The Wedding Dress

Rachel's book just get better all the time!

Super book that spotlights how history shapes us. Some lessons are the same whether it was 100 yrs ago or now. Well written, she has become one of my favorite authors.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I love how Rachel Hauck weaves romance into a story much larger

I love how Rachel Hauck weaves romance into a story much larger than just boy-meets-girl-then-loses-girl-then...well you get it. The Wedding Dress is filled with compelling characters that will capture your heart and hold it hostage until the end. This was one of those rare books I couldn't put down. Novel Rocket and I give it a very high recommendation. It's a "must read."

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful book

This is the first book I have read by Rachael Hauck. It was wonderful. I could not put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Wedding Dress was a sweet story overall, but one that I neve

The Wedding Dress was a sweet story overall, but one that I never really considered giving more than three stars to. I liked the idea of the wedding dress that gets passed from woman to woman and magically fits them all without alterations (think: the jeans from the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, only with the dress passing through time and between relative strangers rather than going by mail among the four friends), and for the most part enjoyed the back-and-forth perspective in the novel between the current heroine (Charlotte) and the dress's original owner (Emily). I even enjoyed seeing things from their significant others' viewpoints as well (Tim and Daniel). The few times it went beyond that, though--especially the solitary time we saw things from the point-of-view of the dress's second owner--seemed more forced. In that instance, it really seemed as if the story could have been just told by the character to Charlotte in the present (which is actually how Charlotte learned the story anyway, so it would have made sense to do it that way.)

I'm not quite sure I exactly understand who the man in purple is supposed to be--I gather he has something to do with the passing on of the dress, and imagine there must be some sort of Biblical/religious reference that I'm just not getting--but I almost feel as if the story would have been stronger without his involvement in it. He didn't do much more for me beyond making me scratch my head a bit, wondering just who he was. This book too was a bit heavier on the Christian aspect than I am usually comfortable with, though it was fairly secondary until the end, when I felt like I was getting bashed over the head with the "This is Christian Fiction!" stick.

One of my favorite parts of the story was the history of Birmingham as seen through Emily's portions--they offered a fascinating glimpse into the pre-Civil Rights era South. I thought that bit was very well done.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. People who appreciate Christian fiction with a historical fiction twist as well should find it a solid read.

Worth reading

I enjoyed this book Was a book i would read a second time. A wonderful iove story. It drew me in to the diffrent times visited with the dress. Give it a try will be worth the journey. By an avid reader

Another book with take home value.

As an orphan, Charlotte wishes she could go back in time to a happier scene of her childhood. She remembers a special place where she often picnicked with her mother. But when she arrives at “their spot” it is crowded with interlopers. Having of all things, a sale. She ends up with an old trunk that she didn’t know she wanted. When she unlocks secrets from the past, she finds her future. I appreciated the theme of finding your heritage, or family, and what all that means.

More than inspirational—as most Christian fictions are&mda

More than inspirational—as most Christian fictions are—this novel is also quite engaging. More than just the intertwined stories of four women and a timeless wedding dress, Rachel Hauck’s way with words has made this book a keeper. The kind you can never put down once you get started.

Charlotte has never had trouble creating the perfect wedding dresses for the perfect brides until the most important client puts her up a stump—herself. Add to this the fact that she ain’t really sure she should be marrying the man she has shared quite a whirlwind romance with. Her predicament leads her to the acquisition of a locked trunk containing a 100-year-old wedding dress inside. A dress that eventually sends her on a quest to find out the three other women who previously owned it and in the process discovers herself and what she truly wants.

This book incorporates the teachings of the Gospel well into the story by showing instead of telling, thus making it a more effective vehicle for sharing Bible truths even to those who are not so fond of Christian fictions. I liked Rachel Hauck’s collaboration novels with Sara Evans (The Songbird Series) and I like her more writing by herself. I will be looking forward for more books to come.

Riveting! Did NOT want to put it down! The best book I have re

Riveting! Did NOT want to put it down! The best book I have read in YEARS! An amazing piece of writing. I have always like Richel Hauck's book. This one showcases her incredible talent -- the ability to unfold the story by going between points of time.

I do admit that I did NOT care for the ending of the book. I AM a Christian and I appreciate the merits of the message. Unfortunately it was very out of place and made me uncomfortable. I didn't like Mr. Oddfellow or the concept of a dress that fits all sizes. All of that detracted from an enthralling story!

The Wedding Dress was an enjoyable read. I would recommend it t

The Wedding Dress was an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing, summer read, or something for your book club. It had everything - love story, personnel turmoil, mystery.

