I loved this book!! It was a great story that stayed with me after I put the book down. Classic Danielle Steele and perfect in every way. I adored all the little details she added in the book!! Do not hesitate to pick it up.

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book and to give my honest opinion. This book was HARD to get into. I put it down for about two weeks before I finished it. The book is set in the 1950s. Four American girls were invited to present at a ball at Versailles. All four girls were of a certain stature (one was the child of celebrities, one was the daughter of a Texan, one was the daughter of a single mother, and the last was a daughter of a venture capitalist. All four girls meet at a welcome brunch and decide to make friends. The ball happens (with a very dramatic moment at the reception). The second half of the book is the year after the ball. I wish I could have the book shortened but it was overall a good book.

As a longtime fan of Danielle Steel I enjoyed this look back at life in the 1950s. I think older readers who were teenagers or young adults at this time will appreciate the reminder of the tremendous differences between then and today with respect to women’s roles and expectations. It prompted some strolls down memory lane and an occasional shudder. The view is however limited to the privileged class which I think younger readers may dismiss as unrealistic to their history and therefore irrelevant.
Two hundred fifty French girls and forty Americans are to be presented to society at a debutante hall at the Palace of Versailles. Why this is happening is never disclosed. It just seemed to fit with the outdated notion that being presented would yield perspective husband material. The book revolves around the stories of 4 of the American girls and their families, 3 of whom conform to the mores of 1959-60 and 1 who doesn’t. Interestingly the story of the nonconformist pretty much is dropped midway through. I guess there was a 1950s message there.
As usual, it’s a fast, easy read with no real surprises. It hits all Danielle’s favorite topics, most notably the second chance at love. It acknowledges that money doesn’t buy everything but it certainly makes life considerably easier. France plays less a part in the book than the title would suggest.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

A debutante ball at The Palace of Versailles in the summer of 1959 brings four American young women together. These four women all come from different backgrounds but it is still the opportunity of a lifetime. Amelia, Felicity, Caroline and Samantha get to know one another over the week spent in Paris and continue the relationship after they return home to the US. Their lives are changed forever. I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This book had a magical feel to it. It was nice to see people having a life not perfect but being able to stay in the moment and enjoy life. Yes its worth reading and descriptions of the Ball were perfect. I was glad Danielle let the girls grow up and get a education and not fall into marriage without knowing themselves as a person. I enjoyed this was not a cookie cutter story and Danielle gave each girl a strong self.

The Ball at Versailles is yet another amazing historical fiction by Danielle Steel. As a fan for many years , I really enjoyed it . Four young American ladies are invited to a debutante Ball in Paris The beginning of the book details each girl’s life and after the ball it shows how their lives end up intertwined .
They all have to learn about lives complications in their own way.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion .

I loved this story of four American debutantes who are invited to attend a cotillion in Paris. wonderful setting, great characters.

Round up to 3.5 stars

Reading this book was self-indulgent. I’d had a hectic week and needed an escape. This was the perfect antidote to relieve my stress.
We’re taken back to the late 1950s when debutante balls were still the rage. Young women were introduced to society to meet eligible young men from families who were part of society and financially stable. Four young American women are invited to the biggest event of the social season, a coming-out ball at the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
Each young woman has their own back story, and we follow them from when they are invited to the ball to after the event, and their friendship continues. Some of the stories overlap, but each experiences life-changing events.
I enjoy concurrent stories that overlap and join together at the end. I liked each of the four main characters and had favorite moments of each of them. While I thought the story was accurate on most points, I found that some of the women’s actions were a little modern for the late 1950s. But since the author tends to write about modern women, I guess these characters fit in fine with this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Delacorte Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Review posts:
Goodreads (already posted): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5921739599
StoryGraph (already posted): https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b6691308-5e19-4eea-9595-aff176c20076
Instagram: will be posted on 11/07/2023 @read.rest.recharge

I was excited NetGalley and the publisher approved me for Danielle Steel’s latest book The Ball at Versailles. This had me from the very first page and I loved this heartfelt story from 1959. Four American women and other women from France were chosen to go to as debutants to the ball and none of them wanted to go but each of their parents talked them into it. Loved the story, loved the characters and loved the ending! My 51st Daniel Steel book!

The Ball at Versailles is historical fiction about four girls meeting at the ball in Paris and how their lives are forever changed as a result. Liked the way that it was basically 4 stories in one and how that intertwined as a result of the ball and the friendships made there. It's different from other historic fiction that I read which can be heavy and depressing. This ends up being a feel good story with a happy ending. If that is what you are looking for - this will fit the bill. Danielle Steel books are always a light read with a happy ending.

Four girls are offered the chance if a lifetime to be presented in Paris at Versailles. Each girl has their own reasons for not wanting to attend, but in the end they all go and become friends. I enjoyed how each girl’s story was presented throughout the book. Like most Steel books, this is a fast and easy read that sucks you right in.

For most girls the chance to attend a ball in Paris would be wonderful. For these girls it is either magic or the worst thing possible. The magic of Danielle Steel Brings it all alive. Great Read!!

Release Date: February 21 , 2024

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It’s the summer of 1959 and the Palace of Versailles is hosting an event that will make history. It is an exclusive dusk-to-dawn ball in which a select group of American and French debutantes will be presented to international society and royalty. Four young women, all with something to prove, receive what some see as the invitation of a lifetime.
For all these young women, Paris and one transcendent night will change their lives forever.

I thoroughly enjoyed @officialdaniellesteel book #BallofVersailles. It kept my interest all through the entire book. I really liked that it was about young people and their parents ! I totally Recommend this book. I still think her book Suspects is one of my favorites though.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

#ballatversailles #daniellesteel
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How fun to meet someone at a Ball and to become best friends. As this is not one of my favorite reads by Danielle Steel but it won't stop me from continuing to read her books. Four ladies meet at the Ball and become best friends over time. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and is my own opinion. #theballatversailles, #netgalley, #delacortepress, #daniellesteel, #ball

Danielle Steel never ceases to provide readers with a swoon-worthy read! Most women can only imagine what it would be like to attend the Ball at Versailles in its atmospheric setting. With her vivid descriptions and glorious imagery, Steel paints a vivid picture of the elegant gowns, elaborate decorations, and intriguing conversations, making her readers feel as if they are there themselves.

In the summer of 1959, a historic event takes place at the Palace of Versailles. In this exclusive ball, a select group of American and French debutantes will be presented to international society and royalty. This evening promises to be an unforgettable moment for the debutantes, as they will be entering a new era of affluence and opportunity. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Amelia, Felicity, Caroline, and Samantha, four young American girls. There will be opulence, glamour, and a chance to form lasting connections with the elite at this stunning ball. This trip to Paris promises to be a dreamy night that will change their lives forever.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for sharing this beautiful story with me. I felt like I was on a stunning adventure as I read The Ball at Versailles.

It’s the summer of 1959 and the Palace of Versailles is hosting an event that will make history. It is an exclusive dusk-to-dawn ball in which a select group of American and French debutantes will be presented to international society and royalty. Four young women, all with something to prove, receive what some see as the invitation of a lifetime.

Amelia Alexander, who hopes to eventually attend law school, hesitates to participate in what she sees as an archaic and privileged tradition. But her indomitable widowed mother, Jane, who’s struggled financially and sacrificed for a career, encourages her to attend. Jane would do anything for Amelia to have the chance at a happily ever after.

Felicity Smith is equally uncertain about the ball. Although her family is prominent in the Dallas social scene, Felicity prefers to keep to herself, avoiding the older sister who torments her. But to get out of her sister’s shadow, Felicity decides to accept. If it’s a success, the tables will have turned at last.

For Caroline Taylor, the beautiful ingénue and daughter of Hollywood legends, the ball is an irresistible opportunity. But an unexpected heartbreak just before she leaves for France gets things off to a bad start.

Then there’s Samantha Walker, an art history major with an overprotective father. Her excitement about the invitation is overshadowed by the emotional and physical effects of a past tragedy that still haunts her.

For all these young women, Paris and one transcendent night will change their lives forever.
I love anything read by Danielle Steel! This one did not disappoint!

I really loved this story of 4 debutants that are invited to the historical event at the Versailles. The 4 ladies are Amelia Alexander who will be going to law school as soon as she finishes NYU. Jane is her Mom
Samantha Walker who also is going to NYU. raised by her father.
Felicity Smith who goes to MIT in Boston studying to be a physicist.
Caroline Taylor whose parents are Hollywood actors.. This is such a GREAT READ that I am not going to tell you more. A MUST READ.

This book was OK. It talked about four women who met at the ball. I liked how it talked out each of them. They became best friends. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Four young women and their parents attend a coming out ball in France and develop friendships that sound awesome. The four separate stories continue to be intertwined and just really make me wish I could have been in the audience. I love how this author develops the stories of these four young women and their parents. Such a beautiful story. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

In 1959 the Palace of Versailles is having its first cotillion for young ladies from both France and America. This book focuses on the four young women from America who received the coveted invitation. All 4 of the young women have very different family backgrounds and future pursuits.
The 4 find a special comradery together when they arrive in Paris and meet. Will this presentation to society in France change their future paths forward?