The Dressmaker's Gift

Another gripping and fascinating book written by Fiona Valpy. The book cleverly moves between WW2 and 2017.
Harriet moves to Paris for a year's internship in a fashion house. She had found an old photo of her French grandmother with two friends They had worked at same fashion house all those year's ago. Harriet meets Simone and soon they are connected to each through the past.
A mixture of fact and fiction, we discover what life is like for o these three women who are involved with the French resistance.; German concentration camps as well as life in the fashion world.
This booked had me hooked from the start!

What an amazing book this turned out to be. So sympathetically written, the story slipped seamlessly between present and past intertwining the lives of people and creating a picture of death and sorrow mingled with Joy and happiness. This story is so convincing it could almost be real. My favourite kind of book set during the war years, it is a must read and if I was able I would award 10* Thanks to the Author, Netgalley and TBC Reviewer Request Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

When I read the synopsis for this novel I felt a need to read this novel
"Paris, 1940. With the city occupied by the Nazis, three young seamstresses go about their normal lives as best they can. But all three are hiding secrets. War-scarred Mireille is fighting with the Resistance; Claire has been seduced by a German officer; and Vivienne’s involvement is something she can’t reveal to either of them."

This is a period of history which I find intriguing and horrific in equal measure. I had high hopes for this novel but unfortunately not all of my expectations were met. I enjoyed the chapters based during the war and found them to be informative and from other sources that I had read very accurate. Fiona Valpy had a descriptive style which I found easy yo read and filled my imagination.

The downside for me were Harriet's chapters which i felf provided little to the main story. The coincidences which Harriet had I found implausible which did distract from the main story for me.

I found the focus of friendship, loyalty and strength in adversity engaging and on the whole I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it

The story of Harriet whose mother has died and now knows very little about her family.She does have a picture of her grandmother and two other women taken in Paris during world war two.
Harriet finds a job at a fashion house in Paris and then goes on to uncover the truth about her gran during nazi occupied France.
I enjoyed the war chapters more than the current days story but I suppose they both have to be there to tie up the story.

A beautifully written moving story that had me close to tears on many occasions. The work of the resistance and life in World War 2 Paris and beyond is told in a way that brings history to life. Strength, love and friendship prevail in this story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I love this book. There is romance, but it isn’t the point. The main character struggles with finding herself and her history, and in Paris, working in the fashion industry like her grandmother and great-aunt before her, she learned the story of Claire, her grandmother and a French Resistance worker.
As she learns her grandmother’s stories, she begins to connect what she learns with her own life, to develop some insights into her mother’s suicide, her own problems.
The World War II setting for the three young women connect this book with a story that has been told time and again, but from the perspective of seamstresses working in Paris, basically for German officers and their wives.
I love the circular story, how it ends where it begins, at the Palais, with Harriet readying her grandmother’s dress for exhibition (although you don’t know it at the onset). The connection of the past with the present, the atrocities occurring in both times, tie grandmother and granddaughter together in a beautiful prose.

An excellent novel that really draws you in. I was immersed in the storyline and couldn't stop reading well past my bedtime. Highly recommended.

Life in Paris in 1940 was anything but ordinary, the Nazis had taken over and residents lived in constant fear. Three young women, friends and dressmakers, try to carry on, but each one carries a secret so life threatening, they dare not speak of it aloud. Many years later, Harriet, the granddaughter of one of the friends, arrives in Paris. Unhappy and adrift in her own life, she’s looking for connections with her past, with her family. She never expects that the truth she uncovers about her grandmother will provide answers she might not want to hear. A moving story about the terrible choices made in the darkest times, and the far reaching impact of those decisions

This book got off to a bit of a slow start, but I had a feeling that I'd like it so I persevered. I wasn't wrong, and I'm glad I did.

The story follows Harriet to France on an internship in the fashion industry. She's following her grandmother's footsteps back during the second world war. The story intermingles Harriet's present day narrative with Claire's during the war.

Claire's story was captivating, and very enjoyable.

This is my first book by the author and I will be checking out more of her books. I really loved reading this book. The author was able to pull me inside of Paris during WWII and present day Paris.

This book contains two storylines, one taking place in Paris in 2017 during the time of the terrorist attacks and one in Paris during WWII. We follow the story of Claire, Vivienne and Mireille during that time. It is a story of friendship, staying strong, hope, but also about the horrors, hunger, cold and fear in those times. It is also about how our past has an effect on our present and the choices we make.

I won’t say more about the story, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but it is a beautiful, intense story filled with love and hope during the most dark times.

I will definitely recommend this book.

Never Give Up

This is a story of Friendship, Love, Loyalty, Pain, Suffering, and a spirit within that never gives up.

It is the story of Harriet and how she comes to grips with her life after her mother's suicide by learning the story of her grandmother during WWII. Her friend Simone and both their families. Her friend Simone's grandmother was a friend to Clare Harriet's grandmother and thus related the story.
What I enjoyed about this book were the little details the author added. The bicycle from the man with the yellow star, The willow tree in the park, The bracelet with the charms, The gold locket, The blue dress pieced together are examples of these little special touches.

The story of her grandmother Claire is that of her and her two best friends Vivienne, and Murielle. It tells of their work in Paris as seamstresses and their work in the underground resistance during the War and the Nazi occupation of France. It tells of the capture of Claire and Vivienne and their time spent with the Gestapo and in the concentration camps. Sometimes so sad, but they kept each other going for almost two years in the camp. They always told each other "Hush now." "We are together." "Everything will be alright."

It is a wonderfully written story about life, Love, and Happiness. It tells of a powerful friendship that endured time and the ages.

This was a great read and I recommend it.

Thanks to Fiona Valpy, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy.

Thanks To NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Fiona Valpy for my copy of her new book: The Dressmaker's Gift. I have read her previous book: The Beekeeper's Promise and I loved it.
Paris, 1940. The city is occupied by the Nazis, three young French seamstresses Claire, Mireille and Vivienne are kept busy sewing beautiful dresses for German officers wives and their mistresses.
The girls share a tiny apartment, it's situated on the top floor of the fashion house where they work and the three girls are best friends.
The French citizens are struggling to survive, basic necessities are in short supply, everything is restricted and taken by the German army. Food, clothing, new shoes, fuel to run heaters and cars is hard to find. People are being sent to work in Germany, others are arrested, their families and friends never hear from them again.
The French people are doing what they can to rebel against the German's, many are involved in the resistance and are the girls?


Paris 2017. Harriet arrives in France, she's Claire's granddaughter and she moved to France to work for a year. Much to her shock she discovers she's living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale as her grandmother. Harriet's mother died when she was very young, her dad married again and she's struggled with finding her place in the world. She's discovers a picture of three smiling girls in Paris, taken during WW II and in a box of her mother things? Harriet decides to investigate, find out the girls identities, what happened to them during the war and she's not at all prepared for what she uncovers.

Three young women living, working and trying to survive in Paris during WW II. They had to make difficult choices, it's very dangerous, anyone could betray them and they had no idea who they can trust? Claire, Mireille and Vivienne had a friendship that was sewn together by a unbreakable thread and it lives on in the beautiful gowns they made.

I enjoyed, The Dressmaker's Gift, the dual time line was easy to follow and it was relevant to the books ending.
Harriet's grandparents never spoke about what happened to them during WW II, it effected their daughter Felicity, she struggled to cope, by discovering the truth about her grandmother experiences during the war, it helps Harriet understand her own mothers battle with mental illness and she's reunited with her father.

I received a complimentary copy of The Dressmaker's Gift, opinions expressed in this review are my own and I gave the book 4 stars.

There is a beautiful blue historic gown held in a museum. Harriett is embarking on a new adventure. She is interning with a fashion icon in Paris. I just couldn't get reeled in

A wonderful dual timeline story set in Paris during WWII and the present day. In 2017, after discovering a photograph of her grandmother as a young woman, Harriet travels to Paris to explore her family’s history. In the 1940s three seamstresses become members of the French Resistance and find themselves in grave danger.

The Dressmaker’s Gift is a moving tale of friendship, courage, resilience, love, loss and hope. I found it gripping, suspenseful and somewhat harrowing. It kept my attention throughout - I was eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next. I thought the two interlinked stories were sewn together quite seamlessly, a little like the lovely blue dress which one of the characters wore, and I very much enjoyed both timelines. I liked the way it was told and thought it had a lovely, easy style. Having read The Beekeeper’s Promise by the same author, it was great to recognise the name of Mereille, one of the seamstresses, and read her personal story.

Well researched, beautifully written and nicely plotted with some captivating characters, it gives a fantastic insight into the life of the resistance fighter and how the French coped with life during German occupation in such perilous and disturbing times. Well worth the read. I loved it!

This is the second book I have read by Fiona Valpy and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. The characters in this book were full of life and courage. I could not help myself from being instantly drawn in by them and I wanted to keep turning the pages to discover the present day story and the past story of life in France during the Second World War.
I will certainly be reading more books by this author and will recommend this book as highly as I recommended The Beekeeper’s Promise.

Book Review: The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy

2017. In first person narrative, Harriet from England, a newly accepted fashion intern or "stagiaire" in Paris, searches obsessively for the history of her grandmother after she finds an old photo of her as a young woman with two companions.

1940-1945. In third person omniscient, Harriet gives a detailed account of the exploits of three French seamstresses in a couturier's atelier in Paris - Mireille from the Pyrenees, Vivienne from Lille, and Claire from Brittany, and their harrowing experiences during the Nazi occupation as Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents of the French Resistance.

In every chapter after the first, Harriet repeatedly reminisces about the grandma she never knew, which felt largely like maudlin interlude fillers barely contributing to the flow.

Furthermore, it is hard for the reader to understand how Harriet in 2017 could have known the thoughts, deeds and feelings of her granny and the women. Although dramatic and entirely engaging, the incredulity renders the account concocted and contrived right through the final chapters, when Harriet finally meets Mireille. But still, Mireille couldn't have been cognizant of details, for example, during Claire's and Vivi's internment.

As a Francophile who lived in Paris, I love the authentic setting of the story. The address 12 Rue Cardinale in the 9th Arrondissement of Paris is indeed about a fifteen minute leisurely walk to Ile de la Cite as mentioned in the book. That Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is in the exact spot is a bonus. It's not a fashionable area but a couturier's atelier or workshop could be anywhere in the district.

The story's timeline is spotted a dash of creative license. This was famously a time of turmoil for Parisiens, with the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack in January 2015, the Bataclan Theater massacre (138 dead) in November 2015, and the terrorist truck attack (86 dead) in Nice on Bastille Day on July 14, 2016. All three are mentioned in the book. A subsequent attack directly involves Harriet and her friend, Simone, which proves key to the plot.

The mental state of a person living in Paris during this time, apart from day to day living, would concede little time for concern and research much less be melancholy about an unknown grandmother. Moreover, all three attacks predate the prologue, so we'll have to assume Harriet first arrived in Paris earlier in 2015.

Finally, I cannot imagine anyone with Breton blood not be knowledgeable of their ancestry from the day of birth. The Bretons are fiercely proud of their Celtic heritage. In fact, most consider themselves Breton before French, regardless where they live.

Claire, Harriet's grandma was a full-blooded Breton.

A tale far from compelling, but writing par excellence and good light reading.

Review based on an Amazon First Reads edition, and an Advance Reading Copy from Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley.

I love this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I particularly like to read about the world war two era. And being a woman of course I enjoy fashion and this book has it all. The characters were very realistic and I genuinely liked them. The author did a great job describing the city itself and also the horrendous acts of war that the Parisians people had to endure.
The story is told in two different parts; one in the present and one in the 1940's. I have always enjoyed this concept and how the author blends them seamlessly together. This is a great book and I highly recommend it.

Stories set in two time lines makes for very good reading. This more so, since one was set in WWII time frame and in Paris (and Brittany). Both good settings. Then we have the present day setting of Paris and again it was a fashion house.

Couture, espionage, love stories, faith and trust in huge measures and friendship of a deep enduring kind between women which lived on even after they were gone. The elements of the story woven together give you a story that is emotional, educative (I am still learning about the extent to which women went in the field of espionage in a very matter of fact way) and intriguing.

Mireille, Claire and Vivienne are the three seamstresses from 1940 Paris and Harriet is the modern one who is trying to find out details of her mother's and grandmother's life. Mainly to get an inkling and a feeling of belonging to someone because she feels isolated and lost from her present family of father, step mother and siblings. In unraveling the story of her grandmother she also gives us an unparalleled story of love and friendship.

Beautifully written, charming settings, gruesome war time stories all combine to give us a wonderful read.

As with Fiona Valpy's other novels set in France, The Dressmaker's Gift transported the reader to the lives of everyday French women, undertaking extraordinary acts of bravery.

This book is primarily set among the streets of Paris, and the dual time frame didn't disappoint.

The parallels between Second World War France and the recent terrorist attacks in both Paris and Nice were striking and the feeling that we are living in dangerous times persisted. Couple that with the theme of mental illness and recurrent trauma, and this could have been a dark and depressing book, but instead the reader was gripped by the themes of optimism, bravery, and overall friendship.

A real pageturner, and I shed a tear as the two generations were brought together in a very satisfactory resolution.

I wait for Fiona Valpy's next book with anticipation.

The author draws us into the poison fog of the Third Reich. Rising out of this darkness the story delves into the courage, sacrifice and love thre young girls working under the cover of Haute Couture. Running through the threads of their lives is the troubled life of a granddaughter who questions her empty life. Was she also a victim? She finds her redemption in her search for answers. The story is so intense you feel drained. The best story of this time period.

My rating:

Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction
Women’s fiction

Review:

The book is vividly written and the plot flows well. The narrative is sad at times but at the same time uplifting in a way.. The story line is made up of dual time lines. Harriet’s story in the present and her grandmother Claire’s during WII. The characters had interesting personalities with strong admirable traits as well as weaknesses and flaws this made them fascinating but also realistic.

The only weakness in the plot that it wasn’t explained how Mireille knew every intimate detail of Claire’s life even the bits when she wasn’t actually there with her. It is of course possible that Claire could have told her afterwards or maybe there was a diary. This could have been explained better because it wasn’t it left a little bit of a hole in the plot which made it feel less credible. However it is still a good story that I enjoyed reading.

Overall this is nicely written book, thought provoking with realistic strong characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, you don’t want to miss this book.

The Dressmakers Gift was a look back at young people surviving the war in Paris in the 40’s. I liked that we were given a real glimpse into the life’s of the you g as they tried to survive and still resist the Nazis in occupied Paris. The granddaughter coming to work in seemingly the same area of the City of lights and yet feels a pull to this different Paris her ancestor experienced. I loved that Claire went from a shallow girl with remarkable needle skills to a determined member of the resistance and as her granddaughter moves through her life with modern eyes she too learns a few lessons for today.

Not sure where to start with this book - I had high expectations after reading The Beekeepers Promise which I thoroughly enjoyed. And it did not disappoint. This book takes you through the whole range of emotions and I don't ant to give anything away and spoil it. Full of hope and expectation but also of extreme sadness and horror. I kept thinking about this book long after I finished it. So hard to comprehend that these atrocities occurred and disbelief that humans could do this to one another. Beautifully written and I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

Fiona Valpy is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of her best. A dual time line, family stretched across the years from Paris during the resistance to today's Paris. Strong women, strong friendships. And Paris. Beautifully written. I will be recommending this to everyone.

3.5*

An enjoyable read set in present time as story goes from Harriett gaining information about her grandmother & two fellow dressmakers and their fight with the resistance during the war in Paris

An emotional and harrowing read at times it reminds us, the readers, that ordinary people did extraordinary things during the war

The book made me cry but I enjoyed it. A engaging story that's set in two different time zones. The flow of the writing is easy to follow and means you dont get mixed up between the characters but are still invested in them. You could tell a lot if work has gone into making sure the different settings are told correctly.
Overall I really liked this book.

‘I see now it is one of the paradoxes of life that if we love it so much that we are frightened of losing it, it can make us live a half-life, too scared to get out there and live whole-heartedly because we have too much to lose’

Guided by a photo from her grandmother’s past, Harriet finds herself in Paris. Desperate to find a sense of identity and recover from her past, she sets about finding out the truth of what happened during World War II, and what became of those three women in the photo...

Unfortunately this one wasn’t really for me. I found the writing quite simplistic at times, and didn’t feel the characters were very well written. There was no real complexity, and they were all very flimsily constructed - who goes from loving a German officer to being part of the resistance within a few short pages? Many of the situations like that could have been handled far better, but instead just felt like lazy writing.

Also, I personally found any of the sections that were meant to be emotionally charged - such as those focusing on the death of a character, or two people falling in love (yes this book also throws in the dreaded instalove) - just felt completely flat. As a reader, it made for a very dull reading experience.

The changes between past and present were also not that great. Harriet was not a good character, and her chapters really added nothing but a bit of bulk to the book. There was also the issue of how she knew what was going on in the past - how exactly did all of that inner dialogue get into letters? It just didn’t make sense, and like another reviewer commented, having used a diary would have made this issue far stronger. Also, the forced links between the two were just bad writing - we didn’t need to read Harriet reflecting on what had just happened to Claire. We read what happened to Claire ourselves. It was pointless, repetitive, and felt like a way to bulk up the word count. To be honest, once I realised that Harriet’s sections were just fluff and trite nonsense about finding herself with no real story, I ended up skimming most of them, which is good, because it ended up being completely ridiculous.

Final complaint is about the level of repetition - towards the end, someone’s true identity is revealed. The fact that they said they were someone else is then repeated every. single. time the character is mention. Seriously, we can remember basic facts that were mentioned just a few minutes ago. Don’t assume your reader is dumb, and don’t overexplain.

