The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander takes us through her life starting in the roaring twenties. This is based on a true story. This book has many trials in it, however that should be expeced based on the title. I found it very interesting and enjoyable.

I thought The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander was a good book. I don't think it was necessarily five stars because the backstory was so heavy on how the main character and her husband met. There weren’t enough answers for me.

I was also really taken aback by how this woman fully believed that she was white and I feel like that should have been explored a little bit more. For it to be a central part of the story I don’t think the author dove or leaned into it enough. There weren’t any definitive answers about race. I think you saw how each family member took it differently but I thought it would’ve added to the story to actually explore that.


I spent the majority of the story thinking Alice was dumb, naive, bitter and annoying. By the end I actually pitied her a little bit. The trial bits were entertaining. Overall I liked the book and it inspired me to go down the rabbit hole of the real trial. I just think this story could’ve been more fleshed out.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was fascinated with this storyline. I found myself looking into the case and reviewing the parallels between this book. The story explores identity, class, and race. It was interesting to me that Alice truly didn’t identify as black. The author did a great job of showing the love between Alice and Kip. As the book progressed I felt the sadness, anger, and at moments rage for all the relationship took from her.

I wish the author could have given more time to the end of the storyline. However, I loved that the epilogue gave insight to several outcomes in the characters lives. I particularly enjoyed her headstone!

Once again, this author shows why she is such a great writer. I regret not reading my arc sooner but also not because I got to be in a good headspace to take on Mrs.Rhinelander’s story. It reminds me of the types of books I read in my Black womens writers class in college. Stories of these women who weren’t cookie cutter perfect. They were flawed and sometimes did things that frustrated me to no end because they’re human. This book put me through lots of emotions. One minute I was excited and engaged, one minute annoyed and angry at both Lenny and Alice. Sometimes I was sad that she was so hung up on him and sometimes frustrated that the book would slow down and talk about mundane things. On the one hand I think it was a tad bit too long of mundane nonsense scenes. However, I also got that life is like that’d high highs and then low lows. So when stuff wouldn’t happen and we would see Alice’s mind cracking, it broke my heart. Just like her Wild women’s blues book, I felt Roberta’s povs was kinda boring. However, it also helped move the story so that I wouldn’t get bored with all the action and I liked that I never had to wonder what happened to her at the end. We got to see how Alice lived in her youth and when she was older. Though I wish the trial ended differently, I’m glad she found some form of happiness at the end. I’m hope Lenny burned in Hell where he belongs and his father. I also want to say that I appreciated this author’s “Author note” about how she researched for this book. You can tell from all the details and nuances of the characters that she wanted to make sure the story was told in a respectful yet gripping way. I really enjoy this writer’s books. Though it took a bit longer, no one can deny that this author is super talented. Reading from her feels like a treat that I hope many people will give a try. This is the kind of writing that should be going viral on Booktok and Booktube! Absolutely loved her book once again. Highly recommend for fans of “Sparkle” and or “The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo”

In 1924 New York, Alice falls in love with Lenny Rhinelander. She is from a working-class family, with her parents originally from England and Jamica. However, Lenny's family is upper class and part of elite society. When they secretly date and then marry, his family is none too happy. They control him and force him to divorce her on the grounds of her having "at least one drop of Negro blood." Alice and her family do not identify as black, but that doesn't stop the Rhinelander's from waging a war against her in the courtroom and in the media.

I loved the premise of this book, and it was well written, but it was pretty slow paced and felt somewhat repetitive. If you wanted a book like The Vanishing Half but as a historical fiction, this book might be for you. Interesting and unique premise; maybe not my favorite book ever but I liked the time period and the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

A fascinating historical fiction novel based on a real life scandal. The story is about a secret interracial marriage and a sensational court battle over race and class. I liked the writing which I thought was insightful and captured the prejudices of the time. The characters were well drawn, however I did not much care for Alice. and therefore did not engage with her.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Kensington books and netgalley for providing me an arc. I read a previous book by Denny S, Bryce and loved it so I searched out her other books and I found this new release. This book was enjoyable to read about something that I wasn't aware of. like racial injustice that takes place in the roaring 20s. Alice marries Kip a rich family and later learns that Alice is black and cannot be justified, being married to a white gentlemen. At the end I learned this was based on a true story. This book was captivating and kept my interest it was hard to put down.
I cant wait to read another book by this author.

Ever since hearing that Bryce was writing this book, I have been eagerly awaiting it and it did not disappoint! It is so much more than a story about a white passing woman and her divorce trial. It's a story of family, of love, of sisterhood. It is delightfully complex and Bryce's voice is compelling. Do yourself a favour and give this one a read.

This was an entire soap opera.1925. An immigrant family. A high society family of New York. There is a romance. There is conflict There is a trial. There is drama.

In this country a persons race is defined very differently than it is in other parts of the world. A persons class will also dictate acceptance. This is a complex story of how love has no value if there is a question of race or class. This is a story of race in America. This a story of how family can divide and conquer. I enjoyed this book it was like watching a soap opera. The writing gave you a glimpse into how other countries / immigrants see race, color, and nationality. Love is not enough for this couple.

Could you imagine falling in love and never meeting the family of the person who has asked you to marry them? Could you marry a man that desires something more than you? Alice only had one thought, she was in love. Everything else that happens to her was because she did not think about her relationship outside of the moment she was in. Also her insistent on her identity was annoying I had to keep reminding myself that she was from an immigrant family, this is what adds to the complexity of the story and why she is navigating this marriage and trial the way she does. There is not enough love on this earth for me to endure some of the humiliation she did to “prove” (or disprove depending on who’s asking) her racial identity.
Historical fiction is my jam I and enjoyed this book, even though there were parts that moved slowly.

Interracial Marriage Scandal in 1920s

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce is a historical novel based on the real-life scandal of Alice Beatrice Jones Rhinelander and her tumultuous relationship with Leonard "Kip" Rhinelander. Set in the 1920s, the story revolves around Alice, born to English immigrants, who falls in love with Kip, the shy heir to a prominent real estate fortune. Their secret marriage faces immense challenges as Kip's wealthy family threatens his inheritance unless he annuls the marriage. The novel delves into their legal battles, centred around accusations of racial passing, as Alice, though appearing white, has mixed heritage.

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce is a powerful and engaging historical novel that sheds light on issues of race, class, and identity. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those interested in the complexities of social justice. Bryce's masterful storytelling ensures that this book will leave a lasting impression on its readers.

As always Ms. Bryce picks an intriguing person to write a novel about and Alice definitely has a story. What she did well is show how we can see ourselves and how others see us and how that affects our perspective.

I have been waiting for a book that told the Rhinelander trial through the lens of Alice Rhinelander. Bryce definitely delivered.

Alice Rhinelander was a working class woman who made the mistake of falling in love and marrying a member of the New York 400. Two months into their marriage, Alice’s husband Kip sued for an annulment claiming Alice lied about being white.

The twist? Mixed race Alice believed she was white. Her family were from England where the 1% rule didn’t exist.

The annulment hearing and scandal dominated the press for weeks.

Bryce tells me the story through three lenses: Alice, Alice’s niece Roberta, and a black female reporter. All three storylines are interesting but make no mistake, this is Alice’s story all the way. In Bryce’s hands she’s equal parts innocent and bitter. Deeply in love but angry as can be.

A marvelous story that touched on personal identity and the experience of black woman in the 1920s. Loved it.

I have been listening to the audio version of this book .i am not sure if this is the narrator but the story seems to drag on. I will try again by reading the book myself to see if my opinion changes

This was an interesting story based on real life events that I had never heard about. I thought the author did a great job of bringing the people and time alive in the book.

This was quite the story and I can't imagine having to go through what Alice did. She certainly faced a trial that was more than just in a courtroom. Having her identity and race questioned had to take a toll on her and I can see why she became the way she was.

The author tells this story well and my interest was kept throughout. This was a quick read for me as I wanted to know what was going to happen to these characters and I enjoyed the way the story was told in a dual timeline.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

I like this one it was a different type of historical fiction focusing on resilience and social justice and racial equality. A story that deserves to be told .
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

When I finished this novel, I felt confused and uncomfortable. Even sort of depressed. I wanted Alice to move on after it seemed obvious that Lenny wasn’t going to return to her. I thought I should have sympathized with Alice, but I really never liked her. I felt uncomfortable from reading the graphic details of the trial. And I was depressed because it was a sad story of a naïve young woman who was obsessed with a man who claimed to love her, but ultimately was unable to break from his father’s control.

The novel alternated between time periods: from the point of view of Alice in the 1920s, and her niece Roberta in the 1940s. The back and forth between the two women’s points of view was also confusing and a bit unclear at times.

Ultimately this was a novel of racism. Alice and her family thought they were white because she and her sisters looked as white as their white mother. But the 1920s court decreed she was Black because her father, a mixed-race Jamaican, was considered Black.

The author spent an amazing amount of time researching the details of this real-life scandal and I appreciated the historical value. But the information became somewhat repetitive and after a while didn’t provide new insights. The trial seemed to go on way too long and was painful for the entire Jones family, not just Alice. It was painful for me, too.

In summary, it was a sad story of a young woman with working-class parents whose life was ruined by her obsessive love affair with a man from a wealthy, powerful family. The attraction to me was that this was based on real people and a true scandal, with all the attitudes and behaviors of the time period. Some people enjoyed this story more than I did. For me, reading Alice’s story often felt like reading an article in The National Enquirer or People Magazine, voyeuristic and intrusive.

No spoilers:
This is one of the most captivating and moving books I’ve read in the past couple of years.
The story of a young servant courted by the son of a wealthy New York family hooked me. There’s an immediacy and authenticity to her voice.

Weaving together the events relevant to the Rhinelander trial with the perspective of the niece working for a newspaper two decades later worked beautifully. There’s a good balance of history and suspense. I was enthralled by the spirit of this woman treated as an outsider in a love affair with a Top-400 aristocrat.

The novel gives an intimate window into the lives of a couple in love who outraged bigots. The social pressures, family reactions, and inflammatory news frenzy add to the impact.

It's a fast-paced story that delivers its context through events. The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander illuminates the social and economic changes in the US during the 20s and beyond, particularly the anxieties, exaggerations, and prejudices related to race, class, and immigration. Beyond that, it’s the story of a woman's courage.

Bryce brought a challenging era of history to life in a masterful novel that celebrates the strong women it depicts. It’s a heart-stirring and entertaining book that demonstrates the power of talented storytelling. The novel shows some difficult, painful, and disturbing things, yet is so spellbinding, it doesn’t become depressing. I remained so immersed in the multi-faceted story, that it carried me along through a full range of emotions. The characters are so fully realized, I felt everything. The richness and beauty of it left me feeling good.

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander stands out as an extraordinary, powerful book. Reading it for a second time in ebook form after experiencing the audiobook, it still gave me chills. I’m in awe of Bryce’s achievement.

I recommend this novel for general readers as well as for those interested in historical fiction. You don’t have to have a background in this era to follow the story. This book is terrifically satisfying.

Some readers might want to know that there are spicy scenes. They’re well-written and relevant. Sensitive material is handled with great skill. Brava.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC for consideration. These are my opinions.

In 1924 Alice born to immigrant parents always considered herself white, despite the fact that her father was of Jamaican origin. This whiteness was always emphasized by her mother. Meeting Kip Rhinelander, and marrying him was bold by society’s standards especially since Kips family never ever would accept the marriage and were determined that the couple should divorce.

The marriage, the scandal and the tumultuous divorce that followed is a true story. It showed the sheer determination of the Rhinelander family to disassociate themselves from Alice Jones, and no amount of lawyers or court rulings were going to sway them. It did not help that Kip himself was weak, did not know how to live as a working man, nor could he stand up to his family. The Rhinelanders were overwhelming.
The conflict went on even after Kips death because his wife was determined to fight tooth and nail against any settlement, however meager to his ex wife.

The story outlined how weighted the system was against anyone not white, and the damage and emotional stress that the entire Jones family underwent during Alice’s ordeal. The story is told in two timelines when Alice’s niece takes up the narrative in 1941.

Recurring themes prevalent in society today of racism and bigotry amply spoken of in this story.

Denny Bryce tackles racism, classism, and passing in her new novel, drawing inspiration from the sensational early 20th-century Rhinelander trial. Alice Beatrice Jones and her sisters, Gracie and Emily, have been raised white, although their father has some watered-down West Indian blood. Emily marries a Black man and opts for ‘Negro’ on her marriage certificate. Alice’s love affair with, and secret marriage to, Lenny ‘Kip’ Rhinelander releases devastating retaliatory spite from blue-blood millionaire patriarch, Philip Rhinelander, not least because Alice has proclaimed herself white.

In 1940, a feisty young assistant at the NY Amsterdam News, Roberta Brooks, is chasing her big break. It comes when the editor discovers she is Alice’s niece when her aunt won’t talk to the newspaper. Roberta’s family are estranged from Alice, blaming her for all the misery she caused, most prominently her firm denial of any Black heritage and the media circus that denial unleashed in the ´20s. As it happens, Alice won’t talk to Roberta either, but with Philip Rhinelander’s death, her allowance is abruptly severed by Lenny’s sister, Adelaide. The more Alice seethes at Adelaide’s vindictive treatment, the more she lets go of the heartbreaking story she has previously refused to tell.

Bryce’s artistic flair in intertwining historical stories with fiction is on show here. No wonder this story grabbed headlines! What begins as a fairytale romance quickly becomes sordid manipulation, humiliation, shame, and inevitably, the ‘one drop’ law (although events could be seen as Alice playing the race card in reverse). One drop of Black ancestry, and you were labelled ‘Negro’ the moment you stepped off the boat. This novel based upon Rhinelander v. Rhinelander is a gripping read, as any sensational story of private celebrity lives always has been. Another gem about race, discrimination, and entitled arrogance from Bryce’s expert hand.

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander” is a significant novel that illuminates a lesser-known historical event. Bryce’s storytelling is both engaging and educational, making it an essential read for enthusiasts of historical fiction. The book’s examination of race, identity, and social justice is both timely and pertinent, resonating with modern readers.

'The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander” is highly recommended for those interested in historical fiction, social justice, and narratives of resilience and determination. Denny S. Bryce has created a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.