, my expectations were already high. I knew I would enjoy this book. What I wasn’t prepared for was just how deeply I would love it or that somehow, Tess would manage to write something I loved even more.
By the final page, I felt as though I hadn’t simply read a story. I had gained three sisters, an entire Egyptian family and, somehow, their ancestors too. I became so emotionally invested in these women, their relationships, their histories, their heartbreak and their love for one another that leaving them behind genuinely felt like saying goodbye to people I knew.
There is so much heart within these pages. Generations of women, family, culture, sacrifice, resilience and the complicated ways love and expectation can become intertwined. Tess beautifully immerses us in Egyptian life while also confronting the very real and current struggles surrounding women’s rights throughout the Middle East. These heavier realities are woven through the story with such humanity that they never feel distant or abstract, they belong to women we have come to know, understand and care deeply about.
And I think that is what made this book so special to me. The Cairo Bridal Shop made me feel connected to women whose lives may look completely different from mine, while constantly reminding me of all the things that bind women together across cultures, countries and generations.
I laughed with these women. I hurt for them. I wanted to protect them, shake them, sit at their table and be folded into their family. I finished the book feeling incredibly full and also a little heartbroken that I had to leave them behind.
Tess Woods has written something truly beautiful here. The Cairo Bridal Shop isn’t simply my favourite Tess Woods novel…it is my favourite book of 2026!
If you only read one book this year, please make it this one. Get your hands on a copy of The Cairo Bridal Shop.
You can thank me later. ❤️
September 18, 2026
This book was super nostalgic for me. As an Australian born to Egyptian parents, I loved being immersed in the sights, sounds and tastes - oh my gosh, the tastes - of Egypt. The story is rich in the culture and history of my heritage, one I share with the author, although Tess Woods was actually born in Egypt.
My first hair removal experience as a teen was with the homemade caramel wax my mum made, a traditional method I'd forgotten about until I read page five. That's how early in the book memories were rushing back. The references to food made my mouth water. Molokheya, belila, warak enab, meals I always request when I visit my mum.
But I digress!
This is the story of three sisters, Aya, Lola and Sarah. Sarah runs the bridal dress shop at the foot of the pyramids, keeping her mother's legacy alive. After finding out about her husband's infidelity, she makes another discovery - she has finally fallen pregnant. Now she has to extricate herself from a marriage she no longer wants before he finds out.
Aya is a political journalist who falls in love with Australian-raised journalist Gamal. When Gamal is jailed on suspicion of treason, it's up to Aya to secure his freedom before he's executed.
Then there's Lola, a fesity university student, who finds herself in a forbidden relationship. When her secret is exposed, her life is at risk. Three sisters facing different threats.
The danger, the breathtaking beauty and the mystique of Egypt are beautifully captured in this enchanting story about sisterhood, courage and belonging. It asks, how far would you go for love? What price would you pay for safety? And what does home really mean?
For writers, the structure of this book is interesting, too, with descriptions of the bridal gowns inspired by the ancient pharoah queens at the opening of each part of this six-part book, alongside chapters from the POV of the sisters and their surrogate mother.
The Cairo Bridal Shop is original, unexpected, exotic and a beautiful merging of past and present.
Shukran, Tess. This was a treat.
My first hair removal experience as a teen was with the homemade caramel wax my mum made, a traditional method I'd forgotten about until I read page five. That's how early in the book memories were rushing back. The references to food made my mouth water. Molokheya, belila, warak enab, meals I always request when I visit my mum.
But I digress!
This is the story of three sisters, Aya, Lola and Sarah. Sarah runs the bridal dress shop at the foot of the pyramids, keeping her mother's legacy alive. After finding out about her husband's infidelity, she makes another discovery - she has finally fallen pregnant. Now she has to extricate herself from a marriage she no longer wants before he finds out.
Aya is a political journalist who falls in love with Australian-raised journalist Gamal. When Gamal is jailed on suspicion of treason, it's up to Aya to secure his freedom before he's executed.
Then there's Lola, a fesity university student, who finds herself in a forbidden relationship. When her secret is exposed, her life is at risk. Three sisters facing different threats.
The danger, the breathtaking beauty and the mystique of Egypt are beautifully captured in this enchanting story about sisterhood, courage and belonging. It asks, how far would you go for love? What price would you pay for safety? And what does home really mean?
For writers, the structure of this book is interesting, too, with descriptions of the bridal gowns inspired by the ancient pharoah queens at the opening of each part of this six-part book, alongside chapters from the POV of the sisters and their surrogate mother.
The Cairo Bridal Shop is original, unexpected, exotic and a beautiful merging of past and present.
Shukran, Tess. This was a treat.
October 1, 2026
It's not often that the characters from a book linger with me after I finish reading it, but Sarah, Aya, Lola, and Soheila tell such vivid stories in this wonderful book that I'll be thinking about them for awhile.
This incredible book will transport you to Cairo, where you'll be swept into the lives of those who live at the Albi bridal shop.
It's lush with scenery, food, and emotions.
I devoured this book. Absolutely loved it!
Highly recommend.
This incredible book will transport you to Cairo, where you'll be swept into the lives of those who live at the Albi bridal shop.
It's lush with scenery, food, and emotions.
I devoured this book. Absolutely loved it!
Highly recommend.
September 23, 2026
I loved my time with the Albi Bridal Boutique and the Albi sisters - Sarah, Aya and Lola.
#ReadTheWorld
#ReadingTheWorld Egypt 🇪🇬
#ReadTheWorld
#ReadingTheWorld Egypt 🇪🇬
September 22, 2026
This was just as good as The Venice Hotel if not better. I inhaled this book.
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I went into this one completely blind, and I’m so glad I did.
