While I really felt like the premise of this book was amazing, I just couldn't get into it. I definitely think I'll seek it out in the future and give it another go!

When I saw the stunning cover of this book, I was immediately drawn in. After reading the back cover, I knew I had to add it to my TBR, as historical fiction taking place during WWII happens to be one of my favorites. I had also read a few other books by this author and enjoyed them. All this together, I must admit that I had high hopes for this book.

Unfortunately, for me this one was just okay... not bad, but not great either.

First, let's talk about what I liked. I think the idea for this story was great, and I very much appreciated the research that went into the story. It was well written and I really, truly wanted to enjoy it as such. Still, I found it to be a bit confusing. It was told across multiple timelines and with multiple point of views, which in the end just made it a bit hard for me to follow personally. It had the potential to be a really great read, but for me this kept me from getting as deeply into the story as I would have preferred. I would still give it a sold 3.5 stars anyway.

Still, if you enjoy WWII fiction, this is certainly one to check out for yourself.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Paris Dressmaker is a heartwrenching look back at one of the darkest times in history. Kristy Cambron brings this tale to life by adding inspirational, strong female characters. For those not familiar with Nazi-occupied Paris during WWII, this novel is educational.

Lila de Laurent is a talented up-and-coming designer working under the Chanel name. She dreams of love with Rene until the worst happens and war has taken him away. Sandrine Paquet loves her husband, yet the war takes away her lover as well. Both of these women pulled themselves up and went to work for La Resistance. Even though there is seemingly no connection between these ladies. They both enter the fray as what others considered Nazi collaborators. Though, the effectiveness of the maneuvers speaks for itself.

This story unfolds in a dual timeline, with chapters dedicated to each woman, further split into a then and now format. At first, it was confusing until I got the hang of the unusual style. Once I caught on, the words flowed along gently. But, the gentleness of the flow doesn’t reflect the whirlwind of emotions that the words evoke.

Being from a different generation, I can’t fathom the horrors that occurred during World War II. Apart from the Jewish genocide, which is a horror in itself, the rest of the world also felt the devastation. The Paris that I see on my television screen in no way compares to the images that Cambron paints in this novel.

I award this poignant tale a full 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy historical fiction. Being told from the perspective of two strong women during a time led by men makes it even more special.

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron is a fantastic novel of World War II. This novel takes an interesting spin on World War II fiction, looking at the world of European fashion. I was really interested in reading this book because I loved this author's previous books. This one is not a favorite in comparison. Still, it is a solid piece of historical fiction, and readers that love historical fiction of this time period will enjoy it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Ahhh...that was a good one ❤️⁣
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Thank you @kristycambron and @thomasnelson for my copy of The Paris Dressmaker!⁣
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#stacksreview ⁣
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I enjoyed this one! Told in both dual perspective and timeline, but in a very unique way (perhaps there’s some very smart reader words here for the style, but I don’t know them!). I think it’s helpful to understand the layout of this book going into it. The story goes from Lila early war to Lila late war and then Sandrine early war to Sandrine late war and repeat 😊 I had a friend explain this to me and it helped me so much!! So that’s my reader tip for you!⁣
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When there are two storylines happening, I usually find myself more invested in one over the other. That was not the case here! I loved Lila’s and Sandrine’s stories and it was super fun how they intertwined. I love WW2 fiction, so this was totally up my alley. Strong females and a Paris setting- what’s not to love? ⁣

Paris during World War II. 1939 to 1944. Some parts had glamor and glitz, some had survival by skill and scheme. This was a fascinating fictional look at what Paris might have been like for two ladies who joined the La Resistance secretly while appearing to be in cahoots with the Nazis publicly.

It's a story of grit and courage, of standing strong and being brave in spite of your fear. While fictional, it is based on what it could have been like in Paris during the Nazi occupation. It is based on brave women, like the real Rose Valland who risked much to help their fellow countrymen. And while it's hard for me to understand the reason behind the risk over art, there is much to be said over the risk taken so that the art could be returned to the rightful owners when the war was over. I don't want to say too much here so I don't give away the story.

I think the story is a good reminder for me that we don't know the other side of people's public personas. Sandrine appeared to be collaborating with the Nazis and it ruined her reputation, but that wasn't really what was going on. We don't know what we don't know and we need to remember that. Every person deserves the benefit of the doubt, deserves the chance to tell both sides of their story. And while that story wasn't able to be shared in real time because of the danger, it would have been nice if her neighbors could have believed in her character despite appearances, and yet I can understand why they didn't.

It took a little for the story to pull me in, but when it did, it was well worth the read. I really enjoyed the story and though I didn't understand all that was going on, it was well-written and gripping.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.

The Paris Dressmaker is told in dual timelines, prewar, 1939 and France in 1943. The main character ,Lila, a seamstress for the French paramours, works with the Resistance and encounters Rene, a pastry chef, who she had fallen for before the war. French haute couture, stolen art and romance make this an interesting historical read.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have read and enjoyed several of Kristy Cambron's other titles. I especially loved the Lost Castle and have gifted it to others. I was excited to see she had a new title out and was grateful to be given the opportunity to read it through. Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment for me. I felt like it could have used a good editing- there was so much going on that, for me, the storyline got confusing and tedious. I grew so tired with it and had to force myself to read any more. Huge disappoint in my opinion.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a fantastic historical fiction about women in the Paris resistance network. I loved this novel and all the emotions the author was able to pull through it. Lila and Sandrine are heroines to the core with much courage and wit. Very clean and a page Turner!!!!

Lila de Laurent and Sandrine Paquet are beautiful examples of Parisienne women who stood up for their beloved city and fought in their own way against the Nazis during WWII. As a dressmaker for the wealthy, Lila becomes an important member of The Resistance. Sandrine helps catalog art pieces seized by the Nazis and ends up keeping her own log of artwork stolen from the Jews. This was a really enjoyable book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for my complimentary copy! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Just the most fun - loved every moment of this book! Especially for those of us who have been travel-starved this year, this book is a balm in the best of ways. Read it while sitting at an outdoor cafe table, and you'll be transported.

oh my. What a story.
Actually, it's two stories.
Sandrine.
Lila.
Both of these are ladies living in the city of Paris during the WWII days.
Yes, this is their story.
This story has so much action, I really think it should be made into a movie.
Because it jumps between the two characters, and different times within those war era days, it felt just a bit disjointed.
In spite of having to really concentrate and follow each detail to understand what was going on, I loved this story.
I had no idea, had never even really thought of it, of what it must have been like, there in Paris, for the French people.
Forced into doing many things just to survive.
This novel gives us yet another glimpse into those awful, awful days in the 1940s.
If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then this is definitely a must read!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What a fascinating book about haute couture and the preservation of art during WWII.

The story moves between two women, seemingly unconnected during the years of 1939-1945. Lila de Laurent is a fashion designer for Coco Chanel, her designs sought after and her face recognizable as the dressmaker to employ. Sandrine Paquet is in survival mode, archiving artifacts for the Nazi’s at the cost of her reputation. But both women become intimately connected through their bravery and the love of country and family, and by one man who will risk it all for humanity.

There’s so much subterfuge, the reader will turn the pages faster than s/he can read them. Action, intense scenes and clues pepper the pages as the reader experiences the anxiety of a volatile time in history. The author paints a vivid picture of the artistic world, bringing to life the designs and masterpieces of a bygone era.

Several female characters are introduced, their choices of how to survive vastly different from one another. The reader is given a glimpse into the desperation of some of them to do whatever it took to live while their lives were endangered.

Once again, Kristy Cambron delivers a powerful story of survival in a time that changed our world.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own.

As the title would suggest, this book is about dressmaking or more particularly, a dressmaker during WWII. I've mentioned before in previous reviews that I am drawn to novels pertaining strong women. This tale recounted the bravery that two women shared during WWII. It's an amazing feat to have had that amount of strength during WWII.. I would definitely read Kristy Cambron's work in the future. Highly, highly recommended for historical fiction fans!

The story is heart-wrenching and beautiful at the same time. I think I forget that Paris was occupied so long. Learning of how the Parisians survived that horrific time is educational and inspiring. As the author stated in her note, we must remember history as it happened. Books like this do that, even in a Fiction book.

I love historical fiction especially those set during WW2. I was very excited to read the Paris Dressmaker as the books description sounded very intriguing and fortunately the book did not disappoint. I loved this book from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future.

This novel managed to combine a lot of my interests in one book. I love fashion, travel and have been captivated by books about WW2. Lila da Laurent is out of a job when the Nazis occupy Paris and the atelier for Chanel closes indefinitely. Now her life is meagre and tightly restricted by ration books, restrictions within the city streets and the propaganda the Germans spout to the rest of the world. This cuts Paris off as from the rest of the world, who won’t know the truth of the regime they’re living under. However there are pockets of Parisian resistance, individuals who won’t accept the occupation and are trying to embed a spy within the Nazi elite and being a dressmaker is the perfect cover.

Lila appears to collaborate, as she measures and designs beautiful dresses for the wives of the Nazi Party elite. Allowed to come and go from their headquarters at the luxurious Ritz, Lila listens to their innermost secrets as she measures and designs their clothes. Yet, when she meets René Touillard, she is torn, can she continue to spy while desperately trying to help René’s family avoid the fate of other French Jews.

Our second heroine Sandrine Paquet works in the art world. Now her job is to collate the details of precious works of art stolen from Jewish families and bound for Hitler’s headquarters in Berlin. She may seem quiet and happy to acquiesce to German commands, but underneath there are fires of resistance and injustice burning. She tries to gain information for the resistance but also to find the whereabouts of her missing husband. In 1943 as Hitler’s regime starts to crack and fall apart, Sandrine inboxes an incredible blush Chanel dress. In its pocket is a cryptic clue, to the whereabouts of a missing dressmaker from the Chanel atelier.

I found myself completely drawn in by these women and their fates. Both are courageous and determined to resist, but both are also in love with their men. René is thought to be lost, but This was recommended to me on the basis of me loving Alice Hoffman. While I don’t think it was up there with Hoffman, it certainly has a similar style to her Salem based novels. It’s based on a premise that is now practically a genre of its own. Woman finds she has been left a property by a long distant relative, so leaves the big city to spend some time in a small country town/village which beguiles her with its charms as she tries to tie up all her relatives affairs. There’s always a romance with a big handsome country boy thrown in too. If you like these type of stories - especially if you like a pinch of the supernatural- then this is for you. I must admit that, although it was predictable, I did enjoy it.

Althea Moon has died, so it’s Elizabeth who sets aside her work in NYC (plus an unhappy affair) to travel back to the Moon’s hometown of Salem. As she starts to wrap up her grandmother’s affairs she becomes drawn in by the old local story of two women murdered on the property, supposedly by Althea. This digs up old grudges and means Elizabeth putting her own life in danger. She’s distracted by the boy next door who she’s known since she was a little girl, but who looks anything but little these days! What I loved most about the book were the old remedies, soaps and beauty treatments that have always been made by a Moon in that house. The letters Althea has written for her granddaughter, full of life lessons and the wisdom of an older woman, are simply beautiful. This is one of those novels that you know is going to end up a certain way, but you can still enjoy getting there. I’d read others in this series if there were some in the pipeline. has been deeply embedded in the resistance, Sandrine also believes her husband Christian to be lost while fighting in France, but at a Nazi New Year’s Eve Party she is unexpectedly reunited with him. The control it takes to keep calm and not blow her cover is incredible. They can only have a short encounter, but it bolsters Sandrine’s courage to keep fighting. I truly enjoyed these characters and their journey and how each has a love so strong they can keep hold of their vow to see their husbands again whoever fighting for their cause. Great storytelling.

There were so many things to like about his book and I appreciate and respect the amount of time that must have been spent researching and writing this novel. The title and cover caught my attention and I enjoyed it, but unfortunately this one just didn’t hold my interest for very long.


I know that many other readers loved it, but it wasn’t for me.

I received a copy from the publisher though Netgalley. All opinions are completely my own.

I wanted to love this book as I loved all of the authors previous novels. I mean I even loved the authors writing style and the Paris setting during WWII but the main character was just someone I didn't like. But even though I didn't like the character the Paris setting and WWII as well as wanting to know what happened kept me turning the page.