Thank you Hachette Audio for the ALC and Forever #partner, for the advanced copy of The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Forever / Hachette Audio
Published: January 30, 2024
Summary:
Three generations. One chance to prove themselves. Can the women of the Bricard fashion dynasty finally rewrite their history?
French countryside, Present Blythe Bricard is the daughter of famous fashion muses but that doesn’t mean she wants to be one. She turned her back on that world, and her dreams, years ago. Fate, however, has a different plan, and Blythe will discover there is more to her iconic mother and grandmother than she ever knew.
New York, 1970: Designer Astrid Bricard arrives in bohemian Chelsea determined to change the fashion world forever. And she does―cast as muse to her lover, Hawk Jones. And when they’re both invited to compete in the fashion event of the century―the Battle of Versailles―Astrid sacrifices everything to showcase her talent. But then, just as her career is about to take off, she mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a white silk dress.
Paris, 1917: Parentless sixteen-year-old Mizza Bricard has made a to be remembered on her own terms. Her promise sustains her through turbulent decades and volatile couture houses until, finally, her name is remembered and a legend is born―one that proves impossible for Astrid and Blythe to distance themselves from.
My thoughts:
I am slowly making my way through Natasha Lester’s books and I have to say…I am most definitely a fan! With each new book I read of hers, I fall more in love with her writing and I think this just might be my new favorite of hers!
One of the things I love about Natasha Lester’s books is that I find myself so easily transported to whatever setting and time period she is writing her books in…and this time around, we have three timelines that I found myself equally invested in. I love the characters we meet here, and loved that there were Easter Eggs to be found if you had read Nastasha’s previous book, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre!
This book is about powerful women and a family that is not to be forgotten. I loved the central mystery – what really happened to Astrid Bricard and how it really involved fixing some misconceptions that had been perpetuated over time. We see all three women, in the different time periods, facing the same obstacles, fighting to break barriers in the fashion industry to make it on their own. Their determination and moxy really keep you flipping the pages to see what comes next for each of them.
I really enjoyed this story and even though it is on the longer side, I didn’t want to end. I loved Natasha Lester’s writing and how she is able to make these characters come to life in such a vivid way that they feel like real people. I can’t wait to read more from her!
Audio thoughts:
I was able to grab a copy of the audio version of this story and it was narrated by Barrie Kreinik, who did a fabulous job bringing it to life. Barrie Kreinik also narrated the other books I read by Natasha Lester and I feel that she really gets the nuances of the characters that Lester creates. Even with the multiple characters, she was able to give each one a unique voice and personality, making this audiobook shine! This was a great book to listen to, even with it being a long one, coming in at almost 13 hours, and I really enjoyed it!
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