Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the chance to read and review this ARC.

This is my first book from author Aimie K. Runyan and it did not disappoint. Runyan created a very clear and decisive portrait of Claire Eiffel, the daughter of the famous architect Gustave Eiffel who created the Eiffel Tower.

Claire loses her young mother early in life and subsequently takes over as the maternal figure in her family's life in addition to becoming her father's "right hand man." Claire harbored dreams of becoming a painter but set them all aside to help her family and the family business. She marries Adolphe, a good man who works for her father but perhaps isn't a great love of her life. She skillfully manages the large combined household of her father, siblings and her own children, plus advises Gustave and Adolphe along with serving as hostess for all of their business ventures.

There isn't a huge looming crisis or challenge in this novel other than Gustave's challenges with his Panama Canal project - and (spoiler alert) that isn't even as bad for him and his family as it could have been. Still the book moves along at a good pace but doesn't skip over too many significant life events (a pet peeve of mine with historical fiction).

Claire is a tough, formidable yet diplomatic woman with practical ideas, who was born too early to enjoy feminism. I enjoyed learning about this strong historical woman.

4.5 stars
This is the third book I have read and enjoyed by this author. Aimie Runyan wrote this with a beautiful, flowing (even the title has a lovely ring to it!) language that put me right into France in the late 1800s. This is a tale about Claire Eiffel, the eldest daughter of the great engineer, Gustave Eiffel, who designed the beautiful Eiffel Tower. After the passing of her young mother, Claire becomes her father’s right hand woman. Not only did she help raise her younger siblings and care for the household, but she was her father’s confident in his many projects. Claire had a very close relationship with her Papa and I love the strength that she possessed, especially in a time that women were not always perceived to be competent enough to do the things she did. Early on in the book, her own grandmother tried to have her take the more “traditional “ role of a young woman. However, Claire pushed against her grandmother, not to be cowed by her. This novel, though by the authors admission was more fiction than fact due to the lack of information about Claire’s life, truly showed how special a woman Claire Eiffel was. I am interested in learning more about the family that was brought to light in this book.
I’ve only ever been to the airport in France, en route to other European destinations. I’ve not really had a strong desire to visit France. However, after reading this, I’m adding it to my bucket list, along with visiting the Eiffel Tower. Because after reading a book like this, you really want to visit in person!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I am quickly finding that books like Mademoiselle Eiffel are becoming my favorite. There is just something so wonderful and magical when reading this novel. We all know what the Eiffel Tower is and that it is in France, but the love, determination and the history of this monument is forgotten. Mademoiselle Eiffel is nothing short of intriguing, beautiful and immersive. The time and dedication that it took to make such a historically accurate, rich, fulfilling and heartfelt read is amazing.

This is the story of Claire Eiffel, the daughter of the Eiffel Tower architect. It tells such a wonderful history story of Paris. If you are a fan of Paris, it's a must read story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan tells a story of Gustavo Eiffel, his daughter, Claire and what transpired as The Compagnie Eiffel takes on the arduous task of creating, engineering and construction of The Eiffel Tower in beloved Paris. A tower constructed for the 1889 World's Fair that was only meant to be temporary and then dismantled, And which as we know is a part of Paris and its history and future. I absolutely loved this book. It took me to Paris, in my mind, and I just fell in love with these characters and this intriguing story.
Thank you to the author for this story.. In her Author's Note, she explains why she chose to write this incredible book and share with the world of readers more about the history of this iconic tower that is a global cultural icon.
Thank you to Netga!ley and William Morrow Publishing for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a honest review.

I was intrigued by the subject of this book, as I recently saw two of the Eiffel bridges in Porto and Girona. Claire had ambitions to become an artist, but had to give that up to take care of her younger siblings when her mother died. Claire becomes immersed in to the world of her father’s household and business. The role of women in these times is accurately portrayed. Choices were limited, and her choice would frustrate her later in life. I enjoyed this work of historical fiction about the woman behind the famous man. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

What would Paris be without the Eiffel Tour? It is what makes Paris, Paris! While there are many other sites, museums and architecture that are standouts as well, this is the most iconic. For that we have to thank architect Gustave Eiffel as well 4his daughter Claire. At the age of 14 her mother died and she stepped into the role to fill her mother's shoes as caregiver to her siblings as well as housekeeper for the family. Not yet a woman and having no one to guide her, she takes on the responsibility as she sacrifices her own dreams. With all that rests on her shoulders, she also becomes the main support for her father, as she becomes his secretary and he looks to her for her opinions. This is a task that is rarely given a woman in this era. Competent in her capabilities, she becomes invaluable to her father and now travels with him and learns all she can about her father's trade and business. Yet when Eiffel introduces her to his protégé Adolphe Salles, she is incensed that an outsider could actually steal the family's legacy. Those feelings slowly dissipate and eventually they develop a friendship until in 1885 they marry. In 1889 Eiffel is presented with a commission to build a great iron tower dominating the 1889 World’s Fair thus demonstrating the leading role of Paris in the world of art and architecture. Claire as hostess to this site, steps away from the shadows and into the world's spotlight.

The love, devotion and preservation of her family's legacy, gives Claire a place in history; albeit small, but nevertheless a lasting place. Although she had sacrificed her dream of becoming an artist, her strength in taking on a major responsibility at such a young age. is amazing She is brilliantly portrayed in this exquisite novel...so well written and presented. The Eiffel Tower was and is a remarkable feat for which I feel not only do we owe a debt of gratitude to Gustave Eiffel, but also to his daughter Claire. For what is Paris without the Tour Eiffel? My thanks to Aimie K. Runyan for this remarkable novel as well as to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to read this book for two reasons. First, I enjoy historical fiction, especially when it centers on overlooked women. Second, I've read and enjoyed this author before. So it was no surprise that I enjoyed this book. The story centers on Gustave Eiffel's daughter Claire, specifically on the efforts and sacrifices she made to care for her family and to protect the family name. While it was very interesting to read about the history of the Eiffel tower, it was the well-being of Claire and her family that I was most invested in. The author really made them come to life. I also enjoyed the author's notes at the end explaining when and why she took certain creative liberties.

This is a good read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the early read.

This was an enjoyable book covering a portion French architectural history with a which I have no familiarity. I did enjoy the character development, but the book seemed to progress somewhat slowly. There seems to be a lot of build up until it reached the actual climax of the design and building of the Ifill tower itself. At that point, the book seemed to progress much more quickly with significantly less detail than had been in the earlier portion of the book.

This spectacular historical novel brings Claire Eiffel, daughter of the designer of the Eiffel Tower, to vivid life with painterly details and gorgeous prose. We get to see her as clearly as the City of Light's most arresting sight, and the essential role she played in her father Gustave's success after her mother died. We see the extreme sacrifices forced upon her--her dreams of being an artist relinquished as she rises to the role of helpmate--just as keenly as we experience the city she profoundly impacts, its bustling scenes, sounds, and lavish tastes in the late 1800s. Would the tower ever exist without her? And would the family legacy ever have been saved without her, after her father's imprisonment following disaster on his Panama Canal project? Her courage and its historical impact form the heart of this magnificent tale. A triumph!

Mademoiselle Eiffel is as beautiful and innovative of a story as the Paris icon itself.

Aimie brought to life a woman who history doesn’t really acknowledge and I think she did it justly. Claire Eiffel was placed in an unimaginable position at a very young age. Her mother passed away when she just fourteen and her role in the family changed in an Instant. Filling her mother’s shoes became her priority…from managing the household to assisting her father as he builds his empire, Compagnie Eiffel. As a young lady, she was dreaming of becoming an artist but the change in circumstance turned her world upside down. She chose her responsibility over her dreams and like she said in the book…were they just childhood fantasies? She was never given the opportunity to find out. And that makes Ursule, her childhood friend who is able to follow her artistic pursuits, such a creative addition because Claire could see what she could have become though it brought with it a slue of questions in itself.

Aimie has got to be the master of an immersive story. With her last two novels, I could smell and almost taste the amazing food and scents she described. This time I felt like I was parsing a painting, layer by layer, color by color with the sound of fizzing champagne on the side!

Bravo!!! thank you so much to Aimie for bringing Claire Eiffel and the city of Paris to life! I hope readers really enjoy getting to know Claire as Aimie envisioned her. Please be sure to read the authors notes, though Claire Eiffel was a very real person, there’s not much information to go by and that’s what truly makes this story historical fiction! And thanks to NetGalley & William Morrow for early access to this amazing story!