Author Biography

Kerri Maher is the author ofThe Girl in White Gloves,The Kennedy Debutante, and, under the name Kerri Majors,This Is Not a Writing Manual- Notes for the Young Writer in the Real World. She holds an MFA from Columbia University and was a writing professor for many years. She now writes full-time and lives with her daughter and dog in a leafy suburb west of Boston, Massachusetts.

Review

A Library Reads Pick!

"The stunning and very human story of a beloved icon....Full of nuance and poignancy—this novel is gorgeous."
—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's Fortune

"[A] fascinating, deeply researched novel of the extraordinary Grace Kelly...establishes Maher as a true force in biographical fiction."
—Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author of The Golden Hour
 
"A captivating look behind the scenes at the life of the iconic Grace Kelly...as she searches for authenticity in a world clamoring instead for a picture-perfect princess."
—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room
 
"Daring and deep. Maher successfully lifts the curtain of mystery that surrounded a princess and a movie star, revealing a headstrong, complex woman with a riveting story to tell."
—Fiona Davis, National bestselling author of The Chelsea Girls
 
"In The Girl in White Gloves, Kerri Maher beautifully envisions the reality of this fairy-tale life. This deeply researched novel is perfect for fans of Grace Kelly, royal-watchers, and fans of biographical fiction alike."
—PopSugar

"In this charming, picturesque novel, readers are swept away…this story is a glimpse into the dazzling life of a classic and beloved star."
—Woman's World

"Maher's bio-fic feels as if it was written by Kelly herself. The novel spins a fascinating version of the Philly native's life, from princess of Hollywood to Princess of Monaco."
—Philadelphia Magazine

"The Girl in White Gloves offers a tantalizing, behind-the-scenes look at Grace Kelly's life. An absolute treat—I loved it!"
—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter

"[T]his will be a good choice for readers curious about the inner life of a royal. It's an absorbing take on a complicated life."
—Library Journal

"A thoughtful and moving book that ably illuminates a struggling albeit determined princess."
—BookTrib

"A story about the actual Grace Kelly…Maher humanizes her and provides a glimpse into a world that looks far different from what the media portrayed it to be when she was alive."
—Bookreporter
 
"There is much to relish about this well-researched, riveting tale."
—Booklist
 
"This is great historical fiction and great character development … [Maher] humanizes the icon of Grace Kelly without turning soppy.  Highly recommended."
—Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice
 
 "Maher's compulsively readable portrait of a woman hungry to find her place in the world."
—Greer Macallister, USA Today bestselling author of The Magician's Lie and Woman 99

"The riveting story of a woman who everyone thought had it all, who in fact struggled and sacrificed to find her own happiness."
—Stephanie Thornton, USA Today bestselling author of And They Called It Camelot
 
"The Girl in White Gloves is a captivating novel of love, family, and the cost of regret. I devoured it one sitting!"
—Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling coauthor of Meet Me in Monaco

"Elegant and romantic...an engrossing journey of transformation, complete with familial tension, betrayal, and redemption."
—Elise Hooper, Author of The Other Alcott

"In this moving, bittersweet, and deeply honest novel, the real woman behind the myth that is Grace Kelly—glamorous movie star and fairy-tale princess - comes to full-throated life. We are held spellbound by her artistry, desire, thwarted dreams, and indefatigable will."
—Sarah-Jane Stratford, Author of Red Letter Days
 
"A fabulous page-turner, full of joy and heartbreak and all the elegance and adventure that Grace embodied. This perceptive look at the beautiful woman who sacrificed everything for her talent and ambition, and then sacrificed her career for love, is as thrilling as one of Grace's own screen performances, with the perfect balance of passion and vulnerability. I loved this book!"
—Jeanne Mackin, Author of The Last Collection
 
"A perfect jewel of a novel. While this is very much Kelly's story, it's Maher's broader themes of challenging expectations and finding one's voice that set this book apart. She has definitely earned her spot on my auto-read list."
—Alix Rickloff, Author of The Way to London
 
"Anyone who loves the glamour of classic movies will love The Girl in White Gloves. Kerri Maher transforms Grace Kelly from a legendary screen idol into a real and relatable woman. I was captivated by Grace's struggle for personal and professional acceptance, and her search for balance between ambition and family."
—Georgie Blalock, Author of The Other Windsor Girl
 
"Compelling and thoughtful....Maher imbues her heroine with grace, passion and strength, giving us a behind-the-scenes look into the sacrifices that Kelly made in becoming not once, but twice, an icon."
—Bryn Turnbull, Author of The Woman Before Wallis

Praise for The Kennedy Debutante

"A riveting reimagining of a true tale of forbidden love."
—People

"Maher's debut stars a debutante to root for in this moving coming-of-age tale."
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress

"Maher beautifully mixes the red-blooded American iconography of the Kennedys with the delicious and Downton Abbey-esque grandeur of Britain's upper crusts…[Kick] proves a poignant and captivating subject, and her story will make your heart lurch in the best possible ways."
—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Empress

"A vivid and engrossing portrayal of the fascinating life of Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy. Maher offers a dazzling glimpse of London society filled with a rich, nuanced, and infamous cast of characters alongside a poignant depiction of the emotional cost of war. A stunning debut!"
—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
 
"Kerri Maher has crafted a compelling, insightful look into the complexities of the Kennedy era and one of its most fascinating daughters. Expertly researched, this is a remarkable debut."
—Susan Meissner, Bestselling author of As Bright as Heaven

"You will be swept up, first and foremost, by its vivid, captivating heroine. Kick Kennedy was naive and privileged, to be sure, but in Maher's masterful portrait, she is also a bold young woman living at a precarious moment in history, eager to make her mark on the world as fearlessly as she will follow her heart."
—Julia Glass, Author of A House Among the Trees and the National Book Award–winning Three Junes

"An outstanding deep dive into a fascinating person and time. For fans of The Crown, the riveting story of a headstrong American girl captivated by a dashing British aristocrat. I'm blown away."
—Fiona Davis, Author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

Review Quote

"The stunning and very human story of a beloved icon....Full of nuance and poignancy--this novel is gorgeous." --Allison Pataki , New York Times bestselling author of The Queen''s Fortune , on The Girl in White Gloves More praise for The Girl in White Gloves A Library Reads Pick! "[A] fascinating, deeply researched novel of the extraordinary Grace Kelly...establishes Maher as a true force in biographical fiction." --Beatriz Williams , New York Times bestselling author of The Golden Hour "A captivating look behind the scenes at the life of the iconic Grace Kelly...as she searches for authenticity in a world clamoring instead for a picture-perfect princess." --Marie Benedict , New York Times bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room "Daring and deep. Maher successfully lifts the curtain of mystery that surrounded a princess and a movie star, revealing a headstrong, complex woman with a riveting story to tell." --Fiona Davis , National bestselling author of The Chelsea Girls "In The Girl in White Gloves , Kerri Maher beautifully envisions the reality of this fairy-tale life. This deeply researched novel is perfect for fans of Grace Kelly, royal-watchers, and fans of biographical fiction alike." -- PopSugar "In this charming, picturesque novel, readers are swept away...this story is a glimpse into the dazzling life of a classic and beloved star."-- Woman''s World "Maher''s bio-fic feels as if it was written by Kelly herself. The novel spins a fascinating version of the Philly native''s life, from princess of Hollywood to Princess of Monaco." --Philadelphia Magazine " The Girl in White Gloves offers a tantalizing, behind-the-scenes look at Grace Kelly''s life. An absolute treat--I loved it!" --Hazel Gaynor , New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper''s Daughter "[T]his will be a good choice for readers curious about the inner life of a royal. It''s an absorbing take on a complicated life." -- Library Journal "A thoughtful and moving book that ably illuminates a struggling albeit determined princess."-- BookTrib "A story about the actual Grace Kelly...Maher humanizes her and provides a glimpse into a world that looks far different from what the media portrayed it to be when she was alive."-- Bookreporter "There is much to relish about this well-researched, riveting tale."-- Booklist "This is great historical fiction and great character development ... [Maher] humanizes the icon of Grace Kelly without turning soppy. Highly recommended." -- Historical Novels Review , Editor''s Choice "Maher''s compulsively readable portrait of a woman hungry to find her place in the world." --Greer Macallister , USA Today bestselling author of The Magician''s Lie and Woman 99 "The riveting story of a woman who everyone thought had it all, who in fact struggled and sacrificed to find her own happiness." --Stephanie Thornton , USA Today bestselling author of And They Called It Camelot " The Girl in White Gloves is a captivating novel of love, family, and the cost of regret. I devoured it one sitting!" --Heather Webb , USA Today bestselling coauthor of Meet Me in Monaco "Elegant and romantic...an engrossing journey of transformation, complete with familial tension, betrayal, and redemption." --Elise Hooper , Author of The Other Alcott "In this moving, bittersweet, and deeply honest novel, the real woman behind the myth that is Grace Kelly--glamorous movie star and fairy-tale princess - comes to full-throated life. We are held spellbound by her artistry, desire, thwarted dreams, and indefatigable will." --Sarah-Jane Stratford , Author of Red Letter Days "A fabulous page-turner, full of joy and heartbreak and all the elegance and adventure that Grace embodied. This perceptive look at the beautiful woman who sacrificed everything for her talent and ambition, and then sacrificed her career for love, is as thrilling as one of Grace''s own screen performances, with the perfect balance of passion and vulnerability. I loved this book!" --Jeanne Mackin , Author of The Last Collection "A perfect jewel of a novel. While this is very much Kelly''s story, it''s Maher''s broader themes of challenging expectations and finding one''s voice that set this book apart. She has definitely earned her spot on my auto-read list." --Alix Rickloff , Author of The Way to London "Anyone who loves the glamour of classic movies will love The Girl in White Gloves . Kerri Maher transforms Grace Kelly from a legendary screen idol into a real and relatable woman. I was captivated by Grace''s struggle for personal and professional acceptance, and her search for balance between ambition and family." --Georgie Blalock , Author of The Other Windsor Girl "Compelling and thoughtful....Maher imbues her heroine with grace, passion and strength, giving us a behind-the-scenes look into the sacrifices that Kelly made in becoming not once, but twice, an icon." --Bryn Turnbull , Author of The Woman Before Wallis Praise for The Kennedy Debutante "A riveting reimagining of a true tale of forbidden love." -- People "Maher''s debut stars a debutante to root for in this moving coming-of-age tale." --Kate Quinn , New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress "Maher beautifully mixes the red-blooded American iconography of the Kennedys with the delicious and Downton Abbey -esque grandeur of Britain''s upper crusts...[Kick] proves a poignant and captivating subject, and her story will make your heart lurch in the best possible ways." --Allison Pataki , New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Empress "A vivid and engrossing portrayal of the fascinating life of Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy. Maher offers a dazzling glimpse of London society filled with a rich, nuanced, and infamous cast of characters alongside a poignant depiction of the emotional cost of war. A stunning debut!" --Chanel Cleeton , Author of Next Year in Havana , a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick "Kerri Maher has crafted a compelling, insightful look into the complexities of the Kennedy era and one of its most fascinating daughters. Expertly researched, this is a remarkable debut." --Susan Meissner , Bestselling author of As Bright as Heaven "You will be swept up, first and foremost, by its vivid, captivating heroine. Kick Kennedy was naive and privileged, to be sure, but in Maher''s masterful portrait, she is also a bold young woman living at a precarious moment in history, eager to make her mark on the world as fearlessly as she will follow her heart." --Julia Glass , Author of A House Among the Trees and the National Book Award-winning Three Junes "An outstanding deep dive into a fascinating person and time. For fans of The Crown , the riveting story of a headstrong American girl captivated by a dashing British aristocrat. I''m blown away." --Fiona Davis , Author of The Masterpiece

Promotional "Headline"

A vivid reimagining of the exhilarating and sensationalized life of Princess Grace of Monaco from the acclaimed author of The Kenned

Excerpt from Book

Chapter One 1969 Forty. She''d never felt tempted to run and hide on a birthday until this one. It was still months away, and Rainier and the children and the staff of the palace wanted to know how Her Serene Highness would like to celebrate. "I wouldn''t," she told Rainier in the chauffered black Mercedes on the way to another official dinner. Small enclosed spaces, shuttling between events--these seemed to be the only circumstances under which they saw each other these days. "Come now, Grace, that''s not like you," said Rainier, putting his hand on hers. She withdrew it and set it on her lap, which was cocooned in peach silk shantung. The dress would be featured in all the columns the next morning--columns that would focus on the fine stitching and embroidery of her ensemble and say little or nothing more about the books she''d read to sick children at the hospital that morning, or the many hours she was spending on the upcoming Red Cross Gala, practicing the art of tedious diplomacy to ensure no donor''s toes were stepped on, and everyone important was appropriately flattered. "Forgive me, Rainier," Grace said, employing her most dulcet tones. "I''m just...not myself, I suppose." Vagueness was her best strategy with her husband. He wasn''t interested in depth of feeling or her thoughts. For so long, this had eaten at her, this sense that he misunderstood her and wasn''t even interested in understanding her. Recently though, she''d come to realize how much easier his limitations made her life in Monaco. If he didn''t ask, she didn''t have to explain herself; that way, she could preserve her strength for the times when they did disagree. "Could you try to be back to yourself by November the twelfth?" he asked. "Because our subjects would very much like to pay tribute to their Princess on her special day. I fear they won''t understand if there is no celebration." His tone was patient enough, but she knew it would not be in another week if she didn''t relent. For now he knitted together his dark brows and pursed his full lips in a pouty smile meant to suggest that of course he knew why she was feeling impatient with having to share a private moment with a principality, but they both knew what was best, what must be done. Still, Grace felt the irony of her own birthday so strongly: if Rainier made too big a fuss, she would be perceived as self-aggrandizing and even less recognized for her hard work in the principality. A veritable Marie Antoinette with an Herm

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