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A Dangerous Dress
If there’s one dress that could make Jane Stuart think that anything is possible, it’s her late grandmother’s vintage 1920s Parisian dress. And when the dress becomes her ticket out of Kirland, Indiana, Jane takes her first tentative steps on her own reckless, passionate, and oh-so-dangerous adventure....
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2006
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137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 29, 2009
I was looking for some breezy chick lit for an upcoming trip.
This book started out well. I really liked the narrator's voice. The plot was a little flimsy. It quickly went downhill from there. The plot became so absurd (The main character is flown to Paris to work on a movie! Then works at Armani! Then ends up at a posh fashion show! Then lands a job at fox news!) and the language went crass and I completely lost interest.
I gave up reading and had a good chuckle when I skipped to the end, because of the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
This book started out well. I really liked the narrator's voice. The plot was a little flimsy. It quickly went downhill from there. The plot became so absurd (The main character is flown to Paris to work on a movie! Then works at Armani! Then ends up at a posh fashion show! Then lands a job at fox news!) and the language went crass and I completely lost interest.
I gave up reading and had a good chuckle when I skipped to the end, because of the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
June 8, 2019
Fun and fluffy, just what I needed. The circumstances seemed outrageous at times, but it was all part of the ride.
January 21, 2021
What a lovely easy read. Perfect little gem to ease in to the new year. Feel-good & funny 👌
March 31, 2023
After becoming severely burnt out on serious reading while finishing my degree, this light, fluffy novel was just what I needed to get back into reading and remember why I like to read in the first place. It's an imaginative globe-trotting adventure full of glitz and glamour that will appeal to anyone with an appreciation for vintage fashion and chick-lit. I loved the idea of inheriting a mysterious, stunning antique dress that you can't help but want to share with the world.
Without giving too much away, I found the main character's carelessness around the Dangerous Dress stressful (She put it in her checked luggage when she flew? She just left it in a hotel she'd checked out of?!). I wasn't a fan of the male romantic interest's inability to communicate, although bad communication is fabulous at creating useful plots. I would have liked to find out how Small Town Grandma acquired the dress and where she wore it – I kind of thought this book would be more focused on discovering Grandma's secrets. And overall, it seemed like a novel I would have liked very much when I was 14. It's a little juvenile – particularly the main character. But that's okay. It may not be a prizewinning work of art, but it was an entertaining read that kept me turning pages to see where the Parisian adventure would lead next.
Without giving too much away, I found the main character's carelessness around the Dangerous Dress stressful (She put it in her checked luggage when she flew? She just left it in a hotel she'd checked out of?!). I wasn't a fan of the male romantic interest's inability to communicate, although bad communication is fabulous at creating useful plots. I would have liked to find out how Small Town Grandma acquired the dress and where she wore it – I kind of thought this book would be more focused on discovering Grandma's secrets. And overall, it seemed like a novel I would have liked very much when I was 14. It's a little juvenile – particularly the main character. But that's okay. It may not be a prizewinning work of art, but it was an entertaining read that kept me turning pages to see where the Parisian adventure would lead next.
August 17, 2024
Can't say it did much for me. Never did figure out whether it was meant to be an adult or a juvenile book. Some interesting information here and there, but mostly ?????
January 17, 2011
Truth be told, I would have given this book an outright 5/5 rating, if not for the fact that the story did not reveal where Jane's 'dangerous dress' came from.
So reading the synopsis, we all know that the dress was from her grandmother. That it was totally splendid and beautiful, and that it may have emboldened her grandmother into doing some really adventurous things. However, how her grandmother came upon this dress and the fact that it was from Paris (so her grandmother went to Paris at some point when she was younger?) remained a mystery even in the ending. That wouldn't have been so bad because this book was meant to be about Jane and how her grandmother's dress also helped her embark on a unique adventure and find her mojo. However, I would have loved to solve the mystery of the dress' origins since the title, A Dangerous Dress, would befit such a revelation, right?
But I can forgive that flaw if only for the fact that this book was smashing! I know that this is really chick lit - look at the pink girly cover and the fact that most of it was set in Paris - but the writing was very strong and compelling, the simple plot becoming very complex, and the characters were so human that it felt like really reading a true story - which was how it was intended to be. The writing was crystal, very easy to read, it was narrated through Jane's point of view and she really came off as believable and credible. She never once sounded flat or fake, and spoke, acted, and thought her age. There was no artificial old-age wisdom, and whatever lesson or values she learned throughout her adventure she learned her own way.
Ever since I was little, I have always been fascinated with clothes - what girl wouldn't be? When I was younger, I used to draw really frilly and outrageous gowns and reading this book which details each clothing featured in the story brought me back to those days when I would obsess on the intricacies of a dress' design. It was fun to read about something I'm interested in weaved in a really beautiful story set in a really beautiful backdrop - Paris. That made me take my mind off a bit about the missing revelation about granny's dress' history.
