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From Canada

RosemarieMenassas

Historical Fiction

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on June 11, 2020

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As the title suggests, this is largely a work of fiction loosely based on historical facts that jibe with a fanciful tale of imagined conversation by the author. I highly doubt Kick Kennedy was a virgin when she married Billy Hartington. She had those Kennedy genes after all and so this part of the book remains highly suspect to me. anyone can write a book like this looking at historical facts and weaving an imaginary tale. Sorry I wasted my time reading it to the end!

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N. N. Light

One of the best historical fiction I've ever read!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 3, 2018

Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy is the second oldest daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy. When her father gets appointed to be ambassador in England, she becomes the toast of British society. Anxious to escape the iron-fist of her mother, Rose, Kick finds freedom in the arms of Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire. When her family discovers her affair, they forbid her to pursue him. War breaks out and Kick is ripped from her beloved’s side and forced to return to America. Does that stop her? She rebels against her family, faith and all she’s known to make it back to England on her own. Will she be reunited with her lover or will she choose to give up her own happiness to appease her family?

I’ve been fascinated by the Kennedys for as long as I can remember. The tragedies they’ve gone through is heartbreaking, but the story of Kathleen Kennedy is long-forgotten. This brave woman lived a short life, yet she managed to accomplish so much. I couldn’t wait to read it!

The Kennedy Debutante is an absorbing tale of one woman’s determination to be her own woman, even if it means leaving her family behind. The Kennedys come alive and practically fly off the page. Descriptive narration and emotive scenes make this one of the best historical fiction I’ve ever read. A must read, especially if you are fascinated with America’s Camelot.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Berkley via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.

My Rating: 5 stars

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lady blue

Portrait of a lesser known Kennedy sibling

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 15, 2019

A fascinating read about one of the lesser known Kennedy children – Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy.
Much focus is placed on the stringent Catholic upbringing of the Kennedy children and the plight it created in the life of Kathleen who strove to be faithful to her religion and her family while attempting to forge her own independent identity.
Religion became another character in these pages as it did in the life of Kathleen.
Never mind that this is a fictionalized account of Kathleen Kick Kennedy it just felt real and authentic to me.
I devoured every page with heartfelt compassion for Kick.

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From other countries

Lucy-Bookworm

Excellent novel-based-on-fact, revolving around the life of a little known person, Kathleen Kennedy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 15, 2021

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Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy was the sister of John F Kennedy, and part of the illustrious Kennedy clan. Everyone has heard of JFK, and his brother Ted Kennedy, but little is known of Kick.

When her father was made the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1938, the family moved to London & 18 yr old Kick quickly fell in love with London, and with England (people & country). She was presented at Court alongside young women who remained friends for life, including Deborah Mitford (later Duchess of Devonshire, but also Kathleen’s sister-in-law & lifelong friend).

In the summer of 1938, Kick met Billy Cavendish & they soon became inseparable. Kick was attracted by Billy’s handsome looks, his caring, compassionate nature & very “English” mannerisms. Billy was attracted to Kick’s energy & independence – she was one of the few women who weren’t attracted to his wealth/status (he was considered the most eligible man in England!). She came from a wealthy family & neither understood or desired to become a member of the English aristocracy. Unfortunately both families were unhappy with the relationship as Kick was steadfastly Catholic & Billy was not only Protestant but from one of the most anti-Catholic families in England!
Kick moved back to America during the early days of WW2 and threw herself into journalism as she tried to forget Billy, but soon realised that her heart was not only with him but firmly in England. She then focussed her attention on how she could return to England, which was unfortunately being ravaged by the war. She eventually managed to return as a Red Cross volunteer, and renewed both her friendships and the relationship with Billy.

It’s hard for the modern reader to understand the proprieties of the day, and the difficulties that a Catholic-Protestant relationship would have caused at the time. Neither felt able to compromise and Kick’s parents made it clear that they would not support the marriage. Billy’s mother was much more supportive and tried to help, but ultimately Kick defied her Catholic parents to marry Billy - the compromise was that they married in a civil ceremony at a Register Office, rather than a grand society church wedding.

Kick & Billy had only been married for 4 months, and had spent just 5 weeks together as husband & wife when Billy was killed in action in WW2. How different things could have been if they had been able to marry in 1941 when Kick’s friend Deborah Mitford married Billy’s brother Andrew. There is no doubt that Chatsworth thrived under the control of Deborah (she became Duchess of Devonshire – her husband became the heir to the dukedom after his elder brother’s death) but I can’t help wondering how Kick, or any children they may have had, might have changed Chatsworth.

I enjoyed this book, and was pleased to find an easy read that was built on solid historical research/fact. It got a bit drawn out in the middle, but this mirrored Kick & Billy’s relationship that also was drawn out for many years as they battled “the religion problem”. The author notes at the end just add to the authenticity for me.

#BookReview

Kindle Customer

Very good fictional story of Kick Kennedy

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 18, 2022

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The author did a goid job of giving us a peek into the Kennedy lifestyle during the war years. I felt the back and forth over her faith and decision to marry dragged on a bit, but this was a different era and the Kennedy's, most especially Rose were very strict in their beliefs of marriage to non Catholic persons.
I wish we had more about the romance, but I enjoyed the book and would read another story from this author.

honeybunchspk

Hard to put down.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 27, 2022

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This book was impossible to put down. Very entertaining and historically interesting. However the last couple chapters were a let down. Billy's death and Kick's second marriage were practically an aside . Practically an after thought. This was disappointing.

E. Davis

Good

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 3, 2022

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Very interesting

Ethel F.

A Debutante Like None Other

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 20, 2018

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The Kennedy family has been in the news for years, we have witnessed their tragedies, we have watched as the sons, daughters and grandchildren met with fates that were undeniably hard to endure. This story about Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy is no different, except it is about someone we do not know as well.

The story starts in 1938 with Joe Kennedy, Sr. is the American Ambassador to England...at a time when Europe was teetering on the brink of war. There they were on Prince Street, 11 of them, 9 children. Joe, Jr. and JFK at that time were not always around, but that was home base. Kick was 18 years old, just out of convent school and had her whole life in front of her. She had a great personality, outgoing and fun, but there was a serious side of her, too. Steeped in Catholicism she was always concerned about doing the right thing, of not committing sins and praying for guidance as she went about her daily living.

Joining the social lives of the rich and elite, she meets and falls in love with Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire. But he was Protestant and as a Catholic, Kick knew the match would never be approved. When the war breaks out, the Kennedys leave England to return to the U.S. However, Kick having no choice but to go, yearns to go back to England (which she loves) and back into the arms of Billy.

As you read this novel, you learn a bit more about the family. Their efforts to keep up appearances, to avoid scandal at all costs and just how competitive they were. It was difficult to read how both Rose and Joe, Sr. handled the unfortunate situation with Rosemary Kennedy. It was obvious that the parents thought more about their sons than their daughters, especially the fact that Joe,Jr. was the bright and shining star with hopes of him becoming President.

The book was well written, albeit a bit too long. Yet, I would highly recommend it.

24 people found this helpful

Linda Seidel

Celebrating Kick

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 3, 2022

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It is painful to remember, while reading this novel, that the subject of it--Kathleen ("Kick") Kennedy--died (in a plane crash) while she was still a young woman. Vitality flows from this character as if she were immortal, and we readers wonder what she will do next, privileged as she (as a Kennedy), but also restricted as she is and fights against (because of rules enforced by Joe Sr. and Rose). As imagined by Kerri Maher, Kick seems a force to be reckoned with, whether she is falling in love with an English aristocrat or quietly beginning a career as a journalist.

joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

A richly imagined historical novel

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 14, 2018

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This novel is a richly imagined, evocative and detailed portrait of life in England, Europe and the U.S. in the years surrounding WW II. The book focuses on the Kennedys and their circle in England, Europe and the U.S. Readers will spend time with staunchly Catholic parents, Joe and Rose, who have many aspirations for their children. Joe Jr. and JFK are portrayed as they fall in love and commit to service in the war. Rosemary and her emotional struggles are described and the younger Kennedy children also have a place. The book though is most especially the story of Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy and her friends, colleague, romances and search for meaning.

Kick falls in love with England where she strives to find a worthwhile life while also enjoying a busy social life with her friends, including Deborah Mitford and her circle. Kick is always aware of what is expected of her as a Kennedy but struggles with this.

Nowadays when marriages are not universally expected to take place between people who are the same (the same race, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.), it is hard to recall that this was not always the case. However, when Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy, of Irish background and Catholic, falls in love with Billy, an aristocratic British, Protestant, her parents clearly do not approve. How Kick chooses to live her life forms the core of the novel. I do not want to put in any spoilers so will stop here.

I found The Kennedy Debutante to be an excellent historical novel. I hope that you will too!

10 people found this helpful

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5 star		57%
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3 star		11%
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