I love reading about fascinating yet unknown women from history, and Runyan’s latest adds to that list with her new book about Claire Eiffel, daughter of Gustave Eiffel. From a bridge in Portugal to Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower to the disastrous construction of the Panama Canal, Claire was an integral part of her father’s business and her strength enabled . It was so interesting learning about the details of his famous works, but I loved the glimpses into day-to-day life in late 19th century France the most. Claire was a formidable woman who should be remembered in her own right, and thanks to this book, she now will be. It’s perfect for fans of historical biographical fiction novels like those by Marie Benedict and Tracey Enerson Wood. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Pros- really interesting to learn more about the creation of one of the world’s most iconic displays. I also enjoyed learning about the Eiffel family. When you go to see something like the Eiffel Tower, it is easy to forget there are actual humans behind the work. I read this novel while in Paris for the Olympics. I even got to go to beach volleyball and watch the tower sparkle at night. So I wanted to read this book to learn more, while I was enjoying seeing this iconic Tower. That mission was fulfilled.
Cons- I did think the story could be a bit shorter at times. There were parts where it seemed to drag. Then at the end, it felt like that part of the family history was a little incomplete or rushed.
Overall, I give this novel 3.75 stars. If you like historical fiction and the Eiffel Tower, I think you will find this novel a worthwhile read! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book as an ARC!

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

3/5 stars

I enjoyed this book quite a bit - it tells the story of Claire Eiffel, the daughter of architect Gustave Eiffel and how important she is in his life after her mother passes away. So important that a lot of his famous projects may not have worked out as smoothly if not for Claire’s influence.

I did feel the book was a bit surface level. I wanted more detail and I feel this book didn’t have all of that.

This is the story of Claire Eiffel Salles, an engrossing historical novel. Claire was the daughter of Gustave Eiffel, the French engineer responsible for the construction of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. The book successfully captures Claire’s sacrifice of her own dreams to care for her father and siblings after her mother’s death. Claire played a significant role in both the strategy of her father’s business and the company’s legacy.

The book is beautifully written. I highly recommend it, especially to historical fiction lovers who enjoy a story that brings to life figures who are almost lost to history.

Thank you to both NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an early read in exchange for a fair review.

This book is well written, but I’m not the target audience. It reads like a series of vignettes rather than a coherent narrative.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan didn't quite meet my expectations, especially given my admiration for her other novels. Unlike her previous works that often feature multiple viewpoints and shifting timelines, this book sticks to a single perspective and a briskly moving narrative centered on Claire Eiffel.

Claire's life is depicted as one of privilege and responsibility, where she steps into a maternal role after her mother’s early death. The story primarily revolves around her struggles balancing familial obligations and her overly obsessed relationship with her father. However, the character of Claire, while well-developed, comes across as more of a wealthy woman managing her household rather than a particularly strong or compelling figure.

Additionally, the book’s frequent and detailed descriptions of food became overwhelming and distracting. The emphasis on culinary aspects, though vividly described, often overshadowed the narrative and made it difficult to stay engaged with the story.

While Runyan’s writing remains strong, Mademoiselle Eiffel didn't captivate me in the same way her other books have. The focus on Claire’s privileged life and her domestic role, coupled with the excessive food descriptions, made this novel less engaging than her previous works.

Mademoiselle Eiffel


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

If you are a historical fiction lover, like myself, you must check out this book. It was rich with so many incredible facts on the Eiffel family, the tower, and Claire Eiffel herself.

Claire is forced to grow up so soon after the passing of her mother. She steps up and takes charge of her siblings and their home. Not only that, but she is right there helping out her father and the architect of the Eiffel Tower. Claire, this girl has so much heart, she’s courageous, and she saved her family and more ways than one.

I loved that there was a touch of romance in this one, even a bit of enemies to lovers in there too. This gave the book so much depth to the story and to Claire’s life as well.

My absolute favorite thing that authors sometimes include in their books are authors notes. This gives you their background and connection to the book. I also love when they include reading group discussion questions. This one had both! That authors note was incredible, just goes to show you how much work Aimie Runyan put into this book. Chefs kiss!

