Overall, I enjoyed The Paris Dressmaker. It’s the story of everyday Parisians working with the resistance to try to catalogue and track where France’s treasures that the Nazi’s are stealing are ending up. The story is told from multiple POVs, but the two main heroines are Sandrine, a art historian who is married into a prestigious publishing family and whose husband goes off to fight the Germans at the beginning of the story. The other, Lila, is a designer who was working with Channel at the start of the war, who ends up designing for the French women who take up with the Nazi officers in Paris. Both women secretly work with the resistance while their neighbors think they are collaborators.

I do agree with others who have said that the timelines jumping around were distracting. From 1940 to 1943 back to 1939 then to 1942- the zigzag was confusing at times. But I truly enjoyed the storyline of the not so average resistance fighter. In the 1990’s, I had a friend who worked with the US State Department to help retrieve art and heirlooms that the Nazi’s had stolen, so I enjoyed seeing the beginning of the journey.

A must read for fans of WWII historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Paris Dressmaker is a captivating story about two women working their way into the resistance to help document art being stolen by the Nazis. Lila is a dressmaker who gets roped into creating fashion for Nazi paramours, but she uses that position gain intel. Sandrine, on the other hand, works at a gallery of items requisitioned by the Nazi and covertly keeps track of the items so they can one day be returned to their rightful owners. She has captured the attention of a Nazi captain and struggles to ward off his intentions.

Each woman tells an interesting story as the novel features both the steps they take to being the journey in the late 30s/early 40s and then what is happening once they are in the thick of things in 1944. The way these stories are told, though, take a few chapters to get used to as the chapters alternate between women and each chapter is divided between the two time periods. At the same time, the connection between the two women was only of a dress that crossed their paths, so it really felt like two novels. Come the end more connections were made, but the beginning took some time to get used to.

I was admittedly hesitant about this novel when I saw it was labeled Christian fiction as I worried it would be preachy. Thankfully that was not the case. I can only think of a handful of moment where God or concepts of hope or forgiveness were mentioned and they all felt realistically woven into the story. Even the few times when it might have felt like the author was trying to send a message it was said and done quickly and the story moved forward. I'm not even sure I would label to Christian fiction because it was hardly even a factor in the grand scheme of the novel.

Overall though, this was a great story filled with captivating characters, a nice dose of suspense, tragedy of WWII, and even a little romance,

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It is WWII and Paris is under Nazi Occupation. The women of Paris work with the resistance in whatever ways they can to help beat the Germans. Everyday citizens are doing their best to survive. Lila de Laurent is a seamstress. She is recruited by an old friend to make couture dresses for the mistresses of the Nazi officers living at the Ritz. Lila uses this opportunity to gather information from their idle chatter, and pass it on to those who can benefit from the knowledge. Sandrine Paquet is trying to keep her son safe, not knowing where her husband is or if he is still alive. She is conscripted into cataloging the artwork stolen from Jewish families and determining if it needs to be sent to Germany or destroyed. Her neighbors believe she has betrayed her country, but Sandrine is secretly keeping records of the art and where it is sent in hopes of it being returned to the rightful owner. This story is based on the lives of real women and what they did to fight for France, specifically Paris.

I really wanted to enjoy this story and I did enjoy the stories of Lila, Sandrine and the others who fought for the Resistance, I found this book hard to follow. I think that I would have enjoyed this much more if it had been a linear story. It jumped around so much, that I found it disjointed and often had to switch back to the book to keep things straight. I also found the pace to be slow a lot of the time and I did speed up the audio to keep interested. My last niggle was the stretch between the two main characters. It was like two separated stories, that finally come together at the end and way too late for me. I know there are many people who loved this story, so if the synopsis of this book interests you, take a chance, you might be one who loves it.

Everything I love about a novel; history, suspense, character development, and beautiful location. This was a great novel and a good read. I hope to read more.

“The Paris Dressmaker” by Kristi Cambron is historical fiction based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazis during their occupation of the city.

This book has some beautiful writing, and eventually swept me up into wanting to read more to find out what happened to the main characters, but this did not immediately happen. Why? Because of the two storylines about two different protagonists each with their own auxiliary characters in different Parisian settings, and, because of each of those stories being told from different points in time from chapter to chapter. Once it was finally clear and sorted in my head, a few chapters into the book, there were inspiring stories to be read.

