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The Many Lives & Loves of Hazel Lavery
In the heart of tumultuous times, amidst the grandeur of Victorian opulence, there existed an American socialite whose influence altered the course of the Anglo-Irish
Lady Hazel Lavery
Boston-born Hazel ascended from her Irish roots to become the quintessential Society Queen of Chicago, and later London, where she lived a delicate dance between two one with her esteemed husband, Sir John Lavery, a portrait artist to royalty, and the other with Michael Collins, the daring Irish rebel whose fiery spirit ignited her heart. Together, they formed a love triangle that echoed through the corridors of power at 10 Downing Street, London.
Hazel's wit and charm touched on the lives of the who's-who of England including Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw and Evelyn Waugh. The image of her memorable face graced the Irish note for close to half-a-century.
Lady Hazel Lavery
Boston-born Hazel ascended from her Irish roots to become the quintessential Society Queen of Chicago, and later London, where she lived a delicate dance between two one with her esteemed husband, Sir John Lavery, a portrait artist to royalty, and the other with Michael Collins, the daring Irish rebel whose fiery spirit ignited her heart. Together, they formed a love triangle that echoed through the corridors of power at 10 Downing Street, London.
Hazel's wit and charm touched on the lives of the who's-who of England including Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw and Evelyn Waugh. The image of her memorable face graced the Irish note for close to half-a-century.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2025
12 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Lois Cahall
4 books12 followersLois Cahall began her career as a newspaper journalist in Boston, Massachusetts and as an associate producer for Nick and Judith Krantz, pursuing true-life stories for CBS TV movies. In 2010 Ms. Cahall pursued her mission of addressing issues in women’s daily lives as a host of ABC News’ Top Priority and Good Morning America NOW. This is also Ms. Cahall’s tenth year as “The Screen Queen” (www.screenqueen.com), a syndicated radio personality covering the movie beat with an eye toward educating the “Bus Stop Mom” about age-appropriate family viewing of the latest Hollywood releases. Her broadcasts over the Saga Communications network reach more than one million listeners every week. Stepping outside of her persona of “The Screen Queen” Ms. Cahall writes about women’s empowerment issues for women’s magazines—including Redbook, Seventeen, Cosmo Girl, SELF, Marie Claire, Reader’s Digest, and, most recently Men’s Journal, and RED in the U.K. Ms. Cahall has completed her first novel, Plan C: Just in Case, edited by Simon Beaufoy, The Full Monty screenwriter who won the Oscar & Golden Globe for his runaway screenplay success with Slumdog Millionaire. The mother of two daughters, Ms. Cahall now divides her life between New York City and London.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 3, 2025
The Many Lives & Loves of Hazel Lavery is a delightful and informative read. How have we not heard of Hazel before? An American socialite, accomplished artist and friend to Ireland. The author brings Hazel’s world and her very famous friends including her husband John Lavery, the portrait painter, and Michael Collins to life in vivid detail. There is romance, history and political intrigue. Something for everyone. Highly recommend!
February 9, 2025
I enjoyed this beautifully captivating and well written fictional story of Hazel Lovery, who was an exceptional, remarkable, and influential socialite and political figure in the 1920s. I enjoyed how this story blended in meticulous historical research, the delicious romance, and the themes of loss and love. I thought her to be very fascinating, strong-willed, complex, and such a vibrant woman. I recommend reading!
January 29, 2025
I had never heard of Hazel Lavery or her role in the history of the Anglo-Irish Treaty until now. She was truly ahead of her time in the early 1920s—a captivating and remarkable figure. This story blends equal parts juicy romance, meticulous research, and themes of love and loss. Lois Cahill is a masterful storyteller! Highly recommend.
December 8, 2024
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“The Many Lives and Loves of Hazel Lavery” is a historical fiction book by Lois Cahall. I felt, reading the description of this book, that it would be right up my alley. Turn of the 20th century setting, a flamboyantly interesting main character, a love story (and love triangle), art, and WWI. So, it was with rather high expectations that I began this book. I liked the introduction - a mention of Michael Collins and an estate sale. Settling into the story, I think I know what bothered me - the writing style doesn’t match the time period. Hazel is flighty (she is barely out of her teens so I gave that a pass) but the reads younger than she should. When discussing art she seemed full of exclamation marks and breathless but then went into teenage pouting when she couldn’t get her way with her mother. It just felt “off.” I think Ms. Cahall is trying to bridge “then” with “now” - postpartum depression is referred to as that - not what it was called back in the early 1900s (which wasn’t PPD as that term was coined in the 1970s). I believe Hazel Lavery lead a fascinating life, but, for me, this book didn’t present it in a way that I enjoyed.
“The Many Lives and Loves of Hazel Lavery” is a historical fiction book by Lois Cahall. I felt, reading the description of this book, that it would be right up my alley. Turn of the 20th century setting, a flamboyantly interesting main character, a love story (and love triangle), art, and WWI. So, it was with rather high expectations that I began this book. I liked the introduction - a mention of Michael Collins and an estate sale. Settling into the story, I think I know what bothered me - the writing style doesn’t match the time period. Hazel is flighty (she is barely out of her teens so I gave that a pass) but the reads younger than she should. When discussing art she seemed full of exclamation marks and breathless but then went into teenage pouting when she couldn’t get her way with her mother. It just felt “off.” I think Ms. Cahall is trying to bridge “then” with “now” - postpartum depression is referred to as that - not what it was called back in the early 1900s (which wasn’t PPD as that term was coined in the 1970s). I believe Hazel Lavery lead a fascinating life, but, for me, this book didn’t present it in a way that I enjoyed.
February 15, 2025
I historically interesting. But I found the narrative rather uneven and disjointed. The Michael Collins part was good - almost a book within a book.
January 29, 2025
Fascinating Historical Fiction
The author takes us deep into the internal life of a fascinating young woman who yearns for more than prevailing social mores offer girls like her. Brilliantly written and expertly crafted, this is a great addition to historical fiction.
The author takes us deep into the internal life of a fascinating young woman who yearns for more than prevailing social mores offer girls like her. Brilliantly written and expertly crafted, this is a great addition to historical fiction.
December 19, 2024
GREAT HISTORICAL FICTION based on a true story of a female main character.
January 2, 2025
Hazel Lavery lived an extraordinary life, an influential socialite and political figure who played a key role in Ireland’s fight for independence. Her story has all the ingredients for a captivating read, and while The Many Lives and Loves of Hazel Lavery by Lois Cahall delivers on historical detail, it left me wishing for more in terms of narrative connection. For me, it’s a solid 3-star read.
Cahall describes Hazel as one of the "untapped women who changed the course of history," and the book does an admirable job of showcasing her importance. Hazel was a fascinating figure, and you get a strong sense of her vibrant character and the significant role she played in bringing together key players during Ireland’s struggle for independence.
However, the writing style didn’t work for me and sometimes detracted me from the story. It’s written as Hazel looking back on her life, but this perspective often felt disjointed, leaving me disconnected from the narrative. The pacing improved when Michael entered the story, but the first half felt overcrowded with characters, making it hard to connect with any of them.
I also struggled to feel invested in the love story between Hazel and John. It felt rushed, and I couldn’t fully understand their connection. A quote from the book, where Hazel’s sister critiques John’s letter—“‘This is dull. You call this love?’ ‘It’s brilliant,’ I exclaimed.”—sums up my experience. While some readers may find their romance compelling, I found it lacking depth.
The book is well-researched, and Cahall does a fantastic job honoring Hazel’s real-life legacy. Still, I wish the author had taken more creative liberties to fill in the gaps where history remains silent. As a work of historical fiction, there was room to diverge from strict accuracy to create a more engaging narrative.
Overall, I liked the book but didn’t love it. It’s likely to resonate more with readers who appreciate meticulously researched historical fiction over those seeking a more immersive or dramatic story.
I received a free eARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
Cahall describes Hazel as one of the "untapped women who changed the course of history," and the book does an admirable job of showcasing her importance. Hazel was a fascinating figure, and you get a strong sense of her vibrant character and the significant role she played in bringing together key players during Ireland’s struggle for independence.
However, the writing style didn’t work for me and sometimes detracted me from the story. It’s written as Hazel looking back on her life, but this perspective often felt disjointed, leaving me disconnected from the narrative. The pacing improved when Michael entered the story, but the first half felt overcrowded with characters, making it hard to connect with any of them.
I also struggled to feel invested in the love story between Hazel and John. It felt rushed, and I couldn’t fully understand their connection. A quote from the book, where Hazel’s sister critiques John’s letter—“‘This is dull. You call this love?’ ‘It’s brilliant,’ I exclaimed.”—sums up my experience. While some readers may find their romance compelling, I found it lacking depth.
The book is well-researched, and Cahall does a fantastic job honoring Hazel’s real-life legacy. Still, I wish the author had taken more creative liberties to fill in the gaps where history remains silent. As a work of historical fiction, there was room to diverge from strict accuracy to create a more engaging narrative.