In "The Wedding Dress" Rachel Hauck uses her consider

In "The Wedding Dress" Rachel Hauck uses her considerable writing experience to take us on a journey capturing the essence of how eternal love finds its way into the heart of four very special women from different spans of time, and how a wedding dress connects them all. It's a story that I didn't expect to be so captured by when I first agreed to review the book. And, it's a novel that so touched my heart that I was reluctant to put it down for two days during the course of reading it between writing and dealing with household chores. "The Wedding Dress" is a very moving and spiritual story that reminded me of how and why I first found true love and have kept it treasured in my heart.



Painted with a look at how and why both women and men are called in an irresistible and plain path toward each other, Rachel Hauck has built her honest and insightful story on a central theme. Her main characters, primarily Charlotte of contemporary times and Emily of 1912, with similar struggles, search their hearts about what God would have them do in resolving loving relationships and finding a life partner. Slipping seamlessly between these two women and then learning of Mary Grace from 1939 and Hillary from 1968's stories, we read about promises and how love makes everything possible.



Charlotte's search, precipitated by her purchase of a strange old trunk that holds a a wedding dress and dog tags within a sachet, leads her to resolving mysteries about herself and the women who wore a wedding dress preserved within it. It's through this old, dilapidated trunk that's been welded shut, and the wedding dress that we discover things over time when Charlotte does.



Mystery, romance, a spiritual journey~a story of faith and hope, "The Wedding Dress" is a heart-warming and satisfying novel in the oldest traditions. It's a refreshing story, a respite from the heaviness of books about murder, vampires and strangeness. I recommend it...a cool drink of lemonade for a spring or summer weekend. It won't disappoint you. Rachel Hauck is a seasoned and wonderful storyteller.

This story tugs at your heart! Did I enjoy this book: I really

This story tugs at your heart!

Did I enjoy this book: I really did enjoy this book. It was uplifting, exciting, and enjoyable. I read this book every free chance I had and I loved the route it took.

This book starts with Charlotte Malone as the narrator in the present day. Charlotte is an orphan. Her mother died when she was 12 years old in a car accident and she never knew her father, nor does she know any relatives. She has no one except her fiance, Tim. She doesn't even rely on Tim that much either. She has always been on her own and she is strong, independent.

Tim and Charlotte got engaged after a whirlwind romance...two months after they met in fact. The cards are stacked against them. Tim starts to get cold feet. Charlotte hasn't even begun to plan the wedding or even look for a dress. An old girlfriend comes back, an overprotective sister-in-law interferes. But the need for both of them to have each other is clearly there throughout.

The narration shifts to Emily in 1912. Emily is engaged to Phillip but is still in love with Daniel - though she won't admit it. I really like Emily's character. She seemed to want to make change happen...by being a part of women's suffrage, hiring an African American to design and sew her wedding dress. She tries to do the right thing...and eventually does in the end.

The story jumps mainly between these two women who are living about a century apart from one another. There are a few other narrator changes, but the story mainly centers on Charlotte and Emily. I wish the author would have told a bit more of Hillary and Mary Grace stories. I understand that theirs were not quite as important as Charlotte or Emily's but if they were important enough to wear the dress, they were important enough to warrant more story time.

All-in-all, this was a good, clean Christian story that tugs at your heart and leaves you with a smile at the end. I really enjoyed the author's note at the end (I usually don't read these). Ms. Hauck explains how this story came about and the metaphor she used...that the dress is like the gospel of Jesus in that he fits each of us no matter what.

Would I recommend it: I would...I may recommend it to my book group.

Will I read it again: I may, especially if I need an uplifting story. And I will if my book group decides to read it.

A Charming and Special Read!

Four women, one wedding dress managing its way through different times and situations, a one size fits all kind of dress, never needing any altering, never aging or looking out of date, always looking perfect on each bride. Spanning in time from 1812 to present, the reader discovers the origin of the dress and how it came to be and the mystery behind all the women that wore the dress and how they were linked together. I found this storyline to be most captivating and most charming as the story unfolds taking it’s time in a most wonderful way.

The story opens with our present day heroine Charlotte inexplicably finding herself at the annual Ludlow Antiques auction at the Ludlow estate, bidding on a mysterious trunk with who knows what inside; 1,000$ of bidding later the trunk is hers. She is a bit surprised at herself for splurging so to speak, as she is a future bride herself saving for her own wedding that is rapidly approaching. But this little purchase sends her on a mystery of her own as she seeks to know the story behind what’s in the trunk which is of course “the wedding dress”. While this contemporary storyline is happening, the book also flashes back to 1812 and Emily Canton a young beautiful woman with 2 men that have caught her eye, one that she thought was only in her past and one who is very much in her present. As the story unfolds Emily discovers who is after her heart and who has ulterior motives. Two other “wearer’s of the dress” Mary Grace and Hillary have lesser storylines but they are still intricate to the novel and an important part in the story.

