Happy Monday! Today I have a review of a much-anticipated read for me, A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Ann Fowler, and publishing via St. Martin’s Press on October 16, 2018!
My Thoughts:
A childhood visit to The Biltmore Estate will certainly add Vanderbilt intrigue to one’s list of interests, and I lapped up this story of Alva Smith Vanderbilt.
Alva Smith’s family had once known prominence but lost it all; that is, until her best friend orchestrates her union with William Vanderbilt. The latter family is new money, but not well-accepted into society.
Alva works hard for the acceptance in society she receives. If she finds a door closed, she opens a window. She pushes the envelope and puts herself, and her family, out there. She is not constrained by the notion of “goodness” or good behavior.
Alva is a hero is many senses. Because she takes a backseat to no man, certainly not her husband, she finds herself in roles women typically did not fill at the time. She helps design her mansions, she is on the front lines of the charities in which she works (not just handing over the money), and most of all, she does not turn a blind-eye to William’s infidelity. Alva is passionate about suffrage and women’s rights, and I’m grateful to have made her acquaintance through this book.
A Well-Behaved Woman is the story of a strong woman before her time who pushed boundaries and broke through them. Beautifully-written, interesting, and insightful, historical fiction fans will enjoy Alva’s take on living during the Gilded Age as a Vanderbilt.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
The riveting novel of iron-willed Alva Vanderbilt and her illustrious family in as they rule Gilded-Age New York, from the New York Times bestselling author of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald.
In 1883, the New York Times prints a lengthy rave of Alva Vanderbilt’s Fifth Ave. costume ball–a coup for the former Alva Smith, who not long before was destitute, her family’s good name useless on its own. Marrying into the newly rich but socially scorned Vanderbilt clan, a union contrived by Alva’s bestfriend and now-Duchess of Manchester, saved the Smiths–and elevated the Vanderbilts.
From outside, Alva seems to have it all and want more. She does have a knack for getting all she tries for: the costume ball–no mere amusement–wrests acceptance from doyenne Caroline Astor. Denied abox at the Academy of Music, Alva founds The Met. No obstacle puts her off for long.
But how much of ambition arises from insecurity? From despair? From refusal to play insipid games by absurd rules? –There are, however, consequences to breaking those rules. One must tread carefully.
And what of her maddening sister-in-law, Alice? Her husband William, who’s hiding a terrible betrayal? The not-entirely-unwelcome attentions of his friend Oliver Belmont, who is everything William is not? What of her own best friend, whose troubles cast a wide net?
Alva will build mansions, push boundaries, test friendships, and marry her daughter to England’s most eligible duke or die trying. She means to do right by all, but good behavior will only get a woman so far. What is the price of going further? What might be the rewards? There’s only one way to know for certain…
Have you read A Well-Behaved Woman, or is it on your TBR? Do you have a favorite book about the Vanderbilts, or the 1920s? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Oh, she defo sounds rebellious and really cool 🙂
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Such a wonderful person/character to read about, Norrie! ♥️
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Sounds like a good book, but maybe out of my comfort zone. Glad you enjoyed it and loved your review. Have a great week, friend! 💜😉 xoxo
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Thanks, favorite M! I loved Alva’s story! Happy week ahead to you! 💗 xoxo
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Wonderful review, Jennifer. I plan to read this historical fiction.
Happy Monday! 💕📚🌺🌻
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Thank you, Virginia! I hope it’s one you love, too! Such a wonderful story! ♥️ Happy Monday to you!
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great review, my beautiful friend! I am so in love with this sentence, ” If she finds a door closed, she opens a window. ” Story of my life! I am always looking for windows to open because most often the door is closed–closed right on my face, or locked just before I may reach it. And if there are no windows to open…let’ s start making holes in the walls! 🙂
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Thanks, Ink! Same here! I am always looking 👀 for those windows and now that I’m getting older, I’m not afraid to make a few holes too! Alva is a wonderful character, so strong and ahead of her time. ♥️
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I wills end you a huge hammer for Xmas. 🙂 Better to use a hammer than our heads to make a few holes. 🙂
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Sounds fantastic! Totally new to me, thanks for sharing. x
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You’re welcome, Sassy! It was a lovely read!
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This sounds so good!!!
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I enjoyed it, LP! A powerful female MC!
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I plan on reading this one. When we. lived in NY, we would take the girls to visit the Vanderbilt home in Cold Spring Harbor. It was a county museum and had a planetarium. It was quite something with the furnishings preserved and the animal exhibits that Alva’s husband and son had. On the harbor, it was a gorgeous home. So very anxious to read this one. From what the tour guides always said Alva was not what you would call a nurturing parent.
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That sounds lovely, Marialyce! You should take a trip to Asheville some time and see The Biltmore. My favorite time to go is at Christmas when it’s decorated! I’d love to see Cold Spring Harbor! Alva was very nontraditional, that is for sure.
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Sounds like a great book. Fantastic review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Darinda! I loved it!
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I have this one too, can’t wait!
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Oh, I hope you love it, too, Melisa! You’ll love all the Gilded Age details!
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I’ve not heard her story before! I developed an interest in the gilded age when I visited Newport, RI and saw those homes these competing titans built, learned their history. I’ve also been to the Biltmore in Asheville. Definitely planning to read this one. Outstanding review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Jonetta! I would love to visit Newport some time now that I’ve read a few books that take place there! I’m happy you’ve seen the Biltmore, and I hope you enjoy this book!
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Excellent review!!
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Thanks, Paul!
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Great review, Jennifer. I haven’t read a historical in a long time. Even longer where the protagonist is a strong female who’s not afraid to push boundaries.
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Thanks, Jina! It was nice to read about a non traditional woman for her time. Quite refreshing, and then to know she was real, too.
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Great review Jen! Have an awesome week of reading my friend!😊🎃💕💕
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Thanks, Sus! I hope you have a great reading week, too! 💗
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I have to read this one..it was another one that I resisted this month, lol. It was hard though since I love the Vanderbilts. Growing up, we would go to Biltmore every spring, fall, and Christmas. It’s such a gorgeous place and it’s a place I still love visiting with hubby and the kids. Your review is fantastic and I’ll have to try to squeeze this one in before the end of the year! ❤
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Yes, I think Christmas is my favorite time to visit because of the decorations! Thanks, Steph! I hope you love this one when you get around to it. Alva is a memorable person and character. 💗 xo
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Oh, definitely! It’s just so gorgeous, especially if it snows in the mountains too! I’m sure that I will! I look forward to it! xoxo
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Jennifer this looks so interesting! As I’ve said millions of times I need to start reading more historical fiction!💕
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It was a captivating read, Berit! We’ll have you reading more histfic soon! ♥️
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Brilliant review. I love a book about a strong female character.
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Thanks, Chrissi! Me, too!
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Lovely review Jennifer! Still have the pretty flowers in your posts too, we’re already getting on the chilly side so it’s nice to see. 🙂
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Thanks, Carrie! We have still been warm, even yesterday into the 80s, but between the cooler nights, a couple days with fall-like temps, and two hurricanes coming through three weeks apart, I don’t have a ton of flowers left. I take as many pics as possible in advance. ♥️
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We were just in the 80s last week but at the end of the week it was a major shock to the system when the highs went down to the 50s and the overnights hitting the freezing mark some nights. I’m so not ready for winter. LOL
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Wonderful review, Jennifer. I really like the sound of Alva and her strength. Loved that bit you mentioned about her refusing the turn a blind eye on her husband’s infidelity. Definitely my kind of MC. Glad you enjoyed this one so much.
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Thanks, Diana! Yes, Alva is such a strong character and no traditional, too, especially for her time.
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Great review! She was a woman before her time!
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Thanks, Reeca! She really was!
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Fantastic review Jenni, this sounds so brilliant and I love the time period. Don’t think I’ve read anything about the Vanderbilts? 🤔
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Thanks, Beth! They are quite the intriguing family to read about! Yes, the time period is always something else too!
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Another one that sounds amazing – you are on a roll of really good reads – and reviews!
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Thanks, Mackey! Yes, I’ve had some great ones this month!
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While I haven’t been to The Biltmore Estate, I have been to all the mansions in Newport, RI, including The Breakers which was the “summer home” of the Vanderbilts, and you are on the money about lifelong intrigue once you’ve seen one these estates. Looking forward to reading this one! Wonderful review, as always. 😉
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Thank you, Myndi! Oh, I love hearing about The Breakers! I want to see it! I hope this is a memorable read for you, too!
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I’m intrigued by this book particularly since I’ve visited The Biltmore House several times. I think I’ll like the MC’s feisty nature. Thanks for reviewing, Jennifer. ( :
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Thanks, Laurie! I love reading about a feisty woman, too! I’m happy to hear you are a Biltmore fan too. ♥️
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Definitely!!
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I’ve read a few reviews on this one and I’m interested in reading this one. I read the authors other book Z: Zelda and really enjoyed it too.
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I have Z is for Zelda and need to read it. This was a lovely read about a strong woman.
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