by Rachel Hauck
First published 2012
Charlotte runs a successful bridal boutique in Birmingham, helping other women find their perfect gowns. As her own wedding to Tim approaches, she struggles to choose a dress and questions whether she truly wants to marry him. At an estate sale, she discovers a locked trunk containing a pristine vintage wedding dress adorned with pearls and satin, accompanied by dog tags and a mysterious sachet. A strange man in a purple vest tells her the dress has been "redeemed." Charlotte begins investigating the gown's history to distract herself from her relationship doubts. She uncovers the stories of three previous brides who wore the dress across different eras: Emily in 1912, Mary Grace in 1939, and Hillary in 1968. Each woman faced her own challenges involving love, loss, and faith. As Charlotte learns about these women and their experiences, she discovers connections to her own family history and begins to understand what true love means.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, contemporary, 21st-century, contemporary-romance, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: Birmingham
Period: 1912, 1939, 1968
295 pages · ebook · Thomas Nelson Publishers