The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer

 The Last Dress from Paris

Book Summary

The secret is hidden within a collection of Dior dresses...

London, 2017. There’s no one Lucille adores more than her grandmother. So, when her beloved Granny Sylvie asks for Lucille’s assistance with a small matter, she’s happy to help. The next thing she knows, Lucille is on a train to Paris, tasked with retrieving a priceless Dior dress. But not everything is as it seems, and what Lucille finds in a small Parisian apartment will have her scouring the city for answers to a question that could change her entire life.

Paris, 1952. Postwar France is full of glamour and privilege, and Alice Ainsley is in the middle of it all. As the wife to the British ambassador to France, Alice’s job is to see and be seen—even if that wasn’t quite what she signed up for. Her husband showers her with jewels, banquets, and couture Dior dresses, but his affection has become distressingly elusive. As the strain on her marriage grows, Alice’s only comfort is her bond with her trusted lady’s maid, Marianne. But when a new face appears in her drawing room, Alice finds herself yearning to follow her heart...no matter the consequences.

The City of Light comes alive in this lush, evocative tale that explores the ties that bind us together, the truths we hold that make us who we are, and the true meaning of what makes someone family.

My Thoughts

The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer is a dual timeline novel that takes place in 2017 and 1952.  A grandmother (Granny Sylvie) tasks her granddaughter (Lucille) with recovering a special dress from Paris.  It sounds like an easy task, but grandmum may have left out a few details.  Lucille soon finds herself on a journey in Paris that could change her life.  I thought the story was well-written.  Jade Beer is a descriptive writer.  I enjoyed the word imagery of the couture dresses.  I could imagine sitting at the Dior fashion shows seeing all the gorgeous creations.  I delighted in the detailed descriptions of Paris.  I thought the author beautifully blended the two timelines together.  The Last Dress from Paris has a forbidden romance, couture fashions, elaborate parties, Paris landmarks, a dress hunt, friendship, a strained mother/daughter relationship, and an unexpected romance.    I liked the strong female friendship between Anne and Alice.   I did have a hard time getting into the story.  It took me some time to become engaged.  I did find Alice’s storyline to be on the sad side, but it was balance with the more upbeat atmosphere in Lucille’s storyline.  I like that we get to see Lucille grow and become self-assured.  I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the story.  The Last Dress from Paris is a heartfelt tale about friendships, fashion, and familial relationships.    

The Last Dress from Paris is available from Amazon*.  You can find Jade Beer's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I will be featuring Donut Disturb by Ellie Alexander which will be out on Tuesday, June 28.  It is the 15th A Bakeshop Mystery.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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