https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2312811674

Loved the authors writing style, story did seem to drag in parts.

Michelle Gable writes a fascinating story about the Kennedys and a supposed affair between JFK and Alicia Corning Clark. Although this is fiction, it is based on much historical fact. I grew up during the Kennedy Camelot era and still am fascinated by the whole Kennedy mystique. It sure left me wondering ... and eager to search out more info. I love the author’s closing statement in her notes at the end of the book - “I truly hope you enjoy this journey with Alicia and that the story has you googling for days.” Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a great read! This is the "what if" story of JFK and Alicia Corning Clark, their great love affair, and the possibility of a love child between them. I had not heard this rumour, so the whole story was entirely new to me. While the bare facts of the lives depicted here are true, of course there's a lot of speculation - based on many rumours of the day. So while I did read it as total fiction, you just never know. It is a fascinating look at the era - the Kennedy's, Hollywood, and Alica herself. And it very much made me want to book a trip to Rome - today! I sped through this one - it's that interesting. Michelle Gable, you just get better and better. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc. Loved it!

Review is also published at https://aquaintrelleinthecity.com/category/one-wicked-romance-a-week/

The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable is a fascinating, mind-blowing page-turner based on what might've been or perhaps was a love affair between John F. Kennedy (aka Jack Kennedy) and Alicia Darr that will rock bookstores shelves this May.

Alicia is a displaced person, being from Poland and a Jew at that. She's young and has seen the horror of war. She's trying to make a new life for herself and also helping her mom, who's still at a camp somewhere in Europe. Alicia holds many secrets and isn't terribly proud of the things she's had to do to get where she's at right now. Alls she can do is move on and hope for the best.

Jack is trying to make his way in the world, despite his health issues. He's following an agenda, though not his own, because it's the Kennedy way. Had his brother not die, he'd be off the hook. Given his older brother is no longer living, he has no choice but to step up to the plate and make his father proud.

Jack meets Alicia at a movie theatre behind the concession stand. It's as though is love at first sight. He's intrigued by her yet despite their immediate attraction she evades him as best she can.

Fate has its own funny way of bringing them together. Alicia needs another job, and though in Poland she was part of high society, being a displaced person she figures beggars can't be choosers and takes the temporary job someone who she thinks is a friend finds her. Soon she finds herself working as a maid at the Kennedy's summer residence, and it doesn't take long before she stumbles upon Jack. From there on, they throw caution to the wind and enjoy whatever little they can give to each other without any promises.

Jack comes and goes, she never knows when he's back until he materializes out of nowhere. Alicia always looks forward to the time she'll see him next. She keeps her truths to herself until circumstances force her to confess to Jack what happened to her and how she ended up in the United States. When she least expects it they become engaged, and all is great until they're forced to break things off.

Destiny deals them the worst cards ever, one could say, because through the years they keep coming back full circle. Regardless of the miles that separate them, Jack always comes back to her or vice-versa, and just when you think they'll have a second chance Jackie appears out of nowhere. This broke my heart.

I've personally always been enthralled by all things Kennedy, and so when I read what this book was about I couldn't wait to read it. Clearly, Michelle Gable did lots of research to write such an amazing book. I even caught myself googling Alicia Darr and Jack Kennedy, and all the people they were once linked to. It's an infinite web, and the reality is only them two and the people close to them know the truth. To me, it seems that (if any of this holds any truth) Jack Kennedy's love of his life was Alicia Darr as he was hers.

If you read anything this Summer or this year at all, this is the book to read.

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I loved this book! Let me preface by saying, I am really not the biggest historical fiction person, even when I love a book that’s historical, it usually takes me a bit to really pick up the pace. The Summer I Met Jack was really an exception here, I was hooked from page 1 and I stayed up hours past my usual bedtime to devour every last word. There was no hope of sleep, I had to see how Alicia’s story would play out. I’ve always been intrigued by JFK and the Kennedys, which is why I sought this out, despite knowing how I am sometimes with historical. I was SO invested in the lives of the characters, I was constantly pondering what was based on reality and what was purely fiction - I was asking my mom every step of the way “hey do you remember if this ever happened?” - tears rolled down my eyes as the story ended as I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Add this to your TBR as it is one you will not want to miss come Spring!

This book explores the relationship between JFK and Alicia Corning Clark and is an interpretation of what their relationship and interactions may have been like -including whether they had a child together. I was not familiar with this part of JFK's background, so it was interesting to me to learn more about this particular topic. However, since the story is fiction, at times it felt like a giant tabloid article too. The story wasn't as easy/quick of a read for me which is what tipped me down to 3 stars, but I know it's an interesting story for many.

The Summer I Met Jack was suggested to me and I was given a link to it on Netgalley. Unfortunately while I thought this was a book I would enjoy, I just couldn't finish it.

The author did a great job and put a lot of effort into research. It's obvious from the way the details are written that she really dug into not only the Kennedys, but the affair between the maid and JFK.
Due to the research and pains the author went to in ensuring historical accuracy, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another of her books. This one just wasn't for me.

I appreciate very much that the publisher, author and Netgalley made this book available to me and I will be looking for more by this author in future. I think she did a very good job.

This is an interesting book. It’s roughly based on the life story of Alicia Dahl-ing as JFK called her. Or did he? Alicia was a Polish refuge. She came to this country poor and died a multi millionaire. That’s the American Dream to the extreme. To me, it was slightly distracting knowing that the book was based on real lives but it is a fictional book. It’s an easy read. The characters pull you in. It’s well written. It will definitely stay with me for a long time wondering what really happened and what did not. I will recommend this book to family and friends. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

This is a well written interesting story. Having grown up during the Kennedy "Camelot" years I have a continuing curiosity about the Kennedy family and all the mystery still surrounding John F. Kennedy. I enjoyed Michelle Gable's "The Summer I Met Jack" very much.