Reviews

Bailey Dowery has gifts, she can see things just by touching someone. Bailey is Black seamstress in a white dressmakers shop where she touches women and can see if their partners really love them and are faithful. When Bailey helps one woman she is quietly outed as someone who can help the women of the town. When Elsa Grimes comes into the shop looking for help, she forms an unlikely friendship with Bailey. When the son of a prominent local family is found murdered, Elsa is the main suspect and is arrested for his murder. Bailey doesn’t believe Elsa could’ve done this and as everything starts to fall apart Bailey hopes she can fall into place before everyone she loves and everything she has falls apart.

dmoritz65's review

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dannyphantomsg1's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

librosycafe25's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

1954, in a small town in Oklahoma, a Black dressmaker, Bailey, has the gift of second sight. Brides have whispered that she can see if their fiancé is their true love. Her aunt warns her to "stay out of white folks' business," but against her better judgment she tells her friend, Elsa, her future, and it's not pretty.

Elsa, daughter of a wealthy oilman in Oklahoma, arrives at Regal Gown as the least joyful bride Bailey has seen. With her big society wedding approaching, Bailey’s intuition is horrified when she touches Elsa’s hand, prompting her to help. However, when a prominent family’s son is found dead before the wedding and Elsa is arrested for murder, secrets, scandals, racism, and classism unfold in this story.

The setting and the characterization of the main character, her friend, her aunt, and the romantic interest were compelling, adding depth to the story. However, the pacing felt uneven due to the frequent flashbacks. Also, a few situations appeared misplaced, affecting the overall coherence. The denouement left much to be desired, feeling rushed and failing to deliver the emotional payoff that the buildup around the murder had promised. But overall, it's a good read for those who love historical fiction.

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inatrueheart's review

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hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

monicaedvenson's review

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Did not like story

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