So... I really wanted to write a long, raving review for this book but sometimes I find it difficult to put into words just how much I liked or what exactly it was that I liked about a book. Suffice it to say that after reading the last sentence, I totally smiled to myself and bugged my mother to read it because it was, "Wow, wow, wow, wow A-W-E-S-O-M-E!" I really said it that way complete with a cheerleader's routine for spelling the word, and she looked at me like I just lost my mind.
So reading the synopsis, we all know that the dress was from her grandmother. That it was totally splendid and beautiful, and that it may have emboldened her grandmother into doing some really adventurous things. However, how her grandmother came upon this dress and the fact that it was from Paris (so her grandmother went to Paris at some point when she was younger?) remained a mystery even in the ending. That wouldn't have been so bad because this book was meant to be about Jane and how her grandmother's dress also helped her embark on a unique adventure and find her mojo. However, I would have loved to solve the mystery of the dress' origins since the title, A Dangerous Dress, would befit such a revelation, right?
But I can forgive that flaw if only for the fact that this book was smashing! I know that this is really chick lit - look at the pink girly cover and the fact that most of it was set in Paris - but the writing was very strong and compelling, the simple plot becoming very complex, and the characters were so human that it felt like really reading a true story - which was how it was intended to be. The writing was crystal, very easy to read, it was narrated through Jane's point of view and she really came off as believable and credible. She never once sounded flat or fake, and spoke, acted, and thought her age. There was no artificial old-age wisdom, and whatever lesson or values she learned throughout her adventure she learned her own way.
Ever since I was little, I have always been fascinated with clothes - what girl wouldn't be? When I was younger, I used to draw really frilly and outrageous gowns and reading this book which details each clothing featured in the story brought me back to those days when I would obsess on the intricacies of a dress' design. It was fun to read about something I'm interested in weaved in a really beautiful story set in a really beautiful backdrop - Paris. That made me take my mind off a bit about the missing revelation about granny's dress' history.
So... I really wanted to write a long, raving review for this book but sometimes I find it difficult to put into words just how much I liked or what exactly it was that I liked about a book. Suffice it to say that after reading the last sentence, I totally smiled to myself and bugged my mother to read it because it was, "Wow, wow, wow, wow A-W-E-S-O-M-E!" I really said it that way complete with a cheerleader's routine for spelling the word, and she looked at me like I just lost my mind.
February 7, 2012
This is truly a girlie girl kind of book.
Jane Stuart is a girl from the mid-west (Kirland, Indiana to be exact) that inherits her late grandmother's vintage 1920’s Parisian dress. This dress is impressive in every aspect. Jane is intrigued in finding out how her grandmother came upon this marvelous dress. She remembers from her course in school that such a dress could only be from the 1920’s, but what was her grandmother doing in Paris in 1920 when to Jane’s knowledge her grandmother had never left Kirland?
Jane writes an essay regarding the dress and how her grandmother was young and had gone to Paris & when she put on this gorgeous dress she felt empowered as if she could do anything or be anyone while wearing such a dress. A movie producer reads Jane’s essay and is making a movie based on her essay. She receives a call from the producer’s assistant with details on plane ticket, passport photo’s and a car that will pick her up and drive her to such places. When Jane receives he plane ticket she realizes she is going to…PARIS!!!! This turns her life upside down...literally! She takes her dress (grandmas) with her carefully packed in her suitcase and off to Paris “they” go!!
While in Paris Jane experiences many adventures some bad and other good. She has little romances and an entire experience based on that “dangerous” dress. However, how her grandmother came upon this dress remained a mystery.
A charming read, although it started becoming a bit too unlikely with all the things Jane was experiencing I still continued with the read only because I was interested in finding out about how her grandmother came about such “A Dangerous Dress”.
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2012...
Jane Stuart is a girl from the mid-west (Kirland, Indiana to be exact) that inherits her late grandmother's vintage 1920’s Parisian dress. This dress is impressive in every aspect. Jane is intrigued in finding out how her grandmother came upon this marvelous dress. She remembers from her course in school that such a dress could only be from the 1920’s, but what was her grandmother doing in Paris in 1920 when to Jane’s knowledge her grandmother had never left Kirland?
Jane writes an essay regarding the dress and how her grandmother was young and had gone to Paris & when she put on this gorgeous dress she felt empowered as if she could do anything or be anyone while wearing such a dress. A movie producer reads Jane’s essay and is making a movie based on her essay. She receives a call from the producer’s assistant with details on plane ticket, passport photo’s and a car that will pick her up and drive her to such places. When Jane receives he plane ticket she realizes she is going to…PARIS!!!! This turns her life upside down...literally! She takes her dress (grandmas) with her carefully packed in her suitcase and off to Paris “they” go!!
While in Paris Jane experiences many adventures some bad and other good. She has little romances and an entire experience based on that “dangerous” dress. However, how her grandmother came upon this dress remained a mystery.
