First line: “Remind me again why we’re here?” Peggy asked Grace, shielding her pale eyes with her hand flat like a table over her sunglasses.

Summary: Grace Kelly, an actress and princess, had a fantastic life filled with glamour. She starred in several movies and Broadway plays. When she meets the Prince of Monaco she falls for him through their correspondence but it is not always a fairy tale.

My Thoughts: I learned a lot reading this. I liked the story. I have seen Rear Window starring Grace and loved it. I have just borrowed several more of her movies which I am looking forward to watching during Stay at Home time. I loved that the author showed the real life of Grace rather than stopping with her marriage to Rainier. It was not a fairy tale but reality.

FYI: The author’s first book, The Kennedy Debutante, was very interesting too. Perfect read about another famous American woman.

This is the second biographical fiction book I’ve read in as many weeks, both loving portraits of American icons. The previous book, And They Called it Camelot, covered the life of Jackie O, and this one, The Girl in White Gloves, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the stunning, riveting life of Grace Kelly.

We know of the beautiful, talented, and affluent Grace Kelly, but upon reading this book, I learned about her inner life. This look outside the lens of Hollywood or the jewels of her crown, though partially fictional, has wonderful historical elements, including well-known Hollywood actors. But what I enjoyed the most is how the author expresses Grace’s emotions, dreams, struggles, and desires swirling within her, and the impact her father had on her life.

In this book’s eloquent portrayal, Grace’s journey is displayed in a raw and authentic way. Her outward life showed elegance and privilege, but her inner life was far from that. This is not a depressing story, though there are parts that are, for it has a blend of yearning and reward, betrayal and hope, tension and redemption.

There were a few places, namely the beginning, that were a little slow for me, but the pacing and tension increased and as I neared the end it had me swiftly turning pages and wiping tears.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

I will admit that I knew very little about Grace Kelly. A girl raised in Philadelphia that went on to Hollywood to star in movies. A woman that gave it all up for love. I found this an interesting approach in to the possible thoughts and feelings of a woman that had such a drastic change in her life.

From all outward appearances, Grace Kelly lived a magical life as a princess. But beneath it all she was sad, lonely, and removed from true happiness.

This is the second book that I have read of Maher's and she always presents her stories in a solid, engaging way.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this novel. First, I have to admit that I have never seen a Grace Kelly movie, nor did I know much of her story book life. After reading this novel, I felt compelled to learn more about her and watch a few of her movies. I wanted to see for myself the beauty and acting abilities that were illustrated in this novel.

The Girl in the White Gloves is historical fiction, but I felt like I received glimpses of what Grace Kelly’s life might have been like. It is apparent that the author did much research before writing the novel. I intend to read more works by Kerri Maher as I have quickly become a new fan!

Grace Kelly’s beauty and sophisticated image as well as her soft-spoken nature masked the difficulties she grappled with in her family life. She and her father tangled with her life choices and he tended to play favorites when it came to his children. Grace sought the love, adoration and affirmation that she never received from her father. Perhaps that she why she was such a successful actress. Perhaps that is why she gravitated toward older men. Perhaps that is why she left all of it behind when she thought she found the man who would offer her true acceptance and a family that she truly desired.

Whether the elements of this story are true or fictitious, this novel struck a chord with me. I love reading and often find a novel even more enjoyable when it propels me to learn more.

I received an advance copy of this novel; all opinions are my own.

The Girl in White Gloves is a lovely story of Grace Kelly written by Kerri Maher. Perfect for fans of royalty and the gorgeous Princess Grace of Monaco. A true epitome of class and grace. She gave up her film career for love that ended in tragedy. A heartbreak story that is full of ups and downs. A well-written and inspiring story that is sure to stay with you lone after reading.

I was super excited about The Girl in the White Gloves when it first came across my radar - I find Grace Kelly fascinating but unfortunately this one did not work for me - a bit too slowly paced and not capturing my attention while being a rather lengthy book - this was one I just could not get through enjoyably.

Most all have heard the fairy tale story of the movie star Grace Kelley who at the pinnacle of her success was whisked away by the Prince of Monaco, to become his esteemed Princess. A Cinderella story to most people but author Kitty Maher takes another look and fashions in a bit of fiction to tell the tale of a frustrated movie star, who still wanted to be an actress - the role Grace felt was the life she was born to.

To most Grace lived the idyllic life sitting high above the are cliffs looking out over the Mediterranean Sea, but only she knew the truth of the behind the fame of being a royal – what she had given up and the betrayal of the man she loved to become his most Esteemed Princess. Yes, she had her children, but even that had become a battle when Rainer insisted on a hands-on approach to raising his heir leaving very little time for grace to interact with her son. She had say in raising her daughter Caroline, but Rainer would have compete control over Albert.

While the author did take literary license in the telling of this story with fictionalized scenarios, the interviews with Grace were actually quite telling in that one could pretty much read this novel and understand that for the most part, Grace had ended up as the prize in a gilded cage.

For all the beautiful surroundings and for the career she had given up, one can plainly see that all the wealth and fame of being a royal didn’t buy happiness.

This was quite interesting, and as THE GIRL IN THE WHITE GLOVES, Grace Kelley almost had it all!

Marilyn Rondeau

I adore the glamorous Hollywood years of the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s. I love old movies and old stage shows. One of my very favorite stars of all time is Grace Kelly. She was so beautiful and so talented (and if my mother was here she’d add that she came from a “nice, Catholic family”) that I always thought it was fitting that she became a princess. I couldn’t wait to read this fictionalized account of Grace’s life. I truly enjoyed it as Ms. Maher made Grace Kelly and all her family members come to life so vividly and so humanly. Princess Diana always reminded me a bit of her. How tragic that they both died too young, keeping them young and beautiful in our memories forever.

Thank you for my ARC.

Stevie‘s review of The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher
Historical Biographical Fiction published by Berkley 25 Feb 20

I don’t know a lot about Grace Kelly/Princess Grace of Monaco, beyond a general vague awareness of her film career and her subsequent marriage into one of Europe’s more troubled royal families, with her attendant involvements in various charitable ventures. I did, however, enjoy Kerri Maher’s previous book – about Kick Kennedy – and so I decided this one would probably resonate even without my having much in the way of prior interest in her latest subject.


Growing up, Grace Kelly’s interest in the theatre was overshadowed by her siblings’ sporting achievements, of which her parents were immensely proud, while only her uncle gave her much in the way of encouragement towards Grace’s own ambitions. Grace is nothing if not determined, though, and manages to secure a place at acting school in New York, followed by a string of modelling jobs and acting roles that allow her to live independently, first in a women’s boarding house and then later in her own apartment. Grace’s work brings her into contact with a wide range of rich and powerful men, and she embarks on a string of affairs with mostly older, mostly divorced or divorcing beaus.

What little Grace’s parents learn of her life in New York does little to endear her career to them, and they thoroughly disapprove of the few men she brings home to meet them. Her uncle and his ‘friend’ are the only family members to support her, and Grace relies mostly on her fellow actors and the women she has met at various points in her journey for support. Just as Grace’s film career is beginning to take off, she meets Prince Rainier of Monaco, and the two begin to exchange letters. At last Grace has found a man of whom her parents approve; however, when the prince proposes, she finds that his love comes at the cost of her acting career.

Told in alternating but ultimately converging timelines, covering Grace’s life from when she moved to New York onwards and during the years after she has become disillusioned with her marriage, this book gives a complete, if fictionalised, biography of a fascinating, if flawed, woman and provides plenty of opportunities for readers to understand how those flaws arose and to sympathise with Grace’s dilemmas and her attempts to re-imagine her place in the world. I particularly liked Grace’s attempts to be a better mother to her daughters than she felt her own had been to her, even as she comes to realise just how some of her own actions must have caused pain to her parents.

All in all, a most excellent read and I’m very much looking forward to the author’s next book, the subject of which was mentioned in passing in the course of this one.

