This book contains lots of intrigue involving fashion, various periods of time that have always interested me, rock and roll, and well known art schools, all of which often find their way into the bohemian lifestyle. Everything that has always captured my imagination throughout my life, as well as having been an actual part of my life. So, being an Art school grad myself who was into all of these things, you would think that I would love this book. Well, I had assumed so before reading this. Unfortunately, it really didn't do it for me. In fact, I found the main character, Astrid Bricard, extremely annoying. Every time I turned around she was going off the deep end over something or other. Sure, you need some drama to make a book interesting, but she jumped from one situation after another in a maddening pace. I ended up feeling like I had caregiver burnout well before the book was even completed.

For me, Astrid was also somewhat unbelievable. Always the best, most beautiful, smartest, coolest, etc. You get the picture. That just is never a character style that I can buy into. Life just isn't that way. In fact, the only character that struck me as believable was her mother Mizza, a real life fashion icon and muse to Christian Dior, one of several real life people depicted in the book. I probably would have appreciated this book more if it were more about her than this Daisy Jones like Mizza offspring.

Astrid struck me as suffering from a severe and lifelong case of borderline personality disorder. No, she was never diagnosed in the book as such, but that's exactly how she came off to me. I just couldn't put up with her anymore and was glad when the book was over.

There were definitely parts of this book that I liked. Sadly, a lot of the parts involving the main character I found rather annoying which made the book as a whole sort of a mixed bag for me.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱᴛʀɪᴅ ʙʀɪᴄᴀʀᴅ
ʙʏ ɴᴀᴛᴀꜱʜᴀ ʟᴇꜱᴛᴇʀ
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴄᴀʟ ꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 5/5⭐️
ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀʏ: 1-30-2024

“Loving someone and making them feel loved are two different things. It’s easy to just love, but it takes effort to make another person believe in that love.”

Lester did a fantastic job of capturing the lives of the three generations of Bricard women and making each of them interesting and memorable. I found each timeline captivating and the themes of women trying to break down the fashion matriarchy were both frustrating and inspiring. It’s my third book by Lester and my favorite so far!

If you read the Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre you’re going to love seeing her play an important roll in this story. Having characters from previous books make appearances is one of my favorite things an author can do! I also found so much of the history fascinating and spent far too much time researching Mizza and The Battle of Versailles. I’ll share a few tidbits in my stories!

Thank you @forever for the arc via Netgalley!

QOTD: Any weekend plans?

AOTD: it’s going to be crazy cold here but it’s also my birthday tomorrow so we are aiming to get out for lunch or dinner, as long as it’s not freezing!

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard gave me all the Daisy Jones vibes, except in the fashion world. It's a wonderfully written book about three generations of women trying to make it in the fashion industry, and everything they must overcome to make it.

To be completely honest, the first probably 100 pages of the book to me forever to get through. I was enjoying it and thought the writing was strong, but found myself easily pulled away from it. Once I started getting into the nitty-gritty of the story with Blythe and as she begins to unravel the mystery of her mother, in thanks to her niece who began reaching Astrid for a project, I was intrigued.

With multiple generations covered, the book covers a lot of tough topics including wars, the Nazis, abuse, equal rights, adoption, mental illness, and more, and I thought each aspect was crafted into the story beautifully.

I truly believe The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard will be another book that will be quickly known by her name alone, much like Evelyn Hugo, Addie LaRue, June Farrow, Daisy Jones, and more.

Thank you Forever/Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This multi-generational story takes the reader deep into the fashion industry and the history of women and their various roles and perceptions of their roles. Blythe's story takes place in present day as she is juggling life as a mother, her life as the daughter of a fashion muse, determining what her career/life should be, and trying to understand the true story of her parents and their relationship. Astrid's story takes place in the 1970's and her impact and perception within the fashion world, as well as her connection to designer Hawk Jones. After the Battle of Versailles (the fashion event of the century), Astrid disappears and leaves a lot of questions behind. Mizza's story begins in 1917, and her journey into the fashion industry was heavily influence by the world events and volatile decades ahead of her.

This book had the storyline and the potential for a great read, unfortunately it didn’t succeed. Blythe trying to find out she was abandoned and what happened to her mother was a big draw. But if we could have spent more time on Astrid’s disappearance and her life, instead of going back to Blythe and Jake’s issues. Maybe if I had just read the chapters with Astrid and Hawk, it may have been better.

I was not wanting a romantic story filled with detailed descriptions of how the simplest touch would turn her into mush. The romance was overdone, please do not get me wrong, there were no detailed sex scenes and just a little profanity, but the miniscule leg touching or thinking about a kiss from years ago was too much.

I did not finish the book, I read about 65% and that was it. There were several things I did enjoy though, the way the chapters were named with the characters, it helped keep track of the timeline and the book started out pretty well but just didn’t keep on track.

I am sure some readers will truly enjoy but it wasn’t my kind. Comes in with 3 stars.

I received an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for my unbiased review – This one comes in with 3 stars.

3 different POVs and a beautifully crafted story: It's 1917 and Mizza Bricard is sixteen and on her own. At an exclusive party she meets some very scandalous women and learns that if she stays strong and makes her own way in life, she will make a name for herself. She does this through the couture fashion houses in Paris and becoming known as Dior’s Muse. But was she actually?
1970: Astrid Bricard arrives in New York determined to prove to her adoptive parents that she can make it as a fashion designer. She has a scholarship at Parsons and lots of determination, but then she meets Hawk Jones, another fashion designer and their lives explode in passion and love. The media tags Astrid as Hawk’s muse, totally ignoring her true designs. But when the top fashion designers of America come up against the French in Versailles, Astrid’s world falls apart.
Present: Blythe Bricard wants more than anything to design fashion, but she never wants to be someone’s muse. She turns her back on designing but cannot leave the fashion industry altogether. When she is invited to a chateau in France, her life will unfold in an emotional roller coaster that will tell the true story of her grandmother, mother and father.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this e-arc.*

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard was the first book I’ve read by Natasha Lester. It’s the type of book I normal devour, and I definitely did. I did feel that some parts were a bit slow and others went too fast.
A main theme (to me) of this novel was definitely the way women and men are treated differently and I found that part of this story made me feel all the emotions. I thought it was also so clever tying in that no matter the generation this stayed the same. Very sad.
I have to say I felt the ending was a little rushed and would have liked it to feel more completed, but that is just my opinion. Others may think it’s perfect.
I would definitely recommend this one!

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.

This narrative stands as a testament to women's empowerment, artfully chronicling the lives of three generations of women who have been confined by societal expectations and the burdens of their gender. The portrayal of their talent as both a gift and a catalyst for danger and criticism poignantly underscores the double-edged sword of their abilities. Their enduring resilience and the hardships they navigate serve as a powerful homage to the fortitude of women everywhere.

The novel also offers an intriguing glimpse into the inner workings of the fashion industry, and I was particularly thrilled by the recurring appearances of the iconic Alix St. Pierre. Her cameos added a layer of authenticity and glamour to the story's rich tapestry.

At its core, this is a tale woven with threads of heartbreak and family reunions, masterfully balancing the bitter and the sweet. The narrative captures the essence of sorrow and the unyielding hope for reconciliation, creating a reading experience that is both profoundly moving and ultimately uplifting.

An incredible blend of real history and fiction, following three generations of women facing similar issues in the fashion world.

My only critique was the characters' voices don't stand out from each other. The other character names mentioned were what kept me straight instead of them being distinct.

I just loved this book! Fashion, love, family relationships, generations, mystery - all the things that make a book that I couldn’t put down. This is my first book by Natasha Lester and it won’t be my last. What a journey of the three Bricard women. They were all strong women, who fought for their place in the fashion business. I enjoyed the back and forth timeline stories, the anecdotes to true fashion icons and especially the WW2 Paris storyline. When i discovered that Mizza Bricard was a real person, who did work for- no with- Dior, I loved the book even more! Lester weaved the real stories of Mizza so well with the fictional stories of her daughter Astrid, and granddaughter Blythe.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

A social history of fashion from 1917 to the present time, a mystery, and a story of family relationships describe this book I could not put down. Mizza, Astrid and Blythe are women who are trying to find their ways in a male dominated world. Mizza is a talented designer, but like her daughter and granddaughter, will be defined by misunderstanding and a prejudice that defines her as a dressmaker, and worse, as a whore, with a mystery surrounding her actions in Laris during WWII.. Astrid comes into her own in the 1970’s, graduating Parsons and trying to break into the male dominated fashion world of Bill Blass, Halston and her true love, Hawk. As her mother before her, Astrid is seen as Hawk’s muse, as opposed to the fashion designer, that will disappear as she is trying to break through. Blythe is struggling in the current time, with defining herself apart from what she thinks she knows about her mother and grandmother. The different time periods, the three women, all bring depth to this absorbing book. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I always read a new Natasha Lester book with 2 Rs: relish and regret. I begin each of her books with relish because I know it’s going to be one hell of a story and I always end each book with a sigh of regret because it’s over and I have to wait for the next one.
Her latest is a stunning accomplishment. It tackles three generations of Bricard women who played integral roles in the fashion industry.
I love that Lester wrote about the 70s and the playlist for the book is very appropriate.
I found Mizza and Blythe’s stories to be the most compelling. Astrid’s name decorates the cover but I couldn’t warm up to her. I understood her quandaries and the dismissal of her sex but couldn’t agree with the decisions she made in regards to her child.
Still, the sizzle and synergy between her and Hawk was a major theme in the book and I agreed with their ending.
Only one component was missing: Hawk having a hairy chest replete with gold chains because aside from disco balls, that was requisite of. Most men, LOL.

I tried incredibly hard to get into The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, but it was a struggle to get through the book. To me, the writing was just okay, and it felt like the story dragged on most of the time. I found myself unconsciously skimming, and yet I still don’t feel like I missed out on too much.

I will say though, that I loved the creative decision to narrate the story through the lens of three generations of Bricard women in three distinct time periods. It was easily my favourite thing about the story! I think I’m in the minority on this, which is okay, but The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to the publisher, via Netgalley, for providing me with an e-arc of The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Grand for an ARC of " The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard". I have never read a Natasha Lester novel, but after seeing mostly positive reviews of her historical fiction, I was excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed. The story follows three exceptional women in different eras who are all related to one another. Each woman struggles with powerful men in their life dimming their talents, and taking credit for their work. While I loved the historical references in each of these stories and learning how they all tie together, this story just fell a little short for me. If the story had been about 100 pages shorter, I feel like It would have received a higher rating from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of this novel.

Let me start by saying, this was not a bad book. It was just not the right book for me. While I love the genre of historical fiction, I do not think that historical fiction books about the fashion industry are for me. I could not connect at all with any of the characters, which made it incredibly hard to care about the mystery aspect of the story. The historical setting did not keep my attention enough to continue reading. I read until around the 34% mark and decided that was enough for me at this time. The writing was well done and I would be interested in reading more from this author when the subject matter is different.

3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Natasha Lester’s previous historical fiction offering, so I was excited for what she would release next. The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is somewhat a “sister” novel to her prior book, as it again delves into the fashion world of the latter half of the twentieth century, and the prior book’s protagonist, Alix St. Pierre, is a supporting character. While this is very much its own story, it’s a fun connection for readers who have read or plan to read both, given the similar subject matter.
And I really like the theme of the book overall, how women are faced with ridiculous double standards, slandering their reputations simply for existing, while men who do similar things (and worse) are praised. The themes come into play subtly throughout the book, but especially hit home when it’s laid out plainly in the author’s note, with Lester listing contemporary examples of how we’re still doing this, from Britney and Janet to Taylor Swift. There are definitely some flaws with how I felt she did this, particularly when it comes to the real person at the center of the book, but her intentions were good, and I respect it.
I really liked both Astrid and Blythe and how their stories paralleled each other. Astrid’s storyline revolves around her so-called legendary partnership with her romantic partner and collaborator, Hawk, as well as her struggle to navigate living in her infamous mother’s shadow, in spite of their complicated relationship. While I did feel like the circumstances that led to her titular “disappearance” felt a little shaky, that ultimately got the point across. Blythe is in a similar situation of living with the complicated legacies with a mother and grandmother who she feels no emotional connection to due to not being raised by them, while also being underestimated in comparison to her relatives in the fashion world…not to mention having a disastrous romantic life that also happens to intersect with her professional one. And there is an element of suspense from Blythe’s perspective as she tries to figure out what led Astrid to leave.
But for all that Mizza was supposedly the inspiration for the book, her bits were the most underwhelming and felt the most disconnected. And while Blythe and Astrid’s chapters were equally split and would alternate, it felt like the book would throw in several Mizza chapters at random, jerking me back in time and disrupting the flow of the book, which otherwise had a fairly even, engaging pace.
And random nitpick that has nothing to do with anything else: Blythe’s ex’s full name is Jake Black. When I first saw the name, I misread it as “Jack Black,” which I found disconcerting. Then, I thought about it further, and realized that, while it’s not confirmed if he is a “Jacob,” he could easily be called “Jacob Black,” which then had me thinking of the Twilight character, which I found even more off-putting. Couldn’t Natasha Lester have picked any other combination of names?
In spite of my issues with this book, I mostly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to readers who enjoy multigenerational family saga historical fiction.

This is the first Natasha Lester book that I have read and I plan to seek out her other novels! I loved this journey with unforgettable characters through the world of fashion and intrigue. The writing, story and character development reminded me a lot of Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing... beautiful storytelling!

I enjoyed the strong female characters, mystery, and historical timelines throughout the novel. I will definitely seek out Natasha Lester in the near future as an author for my love of the historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for the ARC opportunity!

I absolutely loved this book by Natasha Lester. She weaves the story around three generations of women from the same family, working in the fashion industry from the 1900s to present day. Each chapter is from one of the women’s point of view and even though the years have changed their struggles are the same. Blythe Bricard is the present day protagonist who has run from her legacy her entire life. Astrid Bricard is Blythe’s mother, who was adopted at birth and struggled with the perception the media portrayed of her birth mother and herself. Astrid disappeared in the 1970s when Blythe was only 2 years old. Did she run away or was she murdered? Mizza Bricard is Astrid’s biological mother, who went on to be known as Dior’s muse. Why did she choose a life as a muse over being Astrid’s mother?

The book delves into these generational issues while also highlighting their roles within fashion and how the media portrayed them to be less than what they were. Mizza and Astrid are painted as nothing more than muses completely disregarding their skill and success; consistently placing them secondary to the men in their lives. Blythe is seen as a woman who hasn’t lived up to her potential. But nothing is as it seems. These characters are so beautifully written. They’re complex and despite the era they’re living in, they’re dealing with real issues that still translate today.

The author’s note at the back of the book is everything: “find a famous woman-and find a stream of falsehoods and cruelties in her wake.” The media is vicious to women. Britney Spears has been showing us that for years. These women are more than the headlines give them credit for.

Lester integrates fiction and nonfiction seamlessly. Mizza Bricard was a real person associated with Christian Dior. Even back then the media focused on what she was or wasn’t wearing underneath her clothes, when it fact she was a successful designer and far more than a muse. Lester says she was driven to write this novel due to the media consistently reshaping women into something they’re not. She did an incredible job. I’m still thinking about it after having finished the book. Beyond the social issues though, Lester also wrote a beautiful romantic story divided into three generations with a sprinkle of mystery that I couldn’t put down.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite Lester book to date! This novel tells the story of three generations of Bricard women, all in the fashion industry, and all victims of patriarchal and misogynistic attitudes and assumptions. Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe’s stories will make you infuriated at times, but I loved the way Lester unspooled the real stories behind the public assumptions and her blending of history (Mizza was a real woman) and fiction (her daughter Astrid and granddaughter Blythe were completely made up). The historical sections are rich in detail - Mizza in 1917-WWII Paris, and Astrid in 1970s New York City - and Blythe’s contemporary storyline of a woman trying to juggle career and family rings true as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a digital review copy.

I am so in love with this book. The characters, the story, the phenomenal details, every single aspect! I am giving it all the stars. Natasha Lester has a way of bringing a book to life. The sparking silver lame, the bright and bold colors that trigger your imagination, the characters that destroy your heart. The three timelines that weave seamlessly together. The hauntingly similar stories that each woman experiences. Searching for their own true story and the story of their own mothers. Doing what they believed was best for their child, even if it destroys both in the end.

Blyth Bricard is heading to France. Her ex-mother-in-law's health is failing, and their entire family is spending two weeks together, to celebrate her life. Blyth is anxious to see her ex-husband, he still has a power over her that she does not want him to see. When she is asked to help bring her grandmother, Mizza's fashions come back to life. She is left with that same vacant feeling that thoughts of her family always leave her with. Her mother, Astrid, left her when she was a baby and her father, Hawk, slowly backed away until he vanished. Leaving Blyth to deal with the paparazzi and the endless stories about her mother. That she was easy, her father, Hawk's muse, that she was a fake, hanging onto the back of Hawk to succeed. Her mother simply disappeared in an angry swirl of white. What happened to Astrid? Did she die? Is she in hiding? No one knows. As more of Astrid's story becomes known, Blyth is left to wonder why did she leave her?

This is an intense story about motherhood and the power of men. Men who can crush you with a single photo and a small paragraph. These three generations of women, all powerhouses in their own accord, were met with backlash and doubt at every corner. Making you want to fight for every woman to have their true story told. Thank you to Natasha Lester and Forever for this truly astonishing read.