Despite my initial investment, this story became increasingly hard to push through. It was interesting to explore Martha's perspective, but as the pacing slowed my interest waned.

This is a solid and informative read if you like early American History and are interested in some of the minor players.

Martha Washington is one such satellite character, depicted in most accounts as an idealized wife-type, effectively the support staff to a founding father.

This book is an attempt to give Martha her due, and it’s an interesting attempt to bring her to life as something other than, effectively, an accessory for George.

I appreciate the author’s restraint and willingness to refrain from overreaching to make the novel more exciting in terms of who Mrs Washington was and what her role was in early American history. She’s an intriguing figure both as an individual and as the wife of the first American president, and I enjoyed the shift of the spotlight from her husband (a fascinating character in his own right, of course).

It is often said that behind every famous man lies a great woman. In this biographical novel of Martha Washington, Mrs. Bolte proves that this is the case. Martha Custis is a young widow who is in search of a father figure for her children. She meets George Washington, a Southern plantation owner with a lavish estate. They marry and live peacefully until the American Revolution pulls her husband from her. When George Washington becomes the leader of America’s army, Martha rises overnight from obscurity to fame. Eventually, Martha Washington learns that destiny is taking her to the highest position in America as the President’s Wife.

The novel begins with Martha’s courtship to her first husband, Daniel Custis. Because of Daniel’s miserly father who was suspicious of her that she would be marrying his son for money, Martha used her cleverness and resourcefulness to persuade him to let her marry his son. The marriage between Martha and Daniel seemed a loving and happy relationship that was often marred by the tragedy of her children. When her husband dies, Martha is left a rich widow and can manage a happy estate.

Initially, Martha marries George Washington for convenience, but then she quickly learns to love him. When George enters the war of the American Revolution, she supports in both his military and later his political career. She is willing to support him in all his endeavors, even though she disagrees with them. Martha Washington endures many tragedies, but she manages to find her strength to support herself and her loved ones. Thus, Martha Washington is very strong, courageous, and admirable.

Overall, this novel is about loss, second chances, faith, and finding’s one’s inner strength. Martha Washington’s life was not easy, but through her courage and her willingness to support her husband, she managed to gain the admiration and respect of many famous figures of her day. I thought the author did an excellent job in characterization, especially in describing George Washington. George Washington was shown as a man who put his country first even above his own family. It is George’s devotion to his country that Martha liked best about him. The novel is also very meticulously researched and written with vivid detail. It stayed mostly true to facts and very few liberties were taken. There were a few times, especially when depicting battle scenes that happened off the pages, that I felt I was reading a textbook. Nevertheless, this was a very moving and enthralling read! This book is a must read for those that want to learn the stories of the women behind the Founding Fathers! I recommend this for fans of I, Eliza Hamilton, America’s First Daughter, and Patriot Hearts!

Great telling of the love story between George and Martha Washington. The book is fiction, yet reads as accurate. The author made me feel as if I was there.

Admittedly, I knew very little about Martha Washington beyond the bare facts. This fictional novel of her life weaves the facts with an absolutely beautifully written narrative, bringing that amazing woman to life. The love she learned in her family, the losses suffered in her life as a sister, a wife, and a mother have shown me what an amazing woman she was. It reads like fiction and the fact that it is based on actual events she experienced in her life just makes it a better piece of writing. I highly recommend this very impressive historical novel.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Whenever anyone mentions Martha (Custis) Washington, it would be easy to shift all the focus to her famous husband...what's his name again?
But this (fiction) book, is about her and her navigating the world after becoming a widow with two children, during a pre-revolutionary America and meeting the man who would become the United States' first president.
As she finds compassion and companionship with a man named George Washington, the country starts to bubble from revolts against the grip of the British monarchy.
When George decides to take up arms and lead against the Crown, Martha has to make decisions about the safety of her children and her promise to George. Her ability to find strength in a tumultuous time are inspiring and a great read.

As Tariq Ramadan said, "Behind every great man is not a woman, she is beside him, she is with him, not behind him."

Indeed, Martha was absolutely, beside him.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was a really unique read, I loved that these people aren't always used in stories. So I enjoyed the characters and the plot itself. It was a lot of fun to read.

A well written and researched biography of Martha Washington, when you finish reading this you really feel like you know her.

This was an ok read. It drug a bit at times, as there were parts that were tedious. I don't know much about Martha Washington's life prior to marrying George, but this book appears to have been well-researched despite being a fictionalized account of her life.

I received an ARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t know a ton about George Washington’s personal life beyond the basics prior to picking up this book, and that was part of the appeal, since I had read comparable titles about other women instrumental in the lives of America’s Founding Fathers and liked them.

And I commend Bolté on her research in order to create a relatively authentic portrait of the Washingtons, taking license primarily with the language used for the sake of presenting the story more clearly to the twenty-first century audience, even if she was otherwise accurate.

However, through almost no fault of Bolté’s, Martha Washington is just not interesting like, say, Eliza Hamilton. Martha’s position is largely a domestic role, and while there’s nothing wrong with that (especially given that that was expected of most women at the time), it was super tedious to read about all the family matters, when what I wanted was her perspective on her husband as the military general and then as president. We get a bit of that, as it is conveyed that the role as the first First Family wasn’t one she particularly enjoyed, but I wanted more, and I didn’t really get that from her.

I still appreciate it for what it is, and American history buffs might get more joy out of this than I did.

A compelling read, about Martha Washington. Written in her point of view, I highly recommend it. Fascinating from beginning to end.

Four stars !!
I received this ARC through Netgalley for a honest review

What an interesting historical read about Martha Washington. This book help Martha shine in her own right. I learned many things about her personality, temperament, and contribution during the early part of our country. This was my first historical read in a long time. Glad I chose this book about an impressive lady.

I received an e-copy of this ARC In exchange for my honest review.

Becoming Lady Washington begins when Martha Dandridge is just 15, and at her coming out ball. There, she accepts Daniel Custis as a suitor, and soon as her husband. The first third of the book is about her first marriage and the joys and trials faced within their marriage.

After Daniel dies, Martha meets George Washington, and goes on to accept his proposal of marriage.

I read about half of this book. I am finding the book to be well written, although the language leans more towards the period (as would be appropriate), and is a little challenging at times to focus on.

I left this book until too close to the publication date before picking it up, and am finding it a big struggle to stay engaged in. I thoroughly enjoyed the first third of the book, but as Martha has matured...and endured frequent heartbreaks, I am not finding her character as enjoyable, or the story as meaty as I would’ve liked.

I am hoping that as some of the dust from current events settles and my mind clears that I will be able to return to the book and give it the attention it deserves.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. Upon completion, I will come back and update my review.

Becoming Lady Washington by Betty Bolte is a very good historical fiction book. There was a lot of love with the Washington’s. Family was very important to all the family members. Sometimes they did not see each other for months. There was a lot of sadness within the family members children dying when they were born, in infancy and as they grew older of smallpox and other fevers. Today with Covid life is scary too.

This book was a bit rough for me. It started off well enough, but became tedious and honestly by the end my characterization of Martha Washington had become that of a privileged, self-centered woman who thought the world revolved around her. I’m a big fan of history and historical-fiction, and have visited Mount Vernon many times and have read some about the Washington’s, so I was very excited to read this book.

Like I said above, the beginning was good. Martha growing up, her courtship and marriage to her first husband, Daniel Custis, was well developed and I couldn’t put the book down. Then she marries George and suddenly the book seems to become shallow—it was like the author took entries from a diary and made them into a book. “Today I let the children run amok, then I instructed my servants on how to polish my silver properly. After my afternoon stroll and then tea, we had dinner where I wore my new frock. George mentioned something about a pesky battle with some soldiers.” Martha spent the Winter with George at Valley Forge, yet it was barely talked about. Knitting socks for the soldiers was mentioned.

I realize she wasn’t the General, and that managing the house and servants and the children’s education were her responsibilities, but really, if you took the names out of the book it could be any rich plantation owner of the period. Names are dropped, like Abigail Adams and what a dear friend she was, but that’s it! Not a mention of anything like where they met or how they became friends, the type of things I’d have liked to have seen in this book. The things that set Martha apart from every other plantation wife in Northern Virginia.

Oh, and every other page is a death. Again, I realize death was a large part of life back then, especially hers, but more time is spent talking about a nephew’s death than her son’s wedding.

Also, the way slavery was addressed was awkward to me. I’m not sure if that was the author’s choice or from Martha’s papers but it didn’t sit well.

I had hoped that I could point to a lack of research, but alas, the author did that, which makes this that much more disappointing. If you are looking for some deep insights into what it was like being Ms. George Washington, You won’t find them here.

Three stars because of the first part of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for giving me an ARC to preview.

The story begins with the struggles of young widow Martha Custin trying to raise two small children, while managing a large plantation in eighteenth century Virginia.
When Martha meets Colonial George Washington, they form an immediate bond. She is convinced that he will be a likeable, loving husband and a wonderful father figure to her children. Martha envisions a quiet life, but fate has other plans.
When trouble arrives in the form of British oppression; George must do his duty for his country. Will he have to choose between duty and his new family, or does Martha have other ideas?
While this is a fictional tale, the author does a superb job of capturing the spirit of the Colonial Era. Rich in history and detail, the story flows seamlessly and takes you back to a different place in time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the life and times of our First Lady Martha Washington.
Highly recommended, especially for readers of historical fiction. 5-stars

Becoming Lady Washington (Betty Bolte)

The title says it all: From Martha Dandridge to Martha Custis to ultimately Becoming Lady Washington, I delighted in Betty Bolte’s historical fiction account of Martha Washington from adolescence to the end of her life.

Martha’s debut ball held at the Capitol in 18th century Williamsburg, Virginia, offers her the opportunity to improve her position in life. After dancing with a kind, older, landowner, Daniel Custis, she is making her way to a life of peace, contentment, and the family she seeks. However, at a young age Martha experiences tragedy and sorrow. Before meeting George Washington, she has unexpectedly become a widow raising children and managing a plantation on her own. She is now intent upon finding another husband with whom to share parenting and guide her plantation.

Included is a twenty-nine page section entitled “Who’s Who in Becoming Lady Washington” detailing the many “real people and the fictional characters” who are marked with an *.

Additionally, according to her “Author’s Note”, Bolte uncovered in her research, information that is new to her and clarified information that she feels has been misleading in the past. She also gives us a glimpse of facts she included as well as “a bit of poetic license”.

I thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from this comprehensive, long anticipated addition to historical fiction featuring our first First Lady, Martha Custis Washington.

I loved this book. From the start when we find Lady Washington burning the letters written between George Washington and her during their lifetime together. What happened at Mount Vernon stayed at Mount Vernon. No, she didn't want these letters to get into the wrong hands, to be the target of their enemies now that President Washington was dead these past 3 years. Stepping back in time, reading about Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was a treat. She might have been short in stature, but she was significantly taller not only mentally but personally as a woman in the 18th century. When after 6 years her husband, Daniel Custis passed away, it was clear to her that she needed to remarry. George Washington fit the bill. Her's was not necessarily an easy life, having lost her children from one sickness or another, and as a woman who valued family and wanted a large home filled with children, I would have to say that was most difficult for her. With Washington's love of country, this was something that Martha had to learn to respect, and to become a part of that life with her husband. The details are rich with the history of the period, from the homes they lived in, the clothes they wore, the entertainment they provided with their guests. As historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, American history in particular, this was one of my favorite books read over the last year. Highly recommended, well written, well research. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This historical fiction novel was so well researched and written that I felt drawn back in time and place following Martha Washington's life. Some sections in the early part of the book are a bit slow during Martha's life with her first husband, but following through is highly recommended.

Martha was a truly determined woman who loved her family deeply and continued on stoicly in the face of sorrow and loss. Her primary focus in life was pursuing personal goals for herself and her family. The second half of the book following Martha's life with George Washington was particularly intriguing. There are places her personality can be off putting but the beauty of good historical fiction is that we are allowed a glimpse into the lives of people in history that include a broad picture, whether or not appealing to us personally. This being said, the author expertly expresses Martha's personal growth in maturity and her role in the history of the United States.

As a volunteer reviewer, I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. My reviews are wholly my own and made without obligation to any person or entity. #BecomingLadyWashington #NetGalley

Most of the books that I receive from publicist Wiley Saicheck have been mysteries or thrillers. So I was astonished when he offered me Becoming Lady Washington by Betty Bolté which is historical fiction. Since historical fiction is a favorite genre of mine and I do love reading about 18th century America, I agreed to accept a digital version prior to publication that Wiley Saichek gifted to me from Amazon.

If you would like to see what I've previously written about George Washington, I can direct you to my review of a history of the American Revolution called Scars of Independence which includes a paragraph about Washington , and my review of an alternate history called The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington . My impression of Washington has been rather favorable. So I didn't come to this book as a Washington critic.


As a reader, I can't exactly check my 21st century perspective at the door. This influences my subjective impression of the characters. I want to be very clear in this review about the difference between the historical portrayal of these real individuals, and how I felt about them. I believe that an honest review should include both.


George Washington was and is revered for good reason. The United States was very fortunate to have had a first president with a sense of honor and integrity. He was all about service to his country. If he had been oriented toward maintaining himself in power, the history of the United States would have been very different. It also seemed to me while I was reading Bolté 's book that he had a very positive influence on his wife.

Martha was inclined to view home and family as her highest priorities. There is nothing wrong with this perspective, but she was married to a man who had a great love for his country. This love of country was a source of conflict between them. It took some time for Martha to respect what he valued. I think that the turning point happened during the American Revolution. Martha Washington evolved into a patriot over the course of this novel. This is why the title Becoming Lady Washington is so appropriate.


What makes both George and Martha most problematic in the 21st century is the issue of slavery. Washington was unusual in considering himself an abolitionist, but believing yourself to be an abolitionist and actually being one were two different things. See my discussion of 19th century Quaker abolitionists in my review of Slavery and the Meetinghouse here. It all amounts to privileged people valuing their positions of privilege more than the rights of persons of color. That's why they didn't favor the abolition of slavery during their own lifetimes. George Washington wrote in his will that his slaves would be freed after the death of Martha. He wanted to preserve Martha's position of privilege. Being privileged, meant that she took slavery for granted. We see in Becoming Lady Washington that she wasn't intentionally abusive toward slaves, but the idea of a life without slaves was unthinkable until she had to think of it.


There is a book dealing with Oona Judge, a runaway slave that belonged to the Washingtons called Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar. I haven't read this book yet, but I recognize that it changed many people's thinking about Washington and slavery when it was published. Once you know something, you can't unknow it. It influences the way you read books on the subject afterwards.

I found the characters and period details in Becoming Lady Washington accurate and credible. Since I enjoy research, I liked learning about various aspects of daily life, and medical conditions mentioned in this novel about which I had no previous knowledge. Washington's carbuncle was an unusual example.


Martha herself was likable, and I appreciated her adaptability to difficult circumstances that occurred throughout her life. There are other wives of Founding Fathers who have never been the subjects of novels so far as I know. Perhaps Betty Bolté will one day amaze us by writing fiction dealing with one of them.