Love, Legacy, and Christmas Spirit: ‘The Christmas Dress’ by Courtney Cole – A Book Review

From The Publisher:

When hopeful fashionista Meg Julliard must return to her hometown of Chicago to manage her late father’s apartment building, she thinks her dreams of making it in the fashion business are over. Add in her father’s eclectic roster of tenants who all need Meg’s attention (ASAP!), a host of building related disasters, and a handsome handyman she keeps embarrassing herself in front of, and this has all the makings for the worst Christmas she’s ever had.

Ellie Wade, one of the building’s longtime residents, is also not feeling the Christmas Joy this year. She is preparing to move into a nursing home (reluctantly), and is in the process of sorting through her belongings to downsize. Every corner of her apartment holds memories, some good, some bad. But there’s one dress she hesitates to pack up as it represents both the best and worst night of her life.

Ellie and Meg strike up an unlikely friendship and the story of Ellie’s dress comes out. Ellie gifts the gorgeous dress to Meg, hoping that it will bring her more luck, on the condition that she wear it to the building’s Christmas party.

The dress magically fits, and while it eventually leads to the best night of Meg’s life, it also acts as inspiration for Meg to follow a life-long dream of her own, a dream that will help save the crumbling Parkview West, and restore it to its former glory, and keep it as a safe home for all of the current tenants.

The dress and the magic of the holiday season helps both Meg and Ellie find their own happy endings. 

My Thoughts:

Indulge in the enchanting world of Christmas magic with “The Christmas Dress” by Courtney Cole. This heartwarming tale brings together two remarkable women at different stages of life, united by a mission to rescue a cherished heritage building.

Amid the bustling streets of New York, Meg Julliard strives to establish herself as a fashion designer. A journey to Chicago, prompted by her father’s passing, leads her to Parkview West—an inherited apartment building in dire need of attention. With a lengthy roster of urgent repairs and her own finances teetering, Meg must navigate uncharted waters.

Ellie Wade, facing a pivotal life transition, clings to the apartment she’s come to love. Her daughter’s plan to relocate her to a nursing home contrasts with Ellie’s emotional attachment to her home and fellow residents. Unpacking memories while preparing to leave, Ellie stumbles upon a dress evoking the Christmas night that reshaped her world. Entrusting the dress to Meg, they discover an unexpected connection that transcends time.

In the tapestry of weeks that unfold, Meg unearths the prospect of restoring the building through a New York fashion contest. Fueling her mission is the dedicated Logan, a master of mending both the edifice and the fractures within Meg’s heart.

While the plot follows familiar arcs, the allure of serendipity and the tight-knit community at Parkview West shine brightly. Witness the blossoming romance between Meg and Logan, entwined with a secondary love story that enhances the narrative’s charm.

For enthusiasts of holiday romances, “The Christmas Dress” is a must-read, offering a delightful blend of tradition, love, and the transformative power of the season.

A Similar Book I’ve Reviewed:

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews