This is a definitive book on the real Princess Grace from one who knew her personally. This is a delightfully enjoyable read that gives insight to the real Princess Grace. It is well written and based on fact. This book is not conjecture. It is written by one who was her personal confident. Very enjoyable read.

While her husband was serving as a diplomat at the American embassy in Paris, Joan Dale was first introduced to Princess Grace of Monaco at a formal event.

They were only a year apart in age, had similar interests, and were often mistaken as being sisters. Joan and Grace became close, lifelong friends. Joan’s husband’s keen intellect and astute business knowledge caught the attention of Prince Rainier who offered Martin a job as his aide. The opportunity to live and work in Monaco with close ties to the royal family allowed the Dale’s access to a world of enormous wealth and privilege. Gala balls and parties, sumptuous private dinners, dancing until the early hours of morning, while enjoying the company of famous movie stars, socialites, businessmen, and politicians was routine.

Ms. Dale also provides an insider’s view of the private life of Monaco’s royal family. Although the royal family was expected to mingle with the very wealthy, they tried to maintain a lifestyle that was not ostentatious or outrageous. Grace’s charitable works, genuine concern for the well being of the less fortunate, and her love of family is evident. Retreating to their farm, Rocagel, high in the mountains overlooking the principality was a high priority. It allowed Grace and Rainier a chance to relax and live a more simple life.

Even though this book, at times, includes too much detail such as descriptions of clothing and lists of each food item consumed at dinners, Joan Dale’s fascinating memoir is a tribute to her friend, Princess Grace of Monaco and is an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy of this memoir.

I truly had very high hopes for this book. Princess Grace has fascinated many generations, so much but yet so little is known about one of the most elegant and graceful Princess. The author gives insight into her friendship with the Prince and Princess, but there is a lot of emphasis on her husbands career. True without her husband, Martin Dales, career as a diplomat their would not have been a meeting of the Royal family and the Dales. I feel that the author left a lot on the table in her descriptions of her days with Princess Grace. The author often repeats observations about Princess Grace and her personality and passions. I lost count of how many times it was mentioned that Princess Grace was the President of the Red Cross in Monaco. Over all it was a good book but I think with the documentation and the relationship the author had with the Royal Family a more personal look at them could have been accomplished. There are three royals that have that special elegance that totally capture the publics attention Princess Grace, Princess Diana, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, anything written about them is sure to capture any readers interest.

Joan Dale and her successful diplomat husband Martin became good friends with Princess Grace and her family, and she can't praise the beautiful American royal highly enough. According to Dale, Princess Grace was a lovely, warm, hard-working woman who loved her family and sometimes longed to resume her career as an actress. Dale tells lots of anecdotes about times spent with the royal family and meeting other important people, such as other Monaco royals and Onassis and Maria Callis She describes spectacular events and galas.

The most interesting parts of the book concern Prince Rainier's fights with de Gaulle and Onassis over taxation and the economic growth of Monaco. Dale's husband was in charge of the economic development of Monaco so he was directly involved in these battles. There was also an argument with Prince Rainier's sister Antoinette over succession.

I enjoyed this book up to a point, but I grew a bit tired of the descriptions of all the events and galas. This is probably because I live in a pretty boring place and it made me envious! It is worth buying just for the pictures, however!

This was a lovely insight into the private life and persona of a much loved public figure, as seen through the eyes of a close friend. Behind the scenes Grace was clearly a loving wife and mother and a loyal friend. Keeping home life as near normal as possible given the many public duties she had to undertake, Grace comes across as warm and vibrant and full of fun.

What a wonderful asset for Monaco, her adopted home.

After reading this piece, there are clear pros and clear cons. Mrs. Dale does a wonderful job at showcasing the intimate and simple moments she spent with Grace--from watching her choose her ensemble for a dinner party to spending r&r at the royal's country home, it is clear that Grace was a kind, generous and loving woman. She was a good wife, a wonderful mother, a strong but always looking to improve woman and a princess striving to be loved by her adopted country. What I enjoyed the most was learning about Grace's husband, Prince Rainer--his heartbreaking sentiments over losing his wife as well as the way they interacted throughout their marriage was surprising: they were a team. Their marriage was a loving partnership and I was struck at how much they complimented each other.

Given that we are reading about Grace through Joan's point of view, we learn quite a bit about the author as well as her family. This I enjoyed because in learning about Joan, I learned about Grace. These two women were both young Americans in Monaco--they clearly held similar point of views. To follow the ups and downs of their lives was enjoyable. To hear about Grace through Joan's perspective...well, I only hope my friends speak of me with such beauty when I am no longer on this earth.

