The Paris Gown by Christine Wells transports readers to Paris in the 1950s, where three young women—Claire, Gina, and Margot—form a deep bond over their shared admiration for the iconic Dior dresses displayed in the shop windows. This connection becomes the foundation of their friendship as they dream of the futures they envision for themselves. The novel alternates between their perspectives, showing how their paths diverge over the years, only for them to eventually find their way back to each other, with a Dior gown as the unlikely thread that ties them together.

The beginning of the novel is filled with promise and excitement, as readers are drawn into the lives of these women and their aspirations. Claire is a chef, Gina a writer, and Margot is in an abusive marriage, longing to break free. Each character is compelling in her own right, and the exploration of their different paths through life is intriguing. However, about halfway through, the story takes a shift toward a more conventional romance, which some readers may find predictable. While the romance is sweet, it starts to overshadow the more unique aspects of the story, moving it into familiar territory that feels less original.

The alternating points of view offer a good look at the different struggles and triumphs of the women, but the sense of Paris, which should have been a vibrant, central character in the story, is disappointingly absent. The setting could have been anywhere, and it felt like the story could have been equally effective without the Parisian backdrop.

One of the key elements of the story is the Dior gown, which holds sentimental value for the three women. However, while it initially seems like it will play a larger role in their lives, it ultimately doesn’t have the impact one might expect. The novel is more about the women's personal journeys and how their friendship, along with their individual growth, helps them navigate life's disappointments. It's a heartfelt story about the unpredictability of life and finding strength in the people we love.

For those who enjoy a feel-good, easy read with elements of romance and friendship, The Paris Gown offers a satisfying escape. However, if you're looking for a more immersive historical experience with a deep dive into the Parisian culture of the 1950s, you might be left wanting more. Despite its predictable elements, the book still offers a sweet, uplifting story about friendship, love, and finding happiness, even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Rating: 3/5 – A charming, though somewhat predictable, story about friendship and self-discovery.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for my DRC.

An interesting twist on sharing clothing. A more mature version of "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants". I enjoyed reading about these women and their struggles.

My interests mainly lie amidst historical fiction and high fashion. This was the perfect fit for me. The histroy around the Dior dress and the women was intriguing and kept my interest throughtout. It was informative and the fashion-side of me got piqued. A lovely addition by Christina Wells.

Christine Wells’ The Paris Gown is a captivating historical fiction novel that beautifully blends romance, fashion, and the impact of war. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book follows the story of a young woman whose life is intertwined with the world of haute couture, offering readers a rich and emotional journey through love, sacrifice, and personal transformation.

The novel centers on the protagonist, who is tasked with creating a gown for a famous Parisian designer during the chaos of the war. Wells does a remarkable job of immersing readers in the glamorous world of 1940s fashion while also showcasing the struggles and hardships faced by individuals during wartime. The vivid descriptions of the dresses, the Parisian streets, and the emotional stakes of the characters all come together to create a world that feels both luxurious and grounded in historical reality.

The characters in The Paris Gown are well-developed and emotionally complex. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery, love, and resilience is beautifully portrayed, and her inner conflict about loyalty, love, and survival adds depth to the narrative. The supporting characters, especially those she interacts with in the fashion world, are equally compelling, adding layers of intrigue and drama to the story.

Wells’ writing is elegant and evocative, with the pacing of the novel moving smoothly between moments of quiet introspection and thrilling, high-stakes drama. The historical setting is well-researched and adds authenticity to the plot, but it never overshadows the emotional heart of the story. The romance, though an essential part of the novel, is not the sole focus, as the novel explores themes of personal sacrifice, courage, and the complexities of identity in times of crisis.

The only downside is that some parts of the plot may feel somewhat predictable, especially for readers familiar with historical fiction or wartime stories. Additionally, there are moments when the story slows down in order to delve deeper into character backstories or the intricacies of the fashion world, which might feel like a lull for those looking for a faster-paced narrative. However, these sections provide necessary context and deepen the emotional resonance of the story.

In conclusion, The Paris Gown is a beautifully crafted historical novel that balances romance, fashion, and the emotional turmoil of wartime. Christine Wells’ storytelling is both poignant and immersive, and the characters’ journeys are engaging and heartwarming. While some aspects of the plot may feel familiar, the novel's lush descriptions, emotional depth, and historical richness make it a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read for fans of historical fiction.

I absolutely loved this book.

Claire, Margot and Gina all met at college, but Claire and Gina stopped receiving letters from Margot. Fast forward, and they spot Margot working at a shop in Paris where they leaved.

I loved reading how each girl grew, and became her own person. All had different backgrounds, but were friends based on each others heart.

Great writing style, and it definitely kept me engaged.

The Paris Gown by @christinewells_
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A beautiful novel about the sacrificial friendship between three women and how a Dior gown brings them all closer together no matter what’s going on in their life or where they are.

I received an ARC of this book from @netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my review. All opinions are honest and my own. #netgalley #goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof25 #theparisgown

The Paris Gown was an amazing read. The friendship between Margot, Gina, and Charlotte and the backdrop of Paris keeps you engaged in this book! The Christian Dior dress is also a plus!!! This was one of my favorite books last year.

Set in 1957, but the theme of how true friendship grows is timeless. We see these characters set their aspirations high, only to find out that life doesn't always work out the way they believe it will. Responsibilites change and essentially what they think they want in life changes.

We also see these characters come together to help one another. True friendship knows no bounds!

Wonderful read!!!

The Paris Gown is an interesting historical fiction novel with a nice amount of romance included. Telling the story of three female friends in 1950's Paris, a single Dior gown links their sisterhood together. Each character is coming to terms with their unrealized dreams and the friends stand by each other to support and commiserate with each other.

In my opinion, Wells' themes of sisterhood, different types of romance & marriage and female empowerment overshadow the more "commercial" aspects of Paris fashion and socialite behaviors of the time. This novel is far deeper than the frothy fashion shot on the front cover. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this story, but I would also recommend it to general women's fictions aficionados as well.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

The premise of The Paris Gown by Christine Wells was so interesting to me, as I personally am a huge fan of historical fiction books, especially ones that take place in the 1940s to the 1950s. This novel centers around the friendship between three young women named Margot, Gina, and Charlotte in 1950s Paris while the three of them are sharing an apartment. They all end up sharing a Christian Dior gown during important events in their lives and are always around to support each other through good times and bad. I liked the pacing of the novel and was drawn in by the author’s writing during the first few chapters of the book. I enjoyed reading about each woman in the book, as well as what they were each going through in their lives at the time, and how they could lean on each other in tough times. I also really enjoyed the fashion aspect of the novel and how important the Christian Dior gown became to each woman. I think a lot of people who enjoy reading light hearted historical fiction novels that revolve around female friendships will enjoy this one as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

In this fun and incredibly detailed historical fiction novel, Claire, Gina, and Margot reunite in Paris in 1955 after life has placed some major obstacles in their way. Claire, working to become a Michelin-starred chef, keeps dreaming of a Dior gown -- which she receives after agreeing to mind Madame Vaughn’s apartment during her absence. When American blue blood socialite Gina returns to Paris and Claire’s apartment with a broken heart and a broken engagement, she wants nothing more to become a novelist, not a journalist, and sees Paris as the perfect place to pursue her dream (and hopefully avoid her ex-fiance Hal Sanders). When at the Dior showroom for the dress fitting, both Gina and Claire are shocked that Margot is assisting them when they had thought she was back in Australia and happily married, not working in Paris under an assumed name. With three brilliant characters alternating perspectives throughout the novel, readers really get to live a life of work for future success in the City of Lights alongside Claire, Gina, and Margot, whose different struggles, stories, and perspectives are incredibly detailed and well-written. With a great bond of sisterly friendship and hope for the future anchoring this brilliant historical fiction novel, fans of the genre are sure to love Christine Wells’ new book.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The girls’ friendship was really special to me, and honestly, when the two were worried about what had happened to the third, I was very alarmed that it was immediately going to be like, she was murdered in Australia!!!!!! Before I realized the author was Australian haha oops. But generally speaking, I liked each girl’s storyline individually a lot, and I felt each of the storylines fit their personalities. The dress kind of reminded me of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but maybe a little less iconic since they each only wore it once. However - pretty cool that Dior was a character in the book and that these girls were running around Paris in OG couture when they were rich, and then sharing a knocked up lady’s apartment and one couture gown when they weren’t. It was good, I thought each girl seemed both sweet and relatable and their conflicts were realistic.

I really was rooting for these three women the whole novel! It feels great to cheer for such wonderful characters and to want the best for them. This book was a great escape in a great city with women that I wanted to befriend. I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone!

This was a pretty quick read, albeit some what predictable and not particularly realistic for the times. The characters were interesting, the references in Paris, fun, and basically another fairly tale version in triplicate of modern day Cinderellas.

Set in Paris, we meet three different women: Claire who steps in to run the family brasserie, leaving behind a promising career. Gina who runs back to Paris from America when a relationship ends badly. Finally Margot, from Australia, who runs from a bad marriage. They all are in a bad place in their lives, when a Dior gown brings them together and their lives turn around. A bit slow to get going, this is a well crafted story and the characters are likable although they are not as well-developed as I had hoped. The pacing could be better - the happy ending felt very rushed, but was satisfactory.

This book transported me back to the glitz and glam of Paris in the 1950s. It follows a group of three friends (Claire, Gina and Margot) and how Dior brought them back together. As a lover of couture and designer brands, this book really resonated with me. I loved how the book talked about Monsieur Dior and what he must’ve been like. Out of all the designers, you can really tell that Dior loved women with how he made them look and how they made them feel. As the reader, I can feel myself putting on the gown and having those feelings. I also loved how Claire is a chef and as a patron of fine dining establishments, I can hear and smell what was going on in her brasserie. This book came alive in my hands and I am still processing the emotions I felt reading about love, fashion, food and most of friendship. This book was a delight and it’s meant to be savored. .

The Paris gown is a beautiful, heartwarming story of how 3 women are connected through their lives and the impact a Dior gown has on each of them in their own individual major life events. The love, humor, heartache and sisterhood of these women is engaging and so thoughtfully rolled out throughout the story. Following the 3 main characters on their journey through life and how they were able to reconnect after a lot of time enhances and reinforces that tight bond that sisterhood can encompass. The history of Dior and Paris woven throughout is also informative and well thought out.

Thank you to William Morrow books and to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. As someone who doesn’t read a ton of historical fiction, the subject and time period of this book caught my eye. Set in 1950s Paris, three women reunite after half a decade apart and navigate post war Europe and the changing role of women at this time. The author does a great job of framing this story around one vintage Dior gown, and how each of the characters needs/uses it.

I really enjoyed this novel and found myself connecting well with each of the three main characters. Each of their stories was well thought out and allowed them to stay true to themselves and what they wanted. I’d recommend this one for any historical fiction fans.

A Dior gown means something special to three best friends - Gina, Claire and Margot. Claire, her family owns Le Chat, a brassiere in Paris. Gina, a socialite from the states, an aspiring novelist engaged to marry an up and coming politician, and Margot, a free spirited socialite from Australia. They met at cooking school, where Claire was the only one who actually wants to be a chef. A few years later, Gina winds up on Claire's doorstep having run away from her life back home. How does this Dior gown keep these three friends connected through life changes, relationships and aspirations?

I love a feel good almost sisterly friendship story. Set in gorgeous Paris at the height of Dior fashion.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

3.75 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this as an ARC. If you’re in the mood for a charming historical novel set in a gorgeous city, then this is the book for you. Three women, good friends but had grown distant, are reunited by circumstance and fate in Paris, 1955.
One is a chef in her family restaurant but longs for more, one is hiding away, working at the House of Dior, and the last is running away from NYC and her father’s disgrace.
I really enjoyed the friendship amongst the three women. They are strong women, in an era in which strong women weren’t welcomed by society. They are loyal to each other and have each other’s backs. They are all trying to live life on their own terms. It was nice to read a book about female friendship and how it changed each character’s lives. This was an entertaining fast read.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. The Paris Gown is a fast read about 3 women in 1950's Paris. It gives a little bit of "Emily in Paris" vibes. Because it is a quick read, the plot lacks complexity and the story is predictable. If you are a light reader, like cooking and fashion, then you will like this book.