The Memory Dress - by Jade Beer (Paperback)

About the Book

"A missing husband and a dress once owned by Princess Diana set two very different women on paths of discovery that will change both their lives forever in this dazzling new novel from the author of The Last Dress from Paris. England, 2022: Jayne is quiet. She keeps to herself and has no grand expectations for her days. But after a chance encounter with her eccentric 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 left her apartment or saw her daughter, or even Jayne's name, despite what are becoming more and more frequent visits. But most alarmingly, Meredith can't remember where her husband, William, is. Unable to sit by and watch Meredith hurting, Jayne promises she'll find William no matter what. 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, 1996: Meredith is always calm. You have to be when working for one of the most iconic women in the world. Just as the stiches she uses to create Princess Diana's wardrobe are steady and stable, so is Meredith. Until a new face in the workshop leaves her feeling off-kilter and untethered. As Meredith finds herself swept up in life and love for the first time, she miraculously finds herself with everything she's ever dreamed about...if only she can be brave enough to reach out and take it"--

Book Synopsis

"An endearing story of loss and recovery, mystery and memory, heartache and love...completely captivating."--Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiffany Girls and The Colony Club

A missing husband and a dress once owned by Princess Diana set two very different women on paths of discovery that will change both their lives forever in this dazzling new novel from the author of The Last Dress from Paris.

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.

"A moving exploration into how clothes make up the layers of our lives, as well as a wonderful insight into the worlds of dressmaking, royalty and friendship across generations."--Jessica Fellowes, international bestselling author of The Mitford Murders

Review Quotes

"Jade Beer deftly interweaves the lives of neighbors who become friends, then family as they search for a missing husband and an elusive past. An endearing story of loss and recovery, mystery and memory, heartache and love--and dresses, The Memory Dress is completely captivating."
--Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiffany Girls and The Colony Club

"What a feat--​The Memory Dress is a moving exploration into how clothes make up the layers of our lives, as well as a wonderful insight into the worlds of dressmaking, royalty and friendship across generations. I loved it."
--Jessica Fellowes, international bestselling author of The Mitford Murders

"Jade Beer's newest novel is a romantic, elegant story of two women who find they have much more in common than their Bath, England, apartment house. Uniting them is a gorgeous, historical dress that holds the key to their story. In glimmering, sumptuous details this exquisitely imagined novel unfolds in a way that leaves the reader completely captivated."
--Jeanne Mackin, author of Picasso's Lovers

"This is Jade Beer's most delicious novel yet. Romantic, intriguing and emotionally compelling. If you are missing The Crown this could fill that space in your life."
--Adele Parks, internationally bestselling author

"A beautiful and deeply moving book about love, loss and found families. The Memory Dress is tender, powerful and healing - Meredith and Jayne will stay with me forever. I loved this book."
--Daisy Buchanan, author and broadcaster

"Beer's emotionally rich narrative highlights the devastation of dementia and the solidarity found among those working to lessen its impact. This will move readers."
--Publishers Weekly

"Beer sensitively explores the challenges of mental illness, the gifts (and the limits) of community, and the power of emotional bonds to change a person's life. The Memory Dress is a tribute to unlikely friendships, enduring love, and the history contained in every stitch of an exquisitely crafted garment."
--Shelf Awareness

"While the story has many twists and is told through different perspectives and in different time periods, that won't prevent readers from growing close to the characters and rooting for Meredith to reunite with her estranged daughter. Beer explores themes of love, grief, and hope, and readers who like historical fiction with multiple time lines will be drawn to this one."
--Booklist

"Readers who enjoy dual-timeline novels will enjoy Beer's (The Last Dress from Paris) latest, which also includes a sweet, low-key romance for Jayne."
--Library Journal

About the Author

Jade Beer is an award-winning editor, journalist, and novelist who has worked across the UK national press for more than twenty years. Most recently, she was the editor in chief of Condé Nast's Brides. She also writes for other leading titles, including the Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Glamour, Stella magazine, and is one of the Mail on Sunday's regular fiction and nonfiction book reviewers. Jade splits her time between London and the Cotswolds, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.