The Milliner’s Secret By Natalie Meg Evans

[amazon_link id=”1848669119″ target=”_blank” ][/amazon_link]’The Milliner’s Secret’ is the latest book by Meg Natalie Evans.

June 1940. As Paris, the City of Light, approaches its darkest hour, a young woman treads the line between survival and collaboration.

Londoner Cora Masson has reinvented herself as Coralie de Lirac, using a false claim to aristocratic birth to launch herself as a fashionable milliner. When the Nazis invade, the influence of a high-ranking lover protects her business.

But the cruel demands of war – and of love – cannot be kept at bay forever. Soon Coralie must find the courage to do what’s necessary to protect her friends, her freedom and everything she believes in.

I’ve been reading this book over the last few days and although I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have always been a fan of German history, my only negative point regarding the book was I did find the story a bit too long. The story is seen solely through the eyes of Cora Masson, an outspoken young woman who has left the slums of London and her abusive father behind for the sophistication of Paris. Her hero comes in shape of Dietrich von Elbing, a handsome German man who Cora has fallen for and together the two of them embark on a heated relationship. With a flair for fashion, Cora reinvents herself as Coralie de Lirac and uses her skills as a popular milliner to become one of Paris’s most sought after fashion designers. When Dietrich disappears one day leaving Cora behind with a baby and the war raging in the background, Cora finds herself embroiled in a world where identities are hidden and lives are at stake.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Natalie and I thought it was a cleverly written and well researched story that flowed at a nice pace, filled with suspense from the very beginning. Coralie is a great leading lady, flamboyant with her English wit and humour, she adapts easily to the role of a sophisticated Parisian lady, who works hard to fend for herself and protect those around her, particularly her bubbly little girl Noelle. With her maternal nature and protectiveness, people flock to Coralie when they are in danger and she naturally looks out for them.

The story is primarily a romantic one, but it is filled with facts and information that makes it an informative and historic tale. Set against the backdrop of 1930’s Paris and packed with glamour, danger and outspoken ladies, ‘The Milliner’s Secret’ is a brave, captivating and glamorous story with a stunning cover.

You can buy [amazon_link id=”1848669119″ target=”_blank” ]The Milliner’s Secret from Amazon [/amazon_link] and is avaialble to buy from good bookshops.