BLOG TOUR: The Last Will and Testament of Daphne Le Marche by Kate Forster

I would like to thank the publishers for an arc copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review as part of the blog tour.

The Last Will and Testament if Daphne Le Marche begins when Daphne is eighty years old and on her death bed.  Focusing on Daphne's life, the book takes us to Paris in 1956, where an eighteen year old Daphne steps off a bus into the bright and bustling city of Paris, armed with a suitcase full of her own homemade cosmetics, knowing and hoping that she is destined for more than what life has already given her.  Now, in 2016, Daphne, the creator of one of the most iconic scents in the world and owner of her own cosmetics company has dies and has left her business to her two Granddaughters.  But, not even they could have guessed the secrets that their Grandmother was hiding and what is to come their way next.  The Last Will and Testament of Daphne Le Marche takes us on an trip to London and France, spanning decades, that is full of secrets, heartbreak, scandal and teaches us that their is nothing more important than family.

Surprisingly, this is the first book that I have read by Kate Forster, but it definitely won't be the last! I'm not sure how this author managed to stay under my radar for so long but now that I have found her, I am looking forward to discovering her back catalogue.

I thought that this book would be a lighthearted, chick-lit book, but I couldn't have been more wrong.  This book is so much more than that and has taught me not to judge a book by its cover.  I was so pleasantly surprised at what was contained inside the pages of this book.  The story had such an air of mystery  and scandal to it, which really sucks the reader in and spits them back out again.  There are so many twists and turns in this book, which is hard to find in books of any genre, that the reader is kept entertained and on the edge of their seat throughout.  I read this book in one sitting, a feat that I have not been able to achieve before now.

I just adored Daphne and everything about her.  More books should have strong independent main females characters like her.  Her character was so wise and stopped at nothing to achieve her dream.  Yes, she did have her own fair share of scandal, but she really is a role model in that she knew what was important to her and she let nothing and noone stand in her way.  I also loved her Granddaughters.  The way that they were able to pull together and find strength when the going got tough is very insightful, even with all that they are faced with in the aftermath of Daphne's death.

The Last Will and Testament of Daphne Le Marche is a beautifully written, spellbinding tale or how one woman chased her dream.  Brilliantly written, showing that the author has a serious talent for storytelling that I just want to shout about from the rooftops.  Easily one of the best books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  An utter delight from start to finish!

5 stars