Little Black Dress...Review

About the book:
Two sisters whose lives seemed forever intertwined are torn apart when a magical little black dress gives each one a glimpse of an unavoidable future.

Antonia Ashton has worked hard to build a thriving career and a committed relationship, but she realizes her life has gone off-track. Forced to return home to Blue Hills when her mother, Evie, suffers a massive stroke, Toni finds the old Victorian where she grew up as crammed full of secrets as it is with clutter. Now she must put her mother’s house in order—and uncover long-buried truths about Evie and her aunt, Anna, who vanished fifty years earlier on the eve of her wedding. By shedding light on the past, Toni illuminates her own mistakes and learns the most unexpected things about love, magic, and a little black dress with the power to break hearts...and mend them.

Who would have thought that a little black dress could have so much hold and influence over women of multiple generations?  As Antonia returns home when her mother has a devastating stroke, she begins to discover secrets about her mother's past and her mysteriously absent Aunt Anna.  Central to that past is a beautiful, black silk dress with a magic all its own.  When Toni wears the dress, she discovers its power for herself in ways she's not quite ready to accept, but she soon realizes the dress has a hold on everyone who wears it.

The story is told alternating narrations: a third-person narration of Toni's present day story and experiences and her mother's first-person account of her own story.  The alternating narrations work here though.

I think this would make a terrific book club read with lots to discuss.  A bit of magical realism, a woman coming to terms with her relationship with her mother and learning about the past and a bond of sisterhood that time can't erase make this a warm and compelling story.

Thanks to Trish from TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Susan McBride here.  You can purchase your own copy here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here.

Tuesday, August 23rd: Colloqium
Wednesday, August 24th: Tina’s Book Reviews
Thursday, August 25th: Runpinne
Friday, August 26th: A Few More Pages
Monday, August 29th: Life In Review
Tuesday, August 30th: A Cozy Reader’s Corner
Wednesday, August 31st: The Lost Entwife
Thursday, September 1st: Library of Clean Reads
Tuesday, September 6th: 2 Kids and Tire Book Reviews
Wednesday, September 7th: BookNAround
Thursday, September 8th: Peeking Between the Pages
Friday, September 9th: Chick Lit Reviews

Read 7/11

* * * *
4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. This does sound rather interesting, and when magical realism is done right, I really love it. Perhaps I will mention this one to my book club this month. We could use a read that fosters a lot of intense discussion! Great review, by the way!

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  2. Sounds like a good book.

    I already follow you publicly with GFC as Sandra K321.

    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. I have seen nothing but positive reviews for this book. I love when a little magic is added to a book in a genre that doesn't usually include it. I am definitely looking forward to reading this one :) Thank you for the chance at getting my hands on a copy!

    GFC follower Tiffany Drew
    Email is visible in profile

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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  4. I really like MrBride's work, so I'm not surprised to see this is so good. I can't wait to read it. No need to enter me.

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  5. A little black dress, some magic - sure sounds like a winner to me!

    GFC follower as Karen B.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  6. This sounds like a great book and something I would definitely enjoy reading, I like when a book has more than one POV.

    My profile is already visible
    I am a GFC Follower
    I also Tweeted the Review and Giveway:
    http://twitter.com/#!/crazymidwestgal/status/111143381647888384

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  7. I found you through Susan McBrides site and am glad I did. I am going to enjoy your reviews & expanding my reading list- for now I'd like to get a copy of little black dress!! ;)Omg~You have a cooking blog too!!! I love to cook so you bet I'll be following that as well! You can email me through my profile and just in case here is the email: highaim [at] gmail.com - Thanks for this contest as well ♥

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  8. I've been anticipating this book!I'll keep my fingers crossed! Thanks! I'm a follower.

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  9. I've read so many positive reviews for this book and would love a copy!

    heygingermandy (at) gmail (dot) com

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  10. I'd love to win, I keep seeing this around and it looks good. ruthjoec at aol I mentioned it on fb and I follow.

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  11. This looks like a great read...I will definitely share with my book-lovin' friends!

    Thanks!

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  12. Sounds great! Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl At gmail DOT com

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  13. I follow

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

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  14. I love the concept for this book and would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    Here's a Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/ASeaOfBooks/status/113746340361678849

    Also a GFC follower :)

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

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  15. I would love to win a copy of Little Black Dress.

    I follow you via gfc - mamabunny13

    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  16. I love how you review books. It makes me very interested in reading them from the comments you've given. I'd also love to win a copy of the book.

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