As always, Melanie Benjamin has turned out a well written, thoroughly researched historical fiction/biographical novel. Told from differing points of view, this is the story of Blanche Auzello and her husband Claude -- the caretakers of the Ritz -- when the Nazi army decided to take up residence there. The secrets that are harbored can be particularly deadly -- both to their marriage and their lives. I was so iffy on this because Nazi and WW2 stories are ones I avoid because of how emotional I get but Ms. Benjamin is one of my absolute favorite writers so I didn't want to pass it up and I'm glad I didn't. Oh, I still got emotional but I do with all of her books. She really puts you in the time and place of the people she writes about. Anyway, I don't want to delve too much into the plot because I'm always terrified I will spoil it but it was definitely a fantastic book. and I recommend it highly!

Interesting characters and story based on the real life experiences of Claude and Blanche Auzello in Paris during World War 2. Until coming across this book , I had no idea the Ritz had been overtaken by Goerring and other Nazis. Neither Blanche nor Claude are what they seem at first glance. What surprised me the most was the ending, I had not heard of the Auzellos before this nor their tragic ending.

I am an avid reader of WW2 books. This was the set in Paris at the iconic Ritz hotel, which served as home to the nazis for years. We take a closer look at a marriage of an American and Frenchman with different backgrounds and morals joined together and surviving occupation, while managing the Ritz and both leading secret lives.

I’m not sure what was missing that did not grab my full adoration. It seemed like a novel right up my alley. I think the draw to our lead characters was lacking. I found both slightly irritating and irresponsible. The addition of Lily was convenient to spice things up a bit. I did enjoy the twists in the end. Once Blanche was arrested things moved quickly. It was a gripping flurry of an ending. The plot moved almost too quickly. I liked Lily’s last narration and the ending was not predictable.

Overall, it was a good book. Slow to start and almost too fast in the end. There were several unexpected hold your breathe moments and overall a tough subject to write about.

Claude Auzello, the director of the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris, along with his beautiful wife Blanche are considered the master and mistress of the Ritz. They know all the secrets of their guests but keep their own secrets hidden from each other. But it's 1940 and the Germans have now taken control of the city including occupying the gilded rooms of the Ritz. Although I enjoyed this glimpse of life behind the walls of the Ritz during WWII, I found the main characters not very likeable and the story very slow moving in the first half of the book. Claude's blind devotion to maintaining the status quo at the Ritz and Blanche's drunken floundering search for her purpose in life made the story a very frustrating journey. An interesting read but overall I was disappointed.

Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin is a fabulous historical fiction novel that is based off of an actual couple that helped in the Resistance in Paris in the time span of 1940-1945. The book narrates from the viewpoint of Blanche and Claude Auzello and the specific setting is with the infamous Hotel Ritz.

This novel is captivating and while I was able to pick up a few of the twists before they were exposed, I was not able to figure out everything.

At first I was not a total fan of the two characters, however as they both matured and developed, I did feel as if I became invested in who they were and their tumultuous relationship.

Without giving anything away, I have to say I am glad I stuck with the book because it was worth it in the end.

5/5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced read and in return I am giving my unbiased, independent review.

historical-figures, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, war-is-hell, WW2, love, Paris *****

Is Blanche the main character, or is it Claude, or The Ritz on Place Vendome, or maybe Paris and its people? It's certainly not the Nazis, or even the famous people who frequented the Ritz, not even the staff or the other Resistance fighters. Perhaps it is the indomitable spirit of these particular people who refused to give up and later refused to talk about what they suffered.
Blanche and Claude were as real as Coco Chanel, but historical documentation is very sparse. His work, their involvement in the Resistance, his pecadillos, her notable acquaintances, they are written about. But there is nothing substantive about who they were beyond that. This book gives them life in a special way. It will make you laugh, become angry and frustrated, and you cry for all of them.
But you will not forget them.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine via NetGalley. Thank you!

I always enjoy books with a WWII setting but, unfortunately, I didn't like either of the two protagonists in this book.

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

It has been a long time since I have read an adult historical fiction novel but I am so glad NetGalley approved me for an ARC of this book.

