Wife, Mother, Patriot
Historical fiction at it's best, a novel that flows like we are there with Abigail!
This is a story of her life and the birth of a nation. The sacrifices that she made are incredible, but she is also very smart. She did fight for women's rights, hard to believe that women really had nothing!
As we follow this courageous women and all the obstacles she faced, you truly see how amazing she was. She fights on and takes pride in both her husband and children, and country.
I did not realize that she had so much tragedy in her life, she was such a roll model!
I am so glad to have read this book about such a courageous women!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher William Morrow, and was not required to give a positive review.

Founding Mothers by Stephanie Dray is a captivating and beautifully written novel that brings the women of the American Revolution out of the shadows and into the center of history, portraying figures like Martha Washington and Eliza Hamilton as intelligent, influential, and deeply human. Dray blends meticulous historical research with emotional storytelling, exploring friendship, sacrifice, and the personal costs of building a nation while keeping the narrative engaging and accessible. The novel’s strength lies in its heart—its vivid relationships, compelling inner lives, and reminder that America’s founding was shaped not only by famous men and battles, but by resilient women whose voices and choices mattered profoundly.

Abigail Adams is highly capable of raising her children and running a household while her husband is away. In spite of the legal constraints on women of the day, she flexibly invests in properties and businesses to keep her family and many of those less fortunate around her supplied with the basic needs of life. But she is unsettled about it. She and John Adams have much love, and an unusual kind of all encompassing trust for each other. But most of their lives are lived in challenging but, sadly, parallel adventures. The letters that these stories are based on are the truths behind their stranger than fiction lives. You will walk the walk of an eighteenth century colonial family separated by politics, war, and service to their country. There are decisions that are life and death, frustrations with both friends and the common man, and moral lines to be straddled in politics and society. No holds are barred as they have discussions regarding their sometimes contrasting opinions of colleagues or moral dilemmas. Finally able to spend their old age together, there are some unsettled reflections Abigail and John share together about how they handled things along the way. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoi do not sweep anything under the rug. In the end you will feel you saw the full measure of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the amazing life of Abigail Adams. Abigail knew the sacrifices of her commitments as she supported her husband's political missions for the survival of the fledgling nation called the United States. She more than John saw how this changed their relationship and their family and who her children were. You may find, like I did, that Abigail and John Adams held their friendship. their marriage , and their commitment to family as the most important things in life. But they sacrificed all for their personal commitments to patriotism, and their foundational mission of forging the basis of a long term survival for their country. I for one, saw clearly. after this read, how grateful during our country’s 250th anniversary we should be for not just our Founding Fathers, but for the one and only Abigail Adams., one of our Founding Mothers.

A stunning and important historical novel focusing on Founding Mother Abigail Adams, wife of a president, and later mother of a president. This beautifully written, meticulously researched story makes the personal sacrifices come alive of patriots behind the scenes like Abigail, who effectively advanced the cause of the American Revolution as profoundly as any soldier. If you read one histfic book this year, choose "A Founding Mother!"

A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamdie is a wonderfully written novel about Abigail Adams’ impact on her husband, John and her son, John Quincy during a period when women basically were not supposed to have opinions and if they did they definitely shouldn’t express them. Fortunately, Abigail Adams, a self taught reader and writer, was a prolific letter writer and the authors give their readers a good sample of her opinions. This reviewer also appreciated the ‘refresher course’ in our nation’s founding as we approach the 250th anniversary. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. From the very first pages, I was completely immersed in the world of Abigail Adams - not just as a figure in history books, but as a woman of extraordinary strength, intelligence, and conviction.

Dray and Kamoie have an incredible gift for bringing the past to life with emotional depth and historical richness, and this novel is no exception. Through Abigail’s voice, we experience the uncertainty, sacrifice, and relentless upheaval that shaped the birth of America. Reading her story, I found myself wondering: has there ever truly been a time of peace in this country? The struggles of her era feel strikingly familiar, which makes this novel especially powerful and relevant today.

Abigail Adams emerges here as one of the strongest women in American history - fiercely independent, intellectually formidable, and far ahead of her time in both thought and action. She was not content to simply stand behind her husband; she stood beside him, advising, challenging, and shaping the ideals of a nation. I would give anything to sit down with her and talk about life, leadership, resilience, and the courage it takes to speak boldly when the world expects your silence.

This is historical fiction at its finest - meticulously researched, beautifully written, and deeply human. It’s also a story that lingers long after you turn the final page. I know I will be rereading it.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

For readers who love immersive, character-driven historical fiction — and especially for those seeking stories of powerful women who helped shape our world - this novel is an absolute must-read. Dray and Kamoie have once again delivered a masterpiece.

A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray; Laura Kamoie is an amazing historical fiction that I just truly loved.

I have read many books (but not all) written by Ms Dray, and I have loved every one of them that I have picked up, and this is no exception.

I loved learning more about this fabulous, complex, and underrated woman. It is sad to say I knew very little of her, especially compared to her husband.

The novel was well researched, intriguing, compelling, and kept me coming back for more. I really didnt want it to end. I love it when I get to learn something new while I am being thoroughly entertained. A reader cannot ask for more.

This will be by far one of my favorite books of this year. High expectations for the remaining books to come.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/5/2026.

Behind every founding father was a woman history almost forgot.

A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie tells the story of the American Revolution through the eyes of Abigail Adams—one of its fiercest and most overlooked figures.

While the men built a fragile new nation, Abigail held everything together behind the scenes. Managing a household alone for years, raising children, and enduring uncertainty, she was intelligent, resilient, and unafraid to speak her mind. She was truly a force to be reckoned with.
This novel beautifully honors the women whose strength and sacrifices were essential to the founding of a nation, yet so often forgotten.

A fascinating look at one of the founding mothers of our country. Living in a time when women were second class citizens, she advised her husband as well as other politicians, raised her children while also silently earning the money needed to keep her family fed, and never lost sight of the importance of our new nations independence.

Stephanie Dray and Laura Karlie have done an excellent job in A Founding Mother. They have shown a light on the trials, tribulations and sacrifices that Abigail Adams and others of her ilk and time have contributed to the story of the United States of America. Mrs. Adams, believing that all humans ( male, female, black white) should share the same freedoms and have the same responsibility to help shape this country, did her best to be a constant buzz in the ear of her husband whether in person or through her letters during his long absences. The authors have presented Abigail Adams as a thoughtful, loving and strong woman not just a secondary historical figure.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity its to read the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC. Abigail Adams, wife to one president and mother to another lived a long, love filled and challenging life. As a guiding light to John Adams and the creation of the Declaration of Independence, they together helped forge a nation. She sacrificed her husband over and over so he may create a life for all Americans to enjoy for generations to come. Though this book has a lot of talk of politics, it was an amazing read of an amazing woman! #AFoundingMother #StephanieDray #LauraKamoie #WilliamMorrow #May2026

I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I loved Stephanie Dray's book, Becoming Madame Secretary and was delighted to see that she had written a new one(co written with Laura Kamoie) on Abigail Adams. This book is a well researched, well written historical fiction novel not just on Abigail ,and her family, but on all of the wide cast of characters in the American Revolution and its aftermath. I have recently been taking Life Long Learning Classes ( for us senior citizens) through our local University and have had several that dealt with the Revolution and formation of the United States.It was fun and enjoyable to see it through a slightly different prism , that of a woman. While Abigail may have asked her husband( in vain) to" remember the ladies", we should all remember Abigail Adams , not just as a wife of a founding father, but a founding mother in her own right!

A Founding Mother
by Stephanie Dray; Laura Kamoie
May 5, 2026
Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams—wife of one president and mother to another—whose wit, willpower, and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. A stunning historical novel with modern-day implications from the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton.
I recommend this book highly! From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, A Founding Mother is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today.

This is a story of her life and the birth of a nation. The sacrifices that she made are incredible, but she is also very smart. She did fight for women's rights, hard to believe that women really had nothing!
As we follow this courageous woman and all the obstacles she faced, you truly see how amazing she was. She fights on and takes pride in both her husband and children, and country.
I did not realize that she had so much tragedy in her life, she was such a role model!
I am so glad to have read this book about such a courageous woman!

Abigail Adam’s was a woman ahead of her time! From supporting a husband in the new country of America to raising a son for the future.. Thank you so much for this book. Stephanie Dray is a favorite author of mine. The writing is great, with detailed characters and descriptive narrative, just enough to keep the pages turning. This novel of historical fiction is incredibly timely.

It took me a long time to read this lengthy historical fiction book, but it was great. At times I felt transported through time seeing the action through Abigail Adam’s eyes. Recommended for anyone interested in the early days of American Democracy.