Thank you SO much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I absolutely loved this!! Such great characters and a great storyline.

My full review is to follow in a few days.....

At its heart, a romance and passionate love story featuring the world of high fashion, Natasha Lester tells and intergenerational stories of Mizza Bricard, muse to Christian Dior, her fictional daughter Astrid and Astrid’s daughter, Blythe. In contemporary times Blythe bears the weight of two generations in her bid to break into the patriarchal market of high fashion, whilst haunted by her mother, Astrid’s disappearance at Versailles.
Lester’s narrative time-switches work smoothly, and her own passion for fashion shines through beautifully in this, as in her previous novels. These are empowered and empowering women who struggle to survive, but for whom love is a redemption. Intricate historical fiction is interwoven with fact in this novel, set in three time periods. From its first pages, I found this a moreish novel which was hard to put down. The mystery behind Astrid’s disappearance at Versailles takes centre stage, as Blythe pulls herself from indifference towards her parents who left her, to a deeper understanding of their lives. Lester does a terrific job in immersing the reader in the concept that nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Characters are dealt with compassionately as we see their varying viewpoints from different angles; and how media categorises famous people for the public, by using one controversial image which is often impossible to get past. Although Lester’s novel is primarily fiction it serves to bring Mitzah Bricard back to the place in history where she truly belongs. Excellent, fast-paced and highly recommended.

This was a real escapist book for me because it had that combination of historical fiction and fashion which is a real love of mine. When Astrid Bricard disappeared in New York in 1973, she left behind a lot of questions and only a white silk dress. The author splits the book into three timelines: 1917 where we see the origins of Astrid, 1970 and the period just before her disappearance and finally the present day. Mizza Bricard is an orphan and only 16 years old when she’s at a Parisian party surrounded by some amazing and scandalous women. One of those women is Coco Chanel. Mizza notices that society has certain expectations of women who are alone in the world. She makes a promise to herself, that she will never be gossiped about because of who paid for her pearls. This promise was something she took very seriously because
it drove her through the couture houses over the decades since. It didn’t take long for her to make a name for herself. A name that became a legend.

It’s 1970 and Astrid Bricard is determined to change the face of fashion as she arrives in New York. She then meets Hawk Jones, a fellow designer and they have an instant attraction. Their passionate affair seems to overshadow Astrid’s own work and remake her as Hawk’s muse. When Hawk enters the Battle of Versailles competition it is the making of his career. Sadly for Astrid, it’s the end. In the present day, Blythe Bricard has decided she won’t be anyone’s muse. However, when she arrives at a French chateau she starts to realise there’s so much more to the lives of her mother and grandmother. She is about to uncover a story of love, war and betrayal.

I thoroughly enjoyed the tale of these three women and the determined young Blythe who wants to have her mother, and grandmother’s talents brought into the limelight. The three timelines were brilliantly characterised and felt like I was there. Sadder was the realisation that women are still having the same problems trying to make it in their chosen field as well as having a personal life. Each one of these women has to ask the question of whether she can have it all. I was rooting for these women and wanted to see their talent acknowledged. I also wanted them to be able to keep a strong relationship with their partners and children. I was really gripped by it and felt swept away by the story.

What a great book. I’ve read many of Natasha’s books and enjoyed them all. This was a little different in that one of the time lines was more modern. Good to see characters from a previous book make an appearance. If you like fashion and are interested in women’s role, you’ll love this.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book is about the lives of three generations of Bricard women and Astrid is the middle.

Mizza, lived from 1900 to the 1970s. The story is based around Blythe. Each generation all work in fashion, but everything they accomplish, they aren’t thanked for but, instead, the achievements are attributed to men.

The story is about them wanting their work to be recognised and their fight for this to happen,

I recommend this book.

This book wasn't for me. I could not get into it due to way it was written, felt very wordy and unnecessary detail at times which detracted focus from the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for this eCopy to review

An amazing family saga that sweeps through the world of fashion from the 1900s through the 70s to the present day. 3 generation of women fight to be recognised in the male centric world of high fashion. Can any of them ever gain recognition for their talent and can they make their relationships with their partners and children work?

I was gripped by this, wanting to unravel all the mysteries and cheering that each woman would get the happiness they deserve

"The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard" has some basis in fact and there are plenty of mentions of real people, but also a lot of artistic license. The book covers the lives and loves of 3 generations of Bricard women, of which Astrid is the middle one. The woman who actually existed was Mizza Bricard who lived from 1900 to the 1970s. Blythe is the third female around whom the story revolves. All three work in fashion and their achievements are consistently down-played and wrongly attributed to men.

This is the story of 3 women fighting for recognition in their lives. They are all strong and love strongly, battling for their families as well as their careers. An engrossing and thought provoking read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Natasha Lester is a well established author and her ability to draw her readers in to the stories she weaves around her characters grows ever more deft with each new book.
With the dramatic opening scene set in Versailles we are immersed in a glorious, glamorous world of fashion and design.
Three fiercely talented women across three generations fight for their rightful places within a world which denies them equality, ironically, given that haute couture revolves around women in so many ways.
From the blazing beauty and talent of Mazzi at the turn of the century, through the striking and stellar Astrid Bricard of the title endung up with up to the minute Blythe, juggling her ethical and individual fashion style with a fierce and protective love for her two children, the world of high end fashion and its inherent misogyny is laid bare
Every era is captured and described so well, although it is the hectic and heady glamour of Astrid's era, the late 60s and 70s, which is the heart of this tale.
Blythe in modern day seeks to marry her talent as a designer and her equally impressive talent as a single parent in the face of the same stigma that had faced her mother and grandmother.
Mizza has the glamour of a bygone era; the signature triple string of pearls, the jewels,the beauty and inimitable style , and the"white" heart of bravery.
Each woman's story is absorbing in its own way and the whole novel was a fascinating read.

Strange story ,full of complications and contradictions. Set in two time periods following mother and daughter,their lives ,their lives and their careers.