“There’s a danger in power, he thinks now. The people who have it see those that want it as dangerous. And those who don’t have it see the people who do as the true threat. Danger isn’t always wildness—it’s when you’re vulnerable and everyone knows it.”

Woah! 4.5 stars rounded up. What an utterly engrossing tale of the Bricard women. Told over multiple generations and from each womans POV this book grabbed me and didn’t let go. It delves into the frustrations of being a woman in the worlds of both fashion and motherhood. How can a woman make a name for herself in the fashion world when the media only portrays her as the muse for a man?! Ugh!

Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe Bricard all have their own challenges to face in the world in their respective generations. I enjoyed all of their perspectives but I think Blythe was actually my favorite. I loved how not all of the men were villains, either, because there are a lot of good men that appreciate strong and talented women in this world.

The audiobook made this book for me! It is done so well and really gets you into the hearts and minds of these incredible women. These ARE fictional characters, right? I’m struggling to believe that as they just seem so REAL.

“I want to make clothes that are both beautiful and give women back their power—clothes that damn well never make them feel like their only job is to make a man more powerful.”

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book a lot more than I thought I would! Especially as I got to the end and it all made more sense.

Historical fiction at its best as the women in this book are built so well from real figures in the fashion industry. I loved reading at the end of the book about the real inspiration behind the book, and the plot of the book itself moves along really well.

Read if you like: historical fiction, women's fiction, fashion

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. #sponsored

The book revolves around the disappearance of Astrid.
She’s a talented designer by herself. However she never really gets the credit she’s due. The mind set of the times doesn’t believe a woman could be a great designer.
While I enjoyed the book, it did seem a bit too long. The chapters alternate between characters and years. It does keep you on the edge of your seat rushing to find out what happened

DNF.
I really struggled to get into this. Gave up at 10%. While this wasn't for me, I'm sure others will love it!

Another wonderful read by Natasha Lester historical fiction at its best.The world of fashion the women come come alive.I could not put this saga down.#netgalley #forever

As always, this is another great book from Natasha Lester. It features complicated mother + daughter stories spanning generations, feminism, fashion, intrigue, a touch of mystery and love interests. I love the character development and the sense of place. As always author Natasha Lester as touches of fashion, and I really enjoy that.

A fascinating and deeply researched portrayal of the fashion industry through the narrative voices of three generations of women - Mizza Bricard, daughter Astrid Bricard and granddaughter Blythe Bricard. Each experiences their own version of trauma, anguish and misogyny as a result of their roles as both designers and muses for major fashion designers in Paris and New York. (Dior, Balenciaga and Halston are among the many male-led couture houses referenced in this story, powered behind the scenes by women at every level of these organizations). Long before the world of social media made it easy to re-fashion the role of any number of powerful, artistic women, we see how newspapers, gossip columnists and celebrity photographers wielded the same shape-shifting influence on women as far back as the WWII era, This is the timeframe when Mizza Bricard was contorted into a courtesan and muse based solely on a photograph that haunted both her daughter and granddaughter for decades as they tried to make their own imprint on the fashion world.

This is historical fiction at its best and the author's note at the end is a must read. Not only do we gain an appreciation for how much research went into this finely crafted novel but it also compels us to reflect on how far women have yet to go to gain equality in fashion, arts and entertainment - not just in demanding equal pay, but more importantly in demanding that they are the sole author - and owner - of their life story and the journey taken to get there. Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. Highly recommend.

Well, Natasha Lester has done it again. If you’ve been following me for a while you might know that she is my favorite author. I have been anticipating this book for so long and am extremely honored to have received an early copy.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is brilliant. While it follows three generations of women in the Bricard family - Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe - it focuses primarily on Astrid and the 1970s fashion world. In this novel, Lester attempts to tackle two questions (from her author’s note): 1. Why are women constantly reshaped by the media into something they aren’t? and 2. Why can women only be the inspiration in the creative process, rather than the creator?

Astrid Bricard is the daughter of Mizza Bricard who was supposedly Christian Dior’s muse. Astrid wants nothing more than to become a famous designer and step out of the shadow of her famous last name. She meets Hawk Jones, another designer, and together they create some of the most talked about fashions of the times but only Hawk is given credit while Astrid is simply labeled as his muse. As she tries to step away from Hawk and make a name for herself on her own, she is harassed by the media and fellow designers until one day she simply disappears.

Blythe is Astrid’s daughter and we follow her story in the present day. Her mother disappeared during the Battle of Versailles in 1973 when Blythe was only 2 months old. Now an adult, Blythe has turned her back on her family legacy and her dreams. But when investors start calling wanting to resurrect her mother’s fashion label, will she find the courage to take back what’s rightfully hers? And in doing so, will she finally find out what happened to Astrid almost forty years ago?

Oftentimes in stories with multiple timelines, I find myself more interested in one over the other. This was not the case with this book. I was equally invested in all three women. While Mizza was a real woman who worked with Dior, Astrid and Blythe are fictional, although their struggles are not. The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is a love story, though not necessarily a happy one. It’s a story about fighting for what you want in life. It’s about family and forgiveness but above all, it’s about strong, powerful women. Like I said, it’s brilliant.

"The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard" by Natasha Lester is a fascinating piece of historical fiction that skillfully brings to life the intricate world of the fashion industry. Against the picturesque landscapes of the contemporary French countryside, the bustling streets of 1970s New York, and the historical background of Paris during and between two world wars, the narrative and imagery transported me through three distinct eras of the fashion world, unfolding like a vivid movie in my mind. I couldn't help but envision how this book would make for a fantastic movie experience.

Amidst these vivid settings, we encounter the compelling stories of three creative forces — Blythe, Astrid, and Mizza Bricard. Natasha Lester skillfully weaves these life stories into a rich tapestry, unraveling a narrative that explores the challenges these women faced in a world predominantly governed by male designers and scrutinized by media critics.

The feminist core of the book is evident, covering a spectrum of issues that women faced and continue to face. The exploration of the complexities within the fashion industry, where women are often reduced to the roles of muses and objects, with their creative contributions erased, adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. Lester's ability to evoke both fascination and frustration is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

Beyond being a historical exploration, the novel introduces a mystery that adds an extra layer of intrigue. I appreciated the well-executed plot twists, even though I managed to predict a few. To avoid spoilers, I won't delve into specifics.

"The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard" adeptly combines historical fiction, mystery, and feminist themes. Natasha Lester has crafted a narrative that not only entertains but also encourages reflection on the societal norms and biases that women have contended with. I highly recommend this book to those who appreciate rich historical fiction with a strong feminist underpinning.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this ARC.

What an interesting story about three generations of fashion icons (albeit somewhat fictional), Astrid Bricard, her daughter Blythe, and Astrid's mother, the little known muse/assistant of Christian Dior, Mizza Bricard. Having read Lester's previous book about Alix St. Pierre, it is clear that Lester has done her research and intertwines Alix as a supporting character within this story. I liked the three storylines of Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe and how similar their stories were about struggling to be credited with their design genius and how the fashion industry dismissed women because of a pretty face. They were all made to feel inferior by men in their life and denied their dreams. Set during WWII, the Vietnam War, and today, we see the influence of women attempting to gain equal rights. A bit slow in some parts, I really liked how it wrapped up in the end as Blythe found courage and believed in herself. You can't but help root for each of the Bricard women to be successful and find their happy-ever-after. Be sure to read the author's comments afterword, very insightful and interesting on her thorough research. Many thanks to #netgalley #natashalester #thedisappearranceofastridbricard for the opportunity to read and review this book. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

You read about lives of three women on three different timelines, but were they even different lives? Background changed from WWII to 70s to modern day, but treatment women receive and stuff they had to do to establish their presence did not. Grandma to mother to daughter - Bricard women just wanted people to take them seriously as fashion designers not some muses.

Mizza started the line of headstrong, independent line of Bricard women. She was supporting war efforts in Paris while making a name for herself during a time being woman (and an unmarried one) was a crime. She was there to be next Chanel. Then Astrid entered the scene. She was studious, she was smart, she was creative. But also she was in love - she couldn't see that falling for Hawk was going to be her undoing. No one was taking her seriously - she was a girl wearing revealing Hawk Jones stuff. Years later, Blythe hated her for this. One she left her when she was just a baby. Two, she couldn't be Blythe Bricard without having Astrid's daughter following her name.

I liked how elements of each era were weaved into the story. How scenes we saw in Halston aka Battle of Versailles was the center of the story. The ending was what I wanted to see even though it was predictable. As advertised, this was part Daisy Jones and The Six, part Devil Wears Prada, part Vogue HQ. If you like those, you'll enjoy this book

I am completely and totally obsessed with this book! In the 1970s, Astrid Bricard is known for two things: being the daughter of Christian Dior's muse Mizza, and being a muse herself, for the up-and-coming designer Hawk Jones. And then, during a fashion competition in Paris, Astrid disappears, leaving behind a bloody dress, and is never seen again.

Flash forward to the present day, where Astrid and Hawk's daughter Blythe is struggling to escape the confines of her failed marriage, and the tarnished legacy of her mother and grandmother that haunt her in the press. However, as Blythe works to re-establish Astrid's fashion line Mizza, she begins to realize that the women in her family were more than just muses, they were designers themselves, whose histories were reshaped by men wanting to reduce their talents and their impacts on the world.

Natasha Lester weaves these three storylines together to tell a fast-paced story filled with fashion, romance, and intrigue. The book examines how women are often forced into the role of the muse while their contributions are minimized and hidden away. I loved each of the Bricard women, and I couldn't stop reading until I discovered the truth about Astrid's disappearance.

Fans of Daisy Jones and the Six will love this look at the 1970s fashion world, and a complicated, fabulous woman fighting against the patriarchy to make a name for herself independent of any man.

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy. All thoughts are my own.

📸Fashion, fame & female ambitions: fascinating!

4.5🌟 stars
This novel had me wrapped up in the struggle of Mizza, Astrid and Blythe Bricard, three generations of women at the heart of the struggle to get women designers recognized for their achievements. It spans a whole century, crossing the Atlantic from Paris to New York, and really made me ponder the strength of purpose and blind talent needed to break into the male-dominated top ranks of the fashion industry.

This was phenomenal storytelling, mixing the very personal loves and lives of the three women with broader history, like the World Wars, the Nazi occupation of Paris, the changing social attitudes of the Vietnam War era and the liberating effects of the Equal Rights movement. Though I really liked the romance and family aspects of the story, the women's constant struggle to triumph really connected with me. It infuriated me to read about the way the press and colleagues treated the very idea of women making it as designers on their own merits, writing them off as mere accessories or "muses" to male designers. A novel that draws me in like this is an excellent work in my eyes. And I was fascinated to learn in Natasha Lester's Afterward that Mizza was a real person.

Thanks to Grand Central/Forever Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that weaves these women's lives together wonderfully, but it is so much more than that. I was drawn into the story early on, but by the halfway mark, I was completely invested in each of their stories. I couldn’t put the book down because I was compelled to find out what was going to happen. I became so connected that I could feel, understand, and empathize with them, and I needed to know how things would all work out. And the ending gave each woman the conclusion they not only needed but what they deserved.

This was my first novel by Lester and it definitely won't be my last!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel that was based on a real woman of the fashion industry, Mizza Bricard, who lived and worked in Paris a century ago. While little is known about the real Mizza, as history sidelined her as "just a muse" to the great male designers of that time (like Dior), Lester extrapolates on her life to create a compelling tale about three generations of women: Mizza, her daughter Astrid, and her granddaughter Blythe.

I'm not very familiar with the fashion industry, but the author points out "how easily women lose out to men in the strange world of fashion, where the customers are largely women but the people in charge are men." To highlight this theme, the author follows these three women across a century, with Astrid in the 1970s and Blythe in present day, to show how women, especially working mothers and POC, grapple with societal expectations and pressure that are not bestowed upon their (white) male counterparts. In doing so, Lester crafts an intriguing and emotional tale about the power of female friendships and relationships, and reminds women that "there's not shame in being a woman free, stripped of the inhibitions society wants her to wear."

I appreciated the Author's Note at the end of the digital version, which explained more about the real Mizza and Lester's rationale for writing this story. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for copies of this book and audiobook to review!

LOVED this book—my first five star review of 2024! I was a huge fan of The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre and somehow this was even better than that?! The three generations and their own storylines also seamlessly woven together, the rich settings of each time period, the incorporation of real historical events and people, everything about this book was just chef’s kiss. I was hooked from page one until the last sentence. No notes. What an incredibly fun, rewarding, satisfying story.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reader’s copy.

Lovely family saga. Three generations of women, all in the fashion business, all who face challenge make this interesting read. There are real people among the fictional characters (so I found myself googling and learned a bit) but it's Blythe, Astrid, and Mizze who make this a delightful read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling,

Told from the perspective of three generations of Bricard women (+ Hawk Jones), The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard explores what happens to women when the world crafts their image without their consent, when each generation carries the weight of the images of those that precede them, and what it is like to live in a “world…designed for the Ophelias to die and the Hamlets to rule.” And, oh my gosh, I adored it. I devoured it. I did not want to put it down.

Natasha Lester takes on the patriarchy as she interweaves the stories of present-day Blythe, 1970s Astrid, and 1910s-1940s Mizza. All three women are involved in fashion, but how can they get the world to see who they really are? How can they craft their own stories and legends when so much is defined by what came before?

5 stars. No notes.

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

I have always loved Natasha Lester's novels but this novel has surpassed them all. She presents a chilling picture of the fashion industry from the 1920s to today without sacrificing her three generations of women who have to fight for their dreams and their lives. Although I received an ARC, my opinions are my own and I heartily recommend this novel.

A great combination of a glamorous fashion story with historical fiction (sobering at times) and a family story. I appreciated the multiple perspectives of generations of women from the same family, all of them trying to blaze their way in the fashion world, and what that has meant for their relationships and connections.