Member Reviews

Mistress of the Ritz is a typical historical fiction novel. Good plot, good research and the book will take you back in history allowing you to see what the world was like when Blanche was Resistance while Claude used his contacts to convey wartime messages. Of course all of this is delightfully wonderful fiction.

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley

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I have read most of Benjamin's historically based novels and enjoyed them all; this is another winner. This time around she focuses on the manager of the Ritz, Claude Auzello, and his wife Blanche. As famous people come in and out of the hotel, as the Nazis make this iconic residence a meeting spot for SS powers, and as danger lurks around every corner as the secret workings of the French Resistance occupy the workers, we see the inner workings of the Paris Ritz. What I found most fascinating about this book was the relationship between Claude and Blanche; I realized that my initial opinions of their character slowly changed as the life of occupied France morphed the two of them into different people. If you like WWII historical fiction, this is the book for you.

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The cover, the premise of the book, all are engaging and gripping from the start. The author did an excellent job starting off with character development; however, I felt like mid-way through the book, the plot/character development/sequence of events got a little choppy. However, it was a very interesting story, and I loved hearing the perspective of those having to serve the Germans in Paris in WWII. I think this book will do really well upon its release.

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A lot of us readers who love the historical fiction genre are in a bit of a topic hangover with World War II. It seems to be every author's favorite time period these days, which means the market is oversaturated with World War II novels that all tell a slightly different story. However, Mistress of the Ritz is the wonderful exception to this problem. It tells the story of Blanche and Claude Auzello and their time in Paris during World War II. Claude is the manager of the Ritz Hotel and he's horrified to see when he returns from the Front that the Ritz, and Paris, have been taken over by the Nazis. This novel introduced me to a side of World War II that I had never heard about, the occupation of Paris. In this way, the novel feels new and refreshing and not like a novel similar to the one you just finished about WWII. It also tells the Auzello's story during World War II and during early times in their life, which helps move the plot of the story along and helps you understand why the middle aged couple act how they do. The novel was refreshing and new and eye opening to a part of World War II you may be unfamiliar with.

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Thank you to Random House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book.

I’ve read many WWII historical fiction novels and enjoyed how this one was told from the two main character’s perspectives, Blanche and Claude, but the main setting, the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France was just as much it’s own character. Blanche is a young American actress and Claude is a hotelier. They have a whirlwind romance and Blanche ends up staying in Paris. The majority of the story is told through their alternating perspectives during WWII as Claude is forced to cater to the Nazis, who have moved into occupy the hotel. Meanwhile, Blanche finds herself and a way to contribute to the resistance. While there are many WWII historical fiction novels, this is one that brings to life two real individuals and shares their story and how they endured the occupation. Highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction and a strong female lead character.

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Interesting insight into goings-on At the ritz during the war. Good picture of France during the takeover by the Nazis and how the resistance at the ritz was done

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Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. I am a voracious reader of WWll historical fiction, this one really surprised me, was skeptical of the shifting times and the slow start only to become mesmerized when all seemed to fit together.

Nothing bad happens at the Ritz! This is the story of Blanche and Claude who run the Ritz in Paris, during the occupation of Paris by the Nazis took over the Ritz. I enjoyed this story about a real life couple and the secrets and intrigue going on in Paris during WWll

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True-to-life stories are the best, and Mistress of the Ritz is no exception. It moves us into the Hotel Ritz, Paris, during WWII and right into the remarkable lives of Claude and Blanche Auzello, the hotel manager and his wife.

We are so swept into the lives of the hotel guests and the life of the city that the two are as vivid and well- developed as characters themselves. The appearances of Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Marlene Dietrich and other famous guests are not mere mentions; their residences in Paris and particularly at the Ritz are well-chronicled, exposing interesting and revealing incidents about their own lives and their relationships with each other. Also famous, or infamous as it were, are the Germans who commandeer the Ritz as their headquarters: Goering, Stulpnagel, and others provide an accurate depiction of the men who so thoughtlessly and cruelly consumed the lives of others.

Claude and Blanche Auzello keep the Ritz running like the heart of Paris that it is for discreet and discriminating patrons. Claude manages everything hotel and does it well. Blanche is the heart of the social atmosphere, the perfect companion to Claude's management acumen.

Then they come. The Nazis. Life as it has always been is drastically changed, and the duties of Claude and Blanche must be adjusted, without appearing to be so. What the Auzellos and so many others are able to accomplish, under brutal and dangerous conditions, requiring unbelievable sacrifice and suffering, is miraculous and inspirational.

This is a love story, on so many levels. Claude and Blanche Auzello were married for over twenty years and were never so in love as at the end. Parisians' devotion for their city and their love of France permeates the narrative, declaring the patriotism of postwar humility and pride in their countrymen.

Mistress of the Ritz will win your heart. It is to be savored - and remembered.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House.

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I did not finish this book. A few chapters in, the book seemed more focused on crude language than on plot or likable characters, and I gave up.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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Blanche Ross, an American actress, arrived at the Hotel Claridge in Paris with her friend in 1923. They were to meet Blanche’s current boyfriend, an Egyptian prince. However he was delayed for a week. Claude Auzello, the young assistant manager of the hotel was immediately smitten with Blanche and offered to show her Paris while they waited for the prince to arrive.

When the prince did arrive, Claude, forced him to admit that he had no interest in marrying Blanche. Then Claude proposed to Blanche and they quickly married. Blanche soon persuaded Claude to ask for the manager’s position at the Ritz. For the next 18 years the couple split their time between their apartment and their suite at the Ritz. While Claude ran the hotel with efficiently, Blanche spent her time entertaining celebrity guests in the bar.

Like many other Frenchmen, Claude keep a mistress. Blanche could not handle the duplicity and even left him for a short time. Then she met a young woman named Lily on boat back to France. Lily later returned to Paris on many occasions to help French Resistance fighters. She also engaged Blanche’s help. By 1940 the Germans had made the Ritz their headquarters with many of the high officers living there. It was Claude’s job to attend to the demanding Germans. Blanche was also friendly to the officers and assumed the role of the charming drunken woman.

When both Claude and Blanche became involved in the partisan Resistance activities, they each kept it a secret from the other. This all came to a head in 1944 on D-Day when the Allies invaded France at Normandy.

This is a historical fiction book based on the lives of two people who had a turbulent marriage but truly loved each other. They did their best to maintain the fanciest hotel in Paris during a difficult time. The author used a few books about the Ritz during the war and the Aurelio’s work there to create “a great big fat juicy story.

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This book is another winner for Melanie Benjamin. If you like historical fiction,, you will love Mistress of The Ritz. Set in Paris during the German occupation of World War II; you get a real feel for what life was like for Parisians...rich, poor, Jew, or Catholic and how much they loved tneir city and France. The book is rich with history with Claude and Blanche being the main characters, who live a wonderful life prior to the war as manager and mistress of the famous Hotel Ritz. Once the German’s occupy Paris and The Ritz, both husband and wife work, unbeknownst from the other, doing a small part for the French Resistance. You see all aspects of their marriage over a lifetime and what is ultimately important. The author develops all the side characters, most who were real life people and you find yourself wanting to know more about each. The book is a very quick read and you find yourself not wanting it to end. But be prepared for a surprise ending, I never saw this one coming!

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I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Paris during World War II has been the setting of many a novel. Benjamin's Mistress of the Ritz manages to take familiar territory and bring new insights to a painful, shameful time. Blanche Ross, aka Mistress of the Ritz, is an over-the-top American ingenue actress when she meets Claude Auzello, French hotel manager. Their love affair is dramatic, impetuous, and passionate. Although the two come from very different worlds with very different expectations of life, they marry and begin a life together filled with passion, anger, and eccentric behavior. A major presence in their lives is the Ritz, the fabulous and famous hotel to which Claude devotes his life. Floating through the halls were artists like Picasso, writers like Hemingway, and designers like Chanel. During World War II, the Ritz became a command base for the Nazis so their presence permeated every aspect of the Auzellos' existence. Now floating through the halls were Nazis like Goring and von Stulpnagel.

