The "Mistress of the Ritz" takes place mainly during the German occupation of Paris during WWII. Several German officers took over the famous Ritz hotel in Paris. The manager and his wife, Claude and Blanche Auzello, have to find a way to help their beloved country while catering to the dreaded Nazis. The Ritz, pre-war, was home to several famous individuals like: Hemingway, Picasso, and CoCo Chanel, just to name a few.

There were times that I thought Claude and Blanche were extremely selfish and self-centered but yet at other times, they both did what they could do for the French Resistance while keeping each of their rolls secret. I hate to judge a person on choices made during times of war or oppression. You do what you have to do in order to survive. After I have had time to think about the book, I realize that Claude and Blanche are heroes and possibly a lot braver than I would ever be.

Oh this book; it was AMAZING. Another fabulous war genre story that I knew very little about and certainly not the details you share. I could not put it down and of course many tears where shed. I too love Paris, and I think the author really captured why so many, especially Parisians do not talk of the war. 5 huge stars and this goes right at the top of all time favorite war genre novels. It has everything a great book needs, a great story, a fabulous setting and memorable characters.

Another wonderful Melanie Benjamin novel the characters the Paris Ritz came alive.I was transported back in time to a time when the French resistance existed a time when the Ritz was fantastic historical fiction at its best,#netgalley #randomhouse,

This book started out a bit slow for me, but eventually everything tied so beautifully together and I could not put it down. Although I knew that The Ritz was occupied by the Germans during WWII, I never knew much about it, nor did I know anything about Claude and his American wife Blanche. Their story was incredibly interesting and having not known anything about them, the ending totally shocked me. I have read a lot of WWII novels and novels about Paris, but not too many about the occupation of Paris and how life was for those living through it. It was an interesting perspective to see it from the inside of a fancy and wealthy place such as The Ritz. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC.

I am 40% through the book, and will not be continuing. After reading books like The Huntress, Resistance Women, etc., there are enough World War II novels that are more serious about the topic. The first 40% is too gossipy, too focused on the obnoxious behavior of chauvinistic Claude, and frivolous Blanche. I am sure that as the book describes their involvement in the Resistance it gets more serious, but I have little interest in the characters or the story at this point. Sorry for the negative review, which I won't be sharing elsewhere.

This is another story of World War II that I was unfamiliar with. It is a powerful love story, a war story and a story of Resistance. It tells the story of a husband and wife, an American flapper and a Frenchman, who kept secrets from one another while both working to undermine the Germans who took up residence at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. The author’s meticulous research is evident throughout the book as she methodically layed out the story. #mistressoftheritz #netgalley

Once again the magnificent Melanie Benjamin introduces us to a behind the scenes hero only this time it is a husband and wife team of hoteliers who help out the resistance. Claude and Blanche Auzello are the caretakers to the famous Ritz hotel in Paris which has become overrun with Nazi officers who have taken up residence there. Through subtle ways, the American born Blanche and her French husband seemed to be hospitable to the Nazis but behind the scenes took an active role in resistance activities without the other even being aware. Marriage is difficult enough but during a war, it is almost impossible. The bravery of ordinary people in wartime always makes for an interesting story but to see it from so many different people and backgrounds made this one special. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

If you enjoy a good novel set during World War II, Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin needs to be on your MUST READ list. This is a story about the real-life Blanche Rubenstein, a beautiful young woman from New York who longed for a glamorous life. While in Paris, she met Claude Auzello, who became the assistant manager of the Ritz Hotel which hosted many well known and famous people from around the world.

Synopsis:

Nothing bad can happen at the Ritz; inside its gilded walls every woman looks beautiful, every man appears witty. Favored guests like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Coco Chanel, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor walk through its famous doors to be welcomed and pampered by Blanche Auzello and her husband, Claude, the hotel’s director. The Auzellos are the mistress and master of the Ritz, allowing the glamour and glitz to take their minds off their troubled marriage, and off the secrets that they keep from their guests—and each other.

Until June 1940, when the German army sweeps into Paris, setting up headquarters at the Ritz. Suddenly, with the likes of Hermann Goëring moving into suites once occupied by royalty, Blanche and Claude must navigate a terrifying new reality. One that entails even more secrets. One that may destroy the tempestuous marriage between this beautiful, reckless American and her very proper Frenchman. For the falsehoods they tell to survive, and to strike a blow against their Nazi “guests,” spin a web of deceit that ensnares everything and everyone they cherish.

But one secret is shared between Blanche and Claude alone—the secret that, in the end, threatens to imperil both of their lives, and to bring down the legendary Ritz itself.

I had never heard about Blanche and Claude and found their story very interesting. I like that the author created a whole story about these fascinating people. Well done!

Due out May 21.

A book filled with drama, secrets and betrayal, this is Melanie Benjamin at her best!

When the Nazis entered Paris in June 1940, their leaders headed straight for the only hotel that mattered: the Ritz. Located in the city’s First Arrondissement, it was the height of luxury and style, the center of haute society. Designer Coco Chanel and writer Marcel Proust lived at the hotel, which also hosted artists and celebrities. Why wouldn't the Nazi's want to occupy the most famous hotel in Paris? This fictionalized account of Claude and Blanche Auzello is one that history has little knowledge of. Theirs was a whirlwind marriage, Blanche coming to Paris seeking a career in film, Claude as Assistant Manager at the Claridge Hotel, and then moving up to Manager at the Ritz. As a couple they had their secrets, not only did they undertake resistance work, but they had a troubled marriage. While the Auzellos take center stage, they are also accompanied by an equal being, that being the Ritz Hotel. It would seem that this glorious edifice was almost a living, breathing partner, pulsating and throbbing with all those who inhabited her in that year, 1940 and beyond.

Ms. Benjamin never disappoints and in this latest novel, she brings an obscure couple to the forefront. While the occupation of The Ritz Hotel is common knowledge found in other historical novels, this one if quite different, centering around a couple that history has kept hidden. Her research is excellent as is the drama of this story.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Mistress of the Ritz: A Novel* by Melanie Benjamin tells us the story of Blanche and Claude Auzuello during WWII. This book is based upon a true story. Claude was the manager of the Ritz in Paris and during WWII the Nazi's took it over for the most part. Told from alternative views of both Claude and his American wife Blance this is a book of secrets, and stories not told. It is a book of a tumultuous marriage in an already tumultuous time.

I loved this book and couldn't put iy down, I kept wanting to know what would happen. I love that it is based upon a true story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This is a tough one. The premise sounds so promising. The novel is set at the Ritz in Paris, where Claude is the director. Blanche is his beautiful but unpredictable American wife. They spend most of their marriage fighting with each other. Claude thinks Blanche should be, in his eyes, the typical french wife. This includes cooking for him and allowing him to have a mistress. But then, war arrives and everything changes.

While I enjoyed this book, like many other readers have pointed out, it was not hard to figure out the big secret being kept by one our main characters. I also felt there was too much emphasis placed on how often this couple fought and how unhappy their marriage seemed. I understand that it plays a part in their dynamic, but it seemed a little over emphasized.

I did enjoy the fact that this is based off of real people and real events. I had never heard of the Auzellos before this book. It does help to remind you that there are people out there who fight. All in all, an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

This book hooked me from the first page until the very end- I could not put it down and stayed up practically all night reading it. It truly brought the history of the time to life and made me feel as if I had actually been transported to the Ritz. I loved it and highly recommend it.

When I first heard about the premise of this book I fell in love. The premise the Nazi's taking over Paris and using the Ritz as a headquarters is intriguing. The best part? It is based on factual information! The Ritz is synonymous with luxury and grandiose staircases and over the top glamour. The author, Melanie Benjamin did a phenomenal job weaving fact with fiction and telling a previously unknown story of the war. I found myself stopping parts of the story to do my own research and this story is one of glamour and heartache in the throws of the war. Well done!

Mistress of the Ritz is an engrossing novel with complex characters. This novel is worth the read and will leave you thinking about it after you have read it. Melanie Benjamin is a excellent writer who slowly weaves her tales.

A very enjoyable, fascinating story of the Azuello's management of the Ritz Hotel in Paris during World War II. Heros during that war, they helped the resistence smuggle out allied airman caught behind enemy lines eventually landing Blance Azuello's an American Jew in prison. The Azuello's story should not be forgotten.

Mistress of the Ritz was not what I was expecting. It's not really a look at life during the occupation of Paris by the Nazis. It's about a couple--Lily and Claude.

Claude manages The Ritz in Paris. He is the old-fashioned manager who caters to his guests, no matter who he is, even if he's a Nazi. He realizes that their situation is precarious and does what he can to support the people of Paris. He ultimately knows that if the "guests" are happy, they are safe and he can do as he chooses. If they are not happy, life can be difficult and he will be watched even more closely. He really isn't a good match for his wife, although they seem to have a connection, perhaps even love. The ending implies that they were very much in love, but I never felt the love connection reading it.

Blanche is high-spirited and doesn't think before she acts. She follows her emotions and desires at the time, whether it is dating a guy she's just met or Paris or drinking until she gets drunk or drinking until she can't control her tongue. Her friends are not the people Claude would spend time with because they are people who live always on the go. Blanche can generally fly by the seat of her pants, but her choices eventually catch up to her. She doesn't like protocol or tradition. She wants to have fun and doesn't care what anyone thinks. She also doesn't listen to Claude when he tries to tell her the danger they are in.

I wish the novel had made me felt like I was in Paris. I didn't "feel" the danger and, therefore, wasn't in suspense as to what could happen. I also had no sympathy for Blanche or even Claude because they didn't really resonate with me. I did find the information interesting, as I was unaware of this particular story in Paris.

I enjoyed this book about an American woman whose husband was the managing director of the Ritz Hotel in Paris during WWII. The book moves along, and it's good light reading.

No spoilers, but what I first thought were flaws in the characterization turned out to be clever plot devices. This was a new technique for me, and I'm not sure it worked. However, readers should keep reading if they feel some of the characters' actions don't make a lot of sense!

This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. It is beautifully written and thoroughly researched. It makes history come alive and let me understand what it was like to live in France during World War II and the sacrifices that people had to make and the frightening experiences and times that they had to live through. This story makes the people of that era come to life and the characters of Blanche and Claude Auzell will especially remain in my mind for a very long time.

This book is a slow burn, but worth the payoff. I greatly enjoyed Melanie Benjamin’s other works, so I was excited to receive a free advance copy of her latest. I won’t spoil the twist, but it truly made me think deeply about another angle of WWII, and the lengths at which the French Resistance went to thwart their occupiers. Realizing the novel was based on true events and people made the novel that much more intriguing, gaining a depth Reserved for the most compelling of historical fiction.

What a fascinating novel! This is the story of an unlikely husband and wife duo, an American ex-flapper and a proper Frenchman who manage Paris' Ritz hotel during the Nazi occupation. Blanche and Claude Auzello struggle to retain the image of happily married couple as they face the realities of the occupation and their crumbling marriage. The details are impeccable and the story captivating. However, the Ritz is the true star of the book.