Cover Image: Love, Theodosia

Love, Theodosia

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How could I resist a book described as "A Romeo & Juliet tale for Hamilton! fans"! Answer, I could not. I pre-ordered a finished copy before I was done the first chapter because I knew I was going to need this book on my forever shelf. Theodosia Burr and Alexander Hamilton, the romance I never knew I needed, I can't believe I haven't seen a book about them before now! I loved the way Goldstein built up their love story, this is historical fiction and the author stays true to history as much as possible so it ends tragically and I weeped! I do feel the ending was a bit rushed, I would've liked to have had more time with Theodosia as she finds about Philip's fate and the aftermath

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Love, Theodosia is a historical romance novel that asks what if Aaron Burr's daughter and Alexander's Hamilton's son fell in love? Right in the middle of Aaron Burr's presidential campaign? This novel takes place in New York City in 1800. Theodosia Burr is a well educated, intelligent young woman that falls in love with Philip Hamilton. They must keep their love a secret because it could jeopardize Theodosia's father's political aspirations.

This novel was incredibly well researched. It is impressive how the author did not miss a single detail, not to mention that it was beautifully written. I truly felt like I had been transported to the period where the novel took place. This is not an easy task to accomplish and the author did so flawlessly.

I really enjoyed the picture the author paints of both Burr and Hamilton. She really brought them to life. Burr as a power hungry politician that does not care what or whom he has to sacrifice to obtain what he feels he is owed, and Hamilton, an intelligent, hardworking, and successful family man that regrets his past mistakes. That glimpse into what kind of men these two historical figures were like added so much to this novel.

Since this is a romance novel, I will add that I enjoyed reading how the relationship between Theodosia and Philip developed and blosomed. You can clearly see their love grow. The romance scenes were beautiful, classy, and tasteful.

This book was just beautiful and I enjoyed every word of it. I highly recommend this book to all Hamilton fans. They will not be disappointed!

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Such an interesting read on a potential scenario for the children of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. The two fathers have so much history and information we’ve come to learn in the past few years but we know so little about their children, though I’m sure it would be very interesting and intriguing, with the houses they grew up in.

Love, Theodosia painted a brilliant picture of love forbidden because of family and political animosity. In a time where politics was cut throat (not that it often isn’t nowadays, just on different levels), these two decided forgiveness and love could cross over ambition and bitterness.

The beginning was a little wordy for me and for a few chapters was a little hard to get into but after that you got pulled in, rooting for both Theodosia and Phillip and dreading what you knew historically was going to eventually happen. It was so difficult to watch their choices when you knew if they just decided otherwise, their fates would have been so different.

The author also paints a very vivid and compelling picture of Aaron Burr, initially making him seem not all that bad, until you realize how his behavior in being manipulative, obsessively ambitious, and self-seeking came to light.

I enjoyed the book and an alternate filling-in-the-gaps story of these two characters and the inspiring story of love and forgiveness they painted.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Another good historical fiction and in an era and pale I have not read about in this form before. NYC, 1800's and a play on a story some already know.

A 'What If' historical fiction that brings emotion, love and secrets in a somewhat typical Romeo and Juliet style of read. Yet I really enjoyed it and found it quite easy to read and has both fact and fiction entwined to make a very interesting novel.

Enjoyed it and was happy to read it and would recommend to Hamilton fans and historical fiction fans alike.

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This novel is a fresh take on the Hamilton Burr era as their children are star crossed lovers. It is a quick an enjoyable read based in an interesting historical time. I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Everyone knows the story about Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton by now, made popular in recent years by the hit musical Hamilton. But what if Burr and Hamilton’s children had a story of their own to tell too? That’s where Lori Anne Goldstein created a beautifully written and poignant love story about Theodosia Burr and Philip Hamilton.

I’m a reader that prefers her historical fiction to be as accurate as possible so I wasn’t entirely sure this book would speak to me but I shouldn’t have worried because I was completely and utterly mesmerized by the story. The first thing I noticed was the absolutely gorgeous writing. I really couldn’t get enough of it. And then there was the main character, Theodosia Burr. I absolutely loved reading about her, her life with her father Aaron and how she navigated society in the early 19th century as a clever young woman. Theodosia was also very much the feminist which made me adore her even more.

In this book Theodosia’s romantic relationship with Philip Hamilton was entirely fictional but still the author managed to write the characters and romance so well that they just took my heart and ran with it. Their initial conversations and meetings had an enemies to lovers vibe that I really enjoyed and I couldn’t help but love their banter. The forbidden love as well as Romeo and Juliet vibes were very much present as well.
The relationship between Theodosia and her father was also a really significant one in the story. He clearly doted on her and I loved that Aaron made sure his daughter was as educated as any male child would’ve been. This didn’t mean, though, that he didn’t use her to further his own career. And at a certain point there was no turning back for Theodosia either.

Although the romance between Theodosia and Philip was imagined that doesn’t mean that everything else in the book was. Lori Anne Goldstein clearly did a lot of research, which she goes more into with the author’s note so I would highly recommend to not skip that if you decide to read this book. It was also super fascinating to read. I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t end up in my top 5 favorite books of the year.

What more can I say than I completely fell in love with this book? I do have to warn you that it’s a very tragic love story but I still couldn’t help but jump into it with everything I had. An exquisitely written historical fiction with an unforgettable story featuring star-crossed lovers, Love Theodosia by Lori Anne Goldstein is a page-turner to forever cherish.

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NYC, 1800. Theodosia Burr grew up with parents both supporting women to have education the same as men, even being active in politics. Thus, with her scholarly mind and the skills of a socialite, she charms the right people on behalf of her father – Senator Aaron Burr. The fight for the New York’s electoral college is fierce as this would likely secure the win for Thomas Jefferson against the current president John Adams.

At a social event, Theodosia meets Philip Hamilton, the rakish son of Alexander Hamilton. Their attraction is not very attractive at first, but then it changes. Due to their fathers’ rivalry, their affections must remain in secret.

Theodosia is a strong female character, but at the same time sometimes it felt like she was blending with the historical background and her father’s battle against Federalists. I wanted her to stand out more from the background.

Overall, this is a witty historical romance brimming with intrigue and potential scandal.

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Star-crossed lovers Theodosia Burr and Philip Hamilton...oh my what a story and one that I really enjoyed. Two families in a political battle, their children caught in the web and here I thought only Shakespeare could write such a tale. Loved the book, the writing, and everything I learned. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I had very high expectations for this book but was sadly somewhat disappointed. The premise was great and the start was strong but unfortunately for me the fluffy romance just spoilt what could have been a brilliant story.

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Ever since Lin Manuel Miranda‘s Broadway hit „Hamilton“ people were going wild with A. Ham, his affair which he made public himself and with his son Phillip who - if the picture on Google really is him - was extremely handsome.

„Love, Theodosia“ is about this Phillip and Burr‘s daughter Theodosia and a what if. And even though we know what happened to both of them in real life I couldn’t stop reading to find out what the author made out of these two people.
I was rooting for them, I was crying with Theo and I hated Burr, because even though his behaviour was typical for somebody in his position at that time, he kind of sold his daughter. And it didn’t even work the way he planned.
While you kind of feel for him in the musical, in this book you can only hate him. This little man who cared only for becoming president and who didn’t stop at nothing to achieve this dream. Karma gave him what he deserved IMO. And as always it’s the women who do so much work and get hurt.

I definitely recommend this book to history fans and Hamilton fans.

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Such a good book. Loved the story of Phillip Hamilton and Thoedosia Burr. Very interesting facts that i never knew about.

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REVIEW ⭐️⭐️/5
Love, Theodosia by Lori Anne Goldstein
Advanced Copy

Never read before - Finished 24/07

Love, Theodosia is a historical fan fiction of Theodosia Burr & Philip Hamilton; children of Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr. Having read many fictional retellings (with varying levels of historical accuracy), and seeing the incredible live performance of Hamilton on Broadway, I was very excited to dive into another read, this time surrounding these famous children.

Unfortunately, either my expectations were too high or it just simply wasn’t enough - this book did not measure up to its many predecessors about these characters.

The love story is completely fictional (which is totally fine!) but the marketing makes it appear like it will be some heartbreaking, tragic “Romeo and Juliet” style .. it burns SO slowly. And when it finally comes to fruition… it’s mediocre. This book is actually more of Theodosia’s (fictional) view of her father’s political moves. It is SO political. There are SO many characters (some fictional, some real) and they just gossip - you spend the first half of the book trying to figure out who knows who and why, Theodosia narrates (explaining how they are related to her father’s political circle) and Philip and Theodosia are hardly ever together. I also found this book went a little beyond simply taking facts and giving us fictional conversations or speculated agreements these real people in history may have had behold closed doors; it created a completely false storyline about two real people who existed in history - it suggests an alternate history. As someone who is not American and wouldn’t automatically know what parts are completely fictional alternative history - I found I had to constantly stop reading to research and ask “what of this is real?” . This could be problematic for someone who wouldn’t take the time to look this up, and assume this alternative history relationship was factual.

Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Arcade Publishing and Author for the gifted e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review & rating!

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Clever and spirited writing makes this novel wholly entertaining and captivating, with characters brimming with witticisms and a plot teeming with potential scandal that had me desperately rooting for Lori Anne Goldstein's imagined star-crossed lovers of Theodosia Burr and Phillip Hamilton. Fans of Bridgerton will delight in this high-society romp.

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Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me. I don't care for the romance genre, as I find it predictable and too fluffy. Unfortunately, this book was too much of a romance for my taste. I couldn't finish it.

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What if the children of the men involved in the first big political rivalry in American history fell in love? Lori Anne Goldstein imagines just that in Love, Theodosia, a historical romance novel set in 1800 New York high society. The novel has at its heart a romance between Theodosia Burr and Philip Hamilton, the children of the two men involved in the most famous duel in early American history, quite probably in all of American history. Due to the political climate in the nascent country and the rivalry between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, the romantic relationship is beset by difficulties. Goldstein sets up a convincing attraction between the two lovers, weaving in the fashions, social customers, and manners of New York City society .

Admittedly, I was ambivalent at the start of the novel and uncertain how long my attention would last. There are some parts that seem to wedge instructional paragraphs about the procedures for the presidential elections of the time, which detracted from the story. I think these could have been cut down or at least woven in more to the story using dialogue or, even better, the novel’s plot. These sections are luckily few and far between. Initially, I also wasn’t sure there was a convincing case for Theodosia’s preoccupation with Philip after the first interaction between the two. But then, enter an Austen-inspired ballroom scene, which set up a good deal of tension and attraction between the two. After this scene, which occurs within the first quarter of the novel, I needed to know how the story was told, despite knowing historically how Philip Hamilton met his end. First reservations aside, I read the novel in a single sitting, so that says something!

What drew me to this novel was the love of Hamilton the musical; I think musical fans hungry for more story will love this, as will historical romance fans.

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