When they marry, Blanche and Claude really don't know much about each other or each other's activities. Years pass and they still leave much unsaid. The overwhelming dangerous presence of the Nazis only compounds their failure to discuss their own needs. Both commit acts against the Nazis but neither lets the other in on the secret. Both think the other requires protection as well as to protect the status and history of the Ritz. Their bravery while surrounded by the very essence of evil is amazing.

Well-written historical fiction can expose small windows of humanity and truth amidst the sweeping events of history. Benjamin has done an excellent job with Mistress of the Ritz.
#NetGalley #MistressoftheRitz

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I have enjoyed many of Melanie Benjamin's books. This one reads a bit different then her earlier ones ( Aviator's Wife, Swans of Fifth Avenue, Alice I Have Been...). The dialogue between the two main characters took me awhile to sink into. I do love how the author takes the Ritz and makes it one of her main characters in Mistress of the Ritz. While I understand there is not a lot on record as to Blanche and Claude Auzello, Benjamin is able to shed light on their contributions in WWII. Since there was not a lot to go by she did have to embellish and some of that came off insipid.
I throughly enjoyed learning about the Ritz and some of its history, and the role of the director of the Ritz. I loved reading about the guests of the hotel and the occupation of it by the Nazis. I do feel the need to go inside and see if indeed the pink light makes years drop off!
The idea of how Claude was helping the Resistance, all the while while kowtowing to the Germans was fascinating. The idea that his wife was helping as well without his knowledge was also fascinating and what a great front their positions at the hotel were.
I guess I wish that the two main characters relationship had not been so secretive, and that they were not caste in typical roles (Frenchman who has his weekly mistresses and drunk, silly American who is hurt by his actions, and) - plot movers I guess , then add the of lack of communication between two people, it seemed contrived. Too much bickering which I did not feel added to the story. Because of this the characters did not come off as strong as they could. Again, with not much on record it had to be fabricated in parts, I just wish it could have been different - who knows maybe this is just how they were. Certainly being a drunk, reckless, silly female would be a good costume to hid behind, as would a director keeping the reputation of his beloved hotel intact would too. I did hate how their real stories ended, but that was theirs, sad and incomplete as it was.

All in all I did like this book a lot, it had a different angle on WWII and I like how Melanie Benjamin tells stories about overlooked people. One thing that did stick with me after reading the book was at the end, the war is over and the famous, rich and privileged come back to the Ritz well fed and celebrating the end of the war. It was such an interesting parallel to the cities occupants coming back to their lives after the war.
Thank you Net Galley for this early copy of The Mistress of the Ritz.

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Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

For anyone that's read Melanie Benjamin's works before, you know she dedicates considerable time towards researching all aspects of her novels. It clearly shows in Mistress of the Ritz, taking readers back in time to 1940s Paris amidst the chaos of World War II. This becomes the backdrop for Blanche and Claude Auzello's story, a Parisian couple living a life of exquisiteness as Director and Mistress of The Ritz Hotel.

As the novel unfolds the story is told in alternating perspectives and sometimes alternating years, which at times can be tricky to follow. Nevertheless, readers become acquainted with the challenges of Blanche and Claude's marriage and the hardships endured during the Nazi occupation in France. Although this wasn't my favorite novel by the author, this was still an enjoyable historical fiction read that I'd recommend for any lover of the genre or WWII history.

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Wow - I had the great luck of getting an ARC of this book from Netgalley, AND winning a GR giveaway of a paper copy!

I do enjoy historical fiction, and I particularly like it when the author gives me some info at the end about how much is history and how much is fiction. As Ms. Benjamin points out, there is not a lot of solid information available about the people at the center of this book, so she was, in a sense, free to present us with a more fictionalized picture of their personalities.