Rachel Hauck weaves joy, heartache, coming of age struggles , love and a charming element of magic in a certain male character that pops up throughout the novel that just make this story a delight to read. This novel has wide range appeal as who doesn’t love to read a little romance, but also in this novel a strong historical component as the dress spans through time and what was happening to the women, as well as a nice contemporary storyline as well, as a friend of mine said- “it has something for everyone”. I heartily agree. I also want to mention that the author’s note at the end is not one to be skipped as it brings even more light to the precious spiritual elements to the book.

I highly recommend this book, there’s just something really special about it.

5 stars

I was graciously provided a digital copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through the Netgalley program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

The Wedding Dress is an amazing story of how one wedding dress t

The Wedding Dress is an amazing story of how one wedding dress ties together four brides over the past century. From the moment Charlotte bids on the battered trunk, I fell in love with the story. Charlotte is only weeks away from her own wedding, and she has yet to find the dress that is uniquely hers. For a woman who has both feet firmly planted in the present, she is strangely drawn to the trunk she buys at an auction, intrigued by the odd auctioneer who claimed she had redeemed the chest. Rachel has done an outstanding job of weaving the stories together, giving Charlotte a better understanding of her faith, redemption, and true love. An excellent read.

Weddings Through Time

I Loved this book about "Love", it is so very heartwarming and refreshing. The story begins in 2012, but again it begins in 1912. The book keeps unfolding, and the beautiful wedding dress is at the heart of this story. Four different brides! Yes, Love is everywhere, enduring! You can just picture this beautiful dress, and then picture each bride in it. I never really expected the ending in this book, and it is such a great story, that seems to have really happened just as it is written.
We live in the lives of all of the characters with the help of Ms Hauck...I wanted to be back in 1912, and them again at each of the three other weddings.
I would read this book again and again. I highly recommend this historical fiction book!

I received this book from the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

I wanted to peek ahead in The Wedding Dress to see how each of the 'wearers' of the dress made out but I made myself wait! The Wedding Dress is a great read. I do admit that you have to watch those chapter headings to be sure you know which bride you are reading about..but I enjoyed every minute of it.It's a gentle sweet romance without being cloying or over the top naked sexy. Recommend it highly.
Brenda J Wood-Snippets from a Binging and Bulging Mind

I've been excited to read The Wedding Dress since Rachel first t

I've been excited to read The Wedding Dress since Rachel first told me about it. I'm a happily ever after girl who loves weddings, wedding dresses, and romance. And with this book--we have all three times four. Rachel Hauck's imagery and wordsmithing captivates me. I loved the seamless way Rachel threaded the present with the past as Charlotte, the main character, searched the history of a wedding dress found in an old trunk. The Wedding Dress is a beautiful story of romance, courage and belief in the One who gives us an eternal happily ever after.

I have read the author, Rachel Hauck, work before and like her w

I have read the author, Rachel Hauck, work before and like her writing style very much.
After finishing The Wedding Dress I felt that she had exceeded what she had done so far in the previous work.
I like the way the author stacked the odds against Charlotte and Tim's relationship.
In the beginning when I was reading the story of Charlotte and Tim, I did not give much chance between the two of them.
After all, it was a whirlwind romance in which after the proposal, Tim seemed to have cool down a lot on the idea of getting married. Charlotte was also hounded by Tim brother's wife, Kathrine, who is a know-it-all type and over bearing. Then, in came the ex-girlfriend. Well, lets just say it's juicy enough to keep the pages turning.
I love the way how she switch the story from Charlotte who is the latest recipient of "The Dress" and Emily who was the first owner of "The Dress". The switches were adequately spaced out. I did not loose track of what I was reading and of who is who in the story.
Only one down side which I can comment about this book is that I felt that the other two recipients of "The Dress", Hillary and Mary Grace, should have been given more space too.
I like the way the book is written. Although there were many mention of Lord God, but it was inserted with such grace that it become part of the natural flow of the story without making the book too preachy. I like the mysterious man in purple that kept making appearance in the story.
This is not just another romance fiction. It give a mysterious feel and there is an unexpected twist in the end of the story.
And to the author, Rachel Hauck, if you are reading this review, I what I would like to say is keep up the good work and I am looking forward to reading more books of yours. And a big thank you to the Publisher, Thomas Nelson , for sending me this great book to review without and obligation in my part to give a positive review.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A beautifully crafted romance novel that will make you fall in l

A beautifully crafted romance novel that will make you fall in love all over again!

Charlotte Malone is the proud owner of Malone & Company, a bridal salon that features in something besides the ordinary wedding dresses the local chain stores carry. If you're looking for something truly one of a kind and unique, then you will want to shop at Malone's, where Charlotte guarantees she find the perfect dress for you.

However when Charlotte finds herself avoiding locating her own perfect dress and attending to her upcoming wedding details, she wonders if perhaps her engagement isn't to Mr. Right after all. When Charlotte attends a local auction at the Ludlow estate, she finds herself bidding on an antique chest that is welded shut. The problem is that she doesn't have the money in her budget to make such an extravagant purchase yet when she learns that some of the higher bidders plan on using it for parts, she outbids them all.

Now if she can only figure out what it may contain and why someone would want to weld it shut. When she does get it open, she discovers an extraordinary dress that appears to be perfect preserved after being locked away in the chest for 100 years. Wondering about the original owner of the dress, Charlotte finds herself wondering just what stories the dress could tell if it could talk, and maybe, just maybe she'll find out.

The novel, The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck is enchanting because its divided into different chapters moving forward and backwards in time returning to the dresses origin in 1912 where another soon-to-be bride is facing a similar situation as Charlotte herself is dealing with in modern day times. What Charlotte will soon discover as she researches the dresses origin is that it belonged to three different women and they each have a story to share with her, one that will help her move forward and hopefully find the love we all search for in the end.

I received, The Wedding Dress compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and being a hopeful romantic knew I had to read this one. I was not disappointed and found the storyline to be unique and engaging as you discover the women who wore the dress and what lessons they learned along their own romantic journey. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a great historical romance!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I fell in love with Rachel Hauck's novel The Wedding Dress from

I fell in love with Rachel Hauck's novel The Wedding Dress from the opening line and finished reading the last page with tears in my eyes. I'd anticipated reading this book for many months, and Hauck didn't disappoint me. She seamlessly wove together the stories of 4 women who are brought together by one wedding dress. Throughout the novel, Hauck highlights the importance of love, faith, choices, freedom and family. Hauck skillfully handles multiple POVs--and just when I'd decide which character's story I liked the most, she'd pull me into another character's story and I couldn't decide!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Charlotte's fledgling bridal shop has begun to soar, especially

Charlotte's fledgling bridal shop has begun to soar, especially when Miss Alabama picks Charlotte's shop as THE PLACE to find the perfect dress. And Charlotte's personal life couldn't be better. After a short, whirlwind romance she and Tim are getting married. Or, at least that is the plan, if she and Tim will actually sit down, write up a guest list, and send out the invitations. How can a bridal expert manage to put off the one simple task week after week? And why hasn't she even begun the dress selection process? Instead Charlotte finds herself on Red Mountain at a spot where she and her mother used to picnic, contemplating how she, an independent girl who had no one after her mother's death, will ever fit into Tim's large possessive family. And what impulse drives her to spend $1000 at an auction for an old, battered trunk with no idea what the contents are? Is it that decision that pushes Tim to call off the wedding, leaving both intented bride and intented groom emotionally numb?


While Charlotte believes she should push all thoughts of romance aside and concentrate on business, the trunk with the welded lock seems to pull her in a different direction. When she finally opens it, (with Tim's help), she finds a vintage bridal gown and a mystery to its past owner(s).


Much of the novel alternates between the contemporary Charlotte and young Emily, a feisty 1912 debutante. Unlike many her age, Emily has attended college and while there struck a friendship with Daniel, who hopes to make a better life for himself through sports and hard work. Daniel joins a professional baseball team, but writes to Emily each day, expressing his growing love and his desire for a life together in the near future. Emily never receives those letters, and feeling abandoned by Daniel, agrees to marry wealthy Phillip, her father's favorite. Daniel's return, Phillip's apparent infidelity, and Emily's desire to have her wedding dress designed by a black designer all threatened the elaborate social wedding of the year planned by the society parents.


In all, four women will have the opportunity to wear the timelessly elegant dress first created for Emily. Each woman's love story and wedding is unique, perfect in its own way, just as the dress miraculously fits each bride without any alterations or changes. Readers will not be disappointed in this tale of interwoven lives, nor in the changes both Charlotte and Tim make as the mystery of the trunk is unraveled. Discussion quetions that follow the book give readers a chance to think about the story on a deeper level. Words delivered by a minister at a wedding (won't reveal whose wedding) I was given an advanced readers copy of this title for review purposes. Opinions are my own.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.