Cover Image: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre

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Member Reviews

I adore Natasha Lester’s writing and have loved everything she has written so far but this one just fell short for me.
There was a lot going on (three separate time lines) that made it difficult to keep everything straight and I just didn’t really connect with Alix like you would want to connect with a main character.

I guess some stories just aren't for everyone. That being said I won’t be giving up on Lester anytime soon. She is an amazing storyteller and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Thanks to Forever and Net Galley for the advanced copy.

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I love Natasha Lester’s books and this one is no exception. One is difference from her other books, is it doesn’t have a dual narrative. Even though there are two different timelines, we stay with the main character, Alix.

Her story is amazing, and it was great reading about a different location than many other books I’ve read set during WWII. I’m already looking forward to Natasha’s next book!

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Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and when I saw this stunning cover I knew I had to read it.
This beautifully written and emotional story did not disappoint.
Alix St. Pierre's lives in the world of WWII espionage and at the forefront of post-war fashion working for Dior are both fascinating.
Natasha Lester crafts a perfect blend of glamor and intrigue by bringing both of these worlds together.

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

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I love books that bring little known info of WWII to life. That’s exactly what this book does! A strong female lead, multiple timelines featuring before during and after the war, fashion, and espionage- this book has it all. A must read for historical fiction lovers and fashion lovers alike! I listened to the author talk about the book on the Friends and Fiction podcast, and then I loved the book even more!

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I was hooked on this book from the first page as it is completely captivating and enthralling. It is one of my favorite books I have read and I was utterly absorbed in the action and all that ensued! Excellent!

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Thanks @readforeverpub for the ARC
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

This is my third book by this author and she does not disappoint. I was very easily captivated by this story of fashion, espionage, trust, journalism, teamwork, and revenge in post-WWII Paris. I enjoyed Alix's character so much as well as all of the very riveting side characters, some of whom become more prominent.

Natasha's books are exquisitely researched and one would almost think she lived in Paris in the early war years because she portrays that world so vividly. her author's note shares a bit about how she landed on this plot line and the character of Christian Dior and the birth of his fashion legacy. Though this is fiction, it is based on factual events and timelines and some very real characters such as Dior and his employees.

There are some wonderful friendships in these pages, some beautiful writing, a few tearjerking moments and an epic conclusion. I definitely couldn't turn the pages fast enough near the end.

The other two books of hers I loved are The Paris Secret and The Riviera House. I'll get to her backlist someday!

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Following the war, Alix St Pierre returns to Paris and takes the job of PR and marketing for the new House of Dior, launching this season with their first collection. There she realizes that she can try to avenge the mistakes and during the war and put those guilty in jail forever.

Told from three timelines, before, after and during the war, this historical fiction story is full of all the emotions: laughter, sadness, anger and love. Easy to read and fall into the past, I loved the great character development and satisfying ending.

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4.5 stars
This book truly had it all- multiple timelines, WWII spies, and a romance. I loved the historical elements that were woven into the narrative, and the character of Alix is truly unforgettable. The fact that I am still thinking about this book over a week later speaks volumes.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC!

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Thanks so much to NetGalley and Hachette. Such a wonderful book taking in fashion and Paris and some very brave partisans in World War 2. Love a super strong female lead and Alex certainly provides this. Ant wait to be able to share this with friends and fellow readers.

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Orphaned at 13, Alix was taken in by a rich Hollywood family. But after graduating, she makes her own way by going into public relations. And during World War 2, she becomes a spy. Now the war has ended, but there's unfinished business from a mission that went wrong.

The story is told through multiple timelines before, during, and after the war. I was sad at each switch because I was always so immersed in the timeline I was reading. That's a sign of excellent storytelling.

As you would expect from the title, the book predominantly follows Alix. She is such a strong, courageous, woman. And I also really enjoyed the scenes which focused on other characters, most notably Anthony March. The mystery of what happened and the suspense of how it will be resolved were so great throughout.

I'm not sure if I was more emotional at the story or about the reflections on how women were forced backwards after the war ended. The bigger themes in this book were so thought-provoking, and I annotated a bunch.

There was just one drawback for me. While I understand that smoking was common for the period, I do wish it hadn't featured quite so prominently or been portrayed as sexy and an emotional connection.

As always, Natasha Lester's book was amazingly well researched. The author's note at the end added further to the power of the story for me.

Thank you to Forever for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

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Oh my stars. Yes and yes for The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by @natashalesterauthor. Once I started this book, I could not put.it.down. The story captured my heart and imagination from the get go. Alix, Dior, the Madame's of Dior, Lillie, the Romaro siblings, Anthony, Esme - all of them characters that buried themselves in my brain.

I appreciate a well done historical novel about WW2. The Three Lives does not disappoint. The clever way that Natasha weaves the story together creates a story that moves forward elegantly and seamlessly. As a reader, you experience the pain, frustration, joy, heartache and love between the characters.

Highly recommend if you:
⚪️ WW2 historical fiction with a dash of romance.
👗 enjoy fashion and learning about the beginnings of fashion house Dior.
❤️ enjoy taking a journey with characters as they heal from past pain and open themselves up to new beginnings
🗺️ enjoy a book that takes place in different countries
💥 enjoy a book that is written with flashbacks

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The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is one of those books that wrapped me up in its story and refused to let go. This one kept me eagerly reading way past my bedtime.

Told during three timelines before, during, and following WWII, Natasha Lester has created a compulsively readable journey of one unforgettable woman. Centered within the Paris fashion industry, WWII fighting, and the unique position of women of that day, it's a story that's compelling, evocative, poignant, suspenseful, and empowering. A tale I won't soon forget.

I enjoyed the method Lester used to tell this story, moving from Alix's present to past to present, divulging bits and pieces of this complex character each time until a full picture of her life began to emerge. It was an interesting and successful way to get to know and understand her, without the proverbial info dump. I don't always enjoy time hops but in Lester's hands it worked exceptionally well.

I loved all of the layers within the characters Lester created. Not only Alix but secondary characters as well. She brought them to life vividly, easily pulling me into their lives and eliciting a range of emotions within me. They were so realistic that, with real people (Christian Dior, for one) woven into the fictional fabric of the book, it was all too easy to believe that they all actually lived during that time, that all of the events in the book actually happened.

This was my first book by Natasha Lester but it sure won't be my last. I've already purchased her earlier novel, The Rivera House, and will be watching for any future books to come.

Advance copy received for fair and unbiased review

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*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: January 10, 2023

There’s no other way to put it, I just loved the hell out of this book and I was sad when it ended! A fantastic dual timeline WWII historical fiction—nazi-hunting and heartbreak, but with all the fabulousness of fashion and romance in Paris. This was a closed door romance which was such a tease, because it was properly swoony. I love a thoroughly researched book and this one hit the mark (lots of bonus tidbits in the author’s note at the end!) which reminded me of the historical fiction books I’ve read by another fav, Kate Quinn.

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The overarching story was good - really different. But it never really grabbed me. Or it would for a chapter or so and then I’d get bogged down again.

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I have never read a book by Natasha Lester, but after reading this I will definitely be reading more. I loved the detail and research that went into the book. The timeline does jump around, but it is easy to follow. The first couple of chapters started slow, but after that I was hooked and could not put it down. I'm usually not a fan of World War historical fiction, but the timeline and the narrator give different aspects to an era that has been written about endlessly. Can't wait to find more of her books to read.

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I loved this book, could not put it down. Alix is a fascinating character. Each aspect of her life was compelling reading - the life with a wealthy family, her OSS work in Italy, as the publicist for the new couture house of Dior, her efforts to right the wrongs from the war. There wasn't a single part that felt unnecessary. Lester has done a brilliant job of seamlessly combining historical figures, extensive historical facts, and several geographical locations, with a compelling fictional story.

The lengthy author's note at the end spells out what is fact and fiction and leaves historical fiction fans ready to read and learn more. Highly recommended.

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I’ve recommended this one very successfully to many patrons who are fans of Fiona Davis and Amanda Quick, A solid addition for most libraries

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I have been a fan of Natasha Lester since the first story of the women involved in the European resistance efforts during World War II and this one is the best so far. The characters are larger than life with heart and a deeply troubled soul that are strong enough to try to change the world and make it a better place. The book delves a lot into the place of women after the war and the expectations for both men and women at the time. There is also the added benefit of the dresses of Dior!

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Pub date: 1/10/23
Genre: historical fiction
Quick summary: Alix St. Pierre has lived multiple lives - first as an orphan, then a spy in WWII, then publicity director for the House of Dior. But she can't outrun what happened in WWII - can she figure out how to make a better future for herself?

Fashion and historical fiction?! Yes please! The strongest parts of this story for me were Alix's adventures at the fashion house - challenging societal conventions and helping make Dior a star. I loved spending time with her in post-war Paris.

It took me a bit longer to warm up to the spy storyline - there were a lot of characters, and I had trouble keeping everything straight. But I'm glad I stuck with it, since the ending paid off with plenty of surprises and a satisfying conclusion. I wish the journey to the payoff had been a little quicker, but I think historical fiction fans will enjoy this book a lot!

Thank you to Forever Publishing for my e-ARC and finished copy in exchange for an honest review!

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I loved reading and listening to Natasha Lester's latest novel, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre!
.
Alix is a character of many backgrounds: she's a war spy and later on, a fashion marketing rep for Dior. St. Pierre is known along the circles as captivating, cunning and charming. Trying to help America and its allies win against the Nazis, she's also trying to find the man who made her world turn upside down. With the help of someone you'd least expect, Alix is on a mission that readers will delightfully turn the page and keep on listening to.

I couldn't put down this read and highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction, especially World War 2 novels. Lester paints enough details to become fully immersed in the story and the multiple timelines/ parts flowed well together. I enjoyed the cast of characters and wanted to be apart of their world, especially with Dior.

Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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