This book follows Alix St Pierre prior to, during and post WWII. Hence the concept of her 3 lives. The book flashes back and forth, a chunk of chapters at a time, during these periods of her life. While I generally don’t mind multiple timelines, it was challenging to follow her story and feel invested. I love historical fiction, especially WWII, but this was a miss for me.

For me personally, the strongest aspect of the book was the love story and even that wasn’t great. I didn’t particularly care about the fashion industry (the newly established house of Dior that Alix worked for post war) which perhaps some readers would enjoy. This book fell flat for me and felt a bit like a chore to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy.

Ex-OSS agent Alix St. Pierre seeks a fresh start in Paris as the PR agent for the freshly established House of Dior, but her actions and enemies from during the war continue to dog her steps.

This was the oldest NetGalley ARC on my shelf, so it's with a real sense of satisfaction that I'm crossing it off the list. And it was fun to see yet another fresh perspective on World War Two, that of a female OSS agent, and better yet to see Paris in the days right after the war.

Lester does a great job of developing the character of Alix, a tough, clever woman who over the course of the novel comes to terms with her actions during the war. You really understand the cataclysmic impact of the war on the characters and the world in a way that most WW2 novels I've read seem to miss. And the amount of research the author did really shows - Alix's world in both timelines comes seamlessly to life straight from the start.

However, I did feel the book had pacing issues - it seemed to drag on in places, and yet it also skipped past months of development in the post-WW2 timeline. I would have liked to see more of Alix's PR genius past the original launch of Dior's collection. I also was not very invested in the romance - I didn't always like Anthony, and I didn't understand why it was they were so suited to each other beyond the fact that he was progressive enough to be happy with a working wife. That it became such a big part of the story toward the end definitely made me feel less interested overall.

Another wonderful historical fiction from Natasha Lester. A favorite author and I think a new favorite book of hers. Loved Alix and the storyline so much!

This book has all a reader looks for in historical fiction -- a good and creative story based on thorough research, intrigue, and a romance among some of the main characters! I read the first 100 pages of this book a few months ago, but other books took over. And so it was only in the past few weeks that I got back into the book, and I found myself yearning to keep reading even as I was falling asleep at night just to find out what happened. The multiple timelines were sometimes tricky to follow or pick back up, but in the end, it all came together perfectly.

It was a privilege to get an early peek at this novel, thank you #netgalley. Please read this beauty, it will be well worth it readers!

While I'm normally not big on historical fiction, especially set during war time, this book was so good! I enjoyed the three timelines of before, during and after WWII and Alix's spirit of strength and resilience shone through. If you have any interest in fashion this is an even better book to read for you for sure!

Great historical fiction like every other Natasha Lester historical fiction novel I own! Well researched, well written, highly captivating.

I loved loved loved this book! It was such a fun combination of history and thrill. It was very engaging and despite the time era being a popular one (WWII), Natasha Lester had me hooked right from the start. This story really pulled me in and I felt like I was living through all of what Ali’s was facin, with her. Very immersive! I would strongly recommend all historical fiction fans check this out!

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alix St Pierre has lived three lives: as an orphan, a WWII Special Operative, and now as a successful fashion PR director. Post-war, she struggles with guilt from a failed wartime mission. When she learns the German double agent responsible might escape charges, she embarks on one last mission to seek justice.

Alix is a resilient character who has always had to make her own way, especially in an era when women’s roles were limited. I enjoyed learning about Christian Dior and his impact on women's fashion. The novel’s exploration of Alix's self-doubt was a bit frustrating, but overall, it was a compelling read for historical fiction fans.

“There was one brief and shining moment, wasn't there, when it looked like the world would change. For four years we spied and we worked damn hard and we saved people's lives and we made a difference, and nobody cared too much that we were women. And then it all ended. Went backwards, even.”

Natasha Lester's latest novel blends romance, fashion, and espionage, with the story spanning three timelines: before, during, and after WWII. This structure beautifully captures Alix’s growth and resilience. The secondary characters and Dior couture details enrich the narrative, making it an immersive read.

‘…they'd shared both the most awful and beautiful things: spectacular orbs of light within the darkness. It was why some journeys were better not taken alone; sometimes you needed another person to help you find the single star hidden in the storm.’

*The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre* is a must-read for historical fiction lovers, intertwining romance and a spy mystery while highlighting women's empowerment. Natasha Lester continues to excel with her meticulous research and compelling storytelling.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release. Thank you @netgalley and @forever for this ARC.

I love how Natasha Lester writes strong women. As with The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, once I started this one, I devoured it. I did not want to put it down.

The story mainly focuses on Alix St. Pierre’s life during the Second World War, when she served as an American spy stationed in Switzerland, and after the war, when she worked as the head of publicity for House of Dior.

The 1943 and 1946 storylines are interwoven, with bits and pieces of the past coming to light and illuminating the why behind Alix’s actions and reactions during her time at Dior.

Honestly, I adore watching Natasha Lester’s characters take on the patriarchy. I loved the support system that Alix cultivates, the heightened sense of danger, the touch of mystery, and the love story that unfolds.

I can’t believe I sat on this one for so long. I’m eager to read my way through Lester’s backlist.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Thank you @readforeverpub and netgalley for an arc.

This was such a fascinating read with a badass heroine being a spy turned fashion icon in paris during WW2.

This one had been on my list for a while, and despite it being a WWII histfic (a subgenre I am just feeling super overdone with right now...) I was looking forward to it and prioritized it on my TBR. Unfortunately, getting into reading it was difficult. I found that the multiple time periods and the time hoping made it fairly hard to follow. I enjoyed the fashion piece the most I think, and didn't mind a bit of the spy/secret identity stuff, but in the end, I gave it several good attempts but just could not get into it. I watched as my kindle went left unattended for a few days at a time before finally giving in and either attempting to read Alix or reading something else "just for a quick break", all signs that this is a book that needs to be DNF'd. It definitely had promise, and was one that maybe if I wasn't in an anti-WWII hist fic phase MAY have worked out, but unfortunately it just didn't have enough good things going for it to be the right fit for me.

Thank you Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Natasha Lester for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre" is a captivating tale that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the life of Alix St. Pierre, a woman whose courage and determination set her apart in a world torn apart by war and deception. From her humble beginnings in Hollywood to her daring adventures as a spy in Switzerland during WWII, Alix's story is one of resilience and intrigue.

The author skillfully weaves together elements of espionage, romance, and betrayal, creating a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Alix's character is portrayed as a strong and resourceful woman who navigates the complexities of wartime espionage with grace and determination.

As Alix moves to Paris and takes on a new role at the House of Dior, the glamour of the fashion world provides a stark contrast to the shadows of her past. However, when a ghost from the war resurfaces, Alix is forced to confront the secrets she carries and the risks she must take to protect her future.

The Novel is a riveting blend of historical fiction and suspense, offering readers a glimpse into a world of intrigue and danger. With its richly drawn characters and evocative setting, this novel is sure to appeal to fans of spy thrillers and historical dramas.

Overall, "The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre" is a gripping and compelling read that will keep readers hooked until the very end. Alix St. Pierre's story is one of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Alix St Pierre has lived three lives: as an orphan, as a Special Operative in WWII, and now as a successful fashion PR director for fashion icon Dior. She is trying to deal with guilt she has felt over a failed mission that she was directly involved during the war and to bring who she blames to justice. We're reminded of the integral role women played during WWII and all the untold stories.

Ever since reading "The Paris Orphan" many years ago, Natasha Lester has become an auto-buy historical fiction author for me. She does an exceptional job of crafting fictional narratives based on real-life women who were often overlooked and undervalued. "The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre" was no exception. I'm always a fan of multiple POVs and timelines in historical fiction and Lester does a great job of weaving multiple stories together into one beautiful book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So much history & culture in the latest release from Natasha Lester! “The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre” will have you traveling between war-torn Europe & the glamorous world of the fashion industry! Alix may be just one woman, but she’s lived many lives, all of which include colorful characters & experiences. While dark at times, I found this to be a fun read & absolutely loved the settings & time period of this historical fiction novel. Perfect for fans of “Casablanca.”

It took me forever to finish this book. Overall, it was an ok read. I like this author but I’m not a fan of this story. I thought that it dragged a bit too much between the back and forth in the timelines, it wasn’t as engaging as previous stories.

Thus author is becoming one of my all time favorite historical fiction authors, the way she tales a story is amazing because from the very the start she has pulled into it, where you can feel and see everything from the places, to the people themselves coming to life.
Side note I actually got this book twice from the publisher so I also want to give thanks to them .

Such a fan of this author and her work. I look forward to reading whatever she happens to be working on.
In this story, Alix is such a well defined character and of course, spy. This is her story and as the title states, her three lives. Each is as interesting as the life before.
The writing is amazing as I expected. If you haven’t read this author yet, well you should.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.