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jaclynday's review against another edition
4.0
Terenzio found herself in the unique position of being JFK, Jr.’s personal assistant during the early days of what would eventually become George magazine in the late 1990’s. This book is her telling of that experience—mainly focusing on her close personal relationship with him and Carolyn.
It’s a fascinating book, of course, because there’s nothing better than someone describing intimate details of the life of a Kennedy. And, to hear Terenzio’s story, there’s really no one better than her to do so, since she more or less ran his life for some years—arguably the most important years, the ones leading up to his death in 1999.
Despite what you might think (or hope for) before starting the book, there’s no dishy gossip or dirt-throwing. Terenzio maintains the positive public persona of Kennedy and tries her damnedest to lay to rest some of the more ugly rumors about him and his wife Carolyn. Terenzio was clearly in awe of Carolyn, who took her under her wing and generously provided her with friendship and a new wardrobe to boot. It’s a respectable eulogy for the couple and shows their desire to make their relationship work even in less-than-perfect circumstances.
Unfortunately, we all know how the story ends, but it’s to Terenzio’s credit that she doesn’t enter into an overwrought play-by-play of the days-long search for the missing plane and instead focuses on the very real personal losses she felt. She could have easily turned the book exploitative here, but chose not to and is rewarded by coming off as a loyal friend and employee over a decade later.
It’s a fascinating book, of course, because there’s nothing better than someone describing intimate details of the life of a Kennedy. And, to hear Terenzio’s story, there’s really no one better than her to do so, since she more or less ran his life for some years—arguably the most important years, the ones leading up to his death in 1999.
Despite what you might think (or hope for) before starting the book, there’s no dishy gossip or dirt-throwing. Terenzio maintains the positive public persona of Kennedy and tries her damnedest to lay to rest some of the more ugly rumors about him and his wife Carolyn. Terenzio was clearly in awe of Carolyn, who took her under her wing and generously provided her with friendship and a new wardrobe to boot. It’s a respectable eulogy for the couple and shows their desire to make their relationship work even in less-than-perfect circumstances.
Unfortunately, we all know how the story ends, but it’s to Terenzio’s credit that she doesn’t enter into an overwrought play-by-play of the days-long search for the missing plane and instead focuses on the very real personal losses she felt. She could have easily turned the book exploitative here, but chose not to and is rewarded by coming off as a loyal friend and employee over a decade later.
debs_shelves's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book so interesting as far as seeing the "real" JFK Jr (& Carolyn). Perhaps not the best written book, but you did feel like you get to know him aside from the face he had to put on at times in front of America. He seemed like a pretty cool guy and Carolyn seemed sweet and kind and to really, really hate being so scrutinized in the public eye and just wanted their private life to be private.
Really makes you wonder where he'd be today had that horrible plane crash not happened.
Really makes you wonder where he'd be today had that horrible plane crash not happened.
txmandyreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book!! By the end I felt like a part of their world. It was great to read about John from someone who knew him so well.
ptallon's review against another edition
3.0
I liked parts about this book. It gave good insight for someone like me who was only 15 when JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette died but remembers following their lives and the media attention they garnered. I remember the photograph from their wedding of them coming out of the white washed chapel and him kissing her hand as clear as day. In that sense, I do wish this book gave a little more insight into their relationship as I was lead to believe by the title. My copy did not say "What JFK Jr Taught Me.." and I can be scolded for not reading more about who wrote the book and what it was about. I would have loved some commentary about the "Brawl in the Park". I feel like RM felt a deep need to make sure they looked like American Royalty. Its totally cool if they had a rocky first year of marriage, a lot of people do and after reading what she wrote, it seems like John and (especially) Carolyn wanted to be viewed, and live, like an ordinary newly-married couple.
I also did not find RoseMarie that likable. This may be flippant to say, but one must be in love with someone or the lifestyle they lead to give up that much of their own life to become so ingratiated with another person's life like RM did with JFK Jr. I felt like saying, "Come on! Get a life! You cannot live vicariously through John and Carolyn for the rest of your life!" Regardless, I thought this book gave good insight into who JFK Jr. was as a person and how intelligent, goodhearted, and determined her really was. Will follow another reviewer's suggestion and read the book by Carole Radziwell.
I also did not find RoseMarie that likable. This may be flippant to say, but one must be in love with someone or the lifestyle they lead to give up that much of their own life to become so ingratiated with another person's life like RM did with JFK Jr. I felt like saying, "Come on! Get a life! You cannot live vicariously through John and Carolyn for the rest of your life!" Regardless, I thought this book gave good insight into who JFK Jr. was as a person and how intelligent, goodhearted, and determined her really was. Will follow another reviewer's suggestion and read the book by Carole Radziwell.
alegriafury's review against another edition
2.0
This was a quick read. I wouldn't recommend it to people, but I'm not sorry I read it. I did have to pick it back up after throwing it down once, irritated at the juvenile voice of the author. I'm glad I finished it, though.
kelspe's review against another edition
3.0
This book is focused on the author and her job as Kennedy's assistant. I have to comment on how much the cover bothered me and even how misleading the title is. The book was about the author's fairy tale job that was interrupted, not John and his wife's fairytale. So whoever thought of putting a paparazzi pic of John and Carolyn on the cover of this book should be working for tabloids not a book publisher. Reading these types of books are always a crapshoot because when an author who is in the orbit of a famous person writes a book about said famous person I think they embellish on how much they really meant to that famous person. I get it. Sometimes I think I mean a lot to my boss but come to find out, not so much after work hours. She was a paid confident. That's how I felt the entirety of reading this book.
kvknowsherfun's review against another edition
3.0
Book club selection. Was a quick read and while interesting, the pacing was a little off for me. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.