The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre

 

The Three Live of Alix St. Pierre

Natasha Lester

US Publication date: January 10, 2023 by Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 4 🍷🍷🍷🍷

Summary: Alix St. Pierre. An unforgettable name for an unforgettable woman. She grew up surrounded by Hollywood glamor, but, as an orphan, never truly felt part of that world. In 1943, with WWII raging and men headed overseas to fight, she lands a publicity job to recruit women into the workforce. Her skills—persuasion, daring, quick-witted under pressure—catch the attention of the U.S. government and she finds herself with an even bigger assignment: sent to Switzerland as a spy. Soon Alix is on the precipice of something big, very big. But how far can she trust her German informant…?

 

After an Allied victory that didn’t come nearly soon enough, Alix moves to Paris, ready to immerse herself in a new position as director of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior. In the glamorous halls of the French fashion house, she can nearly forget everything she lost and the dangerous secret she carries. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realizes that only she can right the wrongs of the past …and finally find justice.

My thoughts: As a PR consultant Alix St. Pierre had a talent for convincing people what to do. Because of her language skills, Alix got recruited to become a member of the newly formed Office of Strategic Services in Switzerland under Allen Dulles during WWII. Alix had gone to boarding school in Switzerland thanks to the family who took her in after her parents deaths. While working for the OSS she was able to reconnect with some friends and slide into the shadows. Alix suddenly found herself at the forefront of the Italian Resistance movement. The trust she chose to bestow upon certain people ultimately altered the trajectory of her life. 

The story's shift to after the war brought to light the repercussions of Alix's choices during the war. Lester chose to place Alix at the center of the unveiling of the new House of Dior. The magnificence of haute couture after the devastation of WWII cannot be overlooked. Amidst the hustle and bustle of what would become known as the "New Look", Alix found herself face to face with the past. As joint forces attempted to bring her down Alix learned who she could and couldn't trust to bring an end to the ghosts that haunted her. 

While Alix St. Pierre is a fictional character, Lester did a fantastic job at using her to explore many historical events. There were some wonderful gems uncovered in the book. Readers will be mortified by the actions taken of multiple offices during WWII. However readers will be utterly enchanted with the details Lester provided on Christian Dior's entrance into the fashion world. Sprinkle in some romance and you have a wonderfully multifaceted story that will delight all. 

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.