Real life heiress Aimee Crocker led a life few of us would believe. Always traveling the world and seeking answers through fortune tellers, mystics, and palm readers, Aimee often created a scandal wherever she went. Set in the 1880’s, her ability to overcome difficulties and seek love over and over again, makes her a heroine of the time period. Although on the outside, Aimee appears to be happy, inside there was often turmoil, even from a very young age. Set to be released in August of 2024, this book is a 5-start read for me. Greer Macallister’s writing never disappoints. She weaves a tale with beautiful prose and a story that lures you in from the very beginning. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC for an honest review.

The Thirteenth Husband is based on real-life heiress Aimee Crocker (1864-1941).

Her father’s sudden death bestowed her with ten million dollars which she used to have a very lavish life full of adventure and carelessness.

Seeing her parent’s business-like marriage, she craved romantic love. Her first marriage was before she turned twenty. The woes of her first husband ended very quickly and as the marriage was slipping out she was desperate to keep it together at first, then she asked for divorce. At which she became very proficient.

At first, the title seems misleading as she didn’t marry thirteen times. It is explained within the story what the number thirteen really meant and what would happen then.

The only strong trait about her that I can conclude from her life was her having guts to divorce during her time, and with her status it was heavily publicized. She was constantly in the spotlight which one might argue that she actually might have enjoyed it despite the criticism.

For those who enjoy reading about high lives of others this might be an enjoyable and entertaining read. In this regard, it is written well.

My problem with this story is that it’s one of those stories that leaves me questioning what was the point of telling the story of such frivolous person.

Over all good book. Not what I expected but a good easy read. I would recommend this book to a friend.

This book had an interesting concept and failed in the execution. First off she didn’t marry 13 husbands, secondly most of the time this was written to explain what had happened instead of showing it. The main character was unlikeable and tough to root for in any of the situations she got herself in to.

Greer Macallister did a fabulous job in bringing Aimee to life. I was fascinated with her life. A definite must read.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher

All thoughts and opinions are my own

"The Thirteenth Husband" by Greer Macallister is a captivating and enchanting historical fiction novel that transports readers to a world of mystery, magic, and romance. Macallister, known for her evocative storytelling and vivid imagination, delivers a spellbinding narrative that combines elements of fairy tale and folklore with richly drawn characters and a gripping plot.

One of the most captivating aspects of "The Thirteenth Husband" is its protagonist, Alva Webster. As a fiercely independent woman with a keen intellect and a thirst for adventure, Alva is a heroine who defies convention and challenges expectations at every turn. Readers will find themselves drawn to her strength, courage, and determination as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

Macallister's writing style is lyrical and immersive, with lush descriptions and atmospheric prose that bring the world of 19th-century New York City to life. From the opulent mansions of the Upper East Side to the seedy underworld of the Bowery, Macallister's attention to detail and vivid storytelling transport readers to a bygone era filled with intrigue and danger. Her ability to weave together historical fact with imaginative fiction creates a narrative that is both captivating and immersive.

Moreover, "The Thirteenth Husband" is not just a historical romance—it's also a compelling mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Macallister masterfully intertwines multiple storylines, each one adding depth and complexity to the overall plot. As Alva delves deeper into the mystery surrounding her late husband's death, she uncovers dark secrets and hidden truths that threaten to unravel the fabric of society, making for a thrilling and satisfying read.

The novel is also notable for its richly drawn supporting characters and intricate world-building. Macallister populates her novel with a colorful cast of characters, each one with their own motivations and desires. From the enigmatic magician to the scheming socialite, every character adds depth and richness to the story, creating a tapestry of intrigue and suspense that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

In conclusion, "The Thirteenth Husband" by Greer Macallister is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery novels. With its engaging characters, lush prose, and gripping plot, it's a book that will transport readers to another time and place and leave them eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Macallister has crafted a captivating and unforgettable novel that is sure to delight readers of all ages.

3.5 (round up to 4)/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Huge shout out to @bookmarked and @netgalley for the early access to The Thirteenth Husband. Historical fiction based on a real woman from history, reminiscent of Evelyn Hugo meets the 1900's and im here for it!

"A scandalous tell-all narrated by the glamorous Aimee Crocker. The novel details everything from her mischievous days in German finishing school to dinners with Hawaiian royalty to lavish Astor parties in Manhattan, but behind Aimee’s public notoriety, there’s private pain."

I love Aimee's spirit and how she lived in a world that wasn't quite ready for her. If you love historical fiction, please check it out.

Publishes on August 6th🎉

The book is based on a real woman from History. And the fact is that Aimée Crocker and I share the birth month and date. Our birth date is same, It’s 5th December.

So the book is fascinating and poignant. I liked Aimée’s personality and how she decided her worth. Despite what people said about her, she stayed firm on her decisions. She is a strong woman yet she had a painful past. At young age, her father died. In teenage she married her first husband. Then she becomes a divorce in her early twenties. She married her each husband for love but either she divorced them or they were separated or some of them died. Public scandals and tragedy engulfed her. The woman in white never left her side. The spanish fortune teller’s prophecy somehow became her destiny. The prophecy was that her thirteenth husband would bury her. And the fear got embedded in her mind. After her father’s death, the woman in white also kept haunting her. The author has brilliantly portrayed Aimee’s fears and insecurities and each emotion she has been through.

I am deeply touched by Aimee Crocker’s character and destiny. But there is no escape from one’s destiny. Though she was a real life heiress. I loved the description of India and buddhism and Paris as well in this book. I am so glad I read this book. I liked the author’s effort to bring Aimee’s life in light and did justice with it.

Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley

Thank you for letting me read this ARC of Greer Macallister's new book. It was an interesting read, but I found myself losing interest at the beginning of the book and having a hard time getting through the story. It was interesting enough to finish, but I wasn't blown away by it.
It fell short for me.

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and Greer Macallister for this advance copy... what a fascinating life to read along with!

One Line Review: Aimée Crocker lived a life of rich adventure, travelling the world to discover herself… and in that process finding a few husbands along the way. But will the mysterious woman in white she sees throughout her lifetime bring her bright hopes or dark omens for the future?

Synopsis: Aimée (b1864-d1941) was born into wealth, choosing to live a life that went fully against the grain for that era. She was the epitome of bohemian woman, a term just simply not used in the time. She drank, traveled the world, had passionate affairs, dabbled in the occult, and truly seemed to live her life discovering who she was. And if society is going to fabricate things about you, why not profit from it, write a few stories about it, and redirect your narrative a little bit along the way??

This was such a poignant reminder that no matter who may come and go in your life, YOU are your own soulmate… The only one that can truly know, love, and complete wholly, no matter who might try to take pieces from you along the way… Fight for yourself, and who you are.

My Thoughts: I just want to be more like Aimée Crocker (Ashe Gillig Gouraud Miskinoff, Princess Galitzine, Countess Ostermann…) Okay okay, maybe with a few less last names but she really does live an incredible life with no cares as to who might be watching! Getting the chance to read further into Amiee Crocker’s life was such an adventure.

There is so much happening that I had to google and sit in awe of, saying to myself, “that really happened!” I will absolutely be reaching for more from Greer, their writing style is right where I want to be! If you do read this, MAKE SURE you read the author’s note!! That’s all I am going to say!

3,5 stars!
First of all, thank you so much to NetGalley, Greer Macallister and the publisher for this ARC,

For fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (who was based on Elizabeth Taylor’s life and husbands), this is the Aimée Crocker version. She wasn’t a world renowned actress, but she was SO ahead of her time, rebellious and had the most interesting life. I would say this even if it was a modern story, but god, she was born in the 1800s. Really fascinating knowing that pretty much everything in this book was directly taken from (aimée’s rendition of) real life.
For me, I think my «lower» rating is just because I wasn’t in the most historical fiction mood when reading this, but still really liked it:)

I was so so into this book the first 60% and then it just got kinda weird. Really interesting main character though and loved how the author weaved in pieces from her actual book.

I received a free advanced copy through NetGalley. I was intrigued and interested in Aimee Crocker at the beginning of the book but the last third of the book felt as if it was just a checklist to get to the meaning of the prophecy. I usually enjoy books with a bit of mysticism and again at the beginning I was fascinated by the experiences being described but by the end I tired of them. The best thing about this book is the character. She was a real woman and it was fascinating to read about her willingness to thumb her nose at the constraints of society and the author’s note at the end indicates there was possibly even more to tell. I just wish it had been fleshed out a bit differently.

A little bit hard to get in to do the book starting in the middle of the story and telling it backwards. A cute concept with an interesting twist on a historical fiction type of book.

THE THIRTEENTH HUSBAND is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you finish it. Inspired by the wild-but-true life of American heiress Aimée Crocker, who inherited ten million dollars as a child (around $266,485,000 today, according to Ye Olde Wikipedia), this book is far more than exceptionally well-written bio histfic. At its heart, THE THIRTEENTH HUSBAND is the gothic tale of a woman trying to outrun fate by any means possible: alcohol, sex, religion, magick, shopping, and yes, husbands. It sticks its landing with a fabulously eerie ending that I didn't see coming. Plus it has tarot! Highly recommended.

A compulsively readable story based on real-life heiress Aimee Crocker, who stunned the 1800s world with her scandalous lifestyle and unluckily numbered husbands. A gem!

Book started off great. Always had me wondering how her life would play out and who the thirteen husbands would be. However as I read on I lost steam with the book and my interest diminished. A lot of the “super natural” aspects of spirits/souls were lost on me.

Aimee Crocker is born into an affluent family in California during the late 1800s; however, when she is ten years old, tragedy strikes for the first time as her father dies in the night. From then on, Aimee is haunted by a mysterious woman in white who appears to her before every subsequent life-changing moment. But the woman in white is not the only haunting in Aimee's life. During her travels, she visits a mystic who predicts that her thirteenth husband will be the one who buries her, and this statement haunts her even as she continues to wed and divorce a series of men.

Aimee is the very definition of bohemia. During her first marriage, she learns to ignore societies criticisms and taunts about her lifestyle. She was never a "proper" woman, which the reader is reminded of through her mother's quips, her sister, Jennie's perfectly complacent life, and the newspaper's coverage of her antics. This never prevents Aimee from speaking her mind or engaging in activities others would find scandalous. Greer Macallister masterfully crafts the portrait of Aimee by exposing her fears and insecurities in contrast with her bold and rebellious nature. While it may be difficult to believe some of the outlandish stories of Aimee's life, Macallister makes her remarkably human.

Macallister writes this novel as if it is Aimee speaking to an unidentified individual, divulging her life story to the reader and this mysterious "you". Each chapter opens with a quote from the real Aimee Crocker's memoir And I'd Do It Again, which layers in the human aspect of a remarkable woman and invites the reader to feel as though they are sitting down and listening to Aimee reflect on her story. In the end, it is revealed who the "you" is and that reveal alone is enough for me to recommend this book.

I want to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys novels about fierce women. Macallister paints an inspiring portrait of Aimee Crocker. She investigates what it means to love and also feel pain. One of my favorite lines in the book is "Love's arrow had struck, and I was helpless against it, pierced to the core". Love is such a beautiful emotion, but is often described with language of pain, such as in this quote, reminding us that hurt and love can exist at once and to feel those things are what make us human.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Aimee Crocker was a wife at 17, a mother at 19, and divorced at 23 years of age.
She inherited a fortune at the age of ten years old when her father passed.
A fortuneteller in Spain told her that her 13th husband would bury her. She had many relationships, including a German prince and Spanish Torador.
You know what they say Truth is stranger than fiction.
I just couldn’t believe the life that she had. I had to google and find out if this was true, and I found out she was a real person.
According to Wikipedia, “Aimee Crocker was a mystic, Bohemian and author. She was known for her cultural explorations to the Far East, for her extravagant parties, and her collections of husbands and lovers.”
Amy will take you on a journey across many continents and many husbands and relationships.
This is a very interesting book. Amy was a very strong woman, and knew what she wanted.
Greer Macallister did a fabulous job in bringing Aimee to life. I have read The Arctic Fury by her and was interested to read this book. Of course this book is part fiction part based on facts.
It was a very enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC .

The Thirteenth Husband is about Aimee Crocker and her unbelievably interesting life. I knew nothing about Aimee Crocker before this book, and wow! Definitely a woman before her time. I honestly couldn't believe that so much of this was true.

It took me a little bit to get into this book, but about half-way through I was hooked. It is very well written. Aimee wasn't always a likeable protagonist, but all the twists and turns of her life were fun to read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!