The Dressmakers of London

By: Julia Kelly

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

The author of the “enthralling” (Woman’s World) The Lost English Girl returns with a heartfelt new novel about estranged sisters who inherit their late mother’s dress shop in World War II London.

Isabelle Shelton has always found comfort in the predictable world of her mother’s dressmaking shop, Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions, while her sister Sylvia turned her back on the family years ago to marry a wealthy doctor whom Izzie detests. When their mother dies unexpectedly, the sisters are stunned to find they’ve jointly inherited the family business. Izzie is determined to buy Sylvia out, but when she’s conscripted into the WAAF, she’s forced to seek Sylvia’s help to keep the shop open. Realizing this could be her one chance at reconciliation with her sister, Sylvia is determined to save Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions from closure—and financial ruin.

Through letters, the sisters begin to confront old wounds, new loves, and the weight of family legacy in order to forge new beginnings in this lyrically moving novel perfect for fans of Genevieve Graham and Lucinda Riley.

©2025 Julia Kelly (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Buckle up for a great story!

I found the character development and relatable relationships captivating. And I always like a story with a great “pay-off” at the end. Two thumbs up from me 👍🏼👍🏼

Superb story and narration!

LOVED this book. Couldn’t stop listening. One of the best reads in a while. Very well written, totally worth reading. All the characters are excellently crafted and beautifully interpreted. 5 STARS all the way around!

The sewing is correct

Loved this. I attended a lecture by Julia Kelly & picked up this book as a result. Ms Kelly really did an amazing job of research so that all the details both as a dressmaker & during this period in history are accurate! Because I’m a dressmaker inaccurate or sloppy details related to the stitching knock me right out of the story. The relationship of the two sisters is told with such compassion for all the reasons they each made decisions throughout the story and brought it all to a lovely and satisfying end. 10/10 highly recommend. I read the audible edition and the narration was first rate!

Sisters and a motgers will...

Anyone who has gone through a problem probate might scream listening to this book. The storyline is realistic and plenty of twists and unravelings of a dysfunctional normal family.

Excellent

Story, historical integration, and outstanding reader. The characters are well-developed. It is very well written. .

Excellent WW2 historical fiction!

Loved hearing the story of the two sisters. I felt like I was a part of their struggles and successes.

Slow Start But Worth Finishing

A charming story of “doing our bit” during the War, the story follows two sisters who have gone in different directions. Sylvie has married a wealthy upper class man and has abandoned her dress shop owning mother and sister. Izzy has stayed at the shop dreaming of becoming a fashion designer.

When the girls’ mother dies and leaves the shop to both girls the sparks fly. Izzy is resentful of her sister and furious with her mother for leaving half the shop to Sylvie. Sylvie is dealing with the realization her husband is having an affair. She doesn’t want anything to do with the shop and offers to hand over her half to Izzy. Then Izzy is called up and she asks Sylvie to try to keep the shop open in her absence.

Sylvie throws herself into the business, hiding it from Horrible Hugo as Izzy calls Sylvie’s husband. Izzy is resentful that Sylvie is attempting to change the business after learning her mother has left the records in a shambles.

Much of the story consists of letters back and forth. Izzy is cold and carries years of resentment. Nothing Sylvie does although successful is acceptable to Izzy.

As the story continues both women learn something do it themselves that they would have missed if not for the strange bequest from their mother. There is also a lot of information on how British men and women dealt with the shortages. The clear class structure and Sylvie’s realization that the upper class would never accept her is thankfully a relic. There is a bit of romance and some long kept secrets that surface. Both women learn that people aren’t always what you think they are.

Other than slow start and my own frustration with Izzy’s unforgiving nature that got tiresome, it’s an excellent book and the narrator is first class