An emotional book to read. It was enjoyable and kept me wanting to read on. This was a good historical novel and l will definitely look out for more books by Ella Carey to read. Thank you for being introduced to a great author.

What an inspiring, moving story by Ella Carey! This was the first novel I have read by this author but I can see why her books are popular. I became quickly enthralled by 'The Girl From Paris' from the opening page (Daughter of New York Book 3). Historical fiction is my favourite genre where strong female leads overcome the odds of the time. I also enjoy stories that include women fashion designers and their challenges and triumphs. This novel had all of these elements and more! It was filled with many surprises and numerous unexpected twists!

It is obvious Ms. Carey is a master of her genre and is passionate about France and its magnificent culture. With her apt descriptions, I was creatively transported to Paris and could visualise its beauty and wonder but also the trauma and losses of those present during the first World War. The story, though, does not remain here: it extends across the ocean to New York. With fashion as part of this novel’s fabric, it is not so unusual that aspiring talented Vianne, a seamstress from Paris, pursues her greatest dreams on freer shores.

The majority of the story is focused on Vianne, the centre star but others share the edges of her spotlight. Points of view from a few other key figures add significance to an already fascinating plot. Sometimes the characters’ actions affect Vianne—driving her in directions she may not have gone otherwise. At times a negative action brings about a positive reaction. Out of the ashes of war, beauty rises. Healing comes, too, in the wake of Vianne’s selfless acts. Her concern for others brings out the best in associate characters. Like the sun on the earth, her presence makes things grow. Her brilliant talent reflects in a way that brings other minor roles out into the light. We receive more information about these characters through their own words but we also see how much Vianne plays a part in their lives. The story is complex in many ways with layers that carefully unfold like a flower to reveal an illuminating lustrous whole.

Ms. Carey’s writing style made me feel very much a part of the story and sympathetic to Vianne. I came to love and appreciate this strong yet tender character. I felt her deepest losses (her family) when she was forced to leave her home in Paris but then rejoiced with each accomplishment she achieved on her personal journey. Through all the drama, she did not lose sight of her dreams to become a fashion designer. I particularly enjoyed reading about her beautiful designs: the sparkle and glamour of exquisite clothes that transform women. My heart also ached at the challenges of the past and how hard it was to be an independent woman with a career. So Vianne’s successes held an even sweeter element of victory.

Another admirable characteristic of Vianne is that she never puts her passion to design ahead of those she loves. She is faithful, caring, giving and never haughty or proud. Everything good that her parents taught her comes through in her actions. Her good deeds do not go unnoticed and her own strength fuels others to pick up the slack; freeing her to become the shining star she is meant to be. Of course, not without great challenges or obstacles.

The author has done her research well and utilised some critical events and important people from the past. Some of the inspiration is heart-breaking. Such as the betrayal of Edith Cavell, matron of nurses, (part of a secret underground network behind enemy lines) who helped English solders return safely home to England during the first World War. Also, the shell of the Paris Gun designed by Professor Fritz Rausenberger that hit the Saint-Gerais church causing the roof to collapse and kill eight-five worshipers during a Good Friday service. On the brighter side, figures like Emilie Grigsby seen as one of the most beautiful women in the world and vaudeville entertainer Josephine Baker who appeared in Vogue, both from lowly beginnings, achieved widespread fame yet remained forever generous and caring women to others.

I have not written much about the story’s plot for the joy is in allowing readers to experience this captivating tale for themselves. I will only say that after great personal loss Vianne leaves Paris with a heavy heart and heads to New York. Delightful surprise meetings of key figures set her life in motion from the moment she steps foot on the ship and off.

I urge everyone who loves stunning visual historical fiction to read this novel as your heart will take a journey from heartbreak to the heights of glory, to shock, surprise and then to hard earned happiness. Pick up a copy and fall under the spell of this enchanting story. I give 'The Girl From Paris' a sparkling 5 stars.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy to review.

This review will be posted on Amazon Australia upon the novel's release date.

I have not read the first two books in the series, but this is a stand alone book as well. Vianne has a dream to run her own couture salon. After devastating family losses she moves to New York and makes a splash in the fashion world. What I loved best about this story is the time frame. The roaring 20s were a magical time and a forward thinking era. I am not a fashionista but I loved all,the clothing descriptions accompanied by the richness of colors, designs, and fabrics. Strong women dominate the book. I have to admit to a great fondness for Mama Pepper. Her scene at the night club just about stole the narrative from the main characters.

As a fan of Ella Carey and the girls of New York series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this! I knew it was coming and am grateful to NetGalley, Bookouture and Ms Carey for granting me access! Ella…I still want pictures of the fashion so eloquently described within this story!

Vianne Mercier has lived a lovely life with her family in Paris until World War One rained down tragedy on her life. Her dreams of becoming a fashion designer are encouraged by her mother and with a confident, strong role model of an older sister…Vianne believes in her dreams. When suddenly the war takes the lives of her mother and sister and her father soon after dies of a broken heart, Vianne isn’t sure what to do other than keep the family name and business alive and thriving. The war brings back a brother, severely emotionally damaged by the trenches, quickly assumes his place as head of the family and turns her out on the street. Vianne decides to take her life in her own hands and begins, little by little to make her dreams a reality. Those dreams find her on an ocean liner to New York where a chance meeting with a wealthy New York socialite kicks open a door for her and makes her realize that anything is possible.

Fans of this series will immediately recognize Vianne as the successful fashion designer mentioned in The Secrets of New York. When I read that book I was inspired by her character though she was only a supporting one. I found myself wanting to know more about this French fashion designer who married an Italian restaurant owner and proved that a woman could have both a happy marriage and a successful career. I LOVED jumping back in time and getting Viannes story! I have to say that I wish this was an illustrated novel because the details of the fashion, right down to the extra layer of chenille on a black cape was so much fun to envision…now I want to see them!

I can’t wait for what’s to come in this series!!

Ever been to a buffet and loaded up your plate only to discover that there’s so much more available and it’s way better than what’s on your plate?!

That’s exactly how I felt reading Ella Carey’s latest historical fiction novel. Every chapter was better than the one before it and she packed in so much historical detail it truly was a feast for historical fiction lovers.

Set in Paris in 1918, this book features a bold young seamstress, Vianne Pascal, who longs to be a famous designer. When misfortune hits her family, she’s given the ultimatum: give up her dreams or be forced onto the streets, penniless and alone.

Setting sail for New York, Vianne is determined to keep her dream alive. A chance meeting on the ocean liner changes the course of her life. Just when she’s on the cusp of realizing her dream, her past comes back to haunt her and she must return to Paris.

Readers will feast on the stories surrounding Edith Cavell, the bombing of the Saint-Gervais church, the Paris Gun, Emilie Grigsby and Josephine Baker! For those who read A New York Secret, book 1 in the Daughters of New York series, you’ll notice the reappearance of a character and a location!

Carey writes 5-star historical fiction and this one is no exception. Featuring the terrible choices people make during humanity’s darkest days and highlighting the sense of duty, this utterly gripping and emotional historical wartime novel needs to be on every historical fiction lover's TBR list.

Publishes January 4, 2022.

I was gifted this advance copy by Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I've had the pleasure of reading book one and two in the Daughters of New York Series.
And I loved both. So I had to try and get the third one.
The Girl from Paris book three.
And its just as amazing as the first two stories!

This novel explores the love, courage, determination, loss and gain though a time of war and tragedy!

Here we have Vianne who is in the middle of chaos as she rushes through the streets of Paris as the Germans start making it rain with bombs.
She rushes down the street when she sees the little old church building go up in flames, she was too Kate to save her mother and sister who were trapped inside.
It's Paris, 1918, and the end of the war is near. The young seamstress Vianne can't wait til the day she no longer has to sew military uniforms. So she can start working on creating beautiful dresses she has been thinking about for awhile now.
Just when she thinks peace is close, Vianne’s mother and sister are killed in a terrible air raid. And make matters worse, her brother has come back home and has changed.
He is mean and controlling, and sadly he gives Vianne a horrible choice to make; give up her dreams of becoming a designer, or be forced onto the streets, broke and alone.
Having nothing left in Paris she decides to sail to the big beautiful state of New York.
She is set on not to look back, and keep moving forward. So she starts her new life.
She spends her days sewing dresses for the wealthy Upper East Side girls.
Vianne meets a handsome Italian man. And he encourages her career, supports her decisions and so for the first time since she lost her family she has felt safe.
So when sad news of a terrible accident makes Vianne suddenly return to France, secrets are exposed that could put Lily's dreams in jeopardy, and she must make some very difficult choices.
Facing the threat of sickness and ruin, the people who forced Vianne out of her home now suddenly need her help.
Does she find the street and courage to follow her heart, to be in love?
Or will duty to her family force her to remain in France?

What a wonderful story, it gripped me from the first page until the last.
The characters are so amazing and relatable.
What a delightful range of characters each in their own way.
The premise, the characters, the setting.. all were engaging.
I found the descriptive imagery and rhetoric to be thoroughly engaging, and readers who love a bit of romantic historical fiction will fall in love with these characters.
I was captivated at the beginning and enjoyed reading about the characters, their romance, and family discord.
This story kept me glued all the way through. Not one bad moment.
Literally I loved everything about this story!
The story is phenomenal, writing freaking fabulous, character development outstanding.
If you're a historical fiction, romance lover you'll fall in love with The Girl from Paris!

Bookouture and NetGalley,
Thank you for this eARC!
I will post and tag closer to pub date.

Ella Carey's books are treasures. She is one of the best historical fiction authors writing today, and her books always live up to a fan's expectations. I loved The Girl From Paris.

I found this an emotional historical wartime novel about the terrible choices people made during humanity’s darkest days. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love this. The perfect book to curl up on the sofa with.