A great opening to this novel which goes from Paris of 1940 where Estelle is persuaded to seek her future in America by her seamstress mother as the Nazis occupy the city to her granddaughter Fabienne who is summoned to an exhibit at the famous Met Ball of Estelle’s famous designs. Although I only received the first four chapters I feel that this story will develop into a great read. Beautifully crafted to engage the reader. I cannot wait to read the rest of the story.

I only received a preview of this book but I was hooked after Chapter 1. Would definitely pick it up to read the whole book.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Thus first four chapters of this OUTSTANDING book are utterly fabulously intriguing. Can't wait to read the whole book.

Thank you net galley for this sneak peek. These first four chapters set in WWII show that a great story lies ahead. Estelle is a strong female character and much is in store for her.

2 Books Review-Both by Natasha Lester
🔖The Paris Orphan (Extended Preview)
Original Publication Date: September 3, 2019 .
🔖The Paris Seamstress (Preview)
Original Publication Date: August 11, 2018
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Description from NetGalley... .
🔖The Paris Orphan
“New York City/Paris, 1942: When American model Jessica May arrives in Europe to cover the war as a photojournalist for Vogue, most of the soldiers are determined to make her life as difficult as possible. But three friendships change that. But her success will come at a price...France, 2005: Decades after World War II, D'Arcy Hallworth arrives at a beautiful chateau to curate a collection of famous wartime photos by a reclusive artist. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but this job will uncover decades of secrets.”
🔖The Paris Seamstress
“1940: As the Germans advance upon Paris, young seamstress Estella Bissette is forced to flee everything she's ever known. She's bound for New York City with her signature gold dress, a few francs, and a dream...Present day: Fabienne Bissette journeys to the Met's annual gala for an exhibit featuring the work of her ailing grandmother - a legend of women's fashion design. But as Fabienne begins to learn more about her beloved grandmother's past, she uncovers a story of tragedy, heartbreak and family secrets that will dramatically change her own life.”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @grandcentralpub for the digital ARCs in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
🔖The Paris Orphan (Extended Preview)
The premise of the story was interesting. It had a slow start and it looked to be promising. However, because of the slow start, I didn’t connect with the characters. I still have some interest in the story, but, it’s not on top of the TBR pile. .
🔖The Paris Seamstress (Preview)
This book’s pace is much faster, but as much as I like fast paced plots, this ended up lacking depth. I hope that it will get more detailed as the story goes, but I wouldn’t rush out to buy it. .

Overall thoughts... From this experience I will be super choosy with “preview books.” They come to an abrupt end. Knowing you won’t get to the end is distracting. Hopeful for great excerpts in the future.

"The Paris Seamstress" is just a sneak preview I love historical fiction! Estelle's charming character has just enough kick to get herself into a little bit of trouble. I can wait to see where New York takes her, and especially her developing relationship with Sam. the special relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter as they attempt to heal the heartache of the past. I especially loved the relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter as they attempt to heal the heartache of the past..
Now. just to wait to read the rest....!!!

I think the premise is really interesting, and it stars off strong. When we first meet Estella, she's living in Paris with her mother and working at an atelier. Chapter 1 starts off strong...but over the course of the 4 chapters in this sample a lot happens. Too much, too fast. Because the pacing of the plot is so quick, it lacks the depth I expected it to have. I'm kind of disappointed, but I might read the full book sometime. As far as historical fiction goes, this isn't the best I've read. I think the writing needs to be more fleshed out to do the story justice.

Another wonderfully written Historical Fiction book

When Estella Bissette is sent to the US by her mother during WWII, she takes a few clothes and her sewing machine. Estella and her mother worked in fashion in Paris and now she has the chance (she hopes) of working in NYC fashion. Estella is hired to work in a fashion "knock off" house, which she hates, but sees it as a stepping stone to one day having her own line.

Fast forward to the 21st century. Estella has now become a world famous fashion designer. Her dream did come true. Fabienne Bissette, Estella's granddaughter is summoned to NYC from Australia by her grandmother. Estella is dying and wants to take Fabienne back home to Paris To where her love of fashion began. While in Paris, Fabienne meets people from her grandmothers past. She learns the story of just who Estella Bissette was during WWII and the risk she put herself in to help take down the Nazis.

I normally don't like books that have flashbacks in with the story, but this one was so well written that I didn't even realize at times whether I was in the 20th or 21st century. The characters made me feel like I was in the underground world of the French Resistance as well as the fashion houses of NYC I laughed at Estella's antics to "ditch" her granddaughter in Paris, and cried when she died.

Natasha Lester was a new author for me, but I will be reading more from her. If you want a good Historical fiction read, this would be the book for you.
This books gets 4-1/2 stars from me.

Thanks to Natasha Lester, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC.
An atmospheric and compelling preview of an enticing novel. One to pursue and enjoy.

This sample had me downloading the rest of the book. Well written, briskly paced, and expertly crafted to engage a read both with the familiar and the unique.

Would recommend for any fans of historical fiction and fashion.

This free preview of "The Paris Seamstress" is an interesting look into the characters and the beginning of the book. I'll definitely be picking up a copy of the novel to read the rest.

I received a complimentary preview of ch. 1-4 of #TheParisSeamstress for review from #NetGalley

This historical fiction novel starts off by quickly introducing readers to an engaging plot with strong character development and also introduced some interpersonal relationships that will likely develop further as the book progresses.

This was an incredible novel that drew me in and never let go. I felt emotionally invested in the characters’ lives and couldn’t stop reading.

I loved this book! i received chapters 1-4! i had to buy the book so I could finish it! Great read! I will be reading more by this author! Thank you!

Just a sneak preview but I’m already eagerly waiting for the whole book. I love historical fiction and this book fits right in. Estelle is a charming character with just enough paunch to get herself into a little bit of trouble. I can wait to see where New York takes her, and especially her developing relationship with Sam. Now just to wait to read the rest.

This was a great preview, showcasing an interesting female character and wonderful descriptive writing. The author has an amazing talent to make a place (WWII Paris) come alive, to the point that the setting becomes a character in itself.

Wow a lot seems to happen in these first four chapters! I’m very intrigued as to what will happen in the rest of the story and if Estella will somehow end up back in France during the war.

Estella grew up in the ateliers where her mother worked. She thought her father died in the Great War before she was born. Her goal is to design clothes.
When the Germans invade France in 1940, Estella’s mother insists she flee to America where, it turns out, she was born. Her father was an American, not a Frenchman. Aboard ship, she meets Sam, a New Yorker who desires to be in the fashion industry. Along with a model, they decide to form their own company.
This four-chapter sample promises adventure for plucky Estella, and the questions of whether she ever saw her mother again and who was her father.

The very first chapter of this book was a bit slow for me but I persisted and it started building up and once it really got started it was beautiful!
before I knew it, I was blown… I was blown away by this book.

I wrote a full review on it and I'm sure you will love it. It posted up on my blog
https://diaryofablackcitygirl.wordpress.com/2019/11/23/book-review-the-paris-seamstress/

Thank you for the preview! The excerpt seems fascinating and I've added this book to my mountainous tbr.