This is history the way I like to learn it – fictional characters interspersed with real people & real events. Having read a number of books around this setting way back in High School days, I had moved on to other countries & other periods. This was a welcome return, & I was really enjoying this book... until suddenly there was more detail than I cared to know! A pity : why can’t books have ratings on the covers, like films – so we know what we are getting into? Certain content aside, this was a well-written book & although the storyline could be guessed at early on, it was still well-crafted. (Warning: be prepared for a gory ending! ) [ 3 1/2 stars if that were possible, as it is better written than a 3 star, but the X-rated content means I cannot give it a 4.]

Paris, 1856. Livia growing up with her doctor father learned uses for nearly every kind of plant. Now, that her husband’s position took them from Turin to Paris, she misses her garden full of herbs.

Count of Cavour tries to unify Italy, but he needs to overthrow Austria’s rule in northern Italy first. In order to achieve that, he needs help from Napoleon III. He sends two people to Paris to persuade the emperor of France to meet with him.

One is Nicollo, Livia’s husband. The other is Countess La Castiglione, Count’s cousin. She uses her charms with the Emperor, leading to becoming his mistress.

Livia becomes close friends with the Countess, who is also fascinated with photography and playing significant role in the early history of photography.

Livia with her knowledge of the plants is good at recognizing the ones that are poisonous, which becomes integral part of the story along the political intrigue.

When Livia marries Nicollo, they hardly know each other. The relationship between them matures with time as they get to know each other better, which is also a big part of the story.

The historical background of political intrigue and the effort to unify Italy is interesting. The interests of both women, botany and photography, come alive. There is also a friendship between two women and a maturing relationship between husband and wife which are beautifully developed. Beautifully written, the story has a slow-pace as characters come to bloom and engage.

In 1856 in Paris, France and Emperor Napoleon III is in reign, there is a woman who has married up and is now close to one of his mistresses and in turn ends up close to him and with the skills she acquired by her father's side as a child, she is able to save lives and make an impact on the future of a few countries!

While I know this was true fiction, it was fun to pull up Napoleon's wikipedia page and read a bit and get to know the truth to help put this story in perspective. Livia was a woman from humble beginnings who ended up in quite the predicament, but in the end she was in a better place than even she or her family could have imagined - being vague, it is a great plot point that is spoiled in the synopsis!

But more than her marriage, Livia's relationship with the Emperor's mistress was so interesting and I loved the dynamic these women had as they were women in this moment in time and each trying to find their place in such a volatile world. While this book did a good job of showing romantic relationships, for me the relationship between these women was the heart of the story and I loved that the author focused on that and how women could come together and support each other no matter where they came from.

My second Meghan Masterson read and I sure hope she has more up her sleeve!

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for providing me with an ARC of “The Paris Wife” to read and honestly review!✨

I love reading historical fiction, though it has become more of a luxury to me; I read it very rarely and I’m quite selective when it comes to the books I pick. I certainly have very high expectations as well; I need the book to be rich, carefully planned out and executed. Therefore, it was a delight to find that “The Paris Wife” not only met my high expectations but also greatly exceeded them.

The story takes place in Paris, the August of 1856, following Livia, an ordinary woman immersed in medicine, who just moved in the city of light with her new husband after her life was inevitably and irreversibly changed. She finds herself haunted by loneliness, until she forms an unlikely friendship with the Emperor’s deadly clever, beautiful mistress.

Soon enough, Livia is plunged into a world of mystery, as a plot against the crown is slowly being woven, affecting her world. In order to protect those she loves she needs to connect the dots, and face secrets she’d tried to long keep buried.

“The Paris Wife” was rich with beautiful descriptions that painted out the image of France and had me hooked from moment one. Compelling, enticing, with a strong female lead defying the patriarchy and taking over her own destiny, everything about this book touched perfection. The plot was engaging and the characters all had many dimensions, which made the read all the more encompassing.

I loved seeing Livia develop as a character, and her relationship with Niccolo grow to be a very beautiful one, built upon understanding, patience and unconditional love that reminded me of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s slow burn. The book had some lovely tropes and made use of attention-gripping writing techniques to keep the plot original and fast-paced.

“The Paris Wife” truly is a gem in the genre of historical fiction. Riveting, with complex characters and a thrilling plot, I believe every historical fiction fan would appreciate the rich details, in writing and of course in the beautiful 1800s France descriptions🙌🏻

[4.5/⭐️]

Livia travels with her husband to Paris as he attends business. Livia grew up on the Italian countryside as a daughter of a doctor. For years she worked alongside her father and this helps her to notice something quite dangerous at an Emperor's dinner - Livia notices that highly poisonous nightshade berries are mixed in with a bowl of fruit. Is someone trying to kill the Emporer's mistress Elisabetta, and if so, Livia just saved her life. However, the attempts do not stop there and Elisabetta is soon poisoned.

While Livia is now concerned with Elisabetta’s safety, she is also contending with a new and unconventional marriage as well being in the early stage of pregnancy. Her life has changed quickly and she is undergoing more than one adjustment. Livia's husband Niccolo is quite attentive, but their marriage is truly lacking.

Livia's extensive knowledge of plants and medicine is in sharp contrast to 1850's Paris. What is more is that each chapter is preceeded with quotes from Livia's journal. She was a true apothecary and her knowledge held no bounds. The Paris Wife is a muli-faceted story and includes mystery, a wonderful love story and proves the bonds of true friendship. The plot is complex and the developments are intriguing. Whether the story unravels Livia's past or focuses on the plot against the Emperor, the story moves at a wonderful pace and truly captured my attention throughout.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

1865 Paris is in a turbulent state.
Livia is a simple young woman, a doctor's daughter married and expecting her first child finds herself with a reserved, distant husband trying to find her feet in Paris. Longing for home when she is befriended by Elisabetta, the Emperor's mistress. Elisabetta herself has been sent from Turin to spy for her Italian masters and though beautiful and talented she is not the only one to hold the Emperor's interest.
When Elisabetta takes Livia as a friend, Livia slowly begins to relax and feel that she can make Paris her second home.

However Elisabetta is with enemies and when Livia who is well versed in poisons discovers on one occasion a dish of berries mixed with deadly nightshade she knows that someone is either trying to get rid of Elisabetta or through her kill the Emperor. When Elisabetta is once again poisoned this time with doctored brandy, Livia has to draw on all her knowledge to get her friend out of danger. The tables are turned when Elisabetta accuses Livia's husband and brother and a friend of the assault. Imprisoned and without influence Livia must use all her wit to get her husband out of prison and clear his name.

The story was one of Livia and her husband trying to get into a closer relationship because their marriage was one of convenience. How adversity brings them together and how Livia begins to understand her reserved husband better is part of the story. It is the history undoubtedly which takes precedence over the personal story. Set within Napoleon III's era it is full of intrigue and always full of plots to overthrow him.

Added to this was that each chapter began with a description of a common poison - its appearance, its symptoms and its final outcome. It added a piquancy to the story.

Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I really liked this book-it featured so many of my favorite criteria when I choose a book! There's history, romance and lots of mystery and intrigue. In August of 1856 newly married Livia moves to Paris with her husband. She is really lonely until she meets Elizabetta, who is the Emperor's mistress. They become even closer when someone tries to poison Elizabetta and Livia saves her life. This is the story of their friendship and Livia and Niccolo's love story. I liked how Livia's character developed from a shy, mousey character into a strong, influential woman who took charge of her life. I really enjoyed this book, and plan to read more by this author!

I always enjoy the factual context of Meghan Masterson’s stories and feel she writes about such fascinating historical details. This time we’re off to 19th century Paris with scheming and intriguing characters and the subplot of who’s ruling France and Italy rumbling in the background.
I loved seeing Livia develop as a character- from the clever but timid and naive girl into the politically astute and formidable woman - she certainly made her mark in this male dominated world. Her relationship with Elisabetta was very interesting to watch and showed just how powerful these women were.

Thoroughly captivating, The Paris Wife grabbed me from the very beginning. The story of LIvia, daughter of an Italian physician from Turin, who suddenly finds herself married to a diplomat and living in Paris. Told in both the present and relatively recent past, we learn just who Livia is and how she ended up in Paris. Developing an unexpected friendship with Elizabetta, mistress to Napoleon III, Livia finds herself drawn into politics and the Italian drive for independence from France.

While not a real historical character, watching Livia as she comes to terms with her past and finds the strength and courage to confront those who have wronged her, as well as speak truth to power, is a real delight. A truly enjoyable read!

The Paris Wife takes place in Paris in 1856. Livia arrives in Paris with her new husband. She has medical knowledge as her father was a Doctor in the Italian countryside, She feels isolated in Paris until Elisabetta, the Emperor's clever beautiful mistress takes her under her wing. Livia is so happy strolling down the streets of Paris and dancing the night away at masked balls. When Elisabetta is mysteriously poisoned, Livia draws on her knowledge of herbs and medicine to cure her friend. When there is an attempt on the Emperors life, Livia's husband is jailed as he is falsely accused of of treason. I recommend this book for those that like historical fiction.

Livia is the daughter of a doctor and has learned all about the powers of flowers and herbs to heal or be used as poison by watching and helping her father in Italy. When circumstances force her to marry, she must flee to Paris to help her husband’s mission as a diplomat to meet with Emperor Napoleon III to discuss their country’s path towards independence.

Set in Paris 1856, it’s also the story of the Countess of Castiglione who was sent to Paris by her cousin, the minister Camillo Cavour, to use her beauty to do whatever it took, and she became the mistress to Napoleon to aid in helping to unify Italy. I knew nothing of this woman and learned that historically she visited the studio of Pierre-Louis Pierson which led to a collaboration that would produce more than 400 portraits and that is she is known for her early contributions to photography.

Livia and the Countess become friends and Livia’s knowledge of herbs and plants comes into play several times. When an attempt on the Emperor’s life occurs outside the Countesses home,
Livia’s husband is wrongly accused and she must fight to save him.

The beautiful cover and interesting history lesson worked for me. What didn’t was the title, which already exists as a novel I’ve read, and could have been something else that fit the plot better. I know books with key words like “Paris” and “Wife,” “Woman” or “Girl” in the title sell better, but I don’t know why an editor would want to make it confusing for the consumer and use a name of a book that was published 10 years ago. Also, for the novel’s backdrop to be Paris and Turin Italy, there was very little description of the land and I wanted more of a European feel to it as the settings never really popped off the pages like the gorgeous jacket cover did.

The Paris Wife comes out August 18. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for this review.

Even if I'm much less familiar with this period of French history (Second Empire) than with that of the author's previous novel (The Queen's Dressmaker, set during the Revolution), I enjoyed meeting the characters and finding out how Livia would use her knowledge of poisonous plants when placed in dangerous situations. But my favourite scenes were the quieter ones, those that developed her friendship with Elisabetta (Emperor Napoleon III's mistress) or the evolution of her relationship with her husband. I also liked the way her backstory was told, in flashback scenes well distributed in (almost) the whole novel rather than early and all at once. And the excerpts of her "book of herbal studies" at the start of each chapter are a nice touch - you never know if the plant mentioned there will have a role in the chapter or if it's just a random quote this time.
Now, wherever and whenever the author chooses to set her next novel, I think I'll want to follow.

Her duty was to plead the cause for Italian unity to the Emperor of France but instead, she fell in love. As the Emperor’s Elisabetta had to be perfect, beautiful at all times and entertaining. Though among so much glamour she never had any friends till she met Livia.
Recently arrived to France in 1856 after a somewhat hasty marriage, Livia is lonely and missing her home in Italy. As the daughter of a doctor, she takes some comfort in her passion for learning, but still it’s not enough. Her husband though kind is still very much a stranger and just when she feels at her lowliest point, she meets Elisabetta. Together these women form an immediate friendship and are ever devoted to one another. As they take Paris by storm, Livia is unaware of the political turmoil that lurks beneath and is surprised one day to receive a message that Elisabetta is very ill. When Livia rushes to aid of her friend she realizes that a poison may be to blame and uses her knowledge to save the one person who saved her.
I haven’t read much on this era so it was interesting to learn about Napoleon III and his mistress the Countess of Castiglione. Their relationship may have started out as political but for me I had the feeling that it was love. She was not only beautiful but she was smart and a pioneer in early photography. Although Livia may be fictional she seemed real, her curiosity into the world of poisons was fascinating and I admired her bravery and loyalty. My only complaint is that I felt the story itself was cut short, I was left wanting to learn more and wished it contained more of the history aspect. Nevertheless it was a very good read and recommended as well as the author’s other book titled The Wardrobe Mistress which I absolutely loved!

The Paris Wife by Meghan Masterson is a wonderful slow burn where Masterson tactfully reveals more and more about the characters as the pages progress. Livia's passion for poison and her love of medicine makes her an interesting and enticing character and I enjoyed seeing her scheme and grow into her own.

You need to know that the author, Megan Masterson, is a formidable force and a Canadian girl who fought the BIG C and won. A farm girl, who knows how to work through difficult times, has survived gastric cancer, fought to maintain her writing mojo and worked through edits ALL WHILE FIGHTING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMO AND SURGERY. This book will be published mere months after the hardest fight of her life.

The Paris Wife was written a couple of years ago before her diagnosis and while editing it for a new contract with Bookouture during her difficult time last year, it resonated with Meghan’s cancer. It centers around a doctor’s daughter with a secret expertise in poisons. Meghan can’t help but wonder if her heroine, Livia, would be interested in modern chemotherapy as she’s fascinated by the process of using what is essentially a poison as a cure. In fact, Meghan calls this her poison novel since the protagonist, Livia, is an expert in poisons. It’s mostly set in Paris (with a bit in Turin, Italy) between 1856/1857 and features a scandalous countess obsessed with photography, a descendent of Napoleon (nephew), a slow burn romance and a poison plot!

In a world ruled by men, one woman holds the fate of a nation in her hands. The Countess of Castiglione, Napoleon III’s mistress Elisabetta, is remembered in history partly as the most glamorous woman in France as well as for her contributions to photography but mostly remembered for her role in Italian unification. Due to jealousy and conspiracies, she’s become isolated and ostracized.

Livia, an ordinary girl from Turin, is loosely based on Constantino Nigra, who accompanied the Countess to Paris. Newly married, unhappy and alone, Livia gravitates towards Elisabetta and the two form a formidable friendship. Just as she begins to open her heart and let her husband in and let Elisabetta see the real Livia, she discovers that her worst enemy has followed her from Italy. You’ll read about danger, an assassination attempt, someone wrongfully accused of treason, the future of France in shambles and two women who work together to save the lives of those they love.

This book is so well researched that you’d never know the author has never been to Paris. Her fascination with the city of light is evident in both her recent novels. I love Meghan’s writing style; each character the protagonist interacts with draws out something new about her personality and as it develops, so does the plot. Meghan gives us just enough of the backstory to understand why characters act a certain way, but doesn’t bog readers down with extra information.

This masterpiece is a fascinating insight into the world of women and the way they were viewed in 1856 France and needs to be on your radar come August 18, 2021.

Meghan Masterson is an auto-buy author for me because her historical fiction always leaves me spellbound and reaching for my computer to learn more.

I was gifted this advance copy by Meghan Masterson, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A marriage of convenience, deception, an assassination attempt, friendship turning to romance…this book has it all! A nice read!

Livia, the Italian-born wife of Niccolo, is living in Paris when she meets Elisabetta, the mistress of the Emperor. While Livia and Elisabetta quickly become friends, Livia finds herself realizing she’s married to a stranger. The true story here is the love that blossoms between Livia and Niccolo. However, when a common enemy shows up in Paris, everything may be ruined.

A really gripping and great page turner. Really excited to read more from this author. HIGHLY recommend to all :)

This heart-wrenching and page-turning book is one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fans of historical fiction! A completely gripping and imaginative historical novel about the power held by women in a world that is ruled by men. A truly addictive story that I just couldn't put down. A must read.

This book is a page turner! Mystery, intrigue, danger at every turn. I couldn’t put it down.

In this new historical fiction set in Paris in 1856, we meet Livia who is a simple but smart country girl and daughter of a doctor. She and her new husband have arrived in Paris from Italy where she feels very homesick (and pregnant as well) and lonely while her husband goes about his distant business. Soon she meets Elisabetta who is the Emperor’s mistress and earns her favor when she tells her that she suspects someone tried to poison her with poisonous berries. Elisabetta decides to take Livia under her tutelage and soon they are fast friends which helps Livia to feel more at home in Paris. Livia is very happy when she gives birth to her daughter and her relationship with her husband truly becomes all that she dreamed of.

But Livia’s world is turned upside down… Livia sees a mysterious man in Paris from her past.
Elisabetta is poisoned and Livia, with her knowledge of herbs and poisons saves her. Then there is an attempt on the Emperor’s life and Livia’s husband is jailed as one of the three conspirators based on false information from Elisabetta. Livia must do whatever it takes to save the life of her husband and those she loves so dear.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I loved all the information given on different flora which could be helpful or harmful, depending on the situation. You will love reading this story of strong women demonstrating courage, finding hope and love.

Thank you to #netgalley and #TheParisWife for allowing me to read and review this book.