Book Review
The Kennedy Girl by Julia Bryan Thomas
Historical Fiction
When a mysterious stranger offers Mia a job modelling in Paris for the House of Rousseau, she takes a risk and sets off for what she hopes is a better life. But not everything is as it seems, and soon Mia finds herself pulled beyond runways and photoshoots into the shadows of Cold War politics. Who is she really working for? And more important still, who can she truly trust?
The Kennedy Girl is an immersive historical read that transported me to the streets of Paris. With its rich and descriptive writing, the author drew me into the world of 1960s fashion and swept me up into the busy life of a naive, young model, who in an attempt to discover who she is and what she wants from life, accidentally wades in over her head.
Exploring the Cold War amidst the backdrop of a Parisienne fashion house was a highly appealing premise that feels unique amidst the historical fiction genre. While it’s a slower burn, the fashion and city of Paris sparkle, and the writing is easy to dive into.
The first fifty percent of the book feels like a very traditional historical fiction read, with well-placed hints that something darker looms ahead. It’s not until the second part of the book that the espionage element really comes into play, and the book takes on a much more political tone. While the espionage aspect was interesting and kept me guessing until the end, it didn’t quite hit the mark. This plotline could have been fleshed out even more as I was left with unanswered questions.
Still, with its effortless writing and gorgeous portrayal of Paris and the fashions of that era, I had a difficult time putting this book down. While the two halves of the book differ dramatically in pacing, I enjoyed both equally for different reasons. The Kennedy Girl felt well-researched, with a little bit of suspense and history, and managed to beautifully capture the charm and romance of Paris.
Recommended for:
Readers who enjoy slower-burn historical stories featuring fashion, espionage, or Paris.
This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Copy of the book provided courtesy of the publisher, Sourcebooks. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the book:
(From the publisher): This American Girl in Paris might hold the fate of nations…
It’s the 1960s, and the fashion culture of New York, Paris, and Milan is starting to make an impression on the mid-century American woman. Jackie Kennedy’s effortless style leads the nation, although Mia’s bustling bakery job doesn’t often give her the time or money to craft a stylish closet after her idol in the White House. But when a mysterious stranger suddenly offers her a modeling job in Paris at the esteemed House of Rousseau, she takes a chance on it, despite knowing nothing about the world of fashion. As an orphan with big dreams, holding a one-way plane ticket to Paris, she sets off for what she hopes is a better life.
But the job of a model runs deeper than photoshoots and runway walks, and as Mia adjusts to the Parisienne lifestyle, she realizes that not everything is as it seems. Becoming more and more successful in her position as an up-and-coming model, she is soon drawn into the Cold War by the very fashion house she works for. And as she finds herself falling further into national crimes and politics, Mia will soon have to decide which side of history she’s really on.
Jackie Kennedy is no longer the only woman for whom fashion and politics dramatically collide…
The Kennedy Girl is an immersive and heart-pounding story perfect for history buffs and armchair travelers alike, with glimpses into both the propulsive Cold War era of espionage and the inner-workings of the most prestigious Parisian fashion houses.