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bekrry's review
4.0
there’s something about historical rich people scandal that just scratches an itch in my brain. this book does have more than that, which makes it good, but sometimes there’s too many characters and subplots to keep track of, especially at the beginning because there’s like 10 main characters who are all introduced in the first 20 pages, which was overwhelming. but it gets better the more you read and everything makes sense, and there’s enough drama and world building to keep reading. but it’s a really well paced book but it almost tackles too much with a murder mystery and forbidden romance and social inequality, but big downton abbey vibes which is sick
my mom recommended this book to me, and i would recommend it to a friend !
my mom recommended this book to me, and i would recommend it to a friend !
lmayfield's review
4.0
A historical whodunnit. I enjoyed the details about the building of the Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge mountain community near Asheville, NC.
james303's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An intriguing plot and interesting historical nugget on which to hang a riveting story. Jordan-Lake presents characters with raw emotion and starkly conveys in her fiction the class divides of 19th century America.
cherryghost15's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Enjoyed this interesting historical fiction set around the Biltmore estate in Asheville, NC. Intersperses real people into the story.
Very well researched, and the author lists great sources that might lead you to further reading.
I still can’t believe women had to ride horses sidesaddle! Unbelievable! Who even came up with that?!
Also blending fiction with fact, I learned about the real-life monster, Madison Grant. His “work” should be taught in every classroom. Loved wildlife, humanity not so much…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Grant
Enjoyed this interesting historical fiction set around the Biltmore estate in Asheville, NC. Intersperses real people into the story.
Very well researched, and the author lists great sources that might lead you to further reading.
I still can’t believe women had to ride horses sidesaddle! Unbelievable! Who even came up with that?!
Also blending fiction with fact, I learned about the real-life monster, Madison Grant. His “work” should be taught in every classroom. Loved wildlife, humanity not so much…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Grant
ldockham's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cerasparkles's review against another edition
I like the style of writing and the story intrigues me but I just can't get into it right now. I keep gravitating to other books. This will be a book I try to read again later
atgerstner's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Intricately woven and meticulously researched —Joy Jordan-Lake’s UNDER A GILDED MOON is a perfect blending of fact and fiction. Rich in place, history, detail, and character. Joy brings her characters to life on the pages with emotion, resilience, hope, forgiveness, and courage.
Check out my fascinating and in-depth Elevator Q&A Ride with the Author. Go behind the scenes of the book and the author. One of my favorites!
Crossing several genres, from historical fiction, literary, mystery, suspense, and thriller rolled into one captivating read. Good vs. evil, there is a sharp contrast between the Appalachians’ poverty and the wealthy and privileged surrounding Biltmore— paralleling to our present-day headlines.
Protagonist Kerry MacGregor, a smart and driven young woman, has worked hard to escape her poor background for education and has been living in New York and is leaving college to return home to take care of her family. Her aunt meets her on the train with her younger twin siblings.
They are headed toward Asheville, NC, to the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the journey, they meet some other characters, which become a big part of the storyline.
Her mom has passed away, and her dad is in poor health. He was not a nice man. They are estranged. However, now she must take care of him and her siblings, which forces her to take a job at Biltmore, the last place on earth she wants to work, along with her aunt.
Set in the late 1800s, George Vanderbilt has chosen Asheville to build his palatial estate. In doing so, his people are buying up all the land surrounding the estate. The poor, uneducated people have worked hard for their homes and trying to survive.
To the extreme, the wealthy guests and Vanderbilt’s family are on opposite sides of culture, class, education, social, and more. In addition, there is scandal, murder, and injustice with some literary twists book lovers will enjoy!
What an intriguing cast of characters! We have royalty. A fugitive from Sicily. An investigative reporter, chasing a groundbreaking story. A debutante tainted by scandal, a conservationist, and a young lady trying to achieve a life and education in New York when she is pulled back to the mountains of North Carolina and caught in the cross-fires.
If you love Asheville, NC, and the Biltmore Estate as much as I do, you will love this one! Joy is a master storyteller and brings her characters alive.
I first was introduced to Joy’s writing with [b:A Tangled Mercy|34321791|A Tangled Mercy|Joy Jordan-Lake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495496762l/34321791._SX50_.jpg|55382746], and when I saw Under A Gilded Moon, I knew it would be a must-read. After reading, I was blown away and realized I had not read her award-winning [b:Blue Hole Back Home|36337074|Blue Hole Back Home|Joy Jordan-Lake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507210386l/36337074._SY75_.jpg|2669714] and quickly purchased the audiobook, and once again, wowed. Joy is a master of dual timelines. All three are 5 stars and highly recommend, as well as her children’s book [b:A Crazy-Much Love|43298081|A Crazy-Much Love|Joy Jordan-Lake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565641167l/43298081._SX50_.jpg|67188591].
If you have had the opportunity to read Joy’s prior books, you will fall in love with UNDER A GILDED MOON. As a North Carolina native, I have spent much time in Asheville, NC, and at the Biltmore Estate. Who doesn’t love visiting during the Christmas holidays? Check out Joy’s website and read all about the 125th Biltmore anniversary on Christmas Eve.
Curl up with a cup of tea or coffee and find a comfy chair. Joy takes us on a journey, back in history to 1895 with the Vanderbilts and some scandalous suspense and mystery. UNDER A GILDED MOON is illuminating, lyrical, meticulously researched, and elegantly written. 5 STARS +. Top Books of 2020!
I hope you enjoy UNDER A GILDED MOON as much as I did. The book would make a stunning Christmas gift. The hardcover is stunning (with beautiful mountains under the cover jacket. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. Highly recommend!
#JDCMustReadBooks
Check out my fascinating and in-depth Elevator Q&A Ride with the Author. Go behind the scenes of the book and the author. One of my favorites!
Crossing several genres, from historical fiction, literary, mystery, suspense, and thriller rolled into one captivating read. Good vs. evil, there is a sharp contrast between the Appalachians’ poverty and the wealthy and privileged surrounding Biltmore— paralleling to our present-day headlines.
Protagonist Kerry MacGregor, a smart and driven young woman, has worked hard to escape her poor background for education and has been living in New York and is leaving college to return home to take care of her family. Her aunt meets her on the train with her younger twin siblings.
They are headed toward Asheville, NC, to the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the journey, they meet some other characters, which become a big part of the storyline.
Her mom has passed away, and her dad is in poor health. He was not a nice man. They are estranged. However, now she must take care of him and her siblings, which forces her to take a job at Biltmore, the last place on earth she wants to work, along with her aunt.
Set in the late 1800s, George Vanderbilt has chosen Asheville to build his palatial estate. In doing so, his people are buying up all the land surrounding the estate. The poor, uneducated people have worked hard for their homes and trying to survive.
To the extreme, the wealthy guests and Vanderbilt’s family are on opposite sides of culture, class, education, social, and more. In addition, there is scandal, murder, and injustice with some literary twists book lovers will enjoy!
What an intriguing cast of characters! We have royalty. A fugitive from Sicily. An investigative reporter, chasing a groundbreaking story. A debutante tainted by scandal, a conservationist, and a young lady trying to achieve a life and education in New York when she is pulled back to the mountains of North Carolina and caught in the cross-fires.
If you love Asheville, NC, and the Biltmore Estate as much as I do, you will love this one! Joy is a master storyteller and brings her characters alive.
I first was introduced to Joy’s writing with [b:A Tangled Mercy|34321791|A Tangled Mercy|Joy Jordan-Lake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495496762l/34321791._SX50_.jpg|55382746], and when I saw Under A Gilded Moon, I knew it would be a must-read. After reading, I was blown away and realized I had not read her award-winning [b:Blue Hole Back Home|36337074|Blue Hole Back Home|Joy Jordan-Lake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507210386l/36337074._SY75_.jpg|2669714] and quickly purchased the audiobook, and once again, wowed. Joy is a master of dual timelines. All three are 5 stars and highly recommend, as well as her children’s book [b:A Crazy-Much Love|43298081|A Crazy-Much Love|Joy Jordan-Lake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565641167l/43298081._SX50_.jpg|67188591].
If you have had the opportunity to read Joy’s prior books, you will fall in love with UNDER A GILDED MOON. As a North Carolina native, I have spent much time in Asheville, NC, and at the Biltmore Estate. Who doesn’t love visiting during the Christmas holidays? Check out Joy’s website and read all about the 125th Biltmore anniversary on Christmas Eve.
Curl up with a cup of tea or coffee and find a comfy chair. Joy takes us on a journey, back in history to 1895 with the Vanderbilts and some scandalous suspense and mystery. UNDER A GILDED MOON is illuminating, lyrical, meticulously researched, and elegantly written. 5 STARS +. Top Books of 2020!
I hope you enjoy UNDER A GILDED MOON as much as I did. The book would make a stunning Christmas gift. The hardcover is stunning (with beautiful mountains under the cover jacket. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. Highly recommend!
#JDCMustReadBooks
emilyplewallen's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a slow read for me. It took me a while to really get “hooked” and I think it was because it was tough for me to get a grasp on all of the characters. BUT if you love historical fiction, Biltmore, mystery, and a bit of romance, this is a great choice!!