The Keeper of Happy Endings

This was the first book by Barbara Davis that I read. I have now read three of her books (The Echo of Old Books, and The Last of the Moon Girls) and I have absolutely LOVED each one of them. While very different from each other, the books are so well written, holding the reader's attention from the first all the way to the end, making it hard to put it down for very long. Each of these three books are captivating and mesmerizing, beautifully written, with the ability to remain with the reader long after finishing the reading. Barbara Davis is an outstanding author!

This story is absolutely stunning. I throughly enjoyed it. The characters are well-developed and are well loved by the author. I loved the lines about how the echos of our past can bring souls together. I also loved the story behind the dresses. Fairy-tales do come true.

I enjoy the author’s writing style and found the story very engaging. I will say that the abrupt transformation of Camille and Anson strained credulity. The theme of the book is happy endings and it certainly delivered that consistently for every sub plot. If you need a book with a feel good ending this is for you.

A short review. This is a well written book with just enough detail and not overly wordy. The premise remains interesting throughout the book. I appreciate the historical fiction. I was happy with the twists and turns. I won't say where but part of it was predictable and that didn't take away from the entertainment factor. I was captivated and whisked away every time I picked it up.

I really admire how Barbara Davis, in this and her other books, weaves a tale, often including magic, into a story involving lost souls. You root for her characters, who've been wounded by fate, to get the "happy ending" they deserve. I figured out the strands and the likely outcome about halfway through, but it still was a very satisfying read. Ms. Davis has a knack for character descriptions that feel real. In this one, tragedies stem from war, and its aftermath.

This story unfolds like a precious memory. Beautifully written. I couldn't put it down. Love the development of characters and each of their stories.Thank you Barbara for this memorable love story. I would love to see it made into a movie!!

Soline is the latest in a long line of seamstresses at her family's exclusive bridal salon. Far from being in a fancy Paris location, the shop is located in her family's modest home. For generations, her family has sewn a special "charm" inside each exquisite dress, and the bride who wears a Roussel dress is said to be assured of a happy ending. Unfortunately, the magic doesn't extend to the seamstresses themselves, who are not to expect--or chase--happiness. A bit of a rule breaker, Soline sews herself an exquisite bridal gown which she keeps hidden away. All is well until her mother dies and the Nazis come marching into Paris.Decades later, in mid-1980s Boston, Rory is lost without her fiancé Hux, who disappeared while working in South Sudan with Doctors Without Borders. Always at odds with her mother, Rory forgoes her mother's plans for her future and instead opens an art gallery for unknown artists. Rory is an artist herself but doesn't view her fabric art as "true art." While cleaning up the old building, she finds a hidden box containing a wedding dress, a shaving kit, and some old letters. The box is the only thing Soline took with her when she fled Paris at the insistence of her fiancé, Anson, an American ambulance driver and secret member of the French Resistance. But Rory knows none of this when she hand delivers the box to the reclusive older woman. What ensues is an unlikely friendship, one which drives the wedge between Rory and her mother even deeper.The book, which is full of history, mystery, and secrets, is told in dual timelines (WWII and the 1980s) and two POVs, first person for Soline's chapters and third-person limited for Rory's. For me, this made Soline's story the main one. Some of the themes are magic, grief, loss and restoration, the hardening of hearts after physical or emotional trauma, self-doubt, community, healing, misunderstandings due to lack of communication, and the danger of keeping secrets. The biggest secret of all is somewhat improbable, but that didn't keep me from loving this book! Also, I thought I'd had my fill of books about World War II, but this one took a different angle, and it's not totally about the war.

So I fell in love with the title and bought not only a hard copy of this book but also a kindle version. No cleaning has been done since I started this book. The author has written a spellbinding book and there are not enough good words to describe this story. I don't want to ruin it by sharing details but Solene and Rory's story is just captivating. It is as if some of the magic leaps from the pages.... I read a lot of books but this one is makes my top 5 favorite books of all time for me - maybe top three! Buy it and be prepared to not get anything done after you begin to read it!