I knew I enjoyed historical fiction but didn’t realize how much I enjoyed historical fiction based on true events!

This is the story of Kick Kennedy during WWII. I have read many books about the Kennedy’s but did not know much about Kick. She had previously been to England and fell in love with a non-Catholic man and set her family in a tizzy. This book continues the story as she comes back to England during the War and continues her relationship. We meet her friends and become enmeshed with their relationships and stories as well.

My only complaint would be I feel like the ending was short and I would have liked to have read more!

This novel follows the stories of Kathleen Kennedy as well as 2 other women, Brigid and Sissy, in her circle in England during World War 2. Sissy was not a real person but Brigid was based on a real woman and Kathleen, of course, was JFK's sister.

Kathleen's story was intriguing, although the storyline with Billy was rather long and drawn out; after awhile, it seemed that the story could have been sewn up a lot earlier than it was...maybe lengthened into the love story with FitzWilliam instead? The descriptions of WW2 London were well done, as were those of the social conditions for young people of the time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this novelization of Kick Kennedy’s life.
PFGT- Plan for Good times while reading this book!

✨ What a beautifully layered read! A Kennedy Affair swept me straight into 1940s London — the fog, the heartbreak, the stolen moments of hope. 🇬🇧💔

💌 Kick’s longing for Billy felt so tender yet tragic — the way their love struggles against family duty and war made my heart ache. 🕊️❤️

🩺 Lady Brigid was a quiet star for me — trading glamour for grit, tending to soldiers by day and pouring her heart into forbidden letters by night. So brave and raw. 🌙✍️

🌆 And Sissy! Her wide-eyed wonder and yearning for more than what Ireland offered gave the story a spark of youthful hope and defiance. 🍀✨

📚 Overall, I loved how Hourican wove real history with vivid emotion — London felt alive, battered yet burning with possibility. The friendship between these three women made it all the more powerful.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A gorgeous, bittersweet slice of wartime romance and resilience. Thank you for this gem, Emily Hourican! 💫

There's an iconic pic of three of the four elder Kennedy siblings walking to Westminister on September 3, 1939 to hear the British war declaration against Germany. "Kick" a.k.a Kathleen Kennedy attired in a stylish frock with gloves and a fashionable hat is sandwiched between her two brothers, Joe and Jack Kennedy. Little did the world know that only one Kennedy would survive the aftermath of that War.

This read starts with Kathleen's return to England after her father, an avowed isolationist, has vacated his role as Ambassador to England. The book starts strong exploring Kick's relationship her indomitable, mother, Rose and Kick's protective nature over her elder sister, Rosemary. Then the book segues into other historical actual figures and fictional ones. That's where the story falters. Yes, the summary mentions multiple characters so expected that multiple storylines will be present. Still, given the book's title expected more of the story's focus to be on Kick's imagined dialogue, interaction with Billy, her struggles with faith and family and her relationship with brother, Joe and Jack. The latter was scarcely mentioned despite the reputed strong bonds amongst the elder Kennedy siblings.

Brigid's storyline was not that interesting and unclear as to Constance's character was to show a child wise beyond her years or just a brat.

So, while the title and cover are memorable, the read was wanting.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Mobius Books | Hachette Books Ireland, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#AKennedyAffair #NetGalley

thank you Netgalley for the eARC. I really liked this book. I wasnt even sure about requesting it but I am glad i did. So many characters, so many storylines. I wanted it all to be true but I know a lot of it was fact based. It sent me down a Google rabbit hole and I was glad it did. It showed me how interested I was.

A story about the female Kennedys!
Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
While this story has a large cast of characters, to me the most compelling chapters were of Kick Kennedy - or the second oldest female of the famous Kennedy family of Massachusetts - you may have heard of them as Kick (Kathleen)'s had this brother who you may know as JFK. I grew up in MA and we had John F's bust on our mantle. Everyone has a Kennedy story whether they knew-someone-who-knew-someone or they attended some party where one was there. So I was already drawn in.
Be careful googling - as there is a new generation of Kennedys doing all of the Kennedy things and one has the nickname Kick.
Now to the book. If you like stories about famous or from well-to-do family women talking about their beaus and their family troubles and their parties and adventures, then this book is for you. Its really not my gig, but again back to the Kennedy's. There was nothing I didn't really not know about already, but to me I enjoyed hearing about Kick's relationship with her brother Joe, her parents, and especially her sister Rosemary who was a tragedy. "Kennedy Curse?" This book makes a case for it.
3*

"When Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy left London four years ago, Europe was facing war and Billy Cavendish, the man she loved, had told her he could never marry her. Now, as London stands a shell of its former self, Kick returns to volunteer with the Red Cross, determined to do what she can for the city that holds a part of her heart, and to reconnect with Billy - despite what London society thinks of her. For Lady Brigid Guinness, life is unrecognisable. She has swapped dinner parties, social engagements and high fashion for long shifts as a nurse helping wounded soldiers. And the only person she can really talk to is a man shunned by her inner circle.

When Sissy, a young Irish girl, arrives from Wicklow under the care of the Guinness family, she brings her own secrets and all three women begin to realise that in a time of war, friendship might be the only thing they can rely on.

A Kennedy Affair is a story of forbidden love, family discord, and how in the worst of times, we can discover the best of ourselves, and each other."

If anyone doubts that the Kennedys are cursed, read up about Kick Kennedy's life sometime.

ARC Review – 5⭐️

Summary:
Set in 1943 London, A Kennedy Affair follows Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy and Lady Brigid Guinness as they navigate love, duty, and identity against the backdrop of WWII. Kick, daughter of the famed Kennedy clan, returns to England to volunteer in the war effort—and perhaps reconnect with her first love, William “Billy” Cavendish, the future Duke of Devonshire. But their rekindled bond is complicated by deep-rooted religious divides. Meanwhile, Brigid, disillusioned with the aristocracy, finds meaning in nursing wounded soldiers while secretly corresponding with the exiled Prince of Prussia—now living under a false name as a humble English farmer.

Review:
This novel reminded me of The Women by Kristin Hannah in the best way—a powerful portrait of women during wartime, the men they love, and how history reshapes their lives in real time. The writing feels like a snapshot of a moment in history, deeply atmospheric and richly layered with emotion.

I went into this knowing nothing about Kick Kennedy, and came out spellbound by her quiet courage, inner conflict, and resilience. The author gives her—and Brigid—such graceful, three-dimensional depth. These aren’t just historical figures dressed up for fiction; they’re vivid, breathing women you root for.

The characters are superbly developed, and even the supporting cast feels real and essential. The romantic relationships are emotional and complex, but never overshadow the personal growth and stakes of war and identity.

This book can absolutely stand alone, but I’m planning to go back and read the first in the series because I fell hard for these characters and the world they inhabit.

Bottom line: A moving, immersive read that blends historical detail with emotional authenticity. Fans of The Paris Library, The Women, or The Alice Network will find much to love here. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mobius Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit that this is my first time reading any fictional novel about the Kennedy's however I am glad that I took the opportunity to do so because I was very impressed with this novel. I have always been fascinated by Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy. I always felt like that if her life hadn't been cut so short she could have accomplished so many great things.
Now in this book we have Kathleen whi is returning to England ( I haven't read the first book so please forgive me) and we are introduced to all her friends who by the way are very interesting characters. Billy Cavendish who is Kick's love interest is a very charming fellow despite the fact that Mr and Mrs Kennedy don't approve of the fact that he isn't a catholic.
The fact that a war was going on makes all the details of this real life story very upsetting but when you think about it the Kennedy's had a very tragic life history. However despite that I really enjoyed reading this book because there is so much history behind it. I may have to look into reading more historical fiction about the Kennedy's in the future.
I recieved an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.