This incredible read about three friends in Paris was difficult to put down. Claire, Marta, and Gina are best friends. They love to stand outside Dior’s window to see the latest creations. Claire is too poor to own couture but not Marta or Gina. When Claire’s world is turned upside down after her father sells his restaurant she not only is gifted a luxurious apartment, but also a Dior gown. The three friends help each other cope with life’s twists and turns. The gown plays an intricate part in them finding the right life path.

I received this advance read through NetGalley. I never turn down a book with Paris in the title; just ask my bookshelves. I wanted to love this book, I really did. But I just couldn’t get into. I found the writing to be beautiful, with a nod to the simplicity of the French language. And the food! Couldn’t get enough. There was something about the characters- they just didn’t speak to me.

I just loved this book! The story is amazing and the Dior gown is so interesting.

I loved the story about friendship, love, the cooking and so much more. The characters are so well crafted and interesting, their stories are really entertaining and the setting is so thoroughly described I felt like I was right there. The idea of the Dior dress and how important it was to the three girls is beautiful.

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

"From perennially popular historical novelist Christine Wells, the delightful tale of three young women in 1950s Paris who share a single dazzling Christian Dior gown.

Paris, 1955

Three friends - Claire, Gina, and Margot - who parted as very young women with their whole lives ahead of them, reunite in Paris years later, determined to start life anew.

Parisian Claire has been working hard to become a Michelin-starred chef one day, but ever since the heady time she spent in the company of socialites Gina and Margot, her dream has been to own a Dior gown. This seemed like a far-off fantasy, until the eccentric and wealthy Madame Vaughn, who lives above Claire's family brasserie, abruptly leaves Paris, asking Claire to mind her apartment. More bafflingly, Madame Vaughn also makes Claire a very special gift: a stunning Dior gown.

Meanwhile Gina, a cool American blue blood, lands on Claire's doorstep nursing a broken heart and a broken engagement after her father lost all of the family money in a risky business venture. A journalist aspiring to be a novelist, Gina has returned to Paris in the hopes of pursuing her dream. But when her father begs her to attend the United States Embassy ball in the hopes of persuading Hal Sanders, her former fiancé, to invest in her father's new business venture, she is torn. She wants to help her father, but seeing Hal again will be exquisitely painful. And what on earth is she going to wear?

Warm-hearted Claire insists Gina wear the Dior gown to the ball, and after some hesitation, Gina accepts. At Dior for Gina's fitting, who should assist them but Margot, the friend they thought had gone back to Australia to be married. But Margot is living in Paris and working at Dior under an assumed name, and clearly, she is not happy to have been found.

Is their close friendship at an end? Or will the wonder and delight of the Dior gown bring these young women back together?

Gorgeous, perfectly fitted, lustrous and luxurious, the Dior gown has the power to change lives - as these three remarkable women are about to discover..."

The only version of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I'm interested in!

I could not put this book down once I started. I loved the characters, flaws and all. The author did such a wonderful job of weaving all their personal tales into an unforgettable story. The plot was such a myriad of emotions and challenges. There was a lot of family, friendship, forgivenes, starting over, and self reflection. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL. This book was truly beautiful - the greatest story of a friendship, blossoming over a Dior dress. I loved all the Paris references, as well as the things I learned about Dior. Margot, Claire and Gina were lucky to have found each other. They stay together over heartbreak, abuse, new jobs, new lovers, etc. They always find a way back to each other - and the center to it all? the DIOR Dress! very very lovely story.

Christian Dior is having a moment. He has featured in a recent Apple TV series as well as in a number of works of historical fiction. That is the case in this novel where window shopping and a dress by the couturier feature in the story.

Wells tells the story of three friends who reunite in post war Paris. They are Claire, Gina and Margot. Claire is a native French woman and chef. Gina is an American aspiring writer/journalist. Australian Margot is working at Dior’s fashion house. All have their struggles, relationships and hopes.

Early in the novel, readers learn that Claire was lucky enough to be loaned an apartment above her father’s bistro. The mysterious Madam Vaughan has gone away for reasons not initially shared and left Claire to occupy her home. She has also gifted a Dior gown to Claire. The three young women clearly benefit from her generosity.

Claire invites her friends to stay with her. Readers then follow them through their lives and will, I think, care about what happens to them.

This story is involving and nicely details the characters and their world. This is a story of female friendship that I very much enjoyed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Three girlfriends, three ambitions. Can a gorgeous dress bring them together again?

If you like mid-century novels with historical description, beautiful scenes, and developing relationships, you'll love this one. Claire, Margo, and Gina will capture your imagination.

As will one Dior dress. Pick it up to read during travels or on vacation.

This is beautifully written and is lovely historical fiction. Female friendships, Paris, and a Dior gown! I traveled to France earlier this summer, so was particularly interested in Paris, France, as the backdrop!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Not really what I expected. Characters didn’t really grab me, and Christine Wells isn’t the best at pulling off multiple POVs without it being jarring.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book. 

Summary: In 1950s Paris, three friends are captivated by the styles of Christian Dior and one gorgeous dress will play a role in each of their journeys of love, happiness, and loss.

What I liked: The three main characters, Claire, Gina, and Margot were all very likable. Each faced a different struggle in their pursuit of happiness, but it was the bonds of friendship that carried them through. Openness and honesty reigned true between these friends, as they gave grace to one another despite their different interests. Characters weren't afraid to stand up to each other to point out flawed thinking or missed signals. I loved the backdrop of Christian Dior's boutique as part of this story. While the gown was only a secondary characters, the story kept the reader waiting for its next glorious appearance.

What I liked less: Secondary charcters were less fleshed out. Parts of the story seemed to fade out, and came back as an aside at the end. While the story is set in 1950s Paris, it feels like a more modern narrative missing the culture components.

Overall: It was a very light, fun read for the summer. I was cheering on for the three main characters, wondering what the story had for each of them. I especially liked Claire. Her path seemed the most surprising, considering her start.

Recommend for: Women's fiction lovers. Those who enjoy the stories of friendship with a twist of history.

Note: I was provided an advanced readers copy by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I read through this book in one day. It was a lovely story and the characters were likable. It's my favorite kind of book where you get swept up into the story and can't put it down. The author did a great job of making you feel as if you knew the characters and ultimately cheering them on. Feeling their emotions as they go from challenge to challenge. I highly recommend it!

What a fun story of three women as their lives intertwine and all around them is this one Dior gown. These girls become women and their lives draw apart and come back together. They end up sharing an apartment above a brasserie which Charlotte's family has owned for decades. Each woman has become their own self throughout the book as circumstances bring them together and help them grow into themselves.

I really recommend this book for anyone trying to have the courage to be their true selves. And to anyone looking for an enjoyable story of women as they mature.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

"The Paris Gown" by Christine Wells is a delightful and enchanting novel that transports readers to the glamorous world of 1950s Paris. This captivating tale weaves together the lives of three young women - Claire, Gina, and Margot - as they navigate love, friendship, and personal ambitions in the City of Light.


At the heart of the novel is a stunning Christian Dior gown, which serves as both a symbol of elegance and a catalyst for change in the protagonists' lives. Each woman has her time to wear the dress throughout the story.

The three main characters are well-developed and relatable, each facing unique challenges that will resonate with readers. Claire's culinary ambitions, Gina's struggle with family expectations, and Margot's mysterious past create a rich tapestry of storylines that intertwine seamlessly.

A charming and uplifting read that offers a perfect escape into a world of fashion, friendship, and self-discovery.

I loved that the Dior dress was symbolic of not only friendship and love but also of courage! The characters were very interesting. I honestly would have loved more about them.

The novel was well-written and easy to read. For sure made me want to go back to Paris!

A fabulous work of historical fiction—truly compelling! I loved this story of friendship and love in 1950s Paris. Gina, Claire, and Margot meet in Paris as young women and form a fast friendship, but their lives take unexpected turns as they pursue careers and fall in love. When they meet again we see them trying to get back on track and their connection also involves a marvelous Dior gown. This is a perfect book for those who love Paris—especially food, literature, and fashion—and those who are drawn in by this period in history, when women who did not readily embrace the traditional roles of wives and mothers faced challenges. Christine Wells has again written a captivating story and I highly recommend this book. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel. It kept me reading because I wanted to know what would happen to each of the three women who each had a chance to wear one Dior gown.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The Paris Gown" by Christine Wells is a captivating journey into the world of 1950s Paris, brought to life through the intertwined lives of three remarkable women and a stunning Christian Dior gown. As a newcomer to Christine Wells' work, I was delighted by the rich historical detail and the compelling narrative that kept me engrossed from start to finish.

The story centers on Claire, Gina, and Margot, three friends whose lives take unexpected turns as they reunite in Paris. Claire, an aspiring Michelin-starred chef, finds her dream within reach when she is gifted a dazzling Dior gown. Gina, a heartbroken American journalist, returns to Paris to pursue her writing aspirations and faces a challenging reunion with her former fiancé. Margot, now working at Dior, hides secrets that threaten to unravel their friendship. The gown, a symbol of hope and transformation, weaves their stories together in a beautifully poignant manner.

Wells' writing is lush and evocative, capturing the essence of Parisian life and the emotional depth of her characters. The dynamic between the three women is well-developed, and the narrative seamlessly blends historical context with personal struggles and triumphs. The Dior gown serves as a powerful metaphor for change and aspiration, adding a layer of enchantment to the plot.

While the book is thoroughly enjoyable, there were moments where the pacing felt slightly uneven, and some plot points could have been explored in greater depth. However, these minor quibbles did not detract significantly from the overall experience.

"The Paris Gown" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and anyone who appreciates a well-told story of friendship, dreams, and resilience. Christine Wells has crafted a memorable tale, and I eagerly look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.


Thank you NetGalley and Christine Wells for the ARC read.
***All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone***

Three women are friends in Paris studying to be chefs. They always stare at the Dior window, dreaming about acquiring a Dior gown. Fast forward several years and two of them, Claire and Gina, reunite in Paris, their circumstances having changed. Still, their friendship allows them to navigate their current situations including career and relationship woes. Their only regret is that their third friend, Margot, is not only not there but seems to have disappeared into thin air despite their numerous letters to her. They soon run into Margot, who is using a different name and is in disguise. The story of her struggle slowly unfolds. This is a lovely story about friendship and its power to give strength to each other, allowing friends to become the person they aspire to. It is easy to read and the characters are likable. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it. Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader's copy.

From the Amazon description of the book:
Paris, 1955

Three friends—Claire, Gina, and Margot—who parted as very young women with their whole lives ahead of them, reunite in Paris years later, determined to start life anew.

Parisian Claire has been working hard to become a Michelin-starred chef one day, but ever since the heady time she spent in the company of socialites Gina and Margot, her dream has been to own a Dior gown. This seemed like a far-off fantasy, until the eccentric and wealthy Madame Vaughn, who lives above Claire’s family brasserie, abruptly leaves Paris, asking Claire to mind her apartment. More bafflingly, Madame Vaughn also makes Claire a very special gift: a stunning Dior gown.

Meanwhile Gina, a cool American blue blood, lands on Claire’s doorstep nursing a broken heart and a broken engagement after her father lost all of the family money in a risky business venture. A journalist aspiring to be a novelist, Gina has returned to Paris in the hopes of pursuing her dream. But when her father begs her to attend the United States Embassy ball in the hopes of persuading Hal Sanders, her former fiancé, to invest in her father’s new business venture, she is torn. She wants to help her father, but seeing Hal again will be exquisitely painful. And what on earth is she going to wear?

Warm-hearted Claire insists Gina wear the Dior gown to the ball, and after some hesitation, Gina accepts. At Dior for Gina’s fitting, who should assist them but Margot, the friend they thought had gone back to Australia to be married. But Margot is living in Paris and working at Dior under an assumed name, and clearly, she is not happy to have been found.

Is their close friendship at an end? Or will the wonder and delight of the Dior gown bring these young women back together?

Gorgeous, perfectly fitted, lustrous and luxurious, the Dior gown has the power to change lives—as these three remarkable women are about to discover…

Christine Wells has written a riveting novel that describes the lasting nature of friendship and how friends will give anything for friends. Her characters are crisp and the settings are quaint. There are faults and foibles to uncover, characters who will anger the reader, characters who will endear themselves to the reader, and overall this is a book worth reading.

Four Strong Stars.

William Morrow provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.