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 … 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.
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Piercing sweetness. Extraordinary courage. Haunting, unbearable tragedy and inspiring strength. All of these apply to this remarkable story that won’t let me go. My heart hurts for all the suffering, yet I’m lifted by the bravery and resolve, the power of a generation that battled an evil that would have ended all hope of a world we’d ever recognize now. The storytelling is truly impressive, and I’m going to carry it with me for a long time. I cannot urge you strongly enough to give this remarkable author a try.
This beautifully woven World War II novel will keep you guessing all the way to the final chapter. I was desperate to put all the pieces together but just as desperate to draw out the story for as long as possible, the sure sign of a brilliantly written book. Immersive and enlightening and written with such care for the lives and experiences of the characters. I highly recommend The Paris Secret.
Natasha Lester is one of my favorite writers of WWII historical fiction. Two of her previous books (The Paris Orphan and The Paris Seamstress) were fantastic historical fiction books but The Paris Secret is her best book yet. It gives her readers a close look at what it was like to be a woman during war time and is about love, family and perseverance during this tumultuous time in history.
This is a beautiful and well researched novel about friendship, love and family. It also showed how unappreciated women were as they did their best to help win the war often in dangerous situations. All of the characters had secrets from each other that they couldn’t share because of the war but they all remained friends as they went through cruel and inhumane situations. This book will make you proud of the woman and the work they did in the war, it will make you cry but overall it will make you appreciate their bravery.
Natasha Lester’s writing is wholly and intimately transportive. Every time I opened the book, I fell into the world contained within its pages, and I didn’t want to leave. THE PARIS SECRET is a dazzling marvel of storytelling, a perfect blend of action, history, and emotional depth. Unforgettable.
I didn’t want this book to end. A fascinating story of courage and love with a secret that will keep you riveted to the last page.
When a Sydney fashion conservator discovers a wardrobe full of Dior gowns hanging in her grandmother’s vacant cottage in England, she discovers in her family’s past, a group of brave and daring aviatrix working for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War II, ferrying aircraft to and from factories to airbases in Britain, often under extreme circumstances. Told in a dual timeline, we also learn of the courage of members of the SOE and the French Resistance and the little known story of Christian Dior’s war hero sister Catherine. Highly recommended, The Paris Secret is a powerful story of sacrifice and love.
I loved the characters. They were strong women during a time strength wasn’t considered a positive trait in women. The story held my interest throughout.
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.
Historical fiction at it’s best. Memorable characters, exciting locations and romance during war will tug at everyone’s heart strings. I could not put this one down and kept reading late into the night to find out the mystery of who Margaux really was and the secret of the gorgeous Dior dresses.
“The Paris Secret” is Natasha Lester’s third novel of her “Paris …” series, and it is fabulous, as were her “The Paris Seamstress” and “The Paris Orphan”. Lester’s gifts are her ability to create unforgettable characters and unique storylines against the backdrop of events reflecting Europe during the tumultuous war years. Her knowledge of this genre is spectacular. I am eagerly awaiting publication of her newest book next month, “The Riviera House”, so I can enjoy her delightful talent for enveloping the reader in her storylines.
Natasha Lester never disappoints her readers. This is an amazing story that keeps you guessing until the end!
Enjoyed this book! The story and character development keeps you reading. I’ve recommended it to friends who also couldn’t put it down!
Riveting. Sentimental. Romantic. A luxurious listening/reading experience.
Heart breaking beautiful story, Women pilots and the amazing feats they acomplished. Love, fashion and so very much more. A must read if like historicals.
I like stories of the trials people faced during WWII. So many countries were involved, so much wrong was done, so many lives were challenged and changed and so many found what it meant to be a hero.
This story has some fascinating detail about the English women who served, flew and spied during this time period.
It ties into current times and a woman discovering her family’s past and learning how to stand up for herself and follow her own dreams.
A little too much detail about flying an airplane during WWII.
Interesting story line and historical context of the setting. Ordered three other books from this author – the best recommendation I can give.
The bravery of those affected by the horror of WW2 is astonishing. The French Resistance stories continue to amaze me with the courage of those resistance workers.
This story was haunting.
I loved it!
It caused me a lot of stress. But I’m easily stressed these days.
A fantastic read. Mesmerizing. It kept me guessing until the end. The story is so real…about WWII…and also today. You won’t be sorry if you get it….