As always, this is another great book from Natasha Lester. It features complicated mother + daughter stories spanning generations, feminism, fashion, intrigue, a touch of mystery and love interests. I love the character development and the sense of place. As always author Natasha Lester as touches of fashion, and I really enjoy that.

A fascinating and deeply researched portrayal of the fashion industry through the narrative voices of three generations of women - Mizza Bricard, daughter Astrid Bricard and granddaughter Blythe Bricard. Each experiences their own version of trauma, anguish and misogyny as a result of their roles as both designers and muses for major fashion designers in Paris and New York. (Dior, Balenciaga and Halston are among the many male-led couture houses referenced in this story, powered behind the scenes by women at every level of these organizations). Long before the world of social media made it easy to re-fashion the role of any number of powerful, artistic women, we see how newspapers, gossip columnists and celebrity photographers wielded the same shape-shifting influence on women as far back as the WWII era, This is the timeframe when Mizza Bricard was contorted into a courtesan and muse based solely on a photograph that haunted both her daughter and granddaughter for decades as they tried to make their own imprint on the fashion world.

This is historical fiction at its best and the author's note at the end is a must read. Not only do we gain an appreciation for how much research went into this finely crafted novel but it also compels us to reflect on how far women have yet to go to gain equality in fashion, arts and entertainment - not just in demanding equal pay, but more importantly in demanding that they are the sole author - and owner - of their life story and the journey taken to get there. Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. Highly recommend.

Well, Natasha Lester has done it again. If you’ve been following me for a while you might know that she is my favorite author. I have been anticipating this book for so long and am extremely honored to have received an early copy.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is brilliant. While it follows three generations of women in the Bricard family - Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe - it focuses primarily on Astrid and the 1970s fashion world. In this novel, Lester attempts to tackle two questions (from her author’s note): 1. Why are women constantly reshaped by the media into something they aren’t? and 2. Why can women only be the inspiration in the creative process, rather than the creator?

Astrid Bricard is the daughter of Mizza Bricard who was supposedly Christian Dior’s muse. Astrid wants nothing more than to become a famous designer and step out of the shadow of her famous last name. She meets Hawk Jones, another designer, and together they create some of the most talked about fashions of the times but only Hawk is given credit while Astrid is simply labeled as his muse. As she tries to step away from Hawk and make a name for herself on her own, she is harassed by the media and fellow designers until one day she simply disappears.

Blythe is Astrid’s daughter and we follow her story in the present day. Her mother disappeared during the Battle of Versailles in 1973 when Blythe was only 2 months old. Now an adult, Blythe has turned her back on her family legacy and her dreams. But when investors start calling wanting to resurrect her mother’s fashion label, will she find the courage to take back what’s rightfully hers? And in doing so, will she finally find out what happened to Astrid almost forty years ago?

Oftentimes in stories with multiple timelines, I find myself more interested in one over the other. This was not the case with this book. I was equally invested in all three women. While Mizza was a real woman who worked with Dior, Astrid and Blythe are fictional, although their struggles are not. The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is a love story, though not necessarily a happy one. It’s a story about fighting for what you want in life. It’s about family and forgiveness but above all, it’s about strong, powerful women. Like I said, it’s brilliant.

"The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard" by Natasha Lester is a fascinating piece of historical fiction that skillfully brings to life the intricate world of the fashion industry. Against the picturesque landscapes of the contemporary French countryside, the bustling streets of 1970s New York, and the historical background of Paris during and between two world wars, the narrative and imagery transported me through three distinct eras of the fashion world, unfolding like a vivid movie in my mind. I couldn't help but envision how this book would make for a fantastic movie experience.

Amidst these vivid settings, we encounter the compelling stories of three creative forces — Blythe, Astrid, and Mizza Bricard. Natasha Lester skillfully weaves these life stories into a rich tapestry, unraveling a narrative that explores the challenges these women faced in a world predominantly governed by male designers and scrutinized by media critics.

The feminist core of the book is evident, covering a spectrum of issues that women faced and continue to face. The exploration of the complexities within the fashion industry, where women are often reduced to the roles of muses and objects, with their creative contributions erased, adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. Lester's ability to evoke both fascination and frustration is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

Beyond being a historical exploration, the novel introduces a mystery that adds an extra layer of intrigue. I appreciated the well-executed plot twists, even though I managed to predict a few. To avoid spoilers, I won't delve into specifics.

