Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their parents young, they’ve grown up under the supervision of nuns preparing them for simple lives as tradesmen or shopkeepers wives. At night, they dream of romance and fashion like their stash of magazines and novels hidden in a floorboard.

When the sisters finally age they set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey takes them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the beautiful performances of Vichy and to the rue Cambon in Paris.

The sisters lives meet turmoil again as WW1 breaks out and their lives change forever. They must make hard choices, gather their courage and fashion their places in the world with and without each other.

This book was interesting and well, it was sweet. It shied away from anything truly serious only hinting on the perils of the sisters young life and the devastation of WW1. It did however tell us the story of Antionette , “Coco’s” little sister. I didn’t even know she had sisters?! It was amazing to see how much determination these women had when everything that they were given were scrapes. I loved the glamour, the fashion and all of the details behind hat making. I didn’t know that Chanel started with hats either. The streets of Paris come to life in this novel. Apparently I learned a bit with this and that’s why historical fiction is nice. This wasn’t too serious, nor will it win major awards but it was a nice distraction from the mess that is the US currently. I would definitely recommend it.

This book! These sisters! We've all heard of Coco Chanel and the House of Chanel and Chanel No. 5, but the back story! Obviously this is a fictional treatment of historical events, but it gives the reader a peek into the life and times of the entire family and their trials and tribulations. All was not beauty and light.

I will preface this by saying I don’t read a much historical fiction. However, I teach fashion classes so this stuck out to me. The first part of book did not draw me in. It was a struggle and I felt like not a lot was going on. It was a miss for me.

THE CHANEL SISTERS by Judithe Little is a historical fiction novel featuring the Chanel sisters and is told from the perspective of the youngest sister from the time they are placed in a convent orphanage until her death in 1921. The author gives us a fascinating look at the early establishment of a new fashion style and the birth of a business empire run by women in a society dominated by men.

With the death of their mother and abandonment of their father, the three Chanel sisters, Julia-Berthe, Gabrielle and Antionette are placed in a convent orphanage. As they grow up under the strict rules of the nuns, they always believe they are destined for “something better”.

Antionette is the youngest sister and the story of their early lives is told from her perspective. From the freedom, but poverty of their aging out of the convent to the hard work to learn and establish a business of their own, the author vividly portrays the French society and class system they had to struggle against. The sisters refused to settle for being members of the merchant class but continually strived to be financially independent. With the rise of “Coco” Chanel and the Chanel brand, Antionette is by her sister’s side assisting in the business as it expands and continually fighting against the strictures placed on women in early the 1900’s society.

I found this book difficult to put down. I find the story of any woman who beats the odds to succeed against not only personal, but societal strictures and norms very interesting. Ms. Little did a great job of bringing the sisters and the time period to life even if liberties were taken for the story. Coco’s story goes on for another 50 years, but this book and part of her life ends with of the death of the narrator.

I recommend this historical fiction for a unique look at the Chanel rags to riches story.

4.5 Stars

I’m delighted to take part in the Fall 2020 Blog Tours for Historical Fiction From Harlequin Trade Publishing! Thanks for the invitation. Thanks #Netgalley #HarlequinPublishing @HarperCollins for an electronic complimentary copy of #TheChanelSisters for review. All opinions are my own.

Hats…Fashion…Perfume

Raised in a strict convent orphanage, the Chanel sisters, Gabrielle (“Coco”) and Antoinette, know that they are destined for something better. They hide romantic novels and fashion magazines from strict nuns as they envision a different life. When they age out of the orphanage, Gabrielle and Antoinette set out to create a life for themselves, hoping desperately to leave their poverty behind. Finally, they establish a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris. As their fashionable and well made hats gain popularity, WW1 breaks out. Ultimately, they go their separate ways as they continue to courageously find their own places in the world.

The engaging story of The Chanel Sisters is told from Antoinette’s perspective. Very little is known about her, so Antoinette’s portion of the story is highly imagined. I enjoyed this perspective because it shows the important contributions of the lesser known sister.

I enjoyed both Antoinette and Gabrielle (“Coco”) and their remarkable and heartbreaking story. They are determined and work hard to create their own luck. I love that Gabrielle redesigns the uniforms they are required to wear in the convent orphanage. I love that they reread the same romantic novel over and over and that they keep a secret collection of fashion cutouts from magazines as inspiration. I love Gabrielle’s ability during the war to create fashion from plain gray jersey. I love that Gabrielle is ahead of her time, an out-of-the-box thinker, and a confident trend setter (she remarks when criticized about not following trends that SHE sets the trends!). I love their devotion to each other and appreciate the 360 degree look at their lives–their childhood, the business (hats, clothing, and perfume), and their romances.

In the story, we are transported to the years between 1897 and 1921, and the time and place are well detailed and excellently described.

Thoughtful themes include “rags to riches,” determination, hard work, sibling loyalty, class (“elegantes” vs the poor), trend setting, forward thinking, creativity, confidence, resourcefulness, and risk-taking,

You know I love the histfic genre! I love learning more about the Chanel sisters, especially that they came from a large, poor family and that they were trendsetters in running their own business and designing comfortable clothing for women.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating story, and I’m highly recommending The Chanel Sisters for readers who love character-driven and page-turning histfic, for those who enjoy stories about inspirational and trendsetting women, for fans of fashion, and for book clubs.

A story of loss, love, survival and beating all odds. I didn't realize there were Chanel "sisters" that were behind the "empire". Very interesting historical account of the survival of this family and the hard won battle to the top. Very well written - very interesting.

The Chanel Sisters is the remarkable and sometimes heartbreaking story of Coco Chanel and her sister, Antoinette. After overcoming poverty and growing up in a convent, the sisters struggled to make their way in the world and left an indelible mark. I loved this story and can’t wait to see what Judithe Little writes next!

I had no idea that Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had a sister Antoinette and when I read the synopsis for this novel I just couldn’t wait to start it. This is told in Antoinette’s point of view and it starts with the sisters growing up poor and destitute in a convent orphanage after their mother dies to the start of WWI where Chanel’s fashion empire is starting to rise. I really enjoyed reading the mix of historical events and the backdrop of the life of these sisters and how it intersected. I loved the depiction of their bond and how Antoinette went from little sister who relied on her big sister to an independent woman who supported Coco’s ambitions and helped her succeed. This was a really interesting read and I loved reading about Chanels early years which I didn’t really know anything about.

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

I was thrilled to be able to take part in the blog tour for this fascinating book: The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little, about Antoinette and “Coco” Chanel. Told from Antoinette’s point of view, this novel traces their lives from their early years in a convent as poor and destitute abandoned children to their rise in the fashion industry of Europe. WWI plays a major role in the second half of the book, and I know so much more happened to them over the years. I could have kept reading and reading for another 800 pages!!

full blog tour post at drbethnolan.com

For lovers of history of fashion or history in general, this is a must read.
Although many are familiar with Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, not as many know of her sister, Antoinette.
The two were raised in a convent orphanage after the death of their mother.
Despite the strict upbringing by the nuns who ran the place, the sisters longed for a world bigger than had been allowed.
When they venture out on their own during their teens, they navigate a world who's never truly accepted them, they find their ways through love, family connections, and betrayal as the backdrop of WWI stirs.
Told by Antoinette's point of view, this mix of factual historical accounts and events mixed with the heartaches and successes the sisters experienced is intense as it lays out the path that made Coco Chanel a fashion icon.

It does not cover her alleged spying for the Nazi's in WWII as the timeline ends in the 1920's.

*I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

The Chanel sisters were abandoned at a very young age. They were raised in an orphanage by nuns. But, as hard as the nuns tried, they could not contain these sisters. These ladies were determined to achieve whatever they wanted at whatever it cost!

These young ladies were strong willed and very intelligent. They all have different personalities which create a unique understanding between the sisters. I loved how they had each other’s back…but could also put each other in their place!

This has a lot of mundane details. I was a little bored through some of it. It was better toward the end. But, the history of this time period and of these fascinating women is very enjoyable. I love strong women and Coco is one of the best! Nothing stopped her!

I received this from the publisher for a honest review.

