Dictatorship of the DressAuthor: Jessica Topper
Series: Much "I Do" About Nothing #1
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
As the dress-bearer for her mother’s wedding, comic book artist Laney Hudson has a lot more baggage than the bulky garment bag she’s lugging from New York to Hawaii. Laney is determined to prove she’s capable of doing something right, but running chores for her mom’s fairytale nuptials is proving to be a painfully constant reminder of her own lost love.
So when she’s mistaken for the bride and bumped up to first class, Laney figures some stress-free luxury is worth a harmless white lie. Until the flight crew thinks that the man sitting next to her is Laney’s groom, and her little fib turns into a hot mess.
The last thing Noah Ridgewood needs is some dress-obsessed diva landing in his first-class row. En route to his Vegas bachelor party, the straight-laced software designer knows his cold feet have nothing to do with the winter weather.
When a severe storm leaves them grounded in Chicago and they find themselves booked into the last available honeymoon suite, Laney and her in-flight neighbor have little choice but to get better acquainted. Now, as her bridal mission hangs in the balance, perhaps the thing Laney gets right is a second chance at love.
Dictatorship of the Dress is so stinkin’ cute! I was borderline not even in the mood to read it and was ready to jump ship if it didn’t immediately hook me. Turned out that that wasn’t a problem. I ended up enjoying this book a lot.
The whole setup is really good. Laney is in charge of getting her mother’s dress from NYC to Hawaii, and when assumptions are made, she’s bumped up to first class. Right next to Noah. When a huge storm in Chicago grounds all flights, they’re forced to spend a lot more time together. There’s just something fun about them being trapped together, allowing them to get to know each other a whole lot better.
This is told in duel perspectives – Laney and Noah. Both are wonderful characters. I love how Laney is an artist and how her illustrations play a part in the story. I mean c’mon, she used to work at Marvel illustrating comic books, how cool is that? She’s funny and witty, and has an all-around cool personality. I will say though, there were a couple of times she got annoying with her overreacting. I enjoyed Noah’s character too. He’s Mr. TechGeek who is under a lot of pressure in both his personal and professional life. He reminds me a lot of Walden from Two and a Half Men.
Laney and Noah have wonderful chemistry. They don’t exactly start off on the best foot, but you can feel how well they fit right from the beginning. They actually talk to each other! It bugs me when there is so much inner dialogue and rarely any between the characters. I need actual dialogue in order feel their compatibility, not just constantly thinking about how great the other person is. That’s what makes me fall in love with a couple, and these two had that. I love how easy they teased and flirted, playing off each other really well.
DotD isn’t just some superficial story about these two hooking up. It is a fun, cute story, but it isn’t all fluff. There’s depth to Laney and Noah, and the author did a fabulous job allowing the reader to really get to know them and what has led them up to this point. Laney’s story is definitely more poignant than Noah’s, but both are well done.
Yes, the story mostly revolves around Laney and Noah, but there are some fun secondary characters. My favorites are Noah’s best friends, but mostly Tim. The guy is funny and totally down for some shenanigans, and he for sure has Noah’s six! And I can’t wait to read Dani’s story in the next book. She’s Laney’s BFF and will no doubt be a great main character.
Overall, I’m so glad I made myself read Dictatorship of the Dress!
I have one copy of Dictatorship of the Dress to giveaway.
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I had such fun with this one. My review posts Thursday and I am looking forward to the next book
happy to hear you enjoyed your book, hope you enjoy the second one as well 🙂
This sounds adorable. I love how you didn’t even feel like it but it took you over anyways. So want a copy!
That sounds like a lot of fun. At first I thought from the synopsis that it sounded a bit cliched but I’m glad to see it had both depth and humour. And great characters. Sounds cute!
This sounds like an incredibly fun and adorbs novel! I’m so glad that this worked for you, Christy xD
Lovely review, hun! <33
What? They actually use their words and communicate? *falls down dead from shock* I’ve read so many lately where all the dialog is internal as you said, and we have one miscommunication after the other. Yay for talking out loud:) This sounds like exactly what I need right now Christy, thanks for the recommendation!
Oh this sounds like a lot of fun, Christy. The romance sounds adorable and YES, I love it when couples actually talk about stuff.
Beautiful review! 🙂
Sold!
I love these type of reads every now and then, okay, more than every now and then. Sometimes I just NEED them. 😛
This does sound cute! I love that they kind of accidentally ended up ‘together’.
Sounds light and cute, just what I need this time of year.
This does sound really cute, and I LOVE that she used to be a comic illustrator. How awesome!
Oh this sounds like a contemporary I would enjoy. I also love that you were prepared to dnf and it just captured you. It’s great when that happens. Brilly review!
I struggled with this at first and I’m glad I stuck with it til the end. This sure was a fun novel
Okay, this sounds like a comedy and calamity rolled into one. I’m sold!
I don’t like it too when the characters don’t communicate enough, but draw conclusion from their own assumptions. Seems like a fun and romantic read, glad you enjoyed it Christy! Thanks for the giveaway!:)
Awe it sounds like this one was just such a winner with you. Love that she used to work for Marvel…very cool! The inner fan girl in me totally squealed and tech genuis’ have a weak spot in my heart. I can’t lie.
Interesting. I remember seeing this one, I just didn’t pick it up. I saw the blurb and I thought it would be too cutesy for me. Good to know I was wrong.
Is it wrong to be insanely jealous of the cover model’s hair??
Hell no, I’m jealous of her hair too. I had mine a similar color years ago, but doubt it looked that good.
Oh darn! I so passed this one by but it sounds great. Yay for it turning into a nice surprise and grabbing ya!
Glad to hear Noah and Laney had chemistry that was visible and not all inner swooning. 🙂 This sounds like such a fun story! I was a little hesitant when I saw Noah was engaged, but it seems like everything works out in satisfying way. Definitely want to give this a try!
Hey, hey! I’ve been gone awhile, so I don’t know when you updated your look, but I like it. AND I’ll keep the book in mind for the next time I want stinkin’ cute 😉
I actually like Walden from Two and a Half Men, So I think I’ll like Noah too! This sounds like a fun read Christy, a good one to get you out of a slump!
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