From the publisher:
“Paris, 1939. The closing of Maison Chanel thrusts haute couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion and into occupation as Nazi soldiers invade the streets and the City of Lights slips into darkness. Lila’s fight for survival turns into a series of rations, brutal restrictions, and carefully controlled propaganda that sees Paris cut off from the rest of the world. Yet in hidden corners of the city, the faithful pledge to resist. Lila is drawn to La Resistance and is soon using her skills as a dressmaker to infiltrate the Nazi elite. She takes their measurements and designs masterpieces, all while collecting secrets in the glamorous Hôtel Ritz—the heart of the Nazis’ Parisian headquarters. But when dashing René Touliard suddenly reenters her world, Lila finds her heart tangled in the determination to help save his Jewish family and bolster the fight for liberation.

Paris, 1943. While cataloguing priceless works of art stolen from prominent Jewish families and on trains bound for the Führer’s ranks in Berlin, Sandrine Paquet secretly forages information for the underground resistance. Beneath her compliant façade lies a woman bent on uncovering her missing husband’s fate . . . but at what cost? As Hitler’s regime crumbles, Sandrine in drawn in deeper when she uncrates an exquisite blush Chanel gown concealing a cryptic message that may tell the fate of a dressmaker who’s vanished from within the fashion elite.

Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation—from fashion houses to the city streets— The Paris Dressmaker weaves a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil they couldn’t abide.”

The author does include a nonfiction list for further reading for those who want to explore the facts of the era further. At the end, she also writes what inspired her to write the novel:

“Researching occupied Paris, its iconic fashion world set against the brutal restrictions of its people, and the heartbreaking part it played in the Holocaust (in which some 75,721 Jewish refugees and French citizens were deported to Nazi death camps, and more than 6 million Jews were the victims of genocide worldwide) is a time in my life I’ll never forget.

Reviewing photographs, poring over newspaper articles, watching
endless newsreels, and listening to real-time BBC radio broadcasts of the events as they happened hit a nerve in a coredeep place. It made me rethink how to view history and how we, as the generations those people were fighting for, are shaping the futures of our own children and grandchildren. We have a call to remember history as it was, to uncover the truth, to spotlight the savage consequences of sin, and to educate future generations so that those brutal mistakes might never be repeated. For the lives lost, the lives lived, and the lives yet to come . . . may we never forget.”

Here is a quote from the author during an interview:

“What should a reader expect from The Paris Dressmaker?

One of my favorite quotes from The Paris Dressmaker is at the heart of the novel:

“I have been asking myself who I intend to be when this war is over—the woman with much who gave little, or the woman with little who gave much. That is always the question, isn’t it, when we walk through the fire in our lives? And I now know my answer.”

For Parisiennes enduring the occupation of Paris from 1940-1944, the heartbreaking impacts of war meant many found themselves in situations they couldn’t have imagined. Through grief, loss, emotional mistakes and the choices whether to resist or assist the enemy, outcomes were never assured. Many had been left to weather the storms of war while the men of Paris were fighting the Germans on other fronts. For these women, the options and expectations placed in their path—even those that could ensure their very survival—meant decisions often fell into shades of gray. Would the average Parisienne do what was easy, or what she knew core-deep to be right, even if she could lose all that she held dear in the process? It’s a test we’d never wish to have placed before us, and yet these strong, brave women did.”

Just to give you a taste of the two protagonists, here are two excerpts from the book below:

“31 December 1943 Forêt de Meudon Meudon, France

If Lila de Laurent were discovered in the forest, she was dead.

Orphaned snowflakes drifted down, making the depths of the woods seem far more threatening in their desolation than the streets of Paris ever could. Floodlights grasped behind her, searching through the trees with skeletal shadows as she swept through undergrowth that frayed the hem of her ivory gown into damp strips. The sounds of patrol dogs barking in the distance echoed loudly, competing with her own drumming heartbeat as she ran through the snow.

If the Vichy police caught up to her, they wouldn’t need an excuse to turn Lila over to the SS. And the Nazis would show no mercy. They wouldn’t inquire why a Vogue fashion plate was trekking through the Forêt de Meudon on New Year’s Eve. A bullet hole through her side and a pistol in her pocket would tell them all they needed to know about who Lila de Laurent had become.”

Excerpt Two:

“If only her mother-in-law knew. The truth? It was at her feet. Hidden in her shoe. The evidence that Sandrine played a dangerous, duplicitous game. To everyone—to her mother-in-law, to the hawk-eyed watchers in their building, to all in their neighborhood, and even to the Nazi authorities at the Jeu de Paume—Sandrine was a willing collaboratrice. A sellout. A French woman with a seared soul. But to Mademoiselle Valland and Michèle, she was a comrade in arms.
They together knew the truth. They together had already cataloged hundreds, perhaps thousands of pieces of art the Nazis had stolen—mostly from prominent Jewish families of Paris. And they together had decided to put their lives on the line to work for La Résistance. Not just to track the movements of the Rothschilds’ stolen art or the bartered sales of pieces from the David Weill collection. This was not just for art. Or French pride. Mais non. For Sandrine, it was so much more.”

Thank you publisher Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book and for allowing me to review it. ( 16 February 2021 publication date)

The Paris Dressmaker is another good read by Kristy Cambron. I am giving it four stars and look forward to her next release.

As a regular reader of books set during WW2, I'm always seeking stories told from new and unique perspectives; The Paris Dressmaker was one that certainly ticked that box.

With a dual narrative that switches between Lila, a haute couture seamstress and Sandrine, an art specialist, Cambron paints a rich and evocative picture of Paris spanning pre-occupation through to liberation. Both women appear to be Nazi sympathisers but are really part of the French resistance, gathering intel and feeding back to the underground in separate circles. The women fight for their families, their future, and their beloved city, despite the perilous dangers they encounter.

The timeline is woven in a way that sounds disjointed (Lila's past, Lila's present, Sandrine's past, Sandrine's present) and takes a little getting used to but the author does a brilliant job of transporting us into each narrative and era seamlessly. I switched between audio and ebook which enhanced the characterisation and vivid scene setting; I also found it pretty easy to follow the timelines which is no easy feat when the chapters are determined by dates.

I noticed some negative reviews talk about how unnecessary it was to include both Lila and Sandrine's storylines but I loved the two different perspectives that were both entirely different, only crossing over towards the end of the book when their storylines came together.

Overall, a thoroughly researched novel with brilliant character exploration and strong female protagonists.

Another masterpiece by Kristy Cambron. Beautifully written. Captivating characters. Wartime drama. Complex. Historical. Emotional. Five stars.

An endearing premise and a gorgeous cover had me eagerly awaiting to get my hands on The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron. When looking at the reviews I can see I am in the minority but I really struggled with this novel, to the point that I did even complete it, only skimming to find out the outcomes of one of the plot lines that had slightly intrigued me.

This is the first book that I've read by this author and though her writing is engaging, the dual plot lines had my head spinning! I didn't have time to read for long periods of time, so every time I picked it back up it took a few pages to get my bearings (or even flipping back to the beginning of the chapter to see who I'm reading about and what timeline they're in). Normally dual time lines do not bother me, and I actually enjoy them, but I got lost so much, buried in so much information, that I fought the entire time to connect with their characters or their unique plights.

As I ponder this novel, my mind keeps going back to why the author felt like she needed two different timelines for this story? I could've seen either story actually being strong enough on their own, as the overall premises are quite intriguing, I just felt like the bond that connected the two stories together was just too weak, and would've preferred reading them separately.

Another item to note is the fact that the market is completely saturated in World War II historical fiction, which I do not mind at all, but since there are so many you need something special about your war story that is going to grab the reader and leave an indelible mark and The Paris Dressmaker only left a mark of disappointment.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

Love the cover and the premise as WWII Paris is so hot to write about right now and I will read anything that comes out about it, still this falls flat. Too many POVs and timelines distract from the story making it gimmicky rather than engaging.

This book is set in WWII. It is based on a true story. These woman were so courageous and amazing. What a hard time in history to live through. These woman were amazing! Truly a great story.

Compelling descriptions, heart rending plot and beautiful interwoven historical details. Captivating read.

I was drawn to The Paris Dressmaker by the beautiful cover and the idea of dressmaking, because I create and sew Regency gowns to feed my Jane Austen addiction. I was in the mood for a WWII story and this one fit the bill. This was a character-driven story with a great plot, set during WWII (1938 to 1945) and filled with drama and tension. The story was excellent and the characters were compelling.

The novel focuses on the ways women survived during the German occupation of Paris. The author did a great job with historical research and period detail and kept my interest throughout. This is my first book by Kristy Cambron. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this galley.

What an amazing story! The author did an excellent job of placing the reader in the different settings of this story—-it was almost as if I were there in person with the characters. The bravery and compassion of the main characters in this book compelled me to keep turning pages. The opening chapter is riveting and sets the suspenseful tone for the book. This is one that I’ll be reading again. I would not be at all surprised if this book isn’t nominated for an award.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

My first Kristy Cambron novel. Loved the adventure in this story and the fact it takes place in Paris!

This WWII story is based on actual events. In this story we see how two women--seamstress Lila de Laurent, and secretary Sandrine Paquet survived the Nazi occupation in Paris. Both women have had to see the men they love go to fight in the war.

Lila and Sandrine's stories are told in a dual timeline, with chapters for each woman that is then split into a then and now arrangement. I found this very confusing at first and it took me several chapters to get used to it, but once I did it was easy to follow the story.

It was an interesting read and I was pulled into these women's stories. More so for Sandrine as she was a mother and had to work cataloging the art work the Nazi's stole. I wondered if her husband would make it home or if he'd been killed. I worried how much longer she could put off the advances of Captain von Hiller.

Both of these women were far braver than I believe I'd have been, especially Lila as she helped the resistance. I can't imagine living through such a time. If you like historical fiction set around WWII you should read this book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

I am a sucker for World War II fiction, and Kristy Cambron's novel set in the midst of the German occupation of Paris was just the kind of story I love. The story had intrigue, strong women, and deep relationships. I appreciated the uniqueness of the plot. This was not just another WWII novel... there was art! There were pretty dresses (I wish I could see them!)! There was friendship being tested. It was lovely.

I thought the book was really well written- I was definitely transported to Paris in a time where travel is a bit difficult. I enjoyed the dual timelines of Lila and Sandrine's stories, and how they persevered to help free their country during the war and care for themselves and their families through it all. My main complaint with the book was that the dual stories were a bit confusing and it took awhile for the link between them to become clear. However, I thought the stories were equally good on their own and almost could have been two books. Overall I would recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a complementary ebook. All opinions are my own.

This was my third book by Kristy Cambron and the hardest one to read. Not because of anything Mrs Cambron has done, but because anything written around World War 2 is always harder for me to read. It is a very dark time in our history, but as people like Mrs Cambron have pointed out through their works, there are several bright lights even in the darkest of times if we know where to look. I previously read The Ringmasters Wife (which is still one of my top 10 books!!) and The Illusionist’s Apprentice.
I enjoyed the book tremendously. My only regret is that what she based it on was actually a true story of a horrifying time in history.
I received a copy of the ebook from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Another great WW II story of resistance, hardship, and romance. Set in Paris, the reader is transported back to the time as told by the two women who find ways to resist the Nazis.

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron
Source: NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Purchase
Rating: 5 stars

The Bottom Line: Kristy Cambron comes out swinging yet again with another brilliantly conceived historical fiction. The Paris Dressmaker follows the lives of two women, Lila de Laurent and Sandrine Paquet as they struggle in Nazi-controlled Paris to keep their lives, keep their secrets, and keep those they love from paying for their choices. While Lila uses her skills born of the fashion industry to infiltrate the lives of high-ranking Nazis via their paramours, Sandrine uses her skills in the art world to help catalogue all that has been stolen from Jews across Europe. Through an intricate network of spies and resistance workers, the women work tirelessly to achieve their goals and thwart the Third Reich.

I found this book to be endlessly fascinating! Cambron has a unique ability to bring her characters fully to life, to enliven them through their actions and words, and make them as real in print as if they were standing before you telling their own story. While I greatly enjoyed the entirety of the book, I found the last third-ish to be the most entertaining. As Lila and Sandrine’s lives begin to cross and the end of the war is upon them, the pace of the writing picks up dramatically and really brings home the sense of relief that so must surely have felt during this period., What’s more, the final chapters of the book are an incredible sort of epilogue that I found most informative, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Cambron evokes the emotion of the time and place without creating a sense of morbidity or false happiness. The moments, the people, the plot are real and this is always going to be my kind of historical fiction.