If you like WWII stories, this will enchant you. Coco Chanel's assistant, Adele, lives in occupied Paris. While she is surrounded by Nazi's, she carries on as just an ordinary assistant to the legendary designer. What they don't know is she is a vital member of the Resistance. Fast forward to today and the mysteries of Adele's life at that time become uncovered by her granddaughter. I held my breath reading this great book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion in this review is solely my own.

I have read all of this author's books and loved everyone of them and this is no exception. As a historical fiction lover I adored this book and as its told in a dual time line its my favourite trope.
The author's writing is as always engaging and the characters are so likeable. The time line of WW2 and the Nazi occupation of France was well researched and well written. Anything to do with resistance is just up my street.
A perfect book for me, from one of my favourite authors.
Thanks to the author and publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

What is the extent to which a human can go to survive a terrible ordeal? What is the extent of cruelty a human could show to another human? Are the lines of right and wrong ever the same or constantly shifting with circumstances and time? These are some of the questions raised within the pages of The Dressmaker's Secret and it's quite difficult to have convincing, solid answers to them.

The book opens with Chloé trying to buy any trinket from the auction sale of old things belonging to The Ritz, Paris, as a token of remembrance for her grandmother who had spent five years of her life at that hotel, just when the most dreadful war of 20th century was beginning to brew in France. She meets Etienne there and gets to know about a surprising and shocking truth about her grandmother's employer, designer 'Coco' Chanel - that she had been a Nazi spy during the war and had helped them in exchange for favours.

This piece of news turns everything Chloé thought she knew about her grandmother Adèle on its head and her world goes topsy-turvy. And now the author takes us to the Paris of 1942 when the Germans had just conquered Paris and Adèle's life as it was with her employer. While Chloé tries to find out all she could about Chanel and her grandmother, we are thrown into the harsh, terrible, crazy period that was the Second World War and taken for a crazy ride with Adèle in her bid for survival.

The book travels between the 1940s and the 2018 alternately, as we follow Adele and Chloé, and the author Lorna Cook has done a clever job of straddling both these times. Her ability to bring in the reader to the fearful, uncertain Nazi occupied France is commendable; the fear and nervousness that Adele and the people of the country must have felt was palpable and very real. She makes the reader see the actions of those people, however despicable or horrendous it may be, for what they really are - people trying to survive the worst and just doing all they can do for the same. She lays out in stark detail, the harsh realities of war and how it brings out the best or worst in people.

There are also some twists and turns in the story that were quite surprising and made the reading of the book enjoyable and thrilling. It is a well- written story which subtly asks some deep questions. But I am usually not a fan of such dark content - it's just not my cup of tea. So, I don't believe I will be reading any of her future works.

If you are a fan of reading books which pull you into a slice of history and tell a thrilling story along with it, this is definitely the book for you.

Thanks to the author Lorna Cook, the publisher and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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

I love the way this author writes. I like that she took a historical figure, Coco Chanel, and built an intricate story around her, one that I had not heard before. There are so many wartime books and I always enjoy reading from a different perspective. This is a dual timeline story with the present about Chloe; and in the past about Chloe’s grandmother Adele.

In the present, Chloe, recently divorced and looking to find herself, heads to Paris to help out at a friend vintage clothing shop; she also helps to find out more about her grandmother’s life when she worked as an assistant to Coco Chanel during wartime, as she doesn’t really talk about that time in her life. At an auction at the Ritz, Chloe meets a man, Etienne who insinuates that Chanel was a nazi agent and it leaves Chloe wondering about her grandmother, surely she wouldn’t have worked for someone like that. As Chloe and Etienne get closer, they hunt for the truth.

In the past, Adele is working for Coco Chanel as her assistant, during the war. Adele and Coco Chanel live at the Ritz, which is teaming with Nazi officers. Adele meets a Dr. Dixon, an American doctor working in Paris who she suspects to be part of the resistance. Adele’s story about how she makes it through the war and ultimately survives, starting over in England, is a fascinating tale.

I love the way this author tells a story and this book lured me in right away. I will definitely be looking forward to more books from this author.

The Dressmaker's Secret is worth to stay up all night and enjoy reading it!
My heart will keep Adele's story for a long time, I am sure about that.
Adele is a wonderful girl, brave and clever! She has found herself between two fires, on the one hand her beloved man, an American doctor who helps the Resistance, and on the other hand, Coco Chanel with her Nazi-friends. Which side will Adele take? Will she be able to remain fidelity to the man she loves, to Paris and France, and save her life?
Another great feature of this book is the intrigue, you don't get to know the story of a stunning woman, the legendary woman - Coco Chanel, until you finish the book.
On the other hand, Chloe's story creates a contrast to sad and deep, difficult events of distant wartime. It's funny and warm, modern story full of love and happiness.
I will definitely highly recommend The Dressmaker's Secret to everyone who loves reading historical fiction and books about World War ll.
Thanks to Lorna Cook, Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!

In this crossover between World War 2 and today, join Chloe as she uncovers her grandmother's secret working for a Fashion designer sans Nazi spy
I loved the back and forth in this book and the writing. As a history nerd it was also a pique of interest towards Coco Chanel and her life. This is my first Lorna Cook read and it's safe to say she has a fan in me

Living at the Ritz and Working for Coco Chanel in Nazi-occupied Paris gives Adele an inside look at Chanel's suspected collaboration with the Germans during WWII. Adele is also collaborating herself, but with the French resistance. Well written historical fiction, and recommended reading.

I found this book captivating and enjoyed the unique point of view on the story of Coco Chanel and WWII. The shifting timelines were easy to follow and added depth to the story.

Beautiful historic read full of tension and heart. As is the norm for this author. She writes wonderfully and really captures you into the moment of the story. A fab read.

Wonderful historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️ Rating

I found myself immediately drawn into this storyline. I love a WW2 story especially those that are based on true historical happenings.

This story follows 2 different time periods, present day with Chloe and war time Paris with her grandmother Adele. Adele was the assistant to fashion icon Coco Chanel and until reading this story k was not aware of the history of her being a Nazi collaborator or her time living at the Ritz surrounded my German officials. Adele wrestles with her lifestyle and the actions of her employer during this horrific time.

Chloe in the present day is going through a life change following a divorce and is in Paris to find herself. While there she attends an auction at the Ritz which features some items from when Chanel lived there during the war which engages her curiosity to find out more about her Grandmothers life during this time.

The story telling and the way the 2 time periods are woven together are seamless and do not feel sudden or rushed as in some other stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and my only negative is that I would have liked more detail following Adele parting ways with Chanel and the life she managed to build.

I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys historical fiction featuring romance.

I received a copy of #TheDressmakersSecret from #Netgalley.

First of all, I really like Lorna Cook's books... so that will influence my opinion of this book, but I did really enjoy it.

It's WWII Paris and the Nazi's have just arrived. Coco Chanel escapes into the countryside for a time, but then decides to return to the Ritz hotel to wait out the war, all while hobnobbing with the Nazis. Her dress shop is closed down and many of the women are forced to find work wherever they can.

Adéle has been hired on as Chanel's assistant and enters the war period with her. While living in the Ritz, even as an assistant, she is still privy to what happens and has to choose what side she is on and whether she will do anything about it. When she falls in love, her loyalty is tested even more.

I learned a lot about a different side of WWII Paris that I had never heard before. I also didn't know much about Coco Chanel and certainly nothing about her time during the war. It was a fascinating read- well written and researched.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t think this book was as good as my previous read by Lorna Cook. Whilst this is a dual-timeline narrative, I could not grow to care for the present day story, more intrigued for Adèle and her character. As such, I found the present day narrative more as a device to move the plot forwards and to make connections between the different generations.

Set in the height of the Second world war, the occupation of Paris is seen through the eyes of orphan Adèle, who happens to find employment working for the famous fashion designer, Coco Chanel. Living in the Ritz in a nest of Nazi officers, Adèle witnesses the unthinkable: collaboration with the enemy to ensure safety and security. Cook presents a side of Chanel that I had not known about and the author’s note at the end, coupled with my own internet searches, showed that this designer was rumoured to have been working with the Nazis to help herself. It’s a chilling discovery and one that I had not associated with such a famous brand. It’s also one I am unlikely to forget.

Switching to the present, Adèle’s grand-daughter is living in Paris but keen to know more about her grandmother. When suspicions grow that Adèle might have been working with the Nazis, Chloé starts to research the occupancy of the Ritz, becoming close friends with Parisenne art dealer, Etienne, who seems to be the epitome of everything French! Recently divorced, Chloé is drawn to Etienne as a friend and confidante, especially as it seems he seems to know about Chanel and living at the Ritz. Over time, the two become closer in their quest for the truth and learn a bit about art along the way as well.

To be honest, I wasn’t too fussed about this dual-narrative and think this was just a way of bringing in Adèle’s grand-daughter. I think if the story had been solely set in the past, the book would have been more interesting. As such, I became frustrated when the story moved back to Chloé, even though the final scenes occur with her talking to Adèle and finally learning the truth about what happened in Paris. Instead, I wanted more scenes with the dishy Doctor, more heart-stopping moments of collaboration, and even more of an insight into Chanel’s movements. This would have made for an more immersive narrative.

There are some sweet moments in the story, particularly surrounding Adèle, the Doctor and a young girl. Cook’s portrayal felt incredibly vivid and I could easily picture the heartache and suffering. It also reinforces the extensive research the author undertook to create this novel. I liked how Adèle grows in the story and becomes more aware of those around her, which sadly leads to a suspicion of strangers as she realises this could lead to arrest for saying the wrong thing.

Overall, I thought this an interesting story that would have worked better if solely committed to the past. Cook presents a time where loyalties are questioned and a person’s drive to do what they can acts as a means of self-preservation. The revelations about Coco Chanel were fascinating and I think adds to my understanding of such a horrific period of history.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this novel! I love WWII fiction, but there's so much out there, its hard to be original and find yor own twist. This however, was different from me. As someone who enjoys fashion, I liked hearing about coco chanel and her effect on the war. I couldn't put it down and I loved the suspenseful parts. Thank yo netgallery and Lorna Cook for the ARC of this novel!

The Dressmaker's Secret builds a story around Coco Chanel during WWII, focusing on the others around her, trapped in her gravitational pull.

The book description overstates Adèle's involvement with the resistance. She is brave and fights for her beliefs, but it's more in small, human acts of kindness than as part of a larger force. Her empathetic nature is admirable, especially during wartime, but I expected more of a spy plot based on the description. However, this made the story more believable - her few heroic acts fly under the radar, for the most part, so while there is some danger, it's not inescapable.

"'Why do you think it's frightening?'
She thought before speaking. 'Love must be a feeling of being out of control. And I'm not sure I would like that...that total powerlessness. It makes me worried that it could make a person...' she thought for the right word. '...vulnerable. It makes me feel I would be vulnerable,' she said quietly. She wished she'd not said it. She wished she'd not fallen into her own trap of thinking aloud. The hot blush creeping up her face was unbearable.
He continued looking at her. 'You would be,' he said. 'We're all vulnerable in love. You should be able to be totally and utterly lost in love, swept up in it. That's how it should be. That's the beauty of it.'"

I didn't feel the chemistry in either of the romances. Adèle and Theo had almost no time together. I know war raises the stakes and speeds up the timeline in many relationships, but it seems they jumped from acquaintances to soulmates within a few pages. It was clear they were interested in each other, but everything moved way too quickly in too short a time to make their outcome believable. Chloé and Etienne were almost the opposite. They felt so much like awkward acquaintances who didn't particularly like each other. Every interaction ends in a disagreement or misunderstanding, so I was genuinely surprised when it became clear they were supposed to be love interests. They spend so much time together for seemingly no reason - their relationship truly baffled me.

I didn't know anything about Coco Chanel, so her actions during the war were news to me. With the author's note at the end, I found the narrative to be a balanced telling of the known information. I don't think you necessarily have to be interested in fashion to find how notable historical figures survived during the war interesting. And say what you will about Chanel; she is undoubtedly a notable historical figure.

I love when historical fiction builds a world around a well-known figure, and this was done incredibly well in The Dressmaker's Secret . Though there were a few hiccups, I very much enjoyed this read.

This is a poignant and moving war novel which tugs at the heartstrings. I loved it, and I will look for more books by Lorna Cook.

A time-slip tale, it tells two stories about a heroine who lives in the present time and her grandmother. Chloe, upset and alone after a divorce, has moved to her beloved Paris. Here she meets the handsome Etienne, but she also starts wondering about her grandmother, and why she never talks about the war. She knows that her grandmother Adele worked for the famous Coco Chanel, so when Etienne tells her that Chanel was a Nazi agent, she worries about her grandmother possibly being a traitor. Together, she and Etienne set out to find the truth... But will her feelings for her ex-husband get in the way of any potential new romance?

Adele enjoys working for Chanel, and living at the Ritz, but when Hitler's dark forces occupy Paris, and Chanel starts having a little too much to do with the Nazis, she is torn between her gratitude for her employer, and her desire to help the Allies. After she saves a young Jewish girl from the Nazis, and becomes involved with a doctor at the American Hospital, can she keep her job, and work for the Resistance? Adele has tough decisions to make.

