A Puff of Silk (Bridal Shop Series Book 1) by Kathleen Shoop is a women’s novel about a young woman named Amelia. At the beginning of the book, Amelia has everything going for her: a great career in fashion design, success and the money that comes with it, a stylish New York penthouse, and a boyfriend that she is in a serious relationship with. As her career and circle of social acquaintances increase, she gets an opportunity to create the wedding dress for the celebrity Fifi. On the day of the wedding though, disaster strikes in the form of the entire dress falling to pieces at the time of the wedding itself. Stunned at this, she soon after receives another shock when she catches her partner red-handed cheating on her with his secretary. Feeling devastated both personally and professionally, Amelia rushes back to her grandmother to take a break and figure her life out.

A Puff of Silk is a good story that depicts the life of a modern young woman living a fast-paced life that is typical of today’s world. What’s also typical are the inevitable ups and downs of relationships and dating in the modern world which forms a part of this novel too. Amelia’s character is well portrayed and her reactions and emotions seem realistic and grounded. I found myself rooting for her at various times and hoping that she is able to find peace again. I enjoyed reading about the different types of men she encounters as well as her evolving relationship with her grandmother. Overall, this is a good piece of women’s fiction.

Amelia had left her Gram and Eagle Bend, Pennsylvania behind as soon as she graduated college for the excitement of New York. Amelia was not disappointed in finding love, a very successful career as a dress designer and all of her dreams coming true. Sadly, this did not last forever for Amelia. The wedding gown she created for rich young FiFi turned into a nightmare of huge proportions when it slowly fell apart on the walk down the aisle. The relationship with Thorn, her handsome and rich boyfriend with whom she shared a penthouse apartment, also ended in disaster. Her only recourse was to leave New York behind and return to the loving arms of her Gram. Amelia quickly finds out that all is not as well with Gram as she had supposed, and that they needed a plan to help both of them get through the trouble spots. What will happen to Amelia? Will she find happiness and prosperity in Eagle Bend or will she return to her life in New York? You must read this story for yourself to get these answers and I promise you will not be disappointed!

A Puff of Silk (Bridal Shop Series Book 1) is a quirky, entertaining, hard to put down, light story, perfect for a cold afternoon in front of the fireplace. I found myself immediately liking Amelia and cheering her on through her disasters. I really enjoyed reading A Puff of Silk and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Book 2. Kathleen Shoop has written a fun, wonderful story with a purpose and a depth that kept me reading and liking Amelia and most of the other characters more and more. Shoop also included enough questions and twists to make the reader never be sure who was really on Amelia’s side and who she should be wary of. I highly recommend A Puff of Silk as it is an entertaining, enjoyable story.

In A Puff of Silk (Bridal Shop Series Book 1) by Kathleen Shoop, Amelia had already made a name in New York as a celebrity designer. However, watching FiFi walk down the aisle in the gown she had spent hundreds of hours making was supposed to be Amelia's career-crowning moment. Instead, she watched in horror as the gown fell apart right off the bride's body, leaving her half-naked in church. The only thing that kept Amelia sane through the nightmare was the thought of getting home to her boyfriend. The boyfriend was home all right, but with a nasty surprise. With both her business and personal life now in ruins, Amelia makes the decision to leave New York and all its mess behind and return home. Is this the end of life for her or could it be just the kick she needed to start afresh and find her right footing?

A Puff of Silk (Bridal Shop Series Book 1) is a fast-paced story that flows seamlessly from one point to the next, carrying your whole attention along with it, eager to learn how Amelia is going to get out of the unimaginable chaos that her life has become overnight. Kathleen Shoop wrote an amazing story that will draw you in. I could not help but fall in love with Amelia through her troubles and daily tears. I cannot wait to read book 2 in the Bridal Shop Series. I am desperately eager to see the next part of Amelia's life. Crossing fingers that the next chapter of her life will be her best one yet.

A Puff of Silk by Kathleen Shoop is Book One in the Bridal Shop series and introduces the reader to the talented Amelia Pettipiece who is a successful dress designer. Amelia lives in New York City with her boyfriend Thorn, and her clients are important and famous. She puts her clients on hold temporarily whilst she works on a wedding gown for FiFi Herrera, a very influential client. The success of this project could really help Amelia’s business to take off. However, when disaster strikes Amelia’s world crumbles around her. Thorn is not the man she thought he was, she loses her home, her business, and her reputation. She finds herself with nowhere to go except home to Pittsburgh, where her grandmother still runs a small boutique that has been in the family for years. But Amelia faces up to some harsh realities and she faces up to her mistakes of the past and tries to put things right.

This is a perfect novella to escape the busyness of the day and enter Amelia’s world. The author, Kathleen Shoop, has written a delightful story that sets the scene for the Bridal Shop series. The reader can really empathize with Amelia’s character, and really wants her to succeed as she tries to fix everything in her own life and that of her grandmother. The author also clearly has a good knowledge of fabrics, laces etc. to give authenticity to both Amelia and the world in which she works. Other characters are well developed and believable, especially Gram (her grandmother) who is a lovely character. The Bridal Shop series should appeal to many readers who would enjoy a nice, easy to read, good story that flows well and keeps their interest.