[Note from Frolic: We are so beyond excited to have author Teri Wilson posting on the site today! She’s paired some of her favorite red carpet looks with some glamorous romance novels. Take it away, Teri!]
The Oscars are just around the corner! While it’s always fun to see what films will take home the hardware as we simultaneously mourn our favorites who got snubbed (Greta Gerwig for best director…AHEM), the best part of the evening for me is always the red carpet fashion! I just love a good glam Hollywood moment.
Since I also have a deliciously sweet new Valentine-themed romance novel releasing today, Frolic thought it would be fun to have me pair up some iconic red carpet moments with romantic reads. So slip into your favorite imaginary ballgown, because here we go…
Julia Roberts in vintage Valentino at the 2001 Academy Awards and Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne
First up, who remembers the vintage black-and-white Valentino gown Julia Roberts wore to the Oscars back in 2001 when she won the Best Actress Award for the title role in Erin Brockovich? With miles of black tulle and elegant white trim, it was classically beautiful and very reminiscent of something Audrey Hepburn would have worn. If this gown were a romance novel, it would definitely be Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne. Like most of Layne’s other books, Marriage on Madison Avenue is set in New York City. No other author I’ve read captures the cosmopolitan spirit of the Big Apple quite like Lauren does. In her latest, there are men in suits, there are cocktails and there’s an impending wedding that’s just as fake as it is fashionable. Pour yourself a Cosmo, pretend Julia loaned you her dress and enjoy.
Zendaya in emerald green satin Vera Wang at the 2019 Emmy Awards and Fashion Jungle by Kathy Ireland and Rachel van Dyken
Zendaya always looks incredible on the red carpet, and the ultra-glam corset Vera Wang gown she wore to the Emmy Awards in 2019 is probably my all-time favorite look of hers. (Although, let’s be real. She looks amazing in everything.) I had no choice to pair this gown with Fashion Jungle by Kathy Ireland and Rachel Van Dyken. No, your eyes are not deceiving you! This book is co-written by a bestselling romance author and an actual SUPER MODEL. Need I say more? If you’re into the drama and glamour of Zendaya in emerald green satin, you will devour this story of four friends navigating the world of high fashion.
Claire Danes in an illuminated Cinderella ballgown by Zac Posen at the 2016 Met Gala and A Royal Christmas Wish by Lizzie Shane
I almost fainted when I first saw this gown back in 2016 when I was glued to the online coverage of the Met Gala red carpet (um, hello Anna Wintour, I’m still waiting for an actual invitation to this yearly event). Danes was the living embodiment of my favorite Disney princess, and the fact that the dress lit up with delicate fiber optic lights woven into the organza made it all the more stunning. If you love a Cinderella moment as much as I do, I highly recommend A Royal Christmas Wish by Lizzie Shane. I know, I know—the holidays are over, but trust me, y’all. This book is Cinderella-meets Hallmark Christmas movie, and the combination is everything.
Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen at the 2019 BAFTA Awards and The Royal Bodyguard by Lindsay Emory
Surprise! Did you know that one of Prince William’s royal duties is serving as the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts? Translation: we get to see Duchess Kate in a gorgeous princess ballgown every year at the BAFTA Awards. Last year, her one-shoulder white Alexander McQueen gown moved like a dream and looked just like something Princess Diana would have worn. (Her earrings actually originally belonged to Princess Di). Fans of this royal red carpet moment will love The Royal Bodyguard by Lindsay Emory, the recent follow-up to her wildly popular The Royal Runaway from 2018. Both of the books in this series are like royal romance meets James Bond—modern, fresh and regal. Wearing a tiara while reading them is pretty much required.
Gemma Chan in ruffled pink Valentino at the 2019 Academy Awards and The Story of Us by Teri Wilson
I couldn’t resist pairing my own new release with a red carpet look, especially when Gemma Chan’s dramatic ballgown from last year’s Oscars instantly came to mind. It’s as sweet, pink and lovely as a Valentine. Chan even wore a sparkly hairpin that spelled out “love.” But the very best part of this look was that the gown had pockets, and during a post-Oscars interview with Entertainment Tonight, Chan confessed to hiding cookies in the pockets during the lengthy award ceremony. Ah! A girl after my own heart. Like Gemma Chan’s ultra-feminine cookie gown, The Story of Us is sweet and romantic. It features an all-romance bookstore, lots of lattes topped with foamy hearts, pink cupcakes and a box of long lost love letters that just might be the catalyst to a happy ending.
About the Author:
Teri Wilson is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedy. Three of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies by Crown Media, including Unleashing Mr. Darcy (plus its sequel Marrying Mr. Darcy), The Art of Us and Northern Lights of Christmas, based on her book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel The Bachelor’s Baby Surprise. Teri has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses and Audrey Hepburn films, and she loves following the British royal family.
Connect with Teri:
Website: https://teriwilson.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
The Story of Us by Teri Wilson, out now!
A box of love letters from the past may hold the key to the future…
Jamie always adored True Love Bookstore and Café, and now she’s the owner. But businesses are struggling in her small town, and her beloved store is threatened by a new retail development scheme.
Sawyer, Jamie’s former high school sweetheart, startles her when he comes to town for the first time in fifteen years. She soon learns he’s the architect of the proposed development and he’s there to sell local business owners on his plan. Sawyer had no idea that Jamie had bought the bookstore and poured everything she had into it. If he takes it over, he’ll break her heart a second time.
Jamie’s discovery of a box of old love letters and valentines might hold the key to saving her shop. And after all this time, could love be in the cards for Jamie and Sawyer, too?
4 thoughts on “Perfect Pairings: Red Carpet Look and Romance Novels by Teri Wilson”
Perfect pairings, Teri!
Thanks so much, Denise! xoxo
Teri -you nailed the pairingS! . Now i want to read all the books
Great article! Thank you for the book suggestions! I’m all set for a week or 2!