This started out so slow with the scene setting in Paris that I switched to the audiobook. That didn’t help. It took forever to set the scene and then about halfway though, it’s like another book started, as if the author was told to pick it up and espionage is thrown in to liven it up. But by then, I’d lost interest in the story. It didn’t help that several common French words were mispronounced throughout and it grated on my nerves. It seems nitpicky but could they not find someone who could pronounce monsieur correctly? This will be of interest to those who like fashion and are into the slow burn of spy work in France. It didn’t work for me.

A fascinating book set in the 1960's with an intriguing main character. Mia has no idea what's in store for her when she snares a one way ticket to Paris and a modelling job with the House of Rousseau. Mia takes a chance on what turns out to be life-changing decision and quickly discovers there is more than fashion and glamour at stake. It's the Cold War and she finds herself caught up in situations that are far beyond her experience. Clever and resouorceful she finds herself caught up in espionage in a fabulous Parisienne setting. Highly recommend. Fascinating plot and layered, complex characters.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC of The Kennedy Girl! All opinions in this review are my own.

Although the pace is a bit slow, the adventure Mia has in Paris makes up for it. I don't love when books including snippets of exciting things to come or say something ominous and then take awhile to get there, but overall, this was an exciting read!

This wasn't for me. The characters were very flat, and I ended up not caring about what happened to any of them.

The Kennedy Girl is a moving historical fiction that explores love, loss, and the impact of the Kennedy family. Thomas’ writing brings the era to life with rich detail and emotional depth.

The first part of this book was a little boring. It felt really one dimensional. It had all the makings to be exceptional but it feel a bit flat for me.

Now don't get me wrong, the 2nd half of the book really was worth getting through.

I wish It had had more pazzazz

It could have been bold!

3 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for providiing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book takes place in the 1960s when Amelia is approached by a male stranger who tells her she should be a model for the House of Rousseau in Paris. The timing is perfect for Amelia as she her parents have died and she is a bit stuck in life without anything to tie her to the US. She moves to Paris and shares a flat with two other models. The book lets you in on the fact that she is being used right away but you don't really know how until the mysteries all start to unravel. No Spoilers. I will say that I was disappointed to find that this book has almost nothing to do with Jaqueline or the other Kennedys. Jackie was fashionable and went to Paris. Amelia wanted to be regarded in the same way Jackie was. I didn't like the title at all in regards to the book. The story was fine and I am glad to have read this book. I would read from the author again. However it wasn't anything truly unique or engaging. 3.5 stars.

A post World War II historical thriller set against the backdrop of the Paris fashion scene, The Kennedy Girl is a suspenseful page turner from page one! This was my first Julia Bryan Thomas novel but definitely not my last!

Julia Bryan Thomas’ ‘The Kennedy Girl’ is my first book by this author. It is a novel of vast juxtapositions of dazzling Parisian glamour and fashion and Cold War intrigue.

Nineteen-year-old Amelia “Mia” Walker leaves her New York City bakery job for the opportunity of a lifetime: modeling for the prestigious House of Rousseau in Paris. She has lost her mother at an early age and just recently lost her father. She has nothing to keep her in NYC. She takes a scary leap and moves to Paris. She quickly immerses herself in Paris’ culture and daily happenings. However our protagonist is naive and doesn’t immediately see the dark underbelly of the fashion world.

Mia finally figures out that she has unwittingly become part of an espionage scheme. The House of Rousseau is using it’s models to deliver cryptic messages to Cold War operatives during her modeling appearances. As the stakes become higher and riskier Mia must make a choice whether to risk all of her dreams - or her safety while navigating the mysterious and dangerous lines between glamour and espionage.

Ms. Thomas’ characters are richly drawn. Besides Mia, I was especially drawn to Mia’s next door neighbor. The characters are quite interesting, brave and naive at times. The plot itself is a mysteriously woven tale of loss, self discovery, secrets, betrayal, espionage, politics, love and determination. Ms. Thomas also creates a beautiful and vivid depiction of 1960s Paris. You can see the street and apartment where Mia lives. You can feel the elegance of the House of Rousseau and it’s various rooms. The Kennedy Girl expertly combines the allure of high fashion with the suspense of a spy thriller.

I was very pleased to be able to read this novel. Ms. Thomas is an author I will look forward to reading in the future. I can’t wait to see what she has for us next. I would like to thank Ms. Thomas, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark #partner, for the advanced e-copy of The Kennedy Girl in exchange for my honest review.

This was definitely a case of me needing to read anything having to do with the Kennedy’s, especially Jackie Kennedy as to why I requested this one. Color me surprised when this turned out to be more than just a light-hearted historical fiction novel! This was one time when I definitely did not read anything about the book before going into it and I loved it even more than I thought I would!

This is a slow-burn historical thriller that takes us into the world of fashion in Paris with a side of espionage during the Cold War and I could not have been more engaged in this story. The Cold War is one time period in history that I have really come to love reading about, especially when women are involved, and I loved how the author played around with that here.

The first part of the book really sets us up for what is to come, laying the foundation, introducing us to the characters and the setting. And during this time, there is an underlying hint that something sinister is about to come, but you aren’t quite sure what. Then in the second half of the book, the espionage part really takes off and at that point, I could not put the book down! I had no idea what would happen next or how it would all play out and I needed answers!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last!

3.5 stars

Mia is offered a job at House of Rousseau in Paris modeling their latest designs. Set in the 1960s, Mia takes the leap and begins life as a model. The job is a bit boring until Mia discovers she has been unknowingly working as a spy trading secrets. She is approached by Americans and begins working undercover (while still modeling). After a fateful ight at Versailles, Mia is on dangerous ground & must work to save herself.

This was a quick read and had a fun bit with JFK and Jackie O. Some of the spiring information got a little confusing, but overall it was an interesting book set in the Cold War.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book.

I was first drawn to this title by its cover. Key elements of the story are here including the city of Paris, a young woman and some diamonds. I was curious as to how everything would unfold.

This book establishes its espionage theme from the beginning. There is a literal bang early on when Mia shoots someone. How did she get to this moment? The novel goes back and shows readers in this Cold War set story.

Mia was working in a bakery in New York and coping with the loss of her father. Her life was pretty quiet. One day, a man named Theo, engaged her in conversation. Theo invited Mia to come to Paris where she would train to be a model at the House of Rousseau. Mia who idolized Jackie Kennedy, and knew of her time in Paris, was intrigued. She did not hesitate for long before finding herself flying to France.

Mia interacts with many people in the pages that follow. She has two roommates, a woman in her building who is “of a certain age,” the woman who tutored and mentored her when she arrived and, a CIA agent, among others.

How did Mia’s life get so out of control? Why has she been recruited? Will she survive? Will Mia find happiness? Read this one to find out.

Recommended to those who like historical fiction from the not so distant past, those who are intrigued by the Cold War, and those who love Paris and fashion. I enjoyed this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgalley and @bookmarked for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. I love fashion and the Kennedys, so I was thrilled to read this book.

Mia is a wonderful protagonist that you cannot help but to cheer for. I loved seeing her grow and mature throughout the book and wanted to see her succeed as a model and figure out who she could trust along the way.

Overall, the story was glamorous and suspenseful. I kept reading to figure out who was all entangled and how. I felt like I was right along with Mia exploring and learning the streets of Paris and navigating the social encounters with her roommates.

While the book was intriguing, I did want more character depth for everyone from the leaders at the fashion house to the other models to the driver Luca. It all felt very superficial, and I didn’t feel like I really knew anyone else in the story besides Mia.

Additionally, I wanted more of something – more fashion or more insight into the events and strategies behind the Cold War across Europe. Maybe both as they were each touched on but neither fully explored enough for me.

In the end, it was an entertaining story but lacked the depth to warrant more stars from me.

This was a unique historical fiction, I have not read many books set during the Cold War but made me interested in finding more. This book follows Mia a girl who is discovered working at a bakery to be the next big model. Set during the Cold War Mia travels to Paris and finds out she may be involved in more than modeling after all. I really enjoyed this book the writing was entertaining the characters enjoyable and the setting was amazing. The descriptions of Paris made me feel like I was there. There were times this book gets a little slow paced but overall I really enjoyed it. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

What a captivating read! The Kennedy Girl is equal parts female James Bond and Emily in Paris. The story follows Mia, who is whisked away to Paris after being recruited as a model—but things quickly take a mysterious turn. Sharing an apartment with other models, Mia discovers her glamorous new role isn’t all it seems, and soon, trust becomes a luxury she can’t afford. This fast-paced novel is packed with intrigue, twists, and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the final page.

This was an enjoyable historical fiction! The characters were interesting and felt very well developed as did the story! The plot was entertaining and held my attention but it was really slow and we really didn’t get much happening in the story until well after the 50% mark. I was also left with wanting a bit more from the story when the book finished. Overall an enjoyable historical fiction read with some good elements!

Julia Bryan Thomas’s The Kennedy Girl is a dazzling mix of fashion, Parisian glamour, and Cold War intrigue, set against the backdrop of 1960s haute couture.

Nineteen-year-old Amelia “Mia” Walker leaves her New York bakery job for the opportunity of a lifetime: modeling for the prestigious House of Rousseau in Paris. Inspired by her idol Jacqueline Kennedy, Mia quickly immerses herself in the city’s elegance, befriending fellow models and learning the ropes under the sophisticated Madame Laurant. But the glittering world of fashion conceals a darker side.

Mia discovers she has unknowingly become part of an espionage scheme, delivering cryptic messages for Cold War operatives during her social appearances. As the stakes rise, Mia must decide whether to risk her dreams—or her safety—while navigating the blurred lines between glamour and danger.

With richly drawn characters and a vivid depiction of 1960s Paris, The Kennedy Girl expertly combines the allure of high fashion with the suspense of a spy thriller. Perfect for fans of The Secrets We Kept, this novel is a captivating tale of resilience, courage, and the collision of politics and dreams.

I really enjoyed this one. Full of espionage, intrigue, and suspense. The authour uses the world of fashion to create a suspense filled story that left me on the edge of my seat at times.

Our main character, Mia, is working in a bakery in America. She has recently lost her father and has no family left. Mia is approached by a stranger offering her a ticket to Paris and a job at a prestigious fashion design home as a model.

Is Mia really going to get the life of her dreams, or is she being used because of her aloneness in the world and her naivety.

This was just an enjoyable read. Sometimes, situations seemed a little implausible. But, I like getting swept up in a story and not really focusing on the plausibility of it (as long as it's not too outrageous).

Set during the 1960s, amid the tensions of the Cold War, and the era where Jacqueline Kennedy was redefining fashion for American women. This story is definitely for those who enjoy historical fiction, fashion, Paris, and a good spy thriller.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

This is a great book that has a bit of glamour and fashion but also some mystery, intrigue, spying and a romantic and charming setting. But don't let that fool you as this book is quite good at keeping you reading and drawing you in. The main character, Mia, works well in this novel. A lonely woman in NYC now gets a job in Paris but she would have never expected things would turn out the way they did.

And although I did enjoy reading this book there were a few annoyances within it that could have been ironed out to make it flow better. At times it became a bit jumbled But all in all a good book and I would give it a 3 1/2 star rating.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Very unexpected book. I had not read anything by this author before. I enjoyed being transported to a different era (I normally read contemporary) and the writing was very engrossing.