First, I need to sheepishly admit that I knew little to nothing about JFK except for what little was covered in history books during school. The name Alicia Darr did not even ring a bell with me. So I went in to this book with little to no knowledge about the situation. So for me, I was not able to even begin to distinguish between fact and fiction.

I know Gable says that this is a work of fiction. I was able to lose myself in the storyline and not worry about any of the details. I found it very interesting how small our world really is when it comes down to it. The story also made me wonder to what extent a family would go to protect one of their own.

I received an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

A terrific narrative, impossible to put down. I read it in one sitting. Michelle Gable offers an alternative view to what we thought we knew about JFK. The book details his love affair with Alicia Darr, but it is so much more than that. Alicia Darr is a vulnerable young immigrant, selling candy at a Cape Cod theater when she crosses paths with the handsome, wildly ambitious JFK. Alicia is naive (she isn't really sure what a "congressman" does) but she knows that Jack is on his way to great things and comes from a prominent family. When she secures a job as a housemaid at the Kennedy compound, she's in for some surprises. Definitely a great read. I love Michelle Gable's other books, especially SEE YOU IN PARIS.

"Where does truth end and fiction begin?" asks the author.
In this book, it is very hard to tell. So much of the story is based on facts well known and documented through the years. Fiction (if it is fiction) is very cleverly woven into the plot. The Kennedy family is given most unflattering treatment throughout the novel. Fact or fiction?
The story begins in the early 1950's soon after WWII at the family compound in Hyannis port Massachusetts. Jack seems already on his way in sexual exploits. During that summer, he meets a girl he loves, yet cannot marry due to family ambitions. There are many encounters and they declare their forever love, but are aware of the fact that the relationship cannot survive.
We are left to wonder about the two lovers, what could have happened if in fact, it did happen? Fact or fiction?
I enjoyed this book and it had some insights into the less known members of the Kennedy family as well.
Interesting read!

This is the best kind of historical fiction- one that is about a real person, but one you may not have heard of. What makes it more interesting is the main characters connection to JFK and a possible scandal. I enjoyed the story of Alicia Darr and her journey from a displaced person to a wealthy socialite.

Great book. The book read more non fiction than fiction and really made me pause with limitless "what if's."

The Kennedy's have always held a place of curiosity, their wealth and power raising many questions along with their circle and rumors raising eyebrows and gasps.

Geller did a wonderful job portraying JFK. I especially held a fondness for Alicia, her personality, guardedness and way of thinking was refreshing. I felt great empathy for her and felt under the circumstances she conducted herself in an acceptable manner. Unfortunately she fell for such a complicated man and family, all in all Alicia was better off without taking the last name Kennedy, she was much too authentic for their many prejudices.

Fascinating read you won't be able to put down despite knowing where these doomed loves end up. Definitely leaves you with great speculation.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this galley; however, it was not like the synopsis. "Based on a true story" turned into a novel with non-relatable characters and far-fetched scenes. Please advise if you would like me to post a formal full review.

I really enjoyed this well researched story about JFK and Alicia Darr. I never really knew what was fact and what was fiction, I just went along for the ride, and what a ride it was! The story goes from Hyannis to L.A to Rome and New York. Lots of famous people from the world of Hollywood and politics are sprinkled throughout the book. If this truly was Alicia’s life, then she had one heck of a life! She came to America as a displaced person after WWII and ended up as a multimillionaire at her death and with a possible child of JFK’s.

Maybe it has to do with growing up in MA, but I have had enough of the Kennedy family. The story may well be based on a true story, but I found it not believable that a Polish immigrant would be engaged to Jack and maybe even paid off to keep quiet when he ran for office.
I didn't finish as I just didn't care about Alicia and Jack and found them to be not likable in the least. Enough with making fun of those with Boston accents!
thank you NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

A senational book about the Kennedy family and Alicia Darr. A tale that is an exciting blend of history and fiction. The Summer I met Jack is a well researched book that details many stories you have read or heard and a few you may not have. A woman who cannot resist the man she loves even when she knows better. A man who is tempted by love but in the end cares only for himself and will do anything to achieve power and prestige. A compelling story of their accomplishments and the sorrow that follows.
I’ve been a fan of Michelle Gable‘s since her first book and have anxiously awaited each new book. Read all of them she never disappoints.

I started this book with the best intentions, having read - and enjoyed - both The Paris Apartment and The Book of Summer.

Sadly this book was not for me. I could simply not get into the story line and had a very difficult time reading the dialogue involving Irenka - I understand she would have an accent but having to read her dialogue written with the accent was confusing. Especially since Alicia spoke perfect English. Thank you for the chance to read this book in advance of publication. As I did not finish, this review will not be posted on Goodreads.

The book is based on a completely possible story. Young, beautiful Alicia Darr meets and is pursued by John F. Kennedy,a star crossed affair that can not last. We .follow Alicia and the amazing people and places she experiences in her life and her continuing connection to John. Interesting, entertaining read!

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub. Date: May 29, 2018

The book’s blurb reads “Based on a real story - in 1950, a young, beautiful Polish refugee arrives in Hyannisport, Massachusetts to work as a maid for one of the wealthiest families in America.” The family is the Kennedys. Of course, the Jack in the title is a young Jack Kennedy. I was disappointed in this book, but it may be my own fault. I thought I was reading historical fiction and not women’s fiction. The story reads close to a romance novel, which is a genre I do not care for. I did read and like the “The Paris Apartment” also written by the author, Michelle Gable. In “Apartment” Gable wrote a similar type of book. She wove together a tale of romance and mystery, to become a past and present page-turner. However, I went into that book knowing what I was about to read.

This book is based on the true events from the life of American socialite Alicia Corning Clark, married to Alfred who was a Singer Sewing Machine heir. We first meet Alicia soon after she leaves Poland in the late 1940s and arrives in the United States as a displaced person. To begin fresh, she changes her name from Barbara Kopczysnka to Alicia Darr. Darr (Corning Clark) lived a life that should have been a movie. She had more lives than a cat. In Poland, she was a Jewish girl hidden in a convent to escape the Nazis. In the United States, she was a Roman Catholic maid, an aspiring artist, a call girl, and a Hollywood movie star. She was also a woman whom J. Edgar Hoover insisted was paid by the Kennedys to keep her affair with JFK, and their possible love child, out of the headlines. An interesting tidbit for me is that I once again was able to read about a Singer Sewing Machine heir. I first read about Pairs Singer in the historical fiction “Isadora” by Amelia Gray. Alfred Corning Clark’s father was partners with Paris’ father, Isaac Singer In real life it was Corning Clark who changed Darr into a wealthy, respectable society woman. Both men lived a life filled with scandals. Who knew there is so much dirt revolving around the Singers? Sort of like the Kennedys.

Darr’s real-life story is one reason why I did not give up on the book. That and the Kennedys. My interest was constantly re-sparked: Was Rose Kennedy really an odd duck and a cold mother? Was Joe Sr. really a Nazi sympathizer? Was Bobby really a dislikable man? Not to mention, the family connections to the mafia, or the gossip, that they had Marilyn Monroe murdered before she could expose that she was sleeping with both Bobby and Jack. (I did chuckle when reading that Jackie put a poster of Monroe over Jack’s bed. Wonder if that was true?) And so on and so forth with all the Kennedy rumors that may or may not be true.

Gable lists extensive research for this novel in her end-notes, which is always a plus. Her most moving writing moments are when she is describing JFK’s painful long suffering due to being born with Addison’s disease. A condition that is life-threatening when the adrenal glands fail to manufacture adequate amounts of essential hormones. It was imperative to the Kennedys that Jack presents an image of robust good health. So naturally, they denied his medical condition. As well as playing down his back problems due to a degenerative disc disease. What is it about the Kennedy clan that still pulls us in? Whatever it is, it helped this reviewer overlook the story’s melodrama, the Hollywood celebrity name-dropping, and the exotic romance settings to find the historical fiction hidden inside. I am glad that I did.

A really fascinating historical novel, a fictional take on a real person, Alicia Darr, who dated JFK back when he was just a junior congressman, and led a very interesting life both before and after that as well. Obviously well-researched, with all the real and famous people who make appearances in it, but in a way that is folded into the narrative so beautifully and naturally (as opposed to those historical novels which just seem to be throwing details at you just to prove that the author did their research). Alicia is a prickly character and at times you want to shake her, but she is also sympathetic. Just a super fascinating book, I couldn't put it down and it flew by even though it was a little long. 4.5 stars.

This a book masterfully written. It is a love story of JFK and Alicia. It is written with fiction interwoven with facts. An extraordinary love story of two of the most polar opposite people imagined. A displaced polish girl, a Jew. And, a politically driven, high class Catholic. A red blooded American who comes from a wealthy well known family.
Each character has their strengths and weaknesses. Meshed together they make a volatile but wondrous couple. Each are determined to accomplish and become part of the American dream. One, driven to succeed no matter what it takes. The other, wanting love and security, looking in all the wrong places with all the wrong people.
Magical, controversial, thoughtful.
5 Stars

The book was well written and kept my interest. I had never heard of JFK having an affair and a child so was surprised. I love Jackie Kennedy so was hard for me to like the book.

Fascinating, historical fiction of the mystery woman & JFK. At times I did wish the story moved on a bit faster, the repetition of "went to see Jack, stayed, left, repeat" happened over & over. Was the family really that rotten? Was he really such a jerk? Also, once Alicia finally leaves & eventually moves to Italy, things move quickly, but choppy. One minute she finds out she is expecting, the next, she is leaving the baby & off she goes. An interesting read. Thank you~

“Did JFK and Alicia Corning Clark have a secret love child? The article that then turn into Michelle Gable’s newest novel – The Summer I Met Jack. Prior to reading this book, I didn’t know much about this particular generation of Kennedy’s besides my limited impression of a rich, powerful large family with many known reports of infidelity, and accusations of wrong doings. (I was much more interested in JFK, Jr, Caroline and Maria Shriver generations. I actually met JFK Jr while working at the Dept of Justice in Washington, DC. Beyond handsome and left a down to earth impression.) So, what limited knowledge I had of the 1950’s Kennedy’s, I can certainly see the events written in The Summer I Met Jack as plausible.
Gable has written a fictionalize story of the real-life love affair of Alicia Corning Clark and then-congressman Jack Kennedy (pre-President JFK days). This is a fantastic novel that will keep you thinking about the main characters long after you finish it. It has a political spin that feels current today though it’s set in the 1950’s. The characters feel very real and like I was right there with Jack and Alicia in the 1950s as I was reading.
I have a beautiful home,” she said. “And more money than I could ever spend. But before all of this, there was one year in Hyannisport, when, for one bright shining moment, I had it all.”
Alicia was a Polish Jew, a displaced person from the war who emigrated to the United States in 1950. She had many names over the years, led a complex life, often finding herself drawn back to Jack Kennedy, making the same mistakes over and over.
“I’ll make my way, somehow. Surviving is what I do best.”
All quotes and headlines included in this novel were taken from actual publications. It is evident that Gable completed tons of research to weave facts into this fictional tale. I truly enjoyed this story, and I for one have spent too much time on my computer learning about the life of Alicia and the older generation of Kennedy’s. Well done!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley for the review copy

I’ve read many JFK books over the years but this one caught me by surprise. There were many details that I never knew about and I enjoyed reading about another layer to the infamous former president’s life and an alleged relationship.

I truly enjoyed this book. John Kennedy was one of my heroes, and even though he wasn’t the hero of this book, far from it, he truly came alive in its pages.

What a fascinating look into the life of JFK and the most fascinating woman I have read in a while. I absolutely loved this book and Alicia wasn't the Villanova everyone was trying to make her out to be. This is a must read book because it's unputdownable. You will not be able to stop once you start. Pre order is a must because you will totally love this book. Happy reading!