Tag: natasha lester

Book Review: The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery
Length: 464 pages
Author: Natasha Lester
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three generations. One chance to prove themselves. Can the women of the Bricard fashion dynasty finally rewrite their history?

French countryside, Present  Blythe Bricard is the daughter of famous fashion muses but that doesn’t mean she wants to be one. She turned her back on that world, and her dreams, years ago. Fate, however, has a different plan, and Blythe will discover there is more to her iconic mother and grandmother than she ever knew. New York, 1970:  Designer Astrid Bricard arrives in bohemian Chelsea determined to change the fashion world forever. And she does―cast as muse to her lover, Hawk Jones. And when they’re both invited to compete in the fashion event of the century―the Battle of Versailles―Astrid sacrifices everything to showcase her talent. But then, just as her career is about to take off, she mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a white silk dress.

Paris, 1917:  Parentless sixteen-year-old Mizza Bricard has made a to be remembered on her own terms. Her promise sustains her through turbulent decades and volatile couture houses until, finally, her name is remembered and a legend is born―one that proves impossible for Astrid and Blythe to distance themselves from.

MYSTERIOUS.

I thought this was such a good story!! I loved all of the fashion content and the interwoven lives of these three women. I got really caught up in needing to see where things were going next and I adored the audio production. There’s lots of heart strings to be pulled and plenty of emotions to go along with this novel. It’s complex in its themes and discussions surrounding the portrayal of women in different time periods and the heaviness that is post-partum depression/anxiety.

The pacing in the second half felt a bit dragged out to me. I thought we’d be closer to finding out the full truth just a tad bit sooner. But that was my only issues. Otherwise, another fantastic book by one of my favorite historical authors.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Mystery
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes, loss of life, post partum depression & anxiety, premature childbirth

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Book Review: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 432 pages
Author: Natasha Lester
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: January 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

1943.  After spearheading several successful advertising campaigns in New York, PR wizard Alix St. Pierre comes to the attention of the U.S. government and finds herself recruited into a fledgling intelligence organization.

Enlisted as a spy, Alix is sent to Europe where she is tasked with getting close to a Nazi who might be willing to help the Allied forces–but there’s also the chance he might be a double agent.

1946.  Following the war, Alix moves to Paris and takes a position as head of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realizes that only she can right the wrongs of the past and bring him to justice.

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a thrilling, sumptuous work of historical fiction told in three timelines: before, during and after WWII. This completely immersive story takes readers from the dangerous, intrigue-filled rooms in Switzerland where elites of both sides mingled and schemed during the war, to the glamorous halls of the House of Dior in the golden age of French fashion and journalism.

IMMERSIVE.

Another great read by Natasha Lester. Consider me invested in all future historical fiction books by this author because they are captivating and heartfelt and make me feel all the things.

I loved the combination of spy thriller + fashion + an orphan trying to survive. Alix is forced to be reckoned with and I loved that she always knew who she wanted to be. The path was never straight and the highs and lows that came with many tough decisions that had to be made in order to live to the next day.

The romance here is also super swoony. I loved the connection and how it utterly ripped my heart out before putting it back together. There’s actually multiple romantic lines here and I liked how each one of them interacted with Alix at that time they were present.

I think the pacing got me a tiny bit and occasionally I wished things were moving a little more. Besides that though, I loved the audiobook and look forward to the next one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: very high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: WW2 themes, murder, high levels of war crimes depicted, loss of life, mentions of sexual assault, blood/gore depiction

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Book Review: The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Natasha Lester
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan comes an unforgettable historical novel about a secret collection of Dior gowns that ties back to the first female pilots of WWII and a heartbreaking story of love and sacrifice.

England, 1939: The Penrose sisters couldn’t be more different. Skye is a daring and brash pilot, and Liberty the one to defy her at every turn. Even if women aren’t allowed in the Royal Air Force, Skye is determined to help the war effort. She’s thrilled when it reunites her with her childhood soulmate, Nicholas. She’s less thrilled to learn Nicholas is now engaged to an enigmatic Frenchwoman named Margaux Jourdan.

Paris, 1947: Designer Christian Dior unveils his glamorous first collection to a world weary of war and grief. He names his debut fragrance Miss Dior in tribute to his beloved sister Catherine, who forged a friendship with Skye and Margaux through her work with the French Resistance.

Present Day: Fashion conservator Kat Jourdan discovers a priceless collection of Dior gowns in her grandmother’s vacant cottage. As she delves into the mystery of their origin, Kat begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about her beloved grandmother.

MY HEART. MY HEART. MY HEART.

I only pick up historical fiction books when I’m in the right *mood* for them. And hallelujah that I was in the mood for this book because IT WAS AN AMAZING STUNNING WORK OF ART.

Ohhhh how this tore at every aspect of my heart and soul. I loved the initial chapters of seeing these characters in their youth to growing up and fighting a war versus the worst kind of evil. The strength of these women has no limit and I was in tears plenty reading these encounters that happened for too many.

The push and pull and absolutely full of angsty romance was here too. Skye and Nicholas OWN ME. And when I say that ending made me sob? IT REALLY DID. It was worth it. Lester constructs an intense story with the push and pull of a life at war. I also loved Margaux. She was a clear unsung hero in this book. I liked that she started off on the fringes and then showed her true and honest side that had me all in my feels too.

There’s a lot of emotions at play as the raw reality of WW2 is described. I appreciated learning even more about this time period and the attention given to research. Looking up more information about Catherine Dior was amazing. I love that all of the fashion aspects were wrapped into this too. It was interesting to learn how Dior began creating his outfits and the role his sister played in that too.

Overall audience note:

  • Historical Fiction Romance
  • Language: some light
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple aspects of WW2 concentration camps, loss of loved ones

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