Set in Cairo, near the pyramids, this is the story of three sisters who inherit their mother’s iconic bridal shop. Sarah runs the shop while navigating an unhappy marriage and a patriarchal society; political journalist Aya risks everything to fight for the release of an Australian Egyptian journalist imprisoned for treason; and university student Lola struggles to find her identity in a society that leaves little room for diversity.
The characters completely came alive for me. I laughed with them, felt their pain and celebrated their triumphs. I loved the themes of female resilience, sisterhood and family, woven through such a rich cultural setting.
Short chapters and multiple POVs made this a bingeable, emotional read, and I especially loved the history behind each bridal gown and the Pharaoh queen who inspired it. And finally Soheila was such a great character, not just in personality but in helping the sisters find their way.
Throughout the book, I had the feeling the story was deeply personal to the author. The Author’s Note confirmed that it was inspired by her family’s heritage, which made the story feel even more special.
A beautiful story of family, resilience, identity and love, set against the captivating backdrop of Cairo.
I went into this one completely blind, and I’m so glad I did.
Set in Cairo, near the pyramids, this is the story of three sisters who inherit their mother’s iconic bridal shop. Sarah runs the shop while navigating an unhappy marriage and a patriarchal society; political journalist Aya risks everything to fight for the release of an Australian Egyptian journalist imprisoned for treason; and university student Lola struggles to find her identity in a society that leaves little room for diversity.
The characters completely came alive for me. I laughed with them, felt their pain and celebrated their triumphs. I loved the themes of female resilience, sisterhood and family, woven through such a rich cultural setting.
Short chapters and multiple POVs made this a bingeable, emotional read, and I especially loved the history behind each bridal gown and the Pharaoh queen who inspired it. And finally Soheila was such a great character, not just in personality but in helping the sisters find their way.
Throughout the book, I had the feeling the story was deeply personal to the author. The Author’s Note confirmed that it was inspired by her family’s heritage, which made the story feel even more special.
A beautiful story of family, resilience, identity and love, set against the captivating backdrop of Cairo.
September 2, 2026
The Cairo Bridal Shop was a beautifully layered story that highlights the relationship between three sisters -Sarah, Aya and Lola - and their seamstress and mother figure, Sohiela.
I loved the structure of the book. It is divided into six parts, representing the six dresses of the bridal shop. Each part begins with a description of the dress, followed by the story of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh queen it is named after. We then get a chapter from each of the sisters, usually following the pattern of a morning with Sarah, an afternoon with Aya and an evening with Lola, before finishing with Sohiela's viewpoint. I thought this was such an interesting way to tell the story and gave each character their own distinct voice.
All three sisters are navigating their own challenges. Sarah runs the bridal shop while struggling with a troubled marriage. Aya is a political journalist, and her colleague and love interest is arrested because of an article he has written. Lola is studying arts at university, although she isn't enjoying her degree, while also coming to terms with her sexuality - a particularly dangerous thing for her in the environment she is living in.
I loved seeing how the sisters, along with Sohiela, came together to support and protect one another. Their relationships are really at the heart of the story, and I enjoyed watching their bond develop as they each faced their own struggles.
Overall, The Cairo Bridal Shop was a wonderful, multi-layered story about family, love, resilience and the strength we find in the people around us.
I loved the structure of the book. It is divided into six parts, representing the six dresses of the bridal shop. Each part begins with a description of the dress, followed by the story of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh queen it is named after. We then get a chapter from each of the sisters, usually following the pattern of a morning with Sarah, an afternoon with Aya and an evening with Lola, before finishing with Sohiela's viewpoint. I thought this was such an interesting way to tell the story and gave each character their own distinct voice.
All three sisters are navigating their own challenges. Sarah runs the bridal shop while struggling with a troubled marriage. Aya is a political journalist, and her colleague and love interest is arrested because of an article he has written. Lola is studying arts at university, although she isn't enjoying her degree, while also coming to terms with her sexuality - a particularly dangerous thing for her in the environment she is living in.
I loved seeing how the sisters, along with Sohiela, came together to support and protect one another. Their relationships are really at the heart of the story, and I enjoyed watching their bond develop as they each faced their own struggles.
Overall, The Cairo Bridal Shop was a wonderful, multi-layered story about family, love, resilience and the strength we find in the people around us.
August 28, 2026
Give this beautiful book all the stars and more 🤩
I have been patiently waiting for this, my most anticipated read of the year - and it delivered ten fold 🙌
We travel to Cairo, Egypt where Albi sisters have inherited their mother’s bridal dress shop.
Sarah is the talented seamstress, and takes pride everyday helping brides dress for their big day, while her marriage is falling apart and her home is cold and uncomfortable thanks to her overbearing mother in law
Lola is finishing university and torn with finding her identity in an older society, not sure where she fits in this secret could put her and her sisters in danger
Aya is a political journalist who prides herself on reporting on relevant issues, she meets fellow reporter Gamil, who is arrested for treason and is now fighting against the death penalty. Aya will stop at nothing to see him freed
And there is Sohiela who has worked at the shop since the girls were babies, and has raised them since their mother’s passing. She is fierce force who loves the girls as her own
Together the women navigate huge changes in their own lives while providing strength and support to each other while trying to break free from outdated traditions
Tess has such a magical way with words, from the first page she draws you in with warmth, heart and soul. Bringing history, traditions, family together while creating a world that you become completely immersed in and characters who feel like family
The Cairo Bridal Shop is a MUST READ, highly recommend this special book
I have been patiently waiting for this, my most anticipated read of the year - and it delivered ten fold 🙌
We travel to Cairo, Egypt where Albi sisters have inherited their mother’s bridal dress shop.
