The Girl from Paris is set in Paris and in New York City. It begins in 1918 as World War I is close to ending but the devastation from the German artillery continues to make it unsafe in Paris. Vianne is a seamstress who lives in Paris with her parents. She has dreams of designing and sewing beautiful dresses but for now she is repairing military uniforms. Her older sister is a nurse and her brother is in the Army so both are away from home. The book begins with Vianne's excitement that both of her siblings will be coming home on leave at the same time. Her brother is emotionally damaged from what he's seen during the war and doesn't talk much to his family. Her sister is as vivacious as ever and is thrilled to be home. Vianne, her sister and their mother go to church together but Vianne decides to go home and finish the dress that she is making for their mother. Right after she leaves, a German bomb lands on the church and kills her mother and sister. Her father can't function after their deaths and Vianne is filled with sadness but it all gets worse when her brother returns to the family home at the end of the war and tells her that she can no longer live there because his new wife will be moving in. He puts her out on the street with no regard for her life. She finds a friend of her mother's to live with and when she realizes that there is nothing left for her in Paris, she decides to move to New York. She doesn't know anyone in the city but a chance encounter with a wealthy woman on the ship gives her an opening to apply to one of the dress makers in the city. She thrives working in the small design house and continues to work towards her goal of having her own couture house in New York. She also begins to fall in love with a restaurant owner and her life begins to change from sadness for her family to success and happiness in her new life in Paris. When she receives information about an issue in Paris, she feels like she has to return immediately.

Will Vianne find the courage to follow her heart, return to New York and her life with Giorgio? Or will duty bind her to the family she had left behind and force her to remain in France?

The main character, Vianne is a well written character. Readers are able to feel her pain at losing her family and her home in Paris as well as her happiness in New York. She is a strong and resilient woman who works hard to meet her goal in life but never puts her dream above her family and friends. She's a caring woman who takes care of her friends while she continues to follow her dreams.

This is a fantastic look at New York City during the 1920's. A lot is written about the clothes that women are wearing and the nightlife in the city. The author has done significant research about this time period and manages to stitch a few real people in her story.

This book is more than just historical fiction - it's a close look at a strong woman who is pursuing her dream as she deals with family, friends and love. All three books in this series have been excellent. ( )