Macallister’s engaging and descriptive writing style, combined with a blend of historical detail and fictional drama, brings Aimee’s story to life. Told from Aimee’s perspective, the narrative offers a mix of public scandal and private pain, making it a compelling read about a strong, independent woman navigating a life filled with adventure, wealth, and mystery.
The Thirteenth Husband is a glorious part-fictionalization, part-biography about Aimee Crocker who was a trailblazer in the late 1800s. I thought Aimee was such a spitfire really paving the way for women to define their lives without a man. I adored this historical fiction story and got lost in Google after I was finished looking up more about Aimee.

The Thirteenth Husband is actually based on a real person - Aimee Crocker. She inherited a fortune when her father passed away and truly lived life to the fullest! She went where she wanted to go, did what she wanted to do, married many times and didn't care what anyone thought of her and her outlandish behavior. But there were many sides to this remarkable woman - good and bad - and I really enjoyed learning all about it!

The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister is the story of Aimee Crocker, one of the heirs to the Crocker empire. She was ten years old when her father died and she inherited 10 million dollars. That amount of money is mind boggling and at such a young age will ultimately change the trajectory of her life. We hear about her young mischievous ways at boarding school in Germany. We hear about the tension between her and her sister. Two completely different woman with different views on how to be a Crocker. Her relationship with her mother and how special that was and then her adult life. Her first marriage and the relationships that followed. Aimee Crocker was clearly a very different woman of her time. I love a good historical story but this one just fell short for me. It read more like a list of her life. It was just a run through and it was a bit boring. Even with her fiery behavior, this book just fell flat. I kept reading because, I wanted to know how her life ended. She spent millions of dollars, traveled the world and still she was so unhappy. But this really wasn’t the book for me. I want to thank Netgalley and the author for my copy for an honest review. It is always a pleasure to read and review books.

Tearing through millions of dollars, four continents, and a hearty collection of husbands, real-life heiress Aimee Crocker blazed an unbelievable trail of public notoriety, private pain, and the kind of strong independent woman the 1880s had never seen. Her life was stranger than fiction and brighter than the stars, and she whirled through her days as if she was being chased by something larger than herself. Greer Macallister brilliantly takes us into her world and spins a tale that you won't soon forget.

I loved it.

The protagonist is too spoiled. And the jumping around from husband to husband in the chronology is unnecessary. It feels like Macallister was throwing spaghetti at the wall to see if that would make her character enticing. I DNF'd around 20%.

3.5 stars

Imagine being the Paris Hilton of your time but during the late 1800’s into the next century. Aimee, who became an heiress in childhood, married young at 17 and was divorced by her early 20’s. A divorcée at that time was unheard of, especially when the woman initiated it, but Aimee always marched to her own beat. She was unapologetic about her adventures and her love life, experiencing the kind of freedom other women were jealous of and secretly dreamed of, but could never have at that time. Her free-spirited nature took her from her hometown of San Francisco to New York, and then to Hawaii, Japan, India, and France. Nothing slowed her down, and the gossip rags loved her for it.

Aimee’s life is fascinating, and I appreciated the factual details Macallister included in her story. She was curious and open to everything. She wasn’t exactly a social pioneer, however, her steadfast pursuit of happiness on her own terms during a time when women still had limited agency over themselves is inspirational. The title is a tad misleading as there weren’t 13 husbands but you’ll get your read for yourself where that comes from.

Highlights:
* Historical fiction, based on a true story
* Strongminded heroine
* International settings

I’m glad I was introduced to Aimee, and her own self-discovery and adventures.

Thanks again @bookmarked for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ever wonder what you would do if you had unlimited funds, didn't care what society dictated and married whoever you wanted? Meet the real life heiress Aimee Cocker who lived in the late 1800's Gilded Age. It's an easy read and told by Aimee herself. She was quite a character and there are quotes from her 1936 memoir. By why 13 husbands? She will tell you. During important events in her life an apparition appears. She is involved with fortune tellers and psychics which were very popular. She is an interesting person and led a very interesting life which is brought to our attention by a gifted story teller Greer Macallister.

Book Review: The Thirteenth Husband: A Novel by Greer Macallister
Rating: 4 Stars

The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister is a fascinating fictionalized account of the wildly unconventional life of Aimee Crocker. Before picking up this novel, I knew nothing about Crocker, but her extraordinary life immediately captivated me. Macallister weaves a compelling narrative that stays true to the spirit of Crocker’s adventures, and it was incredible to discover how many of the events were rooted in reality.

This novel is perfect for fans of historical fiction and stories about bold, independent women who defied societal expectations. Macallister brings Aimee’s world to life with rich historical detail, portraying her as a vibrant, fearless protagonist. While the narrative’s complexity might feel challenging at times, it ultimately adds to the layered portrayal of Crocker’s life and legacy. Overall, The Thirteenth Husband is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that invites readers to explore the life of an extraordinary woman who truly lived on her own terms.

Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks | Landmark and Greer Macallister for free e-ARC of The Thirteenth Husband in return of my honest review.

I was genuinely looking forward to this book, but I ultimately found myself frustrated and disappointed. From the outset, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had read this story before—too many similarities to "Evelyn" made it difficult for me to engage with the narrative on its own merits.

The plot felt derivative, recycling themes and character arcs that were already well-explored in "Evelyn." It was as if the author was relying heavily on familiar tropes without bringing anything new or innovative to the table. Instead of feeling fresh and original, the story felt like a rehash of the same old ideas, which left me disinterested and disengaged.

The characters, while initially intriguing, lacked depth and development. They mirrored those in "Evelyn" so closely that I found it hard to differentiate them or invest emotionally in their journeys. I kept expecting a twist or a unique perspective that would set this book apart, but it never came.

Overall, I was left feeling let down by a book that had the potential to be something special.

The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister is a historical fiction novel based on the life of wealthy, eccentric heiress Aimee Crocker.
Born in 1864, Aimee inherited a fortune at age 10, after her father’s sudden passing. At odds with her mother, Aimee spends her teens in Europe and thus begins a colorful life full of adventure, travel, and notoriety. She experienced many romances along the way, but real love was elusive. While she had more independence and freedom than most women of her time, she experienced grief and persistent tragedy, as well.
I enjoyed reading about this Bohemian woman whose life spanned a time that included several wars, epidemics, and innovation. Her eclectic acquaintances and lover/husbands added to the interest and drama of her tale.
The story is told by Aimee, and includes many quotes from her 1936 memoir, “And I’d Do It Again.” The novel’s use of her first person voice is very effective, revealing her sharp observations about life, love and colorful locales. Macallister’s bright sassy prose perfectly compliments Aimee’s character.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy well-written stories about not-very-well-known characters who are worth getting to know.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This was a fun historical fiction read about a very wealthy woman who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s who was much less conventional than her family or society would like. She travelled widely, lived wildly, and loved, let’s say more than one man during her lifetime. The author includes a note at the end about the facts and fiction of it.

This story was based on the true life of a socialite from the 1920s, which certainly is an interesting premise. Going into this book I thought perhaps this was going to be a Liz Taylor meets Evelyn Hugo vibe, and it started off that way. However, halfway through the book, when we're still on husband number 2 or 3, I was starting to wonder how there would be time to tell the story of all thirteen husbands, especially since there is a dark premonition associated with husband number thirteen. But here's the thing... there weren't thirteen husbands. For a book entitled The Thirteenth Husband, there were only something like 5 actual husbands. The author explains this discrepancy away towards the end of the book by saying affairs of the heart are also considered husbands, and counts up the MC's lovers (both significant and insignificant in the novel) so they equal thirteen. I mean, it's OK I guess but if I'm reading a book entitled The Thirteenth Husbands, I want thirteen husbands or at minimum thirteen fully fleshed out love stories. Aside from that, it was an interesting read about a young heiress who grows into herself over time, however I couldn't come back from the fact that my expectations were let down by the misleading title.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC of the novel. I had not heard of Aimee Crocker prior to seeing this book on NetGalley but she is a fascinating figure. The second person being addressed throughout the book was a mystery to me and I did enjoy that conceit. It was also a very quick read for me because Aimee was a good narrator and she kept the audience engaged. I was not expecting a lot out of this book and I definitely held off on reading for quite a while but I am glad I have it a chance. 3.75 stars.

The Thirteenth Husband is a super interesting and thought-provoking read. Macallister’s take on Aimee Crocker is both inspiring and fun, making this a book that sticks with you long after you’ve finished it. The mix of history, mysticism, and personal drama makes for a unique and memorable read.

I’d totally recommend The Thirteenth Husband to anyone who loves historical fiction or stories about strong, unconventional women. The book’s rich historical backdrop and compelling main character make it a standout read that’s both informative and enjoyable

Such an engaging and well-crafted novel that takes readers on a fascinating journey. The story is rich with historical detail and features a strong, intriguing protagonist. Macallister’s writing is both vivid and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the narrative. This book is a great pick for anyone who loves historical fiction and stories about resilient, unconventional characters.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story based on a real life heiress named Aimee Crocker. She was a multi-millionaire heiress of the late 1800s who refused to play by the rules. I normally love historical fiction but this did not hold my appeal like I wanted. Although well written, I got bored with all of her relationship issues. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Based on a true story about a glamorous and notorious elite New York woman, readers explore Aimee Crocker’s incredible life in New York, her travels around the world, and her thirteen husbands. While her life seems beautiful -- friendships with royalty around the world, jewels, adventure, art, and wealth beyond imagining -- Aimee is lonely, isolated, and constantly afraid of the death that her thirteenth husband will bring into her life. With the Woman in White shadowing her through her triumphs and tragedies, Aimee Crocker manages to live the high life, accompanied by scandal, tragedy, and a total rejection of societal norms. Greer Macallister has woven so many threads, names, events, and adventures into this novel that readers will not know what to expect (except for thirteen husbands). Aimee is a fascinatingly complex character; though she narrates the entire novel in a tell-all style, readers get the feeling that they don’t understand everything happening in her life -- and that she doesn’t know either. The many settings and characters from this novel are enchantingly brought to life in incredible detail, and everyone manages to have a distinct personality. A fascinating, complex, and chaotic narrative, fans of Gilded Age historical fiction will love exploring Aimee Crocker’s life.

I originally expected this book to be more like the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but it took me by surprise with it's deeper focus on historical fiction. The pacing was strong and kept me engaged even though it ended up being a book I typically wouldn't pick up.

I’ve never heard of Aimee Crocker until this book fell into my hand so I had no idea what a wild ride her life was. And I knew this was a fictionalized account of her life and adventures but once I finished reading, I looked up more stuff about her and was surprised by how many things were based on real events!

Aimee was an unintentional celebrity - a combination of her huge inheritance and her unconventional, strong willed ways made the media and public obsessed with her. I love that she used her money to travel and be independent in ways that were unheard of for a woman at that time! This story was filled with scandals, love, lust, heartbreak, tragedies, adventures and a touch of supernatural! I was thoroughly entertained, loved how vastly different men in her life were and most of all I loved how it all connected!

This one will appeal even to readers who don’t usually go for historical fiction, it really has a wide appeal.

A huge thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a very slow book for met was unableto fully catch my interest. This will be perfect for someone else though.