I had a hard time getting into this one. I’m relatively ignorant about Jackie’s life, and this book just didn’t grab me. I think that readers who know more about her will appreciate this book more than I did.

This was a great insight into Jackie's mind. Good writing, clearly well researched. I like how it felt like I was sitting there with her, Highly recommend this very nice, lyrical novel.

Wonderfully evocative and beautifully written!

There has always been a mystique about John and Jackie Kennedy and that led me to read quite a bit about JFK’s life, his family and his presidency. But in what I read, Jackie was not the focus and so I did not know a lot about her. So when I learned that there was a historical fiction novel about her, I knew that it was one I wanted to read. A perfect blend of a genre I enjoy and a personality I wanted to learn more about.

There is a great line in the book that says «When they tell the story of a woman…they tell the story of what happened to her, and in the world’s eyes, usually what happens to a woman is men. » JFK is of course a big part of this novel, but the story is about Jackie, told from her own perspective (as imagined by the author but based on meticulous research), about her life as it unfolded, her marriage to JFK, events that she lived through and how she recreated her life after her husband’s death. We see the 1960s unfold through her eyes, including the civil rights movement, desegregation efforts, the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK’s dream to send a man to the moon, and, of course, his assassination. We also see her navigate her path forward as a famous widow with two young children, her every move heavily scrutinized by the world.

The author’s effective use of the first person point of view makes this read feel like a memoir and allows the reader to become immersed in Jackie’s world. There are some chapters from Jack’s perspective which I found effective as they served to juxtapose his and Jackie’s reactions to the same events/circumstances.

In addition to being evocative of time and place, the story is beautifully written and it was a pleasure to read. I found this to be a fascinating look at the enigmatic, strong woman that Jackie was in her many roles as wife, mother, First Lady, widow and woman. Wonderfully done - I highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.

I will post this review on my IG, X and Threads social media book accounts, including my primary IG platform (https://instagram.com/stephanielikesbooks?igshid=i3a87j35o) a few days before the publication date.

I have already posted this review on my Goodreads account.

A huge thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this early review copy.
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Jackie was an extremely well versed individual. She was knowledgeable in poetry , politics, art , book , languages ,travel , culture ,style and people . Her union with the Kennedy family allowed her more opportunities to pursue the things she loved to do. Life with Jack Kennedy certainly had challenges but Jackie was able to survive the good and bad. This book portrayed a Jackie that loved her husband and children unconditionally even when times were difficult. Her keen intellect and ability to read the room enable her to interact with world leaders in a dignified but down to earth way. Her time with Onassis allowed her to step back from her grief and reconnect with herself . Later years were happier for her and her children. The book had a little too many beach walks , and Jack and Jackie moments lwith their meandering thinking but all in all a decent historical read about an amazing woman.

This review has been posted on my Goodreads account along with the playlist.

Doris Kearns Goodwin, who knew Jackie, once said: “Culturally something happened between her and the decade that she lived in . . .”

Everyday I signed into NetGalley to see if I was approved for this book. One of my most anticipated reads this year…I was beyond excited when I finally got the approval.

”We are made of stars and I loved you from the first moment I saw you. I loved you even knowing it would break something in me.”

Brief Summary-
🗣️"Jackie is a novel, a work of fiction inspired by the life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis"

You follow Jackie as she tells her story about her dreams and aspirations. You get an understanding of how she felt when she met JFK. You get lost in her world of dating John to marriage, and motherhood and becoming the First Lady. And the life she made for herself after the tragic event of 11/22/63.

”You were not my kind of adventure. Too American. Too good-looking. Too boy. Too much about politics and new money. Your life, I told myself, was not the life I was looking for.”

My Thoughts-
I loved this book so much. I immediately pre-ordered the physical book after finishing.🥹💖 This was so beautifully written. So intimate. This read like a personal diary of Jackie and I was absolutely immersed in her story. I highlighted so many quotes/moments. The author did mention in the beginning of the book that some quotes are from Jackie that can found in public records. The way the author painted Jackie was absolutely incredible. Such was such an elegant and strong lady. I fell in love with her all over again.

I loved reading about Jackie and who she was as a person before she was know as JFK wife. Like most people I didn’t know what her dreams and aspiration were. It was lovely read. Even durning her time with JFK you can tell she tried so hard to keep her separate identity; I think durning that time it was hard to do so.

As this is a historical fiction I loved reading about the problems that JKF was dealing with in his time before and durning his presidency. Definitely an added flare to this book that kept the pace going. The booked touched on some details with MLK and Rosa Parks. I was excited when Frank Sinatra was mentioned. It’s wild to think all those incredible people were around during the same time period.

The book did touch on JFK affairs with multiple women including Marilyn Monroe. It really showed you an added layer of Jackie’s personality and why she was the way she was. But at the end of it all you can see was how in love she was with JFK.

After the tragic death of JFK the mood of the booked changed and I was sobbing. But to see Jackie overcome that tragedy and make a life for herself was beautiful to read.

“The world is alive to me because of you.”

Overall-
This was a fantastic read. I felt all the emotions while reading this one. I really encourage all my friends that enjoy historian fiction to give this one a try. Even if historical fiction is not your thing the writing and storytelling was impeccable and I think most people would still enjoy this read.

This was my first book by the author and I’m excited to check out her other work as well.

“Thirty years this month. You come near me, as you do, every November. A momentary shudder and I feel you like a shadow cross my hands. Sometimes it strikes me that I have become an entirely different woman from the woman that you knew”

Playlist-
🎶I’ve Got The World On A String- Frank Sinatra
🎶Say A Little Prayer For You- Aretha Franklin
🎶You Can’t Hurry Love- The Supremes
🎶They Can’t Take That Away - Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
🎶Then He Kissed Me- The Crystals
🎶Can’t Help Falling In Love- Elvis Presley
🎶When You’re Smiling- Frank Sinatra
🎶I’ll Be Seeing You- Billie Holiday
🎶At Last- Etta James
🎶Beyond The Sea- Bobby Darin
🎶Baby Love- The Supremes
🎶 Suspicious Mind- Elvis Presley
🎶Ain’t That A Kick In The Head- Dean Martin
🎶Days Of Wine & Roses- Frank Sinatra
🎶I’d Rather Go Blind- Etta James
🎶Sitting On the Dock Of The Bay- Otis Redding
🎶All I Could Do Was Cry- Etta James
🎶Honey- Dean Martin
🎶 Unforgettable- Nat King Cole

✨ Thanks to NetGalley, Dawn Tripp, and Random House Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨

I LOVED this book. Some of her private musings were a bit out there for my very factual brain, but I can totally see Jackie thinking in the way the author portrays her here. I have such a love for Jackie and I know many others do, too. This is one for any Jackie lover.

I received a temporary digital copy of Jackie by Dawn Tripp from NetGalley, Rondom House and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jackie is the story of Jackie Kennedy, intellect, wife, mother, friend, adventurer, world-traveler, to name a few. The story begins with Jackie as a young women beginning her journalism career and takes the reader through her life into her middle ages.

In Jackie, I found her character to be extremely complex and intelligent, moreso than any other work I have previously read, which I found fascinating and deeply appreciated. I found the entire tone of Jackie to be incredibly morose and wondered where she ever found joy, other than in her children. Overall, Jackie was a good read and I would recommend it to others.

2.5. I expected this book to be dramatic, but it didn’t need to be so dramatic. This Jackie seems to always be on the edge of simpering, which diminishes what could be a strongly poetic piece of writing. The single biggest annoyance is the info dumping throughout the book. Very dramatic, emotional moments followed by a few pages of dry recitation of political and historical facts. It became a pattern that broke up the narrative. Disappointing. Not something that I’d use, even excerpted In class, either.

5 "ferociously romantic, unabashedly idealistic, poignantly interior" stars !!

Warm thanx to the author, Netgalley and Random House for an e-copy. This will be released June 2024. I am providing an honest review.

Warning folks: I am going to fuckin' gush !

I started this on a beach in Belize hoping for an entertaining soapy chick lit biography to pass the time away.

What I got instead....

-a deeply felt and ferociously romantic love story of American royalty
- a moving portrayal of American politics and life through the eyes of New England upper crust
- a speculative yet plausible psychological portrayal of Jackie with nuance, compassion and moment by moment shift of emotional and intellectual growth..... we are not only told a story of recent times but inhabit the mind, heart and soul of a woman of myth

Beautifully and evocatively written.... struck me both in the heart and the gut.....

This is THE book for the summer of 2024 ! Amazing Ms. Tripp just amazing !

struggling a little to get into this book. It is hard to keep focus. I have read a lot of books on the Kennedy's but this one was just a bit difficult to absorb.

Well above the typical biography-based historical fiction, "Jackie" is quite well researched and imagined. The author says the inspiration for this book came from the photo that is reproduced on the cover, of Jack and Jackie sharing a private moment. To Tripp, this photo says everything about their relationship, and her position is that Jackie knew about JFK's extramarital activities, but she also knew that he loved her more and that she could not help loving him. No one else can really know what goes on in a marriage, but this story gives as good a rendering as any I've read.

The prose style is lyrical and lovely, elevated and elegant like Jackie. It really is how I imagine her. I have read several of the books listed as source material, particularly Clint Hill's "Mrs. Kennedy and Me," and I can see how the author carefully and accurately conducted her research.

I also thought the tone toward Mr. Onassis was about right. I think it is clear that Jackie married him for security, believing, as she famously said, "It is open season on Kennedys in America." But her family disliked him, and his family seems to have disliked her. By the end of the book, toward the end of her life, she refers to him only as "the Greek."

Jackie's career as an editor is rendered well, as she continually says how much she enjoys the reading and the work, even up till she becomes too ill with cancer to do much. Her worldview, from a great height of privilege, is poetic and ladylike.

Caroline comes off best in the story. In some ways the novel is a love letter to sweet Caroline, cute as a child, cheerful and capable as an adult. That really was fine with me. I enjoyed this read. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review it.

Jackie offers a captivating insight into the innermost thoughts and emotions of a remarkable woman who reluctantly embraced the limelight, only to be haunted by tragedy before ultimately finding her true self. From the gripping opening scene to the very last page, Tripp's eloquent prose had me utterly enthralled, evoking a myriad of emotions that I struggled to contain.

In this poignant narrative, Tripp skillfully delves into the heart and soul of Jackie, a woman of profound intellect and contemplation. Reluctantly thrust into the public eye, she grapples with the weight of her own personal struggles and the relentless pursuit of the media. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Jackie's resilience shines through, as she gradually discovers her own identity and purpose.

Tripp's writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her words effortlessly transport the reader into Jackie's world, allowing us to experience her triumphs and tribulations with an intensity that is both captivating and deeply moving. Each sentence is meticulously crafted, painting vivid images and evoking a profound sense of empathy.

As I turned each page, I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster, unable to tear my eyes away from the profound journey unfolding before me. Tripp's ability to convey Jackie's complex emotions with such authenticity is truly remarkable. I was left in awe of the author's skill in capturing the essence of this extraordinary woman.

Jackie is a testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery. It is a poignant exploration of a woman who, despite the tragedies that befell her, managed to rise above adversity and carve her own path. Dawn Tripp's masterful storytelling and evocative prose make this a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of one of history's most enigmatic figures. Prepare to be captivated, moved, and inspired by this remarkable tale.

Jackie was an intriguing book from the first page. It took me a bit longer to get through this book because I kept putting it down to research some small aspect, event, or person mentioned in the novel. I learned that Dawn Tripp painted a pretty accurate picture of the former first lady and her life shortly before, during, and following JFK. After reading Jackie, I know I will go on to read more from Dawn Tripp. My interest is piqued and I will likely seek out more books, both historical fiction and nonfiction, about Jackie, the Kennedy Administration, and the 60's.

I wish the novel contained an afterward or even an Author's Note that went beyond the research sources. The ending felt abrupt. This book was a solid 4/5 stars for me and an enjoyable reading experience. Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for this ARC.

A BIG thank you to Net Galley, Random House and Dawn Tripp for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Jackie.. Reading this story was like stepping back in time walking down memory lane. The writing is beautiful, descriptive, deep and emotional. This story does more than just tell about the life of Jackie-it shows her love, happiness, heartbreak and despair. All of these feelings humanized the Kennedy relationships. Books were an important part of the story which was very heart warming. Jack and Jackie truly loved each other but didn't always play by the rules. I especially enjoyed how Jackie communicated with Jack in her mind even after his death. She shared with him current events, memories they had together, her thoughts and her regrets about the past. They lived a roller coaster life and I more than enjoyed the ride.

Enjoyable fictionalized biography of Jackie; I particularly liked the way it followed her before, during, and after the JFK years, as a person unto herself. The way Jack's thoughts were integrated (in italics) worked for me and provided a strong vision of his point of view. The final chapters where she is a grandmother shared relatively new information or at least new views on this aspect of her life with Caroline's children. This is a nice addition to a large body of similar work. It's style is unique enough that it was able to go over well-trod ground in a somewhat novel way.

The best kind of historical fiction! Deeply moving as we get a glimpse into the personal life of Jack and Jackie through Jackie's eyes. Absolutely fascinating. A breathtaking love.stort based on politics.

Wow. I wanted to broaden my genre horizon this year instead of just reading romance books & so I requested this book from NetGalley on a whim & I am SO glad I did. Growing up, I remember my mom always having a fascination with JFK & Jackie & the Kennedy family & I get why!

This novel is a retelling of Jackie Kennedy’s life through her point of view with a few short chapters that give you an insight into the internal thoughts of JFK. Obviously, nobody knows if certain thoughts & dialogue are accurate to what actually occurred. That being said, this novel felt so real, accurate, & insightful. I applaud the amount of time & research this book would have taken to write.

Of course, the plot of this book is already known by most. The fact that I knew what would happen yet was still unable to turn the page fast enough really cements the beauty captured by the writing.

The writing of this book was eloquent, artistic, emotional, heartbreaking, & descriptive. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has ever dealt with the pressures of being a woman, loss, or the pressure of being in a highly criticized position. I have a deep affection for Jackie after reading this book & although their relationship had its flaws, I truly feel as though Jackie & JFK’s relationship was based on a real love & admiration for one another.

I suggest everyone who isn’t afraid of shedding a tear or two while reading check this book out when it comes out on June 18.

“Jackie” by Dawn Tripp was an exceptional book which had me engrossed from the very first paragraph. It’s the story of Jackie Kennedy’s life and although I have read many other books about her, this one was unique because it was written in both Jackie and Jack Kennedys voice. It was so real I had to keep reminding myself this was not an autobiography. The authors extensive research gives us a fascinating picture of this very complex and intelligent woman as well as insights into Jack and the strength of his family. We are part of their journey from their courtship, wedding, the high times of the White House years, the assassination, her disastrous marriage to Onassis and finally her personal success as an editor, mother and grandmother. I so enjoyed the writing style of this book and look forward to reading the next book by this author. I highly recommend this novel and would be giving it more than 5 stars if I could!

Thank you NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mesmerizing. As a longtime Jackie fan I’ve read most books based on her life—nothing could compare to this.
Even the author’s note was beautifully written & illuminating.
Now looking forward to reading her last book about Georgia O’Keefe.

Written in beautiful, sparse language imbued with such feeling & emotion and evocative of time & place.
Richly captures Jackie's voice, character and passions.

With great thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this e-ARC!

Jackie by Dawn Tripp is an entertaining historical fiction that I enjoyed.

This novel is slightly different from some of the other novels involving the former First Lady in that it puts the infamous historical figure into a more personal and first-person perspective.

Using true events and weaving those into what Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis may have thought, felt, and experienced instantly makes things more real, raw, and brings us closer to the real person.

Enjoyed.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Random House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/18/24.