I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

The Palace of Versailles has decided to host its first cotillion in 1959. Forty women from America have been invited to join 200 French women in this honor. The novel follows four America women from different walks of life and perspective through the ball and the year that follows.

As one would expect, Steel writes a glorious, richly described novel about love, loss, and friendship. Would love a sequel to see what comes next.....

The Ball at Versailles is a captivating and enchanting novel that transports readers to the summer of 1959, immersing them in an exclusive and historic event held at the magnificent Palace of Versailles. This mesmerizing tale revolves around the lives of four American debutantes, who are bestowed with the honor of attending a dusk-to-dawn ball, where they will be introduced to international society and royalty.

Steel masterfully crafts well-developed characters, allowing readers to form deep connections with each debutante. Their individual journeys are emotionally compelling, drawing readers into a world of relatable experiences and heartfelt challenges. As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves wholeheartedly cheering for the triumphs of these young women, while also empathizing with the obstacles they face.

Immerse yourself in the glamour and intrigue of The Ball at Versailles, as Danielle Steel weaves a tapestry of passion, ambition, and resilience. This novel not only offers a glimpse into a bygone era but also explores timeless themes of love, friendship, and personal growth. Prepare to be captivated by the allure of Versailles and the indomitable spirit of these remarkable debutantes.

Another enjoyable read by Danielle Steel. It was interesting to see the coming out process and how the characters are affected. The process itself seems somewhat random and arbitrary. I enjoyed seeing the main characters evolve and interact. However, it seemed that the final resolution for two of the characters was not expressed, which I found disappointing. I would have enjoyed an epilogue several years into the future showing the reader how this experience ultimately helped them in their growth. Altogether an enjoyable read. I would recommend.

This is the story of 4 young women from very different backgrounds who meet at a debutante ball in Versailles. The story follow their lives after they leave the ball. This is a typical Danielle Steel, you can expect a happy ending with a good story to enjoy along the way. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This was an excellent Danielle Steel book. Four very different girls go to the ball at Versailles and it changed their lives over the next year. None of them wanted to go at first, but did it for their parents. Amelia's mother Jane struggled to pay for it until she sold something she treasured. She also met Samantha's father and they hit it off and found they had a lot in common. Felicity was an overweight younger sister whose older sister picked on her relentlessly and her parents did not protect her until it was too late. Caroline had famous parents who left her on her own alot and she ran into trouble that came to light during the ball. The ball ended up changing 6 people's lives all for the better. It really kept me engaged throughout the whole book

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This was a true sleeper! I kept putting it down not wanting to read it. I love Danielle Steele but this one was not one of her best.

The Ball of Versailles is written by Danielle Steel. I have been reading her books since I was 15 years old. My grandma would pass them down to me when she was finished with them.. It’s the summer of 1959 and the Palace of Versailles is hosting an event that will make history. Four young women, all with something to prove, receive what some see as the invitation of a lifetime. This is a time where more opportunities are opening up for women. One woman wants to attend law school, one wants to step out of her sister's shadow, one is the daughter of Hollywood legends, and one has a overprotective father. They form life long friendships.

This story is beautifully written and engaging right from the start. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

This is a brief excerpt of the book's recap, and it is exactly what this book is about:

"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."

Now, remember these women were born in the 1940s and raised in the 1950s, so this makes all of the difference to how this story plays out. This book is as much historical fiction as well as romance.

Ms. Steel hit all of the necessary tropes to keep this a romance.

We have the spoiled rich girl who hates her sister. Another not-so-rich girl who has lost her father and has a mother whose career may be in jeopardy. There is another girl who was horribly injured in an accident and who is extremely rich. Another is an overweight, very tall, and highly intelligent young lady. Another young lady whose antics may shock you.

But as you all know, this is a Danielle Steele romance, so we all can look forward to a happily ever after, even for some who may surprise you!

*ARC supplied by NetGalley, the publisher Delacorte Press, and the author.

This was a good book. The characters were good and the story line was a little different. It started slow but pii up as the story went on

Danielle Steel knocks it out of the park once again as she ventures into historical fiction with The Ball of Versailles.

Summer. 1959. The Palace at Versailles has announced the ultimate invite- a group of American and French debutantes to be presented to society, in the palace. The story chronicles four young American girls, all at different stages in their lives, who are given the chance of a lifetime.

1. Felicity- a larger-than-life Texan pursuing a career in Science at MIT, wonders why her? Shouldn't this invite have gone to he beautiful ladder-climbing society princess sister?

2. Caroline- Daughter of two Hollywood darlings, Caroline is just out of a secret, complicated, relationship.

3. Amelia- Daughter of a widow, her mother Jane is going through her own personal, financial, crisis. She'll do anything to give her daughter the chances she had as a young woman.

4. Samantha- Daughter to a widower, she struggles with physical reminders of the accident that took her mother and little brother's lives. Nervous to take this step on her own, she's still excited to see what the ball will bring.

How does this one special night change their lives? You'll have to read to find out!

Placing the setting of this story in the late fifties allows for old school traditions to begin to lose attraction to the main characters. The ball in question is held to reinforce old school debutant practices. The four women in question, while coming from privileged backgrounds are each reluctant to continue such an outdated ritual. Each decides to go to the event, each finds a new reason to participate. Each returns from the experience a changed for the better woman.

"The Ball at Versailles" by Danielle Steel is an utterly captivating and enchanting novel, transporting readers to the summer of 1959 during a momentous and exclusive event at the illustrious Palace of Versailles. This story revolves around four American debutantes, each handpicked to attend a grand ball at the Palace of Versailles, where they will be presented to the crème de la crème of international society.

These four young women hail from diverse backgrounds, and not all of them initially view this invitation as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, yet they all agree to partake in this extraordinary event. Little do they know that this ball will mark a pivotal turning point in their lives, a night of profound significance that leaves an indelible imprint on each of them.

"The Ball at Versailles" is a spellbinding historical fiction masterpiece with exquisitely developed characters. It effortlessly immerses readers in the glamour and intrigue of this bygone era. Heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and #Delacorte for affording me the privilege to delve into this ARC.

Four American debutants are invited to attend a ball at the Palace of Versailles. Each young women with something to prove. This novel highlights the lives of young affluent women in 1959.

Danielle Steel’s novel highlights the difference in thinking between then and now.
Times were different. These affluent young women, while I working on their own independence were looking for a husband. While there were a lot of characters, they were all described in breadth, but I felt that none of them were developed in depth enough for me to care deeply about them, one even disappeared for most of the second half of the book. The story in itself had potential, but felt like it lacked the conflicts that keeps you turning the page. I loved the secondary characters plot line probably more than the main characters. This storyline highlighted more of the social constraints for women during that time period that I would have liked to have seem more of from historical fiction. The settings were great and all the storylines were buttoned up cleanly at the end. Overall a good, but not great book for me.

The world you no longer live in - unless you're rich and famous. This story weaves around debutantes, balls, young marriageable women on display in a short season of life. They may or may not want husbands - but off they go to be twirled and courted and feted at two grand events.

Steel remembers what it's like to be young and the drama of fitting in. She knows what the wealthy and status-driven will do to keep their place and understands the rules of high society. She offers a glimpse of a culture that has shifted to other methods for marrying off their young.

You may like or dislike the women and their families but you'll want to know what and why as you keep turning the page. A good novel to tuck in the tote bag for when you need an escape and time to dream about dresses and jewelry and ballrooms.

Another masterpiece i mean i love her work i have not disliked one of her books. She has made the most amazing heart felt sweet incredible books. This one was just perfection.

This book was such a good book. I read it in one day and really enjoyed it. It has been better than her past few book. I would definitely recommend this book,

For the most part, I am a Historical Romance Reader, so when I saw the premise of this story, I had to read it. Such a thrilling and fun story. Ms. Steel is one of my favorite authors, and she really hit it put of the park with this one. Fabulous story and charming characters. The setting was just so much fun.

I can’t believe I’m gonna say this but I didn’t like this one. It seemed dated. Like it was current in its happenings but the mindset of the characterization was from long ago. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

I've read many books of Ms. Steel's-some I've enjoyed a bit more. However, this book did keep my attention. From the blurb you can discern that there are multiple main characters (sometimes too many at once) and their lives are varied. 1959 was a time of opportunity for women, so many more choices available than for the women before them.

Their lives are forever changed by this "coming out" and their lives are now intwined. I didn't think I would find such a subject as interesting but I did. The fact that I've enjoyed the sites of Paris, and particularly Versailles, didn't hurt either.

I'm not sure I have ever read a Danielle Steel book that I didn't love and I love them all for many different reasons. The setting of this book and the story it tells, in general, were captivating. I loved the girls separately and I loved them as a whole. The time period was fascinating and I think that this story will engage and entertain many readers in a fresh and new manner than many of the previous Steel best-sellers. I recommend it to the fullest!