Another great historical novel that sat on my shelf for too long. I love Benjamin's novels and her writing and I especially love that this novel not only has historical aspects but the history of the Ritz as well. I love reading about historical architecture and this one has it all. Another well written historical novel based on true people and the risks they took during the mist of the war knowing that they could lose it all as well as their own lives. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful insight into the Mistress of the Ritz. The tale was exciting and I had no trouble finishing it. I'm surprised not more people have this book in their catalogs! ( )

Melanie Benjamin once more has found a factual woman and has managed to bring her out of the shadows, telling her story, her husband's and that of the Ritz where nothing bad can happen. Or can it? Claude Auzello is the director of the Ritz and her marries American flapper Blanche Ross who almost immediately experiences culture shock when she realizes that she's supposed to be the dutiful wife, support him in all ways, drop her friends if he demands it, and lose some of the makeup if he so desires. Needless to say this causes tension in their marriage. Then the Germans invade, famous guests like Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald depart while Coco Chanel stays, trading barbs with Blanche while collaborating with the Germans that take up residence in the Ritz. Blanche despises her husband's obeisance to the invaders and becomes a member of the resistance. Claude deplores his wife's drunken behavior with her Communist friend Lily and is keeping secrets of his own. Will the Ritz, Blanche, and Claude survive the war with the secrets they're keeping? Read on.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGallery. Blanche’s story is one that I’ve read many times while reading about the Resistance that took place during WWII. But Blanche’s story is different. She is married to Claude, who is the director of The Ritz in Paris during the war. German soldiers take The Ritz as their home, leaving the two vulnerable. The story splits its chapters between Blanche and Claude’s stories and how they keep secrets from one another, but at the end of the day they each play their part. I thoroughly enjoyed how Melanie Benjamin weaves the history and the nonfiction parts of our characters lives together effortlessly. Highly recommend this book if you enjoy reading about fighting back against the German’s subtly during WWII. ( )

Book on CD narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
3.5***

As she has done for many other women in history, Benjamin, turns her attention to a previously little-known woman who made a significant impact. This novel focuses on Blanche Auzello, a former American actress who was married to Claude Auzello, the manager of the Hotel Ritz in Paris, and their experiences during the Nazi occupation of Paris.

I was completely caught up in this story from beginning to end. Blanche is portrayed as a larger-than-life character; she is brash, friendly, emotional, kind, brave, and a loyal friend. I can easily picture her hobnobbing with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald and Coco Chanel. She has a harder time hiding her disdain of the Nazis than her husband does, and she resents the devotion he has to his job and his hotel. Would that he showed such devotion to HER! But when push comes to shove, it is their love for one another that sees them through and drives their actions.

But the Hotel Ritz is a marvelous setting, and practically a character in itself. Benjamin fills the novel with descriptions of the hotel: from the furnishings to the personal service provided to her guests. The Ritz shines on these pages.

It’s worth reading the author’s note at the end to learn the few facts the author had on which to frame this engaging work of fiction. As she explains, the story of the Auzellos is barely known or commented about in existing documents. So, Benjamin states that this novel is “inspired” by the, rather than actually based on them. Some things are known: Blanche changed her name to hide her Jewish background; Claude did work to pass messages for the Resistance through a network of hotel managers and supplies; Blanche was arrested; they died in 1969.

Barbara Rosenblat narrates the audiobook. She had a lot of characters to deal with and she did a marvelous job of it. ( )