I received an advance reading copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair review. I requested it because I have read almost all of Melanie Benjamin's books. She is an outstanding author and can always be counted on to spin a fascinating tale.

This book, although historical fiction, is based on the real life and exploits of Blanche and Claude Auzello. Claude was in charge of Paris's famous Ritz Hotel. He married Blanche, an American girl, in the 1920s. He was a proper Frenchman and she was a strong-willed flapper who came to Paris with the silent screen star Pearl White. Their life together was anything but perfect yet somehow they made it work. As the Nazi's invaded Paris and took over part of the Ritz Hotel, both Claude and Blanche began working for the resistance--although neither of them knew what the other one was really up to. You couldn't help but cheer for both of them even though sometimes they made you mad.

Ms. Benjamin brought to life what it must have been like living at the Ritz, as well as the devastation wreaked throughout Paris by the German soldiers. It is unthinkable that someone could come into your city and just take over, but that's what happened. I strongly recommend any of Ms. Benjamin's books (I have read them all, but one) and this particular novel is filled with a richness that can only be found in Paris.

Thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary review copy of "Mistress of the Ritz". All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love historical fiction, particularly novels set in France during World War II. Paris, in particular, fascinates me with its air of romance, intrigue, and sophistication. Hence, "Mistress of the Ritz" was a no-brainer for me—I just HAD to read it.

Blanche, an American actress, falls quickly for Claude, a Parisian man with a passion for hospitality—"Mistress of the Ritz" is their story. Honestly, I wasn't prepared for this book. I thought I was jumping into a story of bravery in the midst of the German occupation of Paris in World War II. It is a story of resistance and perseverance but it's also so much more. Melanie Benjamin chronicles the journey of a marriage from its whirlwind beginning to its complicated and painful growth through the trials of war. "Mistress of the Ritz" is really about the anatomy of marriage—what drives two people to join together, what keeps them together, and what pushes them apart.

I loved the nuances, the in-betweens, and the gray areas that existed between Blanche and Claude and their relationships with others as well. They were extremely flawed but real and relatable. Despite its slow start, I appreciated the pace that followed in the first-person, alternating perspectives of husband and wife. As an avid reader of this particular genre, I was pleased to learn even more about this turbulent time in world history.

Trigger warnings for domestic violence, sexual violence, and adultery.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc. I'd never heard of Blanche and Claude before - the author's note at the end was very interesting. Most of the story, however, didn't pull me in and engage me, and I wish there had been more scenes centered on the work of the Resistance.

This was the first of Melanie Benjamin’s historical fiction books I have read, and it certainly will not be the last! Based on the lives of Blanche Rubenstein Azuello and her husband, Claude, managing director of the Ritz Hotel in Paris at the time of its Nazi occupation, Mistress of the Ritz looks at a side of World War II that I had never considered.
In this intriguing story, different worlds collide when American-born aspiring actress Blanche comes to France and meets Claude, a devout Catholic and Frenchman to the core. The two marry after a whirlwind romance and only then discover that their expectations of love and marriage are highly divergent.
Young and free-spirited, Blanche is dubbed “Mistress of the Ritz” because her dynamic personality spurs growth in the hotel’s business. When the Nazis take over “his” hotel for use as a headquarters, Claude must cater to the wants and demands of those who are defiling the country he loves dearly as he fulfills the responsibilities of his job. Because of the services he is forced to provide and the growing feeling of distance in their marriage, Blanche loses respect for her husband and is drawn into the French Resistance movement by her outspoken friend, Lily Kharmayeff.
The story alternates its focus between Blanche and Claude while jumping back and forth in time. Although at first this was a bit hard to get used to, the formula worked, giving me a fuller appreciation of both sides of this complex, fascinating couple and the world in which they lived. The intensity picks up greatly in the second half of the book, which is filled with unexpected twists and turns that make it hard to put down. I also loved how so many famous people were included along the journey, including Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Cole Porter, and Marlene Dietrich, among others.
I highly recommend Mistress of the Ritz to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or has a special interest in World War II. I am grateful to have received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley but was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

I have read Melanie Benjamin's other books and fell in love with the characters and settings. Her historical fiction are always rich with detail and filled with well rounded characters. That is why it saddens me to say that The Mistress of The Ritz and I simply didn't connect.

I had anticipated a book infused with life and intrigue at The Paris Ritz Hotel during the Nazis occupation in WWII. What I found was a story dedicated to the relationship between the manager of the hotel and his wife, Blanche - at least for the first half of the book. And in fairness to the book I stopped there as I just wasn't able to gel with the characters or their story. This is most likely because I had such a different thought about what this story was going to be that I couldn't connect with what it actually is.

Now that is the beauty of books - we all go in with different expectations and therefore have different experiences with them. I would encourage you to try this one and see for yourself if this is a fit for you!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House/Ballentine books for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was a bit disappointed with this book. The book has two main characters but we really never get to know them. There’s a secret but it’s really not. The author does a wonderful job of describing The Ritz Hotel during WW2 and the surrounding streets in Paris. The last part of the book finally has a little action. Too little to late!

The wartime story of paris’s Beloved Ritz Hotel has been relayed in Chanel’s biography, in a non-fiction book exclusively about the hotel and no doubt in many other vehicles. Melanie Benjamin has chosen to bring the hotel to life in a different way. She imagines the personal life of the hotel director and his wife, and the hotel springs to life in a very intimate, personal way.

Benjamin does a wonderful job in painting a complete portrait of this couple from the rough sketches she found while researching the book. I was intrigued by the complex relationship each of them had with the Ritz, and with their spouse. The story was poignant, and the author’s writing is capable, but not compelling.

This author is phenomenal, so honestly I expected this book to be a great read and she didn't let me down!
This book follows the story of Claude and Blanche Auzello, who were the people who were known to run the Ritz hotel during the period of the Nazi occupation of Paris. I won't spoil the book, but apparently this is a story that is known by few and there are not many details surrounding these two brave individuals. Using their vantage point of the Ritz, as the Nazi army was occupying there as well, Blanche and Claude were able to do many things to help the Resistance fighters. In interviews before their deaths, the two of them still never opened up on their parts in the fight, but gathering as many details as she could find the author has put together a great story!

BOOK REVIEW: MISTRESS OF THE RITZ BY MELANIE BENJAMIN
Intriguing, Memorable, Captivating

This novel took me to a time I don’t know much about. As a history student, I know the facts. But Melanie Benjamin takes us to the streets of Paris during the German occupation. Throughout her writing, I’m able to connect more with this time in history. When I think about this time, I’m able to visualize the characters I met in Mistress of the Ritz.

I always love a book with secrets. Add in secrets in a marriage, & that makes for tension, drama & keeps me turning the pages. I know Sarah raves about Melanie Benjamin’s The Girls in The Picture. I can see why. There are books that are slow to engage. Mistress of the Ritz grabs me immediately.

THE VERDICT
I’m Really Into This book! History lovers & people watchers would love this Mistress of the Ritz. It’s rich with history, imagery, sacrifice & doing what our heart knows to be right.

Special thanks to Melanie Benjamin, Delacorte Press & NetGalley for providing my copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

First line: Blanche is dead.

Summary: Blanche Auzello, the wife of the Ritz hotel director, is living a beautiful life in Paris until June 1940 when the Nazis invade. They take over the grand hotel and life changes drastically. Life under the occupation becomes strained especially for Blanche who is hiding a secret that could potentially harm her and those she loves. However, she and her husband are determined to do what they can for France and the staff of the Ritz, even if it means their lives are forfeit.

My Thoughts: I am a big fan of Melanie Benjamin. Her novels are always very interesting and filled with fascinating women. I had never heard of Blanche or her husband before picking up this novel. It sounds like life in Paris was very tense during the occupation but not nearly as bad as I imagined it would be. It seems as if people continued to live life as normal as possible during those years.

One of the issues I had with the story was that it seemed to almost center on her husband, Claude, rather than her. He references her often and thinks about her during his chapters but he almost takes over the narrative. And strangely I enjoyed his storyline more than hers. He could be a jerk but his story was more interesting except for when Blanche was with her friend, Lily.

FYI: Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn’s book, The Alice Network.

What a wonderful piece of historical fiction, based on real people and real places and the horrible circumstances of Parisians in WWII. Most of the action takes place at the Ritz Hotel where Claude is the director. Claude is French and Blanche is an American. After a whirlwind romance, they are married and begin a tumultuous relationship together. This is a story about their relationship with the Ritz as much as a story of their relationship with each other. When the Germans occupy Paris, Claude and Blanche both find their own ways of coping. They sometimes work together but mostly work separately and as they seem to grow apart, are brought back together time and again. This is a beautifully told story about the ebbs and flows of feelings in marriage even without having the war exacerbate the situation. It is also a tale of clandestine bravery and heroism. The pressure is on as Claude and Blanche maintain the orderliness of running a large hotel. It is very bittersweet but also a lovely tale. I enjoyed the writing style and will read more from this author in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have been loving the various books about women in WWII recently and this one didn't disappoint! This is historical fiction about Claude & Blanche Auzello during Nazi occupation of Paris. Claude is the Director of the Ritz and trying hard to keep the hotel running despite it being used as a Nazi headquarters and his American wife.

They are hiding a big secret about Blanche, but also keeping secrets from each other and trying to run the hotel.

Really enjoyed the writing and would highly recommend this book!

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews "Mistress of the Ritz" by Melanie Benjamin  May 2019

Melanie Benjamin, Author of "Mistress of the Ritz has written an emotional, intense, suspenseful, captivating, riveting, and intriguing novel. The Genres of this Novel are Historical Fiction, based on many true events, and Suspense. The timeline for this story is just before the Germans occupied France, and during their occupation. This takes place during World War 11.  The story takes place at the Hotel Ritz in Paris. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated.

I appreciate the amount of historical research and time that Melanie Benjamin has done for this novel.  The Ritz Hotel attracts many guests like Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, and others. Claude Auzello and his wife Blanche are considered the "Mistress and Master of the Ritz" Claude is the hotel's director and manager. The hotel is luxurious, and for the wealthy. The guests are treated to the very best of everything.

The Auzello's marriage is very complex and complicated and there are many secrets that are hidden in the Ritz. Claude is a Frenchman, and Blanch is an American, and their cultural differences are tremendous. When the Germans occupy the city and the hotel, life changes for the Auzellos. Both Claude and Blanche are harboring even more dangerous secrets.

During this turbulent and dangerous time of the war, the Auzello's have to learn that their fight is together. I highly recommend this novel for lovers of Historical Fiction.

The Ritz...it's very name invokes images of opulence and glamour. In the years before WWII it was the destination of the rich and famous. Claude Auzello, it's director and his American wife Blanche were the center of that life. Then the war came and life at the Ritz changed, Claude and Blanche were forced to change. Using alternating points of view Melanie Benjamin weaves a rich, intricate and engaging story of intrigue and danger, love and lies set during the French resistance. Mistress of the Ritz is also a study of a marriage that at times is very destructive and at times I wondered how it stayed together...but through it all Claude and Blanche loved each other. For anyone who enjoys good historical fiction this will make an excellent addition to your library.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

A beautifully written, powerful story of two extraordinary people who risked everything in a dangerous time in history. Author Melanie Benjamin has outdone herself with this historical fiction novel about Claude and Blanche Auzello, the director of the Ritz and his American wife during the occupation of Paris in WWII. These are two intriguing characters that Benjamin has brought back to life for readers to experience what they endured throughout the war.

I’ve read several other fictional novels set in this time period and also at the Ritz, and have heard of the Auzellos, so I was thrilled to be able to read more about their lives. With glamorous background characters like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Coco Chanel, and Marlene Dietrich, the Ritz comes alive, only to be trampled down by high ranking German soldiers who occupied the lavish rooms during the occupation. Through the author’s prose, the reader sees Paris disintegrate over time as the horrors of war takes its toll. But the people of France do not give up as the Resistance comes alive and the Auzellos do their part to help rid their beloved Paris of the Germans.

A must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction set during WWII.

This is the story of Blanche Ross and Claude Auzello in Paris from 1923-1945.

The Hotel Ritz on the Place Vendome in Paris opened in 1898.

Blanche meets Claude in 1923 when she arrives in Paris , he is the assistant manager of the Hotel Claridge.. He shows her the sights of Paris for the "week" she is supposedly going to be there.

The soon become engaged and he becomes the manager of the Ritz and he calls Blanche: Mistress of the Ritz.

When the Nazis take over Paris and occupy the Ritz, Blanche helps Lily with her Resistance work.

Coco Chanel lives at the Ritz since she has her shop nearby. She has an affair with a Nazi soldier and is kidnapped by two members of the Resistance..

The soldiers believe the two Resistance members are hiding in the hotel and go through the guests belongings and question the guests at gunpoint

Blanche and Claude confess to each other their work for the resistance.

With the Allies approaching Paris Blanche and Lily celebrate at Maxim's. Blanche gets drunk and hurls insults about the Nazi's. She tosses a glass of champagne in the face of one of the soldiers..

Blanche is Jewish , her real name is Blanche Rubenstein. She changed her name and got a new passport (new identity after marrying Claude. Claude knew she was Jewish since she had to turn him her passport when she first registered at the hotel..

Blanche is taken away to a French prison, she believes she is taken there because of what she did at Maxim's. The Nazi soldiers tell her they want her to acknowledge that Lily is a Jew and a member of the Resistance.
They know of Blanche's work for the Resistance and tell her if she just tells them what she knows about Lily they will release Blanche. She tells them she is Jewish but they don't believe her.

When the prison is liberated Blanche and Claude are reunited, but it is hard for Blanche to overcome her time in prison.

In the end Claude shoots her to put her out of her misery (madness) and shoots himself.

This book I thought was going to be quite a bit more interesting, instead it got bogged down with all of the things Claude did to keep the hotel running, his bowing to the Nazi soldiers occupying the hotel.

The few mentions of Blanche's Resistance actions were quite interesting.

A fascinating glimpse of what life was like at the Paris Ritz during the German occupation and American liberation. We get to know Claude, the French manager of the Ritz and his American wife Blanche. Their tempestuous marriage is chronicled in this historical fiction story by Melanie Benjamin. Part of their issues stem from cultural differences, part result because they aren’t completely honest with each other.

There are many famous patrons who flow in and out the story and the luxurious setting of the Ritz – Coco Chanel and Hemingway to name a few. And Germans too – Goring and Stupfnagel are real characters that populate the book. The book alternates timelines, but it is easy to keep the flow of the story straight.

Like many French during the war, Claude and Blanche find ways to disrupt the German war machine. On the surface, Claude must serve the Germans who take over the hotel, but he has unique insight by their very presence at the hotel. Blanche plays a unique role as an American who also now speaks French and knows German from her childhood. She gets drawn into some dangerous assignments by a dear friend Lily. It was fascinating to read at the end that this was inspired by real people – I always find these to be the most interesting of historical fiction books.

I had the pleasure of meeting Melanie Benjamin in February 2019 at a Denver book event and she spoke a bit about writing this book, so it was thrilling to read an early copy. I recommend this one if you are a fan of WWII historical fiction.

*Goodreads review will be updated next week on publication day

Amazing story of Blanche and Claude Auzello. He was the manager of the Ritz Hotel in Paris during WWII and she was his American born wife. Neither knew what the other was doing during the occupation of the hotel. Her distrust of Claude was born of his admitted involvement with a mistress early in their marriage and his of hers, well, he didn't like her friend Lily. The second half of this novel which imagines and fills in the blanks of the lives of real people is stronger than the first, although I would have liked a better sense of the aftermath. I had no idea that these two were such heroes. I have, however, sat on Blanche's favorite sofa in the lobby (highly recommend perching there sometime, especially during fashion week!) and have much more appreciation now. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction.

Fans of historical fiction, especially concerning WWII, should thoroughly enjoy Mistress of the Ritz, the latest offering by Melanie Benjamin. The story is based on a real couple, Blanche and Claude Auzello, and takes place in Paris, from 1923, when the couple first meet, through August of 1944 when the Allies liberated France, with a short epilogue in the late 1960’s.

Blanche, an American visiting Paris in 1923 with actor friends, meets Claude, a Frenchman, who offers to take her on a tour of the city. Though she is currently the lover of an Egyptian prince who plans to take her on a tour himself, she agrees. Claude disapproves of her friends and many of her actions, yet finds himself entranced by this brash, outspoken woman who is unlike anyone he’s ever met. In turn, something about Claude’s integrity and honesty resonates in Blanche’s heart. After a whirlwind courtship, the two marry and begin their interesting life together.

Claude is promoted to manager of The Ritz, a world-renowned hotel known for catering to the rich and famous. Blanche, determined to spend the day with her husband rather than waiting for him in their small apartment, begins spending time at The Ritz to learn all she can about the inner workings of the hotel and about the guests who stay there. Soon she suggests Claude ask the owner for a set of rooms they can stay in at the hotel, which would enable him to respond to off-hour requests more easily. The owner agrees, and the couple move into the hotel. Though Claude begins to recognize what an asset Blanche’s contacts and ideas are for the hotel, the couple have several continuing marital issues which spring from their different cultural backgrounds. Claude expects his wife to act like a French wife, staying in the background, dressing modestly, behaving with decorum and to be accepting of his taking a mistress, the norm in France. Blanche, as an American wants nothing to do with what she views as stifling, outdated expectations.

Against the backdrop of Blanche and Claude’s marriage, and of the interesting guests at the hotel, Paris begins to change with the arrival of German soldiers. While a bit taken aback by their presence, at first Parisiennes find little has changed. That doesn’t last long. Soon, the Germans have claimed half of The Ritz for their operations and begin to make their presence brutally known. It is so disturbing to see how insidiously evil takes hold! “This is what occupation does – it wears you down until you accept evil. Until you can no longer fully define it, even. Let alone recognize it.” (This is a quote from and advanced reader copy and may change in the final publication.) The French form an underground resistance movement, and soon no one knows who can be trusted. Secrets abound and danger is everywhere.

Melanie Benjamin once again shows her ability to transport the reader into whatever era and situations she is writing about. Her richly drawn and fully developed characters bring the story to life. All the characters are believable, and the author deals evenly with both political sides, showing the reader how some of the German soldiers were friendly and didn’t know what they are part of until it’s too late.

I found Mistress of the Ritz to be an absorbing read and admire the Auzellos for their parts in the war. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially concerning WWII, add this book to your reading list. I doubt you’ll be disappointed!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Delacourt Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Mistress of the Ritz is a historical fiction novel set during WWII occupied France. The main characters are Claude and his impulsive American wife, Blanche. The third main character is the Ritz hotel in Paris. Claude, the director of the Ritz, has to continue to run the hotel while high ranking Nazis are staying there too. This novel is the story of Claude and Blanche and what they go through during this difficult time period in history.

It took me a while to get into this book. At the start, the relationship between Claude and Blanche was difficult to read about, they were snarky and hateful to each other. There is a secret that is alluded to throughout the novel, which was pretty easy to figure out. So, there wasn’t much of a big reveal in the end.

What I enjoyed about the story was the backdrop; what it was like living in occupied France with your occupiers living next door. I like learning something new about an area in history that I have read a lot about. I also like to read about the famous figures that frequented the Ritz during that time period: Hemingway, Coco Channel, etc.

This book is recommended for people who want to learn about fascinating aspect of WWII history and for historical fiction fans. 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Mistress of the Ritz. Release date: May 21, 2019

Review was posted on goodreads and Instagram @lowkey.bookish on 5/14/2019.