Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (fade to black scenes)
Trigger Warning: missing person, parental abandonment, postpartum depression; brief mentions of death of a loved one and divorce

Three generations of women in fashion, all belittled by the media and forced into the shadows of men. When Astrid Bricard goes missing during fashion's Battle at Versailles, no one is able to find out what happened to her or whether or not she is alive. Years later, Astrid's daughter Blythe begins to unravel the lies that have been told about not just her mother but also her grandmother Mizza Bricard. Who were these women, and how can Blythe change the narrative about them going forward?

I don't usually pick up historical fiction, but when my friend Courtney raved about Natasha Lester's previous book, I knew I should give this one a try. While the majority of this book focuses on Astrid Bricard's rise to fame, love affair with Hawk Jones, and blatant misrepresentation by the media, it also tells the stories of Astrid's mother and daughter who faced their own struggles as women designers. This book is loosely based on the real-life Mizza Bricard who worked with Christian Dior. I love seeing how authors take true stories and weave fiction into them. We see Mizza surviving the Nazi invasion during WW2, Astrid and her friend Velvet fighting for the rights of women during the 70's, and Blythe fighting to escape the shadows of her mother and grandmother while also reconnecting with her ex-husband. These women each faced heartache and inequality while also finding love and becoming mothers. I found myself captivated and will definitely be picking up more books by Natasha Lester in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I just love her books! This one was another very interesting read told through three generations of women who have always had to fight to prove themselves and yet it is always a man that gets the credit. I loved all three women in their own ways and loved that the one character was based on a true person. I also love how Natasha always pulls in characters from previous novels and a character from her last novel had a perfect connection to these women in this story. History, seventies, women, fashion and motherhood were all themes throughout this novel and love how in depth the author always winds these within the characters and their stories. Another great read and woman from history who would be forgotten. Thank you to the author and Forever Publishing for the free arc. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

I good read. At first I found it just an interesting glimpse into the fashion world, but then the family & relationship stories emerged. The descriptions of the France vs US design competition were fascinating & led me to watch the documentary about the same event. Would read another book by this author.

This was such a fabulous read!! It was everything I could ever want, and more in historical fiction. We are taken on a journey through 3 generations of Bricard women, whose lives are filled with trauma and hardships that they all must face at some point. Not knowing anything about fashion and design, I was taken through a world I have zero experience with. My naïveté on how famous women have been and still are treated in the media was shattered. It’s just not a subject I have thought too much about out of disinterest. This book completely changed my outlook on many things I knew little about. I was taken through every emotion reading this. I had my heart torn to pieces many times over and put back together in the end.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this compelling novel It beautifully tells the story of a family of women in a male-dominated profession. The three generations designed amazing clothing but were considered muses of the accomplished male fashion designers. Their stories are of love and the sacrifices they made. I enjoyed reading this exciting book.

I have loved Natasha Lester’s historical fiction starting when I read The Paris Secret. Since then, I have read every new book as it has been published and also look forward to a few earlier ones that I still need to catch up on.

Lester always tells a great story with a mix of fashion and history. This book is no exception although I think that it is the author’s most ambitious book yet.

Here readers meet three generations of strong women who are related and share a commitment to fashion. The oldest of these is Mizza Bricard. She was a real person and one who was described as a muse to Christian Dior. Living through several world wars was just one of her challenges.

Next is Mizza’s daughter Astrid. Why did Mizza not raise her? Astrid grows up in the seventies. She attends fashion/design school and meets the mesmerizing Hawk Jones. How will their relationship ebb and flow and how will their fashion stories and accomplishments continue to cross? And, importantly, how and why did Astrid disappear? What does/did Hawk know?

The daughter of Astrid and Hawk is Blythe. Blythe is also trying to establish her fashion line. She is divorced with two children. Does she want to try again with the (sometimes) charming Jake? Will her fashion business be successful?

This book has an excellent plot, good settings, interesting characters and a real eye on the fashion scene. In addition, I think that Lester wants to bring women out of the shadows and for them to be recognized for their accomplishments. Bravo for that.

I recommend this book very highly. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fashion and/or stories about women, family and career should give this title a look. I already can’t wait for Lester’s next novel.

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this title. All opinions are my own.

An incredible book that pulls back the curtain on the fashion industry and spotlights three gifted women who fought to be seen as talented fashion designers rather than muses.

✔️three dynamic protagonists
✔️three equally compelling timelines
✔️interesting topic; fashion across decades/continents
✔️eye-opening focus; gender bias in the fashion industry
✔️masterful balance; romance, mystery, history
✔️dreamy setting; Paris/Battle of Versailles
✔️vivid descriptions; people, places, and fabrics

Every page left me needing more!
Every chapter left me educated and emotional!

I finished feeling as if I was outfitted for battle; inspired, uplifted, empowered, and ready for what the world had in store for me! What a great book to read as the year opens, full of possibilities ahead.

I was gifted this copy by Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review

Natasha Lester's The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard intricately weaves the tales of three generations in the esteemed Bricard fashion dynasty—Mizza in 1917, Astrid in 1970s New York, and Blythe in the present day. Blythe, overshadowed by her iconic grandmother and mother, embarks on a journey to a French chateau that unravels family secrets. Astrid's rise in the 1970s fashion scene, her passionate affair, and mysterious disappearance during the Battle of Versailles form a central mystery. Lester expertly blends historical accuracy with fictional elements, exploring themes of sacrifice, love, and the impact of pivotal decisions. The emotional resonance and intricate family dynamics, coupled with Lester's powerful storytelling, create a must-read novel that leaves a lasting imprint, unraveling the elegance and complexities of womanhood, legacy, and the indomitable spirit across generations.

No doubt a page-turner, Natasha Lester’s latest has a lot to catch the reader’s eye, but perhaps too much to fully unpack in the confines of one story. The triple timeline structure works well to establish the multigenerational impact of the Bricard women, but also has a tendency to feel overstuffed with historical references and plot diversions.

Multiple timelines. Three generations of women in the fashion world. Past: Mizza Bricard, Paris 1917. Recent past, 1970s--New York, Hawk Jones and Astrid Bricard. Present: Blythe Bricard [daugher of Hawk and Astrid]. The fashion world--and sexism in that industry [and the push of feminism from SOME of the women behind the male designers]. Dysfunction. Many parallels [or so it seemed to me] between Hawk and Astrid, and Blythe and her husband, Jake.

My thoughts: too long, pedestrian, a repetitive rant, sometimes melodramatic, and overall--BORING. I could have read a better or much better book [not hard, this bar was SO LOW]. This was my feeling when barely into the book, but I plodded through--hoping it would improve [negative].

Full disclosure, cringeworthy, "mushy" proses does me in and this novel had an abundance of it--it derails whatever I'm reading. To wit [and these are but A FEW examples]:
"...lingering heat of Hawk's hand on her skin is both the rapture and the madness of a trip"
"one second of searing heat before her lips are on his"
"grey cashmere sweater ripples over his chest like her hands want to"
"deep and lifelong ocean of passion, with islands of tenderness..."

And why the [several times] use of jumper, a British term, when it clearly takes place in the US or Paris?

I rarely give such a scathing review but I thought this 467-page book a total waste of my time.

Mizza ferrying children away from Nazis was but ONE spark in book. Some mystery as to Astrid's parents but not nearly enough to maintain interest.

IN THE DISTINCT MINORITY; I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE PRAISE FOR THIS BOOK.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is about 3 generations of women who live and work in the fashion industry. Blythe Bricard is our present day narrator, living in her mother, Astrid, and grandmother, Mizza's shadows, trying to break free from their reputations as mere "muses" for more famous men in the fashion world of their time.

The book opens with the disappearance of Astrid in the mid 1970s during the morning of the famous Battle of Versailles fashion show. From there it goes back to when Astrid first starts at Parsons in NYC, meeting Hawk Jones and how she became reputed to be his muse despite her own talents and strengths in fashion design. The book also weaves in Mizza's timeline and her work in the fashion industry in Paris prior to, during, and after WWII, as well as Blythe's as she debates a life changing decision while on a family holiday with her ex-husband and their 2 children.

This a strong follow-up to Natasha Lester's previous book, The Many Lives of Alix S.t Pierre, who is a secondary character in this book, although the two books are otherwise independent from each other. The writing is skillfully done, with each woman having her own distinct voice that is easily distinguished from the others. also enjoyed the message of what it means to be a woman in a male dominated industry and the perspective on how history isn't always accurate to the truth, as well as the exploration of each woman's experience as a mother.

For me this was an interesting and captivating read, and although it was long, it never dragged or felt like it should have been shortened. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

A gorgeous drama with an historical setting of 1970s brings the readers into the rarified world of high fashion. Trust me, you won’t want to leave!

In this novel we hear from three generations of women, all who are trying to prove themselves in a world mainly dominated by men. Throughout the generations there is the Vietnam war, women's rights movements, and Blythe in the current day navigating a divorce and uncover the truth of her grandmother and mother. We hear from their three perspectives as the story of what happened in the past is revealed. The last 25% of the book brought things together nicely and was very touching and emotional.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The compelling story of three women fighting to make a name for themselves in the male dominated fashion world. Their struggle to balance work, family, life and love is real and hard. Overall a great book. Found parts to be a little long and drawn out.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Natasha weaves a beautiful story of love, loss and the challenges of being a woman in the male dominated fashion world, delivering heartache, stirring up the fight instinct and hitting the crescendo with a happy ending.

Three generations, all trying to break through the glass ceiling, to be seen and recognized for their immense talent in the fashion industry, rather than relegated to being pigeonholed as a muse, or discredited, their talent attributed to a man.

Mizza, Astrid, Blythe. Three talented women who seem to repeat history with their fierce commitment to designing fashion that will make a women feel Fearless, Powerful, Color and Courage, but at what expense, the love they have to give up to be able to step out of the shadows of a man, the love that makes them give up a child (Mizza, Astrid) for them to have a better life. The impact of a sense of abandonment and the flow on ramifications in their lives.

There is a terrific Authors Note at the end outlining the elements of the story that are based on facts, what fictional license was taken to fit to the story/characters that were developed.

Anyone in Australia/New Zealand are lucky to be able to get their hands on this book now, in the US there is a little bit more of a wait.

Natasha Lester is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical fiction authors for well-researched, well-told stories of strong female characters rising up against all the odds stacked against them.

In a massively oversimplified overview, this book tells the story of three generations of women trying to be recognized for their talent and work in the world of fashion, and the world in general, over three different time periods while also balancing love, motherhood, and personal struggles.

I found myself most drawn to Blythe’s present day storyline, but all three timelines were necessary to convey the collective story of the three women. It examined the ways bravery can look different in different situations, the struggle with choosing what is viewed as the selfish route in putting oneself first, and finding the strength to make something happen and demand to be recognized for it. Narratives are written and created for women daily based on slivers of truth, and they’re often damaging and/or demeaning. This book tells the story of three women creating their own narratives, suffering the consequences of the one the media decides to tell, and finding a way to rewrite it and reclaim their family history and future.

Bonus points for getting glimpses of Alix St. Pierre again as well from one of my favorite reads of the year.

This story follows the lives of three women - a mother, daughter, and granddaughter - in three different timelines as they each encounter professional struggles in the fashion industry and their personal lives. Each makes choices that have drastic and sometimes serious impacts on not only themselves but their careers and family as well.

I wanted to like this book so badly but just struggled to get into it. I thought this was going to be a great mystery but it fell short of that expectation. I also struggled that one of the main characters - Mizza Bricard - is based off a real person of the same name, however her daughter (Astrid) and granddaughter (Blythe) are entirely fictional. I also struggled to believe in the relationships that these women had in their lives and how incredibly quickly they forgave serious transgressions and trauma all in the name of love and family conquering all. Parts of the story dragged on with unnecessary details and plot aspects and on more than one occasion I got completely frustrated with the terrible decisions and actions of characters that I had to put the book down.

Thank you ot Natasha Lester, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an amazing book, so well written and researched, with a story based on history with some real characters and some imagined. It takes place in 3 timelines, with 3 fascinating women and is set in the world of fashion.
I loved each timeline and the powerful women in each. Being set in the fashion world, there are lots of familiar names. I was aghast at the way women were treated, as well as the viciousness of some of the top designers. Strange that most of the workers in the industry are women, the people wearing the clothing are mostly women and yet it's the men who rule the roost. It's truly a fascinating look at the world of fashion.
Highly recommended!

Enjoyable, but overall it was too long and too involved. Delves into three generations - so that the lot ping pongs back and forth too much. Characters get hard to track and there are too many side people to track (minor family relations, who can remember all the names when they only appear after 150 pages?). The fabric/sewing/ fashion metaphors (she was as fragile as chiffon etc) began to feel forced.

In this book Natasha conveys the injustices of how women have been treated throughout the decades within the fashion industry and in general. How women are misunderstood and undermind and men are treated and seeing so diferently under the same circumstances. I admit that several times I got a bit upset with Astrid sacrificing her future and so much for Hawk lol. I like how Blythe took the reins and control of her life and made things right for the 3 generations of women, Mizza, Astrid and herself.

This book also refers to family, the relationship and how the lives of a mother and daughter were affected due different situations and decisions. Right or wrong, their decisions affected their lives. Who knows what we would have done under the same circumstances!

I enjoyed how Natasha Lester included characters from other books like Remy and Alix St. Pierre.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange of an honest opinion