Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. This will appear on goodreads.
We all know about Eleanor Roosevelt but The First Ladies sheds some light on a lesser known figure, Mary Bethune, an activist for equal rights of black Americans. This is is an era where friendships like these are uncommon, but Mrs Roosevelt was not a common woman and neither was Bethune.
Historical Fiction should have rules as to what could be labeled true historical fiction. I read it to learn something about a person or event in history, and enjoy spending copious amounts of time with one hand on my book while the other is doing an internet search for more, I’ve always felt just reading a story that takes place in a certain era is not enough, I want to learn and so does the book club I lead. This is such a book.
I’ve read all of Benedict’s work but this one is coauthored with Victoria Christopher Murray. Benedict’s works, for me, follow a formula, but with this collaboration there is a new breath of life to the book.
We will do this is book club and I think my patrons would enjoy it.
4*

The partnership between Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune makes for inspiring reading. Their persistence and understanding of one another paved the way for some real gains in our country's fight against racism. I am sorry to say that I was not familiar with Mrs. Bethune as a historical figure and am thankful for this book making me aware of her. Marie Benedict has teamed up with Victoria Christopher Murray to pen this novel. Each of the two ladies is written in the first person in mostly alternating chapters. The two authors have now written two novels together. I still need to read The Personal Librarian. With the dual POVs, there was a bit of repetition as we switched from one to the other. At times I had to peek back at the beginning of the chapter to make sure I was in the right frame of mind. I also noticed some racial reconciliation lingo from our current times creeping into the conversations of the characters. I do wish the Historical Notes would have been included in my version as that might have been addressed there. All in all, an enlightening read that we can all learn from.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This was amazing in so many ways. Well written. The characters are amazing. I grabbed this cause I love anything about Eleanor and I was not disappointed. Highly Recommend

A fiction tale based on history of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune's friendship. It was a unique friendship between a White person and Black person. One learns interesting facts about these two women at a time of segregation, politics, and the struggle to bring equality to the Negroes. Some parts may be difficult to believe, but the story of that period in history is honest and maybe a bit brutal to the 21st century mind.
These two author have revealed the feeling of true friends navigating a tough resistance to change.
Read and learn.

4.5 Stars

Told from two perspectives, The First Ladies is the compelling fictionalized biography of two difference makers, collaborators, and friends.

The First Ladies is the story of extraordinary partnership and friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, The First Lady of the Struggle. Most of us are aware of Eleanor Roosevelt’s contributions as First Lady of the United States; however, many other readers might not be aware of Mary Bethune’s contributions. Mary is the daughter of formerly enslaved parents, founder of the American Council of Negro Women, founder of a private school (later a university) for African American students in Florida, and a fearless and passionate Civil Rights activist. As she embarked on her life’s work, she refused to back away from the threats posed by white supremacists. Her activism and her work in education attracted the attention of Eleanor Roosevelt. Together they were a formidable team for change and equal rights.

I love the writing collaboration here! Marie Benedict is a reliable historical fiction author and Victoria Christopher Murray brings an “own voices” authenticity. In the afterward, they discuss working together and how it challenged and grew their friendship. They coauthored one book before this one, The Personal Librarian. I’m eager to see what they do next.

A significant highlight of the story for me is the friendship and inspirational partnership of Eleanor and Mary. At a time when a black woman and white woman can not sit down for tea together in a public venue, Eleanor and Mary meet in public. Their public interactions normalize integration and promote equality. I love how Eleanor is able to listen to Mary, use her influence, and strategize ways to offer assistance in Mary’s fight for equal rights. In this process, Mary is honest (in the kindest ways) with Eleanor and helps her see personal shortcomings and blind spots. Their friendship/partnership is inspiring and serves as a role model for our own interracial relationships.

Bethune is persistent, brilliant, and relentless in the way she advocates for Roosevelt’s New Deal to include ALL Americans. She earns a “seat at the table” as an advisor to President Roosevelt, and is pragmatic in her political beliefs (i.e. which party can deliver). This fictionalized biography is an important reminder that the fight for Civil Rights in the United States began before the 1960s. Rosa Parks stands on the shoulders of activists like Mary McLeod Bethune.

“We must take whatever steps are necessary–through the New Deal or our own private funding–to make sure that Negro youths receive the same educational and employment opportunities as all our children.”

I love when books talk to each other! Right after reading The First Ladies, I picked up Women of the Post (review coming soon), and was delighted to notice Mary McLeod Bethune referenced and acknowledged for her hard won efforts on behalf of black men and women in the military. I was excited to know all about Bethune and her accomplishments having just finished The First Ladies.

I read and adore historical fiction so that I can hear untold stories about inspirational women of the past. If you don’t already know of Mary McLeod Bethune, you will appreciate this compelling story, and if you admire Eleanor Roosevelt, you will enjoy knowing more of her contributions. I enthusiastically recommend The First Ladies for fans of well-told historical fiction and for those who enjoy stories of real life difference makers. Book clubs will find a lot of discussion possibilities here.

Content Considerations: racism and prejudice, reference to lynchings

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkelyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary e ARC of #TheFirstLadies upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of enslaved parents, has fought to provide opportunities to African Americans. She has established a school, businesses, insurance companies, and other enterprises to serve her community. At a luncheon, she meets future first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. The two develop a friendship, and work together to promote black rights.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It seemed to focus more on Roosevelt than Bethune. I wanted to read more about Bethune and how she was able to force down barriers. The book seemed more about how Roosevelt used Bethune and her friendship. The book was well written, I just didn't like the focus. Overall, 3 out of 5.

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray was a spectacular dive into the lives of two women who together made incredible headway in Civil Rights law.

I’m saddened to say that I’d never heard of Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator, civil rights activist and overall remarkable woman. Her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt was one we should all be lucky enough to have. One in which honesty prevailed, even in the most uncomfortable circumstances. These women were acting brazenly by eating together in public at a time when White and Black people were forbidden to do such a thing. They stood up for themselves and each other and made incredible lifelong changes to our government groups. This book showed us racism through many lenses, which was quite eye-opening.

Readers also get a look in FDR’s crippling polio, his confidantes and his extra marital affairs. We also learn how Eleanor’s affair with Lorena “Hick” Hickok came to be.

Overall, this is an absorbing novel that no doubt took an incredible amount of research. Well done!

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict; Victoria Christopher Murray is Historical Fiction. It includes historical details of racial changes, politics, prominent people, Mrs. Mary Bethune, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Bethune College in the early 20th Century. An interesting story that shows the development of the personal and public relationships between these First Ladies and the causes they embraced. I appreciated the important historical and political aspects depicted in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book.
4 Stars

The First Ladies ~ Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

Eleanor Roosevelt is immediately struck by Mary McLeod Bethune and her work as an activist and educator. As FDR gets closer to the presidency, Eleanor starts to feel the itch more and more to blaze her own political trail and Mary is there to collaborate and lend a hand.

I loved the idea that this was based off of real events and I was instantly enthralled with the relationship between two women from different walks who were brought together with the same passions and causes. I at times found the story telling a bit slow but I will say that historical fiction is not my usual genre so it was a stretch of a read from the jump.

A slow burn, fascinating look at two women who form an unlikely friendship. Although a slow burn, it was an amazing example of two women working together despite their differences. A truly incredible example of what can be accomplished when we overcome our differences to make our communities better and stronger.

✨𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪✨

Thank you #partners @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the #gifted copies. #berkleyIG #berkleypartner #penguinrandomhousepartner

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁 & 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟲/𝟮𝟳/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: This is the story of the friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and activitist and educator, Mary McLeod Bethune (the civil rights movement's "First Lady").

After meeting at a luncheon prior to FDR's presidency, Mary and Eleanor hit it off. Though they're on opposite sides of the political spectrum, they have many common goals, especially with regard to human rights issues and education.

The friendship between these two spans decades, and they not only work together within the political arena, they're also confidants and trusted friends, helping one another through triumphs and tragedies. Though a friendship between a Black woman and a white woman isn't always easy, especially in the early 1900s, so we see the difficulties they faced both politically and personally.

💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: What a book! Meticulously researched and beautifully written - told from both Mary and Eleanor's perspectives. I felt such a range of emotions from The First Ladies: happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, inspiration, and a profound sense of pride in these women who made their voices heard when women's voices were often silenced. I loved their friendship, I loved the candid conversations they had and the way they held each other accountable. I learned so much from this book, and was utterly captivated from the first page to the last.

📌 Be sure to read the authors' notes

📌 The First Ladies is out tomorrow!

**My review has been posted to my Instagram account today, 6/26/23**
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** “We must stop acting with only our own interests at heart. We must begin by working together and supporting one another, no matter our color, religion, or background. This country rises or falls on the strength of all its citizens.” **

Authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray join forces to bring the incredible “The First Ladies,” the story of the unlikely friendship between First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, an African-American educator, civil rights activist and the “First Lady of the Struggle.”

When Eleanor and Mary meet in 1927, their paths are forever changed and linked together — a path toward racial equality and rights for all Americans. As they work together, each using their own influences, they jointly change America and its policies.

Spanning from their meeting in 1927 until shortly after Franklin Delano Roosevelts’s death, “The First Ladies” is an inspirational fictionalized telling of two very real and very historical women — about their inspiring friendship as well as their impacts on the American people. Readers will be amazed by their fortitude and unwillingness to back down.

The authors also include some great themes within this story, including “Inaction in the face of racism is acquiescence to it;” we must be willing to fight for what we believe in; making sacrifices for the greater good; the power of friendship; and the concept of “We’re missionaries in our own land, normalizing the integration of the races.”

Fans of historical fiction, stories about strong female characters, books like “Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray” by Dorothy Love and authors like Melanie Benjamin and Allison Pataki will love “The First Ladies.”

Five stars out of five.

Berkley provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Solid historical fiction with a dual perspective take on First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and "First Lady of Struggle" Mary McLeod Bethune. Mrs. Bethune was a new "character" for me but she was a power house equal rights advocate who became friends over the years with Mrs. Roosevelt. Their shared passion and unique determination made this an interesting read.

For my take it was just a smidge too long (even though it's only ~350 page) but I was very interested in their friendship and their commitment to equality over the years.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy.

A historical fiction novel about the world-changing friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. I've read books about Eleanor Roosevelt before and have long admired her but I had little idea about her direct and ground-breaking connection to the Civil Rights Movement. I also learned a ton more about Bethune. Although the writing style was a bit dry and at times repetitive, it was much more entertaining to learn about this friendship through historical fiction than it would have been to read a nonfiction book about it.

I really enjoyed The Personal Librarian (June 2021) and it was written by Marie Benedict (who I have read before) and she joined with Victoria Christopher Murray. The two continue writing writing historical fiction about the friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune a civil rights activist. While I knew much about Eleanor, I was unfamiliar with Mrs. Bethune. It covers the years 1927 to 1943. It was a time when the majority of blacks voted Republican and of course the Roosevelt’s were Democrats. Both women were advocates against racism much of which was institutionalized at the time. Coming from vastly different backgrounds it is hard to think they’d become friends and work to make changes that the could. I learned more about the time period and obviously about these two women. Sometimes the reading got tedious and slow going and I appreciate the notes from both authors at the end. My book club read their previous book as a group and I can see this getting recommended as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

I have been a fan of Eleanor Roosevelt and this book just drives it home even more I love this book and love her relationship with Miss Mary Brown beating. I love that Mary held herself with suchde decorum regardless of how those around her treated her I love that she created an insurance company because her friends and love ones couldn’t get it I loved when her and Eleanor solidified the friendship in the Harlem restaurant by agreeing to call each other Mary and Eleanor as opposed to formal greetings and I loved getting their to different viewpoints on the same historical events and that they both were terrible cooks although for different reasons there’s just so much to Love about this book I haven’t read the first book by these authors but I want to now. The credibility of a book always depends on the author and I think these two authors bring credibility writing about these two monumental historical figures I have heard of Meri brown Beadding before but never to this degree and want to know more she seems like such a smart lady and a woman I definitely respect they have written them like real people with the real opinions and likes and dislikes and I loved it all. I received this book from NetGalley and Berkeley publishing but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

If you're looking for a wonderful historical fiction you need to check out The First Ladies. I loved The Personal Librarian last year and when I saw this book was about the friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune I couldn't wait to read it!

I really learned about Mary McLeod Bethune when I went to her National Park site The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site in DC and was amazed at how wonderful she was!

This book looks at their friendship from 1920s to 1945 as they become close friends and as they both work towards Civil Rights I liked how we often saw the same event in both Eleanor and Mary's viewpoints, which at times really showed what segregation looked like.

The author's notes at the end shared all of the research they did and how they worked to share the story of this friendship. I also liked their individual notes on the writing of the book and how they've grown in their friendship from their collaborative writing.

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. This book is about Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt and their friendship and most importantly their advocacy of minorities. Two unlikely women, become friends and allies in their efforts to help black people during the years that Roosevelt was governor of New York and President of the United States. These ladies made it their primary goal to make sure that all people were helped during the depression and that all people were able to fight for this country during World War II. All this during a time when women were treated as not having the intelligence to do what was always termed as "men's business" 🙄. Whenever there was an obstacle, these women found a way around it. This also happened during a time when the Black vote primarily went to Republican candidates because they were the party of Lincoln. All this changed with these two women. Some of this I already knew ( the History channel and history books are huge in my life) but alot of this was new to me. I love learning!!! What an amazing way of writing about an important part of history!
4⭐

Thank you to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

I always knew that Eleanor Roosevelt was a special person, but I never knew just how deep her commitment was to our country and equality. Mary Bethune was totally unknown to me, but it's absolutely amazing that she isn't in every history book. She worked tirelessly to advance the rights of black Americans. The relationship between the two "First Ladies" was fascinating. While this book moved a little slowly for me, I learned a bit of history that I feel anyone interested in how our country moved towards equal rights should take the time to read.

I received this advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I am a big fan of Marie Benedict, so I was very eager to read this new novel by her and Victoria Christopher Murray. However, it wasn't my favorite compared to some of her other writing. I persevered and read the entire novel, but I didn't find it as engaging as I was hoping. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Belthune are both fascinating characters and honestly I felt the depiction of them was a bit difficult for me to connect with. Neither one felt fully realized, and I said there was some type of distance between the reader and our characters, likely unintentional. However, this made it hard for me to really enjoy the novel the way I was hoping to. Perhaps my expectations were just too high!

I strongly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys historical fiction focused on female characters in history.