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Bachelor Girl
From the New York Times bestselling author of Orphan #8 comes a fresh and intimate novel in the vein of Lilac Girls and The Alice Network about the destructive power of secrets and the redemptive power of love—inspired by the true story of Jacob Ruppert, the millionaire owner of the New York Yankees, and his mysterious bequest in 1939 to an unknown actress, Helen Winthrope Weyant.
When the owner of the New York Yankees baseball team, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, takes Helen Winthrope, a young actress, under his wing, she thinks it’s because of his guilt over her father’s accidental death—and so does Albert Kramer, Ruppert’s handsome personal secretary. Helen and Albert develop a deepening bond the closer they become to Ruppert, an eccentric millionaire who demands their loyalty in return for his lavish generosity.
New York in the Jazz Age is filled with possibilities, especially for the young and single. Yet even as Helen embraces being a “bachelor girl”—a working woman living on her own terms—she finds herself falling in love with Albert, even after he confesses his darkest secret. When Ruppert dies, rumors swirl about his connection to Helen after the stunning revelation that he has left her the bulk of his fortune, which includes Yankee Stadium. But it is only when Ruppert’s own secrets are finally revealed that Helen and Albert will be forced to confront the truth about their relationship to him—and to each other.
Inspired by factual events that gripped New York City in its heyday, Bachelor Girl is a hidden history gem about family, identity, and love in all its shapes and colors.
When the owner of the New York Yankees baseball team, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, takes Helen Winthrope, a young actress, under his wing, she thinks it’s because of his guilt over her father’s accidental death—and so does Albert Kramer, Ruppert’s handsome personal secretary. Helen and Albert develop a deepening bond the closer they become to Ruppert, an eccentric millionaire who demands their loyalty in return for his lavish generosity.
New York in the Jazz Age is filled with possibilities, especially for the young and single. Yet even as Helen embraces being a “bachelor girl”—a working woman living on her own terms—she finds herself falling in love with Albert, even after he confesses his darkest secret. When Ruppert dies, rumors swirl about his connection to Helen after the stunning revelation that he has left her the bulk of his fortune, which includes Yankee Stadium. But it is only when Ruppert’s own secrets are finally revealed that Helen and Albert will be forced to confront the truth about their relationship to him—and to each other.
Inspired by factual events that gripped New York City in its heyday, Bachelor Girl is a hidden history gem about family, identity, and love in all its shapes and colors.
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2018
189 people are currently reading
6386 people want to read
About the author
Kim van Alkemade
4 books448 followersNYTimes bestselling author Kim van Alkemade was born in New York City and spent her childhood in suburban New Jersey. Her late father, an immigrant from the Netherlands, met her mother, a descendant of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, in the Empire State Building. She attended college in Wisconsin, earning a doctorate in English from UW-Milwaukee. For many years, she was an English professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. Now a full-time writer, she lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, with her partner, their two rescue dogs, and three feisty backyard chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 409 reviews
March 7, 2018
4 absorbing stars to Bachelor Girl! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Kim van Alkemade is back with another heartfelt, thought-provoking novel inspired by a millionaire, known as the Colonel, who owned the Yankees, hired Babe Ruth, and left a “friend” an heir to his fortune. The story begins with the will reading, told in alternating chapters and Helen, the heir, and Albert, the Colonel’s personal secretary, take the reader back in time twenty years, illustrating how their friendship was formed and how they were tied to the deceased.
New York City from 1918 to the late 1930s is the exuberant setting, and realistic themes of the time are portrayed, including homosexuality, racial discrimination, class differences, abortion, prohibition, and the inequality of women. My favorite aspect of the book was the budding friendship dynamics between Helen and Albert.
This is a slower read, one in which to relax and get cozy. A delightful study of companionship, featuring lovable characters, amid the vivid backdrop of NYC.
Thank you to Kim van Alkemade, Touchstone, and Netgalley, for the complimentary copy. Bachelor Girl is now available.
Kim van Alkemade is back with another heartfelt, thought-provoking novel inspired by a millionaire, known as the Colonel, who owned the Yankees, hired Babe Ruth, and left a “friend” an heir to his fortune. The story begins with the will reading, told in alternating chapters and Helen, the heir, and Albert, the Colonel’s personal secretary, take the reader back in time twenty years, illustrating how their friendship was formed and how they were tied to the deceased.
New York City from 1918 to the late 1930s is the exuberant setting, and realistic themes of the time are portrayed, including homosexuality, racial discrimination, class differences, abortion, prohibition, and the inequality of women. My favorite aspect of the book was the budding friendship dynamics between Helen and Albert.
This is a slower read, one in which to relax and get cozy. A delightful study of companionship, featuring lovable characters, amid the vivid backdrop of NYC.
Thank you to Kim van Alkemade, Touchstone, and Netgalley, for the complimentary copy. Bachelor Girl is now available.
March 13, 2018
3.5 stars
Baseball, historic NYC - two things I always enjoy reading about. This was about more than baseball and NYC, though. This book was definitely a very realistic portrayal of the time 1918 - 1939 with an depiction of some of the taboos of the time - homosexuality was hidden, alcohol was prohibited, abortions were illegal and racial discrimination was the norm.
Based on the real person, Jacob Ruppert, an intriguing man , a wealthy man, owner of a brewery and owner of the NY Yankees, the man who built Yankee Stadium and bought Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox. While a lot of the plot is focused on Rupert and his business endeavors, the story is told in alternating chapters of two other main characters, Helen Winthrope, an actress whose career has been cut short and Albert Kramer, personal secretary to Ruppert. They are taken under Ruppert’s wing as he furthers their careers. They all have secrets and while we know early on Helen’s and Albert’s secrets , it isn’t until the end that we learn Ruppert’s ,although I guessed it before it was revealed.
I enjoyed the story, the time and place and the characters. I couldn’t help but compare it to van Alkemade’s first novel. Although they are very different stories, this one lacked for me the intensity and the emotional depth of “Orphan Number Eight”. The book description was misleading in my opinion saying that this book was “in the vein of “The Lilac Girls” or “The Alice Network”. I didn’t see any real similarity. It was, though, definitely a fascinating look at the times. While I liked her first novel better, I will look for what she writes next.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Touchstone/Simon and Schuster through Edelweiss and NetGalley
May 8, 2018
Overall I felt this novel to be a good read but I was somewhat disappointed in many aspects of the book. The book was quite long and I felt it dragged throughout most of the story. It just seemed to lack some kind of spark to make me excited to continue reading, but I did finish it and the ending was a good one. I had figured out the big secret about 75% of the way through the book.
The two main characters, Helen and Albert are very well developed. I felt in many ways that this was more Albert’s story than Helen’s, perhaps it’s because I felt more empathy for him. I almost felt as though the title should have been “The Bachelor” instead of “Bachelor Girl”. Albert was Jacob Ruppert’s personal assistant and basically did anything and everything that Jacob wanted done at the drop of a hat. He was a very caring and loving person, although his true love was denied to him because of the times he lived in. I was not prepared for the quite explicit sexual scenes at the beginning of the book however I understand that the author was trying to show us how deeply Albert’s love could be.
I would have liked to have known more of Jacob’s personal life but the story revolved around his business dealings, he was a millionaire inheriting much of his wealth from the family’s brewery. He is most famous for building Yankee Stadium and acquiring Babe Ruth. He could be ruthless in his business dealings but we see another side of him when he gives Helen a job, an apartment and a chance to be a producer of a play in the theater that he purchased. Helen’s mother is often emphatic that Helen recognize and accept Jacob’s generosity even though Helen is often confused by his deep interest in her personal life. She always knew he was a friend of her father’s but that doesn’t know if he feels complicit in her father’s death because he was with him when he died or is there something she’s missing? Overall he came across as very self absorbed, demanding and not caring whom he sometimes hurt in pursuing his goals.
I love historical fiction and this novel was obviously well researched as it touched upon many important topics of the time, women’s rights, racial prejudice, gay rights, abortion, prohibition, there was a lot going on at this time. It was interesting to learn about some of the baseball history and I also loved the description of New York basically during the period of around 1920 through 1940.
In the blurb for this book it is compared to “Lilac Girls” and “The Alice Network” both of which I have read and I don’t think this book is anything like either of those. The first is about women who suffered through Hitler’s experiments and the second is about female spies during WWI. So I found that comparison misleading and thought it would be better to leave off this comparison.
I enjoyed the story enough that I will definitely look for more novels by this talented author. I received a copy of this book through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The two main characters, Helen and Albert are very well developed. I felt in many ways that this was more Albert’s story than Helen’s, perhaps it’s because I felt more empathy for him. I almost felt as though the title should have been “The Bachelor” instead of “Bachelor Girl”. Albert was Jacob Ruppert’s personal assistant and basically did anything and everything that Jacob wanted done at the drop of a hat. He was a very caring and loving person, although his true love was denied to him because of the times he lived in. I was not prepared for the quite explicit sexual scenes at the beginning of the book however I understand that the author was trying to show us how deeply Albert’s love could be.
I would have liked to have known more of Jacob’s personal life but the story revolved around his business dealings, he was a millionaire inheriting much of his wealth from the family’s brewery. He is most famous for building Yankee Stadium and acquiring Babe Ruth. He could be ruthless in his business dealings but we see another side of him when he gives Helen a job, an apartment and a chance to be a producer of a play in the theater that he purchased. Helen’s mother is often emphatic that Helen recognize and accept Jacob’s generosity even though Helen is often confused by his deep interest in her personal life. She always knew he was a friend of her father’s but that doesn’t know if he feels complicit in her father’s death because he was with him when he died or is there something she’s missing? Overall he came across as very self absorbed, demanding and not caring whom he sometimes hurt in pursuing his goals.
I love historical fiction and this novel was obviously well researched as it touched upon many important topics of the time, women’s rights, racial prejudice, gay rights, abortion, prohibition, there was a lot going on at this time. It was interesting to learn about some of the baseball history and I also loved the description of New York basically during the period of around 1920 through 1940.
In the blurb for this book it is compared to “Lilac Girls” and “The Alice Network” both of which I have read and I don’t think this book is anything like either of those. The first is about women who suffered through Hitler’s experiments and the second is about female spies during WWI. So I found that comparison misleading and thought it would be better to leave off this comparison.
I enjoyed the story enough that I will definitely look for more novels by this talented author. I received a copy of this book through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2018
3.5 stars
Set in New York in the 1920’s and 30’s, this is the tale of “Bachelor Girl”, Helen Winthrope, a young single woman hired by millionaire and family acquaintance, Jacob Ruppert. Throughout this novel, Helen holds various conventional and unconventional job titles for Jacob – manager/producer of his local theater, organizer of his parties, hostess of his mansion gala’s, decorator of his home, etc. Though they are not typical career choices for young women during this time, Helen is flattered by each offer and takes on each new challenge with a seriousness to exceed Jacob’s expectations.