This novel tells the fictional story of Claire Eiffel and her family's strong legacy in Paris. Claire is thrown into a key family role at the age of 14 after her mother's death. She oversees the care of her younger siblings, and plays a key support role to her well-known architect father. She is very successful is both providing key advice to her father, as well in hosting key guests, and becomes indispensable to the business. But, with two brothers who have no interest in the business or engineering, Claire's father begins to groom his talented employee Adolphe Salles to lead the business in the future. Clair and Adolphe grow closer and their marriage solidifies the Eiffel family legacy in the business.

The bidding and building of the Eiffel tower is a huge undertaking for both the business and the family, and opportunities abound with work also scheduled for the Panama Canal. But projects of this size and nature are not without their challenges. The family legacy is tested in many ways, and Claire's strength is key to all family members.

I enjoyed this fictional retelling of the family and time of history.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley, but the review is my own opinion.
I had just recently come across the name of Gustave Eiffel so I was interested in reading this book about his family told from the POV of his eldest daughter Claire. Her mother passes away when Claire is only 14 years old and she takes over the running of her father's household, but she really would prefer to be involved in the company business or going to art school. An interesting look into a woman who could've done a lot more if society had accepted her as equal. Well-written and kept me reading.

We all know this iconic structure, but do you know any of the history behind it? The family behind it and how it almost didn't come to be? This was so fascinating to read! I really didn't know much about the Eiffel Tower and this was a great read into the Eiffel family and what this structure was to Gustave and Claire. Claire has been forced to grow up very quickly when her mother passes at an early age. Running the household at fourteen and becoming mother to all her younger siblings she also seems to fall into the role of assistant to her father. Gustave Eiffel is known for his bridges and architecture, so when he puts a bid in for the Eiffel Tower for the great fair that will be coming to Paris, this will be the most intricate and largest of his structures yet. But it is a gamble that will either make or break the Eiffel family. Everything is sitting on this structure being successful and Claire believes in it. She knows her father believes in it as well and they put everything on the line. As we all know, this is still standing to this day, but that was not the original plan. I loved this read. I loved all the history as well as learning all about the Eiffel family. There is so much more to this story and if you love the Eiffel Tower, or Paris itself, this is a must read! Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and bookish goodies and thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. Aimee has become an auto-read for me! Her books are just so well written! This review is of my own opinion and accord.

Claire Eiffel is the eldest daughter of architect Gustave Eiffel. Her childhood ends at 14, when her mother passes away. Her father insists she take over as lady of the house, helping with her siblings and helping him with his work. She's given a lot to handle at a young age, and does splendidly with it. The story follows their trials as Gustave trys to build the famous Eiffel Tower.

She's always been her father's right hand, helping with his work, traveling with him and as a secretary. That is until he hires an apprentice that seems to take up more and more of her duties and becomes indispensable to her father. Claire starts to resent Adolphe but eventually they become friends and then more.

She's a strong character, well crafted and her story is amazing - love and devotion to her father and family, loss of the artistic career she longed for, and so much more.

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

The story of Mademoiselle Eiffel reveals a fascinating figure of Claire Eiffel who made a great impact in maintaining her family’s legacy and their iconic contribution to the city of Paris.

The story begins with the family grieving the loss of the mother and wife of Gustav Eiffel. As the family pulls themselves together, the father expects his eldest daughter Claire to take over running the household and taking care of the younger children.

Claire relates the story and is glad to be close to her father and away from the overbearing grandmother. She becomes his personal assistant as she is the one he trusts the most. This is a time when her father is working on an important project, building a bridge in Portugal, which takes longer than expected. Thus, Gustav goes to the site and takes his daughter with him. And as Claire gets more involved in her father’s projects, she learns his architectural trade.

When Eiffel takes a young protégé, Adolphe Salles, under his wings, Claire feels pushed aside, but the animosity turns into friendship and more.

Then Eiffel receives the biggest commission of his life, a great iron tower, and the family legacy grows. But when the building of Panama canal turns into disaster, Claire fights in preserving his father’s legacy.

Claire is an interesting character, educated, strong-willed, devoted, but there were moments when I questioned if she’d be defiant to such extent as she was toward her grandmother and speak in such strong words as she did.

I wasn’t fully connected with her character as she was someone who worried about not being able to leave her mark on the project her father and husband were working on. I prefer characters who see a bigger picture of humanity. Despite her good traits, she seemed to be a bit too self-centered.

In big parts the story is driven by dialogue which might be to the liking of some. I prefer more dimensions to the character with descriptions rather than dialogue.

Nevertheless, it is a fascinating story, and it was interesting to learn about her character and contribution she made.

What an apropos time to read this ARC, around the Paris Olympics. It was fascinating to learn the backstory of Claire Eiffel and her family while images of the incredible monument hovered over the games. Like the intricate steel webbing of the tower, Claire was the backbone of the family after her mother’s passing, sacrificing her dreams to provide a core of stability for her father, siblings, engineer husband, and their children. Aimee K. Runyan welcomes us into this genteel Victorian existence, encouraging readers to celebrate a woman who stayed within the boundaries of society’s expectations, yet undoubtedly helped shape the trajectory of her father and husband’s successful business. However, that family foundation was greatly shaken during Gustave Eiffel’s trial in connection with a failed Panama Canal project, and his brief imprisonment. One can indeed imagine that Claire would have remained the rock for her family through the trying times, seeing them through to the other side.

This book will be on the shelves as of September 10, 2024.

This was an interesting novel that delved into the life of Claire Eiffel, daughter of Gustave Eiffel, the Architect of the world-renowned Eiffel Tower. The book starts shortly after Claire's mother dies and deals with how Claire stepped into her mother's shoes and became her father's sounding board and part-time secretary.

This book gives us a rich look into the time period of Belle Époque and just slightly beyond. A lot of history went into the making of this novel, and I enjoyed learning what it took to run a family such as this one along with Claire.

Also, learning how the Eiffel Tower came to be and why it did was quite a history lesson for me.

This book will be perfect for those looking to learn more about this time period, have a smattering romance, and those who want to immerse themselves in the Parisian culture of that era.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NetGalley.

Aimie K. Runyan is a masterful storyteller! In this story Gustave Eiffel’s (yes he designed the Eiffel Tower) daughter Claire is forced to step up as female head of household at 14 years old when her mother dies. Claire is a strong woman in a time women were expected to care for the home and be quiet. Her inspirational story is one everyone should read. It is based as much in fact as possible with an authors note at the end explaining what is fact and fiction. I didn’t know anything about the Eiffel family before reading this book and now I feel as if I know them. A book I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction, anyone who wants to learn more about the designer of the Eiffel Tower, or Paris in the late 1800’s.

After seeing the Eiffel Tower repeatedly during the Olympics and wondering about its origins, I couldn't read Aimie K. Runyan's novel fast enough. I found this book fascinating, along with Claire's role in the development of this iconic tower -- and her father's work, in general. I've long been a fan of biographical fiction and Mademoiselle Eiffel is biographical historical fiction at its finest! Pick this one up!

To call this masterpiece historical fiction would be a dishonor to the author in my opinion. The amount of time spent on research must have been astronomical!!

This book is based on Gustave Eiffel and his family, aka the engineer behind the beautiful Eiffel Tower. When Gustave’s wife passes away, his oldest daughter Claire steps in as his right hand person, both in business and in running the home. In that point in time, it was unheard of for females to be active in a business setting. Claire makes sure her siblings are cared for, Gustave is cared for, and puts her needs or wants aside.

When it becomes obvious that Claire’s oldest brother, Edouard, will not be able to care for the business when Gustave retires, Gustave puts Claire in the sights of Adolph Salle. Claire and Adolph marry, and she continues to run both households under the same roof.

While this book is very much about Claire, it’s also about the Eiffel family. It’s about family, and supporting each other at all times.

I love books written with so much true history in them, and this book definitely did not disappoint. Claire is a very strong female, another thing unheard of in that time period. But she has no problem standing up for her beliefs, or her family. That is very apparent when Gustav becomes embroiled in the Panama Canal scandal.

Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan is a gem of a novel, easily earning five stars. I was, of course, attracted to the book by the cover. What a hat! Okay, there’s a tower there as well. This novel, like the Eiffel Tower, has a certain je ne sais quoi that really makes it a marvelous read. It’s set in late 19th-century Paris and immerses you in the environment of the era. But it’s mostly a story about a brave and tenacious woman, Claire, who plays a significant role in shaping her life and the lives of others, defying all the odds against her.

Paris in this century, much like today, was brimming with culture and innovation. Claire’s father, the famed Gustav Eiffel, certainly contributed to that with the numerous modern structures his company built. Claire was integral to this development, becoming her father’s influential assistant at the young age of 14. This is all the more remarkable considering it was at this age that Claire had just lost her mother. She found herself in charge of raising her siblings and managing an extravagant household. She did all this while navigating the rigid societal restraints placed upon her as a woman.

Claire is a person of remarkable resilience and spirit. She thrives despite the expectations placed on her, earning respect both as the head of her household and in her father’s atelier. She is bold and self-assured, and when she speaks the truth, others are persuaded. Even more incredible, Claire acts alone, without her mother. There is no one to guide her as she matures into a woman, and she must rely on her own counsel and intelligence. At critical moments, she experiences considerable doubts and fears, but she pushes forward with unwavering determination to live authentically despite her responsibilities.

Claire often takes society’s expectations of what a woman should be and uses them to empower herself instead. One example I liked is when she shops for clothing, she likens her corset to armor and her dresses to battle gear, symbolically readying herself to face the challenges ahead with courage. This is one way she cultivates her fortitude and agency.

Paris is wonderfully realized in the novel, with the setting overflowing out of the pages. Of course, there is the iconic Eiffel Tower, a project Claire contributes to, but there are also shops, ‘maisons de couture’ with fashionable clothing, cafés, and some of the famous streets from central Paris’ arrondissements. Even the Moulin Rouge comes into the story. The novel also introduces a feast of French cuisine, including my favorite—madeleines!

A theme throughout the novel is about the choices we make. Why did Claire choose duty to her family and company over exploring personal pursuits? Were the choices that Claire made really hers, or were the choices already made for her? What would have been different in the lives of Claire and others if she had made different choices?

Runyan’s writing style is superb. Claire’s practical and determined voice flows right into the reader’s ears. The dialogue is clear, crisp, and often witty, wonderfully moving the plot forward. The characters are dynamic. From her wayward and rebellious brother to her sharp-tongued grandmother, the characters are authentic and fully drawn.

Mademoiselle Eiffel is overall an exploration of strength, resilience, and the power of self-determination. Aimie K. Runyan has crafted a story that is meticulously crafted and deeply moving, with a protagonist who will stay with you long after you finish the book. Claire’s journey is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and attempt to chart one’s own course in life. If you’re searching for a book that will move you, challenge you, and remain with you long after you’ve finished reading, then Mademoiselle Eiffel is the book you need to pick up. Seriously—you just have to read this!

Claire is the eldest daughter of architect Gustave Eiffel, her childhood comes to an end when her mother Marie passes away, her father's devastated by his wife’s loss, and he needs help looking after the four younger children, running the household and his business. Claire fills her mother’s shoes, she does a great job and even travels with him while he oversees the building of a bridge in Portugal and as she's his secretary and confidante.

Gustave knows he will retire one day, he wants to hand his legacy over to the safe hands of Adolphe Salles, his young protégé, and he would make both a suitable husband for Claire and the perfect head of Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel. Gustave wins the biggest commission of his career and to build an iron tower on the Champs de Mars for the world trade fair to be held in Paris in 1889, to showcase France’s position as a leader in food, art, design, science and architecture.

Not everything goes smoothly for Gustave Eiffel, he only has two years to build the Eiffel tower, his biggest and most important project, nearby residents protest about it, saying it’s too big and will block out light, what will happen during bad weather and he worries about the safety of his workers and later another commission he takes on in Panama ends in disaster and he faces being prosecuted and sent to jail.

I received a copy of Mademoiselle Eiffel from NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Aimie K. Runyan writes about one of the most famous structures in the world using real facts, I had no idea how much planning and work went into building the Eiffel Tower, including the observation deck, laboratory, restaurants.

The narrative tells the story of Claire Eiffel Salles a young woman who plays a major role in her father’s life, supporting his business, she raises her younger siblings and her own children, and preserves his legacy for people to marvel and admire for years to come, for many it's a symbol of hope and the pinnacle of French architecture.

Five stars from me, once again Ms. Runyan has written an interesting historical fiction novel, she sets a very high standard and writes about inspirational and smart women.

Having seen a special on the building of the Eiffel Tower this book attracted my attention. Based on the reviews I had high hopes however, I found the language stilted and the prose convoluted. I understand that the author was trying to get us to experience the time and place but this made the book drag for me.