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Dressmaker's Daughters #1
Groom by Design
Her Heart and Her Business Are on the Line
Dressmaker Ruth Fox gave up her dream of a husband and children long ago. Her family's floundering dress shop, her ailing father and her two younger sisters require Ruth's full attention. Though the handsome new stranger in town is intriguing, Ruth is certain he wouldn't look twice at a plain spinster of twenty-six.
Sam Rothenburg's connection with the shy young woman next door is immediate, but he knows Ruth will be crushed when she discovers his real purpose in town. Sam is secretly working to open one of his father's large department stores in Pearlman, Michigan, which will surely put Ruth out of business. How much is Sam willing to sacrifice to claim Ruth's heart?
The Dressmaker's Daughters: Pursuing their dreams a stitch at a time
Dressmaker Ruth Fox gave up her dream of a husband and children long ago. Her family's floundering dress shop, her ailing father and her two younger sisters require Ruth's full attention. Though the handsome new stranger in town is intriguing, Ruth is certain he wouldn't look twice at a plain spinster of twenty-six.
Sam Rothenburg's connection with the shy young woman next door is immediate, but he knows Ruth will be crushed when she discovers his real purpose in town. Sam is secretly working to open one of his father's large department stores in Pearlman, Michigan, which will surely put Ruth out of business. How much is Sam willing to sacrifice to claim Ruth's heart?
The Dressmaker's Daughters: Pursuing their dreams a stitch at a time
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
9 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Christine Johnson
19 books144 followersChristine Johnson grew up in small-town Michigan, where tales rise taller than old-growth forest. God blessed her with a love of story, which led to publication with Love Inspired Historical and Revell. When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to quilt and explore God’s majestic creation.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 19, 2019
Michigan 1923. IMO this "Love Inspired Historical"
had a preachy message IE turn your life over to the
Lord, let the Lord guide you, trust the Lord.
Sam served as the family empire front-man for setting
up Hutton's Dept stores in mostly large cities, but this
time in a small town. The plans remained hush-hush
per Sam's demanding father. Seamstress Ruth took
charge of the family seamstress shop while her father
received medical treatment out of town & his wife went
too.
Ruth's father was depicted as a principled man with a
weakened heart. Yet he did not pay the mortgage on his
shop for > than 1 year. Wouldn't he have been more honest
to sell the shop and settle his debts?
At times the spiritual aspect overpowered this sweet little
love story. The author drew a sharp line between the college
educated & those w/o college and the wealthy VS those w/o
wealth. Most town residents lacked a college education or
wealth.
had a preachy message IE turn your life over to the
Lord, let the Lord guide you, trust the Lord.
Sam served as the family empire front-man for setting
up Hutton's Dept stores in mostly large cities, but this
time in a small town. The plans remained hush-hush
per Sam's demanding father. Seamstress Ruth took
charge of the family seamstress shop while her father
received medical treatment out of town & his wife went
too.
Ruth's father was depicted as a principled man with a
weakened heart. Yet he did not pay the mortgage on his
shop for > than 1 year. Wouldn't he have been more honest
to sell the shop and settle his debts?
At times the spiritual aspect overpowered this sweet little
love story. The author drew a sharp line between the college
educated & those w/o college and the wealthy VS those w/o
wealth. Most town residents lacked a college education or
wealth.
June 14, 2020
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
While the romance portions of this book and the lack of communication between Ruth & Sam made me eye my eyes at times, I did like different aspects of this story like the time period and the dress making. Not my favorite Love Inspired Historical, but not a terrible one either.
{{Official Content review to Come.}}
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
While the romance portions of this book and the lack of communication between Ruth & Sam made me eye my eyes at times, I did like different aspects of this story like the time period and the dress making. Not my favorite Love Inspired Historical, but not a terrible one either.
{{Official Content review to Come.}}
April 23, 2023
Very sweet and oldfashioned romance. With her father ill and her mother busy tending to him, Ruth Fox takes responsibility for the family shop only to discover that her family are deep in debt. A plan is hatched amongst the sisters to marry a rich man cue the arrival of Sam Rothenburg. Contrived yes, but there is a sweetness to the story which allows you to overlook some of the flaws. If you are looking for grit and depth this is not the book for you but if you just want to take your mind off your troubles for a couple of hours and allow yourself to suspend belief for awhile this one might well do the job.
