What do you think?
Rate this book
Threads of Resistance #2
The Secret Dressmaker
Shelves of sequins in a kaleidoscope of colours. Bolts of silk and tulle against the back wall. The sewing room was the last place anyone had seen her daughter alive.
Manchester, 1942. Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. When British intelligence shows her photographs of her girls – now young women in occupied Paris – her world shifts. One is safe. One has vanished. And their father, the celebrated couturier Lucien Lumineau, is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis.
Flora agrees to a dangerous parachute into France, pose as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, and uncover the truth. Lodging above a brothel where Edith Piaf sings after hours and where Pablo Picasso still holds court, she mends costumes between shows, searches for any trace of her missing daughter between curfews, and circles closer to Lucien.
But Lucien isn’t the man she remembers. Neither is their history. And what Flora discovers will unravel everything she thought she knew – about Lucien, about her daughters, and about the night she gave them away.
A sweeping tale of wartime Paris, family secrets and impossible choices. Fans of Kate Quinn, Pam Jenoff and Kristin Hannah will be mesmerised by The Secret Dressmaker .
Readers love Jenny O’Brien’s historical
‘If I could give this book a billion stars, I would. Impossible to put down... filled with surprising twists... It leaves you with a feeling of unity, compassion, and the warmth of a forever love.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Heart wrenching and captivating that turns into the most remarkable story. Grab your tissues keep them close, this is a true feminist heroine playing a vital part that will have you absolutely sobbing your heart out.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Just a warning... don’t think that you will just read a couple of chapters... Five hours later, I had missed dinner, but I’d finished the book... a spectacular read.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh wow, this is a super addictive read. I’m not a knitter but I was fascinated by the concept of using various stitches to encode information. O’Brien manages to seamlessly entwine fact and fiction in this wonderful story of love and heroism... I’m betting this will end up being a movie!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘For fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, this book is for you!... the reader will discover a heroic woman who sacrifices so much to help the ones that she loves. A terrific read!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A compelling and fast-moving story with a few twists. The way that knitting is used as code is intriguing and the characters are really thought provoking. Once I started, I could not stop reading.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A beautifully written, engaging historical fiction story that completely won me over... If you enjoy books like The Nightingale or The Alice Network, this one fits right alongside them. A truly lovely read and an easy 5 stars for me.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘An absolutely brilliant, five-star read!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This WW2 fiction book was amazing, I loved it. Wow it was such a rollercoaster of a read – heartbreaking, sad, uplifting, courageous... Highly recommend.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow, this is a must read. It’s fascinating, who knew knitting could be so interesting!... I really enjoyed this book, it has to be my new favourite.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Manchester, 1942. Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. When British intelligence shows her photographs of her girls – now young women in occupied Paris – her world shifts. One is safe. One has vanished. And their father, the celebrated couturier Lucien Lumineau, is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis.
Flora agrees to a dangerous parachute into France, pose as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, and uncover the truth. Lodging above a brothel where Edith Piaf sings after hours and where Pablo Picasso still holds court, she mends costumes between shows, searches for any trace of her missing daughter between curfews, and circles closer to Lucien.
But Lucien isn’t the man she remembers. Neither is their history. And what Flora discovers will unravel everything she thought she knew – about Lucien, about her daughters, and about the night she gave them away.
A sweeping tale of wartime Paris, family secrets and impossible choices. Fans of Kate Quinn, Pam Jenoff and Kristin Hannah will be mesmerised by The Secret Dressmaker .
Readers love Jenny O’Brien’s historical
‘If I could give this book a billion stars, I would. Impossible to put down... filled with surprising twists... It leaves you with a feeling of unity, compassion, and the warmth of a forever love.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Heart wrenching and captivating that turns into the most remarkable story. Grab your tissues keep them close, this is a true feminist heroine playing a vital part that will have you absolutely sobbing your heart out.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Just a warning... don’t think that you will just read a couple of chapters... Five hours later, I had missed dinner, but I’d finished the book... a spectacular read.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh wow, this is a super addictive read. I’m not a knitter but I was fascinated by the concept of using various stitches to encode information. O’Brien manages to seamlessly entwine fact and fiction in this wonderful story of love and heroism... I’m betting this will end up being a movie!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘For fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, this book is for you!... the reader will discover a heroic woman who sacrifices so much to help the ones that she loves. A terrific read!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A compelling and fast-moving story with a few twists. The way that knitting is used as code is intriguing and the characters are really thought provoking. Once I started, I could not stop reading.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A beautifully written, engaging historical fiction story that completely won me over... If you enjoy books like The Nightingale or The Alice Network, this one fits right alongside them. A truly lovely read and an easy 5 stars for me.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘An absolutely brilliant, five-star read!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This WW2 fiction book was amazing, I loved it. Wow it was such a rollercoaster of a read – heartbreaking, sad, uplifting, courageous... Highly recommend.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow, this is a must read. It’s fascinating, who knew knitting could be so interesting!... I really enjoyed this book, it has to be my new favourite.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Jenny O'Brien
30 books199 followersHi and thanks for stopping by.
I took up writing about twenty years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven't stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers.
My next release, out February, 2026, is The Resistance Knitting Club, a World War 2 historical novel set in Guernsey, the UK and France. I am currently working on my third WW2 novel.
If you like my writing please get in touch - my social media links are below (I’m rarely on Goodreads so it’s best not to drop me a message here). I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up to via my website.
Jenny O
Facebook: Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer
Twitter: scribblerjb
Instagram: scribblerjb
I took up writing about twenty years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven't stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers.
My next release, out February, 2026, is The Resistance Knitting Club, a World War 2 historical novel set in Guernsey, the UK and France. I am currently working on my third WW2 novel.
If you like my writing please get in touch - my social media links are below (I’m rarely on Goodreads so it’s best not to drop me a message here). I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up to via my website.
Jenny O
Facebook: Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer
Twitter: scribblerjb
Instagram: scribblerjb
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I originally reached for this story because of the Northern Ireland setting. I’d never read wartime fiction set in my homeland and was excited to read the second book in O’Brien’s ‘Threads of Resistance’ series. It was the storytelling, though, that kept me turning pages.
This is powerful historical fiction showcasing wartime resilience. The author expertly balances historical intrigue with the world of haute couture, bravery and suspense. As readers get swept up in Flora’s search, they’ll rub shoulders with Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso and become engaged in the emotional pull of lives transformed by the challenges of war.
If you enjoy historical fiction focused on impossible choices, family secrets and wartime Paris, don’t miss this one.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is powerful historical fiction showcasing wartime resilience. The author expertly balances historical intrigue with the world of haute couture, bravery and suspense. As readers get swept up in Flora’s search, they’ll rub shoulders with Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso and become engaged in the emotional pull of lives transformed by the challenges of war.
If you enjoy historical fiction focused on impossible choices, family secrets and wartime Paris, don’t miss this one.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 19, 2026
Jenny O’Brien has once again captured the tense atmosphere of WW2 Paris and crafted a gripping plot full of twists and turns, with a fascinating central character. This author’s research is always impeccable and she has used it to create an immersive story that kept me guessing. I loved the redemptive arc of this novel, and the way the women supported each other (with the exception of one particularly villainous woman, of course)!
Having enjoyed the author’s previous book, I appreciated the way this one refers back to it, but it definitely works as a standalone. The focus this time is on sewing rather than knitting, and it’s great to see how this skill could be used as an act of resistance.
Flora is a complex and believable main character whose attitudes fit the period and yet whose independence, skill and courage make her admirable for modern readers.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Having enjoyed the author’s previous book, I appreciated the way this one refers back to it, but it definitely works as a standalone. The focus this time is on sewing rather than knitting, and it’s great to see how this skill could be used as an act of resistance.
Flora is a complex and believable main character whose attitudes fit the period and yet whose independence, skill and courage make her admirable for modern readers.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2026
Set in 1942, Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. But Flora’s world shifts when British intelligence show her photos of her girls in occupied Paris. One is safe. One is missing. And their father, a celebrated couturier, is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. Flora agrees to a dangerous parachute drop into France, pose as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge and uncover the truth.
The Secret Dressmaker is the second book in the Threads of Resistance series but can most definitely be read as a standalone novel. Incredibly well researched, the story features real people and specific locations as they were during wartime.
I really liked Flora; a strong, complex and credible character. There were moments in the story where my heart ached for her, and others moments when I rejoiced with her.
The plot is so cleverly crafted; the revelations just kept on coming! The storyline has left me wanting to know more about Flora and her daughters; I feel there are more stones waiting to be unturned!
The Secret Dressmaker is a very engaging tale of wartime Resistance, family secrets and impossible choices. Highly recommended.
The Secret Dressmaker is the second book in the Threads of Resistance series but can most definitely be read as a standalone novel. Incredibly well researched, the story features real people and specific locations as they were during wartime.
I really liked Flora; a strong, complex and credible character. There were moments in the story where my heart ached for her, and others moments when I rejoiced with her.
The plot is so cleverly crafted; the revelations just kept on coming! The storyline has left me wanting to know more about Flora and her daughters; I feel there are more stones waiting to be unturned!
The Secret Dressmaker is a very engaging tale of wartime Resistance, family secrets and impossible choices. Highly recommended.
August 4, 2026
Good story with fascinating details of Paris, the Moulin Rouge and French Couture houses. It ended a little abruptly…maybe there will be a sequel?
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
August 10, 2026
Flora is recruited to discover any information about a past love. She’s headed to France again after all these years, determined to find the whereabouts of her daughters too.
This was a quick book. It was full of surprises. I think it ended abruptly and left a few things unanswered. I really hope there may be a follow up book in this series.
This was a quick book. It was full of surprises. I think it ended abruptly and left a few things unanswered. I really hope there may be a follow up book in this series.
August 6, 2026
Even though this is listed as book 2 in a series, there are only minor references to book 1 and in no way affect the reader, so it can easily be read as a stand-alone. That said, my only con with this book was reads (pun intended) that I felt were left dangling and can only assume will be picked up in the next book.
Flora is packing parachutes for the RAF in the fall of 1942 when she learns a bit about the twin daughters left in Paris 18 years earlier. She believed their father and his wife were raising them. She learned otherwise and was persuaded to return to France to help determine if their father was a Nazi collaborator. She went to find and reconcile with the girls, Violette and Marguerite. Events do not play out as expected.
This was a heart-pounding, heart-warming, heart-wrenching story that kept me turning the pages and hoping against hope that Flora would survive her exploits and find her daughters as she learns one shocking thing after another.
As I read my heart bounced between soaring and aching as I hope yours does. Definitely a book to read with a glass of wine by your side!
My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Flora is packing parachutes for the RAF in the fall of 1942 when she learns a bit about the twin daughters left in Paris 18 years earlier. She believed their father and his wife were raising them. She learned otherwise and was persuaded to return to France to help determine if their father was a Nazi collaborator. She went to find and reconcile with the girls, Violette and Marguerite. Events do not play out as expected.
This was a heart-pounding, heart-warming, heart-wrenching story that kept me turning the pages and hoping against hope that Flora would survive her exploits and find her daughters as she learns one shocking thing after another.
As I read my heart bounced between soaring and aching as I hope yours does. Definitely a book to read with a glass of wine by your side!
My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker by Jenny O'Brien
Synopsis /
Northern Ireland, 1942. Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. When British intelligence shows her photographs of her girls – now young women in occupied Paris – her world shifts. One is safe. One has vanished. And their father, the celebrated couturier Lucien Lumineau, is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis.
Flora agrees to a dangerous mission: parachute into France, pose as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, and uncover the truth. Lodging above a brothel where Edith Piaf sings after hours and where Pablo Picasso still holds court, she mends costumes, searches for any trace of her missing daughter between curfews, and circles closer to Lucien.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Jenny O'Brien for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
One of my favoured go to genres to read is historical fiction, and when it comes 'inspired by true events', it's hard to pass up.
The Secret Dressmaker is the second book in author, Jenny O'Brien's Threads of Resistance series and follows the story of Flora Toussaint, a woman working in Northern Ireland packing parachutes for the RAF. Flora is a fierce, resilient protagonist and this story details her journey from grieving mother to an undercover MI6 operative in occupied Paris.
WWII resistance movements crippled operations through sheer ingenuity. Instead of confronting the army in traditional 'battles', they utilized unconventional war strategies to fight a much stronger, traditional military power – psychological sabotage, espionage, and clandestine networks whose purpose was to harass and confuse the occupied forces.
With the Nazi's constantly on the lookout for members of the Resistance, individuals working within the Resistance movement had to constantly come up with 'something new' with which they could pass on vital information to others in their network. Codes were used in all sorts of manner during the war, and, in the first book of the series, The Resistance Knitting Club, O'Brien tells the tale of a woman who used knitting patterns to encode intelligence during World War Two. Flora Toussaint raises the stakes in this second book by devising a clever technique for embedding a simple code within a quilt's stitching.
The core inspiration for The Secret Dressmaker came from the true story of Brian Stonehouse. Stonehouse, a real-life British SOE agent and an exceptionally talented fashion artist, was dropped into occupied France as a wireless operator due to his fluency in French. After being arrested and surviving multiple concentration camps, he went on to work for Vogue magazine. After researching textile-based espionage, and how British spies used 'knit-and-purl Morse code' in their knitting patterns, the author researched how this might be transferred to other materials. With fabrics and sewing materials in short supply and most available fabric coming from recycled clothing, was it even possible to manipulate a complex code into something like a hand-sewn quilt?
In sharp contrast to the fast-paced, twist-filled storytelling of her DI Gaby Darin crime series, O'Brien's historical work adopts a deliberate, slower pace. The author utilizes evocative, emotional prose to build suspense through rich character dramatization and vividly atmospheric settings.
However, in spite of the many enjoyable aspects of this story, I have a few criticisms:
📚 Rushed Resolutions - There was a slower pacing throughout most of the book (not a criticism), except when you get to the conclusion – where the author just left our protagonist dangling, and the reader with many, many unanswered questions. In short, the author spent too much time (word) building our anticipation, raced toward the conclusion, and left the reader without a satisfying payoff.
📚 Romance v Plot – This reader thought the book leant too heavily towards the romance subplot, and was hoping for more focus on the resistance and espionage trope. Which was, after all, the reason she was sent into Paris in the first place.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to one of my favourite publishers, Storm Publishing 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 4, 2026.
Synopsis /
Northern Ireland, 1942. Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. When British intelligence shows her photographs of her girls – now young women in occupied Paris – her world shifts. One is safe. One has vanished. And their father, the celebrated couturier Lucien Lumineau, is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis.
Flora agrees to a dangerous mission: parachute into France, pose as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, and uncover the truth. Lodging above a brothel where Edith Piaf sings after hours and where Pablo Picasso still holds court, she mends costumes, searches for any trace of her missing daughter between curfews, and circles closer to Lucien.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Jenny O'Brien for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
One of my favoured go to genres to read is historical fiction, and when it comes 'inspired by true events', it's hard to pass up.
The Secret Dressmaker is the second book in author, Jenny O'Brien's Threads of Resistance series and follows the story of Flora Toussaint, a woman working in Northern Ireland packing parachutes for the RAF. Flora is a fierce, resilient protagonist and this story details her journey from grieving mother to an undercover MI6 operative in occupied Paris.
WWII resistance movements crippled operations through sheer ingenuity. Instead of confronting the army in traditional 'battles', they utilized unconventional war strategies to fight a much stronger, traditional military power – psychological sabotage, espionage, and clandestine networks whose purpose was to harass and confuse the occupied forces.
With the Nazi's constantly on the lookout for members of the Resistance, individuals working within the Resistance movement had to constantly come up with 'something new' with which they could pass on vital information to others in their network. Codes were used in all sorts of manner during the war, and, in the first book of the series, The Resistance Knitting Club, O'Brien tells the tale of a woman who used knitting patterns to encode intelligence during World War Two. Flora Toussaint raises the stakes in this second book by devising a clever technique for embedding a simple code within a quilt's stitching.
The core inspiration for The Secret Dressmaker came from the true story of Brian Stonehouse. Stonehouse, a real-life British SOE agent and an exceptionally talented fashion artist, was dropped into occupied France as a wireless operator due to his fluency in French. After being arrested and surviving multiple concentration camps, he went on to work for Vogue magazine. After researching textile-based espionage, and how British spies used 'knit-and-purl Morse code' in their knitting patterns, the author researched how this might be transferred to other materials. With fabrics and sewing materials in short supply and most available fabric coming from recycled clothing, was it even possible to manipulate a complex code into something like a hand-sewn quilt?
In sharp contrast to the fast-paced, twist-filled storytelling of her DI Gaby Darin crime series, O'Brien's historical work adopts a deliberate, slower pace. The author utilizes evocative, emotional prose to build suspense through rich character dramatization and vividly atmospheric settings.
However, in spite of the many enjoyable aspects of this story, I have a few criticisms:
📚 Rushed Resolutions - There was a slower pacing throughout most of the book (not a criticism), except when you get to the conclusion – where the author just left our protagonist dangling, and the reader with many, many unanswered questions. In short, the author spent too much time (word) building our anticipation, raced toward the conclusion, and left the reader without a satisfying payoff.
📚 Romance v Plot – This reader thought the book leant too heavily towards the romance subplot, and was hoping for more focus on the resistance and espionage trope. Which was, after all, the reason she was sent into Paris in the first place.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to one of my favourite publishers, Storm Publishing 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 4, 2026.
June 27, 2026
Wow, what a magnificent novel. It held me in its powerful and emotional grip from start to finish! This is book two of the Resistance Threads series and although I had not reviewed the first one, sadly due to time constraints, I don’t think it hurt my reading experience. But after completing The Secret Dressmaker, I am now keen to go back and complete Book one. It is truly a captivating and heart wrenching human story and the author is not afraid to make some serious judgement calls with her characters. It has been inspired by true events and it clearly comes across realistic. And just as in real life, things don’t always go as planned.
The Secret Dressmaker is a World War Two novel and mainly set in France where the fight against Hitler’s regime is very real. Nazis Germany occupied Paris from June 1940 -1944 and this story is set during its midpoint of 1942. The atmosphere, descriptions and tone definitely come across exceptionally well. I felt transported to the location and walked beside the characters who were both engaging and authentic. The majority of the story is told through Flora the seamstress- spy with a few others sharing a glimpse.
Heroine Flora Toussaint is a courageous woman who has endured some pretty horrific experiences in her life. As we learn about them, it tugs on our heart strings and gives us an even greater appreciation for who she is and what she is about to do for the love of her daughters. She is a talented seamstress and able to utilise those skills when a certain man named Tomas comes to ask her help in finding Lucien, a dress designer, who once employed her and with whom she had a relationship. She got pregnant and delivered their daughters but was forced by circumstance to give them up. Not to strangers but to Lucien and the woman he decided to marry for her wealth. Now many years later ,she is asked to reunite with him to get information. For it is believed he is working for the enemy and this mission is to find out just what his plans are.
Flora leaves Carrickfergus and a terrible cheating husband behind and embarks on a war mission to help Tomas and the resistance. As she gets to know Tomas, something else happens inside her. They work together and slowly she begins to appreciate who he is and that she feels safe with him. But he initially holds back some information until she discovers what has been hidden. And when she is reunited with her past love and the father of her children, the danger begins. But what she is not counting on is who Lucien really is: a man who loves his daughters and will do anything to protect them.
There are some incredible plot twists as the mystery unfolds about her daughters, the church, Lucien and Sabine. But while she hides in the community of The Moulin Rouge, Flora feels something she hasn’t felt in a very long time - “the particular warmth of women who had decided to trust each other.” And while she is with them, she comes up with a clever plan of creating a code in a quilt to help the resistance.
This is such a moving, riveting, well-written story set against a dangerous backdrop of WW2. It is filled with sacrifice, spies, betrayal, mystery, romance, family secrets, shocking revelations and heart racing danger that kept me teetering on the edge of my seat. But one emotion and moral strength quality I felt flooding this book over and over was love and courage exhibited by this woman whose children had been torn from her by circumstance. Then she was deceived by those she trusted. It is clear to see that Lucien also had a deep love for his daughters but he made some terrible mistakes years ago. And he admitted he was a coward. I appreciated the growth in his character that transpired over time and we get to see that.
And as for the daughters, we get a short session with one but there is so much more to learn. These girls, which we have been told, are quite beautiful and gifted in abilities. I gather from the way the story ended there will be more shared about them, hopefully in the next book! I truly loved The Secret Dressmaker. It threaded its way into my heart and created unforgettable images and feelings. This is one story I won’t forget. Its tapestry is rich and rare like the epic love it demonstrates, while framing mesmerising courage. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
The Secret Dressmaker is a World War Two novel and mainly set in France where the fight against Hitler’s regime is very real. Nazis Germany occupied Paris from June 1940 -1944 and this story is set during its midpoint of 1942. The atmosphere, descriptions and tone definitely come across exceptionally well. I felt transported to the location and walked beside the characters who were both engaging and authentic. The majority of the story is told through Flora the seamstress- spy with a few others sharing a glimpse.
Heroine Flora Toussaint is a courageous woman who has endured some pretty horrific experiences in her life. As we learn about them, it tugs on our heart strings and gives us an even greater appreciation for who she is and what she is about to do for the love of her daughters. She is a talented seamstress and able to utilise those skills when a certain man named Tomas comes to ask her help in finding Lucien, a dress designer, who once employed her and with whom she had a relationship. She got pregnant and delivered their daughters but was forced by circumstance to give them up. Not to strangers but to Lucien and the woman he decided to marry for her wealth. Now many years later ,she is asked to reunite with him to get information. For it is believed he is working for the enemy and this mission is to find out just what his plans are.
Flora leaves Carrickfergus and a terrible cheating husband behind and embarks on a war mission to help Tomas and the resistance. As she gets to know Tomas, something else happens inside her. They work together and slowly she begins to appreciate who he is and that she feels safe with him. But he initially holds back some information until she discovers what has been hidden. And when she is reunited with her past love and the father of her children, the danger begins. But what she is not counting on is who Lucien really is: a man who loves his daughters and will do anything to protect them.
There are some incredible plot twists as the mystery unfolds about her daughters, the church, Lucien and Sabine. But while she hides in the community of The Moulin Rouge, Flora feels something she hasn’t felt in a very long time - “the particular warmth of women who had decided to trust each other.” And while she is with them, she comes up with a clever plan of creating a code in a quilt to help the resistance.
This is such a moving, riveting, well-written story set against a dangerous backdrop of WW2. It is filled with sacrifice, spies, betrayal, mystery, romance, family secrets, shocking revelations and heart racing danger that kept me teetering on the edge of my seat. But one emotion and moral strength quality I felt flooding this book over and over was love and courage exhibited by this woman whose children had been torn from her by circumstance. Then she was deceived by those she trusted. It is clear to see that Lucien also had a deep love for his daughters but he made some terrible mistakes years ago. And he admitted he was a coward. I appreciated the growth in his character that transpired over time and we get to see that.
And as for the daughters, we get a short session with one but there is so much more to learn. These girls, which we have been told, are quite beautiful and gifted in abilities. I gather from the way the story ended there will be more shared about them, hopefully in the next book! I truly loved The Secret Dressmaker. It threaded its way into my heart and created unforgettable images and feelings. This is one story I won’t forget. Its tapestry is rich and rare like the epic love it demonstrates, while framing mesmerising courage. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was the second book in the Threads of Resistance series - and though it could be read as a stand-alone there are references in this to characters in book 1 - notably Sabine and Otto Reiner, apparently Lucien gets a mention but I couldn’t find it just his fashion house.
Flora was born in France but ended up married to Brian in Carrickfergus packing parachutes for the war effort.
The powers that be come to find out that Flora knows Lucien - and that he may well be a traitor. Lucien is now married to Sabine. Flora had given birth to twins - their father, Lucien- but they had been taken from her and promised a better life. Lucien had them but Sabine didn’t want 2 babies and Marguerette was returned to the convent. Flora herself had been unwanted and neglected -the convent and one particular nun her saviour.
So Flora is parachuted into France with Tomas - a nice touch was her buried parachute recovered later.
So far so good and please don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment. A couple of glaring inconsistencies -the 1942 seatbelt in a car and the divorce all signed sealed and delivered in weeks when Flora found Brian’s infidelity. The narrative seemed to take place in little over 6months as far as I could see.
I found the dress making aspects of the story fascinating - but who used the quilts and how did they disguise the information? Were they of any use?
I did like the fact that Flora did attempt some knitting in code but again who for and why?
Along the way Flora finds she had triplets - and the third Lili was taken by Otto Reiner and his wife. He too couldn’t be faithful or Sabine.
It would have been completely possible for Flora to have a third baby unnoticed if she was exhausted after the twins. Maybe she thought it was the afterbirth coming - who knows? She never meets Juliette - and after 18 years has a difficult relationship with a now unwell Marguerette.
The addition of Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso may have seemed unlikely - but their roles were woven into the story well and a little research shows that Edith did stay where Flora did and Madame Billy was indeed factual. We also encountered the ooooo-la-la of Moulin Rouge.
All in a great second book in the stories and I am sure that there will be more answers in the third book and we will find out more about Flora and her daughters.
This review does leave out a lot of detail on purpose - it’s a review of a well written well researched book not a précis of its content. I recommend that you read it and savour it for yourself.
Flora was born in France but ended up married to Brian in Carrickfergus packing parachutes for the war effort.
The powers that be come to find out that Flora knows Lucien - and that he may well be a traitor. Lucien is now married to Sabine. Flora had given birth to twins - their father, Lucien- but they had been taken from her and promised a better life. Lucien had them but Sabine didn’t want 2 babies and Marguerette was returned to the convent. Flora herself had been unwanted and neglected -the convent and one particular nun her saviour.
So Flora is parachuted into France with Tomas - a nice touch was her buried parachute recovered later.
So far so good and please don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment. A couple of glaring inconsistencies -the 1942 seatbelt in a car and the divorce all signed sealed and delivered in weeks when Flora found Brian’s infidelity. The narrative seemed to take place in little over 6months as far as I could see.
I found the dress making aspects of the story fascinating - but who used the quilts and how did they disguise the information? Were they of any use?
I did like the fact that Flora did attempt some knitting in code but again who for and why?
Along the way Flora finds she had triplets - and the third Lili was taken by Otto Reiner and his wife. He too couldn’t be faithful or Sabine.
It would have been completely possible for Flora to have a third baby unnoticed if she was exhausted after the twins. Maybe she thought it was the afterbirth coming - who knows? She never meets Juliette - and after 18 years has a difficult relationship with a now unwell Marguerette.
The addition of Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso may have seemed unlikely - but their roles were woven into the story well and a little research shows that Edith did stay where Flora did and Madame Billy was indeed factual. We also encountered the ooooo-la-la of Moulin Rouge.
All in a great second book in the stories and I am sure that there will be more answers in the third book and we will find out more about Flora and her daughters.
This review does leave out a lot of detail on purpose - it’s a review of a well written well researched book not a précis of its content. I recommend that you read it and savour it for yourself.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Flora Granville is unhappily married to Brian and works packing parachutes for the RAF, and never thought she would be jumping out of a plane and using one to land in France. British intelligence approached Flora, because she's French, was a seamstress nineteen years ago for couturier Lucien Lumineau, and he’s suspected of collaborating with the Nazis.
After signing the Secret Services Act and finishing training, Flora is dropped into France and her cover will be as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge. Lucien is still married to Sabine, when a young and naive Flora found herself pregnant, the couple adopted her twin daughters? While Violette is safe in the country, Marguerette is missing and Flora's determined to find her.
Flora lives on the top floor of a brothel, she repairs costumes, and comes up with an idea that could be used to transfer information to the resistance and England.
Flora’s contact is Tomas Rives, he’s a French wine merchant, he knows about her past relationship with Lucien and he's the father of her girls and of course she bumps into him and the man that broke her heart and promises.
I received a copy of the Secret Dressmaker (Threads of Resistance #2) by Jenny O'Brien from NetGalley and Storm publishing in exchange for an honest review and I did read and enjoy the first book in the series The Resistance Knitting Club.
I found it interesting reading about the Second World War in France, famous people were included in the narrative, singer Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso and places.
A story about being a young women, falling in love with a married man, making the hard choice to give up her babies, for eighteen years she's regretted doing so, and was she coerced and lied to? I could easily imagine a lady such as the main character Flora being approached by British Intelligence, becoming an agent and I liked Tomas Rives.
Four stars from me, lots of secrets and twist and turns I didn’t see coming and I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I have a feeling it will be about Marguerette?
After signing the Secret Services Act and finishing training, Flora is dropped into France and her cover will be as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge. Lucien is still married to Sabine, when a young and naive Flora found herself pregnant, the couple adopted her twin daughters? While Violette is safe in the country, Marguerette is missing and Flora's determined to find her.
Flora lives on the top floor of a brothel, she repairs costumes, and comes up with an idea that could be used to transfer information to the resistance and England.
Flora’s contact is Tomas Rives, he’s a French wine merchant, he knows about her past relationship with Lucien and he's the father of her girls and of course she bumps into him and the man that broke her heart and promises.
I received a copy of the Secret Dressmaker (Threads of Resistance #2) by Jenny O'Brien from NetGalley and Storm publishing in exchange for an honest review and I did read and enjoy the first book in the series The Resistance Knitting Club.
I found it interesting reading about the Second World War in France, famous people were included in the narrative, singer Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso and places.
A story about being a young women, falling in love with a married man, making the hard choice to give up her babies, for eighteen years she's regretted doing so, and was she coerced and lied to? I could easily imagine a lady such as the main character Flora being approached by British Intelligence, becoming an agent and I liked Tomas Rives.
Four stars from me, lots of secrets and twist and turns I didn’t see coming and I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I have a feeling it will be about Marguerette?
Review of advance copy received from Author
In 1942, Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF in Manchester, but she is always haunted by the thoughts of her twin daughters whom she was forced to give up 18 years ago. When a British intelligence agent comes with her daughters' photographs and asks for her collaboration in outing Lucien Lumineau's, her former lover, the father of her daughters and a famous couture in German-occupied France, she doesn't think twice before jumping out of the plane with a parachute, landing in France.
She then poses as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, living above a brothel with Edith Piaf, mending costumes while searching for her daughters, only to find out that there is heartbreak, loss, and fear is waiting for her besides a faint chance of a reunion.
When I read the first book of the series,, The Resistance Knitting Club, I fell in love with Jenny O'Brien's writing, her perfectly researched settings, situations, and historical events with extreme emotional depth. The Secret Dressmaker did and did not surprise me at the same time. I expected another amazing WWII story, but I did not expect my heart to break so much. I was also pleasantly surprised to see legends such as Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso play crucial roles in the story.
Flora is a brave woman, willing to land among a sea of enemies to find her daughters, bearing the pain of the love story and motherhood that was stolen from her. She shows the determination, unbelievable strength, and bravery of both a mother and a woman in love. The love, the loss, and the redemption that make up the spine of this amazing book made me go through all sorts of emotions and certain scenes still stay with me now that I turned the last page. If you are into WWII historical fiction with deeply emotional plots and spy elements, please do yourself a favor and read this book. I really hope there will be a third book in this fantastic series!
Big thanks to author Jenny O'Brien, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
She then poses as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, living above a brothel with Edith Piaf, mending costumes while searching for her daughters, only to find out that there is heartbreak, loss, and fear is waiting for her besides a faint chance of a reunion.
When I read the first book of the series,, The Resistance Knitting Club, I fell in love with Jenny O'Brien's writing, her perfectly researched settings, situations, and historical events with extreme emotional depth. The Secret Dressmaker did and did not surprise me at the same time. I expected another amazing WWII story, but I did not expect my heart to break so much. I was also pleasantly surprised to see legends such as Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso play crucial roles in the story.
Flora is a brave woman, willing to land among a sea of enemies to find her daughters, bearing the pain of the love story and motherhood that was stolen from her. She shows the determination, unbelievable strength, and bravery of both a mother and a woman in love. The love, the loss, and the redemption that make up the spine of this amazing book made me go through all sorts of emotions and certain scenes still stay with me now that I turned the last page. If you are into WWII historical fiction with deeply emotional plots and spy elements, please do yourself a favor and read this book. I really hope there will be a third book in this fantastic series!
Big thanks to author Jenny O'Brien, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Story synopsis:
Northern Ireland, 1942. Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. British intelligence shows her photographs of her girls, and uses the photos to coerce Flora into working for them. The assigned mission is to help determine if the twins' father, the celebrated couturier Lucien Lumineau, is a Nazi collaborator. But her personal mission is to find and reunite with her daughters. Flora is quickly trained and parachutes into France where she works as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, while acting as an agent to gather intelligence on her former boss and lover.. Lodging above a brothel, she mends costumes, searches for any trace of her missing daughter between curfews, and circles closer to Lucien. But Flora discovers shocking facts that will change her life.
I didn't read closely enough when I requested this ARC, and did not realize it was the second in a series. In fact, I didn't even realize that until I started to read some other reviews. It was not at all necessary to read the previous book for me to become totally absorbed in this story; however I am now anxious for the next book because the end of the story left me saying, "Wait! What?" There were so many things unresolved. I can only hope the sequel helps unravel some of the remaining mysteries.
The book is very well written and immediately captured my complete attention. The character development is excellent, the story line is exciting, and the constant twists and turns keep the reader on edge. One revelation about 2/3 of the way through the book was totally unexpected and a wonderful plot twist. The book leans more toward the fiction than the historical, but there are some good depictions of the things people had to endure during wartime in France.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book as an exciting and thought-provoking read.
Northern Ireland, 1942. Flora Toussaint packs parachutes for the RAF, haunted by the twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago. British intelligence shows her photographs of her girls, and uses the photos to coerce Flora into working for them. The assigned mission is to help determine if the twins' father, the celebrated couturier Lucien Lumineau, is a Nazi collaborator. But her personal mission is to find and reunite with her daughters. Flora is quickly trained and parachutes into France where she works as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, while acting as an agent to gather intelligence on her former boss and lover.. Lodging above a brothel, she mends costumes, searches for any trace of her missing daughter between curfews, and circles closer to Lucien. But Flora discovers shocking facts that will change her life.
I didn't read closely enough when I requested this ARC, and did not realize it was the second in a series. In fact, I didn't even realize that until I started to read some other reviews. It was not at all necessary to read the previous book for me to become totally absorbed in this story; however I am now anxious for the next book because the end of the story left me saying, "Wait! What?" There were so many things unresolved. I can only hope the sequel helps unravel some of the remaining mysteries.
The book is very well written and immediately captured my complete attention. The character development is excellent, the story line is exciting, and the constant twists and turns keep the reader on edge. One revelation about 2/3 of the way through the book was totally unexpected and a wonderful plot twist. The book leans more toward the fiction than the historical, but there are some good depictions of the things people had to endure during wartime in France.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book as an exciting and thought-provoking read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Flora Toussaint dropped by parachute into France, it was 1942. She'd been sent in by British Intelligence, set to infiltrate and discover hidden collaborators, one of whom could well be the father of her daughters. Eighteen years prior she'd been coerced by the father of her twins, who was set to marry an heiress - Flora had no money - which would help with his business as a couturier. Flora had never forgotten her girls, and when the opportunity arose, travelling to Paris would kill two birds with one stone.
Tomas had arrived with Flora as her handler. Deeply involved with the Resistance, doing everything he could to oust the traitors, he helped Flora, who obtained a job as seamstress at the Moulin Rouge. She loved the work there, brief though it was. Flora met Pablo Picasso, who was a dear friend of Lucien's, and Edith Piaf who sang like a bird. But things weren't running smoothly when Flora discovered shocking truths about her family. Doing her best to keep out of sight of the SS, she knew her safety was on the line...
The Secret Dressmaker is the 2nd in the Threads of Resistance series by Jenny O'Brien and it was a wonderfully written historical which I really enjoyed. Flora is an independent woman, desperate to find her daughters. She also realised the danger she was facing, and the danger she was putting those who were helping her, in. I'm really looking forward to #3, and recommend this one highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.
Tomas had arrived with Flora as her handler. Deeply involved with the Resistance, doing everything he could to oust the traitors, he helped Flora, who obtained a job as seamstress at the Moulin Rouge. She loved the work there, brief though it was. Flora met Pablo Picasso, who was a dear friend of Lucien's, and Edith Piaf who sang like a bird. But things weren't running smoothly when Flora discovered shocking truths about her family. Doing her best to keep out of sight of the SS, she knew her safety was on the line...
The Secret Dressmaker is the 2nd in the Threads of Resistance series by Jenny O'Brien and it was a wonderfully written historical which I really enjoyed. Flora is an independent woman, desperate to find her daughters. She also realised the danger she was facing, and the danger she was putting those who were helping her, in. I'm really looking forward to #3, and recommend this one highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker was my very first ARC through NetGalley, which made reading it feel extra special—and I'm so glad it was this book.
Set against the backdrop of World War II-era Paris, the story follows Flora, a talented seamstress whose return to occupied France becomes both a dangerous espionage mission and a deeply personal search for the twin daughters she was forced to leave behind years earlier.
Going in, I expected the wartime espionage to take center stage, but I found this to be just as much a story about love, family, and the ripple effects of long-buried secrets. While the French Resistance and espionage provide plenty of suspense, it's the emotional journey and family relationships that truly drive the story.
I especially loved the historical setting and the way Jenny O'Brien wove Parisian fashion, art, and culture into the novel. References to iconic landmarks, Pablo Picasso, Balenciaga, the Moulin Rouge, and the world of haute couture added so much richness and atmosphere, making occupied Paris feel vividly alive despite the darkness of the era.
The pacing kept me turning the pages, and there were several twists I genuinely didn't see coming. Flora was an easy character to root for, and I found myself completely invested in both her mission and her hope of reuniting with her daughters.
Beautifully written, emotional, and filled with suspense, The Secret Dressmaker is a wonderful blend of historical fiction, family drama, and wartime intrigue. I highly recommend it to fans of WWII fiction who enjoy stories where the emotional heart is every bit as compelling as the historical backdrop.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Set against the backdrop of World War II-era Paris, the story follows Flora, a talented seamstress whose return to occupied France becomes both a dangerous espionage mission and a deeply personal search for the twin daughters she was forced to leave behind years earlier.
Going in, I expected the wartime espionage to take center stage, but I found this to be just as much a story about love, family, and the ripple effects of long-buried secrets. While the French Resistance and espionage provide plenty of suspense, it's the emotional journey and family relationships that truly drive the story.
I especially loved the historical setting and the way Jenny O'Brien wove Parisian fashion, art, and culture into the novel. References to iconic landmarks, Pablo Picasso, Balenciaga, the Moulin Rouge, and the world of haute couture added so much richness and atmosphere, making occupied Paris feel vividly alive despite the darkness of the era.
The pacing kept me turning the pages, and there were several twists I genuinely didn't see coming. Flora was an easy character to root for, and I found myself completely invested in both her mission and her hope of reuniting with her daughters.
Beautifully written, emotional, and filled with suspense, The Secret Dressmaker is a wonderful blend of historical fiction, family drama, and wartime intrigue. I highly recommend it to fans of WWII fiction who enjoy stories where the emotional heart is every bit as compelling as the historical backdrop.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker is a WWII historical fiction novel featuring a women who returns to Nazi occupied Germany to spy on her former lover/father of her children to see if he is involved in dealings with the Germans.
Flora is a seamstress by trade, and is recruited by Tomas because of her history with famed fashion designer Lucien Lumineau. She is tasked with rebuilding her relationship with Lucien in order to figure out if he is working for the enemy, but also to find out where her two daughters are, whom she had to leave with Lucien when the twins were born.
The premise of this book was very promising. I love WWII historical fiction, and I was really looking forward to this take on it involving secret codes in garments. However, I didn't feel like it delivered. I was confused for a lot of the book, because there was so much going on, but everything was not explained and delved into. Within the first 5 pages, Flora is recruited by Tomas, finds out her husband is having an affair, and parachutes into France. I felt like I needed a little background before diving right into the story. Flora is also supposedly acting as a spy, but she tells everyone she comes in contact with who she is and what she's doing. She also comes up with a code to sew into quilts, but it is mentioned twice and the quilts are never used. I also found the romance between Flora and Tomas to not be believable. There was no building of the tension, no indications that they actually liked each other. It just seemed like an afterthought.
Overall it just felt like this story had too many things going on, but not any that had the main focus.
Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book.
Flora is a seamstress by trade, and is recruited by Tomas because of her history with famed fashion designer Lucien Lumineau. She is tasked with rebuilding her relationship with Lucien in order to figure out if he is working for the enemy, but also to find out where her two daughters are, whom she had to leave with Lucien when the twins were born.
The premise of this book was very promising. I love WWII historical fiction, and I was really looking forward to this take on it involving secret codes in garments. However, I didn't feel like it delivered. I was confused for a lot of the book, because there was so much going on, but everything was not explained and delved into. Within the first 5 pages, Flora is recruited by Tomas, finds out her husband is having an affair, and parachutes into France. I felt like I needed a little background before diving right into the story. Flora is also supposedly acting as a spy, but she tells everyone she comes in contact with who she is and what she's doing. She also comes up with a code to sew into quilts, but it is mentioned twice and the quilts are never used. I also found the romance between Flora and Tomas to not be believable. There was no building of the tension, no indications that they actually liked each other. It just seemed like an afterthought.
Overall it just felt like this story had too many things going on, but not any that had the main focus.
Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Who needs a poorly made World War Two movie that ends in a few hours when you can get lost for hours upon hours in the suspense of a World War Two historical fiction? The Secret Dressmaker kept me entertained for hours. There was so much happening reminding me that there was nothing simple about the war.
Flora was forced to leave Paris after a romance went wrong. Eighteen years later; she has been recruited to discover if the man she loved in conspiring with the Nazis. After eighteen years, she has a chance to reunite with her twin daughters. Daughters she had to said goodbye to with the guarentee the father would take them in. A promise was broken.
Flora arrives in Paris with plans in place. She moves into her missing daughter's room. She takes a job as a seamstress where her missing daughter had worked. She must discover the truth while she reunites with her ex-lover in-order to learn what he knows. The truth is shocking.
Lucien never stopped loving Flora, but love wasn't enough. He wanted to be a success as designer and Sabine had the money to make it so. She promised to accept his children, but would only keep one. He has been forced into a life he doesn't want. He is forced to be part of the Nazi social scene.
Flora is in frequent danger. She puts herself at risk to discover the truth, to find her daughters. Secrets are revealed leaving me speechless. The horrors had me in tears. The suspense, not knowing what would happen next made the story a thrilling read. Having love weaved within the story made for wonderful moments. I closed the book knowing that I won't soon forget the characters or what happened.
Flora was forced to leave Paris after a romance went wrong. Eighteen years later; she has been recruited to discover if the man she loved in conspiring with the Nazis. After eighteen years, she has a chance to reunite with her twin daughters. Daughters she had to said goodbye to with the guarentee the father would take them in. A promise was broken.
Flora arrives in Paris with plans in place. She moves into her missing daughter's room. She takes a job as a seamstress where her missing daughter had worked. She must discover the truth while she reunites with her ex-lover in-order to learn what he knows. The truth is shocking.
Lucien never stopped loving Flora, but love wasn't enough. He wanted to be a success as designer and Sabine had the money to make it so. She promised to accept his children, but would only keep one. He has been forced into a life he doesn't want. He is forced to be part of the Nazi social scene.
Flora is in frequent danger. She puts herself at risk to discover the truth, to find her daughters. Secrets are revealed leaving me speechless. The horrors had me in tears. The suspense, not knowing what would happen next made the story a thrilling read. Having love weaved within the story made for wonderful moments. I closed the book knowing that I won't soon forget the characters or what happened.
August 9, 2026
The Secret Dressmaker is another intriguing instalment in this series that explores some of the incredible methods used by the French Resistance. Once again, the inclusion of British collaborators brought the story even closer to home.
As the book opens, we meet Flora Toussaint and learn about her difficult decision to have her twin daughters adopted eighteen years earlier. This sets the scene for an emotionally gripping foray into wartime France. There’s even a nod to the operations of the contributions mentioned in the first book in this series.
My heart immediately went out to Flora. Making such an enormous decision at a tender age had impacted her life more than she could ever have imagined. Discovering the truth of her daughters’ subsequent adoption caused me to gasp, and I felt tears pooling as I read. Thank goodness the dreadful stigma attached to single mothers has now eased, and enforced adoptions are frowned upon.
From the moment Flora lands in Nazi-occupied Paris, the action begins. There is an immediate feeling of urgency, and Jenny O’Brien’s descriptions of life at that time had me feeling the desperation that must have been felt by so many. Having visited Paris and stayed in the famous Pigalle, I found a real sense of place, as mentions of the Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Cœur evoked memories of those locations.
Mentions of both Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso helped to create an extra layer of realism and had me thinking about wartime for much-loved artists. Of course, Jenny O’Brien drew from anecdotal information to include them, but she brought intrigue that I was invested in.
For me, the detail regarding the world of high couture was breathtaking. I struggle to sew on a button, so I was transfixed by the author’s knowledge. What a time to be alive in Paris. Not so much the raging war but the fashion houses which survived and are still around today.
I’m still too empathetic to wartime stories but couldn’t resist returning to Jenny O’Brien’s writing, and I’m glad I did. The Secret Dressmaker is a credit to her, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to you.
As the book opens, we meet Flora Toussaint and learn about her difficult decision to have her twin daughters adopted eighteen years earlier. This sets the scene for an emotionally gripping foray into wartime France. There’s even a nod to the operations of the contributions mentioned in the first book in this series.
My heart immediately went out to Flora. Making such an enormous decision at a tender age had impacted her life more than she could ever have imagined. Discovering the truth of her daughters’ subsequent adoption caused me to gasp, and I felt tears pooling as I read. Thank goodness the dreadful stigma attached to single mothers has now eased, and enforced adoptions are frowned upon.
From the moment Flora lands in Nazi-occupied Paris, the action begins. There is an immediate feeling of urgency, and Jenny O’Brien’s descriptions of life at that time had me feeling the desperation that must have been felt by so many. Having visited Paris and stayed in the famous Pigalle, I found a real sense of place, as mentions of the Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Cœur evoked memories of those locations.
Mentions of both Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso helped to create an extra layer of realism and had me thinking about wartime for much-loved artists. Of course, Jenny O’Brien drew from anecdotal information to include them, but she brought intrigue that I was invested in.
For me, the detail regarding the world of high couture was breathtaking. I struggle to sew on a button, so I was transfixed by the author’s knowledge. What a time to be alive in Paris. Not so much the raging war but the fashion houses which survived and are still around today.
I’m still too empathetic to wartime stories but couldn’t resist returning to Jenny O’Brien’s writing, and I’m glad I did. The Secret Dressmaker is a credit to her, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved both of Jenny O'Brien's previous books set in World War II, so I've been looking forward to reading this one. It was worth the wait. The Secret Dressmaker wastes no time with lengthy backstories or character studies before the plot takes off like a rocket. Instead, the personal details of the main character, Flora, are slowly revealed as the story unfolds, and what a story it is. If you've read other books about SOE agents, you know that there is a lengthy training process involved before they are dropped into occupied France. Nope, not this time. Flora Toussaint only requires parachute training because she is going back to France as herself. She goes from being recruited in rural Northern Ireland to being dropped into France in only two weeks! As always, the author's deep research and attention to detail make you feel as though you're in occupied Paris with Flora, sharing lodging with Edith Piaf and befriending Pablo Picasso. And, there was a plot twist well into the story that was so shocking it left me stunned. I never saw it coming, and I pride myself on rarely being surprised like that. (Kudos to Jenny O'Brien.) Because this is a series, all of the loose ends are not tied up by the end of the book, and that's a good thing because that means there are more books to come. I hope the wait isn't too long.
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker is Jenny O'Brien's second book in the Threads of Resistance series. Do not worry if you have not read The Resistance Knitting Club; it is not that kind of series. Each of these books can stand on its own. But I would urge you to read The Resistance Knitting Club because it is an amazing book.
Historical fiction and World War books are not my usual idea of a good read. Yet, here I am reading another. Jenny O'Brien is just that good. I will say I enjoyed the first book more, but I am so glad I was able to read this book.
We start the story off in 1942 Northern Ireland with Flora working packing parachutes for the RAF. It has been 18 years since she fled France after being forced to give up her newborn twin girls. She is haunted by them every day, wondering how they are, when a British Intelligence agent shows up and asks her to go undercover to help out couturier Lucien Lumineau. He has been suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. So now Flora is jumping out of a plane with one of those parachutes and going to face the man who is the father of her twins. It is a book with many surprises and twists. Just be sure to read the author's notes after the book ends. Jenny OBien gives all the facts that she used that are true and a nice music list too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. Also, thank you, Jenny O'Brien, for hours of enjoyment.
Historical fiction and World War books are not my usual idea of a good read. Yet, here I am reading another. Jenny O'Brien is just that good. I will say I enjoyed the first book more, but I am so glad I was able to read this book.
We start the story off in 1942 Northern Ireland with Flora working packing parachutes for the RAF. It has been 18 years since she fled France after being forced to give up her newborn twin girls. She is haunted by them every day, wondering how they are, when a British Intelligence agent shows up and asks her to go undercover to help out couturier Lucien Lumineau. He has been suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. So now Flora is jumping out of a plane with one of those parachutes and going to face the man who is the father of her twins. It is a book with many surprises and twists. Just be sure to read the author's notes after the book ends. Jenny OBien gives all the facts that she used that are true and a nice music list too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. Also, thank you, Jenny O'Brien, for hours of enjoyment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker is the second book in Jenny O’Brien’s Threads of Resistance series, following The Resistance Knitting Club.
This heartfelt and moving WWII novel follows Flora, who is living in a small country town in Northern Ireland, where she spends her days packing parachutes for the war effort. Eighteen years earlier, she was forced to give up her daughters in Paris, a loss that continues to haunt her.
When British intelligence approaches Flora to assist in an investigation into Lucien Lumineau—a renowned Paris couturier and the father of her children—she is given an opportunity she never expected. Lucien is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis, and Flora is recruited to return to Paris and uncover the truth. After signing the Official Secrets Act, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous mission that may also lead her to the daughters she has longed to find.
As a skilled seamstress, Flora secures work connected to the Paris fashion world, and the novel vividly brings wartime Paris to life. The story combines family drama, espionage, and romance, with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists along the way.
Overall, this is an engaging and enjoyable historical fiction novel. While it is a relatively light read, it offers an appealing blend of emotion, intrigue, and the glamour of the Paris fashion scene, making it an ideal weekend read.
This heartfelt and moving WWII novel follows Flora, who is living in a small country town in Northern Ireland, where she spends her days packing parachutes for the war effort. Eighteen years earlier, she was forced to give up her daughters in Paris, a loss that continues to haunt her.
When British intelligence approaches Flora to assist in an investigation into Lucien Lumineau—a renowned Paris couturier and the father of her children—she is given an opportunity she never expected. Lucien is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis, and Flora is recruited to return to Paris and uncover the truth. After signing the Official Secrets Act, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous mission that may also lead her to the daughters she has longed to find.
As a skilled seamstress, Flora secures work connected to the Paris fashion world, and the novel vividly brings wartime Paris to life. The story combines family drama, espionage, and romance, with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists along the way.
Overall, this is an engaging and enjoyable historical fiction novel. While it is a relatively light read, it offers an appealing blend of emotion, intrigue, and the glamour of the Paris fashion scene, making it an ideal weekend read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second in the Threads of Resistance series but reads well as a stand-alone. It starts in 1942, during WWII when Paris and most of France was occupied by Germany. The main protagonist is Flora Toussaint who left France 18 years ago marrying a man from a small village near Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.
Briefly, whilst working in a factory packing parachutes, Flora is singled out and eventually, as a member of SOE, agrees to parachute into France to spy on couturier Lucien Lumineau who is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. He is also the father of her twin daughters she was forced to give up 18 years earlier. With the help of Tomas, her handler who parachuted in with her, she gets a job as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge and is soon back in touch with the man who broke her heart, Lucien.
I love all the factual detail around the buildings, environs and people of Paris. I was particularly interested to find the Madam Billy’s where Flora lived, alongside the prostitutes and singer Edith Piaf, was real and that Pablo Picasso was also in Paris at this time. Do read the authors notes at the end. Fascinating. A good read with plenty of twists and turns and a few shocks along the way. A story about family and the unbreakable bond of a mother and her children. A good compelling WWII historical novel. 4,5⭐️
Briefly, whilst working in a factory packing parachutes, Flora is singled out and eventually, as a member of SOE, agrees to parachute into France to spy on couturier Lucien Lumineau who is suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. He is also the father of her twin daughters she was forced to give up 18 years earlier. With the help of Tomas, her handler who parachuted in with her, she gets a job as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge and is soon back in touch with the man who broke her heart, Lucien.
I love all the factual detail around the buildings, environs and people of Paris. I was particularly interested to find the Madam Billy’s where Flora lived, alongside the prostitutes and singer Edith Piaf, was real and that Pablo Picasso was also in Paris at this time. Do read the authors notes at the end. Fascinating. A good read with plenty of twists and turns and a few shocks along the way. A story about family and the unbreakable bond of a mother and her children. A good compelling WWII historical novel. 4,5⭐️
August 9, 2026
Complex family drama during occupied France in 1942.
Flora Toussaint is living in Northern Ireland and packing RAF parachutes when she is recruited to become a spy in occupied France. It seemed to happen at just the right time for Flora as she happens to walk in on her husband cheating on her. She is able to quickly get a divorce as she completes her training then parachutes into France. Throughout the book I did sometimes feel that things fell into place almost too neatly for Flora.
She has been recruited specifically to spy on the father of her twin daughters. This opens old wounds for her as she gave them up as babies.
The story is about Flora trying to find out what has happened to her daughters while also trying to gather intelligence on Nazi collaboration.
I enjoyed the details of fashion design and dressmaking. There were also celebrity appearances of Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso. It was interesting to imagine how life would have been for them at that time.
I did feel like the story was a little rushed towards the end. But it does leave an opening for more books to continue the story. This was the second book in the Threads of Resistance series, but works as a standalone.
Clearly a well-researched book, I enjoyed the notes at the end explaining which parts were based on facts.
Flora Toussaint is living in Northern Ireland and packing RAF parachutes when she is recruited to become a spy in occupied France. It seemed to happen at just the right time for Flora as she happens to walk in on her husband cheating on her. She is able to quickly get a divorce as she completes her training then parachutes into France. Throughout the book I did sometimes feel that things fell into place almost too neatly for Flora.
She has been recruited specifically to spy on the father of her twin daughters. This opens old wounds for her as she gave them up as babies.
The story is about Flora trying to find out what has happened to her daughters while also trying to gather intelligence on Nazi collaboration.
I enjoyed the details of fashion design and dressmaking. There were also celebrity appearances of Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso. It was interesting to imagine how life would have been for them at that time.
I did feel like the story was a little rushed towards the end. But it does leave an opening for more books to continue the story. This was the second book in the Threads of Resistance series, but works as a standalone.
Clearly a well-researched book, I enjoyed the notes at the end explaining which parts were based on facts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's a rare and skilled author who can take an important moment in history that is routinely taught with a list of facts and dates and turn it into a fascinating, human story that grabs the reader by the heartstrings and sweeps them along to the end. Jenny O'Brien is such an author, and with her new novel The Secret Dressmaker, she shows once again why she deserves to be included as one of those authors.
The Secret Dressmaker is in parts a WW2 spy thriller, a romance, and a family drama, and is an excellent page turner. Set in Paris during the war, the city is almost a character in and of itself, with locations such as Moulin Rouge, and famous personalities such as Pablo Picasso adding veritas to the story. We are drawn in by the main character Flora Toussaint, who is relatable as a divorcee and seamstress recruited to join the resistance due to her connections to a suspected collaborator. Her side mission touches the heart as she searches for the daughters she surrendered to their father at birth.
This is an excellent historic read, that O'Brien brings to life with her typical skill of storytelling.
I highly recommend #TheSecretDressmaker, an ARC of which I received through #NetGalley.
The Secret Dressmaker is in parts a WW2 spy thriller, a romance, and a family drama, and is an excellent page turner. Set in Paris during the war, the city is almost a character in and of itself, with locations such as Moulin Rouge, and famous personalities such as Pablo Picasso adding veritas to the story. We are drawn in by the main character Flora Toussaint, who is relatable as a divorcee and seamstress recruited to join the resistance due to her connections to a suspected collaborator. Her side mission touches the heart as she searches for the daughters she surrendered to their father at birth.
This is an excellent historic read, that O'Brien brings to life with her typical skill of storytelling.
I highly recommend #TheSecretDressmaker, an ARC of which I received through #NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker by Jennie O’Brien offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of dressmakers in German-occupied France in 1942. Flora is encouraged by the British Intelligence to go on a parachuting mission in France which meant she could also search for her twin daughters she was forced to give up eighteen years ago, one of whom had disappeared. Flora undergoes grueling training for her mission, including parachuting. Rather than pack parachutes as she did a short time earlier, she was burying hers in France. She posed as a seamstress at the Moulin Rouge, ingratiating and figuring out how to relay messages. Her attention to detail and clever ideas impressed others at her workplace. In her quest, she also encountered the father of her girls, Lucien, who was a dress designer and friend of Pablo Picasso.
What intrigued me most were the beautiful seamstress descriptions such as various fabrics and their uses during frugal wartime. I also enjoyed reading about the lengths the War Office went to in ensuring their operatives’ every need was met and every detail thought out down to French buttons on clothing and the shade of stockings Flora wore.
A lot of passionate research went into this novel and it shows. The author’s notes should not be missed.
What intrigued me most were the beautiful seamstress descriptions such as various fabrics and their uses during frugal wartime. I also enjoyed reading about the lengths the War Office went to in ensuring their operatives’ every need was met and every detail thought out down to French buttons on clothing and the shade of stockings Flora wore.
A lot of passionate research went into this novel and it shows. The author’s notes should not be missed.
August 4, 2026
I’m a fan of this author and have enjoyed everything I’ve read of hers. I was a bit concern that this might just be a reimagined no of The Resistance Knitting Club, the last book I read. However, this is very much a book in its own right. There is a nod to the previous book, but this one is a joy to read. Flora Toussaint is a woman with a past, but also someone capable of great strength and integrity. Set during WWII, Flora is French living in Northern Ireland, married a man she met in France years ago, and is wondering if ‘this is it’, all she can expect from life. Fortunately it’s not. Things take a turn for the unexpected. She’s a believable character, I wanted her to succeed from the first chapter. The era and location have been well researched, and you get a real feel for what the lives of the civilians in occupied France must be like - little food, no freedom, surviving rather than living but wanting to fight back, fearful of reprisals if they did. An interesting story, well written with just one unexpected twist that did make me think it was one too many. However, I’m sure there’ll be another book about Flora and her family which I’m looking forward to already.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to read and review this novel.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to read and review this novel.
August 4, 2026
THE SECRET DRESSMAKER is the second novel in the Thresds of Resistance series by JENNY O’BRIEN, but it can easily stand alone. It is a beautifully written WW11 story - in fact it is pne of the best I have read.
Flora Toussaint is surprised by a British Secret Service agent, Tomas Rives, who shows her pictures of her twin daughters which she had been forced to give up to their father, the famous couturier, Lucien Lumineau, eighteen years before, and asks her to go to Paris to spy on him for the British government. She agrees as she is desperate to find out what has happened to Violette and Marguerite……
Against the background of Nazi occupied France, Flora finds that, not only has Paris changed, but everthing she believed to be true is not as she expected ……
This is a poignant story of the power of love, determination and unbelievable courage.
It is obvious that the author has done a great deal of research. I like the fact the both Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso are in the story, and also to see the comeradrie Flora experiences at Madame Billy’s brothel and the sewing room at the Moulin Rouge…….
I cannot recommend this exciting read strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from STorm Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
Flora Toussaint is surprised by a British Secret Service agent, Tomas Rives, who shows her pictures of her twin daughters which she had been forced to give up to their father, the famous couturier, Lucien Lumineau, eighteen years before, and asks her to go to Paris to spy on him for the British government. She agrees as she is desperate to find out what has happened to Violette and Marguerite……
Against the background of Nazi occupied France, Flora finds that, not only has Paris changed, but everthing she believed to be true is not as she expected ……
This is a poignant story of the power of love, determination and unbelievable courage.
It is obvious that the author has done a great deal of research. I like the fact the both Edith Piaf and Pablo Picasso are in the story, and also to see the comeradrie Flora experiences at Madame Billy’s brothel and the sewing room at the Moulin Rouge…….
I cannot recommend this exciting read strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from STorm Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
August 5, 2026
This is the second book in this series, and whilst there is a slight crossover it is easy to read as a stand-alone story.
I found the story really interesting, the main character Flora was living in Ireland with her husband (unhappily) and when she caught him with another woman in their home she left him and, through various circumstances, ended up agreeing to be parachuted into France to spy on her ex-lover who may be colluding with the Nazis (father of her twin daughters who she was forced to give up for adoption, also living in France, one of whom is missing).
The rest of the story is mainly about Flora finding out what happened to her children, there was also a twist in that part, and connecting with her ex-lover to try and find out if he was a spy. So it was mainly family orientated even though it was set during the war. The fact that Flora was a seamstress and worked in the Moulin Rouge was interesting, along with the fact that Edith Piaf was also staying in the house she was in!
Whilst I enjoyed the majority of the book I did feel the ending was a bit rushed. I'm not sure if there will be a third book in the series which may explain it, but I wasn't very keen on it as it left lots of questions about what happened to various people.
But overall a good read.
I found the story really interesting, the main character Flora was living in Ireland with her husband (unhappily) and when she caught him with another woman in their home she left him and, through various circumstances, ended up agreeing to be parachuted into France to spy on her ex-lover who may be colluding with the Nazis (father of her twin daughters who she was forced to give up for adoption, also living in France, one of whom is missing).
The rest of the story is mainly about Flora finding out what happened to her children, there was also a twist in that part, and connecting with her ex-lover to try and find out if he was a spy. So it was mainly family orientated even though it was set during the war. The fact that Flora was a seamstress and worked in the Moulin Rouge was interesting, along with the fact that Edith Piaf was also staying in the house she was in!
Whilst I enjoyed the majority of the book I did feel the ending was a bit rushed. I'm not sure if there will be a third book in the series which may explain it, but I wasn't very keen on it as it left lots of questions about what happened to various people.
But overall a good read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Although this is second in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
The main character, Flora, is a seamstress who gave up twin girls eighteen years ago in France after an affair with her older boss, a talented, well-known designer. As a young girl at the time she felt she could not give the girls the life they deserved but never forgot about them. Fast-forward to current day (1940's) and she is living in England and an SOE agent. She is recruited to return to France and re-connect with her former lover to determine what his relationship is with the Nazi's in Paris. Also, she is anxious to see how her daughters life has turned out. There are numerous backstories and you learn what happened to her daughters, her former lover as well as a new love.
I enjoyed the speed of the story development and all of the characters. Although there is not a lot of actual interaction with the Nazi occupying Paris, there is a very fast-moving story filled with rich characters. The author definitely hooked you with the ending that left several loose ends and awaiting the next book in the series.
The main character, Flora, is a seamstress who gave up twin girls eighteen years ago in France after an affair with her older boss, a talented, well-known designer. As a young girl at the time she felt she could not give the girls the life they deserved but never forgot about them. Fast-forward to current day (1940's) and she is living in England and an SOE agent. She is recruited to return to France and re-connect with her former lover to determine what his relationship is with the Nazi's in Paris. Also, she is anxious to see how her daughters life has turned out. There are numerous backstories and you learn what happened to her daughters, her former lover as well as a new love.
I enjoyed the speed of the story development and all of the characters. Although there is not a lot of actual interaction with the Nazi occupying Paris, there is a very fast-moving story filled with rich characters. The author definitely hooked you with the ending that left several loose ends and awaiting the next book in the series.
Want to Read
June 24, 2026The Secret Dressmaker is a beautifully woven World War II novel that combines espionage, family secrets, sacrifice, and enduring love into an unforgettable historical drama. Jenny O'Brien once again demonstrates her remarkable talent for blending meticulously researched history with emotionally rich storytelling that lingers long after the final page.
At the heart of the novel is Flora Toussaint, a heroine whose courage is matched only by the emotional burden she carries. Haunted by the daughters she was forced to surrender years earlier, Flora's dangerous mission into occupied Paris becomes far more than an intelligence operation it becomes a desperate search for family, truth, and redemption. Her journey is both gripping and deeply moving.
The Parisian setting is wonderfully immersive. From the glamour and hidden dangers of the Moulin Rouge to the quiet tension of occupied streets, every scene captures the beauty and fear of wartime France. The world feels vividly alive, where fashion, music, art, resistance, and betrayal coexist beneath the constant shadow of Nazi occupation.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its emotional complexity. Jenny O'Brien explores motherhood, forgiveness, identity, loyalty, and impossible choices with remarkable sensitivity. Every revelation deepens the emotional stakes, and the carefully layered family secrets ensure that the story remains compelling until its powerful conclusion.
The fashion element adds a unique and elegant dimension to the narrative. The couture world becomes far more than a backdrop it symbolizes beauty, survival, deception, and resilience in a time when appearances could determine life or death. This distinctive setting helps the novel stand apart within the historical fiction genre.
The pacing is excellent, balancing espionage, romance, mystery, and emotional drama without ever sacrificing historical authenticity. Twists emerge naturally, keeping readers constantly invested while allowing the relationships to develop with genuine depth.
The Secret Dressmaker is a moving tribute to the extraordinary courage of ordinary women whose quiet acts of bravery changed lives during one of history's darkest periods. Rich with atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and heartfelt emotion, this is historical fiction at its very best and will undoubtedly resonate with fans of Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, and Pam Jenoff.
At the heart of the novel is Flora Toussaint, a heroine whose courage is matched only by the emotional burden she carries. Haunted by the daughters she was forced to surrender years earlier, Flora's dangerous mission into occupied Paris becomes far more than an intelligence operation it becomes a desperate search for family, truth, and redemption. Her journey is both gripping and deeply moving.
The Parisian setting is wonderfully immersive. From the glamour and hidden dangers of the Moulin Rouge to the quiet tension of occupied streets, every scene captures the beauty and fear of wartime France. The world feels vividly alive, where fashion, music, art, resistance, and betrayal coexist beneath the constant shadow of Nazi occupation.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its emotional complexity. Jenny O'Brien explores motherhood, forgiveness, identity, loyalty, and impossible choices with remarkable sensitivity. Every revelation deepens the emotional stakes, and the carefully layered family secrets ensure that the story remains compelling until its powerful conclusion.
The fashion element adds a unique and elegant dimension to the narrative. The couture world becomes far more than a backdrop it symbolizes beauty, survival, deception, and resilience in a time when appearances could determine life or death. This distinctive setting helps the novel stand apart within the historical fiction genre.
The pacing is excellent, balancing espionage, romance, mystery, and emotional drama without ever sacrificing historical authenticity. Twists emerge naturally, keeping readers constantly invested while allowing the relationships to develop with genuine depth.
The Secret Dressmaker is a moving tribute to the extraordinary courage of ordinary women whose quiet acts of bravery changed lives during one of history's darkest periods. Rich with atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and heartfelt emotion, this is historical fiction at its very best and will undoubtedly resonate with fans of Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, and Pam Jenoff.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Dressmaker by Jenny O’Brien is a historical novel that entertains from the start. It is the second book in Threads Of Resistance series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The reader is treated to the landscape of occupied France, mainly Paris, as we join characters trying to disrupt the Nazi war effort and learn their secrets.
There are personal secrets to be unravelled too. A young woman has returned to France as part of the resistance, and also to search for her twin daughters who were taken from her eighteen years earlier – and what she discovers, is shocking.
We witness ugly events as a character is consumed by jealousy. There are no lengths to which she will not stoop.
Within families, members are on opposite sides of the war.
The walls of a house that nuns have provided in the past, continues to be a safe haven.
All the characters were well rounded and believable. They included real life figures of Pablo Picasso and Edith Piaf.
The Secret Dressmaker was an engaging read that I enjoyed.
I received a free copy from the publishers for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The reader is treated to the landscape of occupied France, mainly Paris, as we join characters trying to disrupt the Nazi war effort and learn their secrets.
There are personal secrets to be unravelled too. A young woman has returned to France as part of the resistance, and also to search for her twin daughters who were taken from her eighteen years earlier – and what she discovers, is shocking.
We witness ugly events as a character is consumed by jealousy. There are no lengths to which she will not stoop.
Within families, members are on opposite sides of the war.
The walls of a house that nuns have provided in the past, continues to be a safe haven.
All the characters were well rounded and believable. They included real life figures of Pablo Picasso and Edith Piaf.
The Secret Dressmaker was an engaging read that I enjoyed.
I received a free copy from the publishers for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews