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Barbara H. (Thomasville, GA)
A sumptuous read!
This novel was a wonderful historical insight into the Kennedy family during the 1930's and 40's. It seems during that time, life was simpler without all the electronic devices and social media clogging it up. What you got was real...
I found myself several times Googling the Kennedys for further details on this time in their lives. I loved the central character - "Kick" Kennedy - with her tenaciousness, her strong beliefs, her loyalty to her family and most of all, her spunk. She was a "breath of fresh air" during a time of impending war in England.
I feel the author did an amazing job of bringing this little
…more known Kennedy daughter to life for her readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all of its sumptuousness. (less)Ms Maher's debut novel, The Kennedy Debutante, gives us a different perspective into the lives of the Kennedy family. We meet Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, a younger sister to Joe Jr and Jack. And through her eyes we see even more evidence about Rose raising the children with an iron fist and her husband Joesph Sr pushing his way up to becoming Ambassador to England and grooming his older son to one day be elected president. His daughter Rosemary is an embarassment and must be delt with! Kick chooses her own path and carves a place for herself. The author takes us from the late 1930's into the early 1940's and
…more brilliantly shows us what happened before, during and after World War 2. Kick falls in love but her strong religious beliefs are a problem for her.
Her life as a Kennedy, her relationship with her family and the war are so well written. I couldn't put this book down! This isn't just another Kennedy book. This is a special read for everyone following the family saga! (less)
Mal
Great book
Kick is illustrated as a vibrant, strong, independent, at times rebellious young lady possessing a huge heart. She is animated on every page, her story is heartbreaking and admirable. I felt her struggle dealing with family, religion, and love. Kick went with her heart despite realizing her choice would have great ramifications. Kick and Billy's story is bittersweet, the ravages of war more than painful and devastating.
Solid writing, Kick felt real, authentic, charismatic. Looking forward to Maher's next novel, the bar is set high based on this well done newcomers impressive effort. Highly recommend.
Jennifer S. (Irving, TX)
The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher
I like that it has a strong female lead character. The book tells the story of the Kennedy family a generation before the really famous ones came to power. It gives us a peak of what shapes that family we all want to know more about. From London to New England it's a great read for lovers of Historical Fiction.
Cheryl P. (Lebanon, PA)
The Kennedy Debutante
A marvelous and insightful read to the life of Kick Kennedy. I was intriqued by the family history and the pull of the Catholic Church in her decision if she dare follow her heart.
Teresa R. (Evansville, IN)
Wonderful blast from the past!
Loved this book! Wonderful to learn more about the Kennedy girls! They were very independent thinkers, especially for the 1940's! The relationships between the siblings was particularly entertaining to read about. The story encompassed many aspects of their lives, loves, accomplishments and disappointments. I will add, though, that I think this book needs editing before it is published. Just a little too long!
Susan R. (Julian, NC)
Kick Kennedy
We have all read about the males of the Kennedy family - Joe, Jack, Bobby and Teddy and many books have been written about them and their father. Very few books have been written about the females of the family and I knew very little about them. 'The Kennedy Debutante' is about Kathleen Kennedy - nicknamed Kick. She is the fourth child in the family, right after Joe, Jack and Rosemary. It's an in depth look at her life beginning in England when her father becomes the American ambassador. As the story begins, she is being presented into society at the beginning of her debutante season in 1938. As she becomes part
…more of the social season in London, she makes friends with the elite young people in London and gets very close to Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire and a devout Protestant. Her strict Catholicism (as well as that of her devout mother, Rose) keeps them from taking their feelings to the next level. When WWII breaks out and the Kennedy family returns to the States, Kick has to make a decision over whether her love for Billy or the beliefs of her family are the most important to her future.
This book was a wonderful look at an member of the Kennedy family that had not been written about much in the past. Along with Kick's story, there is a lot about the rest of the family, the way the parents doted on the boys and the dad included Joe and Jack in his decision making, the problems with Rosemary, plus a tidbits about all of the other kids in the family. For a family with so many words written about them over the years, this was a refreshing look at them that was full of new information for most readers.
I highly recommend this book and predict that it will be on of the popular MUST READS of the fall.
Thanks to BookBrowse for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. (less)While I enjoyed reading the story of Kick Kennedy and her whirlwind times and romance, I wish the author would have given us a little more depth and history. I have read a lot of Kennedy history but had not really seen much about Kick. It was good to hear her story.
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