Not only does it have a beautiful cover, but it is also a beautifully written story about Paris in WWII and the courage of a select few members of La Resistance. I had a concern that it would be just another tale written like many others on the market today – nothing wrong with it, but nothing to make it different… but I was pleasantly surprised that it read different, with exquisite description and detail, gripping narrative, and a basis on true events (I quite enjoyed the author’s notes at the end regarding her research.) It’s a beautifully crafted story told with layers of care at a pace that will keep you engaged, beginning to end.

My only criticisms or points of note are to mention that the novel is more than one timeline and it helps to pay attention to the where and when at the beginning of each chapter to keep one’s threads from tangling. I didn’t find it confusing but did have to go back once or twice to clarify my point in the timeline. Secondly, with a steady pace throughout the whole novel, the ending felt not rushed, or unexpected, but perhaps slightly lacklustre even though all the loose threads were tidied up. I just wanted something a little “more.” I don’t know why I feel that way, but I do. Overall, I’m adding this to my recommendations of must-reads for 2021. It does contain elements of faith which shouldn’t be surprising coming from a Thomas Nelson publication.

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

The Paris Dressmaker is a beautiful tribute to the many faithful Parisenne's who didn't give up on their city during the occupation. Though Lila de Laurent and Sandrine Paquet only have one actual meeting and short in duration, we the reader are shown how their activity for La Resistance intersected but not necessarily to the characters. Both Lila and Sandrine stood strong in their fight to take back their city, their country, and ultimately, their home, and the measures they took in the name of freedom. The Paris Dressmaker sucked me in and the intensity of the writing which was wonderful lays the groundwork for making what is history become real again in this reader's mind. Kristy Cambron always writes with passion but The Paris Dressmaker in my opinion is her best yet.

My gratitude to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars

France, 1943. Lila works with the Resistance and it leads her to Rene, a man she’s met over four years ago. And she has just found out that he is “a willing Nazi collaborateur.” Or rather a posing pastry chef who delivers his delicacies to the Nazis and truly working for the Resistance.

1939. As her story goes back in time, it reveals how they’ve met and what happened between them. Lila is a seamstress working for La Maison Chanel. As Chanel closes her Paris salon, Nina Ricci reopens her house and hires Lila as a dressmaker. Using her skills, this further leads her to infiltrate the Nazi elite as she takes their measurements.

Paris, 1944. Sandrine, a mother with a six year old son, also works for the Resistance, but what people see is a Collaborator with the Nazis. She works for them in their “art department” of “relocating art pieces” as they steal them from prominent Jewish families. The women secretly catalog those stolen pieces of art. One day, they receive a crate containing Chanel gown which holds a cryptic message.

1939. As her story goes back in time, it reveals her last precious moments with her husband before he is off to war. Later, her trying to get a word about safety of her husband and how it leads her to the Resistance network. It also reveals how she got involved working for the Nazis.

I didn’t find it difficult to follow all those stories. It’s not just two stories alternating between two women, but also two timelines for each woman. Because of those four storylines it takes a moment to get into the story. Then, I was absorbed in it for a time, except the first storyline of Lila in 1943 which is descriptive from the very beginning. At some point, each story becomes descriptive, slowing the pace.

The history behind all those stolen art pieces and the Resistance work are always interesting facts of history, but the way it’s related in this story I didn’t find it very engaging.

There are plenty of readers who will enjoy this story of two courageous women and the Resistance work.

If this doesn't become a movie, I will riot. It has every element you could imagine: love, suspense, action, drama, and a massive world event. It starts off so strong so it's amazing that the book was able to keep up. Kristy Cambron is a wonderful writer and I would definitely read more from her.

It's really easy for "women spy in WWII" books to get lost in the shuffle, but fortunately, that's not what happens with 'The Paris Dressmaker.' A huge part of that is down to how well Cambron writes her two main characters: dressmaker Lila and art historian Sandrine both become entangled in the French Resistance, and although they're only a few years apart, their experiences are incredibly different, even as they're, in some ways, the same. There's a real tension from the very first pages, and the pacing kept me intrigued: quick enough for you to feel the sense of urgency, but not so fast that details of character get glossed over.

Stories of the Paris resistance often follow similar themes: the idea of an enduring, beautiful, terrified city full of ordinary people who simply couldn't *not* do the right thing when evil surrounded them. That's at the heart of 'The Paris Dressmaker' too, and it's what makes stories like this so compelling. Yes, the world of Parisian couture is beyond most of us; no, most of us aren't going to be searching for priceless artwork stolen by Nazis - but we all have talents that we can use to do some good, and we all can stand up when we're called upon. It's a book that's as elegant and deceptively complex as the beautiful gowns of a fashion house.

In 1939, Nazi invades Paris and the City of Lights becomes dark as its people struggle to survive. Lila de Laurent uses her fashion dressmaking skills to learn all she can from the wives and girlfriends of Nazi officers. Sandrine Paquet's husband left to fight the war, and now she uses her training to catalogue the art stolen by the Nazi. Two stories woven together in the fight to outwit the evil that hung heavy over the city.

The story is told alternating flashbacks between Lila and Sandrine, so this was not something I could just pick up and continue. I had to flip back to remember who it was about and where in time the scene was happening. This made it difficult to enjoy at times.

And, although I wish I could say I enjoyed both storylines equally, I found Lila's story a little tedious. When the story tells how she became dressmaker for the Nazi's, it was interesting. When she was hiding with the resistance, it was uninteresting. Sandrine's story, on the other hand, had my full attention. I felt her plight faster, with how she does her best to remain loyal to her husband and keep an interested Nazi officer at bay. I also found the details about the art being shipped out the most interesting part of the story and wish there had been more focus there.

It was well written and seemed to be historically accurate. I liked how the author pulled influence from events that actually happened to tell the story.

For readers who enjoy World War II stories, I would recommend this.

I love historical fiction, especially stories that are related to World War II. “The Paris Dressmaker” is one of those stories, set in 1939 Paris and throughout the German occupation on the city, until the day it’s free again in 1944.

With the war about to spread all over Europe, the Parisian haute couture is spending their nights at the last parties. The French are positive that even if war actually happens, there is the Maginot Line out there to protect them. So, when the Maginot Line breaks and the Germans start their occupation in France, Paris is no longer the city it used to be. All big fashion houses shut down and along with the closure of Maison Chanel, dressmaker Lila de Laurent is out of business. Now she has no income and no way to stay alive during these awful times. But then, out of a sudden, Lila de Laurent finds herself a new job and a purpose. She joins La Resistance with the hope to find everything she can about one certain gentleman that has stolen her heart and is in outmost danger. From that point on, she infiltrates the Nazi elite, becoming the dressmaker of all those women that keep company to the Nazi high ranking officers that are spending war in the Hotel Ritz suites, the heart of the Nazis’ Parisian headquarters.

Some years later, in 1943, Sandrine Paquet is cataloguing priceless works of art that were stolen from Jewish families. All valuable art was to be boarded to trains heading either to the Fuhrer’s museum or other significant places in Germany. At the same time she is secretly foraging information for the French resistance, while looking forward to receiving news about her husband’s fate. One day, a crate comes in with a beautiful Chanel gown. One that hides a cryptic message that may tell the fate of a vanished dressmaker.

Two normal life, next door women, who are so similar and so different at the same time. The fate of those women that risked their lives, risked everything for their country, for freedom, for fighting an evil that took over a whole continent. Just like Lila and Sandrine, so many other women and men, fought for what they believed. While the men joined the army and took to their rifles, women armed themselves with the weapons they had. Hiding in plain site and playing dangerous games infiltrating German ranks, drinking champagne at their parties and playing spy games without the enemy even noticing.

To those who believe that women are interested only in fashion and having a good time, this would make a great response. Making that same fashion work as a cover, as a weapon, as a means to get into places no ordinary person would, Right into the Nazis’ boudoirs, into the pockets of their uniforms and right next to their desk drawers, while their ladies were changing for a gown fitting.

I really liked how it all worked out. It was pretty obvious that the stories of the two women were interweaved somehow. All I had to do was read it through and find out what made them so different and so similar at the same time, until I reached that point that everything fell in place. I liked how the two main characters came from so different backgrounds. The one was a young single woman, a woman in love but with not much hope for this love, seeing her dreams being shuttered because of the war and then seizing that one opportunity to do good, to fight and maybe find redemption. The other was a married woman, a mother, that had to think of her son and her parents in law and how they could all survive these devastating days, not knowing if her husband was alive and whether he was going to return to them.

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

A fantastic story set in the world war 2 era. A dual storyline that involves the fascinating fashion industry in this time period. I loved this book. I read it in 2 days time... not wanting to put it down. This is definitely one to add to you wish list.

Thank you to net galley for an advance copy of this book. My review is my own and is in no way required by the publisher.

This book introduces you to Sandrine and Lila, and their intertwined stories. One a art curator tracking stolen art, and one a dressmaker who worked for Coco Chanel.
A story about the Paris occupation during 1939-1944, and the resistance efforts of regular people. I loved the history Kristy Cambron always has in her stories. The first few chapters were a little confusing to follow with the year switches, but all in all an amazing story.

From a hobby sewist’s perspective this book jumped out at me based on the title and gorgeous dress on the cover. I had hoped there would be more sewing in the book and although there wasn’t as much as I had hoped for this book didn’t disappoint. I loved the characters and loved how the story was told as going between the views and time.

"Why was it all so complicated? It should be straightforward, the lines drawn between good and evil. Doing what was right and battling what was wrong. But as Lila stood their watching her friend blot the tears welling under her eyes and toss her Jean Harlow curls as if tomorrow could stick it because she didn't care, Lila saw how confounding the war was to muddle with shades of gray."



I knew that this story would be equal parts heartbreaking and hope inducing because it was written by Kristy Cambron, but my goodness did I get emotionally invested in these two women fighting for the French resistance!

Lila de Laurent is a dressmaker in Paris who was working with the infamous Coco Chanel before the Nazis invaded France. Before the war her only concern was when her aristocratic boyfriend would get down on one knee. Now she has no idea where he or his family is and she may have something to do with their disappearance. Working towards redeeming herself Lila teams up with the Paris resistance, spying on Nazi officer's and their partners under the guise of being there to tailor and design dresses. When she shockingly runs into an old face her journey becomes that much more perilous and she must decide if she can muster up that same bravery in her personal life.

In the same city, Sandrine must support her son and mother in law when her husband goes missing after fighting for France. Working side by side with the enemy, Sandrine is the witness to the crime of art theft committed by the Nazi soldiers. Patriotic and resilient, Sandrine saves as much art as she can, working to notify the resistance of shipments made to Germany. When she starts receiving the unwanted attentions of a high ranking soldier the stakes get that much higher.

The women's stories collide beautifully at the end of the novel, both plot lines are heart pounding and full of excitement. Kristy Cambron knows how to perfectly convey the tragedy and heartbreak of war while also showing that there is always reason to hope.

*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion*

5/5 stars!!

I was so excited to be approved for this ARC, firstly for the eye-catching cover, and secondly because I hadn’t heard anything but positive reviews about this book.

This genre is out of my comfort zone, not so much fiction but the time period. But, once I past the first, three or so chapters, i had falling for the scenery and world-building- it was done beautifully.

The plot was gripping but not too dramatic to give me a headache- it was everything i needed

A story of the French Resistance during World War II. The title of the book leads one to believe there would be a main character who was a dressmaker, but it is misleading. This story has multiple characters who take center stage and the theme of stolen art plays a large part of their stories. A bit misleading, but an enjoyable, quick read.

The Paris Dressmaker tells the complicated story of the lives of women during the Nazi occupation in Paris. I was hooked after the first few sentences. The connection to historical events makes this book interesting to fans of history, art, and fashion.

I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them. Most of what I read were split time novels. I was excited to read this book. The title drew me in.

This book tells the story of two women in occupied France. The stories were different but I knew at the end they would connect and they did but until then I struggled to keep track of which story I was following and reading. I also struggled as there were consistently going back in time so I had to keep track of what year it was.

For me the sign of a good book is one I want to read whenever I have a moment to read. I can’t say that about this book.

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to get an e-arc for my honest opinion.
The Paris Dressmaker is a historical-fiction taking place, as the title says, in Paris during WWII. Our two main characters, Lila and Sandrine, are the two points of view of the story. Their lives are intertwined through the novel. They could to ease suffering and bring about an Allied victory—ordinary women doing extraordinary things.
While I had trouble with the overall storyline's pacing, I found that it picked up about halfway through the novel. In the beginning, I had some trouble getting how the chapters were built going back and forward during the time, but in the end, I got used to it.
I also enjoyed the Author’s Note. It gave a lot more information and context towards historical fact vs. fiction.
#TheParisDressmaker #NetGalley

Oh my goodness, I was not expecting such an exquisite story. Paris in the late 1930s and early 40s was such a sad place to be while they were enduring the Nazi occupation. Kristy Cambron did a fantastic job writing a beautiful story in the midst of tragedy. You’ll be drawn in and won’t want to leave. If I could give it ten stars, I would.

I find it fascinating that seventy-five years have passed since the end of World War II and there is still so much to be discovered about how people coped with its difficulties. This is the intimate story of how Sandrine and Lila did what they could to ease suffering and bring about an Allied victory. Ordinary women doing extraordinary things. They dared to defy the occupiers, risk their lives to aid La Resistance, and suffer public humiliation from their neighbors/family. My only complaint is that, having read an uncorrected copy, the format on the e-reader I was usually made it hard to keep up with who we were hearing from and where we were in the time continuum. At one point, I considered making a time-line to help keep up with everyone. The story is great, the characters are well-defined, and the ending was satisfying. Thanks to NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this book.

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

This book had me hooked from the very beautiful front cover until the last page. This story is told beautifully and is a totally different aspect than what we usually read about in war driven times. These women were so brave and so full of heart. Loved this lovely book! My first by Kristy Cameron, but will definitely not be my last.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Dressmaker is a tribute to the women of Paris during the German occupation.. While not allowed to sign up to fight the Germans, these remarkable women fought in their own way. One was openly part of the resistance. Sandrine and Rose worked behind closed doors to record the art stolen by the Germans and log where it was taken. Lila worked as a dressmaker to the women who consorted with German officers. She used to position to hear information and to photograph documents left in their suites. Amelie, Lila's best friend, was one of those consorts. Together, with the men they loved, these women made a difference while living among the Parisian haut couture and art world during WWII.

Kristy Cambron is one of the "if she writes it, I want to read it" authors. She has done her research and weaves a compelling tale that you'll want to read. I was allowed to read this on #Netgalley. It is scheduled for release February 16, 2021.