A captivating story about Winston Churchill’s mother! Brilliant and enlightening!

Now, I can see where Winston got his gumption from. A must read for lovers of Winston Churchill.

The American Adventuress tells the remarkable story of Jennie Jerome Churchill, the mother of Winston Churchill. Jennie Jerome is the daughter of a self-made American millionaire. One day, she is pursued by a British nobleman. Jennie falls in love and is determined to marry him against her parents’ wishes. Once she is married, she learns that marriage is complicated and full of hardships. Jennie also tries to help her husband, and later her son, through their political careers.

Jennie Jerome Churchill is not a likable character. She is very vain and selfish. She has little compassion for others. She was not a good mother to her sons, Winston and Jack Churchill, and often neglected them. Even when her sons are grown, she expects them to let her indulge in her personal pursuits and her marriages to young men who are deemed suitable for her. Even though I did not like her, I still found her to be a fascinating character. I like her independent spirit and her love for writing. Jennie Jerome Churchill definitely lived her life according to her own terms.

Overall, this novel paints a complex portrait of a larger than life woman. There is not much depth to any of the secondary characters. Therefore, I didn’t feel any emotions towards them. I did not feel Jennie’s great love for her first husband. I also did not understand Winston Churchill. This is probably because the story is told from Jennie’s self-centered perspective. The one thing I did like was Jennie’s strong bond with her father. The pacing was uneven. There were times when I thought the story was rushed. It also had unnecessary and tedious scenes. Still, there were many glamorous parties, scandals and drama that made it a light and entertaining read! The American Adventuress reads like a soap opera that captivated me from the first page! I also love the author’s attention to historical detail! The American Adventuress is an honorary tribute to Winston Churchill’s mother. I recommend this novel for fans of That Churchill Woman, Lady Clementine, and American Duchess!

This book gives the reader a look at the life of an interesting, strong and independent woman. Jenny Jerome lead an interesting life and was modern in her views of marriage. I enjoyed reading this novel and C.W. Gortner has done thorough research and brought this fascinating person to life!

The Gilded Age was an era of excess where there was not only great division between rich and poor, but also between the old and new rich of New York City. The Jerome family were considered new rich, and not worthy of the same status as the older clans. The matriarchs of wealthy families sought to “one-up” each other. Mrs. Jerome initially found status in Paris as a confidante of Empress Eugenie. In American Adventuress, she will maintain her adoration of the Empress even after the French Emperor is deposed and will delight in purchasing remnants of the Imperial Court and showing them off.

Families also found status by marrying off their daughters to impoverished British titled gentlemen. These weren’t often love matches, but Jennie fell in love with Randolph Churchill to the point where Winston Churchill was born several weeks earlier than would’ve been expected. His birth was called premature, but author CW Gortner goes with the pre-marital intimacy suspicion in semi-explicit detail.

I’ve not read any other material on Lady Randolph Churchill (Wikipedia does NOT count), so it’s hard for me to say how much of Gortner’s novel is fiction or speculation. Who was she really? The author wrote the book from her perspective, but how well can a man ultimately get into the head of a woman from history? While reading I heard Elizabeth McGovern’s voice in my head speaking Jennie’s lines, but Lady Grantham she was not. Lady Randolph Churchill came across as selfish and extravagant with little concern for anyone – or anything - else save her sons and the occasional good cause. In his Afterward, Gortner describes her as vain and self-absorbed, and this opinion of her is evident throughout the work.

There are some books I adore reading, where I’m disappointed to finish them. American Adventuress isn’t one of them. Frankly, it felt like a relief to finish it. Not one character was likeable, including the future prime minister who came across as anything but the giant we know from World War II. Would I read it again? Probably not. Next time I’ll go for a straight non-fiction biography of this particular Dollar Princess.

Disclaimer: Although I received an electronic Advance Readers Proof of this book from the publisher, the opinions above are my own.

This fictionalized book about the mother of Winston Churchill was wonderful. I was fascinated to learn of the family background of the late Prime Minister. The research which went into the writing of this historical fiction book was very in-depth. The life of Churchill's mother was not at all what I would have expected. She was a free spirit, willing to take the risks she need to in order to live life HER way. I was actually shocked to learn of Lady Randolph Churchill's relationship with Edward, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.

With the recent transition to King Charles III, I think readers will be fascinated to learn the connection of the two families.

As C.W. Gortner is one of my favorite historical fiction authors I picked this up to read without really perusing the synopsis. So it was not until I was well into the book that I realized that the american adventuress that I was reading about was the mother of Winston Churchill. And, honestly, I find that to be one of the selling points
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Jennie Jerome was an amazing woman in her own right and Gortner writes her as such. The fact that her son goes on to be a important part of history is more a footnote in what is HER story. And I loved it for that.

Jennie lived a bold and passionate life, filled with scandal, heartbreak, mistakes, and joy. Gortner brought her to life so well that despite her failings, I found myself always cheering her on and hoping that she would find her happiness.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy historical fiction. I enjoy books about lesser known historical figures. I'm a fan of the Gilded Age. I liked this book, unfortunately I wanted to love it.

Jennie Jerome Churchill was the mother of Winston Churchill, and he was a product of a mishandled prophylactic, or at least that's what this book suggests! I certainly never knew that!! I understand the times were different then, but who leaves their firstborn child with their mother-in-law, when she didn't even like her?

The beginning of this saga was just so slow for me. Did I really need all the information about her life as a young girl? It seemed to go on forever. When we got to the 'good stuff' it was just OK. Her dalliances with the nobility were interesting and truthful if one has read anything about her. I guess I just wanted to LIKE her better.

The book was informative and I did do some searches to find out more details of her life, her husband's death, and what happened to her other child. For that reason, I think this is a worthwhile 3.5 to 4 star read. It made me think, but I still didn't love it.

Not every historical figure who is anecdotally interesting is worthy of a full novel in which they are the principal subject. Such is unfortunately the case for Jennie Jerome Churchill, who I’ve enjoyed reading about in small doses but, as it turns out, did not need a full novel of material on.

Jennie is certainly a likable protagonist in some ways. It’s hard to not feel inspired by her lack of social conformity and willingness to match to the beat of her own drummer at a time when women simply didn’t do so, and I’m sure she’s someone I would have enjoyed speaking with.

But she didn’t actually accomplish anything notable aside from giving birth to a future world leader, which is noble as motherhood always is, but far from unique. The text clearly hopes to paint Jennie as some sort of Julia Agrippina figure, but she had virtually nothing to do with her son’s political successes and largely ignored her children while they were young.

It feels like a bit of a misnomer to title her an “adventuress” as well. She spent most of her time having affairs with increasingly younger men and spending profligately, a far cry from anything that truly meets the definition of what it means to be an adventuress, of whom there are plenty from this era to celebrate. Indeed, Jennie’s only real notable deeds that were not largely self-serving were contributions to the war effort, which is lovely but pretty common for women of some means and standing at the time.

Credit to Gortner for keeping this book very readable even with a less than worthy subject, and for letting Jennie’s best attributes shine. But a degree of likability just isn’t enough to render a subject worthy of a monographic piece of biographical fiction.

Firstly, I love C.W. Gortner's portrayals of real historical women. The novels are always engaging, interesting, and full of historical detail. Plus, his women are believable, unlike many female characters written by male authors. But I digress...

The American Adventuress details the life of Jennie Jerome, an American heiress who took English society by storm in the late 19th century. Jennie married Lord Randolph Churchill for love, against the wishes of her parents, at age 20, and they had two sons, one of whom was Winston Churchill. Jennie struggled to find happiness and fulfillment throughout her life, despite having many powerful friends and access to the comforts of high society. Beautiful as well as extremely intelligent, Jennie assisted both her husband and her son with their political careers, and she was the tour de force behind several of her own initiatives to help the wounded and less fortunate.

I much enjoyed reading about this historical figure I knew nothing about. I must say, sometimes it gets a bit disheartening to read all these accounts of women "behind" the men we learned about in history class — how influential they were, with zero credit given in those history books. But it just makes me appreciate the authors who spend time doing the research and bringing us these narrative historical accounts! I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in pre-WWI Britain, the Churchills, or significant women in history.

