As the Germans advance at the start of World War II, Estella is forced to leave it all behind and flee to New York. Before leaving, she finds out a secret her mother has been hiding. On the ship there, she meets some wonderful people and dreams about making her mark on the world of New York fashion. I can see from this preview how this book will be so fascinating and I couldn't wait to see what else happened to Estelle, so I went and got the book to find out the rest of the story. Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the preview in exchange for an honest review. .

This is an enjoyable historical fiction. The story flips between Estella's perspective in the 1940s, and her granddaughter Fabienne's, in present day. Both characters are strong females who take risks and go against the grain to achieve their goals. They're likable, but just didn't have that extra pull for me to really root for them in the end.

Estella Bissette is forced to flea Paris for America in 1940 as the Germans advance, leaving her mother and everything she knows behind. Arriving in New York City with her sewing machine, a gold dress, and a few new friends, Estella is determined to uphold the promise she made to her mother.

This section of The Paris Seamstress was so enthralling - beautifully descriptive and deeply emotional. The characters are relatable and honest, and Estella is such a strong female protagonist. I can't wait to see how her story unfolds, and how the second half of the book looks back onto the 1940s. I definitely need to read this book in its entirety!

This was an excerpt for The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance copy excerpt in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher that gave me the opportunity to read the first 4 chapters of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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The books begins with the story of Estella, a young seamstress who, in 1940 Paris, dreams to become a fashion designer With the Germans beginning their invasion of France, and after finding herself helping the Allies, Estella is forced to flee to New York and to leave he mother behind.

These sample chapters swept me off my feet. The setting, the atmosphere, and the plot are captivating and suggestive, and Estella is an amazing and inspiring character: brave, modern, kind hearted, creative, and smart. After only a few pages I felt like I was walking in Estella's shoes and living her adventure. I also Lester's style quite elegant and descriptive, and I'm glad I doscovered this author.

I'm definitely going to buy this book because I want to read it all, and will probably read others by the same author too. I will write a full review on my blog once I've read the whole story, and if I like it as I liked the sample chapters, I'll certainly recommend it to readers and to foreign publishers for translation.

Being a seamstress myself I was drawn to the character Estella. I loved the authors descriptive writing style. The historical accuracy of the book is breathtaking. I enjoyed the preview and look forward to reading the whole book.

I picked this read now on a whim because I loved the cover and thought why not. I absolutely loved this preview, so much so that I've already ordered the full version. WWII stories always tug at my heart and Estella's story is no different. I couldn't imagine her heartbreak leaving the only place and person, her Maman, she's every loved.l behind. Watching her fellow French people flee the Germans was so hard for Estella, but she didn't have a choice. Luckily she quickly makes a few friends as she crosses the Atlantic to start a new lif in NYC. I can't wait to see how their stories unfold and what happens with Stella Designs.

I feel like the cover of the book captures the setting of the book perfectly. It's Paris in the 1940's during WWII. Estella, who is a talented seamstress, is forced to flee Paris for the safety of America. In doing so, she has to leave her mother behind. Once in America, she has to find a way to make a living. In this preview, you get a small peek at how Stella Designs is first discussed and planned. I really enjoyed this preview and intend to grab this book and read it in its entirety. The time period was described in such a way that you felt swept away in it.

This four-chapter preview has left me curious about what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley for this sneak peak.

The Germans are about to invade Paris. Estella is caught in the middle of a spy game on her way home one night. Her mother decides to send her to New York so that she can avoid the war.

Estella is a unique young woman. She grew up in ateliers. She dreams of designing her own clothes for everyone, yet is stuck copying down the designs of Chanel, Lanvin and all of the big couture designers, and selling the sketches to manufacturers to copy and mass market. When she arrives in New York, her contacts expect her to do the same work, not giving her a chance to create her own designs.

But then she meets Sam on the boat, and Janie, a model, in one of the showrooms. They decide to ban together to create Stella Designs, where Estella can create clothes for everyone.

