Normally I enjoy historical fiction books with multiple timelines but this one just had too much going on. There are two main characters, Lilia and Sandrine with their own stories, but within that both characters jump back and forth between multiple timelines of their own stories. Lila, who as the titled “Paris Dressmaker”,should have had the most interesting story but I was more engaged by Sandrine’s story. While I didn’t love this book, I appreciate how well researched it was to make many a discus very historically accurate during the Nazi invasion of Paris during WWII. Also, the cover is absolutely beautiful. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing this arc.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This book was so good. I have read many books by this author and love the way she pieces a story together. It was a different storyline for a wartime book; an aspect of the resistance I had never read about before. The characters were well described and portrayed; the story heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. Lila and Sandrine’s characters showed the strength of some of the women in wartime; the sacrifices made, the hardships lived, choices made to protect their loved ones.

A great read and I will continue to look for books by this author.

The Paris Dressmaker (TPD) is a first-class novel. It has one of the most engagingly intricate plots I’ve read recently. Within the book’s pages, the author has managed to conjure a tension-steeped couture universe that is World War II Paris. TPD has a voice which so perfectly captures the grit, bravery and mettle necessitated by that time in history, all perfectly framed against an urbane chic backdrop (it is Paris after all).

It is such a brilliantly written book. It starts out slow with a lot of characters and simultaneous plot lines, making it tricky to know what was who. But then, the various threads quickly came together and I couldn’t put it down. So many times, I could feel the struggles and pains of the characters’ dilemmas. It is an elegantly crafted depiction of grace and faith in the face of adversity.

This is a fantastic book that I definitely recommend. It gets 4.6 stars from me. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Ms. Cambron for a complimentary copy via NetGalley! These opinions are mine.

The Paris Dressmaker was set during WWII and tells the story of two women working with the French resistance. Sandrine and Lila do their part for the cause by way of the arts. Lila is a clothing designer who worked for Coco Chanel and winds up dressing the mistresses of high ranking Nazis while Sandrine is helping to safeguard works of art that have been stolen from their owners. I liked this book and the historical aspects but it took me a bit to get into. They sorority goes back and forth over about 4 years and between both women. I was a bit confused for a bit at it went back and forth. Obviously there will be a connection between the women but it happens very late in the novel which made the flitting back and forth more confusing since it was almost like 4 different stories. I would recommend just going with the flow and not trying to figure it out the story will get their eventually and clear things up.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book that appealed to me from so many angles. I love France so much, especially French history. I love that not only did this book get the french scenery correct, but also the spirit of the French. They are an incredible people that I love so much. Also my husband loves the movie The Monument Men, so it was fun to have that aspect in this book as well. Lila and Sandrine are such amazing women who did their best to survive during the German occupation. I can't imagine living the ways they had to. I was pulled into the story from the beginning, but it took a bit to keep track of the timeline. I had to go back a few times to remember how much time had passed, but I don't think I would have enjoyed the story if it had gone in chronological order. Again, this was a beautiful story that transported me to occupied France.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but this is my honest review.

The Paris Dressmaker is a historical novel that spans 1939 - 1944 in Paris. The story centers on two women. Lila de Laurent is a dressmaker for Coco Chanel. She becomes involved in the Resistance and eventually makes dresses for the mistresses of Nazi officials in order to spy on their activities. Sandrine Paquet is a married mother who works cataloging art that has been stolen from Jewish families and is being sent to Germany. She, too, is involved in the Resistance. When a beautiful and mysterious Chanel gown appears in one of the collections Sandrine is working with, these two women are suddenly connected.

I wanted to read this novel because I enjoyed Kristy Cambron's Lost Castle series. I love historical fiction and particularly like the 1940's time period. I am a bit of a Francophile, so the French setting was a major plus.

This is such a unique novel. It has a dual storyline featuring both the dressmaker, Lila, and the art cataloger, Sandrine. The storytelling is not linear, but weaves back and forth in time. There are mysteries on top of mysteries: the Chanel gown, the stolen artwork, and the men who come and go in these women's lives - Lila's boyfriend Rene, who works to save his Jewish family during the war, and Sandrine's husband, Christian, who is away fighting and intermittently disappearing.

It took me a bit to unwind the story at the beginning, with very quick flashes from one time and place to another. Once I felt comfortable with the narrative style, I was thoroughly engrossed in the story and found this novel hard to put down!

Kristy Cambron's storytelling is beautiful. There are striking descriptions that set the scene, like:

"Lila wove through the crowd of partygoers beyond the Villa Trianon’s back doors. All around, frivolity reigned. String lights laced the trees. Torches lit garden paths like fairies owned the night. Gowns shimmered in time with the sway of tuxedos and jazz music. Guests rimmed Elsie de Wolfe’s grand circus ring on the lawn and an outdoor pavilion that encircled the trunk of an old oak. Lila passed waiters doling out the ever-eccentric menu of pork and scrambled eggs and a seemingly bottomless supply of champagne cocktails to keep the guests caught up in their revelry until the wee hours. A tree-lined road lay empty beyond the back lawn, hugging the outskirts of the gardens. Behind it the Petit Trianon slept, hemmed in by a bed of perfectly manicured trees and hornbeam hedges" (eBook location 711).

I found the story of the Resistance fighters very inspiring, and was particularly interested in some of the supporting characters based on real people, like art historian Rose Valland and American singer/actress Josephine Baker.

Lila and Sandrine are both fascinating characters - strong and brave even when moving far out of their comfort levels and the lives they lived before the war. I found it particularly interesting later in the book as their storylines began to intersect.

I highly recommend The Paris Dressmaker for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who is interested in the 1940's or French history.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
The Dressmaker takes the reader from the glamorous world of Paris fashion houses and high society to the realities of war and Nazi Occupation. On the brink of war, life and love takes an unexpected turn. A powerful story of unimaginable times, beautifully told. A real page turner to the very end. Highly recommended.

Two very determined women on two different missions channel their survival instincts into one goal; They risk everything for the resistance against the Nazis.
In 1939, Lila, a dressmaker for the elite in the Hotel Ritz in Paris, collectively uses her skills to transfer propaganda to the resistance groups through the garments she details. She works along with her Jewish boyfriend, Rene', a pastry chef working against the Parisian Headquarters.
In 1943, Sandrine, works to classify priceless art items the Fuhrer has stolen from the Jews. She works for the underground continuously in search for her husband's fate after being taken from their home by the Nazis.
Their world's connect when Sandrine uncovers a Chanel gown with a cryptic note nestled inside from a dressmaker that has vanished from the elite fashion world.
The uniqueness of the connections made during this time period is well captured by Kristy Cambron, as she portrays a different version of the Holocaust. These stories are courageous. It never ceases to amaze me the strength and resilience these people portray as loved ones are dragged from the home, possibly never seeing them again. The abuse, starvation and the will to survive are always at the forefront when I read how these people risked everything to fight such an evil force.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing to read this ARC in exchange for my review of these book.

This was an interesting story of two women's journey during Paris in WW2. One is a Dressmaker, the other with an art/literature background. Their stories are full of joy and pain. The was was depicted with class, nothing graphic, but definitely strong in description.

I struggled through the beginning of this book, it moved rather slowly and I kept getting lost in the time frames. I think because the time frames were so close together, it was harder to keep track of of where things were happening. The speed picked up during the last quarter of the book.

I never loved either of the main characters, even though I did root for them in the end. I really wanted to love this, but I just couldn't.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

My first novel from Kristy Cambron makes me wish I’ve read her back-list before now!

I’ve heard many many goo things about her, which, may have put “The Paris Dressmaker” on my want to read list in the first place, or it was the stunning cover, or maybe the attention grabbing description, I don’t really know for sure. What I do know… Is that I LOVE this book!

I do not often find a duel timeline novel that pulls me in quite as well as this one did, the jumps can be confusing, they were just slightly so in “The Paris Dressmaker” but I found that the plot was easy to follow, the character were oh so very real, and the story was a masterpiece!

I am thrilled by the whole of this story, the elaborate details, the richly and very terrifying history of the Nazi, and the glimpse into the brave things men and women did to fight back in secret were all so thoroughly woven together that I couldn’t help getting lost in the pages of this story.

The way that the two time lines came to connect was done in a way that pulled me even deeper into the story, not annoying me in ways others have done so, I highly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read more from a new favorite author.

My closing note would be that I was happy to see the way Cambron kept the story true to the era, without giving too little or too much detail into the sick minded Nazi and the men who attempted to rule the women in the overrun countries.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The Paris Dressmaker is another intriguing story from Kristy Cambron. Set during 1939 through 1944, in the Nazi occupied Paris, France. Two strong women, Lila and Sandrine, both have passions and love of their country, heritage and good men in their lives. They both are pulled into the resistance, each In a different aspect, and their lives are put in extreme danger. This is such a fascinating, yet horrifying time in history. The author has researched this time and history well. She has woven the historical and fictional aspects to a nice timeskip. It is an intense read, One that grips your interest and holds you captive until the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A gripping tale of two women, unknown to each other, working for the resistance in Nazi occupied Paris. This story hits the ground running and through dual timelines for each woman the story unfolds. Lila is a seamstress and dress designer who finds herself making dresses for the Nazi elite in the heart of Paris. She soon begins stealing their secrets. Sandrine is forced to catalogue artwork stolen from prominent Jewish families and begins to secretly record the pieces, their owners and their destinations. Each woman soon finds out that they are not working alone and alliances are formed. There is also a love story for each. Sandrine is married with a young son and her husband is among the first to leave for the front lines. Lila is dramatically rescued by the man she fell in love with (and who broke her heart) four years ago. With limited options and Nazis on every corner, they begin working together for the cause.

I have read a lot of WWII historical fiction and this is a story I won’t soon forget. The characters and plot lines are nicely developed and I was immediately cheering for these strong women. The action kept me engaged and I read well into the night to the satisfying conclusion. Historical fiction fans are not going to want to miss this one.

I received a free eARC from the author and publisher via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

Compelling, Unnerving, & just plain Stellar!
The author may may not have been historically accurate on every aspect, but it was close enough to make the characters and storyline dynamite that the characters vaulted off the pages into your heart and mind. It made you think of the trying times of the women who were left to deal with the Germans.

Sadrine Paquet is chosen by a German officer to work in the Art Gallery and he is giving her unwanted attention.
Lila de Laurent a dressmaker is working for the French Resistance, but at what cost will her life be worth if she is ever caught ferreting in the rooms of the German elite?

The stories are heartbreaking of what women resorted to doing to survive, but yet again how far would you go to survive with the enemy? The book is not only a book of history, but one to make you think about the choices that women chose. History in this book is truly phenomenal and researching more on your own is always a fun way to find out more about the topic!

I definitely would recommend this book!

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

The Paris Dressmaker was an excellent read! Based on a true story about how the people of Paris resisted the Nazi’s with the help of famous fashion houses. Between fashion, romance, brave women, and war, this book has it all! Highly recommended for those who love WWII novels.

This story was so beautifully told. It struck me right in the heart and left me feeling so many things. Respect for the women who stepped up in unprecedented ways to fight in the ways they could during the nightmare that was WWII. Amazement at the real ability to rebuild, to move on, to course correct, even after *years* os derailment. Desire to learn more, to understand even better. Compassion for those who were wrongfully accused. Sorrow for the hurt, the devastation, the total wrongfulness that happened to so many, particularly Jews, during WWII. This book was written masterfully, with characters so respectfully and artfully crafted that I felt they were real. They were imperfect, vastly flawed humans, who decided to step up and do the very hard, but very right, thing. Absolutely beautiful book I see being a reread for me in the future.

