by Jade Beer

I loved The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester that told the story of a collection of Dior gowns and a secret, so when I saw this gorgeous cover and read a synopsis of The Last Dress from Paris, I had to read it. I’m glad I did!

The dual timeline in The Last Dress from Paris goes back and forth between 1952, Paris where we meet Alice Ainsley who is married to the British Ambassador to France and 1917, London where Lucille, her mum and Granny Sylvie live.

London, 2017

Lucille is devoted to her Granny Sylvie. Her relationship with her work obsessed mum has always been difficult but her Granny Sylvie has always been there for her. When she asks Lucille to travel to Paris to find a Dior gown that means a great deal to her, Sylvie wants to help her because she has seen how much her health has begun to deteriorate. Although she isn’t much of a world travel, she heads to Paris where she meets the daughter of her grandmother’s best friend who has recently died. Veronique is a lovely women and she and Lucille immediately become friends. When Veronique tells Lucille that she would love to help her, Lucille immediately accepts her offer.

Paris, 1952

Although Alice has everything she could want materially, beautiful Dior originals, a staff to do everything for her and prestige because she is married to the British Ambassador, she is unfulfilled and unhappy. Her husband became a different man after their marriage and move to Paris. He is cold, distant and controlling. The only bright spot in her life is her ladies maid, Anne, who becomes her confident and friend. Alice is resigned to her life and marriage until she meets handsome, loving, Antoine who will change her life forever.

Paris, 2017

When Lucille arrives in Paris to try and find the Dior dress her granny wants, she discovers that there are actually eight dresses and they were once owned by Alice Ainsley, the wife of the British Ambassador to France. Why is her granny so interested in these dresses? Apparently Granny Sylvie has been keeping a few secrets from her. Together with Veronique and Leon, a young photographer she meets, they begin to piece together the secrets of the Dior dresses and Granny Sylvie’s past life. In the process, Lucille finds herself as well.

I really enjoyed this book and reading about the Dior gowns was a fun addition. I figured out one of the secrets but kept reading to see how the book ended.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this book..