👶👶👶👶 America's First Daughter, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Although it could be argued that the authors took too much liberty with the facts; I must say, it was still an enjoyable read. I delighted in experiencing some of our nation’s historical events from Patsy Jefferson’s imagined viewpoint. Granted, the fabricated romance was not 100% necessary; it still did plenty to move the story along, and was enjoyable, nonetheless.

The authors were also very adroit at including their theory as to why the man who wrote that “All men are created equal,” was still a slaveholder. Theirs was a very logical conclusion to a question that has baffled historians for centuries. Dray and Kamoie did an excellent job of portraying Patsy as the smart, strong, determined woman she was, while still imposing on her, the social restraints of her time. It brought to light what a tremendous struggle it must’ve been for forward-thinking women of that time period.

I was surprised to learn that Thomas Jefferson suffered from severe depression after his wife’s passing, and that Patsy was really the one who talked him down off the ledge. This novel certainly elicited curiosity in me with regard to Monticello, solidifying the reason why I absolutely love intriguing historical fiction.

Read 6/16/17