What do you think?
Rate this book
American Gilt: Début
“American Gilt – Début” (Vol 1) Now with over 9 Million pages read on Kindle! Find out why ‘The American Gilt Trilogy’ is an Amazon Best Seller in"Biographies" ‘Gilded Age Historical Romance’, ‘U.S. Historical’ and ‘Coming of Age’ categories.This historical biography is based on the true story of Gilded Age débutante Sara Swan Whiting, a favorite of Mrs. Astor’s, and the scandal that ensued from her marriage to socialite Oliver H.P. Belmont. But how much is truth and how much is propaganda generated by rumors and the newspapers?Newport, R.I. 1880 - American débutante Sara Swan Whiting has been trained for one to marry well into society. Together with her friends, Carrie Astor, and Edith Jones (Wharton) Sara débuts into society and is introduced to the bachelor’s of New York’s wealthiest families, hoping to find the perfect marriage.‘Ethereally beautiful’ and ‘the spirit of the ball’, Sara garners many suitors. But none steal her heart, until destiny steps in and she is introduced to Oliver Belmont, the handsome son of financier August Belmont. Sara begins courting the handsome Mr. Belmont who is intent on escaping his father’s persistence that he finds a suitable career. Knowing that marriage will garner him a large stipend, Oliver chooses matrimony as an option to his dilemma.While on an afternoon outing Oliver spontaneously proposes marriage, breaking protocol by not getting his parents approval first. Sara accepts the proposal – only to discover his parents disapprove of the match.What develops is a true tale that will transport you through time as ‘American Gilt – Début’ unfolds. With information gathered from letters, historical newspapers and personal interviews, author J. D. Peterson weaves a compelling trilogy based on the true account of the Belmont-Whiting Scandal of 1883.What readers are “This was the best gilded age novel I have read in such a long time." – Ted M. "I literally could not put this book down! I felt like I’d been transported to another time." – Amy H. “You will get hooked”!
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2015
928 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 5, 2018
Well... I wrote it, and still find it delicious.
August 3, 2017
I'm torn on this one. I love historical fiction so this did not disappoint. I love a good scandal... this starts to get you there, but it's one of three so no scandal yet. I love this time period and you are thrown right into the intimate lives of the upper crust.
It seems to have everything I love, so what's my beef? I think it comes down to this being too drawn out. Theres too many discussions about nothing that go nowhere, too many thinks included that just aren't important. Don't get me wrong, I love that it's not superficial and you do get these intimate glimpses, but toward the end I was just bored with it all. I knew the characters, I knew who I liked and didn't I knew what I hoped would happen but getting there got to be a little painful.
I started this hoping to read the series and more than half way into this book it was still foremost in my mind. But after slogging through the last 75ish pages my resolve has definitely waned. That means I will miss out on the scandal and I think I may be okay with that.
It seems to have everything I love, so what's my beef? I think it comes down to this being too drawn out. Theres too many discussions about nothing that go nowhere, too many thinks included that just aren't important. Don't get me wrong, I love that it's not superficial and you do get these intimate glimpses, but toward the end I was just bored with it all. I knew the characters, I knew who I liked and didn't I knew what I hoped would happen but getting there got to be a little painful.
I started this hoping to read the series and more than half way into this book it was still foremost in my mind. But after slogging through the last 75ish pages my resolve has definitely waned. That means I will miss out on the scandal and I think I may be okay with that.
December 6, 2023
I hate both Sara and Oliver entirely.
June 12, 2017
I love reading books that make you feel like you're sneaking a peek at someone's life. American Gilt: Debut does just that. I used to think that Historical fiction books would be boring but I have definitely changed my mind about that. My new found love for Historical fiction runs pretty deep! With this book being about a real person, well it just makes it even better.
When a book can transport you to another time and place while you are reading it there's nothing better. You know you have found a great book. I really enjoyed reading about Sara Whiting. I found myself cheering her on and also wanting to yell warnings to her!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I plan to get the next two in the series. Thank you, J. D. Peterson for sending your book to me! I loved it!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When a book can transport you to another time and place while you are reading it there's nothing better. You know you have found a great book. I really enjoyed reading about Sara Whiting. I found myself cheering her on and also wanting to yell warnings to her!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I plan to get the next two in the series. Thank you, J. D. Peterson for sending your book to me! I loved it!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2017
I know everyone likes 4 and 5 stars reviews, but this book didn't grab me. I finished it because I'm interested in the Gilded Age, but I found the representation of the characters flat and unexciting. It's obvious the author did her research, but dumping a lot of research into a book doesn't always make for a great story. Descriptions of places were a bit over done. An abridged version would probably be so much better.
August 18, 2017
It is in Newport, RI that Sara Swan Whitting first sees Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont as she is entering a party. She is a new debutante and can have most any admirer she wants but she wants Oliver from the first. He is being sent to sea with the Navy. He hates it and gets his parents to get him out of the Navy. Sara travels with her mother to Paris and sees Oliver again. It is the Gilded age and Sara must be careful of her reputation. Oliver wants to marry her but his parents are wanting him to have an occupation and be settled before thinking of marriage. His mother does not think Sara is good enough for him and put what ever roadblock his parents can think of to separate them. Read to see the whole story and what happens to these young people.
May 4, 2022
Recommend
This book was written well, and enjoyed it very much. I think the author did a very good job with taking you back to that time period, and how it would have been to be society's elite. I was wanting more regarding the characters physical characteristics, I am not saying that there wasn't any, & I did love the photo's of the real people that were included throughout, the book. However, I did feel that I needed more details for each character to really envision what they looked like physically, but also, mannerisms at different moments & time periods to get myself immersed into the novel. But overall i did enjoy it & read it in a day or 2! Author does very well with the historical setting or the novel!!
This book was written well, and enjoyed it very much. I think the author did a very good job with taking you back to that time period, and how it would have been to be society's elite. I was wanting more regarding the characters physical characteristics, I am not saying that there wasn't any, & I did love the photo's of the real people that were included throughout, the book. However, I did feel that I needed more details for each character to really envision what they looked like physically, but also, mannerisms at different moments & time periods to get myself immersed into the novel. But overall i did enjoy it & read it in a day or 2! Author does very well with the historical setting or the novel!!
September 9, 2022
Perfect for more in Gilded Age
This summer I started with the Social Graces and then took off reading several historical fiction books about this time. In several Oliver Belmont is a lesser character and mentioned mostly in relation to William Vanderbilt and wife, Alva. I was curious about the first wife and wanted more about Oliver and his family. I was thrilled to come across this book. It's just perfect for riding out my summer reading about the Gilded Age.
This summer I started with the Social Graces and then took off reading several historical fiction books about this time. In several Oliver Belmont is a lesser character and mentioned mostly in relation to William Vanderbilt and wife, Alva. I was curious about the first wife and wanted more about Oliver and his family. I was thrilled to come across this book. It's just perfect for riding out my summer reading about the Gilded Age.
February 8, 2026
Quite a fascinating look into the era of the noveau rich of American high society!
The characters are quite well portrayed, such a contrast to life as it is in the present day.
Not terribly exciting but I quite enjoyed it, also following with the next book in the series just to see where it takes me!!
The characters are quite well portrayed, such a contrast to life as it is in the present day.
Not terribly exciting but I quite enjoyed it, also following with the next book in the series just to see where it takes me!!
March 8, 2020
Didn’t like the book that much when I started but very much enjoyed by the end. It’s a historical novel based on fact. That made it fun because the author included many photos of the characters and the houses.
February 17, 2023
As anticipated, but ...
Conventional but more interesting because of the historical "facts" about many of the players. Very good writing style, readable and pleasant. Looking forward to the sequel.
Conventional but more interesting because of the historical "facts" about many of the players. Very good writing style, readable and pleasant. Looking forward to the sequel.
Read
July 2, 2024Did not enjoy.
I would not recommend this book to anyone. Very poor writing with no character development. The characters did not speak as they should have for a period piece. The female lead didn't have a working brain cell and the male lead was a loser.
I would not recommend this book to anyone. Very poor writing with no character development. The characters did not speak as they should have for a period piece. The female lead didn't have a working brain cell and the male lead was a loser.
July 6, 2024
decent read
Sad this is the way the idle rich lived. Girls were trained to be loyal wives and boys normally tried to provide but many only married because they could no longer get money from family
Sad this is the way the idle rich lived. Girls were trained to be loyal wives and boys normally tried to provide but many only married because they could no longer get money from family
December 30, 2025
Fall in love with the most human memeber of the Gilded age
I loved this book and fell in love with the Whitig family!
I couldn’t wait to finish it and move on to book two! I was so sad when I had finished the series!
I loved this book and fell in love with the Whitig family!
I couldn’t wait to finish it and move on to book two! I was so sad when I had finished the series!
August 18, 2017
Great historical research, but a little too long on some unnecessary descriptions and scenes that did little to move the story forward.
December 12, 2021
Great Book
I highly recommend this book for anyone to read and I have to be honest and tell you there is an interesting ending.
I highly recommend this book for anyone to read and I have to be honest and tell you there is an interesting ending.
July 30, 2022
I’m torn - I love historical fiction, but it was a bit long winded and didn’t have the juicy parts I was expecting. I finished it, but was a bit bored. Will the next one be better? Do I double down?
September 20, 2022
Live the story
Quick yet detailed look into the elite lives of the NY rich families of the time. Can't wait for the next one.
Quick yet detailed look into the elite lives of the NY rich families of the time. Can't wait for the next one.
January 2, 2023
A good “guilty pleasure” historical fiction novel.
March 12, 2023
slow and tedious read
Don’t bother. It’s a slow tedious read that while grounded historical fact the writer does a terrible job building the characters
Don’t bother. It’s a slow tedious read that while grounded historical fact the writer does a terrible job building the characters
March 23, 2023
I totally enjoyed this book & can't wait to read book 2!!
June 15, 2023
Good book
Interesting story about real life people. It takes place during the gilded age. Families like the Vanderbilts and Astors, old money and new money. It was a fast read.
Interesting story about real life people. It takes place during the gilded age. Families like the Vanderbilts and Astors, old money and new money. It was a fast read.
July 31, 2023
Easy read
Very sweet tale. Would have liked more details of the houses and decor. But all in all a good book.
Very sweet tale. Would have liked more details of the houses and decor. But all in all a good book.
August 3, 2023
I loved this book! The characters were well thought out and I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Sara!
February 18, 2024
Fluff
this was a very, very light read, but also pleasant and inoffensive, if that’s important to a reader.
it passed the time.
this was a very, very light read, but also pleasant and inoffensive, if that’s important to a reader.
it passed the time.
July 24, 2024
Fairly interesting story but not enough that I will buy the next book in this series.
August 7, 2024
What an amazing book about the Gilded Age. All about the Astros, the Vanderbilts, the Belmonts and the Morgans. Edith Wharton is also present.
March 30, 2025
Interesting
December 26, 2016
I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion
August 31, 2019
"American Gilt" didn't offer interesting characters nor an interesting plot. The characters were all rather one-note and their relationships with each other felt underdeveloped and rushed. The plot was without any surprises and just meandered on.
The writing was fine though and it was a quick read.
The writing was fine though and it was a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews