This is a lovely little jewel of a novel. It’s part romance, part historical fiction and part mystery. When Lucille is asked by her aged grandmother to go to Paris and find some very unusual dresses, she is unaware that she is also untangling a decades long family mystery.

The dresses were prime examples of designer Christian Dior at his most magnificent. The dresses were the possessions of Alice Ainsley, wife of the British ambassador to France in the early 1950’s. So, how was Alice Ainsley connected to Lucille’s aged grandmother, Sylvie? Lucille retraces the steps of Alice, and the dresses she wore, with the help of Veronique and Leon, both connected to the dresses and the Alice Ainsley, who has disappeared.

The hunt and the descriptions create an engaging little tale, which I enjoyed. The author took me to so many places I love that the journey with Lucille was mesmerizing. Beer is a very talented writer, recreating details of Alice’s life and wardrobe.

Thank you Netgalley for this treat. I think women’s groups will love it!

I liked this a lot. It was exactly what I expected it to be. It is super predictable, basically because the narrative is seeded with little clues. I'm not going to point them all out. You'll have to read it yourself.

A young woman is sent to Paris on an errand by her grandmother. And the errand turns out to be way more complicated than fetching an old dress from the daughter of an old friend.

This also has lovely descriptions of Paris. It gave me a bit of a travel bug. I think I could go to Paris a million times and always find something new to explore.

If you're into historical fiction or love stories or basically anything, I definitely recommend this one.

I absolutely loved this book!

A very satisfying read with just the right amount of romance, suspense and mystery. I enjoyed Lucille's journey from hapless to assured. Of course, the detailed description of the gowns was wonderful.
At the core, the story explores the relationships between mothers and daughters which is always complicated. The characters just came alive!! It was so hard to put this book down.

Lucille is off to Paris to do what she thinks is a simple favor for her grandmother. She is about to uncover secrets that will have profound effects on her own life. It's historical fiction that alternates chapters from present day to early 1950's Europe. It's a love story, an adventure, a mystery, a story of friendship, mother-daughter relationships, secrets, acceptance, forgiveness, high society and haute couture. I drank in every word. The descriptions of the dresses and the scenes were so well done, I could picture it all. The characters came alive and I felt the roller coaster of emotions that were expressed. A brilliant storyline. This book is a true gem!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author, Jade Beer for the ARC.

The premise of the story is intriguing. A granddaughter learns about her grandmother's past while finding dresses designed by Dior in 1950's Paris.

I really enjoyed the story, the characters, amid the background of the City of Lights. The history of Dior and the role fashion played in society was so interesting.

The story flows unevenly, however. It needs some more editing.

The last Dress from Paris transports you to one of Paris’s most glamorous periods. A time where women spent a years salary to some on one dress. A time when Dior was the king of fashion.
Alice is trapped in a loveless marriage to a man who dosent have the time for her. When a man sees right past her beautiful Dior wall she has so carefully built and straight through to her soul steps in her path she can’t help herself. Every page of this book takes you to another scene in Paris and another Dior masterpiece. Filled with love and loss the chapters take you to the past and back to the present while a young women tries to piece together the past as one last gift to her aging grandmother and in the process learns that life is about more than just surviving.

The part about the dresses was interesting,, but as not a fashion themed history-mystery, it's a bit of a disappointment. Why did the main character's new husband turn cold? Why did she fall for the 1st person to pursue her? It feels underdeveloped. The familial relationships for Lucile are more richly drawn than the underlying historical story. I did google all the dresses to see what they look like...That part was interesting.

THE LAST DRESS FROM PARIS is a light, fun read perfect for fans of dual timelines and stories about fashion and women's struggles.

At first, I found the post-war narrative to feel slightly familiar or tired. It reads like a story we've read before. However, I'm glad I stuck with it because the characters grew on me and the romance is sweeping and heartfelt.

The modern-day narrative grabbed my attention from the beginning.

Overall, this is a soapy drama recommended for fans of historical fiction. The author is talented at setting the scene and making the reader feel like they are experiencing what the characters are experiencing.

Jade Beer’s “The Last Dress from Paris” is a blend of light, contemporary style woven into a compelling unraveling of a family story. The contemporary storyteller is an all too common character lacking in self-confidence who finds herself as the story progresses. Her grandmother, who is at the heart of the story, is a much more vibrant post-war individual, who pays the personal price for choices she makes. The Paris setting, with a backdrop of the Dior couturier, lends depth to the story. It is an entertaining, although light, story that builds its own character as it reaches the ending. For those who enjoy a quick paced, feel-good story.

I adore a dual- timeline historical fiction, haute couture and Paris. The Last Dress in Paris delivers a juicy combination of the three! A very satisfying read with just the right amount of romance, suspense and mystery. I enjoyed Lucille's journey from hapless to assured. Of course, the detailed description of the gowns was a delight. At the core, the story explores the relationships between mothers and daughters which is always complicated.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
So many books available this year dealing with Paris after the war and the designers living there. This one is a bit different and ha great unpredictable twists. Great characters who get under the readers skin.

4.5 stars

Lucille is quite surprised when her beloved Granny sends her to Paris as a birthday gift. Granny has one thing
she wants Lucille to do - bring back a dress designed by Christian Dior that had been in the keeping of an old friend. So begins a journey that opens Lucille’s eyes to parts of her grandmothers life that were not known to her. More importantly, Lucille learns what in her own life brings her joy and what she needs to discard. Well written, compelling story about familial relationships, acceptance and ultimately, love.

The Last Dress from Paris is a thoroughly enjoyable read with an unexpected storyline.
A young woman is sent to Paris by her elderly grandmother to retrieve "one" special dress. Little does she know that she will be on a treasure hunt through some of the most exquisite Dior gowns in history.

I recently read The Fashion Orphans and this book was just as pleasurable and refreshing to read!! The Fashion Orphans was all about Chanel this one is all about Dior! Great book!

Absolutely loved this book....if you love Paris and its landmarks, couture fashion, romance, dual timelines and friendships that last through decades, then this book is the one you want to read! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel!

Dior, Adventure, Mystery and family. That is what Jade Beer’s book The Last Dress from Paris has in store for its readers. Set in 1952 Paris and 2017 London. It has many delightful characters that you will love! This book is truly a delight and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fashion, Paris and family!

Alice Ainsley is wife to the British ambassador in Paris in the years following World War II, and her “job” is to see and be seen. She’s given expensive jewelry and designer clothing, but she’s not happy living life in the limelight, she’d much rather have her husband’s love and devotion, but that’s in short supply. So when she finds a second, illicit chance at love, Alice is powerless to resist. Years later, in modern day London, Lucille finds herself fulfilling her grandmother, Sylvie’s, request to reclaim a precious Dior dress from Paris. Lucille soon discovers that it’s what the dress symbolizes to her grandmother, an epic, sweeping story of love and betrayal