At first, I was a little dubious - the book seemed set to be a "romance," focused on an unhappy marriage, with endless details - Claude felt entitled to keep a mistress and was shocked by Blanche's lack of interest in behaving the way a French wife should, she was outraged by his attitudes and behaviors. OK - there's only so much I really want to read about this! But, we then move into the story involving World War II, and realize that much of the plot happens because they have a lingering distrust of each other, causing them to keep secrets from each other.

Needless to say, a book set in occupied Paris during World War II is not going to be a happy, cheery piece of fluff! And, there are secrets referred to throughout - I won't mention them here, because it's more fun to figure it out yourself or to wait until the story reveals them. But, it's an easy read, pulling you along to keep reading even though you know that bad things are inevitable. Even though I had a pretty good idea of what sort of things would happen, I wanted to see how it played out. Ms. Benjamin writes a good story that keeps you interested in reading.

The one thing that did bother me was that there were some things that I would have liked explained. Since this was fiction, and apparently there is little historical evidence about these people and events, I think Ms. Benjamin could have taken a few more liberties and given some explanations of the events in the book. The last part, in particular, seemed too rushed, and I think the ending needed a little more explanation. However, I guess this allows me to imagine my own explanations!

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I really enjoyed this book and love that it was based in truth. The author turned people we know little about into rich characters with fascinating stories. Many authors would have ended this story abruptly, and I’m so thankful this one didn’t - even though imagined, the end of this story provided much needed closure to the book. The only part I didn’t like was how difficult it was to keep track of the timeline jumps which were a bit too frequent in the first half or so of the book. Overall would definitely recommend!

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I have been reading more historical fiction lately, and I really enjoyed Mistress of the Ritz. I was not aware of the Ritz’s history during WWII so this was informative enough to make me want to do a little more research into the topic. In the Author’s Note, Ms. Benjamin mentions that the Auzello’s were very much a real couple and that she was able to gather as many facts as she could while filling in some pretty big gaps. The story moved between Claude and Blanche really well; the pacing was good without feeling like you were starting and stopping between transitions. I like that the reader is given both of their perspectives on major events and turning points. It is hard to give too many details, for fear of spoiling some of the story, but this is definitely a book worth reading. The intensity of the story had me seeking out any moments I could in order to finish the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I love all things Melanie. Ever since I first picked up “The Aviator’s Wife,” and was swept away, I’ve been a huge fan. I’ve devoured all her other works. The only thing bad about a new Melanie Benjamin book is that when I’m finished, I have to wait until she completes her next one. Such is the woe of a reader.

When I was able to get my hands on an Advanced Reader’s Copy of her latest, “Mistress of the Ritz,” I truly had no idea of what it would be about…and didn’t care. From the cover, I gleaned that it was set in 1940, and of course, the story takes place in Paris. The mere mention the Ritz evokes imagination pictures of elegance and opulence.

I had no idea that the central characters of Benjamin’s were based on a real-life couple until I read the author’s notes at the end.

A Frenchman, Claude Auzello, is the Ritz’s director. He lives on-site with his American-born wife, Blanche. Claude oversees all the details of running the most glamorous hotel in Paris, and Blanche mingles with the guests. They seem happy, but behind closed doors, the Auzello’s marriage is falling apart.

Then the Nazi’s marched into Paris. The fear that gripped Paris was palpable and jumped off the page. The Auzello’s, like the rest of the Parisians, did what they had to do, whether it was serving the Germans with a smile or trying to stay out of their way.

The story isn’t a page-turner nor is it slow and plodding. It’s a look at life among the Germans in the occupied city. Readers get to truly know the characters, their fears, their personalities, what makes them tick.

Both Claude and Blanche are recruited by the Resistance, and they gladly, although unknown to each other, serve their country. There were some tense moments and awkward situations, but I always felt that they would overcome any obstacle. Until there was only less than one-third of the book left that is. Then, BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! Let’s just say all hell breaks loose, and the book has an ending that I never, ever saw coming. Yeah! As I turned the last page, I almost fainted, I as was unconsciously holding my breath.