April 24, 2022
This book was such a delight to read! I loved the characters, the plot and the writing style of the author. It would make a really good movie but I wouldn't want anything changed. I've read other books by Christine Johnson that I enjoyed, too. I hope she's still writing books. I didn't want "Groom by Design" to end. However, I already have the next two books in the series. Can't wait to read those! ♡♡♡
April 16, 2019
I enjoyed very much
I loved Groom by Design very much. It shows life of heartache and God's provision and His plan for us.
I loved Groom by Design very much. It shows life of heartache and God's provision and His plan for us.
July 24, 2015
Ruth Fox, age 26, is a very skilled dressmaker at the family’s Fox Dress Shop. Her older sister, Beatrice, married Blake Kensington whose family was very wealthy in town. There are two younger sisters, Jen and Minnie. Mr. Fox has been ill with a weak heart for some time and is a patient at a sanitarium. Mrs. Fox is staying there with her husband. Ruth has been working very hard to run the shop and make money for the family’s dwindling finances. Beatrice wants so much to help her family but her husband refuses to provide any funds to do so.
Sam Rothenburg is in town to build Hutton’s Department Store just next door to the Fox Dress Shop. Sam’s father is a wealthy man who has made his money in many ruthless ways. Sam works for his father building department stores. The fact that a department store will be built in town has been kept a secret. Most people think it will be another type of store. Sam’s father’s goal is to buy the Fox Dress Shop and then close it down.
When Sam and Ruth accidentally run into one another, Sam introduces himself as simply Sam Roth not wanting her to know who he really is. He is smitten with her and would love to see her use her talents as a dressmaker in his new store. Ruth is attracted to Sam but doesn’t feel as though she can think of anything but trying to pay the late mortgage bills and keep the shop open. She feels she cannot think of herself and her own future until her father is well and the shop financially stable once again.
When Sam’s father comes to town to criticize him on his handling of the soon-to-be open store, Sam realizes that he has simply become his father’s puppet and refuses to bow to the man’s demands. Sam cares about Ruth and her family and does not want to see them lose their livelihood.
Will Sam and Ruth be able to work through the problems they both have with their families and find a way to have a future for themselves? This is a sweet story with a lot angst experienced by the characters.
Sam Rothenburg is in town to build Hutton’s Department Store just next door to the Fox Dress Shop. Sam’s father is a wealthy man who has made his money in many ruthless ways. Sam works for his father building department stores. The fact that a department store will be built in town has been kept a secret. Most people think it will be another type of store. Sam’s father’s goal is to buy the Fox Dress Shop and then close it down.
When Sam and Ruth accidentally run into one another, Sam introduces himself as simply Sam Roth not wanting her to know who he really is. He is smitten with her and would love to see her use her talents as a dressmaker in his new store. Ruth is attracted to Sam but doesn’t feel as though she can think of anything but trying to pay the late mortgage bills and keep the shop open. She feels she cannot think of herself and her own future until her father is well and the shop financially stable once again.
When Sam’s father comes to town to criticize him on his handling of the soon-to-be open store, Sam realizes that he has simply become his father’s puppet and refuses to bow to the man’s demands. Sam cares about Ruth and her family and does not want to see them lose their livelihood.
Will Sam and Ruth be able to work through the problems they both have with their families and find a way to have a future for themselves? This is a sweet story with a lot angst experienced by the characters.
September 29, 2014
B- read for me so really more like 3.5 stars Set in small-town Michigan in the 1920s, this is a good book if you're just looking for something very sweet and a little old-fashioned. It's the first in a new series revolving around the daughters of a dressmaker. The dressmaker in question is Ruth Fox's father, who is away at a sanitarium receiving treatment for rheumatic heart disease. In his absence, Ruth struggles to keep the floundering dress shop afloat.
And who is her hero? None other than Sam Rothenburg, heir to a department store fortune. Unknown to Ruth, he is busy planning the grand opening of a department store right in Ruth's hometown. Store policy requires Sam to keep quiet about his plans, but he knows that the opening of the department store will likely crush Ruth's little business. And as he gets to know Ruth and her family, he starts to fall in love with Ruth and care deeply about the fate of the Fix family.
The tension in Groom by Design felt natural, and the historical setting was fascinating. Pearlman, Michigan is obviously a sleepy small town, but the author works hints of 20th century change throughout the story as we see the rise of ready-to-wear clothing, automobiles, etc.. mentioned throughout the text.
At times I found Ruth a little frustrating and overly simplistic in her thinking. She has a tendency to jump to conclusions about what her father wants or what Sam might be up to without actually bothering to consult any of the people in question. And sometimes things just coincidentally seem to happen at the most opportune times in this story. Even so, it was a sweet read and I ended up liking it quite a bit.
And who is her hero? None other than Sam Rothenburg, heir to a department store fortune. Unknown to Ruth, he is busy planning the grand opening of a department store right in Ruth's hometown. Store policy requires Sam to keep quiet about his plans, but he knows that the opening of the department store will likely crush Ruth's little business. And as he gets to know Ruth and her family, he starts to fall in love with Ruth and care deeply about the fate of the Fix family.
The tension in Groom by Design felt natural, and the historical setting was fascinating. Pearlman, Michigan is obviously a sleepy small town, but the author works hints of 20th century change throughout the story as we see the rise of ready-to-wear clothing, automobiles, etc.. mentioned throughout the text.
At times I found Ruth a little frustrating and overly simplistic in her thinking. She has a tendency to jump to conclusions about what her father wants or what Sam might be up to without actually bothering to consult any of the people in question. And sometimes things just coincidentally seem to happen at the most opportune times in this story. Even so, it was a sweet read and I ended up liking it quite a bit.
April 21, 2015
Groom by Design is book #1 in series "Dressmaker's Daughters" by Christine Johnson
Ruth Fox is the second oldest of four daughters and by all standards I guess she is an "old maid". She has decided she is just a plain jane and her life will be spent working as a dressmaker. an older sister is married and there are two younger ones.
Imagine her surprise when a new man comes to town who is very handsome and well to do who seems to like what he sees in Miss Fox.
Sam in the oldest of two sons of a Dept store owner who likes to open new stores around the country and do it incognito...It is only on grand opening day does anyone know the full scope of who owns the new business in town.
Ruth's father is very ill with a heart ailment so she is in charge of the dressmaker shoppe while he is in for treatments.
The younger girls are romantic and have decided they need to make a pact to help one another find a wealthy man to marry and help save the shoppe when they find out there are many money problems and they may lose the shoppe.
Of course they all feel Ruth should pursue Sam since he seems like he would fit the bill.
I enjoyed reading this story and seeing how things can change when you least expect it.
Ruth Fox is the second oldest of four daughters and by all standards I guess she is an "old maid". She has decided she is just a plain jane and her life will be spent working as a dressmaker. an older sister is married and there are two younger ones.
Imagine her surprise when a new man comes to town who is very handsome and well to do who seems to like what he sees in Miss Fox.
Sam in the oldest of two sons of a Dept store owner who likes to open new stores around the country and do it incognito...It is only on grand opening day does anyone know the full scope of who owns the new business in town.
Ruth's father is very ill with a heart ailment so she is in charge of the dressmaker shoppe while he is in for treatments.
The younger girls are romantic and have decided they need to make a pact to help one another find a wealthy man to marry and help save the shoppe when they find out there are many money problems and they may lose the shoppe.
Of course they all feel Ruth should pursue Sam since he seems like he would fit the bill.
I enjoyed reading this story and seeing how things can change when you least expect it.
October 16, 2014
Christine Johnson is a superb storyteller! I loved everything about Groom by Design from the quaint setting and endearing characters to the engaging storyline. There is such beauty and wisdom to be found in this special story. One of my favorite quotes was:
“Love can’t be held inside or saved up,” Mother said softly. “To truly flower, it must be given away.” “Even when undeserved?” Ruth whispered. “Especially when undeserved. That’s when love can truly change lives.”
Groom by Design is a story full of charm and heart! I can’t wait to read more of The Dressmaker’s Daughters!
“Love can’t be held inside or saved up,” Mother said softly. “To truly flower, it must be given away.” “Even when undeserved?” Ruth whispered. “Especially when undeserved. That’s when love can truly change lives.”
Groom by Design is a story full of charm and heart! I can’t wait to read more of The Dressmaker’s Daughters!
July 13, 2016
Ruth and Sam's "meet cute" is really well writtena nd their backgrounds and resulting struggles with romance are believable. I like that their story takes place over several weeks to allow for a real relationship. Johnson has a thoroughly engrossing writing style.
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January 12, 2016"This is a sweet story of the discovery that putting others first is where true happiness is found" (RT Book Reviews). 4 stars
Miniseries: The Dressmaker's Daughters
Miniseries: The Dressmaker's Daughters
January 2, 2015
A nice, light read with an uplifting message for women. Everyone can be beautiful on the inside.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
April 6, 2016
I rounded up to 3 stars. Sam wants his father's respect and must decide how far and what he'll willing to give up, to accomplish that goal.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews