Wonderful book about a woman in Paris during WWII. I have read a lot of these types of books, and sometimes I get tired of them, but I enjoyed this one a lot. Even better than the author's last book, "The Paris Housekeeper", which has tie-ins to this one. I had not read "The Widows of Champagne", which apparently is a prequel, although it did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. I'd now like to go back and read that one.

Allusions to sex, murder, violence along the themes of war, but overall an unusually "clean" book. I think that is what this publishing imprint is meant to showcase.

Recommended for women's book clubs, WWII historical fiction fans, and definitely for fans of Ryan's other works.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC #sponsored

Who can you really trust during WWII when the world is turned upside down?
France may seem like the center for elegance and class, but in 1942 the French people were driven to hard times while the Nazis SS exploited them in all ways possible. A naïve mistake can change everything, especially for the ones you love. Thus begins Paulette’s education on the realities and consequences of her privileged and sheltered life. Banished from her home (for her own good) she is sent to Paris to learn from her Mother’s closest friend, Mademoiselle Ballard at her fashion house, Maison de Ballard. While living and working on the premises of the fashion house, she learns what it means to work hard and work even harder to be accepted and trusted by her coworkers. With the patient guidance of talented Nicolle and by cheer determination Paulette learns quickly. It doesn’t go unnoticed that she observes her surroundings and is quick to adjust to the social standards and situations of the salon’s elite clientele. These traits come in handy throughout the book.
Mademoiselle Ballard demands organization, professionalism and proficiency with the making of her design collections and the girls under her employment. By juggles many clients, not all upstanding, and taking risks, she stays afloat in uncertain times by every means possible. Her son-in-law Philipee is also a risk taker and determined in helping Mademoiselle in more ways than one. Resistance work is a passion for them both. Helping downed pilots and escaped Jewish prisoners out of France becomes their calling and mission. Dangerous and tense situations abound. Betrayal, lies & greed surface in unexpected people and places. The suspense gets worrisome as you become more vested in the characters you meet, and as you learn their own guilt and secrets. Things aren’t always what they seem as you read along in their journey to right so many wrongs. By the end of the book things tie up thoughtfully, leaving you with a satisfied feeling of redemption.
On a personal note, I especially enjoyed the author placing an American character and situation from her previous book: The Paris Housekeeper into the context of this book. BTW, that was a great book as well. Renee Ryan does her research and brings it to life in her writing. Another wonderful and heartfelt book of past realities of a world in chaos.
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Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read The Last Fashion House in Paris. This book is fantastic! It is an edge of your seat journey through occupied France. I am new to Ms. Ryan's writing, but I am a fan!! You do not want to miss this book.

I thought this used France in the 1940s perfectly and that it had that suspenseful element of World War 2 throughout the book. The characters had that feel that I wanted and thought they felt like real people in this world. It really did a great job in who to trust and survival. When I finished this I wanted more from Renee Ryan as it was so well done. I'm glad I got to read this as it was really well written with interesting and real characters.

This was a wonderfully written book. The ins and outs of the fashion world during WORLD WAR II. So many secrets in order to help people escape the horrors. I enjoyed reading this sad story.

During WWII a fashion house is used as part of the resistance. Very touching story. Renee Ryan is one of my favorite authors.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an early release of Renee Ryan’s latest book
I really enjoyed reading this
It was an emotional heartfelt story about the Jews and the Germans taking over during ww11
There are many lives and happy endings in the end.

I love redemption stories and have been following this family since The Widows of Champagne. Paulette Leblanc was young and naive in that story and makes a terrible choice. We get to see the effects of that choice and the second chance she’s been given in Ryan’s latest, The Last Fashion House in Paris. Thank you for all the Easter eggs you hid, Renee Ryan!

When Paulette, Helene’s youngest daughter, is sent to her mother’s friend, Mademoiselle Sabine Ballard, to work in a fashion house in Paris, it’s the making of her and the start of her redemption story. It’s a historically rich and vibrant wartime story and Paulette’s emotional story ties it all together. Will what she’s learned about trust help her make the right decision this time around?

I was prompted to google the fashion industry during the occupation and was surprised at the tenacity of Les Parisiennes in keeping the industry in Paris.

If you haven’t read any of Ryan’s historical fiction yet, you need to put this author on your radar.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan is a World War II story that takes place in Paris, France in a fashion house. The two heroines are brave and daring as they face the challenges of trying to hide from their heritage and their past. Readers will learn about the world of fashion and see the way that the fashion was used to help rescue Jews from Paris as the Nazi's tried to take over. The plot is predictable and mingles in with some plots of other novels that I have read about world war II. The setting will be familiar to readers of World War II novels. Occupation from the Nazi's and trying to escape their wrath. Guilt does haunt the two main characters, but they learn to let their guard down and learn to trust others again. Enough to make better decisions that will affect others lives through their choices. Overall, The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan fits nicely into the World War II fiction genre, but the story was predictable.

I received a complimentary copy of The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan from Harlequin Trade Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.