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Mistress of the Ritz
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
34 posts | 29 read | 51 to read
A captivating novel based on the story of the extraordinary real-life American woman who secretly worked for the French Resistance during World War II--while playing hostess to the invading Germans at the iconic Htel Ritz in Paris--from the New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Nothing bad can happen at the Ritz; inside its gilded walls every woman looks beautiful, every man appears witty. Favored guests like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Coco Chanel, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor walk through its famous doors, where they're welcomed and pampered by Blanche Auzello and her husband, Claude, the director. The Auzellos are the mistress and master of the Ritz, allowing the glamor and glitz to take their mind off their troubled marriage, and off the secrets that they keep from their guests--and each other. Until June 1940, when the German army sweeps into Paris, setting up headquarters at the Ritz. Suddenly, with the likes of Hermann Goring moving into suites once occupied by royalty, Blanche and Claude must navigate a terrifying new reality. One that entails even more secrets. One that may destroy the tempestuous marriage between this beautiful, reckless American and her very proper Frenchman. For the falsehoods they tell to survive, and to strike a blow against their Nazi "guests," spin a web of deceit that ensnares everything and everyone they cherish. But one secret is shared between Blanche and Claude alone--the secret that, in the end, threatens to imperil both of their lives, and to bring down the legendary Ritz itself. Based on true events, Mistress of the Ritz is a taut tale of suspense wrapped up in a love story for the ages, the inspiring story of a woman and a man who discover the best in each other amid the turbulence of war.
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lynneamch
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Always enjoy this author and #histfic based on true events, Paris, resistance. I see when I first posted this book I was drinking a French Merlot on a plane. Today it's a Mimosa with a bubbly "methode champenoise" from a Michigan winery. Continued appreciation for those who did and do resist in the struggle for justice, equally, and truth. #MittenLitten #FogCover #NewYearNewBooks @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 I love Benjamin and most HF 3mo
rubyslippersreads My favorite of her books is 3mo
lynneamch Thx @rubyslippersreads . I'll move that up on my tbr. Sounds fascinating. 3mo
30 likes1 stack add3 comments
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PaigeTurner
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

I may be biased because I read this book on vacation in Europe visiting sites where WWII atrocities happened, but I was fully engrossed. I found some of the inner monologues of the husband and wife to be a little repetitive. And the time jumping confusing at times. But overall, an interesting portrait of a place and its people surviving under horrific circumstances.

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GidgetsTreasures75
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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10-18-20: My 85th finished book of 2020! In this historical fiction novel we follow, Claude and Blanche Auzello. He‘s the director of the Hotel Ritz and she is his loving and very un-French wife. The story takes place during the time the Germans occupied Paris and used The Ritz as one of their headquarters. A love story between two people and a place, The Ritz. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #mistressoftheritz #melaniebenjamin 👍🏼📖#️⃣8️⃣5️⃣

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GidgetsTreasures75
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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10-16-20: Starting a new one! 📖

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Sharpeipup
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Reading by candlelight on this rainy day as we are currently without power. #rainydayreads

27 likes1 stack add
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SheReadsAndWrites
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Happy Sunday 😊☕️

40 likes2 comments
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Danay
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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2020 #23 Loved the narrators raspy voice on this audiobook.

3 likes1 stack add
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lynneamch
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

Mellowing the flying jitters with coincidentally French Merlot while totally engaged in this story of secrets between husband and wife as Nazis take over the Ritz and the French Resistance grows. It is an inspiring tale, with flawed characters who nonetheless risk everything to do what is right to fight against their occupiers. Kudos to all who do likewise today to fight corruption and injustice.

29 likes1 stack add
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Rebesta
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

A great story about two notorious characters and a famous one. This novel takes you through the lives of Claude and Blanche Auzello, the manager of the Ritz Hotel in Paris and his Jewish wife, during World War II. Though little is known about their inner/emotional lives, Benjamin does a fine job of reimagining them for us. The novel is rich in history and accurate in events. An excellent and moving read!

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Brookemfarrar
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
Pickpick

Couldn‘t put it down!

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ReadingisMyPassion
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

It seems that more & more previously unknown stories keep coming out revolving around WWII. This is one of those stories. I had no idea when I began reading the book that it was based upon the lives of the real Claude and Blanche Auzello. They bravely participated in the Resistance right under the noses of the Nazi party. Suspenseful, inspiring, and heartbreaking, this is a story that will linger in your memory I absolutely loved this book.

11 likes1 stack add
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catebutler
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

I‘d recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction, strong female characters, espionage, WWII stories & characters who are complicated & true to themselves. I enjoyed this heartfelt story of bravery, betrayal and love set in the lavish Hotel Ritz in Paris. The author‘s note at the end, especially added a final depth to the entire story.

Final Rating: 3.5 Stars

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booksaremyfavorite
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

Overall the author did a great job of writing about two people from WW2 that probably would have never been written about. Blanche and Claude Auzello are husband and wife. She was an American and he was a Frenchman. I honestly almost quit the book a time or two but I‘m glad I gave it a chance. It got better in the middle and I wouldn‘t have predicted the ending.

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SilversReviews
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Last day to enter the giveaway.

http://tinyurl.com/yyezpjgc

AmyG Thank you! 5y
36 likes1 comment
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SassenachTheBookWizard
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

I love it when authors go find overlooked and almost forgotten members of history and just mess with them. I honestly almost walked away from the book a bit before the midway mark. I know it's set in a different time and place but the institution of marriage and how women were expected to act once married...just sent me on an angry feminist millennial rage. I loved Blanche & Lilly. I slowly began to hate Claude less as the book went on.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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I've gotten about halfway in on this arc! I've been so anxious to pick it up all month

xxjenadanxx It‘s so good! 5y
86 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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SilversReviews
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Melanie Benjamin‘s newest gem might be yours if you enter the giveaway.

GOOD LUCK!!

ENTER AT THE LINK BELOW.

https://tinyurl.com/yyezpjgc

Crazeedi Entered !! Thank you! (edited) 5y
AmberWB Entered and stacked! Thanks! 5y
See All 6 Comments
SilversReviews @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It does look good...best of luck. Thanks for commenting. 5y
SilversReviews @Crazeedi Best of luck. Thanks for commenting. 5y
SilversReviews @AmberWB Best of luck. Thanks for entering. 5y
51 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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Jenken1998
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

Book set at The Ritz in Paris during WW2 German occupation. Mostly a story about the relationship between Claude, the general manager of the Ritz and his American flapper wife who loves the Ritz as much he does. A story about the Ritz, it's famous patrons and the Nazi occupiers. I found this to be relationship heavy and less history focused. I skimmed the last half with no regrets. The writing was pretty though 😁

45 likes1 stack add
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cookreadsleep
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
Mehso-so

I was granted the opportunity to read this book on netgalley and finally finished it. Overall, I thought the story was rather sprawling, and I kept forgetting what the real focus was. Blanche was the central character, and I liked her a lot. She was brave and opinionated and did what she had to do. I did not like Claude, her husband, much at all. I didn't get a good sense of the hotel, but the time was well portrayed.

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bg_reads
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one! 2 perspectives, a man and wife duo. My full review is on Goodreads @ goodreads.com/pollywaug!
I loved the setting of this book. The Ritz Paris transforming from a getaway for celebrities and royalty to a hub for German soldiers! I think this is one of my favorite reads of the year!

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Reecaspieces
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

🍭🍭🍭 review is up on my blog. Stop by and say hi! https://reecaspieces.com/2019/05/27/mistress-of-the-ritz-by-melonie-benjamin-rev...

tammysue Terrific review, Reeces! :) 5y
Reecaspieces Thank you!!! 5y
81 likes1 stack add2 comments
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bg_reads
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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I'm really starting to like this book!
#ARC #betterlatethannever

xxjenadanxx I really enjoyed it! 5y
3 likes1 comment
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bg_reads
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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17%

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Hazel0303
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

I gave this 3 stars. I thought the ending was great, but the marital relationship and all it's ups and downs detracted from what could have been a great novel. I seem to be in the minority though, so check it out for yourself!!

See my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2810594131

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SassyBookworm
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

This is a wonderful historical fiction about Claude & Blanche Azuzello. Claude was the hotel manager for the Ritz Hotel in Paris before, during & after WWII. The story begins with the meeting of Claude & Blanche as their romance was kind of a whirl wind start. The story is told from each of their perspectives & I loved how you would seamlessly flow from each... Full review on Goodreads!

#SassyBookworm😏 #HistoricalFiction #ARC #NetGalley

83 likes4 stack adds
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overtheedge
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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)Thank you so much Penguin/Delacote Press!! I am so pleased to get this ARC, Melanie Benjamin is such an engaging writer....I'm reading 'Adventures of Mrs. Tom Thumb', loving it, and cant wait to start this.

Crazeedi I just added to my tbr today!! 5y
54 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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xxjenadanxx
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

After marrying, Blanche quickly settled into her role as Mistress of the Ritz, dressing in fashionable clothing, befriending the elite & living in a beautiful suite. But the Nazis have taken over Paris & the Ritz & now her days are spent catering to the invaders, her nights doing jobs for the resistance. Living in close quarters with the enemy Blanche has a false sense of security, & gets more reckless as she gets more restless.
#Netgalley ARC.

37 likes1 stack add
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bg_reads
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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I've been trying to win this book on Goodreads for what seems like forever! I got approved for a copy through #netgalley! Yesssss!!! *Insert happy dance here*

3 likes1 stack add
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silentrequiem
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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My haul from my visit to my local indie today, Bookworks. Happy #IndependentBookstoreDay! The tagged book was a free ARC.

Avanders Bookworks! I did Page One ☺️ 5y
silentrequiem @Avanders I've never been to Page One! I guess I'll have to go visit. :-) 5y
31 likes2 comments
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Kate.Braithwaite
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

Powerful - especially in the last quarter of book

36 likes2 stack adds
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Insightsintobooks
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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In happier news, I got this book from #netgalley and am really enjoying it so far.

73 likes2 stack adds
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JenlovesJT47
Mistress of the Ritz | Melanie Benjamin
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I was all set for a rejection when I got an email from NetGalley this morning, since I‘m so behind on my reviews, but to my extreme happiness/surprise, I got approved for an advanced reader copy from one of my favorite authors! You know you‘re a hopeless book nerd when things like this make you so happy! 🤗🤓

#NetGalley
#ARC
#historicalfiction

Insightsintobooks I got approved for this a few days ago too, I'm really enjoying it! 5y
JaclynW I love this author too! 5y
87 likes1 stack add2 comments