A look back to a time when women of a certain class spent time in Nevada in order to get a divorce. I thank TLC Book Tours for sending me a copy of Lies in White Dresses by Sofia Grant at no charge for my honest review.
About Lies in White Dresses:
Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (September 17, 2019)
Award winning author Sofia Grant weaves an entrancing tale of female friendship and new beginnings inspired by the true stories of those who “took the Reno cure”. In the 1940s and 50s, women who needed a fast divorce went to Nevada to live on a ranch with other women in the same boat.
“Sofia Grant entices us into following three women seeking the Reno Cure, as they overcome their disillusionment over the lives they expected to have and summon the bravery to embrace new and unexpected paths.” –Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room
Francie Meeker and Vi Carothers were sold a bill of goods: find a man, marry him in a white wedding gown, and live happily ever after. These best friends never expected to be on the train to Reno, those “lies in white dresses” shattered, their marriages over.
On board the train they meet June Samples, who is fleeing an abusive husband with her daughter, and take the vulnerable young mother under their wing. The three decide to wait out the required six weeks together, and then they can toss their wedding bands into the Truckee River and start new lives as divorcees.
But as they settle in at the ranch, one shocking moment will change their lives forever. As it brings their deceptions and fears into focus, it will also demand a reckoning with the past, and the choices that a person in love can be driven to make.
You can purchase Lies in White Dresses at Harper Collins
About the Author:
Sofia Grant has the heart of a homemaker, the curiosity of a cat, and the keen eye of a scout. She works from an urban aerie in Oakland, California.
Find out more about Sofia at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
My Opinion:
Francie and Vi are older, well to do women who are divorcing their husbands. In order to do so they are going to Reno, Nevada, where they only have to stay for 6 weeks and they will be able to obtain their divorce. At least this was a simpler way of dissolving a marriage in the 50ies. These two old friends get on the train and head into the desert. On the way they meet a young woman (June) traveling with her daughter and they befriend her recognizing that she is running from more than just a bad marriage.
As they make their way to the hotel in Reno they form a fast bond and Vi asks June to stay with her. But soon all of their lives will change in very unexpected ways. Each will learn about acceptance, love and friendship.
This was a fascinating look at a different time when women seeking a divorce went to Nevada to establish temporary residency to get a quickie divorce. Their long stays would allow them to establish friendships and share secrets that they would not in their every day lives.
The main characters are complicated and interesting. There is a subplot involving the daughter of the owner of the hotel who wants to be a detective. I didn’t understand this at all and to me it was a distraction that did nothing to add to the story. In all truth any time that aspect of the story came up I just skimmed over until it ended as it rather annoyed me. The rest of the book I enjoyed.
Rating:
4
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