While the subtitle of THE GOWN implies that the book is about a royal wedding, in fact the main plot revolves around two seamstresses who helped create the wedding gown and train for the royal wedding.

It is 1947, so the bride-to-be is none other than Princess Elizabeth, who today is best known as Queen Elizabeth ll. Britain is still dealing with the aftermath of the war. Shortages, rationing, sacrifices and “making do” are still very much a normal way of life for the average British citizen.

"For fans of historical fiction and those who follow the lives of the royal family, Jennifer Robson’s latest novel has a lot to offer."

Much excitement surrounds the royal nuptials, and the upcoming event in November gives war-weary Brits something to chat about and look forward to. Naturally, any and all details about the wedding dress are carefully guarded, though efforts to determine and then reveal those details abound.

Two young women who have a pivotal role in creating the intricate and lovely embroidery are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, employees at the famed fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Not only do these talented ladies work together, they also share living quarters. Both have backstories that contribute substantially to the novel.

Fast forward to Toronto, Canada, 2016. Heather’s beloved grandmother, Ann --- whom she called Nan --- has died, and Heather is now in possession of delicate embroidered flowers that Nan had left her. Nan had never spoken about her life back in England before she immigrated to Canada. Where did this exquisite embroidery come from, and why did Nan even have it?

So now the plot includes a mystery. What connects this humble grandmother who was so secretive about her past to a lovely design on the train of the princess’s wedding gown worn 70 years ago in another country?

THE GOWN jumps back and forth from the 1940s to 2016, from England to Paris and Toronto, and to the personal lives of Ann, Miriam and Heather. For fans of historical fiction and those who follow the lives of the royal family, Jennifer Robson’s latest novel has a lot to offer.