Alex & Eliza (The Alex & Eliza Trilogy Book 1)

Melissa de la Cruz brought to life an enchanting and delightful romance in ALEX & ELIZA. Based on the imagined courtship of two historical figures, the story seamlessly weaves together fact with fiction, resulting in a tale that is interesting and engaging, that sparks curiosity about the lives of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler, and that gives these two real-life characters personality and voice. It is a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable read that will have readers who don’t already know running to Wikipedia to find out what happens next. In Revolutionary America, there was little time and opportunity for romance. Marriages were practical, meant to strengthen alliances, join together two families, pass along wealth in exchange for title, rid a household of the burden of providing for their “of age” daughters. But when Alex met Eliza, he couldn’t help but fall for her beauty, her wit, her more unassuming and practical nature. And although he knew that he didn’t have a name or wealth to offer her, he hoped she might see past that to the man he was and would be. Eliza didn’t want to like the handsome, charming and chivalrous aide-de-camp to Washington. Not when it was Alex who delivered the news of her father’s court-martial and went on to prosecute him for dereliction of duty. But his appreciation for her assistance with the troops and his affection for her that was unwavering for the more than two years since their first meeting, made it impossible for her not to return those feelings. But without letting his intentions be known to her and her family, they couldn’t have a proper courtship. And with her family’s insistence on marrying off their daughters posthaste and preferably to suitors of means, there was no time for Alex to prove himself worthy of courting Eliza. Which meant that if her family decided on a more suitable match for their daughter, any future they had hoped for together would be gone, and they would both remain forever heartbroken. Melissa de la Cruz adds in just the right amounts of history to make her story feel authentic and yet still keep it entertaining. She brings in humor to keep things light. And she keeps the focus on the subtle flirtations, the witty banter, the stolen moments that make up the romance between Alex and Eliza. For those readers who are just being introduced to Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler, ALEX & ELIZA promises to be a wonderful, sweet, and hopeful love story. Those who know a bit more about the two may find it a touch more bittersweet. But all who read this bewitching and irresistible romance will fall in love with Alex and Eliza's love story and wish for it to be true.

I enjoyed this novel very much. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect never having seen Hamilton and knowing it was De La Cruz’s initial inspiration for the book. However, I’m familiar with the music and plot of the musical which helped keep the novel in perspective. The YA spin on the story worked perfectly; basing the novel on Alex and Eliza’s early romance made them perfect subjects for a YA story. The author did well to blend historical information, character development, and plenty of humor into her story. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to readers of YA, historical fiction, and fans of Hamilton and Melissa De La Cruz.

I adore Hamilton the musical, I love the liveliness of it, the fact it's brought to live in 2017 and teaches us history with real people blows me away. I love it. Everything Hamilton out there I try to get my hands on. Honestly I've always been an Alexander Hamilton fan before the musical because he had such a propensity for shooting at people who were suppose to be above him or his equals at least. He was a known dueler, and claimed he didn't like it or believe in it but he sure did get involved in them quite often. His death with Burr always amazed me. Now, this book was good, it was about Hamilton and Eliza falling in love but it isn't the musical. If you want politics this isn't the book for you because there is none, or hardly mentions the war at all aside in passing. If you want detailed history, you aren't going to get it. It has creative liberties taken with the story that didn't happen so it isn't even historically accurate. Most of them added I think anyways because we don't know what all happened. To write this kind of story you have to take liberties to fill in the holes and I think it was done fairly well. It tends to get wordy at times also so it isn't anywhere as fast or lively as I was expecting but that was fine. For the times they had to say a thousand words to get their point across, now we can say one sentence, and if we are texting it doesn't have to be fully spelled out either. I love the people involved in the story already and it was fun to read. I love a good YA rom-com which is sort of where this went. Angelica was my favorite character because she was loud mouthed and sometimes mean when a woman wasn't suppose to have an opinion. Opinions were suppose to be thought never spoken and her strong willed character gave me hope that not all women were meek and mild in those times. I didn't like the way women tend to be treated overall in the book but it's set in 1780 and based on real people. History hasn't been kind to women and so it made sense to the story, doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. Overall I'm glad to add to my Hamilton collection with this fun and sweet love story.

I got this book because I've been obsessed with the Hamilton play. This book helped me learn that the play wasn't based completely on facts(should have seen that coming). But I enjoyed it nonetheless and read it completely in two days. Though I would have enjoyed if the romance was longer. They didn't start having strong feelings until less than half way through the book.

Perfect for fans of Hamilton and for lovers of history and/or the American Revolution. This fictional account of a famous historic couple was fantastic. I loved Eliza and she was the perfect fiery and independent woman that made Alexander fall in love with her. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Alex and Eliza is an interesting story of love and social norms in the context of the The Revolutionary War. As a reader, I was disappointed with only the occasional focus on the history and, in my opinion, the over emphasis on fashion and beauty tips of the times! Not sure I will rush to read book two.

This is a fun book to read for fans of Hamilton. This is the first book in a trilogy that courtship of Alexander and Elizabeth up until their wedding, it left me excited for what happens next.

Like most people right now, I am riding high on the Hamilton wave. When I saw a trilogy had been written, I decided to give it a go. It's amazingly well written for what I was expecting to be a usual sort of easy read YA novel. The details in character and language were superb. The book is chock full of wonderful historical tidbits and while there was definitely quite a bit added to it (and I only know this from reading more historically accurate accounts; I am by no means an expert) I found it fun and even at parts, nerve wracking! The story is romantic and soft while not being too spicy for the kiddos. Anyone who enjoyed Lin Manuel Miranda's masterpiece of a play is sure to enjoy and appreciate the first installment of this trilogy. I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into the next one!