Chloe knew very little about the time her grandmother Adele worked for Coco Chanel during WWII. Adele rarely spoke of it, for her own reasons. Chloe moved to Paris and hoped to learn more about her grandmother's history. Coco Chanel was many things: creative, sophisticated, an icon, and a woman with secrets. Adele, Chanel's assistant, lived with her in the opulent Ritz hotel during the German occupation of Paris and what she observed during that time was appalling. The narrative moves between the war years and the present and is narrated by both women.
Lorna Cook has skillfully created a character who knew the realities of the times, but recognized that in order to survive she had to continue to work for Chanel. Throughout THE DRESSMAKER'S SECRET, Adele faced difficult choices and found love and the strength to play a part in the resistance while facing great danger. Through it all, she learned a great deal about herself.
Lorna Cook brings to readers an eloquently told story about a part of history that wasn't well-known until recently. Powerful, thought-provoking, and memorable, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.
1941, Nazi-occupied Paris: In the glamorous Ritz hotel there is a woman with a dangerous secret…
As Coco Chanel’s assistant, Adèle lives side by side with German officers in the splendour of The Ritz hotel. But Adèle has a secret. She is working for the resistance, right under the Germans’ noses.
As occupied Paris becomes more and more dangerous, Adèle will have to decide if she can risk everything to save innocent lives and protect the man she loves…
Present day: Chloé’s grandmother has never spoken about the war and avoids questions about the legendary designer she once worked for.
Now Chloé has come to Paris, to uncover the truth about Adèle’s life. But is she prepared for what she will find? And for the power of her grandmother’s secrets to change her family forever…
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