Really enjoyed this book. Great plot and engaging, believe characters. I was drawn right into the story. Would definitely recommend.

With a sparkling premise and cover. This book falls flat for me. The characters seem promising, their lives were real. But their relationship was disjointed and Blanche’s personality was belittled throughout. Fascinating perspective and while real; the ending seemed out of sorts when compared to the rest of the book.

What can I say!? Loved the topic, loved the characters, loved the book! If you enjoy Paris during WWII historical fiction then definitely check this one out!

What a fascinating story - and a fascinating woman. I generally enjoy when historical fiction books fictionalize real life people, but this one felt a little dull and dry for some reason. It didn't hold my attention. The whole first half of the book was setting up who the characters were and name dropping and describing the setting, and while I know it was necessary for the second half, it just felt like wayyy too much time was spent and I lost interest. But still a very interesting story about a fascinating woman!

I LOVED this book! Original historical event with easy to find nonfiction to learn more about it. The heroine was absolutely so brave; i dont know who could have done what she she went through survived with such a still strong element to her personality. I’ve actually like all of Melanie Benjamin’s books because she has a great knack at researching interesting historical stories that have basically been forgotten. I think I’ve read them all and quite quickly. Thank you to the publishers, NG and the author for a copy of this book for my unbiased review.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I will start out by stating that I adored the second half of this book. It gave me the emotion, the suspense, and the action I needed, and I only wish the first half had not dwelled so much on Claude and Blanche’s marriage, but instead, the circumstances surrounding the German occupation and more between the Ritz staff and their captors. The second half redeemed this book for me, and I will definitely still read more of Ms. Benjamin’s work in the future!

I really shouldn't have downloaded this book - because I'm a wee bit too sensitive. Of course I know who won the war, but I still get caught in the Nazis and their horrors. Also, the main couple in the story were not likeable (but true to life). It was too tough for me to continue, although the writing was good.

Excellent. Fascinating real life story, held my interest til the end. I enjoyed learning an aspect of WWII I knew nothing about. Also loved the details about the location and lifestyle of the period. Highly recommend.

This book fell flat for me. It could be because I read it on my phone, though, and that format isn't always the best way for me to read. I have also read a lot of WWII historical fiction lately and they all start to seem similar. This one took awhile to get going for me and then the ending felt rushed.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Mistress of the Ritz. Reading the fictionalized account of Claude and Blanche Auzello's life in Paris from the 1920's through World War II made me want to learn more about them, the Ritz hotel, and its famous occupants. The Auzellos had a tumultuous marriage, due mainly to the differences between their cultures (French and American). I found these differences fascinating.
This was a well-written historical fiction novel. I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more books by Melanie Benjamin.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars Thanks to Netgalley and Bantam books for allowing me to read and review this book.

This story is just as much about Blanche and Claude as it is about the iconic Hotel Ritz in Paris. Blanche and Claude - an improbable match - are the Hostess and the Director of the Hotel Ritz, even going so far as to live in an off shoot of the hotel. This is a very badly mismatched couple - one who rarely even understands the comments or actions of the other.

To boot, this story takes place in 1940 as the Germans take over France in WWII. Based on the real life adventures of an American woman who secretly worked for the French Resistance during World War II-while playing hostess to the Ritz, this is a love story, sheltering many secrets.

I have read many books by Melanie Benjamin and enjoy most of them. This book was enjoyable, but rated a little lower on my scale.

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.