Once Upon a Time Audiobook By Elizabeth Beller cover art

Once Upon a Time

The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

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Once Upon a Time

By: Elizabeth Beller
Narrated by: Emily Tremaine
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The inspiration for the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

A NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER

This “intimate and sympathetic portrait of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy that is as enthralling as she was” (Dana Thomas, New York Times bestselling author) reexamines her life and legacy as never before. Perfect for fans of My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy, What Remains, and Fairy Tale Interrupted.

A quarter of a century after the plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren, the magnitude of this tragedy remains fresh. Yet, Carolyn is still an enigmatic figure, a woman whose short life in the spotlight was besieged with misogyny and cruelty.

Amidst today’s cultural reckoning about the way our media treats women, Elizabeth Beller “reveals the true woman behind the mystery, and what a woman she turns out to be: fabulous, fierce, fashionable, flawed…formidable” (J. Randy Taraborrelli, New York Times bestselling author). When she began dating America’s prince, Carolyn was thrust into an overwhelming spotlight filled with cruelly relentless paparazzi who reacted to her reserve with a campaign of harassment and vilification.

To this day, she is still depicted as a privileged princess—icy, vapid, and drug-addicted. She has even been accused of being responsible for their untimely death, allegedly delaying take-off until she finished her pedicure. But now, the truth is finally unveiled.

A fiercely independent woman devoted to her adopted city and career, Carolyn relied on her impeccable eye and drive to fly up the ranks at Calvin Klein in the glossy, high-stakes fashion world of the 1990s. When Carolyn met her future husband, John was immediately drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence. Their relationship would change her life and catapult her to dizzying fame, but it was her vibrant life before their marriage and then hidden afterwards, that is truly fascinating.

Based on in-depth research and exclusive interviews with friends, family members, teachers, roommates, and colleagues, and featuring never-before-seen family photos, this comprehensive biography reveals a multifaceted woman worthy of our attention regardless of her husband and untimely death. Biographies & Memoirs Women Fashion Designers Marriage Art & Literature Heartfelt Politics & Activism Royalty Politicians
Insightful Biography • Thorough Research • Very Good Narrator • Compelling Life Story • Fascinating Perspectives

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The book is interesting enough…but if you can’t pronounce Bouvier and no one can catch it…then they should all go…

Never hire this reader or director again

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The author dove in so thoroughly it felt like walking along side Carolyn. The guarded exterior of this iconic woman is peeled back to expose the depth of her character and experiences. I think the narrator does an excellent job making this biography immersive. And the author’s devotion to bringing her story to life is expressed in every word. You will be transported.

Brought Carolyn to Life

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As a gen x’er, I was always a fan of CBK and JFK Jr and remember their romance fondly. I was excited to dig into this book. It’s a very detailed retrospective - and frankly, it’s just too much. We get it, CBK was misrepresented in the press.

Kind of like, dare I say it, how Meghan Markle is today? A woman who falls for a nation’s son and is then hated and hounded by the press for it…hmm…

Exhaustive…and exhausting

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I liked that someone finally gave this poor girl her due after so many years after her death. Rest in peace dear Carolyn.

Wonderful Story

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It provide a glimpse in the life of John, Carolyn and Lauren. They are missed and loved.

Once Upon A Time

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