I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to the title and premise of The Kennedy Girl, and in some ways I really enjoyed this book. But in other ways, this book missed the mark.
The setting is great, with the Cold War-era espionage being a prominent part of the plot, especially once you get past the initial exposition to the “meat” of it. It’s balanced with intrigue in the fashion world, and with JFK and Jackie Kennedy both lingering in the background, this intersection makes sense.
Mia is all right, but she’s fairly sympathetic given the situations she faces. But the statement “and now she was being compared to Jackie Kennedy” made me roll my eyes a bit, because I just did not get the parallels at all. And when a book centers a fictional protagonist surrounded by real people, I often find the fictional protagonist needs to be vibrant to stand out, and she just didn’t. And the book did her no favors, given it was called “The Kennedy Girl,” even if the blurb did try to correct them.
While I didn’t care for this book, this is a case of it just not being the book for me. If you happen to enjoy books that explore the fashion and politics of the 1960s, and this specific centering of fictional characters amid real events, I think you may enjoy it more than I did.

I loved this book! Paris nostalgia with a side of crime. The main character, Mia, is approached out of the blue one day working at her bakery job in New York, asking to become a model in Paris. She says yes and jet sets off. Little does she know she’ll become wrapped up in the Cold War, crime, and politics.
I couldn’t put this book down!

In high school we watched this movie called 13 days, about the cuban missile crisis. I was fascinated. It started an interest in reading historical fiction, specifically around the cold war and wwII, and was excited to jump into this story because the summary definitely caught my eye.

Having studied abroad in France, I loved all the scenery descriptions. I really felt immersed in the setting, getting to follow Mia as she's recruited from a new york bakery to a paris fashion house and moving in with two other models from House of Rousseau and living that lifestyle, as well as trying to decipher who really is on what side.

Little did she know she was also being recruited to pass coded messages to those on the other side of the cold war. This book takes us all around France, never knowing who we can or can't trust, and wondering if things will be resolved by the end. And I loved it! With just enough thriller (which I don't usually love), plenty of history and even a little catching of eyes between a couple characters, for someone who does primarily read romance, this was such a good read. The writing style was easy to fall into and feel like you were watching a movie (actually, this story would make a great movie), and I'm definitely interest to read more from this author!



Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark
for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Mia Walker, dubbed The Kennedy Girl in the historical fiction novel by Julia Bryan Thomas due out January 14, admires the style of Jackie Kennedy, the wife of the United States president. While Mia would love to fill her closet with the fashions of the 1960s, her bakery job does not support that dream.

When a stranger offers Mia a modeling job in Paris, she ponders the proposal before flying to Paris and becoming an employee at the House of Rousseau, where she learns about the world of fashion from the ground up.

As she adjusts to life in Paris where she does photoshoots and runway walks, she finds it odd but does not question it when her employer gives her cryptic messages to deliver to various people at special events. When she meets a man who is an agent for the United States government, she learns she has unknowingly become part of an espionage ring, which is breaking the law.

What can Mia do to clear her name? How will she be able to refuse when she is given the next bit of information to pass long and still keep her modeling gig? How much danger is Mia in?

Born and raised in Tulsa, Julia Bryan Thomas grew up studying literature. A graduate of Northeastern State University and the Yale Writers’ Workshop, she is married to mystery novelist Will Thomas.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting December 9, 2024.

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Kennedy Girl" and all opinions expressed are my own. Historical fiction in the 1960s. Definitely a different type of story. Models and spies! Overall I liked the story.

Julia Bryan Thomas’s The Kennedy Girl is a captivating blend of historical fiction, espionage, and glamour set against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s Paris. Mia, a hardworking orphan inspired by Jackie Kennedy's iconic style, takes a leap of faith when a mysterious opportunity at the prestigious House of Rousseau pulls her into the dazzling yet deceptive world of high fashion. What begins as a dream opportunity quickly unravels into a web of Cold War intrigue, forcing Mia to navigate the blurred lines between ambition and duty. With its rich historical setting, compelling protagonist, and high-stakes plot, this novel masterfully combines the allure of Parisian fashion with the tension of international politics, offering a unique and thrilling story.

I want to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Kennedy Girl by Julia Bryan Thomas. Ms Thomas previously wrote The Radcliffe Ladies Reading Club.
“Espionage”
“The CIA has very specific requirements for its agents”
A young woman gets discovered and is offered a chance to go to Paris to model for the House of Rousseau.
“And now she was being compared to Jackie Kennedy.”
She finds herself delivering strange cryptic messages. And people are not who she thinks they are.
What has she gotten into? Is there anyone she can trust? As her success as a model increases, so do her assignments! Something is very wrong!
The Kennedy Girl is scheduled for publication 11/14/2025

Interesting concept but also a bit farfetched for me. How realistic would it be to be offered a ticket to Paris by a random stranger, leave everything you know, and fly over there to become a model. That just what happened to the main character Mia, who was just working in a bakery. How naive. And then to add to that, Mia becomes embroiled, unbeknownst to her, in an international spy ring. A bit hard to follow and incredulous that Mia was so unaware of everything going on around her. A quick read but really not memorable. Not sure how there was any connection to Jackie Kennedy as the title suggests, other than it takes place in Paris and perhaps an outfit. But, it was entertaining for an afternoon. Many thanks to #netgalley #thekennedygirl #juliabryanthomas for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This look gave an interesting insight into Paris fashion but that's really all I got from it. It should not take 7 chapters to begin to set up the plot. The interactions between Mia & Madame Fournier could have easily started sooner and allowed the story to have picked up. Mia was presented as a whiny needy character from the start which wore on my patience quickly.

As always, thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me this ARC! I find myself looking at their upcoming releases more and more, definitely good books coming from this publisher lately!

This was such an interesting story. I couldn't read this fast enough. 1960s Paris fashion, good old fashion spy stuff and the geopolitical tension of the Cold War come together in this truly captivating story.
Mia is working in a bakery when she is approached by a stranger offering her a modeling job in Paris. She decides to throw caution to the wind and take this opportunity of a lifetime that has fallen in her lap. Little does she know she is being groomed to be used as a powerful asset to deliver information amongst the people vying for political power.
There were a couple paragraphs I skimmed over that had a little too much information for me on what was going on between all the parties involved in the Cold War. But the rest of the story had me sucked in completely!

It's the 1960s, and the fashion culture of New York, Paris, and Milan is starting to make an impression on the mid-century American woman. Jackie Kennedy's effortless style leads the nation, although Mia's bustling bakery job doesn't often give her the time or money to craft a stylish closet after her idol in the White House. But when a mysterious stranger suddenly offers her a modeling job in Paris at the esteemed House of Rousseau, she takes a chance on it, despite knowing nothing about the world of fashion. As an orphan with big dreams, holding a one-way plane ticket to Paris, she sets off for what she hopes is a better life.

But the job of a model runs deeper than photoshoots and runway walks, and as Mia adjusts to the Parisienne lifestyle, she realizes that not everything is as it seems. Becoming more and more successful in her position as an up-and-coming model, she is soon drawn into the Cold War by the very fashion house she works for. And as she finds herself falling further into national crimes and politics, Mia will soon have to decide which side of history she's really on.

Jackie Kennedy is no longer the only woman for whom fashion and politics dramatically collide...

The Kennedy Girl is an immersive and heart-pounding story perfect for history buffs and armchair travelers alike, with glimpses into both the propulsive Cold War era of espionage and the inner-workings of the most prestigious Parisian fashion houses.

Loved it from start to finish

I received an ARC from NetGalley. Following is my honest review.

In The Kennedy Girl, Juila Bryan Thomas, Mia becomes swept away into the glamorous life of a model for House of Rousseau fashion powerhouse in Paris, France. With literally nothing left to lose at home in the United States, Mia takes a risk and joins other models in Paris in the 1960s, when Jackie Kennedy represented the epitome of class, grace, elegance, and style. Mia quickly fits in but discovers that things are not as black-and-white as she thought they were. Of course, there would be a catch.

Mia becomes embroiled in Cold War secrets, politics and intrigue as her success as a model increases, and she has to find a way out. And even more terrifying is that she knows at least one of her roommates-now-friends is a spy, but which one? Who can she trust in a city where she has no one unquestionably on her side?

The twists and turns in this historical novel are fun and intriguing, reminding readers that if it's too good to be true, it probably really is. Mia learns too late that she should have run the other way when she was approached with this too-good-to-be-true offer.

I really enjoyed the narrative descriptions of Paris, especially because, though I have not yet viisted Paris, I have been to France fairly recently, which helped me really feel the city as Mia felt it. This book will appeal to those who like mysteries, appreciate orphan stories, and enjoy a woman figuring out her next move in a sticky situation.

The Kennedy Girl is a story of espionage, set in Paris fashion world of 1960-61. An American orphan from New York, whose idol is the first lady Jacky O Kennedy, is recruited as a model for a Paris fashion house. Mia Walker, recently lost her father and has no ties remaining in NY, with no better options she decides to head to Paris.

Once in Paris she is enchanted and along the way is recruited by CIA and then on her life is a mix of high fashion and parties and dealing with secrets. In the world of high stakes she keeps her hope for a better life and love away from the spy world.

I enjoyed the whole espionage aspect as it was subtle and not too dangerous other than it's very nature for the story. The ending was dreamy and the Paris of fashion and secrets made for a wonderful read. I loved how the spy work was conducted old school without any social media interference.

Overall the concept was good and the story line interesting but I fel the plot was disjointed and hard to follow .
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

A historical fiction story set in the beautiful city of Paris! It's full of stars shining fashion and can you believe it espionage. While it started out rather slow paced for me and I was unsure where the story was headed I got a bit confused. By the middle of the book the pace picks up speed and it all made sense allowing me to relax and enjoy the rest of the ride. It's a decent book for historical fiction and fashion lovers but personally I enjoyed the espionage and danger feeling the most!

For those who love Paris, fashion and a dash of espionage, The Kennedy Girl mixes the three together in spades. Mia Walker is approached working her job at a bakery in New York City when she’s approached with an opportunity for a modeling career in Paris. With her father recently passed away, tight funds, and the opportunity for an adventure, she decides to go. The fashion element of the book is the high point, exploring couture in the sixties. The descriptions of Paris follows, giving the readers a peek at both the sites and people of the City of Light. Character development and the espionage elements are weaker. The reader gets to know a little about Mia as a character, but they really learn more about her by how others assess her. The espionage portion probably has some grounds in reality but manages to be both dull and a little confusing on how the people are interconnected. There are points, one in particular, where Mia’s naïveté is unbelievable. She may be twenty years old in this book, but at least one thing she does before becoming more world wise is unbelievably stupid. A fun story with an interesting setting, but I could see the book being even better with more character and plot development. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book had all the ingredients for something I would enjoy, but ultimately, it didn’t quite deliver. The story kicks off with Mia, a naive young woman who’s given the chance to model for a fashion house in Paris. Through Mia’s eyes, we explore the city, her new job, and the people in her life, slowly unveiling the fact that not everything is as it seems. While I appreciated the slow build that gave us time to get to know the characters and set the stage for potential drama, the pacing felt sluggish at times. It took far too long for the story to pick up, and by the time things finally started to unfold, the ending felt rushed and abrupt.⁠
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Additionally, Mia’s actions toward the end were hard to believe, especially considering how little she knew about what she was really involved in. While it makes sense that she would be kept in the dark about certain things, the fact that she “worked” for the US government without ever learning which agency she was working for felt completely unrealistic. Even after everything came to a head and the dust settled, she never uncovered any details about her mysterious job, which I found unbelievable and perhaps a bit insulting that a woman who proved her resilience would be happy to be kept in the dark.⁠
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In the end, while the book was entertaining enough to hold my interest, it ultimately didn’t live up to its potential.

Set in 1960s NYC and Paris, The Kennedy Girl follows Mia Walker, who is discovered to model in France while working in a bakery in New York City. What follows is a whirlwind of learning how to model and who she is. Oh, and also learning that her modeling agency is a front for a group called the Alliance that is passing international nuclear secrets.

I found this book to have an interesting premise: a young and naive girl is whisked into the world of Paris fashion with a sprinkle of espionage. The "whodunnit" piece made for a lovely romp and the characters were developed enough to make me invested in them.

I will be honest, it did feel disjointed and at parts throughout the book, the narrative felt choppy. It was like the author knew what they wanted to say....but didn't know how to say it....so they just pieced....things....together. The storyline got a little far-fetched and it lost some of the polish that was needed to keep everything believable.

Overall, a book worth the read, and everything sweeps back around to a satisfying ending. Just a bit clunky in parts.

The Kennedy Girl
Author: Julia Bryan Thomas
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The author’s tone and writing style really drew me in and made me feel like I could picture what was going on. There was a lot of pressure building and the tension for Mia had me on the edge of my seat for much of the book. If you like cloak and dagger, mystery and espionage - this book is for you.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for the gifted ARC; these are my honest opinions and statements

Set against the backdrop of the fashion world in the 1960s, this historical fiction offers intrigue and suspense. Mia unexpectedly gets a chance to become a model in Paris. With nothing to lose, she leaves America and heads to the House of Rousseau. However, she soon finds herself tangled in a plot to share US secrets with the Russians, and her attempts to escape only pull her deeper into the conspiracy.

I enjoyed the pacing, which gradually delves into the characters and the situation. When the plot picked up I was invested in Mia and the mystery of who to trust. I particularly liked the author's writing style and voice, which added a romantic feel to Mia's daily life that was lovely to read. The twist and turns kept me invested all the way through.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.