"The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard" adeptly combines historical fiction, mystery, and feminist themes. Natasha Lester has crafted a narrative that not only entertains but also encourages reflection on the societal norms and biases that women have contended with. I highly recommend this book to those who appreciate rich historical fiction with a strong feminist underpinning.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this ARC.

What an interesting story about three generations of fashion icons (albeit somewhat fictional), Astrid Bricard, her daughter Blythe, and Astrid's mother, the little known muse/assistant of Christian Dior, Mizza Bricard. Having read Lester's previous book about Alix St. Pierre, it is clear that Lester has done her research and intertwines Alix as a supporting character within this story. I liked the three storylines of Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe and how similar their stories were about struggling to be credited with their design genius and how the fashion industry dismissed women because of a pretty face. They were all made to feel inferior by men in their life and denied their dreams. Set during WWII, the Vietnam War, and today, we see the influence of women attempting to gain equal rights. A bit slow in some parts, I really liked how it wrapped up in the end as Blythe found courage and believed in herself. You can't but help root for each of the Bricard women to be successful and find their happy-ever-after. Be sure to read the author's comments afterword, very insightful and interesting on her thorough research. Many thanks to #netgalley #natashalester #thedisappearranceofastridbricard for the opportunity to read and review this book. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

You read about lives of three women on three different timelines, but were they even different lives? Background changed from WWII to 70s to modern day, but treatment women receive and stuff they had to do to establish their presence did not. Grandma to mother to daughter - Bricard women just wanted people to take them seriously as fashion designers not some muses.

Mizza started the line of headstrong, independent line of Bricard women. She was supporting war efforts in Paris while making a name for herself during a time being woman (and an unmarried one) was a crime. She was there to be next Chanel. Then Astrid entered the scene. She was studious, she was smart, she was creative. But also she was in love - she couldn't see that falling for Hawk was going to be her undoing. No one was taking her seriously - she was a girl wearing revealing Hawk Jones stuff. Years later, Blythe hated her for this. One she left her when she was just a baby. Two, she couldn't be Blythe Bricard without having Astrid's daughter following her name.

I liked how elements of each era were weaved into the story. How scenes we saw in Halston aka Battle of Versailles was the center of the story. The ending was what I wanted to see even though it was predictable. As advertised, this was part Daisy Jones and The Six, part Devil Wears Prada, part Vogue HQ. If you like those, you'll enjoy this book

I am completely and totally obsessed with this book! In the 1970s, Astrid Bricard is known for two things: being the daughter of Christian Dior's muse Mizza, and being a muse herself, for the up-and-coming designer Hawk Jones. And then, during a fashion competition in Paris, Astrid disappears, leaving behind a bloody dress, and is never seen again.

Flash forward to the present day, where Astrid and Hawk's daughter Blythe is struggling to escape the confines of her failed marriage, and the tarnished legacy of her mother and grandmother that haunt her in the press. However, as Blythe works to re-establish Astrid's fashion line Mizza, she begins to realize that the women in her family were more than just muses, they were designers themselves, whose histories were reshaped by men wanting to reduce their talents and their impacts on the world.

Natasha Lester weaves these three storylines together to tell a fast-paced story filled with fashion, romance, and intrigue. The book examines how women are often forced into the role of the muse while their contributions are minimized and hidden away. I loved each of the Bricard women, and I couldn't stop reading until I discovered the truth about Astrid's disappearance.

Fans of Daisy Jones and the Six will love this look at the 1970s fashion world, and a complicated, fabulous woman fighting against the patriarchy to make a name for herself independent of any man.

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy. All thoughts are my own.

📸Fashion, fame & female ambitions: fascinating!

4.5🌟 stars
This novel had me wrapped up in the struggle of Mizza, Astrid and Blythe Bricard, three generations of women at the heart of the struggle to get women designers recognized for their achievements. It spans a whole century, crossing the Atlantic from Paris to New York, and really made me ponder the strength of purpose and blind talent needed to break into the male-dominated top ranks of the fashion industry.

This was phenomenal storytelling, mixing the very personal loves and lives of the three women with broader history, like the World Wars, the Nazi occupation of Paris, the changing social attitudes of the Vietnam War era and the liberating effects of the Equal Rights movement. Though I really liked the romance and family aspects of the story, the women's constant struggle to triumph really connected with me. It infuriated me to read about the way the press and colleagues treated the very idea of women making it as designers on their own merits, writing them off as mere accessories or "muses" to male designers. A novel that draws me in like this is an excellent work in my eyes. And I was fascinated to learn in Natasha Lester's Afterward that Mizza was a real person.

Thanks to Grand Central/Forever Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that weaves these women's lives together wonderfully, but it is so much more than that. I was drawn into the story early on, but by the halfway mark, I was completely invested in each of their stories. I couldn’t put the book down because I was compelled to find out what was going to happen. I became so connected that I could feel, understand, and empathize with them, and I needed to know how things would all work out. And the ending gave each woman the conclusion they not only needed but what they deserved.

This was my first novel by Lester and it definitely won't be my last!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel that was based on a real woman of the fashion industry, Mizza Bricard, who lived and worked in Paris a century ago. While little is known about the real Mizza, as history sidelined her as "just a muse" to the great male designers of that time (like Dior), Lester extrapolates on her life to create a compelling tale about three generations of women: Mizza, her daughter Astrid, and her granddaughter Blythe.

I'm not very familiar with the fashion industry, but the author points out "how easily women lose out to men in the strange world of fashion, where the customers are largely women but the people in charge are men." To highlight this theme, the author follows these three women across a century, with Astrid in the 1970s and Blythe in present day, to show how women, especially working mothers and POC, grapple with societal expectations and pressure that are not bestowed upon their (white) male counterparts. In doing so, Lester crafts an intriguing and emotional tale about the power of female friendships and relationships, and reminds women that "there's not shame in being a woman free, stripped of the inhibitions society wants her to wear."

I appreciated the Author's Note at the end of the digital version, which explained more about the real Mizza and Lester's rationale for writing this story. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for copies of this book and audiobook to review!

LOVED this book—my first five star review of 2024! I was a huge fan of The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre and somehow this was even better than that?! The three generations and their own storylines also seamlessly woven together, the rich settings of each time period, the incorporation of real historical events and people, everything about this book was just chef’s kiss. I was hooked from page one until the last sentence. No notes. What an incredibly fun, rewarding, satisfying story.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reader’s copy.

Lovely family saga. Three generations of women, all in the fashion business, all who face challenge make this interesting read. There are real people among the fictional characters (so I found myself googling and learned a bit) but it's Blythe, Astrid, and Mizze who make this a delightful read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling,

Told from the perspective of three generations of Bricard women (+ Hawk Jones), The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard explores what happens to women when the world crafts their image without their consent, when each generation carries the weight of the images of those that precede them, and what it is like to live in a “world…designed for the Ophelias to die and the Hamlets to rule.” And, oh my gosh, I adored it. I devoured it. I did not want to put it down.

Natasha Lester takes on the patriarchy as she interweaves the stories of present-day Blythe, 1970s Astrid, and 1910s-1940s Mizza. All three women are involved in fashion, but how can they get the world to see who they really are? How can they craft their own stories and legends when so much is defined by what came before?

5 stars. No notes.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I have always loved Natasha Lester's novels but this novel has surpassed them all. She presents a chilling picture of the fashion industry from the 1920s to today without sacrificing her three generations of women who have to fight for their dreams and their lives. Although I received an ARC, my opinions are my own and I heartily recommend this novel.

A great combination of a glamorous fashion story with historical fiction (sobering at times) and a family story. I appreciated the multiple perspectives of generations of women from the same family, all of them trying to blaze their way in the fashion world, and what that has meant for their relationships and connections.

A compelling story of three generations of strong Bricard women. We follow Mizza from a teenager thru the WWII years. Daughter Astrid from her college years, Vietnam and women's movement. Granddaughter Blythe, current day divorced, mother of 2, making her way on her own.

Original storyline told in the three strong female voices. Historical fiction that brings many topics to light; the horrors of war in Paris, the chauvinism of the press and fashion industry, the difficulty of living up to your potential all the time fighting an uphill battle and fighting the demons of the past and trying to right the wrongs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline. The very beginning seemed jumbled to me, but once I settled in, the story took over and everything fell into place. I enjoyed the characters, and felt outrage at their treatment. The manipulation and lies told by the press was frustrating to watch, the misinformation by loved ones was disheartening. Although I wouldn’t characterize this as a love story, there are strong love overtures. The story did drag at times, and unfortunately I found myself skimming which may have made me miss important information. The ending was a little disappointing, leaving me with questions, but again, I might have missed clues. The author neatly merges the storyline. Overall, I found this enjoyable and informative. I enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end, although somewhat lengthy. This is the first time I’ve read this Author, drawn to this cover by its Evelyn Hugo vibes, and look forward to reading her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

What an incredible, enthralling, pilot twisting story! The centerpoint of the story is three female generations of Bricards who are incredibly talented designers dealing with an all too low glass ceiling, male dominated field. Reputations are influenced by stereotypes and the jealousy of others. Each of the women has a strong streak including an empathy for others.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I agreed to read The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard. The story is told through multiple nonlinear timelines to accomodate the unique stories crafted by Natasha Lester. Just when the reader is invested in one's story, another story is inserted that is just as engrossing. You won't want to put this one down once you start. Kudos Ms. Lester. Excellent, excellent work!

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard follows the interwoven stories of three generations of muses to famous couturiers, each of whom is struggling to break away from that characterization and to make a name for herself in fashion in her own right. Mizza’s story spans World Wars I and II in Paris, Astrid’s in the 70’s in New York, and Blythe’s while she vacations outside of Paris in the present day.

The characters all aspire to work in fashion (which you won’t readily forget— every metaphor and descriptive verb in the book relates back to textile arts). One day on the brink of a huge deal international fashion show, Astrid disappears into thin air, leaving her daughter Blythe with an aching mother wound, as she is then raised by her father’s mother while he is in rehab. Each woman’s story is told through a lens where you’re able to see exactly where their desired careers gets tripped up, and how their public perceptions get tangled in their professional lives. Each subsequent daughter spends a lifetime running from the reputation of her foremother.

The third of the story that focuses on Astrid is an absolute vibe— if you loved Daisy Jones and the Six, this is going to feel like another fun jaunt into that era. I found these sections most compelling and kept me interested in learning about the rationale behind choices that we know will come to fruition from the other perspectives.

I felt like the plot line was weakest where Mizza is trying to find a way to survive WWII— it just didn’t work for me. Stylistically, I also felt like the dialogue was often oddly performative and didn’t feel real. The dialogue specifically often felt disjointed, like characters weren’t responding to the what had just been said to them. I often also felt that the metaphors which leaned so heavily on fabrics and sewing techniques became fairly overwrought but they had their place. It was clearly an intentional editing choice and it was done deliverately; it was just a bit heavy handed for my taste.

Blythe’s character I found absolutely infuriating, but despite all of her choices that made me want to chuck the book across the room at regular intervals, all loose ends are accounted for in the end.

I wish we’d spent more time with Astrid and Mizza and there had been a different vehicle for Blythe to discover more about them. They were fascinatingly flawed characters in truly atmospheric surroundings. And the idea of each woman trying to outrun her mother’s reputation and fate is an excellent one, and made for a compelling read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the advance copy.

I so truly love books that allow readers to look at something or someone in a light that forces us to really think about what we know about someone. I have always said when dealing with any celebrity I like the person that I see. This book highlights so beautifully over three generations this idea. The press or public only sees what one side wants us to see. Mizza, Astrid, and Blythe are all tied together in their history and the way that the press decides to depict them. Yet there is more to them than what the public is given. All three woman are strong and do amazing things. They are more than the muse title that has been passed down from Mizza to her heir. Sometimes we have to take what the press says as being worth a grain of salt. People are more than the drama or the simplistic view we are sometimes led to believe.
Thank you so very much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester is the story of a mother, daughter, and granddaughter all with their own struggles. All three extremely talented fashion designers make several dramatic and important fashion innovations. The three ladies struggle with relationships and all must look deep inside themselves to become the women they are meant to be. Mizza Bricard is constantly falling short of her own expectations but eventually finds peace in working to deliver Jewish children to safety during World War Two. Astrid lacks the understanding of love and struggles to make her fashions the best in the world while doubting her ability as a mother and eventually abandoning her daughter. Blythe puts her husband’s dreams first in the hope that her dreams will follow. Unfortunately, this does not happen. Three women who seem different, but in reality, are all struggling for recognition in their field, for understanding of their own upbringings and their relationship with their mother and most importantly finding love. Enjoy!