The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan

 

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.

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About The Author

Renee Ryan is the author of thirty novels and counting. She sold her first book in 2001 by winning the inaugural Dorchester/Romantic Times New Historical Voice Contest. She published her second book with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical and has since sold books to other Harlequin imprints and to Amazon's Waterfall Press.

Renee grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned how to surf very poorly. Armed with a degree in Economics and Religious Studies from Florida State University, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency, and three cosmetic conglomerates. She went on to teach high school AP Economics, AP American Government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and a large, fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear.

 

My Review

This was such a riveting read, the author had me page turning for answers.
This is a period of time that evil had spread it's wings over Europe, and we are there to witness some of the atrocities that were happening. We are in France and in one of the nations famous fashion Houses, and things are not always as you perceive, and people whom are not showing their true colors! Yes this is a time of War II, and we put faces to those whom help and those who collaborate with the enemy.
This a time of resistance and those whom trust the enemy! Some the characters are from previous reads, but this one can be read alone.
Whom do you trust, even with the most secure measures things go wrong!
I love the research the author did, and enjoyed her notes at the end!
So glad to read this, pray this never happens again!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin Romance, and was not required to give a positive review.