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A Rose for Sergei
“Do we really know what we are getting ourselves into…”
Sergei Kourdakov jumped from a Russian trawler in 1971 and barely survived the treacherous swim to the rocky shores of Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada. The handsome, twenty-year-old ex-KGB naval intelligence officer had defected—leaving behind a horrific life he could no longer face.
K. Kidd’s search for independence and a career with the Federal Government led her on a journey that far surpassed any expectations. A year after Sergei defected; she was introduced to him at her office in Washington, DC. The moment they met, the immediate attraction surprised them both. “Even you could be spy,” Sergei whispered.
This improbable, unbelievable, true story chronicles K. Kidd’s real-life relationship with a man who gave up everything for freedom. In her eye-opening memoir, the author reveals a side of Sergei Kourdakov that few people ever saw.
**Note: This book has been cleared for open publication by the Department of Defense’s Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DoD/OPSR).
Sergei Kourdakov jumped from a Russian trawler in 1971 and barely survived the treacherous swim to the rocky shores of Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada. The handsome, twenty-year-old ex-KGB naval intelligence officer had defected—leaving behind a horrific life he could no longer face.
K. Kidd’s search for independence and a career with the Federal Government led her on a journey that far surpassed any expectations. A year after Sergei defected; she was introduced to him at her office in Washington, DC. The moment they met, the immediate attraction surprised them both. “Even you could be spy,” Sergei whispered.
This improbable, unbelievable, true story chronicles K. Kidd’s real-life relationship with a man who gave up everything for freedom. In her eye-opening memoir, the author reveals a side of Sergei Kourdakov that few people ever saw.
**Note: This book has been cleared for open publication by the Department of Defense’s Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DoD/OPSR).
169 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2014
About the author
K. Kidd
1 book34 followersThe daughter of a U.S. Air Force pilot and stay-at-home mother, K. Kidd grew up living in Okinawa and all across the United States. She was seventeen when she started working for the Federal Government in Washington DC. The mystery and intrigue of the intelligence world fascinated her.
After leaving Government service, K. Kidd worked as an administrative assistant for Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and family.
Writing a book about Soviet defector Sergei Kourdakov was something she never planned to do. To this day she still looks behind the shower curtain.
After leaving Government service, K. Kidd worked as an administrative assistant for Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and family.
Writing a book about Soviet defector Sergei Kourdakov was something she never planned to do. To this day she still looks behind the shower curtain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 8, 2015
The story has a very good premise - an American girl and a Russian bear, no - man the size and strength of the bear, with different, even opposite, mentality, background and experience, fall in love. The Cold War period and the fact that the girl worked for the US intelligence, while the lad is ex-KGB make it even spicier and add the flavor of a spy thriller.
Yet it's a unique true love story: pure, touching and beautiful. Craftily written with all first-hand emotions shared by one of the participants.
And then there is a twist.... Something unexpected and drastic. I don't want to spoil it, so you, guys, would have to read it yourself. And it's worth it, believe me.
Yet it's a unique true love story: pure, touching and beautiful. Craftily written with all first-hand emotions shared by one of the participants.
And then there is a twist.... Something unexpected and drastic. I don't want to spoil it, so you, guys, would have to read it yourself. And it's worth it, believe me.
January 22, 2018
I started this book last night, reading in bed. I read until my eyeballs were being kept open with toothpicks. I finished it today. It is an incredible, true story of Sergei Kourdakov, who defected from the Soviet Union (which in itself is an unbelievable story), and the love of his life, a woman who worked at various (including top secret) offices in the Capital. Sergei is an ex-KGB naval officer who jumped off a trawler and swam to the coast of Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada. The fact that he was successful is nothing less than a miracle. During a visit to a government office where "K" worked as a secretary, they met and it was almost love at first sight. K, known to Sam by everyone else, was nicknamed K at that first meeting when Sergei asked her why she had a boy's name. K responded it was because noone ever pronounced her real name correctly, and so she was called Sam for short. Asked how to spell it, she only got as far as "K" and he said that's what he would call her. Sergei has left a life in a country he truly loved because he could no longer do what was asked of him. His history is slowly revealed and is horrific. He simply couldn't face it any more. Extremely tall and handsome to her very petite stature, newly independent Sam finds herself undeniably attracted to this man. She has a few reservations - after all, she works with top secret documents at the Pentagon at times - and here she is dating an ex-KGB agent. Their story is remarkable. It was worth losing some sleep over.
September 29, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While nonfiction has never been my preferred reading choice, I was pleasantly surprised at A Rose for Sergei. The story is told in a well organized and easy going tone that made it impossible to put down. It's a very well written tale that is also a bit of a tear-jerker. It has definitely got me intrigued to read a little more about Sergei and learn about his life.
While nonfiction has never been my preferred reading choice, I was pleasantly surprised at A Rose for Sergei. The story is told in a well organized and easy going tone that made it impossible to put down. It's a very well written tale that is also a bit of a tear-jerker. It has definitely got me intrigued to read a little more about Sergei and learn about his life.
October 17, 2017
This was a sweet read. I'm sorry for the short review but it's been one of those exhausting weeks! Will do full review soon.
April 3, 2015
A beautiful love story centered around two young people from vastly different worlds in the early 70's. What sets their love story apart from all others? A few reasons.
One: Both live a life so out of the norm for most.
You have an ambitious independent young woman from D.C. who dives straight into life after high school into a world most people would be in awe over as they wonder, "Does that really happen outside of movies?". I mean, how many of you can say you know someone in or has ever been involved with the CIA or other secretive parts of the federal government, let alone worked within such organizations (I mean working at the pentagon? Wow.), and lived a normal upbringing among it all? But she doesn't stop at the first step offered to her. This young woman continues to work hard and advance up the ladder in spite of some truly scary things happening to her. She is brave and dedicated and remarkable throughout this story.
"My thoughts flashed back to security briefings from when I worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). We were taught to be on the lookout for anyone trying to coerce secret information from us. These people could be friends or neighbors, someone that you would not ordinarily suspect. They had a word for people like that…spy. The thought that Sergei could be a spy did cross my mind, but I knew I had never told him I used to work for DIA. I brushed those thoughts away for now since I knew I tended to be overly suspicious sometimes. But then, I always did love mystery and intrigue."
Then you have a young man from Russia, who since a young age has seen more tragedy and more of the worlds ugliest sides than any one person should. After being orphaned so young, life turns into a mission of survival for this young man. He later joins the KGB and was put in the duty of (among other things) breaking up the secret meetings of Christians. But his life takes a drastic change when after several raids on the Christians, he becomes curious of their strong beliefs and in so curiously searching out the word of God, to thirsting for His word above all, then to accepting Jesus into his life. And so, through an act of God that gave him pause, he turns to Christ and defects from the Soviet Union to America.
"Beautiful girl like you...you could be spy!"
Two: The best part? This is a TRUE story, these are REAL people. Two people from different worlds get hurdled into each others lives through fate? Chance? Though they could not be more different, though the short journey they take together is full of mystery, danger, and secrets, it is also full of wonder, life, and love.
And all I am left with is wow. Yes, I really enjoyed this story. Yes, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a real life true love story with a bitter-sweet ending, but a moving lesson, love knows no bounds. K. A. Kidd writes her story beautifully, sucking you in to her world, telling you her story through her eyes.
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One: Both live a life so out of the norm for most.
You have an ambitious independent young woman from D.C. who dives straight into life after high school into a world most people would be in awe over as they wonder, "Does that really happen outside of movies?". I mean, how many of you can say you know someone in or has ever been involved with the CIA or other secretive parts of the federal government, let alone worked within such organizations (I mean working at the pentagon? Wow.), and lived a normal upbringing among it all? But she doesn't stop at the first step offered to her. This young woman continues to work hard and advance up the ladder in spite of some truly scary things happening to her. She is brave and dedicated and remarkable throughout this story.
"My thoughts flashed back to security briefings from when I worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). We were taught to be on the lookout for anyone trying to coerce secret information from us. These people could be friends or neighbors, someone that you would not ordinarily suspect. They had a word for people like that…spy. The thought that Sergei could be a spy did cross my mind, but I knew I had never told him I used to work for DIA. I brushed those thoughts away for now since I knew I tended to be overly suspicious sometimes. But then, I always did love mystery and intrigue."
Then you have a young man from Russia, who since a young age has seen more tragedy and more of the worlds ugliest sides than any one person should. After being orphaned so young, life turns into a mission of survival for this young man. He later joins the KGB and was put in the duty of (among other things) breaking up the secret meetings of Christians. But his life takes a drastic change when after several raids on the Christians, he becomes curious of their strong beliefs and in so curiously searching out the word of God, to thirsting for His word above all, then to accepting Jesus into his life. And so, through an act of God that gave him pause, he turns to Christ and defects from the Soviet Union to America.
"Beautiful girl like you...you could be spy!"
Two: The best part? This is a TRUE story, these are REAL people. Two people from different worlds get hurdled into each others lives through fate? Chance? Though they could not be more different, though the short journey they take together is full of mystery, danger, and secrets, it is also full of wonder, life, and love.
And all I am left with is wow. Yes, I really enjoyed this story. Yes, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a real life true love story with a bitter-sweet ending, but a moving lesson, love knows no bounds. K. A. Kidd writes her story beautifully, sucking you in to her world, telling you her story through her eyes.
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June 8, 2015
Note : This review is up in my blog - Book And Ink
A protagonist who works for federal government falling in love with a Russian KGB defector, what can one expect? I expected a thrilling tale of love where in our Russian man fighting human killing machines or our federal government secretary being kidnapped and ultimately being rescued by her oh-so-sweet-yet-tough-spy boyfriend. Nothing of that sort happened. This is no tale of fiction where one can expect ‘action’ in the form of exploding bombs or mortal combat. The story is a non-fictional account of Ms.Kidd’s short lived love life with the controversial KGB defector Sergei Kourdakov.
Throughout the book I had to keep reminding myself that this story is not a work of fiction but a real life account, for such was the writing. The writer, Ms. Kidd, transported me to her world back in the 70s through her compelling writing. Needless to say, the characterization was perfect. She never ventured into telling about the person that Sergei was before defecting. That is the best part of the whole book. She simply didn’t give room for the readers to judge Sergei for the person that he was before defecting. Sergei and Sam are poles apart, yet they find love. The fact that Sergei was a thorough gentleman simply shocked me. It is apparent that reading too much of spy novels has corrupted my sense of realities about a spy. The episode where Sergei happily lifts Sam and makes her sit on his leg is simply hilarious. Dear men, take a tip or two from this man’s sense of chivalry.
MY SAY: A humorous, profound and simple tale of love and loss.
RATING: 8/10
A protagonist who works for federal government falling in love with a Russian KGB defector, what can one expect? I expected a thrilling tale of love where in our Russian man fighting human killing machines or our federal government secretary being kidnapped and ultimately being rescued by her oh-so-sweet-yet-tough-spy boyfriend. Nothing of that sort happened. This is no tale of fiction where one can expect ‘action’ in the form of exploding bombs or mortal combat. The story is a non-fictional account of Ms.Kidd’s short lived love life with the controversial KGB defector Sergei Kourdakov.
Throughout the book I had to keep reminding myself that this story is not a work of fiction but a real life account, for such was the writing. The writer, Ms. Kidd, transported me to her world back in the 70s through her compelling writing. Needless to say, the characterization was perfect. She never ventured into telling about the person that Sergei was before defecting. That is the best part of the whole book. She simply didn’t give room for the readers to judge Sergei for the person that he was before defecting. Sergei and Sam are poles apart, yet they find love. The fact that Sergei was a thorough gentleman simply shocked me. It is apparent that reading too much of spy novels has corrupted my sense of realities about a spy. The episode where Sergei happily lifts Sam and makes her sit on his leg is simply hilarious. Dear men, take a tip or two from this man’s sense of chivalry.
MY SAY: A humorous, profound and simple tale of love and loss.
RATING: 8/10
July 14, 2015
"In Russia a red rose is the symbol of a bleeding heart."
And after reading this story, my heart bled too...and, I am not ashamed to admit, I shed some tears too.
A Rose for Sergei was a touching story of faith and love...and the ability of a heart to heal. I felt like I was transported back to those moments K and Sergei shared. It was a wonderful experience. Sergei was absolutely endearing! I couldn't get over my feelings of wanting to protect him and be protected by him. He certainly was an extraordinary person! Wonderful read!
February 23, 2019
I would like to thank the author for sharing this very moving and heartfelt account of her relationship with Sergei Kourdakov. It couldn't have been easy to relate this painful story. I graduated from high school in 1972 and I vaguely remember hearing about this Russian defector in the news. My heart goes out to this young man who never really had a chance. My heart also goes out to the author who experienced heartbreak. The book is well written, told through the eyes of a young woman who was inexperienced with men. It's a very interesting story and the author relates much happiness before the tragedy. For me, it was fun to walk down memory lane of the early seventies. I'll be thinking about this book for quite some time. It is a five star book in every way.
July 30, 2016
A five star rating in Goodreads equates to 'I was amazed'. And I was. This will be a book I read more than once and I can't say that about most books. I'll leave other reviewers to tell a little of the story, I'll just say I lived through the author's story moment by moment. Thanks to the author for sharing her true story.
May 11, 2018
Had it been a work of fiction, A Rose for Sergei would have been a really good read. That it is memoir makes it great.
The story is told in an easy, unadorned, confident style that reels the reader in. A Rose for Sergei does a great job of invoking the 70s -- the cold war, the relative simplicity of life, the fact that a 17-year-old, fresh out of high school, could get a job with the government (with clearances, no less).
At its core, it's a love story between two vastly different individuals -- a young government secretary and an equally young Russian defector. One is innocent, just taking her first steps into adulthood, while the other, an ex-KGB agent, is considerably less so. Despite these differences, they hit it off, and what ensues is a sweet romance. Unfortunately, bitter cold war realities lurk in the shadows.
Highly recommended.
The story is told in an easy, unadorned, confident style that reels the reader in. A Rose for Sergei does a great job of invoking the 70s -- the cold war, the relative simplicity of life, the fact that a 17-year-old, fresh out of high school, could get a job with the government (with clearances, no less).
At its core, it's a love story between two vastly different individuals -- a young government secretary and an equally young Russian defector. One is innocent, just taking her first steps into adulthood, while the other, an ex-KGB agent, is considerably less so. Despite these differences, they hit it off, and what ensues is a sweet romance. Unfortunately, bitter cold war realities lurk in the shadows.
Highly recommended.
March 13, 2015
A bittersweet love story...
I truly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a bittersweet love story between a young American woman and a former KGB Agent who escaped a life he didn't want and could no longer face. It's a true story of courage, sacrifice and belief in Christ who will always lead us to something better if we are willing to follow.
What I loved most is this is a true story, however, it reads like Fiction. I had to keep reminding myself, this is real...this happened. I loved how the author made you feel like you were back in the early 70's when reading it. True talent transports a reader to another world and that's how it felt.
I could feel the fear. I could feel the love. I could feel the heartbreak. A wonderful memoir.
I truly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a bittersweet love story between a young American woman and a former KGB Agent who escaped a life he didn't want and could no longer face. It's a true story of courage, sacrifice and belief in Christ who will always lead us to something better if we are willing to follow.
What I loved most is this is a true story, however, it reads like Fiction. I had to keep reminding myself, this is real...this happened. I loved how the author made you feel like you were back in the early 70's when reading it. True talent transports a reader to another world and that's how it felt.
I could feel the fear. I could feel the love. I could feel the heartbreak. A wonderful memoir.
February 4, 2017
A Touching Read
This is a must read if you've read the book, "The Persecutor." I had finished that book and had been intrigued by the life of Sergei Kourdakov. I went on line and found this book, written by KA Kidd, who had a brief relationship with him before his untimely death. I've never read a "love story" before, and was quite taken with this one. Honest, fresh, and sad.
This is a must read if you've read the book, "The Persecutor." I had finished that book and had been intrigued by the life of Sergei Kourdakov. I went on line and found this book, written by KA Kidd, who had a brief relationship with him before his untimely death. I've never read a "love story" before, and was quite taken with this one. Honest, fresh, and sad.
December 15, 2017
Life Changing
The Persecutor is a book that has stayed with me for years. I recently read it again and followed it with A Rose for Sergei. These stories will make you think and honestly might break your heart a little. But, it is so worth it. As for this book, my heart goes out to the author. Thank you so much for sharing your story, as well as bringing to light what Sergei’s life was like once in America.
The Persecutor is a book that has stayed with me for years. I recently read it again and followed it with A Rose for Sergei. These stories will make you think and honestly might break your heart a little. But, it is so worth it. As for this book, my heart goes out to the author. Thank you so much for sharing your story, as well as bringing to light what Sergei’s life was like once in America.
December 1, 2017
Interesting book
I'd never heard of Sergei before but am always interested in the lives of defectors after they come here. Never anticipated defecting because of religious freedom. We take so many things for granted in this country.
I'd never heard of Sergei before but am always interested in the lives of defectors after they come here. Never anticipated defecting because of religious freedom. We take so many things for granted in this country.
March 12, 2017
This is a short captivating true story. K is working in an office of the Defense Intelligence Agency in the early 70s when she meets a Russian defector who was a former KGB agent. They’re both 21 and have an instant attraction. Her boss encourages their friendship and asks her to help him shop for clothes. K is young and inexperienced, and Sergei has had a harrowing life and regrets the violence he inflicted on others. He openly expresses his feelings and is grateful for his freedom, yet believes he’s being watched and that he’ll be killed. Their time together is limited due to their separate responsibilities, but they become very close. This is their very romantic unusual love story. I wish there had been a few photos.
January 17, 2019
Although I don't normally read non-fiction, I was intrigued by this book. Once started, I couldn't put it down. Loved this pageturner and I always love it when "the East" is the theme of a book.
February 28, 2017
A diary of a first love
This is a sweet tale concerning a girls first love. I felt like I was reading her own diary and was going to get caught intruding on a very frank and personal life.
This is a sweet tale concerning a girls first love. I felt like I was reading her own diary and was going to get caught intruding on a very frank and personal life.
March 30, 2017
This is a fascinating true story. The writing is conversational—I felt like I was sitting with Ms. Kidd as she retold this story from her youth. In that sense, it is not tight, literary writing; there is a fair amount of repetition that a good editor would have cut. But other than that, the editing was flawless. The story has a strong sense of both time and place. The time is around the end of the Mad Men era. On more than one occasion, I pictured the author as Peggy from that show—young and naive and headstrong and on her own. Comparing the evolution of a romance in the early 70s to the swipe-left-let's-do-it of today is stunning. The slow pace of the romance was fascinating and compelling. The story is set in the DC area—a place I've spent a lot of time. It was interesting to be transported to those roads I once traveled myself, but twenty years after this story took place. The story ended abruptly, but rightly so, as so did the romance. I really liked this book, and I highly recommend it.
February 16, 2016
I absolutely loved this story. It is a true story. From the very first chapter the story just grabs you and keeps your interest. In Russia sending a red rose to someone means their heart is bleeding for you.
This book was written about the time this author spend with Sergei after Sergei defected his position from the KGB. I hope this author writes more books so I can read more by her. If you want to know more about Sergei's life then you need to pick up this book and read it.
When reading this story you better have some tissues with you. This is the type of story that you will think about after you finish it. It is such an emotional story. You will become attached to the characters. This story will stay with you for a while.
The author did an amazing job writing the book. It is of her memories of the time she and Sergei spend together.
If I had a rating system on my blog I would give this book 5 stars all the way.
This book was written about the time this author spend with Sergei after Sergei defected his position from the KGB. I hope this author writes more books so I can read more by her. If you want to know more about Sergei's life then you need to pick up this book and read it.
When reading this story you better have some tissues with you. This is the type of story that you will think about after you finish it. It is such an emotional story. You will become attached to the characters. This story will stay with you for a while.
The author did an amazing job writing the book. It is of her memories of the time she and Sergei spend together.
If I had a rating system on my blog I would give this book 5 stars all the way.
August 10, 2016
This is not at all the sort of book I would normally read, but as a Russianist I was fascinated by the premise. It's the true-life account of the author's relationship with Soviet defector and ex-KGB agent Sergei Kourdakov, one of the more unusual figures in the Cold War. The book is billed as reading like a romance novel, and it certainly does, capturing the giddiness of young love as the two main figures fall head-over-heels for each other at first sight. I also found it very interesting to read about the author's experiences as a young woman making a career for herself in government service in the early 1970s. This is a bit of a hybrid book, combining as it does the genres of memoir, romance, and cold war thriller, so purists of any of the genres may not know what to make of it, but I found it a quick easy read and an interesting take on one of the hotter periods of the Cold War.
March 7, 2020
I loved this sweet story about a close, lovely friendship between people whose worlds collided in an unlikely way. The author has a gentle voice, like listening to a friend over a cup of tea. I recommend this as a nice read on a sunny afternoon in the garden.
September 21, 2016
Quite a romantic story but felt it ended far too abruptly.
September 2, 2020
This is a beautifully told story of love and loss that I found hard to put down.
Ms Kidd opens up a whole new world of spies, murder and suffering as she explains her relationship with Sergei a Russian defector who found God. Sergei is a complex character and the author does an excellent job of highlighting his fears and sadness at what he had done while working for the KGB and how finding God changed him.
I cannot image how hard life must have been for Sergei, growing up as he did and finding the strength to defect to America. Sergei had trust issues, which given his background and the threat of being discovered and killed by the KGB isn't surprising. However it is the fun side of Sergei that you embrace. He reminded me of a child on Christmas morning, only each day was like Christmas in America for Sergi.
There is no happy ending, and this is the hard part. Sergei was life and that life was ended abruptly. I could not help but be moved by the pain the author felt on discovering her Sergei had died. That's how, when reading this book, I saw Sergei. He was two different people. First was the man who sort out and killed christians as instructed by the KGB, the other a man full of laughter and life, the man that belonged to K.
This is an emotional read, and a credit to Ms Kidd. It is a true story that will live with you long after you've finished reading it, and a book I recommend you read.
Ms Kidd opens up a whole new world of spies, murder and suffering as she explains her relationship with Sergei a Russian defector who found God. Sergei is a complex character and the author does an excellent job of highlighting his fears and sadness at what he had done while working for the KGB and how finding God changed him.
I cannot image how hard life must have been for Sergei, growing up as he did and finding the strength to defect to America. Sergei had trust issues, which given his background and the threat of being discovered and killed by the KGB isn't surprising. However it is the fun side of Sergei that you embrace. He reminded me of a child on Christmas morning, only each day was like Christmas in America for Sergi.
There is no happy ending, and this is the hard part. Sergei was life and that life was ended abruptly. I could not help but be moved by the pain the author felt on discovering her Sergei had died. That's how, when reading this book, I saw Sergei. He was two different people. First was the man who sort out and killed christians as instructed by the KGB, the other a man full of laughter and life, the man that belonged to K.
This is an emotional read, and a credit to Ms Kidd. It is a true story that will live with you long after you've finished reading it, and a book I recommend you read.
April 13, 2023
Raw, honest, must read
Oh my goodness. This book gripped me with every emotion that I have, such as happiness, sorrow, love, loss, scared, wondering how things would go with the female main character. The summer before her senior year of high school, she received a secretarial position with the government in the DC area. At one time she works at the Pentagon. Over time, her job changed as she worked her way up the ladder wherever she went. Sergie, an ex KGB agent, arrives for visits with her boss. And Sergie's determination and joyful features are admirable as well as his strength. DC is beautiful depending on where you look and that special white marble used comes from Marble, CO. Over especially tender moments, laughter, fun, scares, and more our heroine falls in love with this ex-Russian spy. The story starts circa 1970, and what I read chilled me to the bone. Lots of intrigue abounds and then it becomes apparent fast that Sergie knew he was being hunted by the KGB for defecting to the United States. What transpires from there had my emotions all over the place. I don't give away stories so know this. You want to read this book. You want to know the characters and how they end up. And you may or may not cry. Five shiny stars.
Oh my goodness. This book gripped me with every emotion that I have, such as happiness, sorrow, love, loss, scared, wondering how things would go with the female main character. The summer before her senior year of high school, she received a secretarial position with the government in the DC area. At one time she works at the Pentagon. Over time, her job changed as she worked her way up the ladder wherever she went. Sergie, an ex KGB agent, arrives for visits with her boss. And Sergie's determination and joyful features are admirable as well as his strength. DC is beautiful depending on where you look and that special white marble used comes from Marble, CO. Over especially tender moments, laughter, fun, scares, and more our heroine falls in love with this ex-Russian spy. The story starts circa 1970, and what I read chilled me to the bone. Lots of intrigue abounds and then it becomes apparent fast that Sergie knew he was being hunted by the KGB for defecting to the United States. What transpires from there had my emotions all over the place. I don't give away stories so know this. You want to read this book. You want to know the characters and how they end up. And you may or may not cry. Five shiny stars.
May 28, 2023
I love this story! I enjoyed it the second time, too. I felt like I was in Washington in the 70's again with fun parties and everyone there working for the government. Sergei and Kay were young and discovering life together. I laughed in parts and felt sad in others as Kay enters life after school. It is autobiographical so the time and places are authentic, and sometimes scary. A wonderful, shorter read taking me back to life in DC and beginning decisions. Then I caught up with K. Kidd on her blog. Wow! The story continues on, like plant roots stretching out, connecting it to current people, explanations, and even now Russia continues to deny how a KGB defector could exist. Read the book, follow the facts, and read Sergei's book. A wonderful, true story for teens and adults.
July 10, 2024
I met this author at a book event and I was fascinated by the story she had to tell. She met Sergei a Soviet defector while working for the US government. They were both young and naturally they fell in love. And remember this is a true story! Not one of those fluffy romances. I also enjoyed the book because it took place in a time I am quite familiar with, the early 1970's which was an interesting time in the USA. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a love story. A true love story of complete opposites. I don't want to give away anything so I will just say I recommend this book!
July 10, 2025
Heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, and real
I didn’t expect to like this so much but was intrigued by the story. It is a very honest retelling of a young girl’s first love and ultimate heartbreak. It is less of a memoir than a biography, as the voice remains that of the young girl, there is little to none of the older self’s narration in it. This isn’t a critique; just an observation. I think anyone who enjoys honest stories of love, heartbreak, and living through it will enjoy this book.
I didn’t expect to like this so much but was intrigued by the story. It is a very honest retelling of a young girl’s first love and ultimate heartbreak. It is less of a memoir than a biography, as the voice remains that of the young girl, there is little to none of the older self’s narration in it. This isn’t a critique; just an observation. I think anyone who enjoys honest stories of love, heartbreak, and living through it will enjoy this book.
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December 27, 2021I'm a fiction reader, so I had not expected to enjoy A Rose for Sergei so thoroughly. K. Kidd masterfully dropped me into 1972 with a beautifully rendered first person perspective that didn't skimp on the emotion and sensory experience we love in well-written fiction. The love story is deep, and the fact that it's real makes it all the more poignant. I consider this a must-read. Five stars well deserved.
May 17, 2017
Gave up after after forcing myself to go through 20% of the book. Detailed description of the job, life and people, but nothing in terms of action to keep me reading. I'm giving 3 stars because it could be used as a research /reference material for other period and genre writers.
March 28, 2021
I have just binge read A Rose for Sergei over my 70th birthday weekend. I couldn't put it down. It is beautifully and sensitively written and shows that true love has no boundaries. I won't give any more details for fear of spoiling it for other readers but I wholeheartedly recommend it.
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