If I could award this book a 10 I would. It reminded me of Ibsen's "Dolls house" and the film "Don't worry darling". It tells the claustrophobic, constraining life of Teddy, a glamorous Texan women of 34 who believes she has achieved the dream of her family as well as herself when she marries David. A man who plays the role of her oppressor as he upholds a patriarchal system. Together they move from America to Rome where he is seconded as a diplomat in the American embassy. Here we see a lonely and isolated Teddy who soon realises that her self has been diminished. She must live on an allowance determined by her husband and adopt the role of a housewife. Teddy learns that her husband has been keeping their marriage a secret when she receives a late invitation to the Embassy's party. While she is scolded for embarrassing him by getting drunk and daring to dip her toes into the pool, she wins over the ambassador "The wolf" and his wife Lina. Her life begins to improve when she takes on the task of itemising and categorising the art throughout the place. Despite this upturn she is introduced to substances by a rather unscrupulous doctor to make her happy, sleep and just exist. - it seems to be normal for the women to keep them functioning and manageable. The book explores the idea of women in a patriarchal society where they are stifled and judged differently to their male counterparts. Teddy lost her virginity at her coming out ball but it was drilled into her as being a v

If I could award this book a 10 I would. It reminded me of Ibsen's "Dolls house" and the film "Don't worry darling". It tells the claustrophobic, constraining life of Teddy, a glamorous Texan women of 34 who believes she has achieved the dream of her family as well as herself when she marries David. A man who plays the role of her oppressor as he upholds a patriarchal system. Together they move from America to Rome where he is seconded as a diplomat in the American embassy. Here we see a lonely and isolated Teddy who soon realises that her self has been diminished. She must live on an allowance determined by her husband and adopt the role of a housewife. Teddy learns that her husband has been keeping their marriage a secret when she receives a late invitation to the Embassy's party. While she is scolded for embarrassing him by getting drunk and daring to dip her toes into the pool, she wins over the ambassador "The wolf" and his wife Lina. Her life begins to improve when she takes on the task of itemising and categorising the art throughout the place. Despite this upturn she is introduced to substances by a rather unscrupulous doctor to make her happy, sleep and just exist. - it seems to be normal for the women to keep them functioning and manageable. The book explores the idea of women in a patriarchal society where they are stifled and judged differently to their male counterparts. Teddy lost her virginity at her coming out ball but it was drilled into her as being a visible stain men could see. She is surrounded by objects that lunch dates, women are expected to desire. While she makes continuous efforts to live by these rules she can't help but fail. She sees her behavioural traits as mirroring that of her Aunt Sister who appears to have been the rebel and whose behaviour led her to undergo a horrifying treatment to pacify her "self" mood. There are so many aspects to this novel as it consists of interviews between Teddy and authorities and narrative where we witness the dark secrets of her own family in particular the women and just how far men will go to achieve their goals. For me I was cheering all the way for Teddy especially when she asserts her own independence and flies the nest. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this NetGalley. Sheer brilliance.

This book is a breath of fresh air, I couldn’t put it down! It’s addictive from the very beginning, with characters you can’t help but love. A unreliable narrator, sleezy Hollywood executives and old money politicians - it’s got everything you want in a juicy, drama filled story. Set in the 1960’s, it’s all about the glitz and the glamour, the scandals and the secrets - and Teddy is at the centre of it all. I cannot recommend this book enough, I binge read it in one sitting - the perfect book to snuggle up with and escape for a little while.

This book was so much more than I expected and I simply could not put it down. The characters were so engaging and believable, I really felt like I could relate to them and especially Teddy. The author has done a great job in getting the right level of drama and suspense as we slowly uncover all of Teddy's secrets and anxieties. Would definitely recommend this for anyone but especially those who likes strong and well thought out female characters. My book club was provided copies of this book to provide an honest review.

Emily Dunlay transport us to glamorous Rome in 1969. The Eternal City, the Dolce Vita, the history, the glamour of the Via Condotti where doors to Gucci or Valentino open for the deep of pocket, Cinecittà, the Hollywood of the Tiber and directors such as Federico Fellini, the drinks, the parties, the politics, power, corruption and not to mention the Cold War spies. Into this fabulously intoxicating environment steps Teddy Huntley Carlyle of Dallas, Texas, newly married to David Shepherd, a diplomat. Teddy comes from a family of wealth, she’s beautiful and she knows it but aged 34, she despairs of marrying until she meets David and they marry very quickly. You know how the saying goes, marry in haste, repent at leisure? One thing is for certain, she’s playing with fire, wanting marriage but also to see and taste the world, the conventional mixed with the unconventional. She tries so hard to be good, to be the best wife she can, but in July her life explodes in tandem with the 4th of July fireworks. You see, Teddy has a past and it’s about to catch up with her. The front cover sums up the mess she gets herself into, although maybe it’s not just her. What an entertaining, well written and accomplished novel. This is a character driven study of a woman of her time, or is she? Teddy is far from perfect, but she’s smarter than she seems although doesn’t always act it. She’s lively, impulsive, terrific company and also very naive. And what of the men? To describe her and David as chalk and cheese is an understatement. He’s smart, he can be sweet and tender, but he’s also cold and controlling. Just wait until you meet the other male characters! As for the setting, magnifico! It completely captures Rome at this time, it’s steeped in atmosphere, both ancient and modern with excellent historical context excellent as you witness the Cold War intrigue and the precariousness of life at this time. I thoroughly enjoy walking the streets of Rome with Teddy and imagine I’m sipping a Bellini in a delightful bar! The plot becomes very intriguing and I really like how it’s told in flashbacks and also in the present day. There are a number of whoops Teddy moments, where your heart pounds along with Teddy and you want to tell her to breathe but maybe not to drink quite so much champagne! There are moments of suspense and tension as the threat of discovery escalates. Overall, Teddy is great company in this entertaining and engaging novel which will make for fun summer reading.