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Lady Be Good
Set in the 1950s, Lady Be Good is Amber Brock's mesmerizing return, sweeping readers into the world of the mischievous, status-obsessed daughter of a hotel magnate and the electric nightlife of three iconic cities: New York, Miami, and Havana.
Kitty Tessler is the winsome and clever only child of self-made hotel and nightclub tycoon Nicolas Tessler. Kitty may not have the same pedigree as the tennis club set she admires, but she still sees herself as every inch the socialite--spending her days perfecting her "look" and her nights charming all the blue-blooded boys who frequent her father's clubs. It seems like the fun will never end until Kitty's father issues a terrible ultimatum: she may no longer date the idle rich. Instead, Kitty must marry Andre, her father's second-in-command, and take her place as the First Lady of his hotel empire. Kitty is forced to come up with a wily and elaborate plan to protect her own lofty ideas for the future, as well as to save her best friend, Henrietta Bancroft, from a doomed engagement: Kitty will steal Henrietta's fiance, a fabulously wealthy but terribly unkind man from a powerful family--thereby delivering the one-two punch of securing her now-fragile place on the social ladder and keeping her friend from a miserable marriage.
Then Kitty meets Max, a member of a band visiting New York from her father's Miami club, and her plans take a turn. Smitten, but still eager to convince her father of her commitment to Andre, Kitty and Hen follow Max, Andre, and the rest of the band back down to Miami--and later to Cuba. As Kitty spends more time with Max, she begins waking up to the beauty--and the injustice--of the world beyond her small, privileged corner of Manhattan. And when her well-intended yet manipulative efforts backfire, Kitty is forced to reconsider her choices and her future before she loses everyone she loves.
“Kitty Tessler, a headstrong glamour girl determined to move up in the world, steals the spotlight in Amber Brock’s latest, a tour-de-force filled with intrigue and surprises.” -- Fiona Davis, nationally bestselling author of The Address and The Dollhouse
Kitty Tessler is the winsome and clever only child of self-made hotel and nightclub tycoon Nicolas Tessler. Kitty may not have the same pedigree as the tennis club set she admires, but she still sees herself as every inch the socialite--spending her days perfecting her "look" and her nights charming all the blue-blooded boys who frequent her father's clubs. It seems like the fun will never end until Kitty's father issues a terrible ultimatum: she may no longer date the idle rich. Instead, Kitty must marry Andre, her father's second-in-command, and take her place as the First Lady of his hotel empire. Kitty is forced to come up with a wily and elaborate plan to protect her own lofty ideas for the future, as well as to save her best friend, Henrietta Bancroft, from a doomed engagement: Kitty will steal Henrietta's fiance, a fabulously wealthy but terribly unkind man from a powerful family--thereby delivering the one-two punch of securing her now-fragile place on the social ladder and keeping her friend from a miserable marriage.
Then Kitty meets Max, a member of a band visiting New York from her father's Miami club, and her plans take a turn. Smitten, but still eager to convince her father of her commitment to Andre, Kitty and Hen follow Max, Andre, and the rest of the band back down to Miami--and later to Cuba. As Kitty spends more time with Max, she begins waking up to the beauty--and the injustice--of the world beyond her small, privileged corner of Manhattan. And when her well-intended yet manipulative efforts backfire, Kitty is forced to reconsider her choices and her future before she loses everyone she loves.
“Kitty Tessler, a headstrong glamour girl determined to move up in the world, steals the spotlight in Amber Brock’s latest, a tour-de-force filled with intrigue and surprises.” -- Fiona Davis, nationally bestselling author of The Address and The Dollhouse
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2018
41 people are currently reading
2498 people want to read
About the author
Amber Brock
5 books228 followersAMBER BROCK teaches British literature and creative writing at an all girls' school in Atlanta. She holds an MA from the University of Georgia and lives in Smyrna with her husband, also an English teacher, and their three rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
June 26, 2018
4 “It’s not easy being good” stars to Lady Be Good! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It’s the 1950s, and Kitty Tessler, daughter of a self-made hotel and nightclub owner (i.e., in other words, “new money,”), yearns to fit in with the old money set she rubs elbows with at her father’s clubs. Kitty dates around, but she never measures up due to status. Her father finally tells her she will have to marry his second-in-command, Andre, in order to keep her tied in to his hotel business.
Kitty understandably does not want to marry Andre, she wants to choose her own husband, so she comes up with an elaborate scheme to keep that from happening, along with saving her best friend, Henrietta, from an unhappy engagement. So what does Kitty do? (Included in the synopsis, so not a spoiler.) She plans to steal Henrietta’s old money, but mean fiancé, which will give Kitty the social status she’s after while also protecting her friend.
Her plans fall apart when she meets Max, a musician from her father’s Miami club. Kitty and her friends first travel to Miami and then wind-up in Cuba, where she finds herself falling more and more in love with Max. Her wily scheme begins to fall apart, and Kitty grows up in the process.
Kitty is a main character I had to give a chance. At first, I was put-off by her social climbing and insincere ways. But throughout the book, she comes into her own.
Overall, Lady Be Good is a lighter, easy-to-read, fun historical fiction novel with a vivid and glitzy backdrop. I adore reading about the 1950s, and Amber Brock brought that time period to life with gusto.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for the ARC. Lady Be Good is now available!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
It’s the 1950s, and Kitty Tessler, daughter of a self-made hotel and nightclub owner (i.e., in other words, “new money,”), yearns to fit in with the old money set she rubs elbows with at her father’s clubs. Kitty dates around, but she never measures up due to status. Her father finally tells her she will have to marry his second-in-command, Andre, in order to keep her tied in to his hotel business.
Kitty understandably does not want to marry Andre, she wants to choose her own husband, so she comes up with an elaborate scheme to keep that from happening, along with saving her best friend, Henrietta, from an unhappy engagement. So what does Kitty do? (Included in the synopsis, so not a spoiler.) She plans to steal Henrietta’s old money, but mean fiancé, which will give Kitty the social status she’s after while also protecting her friend.
Her plans fall apart when she meets Max, a musician from her father’s Miami club. Kitty and her friends first travel to Miami and then wind-up in Cuba, where she finds herself falling more and more in love with Max. Her wily scheme begins to fall apart, and Kitty grows up in the process.
Kitty is a main character I had to give a chance. At first, I was put-off by her social climbing and insincere ways. But throughout the book, she comes into her own.
Overall, Lady Be Good is a lighter, easy-to-read, fun historical fiction novel with a vivid and glitzy backdrop. I adore reading about the 1950s, and Amber Brock brought that time period to life with gusto.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for the ARC. Lady Be Good is now available!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
July 14, 2018
Audiobook....read by Julia Whelan
This average enjoyable book - was ‘greatly’ enhanced by Julia’s voice.
Protagonist, Kitty- is everything that makes us cringe:
she is self centered - ( hasn’t the clue about the value of a dollar or hard work)....
She spends daddy’s money frivolously as if she is entitled to it -
—One day daddy gives her an ultimatum: marry his stable responsible trusted employee — or learn how to manage her dad’s business starting from the ground up - cleaning toilets.
Kitty has a better plan... which includes picking her own husband.
We follow Kitty’s schemes - meet her best friend - and ‘best’ guys.
Max has a pivotal influence on the way Kitty begins to see the greater world at large.
Cuban culture- and prejudice in the 1950’s -
I swear it was Julia Whelan - ‘audio-reader’ - who gave this book just the right touch it needed to make this romp entertaining. The sassy intonations in her voice added real humor.
Towards the end of this 1950’s era novel....the superficiality turned into deeper thought provoking substance.... giving this novel its heart-backbone!
3.5 rating
Summertime beach read!
This average enjoyable book - was ‘greatly’ enhanced by Julia’s voice.
Protagonist, Kitty- is everything that makes us cringe:
she is self centered - ( hasn’t the clue about the value of a dollar or hard work)....
She spends daddy’s money frivolously as if she is entitled to it -
—One day daddy gives her an ultimatum: marry his stable responsible trusted employee — or learn how to manage her dad’s business starting from the ground up - cleaning toilets.
Kitty has a better plan... which includes picking her own husband.
We follow Kitty’s schemes - meet her best friend - and ‘best’ guys.
Max has a pivotal influence on the way Kitty begins to see the greater world at large.
Cuban culture- and prejudice in the 1950’s -
I swear it was Julia Whelan - ‘audio-reader’ - who gave this book just the right touch it needed to make this romp entertaining. The sassy intonations in her voice added real humor.
Towards the end of this 1950’s era novel....the superficiality turned into deeper thought provoking substance.... giving this novel its heart-backbone!
3.5 rating
Summertime beach read!
August 14, 2018
This book had it all, I loved the glamorous era plus the different settings. It begins when Kitty Tessler, who is the daughter of a self-made hotel, nightclub tycoon who happens to have made it by a lot of hard work and he's not accepted into the snobby upper-crust "country club" set that his daughter, Kitty so desires to be a part of. She's a beautiful young woman who has it all but it's not enough for Kitty.
Her best friend, Henrietta Bancroft is part of the "country club" set and she's engaged to a man who is a womanizing, cheat who is from a very wealthy family this union is about the worst thing that could happen to poor Henrietta. Everyone knows his true colors but they turn a blind eye to it because basically, it's an arranged marriage between two very social, powerful families.
When Kitty's father, gives her Nicolas gets tired of Kitty wasting time and money chasing what she sees as her dreams, he offers her two choices; she can learn the family business from the ground up or she can marry Andre, her father's second in command. She's blown away, she's not going to marry Andre, who is a perfectly nice man but he's just not for her.
She and "Hen" decide to go to Miami to see how hotels work there as and to keep Hen away from her awful fiance. When they arrive in Miami, they are taken by the sunshine and exotic locale. Kitty learns a few valuable lessons in life when she catches a glimpse of what really matters in life.
That's one of the things I liked about this book was the different settings: New York City, Maimi and finally Cuba. There was a lot too like about this book really. I would like to thank the publisher and Firsttoread for the providing me with a copy of this e-galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Her best friend, Henrietta Bancroft is part of the "country club" set and she's engaged to a man who is a womanizing, cheat who is from a very wealthy family this union is about the worst thing that could happen to poor Henrietta. Everyone knows his true colors but they turn a blind eye to it because basically, it's an arranged marriage between two very social, powerful families.
When Kitty's father, gives her Nicolas gets tired of Kitty wasting time and money chasing what she sees as her dreams, he offers her two choices; she can learn the family business from the ground up or she can marry Andre, her father's second in command. She's blown away, she's not going to marry Andre, who is a perfectly nice man but he's just not for her.
She and "Hen" decide to go to Miami to see how hotels work there as and to keep Hen away from her awful fiance. When they arrive in Miami, they are taken by the sunshine and exotic locale. Kitty learns a few valuable lessons in life when she catches a glimpse of what really matters in life.
That's one of the things I liked about this book was the different settings: New York City, Maimi and finally Cuba. There was a lot too like about this book really. I would like to thank the publisher and Firsttoread for the providing me with a copy of this e-galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 25, 2018
Historical fiction isn't usually my cup of tea. Then I get introduced to the likes of Fiona Davis and Amber Brock and these reads keep me picking this genre up periodically and I'm so glad that I do. This one is a super cute, light, quick read that is sure to delight fans of this genre... and those that maybe aren't.
Kitty is a hard character to like. As we know, I do like to hate on characters sometimes, but for at least the first half of the book I wanted to throttle her. Then I had to remember the era... not that this helped much! Haha. Eventually though I did warm to her.
Essentially this is a story of a woman coming into her own and having life experiences help to define her in a less selfish and narcissistic way. Who doesn't like to see growth in people?! While predictable, this lesson learned, finding yourself type of read is exactly what I needed at this time. I certainly had a smile on my face upon closure. Though, admittedly, I would love to dive into this book and give a few characters a huge high five across the face.
I would certainly pick up more of Brock and do recommend this story for those who need to take a little mind vacation from New York to Miami to Havana. Happy travels. ;)
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this copy.
Kitty is a hard character to like. As we know, I do like to hate on characters sometimes, but for at least the first half of the book I wanted to throttle her. Then I had to remember the era... not that this helped much! Haha. Eventually though I did warm to her.
Essentially this is a story of a woman coming into her own and having life experiences help to define her in a less selfish and narcissistic way. Who doesn't like to see growth in people?! While predictable, this lesson learned, finding yourself type of read is exactly what I needed at this time. I certainly had a smile on my face upon closure. Though, admittedly, I would love to dive into this book and give a few characters a huge high five across the face.
I would certainly pick up more of Brock and do recommend this story for those who need to take a little mind vacation from New York to Miami to Havana. Happy travels. ;)
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this copy.
June 2, 2018
#FirstLine ~ Kitty Tessler sat at the long wooden bar in the Palm on a chilly Friday evening, steadily losing confidence that her date deserved the seat next to her.
This book was one of those books that has something for everyone. I did not enjoy everyone character but they were all critical to the story and added something unique to the story. I did enjoy the dialogue and setting. The story was well plotted and fun to read. It was a sweet story that is great for the summer ahead.
This book was one of those books that has something for everyone. I did not enjoy everyone character but they were all critical to the story and added something unique to the story. I did enjoy the dialogue and setting. The story was well plotted and fun to read. It was a sweet story that is great for the summer ahead.
October 3, 2021
Review 2/23/20
This is the first of the books I received as a giveaway that I've decided to reread. If anything, I liked it even more the second time around.
Part of this might be because the last book I finished, Caging Skies, actually had a sort of similar pretense to Lady Be Good. But where Caging Skies made you hate the characters for no apparent reason, Lady Be Good does the exact opposite.
Kitty Tessler isn't the kind of character I like at the beginning. I mean, she's just not. But the thing is, she thinks she's likable. She thinks she's doing the right thing. And I know firsthand that it takes a lot to admit you're wrong when you've seen yourself as right your entire life.
Reading this book again in college has given me a new perspective on the novel as well. It says a lot about women throughout history, and even though Kitty is an older and very different woman in a very different time, I think her story represents that of a lot of (white) women coming of age in today's society. Being a young woman, today and in the 50's, means you are constantly reassessing yourself, trying to meet standards, and never quite knowing who to be. It means grappling with what is right and what is easy, and it means knowing you're always in the public eye.
I love that I can see myself in a book and character that is so far removed from my current situation. This is truly a strong work of women's fiction, and I hope it will see more success in the coming years.
---------------------------------
Review 7/22/18
When I picked up Lady Be Good, I was not expecting such an emotional and eye-opening read. Sure, the story of a 1950's New York girl who rediscovers herself in Miami and Havana seemed okay, but it also seemed boring, as if Amber Brock could be seen as trying too hard.
I am grateful to say that this was absolutely not the case. Although the beginning of the novel dragged on somewhat, it didn't take all that long for the necessary events to fall into place, even if their set up seemed somewhat pointless. About halfway through, when Kitty and Max really started talking, the pace of the novel sped up, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the story.
The climax involves Kitty screwing up everything, and from this point on, Brock created a story that rises and falls immaculately. The last novel I read was Questions I Want to Ask You, and when I came to fifty pages remaining, I didn't feel like anything would be resolved. With Lady Be Good, I was worried that the same thing would happen. When I was thirty pages from the end, I still couldn't see how the conflict would be resolved. Unlike with Questions I Want to Ask You, where Michelle Falkoff fell short, however, Brock crafted an enthralling scene that holds the reader's attention til the very last page. Things are resolved, but the ending left just enough up to speculation that the reader could thoroughly enjoy it.
Now, onto my favorite parts unique to the story. Personally, I've never experienced an instance of culture shock that totally changed the way I feel within such a short time. I've been very privileged to grow up sixty years after this book takes place, in a suburb where diversity is highly valued. I have people surrounding me from all different backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. However, I do not find it unrealistic, especially in the 1950's, how one month in a new environment can totally change a person and open them up to the world around them. I am thoroughly impressed by the young lady Kitty Tessler becomes by the end of the novel.
Disclaimer:
This is the first of the books I received as a giveaway that I've decided to reread. If anything, I liked it even more the second time around.
Part of this might be because the last book I finished, Caging Skies, actually had a sort of similar pretense to Lady Be Good. But where Caging Skies made you hate the characters for no apparent reason, Lady Be Good does the exact opposite.
Kitty Tessler isn't the kind of character I like at the beginning. I mean, she's just not. But the thing is, she thinks she's likable. She thinks she's doing the right thing. And I know firsthand that it takes a lot to admit you're wrong when you've seen yourself as right your entire life.
Reading this book again in college has given me a new perspective on the novel as well. It says a lot about women throughout history, and even though Kitty is an older and very different woman in a very different time, I think her story represents that of a lot of (white) women coming of age in today's society. Being a young woman, today and in the 50's, means you are constantly reassessing yourself, trying to meet standards, and never quite knowing who to be. It means grappling with what is right and what is easy, and it means knowing you're always in the public eye.
I love that I can see myself in a book and character that is so far removed from my current situation. This is truly a strong work of women's fiction, and I hope it will see more success in the coming years.
---------------------------------
Review 7/22/18
When I picked up Lady Be Good, I was not expecting such an emotional and eye-opening read. Sure, the story of a 1950's New York girl who rediscovers herself in Miami and Havana seemed okay, but it also seemed boring, as if Amber Brock could be seen as trying too hard.
I am grateful to say that this was absolutely not the case. Although the beginning of the novel dragged on somewhat, it didn't take all that long for the necessary events to fall into place, even if their set up seemed somewhat pointless. About halfway through, when Kitty and Max really started talking, the pace of the novel sped up, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the story.
The climax involves Kitty screwing up everything, and from this point on, Brock created a story that rises and falls immaculately. The last novel I read was Questions I Want to Ask You, and when I came to fifty pages remaining, I didn't feel like anything would be resolved. With Lady Be Good, I was worried that the same thing would happen. When I was thirty pages from the end, I still couldn't see how the conflict would be resolved. Unlike with Questions I Want to Ask You, where Michelle Falkoff fell short, however, Brock crafted an enthralling scene that holds the reader's attention til the very last page. Things are resolved, but the ending left just enough up to speculation that the reader could thoroughly enjoy it.
Now, onto my favorite parts unique to the story. Personally, I've never experienced an instance of culture shock that totally changed the way I feel within such a short time. I've been very privileged to grow up sixty years after this book takes place, in a suburb where diversity is highly valued. I have people surrounding me from all different backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. However, I do not find it unrealistic, especially in the 1950's, how one month in a new environment can totally change a person and open them up to the world around them. I am thoroughly impressed by the young lady Kitty Tessler becomes by the end of the novel.
Disclaimer:
May 29, 2018
3.5/5
There is something so glamorous about New York City in the fifties, maybe it’s the throwback to a simpler time, but the descriptions of the clothing, style and good clean fun never ceases to delight me. Brock really brought this time period to life and transported me from NYC to Miami and then to Cuba, all exotic locales with plenty of intrigue and excitement.
I’m not one that needs to fall head over heels in love with a character in order to enjoy a story and while I know I didn’t adore Kitty, there was something about her determination and good intended manipulation that worked well for me even though she was a bit of a spoiled little daddy’s girl. While she may have started out as an entitled and immature woman who only cared about finding the perfect husband by the end she had grown and matured. I always appreciate seeing a character grow and this added depth to an otherwise surface level read.
Recommended for those looking for a fun, easy and light historical read with gorgeous descriptions of not only the places the characters inhabit but the people themselves, I seriously swooned over the thought of some of Kitty and her best friend Hen’s outfits!
Lady Be Good in three words: Glamorous, Glitzy and Sweet.
There is something so glamorous about New York City in the fifties, maybe it’s the throwback to a simpler time, but the descriptions of the clothing, style and good clean fun never ceases to delight me. Brock really brought this time period to life and transported me from NYC to Miami and then to Cuba, all exotic locales with plenty of intrigue and excitement.
I’m not one that needs to fall head over heels in love with a character in order to enjoy a story and while I know I didn’t adore Kitty, there was something about her determination and good intended manipulation that worked well for me even though she was a bit of a spoiled little daddy’s girl. While she may have started out as an entitled and immature woman who only cared about finding the perfect husband by the end she had grown and matured. I always appreciate seeing a character grow and this added depth to an otherwise surface level read.
Recommended for those looking for a fun, easy and light historical read with gorgeous descriptions of not only the places the characters inhabit but the people themselves, I seriously swooned over the thought of some of Kitty and her best friend Hen’s outfits!
Lady Be Good in three words: Glamorous, Glitzy and Sweet.
