Paperback, 352
pages
Published December 1st
2020 by Bethany House Publishers
Harper Albright has
pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing
down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the
woman who first taught her to sew. As she rethinks her own future, secrets long
hidden about Millie's past are brought to light.
In 1946, Millie Middleton boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of
her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of
owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who
changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice
about which heritage would define her future.
Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston and the man who may hold
the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed
of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to
mend what frayed between the seams.
_____________________________________________________
Rebecca's Review ~ 4.5 STARS!!!
"Harper, have you ever considered whether
fear - rather than your dream - is what you're holding onto?"
Possibly. But wasn't that what her entire world
had been surrounded by lately? . . . . the "possibly" that had
suddenly and most cruelly morphed into impossibly? Her dreams had vanished,
like the wisp of a cloud, beautiful and fluffy one moment and gone the next,
driven by the winds of change and the storms of years that felt wasted. Fashion
design had been her passion for so long that Harper Dupree didn't know who she
was without it. . . . until she travels back to where it all began, or rather
to the "who", the woman who brightened a little girl's days with
sewing lessons in her kitchen.
Millie Middleton had so many secrets tucked
under her red cloche that she could fill the shelves of a small library with
their stories. So many dreams, so many possibilities, so many unexpected
sacrifices, so many . . . . As a young woman, leaving the life she knew for one
that loomed before her with unfathomable depth, she met the love of her life,
birthed two beautiful daughters, and found herself alone again with the same
dream . . . . . a dress shop on King Street. When the all-grown-up version of
Harper arrives on her doorstep yet again, the two of them decide to give
fashion another chance, giving Millie's sewn-up-tight secrets a prime opportunity
to burst their seams wide open into a kaleidoscope of success for Harper, along
with a handsome young Charleston historian named Peter , "who has always
been interested in the stories behind the walls".
Rarely does a debut novel evoke such deep
emotion. Layered as softly and elegantly as one of Harper's vintage gowns, this
story exposes the necessary authenticity needed to manage grief, endure broken
dreams, and cherish forever loves and then . . . . dare to move forward with
hope. As Harper's wise father said on more than one occasion, "No matter
how long it takes, Harper Rae, when your Jubilee tide comes in, make sure your
nets are good and ready". The book's remarkable strength is not only in
the ability these characters have to rise above the ashes, but in the
confidence they inspire us to have in the One who is "the author of your
(our) story, and where He calls, He equips". Such a lovely reading
experience; enjoy every page!
I received a copy of this book from the author
and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely
own.
Senior Reviewer, Rebecca Maney
Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".
