I love dual timeline stories, so that interested me about this. I'm very close to my grandmother, so I loved the grandmother/granddaughter angle, as well. I really enjoyed learning about Adele's past, and how it helps Chloe find herself as well. While both parts of the story were well developed, I enjoyed the "past" sections a bit more. I liked reading the Author's Note, as well.

Chloe is in Paris, getting over her divorce and finding herself again - when she goes to an auction of the effects of Coco Chanel's wartime room at The Ritz. She wants to find a small gift for her grandmother, who was Coco's assistant and lived with her during the time at The Ritz. There she finds another collector who has lots more information about that time and Coco's involvement in the war. Chloe's grandmother hasn't ever spoken to her about that time, and she's intrigued to learn more. And wow, she does learn more -- and family history.

It's another dual timeline, war story but it's such a well written, descriptive book. The storylines keep you hooked and the characters are so developed.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This book turned out much differently Than what I had anticipated. It’s an excellent read. I have read a lot of both fiction and non fiction about Chanel’s life. I liked,the approach Cook took with the Information. I loved all the history interwoven within the story. The scene in Kensington Gardens was like something straight out of a movie. The end scene will make readers catch their breath.

Loved the dual time aspect with the grandmother in the past and the granddaughter in the present which tied the timelines and the story together.

“The Dressmaker’s Secret” by Lorna Cook is a dual timeline book - taking place in Occupied France during WWII and in 2018. During WWII, the reader follows Adele, who is working for Coco Chanel. In 2018, we follow Chloe, Adele’s grand daughter, who has recently learned news about her grandmother’s time working with Ms. Chanel.

While I like dual timeline stories, once again, I more enjoyed the “past” story over the present one. I wish that Adele’s story had focused a bit more on Coco - opposed to Adele’s struggles. That could have been an assumption made from the title, though. I did like the inclusion of the role of the American Red Cross in Occupied France before the US entered WWII. I wasn’t really a fan of Chloe’s storyline - the inclusion of her marital woes didn’t, for me, move the story along - and I found Henri adorable to hang around with, but I found Etienne rather annoying. I did like the Author’s Note, along with the sources she used. Ms. Cook writes enjoyable historical fiction, so I was looking forward to reading this book and I'm not sure why this one just didn't work as well as I hoped it would - 3.5 stars, rounded up to a 4 star review.

The Dressmaker's Secret by Lorna Cook was a captivating story that was hard to put down. The book is a well-written and researched look at CoCo Chanel's life during the Nazi occupation of France, the atrocities inflicted on the French during the Nazi regime and actions taken by the French resistance movement to save their country. I've read other historical fiction novels that mention Coco Chanel in this time frame, but none as explicit in describing her character and exploits as a Nazi collaborator. One thing for sure, Coco Chanel was a survivor!

Adele and her granddaughter Chloe, the main characters beside Chanel may be fictionalized, but through them Lorna Cook juxtaposes life during the early 1940’s and today with ease and expertise using a dual-timeline format. We learn what some French women did to survive under the harsh and threatening conditions of Occupation, and what happened to them when it ended. Through Adele we see how inner strength can lead to heroic moments, as well as understand the questioning one can carry throughout the remainder of life for what they “should have” or “could have” done.

That Adele had not told Chloe much about her life in France, rang true to me. As my family's genealogist I experienced silence from my ancestors when I asked about their lives before they came to America. People did not want to remember WWI or WWII. And, neither did Adele.

The story that emerges as Chloe seeks answers to her grandmother's past is compelling and memorable. Not only does she learn the truth about her grandmother's past, she finds her true self during her search. The ending to this story is warm and fulfilling.

I will be recommending The Dressmaker’s Secret to friends when it comes out in 2022. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins 360 for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.