Helpful Score: 1
While I enjoyed the first half of the book, where Consuelo Vanderbilt is miserable and married to a fairly horrible man, the second half where she is happy, and spending money like it's gong out of style, was just so-so. Seems like every chapter she or her mother are buying another 'cottage' to get away from 'it all'. This woman may have been forced into a loveless marriage, but she was one spoiled girl. I can't recommend this book, if I were to be honest.
I really enjoyed this story about the life of Consuelo Vanderbilt Marlborough Balsan. The story follows Consuelo from Newport, Rhode Island to Blenheim Palace, where she is married to the Duke of Marlborough. The author does a good job of writing the story from Consuelo's point of view.
This book is a delightfully easy read. Consuelo had an amazing life on both continents and was able to make huge differences in people's lives with her charitable efforts. Her relationship with her mother, Alva Vanderbilt, and Consuelo's British husband, the Duke of Marlborough, were terribly difficult and painful but as she matured, she found the inner personal strength to make decisions to take control of her own life. Winston Churchill remains her friend throughout her life and is woven into this fascinating story. Highly recommend!
