The Paris Secret

By: Natasha Lester

Narrated by: Penelope Rawlins, Melle Stewart

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Paris Orphan comes an unforgettable historical novel about a secret collection of Dior gowns that ties back to the first female pilots of WWII and a heartbreaking story of love and sacrifice.

England, 1939: The Penrose sisters couldn't be more different. Skye is a daring and brash pilot, and Liberty is the one to defy her at every turn. Even if women aren't allowed in the Royal Air Force, Skye is determined to help the war effort. She's thrilled when it reunites her with her childhood soul mate, Nicholas. She's less thrilled to learn Nicholas is now engaged to an enigmatic Frenchwoman named Margaux Jourdan.

Paris, 1947: Designer Christian Dior unveils his glamorous first collection to a world weary of war and grief. He names his debut fragrance Miss Dior in tribute to his beloved sister, Catherine, who forged a friendship with Skye and Margaux through her work with the French Resistance.

Present day: Fashion conservator Kat Jourdan discovers a priceless collection of Dior gowns in her grandmother's vacant cottage. As she delves into the mystery of their origin, Kat begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about her beloved grandmother.

©2020 Natasha Lester (P)2020 Forever

Critic reviews

"Sweeping romances, daring wartime exploits, and haute couture combine in this thrilling tale of love, loss and mystery during the Second World War. In Margaux, Skye and Liberty, Natasha Lester showcases the unforgettable strength of women who served in England and France, bringing to life the voices of those lost in the fog of war. And the fashion...need I say more?" (Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis)

"A sweeping family saga written in elegant, evocative prose that is as carefully stitched together as a couture gown. Meticulous attention to period details, impeccable plotting, and rich characterization will delight fans of Kate Morton or anyone in need of a gorgeously wrought ... tale of love, loss, courage, and compassion." (Booklist, starred review)

"Lester's magnetic characters, lyrical writing, and extensive historical research breathe life into this riveting tale. This is a stunner." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

A book to fill your imagination

This book was well narrated and was a tale of what life must have been like for the English pilots during WWII. It was beautifully written. I loved the characters, well most of them. I could easily give visual to the scenes. I highly recommend.

Astounding teamwork for author and narrator

I absolutely LOVE IT when a novel draws you so far in till you identify with more then 1 character and you truly experience what the characters are going thru, whether it's happiness or sadness, This Novel is exactly that and more. An absolute MUST READ! The Narrator is astounding! This novels keeps you so interested it's hard to stop it to sleep, your Soaring THAT high on suspense and captivating plot twists. I am totally hooked, getting another novel already que'd up to start.

Found an Amazing New Author

Terrific writer. Natasha too us seamlessly from the past to the future with ease. This was an excellent t read.

It brought me to tears

An extraordinary story so worth your time. I highly recommend it. The narrator added so much depth the story hard to believe it was read by person. She mastered all the accents perfectly.

YOU WILL LOVE THIS STORY!

What a wonderful story and the narration is absolutely fantastic! Do not hesitate selecting this as your next listen! BRAVO!!!

Interesting

Interesting story, a bit too much love story and not enough Dior history for me. But I read it right through so I did enjoy it.

Lovely story

The story of survival in the concentration camps by the women and the love story in the background made this excellent. Didn’t her to learn about the Dior dresses and how beautiful they were

Female resilience

An inspiring tale of women as unsung heroines—carrying on despite fear, tragedy, and heartbreak. Women who defy stereotypes and yet can still be feminine. Women who are uniquely themself and are loved for that. Women who struggle and loose their sense of self, but find their way back. Women who love fiercely. cannot say enough of the character development and how much these characters echo the real life women I admire most.
Thank you for not only a beautiful story, but a reminder of the beautiful life we get to live as women—trials and tribulations along with the joy and love.

Superb!

One of the best books I've listened to in a long time! Could not put it down. if I had an emoji for applause, I would insert it here.

Great story

I loved the story. It kept me thinking about the next step. The love was the center of the book.