Grade: B

The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher

Thanks to Berkley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own. I absolutely adored this royal read about Grace Kelly and had trouble putting it down. The storyline is split between Grace’s rise to Hollywood stardom and her future as a settled in Princess. The writing was so captivating that I found myself sneaking pages on my kindle all over town. Kerri Maher brought Grace Kelly to life in this book about her life. I had no idea about her home life struggles, her many romances, or the state of her marriage to Rainer. 5 stars.

Terrific book. Absolutely loved it. Compelling characters and story line. Kept me interested the entire time.

Review will be posted on 3/3/2020

Grace Kelly comes for an affluent family in Philadelphia, but unlike some of her Main Line counterparts, her father's family comes from Irish immigrants and Jack Kelly has made a name for himself in bricklaying and construction; in fact, he's a millionaire Even though some high society circles don't fully accept the Kellys, they are still an incredible family destined for greatness if Grace's father, a former Olympian, has anything to say about it. As Grace gets older, she leaves behind her family's tight grip on her and follows her dream to New York City and then Hollywood to become an actress, but things aren't always easy for her. All the while, she is always trying to impress her parents and seek their approval deep down inside. Readers are taken on a wild ride of the ins and outs of the movie business, contracts, Hollywood's starlets, and all of her love interests. Things really pick up for Grace when Alfred Hitchcock starts to cast her in his movies and then her love life becomes the forefront of it all when she meets the Prince of Monaco. The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher will tug on your heartstrings and fans of Grace Kelly, as well as stories about Royals, will especially enjoy this fictional biography.

I have always adored Grace Kelly and The Girl in White Gloves further solidifies my appreciation. I love that she grew up outside Philadelphia and vacationed at the Jersey Shore. Although her family is wealthy, readers are always reminded that not only are they Irish Catholics, but they worked hard to get where they are at now. Not only did her father build a successful business and compete in the Olympics for rowing, her mother made a name for herself as a teacher and a the first female coach at University of Pennsylvania. Grace's uncle was a Vaudeville star and a famous actor. Her other uncle won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. So, obviously, the Kelly family is used to high-acheivers and that was a lot of pressure for Grace who preferred to stay inside and preform plays. Her story takes us through her years of struggling to find a place in the world of acting all the way to her success on the big screen.

I really like how Maher brought us behind the scenes in all of her big films, like High Noon, How to Catch a Thief, and Rear Window. If you love Old Hollywood, like me, then you will especially appreciate all of the famous actors and actress of the time making appearances in The Girl in White Gloves.

Once Grace meets the Prince of Monaco things really start to change in The Girl in White Gloves. I never knew that she corresponded with the Prince for quite sometime after their initial meeting. I love how Maher brought this aspect of their relationship to life. Once Grace becomes a Princess, I also think Maher did a wonderful job of showing how complicated that life can be. Being a princess isn't some always like a day at Disney World. There are responsibilities and all that glitters isn't gold. Sometimes the life can be depressing and difficult. Given the recent drama within the British Royal family, I think readers who enjoy stories about the Royals will make that connection and appreciate this aspect of the novel.

Even though we all know about Grace's untimely death, it still broke my heart. It really made me think about what if she didn't die that day? What did her future hold? I find Grace Kelly's life to be inspiring, beautiful, challenging, but always very intriguing. If you feel the same way, pick up a copy of The Girl in White Gloves. After reading Maher's The Kennedy Debutante, I thinks she has become my new favorite author of fictional biographies. I can't wait to see who she focuses on next. I love how her fictional biographies inspire me to learn more about the person, which is a sign of an excellent read!

Are you a fan of Grace Kelly? Will you be reading The Girl in White Gloves? Do you enjoy fictional biographies? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Kerri Maher’s latest novel, The Girl in White Gloves, is based on the life of Hollywood icon turned Princess, Grace Kelly. The novel takes readers behind the curtain of Kelly’s seemingly fairy tale-like life to reveal that it really wasn’t much of a fairy tale at all.

The Girl in White Gloves gives us two timelines that fully explore Kelly’s life, one that follows her as she is pursuing her dream to be an actress and one that follows her after she has given up that life for the love of Prince Rainier.

I requested this book because I honestly didn’t know that much about Grace Kelly but I remember my grandmother being fascinated by her and so I wanted to learn more. What I really loved about this book was how far into Grace Kelly’s head we got at every point during her life. We get a glimpse as to what she must have been feeling and thinking as she navigates the two paths illuminated by the dual timelines. We experience the confusion, the unexpected loneliness, the pressure of societal expectations, the constant disapproval and disappointment of her father, and finally, Grace’s desperate need to find fulfillment in her life and the risks she is willing to take to get that fulfillment.

The Girl in White Gloves is a well-researched and truly captivating portrait of what a complex woman Grace Kelly was. I went into it expecting to learn a little more about her and was impressed at how the thoroughly the author drew me in to Kelly’s life story. It was a truly immersive experience.

The author mentioned she took many liberties in writing this novel and it certainly felt like it. There were a few times early on where I wanted to set the book aside, but also a part of me really wanted to read more about the life of Grace Kelly and that's what kept me going. Overall, however, it felt more fanfiction than a full-fledged novel, especially since the author wasn't able to access many/any first-hand and personal records - either she was denied permission from the museums, libraries, etc she contacted or items such as letters have become lost to time. She also stated she essentially had to guess at the affairs Grace had with her co-stars (...and it seemed like she had an affair with all but one if I'm remembering correctly).

I don't know, I really wanted to be wowed by this one, but in the end it was just a lot of name-dropping (at one point Grace even lends a shoulder to a newly-engaged Diana Spencer and bestows advice) and almost 400 pages of a heartbroken Grace. Even after literally marrying into royalty and becoming a princess she still couldn't live up to her father's expectations. After a series of failed relationships, she met Rainier and found in him an understanding partner...for a year or two. Her one true love was acting and the theater and even that was taken from her. Just a sad tale all around.

I've always considered Grace Kelly to be the epitome of beauty and poise - especially in present times when that seems sorely lacking. I watched Rear Window and It Takes a Thief many, many times as a child with my parents, as a teen, then with my husband and later my own children. Kerri Maher has created a novel that fills in the blanks between interviews, articles, news stories and films. Her account of Grace's life is based on fact, but Maher's imagined conversations and feelings are so real that I felt I was part of old Hollywood, Cannes, and the principality in Monaco.

Maher picks up Grace's story in 1949, just before she gets her first Broadway play. Grace is gorgeous and intelligent and attends classes at the Academy in New York City. She makes a great living modelling, but realizes she wants more in life then just to play a princess, a high society girl, or the ice queen. She doesn't get much support from her Irish Catholic family. Her father very vocally favors Grace's older sister and brother, while her mother supports her father. Grace just wants to follow her own dreams and still win her parents' approval. Maher follows Grace through her Broadway career to Hollywood where she acts opposite Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Ray Milland among others. She also has affairs with her leading men and other famous older men like Oleg Cassini. Once she meets Alfred Hitchcock, or Hitch, she becomes his muse, stars in fabulous films and becomes a true movie star, known for her acting skill as well as her beauty. Maher bounces back and forth between Grace's acting life in the 50's and 60's and her life as Princess of Monaco in the 70's. The author delves into her private life with Prince Ranier, her quest to be a better, more supportive mother than her own, and her struggle with giving up her career.

This was such an amazing book - I thoroughly enjoyed reading and imagining Grace's life. Maher is a good writer and her subject is very well researched making for an excellent escape into another life of glamour and fashion and movie stars, even if some of it was heartbreaking and painful. Fans of Grace Kelly will love this book - read it now! Anyone who wants to escape to a life far from cell phones and Instagram and experience one both glamorous and exciting will love it to. I did!! Thank you for the chance to to read the ARC.

Would you rather... be a princess or a movie star?

This is a fictionalized biography of Grace Kelly. A girl from Philadelphia who lived her very own fairytale and became a real live princess. But there was so much more to Grace than the glitz, the glamour, and the crown. I really knew very little going into this book about Grace Kelly other than she was once a movie star who married a prints and then was a princess who died in a tragic car accident. Kerri Maher’s vivid storytelling really brought this icon to life for me. Grace really impressed me, she was smart and savvy, knew what she wanted, and went for it. She was brilliant when it came to navigating and negotiating her movie career. Grace was forever wanting her father’s approval and perhaps this led to her multiple affairs with older and sometimes married men. Grace always seem to be searching for acceptance and ultimately wanted to be a wife and mother. I found her so likable and relatable even though her life was way different from mine. I found it interesting how her life somewhat mirrored that of Meghan Markle. I think it is always interesting to see behind the public image. There were some definite parts in the story where my heart broke for Grace, it would be difficult to find out your life is no longer your own. This was an entertaining and engaging story that really gave me a brand new appreciation of Miss Kelly.

This book in emojis 🍸 🎭 🚬 🎬 🐶 👑 🇲🇨

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

This work of historical fiction, which the author admits is about 50 percent fact and 50 percent imagination, made me feel really sad for Grace Kelly, a woman I've always admired. As with any good historical fiction it made me want to do more research about the woman and her life and left me with a desire to watch all of her movies that I have not yet seen.

I say Grace Kelly and what comes to mind? The Princess Grace Kelly is what I think of. A woman who has the world available to her, living a charmed life, and wanting for nothing. After reading The Girl in White Gloves I see a young girl trying to make it in a world that is stacked against her. Everyone in her life is trying to mold her into what they want her to be and she is trying to find her own way.

While I realize this is fiction, there is much history within the story. The famous actors and actresses that worked alongside Grace Kelly are real, their relationships are real, and their stories are important. I loved how many of the names I knew but realized quickly how little I truly knew about the actors and actresses. It was interesting how Kerri Maher was able to give some history on almost everyone in Grace’s life and how history makes the actor important in the shaping of Hollywood.

The Girl in White Gloves tells the story of a young girl who wants nothing more than to make everyone around her happy and to be accepted for who she is. She is lonely, she is unhappy, and she needs to perform. She performs on stage, on TV, and in movies but more she performs in her everyday life trying to be what everyone expects her to be. I hated that most people did not realize that they were not being encouraging or helpful with their criticism but were beating a beautiful, talented young girl down. Grace was strong enough to continue with her dreams, follow her heart, and make her life successful.

This is a wonderful historical fiction book about a person that everyone knows of but very few knew. I loved getting to know Grace Kelly and learn about her amazing life.

Beautifully well told. I loved this gem of a book from the very first page. It will envelop you until you're right in the middle of the story. Enjoy this wonderful story as much as I did. Happy reading!

Thanks #netgalley #berkleypub for a free e ARC of #thegirlinwhitegloves by Kerri Maher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In this highly fictionalized biographical historical fiction of the life of an American actress turned princess, we get a glimpse into Grace Kelly‘s childhood dreams, her rise to fame, and her eventual royal life as Princess of Monaco.

Like many Grace Kelly fans, I had a romanticized, idealized image of the glamorous Grace Kelly. This story dispells those perceptions and I was left with feelings of sadness. It seems that Grace Kelly struggled with finding her voice, feeling self-confident, realizing her career goals, and establishing a loving, mutually respectful relationship. She lived during a time when the silent, subservient girlfriend/wife custom was valued, and most likely, her insecurities contributed to her decisions. I cheered for the times she asserted herself.

Along with her glamor and beauty, Grace Kelly was also driven to perform, loved Broadway, and dreamed of having a family.

From the author’s comments, it seems that some events in the story are rearranged and consolidated to create a tighter timeline. Also, Maher highly imagines a great many of Kelly’s relationships and interactions due to a lack of personal journals and letters. It’s important to recognize the limited amount of source material available while reading The Girl in White Gloves so that you can enjoy the story as presented.

If you love behind-the-scenes peeks into celebrity lives, the glamour of old Hollywood, or have heard of the lovely Grace Kelly, you might enjoy The Girl in White Gloves.