I highly recommend “Mistress of the Ritz,” and it receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

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Mistress of the Ritz by bestselling historical fiction author Melanie Benjamin, features four main “characters”. The Mistress herself, Blanche Ross, an exuberant American flapper girl, is married to Monsieur Claude Auzello, the director/manager of the Hotel Ritz, Place Vendome, Paris. The Auzellos were real people and did live in the Ritz and run it, although not much is known about them.

The iconic Hotel Ritz, designed and built in 1898 by the equally iconic Cesar Ritz, is the third and perhaps most fascinating character. (Cesar’s partner was also iconic-Auguste Escoffier.) Many well-known and illustrious guests inhabited the elegant rooms and exquisite bars and dining rooms. And the fourth “character” is World War II and the German occupation of Paris, with its Luftwaffe headquarters in the Hotel Ritz. (All true, too.)

The story is told in the third person, alternately by Blanche and Claude, beginning in 1923, when they first meet. The debonair Frenchman’s heart “popped” when he beheld Blanche’s youthful beauty and flamboyant American personality. She gave him the nickname, “Popsy”. “Blanchette”, as he calls her, is fond of throwing vases at him- her passion is boundless.

The coming World War II, and subsequent German occupation of Paris looms over the story of Blanche and Claude, who it turns out have many secrets. When the Germans march past the Arch of Triumph, will the Auzellos cope, and will they and the Ritz survive? Haunting, compelling, troubling, emotional are all words I would use to describe this book.

If we changed the character’s names, the city and the war- we would have the story of “Gone With Wind.” Claude is Ashley, Atlanta is Paris, Tara is the Ritz and perhaps Hemingway can be Rhett. Certainly, Blanche is Scarlett and both women dealt with a major war. (And Scarlett liked to throw vases, too.) We readers love epic stories where seemingly ordinary people are shaped by a profound moment in history. But will Blanche succeed in growing up and finding herself, better than Scarlett did?

“As an armchair historian, I've always been drawn to stories from the past, stories that still resonate today—stories we may not know or remember. Untold stories, that explore the hidden corners, the locked closets behind the known historical record. Deeply personal stories, because history only comes alive when we remember that it was made by real people, people just like us. This is why I write novels about these people: Because facts are for the historian, but emotions are the province of the novelist.” Melanie Benjamin, Author

Author Benjamin has made the story of the Ritz, the war and the real people, just like us, come alive in a way that will continue to resonate with me. Readers will feel like they are sitting in the Ritz bar drinking martinis with Blanche. Did Blanche and Claude live happily ever after? Just like Scarlett, we don’t really know what their “tomorrow” brought, but I’m glad their story has been told.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and Delacorte Press for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

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This book opens with Claude and Blanche Auzello returning home to Nazi-occupied Paris. Their first stop is the Ritz, a place they call home, and Claude is the director. They are shocked and saddened to discover that it has been overrun by Germans and that they have been displaced in their own home.

This book spans two decades and is told in alternating POV’s between Claude and Blanche. We learn how they meet, their quick courtship, marriage and so on.

Claude and Blanche’s marriage ran hot and cold. Claude is French and Blanche is American. A lot of their struggles seemed to stem from their vastly different backgrounds. Although it seemed like they would almost be better off without each other, they did share a deep unbreakable love that was worth fighting for.

I enjoyed the use of the Ritz as the backdrop to this story. The Ritz itself went though quite the transformation throughout the years. It housed the rich and the famous and had its share of scandals, unsavory characters, and unfortunate deaths.

I had some trouble connecting with these characters. The best way for me to describe this book is peaks and valleys. I was up and down with it throughout until the end when it became very intense and I could not pull myself away until I found out how it would end.

Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end. It reveals a very shocking event that took place in the life of the real Claude and Blanche Auzello that did not make it into the story.

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