Cover Image: The Ball at Versailles

The Ball at Versailles

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Member Reviews

Loved this! Danielle Steel does it again! So many relationships here...each of the four family's had their own dynamic, the struggles that each girl individually was dealing with, and then the four of them together once they met up. All of this was detailed amongst the whole happening of the ball and the history behind that. It was so interesting to learn a little about a time and action that no longer exists, in the same way with the same meaning behind it, that it does today. Very interesting.

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Danielle Steel releases 7 books a year.. not all of them good.. this one however is a delight.

"The Ball at Versailles" by Danielle Steel is a captivating novel set in the 1950s, following the lives of four debutantes as they navigate the challenges of society. Each young woman faces her own personal struggles, which are explored in depth before they are invited to attend a prestigious ball at Versailles Palace in Paris. The story also delves into the complexities of their families, who have their own issues to confront. Amelia's mother, for instance, is determined to fulfill both her own and her daughter's dreams despite facing financial difficulties. Felicity, on the other hand, grapples with self-esteem issues due to her weight and living in the shadow of her more attractive sister. Samantha, who survived a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of her mother and brother, now copes with physical limitations and an overprotective father. Lastly, Caroline, raised in the glamorous world of Hollywood, must navigate her own identity as the daughter of successful actors. As the four women come together in Paris, their stories intertwine in a delightful and engaging manner. "The Ball at Versailles" is a worthwhile read, offering a glimpse into a bygone era and the personal journeys of its compelling characters.

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I love the differences between all the characters and that it all ended on a happy note. Great book! I will happily recommend this book to everyone!!

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I find Danielle Steel books to be quick, easy reads. They create a great diversion during stressful times. The Ball at Versailles is based on an actual debutante affair in the summer of 1958. Young women from Europe and the United States were invited. Steel follows four fictional characters from around the US in the months before the ball, at the ball, and after. I enjoyed the historical aspects of what life was like for rich women in the 1950s. I also liked most of the characters and some of their stories. The author touched on a few sensitive subjects in an appropriate way. Like many of her books, this one did not have major plot lines and the ending was quite neatly tied in a bow. I didn’t think that such emphasis on early marriage especially resonated today but perhaps sixty years ago it was the norm. I thank Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. 3.5 stars for me.

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Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Danielle Steel, for granting me an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

Loved this book better thann any Danielle Steel book I have read in the past several years!

The setting, the characters, the plot, the romance, everything was just amazing!

The descriptions were beautiful. I felt like I was a part of the story! I read this in one sitting and did not finish until 2:30 in the morning! Just superb.

Highly recommend!!

Five plus stars!!!!!

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A very quick and easy read. Four college students meet at a dance in Paris and they become life long friends. I highly recommend this book. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the arc of this book.

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I have to admit this is the very first time I've read a Danielle Steel book (and I'm old). The title and synopsis of the story was what intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed. The story takes place in 1959 (my year of birth) and four young American debutantes receive an invitation of a lifetime - the first debutante ball of French and American girls. The book provides the details of their lives prior to the event, during the event and a year afterwards. I loved reading about the glitz, glamour and all the goes with Paris in the late 50's. I enjoyed seeing how each of the girls lives played out. The only critique I have is that after the ball the book focuses more on Sam(antha) and Amelia and less on Felicity and Caroline. All and all a very enjoyable summer read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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4 young ladies begrudgingly agree to come out in their second debutante ball, but this one has a special twist: it is being held at the Palace of Versailles. As was the case in the 1950s, each girl is promised a bright future, and they do get their happy endings, but not as expected. This was a nice novel, and a typical Danielle Steele. One correction to note: I came out in the infirmary ball in NYC, and there were never military escorts. They were only at the international ball. A small detail that I’m sure no one else would notice.

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I was overjoyed to be given an ARC by NetGalley! I've been a longtime fan of hers so you can imagine my excitement to receive this book. This story is historical fiction that takes us into the glitz and glamour of the balls and debutantes of the late 1950s. Danielle Steel has such a way of describing the ultimate fairy tale and making the reader feel like the pages have come alive. I enjoyed the diversity of the American families and the distinct personalities and interests of the four young women who became good friends. I would highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!

**Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

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This book started a little slow for me but it was setting up all the characters, Danielle Steel blended everything together so wonderfully.

Each family’s relationships were explained really well even though some of them were not the greatest.

A debutant ball in Versailles was the setting for everything that eventually changed a lot of lives , made lasting friendships and alot of romance.

I loved how she tied everything together, this was one of those easy feel good stories that just doesn’t last long enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC. #TheBallatVersailles

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5 stars out of 5!

Wow, this was such an amazing book and probably one off my favorites I have read this entire year. All the characters were written so well which drew me into the book from the beginning. It was a very quick read and I could not put the book down.