A charming read, although it started becoming a bit too unlikely with all the things Jane was experiencing I still continued with the read only because I was interested in finding out about how her grandmother came about such “A Dangerous Dress”.
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2012...
February 11, 2009
Reading The Dangerous Dress was just like meeting a stranger in a coffee shop, spending several enjoyable hours listening to her adventures, and ending up with a new friend. Holden does a great job of writing in the first person, it's what made putting this book down nearly impossible. Here's what I wrote when I was just over half way through reading it.
"This is the definition of an addictive book! I started it last night before bed expecting it to be fluffy (like the cover), and to just read a chapter, or maybe two. Twenty-four hours later I'm more than half way through - and I had a full day of work things to do! More later...right now I'm off to just read a bit before going to sleep (if reading just a bit is possible)."
While definitely "Chick Lit", The Dangerous Dress is a bit deeper than most, and is a novel that I will quite probably read and reread many times.
"This is the definition of an addictive book! I started it last night before bed expecting it to be fluffy (like the cover), and to just read a chapter, or maybe two. Twenty-four hours later I'm more than half way through - and I had a full day of work things to do! More later...right now I'm off to just read a bit before going to sleep (if reading just a bit is possible)."
While definitely "Chick Lit", The Dangerous Dress is a bit deeper than most, and is a novel that I will quite probably read and reread many times.
August 3, 2007
I wrote a longer review, but it didn't save. So I am just going to quickly say that this is story of a girl from the mid-west that takes a chance, or three, to make it big in glamorous places like New York and Paris, but doesn't. She comes home feeling like a failure and that is when everything really works out for her. My only real problem with the story is that the first 99% of the book is about her and fashion, and her happy ending is about her writing. I could swear that no more than one sentence was ever spent discussing her 'writing', and it just seemed a little off. Overall, a quick fun read.
June 9, 2008
I did enjoy the story a lot, but I'd have to say I liked Holden's second book better.....One Dance in Paris.
This had a cute plot and characters, but I guess I had thought (was hoping) more of the story would have taken place in Paris like her second book. Would definitely recommend this one though.
This had a cute plot and characters, but I guess I had thought (was hoping) more of the story would have taken place in Paris like her second book. Would definitely recommend this one though.
November 28, 2013
Great book. I would read this author again. The foreshadowing was a bit weak. I really expected the supposed villian to act way more queen bitchy and the name dropping was never quite delivered on as promised.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed the authors first person voice and the narrative of the story itself. It sure was one very special dangerous sexual dress.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed the authors first person voice and the narrative of the story itself. It sure was one very special dangerous sexual dress.
June 5, 2009
I liked what she said about the way that clothes can affect the way that you feel, your mood. Dres poorly,feel poorly. Dress well, feel good. Clothes do play a part in how you feel about yourselfand your self-esteem.
August 9, 2012
The cover was definitely enticing! Enjoyed this chick-lit during summer, especially that it concerns dresses and glamour. A lot of unexpected twist and turns for Jane Stuart. It was a fun and light read. Nothing too heavy and dramatic.
July 26, 2007
I also found this book on Candy Covered Books. It was ok. Better than the last book I read for sure, but I didn't find myself feeling all that invested in the story.
October 26, 2008
A cute read but it started becoming a bit too farfetched and lost me halfway through it...but then again, I'm a very picky reader.
March 9, 2008
A dress is a woman's ticket to travel and adventure. I don't know.. I just didn't care..
January 9, 2015
This book was okay...In the end it left me still wondering what the origin of the dress was. I have to say it was a lackluster ending. Schmaltzy to say the least.
September 16, 2008
This book was so cute! I loved it! Hee hee! Awesome!
April 2, 2011
liked this book.. it was a great, light, fun read... made even better by being in the sale bin... teeheehee
November 7, 2019
I thought this book was wonderfully cute. It was light and uplifting.
Read
August 18, 2009fun quick summer read
October 6, 2009
This was a good book. I felt like it ended quickly. I am hoping the way it was ended means that there will be a sequel!
August 17, 2010
I liked this book. I liked what the author had to say and the way she said it. It was fun and refreshingly witty.
January 25, 2010
I rally like her books. They are qucik and fun and always end up in Paris!
June 17, 2010
Briliant book
July 19, 2010
A good mindless read, cute story but quite far fetched. Nice chick lit beach read.
October 15, 2010
It was kind of boring but I wanted to see what happened.
November 3, 2010
A pretty good story. I needed something not too deep and that I could get through quickly and this fit the bill.
April 9, 2011
A nice story. Typical Rom Com with a fashion flare. I sometimes felt like the story was a bit frantic, but it kept me reading anyway.
Read
August 9, 2011good light read to take my mind off my Gramma's funeral... she could have taken the "magic" of the dress a bit farther than she did for sure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews