I really wanted to love this story. I enjoy books written about or set during World War II. Overall, the story was good, but I felt the main characters were lacking. They seemed superficial and while they were assisting the Resistance in Paris, it was hard to feel their passion for it. At the end of book, I read the author's notes. She stated she could find very little in Blanche and Claude while doing research and created the story from basic facts. It made sense why the characters felt lacking.

Lately I have been reading a lot of WWII books and this story was particularly interesting: a story about a troubled marriage and a spy for the French Resistance, set in Paris's Hotel Ritz. Ms. Benjamin imagines an event that actually took. place.
The plot line seemed somewhat contrived, but overall the characters were well described.

I’m a voracious reader of WW2 fiction and non-fiction, I love Paris and I enjoyed Melanie Benjamin’s Swans of Fifth Avenue (though not so much The Girls in the Picture), so there was no chance I wasn’t going to read this book. On the other hand, I was underwhelmed by a recent book about The Ritz in World War II, Tilar Mazzeo’s The Hotel on Place Vendome. Because of those competing experiences, I went into this with a wait-and-see attitude.

The book started off a little too self-consciously portentous for me, as Claude and Blanche Auzello return to the Ritz from the south soon after the Nazis have taken Paris and commandeered half of the Ritz. Then, a hint is dropped early on about some secret of Blanche’s, and you just know this will be oh-so-subtly alluded to several times before there is finally a big reveal. That kind of plot element always seems gimmicky to me, especially when (as in this case) it’s not difficult to guess what the secret is.

Despite this inauspicious start, I read on. I’m not finding the story of Claude and Blanche’s relationship particularly interesting, but I continue. I’m figuring things will become more compelling when the focus is on the WW2 era when the Germans occupied Paris and one of the two wings of the Ritz became home to the Nazi command.

Well, it would have been more compelling except for one thing or, actually, two things. First, so much of the plot depends on Claude and Blanche not confiding in each other. In fiction, this is called the “idiot plot” and I really dislike the idiot plot. But even worse than the idiot plot is a character you are supposed to like but who behaves like an idiot. And that’s Blanche, the quintessential too-stupid-to-live character. Not that she’s actually stupid; no, she’s worse because she does things that are needlessly risky and dangerous for herself and others. It’s infuriating and unnecessary to the plot, because all the same things in the plot could have happened without Blanche behaving stupidly. In other words, let’s have the woman character behave idiotically for no good reason. This is not something I admire in a novel.

On the plus side, the last 10% of the novel, from the time the Allies re-take Paris, is strong and affecting. Too little, too late for me, though.

Melanie Benjamin writes that she was inspired to write a novel about Claude and Blanche Auzello because there is little historical documentation about them, even though he ran the Ritz for decades and he and Blanche lived there through the intense WW2 period. She’s absolutely right that this makes them seem like great characters for a historical novel. I just wish she had not treated Blanche so shabbily.

Thoroughly enjoyed this engrossing novel. I've read so many books about this time period - and this was a new perspective. Highly recommend.

Did not finish- been having trouble with historical fiction lately. Got about 55% through but life is too short. Boring, all over the place, and unlikable characters.

1/5

This book, based on real life people, is the story of Blanche and Claude Auzello during WWII in Paris. Blanche, an American, and Claude meet during her stay at a Parisian hotel. Even though she is engaged to another man, they are soon inseparable and are married. Claude becomes the manager of the Hotel Ritz and Blanche, its Mistress. There are a lot of well known and influential people that grace the Ritz and make cameos in this story. On a trip away from the Ritz, Blanche meets a young woman, Lily, and together they work for the Resistance working on missions. Blanche keeps this secret from Claude, who has a couple secrets of his own. I wish the author had focused more on the Resistance and the missions that Blanche and Lily performed for it. Unfortunately, a large portion of the book deals with the relationship between Claude and Blanche, Their relationship is troubled, unhealthy and monotonous. I found myself skimming sections in search of more information about Blanche's missions, etc. I found myself wondering why Blanche and Claude were even together. They didn't seem to have any real affection for each other until it was almost too late. And even then, as the story ends we learn of the devastating final end of their relationship.

Mistress of the Ritz tells the story of Blanche Ross, a young American woman who travels to Paris with Pearl White, a friend who is her link to get into the movie industry. At this time, Blanche was the paramour of an Egyptian prince, J'Ali, and was to meet him in Paris. Before the prince arrives, she meets Claude Auzello, a Frenchman that manages the Hotel Claridge. Claude is enamored with Blanche, and they have a whirlwind courtship and get married. The format of the book has the chapters going back and forth between Blanche and Claude, which works very well, as they are two very different personalities and gives the reader a clear perspective on each of them. Upon Blanche's urging, Claude becomes manager of The Ritz Hotel in Paris. The hotel actually takes on a life of its own, thus becoming, in my opinion, another main character in the book. The couple struggles with their relationship while becoming more and more entangled in The Ritz. When the Nazis take Paris, during the second World War, The Ritz becomes one of their main headquarters. The experiences of Claude and Blanche during the Occupation become even more complex. The reader gets a view of Paris during and even after the Occupation that is rarely seen or discussed. There are some unexpected plot twists in this book and Melanie Benjamin, as usual, does a great job embellishing the missing parts of this story, of which there are many. She explores the relationship of a husband and wife amid the complications of war, mistresses and even the toll a demanding job can take on a marraige. Thank you Random House-Ballantine Publishing Group and Netgalley for sending me this preview copy of this wonderful new book by one of my favorite authors. I have reviewed on Goodreads, and will review on Amazon when the book is released.

I'm unsure of how I feel about this book and story. Almost the whole first half, character development, yes, but a lot of name dropping, was rather dull. However, it seemed to be necessary for the second half of the story about the three main characters; Blanche, Claude and The Ritz Hotel in Paris. It still surprises me, after reading so many books that take place during WW2, that I am still learning new things that happened then. I enjoyed the author's embellishment of the lives she invented for what is not historically known about the real life people, Blanche and Claude Auzello. I also agree with her that the historical records of these people that have them taking back their lives after the war and going back to the way things were at The Ritz Hotel like there was no war and living happily ever after just did not make sense. I like Melanie Benjamin's take on the Auzellos and ended up liking the story.

Historical fiction about the director of the RItz, Claude Auzello and his American flapper wife, Blanche (the mistress of the Ritz). I love historical fiction for it's ability to entertain as well as educate. It seems the author has done very thorough research of this time in history. It is a thoughtful story of the couple doing their best for each other, the hotel, and their guests during the terrible time during WWII and just prior to it. Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was written with incredible heart. I’ve read many WWII historical books, put this one gave me a view point I haven’t had. The story, based on real people managing and living at the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris during the National occupation. The hotel was home to many famous characters including Chanel and Hemingway. Then in an instant the Manager and his beautiful American wife are playing hot to Natzi command. For four year! To live under so much pressure; loving France, seeing it destroyed, working with the resistance and never knowing if what you are risking will make a difference an that at any momment you could be caught and shot. The relationship between the Manager and his wife is fraught with almost continual conflict. Under this is a deep love they almost fail to reconize in time. I highly recommend this book and thank the publishers; Penguin Random House and Netgallery for the opportunity to read an advance copy. I look forward to reading more by this terrific author.

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.

Based on true events, Mistress of the Ritz is a taut tale of suspense wrapped up in a love story for the ages, the inspiring story of a woman and a man who discover the best in each other amid the turbulence of war.

Blanche is an inspiring historical figure. She risked everything to maintain who she truly was and was unapologetic for it. Going into this book, I knew nothing about Blanche and Claude Auzello, but I am glad I know their story and sacrifices now. I give Mistress of the Ritz 4 stars. It was slow to start, but when it got going, I couldn't put it down.

Mistress of the Ritz is an interesting story. A married couple, Blanche and Claude, run The Ritz in Paris. During the
WWII occupation of Paris, Nazis billeted the Ritz. Imagine catering to people you despise. The story is told from different perspectives which is intriguing. It's always nice to understand how different characters view the same situation. It's a well written thoughtful story about a couple doing their best with the hotel and their marriage during a terrible time. It's a good piece of historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Melanie Benjamin has taken an account from history and given it a realistic bent to what could have happened to these real people. Set in Paris during the Nazi occupation, the story of American Blanche Auzello and her Ritz Director French born husband Claude is told from the glamorous perspective that is the Ritz. However, Blanche and Claude have secrets. Secrets they keep from their "guests" and each other. With both working for the French Resistance, this historical fiction account of the lives of people in Occupied France are told through their eyes. Benjamin even brings up the real-life scandal of the Auzellos that leaves the reader wondering if all this really is what happened.

I really enjoyed this story! You are involved in their marriage,they give you the thoughts on both man and woman in this marriage,if they had only talked to each other a lot of hurt would have been avoided. During the Germans taking over Paris what it was like during this time period,how no one trusted anyone scared to death in anything you said of did or who you knew! Working behind the scenes of the Germans waiting on the Americans to come rescued them,snuggling Allies out of Germany. I really enjoyed this story of the hotel the different guest that would stay and how it is to run a hotel as such a wonderful hotel as the Ritz.

A new book from the wonderful Melanie Benjamin is always a highly anticipated and eagerly awaited treat. This new one, though not quite up to her usual standard of excellence, is nonetheless still a page-turner, with the second half much superior to the first in a variety of ways. That said, the book has stayed with me and now (as ever) I can't wait for her next one.

Melanie Benjamin does it again with this wonderfully imagined tale of real life husband and wife Claude and Blanche Auzello. Claude was the director of the famed Ritz in Paris during WWII and had to grit his teeth while the Germany Army took occupation of the better half of the hotel. Blanche and Claude had had a whirlwind courtship, neither one really understanding the other and their relationship is passionate, yet contentious. How they endure the war and find their way back to each other makes for a delicious read peppered with legendary people such as Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway. This is definitely one for book clubs.

This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last! The story was engaging, the characters multi-dimensional and the historical detail fascinating!

I am 35% into this book and it has basically just been a story about their trivial marriage. I feel like maybe it is building up but I can't bring myself to keep reading it. WAY too much focus on their marriage problems. I understand both Claude and Blanche as characters now and have started skipping over all the unnecessary story-telling yet it keeps going and going!! I thought this book would be more like The Nightngale or Alice Network but instead...it is turing out to be a book soley about their marriage.

Engaging story of Claude, the manager of the Ritz and his wife Blanche set during the German occupation of Paris in WWII.
It was told in a realistic and easy to follow story line and the characters were more complicated than I initially thought.
As the hotel is taken over by more and more Germans, they both find individual ways to support the Resistance unbeknownst to each other. Their marriage is a rocky one. She thinks he panders to the Germans and he thinks she is a ditz who spends her time drinking in the hotel bar, especially when her friend Lily is in town.
Many times when reading historical fiction novels, there are split time lines. I enjoyed that this wasn’.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

A love story...a war story...a story of passion and courage and misunderstanding. Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin is all of those and more. Blanche Rubenstein, a young American Jew, meets Claude Auzello, a Catholic Frenchman, and so begins an amazing story. After a whirlwind courtship Blanche and Claude marry and take up residence that the Ritz in Paris, where Claude is the manager. Life was good for the Auzellos, and then the Nazi's invaded Paris, and moved into the Ritz. It was a time fraught with danger and tension, as the wrong word could end up with death, and Blanche has the secret of her jewishness to hide. Both Auzellos walk the political tightrope with skill and daring, each not knowing just what the other was doing to help win the war, both in terrible danger.

Mistress of the Ritz has a cast of indelible characters in addition to Blanche and Claude: Lily, Blanche's bohemian friend who Claude fears leads Lily into dangerous and foolish action. Frank the bartender, who is not who he seems. Some are real, others are not. But the time and the place are all real, and Melanie Benjamin has created a story that is irresistible. Mistress of the Ritz is one of those books that will leaving you reading long after you should have gone to bed!