As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to read it again! I love reading about The Gilded Age and Alva Vanderbilt was one of its main characters. This beautifully-written novel certainly does her justice.



The novel starts when Alva, one of several sisters, is struggling to cope with financial and social problems, and faced with an uncertain future when her beloved father dies. Her good friend, Consuelo Yznaga, introduces her to William Vanderbilt, who is seemingly the answer, although not that wealthy and not in the higher echelons of New York society. Alva impressed young William with her wit and charm, and her 'hustling' soon make her family leading lights in New York. However, this practically arranged marriage doesn't bring Alva happiness and she has to cope with many difficulties in an old-fashioned patriarchal society. Soon her daughter, the beautiful Consuelo, will have her own mighty struggles...



This captures the atmosphere of the Gilded Age, and Alva is an engaging and sympathetic character. The novel also shows Alva and Consuelo's relationship in a very different light than usual, and this is explained at the end, and probably largely correct. However, I am not sure whether a major part of the story is true - I can't find any evidence for it, and it may have been added for dramatic effect. It is not beyond the realms of possibility. Also, I am not sure about the characterisation of
Winthrop Rutherfurd.



This is a must-read for fans of historical novels, especially those who love the Gilded Age.



I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

I read about 1/3 of this book and could never get in to it. The narrator was far too ditsy and I didn't care to know what happened to her.

Therese Anne Fowler has once again given us a look of what it would be like in the life of a golden era woman. This is stellar look at the life of Alva Vanderbilt and family. The very best

First line: When they asked her about the Vanderbilts and Belmonts, about their celebrations and depredations, the mansions and balls, the lawsuits, the betrayals, the rifts—when they asked why she did the extreme things she’d done, Alva said it all began quite simply: Once there was a desperate young woman whose mother was dead and whose father was dying almost as quickly as his money was running out.

Summary: Alva Smith is from an old New York family. However, after the death of her mother and her father’s financial troubles they are nearly destitute. Through the scheming of her friend, Consuelo Yznaga, she meets William K. Vanderbilt. He is the grandson of railroad tycoon, Cornelius Vanderbilt. William is looking to bring his family into New York society and Alva needs to take care of her family by marrying a wealthy husband. With this marriage of convenience Alva appears to get everything she wants. She helps the poor, builds grand new homes and travels the world. Yet it appears that something is missing…

Highlights: Before picking up this novel I had never heard of Alva (Smith) Vanderbilt. I remember the Vanderbilt name from high school history on the robber barons but nothing specific about each individual. I was pleasantly surprised by her story. She was a woman who did so much in a time when women were still thought of as dolls that needed to be sheltered. Her drive leads to grand homes, an opera house, women’s suffrage and a title for her daughter.
I cannot imagine living the life of Alva Vanderbilt. The amount of money she had and what she spent it on. If you have time you should Google their house, Petit Chateau, on Fifth Avenue. Spectacular! The costume ball she threw in 1883 was so extravagant that they spent nearly one million dollars (in today’s money) on champagne alone. Can you imagine?

Lowlights: Alva’s story seemed to drag on a little bit with much of the same thing happening over and over again. I was a little sad that so much of her drive came with the need to be a part of society. I understand wanting to be accepted. Everyone wants to be accepted. And it could be that I just do not come from that world or lifestyle.

FYI: Check out Fowler’s first novel, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald.

Review will be posted 1/21/19

Alva Smith grew up in Alabama with her parents who were, at one point, well off. But all that has changed. Her father's heath took a nose dive and is now bankrupt. It's up to Alva to save her family by marrying well. Her mother brought her up to be not only well-educated, but worldly too. Her best friend, Conseulo Yznaga, an heiress, encourages her to go to a ball in order to secure someone with money. And she does. William K. Vanderbilt, from the famous Vanderbilt family, is interested in her and things are looking up for Alva. Why would William look her way? Well, his family, even though they have a ton of money, aren't well-liked in society as they are new money. If he marries Alva, his chances of being received by the old money crowd are great. But Alva has her work cut out for her as Caroline Astor won't even acknowledge her presence. So what's a woman to do? Well, build and design the most luxurious mansion New York has ever seen and so much more. Alva is a force to be reckoned with. Therese Anne Fowler's A Well-Behaved Woman is so much more than a novel about Gilded Age New York. Alva is an inspiration even to women today.

Right from the beginning, Alva leaped off the page for me in A Well-Behaved Woman She's smart, determined, charming, and a future feminist. What's not to like? I was rooting for her from the beginning as her family truly needs some help. I can't imagine the pressure of knowing your family's future lies in your hands, so she better marry well. Once she does marry, as we all know that she does, things change for Alva in that she is extremely well off financially, but the problems are still there. Her loveless marriage, the issues with not truly being accepted in society, her judgmental sister-in-law, her budding feelings towards her husband's best friend, and the bigger issue of how to make her mark in society. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Alva, especially towards the second half of the novel when she really comes into her own.

I loved learning about the Vanderbilts during Gilded Age New York. I always thought they ran society, so it was interesting to learn about how they wedged their way in and secured a position. I loved following along as Alva designed eye-catching mansions, the lavish parties she threw and how she expertly handled the inevitable bumps in the road that headed her way. Fowler displays all the intricacies of society during that time, the social games they would play, and it was truly fascinating.

What impressed me so much regarding A Well-Behaved Woman was the fact that I thought this was going to be about balls, society, money and more money. It was so much more than that. In fact, I was so happy to learn that Alva made an important mark on society with her feminist view points. I had no idea that she was such a big supporter of women's causes!

If you love historical fiction and stories about interesting women from the time period definitely give A Well-Behaved Woman a try this winter. It had everything I like in a great historical novel: the glittering setting of Gilded Age New York along with a heroine whom I admired greatly.

The story of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont is certainly an interesting one. I liked the fact that they didn’t portray her as a social justice warrior, but as someone who just had differing opinions and had strong beliefs. I also appreciate the fact that they didn’t dwell on her attachment to Oliver, instead focusing on her undeserved fidelity to Vanderbilt. The twist with the Duchess did surprise me. I foundmyself thinking about the characters even after I put down the novel. I would read more from this author in the future. The only downside I can say is that the pacing was at times a bit slow. All in all, I found it enjoyable.

When telling the stories of real people, an author has many choices to make. When that person also happens to be a Vanderbilt during the era when the Vanderbilts were one of the leading American families, the choices multiply tremendously. Therese Fowler chose to portray Alva Vanderbilt in an honest look at her rags to riches life. While Alva lived a life of luxury in a time when money ruled the world, she also spent time and money to help promote women's rights and contributed to many programs designed to ease poverty. Her contributions have been lost in history as most authors focus'd on her wealth and social life. Ms Fowler has given us a well rounded look at the life and times of a strong woman who chose to help others. This book was very engrossing and I found myself picturing Alva's life through critical eyes then changing my mind by the end of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I was absolutely captivated by this story. First, I must admit to knowing next to nothing about Alva Vanderbilt, or the family in general. At first I was skeptical that a book on these historic figures was going to draw me in the way the author's previous book had, but A Well-Behaved Woman is just as captivating. Readers don't need any background knowledge about the time period to jump in and be swept away.

It is a great recommendation for library customers looking for a novel with a strong female character, especially those who generally only read fiction.

This novel takes place during a time of great wealth. The Gilded Age was a time like no other and Alva Vanderbilt is a woman like no other. All the material wealth that could ever be imaged. Beautiful, huge, homes, clothing, jewelry, staff. Could you imagine all your monetary dreams coming true? It’s still easy to imagine that money would lead to happiness or giving everything you never had to your children would lead to happiness...but of course it never does. Vanderbilt was a strong woman and she did amazing things for those less fortunate. Such an amazing time to read about with fascinating people.
I recommend this book!

Alva Vanderbilt is the Well-Behaved Woman that this historical fiction is about. The story begins in 1874, before Alva Smith became a Vanderbilt. She is twenty-one years old, her mother is dead and her father is dying. She is from old money and respected, but their money is running out. She needs to find someone to marry, who can raise her even higher in society, or at least provide her with the means to live the life she wants to.

She sets her sights on the Vanderbilts. The Vanderbilts with their new money are shunned by society. Alva would be quite a catch, she could bring them the old money class that they are lacking.

Alva Vanderbilt was a fascinating woman. She knew what she wanted and she did what it took to get it. She supervised her household and the building of several homes and deftly traversed the ins and outs of society in the gilded age.

Not surprisingly, she also was a heavy supporter of the women’s suffrage movement.

I found the rules of engagement and manners of the time very interesting, the careful plotting and the way things had to be just so. Alva Vanderbilt was a woman who did what she needed to do to make her place in society.

I enjoyed this book and the glimpse into the life of one of America’s most wealthiest families.

I received an ARC of this book.

Such a lovely story. I love the Vanderbilt's. Very inspiring. The story doesn't drag and very good conclusion. I've been obsessed with the Gilded Age New York and Newport

Edith Wharton and Jane Austen fans, please flock to the story of iron-willed Alva Vandervilt. I am always a fan of women that go against the conventions of their time and historical fiction is always the best way to explore their lives. It gives us an insight (however imagined) into their thoughts and feelings. It lets us know these women that are often not talked about. You give me a strong, unconventional woman in a historical setting and I am here for it. A huge fan of the premise and I loved the execution. A well-behaved woman is ironic because Alva Vandervilt certainly was not that but she was bad-ass. She took a back seat to no one, especially no man. She took on roles that were not acceptable for a woman to take and she had no qualms about it. Truly a must read.

a richly detailed account of how extremely rich and socially Alva Vanderbilt ascended to her position of power,
fascinating account of how the upper class society of the rich play power games among themselves I wish it had a little more detail on the other families but overall a satisfying read.

Beautifully written and fascinating story. Right from the start, you are drawn into Alva's story and want to know more about her. Another hit for Theresa Fowler.

I'm a lover of historical fiction, and I especially love historical fiction about women, so this book won me over before even reading the first page. Of course I've heard of the Vanderbilts, and knew a bit about this period in history when the "noveau riche" in New York society tried to compete for status with the old monied matrons who wanted them to learn their place in the society hierarchy, but I knew nothing about the Mrs. Vanderbilt featured in this novel.
Alva Vanderbilt, nee Smith, was rich in status, with a good name and no money, and the Vanderbilts had plenty of the latter but none of the class and status needed to rise further in the pecking order, so it was a match made in New York upper crust heaven!
Since historical fiction has to invent conversations and scenarios to move the real life events along this is where this genre of book can sometimes let you down. I found the book a bit clunky at times and slow moving, but the for the most part an enjoyable read about an interesting character.

This was an interesting book. Alva Smith wants to get married. She has a great "bloodline" but no money and he needs to improve her circumstances. She sets her sights on William Vanderbilt and eventually marries him and has his children.

The book tells the story of her life after her marriage. It's a study of a rich woman, her society in the late 1800s, and the sacrifices she has to make. It can be a little slow sometimes but I enjoyed it.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alva Vanderbilt Belmont knew her mind and broke many glass ceilings for women. She advanced the Vanderbilt name in society, designed works of architectural wonder, divorced her philandering husband at the potential expense of her reputation and future, and fought for women's suffrage.
While I appreciate Alva Vanderbilt's work, I didn't like this book. It did detail Alva's contributions to her family and women, but the pace was slow, I never truly connected with her, and I didn't appreciate the sexual content that was unnecessary for understanding the work of this strong, determined woman. However, the book is entertaining and introduces readers in an informal way to the Alva Vanderbilt and all the ways she paved the way for women today.

Fowler offers a great look at the Gilded Age of New York society in this historical novel about Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont, who saves her family and turns her own life around by marrying William K. Vanderbilt. Alva, an intelligent and charming young woman, manages to do something nobody else in the Vanderbilt family has been able to do: break through Caroline Astor's wall to become accepted in New York society.
Alva's married life is far from perfect, although the money is nice. She discovers she has an ability for design and gets involved with the construction of one of their mansions. She also finds that there is more to life than money. As she says, "First marry for money, then marry for love."
I found this book hard to put down.

An interesting read that should’ve been more compelling than it was.
This was okay. I mean really, just okay.

I'd like to thank to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review

I was disappointed in this historical biography about Ava Smith Vanderbilt Belmont. The book lacked detail, description, and character development. I started skimming the book by the halfway point because it just wasn’t interesting. Thank you #NetGalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.