The Mistress of the Ritz beautiful transforms its readers to the Hotel Ritz in Frank during WWII. Not only does Melanie Benjamin tell an elequent story of the glamours people who walked in to the Ritz hotel, but she also weaves in the story of Blanche Auzello and her husband who actively helped with the French resistance during the Nazi takeover. As I was reading I felt that I was being transported to a different time and place going on an adventure of a lifetime. My favorite parts of this book revolved around well known figures such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Coco Chanel. As much as I have studied about this time period I was left completely an aware of Blanche's story. I am so glad that her story is coming to light and her heroism will be better recognized.

Benjamin's historical novels always provide for interesting discussion and this book delivers on that point.
Claude Auzello is the distinguished director of the illustrious Parisian hotel, the Ritz. His wife, Blanche, an American, aids in projecting the glamour for which the Ritz is regarded. When the Nazis march into Paris in June, 1940, life is forever changed. The Auzellos, along with all of Paris, must capitulate to the demands of their conquerors or face the consequences. Yet, bravery has no bounds and the Auzellos are caught up in defending their homeland.
It's a "can't put down book" and the description of Paris being swarmed by Nazis is so well done. There's a secret that keeps you guessing. Once again, Benjamin provides a story shrouded in truth.

I tried very hard to complete this book, but the characters did not capture my imagination. The historical information about the 1920s to 1940s was interesting, but I could not relate to the characters.

Mistress of the Ritz is a moving read about the manager and his wife of the luxurious Ritz hotel in Paris during WWII. Claude and Blanche seem to fit the adage "marry in haste, repent in leisure." By the time the Germans take over Paris, the couple merely exist. They lead secret lives during the war, both participating in the resistance, but but neither knowing the other is involved. I admired Blanche's spirit, but honestly I didn't really care for either of them. I thought the most provocative character was Coco Chanel. The conclusion took me by surprise, not having heard of this couple before, but was it really surprising? I liked the author's historical note and the cover was gorgeous.

I have lately been reading a lot of World War II books set in France that are not explicitly war books. This was another in this genre. I generally enjoyed this book, but some of the chronology was a little confusing at times. I am very intrigued by the story of the Auzellos and The Ritz during the occupation of Paris.

Thank you to the publisher and author for gifting me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I've read a couple books by Melanie Benjamin that I quite enjoyed so I was excited to see she had a new novel coming out and was even more excited when I was given the ARC on Netgalley. I was very interested in the premise of the story- the man who runs the Ritz during the World War II with his American bride. I found the book to be so enjoyable and interesting to read. Benjamin is a great storyteller and had me immediately drawn into the world she created- I felt like I was in Paris, that I was watching her characters come to life, and experiencing the war through their eyes. I wanted to be sitting in the grand entry of the Ritz to see all of the glamorous patrons staying there and to experience that lavish lifestyle. However, she also paints well the dark underside of the unhappiness of some, the ups and downs of relationships, and the fear of others especially as the Nazis take over the Ritz as their headquarters. Great read.

A husband and wife - she a bohemian american, he a dyed in the wool Frenchman - use their power and position to help the French resistance, unbeknownst to each other. He is the manager of the Ritz hotel in Paris who uses his connections to help others. She uses her reputation as a bon vivant to spy. Interesting look at what life was like during the Nazi occupation of France.

One of the reasons why I love historical fiction is we get to read a-not-so-famous person in a book and we get curious about that person. I do remember reading a little bit of Blanche Rubeinstein Auzello somewhere - either in a novel or article - and I wanted to know more about her. Blanche and the Ritz – somehow this two are still tied together even today.

I was so excited when I receive this copy from NetGalley that I can finally read her story – fiction or not.

Blanche is an American spirited daughter of German-Jewish parents who came from New York and married a Frenchman. Her husband Claude ran the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris while she has been dubbed as the “Mistress of the Ritz” as she helped famous people stayed in the hotel and brought many important businesses in the hotel.

While I do not want to give so much details here, her story is quite remarkable, and she should be seen as one of the unsung heroes as she did help with the French Resistance along with her friend Lily Kharmanyoff.

Famous people mentioned in the book:
Coco Chanel – it’s long been known that she has a Nazi German lover named Hans Gunther von Dincklage.
Ernest Hemingway – “I liberated Paris!”
F.Scott Fitzgerald
Pablo Picasso
Cole Porter

Recommended to those voracious readers of the World War II!

https://librocubicularist.home.blog/

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy for an exchange of unbiased review.

As a lover of historical fiction, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I loved the mingling of fact and fiction, meeting real historical figures, and learning about the past events that help shape the world we live in today.

Blanche and Claude Auzello, affectionately dubbed Mistress and Master of the Ritz, love the glitz and glamour of working at the hotel in Paris. But when the invading Germans take over the Ritz using it as their headquarters, Claude knows he must continue to serve his “guests” just as he would any other patron, in order to protect himself and the other workers. Claude’s subservience to the Germans leaves Blanche to question his motives and helps inspire her to become involved in the resistance against the Nazis.

I found the first part of this novel to be a little slow, as it served to set the background of the Auzellos’ marriage and their roles at the Ritz. Once I got more into the resistance work of Blanche and her dear friend, Lily, I was completely enthralled. The bravery of these men and wome, knowing that if their actions were discovered could result in torture and death, captivated me. I also enjoyed the guest appearances of many influential figures— Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, to name a few— who frequented the Ritz. The final chapter was perhaps the most outstanding.

This book is for any lover of historical fiction!


You can also see my review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2727754899

Melanie Benjamin does it again with this amazing novel about a courageous husband and wife!!!!!!!!!!! I have read every one of her books and this one is another best seller. This novel drew me in from the first page until the last. Blanche and Claude Azullo are a Parisian couple living the high life as the mistress and master of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Until the war comes to their beloved Ritz. During this war they both will do things they never thought they would and they will keep secrets from each other all in the name of their beloved Ritz and Paris. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for my honest review on this book.

Mistress of the Ritz is a great read based on the real lives of the Ritz hotel manager Claude Auzello, and his wife, Blanche, an American ex-flapper. It is a love story based during the German occupation of the Ritz Hotel during World War II. The Ritz becomes one of the major characters as the opulence of this iconic hotel influences the characters and outcomes for this couple as well as other famous residents. Claude and Blanche’s personal efforts to help the French Resistance were woven expertly with their job of playing host and hostess to their German occupiers. This created rising tension as their German guests came closer and closer to exposing their resistance efforts. Those that love World War II historical fiction will enjoy this story of this real life couple that risked their lives to help the French Resistance.

What Ms. Benjamin has done is “the bees knees,” as her character, Pearl, would say. Really, this book is a standout, a honorific not given lightly. In a genre with amazing titles like “My Enemies Cradle” and “Beantown Girls” this one still stands out.
The story is about one Hollywood flapper with a past, the ambitious Frenchman she meets by chance, and an unconventional love story that always has a third partner in the mix. That third partner is the Ritz Paris, a seducer of everyone who enters the gilded doors.
I’m not usually one for dark endings (who needs that when the world is so full of darkness if you care to look?), but this book gave a shadowy ending a brilliant and real feeling twist. That the characters were inspired by real people makes sense. The book feels raw and realized, fleshed out in even the most minuscule ways. It’s a fantastic, if not light or airy, read.

Inspired by actual events and featuring appearances by real people ranging from Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway to Cole Porter and Hermann Goring, MISTRESS OF THE RITZ is a compelling, page-turning narrative that re-examines history from a fresh point of view as it reveals the bravery, cowardice and cruelty experienced by an American ex-flapper and her hotelier husband when the Germans take over the Paris Ritz hotel and utilize it as their headquarters during WWII.

Claude Auzello and his wife Blanche are caught up in the tumult of not only the war but the status of their often precarious married life. The story moves between their meeting in 1920’s Paris, the years in between - with Claude’s somewhat pompous attitude coupled with his Thursday night mistress and Blanches sporadic escapes from their unusual marital arrangement - and the occupation of Paris with both Auzello’s working for the resistance right under the noses of the Germans.

Even readers who are not fans of historical fiction might want to give this book a chance.