I enjoyed the book, although it had more detail than necessary at times. Kate seemed selfish and spoiled at times. ( )

What an interesting bit of history. Ms. Chiaverini really digs for the unusual bits of information to present in her novels. ( )

I chose this book because the Chase family is from Cincinnati. While the book is considered fiction, a lot of historical formation is included. I never realized Salmon P. Chase was such a........jerk! His book portrays him in a totally different light than most history I e read about him. There really isn't much about the rivalry. The author should have concentrated more on that sub just and less on Mr. Chase. ( )

I was really excited when I won a copy of this book. I have previously read and enjoyed both Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker and The Spymistress by the same author. And of course, the cover is beautiful! I’m sorry to say, this one was a bit of a let down. It wasn’t terrible, but it did not live up to my expectations.

To start, I feel the title is somewhat misleading. Though the title refers to a ‘rivalry’ between Mary Todd Lincoln and the central character in this book, Kate Chase Sprague, there is actually very, very little interaction between the two women, and most of the rivalry appears to be in Kate’s head. What’s more, Kate comes off as a spoiled brat. She is not a very likeable character at all. When she attends a White House function, her primary thought is about how the ball compares to one she would throw, and she apparently believes she is in competition with the First Lady to have the best social functions. She is offended that she is only second in social standing, as if there would be any question of her usurping the position from the First Lady. She works hard to become her father’s ‘right hand man’ as she does NOT want him to remarry, probably because his new wife would inherit her social duties. She actually fancies herself as ‘ruling’ as First Lady twice, once as the ‘first daughter’ when justice prevails and her father is elected President, and the second time when her husband becomes President. This is an important enough consideration to her that she actually takes political prospects into consideration when choosing her mate!

The story takes place during the years leading up to the CIvil War and through the War. I’m not sure if this book is completely accurate historically; whether the thoughts of Kate’s father, Samuel Chase, were historically accurate, or whether some of the conversations between Kate and her husband took place. But it does follow the events and timeline of the war. Though the book moved a little slowly for me, and sometimes Kate got on my nerves, (I’m from Illinois, so I tend to give Mary Lincoln the benefit of the doubt here) I did enjoy the book. I’ve read many novels and books about the Civil War, and each one adds to my understanding of the people and events. And this one did lead me to do what all good historical fiction leads me to; I googled Kate Chase when I was done to learn more about her!

Readers who enjoy Civil War era historical fiction will enjoy this one! The book will make a good book club selection, with discussions about the role of women in the 1860’s and of course, the politics of the Civil War.

I won an Advanced Reader’s Edition from Bookreporter.com. This did not affect my review. ( )

Chiaverini returns to the Civil War in this story of Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon Chase and popular Washington DC hostess. Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker introduced readers to Kate, but this provides a more in-depth look at the woman Mary Todd Lincoln viewed as a rival. Lots of historical detail leads to some dry reading, but for anyone interested in history, it’s much better than an imagined story. Chase, whose picture appears on the US $10,000 bill ran against Lincoln for the presidency but was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by Lincoln. His daughter was an intelligent abolitionist as was her father and considered Lincoln too hesitant in his stand on slavery. She eventually married, but the marriage was a failure and she divorced. Lot of good information is included that will widen your view of influential Civil War figures. ( )