In 1939, Nazi invades Paris and the City of Lights becomes dark as its people struggle to survive. Lila de Laurent uses her fashion dressmaking skills to learn all she can from the wives and girlfriends of Nazi officers. Sandrine Paquet's husband left to fight the war, and now she uses her training to catalogue the art stolen by the Nazi. Two stories woven together in the fight to outwit the evil that hung heavy over the city.

The story is told alternating flashbacks between Lila and Sandrine, so this was not something I could just pick up and continue. I had to flip back to remember who it was about and where in time the scene was happening. This made it difficult to enjoy at times.

And, although I wish I could say I enjoyed both storylines equally, I found Lila's story a little tedious. When the story tells how she became dressmaker for the Nazi's, it was interesting. When she was hiding with the resistance, it was uninteresting. Sandrine's story, on the other hand, had my full attention. I felt her plight faster, with how she does her best to remain loyal to her husband and keep an interested Nazi officer at bay. I also found the details about the art being shipped out the most interesting part of the story and wish there had been more focus there.

It was well written and seemed to be historically accurate. I liked how the author pulled influence from events that actually happened to tell the story.

For readers who enjoy World War II stories, I would recommend this.

I love historical fiction, especially stories that are related to World War II. “The Paris Dressmaker” is one of those stories, set in 1939 Paris and throughout the German occupation on the city, until the day it’s free again in 1944.

With the war about to spread all over Europe, the Parisian haute couture is spending their nights at the last parties. The French are positive that even if war actually happens, there is the Maginot Line out there to protect them. So, when the Maginot Line breaks and the Germans start their occupation in France, Paris is no longer the city it used to be. All big fashion houses shut down and along with the closure of Maison Chanel, dressmaker Lila de Laurent is out of business. Now she has no income and no way to stay alive during these awful times. But then, out of a sudden, Lila de Laurent finds herself a new job and a purpose. She joins La Resistance with the hope to find everything she can about one certain gentleman that has stolen her heart and is in outmost danger. From that point on, she infiltrates the Nazi elite, becoming the dressmaker of all those women that keep company to the Nazi high ranking officers that are spending war in the Hotel Ritz suites, the heart of the Nazis’ Parisian headquarters.

Some years later, in 1943, Sandrine Paquet is cataloguing priceless works of art that were stolen from Jewish families. All valuable art was to be boarded to trains heading either to the Fuhrer’s museum or other significant places in Germany. At the same time she is secretly foraging information for the French resistance, while looking forward to receiving news about her husband’s fate. One day, a crate comes in with a beautiful Chanel gown. One that hides a cryptic message that may tell the fate of a vanished dressmaker.

Two normal life, next door women, who are so similar and so different at the same time. The fate of those women that risked their lives, risked everything for their country, for freedom, for fighting an evil that took over a whole continent. Just like Lila and Sandrine, so many other women and men, fought for what they believed. While the men joined the army and took to their rifles, women armed themselves with the weapons they had. Hiding in plain site and playing dangerous games infiltrating German ranks, drinking champagne at their parties and playing spy games without the enemy even noticing.

To those who believe that women are interested only in fashion and having a good time, this would make a great response. Making that same fashion work as a cover, as a weapon, as a means to get into places no ordinary person would, Right into the Nazis’ boudoirs, into the pockets of their uniforms and right next to their desk drawers, while their ladies were changing for a gown fitting.

I really liked how it all worked out. It was pretty obvious that the stories of the two women were interweaved somehow. All I had to do was read it through and find out what made them so different and so similar at the same time, until I reached that point that everything fell in place. I liked how the two main characters came from so different backgrounds. The one was a young single woman, a woman in love but with not much hope for this love, seeing her dreams being shuttered because of the war and then seizing that one opportunity to do good, to fight and maybe find redemption. The other was a married woman, a mother, that had to think of her son and her parents in law and how they could all survive these devastating days, not knowing if her husband was alive and whether he was going to return to them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book introduces you to Sandrine and Lila, and their intertwined stories. One a art curator tracking stolen art, and one a dressmaker who worked for Coco Chanel.
A story about the Paris occupation during 1939-1944, and the resistance efforts of regular people. I loved the history Kristy Cambron always has in her stories. The first few chapters were a little confusing to follow with the year switches, but all in all an amazing story.

From a hobby sewist’s perspective this book jumped out at me based on the title and gorgeous dress on the cover. I had hoped there would be more sewing in the book and although there wasn’t as much as I had hoped for this book didn’t disappoint. I loved the characters and loved how the story was told as going between the views and time.

"Why was it all so complicated? It should be straightforward, the lines drawn between good and evil. Doing what was right and battling what was wrong. But as Lila stood their watching her friend blot the tears welling under her eyes and toss her Jean Harlow curls as if tomorrow could stick it because she didn't care, Lila saw how confounding the war was to muddle with shades of gray."



I knew that this story would be equal parts heartbreaking and hope inducing because it was written by Kristy Cambron, but my goodness did I get emotionally invested in these two women fighting for the French resistance!

Lila de Laurent is a dressmaker in Paris who was working with the infamous Coco Chanel before the Nazis invaded France. Before the war her only concern was when her aristocratic boyfriend would get down on one knee. Now she has no idea where he or his family is and she may have something to do with their disappearance. Working towards redeeming herself Lila teams up with the Paris resistance, spying on Nazi officer's and their partners under the guise of being there to tailor and design dresses. When she shockingly runs into an old face her journey becomes that much more perilous and she must decide if she can muster up that same bravery in her personal life.

In the same city, Sandrine must support her son and mother in law when her husband goes missing after fighting for France. Working side by side with the enemy, Sandrine is the witness to the crime of art theft committed by the Nazi soldiers. Patriotic and resilient, Sandrine saves as much art as she can, working to notify the resistance of shipments made to Germany. When she starts receiving the unwanted attentions of a high ranking soldier the stakes get that much higher.

The women's stories collide beautifully at the end of the novel, both plot lines are heart pounding and full of excitement. Kristy Cambron knows how to perfectly convey the tragedy and heartbreak of war while also showing that there is always reason to hope.

*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion*

5/5 stars!!

A story of the French Resistance during World War II. The title of the book leads one to believe there would be a main character who was a dressmaker, but it is misleading. This story has multiple characters who take center stage and the theme of stolen art plays a large part of their stories. A bit misleading, but an enjoyable, quick read.

The Paris Dressmaker tells the complicated story of the lives of women during the Nazi occupation in Paris. I was hooked after the first few sentences. The connection to historical events makes this book interesting to fans of history, art, and fashion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to get an e-arc for my honest opinion.
The Paris Dressmaker is a historical-fiction taking place, as the title says, in Paris during WWII. Our two main characters, Lila and Sandrine, are the two points of view of the story. Their lives are intertwined through the novel. They could to ease suffering and bring about an Allied victory—ordinary women doing extraordinary things.
While I had trouble with the overall storyline's pacing, I found that it picked up about halfway through the novel. In the beginning, I had some trouble getting how the chapters were built going back and forward during the time, but in the end, I got used to it.
I also enjoyed the Author’s Note. It gave a lot more information and context towards historical fact vs. fiction.
#TheParisDressmaker #NetGalley

Oh my goodness, I was not expecting such an exquisite story. Paris in the late 1930s and early 40s was such a sad place to be while they were enduring the Nazi occupation. Kristy Cambron did a fantastic job writing a beautiful story in the midst of tragedy. You’ll be drawn in and won’t want to leave. If I could give it ten stars, I would.

I find it fascinating that seventy-five years have passed since the end of World War II and there is still so much to be discovered about how people coped with its difficulties. This is the intimate story of how Sandrine and Lila did what they could to ease suffering and bring about an Allied victory. Ordinary women doing extraordinary things. They dared to defy the occupiers, risk their lives to aid La Resistance, and suffer public humiliation from their neighbors/family. My only complaint is that, having read an uncorrected copy, the format on the e-reader I was usually made it hard to keep up with who we were hearing from and where we were in the time continuum. At one point, I considered making a time-line to help keep up with everyone. The story is great, the characters are well-defined, and the ending was satisfying. Thanks to NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book had me hooked from the very beautiful front cover until the last page. This story is told beautifully and is a totally different aspect than what we usually read about in war driven times. These women were so brave and so full of heart. Loved this lovely book! My first by Kristy Cameron, but will definitely not be my last.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Dressmaker is a tribute to the women of Paris during the German occupation.. While not allowed to sign up to fight the Germans, these remarkable women fought in their own way. One was openly part of the resistance. Sandrine and Rose worked behind closed doors to record the art stolen by the Germans and log where it was taken. Lila worked as a dressmaker to the women who consorted with German officers. She used to position to hear information and to photograph documents left in their suites. Amelie, Lila's best friend, was one of those consorts. Together, with the men they loved, these women made a difference while living among the Parisian haut couture and art world during WWII.

Kristy Cambron is one of the "if she writes it, I want to read it" authors. She has done her research and weaves a compelling tale that you'll want to read. I was allowed to read this on #Netgalley. It is scheduled for release February 16, 2021.

Brave women fight to survive in Natzi occupied Paris. Using all their skills they help the resistance fight the good fight against evil. A great read keeps you glued to the pages.

Very well written inspirational book. A duel time line plot set in Paris during the Nazi occupation. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

#TheParisDressmaker #NetGalley

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nilson for providing me with ARC.

This novel is so good, i loved it so much special that the events in Paris, this is the first novel to me by Kristy Cambron but will not be the last.

Amazing story-telling, Ms. Cambron delivers a unique perspective of World War 2 through the eyes of courageous Parisiennes. Detailed and thorough description I was instantly transported to Paris during Nazi occupation and into the lives of two woman who boldly chose to deceived the enemy in the name of protecting those they love and their country. The chapters bounce between the two female leads taking readers into the story at different points of time. It was a lot easier to follow the story with only two perspectives but there were a few times when the time jump had me going back to check on missed information that seemed to transpire between chapters. I enjoyed the authenticity of the historical account and the author includes a note at the end of the book dedicated to her research for the story. This is probably my favorite of Ms. Cambron's novels!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.***

This book was the perfect escape. It was lovely and fun. It was my first book by this author and I will definitely be on the look out for more!!

The City of Light, the place where romantic ideals abound, the air is rich in culture and the smells from the patisserie waft on the breeze has been overtaken by the SS and the citizens of Paris are going to take it back.

Kristy Cameron has a reputation for excellence. When she writes a book, I don't care what the cover looks like (but this one is gorgeous) and I never read the synopsis of the book. I want to enjoy the story and let it unfold naturally, organically without any hints of what to expect. I just sit back, knowing I am in for a journey that will likely stick with me for weeks after I have closed the cover. The Paris Dressmaker does not disappoint and is now alongside The Butterfly and the Violin as my Kristy Cameron favorites.

Kristy Cambron expertly weaves a tale of two women who bravely fight against the Nazi occupation of Paris. This book is written in two periods and about two different women and how their lives eventually intersect. The format was a little difficult to follow at first, but I eventually settled into the rhythm of Lila past/present, Sandrine past/present. The majority of the book follows this format until the backstory catches up to the present. So descriptive and well written I was transported to the streets of war torn Paris and found I had to stop and take breaks from reading as I was so tense. The bravery, determination and faith of people during this time is remarkable and Kristy brings their stories to life on the page.

If you enjoy WW2 fiction or stories of bravery and enduring love then I highly recommend The Paris Dressmaker.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own

Such a wonderful read!!! If you are a WWII Historical Fiction fan, I recommend this book! Paris, War, Fashion, art, resistance, love..all wrapped up in one lovely novel.

This is a fascinating, gut-wrenching story about the Resistance fighters in Paris over the 4 years of the Nazi occupation of the city, ending in 1944. It especially focuses on the women who were resistance fighters, often in very unusual and creative ways. The characters quickly became friends and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to them. The plot twists left me breathless. The heroism and sacrifice of the women, and men, was amazing and humbling. The themes of love vs hate, trust in God vs fear, doing what is right at great cost in the present vs indulging in selfish whims at great cost in the future bring real depth to this book. I highly recommend it.

Be aware that the plot is not chronological – it jumps around in time, with all sorts of flashbacks and looking forward. Thankfully, Cambron labels each section clearly with date and location of the action. Unfortunately, the ARC I read did not have the searchable table of contents enabled, so it was hard for me to keep track of how each section related to ones I’d just read a chapter or two before. You shouldn’t have that problem :-)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheParisDressmaker #NetGalley