This is a fascinating novel centered on Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel and her younger sister Antoinette. It tells the story of the sisters' childhood as charity students at Catholic girls' schools and the beginning of Coco Chanel's fashion empire.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author weaved fact and fiction to tell a compelling story about sisters, love and ambition. I particularly enjoyed Antoinette as a character, and how she grew from being a little girl who really relied on her older sisters to an independent woman who really supported Coco's talent and ambition and helped her succeed. Other than the sisters' relationship, the relationship between Antoinette and Lucho was particularly compelling.

The author masterfully created the setting and really brought the reader into various facets of French society, from the strict nuns at the girls' school, to the artists and other people at the fringes of society, to the high society people who sought Coco's fashions and a whiff of the scandal surrounding her.

I highly recommend this novel for anyone who likes character-driven stories and anyone who is interested in Coco Chanel's background.

The Chanel Sisters


A entertaining and enlightening historical fiction novel full of tragedy and hopefulness.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel are abandoned by their family at a young age. Nuns at the orphanage are preparing them to lead simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. But the sisters are not content with what the nuns tell them they will be. They wanted something more...something better.

When they are finally old enough, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy. Their journey propels them out of poverty to a small hat shop in Paris, where a boutique takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns.

But the sisters’ lives are thrown into turmoil when World War I breaks out, forcing them to make irrevocable choices. They’ll have to gather the courage to forge their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.


REVIEW
THE CHANEL SISTERS is uniquely and delightfully told from Antoinette’s point of view. This captivating tale has been created from what little is known about this brave and talented business women who lived in the shadow of her famous sister. It a touching rags to riches story based on determination, courage and luck.

Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the early struggles, the glamorous settings, and the complicated romances. Author Judithe Little effortlessly creates and blends intriguing stories of the sisters’ lives into a immensely satisfying read, while showcasing a dedicated bond between Antoinette and Gabrielle. The writing is both enlightening and entertaining and I particularly enjoyed reading about their early days in the orphanage in Aubazine and their desire for...Something Better.

JUDITHE LITTLE is the award-winning author of Wickwythe Hall. She earned a BA in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She grew up in Virginia and now lives with her husband, three teenagers, and three dogs in Houston, Texas.


Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“All those years on the rue Cambon, in Deauville, in Biarritz, people thought they were buying Chanel, glamour, Parisian sophistication. But what they were really buying were the ornaments of our childhood, memories of the nuns who civilized us, the abbey that sheltered us.”

Publisher Harlequin
Published December 29, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

After the early death of their mother, sisters Gabrielle, Julia-Berthe and Antoinette Chanel, are abandoned by their father to the nuns of a convent in the French countryside. Determined to prove to her father that she is worth loving, Gabrielle “Coco” leaves the convent to try her hand at singing and performing on stage. Left behind, Antoinette dreams of a husband, home and children. When she finally ages out of the convent, she takes a job clerking at a small hat store in a tourist town, and reunited with Coco, who has failed at becoming an actress or singer. Eventually, they decide to move to Paris and open their own small hat shop, and end up changing the world of fashion, even through World War I.

I’ve read later stories about Coco Chanel, her rivalries in fashion and during WWII, but never much about her early years. I found this story fascinating and captivating. As much as she wanted her father’s love and respect, she was extremely private in her life. And Antoinette’s story is just as interesting. Romantic and beautiful written, The Chanel Sisters is a lovely journey through the city of light.

Chanel’s Early Life with her Sister

Coco Chanel told very little about her early life. It wasn’t a pretty picture. She had two sisters and two brothers. When her mother died of consumption, her father placed the girls in a convent orphanage where they would be prepared for marriage to tradesmen or laborers. The brothers went to farms as convenient labor. However, Coco and her sister Annette dreamed of bigger things.

This story is told from Annette’s point of view. Since much less is known about Annette than Coco, much of the story is fiction buttressed by historical incidents. Although the theme of fashion design starting with hats runs through the book, the focus is on romance. In the early part of the book, the sisters are looking for men who will raise them out of poverty.

I found the scene of life at the convent very interesting. The author suggests that many of Channel’s fashion ideas were based on her time in the convent: the black and white habits of the nuns, the curves in the windows, the nubby wool fabrics reminiscent of the nun’s habits, and the stars and moons in the floor which inspired her jewelry.

Annette is an interesting character. Little is known about her historically. I thought the author did a good job bringing her to life. I wish the emphasis had been more on the development of Chanel’s fashion ideas than on romance, but it was an enjoyable read.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

This book starts out in 1897 and is told through the voice of Antionette, sister of Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel.) When their mother died from consumption, their father placed the sisters in an orphanage. There, they were under the strict thumbs of the nuns and led sheltered lives. Once, they were invited to visit with their grandparents and that was a treat. They were given coins and they bought magazines to hide in the orphanage and look at and dream about all of the fashions.

Two sisters left the orphanage first and promised to send for Antionette when she reached the age of 19. When she finally left, her sisters were living a more sophisticated life. She then worked in a hat shop and had a great talent for creating them.

Some years later, Antionette joined Gabrielle in Paris where she was being supported by a wealthy man. Together, they began designing hats that sold to many of the haute ton. That’s when they opened a shop on the Rue Cambon.

The book follows the sister through the shops they opened and the men they loved. We learn about the types of clothes that Coco designed and how popular she became. We also learn about the war and the hardships endured by a lot of people. However, the Chanel sisters still sold expensive clothing to rich women. In addition, the men who come into their lives and the depth with which they love is beautifully portrayed. There are a number of historical events mentioned in this book, as well as the lifestyle of the wealthy and newly discovered artists.

I lived in Paris for a number of years so reading this book was like taking a trip home. The language, the streets and landmarks described all made me smile. I purchased some Chanel things for myself which I treasure. They are classics and never go out of style. I am glad the author chose to write about this family as they truly went from very humble beginnings to being quite wealthy. Well done!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Chanel Sisters is a fictional account of the life of three Chanel sisters: the famous Coco (nee Gabrielle) Chanel, her older sister Julie-Berthe and the younger Antoinette. According to the author's note, very little is known about Antoinette. She was clearly very close to Coco for most of her life, from their time in a catholic orphanage to the establishment of Chanel Modes boutiques. Because Coco always adamantly tried to hide her humble origins, biographers had to piece things together from various records and accounts of others. Judithe Little focuses her story on Antoinette. She is always a bit in the shadow of her famous sister but is never truly overshadowed. She stands on her own. Little did largely imagined what Antoinette's personality was like. She also invented key biographical aspects of her life. Nonetheless, her Antoinette made sense to me. Her story was rags to riches and both tragic and romantic. In some ways, she makes a better heroine than Coco because so little is known about her.
Overall, I thought the story was engaging. The pacing was good. I did not feel that the narrative dragged. I enjoyed the plot itself as well as all the tidbits about the fashion, culture and events of the early 1900s. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

I feel that if you like to read novels based on real people you will enjoy this story. This is a story of Coco(Gabrielle) Chanel and her sisters. This tells a tale of the sisters as they grow up in an orphanage and how Coco becomes famous. The story is told by Coco’s sister Antoinette. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book and then I think it got a little slow once they started Coco’s business. I did like how it ended and I needed to know the ending. I received a copy of this book from Harlequin for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little is a story of survival, love, loss, triumph, and the sisters who changed fashion forever. A captivating story that pulls you in from the beginning with intriguing characters, unbelievable backstories, and a love for fashion. This is a fascinating historical novel that is based on some facts and the gaps filled with fiction.

I thought this would be a fun historical fiction book to learn a little more about Coco Chanel. You do learn about her, but the the book is told from the perspective of her sister, Antoinette which I did not expect. I found it sad to learn of their difficult childhood in an orphanage, but they were close and fortunate to have each other. It’s inspiring to read about people who were able to rise above their circumstances. I really didn’t know much about either other than Coco’s perfume and dress designs, so I was surprised to learn they started out with hats. The book chronicles their love lives as well as the business. In the author notes, she says she took a lot of liberties with the love interest in Antionette’s life because there really is very little known about her. At times, I did feel like the book dragged, but overall, I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.