Thank you to C.W. Gortner, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

The phenomenon of Gilded Age heiresses marrying land-rich, cash-poor members of the British aristocracy has long been a favorite subject of historical romances. In “The American Adventuress,” C. W. Gortner—a delightful writer with a knack for finding strong, fascinating, real-life heroines for his novels—focuses his attention on Jennie Jerome, the mother of Winston Churchill. And although Jennie checks the boxes of this particular romantic cliché, she has so much more going for her that I can guarantee that once you’ve read her story, you will never look at Gilded Age heroines in the same way again.

From the moment we first meet her, as a sassy and defiant twelve-year-old schoolgirl, Jennie charts her own course—to the consternation of her more conventional but in some ways wiser mother. Her father—an entrepreneur hovering on the edge of elite New York society—adores and supports this second daughter whose character so resembles his own, but some shady business dealings and a long-term affair with Jennie’s piano teacher eventually undermine his marriage. Jennie’s mother flees with her three daughters to Paris, where the girls complete their education. Then the Franco-Prussian War begins, and the family moves to London and safety.

There Jennie makes the acquaintance of an odd-looking but charming and intelligent young man, Lord Randolph Churchill, who proposes marriage almost right away. Jennie falls madly in love, and soon they are courting in earnest despite her mother’s insistence that any marriage settlement must leave Jennie in possession of her fortune.

It would be a shame to give away more than this, although Jennie’s history is readily available online. A gifted pianist, a beauty, a free spirit, and a loving if often-distant mother, she lives life to the hilt: spending extravagantly, flirting outrageously, neglecting her children, and breaking convention in ways that defy our views of the constraints placed on Victorian women. But whatever her faults, Jennie herself is unforgettable, and it is Gortner’s achievement that he brings her so vividly to life.

I will be interviewing C. W. Gortner for the New Books Network (link below) in a couple of months.

I was completely immersed in this fictionalized biography of Jennie Jerome, the mother of Winston Churchill. I felt as if I was living history as I followed Jennie's life from her girlhood in 1860s New York all the way to her death in 1921.

One of the first American women to marry into the British aristocracy, Jennie was the daughter of a wealthy American businessman. She married Lord Randolph Churchill, son of the Duke of Marlborough, while she was still a teenager. She lived a life of means but often ran up more bills than she could pay. Her marriage was a love match, but they also had an agreement regarding sex outside the marriage. Her liaisons with many famous men, including the Prince of Wales at the time, were legendary. Often an absent mother in Winston’s childhood, her relationship with him as he began his political career is intriguing.

This novel can be shocking at times but takes us inside the lives of the privileged few, whose comings and goings were often decadent and scandalous, especially for those times. It introduces us to all the people in Jennie’s life in an intimate way. Jennie's sexual escapades are described in detail on a few occasions, so those readers who avoid that should be aware.

This is a superbly written novel that introduced me to Jennie in a fascinating way. I had no idea that Winston Churchill’s mother was an American, especially one with such a storied past. Jennie’s scandals and charitable work are interspersed throughout with concurrent events in history. It is a fascinating read that held me spellbound. C.W. Gortner has written an honest and fascinating fictionalized biography of a woman about whom many may never have known. You will meet her in these pages.

I received a free copy of this book from William Morrow via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

American heiress Jennie Jerome was determined to do thing her way. From a very young age she flaunted the restrictions set upon her by society. When her mother left her father and moved Jennie and her sisters across the Atlantic to Paris Jennie was devastated having to leave her beloved father and city behind. When the first world war breaks out Jennie's mother moves them to England where Jennie catches the eye of Randolph Spencer Churchill a British aristocrat and eventual politician. Despite both families objections the couple weds. Jennie eventually gives birth to a son who would later become prime minister of England and lead the country to victory during WWII, Winston Churchill. But this is Jennie's story not Winston's, it showcases Jennie in all her rebellious glory, going against conventional society as Jennie helps further her husband's political career, after his death she undertakes publishing her own magazine, we read of her turbulent marriages, affairs and scandals.
I loved this book, when it ended I wanted more, which has lead me to research and read more about Jennie and her pioneering lifestyle. Exactly what a historical fiction book should do, inspire the reader to want to learn more. Exceptionally researched, written with elegant style, I recommend this book fully.
Thank you to William Morrow publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Jenny Jerome with independent spirited lively and all the things one shouldn’t say about a lady in the 1800s. She was the middle daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Jerome a horse breeder and a social light and the mother of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. She lived life on her own terms marrying multiple times with a steadfast loyalty to her son and his aspirations. I am loving these bio fiction books MSA this one so far it’s my favorite. This new trend in fiction of reimagining the life of great people in history is something I am totally on board with. I love a great book about a woman who was also a great mother and that’s in my opinion with Jenny Jerome most reliable quality is besides being fabulous. I received this book from NetGalleyShelf and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A big, juicy biopic novel by the author of Mademoiselle Chanel about the scandalous life of Jennie Jerome Churchill, mother of Winston, an heiress from New York who married into one of England’s most storied families but who always lived life on her own terms, as a royal mistress with a series of younger husbands and a son whose political rise she happily stage-managed.
Another amazing book from CW Gortner. This was a great book about a person we do not know much about but was once a popular name. I love how this author wrote about a person that I have never thought about before but made me hold on to every word. The details the author added, really shows the research that went into this one. This is a book and author I suggest all historical fiction fans read.

Gortner is a go-to author for me. The unconventional women he writes about are given the freedom to be sensual without feeling guilty. Gortner doesn't just want to introduce you to a name but to a life - including all of the emotions that go along with it.
In this latest book Gortner brings Jennie Jerome to the spotlight. Only with the passing years has Jennie been largely forgotten about, however in her time she was on everyone's lips. With her marriage to Randolph Spencer-Churchill she set the standard for all young American women of means. While Jennie and Randolph began their life together with a whirlwind love affair, their marriage could not satisfy Jennie's zest for life. Although Jennie supported Randolph's political career and suffered through bouts of being socially ostracized due to Randolph's political blunders, she was oftentimes carried away by the opportunities her station in society granted her. Jennie didn't allow herself to be constrained by marriage, motherhood, or money. She wanted to love and be loved passionately in return.
Gortner didn't write a biography but a novel that highlights the passionate woman that Jennie Jerome was. She was more than just a scandalous society woman. She was a woman who set trends, supported her first husband's political career, and helped to mold one of the greatest statesman of all times - her son, Winston Churchill.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

Very well written, well researched non-fiction.

I had read another book about Churchill that touched briefly on his parents and was intrigued by the story. Was very excited to read this book and definitely wasn't disappointed!!

Very interesting story - and a definite good read!

I have recently taken a liking to non-fiction reads and this one really taught me a lot. I didn’t realize how interesting this topic was until I finished reading and had to sit with what I had just learned. I definitely would read more from this author.

Gortner has done it again!

He gets better with every book. This book highlights Jennie Jerome Spencer Churchill, wife of Lord Randolph and mother of Winston.

What an amazing woman she must have been. C. W. Gortner brings her to life, I feel as if I actually know her after reading this brilliant book. I loved it! I'm sorry I'm finished reading this book, I never wanted Jennie's story to end. I think I'll read it again! I've already preordered the actual physical book because I want a copy in my library.

The descriptions of her life, her very words and thoughts are so vivid, it's incredible. I would give this book 10 stars if I could, it was that good.

C.W. Gortner once again makes history come alive! The author knows how to engage a reader in a story and connect the dots in history.

‘Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way to be happy.’ —Jennie Jerome.

I’ve really enjoyed the current ‘Gilded Age’ trend in historical fiction. I find this time in American history fascinating. I was excited to see that one of my favorite HF authors, C.W. Gortner, picked up on this trend with his latest novel.

I never read the synopsis… just dove right in having no idea whom it was going to about. I’m so glad that I chose to go in ‘blind’, because it added so much to my enjoyment of how the story unfolded. No one can bring historical personalities to life like Gortner. I was totally engrossed in this story from start to finish.

Well, done! Highly recommend. 5 stars.

***ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.