Sarah is the talented seamstress, and takes pride everyday helping brides dress for their big day, while her marriage is falling apart and her home is cold and uncomfortable thanks to her overbearing mother in law
Lola is finishing university and torn with finding her identity in an older society, not sure where she fits in this secret could put her and her sisters in danger
Aya is a political journalist who prides herself on reporting on relevant issues, she meets fellow reporter Gamil, who is arrested for treason and is now fighting against the death penalty. Aya will stop at nothing to see him freed
And there is Sohiela who has worked at the shop since the girls were babies, and has raised them since their mother’s passing. She is fierce force who loves the girls as her own
Together the women navigate huge changes in their own lives while providing strength and support to each other while trying to break free from outdated traditions
Tess has such a magical way with words, from the first page she draws you in with warmth, heart and soul. Bringing history, traditions, family together while creating a world that you become completely immersed in and characters who feel like family
The Cairo Bridal Shop is a MUST READ, highly recommend this special book
September 8, 2026
This book has my heart! It’s immersive, emotional and simply perfect.
I honestly don’t know how anything I type here could do this the justice it deserves., but I’ll try.
Every woman in this book had a story, and every single one deserves time and respect. I loved them all so much, that I can’t even pick a favourite.
I love how real Sarah, Aya, Lola and Sohiela feel. How they navigate their own hurdles highlights how very different they are, despite being family and their upbringing.
Learning about the generations before them added so much more depth and heart to the story as well, and I loved how everything tied in with the Pharaoh women, that each of the wedding dresses were designed after.
This multiple POV structure made this incredibly hard to put down, and had me thinking of the story the second I had to stop reading, until I could pick it up again.
Even now, I can’t stop thinking of the characters, and their circumstances. I just know this one will stay with me forever. Highly recommend reading the Author comments at the end too. Tess Woods put so much of her own heart into this story, and as a reader, I’m so grateful.
I actually just want to read this all over again for the first time 💕
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House, Net Galley and Tessa Woods for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was simply superb!
I honestly don’t know how anything I type here could do this the justice it deserves., but I’ll try.
Every woman in this book had a story, and every single one deserves time and respect. I loved them all so much, that I can’t even pick a favourite.
I love how real Sarah, Aya, Lola and Sohiela feel. How they navigate their own hurdles highlights how very different they are, despite being family and their upbringing.
Learning about the generations before them added so much more depth and heart to the story as well, and I loved how everything tied in with the Pharaoh women, that each of the wedding dresses were designed after.
This multiple POV structure made this incredibly hard to put down, and had me thinking of the story the second I had to stop reading, until I could pick it up again.
Even now, I can’t stop thinking of the characters, and their circumstances. I just know this one will stay with me forever. Highly recommend reading the Author comments at the end too. Tess Woods put so much of her own heart into this story, and as a reader, I’m so grateful.
I actually just want to read this all over again for the first time 💕
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House, Net Galley and Tessa Woods for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was simply superb!
September 4, 2026
This is my favourite Tess Woods book to date.
Following 3 sisters in Cairo, this book is warm, funny, shocking and heart breaking in equal measures. Grounded in Tess’s childhood and family history in Egypt it certainly brings to life for me the dusty, crazy yet majestic Egypt I visited on holiday 26 years ago. It even had my favourite word I learnt ‘habibi’ or my darling. The call to prayers, the pyramids and desert so close to the city. This book rips away the facade I saw as a tourist though and exposes the shocking conditions women endure. You would have to be desperate to go to a completely foreign country and leave your homeland but it is completely understandable. The funny and warm characters balance the shocking conditions for women so overall it is still a heart warming read. I’d thoroughly recommend.
Following 3 sisters in Cairo, this book is warm, funny, shocking and heart breaking in equal measures. Grounded in Tess’s childhood and family history in Egypt it certainly brings to life for me the dusty, crazy yet majestic Egypt I visited on holiday 26 years ago. It even had my favourite word I learnt ‘habibi’ or my darling. The call to prayers, the pyramids and desert so close to the city. This book rips away the facade I saw as a tourist though and exposes the shocking conditions women endure. You would have to be desperate to go to a completely foreign country and leave your homeland but it is completely understandable. The funny and warm characters balance the shocking conditions for women so overall it is still a heart warming read. I’d thoroughly recommend.
August 31, 2026
Finished this half an hour after attending the launch event.
In a book close to her heart Tess has written from deep inside to tell the complicated story of her birth Country - Egypt - through the eyes of three sisters.
With contemporary fiction we expect a certain narrative from a sisterhood book. That’s what you come for and you shall get. But Tess also takes that and turns it in its side, shakes it up and down and throws it around.
You will of course love the sisterhood angle. While there you will gain insight into the complexity of loving a country but wondering if it’s safe to stay.
One of the things I dislike in a book is over exposition on history. But there is a way to handle it well and Tess does that through the character of Soheila, the seamstress and family confidante who narrates sections to an unknown audience, revealed at the end.
As Tess said tonight, no one wants to leave a place they love. But for many the choices are few and the heartbreak immense. Egyptian women, Tess said, are strong. The strongest you will find. And in this book she puts them to the test.
Thanks dear Tess and Penguin Australian for an early copy.
In a book close to her heart Tess has written from deep inside to tell the complicated story of her birth Country - Egypt - through the eyes of three sisters.
With contemporary fiction we expect a certain narrative from a sisterhood book. That’s what you come for and you shall get. But Tess also takes that and turns it in its side, shakes it up and down and throws it around.
You will of course love the sisterhood angle. While there you will gain insight into the complexity of loving a country but wondering if it’s safe to stay.
One of the things I dislike in a book is over exposition on history. But there is a way to handle it well and Tess does that through the character of Soheila, the seamstress and family confidante who narrates sections to an unknown audience, revealed at the end.
As Tess said tonight, no one wants to leave a place they love. But for many the choices are few and the heartbreak immense. Egyptian women, Tess said, are strong. The strongest you will find. And in this book she puts them to the test.
Thanks dear Tess and Penguin Australian for an early copy.
September 15, 2026
The Cairo Bridal Shop is my first Tess Woods novel and it certainly won’t be my last. I was pulled into this beautiful story right from the prologue and fell more in love with the setting and the characters as I read.
🪡 I adored the layout of each chapter in this book and the linkages between the bridal gowns and narrative. Woods has woven an emotive story that is rich, layered and passionate. You can feel a deep connection to Egyptian people and culture nestled into the fabric of the story.
The Cairo Bridal shop a compelling story of family, strength, resilience and identity. I absolutely loved being lost in the pages of this beautiful book.
Thank you to Penguin Aus for a copy to review.
🪡 I adored the layout of each chapter in this book and the linkages between the bridal gowns and narrative. Woods has woven an emotive story that is rich, layered and passionate. You can feel a deep connection to Egyptian people and culture nestled into the fabric of the story.
The Cairo Bridal shop a compelling story of family, strength, resilience and identity. I absolutely loved being lost in the pages of this beautiful book.
Thank you to Penguin Aus for a copy to review.
September 13, 2026
Absolutely loved this book!!!
October 2, 2026
A rich tale of three remarkable sisters in Tess Woods’ signature style.
September 13, 2026
Absolutely brilliant.
September 6, 2026
The Cairo Bridal Shop by Tess Woods has to be one of the best books I have read this year.
The novel follows sisters Sarah, Aya and Lola, whose lives are intertwined with their family’s bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids. Each sister is facing her own battle. Sarah is trapped in a difficult marriage, journalist Aya risks everything when the man she loves is arrested for treason, and Lola is trying to find her place in a society where revealing her true identity could put her in danger. Their stories are tied together by the history of the Albi family and the six female pharaohs who inspire the dresses created in the bridal shop.
I have very little personal experience with Egyptian culture or politics, with the exception of three weeks travelling through Egypt in 2023. The first part of our trip was a guided tour and we saw a very sanitised version of the country. Only we didn’t realise that until the second part of our trip. All tourism operators are licensed and heavily incentivised to paint a rosy picture of Egypt. It wasn't until we travelled independently that we began to see the full picture.
We naively assumed that travelling by public transport would be the same in Egypt as in other countries and boarded the train from Cairo to Alexandria. We were stopped and questioned by police three times before the train had even departed, despite following all the rules and buying the special foreigner tickets. It spooked us enough that we got off the train early and arranged an Uber for the remainder of the journey. Our driver spoke excellent English and ended up taking us sightseeing the following day. Through conversations with him, we began to understand much more about the realities of everyday life and the political situation in Egypt.
I couldn’t help but think about this while reading The Cairo Bridal Shop. Woods manages to weave the political realities of modern Egypt into a deeply personal family story.
I think Woods is uniquely placed to tell this story. She was born in Egypt and later moved to Australia. She has said herself that the novel includes characters and situations inspired by several of her family members, including her grandmother, who made bridal gowns. There is something particularly powerful about reading a story that comes from someone who understands both the love for a country and culture and the complicated reasons someone might leave it. It made the novel feel incredibly personal.
I also loved the structure of the book. It is divided into six parts, each inspired by one of the six women who ruled as pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Each section connects the story of one of these women with a dress created in the bridal shop and, in turn, with the story of the Albi sisters. I thought this was such a clever way to connect the ancient history of Egypt with the lives of modern women.
There is so much packed into this novel—sisterhood, family, love, politics, history, culture and identity—but at its heart, this is a story about three sisters trying to determine what kind of lives they want for themselves and how far they are willing to go to protect each other.
The Cairo Bridal Shop is beautifully written, deeply personal and completely absorbing. Tess Woods has created something very special here, and I can understand why she describes it as the book of her heart.
The novel follows sisters Sarah, Aya and Lola, whose lives are intertwined with their family’s bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids. Each sister is facing her own battle. Sarah is trapped in a difficult marriage, journalist Aya risks everything when the man she loves is arrested for treason, and Lola is trying to find her place in a society where revealing her true identity could put her in danger. Their stories are tied together by the history of the Albi family and the six female pharaohs who inspire the dresses created in the bridal shop.
I have very little personal experience with Egyptian culture or politics, with the exception of three weeks travelling through Egypt in 2023. The first part of our trip was a guided tour and we saw a very sanitised version of the country. Only we didn’t realise that until the second part of our trip. All tourism operators are licensed and heavily incentivised to paint a rosy picture of Egypt. It wasn't until we travelled independently that we began to see the full picture.
We naively assumed that travelling by public transport would be the same in Egypt as in other countries and boarded the train from Cairo to Alexandria. We were stopped and questioned by police three times before the train had even departed, despite following all the rules and buying the special foreigner tickets. It spooked us enough that we got off the train early and arranged an Uber for the remainder of the journey. Our driver spoke excellent English and ended up taking us sightseeing the following day. Through conversations with him, we began to understand much more about the realities of everyday life and the political situation in Egypt.
I couldn’t help but think about this while reading The Cairo Bridal Shop. Woods manages to weave the political realities of modern Egypt into a deeply personal family story.
I think Woods is uniquely placed to tell this story. She was born in Egypt and later moved to Australia. She has said herself that the novel includes characters and situations inspired by several of her family members, including her grandmother, who made bridal gowns. There is something particularly powerful about reading a story that comes from someone who understands both the love for a country and culture and the complicated reasons someone might leave it. It made the novel feel incredibly personal.
I also loved the structure of the book. It is divided into six parts, each inspired by one of the six women who ruled as pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Each section connects the story of one of these women with a dress created in the bridal shop and, in turn, with the story of the Albi sisters. I thought this was such a clever way to connect the ancient history of Egypt with the lives of modern women.
There is so much packed into this novel—sisterhood, family, love, politics, history, culture and identity—but at its heart, this is a story about three sisters trying to determine what kind of lives they want for themselves and how far they are willing to go to protect each other.
The Cairo Bridal Shop is beautifully written, deeply personal and completely absorbing. Tess Woods has created something very special here, and I can understand why she describes it as the book of her heart.
September 3, 2026
Find the dress of your dreams, then run for your life.
What a captivating hook! THE CAIRO BRIDAL SHOP by Tess Woods is about three Egyptian sisters fighting for their freedom in a cruel patriarchal society and the Pharaoh queens who inspired the dresses they make in the bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids founded by their mother.
Tess Woods calls this novel ‘the book of her heart’ and she draws on her rich family history to tell a story of sisterhood, tradition, religion, strong women, intriguing Pharaoh queens, and delicious Egyptian food. It wouldn’t be a Tess Woods novel if there weren’t some mouth-watering food descriptions and I now have a list of Egyptian food I need to try!
I loved the irreverent descriptions of the Pharaoh queens at the beginning of each section and the way they were linked to each of the six dress designs. They all sound like lovely frocks, but I think I would choose the Cleopatra. Perhaps a strange choice for somebody with no desire to have a big wedding—or any wedding at all—but I do love a sweeping ballgown and perhaps a wedding would be nice as an excuse to wear one someday.
I also adored the character of Sohiela who began working for the Albi family when she met the sisters’ grandmother. She was fiery, no-nonsense, surprising, and hilarious, and she loved the Albi family fiercely. A terrific storyteller. I also loved the way she adopted the stray cat, Keku, and the way he moved right in and stole her heart as cats are well known to do.
The most important thing to tell you is that THE CAIRO BRIDAL SHOP is so full of heart. I loved these sisters and was hoping passionately that things would work out for them, even though they were up against such terrible forces. I loved the connection between Albi, the Arabic word for heart, and cuore, the Italian word for heart, as in the Cuore Hotel in THE VENICE HOTEL. Incredibly clever little Easter egg for such a heartfelt author.
I’ve been waiting to read THE CAIRO BRIDAL SHOP for ages now and I’m so glad I finally got to bask in the incredible story of the Albi sisters. I can’t wait to see Tess Woods talk about it in Melbourne on Saturday and hear more about the inspiration.
Many thanks to the author and Penguin Books Australia for sending me a copy along with a stunning PR box.
What a captivating hook! THE CAIRO BRIDAL SHOP by Tess Woods is about three Egyptian sisters fighting for their freedom in a cruel patriarchal society and the Pharaoh queens who inspired the dresses they make in the bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids founded by their mother.
Tess Woods calls this novel ‘the book of her heart’ and she draws on her rich family history to tell a story of sisterhood, tradition, religion, strong women, intriguing Pharaoh queens, and delicious Egyptian food. It wouldn’t be a Tess Woods novel if there weren’t some mouth-watering food descriptions and I now have a list of Egyptian food I need to try!
I loved the irreverent descriptions of the Pharaoh queens at the beginning of each section and the way they were linked to each of the six dress designs. They all sound like lovely frocks, but I think I would choose the Cleopatra. Perhaps a strange choice for somebody with no desire to have a big wedding—or any wedding at all—but I do love a sweeping ballgown and perhaps a wedding would be nice as an excuse to wear one someday.
I also adored the character of Sohiela who began working for the Albi family when she met the sisters’ grandmother. She was fiery, no-nonsense, surprising, and hilarious, and she loved the Albi family fiercely. A terrific storyteller. I also loved the way she adopted the stray cat, Keku, and the way he moved right in and stole her heart as cats are well known to do.
The most important thing to tell you is that THE CAIRO BRIDAL SHOP is so full of heart. I loved these sisters and was hoping passionately that things would work out for them, even though they were up against such terrible forces. I loved the connection between Albi, the Arabic word for heart, and cuore, the Italian word for heart, as in the Cuore Hotel in THE VENICE HOTEL. Incredibly clever little Easter egg for such a heartfelt author.
I’ve been waiting to read THE CAIRO BRIDAL SHOP for ages now and I’m so glad I finally got to bask in the incredible story of the Albi sisters. I can’t wait to see Tess Woods talk about it in Melbourne on Saturday and hear more about the inspiration.
Many thanks to the author and Penguin Books Australia for sending me a copy along with a stunning PR box.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cairo, Egypt. At the foot of the pyramids is Albi Bridal Boutique, where three sisters grew up, listening to stories about pharaoh queens, and their late mother Miriam designed six dresses to honour the ones she admired.
Sarah is the eldest, she runs the dress shop with the help of elderly seamstress Sohiela, and she doesn’t like Sarah’s mother-in-law or husband and thinks she shouldn’t have married him.
Aya is a political journalist, she would like to write about relevant issues, Australian born Gamil does and finds himself arrested for treason and could be given the death penalty. It makes you wonder if he's incredibly brave or naïve.
Lola is the youngest, Sarah has been a combination of sister and mother to her, she’s doing an arts degree at university, she’s hiding a secret and when it’s exposed it puts her and the people she loves in danger.
The pharaoh queens are mentioned throughout and the myths surrounding them, I found this part of the story fascinating and it included Merneith, Nerferusobek, Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, Towosrat and Cleopatra.
It makes you consider how a historical place and home to one of the remaining ancient wonders, could be a powder keg, full of political tension, a cultural divide, unrest and protests, and intimidation and hardship.
I really liked Sohiela’s character, she worked for Miriam, helped raise the girls since they were babies, you wouldn’t want to cross her, a lioness protecting her cubs and later I discovered she had a wicked sense of humour and was so funny.
The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was in Cairo, a hot and dusty place, busy with locals, tourists, crazy traffic, and where crossing a road is risky.
I received a copy of The Cairo Bridal Shop from Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the best novel I have read this year and I’m not sure if in the next four months one will be released capable of knocking it off the top of my list.
Tess Woods takes the reader on a journey, intertwined with tradition, family ties, links to the past, and will the three young women break free of the restraints, find a way forward and follow their hearts. Five stars, I can’t rate this book highly enough and you must read it.
Sarah is the eldest, she runs the dress shop with the help of elderly seamstress Sohiela, and she doesn’t like Sarah’s mother-in-law or husband and thinks she shouldn’t have married him.
Aya is a political journalist, she would like to write about relevant issues, Australian born Gamil does and finds himself arrested for treason and could be given the death penalty. It makes you wonder if he's incredibly brave or naïve.
Lola is the youngest, Sarah has been a combination of sister and mother to her, she’s doing an arts degree at university, she’s hiding a secret and when it’s exposed it puts her and the people she loves in danger.
The pharaoh queens are mentioned throughout and the myths surrounding them, I found this part of the story fascinating and it included Merneith, Nerferusobek, Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, Towosrat and Cleopatra.
It makes you consider how a historical place and home to one of the remaining ancient wonders, could be a powder keg, full of political tension, a cultural divide, unrest and protests, and intimidation and hardship.
I really liked Sohiela’s character, she worked for Miriam, helped raise the girls since they were babies, you wouldn’t want to cross her, a lioness protecting her cubs and later I discovered she had a wicked sense of humour and was so funny.
The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was in Cairo, a hot and dusty place, busy with locals, tourists, crazy traffic, and where crossing a road is risky.
I received a copy of The Cairo Bridal Shop from Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the best novel I have read this year and I’m not sure if in the next four months one will be released capable of knocking it off the top of my list.
Tess Woods takes the reader on a journey, intertwined with tradition, family ties, links to the past, and will the three young women break free of the restraints, find a way forward and follow their hearts. Five stars, I can’t rate this book highly enough and you must read it.
September 7, 2026
"The Cairo Bridal Shop" is very personal to Tess Woods ....the book of her Egyptian blood and heritage. Tess's grandmother was a bridal dressmaker. This book is a love letter to her.
Characters are based on family members and what a role call of amazing people doing amazing things they must be. So "The Cairo Bridal Shop" is a tribute to those who have flourished against inequality.
From the first chapter of Sarah's morning, I was reminising about my experience of Cairo. The pink hazy early morning light, endless dust and noise, suicidal traffic, grumpy camels, brashly gutteral Arabic and leering males in Khan el-Khalili. I loved it all and wanted to be there at the Albi Bridal Shop (possibly as a tourist wanting to use a toilet).
The main story teller is Soheila. An older woman seamstress who has helped raise and still lives with the three sisters Sarah, Aya and Lola. She tells us Egyptian history and Albi family history. She is wise, can sense the future, read tea leaves and put a curse on someone (in the most hilarious way). Soheila chats away as if I am sitting next to her...rhetorical questions and rambling ways, but telling the truth....some of it incredibly painfully so.
Three sisters brutally harmed by the Egyptian powder keg undercurrent of political tensions that lead to intimidation and hardship, but inspired by the ancient female Pharaoh's their mother named her wedding dress designs after.
Blending historical myth and vivid pictures of a more modern Cairo, we centre ourselves at the foot of the three pyramids of Giza, where the sisters can sit on their roof watching the sound and light show each night....before male provado, censorship and heterosexism turned their world's upside down.
It was fun to see Tess nod to "The Venice Hotel".....referencing a journalist from Australia who gave it up to move to running a restaurant in Venice.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pengin Random House Australia for my copy. I am a big fan and will jump on any new book Tess releases as they are vivid journeys to places I love and introduce people I fall in love with.
Characters are based on family members and what a role call of amazing people doing amazing things they must be. So "The Cairo Bridal Shop" is a tribute to those who have flourished against inequality.
From the first chapter of Sarah's morning, I was reminising about my experience of Cairo. The pink hazy early morning light, endless dust and noise, suicidal traffic, grumpy camels, brashly gutteral Arabic and leering males in Khan el-Khalili. I loved it all and wanted to be there at the Albi Bridal Shop (possibly as a tourist wanting to use a toilet).
The main story teller is Soheila. An older woman seamstress who has helped raise and still lives with the three sisters Sarah, Aya and Lola. She tells us Egyptian history and Albi family history. She is wise, can sense the future, read tea leaves and put a curse on someone (in the most hilarious way). Soheila chats away as if I am sitting next to her...rhetorical questions and rambling ways, but telling the truth....some of it incredibly painfully so.
Three sisters brutally harmed by the Egyptian powder keg undercurrent of political tensions that lead to intimidation and hardship, but inspired by the ancient female Pharaoh's their mother named her wedding dress designs after.
Blending historical myth and vivid pictures of a more modern Cairo, we centre ourselves at the foot of the three pyramids of Giza, where the sisters can sit on their roof watching the sound and light show each night....before male provado, censorship and heterosexism turned their world's upside down.
It was fun to see Tess nod to "The Venice Hotel".....referencing a journalist from Australia who gave it up to move to running a restaurant in Venice.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pengin Random House Australia for my copy. I am a big fan and will jump on any new book Tess releases as they are vivid journeys to places I love and introduce people I fall in love with.
September 23, 2026
This is the story of three sisters, Aya, Sarah and Lola, who live and work in the shadow of the pyramids in Egypt.
Sarah runs the bridal shop established by their mother, continuing to create her mother’s designs and keeping her legacy alive. The structure of the book is particularly interesting. It is divided into six parts, each representing one of the bridal shop’s six signature dresses. Every section opens with a description of the dress and the story of the Pharaoh queens who inspired its design, before moving on to chapters exploring each sister and the challenges they face.
Sarah, married to Nabil, discovers her husband’s infidelity. After years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, she then discovers that she is finally pregnant. Desperate to take control of her future, she tries to begin divorce proceedings before Nabil discovers her secret.
Aya is a political journalist who falls in love with Gamal, an Australian-raised journalist who is imprisoned on charges of treason and faces the death penalty.
Lola is a headstrong student still discovering who she is and what she wants from life when she finds herself in a forbidden relationship. When her secret is exposed, she is forced to choose between giving up the relationship or putting her life at risk.
Although all three sisters face very different threats and challenges, their loyalty to one another remains at the heart of the story. Alongside them is Soheila, their surrogate mother and fierce protector, who provides another strong thread of love and support.
This was a thought-provoking and extremely engaging read, with the bond between the sisters at its heart. My only small criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed. I became so invested in the sisters and their stories that I would have loved to learn more about what happened to them and the new lives they were beginning.
Sarah runs the bridal shop established by their mother, continuing to create her mother’s designs and keeping her legacy alive. The structure of the book is particularly interesting. It is divided into six parts, each representing one of the bridal shop’s six signature dresses. Every section opens with a description of the dress and the story of the Pharaoh queens who inspired its design, before moving on to chapters exploring each sister and the challenges they face.
Sarah, married to Nabil, discovers her husband’s infidelity. After years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, she then discovers that she is finally pregnant. Desperate to take control of her future, she tries to begin divorce proceedings before Nabil discovers her secret.
Aya is a political journalist who falls in love with Gamal, an Australian-raised journalist who is imprisoned on charges of treason and faces the death penalty.
Lola is a headstrong student still discovering who she is and what she wants from life when she finds herself in a forbidden relationship. When her secret is exposed, she is forced to choose between giving up the relationship or putting her life at risk.
Although all three sisters face very different threats and challenges, their loyalty to one another remains at the heart of the story. Alongside them is Soheila, their surrogate mother and fierce protector, who provides another strong thread of love and support.
This was a thought-provoking and extremely engaging read, with the bond between the sisters at its heart. My only small criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed. I became so invested in the sisters and their stories that I would have loved to learn more about what happened to them and the new lives they were beginning.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Big thanks to Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
The year’s most anticipated read arrived and has now been devoured.
The absolutely stunning cover will invite readers from far and wide to indulge in this beautiful story and will transplant them to the magic of Egypt.
A kaleidoscopic view of a country that has a rich history, awe inspiring landmarks and a population that descend from the Pharaohs.
A sensory buffet awaits and a dollop of drama as three sisters protect the past and realise where the future lies.
The bridal shop is run by Sarah, the eldest sister.
A business that pays homage to her late mother.
Her sister Aya is a natural beauty who hides herself as a political journalists and human rights advocate.
Lola the youngest is a free spirited uni student who refuses to let convention and conservative laws rule her desires.
The close knit relationship of sisters and that with their wise surrogate mother, Soheila captures a magic.
Alternating chapters builds the picture and creates the suspense.
The Albi sisters draw on inner strength and their bonds to release the shackles of policy that aims to quash behaviour that threatens the norm.
It’s funny when you preempt a five star read and ever so rewarding when it fulfils the prediction.
I appreciated the culturally rich tour of a country that I am fascinated with and the threads of real family history and of course a comedic element.
The year’s most anticipated read arrived and has now been devoured.
The absolutely stunning cover will invite readers from far and wide to indulge in this beautiful story and will transplant them to the magic of Egypt.
A kaleidoscopic view of a country that has a rich history, awe inspiring landmarks and a population that descend from the Pharaohs.
A sensory buffet awaits and a dollop of drama as three sisters protect the past and realise where the future lies.
The bridal shop is run by Sarah, the eldest sister.
A business that pays homage to her late mother.
Her sister Aya is a natural beauty who hides herself as a political journalists and human rights advocate.
Lola the youngest is a free spirited uni student who refuses to let convention and conservative laws rule her desires.
The close knit relationship of sisters and that with their wise surrogate mother, Soheila captures a magic.
Alternating chapters builds the picture and creates the suspense.
The Albi sisters draw on inner strength and their bonds to release the shackles of policy that aims to quash behaviour that threatens the norm.
It’s funny when you preempt a five star read and ever so rewarding when it fulfils the prediction.
I appreciated the culturally rich tour of a country that I am fascinated with and the threads of real family history and of course a comedic element.
September 16, 2026
An excellent book, written by a woman who lives in my own city, who like many of us here has migrated to Australia as a child with her family for a better life.
This is my third Tess Woods book. Set in Cairo and centred around a family of three sisters and their wonderful grandmother figure.
I haven’t been to Egypt so I didn’t get much feeling for the city itself but the people were vibrant and a lot happened and as a reader I was racing ahead to find out what happens. I loved the camel guy at their front door. As the daughter of a seamstress I could picture the sewing. I think this book needs and deserves a second read!
I have done some quick research on Egypt and everything going on in this book, and that’s a lot, rings true. Not a good place to be a young woman, a wife or a Christian. Not a good place to be a journalist or different. The political and legal systems are evidently just as vicious, patriarchal and corrupt as it is portrayed in TCBS.
The book was crowded with information and characters , so I didn’t really get far into the meaning behind the brides’ dresses/goddesses link, or even the curses. It would be good to have that power! I would have liked a drawing of the dresses.
A history professor years ago told me he could tell a good student by what she/he left out of essays or exams. Maybe this book asked a lot of the reader because it was hard to leave anything out. It was a big story to tell. Tess Woods did a great job.
This is my third Tess Woods book. Set in Cairo and centred around a family of three sisters and their wonderful grandmother figure.
I haven’t been to Egypt so I didn’t get much feeling for the city itself but the people were vibrant and a lot happened and as a reader I was racing ahead to find out what happens. I loved the camel guy at their front door. As the daughter of a seamstress I could picture the sewing. I think this book needs and deserves a second read!
I have done some quick research on Egypt and everything going on in this book, and that’s a lot, rings true. Not a good place to be a young woman, a wife or a Christian. Not a good place to be a journalist or different. The political and legal systems are evidently just as vicious, patriarchal and corrupt as it is portrayed in TCBS.
The book was crowded with information and characters , so I didn’t really get far into the meaning behind the brides’ dresses/goddesses link, or even the curses. It would be good to have that power! I would have liked a drawing of the dresses.
A history professor years ago told me he could tell a good student by what she/he left out of essays or exams. Maybe this book asked a lot of the reader because it was hard to leave anything out. It was a big story to tell. Tess Woods did a great job.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books Australia for allowing me to read an Advanced Copy.
As a huge Tess Woods fan, I have been eagerly anticipating this one and I was not disappointed.
This book was so beautifully crafted and written, from the incorporation of the Egyptian pharaoh queens, Egyptian symbols, the bridal gowns, to the descriptions of all the places, foods, and traditions as well as wholesome character development. I found myself immersed in the story like I was in Egypt myself and found myself falling in love with each of the strong females, so much so that I may have shed many a tear as their stories unfolded.
And what is the story you ask…. Three sisters grow up at Alibi Bridal Boutique – a store built with love by their late mother. Soheila, who worked for their mother Mariam, is the keeper/caretaker of their secrets and a fiercely loyal human being. Each of the sisters, Sarah, Aya and Lola are grappling with the traditions they are surrounded with, whilst striving to be who they are meant to be in a shambolic cultural and political environment with challenges at every turn, which only seeks to make the sisters more determined and stronger.
A highly recommended read!
As a huge Tess Woods fan, I have been eagerly anticipating this one and I was not disappointed.
This book was so beautifully crafted and written, from the incorporation of the Egyptian pharaoh queens, Egyptian symbols, the bridal gowns, to the descriptions of all the places, foods, and traditions as well as wholesome character development. I found myself immersed in the story like I was in Egypt myself and found myself falling in love with each of the strong females, so much so that I may have shed many a tear as their stories unfolded.
And what is the story you ask…. Three sisters grow up at Alibi Bridal Boutique – a store built with love by their late mother. Soheila, who worked for their mother Mariam, is the keeper/caretaker of their secrets and a fiercely loyal human being. Each of the sisters, Sarah, Aya and Lola are grappling with the traditions they are surrounded with, whilst striving to be who they are meant to be in a shambolic cultural and political environment with challenges at every turn, which only seeks to make the sisters more determined and stronger.
A highly recommended read!
September 5, 2026
4.5⭐️ Having enjoyed previous books from this author, I was excited to delve into this one. It is a delightful multi-layered tale of three sisters whose lives are based at a bridal shop a stones’ throw from the famous pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo in Egypt.
Each of the sisters have an interesting story of their own and that would have made for another fabulous and entertaining book by the author. What made this book exceptional and unputdownable was the cultural, political and human rights aspects of the story. I found myself fascinated by the different traditions and human rights scenarios within the book but this was not a distraction but rather a testament to the rich depth of personal experiences and knowledge shown by the author.
I just lapped it up! From ancient Egyptian mythology to modern Cairo life, this book has it all. Totally recommended!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Each of the sisters have an interesting story of their own and that would have made for another fabulous and entertaining book by the author. What made this book exceptional and unputdownable was the cultural, political and human rights aspects of the story. I found myself fascinated by the different traditions and human rights scenarios within the book but this was not a distraction but rather a testament to the rich depth of personal experiences and knowledge shown by the author.
I just lapped it up! From ancient Egyptian mythology to modern Cairo life, this book has it all. Totally recommended!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 10, 2026
I was absolutely blown away by The Cairo Bridal Shop.
Immersive on every level, the imagery was full of the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, the heart of Cairo.
It is a generous sharing of a fascinating country with its collage of culture and people and history and complexities.
It is a story about sisters, and what that really means.
It is a story about what it is to love a child, no matter how old they are, or whether or not you birthed them.
It is a sharp reminder about the dangers women face every single day and why we need to stand together for change.
It is about the battleground between the importance of tradition and the importance of forging your own path.
It is a reminder that the women we see as old have pasts richer than anything we could imagine.
It is a reminder that we're all standing on the strength of the women who came before us.
It is a tapestry of delicate threads reminding us all stories are joined, and that we need to honour those stories and those lessons all the way back to female kings and their goddesses.
Immersive on every level, the imagery was full of the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, the heart of Cairo.
It is a generous sharing of a fascinating country with its collage of culture and people and history and complexities.
It is a story about sisters, and what that really means.
It is a story about what it is to love a child, no matter how old they are, or whether or not you birthed them.
It is a sharp reminder about the dangers women face every single day and why we need to stand together for change.
It is about the battleground between the importance of tradition and the importance of forging your own path.
It is a reminder that the women we see as old have pasts richer than anything we could imagine.
It is a reminder that we're all standing on the strength of the women who came before us.
It is a tapestry of delicate threads reminding us all stories are joined, and that we need to honour those stories and those lessons all the way back to female kings and their goddesses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews