Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

I'm amazed at how authors find ways of makes the French Revolution fresh and new in different aspects and perspectives. We follow in the steps of a maid of the wardrobe and see things from her eyes. I loved her loyalty and love for her family and her employers. I was afraid, thrilled, and couldn't put this down til I knew her fate.

I knew as soon as I started this book that it was unlike anything I'd read before. Maybe because of the times (late XVIII) or the fact that it was set in Paris, France. However, I've recently loved books based on real characters and the early reviews of this one helped me decide to read it. I was convinced.

The first thing you'll notice when reading this novel is that Meghan Masterson's writing feels both lyrical and easy to read. Based on the setting, I was afraid it was going to take me a while to get into the story, but instead I was quickly captivated by Giselle, the revolution, and her castle life. It is so different from what we're used to that I simply wanted to know more and more.

This was my first book about the French Revolution and I must say I actually learnt a lot, something I always appreciate, especially if I'm enjoying myself at the same time. The Wardrobe Mistress was a thoroughly entertaining book and it certainly had a bit of everything: mystery, friendsip, love... And in addition, it was fun and sad when it had to be.

My only concern was that I thought the novel had its dose of cheesy moments, which I'm not really a fan of. Don't get me wrong: I absolutely wanted Giselle and Leon to be together, but that included plenty of eye-rolling moments from my part. Oh boy, they could be saccharine. Despite those "harlequin-romantic-scenes", I want to say I LOVED both characters and they were really well-written, as their actions made complete sense at all times. Giselle was strong and vulnerable and even though she made some mistakes, I think I woul've done the same. It's so easy to judge if you're just an outsider. On the other hand, I have a weakness for the rebellious revolutionary type, so Leon was pretty much perfect from my point of view.

If you're looking for a quick-paced, entertaining historical novel featuring some romance as well, this is the ideal book for you. The Wardrobe Mistress proves that you can learn about history and enormously enjoy yourself at the same time.

Sixteen year old Giselle works for France's queen, Marie Antoinette, as an undertirewoman. From her position, she sees both the revolution and the tole it takes on the queen. Which side will she take? Where does her loyalty lie?

It was interesting seeing the queen from Giselle's perspective. I did like the reasonable way Giselle viewed the world around her: she saw the need for change, but she also saw the distress of the royal family. This serves to divide her loyalty and the realistic back and forth of Giselle's thoughts was refreshing to see.

The romance of the book was bland, in my opinion. I did not like Leon, and I didn't see any kind of connection between him and Giselle, beyond 'oh, we have a connection and I love him.' Their spending the night together before they are married was distasteful to me. Readers sensitive to sex scenes, be warned! There are two in this book.

The other characters did not stand out in any way, and each seemed merely there to serve a specific role. The writing, done in first person, does its best to pull a reader in. At times, there are modern phrases and a few too many forward thinking individuals.

Overall, it was interesting but I did not enjoy it very much. Readers who enjoy seeing teenagers experiencing historical incidents, and don't mind modern language, may well find it enjoyable.

Giselle is an undertire woman for Marie Antoinette. She spends her working hours sewing and dressing the queen and her long periods of off time at her family home in Paris. Outside of Versailles, the peopled are caught in a revolutionary frenzy, calling for a violent end to the monarchy.

This was a quick paced and interesting read. The dichotomy between the queen's household and revolutionary Paris really brought the story and situation to life. I look forward to reading more from this author. Overall, a hit!

This book was very interesting. It was very politically motivated, with a bit of romance on the side. It tends to be a little dry, but does follow one of the most politically interesting times in French history. This book takes a very unique perspective of the French Revolution. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will likely enjoy this book.


The Wardrobe Mistress is a bit of a coming of age story. It is in first person, written from the perspective of the heroine, Giselle. Her story, while fictional, is poignant. I hadn’t often considered how difficult the lives of servants in the palace must have been. The most ardent Revolutionists assuming all in the household Royalists, but most servants have a bit of one foot in each camp. This was a very interesting perspective to consider.

I also enjoyed the element of Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe. Though it is often commonplace today to dissect the outfits powerful political figures wear to various events, I hadn't considered the same being done to Marie Antoinette. It was intriguing to read about these struggles.


For me, this book dragged just a bit. It took me longer to read than I am used to. I think mostly because of how in depth it was. There were a lot of historical events taking place over a long period of time. However, it was also very exciting. I would encourage true fans of historical fiction to read this book.

Step inside Versailles during the French Revolution and get a taste of what life was like not only for the royals, but for those serving them and those outside the castle walls outside in this wonderfully written work of historical fiction. Giselle Aubry has the rare opportunity to be able to be on both sides of the fight and struggles with her loyalty to her queen and that of her family and friends. I felt Giselle grow before my eyes through her actions and experiences in a time of complete unrest. While this book is fiction, Meghan Masterson did a wonderful job researching and staying true to factual events and creating a beautiful and believable story that was never short on excitement and intrigue

Good scenes at times and very slow in others. Just an okay read to me.

Masterson is masterful at historical fiction! That's to say, I highly enjoyed this novel. The author did a wonderful job blending historical fact and nuances within the fictional life of Giselle. And as someone who has been fascinated with Marie Antoinette's younger years, I loved this look into the queen's later years after she's become a mother, along with her final days. There are historical novels where you know the outcome, but you read with high expectations of the author's storytelling. This novel excelled at bringing the inevitable to life. I recommend to those interested in the French Revolution and historical fiction alike!

Taking place during the French revolution, the story is about a young woman named Giselle who works in the royal household as one of Marie Antoinette's undertirewomen. At one point Giselle's uncle who used to be part of a spy ring called the secret du roi, asks her to spy on the queen and Giselle doesn't hesitate in doing because at first it seems like a great adventure. She grows more close to the Marie Antoinette over time and can't help being torn between her loyaly for the queen and supporting what the revolutionaries are fighting for.

Aside from Giselle working in the royal household and the revolution gaining momentum, there's also a romance between Giselle and Leon who's a enthusiastic revolutionary. I felt going back and forth between rooting for them but also at the same time not being sure if I liked them together. So I was definitely on the fence about them. I also didn't like some of the secondary characters. I couldn't connect with most of them.

I've always beeing interested in the history of the French revolution and the time the novel was set in, so that part I really enjoyed. I thought it was well-researched and the writing was good as well.

Overall, The Wardrobe Mistress by Meghan Masterson was a pretty good read but it wasn't enough for a full four star rating, in my opinion, so I had to go for three and a half stars. I enjoyed the story but I felt myself wanting that little extra that would've made it excellent.

In my day, you could just read Norah Lofts novels about Tragic Queens, but now, the genre inserts a teenaged commoner as narrator (in this case, a niece of Beaumarchais) and gives her a prole boyfriend who offers a lot of mansplainy exposition, allowing the protagonist to both have sympathy for Marie Antoinette as well as understand the injustice of the ancien regime.

Described as a book on Marie Antoinette, that is not quite right. The book is so much more. It details the life and times of a woman who worked for the Queen before the Revolution, her life during and finishes with the death of Marie Antoinette. As such, it is descriptive of the time of the Revolution and the life and time of Parisians particularly at the time.

It was a turbulent time and Marie Antoinette did not help herself at all by her behaviour. Her reserve was put down to arrogance, she was detested because she was foreign (Austrian) and whatever the King did or did not do, was put down to her influence (it was not). The King was indecisive and twisted every which way. Even after a decision was made, he could easily be swayed by any one of his Ministers who did not help his situation either.

Giselle is one young woman who works for the Queen particularly looking after her wardrobe. This is an area which has special interest to Giselle who hopes one day to design and make dresses for a living in her own shop. She is also a spy. This she does in a very unobtrusive manner in which no one, neither the Queen or her trusted woman Madam Campan is aware at any time of the double life which Giselle leads. Though she has been instructed to keep her ears and eyes open for any untoward happenings in the Royal Household, Giselle is sympathetic to the Queen and her plight because she realises very early on that the Queen is being held accountable for any wrong that goes on in the country. Unfortunately for Marie Antoinette, rising prices and the power of the nobility is so great , that nothing is done for the masses and the time for rebellion is ripe. Nothing is going to stop it now.

The end of the dynasty in France was pathetic, demeaning and aggressive. It did not bode well for France but people who were starving just wanted a change. They saw the opulence of the court and saw the poverty of their own lives in stark contrast. Giselle herself was not aristocratic but from a middle class background and she saw and understood life on both sides of the divide. She understood the hardships of the ordinary people very well but she also knew that the King and Queen were being guided by the wrong people and nothing could be done to save them.

