I loved this book, from the fantastical descriptions of movie stars and other luminaries and their opulent lives to the hard-to-read accounts of life in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II.   An entertaining and educational guide to the inner workings of the Ritz and its loyal, duplicitous hoteliers based on a true story, what else could you ask for!  I truly enjoyed this experience and know it will leave an indelible mark.

I always enjoy historical fiction set in this time period. I felt like this rang somewhat true, many of the things that occurred could certainly have happened as Parisians tried to live amongst the Nazis during the War.

I liked this book, the story, but was frustrated with how it was written. There were so many long sentences with distracting breaks in them.  It’s like there was a side bar in the middle of the sentence and then I’d have to go back and see what the beginning of the sentence was talking about. I think that’s why it took me so long to finish it. 

I got this as an advanced read copy. I would certainly have given it 4 stars based on just the story itself.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Absolutely loved this book and loved it even more after reading the author's notes. Will not spoil, but this is a great read.

I miss Paris, and traveling in general, so this was a nice diversion. The story is very character-driven and based on not only on real events from WWII, but real people as well. Melanie Benjamin is a fabulous writer and makes you feel all the anxiety and uncertainty that it must have been like to be living in Paris as the Nazi occupation unfolded. Great, high-quality historical fiction. Thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC.

When I started reading this book, I assumed it was about the mistress of the Ritz, Mrs. Ritz. No, that's not correct.
Then, I assumed it was about the Ritz in Paris during WWII. That was partially correct. Throughout the book, the reader learns about the beauty of the Ritz, the running of the Ritz and the guests of the Ritz. But, to me, this book was really about two people.
Blanche and Claude are the two main characters. We learn how they meet, marry and struggle throughout their marriage. Neither one is a totally likeable character, but you still can't wait to see what happens next.
In the Author's note, we learn that this book is, in fact, the fictionalization of the lives of two real people. When I read that, I realized that that's why they weren't always likeable; they were real people!

Mistress of the Ritz is a beautiful story about the director of the Ritz, Claude Auzello, and his wife Blanche during WWII.  The Ritz was home to Coco Chanel and stomping grounds for F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.  Unfortunately, during WWII it was also the Nazi headquarters during their occupation of Paris.  We are told the whirlwind story of Claude and Blache's first meeting in Paris before the war.  Blanche is an American woman who wants to be an actress and Claude is a Frenchman working at the Ritz who sweeps her off her feet.  It isn't an easy marriage and it is only further complicated by the war.  

Blanche and Claude both have a secret that they don't share with one another.  Claude uses his connections through the Ritz and other hotels in Paris to aid in the resistance.  Blanche uses her acting skills to help downed airmen escape Paris unharmed.  Blanche has another secret that is the difference between life and death and one that she has done everything possible to hide.

Can their marriage survive the war?  Can they survive the war?  The book is based on real life people and I'm so glad Melanie Benjamin chose to tell their story.  The Ritz itself is an amazing setting and character.  I really enjoyed this book.

Mistress of the Ritz is one of those books you just can''t put down.  Set in Paris during WWII, a young American and her husband, the manager of the famous Ritz hotel, are drawn into the war without each other's knowledge.  Looks can be deceiving, and who doesn't know that better than Blanche Ross and Claude Auzello?  A young couple who in their own way become entangled with the French Resistance.  Blanche and Claude's marriage suffers because neither feels they can trust the other.  In Claude's mind, Blanche is an airhead who would rather drink and party with her friends, and take risks that could get her arrested or killed.  In Blanche's mind, Claude loves the Ritz, and possibly the Nazi's who invade it, more than her and his country.

This book takes the reader through the worst time in France and shows the resistance and resilience not only of the main players, but also of the everyday people.  The characters take hold and drag you into the back alleys, dark rooms, and clubs with them.  We learn toward the end why Claude doesn't want Blanche going out where she can be seen. 

Historical fiction, especially WWII has become a favorite of mine.  A well written book should drag the reader in and keep them wanting more.  That is what this book did.  I had not read any books prior to this one by Melanie Benjamin, but I will be reading more.  You can't go wrong when you check into the Ritz.
I

Melanie Benjamin writes another winner in "Mistress of the Ritz".  Set during war time, she draws a strong woman who stands up for what is right during very difficult times.  The setting of the story is very well developed and the reader can easily slip into Paris during the Nazi occupation.  The heroine of this true story, Blanche,  secretly works for the french resistance while "serving" the Germans in her hotel.  She and her husband put their lives at risk as they work to undermine the Germans foothold on her beloved city.  True facts about the active underground in Paris and how they ultimately defeated the enemy in their midst.  Highly recommended reading

Evocative descriptions of the period. I felt it didn't have enough forward momentum to sustain. The 'story' was late to launch. The writing is highly-polished and advanced.

Such an enlightening story of my favorite time period! I love how the author captured this time  and made me feel so connected to the characters. I love a character driven novel that really pulls you in!! I’ve been in a book rut, and this book was so refreshing. I couldn’t put it down!! 
I definitely recommend and give it 4 stars!!!

The story of Blanche Auzello, the wife of the manager of the Ritz Paris during WWII.

Blanche is an American and a Jew (in hiding), two things you don't want to be while the Germans occupy Paris. She is protected in part because her husband is the manager of the Ritz Hotel - where many of the leading German occupiers are staying when in Paris. Blanche is spoiled, impetuous and unwilling to accept the Germans and wishes she could do more. She is looking for adventure and finds it. She realizes that she can use what she learns at the hotel to help the Resistance. She doesn't tell her husband in order to protect him. Of course, her husband, Claude, wants to do the same so lets Blanche think he has a mistress in order to help the Resistance as well.

I had a hard time getting into this book - I think in part because I did not find Blanche a particularly likable character. The struggles within their marriage took up much of the first part of the book and dragged on a bit. The story did get better about halfway through as Blanche and Claude became more involved with the Resistance.

This story is mesmerizing. I felt immersed in WWII Paris at the Ritz. A perfect example of well-written historical fiction.

Enjoyed this more than I expected. Historical fiction is not always my go to but this was captivating, You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy this book!

Mistress of the Ritz was a good story.  The writing painted a good picture, it was almost like I was in the story. It was also very fact based and I learned some new things. It was a different story than other Ww2 books I've read.

If you've read The Swans of Fifth Avenue, you're familiar with Melanie Benjamin's books. Carefully researched, with engaging characters and compelling plots, they are addictive. Mistress of the Ritz is based on a real life character, an American woman who served with the French resistance in WWII. A taut tale of suspense wrapped up in a love story. You'll be intrigued by what happens at the Ritz. Highly recommend.

For those who like historical fiction set in World War II, this might be a fun read, though there are a lot of titles taht fit that description that are better than this.

When I was in high school historical fiction really was the only genre I read. And, in particular, I went through a phase where I read a lot of historical fiction set during the second World War. This book was a throwback to that time period in the best way. 

Inspired by the story of the Auzello's who were managers of the Ritz in Paris during the Nazi occupation, this book tells a story that fills in the blanks of what is known about Blanche and Claude. I enjoyed this fictional telling of their story, the characters themselves feel very true to life, and enjoyable. The story is as much a story of World War II as it is the story of a marriage, and of trauma, and the ways we know each other and the ways that we do not. 

Definitely recommend for the historical fiction aspect, but also simply the story of the relationships and the characters themselves. Because I did not know much about Blanche going into the book, there were some aspects I wasn't expecting, but in the end, the story - while fictionalized - works within what is known to paint a believable picture of what might have been.

I so wanted to love this book, my first by Melanie Benjamin, but I didn't. The story switches back and forth in time and switches from past to present tense, and I found that a little jarring. I also formed an immediate dislike for both main characters, and though neither of them ever endeared themselves to me, and indeed I grew to loathe Claude, I eventually got sucked into the story and kept reading to see how it would play out...but then I hated the ending. This book just wasn't meant for me.