A modern tale of desire and deception set in the world of 1930s Parisian haute couture – perfect for fans of The Perfume Collector or The Paris Wife.
Alix Gower has a dream: to join the ranks of Coco Chanel to become a designer in the high-stakes world of Parisian haute couture. But Alix also has a secret: she supports her family by stealing designs to create bootlegs for the foreign market. A … create bootlegs for the foreign market. A hidden sketchbook and two minutes inside Hermès is all she needs to create a perfect replica, to be whisked off to production in New York.
Then Alix is given her big break – a chance to finally realize her dream in one of the most prominent Parisian fashion houses – but at the price of copying the breakthrough Spring Collection.
Knowing this could be her only opportunity, Alix accepts the arrangement. But when a mystery from her past resurfaces and a chance meeting has her falling into the arms of a handsome English war reporter, Alix learns that the slightest misstep – or misplaced trust – could be all it takes for her life to begin falling apart at the seams.
- WINNER – 2014 Festival of Romantic Fiction’s Best Historical Read.
- WINNER – 2015 Public Book Awards.
- Shortlisted – 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) RITA Awards.
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Tried this book a couple of times- never got past the second chapter.
Great read, keeps you thinking.
Interesting read about Paris designers and the world of high fashion.
A fascinating look into Paris of the late 1930s.
A real page turner! An industry that’s fascinating and an era that’s intriguing. Paris between the world wars was full of hope and sadness, and that was reflected in the fashions that were being designed as well as in the lives revealed in this book. Loved it!
I barely remember this book or it was not amazing. Nor was it horrible. I would recollect a fairly good read.
This is an excellent read for anyone interested in life in Europe in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.
This was a novel that had unexpected turns, some suspense, and a story of love and success. It was engaging in ways that I hadn’t expected because I had thought it would be a piece of fluff. But it was more than that, and an enjoyable read.
Very French. A true portrayal of French outlook and attitudes.
Was wonderful to learn about fashion in France during this era. The characters were well thought-out, and the fact that historical locations were used made the story that much more credible. One doesn’t hear often of this industry in a historical sense, and it was portrayed wonderfully in this novel.
The book was an easy read but not especially memorable. Not sorry I read it but not particularly glad. Okay if you like women’s fiction without much literary interest.
I JUST COULD NOT GET INTO THIS BOOK. IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT AND NOTHING LIKE I EXPECTED.
Really enjoyed the story and captivating characters
A great read for anyone loving stories set in Paris as well as fashion.
The characters in this book jump out at you. It is so visual that I feel I could walk down some of the streets and recognize the main characters. Has some great suspense and gives a real insight into a world seldom seen.
An. Inside looks at the cutthroat world of fashion
Really enjoyed it.
The Dress Thief had some historical interest about pre WWII Paris.
Informative description of fashion design. Showed the intrigue no loved in. The business from workroom to salon and to mass production when designs are stolen. Showed Paris on brink of WWII and Europe at same time. Showed heartbreak, war and romance.
I loved this book. Full of couture info and how it is stolen. Wonderful plot with great story line for this pre war time in Europe.