Giselle herself was a self contained soul, she wanted what most young people want. A decent future, a husband and a happy home. She got out when she could because as she and her young husband knew a witch hunt would start to weed out any Royal sympathisers and having worked for the Queen loyally throughout, Giselle would be suspect.

The story of Marie Antoinette though in essence the story, the life of Giselle is for me the more focused part. The Revolution itself is the background.

The story was descriptive, and detailed.

Goodreads review up on 30/6/2017. Review on my blog 22/8/2017. Amazon is not permitting reviews as yet.

The Wardrobe Mistress is a wonderful new take on what we know about Marie Antoinette, moving us far out of the "Let them eat cake!" territory and enabling the reader to see her as a woman not just reviled by the French people, but as a mother, a caring person, and someone who was caught in terrible circumstances. I adored the narrator, Giselle, an undertirewoman to the queen, as she falls in love with Leon, one of the French revolutionaries. I learned so much about the French Revolution and I was fascinated at the role that fashion played in the uprising--how very French! When I finished the last page, I found myself wishing that I had a tricolor rosette for my own lapel. A stunning debut from a fresh new voice in historical fiction.

There are many novels written about Marie Antoinette, but this one shines not much explored light on her. She and her husband, Louis XVI, inherit a throne, but none of them is fit to rule. Both lack the political and economic skills, and not too many books explore this aspect, which this book does.

The story starts in 1791 and spans until 1793. It is voiced by a fictional character of Giselle Aubry. She grabs at an opportunity to work in the queen’s household as undertirewoman. She dreams about designing beautiful dresses herself and becoming another Rose Bertin, queen’s favored dress designer. As soon as she arrives at the palace, she witnesses political discussions. And outside the palace she observers “threatening riots over the cost of bread,” hears conversations of “the shamefully low wages, and the extravagance of the royal family.”

Her family represents the Third Estate, which revolts. Her family is better off than most of the families of her class, but she does sympathize with those who have much less and ask for a decent living. At the same time, she sympathizes with the queen: “…she’s a woman who does not deserve her fate, or all the blame heaped upon her personally, no matter what errors she’s made.”

“The Third Estate chooses a more patriotic name for itself, becoming the National Assembly” and insists on drawing up a constitution. With time forcing the royalty to move from Versailles to Paris to equally represent all people. Soon after “all aristocratic, hereditary titles are abolished.”

Two years later the riots and the French Revolution continue and some people inspired by the American Revolution start questioning the French Revolution, its brutality and effect.

The story is brilliantly written, very engrossing and touching. It gives enough details to paint the brutality of the French Revolution at the same time not overwhelming the story. I enjoyed the fictional romance between Giselle and Leon, which also touches upon a conflict of two people who care for each other, but are torn by the political situation that surrounds them.

I thought it was a good book. An interesting story. Reading it made me want to learn more about Marie Antoinette. It's true that the great women of history are always blamed for the screwups the great men of history make, and I'm sure this was no exception in reality.
I wish the language had been more of the period. There were a few modern phrases that popped up throughout the book, and the characters seemed very modern in their outlooks. I'm sure during that time there were women like this but I didn't expect to encounter so many of them in this book.
I'm a fan of happy endings. However, I think I would have liked the ending better if it had gone another way. I was waiting for a big twist at any point in the story, but it never came. It all seemed a bit too pat. Involving Robespierre was a nice addition at the end, and it was at that point that I thought something was going to happen. But everything all went too smoothly.

4 stars
The Wardrobe Mistress is told from the viewpoint of a sixteen year old Giselle Aubry, an undertirewoman to Marie Antoinette and a budding dress designer herself. Due to her position working for the Queen, she is in a position to see both sides of the political conflicts and unraveling revolutionary movement in Paris. When her Uncle Pierre asks her to spy on the Queen, she readily agrees, wanting to do her bit to support the revolution. But as the days go by, she grows closer to Marie Antoinette, becoming a trusted servant, and learns that the Queen is not all she is portrayed to be, resulting in her questioning her loyalties in a very dangerous time.
This book is absorbing, fast paced and accurately captures what the situation would have been like for the common folk during this tumultuous period in French history. I very much enjoyed reading this new viewpoint of a familiar story.