The Paris Gown was a captivating story of 3 friends. Set in Paris in the 1950s, this tale brings you in from the beginning. Fast paced, and told from all 3 girls perspectives. Very minimal language & closed door (although, a few things are eluded to). I will definitely try another one of Wells' books

The Paris Gown is a delightful story of 1950's Paris, fashion, and female friendship, with a dash of romance for good measure. It took me a bit of time to get into the story but once I did I really enjoyed it.

The story follows three culinary school graduates - Gina, an American writer, Margot, a society woman from Sydney, and Claire, a Parisian determined to rise through the ranks as a chef in the city's finest kitchens. The three women reunite in Paris after several years apart, each with their own secrets. By a stroke of luck, they manage to find themselves living in a lavish apartment above Claire's family brasserie. As the three women catch up on each other's lives and try to confront their own challenges, they will lean on their friendship and one very special Dior gown.

The descriptions of the city and its 1950s fashion was so vivid and fun. My review is 4 stars instead of 5 due to the slowness of the beginning, and because I wanted more of Claire's story. The perspective shifts among the three women, and I felt that there was more development in Margot's and Gina's and would have liked more in Claire's.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Paris Gown will be published on August 20, 2024.

Historial fiction in Paris, 1955? YES PLEASE. A Dior gown on the cover? YES. I try to jump on historical fiction like this when I see it. Please sweep me away to another time, another place!

The Paris Gown by Christine Wells centers on three young women in Paris. The story is told through multiple viewpoints and the women’s years of friendship. I loved the details within the pages of the book and appreciated a positive story about women’s friendships.

This was a breath of fresh air between heavier, darker books that I often read.

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…

Oh, how I adored this story of female friendship and the Dior gown that reunited them after years apart. Well done, Christine Wells!

this is set in the 1950's, about three friends and a Dior wedding gown. It was hard to put down as the story unfolds. really enjoyed the book.

A light, easy read about friendships and making your dreams happen.
My only criticism was everything came together too easily for these girls. There are moments of hardship but they are glossed over quickly. Margot’s reasons for hiding and being back in Paris didn’t feel threatening enough and could have been explored further. Hence my comment about it being a light read. The true triumph is the women’s friendship that survives heartbreak, disappointment, anger and absence.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I loved THE PARIS GOWN! The 1950s Paris setting, depiction of strong friendships between women, themes of finding your true self and following your dreams, and behind-the-scenes look into both the publishing and fashion industries at the time were all definite highlights for me. Even though this is technically historical fiction, I also liked that the story felt almost timeless in some ways, while still remaining grounded in the setting overall. Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

It was hard to put this book down once I started and got into the story there is nothing about it, but I did not love!

Trials, tribulations, luck and friendship, it’s all in here. The way the author weaves the stories I’ve Claire, Marta and Gina makes this so hard to put down. You just want to read and turn the page until you get to the end and then you want some more. I would definitely read more from this author.

Who can resist the romance of French haute couture in the magical world of 1950s Paris? The title (and book cover) of Christine Wells' upcoming novel - The Paris Gown - invites readers to step into this dream world of high fashion and glamour. (And, the authenticity of a real Dior fashion photograph on the cover is pointed out by Christine Wells in her acknowledgements.)

Readers are quickly drawn in as they watch three close friends admire a gown displayed in the House of Dior window. After witnessing this private moment with them, you’re ready to follow their journey of friendship and adventure.

The trio were initially brought together as classmates at the famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. Only one followed the path of a culinary career. The other two friends set off on different paths. Each individually experiences the highs and lows of youthful mistakes, struggles and secrets. However, their ongoing support of each other reinforces their friendship and respect for each other.

Each character’s point of view is shared in an engaging and compelling manner. We cheer the characters on, hoping that they’ll find love, family, and satisfying careers in their own way.

I enjoyed the story and wanted to turn the page to satisfy my curiosity about the turn of events for each friend. What surprised me is that the story reads more like contemporary fiction than historical fiction. Although the story is engaging, I felt that the description of the time period and historical events were too lightweight. There is some name dropping to hint at the cultural icons of the day, such as Montbatten, Madame Brazier, and Escoffier. However, these references were not enough to satisfy my expectations of the historical setting.

I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction. Historical fiction lovers may be disappointed that more of the groundbreaking fashion industry events and significance of 1950s Paris is missing.

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers for providing this Advance Reader’s e-proof via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A friend’s rash departure from Paris conveniently gives the friends an opportunity for free/inexpensive housing as well as a free Dior gown. This starts the unlikely reunion of Claire, Gina and Margot. These young women are each battling sex discrimination in the work force, questionable lovers/partners, and each is struggling to make ends meet.

Gina wants to be a writer, but she also wants to be Hal’s wife. Unfortunately, she might have to choose between love and career for now. Claire is devoted to her trade. A trained chef but without her own kitchen. The liveliest of the bunch, Margot, is a bit worse for the wear after a few years in a bad marriage. Can these three rekindle their friendship, find love and/or a satisfying career?

Gina, Claire and Margot are all likable characters that I found myself rooting for. They each have strengths and weaknesses that most readers can identify with. The men in their lives range from supportive to frustrating to downright bad for their health. There is a solid, underlying feminist message in addition to some romance and haute couture. A good, easy poolside read.

While I enjoyed hearing about the Dior gown and the relationships between these three friends, I wouldn't call this novel historical fiction. It's set in Paris in the 1950s and focuses on Claire, Gina, and Margot, three friends who spend time together and dream of owning a Dior gown. Later, the trio reunite and their wish of a having a Dior creation comes true. At the same time, they must manage career and love lives. While the tale is entertaining and kept my attention, I would have liked more atmospheric and historical details. I would give it a 3.5.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy.

A cute story! This took place in 1950s Paris but I really wouldn't call it historical fiction ... I really think it was in the 50s just to include Dior as a character. Not a bad thing though! This was still a fantastic women's fiction story about friendship, resilience, love, and making your own way.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and thought the synopsis sounded interesting. However, I found myself struggling to get into and stay interested in the story. I thought it was lacking depth in places and the pace was a little too slow at times.

I enjoyed the friendship between the three main characters and the complexity involved. I really liked Margot and thought the publishing aspect of the storyline was really interesting and were my favorite parts.

All in all this wa a good story and I really became interested about halfway through. A nice read for fans of historical fiction.
3.5 stars.

This was an engaging, sweet, historical rom-com. The friendship between the three women was realistic and well written, and it was great to see them each find their own path. The backdrop and the fashion angle also added fun aspects to the story.

Really like this book it’s a Time Machine that transfers you to Paris in the 1950. This book has a beautiful friendship between 3 women, amazing food and my favorites part Dior atelier. what else can you ask for. it’s Beautiful written, all the senses where transmitted with the food, friendship and gowns. I would have liked a little more of drama but overall it was a great book, had me interested all the way until the end.
I felt connected with the characters, love the women supporting each other and fighting for their dreams.

Thank you for this amazing ARC, I already reviewed on Goodreads and Tik Tok will attach that links.

I loved this book so much! The story was so heart warming and I absolutely loved the main character’s in this book! I would highly recommend this book!

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!