While the intimate moments were fascinating (The fact Grace loved peanut butter sandwiches and had them with champagne was such a great tidbit or the fact that she wasn't fluent in French when she first came to Monaco--so delightful and endearing), there were many times where the narrative became quite dull. That is, at times a long history of politics or the state of the country--definitions that slowed down the pace of illustrating Grace, the real woman. Also, every few pages Grace's beauty was acclaimed and remarked upon, but really we knew she was beautiful. I would have preferred to know what she thought, what she was afraid of, what she dreamed about.

While there are sections that could have been trimmed to keep the pacing from lagging, this was an enjoyable memoir/biography of an iconic figure. Joan successfully provided readers with not the movie star or the princess, but Grace, the woman who laughed and loved and was kind.

Great biography which gives a glimpse into the heart of friendship and real life of royalty. Lovely book to read with a pot of tea, during a winter evening!

Thank you for providing me with a copy of this title. It was a lovely portrait of a friendship and a generally happy book to read.

What a fascinating look at what Princess Grace Kelly was really like. This book was written from the perspective of a friend - someone who knew Grace well - not as a Princess or a movie star, but as a contemporary. Joan Dale and Grace met in their 20's,; they were young wives, mothers and confidantes with a friendship that lasted until Grace's tragic death.

Joan kept journals, so we as readers are fortunate to experience her accounts of events in a way that seems we are right there. We see that Grace and her Prince were fine people who loved each other and their children deeply. They took their duties very seriously, but they also enjoyed relaxing with friends. They were real and genuine people.

This book is a worthwhile and enjoyable read!

My review of the book is available at The Court Jeweller: http://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2014/10/bonus-royal-review-my-days-with.html

A heartwarming tribute written about an enduring friendship. Princess Grace and Mrs. Dale became acquaintances due to their husbands. They became friends later, raising their children together and enjoying each other. Mrs. Dale’s daughter has captured this portion of her Mother’s life in an attempt to share with her children what they have missed by not knowing both their grandmother and her Godmother, Princess Grace. If you are looking for gossip and secrets- look elsewhere, this is a fabulous book that tells of the era, the wealth, and the privilege without resorting to tawdry tales. Absolutely a fantastic glimpse into a friendship that just happened to take place with a Princess. Enjoy! NetGalley and In-Lightning provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A fasinating read into the life of the woman in the background of the famous photos. This book enraptures readers into the real life of the Princess of Monaco and her husband. So many previous publications were looking at her and trying to find fault. Joan Dale is able to provide insight to how it really was difficult to live in such a public world. And the descriptions of the homes and parties lend that this story is real and the relationship was true. It was also fasicnating to read about the American influence in Monaco and the reaction of de Gaulle during this time.
This book will be a great addition to the collection for those who follow the lives of the famous and want to truely understand life in the "public" eye.

I really enjoyed this biography which gives the reader a glimpse into another world and another era. It follows the growing friendship between two women who meet when her husband works for the Prince. They spend a lot of time socialising together as they have children of similar ages. They visit many of the homes that the Prince establishes for them and many of the glamorous events around the world. They holiday together- and the 'normal' side of a friendship is revealed. They may lead very glamorous lives- but underneath they hold the same principles about friendship as everyone else. This time is special to them.

Interesting photos feature throughout the book and share the life of Princess Grace. The author shares letters written to her parents about the events that they share with the Royal Couple and the children. They receive signed photos from the Princess - which all build up to a fascinating account of a loyal friendship.

One to be highly recommended.

Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book

Fans of Grace Kelly will enjoy, although it's a bit self-indulgent for my taste. Will purchase for library as we have a large celebrity biography collection that enjoys good circulation.

Since she first arrived on the shores of Monaco, her face partially obscured by a domed white hat, there have been rumors and speculation about Princess Grace of Monaco. Though her life would be even more public as a royal than as Grace Kelly, movie star, she was in many ways unknowable. The freshness of her beauty and the regal bearing that made her seem born to palace life fascinated her subjects and drew visitors from around the world, but out of duty, and a personal need for privacy, she would only share so much of herself with the world.

In My Days With Princess Grace of Monaco, much as with Grace, Howell Conant's book of intimate photos, you get a glimpse of the real woman. Using correspondence, journal entries and her own unforgettable memories, long time friend Joan Dale shares her memories of the times she spent with the princess in Monaco and around the world. She reveals a Grace who dazzles with her personality as much as her beauty. A kind, generous soul who values service to those in need, simple pleasures and above all, family life.

The book reads like a journal, with all the repetitive tedium and fascinating details to be expected from daily documentation. Dale met Grace when both women were in their twenties, while her husband Martin was in Monaco on diplomatic duties. The two were lonely in the tiny principality, both far away from home and missing family and friends. They formed a close friendship.

My Days With Grace follows these women and their families as they navigate busy, stressful lives. At first it all seems so superficial, as Dale describes glamorous galas, month-long vacations in the mountains and princely games of golf. There are only so many times it is interesting to hear about the wealthy elite noshing on caviar and salmon while displaying diamonds the size of quail eggs. To top it off, the young diplomat's wife raves on and on about how Grace and Rainier like her and husband Martin, as if she is in the throes of a passionate love affair.

Dale has heart though. She was clearly a loyal friend to the royal family when they could trust few others, and Grace above all. The women had a remarkably warm relationship, which undoubtedly had much to do with the refuge they offered each other throughout their tumultuous lives. The friendship actually was as profound as a love affair, if deeply platonic.

It is common knowledge that life as a royal in the public eye can be a strain, but Dale draws on her firsthand experience with the family to show just how living with that level of attention felt. She reminds readers that only Grace chose a life in the public. Her husband Prince Rainier and children Prince Albert and Princesses Carolyn and Stephanie did not have a choice.

Dale shares stories of the years she spent with the royal family, raising her children alongside Grace. Her two sons often played at the palace, in addition to sharing lessons, birthday parties and vacations. It was interesting to read about daily life at the palace and how Grace brought warmth to her role as a Monegasque royal.

The book is also a deeply loving tribute to the Princess, who comes off as almost too good to be true. Dale shares stories of Grace's generosity and unpretentious manner. She worked much harder than necessary to improve the lives of her subjects, endearing them to her as they criticized her American ways. She was also a devoted mother, cultivating strong relationships with all three of her children despite the intensity of her schedule. At least in the early years of marriage, she was also a happy wife. It was fun to read about the playful relationship Grace enjoyed with her Prince.

Though Dale never claims that the princess was perfect, she nearly comes off that way. The stories ring true too, dovetailing nicely with what has been known about Grace publicly. Mrs. Dale is loyal to her friend, allowing her some privacy, while alluding to troubles in her life and marriage to give as full a picture of their lives as possible. It's a nice balancing act.

Dale also writes in detail about the notorious push by French President Charles de Gaulle to overtake Monaco in the early sixties. For the most part, she sticks to her point of view, though she also speculates about the motives of the French and is not entirely unsympathetic to their perspective. Not knowing very much about this story (which was the focus of the supposedly highly-fictionalized Grace of Monaco [2014]), I wondered who was truly in the right, though it seems there was a great deal of bullying from the French government.

In one of the most touching passages of the book, Dale shares her extensive journal entries from a month-long cruise she took with the royal family not long before Grace's untimely death in a car accident. It was fascinating, if bittersweet, to read about the Princess' last family vacation, and comforting to know they had a final opportunity to bond before tragedy struck.

It struck the family hard too. Rainier and the children never got over her death and neither did Joan Dale. She died not long after Rainier in 2005, feeling that the world she loved had faded away.

Dale is a participant in history, not a writer. Her memoirs are based on letters and journals, and as she died before its publication, she was not able to participate in final preparations for the book. For these reasons, the narrative can lack flow. There's lots of repetition and often memories get jumbled together without any logical progression.

It can make for rough reading at times, but this is a fantastic story, and well worth seeing through to the end. Dale's daughter Grace worked with her mother on an early draft of the book years before she passed and she has done well completing the project without her. There are also several pages of amazing intimate shots of the Dales and the royal family together. The book would be worth a look just to get a glimpse of these alone.

I enjoyed this touching, revealing memoir of a remarkable woman and those who were enraptured by her remarkable personality and great beauty.

Many thanks to In-Lightning for providing a copy of the book for review.

A phenomenal book that brings a bygone era to life.

Beautifully written account of a close friendship between 2 women, one of whom happened to be Princess Grace of Monaco.

Princess Grace is one of those timeless women, who will forever live in our memories, like Diana and Audrey Hepburn. It was wonderful to read memories and letters chronicling the BFF relationship in a fairytale setting, in a time that doesn't exist anymore. The book also contains lots of wonderful photos from the private collection of the author.

The mutual respect and affection of these two women is evident on every page, and makes this a very special book. Don't expect gossip or some king of tell-all. This book doesn't have a trashy paragraph in it. It's classy all the way, just like the women it's about.

Lovely book with lots of behind the scene one of a kind info about our favorite movie-star-princess.

Well written memoir from close friend of Princess Grace. Poignant memories that give an insight into the life inside a palace. Well worth a read!