All in all, just not a fan. I read it in a few hours, simply due to the fact that I really hate not finishing books, so decided to blitz in instead. Personally, I thought it was the weakest book I’ve read in a while, but that might be because I’ve had some very good World War II fiction over the last few months. Personally, I’d give it a miss and read something else instead.

Disclaimer - I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

This book vastly overcomes its wobbly start, and reader can more easily immerse in the layered plot, connecting with these characters. When you're reading a long line of books, it can be easy to DNF a 'challenging book beginning,' but Valpy grabs us at just the right moment, weaving an engrossing storyline, and impressing us with just how great she is with crafting nuanced characters and believable plotlines. I enjoy WWII fiction and expected great things from this author's work. Plus, there's something so special about working to get into a book, staying with it when it would be easier to lay it down, and turning a page to be completely immersed. The jumps in time worked masterfully, and the intrigue lives and breathes in the story's world. I enjoyed this book immensely and am now looking to find additional titles by this author. Time well spent,

Just wow. I absolutely loved this book. Told over two timeframes - WWII and present day - it tells the story of Harriet who goes to live in Paris in the same building as her deceased grandmother did. She uncovers the story of her grandmother Claire and her friends Merielle and Vivi. It is a brilliantly told tale of love and loss and human spirit. I wish I had not yet read this book so I had the experience of discovering it afresh. Normally I devour books in a day or two but I spent several days slowly reading this book taking in the language, the descriptions of wartime Paris juxtaposed with modern-day Paris and the terrorist attacks that took place a few years ago. A highly recommended read.

Really enjoyed this book, the story and the characters were beautifully written, I felt like I was right there along with Harriett as she followed her grandmothers story.

The story of this book is about Harriet discovering her past with a photo of her grandmother and two friends in Paris during the war. This picture leads Harriet to head to Paris for work but also to put together her past and the journey that her grandmother made.

This book was truly moving.

The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy is a story that pulls at the heartstrings. Set in two-time periods, Claire's granddaughter, Harriet travels to France to complete a one-year internship in a Paris fashion house in 2017. Her internship includes housing in an apartment on an upper floor of the fashion house. While settling, her roommate sees a picture of three women that Harriet places next to her bed. Her roommate tells her one of the girls is her grandmother Mirelle. Harriet’s grandmother, Clare, and Vivienne. The three women also lived in the same apartment and worked for a fashion house during WWII. Valpy made the stories of these three women come to life and provokes a variety of emotions for the reader. We learn what each of the women do to help the Resistance and follow two of them to a concentration camp. I felt this was a powerful book and learned so much about these three strong women. Thank you NetGalley, Amazon UK , and Amazon First Reads for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐

Wow!! I have so many feelings about this book! I love this authors writing style. She made the characters come to life for me. I could feel their pain, sadness, happiness, joy... All their feelings. So much so that I would be crying and then laughing almost at the same time.

Fiona Valpy's research was just impeccable! I have read many non-fiction books about WW2 so I knew what to expect in that regard and she was dead on with her descriptions. This part made the book! I enjoyed the women being at the center of this story. She showed how they could not only hold down a job, but be a part of the resistance as well.

You know the story is well written when you get up early so you can read the book before you go to work!

Thank you Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Fiona Valpy for giving me a copy of this book for my honest review!

This book was wonderful. Lots of tears while reading it, which is always a good sign of a well written novel. You won’t be disappointed reading this. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Fiona Valpy is new to me, and quickly becoming a favorite author! Thanks to Net Galley for the preview copy of The Dressmaker's Gift for my honest review. The Bee Keeper's Promise and Dressmaker's Gift stand out, are certainly meticulously researched novels that develop emotional responses. Dressmaker's Gift is a stand-alone novel encompassing the same time period as The Bee Keeper's Promise. It includes one of the sisters from the Bee Keeper's Promise and her part of the French Resistance during Nazi Germany's occupation of Paris. The format interweaves chapters from the present with chapters set during WWII. Vivid descriptions and superb character development kept me riveted, just as in this author's previous novels. In the plethora of WWII fiction on my shelves, Fiona Valpy stands out as well researched and more importantly superb read that allows the horrors of the era to be told from believable characters that you feel you have known in real life!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC. I loved the dual timeline. Gripping from the start. Very emotional story. This is my first time reading Fiona Valpy and I'm looking forward to reading more

This one fell short for me. The characters were lackluster and somewhat uninteresting. The coincidence of two granddaughters sharing the apartment just seemed to far reaching. And I could not follow how Harriet was getting the back story. It started out with Simone telling her the story, but then going forward there are random scenes from the past and then scenes from the future, with Harriet ruminating on the past story, but no idea how she came to know about it. This story could have been so much better than it was.

Unable to give feedback as issues with this and several other titles and unable to download another copy

The Dressmaker's Gift - Wow this book captured my attention from page one and held it until then last page. The courage of the resistance people was amazing. I loved this book! I have a couple other books by his author that I can't wait to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this new title. I had never read this author before and was impressed by both her writing style and character development. My only complaint was the modern timeframe with Harriet. I think the story would have been better with just the wartime story of the three friends.

Fiona Valpy has become one of my favorite historical fiction writers! The Dressmaker’s Gift set in both WWII and modern day France weaves a tale of three courageous women and the toll their part in the war takes on future generations. Set against the backdrop of France’s fashion business, the story is just the right mix of intrigue, suspense and love backed by historical incidents. It is a must read for anyone who is a fan of WWII historical fiction.

I really enjoyed this book. Set in two time periods, present and 1940’s, it tells the story of a granddaughter trying to find herself and about her grandmother. Her grandmother was a dressmaker in Paris during the war and became friends with two other seamstresses. They become involved it the resistance program and many interesting things follow after that. The granddaughter, Harriet, begins to understand not only what her grandmother went through but also begins to understand her own mother.

This book is a real hidden gem. I love fashion so the idea of this dress that calls down through the years - the midnight blue satin, made of many pieces but with such tiny stitches it appears as if one piece of fabric - really appealed to me. Added to this my in-laws history of escaping the Warsaw ghetto at 8 years old in one case, and being sent to Siberia in the other, means I am interested in the threads of family history here. Their family has its own incredible story with repercussions that echo down the generation so I understand lives being displaced and changed beyond recognition, and the results of that still being felt two generations later,

It is Harriet’s blove for fashion and a. Old photograph that leads her to the door of a Paris fashion PR for a year long internship. She is loaned a room in the apartment above the office alongside another girl. Harriet knows this is the very apartment where her grandmother Clare lived in the 1940s. She has left behind a difficult situation!. Having finished university Harriet has been living with her father and stepmother, where she has never felt welcome. Her father sent Harriet to boarding school when he first lived with her stepmom, following her mums death. Her father seemed to find it difficult to cope with a grieving daughter and a burgeoning relationship.
One of Harriet’s most treasured possessions is the photo she had of her grandmother Claire she her two best friends in Paris, Mirreile and Vivi. She also has a charm bracelet given by her grandmother and it’s charms show Harriet a story of who her grandmother was. When we are taken back into the past we learn more about these three women. All work in an atelier for the Paris fashion houses. We find out that Claire and Mirreille lived upstairs first, but are later joined by Vivi. All three are great seamstresses and are quick to become friends.

When the Germans arrive in Paris at first is it easy to carry on as normal. Yes, there are more German voices in the cafes and bars, German vehicles in the streets and people still order couture clothes, but as the war really starts to bite things begin to change. The girls friendship survives Claire’s disastrous dalliance with a German officer, but afterwards things begin to change. What mysterious work is Vivi doing in the atelier after hours? Who is the gentleman Mirreille is seen with and why is she often missing after curfew? The girls are about to be involved in the war in ways they didn’t imagined; ways that could mean paying the ultimate price.

Just like the stitches in a beautiful garments the threads of history are so beautifully intertwined with the fictional story of the girls. I read Alice Hoffman’s new novel in the last few weeks and it is also set in 1940s Paris so it was interesting to see the same historic events from a different viewpoint. I could see how much research the author had done and her skill in mentioning actual events without them feeling tacked on to the girls story was brilliant, I slowly came to care about each of the girls and although Vivi seems less accessible than the other two at first, it was interesting to see how central to Harriet’s history she becomes.

The detail is often harrowing to read and the idea that trauma can be passed through generations is one I’m familiar with because I’m a therapist and have read the same research as the author. She uses this beautifully in the novel, illustrating that the German’s horrendous acts of cruelty were on such a scale that it echoes down to the next generation. It is only when someone identifies the trauma in their family and gets professional help to let go of it’s effects, that someone can start to heal. I think I expected this book to be lighter and more focused on fashion from the blurb, but what I got was far superior: an incredible story of friendship and survival. I would definitely recommend it to friends.

A gripping tale of 3 young women in Paris during WWII is tragic, heartwarming and inspiring. Lover's of a good story, French resistance friendship will enjoy this book. The girls all have sewing in common and being in Paris and it's fashion industry is the thread that binds these three women. You cheer for the women and put yourself in their place as the war brings love and tragedy.
The story weaves back to WWII and the present with Harriet, the granddaughter of one of the women. Harriet tries to understand her grandmother and her own family's past as she goes to live and work in Paris.
It's a fascinating read and very realistic. Enjoy.

The Dressmaker's Gift is the story of Harriett's journey to understand her grandmother Claire's history in Paris during WWII. This book is similar in scope to others that I have read recently about family learning the history of their relatives during the war and what these revelations mean to them.

That being said while it feels familiar this one was very enjoyable and a quick read. These characters are well developed and three dimensional in a way that they have personal growth throughout the book making it something you want to read. It does not feel flat in either the 1940s portion of the novel or the 2010s portion.

If you like this kind of WWII/historical fiction novel, this one is a pretty good one and while it handles some difficult themes you could read this while on vacation (like I did) and not feel brought down.

A beautifully written moving story that had me close to tears. The work of the resistance and life in World War 2 Paris and beyond is told in a way that brings history to life. Thank you Fiona Valpy for this fabulous book

Loved it!!! I loved reading about Mireille, Claire and Vivienne. Three strong woman who appear to be innocent seamstresses, but are really leading secret lives to help their country during the war. I'm not sure why, but I wasn't a huge fan of Harriet. I can't believe she didn't know anything about her mom or grandmother. I'm not sure why Claire and her husband's story would have been kept a secret. I felt like there could have been more about Felicity. Did she know the truth about her mom? Why did she keep this hidden from Harriet? I'm glad Harriet finally say the truth about her dad and stepmom. They truly loved her and always felt like she was part of the family, even if Harriet didn't see it. It's hard to believe the couture houses were still so busy during the war. The people were living on such small rations of food, but there was still a need for such expensive clothes.

Definitely recommend the book. Yes, you have to suspend reality a little bit. What's the chance Harriet would end up living in the same place as her grandmother and meet someone who could reveal the past to her?? Loved the story of the seamstresses and look forward to reading more books by the author. Love the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A beautifully written book with four interesting and inspiring women at its core. Harriett finds a photo of her grandmother which leads her to Paris and the discovery of the family's journey during the German occupation. Another story of determination and the will to not just survive but to live.

Having loved the beekeepers promise I was looking forward to reading another from this author. I really enjoyed this book , well written and bringing the time of war to life . Struggled slightly with Harriets drama at times but good overall

I love Fiona Valpy's books. At times I find I am holding my breath while reading. Her books are always well written with a lot of historical detail.

An excellent novel set in WWII. I greatly enjoyed this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

<b>**FULL REVIEW**</b>

This book was so well thought out, I found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading. Claire’s story, along with Vivi and Mierelle in war-torn Paris during the German occupancy...the uprising against the Nazi soldiers in a secret network of people determined not to succumb to a communist way of life. Women were grossly underestimated and utilized their resources in creative and deceptively simple ways.

I loved the ties between generations, the solid foundation a young girl discovers in the midst of grief and loss. Harriet’s journey away from her family, in hopes of finding her place in the world is told from a perspective that captivated me.

A story shared between friends. A connection to places and people of the past...it was amazing.

I only hope when people read this story, they truly take the time to remember the history of the hardships, the gruesome conditions lives were made to endure...and the research the author did in order to honor the accuracy of the Holocaust and World War Two.

I will read more by this author for sure.

<b>**4.5 Never Forget, Stars**</b>

The Dressmaker’s Gift set in both WWII and modern day France weaves a tale of three courageous women and the toll their part in the war takes on future generations. Set against the backdrop of France’s fashion business, the story is just the right mix of intrigue, suspense and love backed by historical incidents.

This is my first book by the author and I will be checking out more of her books. The author was able to pull me inside of Paris during WWII and present day Paris. The dual time line was easy to follow and it was relevant to the books ending.
Harriet's grandparents never spoke about what happened to them during WW II, it effected their daughter Felicity, she struggled to cope, by discovering the truth about her grandmother experiences during the war, it helps Harriet understand her own mothers battle with mental illness and she's reunited with her father.

I won’t say more about the story, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but it is a beautiful, intense story filled with love and hope during the most dark times.

I will definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC. The book is given to me as an exchange for an honest review.

#TheDressmakersGift #NetGalley

The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy
Source: Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Audible
Rating: 5/5 stars

It always makes me feel crappy to say I love books about the Nazi regime and World War II, but it is the truth. I tend to soak up these books and the stories of the people who lived through and triumphed over such misery and depravity. Fiona Valpy’s The Dressmaker’s Gift is no exception to the rule, and I made through all but the last few chapters in a single sitting.

I am particularly fond of books that shuffle between the past and the present. There is always some grand truth, some awful secret that is revealed in these types of books and I am quite a sucker for them. In this case, young Harriet has come to Paris to begin her life’s work in the fashion industry; upon her arrival, Claire discovers she is working and living in the same location her grandmother once lived and worked in many, many years ago. Harriet’s grandmother, Claire and her two best friends, Mireille and Vivienne, not only live and worked at the same location, but they also undertook secret and tremendously dangerous missions to aid the French Resistance against the onslaught of Hitler and his Nazis’.

For Harriet, her time in Paris isn’t just about beginning her own bright career, but also about connecting with her past and understanding the legacy left to her through the women in her family. As fate would have it, Harriet’s roommate is the granddaughter of one of Claire’s greatest friends and she (Mireille) is willing to help Harriet piece together the puzzle of the past and Harriet’s own family history. For Harriet, the adventure has only just begun and what she discovers is a harrowing tale of three women – unsung heroes – who sacrificed everything for the greater good.

From start to finish, I found the chapters related to Claire, her friends, and the war the most interesting. Each of the three women, Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne were all such bright and wonderful characters, each with their own unique voice and story to tell. There is a great deal of backstory in this book related to these women and how they each came to be Resistance fighters. The backstory really brings the women’s lives and sacrifices into focus and helps both the reader and Harriet to understand how each woman came to be who she was. With each chapter related to the three women and their Resistance efforts, the drama increases and the tension mounts. Every page is a study in tension and when the dam finally breaks, you are swept up in the devastation and depravity as much as the three friends certainly were. From the streets of Paris to the concentration camps, three lives unfold to reveal what true passion, compassion, daring, and caring can do when the will and heart are strong.

As Harriet learns more about her grandmother and her friends, the sacrifices they made and the risks they took, Harriet must come to terms with some of her own truths. For much of her life, Harriet has blamed her inability to truly connect with others on the loss of her mother at an early age and the rather standoffish nature of her father and his new family. In the face of her grandmother’s story, Harriet resolves to stop blaming others, to deal with her own issues, and live a life worthy of Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne.

The Bottom Line: As a means of full disclosure, I listened to the Audible version of this book rather than read a physical copy. I believe I may have had a far better experience with this book on audio than I would have simply reading it myself. With two narrators – one for Claire and one for Harriet – I was able to more fully connect with the women and their stories. What’s more, Claire’s narrator in particular is so very skilled at conveying emotion through tone. I was able to feel the tension, the sadness, the fear through the narrator and it greatly enriched the experience for me. I found the transitions from one narrator to the next to be flawless and easy to follow which means the transitions from past to present were also flawless. I preferred the chapters related to the past the most and found the detail and historical accuracy to be spot on. Again, it always makes me feel awful to say I loved a book such as this, but I did! The story of these women is told with compassion, empathy, and a very real sense admiration. Though Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne are fictional characters, the most certainly represent real women who sacrificed everything to help bring evil to an end.

Ms Valpy has written another amazing book seeped in history and tragedy against the backdrop of France during World War 2. Set in two different timelines, the reader will appreciate the search for identity as Harriet moves to Paris from England, gaining employment within the fashion industry in the actual building where her grandmother lived and worked many years ago. Telling the story from dual POV, Claire, Harriet’s grandmother has her own sense of self to discover as we live the horrors, and moments of love, laughter and friendship during this time.
Closely linked to Fiona Valpy’s The Beekeeper’s Promise, The Dressmsker’s Gift can be read as a standalone.
A wonderfully written book, telling a story full of hope.

Ah, this was a lovely read to sort-of-start-my-year-to.

Things you should know about me:

I love Paris. As in, this city might be my favourite of all the cities, more than even New York and I love New York.
I love a book with a wartime setting. I don't know why this is, but it is, I am always strangely drawn to all the wartime historical fiction.

This book, then, well, it kind of could have been written for me, if Fiona Valpy knew me well enough to write a book for me, which she doesn't. What I'm trying to say, in a very long-winded way is that this is a book set in Paris in wartime and I loved it.

Paris in 1940 is under Nazi occupation and 3 young seamstresses are trying to live life as normal - or so they'd have you think. Actually, they all have secrets: Mirielle is fighting the resistance, Claire has a German officer boyfriend, and nobody really knows what's going on with Vivienne.
Then, in the present day, Claire's granddaughter Harriet is in Paris looking for some clues to her past.

It's a good read. I liked it. I read it a couple of days after getting back from Paris, a trip in which we'd made a point of getting off the beaten track a little and going up and down back roads and side streets,which it seems was an excellent plan because it meant that I recognised a lot of the places mentioned in The Dressmaker's Gift. I'm a fan of that. I love recognising places in books, being able to really clearly properly imagine the setting and my - albeit basic - knowledge of Paris (I've only been twice) meant I could -kind of - put myself in Harriet and Mirielle and Claire and Vivienne's shoes and I loved it.

This book is such a good read - 4 strong female protagonists, 3 of them in WWII, love and heartbreak and mystery and betrayal. The last maybe third of the book was hard - two of the girls end up in a Nazi work camp and Valpy pulls no punches - it's graphic and it's hard to read and it hurts, but don't let that pull you off because the rest of this book is not hard to read at all, and it's vivid and descriptive and it's also inspiring, what these 3 girls (and they are girls) manage to achieve against the backdrop of war. It was interesting too, because a lot of the historical fiction I read falls into similar categories and follows similar patterns, so this, about the Nazi occupation of France was fascinating, the power the Germans had over the French in their own city, the underlying current of fear and oppression that every single person lived under. It's touched on also in Code Name, Verity and I loved it there too, but this takes it a step further and I just found it really interesting to read about. Unimaginable, but interesting nonetheless.

The concept wasn't original - Harriet finds a box of photos and traces them back to Paris where she follows in her Gran's footsteps with the story jumping between then and now and to be honest - as is often the case - I found then massively overshadowed now. I would have loved this book as much without Harriet's part. I might have loved it more and it did seem convenient how she got this job in the same offices as Claire, living in the same apartment as Claire and her friends and living with the granddaughter of one of Claire's friends. I rolled my eyes and I rolled them hard. I got over it though, once we got into the nitty gritty. Suspend belief. That's what you have to do with this book, suspend belief when it comes to Harriet and just get lost in the story of Mirielle, Claire and Vivienne; they're the ones we're here for anyway.

I will start by saying that I don't think it was the right book for me for so many reasons. Perhaps I should learn from this and swear off any book written by a non-French author set in France with French characters. I get tempted every single time and I get disappointed more often than not. (But I'm not sure I can hold true to this promise.)

The book moves between present-day Paris (2017) where the young British Harriet has found a one-year internship in a fashion PR agency, and the WWII, when three young women, Claire (Harriet's grandmother, but rest assured it's not much of a spoiler), Mireille and Vivienne are fashion seamstresses sharing a flat and working together, who have to choose if they want to stay passive, collaborate with the Nazi invaders or join the Resistance.

Okay, so what didn't work for me [spoilers ahead, stop right here if you want to read this book]:

- the present-day chapters seemed like fillers at best, or/and very cliché and clumsy. the conditions in which Harriet gets this job made me raise highbrows; and Harriet's character lacks consistency and depth
- too many coincidences: the first one comes when Harriet moves into the same Paris building where her grandmother Claire lived, sharing a flat with another granddaughter of the trio... more highbrow raising. It's not the last. I almost got a highbrow cramp from so much raising...
- not enough about sewing and fashion itself.
- inherited trauma. This one is kind of a deal-breaker for me, as this topic is at the heart of the whole story. There's a postface by the author about this theory, that trauma may have ripple effects on later generations. While I can understand some of this theory (but nothing genetic IMHO), I really took offense of the way it's applied to this story, not so much on Harriet's mother (Claire's daughter), but when it comes to Harriet itself.

What I liked:
- The friendship between the three girls
- the unglamorous side of Resistance action
- The reference to Paris' Galliera fashion museum - truly a must-visit if you're interested in fashion

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, for review consideration.

I enjoyed this book, set in Paris, a city that has fond memories for me.

I liked the friendships of all the girls, and the writing brought the little apartment to life for me.

I love a good dual time line too.

In 2017, Englishwoman Harriet, a recent business graduate, is in Paris. She works as an intern for a fashion PR agency, but she’s also on a quest to uncover her past. Her mother committed suicide, and her father never told her much about her French mother or family. In an old 1941 photograph, Harriet discovers and sees her grandmother, Claire, with two other Frenchwomen. They stood on Rue Cardinale outside the same building where Harriet works and lives in an upstairs apartment. Harriet is flabbergasted when her flatmate, Simone, informs her that her grandmother is also in the same photograph. Simone agrees to tell Harriet all she knows about the three ladies who worked as seamstresses and lived in the same building during the WWII years. Harriet pieces together the three women’s lives: how they’d lived through the Nazi occupation, dealt with attentions from the German officers, worked for the French Resistance, and suffered in concentration camps. Harriet, while enjoying the life of a Parisienne—despite the terror attacks—learns that her family’s history is more disturbing than she’d thought.

Fiona Valpy’s intimate knowledge of France shows in the storyline. It reads as if we are walking alongside the characters in Paris. The novel, through the lives of the individuals, illuminates the hardships the French faced during the Nazi occupation years during WWII. The twin-period narration works well to contrast Paris during and after the war. The inclusion of the terror attacks (although in reality, earlier than 2017) is an exciting addition that’s a reminder of the ever-present horrors of tyranny. The novel includes the concept of “inherited trauma” that Harriet thinks was passed on to her mother from Claire. But it’s heartening, as Valpy notes, that it’s possible to recover from it.

This review first appeared in the HNR Magazine Issue 91 (February 2020)

Harriet, traumatised by her mother's untimely death, arrives to work as a PR assistant at a fashion house in Paris. Haunted by the story of her grandmother's mysterious time in the war, she is anxious to find out more about it. The book then flashes back to Harriet's grandmother Claire and her friends who worked as seamstresses. These brave young women secretly worked for the French Resistance...



Fiona Valpy describes France beautifully, and captures the exciting but dangerous time of The Second World War. The characters are all very real, although Harriet doesn't play a big part in the book. It's a lovely book, although one part is extremely harrowing, and I will read more of Fiona Valpy's books.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A really moving read.I was immediately drawn in to the story.Its an emotional moving story a book that required a box of tissues nearby.Highly recommend.#netgalley#amazonuk

Sometimes a good book is a slow burn and that's how The Dressmaker's Gift is. The story develops slowly, introducing characters, and setting the stage for Nazi occupied France. I enjoyed the grandmothers story and timeline more compelling then the granddaughters. While the book was good, I have read a few non-fiction books that had me on the edge of my seat related to similar topics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. It was my pleasure to read and review this book and I do recommend.
Overall rating is a 3.5 stars (only because a recent non-fiction blew me away on the same subject).

thanks to netgalley for an advanced reader copy. I enjoyed this flashback story of World War II seamstresses. I will say I've read several that are very similar to this so it wasn't super unique.

Fiona is my new favourite author at the moment her books are warming and heartfelt and this one does not disappoint

Highly recommend

A bit on a slow side, but the plot was good. It covers WWII in Paris. The title well goes with the story here. Don't expect it going fast. IT burns like a candle. Slow. Good reading during evening nights.

This was a beautiful story. While there is a saturation of WWII novels out in the word right now this one stands out. This is not a high octane, fast paced drama. It is the unveiling of the journey taken by several women and how their choices shaped their lives and those around them. It is a book about friendship, sacrifice, courage and love. An emotional read that adds another layer of understanding of the endurance of those who lived in France during WWII.

This story is about strong, resilient women, who are generations apart.
Grandmothers and granddaughters...it tells a story of how one generation of women endured Nazi rule in France. Claire, Merielle, and Vivi were talented seamstresses who worked for a successful and respectable house of couture. These young women loved their country and were committed to keeping France strong and doing what they could to resist the Nazis.

Harriet is a young woman, living in the current century, trying to find her way after her mother’s suicide and her father’s remarriage. A picture of her grandmother, Claire, as a young woman, with 2 friends, standing in front of the same couture house where Harriet has just secured a position, becomes an inspiration to find out more about her grandmother’s life and her family history.
This generated tons of emotions from me. I loved hearing about Paris during both eras. The author clearly did her homework regarding research. The Dressmaker’s Gift gets 4 stars from me. I will definitely read other works by Fiona Valpy.

Beautifully written captivating novel which effortlessly glides between the past history and modern day. I enjoyed sharing the Harriet's journey as she delves into her family's history, discovering the truth about her grandmother during the Second World War in Paris. The novel touches upon some harrowing but incredibly important events of history, and I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I absolutely adored this book. ... ww2, family secrets, working with the resistance, I discovered this author last year and she has such a magical way of intertwining historical events or create compelling characters and tales.

Absolutely loved this book.

From the significance of the charms on the bracelet to the past events that the books returns to during the war it's brilliant.

It's such a harrowing but heart warming story of love, friendship strength and family. Harriet visiting Paris and working where her Grandmother did during the war is such a lovely connection.

I loved following both Claire and her friends, and Harriet and hers. They both have such determination with life and are so alike. Harriet has seen loss too often and I don't think her father knew what to do so didn't do much.

There were occasions in the book that I also linked with Cilkas journey by Heather Morris, as Cilka too was a strong determined person during the war. The Dress makers gift is wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

When Claire found Ernest in La Louvre I could not believe it, but I'm also glad that she found out because she could have carried on not knowing and it would have been even harder to overcome.

I will definitely ready more by this author and recommend this to all I know.

An enjoyable read that I will go on to recommend. I found the characters interesting and the plot line engaging. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

**Thank you Netgalley, Fiona Valpy, and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced reader copy of this book.**

I LOVE historical fiction, especially historical fiction set in Paris during WWII. This book was no different. It is such a moving read and I couldn't put it down. The non-linear timeline was the perfect way to tell this story. We get to become immersed in the life of a seamstress during the 1940's but we also see a more recent timeline from Harriett, the granddaughter of one of the seamstresses.

I enjoyed Claire's story much more than Harriet's because I felt like the plot was more interesting and the scenes were written better. The 1940's are not romanticized and I enjoyed that aspect too.

This is a great read for any lover of historical fiction or of Paris!

The book starts slowly but then builds up into an entertaining story.
Some of the characters were well developed but there was one that I didn’t like.
An average book

A great story I always enjoy books involving resistance in the war and this one did not disappoint. I was captivated from the start and didn't want to put it down.

Mireille, Claire, and Vivienne were seamstresses in Nazi occupied Paris. Their stories will both inspire and distress you. This is a dual time line novel and I must admit I found the modern story of Harriet much less engaging. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the WWII novel.

I absolutely adored The Bee Keeper's promise and was so excited to read this one - beleive me it didn't dissapoint!!

Harriet's modern day story is really engaging but it was the historical story of her grandmother and the people close to her that had me gripped - the lengths that these brave people went to to resist their occupiers and the dangers they encountered totally absorbed me. Suspensful, inspirational, heartbreaking and uplifting, the writing is just wonderful with fabulous characters, beautiful evocative descriptions of Paris past and present, a look the tension and fear of ordinary people living and working in War time Paris and the exciting and vibrant fashion trade.

An absolute must read book and one which I will remember for a long time

This book didn't stand out as exemplary, but it was an overall a quick, good read. At the end I had chillbumps and teary eyes, so even though there were some parts that were too unbelievable to believe, overall it obviously touched me enough to become emotional. I didn't care for the modern day story of Harriet, but thought the author did a solid job of developing the characters and storyline from the past.
Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for gifting this book in exchange for an impartial review.

The Dressmaker's Gift was a heartbreaking story and beautifully told. This book takes through everything from love, friendship, spies, rebellion, resilience. I recommend it to anyone looking to read more about WWII.

The Dressmaker's Gift is a wonderful story about women war heroes. Kudos to Fiona Valpy. Historical Fiction fans will love this one.

Another amazing book by Fiona Valpy. Loved the characters and such a powerful story of determination, friendship, pain, trauma.