I'm really excited about this book. I read the free preview (Chapters 1-4) and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book. For fashionistas and lovers of all things fashion, this is your book.

Although a preview of the first four chapters, i absolutely enjoyed reading them. Those four chapters soon came to an end and now i am eager to read the rest.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my preview chapters.

I received these 4 chapters to read in advance, and let me tell you, I read them and wanted more, so I purchased the book! Estella is such an inspiring and strong main character and I can’t wait to find out what happens to her. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set during WWII. I cannot wait to read more and find out how the storylines play out. I’ve not read many books in this genre that are set in the U.S. and am interested to see how the war going on will affect the characters destinies.

The writing style is descriptive and flows nicely, making it a real page-turner. Will be continuing reading tomorrow!

I love reading anything about WWII and this takes place in Paris right before the Germans marched into Paris and took over! Two women mom and daughter what they are doing and what they have to accept on a sudden change of life! The relationship between.mom and daughter is strong ! Beautifully written and you really seem to know the characters and get a sense of what Paris was like at that period of time.

Not so great. Kinda lackluster. I wasn't very impressed with the content of the story. Also, it was literally ... just the first four chapters? xP Not a real book, but I guess I'll review it.

Only could preview the first 4 chapters, but they have me wanting to go out and buy the book.

In only the first couple of pages, Lester managed to create a main character who feels real. Estella has a personality that shines through and really sets her apart. Some people can't accomplish that given a whole novel.

The settings are also what really made this stand out. You really felt like you were wherever Estella was. The places just popped and transported you back to that time.

Can't wait to pick up the whole thing to read more.

I received a complimentary preview of the first four chapters of this book from the publisher Forever, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester has you hooked from the first page. It is descriptively beautiful and written with such passion. It’s first chapters are full of intrigue and a hint of romance to come. Estella Bassette is a young seamstress when the Germans first march into the city of Paris. What’s to come spans a generation of secrets and family heartbreak that reverberates through time.
I look forward to reading the rest of Natasha Lester’s, The Paris Seamstress. A full review to follow at the completion of this book.

I originally downloaded a free preview of this novel issued by Hatchette from Netgalley. After enjoying the four chapter taster, I bought and read The Paris Seamstress fully.

Told from a duel point of view, the narrative switches between the two female protagonists; Estella Bissette's life as a seamstress, living in nineteen-forty Paris before she's forced to flee to America to begin a new life. Fabienne Bissette, Estella's granddaughter brings the story to the present time as she delves into her family's past after her father, Xander died.

Filled with heartbreaking intrigue, the shocking discoveries made by Fabienne certainly add darkness to the riveting narrative. Fear not, plenty of high points are included too. With equally fascinating characters who pull everything together in this well-researched page-turner.

'That a piece of clothing could do so much. That it had power beyond the fabric and the thread and the pattern.'
It's always a delight to learn something new when reading a novel and I particularly enjoyed learning the fascinating details and techniques used by seamstresses working on couture designs. The insightful inclusion by the author is a fascinating embellishment for this curious reader. It's always a treat to finish a book knowing more than I did before I began.

My favourite reads for 2018 have mostly been those with a historical theme and The Paris Seamstress is definitely one which leaves a lasting impression.

I loved Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, and I have Martha Hall Kelly's The Lilac Girls on my TBR, and Lester's The Paris Seamstress definitely belongs on the same shelf of women's stories in WWII shelf. I can't wait to read the full book soon!

Thanks to NetGalley for the preview of the first 4 chapters.
This book sound like one I'd enjoying reading.

I really enjoyed this sample. Thanks for the sneak peak into this story. I would definitely read the book and recommend it to others.

Sign me up! The Paris Seamstress is so well-written and captivating! I was extremely drawn in to Estella's story. While I only got to read a small piece of the journey, I am sure that this book is an emotional and heart-breaking roller coaster of ride. I can already say that the author spares no character or historical details, and the story is rich and full of vivid drama. I have added this to my TBR and can't wait to read the whole thing one day.