A compelling story of three generations of strong Bricard women. We follow Mizza from a teenager thru the WWII years. Daughter Astrid from her college years, Vietnam and women's movement. Granddaughter Blythe, current day divorced, mother of 2, making her way on her own.

Original storyline told in the three strong female voices. Historical fiction that brings many topics to light; the horrors of war in Paris, the chauvinism of the press and fashion industry, the difficulty of living up to your potential all the time fighting an uphill battle and fighting the demons of the past and trying to right the wrongs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline. The very beginning seemed jumbled to me, but once I settled in, the story took over and everything fell into place. I enjoyed the characters, and felt outrage at their treatment. The manipulation and lies told by the press was frustrating to watch, the misinformation by loved ones was disheartening. Although I wouldn’t characterize this as a love story, there are strong love overtures. The story did drag at times, and unfortunately I found myself skimming which may have made me miss important information. The ending was a little disappointing, leaving me with questions, but again, I might have missed clues. The author neatly merges the storyline. Overall, I found this enjoyable and informative. I enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end, although somewhat lengthy. This is the first time I’ve read this Author, drawn to this cover by its Evelyn Hugo vibes, and look forward to reading her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

What an incredible, enthralling, pilot twisting story! The centerpoint of the story is three female generations of Bricards who are incredibly talented designers dealing with an all too low glass ceiling, male dominated field. Reputations are influenced by stereotypes and the jealousy of others. Each of the women has a strong streak including an empathy for others.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I agreed to read The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard. The story is told through multiple nonlinear timelines to accomodate the unique stories crafted by Natasha Lester. Just when the reader is invested in one's story, another story is inserted that is just as engrossing. You won't want to put this one down once you start. Kudos Ms. Lester. Excellent, excellent work!

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard follows the interwoven stories of three generations of muses to famous couturiers, each of whom is struggling to break away from that characterization and to make a name for herself in fashion in her own right. Mizza’s story spans World Wars I and II in Paris, Astrid’s in the 70’s in New York, and Blythe’s while she vacations outside of Paris in the present day.

The characters all aspire to work in fashion (which you won’t readily forget— every metaphor and descriptive verb in the book relates back to textile arts). One day on the brink of a huge deal international fashion show, Astrid disappears into thin air, leaving her daughter Blythe with an aching mother wound, as she is then raised by her father’s mother while he is in rehab. Each woman’s story is told through a lens where you’re able to see exactly where their desired careers gets tripped up, and how their public perceptions get tangled in their professional lives. Each subsequent daughter spends a lifetime running from the reputation of her foremother.

The third of the story that focuses on Astrid is an absolute vibe— if you loved Daisy Jones and the Six, this is going to feel like another fun jaunt into that era. I found these sections most compelling and kept me interested in learning about the rationale behind choices that we know will come to fruition from the other perspectives.

I felt like the plot line was weakest where Mizza is trying to find a way to survive WWII— it just didn’t work for me. Stylistically, I also felt like the dialogue was often oddly performative and didn’t feel real. The dialogue specifically often felt disjointed, like characters weren’t responding to the what had just been said to them. I often also felt that the metaphors which leaned so heavily on fabrics and sewing techniques became fairly overwrought but they had their place. It was clearly an intentional editing choice and it was done deliverately; it was just a bit heavy handed for my taste.

Blythe’s character I found absolutely infuriating, but despite all of her choices that made me want to chuck the book across the room at regular intervals, all loose ends are accounted for in the end.

I wish we’d spent more time with Astrid and Mizza and there had been a different vehicle for Blythe to discover more about them. They were fascinatingly flawed characters in truly atmospheric surroundings. And the idea of each woman trying to outrun her mother’s reputation and fate is an excellent one, and made for a compelling read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the advance copy.

I so truly love books that allow readers to look at something or someone in a light that forces us to really think about what we know about someone. I have always said when dealing with any celebrity I like the person that I see. This book highlights so beautifully over three generations this idea. The press or public only sees what one side wants us to see. Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe are all tied together in their history and the way that the press decides to depict them. Yet there is more to them than what the public is given. All three woman are strong and do amazing things. They are more than the muse title that has been passed down from Mizza to her heir. Sometimes we have to take what the press says as being worth a grain of salt. People are more than the drama or the simplistic view we are sometimes led to believe.
Thank you so very much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester is the story of a mother, daughter, and granddaughter all with their own struggles. All three extremely talented fashion designers make several dramatic and important fashion innovations. The three ladies struggle with relationships and all must look deep inside themselves to become the women they are meant to be. Mizza Bricard is constantly falling short of her own expectations but eventually finds peace in working to deliver Jewish children to safety during World War Two. Astrid lacks the understanding of love and struggles to make her fashions the best in the world while doubting her ability as a mother and eventually abandoning her daughter. Blythe puts her husband’s dreams first in the hope that her dreams will follow. Unfortunately, this does not happen. Three women who seem different, but in reality, are all struggling for recognition in their field, for understanding of their own upbringings and their relationship with their mother and most importantly finding love. Enjoy!

The disappearance of Astrid Bricard reminds me of the disappearance of Agatha Cristie! Being at the top of your game and then disappearing, and the pieces left behind. While I don't understand high fashion, I understood the plot. I really enjoyed the writing and being taken to a "world" I was unfamiliar with. Natasha Lester does a beautiful job of laying out setting and characters.

If you enjoy a little bit of mystery, fashion, or history, this is a book you'll enjoy

I wanted to like this book so much but unfortunately I’m in the minority. What started as an intriguing premise ended up in a hot mess soap opera. I think of all three storylines, I enjoyed Astrid’s the most (until the end), Mizza second, and Blythe not at all.

The explanation of childhood illness trying to exonerate the terrible father and husband Jake was does not fly with me. As someone who has been in this situation, you can empathize but it never excuses. She “still wants him” and he couldn’t bother to come home or even check on his child in the hospital. This is the most unrealistic scenario for a mom. I believe in forgiveness but it was ridiculous how easily Blythe was willing to give it for such weak explanations from a man who severely hurt her children. I did not love the entire Blythe storyline and I wish it would have been cut out and we could have had the same information from Coco doing research.

The reason for the disappearance of Astrid is a huge let down. As a mom, I just can’t see anything keeping me from my child. There were alternatives to the scenarios she came up with why she had to stay away, and why for so long?? It didn’t make sense. Mizza was at least a little more believable and acceptable but still unreasonable and I’m not sure I love how much of her story was made up. Sure the author tried to humanize and paint her in a good light but it is still fiction about a very real woman.

In the end I found this to be a book about women who are weak for men but don’t want to be seen as weak.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC.

This was such a well told, intriguing story. The multiple timelines were done perfectly and added so much to the story. The parallels between all three Bricard women were done in a way that didn't feel cliche. It walked through so many parts of history in a stunning way. Overall, this was just a really great, really unique read. The pacing was great, the storyline flowed easily, and it had just enough true history to make the story believable. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves fashion or historical fiction.

I flipped back and forth between the audiobook and the e arc, and both were so well done! The audiobook had great pacing and the narrator did a wonderful job bringing all three women (and Hawk Jones) to life!

Thanks to Netgalley for the Advanced copy to read.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC!

Natasha Lester is one of my go to authors for historical fiction. I always love everything she writes, always feel fulfilled after reading her books and The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard was no exception!

This story follows three generations, during three timelines and beautifully tells the stories of Mizza, Astrid and Blythe. You get to to see behind the scenes of the fashion industry in the different eras and it is fascinating.

5 stars from me, would give more if it was possible!

Wonderful story of strong women in the fashion industry. The novel, set mostly in NY and France, tells the story of three generations of women fashion designers. There's a lot to this book, historical fiction, mystery, romance, and family drama. The book is based on one real woman, Mizza Bricard, with other both fictional and real characters. It's a dynamic tale of the widespread misogyny in the fashion industry and the general treatment of women in history. All of the characters are well-developed. This would be a great book club book, so much to discuss. Also, would make a must-see TV series.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard transports the reader to NYC in the 1970's, its music, its nightlife, and the civil unrest of war and women's rights to learn about the life of Astrid Bricard. One day Astrid's in Paris vying for a coveted fashion award, the next she's disappeared. Her daughter in left with haunting questions in adulthood, and her mother's legacy.

The Bricard women fight the patriarch in fashion to be known as designers against the likes of Halston, Oscar de la Renta and Blass. We learn of each women's love, her mystery and the "why" fashion is so important in an industry dominated by men. The Bricard women each bring something unique to the story culminating to an epic intersection with its conclusion.

Lester's writing demonstrates the loss, pain and sacrifice for generations of Bricard women, where every decision transcends time with consequences for future generations. This is storytelling at its finest.

It was a delight to see other characters from Lester's novels make an appearances in this story. The Three lives of Alix St. Pierre was one of favorite reads in 2022.

Thank you, Forever.

I always enjoy Natasha Lester’s books and this was no different! While I enjoyed all 3 timelines, I loved Astrid and Hawk’s most. My only complaint is length. The first and last third were unputdownable but the middle section felt so slow.

This book is told in three different timelines, following three generations of Bricard women. In the present day, Blythe lives in the shadow of her mother Astrid, a fashion designer who disappeared in the 1970s, and her infamous grandmother Mizza who is known for being the sultry muse of fashion designer Christian Dior. While Blythe is still tangentially involved in the fashion world, she prioritizes her children’s welfare above all else, especially after her divorce. When talk of reviving her mother’s abandoned fashion brand comes up, Blythe is faced with separating fact from fiction regarding her mother’s story. We get to read all about Astrid’s experience firsthand through her chapters of the book, including the rise of her notoriety and the vicious things that the press says about her. While she has her own issues of living in her mother’s shadow, we get to unpeel another layer by reading Mizza’s chapters as well. These three perspectives are fascinating to read and put together to create a vivid history of all the Bricards have had to endure.

Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will love this book--famous designer, dual timelines, family drama and mystery. I adored this story, that felt gauzy and golden like old Hollywood.

Wow! This was much better than I thought it would be. It is not that I thought it would be bad. When I read the blurb I thought, this sounds interesting. But it far exceeded my expectations.

I enjoy books where we learn more about our protagonist through exploring their past utilizing multiple times lines. In this case we are following three different generations of the Bricard family, who led an exciting, tumultuous, past, I suppose that is up to the reader, to decide, aAll if which shaped who Natasha has become in the present.

I highy recommend this book. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing to read this book, and to give an unbiased opinion before it’s

Another gripping book by Natasha Lester! Her stories are always so well crafted and I learn about a historical figure I wasn't that aware of prior to the books. I love the appearance of Alix St. Pierre in this one!

Set in the fashion industry, three generations of Bricard women struggle to make their mark in the industry and have their name known. Mizza's story is just incredible - Astrid is the star of the book - and Blythe is the one that pulls their stories all together. Each generation fights against the male dominated industry and furthers women designers a bit more. Just a fantastic story and I enjoyed all three timelines.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Astrid disappears at her fashion show at Versailles leaving her baby daughter. Astrid was also not raised by her mother who was also a fashion designer. This is a story of those three women trying to make it in the fashion industry and of Astrid's disappearance.

Another huge hit from one of my fav historical fiction authors! Natasha Lester is the queen of shining a light on forgotten women in history with a particular focus on fashion and WWII. In this latest story, we get to know three generations of women and their struggles balancing, love, motherhood and careers in male dominated spheres. HIGHLY recommended, great on audio and full of fantastically moving characters with fun Easter eggs from past books sprinkled throughout. I defy you not to fall in love with Astrid and Blyth Bricard. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed the story, for the most part. I loved the three perspectives, the historical parts involving Mizza were amazing. Astrid trying to make a name for herself apart from her true love made me sad. Blythe trying to figure everything out with most of the information missing affected her life in so many ways.

The portrayal of women in the working world, whether it be in fashion, or elsewhere was depressing in that over three generations, the same issues are still apparent. The ending made me a little irritated, although I understand the why of the disappearance, I wasn’t thrilled with the resolution to it I did like Jake and Blythe figuring themselves out and their story reiterates how childhood shapes your decisions and communication is invaluable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever, and Natasha Lester for the eARC.

Three generations of women work to find their way in the male-dominated world of fashion. Mizza Bricard (the only main character based on a true historical person) is famous for being fashion designer Christian Dior's muse. A designer in her own right, she was not recognized in her time for her true contributions. It was not revealed at the start as to why Mizza's daughter Astrid was raised by a family in the United States. Once she became a young woman, it was clear that Astrid had inherited her mother's skills as she was also a talented designer. She struggled to get recognition and was overshadowed by Hawk Jones, a fellow designer she loved deeply but was relegated to the role of being his muse. Some provocative photos of the beautiful Astrid that appeared in Life Magazine made it hard for her to be taken seriously. At a multi-designer fashion event in 1973, held at Versailles, Astrid was on the verge of achieving the recognition she deserved. But just as she was about to appear, she disappeared. Based on a bloody dress left behind, it looked as if she might have been murdered. Or did she simply run away? The third generation of Bricard women had not escaped the same struggle. In the present day, Blythe, who is the daughter of Astrid and Hawk, was abandoned by her famous parents. A divorced mother of two, Blythe's dream is to bring back Astrid's fashion line, which went by the name Mizza. She needs funding but doesn't want to have to rely on her ex-husband, who owns multiple fashion brands or seek the money from a competitor of her ex who has the capital but is someone she doesn't trust. And while deciding which path to take, Blythe is also trying to find out what happened to her mother, Astrid Bricard.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, by must-read author Natasha Lester, offers everything I look for when hoping to be swept away by a novel. It features historical and contemporary timelines. It has strong women, and the backdrop is the world of fashion. There is also a mystery that needs solving. Lester does incredible research for her books and the three generations of Bricard women are unforgettable. Being the only actual person, I found myself going down the rabbit hole reading everything I could find on the real Mizza. Lester perfectly captured the changing landscape of fashion and the free spirit of the young adults during Astrid's timeline. Other than the fictional character of Hawk, the other designers mentioned are figures everyone will recognize. And Blythe's journey was also very well done. This is a gem.