What do you think?
Rate this book
Florian #1
Under the Stars of Paris
"Just pretend that the man you wish to marry is standing before you," the designer instructed Anthea as she waited to model the wedding dress in the grand finale of his Spring Collection.
But the man Anthea wished to marry was out there in the salon-with the woman who had taken Anthea's place as his future bride!
But the man Anthea wished to marry was out there in the salon-with the woman who had taken Anthea's place as his future bride!
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
51 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Mary Burchell
161 books84 followersIda Cook was born on 1904 at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland, England. With her eldest sister Mary Louise Cook (1901), she attending the Duchess' School in Alnwick. Later the sisters took civil service jobs in London, and developed a passionate interest in opera. The sisters helped 29 jews to escape from the Nazis, funded mainly by Ida's writing. In 1965, the Cook sisters were honored as Righteous Gentiles by the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Israel.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 29, 2024
Such a sweet, chaste, romantic little surprise of a book. It reminded me a lot of the film Funny Face starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, with a similar storyline of a young girl being swept up by total chance into the world of high fashion.
Anthea is a young English girl who has recently been abruptly jilted by her self-centered, cold, fiance and simultaneously abandoned by her already quite neglectful, artist father, so that she finds herself penniless, with no prospects, living in a cold attic room, in Paris, with only a few days before the end of both her lease and her meager savings. At the eleventh hour, she is "discovered" randomly by the executive assistant of Florian, one of the most famous fashion designers in Paris and whisked to his fashion house to see if she will be a good "fit" (pardon the pun) for the show-stopping finale of his collection, the bridal dress, since the model he was going to use has had an unexpected, ill-timed accident.
He stopped suddenly and stared at Anthea, who was standing at the far end of the platform. Then, in a very quiet but completely carrying a voice, he said,
"Walk towards me-as though you liked me-and were coming to greet me."
I thought the author did a fantastic job of capturing the fantasy of that golden era of Paris haute-couture fashion houses, where a new collection could make headlines, every garment was a museum-worthy work of art, and every fashion show a breathtaking performance as dramatic as a Puccini opera.
Besides the love story, in which the author cleverly keeps the reader guessing as she slowly and meticulously sets up a love triangle, the design world, with all its intrigues, artistic temperaments, cut-throat competitiveness, backstabbing and jealousies were a hoot to read about, without going over the top. There is one garment in particular, an exquisite cloak of white mink, that plays a central part in one of the most emotional episodes of Under the Stars of Paris, which shows that clothes can not only be merely decorative, they can be used as instruments of revenge, scorn, defiance, and yes, even understanding and love.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Its romanticism, elegance, and sweet, old-fashioned vibe were definitely different from the usual Harlequin books that are so over-the-top and filled with punishing kisses and grabby hands. I enjoy those too, mind you, but this was a very nice breath of fresh air.
Anthea is a young English girl who has recently been abruptly jilted by her self-centered, cold, fiance and simultaneously abandoned by her already quite neglectful, artist father, so that she finds herself penniless, with no prospects, living in a cold attic room, in Paris, with only a few days before the end of both her lease and her meager savings. At the eleventh hour, she is "discovered" randomly by the executive assistant of Florian, one of the most famous fashion designers in Paris and whisked to his fashion house to see if she will be a good "fit" (pardon the pun) for the show-stopping finale of his collection, the bridal dress, since the model he was going to use has had an unexpected, ill-timed accident.
He stopped suddenly and stared at Anthea, who was standing at the far end of the platform. Then, in a very quiet but completely carrying a voice, he said,
"Walk towards me-as though you liked me-and were coming to greet me."
I thought the author did a fantastic job of capturing the fantasy of that golden era of Paris haute-couture fashion houses, where a new collection could make headlines, every garment was a museum-worthy work of art, and every fashion show a breathtaking performance as dramatic as a Puccini opera.
Besides the love story, in which the author cleverly keeps the reader guessing as she slowly and meticulously sets up a love triangle, the design world, with all its intrigues, artistic temperaments, cut-throat competitiveness, backstabbing and jealousies were a hoot to read about, without going over the top. There is one garment in particular, an exquisite cloak of white mink, that plays a central part in one of the most emotional episodes of Under the Stars of Paris, which shows that clothes can not only be merely decorative, they can be used as instruments of revenge, scorn, defiance, and yes, even understanding and love.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Its romanticism, elegance, and sweet, old-fashioned vibe were definitely different from the usual Harlequin books that are so over-the-top and filled with punishing kisses and grabby hands. I enjoy those too, mind you, but this was a very nice breath of fresh air.
November 14, 2012
Mary Burchell has such a unique style in her writing. I was shocked to say that up till the end of the book, I wasn't quite sure who the hero was.
I'm not sure I have ever read a book, where I didn't know which man was actually the love interest. At least, not in a category romance. But in typical Burchell fashion, this book is about so much more. About life in a large, beautiful city for a young woman entering the fashion world and all the pettiness, hatred and jealousies that exist in that world. This was an absorbing, entertaining read.....
I'm not sure I have ever read a book, where I didn't know which man was actually the love interest. At least, not in a category romance. But in typical Burchell fashion, this book is about so much more. About life in a large, beautiful city for a young woman entering the fashion world and all the pettiness, hatred and jealousies that exist in that world. This was an absorbing, entertaining read.....
November 17, 2012
What a surprise this one was! You're not going to get much out of me. I can't tell you anything or it'll ruin it. Don't read any spoilers and just go in and see where it goes. It's an older story so not a lot of hot lovin'. A lot of filler about life as a "mannequin" (oldie for model) but I found it interesting. I just thought it was really clever. No hard limits (unless a book without a lot of dark action is a hard limit ;D). But I do recommend this. Very unusual.
April 5, 2017
Cute little romance. Though when I say 'cute,' I'm well aware of my own jaded tastes for flamboyant bodice-shredding & melodrama. ;)
This was originally published in the mid-1950s, & taken in that context one could almost call it edgy. Though it's squeaky-clean in terms of romance & language, all the sparkly trappings (Parisian streets, fashion houses, glam clothes, opera, backstabbing, cocktail parties, gossip, suggestions of mistresses, & broken engagements) must have seemed like June Cleaver's version of Danielle Steel. The prose, also, was clean & competent, but not dumbed down like too many modern trash authors (or even those awful 'inspirational' romances *barf*); rather, it has a definite Audrey Hepburn feel, both in character & story.
4 stars, sweet & entertaining. I'll try this author again when/if the mood strikes for something different from my usual fare.
This was originally published in the mid-1950s, & taken in that context one could almost call it edgy. Though it's squeaky-clean in terms of romance & language, all the sparkly trappings (Parisian streets, fashion houses, glam clothes, opera, backstabbing, cocktail parties, gossip, suggestions of mistresses, & broken engagements) must have seemed like June Cleaver's version of Danielle Steel. The prose, also, was clean & competent, but not dumbed down like too many modern trash authors (or even those awful 'inspirational' romances *barf*); rather, it has a definite Audrey Hepburn feel, both in character & story.
4 stars, sweet & entertaining. I'll try this author again when/if the mood strikes for something different from my usual fare.
December 12, 2021
What a lovely story! I was about to DNF at around 15%, because I didn’t quite know what I wanted to read atm, but I’m so glad that I didn’t. Lovely!
June 2, 2023
4.5🌟 Wow, what an entertaining read! I've never been one to read Harlequin romances, but I was hooked from the very first page. I guess I had this idea that most romances were overly frivolous or saccharine, but I was wrong. This book was really fun, quick-to-read and cheered me up.
Thanks to Lil's (Lil's Vintage World) book recommendation, I found this book on ebay and started reading it right away. So glad she shared this one! I've already bought the sequel in the duology and I'll be embarking on that one tonight. Very excited.
If you love Susan Scarlett's books (Noel Streatfeild), especially the ones on shops and fashion, you would love this book. It's short, interesting and so much fun. I'll have to find more books by Mary Burchell to read. If I can find some of these romances where there are mostly cozy domestic details, I'd be in heaven! Please recommend titles below if you have any you think I'd love.
