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A kis francia menyasszonyiruha-bolt
Az elhallgatás is hazugság?
Larisa Pearl úgy gondolta, nem.
És nagy bajba került.
Larisa Pearl enyhén szólva nincsen topon, amikor visszatér szülővárosába, a massachusettsi tengerpartra, hogy nagymamája testvérének hagyatékát felszámolja. Elvesztette az állását, szétmentek a pasijával, és az édesanyja egészségi állapota romlik, ami egyre több terhet ró Larisára. Elhalad a kis francia menyasszonyiruha-bolt kirakata mellett, és megakad a szeme egy gyönyörű, elefántcsontszínű szaténruhán.
Az egész kisváros gyönyörűségére már az esküvőjét tervezgeti. Megvan a ruha, megrendelte a menyasszonyi csokrot, és az időpontot is kitűzte – mindössze vőlegény nincs. Hogy történhetett mindez? Egyszerűen felpróbálta a ruhát, aztán szárnyalni kezdett a fantáziája. De a közelgő esküvő híre Jack Merrillnek is a fülébe jut. Tizenéves korukban Larisa és Jack sokszor találkoztak Larisa nagymamájának testvérénél, és barátságukból más is lehetett volna, ha nem sodorja őket külön utakra az élet.
Larisa kezd belegabalyodni a saját füllentéseibe, és szembe kell néznie jó néhány nehézséggel, mielőtt el tudja fogadni magát, az örökségét, és megnyithatja szívét a szerelem előtt.
Larisa Pearl úgy gondolta, nem.
És nagy bajba került.
Larisa Pearl enyhén szólva nincsen topon, amikor visszatér szülővárosába, a massachusettsi tengerpartra, hogy nagymamája testvérének hagyatékát felszámolja. Elvesztette az állását, szétmentek a pasijával, és az édesanyja egészségi állapota romlik, ami egyre több terhet ró Larisára. Elhalad a kis francia menyasszonyiruha-bolt kirakata mellett, és megakad a szeme egy gyönyörű, elefántcsontszínű szaténruhán.
Az egész kisváros gyönyörűségére már az esküvőjét tervezgeti. Megvan a ruha, megrendelte a menyasszonyi csokrot, és az időpontot is kitűzte – mindössze vőlegény nincs. Hogy történhetett mindez? Egyszerűen felpróbálta a ruhát, aztán szárnyalni kezdett a fantáziája. De a közelgő esküvő híre Jack Merrillnek is a fülébe jut. Tizenéves korukban Larisa és Jack sokszor találkoztak Larisa nagymamájának testvérénél, és barátságukból más is lehetett volna, ha nem sodorja őket külön utakra az élet.
Larisa kezd belegabalyodni a saját füllentéseibe, és szembe kell néznie jó néhány nehézséggel, mielőtt el tudja fogadni magát, az örökségét, és megnyithatja szívét a szerelem előtt.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2021
215 people are currently reading
10911 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Dupee
2 books131 followersJennifer Dupee grew up on the North Shore of Boston near the seaside communities of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Beverly Farms. Her debut novel, THE LITTLE FRENCH BRIDAL SHOP, was chosen as Good Housekeeping magazine’s April 2021 Book of the Month. Jennifer is a graduate of Brown University, where she studied under published authors Meredith Steinbach and Carole Maso, and received her honors in Creative Writing. She is an active member of the Grub Street writing community in Boston and has published in The Feminist Press. She was a semi-finalist for the 2016 James Jones First Novel Competition and a semi-finalist for the 2016 Faulkner-Wisdom competition. Jennifer lives just outside of Boston with her family. Her first published novel is The Little French Bridal Shop, and she is currently at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 453 reviews
March 23, 2022
Although this debut novel begins with Larisa Pearl purchasing a wedding dress, this book is about so much more than wedding planning. Besides Larisa and Jack Merrill and their alternating perspectives, the late iconic Aunt Ursula and her estate Elmhurst must be considered major characters. The institution of marriage is examined from multiple viewpoints as well. First, the fact that Ursula never did marry. Then there are the marriages of Jack and Holly which is fraying at the seams; and Larisa's parents' (Clark & Kittie) marriage. Her mother Kittie is more and more behind the veil of Alzheimer's. Larisa's struggle to cope and move forward are at the core of her crisis. How does the wedding dress transform the book? You will have to read it yourself to find out. I love a book with symmetry and although the middle gets a bit murky, the beginning and the end are wonderful bookends. I also love this quote from Jack:
In the end, Jack thought, we are all reliant on those around us. For love, for care. Friends and family became the keepers of collective memories, memories that allowed the ill and deceased to live on.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
In the end, Jack thought, we are all reliant on those around us. For love, for care. Friends and family became the keepers of collective memories, memories that allowed the ill and deceased to live on.
Thank you to St. Martins Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2021
Quick thoughts:
The Little French Bridal Shop is the character-driven story of Larisa Pearl. She’s at a crossroads in life where a relationship has ended and things just aren’t going well for her. She finds herself in a bridal shop and begins to plan her wedding, only she has no groom.
Secrets abound and some tough issues are addressed with Larisa’s mother. There’s also a house involved as charming as the cover of this book!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The Little French Bridal Shop is the character-driven story of Larisa Pearl. She’s at a crossroads in life where a relationship has ended and things just aren’t going well for her. She finds herself in a bridal shop and begins to plan her wedding, only she has no groom.
Secrets abound and some tough issues are addressed with Larisa’s mother. There’s also a house involved as charming as the cover of this book!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
June 9, 2021
I really wanted to love this one. The cover caught my attention right away. Unfortunately, that was my favorite thing about this book.
The main character, Larisa Pearl was awful. The fact she spent the majority of the book deceiving everyone in her life was not a redeeming quality. She was a very unlikeable character.
This one just wasn't for me.
Thanks to MBC Books and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy!
The main character, Larisa Pearl was awful. The fact she spent the majority of the book deceiving everyone in her life was not a redeeming quality. She was a very unlikeable character.
This one just wasn't for me.
Thanks to MBC Books and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy!
October 22, 2020
I wish this book the best, and I’m glad some people enjoyed it! I found the characters to be super illogical. The book is about a woman who has no interest in marriage whatsoever and then decides to try on wedding dresses and then actually buys one with no intention of getting married. And that gets the plot rolling, but it just doesn’t make sense to me. I also found Jack and his relationship with Holly and Larissa to have some weird holes in it.
July 30, 2021
Two and a half stars
If you’re thinking this is going to be set in France, you are wrong. The little French Bridal shop is actually in Massachusetts, USA. So that is the first surprise. Larisa Pearl returns to her seaside hometown and to her great aunt Ursula’s estate of Elmhurst. While struggling to cope with her mother’s dementia and other changes life has recently thrown at her, Larisa comes across the bridal shop. For an inexplicable reason, since she no longer has a boyfriend, she ends up going into the shop and buys a wedding dress. As is the way of small towns news quickly gets around that Larisa is to be married. And so a web of lies from Larisa ensues. The other main character is Jack who has been the caretaker for Ursula’s estate. He and his wife Holly are having problems and so he moves out from his home, his wife and their triplet boys. Moving into Elmhurst, he helps Larisa make renovations to the property. Could this lead to more complications for each of them?
To enjoy this book the reader has to accept that Larisa makes such a surprising and illogical decision in regard to the wedding dress. I found this a stretch to say the least. Added to that I struggled to take to Larisa at all. At one stage, after some self examination, Larisa realises she has been selfish, cowardly and completely self absorbed. I could only agree with her which made it hard to care about what really happened with her. I wasn’t greatly enamoured with Jack either. Thought they were both manipulative and shallow much of the time.
I was thrilled when I received an ARC of this one from Allen&Unwin, in exchange for a review. Sadly, despite its beautiful cover, this book did not live up to my expectations. How as a reader you respond to Larisa’s personality and her decision with the wedding dress issue, will probably how you feel about the book. Some people will happily accept it, but that wasn’t me. While I really wanted to be able to like it more than I did, it ended up being just an okay read for me,
If you’re thinking this is going to be set in France, you are wrong. The little French Bridal shop is actually in Massachusetts, USA. So that is the first surprise. Larisa Pearl returns to her seaside hometown and to her great aunt Ursula’s estate of Elmhurst. While struggling to cope with her mother’s dementia and other changes life has recently thrown at her, Larisa comes across the bridal shop. For an inexplicable reason, since she no longer has a boyfriend, she ends up going into the shop and buys a wedding dress. As is the way of small towns news quickly gets around that Larisa is to be married. And so a web of lies from Larisa ensues. The other main character is Jack who has been the caretaker for Ursula’s estate. He and his wife Holly are having problems and so he moves out from his home, his wife and their triplet boys. Moving into Elmhurst, he helps Larisa make renovations to the property. Could this lead to more complications for each of them?
To enjoy this book the reader has to accept that Larisa makes such a surprising and illogical decision in regard to the wedding dress. I found this a stretch to say the least. Added to that I struggled to take to Larisa at all. At one stage, after some self examination, Larisa realises she has been selfish, cowardly and completely self absorbed. I could only agree with her which made it hard to care about what really happened with her. I wasn’t greatly enamoured with Jack either. Thought they were both manipulative and shallow much of the time.
I was thrilled when I received an ARC of this one from Allen&Unwin, in exchange for a review. Sadly, despite its beautiful cover, this book did not live up to my expectations. How as a reader you respond to Larisa’s personality and her decision with the wedding dress issue, will probably how you feel about the book. Some people will happily accept it, but that wasn’t me. While I really wanted to be able to like it more than I did, it ended up being just an okay read for me,
August 25, 2021
⭐️3.5 Stars⭐️
I was attracted to this gorgeous cover of The Little French Bridal Shop by Jennifer Dupee, isn’t it just divine? The Little Bridal Shop is a heartfelt and somewhat whimsical story about a woman who after the death of her great aunt returns to her seaside hometown to manage her great-aunts estate, Elmhurst.
Larisa Pearl is thirty nine and is going through life spinning a web of lies as she copes with her mother’s dementia, a lost job and a break-up with her boyfriend. Her lies and charades are shocking, I couldn’t imagine a person acting in this way!
When Larisa arrives in her hometown she walks past the local bridal shop and finds herself entering and then trying on a collection of wedding gowns. She finds the perfect one, purchases it and starts planning a wedding! She tells people she’s getting married, but not that she doesn’t have a groom! Larissa spins such a wild collection of lies in an unconscious effort to avoid an awful truth and avoid reality.
Jack Merrill has been the caretaker at Elmhurst since he was seventeen, he’s now married to Holly and has triplet boys but there are problems at home. He feels like Elmhurst is his home and joins Larisa in helping to restore Elmhurst to her former beauty.
Although I didn’t warm to the central character, my favourite characters and parts of the story were regarding Larisa's parents Kittie and Clark. Their story was absolutely beautiful, very touching and given the dignity deserved.
Publication Date July 2021
I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of the book
I was attracted to this gorgeous cover of The Little French Bridal Shop by Jennifer Dupee, isn’t it just divine? The Little Bridal Shop is a heartfelt and somewhat whimsical story about a woman who after the death of her great aunt returns to her seaside hometown to manage her great-aunts estate, Elmhurst.
Larisa Pearl is thirty nine and is going through life spinning a web of lies as she copes with her mother’s dementia, a lost job and a break-up with her boyfriend. Her lies and charades are shocking, I couldn’t imagine a person acting in this way!
When Larisa arrives in her hometown she walks past the local bridal shop and finds herself entering and then trying on a collection of wedding gowns. She finds the perfect one, purchases it and starts planning a wedding! She tells people she’s getting married, but not that she doesn’t have a groom! Larissa spins such a wild collection of lies in an unconscious effort to avoid an awful truth and avoid reality.
Jack Merrill has been the caretaker at Elmhurst since he was seventeen, he’s now married to Holly and has triplet boys but there are problems at home. He feels like Elmhurst is his home and joins Larisa in helping to restore Elmhurst to her former beauty.
Although I didn’t warm to the central character, my favourite characters and parts of the story were regarding Larisa's parents Kittie and Clark. Their story was absolutely beautiful, very touching and given the dignity deserved.
Publication Date July 2021
I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of the book
March 10, 2021
I was a little confused about the book’s focus. It was part romance, part finding one self, part dealing with dementia... it never found its purpose for me and never fulfilled any of the aforementioned themes. The author has a nice voice and the pace was OK, but the lack of focus made it hard for me to enjoy.
August 24, 2021
Up front, I think this book has the wrong title - this is not about a 'little French bridal shop'.
Thankfully I had the heads up on this before picking up the book, so my expectations were somewhat not as high as they may have been. Having said that I did quite enjoy it!
The book is set in America, Larisa is returning to her small home town to get her deceased Aunt Ursula's rather grand home ready to sell. Larisa has just lost her job, broken up with her partner and now in late thirties doesn't seem to know who she is or what she wants out of life anymore. What she feels she needs is her mother, Kittie who now has dementia.
In this book, Larisa fabricates quite a set of lies and for a while I really didn't like her and what she was doing to her parents and the people around her. But, as she came to realise what she was doing and who she was really hurting, she became much more likeable.
Having a mother with dementia myself, I could often see where Larisa was coming from, and this brought me to tears a few times during the book.
I think if you put the title completely aside, the book is quite an enjoyable read.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the uncorrected ARC paperback that I won.
Thankfully I had the heads up on this before picking up the book, so my expectations were somewhat not as high as they may have been. Having said that I did quite enjoy it!
The book is set in America, Larisa is returning to her small home town to get her deceased Aunt Ursula's rather grand home ready to sell. Larisa has just lost her job, broken up with her partner and now in late thirties doesn't seem to know who she is or what she wants out of life anymore. What she feels she needs is her mother, Kittie who now has dementia.
In this book, Larisa fabricates quite a set of lies and for a while I really didn't like her and what she was doing to her parents and the people around her. But, as she came to realise what she was doing and who she was really hurting, she became much more likeable.
Having a mother with dementia myself, I could often see where Larisa was coming from, and this brought me to tears a few times during the book.
I think if you put the title completely aside, the book is quite an enjoyable read.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the uncorrected ARC paperback that I won.
April 8, 2021
The Little French Bridal Shop
By Jennifer Dupee
This is a bitter sweet story about a woman whose life has been turned upside down. In this case with Larissa, multiple situations come crashing as her relationship with her boyfriend turns into shambles, her aunt passes away, and her mother suffers from dementia - this has all become too much for her that she creates a different reality. So much so that on a whim, she purchases a beautiful wedding dress and with a little lie of omission, all of a sudden she becomes the talk of the small town.
I did enjoy this story a lot. I found the situation Larissa was faced with relatable. The eventual growth and change of her character amidst all the drama, lies, and avoidance in confronting her challenges was a delight to read about. I enjoyed the intriguing and loving characters surrounding Larissa, which helped her find her strength to grow, accept, and take courage to face her problems head on. I found this character driven story heartwarming and delightful.
Beneath this beautiful cover is a gem of a story. I enjoyed the writing and the intricate details and the lovely small town seaside setting. A true delight!
By Jennifer Dupee
This is a bitter sweet story about a woman whose life has been turned upside down. In this case with Larissa, multiple situations come crashing as her relationship with her boyfriend turns into shambles, her aunt passes away, and her mother suffers from dementia - this has all become too much for her that she creates a different reality. So much so that on a whim, she purchases a beautiful wedding dress and with a little lie of omission, all of a sudden she becomes the talk of the small town.
I did enjoy this story a lot. I found the situation Larissa was faced with relatable. The eventual growth and change of her character amidst all the drama, lies, and avoidance in confronting her challenges was a delight to read about. I enjoyed the intriguing and loving characters surrounding Larissa, which helped her find her strength to grow, accept, and take courage to face her problems head on. I found this character driven story heartwarming and delightful.
Beneath this beautiful cover is a gem of a story. I enjoyed the writing and the intricate details and the lovely small town seaside setting. A true delight!
March 31, 2021
This is a lovely, heart felt story about a woman trying to find her way again when her world starts to fall apart. It's a good story about how to navigate the ups and downs of life and not just through Larissa, but also through Jack and Clark and Kitty. Each of these characters is at a serious crossroads in their life and we see and feel all the emotions they go through as they make some good and some bad decisions figuring everything out. The book is well written, has great character development and a beautiful cover! That cover is the first thing that caught my eye about this book, I had to find out more about it after seeing it. A quick and enjoyable read.
My thanks to Jennifer Dupree, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to Jennifer Dupree, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
2.5/3 stars
It was love at first sight for me and The Little French Bridal Shop. Featuring one the most beautiful covers of the year to date, complete with an attractive title, I was keen to delve into this debut novel. The Little French Bridal Shop is a heartfelt, heartbreaking, life affirming and quirky read about human relationships.
The Little French Bridal Shop follows Larisa Pearl, a woman who must return to her seaside home town following the loss of her Great Aunt. Larisa returns home with a great deal of emotional baggage, she is now unemployed and she has recently suffered from a relationship breakdown. This is coupled with her mother’s health issues. Larisa is struggling to deal with her mother’s dementia. As Larisa searches for a welcome distraction from her problems she decides to visit a local bridal shop. After browsing and trying on dresses in the bridal boutique, Larisa ends up coming home with a wedding dress. The problem is, Larisa has no groom. Soon the rumour mill begins in Larisa’s home town. The local community believe that Larisa is preparing for the wedding of her dreams. Things quickly spiral out of control for Larisa as arrangements are made for a wedding that doesn’t have a groom. As the lies start to increase, Larisa knows she is in above her head. Larisa knows she must confront the truth, surrounding both her made-up wedding and her mother’s failing health.
The Little French Bridal Shop is the debut novel from Boston based author Jennifer Dupee. With an intriguing synopsis and a great set-up, I thought that I was really going to like this one. I tried very hard to enjoy Jennifer Dupee’s first novel, but unfortunately it fell short for me.
Firstly, I have to say the small-town American setting did appeal to me. The location base featured in The Little French Bridal Shop had a kind of Virgin River feel. I liked the vivid representation of the boutique shops, little cafes and country sites. I think this aspect of the novel is definitely one of its early strengths and it did serve to pull me in. Dupee does a good job of illuminating her setting base for her audience.
Homecoming books and second chance love/life stories are always appealing to contemporary fiction readers. The Little French Bridal Shop easily falls into this category. However, if you are expecting a light and fluffy tale, you may be disappointed. I selected The Little French Bridal Shop from my pile of review books as I was looking for an easygoing escape tale. Unfortunately, I think I judged this one too quickly and I was surprised to discover that the story inside featured a lead with lots of emotional baggage, who is also a big liar! Larisa is the central character of The Little French Bridal Shop and while she drew some sympathy from me in regards to her job loss, relationship breakdown and parental care/health issues, I was quite shocked by her behaviour. With the lies stacking up and the false wedding situation spinning out of control, I was quite annoyed that this character seemed to keep up this silly charade longer than it should have done. This aspect of the story seemed to really annoy me!
There is a love lost and found aspect to The Little French Bridal Shop involving a old face from Larisa’s past. There are plenty of problems and obstacles to overcome in this area. Larisa is preoccupied with her own personal issues, especially in regards to the burden placed on her father to care for her ageing mother. While the male love interest of this tale has his own concerns, in relation to his faltering marriage and the care of his eleven-year-old triplets. Dupee works hard to build in a will they/won’t they style romance for these two.
Much of the central story is directed towards Larisa’s anxiety surrounding her mother’s illness and demise. Dupee does treat the dementia aspect of her novel with the respect, dignity and understanding that this health area deserves. This was the novel’s high point. I could appreciate the pain the cast impacted by this debilitating illness had to contend with, especially Larisa’s poor father, which was made very clear by Dupee.
It was hard to stick close to this one. My mind did falter while reading The Little French Bridal Shop and I will admit to skimming a great deal of this tale. I was hoping to see a big realisation or wake up call for the lead, which provided me with the fuel to continue reading until the end. The Little French Bridal Shop reaches a satisfactory close. I wasn’t enamoured by Jennifer Dupee’s debut, despite the initial excitement over the cover, title, appealing small town setting and quirky set-up. Although I didn’t respond overly well to this one, I would be interested in picking up a future title from Jennifer Dupee.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
2.5/3 stars
It was love at first sight for me and The Little French Bridal Shop. Featuring one the most beautiful covers of the year to date, complete with an attractive title, I was keen to delve into this debut novel. The Little French Bridal Shop is a heartfelt, heartbreaking, life affirming and quirky read about human relationships.
The Little French Bridal Shop follows Larisa Pearl, a woman who must return to her seaside home town following the loss of her Great Aunt. Larisa returns home with a great deal of emotional baggage, she is now unemployed and she has recently suffered from a relationship breakdown. This is coupled with her mother’s health issues. Larisa is struggling to deal with her mother’s dementia. As Larisa searches for a welcome distraction from her problems she decides to visit a local bridal shop. After browsing and trying on dresses in the bridal boutique, Larisa ends up coming home with a wedding dress. The problem is, Larisa has no groom. Soon the rumour mill begins in Larisa’s home town. The local community believe that Larisa is preparing for the wedding of her dreams. Things quickly spiral out of control for Larisa as arrangements are made for a wedding that doesn’t have a groom. As the lies start to increase, Larisa knows she is in above her head. Larisa knows she must confront the truth, surrounding both her made-up wedding and her mother’s failing health.
The Little French Bridal Shop is the debut novel from Boston based author Jennifer Dupee. With an intriguing synopsis and a great set-up, I thought that I was really going to like this one. I tried very hard to enjoy Jennifer Dupee’s first novel, but unfortunately it fell short for me.
Firstly, I have to say the small-town American setting did appeal to me. The location base featured in The Little French Bridal Shop had a kind of Virgin River feel. I liked the vivid representation of the boutique shops, little cafes and country sites. I think this aspect of the novel is definitely one of its early strengths and it did serve to pull me in. Dupee does a good job of illuminating her setting base for her audience.
Homecoming books and second chance love/life stories are always appealing to contemporary fiction readers. The Little French Bridal Shop easily falls into this category. However, if you are expecting a light and fluffy tale, you may be disappointed. I selected The Little French Bridal Shop from my pile of review books as I was looking for an easygoing escape tale. Unfortunately, I think I judged this one too quickly and I was surprised to discover that the story inside featured a lead with lots of emotional baggage, who is also a big liar! Larisa is the central character of The Little French Bridal Shop and while she drew some sympathy from me in regards to her job loss, relationship breakdown and parental care/health issues, I was quite shocked by her behaviour. With the lies stacking up and the false wedding situation spinning out of control, I was quite annoyed that this character seemed to keep up this silly charade longer than it should have done. This aspect of the story seemed to really annoy me!
There is a love lost and found aspect to The Little French Bridal Shop involving a old face from Larisa’s past. There are plenty of problems and obstacles to overcome in this area. Larisa is preoccupied with her own personal issues, especially in regards to the burden placed on her father to care for her ageing mother. While the male love interest of this tale has his own concerns, in relation to his faltering marriage and the care of his eleven-year-old triplets. Dupee works hard to build in a will they/won’t they style romance for these two.
Much of the central story is directed towards Larisa’s anxiety surrounding her mother’s illness and demise. Dupee does treat the dementia aspect of her novel with the respect, dignity and understanding that this health area deserves. This was the novel’s high point. I could appreciate the pain the cast impacted by this debilitating illness had to contend with, especially Larisa’s poor father, which was made very clear by Dupee.
It was hard to stick close to this one. My mind did falter while reading The Little French Bridal Shop and I will admit to skimming a great deal of this tale. I was hoping to see a big realisation or wake up call for the lead, which provided me with the fuel to continue reading until the end. The Little French Bridal Shop reaches a satisfactory close. I wasn’t enamoured by Jennifer Dupee’s debut, despite the initial excitement over the cover, title, appealing small town setting and quirky set-up. Although I didn’t respond overly well to this one, I would be interested in picking up a future title from Jennifer Dupee.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
August 1, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I chose this book because of the name and the cover, for the most part. I am also fascinated with France and um, weddings. So yeah...I can see by other reviews that the book is kind of hit or miss. Some people loved it and some people not so much. For me, I MOSTLY loved it....I didn't always like the main characters but they kind of made up for it in the end. We meet Larissa when her Aunt dies and she goes back to the town she spent so much time in growing up. For whatever reason, when she gets there she decides to go into the bridal shop and try on dresses. She starts a little lie that eventually spreads all over town when she says she will be getting married...and then when she sees the perfect dress, she buys it even though she just broke up with her boyfriend. In the next few days, more vendors approach her asking if she could use their services for her wedding...and they also ask about her parents which leads to more lies. Her mother has Alzheimer's and she cannot come to terms with it so she lies to the people, telling them her parents are off traveling. We also meet Jack, who is the caretaker of the house and she has known him for a long time...but this time is different. He is having marriage problems and when he gets kicked out he heads right to his favorite house and asks if he can stay there awhile. Eventually everything blows up in her face and she has no choice BUT to come to terms with all of the lies she has told. This is where the growth happens and when I start to like her a little more. In the end, I enjoyed the book just as much as I thought I would. :)
I chose this book because of the name and the cover, for the most part. I am also fascinated with France and um, weddings. So yeah...I can see by other reviews that the book is kind of hit or miss. Some people loved it and some people not so much. For me, I MOSTLY loved it....I didn't always like the main characters but they kind of made up for it in the end. We meet Larissa when her Aunt dies and she goes back to the town she spent so much time in growing up. For whatever reason, when she gets there she decides to go into the bridal shop and try on dresses. She starts a little lie that eventually spreads all over town when she says she will be getting married...and then when she sees the perfect dress, she buys it even though she just broke up with her boyfriend. In the next few days, more vendors approach her asking if she could use their services for her wedding...and they also ask about her parents which leads to more lies. Her mother has Alzheimer's and she cannot come to terms with it so she lies to the people, telling them her parents are off traveling. We also meet Jack, who is the caretaker of the house and she has known him for a long time...but this time is different. He is having marriage problems and when he gets kicked out he heads right to his favorite house and asks if he can stay there awhile. Eventually everything blows up in her face and she has no choice BUT to come to terms with all of the lies she has told. This is where the growth happens and when I start to like her a little more. In the end, I enjoyed the book just as much as I thought I would. :)
June 28, 2021
This is such a beautiful cover and I was really drawn to it.
There really is a lot going on in this book.
Our main character who really isn't the most likable character finds herself returning to her small seaside hometown in Massachusetts to manage her Aunts estate after her passing.
Things are not looking to well for her as she's under a lot of stress after losing her boyfriend and her job.
Passing by a bridal shop in town one day she sees a gorgeous French bridal gown in the window and tries it on just to cheer herself up.
Next thing she knows shes the owner of a gorgeous gown and the owner thinks she's getting married in a matter of months. Is an omission still a lie when you can't get a word in edgewise with the bridal shop woman?
Her father is slowly losing his life partner, her mother to dementia and having hard time managing her care.
It won't hurt to pretend she really is getting married to help with the stress of things in her sad and mixed up world will it?
In the end we see it's best to let our authentic self shine through, falling and then getting back up again and realizing truth is so much better than pretending.
Pub Date 09 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own
There really is a lot going on in this book.
Our main character who really isn't the most likable character finds herself returning to her small seaside hometown in Massachusetts to manage her Aunts estate after her passing.
Things are not looking to well for her as she's under a lot of stress after losing her boyfriend and her job.
Passing by a bridal shop in town one day she sees a gorgeous French bridal gown in the window and tries it on just to cheer herself up.
Next thing she knows shes the owner of a gorgeous gown and the owner thinks she's getting married in a matter of months. Is an omission still a lie when you can't get a word in edgewise with the bridal shop woman?
Her father is slowly losing his life partner, her mother to dementia and having hard time managing her care.
It won't hurt to pretend she really is getting married to help with the stress of things in her sad and mixed up world will it?
In the end we see it's best to let our authentic self shine through, falling and then getting back up again and realizing truth is so much better than pretending.
Pub Date 09 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own
May 14, 2021
Опитвам се да се държа цивилизовано. Не винаги успявам. В това ревю ще ми бъде още по-трудно. За мен е обидно да се издават такива книги, наистина. Защото страшно много дървета ще загубят живота си .
July 14, 2020
The Little French Bridal Shop by Jennifer Dupee was a fun read set in beautiful New England. Larisa Pearl moves to her aunt’s house Elmhearst to get it ready to sell. She’s smarting after breaking up with her boyfriend Brent and getting fired from her job. On a whim she purchases a wedding gown at the town’s bridal shop and people begin asking her about the wedding. The story kind of gets away from Larisa and she goes along. I really wanted to like her but she just behaves like a child and ignores problems. She’s selfish and spoiled, though I appreciated her later character growth she’s not someone I want to see more of.
I loved the men in this book. Jack the caretaker of Elmhearst was a sweetheart as was the town florist, owner of the town gas station and Larisa’s dad Clark. There was a sweet tie to Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding in the book that the royal enthusiast in me loved.
I loved the men in this book. Jack the caretaker of Elmhearst was a sweetheart as was the town florist, owner of the town gas station and Larisa’s dad Clark. There was a sweet tie to Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding in the book that the royal enthusiast in me loved.
March 14, 2021
I haven’t read very many books where I’ve really disliked almost every character in the book, but I can add this title to that label. I mean, the only characters I liked in the end were Larisa’s parents!
I found Larisa to be crazy-annoying! Who makes dumb decisions, one right after another, on purpose? Her actions were just really unbelievable. At first I thought that this was going to be a rom-com, what with Larisa buying a wedding dress and lying about an impending wedding after just dumping her boyfriend. That sounds like it’s a great set-up for a funny book. But the book wasn’t funny and she just kept lying to everyone, about nonsense things. And the side characters were just as annoying. Jack, who I thought was going to be the new love interest, is a man who just cheated on his wife and can’t seem to take care of his family because he is too busy working. And on and on it went. I unfortunately didn’t find many redeeming qualities of the story to swing my interest back around.
But the cover is BEAUTIFUL! It really set me up with such high hopes for this story. Unfortunately, the story focused on annoying and frustrating events instead of being humorous or heartfelt. This was a really big miss.
I found Larisa to be crazy-annoying! Who makes dumb decisions, one right after another, on purpose? Her actions were just really unbelievable. At first I thought that this was going to be a rom-com, what with Larisa buying a wedding dress and lying about an impending wedding after just dumping her boyfriend. That sounds like it’s a great set-up for a funny book. But the book wasn’t funny and she just kept lying to everyone, about nonsense things. And the side characters were just as annoying. Jack, who I thought was going to be the new love interest, is a man who just cheated on his wife and can’t seem to take care of his family because he is too busy working. And on and on it went. I unfortunately didn’t find many redeeming qualities of the story to swing my interest back around.
But the cover is BEAUTIFUL! It really set me up with such high hopes for this story. Unfortunately, the story focused on annoying and frustrating events instead of being humorous or heartfelt. This was a really big miss.
February 9, 2021
I thought I was opening a book about a cute bridal shop in France, but I got so much more than that! Jennifer Dupee’s, “The Little French Bridal Shop,” is a heartfelt debut novel about discovering your authentic self.
Larisa Pearl is an emotional mess; she’s just lost her boyfriend, her job and she can’t cope with her mother’s progressing dementia. Leaving it all behind, she makes a snap decision to head back to her seaside hometown in Massachusetts to look after her great aunt’s estate. A quick trip into town changes the rest of her life. Passing by the bridal shop, her eye catches a gorgeous ivory satin wedding gown and she buys it on a whim. As you can imagine, gossip spreads in this small town and soon everyone knows Larisa is getting married. Unfortunately, Larissa doesn’t squelch the rumor and she soon finds herself in all kinds of trouble!
Jennifer Dupee has the ability to make you laugh, cry and think a little more deeply about the world and the people around you. It’s obvious she is going to be a successful writer as her writing style gently probes readers to look beneath the surface, it is infused with just enough laughter and tender moments to keep readers engaged in the story. Mrs. Pearl’s dementia is featured in the second half of the novel and Dupee has explored the disease and revealed that one’s approach to dealing with a loved one who has dementia is a leading factor in a caregiver’s ability to cope. Watch for Mr. Pearl’s advice to his daughter. I hope I interact with loved ones with dementia with as much dignified respect as he does. It’s at this point that there’s a lightbulb moment; the stresses Larisa has experienced in not dealing with her challenging circumstances have led her right to the bridal shop and the terrible lie of omission. Larisa’s deceptive behaviour is a product of not dealing with her circumstances. There’s a warning in this for us all.
It’s also obvious that Dupee has a passion for old homes with character. In fact, Elmhurst is almost a character itself in his book. It transforms alongside Larissa and its beauty is revealed as it’s developed. I love the reference to the pheasant wallpaper and can think of my great grandparent’s home with similar ridiculous motifs. I love that her position as the eldest of a set of fraternal triplets has made its way into her novel! I found myself wanting more as I turned the last page. I hope Dupee is going to turn this into a series or write a sequel. I need to read more about Jack Merill.
Thank you to Jennifer Dupee, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Larisa Pearl is an emotional mess; she’s just lost her boyfriend, her job and she can’t cope with her mother’s progressing dementia. Leaving it all behind, she makes a snap decision to head back to her seaside hometown in Massachusetts to look after her great aunt’s estate. A quick trip into town changes the rest of her life. Passing by the bridal shop, her eye catches a gorgeous ivory satin wedding gown and she buys it on a whim. As you can imagine, gossip spreads in this small town and soon everyone knows Larisa is getting married. Unfortunately, Larissa doesn’t squelch the rumor and she soon finds herself in all kinds of trouble!
