My Favorite Backlist Beach Reads

Over the years I have read some great summertime reads, but for this list, I have narrowed it down to my favorite back list beach reads. They have to have a summertime, beach or lake setting, they have to be compelling and of course, memorable. Here are some of my favorites:

Adult Fiction:

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa Lafaye

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karne White

Villa America by Liza Klausmann

YA Fiction:

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

The Lake Effect by Erin McCahan

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Boys Next Door/Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

The Season of You and Me by Robin Constatine

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Open Road Summer by Emory Lord

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Doktorski

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

What do you think of my list? Which beach reads are you favorites? Let me know your thoughts!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Clockmaker's Daughter

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

Pub. Date: September 20, 2018

Goodreads says, "From the bestselling author of The House at Riverton and The Secret Keeper, Kate Morton brings us her dazzling sixth novel, The Clockmaker's Daughter  My real name, no one remembers.  The truth about that summer, no one else knows.  In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins.  Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketchbook containing a drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.  Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?  Told by multiple voices across time, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a story of murder, mystery and thievery, of art, love and loss. And flowing through its pages like a river, is the voice of a woman who stands outside time, whose name has been forgotten by history, but who has watched it all unfold: Birdie Bell, the clockmaker’s daughter."

Guys, it's always exciting when Kate Morton has a new novel coming out. I absolutely adored The Distant Hours as well as The Secret Keeper; I've been meaning to read more of books! Are you a fan of Kate Morton? Which books of hers is your favorite? If you haven't read any of her novels, do yourself a favor and add them to your TBR list! What do you think of this one?

Book Review: The Summer Sail by Wendy Francis

Pages: 307

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 1, 2018

Publisher: Touchstone

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Summer of Good Intentions

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Three college roommates are celebrating a twentieth wedding anniversary by taking a cruise to Bermuda. As the ship pulls away from the pier, everyone is looking forward to lounging by the pool, sipping sunset cocktails, and reminiscing. Abby, the mother hen of the group, will be celebrating her wedding anniversary in style, even as she and her husband keep a secret from the group. Ambitious career woman Caroline happily anticipates several stress-free days away from her magazine job with her boyfriend, Javier, who may or may not be finally inspired to propose. And single mom Lee (annoyingly gorgeous and irresistibly popular in college) hopes she’ll win back the affections of her formerly sweet daughter Lacey, who after her first year in college, has inexplicably become a little bit of a monster. As the balmy pink shores of Bermuda come into view, tensions simmer, and old jealousies flare, sending the temperature from soothing to scorching in this engrossing tale of three best friends on a vacation they won’t soon forget—but not for the reasons they expect."

Lee, Caroline, and Abby were college roommates and the best of friends. They often get together, but this year they are doing something special. They are taking a cruise to Bermuda in honor of Abby's 20th wedding anniversary.  It should be fun. Think cocktails, sunset, lounging by the pool.....what could go wrong? But throw everyone and their families on a cruise ship, things are bound to get dramatic.  Plus, Abby is hiding a major secret from everyone except her husband. Caroline, still single, is bringing her boyfriend Javier, but things are complicated. Caroline is hoping he will finally propose to her.  Lee, a single mom, is bringing her daughter, Lacey, but after her first year at college, she has come back a different person and is hiding secrets of her own.  Then there's Abby's two rambunctious high school boys who will most definitely get in trouble on a cruise ship.  There are some obvious challenges facing the three women, but such strong friendships can weather any storm, right? Wendy Francis' The Summer Sail is such a great beach read. Who doesn't want to be transported to a luxurious cruise ship en route to dreamy Bermuda? 

I actually enjoyed all three women in The Summer Sail.  I felt the most for Abby as I could connect with her the best, but I appreciated all of the women and their struggles.  Abby is obviously hiding a secret and my heart went out to her as we slowly piece together what she is struggling with on a daily basis.  Caroline wants to take the next step in her relationship since she isn't getting any younger and she is hoping Javier will man up on this trip. I am not sure her friend's 20th anniversary celebration is really the best time to think about your significant other proposing, but that's her main focus.  Lastly, there's Lee who has built her life around her only daughter, Lacey, except she has returned from college with a serious boyfriend and a seriously bad attitude. Lee is hoping this trip will reestablish their relationship, but Lacey is annoyed there is not internet access on the ship.  I loved that all three women support each other and their friendship has truly survived years of ups and downs. The flashbacks to college were especially fun and helped to develop their characters even more.

I have never read a book that takes place on a leisurely cruise, but reading one that does during during spring break or while on vacation is simply perfection. The views, the drinks, the fancy dinners, the ocean, the ship's balconies, and the Bermuda beaches all had me pining for a trip to the Caribbean.  I loved Francis' descriptions of the cruise itself; it felt like I was on vacation with all of the ladies and who doesn't love a group vacation with your best friends? 

There are some unexpected twists in The Summer Sail, some that I saw coming, others that took me by surprise.  My only issue was the one major secret was predictable and sometimes the characters hyper focused on their own problems, but other than that I thought The Summer Sail was a fun beach read with an incredible setting.  

Giveaway: The Great American Read Blog Tour and Dover Books

Guys, The Great American Read on PBS is pretty much a bookworm's dream. I am so excited for this show! I have been counting down the days to the premiere and after watching the first episode, I must admit I love it! Did you guys catch the first episode?

I also am inspired to check out some of the books on the list that I haven't read yet.  Did you guys see the official list? Which books are your favorites? Are you surprised by any of the books on the list? I love that this show lends itself to people discussing books and getting passionate about their favorites. In turn, my TBR list is overflowing with recommendations!

I am so, so excited to kick off this holiday weekend with an incredible giveaway! I have partnered with The Children's Book Review and Dover Books to give away  a set of seven titles from The Great American Read list as well as a Five Great English Novels Boxed set. I wish I could enter this giveaway myself!

Two grand prize winners will receive:

• A set of 7 titles from The Great American Read list:
• Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• The Call of the Wild by Jack London
• The Story of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Adventures of Don Quixote by Argentina Palacio
• A Five Great English Novels Boxed Set:
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• Withering Heights by Emily Brontë
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Three runner-up winners will receive:

• A set of 7 titles from The Great American Read list (as above)

How fantastic is this giveaway? These classic novels would look great on any bookshelf.  Please refer to my giveaway rules and the giveaway ends June 22, 2018 at 11:59 PM PST.  This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older.  Prizes are provided by Dover Books. 

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To learn more about Dover Books, check out their website or visit them on Facebook.  Also, you can find all the Dover books featured on The Great American Read list right here. 

Let me know which Dover Books are your favorites and which ones you have been meaning to read. Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorites for sure! Are you going to watch The Great American Read on PBS? Let me know in the comments below. Have a great weekend!

Book Review: August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: May 1, 2018

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: How My Summer Went Up in Flames

and The Summer After You and Me

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Summer on the New Jersey shore offers Quinn a new start at life and love, but only if she can come to terms with her past.  Graduation can't come soon enough. Desperate for a fresh start, Quinn is eager to escape to her aunt's house on the New Jersey shore for the summer…away from teenage drama and having to answer everyone's questions about "what comes next" after high school.  Quinn can't bear to focus on the future. She doesn't even think she deserves one—not after her best friend died in a car accident that Quinn feels responsible for. But when Quinn meets Malcolm, a musician who has been trying to escape his own demons, she starts to believe in second chances."

Quinn is dealing with a lot of guilt as her best friend died in a car accident that she feels responsible for.  After a scandal at home involving a teacher, Quinn is spending the summer at the Jersey Shore at her aunt's house and working at the local bar.  She is supposed to be figuring out what is next for her and come up with some sort of plan, but it's harder than it looks.  She is definitely distracted by local musician, Malcom.  He is the quintessential rocker and encourages her to play drums on his demo.  Things progress to something more between the two of them, but she isn't sure this is the type of relationship is exactly healthy as Malcolm is very complicated and his past isn't squeaky clean to say the least.  Can he help her move on from her past or will he complicate her life further? And ultimately this novel examines that big question for many seniors...what comes next?  Jennifer Salvato Doktorski's  August and Everything After is an edgier beach read for mature YA readers all set on the memorable backdrop of the Jersey Shore. 

I thought Quinn was an interesting character in August and Everything After. Her complex past is heartbreaking and I wanted to learn more about her.  I really enjoyed her relationship with her aunt as well as Quinn's interest in music. 

Speaking of music, you can really tell that Doktorski knows music as well as bands. If you like this sort of thing, you will appreciate that the most about this book.  The musical details, band life, demos, playing live in front of an audience, and the idea of going on tour is all explored in August and Everything After.

One of the things that Doktorski does well is depict a summer at the Jersey Shore. You can tell she is well versed in shore life and really brought the small town, the bars, and the quirky people to life very well.  

I also appreciated that Malcolm and Quinn were dealing with grief regarding the untimely death of their friends. This made August and Everything After a more serious type of beach read. Quinn struggles with anxiety on a daily basis due to her complicated past and Malcolm struggles with addiction.  So, obviously, this was a darker read than I anticipated despite the romance between Quinn and Malcolm.

If you enjoy darker beach reads that tackle serious issues that teenagers face everyday, then you'll want to check out August and Everything After this summer, especially if you love all things music.  While this isn't my favorite of Doktorski's novels, I still appreciated the novel's message. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: When We Caught Fire

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen 

Pub. Date: October 2nd, 2018

Goodreads says, "It’s 1871 and Emmeline Carter is poised to take Chicago’s high society by storm. Between her father’s sudden rise to wealth, and her recent engagement to Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, Emmeline has it all. But she can’t stop thinking about the life she left behind, including her childhood sweetheart, Anders Magnuson. Fiona Byrne, Emmeline’s childhood best friend, is delighted by her friend’s sudden rise to prominence, especially since it means Fiona is free to pursue Anders herself. But when Emmeline risks everything for one final fling with Anders, Fiona feels completely betrayed.  As the summer turns to fall, the city is at a tipping point: friendships are tested, hearts are broken, and the tiniest spark might set everything ablaze. Sweeping, soapy, and romantic, this is a story about an epic love triangle—one that will literally set the city ablaze, and change the lives of three childhood friends forever."

I devoured Godbersen's Luxe series years ago and I look forward to checking out this new book. I think the setting of the 1870s in Chicago sounds incredible. What do you guys think?

Book Review: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Pages: 432

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 3, 2018

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.  But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.  What could go wrong?  With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.  And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

Zorie Everhart is someone who doesn't normally take chances, but when the opportunity comes to go "glamping" with her former good friend, Reagan, she uncharacteristically takes the chance as she desperately wants to get away from her dad and after her trip, she can meet her real friends at an astronomy get-together on a nearby mountain. Astronomy is her passion and she is excited to see a meteor shower with her fellow budding astronomers.  Meanwhile, it's the summer before senior year and instead of living it up, Zorie spends a lot of her time stressed out, thanks to her father.  Zorie was once really good friends with her neighbor Lennon, but there's a family feud going on currently and her father has forbid her to hang out with him; plus, there's the fact that he broke her heart.  To complicate matters further, she finds out that Lennon is going on this camping trip as well. Awkward much?  Jenn Bennett's Starry Eyes is such a great YA read. Books like this are why I still read YA fiction. 

Zorie is the type of character you might meet in a John Green novel and I mean this as a compliment. She's smart, awkward, quirky, and complicated in Starry Eyes. Her home life, at first, seems idyllic, but once readers scratch below the surface they see who her father truly is.  Even though Zorie has a great relationship with her step-mother, she wants to get away from her father and all the drama that unfolded this summer. Let's just say her father is a real jerk.  So, Zorie takes a chance and goes out of her comfort zone by going on this "glamping" trip to a fancy camping place in Northern California. The problem is Zorie isn't really a camper, a hiker, or even in good enough shape to be doing anything extremely rigorous like that, but her current crush is going on the trip, so she can suck it up, right? 

Enter Lennon. I absolutely loved him in Starry Eyes. He is so interesting and multi-faceted. I enjoyed every bit of this character and found myself wanting to learn more about him.  When Zorie finds out Lennon is also going on the trip, there's a lot of initial awkwardness.  You see Lennon broke Zorie's heart and she isn't quite sure what happened between them; plus, it ruined their friendship.  Zorie hasn't had any closure and there are many questions that she still has about what exactly happened.

The setting of the Northern California wilderness was fantastic in Starry Eyes. I am not a big camper, but I love hiking and exploring, so the adventure side of Starry Eyes really held my interest.  Zorie is a bit of a fish out of water, so I liked her seeing her push herself out of her comfort zone.  Plus, it didn't hurt that Lennon is, surprisingly, an expert outdoorsman.  

So, on their camping trip, there's a ton of drama, which is to be expected amongst high school students, which gives Zorie and Lennon a lot of alone time. I don't want to give too much away, but I loved them getting reacquainted with each other all while exploring nature.  You guys know I am a sucker for the whole friends-to-something more romance, so there was a lot of swoon on my part.

Also, it should be noted that Starry Eyes is for mature YA readers as there's underage drinking, sex, and other serious topics explored like affairs, betrayals, death of a loved one, and divorce.  I thought Bennett covered all of this very well though.

Starry Eyes is going down as one of my favorite YA novels of the year and after reading it, I immediately added Bennett's other novel, Alex, Approximately to my TBR list. 

Stacking the Shelves and Giveaway Winners (68)

Book Review: The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner

Can't Wait Wednesday: Bellewether

Book Review: My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

I'll be sharing my thoughts on two YA beach reads this week: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett and August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski.  Starry Eyes is about a friends-to-something more romance and outdoor adventure - it's a fantastic read and one of my favorites of the year!  August and Everything After is a darker beach read with a focus on grief as well as music set at the Jersey Shore.  Lastly, I'm sharing an awesome giveaway with Dover Books and it involves PBS's The Great American Read, which I am BEYOND excited for!

 

Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson - Thanks to Razorbill

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon - Thanks to Simon Pulse

The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting - Thanks to Forever and NetGalley

Congrats to Tammy for winning ARCS of Everywhere You Want to Be and It Started with Goodbye by Christina June. I hope you enjoy the books!

Have you read any of these books? Are they on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for visiting! This meme is hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Book Review: The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner

Pages: 334

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 24, 2018

Publisher: Little, Brown 

Other Books By Author:  The Forever Summer

The Wedding Sisters

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When a young widow's reclusive life in a charming beach town is interrupted by a surprise visitor, she is forced to reckon with dark secrets about her family, her late husband, and the past she tried to leave behind.  Lauren Adelman and her high school sweetheart, Rory Kincaid, are a golden couple. They marry just out of college as Rory, a star hockey player, earns a spot in the NHL. Their future could not look brighter when Rory shocks everyone-Lauren most of all-by enlisting in the U.S. Army. When Rory dies in combat, Lauren is left devastated, alone, and under unbearable public scrutiny.   Seeking peace and solitude, Lauren retreats to her family's old beach house on the Jersey Shore. But this summer she's forced to share the house with her overbearing mother and competitive sister. Worse, a stranger making a documentary about Rory tracks her down and persuades her to give him just an hour of her time.  One hour with filmmaker Matt Brio turns into a summer of revelations, surprises, and upheaval. As the days grow shorter and her grief changes shape, Lauren begins to understand the past-and to welcome the future."

Lauren Kincaid married her high school sweetheart who is an up and coming hockey star.  After dating all through high school and college, they decide to make it official and get married. At this point, Rory, her significant other, is playing professional hockey, but after a few rough hits and some benching he is wondering if there is anything more out there for him than hockey super stardom.  Meanwhile, Lauren is pursing her dreams of being a journalist, but it's hard to do this when she is following Rory around and sometimes she takes jobs that are less than stellar.  To complicate matters further, Rory has confided in Lauren that he wants to enlist and serve his country.  Obviously, this terrifies Lauren as this is not the future she envisioned for herself and her hockey star husband.  When Rory is killed in action while serving in Iraq, Lauren's world is turned upside down not to mention all the media coverage has her freaked out since Rory's was a professional athlete.  She retreats to her parents' shore house at the Jersey Shore and pretty much goes off the grid.  After years of hiding out at the shore, she comes to find out that a filmmaker would like to do a documentary on Rory and despite Lauren's insistence that she doesn't want to work with him, he keeps showing up just about everywhere and has even interviewed her sister and others.  Matt thinks there is more to Rory's story than just a hockey star turned army hero and deep down Lauren knows there are many secrets, some that she isn't willing to tell. Or is she? Jamie Brenner's The Husband Hour is a delightful beach read that not only has the amazing setting of the Jersey Shore, but it also examines grief, family secrets, and essentially the idea of picking yourself up after tragedy and moving on.

Lauren is the kind of character you immediately feel for in The Husband Hour. She has been through a lot and has sort of folded into herself using the backdrop of the Jersey Shore to hide out even further.  I mean the shore in the winter is pretty much deserted, which is exactly what she wants.  Her hermit status falls to the wayside when her parents and her sister decide to spend the summer at the shore house.  What will become of her plans to be isolated with just her memories, her running routes, and her waitressing job?  Also, the arrival of Matt, the filmmaker, also complicates things, especially when he starts digging and doesn't take no for an answer.  

Slowly Brenner shares with readers flashbacks to Lauren and Rory's life as high school students as well as experiences throughout their relationship.  I simultaneously fell in love with their relationship as well as despised it as it evolved slowly into something complicated.  I think Brenner does a good job showing how things aren't always as they seem and relationships, although they appear to be perfect, sometimes aren't.  As we scratch the surface of who Rory actually is, readers can piece together a major issue just waiting to bubble over.   It's sort of heartbreaking actually.

I truly adored the setting of the Jersey Shore in The Husband Hour. You guys know that I have been going to the shore my whole life and I loved Brenner's depictions of Ventnor, Margate, and other shore landmarks.  She truly brought to life a Jersey Shore town and I wanted to hide out with Lauren as well, running on the boardwalks in the early morning with only the sounds of her footsteps, seagulls, and the crashing waves. I loved it!  Also, her flashbacks to Lauren's childhood in Lower Merion also tugged on my heartstrings as I grew up not far from there and was able to recognize many landmarks. Local readers will love this!

I also liked Brenner's portrayal of a family staying together at a shore house all summer long in The Husband Hour. Her parents also had issues they were dealing with along with her super complicated sister and her sister's son. It definitely kept me entertained!

If you like your beach reads filled with family drama and secrets that slowly rise to the surface, throw Jamie Brenner's novel, The Husband Hour, in your beach bag this summer.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Bellewether

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley

Pub. Date: August 7, 2018

Goodreads says, "It's late summer, war is raging, and families are torn apart by divided loyalties and deadly secrets. In this complex and dangerous time, a young French Canadian lieutenant is captured and billeted with a Long Island family, an unwilling and unwelcome guest. As he begins to pitch in with the never-ending household tasks and farm chores, Jean-Philippe de Sabran finds himself drawn to the daughter of the house. Slowly, Lydia Wilde comes to lean on Jean-Philippe, true soldier and gentleman, until their lives become inextricably intertwined. Legend has it that the forbidden love between Jean-Philippe and Lydia ended tragically, but centuries later, the clues they left behind slowly unveil the true story. Part history, part romance, and all kinds of magic, Susanna Kearsley's latest masterpiece will draw you in and never let you go, even long after you've closed the last page."

I have really enjoyed Kearsley's novels in the past and can't wait to dive into this one. I love how she combines history, romance, and usually some sort of fantasy, like time-slip, etc. I look forward reading her latest. What do you guys think?

Book Review: My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Pages: 672

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: April 3, 2018

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: America's First Daughter

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "From the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter comes the epic story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton—a revolutionary woman who, like her new nation, struggled to define herself in the wake of war, betrayal, and tragedy. Haunting, moving, and beautifully written, Dray and Kamoie used thousands of letters and original sources to tell Eliza’s story as it’s never been told before—not just as the wronged wife at the center of a political sex scandal—but also as a founding mother who shaped an American legacy in her own right.  A general’s daughter…  Coming of age on the perilous frontier of revolutionary New York, Elizabeth Schuyler champions the fight for independence. And when she meets Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s penniless but passionate aide-de-camp, she’s captivated by the young officer’s charisma and brilliance. They fall in love, despite Hamilton’s bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.  A founding father’s wife...  But the union they create—in their marriage and the new nation—is far from perfect. From glittering inaugural balls to bloody street riots, the Hamiltons are at the center of it all—including the political treachery of America’s first sex scandal, which forces Eliza to struggle through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness.  The last surviving light of the Revolution…  When a duel destroys Eliza’s hard-won peace, the grieving widow fights her husband’s enemies to preserve Alexander’s legacy. But long-buried secrets threaten everything Eliza believes about her marriage and her own legacy. Questioning her tireless devotion to the man and country that have broken her heart, she’s left with one last battle—to understand the flawed man she married and imperfect union he could never have created without her…"

Eliza, known as Betsy as a child, is the daughter of General Philip Schuyler. Out of all of her sisters, she is the one that is a bit of a tomboy and challenges conventions.  She has many admirers, but once General George Washington's aide, Alexander Hamilton, catches her eye she is smitten. After a courtship filled with some ups and downs, they decide to marry. This is big deal, because although Alexander Hamilton is an up and coming person in society, he isn't financially secure. But Eliza doesn't care; she is in love.  What ensues is a lifetime of adventure in politics, love, war, and romance.  Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie bring Eliza Schuyler to life in My Dear Hamilton and it was a thrilling and heartbreaking ride.

I absolutely love that Dray and Kamoie decided to make this a novel about Eliza. So often she is in the background - a supporting character - never in the direct spotlight. She was always the strong woman behind an even stronger man, but not in My Dear Hamilton. Here her story takes center stage and I am ecstatic about this.  I always felt like Eliza's story had so much potential as she lived a very interesting life filled with a lot more adventure than I initially thought.  Her young adulthood living at the Schuyler house and spending time with her father, who is a General, was very fascinating.  I also loved the relationship she had with her family, although her relationship with her sister, Angelica, was a little too close for comfort at times in my opinion. But nonetheless, I thought the Schuyler family was really intriguing and I liked learning more about them through Eliza's eyes.

Which leads me to Alexander Hamilton.....most people know his story and how he desperately tries to overcome his illegitimate birth and his rough childhood (all his Achilles' heel), but Dray and Kamoie bring him to life in a way that I really enjoyed in My Dear Hamilton.  Since this novel isn't from his point of view, readers are able to witness him in a different way, which I actually preferred. It really showcased not only his brilliant intellect, but also his shortcomings.

Speaking of shortcomings, I am sure you want to know how My Dear Hamilton depicts Hamilton's various affairs and yes, it is in the novel, but it is done very well. I truly felt for Eliza and I expected her to leave him, but things are very complicated between them.  Plus, they have so, so many children. Their family life seemed so idyllic at times and he seemed so devoted to her, but then I would second guess him.  Plus, there's the whole first major political sex scandal, which he was obviously involved in.

This novel isn't just about their marriage though. It involves a lot of politics and a lot of adventure. All the wars, the drama between the Founding Fathers, and need I mention the duels? Yes, more than one duel and it was heartbreaking, especially since one involved their child. So, if you like an edge of your seat historical read, more often than not, I was in a state of suspense reading My Dear Hamilton.   Also, it should be noted that this book as very well researched, so historical fiction fans, need not be worried.

My Dear Hamilton is quite a lengthy read, but the story kept me entertained.  Eliza's devotion to her family, to Alexander through all the drama, all while being a kick-butt and fascinating woman kept me glued to the pages. I hope Dray and Kamoie write more novels about women in the future, especially those who often stand on the sidelines in history, but are still very important. I am glad these women's stories are finally being told and I can't wait to see who they feature next.

Stacking the Shelves (67)

Friday Five and a Giveaway (46)

Book Review: The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

What I'm Reading Next(10)

7th Annual Summer Kickoff Feature

This week on the blog I'll be sharing my thoughts on My Dear Hamilton, which is a historical read that I really enjoyed.  It's from Eliza Hamilton's point of view, which was great as she so often is a "secondary character" in Alexander Hamilton's biographies, etc.  I will also be sharing my thoughts on The Husband Hour, which is a great beach read that takes place at the Jersey Shore! 

Shattered Mirror by Iris Johansen - Thanks to St. Martin's

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Thanks to Disney-Hyperion

Tradition by Brendan Kiely- Thanks to Simon Teen

When We Caught Fire by Anna Godberson - Thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Teen

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan - Thanks to Disney-Hyperion

The Big Alpha in Town by Eve Langlois, Milly Taiden and Kate Baxter - Thanks to St. Martin's

Have you read any of these books? Are they on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for visiting! This meme is hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.