The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan

 

My thoughts

An excellent book about what happened in Paris, France during WW2. A story of hope and survival. Of betrayal and loss. The things that happen when you fall in love with the wrong person. Or even the right one. This is a story of one young woman's journey to forgiveness. And a story of three strong women who helped so many during a horrible time in history...

This book is told from three women's povs. A young lady, Paulette, who did a terrible thing and caused her mother to be sent away. Possibly to a Jewish concentration camp. How Paulette was sent to Paris to work in a fashion house owned by a dear friend of her mother's and make amends for what she did. To find self forgiveness. Paulette worked hard. She learned so much. She helped many.

Nicolle also worked in the same fashion house. She also worked for the resistance helping wounded soldiers get to safety. And she helped get Jewish people out of the country and to safe places. Nicolle had lost her husband in the war and was doing all she could to help as many others as she could. 

Sabine owned the fashion house. She was the one who designed the beautiful dresses and suits. Made sure they fit to perfection. She also helped get people to safety. Though she did it through Nicolle and others. She worked tirelessly to make sure things ran smoothly. Sabine had lost her daughter and was determined to never lose any one else. 

This book gives you a look at how things happened in Paris, in the fashion world. When the Nazi's invaded and when some of the people in Paris turned against the Jews. How they were gathered up and sent away. Not knowing what was going to happen. It's a very emotional story of how three women worked to help others. Each for their own reasons but together for the good of humanity. Throw in a bit of a love story and you have a book that you can't put down.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #HarleqinTrade, #LoveinspiredTrade, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book. 

Five big stars.

About

In the heart of occupied WWII Paris, an elegant fashion house is the unlikely headquarters of a daring resistance network. Behind closed doors, courageous women vie to save loved ones and strangers alike from the Nazis in this powerful story of survival, friendship and second chances.

France, 1942

Once, Paulette Leblanc spent her days flirting, shopping and drawing elegant dresses in her sketch pad. Then German tanks rolled into France, and a reckless romance turned into deep betrayal. Blaming herself for her mother’s arrest by the gestapo, Paulette is sent away to begin a new life in Paris, working as apprentice to fashion designer Sabine Ballard.

But Maison de Ballard is no ordinary fashion house. While seamstresses create the perfect couture gowns, clandestine deals and secrets take place out of sight. Mademoiselle Ballard is head of a vast network of resistance fighters—including Paulette’s coworker and friend Nicolle Cadieux—who help escort downed military men and Jewish families to safety.

Soon Paulette is recruited as a spy. Working as a seamstress by day, gathering information at glamorous parties by night, Paulette at last has a chance to earn the redemption she craves. But as the SS closes in and Nicolle goes missing, Paulette must make life-and-death decisions about who to trust, who to love and who to leave behind…