We meet Albert Kramer, Ruppert’s handsome personal secretary who is often teamed together with Helen to fulfill Ruppert’s many extravagant requests and “jobs”. Throughout the years, Helen and Albert build a friendship and bond so strong that they often find it hard to describe. I enjoyed reading from alternating chapters between Helen and Albert.
While the title of this book is “Bachelor Girl”, I actually found myself drawn more toward Albert’s story and character. The author, Kim van Alkemade, has a wonderful ability to pull sympathy and emotion from the reader for her characters. I felt for both Helen and Albert.
I found this story to be enjoyable, however my interest did waver throughout the 400 pages. I found a few parts dragged and couldn’t quite keep my full interest.
This was a Traveling Sister read with Brenda who I loved discussing this book with.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and Kim van Alkemade for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Set in New York in the 1920’s and 30’s, this is the tale of “Bachelor Girl”, Helen Winthrope, a young single woman hired by millionaire and family acquaintance, Jacob Ruppert. Throughout this novel, Helen holds various conventional and unconventional job titles for Jacob – manager/producer of his local theater, organizer of his parties, hostess of his mansion gala’s, decorator of his home, etc. Though they are not typical career choices for young women during this time, Helen is flattered by each offer and takes on each new challenge with a seriousness to exceed Jacob’s expectations.
We meet Albert Kramer, Ruppert’s handsome personal secretary who is often teamed together with Helen to fulfill Ruppert’s many extravagant requests and “jobs”. Throughout the years, Helen and Albert build a friendship and bond so strong that they often find it hard to describe. I enjoyed reading from alternating chapters between Helen and Albert.
While the title of this book is “Bachelor Girl”, I actually found myself drawn more toward Albert’s story and character. The author, Kim van Alkemade, has a wonderful ability to pull sympathy and emotion from the reader for her characters. I felt for both Helen and Albert.
I found this story to be enjoyable, however my interest did waver throughout the 400 pages. I found a few parts dragged and couldn’t quite keep my full interest.
This was a Traveling Sister read with Brenda who I loved discussing this book with.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and Kim van Alkemade for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 3, 2018
Another great book cover, wouldn’t you agree?
I started reading Bachelor Girl on my trip home from vacation. After reading a little over 2 hours during my flight home I noticed I only got 13% of the way through. 1) Either I am a very slow reader, or 2) this is a long one. I am going to go with #2: the paperback is 416 pages.
I enjoyed this read and didn’t mind the length, its just not one of those you can plow through in two days. If you could, well then I change my initial answer to #1 – I am a slow reader.
Three characters with three damning secrets: one cannot live one’s true life out in the open, one’s grave mistake changes the path of their life forever, and the other well we don’t know for certain what theirs is until the end of course…boom!
These three characters – Albert, Helen, and Jake – share an unusual bond an rely heavily on each other’s companionship. Oh, and one of them is a millionaire and the other two work for him. Throughout the course of this book you will ask: “why these two individuals?” And that is what will keep you reading until the end.
I came to a conclusion on the third person’s secret (about 70% of the way through) and was super excited that I was right! I second guessed myself a few times, but stuck to my guns and was thrilled when I found out the truth. (What, you do not get this excited about solving a book’s mystery?! I can’t be the only one!)
The story is told through Helen and Albert’s perspectives and the chapters alternate between the two. Upon the start of each chapter it’s not always initially obvious which perspective it is – as the chapters are not marked ‘Helen’ or ‘Albert’ – but when you find your reading groove you can figure it out pretty quick.
This is a fun story for historical fiction fans. Time period covered is 1918 – 1939 in New York City.
Fun fact: it is inspired by a real life story of a millionaire – owner of the NY Yankees – who left a substantial inheritance to an unknown ex-actress. If you like baseball, there are a lot of historical baseball references in this book too!
My book reviews can be found at: www.saturdaynitereader.com
April 26, 2018
I was interested in this book because I like stories about old New York. This book covers the period from 1918 to 1939. I was somewhat familiar with Jacob Ruppert, the wealthy owner of both the Ruppert Brewery and the New York Yankees, because I live near the site of the old brewery. Unfortunately, what I thought was going to be historical fiction turned out to be soap opera.
The book is written in alternating chapters from the points of view of Helen Winthrope, an actress, and Albert Kramer, Ruppert's personal secretary. Ruppert was an old friend of Helen's father and he helps her by supporting her career as a theater manager and producer and, as we learn in the prologue, he leaves her a fortune when he dies in 1939. Helen and Albert become friends and Helen hopes for more, but Albert is homosexual. In fact, Albert's chapters focus on nothing but Albert's sexuality and lovers (which doesn't include Helen).
The book has a little about Babe Ruth, the Yankees, homosexual life in the early 20th century, prohibition, racial discrimination, struggling small theaters and a not-at-all surprising twist. However, none of this amounts to much despite the excessive length of the book, and the story gets soapier as it progresses. I did finish this book but it wasn't what I expected or wanted.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The book is written in alternating chapters from the points of view of Helen Winthrope, an actress, and Albert Kramer, Ruppert's personal secretary. Ruppert was an old friend of Helen's father and he helps her by supporting her career as a theater manager and producer and, as we learn in the prologue, he leaves her a fortune when he dies in 1939. Helen and Albert become friends and Helen hopes for more, but Albert is homosexual. In fact, Albert's chapters focus on nothing but Albert's sexuality and lovers (which doesn't include Helen).
