The New York Times bestselling journalist and author of The Girls from Ames, Jeffrey Zaslow, takes us to a multi- generational family owned small-town bridal shop to explore the emotional lives of women in the 21st century. You may not have heard of Fowler, Michigan, much less Becker's Bridal. But for the thousands of women who have stepped inside, Becker's is the site of some of the most important moments of their lives-moments that speak to us all. Housed in a former bank, the boutique owners transformed the vault into a "magic room," with soft church lighting, a circular pedestal, and mirrors that make lifelong dreams come true.Illuminating the poignant aspects of a woman's journey to the altar, The Magic Room tells the stories of memorable women on the brink of commitment. Run by the same family for years, Becker's has witnessed transformations in how America views the institution of marriage; some of the shop's clientele are becomi For brides across Michigan and much of the Midwest, Becker’s Bridal in Fowler, Michigan, with its famous, mirror-encircled Magic Room, is the only place to shop for the gown of their dreams. Forget the chain stores and online catalogs! Thousands of brides-to-be, along with their mothers, aunts, and sisters, make the trek to the tiny town each year to choose from among 2,500 dresses. Becker’s has been owned by four generations of women since 1934. The current owner’s great-grandparents took ownership in 1899, her grandparents in 1928, and her mother in 1974. An average of 54 Becker’s brides walk down the aisle on any given weekend, and best-selling author Zaslow (The Last Lecture, 2008) delves into a dozen or so of their stories, including those of Danielle, whose mother died when she was 14 and whose grandmother is there for support on dress-choosing day; Meredith, the 40-year-old bride who never thought she’d actually take that momentous step; and Julie, the 45-year-old widow with five children and four step-children-to-be. With three daughters himself, Zaslow has a unique interest in his topic, which he clearly relished. --Deborah Donovan “Zaslow captures the joy, hope, love and magic.” (Top Pick) — Bookpage “A compelling and sincere chronology of the experiences, tragedies, and love that led them to the shop. His narrative is sprinkled with fascinating statistical information … and insights into the lives and relationships of the four generations of Becker women who have worked at the store … A study of individual lives and dreams, this is recommended for casual readers and those with an interest in cultural and social customs concerning marriage, women’s roles, and parent-child relationships.” — Library Journal " The Magic Room has all the makings of a cozy, nostalgic wedding read. Tulle, check. Satin and organza, check. Bridezillas, drama and tears? Yes, yes, yes….the highlight of the book is the comings and goings of bride after bride through Becker's, Zaslow also details the excitement and joy of getting married and the commitment and dedication it takes to stay married." — Minneapolis Star Tribune “Interesting, rewarding and heartbreaking” — The Washington Post “Shows the poignancy in everyday love stories.” — The New York Times “Forget bridezillas.  A best-selling journalist visits a small-town wedding shop to uncover the poignant dreams of real women on the verge of commitment.” — O, the Oprah Magazine “A tenderhearted portrait of a bridal store in a small Michigan town... In a handful of their stories, Zaslow gently delineates the changing lives of women and finds—in among the mishaps, misunderstandings and tragedies that derail many relationships—ample evidence of the enduring power of marriage.” — People Magazine “The book itself — to use the manliest possible term — is lovely. As lovely as a bride.” — Detriot News “ Anyone looking for happily-ever-afters will find plenty of them here.” — Columbus Dispatch “Zaslow’s profile of the bridal shop, from the geopolitics of dressmaking to the effects of TV shows like Bridezillas , is almost as riveting as the bridal tales. The author plucks at the heartstrings as he relates all the yearnings of the brides-to-be and the travails they encounter on the way to the altar.” — Kirkus Reviews “Tender and intimate.” — Publishers Weekly “Zaslow captures the joy, hope, love and magic.” (Top Pick) — Bookpage “A compelling and sincere chronology of the experiences, tragedies, and love that led them to the shop. His narrative is sprinkled with fascinating statistical information … and insights into the lives and relationships of the four generations of Becker women who have worked at the store … A study of individual lives and dreams, this is recommended for casual readers and those with an interest in cultural and social customs concerning marriage, women’s roles, and parent-child relationships.” — Library Journal Jeffrey Zaslow was a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and author of the New York Times