Reviews

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

berges_books's review

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book really made me think. I loved the beginning and end, the middle was a bit slow paced and harder for me to get into. An important storyline tho. 

cxffee_addxct's review

4.0

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict is such a riveting historical fiction read. Most historical fiction novels that take place during this time period focus so heavily on the warfronts, on the happenings in WWII, and are usually delivered from a male POV. It was so refreshing to read a story that shared the story of what was happening during the Great Depression and the second World War on American soil, happening to everyday Americans in their fight for equal rights under the Roosevelt administration. And to get that on-the-ground story from the POVs of Mrs. Roosevelt and Mrs. Bethune? Amazing. 4.5 out of 5 stars. The only thing that knocked this book down half a star for me was the fact that the dual POV was sometimes hard to follow between chapters, so it became a bit of a slow/tedious read for me, but the storytelling and the writing was incredible.

Thank you to Marie Benedict and Beverly Books for the chance to read this ARC of The First Ladies!! It was incredible.

sulovebug's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

ccrose's review

5.0

This books is absolutely a masterpiece of writing. This important historical little known friendship shaped so much of our country’s past and inspired so many things that came to fruition. I’ve learned so much about the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary Cloud Bethune. I’ve never heard anything like this and after enjoying the authors first book, Personal Librarian, I knew I couldn’t pass up this book either. I hope to see more books from these wonderful author’s.

lmbahr01's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

elsanore's review

challenging hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kjazz20's review against another edition

informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

mtzbookworm64's review

5.0

Very interesting historical fiction of relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. A women’s view on how to collaborate and end racial discrimination.

rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

justjess2031's review

5.0

This historical fiction had me hooked from page 1 straight to the ending. Loved these two women and their work. It may have been fiction but the friendship was rumored to be true and for my sake I hope it was.