The Ball at Versailles is about 4 girls that are coming out in France at the Ball at Versailles. 40 American girls have been invited to attend with their families along with a select group of French girls. All the girls lives will change immensely by the end of the book, all thanks to their trip to France.

Danielle Steel did an amazing job with this book. She brought us back to 1959 and we got to see how one day changed their lives forever. The girls were all around the same age but had come from different backgrounds which really made the story. I really did not want the book to end and was left wanting more and sad the book was over.

I would highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!

A big thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. One of the best books I have read yet!

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This story follows four girls and they’re coming out. It was a quick read on NetGalley and it was refreshing since I haven’t read a book in a while that followed the journey of so many characters simultaneously, thought that was also harder since you didn’t get to dive in and relate to each one as much as I’d of liked. It’s also a book I haven’t read a book set post WWII in a while and that was also a nice treat.

This was my first Danielle Steel read, too!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, and the opinions expressed are my own.
The Ball at Versailles was a story of four American young ladies who were invited and meet at a Ball in Versailles. Each young lady had their own issues but managed to become friends and some even met their life partners. There were some turns and twists and even surprises along the way but in the end everyone got what they needed.

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A sweeping piece of historical fiction! It was a phenomenal read and I loved getting swept up in the four women's stories! This would make a great beach read for over the summer or a great read if you need to escape reality.

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I thoroughly enjoyed Danielle Steel’s, The Ball at Versailles. The story presents an interesting conflict between the traditions of storied families and their young debutantes while they come of age during the 1950s, a time when more opportunities were opening up for women. The tension between being young, independent professionals up against the then traditional path of wives and mothers presents each of the girls with life decisions that were a new struggle for the time period. The story provided an interesting glimpse of the not-so-distant past while also painting a clear picture of the glamour and pitfalls of the debutante world. While the story starts with four debutantes, one falls by the wayside throughout the meat of the book and I would have liked to have seen her story get the same attention as the others. Aside from wanting more of her story, I liked the book very much and highly recommend it for Danielle Steel fans.

Many thanks to Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing, and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks to Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a refreshing and enjoyable read, focusing on a cotillion at the Palace of Versailles in the summer of 1959 for 4 lucky American girls. Typical to Steel's writing, there was a bit of drama, but everything was handled by the end of the book. Lovely panoramic scenes also included. Easy to understand the feel of the 1950s as well, post WWII, with the focus on the young ladies 'needing a husband to succeed'... although the young ladies by far bucked the traditional mores there.
Also nice that secondary characters played into the characterization and development, i.e. we were not just focusing on girls in their late teens, but also the (old) parents in their 40s/50s.

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Another great read from the master of fiction…great characters, great set pieces, amazing locations…I still do not know Danielle Steel can come up with all these amazing books! Another fantastic set of characters…the girls all become lovable except for the sister from “you know where” the adults have their own separate yet intertwined love story….I couldn’t put this one down…I wish we would have gotten a little more insight into the girls futures but all in all this one was again amazing…another tour de force from Danielle Steel

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Danielle Steel has a distinct voice, and it shines through in all of her books. The Ball at Versailles hit all of the high notes for me, romance, friendship, single parents, multiple relationships getting happy endings, female empowerment, and international travel. This story follows four American debutantes that are selected to represent their country at an exclusive Debutante Ball in Versailles. This is an honor and each of them have their own reasons for going and most of them are not to meet a husband. Steel perfectly captures each of their stories and intertwines them into a meeting and friendships that will last a lifetime. I especially loved the secondary relationship stories as our primary characters were making strides in their own lives. Although the ball is only one night the friendships and relationships that it ignites make way for stories and love that will last a lifetime. Another special touch that Steel added was giving us an ending for everyone, even the characters that we didn't particularly enjoy.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this title.

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In a timeless tradition of the wealthy and elite, 40 Americans were invited to have a Coming Out in France for the first time. This is the story of four of the American women, all with different families, dreams, and challenges. When they meet at the Ball, an instant friendship is formed and their lives will be forever changed. Through many trials and tribulations each of the women finds their destiny and future. Great story with unique characters and a plot that flows seamlessly from scene to scene.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Four young women attend a ball of American/French debutantes as the world comes rushing in around them with a thrill for the glamour, fashion, and fame.
It's the 50's and everything is moving at the Palace of Versailles with a power grab among the elite, the powerful, and the true Hollywood legends.
So much history, so much excitement, and so much love....
Many chess pieces are moving at the same time and you must keep your wits about you but one thing is for sure. All's well that end's well and this one puts a beautiful spin upon everything.
The history, the romance, the fashion, and the characters will blow you away in its exquisite nature.
Thank you for this granted wish and please keep 'em coming....
Much love to Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing, and Netgalle for another beautiful ride!

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