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A sweeping story of sisterhood, love and resilience, The Cairo Bridal Shop by Tess Woods is a powerful novel set against the vibrant backdrop of modern Egypt. Blending family drama, romance and political tension, it follows three sisters connected by their late mother's bridal shop as they fight for the futures they want.

Sarah dreams of becoming a mother while her marriage falls apart. Aya risks everything to save the man she loves from political imprisonment. Lola struggles to embrace her true identity in a society where being herself comes at great risk. Together, the sisters face difficult choices, finding strength in one another as they navigate family expectations, cultural traditions and political unrest.

Inspired by Tess Woods' early childhood in Egypt and her family's migration to Australia in 1979, The Cairo Bridal Shop is also a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother, a bridal dressmaker who rebuilt her life in Australia. It is both a love letter to Egypt and a celebration of the courage, hope and enduring bonds of family.

Tess is the author of the breakout novel The Venice Hotel, which achieved significant commercial success, hit #3 in the Australian Fiction chart in its first week, was shortlisted for the ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year and made the top ten in the Better Reading Top 100 for 2025. The novel marked a major turning point in Tess’s career, taking her from an under-the-radar author to a bestseller.

Presented by Dillons Bookshop and NPSP Libraries. 

Copies of The Cairo Bridal Shop will be available for purchase on the night. Tess will be signing copies of her book after the event.