I especially enjoyed the mysteries involving Chanel in the background to this story, . She is always fascinating, although my mother called her 'that old traitor', which unfortunately appears to be correct.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

What do you know about Chanel? The iconic image, the perfume, the black dress pretty much sums up what I knew about her. This is not a book about that, this is a book about a nasty dark secret which impacts Adele, Chanel’s personal assistant.

In present day, Chole is working in France to help a friend in a boutique full of vintage items, whilst healing her heart from her divorce. She knows her grandmother Adele was French and that at one time had worked for Chanel and lived in The Ritz but she is reluctant to say much more. Chloe wants to know the truth.

Moving back to the past we are taken to the occupation of Paris by the Nazis in the Second World War. The Hotel Ritz, the living place of Chanel and Adele is full of Nazis, German Officers are everywhere and the resistance to this occupation is death. A nasty death.

Then of course there is those that don’t fit in, fuelled by whatever influences Chanel is quite clear of her views of these types of people. One day Adele witness the consequences of this hatred and watches as a women is taken away, a pleading look in her eyes to Adele. That one action leads Adele to risk her life by finding this woman’s child and getting her to safety.

Who do you trust? Who can you trust? The American Doctor? The French Secretary? The Concierge of the hotel? The Famous Fashion Designer? Adele finds herself mixed up in at all, can she really know what she knows and get out of the situation on the right side?

In present day, Chloe has no idea of the background of Chanel and is surprised by what she learns. When she encounters Etienne she finds that his knowledge of Chanel and how her behaviour during the war influenced his grandmother’s life, it seems that there were two very different outcomes depending on what side of the resistance and support you were on. It did not do to show your true colours. Chole and Etienne find themselves showing their true colours and perhaps everyone can move on now knowing the past.

Whilst Adele’s story is fictional, the rest is very much real and clearly the author has done her research as the passion for what she learnt jumped off the page. Some of the actions and descriptions in the book, make for uncomfortable reading and my heart was in my mouth sometimes as the story moved on. I learnt so much and it is a book which made me stop and think, made me question and made the odd tear run down my cheek as I realised what really happened to the many thousands of people at the hands of the Nazis, the collaborators and all the conspirators. It does not seem all that long ago.

If you are looking for a well written, thoroughly researched historical fiction book then this one to look out for in 2022. You will learn a lot, I promise you.

The Dressmaker's Secret is a most enjoyable read based on Coco Chanel's life during the Nazi occupation of Paris during the Second World War. There has always been a question mark over whether Chanel was a collaborator or not, although she was never punished for being one.

Lorna Cook has drawn a narrative using a dressmaker, Adele, as Chanel's personal assistant while she lives in the luxurious Ritz Hotel and entertains German officers. In present day Paris Adele's granddaughter, Chloe, wants to uncover the life Adele has refused to tell her about. Chloe's journey leads her to discover what Adele did during the war and the love story that lies at the heart of this novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review The Dressmaker's Secret.

Well, this was another superb read from Lorna Cook. I really enjoy these dual-timeline novels. Somehow she gets the pacing just right, drip feeds the information to keep you guessing and turning just one more page. I blame her for keeping me up too late reading!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Dressmaker's Secret - it was the perfect mixture of intrigue, danger, romance and surprises. I'd definitely recommend it to others, and look forward to Lorna's next book.

The Dressmaker's Secret is taking you on a ride back to Paris, 1941 during a time period that we are all familiar with.

Paris, 1941: As Coco Chanel’s assistant, Adèle lives side by side with German officers in the splendor of The Ritz hotel. But Adèle has a secret. She is working for the resistance, right under the German’s noses.

As occupied Paris becomes more and more dangerous, Adèle will have to decide if she can risk everything to save innocent lives and protect the man she loves…

Present day: Chloé’s grandmother has never spoken about the war and avoids questions about the legendary designer she once worked for. Now Chloé has come to Paris, to uncover the truth about Adèle’s life. But is she prepared for what she will find? And for the power of her grandmother’s secrets to change her family forever…

Going into this I wasn't familiar with Chanel's involvment with Nazis during their time in Paris, which is one factor of this book that gripped my interest. I'm pretty impressed with the amount of research the author put into this book.

As for the story between the history of Adéle and Chloé trying to piece it together was the great makings of a heart warming story. It was one that makes me want to run to my grandmother and ask her as many things about her life as I can to cherish my memories of her even more.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.