Title: Hamilton and Peggy!: A Revolutionary Friendship
Author: L.M. Elliott
Publication: February 13, 2018
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Genre: YA Fiction, Historical Fiction
Pages: 453
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
For fans of the extraordinary Broadway musical Hamilton, New York Times bestselling author L. M. Elliott delivers a richly detailed historical novel about the lively Peggy Schuyler and her devoted friendship to Alexander Hamilton during the drama of the American Revolution.
Revolutionary. Friend. Lover. Sister.
Peggy Schuyler has always felt like she’s existed in the shadows of her beloved sisters: the fiery, intelligent Angelica and the beautiful, sweet Eliza. The three of them have a magnetic pull—they are stronger together than they are alone. But it’s in the throes of a chaotic war that Peggy finds herself a central figure amid Loyalists and Patriots, spies and traitors, and friends and family. Charming, quick-witted, and clever beyond compare, Peggy is determined to use her talents to make her own mark on the Revolutionary War.
When a flirtatious aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton, writes an eloquent letter to Peggy asking for her help in wooing the earnest Eliza, Peggy finds herself unable to deny such an impassioned plea. A fast friendship forms between the two, but Alexander is caught in the same war as her father, General Philip Schuyler, and the danger to all their lives is real. Everything is a battlefield—from the front lines to their carefully coded letters—and Peggy must put herself in harm’s way to protect the people she loves. But will her bravery and intelligence be enough to keep them all safe?
REVIEW:
When I saw this book at a bookshop in the Upper Penisula I knew I had to read it. Hamilton and Peggy all in one book!? Sign me up! I have been interested in Hamilton since I listened to the soundtrack on a loop for days. Granted, I haven’t seen the play yet but it is on my bucket list! The other reason it drew me in was, while I have read books about the Civil War and WW 1-2, I have read very few books on the American Revolution.
The story starts in 1777 in Albany, New York. Peggy is playing cards with her sisters, Angelica and Eliza (ok admit it you sang that whole thing) and Mr. Carter, the man who was hired to investigate their father for misusing army funds. Peggy can see that Angelica and Mr. Carter are flirting with each other. Their father catches them kissing and bans Mr. Carter from the house. A little while later, Angelica enlists Peggy to help her leave the house in the middle of the night so she can elope with Mr. Carter against her parent’s wishes. Peggy longs for love. She is desperate for someone to love her. Peggy eventually receives a letter from Alexandar Hamilton asking her to talk him up to her sister Eliza. Peggy starts to spend more time with her father. She starts helping him in the everyday business of the American Revolution. From meeting secret spies to helping him open and reseal intercepted British mail. Peggy finds everything that she is doing worthwhile and exciting. She desperately wishes she could do more. Will Peggy succeed in talking up Hamilton to Eliza? (spoiler alert: she does) Will Peggy become more involved in the every day going on’s of the Revolution?
I desperately wanted to love this book. I had to force myself to read the last quarter of the book. While I loved the idea of the book the character of Peggy fell flat for me. She just seemed to be “poor me” all the time. Whether it is when she doesn’t find love as easily as her sister or feeling like she was over-relied on by her father to care for her mother when all she wanted to do was help him with the Revolution. I did love the exciting adventures that Peggy had. From meeting with spies to being a French translator and a Native American culture explainer for one of her friends. I really enjoyed the interaction between Peggy and Hamilton. The book was well researched and well written even if it didn’t resonate with me.
STAR RATING: 3/5
You can pick up your copy of Hamilton and Peggy by L.M. Elliott on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also, check your local bookstores. You can check out more books from L.M. Elliott HERE. Make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave your feedback for the author when you are finished.
