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thathappyreader's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favourite cities in the world is Paris. I love the food, the architecture and the people watching. I have to admit I’m drawn to books set in Paris and so when I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it.
The story is centred around Grace, a young woman who discovers a family secret so traumatic that she leaves Australia for post-war Paris. She becomes one of the fashion mannequins of Christian Dior, a glamorous role that fulfills her wishes to wear high fashion. Despite having a secret of her own, she falls in love with Phillipe who eventually reveals to her in confidence about his double life. Soon Grace is drawn into his world and participates in international espionage - a situation that puts her in danger and causes her to flee her beloved Paris without Phillipe.
I enjoyed this piece of historical fiction, which is based on a true story. I loved the story in Paris with Grace modelling for the likes of Jacqueline Bouvier and Julia Child. I was not as appreciative of Grace’s time away from Paris, which felt a little drawn out in my opinion. Having said that, I loved Grace’s character and her ability to rebound after difficult times and was satisfied with the conclusion of the book. I listened to the audiobook version of the book which was narrated by Katherine Littrell who gave an excellent performance. Her Australian accent, coupled with her pronunciation of French words, brought a sense of realism to Grace’s story.
The story is centred around Grace, a young woman who discovers a family secret so traumatic that she leaves Australia for post-war Paris. She becomes one of the fashion mannequins of Christian Dior, a glamorous role that fulfills her wishes to wear high fashion. Despite having a secret of her own, she falls in love with Phillipe who eventually reveals to her in confidence about his double life. Soon Grace is drawn into his world and participates in international espionage - a situation that puts her in danger and causes her to flee her beloved Paris without Phillipe.
I enjoyed this piece of historical fiction, which is based on a true story. I loved the story in Paris with Grace modelling for the likes of Jacqueline Bouvier and Julia Child. I was not as appreciative of Grace’s time away from Paris, which felt a little drawn out in my opinion. Having said that, I loved Grace’s character and her ability to rebound after difficult times and was satisfied with the conclusion of the book. I listened to the audiobook version of the book which was narrated by Katherine Littrell who gave an excellent performance. Her Australian accent, coupled with her pronunciation of French words, brought a sense of realism to Grace’s story.
neoo5's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sarahsbookstack's review
4.0
I love this book because it takes place in two places I really want to visit, Australia and Paris.
Grace lives in Australia. She loses her father at a young age and her best buddy "Uncle Siddy" goes to fight the way.... And never returns.
She has the chance to go to Paris to work for Christian Dior as a young woman.
I thought that would be it. She'd live this glamorous life as a model in a great city for a great designer. But she gets a bit more than she bargained for when she falls in love with Philippe. She also discovers some family secrets.
I absolutely love that this was inspired by a real woman and I love getting to see historical figures such as Jacqueline Bouvier too.
Grace lives in Australia. She loses her father at a young age and her best buddy "Uncle Siddy" goes to fight the way.... And never returns.
She has the chance to go to Paris to work for Christian Dior as a young woman.
I thought that would be it. She'd live this glamorous life as a model in a great city for a great designer. But she gets a bit more than she bargained for when she falls in love with Philippe. She also discovers some family secrets.
I absolutely love that this was inspired by a real woman and I love getting to see historical figures such as Jacqueline Bouvier too.
chelz286's review
4.0
Grace Woods makes a life changing decision, and leaves Australia and an aggressive husband behind to head to post-war Paris to become a model for Christian Dior. The one that everyone is talking about. He is changing the fashion world and everyone wants in and Grace has gotten an invite to be on the inside. She can hardly believe her luck!
After having had the courage to leave her husband, and lying on her paperwork to get the passport needed to leave Australia, she now has questions about who she herself is. Her birth certificate was questioned when she applied for the passport, and now she has even more anger towards her mother. How could she have kept such a secret from Grace? What would happen if they found out the truth about her?
Grace, having really stuck to herself because of her secrets gets pushed to venture out with some of the other girls. They get her to loosen up, and to venture out amongst Paris. She soon becomes intermingled amongst the higher class; counts, princesses, authors, artist and diplomats and everyone wants a piece of her. Her beauty. Everyone comments on her luscious dark locks, and green eyes.
She continues to turn down request after request for diners and evenings out with these various men, until her friend introduces Grace to her cousin. Albeit he is not of the other class, he is intriguing and different than the others. He seems sure of himself and isn’t exaggerating his wealth or power upon her, as all of the others. For as hard as she tries not to, she starts to have feelings for him. She’s still a married women, technically. ‘
As the relationship progresses, Grace struggles with herself and her past. Who is she really, and why hasn’t her mother attempted to make contact? She has not yet received one letter from her. Grace feeling the weight on her shoulders her heavier everyday is then asked to do the unthinkable by Philippe. He knows she is sought after, and she is the only one who can obtain information he needs. Information that will protect a government official.
Can she become a spy? Meanwhile keeping the secrets she has from Philippe even though he has trusted her enough to divulge his secret to her? Grace then has a visit from someone from her past, and she has to make a decision that will potentially get rid of her biggest secret, but can she agree?
This was another very well written WWII novel! I have not yet read much about stuff happening right after the war ended, so this was very informative and interesting to read about. There were also a lot of historical people that I did not know all hung around in the same crowds. Thank you to Shelfawareness and Harper Perennial for the ARC!
After having had the courage to leave her husband, and lying on her paperwork to get the passport needed to leave Australia, she now has questions about who she herself is. Her birth certificate was questioned when she applied for the passport, and now she has even more anger towards her mother. How could she have kept such a secret from Grace? What would happen if they found out the truth about her?
Grace, having really stuck to herself because of her secrets gets pushed to venture out with some of the other girls. They get her to loosen up, and to venture out amongst Paris. She soon becomes intermingled amongst the higher class; counts, princesses, authors, artist and diplomats and everyone wants a piece of her. Her beauty. Everyone comments on her luscious dark locks, and green eyes.
She continues to turn down request after request for diners and evenings out with these various men, until her friend introduces Grace to her cousin. Albeit he is not of the other class, he is intriguing and different than the others. He seems sure of himself and isn’t exaggerating his wealth or power upon her, as all of the others. For as hard as she tries not to, she starts to have feelings for him. She’s still a married women, technically. ‘
As the relationship progresses, Grace struggles with herself and her past. Who is she really, and why hasn’t her mother attempted to make contact? She has not yet received one letter from her. Grace feeling the weight on her shoulders her heavier everyday is then asked to do the unthinkable by Philippe. He knows she is sought after, and she is the only one who can obtain information he needs. Information that will protect a government official.
Can she become a spy? Meanwhile keeping the secrets she has from Philippe even though he has trusted her enough to divulge his secret to her? Grace then has a visit from someone from her past, and she has to make a decision that will potentially get rid of her biggest secret, but can she agree?
This was another very well written WWII novel! I have not yet read much about stuff happening right after the war ended, so this was very informative and interesting to read about. There were also a lot of historical people that I did not know all hung around in the same crowds. Thank you to Shelfawareness and Harper Perennial for the ARC!
rebecca_isreading's review
4.0
Thanks to Harper Perennial for an advance copy for honest review.
Alexandra Joel's The Paris Model had so much if what I love in historical fiction! Grace Woods is living in rural Australia but dream of a life in Paris and thinks is beyond reach, but opportunity ends up sending her there to work as a house mannequin for Christian Dior. Based loosely the real Grace Woods and her life, this has romance, high fashion, espionage, and, of course Paris- I read it in a day. It's set in the post-WWII era and filled with the interesting people flocking to Paris at the time that Grace meets. I found this really fascinating and well told!
Alexandra Joel's The Paris Model had so much if what I love in historical fiction! Grace Woods is living in rural Australia but dream of a life in Paris and thinks is beyond reach, but opportunity ends up sending her there to work as a house mannequin for Christian Dior. Based loosely the real Grace Woods and her life, this has romance, high fashion, espionage, and, of course Paris- I read it in a day. It's set in the post-WWII era and filled with the interesting people flocking to Paris at the time that Grace meets. I found this really fascinating and well told!
hmcnew's review
4.0
The Paris Model has it all romance, espionage, mystery, and a touch of fashion. Once I got into the story I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend to all historical fiction fans!
natyweiss's review
4.0
This wonderful piece of Historical Fiction tells the story of Grace Woods, an australian country side girl that travels to the postwar Paris and becomes the mannequin Grace Dubois at the Christian Dior maison.
She is escaping an unsatisfactory marriage and, in seeking for her true identity, she also finds love, unconditional friendship and the sentiment of life fulfillment that she craved while in her homeland.
She becomes an independent, confident woman who rubs shoulders with the artists and politicians who dominated the scene of the time.
Very well documented and exquisitely written, this book is a joy to read.
She is escaping an unsatisfactory marriage and, in seeking for her true identity, she also finds love, unconditional friendship and the sentiment of life fulfillment that she craved while in her homeland.
She becomes an independent, confident woman who rubs shoulders with the artists and politicians who dominated the scene of the time.
Very well documented and exquisitely written, this book is a joy to read.
estrella's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
brittsbookclub's review
4.0
This was such a beautifully written book, I enjoyed reading it based on the writing alone. Alexandra Joel’s writing style is almost poetic and if I can call writing “pretty,” that’s how I would describe it. It was just so easy to fall into the story and contained such vivid descriptions, I felt as if I was seeing it first-hand.
The story itself was a bit of a slow burn that turned into so much more than just a love story. There were some surprising plot twists that I didn’t expect and shocked me. I liked that it was more than just a love story as it gave the book more character and meat to it. I also think the story contained such complex characters, especially Grace, our main character. She’s on a search to discover herself, and as the novel progresses, we see the inner struggles she has in discovering who she is and who she will become. I enjoyed Grace, and I think that we all struggle with who we are, so she was definitely relatable in that aspect.
Also, talk about a book giving me some wanderlust! Not only am I now dreaming of trips to Paris, but I am also dreaming of trips to Australia. Alexandra Joel painted these two completely different places in such a beautiful and dreamy way that there’s no way I wouldn’t want to visit both places.
This book just helped to add to my newfound love of historical fiction. It was definitely different from other historical fiction books I have previously read, but I think the uniqueness of this novel is what I actually enjoyed most!
Thank you to Harper Perennial for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story itself was a bit of a slow burn that turned into so much more than just a love story. There were some surprising plot twists that I didn’t expect and shocked me. I liked that it was more than just a love story as it gave the book more character and meat to it. I also think the story contained such complex characters, especially Grace, our main character. She’s on a search to discover herself, and as the novel progresses, we see the inner struggles she has in discovering who she is and who she will become. I enjoyed Grace, and I think that we all struggle with who we are, so she was definitely relatable in that aspect.
Also, talk about a book giving me some wanderlust! Not only am I now dreaming of trips to Paris, but I am also dreaming of trips to Australia. Alexandra Joel painted these two completely different places in such a beautiful and dreamy way that there’s no way I wouldn’t want to visit both places.
This book just helped to add to my newfound love of historical fiction. It was definitely different from other historical fiction books I have previously read, but I think the uniqueness of this novel is what I actually enjoyed most!
Thank you to Harper Perennial for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
bookcrazyblogger's review
5.0
Grace Woods is the much-adored only child in a wealthy family in Australia, growing up in the 1920’s. Instead of sending Grace away to school, her parents decided to keep her at home and engage a series of tutors/governesses, including one from France, that inspires Grace to want to explore the world, beginning with Paris. When WWII hits and Grace’s beau, Jack, signs up but tragedy strikes when Grace’s beloved uncle goes MIA in combat and a death occurs in Grace’s only family. When Grace marries Jack after the war, he’s plagued with alcoholism and PTSD, making a very unhappy marriage. Grace finds herself applying for a jobs be a model with Christian Dior and that’s where the story really gets interesting. Oh Paris. I absolutely long to spend time amongst your streets and absorb your history. I loved this look into post-war Paris, with all of the artists, writers, fashion houses and political figures that made this time so fascinating. This book manages to have it all: a dashing romance, a hint of spying, fashion and an interesting mystery into family history. Frankly, I really enjoyed myself and this fast paced novel.