An Invitation to the Kennedys, Emily Hourican
An Invitation to the Kennedys, Emily Hourican
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An Invitation to the Kennedys
Captivating pre-WW2 historical fiction about high society, forbidden love and a world on the cusp of change, inspired by real events

Author: Emily Hourican

Narrator: Rebecca Lee

Unabridged: 12 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/14/2023


Synopsis

An enthralling historical fiction from the bestselling author of the Guinness Girls series

Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy, a recent arrival to England from Massachusetts, is already a huge hit in 1930s London society. Her status as the daughter of an ambassador puts her at the centre of the most elite social circles but being an American and a Catholic sets her apart, something she only comes to realise when she falls for Billy Cavendish, the future Duke of Devonshire. Their families will never approve the match - if her parents find out about their romantic attachment, she risks being sent back to America.

Lady Brigid Guinness has no interest in love, marriage or society connections. Her brother-in-law Chips Channon, always seeking to increase his political capital, is keen for her to befriend Kick but Brigid has no interest in showing a brash American around town. When Chips invites both Brigid and Kick to his country estate in Essex however, neither of them is given a choice in the matter.

During their stay at Kelvedon Hall among members of the Guinness family and their friends, Kick and Brigid are immediately thrown together in the midst of the drama going on around them. Marriages are on the rocks, friendships and alliances are being forged, and political intrigue lurks just beneath the surface. Chips starts to push Brigid towards a match with a desperately dull German prince, while Kick tries to keep hope alive for her relationship with Billy. And by the time their week in Essex has ended, both young women's lives will have changed forever.

Inspired by true-life events, An Invitation to the Kennedys is a captivating story from the bestselling author of the Guinness Girls series.

(P)2023 Hachette Ireland

About Emily Hourican

Emily Hourican is the author of nine novels and one book of non-fiction. Her first novel, The Privileged, was published in 2016, became an instant bestseller, and was short-listed for the Best Popular Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards that year. She then published three more works of contemporary fiction, the last of which, The Outsider, is being developed as a six-part TV series with Treasure Films, with Emily as screenwriter, supported by Screen Ireland.In 2019 she began writing historical fiction, and has since published four acclaimed, best-selling historical novels based on the Guinness and Kennedy families. Emily is also an award-winning editor and journalist with the Sunday Independent,Ireland's biggest-selling newspaper.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Karren on September 03, 2023

Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy moves to London in 1938 and her father Joseph P. Sr. is appointed as America’s 44th Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Kick is a bit of a tomboy, she likes to play football with her brothers, swim and go sailing. Kick is very different to her English peers, because of her fathe......more

Goodreads review by Christine on October 18, 2023

I have enjoyed The Guinness books by Hourican. This one has Lady Brigid Guinness who is not wanting to marry and have children like her older sisters. Her old sister Honor is married to Henry “Chips Channon” and he has found the perfect man for Brigid, a German prince. Chip has a huge party as is new......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on September 02, 2023

An Invitation to the Kennedys by Emily Hourican is a great historical fiction that includes one of my most favorite families: The Kennedys. I have read so much, nonfiction and fiction alike, involving the Kennedys, so of course I had to read this book which involves some of the clan during Mr. Kenne......more

Goodreads review by Mairead on September 21, 2023

An Invitation to the Kennedys by Emily Hourican published September 14th with Hachette Ireland and is described as ‘a captivating story of high society, forbidden love and a world on the cusp of change’. I love this series which you can see from my reviews of The Glorious Guinness Girls, The Guinnes......more

Goodreads review by Helen on April 23, 2025

Pleasant easy read with insights into prewar life for the upper class in England......more


Quotes

This is a captivating story of high society, forbidden love and a world on the cusp of change from the bestselling author of the Guinness Girls series Irish Country Magazine