POSSIBLE SPOILER BELOW
I was very surprised at the ending. It must have been a conversation in the very last chapter that made my mouth fall open and had me rereading the section I just read. If you've read this already, you know what I mean. I don't like knowing that there's a twist at the end, but it's possible that some readers wouldn't mind. Anyway, I had no idea things were going in that direction. Perhaps I was a little dense and also preferred the other main male character more?
Thanks to Lil's (Lil's Vintage World) book recommendation, I found this book on ebay and started reading it right away. So glad she shared this one! I've already bought the sequel in the duology and I'll be embarking on that one tonight. Very excited.
If you love Susan Scarlett's books (Noel Streatfeild), especially the ones on shops and fashion, you would love this book. It's short, interesting and so much fun. I'll have to find more books by Mary Burchell to read. If I can find some of these romances where there are mostly cozy domestic details, I'd be in heaven! Please recommend titles below if you have any you think I'd love.
POSSIBLE SPOILER BELOW
I was very surprised at the ending. It must have been a conversation in the very last chapter that made my mouth fall open and had me rereading the section I just read. If you've read this already, you know what I mean. I don't like knowing that there's a twist at the end, but it's possible that some readers wouldn't mind. Anyway, I had no idea things were going in that direction. Perhaps I was a little dense and also preferred the other main male character more?
January 31, 2019
3.5 stars
I'm absolutely loving these vintage gems I'm finding on Kindle Unlimited. The quality of the writing totally shames today's authors. It's amazing what these authorial whizzes could pack into such a tiny space. Plus, they're usually about career girls (of the 50's and 60's natch) so there's a really great insight into what life was like then for my mother (and aunts & grandmothers too). The exotic locations are always fun to read about too.
After reading my way through the Warrender Saga (highly recommended, btw) and learning a LOT about opera et al and the music business of that era, I was chuffed to find this one which seems to be the first in a fashion-based series. At least I hope so! I sure hope whoever owns the rights to Burchell's backlist keeps releasing these, because I'm snapping up every one I can get my hands on.
This one with it's inside look into a fashion atelier, populated with the drama queen genius designer, many models, and the rest of the back stage crew is totally fascinating.
I love fashion and fashion history so this gave me a real glimpse into how things have changed. I don't know about Burchell's research methods but this felt authentic, to my knowledge, and I thoroughly enjoyed that. While reading, I kept flashing back to this nonfiction favorite of mine A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions and comparing Madame to Genevieve.
Possible spoilers...
I'm absolutely loving these vintage gems I'm finding on Kindle Unlimited. The quality of the writing totally shames today's authors. It's amazing what these authorial whizzes could pack into such a tiny space. Plus, they're usually about career girls (of the 50's and 60's natch) so there's a really great insight into what life was like then for my mother (and aunts & grandmothers too). The exotic locations are always fun to read about too.
After reading my way through the Warrender Saga (highly recommended, btw) and learning a LOT about opera et al and the music business of that era, I was chuffed to find this one which seems to be the first in a fashion-based series. At least I hope so! I sure hope whoever owns the rights to Burchell's backlist keeps releasing these, because I'm snapping up every one I can get my hands on.
This one with it's inside look into a fashion atelier, populated with the drama queen genius designer, many models, and the rest of the back stage crew is totally fascinating.
I love fashion and fashion history so this gave me a real glimpse into how things have changed. I don't know about Burchell's research methods but this felt authentic, to my knowledge, and I thoroughly enjoyed that. While reading, I kept flashing back to this nonfiction favorite of mine A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions and comparing Madame to Genevieve.
Possible spoilers...
September 18, 2022
Hmm.
This book will most appeal to you if you have a toleration for the Mr. Rochesters and M. Paul Emanuels of the world of fiction.
In other words, a romantic interest who is a bit of a jerk. Indeed, Charlotte Bronte would have been all over this plot.
There's no getting away from it. There were multiple times in this book where I sighed a little bit and thought, "Ah. So we're doing this, are we?"
The autocratic man who's rather too old for the heroine. Who keeps her guessing the whole time as to whether he dislikes her or is just indifferent (hint: it's neither).
What can I say? Mary Burchell handled it with skill and thrill.
Plot summary: Anthea is on her own in Paris, jilted by her fiancé, and with dwindling finances. A chance meeting gets her an opportunity to model at a luxurious fashion show, where she meets Florian, a prestigious dress designer. The rest is moments of catty girl drama, enigmatic conversations with her employer, dinner dates with a "just a friend" who wants to be more, and very Jane-Eyre-like amounts of concealed longing for the inscrutable employer.
If it sounds like your thing, it probably is. Yes, I gave it 5 stars. Yes, even though I wouldn’t be on board with it in real life, I really liked it and was totally invested by the end.
This book will most appeal to you if you have a toleration for the Mr. Rochesters and M. Paul Emanuels of the world of fiction.
In other words, a romantic interest who is a bit of a jerk. Indeed, Charlotte Bronte would have been all over this plot.
There's no getting away from it. There were multiple times in this book where I sighed a little bit and thought, "Ah. So we're doing this, are we?"
The autocratic man who's rather too old for the heroine. Who keeps her guessing the whole time as to whether he dislikes her or is just indifferent (hint: it's neither).
What can I say? Mary Burchell handled it with skill and thrill.
Plot summary: Anthea is on her own in Paris, jilted by her fiancé, and with dwindling finances. A chance meeting gets her an opportunity to model at a luxurious fashion show, where she meets Florian, a prestigious dress designer. The rest is moments of catty girl drama, enigmatic conversations with her employer, dinner dates with a "just a friend" who wants to be more, and very Jane-Eyre-like amounts of concealed longing for the inscrutable employer.
If it sounds like your thing, it probably is. Yes, I gave it 5 stars. Yes, even though I wouldn’t be on board with it in real life, I really liked it and was totally invested by the end.
July 6, 2019
I was browsing through the Kindle unlimited books looking for ones that I can match for my summer reading challenge. I saw the title, read the summary, but what made me pick up Under the Stars of Paris is Mary Burchell's (Ida Cook) biography.
The book is sweet and clean Harlequin romance. It is a book that you need to read without reading any reviews, pick it up, and read it. It's incredible what these authorial whizzes could pack into such a tiny space.
I have another book of Mary Burchell's books on my kindle to be read maybe for another challenge.
The book is sweet and clean Harlequin romance. It is a book that you need to read without reading any reviews, pick it up, and read it. It's incredible what these authorial whizzes could pack into such a tiny space.
I have another book of Mary Burchell's books on my kindle to be read maybe for another challenge.
August 30, 2023
I loooved this one. Vintage 1954, but could apply to modern times. Sweet, well written book set in Paris in a fashion salon in that era. Read it in one go. Second half has the nuancing & subtlety of the Duke of Falconbridge in What I Did for a Duke. (Ending was too quick though.) 5-star
Read
April 10, 2023This is a clean romance. I'm not sure if you can even call it a romance. The writing has depth and the story sucked me in. And it's in Kindle Unlimited!
February 6, 2022
In a sense, this book reminded me of The Duke's Wager by Edith Layton. They're really quite different books, except that both are character-driven, not steamy at all, and feature a love triangle with two plausible endings for the heroine -- and I really like them both. The heroine here is also newly striking out into the world on her own, because her father has remarried and she isn't particularly welcome under her stepmother's roof. While looking for work in Paris, she has a chance meeting with a man who becomes a good friend and lucks into a job as a mannequin working for a somewhat eccentric designer. The story is told in third person from the heroine's perspective, and she's charming, a genuinely good person but not saccharine or cloying. I'm not particularly interested in fashion in real life, but I enjoyed seeing the fashion world through her eyes. I also loved watching the heroine come into her own as she comes to understand herself and the people around her more clearly. And how could I not love a hero who's first described as ?
February 17, 2012
Ha, ha! Another Mary Burchell romance from my misbegotten youth...a guilty pleasure. Burchell is a hoot to read...her characters are always principled people, there is NO hanky-panky, ideals are high...and the writing itself is so old-fashioned as to be charming. I read a Burchell aloud to Janna just last night, and we were laughing so hard at her turn-of-phrase. Who says things like, "Aunt Ellen seemed impressed by her sister's vehemence, even to the extent of admitting a glimmer of light into the general gloom of her prognostications"? The writing style reminds me of the old Nancy Drew mysteries I used to love as a kid...where they used words like "roadster" and "frock."
I think I read Burchell occasionally because it's a safe place and time.
I think I read Burchell occasionally because it's a safe place and time.
August 17, 2013
Another vintage romance from a gentler time (published in 1954). I'm going through an old box of Harlequin romance novels from when I was a kid, and I needed one after reading descriptions in Publishers Weekly of the "romance" books due out soon. Today's "romances" are more about the shock factor than they are about the romance. I'm so over the erotica trend!
Anyway, this was a pleasure to read, as it was written by Mary Burchell, even though it's not one of her best.
Anyway, this was a pleasure to read, as it was written by Mary Burchell, even though it's not one of her best.
August 1, 2020
A lovely engaging tale.
This is the first Mary Burchell romance that I have read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. What the tale lacks in modern style (goofy humor, continual angsting, and sex) allows for deft character development and dialogue. In particular, the main female lead is a truly engaging and unique character. Her quiet strength of character is refreshing. I will be reading more by this author.
This is the first Mary Burchell romance that I have read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. What the tale lacks in modern style (goofy humor, continual angsting, and sex) allows for deft character development and dialogue. In particular, the main female lead is a truly engaging and unique character. Her quiet strength of character is refreshing. I will be reading more by this author.
Want to read
January 23, 2022Spooooooooooooooilers
I now understand a little why some people avoid spoilers like they’re bad luck jinxes, because reading a spoiler before even opening this book, can, SOMETIMES mind you, not always, completely change the way one reads a book from the beginning. And it’s not always a good thing.
Another reviewer mentioned that being from the age and era we are, it’s quite obvious that the heroine is in fact And I’m afraid I agree with them. Therefore no matter how much I tried I couldn’t shake that perspective and I’m afraid the book was hardly romantic as far as I was concerned.
I now understand a little why some people avoid spoilers like they’re bad luck jinxes, because reading a spoiler before even opening this book, can, SOMETIMES mind you, not always, completely change the way one reads a book from the beginning. And it’s not always a good thing.
Another reviewer mentioned that being from the age and era we are, it’s quite obvious that the heroine is in fact And I’m afraid I agree with them. Therefore no matter how much I tried I couldn’t shake that perspective and I’m afraid the book was hardly romantic as far as I was concerned.
March 9, 2023
Many thanks to Iris, one of my new GR friends, who brought this author to my attention. I really enjoyed reading this sweet story which is similar to the books by Elizabeth Cadell and Susan Scarlett (Noel Streatfeild).
This is the kind of book to curl up with in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and just enjoy a nice, HEA story.
This is the kind of book to curl up with in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and just enjoy a nice, HEA story.
April 25, 2025
Reallllly solid category romance from the 60s. The arc is very different from modern romance, which is part of what made it such a great read. It is definitely as much about our heroine coming of age--which in this case, means growing into her career--as it is about the romance.
Perhaps my deep enjoyment of it comes from all of the reading of 60s era books/ romances I did as a kid in the 80s. Anyway, I'm right in my enjoyment, this stuff is just fantastic.
Seriously, high fashion in Paris and she lucks into a career as a model. You should read it.
Perhaps my deep enjoyment of it comes from all of the reading of 60s era books/ romances I did as a kid in the 80s. Anyway, I'm right in my enjoyment, this stuff is just fantastic.
Seriously, high fashion in Paris and she lucks into a career as a model. You should read it.
May 8, 2018
Very very good writing. Only thing made it less than perfect was that the actual romance left to the last pages.
October 10, 2022
A simple confection in book form. Demands little of the reader except to relax and enjoy the story. Which suited me perfectly. :-)
July 5, 2014
Mary Burchell is one of my stand by authors that I can read over and over again. I'm not sure how many times I've read this one but it's lovely and I never get bored with it.
Anthea, the heroine, is still stunned from being dumped by her fiancé a couple of months prior to the start of the book. Her father has remarried to a woman who doesn't want her around so she goes to Paris to make a fresh start which doesn't work out.
Until the day she uses her last few francs for a hairdo and is spotted by a woman who works for the great clothes designer Florian. They need a particular type to replace a model with a broken leg only a few days before a major show.
Anthea is drawn into this new world and intrigued by Florian, the slight, rather world weary designer. Nothing at all like the modern alpha males we are used to seeing.
She is also befriended by Roger Senloe, the cousin of the woman who is to marry Anthea's ex. He is a charming and friendly Englishman who makes her life in Paris a happy one.
Anthea, the heroine, is still stunned from being dumped by her fiancé a couple of months prior to the start of the book. Her father has remarried to a woman who doesn't want her around so she goes to Paris to make a fresh start which doesn't work out.
Until the day she uses her last few francs for a hairdo and is spotted by a woman who works for the great clothes designer Florian. They need a particular type to replace a model with a broken leg only a few days before a major show.
Anthea is drawn into this new world and intrigued by Florian, the slight, rather world weary designer. Nothing at all like the modern alpha males we are used to seeing.
She is also befriended by Roger Senloe, the cousin of the woman who is to marry Anthea's ex. He is a charming and friendly Englishman who makes her life in Paris a happy one.
November 25, 2021
Well, that did not go quite as I'd expected—a rarity for Harlequins, and one that delighted me. It's not a brilliant book (or even a brilliant Harlequin), but assuming that there's some degree of accuracy, it's a fascinating insight into the 1950s modelling world. Anthea is contracted to a single designer's fashion house, where he is god and the 'mannequins' (models) display the latest 'models' (designs), both at fashion shows and more or less on call whenever a potential client is around.
This one is somehow available through Kindle unlimited (the new cover is not an improvement). I can't actually recommend the book, but the ending is fascinating and I can't be sorry that it's been digitised for a modern audience.
This one is somehow available through Kindle unlimited (the new cover is not an improvement). I can't actually recommend the book, but the ending is fascinating and I can't be sorry that it's been digitised for a modern audience.
December 8, 2011
The book was a good read. i enjoyed it and the love was quite unexpected from the chosen couple. Again I applaud Mary Burchell for her choice of character and the very subtle love that stems from understanding and respect.
Anthea, who has only fifty bucks left, by chance gets at being a model after being dumped by her ex-fiance. Florian is the designer who hardly shows his feeling to anyone beside being angry but he shows kindness to Anthea although not very gentle. I actually love how Mary Burchell portrays her characters love for each other. no 'i love you because i lust so powerfully for you' is the kind of love that makes her book stand above all others.
Anthea, who has only fifty bucks left, by chance gets at being a model after being dumped by her ex-fiance. Florian is the designer who hardly shows his feeling to anyone beside being angry but he shows kindness to Anthea although not very gentle. I actually love how Mary Burchell portrays her characters love for each other. no 'i love you because i lust so powerfully for you' is the kind of love that makes her book stand above all others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2021
A vintage harlequin romance showcasing a Parisian fashion where models were called mannequins parading around during fashion week. I really enjoyed this book. I love that the author kept the reader guessing where the HEA would fall. It was more of a 4 star slow burn read but the characters read well even after so much time which is remarkable since this book was written in 1954.
June 9, 2009
Ah, a romance from my youth! I would read it again with a smile. To be wooed by a rich and charming man . . . the stuff daydreams are made of when you're young. I like this author's characterizations. Her books are charming fantasies without pretension.
August 30, 2019
A lovely romance set in beautiful Paris among amazing designer dresses. Dazzling in every way. The heroine is beautiful with a lovely nature, and the hero is complicated but adorable. A perfect comfort read.
April 18, 2021
Pleasant and undemanding, exactly the sort of book I think my grandmother would have loved reading back when it was published. Bonus points (I guess?) for having a love triangle where I genuinely couldn't figure out the hero.
November 8, 2019
Always a fan of Mary Burchell
My first Mary Burchell was A Song Begins and I've tried to read as many as possible. Her stories are gentle and interesting.
My first Mary Burchell was A Song Begins and I've tried to read as many as possible. Her stories are gentle and interesting.
February 14, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was delightful.
The Hero ended up being slightly surprising, for reasons I will expound on later.
Backstory is: Heroine is an English girl whose beloved, widowed famous artist father has remarried to a woman who has made it clear that h is not really welcome in their home. At the same time, her ex-fiancee dumped her for a friend named Eve.
Heroine decided to move to Paris and see if she could make a life for herself there, but at the time of the book had not found a job and was down to her last 50 francs.
She runs into an attractive English stranger one morning who turns out to be an acquaintance who is unfortunately the cousin of Eve, the woman who stole her ex-fiancee. So not an auspicious beginning, but they get over it.
Later that day the h uses her last 50 francs to get her hair cut/done at a fancy beauty salon, where a woman connected with a famous fashion designer, The Great Florian (I think that's his name right? lol) notices her and that she closely resembles a "mannequin" (i.e. our modern idea of fashion model) who had to leave work, and that all the clothes designed for her would look great on h.
So h comes out of this beauty salon with a brand spanking new job.
Her first day of work, she meets The Great Florian, who turns out to be, let me consult my notes, a "slight, fair-haired man with beautiful hands, thinning hair, and the air of an exhausted and impatient schoolboy." This entire design studio belongs to him.
Anyhow, [spoilers ahead], instead of the handsome semi-stranger being the H, it's the beautiful-handed, balding, skinny impatient schoolboy man who ends up capturing the h's heart.
I KNOW!
So the rest of the story unfolds with h not really knowing much about anything, but doing her best to be the best mannequin possible while navigating the hazards of the fashion industry, jealous conniving coworkers, evil OW, etc.
I found it fun because of the bait-and-switch thing with the hero being not the square-jawed tall handsome musclebound man, but the balding small fashion designer with a petulant air when he's crossed lol.
I felt a lot of call-backs to Georgette Heyer's heroes with their deceptively mild appearances. A lovely romance with the addition of being a time capsule of a very specific time and place in history.
The Hero ended up being slightly surprising, for reasons I will expound on later.
Backstory is: Heroine is an English girl whose beloved, widowed famous artist father has remarried to a woman who has made it clear that h is not really welcome in their home. At the same time, her ex-fiancee dumped her for a friend named Eve.
Heroine decided to move to Paris and see if she could make a life for herself there, but at the time of the book had not found a job and was down to her last 50 francs.
She runs into an attractive English stranger one morning who turns out to be an acquaintance who is unfortunately the cousin of Eve, the woman who stole her ex-fiancee. So not an auspicious beginning, but they get over it.
Later that day the h uses her last 50 francs to get her hair cut/done at a fancy beauty salon, where a woman connected with a famous fashion designer, The Great Florian (I think that's his name right? lol) notices her and that she closely resembles a "mannequin" (i.e. our modern idea of fashion model) who had to leave work, and that all the clothes designed for her would look great on h.
So h comes out of this beauty salon with a brand spanking new job.
Her first day of work, she meets The Great Florian, who turns out to be, let me consult my notes, a "slight, fair-haired man with beautiful hands, thinning hair, and the air of an exhausted and impatient schoolboy." This entire design studio belongs to him.
Anyhow, [spoilers ahead], instead of the handsome semi-stranger being the H, it's the beautiful-handed, balding, skinny impatient schoolboy man who ends up capturing the h's heart.
I KNOW!
So the rest of the story unfolds with h not really knowing much about anything, but doing her best to be the best mannequin possible while navigating the hazards of the fashion industry, jealous conniving coworkers, evil OW, etc.
I found it fun because of the bait-and-switch thing with the hero being not the square-jawed tall handsome musclebound man, but the balding small fashion designer with a petulant air when he's crossed lol.
I felt a lot of call-backs to Georgette Heyer's heroes with their deceptively mild appearances. A lovely romance with the addition of being a time capsule of a very specific time and place in history.
June 17, 2020
Lip smacking drama - yes.
Sweet simpleton heroine - yes.
Quirky, intriguing hero - yes.
Lovely relationship between the leads - Yes.
But not in the least romantic !!!!!!!!!! It was more of a bond between a trusting protege and the all knowing master craftsman, a fashion designer.
The buildup in the first few chapters was amazing. The innocent newcomer to Paris landing a plum modelling job with a leading , eccentric designer, totally by chance. Gets the job, get to snub her ex who dumped her. Gets to enjoy her new found success.
I was licking my lips in anticipation for a delicious turn in their relationship.
The relationship deepened, yes. There were a few heartfelt emotive scenes, yes. But that spark of chemistry that binds the leading man and his lady love was missing.
In fact, the build up with the OM was a lot more promising in terms of romantic potential. This is one story where the OM is the sweetest guy possible, a friend in need. A good looking diplomat too. But the poor guy gets relegated to "brother" status for no fault of his. Oh, there is a fault actually. He never tries to kiss the girl. Being the perfect picture of gentlemanly behavior is a definite minus in HP Land !!!!
Not that the hero tried too much of kissing actually. He gives her hands a kissing salute, if you are desperately looking for some consoling feature. Then of course the final mandatory confession of "I adore you" with the accompanying kisses. Other than that moment, their relationship is lovely, deep, but somewhat platonic.
The author does the unpardonable thing of describing the hero as a fair guy with thinning hair, reaching 40 at his intro scene !!! Until I cheated and checked out the ending first, I couldn't guess this guy was the hero !!!!!!!!!!
Compared to the other Anthea that Mary Burchell came up with - Oscar Warrender's girl. Now that was a very similar premise between master and protege. But that one was lovely, romantic, sparkling with sexual undercurrents!!
Not to take away from the entertainment value of this book. That certainly deserved 4 stars. If only that added sparkle was there. Sigh !!!
Sweet simpleton heroine - yes.
Quirky, intriguing hero - yes.
Lovely relationship between the leads - Yes.
But not in the least romantic !!!!!!!!!! It was more of a bond between a trusting protege and the all knowing master craftsman, a fashion designer.
The buildup in the first few chapters was amazing. The innocent newcomer to Paris landing a plum modelling job with a leading , eccentric designer, totally by chance. Gets the job, get to snub her ex who dumped her. Gets to enjoy her new found success.
I was licking my lips in anticipation for a delicious turn in their relationship.
The relationship deepened, yes. There were a few heartfelt emotive scenes, yes. But that spark of chemistry that binds the leading man and his lady love was missing.
In fact, the build up with the OM was a lot more promising in terms of romantic potential. This is one story where the OM is the sweetest guy possible, a friend in need. A good looking diplomat too. But the poor guy gets relegated to "brother" status for no fault of his. Oh, there is a fault actually. He never tries to kiss the girl. Being the perfect picture of gentlemanly behavior is a definite minus in HP Land !!!!
Not that the hero tried too much of kissing actually. He gives her hands a kissing salute, if you are desperately looking for some consoling feature. Then of course the final mandatory confession of "I adore you" with the accompanying kisses. Other than that moment, their relationship is lovely, deep, but somewhat platonic.
The author does the unpardonable thing of describing the hero as a fair guy with thinning hair, reaching 40 at his intro scene !!! Until I cheated and checked out the ending first, I couldn't guess this guy was the hero !!!!!!!!!!
Compared to the other Anthea that Mary Burchell came up with - Oscar Warrender's girl. Now that was a very similar premise between master and protege. But that one was lovely, romantic, sparkling with sexual undercurrents!!
Not to take away from the entertainment value of this book. That certainly deserved 4 stars. If only that added sparkle was there. Sigh !!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews