I'm normally not a historical fiction fan, but I do find myself intrigued by WWII stories and this book just hit the spot! I loved the timelines, the writing, and the introduction to fashion. The characters were great too. Overall, really enjoyable read.

A New York Times bestselling author delivers a lavish, unforgettable story of an orphan turned WWII spy turned fashion icon in Paris.
Alix St. Pierre. An unforgettable name for an unforgettable woman. She grew up surrounded by Hollywood glamor, but, as an orphan, never truly felt part of that world. In 1943, with WWII raging and men headed overseas to fight, she lands a publicity job to recruit women into the workforce. Her skills—persuasion, daring, quick-witted under pressure—catch the attention of the U.S. government and she finds herself with an even bigger assignment: sent to Switzerland as a spy. Soon Alix is on the precipice of something big, very big. But how far can she trust her German informant…?
After an Allied victory that didn’t come nearly soon enough, Alix moves to Paris, ready to immerse herself in a new position as director of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior. In the glamorous halls of the French fashion house, she can nearly forget everything she lost and the dangerous secret she carries. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realizes that only she can right the wrongs of the past …and finally find justice.

Overall stars - 5
Writing Quality - 9/10
Image / Illustration Quality - 9/10
Character Development - 9/10
"Couldn't Put It Down"-ness - 9/10
Intellectual Depth - 9/10
Originality - 10/10

Absolutely loved!

I really enjoyed the design element more than I anticipated. Lester draws you in to a world of fashion and I was nervous how this would transition to war but it was so well done. I found myself wishing Alix St Pierre existed, it was a powerful story of redemption and loss and love. It was heartbreaking yet hopeful at the same time. Lester created a vivid world and I could picture Dior as he designed his dresses. Absolutely recommend.

Beautiful cover, great premise, decent writing, but we already have so much WWII fiction already floating around our libraries. This one doesn't stand out enough. I am sure, even though we aren't going to actively purchase copies for passing out, that they will still turn up in our libraries! :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.

Another stellar book from the brilliant Natasha Lester!
"Fierce and Wild and Perfect" words used by Anthony to describe Alix, also describe this book! I couldn't think of a better description myself.

Alix - wow, her journey is simply incredible! Reading books like this, makes me hope that if I was put int the same circumstances, that I could be as strong and resilient as her. I love how she used her skills to further the advancement of others, and how much she sacrificed for those she loved.

Anthony - I adored him from his first moment on the page. He was smart and brilliant and so genuine in his affection for Alix.

Nastasha Lester writes these sweeping novels that are beautiful and romance, whilst not shying away from the hard aspect and trials that the people who lived in these post war years went through. She's always going to be an instant buy author for me.

"Maybe sometimes in a life there’s a moment when you get just what you thought you wanted—and it turns out to be everything you wished for.” - this book is everything that you could wish for in a historical fiction.

I adore WW2 historical fiction and this book was beautiful! From the cover to the writing style, it was just wonderful. It captures the reader and holds them tight. I loved Alix. What a freaking ROLE MODEL! She was brave and cunning and I admire her character so much.

The author did a great job making the story flow and capturing the readers attention and holding it throughout this story.

A MUST READ for anyone who loves spy stories and WW2 HF!

WWII is not always a part of history that I read when I pick up a historical fiction book, but something about this book called me and I was not disappointed. Following Alix during this time period gave me a new outlook on a time that I have always avoided in fiction. It is a must read and have already recommended it to more then a few friends!

This historical fiction novel is told in three timelines. There is romance, espionage, and fashion. This novel is well researched.

I enjoyed the book but was not drawn in. I did not feel like I was in the midst of the historical time period.

This is another great historical fiction book that focuses on strong women in history. I love discovering books like this where I learn while I read! with 3 timelines, before, during and after WW2, Natash Lester weaves an enthralling story about the main character Alix. The portions of Alix life after the war when she is working with Christian Dior is fascinating and that is one of my favorite parts of the book! The book is well researched and includes wonderful author notes. I highly recommend this book for historical fiction readers!

'The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre' by Natasha Lester is the kind of historical fiction you want to read when you are tired of reading WW2 historical fiction. Alix is fun and over the top and dresses well! But, the story is riveting and well written.

This book follows Alix St. Pierre who was a spy during WW2. Alix was an intriguing character with much courage. This story is full of, mystery, romance, redemption, suspense, espionage, heartbreak, and belief in oneself, with a little fashion. Such a great cast of characters. I enjoyed learning about Christian Dior and how pivotal he was in women's fashion.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the advanced read of The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre.

Alix St. Pierre grew up in Hollywood, surrounded by glamour. She then moves into the PR world, quickly opening a door into working for the US government as a spy during WWII. After the war, she moves to Paris and begins the new position as director of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior.

I wanted to love this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and the synopsis sounded right up my ally. And I did truly enjoy many parts of it. However, for me, certain parts seemed to drag on and I found I lost interest. Because you are moving between different timelines, it also felt a bit jumpy.

I loved the parts about the French fashion house. The glamour and behind-the-scenes moments were so fun to read about! And the storyline about the spy elements also kept my attention. I just wish the book as a whole felt more consistently engrossing.

I wouldn't dissuade anyone who loves historical fiction from reading this book! But for me, it wasn't my favorite read.

This was a new author for me & I’m so happy I was able to read this book! The writing was absolutely wonderful! The story was intriguing, fun, a little angst, and kept my attention the whole way through! I look forward to reading other books from Natasha. This one was about a woman named Alix who was a spy in 1945, during WW II. She was determined to oust the Nazis. She helped get supplies to Italy needed. Then 3 years later, she moved to Paris getting a job to work with Dior for his grand opening of the new Dior range. Alix does come up with an idea to dress a famous film star for Dior. He wants his designs to highlight and follow the nature contours if a women’s body. Alix’s life had so much going on through her life. She was still haunted by the failed mission toward the end of the war. This book was so interesting. I loved the diversity of time line! Just wonderful!

it might have been my mood, it might have been the day. I grabbed this book because the hype was really good, but I just had a hard time getting into it. I am going to chalk it up to me and not you. But I am so glad i got to try it!

I'm speechless at how perfect this historical novel is. Natasha Lester has written a novel that deals with the horrors of World War II while managing to show the hope at the end of it, all without diminishing the suffering and loss. It's not something I've ever come across before and it made for a deeply emotional and satisfying read.
Leading lady, Alix St Pierre lost her parents at a young age but was lucky enough to be taken in by her rich best friend's parents who gave her almost everything they gave their daughter. Alix grows up poor within the trappings of rich society and learns the skills needed to become a spy during World War II (several languages, charm, and how to navigate egotistical high society). She spends the war years in Bern as a go-between the Italian resistance fighters in the north and the American and English allies. Things take a tragic turn right before the war ends and Alix returns to an America that wants her to give up everything and just become a housewife or mistress. So she packs her few belonging and moves to Paris to become the PR person for the new House of Dior. It's a lot of work, but Alix is making a success of it and enjoying her new life. Or she is until a ghost from her past makes himself known and everything that Alix has worked for could come tumbling down.
It's a story full of the hard work getting over loss entails, the magic of fashion when it is revolutionary, the importance of a support network when times get rough, and the knowledge that to truly live after a tragedy is the best way to honor those lost. There's also a lovely element of romance that was a delicious cherry on top of an already decadent dessert and made reading this a pleasure despite the dark topics touched.
Overall, it's a deeply enjoyable read that gives you lots to think about while wrapped in as much gorgeous prose as a classic Dior gown is in tulle.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the wonderfully emotional read!

Delightful. This was not a quick read, but it was thrilling and romantic. I loved that overall the book was pretty historically accurate.

Actually, 2.5 stars

Alix St. Pierre was a spy during WWII. After the war, Alix worked for Christian Dior. Alix advised Christian Dior to make a dress for Rita Hayworth to help launch his new product. Thus, her memories of the war seemed to be behind, and she could begin her life anew. However, Alix learned that a Nazi war criminal, who was involved in the death of her fiancé, is hiding in Paris. Alix is determined to find the criminal and also hopes to find peace after her traumatic past.

I did not like Alix. I did find her to be a strong and intelligent woman. She was a woman who experienced much trauma and loss. However, I could not connect with her. She seemed very distant and cold. Most of her emotions seemed to be very forced. This may be because the book relied heavily on telling and not showing. Thus, I was not invested in Alix, and I found myself more interested in the characters around her.

Overall, this novel is about trauma, choices, and recovery. The message of the novel is to forgive yourself. The supporting characters, especially Christian Dior were fascinating. I did not like how the book was formatted. It often switched between Alix’s past and present. I think the story would have flowed better if it was told in a more chronological format. I also thought that the book was very drawn out and repetitive. I also thought the romance overshadowed the main storyline. The novel’s best feature was the setting. I loved the settings of Switzerland, Italy, Paris, and New York. I also liked the mystery aspect of the novel. Thus, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre had potential, but it fell flat. Still, I recommend this for fans of Invisible Woman, A Most Clever Girl, and The Alice Network!

I have really enjoyed Natasha Lester's previous work, but had a hard time staying connected with this story. I understand why the author shifted between timelines, but for me, it sometimes made it difficult to focus on the plot and characters. I appreciated how the story was resolved and also enjoyed the glimpses into the fashion world in Paris after the War.

Thank you to Net Galley for an e copy of The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester in exchange for a honest review.This is an intriguing story full of drama and intrigue told in 3 time frames- before, during and after WW2..Alix is an orphan taken in by the wealthy DeMeers family and engaged to Bobby, a boy who her friend Lily DeMeers wants her to marry.When WW2 starts, Alix is recruited for the OSS and is stationed in Bern, Switzerland where she is helping Italian partisans defeat the Germans.She falls in love with one of the partisans, Matteo but when the double agent La Voce she is working with tricks her and a band of partisans including Matteo are killed, Alix can’t forgive herself..After the war, Alix goes to Paris and starts working for The House of Dior as a press secretary.When La Voce reestablishes connection with Alix, can she finally capture this evil person and put the past and her guilt behind her and find true love or is there more to the story that Alix doesn’t know about? Read the story and find out.

I absolutely loved this book! Not my usual style of reading but we meet a WWII Spy (Alix St. Pierre) who finds herself working in Paris for Christian Dior. There are MANY layers to this story but if WWII history, fashion and a terrific love story are up your alley - this is a great read! My only dislike was the ending (I found it unbelievable, but don't want to give too much away!)