When I joined NetGalley, I received a copy of The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard. Since historical fiction isn't my usual genre, I initially shelved it. Almost two years later, I decided to give the novel and the genre a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Told from each character's perspective, The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard spotlights three generations of gifted women fighting to be recognized as talented fashion designers. The narrative spans from Mizza at sixteen years old in 1917, to her daughter Astrid during the glamorous 1970s, and finally to Astrid's daughter Blythe in the present day, who is questioning what she knows about her grandmother and mother's lives.
Although I felt the ending was a bit rushed and lackluster, I highly recommend this book to anyone starting in this genre—it's a fantastic read.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester is a captivating blend of historical fiction, mystery, and the world of high fashion. Spanning generations, the novel follows the tangled lives of three women, uncovering long-buried secrets tied to ambition, identity, and the cost of following one’s passion.

Lester’s attention to detail shines, especially in her lush descriptions of the fashion world, and the dual timelines are woven together with intrigue and emotion. However, the pacing lags at times, and some plot twists feel slightly predictable.

Despite that, the layered characters and blend of glamour and mystery make it an engaging read. 3.5 stars — perfect for fans of historical fiction with strong, complex women at its core.

Getting to "relive" history through the Bricard women was thrilling. Knowing that some aspects of the books and characters were real only enhanced the story. I also enjoyed the mystery behind Astrid's disappearance and the insight to gender bias even in fashion.

I enjoyed this historical fiction story which brought me into the world of fashion and design. With three generations of family, the mystery of what happened to Astrid Bricard is at the forefront. It also has one of my favorite story elements: multiple point of views and timelines! I was immediately taken into each timeline and rooting for the three Bricard family members. I found the pace of this story to be quick and did not want to put it down. I will be checking out other books by Natasha Lester! Thank you to Forever Pub for a copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

A captivating mystery that keeps you turning the pages as you piece together the puzzle of Astrid Bricard's disappearance.

If you enjoy historical fiction, this novel provides a vivid portrayal of different eras, with lush descriptions that immerse you in the settings.

The intergenerational narrative explores the complexities of family, identity, and the legacy of secrets, providing an emotionally rewarding experience.

The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, making it easy to become invested in their journeys and struggles.

Overall, it's a beautifully crafted story that blends history, mystery, and emotion, making it a satisfying read.

This interested me more than I originally thought it would. The inside peak into the fashion scene in the 1960s was fascinating and the way the three different timelines wove together was beautiful.

Historical fiction and mystery? Sign me up! I love books that show many characters views and this book that follows a family of three women in different generations does not disappoint.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

I've enjoyed past Natasha Lester books, and was very excited about this one! Unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite of hers. Absolutely loved the current day Blythe storyline, along with Mizza's, but found Astrid and Hawk pretty annoying throughout. I loved all the fashion industry details, the different time periods, and cameos from her other books (hi Alix!), but something fell a little flat. Maybe it was just a bit too long? Either way, I'd recommend it and can't see what the author comes up with next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Women, the role of women, the standards applied to women in a patriarchy, and the pressures on women have been and continue to be a universal conversation. The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard presents these themes through three generations in the world of couture fashion. The lifestyle of the rich is not relatable, and I can certainly do without the scenes of sexual encounters. However, as a woman, the three main characters and their struggles are relatable, making this a memorable read.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/01/the-disappearance-of-astrid-bricard.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Thank you Forever publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was quite an interest story that weaves three different stories together to create such a beautiful historical yet fictional. This story follows Astrid, her daughter and Astrid's significant other who was also in the fashion industry at the time. All three perspectives create quite the story to tell. Astrid having disappeared after her career was going well for the most part. This story weaves in a lot of themes of love and family. I enjoyed parts of this book but found it to be longer than it needed to be. I also sometimes found myself a bit lost. I was not sure if all the details were needed. Overall though it kept my interest enough to finish and enjoy parts of it.

Content: innuendo, swearing, mention of marriage problems

Read if you enjoy::
Historical Fiction
Family ties
Mystery
Fashion

I really enjoyed this book, going into to it it was not what I expected but in the best way possible. Very well written and I could not put it down.

I loved this one! I liked the journey of the three POV taking the reader from WW ll to the 70s club and fashion scene and then back to modern times. I loved the character of Hawk. Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe all had to deal with their talent being overshadowed because they were female. This was beautifully written and a true masterpiece!

"The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard" is a mesmerizing historical fiction novel that weaves together the lives of three generations of Bricard women, each navigating the complexities of their own time. The story spans multiple timelines, but it's Astrid's narrative that drew me in the most. As the novel unfolds, we follow Blythe Bricard's journey as she attempts to break free from the legacy of her mother and grandmother, but ultimately, this is a tale of all three women fighting for recognition and autonomy in a male-dominated fashion world.

Absolutely love this author and this book was a fast read for me. Very interesting story. Thanks, #NetGalley, for the arc in exchange of my honest review.

My favorite author of historical fiction stuns once again! Intricate and satisfying dual timelines, compelling female characters, sumptuous fashion, and dramatic historical backdrops. Lovely in every way.
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I did find myself more drawn to the present day timeline and I think the reason for that was the romance and mystery subplots featured in the present. I found myself routining for Blythe above all and felt more of an emotional connection to her, than I did with either Astrid or Mizza, though both women eventually won me over in the end. Overall, this is a really engaging and interesting read. I cannot wait to read more from Natasha Lester in the future

I tried and tried to get into this book, but sadly I had to DNF around 100 pages. I just could not get invested in the story and found myself struggling to keep up with the plot. I love the idea of this story, but it just didn't work for me.

"Daisy Jones" meets Vogue magazine and not much more. It was a quick read, I'm sorry that it wasn't what I was hoping for.

I care nothing for fashion and all its inner workings, but every time I pick up a Natasha Lester book, I can't stop reading. I fell in love with these characters and the story of Astrid Bricard. I loved the three points of view and how they eventually overlap. There's definitely fashion, but also historical fiction here and great storytelling. I feel like if you liked Daisy Jones and the Six, you might enjoy this one! A huge thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced e-copy!