Sisters of the Resistance

A Novel of Catherine Dior's Paris Spy Network

By: Christine Wells

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of PopSugar's Best Books of June!

Two sisters join the Paris Resistance in this pause-resisting new novel inspired by the real-life bravery of Catherine Dior, sister of the fashion designer and a heroine of World War II France - perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Jennifer Chiaverini.

"As dazzling as a Dior gown! With a gorgeous blend of fashion, heartbreak, heroism, and love this book will transport you to France...." (Natasha Lester, New York Times best-selling author of The Paris Secret)

Paris, 1944: The war is nearly over, but for members of the Resistance in occupied France, it is more dangerous than ever before. Twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher loathes the Nazis, though as the concierge of 10 rue Royale, she does her best to avoid conflict - unlike her bolder sister Yvette, who finds trouble at every turn. 

Then they are both recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior and swept into a treacherous world of spies, fugitives, and intrigue. While Gabby risks everything for the man she is hiding from the Nazis, Yvette must decide whether to trust an enigmatic diplomat who seems to have guessed her secret. As the threat of betrayal draws ever-closer, one slip could mean the deaths of many, and both sisters must make choices they might regret. 

Paris, 1947: Yvette returns from New York to reunite with Gabby and begin life anew as a mannequin for Dior, who is revolutionizing fashion with the New Look. But first she must discover the truth behind Catherine’s terrible fate, while Gabby finds that there are many kinds of courage, and that love is always worth fighting for.

©2021 Christine Wells (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

NOT about Catherine Dior

I bought this book to read about the amazing Resistance heroine Catherine Dior. instead, the book was a "harlequin romance" about two sisters finding love against the backdrop of occupied Paris. Catherine Dior's only presence in the book was as a foil for the two sisters' adventures. Dior was simply a shadow figure the sisters and other characters did things for. After listening to the book, I'm not even sure whether the book's characters -- apart from Christian and Catherine Dior -- were real or make-believe. If you want a wartime romance novel about "how two sisters found their man," this is it. If you want to learn about Catherine Dior's brave resistance against the Nazis, look elsewhere,

A novel of fiction based on familiar characters

I have listened to quite a few books about the French resistance. I realize finally that while it can be brutal, I prefer nonfiction books about this era.
At times during this book I wondered if the chapters were randomly shuffled. I got lost in the multiple flashbacks. To be fair, each chapter began with the reading of the main character of the chapter, and the year.
Also, being fiction, the story explored the emotional and romantic feelings of the sisters. The suspense of the story was somewhat due to their irrational behavior, falling in love, acting on their feelings, taking risks because of them. I wasn't under the impression the resistance was as romantic as that.

Sisters of the Resistance

The WWII historical fiction genre is a favorite of mine. I've read so many that I've lost count. I have read the very dark ones where there are details of the torture of the people in the camps and the resistance. I have an intellectual understanding of the horrors of Nazi Germany. I believe that it is an integral part of learning the atrocities of what happened so that history will not repeat itself. Though I prefer the books which tell the triumph of the human spirit without the need for grotesque details. This is one such book. It mixes haute couture, specifically Christian Dior and his sister, Catherine. She is part of the resistance. Though she isn't the main character, she is integral to the story. The sisters grow up in a building where Dior lives. The girls’ mother is the Concierge there. Then the oldest sister takes on her mother’s job after their father dies. The younger sister works for Dior making deliveries and such. As they grow up during the war, they invariably become a part of the resistance but in different ways. It's a wonderful story. It is interesting to watch their lives unfold as they become women during the war. I have never read about the different stages of young people
becoming of age during the war.

Excellent historical fiction

Excellent historical fiction based on two sisters and Miss Catherine Dior's involvement in the French resistance. Narration was well done.

Disappointed

This story was hard to follow and I never really cared about either of the sisters.

You can skip this book

I because of the setting and the fact that it in valved fashion designers. It left a lot to be desired from a historical perspective and I really had wanted to know more about Dior’s sister.

Just wow!

This is my favorite listen in 2021! From the story, to the characters, to the narration…. Just wow. Do yourself a favor. Download this book now. So good!

PHENOMENAL STORY

Loved this story. Wished we could have seen a little more from some of the other characters points of view as well, especially Kathleen's and Lillian's. but understood this is about the sisters

the story compelling, well written 👏

I enjoyed the history, narrative was good, interesting events that moved the story along.

The Strength In These Women

I really enjoyed this book. Just the strength of these women and their ability to be flexible and at the same time so strong and stable, was amazing.

I love listening to books like this. The added information about Catherine Dior was very important for me to find out about.

I enjoy using some of the Dior products and perfumes. So it was just nice to hear some background story. It puts a lot into perspective.

The author and the narrator were excellent.

Again I pretty much will listen to anything that Saskia Maarleveld narrates.

Thank you so much for this.

Annie be

The twister

Good story with lots of twists, a few stories in one. A good read which I enjoyed