The book has a little about Babe Ruth, the Yankees, homosexual life in the early 20th century, prohibition, racial discrimination, struggling small theaters and a not-at-all surprising twist. However, none of this amounts to much despite the excessive length of the book, and the story gets soapier as it progresses. I did finish this book but it wasn't what I expected or wanted.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 6, 2018
Passionate, evocative, and thoroughly absorbing!
Bachelor Girl is an intriguing interpretation about the life of Colonel Jacob Ruppert, the wealthy American brewer and owner of the New York Yankees who became known for his successful acquisition of the legendary slugger Babe Ruth, the construction of the iconic Yankee Stadium, and the unusually large endowment he left to a young, unknown actress upon his death.
The prose is eloquent and fluid. The characters are genuine, well drawn, and endearing. And the story sweeps you away to New York City during the 1920s when women were shortening their skirts, cutting their hair and gaining independence, prohibition was in full force, and love in all its forms was expressed but still hidden.
Bachelor girl is a fascinating, well-written, richly described story about friendship, loyalty, familial relationships, sexual identity, secrets, prosperity, ambition, life, loss, and love. And even though there is not much known about Colonel Jacob Ruppert’s close, personal relationships, van Alkemade has done an exceptional job of taking historical facts and surrounding them with fiction that is both captivating and exceptionally alluring.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Bachelor Girl is an intriguing interpretation about the life of Colonel Jacob Ruppert, the wealthy American brewer and owner of the New York Yankees who became known for his successful acquisition of the legendary slugger Babe Ruth, the construction of the iconic Yankee Stadium, and the unusually large endowment he left to a young, unknown actress upon his death.
The prose is eloquent and fluid. The characters are genuine, well drawn, and endearing. And the story sweeps you away to New York City during the 1920s when women were shortening their skirts, cutting their hair and gaining independence, prohibition was in full force, and love in all its forms was expressed but still hidden.
Bachelor girl is a fascinating, well-written, richly described story about friendship, loyalty, familial relationships, sexual identity, secrets, prosperity, ambition, life, loss, and love. And even though there is not much known about Colonel Jacob Ruppert’s close, personal relationships, van Alkemade has done an exceptional job of taking historical facts and surrounding them with fiction that is both captivating and exceptionally alluring.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
January 17, 2018
Bachelor Girl by Kim Van Alkemade ( author of Orphan Number 8) is an historical fiction novel that transports the reader back to The Jazz Age of New York in 1918.
The book begins at the will reading of Colonel Jack Ruppert who died of phlebitis in 1939. Helen Winthrope, an ex actress inherits Eagle's Nest Estate, $300,000. and half of the New York Yankees. The stage is set for the mystery and secrets of why Helen.
"The novelist's job is to create a world that the reader can experience as real." This novel incorporates many issues for the reader to ponder. Homosexuality, probation, racial inequality, women's issues, abortion to name a few. Kim Van Alkemade has cleverly and skillfully interwoven these issues around very realistic, well developed, likeable characters. The conclusion of Bachelor Girl was well conceived and gratifying.
Thank you to Touchstone Paperback and Kim Van Alkemade for sending me this advance copy to read.
Highly recommend this book which will be released March 2018. 5 stars
The book begins at the will reading of Colonel Jack Ruppert who died of phlebitis in 1939. Helen Winthrope, an ex actress inherits Eagle's Nest Estate, $300,000. and half of the New York Yankees. The stage is set for the mystery and secrets of why Helen.
"The novelist's job is to create a world that the reader can experience as real." This novel incorporates many issues for the reader to ponder. Homosexuality, probation, racial inequality, women's issues, abortion to name a few. Kim Van Alkemade has cleverly and skillfully interwoven these issues around very realistic, well developed, likeable characters. The conclusion of Bachelor Girl was well conceived and gratifying.
Thank you to Touchstone Paperback and Kim Van Alkemade for sending me this advance copy to read.
Highly recommend this book which will be released March 2018. 5 stars
March 14, 2018
What a fantastic book! The Bachelor Girl is set in New York City 1919 - 1939 and is based on real events. The story is told from two different perspectives - Helen Winthrope and Albert Kramer. When Helen Winthrope suddenly falls ill and loses her job it seems as though her life is over. There are limited possibilities for a woman who does not want to marry. But then Colonel Jacob Ruppert, owner of the New York Yankees, hires her and her life is forever changed. Living the "bachelor girl" life has so many possibilities for Helen. Albert Kramer has the extraordinary job of being Ruppert's assistant. But, he has secrets of his own that threaten to destroy his relationship with Helen.
Kim van Alkemade really did her research about the history of Yankee Stadium and how it came to be where it stands today. I have been listening to my Dad talk about the Yankees since I was a girl.
This is definitely a good read! I enjoyed it very much!
Kim van Alkemade really did her research about the history of Yankee Stadium and how it came to be where it stands today. I have been listening to my Dad talk about the Yankees since I was a girl.
This is definitely a good read! I enjoyed it very much!
March 24, 2018
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
4 stars
This was a great historical fiction novel! I was completely absorbed in this story and finished this book pretty quickly, considering it is a long one.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints from Helen and Albert and each one had their own distinct voice and each story was engaging. I liked how the novel is inspired by true events and it really gives a realistic view of NYC in early decades of the 20th century.
This is just good old fashioned storytelling and something that you can just sit down and read for extended periods of time. Many times I found myself reading long past the time that I wanted to and kept saying “one more chapter”. I would highly recommend this book.
4 stars
This was a great historical fiction novel! I was completely absorbed in this story and finished this book pretty quickly, considering it is a long one.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints from Helen and Albert and each one had their own distinct voice and each story was engaging. I liked how the novel is inspired by true events and it really gives a realistic view of NYC in early decades of the 20th century.
This is just good old fashioned storytelling and something that you can just sit down and read for extended periods of time. Many times I found myself reading long past the time that I wanted to and kept saying “one more chapter”. I would highly recommend this book.
December 5, 2017
This book is causing a bit of a stir at Simon & Schuster! So many people are reading and falling in love—which is usually a good sign that you guys will too :)
April 14, 2018
Colonel Jacob Ruppert was an icon in NYC in the early part of the 20th Century. An adept businessman, owner of the NY Yankees, and a Colonel in the National Guard. Despite his notoriety, he kept his personal life very private and had never married. He would occasionally be seen with Helen Weyant (Helen Winthrope in the novel), a young actress he took under his wing. Why did he leave the majority of his fortune to Helen upon his death?
Though based upon Helen Weyant and Albert Kramer, personal secretary to Colonel Ruppert, the characters in the book are the author's imagination of who they might have been. Told in alternating chapters of Helen and Albert, the novel is an interesting depiction of the time period and the social morals and constraints of the day. Helen and Albert both hold deep seeded secrets that both hinder and enhance their friendship and loyalty to one another and to Colonel Ruppert.
A fascinating story of the complexities of relationships and of the Jazz Age in NYC.
Though based upon Helen Weyant and Albert Kramer, personal secretary to Colonel Ruppert, the characters in the book are the author's imagination of who they might have been. Told in alternating chapters of Helen and Albert, the novel is an interesting depiction of the time period and the social morals and constraints of the day. Helen and Albert both hold deep seeded secrets that both hinder and enhance their friendship and loyalty to one another and to Colonel Ruppert.
A fascinating story of the complexities of relationships and of the Jazz Age in NYC.
January 6, 2018
Bachelor Girl presents a fascinating fictional portrayal of American male homosexual life during the 1920's. While the bachelor girl, Miss Helen Winthrope, is the title character-another character, Albert Kramer felt like the book's true focus. Albert and Helen were both employed by Colonel Jacob Ruppert. Ruppert a true historical figure was a well know millionaire and prominent in New York Society during the 1920s. Ruppert was responsible for the construction of Yankee Stadium and credited with adding Babe Ruth to the Yankee roster.
You must read approximately 90% of the novel prior to reaching the climax-however it is worth it. At first I believed we were ambling along endlessly, but there is a huge twist that I never saw coming. Love when that happens!
Van Alkemade writing is comfortable and paints a vivid picture of life in New York City without being overly descriptive. This novel will go on sale March 6, 2018.
You must read approximately 90% of the novel prior to reaching the climax-however it is worth it. At first I believed we were ambling along endlessly, but there is a huge twist that I never saw coming. Love when that happens!
Van Alkemade writing is comfortable and paints a vivid picture of life in New York City without being overly descriptive. This novel will go on sale March 6, 2018.
February 16, 2018
A thoughtful take on homosexuality and female “bachelor girl” hood in the 1920’s, I enjoyed this novel and the portrait of a time when society curtailed one’s behavior immensely, making me happy I live in 2018, and the freedoms I am afforded.
January 21, 2023
This book turned out to be nothing at all what I was expecting. Yes, it is historical fiction and set in New York City from 1923 to 1939. Yes, it is about the original owner of the New York Yankees - Colonel Jacob Ruppert; and yes it about the building of Yankee stadium, the signing of Babe Ruth, and the Yankees run for the pennant in those early years. But what I wasn't expecting, and what turned out to be the whole story behind this book is the LGBTQ lifestyle in the 20's and 30's in New York City. Albert Kramer leads a secret life outside of the world of Jacob Ruppert to whom he is employed as secretary. Helen Winthrope, a young actress who lives alone with her mother, can't understand why she has been drawn into Jacob's life so much, but enjoys his company, so she follows along The real Jacob Ruppert did leave a huge bequest upon his death to an unknown actress, and historically, that mystery was never really explained. Ms.van Alkemade has woven these two characters into the life of Colonel Ruppert and offers an explanation as to why Ruppert left his estate to an unknown, who wasn't family. I found that the book diverged too much from the original story as it delved deeper and deeper into alternative lifestyles of the early 20 century New York. I ike more history in books from this genre than what I got with this one. I'm ambivalent as to how to rate this book. It is fairly well-written, and the characters are fairly well defined, but the plot suffered as it seemed to me that it was all about the alternate lifestyles, and not about actual historical happenings.
June 5, 2018
Not what I expected at all. For some reason I thought it would be more about a woman inheriting and running the Yankees than what I ended up getting. Yes, it starts with Helen inheriting the Yankees but then it goes way back to everyone's younger days and from there takes forever to get anywhere in my opinion. And every other chapter is about a "Pansy". And before everyone jumps on me, this is what he calls himself. And frankly it felt too forced, as if he was trying too hard to be a pansy but isn't one really. The makeup, the bow ties, the act he puts on. He's far too aware of what he thinks he is to be a natural pansy. I didn't "buy it". I began to grow irritated with it all.
The book is well written but I've no interest in reading about these people. It's not what I expected at all.
The book is well written but I've no interest in reading about these people. It's not what I expected at all.
April 30, 2018
I was actually disappointed in this novel. I was really looking forward to reading it and felt the description on the book didn't really offer an honest insight to the novel . For one there was a lot more sexual description than I thought there would be, particularly m/m. That's fine in novels when I'm expecting it but I thought this story would focus more on the lives of these bachelor girls and it didn't quite get there for me. In hindsight, I should have given up on the novel but I kept thinking it would get better.
May 16, 2023
Bachelor Girl
Kim van Alkemade
I am rather torn about how to rate this book. I was totally engaged with most of the book's story which covered about 16 years so it often drug a bit. I did like the historical facts that were imagined in the story. But I wonder what the family of Jacob Ruppert thought of the insinuation that he might have been gay. It was a good weave and pulled the pansy craze into the story.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
Kim van Alkemade
I am rather torn about how to rate this book. I was totally engaged with most of the book's story which covered about 16 years so it often drug a bit. I did like the historical facts that were imagined in the story. But I wonder what the family of Jacob Ruppert thought of the insinuation that he might have been gay. It was a good weave and pulled the pansy craze into the story.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
January 15, 2024
I had much higher hopes for this book. As my new years reading resolution I planned to read through my TBR starting with the oldest on the list. This was the oldest one I didn't have a hard copy of so used audiobook from the library and it was not worth it. It was not worth the wait. Never in my life did I find listening to an audiobook to be such a chore. I just wished it to be done but I was determined to finish it. It had potential but I don't know what I was expecting. Perhaps the style is not for me when it jumped between narration of characters. Normally it doesn't bother me but it felt like the stories were not mixing at least not how the readers were telling it and I found myself drifting my attention from the reading. Least it's over with.
April 17, 2018
When I first heard about Bachelor Girl, there were a few things that immediately grabbed my attention! The first was the fact that it was set between 1920-1940 in New York, which I was really interested in reading about! The second was that the description mentioned that Colonel Jacob Ruppert was the owner of the New York Yankees...since I'm a sucker for baseball, that little fact pulled me in right away! Finally, I was very eager to see just what secrets all of the characters had!
I found Bachelor Girl to be a fairly quick read, but I have to admit that it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. Based on the title and the book's description, I expected the book to mostly follow Helen, but instead it was a dual POV and the story also focused quite heavily on the Colonel's secretary, Albert. I quite liked Albert, but I didn't expect his part of the plot to be so large. Helen's story seemed to take a back-burner to his, and I actually felt like her character was pretty flat in comparison. I liked seeing how they both fit into the New York settings around them though, and I liked that both of them challenged the norms of the time. It definitely made me think!
One of the things that I felt were handled really well in Bachelor Girl was the passage of time. The prologue begins in 1939 at the reading of the Colonel's will, then we jump back to 1919 when Helen, Albert, and the Colonel all become intrinsically connected. Then it skips forward years at a time until we catch back up to 1939 and see what happens shortly after we find out that Helen has inherited the bulk of Jake's fortune and assets. Certain parts did move rather quickly, but they were established enough within the storyline that it didn't feel as if anything had been skipped whenever time moved forward.
I have to admit that what I loved most were all of the bits about the Yankees! I loved seeing the Colonel figure out how he was going to acquire Babe Ruth, and how Helen's brother, Rex, gushed over the sport and the players...mostly Babe Ruth. :P The little snippets about Yankee Stadium, the baseball games...especially the World Series, and the parts with the players were really neat and they definitely were unlike anything I've ever read in historical fiction. I might have to actively seek out more historical fiction with baseball now. :P
Overall, while I didn't quite enjoy Bachelor Girl as much as I'd hoped, I still found it to be an engaging read. It just wasn't quite what I expected. I was expecting more of a romance and for Helen to be a full-blown "bachelor girl." Someone who was very career-minded and independent, which she kind of was at first, but definitely wasn't by the end of the book. I do think that the writing was very strong and I loved that Kim van Alkemade challenged societal norms of New York during the Jazz Age and that she explored self-identity. I'd recommend Bachelor Girl to readers who enjoy historical fiction and love stories that revolve around love, family, and self discovery, especially readers who enjoy stories that challenge beliefs about sexuality, race, and gender.
I found Bachelor Girl to be a fairly quick read, but I have to admit that it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. Based on the title and the book's description, I expected the book to mostly follow Helen, but instead it was a dual POV and the story also focused quite heavily on the Colonel's secretary, Albert. I quite liked Albert, but I didn't expect his part of the plot to be so large. Helen's story seemed to take a back-burner to his, and I actually felt like her character was pretty flat in comparison. I liked seeing how they both fit into the New York settings around them though, and I liked that both of them challenged the norms of the time. It definitely made me think!
One of the things that I felt were handled really well in Bachelor Girl was the passage of time. The prologue begins in 1939 at the reading of the Colonel's will, then we jump back to 1919 when Helen, Albert, and the Colonel all become intrinsically connected. Then it skips forward years at a time until we catch back up to 1939 and see what happens shortly after we find out that Helen has inherited the bulk of Jake's fortune and assets. Certain parts did move rather quickly, but they were established enough within the storyline that it didn't feel as if anything had been skipped whenever time moved forward.
I have to admit that what I loved most were all of the bits about the Yankees! I loved seeing the Colonel figure out how he was going to acquire Babe Ruth, and how Helen's brother, Rex, gushed over the sport and the players...mostly Babe Ruth. :P The little snippets about Yankee Stadium, the baseball games...especially the World Series, and the parts with the players were really neat and they definitely were unlike anything I've ever read in historical fiction. I might have to actively seek out more historical fiction with baseball now. :P
Overall, while I didn't quite enjoy Bachelor Girl as much as I'd hoped, I still found it to be an engaging read. It just wasn't quite what I expected. I was expecting more of a romance and for Helen to be a full-blown "bachelor girl." Someone who was very career-minded and independent, which she kind of was at first, but definitely wasn't by the end of the book. I do think that the writing was very strong and I loved that Kim van Alkemade challenged societal norms of New York during the Jazz Age and that she explored self-identity. I'd recommend Bachelor Girl to readers who enjoy historical fiction and love stories that revolve around love, family, and self discovery, especially readers who enjoy stories that challenge beliefs about sexuality, race, and gender.
December 30, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel even though historical fiction is not usually my go-to genre! I liked the alternating viewpoints of both Helen and Albert as they work for wealthy Jacob Ruppert and become involved in a solid friendship evolving into an unusual loving relationship. There were many 1920's details that engaged me in the story as well, especially those involving attitudes and misconceptions surrounding the gay community and the treatment of women. But particularly interesting and laudable was the ending; it both surprised and delighted me and I was fascinated to hear that the author created all of it simply based on the real Jacob Ruppert alone. Others have commented that some of it is slow, but I felt all of the details were necessary to paint the entire picture of the relationships between characters that are both poignant and bittersweet. Overall, this was a novel to be savored and enjoyed while relishing in the decade of the 20's!
April 14, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! Right from the start I was hooked! It was everything I love! A strong independent woman, the theatre, sports (baseball), romance, tragedy and some true history thrown in the mix! I loved getting lost in this world and fell in love with the characters. I loved how the story was spread over several years, rather than a small section of the characters lives. Highly recommend this historical fiction!
January 8, 2019
I loved that the whole book went back and forth between Helen and Albert. Having each others perspectives was necessary to the whole story. Wonderfully written.
March 5, 2018
Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc! In Bachelor Girl van Alkemade pulls back the curtain of the early 20th century and shows a sad part of history when particular members of society weren't free to live out in the open with whoever they loved. She mingles fact and fiction into a heartbreaking and beautiful story. I found Bachelor Girl to be just as compelling as the author's previous novel, Orphan #8. I recommend both - they were wonderful!
December 14, 2018
This book had me in its grips in the first few pages and refused to let me go! The story is wonderfully moving and very tragic, you can't help but feel for the characters. This historical work of fiction is set in New York in 1918, the 1920s and 1939. The characters each have their own secrets, I was pleases with myself for guessing one of them early on in the novel (its not often I do that). I recommend this book, its an excellent read and a look back at an earlier time in our history.
August 22, 2018
Interesting story, but more fictional than factual. It’s a well-written and engaging account of the lives of three people—two men and one woman—living in New York City from 1918 to 1938.
June 1, 2019
Great historical aspect to the story but both main characters underwhelmed me and left me annoyed with them. Very predictable ending.
March 13, 2018
In New York, everyone KNEW Jacob Ruppert: a successful businessman, owner of the Yankees and a touch eccentric is almost everything that the city celebrates. A brewer, a congressman, a colonel in the National Guard and a prodigious owner of the Yankees: acquiring Babe Ruth and building Yankee Stadium, there appeared to be no one who didn’t know him or those close to him. But when his will was read, there was a bequest to a Helen Winthrope that included half ownership in the Yankees – there was a mystery to unfurl. And unfurl it we do as the author takes us through the story, told in two points of view from people who knew and befriended Jacob: Helen and Albert, Jacob’s personal secretary.
Slowly building to the climax, the story builds both characters and atmosphere gradually, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the lives, friendships, struggles and challenges of the place and day, while allowing for little nuggets of deeper secrets to be revealed. The question for all but Albert, Helen and Jacob himself is why Helen, relatively unknown and unremarkable young woman, living and supporting herself in the city, would receive such a generous bequest. And there are secrets that Helen holds that were unknown to many, including her own family, for years. From bigger societal issues like racism, poverty, women’s rights, family planning and even the justice system, to personal choices about abortion, sexual freedom or even homosexuality, each element is handled with a feeling of possibility and plausibility: showing the characters dealing with the many inequities and difficulties that life in that time could bring. Of course, there are the reasons and rumors surrounding Helen’s windfall, and secrets of affairs that ignore the bone-deep loyalties that are found with these very different people, loyalties that appear to have started in chance encounters but quickly became choices of intimates who shared secrets, desires and even sorrows near equally.
None of the secrets are truly revealed or confirmed until the book is nearly at an end, allowing readers to piece together the who and the why, but the revelations as the story comes to unearth the secrets are fully realized in the carefully plotted and structured story. While issues aren’t always directly confronted, the sense of navigating what must have felt like a minefield for the three are clearly presented and dealt with, in ways that bring a sense of completion and progress to the reader. A lovely story that transports readers to the 20’s while giving them a sense of the characters, now long gone, who once were living and breathing and as real as you or I.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Slowly building to the climax, the story builds both characters and atmosphere gradually, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the lives, friendships, struggles and challenges of the place and day, while allowing for little nuggets of deeper secrets to be revealed. The question for all but Albert, Helen and Jacob himself is why Helen, relatively unknown and unremarkable young woman, living and supporting herself in the city, would receive such a generous bequest. And there are secrets that Helen holds that were unknown to many, including her own family, for years. From bigger societal issues like racism, poverty, women’s rights, family planning and even the justice system, to personal choices about abortion, sexual freedom or even homosexuality, each element is handled with a feeling of possibility and plausibility: showing the characters dealing with the many inequities and difficulties that life in that time could bring. Of course, there are the reasons and rumors surrounding Helen’s windfall, and secrets of affairs that ignore the bone-deep loyalties that are found with these very different people, loyalties that appear to have started in chance encounters but quickly became choices of intimates who shared secrets, desires and even sorrows near equally.
None of the secrets are truly revealed or confirmed until the book is nearly at an end, allowing readers to piece together the who and the why, but the revelations as the story comes to unearth the secrets are fully realized in the carefully plotted and structured story. While issues aren’t always directly confronted, the sense of navigating what must have felt like a minefield for the three are clearly presented and dealt with, in ways that bring a sense of completion and progress to the reader. A lovely story that transports readers to the 20’s while giving them a sense of the characters, now long gone, who once were living and breathing and as real as you or I.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
March 16, 2018
This was a 2.5 star read for me.
I love historical fiction, so when I saw that this was available on Netgalley, I immediately requested a copy. Based on two real people who worked / knew Jacob Ruppert, Kim van Alkemade was very clear that other than using real people's names, and the fact that Helen Winthrope did inherit the majority of Ruppert's wealth when he died, this was very much a work of fiction.
The story revolves around Helen's friendship with Jacob Ruppert, as well as her relationship with his personal secretary, Albert Kramer. Told through alternating points of view, Helen or Albert's, the reader got to see what NYC was like over the course of 20 years - starting in 1918 (just as American troops where joining the war effort) and ending in 1939 - just after Ruppert's death.
I can't really tell you why I didn't love this book more than I did - I thought it was ok - it might have been because so much of Albert's narration was focused on his homosexuality - which I understand would have been a big deal during the roaring twenties and thirties - but it almost felt like it hindered the progress of the plot. And it could have been that Helen just felt stagnate - until the very end - the last few chapters brought an energy to her character. Had the book started with the inheritance and moved from 1939 onwards perhaps I would have liked it better. Maybe seeing what Helen and Arthur would have done once Ruppert was gone was more of what I wanted out of the plot ... who knows?
Was this well written? Yes.
Did I love the characters? They were ok.
Do I think that other readers will enjoy this book? Absolutely.
Would I read another book by this author? Yes.
I didn't love The Paris Wife, or The Aviator's Wife, and found that The Alice Network was a little slow - so I would say that if you enjoyed those historical books - this will likely check all your boxes and leave you satisfied.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
I love historical fiction, so when I saw that this was available on Netgalley, I immediately requested a copy. Based on two real people who worked / knew Jacob Ruppert, Kim van Alkemade was very clear that other than using real people's names, and the fact that Helen Winthrope did inherit the majority of Ruppert's wealth when he died, this was very much a work of fiction.
The story revolves around Helen's friendship with Jacob Ruppert, as well as her relationship with his personal secretary, Albert Kramer. Told through alternating points of view, Helen or Albert's, the reader got to see what NYC was like over the course of 20 years - starting in 1918 (just as American troops where joining the war effort) and ending in 1939 - just after Ruppert's death.
I can't really tell you why I didn't love this book more than I did - I thought it was ok - it might have been because so much of Albert's narration was focused on his homosexuality - which I understand would have been a big deal during the roaring twenties and thirties - but it almost felt like it hindered the progress of the plot. And it could have been that Helen just felt stagnate - until the very end - the last few chapters brought an energy to her character. Had the book started with the inheritance and moved from 1939 onwards perhaps I would have liked it better. Maybe seeing what Helen and Arthur would have done once Ruppert was gone was more of what I wanted out of the plot ... who knows?
Was this well written? Yes.
Did I love the characters? They were ok.
Do I think that other readers will enjoy this book? Absolutely.
Would I read another book by this author? Yes.
I didn't love The Paris Wife, or The Aviator's Wife, and found that The Alice Network was a little slow - so I would say that if you enjoyed those historical books - this will likely check all your boxes and leave you satisfied.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
July 14, 2021
This book had the potential to be a stunning read, with subject matter including romance, sex, war, baseball, racism, homophobia, etc. There were a few reasons why the book did not work for me. First, it dragged on too much. Scenes that could have grabbed the reader's attention instead left us wondering when they would ever end.
Secondly, I had issues with the words pansy and pervert, which were commonly used throughout the book to describe gay people. I realize that the thinking back in that day was very different than it is now. Yet I cannot really help wondering if the book could have been written and still avoided hateful terms like that. In today's world where we are struggling to overcome that type of hatred, I don't think books like this really do much for the cause.
Also, the character of Helen was totally at the mercy of men for her survival. The only reason she even projected the illusion of being a self starter was because of the generosity of Colonel Ruppert, who set her up time and again in one sweet situation after another. None of the characters in this book had much backbone when it came to controlling their urges and living up to commitments. Not my favorite book ever, but certainly not the worst either. Would I recommend the book to a friend? Probably not. While the characters were interesting, most of them were stereotypical and very predictable.
Secondly, I had issues with the words pansy and pervert, which were commonly used throughout the book to describe gay people. I realize that the thinking back in that day was very different than it is now. Yet I cannot really help wondering if the book could have been written and still avoided hateful terms like that. In today's world where we are struggling to overcome that type of hatred, I don't think books like this really do much for the cause.
Also, the character of Helen was totally at the mercy of men for her survival. The only reason she even projected the illusion of being a self starter was because of the generosity of Colonel Ruppert, who set her up time and again in one sweet situation after another. None of the characters in this book had much backbone when it came to controlling their urges and living up to commitments. Not my favorite book ever, but certainly not the worst either. Would I recommend the book to a friend? Probably not. While the characters were interesting, most of them were stereotypical and very predictable.
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