Once Upon a Secret Book Reviews

We transfer money over €4 billion every month. We enable individual and business accounts to save 4 million Euros on bank transfer fees. Want to send free money abroad or transfer money abroad for free? Free international money transfer!

Hard to put down. Mimi, Thank you for being so strong. Your story is amazing and you are very courageous to step forward and tell it. A definite read for women of all ages.

Heartwarming. Having lived through Camelot, this was a very heartwarming story from a very intelligent and caring woman that brought back many memories. It is well told and well written-- just like a good chick flick!

Great book. This is a strong lady

Gripping. I know it sounds cliche, but I literally could not put this book down. The raw honesty of Mimi's story helps me understand myself better and for that I am grateful. Oddly, I feel a need to apologize to her in behalf of my gender for the way she was abused in the White House. She was victimized in the worst possible sense. I find it striking that she expresses no resentment toward the President. He was clearly a remorseless aggressor and abuser; surely her lack of rancor has helped her heal and get to the good place she is now. But, I deeply regret the pain and struggle JFK inflicted upon her in her journey and upon untold others including his wife and children. His reckless disregard for her as a person is evidence of his corrupt character. Such a well written, honest story. Thank you.

Inspiring. I enjoyed this book immensely and it took me back to that era. She's a strong lady and I'm glad she told her story her way.

Once Upon a Secret. This book was like watching a horrific traffic accident. You know the outcome but you cannot avert your gaze. While I appreciate the author's sentiments the destructive nature of keeping secrets, I have a profound issue with some of the content of this book. While this book may have been cathartic for the author it was proably devasting for the Kennedy Family. Who is best served by the knowledge the former President had a dark side? The author's words are no longer a meaningless footnote as she might contend. The words are now published fact and thus memorialized into our history. While the author goes to great lenght to describe the President in affectionate tems you cannot shed the image of a calculating sexual predetor held the highest office of this land. This book makes you wonder about what is in the heart of any man or woman that serves publicly. The author made decision to sleep with President Kennedy. She could have said no. She told Ted Kennedy no. So she knew the difference between right and wrong. My view of John Kennedy has not changed. He was an inspirational figure who inspired this country to greatness. This book only points out the he was mortal man subject to the faults and failures like any other man. Some secrets should never be shared.

Amazing. Mimi- What an amazing woman you are. I'm a 29 yr old mother of of a 9yr old son & 3yr old daughter...I don't get much time to read, so when i heard about this book, i couldnt resist. I couldn't put this book down. Of course I was looking for the juicy details but what I got out of your story was much more satisfying. At a very young age ( 9, if I'm not mistaken), I became very fascinated w/ JFK & his family...doing a biography on him for a 4th grade project & visiting the 6th floor Book Depository Bldg in Dallas the following year. To tell you truth, I was more captivated by the story of 'you' than i was JFK. Thank you for sharing your story & allowing me to understand things about JFK that aren't found in history books.

Question. An inviting piece of literature. I felt it was very well written, an provides an underlying epic of what a secret can do, especially this secret. I admire her courage and strength, to over come her past and be happy with her present and future.

Thought provoking good read. Have never been interested in tell all books but purchased this after hearing the author's interviews. Having been a "good girl" in the 60s (and long after), I admire the courage it took to write this book and to include the good & the bad of the story. That is life after all.

Really enjoyed this book!. Interesting information about JFK. But the life lessons are what makes it filled with lots of heart!

Thanks to the author for sharing your story.. A great book. A great lesson on the secrets we keep and the effect they have on our lives.

Excellent read!. Beautifully written and explained. 19 is such a young age to have such a powerful and delicate secret. I'm so happy she found true love at last!

Why should Mimi have taken this to her grave??. I applaud Mimi for writing this book! I was mesmerized by it and also have not stopped thinking about it. The sequence of events disclosed in this book have profoundly impacted Mimi's life and even though she could have said no, she felt unable to do so! President Kennedy used his power and status to take advantage of this young girl and should have been the bigger person to KNOW it was wrong. What went on changed her life forever and I doubt there was any concern for that possibility at the time. Thank you Mimi for disclosing the truth of the events and also for standing up for yourself no matter how long ago it was. You have opened a door for other girls/women's to know they are not alone and should not feel guilty in this type of situation.

Once upon a secret. The first 80% of the book is great........then it fades out fast.

Once upon a secret. Thank you Ms Alford for a great recollection of your past. I hope you are at a better place after unloading all this. We all have things which we would do differently now in hindsight, and other things we would do again the same, no judgement from this 56 year old male.

Do not waste your money on this tale. A tale of sorrow at the expense of the family who has lost so much and experienced such sorrow. I am not one to judge but even at the young age of 19 one should know the difference between right and wrong and knowingly sleeping with a married man is wrong. No matter which way you slice it. It is wrong and that makes me wonder about this person's moral compass. She has tried to rationalize her actions but the fact remains that the responsibility rests on her shoulders. She could have said no and walked away. But she did not and that is the story. The human condition. Temptation is a very powerful aphrodisiac. This really is a tale of.biblical proportions

Great read!. As a teenager I didn't think this book would be fun to read, but it was definitely a page turner. It was very touching and enlightening. Mimi is truly a strong woman for having to deal with this throughout her whole life. It's inspiring to people who have a secret that they can't really share with anyone because of what might happen after the secret has been spilled. It was really interesting to read about some of the things that really happened in the white house during the Kennedy administration especially when I was learning about it in U.S. history just last month. I would recommend this book to anyone with a secret that's hard to tell and needing some inspiration in doing so.

Once upon a Secret. Great heart felt book. Mimi is the bravist Woman to write the events of History, Not Just A FOOTNOTE, that were a part of Her life as well as JFK's. I"m sure it must have taken an emotional tole on her Family and Her Life to share this book with others not related or associated with her.

Once upon a secret. Well written, to the point, not Inflammatory. The story gives great insights of oneself as a young adult making mistakes that at the time one does not realize the effect upon ones future. Gives a viewpoint that is different of JFK during a period of historical impact and makes one wonder what else was truly going on with other players. The author set her story straight according to her point of view and her truth. Good, fast, read.

Quick Read!. I couldn't put Mimi's story down. Well done!

Couldn't put it down!. What a great book! I applaud you Mimi! Well done :0)

Once upon a secret.... This was such a great book! I could not stop reading it... I felt like i was intruding into Mimi and JFK' s secret relationship! I did not want this book to end! I wanted more details about their relationship! It makes me wonder how many others are out there that had this sort of relationship with the president.

Get real..... Please... No matter the lessons learned, no matter how well written, this is an attempt to profit from an affair with a famous married man - and while his own daughter is still alive! Okay, Ms. Alford waited for his wife to pass, but take the story and lessons to the grave - that's the truest way to learn from the experience. Many of us have had opportunities to be the "other woman" and found a way - no matter the condition of our self-esteem, age or charisma/power of the man - to "just say no." And no, I'm not a hypocrite, I have not purchased the book and await its arrival at the public library.

A fantastic read !. I loved how easily it was written with forethought and memories! I couldn't put the book down after reading the first page. The best part of reading this book is the wonderful lessons the author learned and her ability to sculpture her life into a life with peace, meaning, love, forgiveness, spiritual feelings, and "a story to tell" thereby helping other young women to forgive and forget their own mistakes made! I also loved the idea woven through every page, life is better lived alone unless living with someone that listens and validates your feelings, while loving you immensely with all your imperfections! I can't wait to suggest this book to my family and friends. I am so happy, Mimi designed her present life, filled with true love and happiness!

Once upon a secret. Excellent book outlining the emotional ups and downs of the author. I can identify with her marriage troubles and finding true love at last! Couldn't put this book down! Finished it in 2 days!

Honest and Enlightened. Good for you Mimi! You made lemonade from lemons.

Once upon a secret. Sorry shallow story!!!

Couldn't put it down.. I loved it.

Once upon a secret. Enjoyed reading this book, a plot that moves along well, brings back many thoughts of the different people we were then. It was a truly different time ; we were curiously naive, children at heart. Too soon we became wizened by life, love, disappointments, and our own secrets.

Just a different Lewinsky. This books serves no purpose other than to cleanse the author of her guilt. The one passage in the book which I found truly disturbing was when the author recollects the President reading letters of condolences on the loss of his son Patrick with her sitting with him. How disturbing to know that the author had to infringe on this private moment. The author rationalizes why she carried on the affair -- she was infatuated, young, naive, in love! But one knows the concept of right and wrong and apparently the author lacked any modicum of morality. Once again the author shows that her own self interests outweighs decency. Now Caroline Kennedy and her children will have to carry the weight of the author's transgressions. The author should have taken her story to her grave!

Exceptional. I loved this story. Mimi told the story in a "matter of fact" way without making excuses. She told it exactly how she lived it and accepted responsibility without it being a pity story. She also showed that there where consequences for her actions. JFK was a great leader that was human and had his faults like the rest of us.

Self Serving. Reads like a gossip column. Author wants readers to believe she was not responsible or accountable for her actions. Very “Monica Lewinsky like.”

Just O.K.. I was hesitant to purchase this book, but had heard some decent reviews about it, so decided to go ahead. Although I enjoyed re-living the times that this book takes place in, I felt as though the author was somehow "rushing" me through the events that took place. I would say don't buy it, rather borrow from your local library or a friend who has purchased.

Loved Loved Loooooovvvvvveeeeeddddd it!. Let me start with- I am not a book reader. I RARELY have time to read a book. However, I watched an interview with Mimi Alford. Her story as well as my fascination with all things Kennedy compelled me to buy her book. Then again, maybe it was Devine intervention.....I related to this book on so many different levels. I couldn't put it down. It had me mesmerized from cover to cover, and now I find myself with a calming peace with some of my own demons! Great book! I'm so glad she had the courage to share her story. And, I am very grateful that I had the privilege to read it.

Once Upon A Secret. A compelling story, well written and greatly endorsed. A definite must read for an insight to the Kennedy history.

Beautiful. I am humbled after reading Mimi's story. Mimi is a being of an almost supernatural force of strength to write of her affair that forced her to be brutally honest with humiliations and other events during her internship at the White House from the very young age of nineteen. Mimi is unbiased throughout. She carries a sense of regality and perfected class as she paints American's the story of her piece in history. She is humble, she is logical and realistic. Mimi Alford is a footnote to the evolution of human beings being courageous to tell of their faults regardless of and unharmed from the inevitable scrutiny of the public. This story has been played in my mind as a movie. I was intrigued. I was at the edge of my seat. I was disgusted. I couldn't get enough. I laughed. I cried. I felt her pain, not even being able to fathom the intensity of which she felt her pain. And most important, I felt in love with the President, because Once Upon a Secret is magical and shares an iconic piece of history in a sensual and enthralling way that will give no choice to readers than to become Mimi Alford. Wonderful.

A victim of a flawed camelot. Here we read about a innocent nineteen year old who is caught up in the whirlwind world of a so called Camelot. What young inexperienced women would not succumb to the charismatic young president of the United States? He uses every woman he met including his wife who knew of his various liaisons. This was particularly heartbreaking because this heartless man took her virginity without even a morsel of remorse. Yes, she could have went running and never returned, but this was a different time where certain things were tabu. I am glad to know that she has finally found happiness and can forgive herself for contributing to a great deal of unhappiness for Jackie Kennedy, which had JFK lived, I am certain their marriage would have ended. I believe Jackie Kennedy endured so much heartache over these infidelities, it affected her entire life. I.believe Mlmi accepts that she contributed to so much turmoil during her relationship with the president. Power can be lethal. Women too often let themselves be caught up in the what they perceive as happiness and excitement. Find your own power! We can all learn from this.

Loved it. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes our secrets depict who we become. I couldn't put this book down, finished in two days. I am in awe of all you experienced and how you managed to not tell people when it was happening.

Good Book. I enjoyed reading this book, very interesting and smooth reading.

Awesome Book. This book just tell us the reality of a simple women mixing with the power of one man and how that power changes her life. I really like it and recommended, very interesting book.

Not a footnote to a footnote, this is good & important.. Mimi's story has lessons for us all about power, charisma, marriage, devils, angels, actions & consequences. The most important lesson she teaches us about is forgiveness. I read this book in 5 hours & couldn't put it down. The darker tidbits about JFK are disappointing, but unfortunately not all together shocking. Like all of us, JFK was good and bad. I'm glad to know these truths. Mimi's honesty lets us see how all those secrets damage us, her honesty in facing her own past lets history acknowledge JFK's sins & accomplishments. life is messy, so where the Kennedy's.

Fascinating!!!!. Totally fascinating!! Could not put it down until finished. Not some cheap exposé ....but important life lessons learned and shared! Thank you, Mrs. Alford for sharing them with us.

Heartfelt Adventure. Mimi's story is engaging and a roller coaster of emotions. Instantly your best friend, Mimi makes you feel like you are hovered in a coffee shop together listening to the greatest story a friend has ever told you. Not a chapter went by without me wanting to know more- and routing for this young girl to succeed! A must read for anyone who has ever been in some sort complicated relationship!

Sad Reflection. Wow! I'm not sure where to start. What a disturbing tale of a young woman who was used by one of the most powerful men in the world and even consented to being passed around like a bag of Cheetos. Even in her 60s (when this book was written) she seems to revel in the privileges she acquired by being nothing more than a sex toy. She never questions her behavior and how it may have effected his family. All fun and games! In her eyes her greatest "virtue" was keeping the secret. She elevates herself to a position of a footnote to a footnote in history. Stop it! Get real!

Loved it! Thank you Mimi!. Very heart felt... I felt Mimi's pain.

Nancy Raney. This is a disturbing but necessary book by Ms. Alford. History needs to be written as accurately as possible, and witnesses and participants like Ms. Alford are vitally important to finding the truth. It is disturbing that President Kennedy behaved as a sexual predator toward an innocent 19 year old. Historians will be interested in his ability to think rationally as president and then behave as a common pimp, predator and user toward apparently all women he encountered. I applaud Ms. Alford's effort to tell the truth to help herself and maybe help voters think and probe more carefully before we go to the polls.

Good Read. I absolutely loved this story - thank you for sharing your secret

Interesting but graphic pool episode was unnecessary. I found her story interesting and bizarre. I thought given the lack of detail overall it was peculiar that she would offer explicit sexual detail involving the man that procured her for the president. Bad form at best. I thought the book needed pictures.

Brava!. Mimi is a hero. I thank her and applaud her, for her strength. She has taken a secret and has sculptured it into a masterful revelation about human nature. Brava Mimi, Brava!

Once Upon a Secret. Fascinating story....loved it!

Did you know that you can earn 25 USD from our site just by registering? Get $25 for free by joining Payoneer!

Imagine you at your best. All the time. Picture yourself at your sharpest and most productive. Your most alert and focused. Your most lucid, creative and confident. At work. At play. In every area of your life. Add Mind Lab Pro® v4.0 to your daily routine and uncap your true potential. Buy Now!

Adsterra is the most preferred ad network for those looking for an alternative to AdSense. Adsterra is the ideal choice for new sites with low daily traffic. In order to advertise on the site in Adsterra, like other ad networks, a certain traffic limit, domain age, etc. is required. There are no strict rules. Sign up!