May 4, 2018
Kitty Tessler wants nothing more than to find a man she can marry who has status and money so she can finally fit in with New York's elite social circle. It's the 1950s and despite Kitty having money due to her father's hotels and nightclubs, she just doesn't have the old money or pedigree that matters more than anything to the old money set. When her father gives her an ultimatum, Kitty comes up with a plan that will spare her from having to settle down with her father's hotel manager and will hopefully save her best friend, Henrietta, from marrying her cheating fiancé, Charles. But Kitty's world is turned upside down when she meets Max, a member of a band who plays at her father's club. As she spends more and more time with Max, she begins to question many of her beliefs. But with her schemes already set forth in motion it might be too late to change course and her plans could backfire big time.
Kitty is unlikable, manipulative, and shallow but despite those things I found myself highly interested in how her story was going to play out. I'm glad I stuck with the book because even though Kitty is more like this weird caricature at first, there is definitely some personal growth by the end of the story. I loved the chemistry between Kitty and Max and also Kitty's friendship with her best friend, Hen. My only complaint for the book is I needed more from the ending as it felt like too much was jammed into the last few pages and it left me feeling slightly disappointed that an important piece of the story felt more like an afterthought. Overall this was a fun read though and I recommend giving this one a chance because there is some substance to the story than it at first appears.
Thank you to First to Read for the advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
Kitty is unlikable, manipulative, and shallow but despite those things I found myself highly interested in how her story was going to play out. I'm glad I stuck with the book because even though Kitty is more like this weird caricature at first, there is definitely some personal growth by the end of the story. I loved the chemistry between Kitty and Max and also Kitty's friendship with her best friend, Hen. My only complaint for the book is I needed more from the ending as it felt like too much was jammed into the last few pages and it left me feeling slightly disappointed that an important piece of the story felt more like an afterthought. Overall this was a fun read though and I recommend giving this one a chance because there is some substance to the story than it at first appears.
Thank you to First to Read for the advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
June 26, 2018
I liked the retro feel to this book. Setting, clothing, music – everything put us squarely in another time and place.
Unfortunately, I found our characters mostly thinly drawn and largely uninteresting.
Kitty – spoiled nouveau riche girl who is an admitted social climber. She aims to marry well – even if she needs to marry her BFF’s cheating fiancé to do so. She gets to experience brown people, a poor child, and a Jewish guy, so hey – change!
Max – our strangely aggressive love interest. He thinks Kitty is nothing but a spoiled child until, upon witnessing her thinking (yes, he saw her thinking) realized that she must be thinking deep thoughts and, thus is worth pursuing. Max is Jewish. But, as Kitty’s BFF says (and forgive me), he’s different than you expect them to be. Yep…them.
Sebastian – Cuban guy. Handsome. Brown. Likes Kitty’s dog. Really, that’s all I have to say about him.
Hen – Kitty’s BFF. She does what’s she told. All the freaking time.
Andre – the guy Kitty is supposed to marry. He has no personality, but he likes parrots.
There are a few more minor characters like Kitty’s wallet (I mean her dad), but I just didn’t love a single one of them.
The best part of the book is once they reach Cuba. Cuba lived and breathed for me. The author really did a great job of making it vibrant.
All in all, though I liked the retro, the characters simply didn’t do it for me.
Unfortunately, I found our characters mostly thinly drawn and largely uninteresting.
Kitty – spoiled nouveau riche girl who is an admitted social climber. She aims to marry well – even if she needs to marry her BFF’s cheating fiancé to do so. She gets to experience brown people, a poor child, and a Jewish guy, so hey – change!
Max – our strangely aggressive love interest. He thinks Kitty is nothing but a spoiled child until, upon witnessing her thinking (yes, he saw her thinking) realized that she must be thinking deep thoughts and, thus is worth pursuing. Max is Jewish. But, as Kitty’s BFF says (and forgive me), he’s different than you expect them to be. Yep…them.
Sebastian – Cuban guy. Handsome. Brown. Likes Kitty’s dog. Really, that’s all I have to say about him.
Hen – Kitty’s BFF. She does what’s she told. All the freaking time.
Andre – the guy Kitty is supposed to marry. He has no personality, but he likes parrots.
There are a few more minor characters like Kitty’s wallet (I mean her dad), but I just didn’t love a single one of them.
The best part of the book is once they reach Cuba. Cuba lived and breathed for me. The author really did a great job of making it vibrant.
All in all, though I liked the retro, the characters simply didn’t do it for me.
July 1, 2018
I spent a large chunk of this weekend reading Amber Brock's delightful novel Lady Be Good and another sizable chunk of the weekend losing pitifully to Amber Brock at Words with Friends. She's a hell of a good writer, a warm and funny friend, and a vicious vicious heartlessly cruel WWFer. Reader beware!
May 31, 2018
My Review of “Lady Be Good ” by Amber Brock Crown Publishing Group , Publishing June 26, 2018
I enjoyed and was captivated and memorized by “Lady Be Good” by Amber Brock. I love the way Amber Brock vividly describes the lifestyle of the young 1950’s in New York, Miami and Cuba. I have my bags packed and I am ready to go!!.The Genres for this book are Fiction, and Women’s Fiction with a touch of humor, and a trace of suspense.
Then author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, and complicated perhaps due to the circumstances. Most of the characters are likable. In the era before our media, life may be simple, but people always have certain problems and characteristics. Kitty Tessler, is the wealthy daughter of nightclub tycoon Nicholas Tessler, who has has built his business up by himself. Kitty is adventurous, mischievous, calculating and fun-loving, and tries to act like a socialite. Kitty’s goal or dream is to find a mate that comes from established money with a Pedigree, so Kitty will be accepted in society.
Kitty’s father gives her an ultimatum to settle down with his assistant or start cleaning toilets. Kitty gets involved in her friends relationships, thinking what is best for them. As Kitty travels with her friend and Anton, the assistant to Miami, and Cuba, she starts to see different things that make her think. Kitty’s major plan to fix everything almost destroys everyone she loves.
I appreciate that the author brings up the subjects of social class, and how certain minorities were treated. I highly recommend this novel for readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction and Fiction.
I enjoyed and was captivated and memorized by “Lady Be Good” by Amber Brock. I love the way Amber Brock vividly describes the lifestyle of the young 1950’s in New York, Miami and Cuba. I have my bags packed and I am ready to go!!.The Genres for this book are Fiction, and Women’s Fiction with a touch of humor, and a trace of suspense.
Then author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, and complicated perhaps due to the circumstances. Most of the characters are likable. In the era before our media, life may be simple, but people always have certain problems and characteristics. Kitty Tessler, is the wealthy daughter of nightclub tycoon Nicholas Tessler, who has has built his business up by himself. Kitty is adventurous, mischievous, calculating and fun-loving, and tries to act like a socialite. Kitty’s goal or dream is to find a mate that comes from established money with a Pedigree, so Kitty will be accepted in society.