Wow. Just, wow. Cambron has woven a marvelous tale following two brave women through Nazi-occupied France during WWII. Her ability to combine fact with fiction is absolutely incredible. This book is compelling, emotional, and intense. Lila and Sandrine are only two examples of how difficult life was during the Nazi occupation and all the women of Paris did to fight in any way they could. Surrounded by well-written, loveable supporting characters, Lila and Sandrine prove that women can do anything.
Just know that once you reach the halfway mark, you will not be able to put this book down!!

The Paris Dressmaker is my first Kristy Cambron novel. I enjoyed reading this story about Lila and René and Sandrine and her six year-old son who live with Sandrine’s in-laws. Both Lila and Sandrine work for the Resistance. Sandrine appears to be a collaborator and neighbors are mean to her.

The beginning of the novel immediately made me turning pages to see what happened. Lila is on the run through a forest in the middle of the night with a bullet wound in her side. She is able to hide in the back of a bakery truck only to be discovered by a stranger who has a voice she recognizes. The story alternates time periods before the war in 1939 and 1943. And here is where I find a problem with the novel. Unless you take good notes while reading, it is hard to remember who is who if you don’t plan on reading the book in one sitting. I think it would be much better to tell the story chronologically with the main characters alternating chapters. I would have enjoyed it more. I am normally a fan of two different time periods, but for me, it didn’t work.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

I found this to be an intriguing story based on true events in Paris during World War II. Paris has long been known for their haute couture and in this story readers are privy to how the war affected the fashion world and those who were a part of it. Following two very different women, the story is told in alternating timelines that lead up to the liberation of France and beyond.

Lila, a seamstress was working at La Maison Chanel when the business closed because of the war. Luckily she finds work at Nina Ricci, but soon finds herself working on her own, designing dresses for the French paramours of Nazi soldiers. During this time, she ends up working for the Resistance and is reunited with a former love interest that she thought had died.

Sandrine, a young mother whose husband is thought missing in action, was recruited to work relocating and identifying precious works of art for the Nazis. She also begins to work for the resistance, but due to the unwanted attention of a Nazi Captain, her neighbors accuse her of being a collaborator.

I’ll admit, it took me a while to get into this story, but once I did, I found it to be quite absorbing. The various timelines and the two women’s lives do interconnect towards the end, along with the liberation, which was also an intriguing time in Paris. In reading this, I discovered that I need to read more about Josephine Baker because I had no idea she was involved in the Resistance.

Many thanks to NetGalley, First Editions and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron is a captivating historical fiction full of drama, love, and inspiration. A story of two determined women who overcome everything to survive even in the darkest of times. The Paris Dressmaker is a well-written story that is sure to inspire you and stay with you long after reading.

I am so excited and thankful to be on Kristy's launch team for The Paris Dressmaker and share this novel with you. I have followed her since her debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin, and her books keep getting better and better! I'd definitely add this to my list of favorite books.

This book is set in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, and it showcases strong Parisienne women who fight for La Resistance.

I loved the balance between femininity and backbone both Lila and Sandrine possess. They live during a dangerous and frightening time, yet they handled their circumstances with grace and chose to actively resist the evil and depravity around them. These women have style, but they also have weapons and they're not afraid to defend themselves.

I also loved the roles that fashion, art, and pastry shops played in this story. In a way, these touchpoints were characters themselves. Especially the beautiful dress featured on the cover, which both characters play a pivotal role in.

As the action builds in this story, I found myself riveted. I stayed up late a few nights to keep reading in the dark on my Kindle because I just couldn't stop myself and get some sleep! I was so caught up in the character's lives and the danger they put themselves in. They took risks and dared to fight. At times, I was so worried for them. Would they survive? Would they get happy endings?

I won't spoil it for you. I just highly recommend you get a copy and read it soon. I'm already pretty sure this novel will be on my favorites of 2021 list.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the #gifted copy of The Paris Dressmaker. These are my honest thoughts on the novel.