From the moment I laid eyes on Teddy’s stunning cover, I knew I would love this book. And it did not disappoint! The promise of historical fiction with a literary thriller edge was irresistible, and the novel delivered on all fronts. At its heart is Teddy, a complex and flawed protagonist who captures your attention from page one with her struggle to fit in a misogynist America in 1969. 

A privileged Texan, Teddy is trapped in a golden cage of societal expectations. At 34, she would love her freedom if it wasn’t threatened by the financial insecurity that comes with being a single woman in 1969 (remember, women couldn’t have bank accounts back then). She has a large trust fund waiting for her… when she gets married. Otherwise, there is nothing else for her. The pressure to become a wife was financial, but also social. Even if suffocating, Teddy has convinced herself that this is what she wants, too. Yet, beneath the glamorous, gorgeous exterior, Teddy harbours a rebellious spirit. A secret life of clandestine affairs masks a deep-seated yearning for authenticity. But how can one be authentic when that means their entire existence is threatened? 

However, Teddy does get married to David, a diplomat working in Rome, entering a gilded cage of a different kind. Moving to Rome as what society had asked of her - a devoted wife and future mother - Teddy aspects to leave her wild side behind. However, she is thrust into the dazzling world of the American ambassador, a former movie star, and his wife. The high-society milieu starkly contrasts with Teddy’s growing disillusionment with her own life. Dunley uses Teddy as a lens to examine the social pressures and expectations placed on women of the era. 

Teddy is a fascinating character; she is both privileged and trapped, naïve yet perceptive. She struggles constantly with thoughts of not being good enough (beautiful, sophisticated, smart) and the need to live a different life.  While her initial portrayal might suggest a shallow, materialistic woman, the narrative gradually reveals her depth and complexity. Her journey towards self-discovery is both painful and empowering. Teddy’s personality is heavily influenced by Aunt Sister, a free spirit with a tragic fate that was used by Teddy’s mother as an example of what happens to women who do not conform.

The novel is a poignant commentary on feminism, disguised as a captivating tale of suspense. The contrast between Teddy’s free-spirited Aunt Sister and her mother’s constrained life underscores the societal pressures women face. There is no space in this world for a woman to be free; when she somehow manages to build a life for herself, society has a way to bring her down. Just as telling was the dialogue between Teddy’s Uncle Hal (a senator with big dreams of becoming a president) and the only woman in the Senate at that time. Hal was lobbying for a law that required companies to pay women equally with men and wanted the senatress on his side. This conversation, executed masterfully, will make your blood boil but it’s also a great mirror of the uphill battle women faced (and still do!) in the political arena and outside of it.

Teddy is more than historical fiction; it’s a feminist manifesto disguised as a thrilling page-turner. Teddy’s journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of women who refuse to be confined. The ending was soul-soothing and just made me happy. Teddy is a character that truly shines, a flawed heroine, but also a woman ahead of her time, struggling to reconcile her desires with societal expectations. 

I absolutely loved Teddy! This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction, feminist literature, literary thriller or simply a compelling story. It’s a perfect summer read.