This book was a sweet concept but it fell a little flat for me. I think it was actually Kennig who just didn't seem fleshed out enough for my personal preference but Gold was very intriguing and I did love that Kennig was a male singer and model at one point, something a little different! The book is don in sweet flashbacks and moments in the present. The writing style is easy to read and I really enjoyed reading about their travels and the tour. A nice heartfelt read for those it can appeal to. This does have a bit of a religious undertone just as a warning for those who may not enjoy that, it wasn't the theme of the book nor was it overriding the plot, just part of the story.

I just loved this beautifully written novel. Kennig and Gold tells the love story of a WWll veteran Daniel Kennig, a promising up and coming American musician and Cynthia Gold, a young British socialite. They meet by chance after WWll in New York City. The book is written in a style reminiscent of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is mainly revealed through a series of letters and diary entries written by Kennig and Cynthia Gold, which were given to Marcus Wells, a writer who is interviewing Kenning, now a 96-year old retired legendary musician. The love story of Kennig and Gold is a whirlwind romance that evolves in New York and Europe culminating in a marriage between the two. I fell in love immediately with the handsome and deeply romantic character of Daniel Kennig. Cynthia Gold is a beautiful young woman with a mind of her own. Despite the fact that they often clash, together they are magic. I would love to see this book made into a film.

Finished this book a couple days ago, but I waited, thinking about how to review this one. I have to say the references to the Great Gatsby might be correct, unlike a lot of other reviewers, I didn’t really care for The Great Gatsby and I have to admit, I didn’t feel this one was remarkable either.
Depth, I was looking for depth into Daniel Kennig and Cynthia Gold but I didn’t find it in this book. We do cover the highlights of their love story, the immediate attraction and then the world wind romance ending in a quick marriage against her mother’s wishes. I felt Cynthia was mainly concerned for herself, I do feel she was smitten and in love with Daniel but her sacrifices were not near what she was asking of him. And Daniel fell for the hype and glory of being a famous singer and he also fell into a specific stereotype.
The story is told by a journalist, as an aging Daniel Kennig wants his love story told between Cynthia and himself so many years ago. Daniel provides letters that tell of his love and choices he made as a young man when he thought he would become one of the greatest singers of all time. It is a short read but unfortunately, I just didn’t find what I was looking for in this one.
I’m giving it 3***’s. I was given an advanced copy from BHC Press and Net Galley for my honest review.

I like the premise, that a modern day journalist happens upon an American music legend's true romance story he's kept secret until the age of 95. Singer Daniel Kennig meets with reporter Marcus Wells, and hands over a cache of letters that he, his sister, and his late first wife Cynthia Gold had written over 60 years ago.

Young author Christopher M. Struck's background in writing about musical theater shines through in the best bits; but it strikes me that he is as hellbent on reaching glory as a successful novelist as his characters Kennig as a singer, and Wells as a prominent investigative journalist. Struck describes them both as striving and yearning, but not always willing to put themselves out there, or to put in the work. I do hope this young author finds success, with more experience, editing, and diligence. Considering the chapters are set over 60 years apart, with narrators of differing gender, homeland and social strata, their dialogue should be more readily distinguishable.

Joking that the object of his affection has hair like Einstein's? Or calling her London high society matron mother "a piece of shit"? Yikes. I wondered why he would buy his wife a dozen yellow roses for Valentines Day, why she (with her giant inheritance) would opt to wait until the end of her husband's cross country roadshow to go see him perform? And when she finally does, and they quite understandably argue, why do they make plans to meet the following day rather than spending their first night in months together? Intriguing use of an actual WWII veteran's story as a basis, but hardly the "narrative as powerfully emotional" as the author extolls.