The Kennedy Debutante

(Paperback)

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Now in paperback, the captivating novel following the exploits of Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, the forgotten and rebellious daughter of one of America's greatest political dynasties. London, 1938. The effervescent "It girl" of London society since her father was named the ambassador, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy moves in rarefied circles, rubbing satin-covered elbows with some of the twentieth century's most powerful figures. Eager to escape the watchful eye of her strict mother, Rose; the antics of her older brothers, Jack and Joe; and the erratic behavior of her sister Rosemary, Kick is ready to strike out on her own and is soon swept off her feet by Billy Hartington, the future Duke of Devonshire. But their love is forbidden, as Kick's devout Catholic family and Billy's staunchly Protestant one would never approve their match. And when war breaks like a tidal wave across her world, Billy is ripped from her arms as the Kennedys are forced to return to the States. Kick finds work as a journalist and joins the Red Cross to get back to England, where she will have to decide where her true loyalties lie--with family or with love . . .

Reviews

Mahers debut stars a debutante to root for in this moving coming-of-age tale.
Kate Quinn,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Alice NetworkandThe Huntress

Maher beautifully mixes the red-blooded American iconography of the Kennedys with the delicious andDownton Abbey-esque grandeur of Britain's upper crusts[Kick] proves a poignant and captivating subject, and her story will make your heart lurch in the best possible ways.
Allison Pataki,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Queen's Fortune

A vivid and engrossing portrayal of the fascinating life of Kathleen Kick Kennedy. Maher offers a dazzling glimpse of London society filled with a rich, nuanced, and infamous cast of characters alongside a poignant depiction of the emotional cost of war. A stunning debut!
Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author ofNext Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Kerri Maher has crafted a compelling, insightful look into the complexities of the Kennedy era and one of its most fascinating daughters. Expertly researched, this is a remarkable debut.
Susan Meissner, Bestselling author ofAs Bright as Heaven

You will be swept up, first and foremost, by its vivid, captivating heroine. Kick Kennedy was naive and privileged, to be sure, but in Maher's masterful portrait, she is also a bold young woman living at a precarious moment in history, eager to make her mark on the world as fearlessly as she will follow her heart.
Julia Glass, Author ofA House Among the Treesand the National Book AwardwinningThree Junes

An outstanding deep dive into a fascinating person and time. For fans ofThe Crown, the riveting story of a headstrong American girl captivated by a dashing British aristocrat. Im blown away.
Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author ofThe Lions of Fifth Avenue

Bursting with vivid details of America and London during wartime, this is an enthralling tale of a bold woman eager to make her mark on the world.
Womans World

A well-paced and engaging novel [that will] appeal to fans of TVs Downton Abbey.
USA Today

At once bittersweet and triumphant,The Kennedy Debutantemelds history and fiction to stunning effect.
Sarah-Jane Stratford, International bestselling author ofRed Letter Days

"Mahers assured debut, set against the backdrop of World War II, explores the life of JFKs younger sister Kathleen Kick Kennedy...This immersive, rich portrait of a complex young woman from one of the worlds most famous families will hold readers in thrall."
Publishers Weekly

An engrossing tale of the importance of family, faith, and love in the life of one remarkable woman.
Booklist

Praise for The Girl in White Gloves

The stunning and very human story of a beloved icon....Full of nuance and poignancythis novel is gorgeous.
Allison Pataki,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Queens Fortune

[A] fascinating, deeply researched novel of the extraordinary Grace Kelly...establishes Maher as a true force in biographical fiction.
Beatriz Williams,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Golden Hour

A captivating look behind the scenes at the life of the iconic Grace Kelly...as she searches for authenticity in a world clamoring instead for a picture-perfect princess.
Marie Benedict,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Only Woman in the Room

Daring and deep. Maher successfully lifts the curtain of mystery that surrounded a princess and a movie star, revealing a headstrong, complex woman with a riveting story to tell.
Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author ofThe Lions of Fifth Avenue

"InThe Girl in White Gloves, Kerri Maher beautifully envisions the reality of this fairy-tale life. This deeply researched novel is perfect for fans of Grace Kelly, royal-watchers, and fans of biographical fiction alike."
PopSugar

In this charming, picturesque novel, readers are swept awaythis story is a glimpse into the dazzling life of a classic and beloved star.
Womans World

"Maher's bio-fic feels as if it was written by Kelly herself. The novel spins a fascinating version of the Philly native's life, from princess of Hollywood to Princess of Monaco."
Philadelphia Magazine

The Girl in White Glovesoffers a tantalizing, behind-the-scenes look at Grace Kellys life. An absolute treatI loved it!
Hazel Gaynor,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter

Compelling and thoughtful....Maher imbues her heroine with grace, passion and strength, giving us a behind-the-scenes look into the sacrifices that Kelly made in becoming not once, but twice, an icon.
Bryn Turnbull, Author ofThe Woman Before Wallis

[T]his will be a good choice for readers curious about the inner life of a royal. Its an absorbing take on a complicated life.
Library Journal

A thoughtful and moving book that ably illuminates a struggling albeit determined princess.
BookTrib

A story about the actual Grace KellyMaher humanizes her and provides a glimpse into a world that looks far different from what the media portrayed it to be when she was alive.
Bookreporter

There is much to relish about this well-researched, riveting tale.
Booklist

This is great historical fiction and great character development [Maher] humanizes the icon of Grace Kelly without turning soppy. Highly recommended.
Historical Novels Review, Editors Choice

Maher's compulsively readable portrait of a woman hungry to find her place in the world.
Greer Macallister,USA Todaybestselling author ofThe Magician's LieandWoman 99

The riveting story of a woman who everyone thought had it all, who in fact struggled and sacrificed to find her own happiness.
Stephanie Thornton,USA Todaybestselling author ofAnd They Called It Camelot

The Girl in White Glovesis a captivating novel of love, family, and the cost of regret. I devoured it one sitting!
Heather Webb,USA Todaybestselling coauthor ofMeet Me in Monaco

Elegant and romantic...an engrossing journey of transformation, complete with familial tension, betrayal, and redemption.
Elise Hooper, Author ofThe Other Alcott

In this moving, bittersweet, and deeply honest novel, the real woman behind the myth that is Grace Kellyglamorous movie star and fairy-tale princess - comes to full-throated life. We are held spellbound by her artistry, desire, thwarted dreams, and indefatigable will.
Sarah-Jane Stratford, Author ofRed Letter Days

A fabulous page-turner, full of joy and heartbreak and all the elegance and adventure that Grace embodied. This perceptive look at the beautiful woman who sacrificed everything for her talent and ambition, and then sacrificed her career for love, is as thrilling as one of Grace's own screen performances, with the perfect balance of passion and vulnerability. I loved this book!
Jeanne Mackin, Author ofThe Last Collection

A perfect jewel of a novel. While this is very much Kellys story, its Mahers broader themes of challenging expectations and finding ones voice that set this book apart. She has definitely earned her spot on my auto-read list.
Alix Rickloff, Author ofThe Way to London

Anyone who loves the glamour of classic movies will loveThe Girl in White Gloves. Kerri Maher transforms Grace Kelly from a legendary screen idol into a real and relatable woman. I was captivated by Graces struggle for personal and professional acceptance, and her search for balance between ambition and family.
Georgie Blalock, Author ofThe Other Windsor Girl

Author Bio

Kerri Maher is also the author of This Is Not a Writing Manual- Notes for the Young Writer in the Real World under the name Kerri Majors. She holds an MFA from Columbia University and founded YARN, an award-winning literary journal of short-form YA writing. A writing professor for many years, she now writes full-time and lives with her daughter in Massachusetts, where apple picking and long walks in the woods are especially fine.