Overall, I liked the book but didn’t love it. It’s likely to resonate more with readers who appreciate meticulously researched historical fiction over those seeking a more immersive or dramatic story.
I received a free eARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
February 26, 2025
Hazel Lavery lived an extraordinary life, an influential socialite and political figure who played a key role in Ireland’s fight for independence. Her story has all the ingredients for a captivating read, and while The Many Lives and Loves of Hazel Lavery by Lois Cahall delivers on historical detail, it left me wishing for more in terms of narrative connection. For me, it’s a solid 3-star read.
Cahall describes Hazel as one of the "untapped women who changed the course of history," and the book does an admirable job of showcasing her importance. Hazel was a fascinating figure, and you get a strong sense of her vibrant character and the significant role she played in bringing together key players during Ireland’s struggle for independence.
However, the writing style didn’t work for me and sometimes detracted me from the story. It’s written as Hazel looking back on her life, but this perspective often felt disjointed, leaving me disconnected from the narrative. The pacing improved when Michael entered the story, but the first half felt overcrowded with characters, making it hard to connect with any of them.
I also struggled to feel invested in the love story between Hazel and John. It felt rushed, and I couldn’t fully understand their connection. A quote from the book, where Hazel’s sister critiques John’s letter—“‘This is dull. You call this love?’ ‘It’s brilliant,’ I exclaimed.”—sums up my experience. While some readers may find their romance compelling, I found it lacking depth.
The book is well-researched, and Cahall does a fantastic job honoring Hazel’s real-life legacy. Still, I wish the author had taken more creative liberties to fill in the gaps where history remains silent. As a work of historical fiction, there was room to diverge from strict accuracy to create a more engaging narrative.
Overall, I liked the book but didn’t love it. It’s likely to resonate more with readers who appreciate meticulously researched historical fiction over those seeking a more immersive or dramatic story.
I received a free eARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
Cahall describes Hazel as one of the "untapped women who changed the course of history," and the book does an admirable job of showcasing her importance. Hazel was a fascinating figure, and you get a strong sense of her vibrant character and the significant role she played in bringing together key players during Ireland’s struggle for independence.
However, the writing style didn’t work for me and sometimes detracted me from the story. It’s written as Hazel looking back on her life, but this perspective often felt disjointed, leaving me disconnected from the narrative. The pacing improved when Michael entered the story, but the first half felt overcrowded with characters, making it hard to connect with any of them.
I also struggled to feel invested in the love story between Hazel and John. It felt rushed, and I couldn’t fully understand their connection. A quote from the book, where Hazel’s sister critiques John’s letter—“‘This is dull. You call this love?’ ‘It’s brilliant,’ I exclaimed.”—sums up my experience. While some readers may find their romance compelling, I found it lacking depth.
The book is well-researched, and Cahall does a fantastic job honoring Hazel’s real-life legacy. Still, I wish the author had taken more creative liberties to fill in the gaps where history remains silent. As a work of historical fiction, there was room to diverge from strict accuracy to create a more engaging narrative.
Overall, I liked the book but didn’t love it. It’s likely to resonate more with readers who appreciate meticulously researched historical fiction over those seeking a more immersive or dramatic story.
I received a free eARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
January 25, 2025
The Many Lives and Loves of Hazel Lavery by Lois Cahall shines with its historical depth and provides an intriguing look at the life of a woman who played a pivotal role in Ireland's fight for independence. Hazel Lavery was undoubtedly a remarkable figure, and the book does a great job of highlighting her importance in both social and political spheres. The narrative gives a detailed account of her life, and I appreciated the attention to the historical context.
However, while the history was rich, the storytelling left me feeling disconnected. The book is written from Hazel's retrospective point of view, which occasionally made the pacing feel uneven and the narrative a bit fragmented. I struggled to fully engage with the characters, especially in the first half, where the story felt bogged down by too many figures and events, making it hard to form an emotional connection with anyone.
The romance between Hazel and John also didn’t fully capture my interest. It felt rushed, and their relationship lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. At times, it was hard to see the foundation of their connection, which diminished its impact.
Cahall does a fantastic job of honoring Hazel’s legacy, and the research behind the book is evident. Still, I wish there had been more creative freedom taken with the narrative to fill in the blanks where history is less clear. A bit more exploration of the emotional aspects of Hazel’s life would have made the story more compelling.
Overall, the book is a solid read for those interested in historical fiction, especially fans of meticulously researched works. However, if you're looking for a more engaging or emotionally immersive story, this might not be the right fit. I'm giving it 2 ⭐.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!
However, while the history was rich, the storytelling left me feeling disconnected. The book is written from Hazel's retrospective point of view, which occasionally made the pacing feel uneven and the narrative a bit fragmented. I struggled to fully engage with the characters, especially in the first half, where the story felt bogged down by too many figures and events, making it hard to form an emotional connection with anyone.
The romance between Hazel and John also didn’t fully capture my interest. It felt rushed, and their relationship lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. At times, it was hard to see the foundation of their connection, which diminished its impact.
Cahall does a fantastic job of honoring Hazel’s legacy, and the research behind the book is evident. Still, I wish there had been more creative freedom taken with the narrative to fill in the blanks where history is less clear. A bit more exploration of the emotional aspects of Hazel’s life would have made the story more compelling.
Overall, the book is a solid read for those interested in historical fiction, especially fans of meticulously researched works. However, if you're looking for a more engaging or emotionally immersive story, this might not be the right fit. I'm giving it 2 ⭐.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy!
April 30, 2025
In this fascinating Downton Abbey-adjacent novel, readers follow the story of the unknown Irish heroine Hazel Lavery, who married royal portrait artist Sir John Lavery and took Irish rebel Michael Collins as a lover, and how she rose from Chicago society queen to a powerful political player in London whose influence even reached 10 Downing Street. Giving this love triangle and the political and social events equal time to develop and influence the story, Hazel’s complexly fascinating story really comes to life in incredible detail in this brilliant new novel. The characters are the absolute star of the novel, and the emotional background and intensity helps develop the characters and flesh out the background conflicts. Hazel’s personal struggles and growth are well-written and really add dimension to her character, while the historical events and figures are very well-developed and add some incredible cameos to the story. With some fantastic emotional and thematic storylines and a depth of character to Hazel, Sir John, and Michael, readers will love this fascinatingly intense new historical fiction novel. Well-written, exciting, and unique, this novel’s fascinating focus on British-Irish relations, twentieth century English high society, and a uniquely situated heroine who knows everyone and has the ability to kickstart some fascinating changes.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance copy.
January 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this DRC.
I gravitate towards these historical fiction books focusing on fascinating women who were lost to history. Hazel Lavery, the face of Irish currency for a while, married to a famous painter 20 years her senior and supposed paramour of Irish rebel Michael Collins, is one such woman.
Hazel's life was certainly fascinating and I enjoyed learning about her, but I didn't 100% love this book. The first 2/3 were very uneven. I couldn't quite grasp Hazel's motivations, and I really didn't like Hazel. The last third of the book focuses more on her affair with Michael Collins and his role in the struggle for Irish independence. It almost seemed like a different book, focused more on him and his story.
I gravitate towards these historical fiction books focusing on fascinating women who were lost to history. Hazel Lavery, the face of Irish currency for a while, married to a famous painter 20 years her senior and supposed paramour of Irish rebel Michael Collins, is one such woman.
Hazel's life was certainly fascinating and I enjoyed learning about her, but I didn't 100% love this book. The first 2/3 were very uneven. I couldn't quite grasp Hazel's motivations, and I really didn't like Hazel. The last third of the book focuses more on her affair with Michael Collins and his role in the struggle for Irish independence. It almost seemed like a different book, focused more on him and his story.
September 15, 2025
The author immerses herself so fully into the personality of Hazel Lavery as to make me believe I were listening to Hazel tell her remarkable story. Her many loves and lives takes her from Chicago to London to Dublin. Painting teacher to Winston Churchill, model and muse to the prominent painter John Lavery, and fierce lover of the the Irish revolutionary Michael Collins, Hazel led quite a life! Apart from her beauty and charm, what particularly moved me was Hazel Lavery’s good heart. For those who enjoy a well researched historical fiction novel about someone almost forgotten today, this book is for you. You must google Hazel’s many portraits! She even found her way on the Irish bank note!
April 29, 2025
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were very relatable, the timetable flowed easily, it kept me wondering what would happen to her next. The author is very good at describing the art and fashions of the time. I highly recommend this book.
July 24, 2025
Just picked this book up with no context and stumbled into a really fun and interesting story about an underrepresented heroine in Irish culture !
i never write reviews so you know it was good
i never write reviews so you know it was good
July 29, 2025
Loved this book! So well written and I couldn't put it down!
August 31, 2025
Made me want to learn more about Hazel Lavery so I can track which parts of the book are true representations of history and which aren't.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews