Product guide

The Summer I Met Jack: A Novel by Michelle Gable

The Summer I Met Jack is Michelle Gable’s historical novel imagining a relationship between Alicia Corning Clark and John F. Kennedy. It follows Alicia from her arrival as a Polish refugee in Hyannisport through Hollywood and Rome, with the story framing their connection and a possible child as questions rather than established history.

At a glance

Fictionalized account centered on Alicia Corning Clark and John F. Kennedy.
The narrative spans from 1950 Hyannisport to the eve of Kennedy's inauguration, moving through Hollywood and Rome.
The listing presents a possible child as part of the imagined Kennedy family history, not as settled fact.

Price

$3.99Save 78%

Reference price: ~~$17.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

View offer

Pros and cons

Pros

The long historical arc connects a private romance with the Kennedy family's political rise.
Kindle edition lists screen-reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Edition details
Publisher	St. Martin's Press
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Language	English
Print length	512 pages
File size	3.6 MB
ISBN-10	9781250103246
ISBN-13	978-1250103260

Kindle features
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in historical fiction about the Kennedy family and mid-century political life.
Readers who enjoy a romance framed around a real-life-inspired story and prominent historical figures.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a strictly documented biography or a settled historical account of the alleged relationship and child.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.1 / 5 · 702 ratings

5 stars48%48%
4 stars30%30%
3 stars15%15%
2 stars5%5%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback describes the book as engaging and well-written, and readers report that the story holds their interest. Some appreciate the use of real-life stories in building the narrative. Opinions about character development are mixed, with some finding the characters believable and others disagreeing. That difference may matter to readers who prioritize characterization in a historical novel built around an imagined relationship.

Positive themes

Readers describe the story as engaging and the writing as well done.
Some readers value the way real-life stories inform the narrative.

Mixed feedback

Character believability receives mixed reactions.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Summer I Met Jack nonfiction?

No. The listing describes a novel inspired by Alicia Corning Clark’s real life and imagines a relationship with John F. Kennedy, including the possibility of a child.

What is the story about?

Alicia arrives in Hyannisport in 1950 to work as a maid, becomes close to Jack Kennedy, and later moves through Hollywood and Rome while remaining connected to him.

What Kindle reading features are listed?

The listing says Screen Reader, Enhanced Typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip are supported or enabled.

How long is the Kindle edition?

The listing gives a print length of 512 pages and a Kindle file size of 3.6 MB.