Jennifer Dupee has the ability to make you laugh, cry and think a little more deeply about the world and the people around you. It’s obvious she is going to be a successful writer as her writing style gently probes readers to look beneath the surface, it is infused with just enough laughter and tender moments to keep readers engaged in the story. Mrs. Pearl’s dementia is featured in the second half of the novel and Dupee has explored the disease and revealed that one’s approach to dealing with a loved one who has dementia is a leading factor in a caregiver’s ability to cope. Watch for Mr. Pearl’s advice to his daughter. I hope I interact with loved ones with dementia with as much dignified respect as he does. It’s at this point that there’s a lightbulb moment; the stresses Larisa has experienced in not dealing with her challenging circumstances have led her right to the bridal shop and the terrible lie of omission. Larisa’s deceptive behaviour is a product of not dealing with her circumstances. There’s a warning in this for us all.
It’s also obvious that Dupee has a passion for old homes with character. In fact, Elmhurst is almost a character itself in his book. It transforms alongside Larissa and its beauty is revealed as it’s developed. I love the reference to the pheasant wallpaper and can think of my great grandparent’s home with similar ridiculous motifs. I love that her position as the eldest of a set of fraternal triplets has made its way into her novel! I found myself wanting more as I turned the last page. I hope Dupee is going to turn this into a series or write a sequel. I need to read more about Jack Merill.
Thank you to Jennifer Dupee, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 18, 2021
DNF at 35%. The main character, Larisa, was so awful. She lied about everything to everyone and I couldn’t stand her. The final straw was the infidelity and I just couldn’t continue.
April 19, 2024
This was just TOO sweet for me. To the point of becoming completely uninterested.
There is a solid audience for this type of make-believe romance, but it just wasn't something I could rate as more than ok.
So many eye-rolling moments for me.
2.5 Stars.
There is a solid audience for this type of make-believe romance, but it just wasn't something I could rate as more than ok.
So many eye-rolling moments for me.
2.5 Stars.
April 17, 2021
Bait and switch! The cover and title made me want to read this, but it was such a let down. Larissa is a terrible person. Jack is a terrible person. I didn’t care what happened to them.
March 9, 2021
Debut novel for Dupee, this story centers on Larisa as she travels to the Massachusetts home of her recently deceased Aunt Ursula, intending to prepare the house for sale. She has also just lost her job and broken up with her boyfriend; worst of all, her mother is slipping deeper into dementia. She spots a bridal shop as she arrives in the town and impulsively proceeds to try on multiple gowns, even purchasing one, while implying that she is engaged. Her deceptions snowball from there as she makes poor decisions galore in a pathetic attempt to avoid the harsh truths in her life.
Jack is an old friend of Larisa's and the longtime caretaker of Aunt Ursula's house, which has contributed to the decline of his marriage. Like Larisa, he seems unable to face the realities and commitments of his life. They flounder together, stumbling ever closer to making a detrimental mistake.
I confess that Dupee's characters were so flawed that I nearly quit reading in exasperation with them; however, I'm glad I stayed the course and finished, because Jack and Larisa, after slogging through their problems, eventually learned some valuable lessons. This was a good first start, and I look forward to Dupee's sophomore effort.
Jack is an old friend of Larisa's and the longtime caretaker of Aunt Ursula's house, which has contributed to the decline of his marriage. Like Larisa, he seems unable to face the realities and commitments of his life. They flounder together, stumbling ever closer to making a detrimental mistake.
I confess that Dupee's characters were so flawed that I nearly quit reading in exasperation with them; however, I'm glad I stayed the course and finished, because Jack and Larisa, after slogging through their problems, eventually learned some valuable lessons. This was a good first start, and I look forward to Dupee's sophomore effort.
January 16, 2021
This is such a heartfelt story with well written characters who relationships trump all else. Family is extremely important and the Author goes to show what the protagonist is willing to go through to keep from taking happiness from or hurting her friends or family.
What started as innocent trip to a Bridal store upon the return to her hometown of Massachusetts to manage a home left to her by her Aunt, turns into a massive lie that Larisa Pearl must cover up after buying a wedding dress in the town’s bridal shop.
Now the entire town has gossiped and thinks she’s getting married. With her mom now showing signs of dementia and dealing with the grief of losing her Aunt, Larisa finds it easier to just to go along with everyone’s beliefs. But eventually she must confront everything she has been trying to avoid and deal with her friends and family and the emotions that come with loss and having someone that is falling deeper into the grasp of dementia. This is a story with ups and downs but one you won’t want to miss.
What started as innocent trip to a Bridal store upon the return to her hometown of Massachusetts to manage a home left to her by her Aunt, turns into a massive lie that Larisa Pearl must cover up after buying a wedding dress in the town’s bridal shop.
Now the entire town has gossiped and thinks she’s getting married. With her mom now showing signs of dementia and dealing with the grief of losing her Aunt, Larisa finds it easier to just to go along with everyone’s beliefs. But eventually she must confront everything she has been trying to avoid and deal with her friends and family and the emotions that come with loss and having someone that is falling deeper into the grasp of dementia. This is a story with ups and downs but one you won’t want to miss.
October 22, 2020
The Little French Bridal Shop revolves around Larisa Pearl. Who while tying things up, walks out of curiosity to the little french bridal shops door. She's almost forty who looks back towards the past and just came out of a serious relationship. Goes through sad and happy memories. She ends up out of curiosity going into the little french bridal shop and runs into her middle school teacher Mrs. Muldoch. Who out gets her to try on wedding dresses and starts getting noisy and assumptive.
Larisa is going through a lot in life part of it is tying up her aunts house deciding whether to sell or not. She I feel is a bit delusional and not totally realistic about life problems. Especially when it comes to family life and locals. I think she would be happier to make it all disappear. It is very sad in many ways not very happy and cheery.
Larisa is going through a lot in life part of it is tying up her aunts house deciding whether to sell or not. She I feel is a bit delusional and not totally realistic about life problems. Especially when it comes to family life and locals. I think she would be happier to make it all disappear. It is very sad in many ways not very happy and cheery.
July 15, 2020
I was surprised by the modern tale of the life of the heroine, and truly agrees with the descriptions of the different states she is going through. A courageous story telling about a topic, dementia caused by illness, that is , to my knowledge, almost taboo. So many people want to ignore the consequences for the family and how it hurts. This book should help everyone to understand what is really happening.
i got a copy from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.
i got a copy from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.
August 8, 2021
How gorgeous is this cover? I completely fell in love when I saw it and had to get my hands on a copy!
I think I went into this one with totally different expectations that did not deliver and that is probably my own fault for going in blind and not reading the blurb first! Sometimes this works, other times it does not. This is a case where it did not.
I expected a romantic wedding scenario set in France for one! Had I read the back cover, I might have know in it is set in a little town in Massachusetts, which actually was a lovely setting just not what i expected.
The main character was very unlikeable and someone who is self-centred and a compulsive liar which really did not sit well with me in this particular genre. I can expect that when reading a thriller/suspense but I just couldn't get past it in this one! 🤷♀️
Although this one wasn't for me, it may certainly be for you so I recommend you check this one out for yourself and see what you think!
Thank you @allenandunwin for my gifted review copy.
I think I went into this one with totally different expectations that did not deliver and that is probably my own fault for going in blind and not reading the blurb first! Sometimes this works, other times it does not. This is a case where it did not.
I expected a romantic wedding scenario set in France for one! Had I read the back cover, I might have know in it is set in a little town in Massachusetts, which actually was a lovely setting just not what i expected.
The main character was very unlikeable and someone who is self-centred and a compulsive liar which really did not sit well with me in this particular genre. I can expect that when reading a thriller/suspense but I just couldn't get past it in this one! 🤷♀️
Although this one wasn't for me, it may certainly be for you so I recommend you check this one out for yourself and see what you think!
Thank you @allenandunwin for my gifted review copy.
April 13, 2023
3.5-4⭐️
I enjoyed the read a decent amount. Although semi-sad (i really don’t like sad things) it was also charming, and full of characters that i really enjoyed. The only character i would say i didn’t always love what the protagonist. But she grew on me, and i liked it more than i expected to. I feel as though it carries you through some of life’s inevitable struggles that many of us have dealt with, or will deal with in our lives and shed a light on different perspectives of those struggles.
I enjoyed the read a decent amount. Although semi-sad (i really don’t like sad things) it was also charming, and full of characters that i really enjoyed. The only character i would say i didn’t always love what the protagonist. But she grew on me, and i liked it more than i expected to. I feel as though it carries you through some of life’s inevitable struggles that many of us have dealt with, or will deal with in our lives and shed a light on different perspectives of those struggles.
July 7, 2020
It all starts with a bridal shop...where a thirtysomething woman impulsively buys a wedding dress even though she isn’t engaged. Larisa has been avoiding a lot of what needs tending, but she just might get her chance again, thanks to the caring people around her. This book was a surprising delight filled with messy, but intriguing characters packaged in a riveting story about family and confronting life’s challenges. There’s a bit of romance, a bit of family drama, and a bit of introspection that I found refreshing.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy access.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy access.
September 28, 2020
THE LITTLE FRENCH BRIDAL SHOP
BY JENNIFER DUPEE
At first I thought this debut novel was going to be about a Bridal Shop somewhere in France. It turned out to be altogether different but mostly about human connection. There was goodness to be found in every single character, which in and of itself is refreshing. In the beginning Larisa who is the main character is so lost that she can't seem to stop telling lies. She is in a seaport town on the North shore of Boston to fix up and sell her Great Aunt Ursula's large estate. It is a very small town where everybody knows everybody else's business. Larisa decides to duck into a smallish boutique that sells Bridal dresses and wedding gowns, bridesmaid's dresses etc. Larisa decides to try on wedding dresses even though she has just broken up with her boyfriend named Brent. Her old teacher Mrs. Muldoon has Larisa try on every single wedding dress under the impression that Larisa is getting married. The very last dress that Larisa tries on looks stunning on her and Larisa decides to buy it anyway even though she doesn't have a boyfriend.
Larisa before long is lying to the local florist who calls her up wanting to do the flower arrangement for Larisa's wedding. A third friend that owns a gas station offers Larisa to borrow his Rolls Royce. It is obvious that something is bothering Larisa with all of the lies she is telling everybody about getting married. Enter Jack Merrill into the picture whom was Larisa's Aunt Ursula's caretaker of the estate Larisa is fixing up. He soon moves in with Larisa as she has hired him to make renovations on her Aunt's estate so she can sell it and Jack happens to be separated from his wife Holly who he has three triplet sons with. Larissa and Jack fall into an easy routine together restoring the estate and there begins to be an attraction there and they both share one explosive kiss together.
The bigger picture of this novel is that Larisa needs to learn how to deal with her mother who is in the middle and end stages of Alzheimer's disease. She is able to retain her long term memory but has trouble with her short term memory. Larisa is an only child and the daughter of parent's that love each other deeply but also love Larisa very deeply. Larisa's father slowly teaches Larisa how to care for her mother by going along with her mother's illness instead of avoiding her pain by avoiding her parents. It is so touching how Larisa transforms into accepting her mother's illness and begins to spend more time caring for her mother in the most kindness and gentility of ways. This was quite a beautiful book about navigating the triumphs and the devastating losses that Alzheimer's bestows to the loved ones as they are the one's needing to gather the strength and fortitude to watch a beloved family member slip away into dementia gradually. There were so many lovely observations and quotes that I thought were stunning about how we relate to one another in relationships that are so true. This novel started out to be superficial but has just such brilliant depth to it. This novel is one that I could see myself re-reading for its erudite observations and is remarkably well written for a debut novel and one that I highly recommend to lovers of philosophy.
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Jennifer Dupee and St. Martin's Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheLittleFrenchBridalShop #JenniferDupee #StMartin'sPublishing #NetGalley
BY JENNIFER DUPEE
At first I thought this debut novel was going to be about a Bridal Shop somewhere in France. It turned out to be altogether different but mostly about human connection. There was goodness to be found in every single character, which in and of itself is refreshing. In the beginning Larisa who is the main character is so lost that she can't seem to stop telling lies. She is in a seaport town on the North shore of Boston to fix up and sell her Great Aunt Ursula's large estate. It is a very small town where everybody knows everybody else's business. Larisa decides to duck into a smallish boutique that sells Bridal dresses and wedding gowns, bridesmaid's dresses etc. Larisa decides to try on wedding dresses even though she has just broken up with her boyfriend named Brent. Her old teacher Mrs. Muldoon has Larisa try on every single wedding dress under the impression that Larisa is getting married. The very last dress that Larisa tries on looks stunning on her and Larisa decides to buy it anyway even though she doesn't have a boyfriend.
Larisa before long is lying to the local florist who calls her up wanting to do the flower arrangement for Larisa's wedding. A third friend that owns a gas station offers Larisa to borrow his Rolls Royce. It is obvious that something is bothering Larisa with all of the lies she is telling everybody about getting married. Enter Jack Merrill into the picture whom was Larisa's Aunt Ursula's caretaker of the estate Larisa is fixing up. He soon moves in with Larisa as she has hired him to make renovations on her Aunt's estate so she can sell it and Jack happens to be separated from his wife Holly who he has three triplet sons with. Larissa and Jack fall into an easy routine together restoring the estate and there begins to be an attraction there and they both share one explosive kiss together.
The bigger picture of this novel is that Larisa needs to learn how to deal with her mother who is in the middle and end stages of Alzheimer's disease. She is able to retain her long term memory but has trouble with her short term memory. Larisa is an only child and the daughter of parent's that love each other deeply but also love Larisa very deeply. Larisa's father slowly teaches Larisa how to care for her mother by going along with her mother's illness instead of avoiding her pain by avoiding her parents. It is so touching how Larisa transforms into accepting her mother's illness and begins to spend more time caring for her mother in the most kindness and gentility of ways. This was quite a beautiful book about navigating the triumphs and the devastating losses that Alzheimer's bestows to the loved ones as they are the one's needing to gather the strength and fortitude to watch a beloved family member slip away into dementia gradually. There were so many lovely observations and quotes that I thought were stunning about how we relate to one another in relationships that are so true. This novel started out to be superficial but has just such brilliant depth to it. This novel is one that I could see myself re-reading for its erudite observations and is remarkably well written for a debut novel and one that I highly recommend to lovers of philosophy.
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Jennifer Dupee and St. Martin's Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheLittleFrenchBridalShop #JenniferDupee #StMartin'sPublishing #NetGalley
July 24, 2020
The Little French Bridal Shop by Jennifer Dupee left me with mixed feelings about the character of Larisa. Maybe Larisa is mentally or emotionally impaired? I wanted to like this book but I just never could accept Larisa's deceit, lies, and selfish behaviors. Larisa lied to people who loved her when the truth would have been so much more believable!
Larisa is fired from her job and goes to her great aunt's house which her father inherited. She starts pulling down walls the first evening without having the forethought of asking a professional for advice.
I detested the way she treated her mother and father during most of the book. Larisa is totally selfish in not wanting to see her mother as she ages with dementia. I know how hard that stage of life is for a daughter. I left a home I loved to go and care for my mom for six years as her dementia progressed. Larisa's attitude and actions are deplorable!
She lies to Brent, her ex-fiance' about wanting to marry him. Then she decides she wants Jack, the groundskeeper, and another woman's husband, but she does not know if she 'loves' him. Jack is also selfish. He complains about his wife who is caring full-time for his sons, pre-teen triplets.
Larisa takes Andy's Rolls Royce on a trip during a snowstorm without him knowing. Of course, she wrecks the car. and leaves it for her father to have repaired. Who does that?
I thought it was wonderful that she could fall in love with a certain wedding dress and have the confidence to purchase the dress even though she was not engaged. Sometimes a woman needs a boost of something which gives her joy.
The last part of this book is about Larisa trying to come to terms with her life and all the lies she tells. I did not think the story was humorous, it was frustrating for me to read through to the end.
The last chapters reveal a sweet event Larisa stages for her mom and dad, but it was too little too late to redeem this book. The bridal shop was featured in only two scenes in the book. This story had potential but was so very disappointing.
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Larisa is fired from her job and goes to her great aunt's house which her father inherited. She starts pulling down walls the first evening without having the forethought of asking a professional for advice.
I detested the way she treated her mother and father during most of the book. Larisa is totally selfish in not wanting to see her mother as she ages with dementia. I know how hard that stage of life is for a daughter. I left a home I loved to go and care for my mom for six years as her dementia progressed. Larisa's attitude and actions are deplorable!
She lies to Brent, her ex-fiance' about wanting to marry him. Then she decides she wants Jack, the groundskeeper, and another woman's husband, but she does not know if she 'loves' him. Jack is also selfish. He complains about his wife who is caring full-time for his sons, pre-teen triplets.
Larisa takes Andy's Rolls Royce on a trip during a snowstorm without him knowing. Of course, she wrecks the car. and leaves it for her father to have repaired. Who does that?
I thought it was wonderful that she could fall in love with a certain wedding dress and have the confidence to purchase the dress even though she was not engaged. Sometimes a woman needs a boost of something which gives her joy.
The last part of this book is about Larisa trying to come to terms with her life and all the lies she tells. I did not think the story was humorous, it was frustrating for me to read through to the end.
The last chapters reveal a sweet event Larisa stages for her mom and dad, but it was too little too late to redeem this book. The bridal shop was featured in only two scenes in the book. This story had potential but was so very disappointing.
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 28, 2020
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Little French Bridal Shop” by Jennifer Dupee, St. Martin’s Press, March, 2021
Jennifer Dupee, the author of “The Little French Bridal Shop” has written a thought-provoking, intriguing and memorable story. The genres for this story are Women’s Domestic Life Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Fiction. The story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, flawed, and searching for the truth within themselves.
When Larisa Pearl comes back to the house her late Aunt Ursala lived to manage it, she never dreams how one little lie can change the event and course of other people’s lives. The first thing that Larisa does is walk into a Bridal shop. She starts trying on dresses and finds herself looking for the one, overlooking the fact that she isn’t getting married. Of course, the owner of the store asks Larisa questions in this small town, and you can only guess what happens.
Larisa has lost her job, her aunt, and now her mother is starting to show signs of dementia. Larisa fears that she will lose her mother. Larisa’s father treats his wife with dignified respect at any stage that she is mentally at. I appreciate that the author brings up important topics such as dementia, and the importance of family support.
Aunt Ursala has left an amazing legacy in her house and from her personality that affects other people. It is almost like the house has a personality of its own. There are also other characters that seem to be at a loss like Laris’s mom and have to find themselves.
Are you wondering about the wedding dress from the Bridal store? I suggest and recommend that you read the story to find out, but please note that it is extremely symbolic of the truth within.
Jennifer Dupee, the author of “The Little French Bridal Shop” has written a thought-provoking, intriguing and memorable story. The genres for this story are Women’s Domestic Life Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Fiction. The story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, flawed, and searching for the truth within themselves.
When Larisa Pearl comes back to the house her late Aunt Ursala lived to manage it, she never dreams how one little lie can change the event and course of other people’s lives. The first thing that Larisa does is walk into a Bridal shop. She starts trying on dresses and finds herself looking for the one, overlooking the fact that she isn’t getting married. Of course, the owner of the store asks Larisa questions in this small town, and you can only guess what happens.
Larisa has lost her job, her aunt, and now her mother is starting to show signs of dementia. Larisa fears that she will lose her mother. Larisa’s father treats his wife with dignified respect at any stage that she is mentally at. I appreciate that the author brings up important topics such as dementia, and the importance of family support.
Aunt Ursala has left an amazing legacy in her house and from her personality that affects other people. It is almost like the house has a personality of its own. There are also other characters that seem to be at a loss like Laris’s mom and have to find themselves.
Are you wondering about the wedding dress from the Bridal store? I suggest and recommend that you read the story to find out, but please note that it is extremely symbolic of the truth within.
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