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The Perfect Dress
A plus-size Texas gal has designs on an old crush in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s exuberant, bighearted romance.
In the small town of Celeste, Texas, Mitzi Taylor has never quite fit inside the lines. Nearly six feet tall, flame-haired, and with a plus-size spirit to match every curve, she’s found her niche: a custom wedding-dress boutique catering to big brides-to-be with big dreams. Taking the plunge alongside her two best friends, she’s proud they’ve turned The Perfect Dress into a perfect success.
Just when Mitzi has it all pulled together, Graham Harrison walks back into her life, looking for bridesmaid dresses for his twin daughters. A still-strapping jock whose every gorgeous, towering inch smells like aftershave, the star of all Mitzi’s high school dreams is causing quite a flush.
For Mitzi, all it takes is a touch to feel sparks flitting around her like fireflies. She can just imagine what a kiss could do. Graham’s feeling it, too. And he’s about to make that imagination of Mitzi’s run wild. Is it just a hot summer fling, or are Mitzi’s next designs for herself and seeing her own dreams come true?
In the small town of Celeste, Texas, Mitzi Taylor has never quite fit inside the lines. Nearly six feet tall, flame-haired, and with a plus-size spirit to match every curve, she’s found her niche: a custom wedding-dress boutique catering to big brides-to-be with big dreams. Taking the plunge alongside her two best friends, she’s proud they’ve turned The Perfect Dress into a perfect success.
Just when Mitzi has it all pulled together, Graham Harrison walks back into her life, looking for bridesmaid dresses for his twin daughters. A still-strapping jock whose every gorgeous, towering inch smells like aftershave, the star of all Mitzi’s high school dreams is causing quite a flush.
For Mitzi, all it takes is a touch to feel sparks flitting around her like fireflies. She can just imagine what a kiss could do. Graham’s feeling it, too. And he’s about to make that imagination of Mitzi’s run wild. Is it just a hot summer fling, or are Mitzi’s next designs for herself and seeing her own dreams come true?
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2019
8575 people are currently reading
5520 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
183 books4,136 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 830 reviews
February 19, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange of a review.
I dont want to seen like I didnt enjoy this book because for the most part I did. There was way too many mentions of "big" girls in this book. It seemed like the author said those words in every other sentence. I get that the book has almost all plus sized women as characters but I dont need to read it 5000 time in one book.
The characters all had the lowest self esteem about themselves because as the author puts it, they are fat. The only person that felt good about their self was an elderly lady, a man and one trailer trash skinny woman. You do not have to be "skinny" to feel good about yourself. I'm sure the author did not mean it that way but it sure seemed like it.
There were parts of the story where the author forgot to talk about how big the ladies were and then the story was really cute and fun.
I dont want to seen like I didnt enjoy this book because for the most part I did. There was way too many mentions of "big" girls in this book. It seemed like the author said those words in every other sentence. I get that the book has almost all plus sized women as characters but I dont need to read it 5000 time in one book.
The characters all had the lowest self esteem about themselves because as the author puts it, they are fat. The only person that felt good about their self was an elderly lady, a man and one trailer trash skinny woman. You do not have to be "skinny" to feel good about yourself. I'm sure the author did not mean it that way but it sure seemed like it.
There were parts of the story where the author forgot to talk about how big the ladies were and then the story was really cute and fun.
April 16, 2019
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE PERFECT DRESS by Carolyn Brown is an emotionally packed women’s fiction story with a cozy romance subplot of three lifelong friends and their plus-size only custom made wedding dress shop “The Perfect Dress” in small town Celeste, Texas. Mitzi, Paula and Jody are three strong female characters that are all going through differing life challenges as the story begins, but no matter the problem they always know they can count on each other for love and support.
Mitzi is the dress designer of the group. Her grandma and her father have always supported her and her dreams. When her high school crush moves back to town in the summer divorced and with a set a twin girls, Mitzi wonders if she has a chance with Graham. The twins love The Perfect Dress shop and Mitzi has them helping with flower arrangements. She loves the twins and does not want to ruin her relationship with them if she starts dating their father and she also is insecure about her larger size since the twins mother was a tiny woman.
Jody specializes in beading veils and dresses. She has lived “in sin” with her high school sweetheart since graduation, but she is about to learn he has not be faithful and is dumping her for the mother-to-be of his child. Jody has put up with years of abuse from her mother about not being married and now she has to deal with the entire small town knowing she was cruelly dumped.
Paula loves sewing the beautiful dresses they make. She has been criticized and abused by her mother and sister because of her weight her whole life. She had been secretly seeing a man until she found out his wife is pregnant and he lied about getting a divorce. When she finds out she is pregnant, she wants to raise the baby as a single parent and does not want the cheater to ever know he got her pregnant. Her mother disowns her when she finds out, but Mitzi and Jody swear they will all be loving her baby right along with her.
Mitzi and Graham’s cozy romance is more of a subplot than the main focus of this book. This book revolves around the three friends who love each other and will do anything for each other. This is a book about how messy life can be, but with good friends you can get through the tough times and triumph in the end. Ms. Brown deals with many weight related prejudices throughout this story realistically and with heart. The Perfect Dress is a heart-warming, feel good book that had me closing the book with a smile on my face.
THE PERFECT DRESS by Carolyn Brown is an emotionally packed women’s fiction story with a cozy romance subplot of three lifelong friends and their plus-size only custom made wedding dress shop “The Perfect Dress” in small town Celeste, Texas. Mitzi, Paula and Jody are three strong female characters that are all going through differing life challenges as the story begins, but no matter the problem they always know they can count on each other for love and support.
Mitzi is the dress designer of the group. Her grandma and her father have always supported her and her dreams. When her high school crush moves back to town in the summer divorced and with a set a twin girls, Mitzi wonders if she has a chance with Graham. The twins love The Perfect Dress shop and Mitzi has them helping with flower arrangements. She loves the twins and does not want to ruin her relationship with them if she starts dating their father and she also is insecure about her larger size since the twins mother was a tiny woman.
Jody specializes in beading veils and dresses. She has lived “in sin” with her high school sweetheart since graduation, but she is about to learn he has not be faithful and is dumping her for the mother-to-be of his child. Jody has put up with years of abuse from her mother about not being married and now she has to deal with the entire small town knowing she was cruelly dumped.
Paula loves sewing the beautiful dresses they make. She has been criticized and abused by her mother and sister because of her weight her whole life. She had been secretly seeing a man until she found out his wife is pregnant and he lied about getting a divorce. When she finds out she is pregnant, she wants to raise the baby as a single parent and does not want the cheater to ever know he got her pregnant. Her mother disowns her when she finds out, but Mitzi and Jody swear they will all be loving her baby right along with her.
Mitzi and Graham’s cozy romance is more of a subplot than the main focus of this book. This book revolves around the three friends who love each other and will do anything for each other. This is a book about how messy life can be, but with good friends you can get through the tough times and triumph in the end. Ms. Brown deals with many weight related prejudices throughout this story realistically and with heart. The Perfect Dress is a heart-warming, feel good book that had me closing the book with a smile on my face.
May 23, 2022
Three friends since high school own a made to order bridal shop for plus size women. These big beautiful women have been through a lot in secret pain and together with a pint of ice cream, but now they need each other more than ever. This character-driven small town friends story of new opportunities, friendship, and romance had me wanting to pull up a chair at their kitchen table and sharing about life and whatever snack is being dipped into.
In this standalone women's fic- contemporary romance crossover, Mitzi gets a chance with her high school crush when his daughters need gowns for a wedding, Jody's life goes to pieces when she learns it has all been a lie with high school sweetheart, Lyle, and Paula has to share that she turned out to be 'the other woman' in a cheating husband's affair.
The Perfect Dress is the story of all three women along with Graham and his twin daughters. The ladies and the girls are all plus size so they go through the lows and highs of what that can mean. For Mitzi, its wondering how Graham can want her since she is a big woman and unlike his petite ex-wife even though her heart tells her that she's got something on the inside that woman never had and that, yes, she's gorgeous and especially to Graham. For Jody, its learning that she put up with an emotionally and physically abusive mother so that she was ripe to turn herself inside out for a man who ended up cheating on her and walking away after years only to have a new man who likes her strength and sass try to convince her into meeting him for a cup of coffee. And, for Paula, who was also emotionally abused and down-trodden by a parent, to learn the man she was with was only separated from his wife who now shows up in the neighborhood forcing Paula to be gracious and keep big secrets since that woman was the wronged one.
I loved how the bridal shop was the center of things with them working on the custom gowns, visiting when Mitzi's gran or dad dropped by, and now having the lively Harrison twins brightening the shop with a handsome Graham along to addle Mitzi's wits. The big Dallas Bridal Show is what has them all pulling together to help make the shop have a good showing, but also Jody, Paula, and even Graham's confrontations with exes to clear the past kept things lively enough.
The gentle, comfy, down home feel behind the friendship and Mitzi's slow burn romance had me relaxing and enjoying every page though I confess I could have seen slightly less focus on the big girl stuff. But, overall, it was engaging and fun particularly because Mitzi's gran wouldn't let them mope and they each had their own strength to finally reach for what they really wanted. I'd recommend this one for those who enjoy the crossover between women's fic and romance.
I rec'd this book from Netgalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
UPDATE:
I listened to the audio version that Brittany Pressley narrated and it enhanced an already stellar story. Loved her Texas Twang, the warmth and emotion she infused into each woman and the girls and my stars, Graham sounded so sexy. I love her work.
In this standalone women's fic- contemporary romance crossover, Mitzi gets a chance with her high school crush when his daughters need gowns for a wedding, Jody's life goes to pieces when she learns it has all been a lie with high school sweetheart, Lyle, and Paula has to share that she turned out to be 'the other woman' in a cheating husband's affair.
The Perfect Dress is the story of all three women along with Graham and his twin daughters. The ladies and the girls are all plus size so they go through the lows and highs of what that can mean. For Mitzi, its wondering how Graham can want her since she is a big woman and unlike his petite ex-wife even though her heart tells her that she's got something on the inside that woman never had and that, yes, she's gorgeous and especially to Graham. For Jody, its learning that she put up with an emotionally and physically abusive mother so that she was ripe to turn herself inside out for a man who ended up cheating on her and walking away after years only to have a new man who likes her strength and sass try to convince her into meeting him for a cup of coffee. And, for Paula, who was also emotionally abused and down-trodden by a parent, to learn the man she was with was only separated from his wife who now shows up in the neighborhood forcing Paula to be gracious and keep big secrets since that woman was the wronged one.
I loved how the bridal shop was the center of things with them working on the custom gowns, visiting when Mitzi's gran or dad dropped by, and now having the lively Harrison twins brightening the shop with a handsome Graham along to addle Mitzi's wits. The big Dallas Bridal Show is what has them all pulling together to help make the shop have a good showing, but also Jody, Paula, and even Graham's confrontations with exes to clear the past kept things lively enough.
The gentle, comfy, down home feel behind the friendship and Mitzi's slow burn romance had me relaxing and enjoying every page though I confess I could have seen slightly less focus on the big girl stuff. But, overall, it was engaging and fun particularly because Mitzi's gran wouldn't let them mope and they each had their own strength to finally reach for what they really wanted. I'd recommend this one for those who enjoy the crossover between women's fic and romance.
I rec'd this book from Netgalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
UPDATE:
I listened to the audio version that Brittany Pressley narrated and it enhanced an already stellar story. Loved her Texas Twang, the warmth and emotion she infused into each woman and the girls and my stars, Graham sounded so sexy. I love her work.
October 14, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/the-...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/the-...
dnf
March 1, 2021DNF @ 35%
2019; Montlake Romance
I was so excited to read this novel for a blog tour and review. As I snuggled into bed to read it, I slowly started to frown. This book has all the genres I love - romance, small town, southern and contemporary fiction - yet, I was bored. I liked that the main character Mitzi was a plus-size, something that isn't the norm in romances. However, overall, I didn't really like the characters. The women were a bit over the top as is the humour. I found myself clenching out of embarrassment for the characters which is something that makes me feel uncomfortable so I had to stop reading. I am not sure if it is this novel or Brown's writing style, but I will definitely try another novel by Brown.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2019; Montlake Romance
I was so excited to read this novel for a blog tour and review. As I snuggled into bed to read it, I slowly started to frown. This book has all the genres I love - romance, small town, southern and contemporary fiction - yet, I was bored. I liked that the main character Mitzi was a plus-size, something that isn't the norm in romances. However, overall, I didn't really like the characters. The women were a bit over the top as is the humour. I found myself clenching out of embarrassment for the characters which is something that makes me feel uncomfortable so I had to stop reading. I am not sure if it is this novel or Brown's writing style, but I will definitely try another novel by Brown.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
April 24, 2019
Not my favorite
Caroline Brown is one of my preferred authors but she missed the mark on this one. The story line was ok but I did not enjoy or appreciate how much detailed emphasis was given to eating so much food for every emotional situation. It seemed to stereotype all plus size woman as always stuffing themselves with cake, donuts and ice cream.
Caroline Brown is one of my preferred authors but she missed the mark on this one. The story line was ok but I did not enjoy or appreciate how much detailed emphasis was given to eating so much food for every emotional situation. It seemed to stereotype all plus size woman as always stuffing themselves with cake, donuts and ice cream.
May 25, 2019
What a pleasant surprise!
Carolyn Brown was a new Author to me, and I can’t wait to read more of her books. The Perfect Dress was a southern delight wrapped up in frills and lace. The southern slang in which these characters spoke really reminded me of home back in Mississippi. I love that this Perfect Dress shop specialized in women size 14 and up. The main women in this story were “bigger boned” women, and it just made this story more real..appealing. Mitzi, the shop owner had a kinda unrequited love for an old high school crush, Graham that had just moved back to town as a divorced single dad of two 15 year old daughters. They were tall and big boned which caused them to be bullied at their previous school so their dad up and moved them back home. The girls met Mitzi started helping her in her shop and the rest was history. This story had angsty themes going on with several of the girlfriends’ side stories, great humor, deep friendships and love. I just want to wrap myself up in this story and wear it like a coat. Truly loved it. These are just a couple of the things that made me laugh through out this book.
“Honey, that girl might be an angel, but if she is, it’s because she’s done had the hell screwed out of her.”
“Truth is truth. You can sugarcoat it or roll it in cow crap, and it don’t change a thing.”
If you want a slow burn that is light & fluffy sweet read, then this is for you!!
Carolyn Brown was a new Author to me, and I can’t wait to read more of her books. The Perfect Dress was a southern delight wrapped up in frills and lace. The southern slang in which these characters spoke really reminded me of home back in Mississippi. I love that this Perfect Dress shop specialized in women size 14 and up. The main women in this story were “bigger boned” women, and it just made this story more real..appealing. Mitzi, the shop owner had a kinda unrequited love for an old high school crush, Graham that had just moved back to town as a divorced single dad of two 15 year old daughters. They were tall and big boned which caused them to be bullied at their previous school so their dad up and moved them back home. The girls met Mitzi started helping her in her shop and the rest was history. This story had angsty themes going on with several of the girlfriends’ side stories, great humor, deep friendships and love. I just want to wrap myself up in this story and wear it like a coat. Truly loved it. These are just a couple of the things that made me laugh through out this book.
“Honey, that girl might be an angel, but if she is, it’s because she’s done had the hell screwed out of her.”
“Truth is truth. You can sugarcoat it or roll it in cow crap, and it don’t change a thing.”
If you want a slow burn that is light & fluffy sweet read, then this is for you!!
June 21, 2020
Ir tik patīkami lasīt (vai klausīties ) lubeni, kurā galvenā varone ir plus izmēru sieviete, un tam netiek piešķirta ne humora, ne fetiša nokrāsa!
February 17, 2021
The Perfect Dress by Carolyn Brown was a great women's fiction story about friendship, family - loving and dysfunctional, a small Texas town and romance. I enjoyed each of the main characters, Mitzi, Jody and Paula were all strong, curvy women who founded a women's wedding dress shop for women like themselves. Each had their own story that Ms. Brown wove together to show the bond of friendship that these women had shared throughout their lives.
April 18, 2019
Romance, weddings, curvy women, Texas, and weddings all in one book? Sounds like my kind of read!
This was a delightful story and I liked how the wedding dress shop only focused on dresses for women size 14+. I know how hard it can be to find a wedding dress for us curvy gals.
All three of the friends have some emotional baggage but are able to rely on each other for strength especially when their lives are falling apart. There are some surprises for each of the friends but it only serves to make them stronger. I appreciated their strength for each other and their no-nonsense advice to each other. That is what we all need, that friend that will tell you like it is and make you pull up your big girl panties and do whatever it takes. There are some moments that will make you chuckle, and others that will make you want to throttle someone.
There are two twin girls, Dixie and Tabby, that add an interesting twist to the story. They have found their niche and their haven in the dress shop with Mitzi, Jody, and Paula. I think it is a mutually benefitting relationship as they all get something out of being around each other.
There is romance and not just for Mitzi. Usually, you don't see multiple relationships in one book but it works in this book.
Overall a fun read and we give it 4 paws up.
This was a delightful story and I liked how the wedding dress shop only focused on dresses for women size 14+. I know how hard it can be to find a wedding dress for us curvy gals.
All three of the friends have some emotional baggage but are able to rely on each other for strength especially when their lives are falling apart. There are some surprises for each of the friends but it only serves to make them stronger. I appreciated their strength for each other and their no-nonsense advice to each other. That is what we all need, that friend that will tell you like it is and make you pull up your big girl panties and do whatever it takes. There are some moments that will make you chuckle, and others that will make you want to throttle someone.
There are two twin girls, Dixie and Tabby, that add an interesting twist to the story. They have found their niche and their haven in the dress shop with Mitzi, Jody, and Paula. I think it is a mutually benefitting relationship as they all get something out of being around each other.
There is romance and not just for Mitzi. Usually, you don't see multiple relationships in one book but it works in this book.
Overall a fun read and we give it 4 paws up.
May 14, 2019
This book had many positives, I liked the fact that very strong female characters were at the forefront of the story. Each one of their circumstances were different but they all came together and really supported each other. The story is focused on a wedding dress shop for curvy/larger women and helping women feel comfortable in their own skin. But, I do feel the book mentioned the main characters size too much. However, I enjoyed the humour in this book and the romantic aspects. The book was very cliche but heartwarming. “Sometimes it’s too late to do what you should’ve been doing all along.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 stars).
May 5, 2019
I wish I could come up with a snappy southern saying but all I can think of is: Oh my stars! As I have come to expect from Ms. Brown, The Perfect Dress has much heart, and humor, with real life situations that most of us have, or will, experience. Loved Mitzi Taylor and Graham Harrison but let's not forget the other characters...and they ARE characters!...in the story, especially Graham's twin daughters. Really enjoyed this story.
February 22, 2022
Possibly the most boring book I have ever read. You can deduct a star if you even marginally like your mother.
April 11, 2019
Fantastic story of friendship, love, and being yourself. Mitzi, Jody, and Paula were three women who have been friends since they were in school. Though they went their separate ways for a while, they always stayed in touch. When each of them needed a change in her life, they opened a custom bridal shop for women like themselves - plus-sized women with dreams to match. The shop is the backdrop as all three women experienced unexpected changes, both good and bad, in their lives.
Mitzi is a tall, red-haired, curvy woman. She's had a few bad relationships and is a bit on the cautious side when it comes to men. She is fairly comfortable with who she is thanks to the support of her friends and family. Some of her happiest moments have been seeing the joy her designs bring to the women who wear them. Her life took an unexpected turn when her high school crush, Graham Harrison, showed up in her shop, wanting bridesmaid dresses for his daughters.
I loved the development of Mitzi and Graham's relationship. Neither one was looking for love, but there were sparks between them from the start. The progression was slow, but steady and sweet, with some hilarious encouragement from Graham's daughters, Mitzi's friends, and her outspoken grandmother along the way. Things became complicated when Graham's ex-wife showed up, determined to reclaim Graham. I loved that he didn't even nibble at the bait she threw out there, and he earned major points from me when he told Mitzi about each of the encounters. Mitzi had some doubts about the relationship, first, that the connection between them was more about his daughters than about them, and second that Graham could want her when he could have the petite and skinny Rita. I liked that she and Graham spoke honestly about her doubts and that he gave her the space she wanted while she worked through them. I loved the kick in the pants they each got that finally brought them back together.
Mitzi's friends Paula and Jody also had some significant changes going on in their lives. Jody's fifteen-year relationship with her man came to an abrupt and unexpected end. I ached for Jody but also wanted to shake her for the way she had buried her true self under his expectations of who she should be. I loved the support she received from her friends, old and new. I laughed out loud at the encounter at the bridal show, especially Tabby's brilliantly over-the-top method of revenge. The last thing Jody was looking for was a new relationship, but one found her anyway. I loved Quincy's complete acceptance of her just as she is, and his good-humored reactions to her sass. He did have a couple of moments of foot-in-mouth disease, but his persistence paid off, even though Jody fought hard against her feelings.
Paula's breakup with the man she had been seeing turned out to be the catalyst that brought The Perfect Dress bridal boutique into existence. I ached for her but wasn't too surprised at the cause of the breakup. I liked the way that she took charge of her life, especially after she shared her secret with her friends. Their love and support were crucial, especially given the lack of support from her family. There were a couple of scenes with her ex that I thought were fantastic and showed how strong Paula was.
I loved Graham's daughters, Dixie and Tabby. They had a terrific relationship with their dad, who loved and supported them. Their self-confidence is a direct result of that love. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and I loved how they connected with Mitzi. It was so much fun to see their excitement over working at the shop. I enjoyed their conversations with Graham, as they tried to encourage his relationship with Mitzi. I ached for them in their dealings with their mother, who was a real piece of work.
The humor in this book was fantastic and typical of Carolyn Brown's books. The Southern/Texas attitudes had me laughing out loud frequently, with everything from the response "ain't that nice?" instead of "Screw you" to Mitzi's protectiveness of Dixie and Tabby when it came to their mother. None of the women could be accused of being shrinking violets when it came to standing up for themselves or their friends. I also love the small town atmosphere and the challenges of everyone knowing your business. The epilogue was terrific with its updates on the characters' lives. Loved the twist at the fireworks show.
Mitzi is a tall, red-haired, curvy woman. She's had a few bad relationships and is a bit on the cautious side when it comes to men. She is fairly comfortable with who she is thanks to the support of her friends and family. Some of her happiest moments have been seeing the joy her designs bring to the women who wear them. Her life took an unexpected turn when her high school crush, Graham Harrison, showed up in her shop, wanting bridesmaid dresses for his daughters.
I loved the development of Mitzi and Graham's relationship. Neither one was looking for love, but there were sparks between them from the start. The progression was slow, but steady and sweet, with some hilarious encouragement from Graham's daughters, Mitzi's friends, and her outspoken grandmother along the way. Things became complicated when Graham's ex-wife showed up, determined to reclaim Graham. I loved that he didn't even nibble at the bait she threw out there, and he earned major points from me when he told Mitzi about each of the encounters. Mitzi had some doubts about the relationship, first, that the connection between them was more about his daughters than about them, and second that Graham could want her when he could have the petite and skinny Rita. I liked that she and Graham spoke honestly about her doubts and that he gave her the space she wanted while she worked through them. I loved the kick in the pants they each got that finally brought them back together.
Mitzi's friends Paula and Jody also had some significant changes going on in their lives. Jody's fifteen-year relationship with her man came to an abrupt and unexpected end. I ached for Jody but also wanted to shake her for the way she had buried her true self under his expectations of who she should be. I loved the support she received from her friends, old and new. I laughed out loud at the encounter at the bridal show, especially Tabby's brilliantly over-the-top method of revenge. The last thing Jody was looking for was a new relationship, but one found her anyway. I loved Quincy's complete acceptance of her just as she is, and his good-humored reactions to her sass. He did have a couple of moments of foot-in-mouth disease, but his persistence paid off, even though Jody fought hard against her feelings.
Paula's breakup with the man she had been seeing turned out to be the catalyst that brought The Perfect Dress bridal boutique into existence. I ached for her but wasn't too surprised at the cause of the breakup. I liked the way that she took charge of her life, especially after she shared her secret with her friends. Their love and support were crucial, especially given the lack of support from her family. There were a couple of scenes with her ex that I thought were fantastic and showed how strong Paula was.
I loved Graham's daughters, Dixie and Tabby. They had a terrific relationship with their dad, who loved and supported them. Their self-confidence is a direct result of that love. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and I loved how they connected with Mitzi. It was so much fun to see their excitement over working at the shop. I enjoyed their conversations with Graham, as they tried to encourage his relationship with Mitzi. I ached for them in their dealings with their mother, who was a real piece of work.
The humor in this book was fantastic and typical of Carolyn Brown's books. The Southern/Texas attitudes had me laughing out loud frequently, with everything from the response "ain't that nice?" instead of "Screw you" to Mitzi's protectiveness of Dixie and Tabby when it came to their mother. None of the women could be accused of being shrinking violets when it came to standing up for themselves or their friends. I also love the small town atmosphere and the challenges of everyone knowing your business. The epilogue was terrific with its updates on the characters' lives. Loved the twist at the fireworks show.
June 10, 2019
I’ve read Carolyn Brown’s books before and enjoyed the combination of irreverent humor and southern charm her characters always display, so when I saw The Perfect Dress was about three women who operate a plus-sized custom bridal shop, I picked it up looking for a fun, light-hearted read.
What I got was three women who honestly seem to despise themselves. Jody hates herself for caving to pressure from a man and going vegan to diet into thinness (spoiler; the guy leaves her for a younger model anyway), Paula hates herself for falling for a man without checking him out first (spoiler; he was married) and Mitzi, the main heroine of this story, claims to be body confident but won’t let her love interest see her in a swimsuit - she doesn’t even OWN a swimsuit. The hero’s teenage daughters are frankly too good to be true and are written like no teenagers who exist in this day and age - they barely touch their phones, for starters.
If you have even the ghost of a decent relationship with your mother, you’ll be horrified by how mothers are portrayed in this book. Every single character’s biological mother is either sainted (dead) or an absolutely horrible person who seems to live to torture her children. The single older female character who’s portrayed in a positive light is Mitzi’s grandmother, who’s a hoot but I’m pretty sure is the author’s self-insert.
Mitzi and Graham’s romance could have been interesting, but every time we got a scene between the two of them, the story promptly derailed into Paula and Jody’s angst. This needed to be a series of three books, one for each of the three women, rather than rushing through and shoving everyone into a happy-ending-shaped slot. The constant PoV changes very quickly started to irritate me, because every time I put the book down even to get a snack or a drink, I had to spend several minutes checking back to see whose point of view I was in when I picked back up. It’s a hot mess and a competent editor should have done a LOT of cleaning up to make things easier for the reader to follow.
There are good parts to the story - the humor and sly Southern charm is present in full force, as well as the scene-setting that really does feel like a small Texas town. Ultimately, though, I was disappointed. Two stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
What I got was three women who honestly seem to despise themselves. Jody hates herself for caving to pressure from a man and going vegan to diet into thinness (spoiler; the guy leaves her for a younger model anyway), Paula hates herself for falling for a man without checking him out first (spoiler; he was married) and Mitzi, the main heroine of this story, claims to be body confident but won’t let her love interest see her in a swimsuit - she doesn’t even OWN a swimsuit. The hero’s teenage daughters are frankly too good to be true and are written like no teenagers who exist in this day and age - they barely touch their phones, for starters.
If you have even the ghost of a decent relationship with your mother, you’ll be horrified by how mothers are portrayed in this book. Every single character’s biological mother is either sainted (dead) or an absolutely horrible person who seems to live to torture her children. The single older female character who’s portrayed in a positive light is Mitzi’s grandmother, who’s a hoot but I’m pretty sure is the author’s self-insert.
Mitzi and Graham’s romance could have been interesting, but every time we got a scene between the two of them, the story promptly derailed into Paula and Jody’s angst. This needed to be a series of three books, one for each of the three women, rather than rushing through and shoving everyone into a happy-ending-shaped slot. The constant PoV changes very quickly started to irritate me, because every time I put the book down even to get a snack or a drink, I had to spend several minutes checking back to see whose point of view I was in when I picked back up. It’s a hot mess and a competent editor should have done a LOT of cleaning up to make things easier for the reader to follow.
There are good parts to the story - the humor and sly Southern charm is present in full force, as well as the scene-setting that really does feel like a small Texas town. Ultimately, though, I was disappointed. Two stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
June 12, 2019
This was a fun romance and friendship story between three big, beautiful women who had been friends since childhood. They own a made to order bridal shop for plus size women, in a small town. Mitzi finds out that her teenage crush has moved back to town, and he stops in the store to make an appointment for his daughters to get bridesmaid dresses made for an upcoming wedding. Jody, finds out that the last several years of her life have all been for naught. Lyle, her highschool sweetheart has been involved in an affair with a young woman and gotten her pregnant, marrying her in secret and Paula, finds out that the man she has been involved with is not leaving his wife, but just a cheating husband. This group of woman support each other, cheer each other on and offer advice and a hand when needed. This story is about the ups and downs of life, the doubts and insecurities that these beautiful women and girls live with and the emotional abuse and bullying that larger people have to deal with. There are also abusive and bullying parents who want to control their children and expect them to live in a certain way. All these issues are dealt with in a fun and realistic way. I love the characters, including the twin daughters of Graham who are strong young ladies, but despite their intelligence and strength, allow their mother to belittle them and it always hurt. I really enjoyed the sisterhood, the love and caring these women had for each other and the side stories and romance that rounded out this story. I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Carolyn Brown and definitely recommend this one. I listened to this audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. The voices she used for the various characters gave them all a voice and some individuality. She is from Texas, so I guess that explains how realistic the drawl was for the characters. I will definitely listen to more books narrated by Karissa Vacker.
May 16, 2019
Men!
Small town Texas is the setting for this story. Mitzi, Paula and Jody own a custom wedding dress shop for plus size women. Mitzi's high school crush moves back to town with his twin teenage daughters who are in awe of the shop.
This was my first Carolyn Brown book and it will not be the last. I love the characters and the descriptions of the town. Everything feels homey and neighborly. Each of the three friends has issues they must work through. There is betrayal, shunning and budding romances.
I was fascinated by the shop. Mitzi, Paula and Jody have a sixth sense about what will look good on each of the customers. The twins add a special touch with their bouquets.
I found it difficult to put this book down. I wanted to see what would happen next as trials and tribulations unfolded. I was pleased with the outcome for each of the friends. It's always nice to have a happily ever after.
Small town Texas is the setting for this story. Mitzi, Paula and Jody own a custom wedding dress shop for plus size women. Mitzi's high school crush moves back to town with his twin teenage daughters who are in awe of the shop.
This was my first Carolyn Brown book and it will not be the last. I love the characters and the descriptions of the town. Everything feels homey and neighborly. Each of the three friends has issues they must work through. There is betrayal, shunning and budding romances.
I was fascinated by the shop. Mitzi, Paula and Jody have a sixth sense about what will look good on each of the customers. The twins add a special touch with their bouquets.
I found it difficult to put this book down. I wanted to see what would happen next as trials and tribulations unfolded. I was pleased with the outcome for each of the friends. It's always nice to have a happily ever after.
May 23, 2019
For some reason Goodreads isn't letting me delete the accidental star. Anyways, I had to DNF. I really didn't want to. I just found it so slow and it explained waaaayyy too many things for my liking instead of focusing on the story. I was seeing myself headed to that dread slump so I'm officially declaring no more.
I may pick it up in the future, mostly for the two young girls. I love their energy and their personalities so much! So for them, I'd give this a try again in the future, just not now.
I may pick it up in the future, mostly for the two young girls. I love their energy and their personalities so much! So for them, I'd give this a try again in the future, just not now.
April 18, 2019
The Perfect Dress by Carolyn Brown is a sweet quick read about three women owning a custom wedding dress shop specializing in plus size dresses.
The story follows the three for a little over a year while they handle liars and cheaters, old crushes, new loves, babies - and folks who focus on their size instead of their beauty.
These are southern girls - ladies until you push them, then they give a verbal lashing like only a southern lady can do.
This story was fun and entertaining, maybe not as deep as some of the author's other books, but I definitely enjoyed it.
I recommend reading with a tall glass of sweet tea, or ice cold beer, while sitting on the front porch swing.
The story follows the three for a little over a year while they handle liars and cheaters, old crushes, new loves, babies - and folks who focus on their size instead of their beauty.
These are southern girls - ladies until you push them, then they give a verbal lashing like only a southern lady can do.
This story was fun and entertaining, maybe not as deep as some of the author's other books, but I definitely enjoyed it.
I recommend reading with a tall glass of sweet tea, or ice cold beer, while sitting on the front porch swing.
April 19, 2020
I was excited to find a romance with a plus sized protagonist who owns a wedding dress shop. Unfortunately, the author's stereotypes of plus size women gets in the way of the story. Every few pages, the characters were eating elaborate meals or sugary, high calorie snacks and talking about how big they were.
This is not how overweight people live. Our lives do not revolve around food. We do not constantly snack and eat huge meals. We are not obsessing over our size. It was so disappointing to see these stereotypes in a book that had so much promise.
This is not how overweight people live. Our lives do not revolve around food. We do not constantly snack and eat huge meals. We are not obsessing over our size. It was so disappointing to see these stereotypes in a book that had so much promise.
August 2, 2019
Had many laugh out loud moments while reading this book along with some teary eyed moments. Carolyn Brown delivers a story about plus sized women that will pull on your heartstrings.
The three main characters are like able and down to earth people. They open up a bridal shop for plus sized women. The friendship they have with each is endearing.
If you are looking for a fun read, this is the book you need to pick up.
The three main characters are like able and down to earth people. They open up a bridal shop for plus sized women. The friendship they have with each is endearing.
If you are looking for a fun read, this is the book you need to pick up.
January 31, 2019
I received a copy of The Perfect Dress via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What breath of fresh air this read was! This is about women opening up a plus size wedding dress store and issues Some of them go through. I am particularly drawn to Mitzy as I am a tall girl of 6 feet as well!!!! Highly recommend this read for spring as wedding season approaches!!!!
What breath of fresh air this read was! This is about women opening up a plus size wedding dress store and issues Some of them go through. I am particularly drawn to Mitzy as I am a tall girl of 6 feet as well!!!! Highly recommend this read for spring as wedding season approaches!!!!
May 13, 2019
Three heroines
High school crush
Execrable exes
Plus size dressmakers and boutique owners
Everyday life
Real slow burn
Friends and family
Everyone's got dramas
Celeste, Texas
Two tweeny twins
Dallas bridal fair
Romantic evening on the porch swing
Epilogue so sweet
Sassy ladies
Starting new lives
High school crush
Execrable exes
Plus size dressmakers and boutique owners
Everyday life
Real slow burn
Friends and family
Everyone's got dramas
Celeste, Texas
Two tweeny twins
Dallas bridal fair
Romantic evening on the porch swing
Epilogue so sweet
Sassy ladies
Starting new lives
April 21, 2019
These books by Carolyn Brown are such cute stories. I especially loved this one about plus-size ladies who are comfortable in their own skin who open up a bridal shop for plus-size ladies so they can have the wedding of their dreams in dresses designed just for them! Just an adorable story.
June 18, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Light summer romance reading.
July 29, 2019
Really cute fun old fashion southern story about 3 Texas gals who are the best of friends. They have their own plus size wedding dress specialty shop. The story revolves around the 3 friends Jody, Paula, & Mitzi & their relationship twists & turns.
March 21, 2019
Book Info
Paperback
Expected publication: April 16th 2019 by Montlake Romance
ISBN 1503905276 (ISBN13: 9781503905276)
Other Editions (4)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon
B&N
A plus-size Texas gal has designs on an old crush in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s exuberant, bighearted romance.
In the small town of Celeste, Texas, Mitzi Taylor has never quite fit inside the lines. Nearly six feet tall, flame-haired, and with a plus-size spirit to match every curve, she’s found her niche: a custom wedding-dress boutique catering to big brides-to-be with big dreams. Taking the plunge alongside her two best friends, she’s proud they’ve turned The Perfect Dress into a perfect success.
Just when Mitzi has it all pulled together, Graham Harrison walks back into her life, looking for bridesmaid dresses for his twin daughters. A still-strapping jock whose every gorgeous, towering inch smells like aftershave, the star of all Mitzi’s high school dreams is causing quite a flush.
For Mitzi, all it takes is a touch to feel sparks flitting around her like fireflies. She can just imagine what a kiss could do. Graham’s feeling it, too. And he’s about to make that imagination of Mitzi’s run wild. Is it just a hot summer fling, or are Mitzi’s next designs for herself and seeing her own dreams come true?
Mitzi Taylor is a lifelong resident of tiny Celeste Texas and from the time she noticed him until present day her High School crush on Graham Harrison is still going strong.
Having moved back to town with his two teenage daughters and take over his father’s car dealership Graham soon becomes as enamored of Mitzi as she is of him.
Having the two girls, Dixie and Tabitha/Tabby work in her dress shop during the long summer hours provides them all with plenty of opportunities to spend time together and get to know one another better.
Along with best friends Jody and Paula, Mitzi’s dream of making The Perfect Dress shop a viable and lucrative business begins to come true in spades.
However the ladies personal lives hit a few speed bumps that draw them closer together and prove that women from Texas really are stronger than they ever thought they could be
Family, friends, laughter, tears and some awesome dressmaking abilities tie together three larger-than-life women in this wonderful character driven story.
Not only do Jody, Mitzi and Paula have their lifelong friendship going for them but their humor and talent as well help these ladies make a life outside the box society tries to place women their size in.
Female power to the max prevails as each one overcomes their own personal stumbling blocks so in the end a well deserved new beginning for the three is well on its way to coming to pass.
Of course Fanny Lou, Mitzi’s absolutely hilarious grandmother and her father Harry Taylor, along with other secondary characters, are not too be missed either as they totally add just the right amount of small town supportive drama when needed!
Paperback
Expected publication: April 16th 2019 by Montlake Romance
ISBN 1503905276 (ISBN13: 9781503905276)
Other Editions (4)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon
B&N
BOOK BLURB
A plus-size Texas gal has designs on an old crush in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s exuberant, bighearted romance.
In the small town of Celeste, Texas, Mitzi Taylor has never quite fit inside the lines. Nearly six feet tall, flame-haired, and with a plus-size spirit to match every curve, she’s found her niche: a custom wedding-dress boutique catering to big brides-to-be with big dreams. Taking the plunge alongside her two best friends, she’s proud they’ve turned The Perfect Dress into a perfect success.
Just when Mitzi has it all pulled together, Graham Harrison walks back into her life, looking for bridesmaid dresses for his twin daughters. A still-strapping jock whose every gorgeous, towering inch smells like aftershave, the star of all Mitzi’s high school dreams is causing quite a flush.
For Mitzi, all it takes is a touch to feel sparks flitting around her like fireflies. She can just imagine what a kiss could do. Graham’s feeling it, too. And he’s about to make that imagination of Mitzi’s run wild. Is it just a hot summer fling, or are Mitzi’s next designs for herself and seeing her own dreams come true?
My Thoughts
Mitzi Taylor is a lifelong resident of tiny Celeste Texas and from the time she noticed him until present day her High School crush on Graham Harrison is still going strong.
Having moved back to town with his two teenage daughters and take over his father’s car dealership Graham soon becomes as enamored of Mitzi as she is of him.
Having the two girls, Dixie and Tabitha/Tabby work in her dress shop during the long summer hours provides them all with plenty of opportunities to spend time together and get to know one another better.
Along with best friends Jody and Paula, Mitzi’s dream of making The Perfect Dress shop a viable and lucrative business begins to come true in spades.
However the ladies personal lives hit a few speed bumps that draw them closer together and prove that women from Texas really are stronger than they ever thought they could be
Family, friends, laughter, tears and some awesome dressmaking abilities tie together three larger-than-life women in this wonderful character driven story.
Not only do Jody, Mitzi and Paula have their lifelong friendship going for them but their humor and talent as well help these ladies make a life outside the box society tries to place women their size in.
Female power to the max prevails as each one overcomes their own personal stumbling blocks so in the end a well deserved new beginning for the three is well on its way to coming to pass.
Of course Fanny Lou, Mitzi’s absolutely hilarious grandmother and her father Harry Taylor, along with other secondary characters, are not too be missed either as they totally add just the right amount of small town supportive drama when needed!
[EArc from Netgalley]
January 26, 2022
Too sappy and too fast
When I read the author’s bio and learned that she was a grandmother the book finally made sense. I picked up this book because everyone around me is getting married, I’ve never been a tiny woman, (though I am short) and I’m from Texas.
But beyond those points the story was just entirely too saccharine, cheesy and cliché for me. I mean that it was cliché literally—every single Southern aphorism and saying was trotted out multiple times. Bless your heart, this was as cheesy as Frito pie at the Friday night football game. At least they punctuated y’all correctly, you can always thank a Texas author for that at least.
For a book that was trying to be inclusive, the story focused entirely too much on Mitzi and Paula’s size. At every turn they were calling themselves big or cajoling Jody into becoming large again. They all ate what they wanted and never seemed to focus on fitness. There’s a difference between self-love and just pigging out. I eat too much and gain weight but I also try to exercise because it makes me feel good and it’s good for me. This is something that all of society is still learning about. Acceptance isn’t easy.
As for the romances, I get that these women are over 30 but that doesn’t mean everyone wants children right away. If one person wasn’t pregnant, someone else was worried about being pregnant or meeting someone with children. It was nauseating. Small towns that worry about women having premarital sex don’t suddenly get over everyone shacking up and getting knocked up. This is going a little too far in the modern world acceptance. I have to echo one of the other characters: learn how to use birth control!
Overall, this book moved entirely too fast. The women would talk about something,do something else, talk about how they just did it and move onto the next thing. There was never any time to take a breath, even describe where they were or what was going on next. They would just start talking and you’d be into the next scene. This is no way to structure a story or introduce characters and setting. As well, it took me until the middle of the book to realize that this was not the middle of a series. The author did not do a good job of just dropping you into these women’s lives.
When I read the author’s bio and learned that she was a grandmother the book finally made sense. I picked up this book because everyone around me is getting married, I’ve never been a tiny woman, (though I am short) and I’m from Texas.
But beyond those points the story was just entirely too saccharine, cheesy and cliché for me. I mean that it was cliché literally—every single Southern aphorism and saying was trotted out multiple times. Bless your heart, this was as cheesy as Frito pie at the Friday night football game. At least they punctuated y’all correctly, you can always thank a Texas author for that at least.
For a book that was trying to be inclusive, the story focused entirely too much on Mitzi and Paula’s size. At every turn they were calling themselves big or cajoling Jody into becoming large again. They all ate what they wanted and never seemed to focus on fitness. There’s a difference between self-love and just pigging out. I eat too much and gain weight but I also try to exercise because it makes me feel good and it’s good for me. This is something that all of society is still learning about. Acceptance isn’t easy.
As for the romances, I get that these women are over 30 but that doesn’t mean everyone wants children right away. If one person wasn’t pregnant, someone else was worried about being pregnant or meeting someone with children. It was nauseating. Small towns that worry about women having premarital sex don’t suddenly get over everyone shacking up and getting knocked up. This is going a little too far in the modern world acceptance. I have to echo one of the other characters: learn how to use birth control!
Overall, this book moved entirely too fast. The women would talk about something,do something else, talk about how they just did it and move onto the next thing. There was never any time to take a breath, even describe where they were or what was going on next. They would just start talking and you’d be into the next scene. This is no way to structure a story or introduce characters and setting. As well, it took me until the middle of the book to realize that this was not the middle of a series. The author did not do a good job of just dropping you into these women’s lives.
April 15, 2019
Okay, so at first read...I was actually worried it was going to be one of THOSE books. You know the ones...where the he/she lead and supporting cast is SO hung up on size that quite literally EVERY other sentence has something to do with them being bigger/smaller, or the hard times they faced because of their size, or how awful the world is in general thanks to their waistline or lack thereof. Now, admittedly, there is quite a bit of talk regarding weight/size here, but it's done in such a way that it's not overbearing to the story...it's in addition to it...and at some points THE actual story itself, like the bullying the girls faced, both past AND present...so readers like myself don't feel bogged down in the details.
Then we have the characters, and what a cast it is! Okay, can I just say that I love Fanny Lou's character? I mean seriously...she is a hoot! Moving forward, I was really loving these girls, individually and as a fearsome threesome! Paula is so strong and self-assured, and in the face of what's in store for her, she's gonna need that strength, but also the ability to lean on others. Joy...OMG...what Lyle did is UNFORVGIVEABLE...and let's just say if we met face to face, someone would have a new pair of earrings, while the other would be in A LOT of pain! Mad props to the twins for their "performance" ...BRILLIANT! Mitzi has definitely got some good juju coming her way, as long as she doesn't let herself second guess it to a halt before it even gets started. I was definitely ready to see the sparks fly between her and Graham.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this one in many ways. From the story slant to the drama, the powerful friendships to the relationships, the characters to the memorable moments, there's something around every page turn to watch for, follow, or belly laugh it out with. If you're a fan of Contemporary Romance, you'll certainly want to make room on your summer reading list for this one!
**eARC received for review; opinions are my own
Then we have the characters, and what a cast it is! Okay, can I just say that I love Fanny Lou's character? I mean seriously...she is a hoot! Moving forward, I was really loving these girls, individually and as a fearsome threesome! Paula is so strong and self-assured, and in the face of what's in store for her, she's gonna need that strength, but also the ability to lean on others. Joy...OMG...what Lyle did is UNFORVGIVEABLE...and let's just say if we met face to face, someone would have a new pair of earrings, while the other would be in A LOT of pain! Mad props to the twins for their "performance" ...BRILLIANT! Mitzi has definitely got some good juju coming her way, as long as she doesn't let herself second guess it to a halt before it even gets started. I was definitely ready to see the sparks fly between her and Graham.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this one in many ways. From the story slant to the drama, the powerful friendships to the relationships, the characters to the memorable moments, there's something around every page turn to watch for, follow, or belly laugh it out with. If you're a fan of Contemporary Romance, you'll certainly want to make room on your summer reading list for this one!
**eARC received for review; opinions are my own
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