connieaw's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start building the story but once I hit the middle, I couldn't put it down.
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
Katie Chase is an excellent counterpoint to Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. The big difference is that Katie Chase was a real life 18 year old that lived in Ohio and Washington D.C. just before the start of the Civil War. Her observations of life in the North is a stark difference to Scarlett's life in the South. Katie Chase was the daughter of a prominent politician and frequently acted as an advisor to her father. She would circulate in Washington Society.
In various events and circumstance, I could not help but think "what would Scarlett do?" Regardless, it is an interesting glimpse into this time and place. The effort and knowledge she used to help her father is very perceptive. At one point, her younger sister says she should run for Congress. In response, the both giggle and it was a preposterous idea. Oh how things change.
In various events and circumstance, I could not help but think "what would Scarlett do?" Regardless, it is an interesting glimpse into this time and place. The effort and knowledge she used to help her father is very perceptive. At one point, her younger sister says she should run for Congress. In response, the both giggle and it was a preposterous idea. Oh how things change.
brock111's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book - didn't love it. At times it seemed to drag on. I loved Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by the same author. This had a different feel to it. I always enjoy reading about the this time period. I will still look for other books by this author.
teriboop's review against another edition
4.0
I think a better title for Jennifer Chiaverini's latest historical fiction is Mr. Sprague's Thoroughly Annoying Playtoy instead of Mrs. Lincoln's Rival. Whereas Chiaverini did touch upon a rivalry between Kate Chase and Mary Lincoln, it did not seem to be the focal point of the story. Kate Chase was the daughter of Salmon P. Chase who was Secretary of Treasury under Lincoln, as well as Chief Justice. This story was more about the life and times of Ms. Chase acting as her father's secretary and the long and tumultuous relationship between her and her future hustand William Sprague, one-time governor of Rhode Island. Chiaverini portrays Sprague as a drunken, abusive man who likely cheated on Chase often without her knowledge. There were also hints that Chase herself was not so...well, chaste. And by the way, Mary Todd Lincoln hated her and the feeling was likely mutual.
I liked the book, although I was often annoyed with Chase and Sprague, and Salmon Chase...well, really everyone. However, the book is well written and is stated that it is a work of fiction based on real people, some characters being a mesh of two or more others. Chiaverini is very descriptive and can bring a story to life and makes you feel for the characters, whether you like them or not.
I liked the book, although I was often annoyed with Chase and Sprague, and Salmon Chase...well, really everyone. However, the book is well written and is stated that it is a work of fiction based on real people, some characters being a mesh of two or more others. Chiaverini is very descriptive and can bring a story to life and makes you feel for the characters, whether you like them or not.
mmulvaney's review
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
froydis's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and Dutton Hardcover for early access to this title.
Well… what can I say? I think my biggest struggle with this novel is that Chiaverini tells us whats going on, but doesn't show us anything. The result is a dry, slightly boring, tedious work filled with people who should be compelling and fascinating, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to care much about. I'm sure people who enjoyed "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" will enjoy this one as well - some of this book seems to be almost a direct recycling of parts of that one. I wouldn't recommend it, and that's kind of a shame. Both her Mrs. Lincoln books could have been really great, but, for me at least, fall way short of the mark.
Well… what can I say? I think my biggest struggle with this novel is that Chiaverini tells us whats going on, but doesn't show us anything. The result is a dry, slightly boring, tedious work filled with people who should be compelling and fascinating, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to care much about. I'm sure people who enjoyed "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" will enjoy this one as well - some of this book seems to be almost a direct recycling of parts of that one. I wouldn't recommend it, and that's kind of a shame. Both her Mrs. Lincoln books could have been really great, but, for me at least, fall way short of the mark.
turtlemagix's review against another edition
1.0
I enjoyed this at the start but it quickly became extremely dry & dull to me.
DNF.
DNF.
debbie_busse's review
2.0
I really don't have anything good to say about this book. It was extremely tedious, the only halfway likable character was the sister, Nettie and perhaps John Hays. I don't understand the title, it had little to do with the relationship between Kate Chase and Mrs. Lincoln. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is because of the historical details.
thehlb's review
3.0
2.5 stars. Meh. At times it was interesting and others it just dragged on and on. (Much like the Civil War, I imagine. )
I find that real people's lives do not often follow the path of a great narrative, but authors try to make it happen anyway. I didn't think this one was any great success.
I find that real people's lives do not often follow the path of a great narrative, but authors try to make it happen anyway. I didn't think this one was any great success.