Have you ever read a story that seemed like it took forever to complete? This book was one of those for me. I do not say that in a negative way, as the concept of the story is interesting and the author crafted it in an amazing manner. But it was heavy in many ways.
Written with plenty of positivity, the realities of an aging society are evident. Check out my thoughts below.
The Memory Dress by Jade Beer
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: November 5, 2024
ISBN-13: 978-0593436837
SYNOPSIS:
England, 2018: Jayne is quiet. She keeps to herself and has no grand expectations for her days. But after a chance encounter with her elderly neighbor, Meredith, Jayne is forced to reevaluate her determination to keep the world at a distance.
Meredith’s dust-covered home is chaotic and neglected. And slowly, Jayne starts to grasp that Meredith herself is quite lost. She can’t seem to remember anything: what she last ate, when she last went out or saw her daughter, or even Jayne’s name, despite what are becoming frequent visits.
But most alarmingly, Meredith can’t remember where her husband is.
Unable to sit by and watch Meredith hurting, Jayne promises she’ll find William. But how can she when the biggest clue Jayne has is a mystery itself: a stunning couture gown with a note declaring it a personal gift to Meredith…from Princess Diana.
England, 1988: Meredith is always calm. You have to be when working for one of the most iconic women in the world. Just as the stitches she uses to create Princess Diana’s wardrobe are steady and stable, so is Meredith. Until she finds herself feeling off-kilter and untethered by an unexpected connection with someone in the workshop.
As Meredith finds herself swept up in life and love for the first time, everything she’s ever dreamed about seems in reach…if only she can be brave enough to take it.
The Memory Dress by Jade Beer Review
I have a lot of feelings about this book. It seems like it took me forever to get through this one as it crosses a few decades and sets up the plot through multiple characters. The crossover is in today’s world, but the story starts in 1988.
There are a lot of aspects to this story that may seem innocuous but end up being an important key down the road. This story is a blend of quiet neighbors getting to know each other, a touch of romance, and the hunt for missing people from an older neighbor who is worried about her missing her husband, but has little to no memory remaining while living on her own.
The plot in the concept of the story is really interesting and amazing. The way it is written takes a lot of brain power and deals with the reality of dementia. There are so many positive points, but in some areas, this is a heavy story.
Who is helping our older generation? How hard is it to help and become a part of their lives? What will you gain or lose in your own life?
As we traverse England for clues to Meredith’s past, tidbits of information trickle in. Friendships develop, romance blossoms, and lives are changed forever. Deep dedication and hard truths are on display and the author’s imagination is steeped in the history of a Princess.
The Memory Dress is a story interwoven with threads that come together to create some beautiful memories and some best left unsaid. A warm, endearing story that will make a wonderful memory for you.
4 STARS!!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.