The Wardrobe Mistress: A Novel of Marie Antoinette

by Meghan Masterson

It's Giselle Aubry's first time at court in Versailles. At sixteen, she is one of Marie Antoinette's newest undertirewomen, and in awe of the glamorous queen and her opulent palace life. A budding designer, it's a dream come true to work with the beautiful fabrics and jewels in the queen's wardrobe. But every few weeks she returns home to visit her family in the Parisian countryside where rumors of revolution are growing stronger.

From her position working in the royal household, Giselle is poised to see both sides of the revolutionary tensions erupting throughout Paris. When her uncle, a retired member of the secret du roi, a spy ring that worked for the old King, Louis XV, suggests that she casually report the Queen s actions back to him as a game, she leaps at the chance. Spying seems like an adventure and an exciting way to privately support the revolution taking the countryside by storm. She also enjoys using her insight from Versailles in lively debates with Leon Gauvain, the handsome and idealistic revolutionary who courts her.

But as the revolution continues to gain momentum, and Giselle grows closer to the Queen, becoming one of the few trusted servants, she finds herself dangerously torn. Violence is escalating; she must choose where her loyalty truly lies, or risk losing everything...maybe even her head.

The Wardrobe Mistress is Meghan Masterson's fascinating and visceral debut, not to be missed.

Genres: Historical Fiction, France, Historical, Fiction, French Revolution, 18th Century, Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2017

About the author

Meghan Masterson graduated from the University of Calgary with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies, and has worked several unrelated jobs while writing on the side. When not writing, Meghan can often be found reading at all hours (even at breakfast), practicing archery and roaming through the woods with her dog.

Meghan is represented by Carrie Pestritto of Laura Dail Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many novels written about Marie Antoinette, but this one shines not much explored light on her. She and her husband, Louis XVI, inherit a throne, but none of them is fit to rule. Both lack the political and economic skills, and not too many books explore this aspect, which this book does.

The story starts in 1791 and spans until 1793. It is voiced by a fictional character of Giselle Aubry. She grabs an opportunity to work in the queen’s household as undertirewoman. She dreams about designing beautiful dresses herself and becoming another Rose Bertin, queen’s favored dress designer. As soon as she arrives at the palace, she witnesses political discussions. And outside the palace she observers “threatening riots over the cost of bread,” hears conversations of “the shamefully low wages, and the extravagance of the royal family.”

Her family represents the Third Estate, which revolts. Her family is better off than most of the families of her class, but she does sympathize with those who have much less and ask for a decent living. At the same time, she sympathizes with the queen: “…she’s a woman who does not deserve her fate, or all the blame heaped upon her personally, no matter what errors she’s made.”

“The Third Estate chooses a more patriotic name for itself, becoming the National Assembly” and insists on drawing up a constitution. With time forcing the royalty to move from Versailles to Paris to equally represent all people. Soon after, “all aristocratic, hereditary titles are abolished.”

Two years later the riots and the French Revolution continue, and some people inspired by the American Revolution start questioning the French Revolution, its brutality and effects.

The story is brilliantly written, very engrossing and touching. It gives enough details to paint the brutality of the French Revolution at the same time not overwhelming the story. I enjoyed the fictional romance between Giselle and Leon, which also touches upon a conflict of two people who care for each other, but are torn by the political situation surrounding them.

@Facebook: Best Historical Fiction

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marie Antoinette (and the French Revolution) is my remarkable person of the year. I have about seven or eight novels depicting her reign, and I have the feeling as with others, that I will tire of her by the end of the year. But this was the perfect entree. Aspiring dressmaker Giselle, gets to know the queen, at the same as she at 16, is falling in love with a young revolutionary. She is caught between two worlds, with deep empathy for both. I liked that the novel took into account both sides of this horrific situation, that the collapse of the monarchy perhaps unfairly (perhaps not) blamed the royals, and that there was also unecessary violence from the hungry people who wanted change. Seen through the eyes of Giselle, it was a rather moving tale. I loved the young couple. I was taken with the story and stayed up all night to finish it.

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently working on a novel set during the French Revolution, and so I am deeply immersed in books on the subject. As well as plowing through all the in-depth biographies and histories I can find, I am also reading novels set during the period. The Wardrobe Mistress is a new addition to the oeuvre, by debut author Meghan Masterton.

The book is told in first-person by Giselle Aubry, a young woman who is employed by Marie Antoinette to help look after her sumptuous wardrobe at the royal court in Versailles. Giselle is therefore perfectly placed to see the dramatic events of the French Revolution unfolding. Her uncle asks her to spy on the queen, so that the family may know how best to react to any news, and in a spirit of adventure, Giselle accepts the role. However, Giselle finds herself torn between sympathy for the heady new principles of liberty and equality, and empathy for the beleaguered queen and her children. This ambivalence is only complicated by her attraction to a young and handsome revolutionary, Leon. Somehow Giselle must navigate her way through these conflicting loyalties as the revolution escalates towards violence and bloodlust.

I love the idea of showing the Revolution through the eyes of an ordinary young woman. Giselle’s bedazzlement by the glamour of the queen and her desire to please her family ring so true for the time, as does her confusion and anxiety over the right thing to do. I loved all the descriptions of court life and the queen’s gorgeous clothes, and also how the fashions of the time became a political statement. Meghan Masterson does a brilliant job of bringing to life many of the cataclysmic events of those years, without weighing down the narrative with too many characters or too much historical explanation. The Wardrobe Mistress is perfect for anyone who is intrigued by the French Revolution and wants a fast-paced and romantic tale set during its tumultuous era.

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that writing a book about a woman that worked at the Versailles and got to see firsthand the event's right before the French Revolution and during the revolution was a great idea. Giselle Aubry works as an untertirewoman for Marie Antoinette meant that she could both see how the people rose up against the royal family and at the same time she could also follow how the royal family dealt with it. This is the best part of the book, with Giselle being torn between being loyal to the royal family, but at the same time warming to the revolutionary ideas. I found the book great when it dealt with the actual historical events, like the failed escape plan, and the execution of the King and Queen.

However, it's the love story between Leon Gauvain and Giselle that just didn't work for me. I found myself quite uninterested in that side story, and to be honest, I skimmed through most of their "romance", especially when problems arise between them. But, towards the end did their relationship work a bit better for me, but that's probably because it coincided with the end of the monarchy. I did feel that the book ending was a bit abrupt. I would have loved an epilogue, because, despite me not being fond of the romance did I like Giselle and would have liked to know how her life turned out after the event at the end of the book.

The Wardrobe Mistress is a good book about the French revolution. You get to see both sides, Louis XV and Marie Antoinette's versus and the revolutionists and between them Giselle who, despite wanting a change still cared for the royal couple.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

[Heather Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

In THE WARDROBE MISTRESS, Masterson deftly captures the tumult of the French Revolution and the tragic unmaking of history’s most infamous queen—Marie Antoinette—through the eyes of clever and likable dressmaker Giselle Aubry. Immersed in scenes of jeweled courtiers, of furtive exchanges between spies, and the palpable danger lurking in every corridor, tavern, and rue à Paris, I grew impatient to return to the book each night. By turns sexy, absorbing, and suspenseful, this story sweeps you along to its riveting conclusion.

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giselle is a wardrobe assistant in the palace in Versailles attending the glamorous but troubled Marie Antoinette. This book follows about the last two years of Marie Antoinette's life and the events leading up to her death. Through Giselle and her beau Leon, we see the politics and violence as the French Revolution begins. As much as she believes in more rights for the people, Giselle also feels empathy for the Royal Family. Will those conflicting sympathies place her in danger?

The first half of this book moved a little slowly for me as I struggled to connect with the main character, Giselle. At the same time the description of Marie Antoinette as she tried to cope with the escalating events was fascinating. About halfway through the book, the story picked up and I finally became interested in Giselle and Leon as well. The second half of the book was filled with danger, intrigue, and romance as events escalated and Giselle's two worlds collided. The book ended with the possibility of a sequel, because Giselle's adventure is still continuing. Despite the slow start, I would give this three and a half stars, rounded up to four. I received a free copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley . My review is voluntary.

Merged review:

Giselle is a wardrobe assistant in the palace in Versailles attending the glamorous but troubled Marie Antoinette. This book follows about the last two years of Marie Antoinette's life and the events leading up to her death. Through Giselle and her beau Leon, we see the politics and violence as the French Revolution begins. As much as she believes in more rights for the people, Giselle also feels empathy for the Royal Family. Will those conflicting sympathies place her in danger?

