Not only is this the author's debut historical novel, it's about a Hidden Figure, A person in Black History I had never heard of before. This was a good story. Very informative and enlightening. And you could tell the amount of research that was placed in the story was just the right amount. She faced a lot of pressure from the community, like many did during that time frame, and she also went through a lot. It was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to be able to read more from this author in the future.

Let Us March On by Shara Moon is the fictionalized account of the life of Lizzie McDuffie, a Black maid serving in the White House during all four of FDR's presidential terms. McDuffie grew up in Atlanta as an avid reader and gifted orator. When her husband went to work for Roosevelt as his chauffeur and eventually followed him to the White House, Lizzie went along, too. She quickly became close to the President and was able to share with him the concerns of her fellow Black citizens. She played a key role in the beginning of the civil rights movement. I enjoyed learning about Mrs McDuffie, FDR, and the issues facing the American people, especially Black Americans, at that time.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for a review copy of this title.

I enjoy historical fiction and all the rabbit holes I find myself down on the internet while reading this genre of books. I knew little about the Roosevelt administration beyond what I learned back in high school, so I thought this book, “Let Us March On” by Shara Moon, would be a good entry point. It is a soft landing into a part of American history via a black domestic servant in the White House, Lizzie McDuffie. She is the main character and narrator of the story. 

Lizzie starts working in the White House as a maid but then begins an unofficial role as a secretary to FDR in matters that were affecting the Black American citizens. The author did a good job balancing the story about Lizzie and her husband who is the valet for FDR and incorporating a timeline of historical events in and outside the country. I found myself looking on the internet to find out if some of the events that I hadn’t heard about were true. The author's use of the letters that Lizzie received from Black citizens to illuminate the injustices that the Black community faced on a daily basis. Moon also did a good job contrasting the experiences Lizzie and her husband while sheltered in the White House from everyday Black Americans. Lizzie was an unsung hero that finally gets her flowers via this historical fiction story.

I also loved all the quotes I was able to glean from this book. Like this one from Voltaire: “The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”

Overall, I found both the story and characters interesting. However, I did find the pacing a bit slow and in some areas there was a bit of repetition, but overall a good story and one that is important to learn.

This felt like a good book to read during February. It was an interesting insight into FDR’s presidencies & what that looked like for social progress. I mostly enjoyed the POV & the way it was written, the voice slipped for me sometimes (in a literary sense). While it was hard to hear how pervasive lynchings were in the 1930s, it was harder to stomach the fact that it still happens in different ways. This book reminded me why it is so important to fight for justice here & why I am so grateful the Lord has justice ultimately always.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This could have been a book that led to discussions about racism, MLK Jr., and a host of other topics but it was too slow paced to allow the reader to be interested. The main character was preachy and unlikeable. This book was not for me.

I appreciated the point of view of the story - a black maid who served during FDR's time in the White House. However, there were parts that were fairly dry and then parts that were really interesting. I would have liked the end to tie back to the prologue.

I am normally a huge fan of historical fiction….especially when it relates to an actual person who lived some of the event. Although I found Lizzie and her friendship with FDR to have its delightful moments, I felt the internal monologue which seemed to get repetitive took away from the story for me.
Although Lizzie said how much she loved her husband there was very little evidence of that in the book. I honestly forgot about him about 3 quarters of the way through and it felt like she had as well.
Overall it was a decent read to learn some interesting things about a horrible time in history. 3/5 stars for me as it is not something I would read again.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Far more than just a book, Let Us March on beckons us to take action, challenging us as readers to reflect on our own roles in the quest for equality and justice. The narrative demonstrates how we are truly better together. It leaves you with a renewed sense of hope in what can be. Until then, let us march on…

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was a fantastic historical fiction novel. I really enjoyed learning about Miss Lizzie McDuffie, who worked very closely with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction novels, especially about the lesser known historical figures who really should be more well-known.

I was not aware of who Lizzie McDuffie was or the role she played in the FDR White House until I read this book. She was a maid and a somewhat reluctant Civil Rights activist. Her husband, Irvin ‘Mac’ McDuffie, was Franklin Roosevelt’s valet. They were employed there for 12 years.

I thought this was such an interesting book and I loved how she had the ability to advocate for people of color in big and small ways through her connection to the president. I enjoyed learning from this story.

[Thanks to the publisher, William Morrow Books, and NetGalley for the advance electronic copy of this https://www.instagram.com/apuzzledbooklover/book in exchange for an honest review.]

I found this book to be fascinating. I had never heard of this woman, however I felt this author did an excellent job bringing her to life. I really admired the strength and courage of this woman who put herself out there in so many brave ways during the time period she was in. She also brought FDR to life as well. I hope that this author continues to write. I want more. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I became fascinated with this book from page 1. I Immediately fell in love with Lizzie and greatly appreciated that it was written from her point of view. The relationship which she and her husband Mac achieved with Mr and Mrs Roosevelt was one of value and worth, they truly became friends and confidants. Lizzie says she never considered herself to be a civil rights activist but by bringing people’s stories and concerns to the President and being willing to bring up the hard subjects of injustice with him, she truly was an activist of the good kind. This story not only shared what Lizzie did and went through, but also shared what Mac’s journey was which resembles many people and also shared things about FDR that many may not know and certainly many did not see. This is an easy read in a very good way!
Thank you Netgalley and ARC for the opportunity to read this.

I really enjoy reading historical fiction particularly if I learn something about history that I did not know.
This is a truly engaging read about Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ McDuffe who was a maid during the Roosevelt presidency. Lizzie becomes so much more to Franklin D. Roosevelt and the First Lady but also to the black community as a whole. She became know as the Secretary on Coloured Peoples Affairs. This is a well researched story of a strong female figure in history. A great read.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC! Starting this on MLK Jr Day was special. A timely book for today, this reminded me of how history repeats itself. We watch the FDR four term presidency through the eyes of White House maid Lizzie McDuffie.

FDR was president during WW2 and was responsible for the Japanese internment. However, Lizzie sees FDR as a hero. A quote from one of Lizzie's speeches when she was leading campaigns for his reelection: "God emancipated our souls and Lincoln emancipated our bodies, but FDR emancipated the civic side of the negro."

Lizzie is the perfect example of someone using their position for good. The personal White House details were a fun touch.

I did struggle with some aspects of the book. For example, it rubbed me the wrong way that it was seen as progressive that most of the White House staff, at the servant level, were negroes (as the book says). Towards the end of the book, Lizzie does appear to see this in a negative light as well, it seemed. There were also undertones of Lizzie being used by FDR and his family to win the negro vote. Lizzie seems to be against this and speaks of FDR as a friend and great boss.

Mr. Squeaks was a great moment and a great metaphor (IYKYK).

Another great quote: "When the most vulnerable members of our society are in trouble, then the rest of us have an obligation to safeguard them the best we can."

A bright and inspiring debut novel for this author. Having recently read “Becoming Madame Secretary”, by a different author, but also about a strong woman who worked alongside FDR during his presidency, this was a great parallel. Lizzie McDuffie is a colored woman who follows her husband “Mac” to the White House as he continues his position of valet to FDR. Lizzie soon becomes employed herself as a White House maid. She is then able to use her position to be a bridge between the president and the black people of America to try to help create a better world for “her people”. Lizzie and Mac are portrayed as hard working, loyal people and I enjoyed learning more about them throughout this book. I also discovered more about the kind of person Roosevelt was. Kind, tough, hardworking… very much like Mac and Lizzie. He truly did what he could to make our country better through some hard times. I would have liked to have had the author delve into a little more of the things Lizzie did for people of color, as it sounds like she was instrumental in getting some things accomplished by continuing to bring their perils to the president and Eleanor Roosevelt. I love that the author chose to tell the story through Lizzie’s eyes as it let us see her world up close and personal. I would definitely pick up future books by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morriw publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

From the first page, I enjoyed this story! I absolutely loved learning more about FDR, Lizzie, and the Civil Rights movement. Moon's storytelling brought Lizzie and the White House to life for me. I didn't know much about this period and had fun leaning more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I know that I am in for a “ good ride” when I get hooked into a book on page one, this book did not disappoint in any way, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about the relationship between FDR and Lizzie Mc Duffie who was more than a Negro maid in the White House during his administration. Lizzie , who worked in the White House as her husband Mac who already was employed as FDR ‘s personal valet became a “ personal secretary “ to FDR regarding the plight of colored people . Lizzie who was a educated woman became a nanny/ nurse to white families in the South due to difficulties in obtaining employment as a Negro, she worked in the White House as a maid but also reported to FDR about the colored people , she ultimately campaigned and gave speeches for FDR. I thoroughly enjoyed this book about this amazing woman, it was interesting, enlightening and gave insight into the workings of the White House. The author certainly did her research on this well written book. I highly recommend it

This is the fictional story of the woman named Lizzie McDuffie who was a White House maid during FDR's presidential terms. She followed her husband to the White House as he served as FDR's valet. She quickly found her place as a maid, but also as an activist and representative of the Black community during a very difficult time in history. This is an inspiring look at the life of this woman and her impact.

This was an interesting read that highlighted the life of Lizzie McDuffie and her special connection to and influence on FDR. I felt her passion and frustration as she worked for justice and equality. The story was told as if Lizzie was reflecting on her life, preparing to write her memoirs. This allowed for the inclusion of many of the highlights of her career, but as a result, the storytelling didn't always flow smoothly. Also, I felt it would have benefited from an epilogue to round it out (There was a prologue).

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the early read.

Let Us March On chronicles the life of Lizzie McDuffie, who as a maid in FDR’s White House helped spearhead the Civil Rights Movement. After joining the White House, Lizzie managed to become indispensable to the Roosevelt family. Never shy about pointing out injustices, she advocated for the needs and rights of her fellow African Americans. This is a fascinating book – I knew nothing about Lizzie McDuffie before I read this one. FDR’s terms were such a time of change for the U.S., and Lizzie made important contributions. For fans of untold stories and the Civil Rights Movement.