Kitty’s father gives her an ultimatum to settle down with his assistant or start cleaning toilets. Kitty gets involved in her friends relationships, thinking what is best for them. As Kitty travels with her friend and Anton, the assistant to Miami, and Cuba, she starts to see different things that make her think. Kitty’s major plan to fix everything almost destroys everyone she loves.
I appreciate that the author brings up the subjects of social class, and how certain minorities were treated. I highly recommend this novel for readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction and Fiction.
June 13, 2018
This book is character development at its finest! Kitty goes from a spoiled, self-centered character who believes the world revolves around her and her wardrobe to a humanitarian who is privy to the social progression that the world is about to embark on. She prepares to not only get on board that boat but bring along anyone who will listen.
My favorite quote from the book was, "that doctor did that to your family not because you should've been better, but because he should have been." I think that this is as relative now as it was then. As our ever-changing society shapes our young adults, we need to remember to live for ourselves and not what someone might perceive of us. Be remembered for what you did to put good back in the world by being your true self and not by what society tells you should be.
This book is a wonderful summer read. Kitty is perfect to bring along to the beach or sitting by the pool!
My favorite quote from the book was, "that doctor did that to your family not because you should've been better, but because he should have been." I think that this is as relative now as it was then. As our ever-changing society shapes our young adults, we need to remember to live for ourselves and not what someone might perceive of us. Be remembered for what you did to put good back in the world by being your true self and not by what society tells you should be.
This book is a wonderful summer read. Kitty is perfect to bring along to the beach or sitting by the pool!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2018
Thank you so much to Kathleen Carter and Crown Publishing for providing my free copy of LADY BE GOOD by Amber Brock - all opinions are my own.
Kitty is a twenty-five-year-old socialite and the daughter of a wealthy nightclub owner named Nicholas Tessler. Set in the 1950’s with a gorgeous backdrop of New York, Miami, and Cuba, this makes for a wonderful vacation read. Kitty’s father becomes concerned about her future and demands that she marry his second in command, Andre. I adore Kitty’s best friend, Hen and I was drooling over the glitz and glamor of their life, especially their outfits! Kitty starts off spoiled and selfish, but she eventually ventures out and learns of the social injustices and that she can no longer live in a bubble.
It does not bother me if a character is likable or if I can relate to her - Kitty isn’t easy to like, but I did appreciate her character’s personal growth throughout the story. Brock’s writing is colorful, descriptive, and vivid, which really makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of these exotic locations with Kitty and Hen. LADY BE GOOD is the perfect, sweet story for those lazy summer days.
Kitty is a twenty-five-year-old socialite and the daughter of a wealthy nightclub owner named Nicholas Tessler. Set in the 1950’s with a gorgeous backdrop of New York, Miami, and Cuba, this makes for a wonderful vacation read. Kitty’s father becomes concerned about her future and demands that she marry his second in command, Andre. I adore Kitty’s best friend, Hen and I was drooling over the glitz and glamor of their life, especially their outfits! Kitty starts off spoiled and selfish, but she eventually ventures out and learns of the social injustices and that she can no longer live in a bubble.
It does not bother me if a character is likable or if I can relate to her - Kitty isn’t easy to like, but I did appreciate her character’s personal growth throughout the story. Brock’s writing is colorful, descriptive, and vivid, which really makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of these exotic locations with Kitty and Hen. LADY BE GOOD is the perfect, sweet story for those lazy summer days.
June 1, 2018
tale of glamour and glitz in the early-mid 1950s traversing culture and cities, including NYC, Havana, and Miami.
Coming from Crown later this month (June 26th 2018), LADY BE GOOD pairs perfectly with a rum and Coke or a strawberry daiquiri and a sun-drenched patio. I found Amber Brock quickly and effortlessly transported me to the time period and the various cities in the story--I felt every scarf and blouse, every hair-do and every pair of sandals, that's Brock's greatest strength here-- capturing the time period with absolute perfection. She's clearly done her homework because these characters--Kitty and Hen--practically jump off the page with their accessories and ways of speaking.
Kitty is a rich socialite who primarily lives off her father's money; he owns several high-class hotels in NYC, but in other cities, too (namely, Havana and Miami). Kitty is at marrying age and her father wants to ensure his precious daughter is married off to the 'right' kind of guy; one with status and money. But Kitty isn't interested in the one he wants for her her. In fact, she has her 'designs' (to use a lovely 1950s word) on someone else...
Hen is Kitty's best friend. She comes from the 'right' kind of family: connections and old money. Together, the women are inseparable, and a bit of trouble. The real fun begins when Kitty's father sends them both to the Miami hotel to oversee a few things and perhaps fall for the 'right' guy.
But Kitty is intrigued with Max, a musician at the Miami hotel and well, he's not exactly the marrying type, at least not in Kitty's father's eyes.
Of course, Kitty is used to getting what she desires, and with her charming and delightful manipulations, she very nearly does.
LADY BE GOOD is probably, ultimately a historical romance with literary leanings. Brock's prose is witty and graceful, and her descriptions of the glitz and glamour of the time period really bring the narrative to life. There are a few twists and turns to the satisfying ending. For me, I wanted a little more intrigue and depth as there seem to be a good deal of superficial pieces at the surface (is my dress alright, etc). However, Kitty's character does grow and change, so there's definitely a character arc; so too, does Hen.
I'd recommend LADY BE GOOD to historical readers looking for a light, fun look at the 1950s. I found the story and style to be reminiscent of Fiona Davis's THE DOLLHOUSE meets Camille de Maio's THE MEMORY OF US coupled loosely with ISLAND OF SWEET PIES & SOLDIERS (Sara Ackerman) mostly for the time period.
For all my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com
Special thanks to Kathleen Carter Communications/Crown Publishing for this review copy. All thoughts are my own.
Coming from Crown later this month (June 26th 2018), LADY BE GOOD pairs perfectly with a rum and Coke or a strawberry daiquiri and a sun-drenched patio. I found Amber Brock quickly and effortlessly transported me to the time period and the various cities in the story--I felt every scarf and blouse, every hair-do and every pair of sandals, that's Brock's greatest strength here-- capturing the time period with absolute perfection. She's clearly done her homework because these characters--Kitty and Hen--practically jump off the page with their accessories and ways of speaking.
Kitty is a rich socialite who primarily lives off her father's money; he owns several high-class hotels in NYC, but in other cities, too (namely, Havana and Miami). Kitty is at marrying age and her father wants to ensure his precious daughter is married off to the 'right' kind of guy; one with status and money. But Kitty isn't interested in the one he wants for her her. In fact, she has her 'designs' (to use a lovely 1950s word) on someone else...
Hen is Kitty's best friend. She comes from the 'right' kind of family: connections and old money. Together, the women are inseparable, and a bit of trouble. The real fun begins when Kitty's father sends them both to the Miami hotel to oversee a few things and perhaps fall for the 'right' guy.
But Kitty is intrigued with Max, a musician at the Miami hotel and well, he's not exactly the marrying type, at least not in Kitty's father's eyes.
Of course, Kitty is used to getting what she desires, and with her charming and delightful manipulations, she very nearly does.
LADY BE GOOD is probably, ultimately a historical romance with literary leanings. Brock's prose is witty and graceful, and her descriptions of the glitz and glamour of the time period really bring the narrative to life. There are a few twists and turns to the satisfying ending. For me, I wanted a little more intrigue and depth as there seem to be a good deal of superficial pieces at the surface (is my dress alright, etc). However, Kitty's character does grow and change, so there's definitely a character arc; so too, does Hen.
I'd recommend LADY BE GOOD to historical readers looking for a light, fun look at the 1950s. I found the story and style to be reminiscent of Fiona Davis's THE DOLLHOUSE meets Camille de Maio's THE MEMORY OF US coupled loosely with ISLAND OF SWEET PIES & SOLDIERS (Sara Ackerman) mostly for the time period.
For all my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com
Special thanks to Kathleen Carter Communications/Crown Publishing for this review copy. All thoughts are my own.
January 17, 2019
Thank you Cindy for this book.
I have to give this book 2.5 stars. In the beginning I liked it and then started to get bored about halfway through.
Kitty was one devious woman; only wanting what her friend Hen (Henrietta) had - her boyfriend for status and money and ploys to get him. Her father owned hotels and she didn't do anything in her life it seems from the beginning of the book even though she was in her 20's except to spend her father's money on clothing.
She goes to Miami with Hen and her father's business partner Andre, who her father expects her to marry and two of the band member's in her father's club in the hotel. She falls in love with Max, who is Cuban and is friends with another band member Sebastian.
It ends well but not before she and Hen have a falling out (of course). She finally gets her life together and worked in the hotel learning the business.
I have to give this book 2.5 stars. In the beginning I liked it and then started to get bored about halfway through.
Kitty was one devious woman; only wanting what her friend Hen (Henrietta) had - her boyfriend for status and money and ploys to get him. Her father owned hotels and she didn't do anything in her life it seems from the beginning of the book even though she was in her 20's except to spend her father's money on clothing.
She goes to Miami with Hen and her father's business partner Andre, who her father expects her to marry and two of the band member's in her father's club in the hotel. She falls in love with Max, who is Cuban and is friends with another band member Sebastian.
It ends well but not before she and Hen have a falling out (of course). She finally gets her life together and worked in the hotel learning the business.
March 28, 2018
Rich, spoiled, with only one desire that of being accepted into the uber tightknit 1950's social scene in New York City - I didn't like anything about Kitty. She used her only friend Hen, she used her hotel magnate father and she used the man who her father wanted to set her up with as a husband. A social climber with an attitude, I was ready to give up on this book until she met a bandleader and his Miami band and opened up her world a bit. Max helped her see a different side of life and defrost the icy Miss Kitty in the Miami and Havana heat.
All the glamour of the 50's club scene and mothers who micromanage their daughter's love lives paired with a steamy Miami and Cuban escape. The ending does leave room for a sequel so we may see just how well Kitty learned her lesson. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
All the glamour of the 50's club scene and mothers who micromanage their daughter's love lives paired with a steamy Miami and Cuban escape. The ending does leave room for a sequel so we may see just how well Kitty learned her lesson. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
April 20, 2018
This was a cute little story set in a time when things were easier and less hectic - especially for people with money. Kitty lived the life where she was worried more about finding the right type of husband instead of a husband that would love and cherish her. She lived in New York society where other status families cared about where your money came from, not just that you had money. Kitty wanted to raise the acceptance of her family and she felt the only way to do it was to marry up. I realize that the mentality of women now is way different but it still kind of irks me that she felt the need to rest her fate on a man. However, throughout the book Kitty does grow as a character and for be becomes way more likable. I enjoyed this book once I got farther into it and disliked Kitty less.
July 25, 2018
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
An enjoyable read, it kept my interest for most of the book. However, it did get a little tedious with Kitty still trying to put her plan in place when it was starting to be come obvious how she was feeling about Max. Even still, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, easy historical read.
An enjoyable read, it kept my interest for most of the book. However, it did get a little tedious with Kitty still trying to put her plan in place when it was starting to be come obvious how she was feeling about Max. Even still, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, easy historical read.
August 29, 2024
2.5 rounded up. Set in the 1950s, Kitty is more concerned about her social position than anything else. I didn't care for the main character, thought the writing wasn't that great, and felt the ending was a bit rushed. I received an ARC of this several years ago and finally read it.
June 30, 2018
Didnt seem as mature or detailed as her first book.
June 25, 2018
Warm up the time machine! In Lady Be Good, Amber Brock takes us back to the glitz and glamour of the 1950s. With luscious descriptions of the hottest clubs and restaurants, the glamour of the latest fashions and the mouthwatering food.
25-year-old Kitty Tessler is the smart, fun-loving daughter of a self-made hotel magnate. Despite her wealth, Kitty still feels she is missing something. She spends her days shopping and her nights trying to find the right sort of husband among the old-monied set who patron her father’s New York City nightclubs. However, Kitty’s father has other plans. It is time to settle down and get married. He has issued an ultimatum- either marry his right-hand man Andre or start cleaning toilets in the hotel to earn her keep. Kitty has no intention of doing either!
Kitty develops an elaborate scheme the will get her what she wants and save her best friend Hen (who is on the brink of marrying the wrong man) in the process. Her plans take the two friends to the Art Deco world of Miami and pre-revolutionary Havana.
Part of her plans involve band leader Max Zillman, but despite her best intentions she finds herself developing feelings for Max as well as a social conscience when he introduces her to parts of the world she hadn’t known existed.
Lady Be Good is an amusing and fun novel for historical fiction and historical romance readers. Amber Brock writes a face-paced, witty novel with a great sense of time and place. Readers will long for the lost glamour of the 1950s nightclubs and learn a little history in the process.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy.
25-year-old Kitty Tessler is the smart, fun-loving daughter of a self-made hotel magnate. Despite her wealth, Kitty still feels she is missing something. She spends her days shopping and her nights trying to find the right sort of husband among the old-monied set who patron her father’s New York City nightclubs. However, Kitty’s father has other plans. It is time to settle down and get married. He has issued an ultimatum- either marry his right-hand man Andre or start cleaning toilets in the hotel to earn her keep. Kitty has no intention of doing either!
Kitty develops an elaborate scheme the will get her what she wants and save her best friend Hen (who is on the brink of marrying the wrong man) in the process. Her plans take the two friends to the Art Deco world of Miami and pre-revolutionary Havana.
Part of her plans involve band leader Max Zillman, but despite her best intentions she finds herself developing feelings for Max as well as a social conscience when he introduces her to parts of the world she hadn’t known existed.
Lady Be Good is an amusing and fun novel for historical fiction and historical romance readers. Amber Brock writes a face-paced, witty novel with a great sense of time and place. Readers will long for the lost glamour of the 1950s nightclubs and learn a little history in the process.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy.
July 5, 2018
Just finished this today, but would have finished it earlier if I hadn't been so busy these past few days. When I say this book is intriguing, I mean I missed my stop on the subway because I was so enthralled in this novel.
LIKED: the characters were pretty good, and the character development was as well. There are racist and classist undertones throughout the novel that make you dislike the main character in the beginning, but how that is shown changes as the characters change. I really enjoyed the time period and loved hanging out with these characters in the 50s. Also, the locations were great and interesting to see how history intersects with the time.
DISLIKED: the actual writing was just okay and could have been better. However, that only took off .5 stars for me, as it was still pretty good and the plot was really interesting.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a beach read, anyone interested in Miami or NYC or both, and people who are interedted in the 1950s. This is pretty enough to buy, so I'd recommend buying and not borrowing it.
LIKED: the characters were pretty good, and the character development was as well. There are racist and classist undertones throughout the novel that make you dislike the main character in the beginning, but how that is shown changes as the characters change. I really enjoyed the time period and loved hanging out with these characters in the 50s. Also, the locations were great and interesting to see how history intersects with the time.
DISLIKED: the actual writing was just okay and could have been better. However, that only took off .5 stars for me, as it was still pretty good and the plot was really interesting.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a beach read, anyone interested in Miami or NYC or both, and people who are interedted in the 1950s. This is pretty enough to buy, so I'd recommend buying and not borrowing it.
Read
January 3, 2026Historical fiction is great. I’ve noticed that there is no shortage of WWII historical fiction, and for really good reasons. I haven’t read too much about other decades so I jumped on the 1950’s.
I just love a book that I can’t put down. I’m a tough critic and not many come my way where I am thinking of my next opportunity to sit down and read. I could not put this down at all!
I’ve recently got more involved with finding out about my heritage. I’ve already read so much about WWII and Germany where my grandfather was during the war but I have yet to explore much of my primary Spanish heritage. Although this involves Cubans, As a Puerto Rican I still feel at home when I visit Miami and I love the cultural similarities.
My first thought about the story was the class and hierarchy circles. It’s insane to think that our character Kitty, as wealthy as her and her father are, was shunned by the more wealthy. I can’t even imagine the amount of wealth that would make you look down upon Kitty’s wealth. It took me a little to get used to that the owner of luxury hotels were not the high class in this book.
This had a little flair of Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights but with more conspiracies and less dancing. Kitty was so manipulative but I really liked her character. She was witty, funny, and interesting. I loved all the characters in all honesty. I found myself imagining the dialogue in Spanish accents when the Cubans were speaking. The author did a great job of really painting the picture of what it was actually like.
The racial issues in the book are surreal. As it takes place in 1953 and Cuban tensions were rising with the United States, I was super interested. The racial tensions though between the upper white class and the “good as colored” Spanish got to me. And the hatred towards the Jewish still surprised me as well. I hate to think of it all. I never really experienced such hatred, partly because it’s 2018 and mostly because people mistake me for solely Italian long before they guess I’m Spanish. There is a portion in the book that describes just this that those that can pass for something else are forfeiting their true self. It is an awful thing to think about and the passage really stuck to me. The race issues are still real though and prejudice is still something people deal with. I think this is what hurt the most in the book for me. Brock did a good job of just letting the reader know the majority thoughts of the time without taking away from the exhilaration of experiencing the culture. I felt for Hen who seemed to be light years ahead of her “sophisticated” white family and I felt for the dilemma she was in. Kitty’s transformation was wonderful and her character was so likable even with her faults.
I can’t rave enough about the book. I am so happy I read it and will be adding it to my permanent collection when it is published this June. I have quite a few culturally Spanish books sitting on my to be read shelf including this year’s highly popular historical fiction Next Year in Havana which just shot to the top of my to be read so look out for that. I hope I enjoy it as much as Lady Be Good. I’ll be getting this in print to keep on my shelf for sure and I hope you do too!
I just love a book that I can’t put down. I’m a tough critic and not many come my way where I am thinking of my next opportunity to sit down and read. I could not put this down at all!
I’ve recently got more involved with finding out about my heritage. I’ve already read so much about WWII and Germany where my grandfather was during the war but I have yet to explore much of my primary Spanish heritage. Although this involves Cubans, As a Puerto Rican I still feel at home when I visit Miami and I love the cultural similarities.
My first thought about the story was the class and hierarchy circles. It’s insane to think that our character Kitty, as wealthy as her and her father are, was shunned by the more wealthy. I can’t even imagine the amount of wealth that would make you look down upon Kitty’s wealth. It took me a little to get used to that the owner of luxury hotels were not the high class in this book.
This had a little flair of Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights but with more conspiracies and less dancing. Kitty was so manipulative but I really liked her character. She was witty, funny, and interesting. I loved all the characters in all honesty. I found myself imagining the dialogue in Spanish accents when the Cubans were speaking. The author did a great job of really painting the picture of what it was actually like.
The racial issues in the book are surreal. As it takes place in 1953 and Cuban tensions were rising with the United States, I was super interested. The racial tensions though between the upper white class and the “good as colored” Spanish got to me. And the hatred towards the Jewish still surprised me as well. I hate to think of it all. I never really experienced such hatred, partly because it’s 2018 and mostly because people mistake me for solely Italian long before they guess I’m Spanish. There is a portion in the book that describes just this that those that can pass for something else are forfeiting their true self. It is an awful thing to think about and the passage really stuck to me. The race issues are still real though and prejudice is still something people deal with. I think this is what hurt the most in the book for me. Brock did a good job of just letting the reader know the majority thoughts of the time without taking away from the exhilaration of experiencing the culture. I felt for Hen who seemed to be light years ahead of her “sophisticated” white family and I felt for the dilemma she was in. Kitty’s transformation was wonderful and her character was so likable even with her faults.
I can’t rave enough about the book. I am so happy I read it and will be adding it to my permanent collection when it is published this June. I have quite a few culturally Spanish books sitting on my to be read shelf including this year’s highly popular historical fiction Next Year in Havana which just shot to the top of my to be read so look out for that. I hope I enjoy it as much as Lady Be Good. I’ll be getting this in print to keep on my shelf for sure and I hope you do too!
May 26, 2018
air and honest review.
The year is 1953, the place is New York. Kitty Tessler is rich, carefree and conniving. Kitty has everything except what she really wants – to be accepted into the fold of the social elite of the day. By her calculations, she is snubbed because her family is part of the new money generation. She longs to marry into an old money family so she can claim her spot in the social circles that talk about her behind her back.
But time is running out for her plan. Her father owns posh hotels and has given her an ultimatum. If she doesn’t stop partying and settle down, he will cut off her funds and insist she start working for the hotel. As if that isn’t bad enough, she will start at the bottom. Becoming a maid will boot her out of the edge of society she is clinging to, so something has to be done, and soon. To make matters even worse, her father has come up with a prospective groom that will thwart her plan to marry into a well-heeled family.
This is when Kitty begins to hatch an elaborate plan. She has to work quickly and carefully manipulating, planning and lying to those closest to her. What she doesn’t bargain on is falling for the wrong guy and losing someone she dearly loves.
Lady Be Good is light enough to be a beach read, but has an underlying current of a much deeper novel. The plot is interesting, and the real beauty of the story lies in the characters. The main characters are flawed, much like any and every one you may know. No one is perfect, especially Kitty. She is not always likeable, often abrasive and occasionally schemes and plots at other’s expense. The beauty of her and the other characters is the growth they experience as the novel progresses. One of my favorite quotes is, “Sometimes a part of you must die to begin living again.” This resonates with me as an integral part of emotional growth on many levels.
This is the first novel I have read by Amber Brock. Her critically acclaimed debut book, A Fine Imitation is also available. Both books are historical novels. Brock brilliantly takes readers back in time with relevant historical facts woven into her fictional character’s lives. I recommend stepping back in time with Kitty and enjoy the ride in vintage style.
Copyright © 2018 Laura Hartman
The year is 1953, the place is New York. Kitty Tessler is rich, carefree and conniving. Kitty has everything except what she really wants – to be accepted into the fold of the social elite of the day. By her calculations, she is snubbed because her family is part of the new money generation. She longs to marry into an old money family so she can claim her spot in the social circles that talk about her behind her back.
But time is running out for her plan. Her father owns posh hotels and has given her an ultimatum. If she doesn’t stop partying and settle down, he will cut off her funds and insist she start working for the hotel. As if that isn’t bad enough, she will start at the bottom. Becoming a maid will boot her out of the edge of society she is clinging to, so something has to be done, and soon. To make matters even worse, her father has come up with a prospective groom that will thwart her plan to marry into a well-heeled family.
This is when Kitty begins to hatch an elaborate plan. She has to work quickly and carefully manipulating, planning and lying to those closest to her. What she doesn’t bargain on is falling for the wrong guy and losing someone she dearly loves.
Lady Be Good is light enough to be a beach read, but has an underlying current of a much deeper novel. The plot is interesting, and the real beauty of the story lies in the characters. The main characters are flawed, much like any and every one you may know. No one is perfect, especially Kitty. She is not always likeable, often abrasive and occasionally schemes and plots at other’s expense. The beauty of her and the other characters is the growth they experience as the novel progresses. One of my favorite quotes is, “Sometimes a part of you must die to begin living again.” This resonates with me as an integral part of emotional growth on many levels.
This is the first novel I have read by Amber Brock. Her critically acclaimed debut book, A Fine Imitation is also available. Both books are historical novels. Brock brilliantly takes readers back in time with relevant historical facts woven into her fictional character’s lives. I recommend stepping back in time with Kitty and enjoy the ride in vintage style.
Copyright © 2018 Laura Hartman
April 2, 2018
While I love the genre, often I find historical fiction exhausting to read and by time I’ve finished most historical fiction books I feel like I’ve read three. Lady Be Good by Amber Brock did not require the usual post historical fiction hibernation and was a breath of fresh air to the genre. Brock’s writing is fabulous as always, and while the synopsis makes the books sound like it’s solely about love and scheming, so much more lies within the pages. Kitty is fleshed out to be a complex character and not just a rich girl who falls in love with a man "below her station" as seen in so many books these days. The plot is wonderful with traveling between New York City, Miami, and Havana as well as developed supporting characters that will keep you on your toes wanting to know what will happen to them as well as Kitty in the end. As for the ending, rarely do I read a book with such a complete and satisfying conclusion as Lady Be Good, and to me, there’s nothing more fulfilling than a book with an intriguing and developed plot and an ending up to match if not outshine it.
May 22, 2018
*** I received an advanced e-copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Kitty Tessler is the daughter of self-made hotel and nightclub tycoon Nicolas Tessler. Her biggest wish is to be accepted into the "in-crowd" that her best friend Hen belongs to. Kitty is constantly snubbed by people in New York because not only is she new money but she is also comes from Russian immigrants. Her pedigree will never be up to the standards of those whose company she keeps. Then her father gives her an ultimatum. He wants her taken care of after he is gone, so he wants her to marry his second-in-command, Andre. She has no interest whatsoever in Andre, and sets her sights on finding "the one" who can help her climb all the way to the top.
This book was really good. I love historical fiction and this author has a knack for making the characters and settings seem so real, you feel like you were actually witnessing it all unfold first hand. Kitty was very self-absorbed and shallow at times, but that was her character and she lived up to those qualities, I was so glad she redeemed herself in the end though. I think you will enjoy this as much as I did!
Kitty Tessler is the daughter of self-made hotel and nightclub tycoon Nicolas Tessler. Her biggest wish is to be accepted into the "in-crowd" that her best friend Hen belongs to. Kitty is constantly snubbed by people in New York because not only is she new money but she is also comes from Russian immigrants. Her pedigree will never be up to the standards of those whose company she keeps. Then her father gives her an ultimatum. He wants her taken care of after he is gone, so he wants her to marry his second-in-command, Andre. She has no interest whatsoever in Andre, and sets her sights on finding "the one" who can help her climb all the way to the top.
This book was really good. I love historical fiction and this author has a knack for making the characters and settings seem so real, you feel like you were actually witnessing it all unfold first hand. Kitty was very self-absorbed and shallow at times, but that was her character and she lived up to those qualities, I was so glad she redeemed herself in the end though. I think you will enjoy this as much as I did!
June 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book - THANK YOU Amber Brock!
May 19, 2018
Amber Brock’s Lady Be Good started out as a funny story for me that revolved around Kitty Tessler, a rich socialite and descendent of Russian immigrants plotting and planning her way to elevating herself in society while simultaneously trying to rid her best friend of an egotistical, no-good man regarded as a perfect pairing in society. Perhaps it was funny to me because it seemed so shallow and silly to me. The story finally took on true heart and sincerity when Kitty’s plot gets her involved with Max, a Jewish musician based in Miami. Her travel to Miami and Cuba, her growing relationship with Max, and her opportunity to see the world and herself in a deeper way turned this from a funny to sweet novel, reflecting on the things we should truly take seriously in the world.
April 14, 2018
Thanks to the publisher who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m conflicted about whether I enjoyed this book or not. For the first 2/3, I disliked the central character: she was shallow and manipulative to everyone. Towards the last third of the story, she began to develop a conscience — perhaps too easily. Overall there’s very little character development and an ambitious amount of cultural change that the characters can’t live up to. Overall: meh.
I’m conflicted about whether I enjoyed this book or not. For the first 2/3, I disliked the central character: she was shallow and manipulative to everyone. Towards the last third of the story, she began to develop a conscience — perhaps too easily. Overall there’s very little character development and an ambitious amount of cultural change that the characters can’t live up to. Overall: meh.
April 11, 2018
LOVED this novel. Starting in NYC when a rich young woman's post WWII options were more about marriage than education or career, these young ladies take the reader on a whirlwind holiday sojourn to Miami and Cuba. Rich with details of style, cocktails, and dance club music, this is a perfect vacation read to pack for the beach!
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