The first half of this book moved a little slowly for me as I struggled to connect with the main character, Giselle. At the same time the description of Marie Antoinette as she tried to cope with the escalating events was fascinating. About halfway through the book, the story picked up and I finally became interested in Giselle and Leon as well. The second half of the book was filled with danger, intrigue, and romance as events escalated and Giselle's two worlds collided. The book ended with the possibility of a sequel, because Giselle's adventure is still continuing. Despite the slow start, I would give this three and a half stars, rounded up to four. I received a free copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley . My review is voluntary.

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley, Meghan Masterson, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book!

The Queen’s Dressmaker by Meghan Masterson is a historical romance of the French Revolution. Giselle is now a part of the servants whose job it is to dress Queen Marie Antoinette. The French court is all magnificence and spares no expense. It is Giselle’s job to make Marie Antoinette be the most stylish and beautiful. However, the people of France are starving and Revolution looms near. Giselle’s uncle has always had an interest in politics and asks Giselle to keep her eyes and ears open around the royals. Giselle is actually quite talented at spying but soon learns that Marie Antoinette is privileged but also kind to those around her which causes Giselle to be hesitant in spying. As the Revolution becomes more serious, so does her position in the Queen’s household.

While I was hooked on this book from the very beginning, I am not sure this book knew what would happen next. Not only did the title change a few times, but I think the direction of the book changed with it. It started out introducing a love story and had the makings of a beautiful historical romance. But then there is the suspense spy storyline. THEN the ending was not exactly wrapped up nicely, could that mean a book two?

Despite the issues with the flow and direction of the novel, I was hooked on the characters. I love reading about the French Revolution. It is a period of history that can still be relatable today. While I don’t condone violent revolution where the streets literally flow with blood, the aristocracy put themselves in the position with their greed and selfishness. The book does portray Marie Antoinette as fragile and naive. Giselle is a wonderful heroine as she wants freedom for her country but being in the middle class, she isn’t exposed to the desperation that extreme poverty brings.

Overall, I was in this novel for the characters but it could have had a better direction. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. This book releases on the 19th!

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the acumen and precision of an haut couture dressmaker, Meghan Masterson has taken pieces from France’s tumultuous past and seamlessly sewn them together with an engaging and superbly written story and added a decorative flair of romance and suspense to produce “A Girl From Versailles” – a masterpiece of historical fiction.

You will read about a budding designer, 16-year-old Giselle Aubry, whose dream has come true – she’s the newest undertirewoman of Queen Marie Antoinette. Giselle is elated to be working with the opulent gowns by Rose Bertin, Marie Antoinette’s favoured dress designer. The Aubry family belongs to the bourgeoisie, a part of the Third Estate and eagerly welcomes Giselle home during her days off. Her uncle is a retired member of the Secret du Roi, a spy ring that worked for the former King Louis XV and encourages his niece to report back on life at Versailles. During visits at home, Giselle hears political discussions and is well-aware of the rising threats. In fact, she’s caught up in the riot in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine suburb of Paris against the manufacturer of Réveillon wallpapers. Here she meets the handsome and idealistic revolutionary watchmaker, Leon Gauvain.

My inner geek and history buff were beyond excited to read a well-researched account of the French Revolution. As is most often the case, authors choose to take sides and portray the revolution from either a royal standpoint, a disgruntled employee’s standpoint, or a political standpoint. Readers only get a one-sided look into the past. Masterson has managed to do something unique; Giselle is able to show readers both sides, thus creating her predicament. As one of the queen’s most trusted servants, Giselle is torn because she can see beyond the royal titles. It forces her to become a ‘double-agent’ and increases the suspense and interest level of the novel. One the one hand Giselle understands the defence of the royalists and loyally supports her queen and on the other hand, she is dealing with an inner growing fire of a revolutionary. We can see her struggle when she explains that Marie Antoinette is “a woman who does not deserve her fate, or all the blame heaped upon her personally, no matter what errors she’s made.” Yet, at home, Giselle proudly wears a necklace and fashion accessories of a revolutionary. Masterson has deftly shown Giselle’s inner tumult as the revolution gains momentum. Readers know that eventually Giselle will have to choose sides. Will it cost her Leon’s love? Her parent’s safety? Her employment?

You’ll read a well-chronicled account of the French Revolution from February 1789 (after Louis XVI is executed) to October 1793 (the Reign of Terror) including the Réveillon Riot, the Tennis Court Oath, the dismissal of Jacques Necker, the storming of the Bastille, the Woman’s March on Versailles, the flight to Varennes, the Camp de Mars massacre and the use of the guillotine. Masterson will breathe life into those names in your high school history book; Charlotte Corday, Jean-Paul Marat, Lafayette, Jacobins, Girondists, and Maximilien Robespierre.

Masterson has masterfully woven together revolutionary intensity, haute couture fashion and royal politics in an engaging and thought-provoking look at the tumultuous French Revolution.

Put March 19, 2021 on your radar! This novel is worthy of more than 5 stars and a spectacular read from a debut author. I'm beyond excited for August 2021! Masterson is writing a second historical fiction novel set in Second Empire Paris.

Thank you Meghan Masterson, Bookouture and NetGalley for this superb gift of an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenny Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. The French Revolution is one of my favorite time periods to read about, not because I admire the way it went down--quite the opposite--but because it lends itself perfectly to historical fiction and trying to understand what it must have been like to live through such terror and uncertainty. I was drawn to The Wardrobe Mistress particularly for the perspective of a woman in charge of dressing Marie Antoinette.

From a comfortably upper middle-class family, Giselle is thrilled to earn a position in the queen's household. An aspiring dressmaker, she hopes to further her craft and establish the connections that could allow her to open her own business in the future. Though the queen is glamorous and pampered, Giselle sees firsthand the work it takes to make the queen formidable in the face of her enemies, and she witnesses the queen's sorrow as civil unrest grows and the king's enemies blame her for their problems. Giselle comes to admire and pity the queen, but when she falls in love with Leon, a young revolutionary, she is caught between her respect and admiration for the royals and the growing animosity from the lower classes, to whom she also feels some loyalty. Tasked by her uncle Beaumarchais to supply him with any information that might be pertinent to national security and challenged by Leon's increasing revolutionary fervor, Giselle must tread a careful path to avoid falling victim to political persecution. And when the mob becomes murderous, storming the palace and eventually capturing the king and queen, Giselle must find a way to avoid being taken down with them.

I don't know that there's anything new or revelatory here, but the graphic depictions of mob violence and the honest portrayal of the dangers of a civilized society becoming too polarized and politicized are frightening. And I appreciated the viewpoint of someone privy to the more intimate circumstances behind Louis XVI's and Marie Antoinette's actions. I'm a fan of romance, but I found the love story here to be too sweet, almost saccharine, and a little too much the focal point at times. There were a couple of twists toward the end that made for a more nuanced and poignant conclusion, though I did think the ending too abrupt. It needed one more chapter to give the reader--and the story--closure. But the story does a good job of capturing the paranoid, frenetic culture of the revolution and how an innocent young woman could unwittingly find herself on the wrong side of it. At times gay and glamorous, at others gritty and gruesome, The Wardrobe Mistress is a thought-provoking and entertaining read.

[Crystal King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wardrobe Mistress is a wonderful new take on what we know about Marie Antoinette, moving us far out of the "Let them eat cake!" territory and enabling the reader to see her as a woman not just reviled by the French people, but as a mother, a caring person, and someone who was caught in terrible circumstances. I adored the narrator, Giselle, an undertirewoman to the queen as she falls in love with Leon, one of the French revolutionaries. I learned so much about the French Revolution and I was fascinated at the role that fashion played in the uprising--how very French! When I finished the last page, I found myself wishing that I had a tricolor rosette for my own lapel. A stunning debut from a fresh new voice in historical fiction.

[Aoi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unpopular opinion alert!

The characters did not intrigue me in any way . Right off the bat I grew tired of the Marie Antoinette porn - overt descriptions nearly every page on how fragile/delicate/cossetted/modest she is

Giselle too, was not a reliable narrator. Too middle class to be affected by the crushing poverty, too lowly to be actively involved in the royal circle, too unaffecteed(??) to be moved to action by the mob's violence - didn't make for good reading.

[Jessie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed, evocative view on the French Revolution with a main character torn between politics and personal life.

[Alyssa Palombo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was tough to put down, and it was one of those books where I kept thinking about the characters long after I'd finished. Giselle was a wonderful and resilient heroine, and the author put her in interesting moral conundrums. The politics of the period were vividly portrayed, so that I felt like I was in the middle of Paris during this tumultuous time. I can't wait for Meghan Masterson's next book!

[Emily at Reaching While Rooted · Rating 4 out of 5]

The French Revolution is a well known part of history: the decadence of the French royal court, the downtrodden lower class, and a revolutionary movement that would change the entire government of France. However, it is very rare to find an impartial commentary on the French Revolution, historians tend to side with the side of the revolutionaries. We have even adopted the period into our slang: the term "Bougie" is a reference to the word bourgeois, or middle class: a person who is from money, or a snob.

The Wardrobe Mistress by Meghan Masterson tells the story of the revolution from the perspective of Giselle Aubry, undertire woman to the queen. The niece of a spy, upon her arrival in court Giselle is convinced to report the queen's movements to her Uncle, so that he can relive his time in the spy ring secret du roi, a throwback to the time of King Louis XV. From this position Giselle is able to see both sides of the war: the revolutionaries who will one day overcome the royal family, and the royalists that support the king and queen. As an undertirewoman, Giselle also meets and falls in love with the watchmaker Leon Gauvain. Theirs is an intense passion, that burns only brighter as the war progresses.

Told in the first person, Giselle's voice was well suited to her character: practical and straightforward, punctuated with delicate flourishes. It was not a blooming bouquet of eloquence, yet it was not a stark portrait of the period either. Rather it is the sort of writing that draws you in and keeps you reading.

The characters for the most part were straightforward, there were some surprises tucked in but those well read within the historical romance genre will be able to pick out the familiar tropes. The thing I appreciated most was the unbiased look into the period at hand. Giselle was able to paint Marie Antoinette in a humanistic light, with her own weaknesses and charms. No one is a monster, and The Wardrobe Mistress teaches that in everything there are several shades of gray, versus the black and white portraits that the textbooks tend to paint in.

This book is perfect for those who love reading about royals, those looking for a good love story, or for those looking to escape. Looking for something similar? The Cardinal's Man takes place a century before the revolution, and in his book Sinclair does a good job of illustrating the roots of the French Revolution in the lower class unrest which would boil over a century later. Historical fiction meets Tyrion Lanister.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

[Jenni Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterson is masterful at historical fiction! That's to say, I highly enjoyed this novel. The author did a wonderful job blending historical fact and nuances within the fictional life of Giselle. And as someone who has been fascinated with Marie Antoinette's younger years, I loved this look into the queen's later years after she's become a mother, along with her final days. There are historical novels where you know the outcome, but you read with high expectations of the author's storytelling. This novel excelled at bringing the inevitable to life. I recommend to those interested in the French Revolution and historical fiction alike!

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Entertaining, but could have been so much better. I enjoyed seeing both sides in the book, royal and revolutionary. Unfortunately, the story and characters lack depth and personality. Several fictional things and events are just too implausible and the ending seems abrupt and not well thought-out.

[Laura Tenfingers · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 27%.

Too YA, too many unlikely and unbelievable plot devices with undeveloped characters. The unlikely events have made this too annoying to spend my time on.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Described as a book on Marie Antoinette, that is not quite right. The book is so much more. It details the life and times of a woman who worked for the Queen before the Revolution, her life during and finishes with the death of Marie Antoinette. As such, it is descriptive of the time of the Revolution and the life and time of Parisians particularly at the time.

It was a turbulent time and Marie Antoinette did not help herself at all by her behaviour. Her reserve was put down to arrogance, she was detested because she was foreign (Austrian) and whatever the King did or did not do, was put down to her influence (it was not). The King was indecisive and twisted every which way. Even after a decision was made, he could easily be swayed by any one of his Ministers who did not help his situation either.

Giselle is one young woman who works for the Queen particularly looking after her wardrobe. This is an area which has special interest to Giselle who hopes one day to design and make dresses for a living in her own shop. She is also a spy. This she does in a very unobtrusive manner in which no one, neither the Queen or her trusted woman Madam Campan is aware at any time of the double life which Giselle leads. Though she has been instructed to keep her ears and eyes open for any untoward happenings in the Royal Household, Giselle is sympathetic to the Queen and her plight because she realises very early on that the Queen is being held accountable for any wrong that goes on in the country. Unfortunately for Marie Antoinette, rising prices and the power of the nobility is so great , that nothing is done for the masses and the time for rebellion is ripe. Nothing is going to stop it now.

The end of the dynasty in France was pathetic, demeaning and aggressive. It did not bode well for France but people who were starving just wanted a change. They saw the opulence of the court and saw the poverty of their own lives in stark contrast. Giselle herself was not aristocratic but from a middle class background and she saw and understood life on both sides of the divide. She understood the hardships of the ordinary people very well but she also knew that the King and Queen were being guided by the wrong people and nothing could be done to save them.

Giselle herself was a self contained soul, she wanted what most young people want. A decent future, a husband and a happy home. She got out when she could because as she and her young husband knew a witch hunt would start to weed out any Royal sympathisers and having worked for the Queen loyally throughout, Giselle would be suspect.

The story of Marie Antoinette though in essence the story, the life of Giselle is for me the more focused part. The Revolution itself is the background.

The story was descriptive, and detailed.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this one. It was fast-paced, and a nice break from the multiple 500-700 paged tomes I have also sitting and waiting on my bedside table to be read. I also found Giselle to be likeable, and her position allows Masterson to explore both sides of the early French Revolution - the revolutionary side, and that of the royalists. Masterson herself is also a great writer, portraying the more bloodier side of the revolution really well, and I look forward to reading any other novels she writes in the future.

That being said, however, there were a few things that I had problems with that meant that I couldn't give the novel a higher rating.

- The information: It's always a potential problem when you're dealing with a historical event as to how exactly the author conveys and explains the meanings and importance behind certain things that took place, especially in something like the lead up to the French Rev. I'm actually studying this period at the moment, which meant that it made me a lot more sensitive to how things were portrayed than others might have been. When describing events or circumstances, for example, sometimes it felt like Masterson had stopped writing a novel and was simply writing a textbook entry or a preachy lecture on what had occurred and why. This might have not been as noticeable for people who aren't as familiar with the more detailed facts of the revolution, but I found that it jarred my reading experience and pulled me out of the narrative at times.

- The romance: Very early on the readers are introduced to the love interest (and I mean, literally within the first chapter or two). I was never a fan or really too invested in Giselle and Leon's love for the romantic subplot to really matter to me, and if I'd wanted to read about two teenagers mooning over each other, I would have picked up a YA novel. This also meant that I found the mid-novel break up over-played and overly-dramatic. It reminded my highly-cynical self of exactly why I avoid romance novels and other overly-love-y books like the plague. Just not believable - not for me, anyway.

Also the way Marie Antoinette was romanticized felt very 'apologist' at various times, but that's probably just me.

- The pacing: For some unknown reason, I was under the impression that the novel would cover the whole period of the revolution. It doesn't, stopping at the late 1793 execution of Marie Antoinette. While I didn't really have a problem with that, it was more the general pacing of how the reader actually got to that event. A lot of attention in the first half or so was given to the early events of the revolution - the outbreak, what happened in the first year, etc. I understand that a revolutionary event wasn't happening every single day, but this meant a lot of time condensed into a single chapter in order to quickly speed things up and move along to the next important revolutionary event. It felt very jumpy, in this manner, and didn't always work for me when you consider the fact that the events at the end of 1792 and early 1793 were very rushed and glossed over in the novel. I wanted to see a bit more development and fleshing out of these significant years, and I just didn't get it.

- The ending: There were a few things that bugged me about the ending. I'm usually fine with books that end with characters forced to leave abruptly because of fear for their lives and safety, but I think my main problem was the way it was actually written. It very much felt like the end of a chapter rather than the end of a novel - I was expecting to turn the page and have another short chapter or even epilogue, but sadly, what we got was what we got. Perhaps Masterson was hoping to end on a hopeful note when she wrote it, but unfortunately it left me with the bitter reaction of 'that's it??' It was rushed, it was unfulfilling, and felt a bit clumsy.

I realise that this long review may seem overwhelmingly negative, but believe me when I say that I really did enjoy this one overall. Recommended for those with an interest in the period or who are simply looking for a quick and entertaining read.

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Antoinette is one of my favorite personages in history, even though she endured a sad life and sadder ending.

The book, "The Wardrobe Mistress" is a great one because it focuses on the fictional character of Giselle, a young girl with a talent for dress making who luckily obtains a position working for Marie Antoinette at Versaille in 1789. Giselle enjoys only a slight attachment to the Queen, but follows her activity, and more importantly, the political movement in France, mostly in Paris. The plot flows in the crucial years in France from 1789 to 1793.

Because of my interest in both Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution, and the author's writing style, I enjoyed the book quickly and easily.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this novel 4 1/2 stars if I was able. I found the story fast-paced and extremely well-written. I finished the whole thing in less than 24 hours. Because the Queen is older at this point in time, her demeanor is more subdued, which I believe is an accurate display of her character. Giselle and Leon are likable and relatable characters, too. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author!

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step inside Versailles during the French Revolution and get a taste of what life was like not only for the royals, but for those serving them and those outside the castle walls outside in this wonderfully written work of historical fiction. Giselle Aubry has the rare opportunity to be able to be on both sides of the fight and struggles with her loyalty to her queen and that of her family and friends. I felt Giselle grow before my eyes through her actions and experiences in a time of complete unrest. While this book is fiction, Meghan Masterson did a wonderful job researching and staying true to factual events and creating a beautiful and believable story that was never short on excitement and intrigue

[Raji · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and St Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
The Wardrobe Mistress is told from the viewpoint of a sixteen year old Giselle Aubry, an undertirewoman to Marie Antoinette and a budding dress designer herself. Due to her position working for the Queen, she is in a position to see both sides of the political conflicts and unraveling revolutionary movement in Paris. When her Uncle Pierre asks her to spy on the Queen, she readily agrees, wanting to do her bit to support the revolution. But as the days go by, she grows closer to Marie Antoinette, becoming a trusted servant, and learns that the Queen is not all she is portrayed to be, resulting in her questioning her loyalties in a very dangerous time.
This book is absorbing, fast paced and accurately captures what the situation would have been like for the common folk during this tumultuous period in French history. I very much enjoyed reading this new viewpoint of a familiar story.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sarah Hardy and Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the book tour for The Queen's Dressmaker and giving me a free copy in return for an honest review.

Giselle is Marie Antoinette's newest under-tirewomen, looking after the Queen's wardrobe. However, revolution has come to France, and the violent protests are becoming more and more widespread across the country. On a visit home to her family in Paris, Giselle experiences one of these riots first-hand. Fortunately, Léon comes to her aid, and they fall in love. Unfortunately, he is also a revolutionary. Can their love survive Giselle's mixed loyalties?

I was super excited to read The Queen's Dressmaker as I am a huge fan of anything relating to Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution, and it certainly didn't disappoint me!

It begins in February 1789 and continues all the way through to October 1793. Due to Giselle's role in the Royal household, we see life from two very unique perspectives which I loved. The first is inside the household, and I loved all of the vivid descriptions of the gowns, fashions and finery. While Giselle only has a few direct conversations with the Queen herself, she overhears some of her conversations. She also experiences some dramatic events first-hand, such as the Women's March on Versailles. This was all so well-written and I felt the tension and fear for the Royal family's life.

The second perspective is Giselle's home life back in Paris. We learn a lot about the struggles that ordinary people are experiencing, such as the high price of bread. I could completely understand Giselle's internal struggles about where her loyalties lie, with the queen or with the revolutionaries while she is torn between the two worlds.

Giselle is a great character and I warmed to her straight away! As a fellow chatty person, I very much related to her struggles to follow Palace etiquette. I also really liked the romance between Giselle and Léon. Their chance meeting is very sweet and I could feel the romantic sparks straight away! I liked Léon immediately and was rooting for the young couple throughout the book.

The whole story had me utterly captivated from start to finish. It's brilliantly written, and seemed to perfectly convey the confusion and fear in violent situations. Even though you know what will happen in the end, I was still left rooting for the Royal family. Megan does a fantastic job of making Marie Antoinette a sympathetic character, showing her human side that her servants would have known. And I shared Giselle's horror at the aftermath of the Palace, once it has been ransacked by rioters — again, this was written so well and so vividly. I also don't think you need much historical knowledge of the French Revolution as Meghan explains it all so well and without it feeling like a lecture. This is such a fantastic read, and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fans of historical fiction!

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I have read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. I really liked her writing style and the characters were well developed.

Her whole life, Giselle dreamed of making beautiful dresses, but never did she dream of being chosen to attend to the elegant, queen of France, Marie Antoinette. Giselle has to make sure that the queen is never outshined by those who attends the elegant parties at the castle. But, as the friendship develops between the queen and Giselle, the battles that the queen faces are heartbreaking. Giselle faces here share of trials and tribulations, being torn between decisions she must make about her family, her homeland and her queen. But on a trip home, Giselle is caught up in a violent riot, and is saved by the handsome Léon, a young man who she falls in love with. She must return to the palace, but Léon doesn’t approve of the royal life, so Giselle has some life changing decisions to make. Continue to serve the queen, making the dresses she loves, or return home to be with the man she loves. The author’s detailed description of the beautiful gowns and the ballrooms at the palace are very vivid and are easy to picture in your mind’s eye.

I enjoyed this book, and this historical fiction is a must read for anyone who is a fan of this time period of history, the French Revolution. If you haven’t read this author yet, I highly recommend her, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Meghan Masterson for such a fabulous read.

[Shoshanna Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. It was very politically motivated, with a bit of romance on the side. It tends to be a little dry, but does follow one of the most politically interesting times in French history. This book takes a very unique perspective of the French Revolution. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will likely enjoy this book.



The Wardrobe Mistress is a bit of a coming of age story. It is in first person, written from the perspective of the heroine, Giselle. Her story, while fictional, is poignant. I hadn’t often considered how difficult the lives of servants in the palace must have been. The most ardent Revolutionists assuming all in the household Royalists, but most servants have a bit of one foot in each camp. This was a very interesting perspective to consider.

I also enjoyed the element of Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe. Though it is often commonplace today to dissect the outfits powerful political figures wear to various events, I hadn’t considered the same being done to Marie Antoinette. It was intriguing to read about these struggles.



For me, this book dragged just a bit. It took me longer to read than I am used to. I think mostly because of how in depth it was. There were a lot of historical events taking place over a long period of time. However, it was also very exciting. I would encourage true fans of historical fiction to read this book.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will enjoy this light historical fiction set during the French Revolution if you like alternative viewpoints at the center of the action. In this case, Giselle, a 16 year old seamstress has the catbird seat. She's caught in some ways between her family and the Royal family- and both have their foibles, positives, and negatives (do not forget that Marie Antoinette and the rest were human beings after all.). Masterson has done a really nice job of capturing the period, as well as your attention. There's nothing heavy just a good story. This made for a nice escapist read with the benefit of history to make me feel less guilty! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- two thumbs up!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during a fascinating period of French history, this novel explores the time just before the overthrow of the reign of Louis and Marie Antoinette. Both the Monarchist and the Republican viewpoints are explored through Giselle, the Queen's dressmaker and Leon, who thinks there is no place for a Monarchy.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the Court and the clothes of the period. It brought the events very much to life and although the story is that of Giselle, I would have loved to get deeper inside the head of Marie Antoinette. She seems to be a puppet to whom things happen rather than a Queen with any power. To know more of her thoughts and opinions would have enriched the story for me.
It is a heartbreaking account, no matter which side you support and the ending is perfect.

[Mirella · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this novel, the author's first, she offers readers a new take on a dark period in French history. Through the point of view of a young under-tirewoman named Giselle, the author sweeps readers into the innermost sanctuary of Queen Marie Antoinette. France is ripe with fear and suspicion at every turn. Everyone is watching everyone, and Giselle is no exception. Her uncle uses her as a spy, thrusting Giselle on a very difficult path because of her fondness for the queen. Through Giselle we see the goodness and innocence of the much maligned Marie Antoinette. As Giselle's loyalty to her queen grows stronger, so does the treacherous plot she finds herself in.

I loved the intimacy of how the events of the French Revolution were relayed. Giselle's narrative is compelling and drew me in. There is suspense, romance, and many surprises along the way. A novel that kept me highly entertained.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an absolute joy to read this engaging story about Giselle who works as a wardrobe lady for Marie Antoinette. The subtitle "A Novel of Marie Antoinette" is a bit misleading as the story's main character is Giselle not Marie Antoinette. This story also does not tell the entire life of Marie Antoinette at court. Instead it focuses on the French revolutionary days up to the end of her life, which I find to be the saddest part of her life. You will find yourself caught up in the French revolution as Giselle tries to walk the fine line between her court duties and her revolutionary feelings. I especially enjoyed the well-developed characters and the love story between Giselle and Leon. I thought this was a well written first novel by Meghan Masterson and hope to read more from her.